A fift proceeding in the harmony of King Dauids harpe That is to say, a godly and learned exposition of 5. other moe [sic] psalmes of the princely Prophet Dauid: beginning with the 68. and ending with the 72. psalme, being the last part of the first tome, or one halfe of the booke of psalmes. Written in Latin by the reuerend Doctor Victorinus Strigelius: professor of diuinity in the Vniuersity of Lipsia in Germanie. Anno. 1576. Translated into English by Richard Robinson citizen of London. 1594. Seene, and allowed.

A Psalme of Dauid. (Book 71)

In te Domine speraui, &c.

The Argument.

ALthough certaine persons too much louers of themselues,* 1.1 do imagine in their mindes that they excell in wisdome and strength the first flower of mankinde: yet notwithstanding the thing it selfe sheweth that the nature of man as it were barren, is at this day more weake and of lesse strength then it was in the beginning. For most trulie is it saide of the learned ones: In prima eatate mundi regnasse rationem gubernatricem, & inuentricem optimarum artium. Deinde successisse aetatem bella∣tricem, in qua, armis imperia constituta sunt, & quatuor Monar∣chiae orbem terrarum rexerunt.* 1.2 In hac vero Senecta mundi domi∣nars. That is: In the first age of the world Reason ruled as go∣uernesse and inuenter of good artes. After that succeeded the warlike age, wherein by force of armes kingdomes were ordai∣ned, and the foure Monarchies ruled and gouerned al the world. But now in this olde age of the worlde, concupiscence reigneth: for, nature of man being now made weaker, neither studieth for wisdome as they did of olde, neither taken vpon her those toy∣ling labours of warfarre, which strong men did in times past, but as it were weakned in the sinewes, seeketh after delites and plea∣sures. This infirmitie of nature in vs doth the diuell more out∣ragiouslie assault at this day,* 1.3 and as it were leaning vpon a ben∣ding wall stirres vp Heretikes and tyrants, partlie with craft or guile, and partlie with manifest violence to ouerthrow and vt∣terlie destroy all the holie ones, yea, and extinguish the name of Christ: whom this foresaid deadly enemie of ours well know∣eth shall hereafter not long to come and iudge all people, and

giue vnto his Congregation euerlasting blessings, and shall cast away these diuels with all the wicked ones into eternall destruc∣tion and torments. Therefore now greater and more difficult is our necessitie & cause, then euer it was at any time in the church, because wee haue against vs the skem and ende of the worlde: that same extreame outrage of the Pope, and of the Turke: who (as D. Martin Luther sayeth) seeke to deuour vs. And I pray you how many trouble the Church now in her olde age, with mouing vnnecessarie or needlesse disputations, and like peeuish olde women dauncing out of order stirre vp a great dust, as the Greeke Prouerbe saith. And others like wawling Cats running away out of this life leaue an euill smell behind them. This masse of mischiefes and miseries, Dauid foreseeing to come in his time, craueth most feruentlie of God, that hee would not forsake nor cast away his Church in her extreame olde age, so fowly de∣formed: but that he would succour and defende her against the Diuell, who in the ende of his tyrannie rageth more cruelly. See∣ing then Dauid foreseeing future stormes and tempestes in his time, made such prayers for the ship which bare the Church, of what minde behooueth it vs nowe at length to bee, who are tossed with the verie same stormes. But the verie same thing happeneth vnto vs which did to the Apostles, which neither vn∣derstoode the greatnesse of Christes sorrowes, nor are yet great∣lie grieued in minde therewith: no rather are wee ouercome with heauie sleepe, as the Apostles were. Let vs therefore cor∣rect this securitie and negligence, and let vs craue of God, that hee would helpe, gouerne and strengthen vs, least either our carelesse mindes fall headlong into Epicureal contempt of God, or else being oppressed with the burthen of calamities bee vtter∣lie destroyed with desperation, like as Ely, Saule, and innume∣rable others were.

❧ The Psalme and Exposition thereof.

[Verse 1]

In thee O I orde haue I put my trust; let me neuer bee put to confusion: but rid me and deliuer me in thy righ∣teousnesse; encline thine eare vnto me and saue me.

