PSAL. CXLIV.
THis Psalme of David beginneth like Psalme 18. but whereas there he de∣scribeth * 1.1 Gods wonderfull coming to save him, and his people, from verse 8. to verse 18. here he prayeth in some of the same Phrases, that he would come so to save him from his enemies, verse 5, 6, 7. calling them the Sonnes of strangers, as * 1.2 Psal. 18. 44. where see the meaning. But before he cometh to this, verse 2, 3. * 1.3 he borroweth somewhat out of Psalme 8. but after praying against his enemies, verse 7. he describeth them further, verse 8. saying, Whose mouth speaketh vani∣ty, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity, or of falshood; whereby he meaneth, that as they were ready to promise any thing, although they meant not in their hearts to doe so, and what they spake thus falsly with their mouthes, they did not stick to give their right hands to performe it, but in both they were false and fraudulent alike.
Some bring other expositions, but because it is common with men, that they may be the better trusted, to reach out, and give their right hand for more assu∣rance, this of Calvin seemeth best to me, and fully to set forth the sence. For the * 1.4 Psaltery, and instrument of ten strings, see Psal. 33. 2.
That our sons may be plants, grown up in their youth, &c. Calv. Because our * 1.5 sonnes are as plants; As if it were meant, that they were now so, and it were here desired that they may still so continue; but most generally it is understood as a bles∣sing to come, which the Prophet promised himselfe and the people should be, when the things before spoken of were done, and this is most consonant to the ar∣gument of the Psalme, intimating some troubles then in the Land, to hinder the happinesse here spoken of; and the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may be rendred either, because, or that. These here spoken of are worldly blessings, and great blessings, but the greatest of all is the last mentioned, to have the Lord for our God.