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 l\ 
 
THE 
 
 PSALMS of DAVID, 
 
 IN METRE. 
 
 PSALM L 
 
 This Is a pfalm of inflnidlion concerning ^od and evil, fettifig' 
 before us life and death, the blcffing and the curfe, that we ma,/ 
 take the right way which leads to happinefs, and avoid that whiift 
 will certainly end in our mifery and rain. The different charader 
 and condition of godly people, and wicked j--:ople ; thofe that fervc 
 God, and thofe that ferve him not, is here plainly Hated in a fe-vv 
 words; fo that;cvery man, if he will be faithful to himfelf, may 
 here fee his own face, and then read his own doom. That divifion 
 ©f the children of men into faints and fmners, righteous and un- 
 righteous, the children of God, and the children of the wicked one; 
 as it is ancient, ever fmcc the ftruggle began between fin and grace,, 
 the feed of the woman, and the feed of the ferpent ; fo it is lafting^ 
 and will furvive all other dlvifions and fub-divifions of men into high 
 and low, rich and poor, bond and free : for by this, men's everlafting 
 ftate will be determined, and the diflin<5tion will laft as long as hea- 
 Ten and hell. This pfalm {hews us, (i) The holinefs and happinefs 
 of a godly man, verf. 1,2, 3. (2) '1 he finfulnefs and mifery of a 
 wicked man, verf. 4, 5. (3) The ground and reafon of both, verf, 
 6. Whoever collected the pfalms of David (probably it was Ezra) 
 "with good reafon put this pfalm firft, as a preface to the refb, becaufe 
 ■h is abfolutely neceif^ry to the acceptance of our devotions, that we 
 be righteous before God ; for it is only the prayer of the upright man- 
 that is his delight : and therefore that we be right in our notions, d£ 
 bleffednefs, and in our choice of the v/ay that leads to it. Thofe afc^ 
 not fit to put up good prayers, that do not walk in good Ways. 
 
 1 '^HAT man hath perfedbleffedneft, 
 
 i v/ho walketh not aftray 
 In counfel of ungodly men, 
 nor ftands in finners way, 
 Nor fitteth in the fcorner's chair; 
 
 2 But placeth his delight 
 Upon God's law, and meditates 
 
 on his law day and night. 
 A 2 
 
4 P S A L M II. 
 
 3 He fhall be like a tree that grows, 
 near planted by a river, 
 
 Which in his feafon yields his fruit, 
 
 and his leaf fadeth never. 
 And all, he doth fliall profper well. 
 
 4 The wicked are not fo; 
 
 But like they are unto the chaff 
 which wind drives to and fro. 
 
 5 In judgment therefore fhall not ftand 
 fuch as ungodly are ; 
 
 I'' or in th' affeinbly of the juft 
 fhall wicked men appear. 
 
 6 For why? the way of godly mea 
 unto the Lord is known; 
 
 Whereas the way of wicked men, 
 Ihall quite be overthrown. 
 
 PSALM IL 
 
 As the foregoing pfalm was moral, and fhewed us out* duty ; fo 
 ' this is evangelical, and fhcws us our Saviour. Under the type of 
 David s kingdom, Tvhich, though of divine appointment, met with 
 much oppofition, but prevailed at lall, the kingdom of the Mefliah, 
 the Son of David, is prophcfied oi^ which is the primary intention 
 and fcope of the pfalm ; and I think there is Icfs in it of the type, and 
 snore of the antitype, than In any of the gofpel-pfalms ; for there is 
 nothing in it but what is applicable to Chrift, but fome things that 
 are not at all applicable to David, verf. 6, 7. ' Thou ait my Son.' 
 Ver. 8. * I will give thee the uttermoft parts of the earth.' And, 
 verf. 12. * Kifsthe Son,' it is interpreter' of Chrift, Ads iv. 25. 
 and xiii. 33. Heb. i. 5. The Holy Ghofc here foretels, (i) The 
 oppofition that fhould be given to. the kingdom of the Mefliah, verf. 
 I, 2, 3. (a) The, baffling and chaTlifing of that oppofition, verf. 4. 
 5. (3) I'he fetting up of the kingdom of Chrift, notwithfcanding 
 the oppofition, verf. 6. (4) The confirmation and eftabUfJiment of 
 it, verf. 7. (5) A prcmife of the- enlargement and fuccefsof it, verf. 
 8,9. (6) A call and exhortation to kings and princes to yield them- 
 felves the wilHng fubjeds of this kingdom, verf. ic, 1 1, 12. Or thus, 
 iVehaveherc, (i) Threatenings denounced agalnft the adversaries 
 
P S A L M II. 
 
 •r Chrift's king'lom, verf. I,— 6. (2) Fromifc5 mad? 
 
 himfelf, the head of this kingdom, verf, 7, — 9. (3) Cc 
 
 to all to efpoufe the intereft of this kingdom, verf. lo, li, 
 
 pfaim, as the former, is very fitly p;-ctixed to this book of de^ 
 
 becaufe as it is. neceffary to our acceptance with. God, that we 
 
 be fubje^ft to the precepts of his law, fo it is hkewife, that we 
 
 be fubjevfi to the grace of his gofpel, and come to him in the nam; 
 
 of a Mediator. 
 
 1 YI^HY rage the heathen? and vayi things 
 
 why do the people mind? 
 
 2 Kings of the earth do fet themfelv^s, 
 and princes are combined 
 
 To plot againft the Lord, and his 
 Anointed, faying thus, 
 
 3 Let us afunder break their bands, 
 and caft their cords from us. 
 
 4 He that in heaven fits, fliall laugh ; 
 the Lord fhall fcorn them all': 
 
 5 Then ihall he fpeak to them in wrath, 
 in rage he vex them flialL 
 
 6 Yet notwithftanding 1 have him 
 to be my King appointed. 
 
 And over Zion my holy hill, 
 I have him King anointed. 
 
 7 The fure decree I will declare : 
 the Lord hath faid to me. 
 
 Thou art mine only Son, this day 
 I have begotten thee. 
 
 8 Afk of me, and for heritage 
 the heathen I'll make thine ; 
 
 And for poflefiion I to thee 
 will give earth's utmofh line. 
 
 9 Thou fhalt as with a weighty rod 
 of iron break them all ; 
 
 A3 
 
6 PSALM IIL 
 
 And, as a potter's (herd thou fhalt 
 
 them dafli in pieces ImalL 
 JO Now therefore, kings, be wife, be taught, 
 
 ye judges of the earth : 
 
 1 1 Serve God in fear, and fee that ye 
 join trembling with your mirth. 
 
 12 Kifs ye the Son, left in his ire 
 ye perifli from the way, 
 
 If once his wrath begin to burn : 
 bleft all that on him ftay. 
 
 PSALM III. 
 
 As the foregoing pfalm, in the type of David in preferment, 
 fliewed us the royal dignity of the Redeemer ; fo this, by the ex- 
 ample of David in diftrefs, fhews us the peace and holy fecurity of 
 the redeemed ; how fafe they really are, and think themfelves tc> 
 be under the divine pr^jtefhion. David being now driven out from 
 his palace, from the royal city, from the holy city^ by his rebellious 
 fon Abfaloni, (i) Complains to God of his enemies, verf. i, z, 
 (a) Confides in God, and encourageth himfclf in him as his God, 
 notwithilanding, verf. 3. (3) RecoIle(5ls the fatisfadlion he had in 
 the gracious anfwers God gave to his prayers, and his experience of 
 hisgocdnefs to him, verf. 4, 5. (4) Triumphs over his fears, verf. 
 Ci. and over his enemies, whom he prays againll, verf. 7. (5) Gives 
 God the glory, and takes to himfclf the comfort of that divine bleffing 
 and falvation^ which are fure to all the people of God, verf. "8. 
 Thofe fpeak beft of the truths of God, that fpcak experimentally; 
 fo David here fpeaks of the power and goodnefs af God, and of the 
 fafety and tran<juillity of the godly. 
 
 A Pfairn of David, when hf Scd from Abfalom his fon, 
 
 1 Q Lord, how are my foes increafed ? 
 
 againft me many rife. 
 
 2 Many fay of my foul, for him 
 in God no fuccour lies. 
 
 3 Yet thou my fhleki, and glory art, 
 th' uplifter of my head. 
 
 4 I cry'd, and from his holy hill 
 %the Lord me aafwer made* 
 
PSALM IV. 
 
 5 I laid me down, and flept ; I vvak'd, 
 for God fiiftained me. 
 
 6 I will not fear tho' thoufands ten 
 fet round againft me be. 
 
 7 Arife, O Lord, fave me, my God ; 
 for thou my foes haft ftroke 
 
 All on the cheek-bone ; and the teeth 
 of wicked men haft broke. 
 
 8 Salvation doth appertain 
 unto the Lord alone ; 
 
 Thy bleffing. Lord, for evermore 
 thy people is upon. 
 
 PSALM IV. 
 
 David was a preacher, a royal preacher, as well as Solomon ? 
 many of his pfalms are doctrinal and pradical, as.well as devotional '. 
 the greatell part of this pfalm isfo, in which Wifdom cries to men, 
 to the fousofmen, (asFrov. viii. 4,5.) to receive inftruclion. The 
 title doth not tell us, as that of the former did, that it was penned on 
 any particular occaiion, nor are we to think that all the pfabns were 
 occafional, though fome were ; but that many of them were ddigned 
 in general for the inflruclion of the people of God, that attended in 
 the courts of his houfe, the aSifting of their devotions, and the di<- 
 re(5ling of their cohverfations; fuch a one I take this pfalm to b€. 
 Let us not make the prophecy of fcripture to be of more private in- 
 terpretation than needs mufi, a Pet. i. 20. Here, (^l) David begin ^ 
 with a fhort prayer, verf. I. and that prayer prcacheth. (a,} He 
 direfts his fpeech to the children of men; and, i. In God's name 
 reproves them for the diflionour they do to God, and the damage 
 they do to their own fouls, verf. 2. 2. He fets before them the hap- 
 pinefs of godly people, for their encouragement to be religious, verf. 
 3. 3. He calls upon them to confider their ways, verf. 4. 4. He 
 exhorts them to ferve God, and truft in him, verf. 5. (3) He gives 
 an account of his own experiences of the grace of God working in 
 ^^im, I. Enabling him to choofe God's favour for his felicity, verf. 6. 
 Z. Filling his heart with joy therein, verf. 7. 3. Quieting his fpirit 
 in the aiTurance of the divine proted:ion he was under night and day, 
 verf. 8. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, oh Neginoth, A Pfalm of David* 
 I O IVE ear unto me when I call, 
 God of my righteoufnefs : 
 
8 P S A L M V. 
 
 Have mercy, hear my prayer, thou haft 
 enlarg'd me in diftrefs. 
 
 2 ye the fons of men, how long 
 will ye love vanities ? 
 
 How long my glory turn to fhame, 
 and will ye follow lies ? 
 
 3 But know, that for himfelf the Lord 
 the godly man doth chufe: 
 
 The Lord when I on him do call, 
 to hear will not refufe. 
 
 4 Fear and fin not : talk with your heart 
 on bed, and filent be. 
 
 5 Off'rings prefent of righteoufnefs, 
 and in the Lord truft ye. 
 
 6 O who will fhew us any good ? . 
 is that which many fay : 
 
 But of thy countenance the light, 
 Lord, lift on us alway. 
 
 7 Upon my heart, beftow'd by thee, 
 more gladnefs I have found. 
 
 Than they, ev'n then, when corn and wine 
 did moil with them abound. 
 
 8 1 will both lay me down in peace, 
 and quiet fleep will take : 
 
 Becaufe thou only me to dwell 
 in fafety, Lord, doft make. 
 
 PSALM V. ^ 
 
 This pfalm is a prayer, a folemn addrefs to God, at a time "whcB 
 the pfalmift was Vrought into diO.refs by the malice of his enemies : 
 n^any fuch times palTed over David-, nay, there was fcarce any time 
 ©f his life to which this pfalm may not be accommodated : for in this 
 he was a type of Chrift, that he was continually bcfet with enemies; 
 and his powerful and p-tviilcpt appeals to God, when he was fo be- 
 ^ fet, pointed at ChriU's dependence on his Father, and triumphs over 
 
P S A L M V. >^ 
 
 -V 
 
 ■.»>' 
 
 the powers of darknefs, in the midft of his fufFerlngs. In tft«r;pfaSjTj 
 (i) David fettles a correfpondence between his foul arid God, pro- 
 miGng to pray, andpromifing himfelf that God would certainly iear 
 him, verf. i, 2, 3. (2) He gives to God the glory, ani tiikei to 
 himfelf the comfort of God's holinefs, verf. 4, — 6. (3.)-Me decides 
 his refolution to keep clofe to the public wdrfnip of God, v^rfrj. 
 (4) He prayed, I. For himfelf, that God would guide him, verf. 8. 
 
 2. Againft his enemies, that God would deflroy -them, verf. 9,.-lo. 
 
 3. For all the people of God, that God would give them joy, rand 
 keep them fafe, verf. 1 1, 12. And this is all of great ufe to direifl 
 ms in prayer. 
 
 To the chief Mufician upon Nehiloth, A Pfalm of 
 David. ^ 
 
 1 Q.IVE ear unto my words, O JLorJ, 
 
 my meditation weigh. 
 
 2 Hear my loud cry, my King, my God ; 
 for I to thee will pray. 
 
 3 Lord, thou fiialr early hear my voice 5 
 I early will direct 
 
 My pray'r to thee, and looking up, 
 an anfwer will expedt. 
 
 4 For thou art not a God that doth 
 in wickednefs delight : 
 
 Neither fliall evil dwell with thee, 
 
 5 Nor fools ftand in thy iight : 
 All that ill doers are thou hat'ft ] 
 
 6 Cutt'ft off that liars be : 
 The bloody and deceitful man 
 
 abhorred is by thee. 
 
 7 But I into thy houfe will come 
 in thine abundant grace : 
 
 And I will worfhip in thy fear, 
 toward thy holy place. 
 
 8 Eecaufe of thofe mine enemies, ^__ 
 Lord, in tky righteouinefs 
 
10 PSALM VI. 
 
 Do thou me lead : do thou thy way- 
 make ftraight before my face. 
 
 9 For in thetr mouth there is no truth, 
 
 their inward part is ill ; 
 Their throat's an open fepulchre, 
 
 their tongue doth flatter ilill. 
 ID O God deftroy them, let them be 
 
 by their ov,^n counfel quell'd : 
 Them for their many fms caft out, 
 
 for they 'gainft thee rebell'd. 
 
 1 1 Bat let all joy that truft in thee ; 
 and flill make (houting noife : 
 
 For them thou fav'ft ; let all that love 
 thy name, in thee i-ejoice. 
 
 12 For, Lord, unto the righteous man 
 thou wilt thy bleiTmg yield ; 
 
 With favour thou wilt compafs him 
 about, as with a fhield. 
 
 PSALM VI. 
 
 David was a weeping prophet, as well as Jeremiah ; and this pfalna 
 i5 one of his lamentations. Either it was penned at a time, or at leaft 
 calculated for a time of great trcuhle, both outward and inwcird.. 
 Is any afHidled ? Is any fick ? let him fing this pl\ilm. The method 
 of thisplalm is very obfervable, and what we fh all often meet with: 
 He begins v.ith doleful complaints, but ends Avith joyful praifes, like 
 Hannah, who went to prayer with a forrowful fpirit, but when fhe 
 had prayed, went her way, and her countenance was no more fad. 
 Three things the pfalmift is here complaining of ; (l) Sicknefs of 
 body. ( a) Trouble of mind arifmg from the fcnfe of fin, the merito- 
 rious caufe of pain and ficknefs. (3) The infults of his enemies upon 
 occafion of both. Now here, i. He poursouthis complaints before 
 God, deprecates his wrath, and begs earneftly for the return of his 
 favour, verf. I, — 7. 2. He aflures himfelf of an anfwer of peace 
 ihortly, to his full fati«fa«aion, v«rf. 8, 9, lo. This pfalra i* like the 
 l)»ok of Job. 
 
