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. LIV.

UPON Niginoth, This hath been before spoken of, and it was an In∣strument of Musick with strings to beat upon, as the word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to Beat, sheweth.

When the Ziphims came, &c. Of whom see, 1 Sam. 23. 19. 26. 4. In great straights was David now, yet he was not from his confidence in God, but prayeth, Save me (O God) by thy name, & judge me by thy strength: the words of which prayer are divers, but the Sence the same, for what is the name * 1.1 of God but, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Strength, and what is, Judge me, but justify and save me, as the word hath been often before used.

Strangers rise up against me: Of the Wicked sayd to be Estranged from God: See, Psalme. 58. 3. And to the same Effect, Isa. 1. 4. They have for∣saken me: And in this Sence, they are called Strangers. Some think, that these Ziphims were not of the Seed of Abraham, and therefore are called Strangers, But Calvin rather thinketh them to be so called, because they * 1.2 were of a strange wicked Condition, as indeed they were, that to such a man as David, whom they knew to be unjustly perscuted by Saul, when he came to seek a shrowding place amongst them, they trecherously to betray him, contrary to the common humanity, that is, Even in Heathens toward such as flee to them for Sanctuary. Oppressors, Calvin, terri∣ble ones, and so the word signifieth, their barbarous manners being hereby denoted: Note from this Verse, That Wickednesse and barbarous manners make even the Children of the Church, Alieni genas, A Generation coming of another: That is, the Devill, as is Expressed by Our Lord against wicked Jewes, Joh. 8. 44: Ziph, sayth Jerom, was a Village so called, from whence these men had the name of Ziphim, signifying, Florentes, Flou∣rishing, * 1.3

and so fitly typifying the Wicked of this world, who flourish of∣ten in this world for a time, and the Righteous seem like withered things, but it shall be contrary afterwards.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vers. 1.
• * 1.2

  Calvin.
• * 1.3

  Hieron.