Annotations on Psal. CXVIII.

[ a] *V. 12. Quenched] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉to be ex∣tinguisht, or go out, is regularly interpreted, quenched, is yet by the ancient interpreters far otherwise ren∣dred. The Chaldee reade 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉burning, and the LXXII. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉were on fire, the Arabick inflamed, and the Latin exarserunt, they burnt or flamed; which makes it probable, that as many other words in the Hebrew language are used in contrary senses (see Mr. Pocock in his Miscellany notes cap. 2.) so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies in other places passively to be consumedPage  337 or extinguisht, may signifie here, as an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to flame, or in an active sense, as in Arabick 'tis used, violently to break in or set upon, as in war or contention, when men violently rush one on ano∣ther. So R. Solomon on the place, notes the signi∣fication of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to be sudden leaping, used therefore of fire and water, for their sudden leaping out of their place, and then applied to fire, it will be flaming. And thus it best agrees with that which follows, as fire among the thorns, for 'tis certain that flames violently: and thus it best connects with the antecedents, the other example of their coming about him like bees, with which 'tis joyned without any note of disjuction. This I say, be∣cause all the ancient interpreters, except the Sy∣riack, agree in this rendring; and the Syriack re∣teining the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, must be in∣terpreted to the same sense that shall appear to be∣long to the Hebrew, and by the addition of the copulative and, doth rather incline to this sense, They came about me like bees, and they— If this be not it, then the meaning of those interpreters must be supposed to be, that as the fire among thorns is soon extinguisht by the consumption of the thorns, so for the time that it burns, it flames extremely; and so the similitude of his enemies is supposed to hold in the burning, as well as the extinction, (and so 'tis observed of the bees that they dye, or lose all vigor, when they sting, animasque in vulnere po∣nunt) and then still this divolves to the same effect or purpose. But for the notation of the word it self, that 'tis here used in the sense of flaming, and not being extinguished, one farther argument may be drawn from the whole contexture, specially from the phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉in the name of the Lord, and the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which follows, both thrice re∣peated in the same manner v. 10, 11, 12. thus, All nations compassed me about; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the name of the Lord,*〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉therefore (so saith the Chal∣dee, and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 oft signifies) I will destroy them. That the words are to be rendred by supply of an ellipsis from v. 9. I will trust in the name of the Lord, rather than by reading 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in construction before in the name of the Lord, and so rendring it for in the for∣mer, and but in this verse, we are taught by the Chaldee, who thus render that verse, All people compassed me about; I trusted in the name of the word of the Lord, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 therefore I shall cut them off. And so again v. 11. They compassed me about, they com∣passed me about; In the name of the word of the Lord 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I trusted, therefore I shall cut them off. And then in all reason so it must be here, v. 12. In the name of the Lord I trusted, therefore I shall destroy them. And if so it be, then the former part of the verse, if it go on in the same scheme with the for∣mer two verses, must most probably set down the enemies besieging, and assaults onely, leaving their destruction to the last words of the verse, as in the two former it was; and then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 must signifie they were inflamed, or burnt, as the fire among the thorns, or else it will not belong to that sense. The other rendring is prest with diverse, but especially with this inconvenience, that after he hath said they are quenched or extinct, he is supposed to add, that he will destroy them, which cannot in propriety belong to those that are extinct, i. e. destroyed already. And whereas our English endeavours to help that, by rendring 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉for in this verse, whereas it was ren∣dred but v. 10. and 11. first there is no appearance of reason for that change, but to answer this ob∣jection, to facilitate this rendring, (of which the principal doubt is;) and secondly, it doth not perform what it pretends to, for it cannot be any reason (so for notes) of their being extinct already▪ that he will, or hath confidence that he shall destroy them. If therefore the notion of quenching be still reteined, it must be by taking the praeter tense in signification of the future, thus, they compassed me like bees, they shall be extinct — So the Jewish Arab takes it, If or though they compass, &c. certainly they shall be extinguished — making 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a particle of asseveration, as Abu Walid notes.