PSALM VI. II 
 
 To the chief Mufician on Neginoth, upon Sliemmriht 
 A Pfalm of David. ^ 
 
 1 T ORD, in thy wrath rebuke me not, 
 
 Nor in thy hot rage chaften me, 
 
 2 Lord, pity me, for I am weak : 
 Heal me, for my bones vexed be. 
 
 3 My foul is alfo vexed fore : 
 
 But, Lord, how long ftay wilt thou make? 
 
 4 Return, O Lord, my foul fet free : ^^^^^-^ 
 
 fave me for thy mercy's fake» 
 
 5 Becaufe thofe that deceafed are, 
 
 Of thee fhall no remembrance have : 
 And who is he that will to thee 
 Give praifes lying in the grave ? 
 
 6 I with my groaning weary am, 
 
 1 alfo all the night my*bed 
 Have caufed for to fwim.; and I 
 With tears my couch have watered. 
 
 7 Mine eye confum'^ with grief, grows old, 
 Becaufe of all mine enemies. 
 
 8 Hence from me wicked workers all. 
 For God hath heard my weeping cries* 
 
 9 God hath my fupplication heard ; 
 My pray'r received gracioufly: 
 
 I o Sham'd and fore vex'd be all my foes ; 
 Sham'd and back turned fuddenly. 
 
 Another of the fame* 
 
 I JN thy great indignation, 
 
 O Lord, rebuke me not ; 
 Nor on me lay thy chaft'ning hand, 
 in thy difpleafure hot* 
 
 ./ 
 
12 PSALM vr. 
 
 1 Lord, I am weak, therefore on me 
 
 have mercy, and me fpare : 
 Heal me, O Lord, becaufe thou know'ft 
 
 my bones much vexed are. 
 
 3 My foul is vexed fore ; but. Lord, 
 how long ftay wilt thou make ? 
 
 4 Return, Lord, free my foul ; and fave. 
 me, for thy mercy's fake. 
 
 ^^^^^caufe of thee in death there fhall 
 no more remembrance be : 
 Of thofe that in the grave do He, 
 who fhall give thanks to thee ? 
 
 6 I with my groaning weary am, 
 and all the night my bed 
 
 I caufed for to fwim : with tears 
 my couch I watered. 
 
 7 By reafon of my vexing grief, 
 mine eye confumed is : 
 
 It waxeth old, becaufe of all 
 that be mine diemies. 
 
 8 But now depart from me, all y« 
 thafework iniquity ; 
 
 For why, the Lord hath heard my voice, 
 when I did mourn and cry. 
 
 9 L^nto my fupplication 
 
 the Lord did hearing give ; 
 When I to him my prayer make, 
 the Lord will it receive. 
 
 10 Let all be fham'd and troubled fore, 
 that en'mies are to me ; 
 
 Let them turn back, and fuddenly 
 afhamed let them be. 
 
PSALM VII. i> 
 
 It appears by the title, that this Pfalm was penned upon a par- 
 ticular occafion, which was, the malicious imputations that David 
 was unjuilly laid under by fome of his enemies. Being thus v.-rong- 
 ed, (i) He applies himfelf to God for favour, vcrf. i, a. (2) He 
 appeals to God concerning his innocency, as to thofe things whereof 
 he was accufed, verf. 3, 4, 5. (3) He prays to God to plead hi» 
 caufe, and judge for him againfl his perfecutors, verf. 6, — 9. (4) He 
 exprefleth his confidence in God, that he would do fo, and would 
 return the mifchief upon the head of thofe that defigned it agalnlt 
 him, verf. 10, — 16. (j) He promifeth to give God the glory of 
 his deliverance, verf. 17. In this David was a type of Chrift, vfho 
 was himfelf, and ftill is in his members, injured thus ; but will cer- 
 tainly he righted at laft. 
 
 Shiggaion of David, which he fang unto the Lord, con- 
 cerning the words of Cufli the Benjam>tej 
 
 1 Q Lord, my God, in thee do I - 
 
 my confidence repofe : 
 Save and deliver me from all 
 my perfecuting foes ; 
 
 2 Left that the enemy my foul 
 fhould like a lion tear, 
 
 In pieces renting it, while there 
 is no deliverer. 
 
 3 O Lord my God, if it be fo 
 that I committed this ; 
 
 If it be fo, that in my hands 
 iniquity there is ; 
 
 4 If I rewarded ill to him 
 that was at peace with me ; 
 
 (Yea, even the man that without caufe 
 my foe was, I did free ;) 
 
 5 Then let the foe purfue, and take 
 my foul, and my life thruft 
 
 Down to the earth, and let him lay 
 mine honour in the duft. 
 B 
 
«4 PSALM Vir. 
 
 6 Rife in thy v\' rath, Lord, raife thyfelf, 
 for my foes raging be : 
 
 And to the judgment which thou haft 
 commanded, wake for me. 
 
 7 So fhall th' aflembly of thy folk 
 about encompafs thee : 
 
 Thou, therefore, for their fakes, return 
 
 unto thy place on high. 
 S The Lord, he fhall the people judge ; 
 
 my judge, JEHOVAH, be;^ 
 After my righteoufnefs, and mine 
 
 integrity in me. 
 
 9 O let the wicked's malice end; 
 but 'ftablifh ftedfaftly 
 
 The righteous : for the righteous God 
 the hearts and reins doth try. 
 
 10 In God, who faves th* upright in heart, 
 is my defence and (lay. 
 
 1 1 God juft men judgeth, God is wroth 
 with ill men ev'ry day. 
 
 12 If he do not return again, 
 then he his fword will w^het ; 
 
 His bow he hath already bent, 
 and hath it ready fet. 
 
 1 3 He alfo hath for him prepar'd 
 the inftruments of death; 
 
 Againft the perfecutors he 
 his fliafts ordained hath. 
 
 14 Behold, he with iniquity 
 doth travail as in hirth ; 
 
 A mifchief he conceived hath, 
 and falfhood ihall bring forth* 
 
PSALM VIII. if 
 
 15 He made a pit, and digg'd it deep;, .- 
 another there to take ; '; 
 
 But he is fallen into the ditchy 
 which he himfelf did make, 
 
 16 Upon his own head his mifchlef 
 fhall be returned home ; 
 
 His violent dealing alfo down 
 on his ov/n pate ihall come. 
 
 1 7 According to his righteoufnefs 
 the Lord I'll magnify j 
 
 And will fmg praife unto the name 
 of God that is mod high. 
 
 PSALM VIIL 
 
 This Pfalm is a folemn meditation on, and admiratfon of the J^lory 
 and grcatnefs of God, which we sre all concerned to think highly 
 and honourably of. It begins and ends with the fame acknowledg- 
 ment of the tranfcendent excellency of God's narae. It is propofed 
 to be proved, verf. I. " How excellent is thy name in all the earth." 
 And then it is repeated as proved (with a cvuou erat demon- 
 STRANnuM) in the lafl verfe. For the proof of God's glory, he 
 gives inftanc.es of his goodnefs to man ; for God's goodnefs is his 
 glory. God is to be glorified, (i) For making known himfelf and 
 his great name to us, verf. i. (2) For making ufe of the weakelt 
 of the children of men, by thSm to ferve his own purpofes, verf. 2. 
 
 (3) For making even the heavenly bodies ufeful to man, verf. 3, 4, 
 
 (4) For making him to have dominion ovsr the creatures in this 
 lower world, and thereby placing him but little lower than th& 
 angels, verf. s, 6, 7,8. This- Pfalni is, in the New Teftamcnt, 
 applied to Chrlft, and the workof our redemption, which he wroxighjr 
 out; the honour given by the children of men to him, compare 
 verf. 1. with Matth. xxi. 16. and the honour put upon the children 
 of men by him, both ia his humiliation, when he was made little 
 lower than the angels, and in his exaltation, when he was crowned 
 with glory and honour, compare verf. 5, 6. with Heb. ii. 6. 7, 8. 
 I Cor. XV. 27. When v/e are obferving the glory of God in the 
 kingdom of nature and providence, we fhould be led by that, and 
 thro* that, to the contemplation of his glory in the kingdom of grace- 
 
26 PSALM IX. 
 
 To the chief Muficlan upon Gittith, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 JJOW excellent in all the earth, 
 
 Lord, our Lord, is thy name ! 
 Who haft thy glory far advanc'd 
 above the ftarry frame. 
 
 2 From infants and from fackling's mouths 
 thou dideft ftrength ordain; 
 
 For thy foes caufe, that fo thou might'ft 
 th' avenging foe reftrain. ^ 
 
 3 When I look up unto the heav'ns, 
 which thine own fingers fram'd, 
 
 Unto the moon, and to the ftars, 
 which were by thee ordain'd : 
 
 4 Then fliy 1, What is man, that he 
 rememb'red is by thee ? 
 
 Or what the fon of man, that thou 
 
 fo kind to hira iliouldfl be ? . 
 
 5 For thou' a little lower haft 
 liim than the angels made; 
 
 With glory and with dignity, 
 thou cro'vvned haft his head. 
 
 6 Of thy hand-works thou mad'ft him lord, 
 all under's feet didft lay ; 
 
 7 All llieep and oxen, yea, and beafts 
 that in the field do ftray : 
 
 8 Fowls of the air, fifh of the fea, 
 all that pafs through the fame, 
 
 9 How excellent in all the earth, 
 Lord, our Lord, is thy name ! 
 
 PSALM IX. 
 
 In tVils Pfalrr, (i) David pralfcth God for pkadine lus cnvJc 
 and giving him viClory over his enemies, and the eneaues of h- 
 
PSALM IX. 
 
 country, verf. i, — 6. and calls tjpon others to join with I:!im in hi<; 
 fongs of praile, verf. 1 1, 12. (2) He prays to God, that he. mi: 
 have flill farther occafion to praife hini, for his own deliveran: 
 and tiic confufion of his enemies, verf. 13, 14, — 19, 20. (3) I 
 triumphs in the affurance he had of God's judging the world, vc-. 
 7, 8. pi-oteiting his oppreffed people, verf. 9, ro, 18. and briaging 
 his and their implacable enemies to ruin, verf. 15, 16,17. -Andthis 
 is very applicable to the kingdom of the Meffiah, the eilciaie^ of : 
 which have been in part deftroycd already, and fhall be ye| more 
 and more, till they all be made his footftopl, which we are to affure 
 ourfelves of, that God may have the glory, and we may take tlie 
 comfort. 
 
 To the chief Mufician upon Muth-!abben, 
 A Ffalm cf David. 
 
 1 LORD, thee I'll praife withallmy heart, 
 
 thy wonders all proclaim ; 
 
 2 In thee, moft High, Fll greatly joy, 
 and fing unto thy name. 
 
 3 When back my foes were turn'd, they fell 
 and perifh'd at thy fight.' 
 
 4 For thou maintain'dft my right and caufe f 
 on throne fat'ft, judging right, 
 
 5 The heathen thou rebuked haft, 
 the wicked overthrown ; 
 
 Thou haft put out their names, that they 
 may never more be know^n. 
 
 6 O en'my ! now deftru<2:ions have 
 an end perpetual: 
 
 Thou cities raz'd, perilL'd with them, 
 is their memoriaL 
 
 7 God fhall endure for ay : he doth 
 for judgment fet his throne ; 
 
 8 In righteoufnefsto judge the world 
 juftice to give each one. 
 
 B3 
 
iS PSALM IXo 
 
 9 God alfo will a refuge be 
 for thofe that are oppreft ; 
 
 A refuge will he be, in times 
 of trouble, to diftreft. 
 
 10 And they that know thy name, In tb^j 
 their confidence will place ; 
 
 For thou haft not forfaken them 
 that truly feek thy face. 
 
 1 1 O fing ye praifes to the Lord, 
 that dwells inSion hill, 
 
 And ail the nations among 
 his deeds record ye ftill. 
 
 1 2 V/hen he enquireth after blood, 
 he then remembreth them : 
 
 The humble folk he not forgets 
 that call upon his name, 
 
 13 Lord pity me. behold the grief 
 which I from foes fuftain, 
 
 £v'n thou wiio from the gates of death 
 doft raife me up again ; 
 
 14 That I, in Sion's daughters gates, 
 may all thy praife advance : 
 
 And that I may rejoice always 
 in thy deliverance. 
 
 15 The heathen are funk in the pit^ 
 which they themfelves prepared : 
 
 And in the net w^hich they have hid, 
 their own feet faft are fnar'd. 
 
 16 The Lord is by the judgment known 
 which he himfelf hath wrought : 
 
 The fmners hands do make the fnares 
 wherewith themldves arc caught. 
 
PSALM X. 
 
 1 7 They, who are wicked, into hell ,. v 
 each one fhall turned be ; :"" 
 
 And all the nations that forget 
 to feek the Lord moll high. 
 
 1 8 For they that needy are, fhall not 
 forgotten be alway : 
 
 The expectation of the poor 
 fhall not be lofl for ay. 
 
 19 Arife, Lord, let not man prevail ; 
 judge heathens in thy fight. 
 
 20 That they may know themfelves but men, 
 the nations, Lord, affright. 
 
 PSALM X. 
 
 The LXX tranllatlon joins this Pfalm with the ninth and 
 makes thera but one : but the Hebrew makes it a diilintfl pfalm ; 
 and the fcope and ftile is different. In this pfalm, (i) David com- 
 plains of the wickednefs of the wicked, and defcribes the mighty 
 pitch of impiety to which they were arrived, to the great diflionour 
 of God, and the prejudice of his church and people, and the delay 
 of God's appearing againll them, verf. I, — il. (2) He prays to 
 God to appear againft them for the relief of his people ; and comforts 
 himfelf with hopes that he would do fo in due time, verf. 
 2 2,— X 8. 
 
 I'yU'Herefore is it, that thou, O Lord, 
 
 dofl fland from us afar ? 
 And therefore hided thou thyfelf,- 
 
 when times fo troublous are ? 
 2 The wicked in his loftinefs 
 
 doth perfecute the poor : 
 In thefe devices they have fram'd, 
 
 let them be taken fure. 
 
20 P S A L M X. 
 
 3 The wicked of his heart's d'efire 
 doth talk with boalling great, 
 
 He bleffeth him that's covetous, 
 whom yet the Lord doth hate. 
 
 4 The wicked, through his pride efface, 
 on God he doth not call : 
 
 And in the counfels of his heart 
 the Lord is not at all. 
 
 5 His ways they all always grievous are ; 
 thy judgments from his fight 
 
 Removed are ; at all his foes 
 he puffeth with defpight. 
 
 6 Within his heart he thus hath faid, 
 I fhall not moved be : 
 
 And no adverfity at all 
 ihall ever come to me. 
 
 7 His mouth wuth curfing, fraud, deceit, 
 is fill'd abundantly : 
 
 And underneath hig tongue there is , 
 mifchief and vanity. 
 
 8 He clofely fits in villages : 
 he flays the innocent : 
 
 Againft the poor, that pafs him by, 
 his cruel eyes are bent. 
 
 9 He, lion-like, lurks in his den : 
 he waits the poor to take ; 
 
 And when he draws him rn his net, 
 his prey he doth him make. 
 
