As this Psalme is the longest in the whole Psalter, so it semeth to the ancient Fathers most profonnd in sense. ^note And so much the harder to be vnderstood, because also the very hardnes therof lieth hidden, which in diuers other Psalmes, and partes of holie Scripture, easily appeareth to the reader. But here the wordes being clere, and the sense also plaine and easie in some pointes of doctrine, yet the more diligence is imployed, the more difficultie is found in searching the whole sense and mearning of euerie word and sentence, with the maner obserued in composing it, and the frequent repetition of the same or like wordes, Al which maturely considered caused that great Clerke, and light of the Church S. Augustin, to omite this Psalme, when he explicated al the rest. ^note And when at last he added also this, he wittingly omitted one special difficultie, which he doubted not, to be conteyned in the maner of composing it, not only by order of the Hebrew Alphabet, as diuers more Psalmes, and some other partes of holie Scripture, but more artificially then anie other, the first eight verses al beginning with the first letter Aleph; the next eight, with the second letter Beth: and so to the last of the two and twentie letters. Of which omission he yeldeth this only reason, because he found nothing (as he humbly affirmeth) that might properly perteyne therunto. ^note Confessing also expresly that whensoeuer he applied his cogitations to expound the text it self, it alwayes exceded his habilitie. But finally to satisfie the often and earnest request of his bretheren and freindes, trusting (as alvvayes) in Gods special helpe, he largely expoundeth it, in thirtie two distinct Sermons.

S. Ambrose also moued with like pietie, made two and twentie Sermons in exposition of this Psalme. ^note Affirming in his Prologue, that amongst other Psalmes, especially this sheweth how great a master king Dauid was of moral good life. For al moral doctrine being of his owne nature swete, yet most delighteth the eares, and gently toucheth the minde, being vttered, as here it is, with pleasantnes of verse, and swetenes of songue. Againe whereas this Royal Prophet in manie places of this booke, powrethout sentences of moral psalmes or songues, as bright starres, that shine and glister to al the world, here most excellently he produceth a more singular mirrhor, as the sunne, of ful light, burning with meridian heate. ^note And for the profite of al, the better to draw our attentions, to lerne that we may, though we can not attaine to al that we vvould, he disposed this Psalme through al the Alphabeth: that as children beginning vvith the first letters, make entrance to further knovvlege; so by the same beginninges vve should lay the first foundation, and therupon procede in our spiritual building, tovvards perfection in good life, the true seruice of God. ^note VVhich is yet further insinuated (as the same Doctor teacheth) by the eight verses continually beginning vvith the same letter, and so other eight in order through the vvhole Alphabet, to signifie that after seuen dayes trauel in this temporal life, vve may come to that vnitie, vvhich vve expect in the eight day of resurrection, vvhen vve hope to rise reuiued in our Lord Iesus, in nevvnes of eternal life.

Lickevvise S. Basil in the Argument of this Psalme admonisheth, that vvheras holie Dauid, according to diuers states, vvhich he passed, vvritte diuers Psalmes: as vvhen he fled from his enimies, vvhen he lamented his distresses, mourned in pensiuenes, enioyed peace and comforte, ranne a right course of vertue, fel from God by sinne, & againe returning obserued Gods lavves; in this one Psalme he comprehendeth al his prayers made to God at sundrie times, & here proposeth the same, as a certaine profitable moral doctrine, to al sortes and states of men. ^note Neither doth he pretermite doctrinal pointes of faith, but interposeth them also with moral documents, in such sorte, that this one Psalme may suffice to teach the vvel disposed, hovv to attaine to perfection in vertue, to sturre vp the slouthful vnto diligent care of their soules, to recreate the desolate vvith spiritual consolations, & briefly it administereth al kinde of medicine, to the diuers passions of mortal men:

For the like iudgements of other Fathers vve remitte the lerned reader, to S. Hilarie, Theodoret, Prosper, Arnobius, Cassiodorus, Beda, Euthymius and others, but can not wel omitte a brief instruction of S. Ierom. ^note VVho in his Epistle to Paula Vrbica: not only sheweth the interpretation of the two and twentie letters, but also explicateth their sense in this place, by connecting them into certaine shorte sentences, in this maner. ^note

Aleph	Beth	Gimel	Daleth;
Doctrina	Domus	Plenitudo	Tabularum;
Doctrine.	Of the house	Fulnesse	Of tables;

VVhich is the first connexion, signifying that the doctrine of the house, that is, the Church of God, is found in the fulnes of diuine bookes. The second connexion is:

He	Vau	Zain	Heth.
Ista	Et	Haec	Vita.
This thing	And	This	Life.

