Psalms — Chapter 118

General Annotations. This Psalme is the longest in the whole Psalter, so it seemeth to the ancient Fathers most profound in sense. And so much the harder to be vnderstood, because also the very hardnes thereof lieth hidden, which in diuers other Psalmes and parts of holy Scripture easily appeareth to the reader. The more diligence is imployed, the more difficultie is found. All which maturely considered caused that great Clerke and light of the Church Saint Augustine to omite this Psalme when he explicated all the rest. And when at last he added also the exposition of this, he wittingly omitted one speciall difficultie, which he doubted not to be conteyned in the manner of composing it, not only by order of the Hebrew Alphabet, but more artificially then any other, the first eight verses all beginning with the first letter Aleph, the next eight with the second letter Beth, and so to the last of the two and twentie letters.

(f) Contrariwife they that worke iniquitie-are not bleffed ; (g ) becaufe they have not walked in che wayes of God, to wit, not kepthis comunandments and law’, which are the way to happines.

(i) Therrorethe faithful feruant of God;knowing his owne infufficiencie,defireth that God py hk grace wildire& and ftrengthen him , (k) to keep his law , called Iaftifications, becaufetherby man is made iuit.

, when they shal keep not only part, but al thy commandments: becaufe breach of anie bringcth contufion, (m) Lwil added by the Gods grace jnecefiarie inj cueric cocd worke, Ie enablerkh treewil to merice. This title was Septuagint , te }admon ish vs hat this Pfal- me conteyneth} that fingular lmanner of (praifing God, fignified by the two Hebrew ‘wordsA lieluja, as betore Pfal. 104, we ne ee 216 — THE BOOK 7+ (m) I wil confefle ro thee (n} in direction of hart:in that I haue lear- ned the (o) iudgementsofthy iuftice, (m)So shel I praife thee,and render thankes,(n)with fincere not fayned affe tion, (0) fortis creat beneGite that Lhaue learned,that thy law is according to moft iuft ludgemenr,

(d) repel me-noz from thy commandments, (c) The Pfalmift now fpeakcth in the perfon of perfea inft men, or of the whole Church in general. Whofe common fpirit feeketh God intirely.(d) And confidering that this perfect good wilis the guift of Ged, praveth that he wil conferue the fame and not fuffer it ro be alrered, orto erre from his commandments, °

(e) Another fincere profcfsion-of a refolute good purpofe norto-finne,

(k) Pra@ifethin worke, 16, I (J, wil meditare in thy iuftifications: I wil not forget thy * words, (1) And diligently meditateth Gods Law. . Gimel.. Fulnes,

craue., (b) quicken me with fpi- ritual life , thy grace. (c) fol shal keepe thy law, which otherwife [can not,

(e) and 1 thal confiderthe.meruelous things of thy law, . (d) Yumi-' lhro.e. 11.Mor * fermon nes, * clo- quia, * fermo- nes. * ferme- nes, ee Commandments: (i) laying curfes vpon them for declining tromthyne obedience. 22. Take trom mereproch, and contempt : becaufeI- hauefoughi after ding to thy word, by thy words.. law, (f) haue mercie on me, OF PSALMES. 227 (d) Iluminate mrne vnderftanding by thy grace,(e)that I may be able to fecthe Meruelous great and iuftreafons of thy law, inftructingal, threarning the peruerfe, Cacourging the wel difpofed, punishing the wicked , rewarding the good, doing right to al. 19 .(f ) lama feiourner inthe land , (g) hide no: thy commandments - from me, (f) [char have buta {mal time in this world,(g) defire to be inftruéed in thy lay, what is therein commanded. . 20, My foule hath coueted to defire thy iuftifications ,.at al time, 21, Thou haft (b) rebukedthe proud : (s} curfed are they thac decline from thy commandments, (h) I confider that thou,o God, doft sharply reproue the proud conteniners of thy thy teftimonies. .

(k) Though perfecutours were very potent, (lyyet the faithful feruant-of God perfeuered in his feruice.

