Notes on Psalms
From the Original 1599 Geneva Bible Notes

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Ps 1:1

1:1 Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the {a} counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

The Argument - This book of psalms is given to us by the Holy Spirit, to be esteemed as a precious treasure in which all things are contained that bring to true happiness in this present life as well as in the life to come. For the riches of true knowledge and heavenly wisdom, are here set open for us, to take of it most abundantly. If we would know the great and high majesty of God, here we may see the brightness of it shine clearly. If we would seek his incomprehensible wisdom, here is the school of the same profession. If we would comprehend his inestimable bounty, and approach near to it, and fill our hands with that treasure, here we may have a most lively and comfortable taste of it. If we would know where our salvation lies and how to attain to everlasting life, here is Christ our Redeemer, and Mediator most evidently described. The rich man may learn the true use of his riches. The poor man may find full contentment. He who will rejoice will know true joy, and how to keep measure in it. They who are afflicted and oppressed will see what their comfort exists in, and how they should praise God when he sends them deliverance. The wicked and the persecutors of the children of God will see how the hand of God is always against them: and though he permits them to prosper for a while, yet he bridles them, so much so that they cannot touch a hair of ones head unless he permits them, and how in the end their destruction is most miserable. Briefly here we have most present remedies against all temptations and troubles of mind and conscience, so that being well practised in this, we may be assured against all dangers in this life, live in the true fear and love of God, and at length attain the incorruptible crown of glory, which is laid up for all who love the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(a) When a man has once given place to evil counsel, or to his own sin nature, he begins to forget himself in his sin, and so falls into contempt of God, which is called the seat of the scorners.

Ps 1:2

1:2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his {b} law doth he meditate day and night.

(b) In the holy scriptures.

Ps 1:3

1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and {c} whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

(c) God's children are so moistened with his grace, that whatever comes to them, tends to their salvation.

Ps 1:4

1:4 {d} The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

(d) Though the wicked seem to prosper in this world, yet the Lord drives them down that they shall not rise nor stand in the company of the righteous.

Ps 1:5

1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the {e} judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

(e) But tremble when they see God's wrath.

Ps 1:6

1:6 For the LORD {f} knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

(f) Approves and prospers, in the same way that to not know is to reprove and reject.

Ps 2:1

2:1 Why do the {a} heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

(a) The conspiracy of the Gentiles, the murmuring of the Jews and power of kings cannot prevail against Christ.

Ps 2:3

2:3 {b} Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

(b) Thus the wicked say that they will cast off the yoke of God and of his Christ.

Ps 2:5

2:5 {c} Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

(c) God's plagues will declare that in resisting his Christ, they fought against him.

Ps 2:7

2:7 I will declare the {d} decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this {e} day have I begotten thee.

(d) To show that my calling to the kingdom is from God.
(e) That is to say, concerning man's knowledge, because it was the first time that David appeared to be elected by God. So it is applied to Christ in his first coming and manifestation to the world.

Ps 2:8

2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the {f} uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.

(f) Not only the Jews but the Gentiles also.

Ps 2:10

2:10 {g} Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

(g) He exhorts all rulers to repent in time.

Ps 2:12

2:12 {h} Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye {i} perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.

(h) In a sign of homage.
(i) When the wicked will say, Peace and rest, then will destruction suddenly come, 1Th 5:3.

Ps 3:1

3:1 [A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.] LORD, how are they {a} increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me.

(a) This was a token of his stable faith, that for all his troubles he turned to God.

Ps 3:2

3:2 Many [there be] which say of my soul, [There is] no help for him in God. {b} Selah.

(b) Selah here signifies a lifting up of the voice, to cause us to consider the sentence as a thing of great importance.

Ps 3:6

3:6 I will not be afraid of
(c) ten thousands of people, that have set [themselves] against me round about.

(c) When he considered the truth of God's promise, and tried the same, his faith increased marvellously.

Ps 3:8

3:8 {d} Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.

(d) No matter how great or many the dangers may be, yet God always has ways to deliver his.

Ps 4:1

4:1 [{a} To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.] Hear me when I call, {b} O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in {c} distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

(a) Among those who were appointed to sing the psalms and to play on instruments, one was appointed chief to set the tune, and to begin: who had the charge because he was most excellent and he began this psalm on the instrument called Neginoth or in a tune so called.
(b) You who are the defender of my just cause.
(c) Both of mind and body.

Ps 4:2

4:2 O ye {d} sons of men, how long [will ye turn] my glory into shame? [how long] will ye {e} love vanity, [and] seek after leasing? Selah.

(d) You who think yourselves noble in this world.
(e) Though your enterprises please you, yet God will bring them to nothing.

Ps 4:3

4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is {f} godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

(f) A king who walks in his vocation.

Ps 4:4

4:4 {g} Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be {h} still. Selah.

(g) For fear of God's judgment.
(h) Cease your rage.

Ps 4:5

4:5 {i} Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

(i) Serve God purely, and not with outward ceremonies.

Ps 4:6

4:6 [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] {k} good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

(k) The multitude seeks worldly wealth, but David sets his happiness in God's favour.

Ps 4:8

4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, {l} only makest me dwell in safety.

(l) This word in Hebrew may be referred to God, as it is here translated, or to David, signifying that he should dwell as joyfully alone, as if he had many about him, because the Lord is with him.

Ps 5:1

5:1 [To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.] Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my {a} meditation.

(a) That is, my vehement prayer and secret complaint and sighings.

Ps 5:3

5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will {b} look up.

(b) Or wait, with patience and trust till I am heard.

Ps 5:4

5:4 For thou [art] not a God that hath pleasure in {c} wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

(c) Seeing that God of nature hates wickedness, he must punish the wicked and save the godly.

Ps 5:5

5:5 {d} The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

(d) Who run blindly after their carnal desires.

Ps 5:7

5:7 But as for me, I {e} will come [into] thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: [and] in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

(e) In the deepest of his temptations he puts his full confidence in God.

Ps 5:8

5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness {f} because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

(f) Because you are just, therefore lead me out of the dangers of my enemies.

Ps 5:10

5:10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them {g} fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

(g) Let their devices come to nothing.

Ps 5:11

5:11 But {h} let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

(h) Your favour toward me will confirm the faith of all others.

Ps 5:12

5:12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour {i} wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.

(i) So that he will be safe from all dangers.

Ps 6:1

6:1 [To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.] O LORD, {a} rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

(a) Though I deserve destruction, yet let your mercy pity my frailty.

Ps 6:2

6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my {b} bones are vexed.

(b) For my whole strength is abated.

Ps 6:3

6:3 {c} My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

(c) His conscience is also touched with the fear of God's judgment.

Ps 6:5

6:5 For in {d} death [there is] no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

(d) He laments that opportunity should be taken from him to praise God in the congregation.

Ps 6:8

6:8 {e} Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

(e) God sends comfort and boldness in affliction, that we may triumph over our enemies.

Ps 6:10

6:10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return [and] be ashamed {f} suddenly.

(f) When the wicked think the godly will perish, God delivers them suddenly, and destroys their enemies.

Ps 7:2

7:2 Lest {a} he tear my soul like a lion, rending [it] in pieces, while [there is] none to deliver.

(a) He desires God to deliver him from the rage of cruel Saul.

Ps 7:3

7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done {b} this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

(b) With which Cush charges me.

Ps 7:4

7:4 {c} If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me;
(yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

(c) If I did not reverence Saul for affinities sake, and preserved his life, 1Sa 26:8,9.

Ps 7:5

7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take [it]; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine {d} honour in the dust. Selah.

(d) Let me not only die, but be dishonoured forever.

Ps 7:6

7:6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the {e} judgment [that] thou hast commanded.

(e) In promising me the kingdom.

Ps 7:7

7:7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore {f} return thou on high.

(f) Not only for mine, but for your Church's sake declare your power.

Ps 7:8

7:8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my {g} righteousness, and according to mine integrity [that is] in me.

(g) As concerning my behaviour towards Saul and my enemies.

Ps 7:9

7:9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the {h} hearts and reins.

(h) Though they pretend a just cause against me, yet God will judge their hypocrisy.

Ps 7:11

7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry [with the wicked] {i} every day.

(i) He continually calls the wicked to repentance by some sign of his judgments.

Ps 7:12

7:12 If {k} he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

(k) Unless Saul changes his mind, I will die, for he has both the men and weapons to destroy me. Thus considering his great danger, he magnifies God's grace.

Ps 7:17

7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his {l} righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

(l) In faithfully keeping his promise to me.

Ps 8:2

8:2 Out of the mouth {a} of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

(a) Though the wicked would hide God's praises, yet the very babes are sufficient witnesses of the same.

Ps 8:4

8:4 What is {b} man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

(b) It was sufficient for him to have set forth his glory by the heavens, though he had not come so low as to man who is but dust.

Ps 8:5

8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the {c} angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

(c) Concerning his first creation.

Ps 8:7

8:7 All {d} sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

(d) By the temporal gifts of man's creation, he is led to consider the benefits which he has by his regeneration through Christ.

Ps 9:1

9:1 [To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.] I will praise [thee], O LORD, with my {a} whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

(a) God is not praised unless the whole glory is given to him alone.

Ps 9:4

9:4 For {b} thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

(b) However the enemy seems for a time to prevail yet God preserves the just.

Ps 9:6

9:6 {c} O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

(c) A derision of the enemy that minds nothing but destruction: but the Lord will deliver his, and bring him into judgment.

Ps 9:9

9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the {d} oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

(d) Our miseries are meant to cause us to feel God's present care over us.

Ps 9:12

9:12 {e} When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

(e) Though God does not suddenly avenge the wrong done to his, yet he does not permit the wicked to go unpunished.

Ps 9:14

9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the {f} gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

(f) In the open assembly of the Church.

Ps 9:15

9:15 The heathen are {g} sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

(g) For God overthrows the wicked in their enterprises.

Ps 9:16

9:16 {h} The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

(h) The mercy of God toward his saints must be declared and the fall of the wicked must always be considered.

Ps 9:18

9:18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation {i} of the poor shall [not] perish for ever.

(i) God does not promise to help us before we have felt the cross.

Ps 9:20

9:20 Put them in fear, O LORD: [that] the nations may know themselves [to be but] {k} men. Selah.

(k) Which they cannot learn without the fear of your judgment.

Ps 10:1

10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? [why] hidest thou [thyself] in {a} times of trouble?

(a) As soon as we enter into affliction, we think God should help us, but that is not always his due time.

Ps 10:3

10:3 For the wicked {b} boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.

(b) The wicked man rejoices in his own lust he boasts when he has that he would; he brags of his wit and wealth and blesses himself and thus blasphemes the Lord.

Ps 10:6

10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for [I shall] {c} never [be] in adversity.

(c) The evil will not touch me, Isa 28:15 or else he speaks thus because he never felt evil.

Ps 10:8

10:8 {d} He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

(d) He shows that the wicked have many ways to hide their cruelty and therefore should be even more feared.

Ps 10:10

10:10 He croucheth, [and] humbleth himself, that the {e} poor may fall by his strong ones.

(e) By the hypocrisy of them who have authority the poor are devoured.

Ps 10:12

10:12 {f} Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

(f) He calls to God for help, because wickedness is so far overgrown that God must help now or never.

Ps 10:13

10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not {g} require [it].

(g) Therefore you must punish their blasphemy.

Ps 10:14

10:14 Thou hast seen [it]; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to {h} requite [it] with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

(h) To judge between the right and the wrong.

Ps 10:15

10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil [man]: seek out his wickedness [till] thou find {i} none.

(i) For you have utterly destroyed him.

Ps 10:16

10:16 The LORD [is] King for ever and ever: the {k} heathen are perished out of his land.

(k) The hypocrites or such as live not after God's law, will be destroyed.

Ps 10:18

10:18 {l} To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

(l) God helps when man's help ceases.

Ps 11:1

11:1 [To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David.] In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, {a} Flee [as] a bird to your mountain?

(a) This is the wicked counsel of his enemies to him and his companions to drive him from the hope of God's promise.

Ps 11:3

11:3 If the {b} foundations be destroyed, what can the {c} righteous do?

(b) All hope of help is taken away.
(c) Yet am I innocent and my cause good.

Ps 11:4

11:4 The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes {d} behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

(d) Though all things in earth are out of order, yet God will execute judgment from heaven.

Ps 11:6

11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, {e} fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the {f} portion of their cup.

(e) As in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
(f) Which they will drink even to the dregs, Eze 23:34.

Ps 12:1

12:1 [To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.] Help, LORD; for the {a} godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

(a) Who dare defend the truth and show mercy to the oppressed.

Ps 12:2

12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] {b} flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.

(b) He means the flatters of the court which hurt him more with their tongues than with their weapons.

Ps 12:4

12:4 Who have said, {c} With our tongue will we prevail; our lips [are] our own: who [is] lord over us?

(c) They think themselves able to persuade whatever they take in hand.

Ps 12:5

12:5 {d} For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will {e} set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

(d) The Lord is moved with the complaints of his, and delivers in the end from all danger.
(e) Because the Lord's word and promise is true and unchangeable he will perform it and preserve the poor from this wicked generation.

Ps 12:7

12:7 Thou shalt keep {f} them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

(f) That is, yours though was only one man.

Ps 12:8

12:8 The wicked walk on every side, {g} when the vilest men are exalted.

(g) For they suppress the godly and maintain the wicked.

Ps 13:1

13:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? {a} for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

(a) He declares that his afflictions lasted a long time, and that his faith did not waver.

Ps 13:2

13:2 How long shall I take {b} counsel in my soul, [having] sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

(b) Changing my purposes as the sick man does his place.

Ps 13:4

13:4 Lest mine enemy say, I have {c} prevailed against him; [and] those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

(c) Which might turn to God's dishonour: if he did not defend his.

Ps 13:5

13:5 But I have trusted in thy {d} mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

(d) The mercy of God is the cause of our salvation.

Ps 13:6

13:6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath {e} dealt bountifully with me.

(e) Both by the benefits past and by others to come.

Ps 14:1

14:1 [To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David.] The fool hath said in his heart, {a} [There is] no God. They are {b} corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.

(a) He shows that the cause of all wickedness if forgetting God.
(b) There is nothing but disorder and wickedness among them.

Ps 14:3

14:3 They are {c} all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

(c) David here makes comparisons between the faithful and the reprobate, but Paul speaks the same of all men naturally, Ro 3:10.

Ps 14:5

14:5 {d} There were they in great fear: for God [is] in the generation of the righteous.

(d) Where they think themselves most sure.

Ps 14:6

14:6 Ye have {e} shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD [is] his refuge.

(e) You mock them who put their trust in God.

Ps 14:7

14:7 Oh that the salvation of {f} Israel [were come] out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.

(f) He prays for the whole Church whom he is assured God will deliver: for no one else but he can do it.

Ps 15:2

15:2 He that {a} walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

(a) He shows that we cannot call on God unless we trust in him.

Ps 15:4

15:4 {b} In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not.

(b) He who flatters not the ungodly in their wickedness.

Ps 15:5

15:5 [He that] {c} putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these [things] {d} shall never be moved.

(c) To the hinderance of his neighbour.
(d) That is, will not be cast from the Church as a hypocrite.

Ps 16:1

16:1 [Michtam of David.] Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my {a} trust.

(a) He shows that we cannot call on God unless we trust in him.

Ps 16:2

16:2 [O my soul], thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou [art] my Lord: my {b} goodness [extendeth] not to thee;

(b) Though we cannot enrich God, yet we must bestow God's gifts for the use of his children.

Ps 16:4

16:4 Their {c} sorrows shall be multiplied [that] hasten [after] another [god]: {d} their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

(c) As grief of conscience and miserable destruction.
(d) He would neither by outward profession nor in heart, nor in mouth consent to their idolatries.

Ps 16:6

16:6 The {e} lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places]; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

(e) With which my portion is measured.

Ps 16:8

16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I {g} shall not be moved.

(g) The faithful are sure to persevere to the end.

Ps 16:9

16:9 Therefore {h} my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

(h) That is, I rejoice both in body and in soul.

Ps 16:10

16:10 For thou {i} wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(i) This is chiefly meant by Christ, by whose resurrection all his members have immortality.

Ps 16:11

16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy {k} presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

(k) Where God favours there is perfect happiness.

Ps 17:1

17:1 [A Prayer of David.] Hear {a} the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips.

(a) My righteous cause.

Ps 17:2

17:2 Let my {b} sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

(b) The vengeance that you will show against my enemies.

Ps 17:3

17:3 Thou hast {c} proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my {d} mouth shall not transgress.

(c) When your Spirit examined my conscience.
(d) I was innocent toward my enemy both in deed and thought.

Ps 17:4

17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the {e} word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer.

(e) Though the wicked provoked me to do evil for evil, yet your word kept me back.

Ps 17:6

17:6 I have called upon thee, {f} for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and hear] my speech.

(f) He was assured that God would not refuse his request.

Ps 17:7

17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that {g} rise up [against them].

(g) For all rebel against you, who trouble your Church.

Ps 17:9

17:9 From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass {h} me about.

(h) For their cruelty cannot be satisfied but with my death.

Ps 17:10

17:10 They are inclosed in their own {i} fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

(i) They are puffed up with pride, as the stomach that is choked with fat.

