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.

PSAL. LXXXIX.

The Psalmist praiseth God for his covenant, 6 for his wonderfull power, 16 for the care of his Church, 20 and for his favour to the kingdome of David. 39 He complaineth of contrary events, 47 expostu∣lateth, prayeth, and blesseth God.

An instructing Psalme, of Aethan [unspec 1] the Aezrachite.

I Will sing the mercies of Iehovah for [unspec 2] ever, to generation and generation will I make knowne thy faithfulnesse with my mouth. For I said, mercie shall be built up [unspec 3] for ever; the heavens, thou wilt stablish thy faithfulnesse in them. I have stricken a co∣venant [unspec 4] with my chosen, I have sworne to Da∣vid my servant. I will stablish thy seed unto [unspec 5] eternitie; to generation and generation will I build up thy throne Selah. And the hea∣vens [unspec 6] shall confesse thy marvellous worke, Ie∣hovah, also thy faithfulnesse in the Church of the Saints. For who in the skie may be com∣pared [unspec 7] to Iehovah, may be likened to Ieho∣vah among the sons of the mighties? God [unspec 8] is daunting terrible in the secret of the Saints, very much; & fearefull over all round about him. Iehovah, God of hosts, who is like thee [unspec 9] mighty Iah? and thy faithfulnesse is round about thee. Thou rulest over the swelling [unspec 10] of the sea; when the waves there of rise high, thou stillest them. Thou hast beaten down [unspec 11] Rahab as a wounded man, thou hast scattered thine enemies with the arme of thy strength. Thine are the heavens, thine also is the earth; [unspec 12] the world and plenty therof, thou hast foun∣ded thē. The North and the right side, thou [unspec 13] createdst them; Tabor and Hermon, in thy name they shall shout. Thou hast an arme [unspec 14] with might; strong is thy hand, exalted is thy right hand. Iustice and judgement are the [unspec 15] prepared place of thy throne; mercie and truth goe before thy face. O blessed are the [unspec 16] people that know the shouting sound; Ieho∣vah, in the light of thy face they shall walke on. In thy name they shall be glad all the [unspec 17] day, and in thy justice shall they be exal∣ted. For thou art the glory of their strength; [unspec 18] and in thy favourable acceptation, our horne shal be exalted. For of Iehovah is our shield, [unspec 19] [unspec 20] and of the holy one of Israel our King. Then spakest thou in a vision to thy gracious Saint, and saidst, I have put helpe upon a mightie one, I have exalted one chosen out of the peo∣ple. I have found David my servant; with [unspec 21] oile of mine holinesse have I anointed him. With whom mine hand shall be established; [unspec 22] [unspec 23] also mine arme shall strengthen him. The enemie shall not exact upon him, & the son of injurious evill shall not afflict him. And [unspec 24] his distressers I will beat down from his face, and them that hate him I will plague. And [unspec 25] my faithfulnes & my mercy shall be with him, & in my name shall his horn be exalted. And [unspec 26] I wil set his hand in the sea, & his right hand in the rivers. He shal call on me, my father thou; [unspec 27] [unspec 28] my God and Rocke of my salvation. I also will give him to be the first borne, high above the kings of the earth. For ever will I keepe [unspec 29] for him my mercie, and my covenant shall be faithfull to him. And his seed I will put [unspec 30]