WHere as before in the II. Psalme verse 6. and 8.* 1.4 these words are sufficientlie expounded, I wil now onelie admonish the reader touching the little worde [righteousnesse] which is vsed in some places actiuelie, in other some places pas∣siuelie. The righteousnesse of God manifes∣ted in the lawe, is a will wherewith God prescribeth vs to do those things which are right,* 1.5 and after a certaine gladnesse of his resteth well pleased with thinges rightlie done: and will not haue contrarie thinges to be done by anie, but with an vnfeined displeasure repelleth and destroieth them: Tou∣ching this righteousnesse▪ It is saide in the 5 Psalme verse 4. For thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickednesse: nei∣ther shall any euill dwell with thee▪ verse 5. Such as bee foolish shall not stande in thy sight, for thou hatest all them that worke vanitie. verse 6. Thou shalt destroy them that speake leasing, the Lord will abhor both the bloudthirsty and deceiptful man.

The righteousnesse of God manifested without the Lawe,* 1.6 touching which both the Law and the prophets do beare wit∣nesse,

is the frée remission of sinnes, reconciliation with God, and obtaining unto life euerlasting for Christes sake the mediator. He therefore craueth in this place to be deli∣uered in the righteousnesse of God, not indeed legall and ac∣tiue, but euangelicall and passiue, as if he saide: Though I maie surelie perswade my selfe that I am righteous, not in∣deede by my owne worthinesse, but thy righteousnes, that is for thy sonnes sake imputed vnto me: I also craue this addi∣tion, namely deliuerance and glorification according to the prouidence of thy wisedome; As it is saide, Rom. 8. 30. For whome he hath iustified, them also hath he glorified.

That this, interpretation is neither fained, nor forged, the wordes of D. Martin Luther vpon the 42. cap. of Genesis doe witnesse.* 1.7 In times past (saieth he) when it behooued me to reade and praie that part of the 71. Psalme, verse 1. (Rid mee and deliuer me in thy righteousnesse) I trembled for feare in all the parts of my bodie, and with all my whole heart I be∣tested that saying (Deliuer me not thought I) in thy righteous∣nesse wherein thou art righteous actiuely: Therefore passiuelie must I embrace and take holde of thy righteousnesse wherewith I am justified. And a little after that hee saieth, In times past when I came to those propositions, (the righteousnesse of God, the worke of God, thy worke, thy righteousnesse) they found me worke inough to deale withall. Which if they be vnderstood ac∣tiuely, they are death, but passiuely vnderstoode, they are life and saluation.

[Verse 2]

Be thou my strong holde, wherunto I may alway resort: thou hast promised to helpe me, for thou art my house of defence and my castle.

[Verse 3]

Deliuer me (O my God) out of the hand of the vngod∣lie, out of the hande of the vnrighteous and cruell man.

All men are carelesse in their doings so long as they haue a refuge and humane succours or defences: But when these

are once lost, verie manie are drowned in desperation, and crie out with that Tyrant, Desertus ab amicis miser pereo:* 1.8 Wretch that I am, forsaken of friend, I wretchedly nowe my life do ende. But amongst these rockes is faith safelie caried and with great care shunneth both of them, namelie, security and desperation. And neither is she puft vp or swelling proudlie in prosperitie, neither is the discouraged in aduersitie, but howsoeuer fortune fare with her, the beleeueth she hath God for her mercifull defender and deliuerer, and craueth of God helpe and gouernement, and findeth by triall that God doth helpe her according to his promises. Dauid had a most large kingdome and dominion furnished with wealth, weapons for warre, and hoastes of men: but hee reposeth not anie thing at all the hope of his helpe in these defences: After∣wardes, when hee was banished out of his kingdome hee was not discouraged in minde, but succoureth himselfe with this consolation. Psalme 27. verse 12. My father and my mother haue forsaken me, but the Lord hath taken me vp. These matters without some vse or exercise in them cannot be vn∣derstood. Therefore is the Church sore charged and burde∣ned with the crosse that faith maie,* 1.9 in exercises of the crosse, encrease and be stronger, which in idlenesse and pleasures is vtterlie extinguisht. But Dauid here beseecheth God to de∣fend him not onelie against the violence of his enemies, but also against the falshoode of such as he tooke to be his friends. For a great deale more doe the domesticall friendes hurt a man then outward enemies do.

[Verse 4]

For thou O Lord, art the thing that I looke for, thou art my hope euen from my youth.

[Verse 5]

Through thee haue I beene holden vp euer since I was borne: thou art he that tooke me out of my mo∣thers wombe, my prayse shall be alwaies of thee.

