The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

CHAP. XLIV. The book of Psalms. (Book 44)

THE Psalms are divided into five books, according to the five Books of Moses: and if they be so divided, there be seventy books in the Bible; the unskilful may find where any one of these five books end, by looking where a Psalm ends with Amen, there also ends the book. As at Psal. 41. 72. 89. 106. and from thence to the end.

These may even in their very beginnings be harmonized to the books of the Law.

Gensis. The first book of Moses telleth how happiness was lost, even by Adams walking in wicked counsel of the Serpent and the Woman.

Psal. 1. The first book of Psalms tells how happiness may be regained, if a man do not walk in wicked counsel, as of the Ser∣pent and Woman, the Divel and the Flesh.

This allusion of the first book Arnobius makes.

Exodus. The second book of Moses tells of groaning affliction in Egypt.	Psal. 42. The second book of Psalms begins in groaning affliction, Psal. 42. 43.
Leviticus. The third book of Moses is of giving the Law.	Psal. 73. The third book of Psalms tells in the beginning, how good God is for giving this Law. This allusion. Rab. Tanch. makes very near.
Numbers. The fourth book of Moses is about numbring.	Psal. 90. The fourth book begins with numbring of the best Arithmetick: num∣bring Gods mercy, Psal. 90. 1. and our own days, vers. 12.
Deuteronomy. The last book of Moses is a rehearsal of all.	Psal. 107. So is the last book of the Psalms from Psal. 107. to the end.

In the Jews division of the Scripture, this piece of the Psalms, and the books of the like nature, are set last: not because they be of the least dignity, but because they be of least dependance with other books, as some of them being no story at all, and some, stories and books of lesser bulk, and so set in a form by themselves. The Old Testa∣ment books, the Jews acrostically do write thus in three letters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 every let∣ter standing for a word, and every word for a part of the Bible. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for Aora∣jetha, or Torah, the Law: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for Nebhiim the Prophets: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for Cethubhim, or books of Holy Writ: this division is so old, that our Saviour himself useth it in the last of Luke, and vers. 44. All things written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets and the Psalms. By the Psalms meaning, that part of Cethubhim, in which the Psalms are set first.