Psalms 68

Psalms 68:2

ARise] these are the same words as Moses used in the wildernesse, when the Arke did remove, Numbers 10:35. For this Psalme was composed by David when hee removed the Ark to Sion, 2 Samuel 6:11. [before him] or by reason of his presence.

Psalms 68:4

Extoll him] the Italian, raise up his wayes, termes taken from what is used to be done, at the triumphall comming in of Kings, whom they use to meet, and ridde, and mend the wayes by which they are to come; so here is meant the preparation for the bringing of the Arke: but especially the spirituall preparations for Christs comming into the world, which is a right wildernesse, void of all goodnesse, justice and life; which preparations were made by his Prophets, and especially by Iohn the Baptist, Isaiah 40:3. Malachi 3:1. Matthew 3:3.

Psalms 68:5

A judge] that is to say, a protector of their right against all manner of oppression: [habitation] namely in heaven in his glory, and in his Temple in the signes of his presence and power.

Psalms 68:6

Which setteth] that is to say, gives them a peaceable and permanent dwelling where they may live in fellowship, in sweet and holy matrimony, blessed with issue: [the solitary]namely they that had no family nor company; Or living in solitary places: as it oftentimes happeneth in the great desolations of warres, wherein man is forced to live without marrying, and wander without any familie, Psalms 78:63. Ier. 7. 34 [the rebellious] that is to say, contariewise his obstinate enemies, being subdued, are driven out of their countries, and ancient dwellings, into desert places, where they settle their abode, Psalms 107:1-43; Psalms 40:1-17.

Psalms 68:8

The earth] a poeticall description of Gods glorious apparitions, when hee brought his people through the wildernesse, and especially when the Law was published, Exod. 19. 16. 18. [dropped] with toile, and sweating

Psalms 68:9

A plentifull ain] thou makest the and of Canaan, which thou hast taken for thine own, having consecrated it for the seat of thy Temple and Church, marvalous fruitfull, by raine, and abundant dewes, Deuteronomy 11:11.

Psalms 68:10

Thy congregation] the Italian, thy band, that is to say, thy people which is as the armie which thou art commander over, amongst whom, after the victory ou dividest the conquered countrey: [prepared it] that is to say, assigned and reserved it for thy Church, by thy secret providence: it having before that time, no countrey of it own as other nations had, see Deuteronomy 32:6.

Psalms 68:11

The word] the Italian, cause to speake, that is to say, to celebrate his wonders and benefits, for the victories granted to his people upon the Kings of Canaan, under Ioshua, the Iudges and David: [those that published] hee hath a relation to this, that upon the first report of some notable victorie, the maidens did sing songs thereof in the streets, to the glory of God, and praise of the Captaine of the Arie, Exodus 15:1-27. 0. Iudges 11. 34. 1 Samuel 18:6.

Psalms 68:12

Did flee] some hold these to be the very words of the aforesaid songs: [and such] the spoile was so great which was found after the slaughter, that even women and maidens, who either through modesty, or tendernesse doe not use to goe much abroad, especially to follow armies, had also their share thereof, see 2 Samuel 1:24. Or the enemies campe being discomfited, those which did most use to keep at home, came forth without fear, to pillage.

Psalms 68:13

Though ye have] this verse also may be of the subject of the said songs, the meaning of it is, After that ye, O people of God, shall for a long time have endured base slavery, and have been like sullion boyes, lying upon the ground, durty and smoakie: you shall bee againe restored to glory, and honour by Gods deliverances: [covered] that is to say, white, and bright like silver.

Psalms 68:14

When the] after all these victories obtained against the enemies of the Church, the land which before seemed horrid through warre and desolation, Psalms 74:20. became beautifull and flourishing in justice, peace and blessings, even as the hill of Salmon, being shady and darke of it own nature, becommeth white when the snow is fallen upon it, see concerning this hill, Iudg. 9. 48.

Psalms 68:15

The hill of God] that is to say, all other hills though they be very high, and therefore called the Lords hills, Psalms 36:6. and most fruitfull as the hill of Bashan, and though they exceed in largenesse, yet must they yeeld the first degree of honour to mount Sion, though it bee but a barren and low hillock, seeing God hath chosen it for the seat of his Temple, figure of his Church, yea of heaven it selfe. And hereby is meant, that the highest worldly Kingdome must humble it selfe under the Kingdome of Christ in his Church, though it bee lowly and poore in the sight of the world.

Psalms 68:16

VVhy leape yee] as triumphing, and making a shew of your naturall advantages over Sion. Or to insult over it, and compare and equalize your selves in honour with it; poeticall kinde of speeches. Others translate it, why gaze you as though you were ravished with admiration?

