Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

PSAL. XXXIX.

The ARGUMENT.

This Psalm was written by David, when his Mind was much discomposed and disquieted, with the Contemplation of the Prosperity of sinners, and the afflictions of the Godly; which being Exemplified in himself and in his Enemies, he speaks of the Case not in general, but as in his own Person.

To the chief musician, even to Jeduthun a, A Psalm of David.

1. I Said b, I will take heed to my ways c, that I sin not with my tongue d: I will keep † my mouth as with a bridle e, while the wicked is before me f.

2. I was dumb with silence g, I held my peace, even from good h, and my sorrow was † stirred i.

3. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing k, the fire burned l: then spake I with my tongue m.

4. LORD n, make me to know o my end p, and the measure of my days, what it is q, that I may know † how frail I am r.

5. Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand∣breadth s, and mine age is nothing t before thee u: verily every man x † at his best State y, is alto∣gether vanity z, Selah.

6. Surely every man walketh a in † a vain shew b: surely they are disquieted c in vain d: he heapeth up e riches, and knoweth •…•…ot who shall gather them f.

7. And now LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in thee g.

8. De•…•…ver me from all my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 h; make me not the reproach i of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 k.

9. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth l; because thou didst it m.

10. Remove thy stroke away from me n: I am consumed o, by the † blow of thine hand.

11. When thou with rebukes p dost cor∣rect man for iniquity q, thou makest † his beau∣ty r to consume away like a m•…•…th s: surely e∣very man is vanity t, Selah.

12. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry, hold not thy peace at my Tears u: for I am a stranger x with thee y, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were z.

13. O spare me ‖, that I may recov•…•…r strength †, before I go hence , and be no more.

Notes

• Ch•…•…. 25. 1.
• a

  One of the three chief Masters of the Sacred Musick: Of whom see, 1 Chron. 16. 41, 42. 2 Chron. 5. 12.
• b

  I fully resolved,
• c

  (i. e.) To order all my Actions a∣right, a•…•…d particularly to govern my Tongue, which is very hard to do, and especially under these Provocations.
• d

  That, if any evil Thoughts or Passions do arise in me, I will indea∣vour to suppress and mortifie them, and not suffer them to boyl and break forth, into sinful and scandalous Reflections upon God and his Providence, as they usually do upon such occasions.
• †

  Heb. a 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• e

  (i. e.) With all possible Care and Diligence. The Phrase implies the great Difficulty of ruling the Tongue.
• f

  Either, 1. In my Presence. Or rather, 2. In my Thoughts, as the same Phrase is understood, Psal. 51. 3. (i. e.) Whilst I consider the flourishing Estate of wicked Men.
• g

  I was so long, and so Obstinately silent, that I seemed to my self and to others to be Dumb. Two words put together, Expressing the same thing, to Aggravate or Increase it. Or, I was dumb with quietness, (i. e.) Not out of Sullenness, but with Submissiveness to God's Dispensations, which is oft noted by silence.
• h

  I forbare to speak what I justly might upon that occasion, l•…•…st, the Flood-gates of Speech being once opened, and Speech stirring up my Passion, I should by degrees break forth into some indecent and sinful Expressions, to the Dishonour of God, the wounding of m•…•…ne own Con∣science, and the offence of others. Or, this may be a pro∣verbial Speech signifying strict silence; Like that, Gen. 31. 29. speak to him neither good nor bad, (i. e.) Nothing at all, to wit, about that matter to perswade him to return.
• †

  Heb. Trouble•…•….
• i

  My silence did not asswage my Grief but increase it, as it natural∣ly and commonly doth.
• k

  (i. e.) Considering in my own Thoughts, the great wickedness and successfulness of mine Enemies, and other wick∣ed Men; and withal mine own and other good Mens Integri∣ty, attended with great Troubles and Miseries in this Life.
• l

  My Thoughts kindled my Passions.
• m

  To wit, such Words, as I had purposed not to speak, v. 1: Rash and impatient Words; Either▪ 1. Some Words not here expressed: Which having uttered 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Men, he turneth his Speech to God, v. 4. Or, 2. Those which here follow.
• n

  This Verse contains Either, 1. A Correction of himself, for his impatient Motions or Speeches, and his Retirement to God for Relief, under these perplexing and sadding Thoughts. Or, 2. A Declaration of the Words which he spake.
• Psal. 119. 84.
• o

  Ei∣ther, 1. Practically so as to prepare for it. Or, 2. Experi∣mentally, as Words of Knowledge are oft used. And so this is a secret desire of Death, that he might be free from such Torments, as made his Life a burden to him. Or, 3. By Revelation; that I may have some Prospect or Fore-know∣ledge, when my Calamities will be ended: Which argued im∣patience, and an unwillingness to wait long for Deliverance.
• p