Ps 17:13

17:13 Arise, O LORD, {k} disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword:

(k) Stop his rage.

Ps 17:14

17:14 From men [which are] thy {l} hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their {m} portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.

(l) By your heavenly power.
(m) And not feel the pain that God's children often do.

Ps 17:15

17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face {n} in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I {o} awake, with thy likeness.

(n) This is the full happiness, comforting against all assaults to have the face of God and favourable countenance opened to us.
(o) And am delivered out of my great troubles.

Ps 18:2

18:2 {a} The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

(a) He uses this diversity of names to show that as the wicked have many means to hurt, so God has many ways to help.

Ps 18:3

18:3 I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be {b} praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

(b) For no one can obtain their request from God if they do not join his glory with their petition.

Ps 18:4

18:4 {c} The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

(c) He speaks of the dangers and malice of his enemies from which God had delivered him.

Ps 18:7

18:7 {d} Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

(d) A description of the wrath of God against his enemies, after he had heard his prayer.

Ps 18:8

18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and {e} fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

(e) He shows how horrible God's judgments will be to the wicked.

Ps 18:9

18:9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and {f} darkness [was] under his feet.

(f) Darkness signifies the wrath of God as the clear light signifies God's favour.

Ps 18:10

18:10 And he rode upon a {g} cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

(g) This is described at large in Ps 104:1-35.

Ps 18:11

18:11 He made darkness his {h} secret place; his pavilion round about him [were] dark waters [and] thick clouds of the skies.

(h) As a king angry with the people, will not show himself to them.

Ps 18:13

18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave {i} his voice; hail [stones] and coals of fire.

(i) Thunders, lightnings and hail.

Ps 18:14

18:14 Yea, he sent out {k} his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

(k) His lightening.

Ps 18:15

18:15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the {l} foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

(l) That is, the deep bottoms were seen when the Red sea was divided.

Ps 18:16

18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many {m} waters.

(m) Out of many great dangers.

Ps 18:17

18:17 He delivered me from my {n} strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were {o} too strong for me.

(n) That is, Saul.
(o) Therefore God sent me help.

Ps 18:19

18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place; {p} he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

(p) The cause of God's deliverance is his favour and love for us.

Ps 18:20

18:20 The LORD rewarded me according to my {q} righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

(q) David was sure of his righteous cause and good behaviour toward Saul and his enemies and therefore was assured of God's favour and deliverance.

Ps 18:22

18:22 For all his judgments [were] before me, and I did not put away his {r} statutes from me.

(r) For all his dangers he exercised himself in the law of God.

Ps 18:23

18:23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine {f} iniquity.

(f) I neither gave place to their wicked temptations nor to my own desires.

Ps 18:25

18:25 With the {t} merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;

(t) Here he speaks of God according to our capacity, who shows mercy to his and punishes the wicked, as is also said in Le 26:21,24.

Ps 18:27

18:27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt {u} bring down high looks.

(u) When their sin is come to the full measure.

Ps 18:29

18:29 For by thee I have {x} run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

(x) He attributes it to God that he both got the victory in the field and also destroyed the cities of his enemies.

Ps 18:30

18:30 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the {y} word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.

(y) No matter how great or many the dangers may be, yet God's promise must take effect.

Ps 18:32

18:32 [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my {z} way perfect.

(z) He gives good success to all my enterprises.

Ps 18:33

18:33 He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet], and setteth me upon my {a} high places.

(a) As towers and forts, which he took out of the hands of God's enemies.

Ps 18:35

18:35 Thou hast also given me the {b} shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy {c} gentleness hath made me great.

(b) To defend me from dangers.
(c) He attributed the beginning, continuance and increase in well doing only to God's favour.

Ps 18:37

18:37 {d} I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

(d) David declares that he did nothing besides his calling, but was stirred up by God's Spirit to execute his judgments.

Ps 18:40

18:40 Thou hast also {e} given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.

(e) You have given them to my hands to be slain.

Ps 18:41

18:41 They {f} cried, but [there was] none to save [them: even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

(f) They who reject the cry of the afflicted, God will also reject them when they cry for help, for either pain or fear causes those hypocrites to cry.

Ps 18:43

18:43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; [and] thou hast made me the head of the {g} heathen: a people [whom] I have not {h} known shall serve me.

(g) Who dwell round about me.
(h) The kingdom of Christ is prefigured in David's kingdom, who by the preaching of his word brings all to his subjection.

Ps 18:44

18:44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall {i} submit themselves unto me.

(i) Or lie: signifying a subjection constrained and not voluntary.

Ps 18:45

18:45 The strangers shall {k} fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.

(k) Fear will cause them to be afraid and come forth from their secret holes and holds to seek pardon.

Ps 18:48

18:48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the {l} violent man.

(l) That is, Saul who out of malice persecuted him.

Ps 18:49

18:49 Therefore will {m} I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

(m) This prophecy belongs to the kingdom of Christ and calling of the Gentiles, as in Ro 15:9.

Ps 18:50

18:50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his {n} seed for evermore.

(n) This did not properly belong to Solomon, but to Jesus Christ.

Ps 19:1

19:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] The {a} heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

(a) He reproaches man for his ingratitude, seeing the heavens, which are dumb creatures, set forth God's glory.

Ps 19:2

19:2 {b} Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

(b) The continual success of the day and night is sufficient to declare God's power and goodness.

Ps 19:3

19:3 [There is] no speech nor {c} language, [where] their voice is not heard.

(c) The heavens are a schoolmaster to all nations, no matter how barbarous.

Ps 19:4

19:4 Their {d} line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

(d) The heavens are as a line of great capital letters to show God's glory to us.

Ps 19:5

19:5 Which [is] as a bridegroom coming out of his {e} chamber, [and] rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

(e) Or vail. The custom was that the bride and bridegroom would stand under a vail together, and after come forward with great solemnity and rejoicing of the assembly.

Ps 19:7

19:7 The {f} law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.

(f) Though the creatures cannot serve, yet this should be sufficient to lead us to him.

Ps 19:9

19:9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] {g} true [and] righteous {h} altogether.

(g) So that all man's inventions and intentions are lies.
(h) Everyone without exception.

Ps 19:10

19:10 More to be {i} desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

(i) Unless God's word is esteemed above all worldly things, it is contemned.

Ps 19:11

19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great {k} reward.

(k) For God accepts our endeavour though it is far from perfect.

Ps 19:12

19:12 Who can understand [his] {l} errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].

(l) Then there is no reward of duty, but of grace: for where sin is, there death is the reward.

Ps 19:13

19:13 Keep back thy servant also from {m} presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: {n} then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

(m) Which are done purposely and from malice.
(n) If you suppress my wicked affections by your Holy Spirit.

Ps 19:14

19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the {o} meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

(o) That I may obey you in thought, word and deed.

Ps 20:1

20:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] The {a} LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the {b} name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

(a) By this kings are also admonished to call to God in their affairs.
(b) The virtue, power and grace of God.

Ps 20:3

20:3 Remember all thy offerings, and {c} accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

(c) In token that they are acceptable to him.

Ps 20:5

20:5 We will rejoice in thy {d} salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

(d) Granted to the king in whose wealth our happiness stands.

Ps 20:6

20:6 Now {e} know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his {f} holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

(e) The Church feels that God had heard their petition.
(f) As by the visible sanctuary God's familiarity appeared toward his people, so by the heavenly is meant his power and majesty.

Ps 20:8

20:8 {g} They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

(g) The worldlings who do not put their trust in God alone.

Ps 20:9

20:9 Save, LORD: {h} let the king hear us when we call.

(h) Let the king be able to deliver us by your strength, when we seek him for help.

Ps 21:1

21:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] The king shall {a} joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

(a) When he will overcome his enemies, and so be assured of his calling.

Ps 21:3

21:3 For thou {b} preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

(b) You declared your liberal favour toward him before he prayed.

Ps 21:4

21:4 {c} He asked life of thee, [and] thou gavest [it] him, [even] length of days for ever and ever.

(c) David not only obtained life, but also assurance that his posterity would reign forever.

Ps 21:6

21:6 For thou hast made him most {d} blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.

(d) You have made him your blessings to others, and a perpetual example of your favour forever.

Ps 21:8

21:8 {e} Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.

(e) Here he describes the power of Christ's kingdom against the enemies of it.

Ps 21:9

21:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his {f} wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

(f) This teaches us patiently to endure the cross till God destroys the adversary.

Ps 21:11

21:11 For they {g} intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, [which] they are not able [to perform].

(g) They laid as it were their nets to make God's power bend to their wicked enterprises.

Ps 21:12

21:12 Therefore shalt thou make them {h} turn their back, [when] thou shalt make ready [thine arrows] upon thy strings against the face of them.

(h) As a mark to shoot at.

Ps 21:13

21:13 {i} Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: [so] will we sing and praise thy power.

(i) Maintain your Church against your adversaries that we may have ample opportunity to praise your Name.

Ps 22:1

22:1 [To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.] My {a} God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my {b} roaring?

(a) Here appears that horrible conflict, which he sustained between faith and desperation.
(b) Being tormented with extreme anguish.

Ps 22:3

22:3 But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the {c} praises of Israel.

(c) He means the place of praising, even the tabernacle or else it is so called, because he gave the people continuous opportunity to praise him.

Ps 22:6

22:6 But I [am] a {d} worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

(d) And seeming most miserable of all creatures, which referred to Christ, and in this appears the unspeakable love of God for man, that he would thus abase his son for our sakes.

Ps 22:9

22:9 But thou [art] he that took me out of the {e} womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother's breasts.

(e) Even from my birth you have given me opportunity to trust in you.

Ps 22:10

22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's {f} belly.

(f) For unless God's providence preserves the infants, they would perish a thousand times in the mother's womb.

Ps 22:12

22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong {g} [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.

(g) He means that his enemies were so fat, proud and cruel that they were more like beasts than men.

Ps 22:14

22:14 I am poured out like {h} water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

(h) Before he spoke of the cruelty of his enemies, and now he declares the inward grief of the mind, so that Christ was tormented both in soul and body.

Ps 22:15

22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou {i} hast brought me into the dust of death.

(i) You permitted me to be without all hope of life.

Ps 22:16

22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they {k} pierced my hands and my feet.

(k) Thus David complained as though he were nailed by his enemies in both hands and feet, but this was accomplished in Christ.

Ps 22:20

22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my {l} darling from the power of the dog.

(l) My life that is solitary, left alone and forsaken by all, Ps 35:17,25:16

Ps 22:21

22:21 {m} Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

(m) Christ is delivered with a more mighty deliverance by overcoming death, than if he had not tasted death at all.

Ps 22:23

22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, {n} praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

(n) He promises to exhort the Church that they by his example might praise the Lord.

Ps 22:24

22:24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the {o} afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

(o) The poor afflicted are comforted by this example of David, or Christ.

Ps 22:25

22:25 My praise [shall be] of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my {p} vows before them that fear him.

(p) Which were sacrifices of thanksgiving which they offered by God's commandment, when they were delivered out of any great danger.

Ps 22:26

22:26 {q} The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

(q) He alludes still to the sacrifice.

Ps 22:29

22:29 All [they that be] fat {r} upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: {s} and none can keep alive his own soul.

(r) Though the poor are first named as in Ps 22:26 yet the wealthy are not separated from the grace of Christ's kingdom.
(s) In whom there is no hope that he will recover life: so neither poor nor rich, quick nor dead will be rejected from his kingdom.

Ps 22:30

22:30 {t} A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

(t) Meaning, the prosperity which the Lord keeps as a seed to the Church to continue his praise among men.

Ps 22:31

22:31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath {u} done [this].

(u) That is, God has fulfilled his promise.

Ps 23:1

23:1 [A Psalm of David.] The LORD [is] my shepherd; {a} I shall not want.

(a) He has care over me and ministers all things to me.

Ps 23:3

23:3 He {b} restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the {c} paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

(b) He comforts or refreshes me.
(c) Plain or straight ways.

Ps 23:4

23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the {d} shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

(d) Though he was in danger of death, as the sheep that wanders in the dark valley without his shepherd.

Ps 23:5

23:5 Thou preparest a {e} table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou {f} anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

(e) Even though his enemies sought to destroy him, yet God delivers him, and deals most liberally with him in spite of them.
(f) As was the manner of great feasts.

Ps 23:6

23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the {g} house of the LORD for ever.

(g) He does not set his happiness in the pleasures of this world, but in the fear and service of God.

Ps 24:2

24:2 For he hath founded it upon the {a} seas, and established it upon the floods.

(a) He notes two things: the one, that the earth to man's judgment seems above the waters: and next, that God miraculously preserves the earth, that it is not drowned with the waters, which naturally are above it.

Ps 24:6

24:6 This [is] the {b} generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

(b) Though circumcision separates the carnal seed of Jacob, from the Gentiles, yet he who seeks God, is the true Jacob and an Israelite.

Ps 24:7

24:7 {c} Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

(c) David desires the building up of the temple, in which the glory of God should appear and under the figure of this temple, he also prays for the spiritual temple, which is eternal because of the promise which was made to the temple, as it is written, Ps 132:14.

Ps 25:1

25:1 [[A Psalm] of David.] Unto thee, {a} O LORD, do I lift up my soul.

(a) I did not put my trust in any worldly thing.

Ps 25:2

25:2 O my God, I {b} trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

(b) That you will take away my enemies, which are your rods.

Ps 25:4

25:4 {c} Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

(c) Retain me in the faith of your promise that I swore not on any side.

Ps 25:5

25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait {d} all the day.

(d) Constantly and against all temptations.

Ps 25:7

25:7 Remember not the {e} sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.

(e) He confesses that his many sins were the reason that his enemies persecuted him, desiring that the cause of the evil may be taken away, so that the effect may cease.

Ps 25:8

25:8 Good and upright [is] the LORD: therefore will he {f} teach sinners in the way.

(f) That is, call them to repentance.

Ps 25:9

25:9 The meek will he {g} guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

(g) He will govern and comfort them that are truly humbled for their sins.

Ps 25:11

25:11 For thy {h} name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it [is] great.

(h) For no other respect.

Ps 25:12

25:12 What {i} man [is] he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way [that] he shall {k} choose.

(i) Meaning, the number is very small.
(k) He will direct such with his spirit to follow the right way.

Ps 25:13

25:13 His soul shall dwell at {l} ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

(l) He will prosper both in spiritual and corporal things.

Ps 25:14

25:14 The {m} secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

(m) His counsel contained in his word, by which he declares that he is the protector of the faithful.

Ps 25:17

25:17 The troubles of my heart {n} are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.

(n) My grief is increased because of my enemies cruelty.

Ps 25:19

25:19 Consider mine {o} enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

(o) The greater that his afflictions were and the more that his enemies increased, the more near he felt God's help.

Ps 25:21

25:21 Let {p} integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

(p) As I have behaved myself uprightly toward my enemies, let them know that you are the defender of my just cause.

Ps 26:1

26:1 [[A Psalm] of David.] Judge me, {a} O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; [therefore] I shall not slide.

(a) He flees to God to be the judge of his just cause, seeing there is no equity among men.

Ps 26:2

26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my {b} reins and my heart.

(b) My very affections and inward motions of the heart.

Ps 26:3

26:3 For thy {c} lovingkindness [is] before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.

(c) He shows what stayed him, that he did not recompense evil for evil.

Ps 26:4

26:4 I have not {d} sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

(d) He declares that they cannot walk in simplicity before God, that delight in the company of the ungodly.

Ps 26:6

26:6 I will {e} wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

(e) I will serve you with a pure affection, and with the godly that sacrifice to you.

Ps 26:9

26:9 {f} Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:

(f) Destroy me not in the overthrow of the wicked.

Ps 26:10

26:10 In whose hands [is] {g} mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

(g) Whose cruel hands execute the malicious devises of their hearts.

Ps 26:12

26:12 My foot standeth in {h} an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

(h) I am preserved from my enemies by the power of God, and therefore will praise him openly.

Ps 27:1

27:1 [[A Psalm] of David.] The LORD [is] my {a} light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

(a) Because he was assured of good success in all his dangers and that his salvation was surely laid up in God, he did not fear the tyranny of his enemies.

Ps 27:3

27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in {b} this [will] I [be] confident.

(b) That God will deliver me and give my faith the victory.

Ps 27:4

27:4 {c} One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

(c) The loss of country, wife and all worldly conveniences would not grieve me as much as this one thing, that I may not praise your name in the midst of the congregation.

Ps 27:6

27:6 {d} And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

(d) David assured himself by the Spirit of prophecy that he should overcome his enemies and serve God in his tabernacle.

Ps 27:8

27:8 [When thou saidst], {e} Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

(e) He grounds on God's promise and shows that he is most willing to obey his commandment.

Ps 27:10

27:10 {f} When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

(f) He magnifies God's love toward his, which far passes the most tender love of parents towards their children.

Ps 27:12

27:12 Deliver me not over unto the {g} will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

(g) But either pacify their wrath, or bridle their rage.

Ps 27:13

27:13 [I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD {h} in the land of the living.

(h) In this present life before I die, as in Isa 38:11.

Ps 27:14

27:14 {i} Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

(i) He exhorts himself to depend on the Lord seeing he never failed in his promises.

Ps 28:2

28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy {b} holy oracle.