to perpetuitie, and his throne as the dayes of heavens. If his sonnes shall leave my law, and shall not walke in my judgements. If [unspec 31] [unspec 32] they shall profane my statutes, and not keepe my commandements. Then will I visit their [unspec 33] trespasse with the rod, & their iniquitie with stripes. But my mercie I will not make fru∣strate [unspec 34] from with him, nor deale falsely against my faithfulnesse. I will not profane my [unspec 35] covenant, and that which is go••e out of my lips, I will not change. Once I have sworne [unspec 36] [unspec 37] by my holinesse, if I lie unto David. His seed shall be for ever, and his throne as the Sunne before me. As the Moone it shall be stabli∣shed for ever, and a witnesse in the skie faith∣full [unspec 38] Selah. But thou hast cast off and refused, hast bin exceeding wroth with thine Anoin∣ted. [unspec 39] Hast abolished the covenant of thy servant, hast prophaned his crowne to the [unspec 40] earth. Hast burst downe all his hedges, hast put his fortresses a ruine. All that passe by [unspec 41] [unspec 42] the way rob him, hee is a reproach to his neighbours. Thou hast exalted the right [unspec 43] hand of his distressers, hast rejoyced all his enemies. Also thou hast turned the edge of [unspec 44] his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battell. Thou hast made his bright∣nesse [unspec 45] to cease, and his throne thou hast cast downe to the earth. Thou hast shortened [unspec 46] the dayes of his youth, hast enwrapped him with shame Selah. How long Iehovah wilt [unspec 47] thou hide thy selfe to perpetuitie? shall thy hot wrath burne like the fire? Remember [unspec 48] how transitorie I am; unto what vanitie thou hast created all the sonnes of Adam. What [unspec 49] strong man shall live and not see death; shall deliver his soule from the hand of hell Selah?

Where be those thy former mercies, Lord, [unspec 50] thou swarest to David by thy faithfulnesse?

Remember Lord the reproach of thy ser∣vants, [unspec 51] that I beare in my bosome, of all great peoples. Wherewith thine enemies, Ieho∣vah, [unspec 52] doe reproach; wherewith they doe re∣proach the footsteps of thine Anointed.

Blessed be Iehovah for ever, Amen, and A∣men. [unspec 53]

Annotations.

OF Aethan] see the Note on Psal. 88. 1.

V. 3. I said] to wit, by thy spirit, therefore [unspec 1] [unspec 3] the Greeke changeth the person, and translateth, thou (Lord) saidest. built up] that is, conserved, propagated, increased continually. in them] or with them, that so long as the heavens endure, thy faithfulnesse shall continue; as vers. 30. 37, 38. Ps. 72. 5. and 119. 89. or by heavens may spiritually be meant the Church, called often heaven, and the king∣dome of heaven, Esa. 66. 22. Revel. 4. 1, 2. and 12. 1. and 15. 1. Math. 3. 2. and 13. 24 31. and the plan∣ting of the Church is called the planting of the hea∣vens, Esa. 51. 16.

Vers. 4. my chosen] mine elect people. Therefore [unspec 4] the Greeke changeth the number, my chosen ones: but the Chaldee translateth, with Abraham my cho∣sen. David] the figure and father of Christ, ac∣cording to the flesh; who also is called David, Ezek. 34. 23. Ier. 30. 9. Hos. 3. 5. of him is this and other Psalmes chiefly to be understood, Act. 2. 30. and 13. 36 &c.

Vers. 5. thy seed] Christ and Christians, the chil∣dren [unspec 5] of Christ, the Sonne of David, Heb. 2. 13. Rev. 22. 16. thy throne] the kingdome of Christ, unto whom God gave the throne of his father Da∣vid, to reigne over the house of Iakob for ever, Luke 1. 32, 33. 69. Ierusalem is this throne, Ier. 3. 17. which is continually builded of God, Psal. 147. 2.

Vers. 6. the heavens] the heavenly creatures, An∣gels [unspec 6] and godly men, Luk. 2. 13, 14. Phil. 3. 20. Rev. 7. 9, 10, 11, 12. So the Chaldee expoundeth it, the Angels of heaven. See also Ps. 50. 6. in the church] or in the congregation, to wit, shall be confessed, or ce∣lebrated.

Vers. 7. sonnes of the mighties] or of the Gods, that [unspec 7] is, Princes of the world. See Psal. 29. 1. and 82. 1. 6. The Greeke saith, sonnes of God, whereby also An∣gels may be meant, as Iob 1. 6. and so the Chaldee here paraphraseth.

Vers. 8. daunting terrible] in Greeke, glorified. [unspec 8] See Psa. 10. 18. the secret] or mystery, or (as the Greeke turneth it) councell: meaning the Church or Congregation, where the secrets or mysteries of Gods kingdome are manifested, Mat. 13. 11. Rom. 16. 25. 1 Cor. 4. 1. Eph. 3. 4. This word is sundry times used for a Councell or Congregation, Ps. 111. 1. Ezek. 13. 9. Ier. 6. 11. and 15. 17. or it may here be understood of the company of Angels, as 1 King. 22. 19. very much] to wit, terrible, or, referring it to the latter, in the great secret councell. over all] or, above all; see Psal. 76. 12. The Chaldee pa∣raphraseth, above all the Angels which stand round about him.

