Psalms 18

Psalms 18:2

ROck] my strong and inpregnable hold and defence, Deuteronomy 32:4. [The horne] my strength, valour, defence, and victory. A frequent phrase in Scripture taken from horned beasts; or from the ancient custome of wearing hornes made of iron, or some other metall upon their Helmets, for a crest or militarie ornament; whereupon the raised horne was a signe of victory, and the horne beaten down a sign of being overcome.

Psalms 18:3

I will call] or praising the Lord, I will call upon him, and I shall be delivered, as now I prayse him for his past deliverances; and from them I take a resolution alwayes upon the like necessity to flie unto him, with certaine assurance that he will surely deliver me.

Psalms 18:4

The sorrowes] or bonds, see upon the next verse [The floods] sudden and violent assaults, like the overflowing of a great multitude.

Psalms 18:5

The sorrowes] the Italian, the bonds, namely, the dangers of present death. A figurative phrayse taken from the bonds and linnen wherein they wrapped up dead corpses when they buried them, see Iohn 11. 44. and from the cords wherewith they bind malefactors when they are had to execution.

Psalms 18:6

Out of his Temple] namely from heaven, the holy seat of his glory.

Psalms 18:7

Then] a poeticall description to shew, that Davids deliverance, had been altogether miraculous, and meerly divine beyond all order of nature, and humane power.

Psalms 18:10

Cherub] that is to say, Angels, see Genesis 3:24.

Psalms 18:11

Dark water] vapours, dark and thick clouds.

Psalms 18:20

To my rightcousnesse] integrity and innocencie of life, beseeming a true believer and a childe of God, which hath it reward from God in grace, and not according to the rigour ofhis Law.

Psalms 18:23

From mine] that is to say, from my naturall corruption, whereof some reliques doe remaine, and work even in regenerate men, Romans 7:17. Galatians 5:17. see the like manner of speech, 1 Corinthians 7:5.

Psalms 18:25

Vpright] namely, in keeping thy word, and promises.

Psalms 18:26

Froward] the Italian, frowardly, that is to say, roughly, and cruelly withstanding him in all his actions.

Psalms 18:27

The high looks] namely, the proud, the raising up of the eye-browes being a naturall signe of pride, Psal. 101. 5. Proverbs 6:17.

Psalms 18:28

Light my] in the darknesse of ignorance, and in my perplexities, evills and dangers, thou dost give mee the light of knowledge, direction, joy and comfort, Iob 29. 3.

Psalms 18:30

God his way] all his actions, and directions are most just, and his words most true, having neither vice, vanity, nor deceit in them.

Psalms 18:32

Perfect] the Italian, plaine, that is to say, easie, and happily directed in all my actions and enterprises, Isaiah 26:7.

Psalms 18:33

He maketh my] he hath endowed me, with that excellent militarie vertue, of promptitude and celerity, in taking hold of opportunities; and putting in speedy execution all my deliberations: [And setteth me] he gives me grace not onely to conquer by valour, but also to establish my selfe through magnanimity and wisedome in those high degrees of honour, from which without these vertues, the fall would bee ruinous and unavoidable.

Psalms 18:34

A bow] this seemes to bee understood of Davids admirable strength, 1 Samuel 17:35.

Psalms 18:36

Enlarged] given me a happy issue in all my straights and difficulties.

Psalms 18:41

Vnto the Lord] without any faith or pietie; yea, rather to make the Lord a companion or favourer of their wickednesses; or it is done in an extreame dispaire of any other help, seePsal. 109. 7. Proverbs 28:9.

Psalms 18:43

From the strivings] he seemes to meane, that resistance which was made him by the major part of the tribes after the death of Saul, 2 Sam. 2. 9. 10. and 3. 1 [A people] this is to be referred to the strange nations, which were subdued by David, 2 Samuel 8:1-18.

Psalms 18:44

As soone as they heare] at the very first newes of my arrivall, or at my first command or bidding [Shall submit] the Italian, have fained, Hebrew, have lied unto unto me; not out of any sincere good-will, nor loyally; but forcedly and dissemblingly have yeelded themselves unto mee, and have acknowledged me, see Deuteronomy 33:29. Psal. 66. 3. and 81. 15.

Psalms 18:45

Fade away] the Italian, are faded, the have lost their courage and have fainted, and beene asraid, see Exodus 15:14. Iosh. 2. 9. 11 and 7. 5.

Psalms 18:46

The Lord liveth] the Italian, may the Lord live, that is to say, as the Lord liveth and is eternall within himselfe, so let him be acknowledged and worshipped by all, Psal. 104. 31. A manner of speaking, taken from the acclamations and wishes of long life, which are made to Kings, 2 Samuel 16:16. Dan. 2. 4. and 3 9.

Psalms 18:47

Avengeth me] the Italian, that giveth mee meanes to revenge my selfe, not by a private passion, or viciously, but by way of publike justice.

Psalms 18:50

Great deliverance] as Psal. 17. 7. and 20. 6.