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. CXL.

THis Psalme having the same title with the former is a prayer against Davids malicious enemies, who raild upon him, and laid wait to insnare him, and fought against him, but that God covered his head, Verse 7. and finally he promiseth himself an hearing, ending in this confidence with praise V. 12. 13.

It is in argument much like to Psalme 120. some saith Calvin, think it * 1.1 to have beene made against Doeg, but this is rightly rejected by him, be∣cause Saul, and others his Sycophants, wrought continually against him, both by deeds and words, so that most probably he complaineth of them all, and prayeth against them: Moreover, there is a Psalme before against Doeg, Viz. Psalme 52.

They have sharpned their tongues like a Serpent: so spoken, because the * 1.2 tongue of a Serpent is sharp and peircing, and the Poison of aspes, is further spoken of, to shew, that there was as much danger in their venemous spee∣ches, as in most deadly poison.

Thou hast covered my head in the day of battell, Hebr. Of armour, For Da∣vid had never indeed any battell with Saul, but declined it; but Saul ofter ar∣med * 1.3 against him; but then Gods providence covered him as a sheild: but the head is only spoken of, to set forth his whole Body, because that is cheif∣ly aimed at by the enemy, as wherein the life principally lyeth.

For the head of those that compasse me about, let the mischeife of their own * 1.4 lips cover them: Hebr. the head or gall of my beseigers, and labour, or trou∣ble of their lips let cover them. God, he saith, had covered his head in the day of battell: Now contrariwise he sheweth, what should cover the head of his enemies, viz. it should come to them, as with their lips they had maliciously spoken against him: for it may be thus rendred: the head of my beseiger, let the trouble of his lips cover it: for cursing, let him be covered with Cur∣sing, ac with a cloake.

Let coales of fire fall upon them, he shall cast them into deepe places; they * 1.5 shall not rise: Or let coales fall upon them, he shall cast them into the fire: for either reading is good: It is alluded to the burning of Sodom, and seemeth to have reference to the sending of the wicked into hell fire at the day of Judgment, see Rom. 12. 20.

Let not an evill speaker be establisht: Hebr. A man of tongue: For in a multitude of words there cannot want sin; therefore it is given in charge, Be swift to heare, slow to speake. Of keeping the tongue, see Psalme 39. 1.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Calvin.
• * 1.2

  Vers. 3.
• * 1.3

  Vers. 7.
• * 1.4

  Vers. 9. Of this word, rend••ed Gall, see Psalme 69. Verse 22.
• * 1.5

  Vers. 10.