David's harp strung and tuned, or, An easie analysis of the whole book of Psalms cast into such a method, that the summe of every Psalm may quickly be collected and remembred : with a devout meditation or prayer at the end of each psalm, framed for the most part out of the words of the psalm, and fitted for several occasions / by the Reverend Father in God, William ... Lord Bishop of Gloucester.

17. PE.

IN this Octonary David praiseth Gods Word. 2. Shews his affection to it. 3. And prayes for Grace to keep it.

1. The Elogy he gives Gods Word in this verse, [Ver. 1] is from a new quality not mentioned before.

• 1. Thy Testimonies are wonderful. For though the literal sense of them be easie and plain, yet wonderful are the Mysteries contain'd in the two Testaments. Great is the Mystery of Godliness. The whole Cere∣monial Law is wonderful, because under those Ceremonies were obscure∣ly shadowed out to us, the Mystery of our Redemption by the Blood of Christ. The Decalogue is wonderful, written in so few words, in which yet are hid all the principles of Justice and Charity, to which may and must be reduced all the just Laws that have been, or shall be made. All these are but Conclusions and Determinations of the Laws of the De∣calogue. And must receive their trial by it. As for the Mysteries of the New Testament, no man can say, but they are wonderful.
• 2. Therefore doth my soul keep them. Learn them, love them, 2 practise them.

2. The next Elogy he gives Gods Law, is, that it is the Word of Illumination. Yea, the very

• 1. Entrance into it such, the very first declaration of it, [Ver. 2] whether it be done by God by infusion of divine light, or by some skilful Doctor or Teacher. And if the first opening, as it were, of the door gives light, what will the progress and continuance do?
• 2. The entrance of thy Word gives light. It is a light shining in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1.19. without it then men walk in darkness.
• 3. It gives understanding unto the simple. Not to such as are high-mind∣ed, and double in heart, that are so wise in their own eyes, that they will examine the Mysteries of Godliness by the strength of their own reason: but to such as deny themselves, and captivate their reason, and submit it to the Word of God, and labour more to believe, than to rea∣son. These are the simple, to whom the Word of God gives under∣standing, of whom our Saviour speaks, Mat. 11.25. And St. Paul, 1 Cor. 1.25, 26, &c.
• 4. And now, saith David, I being one of these simple ones, [Ver. 3] Opened my mouth, and panted.
  • 1. I opened my mouth, by prayer, as desirous of this good Spirit of light and piety.
  • 2. I panted after it, as men do that want breath, and defire fresh aire.
  • 3. For I longed for thy Commandments; had a vehement intention to un∣derstand, to fulfil them.

3. From the praises of the Law, David turns himself to prayer. He said but now, I opened my mouth, and here he acquaints us what he said after his mouth was open. I said,

• 1. [Ver. 4] Look thou upon me, either as unjustly oppressed, or under spiritual de∣sertion.
• 2. And be merciful unto me: This is well subjoyned, for God looks upon some in displeasure. Shew me mercy, who labour under the bur∣den of thy precepts, that by my own strength I cannot fulfil.
• 3. As thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name, shew me at least so much mercy as thou affordest to others, let not thy custom be broken in me, but do by me, as thou usest to do by thy friends, which love thee in sincerity and truth.

• 2. This was his first Petition for Mercy, and to it he subjoins a second for Grace. Many seek for Mercy to forgive sin, that seek not for Grace to de∣liver them from the power of sin; [Ver. 5] which is to abuse Gods Mercy to wan∣tonness. And therefore David prayes,
  • 1. Order my steps in thy Word, that is, my whole conversation in∣wardly and outwardly let me be ordered by thee, for as our director, such will be our actions.
  • 2. And let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Let me be no slave to sin and Satan, in captivity to them, so that they domineer over me.
• 3. And yet he makes a third Petition. Gods children have not only to wre∣stle against the sin that dwells in them, but with enemies from without; Oppressors, [Ver. 6] Calumniators there be, that by false reports and pressures re∣tard good men in their way, therefore David prayes,
  • 1. Deliver me from the oppressions of men, that being nor disturb'd by their oppressions, nor yet dishearthed by their calumnies, I decline from the right way.
  • 2. So will I keep thy precepts. This favour obtained, should not disob∣lige David, but bind him the more So will I keep. 'Tis but an ill use of a benefit obtained by prayer, when we abuse it to Licentiousness. How inexcusable are we?
• 4. A fourth Petition again he presents, that he might have a sence and feel∣ing of Gods favour.
  • 1. Make thy face to shine upon thy Servant. For as the Sun by the in∣tetposition of a cloud is obscured, [Ver. 7] and by it we are deprived of light and heat: So when God doth not help us by his Grace, he seems to hide his face, upon which there follows a coldness and darkness upon the soul, of which David having experience, prayes, Make thy face to shine, for then the contrary effects would follow, light and comfort of soul.
  • 2. And teach me thy statutes. Illuminate me.