 10 Himfelf he humbleth very low ; 
 he croucheth down withal, 
 
 That fo a multitude of poor 
 may by his flrong ones fall. 
 
1 1 He thus hath faid within his heart, 
 the Lord hath quite forgot : 
 
 He hides his countenance, and he 
 for ever fees it not. 
 
 12 O Lord, do thou arife ; O God, 
 Hft up thine hand on high : 
 
 Put not the meek afflidled ones 
 out of thy memory. 
 
 13 Why is it that the wicked man 
 thus doth the Lord defpife ? 
 
 Becaufe that God will it require 
 he in his heart denies. 
 
 14 Thou hafl: it feen, for their mifchief 
 and fpite thou wilt repay : 
 
 The poor commits himfelf to thee, 
 thou art the orphan's ftay. 
 
 15 The arm break of the wicked man, 
 and of the evil one : 
 
 Do thou feek out his wickednefs, 
 until thou findeft none. 
 
 16 The Lord is King through ages all, 
 even to eternity : 
 
 The heathen people from his land 
 are perifh'd utterly. 
 
 17 O Lord, of thofe that humble are, 
 thou the defire didft hear : 
 
 Thou wilt prepare their heart, and thou 
 to hear wilt bend thine ear : 
 
 18 To judge the father] efs, and thofe 
 that are i^greiTed fore ; 
 
 That man m^ is but fprung of earth, 
 . may them opprefs no more. 
 
22 PSALM XL 
 
 In this pfalm we have David's ftruggle with, and triumph ovev 
 a ftrong temptation to diflruft God, and betake himfelf to indire<5l 
 means for his own fafety, in a time of danger. It is fuppofed to 
 hav6 been penned, when he began to feel the refentment of Sanl's 
 envy, and had had the javelin thrown at him once and again : He 
 was then advifed to run his country. No, faith he, I truft in God, 
 and therefore will keep my ground. Obferve, (r) How he repre- 
 fents this temptation, andperhapsparleys with it, verf. i, 2, 3. (a) 
 How he anfwers it, and puts it to filence, with the confideration of 
 God's dominion and providence, verf. 4. his favour to the righteous, 
 and the wrath which the wicked are referved for, verf. 5, 6, 7. In 
 times of public fears, when the infulrs of the church's enemies are 
 daring and threatening, it will be profitable to meditate on thifr 
 pfalm. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 J In the Lord do put my truft ; 
 
 liow is it then that ye 
 Say to my foul, Flee as a bird 
 unto your mountain high ? 
 
 2 For lo, the wicked bend their bow, 
 their fhafts on firings they fit : 
 
 That thofe who upright are in heart - 
 they privily may hit. 
 
 3 If the foundations be deftroy'd, 
 what hath the righteous done ? 
 
 4 God in his holy temple is, 
 in heaven is his throne : 
 
 His eyes do fee, his eye-lids try 
 
 5 men's fons. The juft he proves : 
 But his foul hates the vv^icked man, 
 
 and him that vi'lence loves. 
 
 6 Snares, fire and brimflone, furious ftorms 
 on finners he fliall rain: 
 
 This, as the portion of their cup, 
 doth unto them pertain. 
 
PSALM xir. 23 
 
 ^7 Becaufe the Lord moft righteous doth 
 
 in r'ghteoufiiefs delight ; 
 And with a pleafant countenance 
 
 beholdeth the upright. 
 
 PSALM. XIL 
 
 It is fuppofed that David penned this pfalni in Saul'-s reign, 
 when there was a general decay of honefty and piety both in court 
 and country, which he here complains of to God, and very feel- 
 ingly ; for he himfeif fufFered by the treachery of his falfe friends, 
 and the infolence of his fworn enemies, (i) He begs help of God, 
 becaufe there were none among men whom he durft truft, verf r, 
 a. (z) He foretels the deftru6lion of his proud and threatening 
 enemies, verf. 3, 4. (3) He aflures himfeif and others, that how ill 
 foever things went now, verf. 8. God would preferve and fecure 
 to himfeif his own people, verf. 5, 7. and would certainly make 
 good his promifes to them, verf. 6. — Whether this pfalm was penned 
 in Saul's reign or no, it is certainly calculated for a bad reign ; and, 
 perhaps, David in fpirit forefaw, that fome of his fucceffors would 
 bring things to as ill a pafs, as is here defcribed, and treafured up this 
 ffalm for the ufe of the church then. " O tempora, O mores I" 
 
 To the chief Mufician, upon Sherainith, 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 XJELP, Lord, becaufe the godly maa 
 
 doth daily fade away ; 
 And from among the fons of men 
 the faithful do decay. 
 
 2 Unto his neighbour ev'ry one 
 doth utter vanity : 
 
 They with a double heart do fpeak, 
 and lips of flattery. 
 
 3 God fhall cut off the flatt'ring lips, 
 tongues that fpeak proudly, thus y 
 
24 PSALM Xni. 
 
 4 We'll with our tongues prevail, our li \ 
 are ours: who's Lord o'er us ? ^ * 
 
 5 For poor oppreft, and for the fighs 
 of needy, rife w^ill I, 
 
 Saith God, and him in fafety fet 
 from fuch as him defy. 
 
 6 The words of God are words moft pure, 
 they be Uke filver try'd 
 
 In earthen furnace, feven times 
 that hath been purify'd. 
 
 7 Lord, thou fhalt them preferve and keep 
 for ever from this race. 
 
 8 On each fide w^alk the wicked, when 
 vile men are high in place. 
 
 P S A L M XIIL 
 
 Tills pfalm Is the deferted foul's cafe and cure. Whether k wat 
 penned upon any particular occafion, doth not appear; but in gene- 
 ral, (l) David fadly complains, that God had long withdrawn from 
 him, and delayed to relieve him, verf. 1,2. (2) He earnefitly prays 
 to God to confider his cafe, and comfort him, verf. 3, 4. (3) He 
 aflures himfelf of an aiifwer of peace, and therefore concludes this 
 pfalm with joy and triumph, becaufehe concludes his deliverMice a» 
 good as wrought, verf. 5,6. 
 
 To the Chief Mufician, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 TTOW long wilt thovi forget me, Lord, 
 
 fhall it for ever be ? 
 
 O how long fnall it be that thou 
 
 wilt hide thy face from me ? 
 
 2 How long take counfel in my foul, 
 mil fad in heart, fliall I ? 
 
 How long exalted over me 
 
 jDball be mine enemy? X 
 
PSALM XIV. as 
 
 3 O Lord my God, confider well, 
 and anfwer to me make; 
 
 Mine eyes enlighten, left the deep 
 of death me overtake ; 
 
 4 Left that mine enemy fhould fay, 
 againft him I prevail'd ; 
 
 And thofe that trouble me, rejoice 
 when I am mov'd and fail'd. 
 
 5 But I have all my confidence 
 thy mercy fet upon : 
 
 My heart within me lliall rejoice 
 in thy falvation. 
 
 6 I will unto the Lord my God 
 fmg praifes cheerfully, 
 
 Becaufe he hath his bounty fhowa 
 to me abundantly. 
 
 PSALM XIV. 
 
 It doth not appear upon what occafion this pfalm was penneil. 
 Tier whether upon any particular occafion : fome fay, David penned 
 it when Saul perfecuted him ; others, when Abfalom rebelled againft 
 "him. But they are mere , conjedb.ires, which have not certainty 
 enough to -vtarrant us to expound the pfalm by them. The apoftle, 
 in quoting part of this pfalm, Rom. iii. lo, &c. to prove that Jews 
 and Gentiles are all under fm, verf. 9. and all the world is guilty be- 
 fore God, verf. 19. leads us to underftand it in general as a defcrip- 
 tion of the pravity of the human nature, and the fmfulnefs of the fin 
 we are conceived and born in ; and the deplorable corruption of a 
 great part of mankind, even of the world th^t lies in wickednefs, I 
 John V. 19. But as in thofe pfalms v/hich-are defigned to difcover 
 our remedy in Chtift, there is commonly an allufion to David him- 
 felf, yea, and fome paflages that are to be underflood primarily 
 of him, as in Pfal. ii. xvi. xxii. and others; fo in this pfalm, whica 
 is defigned to difcover our wound by fin, there is an allufion to Da- 
 vid's enemies and perfecutors, and other the oppreffors of goodmea 
 at that time, to whom fotae paffages have an immediate reference. 
 
 C 
 
^^ PSALM XIV, 
 
 In all the pfalms from the 3d to this (except the 8th) David -had 
 been complaining of thofe that bated and perfecuted him, infulted 
 him, and abufed him ; now here he runs up ail thofc bitter ilreami 
 to the fountain, the general corruption of nature, and fees they were 
 not his enemies only, but all the children of men that were thus cor- 
 rupted. Here is, (i) A charge exhibited againfl 3 wickeH world, 
 verf. I. (a) The proof of the charge, verf. a, 3. (3) A feriout 
 expoflulation with fmners, cfpecially with perfccutors, upon it, verf. 
 4, 5, 6. (4) A believing prayer for the falvatiou of Ifracl, and & 
 joyful expedlaiion of it, verf. 7. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 "YHAT there IS not a God, the fool 
 
 doth in his heart condude ; 
 They are corrupt, their works are vile, 
 not one of them doth good. 
 
 2 Upon men's fons the Lord from heav^'n 
 did caft his eyes abroad ; 
 
 To fee if any under flood, 
 and did feek after God. 
 
 3 They altogether filthy are, 
 they all afide are gone : 
 
 ^nd there is none that doeth good, 
 yea, fure there is nor one. 
 
 4 Thefe workers of iniquity, 
 do they not know at all, 
 
 That they my people eat as bread, 
 and on God do not call ? 
 
 -5 There fear'd they much : for God is with 
 the whole race of the juft. 
 
 6 You :l;amethecounfel of the poor, 
 becaufe God is his truft. 
 
 7 Let Ifrael's help from Zion come : 
 when back the Lord fhall bring 
 
PSALM XV. 
 
 His captives, Jacob fliall rejoicej 
 and Ifrael iliall fina:. 
 
 ^f 
 
 PSALM XV. 
 
 The fcope of this fhort, but excellent pfalm, Is, t6 (hetv U8 the 
 "Cray to heaven ; and to convince us, that if we would be happy, w& 
 jnuft be holy and honeft. Chrift, who is himfelf the way, and in. 
 whom we muft walk as our way, has alfo fhewed us the fame way 
 that is here prefcribed, Matth. xix. l8. " Ifthou wilt enter into life, 
 •' keep the commandments." In this pfalm, (i) By the queftion, 
 vcrf. J. we are direded and exritcd to enquire the way. (a) By 
 the anfwcr to that queilion in the reft of the pfalm, we are defiredto 
 walk, verf. 2, 3, 4, 5. (3) By the affurance given in the clofe of thia 
 jjfalmyof the fafety and happinefs of thofe who anfwer thefccharao 
 tcrs, wc are encouraged to walk in that way, verf. 5, 
 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 !• ^Y^ITHIN thy tabernacle, Lordj 
 
 who (hall abide with thee i 
 And in thy high and holy hill 
 
 who fhall a dweller be? 
 2. The man that walketh uprightly, 
 
 and workcth righteoufnefs ; 
 And, as he thinketh in his heart, 
 
 fo doth he truth exprefs. 
 
 3 Who doth not flander with his tongue^ 
 nor to his friend dorh. hurt ; 
 
 Nor yet againft his neighbour doth 
 take up an ill report. 
 
 4 In whofe eyes vile men are defpis'd i 
 but thole that God do fear 
 
 He honoureth : and changeth not, 
 though to his hurt he fwear.. 
 C2 * 
 
tj8 PSALM XVr. 
 
 5 His coin puts not to ufury, 
 
 nor take reward will he 
 Againft the guiltlefs. Who doth thus 
 
 ihall never moved be. 
 
 P S x^ L M XVI. 
 
 Th7s pfalm hath fomething of David in it, but inv.ch more of 
 Christ : It begins with fuch exprcffions of devotion, as maybe ap-^ 
 plied to David ; but concludes with fuch confidence of a refurre(3ion, 
 (and fo timely a one, as to prevent corruption) as muil be applied to 
 Christ, to him only, and cannet be undcrftood of David, as both 
 St Peter and St Paul have ohferved, Aifts ii. 24.' — xiii. 36. for David 
 <iied, and was buried, and faw corruption. (l) David fpeaks of 
 him.felf as a membei^ of Christ, and fo he fpeaks the language of all' 
 ^ood ChrJAians, profefirng his confidence in God, verf. I. his con- 
 fent to him, vcrf. 2. his afTeAion to the people of God, verf. 3. his 
 adherence to the true worfhip of God, verf. 4. and his entire com- 
 placency and fatisfatftion in God, and the interefl he had in Wm, 
 verf. 5, 6,7. (2) Re fpeaks ofhimfelf asa type of Christ, and fo 
 he fpeaks the language of Christ himfelf, to whom all the refl of 
 the pfalm is exprefsly and at large applied, AAs ii. 25, &c. David 
 fpeaketh concerning him (not concerning himfelf) " I forefaw the 
 Lord always before my face," &c. And this he fpake, being a pro- 
 phet, verf. 30, 31. Spake, (i) Of the fpecial prefenceof God with 
 the Redeemer, in his fervices and fuiferings, verf. 8. (2) Of the 
 profpedt which the Redeemer had of his own refurre(ftion, and the 
 glory that fhould follow, which carried him chearfuUy through hit 
 undertaking, verf. 9, 10, 11. 
 
 Mlchtam of David. 
 
 I T ORD, keep me : for T truft in thee, 
 
 2 To God thus was my fpecch ; 
 Thou art my Lord, and unto thee 
 
 my goodnefs doth not reach : 
 3 To faints on earth, to th' excellent, 
 
 where my delight's all placed. 
 
PSALM XVI. ^ 
 
 4 Their forrows fhall be multiply'd, 
 to other gods that hafte : 
 
 Of their drink-offerings of blood 
 
 I will no offering make : 
 Yea, neither I their very names 
 
 up in my lips will take. 
 
 5 God is of mine inheritance 
 and cup the portion : 
 
 The lot that fallen is to me, 
 thou dofl maintain alone. 
 
 6 Unto me happily the lines^ 
 in pleafant places fell ; 
 
 Yea, the inheritance I got, 
 in beauty doth excel. 
 
 7 I blefs the Lord, becaufe he doth 
 by counfel me condudt : 
 
 And in the feafons of the night 
 my reins do me inflrudt. 
 
 8 Before me flill the Lord I fet : 
 fith it is fo that he 
 
 Doth ever Hand at my right hand, 
 I (hall not moved be. 
 
 9 Becaufe of this my heart is glad, 
 and joy ihall be expreft 
 
 Ev'n by my glory : and my flefli 
 in confidence fhall refl. 
 
 10 Becaufe my foul in grave to dwell 
 fhall not be left by thee ; 
 
 Nor wilt thou give thine holy One 
 corruption to fee. 
 
 C3 
 
no P S A L M XVIL 
 
 1 1 Thou wilt me fliew the path of life : 
 
 of joys there is full ftore, 
 Before thy face, at thy^ right hand 
 
 are pleafures evermore. 
 
 PSALM XVII. 
 