(n) thy infti- fications my coun’el. (m} Intime of perfecution and tentation we muft thinke and meditate , that Gods law ceftifieth.ecernal reward,or punishment , (n) and ii: our deliberation or conful- tation ,we muft confider that keeping Gods law maketh iuft: & cenfequently meri- teth reward. Daleth, Of Tables,

for tedioufnes: (d) confirme mein thy words, . (<} Being in fo great anxietie that my minde is almoft diftraéed. or oucrcome, (d)X cal to thee God , that thou wilt conferue me, thar 1 {til keepe thy law’, vercred

(f) Andof thy. merei¢ conferne mein ftare of grace ;

I haae chofen-the way of truth:: Uhaue not forgorten thy iudge- ments, .

me a defire to keepe thy law, oiuc me alfo vnderftanding, ¢d) then shall frurtfally fearchit. For this is the right ‘order (as before inthe frit, and fecond verfes ) firftto loue Gods law,to be iuftified, and to become immaculare, and then to fearchto know the law,and fo it is more eaf ly learned.

(f)’becaufe I would it. (e) Gods grace fir draweth and leadeth, (f) then freew:il inflamed with defire ef- fedually coneurreth,

(g) Stil the Propher inculcateth the necefsitie of Guds grace , as Welto makeys defire that is good;(b) asto tly trom.cuul.

alfo to pray that God wiltake away oceafions , which might moue to finne:(k and ftilto grant his helping grace in progrefie of vertue.

(a)Againc confidering that without Gods crace preucnting,man can not doe ane ' good thing , the Prophecreneweth his prayer , requefting Gods mercie, (b) and his helpe treel y promifed to al that aske it.

(n)becaufe thy iudgements are pleaiant, (ms) To be deliuered alfo from al the effeéts of former finnes , (n) for finne is ther- fore reprochful and odious, becaufe it is contrarie to Gods law , & true indgemients, which are moft pleafant. 40, Beh: 'd I haue coueted thy commandments : in thine equitie (0) quicken me, (0) Being thus affe&ted with defire to keepe the commandments , the foule prayeth to be ttilquickned , more and more with good fpirite , and foto > perfenere. to the end, Vau, And.

155, Saluationis far from finners:becaufe they haue not fought after thy. iuftifications,,.

iudgements, (e) He alfo prayeth,though he be fomerimes feareful,that God wilnot fuffer him wholly to cmitte manifeft profeffion of taith and true religion, (f) feeing by thy former grace I haue already repofed my truft m thy promiies, made to them that are refolued to keepe thy law. 44 And (g) Twilkeepethy law alwayes: for cuer, and for euer and euer, (gl For doc Srmely purpofe euerand alwayes to keepe thy law: ; 4s.And (b) I walked in largeneffe ; (+) becaufe I haue fought after thy comniandmicnts, (b} In this Lhaue had great: ioy and comfort of mind : (i) becaufe I-did indeed fecke afrer thy commandements , which is {pecially vetered (as alfo the three.next verfes) irtthé perfon of thofe, thar are in rial of perfecution tor their taith:

exen before perfecuting Kings and Em perours, protefie Chrifts trae Religion. Veryfied in innumerable giorjous Martyrs, yea alfo of the frailefexe, in S, Catharin , S. Cecilic,S. Lucie ,S. Margzret, S. We- nefrede, S. Vrfula, and hertelowes ,and manie more ,.moft confianily anfwerj:- al words of repzoch obiected, asi. it Were 2 bafeor-contemptible thing tobe Chri- {tias, co be Catholikes,to be Papiftes.No,al thefe & the like, are honourable & glo- rious titlessimporting the true feruice of Chriit,in vnitie of the. Catholike Church: and fpiritua} participation with the vifible head therof, Chrifts Vicar in earcth..

meditated in Gods commandments, which they haue feruencly loued.

