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. VI.

TO the cheife musitian on Neginoth upon eight. Of Neginoths see be∣fore, Psal. 4. Now more expresly it is shewed to be an instrument of musick, or harp with eight strings, some to the eighth tune, which was high, and of this, mention is made again, 1 Chron. 15. 21. Augustine taking this Psalme to be made in the person of the Church, suffering great∣ly in this World; by the eighth understands the time to come of the ever∣lasting felicity of the faithfull, as if it were made with respect unto that; And this, he saith, Is called the eighth, because to come after a naturall or carnall life, lead under nature and the Law, and a spirituall under the Gospel, which may well be understood by seven, because the body con∣sists

of foure Elements, and the spirit is set forth by three, as in that precept; Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart, soule and minde. Some others, he saith by eight understand, eight thousand years, as if it were meant, that Anno eight thousand after seven thousand compleat, should be the last day, which he confuteth, and by as good reason may we Reject the other, as a forcing of the Scriptures. And as little reason is there for Basils expounding it of C••rcumcision, because That was upon the eight day.

This Psalme is by some thought to be made upon occasion of some great * 1.1 sicknesse; by some, of some great misery, and overthrow, sustained by his enemies, for which he complaineth of his weaknesse: But neither seemes right, for if David had been smitten with any such great sicknesse, we should doubtlesse have had it related in his history, and of any overthrow of his forces that he had at any time, we read not, but alto∣gether of victories and prevaylings. Wherefore Basil is to be preferred, * 1.2 who expounds it of his foule sinnes, into which he fell through his weak∣nesse, and for which he was threatned to be pursued with judgments, by the Prophet Nathan. To cleave then to his exposition only. Correct me not (O Lord) in thy wrath. Although adultery and murther cast men out * 1.3 of their Inheritances, yet deale not so with me, by calling these my foule sinnes to remembrance.

Heale me for I am weake, &c. That is, through the flesh prevayling * 1.4 against the spirit, and carrying me to such foule sinnes, Heale me for my bones are broken. That is, The strength of spirit, cogitations which I pray thee therefore to renew in me.

My Soule is much terrified. In recounting the strength of temptations * 1.5 and my own weaknesse. But thou (O Lord) how long. I have by repen∣tance turned unto thee, confessing my sinnes, so soon as thou sentest to reprove me, but how long delayest thou to turne to me in mercy: For although his sinnes were immediatly pardoned, yet he indured the con∣flict of temptations still by meanes of his sufferings, which he desires, may now be withdrawn, as the Physician withdraweth his Corrasives when the soare is healed.

Be turned (O Lord) deliver my soule. Here he beggeth two things. * 1.6

• 1. That the Lord would cease to persue him with his judgments.
• 2. That he would not finally reject his soule.

For in death there is no remembrance of thee. That is, By praying to thee * 1.7 to obtain mercy, for that must be done in this life, and if any shall think to do it after death, they shall be deceived, as Dives, and the foolish Virgins, and they Matth. 7. 21. He is not therefore to be understood, as meaning that there is none other life to come, for he knew the doctrine of the resurrection; as appeares, Psal. 17. ult. Psal. 22. 84. 92. &c.

I made my bed every night to swim with teares, &c. That is, In consi∣deration * 1.8 of my sinnes I weep bitterly, and continue so to do every night in my retirednesse, so that he made all his life a practise of repentance: And thus do many true penitentiaries, yea all that have fallen into foule sinnes, they cannot think upon them without extream sorrow, and there∣fore never fall into them any more, as David did not, and if any man [Note.] doth, it is an evidence against him, that he was never yet truly penitent.

My sight is dim and waxeth old for all my enemies. To whom we give * 1.9 advantage against us by our sinnes, and as weaknesse and feeblenesse brings a dimnesse upon the sight; so weakness occasioning the prevayling of sin, hinders the sight of the minde.

Depart from me all yee workers of iniquity. Here David seemeth to have * 1.10 found by some inward comfort, that God had heard him, and therefore after such greivous complaining, he now takes courage to him to insult over his enemies, who by reason of Gods displeasure against him for his

sinnes, were confident that they should prevail over him, but he bids them depart from him, and not wickedly attempt any thing against him more, for if they did, they should but work against themselves, falling by their own practises, as he had prayed, Psal. 5. 10. and now he tels them that God had heard his prayer.

Let all mine enemies be ashamed, &c. To move his enemies the more, * 1.11 he here by way of malediction prophesieth of their confusion, fleeing away for feare and sudden coming to ruine; all which was verified in Absalom and his adherence, and this shall be the end of all malicious per∣secutors of any of the Saints of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  T. W. Calvin.
• * 1.2

  Basil. Magnus.
• * 1.3

  Vers. 1.
• * 1.4

  Vers. 2.
• * 1.5

  Vers. 3.
• * 1.6

  Vers. 4.
• * 1.7

  Vers. 5.
• * 1.8

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.9

  Vers. 7.
• * 1.10

  Vers. 8.
• * 1.11

  Vers. 10.