 "^ David being in great dlftrefs and danger, by the malice ci his cne-^ 
 mies, doth, in this pialm, by prayer, addrefs hirnfelf to God, hi* 
 tried refuge, and feeks Hieltcr in him. (i) He appea'sto God con- 
 cerning his integrity, verf. l, — 4. (a) He prays to God ftill to be 
 upheld in his integrity, and preferved fronitiic malice of his enemies, 
 verf. 5, — 8, 13. (3) Hegives a charaiier of his enemies, ufmg that 
 as a plea with God, for his prefervation, verf. 9, — la, 14. (4) He 
 comforts hirnfelf with the hopes of hisfuture happinefs, verf. 15. And 
 fome make him, in this, a type of Chrjft, who was perfcdlly inno- 
 cent, and yet washated ana perfecutcd; but, like David, comniitted 
 hirnfelf and his caufeto him that judgeth righteoufly. 
 
 A Prayer of David. 
 
 1 T ORD, hear the right, attend my cryy 
 
 unto my prayer give heed,. 
 That doth not in hypocrify 
 from feigned lips preceed. 
 
 2 And from before thy prefence forth 
 my fentence do thou fend: 
 
 Toward thefe things that equal are 
 do thou thine eyes intend. 
 
 3 Thou prov'dft mine heart, thou vifit'dfl me 
 by night, thou didft me try, 
 
 \ et nothing found'ft: for that my mouth 
 fhall not fm, purpos'd 1. 
 
 4 As for men's works, I, by the word 
 that from thy hps doth flow,. 
 
 Did me p refer ve out of the path 
 wherein deftroyers go. 
 
FS A L M XVII. 4L 
 
 5 Holdup my goings, Lord, me guide 
 in thofe thy paths divine, 
 
 So that my footileps may not Hide 
 out of thofe ways of thine. 
 
 6 I called have on thee, O God, 
 becaufe thou wilt me hear ; 
 
 That thou may eft hearken to my fpeech^ 
 to me incline thine ear. 
 
 7 Thy wond'rous loving-yndnefs fhow, 
 thou that by thy right hand 
 
 Sav'ft them that truft in thee, from thofe 
 that up againft them ftand. 
 
 8 As th' apple of the eye me keep ; 
 in thy wings fliade me clofe : 
 
 9 From lewd oppreirors, compaffing 
 me round, as deadly foes. 
 
 10 In their own fat they are inclos'd, 
 their mouth fpealcs loftily. 
 
 n Our fteps they compafs'd: and to ground 
 down bowing fet their eye. 
 
 12 He like unto a lion is, 
 that's greedy of his prey ; 
 
 Or lion young, which lurking, doth 
 in fecret places flay. 
 
 13 Arife^ and difappoint my foe, 
 and caft him dov/n, O Lord : 
 
 My foul fave from the wicked man, 
 the man which is thy fword. 
 
 14 From mertwhich are thy hand,OLord^ 
 from worldly men me fave, 
 
 Which only in this prefent life 
 their part and portion have ; 
 
32 PSALM XViri. 
 
 Whofe belly with thy treafure hid 
 
 thou fill'ft : they children have 
 In plenty, of their goods the reft 
 
 they to their children leave. 
 15 But as for me, I thine own face 
 
 in righteoufnefs will fee : 
 And with thy likenefs, when I wake, 
 
 Ifatisfy'dihallbe. 
 
 PSALM XVIII. 
 
 This pfalm we meet with before in the hiftory of David's life, 
 2 Sam. xxii. That was the firfr edition of it ; here we have it re- 
 vived, altered a little, and fitted for the fervice of the church. It is 
 David's thankfgiving for the many deliverances God had wrought 
 for him, which he defired always to preferve frefh in his own me- 
 mory, and to diffufe and entail the knowledge of them. Tt is an ad- 
 mirable compofure. The poetry is very fine, the images bold, the 
 expreffions lofty, and every word proper and fignificant ; but the 
 piety far exceeds the poetry : holy faith and love, and joy, and 
 praife, and hope, are here lively, ad:ive, and upon the wing. (i) 
 He triumphs in God, verf. i, 2, 3. (2) He magnifies the deliver- 
 ances God had wrought for him, verf. 4, — 19. (3) He takes the 
 comfort of his integrity, which God had thereby cleared up, verf. 
 20, — 28. (4) He gives to God the glory of all his atchievements, 
 verf. 29, — 42. (5) He encourageth himfelf with the expedation 
 of what God would further do for him and his, verf. 43, — 50. 
 
 To the chief Muficlan, A Pfalm of David, the fervant 
 of the Lord, who fpake unto the Lord the words of 
 this Song, in the day that the Lord delivered him 
 from the hand of all his enemies, and from the 
 hand of Saul : And he faid, 
 
 I nPHEE will I love, O Lord, my ftrength, 
 
 2 My fortrefs is the Lord : 
 My rock, and he that doth to me 
 deliverance afford ; 
 
PSALM XVTir. 33 
 
 My God, my ftrength, whom I will truft, 
 
 a buckler unto mc ; 
 The hern of my falvation, 
 
 and my high tow'r is he. 
 
 3 Upon the Lord, who worthy is 
 ofpraiies, will 1 cry: 
 
 And then fliall I preferved be 
 fafe from mine enemy. 
 
 4 Floods of ill men affrighted me, 
 death's pangs about me went, 
 
 5 Hell's forrows me environed : 
 death's fnares did me prevent. 
 
 6 In my diftrefs I call'd on God, 
 cry to my God did I : 
 
 He from his temple heard my voice 
 to his ears came my cry. 
 
 7 Th' earth, as 'frighted, then did fliake, 
 trembling upon it feiz'd : 
 
 The hills foundations moved were, 
 becaufe he was difpleas'd. 
 
 8 Up from his noftrils came a fmoke, 
 and from his mouth there came 
 
 Devouring fire, and coals by it 
 v/ere kindled into flame. 
 
 9 He alfo bowed down the heav'ns, 
 and thence he did defcend : 
 
 And thickeil clouds of darknefs did 
 under his feet attend. 
 
 10 And he upon a cherub rode, 
 and thereon he did fly ; 
 
 Yea, on the fwift wing of the wind, 
 his flight was from on high. 
 
34 F S A L M XVIII. 
 
 1 1 He darknefs made Kis fecret place , 
 about him, for his tent: 
 
 Dark waters were, and thickeft clouds 
 of th' airy firmament.. 
 
 12 And at the brightnefs of that light 
 which was before his eye, 
 
 His thick clouds paft away, hailftones, 
 and coals of fire did fly. 
 
 13 The Lord God alio in the heav'ns 
 did thunder in his ire ; 
 
 And there the Higheft gave his voice, , 
 hail -Hones, and coals of fire* 
 
 14 Yea, he his arrows fent abroad^ 
 and them he fcattered : 
 
 His lightnings alfo he (hot out, 
 and them difcomfited. 
 
 15 The water's channels then werefeen.:. 
 the w^orld's foundations vaft. 
 
 At thy rebuke, difcov'red were, 
 and at thy noftrils blaft. 
 
 r6 And from above the Lord fent down,. 
 
 and took me from below ; 
 From many waters he me drew, 
 
 which would me overflow. 
 17 He me reiievM from my ftrong foes, 
 
 and fuch as did me hate : 
 Becaufe he faw that they for me 
 
 too flrong were, and too great. 
 
 38 They me prevented in the day 
 
 of my calamity : 
 But, even then^ the Lord himfelf 
 
 a ftay was unto me. 
 
PSALM XVIIT. ^ 
 
 ig He to a place where liberty 
 and room .was, hath me brought : 
 
 Btcaufe he took delight in me, 
 he my deliv Vance wrought. 
 
 ■20 According to my righteoufnefs, 
 
 he did me recompenfe ; 
 He me repaid according to 
 
 my hands pure innocence. 
 2 1 For I God's ways kept, from my God 
 
 did not turn wickedly. 
 2 2 His j Lidgments v/ere before me, I 
 
 his laws put not from me. 
 
 23 Sincere before him was my hearty 
 
 with him upright was I ; 
 And watchfully I kept myfelf 
 
 from mine iniquity. 
 .24 After my righteoufnefs the Lord 
 
 hath recompenfed me, 
 After the cleannefs of my hands 
 
 appearing in his eye. 
 
 ,25 Thou gracious to the gracious art ; 
 to upright men upright: 
 
 26 Pure to the pure, froward thou kyth'ft 
 unto the froward wHght. 
 
 27 For thou wilt the aiilid:ed fave, 
 in grief that low do lie : 
 
 But wilt bring down the countenance 
 of them whofe looks are high. 
 
 28 The Lord will light my candle fo, 
 that it (hall fhine full bright : 
 
 The Lord my God will alfo make 
 my darknefs to be light. 
 
3^ PSALM XVni. 
 
 29 By thee thro' troops of men I breaks 
 and them difcomfit all : 
 
 And, by my God affifting me, 
 I overleap a wall. 
 
 30 As for God, perfefl: is his way : 
 the word of God is try'd : 
 
 He is a buckler to all thofe 
 who do in him confide. 
 
 3 1 Who but the Lord i^ God ? but h« 
 ^ who is a rock and ftay ? 
 
 32 'Tis God that girdeth me with ftrength, 
 and perfed: makes my way. 
 
 33 He made my feet fwift as the hinds, 
 fet me on my high places. 
 
 34 Mine hands to war he taught, mine arms 
 brake bows of fteel in pieces. 
 
 ^^ The-ihield ofthy falvation 
 
 thou didft on me beftow : 
 Thy right hand held me up, and great 
 
 thy kindnefs made me grow. 
 
 36 And in my way, my ftepsthou haft 
 enlarged under me : 
 
 That I go fafely, and my feet 
 are kept from Aiding free. 
 
 37 Mine en'mies I purfued have, 
 and did them overtake: 
 
 Nor did 1 turn again till I 
 an end of them did make. 
 
 38 I wounded them, they could not rife: 
 they at my feet did fall. 
 
 39 Thou girdeft me with ftrength of war, 
 my foes thou brought'ft down alL 
 
PSALM XVIII. 37 
 
 40 And thou haft given to me the necks 
 of all mine enemies. 
 
 That I might them deftroy and flay 
 who did againft me rife. 
 
 41 They cried out, but there was none 
 that would or could them fave : 
 
 Yea, they did cry unto the Lord, 
 but he no anfwer gave. 
 
 42 Then did I beat them fmall as duft 
 before the wind that flies : 
 
 And I did caft them out like dirt 
 upon the ftreet that lies. 
 
 43 Thou mad'ft me free from people's ftrifci 
 and heathens head to be : 
 
 A people Vi^hom I have not known, 
 fhall fervice do to me. 
 
 44 At hearing they fliall me obey : 
 to me they fhall fubmit. 
 
 45 Strangers for fear fhall fade away, 
 who in clofe places fit. 
 
 46 God lives, blef|^be my rock : the God 
 of my health praifed be. 
 
 47 God doth avenge me, and fubdues . 
 the people under me. 
 
 48 He faves me from mine enremies ; 
 yea, thou haft lifted me 
 
 Above my foes : and from the man 
 of vi'lence fet me free. 
 
 49 Therefore to thee I will give thanks 
 the heathen folk among : 
 
 And to thy name, O Lord, I will 
 fmg praifes in a fong. 
 D 
 
3^ PSALM XIX. 
 
 50 He great dcIivVance gives his king ; 
 
 he mercy doth extend 
 To David, his anointed One^ 
 
 and his feed without end. 
 
 PSALM XIX, 
 
 There are two excellent hooks, which the great God "hath publifli- 
 €d for the inftrudion and edification of the children of men ; and 
 this pfalm treats of them both, and recommends them both to our 
 diligent Hudy. (i) The bosk of the creatures, in which we may 
 cafily read the power and Godhead of the Creator, verf. I, — 6. 
 ( 2) The book of the fcriptures, which makes known to us the will 
 of God concerning our duty : he fhews the excellency and ufefulnefs 
 of that book, verf. 7, — 11. And then teacheth us how to improve 
 it, verf. 12,13, ^4. 
 
 To the chief Muficlan, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 I THE heav'ns God's glory do declare : 
 
 the fkies liis hand-v»^orks preach. 
 a Day utters fpeech to day, and night 
 to night doth knowledge teach. 
 
 3 There is no fpeech, nor tongue to which 
 their voice doth not extend. 
 
 4 Their line is gone thro' all the earth, 
 their v^rords to the world's end : 
 
 In them lie fet the fun a tent, 
 
 5 Who bridegroom like forth goes 
 From's chamber, as a ftrong man doth 
 
 to run his race rejoice. 
 
 6 From heav'ri's end is his going forth, 
 circling to th' end again : 
 
 And there is nothing from his heat 
 that hidden doth remain. 
 
 7 God's lavv' is perfeft, and converts 
 the foul in fm that lies : 
 
 God's teftimony is nioft fiire, 
 and makes the fimple wife. 
 
PSALM XX, ^ 
 
 8 The ftatutes of the Lord are rights 
 and do rejoice the heart ; 
 
 The Lord's command is pure, and doth 
 light to the eyes impart, 
 
 9 Unfpottedis the fear of God, 
 and doth endure for ever : 
 
 The judgments of the Lord are true^ 
 and righteous altogether. 
 
 10 They more than gold, yea, much fine gold, 
 to be defired are : 
 
 Than honey, honey from the comb 
 that droppeth fweeter far. 
 
 1 1 Moreover they thy fervant wara 
 how he his life fhould frame ; 
 
 A great reward provided is 
 for them that keep the fame. 
 
 12 Who can. his errors underftand? 
 D cleanfe thou me within 
 
 13 From fecret faults. Thy fervant keep 
 from all prefumptuous fin. 
 
 And do not fuffer them to have 
 
 dominion over me : 
 Then righteous and innocent 
 
 I from much fin ihall be. 
 i4The words which from my mouth proceed^ 
 
 the thoughts fentfrom my heart, 
 Accept, O Lord, for thou m.y ftrength 
 
 and my Redeemer art. 
 
 PS A T M XX,' 
 
 It Isthe V'ill of God, that prayers intercciTrons and thant'irc;.'- 
 fhould be made, in a fpecial manner, for kir,£^s and all in h' tV. . / -. 
 This pfaJm is a prayer, and the neift a thankfgivlng for tiie iciijg. 
 
 Da 
 
^o P S A L M XX. 
 
 David was a martial prince, much in war. EitRer this pfalm wa» 
 penned upon occafion of fome particular expedition of his, or, in 
 general, as a form to be ufed in the daily fervice of the church for 
 him. In this pfalm we may obferve, (l) What it is they beg of 
 God for the king, verf. l, — 4. (2) With what aJTurance they beg 
 it. The people triumph, vcrf 5. the prince, verf. 6. both together, 
 Terf. 7j 8. And fo he concludes with a prayer to God for audience, 
 verf. 9. In this David may well be looked upon as a type of Chrift, 
 to whofe kingdom and its intereils am.cng them, the church was in 
 every age a hearty v.- til- v/ifher. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, A rfaini of David, 
 
 1 JEHOVAH hearjhee in the day 
 
 when trouble he doth fend, 
 And let the name of Jacob's God 
 thee from all ill defend. 
 
 2 O let him help fend from above 
 out of his fanftuary ; 
 
 From Sion his own holy hill 
 let him give ftrength to thee. 
 
 3 Let him remember all thy gifts, 
 accept thy facrifice : 
 
 4 Grant thee thine heart's wifh, and fulfil 
 thy thoughts and counfel wife. 
 
 5 In thy falvation we w411 joy, 
 in our God's name we will 
 
 Difplay our banners : and the Lord 
 thy prayers all fulfil. 
 
 6 Now know I, God his king doth fave : 
 he from his holy heav'n 
 
 Will hear him, with the faving ftrength 
 by his own right-hand giv'n. 
 
 7 In chariots fome put confidence, 
 fome horfes truft upon : 
 
 But we remember will the name 
 of our Lord God alone. 
 