(n) I was exercifed in thy iuftifications, (m) Alfo shewed the fame in external worke, not difiembling by filence, by word, nox a&. () euerie way exercifing Gods law, which maketh the obferuers inf. Zain, This. - 49-Be (4}mindeful of thy word to thy {cruant, wherein thou haft giuen me hope, _ (4) That which God hath decreed and promifed, being in it-felre moft certaine and aflured, yet includeth the meanes, wherby it shal be pnt in execution: and ther- fore theiuft, his ele&,doe pray for the performance of his wil.

The (¢) proud did vniuitly exceedingly: (d) but I declined not from thy law. (c) Proud contemners of Gods law,hauc cuerie way molefted me,by detracting, deriding, calumniating , and violently perfecuting me. (d) Al which Lhaue borne patiently, and not declined from thy Law. —

(g) and was comforted, (e) Lremembred and ‘confidered thy iuft punishments inflicted vponthe impious, (f)- evenérom the beginning. of the- world. ( both vpon the diuels and wicked Dad 2 men) “Meds _ thy feruantsiug.

(b) Ocherwife if I had not feen thy iuftice , my zcle againft.contemners of thy law would haue killed me.

M2 ye (b) iubilation to God al-the earth, 2. fay a Pfalme tc his name: giue glorie to his praife, (6}Shew your internal ioy by external words and deeds.

_(4) The Prophet proceedeth {peaking inthe perfon ot the iuft tending to per- fe&tion , and faying : This is my happic choife,that I defire no other inheritance,nor poffeflion, but to keepe Gods Law.

exceedeth my proper ftrength , I prayed God of his mercie to make able to keepe it, s9 1 (c) thought-vpor my wayes: and-conuerted my feere vnro thy tef{timonies. . (c) Pondering my former actions , Iturned my pathesto obferue more perfedly the Law, which God hath teftified tobe the right way. 60, 1(d) amprepared , and am not troubled : to keep thy command- (d- With promptnes.of mind, and without hefitation I refolued the keepethe com- mandmeats. 61, The (e) cords of {inners haue wrapped me round about: and (f) I haue not forgotten thy law, . (e) The-wicked aid cords, nets , orfnares ,to intrap and hinder me , (f) bur I kept thy law fresh in memorie, 62, At (g) mid-nigth I rofe to confeflero thee , for the indgements of thy iuftincation, . (g) Thatshis isnot vnderfrood only miftically in time of -afflidion, but alfo: literally and prophetically , that fome f{pecial feruants of God should obferue a godlie profefsion of praying atmid-night , the word (Irofe ) maketh it probable. Saint Paul & Silas, eather of a holie cuftome ,or at leaft vponfpecial oceafion ( and fuch occafions were to them , and others trequent ) prayed, and praifed God at cA 16 mid-night. And now in the Church of Chrift fonre religious men pray, and praife God continually at mid-night ; befides other houres , mentioned more diftindly ¥. 164. * elon quinm., .

(b)Lam partaker of al that feare thee: and that keepethy com- mandments. ° oe Le _ Ch) Agreatbenefit, anda fingular confolation , thatal eruc living members of ‘Chrift , are partakers of althe prayers, good workes , and merits, of the whole Church militant and triumphant. Which in our Creede is called , The Communion of Saints. ; oo 64, The (3) earth, o Lord,is ful of thy mercie+ (k) teach my thy iafti- fications. oe i) So greatis the mercie of God, extended, communicated ,and multiplied in the whole carth. (k) Inftru& me, and dire& me therfore, o God, that y may learne and obferue thy law , and fo be inftified, and made participant of fo great mercie. Teth, Good, 65. Thou haft («) done bountie with thy feruant, o Lord:()according tothy word. (a) Dealt very bountifully (5) as thou dift promife. 66, Teach me goodnefle, (d) and difcipline, and (¢ ) knowledge: ( f) becaufe I haue belecued thy commandments, (c)-He thar hath bountifully received grace at Gods hand, pray eth for mcre grace, that he may be beneficial to others in relicuing the needie , (d) in inftructing the ignorant ,/e) in perfwading to kcep the law of God: (f ) becaufe he hath learned and beleeneth she commandments,by whichhe is bound to Joue,and haue care of his neighbour. ,

(b) therfore: haue I kept thy * word, (g) Before I wasaffliced ,1 often feliaco finne:.(h) but vexation gaue-meynder- ftanding , therfore now I keep thy law.