Psalms 68:17

The chariots] the Italian, the horsmen, a description of the company which accompanied the Arke, when it was brought to mount Sion, followed by an infinite number of people marching in order, 2 Samuel 6:15. Which was a figure of the Angels, environing Gods Majesty in heaven, or following Christ when hee ascended thither, 1 Timothy 3:16. Hebrews 12:22. [Sinai]the same glory, as appeared in mount Sinai, when God delivered his law Exodus 19:16. is now transported to Sion, where God is present in grace and power.

Psalms 68:18

Thou hast] a description of this transportation of the Arke, compared to a Kings triumphant entry, who having overcome his enemies, and brought a great many of them away prisoners, having made the rest tributary, goeth home to his pallace to live in glory, and rest, governing his Kingdome in peace. A figure of Christs ascending into heaven, which is the seate of his glory, and throne of his Empire, after hee had overcome all his spirituall enemies, Ephes. 4. 8. Colossians 2:15 [thou hast received] the Apostle, Ephes. 4. 8. applying this to Christ, in stead of thou hast received; saith, thou gavest; for the Kingdome of Christ differeth from earthly Kingdomes in this, that the fruites of his victories are not for the King, but for his subjects.

Psalms 68:20

The issues] namely the soveraigne power of causing to die, or the preserving from death, or the restoring to life.

Psalms 68:21

The head] namely the divell, who is the Prince of the world, Deuteronomy 32:42. Psal. 110. 6 ab. 3. 13 [hairy] evill spirits are figuratively in scripture called hairy or shaggie, see uponLevit. 17. 7. Isaiah 13:21.

Psalms 68:22

I will bring] the Italian, I will bring thee againe, that is to say, I will continue, and renew my old deliverances in defending thee from thine enemies, as I once delivered thine ancestors from Og the King of Bashan, Numbers 21:33. and from the Egyptians in the red sea, Exodus 14:22.

Psalms 68:24

Thy goings] namely the holy manner of conducting the Arke, with even and proportionable restings, and settings downe, see 2 Samuel 6:13.

Psalms 68:27

There is] the Italian, there was, the tribe of Benjamin was present at this solemne meeting, though before, it had more obstinately than any of the other tribes withstood David, and held on Saals side. And also the tribes of Zebulon and Nepthali which lived in the borders of the Kingdome, mentioned here; to shew that the civill warre being extinguished, and all the countrey reduced to obedience; the whole nation was also united in religion and in the service of God, which was appointed by David to bee performed in Ierusalem: [little] namely that tribe which came from Iacobs youngest sonne, hath alwayes been small, both in strength and number, 1 Samuel 9:21. and was also much decayed and diminished by the accident set down,Iudg. 20 [with their ruler] the Italian, which hath ruled, namely in the person of Saul. who was a Benjamite.

Psalms 68:28

Thy God] the prophets words to the people: [hath commanded] that is to say, hath made thee able to subsist, and resist thine enemies, by his will only, and by the efficacy of his word, see Psal. 42. 8. and 44. 4. and 71. 3.

Psalms 68:29

Because of thy Temple] the Italian, strengthen him from thy Temple, from which as from the place of thy presence, all power and grace deriveth unto thy people: [bring presents]may be made subject and tributary unto thee. This was partly and figuratively verified in David: but in Christ spiritually, and perfectly, all power being given him both in heaven and in earth.

Psalms 68:30

Disperse] or drive away: [the company of speare-men] the Italian, the beasts of the reeds, the people which are proud, and bold, by reason of their wealth and plenty: like unto cattell as feed in a fat soyle, such as that is where reeds grow, see Isaiah 35:7 [bulls] see Psalms 22:12. Isaiah 3:1-26. 7 [till every &c with peeces of silver] the Italian, which lie upon plates of silver,are so extream rich, and so magnificent in their pleasures, that they make them ee ings, and beds of silver, a thing which was much used in former times, see Esther 1:6. Iob 22. 24.

Psalms 68:31

Princes shall come] the Italian, let great Pirnces come, to doe hommage and yeeld obedience to God under the Messias: A prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, see Isa. 18. 7. and 19. 24 [stretch out her hands] the Italian, with full hands namely with presents, or tributes: Others translate it, let them readily stretch forth their hands, that is to say, let them confesse themselves to bee subject, let them crave favour of him, acknowledge and worship him.

Psalms 68:33

The heavens] that is to say, the highest heaven, Deuteronomy 10:14 [of old] the Italian, which were ever, that is to say, which doe still remaine in the same state as they were first created, without any change or corruption.

Psalms 68:34

Strength] the Italian, glory, Hebrew strength; for the holy language often sets down these words one for the other: [his excellency] hee hath as it were two thrones of his glory, one here on earth by meanes of his people: and the other in heaven.