God made a mids the waters for a separation, and named it Heavens, Gen. 1. 7, 8. which of David is said to be stretched out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a curtaine or tent, Psal. 104. 2. and elsewhere is said to be firme, as molten glasse, Iob 37. 18. So under this name Firmament, be comprised the orbs of the heavens, and the aire, and the whole spacious roomth above the earth.
Vers. 3. Day unto day] one day unto and after another: so unto is used for after, in Exod. 16. 1. and [unspec 3] 19. 1. Vttereth] or welleth 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as a fountaine, continually and plenteously. manifesteth] or sheweth lively.
Vers. 4. not heard is their voyce] that is, whose voyce is not heard or understood: meaning that they [unspec 4] are no mute or obscure speeches, whereby the hea∣vens preach to the world, but manifest to all, as the next verse sheweth, and Paul plainely confirmeth, Rom. 1. 19, 20. and the Greeke version here lea∣deth us so to understand this sentence, together with the Apostles allegation, Rom. 10. 19. and the like Hebraismes are usuall, as Iob 3. 3. Let the day perish, I was borne in it, that is, wherein I was borne: and hearing is often put for understanding, Gen. 11. 7. 2. Kings 18. 26. 1 Corin. 14. 2. Compare also herewith that Hebrew phrase in ••er. 38. 5. Or we may read it thus: There is no speech nor words: not he••••d is their voyce: that is, the heavens make ••o speech, or Sermon; ••or utter any rea••able words, no nor any voyce (or s〈…〉〈…〉d) 〈…〉〈…〉of theirs is heard: but their line is gone forth, &c. Or, (taking words for peoples that speake them,) there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speech no•• words, where the voyce of the heavens is not he〈…〉〈…〉d.
V. 5. their line] or, their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, their delineation: wch is a meane to teach the rude and simple; as Esa. 28. [unspec 5] 10. or by line is meane a building, frame or edifice, which is made by line and rule, Zach. 1. 16. Iob 38. 5. The Greeke translateth it, their sound; which word the Apostle also useth, Rom. 10. 18. where he speaketh of the preaching of the Gospell, by which the Church is taught and edified. their spea∣kings] or, their words: but this is used sometime generally for signification any manner of way: as Prov. 6. 13. he speaketh (that is, signifieth) with his feet. And taking him before to have shewed how the heavens have no speeches, words nor voyce; this here may be meant of their significations, by the wonderfull frame, course, order, &c. that all men may see in them. he hath put a tent] God hath put (or set) in the heavens a tabernacle, that is, a flitting habitation: for that the sunne neuer stay∣eth in one place. The Sunne is in Hebrew called Shemesh, that is, a minister or servant; which very name should have kept the nations from worship∣ping and serving it, which God hath distributed to all people under the whole heaven; as Deut. 4. 19.
Vers. 6. as a bridegroome] the Chaldee addeth, [unspec] in the morning as a bridegroome. The Sun when he riseth is gloriously adorned with beautifull rayes, and seemeth most cheerefull; which two things are set forth by similitude of a bridegroom, Esa. 61. 10: & 62. 5. to run a race] a long way, journy, or, course. The swift course of the Sun is joyfully per∣formed, as when a Champion runneth for a game.
Vers. 8. Th〈…〉〈…〉] or Doctrin〈…〉〈…〉▪ an orderly man∣ner [unspec 8] of instruction, an institution or disposition, called in Hebrew Torah, which implieth both doctrine, and an orderly disposition of the same; therefore, where one Prophet relating Davids words, saith, the law of man, 2 Sam. 7. 19. another saith, the or∣derly estate (or course) of man, 1 Chron. 17. 17. The holy Ghost in Greeke calleth it Nomos, a Law, Heb. 8. 10. from Ier. 31. 33. This name is most commonly ascribed to the precepts given by Mo∣ses at Mount Sinai; Deut. 33. 4. Mal. 4. 4. Ioh. 1. 17. and 7. 19. it is also largely used for all his wri∣tings. For the history of Genesis is called Law, Gal. 4. 21. from Gen. 16. And though somtime the Law be distinguished from the Psalmes and Prophets, Luke 16. 16. and 24. 44. yet the other Prophets bookes are called Law, 1 Cor. 14. 21. from Esai. 28. 11. the Psalmes are also thus named, Ioh. 10. 24. and 15. 25. from Psal. 8••. 6. and 35. 19. Yea one Psalme is called a Law, Psal. 78. 1. and the many branches of Moses doctrine; as the Law of the sin∣offering, &c. Lev. 6. 25. and generally it is used for any doctrine; as, the Law of workes, the Law of faith, &c. Rom. 3. 27. is perfect] or, is a perfect Law. The word before is againe understood here and in the speeches following: as sometime it is fully expressed, Psal. 12. 7. returning the soule] or, restoring the life. To returne the soule, is some∣time to deliver it from evils, Ps. 35. 17. Iob 33. 30. sometime to refresh it as with food that keepeth in life, Lam. 1. 11. 19. to refresh it with rest, com〈…〉〈…〉t, and the like, R••th 4. 15. Psal. 23. 3. Prov. 25. 13. All which may be found in the law of God. the testimony] God called the two tables of his law, the Testimonie, Exod. 25. 16. 21. and 31. 18. and the Ark wherin they were kept, had therupon the like name, Num. 17. 4. Exod. 25. 22. and so the taber∣nacle wherein the Arke was, Exod. 38. 21. Rev. 15. 5. Gods Law hath this title because of the testifica∣tion, contestation, and earnest charge wch he and his Prophets gave concerning it, as Ps. 81. 9. 2 Kin. 17. 15. Neh. 9. 29, 30. Deut. 31. 28. and 32. 4. and as a record it testifieth what is Gods will and cove∣nant, Ioh. 5. 39. And as the Law, so the Gospell (yea Christ himselfe) is called a testimony, 1 Cor. 2. 1. 2 Thes. 1. 10. 1 Tim. 2. 6. faithfull] or, a faithfull testimony: this word meaneth also, sure, certaine, firme and constant; as faithfull plagues, Deut. 28. 59. are sure and durable: a faithfull house, 2 Sam. 7. 16. is setled, firm & stable, &c. Gods word hath like com∣mendations, Ps. 93. 5. and 111. 7. the simple] or silly. The originall pethi, meaneth one that is easily perswaded or intised, credulous and light of beleefe, according to the proverbe, Pethi, The simple belee∣veth every thing, Prov. 14. 15. Consequently it is used for Unskilfull, and applied sometime to evill foolish persons, Prov. 9. 6. and 22. 3. sometime to the good and simple; as Psal. 116. 6. The Greeke often translateth it, a babe, and so Christ calleth such, Mat. 11. 25. This verse and the two next following, which treat of Gods law, are in Hebrew written every of them with ten words, according to the number of the ten commandements, which are called ten words, Exod. 34. 28.