(4) but lin al amy hart wil tearch thy commandments. (i, Contemners of thy law haue endeauoured to intan gleme, (k)but I perfiftin kceping thy commandments. As before.v. 1 61. 0, Their hart is (1) curded together as milke: (m) butt haue medi- tated thy law. (1) Though the wicked co‘nbine themfelues together againit me , (m) yet I con- fider, that it is neceffaric to perfeuer in thy law. . {71 Icis good for methat thou haft humbled me: that] may learne thy iuftificarions.

lite euerlafting, then to haue al the riches & Kingdoms of this world. : lod, Beginning. 73. Thy hands haute made me, and formed me: (4) giue me ynderftan- ding, and I willearnethy commandinents, (a) God being, our Creatour , we may with confidence pray him to illuminate our minds, that we may learne what is his pleafure , and fo endeauour to fulfil ir. 74, They that feare thee(b) fhal {ee me, & {hal reioyce : becaufe I haue much hoped inthy words, Ce 3 (b) Others whe \ 22:2 ; THE BOOK (b) Others that loue God wil be glad to fec me alfo feruchim.

(d) (c) The inf being affliéted, and not fecing the particular canfetherof,vet knoweth and conteffeth, thar God doth it for moft iuft.caufe. (d) Andtherfore with patience prayeth for comrort, as foloweth:

inthy commandments. (f)-The tuft alfo-prayeth that the wicked may be ashamed , and comerted , for fo the Hebrew word here fignifieth,though it is alfo lawtulto defire the iuft punihs- ment of obitinate finners.

(g) Heprayeth againe for conuerfion of the wicked,and to haue peace with them.

(c) As aleather bottel made of a beafts skine , congealed with the froft,and after partched in fmoke, fo is the bodie of she inft mortified by diuers forts of affliGions, made a new borvel fitte to receiue new wine,thatis perfcG dodrine of Chriftian lite, as of 1afting , and other aufteritic, wherof our Sauiour fpeaketh. Mat.s.v.igz.

yea of tlre tuft, that he apprehendeth tribulations to” be very long , and therrore defirech confummation ; and that without, finne, fo he ftil fusmic his wiloG ods wils. 85, The vniuit have rold me (e) fables : but nor as thy law, (e) Frinolous idletailes, which are not according to Gods law. (help mre.

(b) Aneceffaric prayer for perfeuerance, which none can haue without fpecial and: continual helpe of grace.

thy law. is my meditation, (2) Who am.almoft dead in tribulation. -

I wilnot forgetthy juitifications for euer ; becaufe in themthou haft quickned me.

(a) It is merueltoa perfeiuft man , that he hath fo much loued and-obferued Gods law. By acknowledging wherof,he yealdeth praife and thankes to God, whofe oulftitis.

(b) The fruits-of obferning cods law are manie and great. Amongftothers , it maketh the obferuer wifer then his enimies.

(c) Itmaketh the obferuer wifer then his temporal maifters ,that thaught him, go wit,then thofe,that teach wel,aud doe not performe the fame. . 100, Aboue (d) ancients haue Ivnderfiood : becaufe 1 haue foughr thy comuiandments, (di yonger-in yeares that keep cods commandments , are wifer then the more ancient that keep them not. 101, I haue {taied my feete from al euil way : that} may keep thy words, 102.1 haue not declined fré the iudgemérs:becaufe thou haft fet mea law,

(e) Another fruit is the fweetnes which the iuft feeleth in his owne foule. By thy commandments I haue vnderftood : therfore hauel (f) hated _(f) Iebrideth alfo 1aft hatred to finne. Nun. 224° THE BO OK Nun, Euerlafting.