For what other life can there be without knowlege of Scriptures? wherby also Christ is knowen, who is the life of them that beleue in him.

The third connexion is: ^note

Teth	Iod.
Bonum	Principium,
Good	Beginning,

Albeit we now could know al thinges which are written, yet we know but in part, and in part we prophecie: ^note for we see now by a glasse, in a darke sort, but when we shal be worthie to be with Christ, and shal be like to Angels, theu doctrine of bookes shal cease, and then we shal see face to face: the ^note Good Beginning, euen as he is. The fourth connexion is:

Caph	Lamed.
Manus	Disciplinæ, siue cordis.
The hande	Of discipline, or of hart.

The handes are vnderstood in worke, hart and discipline are vnderstood in sense or meaning, because we can not rightly doe anie thing, vnles vve first knovv vvhat thinges are to be donne. ^note The fift connexion is:

Mem	Nun	Samech:
Ex ipsis,	Sempiternum	Adiutorium:
Of them	Euerlasting	Helpe:

This needeth not explication, for it is manifest as the light, that from Scriputres are eternal helpes. The sixt connexion is:

Ain,	Phe	Sade.
Fons, siue Oculus,	Oris	Iustitiæ.
Fountaine, or Eye	Of the mouth	Of iustice,

According to that vvhich vve haue expounded in the fourth connexion: that dedes and intention must concurre. The seuenth connexion vvhich is last, in vvhich number of seuen is also mystical vnderstanding:

Coph	Res	Shin,	Tau.
Vocatio,	Capitis,	Dentium	Signa.
Vocation	Of the head,	Of teeth	Signes.

Distinct voice is produced by the teeth, & in these signes vve come to the Head of al, vvhich is Christ, by vvhom vve haue accesse to the euerlasting kingdom.

Or thus (not transposing the vvordes) By vocation of Christ the Head, through distinct voice of signes (for vvordes are signes shevving the mind) vve are conducted to the eternal kingdom, the happines vvhich al men desire.

VVhat I pray thee (saith this holie Doctor) is more sacred then this mysterie, vvhat more pleasant then this delight? VVhat meate, & vvhat honey are svveeter, then to knovv Gods vvisdom; to enter into his secreete clossets; to behold the sense of our Creator; and to teach the vvordes of thy Lord God, ful of spiritual vvisdom, vvhich are derided by the vvise of this vvorld.

VVe must also aduertise the reader of the like discourses of ancient Fathers (ouer long to be here recited) concerning the manifold hiegh praises of Gods Lavv, conteyned in this Psalme, vvith frequent repetiti&obar; of certaine Synonyma vvordes signifying the same thing, in al fourtene, to vvitte: The Lavv of God, his VVayes, Testimonies, Commandments, Precepts, Statutes, Iustifications, Iudgements, Iustice, Equitie, Veritie, VVordes, Speaches, & Sermons: of vvhich there is commonly one in euerie verse, and somtimes tvvo or three in the same verse. ^note But our English tongue hardly sufficing rightly to distinguish the three

last, which in latin are Verba, Eloquia, Sermones, we translate VVordes only, adding in the margen, Eloquia, and Sermones, when they occurre.

