help me; therefore shall I see my desire upon them that bate me.] It is sufficient that the Lord, who hath done great things for me by weak instruments, is still aiding to me; therefore I dare look the most malicious enemies in the face, and doubt not to see them turn their backs upon me, (2 Sam. viii.)

Ver. 8. It is better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in man.] This is my hope; and long experience hath taught me, that it is much safer to rely upon him, than upon the most numerous armies.

Ver. 9. It is better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes.] Far more safe to depend upon his help and protection, (who, as he can do what he pleases, and is constant to his word, so never dies), than to confide in the aid of the greatest princes; whose mind may change, or their forces fail, or they themselves on a sudden leave the world.

Ver. 10. All nations compassed me about; but in the name of the LORD will 1 destroy them.] All the neighbouring nations round about, (1 Sam. v. 17. &c. vii. 1.), combined with the Philistines to environ me; but by the almighty power of the Lord, I was confident that I should hew them in pieces.

Ver. 11. They compassed me about, yea, they compassed me about; but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.] Again they made a new invasion, and beset me with stronger forces, (2 Sam. v. 22.), &c. but still, by the almighty power of the Lord, I doubt ed not that I should cut them off, and utterly defeat them.

Ver. 12. They compassed me about like bees, they are quenched as the fire of thorns; for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.] Though they were exceeding numerous, swarming about me like angry bees, and flaming with such rage and fury as if they would presently consume me; yet it was but like the blaze of fire among thorns, for by the almighty power of the Lord, I was confident I should destroy

them.

Ver. 13. Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall; but the LORD helped me.] They pressed me exceeding hard, and, as one man, conspired with all their might to throw me down from the throne, to which I was advanced; but though they shaked it, and it was ready to fall, yet, by the help of the Lord, it was supported.

Ver. 14. The LORD is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation.] To him alone I ascribe my present happiness, saying, with our forefathers in their triumphant song, (Exod. xv. 2.), the Lord hath armed me with invincible strength; he, and he alone, is to be praised, who hath given me a most glorious deliverance.

Ver. 15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacle of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doth valiantly.] Which comforts the hearts of all righteous men, whose houses sound with such joyful shouts of praise for my deliverance, as these, The mighty power of the Lord hath done most stupendous things.

Ver. 16. The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD dotb valiantly.] He hath made

his mighty power to appear to be superior to all other; for not by man, but by that power, we have again and again obtained illustrious victories over our enemies, (2 Sam. xix. 9.)

Ver. 17. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.] From whence I conclude, that I shall not fall into the hands of those that would take away my life; but still prolong it, to declare what wonderful works the Lord hath done for me.

Ver. 18. The LORD hath chastened me sore; but he bath not given me over unto death.] Who hath let my enemies have power to afflict me very sorely, but not to proceed so far as to destroy me.

Ver. 19. Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go in to them, and I will praise the LORD:] No, instead of that, he hath brought me to his own house again, from which I was banished, (1 Sam. xxvi. 19.), where I will return thanks unto him; and therefore, O ye that minister in the tabernacle, open the gates at which the righteous enter into the courts of the Lord, that I may go in, and make him my acknowledgements, for bringing me from a most forlorn condition to a throne.

Ver. 20. This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.] This is the gate (which I behold and approach with joy) that leads to the courts of the Lord, at which the righteous shall enter together with me, and hear me say,

Ver. 21. I will praise thee, for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.] I will never cease to praise and acknowledge thy goodness, O Lord, who hast graciously heard my prayer, when I implored thy help, and delivered me out of all my distresses.

Ver. 22. The stone which the builders refused, is become the head stone of the corner.] And let them bear a part with me in this my song of praise, saying, He whom the great men and rulers of the people rejected, (1 Sam. xxvi. 19.), as the builders of a house do a stone unfit to be employed in it, is now become our king, to whom we must all join ourselves, if we hope for safety: In whom we see a figure of that glorious King, who shall be in like manner refused, (Luke, xix. 14. xx. 17.), and then by God exalted to be the Lord of all the world, and the foundation of all men's happiness, (Acts, iv. 11. 12.)

Ver. 23. This is the LORD's doing, it is marvellous in our eyes.] This is the sole work of the Lord, (not the effect of human counsels, who opposed and obstructed it), which surprises us with the greatest admiration, to see a despised person become on a sudden so renowned.