[ b] V. 13. *That I might fall] The full importance of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is best exprest gerundially, ad cadendum, to falling, not onely to express their desire who thus prest and thrust at him, that he might fall, for that is supposed in the violence of their impulsion, exprest by repetition of the verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉thou hast by thrusting thrust me, but to signifie the event or success of it, that I was falling, or ready to fall,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 say the LXXII. in the infinitive mood ge∣rundially, and so the Chaldee and the Syriack; and so the Jewish Arab, It is a long while that thou hast driven or thrust me to falling. And this ex∣presses the greatness and seasonableness of the deli∣verance, that when he was falling, God helped him.

[ c] V. 16. Is exalted] For the passive notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which the Chaldee follows, * reading 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉exalted, the LXXII. reade. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hath exalted me, and so the Syriack and Latin and Ara∣bick; either from the active notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉exal∣tavit, elevavit, wherein we have it v. 28. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉I will exalt thee, from which 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is the parti∣ciple, and so literally signifies exalting; or else ex∣pressing the sense by a short paraphrase, God's right hand being therefore said to be exalted, as also to doe valiantly, because it had exalted him, and given him victory over his enemy.

[ d] V. 22. The stone] The author of Historia Scho∣lastica mentions it as a Tradition, * that at the building of the second Temple, there was a parti∣cular stone of which that was literally true which is here parabolically rehearsed, viz. that it had the hap to be often taken up by the builders, and as oft rejected, and at last was found to be perfectly fit for the most honourable place, that of the chief corner-stone, which coupled the sides of the walls together, the extraordinariness whereof occasio∣ned the speech here following, This is of the Lord, and it is marvellous in our eyes. If there were in∣deed any such tradition of the Jews, as he repor∣teth, and truth in the tradition, it were necessary to resolve that this Psalm was made at the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or dedication and consecration of the second Tem∣ple, or on some like occasion after that. But al∣though these two verses thus historically interpre∣ted might incline to that date of it, (and then the gates of righteousness v. 19. would well refer to the gate of the second Atrium, the publick solemn way into the Temple, by which the Jews and Prose∣lytes of righteousness entred, the Proselytes of the gates entring onely the first court) yet the rest of the Psalm is not so agreeable thereto, be∣ing much more applicable to David in respect of the difficulties which he had overcome in his way to the Kingdom. And accordingly the Chaldee interpret all the verses to the end expresly of him, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. The builders despised the youth which was among the sons of Jessai, and he deserved to be con∣stituted 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the King and Ruler. This hath been from the Lord, said the builders; this is wonderfull in our eyes, said the sons of Jessai. The Lord made this day, said the builders; let us rejoyce and be glad in it, said the sons of Jessai. We pray thee, O Lord, bestow salvation now, said the builders; Page  338 we pray thee, O Lord, prosper us now, said the sons of Jessai. Blessed is he which cometh in the name of the word of the Lord, said the builders; let them bless you from the house of the sanctuary of the Lord, said David. The Lord our God hath shined on us, said the tribes of the house of Judah; Bind the young lamb (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Latin absurdly renders it puerum) for a sacrifice of solemnity with chains till you have sacri∣ficed him, and poured out his blood upon the horns of the altar, said Samuel the Prophet. Thou art my God, I will confess before thee; thou art my God, I will praise thee, said David. Samuel answered and said, Praise ye, all ye congregation of Israel, confess before the Lord that he his good, that his mercy endureth for ever. This makes it not unreasonable to resolve, that the whole Psalm belongs to David, and that it was composed either by him, or by some other in commemoration of his exaltation to, and full possession of the Kingdom; which being from a very low condition, and other the like circumstan∣ces of improbability, it was very fitly resembled by this of the stone which the builders refused, &c. whether that were a story of any real passage, or whether onely an emblem and parabolical expres∣sion of what was here done; and both that emblem and this real exaltation of David a most lively type of the humiliation and exaltation of the Messiah, and his ascension, and taking possession of heaven, and so is made use of Matt. 21.42. Mar. 12.10. Luk. 21.17. Act. 4.11. Eph. 2.20. 1 Pet. 2.4. and by way of Prophecy, Isa. 28.16. And to him it belongs more eminently and more compleatly, than to David's person it could, the tribes of Is∣rael and Judah being not divided before, and so not united by David; whereas Christ of Jew and Gentile made one Church, and so was most literal∣ly the chief corner-stone, that coupled the walls and knit the building together, which cannot so literal∣ly be affirmed of David. Of this we have the con∣fession of the Jews themselves. Sol. Jarchi on Mich. v. 2. saith, Out of Bethlehem shall come 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Messiah the son of David, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 so be (the Psalmist) saith, the stone which the builders refu∣sed, &c. (And so v. 15. the voice of joy, &c. Kim∣chi and Jarchi refer to the days of the Messiah, as from the stones of Israel, Gen. 29.24. they fetch their dream of their suffering Messias Ben Joseph, or Ben Ephraim.)