Leauing therfore larger commentaries to others, we shal prosecute our wonted maner of briefe glosses. Only here premonishing the diligent readers, especially Clergimen (our selues and our brethren) who euerie day sing or read this whole Psalme in the Canonical houres, to obserue two particular pointes of Christian doctrine, euidently proued by manie places of this Psalme. The one against the Pelagians heresie, denying the necessitie of Gods special grace in meritorious workes. ^note For the Psalmist often here inculcateth mans insufficiencie, that of himselfe, and by natural forces, he can not kepe the commandments of God, but needeth alwayes the particular grace of God, as vvel to beleue in him, to repent for sinnes, and to beginne good vvorkes; as to procede, and perseuere in good state to the end. The other against the heresie of our time, denying merite by grace & freewil. ^note For here it is also manifest, that Gods grace maketh man able, to kepe his commandments, and by keeping them to become iust in this life, and so to merite eternal glorie. Sundrie other principal Articles of Christian Catholique Religion are likevvise comprised in this one Psalme: but especially Moral doctrin. Allelu ja. ^note Aleph. Doctrine.

1   Blessed ^note are ^note the immaculate in the way: which ^notewalke in the law of our Lord.

2   Blessed are they, ^note that search his testimonies: that ^note seeke after him with al their hart.

3   For ^note they that worke iniquitie, haue not walked in his ^notewaies.

4   Thou hast ^note very much commanded thy commandmentes to be kept.

5   Would God my waies ^note might be directed, to keepe thy ^noteiustifications.

6   Then shal I ^note not be confounded, when I shal looke throughly in al thy commandmentes.

7    ^noteI wil confesse to thee ^note in direction of hart: in that I haue lerned the ^note iudgements of thy iustice.

8    ^noteI wil keepe thy iustifications: ^note forsake me not wholy. Beth. House.

9   Wherein ^note doth a yongman correct his way? ^note in keeping thy ^note wordes.

10    ^noteWith my whole hart I haue sought after thee: ^note repel me not from thy commandmentes.

11    ^noteIn my hart I haue hid thy ^note wordes: that I may not sinne to thee.

12    ^noteBlessed art thou ô Lord: ^note teach me thy iustifications.

13   In my lippes, I haue pronounced al the ^note iudgementes of thy mouth.

14   I am ^note delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in al riches.

15   I ^note wil be exercised in thy commandmentes: and I wil consider thy waies.

16   I ^note wil meditate in thy iustifications: I wil not forget thy ^notewordes. Gimel. Fulnes.

17   Render ^note to thy seruant, ^note quicken me: ^note and I shal keepe thy ^note wordes.

18    ^noteReuele mine eies: ^note and I shal consider the meruelous thinges of thy law.

19    ^noteI am a seiourner in the land, ^note hide not thy commandmentes from me.

20   My soule hath coueted to desire thy iustifications, at al time.

21   Thou hast ^note rebuked the prowde: ^note cursed are they that decline from thy commandmentes.

22   Take from me reproch, and contempt: because I haue sought after thy testimonies.

23   For ^note princes sate, and they spake against me: but ^note thy seruant was exercised in thy iustifications.

24   For both ^note thy testimonies are my meditation: and ^note thy iustifications my counsel. Daleth. Of Tables.

25   My soule ^note hath cleaued to the pauement: ^note quicken me according to thy word.

26   I haue vttered my wayes, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy iustifications.

27   Instruct me the way of thy iustifications: and I shal be exercised in thy meruelous workes.

28   My soule ^note hath slumbered for tediousnes: ^note confirme me in thy wordes.

29    ^noteRemoue from me the way of iniquitie: and according to thy law, ^note haue mercie on me.

30   I haue chosen the way of truth: I haue not forgotten thy iudgements.

31   I haue cleaued to thy testimonies ô Lord: ^note do not confound me.

32    ^noteI ranne the way of thy commandments: ^note when thou didst dilate my hart. He. This thing.

33    ^noteSet me a law ô Lord the way of thy iustifications: and I wil seeke after it alwayes. ^note

34    ^noteGeue me vnderstanding, ^note and I wil search thy law: and I wil keepe it with my whole hart.

35    ^noteConduct me into the path of thy commandments: ^note because I would it.

36    ^noteIncline my hart into thy testimonies: and ^note not into auarice.

37    ^noteTurne away mine eies that they see not vanitie: ^note in thy way quicken me.

38    ^noteEstablish thy ^note word to thy seruant, in thy feare.

39    ^noteTake away my reproch, which I haue feared: ^notebecause thy iudgements are pleasant.