I> S A L M XXI. 4t 
 
 8 We rife and upright ftand,when they 
 are bowed down and fall. 
 
 9 Deliver, Lord, and let the King 
 us hear when we do call. 
 
 PSALM XXL 
 
 As the foregoing pfalm was a prayer for the king, that God wouU 
 proted and profper him; fo this is a thankfgiving for the fuccefs' 
 God had bleffed him with. Thofe whom we have prayed for, we 
 ought to give thanks for ; ai)d particularly for kings, in whofe pro- 
 fpcrity we fhare. They are F^ere taught, (i) To congratulate his 
 TiAories and the honour he had atchieved, verf. I, — 6. (2) To con- 
 fide in the power of God, for the compleating of the ruin of the 
 enemies of his kingdom, verf. 7, — 13. And in this there is an eye 
 to the Mefliah, the Prince, and the glory of his kingdom ; for to 
 hina divers palTages in this pfalm are more applicable, than to David 
 himfelf. 
 
 To the chief Muficlan, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 'J'HE king in thy great ftrengtb, O Lord, 
 
 fhall^ very joyful be ; 
 In thy falvation rejoice 
 how veh'mently (hall he. 
 
 2 Thou haft beftowed upon him 
 all that his heart would have ; 
 
 And thou from him didft not with-hold 
 whate'er his lips did crave. 
 
 3 For thou with bleffings him prevent'ft 
 of goodnefs manifold ; 
 
 And thou haft fet upon his head 
 a crown of pureft gold. 
 
 4 When he defired life of thee, 
 thou life to him didft give : 
 
 Ev'n fuch a length of days, that he 
 for evermore Ihould live. 
 D3 
 
42 PSALM XXI. 
 
 5 In that falvation wrought by thee 
 his glory is made great ; 
 
 Honour and comely majefty 
 thou haft upon him let. 
 
 6 Becaufe that thou for evermore 
 moft bleffed haft him made ; 
 
 And thou haft with thy countenance 
 made him exceeding glad* 
 
 7 Becaufe the king upon the Lord 
 his confidence doth lay. 
 
 And thro' the grace of the moft High 
 {hall not be mov'd away. 
 
 8 Thine hand fhall all thofe men find out 
 that en'mies are to thee, 
 
 Ev'n thy right hand fhall find out thofe 
 of thee that haters be. 
 
 9 Like fi.ery ov'n thou fhaltthem make^ 
 when kindledis thine ire ; 
 
 God Ihall tbem fwallow in his wrath, 
 devour them fhall the fire. 
 
 10 Their fiiiit from earth thou ilialt deftroy, 
 iheir feed men from among ; 
 
 1 1 For they beyond their might, 'gainft thee 
 did plot mifchief and wrong* 
 
 1 2 Thoutherefore fhalt make them turn back 
 when thou thy fhafts flialt p'ace 
 
 Upon thy firings, made ready all 
 to fly againft their face. 
 
 13 In thy great pow'r and ftrength, O Lord, 
 be thou exalted high : 
 
 So Ihall we fing with joyful hearts, 
 thy power praife Ihali we. 
 
PSALM XXir. 43 
 
 The Spirit af Chrifl, which was in the prophets, tefcifies in this 
 pfalm, as clearly and fully as any where elfe in all the Old Tefta- 
 ment, " the fuiFerings of Chrift, and the glory that fhouid follow," 
 I Pet. i. ir. of him, no doubt, David here fpeaks and not of himfelf, 
 or of any other man. Much of it is exprefsly applied to Chrift in 
 the New Teftament ; all of it may be applied to him, and fome of it 
 muft be underftood of him only. The providences of God, con- 
 cerning David, were fo very extraordinary, that we may fuppofe 
 there were fome wife and good men, who then could not but look 
 upon him as a figure of him that was to come ; but the compofure 
 of his pfalms efpecially, in which he found himfelf wonderfully car- 
 ried out by the Spirit of prophecy, far beyond his own thought and 
 intention, was (we may fuppofe) an abundant fatisfaclion to himfelf, 
 that he was not only a father of the Mefliah, but a figure of him. 
 In this pfalm he fpeaks, (i) Of the humiliation of Chrift, verf. i, — 
 a I. Where David, as a type of Chrift, complains of the very cala- 
 mitous condition he was in upon many accounts. I. He complains, 
 and mixeth comforts with his conaplaints. Complains, verf. i, 2. 
 but comforts himfelf, verf. 3, 4, 5. Complains again, verf. 6, 7, 8. 
 but comforts himfelf again, verf. 9, 10. 2. He complains, and 
 mixeth prayers with his complaints. ComplaiHS of the power and 
 rage of his enemies, verf, 12, 13, 16, 18. of his own bodily weaknefs 
 and decay, verf. 14, 15, 17. But prays that God would not be far 
 from him, verf. ii, 19. that he would fave and deliver him, verf. 
 19, 20, 21. (2) Of the exaltation of Chrift, that his undertaking 
 fhouid be for the glory of God, verf. 22, — 25. for the falvation and 
 joy of his people, verf. 26, — 29. and for the perpetuating of his own 
 kingdom, verf. 30, 31. In finging this pfalm, we muft keep our 
 thoughts fixed upon Chrift, and be fo affecied withiukis fufferings, as 
 to experience the fellowftiip of them ; and fo afie(5ted with his grace, 
 as to experience the power and influence of it. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, upon Aijeleth Shahar, 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 jyjY God, my God, why haft thou me 
 
 forfaken ? why fo far 
 Art thou from helping me, and from 
 my words that roaring are ? 
 
 2 All day, my God, to thee I cry, 
 yet am not heard by thee ; 
 
 And in the feafon of the night 
 I cannot filent be. 
 
 V 
 
44< PSALM XXIL 
 
 3 But thou art holy, thou that doll 
 inhabit IfraTs praife. 
 
 4 Our fathers hop'd in thee, they hop'd, 
 and thou didft them releafe. 
 
 5 When unto thee they fent their cry, 
 to them deliv'rance came . 
 
 Becaufe they put their truft in thee, 
 they were not put to Ihame. 
 
 6 But as for me, a worm I am, 
 and as no man am priz d : 
 
 Reproach of men I am, and by 
 the people am defpis'd. 
 
 7 All that me fee, laugh me to fcorn : 
 fhoot out the lip do they. 
 
 They nod and (hake their heads at me, 
 and mocking, thus do fay, 
 
 8 This man did truft in God, that he 
 would free him by his might: 
 
 Let him deliver him, fith he 
 had in him fuch delight. 
 
 9 But thou art he out of the womb 
 that did me fafely take : 
 
 When I was on my mother's breafts, 
 thou me to hope didft make. 
 
 I o And I was caft upon thy care, 
 
 ev'n from the womb till now : 
 And from my mother's belly. Lord, 
 my God and guide art thou. 
 
 I I Be not far offyfor grief is near ; 
 and none to help is found. 
 
 12 Bulls many compafs me : ftrong bulls 
 of Bafhan me furround. 
 
r S A L M XXII. 45 
 
 1 3 Their mouths they open'd wide on me, 
 upon lae gape did they, 
 
 Like to a lion ravening 
 and roarinj^- for his prey. 
 
 14 Like water I'm pour'd out, my bones 
 all out of joint do part : 
 
 Amid ft my bovvels as the wax, 
 fo melted is my heart. 
 
 15 My ftrength is like a potfherd dry'd: 
 .my tongue it cleaveth faft 
 
 Unto my jaws : and to the duft 
 of death thou brought me hafl, 
 
 16 For dogs have compafl; me about j 
 the wicked that did meet 
 
 In their affembly, me inclos'd 
 they pierc'd my hands and feet. 
 
 17 I all my bones may tell : they do 
 upon me look and ftare. 
 
 18 Upon my vefture lots they caft, 
 and clothes among them (hare. 
 
 19 But be not far, O Lord, my ftrength, 
 hafte to give help to me. 
 
 I o From fword my foul, from pow'r of dogs 
 my darling fet thou free. 
 
 2 1 Out of the roaring lion's mouth 
 do thou me ihield and fave : 
 
 For from the horns of unicorns 
 an ear to me thou gave. 
 
 22 1 will fliew forth thy name unto 
 thofe that my brethren are : 
 
 Amidft the congregation 
 thy praife I will declare. 
 
45 B S A L M XXII. 
 
 23 Pralfe ye the Lord, who do him fear ; 
 him glorify, all ye, 
 
 The feed of Jacob ; fear him all 
 that Ifrael s childen be. 
 
 24 For he defpis'd not, nor abhcrr'd 5 
 th' afflid:ed's mifery : 
 
 Nor from him hid his face, but heard 
 when he to him did cry. 
 
 25 Within the congregation great 
 my praife (hall be of thee : 
 
 IVIy vows before them that him fear, 
 {hall be perform'd by me. 
 
 26 The meek (hall eat, and fliallbe fiU'd^ 
 they alfo praife fliall give 
 
 Unto the Lord, that do him feek : 
 your heart ihall ever live. 
 
 27 All ends of th' earth remember fliall^ 
 and turn the Lord unto : 
 
 All kindreds of the nations 
 to him fhall hoii'age do. 
 
 28 Becaufe the kingdom to the Lord 
 doth appertain, as his : 
 
 Likewife among the nations 
 the Governor he is. 
 
 29 Earth's fat ones eat and worfliip fhall 
 all who to duft defcend 
 
 Shall bov/ to him : none of them can 
 his foul from death defend. 
 
 30 A feed (hall fervice do to him ; 
 unto the Lord it (hall 
 
 Be for a generation 
 reckon'd in ages all. 
 
PSALM XXIII. .;- 
 
 3 1 They fhall come, and they (liall declare 
 
 his truth and righteoufnefs 
 Unto a people yet unborn, 
 
 and that he hath done this* 
 
 PSALM XXIII. 
 
 Many of David's pfalms are full of complaints, but this is fuil of 
 comforts, and the expreflions of delight in God's great goodnefs, and 
 dependence upon him. It is a pfalm which has been fung by good 
 Chriflians, and will be while the world ftand?, with a great deal of 
 pleafure and fatisfaAion. (i) The pfalmift here claims relation to 
 God as his flieplierd, verf. I. (2) He recounts his experience of the 
 kind things God had done for him as his fhepherd, verf. 2, 3, 5. (3) 
 From hence he infers, that he {hould want no good, verf i. that he 
 needed to fear no evil, verf. 4. that he would never leave or forfakc 
 him in a way of mercy ; and therefore he refolves never to leave nor 
 forfake Gedin a v.'ay of duty, verf. 6. And in this certainly he has 
 an eye, not only to the bleffings of God's providence, which made 
 his outward condition profperous, but, to the communicaticwis of 
 Cod's grace, received by a lively faith, and returned in a warm de- 
 votion, which fills his foul with joy unfpeakable. And, as in the 
 foregoing pfalm, he reprefented Chrifl dying for his fheep, fo here 
 he rtprefents Chriflians receiving the benefit of all the care and ten- 
 <3ernef3 of that great and good fhepher<i. 
 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 I 'T'HE Lord's my fhepherd. Til not want. 
 
 2 He makes me down to lie 
 In paftures green ; he leadeth me 
 the quiet waters by. 
 
 3 My foul he doth reftore again : h. 
 and me to walk doth make 
 
 Within the paths of righteoufnefs, 
 ev'n for his own name's fake. 
 
 4 Yea, tho' I walk in death's dark vale, 
 yet vvill I fear none ill ; 
 
 For thou art with me, and thy rod 
 and ftaff me comfort ftill. 
 
 5 My table thou haft furnifhed 
 in prefence of my foes : 
 
48 PSALM XXIV. 
 
 My head thou doft with oil anoint, 
 
 and my cup overflows. 
 6 Goodnefs and mercy all my life 
 
 fhali iurely follow me : 
 And in God's houfe for evermore 
 
 my dwelling-place fhall be. 
 
 PSALM XXIV. 
 
 This pfalm Is concerning the kingdom of Jefus Chrift : (l) Hli 
 providential kingdom, by which he rules the world, verf. I, 2. (z) 
 The kingdom of his grace, by which he rules in his church. I, 
 Concerning the fubjedls of that kingdom, their charaAer, verf. 4, 5, 
 7. theirxharter, verf. 5. a. Concerning the King of that kingdom; 
 and a fui^mons to all to give him admifiion, verf. 7, 8, 9, lo. It is 
 fuppofed,that this pfalm was penned upon occafion of David's bring- 
 ing up the ark to the place prepared for it : and the intention of it 
 was, to lead the people above the pomp of external ceremonies to a 
 holy life, and faith ip Chrift, of whom the ark was a type. 
 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 I Tj^HE earth belongs unto the Lord, 
 
 and all that it contains : 
 The world that is inhabited, 
 
 and all that there remains, 
 a For the foundations thereof 
 
 he on the feas did lay, 
 And he hath it eftablifhed 
 
 upon the floods to ftay. 
 
 3 Who is the man that fhall afcend 
 into the hill of God ? 
 
 Or who within his holy place 
 fhall have a firm abode ? 
 
 4 Whofe hands are clean, whofe heart is pure; 
 and unto vanity 
 
 Who hath not lifted up his foul, 
 nor fworn deceitfully. 
 
P S A L M XXV. 49 
 
 5 He from th' Eternal fhall receive 
 ^ the bleflmg him upon ; 
 
 And righteoufneis ev'n from the God 
 of his falvation. 
 
 6 This is the generation 
 that after him enquire, 
 
 O Jacob, who do feek thy face 
 with their whole heart's defire. 
 
 7 Ye gates, lift up your heads on high, 
 ye doors that hft for ay, 
 
 Be lifted up, that fo the King 
 of glory enter may. 
 
 8 But who of glory is the King ? 
 the mighty Lord is this, 
 
 Ev'n that fame Lord, that great in might 
 and ftrong in battle is, 
 
 g Ye gates, lift up your head^, ye doors, 
 
 doors that do laft for ay, 
 Be lifted up, thatfo the King 
 
 of glory enter may. 
 TO But who is he that is the King 
 
 of glory ? who is this ? 
 The Lord of hofts, and none but he, 
 ^" the King of glory is. 
 
 P S A L M XXV. 
 
 This pfalm is full of devout afiection to God ; the out-golngs o? 
 holy defires towards his favour and grace, and the lively adlings of 
 faith in his promifes. We may learn out of it, (l) W^iat it is to prav, 
 verf. 1,15. {2) What we muft pray for : the pardon of Cn, verf. 
 6, 7, 1 8. diredtion in the way of duty, verf. 4, 5. the favour of God, 
 verf. 16. deliverance out cf our troubles, verf. 17, 18. prefervation 
 from our enemies, verf. 20, 21. and the falvation of the church of 
 God, verf, za. (3) What we may plead in prayer; ovx confidence 
 
 £ 
 
50 PSALM XXV. 
 
 in God, verf. l, 3, 5, ao, 21. our diflrefs, and the malice of our ene- 
 mies, verf. 17, 19. our fmcerity, vcrf. 21. (4) What precious pro- 
 inifes we have to encourage us in prayer; of guidance and inftruc- 
 tion, verf. 8,9, 1%. the benefit of the covenant, verf. 10. and theplea- 
 fure of communion with God, vcrf 13, I4 It is eafy to apply the 
 feveial paffagesof this pfalm to ourfelves, in tlie finging of it ; for we 
 liave often troubles, and alwayt- fins to complain of, at the throne of 
 grace. 
 
 A Pialm of David. 
 
 I "fO thee I lift my foul. 
 