Vers. 11. Rahab] in Greeke, the proud; hereby [unspec 11] may be meant the Egyptians, as Psal. 87. 4. (and so the Chaldee expounds it of Pharaoh the wicked;) or, the proud sea, as Iob 26. 12. both were subdued when Israel came out of Egypt, Exod. 14. and 15. See Isa. 51. 9. The raging sea, and swelling waters, doe also signifie wicked enemies of God and his people, Esai. 57. 20. Iude 13. Psal. 124. 4, 5. thine] or, to thee the earth, to wit, belongeth. See Psal. 24. 1, 2.

Vers. 13. The North] w^ch God hath stretched out [unspec 13] over the empty place, Iob 26. 7. the right side] that is, the South (as the Chaldee Paraphrast explai∣neth,) so called because a man standing with his face to the East, (as they were wont when they prayed, the South is on his right hand. So the East is called Kedem, before; and the West achor, that is, behinde, Ioh. 23. 8. Esai. 9. 12. It seemeth that this turned to superstition and idolatry, that men

prayed towards the East; therefore God so ordered his Tabernacle and Temple, that all worshipped there with their faces to the West, Ezek. 8. 16. Exo. 27. Num. 3. Tabor] a goodly mountaine in Galilee, Ios. 19. 22. Iudg. 4 6, 12. Hermon] an∣other faire mountaine eastward without Iarden, called also Shirion: See Psalm. 42. 7. and 29. 6. by these are meant the East and West parts, answera∣ble to the former North and South: as the Chaldee Paraphrast saith, Tabor in the West, and Chermon that is in the East.

Vers. 15. the prepared place] establishment, or [unspec 15] base, on which the throne is setled; so the word sometime signifieth, as Ezra 3. 3. Psal. 104. 5. So Psal. 97. 2. goe before] or come before, prevent, as prest and readie at hand.

Vers. 16. the shouting sound] or the alarme, the [unspec 16] shrill clanging sound of the trumpet, which was blowne at the warres, journeyes, assemblies, so∣lemne feasts, and over the sacrifices of Israel, Psal. 81. 4. and 27. 6. Numb. 10. 3. 9, 10. Ioel, 2. 1, 15. or the shouting, the jubilation, to wit, of the King that is among his people, as Numb. 23. 21. who by the sound of his word, as of a trumpet, warneth, infor∣meth and guideth his people, Isa. 58. 1. Ezek. 33. 3,—7, 8. Hos. 8. 1. Ier. 6. 17. 2 Chron. 13. 12. 15. Zach. 9. 14. Revel. 1. 10. and 4. 1. light of thy face] the favour of God shining in the Gospell, and light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ, Ioh. 12. 35. 2 Cor. 4. 6. See also the notes on Psal. 4. 7. and 44. 4.

Vers. 18. the glory] or beauty, by whom they [unspec 18] conquer and triumph over their enemies. our horne] a signe of honour, strength, kingdome, glo∣ry and salvation, Psal. 112. 9. and 92. 11. and 148. 14. 1 Chron. 25. 5. Luke. 1. 69. So after, in vers. 25.

Vers. 19. of Iehovah] or to him, to wit, per∣taineth. [unspec 19] our shield] that is, our protecti∣on, or protectour, meaning David and Christ: See Psal. 47. 10.

Vers. 20. in a vision] by the spirit of prophesie, [unspec 20] Isa. 1. 1. Lam. 2. 9. to thy gracious Saint] that is, Saints, (for so the Greeke changeth the num∣ber,) meaning the Prophets Samuel and Nath〈…〉〈…〉, the one of which anointed David, the other fore-told of the perpetuitie of his kingdome, 1. Sam. 16. 2 Sam. 7. 4, 5, &c. put helpe] the Chaldee addeth, for my people. upon a mightie one] or a Worthy, a Champion, meaning David, who helpe Gods people in fighting the battels of the Lord, 1 Sam. 18, 13, 14. 30. But chiefly these things are meant of Christ. The Chaldee expoundeth it, one mightie in the Law. chosen] and consequent∣ly beloved, as Mat. 1••. 18. from Esay 42. 1.

