PART I.
PSAL. CXXII. 1.I was glad when they said unto me, Let us (or, We will) go into the house of the Lord.
WHether this Psalm of degrees, or excellent Song, as some term it, were a Psalm of David, or to David, or delivered to the Masters of Musick by the hands of David; Whether it was penned by him when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, and there seated as in its certain place, which be∣fore had been carried up and down, now to this place, anon to another, as several occasions and the exigence of the times required; and so was fitted for the people pub∣lickly to sing when they should go up to their solemn Feasts; Or whe∣ther it was penned by a prophetick spirit for those Jews who being re∣turned out of Babylon should repair Jerusalem, and build the second Temple; Whether this Psalm were fitted for the Tabernacle, or for the first Temple, or for the second, it is not much material to enquire, Nor will it advantage to make diligent search where there is not so much light as that of conjecture to direct us. The Psalm might well serve for all, for the Tabernacle, for the first Temple, for the second: And almost all agree that it was composed by David: And he beginneth it as a Song should begin; with LAETATUS SUM, I was glad, or I rejoyced; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so the Septuagint; Jucundatus sum, so St. Augustine: I was merry at heart, as those who meet at a costly banquet. I may entitle this Psalm David's Delight, or his Triumph, or his Jubilee. Now when the heart is glad, when the countenance shineth, when the tongue is loud, we may well think there is something more then ordinary presented to the sight. For Joy, when it is visible in the face, when it is set to Musick, is a mani∣fest indication and a loud proclamation, that there is somewhat without that hath either flattered our sense or complied with our reason. The effect doth in some sort demonstrate the cause: And the cause of Joy is the union and presence of some good. And as the cause is, such is the effect; as the object is, such is the joy. If our joy spring from the earth, it is of the same nature, earthy, muddy, gross, unclean:* 1.1 The Wise-man calleth it madness. But if it be from heaven, and those things which are above, it is bright, serene and clear. What is it then that maketh Da∣vid