Psalms 73

Psalms 73:1

In the title: [Of Asaph] see upon Psal. 50. in the title.

Psalms 73:2

VVere almost gone] the Italian, stumbled, through diffidence in Gods grace, or murmuring against his providence, or being tempted to imitate the wicked.

Psalms 73:4

There are no] they doe sweetly passe over their naturall course of life, and are not violently drawn to an untimely death, through weaknesse or other chances.

Psalms 73:7

They have] every thing goeth on prosperously with them, even beyond their own hope, conceipt, or desire.

Psalms 73:8

They are corrupt] the Italian, they are dissolute, that is to say, they are licentious, and let the raines loose to all manner of evill; or they loose themselves in pleasures and dissolutenesse. the Hebrew phrase is taken from things which doe melt, and are spilt: [that speake] they are arrogant, and presumtuous in their speeches, as if they were above other men, above law and order, and that all things were lawfull for them to doe.

Psalms 73:9

They set] that is to say, they speake prophanely of God, and of his providence and justice: or they doe foolishly boast of his favour by reason of their present happinesse: [their tongue] their pride is such that they judge and speake of every thing at their own pleasure, without any feare or regard. Or they doe take resolutions and lay their plots everywhere as though nothing were impossible to them.

Psalms 73:10

Hither] namely to these thoughts, and to the words following: [waters] that is to say, God sends them perpetuall and extreame afflictions, which is meant, by drinking off a cupp and squeesing all the liquor into it.

Psalms 73:12

In the world] the Italian, perpetually, or in this age.

Psalms 73:13

Cleansed] God indeed is hee who only cleanseth mans heart from sinne by the oud of his sonne, and by the vertue of his spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:11. But this action is attributed to man, by reason of his study, and voluntary co-operation, by the gift of the holy Ghost residing in him, namely to cleanse himselfe from sinne, and keepe himselfe from iniquity, 1 Iohn 3. 3. and 5. 18.

Psalms 73:15

I should offend] the Italian, I am disloyall, that is to say, I doe Gods Church a great deale of injury, which hath alwayes been under afflictions; if I thinke or say, that all her piety hath been without hope, or her hope without effect. Others I deceive the generation, that is to say, I propound a false doctrine unto them, which is apt to seduce them. Others, behold the generation, &c. that is to say, notwithstanding all afflictions, it is certaine that thou art a Father to the Church only; which is sufficient to make mee judge well of these afflictions; I have done ill, and confesse I have erred in this my rash judgement.

Psalms 73:17

I went] withdrawing my minde, from the world, and the false shewes thereof, I have confined my selfe to judge of these things according to the rule of thy word revealed in thy Church, Psal. 77. 12. Or contemplating by faith, heavenly things, and the glory in which thou dwellest (which is the true scope and reward of the faithfull, and not the world, 2 Cor. 4. 17. 18.) from whence the wicked are excluded.

Psalms 73:19

With terrors] which cannot bee understood by panick terrors, which terrifie the wicked, Iob 18. 11 Psal. 53. 5. nor of the tragicall and strange accidents, by which they perish, seeIob 31. 3.

Psalms 73:20

Shalt despise] when these vaine shaddowes of the world, shall be past in which thy providence seemeth to sleep, when thou shalt bring forth every thing into the light of thy judgement, thou shalt make it appeare, that their prosperity hath been but a false illusion: and thou shalt change this worldly lustre, into everlasting ignominie. Others, when thou shalt awake them, namely at the last resurrection.

Psalms 73:21

Pricked] that is to say, stung with impatience, having my thoughts and affections wounded with rage.

Psalms 73:23

Neverthelesse] not withstanding all these assaults, I never forsooke thee for want of faith, to run into despaire; nor for want of obedience, to follow the example of the wicked; and thou hast also continually accompanied mee with thy grace and spirit.

Psalms 73:24

Thy counsell] namely thy conduct, and internall direction of thy holy spirit, Psal. 16. 7.

Psalms 73:26

Strength] the Italian, rock, the strength the firme subsistance and prop, Deuteronomy 32:4 [my portion] as Psal. 16. 5.

Psalms 73:27

A whoring] so the scripture calls the alienation of mans heart, from the pure and loyall love and service of God, to goe after idols, or after the world, and the creatures, and to cleave to them in love, and trust in them, Iam. 4. 4, 1 Iohn 2. 16.