 2 O Lord, 1 truftJn thee : 
 My God, let me not be afham'd, 
 nor foes triumph o'er me : 
 
 3 Let none that wait on thee 
 be put to fhame at all; 
 
 But thofe that without caufe tranfgrefs, 
 let fhame upon them fall. 
 
 4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord ; 
 thy paths, O teach thou me : 
 
 5 And do thou lead me in thy truth, 
 therein my teacher be : 
 
 For thou art God that doft 
 
 to me falvation fend. 
 And I upon thee all the day 
 
 expelling do attend. 
 
 6 Thy tender m.ercies. Lord, 
 I pray thee to remember, 
 
 And loving kindneffes; for they 
 have been of old for ever. 
 
 7 Pv'ly fms and faults of youth 
 do fhou, O Lord,^ forget : 
 
 After thy mercy think on me. 
 and for thy goodnefs great. 
 
 8 God good and upright is: 
 the way he'l! linners fliow. 
 
PSALM XX^e 51 
 
 g The meek in judgment he will guide, 
 and make his path to know. 
 
 10 The whole paths of the Lord 
 are truth and mercy fure, 
 
 To thofe that do his cov'nant keep, 
 and te Hi monies pure. 
 
 1 1 Now for thine own name's fake, 
 O Lord I thee intreat 
 
 To pardon mine iniquity : 
 for it is very great. 
 
 12 What man is he that fears 
 the Lord, and doth him ferve ? 
 
 Him (hall he teach the way that he 
 Ihall chufe, and ftill obferve. 
 
 1 3 His foul fhall dwell at eafc^ 
 and his pofterity 
 
 Shall flourifti ftill, and of the earth 
 inheritors fhall be. 
 
 14 With thofe that fear him, is 
 the fecret of the Lord ; 
 
 The knowledge of his covenant 
 he will to them afford. 
 
 15 Mine eyes upon the Lord 
 continually are fet : 
 
 For he it is that fhall bring forth 
 my feet out of the net. 
 
 16 Turn unto me thy face, 
 and to me mercy fliow : 
 
 Becaufe that I am defolate, 
 and am brought very low. . • , 
 
52 PSALM XXV, 
 
 1 7 My hearf s griefs are increas'd, 
 me from diftrefs relieve : 
 
 iS See my afflidion, and my pain, 
 and all my iins forgive. 
 
 19 Corifider thou my foes, 
 beca.ufe they many are, 
 
 And it a cruel hatred is 
 
 which they againft me bear. 
 
 20 O do thou keep my foul, 
 do thou deliver me : 
 
 And let me never be ail.am'd, 
 becaufe I truft in thee. 
 
 2 1 Let uprightnefs and truth 
 keep n»e,, who thee attend. 
 
 22 Redernptfon, Lord, to liiuel 
 from all his troubles fend. 
 
 Another of the fi 
 
 ime. 
 
 I yO thee I lift my foul, O Lord, 
 
 2 My God, i truft in thee, 
 Let me not be afham'd : let not 
 my foes triumph o'er me. 
 
 3 Yea, let thou none afliam.ed be, 
 that do on thee attend : 
 
 Afliamed let them be, O Lord, 
 who without caufe ofi^end. 
 
 4 Thy ways, Lord, fhew; teach methy paths. 
 
 5 Lead me in truth, teach me : 
 Lor of my fafety thou art God ; 
 
 all day I wait on thee. 
 
 6 Thy m.ercies, that moft tender are, 
 do thou, d Lord, remember j 
 
PSALM XXV. ^J 
 
 And loving-kind neiTes : for they 
 have been of old for ever. 
 
 7 Let not the errors of my youth ^ 
 nor fins remembered be : 
 
 In mercy, for thy goodnefs fake, 
 
 Lord, remember me. 
 
 8 The Lord is good and gracious, 
 he upright is alfo ; 
 
 He therefore finners will inftrudt 
 in ways that they fhould go. 
 
 9 The meek and lowly he ihall guide 
 in judgment juft always : 
 
 To meek and poor afflicied ones 
 he'll clearly teach his way. 
 
 10 The whole paths of the Lord our God 
 are truth and mercy fure, 
 
 To fuch as keep his covenant, 
 and teftimonies pure. 
 
 11 Now for thine own name's fake, O Lord, 
 
 1 humbly thee intreat 
 To pardon mine iniquity ; 
 
 for it is very great. 
 
 12 What man fears God? him fliall he teach 
 the way that he (hall chufe. 
 
 1 3 His foul ihall dwell at eafe 5 his feed 
 the earth as heirs ihall uie. 
 
 14 The fecret of the Lord is with 
 fuch as do fear his name : 
 
 And he his holy covenant 
 ' will manifeil to them. 
 
 E3 
 
■4 P S A L M XXVI. 
 
 15 Towards the Lord my waiting eyes 
 continually are let : 
 
 For he it is that fhall bring forth 
 my feet out of the net. 
 
 16 O turn thee unto me, O God, 
 have mercy me upon : 
 
 Becaufe I folitary am, 
 and in affli61:ion. 
 
 17 Enlarged the griefs are of mine heart 
 me from diftrefs relieve. 
 
 18 See my afflidion, and my pain, 
 and all my fms forgive. 
 
 19 Confider thou mine enemies, 
 becaufe they many are, 
 
 And it a cruel hatred is, 
 
 which they againfl: me bear. 
 
 20 O do thou keep my foul, O God, 
 do thou deliver me: 
 
 Let me be not afliam'd, for I 
 do put my truft in thee. 
 
 2 1 O Let integrity and truth 
 keep me, who thee attend. 
 
 22 Redemption, Lord, to Ifrael 
 from all his troubles fend. 
 
 PSALM XXVL 
 
 Holy David is in this pfalm putting himfelt upon a folemn trisl, 
 not by God and his country, but by God and his own eonfcicnce, xp 
 both which he appeals touching his integrity, vcrf. I, a. And fop 
 the proof of it, he alJedgeth, (i) His conftant regard to God and 
 his grace, verf. 3. (2) His rooted antipathy to fin and finners, vcrf. 
 4., 5. (3) His fincere affedion to the ordinances of God, and his 
 care about them, verf. 6, 7, 8. Having thus proved his integrity, 
 <^i) He deprecates the doom C'f tae wicked, vi-;f. 9, 10. (,z) He 
 
P S A L M XXn. 5^ 
 
 cafis himfelf upon the mercy and grace of God, with a refolutiom to 
 hold fall his integrity, and his liope in God^ verf. Ti, 12. In Ting- 
 ing thispfalm, we muil teach and admonifh ourfelves, and one ano- 
 ther, what we niuft be and do, that we may have the favour of God, 
 and comfort in our own confciences ; and comfort ourfelves with it, 
 as David doth, if we can fay, that in any meafure we have through 
 grace anfwered thefe characlers. The learned Amyraldus, in his 
 argument of this pfalm, fuggefts, that David is here, by the fpirit of 
 prophecy, carried out to fpeak of himfelf as a type of Chrift, of whom 
 what he here faith of his fpotlefs innocency was fully and eminently 
 true, and of him only ; and to him we may apply it, in fmging this 
 plalm. " We are complete in him." 
 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 I judge me, O Lord, for I have walk'd 
 in mine integrity : 
 
 1 trufted alfo in the Lord, 
 
 Aide therefore fhall not I, 
 
 2 Examine me, and do me prove; 
 try heart and reins, O God. 
 
 3 For thy love is before mine e^^es, 
 thy truth's paths have I trod* 
 
 4 With perfons vain I have not fat, 
 nor with diiTemblers gone. 
 
 5 Th' affembly of ill men I hate : 
 to fit with fuch I fhun. 
 
 6 Mine hands in innocence, O Lordj 
 ril wafh and purify ; 
 
 So to thine holy altar go, 
 and compafs it will L 
 
 7 That I with voice of thankfgiving 
 may publifh and declare. 
 
 And tell of all thy mighty works 
 that great and wond'rous are. 
 
 8 The habitation of thy houfe, 
 Lord, I have loved well ; 
 
S6 PSALM XXVII. 
 
 Yea, in that place I do delight, 
 where doth thine honour dwell. 
 
 9 With finners gather not my foul, 
 
 and fuch as blood would fpill : [hand 
 
 10 Whof'e hands mifchievous plots: right 
 corrupting bribes do fill. 
 
 1 1 But as for me, I will walk on 
 in mine integrity : 
 
 Do thou redeem me, and, O Lord,, 
 be merciful to me. 
 
 12 My foot upon an even place 
 doth ftand with (tedfaftnefs: 
 
 Within the congregations 
 th' Eternal I will blefs* 
 
 PSALM XXVIL 
 
 Seme think David penned this pfalm before his coming to the 
 throne, when he was in the midil of his troubles, and perhaps upon 
 occafion of the death of his parents ; but the Jews think he penned 
 it when he was old, tipon occafion of that wonderful deliverance he 
 had from the fword of the giant, when Atifliai fuccourcd him, a 
 Sam, xxi. i6, 17. ?.nd hi? people thereupon refolved he fhould never' 
 venture his life again in battle, left he fhould quench the light of 
 Ifrael. Perhaps it was not penned upon any particular occafion, 
 but is very exprefTive of the pious and devout affe<5tions with which 
 gracious fouls are carried out towards God at all times, efpecially in 
 times of trouble. Here is, (i) The courage and holy bravery of his^ 
 faith, verf. i, 2, 3. (2) The complacency he took in communiorr 
 with God, and the benefit he experienced by it, verf. 4, 5, 6. (3) 
 His dcfire towards God, and his favour and grace, verf. 7, 8, 9, 1 1, 
 12. (4) His expedlations from God, and the encouragement he gives 
 to hope in him, verf. 10, 13, 14. And let our hearts be thus »£■* 
 fe<5lcd in finging this pfalm. 
 
 A Pfalm of iJavid. 
 
 I "^HE Lord's my light and faving health,, 
 who ihall make me difmay'd ? 
 
PSALM XXVII. 57 
 
 My life's ftrength is the Lord, of whom 
 then fhall 1 be afraid ? 
 
 2 When as mine enemies and foes, 
 mofl wicked perfons all. 
 
 To eat my ilelh again ft me rofe, 
 they ftumbled and did falL 
 
 3 Againft me though an hoft encamp, 
 my^ heart yet fearlefs is ; 
 
 Tiiough war againll: m.e rife, I will 
 be confident in this, 
 
 4 One thing I of the Lord defir'd, 
 and will feek to obtain, 
 
 That all days of my life I may 
 within Gcd's houie remain. 
 
 That I the beauty of the Lord 
 
 behold may and admire. 
 And that I in his holy place 
 
 may revVently enquire. 
 
 5 For he in his pa v^ilion il:iall 
 me hide in evil days : 
 
 In fecret of his tent me hide, 
 and on a rock rne raife. 
 
 6 And now, ev'n at this prefent time, 
 mine head iliall lifted be, 
 
 Above all thofe that are my foes, 
 
 and round encompafs me: 
 Therefore un^ his tabernacle 
 
 I'll facrifices bring 
 Of joyfalnefs, Til ling, yea, I 
 
 to God will praifes fmg. 
 
 7 O Lor^, give ear unto my voice 
 when I do cry to thee : 
 
5« PSALM XXVm. 
 
 Upon me alio mercy have, 
 and do thou anfwer me. 
 
 8 When thou didft fay, Seek ye my face, 
 then unto thee reply 
 
 Thus did my heart, above all things 
 thy face, Lord, feek will I. 
 
 9 Far from me hide thou not thy face, 
 put not away from thee 
 
 Thy fervant in thy wrath: thou haft 
 
 an helper been to me. 
 O God of my falvation, 
 
 leave me not, nor forfake^ 
 
 10 Though me my parents both fhould leave,, 
 the Lord will me up take. 
 
 1 1 O Lord, inftrudl me in thy way, 
 to me a-leader be 
 
 In a plain path, becaufe of thofe 
 that hatred bear to me. 
 
 1 2 Give me not to mine en'mies will : 
 for witneffes that lie, 
 
 Againft me rifen are, and fuch 
 as breathe out cruelty. 
 
 1 3 I fainted had, unfefs that I 
 believed had to fee 
 
 The Lord's own goodnefs in the land 
 of them that living be. 
 
 14 Wait on the Lord, and be thou flrohg, 
 and he fhall ftrength afford 
 
 Unto thine heart : yea do thou wait, 
 I fay, upon the Lord. 
 
 PSA l"m[ XXVIIL 
 
 The former part of this pfalm is the prayer of a faint militant, and 
 now in diftrefs, verf. I, 2, 3. to which is added, the doom of God's 
 
PSALM XXVIII. 59 
 
 implacable enemies, verf. 4, 5. The latter part of the pfalm is the 
 thanklgiving of a faint triumphant, and delivered out of his diftref- 
 fes, verf 6, 7, 8. to which is added, a proplietical prayer for aU Ood's 
 faithful, loyal fubjedts, verf. 9. So that it is hard to fay, vi'hich of 
 thefe conditions David was in, when he penned it. Some think, he 
 was now in trouble, feeking God ; but, at the fame time, preparing 
 to praifehim, for his deliverance ; and, by faith, giving him thanks 
 for it, before it was wrought. Others tliink, he was now in triumph; 
 but remembered and recorded, for his own and others benefit, the 
 prayers he made, when he was in affliction, that the mercy might 
 relilh the better, when it appeared to be an anfwer to them. 
 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 '^^O thee I'll cry, O Lord my rock, 
 
 hold not thy peace to me : 
 Left, like thofe that to pit defcend, 
 I by thy filence be. 
 
 2 The voice hear of my humble pray'rs, 
 when unto thee I cry : 
 
 When to thy holy oracle 
 I lift mine hands on high. 
 
 3 With ill men draw me not away, 
 that work iniquity : 
 
 That fpeak peace to their friends while in 
 their hearts doth mifchief lie. 
 
 4 Give them according to their deeds, 
 and ills endeavoured ; 
 
 And as their handy-works deferve, 
 to them be rendered. 
 
 5 God fhall not build, but them deftroy, 
 who would not underftand 
 
 The Lord's own works, nor did regard, 
 the doing of his hand. 
 
 6 For ever blefled be the Lord, 
 for gracioufly he heard 
 
 The voice of my petitions, 
 and prayers did regard* 
 
6o PSALM XXIX. 
 
 7 The Lord's my ftrength, and fhield, my 
 upon him did rely ; [heart 
 
 And I am helped ; hence my heart 
 
 doth joy exceedingly. 
 And with my fong, I will him praife. 
 
 8 Their ftrength is God alone : 
 He alfo is the faving ftrength 
 
 of his anointed One. 
 
 9 O thine own people do thou favc, 
 blefs thine inheritance : 
 
 Them alfo do thou feed, and them 
 for evermore advance. 
 
 PSALM XXIX- 
 
 It is the probable conje6ture of feme very good interpreters, that 
 David penned this pfalm upon occafion, and juft at the time, of a 
 ^reat Horm of thunder, lightning, and rain ; as the eighth pfalm was 
 his meditation in a moon-fhine night, and the nineteenth in a fun- 
 ihine morning. It is good to take occafion from the fenfible opera- 
 tions of God's power, in the kingdoin of nature, to give glory to 
 him. So compofed was David, and fo chearful, even in a dreadful 
 tempefl, when others trembled, that then he penned this pfalm ; 
 for, "Though the earth be removed, yet will he not fear." (r) 
 He calls upon the great ones of the world to give glory to God, 
 verf. I, 2. (a) To convince them of the greatnefs of that God, 
 Avhom they were to adore, he takes notice of his power and terrojfin 
 the thunder and lightning, and thunder-lhowers, verf. 3, 4, 5, 6^his 
 fovereign dominion over the world, verf. 10. and his fpecial fav^ouT 
 to his church, verf. II. Great and high thoughts of God, flioulcTfiU 
 us in -iinging this pfalm. 
 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 rilVE ye unto the Lord, ye fons 
 
 that of the mighty be, 
 All ftrength and glory to the Lord 
 v\^ith ch earful nefs give ye. 
 