Ver. 24. This is the day which the LORD hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.] This is the happy day which the Lord himself hath made illustrious by his marvellous work, and which it becomes us to celebrate with joyful hearts, and with all outward expressions of gladness for so great a benefit;

Ver. 25. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.] Most humbly beseeching thee, O Lord, to preserve our king, and to perpetuate his kingdom, (especially the kingdom of Christ, which shall be welcomed into the

world with these words, Matth. xxi. 9. &c.): it begins most gloriously; be pleased now, O Lord, to give it answerable success and prosperity.

Ver. 26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD; we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.] Which acclamations of the people, let the priests of the Lord meet with their approbation, saying, Blessed be the king which is set over us by the divine appointment, and blessed be all the people who live under his happy government; we, whose office it is to minister to the Lord, give you his blessing from the holy place, into which you are come to worship him;

Ver. 27. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light; bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.] Who is the omnipotent Lord, most faithful to his promise, who hath put an end to our troubles, and made peace amongst us. O be not ungrateful to him, but solemnize this day with festival joys; bind your sacrifices with cords, and bring them to the corners of the altar, to be offered as testimonies of your love and thankfulness unto him.

Ver. 28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee; thou art my God, I will exalt thee.] And so for my part I am resolved, who must own thee to be my most gracious God and almighty deliverer, to whom therefore I will make continually my most thankful acknowledgements; to thy almighty goodness alone I owe this greatness to which I am promoted, and therefore I will never cease to speak the highest things I am able in thy praise.

Ver. 29. O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.] And let all good men rejoice together with me, and make their thankful acknowledgements to the great Lord of the world, who, as he is the author of all good, and hath been exceeding bountiful unto us, so will continue his kindness unto all succeeding generations.

PSALM CXIX.

THE ARGUMENT.-This psalm is contrived so artificially, that one wonld think, at first sight, it was made after the foregoing, when God had subdued the rest of David's enemies, (2 Sam. viii. 1c.), and given him leisure for such curious composures. For it is divided into as many parts as there are letters in the Hebrew alphabet, each part containing eight verses, and every one of those verses beginning with that letter wherewith that part begins. The verses, for instance, of the first part, all begin with Alpha, or A, and all of the second with Beth, or B, &c. And thence this psalm is called in the Masora, the great Alphabet, which is an indication that David was now in a very sedate condition, under no extraordinary motions, when he penned this psalm, but quietly considered things, as they were represented to his remembrance.

I

which there were, I suppose, some quiet intervals, (see ver. 54.), either between the time that Saul (having his life given him by David) resolved to persecute him no more, 1 Sam. xxiv. and his renewed attempts to destroy him, upon the information the Ziphites again gave him, 1 Sam. xxvi. or after David's fresh demonstration of his loyalty to him, before he went to Gath; or while he was in that city, where he had liberty to meditate on the excellence of God's laws, and the happiness of those that kept them, and the comfort they were to him in his affliction; which he found to be so sweet and so great, that he begs of God little else, but that he might be more and more in love with them; which were already so much his delight, that he mentions them under one name or other in every verse of this psalm, none excepted but one, ver. 122. or two at the most, ver. go. where he celebrates God's faithfulness, which re. lates to the sted fastness of his promise, (called in this psalm his word), it may well be thought to be no exception to that observation.

shall not be so curious as to examine the nice difference which is made by some, between laws, statutes, testimonies, judgements, precepts, &c. because they seem here to be used promiscuously; or if there be any peculiar meaning in some verses, I shall endeavour to express it plainly in the para

prase.

Theodoret hath a conjecture concerning David's design in this psalm, (both in his preface to it, and upon ver. 157. which I shall mention, that the reader may take his choice. David, it is well known, had great varieties in his condition; for he both fled from enemies, and chased them, lived sometimes very melancholy, and again most pleasantly; ran into God's ways, and stumbled, and rose again to run that good course. Now, all these things, says he, (and it is not improbable), David afterward collected into this one" psalm, connecting all the prayers which he had made to God at several times, and on several occasions, and putting them together in this admirable meditation, divided into twenty-two parts, which propound one and the same most profitable lesson to all men, and teaches them how it is possible to live virtuously in the worst condition. Nor doth he neglect dogmatical instruction, as he speaks, but adds it to the other; so that this psalm is sufficient to perfect those that study exquisite virtue, and to stir up the diligence of those that are lazy, to comfort those that are sad, to correct the negligent; and, in one word, to afford all manner of medicines for the cure of the various diseases of mankind. And if it would not have made this book too big, I should have taken the pains to shew the design of every part in an argument before it.