40   Behold I haue coueted thy commandments: in thine equitie ^note quicken me. Vau. And.

41   And ^note let thy mercie come vpon me ô Lord: ^note thy saluation according to thy ^note word.

42   And ^note I shal answer a word to them that vpbrayde me: ^notebecause I haue hoped in thy ^note wordes.

43   And ^note take not away out of my mouth the word of truth vtterly: ^note because I haue much hoped in thy iudgementes.

44   And ^note I wil keepe thy law alwayes: for euer, and for euer and euer.

45   And ^note I walked in largenesse: ^note because I haue sought after thy commandments.

46   And ^note I spake of thy testimonies in the sight of kinges: and was not confounded.

47   And ^note I meditated in thy commandments, which I loued.

48   And ^note I haue lifted vp my handes to thy commandments, which I loued: and ^note I was exercised in thy iustifications. Zain. This.

49   Be ^note mindeful of thy word to thy seruant, wherein thou hast geuen me hope.

50   This hath comforted me in my humiliation: because ^note thy ^noteword hath quickened me.

51   The ^note prowd did vniustly excedingly: ^note but I declined not from thy law.

52   I ^note haue bene mindful of thy iudgements from ^note euerlasting ô Lord: ^note and was comforted.

53    ^noteFaynting possessed me, because of sinners forsaking thy law.

54    ^noteThy iustifications were songue by me, in the place of my peregrination.

55   I haue bene mindful in ^note the night of thy name ô Lord: and haue kept thy law.

56   This was done to me: ^note because I sought after thy iustifications.

57   My ^note portion ô Lord, I sayd to keepe thy law.

58    ^noteI besought thy face, with al my hart: haue mercie on me according to thy ^note word.

59   I ^note thought vpon my wayes: and conuerted my feete vnto thy testimonies.

60   I ^note am prepared, and am not trubled: to keepe thy commandments.

61   The ^note cordes of sinners haue wrapped me round about: and ^note I haue not forgotten thy law.

62   At ^note midnight I rose to confesse to thee, for the iudgements of thy iustification.

63    ^noteI am partaker of al that feare thee: and that keepe thy commandments.

64   The ^note earth ô Lord is ful of thy mercie: ^note teach me thy iustifications. Teth. Good.

65   Thou hast ^note done bountie with thy seruant ô Lord: ^note according to thy word.

66    ^noteTeach me goodnesse, ^note and discipline, and ^note knowledge: ^notebecause I haue beleued thy commandments.

67   Before I ^note was humbled I offended: ^note therfore haue I kept thy ^note word.

68   Thou art good: and in thy goodnesse teach me thy iustifications.

69   The iniquitie of ^note the prowd is multiplied vpon me: ^note but I in al my hart wil search thy commandments.

70   Their hart is ^note crudded together as milke: ^note but I haue meditated thy law.

71   It is good for me that thou hast humbled me: that I may learne thy iustifications.

72   The law of thy mouth is ^note good vnto me, aboue thousands of gold, and siluer. Iod. Beginning.

73   Thy handes haue made me, and formed me: ^note geue me vnderstanding, and I wil learne thy commandmentes.

74   They that feare thee ^note shal see me, & shal reioyce: because I haue much hoped in thy wordes.

75    ^noteI know ô Lord that thy iudgements are equitie: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me. ^note.

76   Let thy mercie be done to comfort me, according to thy ^noteword vnto thy seruant.

77   Let thy commiserations come to me, and I ^note shal liue: because thy law is my meditation.

78   Let the prowde ^note be confounded, because they haue done vniustly toward me: but I wil be exercised in thy commandments.