(b) He counts himself as a dead man, till God shows his favour toward him, and grants him his petition.

Ps 28:3

28:3 {c} Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief [is] in their hearts.

(c) Destroy not the good with the bad.

Ps 28:4

28:4 {d} Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.

(d) He thus prayed in respect to God's glory and not for his own cause, being assured that God would punish the persecutors of his Church.

Ps 28:5

28:5 Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall {e} destroy them, and not build them up.

(e) Let them be utterly destroyed as in Mal 1:4.

Ps 28:6

28:6 {f} Blessed [be] the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

(f) Because he felt the assurance of God's help in his heart, his mouth was opened to sing his praises.

Ps 28:8

28:8 The LORD [is] {g} their strength, and he [is] the saving strength of his anointed.

(g) Meaning his soldiers who were means by which God declared his power.

Ps 29:1

29:1 [A Psalm of David.] Give unto the LORD, O ye {a} mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

(a) He exhorts the proud tyrants to humble themselves under God's hand, and not to be inferior to brute beasts and dumb creatures.

Ps 29:3

29:3 The {b} voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD [is] upon many waters.

(b) The thunder claps that are heard out of the clouds should make the wicked tremble for fear of God's anger.

Ps 29:5

29:5 The {c} voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

(c) That is, the thunderbolt breaks the most strong trees, and will men think their power able to resist God?

Ps 29:6

29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and {d} Sirion like a young unicorn.

(d) Called also Hermon.

Ps 29:7

29:7 The voice of the LORD divideth the {e} flames of fire.

(e) It causes the lightnings to shoot and glide.

Ps 29:8

29:8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of {f} Kadesh.

(f) In places most desolate, where it seems there is no presence of God.

Ps 29:9

29:9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to {g} calve, and {h} discovereth the forests: and in his {i} temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.

(g) For fear makes them deliver their calves.
(h) Makes the trees bare, or pierces the most secret places.
(i) Though the wicked are not moved by these lights, yet the faithful praise God.

Ps 29:10

29:10 The LORD sitteth upon the {k} flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.

(k) To moderate the rage of the tempests and waters that they not destroy all.

Ps 30:1

30:1 [A Psalm [and] Song [at] the dedication of the {a} house of David.] I will extol thee, O LORD; {b} for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.

(a) After Absalom had polluted it with most filthy fornication.
(b) He condemns them for great ingratitude who do not praise God for his benefits.

Ps 30:2

30:2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast {c} healed me.

(c) Restored from the rebellion of Absalom.

Ps 30:3

30:3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my {d} soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

(d) Meaning, that he escaped death most narrowly.

Ps 30:4

30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye {e} saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

(e) The word signifies them who have received mercy, and show mercy liberally to others.

Ps 30:6

30:6 And in my {g} prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

(g) I put too much confidence in my quiet state as in Jer 31:18, 2Ch 32:24,25.

Ps 30:7

30:7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my {h} mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, [and] I {i} was troubled.

(h) I thought you had established me in Zion most surely.
(i) After you had withdrawn your help, I felt my misery.

Ps 30:9

30:9 What profit [is there] in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the {k} dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

(k) David means that the dead are not profitable to the congregation of the Lord here in the earth: therefore he would live to praise his Name, which is the end of man's creation.

Ps 30:12

30:12 To the end that [my] {l} glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

(l) Because you have preserved me that my tongue should praise you, I will not be unmindful of my duty.

Ps 31:1

31:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy {a} righteousness.

(a) For then God declares himself just, when he preserves his as he has promised.

Ps 31:4

31:4 Pull me out of the {b} net that they have laid privily for me: for thou [art] my strength.

(b) Preserve me from the crafty counsels and subtle practise of my enemies.

Ps 31:5

31:5 Into thine {c} hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

(c) He desires God not only to take care of him in this life, but that his soul may be saved after this life.

Ps 31:6

31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I {d} trust in the LORD.

(d) This affection should be in all God's children to hate whatever is not grounded on a sure trust in God, as deceitful and vain.

Ps 31:8

31:8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a {e} large room.

(e) Largeness signifies comfort, as straitness, sorrow and peril.

Ps 31:9

31:9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine {f} eye is consumed with grief, [yea], my soul and my belly.

(f) Meaning, that his sorrow and torment had continued a great while.

Ps 31:11

31:11 I was a {g} reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

(g) My enemies had drawn all men to their part against me, even my chief friends.

Ps 31:13

31:13 For I have heard the slander of {i} many: fear [was] on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

(i) They who were in authority condemned me as a wicked doer.

Ps 31:14

31:14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, {k} Thou [art] my God.

(k) I had this testimony of conscience, that you would defend my innocence.

Ps 31:15

31:15 My {l} times [are] in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

(l) Whatever changes come, you govern them by your providence.

Ps 31:17

31:17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, [and] let them be {m} silent in the grave.

(m) Let death destroy them to the intent that they may hurt no more.

Ps 31:19

31:19 [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou {n} hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

(n) The treasures of God's mercy are always laid up in store for his children, even at all times they do not enjoy them.

Ps 31:20

31:20 Thou shalt hide them in the {o} secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

(o) That is, in a place where they will have your comfort, and be hid safely from the enemies pride.

Ps 31:21

31:21 Blessed [be] the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a {p} strong city.

(p) Meaning, there was no city strong enough to preserve him, as the defence of God's favour.

Ps 31:22

31:22 For I said in my {q} haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

(q) And so by my rashness and infidelity deserved to have been forsaken.

Ps 31:24

31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall {r} strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

(r) Be constant in your calling, and God will confirm you with heavenly strength.

Ps 32:1

32:1 [[A Psalm] of David, {a} Maschil.] Blessed [is he whose] transgression [is] {b} forgiven, [whose] sin [is] covered.

(a) Concerning the free remission of sins, which is the chief point of our faith.
(b) To be justified by faith, is to have our sins freely remitted, and to be declared just, Ro 4:6.

Ps 32:3

32:3 When I kept {c} silence, my bones waxed old through my {d} roaring all the day long.

(c) Between hope and despair.
(d) Was not eased by silence nor crying, signifying that before the sinner is reconciled to God, he feels a perpetual torment.

Ps 32:5

32:5 I {e} acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

(e) He shows that as God's mercy is the only cause of forgiveness of sins, so the means of it are repentance and confession which proceed from faith.

Ps 32:6

32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a {f} time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters {g} they shall not come nigh unto him.

(f) When necessity causes him to seek you for help, Isa 55:6.
(g) That is, the waters and great dangers.

Ps 32:8

32:8 I will {h} instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

(h) David promises to make the rest of God's children partakers of the benefits which he felt, and that he will diligently look and take care to direct them in the way of salvation.

Ps 32:9

32:9 Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding: whose {i} mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

(i) If men can rule brute beasts, do they think that God will not bridle and tame their rage?

Ps 32:11

32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and {k} rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.

(k) He shows that peace and joy of conscience in the Holy Spirit is the fruit of faith.

Ps 33:1

33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is {a} comely for the upright.

(a) It is the duty of the godly to set forth the praises of God for his mercy and power showed to them.

Ps 33:2

33:2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery [and] an {b} instrument of ten strings.

(b) To sing on instruments, was a part of the ceremonial service of the temple, which does not belong to us any more than the sacrifices, censors and light.

Ps 33:4

33:4 For the {c} word of the LORD [is] right; and all his {d} works [are done] in truth.

(c) That is, counsel or command in governing the world.
(d) That is, the effect and execution.

Ps 33:5

33:5 He {e} loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

(e) However the world judges God's works, yet he does all things according to justice and mercy.

Ps 33:7

33:7 He {f} gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

(f) By the creation of the heavens and beautiful ornament with the gathering also of the waters, he sets forth the power of God, that all creatures might fear him.

Ps 33:10

33:10 The LORD bringeth the {g} counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

(g) No counsel can prevail against God, but he deserves it, and it will have evil success.

Ps 33:12

33:12 Blessed [is] the nation whose {h} God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

(h) He shows that all our happiness stands in this, that the Lord is our God.

Ps 33:13

33:13 The LORD {i} looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

(i) He proves that all things are governed by God's providence and not by fortune.

Ps 33:15

33:15 He {k} fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

(k) Therefore he knows their wicked enterprises.

Ps 33:16

33:16 There is no {l} king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

(l) If kings and the mighty of the world cannot be saved by worldly means, but only by God's providence, what do others have to trust in, who have not similar means?

Ps 33:18

33:18 Behold, {m} the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

(m) God shows his mercy toward his, which man by no means is able to compass.

Ps 33:20

33:20 {n} Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield.

(n) Thus he speaks in the name of the whole Church which only depends on God's providence.

Ps 34:1

34:1 [[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.] I will bless the LORD {a} at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

(a) He promised never to become unmindful of God's great benefit for his deliverance.

Ps 34:2

34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the {b} humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.

(b) They who are beaten down with the experience of their own evils.

Ps 34:4

34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my {c} fears.

(c) Which I conceived for the danger I was in.

Ps 34:5

34:5 They {d} looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

(d) They will be bold to flee to you for help, when they see your mercies toward me.

Ps 34:7

34:7 The {e} angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

(e) Though God's power is sufficient to govern us, yet for man's infirmity he appoints his angels to watch over us.

Ps 34:10

34:10 The young {f} lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not {g} want any good [thing].

(f) The godly by their patient obedience profit more than they who ravage and spoil.
(g) If they abide the last trial.

Ps 34:11

34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the {h} fear of the LORD.

(h) That is, the true religion and worship of God.

Ps 34:12

34:12 What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may {i} see good?

(i) Seeing all men naturally desire happiness, he wonders why they cast themselves willingly into misery.

Ps 34:16

34:16 The {k} face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

(k) The anger of God not only destroys the wicked, but also abolishes their name forever.

Ps 34:18

34:18 The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a {l} broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

(l) When they seem to be swallowed up with afflictions, then God is at hand to deliver them.

Ps 34:20

34:20 {m} He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

(m) And as Christ says, all the hairs of his head.

Ps 34:21

34:21 Evil shall slay the {n} wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

(n) Their wicked enterprises will turn to their own destruction.

Ps 34:22

34:22 The LORD {o} redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

(o) For when they seem to be overcome with great dangers and death itself, then God shows himself as their redeemer.

Ps 35:1

35:1 [[A Psalm] of David.] Plead [my {a} cause], O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

(a) He desires God to undertake his cause against them who persecute him and slander him.

Ps 35:2

35:2 {b} Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

(b) Even though God can with his breath destroy all his enemies, yet the Holy Spirit attributes to him these outward weapons to assure us of his patient power.

Ps 35:3

35:3 Draw out also the spear, and stop [the way] against them that persecute me: say unto my {c} soul, I [am] thy salvation.

(c) Assure me against these temptations, that you are the author of my salvation.

Ps 35:5

35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD {d} chase [them].

(d) Smite them with the spirit of giddiness that their enterprises may be foolish, and they received just reward.

Ps 35:7

35:7 For {e} without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a pit, [which] without cause they have digged for my soul.

(e) Showing that we may not call God to be a revenger but only for his glory, and when our cause is just.

Ps 35:8

35:8 Let destruction come upon {f} him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into {g} that very destruction let him fall.

(f) When he promises peace to himself.
(g) Which he prepared against the children of God.

Ps 35:10

35:10 All my {h} bones shall say, LORD, who [is] like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

(h) He attributes his deliverance only to God, praising him therefore both in soul and body.

Ps 35:11

35:11 {i} False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.

(i) That would not permit me to purge myself.

Ps 35:12

35:12 They rewarded me evil for good [to] the {k} spoiling of my soul.

(k) To have taken from me all comfort and brought me into despair.

Ps 35:13

35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was] sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and {l} my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

(l) I prayed for them with inward affection, as I would have done for myself: or, I declared my affection with bowing down my head.

Ps 35:15

35:15 But in mine {m} adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; they did tear {n} [me], and ceased not:

(m) When they thought me ready to slip and as one that limped for infirmity.
(n) With their railing words.

Ps 35:16

35:16 With hypocritical mockers in {o} feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

(o) The word signifies cakes: meaning that the proud courtiers at their dainty feasts scoff, rail, and conspire his death.

Ps 35:19

35:19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: [neither] let them {p} wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

(p) In token of contempt and mocking.

Ps 35:21

35:21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, [and] said, Aha, aha, {q} our eye hath seen [it].

(q) They rejoiced as though they had now seen David overthrown.

Ps 35:24

35:24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy {r} righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.

(r) It is the justice of God to give to the oppressors affliction and torment, and to the oppressed aid and relief, 2Th 1:6.

Ps 35:25

35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, {s} Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

(s) Because we have that which we sought for, seeing he is destroyed.

Ps 35:26

35:26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion {t} together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed {u} with shame and dishonour that magnify [themselves] against me.

(t) That is, at once, were they never so many or mighty.
(u) This prayer will always be verified against them who persecute the faithful.

Ps 35:27

35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, {x} that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the {y} prosperity of his servant.

(x) That at least favour my right, though they are not able to help me.
(y) He exhorts the Church to praise God for the deliverance of his servants, and for the destruction of his adversaries.

Ps 36:1

36:1 [To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD.] The transgression of the wicked saith {a} within my heart, [that there is] no fear of God before his eyes.

(a) I see evidently by his deeds, that sin pushes forward the reprobate from wickedness to wickedness, even though he goes about to cover his impiety.

Ps 36:2

36:2 For he {b} flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

(b) Though all others detest his vile sin, yet he himself sees it not.

Ps 36:3

36:3 The words of his mouth [are] iniquity and {c} deceit: he hath left off to be wise, [and] to do good.

(c) The reprobates mock wholesome doctrine, and put no difference between good and evil.

Ps 36:4

36:4 He {d} deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way [that is] not good; he abhorreth not evil.

(d) By describing at large the nature of the reprobate, he admonishes the godly to beware of these vices.

Ps 36:5

36:5 Thy {e} mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; [and] thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the clouds.

(e) Though wickedness seems to overflow all the world, yet by your heavenly providence you govern heaven and earth.

Ps 36:6

36:6 Thy righteousness [is] like the great mountains; thy judgments [are] a great {f} deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.

(f) The depth of your providence governs all things, and disposes them, even though the wicked seem to overwhelm the world.

Ps 36:8

36:8 They shall be abundantly {g} satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

(g) Only God's children have enough of all things both concerning this life and the life to come.

Ps 36:10

36:10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that {h} know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

(h) He shows who God's children are, that is, they who know him, and live their lives uprightly.

Ps 36:11

36:11 Let not the {i} foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

(i) Let not the proud advance himself against me, or the power of the wicked drive me away.

Ps 36:12

36:12 {k} There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

(k) That is, in their pride in which they flatter themselves.

Ps 37:1

37:1 [[A Psalm] of David.] Fret not {a} thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

(a) He admonishes us neither to vex ourselves for the prosperous estate of the wicked, or to desire to be like them to make our estate better.

Ps 37:2

37:2 For they shall soon be {b} cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

(b) For God's judgment cuts down their state in a moment.

Ps 37:3

37:3 {c} Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

(c) To trust in God and do according to his will are sure signs that his providence will never fail us.

Ps 37:5

37:5 {d} Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

(d) Do not be led by your own wisdom, but obey God and he will finish his work in you.

Ps 37:6

37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy {e} judgment as the noonday.

(e) As the hope of daylight causes us not to be offended with the darkness of the night so ought we patiently to trust that God will clear our cause and restore us to our right.

Ps 37:7

37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him {f} who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

(f) When God allows the wicked to prosper, it seems to the flesh that he favours their doings, Job 21:7.

Ps 37:8

37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: {g} fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

(g) Meaning, unless he moderates his affection, he will be led to do as they do.

Ps 37:10

37:10 {h} For yet a little while, and the wicked [shall] not [be]: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it [shall] not [be].

(y) He corrects the impatience of our nature, which cannot abide till the fulness of God's time is come.

Ps 37:12

37:12 {i} The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

(i) The godly are assured that the power and craft of the wicked will not prevail against them, but fall on their own necks and therefore should patiently abide God's time, and in the meanwhile bewail their sins, and offer up their tears as a sacrifice of their obedience.

Ps 37:16

37:16 {k} A little that a righteous man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked.

(k) For they are daily fed as with manna from heaven and have sufficient, while the wicked never have enough, but always hunger.

Ps 37:18

37:18 The LORD {l} knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

(l) God knows what dangers hang over his, and by what means to deliver them.

Ps 37:19

37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall {m} be satisfied.

(m) For God will give them contented minds, and that which will be necessary.

Ps 37:20

37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD [shall be] as the {n} fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

(n) They will vanish away suddenly for they are fed for the day of slaughter.

Ps 37:21

37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and {o} giveth.

(o) God so furnishes him with high blessings, that he is able to help others.

Ps 37:23

37:23 {p} The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

(p) God prospers the faithful because they walk in his ways with an upright conscience.

Ps 37:24

37:24 Though he {q} fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

(q) When God exercises his faith with various temptations.

Ps 37:25

37:25 I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his {r} seed begging bread.

(r) Though the just man die, yet God's blessings are extended to his posterity and though God suffer some just man to lack temporal benefits, yet he recompenses him with spiritual treasures.

Ps 37:29

37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein {s} for ever.

