A commentary upon the whole Old Testament, added to that of the same author upon the whole New Testament published many years before, to make a compleat work upon the whole Bible. Vols. 2-4. Wherein the divers translations and expositions, literall and mysticall, of all the most famous commentators both ancient and modern are propounded, examined, and judged of, for the more full satisfaction of the studious reader in all things, and many most genuine notions inserted for edification in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. A work, the like unto which hath never yet been published by any man, yet very necessary, nor only for students in divinity; but also for every Christian that loveth the knowledge of divine things, or humane, whereof this comment is also full. Consisting of IV parts. I Upon the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses. II Upon the historical part, from Joshua to Esther. III Upon Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomons Song. IV Upon all the prophets both great and small. By John Mayer, doctor of divinity.

PSAL. CI.

A Psalme of David.

I Will sing of mercy and Judgment. Jerom. August. Basil, Cald. by Mercy and Judgment here understand Gods Mercy towards penitent sinners, and Judgments against the obstinate wicked; or as August. hath it, mercy * 1.1 and judgments towards himself and other faithfull, for both which he was thankfull, and so must we be; as Job, and Paul, and Silas, being harshly used and imprisoned, sung Psalmes. Calvin expounds it of the mercy and judgments wherewith David meant to rule, if God would bring him to the * 1.2 promised kingdome; but this were very improper, it being expresly said, To thee will I siug, That is, To thy praise, of thy mercy and Judgment. If he had meant these resolved upon in himself, he would rather have sayd, I will rule in mercy and judgment, and then sing Psalmes to thy praise, by whose speciall favour I am thus advanced, and have the Grace so to govern: But Basil will have it prophetically spoken of Josiah, who rooted out Idola∣ters, and incouraged the true Servants of God in his worship. I see no cause why it may not rather be taken of David himself, because he saith, Verse 2. When wilt thou come to me? That is, By setting me up, as thou hast promi∣sed: because he was long anointed King, before that he came to the King∣dome, * 1.3 and after the Kingdome over Judah attained, he was kept seven years from Raigning over Israel; but Iosiah being but a Childe sate upon the Throne, so that this agreeth not to him.

I will do wisely in the perfect way, when wilt thou come unto me? Ainsworth, When wilt thou come by Grace to assist me so to do? and for his doing wise∣ly, he alledgeth, 1 Sam. 14, 18, * 1.4

Who so privily slandreth his neighbour him will I cut off: The word Slan∣dring, cometh from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Tongue, that is by the Cald. rendred, He that * 1.5 speaketh with a three - fold tongue against his neighbour, a slandrous tongue ac∣cording to the Hebrew Doctors being so called, because he hurteth three.

First, The Slanderer.

Secondly, The Slandered,

Thirdly, Him to whom the tale is brought, who is thus made to have an evill opinion of his Neighbour undeservedly. And he saith, I will cut off; Intimating, that till he was King, he might not exercise this Authority; for this were a sin in a private person: but having the Sword once by God put into his hand, he would do thus; and not only to slanderers, but also the proud hearted: Hebrew, The large hearted: The proud being so called; because in their hearts they aime at great matters, and such as be of too far * 1.6 an extent for them: To curb and suppresse such, as disturbers of the peace of a Kingdome, it is the duty of Kings to set themselves: And therefore Da∣vid voweth to do so. Although I see not how in the case of Mephibosheth, and Ziba a Detractor, he afterwads performed it.

I will betimes destroy all the wicked of the Land. Here David sheweth in his * 1.7 own example, what is the duty of Judges, without delaying to do justice up∣on the wicked, for evils must be resisted in the beginning, and herein, one must not be spared more then another, but Justice must passe upon all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vers. 1. August. Hieron.
• * 1.2

  Act. 16. Calvin.
• * 1.3

  Vers. 2.
• * 1.4

  Ainsw.
• * 1.5

  Vers. 5. Cald. par.
• * 1.6

  Regum est par∣cere subicctis & debellare su∣perbos. 2 Sam. 16. 3. Chap. 19. 27.
• * 1.7

  Vers. 8. Obsta principiis.