Vers. 21. oile of mine holinesse] that is, mine ho∣ly [unspec 21] oile, powred on David by Samuel, on Christ by the Holy Ghost, 1 Sam. 16. 1, 13. Luke 4. 18, 21. Ioh. 3. 34.

Vers. 23. the enemie shall not exact] or not seaze, [unspec 23] at a creditour doth on the debtor. Satan and death prevailed not against Christ, though hee became surety for our debts, Ioh. 14. 30. 1 Cor. 15. 26. Heb. 2. 14. See this word, Psal. 55. 16. sonne of injurious evill] that is, the injurious, wicked person: this promise is in 2 Sam. 7. 10. applied in this phrase to all Gods people. A sonne of evill is one addicted and given over to it, Deut. 13. 13. So sons of death, Psal. 79. 11. son of perdition, 2 Thess. 2. 3.

Vers. 26. set his ha••d] that is, give him power [unspec 26] and dominion over them that dwell by the sea and rivers; whereof see the notes on Psal. 72.

Vers. 27. my father] so God promised, I will [unspec 27] be his father, and he shall be my son, 2 Sam. 7. 14. The Apostle applieth this to Christ, and proveth here∣by that he is greater than the Angels, Heb. 1. 4, 5.

Vers. 28. first-borne] or first-begotten, that is, [unspec 28] the principall, as is after explained. For the first-borne had three prerogatives, a double portion of goods, Deut. 21. 17. the government or chiefty, 2 Chron. 21. 3. and the priesthood, Numb. 8. 14, 15, 16, 17. Mal. 2. 5, 6, 7. and 3. 3. See the notes on Psal. 78 51. This honour is peculiar to Christ, who is said to be the first-borne of every creature, and the first-borne of the dead, that in all things hee might have the preeminence, Coloss. 2. 15, 18. to be worshipped therefore of all the Angels of God, Heb. 1. 6. and Prince of the Kings of the earth, Rev. 1. 5. The Chaldee addeth, the first-borne of the Kings of the house of Iudah.

Vers. 30. his seed] Christians borne of God, are [unspec 30] called Christs seed and children, Isa. 53. 10. Heb. 2. 13. and Christ is called the Everlasting Father, Isa. 9. 6. his throne] that is, kingdome, which shalbe perpetuall, 2 Sam. 7. 13. Heb. 1. 8. Dan. 2. 44. and 7. 14. The accomplishment of these promises cannot be found in Solomon, whose seed & throne was overthrowne, Ier. 22. 30. Ezek. 21. 25, 26, 27.

Vers. 31. If his sons &c.] This explaineth the [unspec 31] promise, If he sin &c. 2 Sam. 7. 14, 15. for being understood of Christ, hee properly sinned not, 1 Pet. 2. 22. but was made sin for us, 2 Cor. 5. 21. and the sins of his sons or people are counted his, for God laid on him the iniquity of us all, Isa. 53. 6.

Vers. 33. with the rod] the rod of men, 2 Sam. 7. [unspec 33] 14. that is, with moderate correction; and for their profit, that they may be partakers of my holinesse, Hebr. 12. 6. 10.

Vers. 34. not make frustrate] not breake off, or [unspec 34] cease, (as Psal. 85. 5.) that is, not utterly take: for, the mountains shall sooner remove, Isa. 54. 10. and no afflictions can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord, Rom. 8. 35,—39. See the fulfilling of this touching David, in 1 King. 11. 6, 12, 13, 36, 39.

Vers. 36. Once] or One time: See Psal. 62. 12. [unspec 36] by my holinesse] by my selfe, who am the holy God, Gen. 22. 16. Esay 5. 16. Because he hath no greater to sweare by, God sweareth by himselfe; and willing more abundantly to shew the heires of promise the sta∣blenesse of his counsell, bindeth himselfe with an oath, Hebr. 6. 13, 17, 18. if I lye] that is, surely I will not lye: for so the Hebrew phrase is sometime explained, as Mark. 8. 12. if a signe be given to this generation, for which in Matth. 16. 4. is written, a signe shall not be given. So, if they shall enter into my rest, Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 3. 11. which the Apostle ope∣neth thus, he sware that they should not enter, Hebr. 3. 18. An oath usually implieth an imprecation,

which for the most part is concealed. See 1 Sam. 14. 44. 1 King. 20. 10.

