The Text.
I Will sing to Iehovah for hee hath excelled wonderfully: The horse and his ryder hee hath throwne in the Sea.
Iah is my strength and song: and hee was my salvation. This is my strong GOD, and I will make him a tabernacle; the GOD of my fathers I shal exalt him.
[Page 2]IEHOƲAH is a man of warre, IEHOƲAH is his name.
Pharoahs charets and his host hath hee cast into the Sea: And his chosen captaines are drowned in the red Sea.
The deepths hath covered them, they discended to the bottom as a stone.
Thy right hand Iehovah is magnified in strength thy right hand Iehovah; hath broken in peices the enemy
[Page 3]And in the greatnesse of thy excellencie, thou hath everthrowne those that rose vp against thee; thou sent forth thy wrath which consumed them as stuble.
And with the blast of thy nosthirles the waters were gathered together, the floods stood as a heape, the deepths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemie had said, I will pursue, I wil overtake, I will devyde the spoyle, I shall haue my heart syth of them, I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Thou did blow with thy winde, the sea covered them, they sanke as lead [Page 4]in mightie waters.
Who is like vnto thee IE-HOVAH amōgst the gods: Who is like vnto thee, glorious in holinesse, fearefull with praises, working wonders?
Thou streatched out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Thou leads in thy mercie this people whom thou hath redeemed: Thou guydeth in thy strength to the tabernacle of thy holinesse.
The people shal heare: they shall bee astonished: Sorow shall take hold vpon the inhabitants of Palestina.
The Dukes of Edome shall bee amazed, feare shall [Page 5]take hold vpon the strong men of Moab, all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Feare and dread shall fall vpon them by the greatnesse of thy arme, they shal bee still as a stone, vntill the people passe by, IEHOVAH: vntill the people passe by, which thou hast purchesed.
Thou shall bring them to it, and plant them in the mountaine of thy inheritance: Iehovah, which thou made for a dwelling place, in the sanctuarie which thy hands haue established.
IEHOƲAH shall reigne for ever and ever.
The paraphrase.
1. WHO can but admire the power goodnesse, and justice of our GOD: how can I the leader of this people, or they, cease to sing and rejoyce, seeing IEHOVAH the onely true God, our God, hath drowned in the Sea Phoroahs charets and horses with all his armie which persewed vs.
2. Hee hath ever beene my strong defender whose name is IAH: but now he hath wonderfully delivered vs from a mighty & cruell tyranne, therefore hee is the subject of my song, hee is our strong [Page 2]GOD, & the GOD of our fathers, wee will exalt him and honour him, & publickly worship him,
3. IEHOVAH is a Lord mighty in battell as his Name showes signifying one that hath being in himselfe, and hath given beeing to all creatures; and is well called the LORD of Hoasts.
4. A document heereof is this overthrow of Pharoah with his strong charets, the drovning of him: of them, of his choyse captaines and whole armie in the red sea.
5. High was their pryde but their persons lyeth low in the sea: Their swimming serveth them to no more vse than the stones, which cast in the water plump downe to the ground.
6. O LORD thou alone art strōg, thou alone O Lord art able to dash in peices all thy enemies.
[Page 3]7. And so great is thy excellencie that thou overthrowest all those that ryse vp against thy people: for thou accounts such to ryse vp against thy selfe: Thy wrath breakes foorth vpon thē as fyre, and before it they are as stuble before the fyre.
8. Thou being moved with the distres of thy people, and rage of the enemie, & with the prayer of Moses sent foorth a mighty east wind which divided the sea in two and made dry land in the mids thereof for thy people to passe thorow.
9. And this thou did o Lord in the midst of the pryde and rage of the enemie, in the hight of their confidence and hope to bring vs back to be their perpetuall slaves.
10. But thou disapointed thē with a winde, which made a dry way for thy [Page 4]people, and with the sea which turned and drowned them all,
11. Let all the mightie that ever were so accounted be rehearsed, which of them may bee compared with thee O LORD, in holines or goodnes, in acts praise worthie and wonderfull.
12. By thy mightie power the sea which drowned them was made the place of their buriall.
13. Now hast thou begun to lead thy people whom of thy free mercie thou hast redeemed: now thou hast begun to guyde thē to the place, where thy holynesse promised to dwell in the mids of thē.
14. This thy worke O Lord shall not rest heere, but thou shal strik with feare other nations, and with sorrow the Palestins, whom thou hast appointed a prey for thy people
15. The Princes of Edom, the strong men of Moab, [Page 5]and all the heathen who know not and serue not thee, shall feare, chieflie the Canaanits cursed of olde and destinate to be rooted out by thy people Israell.
16. Thou shall worke with them so powerfully, that they shall bee as stones, neither speaking nor moving, vntill all thy people passe by thē, whom thou hast set at liberty, to place them in the land appointed for them,
17. To holy Canaan shalt thou bring them, which thou keepes as an inheritance for them, where thou will dwell amongst them, and by thy presence sanctifie & establish both it and them.
18. IEHOVAH who now hath kythed to bee our King, of his Kingdome there shall bee no end.
The argument and analysis of this Song.
THis Song Moses and all Israel sung to the praise of God, the day after the Lord led them through the red Sea on dry land, and after the Lord caused the waters returne vpon Pharaohs chariots & horsemen, who persued and followed his people, and therewith drowned them all.
The parts of this Song are three: 1. a preface, verse 1. next the purpose of the song from the 1. verse to the 18. Thirdly the conclusion, verse 18. The preface containes three things. 1. the maker and vptaker of the Song, to wit Moses in these words, I will sing. 2. the person in whose praise this Song was made & sung in these wordes; to Iehovah. 3. a reason of the making and vptaking of this song and praising of the Lord thereby, and it hath two parts: the 1 taken frō Gods excellencie generally in these wordes, for hee hath excelled wonderfully. the 2. taken from a present particular document of his excellency in these words the horse and his rider hath hee throwne in the Sea.
The purpose of this Song containes two thinges. 1. the praise of God, from the beginning of the 2. ver. to the 14 Secondly, a Prophesie of the consequents of this great worke in bringing his people through the red Sea on dry land, and drowning Pharoah and his whole armie who pursued his people. The praise of God is expressed, 1. by the causes presently moving to praise him. 2. by a vowe, heerafter by word and deede to be thankfull to him verse 2. Next they praise God by enumeration of argumēts of his praise [Page 7]from the 2. ver. to the 14. Those arguments are eight in number, the 1, is taken from his valour, in these wordes: the Lord is a mightie Warriour. the 2. proving the 1. is taken from his Name, in these wordes, Iehovah is his Name. This name imports his eternity, his trueth in performing his promises, his beeing to bee of himself and no other, and that hee gives being to all creatures: and therfore able to destroy them againe when he pleases, ver. 3. The third argument of his praise is taken from the worke presently done vpon Pharaoh and his hoste, verse 4.5. The fourth argument of his praise is taken from his power conjunct with his justice in destroying his enemies, and such as rose vp against him, verse 6.7. The fifth argument of his praise is taken from his power conjunct with his goodnesse to his people, verse 8. The sixth argument of his praise is taken from the comparison of this work of God, with the presumption and pride of the enemy, who thought and said all was in his power, but God blew with his wind, and caused the waters drown him and his armie, verse, 9.10.
The 7. argument of his praise is taken from the supereminencie▪ of GOD above all men in the world who seeme mightie; and this supereminencie is set downe in three particulars: Holinesse, fearefullnesse, wonderfulnesse, all kything in this worke: His holinesse in delivering his people from a mightie & cruell Tyranne: his fearefulnesse in destroying the tyran and his whole army together; his wonderfulnesse in divyding the Sea, making his people to goe through the middest of it vpon dry ground, and making their [Page 8]enemies by wind and water therein to drowne, verse 11.12. The 8. argument of his praise is taken from his mercie and trueth to his people, beginning with this work to manifest the same, and to confirme their faith and hope of performing his promise made to their fathers, verse 13. The prophesie of the consequents of this work of God containes three things. 1. concerning the nations by whose land the people of Israel should passe to the land of promise, namely the Edomites and Moabites, that feare and astonishment should fall vpon them, & force them to let his people passe by. The 2. concernes the inhabitants of Palestina, & chiefly the Canaanits, that their hearts should melt away for feare, verse 14.15.16. The 3. thing in the prophecie concernes GODS people, That God should bring them vnto, possesse them in, as their inheritāce, the land promised to their fathers, and dwell amongst them by the meanes of his publick visible worship, verse 17. The conclusion of the song is that the Kingdome of God is everlasting.
Annotations vpon this Song.
Verse 1. I will sing: not onlie for to witnesse our thankfulnese to God for our deliverance: but also for confirmation of the trueth of this Historie; for sixe hundreth thousand men, with their wives and children bore witnesse in signing this Song.
Ʋnto Iehovah; that is vnto his praise: so Psal. 106. ver. 12. compare this song, with the song, Apoc. 15. ver. 2.3.4. both sung at the Sea: Harpes of timbrels [Page 9]in the singers hands: The songs are of Moses and of the Lambe, the one delivered from the bondage and persecution of Pharaoh: the other from the beast Antichrist, or the Pope.
Verse 2. IAH, a proper name of God first mentioned on in holy Scripture, next Psal. 68.5. In Greek in the new Testament it is joyned to Halelu to make Haleluiah, that is, Praise yee the Lord; the whole compond word is originally Hebrew, see Apoc. 19.1.3.4.6.
Strength: so signifieth the Hebrew word properly: yet seing it is joyned heere with these words, & sung: it signifieth the strength of song and praise, that is, most vehement praise: So Christ, Math. 21.16. exponeth this word, vsed Psal. 8.2.
My GOD: this oppones the true GOD to Idols, the religion of his people to the errour and idolatrie of other nations, as in the next words Abrahams religion opposit to the superstition of the nations, see Esay 25.9.
Verse 3. A man of Warre, that is, a notable Warriour: for the word Man added to other things in the Hebrew phrase often signifieth excellencie, see Exod. 4.10. Iob 22.8.
IEHOƲAH, this name imports: 1. Gods eternitie, & is in Greek expressed by α and ω Apoc. 1.8.2. it signifieth his power above all creatures, and over them, as having beeing of himselfe only, and giving beeing to all creatures, Act. 17. Thirdly, it signifies his trueth in performing his promise, Exod. 6. 3. Fourthly, his power in executing judgement on the [Page 11]enemies of his Church, and Hee therefore called Iehovah of Hosts. Psal. 83.14.19. and 46.7.8.12.
Verse 5. As a stone: that is to saye, their skill in swimming did serve them to no vse.
Verse 6. Thy right hand, thy right hand: this doubling imports that this miraculous work can neither bee ascribed to fortoun, nor to the industrie of men, but to GOD onely.
Verse 6. Against thee the Chaldaick paraphrase hath against thy people: see Zach. 2.8. Mat. 25.45. Act 9.4.
Verse 8. Blast: hee meaneth that East wind spoken of before Chap. 14.2.
Verse 11. GODS: that is, Princes or Potentates, see Psal. 82. and 89.7.
Purchased: in Hebrew Canah, which signifieth getting by generation. Gen. 41. or buying. Gen. 25.10.
Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine.
Obs. 1. HOly songs have beene in vse in the true Church in all ages, and are recommended to the Christian Church. Eph. 5.19. Col. 3.16. Iam. 5.13. But the vse of Musicall instruments not so: as being ceremoniall types in the old Testament prefiguring the joy of the holy Ghost aboundantlye to bee powred out vpon Christians vnder the New Testament. Rom. 14.17. Eph. 5.19.
Obs. 2. This song proves the veritie of the whole [Page 10]history preceeding in the book of Ex. seing not only Moyses sung it, but with him sixe hundreth thousand men besyde women and bairnes, whereof any two or three might haue beene witnesses against Moses, if this had beene fabulous: Heere I might take occasion to dispute that the holy Scripture is true and the very true word of GOD: but my purpose is not in this treatise to dispute contraversies.
Obs. 3. We haue here an example to teach vs to be thankfull to GOD for his benefites and of solemne thanksgiving, if common to one Church or to the vniversall.
Obs. 4. vpon. verse. 1. Moses is first and formest in this thanksgiving, by reason of his place: by his example teaching al such as God hath raised vp too hy preheminēce in church or cōmon-wealth to do the like
Obs. 5. There is no worke of GOD in creation or providence, wherein some one or moe of his attributs doth not shew themselfe, thought some more clearely then other, vpon which wee should chiefly meditat: So worshipping GOD by this mids of his worship; as Moses and the people doeth heere meditat vpon his excellencie, supereminence, power, justice, mercie, goodnesse, holinesse, ttueth: which all kythed in the worke of their deliverance.
Obs. 6. All delyverance from danger, all good successe in affairs, all salvation temporarie or eternall: flowes to vs from GOD of his mercie without our merits, therefore to him onely belongs the praise,
Obs. 7. Wee should studie by all meanes, to put a difference betwixt the true GOD and Idols, that [Page 12]wee may know him, serue him, and worship him aright. Io. 4.
Obs. 8. vpon vers. 2. They praise GOD vpon these three grounds. 1. Vpon the sence of their owne conscience & experience. 2. Vpon the duety which they professe and promise of their thankfulnesse in worshipping him publickly. Vpon their obligation of all sort of homage to him: So should wee meditat vpon grounds of reasons to praise GOD that we may show our selves thankfull for his benefites.
Obs. 9. GOD is compared to a most mightie man of warre, to teach vs both to feare him and trust in him, because hee is able to destroy all such as ryse against him, see thee historie of Senacherib with Hezekiah, and of the nations with Iehosophat.
Obs. 10. GOD accounts the wrong done to his servants to bee done to himselfe. Act, 9.4. And the good done to them to bee done to him. Mat. 25, 40. This should comfort the godly and affray wicked persecuters.
Obs. 11. vpon vers. 9. The wicked sing the triumph before the victorie, and when their pryde is at the hight then comes suddenly their destruction. Psalme. 73.18.
