PSAL. LXXVI.
On Neginoth. Psal. 5.
THIS Psalme seemeth to have beene compiled, not as some thinke, when Jehosaephat had so famous a victory over the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites. 2 Chron. 20. but when Senacharibs hoast was confounded before Hezekiah. So Calvin, Junius, and Basil sayth, that in Hexaplo it is added * 1.1 in the title, De Assyrijs, and the argument of it is such, that it very well a∣greeth to that overthrowe. Because the Place, from whence it came, is said to be the Tabernacle, the dwelling of God in Zion, or Salem, that is, Jeru∣salem, for Hezekiah did but come up hither, to spreade the proude Tyrants Letters before the Lord, and to pray: and the Night following was that greate slaughter in his army, when Sheild, and Sword, and Bowe, were * 1.2 broken, they that came with them being slaine, to 185000.
Glorious, excellent art thou above the Mountaines of prey: That is, Above all Heathen Kings, who carry all by strength, being like savage Beasts, inha∣biting Mountaines, where there is a covert of Trees and Bushes, from whence they come forth from time to get their prey: so the Tyrants of the World, and Sennacherib in particular, by his great strength, made a prey of other Nations, striking Terrour into them where he came, but now one more terrible had confounded all his power, seene only for further de∣claration, * 1.3 how the Sword and Bow were broken, Viz. the men that handled them being smitten, slept their last sleepe, and so there were none to use them. * 1.4
Thou didst cause Judgment to be heard from Heaven, That is, Thy destroy∣ing of so many thousands upon such a sudden was sounded abroade in all parts, and because this Judgment came so apparantly from the God of Is∣raell, it could not be thought to come by casualty, but from him that sitteth in Heaven, even the almighty God. And through hearing thereof the Earth, that is, men of the Earth, enemies to Israell, feared and were quiet, not moving War any more against Israell, all the dayes of Hezekiah.
The Wrath of man shall praise thee: That is, What preparations of Warr * 1.5 soever be made by wicked Heathen against thy people, by confounding them, when they are most outragiously bent to destroy them; thou shalt have praise, as being for this acknowledged most potent. And whereas Ene∣mies still remaine no lesse fierce, thou shalt hold and curb them in so, that they shall not be able to hurt thine.
Vow and pay, Because al your helpe depends upon God: vow in time of * 1.6 danger Gifts and Sacrifices, if God shall deliver you, and pay them, Numb. 30.
He shall cut off the spirit of Princes: That is, by taking away their con∣tage, * 1.7