ALEPH, PART I.

LESSED are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.] Happy, more hap

py than can be expressed, are those men, who do not take the liberty to live as they list, but, making the law of the Lord their rule, order their life in an exact conformity therewith.

Ver. 2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.] The stricter they keep to that rule, (wherein he hath testified his will unto us), most heartily studying to please him, entirely devoting themselves to seek his favour in this way alone, the happier still they are.

Ver. 3. They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.] Especially when they will not be tempted to do an evil action, though it were to gain the greatest good in this world; but constantly adhere to him in the way which he hath prescribed them.

Ver. 4. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.] We are infinitely beholden to thee, there fore, O Lord, that thou hast obliged us to be so happy, by requiring us to use our utmost diligence to observe thy precepts (which we ourselves know to be good for us) with all care and exactness.

Ver. 5. Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!] O that I may ever be one of those happy men! I have no greater wish than this, that all the actions of my life may be ordered and governed according to thy will.

Ver. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.] Then shall I never be disappointed of my hopes, nor blush at the crimes which are laid to my charge, when my own conscience tells me, that there is not one of thy commandments but is ever before my eyes, as the rule of my actions;

Ver. 7. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements.] And is so dear unto me, that nothing can give me such a joy as to have learnt effectually how just and good they all are, for which I will most sincerely thank thee, as the greatest benefit.

Ver. 8. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.] Deal with me according to the uprightness of my heart in this resolution, that I will observe even those statutes, for which I see no other reason but only thy will. O do not abandon me too far, ( Sam. xxvii. 1.), but stick to me, as I purpose to do to thy statutes.

BETH. PART II.

Ver. 9. Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.] But how shall a young man, such as I am, (Sam. xxvii. 33. 2 Sam. v. 4.), in an age that is prone to evil, be able to do as he resolves? keeping himself so pure in all his ways, that they maintain an exact conformity unto thy word.

Ver. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.] First, I implore, with all my soul, thy gracious assistance, beseeching thee to afford me such a measure of it, that for want of those heavenly supplies I may not

be drawn aside at any time from thy command

ments.

Ver. 11. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.] Next, I have laid up thy word in my heart, as the most precious treasure, hoping that will be a security to me, and preserve me from offending thee, whose promises are no less comfortable than thy threatenings are dreadful.

Ver. 12. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.] And I know also, that thou, O Lord, art kind, and dost not envy thy favours to any of us, but wilt for ever be praised for thy bounty towards us; and therefore I expect that thou wilt hear my prayer, and enable me effectually to learn thy statutes.

Ver. 13. With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth.] On which I have so much set my heart, that I have not spared to declare to others the great regard I have to every thing which thou hast pronounced just, or condemned as unrighteous.

Ver. 14. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I can safely say likewise, that I have taken more satisfaction, now that I am poor, in doing that which thou hast testified to be acceptable to thee, than I should in all the wealth of the world, were it heaped on me.

Ver. 15. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.] I will ruminate also often on thy precepts, (which will be another means I trust to preserve me undefiled), and never do any thing, but consider beforehand how it agrees with the rules which thou hast prescribed me.

Ver. 16. I will delight myself in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word.] The study of thy statutes (see ver. 8.) shall be my delight; and I will not let slip any word of thine, but preserve it in faithful remembrance.

GIMEL. PART III.

Ver. 17. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.] Let these reasons move thee to deal graciously with me, who am devoted to thy service: render to me according to my integrity, and let not my enemies take away my life, which I intend to employ in doing whatsoever thou hast commanded.

Ver. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.] For which end, I beseech thee to illuminate the eyes of my mind, that I may clearly discern the admirable wisdom which discovers itself in thy law.

Ver. 19. I am a stranger in the earth; bide not thy commandments from me.] I am no better than a stranger in the land, wandering from place to place, (1 Sam. xxiii. 13.), and having no possessions; but do not let me want the knowledge of thy will, and then I shall not think myself destitute of an inheritance.

Ver. 20. My soul breaketh for the longing that it bath unto thy judgements at all times.] For which my soul longs so vehemently, that I am not more broken

(1 Sam. xxvii. 1.), and must certainly suffer, if I fall into my enemies hands, for thou wilt proceed, I know, according to thy own judgements, which are all equitable, merciful, and gracious.

