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. LXXXI.

Of Gittith, here mentioned, see before, Psalm. 8.

THis Psalme was made to be sung upon festivall dayes, wherein they stir up one another to the praising of God. For the Instruments whereupon they praysed God, see Psal. 33. 2. whereas he saith, This was a statute for Israel. V. 4. See this ordinance for it, Exod. 23. 14. Numb. * 1.1 28. 29. whereas it is added, Verse 5. This he ordained in Joseph, when he went out through the land of Aegypt, Heb. he put it for a testimony in Joseph, in his going abovt the land of Aegypt: So spoken, because Egypt lay low, and there∣fore, he that went from thence, went upon Ground above that land to go into Canaan. Ainsworth saith, that the word sometime signifieth from, 2 Chron. 33. 8. or against, Exod. 11. 4. 5. for their going out was against Aegypt, as being to the destruction thereof. But why is Ioseph * 1.2 named, who was but one of the Sons of Israel? Ainsworth, because the Tribes that came of him were the cheife, till that Iudah was chosen for the * 1.3 Kingdome, in respect of his excellency above them all by Gods singular pro∣vidence in Aegypt, wherein he was so highly advanced, and be a Saviour to the rest in time of Famin. I heard a language that I understood not: This is spoken in the person of Joseph, who at his first coming into Aegypt under∣stood not their language, and by the going abovt the land of Aegypt before spoken of, the Cald. understands Josephs going togather up the Corne in the seven plentifull years to lay it up.

His hands were delivered from the Pots. That is, From making Pots: for * 1.4 though their making of Bricks only be spoken of in the History, yet the ma∣king of Pots being a like worke, and more art with the hands being shewed herein, it is not improbable, but that they made Pots also. Ainsworth ren∣ders * 1.5 it Baskets, saying, That Baskets, or such Vessels were meant, as wherein they carryed the masse of Clay, which they wrought.

I answered thee in the secret place of thunder. Here is a Commemoration of * 1.6 that which is said to have been done, Exod. 14. When the people of Israel being pursued by Pharaoh, cryed to the Lord, and he went in the black Cloud, and set himselfe between the Israelites and Aegyptians, and when Pharaoh followed into the Sea, God is said to have taken off the Charriot wheels, and to have troubled his Hoast, which was doubtlesse by thunder, and it is said, From the secret place: Because God was as it were, in a secret

place hidden in that Cloud. Of a black Cloud, wherewith God covereth him∣selfe, see Lament. 3. 44.

Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it, That is, Aske good things abundant∣ly * 1.7 of me in faith and obedience, and I will satisfie thee in all thy desires: It is the same in effect, with Matth. 7. 7. Aske and yee shall have, and whatso∣euer yee aske in faith shall be done for you. So that the cause, why we want [Note.] good things, or have them in so small a measure, and scantily, is, because we want faith to set us awork to open our mouthes and hearts in prayer so wide as we should, and are bidden to do.

So I gave them up to their own hearts lusts. For sin God leaveth men to sin, * 1.8 till they come to deserved destruction. Thus the Gentiles were for their grosse Idolatry given over to a reprobate sence; and Israel had their hearts made fat, that seeing they might not perceive, to keep them in their sinnes, * 1.9 and from healing: And this is the heaviest of all Judgments, as being a cer∣tain [Note.] forerunner of utter Perdition. And they shall walk in their own coun∣sells; this is spoken in the Future, as relating to the times of the Gospell, especially Matth. 13. 12. Rom. 11. 8. 9.

The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him. Hebrew, * 1.10 Should have lyed unto him. that is, If Israel had been obedient, the Heathen who hated him so deadly, for the true Gods sake and their Religion, and came vantingly against them, saying, That in such a time they would subdue all the power of Israel, and make slaves of them, should have been proved lyers, because they should not have prevailed, any more, then Sanneherib, full of so great brags, did against Hezekiah; or Iezabell, that threatned Eli∣jah, cursing her selfe, if she took not his life away by such a time; did against him; Whereas some expound it by friendly submitting to God, it agreeth not so well; for even the Enemies that were brought under Israell some∣time, submitted not to the true God, either friendly or truly, but by com∣pulsion only became Tributaries, adhering to their own surperstitions still. Such as did, as the Gibeonites, turned to him unfriendly, being those Saints, that were after called Nethinims. But their time should have indured for ever. That is, Israels in Canaan, injoying it as an Inheritance alwayes, and never driven from thence.

I would have satisfied thee with the finest wheat. Hebrew, With the fat of * 1.11 wheat, and honey out of the Rock. That is, Thy Land, in which thou shouldst alwayes have lived, should have brought forth fruits of the best sort plenti∣fully; and as it was said to be a Land flowing with Milk and Honey, so should the honey, to be found even in the holes of the Rocks, never have failed, but been supplyed abundantly.

Note that obedience procureth all worldly blessings, and sin, scarcity and [Note.] famin, that as we pray against the one, and for the other, we may indeavour to lay a foundation accordingly, all our dayes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vers. 4. Vers. 5.
• * 1.2

  2 Chron, 33. 8.
• * 1.3

  Exod. 11. 4. 5.
• * 1.4

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.5

  Ainsw.
• * 1.6

  Vers. 7. Exod. 14. Vers. 24.
• * 1.7

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.8

  Vers. 12. Rom. 1.
• * 1.9

  Isa. 6. 9.
• * 1.10

  Vers. 15.
• * 1.11

  Vers. 17.