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. XXIII.

THE Lord is my shepheard, I shall not want or be left destitute: David be∣ing * 1.1 in prosperity looks up to the Lord here as the Author of it, as well as in adversity he had always sought unto him, teaching us in his example to do likewise, and not then to be proud and to magnify our selves, as if by our own providence we had attained to such an Estate, as the manner of most is, [Note.] but a Caveat is given here against Deut. 8. 10. And he setteth forth the Lord by the name of a Shepheard, and by consequence himself, and all be∣leivers as his sheep, to shew their safety, which must needs be under such a shepheard, whose Eys are always upon every one of them Day and Night, and who is every where present to each one as to all the flock to feed and defend them from wolves▪ and to cure them as need requires, and to reduce them from their wandrings. For he is not far from every one of us, and he that * 1.2 keepeth Israel neither slumbreth nor sleepeth, Psal. 121. 4.

He prosecuteth the Allegory of a Shepheard, and Sheep, declaring to his * 1.3 praise, that he both guided, fed, and watred him in quiet: And for this he resolveth not to fear, although he should be in the Shadow of Death, V. 4. * 1.4 because this Shepheard had a staff wherewith to pull him out of danger un∣to him, as well as a Rod to correct him: But hereby is intimated, that in the midst of greatest prosperity, we should meditate upon heavy adversity [Note.] which may befall us, although we be the sheep of such a shepheard, and it is a sinfull presumption for any man to think, that he shall never be moved: But in adversity this is our comfort, that the Sufferings under which we are be his rod, and when it seems good unto him, and need requires, he hath his shepheard staff to pull us out of them again.

Having hitherto spoken of himself as a Sheep, now he concludes as a faith∣full and beloved man, having his Table by Gods providence fully furnished, * 1.5 his head anointed with oil, and his cup overflowing, intimating by all these a full and prosperous Estate, having not only for necessity of Life, but for delight, and wherewith to be beneficiall to others, and that in spite of his Enemies, who laboured to bring him to misery and want. And hereupon he rests confident to be always prosecuted with good, and voweth thankfull∣ness accordingly, by his much frequenting the house of God to praise and to make Oblations to him always, during life, Hebr. To the length of Dayes, And this he calls a dwelling in his house: For after our serving of God dili∣gently in his house in this world, we shall dwell in his Heavenly Taberna∣cle or house for ever and ever. And this was lookt at by David, when he promised himself good and mercy all the Days of his Life: For he was not confident that he should have continuall prosperity without any intercourse of Adversity for ever, because he shewed before, that his thoughts were up∣on walking in the shadow of death, as knowing greivous Afflictions to be still incident unto him, but he beleived that God who had hitherto been so good unto him as to deliver him from them all, would likwise from time to time deliver him, for which he voweth this thankfulness, to dwell in his house continually, as hath been sayd.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vers. 1.
• * 1.2

  Act. 17.
• * 1.3

  Vers. 2. 3.
• * 1.4

  Vers. 4.
• * 1.5

  Vers 5. 6.