(s) They will continually be preserved under God's wings, and have at least inward rest.

Ps 37:30

37:30 The {t} mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

(t) These three points are required from the faithful, that their talk is godly, that God's law is in their heart, and that their life is upright.

Ps 37:33

37:33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is {u} judged.

(u) For though it is sometimes so expedient both for God's glory and their salvation, yet he will approve their cause and avenge their wrong.

Ps 37:36

37:36 Yet he {x} passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

(x) So that the prosperity of the wicked is but as a cloud, which vanishes away in a moment.

Ps 37:37

37:37 {y} Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright: for the end of [that] man [is] peace.

(y) He exhorts the faithful to mark diligently the examples both of God's mercies, and also of his judgments.

Ps 37:39

37:39 But the {z} salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble.

(z) He shows that the patient hope of the godly is never in vain, but in the end has good success, though for a time God proves them by various temptations.

Ps 38:1

38:1 [A Psalm of David, to bring to {a} remembrance.] O LORD, rebuke me not in thy {b} wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

(a) To put himself and others in mind of God's chastisement for sin.
(b) He desires not to be exempted from God's rod, but that he would so moderate his hand, that he might be able to bear it.

Ps 38:2

38:2 For thine {c} arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.

(c) Your sickness, with which you have visited me.

Ps 38:3

38:3 [There is] no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither [is there any] rest in my bones because of my {d} sin.

(d) David acknowledges God to be just in his punishments, because his sins had deserved much more.

Ps 38:4

38:4 For mine {e} iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

(e) He confesses his sins, God's justice, and makes prayer his refuge.

Ps 38:5

38:5 My wounds stink [and] are corrupt because of {f} my foolishness.

(f) That rather gave place to my own lusts, than to the will of God.

Ps 38:8

38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I {g} have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

(g) This example warns us never to despair, no matter how great the torment: but always to cry to God with sure trust for deliverance.

Ps 38:10

38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, {h} it also is gone from me.

(h) My sight fails me for sorrow.

Ps 38:11

38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my {i} kinsmen stand afar off.

(i) Partly for fear and partly for pride, they denied all duty and friendship.

Ps 38:13

38:13 But I, as a {k} deaf [man], heard not; and [I was] as a dumb man [that] openeth not his mouth.

(k) For I can have no audience before men, and therefore patiently wait for the help of God.

Ps 38:16

38:16 For I said, [Hear me], lest [otherwise] they should rejoice over me: {l} when my foot slippeth, they magnify [themselves] against me.

(l) That is, if they see that you do not help me in time, they will mock and triumph as though you had forsaken me.

Ps 38:17

38:17 For I [am] ready to {m} halt, and my sorrow [is] continually before me.

(m) I am without hope to recover my strength.

Ps 38:19

38:19 But mine {n} enemies [are] lively, [and] they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

(n) In my greatest misery they most rejoice.

Ps 38:20

38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow [the thing that] {o} good [is].

(o) He would rather have the hatred of all the world, than fail in any part of his duty to God.

Ps 38:22

38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my {p} salvation.

(p) Who is the author of my salvation: and this declares that he prayed with sure hope of deliverance.

Ps 39:1

39:1 [To the chief Musician, [even] to {a} Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.] I said, {b} I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

(a) This was one of the chief singers, 1Ch 16:41.
(b) Although he had appointed with himself patiently to have wait for God's timing, yet the vehemency of his pain caused him to break his purpose.

Ps 39:2

39:2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, [even] from good; {c} and my sorrow was stirred.

(c) Though when the wicked ruled he thought to have kept silence, yet his zeal caused him to change his mind.

Ps 39:3

39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: [then] {d} spake I with my tongue,

(d) He confesses that he grudged against God, considering the greatness of his sorrows, and the shortness of his life.

Ps 39:5

39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether {e} vanity. Selah.

(e) Yet David offended in that he reasoned with God as though he were too severe toward his weak creature.

Ps 39:8

39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the {f} foolish.

(f) Do not make me a laughing stock to the wicked, wrap me up with the wicked when they are put to shame.

Ps 39:9

39:9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because {g} thou didst [it].

(g) Seeing my troubles came from your providence, I ought to have endured them patiently.

Ps 39:11

39:11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou {h} makest his {i} beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man [is] vanity. Selah.

(h) Though your open plagues do not light on them forever, yet your secret curse continually frets them.
(i) The word signifies all that he desires, as health, force, strength, beauty, and in whatever he has delight, so that the rod of God takes away all that is desired in this world.

Ps 39:13

39:13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, {k} before I go hence, and be no more.

(k) For his sorrow caused him to think that God would destroy him completely, by which we see how hard it is for the saints to keep a measure in their words, when death and despair assails them.

Ps 40:1

40:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] I waited {a} patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

(a) Though God deferred his help, yet he patiently abode till he was heard.

Ps 40:2

40:2 He brought me up also out of an {b} horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.

(b) He has delivered me from great dangers.

Ps 40:3

40:3 And he hath put {c} a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

(c) That is, a special opportunity to praise him, for God's benefits are so many opportunities for us to praise his Name.

Ps 40:4

40:4 Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth {d} not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

(d) To follow their example, which he must do who trusts not only in the Lord.

Ps 40:5

40:5 Many, {e} O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

(e) David goes from one king of God's favour to the contemplation of his providence over all, and confesses that his counsels toward us are far above our capacities, we cannot so much as tell them in order.

Ps 40:6

40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; {f} mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

(f) You have opened my ears to understand the spiritual meaning of the sacrifices: and here David esteems the ceremonies of the law as nothing in respect to the spiritual service.

Ps 40:7

40:7 {g} Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me,

(g) When you had opened my ears and heart, I was ready to obey you, being assured that I was written in the book of your elect for this end.

Ps 40:9

40:9 I have preached righteousness in the {h} great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

(h) In the Church assembled in the sanctuary.

Ps 40:10

40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy {i} faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

(i) David here numbers three degrees of our salvation: God's mercy, by which he pities us, his righteousness which signifies his continual protection and his truth, by which appears his constant favour, so that from this our salvation proceeds.

Ps 40:12

40:12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart {k} faileth me.

(k) Concerning the judgment of the flesh, I was utterly destitute of all counsel, yet faith inwardly moved my heart to pray.

Ps 40:14

40:14 Let them be {l} ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

(l) He desires that God's mercy may contend for him against the rage of his enemies.

Ps 40:15

40:15 Let them be {m} desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

(m) Let the same shame and confusion come on them, which they intended to have brought on me.

Ps 40:16

40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, {n} The LORD be magnified.

(n) As the faithful always praise God for his benefits, so the wicked mocked God's children in their afflictions.

Ps 41:1

41:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] Blessed [is] he that {a} considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

(a) Not condemning him as accused whom God visits, knowing that there are various reasons why God lays his hand on us, yea and afterwards he restores us.

Ps 41:3

41:3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the {b} bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his {c} bed in his sickness.

(b) When for sorrow and grief of mind he calls himself on his bed.
(c) You have restored him in his sick bed and sent him comfort.

Ps 41:5

41:5 Mine enemies {d} speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

(d) That is, curse me and cannot have their cruel hate quenched but with my shameful death.

Ps 41:6

41:6 And if he come to see [me], he speaketh {e} vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; [when] he goeth abroad, he telleth [it].

(e) For pretending to comfort me, he conspires my death in his heart, and brags of it.

Ps 41:8

41:8 {f} An evil disease, [say they], cleaveth fast unto him: and [now] that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

(f) The enemies thought by his sharp punishments that God had become his mortal enemy.

Ps 41:9

41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, {g} hath lifted up [his] heel against me.

(g) As David felt this falsehood, and as it was chiefly accomplished in Christ, Joh 13:18 so shall his members continually prove the same.

Ps 41:12

41:12 And as for me, thou upholdest me {h} in mine integrity, and settest me before thy {i} face for ever.

(h) Meaning, either in prosperity of life or in the true fear of God against all temptation.
(i) Showing me evident signs of your fatherly providence.

Ps 41:13

41:13 Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. {k} Amen, and Amen.

(k) By this repetition he stirs up the faithful to praise God.

Ps 42:1

42:1 [To the chief Musician, Maschil, {a} for the sons of Korah.] As the hart {b} panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

(a) As a treasure to be kept by them, who were of the number of the Levites.
(b) By these comparisons of the thirst and panting, he shows his fervent desire to serve God in his temple.

Ps 42:3

42:3 {c} My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where [is] thy God?

(c) As others take pleasure in eating and drinking, so he was altogether given to weeping.

Ps 42:4

42:4 When I remember {d} these [things], I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

(d) That is, how I led the people to serve you in your tabernacle, and now seeing my contrary estate, I die for sorrow.

Ps 42:5

42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? {e} hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance.

(e) Though he sustained grievous assaults of the flesh to cast him into despair, yet his faith grounded on God's accustomed mercies gets the victory.

Ps 42:6

42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: {f} therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

(f) That is, when I remember you in this land of my banishment among the mountains.

Ps 42:7

42:7 {g} Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

(g) Afflictions came so thick upon me that I felt overwhelmed: by which he shows there is no end to our misery till God is pacified and sends help.

Ps 42:8

42:8 [Yet] the LORD {h} will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song [shall be] with me, [and] my prayer unto the God of my life.

(h) He assures himself of God's help in time to come.

Ps 42:10

42:10 [As] with a sword in my {i} bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where [is] thy God?

(i) That is, I am most grievously tormented.

Ps 42:11

42:11 {k} Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

(k) This repetition declares that David did not overcome at once, to teach us to be constant, for as much as God will certainly deliver his.

Ps 43:1

43:1 Judge {a} me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly {b} nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

(a) He desires God to undertake his cause against the enemies but chiefly that he would restore him to the tabernacle.
(b) That is, the cruel company of my enemies.

Ps 43:3

43:3 O send out thy {c} light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

(c) That is, your favour which appears by the performance of your promises.

Ps 43:4

43:4 Then {d} will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

(d) He promises to offer a solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving in token of his great deliverance.

Ps 43:5

43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? {e} hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

(e) By which he admonishes the faithful not to relent but constantly to wait on the Lord, though their troubles are long and great.

Ps 44:1

44:1 [To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.] We have heard with our {a} ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

(a) This psalm seems to have been made by some excellent prophet for the use of the people when the Church was in extreme misery, either at their return from Babylon or under Antiochus or in similar afflictions.

Ps 44:2

44:2 [How] thou didst drive out the {b} heathen with thy hand, and plantedst {c} them; [how] thou didst afflict the {d} people, and
(e) cast them out.

(b) That is, the Canaanites.
(c) That is, our fathers.
(d) Of Canaan.
(e) That is, our fathers.

Ps 44:3

44:3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a {f} favour unto them.

(f) God's free mercy and love is the only fountain and beginning of the Church, De 4:37.

Ps 44:4

44:4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for {g} Jacob.

(g) Because you are our king, therefore deliver your people from their misery.

Ps 44:5

44:5 {h} Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

(h) Because they and their forefathers made both one Church, they apply that to themselves which before they attributed to their fathers.

Ps 44:9

44:9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to {i} shame; and goest not forth with our armies.

(i) As they confessed before that their strength came from God, so now they acknowledge that this affliction came by his just judgment.

Ps 44:11

44:11 Thou hast given us {k} like sheep [appointed] for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.

(k) Knowing God to be author of this calamity, they murmur not, but seek remedy at his hands who wounded them.

Ps 44:12

44:12 Thou sellest thy people {l} for nought, and dost not increase [thy wealth] by their price.

(l) As slaves who are sold for a low price, you do not look for him who offers the most, but take the first offer.

Ps 44:15

44:15 My {m} confusion [is] continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

(m) I dare not lift up my head for shame.

Ps 44:16

44:16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and {n} avenger.

(n) Meaning, the proud and cruel tyrant.

Ps 44:17

44:17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not {o} forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

(o) They boast not of their virtues, but declare that they rest on God in the midst of their affliction: who did not punished their sins now, but by hard afflictions called them to the consideration of the heavenly joys.

Ps 44:20

44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a {p} strange god;

(p) They show that they honoured God correctly, because they trusted in him alone.

Ps 44:21

44:21 Shall not God {q} search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

(q) They take God to witness that they were upright toward him.

Ps 44:22

44:22 Yea, for thy sake {r} are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

(r) The faithful take comfort in this, that the wicked punish them not for their sins, but for because of God, Mt 5:10, 1Pe 4:14.

Ps 44:25

44:25 For our soul is {s} bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

(s) There is no hope of recovery, unless you raise us up with your hand.

Ps 44:26

44:26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy {t} mercies' sake.

(t) Which is the only sufficient ransom to deliver both body and souls from all kinds of slavery and misery.

Ps 45:1

45:1 [To the chief Musician upon {a} Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of {b} loves.] My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue [is] the pen of a ready writer.

(a) This was a certain tune of an instrument.
(b) Of that perfect love that ought to be between the husband and the wife.

Ps 45:2

45:2 Thou art {c} fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

(c) Solomon's beauty and eloquence to win favour with his people, and his power to overcome his enemies, is here described.

Ps 45:4

45:4 And in thy majesty {d} ride prosperously because of truth and meekness [and] righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

(d) He alludes to them, who ride in chariots in their triumphs, showing that the quiet state of a kingdom stands in truth, meekness and justice, and not in worldly pomp and vanity.

Ps 45:6

45:6 Thy {e} throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre.

(e) Under this figure of this kingdom of justice is set forth the everlasting kingdom of Christ.

Ps 45:7

45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath {f} anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

(f) Has established your kingdom as the figure of Christ, which is the peace and joy of the Church.

Ps 45:8

45:8 All thy garments [smell] of myrrh, and aloes, [and] cassia, out of the ivory palaces, {g} whereby they have made thee glad.

(g) In which the people made you joyful to see them give thanks and rejoice for you.

Ps 45:9

45:9 Kings' daughters [were] among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the {h} queen in gold of Ophir.

(h) Though he had many king's daughters among his wives, yet he found Pharaoh's daughter best.

Ps 45:10

45:10 {i} Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

(i) Under the figure of Pharaoh's daughter, he shows that the Church must cast off all carnal affections to obey Christ only.

Ps 45:12

45:12 And the {k} daughter of Tyre [shall be there] with a gift; [even] the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

(k) He signifies that many of those who are rich will be benefactors to the Church, although they do not give perfect obedience to the Gospel.

Ps 45:13

45:13 The king's daughter [is] all glorious {l} within: her clothing [is] of wrought gold.

(l) There is nothing feigned or hypocritical but she is glorious both within and without: and even though the Church has not always had this outward glory, the fault is to be imputed only to their own ingratitude.

Ps 45:16

45:16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy {m} children, whom thou mayest make princes {n} in all the earth.

(m) They will have greater graces than their fathers.
(n) He signifies the great compass of Christ's kingdom, which will be sufficient to enrich all his members.

Ps 45:17

45:17 I will make thy {o} name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

(o) This must only be referred to Christ and not to Solomon.

Ps 46:1

46:1 [To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon {a} Alamoth.] God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in {b} trouble.

(a) Which was either a musical instrument or a solemn tune, to which this psalm was sung.
(b) In all manner of troubles God shows his speedy mercy and power in defending his.

Ps 46:2

46:2 Therefore will not we {c} fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

(c) That is, we will not be overcome with fear.

Ps 46:3

46:3 [Though] the waters thereof {d} roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

(d) Though the afflictions rage, yet the rivers of God's mercies bring sufficient comfort to his.

Ps 46:4

46:4 [There is] a {e} river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High.

(e) The river of Shiloh, which passed through Jerusalem: meaning, though the defence seems small, yet if God has appointed it, it is sufficient.

Ps 46:5

46:5 God [is] in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, [and that] {f} right early.

(f) Always when need requires.

Ps 46:7

46:7 The LORD of hosts [is] {g} with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

(g) They are assured that God can and will defend his Church from all dangers and enemies.

Ps 46:8

46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, {h} what desolations he hath made in the earth.

(h) That is, how often he has destroyed his enemies, and delivered his people.

Ps 46:10

46:10 Be {i} still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

(i) He warns them who persecute the Church to cease their cruelty: for also they will feel that God is too strong for them against whom they fight.

Ps 47:1

47:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.] O {a} clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

(a) Here is figured Christ to whom all his should give willing obedience, and who would show himself terrible to the wicked.

Ps 47:3

47:3 He shall {b} subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

(b) He has made the Jews who were the keepers of the law and prophets, schoolmasters to the Gentiles, that they would with gladness obey them.

Ps 47:4

47:4 He shall choose {c} our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

(c) God has chosen us above all other nations, to enjoy a most glorious inheritance.

Ps 47:5

47:5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the {d} sound of a trumpet.

(d) He alludes to the trumpets that were blown at solemn feasts: but he further signifies the triumph of Christ and his glorious ascension into the heavens.

Ps 47:7

47:7 For God [is] the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with {e} understanding.

(e) He requires that understanding be joined with singing, lest the Name of God be profaned with vain crying.

Ps 47:9

47:9 The princes of the people are gathered together, [even] the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth [belong] unto God: he {f} is greatly exalted.

(f) He praises God's highness, for that he joins the great princes of the world
(whom he calls shields) to the fellowship of his Church.

Ps 48:1

48:1 [{a} A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah.] Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the {b} city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.