79   Let them ^note be conuerted to me that feare thee: and that know thy testimonies.

80   Let my hart be made immaculate in thy iustifications, that I be not confounded. Caph. Hand, or Palme of the hand.

81   My soule hath fainted for ^note thy saluation: and I haue much hoped in thy word.

82   Myne eies haue fayled for thy ^note word, saying: ^note when wilt thou comfort me?

83   Because I am made ^note as a bottel in the hoare frost: I haue not forgotten thy iustifications.

84   How manie are ^note the daies of thy seruant: when wilt thou doe iudgement on them that persecute me?

85   The vniust haue told mc ^note fables: but not as thy law.

86   Al thy commandmentes are truth: they haue vniustly persecuted me, helpe me.

87   They haue welnere ^note made an end of me in the earth: but I haue not forsaken thy commandments.

88   According to ^note thy mercie quicken me: and I shal keepe the testimonies of thy mouth. Lamed. Discipline.

89   For euer Lord ^note thy word is permanent in heauen.

90   Thy truth in generation and generation: thou hast founded the earth, and it is permanent.

91   By thy ordinance the day contine weth: because ^note al thinges serue thee.

92    ^noteBut that thy law is my meditation: I had then ^note perhaps perished in my humiliation.

93   I wil not forget thy iustifications for euer: because in them thou hast quickned me.

94   I am thine, saue me: because ^note I haue sought out thy iustifications.

95   Sinners haue expected me to destroy me: I vnderstood thy testimonies.

96    ^noteOf al consummation I haue sene the end: ^note thy commandment is exceding large. Mem. Of them.

97    ^noteHow haue I loued thy law ô Lord! al the day it is my meditation.

98    ^noteAboue mine enemies thou hast made me wise by thy commaundment: because it is to me for euer.

99   Aboue ^note al that taught me haue I vnderstood: because thy testimonies are my meditation.

100   Aboue ^note ancientes haue I vnderstood: because I haue sought thy commandments.

101   I haue staied my feete from al euil way: that I may keepe thy wordes.

102   I haue not declined from thy iudgements: because thou hast set me a law.

103    ^noteHow sweete are thy ^note wordes to my iawes, more then honie to my mouth!

104   By thy commandments I haue vnderstood: therfore haue I ^note hated al the way of iniquitie. Nun. Euerlasting.

105    ^noteThy word is a lampe to my feete, and a light to my pathes.

106   I ^notesware, and haue determined to keepe the iudgements of thy iustice.

107   I am ^note humbled excedingly ô Lord: quicken me according to thy word.

108   The ^note voluntaries of my mouth make acceptable ô Lord: and teach me thy iudgementes.

109   My ^note soule is in my handes alwaies: and I haue not forgotten thy law.

110   Sinners laid a snare for me: and I haue not erred from thy commandments.

111   For inheritance I haue purchased thy testimonies for euer: because they are the ioy of my hart.

112   I haue inclined my hart to doe thy iustifications for euer, ^notefor reward. Samech. Helpe.

113   I haue ^note hated the vniust: and I haue ^note loued thy law.

114   Thou art my helper, and protectour: and vpon thy word I haue much hoped.

115    ^noteDepart from me ye malignant: and I wil search the commandmentes of my God.

116    ^noteReceiue me according to thy ^note word, ^note and I shal liue: and ^note confound me not of myn expectation.

117    ^noteHelpe me, and I shal be saued: and I wil meditate in thy iustifications alwayes.

118   Thou hast ^note despised al that reuolt from thy iudgementes: ^notebecause their cogitation is vniust.

119   Al the sinners of the earth I ^note haue reputed preuaricatours: therfore haue I loued thy testimonies.

120    ^notePearse my flesh with thy feare: for I am afrayd of thy iudgementes. Ain. A fountaine, or an eye.

121   I ^note haue done iudgement and iustice: ^note deliuer me not to them that calumniate me.

122   Receiue thy seruant ^note vnto good: let not the prowde calumniate me.

123   Mine eies haue fayled ^note after thy saluation: and for the ^noteword of thy iustice.

124   Doe with thy seruant according to thy mercie: and teachet me thy iustifications.

125   I am thy seruant: geue me vnderstanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

126    ^note It is time to doe ô Lord: ^note they haue dissipated thy law.