  (i. e.) The end of my Life, as is Evident from the fol∣lowing Words.
• q

  How long or short it is, or the utmost extent or Period of the days of my Life.
• †

  Or, what time I have here.
• r

  Or, How long, (Or, How little, for the Word may be, and is by divers Interpreters, taken both ways:) Time I have, or shall Continue here.
• s

  Which is one of the least Measures, (i. e.) Very short. These and the following Words are Either. 1. A Con•…•…nu∣nuance of his Complaint that although his days were of themselves very short, yet God seemed to grudge him their natural length, and threatned to make them shorter, and to cut him off before his time. Or rather, 2. A Consolation and Correction of his last Words, as if he said; Why, am I so greedy to know the end of my Life, seeing I do already know this that my Life cannot last very long, and therefore if my Troubles be sharp, they will be but short.
• t

  Next to nothing for Substance and for Continuance.
• u

  (i. e.) In thy Judgment, and therefore in Truth and Reality: Or, if Com∣pared with thee, and with thy everlasting Duration. Comp. Psal. 90. 4. 2 Pet. 3. 8.
• x

  Prince or Peasant, Wise or Fools, good or bad.
• †

  Heb. settled.
• y

  Heb. though settled or Established: When he stands fastest, and likely to continue longest, in regard of his Health and Strength, and all possible means whereby Life may be secured, supported or prolonged.
• Psal. 62. 9. & 144. 4.
• z

  All that he is or hath, is as Light and Vain, and unstable as Vanity it self, there is nothing but Vanity and uncertainty, in all his outward Enjoy∣ments, in the Constitution of his Body; yea, in the very Temper and Endowments of his Mind. By which general Condition of all mankind, he indeavours to quiet and Compose his Mind, to bear the common Lot.
• a

  (i. e.) Passeth the Course of his Life; Or, goeth about busily and restlesly hither and thither, as this Verb in this Conjugation signifies, and as the next Verb more plainly ex∣presseth.
• †

  Heb. an Image. Psal. 73. 20.
• b

  Heb. In a shadow or Image, (i. e.) In an imagina∣ry rather than a real Life in the pursuit of vain Imaginations, in which there is nothing solid or Satisfactory. Or, as some Read it, Like a shadow, to which Man's Life is Compared, Iob 14. 2. Man and his Life, and all his Happiness in this World, are rather Appearances and Representations and Dreams, than Truths and Real•…•…ties.
• c

  Or, troubled: Heb. They make a noise, or Bus•…•…ling, or Tumult, with unwearied In∣dustry, seeking for Riches, as it follows, and Troubling and Vexing both themselves and others, in the pursuit of them, as this Word implies.
• d

  To no purpose; Or without any Real or Considerable benefit, to him or his.
• •…•…ob 27. 17. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2, 21, 2•…•…. & 5. 14.
• e

  For his own use, and for his Posterity after him.
• f

  Whether his Chil∣dren, or Strangers, or Enemies, shall possess and enjoy them.
• g

  Seeing this Life and all its Enjoyme•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are so vain and short to all Men, and especially to me, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 never expect nor seek for Happiness here, from the•…•… Vanities, I will Com∣pose my self Patiently and Conte•…•…dly to bear both my own Afflictions, and the Prosperity and Glory of ungodly Men, for both are Vanishing and Transitory things, a•…•… I will seek for Happiness no where but in the Love and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God, in serving and glorifying him here, and in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ or Con∣fident Expectation of enjoying him here•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ in the mean time, of receiving from him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Assistances, which my present Condition▪
• h

  That I may not be disappointed of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of enjoy∣•…•… thee, and thy Favour, which is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that I de∣si•…•…e, pardon all my sins, which stand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cloud be∣tween thee and me, and fill me with Fea•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my Condi∣tion both here and hereafter.
• i

  Let not their Prosperity and my Misery give them Occasion, to deride and Reproach me, for my serving of thee, and trusting in thee, to so little pur∣pose or Advantage.
• k

  (i. e.) Of wicked Men, who, though they profess and think themselves to be Wi•…•…e, yet indeed are Fools, as is manifest from their Eager pursuit of fruitless Va∣nities, v. 6. and from their Gross neglect of God, and of his Service, who onely is able to make them Happy.
• Job 4•…•…▪ 4, 5▪
• l

  To wit, in way of Murmuring, or Repining against thee, o•…•… thy Providence, as I promise I would be, v. 1. For though, when I looked onely to Instruments, I was Discomposed, and did at last speak a foolish Word, yet when I did Recollect my self and looked up to thee, the first Cause and Soveraign di∣sposer of this, and all other things, I return to my former silence.
• m