He annexeth unto the proposition thrée reasons, whereof the first is deriued from Gods promise, the second from a former benefit, and the third from the cause finall. No doubt

of it faith beareth her selfe correlatiuelie to the promise of God: So often then as mention is made of faith or hope, let vs call to minde the promise giuen from God: The same then signifieth this verse, Thou Lorde art my hope, and thou Lord hast promised me helpe and other necessarie benefits. So as afterwardes hee calleth to minde the benefites done him before time, by reason whereof he conceiueth assured hope of deliuerances in time to come. Thou (saith he) hast brought me out of my mothers wombe, and hast bestowed vpon mee of thy most bountifull liberalitie manie other benefits. O. vouchsafe therefore to finish and perfect vp the web of thy good will and working goodnesse, and doe thou neuer forsake me. Last of all Icraue and looke from thee defence against the violence and guilefull dealings of mine enemies: not to the ende that I maie liue all at pleasure, but that I maie re∣uerentlie honour thee in thy benefits, and be a witness of thy true doctrine.

[Verse 6]

I am become as it were a monster vnto many: but my sure trust is in thee.

[Verse 7]

O let my mouth bee filled with thy praise (that I may sing of thy glory) and honour all the day long.

He addeth vnto his praier an ardent affect of his state. For like as S. Paule saith. 1. Cor. 4. 9; The Apostles are counted for gazing stockes in the world: So Esayas the Prophet in his 8. cap. 18. verse crieth out, Beholde, I and my children whome the Lord hath giuen me, are as signes and as wonders in Israell. These complaintes do signifie how difficult and hard a thing it is for vs to suffer the vnrighteous iudgementes of the world: for some doe condemne vs of heresie, other obiect vnto vs the crime Laesae maiestatis, or as detractors of the su∣preame authoritie.

But séeing then that godly men cannot without great so∣rrow endure slanders or reprochfull taunts though vninst,* 1.10 it is needful that they holde fast the expresse consolations a∣gainst

vnrighteous iudgements, so as they map ouercome sorrowe and beleeue that they are not for such vniust iudge∣ments cast away from god, or excluded from the true church. Let us therefore euermore looke vpon these sayings, viz. Psal. 109. vers. 27. Let them curse, but do thou blesse. Let my enemies be confounded, but let thy seruant be glad and ioyfull. Isay. 52. 7. Feare not ye the reproches of men. Math. 5. Blessed are you when men reuile you, and presecute you, and say all maner of euill against you for my sake, falselie, vers. 11. And in such con∣flicts let the difference betweene the true Church, and of that companie bee knowne, which falsely arrogateth vnto them the title of the Church: when it is most assured that the ene∣mies of the truth are not the Church of God, according to these sayings, Iohn 10. 27. My sheepe heare my voyce. But of the enemies it is said thus. Ioh. 10. 26. Ye are not of my sheep. Againe, Iohn. 8. 44. Ye are of your father the Diuell, &c.

[Vers. 8]

Cast me not away in the time of age: forsake mee not when my strength faileth me.

[Vers. 9]

For mine enemies speake against me, and they that lay waite for my soule take their counsell togither, saying: God hath forsaken him, persecute him and take him, for there is none to deliuer him.

The first verse is a principall proposition of this psalme,* 1.11 which is not onelie a praier, but also a promise, according to the rule, All praiers of the holie Ghost are promises: But I pray you thinke how necessarie a prayer is this: Like as in aged persons all things are more faintlie seene in them: so in this old age of the world, the Church is more weake & fuller of wrinckles in her forehead then the hath had before time, because she is not onelie grieued with infirmitie of her age, but is also fore worne and wrecked with punishments which are increased by reason of her sinnes. And againe the out∣rage of the diuels both the more ercaede, because they know within a short time their iudgement draweth neare, wherein

their filthinesse shall be clearelie and openlie reuealed before all Angels and men. Let vs therefore craue with most ser∣uent praier, that God would not cast away the remnants of the Church now in her old age, because of her dotings and o∣ther blemishes: but seeing he knoweth that olde age had néed to haue quietnes and rest, that he would vouchsafe merciful¦lie to succour, help and comfort his Church now in extreame olde age; as he hath promised so to do, Isay. 46. verse 3, and 4 Heare ye me house of Iacob, and all that remaine of the house of Israel, which are borne of me from the wombe, and brought vp of me from the birth. Therefore vnto olde age, I the same, euen I will beare you, vntill the hoare haires: I haue made you, I wil also beare you. and I will carie you, and I will deliuer you. Let vs with this promise comfort our selues, when in these confu∣sions and ruines of kingdomes we being disquieted, do séeke where the Church shall remaine.