 2 Unto the Lord the glory give 
 that to his name is due ; 
 
 And in the beauty of holinefs 
 unto JEHOVAH bow. 
 
PSALM XXX. 6t 
 
 5 T!ie Lord's voice oa the waters Is : 
 
 the God of majefty 
 Doth thunder, and on multitudes 
 
 of waters fitteth he, 
 
 4 A pow'rful voice it is that comes 
 out from the Lord moft High : 
 
 The voice of that great Lord is fall 
 of glorious majefty. 
 
 5 The voice of the eternal doth 
 afunder cedars tear : 
 
 Yea, God the Lord doth cedars break 
 that Lebanon doth bear. 
 
 6 He makes them like a calf to ikip : 
 ev'n that great Lebanon ; 
 
 And like to a young unicorn 
 the mountain Sirion. 
 
 7 God's voice divides the flames of lire : 
 8 The defart it doth fhake : 
 
 The Lord doth make the wildernefs 
 
 of RadeHi all to quake. 
 9 God's voice doth make the hinds to calve, 
 
 it makes the forefts bare : 
 And in his temple every one 
 
 his glory doth declare. 
 
 ■ 10 The Lord fits on the floods : the Lord 
 fits King, and ever (hall. 
 1 1 The Lord will give his people flrength, 
 and with peace blefs them all. 
 
 P S A L M~XXX. 
 
 This is a pfalm of thankfgiving for the great deliverances which 
 God had wrought for David, penned upon occafion of the dedicatincr 
 of his hoafe of cedar, and fung in that pious folemnity, tho' there il 
 
 F 
 
(.'2 
 
 PSALM XXX. 
 
 «iot any thing in it that ha? particular reference to that occafion. 
 Some colled;, from divers paflages in the pfalm Itfelf, that it was pen- 
 ned upon his recovery from a dangerous fit of ficknefs, which might 
 iiappen to be about the time of the dedication of his houfe. (i) He 
 here praileth God for the deliverances he h.\d -wrought for him, verf. 
 I, 2, 3. (2) He calls upon others to pruife him too, and encourageth 
 them to truft in him, verf. 4, 5. (3) He blames hinifelf for his 
 former fecurity, verf 6,7. (4) He recollecls the priiyers and com- 
 plaints he had made in hisdiflrefs, verf. 8, 9, 10. and with them ftirs 
 up himfelf to be very tliankful to God for the prefent comfortable 
 change, verf 11, 12. In lingli:g this pfalm, v\-e ought to remember 
 wlththankfulnefs any like deliverances wrought for us, for which we 
 muft ftir up ourfelves to praife him, and by which we naufl be en- 
 gaged to depend upon him. 
 
 A Pfalm and Song, at the Dedication of tie Houfe of 
 David. 
 
 1 X ORD, I wiU thee extol, for thou 
 
 halt lifted me on high, 
 i\nJ over me thou to rejoice 
 mad'ft not mine enemy. 
 
 2 O thou who art the Lord my God, 
 I in diflrefs to thee 
 
 With loud cries lifted up my voice, 
 and thou haft healed me. 
 
 3 O Lord, my foul thou hafl: brought up, 
 and refcu'd from tlie grave : 
 
 That I to pit fhould not go down, 
 alive thou didft me fave. 
 
 4 O ye that are his holy ones, 
 fmg praifw unto the Lord : 
 
 And give unto him thanks, when you 
 his holinefs record. 
 
 5 For but a moment lafts his wrath ; 
 life in his favour lies : 
 
PSALM XXXL 
 
 Weeping may for a night endure, 
 at morn doth joy arile. 
 
 6 In my profperity, I faid^ 
 that nothing fhall me move. 
 
 7 O Lord, thou hafl my mountain made 
 to ftand ftrong^ by thy love ; 
 
 But when that thou, O gracious God^ 
 
 didfl: hide thy face from me, 
 Then quickly was my profpVous ftate 
 
 turnM into m.ilery. 
 
 8 Wherefore unto the Lord my cry 
 I caufed to afcend ; 
 
 My humble fupplicatioa 
 
 I to the Lord did fend. 
 
 9 What profit is there in my blood, 
 when 1 go dov>7n to pit ? 
 
 Shall unto thee the duft give praife ? 
 thy truth declare fhall it ? 
 
 10 Hear, Lord, have mercy : help me, Lor(L 
 
 I I Thou turned hafl m.y fadnefs 
 To dancing : yea, m.y fackcloth loos'dj 
 
 and girded me wath gladnefs : 
 
 12 That fmg thy praife my glory may^ 
 
 ^and never filent be : 
 O Lor] my God, for evermore 
 1- will give thanks to thee. 
 
 PSALM XXXL 
 
 It Is probable that David penned this pfalm when he was perfe- 
 cuted by Saul ; and fome pafTages in it agree particularly to the fair 
 efcape he had at Keilah, i Sam. xxiii. 13. and then in the v/ildernci's 
 
64 P S A L M XXXT. 
 
 of Maon, when Saul marched on one fide of the hill, and he oh the 
 other ; and foon after in the cave in the wildernefo of En gcdi ; but 
 that it was penned upon any of thcfe occi; lions, we are not told. It 
 is a mixture of prayers and prajfcs, and profcflions of confidence in 
 Godj all which do v/ell together, and are lielpful to one another. ( l), 
 David prcfclTeth his chearful confidence in God, and in that confi- 
 denca prays for deliverance out of his prefent troubles, verf. 1, — 8. 
 (2) He coiriplains of ihe very deplorable condition he v.as in, and in 
 the fenfe of his calamities, ftlll prays that God would graciouily ap- 
 } car for him againft hispcrfecu'ors, verf. 9,— 18. (3) He concludes 
 the pfahu vriili praiie and triumph, giving glory to God, and en- 
 couraging hinilclfand others to trull in him, verf. 19, — 24. 
 
 To the ciiicf Miificl^^.n, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 |N thee, O Lord, I put my truft, 
 
 lliani'd let me never be : 
 According to thy righteoufncfs 
 do thon deliver me. 
 
 2 Bow down thine ear to me wlih fpQCiiy 
 fend me deliYerance : 
 
 To fave me, my ftrcng rock be thou, 
 and my houfe cf defence. 
 
 3 Becaufe thou art my rock, and thee 
 I for my fortrefs take : 
 
 Therefore do thou me lead and guide, 
 ev'n for thine own name's fake. 
 
 4 And fith thou art my ftrength, thereforoy 
 pull me out of the net, 
 
 Which they In fubtilty for me 
 fo privily have fet. 
 
 5 Into thine hands I do comimit 
 my fp'rit : for thou art he, 
 
 O thou JEEiOVAH, God of truth, 
 that haft redeemed me. 
 
P S A L M XXXr. ^5 
 
 6 Thofe that do lying vanities 
 regard I have abhor'd : 
 
 But as for me, my confidence 
 is fixed on the Lord. 
 
 7 ril in thy mercy gladly joy, 
 for thou my mifcries 
 
 Confider'd hall: ; thou haft my foul 
 known in adverfities. 
 
 8 And thou haft not inclofed me 
 within the en'my's hand : 
 
 And by thee have my feet been made 
 in a large room to ftand. 
 
 9 O Lord, upon me mercy have, 
 for trouble is on me ; 
 
 Mine eye, my belly, and my foul 
 with grief confumed be. 
 
 10 Becaufe my life w^ith grief is fpent, 
 my years wath fighs and groans : 
 
 My ftrength doth fail ; and for my fin, 
 confumed are m.y bone?. 
 
 1 1 I was a fcorn to all my foes, 
 and to my friends a fear : 
 
 And fpecially reproach'd of thofe 
 ^ that were my neighbours near. 
 When they me faw, they from me fled^ 
 
 1 2 Ev'n fo 1 am forgot, 
 As men are out of mind when dead : 
 
 I'm like a broken pot. 
 
 13 For flanders I of many heard, 
 
 fear compafs'd me, while they 
 Againft me did confult and plot, 
 
 to take my life away. 
 F 3 
 
66 PSALM XXXr. 
 
 14 But as for me, O Lord, my truft 
 upon thee I did lay : 
 
 And I to thee. Thou art my God, 
 did confidently fay. 
 
 15 My times are wholly in thine hand ; 
 do thou deliver me 
 
 From their hands, that mine enemies 
 and perfecutors be. 
 
 16 Thy countenance to fhine do thou 
 upon thy fervant make ; 
 
 Unto me give falvation 
 for thy great mercy's fake, 
 
 1 7 Let me not be afham'd, O Lord, 
 for on thee call'd I have : 
 
 Let wicked men be (ham'd, let them 
 be filent in the grave. 
 
 18 To (ilence put the lying lips, 
 that grievous things do fay ; 
 
 And hard reports, in pride and fcorn, 
 on righteous men do lay. 
 
 19 How great's the goodnefs thou for them 
 that fear thee keep'il in ftore ; 
 
 And v/rought'ft for them that truft in thee 
 the fons of men before ! 
 
 20 In fecrec of thy prefence thou 
 fhalt hide them from man's pride : 
 
 From ft rife of tongues, thou clofely Ihalt, 
 as in a tent, them hide. 
 
 21 All praife and thanks be to the Lord j 
 for lie hath magnify'd 
 
 His wondrous love to me, within 
 a city fortify 'd. 
 
PSALM XXXir. (57 
 
 22 For from thine eyes cut off I am, 
 (I in my hafte had fald ;) 
 
 My voice yet heard'ft thou, when to thee, 
 with cries, my moan I made. 
 
 23 O love the Lord, all ye his faints : 
 becaufe the Lord doth guard 
 
 The faithful, and he plenteoufly 
 proud doers doth reward. 
 
 24 Be of good courage, and he ftrength 
 unto your heart fhall fend, 
 
 All ye whofe hope and confidence 
 doth on the Lord depend. 
 
 PSALM XXXIL 
 
 This pfalia, though it fpealcs not of Chrift, as many of the pfalmg 
 hitherto we have met with have done, yet it has a great deal of gof- 
 pel in it. The apoflle tells, that David in this pfalm defcribes " the 
 bleflednefs of the man unto whom God imputeth righteoufnefs with- 
 out works," Rom. iv. 9. We have here a fummary, (i) Ofgofpel- 
 grace, in the pardon of fin, verf. t, z, in divine protedlion, verf. 7. and 
 divine conduct, verf. 8. (2) Of gofpQl-duty; to confefs fin, verf. 3, 
 4, 5. to pray, verf. 6. to govern ourfelves well, verf. 9, 10. and to re- 
 joice in God, verf. 1 1. And the way to obtain thefe privileges, is to 
 make confcience of thefe duties, which we ought to think of; of the 
 former for our comfort, of the latter for our quickening, when we fing 
 this pfalm. Grotius thinks, it was defigned to be fung on the day 
 of atonement. 
 
 A Pfalm of David, Mafchll. 
 
 1 r\ Blefled is the man, to whom 
 
 is freely pardoned 
 All the tranfgreffions he hath done, 
 whofe fm is covered. 
 
 2 Bleft is the man to whom the Lord 
 imputeth not his fm, 
 
63 PSALM xxxrr. 
 
 And in whofe fp'rit there is no guile, 
 nor fraud is found therein. 
 
 3 When as I did refrain my fpeech, 
 and filent was my tongue ; 
 
 My bones then waxed old, becaufe 
 I roared all day long. 
 
 4 For upon me, both day and night, 
 thine hand did heavy lie : 
 
 So that my moifture turned is 
 to fummer's drought thereby. 
 
 5 I thereupon have unto thee 
 my fin acknowledged ; 
 
 And likew^ife mine iniquity 
 
 I have not covered : 
 I will confefs unto the Lord' 
 
 my trefpaffes, faid I ; 
 And of my fin thou freely didfl: 
 
 forgive th' iniquity. 
 
 6 For this, fhall ev'ry godly one 
 his prayer make to thee ; 
 
 In fuch a time he fhall thee feek 
 
 as found thou mayeft be. 
 Surely, when floods of waters great 
 
 do fwell up to the brim. 
 They (liall not overwhelm his foul, 
 
 nor once come near to him. 
 
 7 Thou art my hiding place, thou fhalt 
 from trouble keep me free : 
 
 Thou, with fongs of deliverance, 
 about fhaltcompafs me. 
 
 8 I will inflru6t thee, and thee teach 
 the way that thou fhalt go : 
 
P S A L M XXXIIT. 6^ 
 
 And, with mine eye upon thee ttt^ 
 I will diredlion ihow. 
 
 9 Then be not like the horfe or mule, 
 
 which do not iinderfland : 
 Whofe mouth, leil they come near to thee^ 
 
 a bridle mull command. 
 ID Unto the man that wicked is 
 
 his forrovv fhall abound : 
 But him that trufteth in the Lord, 
 
 mercy fhall compafs round. 
 
 1 1 Ye righteous, in the Lord be glad, 
 
 in him do ye rejoice : 
 All ye that are upright in heart, 
 
 for joy lift up your voice. 
 
 PSALM xxxiir. 
 
 This 13 a Pfalm of praifc It is probable David was the penman 
 of it, but M'e are not told fo, becaufe God would have us look above 
 the penmen of facred writ, to that bleiled Spirit that moved and 
 guided them. The Pfalmift in this Pfalm, (i) Calls upon the righte- 
 ous to praife God, verf. I, 2, 3. (2) Furnifheth us with matter for 
 praife. We mull praife God, i. For his juP.ice, gcodnefs, and 
 truth, appearing in his word, and in all his works, verf. 4, 5. 2. For 
 his power appearing in the works of creation, verf. 6, — 9. 3. For the 
 fovereignty of his providence, in the government of the world, verf. 
 10, II. and again, verf. 13, — 17. 4. For the peculiar favour v/hich 
 he bears to his own chofen people, which encourageth them to truft 
 in him, verf. 13. and again, verf. 18, — ZZ. We need not go far to 
 feek for proper thoughts in ftnging this pfalm, which fo naturally 
 fpeaks the pious affedions of a devout foul towards God. 
 
 I VE righteous, in the Lord rejoice : 
 
 it comely is, and right, 
 That upright mjcn, with thankful voice, 
 fliould praife the Lord of might. 
 
70 PSALM XXXiII. 
 
 2 Praife God with harp, and unto him 
 fmg with the pfaltery, 
 
 Upon a ten-ftring'd inftrument 
 make ye fweet melody. 
 
 3 A new fong to him fmg, and play 
 with loud noife fkilfuily. 
 
 4 For right is God's word ; ali his works 
 are done in verity. 
 
 5 To judgment, and to righteoufnefs 
 a love he beareth ftill : 
 
 Theloving-kindnefs of the Lord 
 the earth throughout doth fill. 
 
 6 Theheavensby the wordofGcd 
 did their beginning take : 
 
 And, by the breathing of his mouth, 
 he all their hofts did make. 
 
 7 The waters of the feas he brings 
 together as an heap : 
 
 And in ftore-houfes, as it were, 
 he layeth up the deep. 
 
 8 Let earth, and all that live therein, 
 with rev'rence fear the Lord : 
 
 Let all the w^orld's inhabitants 
 dread him with one accord. 
 
 9 For he did fpeak the word, and done 
 it was without delay : 
 
 Eftablifhed it firmly ftood 
 whatever h« did fay. 
 