Ver. 40. Behold, I bave longea after thy precepts; quicken me in thy righteousness.] I appeal to thee, whether I have not a great zeal for thy precepts, unto which I desire above all things to be conformed: let me not perish, therefore, in these troubles, but in much mercy revive me, according to thy faithful promise.

VAU. PART VI.

Ver. 41. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD; even thy salvation, according to thy word.] To those infinite mercies of thine, which moved thee to make me such gracious promises, I betake myself, and beseech thee to let me feel the happy effects of both in my deliverance.

Ver. 42. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me; for I trust in thy word.] So shall I be able to put to silence those that reproach me for my confidence in thee; which they call a vain presumption, but is an humble reliance on thy own gracious promises to me.

Ver. 43. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I bave hoped in thy judgements.] Which till thou art pleased to fulfil, do not so far abandon me, as to let me be disheartened in asserting their truth and faithfulness, (which I am wont to oppose to all the threats of my enemies); for my whole dependance is on this, that thou wilt not fail me, but pronounce a righteous sentence for me.

Ver. 44. So shall I keep thy law continually, for ever and ever.] And 1 for my part promise, when thou shalt be so gracious to me, not to suffer myself to grow more negligent in thy service; but to be more careful than ever in the observance of thy laws, to the very end of my days.

Ver. 45. And I will walk at liberty; for I seek thy precepts.] For then I shall have no such encumbran ces on me, as I now have in these straits and difficulties; from which when thou freest me, I will do my duty with the greater chearfulness and joy; for it is not liberty, no, nor a kingdom that I seek, so much as better advantages to fulfil thy precepts.

Ver. 46. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.] Which I will not be ashamed to justify before the greatest persons in the world, to be the most excellent rule of life, and the best testimony of thy love to us; and will do it with such reasons, that they shall never be able to disprove

me.

Ver. 47. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.] Nor will I confute myself, by leading a voluptuous life, when I have liberty to do as I list; bnt as I have hitherto preferred thy commandments before all other things, so then will I take the highest pleasure in them;

Ver. 48. My bands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved: and I will meditate in

thy statutes.] Not only in their study, but shew the truth of my love to them, by a diligent and zealous practice of them, which shall be the end of my me ditation in them.

ZAIN. PART VII.

Ver. 49. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.] Be pleased, therefore, in due time, to perform the promise which thou hast long ago made unto thy servant, (2 Sam. v. 2.), and when I thought of no such thing, given me an assured hope of it, (1 Sam. xvi. 11. 12. 13.)

Ver. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hath quickened me.] Which as it hath been the occasion of many and great troubles to me, so hath comforted me under them all; and, even when I despaired of safety, revived my spirit, and restored my courage to life again.

Ver. 51. The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not declined from thy law.] Though my insulting enemies mocked exceedingly at my hope, and, in the pride of their hearts, attempted by the most unjust means to destroy me, it never moved me to imitate them, by taking any unlawful method for my_preservation.

Ver. 52. I remembered thy judgements of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself] But I called to mind, O Lord, how, in all foregoing ages, thou hast suffered good men to fall into great calamities, thereby to render them, at last, the more illustrious ; and with this consideration also I comforted myself.

Ver. 53. Horror bath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law.] I have been seized, indeed, sometimes with an horrible fear, when I thought what sort of men were my persecutors, who stuck at nothing which would serve their ends, having no regard to right or wrong.

Ver. 54. Thy statutes have been my songs in the bouse of my pilgrimage.] Yet in all my wanderings up and down, (1 Sam. xxii. 1. 2. 5. xxiii. 13.), I never tarried long in any place; but I passed the time delightfully, in composing some such song as this in praise of thy statutes.

Ver. 55. I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.] When others were asleep, I was calling to mind how good, how powerful, and how faithful thou art; and resolving with myself still to observe thy laws;

Ver. 56. This I bad, because I kept thy precepts.] Which make those so happy that obey them, that I ascribe this sweet composure of mind, and chearfulness of spirit, under all my grievous afflictions, to my

strict observance of them.

CHETH. PART VIII.

Ver. 57. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.] I have no possessions in this world, (1 Sam. xxvi. 19.), which I see others greedily sharing among them; but I do not think myself poor, as long as I have an interest in thy