(a) Some put this difference between a song and psalm, saying that it is called a song when there is no instrument but the voice, and the song of the psalm is when the instruments begin and the voice follows.
(b) Even though God shows his wonders through all the world, yet he will be chiefly praised in his Church.

Ps 48:2

48:2 Beautiful for situation, the {c} joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

(c) Because the word of salvation came there to all who would believe.

Ps 48:3

48:3 God is known in her palaces for a {d} refuge.

(d) Unless God is the defence of it, neither situation nor munition can prevail.

Ps 48:4

48:4 For, lo, the kings were {e} assembled, they passed by together.

(e) They conspired and went against God's people.

Ps 48:5

48:5 They saw [{f} it, and] so they marvelled; they were troubled, [and] hasted away.

(f) The enemies were afraid at the sight of the city.

Ps 48:7

48:7 Thou breakest the ships {g} of Tarshish with an east wind.

(g) That is, of Cilicia or of the Mediterranean sea.

Ps 48:8

48:8 As we have {h} heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.

(h) That is, of our fathers: so have we proved: or God has performed his promise.

Ps 48:10

48:10 According to thy name, O God, so [is] thy praise unto the ends of the {i} earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

(i) In all places where your Name will be heard of, men will praise you when they hear of your marvellous works.

Ps 48:11

48:11 Let {k} mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

(k) Let Jerusalem and the cities of Judea rejoice, for your just judgments against your enemies.

Ps 48:12

48:12 {l} Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

(l) For in this outward defence and strength God's blessings also appeared, but the chief is to be referred to God's favour and secret defence, who never leaves his.

Ps 49:1

49:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.] Hear {a} this, all [ye] people; give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world:

(a) He will intreat how God governs the world by his providence which cannot be perceived by the judgment of the flesh.

Ps 49:5

49:5 Wherefore should I {b} fear in the days of evil, [when] the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

(b) Though wickedness reigns and enemies rage, seeing God will execute his judgments against the wicked at a suitable time.

Ps 49:6

49:6 They that trust in their {c} wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

(c) To trust in riches is madness, seeing they can neither restore life, nor prolong it.

Ps 49:8

49:8
(For the redemption of their soul [is] {d} precious, {e} and it ceaseth for ever:)

(d) That is, so rare or not to be found, as prophecy was precious in the days of Eli, 1Sa 3:1.
(e) Meaning it is impossible to live for ever: also that life and death are only in God's hands.

Ps 49:10

49:10 For he seeth [that] wise men {f} die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to {g} others.

(f) In that that death makes no difference between the persons.
(g) That is, not to their children, but to strangers. Yet the wicked profit not by these examples, but still dream of immortality on earth.

Ps 49:12

49:12 Nevertheless man [being] in honour abideth not: he is like the {h} beasts [that] perish.

(h) Concerning the death of the body.

Ps 49:13

49:13 This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity {i} approve their sayings. Selah.

(i) They speak and do the same thing that their fathers did.

Ps 49:14

49:14 {k} Like sheep they are laid in the grave; {l} death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the {m} morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

(k) As sheep are gathered into the fold, so shall they be brought to the grave.
(l) Because they have no part of life everlasting.
(m) Christ's coming is as the morning, when the elect will reign with Christ their head over the wicked.

Ps 49:18

49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and {n} [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

(n) The flatterers praise them who live in delight and pleasures.

Ps 49:19

49:19 {o} He shall go to the generation of his fathers; {p} they shall never see light.

(o) And not pass the term appointed for life.
(p) Both they and their fathers will live here but a while and at length die forever.

Ps 49:20

49:20 Man [that is] in honour, and {q} understandeth not, is like the beasts [that] perish.

(q) He condemns man's ingratitude, who having received excellent gifts from God, abuses them like a beast to his own condemnation.

Ps 50:1

50:1 [A Psalm of {a} Asaph.] The mighty God, [even] the LORD, hath spoken, and called the {b} earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

(a) Who was either the author, or a chief singer, to whom it was committed.
(b) To plead against his deceitful people before heaven and earth.

Ps 50:2

50:2 Out of Zion, the {c} perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

(c) Because God had chosen it to have his Name there called on and also his image shines there in the doctrine of the law.

Ps 50:3

50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a {d} fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

(d) As when God gave his law in mount Sinai he appeared terrible with thunder and tempest, so will he appear terrible to take account for the keeping of it.

Ps 50:4

50:4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to {e} the earth, that he may judge his people.

(e) As witnessing against the hypocrites.

Ps 50:5

50:5 Gather my {f} saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by {g} sacrifice.

(f) God in respect to his elect calls the whole body holy, saints and his people.
(g) Who should know that sacrifices are sealed by the covenant between God and his people, and not set religion in it.

Ps 50:8

50:8 I will not {h} reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, [to have been] continually before me.

(h) For I pass not for sacrifices unless the true use is there, which is to confirm your faith.

Ps 50:10

50:10 {i} For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.

(i) Though he delighted in sacrifice, yet he had no need for man's help in it.

Ps 50:13

50:13 {k} Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

(k) Though man's life for the infirmity of it has need of food, yet God whose life quickens all the world, has no need of such means.

Ps 50:14

50:14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and {l} pay thy vows unto the most High:

(l) Show yourself mindful of God's benefits by thanksgiving.

Ps 50:16

50:16 But unto the wicked God saith, {m} What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or [that] thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

(m) Why do you pretend to be of my people and talk of my covenant, seeing that you are a hypocrite?

Ps 50:17

50:17 Seeing thou hatest {n} instruction, and castest my words behind thee.

(n) To live according to my word.

Ps 50:18

50:18 When thou sawest a thief, then {o} thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

(o) He shows what the fruits of them who contemn God's word are.

Ps 50:20

50:20 Thou {p} sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.

(p) He notes the cruelty of hypocrites who in their talk or judgment do not spare their own mother's sons.

Ps 50:21

50:21 These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and {q} set [them] in order before thine eyes.

(q) I will write all your wicked deeds in a roll, and make you read and acknowledge them, whether you will or not.

Ps 50:23

50:23 Whoso offereth {r} praise glorifieth me: and to him that {s} ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I {t} shew the salvation of God.

(r) Under which is contained faith and invocation.
(s) As God has appointed.
(t) That is, declare myself to be his Saviour.

Ps 51:1

51:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet {a} came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.] Have mercy upon me, O God, {b} according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

(a) To reprove him, because he had committed horrible sins, and lain in the same without repentance more then a whole year.
(b) As his sins were many and great, so he requires that God would give him the feeling of his excellent and abundant mercies.

Ps 51:2

51:2 Wash me {c} throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

(c) My sins strike so fast in me, that I have need of some singular kind of washing.

Ps 51:3

51:3 For I {d} acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

(d) My conscience accuses me so, that I can have no rest till I am reconciled.

Ps 51:4

51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou {e} speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

(e) When you give sentence against sinners, they must confess you to be just, and themselves sinners.

Ps 51:6

51:6 Behold, thou {f} desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

(f) He confesses that God who loves pureness of heart, may justly destroy man, who by nature is a sinner much more him whom he had instructed in his heavenly wisdom.

Ps 51:8

51:8 Make me to hear {g} joy and gladness; [that] the {h} bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

(g) He means God's comfortable mercies toward repentant sinners.
(h) By the bones he understands all strength of soul and body, which by cares and mourning are consumed.

Ps 51:10

51:10 {i} Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

(i) He confesses that when God's Spirit is cold in us, to have it again revived, is as a new creation.

Ps 51:12

51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] {k} free spirit.

(k) Which may assure me that I am drawn out of the slavery of sin.

Ps 51:13

51:13 [Then] will I teach transgressors thy {l} ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

(l) He promises to endeavour that others by his example may turn to God.

Ps 51:14

51:14 Deliver me from {m} bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

(m) From the murder of Uriah and the others who were slain with him, 2Sa 11:17.

Ps 51:15

51:15 O Lord, {n} open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

(n) By giving me opportunity to praise you, when you will forgive my sins.

Ps 51:17

51:17 The sacrifices of God [are] a {o} broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

(o) Which is a wounding of the heart, proceeding from faith, which seeks God for mercy.

Ps 51:18

51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto {p} Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

(p) He prays for the whole Church, because through his sin it was in danger of God's judgment.

Ps 51:19

51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of {q} righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

(q) That is, just and lawful, applied to the right end, which is the exercise of faith and repentance.

Ps 52:1

52:1 [To the chief Musician, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.] Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O {a} mighty man? the goodness of God [endureth] continually.

(a) O Doeg, who half consider to be the tyrant Saul, and had the power to murder the saints of God.

Ps 52:2

52:2 Thy tongue deviseth {b} mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

(b) Your malice moves you by crafty flattery and lies to accuse and destroy the innocents.

Ps 52:5

52:5 God shall likewise {c} destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of [thy] dwelling place, and {d} root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

(c) Though God forbear for a time, yet at length he will recompense your falsehood.
(d) Even though you seem to be never so sure settled.

Ps 52:6

52:6 The {e} righteous also shall see, {f} and fear, and shall laugh at him:

(e) For the eyes of the reprobate are shut at God's judgments.
(f) With joyful reverence, seeing that he takes their part against the wicked.

Ps 52:8

52:8 But I [am] like a {g} green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

(g) He rejoices to have a place among the servant's of God, that he may grow in the knowledge of godliness.

Ps 52:9

52:9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done {h} [it]: and I will wait on thy name; for [it is] good before thy saints.

(h) Executed his vengeance.

Ps 53:1

53:1 [To the chief Musician upon {a} Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David.] The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] {b} no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

(a) Which was an instrument or king of note.
(b) Whereas no regard is had for honesty or dishonesty, for virtue nor for vice, there the prophet pronounces that the people have no God.

Ps 53:2

53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did {c} seek God.

(c) By which he condemns all knowledge and understanding that tends not to seek God.

Ps 53:4

53:4 Have the {d} workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

(d) David pronounces God's vengeance against cruel governors who having charge to defend and preserve God's people, cruelly devour them.

Ps 53:5

53:5 There were they in great fear, [where] no {e} fear was: for God hath scattered the {f} bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

(e) When they thought there was no opportunity to fear, the sudden vengeance of God lighted on them.
(f) No matter how great the enemies power is, or fearful the danger, yet God delivers his in due time.

Ps 54:1

54:1 [To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?] Save me, O God, {a} by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

(a) He declares that when all means fail, God will deliver even by miracle, they who call to him with an upright conscience.

Ps 54:3

54:3 For {b} strangers are risen up against me, and {c} oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.

(b) That is, the Ziphims.
(c) Saul and his army who were like cruel beasts, could not be satisfied except by his death.

Ps 54:4

54:4 Behold, God [is] mine helper: the Lord [is] with {d} them that uphold my soul.

(d) No matter how few, as he was with Jonathan.

Ps 54:5

54:5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy {e} truth.

(e) According to your faithful promise for my defence.

Ps 54:6

54:6 I will {f} freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for [it is] good.

(f) For hypocrites serve God out of fear or on conditions.

Ps 54:7

54:7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath {g} seen [his desire] upon mine enemies.

(g) We may lawfully rejoice for God's judgments against the wicked, if our affections are pure.

Ps 55:1

55:1 [To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David.] Give ear to {a} my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

(a) The earnestness of his prayer declares the vehemency of his grief in so much as he is compelled to burst out into cries.

Ps 55:3

55:3 Because of the {b} voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for {c} they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

(b) For the threatenings of Saul and his adherents.
(c) They have defamed me as a wicked person, or they have imagined my destruction.

Ps 55:5

55:5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath {d} overwhelmed me.

(d) There was no part of him that was not astonished with extreme fear.

Ps 55:6

55:6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! [for then] would I {e} fly away, and be at rest.

(e) Fear had driven him to so great distress, that he wished to be hid in some wilderness, and to be banished from that kingdom which God had promised that he should enjoy.

Ps 55:8

55:8 I would hasten my escape {f} from the windy storm [and] tempest.

(f) From the cruel rage and tyranny of Saul.

Ps 55:9

55:9 Destroy, O Lord, [and] {g} divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

(g) As in the confusion of Babylon when the wicked conspired against God.

Ps 55:10

55:10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: {h} mischief also and sorrow [are] in the midst of it.

(h) All laws and good orders are broken and only vice and dissolution reigns under Saul.

Ps 55:12

55:12 For [it was] not an {i} enemy [that] reproached me; then I could have borne [it]: neither [was it] he that hated me [that] did magnify [himself] against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

(i) If my open enemy had sought by hurt, I could better have avoided him.

Ps 55:13

55:13 But [it was] thou, a man mine {k} equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

(k) Who was not only joined to me in friendship and counsel in worldly matters, but also in religion.

Ps 55:15

55:15 Let death seize upon them, [and] let them {l} go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them.

(l) As Korah, Dathan and Abiram.

Ps 55:17

55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, {m} and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

(m) Which signifies a servants mind and sure trust to obtain his portion, which made him earnest at all times in prayer.

Ps 55:18

55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle [that was] against me: for there were {n} many with me.

(n) Even the angels of God fought on my side against my enemies, 2Ki 6:16.

Ps 55:19

55:19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they {o} have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

(o) But their prosperous estate still continues.

Ps 55:20

55:20 He {p} hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

(p) I did not provoke him but was as at peace with him, yet he made war against me.

Ps 55:22

55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall {q} never suffer the righteous to be moved.

(q) Though for their bettering and trial, he permits them to slip for a time.

Ps 55:23

55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out {r} half their days; but I will trust in thee.

(r) Though they sometimes live longer, yet their life is cursed by God, unquiet, and worse than any death.

Ps 56:1

56:1 [To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, {a} when the Philistines took him in Gath.] Be merciful unto me, O God: for {b} man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

(a) Being chased by the fury of his enemies into a strange country, he was a dumb dove not seeking vengeance.
(b) He shows that if God will help him, it must be now or never for all the world is against him and ready to devour him.

Ps 56:4

56:4 In God I will praise his {c} word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

(c) He stays his conscience on God's promise though he sees no present help.

Ps 56:5

56:5 Every day they wrest my {d} words: all their thoughts [are] against me for evil.

(d) All my counsels have evil success, and turn to my own sorrow.

Ps 56:6

56:6 {e} They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

(e) As all the world against one man, and cannot be satisfied unless they have my life.

Ps 56:7

56:7 Shall {f} they escape by iniquity? in [thine] anger cast down the people, O God.

(f) They not only think to escape punishment, but the more wicked they are, the more impudent they grow.

Ps 56:8

56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my {g} tears into thy bottle: [are they] not in thy book?

(g) If God stores the tears of his saints, much more will he remember their blood, to avenge it: and though tyrants burn the bones, yet they cannot blot the tears and blood out of God's register.

Ps 56:12

56:12 {h} Thy vows [are] upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

(h) Having received that which I required, I am bound to pay my vows of thanksgiving as I promised.

Ps 56:13

56:13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may {i} walk before God in the {k} light of the living?

(i) As mindful of his great mercies, and giving thanks for the same.
(k) That is, in the life and light of the sun.

Ps 57:1

57:1 [{a} To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.] Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] {a} calamities be overpast.

(a) This was either the beginning of a certain song, or the words which David uttered when he stayed his affection.
(b) He compares the afflictions which God lays on his children, to a storm that comes and goes.

Ps 57:2

57:2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that {c} performeth [all things] for me.

(c) Who does not leave his works begun imperfectly.

Ps 57:3

57:3 He shall send from {d} heaven, and save me [from] the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

(d) He would rather deliver me by a miracle, than that I should be overcome.

Ps 57:4

57:4 My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] {e} spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

(e) He means their slanderous and false reports.

Ps 57:5

57:5 {f} Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.

(f) Do not permit me to be destroyed to the contempt of your Name.

Ps 57:6

57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; {g} my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.

(g) For fear, seeing the great dangers on all sides.

Ps 57:7

57:7 My heart is {h} fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: {i} I will sing and give praise.

(h) That is, wholly bent to give you praise for my deliverance.
(i) He shows that both his heart will praise God, and his tongue will confess him, and also he will use other means to provoke himself forward to the same.

Ps 57:10

57:10 For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the {k} clouds.

(k) Your mercies not only belong to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.

Ps 58:1

58:1 [To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.] Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O {a} congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

(a) You counsellors of Saul, who under pretence of consulting for the common wealth, conspire my death being an innocent.

Ps 58:2

58:2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of {b} your hands in the earth.

(b) You are not ashamed to execute that cruelty publicly, which you have imagined in your hearts.

Ps 58:3

58:3 The wicked {c} are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

(c) That is, enemies to the people of God even from their birth.

Ps 58:4

58:4 Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf {d} adder [that] stoppeth her ear;

(d) They pass in malice and subtilty the crafty serpent who could preserve himself by stopping his ears from the enchanter.

Ps 58:6

58:6 Break their {e} teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

(e) Take away all opportunity and means by which they hurt.

Ps 58:7

58:7 Let them {f} melt away as waters [which] run continually: [when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

(f) Considering God's divine power, he shows that God in a moment can destroy their force of which they brag.

Ps 58:9

58:9 {g} Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in [his] wrath.

(g) As flesh is taken raw out of the pot before the water boils: so he desires God to destroy their enterprises before they bring them to pass.

