John Trapp on Psalms 1:3

Verſ. 3. And he ſhall be like a tree] An Olive-tree, ſay ſome, from Pſal. 52.8. which is green all the year, ſaith Pliny; that in Noahs Floud kept its greenneſs though it had been ſo long time under the water; and is therefore made an Embleme of the Reſurrection. Others will have it to be the Palm-tree, from Pſa. 92.12.N[illegible: 1 letter]t. Hiſt. [illegible: 1 word] 16. cap. 20. Gen. 8.11. Purch Pilgri v. 2. p. 1466 which likewiſe is always green, and very fruitful. Plutarch ſaith, that the Babylonians make three hundred and ſixty Commodities of it. The Tree whereon the Coquonuts grow in the Indies, is ſaid to be ſuch, as where with alone a ſhip may be built, and furniſhed to Sea with Meat and Merchandize. Let it be what tree it will that is here meant, if Plato could ſay, that Man in a tree inverted, with the root above, and the branches below, and that he is [non-Latin text not transcribed], and heavenly Plant,Plato. Homer. [non-Latin text not transcribed], as another hath it; Much more may we ſay ſo of a godly man, that Plant of renown, rooted in Chriſt, and fruited by the Spirit, of a right conſtitution, and righteous converſation, Gal. 5.25. See Jer. 17.8. Ezekiel 47.12.

Planted by the rivers of water] In locis irriguis, in moyſt places, where moſt trees thrive beſt; underſtand it of thoſe waters of the Sanctuary, Ezek. 47.12. together with thoſe never-failing influences of grace and conſolation that are in him, as a Well of water bubling up to eternal life, Job. 4.14.

That bringeth forth his fruit in his ſeaſon] There are no barren trees in Gods Orchard, and yet they may have their fits of barrenneſs, as an Apple-tree ſometimes hath: but they will re[illegible: 1 letter]flouriſh with advantage, as thoſe Philippians did, Chap. 4.10. (ſee the Note there) and bear fruit in the right ſeaſon, Nec praecocem nec ſerum. Now, every thing is beautiful in its ſeaſon, Eccleſ. 5.11. and it was no ſmall ſhame to Achitophel, when it was told him by Huſhai the Archite, Thy counſel is good, but not n[illegible: 1 letter]w, 2 Sam. 17.7.

His leaf alſo ſhall not wither] Heb. fade, for want of ſap or ſafety from Chriſt the root; but as the Olive of Palm-tree, Semper in ſue genere viret viget que retaineth its green leaf, and hath for its Motto, Nec premor nec perimor; ſo doth the good Soul perſevere and perſiſt in the profeſſion and practiſe of the truth, which is after godlineſs, Tit. 1.1. Maugre the malice of Earth, and of Hell.Plin. l. 12. cap. 11. Aug. de C. [illegible: 1 word] lib. 21. cap. [illegible: 1 word] Of Tylos an Indian Iſland Pliny and Auſtin ſay. That no tree therein growing doth at any time of the year loſe their leaves. Certain it is, that ſaving faith cannot be loſt altogether, though it may ſuffer ſome decays, Iſa. 6.13.

And whatſoever he doth ſhall proſper] So Joſh. 1.7, 8. This, and the like Promiſes muſt be underſtood with an exception of the Croſs, as need requireth, 1 Pet. 1.6. Gain, his proſperity, that of the Soul I mean, he ſhall be ſure of, Rom. 8.28.37. Temporal alſo, ſo far as may make for his etenal good. Pintus out of Pliny tells us, That the Palm-tree will not grow well in a fat ground, but in a light an ſandy; and that if the foyl be ſtrong and fertile, they muſt caſt ſalt and aſhes at the root to qualifie the ſtrength of the ground. As Chriſt is the true Vine, ſo his Father is a good Husband-man, and knoweth well how to order his trees of righteouſneſs: but uſually Piety hath proſperity, an is profitable to all things, 1 Tim. 4.8. And outward proſperity, if it follow cloſe walking with God, is very ſweet; as the Cypher when it followeth the Figure, addeth to the Number, though it be nothing in it ſelf.