Obs. 12. vers. 10.11.12. All the creatures are obedient to GOD except the deuils and mankynd: and serue him in saving his servants, and destroying their enemies whensoever GOD bids them.
Obs. 13. vpon vers. 13. The worke of grace and salvation once begun by GOD in his children, he will never leaue till hee perfyte it. Psal. 138. 8. Phil. 1.8. [Page 13]Therefore wee should not dispare vnder the sense of desertion: Neither is the doctrine of the finall and totall apostasie of the sancts true but hereticall.
Obs. 14. GOD is able to defend his people from their enemies, were they never so many & mighty.
Obs. 15. vpon vers. 18. The times, places, and persons, of GODS Church, when, where, and by whom he will be worshipped he himselfe ordaines.
Obs. 16. vpon vers. 18. The continuance of the Church of GOD is grounded vpon his everlasting Kingdome. Psal. 102 29.
This song in meeter followeth to be sung with the tune of the 25. Psalme.
Verse. 1.
FOR joy now will I sing,
to IEHOVAH a song,
For wonderfully hath hee now,
excelled in the throng
Of horsemen: whom hee hath
throwne downe vnto the sea,
Pharaoh the king I meane,
and all his great armie.
Vers. 2.
The subject of my song,
I see that IAH must bee
My strength and my salvation,
still is and so was hee:
This is my, GOD most strong,
to him Ile make a tent:
My Fathers GOD hee is also▪
Vers. 3.
A mightie man of warre,
IEHOVAH is I say,
No marvell, for IEHOVAH is
his name and shall bee ay.
Vers. 4.
Pharoahs charets and host,
Hee cast into the sea,
Chosen captaines were drowned there
in mids of the red sea.
Vers. 5.
The deepe them covered all,
downe to the ground they sanke,
Even lyke as doth a stone,
that is cast in a stanke.
Vers. 6.
IEHOVAH thy right hand,
in strength is excellent:
For thy right hand IEHOVAH hath,
thy foes in peices rent.
Vers. 7.
And in the greatnesse of
thy power now thou hast,
Subdued those, gainst thee that rose,
for downe thou hast them cast.
Thy wrath thou did send foorth,
consuming them as fyre
Consumeth stuble where it comes.
so hote was then thine ire.
Vers. 8
And with the blast of thy
nostriles the water stood,
and so did stay the flood
In midst of the sea,
The deep congealed then,
So mightie was thy easter wind,
dry way it made to men.
Vers. 9.
The enemie had said,
I will oretake, I will
Divyde the spoyle, I shall haue my
heart sytht on them with ill.
My sword I will draw out,
and then my hand shall make,
This people my inheritance,
my yoke they shall not shake,
Vers 10
Then with thy wind thou blew
the sea them all did hyde,
They sanke as lead in waters deepe,
so cruell was the tyde,
Vers 11
Who is lyke vnto thee,
the mightie all among?
IEHOVE I say who is the lyke?
I say that there is none.
Thy glorie is so great,
and thou so holy art,
With praises to bee reverenc'd,
thy wonders make vs start
¶ 12.
When thou didest streatch out
thy right hand suddenly:
The lowest earth did then thy foes,
vp swallow by and by.
Vers. 13.
Thou leads in thy mercie,
thus thy redeemed people,
Thou guyds them also in thy strength
vnto thy holy staple.
Vers. 14.
So soone as nations
shall heare, then shall they shake,
Palestina's inhabitants,
shall doole and sorrow make.
Vers. 15.
The Dukes of Edom then,
amazed all shall bee:
Moabs strong men shall melt away,
And Canaans posteritie.
Vers. 16.
Such feare & dread shall fall
on them of thy right hand,
That as a stone they shall ly still,
till Israell passe their land.
Vers. 17.
IEHOVAH, thou shall bring,
and plant them in the hill,
Of thy holy inheritance,
a place where thou'le dwell still,
Thy sanctuarie there,
thy hands haue made to byde,
Vers. 18.
Iehovah alone shall reigne,
The Song of MOYSES before his death. Deut. 32.
Text.
GIve eare yee Heavens, and I will speake: and heare O earth the words of my mouth.
My doctrine shall drop as the raine, my speach shall distill as the dew, as the small rain vpon the tender hearbe, and as showres vpon the grasse.
Because I will publish the name of IEHOVAH, Ascribe yee greatnesse to our GOD.
The rock, his work is perfit, for all his wayes are judgment: a strong God faithfull and without iniquitie, just and right is hee.
[Page 18]Hee hath corrupted himselfe; their spot is not his childrens, a perverse, and crooked generation.
Doe yee so requyte IEHOVAH! O yee foolish people and vnwise: Is not hee thy Father? Thy Redeemer? Hath he not made thee, and establisht thee?
Remember the dayes of old the yeares of generation & generation, aske thy father and hee will shew thee, thy elders & they will tell thee.
The hie one in distributing heritage to the Nations, in separating the sons of Adam, hee set the bounds of the people, to the number of [Page 19]the children of Israel.
For the portion of IEHOVAH is his people, IACOB the line of his heritage.
Hee found him in the land of Wildernesse, and in a waste and howling Wildernesse: hee caused him goe about: hee taught him: he kept him as the apple of his eye.
As the Eagle stirreth vp her nest, flightereth over her birds, spreads out her wings, takes it, beares it vpon her wing.
[Page 20]Iehovah alone led him, and there was no strange god with him.
Hee made him ryde vpon the hie places of the earth; and hee ate the increase of the field: and hee made him to sucke honie out of the rock, and oyle out of the flint of the rocke.
Butter of Kyne, and milke of Sheepe, with fat of lambs and Rams sons of Bashan, with the fat of the neares of wheat, and the red blood of the wine berry thou didest drinke.
And I eschurun grew fat and flang, thou hast growne fat, thou hast grown grosse, thou covered thee: and hee left GOD that made him the rocke of his salvation.
[Page 21]They provoked him to jelosie with strange gods: they provocked him to anger with abominations.
They sacrificed to Devils, not vnto GOD, to gods whom they knew not, to new gods neare hand whom your fathers feared not.
Of the rocke that begatte thee: thou art forgetfull: and hath forgot the GOD that brought thee foorth of the wombe.
And IEHOVAH saw it and hee abdicat through indignation his sonnes and his daughters.
And hee said, I will hide my face from them, I shall see what will bee their end: [Page 22]for they are a froward generation, children in whom is no fidelitie.
They haue provoked me to jealousie with that which was not God, they haue provoked mee to anger with their vanities, and I shall provoke them to jealousie with those that are not a people: I shal provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
For a fyre is kindled in my anger, and shall burne to hell, and shall consume the earth, with the increase therof, & shal set on fire the foundatiō of the mountains. I will joyne evils togother vpon them, I will spend my arrows vpon them,
Burnt with hunger, eaten vp with burning coale, and bitter destruction, & teeth of beasts wil I send against them, with the poyson of serpents of the dust.
Without, the sword shall make fatherlesse in the secret [Page 23]chambers, feare shall overtake the choyse younge man, and the Virgin, the suckling child, with the gray-haird man.
I said, I shall scatter them in corners I shall make the memorie of them to cease from men.
Were not I feared the wrath of the enemy least their adversaries should behaue themselues strangely, least they should say, our hie hand, and IEHOVAHS hath not wrought all this. For they are a nation voyd of counsell, and hath no vnderstanding in them.
Oh that they were wise, that they vnderstood this: that they vnderstood their latter end.
How should one chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, if not because their [Page 24]Rocke had sold them, and IEHOƲAH caused them yeeld them selfe.
For their rocke is not as our ROCKE, even our enemies being judges.
For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorah, their graps, are grapes of venome, they haue bitter clusters.
Their wine is the venome of Dragons, and the cruell head of Aspes.
Is not this laid vp beside me: sealed among my treasures.
Vengeance is myne and recompense: in time their foot shall stagger, for the day of their destruction is neare, and hastneth things to come to them.
For IEHOƲAH shall [Page 25]judge his people and shall repent himselfe for his servants, when hee shall see the hand is gone & nothing shut vp or left.
And hee shall say where are their gods, the rocke wherein they trusted?
Who did eate the fatte of their sacrifices, dranke the wine of their brunt offerings, let them ryse & help you: let them bee your hyding.
See now that I, I my selfe and no gods with mee: I cause to die, and I cause to liue, I wound, and I heale, and there is none can pluck out of my hand.
[Page 26]For I lift vp my hand to the Heavens and say: I liue for ever.
If I sharpe my glittering sword, and my hand take hold on judgement, I will render vengeance to my enemies and recompense thē that hate mee.
I will make my arrows drunke with blood (and my sword shall eat flesh) of the blood of the slaine, and captivitie, from the beginning of revenges vpon the enemie.
Yee nations praise his people: for hee will auenge the blood of his servants, and render vengeance to his adversaries: and will be mercifull to his land and to his people.
Paraphrase.
1. IF you people will not hearken to my words, the Heavens and Earth, & all creatures other shall be witnesses against you.
2. If my people bee a soft soyle, and good ground, my doctrine shall be fruit full in young and olde, in weake and strong.
3. Glorifie God in hearkening to his word, for I will make him manifest to you, who howbeit hee be alwayes infinite, yet hee abases him to be our God & his will I will declare.
4. To whome will yee goe from this God? who is so stronge, so righteous in all his actions, so true in all his wordes, and in whom no defect can bee found?
[Page 18]5. Yet Israel hath corrupted his owne wayes, which proveth they are not the children of GOD, but a wicked and perverse generation.
6. Is this the reward where with ye recōpence God? who hath adopted you to be his children, when ye were his enemies, passing by the rest of mankinde who were as sib to him by creation as you, who hath redeemed you from the bondage of Egypt, & hath magnified you above other people, when you were worse than nothing.
7. The historie of Abraham Isaak and sacob and of the rest of your predecessors, shewes your small be ginning, & Gods great mercy & goodnes toward you
8. When God in his providence allotted to everi nation a dwelling place he had minde of Israel and appointed for their number [Page 19]a place most convenient and most excellent.
9. For hee had freelie chosen the posteritie of Iacob to bee his peculiar people beside all the World.
10. When they were in a Wildernesse where there was neither bread, nor water, nor other thing to sustaine their life, GOD fed them, and clad them, and because of their infidelitie he caused them go about the Wildernesse fourtie yeares: during the which time, hee taught them by his benefites and chastisments: yet hee had exceeding great care of them to keep them from all hurt.
11. And look wha [...] care the Eagle or any other fowle have of their young ones in hatching them, covering them vntill they can come foorth or flee, and guiding them from the nest: such care had God of his people▪
[Page 20]12. Hee needed not the helpe of any other besyde himselfe, & would haue none: for hee would haue the guyding of his people to himselfe alone.
13. Hee placed him in Canaan an hillie countrie, & full of fertill valleyes: whose craigie places were no [...] barren, but there was to bee found honnie, there olyves grew: and it was a land flowing with milke and honny.
14. Nothing was wanting for delicate meate and drinke: as butter, milke fat lambs, rams, choyse wheat, most excellent claret wyne, all these the LORD gaue liberallie to Israell.
15. For all this Israell who should haue beene vpright became vnthankfull to GOD in their prosperitie like bruit beasts mis [...]enning their maisters, they rebelled against their maker and redeemer.
[Page 21]16. Lyke vyle harlots they made the LORD their husband angrie, committing sprituall whooredome, with strange gods abhominable Idols.
17. They came to the hiest degree of idolatry: to giue the worship propper to GOD to devils: yea they were so foolish, that leaving the God whom they knew, or rather who knew them: they worshipped vnknowne gods, and did not follow their holy fathers footsteps.
18. All this thou didest not of simple but of wilfull ignorance after so great experience of Gods loue to thee and care for thee.
19. After that the Lord considered this their apostasie hee cast off these that before by outward cal [...]ing appeared to bee his children.
20. Then hee said, I will misken them, I am wearie of them, there is no good to [Page 22]be looked for, from them, they will in end perish miserably.
21. As they haue done to me so shal I doe to them, they forsooke mee and followed idols, I shall forsake them & set other nations aboue them: yea, the Gentiles whom they despyse, I will take in their place to be my people, and cast them off.
22 I shall be to them a consuming fyre, hie nor low shal not escape my wrath, their land and all the increase thereof will I destroy.
23 I will multiply my plagues vpon them, as arrows out of my quiver shotte at them.
24. Namelie famine, pestilence, wyld beasts & Serpents, so openly and secretly, without and within, they shall bee plagued.
25 No sort of person, no sex: neither younge nor old [Page 23]without or within, shall bee free from the feare and stroake of the sword of the enemie.
26. Whereas I had made thē as the starres in number and glorie, I purpose to put them in obscure places, and roote them out.
27. If I had no respect to my glorie that it should not be the subject of blasphemie of the Gentils, I should vtterly haue destroyed them.
28. Their madnes is vncurable why should I spaire them: no counsell will they follow, neither haue they any wit.
29. It is a pittie to see the hardnesse of their heart, that after so long experience of punishment, they cannot consider their case nor what will be their end
30. So long as I fought for them and was with them, no multituds could resist them, now while as man [Page 24]of them are overcome by few, it is evident they want my protection.
31. I take to witnesse the infidels who by experience of my power finde, that I am not lyke their idols.
32. Moreover, they & their workes are wicked, as if they had beene the seed of Sodom and Gomorah; venemous and bitter fruit bring they foorth.
33. No nation so wicked as they, being lyker to Dragons and Aspes nor men.
34. This their wickednesse is laid vp in store with mee, and treasured vp in the treasure of my wrath, against the day thereof, and revelation of my righteous judgement.
35. I am judge of all the world, it is my office to punish, howbeit I seeme to delay, you shall fall in due tyme, your destruction bee the evill that shall come vpon you at hand.
36. Albeit the LORD shall [Page 25]judge his people: yet at last hee shall be appeased, and moved with repentance, to mitigate the rigor of his wrath, when hee shall see all their strength gone, and all almost destroyed at home and abroade.
