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

2 Doctrine. Hereby Davids youth was renewed as the eagles.

The Hebrew here (for the grammaticall construction) is subject to divers interpre∣tations. Most render it as it is in our Trans∣lation [thy youth is renewed like the eagles.] Others think this incongruous, because 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 agree neither in gender nor number (though such Enallages are not altogether unusuall in the Hebrew tongue) Junius therefore renders it [servas te recen∣tem, tanquam aquila, tanquam pueritiâ tuâ] Others otherwise. Perhaps it might be more simply and more to the letter transla∣ted thus [thou shalt renew thy self, thy youth shall be as an eagle] For the pause Rebhiah at 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 seemes to be against the ordina∣ry interpretation. But whatsoever the syntax be, the meaning of the whole clause is plaine enough, viz. David here illustrates Gods be∣nefit of satisfying his mouth with good by this effect of it, that thereby his youthfull strength and vigour was still repaired, and so continued beyond the ordinary time: which is further argued à simili, [like an eagle.] Concerning the eagle Aristotle and Pliny (who were diligent observers of natu∣rall things) tell us; the former, that she is

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 long-lived; the other, that she dies at last not through age or any inward sicknesse or decay of nature, but by mere hunger, her upper beak being so overgrown, that the crookednesse thereof hinders her from taking her meat. Others say, that in her old age she casts or breaks off that croo∣kednesse, and so renewes her strength and youth. But we need not goe so farre, the Scripture it self having many passages con∣cerning the vigour of the eagle. Strong and swift men are compared to eagles 2 Sam. 1.23. Hos. 8.1. Yea God himself is likened to an eagle Exod. 19.4. Deut. 32.11, 12. This similitude therefore serves most fitly to expresse Davids great vigour, the effect of Gods satisfying his mouth with good, as was said before. And so it is used, Isa. 40.31.

That such was Davids vigour even in his latter daies see Psal. 18.32, 33, 34. For that that Psalm was composed by him to∣wards the end of his life after the subduing of all his enemies, appeares by the Title of it; as also by the order of the story in the 2 book of Samuel. For his last enemy that rose a∣gainst him was Sheba; and he was slaine in the 20^th chapter, and this Psalme is recorded chap. 22.

The Reasons are the same here, as in the for∣mer Doctrine. For as 1 God had much work for David to do, for the performance where∣of 2 he had not been able, unlesse his body had been lusty & vigorous, nor 3 could it so have been, had not God satisfyed his mouth with good; so neither 4 had that been sufficient with∣out Gods speciall blessing thereupon. That therefore Davids body might be lively & fit for the businesses imposed upon him, God as He plentifully supplyed him with good things in the former part of this verse, so here He blesseth the use of them with this effect of re∣newing or continuing his youthfull strength and vigour like the eagles.

Uses.

The instructions which hence arise, are 1 From the thing it self, the continuance or renewing of Davids strength or vigour. Where we see what is the end or use of those good things, wherewith God satisfies us, and particularly of meat and drink. Feasts are not simply unlawfull; but, so they be used moderately and seasonably, the Scripture al∣lowes them: 1 For mirth or cheerfulnesse Eccles. 10.19. (of which sort are marriage-feasts, at one whereof our Saviour was pre∣sent with his disciples Joh. 2. and when they wanted wine, supplyed it by a miracle; to

which also is likened the preaching of the gospell Mat. 22.1. and the participation of eternall glory Mat. 25.1. &c.) 2 to pre∣serve mutuall love Job 1.4. (which Job, though a most carefull father, did not dislike, as appeares by the context) 3 for a thankfull commemoration of Gods benefits Gen. 21.8. Nehem. 8.10, 12. Est. 9.19, 22. Luke 5.29. But the ordinary use and end of those things is for the strengthening of the body Eccles. 10.17. that so men performing the duties of their generall and speciall callings may be saved, and God glorifyed thereby.

2 From the expression of strength and vi∣gour by youth. Where we see to what age these ordinarily belong. Every one must not look to have his strength renewed or conti∣nued to old age, to be so lusty and vigorous when yeares come on, as David here was. Many yeares commonly bring many infirmi∣ties with them. Therefore we must not spend our youth idly, but in this spring or summer of our age, whilest time and strength per∣mit, gather something (with the ant) where∣by the winter time of our life may be sustai∣ned and passed with more comfort. But especially hearken to Solomon, Eccles. 12.1. Remember now thy Creatour in the daies of thy youth, &c.

3 From the similitude, whereby this is illu∣strated, viz. [as the eagle.] Whence we may gather that the prorogation of youthfull strength and vigour, though an excellent be∣nefit, yet is not of the best kind of all. For those God hath prepared peculiarly for his children: but this he bestowes not onely upon wicked men Job 21.23, 24. Psalm. 73.4. but also upon eagles and other unrea∣sonable creatures. Therefore let no man from these things make an argument to him∣self either of the favour of God because he hath them, or of His displeasure because he hath them not. Eccles. 9.1. Neither let any man by using unlawfull meanes for the con∣tinuance or recovery of his bodily health or strength hazard the eternall health of his soul.

But how opposite to Gods intentions and their own good are gluttons, drunkards &c. who when God hath supplyed them with plenty of good things, and given them a rule, according to which if they would walk in the use of them, their bodies might by his ordinary blessing be kept in health and strength, contrarywise abuse these good things to the impairing and dishonouring their bodies: and so through their own fault that curse of the Psalmist Psal. 69.22. falls upon them. By immoderate eating and

drinking they overcharge their hearts, op∣presse their strength, cast themselves headlong into many infirmities and diseases, and con∣sequently into untimely death. And if at any time they pray to God for better health, yet themselves still hinder Him from granting their desire: according to that of the Poet,

Poscis opem nervis, corpús{que} fidele senecta. Esto, age: sed grandes patinae, tucetá{que} crassa Annuere his superos vetuere, Jovem{que} mo∣rantur. Pers. satyr. 2.

These men (to say nothing of their soules, their credit, their estates) in stead of renew∣ing or continuing their youth to their old age, precipitate their old age upon their youth; and are so farre from attaining to the eagles vigour or swiftnesse, that some∣times their feet are not able to doe their ordi∣nary office, so that they are fit for nothing but to stretch themselves upon their couches with those gluttons Amos 6.4. or to ly along and wallow in their vomit with the drunkard Ier. 48.26. their braine besotted, their bodies & faces bloted, their bellies of the barrell fa∣shion, their liver enflamed, their lungs corru∣pted, from the sole of their foot to the crown of their head scarce any sound part.

But let us, when God hath done His part

in satisfying our mouth with good things, and that to this end, that thereby we might renew our youth as the eagle, not be wan∣ting to our selves, but by a right use of Gods blessings improve them to the end for which He hath appointed them.

Motive. Long life is indeed desirable (vers. 4. Doctr. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) but with this condition, among other, that we may enjoy tolerable health and strength to promote Gods glory, our own salvation and the good of others. For otherwise, although we must patiently beare whatsoever it shall please God to send, there is small comfort in living long and groning under almost continuall pain & sick∣nesse, being unable to help our selves, and a daily trouble and burden to others.

Meanes. Let us 1 implore Gods blessing by prayer. 2 That our prayer may prevail, 1 use these outward things moderately. 2 imploy the strength we have or shall have by them to the diligent and faithfull performance of our duty in our generall & speciall callings, to the glory of God.

Notes

• Explic.
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• Instr.
• Repr.
• Exhort.