Vers. 37. as the Sunne] that is perpe••••all and [unspec 37] glorious (as the Chaldee explaineth it, shall shine as the Sunne.) See Psal. 72. 5.

Vers. 38. it shall be sta••lished] or, which is sta∣ble, [unspec 38] referring it (as doth the Greeke,) to the Moone, which although it sometime wexeth and somtime waneth, and seemeth to be gone, yet is continu∣ally renued, and so stable; a fit resembla••ce of the throne or Church of Christ, which hath not al∣waies one face or appearance in the world, though it be perpetnall▪ and a witnesse] the Moone and perpetuitie of it, with the successive course of night and day, is made a witnesse of Gods faithful∣nesse in his covenant, Ierem. 33. 20, 21. Christ also himselfe is called a faithfull witnesse, Rev. 1. 5. Esay 55. 4. and faithfull meaneth Stedfast▪ as 2 Sam. 7. 16. compared with 1 Chron. 17. 14. and that lyeth not, Prov. 14. 5.

Vers. 39. But thou] or, And thou, a word of [unspec 39] grie••e and indignation, as Psal. 2. 6. ••••tha•• com∣plaineth of the miseries of the Church, whereby all the former promises seeme to be frustrated.

Vers. 40. his crowne] or diademe, prophaned [unspec 40] by casting to the ground. Nezer, a separation, is figu∣ratively used for a crowne or garland, such as Kings wore, 2 Sam. 1. 10. and high Priests, Exod. 29. 6. as being a signe of their separation from others, in re∣spect of some dignitie or holinesse; and hereof the Nazarites had their name, Numb. 6. 2▪ 5, 7. So Psal. 132. 18▪

Vers. 42. rob] or rifle him, meaning Christ in [unspec 42] his members: for that which is done to any one of them, is done unto him, Act. 9. 4. Mat. 25. 40, 45.

Vers. 4••. his brightnesse] or puriti••, that is, the [unspec 45] splendent glory and dignitie of the kingdome, de∣filed and prophaned by the enemies.

Vers. 46. daies of his youth] of his strength [unspec 46] and vigour, hastening old age and misery upon him, Hos. 7. 9. See the contrarie, Psalm. 103. 5. Io••▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25.

Vers. 48. how transitory] or, of what worldly [unspec 48] time, of what short durance: See Psalm. 39. 6. the Greeke turneth it, what my substance is. Compare herewith▪ Ioh 10. 9▪ 1••, &c.

Vers. 49. see death] that is, die, So Luke 2. 26. [unspec 49] Psal. 16. 10. The Chaldee saith, see the Angell of death. the hand of hell] the power of the grave, or of death: See Psal. 49. 16. 10.

Vers. 51. of all great peoples] or, of all the many [unspec 51] (the multitudes of) peoples.

Vers. 52. the foot-steps] or foot-soles, that is, the [unspec 52] wayes, life, actions▪ and sufferings, Psal. 56. 7. and 49. 6. This referred to Christ, respecteth the ora∣cle, Gen▪ 3. 15. that the Serpent should bruise the foot-sole of the womans seed. Referred to Chri∣stians▪ which follow his foot-steps, in s••iffering and dying with him, that wee may be glorified with him, (1▪ Pet. 2. 21. Rom. 8. 17.) it noteth the scan∣dall of the crosse of Christ to the Iews a stumbling blocke, and to the Greekes foolishnesse▪ 1 Cor. 1. 23. 1 Pet. 4. 13, 14. The Chaldee understands it of the s••acknesse of the foot-steps.

Vers. 53. Blessed be] These be words of faith and [unspec 53] joy, as finding an issue out of the temptation, and rejoycing in the midst of tribulation, as Rom. 7. 24, 25. 2 Cor. 1. 3, 4, &c. and Amen] Thus is this third Booke of the Psalmes also concluded. See the notes on Psal. 41. 14. and 72. 19.