37. Then shall they say to their enemies, where are your gods, where are your rocks, your particular patrons in whom ye trusted
38. Before whō the Priests did eat the fat of the sacrifice, and dranke the wine of their drinke offering, let those idols helpe you now and take your protection.
39. Let them who haue eyes to see behold mee, and make no gods my companion: for I haue power to kill, and to keepe aliue, to wound, & make heale: let them in all changes trust in mee, and feare to offend mee, whose hand none can escape.
[Page 26]40. For I hold vp my hand to Heaven and sweare, saying, As I am the everliving GOD.
41. My enemies thinke my sword wil alwayes be hid in the scabard, and because I am patient, that I cease to bee a iust judge: but they shall feele the contrare, when my wrath shall breake out against them.
42. There shall bee no end of my vengeance, vntill the earth bee filled with blood and dead bodies, & my enemies be made captives, vpon whom I will haue no mercie.
43. Seeing GOD will manifest his goodnesse to his people I sraell, & his mercie: it is the part of all nations to acknowledge the same, and to praise him in the cōmunion of Sancts both of Iewes & Gentiles
The argument and analysis of this song.
GOD caused and commanded Moses to write this Song, & preach it to Israel, and to testifie Gods goodnesse and grace to them, and to convince them of vnthankfulnesse towards God, and to prepare the catholick kirk of the Iewes, who were to bee dispersed through the world: Therefore hee commanded this song to bee put in the mouth of the Israelites, and to be preserved in writen monuments. Deut 31.19. The summe of this Song is this: GOD the Father of his Church and Iudge of all the world, contests with the people of Israel by this solemne Song, of his goodnesse towards them, of their ingratitude and contumacie seene already in Moses dayes: and now forseene by him that it would bee greater heereafter, and therefore prophesieth by Moses of the rejection of the Iewes, & calling of the Gentiles.
The parts of this song are three: 1. the preface, verse 1.2.3. The 2. a narration from the 4. verse to the 43. The 3. the conclusion of the Song. verse 43. The 1. part which is the preface or beginning of the song, con taineth an exhortation to the Heavens and earth to attend to this Song, verse 1. a reason of this exhortation verse 2. a precept to the people to bee attentive & docile with the reason thereof, verse 3.
The 2. part of the Song containeth in it, first, a narration of things bygone before the penning of this song from the 4. verse to the 19. Secondly, a narration of things that were to come, from the 19. to the 43. The summe of the narration of things bygone is set downe [Page 28]verse 4.5. The enarration or exposition thereof from the 5. verse to the 19. and the summe containeth in it 2. things: The 1. concernes God, verse 4: The 2. concernes the people of Israel, verse 5. which is aggredged, and they taxed with foule ingratitude, verse 6. The enarration and exposition of these thinges keepes this order. 1. the part of God is set downe from the 6. vers to the 15. Next the part of the people is set downe: from the 15. verse to the 19. Gods part, verse 6, proved by antiquitie and testimonie of their fore-beears, verse 7. and from his providence for them from the beginning of the world, verse 8. with the reason therof, verse 9. Thirdly from his care of them when they were in the Wildernes, verse 10. illustrated by similitude, verse 11.12. Fourthly, from his placing of them in the land of CANAAN, verse 13.14. The enarration of the part of the people, and the exposition thereof, verse 16.17.18. The 2. part of the narration concerning things to come; containeth 2. things, 1. Gods justice against the vnthankful and rebellious Iewes, from the 19. to the 35. Secondly, the work of Gods mercy to a remnant of them from the 35 verse to the 43. The worke of Gods justice is set downe in this order. 1. that he abhorred them, and the reason, verse 19.2. that hee resolved to leave them to themselues, with the reason thereof, verse 20.3. That hee will pay them home with like, for like; lege talionis, verse 21. with the reason thereof, verse 22. 4. That he will multiplie plagues vpon them, verse 23.24.25. 5. That hee purposed to haue put away their memorial amongst men, were not the respect hee had to his [Page 29]owne glorie, and the pride of their enemies, verse 26, 27. 6. Hee wisheth they had a minde and heart to consider, and bee sensible of his dealings with them, & of their end, together with the reason of all, verse 28.29.30. which he proves by the testimonie of Gentils their enemies, verse 31. and subjoyneth reasons of his severitie against them, verse 32.33.34.35. The work of his mercy to the remnant of them is set down verse 36. Amplified with the triumph and iusulting of his people over their enemies, verse 37.38. Which hee confirmeth by the demonstration of his power, verse 39. and by his oath, verse 40.41.42. The conclusion of the Song, verse 43. containeth an exhortation to the Church catholick of Iewes and Gentiles to praise God with the reason thereof.
Annotations vpon this Song.
Verse. 2. My doctrine: the Hebrew word signifieth received learning, a good description of the doctrine of true religion, because it is receiued from GOD, not devysed by men. 1. Cor. 11.23. Ioh. 8.28. and should be receaved by the hearers with this respect. 1. Thess. 2.13. and this imports that the teacher receaues it frō God, and the hearers also from him by his ministers.
Shall drop: so Micah. 5.7. Esay. 55.10. The doctrine of false teachers not so, Iud: 6.12. Pro. 25.15. and this is a wish rather then a promise.
Raine. dew; figures of heavenly graces. Gen. 27.28
Grasse: here vnto people compared for their frailtie Es. 40.6. or admonition to bee fruitfull. Heb. 6.
[Page 30]Verse 3. The name: that is his majestie, his workes of mercie and justice.
Verse 4. ROCK: The septuagints translate this word: GOD who is a Rocke to his Church. Mat. 16.18. 1. Cor. 10.4 and this word imports GODS constancie, wherein his servants trust.
His worke: The Greeke translats workes. Heb. 3.9.
Verse 5. Not of his sonnes: for they sinne of infirmitie: and this showes the effect of the law differing from the effect of the Ghospelf. Rom. 7.9. Phil. 2.5.
Verse 6. Requyt: see the contrare spoken to God by David, Psal. 103.10.
Father that bought thee: this aggredges their vnthankfulnesse, forgetting the benefites of their redemption, adoption, regeneration.
Made thee: that is, not onely created thee, but also redeemed and called thee, and put thee in a high estate whē thou was nothing 1. Sam. 12 6. Es. 43.7. Mark 3.14
Verse 7. The dayes of old: That is, looke not so much what thou art now, as what thy forbears were once. Ios. 24. this argument also is vsed for consolation. Ps. 77.67. Psal. 119.52. Psal. 14.3.5.
Verse 9. Thy Elders: who are yet living among you.
Portion: that is, the Church and members thereof are the heirs of God & coheirs with Christ. Ro. 8.17.
Verse 10. Wildernesse: that is, I fand them needie vnworthy flying frō the enemy, enemies to me, but I gratiously and mercifullie receaved and intertained them though most vnworthie. Ezec. 16. Rom. 5.10.
Aple of his eye: that is, with all greatest care, alluding to mans practise, who will cast vp any part of his body [Page 31]to receaue a stroake and saue the eye.
Vers. 11. Eagle: The same similitude is in Exod. 19 which sheweth his fathealy care to his people, which is exponed by these parts, sturring vp, to wit, by a noise about her birde mooving her wings to giue them wind, streatching her wings for example to them to flie, taking them out of their nest, putting them vpon her wings, that being taken from their nest they might bee compelled to flee further: All these may bee seene in GODS dealing with his people, when hee brought them out of Egypt, stirring them vp by his word of promise mooving them with the winde of his wrath vpon Egypt, taken vnder his protection and as caried vpon wings brought them through the red sea.
Verse 13. Ryde vpon hie places: so that no strength could withstand them. Numb. 20. Deut. 2.
Verse 14. Neares of wheat: That is the best, so called because of kirnels of nuts the graine is within: and for some resemblance that good graines of wheat haue to neares.
The red blood: Because the claret wine in Iudea is both best & most aboundant as witnes Strabo & Plinie
Verse 15. leschurun: from Iesher righteousnesse, or Schor, seeing Schor a bullok, because Israell were by calling righteous, had a righteous law, or because they saw the glorie of GOD in Sinai, or because afterward they became a flinging bullok.
Fat: The Chaldea interprets riche so this maxime hath ever holden true: Ecclesia peperit divitias & filia devoravit matrem.
Verse 17. Devils: in Hebrew Schedim, that is, destroyers [Page 32]of mankynd.
Verse 19. Saw it: That is, as a righteous judge, hee tooke cognition of their wickednesse, and decreed to abdicat them:
Verse. 20. I will hyde: That is, I will abdicat them and not looke vpon them.
I shall see: I will giue them over to a reprobate sense that they may perish.
Verse 21. Ʋanities: The Septuagints cals them Idols Ier. 18.19. Ionah. 2.8.
Not a people: that is, the Gentils whom I will call by the preaching of the Ghospell. Rom. 10.19. Es. 65.2
Verse 23. Arrows: All sort of plagues as after is exponed of famine (the Hebrew word not in any part of Scripture but heere) pestilence. Hab, 3.5. wylde beasts, serpents, sword.
Verse 36. Iudge his people: That is, take their cause in hand and defend them from their enemies.
Shall repent: So speaketh the Scripture of GOD after the manner of man: but in simple trueth repentance is not in GOD: Numb. 23. 1. Sam. 15.
The hand gone: that is, their strength and they nothing.
Verse 37. Hee shall say: that is GOD to his people Ieremie. 2.28.
Verse 39. I, I: The pronoune doubled to stirre vp the people to hold fast their faith.
Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine.
Obs. 1. BEcause GOD as a judge was to pronounce sentence against his people in the song: [Page 33]Moses begins with a majesticall preface, lyke vnto the sound of a trumpet before Princes proclamations.
Obs. 2. This majesticall preface serves to keepe the people in due reverence of this song, that neither pride mooue them to dispyse it, nor the sharp threatnings contained therein, make them loath.
Obs. 3. vers. 1. Hee directs his speach to Heaven & earth, taking and making them witnesses of the peoples stupiditie, if they condemne this doctrine: Also to shew that such is the force of GODS word that all creatures should bee attentiue there vnto. Es. 1.2. Ier. 23. and so the living are sent to the schoole of the dead to learne at them.
Obs. 4. The word of GOD is as dew and raine vpon graffe and herbs when it meets with good ground: but hearts hard lyke stones get no good thereby. Heb. 6.
Obs. 5. The Hebrew word which is exponed doctrine, signifieth properly perception or discipline, and teaches that the ministers of the word should deliver nothing to the people but that which haue bene taught, and receaved of the Lord.
Obs. 6. vers. 2. The word of GOD is compared to dew and raine, which similitude, teacheth that the Church is Gods land or lizzure, and the word of God the food thereof making his people grow in grace.
Obs. 7. Moses professeth himself to bee Gods Herauld, proclaiming his praise, and so teacheth the people their duety to doe so.
Obs. 8. By the name of God he meaneth Gods majesties works, of goodnesse and grace, his severe judgments all which he setteth downe after.
[Page 34]Obs. 9. verse 3. The words IEHOVAH, and our GOD imply reasons to perswade the practise of the duety craved: these arguments in Scripture are oft fund together: the 1. taken from Gods nature; the 2. from his covenant of grace.
Obs. 10. The consideration of the perfection of God and of his works, as done in judgment, trueth, justice and righteousnes; should keepe vs from running from God to Idols. Ier. 2.13.
Obs. 11. The perfection of Gods works in creation or providence, is not to be sought in everie particular so much as in the generall, seing amongst beasts there be some we call vnbeasts, and amongst men some crooked, some blind, some deafe, some maimed and mutilat of one member or other, and all corne commeth not to perfection: yet in these defects God is glorified.
Obs. 12. verse 4. The trueth of God and his fidelitie should teach vs to belieue him and his word: yet his fidelitie prejudgeth not his justice against vnbelievers for hee is just and right.
Obs. 13. It may be mervailed that the people bore with Moses libertie in rebuking them: yet it behoved to bridle them, that they knew this worthie servant of God was shortly to depart from this life.
Obs. 14. Hypocrits are sometimes called Gods children, Esay 1.2. sometimes they are denyed to bee the children of God, when Adoption by generall vocation is restrained to particulare Election.
Obs. 15. Moses describing the peoples ingratitude to God beginneth first at their action, in these words: They corrupted themselves, that is: by their owne deed [Page 35]lost the estate of grace offered to them by outward calling: and cast themselfe in course of perdition. 2. hee sets downe the blot remaining after their action: in these words: their spot, not the spot of his children: 3. hee sets downe the habit contracted of both, calling them: a perverse & crooked generation. These 3 may be observed in all actuall and outward sinnes.
Obs. 16. As Adam and Evah by their first sinne, fell from the integritie of nature: so such as seemed by out ward vocation and adoption to be in the state of grace, by turning from GOD, fals from that which they appeared to haue.
Obs. 17. verse 5. Sinne leaves behind it a spot: as diseases in the lever and leprosie send foorth spots in the skinne and flesh: This spot of sinne, is a disposition of the heart to bee apt and prone to the sinne once committed, or to any other. This spot in the reprobat differeth frō the spot of Gods children, because vpon the one it draweth on totall and finall apostasie: vpon the other not so, God giving grace to repent.
Obs. 18. The more liberall God is to vs, the more thankfull should wee bee: the taste of his goodnesse should force vs to loue him.
Obs. 19. God is good to all his creatures, but in speciall manner to his Church. Psal. 147.
Obs. 20. The benefits of adoption and regeneration are attributed to hypocrites, because externally they are called thereto. But they are proper to the Elect, whom Paul calleth, the worke of GOD created to good workes. Eph. 2. or Moses heere by the word made, as in the 15. verse meanes, Gods providence in making his [Page 36]people great and renowned.
Obs. 21. verse 6. This aggredgeth the peoples vn, thankfulnesse, that God was so good to them, and they wicked against God.
Obs. 22. If wee will looke back to our beginning naturall, spirituall, or civill: wee shall see wee haue no reason to bee proud.