Ps 58:10

58:10 The righteous shall {h} rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the {i} blood of the wicked.

(h) With a pure affection.
(i) Their punishment and slaughter will be so great.

Ps 58:11

58:11 So that a man shall say, {k} Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

(k) Seeing God governs all by his providence, he must put a difference between the godly and the wicked.

Ps 59:1

59:1 [To the chief Musician, Altaschith, {a} Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.] {b} Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

(a) Or, a certain tune.
(b) Though his enemies were even at hand to destroy him, yet he assures himself that God had ways to deliver him.

Ps 59:3

59:3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my {c} transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.

(c) For I am innocent toward them, and have not offended them.

Ps 59:5

59:5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not {d} merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

(d) Seeing it belongs to God's judgments to punish the wicked, he desires God to execute his vengeance on the reprobate, who maliciously persecutes his Church.

Ps 59:6

59:6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a {e} dog, and go round about the city.

(e) He compares their cruelty to hungry dogs showing that they are never weary in doing evil.

Ps 59:7

59:7 Behold, they {f} belch out with their mouth: swords [are] in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?

(f) They boast openly in their wicked devises, and every word is as a sword: for they neither fear God nor are ashamed of men.

Ps 59:9

59:9 {g} [Because of] his strength will I wait upon thee: for God [is] my defence.

(g) Though Saul has great power, yet I know that you bridle him: therefore I will patiently hope in you.

Ps 59:10

59:10 The God of my mercy shall {h} prevent me: God shall let me see [my desire] upon mine enemies.

(h) He will not fail to help me when need requires.

Ps 59:11

59:11 Slay them {i} not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

(i) Altogether, but little by little, that the people seeing your judgments often, may be mindful of you.

Ps 59:12

59:12 [For] the sin of their mouth [and] the words of their lips let them even be {k} taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying [which] they speak.

(k) That in their misery and shame they may be as glasses and examples of God's vengeance.

Ps 59:13

59:13 {l} Consume [them] in wrath, consume [them], that they [may] not [be]: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

(l) When your time will come, and when they have sufficiently served for an example of your vengeance to others.

Ps 59:14

59:14 And at evening let them {m} return; [and] let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

(m) He mocks their vain enterprises, being assured that they will not bring their purpose to pass.

Ps 59:16

59:16 But I will sing of thy {n} power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

(n) Who used the policy of a weak woman to confound the enemies strength, 1Sa 19:12.

Ps 59:17

59:17 Unto thee, O my {o} strength, will I sing: for God [is] my defence, [and] the God of my mercy.

(o) Confessing himself to be void of all virtue and strength, he attributes the whole to God.

Ps 60:1

60:1 [To the chief Musician upon {a} Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with {b} Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.] O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast {c} scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

(a) These were certain songs after the note of which this psalm was sung.
(b) Also called Sophene, which stands by Euphrates.
(c) For when Saul was not able to resist the enemy, the people fled here and there: for they were not safe in their own homes.

Ps 60:2

60:2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast {d} broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

(d) As split with an earthquake.

Ps 60:3

60:3 Thou hast {e} shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

(e) You have handled your people sharply, in asking from them sense and judgment in that they aided Saul the wicked King, and punished him to whom God had given the just title of the realm.

Ps 60:4

60:4 Thou hast given {f} a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

(f) In making me king, you have performed your promise, which seemed to have lost the force.

Ps 60:6

60:6 God hath spoken in his {g} holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

(g) It is as certain as if it were spoken by an oracle, that I will possess those places which Saul has left to his children.

Ps 60:7

60:7 Gilead [is] mine, and Manasseh [is] mine; Ephraim also [is] the {h} strength of mine head; {i} Judah [is] my lawgiver;

(h) For it was strong and well peopled.
(i) David means that in this tribe his kingdom will be established, Ge 49:10.

Ps 60:8

60:8 Moab [is] my {k} washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: {l} Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

(k) In most vile subjection.
(l) For you will lie and pretend you were glad.

Ps 60:9

60:9 Who will bring me [into] the {m} strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

(m) He was assured that God would give him the strong cities of his enemies, in which they thought themselves sure.

Ps 61:2

61:2 From {a} the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is {b} higher than I.

(a) From the place where I was banished, being driven out of the city and temple by my son Absalom.
(b) To which without your help I cannot attain.

Ps 61:5

61:5 For thou, O God, {c} hast heard my vows: thou hast given [me] the heritage of those that fear thy name.

(c) There is nothing that strengthens our faith more than the memory of God's help in times past.

Ps 61:6

61:6 Thou wilt prolong the king's {d} life: [and] his years as many generations.

(d) This chiefly refers to Christ, who lives eternally not only in himself but also in his members.

Ps 61:7

61:7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare {e} mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him.

(e) For the stability of my kingdom stands in your mercy and truth.

Ps 62:1

62:1 [To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.] Truly {a} my soul waiteth upon God: from him [cometh] my salvation.

(a) Though Satan tempted him to murmur against God, yet he bridled his affections, and resting on God's promise.

Ps 62:2

62:2 {b} He only [is] my rock and my salvation; [he is] my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

(b) It appears by the often repetition of this word, that the prophet endured many temptations by resting on God and by patience he overcame them all.

Ps 62:3

62:3 How long will ye imagine mischief against a {c} man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a {d} bowing wall [shall ye be, and as] a tottering fence.

(c) He means himself, being the man whom God had appointed to the kingdom.
(d) Though you seem to be in honour, yet God will suddenly destroy you.

Ps 62:5

62:5 {e} My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation [is] from him.

(e) David was greatly moved by these troubles, therefore he stirs up himself to trust in God.

Ps 62:7

62:7 In God [is] my salvation and my {f} glory: the rock of my strength, [and] my refuge, [is] in God.

(f) These vehement and often repetitions were necessary to strengthen his faith against the horrible assault of Satan.

Ps 62:8

62:8 Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, {g} pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

(g) He admonishes us of our wicked nature, which would rather hide our sorrow and bite the bridle, than utter our grief to God to obtain remedy.

Ps 62:10

62:10 Trust not in oppression, and {h} become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart [upon them].

(h) Give yourselves wholly to God by putting away all things that are contrary to his law.

Ps 62:11

62:11 God hath spoken {i} once; twice have I heard this; that power [belongeth] unto God.

(i) He has plainly born witness to his power, so that no one needs to doubt it.

Ps 62:12

62:12 Also unto thee, O Lord, [belongeth] mercy: for thou {k} renderest to every man according to his work.

(k) So that the wicked will feel your power, and the godly your mercy.

Ps 63:1

63:1 [A Psalm of David, when he was in the {a} wilderness of Judah.] O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul {b} thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

(a) That is, of Ziph 1Sa 23:14.
(b) Though he was both hungry and in great distress, yet he made God above all meat and drink.

Ps 63:2

63:2 To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] {c} I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

(c) In this misery I exercise myself in the contemplation of your power and glory, as if I were in the sanctuary.

Ps 63:5

63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as [with] {d} marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise [thee] with joyful lips:

(d) The remembrance of your favour is more sweet to me than all the pleasures and dainties of the world.

Ps 63:8

63:8 My soul {e} followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

(e) He assures himself by the Spirit of God to have the gift of constancy.

Ps 63:10

63:10 {f} They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

(f) He prophecies of the destruction of Saul and they who take his part, whose bodies will not be buried but be devoured with wild beasts.

Ps 63:11

63:11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that {g} sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

(g) All who swear by God correctly or profess him will rejoice in this worthy king.

Ps 64:1

64:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] Hear my {a} voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

(a) In that he calls to God with his voice, it is a sign that his prayer was vehement, and that his life was in danger.

Ps 64:2

64:2 Hide me from the {b} secret counsel of the wicked; from the {c} insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

(b) That is, from their secret malice.
(c) That is, their outward violence.

Ps 64:3

64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] {d} bitter words:

(d) False reports and slanders.

Ps 64:4

64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and {e} fear not.

(e) To be without fear of God and reverence of man, is a sign of reprobation.

Ps 64:5

64:5 They {f} encourage themselves [in] an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

(f) The more the wicked set God's children in misery, the more bold and impudent are they in oppressing them.

Ps 64:6

64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward [thought] of every one {g} [of them], and the heart, [is] deep.

(g) There is no way so secret and subtle to do hurt, which they did not invent for his destruction.

Ps 64:8

64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall {h} flee away.

(h) To see God's heavy judgments against them, and how he has caught them in their own snares.

Ps 64:10

64:10 The righteous {i} shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

(i) When they will consider that he will be favourable to them as he was to his servant David.

Ps 65:1

65:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm [and] Song of David.] {a} Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.

(a) You daily give new opportunities to your Church to praise you.

Ps 65:2

65:2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all {b} flesh come.

(b) Not only the Jews but also the Gentiles in the kingdom of Christ.

Ps 65:3

65:3 Iniquities {c} prevail against me: [as for] our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.

(c) He imputes it to his sins and to the sins of the people that God who was accustomed to afflict them withdraws his help from them.

Ps 65:5

65:5 [By] terrible things in righteousness wilt thou {d} answer us, O God of our salvation; [who art] the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off [upon] the {e} sea:

(d) You will declare yourself to be the preserver of your Church in destroying your enemies, as you did in the Red Sea.
(e) As of all barbarous nations, and far off.

Ps 65:7

65:7 Which stilleth the {f} noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

(f) He shows that there is no part or creature in the world which is not governed by God's power and providence.

Ps 65:9

65:9 Thou {g} visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the {h} river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for {i} it.

(g) That is, with rain.
(h) That is, Shiloh or the rain.
(i) You have appointed the earth to bring forth food to man's use.

Ps 65:10

65:10 Thou {k} waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.

(k) By this description he shows that all the order of nature is a testimony of God's love toward us, who causes all creatures to serve our need.

Ps 65:13

65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, {l} they also sing.

(l) That is, the dumb creatures will not only rejoice for a time for God's benefits, but will continually sing.

Ps 66:1

66:1 [To the chief Musician, A Song [or] Psalm.] Make a joyful noise unto God, {a} all ye lands:

(a) He prophecies that all nations will come to the knowledge of God, who then was only known in Judea.

Ps 66:3

66:3 Say unto God, How terrible [art thou in] thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies {b} submit themselves unto thee.

(b) As the faithful obey God willingly, so the infidels disguise themselves as obedient out of fear.

Ps 66:5

66:5 {c} Come and see the works of God: [he is] terrible [in his] doing toward the {d} children of men.

(c) He refers to the slothful dullness of man, who is cold in the consideration of God's works.
(d) His providence is wonderful in maintaining their estate.

Ps 66:7

66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious {e} exalt themselves. Selah.

(e) He proves that God will extend his grace also to the Gentiles, because he punishes among them such as will not obey his calling.

Ps 66:9

66:9 Which {f} holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

(f) He signifies some special benefit that God had showed to his Church of the Jews, in delivering them from some great danger: of which he promises that the Gentiles will also be partakers.

Ps 66:11

66:11 Thou broughtest us into the {g} net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

(g) The condition of the Church is here described, which is to be led by God's providence into troubles, to be subject under tyrants, and to enter into many dangers.

Ps 66:13

66:13 I will go into thy {h} house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

(h) The duty of the faithful is here described, who are never mindful to render God praise for his benefits.

Ps 66:16

66:16 {i} Come [and] hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

(i) It is not enough to have received God's benefits and to be mindful of it, but also we are bound to make others profit by it and praise God.

Ps 66:18

66:18 {k} If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

(k) If I delight in wickedness, God will not hear me, but if I confess it, he will receive me.

Ps 67:1

67:1 [To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm [or] Song.] God be merciful unto us, and bless us; [and] {a} cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

(a) That is, move our hearts with his Holy Spirit, that we may feel his favour toward us.

Ps 67:2

67:2 That {b} thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

(b) That both Jews and Gentiles may know God's covenant made with them.

Ps 67:4

67:4 {c} O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

(c) By these repetitions he shows that the people can never rejoice and give thanks enough for the great benefits that they will receive under the kingdom of Christ.

Ps 67:6

67:6 [Then] shall {d} the earth yield her increase; [and] God, [even] our own God, shall bless us.

(d) He shows that where God favours there will be abundance of all other things.

Ps 67:7

67:7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth {e} shall fear him.

(e) When they feel his great benefits both spiritual and corporal toward them.

Ps 68:1

68:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm [or] Song of David.] Let God {a} arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

(a) The prophet shows that even though God permits the wicked tyrants to oppress his Church for a time, yet eventually he will take revenge on them.

Ps 68:3

68:3 {b} But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

(b) He shows that when God declares his power against the wicked, it is for the convenience and salvation of his Church, who praise him for it.

Ps 68:4

68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name {c} JAH, and rejoice before him.

(c) Jah and Jehovah are the names of God, signifying his incomprehensible essence and majesty, so that by this it is declared that all idols are vanity and that the God of Israel is the only true God.

Ps 68:6

68:6 God {d} setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a {e} dry [land].

(d) He gives children to those who are childless, and increases their families.
(e) Which is devoid of God's blessings, which before they had abused.

Ps 68:7

68:7 {f} O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

(f) He teaches that God's favour belongs specifically to his Church as appears by their wonderful deliverance out of Egypt.

Ps 68:10

68:10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy {g} goodness for the poor.

(g) God blessed the land of Canaan, because he had chosen that place for his Church.

Ps 68:11

68:11 The Lord gave the word: great [was] the company of {h} those that published [it].

(h) The fashion then was that women sang songs after the victory, as did Miriam, Deborah, Judith and others.

Ps 68:12

68:12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and {i} she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

(i) The prayer was so great, that not only the soldiers, but the women also had part of it.

Ps 68:13

68:13 Though ye have lien among the {k} pots, [yet shall ye be as] the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

(k) Though God permits his Church for a time to lie in black darkness, yet he will restore it, and make it most shining and white.

Ps 68:14

68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings {l} in it, it was [white] as snow in Salmon.

(l) In the land of Canaan, where his Church was.

Ps 68:15

68:15 {m} The hill of God [is as] the hill of Bashan; an high hill [as] the hill of Bashan.

(m) Zion the Church of God exceeds all worldly things, not in pomp and outward show, but by the inward grace of God, which remains because of his dwelling there.

Ps 68:16

68:16 {n} Why leap ye, ye high hills? [this is] the hill [which] God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell [in it] for ever.

(n) Why do you boast of your strength and beauty against this Mountain of God.

Ps 68:18

68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast {o} led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, [for] the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell [among them].

(o) As God overcame the enemy of his Church, took them prisoners, and made them tributaries: so Christ, which is God manifested in the flesh, subdued Satan and sin under us, and gave to his Church most liberal gifts of his Spirit, Eph 4:8.

Ps 68:20

68:20 [He that is] our God [is] the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord [belong] the {p} issues from death.

(p) Even in most extreme dangers, God has infinite ways to deliver his.

Ps 68:22

68:22 The Lord said, I will bring again from {q} Bashan, I will bring [my people] again from the depths of the sea:

(q) As he delivered his Church once from Og of Bashan and other tyrants and from the danger of the Red Sea, so will he still do as often as it is necessary.

Ps 68:23

68:23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of [thine] enemies, [and] the tongue of thy dogs {r} in the same.

(r) That is, in the blood of that great slaughter, where dogs will lap blood.

Ps 68:24

68:24 They have seen {s} thy goings, O God; [even] the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

(s) That is, how you who are chief King goes out with your people to war, and gives them the victory.

Ps 68:25

68:25 The {t} singers went before, the players on instruments [followed] after; among [them were] the damsels playing with timbrels.

(t) He describes the order of the people, when they went to the temple to give thanks for the victory.

Ps 68:26

68:26 Bless ye God in the congregations, [even] the Lord, from the fountain {u} of Israel.

(u) Who come of the patriarch Jacob.

Ps 68:27

68:27 There [is] {x} little Benjamin [with] their {y} ruler, the princes of Judah [and] their council, the princes of Zebulun, [and] the princes of Naphtali.

(x) Benjamin is called little, because he was the youngest son of Jacob.
(y) Who was some chief ruler of the tribe.

Ps 68:29

68:29 {z} Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

(z) Declare out of your holy palace your power for the defence of your Church Jerusalem.

Ps 68:30

68:30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, [till every one] {a} submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people [that] delight in war.

(a) He desires that the pride of the mighty may be destroyed, who were accustomed to garnishing their shoes with silver, and therefore for their glittering pomp thought themselves above all men.

Ps 68:31

68:31 Princes shall come out {b} of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

(b) He prophecies that the Gentiles will come to the true knowledge and worship of God.

Ps 68:33

68:33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, [which were] of old; lo, he doth send out his {c} voice, [and that] a mighty voice.

(c) By his terrible thunders he will make himself be known as the God of all the world.

Ps 68:35

68:35 O God, [thou art] {d} terrible out of thy holy {e} places: the God of Israel [is] he that giveth strength and power unto [his] people. Blessed [be] God.

(d) In showing fearful judgments against your enemies for the salvation of your people.
(e) He alludes to the tabernacle which was divided in three parts.

Ps 69:1

69:1 [To the chief Musician upon {a} Shoshannim, [A Psalm] of David.] Save me, O God; for the {b} waters are come in unto [my] soul.

(a) Of Shoshannim, read Ps 45:1.
(b) David shows by the waters the great dangers he was in, out of which God delivered him.

