plies and parapharases it thus," I have need, and am
"prepared, to observe the mouth (or keep the corn-
" mandment) of the King of the world;" and so
Alshech," observe that which goes out of the mouth
"of the King of the world." And indeed, to under-
stand it, not of an earthly king, but of the King of
kings, as it is understood by other interpreters also,
suits better with what is said of this King in the fol-
lowing verses; whose commandments, which are not
grievous, but to be loved above fine gold, should be
kept from a principle of love, without mercenary and
selfish views, as they are delivered out by him, and to
his glory; and such a charge as this should be attended
to, and such counsel be received. And that in regard
e.,fthe oath of God; who has swore, that if Iris children
forsake his law, and walk not in his statutes, he will
visit their transgressions with a rod, and their iniquities
with stripes; and therefore should be careful to keep
Iris comtnandments, Psal. Ixxxix. 30---35. Those who
interpret this of an earthly king, by the oath of God
understand the oath of allegiance and fidelity to him,
taken in the name and presence of God, and therefore
for conscience-sake should obey him: or render it, but
so that thou observes, the manner of the oath of God {x};
or takest care to obey him; or do nothing in obedience
to kings, which is contrary to the will of God ;. for God
is to be obeyed rather than men, Acts iv. 19. and v.
especially, and above all things, that is to b4regarded.
Ver. 3. Be not hasty to go out of his sight, &c.] But
ofthesight of the King of kings. Do not think to hide
thyself from him, for there is no fleeing from his pre-
sence, Psal. cxxxix. 7. it is best, when under some
consternation, as the wordr signifies, or under some
fearful apprehension of his wrath and indignation, to
fall down before him, acknowledge the offence, and
pray for pardon: and to this purpose is the Targum,
"and in the time of the indignation of the Lord, do
"not cease to pray before him; being terrified (or
"troubled) before him, go and pray, and seek mercy ot
"him;" and with which agrees the note ofJarchi, "be
"not troubled, saying that thou wilt go and free
"from his presence, to a place where he does not rule,
"for he rules in every place." Such who interpret
this of an earthly king suppose this forbids a man
going out from the presence of a king in a pet and
passion, withdrawing himself from his court and ser-
vice in a heat, at once. Stand not in an evil thin.g;
having done it, continue not in it; but repent of it,
acknowledge and forsake it, whether against God or
an earthly king. For he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him;
ú a'hich best agrees with the King of kings, who does
what he pleases, in heaven above and in earth below,
both in nature, providence, and grace;see Job xxiii. 13.
Psal. cxv. 3. though earthly kings indeed have long
hands, as is usually said, and can reach a great way,
and do great things, especially despotic aud arbitrary
ú princes, and it is very difficult escaping their hands.
The Targum is, "for the Lord ofall worlds, the Lord
"will do what he pleases."
Ver. 4. Where the word of a king is, there is power,
&c.] Or dominions. Authority goes along with his
word of command; and there is an inferior magistracy,
a subordinate power under him, ready to execute his
will upon the rebellious and disobedient. Jarchi in-
terprets it, the word of the holy blessed God; and the
Targum, the word of that King who rules over all the
world; where his word of doctrine comes, not in word
only, it is with power: his written word is quick and
powerful; the word of his Gospel preached is the power
of God to salvation; or is accompanied with power to
enlighten dark minds, quicken dead sinners, unstop
deaf ears, soften hard hearts, and deliver men from
the slavery of sin and Satan; it makes men, of enemies,
friends to God, Christ, and good men; transforms
them by the renewing of their minds, and comforts
and establishes saints; all which is attributed to the
word; and are the effects of almighty power, Heb. iv. 12.
Rom. i. 16. his word of command also comes with
power, being clothed With his authority; and is sub-
mitted to by his people in the day of his power upon
them, who readily and cheerfully obey it. And who
may say unto him, what dost thou ? call him to an ac-
count for, or complain of any of his works of creation,
providence, or grace? This best agrees with God
than with an earthly king; and is said of him else-
where, Job ix. lc2. aud xxxiii. 14. Dan. iv. 35.
Ver. 5. Whoso keepeth the commandment shah feel
no evil, &c.] Either the commandment of an earthly
king, which should be kept, when agreeably to the
laws of the nation, and not inconsistent with the com-
mands of God; and such as do observe it know no
evil {a}, as it may be rendered, or no sorrow; they live
peaceably and quietly, and enjoy the favour and pro-
tection of the government under which they are, and
have praise of men; see Rom. xiii. 3. 2 Tim. ii. 2. or
the commandments of the heavenly King, the singular
being put for the plural; so the Targum," whoso
"keepeth the commandments of the Lord shall know
" no evil in the world to come." Nor in this world
neither; no evil befalls them; what may be thought
to be so is for their good; though they know and are
conscious of the evil of sin, and commit it, yet not
willingly, and with love to it, and so as to make it the
work of their lives; but lament it, repent of it, and
forsake it, and do not feel the evil of punishment for
it; yea, such enjoy much good; have much com-
munion with God; large discoveries of his love; dwell
in him, and shall at last dwell with him in the heavenly
city; see John xiv. 21, 0.3. 1 John iii. 22, 24. Rev.
xxii. 14. And a wise man's heart discerneth both time
and judgment; he knows not only what is his duty
to do, both with respect to God and men, to a tem-
poral prince or the King eternal; but he knows also
the most fit and convenient time of doing it; and lays
hold on every opportunity that offers, and which may
be called redeeming time, Gel. vi. 10. Ephes. v. 16.
and he knows the right manner in which it should be
performed, with all the agreeable circumstances of it,
which he carefully observes; or he knows the judg-
ment that will be passed, or the punishment that wiil


{x} \^Myhla tewbv trbd lew\^ sed, ita quod ad Deum attinet, ob-
serves rationem juramenti Dei, Varenius; attemen, supra serve ver-
bum juramenti Dei, Gussetius, p. 605.
{y} \^lhbt la\^ ne consterneris, Gejerus, and some in Rambachiuo.
{z} \^Nwjlv\^ imperium, Montanus, Rambachius; dominatio, Vatablus,
Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius.
{a} \^edy al\^ non cognoscet, Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Rambachins,
Cocceius.