Obs. 23. verse 7. The best and surest witnesses of Gods benefites, are these, who beeing indeede godlie haue had long experience of them.
Obs. 24. God so loved his Church that in the creation of the world, and in the midst of his providence, hee had a speciall regard to it: not for their merite, but because of his gratious election, and adoption: where by hee hath made them his heirs, and coheirs with CHRIST. Rom. 2.8. verse. 8.9.
Obs. 25.10.11.12. David Ps. 105. repeats GODs benefites to this people, farther of nor Moses doeth in this song: for Moses labouring to bee short, beginneth at their comming to the wildernesse.
Obs. 26. verse 13.14. Varietie of creatures for mans necessitie, vtilitie, and pleasure, flowes from GODS liberalitie to man, for the which man should bee thankfull. See Psal. 104.
Obs. 27. verse 15. Ieschurun: or hee who should haue beene righteous is put for Israell, by Ironicall illusion because they prooved vnrighteous and vnthankfull: so GOD to Adam. Gen. 3.22.
Obs. 28. Hee concluds all the faults of this people with their sinne of Idolatrie: the haynousnesse whereof hee sets foorth by the similitude of an impudent harlot [Page 37]prostituting her selfe to other men, of purpose to provoke her husband to anger: for idolatrie is the highest sinne against GODS Law.
Obs. 29. Men and women are called GODs children by nature, because of creatiō, or by grace by regeneration, generallie, or in a speciall respect: Moses cals this people so heere, because of their generall and outward calling, which divynes cals, voluntatem signi: & distinguish it: a voluntate bene placiti.
Obs. 30. GOD punishes not rashlie, but takes first due inquisition of the fault, howbeit he needs not who knoweth all things: by his example to teach judges their duetie. See Genes. 11.5. and 18.21.
Obs. 31. verse 19. If GOD lye aback from vs and leaue vs to our selfe; wee shall runne to perdition, and if hee returne to vs wee shall bee saved. Psal. 30, 39. & Psalme. 80.3.7.19.
Obs. 32, GOD raisde vp the Egyptians, Syrians, Assyrians, Babilonians, Grecians, Romans, against his people: All those he calleth foolish, how beit they were politick, honorable, wealthie: vet vnlyke to the people of GOD while they served GOD. See Deut. 4.6.7.8. and Psal. 147.19.20.
Obs. 33. It is a fearefull thing to fall in the hands of GOD beeing angrie with vs, for even our GOD is a consuming fyre. Heb. 12.29.
Obs. 34. verse 20.21. All plagues and punishments comes from God Amos. 3.6. yet to the godly they are made fatherly chastisments for their good. Heb. 12
Obs. 35. verse 27.28. GOD magnifies his mercie in making grace to superabound, where sinne abounded [Page 38]Rom. 5.20. and his owne glorie is the end of all his working.
Obs. 36.29.30. &c. GOD requyres three things of his people which hee missed in them. 1. The habit of wisedome. 2. The vnderstanding of things concerning his glorie and their owne salvation. 3. prouidence to foresee things to come.
Obs. 37, verse 34.35. GODS judgements sleepe not, (as wicked men thinke) but ly at the doore Gen. 4. & 7. Ier. 17.1. 2. Pet. 3.9.
Obs. 38. When GOD hath chastised his people eneugh, hee will cast the rod in the fire, and in wrath remember mercie, Hab. 3. [...]3. Psal. 89. Psal. 30. Esay. 54.8. that wee may haue experience heereof, true repentance is requyred at our hands. Zach. 2.3.
Obs. 39. When our estate is most desperate GODS helpe is nearest, that hee onely may haue the praise. 2. King. 14.26.
Obs 40. GOD is the supreme ruler of al things ordinar [...] or extraordinar, of punishmēts & deliverāces therefro [...]
Obs. 41. verse 36.37 &c. Wee defraud GOD of his right, if wee set him not aboue all, and according to our place▪ gifts, callings, trample not vnder foote, al Idolatrie, superstition, will worship, inventions and traditions of men, which cannot bee demonstrat by the word of GOD: whether it bee in matters of faith, maners. Church government, or ceremonies joyned to the worship of GOD.
Obs 42 verse 40.41.42. In holy Scripture, wee find many oaths which GOD makes, joyned sometime to promises, and hee doth both promise and sweare [Page 39]that by two immutable things hee may confirme our faith, Hebr. 6.18, and when hee sweares hee sweares by himselfe as having none greater. ibid. 13.
Obs. 43. The whole Catholick Church of Iewes and Gentils and exhorted to sing and praise the LORD, for his workes both of justice and mercie which hee would manifest to them. Rom. 15.10.
Obs. 44. The word expiation alludes to the legall ceremonies, and imports that salvation that was to be perfyted by IESVS CHRIST.
Obs, 45. verse 43 With this prophesie of the calling of the Gentils, and conversion of the Iewes, as with a blast of a trumpet after a Kings proclamation hee concluds this song.
This song in meeter followeth to be sung with the tune of the 78. Psalme.
Verse. 1.
HEare O yee Heavens what I doe speake,
O Earth my wordes attend.
Vers. 2.
My doctrine shall drop down as raine,
my speach lyke deaw I'le spend.
And as small raine on tender hearbs,
and showres vpon the grasse
So shall my word much fruit bring foorth,
not beeing heard amisse.
Vers. 3.
Since I the name of God the Lord,
will publish and proclame:
the greatnesse of the same:
Vers. 4.
God is a rocke, his work's perfite,
for all his wayes are just.
A strong God, faithfull, without sinne,
hee must bee right and just.
Vers. 5.
His people are become corrupt,
and filthie now they are,
Perverse and crooked is their kinde,
vnlike his children deare.
Vers. 6.
O foolish people and vnwise,
who so the Lord reward:
Thy Father, Maker, Saviour,
wilt thou not him regard?
Vers. 7.
The dayes of old, the ages past,
fathers, fore-beears all:
Will tell and teach thee this for treuth,
if for them thou wilt call.
Vers. 8.
When the most High to Nations,
did heritage divide:
A pleasant bounds for Israel
hee did even then provide.
Vers. 9.
For they his chosen people were,
the portion of the Lord,
The line on them layde for himselfe
Vers. 10.
Hee found him in a Wildernesse,
was roaring, waste, and voyde:
About the which hee causde them goe,
for hee them sore annoyde.
Hee school'd him there, and taught him too
by long experience:
Hee kept him as the apple of
his eye with patience.
Vers. 11.
As Eagles flighter ov'r their young,
and stirres vp all their nest:
Spreads out their wings to beare their birds,
where they themselves think best.
Vers. 12.
Ev'n so the Lord his people led,
and with him their was none,
No strange strong God made any help,
IEHOVE did all alone.
Vers 13.
Above the monts he causde them ryde
and feede in fruitfull field.
Honey from rockes, and oyle from flint,
to suck gaue God their shield.
Vers. 14.
Butter of kyne, and milke of sheepe,
with fat of lambes, rammes sweet,
Well fed on Bashan hill they eate:
such meate for them was meete.
The choisest wheat, the finest flowre
was also to them foode:
The berrie of the wyne they drinke,
Vers. 15.
But Israel grew fat and flang,
both fat and grosse grew thou:
Ieschurun vpright should haue beene,
though fat him covered thorow.
His God who made him hee forsakes,
and so Salvation.
Him hee despised who did him good,
so vngrate's this Nation.
Vers. 16.
To jealousie with their strange gods,
then did they him provoke:
To anger with thinges hee abhorr'd,
casting from them his yoke.
Vers. 17.
To Devils they did sacrifice
in place of God their Lord:
The gods both new and neare they serv'de,
their fathers such abhorr'd.
Vers. 18.
The Rocke begate thee thou forgate
the God that brought thee out
Of mothers wombe: is out of mind,
hee'le punish thee but doubt.
Vers. 19.
For when the Lord saw all their sins,
hee abdicat with griefe
His sonnes, and eeke his daughters all,
and made them no reliefe.
Vers. 20.
And then hee said. my face from them
heereafter I will hyde:
And I will see what end will bee,
vnfaithfull children they
Are now become: and will no more
My holy Law obey.
Verse 21.
To jealousie with their none gods,
since they doe mee provoke,
And with their vanities trouble mee.
how beit they bee my flocke.
With those that now no people are
provoked shall they bee,
And with a foolish nation,
To rage and jealousie.
Verse 22.
For in my wrath there kindled is.
a hote consuming fire:
Which shall burne downe vnto the deepe,
Through earth, through dub, through myre,
There shall bee left no fruit on earth,
increase there shall bee none,
The grounds of mountaines great also,
this fire shall burne vpon.
Verse 23.
My plagues on them I'le multiplie,
And spend my arrows all.
Verse 24.
Brunt vp with hunger shall they bee,
with pest lyke burning coale:
Bitter destruction will I send,
by beasts devoruing lust,
And serpents poyson shall them hurt.
Verse 25.
Without the sword shall orphans make
within all full of feare:
The chosen youth, the virgin close,
the infant and gray haire.
Verse 26.
I said that I should scatter them,
in corners: and should make
Of them no more memoriall,
that one might notice take.
Verse 27.
Were not I feare the wrath of those
that enemies were to mee,
Least they should say through ignorance,
God did not this but wee.
Verse 28.
A nation voyde of counsell they,
yet counsell will not take:
In them no vnderstanding is,
I sorrow for their sake.
Verse 29.
Oh that they somuch wisdome had
as this to vnderstand,
Their latter end what it will bee,
who such things take in hand.
Verse. 30.
How should it come to passe that one
a thousand men should chase,
Or two ten thousand should compell,
To flee before their face?
If not because their rocke so strong,
had sold them for no pryce,
And GOD had causd them yeeld themselfe,
[...]
Verse 31.
Your enemies judges if yee make,
their god is not like yours:
So strong a Rocke to trust vnto,
all yeares, and dayes, and howrs.
Verse 32.
Of Sodoms ground & Gomors field
their vine with venmous graps,
And bitter are their clusters all,
when they are laid on heaps.
Verse 33.
And so the wine that thereof comes,
like Dragons venome kils,
Or like the cruell head of Aspes,
whom poyson fully fils.
Verse 34.
Doe I not keepe this sure in store,
My treasures seald among,
Verse 35.
Vengeance is mine I will repay,
For I am GOD the strong.
Their foote shall slyde betyme, For why?
the day'f perdition,
Is neare: and bring with it in haste,
to them confusion.
Verse 36.
The Lord shall judge his people so,
and yet hee shall repent
When hee shall see his servants cease,
that all their strength is spent,
And few or none left to remaine.
in citie or in field,
Verse 37,
Then shall they say their foes to scorne
where is [...]
Vers. 38.
Where are your gods who eat the fat,
Of offerings, and dranke wyne,
Let those rvse vp and helpe you now,
or flee from mee and myne.
Verse 39.
See now that I, even I alone,
no other gods with mee:
I kill, and I giue life also,
I wound and I heale thee.
Verse 40.
And none can put out of my hand.
which vp to heaven I lift,
And say, As I for ever liue,
the enemie shall not shift.
Verse 41.
When I my glistring sword shal sharp,
to judgement lay my hand:
Then on my foes Ile bee avengd,
my haters shall not stand.
Verse 42.
My arrows shall be drunke with blud
My sword shall flesh devoure,
The blood shall bee, of men are slaine,
and captives more and more.
Vers. 43.
Praise yee his people, nations all
whose blood hee will revenge
Vpon their foes: but from his land,
and chosen will not change.
The Song of DEBORAH. Iugdes. 5.
Text.
BEcause hee hath taken revenge by Israel, whē the people offered themselfe willingly: Blesse yee IEHOVAH.
Heare O yee Kings, giue eare O Princes: I even I will sing to IEHOVAH the God of Israell.
IEHOVAH when thou went out of Seir, when thou marched out of the land of Edom: the earth was moved, also the Heavens dropped, also the clouds dropped water.
The mountaines flowed before the face of IEHOVA: [Page 48]This Sinai before the face of the GOD of Israel.
In the dayes of Sangar the sonne of Anach: In the days of Iahel the hy way ceased: and they that walked, went by byrods and boutgates.
The villages ceased in Israel; they ceased: vntill I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israell.
When he choosed new gods, warre was in the gates: no sword nor speare was sene among fourtie thousand in Israell.
My heart is to the law givers in Israell: The wel-willing among the people; Blesse yee IEHOVAH. Ye that ryde vpō whyt asses, ye that sit in iudgement, ye that walke in the wayes, Speake.
[Page 49]The delivered from the voyce of the archers, in the places where water is drawne: there they shall teach the righteousnesse of IEHOƲAH: his righteousnesse vpon his villages: then the people of Iehovah went downe to the gates.
Ryse vp, ryse vp Deborah, ryse vp, ryse vp, vtter thy song: Aryse Barak & lead captiue thy captivitie, thou sonne of Abinoam.
Then hee that remained, ruled over the nobles of the people: IEHOƲAH shall beare rule to mee among the strong.
Out of Ephraim whose root streatches to Amalek, after Beniamin among thy people: out of Machir they came downe, and out of Zebulon, they that draw with the rod of the writer.
[Page 50]And the Princes of Isachar with Deborah: and Isachar with Barak, sent downe to the valley vpon his feete. for the divisions of Reuben great thoughts of heart.
Why sate thou betwixt two folds to heare the bleeting of the flocks? for the division of Reuben great searching of heart,
Gilead dwelt still in the other syde Iordan: and why dwelt Dan in ships: Asher sat at the sea shore & dwelt vpon his Creeks.
Zebulon & Naphtali were the people, who did hazard their soule to die vpon the places of the field.
The Kings came then they fought, the Kings of Canaan fought in Taanah at [Page 51]the waters of Megiddo, their desire of silver they got not.
The starres faught from the Heavens out of their degrees fought they with Sisera.
The river Kison swept thē away: that ancient river Kison. My soule shall trample vpon the strong. Then were the horsehoofes bruised, by the strokes of the strong.
