Bible Commentaries

Genesis 35:10 — his faithful servants, for the further confirmation of their faith and hope. Thus he seals to us at every sacrament, besides those sweet supplies of the Spirit of promise, επιχορηγια , Philippians 1:19 whereby we are daily sealed to the day of redemption, as the merchant’s goods are signed with his seal. Ephesians 1:13 ; Ephesians 4:30

Genesis 48:15 — ancestors; this is the crown of all commendation, to have walked with God as a man walketh with his friend. This is better than a thousand escutcheons. The God which fed me all my life long. — As a shepherd tends and feeds his sheep. Psalms 23:1 ; Psalms 80:1 Jacob looks beyond all second causes, and sees, as once at Bethel, God on the top of the ladder. Genesis 28:12-15

Genesis 48:3 — and reckon them up; not in the lump only, and by wholesale, as it were, but by particular enumeration upon every good occasion; setting them forth one by one, as here, and ciphering them up, as David’s word is. ñôø , Psalms 9:1 We should he like civet boxes, which still retain the scent when the civet is taken out of them. See Psalms 145:1-2 Exodus 18:8 .

Exodus 18:11 — Now I know that the LORD [is] greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly [he was] above them. Now I know. — See Trapp on " Exodus 18:1 " So the people knew that Jehovah was God. 1 Kings 18:37 See 2 Chronicles 33:13 . He was above them. — God sits in the heavens, Psalms 2:4 where he sees that their day is coming; Psalms 37:13 and meanwhile scorneth these scorners; Proverbs

Exodus 32:8 — said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. They have turned aside quickly. — Moses’s back was but newly turned, as it were. "I marvel that you are so soon removed," … Galatians 1:6 See Trapp on " Galatians 1:6 " When we have spent all our wind on our people, their hearts will be still apt to be "carried away with every wind of doctrine," - in our absence especially. “Mures, fele absente, choreas ducunt.”

1 Kings 6:38 — falleth. Bul quasi Mabbul, that is, a deluge. It answereth to our November. So was he seven years. — Seven years and six months: and, everything reckoned, he made very good despatch of so great a work. He was much longer about building his own house, 1 Kings 7:1 because less diligent and expeditious.

Job 36:9 — their misery. Vexatio dat intellectum, Smart makes wit. Manasseh, for instance, and the prodigal, and King Croesus, with his Nocumenta documenta, and Tullus Hostilius, with his excess of devotion, when once he had paid for his learning (Herodot. lib. 1. Liv. decad. 1, l. 5). And their transgressions that they have exceeded — Heb. when they prevail; that before they grow too potent they may cast them away: Ne illi victi in Gehennam descendant, lest they hale them into hell (Mercer).

Psalms 147:13 — the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. God hath promised to break in pieces those gates of brass, and cut in sunder those bars of iron (as Samson did the gates of Gaza), Isaiah 45:2 , to perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle his saints, 1 Peter 5:10 , to he a wall of fire round about them, … He hath blessed thy children within thee — Making them to be many, Isaiah 54:1 , and all taught of God, Psalms 147:13 , children that will not lie, Isaiah 63:8 .

Psalms 150:1 — Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise ye the Lord — See Psalms 148:1 . Praise God in his sanctuary — It is probable, saith Beza, that hoc Psalmo mirifici ardoris plano, by this psalm, which is so full of wonderful ardour, the holy singers of the sanctuary did mutually stir up one another to praise the Lord.

Psalms 34:2 — glad. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord — This holy gloriation is a Christian’s duty not to be neglected. The Church in the Canticles is much in it; and so is St Paul. It showeth a heart full of joys unspeakable and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:8 . And, besides, God is thereby greatly glorified, Jeremiah 9:23-24 . The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad — Not for my sake only, but their own, as conceiving good hope of like deliverance. But, then, they must be as I am, not

Psalms 44:18 — those that run a race stand not at a stay, much less turn back again; so neither have we either stopped or stepped backward, but advanced still toward the mark, having Nondum metam, We have not yet attained, for our motto, as St Paul had, Philippians 3:12 ; being in nothing terrified by our adversaries, nor afraid with any amazement, Philippians 1:28 1 Peter 3:6 . Neither have our steps declined — We have watched over every particular action; God’s people are best when at worst.

Psalms 68:3 — But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. But let the righteous be glad — When he seeth the vengeance, Psalms 58:10 See Trapp on " Psalms 58:10 " while this wise King scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them, Proverbs 20:26 . Let them rejoice before God — Heb. At the presence of God, from which the wicked must flee, Psalms 68:1 . See

Psalms 96:8 — offering, and come into his courts. Give unto the Lord the glory, … — It was hard for the heathens to forego their superstitions (Cicero resolved he would never do it, …), therefore they are here so pressed to it. See Revelation 14:6-7 , with the notes there. One expositor giveth this note here, Ternarius numerus est sacer ob mysterium Triadis; ideo enim eo scriptura gaudet. The Scripture oft presseth or expresseth things thrice over, in reference to the mystery of the holy Trinity. Bring

Proverbs 2:3 — Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou criest after knowledge. — Bene orasse est bene studuisse, said Luther. Knowledge is God’s gift (James 1:5 ; James 1:17 ), and must be sought at his hand, since he is "the Father of lights," and sells us "eye salve," Revelation 3:17 . And liftest up thy voice. — As resolved to "give God no rest" till thou hast it. A

Joshua 3:1 — removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And Joshua rose early in the morning, — viz., Of the ninth day of the first month, called Abib; as on the tenth day Joshua 4:19 - which was the day wherein the paschal lamb was set apart - the Israelites entered the land of Canaan under the command and conduct of Joshua, who was a type of Jesus Christ, by whom we have "the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

1 Samuel 16:5 — sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord. — This prophets might do, either upon occasion, or without, for the blessing and comfort of certain places and cities. See 1 Samuel 9:12 . Sanctify yourselves. — By washing your garments; Exodus 19:14-15 but especially your hearts: Isaiah 1:16 prepare yourselves both legally and spiritually. And called them to the sacrifice. — And to the feast that followed the

1 Samuel 20:14 — not: Show me the kindness of the Lord. — Such as he showeth to his people; and such as they that have their thoughts steeped in the kindness of the Lord to themselves, do show one to another, loving mutually, "out of a pure heart fervently." 1 Peter 1:22 That I die not. — As justly perhaps I might do, for my father’s hatred to thee, and persecution of thee. That was a cruel custom of Ulades, prince of Walachia, together with the offender, to execute the whole family; yea, sometimes

1 Samuel 22:10 — And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. And he inquired of the Lord for him. — Herein, saith Lyra, some think he lied; and indeed he did, though he did not in 1 Samuel 22:15 . See Trapp on " 1 Samuel 22:9 " The truth is, God owed a revenge to the house of Eli, and now, by the delation of Doeg, taketh occasion to pay it. But they are very slight arguments that are here brought against the high priest

2 Samuel 10:18 — and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. And David slew the men of seven hundred chariots. — Heb., Slew seven hundred chariots; that is, seven thousand men that fought in chariots Equites curules. 1 Chronicles 19:18 And forty thousand horsemen. — Which yet are said to be footmen. 1 Chronicles 19:18 They might be dragoons, as we now call them; or there might be forty thousand of each sort. The Chronicles are therefore called Paralipomena,

2 Samuel 8:13 — world’s worthies; he was everywhere cried up for a great warrior and a famous conqueror. From smiting of the Syrians. — Amongst whom also were very many of the Edomites, who here met with their bane, and lost the library of their country. See 1 Chronicles 18:12 Psalms 60:1 , title: which psalm David sang at this time, and on this occasion.