Ps 69:2

69:2 I sink in deep mire, where [there is] no {c} standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

(c) No stable firmness to settle my feet.

Ps 69:3

69:3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine {d} eyes fail while I wait for my God.

(d) Though his senses failed him, yet his faith was constant and encouraged him still to pray.

Ps 69:4

69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, [being] mine enemies {e} wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored [that] which I {f} took not away.

(e) Condemning me as guilty.
(f) They judged me a thief, though innocent, and gave my goods to others, as though I had stolen them.

Ps 69:5

69:5 O God, thou knowest my {g} foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

(g) Though I am guilty toward you, yet I am innocent toward them.

Ps 69:6

69:6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for {h} my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

(h) Do not let my evil entreaty of the enemy be an opportunity for the faithful to fall from you.

Ps 69:9

69:9 {i} For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

(i) When I saw your enemies claim your Name in mouth only, and in their life deny the same, your Holy Spirit thrust me forward to reprove them and defend your glory.

Ps 69:10

69:10 When I {k} wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

(k) My zeal moved me to lament and pray for my salvation.

Ps 69:12

69:12 They that {l} sit in the gate speak against me; and I [was] the song of the drunkards.

(l) The more he sought to win them to God, the more they were against him both the poor and the rich.

Ps 69:13

69:13 But as for me, my prayer [is] unto thee, O LORD, [in] an {m} acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

(m) Knowing that even though I endure trouble now, yet you have a time in which you have appointed my deliverance.

Ps 69:14

69:14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the {n} deep waters.

(n) He shows a living faith, in that he believes that God is favourable towards him when he seems to be angry and at hand when he seems to be far off.

Ps 69:17

69:17 And {o} hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

(o) Not that he feared that God would not hear him, but that care made him think that God delayed too long.

Ps 69:19

69:19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine {p} adversaries [are] all before thee.

(p) You see that I am beset as a sheep among many wolves.

Ps 69:20

69:20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and {q} I looked [for some] to take pity, but [there was] none; and for comforters, but I found none.

(q) He shows men that it is vain to put our trust in men in our great necessity, but that our comfort only depends on God: for man increases our sorrows, then diminishes them, Joh 19:29.

Ps 69:22

69:22 Let their {r} table become a snare before them: and [that which should have been] for [their] welfare, [let it become] a trap.

(r) He desires God to execute his judgments against the reprobate, which cannot by any means be turned, Rom 11:9.

Ps 69:23

69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their {s} loins continually to shake.

(s) Take both judgment and power from them, Ac 1:20.

Ps 69:25

69:25 Let their {t} habitation be desolate; [and] let none dwell in their tents.

(t) Punish not only them, but their posterity, who will be like them.

Ps 69:27

69:27 Add {u} iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

(u) By their continuance and increasing in their sins, let it be known that they are of the reprobate.

Ps 69:28

69:28 Let them be blotted out of the {x} book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

(x) They who seemed by their profession to have been written in your book, yet by their fruits prove the contrary, let them be known as reprobates.

Ps 69:31

69:31 [This] also shall please the LORD better than an ox [or] {y} bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

(y) There is no sacrifice which God values more than thanksgiving for his benefits.

Ps 69:33

69:33 For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his {z} prisoners.

(z) For as he delivered his servant David, so will he do for all that are in distress and call on him.

Ps 69:36

69:36 The {a} seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

(a) Under the temporal promise of the land of Canaan, he comprehends the promise of everlasting life to the faithful and their posterity.

Ps 70:1

70:1 [To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, to bring {a} to remembrance.] [Make {b} haste], O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.

(a) Which might put him in remembrance of his deliverance.
(b) He teaches us to be earnest in prayer even though God seems to delay: for at his time he will hear us.

Ps 70:2

70:2 Let them be ashamed and {c} confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

(c) He was assured that the more they raged, the nearer they were to destruction, and he the nearer to his deliverance.

Ps 70:3

70:3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their {d} shame that say, Aha, aha.

(d) By this we are taught not to mock at others in their misery, lest the same fall on our own necks.

Ps 70:5

70:5 But I [am] {e} poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.

(e) Because he had felt God's help before, he grounds on experience, and boldly seeks him for help.

Ps 71:1

71:1 In {a} thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

(a) He prays to God with full assurance of faith, that he will deliver him from his adversaries.

Ps 71:2

71:2 Deliver me in thy {b} righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

(b) By declaring yourself true to your promises.

Ps 71:3

71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou {c} hast given commandment to save me; for thou [art] my rock and my fortress.

(c) You have infinite means and all creatures are at your commandment; therefore show some sign by which I will be delivered.

Ps 71:4

71:4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand {d} of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

(d) That is, from Absalom, Ahithophel and that conspiracy.

Ps 71:5

71:5 For thou [art] my hope, O Lord GOD: [thou art] my {e} trust from my youth.

(e) He strengthens his faith by the experience of God's benefits, who not only preserved him in his mother's womb, but took him from there, and ever since has preserved him.

Ps 71:7

71:7 I am as a {f} wonder unto many; but thou [art] my strong refuge.

(f) All the world wonders at me because of my miseries: both those in authority and the common people, yet being assured of your favour, I remain steadfast.

Ps 71:9

71:9 Cast me not off in the time of {g} old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

(g) You who helped me in my youth when I had more strength, help me now even more in my old age and weakness.

Ps 71:11

71:11 Saying, {h} God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for [there is] none to deliver [him].

(h) Thus the wicked both blaspheme God and triumph against his saints, as though he had forsaken them if he permits them to fall into their hands.

Ps 71:12

71:12 O God, be not far from me: O {i} my God, make haste for my help.

(i) In calling him his God, he puts back the false reports of the adversaries who said God had forsaken him.

Ps 71:15

71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; {k} for I know not the numbers [thereof].

(k) Because your benefits toward me are innumerable, I cannot but continually meditate and rehearse them.

Ps 71:16

71:16 I will {l} go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, [even] of thine only.

(l) I will remain steadfast, being upheld by the power of God.

Ps 71:18

71:18 {m} Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.

(m) He desires that as he has begun, he would so continue his benefits, that his liberality may have perfect praise.

Ps 71:19

71:19 Thy {n} righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto thee!

(n) Your just performance of your promise.

Ps 71:20

71:20 [Thou], which hast shewed me great and {p} sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

(p) As he confesses that God is the only author of his deliverance, so he acknowledges that these evils were sent to him by God's providence.

Ps 71:22

71:22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, [even] thy {q} truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

(q) He confesses that his long delay was well recompensed, when God performed his promise.

Ps 71:23

71:23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my {r} soul, which thou hast redeemed.

(r) For there is no true praising of God, unless it comes from the heart: and therefore he promises to delight in nothing, except that in which God is glorified.

Ps 72:1

72:1 [[A Psalm] {a} for Solomon.] Give the king thy {b} judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's {c} son.

(a) Composed by David concerning the reign of his son Solomon.
(b) Imbue the king with the Spirit of wisdom and justice, that he reign not as the worldly tyrants do.
(c) That is, to his posterity.

Ps 72:3

72:3 The {d} mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

(d) When justice reigns, even the places most barren will be enriched with your blessings.

Ps 72:4

72:4 He shall {e} judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

(e) He shows why the sword is committed to Kings that is, to defend the innocent, and suppress the wicked.

Ps 72:5

72:5 They shall {f} fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

(f) The people will embrace your true religion, when you give a king who rules according to your word.

Ps 72:6

72:6 He shall come {g} down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.

(g) As this is true in all godly kings, so it is chiefly verified in Christ, who with his heavenly dew, makes his Church ever to flourish.

Ps 72:8

72:8 He shall have dominion also from {h} sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

(h) That is, from the Red sea to the sea called the Syriacum, and from Euphrates forward, meaning, that Christ's kingdom would be large and universal.

Ps 72:10

72:10 The kings of {i} Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings {k} of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

(i) Of Cilicia, and of all other countries beyond the sea, which he means by the isles.
(k) That is, of Arabia that rich country, of which Sheba was a part bordering on Ethiopia.

Ps 72:14

72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and {l} precious shall their blood be in his sight.

(l) Though tyrants pause not to shed blood, yet this godly king will preserve his subjects from all kinds of wrong.

Ps 72:15

72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the {m} gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; [and] daily shall he be praised.

(m) God will both prosper his life and make the people willing to obey him.

Ps 72:16

72:16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the {n} fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and [they] of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

(n) Under such a king will be great plenty, both of fruit and also of the increase of mankind.

Ps 72:17

72:17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and [men] shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call {o} him blessed.

(o) They will pray to God for his continuance and know that God prospers them for his sake.

Ps 72:18

72:18 Blessed [be] the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth {p} wondrous things.

(p) He confesses that unless God miraculously preserves his people neither the king nor the kingdom can continue.

Ps 72:20

72:20 The {q} prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

(q) Concerning his son Solomon.

Ps 73:1

73:1 [A Psalm of Asaph.] Truly {a} God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.

(a) As it were between hope and despair he bursts forth into this affection, being assured that God would continue his favour toward such as were godly indeed, and not hypocrites.

Ps 73:4

73:4 For [there are] {b} no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.

(b) The wicked in this life live at pleasure and are not drawn to death like prisoners: that is, by sickness which is death's messenger.

Ps 73:6

73:6 {c} Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.

(c) They glory in their pride as some do in their chains, and in cruelty, as some do in apparel.

Ps 73:9

73:9 They {d} set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

(d) They blaspheme God, and do not fear his power and rail upon men, because they esteem themselves above all others.

Ps 73:10

73:10 Therefore his {e} people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.

(e) Not only the reprobate, but also the people of God often fall back seeing the prosperous estate of the wicked, and are overwhelmed with sorrows, thinking that God does not correctly consider the estate of the godly.

Ps 73:11

73:11 And they {f} say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

(f) Thus the flesh moves even the godly to dispute with God concerning their poor estate, and the prosperity of the wicked.

Ps 73:15

73:15 If I say, {g} I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.

(g) If I give place to this wicked thought, I offend against your providence, seeing you do all things most wisely and preserve your children in their greatest dangers.

Ps 73:17

73:17 Until I went into the {h} sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.

(h) Until I entered into your school and learned by your word and Holy Spirit that you order all things most wisely and justly.

Ps 73:19

73:19 How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are {i} utterly consumed with terrors.

(i) By your fearful judgment.

Ps 73:20

73:20 As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when {k} thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

(k) When you open our eyes to consider your heavenly happiness, we contemn all their vain pomp.

Ps 73:22

73:22 So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a {l} beast before thee.

(l) For the more that man goes about by his own reason to seek out God's judgments, the more he declares himself a beast.

Ps 73:23

73:23 Nevertheless I [am] continually {m} with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand.

(m) By faith I was assured that your providence always watched over me to preserve me.

Ps 73:25

73:25 Whom have I in {n} heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.

(n) He sought neither help nor comfort of any save God only.

Ps 73:26

73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my {o} portion for ever.

(o) He teaches us to deny ourselves, to have God our whole sufficiency, and only contentment.

Ps 73:27

73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that {p} go a whoring from thee.

(p) That is, forsake you to seek others.

Ps 73:28

73:28 But [it is] good for me {q} to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

(q) Though all the world shrinks from God, yet he promises to trust in him and to magnify his works.

Ps 74:1

74:1 [Maschil of Asaph.] O God, {a} why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

(a) The Church of God is oppressed by the tyranny, either of the Babylonians or of Antiochus, and prays to God by whose hand the yoke was laid on them for their sins.

Ps 74:2

74:2 Remember thy congregation, [which] thou hast purchased of old; the {b} rod of thine inheritance, [which] thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

(b) Which inheritance you have measured out for yourself as with a line or rod.

Ps 74:4

74:4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they {c} set up their ensigns [for] signs.

(c) They have destroyed your true religion, and spread their banners in sign of defiance.

Ps 74:5

74:5 [A man] was famous according as he had {d} lifted up axes upon the thick trees.

(d) He commends the temple for the costly matter, the excellent workmanship and beauty of it, which nonetheless the enemies destroyed.

Ps 74:8

74:8 They said in their {e} hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.

(e) They encouraged one another to cruelty, that not only God's people might be destroyed, but also his religion utterly in all places suppressed.

Ps 74:9

74:9 We see not our signs: [there is] no more any prophet: neither [is there] among us any that knoweth {f} how long.

(f) They lamented that they had no prophet among them to show them how long their misery would last.

Ps 74:11

74:11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? {g} pluck [it] out of thy bosom.

(g) They join their deliverance with God's glory and power, knowing that the punishment of the enemy would be their deliverance.

Ps 74:12

74:12 For God [is] my King of old, working salvation {h} in the midst of the earth.

(h) Meaning in the sight of all the world.

Ps 74:13

74:13 Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the {i} dragons in the waters.

(i) That is, Pharaoh's army.

Ps 74:14

74:14 Thou brakest the heads of {k} leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be] {l} meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

(k) Which was a great monster of the sea, or whale, meaning Pharaoh.
(l) His destruction rejoiced them as meat refreshes the body.

Ps 74:16

74:16 The {m} day [is] thine, the night also [is] thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

(m) Seeing that God by his providence governs and disposes all things, he gathers that he will take care chiefly for his children.

Ps 74:19

74:19 O deliver not the soul of thy {n} turtledove unto the multitude [of the wicked]: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.

(n) He means the Church of God, which is exposed as a prey to the wicked.

Ps 74:20

74:20 Have respect unto the covenant: for {o} the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

(o) That is, all places where your word does not shine, there reigns tyranny and ambition.

Ps 74:22

74:22 Arise, O God, plead thine {p} own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

(p) He shows that God cannot permit his Church to be oppressed unless he looses his own right.

Ps 75:1

75:1 [To the chief Musician, {a} Altaschith, A Psalm [or] Song of Asaph.] Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, [unto thee] do we give thanks: for [that] thy name is near {b} thy wondrous works declare.

(a) Read Ps 57:1.
(b) He declares how the faithful will always have opportunity to praise God, as in their need they will feel his power at hand to help them.

Ps 75:2

75:2 {c} When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.

(c) When I see my time
(says God) to help your miseries, I will come and set all things in good order.

Ps 75:3

75:3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars {d} of it. Selah.

(d) Though all things are brought to ruin, yet I can restore and preserve them.

Ps 75:5

75:5 Lift not up your {e} horn on high: speak [not with] a stiff neck.

(e) The prophet warns the wicked that they would not set themselves against God's people, seeing that God at his time destroys them who rule wickedly.

Ps 75:8

75:8 For in the hand of the LORD [there is] a {f} cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring [them] out, [and] drink [them].

(f) God's wrath is compared to a cup of strong and delicate wine, with which the wicked are made so drunk that by drinking till they come to the very dregs they are utterly destroyed.

Ps 75:10

75:10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; [but] the horns of the {g} righteous shall be exalted.

(g) The godly will better prosper by their innocent simplicity, than the wicked will by all their craft and subtilty.

Ps 76:1

76:1 [To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm [or] Song of Asaph.] In Judah [is] God {a} known: his name [is] great in Israel.

(a) He declares that God's power is evidently seen in preserving his people and destroying his enemies.

Ps 76:2

76:2 In {b} Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

(b) Which later was called Jerusalem.

Ps 76:4

76:4 Thou [art] more glorious [and] excellent than {c} the mountains of prey.

(c) He compares the kingdom full of extortion and rapine to the mountains that are full of ravening beasts.

Ps 76:5

76:5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have {d} found their hands.

(d) God has taken their spirits and strength from them as though their hands were cut off.

Ps 76:7

76:7 Thou, [even] thou, [art] to be feared: and who may stand in thy {e} sight when once thou art angry?

(e) God with a look is able to destroy all the power and activity of the enemies, no matter how many or mighty.

Ps 76:9

76:9 When God arose to judgment, to {f} save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

(f) To avenge the wrongs done to your Church.

Ps 76:10

76:10 Surely the {g} wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

(g) For the end will show that the enemy was able to bring nothing to pass: also you will bridle their rage that they will not accomplish their purpose.

Ps 76:11

76:11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be {h} round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

(h) That is, the Levites who dwell about the Tabernacle, or the people among whom he dwells.

Ps 76:12

76:12 He shall {i} cut off the spirit of princes: [he is] terrible to the kings of the earth.

(i) The Hebrew word signifies "to vintage or gather grapes" meaning that he will make the counsels and enterprises of the wicked tyrants foolish and vain.

Ps 77:1

77:1 [To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.] I cried unto God with my {a} voice, [even] unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

(a) The prophet teaches us by his example to flee to God for help in our necessities.

Ps 77:3

77:3 I remembered God, and was {b} troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

(b) He shows that we must patiently abide though God does not deliver us from our troubles at the first cry.

Ps 77:4

77:4 Thou holdest mine eyes {c} waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

(c) Meaning that his sorrows were as watchmen that kept his eyes from sleeping.

Ps 77:6

77:6 I call to remembrance my {d} song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made {e} diligent search.

(d) Of thanksgiving, which I was accustomed to sing in my prosperity.
(e) Both the reasons why I was chastened, and when my sorrows would end.

Ps 77:8

77:8 Is his {f} mercy clean gone for ever? doth [his] promise fail for evermore?

(f) As if he would say, It is impossible: by which he exhorts himself to patience.