[ e] *V. 27. Sacrifice] The Hebrew word here is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is ordinarily used for a festival, but some∣times by metonymie signifies the sacrifice used at such times. So Exod. 23.18. the fat 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not of my feast, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉of my festival sacrifice, saith the Chaldee. So Isa. 29.1. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉be∣head or kill the sacrifices. So Amos v. 21. where we reade, I hate, I despise〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it is most proba∣bly to be rendred your sacrifices: for as what fol∣lows, I will not smell in your solemn assemblies, must be understood of the smoak of their sacrifice, or their incense, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉oblation saith the Chaldee, and the LXXII. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉sacrifices, and not of the days or assemblies themselves; so the insuing verse is ex∣press, Though you offer me burnt-offerings and meat∣offerings, I will not accept them. So Mal. 2.3. the dung 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (in all probability) of their sacrifices. And thus have the Chaldee rendred it in this place, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉the young lamb for a festival sa∣crifice. Of this 'tis here said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉bind it with cords, as the sacrifice is wont to be when 'tis killed,*〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉even to the horns of the al∣tar; i. e. after 'tis bound, kill it, and doe all other things preparatory to the offering it up, till at last you lay it upon the altar, and sprinkle the blood on the horns of it. So Kimchi and Jarchi literally ex∣pound this of bringing the sacrifice bound, till he came to the altar,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But the Jewish Arab will have it signifie the conti∣nuance or being instant in sacrificing or bringing sa∣crifices. The horns of the altar were on every corner of it, Exod. 27.1. and so by sprinkling the blood on the horns of the altar, was perhaps meant the sprinkling it round about (so we know the appoint∣ment was, Exod. 29.15, 16. Thou shalt take the ram— and thou shalt take his blood and sprinkle it round about upon the altar; so Lev. 1.5. they shall sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar.) Or else sprinkling it on the horns was the shorter way (see Lev. 4.7, 18. and c. 8.15. and c. 9.9. and 16.18.) and was by interpretation the sprinkling it round about, every horn representing the side next that corner. But for binding the sacrifice to the horns of the altar, whilst it was killed, we find no such custom in the Law; and therefore sure the words are to be inter∣preted by supposing an ellipsis in them, which is to be supplied as the Chaldee hath done, bind it with bands till ye have sacrificed it, and poured the blood thereof upon the horns of the altar. But from the ambiguity of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 used frequently for a feast, the LXXII. have far departed from this sense, and reade 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, appoint the feast in con∣densis, (the vulgar render it) in the thick boughs; and so Hesychius,〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies to hide or cover; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith he. And so the LXXII. here may have used it for the booths or tabernacles, of which the Jews had a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or feast yearly. However though I suppose them to have receded from the true meaning of the words already shewod, yet they seem to have had a mea∣ning very commodious to the Hosanna foregoing, v. 25. For as there was use of those acclamations at the feast of tabernacles (in the notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) so to them were adjoyned branches of trees, &c. as we see in the Gospel, where they cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way, and cried Ho∣sannah. And so Neh. 8.15. Go forth and fetch Olive branches, and Pine branches, and Palm branches, and branches of thick trees; the Hebrew reads 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the very word which is here used for a band or cord, and is there rendred by the LXXII. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉thick wood (as here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) perhaps it were better rendred wood of bands, i. e. bundles of wood, for so Elias Levita tells us in his Thisbi, that to bind up Hosannahs was to bind up bundles of willow boughs, which were most used in the feast of taber∣nacles. And so by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they probably meant the feast of tabernacles, celebrated with willow boughs, with which they strawed and adorned the court of the Temple, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, even to the horns of the altar. The Syriack here reade, Bind with chains〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 their La∣tin renders it solennitates, solemnities; but this sure (proportionable to the notion of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) for the sacri∣fices used at those solemnities, as when eating the feast (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 2 Chron. 30.22. a word of the same origination) must needs signifie the sacrifices of the feast.