127    ^noteTherfore haue I loued thy commandementes, aboue gold and topazius: ^note

128   Therfore was I directed to al thy commandements: ^note al wicked way I haue hated. Phe. Mouth.

129   Thy ^note testimonies are meruelous: ^note therfore hath my soule searched them.

130   The ^note declaration of thy ^note wordes doth illuminate: and geueth vnderstanding to litle ones.

131   I ^note opened my mouth, and drew breath: because I desired thy commandments.

132   Looke vpon me, and haue mercie on me, according to ^note the iudgement of them that loue thy name.

133   Direct my steppes according to thy ^note Word: and let not anie iniustice haue domination ouer me.

134   Redeme me from the calumnies of men: that I may kepe thy commondmentes.

135   Illuminate ^note thy face vpon thy seruant: and teach me thy iustifications.

136    ^noteMine eies haue gushed forth issues of waters: because they haue not kept thy law. Sade. Iustice.

137   Thou art iust ô Lord: and ^note thy iudgement is right.

138   Thou hast commanded ^note iustice thy testimonies: and thy veritie excedingly.

139   My Zele hath made me to pine away: because mine enimies haue forgotten thy wordes.

140   Thy ^note word is ^note fired excedingly: and thy seruant hath loued it.

141   I am ^note a yongman, and contemned: I ^note haue not forgotten thy iustifications.

142   Thy iustice, is iustice for euer: and thy law is veritie.

143   Tribulation, and distresse haue found me: thy commandments are my meditation.

144   Thy testimonies are equitie for euer ^note geue me vnderstanding, and I shal liue. Coph. Vocation.

145   I ^note haue cried in my whole hart, heare me ô Lord: I wil seeke after thy iustifications.

146   I haue cried to thee, saue me: that I may keepe thy commandmentes.

147   I haue preuented in ^note maturitie, and ^note haue cried: because I hoped much in thy wordes.

148   Mine eies ^note haue preuented early vnto thee: that I might meditate thy ^note wordes.

149   Heare my voice according to thy mercie ô Lord: and according to ^note thy iudgement quicken me.

150   They that persecute me haue approched to iniquitie: but from thy law they are made far of.

151   Thou art ^note nigh ô Lord: and al thy wayes are truth.

152    ^noteFrom the beginning I knewe of thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for euer.

Res. Head.

153   See ^note my humiliation, and deliuer me: because I haue not forgotten thy law.

154   Iudge my iudgement, & redeme me: for thy ^note word ^note quicken thou me.

155   Saluation is far from sinners: because they haue not sought after thy iustifications.

156   Thy mercies are manie ô Lord: ^note according to thy iudgement quicken me.

157   There are manie that persecute me, and afflict me: I haue not declined from thy testimonies.

158   I saw the preuaricatours, and I pyned away: because they kept not thy ^note wordes.

159    ^noteSee that I haue loued thy commandmentes ô Lord: in thy mercie quicken me.

160   The ^note beginning of thy wordes is truth: ^note al the iudgementes of thy iustice are for euer. Sin. Tooth.

161   Princes haue persecuted me ^note without cause: and my ^note hart hath bene afrayd of thy wordes.

162   I ^note wil reioyce at thy ^note wordes: as he that findeth manie spoyles.

163   I haue hated iniquitie, and abhorred it: but thy law I haue loued.

164    ^noteSeuentimes in the day I haue sayd prayse to thee, for the iudgements of thy iustice.

165   There is ^note much peace to them that loue thy law: & ^note there is no scandal to them.

166   I expected thy saluation ô Lord: and haue loued thy commandmentes.

167   My soule hath kept thy testimonies: and ^note hath loued them excedindgly.

168   I haue kept thy commandmentes, and thy testimonies: because al my waies are in thy sight. ^note Tau. Signe.

169   Let my petition approch in thy sight ô Lord: according to thy word giue me ^note vnderstanding. ^note

170   Let my request enter in thy sight: ^note according to thy word ^notedeliuer me.

171   My lippes shal vtter an hymne, when thou shalt teach me thy iustifications.

172   My tongue shal pronounce thy ^note word: ^note because al thy commandmentes are equitie.

173    ^noteLet thy hand be to saue me: because I haue chosen thy commandmentes.

174   I haue coneted thy saluation ô Lord: and thy law is my meditation.

175    ^noteMy soule shal liue, and shal prayse thee: and thy iudgementes shal helpe me

176    ^noteI haue strayed, as a sheepe, that is lost: ^note seeke thy seruant, ^notebecause I haue not forgotten thy commandmentes.

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