A right godly and learned exposition, vpon the whole booke of Psalmes: wherein is set forth the true diuision, sence, and doctrine contained in euery Psalme: for the great furtheraunce and necessarie instruction of euery Christian reader. Newly and faithfully set forth by a godly minister and preacher of the word of God.

Psalme 145

[Di.] THis Psalm propounding specially the matter of thanksgiuing and [unspec 1] praise vnto the Lord, may bée diuided into foure partes. In the first hee himselfe promiseth to praise the Lorde, shewing a cause where∣fore. [unspec 2] Ver. 1.2.3. In the second he doeth as it were prophecie, that all Gods creatures and workes, shal serue to set forth his praise: from ver. 4. vn∣to [unspec 3] to the end of the 12. In the third he sheweth reasons and causes why men should praise the Lorde, to wit, for his gouernement, his mercy, his prouidence, &c. [unspec 4] from verse. 13. to the 20. And lastly hee shutteth vp the Psalme with promise of thankesgiuing, as he began it, ver. 21.

[Se.] The title] A Psalme of Dauid [i. which hee made] of prayse [vz. vnto the Lord, i. of such prayse and thankesgiuing, as he promised and perfourmed vn∣to him. So that this worde séemeth to comprehende the argument or the whole matter of the Psalme] this Psalme is written, in the order of the Alphabet, e∣uery verse beginning with the letters, as they are in order in the Hebrewe Al∣phabet, one onely being omitted and that is the letter Nun, in the 14. verse, which beginneth with Samech, the next letter in the Alphabet, such Psalmes we haue had before. Psal. 25. which beginneth euery verse so, two or thrée onely excepted: such also are Psalm. 111. and 112. which beginne euery verse of it, and the seconde part of it, which two letters of the Hebrewe Alphabet in order.] [unspec 1] Ver. 1. O my God [i. he whome onely I worship] and king [i. whom I serue, & whose subiect I am] I wil extol thée [vz. in my songes and thankesgiuinges, and that aboue all whatsoeuer] and will blesse [i. prayse thy name, i thy maie∣sty, [unspec 2] power, and goodnes] for euer and euer [i. continually.] Ver. 2 I wil blesse thée [i. praise thée, as before ver. 1.] dayly [i. euery day, q.d. no day shall passe o∣uer my head but I will spend it, or some part of it in magnifiyng of thee] and prayse thy name for euer and euer [sée before ver. 1. of this Psalme.] Verse 3. Great is the Lorde [vz. in power and goodnes, towardes all, but chiefely to∣wardes his owne] and most worthy to be praised [vz. for those excellent things that be in him, and the great workes that he doth dayly] and his greatnesse is

incomprehensible [vz. of vs men: for though after regeneration, wee doe looke into it by fayth, yet it is but in some measure, for we knowe in part, and pro∣phecie in part. 1. Corinth. 13.9. and though it bée sayde that in the life to come we shall see him as he is, 1. Iohn. 3.2. yet he meaneth not that there wee shalbée able to attaine, to the full apprehension of Gods eternall maiestye, because he dwelleth in light that no man can come vnto. 1. Tim. 6.16. and that which is finite as we shalbee after the resurrection, though wee shall haue glorified bo∣dies, can not comprehend that which is infinite, as God is alwayes, but that wee shall haue a farre greater measure in that life, then wee haue had in this.] Ver. 4. Generation shall prayse thy workes vnto generation [i. the prayse and [unspec 4] excellencie of thy great workes shalbe magnified in al ages, both because thou doest continue thy great workes in euery age, and giuest men care and con∣science to publish the same to their posteritie] and declare thy power [i. the ge∣nerations shall preach and set out the greatnes of thy power, and the excellen∣cy thereof. Immanuel referreth it to Gods workes, both senses are true.] Ver. 5. I will meditate [vz. déepely and diligently] of the beautie [i. not onely of the [unspec 5] comelinesse but also of the excellency] of thy glorious maiestye [i. of thy maie∣sty which is full of wonderfull glory] and thy wonderfull workes [i. I will me∣ditate of thy workes also, which are rather to bee wondered at, then compre∣hended.] Ver. 6. And they [i. men and specially thy people] shall speake [vz. [unspec 6] openly and plainely, meaning that they shall declare, and set abroade] of the power [vz. which is great and excéeding] of thy fearefull acts [i. of those iudg∣ments which thou exercisest vppon the contemners of thy maiestie, which should strike feare into al mens hearts] and I wil declare [vz. fréely and open∣ly] thy greatnes [i. thy excellency, maiesty, and power, Sée ver. 3. of this Psal.] Ver. 7. They [i. men] shall breake out [i. playnely and with open mouth] into [unspec 7] the mention [i. euen to the making mention of] thy gret goodnes [vz. towards all, but specially towardes thy people] and shall sing aloude [i. speake openlye and playnely] of thy righteousnesse [i. of thy faithfull and iust dealing towards all.] Ver. 8. The Lorde is gracious and merciful [this séemeth to be the speci∣all [unspec 8] matter of their song and praysing, and it séemeth to bee taken out of Exod. 34.6. sée also Psalme 86.5.15.] slowe to anger [i. not easily moued to punish] and of great mercy [vz. towardes those that drawe me vnto him.] Ver. 9. The [unspec 9] Lorde is good to all [vz. his creatures, and namely men, but chiefely amongst them, to his chosen people] and his mercies [i. the abundaunt plenty of his mercie, for so much I suppose the word in the plurall number importeth] are ouer all his woorkes [i. there is none of his woorkes, but it sheweth vnto o∣thers, and findeth in it selfe, very large testimonies of Gods mercy and good∣nes. They then do not rightly vnderstand the place, that from hence would ga∣ther, that Gods mercy excéedeth all his works, though that is to be confessed to bee true. But this is the true and naturall meaning thereof, that though it be so, that by meanes of sinne, all the worlde bee wrapped vp vnder the curse, yet the mercy of God passeth through al his creatures, and entereth euen vnto the

