wel as sinnes of age; that young persons may not think, that they may follow the lusts of their hearts and the delights of their eyes, and in so do∣ing go scot-free, but know, that if for these, by turning to God and pray∣ing, they attain not forgivenesse, they shall be brought to judgment, and that no man can expect favour from God, except his sinnes be first par∣doned.
He will direct the poor. That is, The poor in spirit, that think themselves such, in respect of all riches of goodnesse.
The secret of the Lord to those that feare him, to make them know his Co∣venant. As if he had said, It is not wit nor learning, that can see into the secrets of God, or the mysteries of his Kingdome, but to such as truly feare him, it is given to know them, and to have solid comfort therein, according to that, Matth. 13. 12. To you it is given to know the secrets of the Kingdome of Heaven. That we may feare God indeed, and in our hearts, and not in shew only: For Hypocrites shall Heare and not under∣stand, see and not perceive the truth, but run into divers errours to their damnation: By the Covenant the same is meant that by the feare, and in calling it a secert, he sheweth the excellency thereof, as Calvin noteth, it being so transcendent, that all humane knowledge is but foolishnesse in comparison of it.
I am alone and poor. See the like before, Psal. 22. 20. I trust not in any other help, nor have any other but God alone.
Perfection and rectitude shall keep me. Some, saith Calvin, Understand this, as if he had prayed to be kept from using wicked meanes to be reveng∣ed upon his enemies, as they did against him to do him mischiefe; but that he might stil walk by the perfect and right rule: This he rejects, and saith, That he alledgeth his integrity and right walking all this time, how∣soever he had been provoked by his malicious enemies to passe these bounds, yet not trusting hereunto, but to Gods mercy; for which he addeth, Because I trust in thee. And this is the true sense, and who so will upon good ground trust in God to be saved in time of danger, when he calleth upon him, must likewise lay his foundation in sincerity, which is here and elswhere commonly called Perfection.
Deliver Israel, O God, from all streights. Or Redeem. Intimating the oppression of the Church, either present or to come; and in his example we are taught, that the miseries of the Church, should as much affect us as our own, and when ever we pray for our selves, we should pray for the whole Israell of God also. Touching this Psalme, there is one thing noted by Ainsworth, wherein it is singular, Viz. That the verses begin accord∣ing to the Hebrew Alphabet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. Denoting it to be of singular use for all men, as also, Psal. 119. 34. 37. 111. 112. 145. For the same cause.