Ps 77:10

77:10 And I said, This [is] my {g} infirmity: [but I will remember] the years of the right hand of the most High.

(g) Though I first doubted of my life, yet considering that God had his years, that is, change of times, and was accustomed also to lift up them whom he had beaten, I took heart again.

Ps 77:13

77:13 Thy way, O God, [is] {h} in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a {i} God as [our] God?

(h) That is in heaven, to which we must ascend by faith, if we will know the ways of God.
(i) He condemns all who worship anything save the only true God, whose glory appears through the world.

Ps 77:16

77:16 The {k} waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

(k) He declares how the power of God was declared when he delivered the Israelites through the Red Sea.

Ps 77:17

77:17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a {l} sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

(l) That is, thundered and lightninged.

Ps 77:19

77:19 Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not {m} known.

(m) For when you had brought over your people, the water returned to her course, and the enemies who thought to have followed them, could not pass through, Ex 14:28,29.

Ps 78:1

78:1 [{a} Maschil of Asaph.] Give ear, O my people, [to] my {b} law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

(a) Read Ps 32:1.
(b) The prophet under the name of a teacher calls the people his, and the doctrine his, as Paul calls the gospel his, of which he was but the preacher, as in Rom 2:16,16:25.

Ps 78:3

78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our {c} fathers have told us.

(c) Who were the people of God.

Ps 78:5

78:5 For he established a {d} testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

(d) By the testimony and law, he means your law written, which they were commanded to teach their children, De 6:7.

Ps 78:6

78:6 That the {e} generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children:

(e) He shows how the children would be like their father's: that is, in maintaining God's pure religion.

Ps 78:7

78:7 That they might {f} set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

(f) He shows where the use of this doctrine exists: in faith, in the meditation of God's benefits, and in obedience.

Ps 78:8

78:8 And might not be as their {g} fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

(g) Though these fathers were the seed of Abraham and the chosen people, yet he shows by their rebellion, provocation, falsehood, and hypocrisy, that the children should not follow their examples.

Ps 78:9

78:9 The children of {h} Ephraim, [being] armed, [and] carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

(h) By Ephraim he means also the rest of the tribes, because they were most in number: whose punishment declares that they were unfaithful to God, and by their multitude and authority had corrupted all others.

Ps 78:12

78:12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their {i} fathers, in the land of Egypt, [in] the field of Zoan.

(i) He proves that not only the posterity but also their forefathers were wicked and rebellious to God.

Ps 78:17

78:17 And they {k} sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

(k) Their wicked malice could be overcome by no benefits, which were great and many.

Ps 78:18

78:18 And they tempted God in their heart by {l} asking meat for their lust.

(l) Then to require more than is necessary, and to separate God's power from his will, is to tempt God.

Ps 78:19

78:19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God {m} furnish a table in the wilderness?

(m) Thus when we give place to sin, we are moved to doubt God's power, unless he is always ready to serve our lust.

Ps 78:22

78:22 Because they believed not in God, and {n} trusted not in his salvation:

(n) That is, in his fatherly providence, by which he cares for his, and provides sufficiently.

Ps 78:23

78:23 Though he had commanded the {o} clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

(o) So that they had that which was necessary and sufficient: but their lust made them cover that which they knew God had denied them.

Ps 78:26

78:26 He caused an {p} east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

(p) God used the wind to show them that all the elements were at his command, and that no distance could restrain his working.

Ps 78:30

78:30 They were not estranged from their {q} lust. But while their meat [was] yet in their mouths,

(q) Such is the nature of concupiscence, that the more it has the more it lusts.

Ps 78:31

78:31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew {r} the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen [men] of Israel.

(r) Though others were not spared, yet chiefly they suffered, who trusted in their strength against God.

Ps 78:32

78:32 For all this they {s} sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

(s) Thus sin by continuance makes man insensible, so that by no plagues they can be amended.

Ps 78:34

78:34 When he {t} slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

(t) Such was their hypocrisy, that they sought God out of fear of punishment, though in their heart they did not love him.

Ps 78:37

78:37 For their {u} heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

(u) Whatever does not come from the pure fountain of the heart is hypocrisy.

Ps 78:38

78:38 But he, [being] full of compassion, {x} forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

(x) Because he would always have some remnant of a Church to praise his Name in earth, he did not permit their sins to overcome his mercy.

Ps 78:41

78:41 Yea, they {y} turned back and tempted God, and {z} limited the Holy One of Israel.

(y) That is, they often tempted him.
(z) As they all do who measure the power of God by their capacity.

Ps 78:42

78:42 They {a} remembered not his hand, [nor] the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

(a) The forgetfulness of God's benefits is the root of rebellion and all vice.

Ps 78:45

78:45 He sent {b} divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

(b) This word signifies a confused mixture of flies and venomous worms. Some take it for all sorts of serpents: some for all wild beasts.

Ps 78:46

78:46 He {c} gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.

(c) He does not repeat here all the miracles that God did in Egypt, but certain which might be sufficient to convince the people of malice and ingratitude.

Ps 78:49

78:49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending {d} evil angels [among them].

(d) So called either for the effect, that is, of punishing the wicked: or else because they were wicked spirits, whom God permitted to vex men.

Ps 78:51

78:51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the {e} chief of [their] strength in the tabernacles of {f} Ham:

(e) The firstborn are so called, as in Ge 49:3.
(f) That is, Egypt: for it was called Mizraim, or Egypt of Mizraim that was the son of Ham.

Ps 78:53

78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they {g} feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

(g) That is, they had no opportunity to fear, even as God destroyed their enemies and delivered them falsely.

Ps 78:54

78:54 And he brought them to the border of his {h} sanctuary, [even to] this mountain, [which] his right hand had purchased.

(h) Meaning, Canaan, which God had consecrated to himself and appointed to his people.

Ps 78:57

78:57 But turned back, and dealt {i} unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

(i) Nothing more displeases God in the children, than when they continue in that wickedness, which their fathers had begun.

Ps 78:58

78:58 For they {k} provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

(k) By serving God other than he had appointed.

Ps 78:60

78:60 So that he {l} forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent [which] he placed among men;

(l) For their ingratitude he permitted the Philistines to take the Ark which was the sign of his presence, from among them.

Ps 78:61

78:61 And delivered his {m} strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.

(m) The Ark is called his power and beauty because by this he defended his people, and beautifully appeared to them.

Ps 78:63

78:63 The fire {n} consumed their young men; and their maidens were not {o} given to marriage.

(n) They were suddenly destroyed, 1Sa 4:10.
(o) They had no marriage songs: that is, they were not married.

Ps 78:64

78:64 Their priests fell by the sword; and their {p} widows made no lamentation.

(p) Either they were slain before or taken prisoner by their enemies, and so were forbidden.

Ps 78:65

78:65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that {q} shouteth by reason of wine.

(q) Because they were drunk in their sins, they judged God's patience to be slumbering, as though he were drunk, therefore he answering their beastly judgment, says, he will awake and take sudden vengeance.

Ps 78:67

78:67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of {r} Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:

(r) Showing that he did not spare the Israelites altogether, though he punished their enemies.

Ps 78:69

78:69 And he {s} built his sanctuary like high [palaces], like the earth which he hath established for ever.

(s) By building the temple, and establishing the kingdom, he declares that the signs of his favour were among them.

Ps 78:72

78:72 So {t} he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

(t) He shows where a kings charge stands: that is, to provide faithfully for his people, to guide them by counsel, and defend them by power.

Ps 79:1

79:1 [A Psalm of Asaph.] O God, {a} the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

(a) The people cry to God against the barbarous tyranny of the Babylonians who spoiled God's inheritance, polluted his temple, destroyed his religion, and murdered his people.

Ps 79:2

79:2 The {b} dead bodies of thy servants have they given [to be] meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

(b) The prophets show to what extremities God sometimes allows his Church to fall to exercise their faith, before he sets his hand to deliver them.

Ps 79:3

79:3 Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to {c} bury [them].

(c) Their friends and relatives did not dare to bury them for fear of the enemies.

Ps 79:4

79:4 We are become a reproach to our {d} neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

(d) Of which some came from Abraham but were degenerate: and others were open enemies to your religion, but they both laughed at our miseries.

Ps 79:5

79:5 How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy {e} burn like fire?

(e) Will you completely consume us for our sins, before you take us to mercy?

Ps 79:8

79:8 O remember not against us {f} former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.

(f) Which we and our fathers have committed.

Ps 79:9

79:9 Help us, O God of our {h} salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

(h) Seeing we have no other Saviour, neither can we help ourselves, and also by our salvation your Name will be praised: therefore O Lord, help us.

Ps 79:11

79:11 Let the sighing of the {i} prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou {k} those that are appointed to die;

(i) Who though in respect to God they were justly punished for their sins, yet in consideration of their cause were unjustly murdered.
(k) Who were captives among their enemies and could look for nothing but death.

Ps 79:13

79:13 So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: {l} we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

(l) We ought to desire no benefit from God, but on this condition to praise his name, Isa 43:21.

Ps 80:1

80:1 [To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph.] Give ear, {a} O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the {b} cherubims, shine forth.

(a) This Psalm was made as a prayer to desire God to be merciful to the ten tribes.
(b) Move their hearts, that they may return to worship God properly, that is, in the place you have appointed.

Ps 80:3

80:3 {c} Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

(c) Join your whole people, and all your tribes together again.

Ps 80:4

80:4 O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be {d} angry against the prayer of thy people?

(d) The faithful fear God's anger, when they perceive that their prayers are not heard immediately.

Ps 80:6

80:6 Thou makest us a {e} strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.

(e) Our neighbours have continual strife and war against us.

Ps 80:7

80:7 {f} Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

(f) Because recompence only comes from God, they most instantly and repeatedly call on God for it is a means by which they shall be saved.

Ps 80:8

80:8 Thou hast brought a {g} vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.

(g) Seeing that from your mercy you have made us a most dear possession to you, and we through our sins are made open for wild beasts to devour us, declare again my love and finish the work that you have begun.

Ps 80:11

80:11 She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the {h} river.

(h) That is, Euphrates.

Ps 80:13

80:13 The {i} boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

(i) That is, they who hate our religion, as well as they who hate our persons.

Ps 80:14

80:14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down {k} from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

(k) They gave no place to temptation, knowing that even though there was no help in earth, yet God was able to help them from heaven.

Ps 80:15

80:15 And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch [that] thou madest {l} strong for thyself.

(l) So that no power can prevail against it, and which as a young bud you raised up again as out of the burnt ashes.

Ps 80:16

80:16 [It is] burned with fire, [it is] cut down: they perish at the {m} rebuke of thy countenance.

(m) Only when you are angry and not of the sword of the enemy.

Ps 80:17

80:17 Let thy hand be upon the {n} man of thy right hand, upon the son of man [whom] thou madest strong for thyself.

(n) That is, on this vine or people, whom you have planted with your right hand, that they should be as one man or one body

Ps 80:18

80:18 So will not we go back from thee: {o} quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

(o) For no one can call on God but such as are raised up as it were from death to life, and regenerate by the Holy Spirit.

Ps 81:1

81:1 [To the chief Musician upon {a} Gittith, [A Psalm] of Asaph.] Sing {b} aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

(a) An instrument of music brought from Geth.
(b) It seems that this psalm was appointed for solemn feasts and assemblies of the people to whom for a time these ceremonies were ordained, but now under the gospel are abolished.

Ps 81:3

81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the {c} new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

(c) Under this feast he comprehends all other solemn days.

Ps 81:5

81:5 This he ordained in {d} Joseph [for] a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: [where] I heard a language [that] {e} I understood not.

(d) That is, in Israel for Joseph's family was counted the chief while before, Judah was preferred.
(e) God speaks in the person of the people because he was their leader.

Ps 81:6

81:6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the {f} pots.

(f) If they were never able to give sufficient thanks to God, for this deliverance from corporal bondage, how much more are we indebted to him for our spiritual deliverance from the tyranny of Satan and sin?

Ps 81:7

81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I {g} answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

(g) By a strange and wonderful fashion.

Ps 81:8

81:8 {h} Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

(h) He condemns all assemblies where the people are not attentive to hear God's voice, and to give obedience to the same.

Ps 81:10

81:10 I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: {i} open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

(i) God accuses their incredulity, because they did not open their mouths to receive God's benefits in such abundance as he pours them out.

Ps 81:13

81:13 {k} Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, [and] Israel had walked in my ways!

(k) God by his word calls all, but his secret election appoints who will bear fruit.

Ps 81:14

81:14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand {l} against their adversaries.

(l) If their sins had not.

Ps 81:15

81:15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time {m} should have endured for ever.

(m) If the Israelites had not broken covenant with God, he would have given them victory against their enemies.

Ps 81:16

81:16 He should have fed them also with the {n} finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

(n) That is, with most fine wheat and abundance of honey.

Ps 82:1

82:1 [A Psalm of Asaph.] God standeth in the congregation of the {a} mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

(a) The prophet shows that if princes and judges do not do their duty, God whose authority is above them will take vengeance on them.

Ps 82:2

82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the {b} wicked? Selah.

(b) For thieves and murderers find favour in judgment when the cause of the godly cannot be heard.

Ps 82:4

82:4 Deliver the poor and {c} needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked.

(c) Not only when they cry for help, but when their cause requires aid and support.

Ps 82:5

82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the {d} foundations of the earth are out of course.

(d) That is, all things are out of order either by their tyranny or careless negligence.

Ps 82:7

82:7 {e} But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

(e) No title of honour will excuse you, but you will be subject to God's judgments, and tender account as well as other men.

Ps 82:8

82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit {f} all nations.

(f) Therefore no tyrant will pluck your right and authority from you.

Ps 83:1

83:1 [A Song [or] Psalm of Asaph.] Keep {a} not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

(a) This psalm seems to have been composed as a form of prayer against the dangers that the Church was in, in the days of Jehoshaphat.

Ps 83:2

83:2 For, lo, thine {b} enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

(b) He calls them God's enemies, who are enemies of his Church.

Ps 83:3

83:3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy {c} hidden ones.

(c) The elect of God are his secret ones: for he hides them in the secret of his tabernacle, and preserves them from all dangers.

Ps 83:4

83:4 They have said, Come, and let us {d} cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

(d) They were not content to take the Church as prisoner: but sought to utterly destroy it.

Ps 83:5

83:5 For they have consulted together {e} with one consent: they are confederate {f} against thee:

(e) By all secret means.
(f) They thought to have subverted your counsel in which the constancy of the Church was established.

Ps 83:8

83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children {g} of Lot. Selah.

(g) The wickedness of the Ammonites and Moabites is described in that they provoked these other nations to fight against the Israelites.

Ps 83:9

83:9 Do unto them as [unto] the {h} Midianites; as [to] Sisera, as [to] Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

(h) By these examples they were confirmed that God would not permit his people to be completely destroyed, Jud 7:21,4:15.

Ps 83:10

83:10 [Which] perished at Endor: they became [as] {i} dung for the earth.

(i) Trodden under foot as mire.

Ps 83:12

83:12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the {k} houses of God in possession.

(k) That is, Judea: for where his Church is, there he dwells among them.

Ps 83:13

83:13 O my God, make them like a {l} wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

(l) Because the reprobate could by no means be amended, he prays that they may utterly be destroyed, be unstable and led by all winds.

Ps 83:16

83:16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may {m} seek thy name, O LORD.

(m) That is, be compelled by your plagues to confess your power.

Ps 83:18

83:18 That [men] may {n} know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.

(n) Though they do not believe, yet they may prove by experience, that it is in vain to resist against your counsel in establishing your Church.

Ps 84:1

84:1 [To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.] How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O {a} LORD of hosts!

(a) David complains that he cannot have access to the Church of God to make profession of his faith, and to profit in religion.

Ps 84:2

84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the {b} courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

(b) For only the priests could enter the sanctuary and the rest of the people into the courts.

Ps 84:3

84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, [even] thine {c} altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

(c) So that the poor birds have more freedom than I.

Ps 84:5

84:5 Blessed [is] the man whose {d} strength [is] in thee; in whose heart [are] the ways [of them].

(d) Who trusts nothing in himself but in you only, and learns from you to rule his life.

Ps 84:6

84:6 [Who] passing through the valley of {c} Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

(c) So that the poor birds have more freedom than I.

Ps 84:7

84:7 They go from {f} strength to strength, [every one of them] in Zion appeareth before God.

(f) They are never weary but increase in strength and courage till they come to God's house.

Ps 84:9

84:9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine {g} anointed.

(g) That is, for Christ's sake, whose figure I represent.

Ps 84:10

84:10 For {h} a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

(h) He would rather live one day in God's Church than a thousand in the world.

Ps 84:11

84:11 For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no {i} good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

(i) But will from time to time increase his blessings toward his more and more.

Ps 85:1

85:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.] LORD, thou hast been {a} favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

(a) They confess that God's free mercy was the cause of their deliverance because he loved the land which he had chosen.

Ps 85:2

85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast {b} covered all their sin. Selah.

(b) You have buried them that they will not come into judgment.

Ps 85:3

85:3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned [thyself] from the {c} fierceness of thine anger.

(c) Not only in withdrawing your rod, but in forgiving sins, and in touching our hearts to confess them.

Ps 85:5

85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us {d} for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?