[unspec 10] very bruit beastes, as ver. 15.16. of this Psalme.] Ver. 10. Al thy workes [vz. which thou hast created, and the noble deedes which thou hast done] prayse thée O Lorde [vz. in their kinde, that is doe set foorth thy prayses vnto men, and doe put in to their mouthes, as it were, an occasion to prayse thee] and thy Saintes [i. those whome thou hast made holy vnto thy selfe: Sée Psalme 16.3. also 30.4. also 132.9.] blesse thee [i. prayse thée, as ver. 1.2. of this Psal.] [unspec 11] Ver. 11. They [i. both thy workes and people] shewe [vz. out, and that sensiblie and plainely] the glory of thy kingdome [i. the excellency of thy rule and go∣uernement, meaning also that Gods woorkes, and the prayses of his people, shoote all at this marke, vz. to bring the worlde in subiection to his obedi∣ence] and speake of thy power [i. set it foorth very plainely: howe the crea∣tures perfourme this: Sée Psalme 19.1.2. &c. also Roman. 1.19.20. &c.] [unspec 12] Verse 12. To cause his power [i. Gods power, for hée sodainely chaungeth the person, from the seconde to the thirde] to be knowne [In these wordes hee noteth the ende, why God vseth his creatures, and mens praises, vz. that other men, thereby may be drawne, to see, approue, and confesse, his goodnes and power] to the sonnes of men [i. to all ages and posterities] and the glorious [unspec 13] renowne of his kingdome [sée ver. 11. of this Psalme.] Ver. 13. Thy kingdome [i. the gouernement which thou exercisest ouer all] is an euerlasting king∣dome [i. shall neuer haue ende] and thy dominion [vz. which thou hast] indu∣reth [unspec 14] throughout all ages [i. shall neuer decay.] Ver. 14. The Lorde [vz. him∣self] vpholdeth, [vz. by his mercy] all that fall [vz. into any daunger or di∣stresse. Sée Prouerb. 24.16.17. and yet wée must restraine that general terme, to such as the Lord knoweth, in his goodnes, are méete to be vpholden and stai∣ed: without which goodnes of his, none is raised vp or maintained] and lifteth vp all that are ready to fall [q.d. whether they bee entering into afflictions or aduersities, or whether they bee already fallen into the same, God reacheth out his hande, and either keepeth them from falling, or else deliuereth them [unspec 15] being fallen.] Verse 15. The eyes of all [vz. thinges whatsoeuer] wayte vp∣pon thée [vz. with patience, and that for their ••••••••re and sustenaunce] and thou giuest [vz. euen in thy mercy] them their meate [i. that portion of foode, that thou hast appointed for them] in due season [i. in that time that thou séest [unspec 16] with thy selfe, to bee good and méete for them.] Verse. 16. Thou openest thyne hande [i. thou stretchest forth thy power, and giuest plentifully and largely to all thy creatures] and fillest all thinges liuing [i. whatsoeuer liueth, and mo∣ueth, or hath sense, féeling, and groweth] of thy good pleasure [hee noteth here the cause why all the creatures are norished, vz. Gods good pleasure and [unspec 17] will: Sée for these 2. ver. Psalme 104. ver. 27.28. &c.] Verse 17. The Lorde is righteous [i. iust and equall] in all his wayes [i. in euery thing that hee taketh in hande: hée meaneth that God obserueth a most vpright course in euery thing he doeth, howe corrupt or partiall, so euer men be in their dealings] and holy in all his workes [i. his very workes declare, that there is a certaine kynde of vnspeakeable holinesse in his maiesty: that woorde, holy, would bee better