The latter of these two verses is easilie to be vnderstood of them which do consider the hystorie or state of these daies: For, what sleights hath not Sathan exercised by his instru∣ments the Tyrants and Hypocrites of our time, to oppresse and extinguish the light of the refined and purified doctrine? He mooueth seditions, he kindleth ciuill warres, he deuiseth odde formes and orders of fained reformation in religions and opinions of men, hee hath troubled our congregations with vnnéedfull and vnnecessarie disputations. Finallie, hee hath prepared and practised all manner of meanes which might seeme to tend to the destruction of the truth. But like as the foming waues dashing and mounting vpon the rocks do with their owne force fall off againe into the sea, when the rocks stand firme and immooueable: so the mischieuous en∣terprises & practises of Sathan (so much as to the effect of the cause appertaineth) haue beene, are, and shall be redounding to no purpose, according to these sayings of Christ our Sa∣uiour. Mat. 28. 20. Behold I am with you euen vnto the end of the worlde. Againe, Mat. 16. 18. The gates of hell shall not preuaile against her. Furthermore, Iohn. 10. 28. No man shall

take my sheepe out of my hands.

[Vers. 10]

Go not sarre from me, O God, my God▪ make haste to helpe me.

[Vers. 11]

Let them be confounded and perish that are agaynst my soule: let them be couered with shame and disho∣nour that seeke to do me euill.

Such perspicuitie there is in this praier, that he which will expound the same with long Commentaries, shall séeme to lights a Candle euen at the midday: Letting passe therefore diligence vnnecessarie and needlesse in this point, I come to the verses next following.

[Vers. 12]

As for me I will pacientlie abide alway: and will praise thee more and more.

[Vers. 13]

My mouth shall dayly speake of thy righteousnesse and saluation: for, I know none end thereof.

[Vers. 14]

I will go forth in the strength of the Lorde: and will make mention of thy righteousnes onely.

[Vers. 15]

Thou O God hast taught me from my youth vp vntill now: therefore will I tell of thy wonderous workes.

The Church in her olde age promiseth vnto God for his defence and preseruation of her some recompence: namelie,* 1.12 Confession and propagation of the true doctrine: And euen this is specially to be obserued, that thée affirmeth she will not be the aduancer of her owne righteousnesse, but of the righ¦teousnes of God, according to that saying 1. Cor. 3. 1. He that reioyceth, let him reioyce in the Lord. Againe where he saith, 3. Phil. 9. That I may be found in him, not hauing my owne righteousnesse which is of workes, but that which is from God by faith in Christ. This pronounced praise (as else where is of∣ten said) attributeth vnto God and his sonne Christ true glo∣rie, and setteth downe firme consolation vnto our conscien∣ces, and discerneth the church from other sects which mar∣uaile

at nothing, but the figge leafe (that is) a wretched and vncleane hypocrisie of outward works: And truely when I reade these verses, it seemeth to me that the holie ghost fore∣prophesied in them the refining or purifying of the doctrine which in this age hath beene made by the ministrie of the re∣uerend D. Martin Luther. For which let vs bee thankfull vnto God, and the same as an excellent gift and treasure of great price, left vs by the power of the holie ghost, faithfullie kéepe, that it may passe and procéed vnto our prosteritie, pure and vncorrupt without anie our default therein.

[Vers. 16]

Forsake mee not O God in mine olde age: when I am gray headed, vntill I haue shewed thy strength vn∣to this generation: and the power to them that are yet for to come.

The repetitions in Psalms are not vaine repetitions of the same things,* 1.13 but signes of most feruent affects or motions of the mind. For what thing is it that with greater force of mind can be craued. of God, then that he would not suffer the Church his spouse now in her extreame olde age (almost dotage, for or by reason of her manifold deformities) to be either forsaken or cast out of his fauour? Wherefore it is not inough that we make these prayers once, but that we do repeate them dailie, yea euerie moment, and truelie for this cause, that there may be a propagation or publishing of doctrine in the posteritie: for like as God graunteth vnto the Halcion bird the quietnesse and calmenesse of the sea to hatch and bring forth their yong ones, so must we pray that God in the ruines and confusions of kingdomes in the latter age of the world, would preserue his church and ministrie, that in time to come there want no publishers of the most mightie workes of God.

[Vers. 17]

Thy righteousnesse O God is verie high: and great things are they that thou hast done: O God who is like vnto thee?

This ioyfull conlusion which the Prophet here hath, maie more easilie be vnderstoode;* 1.14 if we consider the historie of the Church from the beginning when Adam and Eua had trans∣gressed, and could not be helped by the meanes of anie crea∣ture: God of his immense grace and goodnesse published a promise touching the Redéemer which shoulde come: which when these our parentes heard, they vnderstoode that they should bee receiued againe into Gods fauour and brought a∣gaine from euerlasting death.

