A brief commentary upon the CIII Psalme with the severall axiomes or doctrines therein conteined [sic], and uses thereupon inferred.

4 Doctrine. The LORD crowned David with lo∣ving-kindnesse,

and tender-mercies.

1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 loving-kindnesse.]* 1.1 This word pro∣perly signifies goodnesse, or, an affection of doing good any way, and so is often joined with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. By a Metonymie of the Efficient it is put for the effect thereof, viz. the bene∣fit it self, or the good deed done, as Gen. 20.13. 2 Sam. 2.5, 6. (and so often joined with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) and in the plurall number almost perpetually, as 2 Chron. 32.32. Nehem. 13.14. Gen. 32.10. Psal. 106.7. Now these effects have reference to all kinds of good, as well privative (in deliverance from evil, whether of sinne or punishment) as po∣sitive; as may appear by the severall places where the word is used. But one may suffice for all, viz. Psal. 136. where this word is 26 times used, in reference sometimes to positive, sometimes to privative benefits. Now though David in this Psalme gives thanks to God for both sorts of benefits; yet having spo∣ken of the privative particularly vors. 3. and in the former part of this verse, this lan∣ter seems rather specially to intend the posi∣tive, and so the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here to be re∣strained to them.

2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tender-mercies.] The verb 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is once used in the Kal. viz. Psol. 18.1 si∣gnifying to love, not simply and absolutely 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

largely. And so the sense is, That God had given him not onely some few, but very many blessings, as it were compassing him round about on every side: amongst which were first spirituall gifts, wherewith his soule was wonderfully adorned and made beauti∣full in the eses of God and all good men; also wisdome, valour, beauty and comelinesse of person, wives, children, power, authority, and riches, lastly frequent victories and from thence ample spoiles &c.

That Gods benefits bestowed upon him were many,* 1.2 see Psal. 40.5. & 68.19. & 139.17, 18. For his spirituall ornaments, faith, hope, charity, humility, zeal, justice &c they are every where obvious. For his wisdome see 1 Sam. 18.14. His valour he shewed by the acts which he did. His beauty is men∣tioned 1 Sam. 16.12. His wives 2 Sam. 12.8. His children 1 Chron. 28.5. Power and authority he had, as being made King over all Israel, and having subdued many other nations to his dominion. His wealth may be conjectured by what he had provided for the building of the Temple, viz. 100000 ta∣lents of gold, and 1000000 talents of silver &c 1 Chron. 22.14. To which he added out of his own peculiar treasure 3000 talents of gold of Ophit, and 7000 talents of re∣fined

silver, Chap. 29.4. A talent (after the balance of the sanctuary) being of our mo∣ney in silver 375 l. & in gold (after a twelve∣fold proportion) 4500 l. Of his victories and spoiles and subduing his enemies we read every where.

Now all these God according to His own good pleasure bestowed upon David,* 1.3 to the end that he being both furnished therewith might be able, and being excited by the consideration thereof might be willing and ready to serve Him cheerfully, to his own salvation and Gods glory.

Uses.

This instructs us 1 Who is the Author of all good things, namely the LORD.* 1.4 Man himself may be a means of some good things, to himself by his diligence, to others by be∣neficence. But 1 Of some onely, not of all; for who can adde one cubite to his stature, or make one haire white or black, or endue the soule with understanding, judgement, me∣mory &c? 2 Neither of any at all other∣therwise then as an instrument under God, without whose blessing all mans industry is but vain, Psal. 127.1, 2. Habak. 2.13. That others also have to give unto us, and are wil∣ling to do it, is of God, Ezra 7.27, 28. God therefore is truly the Authour of all

good things; of most the solitary cause, of the rest the principall cause. And this David acknowledges, not onely here, but often els∣where. See 1 Chron. 29.14. So Saint James chap. 1.17.

2 How these things come from God, viz. not of His strict remunerative justice, Job 22.2. & 35.7. & 41.11. Psal. 16.2. Rom. 11.35. but of His loving-kindnesse and tender-mercies; as the Scripture every where testi∣fies. Hence that admiration of David, 2 Sam. 7.18.

3 What it is to serve God, viz. not vain and unprofitable, as many imagine, with them Mal. 3.14. For consider how many and how excellent benefits God here bestow∣ed upon his servant, which (as comprehended under the metaphor of crowning) we before in some sort explained. Neither these things onely which are here according to the con∣text specially understood, but also deli∣verances from evil (of which before) and that which is added ver. 5. Nor was the mea∣sure of these things either the power of God, as though He could not have given more; or His love to David, as though that had wholly spent it self in these things, and were not willing to bestow more: but the con∣veniency in respect of David, 2 Sam. 12.8.

Lastly all these things were but as a few drops in respect of those rivers of pleasures, but a few mites in comparison of the true treasure, but the first-fruits of a farre more ample harvest to follow, but the earnest of an eternall and incorruptible inheritance &c. And seeing God is a Lord or Master, Who is no respecter of persons, therefore these be∣nefits are not peculiar to David onely, but common to all his fellow-servants; for the greatest and best of them (grace and glory) most certainly, for the rest also so farre as shall be convenient for them, Psal. 19.11. & 31.19. & 84.11.

Here are reproved 1 Such as through their own fault are not crowned with Gods blessings;* 1.5 as simply in respect of spirituall grace (whilest they not onely neglect but reject the meanes of it, yea esteem it as no∣thing worth, yea think it dishonourable and prejudiciall to them) so many times in re∣spect of other things also. So they, who do not seek outward things of God, or seek them onely to this end, that they may con∣fume them upon their lusts, Jam. 4.2, 3. So (to speak in a word) they who by their sins of what kind soever provoke God, Isa. 59.1, 2. Ier. 5.24, 25.

2 Such as uncrown themselves, decaying

in grace, besotting brave wits by drunken∣nesse &c. bringing deformities and diseases upon bodies formerly both comely and able, chusing such wives as are a rottennesse in their bones, and so bringing up their children that they are a shame and greif to them, squandring away such wealth as friends have left them, polluting their hoary heads with sinne &c.

3 Such as are unlike to God herein. So they who are wanting in loving kindnesse towards others. More, they who secretly en∣vy those that are crowned of God. Most of all, they who out of envy persecute and doe injury unto others. These indeed crown o∣thers, but as Saul crowned or compassed a∣bout David 1 Sam. 23.26. or as the fol∣diers crowned Christ Mat. 27.29.

The heads of exhortation may be 1 According to Davids scope (that I may here briefly touch the relative consideration of these words) that we be thankfull to God that crowns us.* 1.6 But of this something hath been spoken in the 2^d verse.

2 That we expect and seek from God onely whatsoever good things we want. See the 2^d Doctrine of this verse. Ex∣hort. 1.

3 That we imitate God in loving kind∣nesse and tender mercies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Explic.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  Instr.
• * 1.5

  Repr.
• * 1.6

  Exhort.