The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places]; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Ver. 6. The lines are fallen] In allusion to those lines wherewith they measured land when they parted it. See Deu 32:9 Psalms 105:11; Psa 78:55 Acts 26:18 Ephesians 1:11. David, having God for his portion, could say with Jacob, I have all things, Genesis 33:11. Paul also saith the same, Philippians 4:18, and further telleth us that, having nothing, he yet possessed all things; for why, he had got the divine art of contentation, Philippians 4:12, and so could be either on the top of Jacob's ladder or at the bottom; he could sing either Placentia or Lachrymae, abound or be abased, &c. Sine Deo omnis copia est egestas (Bern.).
In pleasant places] From the delectable orchard of the Leonine prison, said that Italian martyr, dating his letter. Tua praesentia, Domine, Laurentio ipsam craticulam dulcem fecit, said that ancient; Thy presence, Lord, made Laurence's gridiron pleasant to him. Quia in Deo est portio mea, est quasi in loco amaeno (R. David).
Yea, I have a goodly heritage] I have as much (in content at least) as he who hath most. The bee is as well pleased with feeding on the dew, or sucking from a flower, as Behemoth that grazeth on the mountains. The lark when aloft seeth farther, with a little eye, than the ox on the ground with a greater.
Atque suum tirilitirilitiritirlire cantat.