  What? Either, 1. And particularly, Absolom's Re∣bellion; wherein I acknowledge thy just Hand in punishing my sins. Or, 2. And more generally, whatsoever is done in these Matters, all the Events which befall all Men, whether good or bad; The Afflictions of the one, and the Prosperity of the other: All which are the Effects of thy Counsel and Provi∣dence, in which all Men ought to acquiesce.
• Job 9. •…•…4.
• n

  But although I may not, I will not, open my Mouth to Complain of thee, yet I may open it to Complain and Pray to thee, that thou wouldest take off the Judgment, which thou hast inflicted upon me.
• o

  Help me therefore, before I be utterly and irrecoverably lost.
• †

  Heb. Conflict.
• p

  (i. e.) With Punishment, which are o•…•…t s•…•… called, See Psal. 6. 1. and 76. 6.
• q

  (i. e.) Dost punish him as his iniquity deserves.
• †

  Heb. that which is desired in him to •…•…elt away▪
• r

  Heb. his Desire, (i. e.) His desiderable things, as this Word signifies, Lam. 1. 11. Dan. 9. 23. and 1•…•…. 3. 11. 19. His Comeliness, Strength, Wealth and Prosperity, and all his present Excellencies or Felicities.
• s

  Either, 1. Passively, as a Moth is quickly and easily crushed to Pieces with a touch; as this Phrase is used, Iob 4. 19. Or, 2. Actively, as a Moth consumeth a Garment, as it is, Iob 13. 28. Isa. 50. 9. to which God Compareth himself and his Judgments, se∣cretly and insensibly consuming a People, Isa. 51. 8. Ho•…•…a 5. 12.
• Vers. 5.
• t

  And this Confirms what I said, v. 5. That every Man is Va∣nity. Which though men in the height of their Prosperity will not believe, yet when God Contendeth with them, by his Judgments they are forced to acknowledge it.
• u

  Joyned with my Prayers, Heb. 5. 7.
• Lev. 25. 23. 1 Chr. 29. 15. Psal. 119. 19▪ Heb. 11. 13. 1 Pet. •…•…. 11.
• x

  Though I be not onely a Native, but either anointed, or actually King of this Land, yet in Truth I am but a Stranger, both in regard of my very uncertain and short Continuance here, where I am one∣ly in my •…•… Journey or Passage, to my real and long Home, which is in the other World; and in Respect of the many wants, and Hardships, and Contempts, and Injuries to which I am exposed▪ as men usually are in strange Lands. And there∣fore, I greatly need and desire thy Pity, and Help, Oh thou who art the Patron of Strangers, whom thou hast Commend∣ed to our Care and kindness, Exod. 12. 48. Levit. 19. 33. and 25. 35. &c.
• y

  Either, 1. In thy sight or Judgment, and therefore truly. We are apt to flatter our selves, and can hardly believe that we are but Strangers here, where we seem to have settled Habitations and Possessions, but thou knowest the Truth of the Business, that we are really such. Or, •…•…. In thy Land or Territory, in which I sojourn onely by thy leave and Favour, and during thy Pleasure, as this whole Phrase is used, Levit. 25. 23. whence these Words are taken, is also, v. 35, 36. 39. 40. 45. 47. where that Branch of it, with thee is so meant. And withal this Phrase both here and Levit. 25. 23. may have a further Emphasis in it, implying that every Israelite, and particularly David himself, in Respect of men, were the Proprietors or owners of their Portions, of which no other man might deprive or dispossess them, and therefore David's Enemies had done wrongfully in banishing him from his, and from the Lords inheritance; but yet in Respect of God they were but strangers, and God was the onely Proprietor of it.
• z

  Both in thy Judgment expressed, Levit. 25. 23. and in their own Opinion, Heb. 11. 13. &c. Upon which Account thou didst take a special Care of them, and therefore do so to me also.
• ‖

  Or, Cease from me, (i. e.) From afflicting me, do not de∣stroy me. My Life at best is but short and miserable, as I have said, and thou knowest, sufficient for it is the Evil thereof▪ do not add Affliction to the Afflicted.
• †

  Both in my out∣ward and inward Man, both which are much weakened and oppressed. Or, that I may be Refreshed, or Comforted, eased of the Burden of my sins, and thy Terrors Consequent upon them, and better prepared for a Comfortable and happy D•…•…∣solution.
• Heb. Before I go, to wit, unto the Grave, as this Phrase is used, Gen. 15. 2. and 25. 32. or the way of all the Earth, as the Phrase is Compleated, I•…•…s. 23. 14. or, whence I shall not return, as it is, Iob 10. 21. or, which is all one, into that place and state in which I shall not be, to wit, amongst the Living, or in this World, as this Phrase is frequently used, both in Scripture, as Gen. 5. 24. Gen. 37. 30. and 42. 36. and in Hea∣then Authors: Of which see my Latin Synopsis.