4. [Ver. 8] These Prayers of David testifie how he loved the Law, and now he wit∣nesseth the same by his grief, his grief for the sins of others, to that use he put his tears. Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because they keep not thy Law. The sins of other men may become ours, if we mourn not for them, 1 Cor. 5.2. Ezek. 9.8.

The Prayer.

O Lord, [Ver. 1] I never can be satisfied in the contemplation of thy Law in which I find so great depths, Mysteries and wonders, in few words, I find most perfect wisdom and equity contain'd, all vertues commanded, all vi∣ces prohibited, all men of all ages and all conditions, taught their duties. The very entrance into them gives light, [Ver. 2] and dispels the darkness of error and ignorance, the continuance in them gives understanding to the simple, who are of an humble spirit, and submit and captivate their reason to thy

wisdom. The proud and malicious thou dost reject, and to them the Lamp of thy Law gives no more light, than a Candle hid under a Bushel.

O make me then of an humble spirit, teach me to submit my natural and corrupted reason to thy divine revelations, never let me think my self so wise in my own eyes, that I néed not the teaching of thy Spirit, so shall I hope to understand the wonderful things of thy Law, [Ver. 1] so shall my soul kéep them. That I may obtain so great a favour, [Ver. 3] I have opened my mouth in prayer, never did any man that is anhelous and almost stified, more labour for breath, than I have panted for this grace, for I have excéedingly long∣ed and desired to come to a right understanding of thy Commandments.

Behold I turn my prayer unto thée, be thou converted and look upon me, [Ver. 4] look upon me with the eye of that mercy, as thou usest to do upon those that love thy Name, and thy Honour; deal by me, as thou art wont to deal with thy friends and dutiful servants, for I desire to be in that number, though, O Lord, I must néeds confess my self to be an unprofitable servant. That I may be better hereafter, order my steps, [Ver. 5] dispose and direct all my affections and actions according to the eract rule of thy Word, and never permit any iniquity to have the dominion over me. Though to my grief it will dwell, yet never let it reign in my mortal body, or so far dominéer, that I obey it in the lusts thereof. [Ver. 7] I am sensible what a darkness comes over my soul upon thy displeasure, and the withdrawing of thy countenance, make then thy face to shine upon thy servant, that all mists and darkness being dispelled, I may be again refreshed and comforted by the bright beams of thy favour; and withal, teach me thy most just Statutes, without the knowledge of which I can expect neither protection from thée, nor felicity.

To with-hold and deter me from my duty to thée, I find too many impedi∣ments, tentations I have from men, who scoff and mock at me, because I keep thy Law, that calumniate and detract from my good name, because I adhere to thy Truth, that oppress and undo me, [unspec 6] because I am constant in my obedience to thée, O deliver me from the scorns and oppression of man, and so being set at liberty, I shall more readily and chéerfully keep thy pre∣cepts. These are bitter enemies to thy truth, and sons of Belial, they have broke the yoke, and cast oft thy bonds, [unspec 8] and yet for them my soul shall mourn in secret, Rivers of water shall run down my eyes, because they keep not thy Law. Turn, Lord, even to these, if it be thy good pleasure, and turn them to thée, for they are thy creatures, and bear thy Image; true it is, that they have defaced it by rebellion, but thou canst restore it by thy Spirit, which if they shall go on to ver and grieve, to rebell and provoke while he is at his work, then number them to the sword, and bow them down to the slaugh∣ter, because when thou calledst, they would not answer, when thou spakest, they would not hear, but continued to do evil before thy eyes, and did choose that, wherein thou didst not delight. Make them know that there is a God in Israel, that will avenge his own cause, and protect his people, and get him∣self glory upon his enemies. But let thy servants sing for joy of heart, and rejoice in thy salvation for ever and ever.

Notes

• The Contents.
• Davids Elogie of Gods word: that it is won∣derfull.
• 2

  That it il∣luminates.
• The Simple.
• For which David pants, and longs.
• 2 He prayes for Mercy, to pardon sin.
• And Grace to be kept from sin.
• And delive∣rance from Calumnies.
• And that he might have a sense of Gods favour.
• He grieves for the wickedness of others.