(b) they haue conducted me, and haue brought: me into thy holy hil,and into thy tabernacles, (g) As thou haft fent Chrift the light and truth into this world, grant vs the fame now in particular, (bh) Thefe two guifts of Ged, the lightof knowing our duties and ruth, with fincere intention to performe the fame,haue brought vs into thy Church and ynro thy Altar. ;

(b) Suck profefsion Gods people made in the olf law, in Circumcifion, or at other times: Chriftians make it in Baptifme.

* elo 128, (b)Therfore was directedtoalthy commandments:(+)al wicked OF PSALMES, 235 (2) We m2ft pray alfo thar he fuffer vs not tobe confounded , or made fruftrate of the reward which we expe ; tor hope confoundeth not , it charitie be pow'red in our harts,by the Holie Ghott which 1s guten vs. Rom. $.V.5. 118, Thou hatt (b) defpsfed al that reuolt trom thy indgements:-{ 7 ) be- caufe their cogitation is vniuft. (hb) God reteteth finners : (i) fo long as they thinke peruerfly : that is , yntil by his grace, fome returne to a better mind , which of themfelues they can neuer doe. 119, Al thefinners of the earth 1 haue (A) reputed preuaricatours: : herfore haue I houed thy teftimonies. (k) As God sccountethof finners, fo the iuft alfo-efteemeth them., conforming his iudgement to cods, 120, (1) Rearfeany flefh with thy feare: for Lam afrayd of thy indge- ments, (1) Seruil feare is profitable as this place maketh euident: though perfe& charitie arterwards fucceeding, expelicth that fearc, and moueth to doe wel for the loue of God. notfor reare ox punishment. -. Ioan. 4. Ain. A tountaine, or an eye. 121, I (4) haue done iudgement and iuftice : (b) deliuer me notto them that calumniate me, (4) The iaft againe in fernentzeale , not arrogantly , but confidently profefsine his innocencie, (b)- prayezhro be defended from cajumniatours. 122, Receiuethy feruant (c) vnto good: let not the proud calumniate me, (¢) Grant therfore, o God, the good and lawfid requeft which I demand. 123, Mine cies haue fayled (d ) after thy faluation: and tor the * word ot thy iuftice, (d) By long expecting to be delinred and faued from tribulation. 124, Doe.with thy feruant according to thy mercie : and teach me thy iuitifications.

(f) among a. myne enemies. (q) myne eyes are dimme with weeping, for feare of thy inf indgement. (7) my haires are gray with forrw ({) wherat mync enemies reioyce.

(g) For this zeale of Gods law fo defpifed and diffipated, theiuft more and more loneth,that which the wicked fo deadly hate. 1 ' Way I haue hared,.. (4; Euen by the mortal hate of the wicked I faw that Geds law is mioft excellent, and therfore addicted my felfe fo much the more to loneit, (and to hate al wicked way es. Phe, Mouth, 129, Thy (4)-teltimonies are meruelous: ( b ) therfore hath my foute fearched them. (a) Gods meruclous-power and wifdom , teftified by his workes and command. ments, (b) worthily inuite inft foules to meditate and contempl..re the fame, Tom, 2. Ee 130, tne 226 THE BOOK

Inu, (¢)Firft entrance into'knowledge of holie Scripture, illuminateth the vnderftan- ding of the humble, wherby they proceede to know nore.

(d)By this Metaphore,of gaping.or wide opening the month, and drawing breath, ~ the Prophet deferibeth the great defireor theinf, to knew and keepe Gods com- inandments. 132,Lookevponme,and haue merci¢e onte,accerding to (e) the ‘ud gee. ment ofthem rhat loue thy name, (¢) According to thy accuftomed equitic,in shewing mercie tothem that louethy name,

(f) Letthy diuine Maieftic looke vpon me with fauourable countenance.

