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.

SHoshannim] that is, six-stringed instruments, or [unspec 1] Lilies: see Psal. 45. 1. Eduth] that is, a Testimonie, or Ornament. An excellent testimoni∣all of the faith of Gods people in afflictions. The Chaldee applieth it to them that sate in the Syne∣drion, that studied in the testimonie of the Law. See also Psal. 60. 1.

Vers. 2. feedest Israel] O God, Pastor of the Is∣raelites. [unspec 2] See Psal. 23. 1. Ioseph] the posteritie of Ioseph, and with them the other tribes. Ioseph is named as principall, the first birth-right being taken from Reuben, and given to him, 1 Chr••. 5. 1, 2. So Psal. 77. 16, 21. on the Cherubims] which were upon the Arke of the Covenant, in the Sanctuary from whence God gave Oracles to his people, when they sought unto him, Exod. 25. 22. Num. 7. 89. 1 Sam. 4. 4. 2 Sam. 6. 2. 2 Kin. 19. 15. Of these Cherubs, see the Note on Psalm. 18. 11. shine bright] that is, shew thy glorie, and thr favour to us, as Psal. 50. 2. and Iob 10. 3. where shining is favour. This is taken from Deut. 33. 2. So after in Psal. 94. 1.

Vers. 3. Ephraim, Berjamin, and Manasseh] that [unspec 3] is, the tribes, or posteritie of these three Patriarchs, which were all joyned together in one quarter, on the West side of Gods Tabernacle; and when it re∣moved, they went next after it, Num. 2. 17. 18, 20, 22. and 10. 21. 22, 23. 24. After the captivitie of Babylon also, the remnants of these tribes dwelled in Ierusalem, for which they were thanked by the people, 1 Chron 9. 3. Nehem. 11. 2. a salvation] or full salvation and deliverance. By adding a let∣ter, the signification is increased, as in Psal. 3. 3.

Vers. 4. returne us] or restore us, to wit, from [unspec 4] sorrow to joy, from captivitie to libertie, &c. Psalm. 126. 1. and 23. 3. So the Chaldce saith, returne us from our captivity. face to shine] or, to be light, that is, chearefull, comfortable. See Psal. 4. 7. and 31. 17 and 67. 2. Dan. 9. 17. and we shall] or, that we may be saved: as Psal. 43. 4. so vers. 8. and 20.

Vers. 5. smake] be very angry against the prayer, [unspec 5] that is, not heare, but shut it out, as Habak. 1. 2. Lam. 3. 8. So the Chaldee expoundeth it wilt thou not receive the prayer. See smoake for anger, Psal. 74. 1.

Vers. 6. bread of teares] bread steept in teares, [unspec 6] as the Chaldee saith, or teares in stead of bread, as Psal. 42. 4. meaning great afflictions, agreat measure] The Hebrew Shalish is the name of a mea∣sure, so called of three, as containing a third part of the greatest measure, foure times as big as the usuall cup to drinke in.

Vers. 7. a strise] contention, or contradiction, that [unspec 7] our neighbours contend and speake against us, or strive who shall vanquish and possesse us. among themselves] for their pleasure; or, mocke at them, (as Psal. 2. 4.) that is, at thy people, as vers 6. that is, at us, as the Greeke translateh it. This may be the meaning, though us went before; for the Hebrew sometime changeth person, though it meane the same; as Deut. 5. 10. that love me, and keepe his (that is, my) commandements. See also Psal. 59. 10. and 65. 7. and 115. 9.

Vers. 8. and we shall] or, that we may be saved. [unspec 8] This verse is the same with the fourth, save that there was onely God; here is added, God of hosts; and in vers. 20, (where it is the third time repeated,) is added, Iehovah, God of hosts; thus increasing saith and earnestnesse in their prayers.

Vers. 9. removedst a Ui••••] that is, a Church, the [unspec 9] Common-wealth of Israel; as it is written, the Vine-yard

of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Iudah are his pleasant plant, Isa. 5. 7. Ier. 2. 21. So the Chaldee paraphraseth, the house of Israel, which is likened to to a Vine. And removing or translating, is the word so often used in Num. 33. where all the journies of Israel are rehearsed. the heathens] the seven Nations of Canaan. See Psal. 78. 55.

Vers. 10. preparedst] or madest ready: so this [unspec 10] word is translated in Greeke, Mat. 3. 3. from Isa. 40. 3. and Mat. 11. 10. from Mal. 3. 1. where the word way is expressed; and here also the Greeke saith, thou madest way; properly it signifieth to take away all impediments, that the plaine way may ap∣peare. The Chaldee explaineth it, thou removedst the Canaanites from before it. rootedst in] that is, madest to take deepe root.

Vers. 11. Cedars of God] that is, the great and goodly Cedars, as Psal. 36. 7. or, Cedars planted of [unspec 11] God, as Psal. 104. 16. These the Chaldee expoun∣deth to be Teachers (of the Law) likened to strong Cedars.

Vers. 12. the river] Euphrates: see the notes on Psal. 72. 8. [unspec 12]

Vers. 13. the hedges] the fences; whereupon the spoile of it followeth, as Isa. 5. 5. So after, Psal. [unspec 13] 89. 41, 42.

Vers. 14. boare] beastly tyrants, like swine; as the Assyrians, Babylonians, &c. which wasted the land [unspec 14] of Canaan, 2 King. 17. 6. and 25. 1, 2, &c. store of beasts] as Psal. 50. 11. So the law threat∣ned, I will send wilde beasts upon you, which shall spoile you, &c. Levit. 26. 22. But here beasts are wicked people.

Vers. 16. the stocke] or vine-yard; the base or place which beareth up the vine-branches. and [unspec 16] the sonne] or branch: understand againe, visit him, or looke upon him. By the sonne may be meant Christ, as the Chaldee Paraphrast plainly saith, the King Messias, (called in verse 18. the sonne of man, and so here also in the Greeke version:) who is the true Uine, his Father the husbandman, his dis∣ciples the branches, Ioh. 15. 1, 5. who taketh part with the afflictions of his people, was himselfe cal∣led out of Egypt, Mat. 2. 15. and when his servants are vexed, it is done unto him, Act. 9. 4. Other∣wise by the sonne may be understood a young Vine, or branch, as elsewhere boughes are called daugh∣ters, Gen. 49. 22. And so by the sonne be meant Is∣rael, as Exod. 4. 22. the Lords plant, Isa. 5. 7.

Vers. 18. man of thy right hand] whom thou lo∣vest, [unspec 18] honourest, and powerfully helpest. So Iakob cal∣led the sonne whom he loved, Benjamin, that is, the Sonne of the right hand, Gen. 35. 18. Hereby also is meant Christ, called the sonne of Gods love, Colos. 1. 13. and the Church his body, translated in∣to his Kingdome. The Chaldee expoundeth it, the man to whom thou hast sworne by thy right hand.