Curse ye Meroz said the Angell of IEHOƲAH: Cursing curse yee the inhabitants thereof: because they came not to helpe! IEHOVAH, to helpe IEHOVAH among the strong.
Iahel the wife of Cheber the Kenite shall bee blessed aboue women, aboue women in tent she shall be blessed.
[Page 52]Hee asked water and shee gaue him milke, she broght him butter in a dish for nobles.
Her hand sent themselves to the naile: and her right hand to the hāmer of worke men: and shee hammered Sisera, she cut off his head: shee pricked through, and pearsed the temple of his head.
Betwixt her feete hee was bowed together, hee fell, hee sleept betwixt her feet: hee bowed himselfe, hee fell where hee bowed himselfe, there hee fell spoyled.
The mother of Sisera looked through the window, and cryed out at the open of the window, Why tarryes his charet from comming? why are the turning of his foure wheeles made slow.
Her wise ladies answered vnto her, also shee her selfe [Page 53]turned her speaches to her selfe.
Haue they not found? shall they not divyde the spoyle? one damosell, two damosels, for everie man: The spoyle of colours for Sisera himselfe, the spoyle of party collours of needle worke, two of spoyle for the necke.
So let thy enemies all perish IEHOVAH: and let those that loue him, bee as the sunne going foorth in his strength.
Paraphrase.
PRaise yee the LORD who both hath made you able to revenge your selfe vpon your enemies, and given you courage to fight, and power to overcome them.
2. O yee Kings who trust in your might, & rulers who lift vp your selfe in pryde: heare and hearken vnto the words of this song; wherein the LORD, the GOD of Israel is praised: for it serveth to teach you.
3 O LORD when thou led thy people from mount Seir, and the land of Edom toward the land of Canaan: all creatures in Heaven and earth were moved with thy presence among thy people.
4 Yea the mountaines that seemd so solid melted before [Page 48]the face of the LORD, even mount Sinai where thou gaue thy law.
5. A long time before this our last deliverance our estate was so hard, that from the death of Ehud vnto this tyme: none durst goe abroad, for feare of the enemie.
6. And as the people durst not travell in hie wayes: So might they not abyde in villages: vntill the time that GOD raised mee vp, to foretell and confirme the deliverance of his people.
7. Because Israel chosed new gods, God raised vp new enemies to sight against them and oppresse them: so that no weapon was found among them.
8. I rejoyce of the Princes of Israel and of the people who came willingly to battell. Blesse ye the Lord.
9 Let al sort of people speak of this work of God: but namely merchants, judges, [Page 49]way-faring folke, where before hid them selues for feare of the enemie.
10. Before for feare of the enemy they durst not come foorth to draw water, nor inhabit villages, nor minister justice: now the case is altered, by the righteous acts of the LORD: which wee should proclaime.
11. Thou Deborah a prophetesse ryse vp and sing thy song of praise to GOD. and thou Barak captaine of the Lords armie, triumph over the Cananite.
12. When wee were left few in number and dispysed: our enemi [...]s were manie and mightie: yet the Lord hath made vs rule over thē
13. To this battel came some of the tribe of Ephraim, & of Beniamin, and of the familie of Machir of the tribe of Manasseh, & of the tribe of Zebulon, men more wise & learned then valourous warriours.
[Page 50]14. The Princes of Isachar were also with Deborah: And Isachars souldiers being footemen; attended Barak in the valley: It greived vs much that the Reubenites concurred not to helpe vs.
15. Why had thou greater pleasure in the care of thy flocks, nor in the care of the commonwealth? more care of thy beasts then of GODS people, wee marveled much when we saw Reuben absent.
16. Gilead came not: Dan for feare keept the boats of Iordan to flee away. Asher also did stay at home in his surest places for refuge.
17 Such courage & zeale was in the tribs of Zebulon & Naphtali, who being few in number in comparison with their enemies, did venter.
18 Many Kings of Canaan sent their forces with Sisera, who fought in the [Page 51]plaine betwixt Taanah & Megiddo: They looked for greater spoyle & riches, but brought none away
19. GOD shew himselfe partie against the enemies of his people: and caused the starres in their stations fight against them.
20. Hee also caused the river Kison to swell & drowne them: and made his people stout to slay them.
21. So sore were the horse put at in fighting and fleeing, that they being strong and beating the ground. with their feete, brake all their hoofes.
22. Barak the Lords messenger, had good cause to curse, and bide curse the inhabitants of Meroz, who would not come foorth to helpe GODS people, being so neare them.
23. Iahel the wife of Cheber the Kenite shall bee much praised aboue other women who dwell in tents.
[Page 52]24. When Sisera fled & came to her tent to hyde himselfe, hee called for water to quench his thirst: shee gaue him milke and butter in pretious vessels like a freind or servant.
25. But when shee saw him fast a sleepe shee tooke one of the nailes of the tent, with a hammer in her right hand, wherewith she drove the naile, throgh the temples of his head fast in the ground.
26. So that hee lay first sleeping, next dead among her feete: notwithstanding all his strugling in the agony of death: So ended this great Captaine oppressor of others.
27. Sisera his mother looking for his returne with victorie, being impatient, whiles looked out at the window, whiles cryed out, why stayes he so long what can bee his stay.
28. Her ladies essayed al their wits to comfort her, yea [Page 53]even shee comforted her self with his owne words saying.
29. They haue found their prey, they are parting the spoyle, even damosels to everie man: and the colloured & partie coloured garments sowed with nedle worke made to be ornaments for their neckes.
30. This may bee a document to all ages, that all the enemies of GOD shall perish: and those that loue him shall shine as the sun at noone day.
The argument and analysis of this song.
AFter the death of Ehud who slew Eglon king of Moab, and delyvered Israel out of the hands of Moabits: whom they had served eighteene yeares before, Israel had rest from enemies for the space of foure score yeares: But againe Israel wrought wickednesse in the sight of the LORD: therefore he delivered them over into the hands of Iabin king of the Canaanits: the generall of whose armie was called Sisera, who oppressed Israel the space of twentie yeares: Then Israel repented them of their sinnes, humbled themselfe and cryed to the Lord and hee heard them: And Deborah▪ [Page 54]Barak, & Iabel, he made instruments to deliver them. This deliverance is the argument of this Song sung by Deborah a Prophetesse.
There bee three chiefe and principall parts of this song. 1 The exordium or beginning of this song. vers. 1. 2. Next the purpose, from the 3. verse to the 30. Thirdly, the conclusion of the song. verse 30.
The exordium containes in it 2. exhortations with their reasons. The 1. exhortation is to Gods people to praise God, the reason thereof is taken from their present deliverie. verse 1. The 2 exhortation is to al kings and princes to bee attentiue to the words of this Song. The reason thereof is taken from the purpose of the Prophetesse in this song, to wit, to praise and make manifest the onely true God: v. 2. see the like Ps. 2. The purpose of the song containes in it chiefely 5. things: 1. a narration of things bygone, from the 3 verse to the 8. Next an exhortation to praise God, from the 8. vers to the 13. Thirdly, a narration of the battell betwixt the Israelites and Cananits. from the 13. to the 22. Fourthly a curse and blessing, from the 22. verse to the 27. Fifthly, a prettie prosopopeia, from the 27. verse to the 30. The narration of things bygone, containes 2. things, 1. Gods wonderfull power in bringing his people through the wildernesse, to the land of promise ver. 3.4. Next the great miserie wherein Israel was of late: with the reason thereof, verse 13. that they had served new gods, idols. 5.6.7. The exhortation to praise God hath in it 4. things. 1. the governours of this people verse 8. Next to merchants, verse 9. Third to the commons, verse 10. the reason thereof, is their libertie: The [Page 55]fourth part is to her selfe and Barak. verse 11. with the reason thereof, verse 12. The narration of the battell containes in it: 1. the praise of the tribes of Israell who came to fight, and the dispraise of such as lay abacke, from the 13. verse to the 18. Secondly is set downe the part of the Canaanites. verse 18. Thirdly the part of God and his people. verse 19.20.21. The curse is vpon Meroz and his inhabitants, with the reason thereof, verse 22. The blessing is vpon Iahel, with a narration on of her part and the event thereof, from the 22. ver. to the 27 the prosopopeia is of Sisera his mother & her ladies talking to gether, from the 27. verse to the 30. The conclusion which is the last part of the song: containes a prayer for the confusion of the enemies of God and of his Church: and for the prosperitie of all those who truely loue GOD: verse 30.
Annotations vpon this song.
IT was the custome of Lyrick Poets in giving of thanks to GOD, to vse solemne verses: as wee may read in Orpheus, Linus, Pindarus, Horace: so the priests of Mars among the Romans called Salij: All these did so by the light of nature: but holy men and women did the lyke by the inspiration of the holy spirit.
Verse 1. Revenge: In Hebrew in revenging revenges
Willing: That is, not all Israell but such onely as followed Barak who at the time had no authority in Israel.
Verse 2. The earth &c. Hyperbolicall speaches signifying the power of Gods presence working in all his creatures.
[Page 56]Verse 4. Sinai: That is to say, not onely creatures which were as it were before GOD in his presence: but also such as it were behind him were mooved.
Verse 6. Mother: so called because beeing endued with the spirit of prophecie as a mother to her childrē: so prophets were called fathers, their disciples their sonnes.
Verse 7. Gates: or ports, signifying that the enemie was master of all, for in the ports of cities judges sat: and the munition of the citie lay there.
Verse 9. Whyte asses: This may bee exponed either of merchants or great men: as after chap. 10.4, & 12.14 Vers. 13. EPHRAIM: It may be meant of Deborah, for chap. 4.5. it is said she dwelt in mount Ephraim.
Verse 14. A dish: that is to say, aboundantlie, for the Hebrew word signifieth a veshell cup like, appointed to be vsed at great sacrifices, as chap. 6.38.
Butter; That is to say, new milk new severed from the butter.
Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine.
Obs. 1. DEBORAH conceived and sung this Song by a prophetick spirit the very daye when the benefite was gotten: teaching vs heereby to giue thankes to God for his benefites without delaye: not lingering with Iacob to go to Bethel and performe his vowes: neither beeing vnthankfull altogether, as the nyne lepers were to Christ. The Ethnicks sung their Paeans immediatly after victorie over their enemies.
Obs. 2. It is God who revengeth the wrongs done [Page 57]to his servants: for it is his office, Deut. 32. which when we find we should praise him: Psal. 18.47. neither should wee avenge our self. Pro. 25.21. Ro. 12.10. Obs. 3. v. 1. All true fortitude comes of God, and is his gift, as the right vse of it, and good event: Psal. 18 for our actions are not in our power: Ier. 10.23. This doctrine refuteth the errour of mans free-will.
Obs. 4. Whatsoever is writen in holy Scripture serveth not only for the age when it was written, but also for the posteritie: Rom. 15.4. 1. Cor. 10.11.
Obs. 5. Kings, Princes and potentates haue neede to bee exhorted to marke the judgements of God vpon their Peeres, for pride so blinds their mindes, that they mis-ken both God & man. Ps. 2.10. Ps. 70.12 Ps. 82.6.
Obs. 6. Wee should remember Gods works of olde, that wee may praise him, trust in him, and be comforted in the day of trouble. Psal. 77.11.
Obs. 7. vers. 3.4 All creatures in heaven & earth serve God: only the Devils and mankind are rebellious.
Obs. 8. Peace is a great benefite of God to Church & common-wealth: and Warre a great plague, therefore we should pray for it. Psal. 122.6. 1. Tim. 2.2. and praise God for it.
Obs. 9. vers. 5.6. Princes and Princesses should be nourishers of the Church of God. Esay. 49.23. parents to their subjects, therefore even the Ethnickes by the the light of nature called them Patres patriae: and their kins-fold patritios.
Obs. 10. vers. 7. God is a jealous God, and will not suffer his honour to be given to another, but punisheth Idolaters with new punishments, whatsoever the Idolatrie [Page 58]bee, and howsoever mans ingine laboureth to collour or defend it.
Obs. 11. vers. 8 9.10. Wee should bee feeling members of the Church, rejoysing when they rejoyce, murning when they mourne. Rom. 12.15. provoking others to serve God. Psal. 51.13.
Obs. 12. There are none so eminent in the Church who have not neede to bee stirred vp to their dueties. Heb. 10 24. 2. Tim. 1.6.
Obs. 13. To triumph over enemies, overcoming in lawfull warre is lawfull: all triumphs amongst Gods people before Christs death were but praeludes and types of Christs triumph vpon the Crosse over principalities and powers. Col. 2.15. and of his members at the latter day. 1. Cor. 2.3.
Obs. 14 vers. 11. Deborah hath the Song named after her, Barak the triumph after him: shee was the Prophetesse, hee the leader of the Armie. Iustice giveth to everie one his owne.
Obs. 15. verse 13.14. By sinne Gods people are made the taile, by repentance and obedience they become the head againe. Deut. 28.12.
Obs. 16. As their names who have beene zealous for the cause of God, and of their countrie are registrated for their everlasting good memorie: so such, as by infidelitie or feare haue lyen aback are noted with shame. Prov. 10.7.
Obs. 17. vers. 15.16.17. Reuben the father of that tribe regarded more his pleasure than his honour, and so was degraduat by his father Iacob. Gen. 49.3. This sticks to his posterity now, so some sins are hereditary
[Page 59]Obs. 18. verse. 18 Man proponeth and God disponeth: yea, Princes haue no power to performe all their intentions. Psal. 146.4. Prov. 21.1.
Obs. 19. verse 19.20. All creatures as at GODS command to fight against his enemies, & the enemies of his servants, therefore hee is called the LORD of Hostes: Devils and wicked men disobey, the one hee holds in chaines. Iud. 6. and hee can put his hooke in the nosthirles of the other. Es. 37.29.
Obs. 20. verse 21. Man should put his trust in GOD onely, and in none other. Psal. 20.7. Psalme. 146.3.
Obs. 21. verse 22. Whatsoever is done to Gods servants be it good or evill, God thinkes it done to himself. Mat. 25.25. Acts. 9.4.
