The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

Like as in the second Psalm. Though the Greek books agree in the number, yet we must not pass over that which Erasmus saith, that many of the old writers read the first Psalm. And it may be that Luke wrote so. For that which at this day is counted the second Psalm, might have bin called the first not without reason, seeing that it is likely that the first Psalm was added in steed of a Proem by the Scribes and Priests, by whose industry the Psalms were gathered into one body. For the name of the author is not set to it, and it doeth only exhort to meditate upon the Law of God. But there is no great weight in that matter. For this is the chiefest thing, that we know how properly and how well Paul applieth the testimony taken out of the Psalm unto the matter which he hath in hand. We do not deny that David when he saw that he was on every side assailed by his enemies, and that they were of greater power & might, than that he was able to resist them, doth set against them Gods aide, who he knew was the author of his kingdom and Reign. But forasmuch as he was a figure of the true Messiah, we know that those things were shadowed in his person, which do appertain wholly and perfectly to the Messiah alone. And the text it self doth prove sufficiently, that there is not only a simple and bare thanksgiving contained there, agreeable to Davids kingdom, but it is a higher prophecy. For it is well known that David did in his life scarce taste of the hundred part of the glory which is spoken of in this place, concerning which we have spoken more at large Chapter 4. Now let us look nigher into the words, kings are in deed called sons of God. Psal. 82.6. But seeing that God doth intend to prefer David before all other kings, and to exempt him out of the number of them: this title of honour is given to him principally above all other: not because so great honour resteth in his person, because by this means he should pass the Angels, as it is in the Epist. to the Heb. 1. cha. Therefore he is thus gorgeously set out in respect of Christ, whose image he was, that God doth not take him for one of the common, sort, or for some one of a great multitude, but he doth as it were acknowledge him to his only begotten son. The proof followeth, Because God did beget him, when he established the kingdom in his hand.

Like as in the second Psalme. Though the Greeke bookes agree in the number, yet we must not passe ouer that which Erasmus saith, that many of the old writers read the first Psalme. And it may be that Luke wrot so. For that which at this day is counted the second Psalme, might haue bin called the first not without reason, seing that it is likely that the first Psalme was added in steed of a Proeme by the Scribes and Priestes, by whose industrie the Psalmes were gathered into one bodie. For the name of the authour is not set to it, and it doeth onely exhort to meditate vpon the Law of God. But there is no great weight in that matter. For this is the chiefest thing, that we know how properly and how well Paul applieth the testimonie taken out of the Psalme vnto the matter which he hath in hand. We do not denie that Dauid when he saw that he was on euery side assailed by his enimies, and that they were of greater power & might, than that he was able to resist them, doth set against them Gods aide, who he knew was the authour of his kingdome and Reigne. But forasmuch as he was a figure of the true Messias, we know that those things were shadowed in his person, which doe appertaine wholy and perfectly to the Messias alone. And the text it self doth proue sufficiently, that there is not onely a simple and bare thankesgiuing contained there, agreeable to Dauids kingdome, but it is a higher prophecie. For it is wel knowne that Dauid did in his life scarce tast of the hundreth part of the glory which is spokē of in this place, concerning which we haue spoken more at large Chapter 4. Now let vs looke nigher into the words, kings are in deed called sonnes of God.