Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 71

1 IN thee, O LORD, do I put my trust, let me never be put to confusion .

This Verse a[illegible: 1+ letters]d the next, are taken out of Psal. 31. 1, 2.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 25. 2, 3. [illegible: 1+ letters] 31. 1.

3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me, for thou art my rock and my fortress.

By which he understands God's purpose and Promise; and his Providence, watching to Execute them; All which are as certain and Powerful, as a Command.

Marginal references: Heb. be thou [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] for a Rock [illegible: 1 word] Habitation.

6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb ; thou art he that took me out of my mothers bowels , my praise shall be continually of thee.

(i. e.) From the time when I came out of the Womb.

(i. e.) Out of her Womb. Which he justly mentions, as a great and wonderful, though a common and neglected work of God's Power and Goodness.

Marginal references: Psal. 22. 9▪ 10. [illegible: 1 word] 46. 3.

7 I am as a wonder unto many, but thou art my strong refuge .

Or, Prodigy; Either, 1. Of Mercy, for the wonderful Protections and Deliverances, which God hath given me. Or rather, 2. Of Judgment, for my many and sore Calamites, as appears from the next Words. They wondred both at the Calamities themselves, which befel me; which were great and Various, and strange; and that they should be[illegible: 1+ letters]al me, one who have made it the chief Care and Business of my Life, to please and serve, and glorifie God; and one whom God hath owned in so Eminent a degree, and Crowned with such a constant Succession, of Blessings and Deliverances, from time to time. That such a Man should [illegible: 1+ letters]e forsaken by [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] a God; and Persecuted even to Death by his own S[illegible: 1+ letters]n, whom he had so tenderly loved; and dese[illegible: 1+ letters]ed by the Body of his own People, who had generally expressed so great an Opinion o[illegible: 1+ letters] him, and affection to him, and had so many [illegible: 1 word] to him, and such singular Benefits, by his wi[illegible: 1+ letters] and just, and pious Government; this was indeed cause of Wonder.

But although Men desert me, and look [illegible: 1 word] at me, God is a sure Refuge to me.

Marginal references: Zech. 3. 8.

8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise , and with thy honour all the day.

Give me occasion to multiply my Praises to thee, for delivering me out of my present Distress.

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age , forsake me not when my strength faileth.

When I am most feeble, and most need thy Help, and one who is grown Old in thy Service.

10 For mine enemies speak against me, and they that lay wait for my soul, take counsel together.

Or, watch it, that they may find occasion to destroy it, and that it may not escape their Hands.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span] ▪

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him : persecute and take him, for there is none to deliver him.

For his Adultery and Murder, and other Wickednesses, and therefore we shall certainly prevail against him.

14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more .

For which I know thou wilst yet give me abundant occasion.

15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness, and thy salvation all the day: for I know not the numbers thereof .

(i. e.) Of thy Salvations and Mercies vouchsa[illegible: 1+ letters]ed to me, which being innumerable oblige me the more, to celebrate thy Praises.

Marginal references: Psal. 40. 5▪

16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD : I will make mention of thy righteousness even of thine onely .

I will not sit down in Despair, but I will go on, or proceed in my Business, Courag[illegible: 1+ letters]ously and Cheerfully, in making necessary Provisions for my own defence.

Relying onely upon thy strength, and not upon my own Military Preparations.

Partly, to Praise and celebrate it: and Partly, to support and Comfort my self, with the Remembrance of it.

Either, 1. Of thy Mercy and Goodness. Or rather, 2. Of thy Faithfulness, and in making good all thy Promises to me, as this Word is most commonly used in this Book.

Not of my Subjects and Friends, who are false and persidious to thee, and to me: Nor of my own; for I have been most unfaithful to thee, and have broken my Covenant with thee.

Marginal references: Vers. 2. [illegible: 1+ letters]. 24.

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

Partly, by thy Word and Spirit, convincing and assuring me; and Partly, by my own Experience, of thy Right[illegible: 1+ letters] last mentioned, the wondrous Effects whereof I have received and declared from time to time, as it here follows.

18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God forsake me not: until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come .

Either, 1. This further Act, or instance of thy strength. [illegible: 1+ letters]r rather, 2. Thy great Power, which will more Eminently appear in this, than it hath done in former Deliverances, as my Danger is now greater, because this is a Civil War, and the Generality of mine own People are ingaged against me, and my Forces are very inconsiderable to theirs, and without thy Help, my Case is desperate.

(i. e.) To all succeeding Generations, to whom I will leave a lasting Monument of this glorious Example, of al-sufficiency, such as this Psalm is.

Marginal references: Heb. unto old Age, and gray H[illegible: 1+ letters]s.; Heb. thine [illegible: 1 word].

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high , who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee?

(i. e.) Most Eminent and Evident, as high things are.

20 Thou which hast shewed me great and sore trouble, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth .

(i. e.) From the Grave; for I was like one Dead and buried, and past all hope of Deliverance, without thy Almighty assistance.

Marginal references: Psal. 63. 9. & 88. 6.

21 Thou shalt encrease my greatness , and comfort me on every side.

I am assured that thou wilst not onely restore that Royal Majesty, which my Son hath invaded to me, but also increase my Honour and Power.