Obs. 22 Before wee curse or vse imprecations, wee should trye by what spirit wee are led, as Christ said to his Disciples Iohn and Iames.
God can overthrow mightie champions by weake meane and instruments, as Pharaoh his overthrow, Sisera's▪ and many moe prove.
Obs. 23. Deborah a true Prophetesse, as the event declared: the best tryall of prophesies are by event.
Obs. 24. verse 23.24 25.26. Through faith the Fathers were renowmed: Barak because his faith was weake had little honour in his victorie, so Zachariah chastised for infiidelitie, Christs disciples oft rebuked.
Obs. 25. verse 27.28.29. When the wicked crye peace, peace, then suddenly commeth their destruction. 1. Thess. 3.3. The hope of the wicked shall perish, & the thing they feare shall come vpon them.
Obs. 26. verse 30. The petitions of Gods servants [Page 60]moved by his holy Spirit registrated in holy Scripture are equivalent to promises: and beeing turned in propositions comfort the godly, & may affray the wicked: howbeit the Lord hold his Church vnder the crosse for a while, yet their outgate shall be comfortable, & their end peace. Ps. 37.
This song paraphrased in English meeter to the tune of the 76. Psalme.
Verse. 1.
THE LORD our quarrell hath revengd,
And made our people willing fight:
Now our estate is meekle changd,
To blesse his Name wee haue good right.
Vers. 2.
Heare O yee Kings and Princes all,
For to IEHOVAH sing I shall,
To Iaakobs GOD, the GOD of might.
Vers. 3.
When thou O Lord from Seir went out
And marched foorth from Edoms land,
The earth, the clowds the Sphears about,
Were moved all at thy command,
Vers. 4.
The mountaines fled before thy face,
The mount Sinai shooke for a space,
Of Israels GOD they felt the hand.
Vers. 5.
When Sangar yet was in this life,
Whose father Anach was by name,
And Iahel also Chebers wife▪
Vers. 6.
For all their wayes were stopt about,
Till I Deborah did step out,
Israel thraldome from to clame.
Verse 7.
Israel to them new gods did chuse,
And warres were made within their ports,
When they their GOD did then refuse,
No speare nor shield had their cohorts.
Vers. 8.
I loved then the nobles all,
That helped Israel in this thrall.
Blesse yee the LORD who vs comforts.
Vers. 9.
Merchants whyte asses on, who ryde,
And yee in judgement who doe sit,
You who doe travell time and tyde,
Keepe not silence: but speake of it.
Verse 10.
For feare such as no water drew,
GODS justice foorth now they doe shew,
No justice now will judge omit.
Vers. 11.
Ryse vp ryse vp againe vp ryse,
Thou Deborah thy song to sing,
And thou Barak also aryse,
With thy triumph make earth to ring.
Vers. 12.
Lately vile slaves our nobles serv'd,
Now we doe reigne and they are starv'd,
Should wee not then praise GOD our King?
Vers 13.
Ephram that pleasant mightie tree,
Whose roote to Amalek doth reach,
Did then send foorth strong boughs with mee,
Which Benjamin did also teach.
And Machir then, for to come downe,
With the strong men of Zebulon:
Faire writers all and good in speach.
Vers. 14.
With Deborah the princes were,
Of Isachar as Barak chiefe:
With whom were many foote-men there,
Reuben, Alas made no reliefe.
Vers. 15.
Then did yee sit as still as stockes,
To heare the bleating of your flockes,
And came not foorth to chase the thiefe.
Verse 16.
Gilead beyond the river bode,
Then Dan with boats did still remaine,
Ascher like to a wylie Tod,
Sat at the sea next to the plaine.
Verse 17.
But Zebulon and Napthali,
Hazard their soules though they should die,
Vpon the mountaines of the maine.
Verse 18.
The kings came foorth to fight that day
Even Canaans kings in Tanah field,
Megiddo's waters neare I say,
Verse 19.
For starres from Heaven against them fought
Vers. 20.
And Kisons flud against them wroght
Ver. 21.
I tramp the strong horsehoofes in field
Verse 22.
Gods Angell said Meroz bee curst,
Curse bitterly her people all.
To helpe the LORD that day, who durst
Not come among men strong and tall.
Verse. 23.
Blessed bee Iahel Chebers wife,
Aboue the women all her life,
Dwelling in tents which wee doe call.
Verse 24.
Water hee ask'd, shee gaue him milk,
And butter in a lordly plate.
Betwixt her hands as soft as silke,
Verse 25.
Vnto a hammer made by art,
Shee put her right hand, and a naile
In her left hand, least shee should faile,
And through his temples causd it start,
Verse 26.
Betwixt her feete hee bowed sore,
Hee fell, hee sleept betwixt her feete,
Vntill in him was life no more,
And so to die for him was meete.
Verse 27.
When his mother did then looke out
To spye the fields round about,
Shee said, my sonne stayes long in streete.
Verse 28.
Her ladies wise did answere make,
And shee her selfe affirmed to.
Ver. 29.
Now of the spoile their parts they take,
And so they haue now much ado,
So many damesels to divyde,
And colourd garments right well dy'de,
Right meete their shoulders all vnto.
Verse 30.
O LORD let all those perish so,
That enemies are to thee and thine:
And such as loue thee moe and moe,
As cleare as sunne aboue to shine;
As cleare as sunne in his great strength,
So that thy Church may at the length,
Sing foorth thy praises with mee and myne.
The Song of CHANNAH. 1. Samuel. 2.
Text.
MY heart rejoyceth in IEHOVAH, my horne is exalted in IEHO ƲAH: my mouth is enlarged against my enemies for I rejoyce in thy salvation.
None holy like IEHO ƲAH: for there is none but thou; and no rocke like to our GOD.
Multiplie not speaches highly, highly let not the old come out of your mouth: for IEHOVAH is a GOD of sciences, and actions are not directed without him.
The bow of the strong is broken, the weake is girded [Page 66]with strength.
They that were full of bread, hath hyred themselfe: and the hungrie hath ceased: while the barren hath borne seven: shee with many sonnes is weakned.
IEHOƲAH kils and giues life, casts downe to hell, and makes to ascend.
IEHOƲAH makes poore and rich, hee causes to fall, also hee exalts.
Hee raises the poore out of the dust▪ hee lifts vp the beggar from the dung hill; to make them sit with princes, and makes them to inherit the throne of glorie, for to IEHOƲAH the pillars of the earth doe appertaine, and he hath put vpon them the habitable world.
[Page 67]Hee will preserue the feete of his godly ones, and the wicked shall bee silent in darknesse: for a man shall not bee made strong by his owne strength.
IEHOƲAH let their contentions be trampled vnder foote: he shall thunder from Heaven vpon him: IEHOVAH shall judge the ends of the earth: and shall giue strength to his King: and shall lift vp the horne of his CHRIST.
Paraphrase.
1. OF this late, and great benefite O LORD which thou hast bestowed vpon mee: I haue conceaved so great joy: that my heart which before was heavie, now is light: and my weakenesse made strong: my mouth closed before is now opned, against my enemies. Pēinna & others who reproached mee.
2. In thee O LORD I rejoyce justlie, who art most holy, hath no companion: neither is there any so able to saue.
3. Speake not proudly, as thou was wont to doe, O my enemies: for the LORD knowes all things, and without him we can doe nothing.
4 O Peninna thy strength is gone, who insulted vpon [Page 66]my barrennesse: and I who was weake am made strong.
5. The case now is farre changed: thou was full of prosperitie: now thou must content thy selfe. I was in great affliction when I had no child: God hath now given to me one childe better nor seven, more worth then all thine
6. The LORD is author of all changes, & can bring contrares out of contrares, life out of death, prosperitie out of adversitie, light out of darknesse. Gen. 1.
7. Povertie and riches are from the Lord: low estate and honor comes frō him.
8. None so poore whō God if hee will can not make rich, none so vile but hee can make them honorable: even companions to princes: setting them in glorious thrones: for the Lord hath set the pillars of the earth to it to stand vpon with the inhabitants there [Page 67]of, which pillar is his word and power.
9. All the wayes of the godly hee will direct: and wicked men shall perish in darknesse: for no man standeth in his owne strength.
10. All who contend against GOD shall bee trode vnder foote: hee shall thunder from Heaven against everie one of them: the LORD shall judge the whole inhabitants of the world giving glory to his Sonne IESUS CHRIST the King of Kings.
The argument and analysis of this song.
CHANNAH the wife of Elkanah (who also had another wife called Peninna) beeing a long time barren, which grieved her much: (for the Hebrew women knowing the promise of the seed of the woman to tread downe the head of the serpent, Gen. 3. and that that seed should of the posteritie of Abraham their father, esteemed barrennesse a great crosse) And her companion Peninna having children to Elkanah insulting vpon her added affliction to the afflicted.
Therefore Channah prayed to God earnestly to comfort her, to take away her reproach, and giue her a son: [Page 68]The Lord heard her prayer, and gaue her a son, whom therefore she called Samuell, that is to say: The strong God heard: And shee beeing moved by the Spirit of GOD made and sung this song. The parts of the song are 3. The 1: a proposition with the reason thereof. verse 1.2. The 2. a dehortation with the reasons thereof, from the 3. verse to the 9. The 3. the conclusion of the song. verse 10.
The proposition is of Channas joy in the LORD, set foorth by the motives of her joy. viz. the present benefite recaued, and effect thereof, her abilitie to answere Peninna and all other that vpbraided her before. The reasons of the proposition are 2. the 1. taken frō the efficient joy, to wit: her deliverance from her griefe and reproach which shee ascribs to GOD, and cals it, hersalvation. verse 1. The 2. reason is taken from the vnchangeable nature of GOD, that hee is most holie, most strong, most true. verse 2. The dehortation is proponed in the beginning of the 3. verse. The summe of the proposition is: That none, specially Peninna, bee any more proude or vtter loftie language which is the effect of pryde: the reason of her dehortation are two, The 1. is taken from Gods omniscience: The 2. from his powerfull providence. verse 3. The 2. reason is illustrat by the effects thereof. 4.5.6.7.8. verse. of which effects shee showeth the cause in the end of the 8. verse. The conclusion of the song containes a pophecie of the salvation of the godly, the destruction of the wicked: with a reason. 9. Next a petition conforme to the prophecie: with a repetition more cleare of the prophecie, verse 10.
Annotations vpon this song.
AS this song begins so it cōtinues full of metaphors purposes flowing from great feeling, and therefore wanting conjunctions: In it also there be diverse apostrophees: of al these the judicious reader may make vse.
Verse 1. Thy salvation: so said Simeon in his song Luk. 3. for the saincts of old by temporall benefites as this was to Channa, were stirred vp to thinke of the great salvation by CHRIST, which Simeon looked for, and saw more clearely and nearelie then his forbeares.
Vers. 2. None holy, no rocke: This most true for holinesse and power are in GOD essentially and perfyte: in the creature by communication onely and in part, being compared with GOD. Iob. 4.18.
Verse 5. Hath ceased: To wit, to bee hungrie and are filled.
Seven: that is, many. Ruth. 4.11.
Set out themself: to wit, for hyred servants for want of food.
Verse 8. The pillars: See Iob. 48. v. 4. Psal. 124. v. 8. Psal. 112.26. and 104. verse 5.
Verse 10. To his KING: that is to say; to CHRIST IE SUS, to whom hee was to giue all power in Heaven and earth as his appointed King. Psal. 2.
Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine.
Obs. 1. THis song is called a prayer because it is spoken to GOD, and in end hath a prayer: but [Page 70]the purpose of it is a thanksgiving: and so these well joyned according to the precept of the Apostle. Phi. 4.6.
Obs. 2. It is easie to GOD when hee will to make a heavie heart light and joyfull: a dispysed person honorable: one silenced to speake boldly. These things and other benefites are obtained, by humiliation & prayer.
Obs. 3. verse 1. Whatsoever benefite GOD bestows vpon vs, wee should not so much thinke of it or vse it, as looke to GOD the giver of it and praise him, not being as the swyoe, who feed vpon fallen fruit: but looke not vp to the tree.
Obs. 4. We should labour to know Gods attributes by his word and workes, wee should meditate therevpon: that wee may loue, feare, trust him and obey his will alwayes.
Obs. 5. verse 2. It is easier to tell what God is not. or to deny any creature to bee like him: then to tell what hee is, for God beeing alwayes infinit cannot be defyned affirmatiuelie so well as negatiuelie.
Obs. 6. Pryde is a hereditarie sicknesse in men and women: yet GOD resisteth the proude and giveth grace to the humble. Iam. 4.6.
Obs. 7. verse 3. to the 8. The providence of GOD rules all things: maks all mutations among men Ps. 107.
Obs. 8. Wee should not look vpon things, and judge of them by present apperance: for the earth is as a stage: wee are players there vpon, everie one is not that hee seemeth to bee in the play: for a beggar there may represent a King: a wise man a foole: a wicked man a good: but wee should abide patiently the catastrophe of the play, staying till the morning, when everie man [Page 71]putteth on his owne coat: that is the morning of the resurrection. Psal. 49.14. 1. Iohn 3.1.
Obs. 9. verse 9.10. The godly of old tooke their deliverances particular, and of the Kirk in generall, as types of their great salvation by Christ, which they looked for: 1. Pet. 1.10.
This song paraphrased in English meeter to the tune of the 103. Psalme.
Verse. 1.
MY heart rejoyceth in the Lord,
in him my horne is hie:
My mouth is open wyde and large
against my enemie.
In thy salvation I joye,
2.
none holy like to thee:
For there is none but thou, O Lord,
a God, a rocke to mee.
3.
Speake thou no more words arrogant
as thou was wont before:
For God knowes all things very well,
and doth both lesse and more.
4.
The strong mans Bow is broken quyte,
the weake hath put on strength:
5.
The full beginne to begge their bread,
the hungrie eate at length.
the mother of sonnes is weake:
6.
The Lord hee kills, and giveth life,
casts downe and vp doth take:
7.