Afterwardes when all mankinde miserablie perished in the vniuersall deluge, God according to his wonted goodnes preserued Noah and his wife and familie, that they shoulde yet scape the daunger of the floud, and remaine the young plantes of the Church. And that I maie for breuitie sake o∣mit particular deliuerances, howe glorious was the bring∣ing and deliuering of the Israelites out of Egypt? And no lesse glorious was the bringing backe againe of the same people from out of Babilon, and the restoring of them into their ancient state. What shall I saie of the church gathe∣red from out of the whole world, by the ministerie of the A∣postles? What shall I speake of the continuall preseruation and defence of this little flocke against the violence of Ty∣rants and wicked deceipts of heretickes▪* 1.15 And that I would not repeat all stories, I will cōprehend in briefe (for so I pur∣posed) this last restoring of the gospell euen by God effected, (maugre the malice and repugning thereagainst all the gates of hell) to be no lesse worthie of admiration then other deliuerances of the church, mentioned in the histories of the Prophets and Apostles: These and other thinges innume∣rable when we call to minde, it cannot be otherwise, but we must needes crie out with Dauid in this verse. Howe great thinges are they O God which thou hast done: O God who is like vnto thee?

[Verse. 18]

O what great troubles and aduersities hast thou shewed me? and yet diddest thou turne and refresh

mee: yea and broughtest mee from the depth of the earth againe.

[Verse 19]

Thou hast brought me to great honour and comfor∣ted me on euery side.

The historie of the Church doth speciallie set forth this in∣terchange of temptations & consolations. The church of the people of Israell had some rest, peace, and quietnesse in the time of K. Salomons raigne, but a little while after when the Kingdome was deuided, there followed continuall ciuill warres,* 1.16* 1.17* 1.18 vntill the tenne Tribes were by Salmanazar carri∣ed a waie into exilement: The two other Tribes had great tryall of diuers changes, calamities and deliuerances euen vntill the comming of our Sauiour Christ. But the church of the newe Testament, being first grieuouslie afflicted by Tyrantes, next of heretickes, and afterwardes by Anti∣christ, hath had thenceforth some space of breathing: So let vs not doubt but the Church of this last age tossed and tur∣moiled with diuers stormes and surging seas,* 1.19 shall hereaf∣ter (not verie long to, getting out of these great troubles) desire and attayne vnto the porte of euerlasting life.

[Verse 20]

Therefore will I praise thee and thy faithfulnesse, O God, playing vpon an Instrument of musicke: vnto thee will I sing vpon the harpe, O thou holie one of Israell.

[Verse 21]

My lips will bee faine when I sing vnto thee: and so will my soule whom thou hast deliuered.

[Verse 22]

My tongue also shall talke of thy righteousnesse al the day long: for they are confounded and brought vnto shame that seeke to do me euill.

Oftentimes in the Psalmes Dauid keepeth these degrees of order, Beleeuing, he is tempted, tempted he prayeth praying he is deliuered, and being deliuered he giueth thanks vnto God: So the Church beholding the destruction of her enemies or

their purposes disappointed, with ioyfull minde and mouth magnifieth and praiseth God, who knoweth howe to deliuer his out of temptation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A debasing of mans self con∣ceit in his own nature.
• * 1.2

  A description of the 3. ages of the world.
• * 1.3

  The diuel stirs vp tyrants and heritikes in the last olde age of the world most wickedly weak¦ning the state thereof.
• * 1.4

  Two effects of this Psalme.
• * 1.5

  The righteous∣nes of God in the law.
• * 1.6

  His righteous∣nes in y^e gospel.
• * 1.7

  D. Martin Lu∣thers saying vp∣on the first verse of this Psalme.
• * 1.8

  Tyrants trus∣ting in mans helpe are des∣perately de∣ceiued.
• * 1.9

  The Church sore charged and burdened with the crosse
• * 1.10

  When good men are vn∣justly slaunde∣red, it behoo∣ueth them to hold fast the consolations left them in the word of God, against vnrighteous iudgements.
• * 1.11

  A principall proposition of this Psalme, consisting in a Prayer and a Promise.
• * 1.12

  The Church in her old age thankfull vnto God.
• * 1.13

  A prayer for the Church in her old age.
• * 1.14

  The great mer¦cy of God a∣boue mans merit.
• * 1.15

  The restoring of the church in the latter daies compa∣rable to the deliuerances by God in for∣mer ages.
• * 1.16

  1 Kinges. 10
• * 1.17

  1 K••ngs 12
• * 1.18

  2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 13 40
• * 1.19

  The church in the latter age shal at length descry and at∣taine vnto the port of life euerlasting.