Chapter 3 of 150

1Psalm of David. Al Interpreters agreeably teach, that king David made not the titles, which are before the Psalms. Nevertheless they are authentical, as indited by the Holy Ghost. And it is most probable Esdras added those titles which are in the Hebrew: and the Seventy interpreters wrote the other, in their Greek Edition. Both which S. Jerome translated into Latin. In these titles five things may be noted. First, the former two having no title at all, the general name of Psalm, common to all, is particularly appropriated to some, and other names to others. Which in all are twelve. to wit: Psalm, Inscription, Prayer, Canticle, Psalm of Canticle, Canticle of Psalm, Hymn, Testimony, Understanding, Praise of Canticle, Alleluia, and Gradual Canticle. Secondly, in the titles of some Psalms are the names of certain persons, which by S. Augustine's judgement, cited in the Proemial Annotations, and others, proveth not the same persons to be authors of those Psalms, but signifieth some other thing. Thirdly, in some titles the time is signified, when the Psalm was made, or sung. Fourthly, the matter contained in the Psalm, or upon what occasion it was made, is expressed in some titles. Fifthly divers other terms are often used. in the titles of sundry Psalms, as To the end. For the Octave. For presses, and the like, all which we shall briefly explicate, where they first occur. First therefore this third Psalm is called the Psalm of David, not because he is author thereof, for he is also author of the former, where his name is not expressed, as is evident by the testimony of all the Apostles. Acts 4:25. but because it treateth particularly and literally of him.Psalme of Dauid. Al Interpreters agreably teach, that king Dauid made not the titles, which are before the Psalmes. Neuertheles they are authentical, as endited by the Holie Ghost. And it is most probable Esdras added those titles which are in the Hebrew: and the Seuentie interpreters writte the other, in their Greke Edition. Both which S. Ierom translated into Latin. In these titles fiue things may be noted. First, the former two hauing no title at al, the general name of Psalme, common to al, is particularly appropriated to some, and other names to others. Which in al are twelue. to witte: Psalme, Inscription, Prayer, Canticle, Psalme of Canticle, Canticle of Psalme, Hymne, Testimonie, Vnderstanding, Praise of Canticle, Alleluia, & Gradual Canticle. Secondly, in the titles of some Psalmes are the names of certaine persons, which by S. Augustins iudgement, cited in the Proemial Annotations, and others, proueth not the same persons to be authores of those Psalmes, but signifieth some other thing. Thirdly, in some titles the time is signified, when the Psalme was made, or song. Fourtly, the matter conteyned in the Psalme, or vpon what occasion it was made, is expressed in some titles. Fiftly diuers other termes are often vsed. in the titles of sundrie Psalmes, as To the end. For the Octaue. For presses, and the like, al which we shal briefly explicate, where they first occurre. First therfore this third Psalme is called the Psalme of Dauid, not because he is author therof, for he is also author of the former, where his name is not expressed, as is euident by the testimonie of al the Apostles. Act. 4. v. 25. but because it treateth particularly and literally of him.

1When he fled from the face of Absalon. Here the time is signified, when this Psalm was made, to wit, immediately after the overthrow of his rebellious son Absalom, mentioned. 2 Kings 18. before his return to Jerusalem. For albeit of human, natural, and fatherly affection, he greatly lamented the death of his son, yet he rendered thanks and praises to God, as reason and duty bound him.When he fled from the face of Absalon. Here the time is signified, when this Psalme was made, to wite, immediatly after the ouerthrow of his rebellious sonne Absalom, mentioned. 2. Reg. 18. before his returne to Ierusalem. For albeit of humaine, natural, and fatherlie affection, he greatly lamented the death of his sonne, yet he rendered thankes and praises to God, as reason and dutie bond him.

6I have slept, and have been at rest, and have risen up. King David by his sleeping in persecution, and by his resting, and deliverance from his persecutors, prefigured Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection. As appeareth, John 2:22. Where the Evangelist saith: that after Christ's Resurrection, his disciples believed the scripture, to wit, this and other like prophecies. For otherwise the old Testament doth not so expressly declare such Mysteries, as the Gospel doth: but one thing in the proper, and grammatical signification of the words, and another thing, in shadows and figures, and both literal. Whereupon S. Gregory teacheth (li. 20. c. 1. Moral.) that holy Scripture (amongst other incomparable excellences) surpasseth all other doctrines, in the very manner of speaking: because by one and the same speech, it reporteth a thing done, and proclaimeth a Mystery: so relating things past, that with the very same words, it foresheweth things to come.I haue slept, and haue benne at rest, and haue risen vp. King Dauid by his sleeping in persecution, and by his resting, and deliuerie from his persecuters, prefigured Christs Death, Burial, & Resurrection. As appeareth, Ioan. 2. v. 22. Where the Euangelist saith: that after Christs Resurrection, his disciples beleued the scripture, to witte, this and other like prophecies. For otherwise the old Testament doth not so expresly declare such Mysteries, as the Gospel doth: but one thing in the proper, and grammatical signification of the wordes, and an other thing, in shadowes and figures, and both literal. Whereupon S. Gregory teacheth (li. 20. c. 1. Moral.) that holie Scripture (amongst other incomparable excellences) surpasseth al other doctrines, in the verie maner of speaking: because by one and the same speach, it reporteth a thing donne, and proclameth a Mysterie: so relating thinges past, that with the verie same wordes, it foresheweth thinges to come.