Hee makes men poore: and hee makes rich,
hee humbles, and raiseth hie
8.
Ev'n poore men from the dung and dust,
Princes equalls to bee.
For to the Lord the pillars of
the earth doe appertaine:
And therevpon hath hee set fast
the world and all therein.
9.
The feete hee will keepe of his Saints,
that they may never swerve:
The wicked shall in darknesse dwell,
as they do well deserve.
No man shall by his owne strength stand,
10.
O Lord stoppe all their strife:
The Lord will shoot his thunderbolts
at him from heaven right rife.
The ends of earth the Lord shal judge,
his King hee shall make strong:
And hee shall his Anoynteds horne
lift vp ere it bee long.
The Song of Hezechiah King of Iudah. Esay. 38.
Text.
I Said in the cutting of my dayes, I shall goe to the ports of the grave: I am deprived of the rest of my yeares.
I said, I shall not see IAH, Iah in the land of the living: I shall not behold man more, with the inhabitants of the world.
My habitation is gone and flitted from me, as a sheep-heards tent: I haue cut off as a weaver my lyfe: he wil cut me off from the thrum: from the daye to the night thou will destroy mee.
[Page 74]I resolved vnto the morning as a Lyon hee so bruised all my bones, from the daye to the night thou consumes me
As a crane, a swallow, I chettered: I sighed like a dove; myne eyes were lifted vp to the hight: IEHOVAH, I am weake give me rest.
What shall I saye? both hee said to mee, and he himself hath done it: I shall goe on all my yeeres with the bitternesse of my soule.
Lord vpon these they shall live, in all wherein the lyfe of my spirit is, and thou wilt heale me and give me life.
Behold, for peace I had bitternesse, and thou hast loved my soule from the pit of rottennesse: because thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back.
[Page 75]For the graue shal not confesse vnto thee, death praise thee neither shall they hope who goe downe to the pit to thy trueth.
The living, the living hee shall confesse vnto thee: as I this day: the father to the sonnes, shall make knowne thy trueth.
IEHOVAH to saue mee: Therefore my songs shall we play: all the dayes of our lyfe in the House of IEHOVAH.
Paraphrase.
1. VVHen I thought God was cutting the threed of my life, by deaths knife: I thought, and said within my selfe: I shall now die young and child-lesse.
2. Then my greatest griefe was, that my bodily eyes should not see God for a long time: and presentlie to be deprived of the sight of him, in the mirrour of his workes, word and Sacraments.
3. My dwelling place leaves mee, and I it: as a sheep-herd leaveth his tent: the web of my life is cut out: as the weaver cutteth out a web out of his loome: for I made it short by sins God hath made it short in his justice: and gives to mee no rest daye or night.
[Page 74]4. After the nights vnrest I looked for no better in the morning: but that hee cruelly wold destroy mee.
5. The cranes and swallows cannot speak in their pain; yet they chatter, and the dove cheeps: so, vnder so great griefe and paine, I could doe nothing, but mourne, sigh, lift vp my eyes and heart to God.
6. It is the Lord, I can neither say good nor euill: he hath spoken to mee by his servant Esay, and is doing accordingly: I will never forget this heavie hand of God vpon mee.
7. Vpon such meditations the godly shall be comforted: in time of sicknesse & death: as I now, hoping yet for life and health, from thee O Lord.
8 In place of peace & health which I had, God layd vpon me sore sicknesse and trouble of Spirit: yet hee loves mee: because, howbeit hee hath afflicted mee [Page 75]sore: yet hath hee not delivered mee to death. Psal. 118. but hath forgiven my sinnes, and set mee away with peace.
9. And this thou hast done that yet I might worship thee in the land of the living, which bodies dead, and buried cannot doe.
10. But man living as I am yet, shall praise thee: and one generation shall deliver thy trueth, vnto another.
11. The Lord was readie to saue mee. Therefore my song shall bee sung, even this song tuned & played, vpon musicall instrumēts, in witnesse of mee and my peoples thankfulnesse to God for this my deliverance.
The argument and analysis of this song.
HEzechiah king of Iudah beeing sicke of a desperat disease, which the learned thinke to haue bene a pestilentious fever, because mention is made of Byle. It was Gods will that the Prophet Esay should say to [Page 76]him hee should die be that disease: This messenger did much commoue Hezechiah: partly because hee was then a younge man, and had no child: partly because he beeing tormented both in body and spirit seared death: But chiefely because hee having long before resolved to serve God, and doe good to his Church, this good intention would faile. Being in this estate hee prayed, and weeped sore, and the Lord heard and pittied him: Therfore he sent againe to him the Prophet Esay: with another more comportable commission then the first: namely, that hee should not die at this time: but haue fifteene yeares added to his yeares hee had lived alreadie: hee being thus comforted, beganne to recognosce his thoughts in time of his sicknesse, and to consider Gods great mercie toward him: for the which he promised to bee thankfull all the dayes of his life. These things after hee had convalesced hee put in write, and makes the argument of this song. The parts of the song are three: The 1. is a recognoscing of his thoghts and words, in tyme of his sicknesse: from the 1. verse to the 6. The 2. is the consolation wherewith he comforted himselfe, from the 6. verse to the 11. The 3. is the conclusion of the song verse 11. As to the 1. part hee sayeth his thoughts and words were these. 1. hee thought and said hee would die of this disease. verse 1. Next hee thought and said hee would haue no more tyme place or occasion to serue GOD among men living vpon the earth, verse 2. Thirdly hee repeats his thoughts of death, in similitude taken from sheepe-heards, and weavers: verse 3 4. Fourthly by the similitude of Crane, swallowes, doues: hee expresseth his [Page 77]paine & prayer, verse 5. As for the 2. part, to wit, his conclusion: the grounds thereof are these. 1. that GOD declared to him his will by the Prophet that he should die: and it was GODS hand vpon him. 2. his resolution to passe the rest of his time in humilitie and repentance verse 6. Thirdly, he comforts himfelf with Gods promise, verse 7. Fourthly, he comforteth himself with Gods mercie, set downe with the motive thereof, that God may bee honoured by his servants living vpon earth, verse 8.9.10. The conclusion is, that hee wil praise God while he liveth, verse 11.
Annotations vpon this Song.
Verse 1. I said: through impatience I thought with my selfe.
I shall goe: a description of death.
Rest of my yeares: which by the course of nature I might have looked for.
Verse 2. I shall not see: I shall be deprived of Gods visible presence in his Church.
I AH, I AH: This doubling showeth his great loue to God, and his worship.
Verse 3. My habitation: hee compareth the life of man to a tent and webbe.
Verse 4. I resolved: That is, I layd my compt.
A Lyon: the like Iob, David, Christ felt.
Verse 5. Chattered: being weake in body & wounded in Spirit I could not vtter many words in prayer.
Verse 6. What shall I say: to wit, to my Maker: see the like, chap. 39.8. Iob, 1.21. Heli, 1. Sam. 3.18, David, Psal. 39 9 murmuring the contrare condemned.
Verse 7. These: he meaneth Gods word and works.
Verse 8. For the grave: so David Psal. 6.
Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine.
Obs. 1. HEZECHIAH left behinde him this song as a monument of Gods mercie towards him: so did David many Psalmes: and God honoured both with place in holy Scripture: which shall not bee forgot or lost, so long as the world shall last: I will honour those that honour mee, saith the LORD 1. Sam. 2.30.
Obs. 2. verse. 1.2.3.4. Hee complaines not for feare of death; as loving this life so well, that hee had no knowledge, faith, or hope, of a better life after this: but heereby he showes what paines he had in his body, what agony in his souse: beeing sensible of his sins and of Gods anger: yet there betwo things that make men willing to die: some earthly thing whervnto their heart is teathered: or want of knowledge of the joyes of Heaven.
Obs. 3. vers. 5. Hee could vtter few words in prayer, for griefe and paine: yet God saw his teares, heard his pittifull sighs and groanes: This should teach vs in greatest troubles, yea in the midst of the shaddow of death to hold fast our confidence in God. Ps. 23.4. Heb. 10.35.
Obs. 4. vers. 6. The grounds that Hezeckiah laid for his comfort, wee should vse to the lyke end: see the analysis.
Obs. 5. The LORD wounds and heales againe; kils & giues life: therefore wee should alwayes feare, serue, and trust in him. 1. Sam. 2.6.
Obs. 6. The chiefe end of mans lyfe is to know God and serue him: therefore this should bee the principall [Page 79]cause of our desire to liue.
Obs. 7. Death is a web of our owne spinning: because by sinne wee brought it on vs; yet God is said to cut out the web of our life: because he begins it, promoves it, ends it when hee pleases. This may bee the moralitie of the Poets fable of the three weirdsisters.
Obs. 8. When God forgiueth a man his sinne hee takes away the punishment also, as Hezechiah testifieth by his experience: and this refuteth the doctrine of Romanists: of remission of sinne: and reservation of punishment where vpon they build purgatorie.
Obs. 9.7.8 9.10.11. verse. When God hath afflicted vs and delivered vs againe, we should be humble, thankfull, penitent, praying for perseverence least wee fall againe with Hezechiah. Es. 3.9.
This song paraphrased in English meeter to the tune of the 102. Psalme.
Verse. 1.
WHen that I thought my dayes were cut,
I said, vnto the graue I'me put,
My yeares are spent no moe remaine.
2.
GOD in this life to see againe,
No longer men I say behold,
Heere vpon earth although I would.
3.
My tabernacle now is rent,
I flit as sheepheards doe from tent.
My web like weaver I cut out,
My like I meane: for thou but doubt,
Will mee cut off O LORD with noy,
And mee from day to night destroy,
4.
And in the morning by his might,
Lyke to a lyon hee mee breakes,
Both day and night so sore hee shakes.
5.
As Crane or Swallow, or lyke Doue,
I murne, I sigh, I chatter now:
I lift my eyes, I say this best,
LORD I am weake, giue thou mee rest.
6.
I hold my peace because that hee,
Both said and did all this to mee:
With sorrow humble will I goe,
Spending my life heereafter so.
7.
Vpon thy promise wee depend,
And on thy mercie without end:
These are the life of this my spirit,
To make mee heale thou thinks it meete.
8.
In place of peace I had great paine,
Thou lov'd my soule brought it againe
From pit: for all my sinnes past,
Behind thy backe now thou hast cast.
9.
Man gone to graue, cannot confesse,
Nor praise thy name, there more or lesse,
Nor can they trust more in thy treuth:
10
But such on earth, whom thou hast reuth;
As I this day now living doe,
Thy trueth their seed will tell vnto.
11.
The LORD was readie mee to saue,
[...]
The song of the blessed Virgin Marie. Luk. chap. 1.
MY soule magnifieth the LORD.
And my spirit leaps for joy: in GOD my Saviour.
Because hee hath looked vnto the humilitie of his hand-maid: for behold from this time, all nations shall call mee blessed.
For hee who is mighty hath done vnto me great things: and holy is his Name.
And his mercie to generations of generations, to them that feare him.
[Page 82]Hee hath done a powerfull worke: with his arme hee hath scattered the proude with the discourse of their heart.
Hee hath pulled the mightie out of thrones: and hath exalted the humble.
Hee filled the hungry with good things, and hath sent the rich away emptie.
Hee hath taken vp Israel his child to remember his mercie.
As hee spake to our fathers Abraham and his seed for ever.
1. I Am so ravished with admiration of the mercie, goodnesse, and power of GOD toward mee: that all the powers of my soule concurre with my tounge to praise him.
2. And this is the cause of the exceeding great joy of my spirit: even to thinke vpon GOD my Saviour.
3. Who hath looked vpon mee his handmaid of low degree: and hath honored me so: that now in al tims to come all people shall proclaime mee a blessed woman, the mother of that blessed seed.
4 For the strong and holie GOD hath done great and wonderfull things by me.
5. And he is not onely good to me, but also to all that loue him and serue him in all ages.
[Page 82]6. By his mightie power he hath wroght a great work he hath dissipat the proud, and all their devyces.
7. God resisteth the proud: and giveth grace to the humble: exalting them which will be seene shortly vpon my Sonne & me: and Herod.
8. Such as were poore and in hard estate: as my husband and I, he hath made aboundantly content: And vpō rich men as Herod he is bringing great miserie and male-contentment.
9. With his owne hand hee hath lifted vp Israel his servant: and exalted him: who before was despised, remembring his covenant of grace, made with Abraham Isaac and Iacob our fathers.
10 Even that everlasting covenant concerning the seed of Abraham.
The argument and analysis of this song.
MARIE having harkned to the message of the Angell Gabriel: hasted to Hebron a towne of the trybe of Iudah, pertaining to the Levits, situat among [Page 83]the mountaines: where Zachariah & Elisabeth her coosin dwelt: to show her this mervelous worke of God with her, that she a virgin not knowing man had conceived by the holy Ghost: that child who should bee the Messias promised to the fathers: Now so soone as Mary came to Elisabeth, and saluted her: At the voyce of Maries salutation: Iohn the Baptist who was to bee the forerunner of CHRIST, leapt within the wombe of Elisabeth: And Elisabeth beeing filled with the holy Ghost, told Marie the tydings, she came to tell her: before Marie vttered a word more then the salutation: and shee proclaimed Marie to bee a blessed woman, the mother of her LORD, & the fruite of her wombe blessed; and shew her that so soone as shee heard the voyce of her salutation: her owne child leapt for joy within her bellie. Even Iohn (sayeth Augustine) moving, saluteth Christ, whom as yet hee could, not salute with words. And Elisabeth assured Marie, that that should come to passe, which was told her from the Lord by his Angell: Then Marie moved by the holie Spirit vttered the words of this song containing the praise of GOD: for his great mercie and goodnesse towards her: and towards all his servants in all ages: and for his wise, just, powerfull providence, for his Church and against the enemies thereof: according to his covenant with Abraham and his seed for ever.
