Annotations upon the five bookes of Moses, the booke of the Psalmes, and the Song of Songs, or, Canticles VVherein the Hebrevv vvords and sentences, are compared with, and explained by the ancient Greeke and Chaldee versions, and other records and monuments of the Hebrewes: but chiefly by conference with the holy Scriptures, Moses his words, lawes and ordinances, the sacrifices, and other legall ceremonies heretofore commanded by God to the Church of Israel, are explained. With an advertisement touching some objections made against the sinceritie of the Hebrew text, and allegation of the Rabbines in these annotations. As also tables directing unto such principall things as are observed in the annotations upon each severall booke. By Henry Ainsworth.

Annotations.

COncerning the dumbe dove] or after the He∣brew [unspec 1] phrase, the dove of dumbnesse; thus Da∣vid speaketh of himselfe, as of a dove subject to vex∣ation among the ••avenous kites the Philistims, which were farre dis••oyned from Gods people in faith, though neare in habitation; as the Greeke translateth it, the people farre off from the Saints. Or Aelem, interpreted dumbnesse, may also be tur∣ned, a Congregation, as in Psalm. 58. 2. and so the meaning is, the dove of the Congregation of them that be farre of, that is, of the Philistims. And thus the Chaldee expoundeth it, To praise for the con∣gregation, which is like to a silent dove, in the time when they are driven farre from their cities, &c. Michtam] a Iewell, or golden Psalme▪ See Psalm. 16. 1. tooke him in Gath] David fleeing from Saul to Achish King of Gath, and being there knowne, changed his behaviour, and fained him-selfe foolish, and was so dismissed, 1 Sam. 21. 10, &c. whereupon he made the ••4. Psalme. After that he fled againe to K. Achish, and dwelt there with him, he and his company, 1 Sam. 27. 1, 2, 3, &c.

Vers. 2. would swallow me up] or, breatheth after [unspec 2] me, to take and dev••ure me. The word Shaaph is used for sooping in of drinke, Iob 5. 5. also, of the wind or breath, Ier. 2▪ ••4. and 14. 6. and so for brea∣thing after any thing to come thereto, Ioh 7. 2. Ec∣cles. 1. 5. So after, in Psal 57 4. and 119. 131. O most high] O high God, as the Chaldee explai∣neth it. The Greeke saith, from the height; wee may also translate it, in height, that is, highly (proud∣ly) they warre against me. But Marom Height, is sometime Gods attribute, as Mich. 6. 6. Psal. 92. 9.

Vers. 4. In the day] or, what day, that is, when∣soever [unspec 4] I shall be afraid.

Vers. 5. what flesh can doe] or, question-wise, [unspec 5] what can flesh doe unto me? by flesh, meaning cor∣rupt and weake man, as is expressed, vers. 12. The like title is given to men, in Psal. 78. ••9. Gen. 6. 3. Esay 40▪ 6.

Vers. 6. they grievously wrest] they pairfully [unspec 6] forme, and frame my words (or my matters▪) per∣verting them, and giving them another figure or fashion. So the Hebrew word is used for fashio∣ning, Iob 10. 8. It signifieth also, grieving, Esa. 63. 9.

Vers. 7. They draw together] or, gather, that is, [unspec 7] convene and combine together, or, gather warres, as is expressed, Psal. 140. 3. So Psal. 59. 4. my steps] or my heeles▪ or foots••les, after the manner of that old Serpent, Gen. 3. 15.

Vers. 8. cast downe] or make descend, to wit, to [unspec 8] the pit of corruption, as Psal. 55. 24. or nether parts of the earth, as Ezek. 32. 18.

Vers. 9. my wandring] my flitting to and fro, as [unspec 9] from Sauls presence to Gath, 1 Sa••. 21. 10. from thence to the cave of Adullam, 1 Sam. 22. 1. from thence to Mispeh in Moab, vers. 3. then to the fo∣rest of Hareth in Iudah; vers. 5. then to Keilah, 1 Sam. 23. 5. thence to the wildernesse of Ziph, vers. 14. thence to the wildernesse of Maon, ver. 25. then to Eugedi, 1 Sam. 24. 1, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and so from place to place, as a partrich on the mountaines: in all which David acknowledged Gods care and provi∣dence towards him. in thy bottle] that is, reserve them diligently. Bottles were used to put

in milke and wine, Iudg. 4. 19. 1 Sam. 16. 20. In the Hebrew there is an allusion to the former word wandring, called Nod, a bottle being also in that tongue called Nod, having difference in wri∣ting, but none in sound. are they not in thy re∣gister?] or, in thy booke and reckoning? meaning, doubtlesse they are. A question is often used for an earnest affirmation or deniall. As when one Evangelist saith, Doe yee not erre? Mar. 12. 24. another saith, ye doe erre, Mat. 22. 29.

Vers. 10. that God will be for me] or, with me, [unspec 10] or, that God is mine: as the Greeke saith, thou art my God.

Vers. 13. Thy vowes are upon me] that is, I have [unspec 13] thank-offerings ready, wherewith to pay my vowes which I made unto thee. A like phrase is in Prov. 7. 14. Vpon me are peace-offerings. See also how vowes were paid with peace or thank-offerings, Lev. 7. 15, 16. Psal. 66. 13. Or, they are upon me, that is, I am bound to pay them, or, doe now binde my selfe and take them upon me. The Chaldee saith, O•• me I have received, O God, thy vowes. confessions] that is, as the Chaldee saith, sacrifices of confession, or thanks: which were distinguished from vowes, Lev. 7. 12, 15, 16.

Vers. 14. hast thou not also] meaning, surely thou hast: as before in vers. 9. and Psal. 116. 9. from [unspec 14] sliding] or, from driving, from thrust, that is, from sli∣ding by the thrust of my enemies. to walke on] or converse: it noteth a continuall and pleasing car∣riage of ones selfe acceptable to God: therefore the Greeke expresseth it by well-pleasing; and the Apo∣stle followeth the same, in Heb. 11. 5. from Gen. 5. 24. So in Psal. 116. 9. The meaning also of the phrase here is, that I may walke: as that which one Prophet saith, lashabeth, to dwell, 1 Chron. 17 4. an∣other saith, leshibti, that I may dwell, 2 Sam. 7 5. the light of the living] or, light of life: meaning the vitall of lively light which men here on earth doe enjoy: and therefore in Iob 33. 28, 30. this is op∣posed to the pit or grave; and in Psal. 116. 9. it is called the land of the living; whereof see Psal. 27. 13. This also respecteth the better light of life, mentioned by our Saviour, Ioh. 8. 12.