Psalms 24

Psalms 24:1

The earth] 1 Cor. X. 26, 28. twise alledged by the Apostle; and to two several purposes; and both appositely

Psalms 24:3

hill of the Lord] Though all the earth be the Lords, verse 1. yet the hill of Zion, Psal. II. 6. is his holy place. As Exod. XIX. 5. Deut. X. 14. Of this hill, see Esay II. 2, 3. Micah IV. 1. See Psal. XV. 1.

holy place] Place, not capable of holinesse in it self, of any inherent holinesse: But of a relative holinesse, in a relation to Gods presence therein, for the time, either by extraordinary signes and tokens as Exod. III. 5. or by appointing his ordinary means of worship therein; ceremonial under the Old Testament; which now is done away, and not to be recalled; or spiritual, under the New. The former, though of Gods appointment and ordination, had not in themselves, nor could give absolute holinesse to the worship therein performed: And much more now the Places of Gods worship do not make holy the Services therein performed; but by them rather are made holy only relatively, being appointed to such holy uses.

Psalms 24:4

He that hath] Esay XXXIII. 15, 16.

clean hands] Psal. XVIII. 21. Esay LVI. 2. Ezek. XVIII. 8.

Pure heart] Matth. XV. 19. Prov. II. 19. Jer. XVII. 9. yet Acts XV. 9. 1 Tim. I. 5. Psal. CI. 2.

nor sworn deceitfully] Oaths are taken in a strict and proper sense; or at a great latitude. They are Assertorie, or Promissorie; single, or with a curse or execration annexed; lawful in themselves; an act of Religion, Esay XIX. 18. Lawfull in the Old Testament, by Gods precept, promise, and examples of holy men. Lawful in the New Testament by same nature, and use of them, as in the Old, Hebr. VI. 16. by those warrants, Esay XLV. 1. Jer.

XII. 16. speaking of the times of the New Testament; by the example of the Angel, Apoc. X. 16. of the Apostle, Rom. I. 9. 2 Cor. I. 23. That text, Matth. V. 34. and so that James V. 12. is not to be understood simply and absolutely; but relatively, as Christ thereby opposeth the corrupt practise of the Pharisees, and their false interpretation of Gods Law concerning swearing, as if swearing, so as Gods name were not directly used in it, and no falshood or perjury contained in it, were no sinne with them; but ever and altogether lawful, though it were never so lightly and slightly, vainly, and customarily, unnecessarily, and causelesly done, where yea and nay had been sufficient.

Thus Christ opposeth and forbiddeth even all swearing as much as lieth in us; but forbids not lawfull swearing, upon just, urgent and necessary occasions. Of Oaths, see more in the Observations on Hos. IV. 15.

Psalms 24:5

He shall] He is a true member of the invisible and Catholike Church, and he only; whereas hypocrites and wicked persons may be members of the visible and of particular Churches, by reason of their external profession only, Rom. IX. 6. Matth. VII 21. The former are members properly, univocaly, essentialy, formaly, inwardly, in truth, and in the judgement of God; The later only equivocaly, externaly, materialy, not formaly and essentialy, in shew, in the opinion of men as rotten members, or ill humours in the body, 2 Tim. III. 5. Gal. V. 24. These are in the visible Church, as chaffe is among the wheat.

receive] Not by merit of condignity, for the worth of his works, Dan. IX. 18. Rom. VIII. 18. For the works are imperfect in themselves; and again, not our own, and wholy from our selves, and besides due debt otherwise, without this reward; and lastly no wise equivalent, and equipollent to this reward. But receive the blessing and reward by and because of Gods free grace, rich mercie, bountiful promise, whereby he hath freely engaged himself to give such and so superabundant a remuneration. And so he gives it in justice now because engaged and obliged thereunto by the truth of his so free, gracious, and bountiful a promise. God is just to performe his promise, 1 John I. 9. 2 Tim. IV. 7.

Blessing] Gen. XII. 2. Gal. III. 9. Eph. I. 2. Mat. XXV. 34.

righteousnesse] Of Justification, and of Sanctification; Righteousnesse, with the encrease, fruit, and reward of it, according to Gods righteous promise and performance.

Psalms 24:6

This is the generation] This kinde of men. As Luke XI. 29. and XVI. 8. Matth. XII. 39. Not those that brag of being Abrahams or Iacobs seed, Matth. III. 9. Iohn VIII. 33. but these are the true seed and generation, Gal. III. 7, 29. Rom. IX. 6, 7. These are the true Israel of God, that seek him.

that seek] Deut. IV. 29. Psal. XXVII. 8. 2 Kings XX. 3, 4. which grace comes of God, Esay LXV. 1, 2.

thy face O Iacob] O God of Jacob. Or, this in Jacob; or the generation of Jacob, that seek Gods face; as Jacob did, Gen. XXXII. 24, 30. See John I. 47. Rom. IX. 6. and II. 28, 29.

Psalms 24:7

Lift up] Having mentioned the hill of the Lord, and his holy place, ver. 3. This may seeme to relate to the gates and doors of the Temple, vowed by David, and to be built by Solomon; and to the coming in of the Ark into it: or rather, proceeding from the Type to the Truth, we may mysticaly referre this to the Church of Christ, and the true members of it, to lift up the gates and doors of their hearts and everlasting souls, that the Lord whom they seek may come into his Temple, Mal. III. 2. that they prepare themselves to receive and entertaine him at his coming in the flesh, at his coming into their hearts, Apoc. III. 20. who is indeed the true King of glory. Apoc. XVII. 14. 2 Cor II. 8. the true Jehovah, Exod III. 15.

Psal. LXXXIII. 18. Col. II. 9. and Christ, compare Num. XXI, 5. with 1 Cor. X. 9. and Esay VI. 1. with John XII. 41.

Even Iehovah our righteousnesse, Ier. XXIII. 6. the mighty God, Esay IX. 6. the increase of whose Kingdome and government shall have no end, Esay IX. 7. Dan. VII. 14. Mat. XXVIII. 18. for whose in-coming the doors of our hearts and affections should lie open.