The parts of the song are 2. the 1. containeth a proposition of her praising of GOD and rejoycing in him. verse 1.2. The 2. containeth reasons of the proposition: which are 7. in number. The 1. is taken from GODS goodnesse towards her and the consequent thereof, that [Page 84]hence foorth all ages shall call her blessed, verse 3. The 2 is taken from GODS wonderfull power, in working with her, and his holinesse. verse 4. The 3. is taken from the continuing of Gods mercie to his servants & their posteritie. verse 5. The 4. is taken from Gods power over the enemies of his Church. verse 6. The 5. is taken from GODS power and justice over wicked men bee they never so mightie: and his power, goodnesse, & grace to such as in humilitie serue him. verse 7. The 6. is taken from Gods compassion vpon poore ones: & his dispysing of the rich, who trust in their riches. The 7. is taken from Gods goodnesse to his people Israell and the efficient cause thereof, to wit, his covenant with their fathers. verse 9.10.
Annotations vpon this Song.
Verse 1. MAgnifieth: that is, inlarges it self to think of his greatnesse and goodnesse: for no creature can comprehend GOD fully, farre lesse adde to his perfection.
Verse 2. In: or for: and this sheweth the efficient cause and verie object of her joy.
My Saviour: The Syriak interpretation is, quickning mee.
Verse 3. Looked: that is, favourablie accepted: Gen. 4. chap. v. 4.5.
Humilitie: The word imports a low and despysed estate: & not the merite of vertue in her: as they alledge who mantaine that divine worship is due to Marie in a hy degree: But Theophylactus exponing these words sayeth better: I shall bee called blessed not for my vertue [Page 85]but because GOD hath done great things for me.
Verse. 5. To generations: according to the promise Exod. 20.6. Psal. 103.17.
Feare him: feare in holy Scripture oft signifyeth all duety wee owe to GOD: and is to bee vnderstood of the filial not servile feare. Rom. 5.15.
Verse 6. A powerfull thing: the Syriak interprets this, victorie.
Scattered: as the whirle winde doth chaffe. Psal. 1.
Verse 8. Hungrie: she alluds to the words of Channa in her song.
Taken vp: with his hand to deliver: which the Greeke word properly signifieth, as Galen witnesses, and so is to bee exponed Heb. 3.16. and the consideration heereof giveth another meaning to that Scripture, then commonly interpreters doe.
Child: Syriak his servant, as Esay. 41, 8.9.
Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine.
Obs. 1. THis the first song in the new Testament sung by the blessed Virgin Marie: as the first song in the old Testament was sung by Marie Moses sister, both about one time of the yeare, both by women, both by Maries: and in many things the purposes of both agrees.
Obs. 2. verse. I. 2. The spirit of GOD in lightneth the eyes of the minds of his servants to see clearely his benefites, and their greatnesse: he fils their hearts with spirituall joy: & opens their mouth to praise: while as the wicked are like to swyne who eat fruit falling from [Page 86]the tree: but never looke where from it came.
Obs. 3. vers. 3. God is said in holy Scripture to respect or looke vpon men or women when he showes any token of his favour to them: and by the contrare not to respect or looke vpon them, when hee is angry: & the similitude is borrowed from parents or masters to their children or servants.
Obs. 4 Marie heere & in the verses following seemes to allude to the 98. Psalme, teaching vs to bee well acquaint with holy Scripture, that wee may make vse thereof in due time.
Obs. 5. vers. 4. 5. Gods promises to the godly, import everlasting good things: And therefore the per formance of his promise by temporall benefites, should bee to vs pledges of his eternall loue.
Obs. 6. Compare the verses following with Psal. 1. Psal. 63. Esay 29.
Obs. 7. GOD takes the wicked in their owne crafts, making evill counsell worse to the giuer.
Obs. 8. When God will put forth his hand to helpe, he comforts his Church, confounds his enemies Es. 41.10
Obs. 9. verse 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. God is faithfull and fails not his servants. Ios. 1.5. Heb. 13.6.
This song paraphrased in English meeter to the tune of the 19. Psalme.
Verse. 1.
MY soule the Lord doth magnifie,
2.
and sprit in him rejoyce:
Hee is my GOD and Saviour,
To him I sing with noyse.
3.
For hee the poore estate of mee,
his hand-maid did respect:
And now from hence no people shall,
to call mee blest neglect.
4.
The mightie LORD to mee hath done,
things marvelous and great.
5.
His Name is holy and his grace,
sits in eternall seate.
To such as feare his holy Name,
and worship him in treuth:
6.
A mightie worke his arme hath wrought,
the Proude destroy'd but reuth.
7.
The mightie men out of their thrones,
hee pulled hath with strength:
And such as were of low degree,
exalted at the length.
8.
With good things hee the hungrie fils,
the rich sends poore away.
9,
His servant Israel hath hee tane,
for to protect alway.
For why, hee hath remembered,
his covenant of grace.
10.
Which with our fathers hee did make.
and seed to come in place:
Of Abraham I chiefely meane,
and his posteritie,
That they should finde to them and theirs,
The Song of ZACHARIE. Luke. 1.
Text.
BLessed be the LORD the God of Israell: because hee hath visited and made redemption to his people.
And hath raised vp the horne of salvation to vs in the house of David his child.
As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets: which haue beene since the world beganne.
Salvation from our enemies & from the hand of al that hate vs.
[Page 89]To make mercie with our fathers, and to remember his holy testament.
The oath which he swore to Abraham our father.
To giue vnto vs delivered from the hand of our enemies, to serue him without feare.
In holynesse and righteousnesse before him; all the dayes of our lyfe.
And thou, babe; shall bee called the Prophet of the most High, for thou shall goe before: before the face of the LORD to prepare his wayes.
To giue the knowledge of salvation to his people, in the remission of their sinnes
By the bowels of mercie of [Page 90]our GOD, by the which he hath visited vs who comes from aboue.
To shine to them that sit in darknesse & in the shaddow of death, to direct our feete in the way of peace.
Paraphrase.
1. Let God bee praised and preached most worthie of praise: because that now hee hath declared, that he was mindefull of his people, in sending his Sonne to visit and redeeme them
2. And now while as the strength of Israel seemed to bee gone, and the promise made to David to haue failed: he hath raised vp his CHRIST: who by his strength shall overthrow our enemies: and establish the kingdome in the house of David.
3. According to his promises by his servants: continued in all ages since the beginning.
4. Who prophecied that we should bee delivered from our enemies and from the power of all who hate vs.
[Page 89]5. And to performe his mercie promised. to our fathers: and shew hee did remember his covenant made, seald to Abraham.
6. By oath, vision, and circumcision.
7. That wee beeing delivered from the power of our enemies, might serue him willingly & boldly.
8. In holynesse and true righteousnesse in his sight continually (who searches the hearts and raines) so long as wee liue.
9. But now thou my younge sonne: though thou seeme litle worth: yet thou shall be a great one: even furriour of the great King: and his forerunner to prepare his peoples hearts to receaue him.
10. Opning to them the way of salvation, in repentance and faith in the blood of Christ the Lambe of God who takes away the sins of the world.
12. Which is the greatest [Page 90]mercie given vs by GOD: manifesting his Sonne in the flesh: who commeth from Heaven.
13. Who also shall be a light to the Gentiles, who now sit in darknesse and deadly ignorance: & lead both vs and them to true happinesse.
The argument and analysis of this song.
ZACHARIE the father of Iohn the Baptist, a priest of the order of Abiah: when hee was doing his office according to the order of his course, in the temple of the LORD. Gabriel the Angell appeared vnto him and told him that his wife Elisabeth should beare him a sonne: & commanded him to call his name Iohn: Also hee shew him that hee should bee that Elias of whom Malachi prophecied chap 4. v. 5. Which message Zacharie doubted of: considering that both hee and Elisabeth were old: and she had beene all her dayes till then barren. Therefore he was striken with dumbnesse vntill the day Iohn was borne: so that vpon the eight day after, when they were about the circumcision of the child, they speared at him how the childe should be called: & he asking writting tables, because he could not speake, wrote, his name shall bee IOHN: and immediatly his tongue was loosed: and he opned his mouth, and praised GOD. And beeing filled with [Page 91]the Spirit of GOD hee spake the words of this song: The summe of it is: he praised GOD for performing of his promise concerning Messiah: made to their father Abraham and to David, and foretold by the holy Prophets since the world beganne: and in the end he prophecieth that his sonne Iohn should be the forerunner and furriour of CHRIST.
The parts of the song are three; The 1. containeth the praise of GOD or an exhortation to praise him ver. 1. at the beginning: The 2. part containes the reasons of the exhortation: from the 1. to the 9. And they are in number 3. The 1. is the visitation of his people. The 2. is the redemption of them: verse 1. The 3. reason is the raising vp of the horne of salvation in the house of David. verse 2. All these 3. reasons are illustrate, by comparing the promises of God and prophecies with these things, the event and accomplishment of them verse 3.4.5.6.7.8. The 3. part of the song, containes a prophecie concerning his sonne Iohn: that he should bee called a Prophet, be the furriour and sorerunner of CHRIST. verse 9. Next the ministrie and doctriné of Iohn, viz. to point out Messiah: prepare the people to receaue him: teach the doctrine of repentance & faith, for receaving by the mercie of GOD remission of sinnes verse 10.11. Thirdly hee sets downe the finall cause of CHRISTS first comming, to wit, to giue light, comfort, life eternall to all those that should beleeue in him verse 12.13.
Annotations vpon this song.
Verse 1. BLessed: The verb, be, is to be vnderstood Visited: This word in holy Scripture [Page 92]signifieth, whiles to punish, Exod. 20. whiles to doe good, as heere, where it imports the personall presence of GOD in his Sonne IESUS CHRIST comming in the flesh, to see the estate of GODS Church on earth: and to redeeme them. See Exod. 3.8.
Redemption: This word is diversly taken. 1. for delivering by force and power out of the hand of the enemie, as GOD redeemed his people out of Egypt. 2. For going free with the enemies good will: as the redemption from the Babylonian Captivitie. 3. For ransoming, that is, paying the just pryce, as heere and els where.
Verse 2 The Horne: That is, the strength, a metaphor from horned beasts.
Verse 7. Without feare: That is, with confidence: Eph. 3.12. for feare heere doth not signifie religious reverence, but griefe for evill to come.
Verse. 10. In the remission: or by the remission of sinnes, which is the manner by the which GOD saves vs. Rom. 4.7.
Verse 11. Who commeth from aboue: The Greeke word properly signifieth the sunne rysing: And Messiah is so called in Hebrew. Ier. 23.5. Zach. 3.8.
Peace: In the old Testament often signifieth prosperitie, and in the New: but heere it imports happinesse everlasting: In this way CHRIST by his word leads vs: for hee is the way, the veritie and life.
Observations of grounds for vse and doctrine.
Obs. 1 ALbeit these words of Zacharie bee called a prophecie: yet the learned calleth this the [Page 93]second song in the New Testament: There is indeed a prophecie in the foure last verses: but the former containerh the praise of GOD.
Obs. 2. verse 1. It hath alwayes beene the practise of the godly after sight or sense of Gods benefites temporall or spirituall, to praise GOD: so should wee.
Obs. 3. GOD maketh his promises to his Church good, when there is least appearance: hence the proverb: when man is weakest GOD is strongest.
Obs. 4. verse 2. The raising vp of the horne of salvation in the house of David, is the continuing of Davids kingdome, to bee an everlasting kingdome in the person of CHRIST.
Obs 5. The comparison of prophecies with their event argue the Scripture to be the word of GOD.
Obs. 6 verse 3. All the Patriarchs and Prophets beleeued and looked for the comming of Christ. 1. Pet. 1.
Obs. 7. verse 4 5.6. The Covenant of grace is: that God would forgiue vs our sinnes: save vs from enemies, chiefely spirituall, sinne, Satan, death, put vs in the estate of grace, and bring vs to glorie: which benefites Christ meriteth to vs by his death.
Obs. 8. verse 8. The end of our redemption is, that wee serue God & Christ his Sonne in true holinesse & righteousnes before him: beware of hypocrisie, Ps. 50.
Obs. 9. Iohn new borne is installed in his office by the holy Ghost.
Obs. 10. verse 10. The onely way to salvation by remission of sinnes through the merit of the blood of Christ, was shewed in the bloody sacrifices from the beginning, types heereof.
[Page 94]Obs. 11. Gods mercie is over all his workes. Psal. 145.9. but the bowels of his mercie, that is, his superaboundant love towards his chosen in redeeming of them by Christ his Sonne.
Obs. 12. verse 11. CHRIST is compared to the morning starre, the sunne, the light, an orient from aboue: all which haue good vse to comfort vs.
This song paraphrased in English meeter to the tune of the 18. Psalme.
1.
THE LORD, the GOD of Israel,
bee blest and praisde alway:
For hee with great redemption,
hath visit vs this day.
2.
The horne now of salvation,
to vs is raised hie,
Vnto the house of David, his
beloved: as wee see.
3.
As did foretell our fathers all,
who prophets were by name:
Since that the world did first beginne,
by them hee spoke the same.
4.
That wee should bee delivered,
out of our enemies hand:
From everie one that did vs hate,
or that should vs withstand:
5.
According to the Covenant,
once with our fathers made
Of mercie, now remembered,
though they long since bee deade.
6.
The oath which vnto Abraham,
our father hee did sweare:
7,
To give to vs deliverance,
to serue him without feare.
8.
In righteousnesse and holynesse,
sincere before his face:
So long as life should in vs dure,
and that from race to race.
9.
And thou my little babe shall bee,
prophet of the most Hie,
And so bee cald, because that thou,
the LORD himselfe shall see.
And thou before him first shall goe,
his way for to prepare:
10.
Instructing to salvation,
his people lesse and maire.
11.
That vnto them remission,
of all their sinnes is given.
12.
By GODS most tender mercie now,
set foorth before our eyne:
For now the Sunne of righteousnesse,
hath shyned from aboue.
13.
To them that sit in darknesse, and
in shaddow of the graue.
Our paths for to direct into,
the way that leads to peace:
And everlasting glorie next,
FINIS.