turned, good or mercifull, and so doeth Immanuel turne it: sée to this end▪ ver. 9. of this Psalme.] Ver. 18. The Lorde is néere [i. euen ready at hand not onely to heare them, but to helpe them] vnto all that call vpon him [i. to those that [unspec 18] worshippe and serue him: a part of Gods seruice put for the whole, as Gene. 4.26. 1. Corinth. 1.2. also 2. Timot. 2.19.] yea to all that called vppon him in trueth [i. without feigning or hypocrisie, or else that call vppon him in such sort, that they perfourme not the inuocation of his name, by their inuentions and superstitions. In summe hee setteth trueth against infidelitie, doubting, impacience, murmuring, counterfeite humilitie, and vicious affecting of thinges, which are the fruites of lying, for true worshippers: Sée Iohn 4.24. and this hée addeth in the way of correction. q.d. though I sayde before, that the Lorde heareth all them that call vppon him, yet I meane it of al them that call vppon him in trueth.] Verse 19. Hée will fulfill [i. accomplish and [unspec 19] perfourme] the desire of them [i. the thinges which they shall desire and will, according to his will: Sée 1. Iohn 5.14. because God setteth vppon their af∣fections, a lawe of obedience] that feare him [i. that serue and worshippe him: this hath béene sundry tymes expounded before] hee will also heare their cry [i. graunt them their requestes, which they pray euerlastingly vnto him for] and will saue them [i. both deliuer them out of all the daungers of this lyfe, and at the ende bring them to eternall life.] Verse 20. The Lorde preserueth [unspec 20] [vz. from any notorious hurt or daunger: or if not so, yet hée maketh away for them to escape out of it, as shalbee most for his glory and their comfort] all them that loue him [vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart, Sée Roman. 8.28. but hee wil destroy [vz. in his wrath, and iust iudgement] all the wicked [vz. of the worlde, of what estate or condition so euer they bee.] Verse 21. My [unspec 21] mouth shall speake the prayse of the Lorde [i. I will boldly and openlye in wordes set foorth his prayses: hee putteth the instrument wherewith wordes are vttered, for the wordes themselues] all flesh [i. all men, for when this word is so put alone, without adding any thing to it doeth most commonly in the Scriptures respect men] shall blesse his holy name [i. shall prayse his ma∣iesty power and goodnes] for euer and euer [i. continually, sée ver. 1.2. of this Psalme.

Verse 1. Teacheth vs, not onely to be thankfull to God for his mercies, [Do.] but also to continue in the same, because his mercies are continually powred forth vppon vs. Ver. 2. teacheth vs that wee shoulde let no day passe, without heartie thankesgiuing, to the Lord for his graces. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that Gods pow∣er and incomprehensible maiesty, should prouoke vs to thankfulnes. Verse 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care to conuey the remembraunce of Gods benefites to our posteritie. Verse 5. Teacheth vs to imploy more time in the meditation of Gods workes, then heretofore we haue done. Verse 6. Teacheth vs, as well to publish Gods iudgements as his mercies, that the wicked may bee pearsed with a feare of his maiesty. Verse 7. teacheth vs, neuer to be ashamed to pub∣lish gods promises. Ver. 8, 9. Are excellent descriptions of god by his qualities,

and comprehende much matter of comfort for those that bee afflicted, and also conteine very excellent causes, why we should prayse, and thanke God. Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all Gods creatures, but specially his faythful people to blesse and prayse the Lorde. Ver. 11. and 12. Teach vs, not onely for our owne good and the discharge of our owne duety, but that others also ther∣by may be drawne to do the like. Ver. 13. Teacheth vs, that howsoeuer mens kingdomes be brittle, yet Gods gouernment, ouer all, but specially ouer his, indureth for euer. Ver. 14. Teacheth vs, that God so prouideth for his chil∣dren, in their daungers and distresses, that howsoeuer they bee afflicted, yet they do not vtterly perish. Ver. 15. Setteth out Gods gracious prouidence & fatherly care ouer his children. Ver. 16. Sheweth that the Lorde is liberall handed towardes his creatures, and that al the good thinges which we haue, procéede from his good will and pleasure. Verse 17. Teacheth vs, that what∣soeuer God doeth, he doeth in all vprightnes, though perhaps we through the blindnesse and corruption of our nature, can not conceiue so thereof. Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that God quickly heareth, the earnest and vnfeigned prayers of his Seruauntes. Verse 19. Sheweth that God will graciously deliuer his, out of all their daungers. Verse 20. Sheweth the vnlikely reward, betweene the godly and the vngodly. Verse 21. Teacheth vs, both in our owne per∣sons, and in others, to stirre vp, and prouoke our selues to continual thank∣fulnesse.