Annotations on five poetical books of the Old Testament (viz.) Job, Psalmes, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles / by Edward Leigh ...

CHAP. II.

Verse 1. ANd hide my Commandments with thee.] That is, Have them alwayes about* 1.1 thee, that so when ever there is any need thou maist have the promises and counsels at hand.

Vers. 3. Yea, if thou criest after knowledge.] Liftest up thy voice, Synecd. generis, If thou pray after knowledge, or for knowledge, as it is translated in the end of the* 1.2 verse for understanding. And that is nearer to the Hebrew Text.

And liftest up thy voice.] Heb. Givest, or utterest thy voice.

If thou criest.] There is the prayer.

If thou seekest.] Ver. 4. there is the endeavour.

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord.] Vers. 5. There is the blessing.

Vers. 6. For the Lord giveth wisdom.] As if he should say, it comes not out of the mouth of the excellentest man, that thou canst hear; it comes from the Lord only, and therefore thou must seek to him for it.

Vers. 11. Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.]* 1.3

Discretion imports a carefull examining things in the minde before we do them, that we may avoid evil.

Shall preserve thee.] As a Buckler keeps from wounds: or as a guard, which* 1.4 Princes are wont to have about them, for the safety of their persons.

The same benefit is twice inculcated.

Vers. 16. From the stranger which flattereth with her words.] Heb. Which ma∣keth* 1.5 her words smooth. See Psal. 55. 21.

Vers. 17. And forgetteth the Covenant of her God.] That is of marriage, of which God is the author, and whose name was or ought to have been invocated in the match making.

The Hebrew word translated Covenant, comes from a word which signifies to* 1.6 choose. It is an agreement between two choosing one another, and tying them∣selves by Covenant one to another upon such terms as both parties like.

Vers. 19. None that go unto her, return again.] That is, very few, so few, Ut* 1.7 quasi nulli videantur, Lavater. David repented of adultery. The strumpets house is like the Lions den.* 1.8

Omnia te adversum spectantia vestigia, nulla retrorsum.

That go unto her.] A modest expression of a secret or foul action, frequent in Scripture, Gen 29. 23. Psal. 51. tit.

Neither take they hold of the paths of life.] Which lead to eternal life.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hebraei refe∣runt ad jugem praeceptorum memoriam, hoc quod dicit abscondes tecum, vel apud te. Baynus in loc. Vide Geierum in loc.
• * 1.2

  Nil aliud est, quàm miseriis continuisque votis, hanc sapientiae illuminationem, ab omnis sapientiae fonte Deo, exoptare, ac continuis quasi clamoribus accersere, 1 Reg. 3. 6. Geierus.
• * 1.3

  Chamar is an exact observa∣tion.
• * 1.4

  Natsar signi∣fies to keep as a watchman by wisdome, and as a guard by power, thou shalt not be overthrown by power or policy.
• * 1.5

  Nitzal, Est furto se eri∣pere, To steale himselfe out of her hands, who keepeth him so in fetters.
• * 1.6

  Berish. Ezek. 16. 60. Mal. 2. 14.
• * 1.7

  Because his body rules over his soul.
• * 1.8

  De interitu magis aeterno quàm externa morte, quam tamen saepe sibi adulteri accersunt, loquitur. Mercerus.