only in purpofe to auoide finge hereafter, which indeed is firft required, but alfc in forow and lamentation for finnes paft. Sade. luitice, 13 7.Thou art iuft, o Lord:and (4) thy iudgementis tight, (4) God being effentially -iuft of himfelfe , makethmeniuft according to right iudgement,by giving them grace of mercie,wherwath they cooperating are iuft by iuftice in deed inherent in their foules,not by impwration only : tor it were not right iudgement£o impure,or account man iuft whe is not fo indeed,

(n) the fonne of thy handmaid, . (m) Alwayes vnderftood , that fuch as fuffer perfecution, be in good ftare of their Thou haft-(o) broken my bonds: 8. I wil facrificeto thee the hoft of praife , and 1 wil innocate the name of our-Lord, (0) Deliuered me from-captiuitie of finne. 9.’I wilrender my vowesto our Lord in the fight of al his people: 10. in. the courts of the houfe of our Lord, in the middes of (p) thee, oleru-} falem, . (p) Iathe Church of the faithful. Tom... Ce PSALME.. \ The Charch of, Chrift in ren rarjons. The 6. key. Chrift bene- ficial My fte- {ries arc cele- jbvated by his Church. The 6, key. .2.Let Iirael (¢) now fay that he is good :that hismercie is for. euer, -hath receiued more mercie and grace. -mercie. 2i0 THE BOOR PSALME CxXVI, Gods.mercie is largely extended so al. Gentils by Chrift,and bis promiferwithal 15 performed to the Lewes. . Alleluia, *pR« y sz our Lord /«) al-ye Gentils: prayfe him (b) al ye peoples. ( Not only fome, but al nations orthe Gentils: (6) and al lewes( ChriftsRe- demptton being abeundantly fufficient for al are inuited to praife God.

(b) The fame is more confirmed by thefe- three) fynonyma , Inftice, Teftimonies, Veritic,fignitying the law.of God,moft earncftly.commanded. 139.My Zeic hath-made -meto pine away : .becaufe.mine enimies haue forgotten thy words, {140, Thy-*word is (c) fired exceedingly:and thy feruant hath loued‘ir. , , (¢) Gods law-is as purc as anie thing purged by fire. Mie.

I shal liue, (f) Hauing profeff-d the neceffitie of perfeé iuftice , he concludeth this O&o- I ; Narie *Ploqusa elo. wr y elo. - guia. ~ (6) Thane prevented the mature and ordinarie time of the night,and-haue prayed

- tate thy * words. (4) Againein the morning haue preuented the accuftomed time of prayer:

(e) According to thy accuftomed. manner of shewing mercie, shew it me , that therby I may liue.

art (f) nigh,o Lord ; and al thy wayes are truth. Cf ) God is alwayes readie toheare al that fincerely inuocate him.

(g) Gods law is the fame in fubftance from the beginning of the world, and wil be for ever. Res. Head,

(c) As berorev.149. - 157.T here are manie that perfecutg, me, and afflict me: ] haue not decli-- ned from thy teftimonies, thy * words,

isno arrogancy. 160, The (e) beginning of thy words is truth: (f} al the iudgements of thy. iuftice are for euer, E-e: 2. (e)Gods oe { rb THE BOOK (e; Gods eflential veritic is the beginning from whence, as fromthe fountaiic, al other traths are derined: (fF) And al commandments proceeding trom this firit truth,are for euer immutable, Sin. Tooth,

(b) vneeritanding, . (a) Inthis laft‘OGonarie, and conclufion of this Pfalme, the faithful feruant of God prayeth, (6) not for humane knowledge , or other temporal things, but to ynderftand cods law. 170, Let my requeft enter in thy fight: {¢) according to thy word (4) deliuer me, . . (c) Thou that haft promifed to heare althat inuocate thee, (d) vourfafe to deliuer me in time of tribulations and xentations,

My lips thal veter an hymne, when thou fhalt teach me thy infti- ‘fications, 5 al

(f) Though man be indued with’grace, yet he needeth more grace , that by Gods and and power, not by his owne, he may refift tentations, . . 174, Lhaue coucted thy faluation, o Lord : and thy law is my medira- ‘ton,