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. XCVI.

THis Psalme is also without a Title, Hebr. but in Vulgar Latine it is The praise of the Song of David, when his house was built after the Capti∣vity. Which, saith Basil, figured out deliverance by Christ, and so it is pro∣pheticall, both of the first and second coming of Christ Jesus. And according∣ly * 1.1 Augustine understands.

Sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the Earth. Saying, what is it to sing a new song, but to love, as the new commandement injoyn∣eth? * 1.2 He that loveth then, singeth a new song, although he be silent; and he buildeth Davids, that is, Christs house; contrariwise, he that is cove∣tous, although he singeth with his voice, singeth not, as is here exhorted: neither doth he build, but demolish, and makes an harsh noise in Gods eares. The Temple built by Solomon, was situated in one certain place of the Earth, and so was that built after the Captivity, but this all over the Earth. Thus that elegant Father prosecuting the building, according to the Title, in many more words, which is not so pertinent here; because it is a Title prefixed, not by the Spirit, but by some man of his own head. And Ains∣worth better noteth, that it was the Psalme sung, when the Arke being * 1.3

brought from the house of Obed Edom, was set in the Tabernacle which Da∣vid made for it; 1 Chron. 16. 23. to Vers 34. where something more is ad∣ded, which is here wanting, Verse 34, 35, 36. and somthing is altered, Verse 33. but the sense the same. That it is propheticall touching the Gospell all agree, as they must needs; because at the breaking out of the light of the Gos∣pell, all the Earth praised God for Christ, whith they could not do before. For how shall they call upon him, in whom they have not beleived. And till * 1.4 then there was but one place, to which to bring Gifts; which we are ex∣horted to do, Verse 8. To bring gifts into his Courts, which be not now at * 1.5 Jerusalem, but every where. Hebrew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a meat-offering, one kinde of offering being put for all; the whole worship and service of God, being hereby set forth. And this is not now a carnall Sacrifice, but a spirituall; as is taught, Heb. 10. of thanksgiving; and he cometh not empty now before God, that cometh before him with praise, out of a pure heart. So that here is no ground for the Papists Masse, as Calvin well noteth; who will have * 1.6 that the Sacrifice here meant; when as indeed it is only a figure of it, and the thankfulness of the heart therefore is the Sacrifice; for which of old it had the name of Eucharistia: and it is by faith made a Sacrifice, for us to feed up∣on, unto everlasting life. Iohn 6. 53. Whereas Verse 6. he saith, Strength * 1.7 and glory are in his Sanctuary. It is spoken in alluding to the Arke, which was then the signe of his presence, where he often shewed his glory; but now his Sanctuary is his Church, propagated throughout all Nations, or to be so propagated before the end of the World.

Let the Heavens rejoice, let the Sea roare. Here, saith Basil, the more to * 1.8 set forth the joy that should be for the Gospell in all parts of the World, the Heavens and the Earth, the Sea, the Feilds, and the Trees are menti∣oned by a Prosopopeia: shewing, that they shall all rejoice; by the Hea∣vens, the Angels being meant; who rejoyced when Christ was born, and rejoice dayly at the conversion of sinners: By the Earth, the Nations, Kin∣dreds, and Peoples, inhabiting the Earth; By the Seas, Islanders: By the Feild also, the World; as is shewed in the Parable of the Tares; and by * 1.9 the Trees of the Forrest, the Inhabitants of those parts, where amongst Trees and in Groves Idols Temples formerly stood, but now were demo∣lished. Calvin will not have the Angels meant by the Heavens,, but hyper∣bolically * 1.10 the Heavens themselves, and the Earth, &c. which shall be brought into the glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God, when the Children of God shall at the last day be glorified through Christ. But it is not only said, the Heavens and the Earth, but the Trees also, which shall be burnt up. Again, the joy here spoken of is not at the renovation of all things then, but at the going out of the Gospell. Lastly, it may justly be questioned, whether these visible Heavens and Earth, be meant by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as I have shew∣ed upon that place: wherefore, as the Fathers also generally agree with Basil, so do I, as with one that speaks most reason.

For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the Earth. Well, saith Basil, doth he * 1.11 speak of his coming twice; for he shall come once to give knowledge to the World, how to be saved, and he shall come again to Judgment, when he shall separate, according to righteousnesse and truth, as he hath promised, the Sheep from the Goates, receiving them to Heaven, and sending these to Hell. Thus also Augustine and Jerome, although Calvin will have the word * 1.12 cometh twice repeated, only to shew the certainty of Christs coming, when the World shall be better governed. But the first word, Cometh, is best re∣ferred to his coming by the Gospell, when he dyed for us, and was judged, but judged not: the second, to his last coming: as if he had said, The things before spoken of shall be so, as hath been said; the Son of God shall come and inlighten, and rejoice all places: yea and after this, he shall come again to judge those that have despised or sleighted him, not beleiving or doing as he hath taught, sending them into everlasting fire; neither shall he in so

doing, deale unrighteously with them, or untruly, but righteously, for their enmity against his people; and truly, for their aversnesse from the truth of∣fered unto them, in such unparalleld love; that is, Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life: and from the truth preached, from which they have turned their eares away, giving heed unto Fables, as some are charg∣ed, 2 Tim. 4. 4.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Basil.
• * 1.2

  Vers. 1. August, 1 Ioh. 2. 7,
• * 1.3

  Ainsw.
• * 1.4

  Rom. 10.
• * 1.5

  Vers. 8. Ioh. 4. 2.
• * 1.6

  Calvin.
• * 1.7

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.8

  Vers. 11. Basil.
• * 1.9

  Matth. 13:
• * 1.10

  Calvin. Rom. 8.
• * 1.11

  Vers. 13. Basil.
• * 1.12

  Calvin.