 10 God doth the counfel bring to nought 
 which heathen folk do take ; 
 
 And what the people do devife, 
 of none effed; doth make.- 
 
PSALM XXXIIL 71 
 
 1 1 O ! but the counfel of the Lord 
 doth ftand for ever lure, 
 
 And of his heart the purpofes 
 from age to age endure. 
 
 12 That nation blefied is, whofe God 
 JEHOVAH is : and thofe 
 
 A bleffed people are, whom for 
 his heritage he chofe. 
 
 1 3 The Lord from heav'n fees and beholds 
 all fons of men full well, 
 
 14 He views all from his dwelling-place, 
 that in the earth do dwell. 
 
 15 He forms their hearts alike : and all 
 their doings he obferves. 
 
 16 Great hoRs fave not a king, much ftrength 
 no mighty man preferves. 
 
 1 7 An horfe for prefervation 
 is a deceitful thing : 
 
 And by the greatnefs of his ftrength 
 can no deliv'rance bring. 
 
 1 8 Behold, on thofe that do him fear, 
 the Lord doth fet his eye : 
 
 Ev'n thofe w^ho on his mercy do 
 with confidence rely. 
 
 19 From death to free their foul, in dearth 
 life unto them to yield. 
 
 20 Our foul doth wait upon the Lord : 
 he is our help and fhield. 
 
 2 1 Sith in his holy name we truft, 
 our heart fliali joyful be. 
 
 22 Lord, let thy mercy be on us, 
 as we do hope in thee. 
 
72 PSALM XXXI\^ 
 
 This Pfalm was penned upon a particular occafion, as appears hy 
 the title, and yet there is little in it peculiar to that occafion, bnt 
 that which is general, both by way of thankfgiving to God, and in- 
 flruAion to us. (l) He praifeth God, for the experience which he 
 and others had had of his goodnefs, verf. i, — 6. (2) He encourageth 
 ail good people to truft in God, and to feek to hisi, verf. 7, — 10. (3) 
 He gives good counfel to us all, as unto children, to take heed of fin, 
 and to make confcience of our duty both to God and man, verf ii, 
 14. (4) To enforce this good counfel, he fliews God's favour to the 
 righteous, and his difpleafure againft the wicked, in which he fets 
 before us good and evai, the blefiingand the curfe, verf. 15, — 22. So 
 that in fmging this pfalm, we are both to give glory to Jgod, and to 
 teach and admonifla ourfelves and o'.hers. 
 
 ji Pfalm of David, wh-3n he changed his behaviour 
 before Abimelech J who drove him away, and he 
 departed. 
 
 1 r^OD will I blefs all times : his praife 
 
 my mouth fhall flill exprefs. 
 
 2 My foul ihall boaft in God, the meek 
 ihall hear with joyful nefs. 
 
 3 Extol the Lord with me, let us 
 exalt his name together. 
 
 4 I fought the Lord, he heard, and did 
 me from all fears deliver. 
 
 5 They look'd to him, and lightened were ; 
 not fhamed were their faces. 
 
 6 This poor man cry'd, God heard,.and fav'd 
 him from all his diflreffes. 
 
 7 The angel of the Lord encamps, 
 and round enconipaffeth 
 
 All thofe about that do him fear, 
 and them delivereth. 
 
 8 O tafte and fee that God is good: 
 who trufls in hira is bleft. 
 
PSALM XXXIV. 73 
 
 9 Fear God, his faints : none that him feat 
 fhall be with want oppreft. 
 
 10 The lions young may hungry be^ 
 and they may lack their food : 
 
 But they that truly feek the Lord 
 fhall not lack any good. 
 
 1 1 O children, hither do ye come, 
 and unto me give ear : 
 
 I fhall you teach to underftand 
 how ye the Lord fhould fear. 
 
 12 What man is he that life delires, 
 to fee good would live long ? 
 
 1 3 Thy lips refrain from fpeaking guile, 
 and from ill words thy tongue. 
 
 14 Depart from ill, do good : feek peace, 
 purfue it earneftly. 
 
 1 5 God^s eyes are on the juft : his ears 
 are open to their cry. 
 
 16 The face of God is fet againft 
 thofe that do wickedly, 
 
 That he may quite out from the earth 
 cut off their memory, 
 
 1 7 The righteous cry unto the Lord, 
 he unto them gives ear, 
 
 And they out of their troubles all 
 by him deliv'red are. 
 
 18 The Lord is ever nigh to them 
 that be of broken fp'rit : 
 
 To them he fafety doth afford 
 that are in heart contrite, 
 
 19 The troubles that afBiS; the juft 
 in number many be; 
 
 G 
 
^4 P S A L M XXXV^. 
 
 But yet at length out of them all 
 the Lord doth fet him free. 
 
 20 He carefully his bones doth keep, 
 whatever can befal : 
 
 That not fo much as one of them 
 can broken be at all. 
 
 21 111 fliaill the wicked flay : laid wafle 
 fhall be, who hate the juft. 
 
 22 The Lord redeems his fervants' fouls 
 ^one perifn that him truft. 
 
 PSALM XXXV. 
 
 David in this pfalm appeals to the righteous ]v6ge of heaven ard 
 ■earth, againft his enemies tliat hattdand perfccutcd him. It is fup- 
 pofed that Saul and his party are the pcrfor.s he means, for with them 
 he had the greateft firugglcs. (i; He complains to God of the in- 
 juries they did him ; they flrovc with him, fought ^g^inft Jiim, verf. 
 I- perfecuted hii^i, vcrf. 3. foight his ruin, vcrf. 4, 7. 'accui'.d him 
 falfely, vcrf. II. abuled him balcly, verf. 15, 16. and all his fricnda, 
 verf. 20. and triumphed over him, verf 21, 25, 26. (2) Ke pleads 
 his own innocency. that he ccv.er gave them any provocation, verf. 7, 
 1^. but, on the contrary, had ftudicd to oblige them, verf. 12, J ;^. I/. 
 (3) He prays to Gcd tc prottd and deliver him, and appear for him, 
 verf. I, 2. to cQrrJcvt him, verf. 3. to be nigh to him, ard refcue him, 
 verf. 17, 22. to plead his cau£e, verf, 23, 24. tx> defeat all the defigns 
 cf his enemies againft him, verf. 3, 4. and to difappoint their expec- 
 tations of his fall, verf. 19, 2.5, 26. and, laflly, to countenance all his 
 friends, and encourage them, verf. 27. (4; .He propheHcs the dc- 
 ilrudiion of his perfecutors, verf. 4, 5,^, 8. (5) He pvomifeth him.- 
 felf that he fhali yet fee better days, verf. 9, ic. and f romifeth God 
 that he will then attend him with his praifes, verf. 18, 28. — In fing- 
 ing this pfalm, and praying it over, we muft take heed of apjiying it 
 to any little pcevifh quarrels and enmities cf our own, and of exprcf- 
 fmg by it any uncharitable revengeful refentmci'.t cf injuries done to 
 us ; for Chrift has taught us to forgive our enemies, aud not to pray 
 go^ainfl them, but to pray foj ihem, as he did. i3ut, i. \Vc raay 
 
PSALM XXXV. 7^ 
 
 amifort ourfelves with the teflimony of our confciences, concerning,, 
 our innocency, with reference to thofe that are any way injurious to 
 Bs, and with hope? that God will in his own way and time right u=, 
 and in the mean time fiipport us. z We ought to apply it to the 
 public enemies of Chri^l ami his kirgdom, typified by David and his* 
 kingdom, to rcfcnt the indignities done to- Chrilt's honour, to pray 
 fo God to plead the jufl and injured caufe of Chrillianity, and feri-^ 
 ous godlinefs, and to belfeve that God will in due time glorify hia- 
 6wn name in the ruin of all the irreconcilabk enemies of hie church, 
 tkat will not repent to give him glory. 
 
 A Pfalm of David.^ 
 
 1 pLEAD, Lord, with thofe that plead': and 
 
 with thole that fight with me : [fighe 
 
 2 Of fhield and backler take thou hold, 
 ftand up mine help to be. 
 
 3 Draw alfo out the fpear, and do 
 againft them ftop the way 
 
 That me purfue : unto my foul; 
 I'm thy falvation, fay. 
 
 4 Let them confounded b^, and fliam'd, 
 w that for my foul have fought : 
 
 Who plot my hurt, turn'd back be they, 
 and to confufion brought. 
 
 5 Let them be like unto the chaff 
 tlu-it flies before the wind : 
 
 And let the angel of the Lord', 
 purfue them hard- behind. - 
 
 6 AVith darknefs cover thou their way,| 
 and let it flipp'ry prove ; 
 
 And let the angel of the Lord 
 purfue them from above. 
 
 7 For without caufe have they for me 
 their net hid in a pit ; 
 
 G X. 
 
7<5 PSALM XXXV. 
 
 They alfo have without a caufe 
 for my foul digged it. 
 
 8 Let ruin feize him unawares, 
 his net he hid withal 
 
 Himfelf let catch ; and in the fame 
 deftrudion let him fall. 
 
 9 My foul in God fhall joy ; and glad 
 in his falvation be. 
 
 10 And all my bones (hall fay, O Lord, 
 who is like unto thee, 
 
 Which doft the poor fet free from hira 
 
 that is for him too ftrong ; 
 The poor and needy from the man 
 
 that fpoils and does him wrong ? 
 
 1 1 Falfe witneffes rofe ; to my charge 
 things I not knew they laid. 
 
 12 They to the fpoiling of my foul, 
 me ill for good repaid. 
 
 13 But as for me, when they were fick, 
 in fackcloth fad I mourn'd : 
 
 My humbled foul did fall, my pray'r 
 unto my bofom turn'd. 
 
 14 Myfeif I did behave, as he 
 had been my friend or brother : 
 
 I heavily bow'd dov>^n, as one 
 that mourneth for his mother. 
 
 15 But in m3^ trouble they rejoiced, 
 gath'ring themfelves together : 
 
 Yea, abjeds vile together did 
 themfelves againil me gather; 
 
 I knew it not,theydid me tear, 
 and quiet would not be. 
 
PSALM XXXV. n 
 
 1 6 With mocking hypocrites at feafts, 
 they gnadi'd their teeth at me* 
 
 17 How long, Lord, look'ft thou on ? fronr 
 dellruCiions they intend [thof€ 
 
 Refcue my foul, from lions young-. 
 
 my darling do defend. 
 I 8 1 will give thanks to thee, O Lord, 
 
 within th' aflembly great: 
 And, where much people gath'red are, . 
 
 thy praifes forth will fet. 
 
 19 Let not my wrongful enemies 
 proudly rejoice o'er me : 
 
 Nor, who me hate without a caufe^ 
 let them wink with the eye. 
 
 20 For peace they do not fpeak at all,; 
 but crafty plots prepare 
 
 Againft allthofe within the land 
 that meek and quiet are. 
 
 21 With mouths fet wide, they 'gainfl: me faid^ 
 Ha, ha, our eyes doth fee. 
 
 22 Lord, thou haft feen, hold not thy peace; 
 Lord, be not far from me. 
 
 23 Stir up thyfelf ; wake, that thou may'ft 
 judgment to me afibrd, 
 
 Ev'n to my caufe, O thou that art 
 my only God and Lord. 
 
 24 O Lord my God, do thou me judge 
 after thy righteoufnefs. 
 
 And let them not their joy 'gainfl me 
 triumphantly exprefs. . 
 
 25 Nor let ihem fay within their heartS;^ 
 Ah we would have it thus ; 
 
 G3 
 
jt P S A L M XXXVI. 
 
 NorfufFer them to fay, that he 
 is fwallowed up by us. 
 
 0,6 Sham'd and confounded be they ail 
 
 that at my hurt are glad : 
 Letthofe, againft me that do boaft, 
 
 with Ihame and fcorn be clad. 
 
 27 Let them that love my righteous caufc 
 be glad, (i^out and not ceafe 
 
 To fay J The Lord be magnify'd, 
 who loves his fervant's peace. 
 
 28 Thy righteoufnefs ih all alfo be 
 declared by my tongue, 
 
 The praifesthat belong to thee 
 fpeak iliall it all day long. 
 
 PSALM XXXVT. 
 
 it is uncertain when, and vpon what occafion, David penned this 
 pfalm, probably, when he was ftruck at, either by Saul, or by Abfa- 
 lom ; for in it he complains of the malice of his enemies againft him, 
 but triumphs in the goodnefs of God to him. We are here led to 
 conrider, and it will do us good to confider ferioufly, (i) The finfui- 
 nefs of fin, and how mifchievous it is, verf. i,-— 4. (2) The good- 
 nefs of God, and how gracious he is, I. To ail hh creatures in ge- 
 neral, verf. 5, 6. 2. To his own people in a fpecial manner, verf. 7, 
 8,9. With which the Pfalmift is encouraged to pray for; all the 
 faints, verf. 10. for himfejf in particular, and his own prefcrvution^ 
 verf. II. and to triumph in the certain fall of his enemies, vtri. i%: 
 If, in finglng this Pfalm,our hearts be duly affeiled with the hatred 
 of fm.andfatisfadion in God's lovjjig-lundnefs, we ling it with grace 
 and undcrftanding. 
 
 To the Chief Mufician, A PfaliTj of David,, the fer- 
 vant of the Lord. 
 
 1 'THE Wicked man's tranfgrcflioa 
 v/ithin my heart thus fays* 
 
PSALM XXXVl. 
 
 Undoubtedly the fear of God 
 is not before his eyes. 
 
 2 Becaufe himfelf he flattereth 
 in his own blinded eye, 
 
 Until the hatefuhiefs be found 
 of his iniquity. 
 
 3 Words from his mouth proceeding are, 
 fraud and iniquity : 
 
 He to be vAfe^ and to do good, 
 hath left off utterly. 
 
 4 He mifchief lying on his bed, 
 moft cunningly doth plot. 
 
 He fets himfelf in ways not good ; 
 ill he abhorreth not. 
 
 5 Thy mercy, Lord, is in the heav'ns ; 
 thy truth doth reach the clouds. 
 
 6 Thy juftice is like mountains great ; 
 thy judgments deep as floods : 
 
 Lord, thou preferveft man and beaft^ 
 7 How precious is thy grace ! 
 
 Therefore in lliadow of thy wings 
 men's fons their truft fliall place. 
 
 8 They with the fatnefs of thy houfe 
 fliall be well fatisfy'd, 
 
 From rivers of thy pleafures thou 
 wilt drink to them provide. 
 
 9 Becaufe of life the fountain pure 
 remains alone with thee : 
 
 And in that purell light of thine 
 we clearly light fliall fee. ^ 
 
 10 Thy loving kindnefs unto them 
 continue that thee knov/ ; 
 
8o P.SAL M XXXVII. 
 
 And (1111 on men upright in heart 
 thy righteoufnefs beftovv. 
 
 1 1 Let not the foot of cruel pride- 
 come and againft me fiand, 
 
 .And let me not removed be, 
 Lord, by the wicked's hand. 
 
 1 2 There fall'n are they and ruined, 
 that work iniquities ; 
 
 Coll down they are, and never fliall 
 be able to arife. 
 
 P S A L M XXXVIL 
 
 This pfalm IS a fermon, and an excellent iifcful fermcn it is: cal- 
 culated not (as mod cf the Pfalms,) fcr our devotion, but for our 
 eonve fation : there is nothijig in it of prayer or praife, hut it is all 
 inftrudrion; it is Mafciiil, a teaching Pfalm; it is an expofition of 
 feme of the hardeft chapters in the bock of proA-idcnce, the advance- 
 ment of the wicked, and the difgrace of the righteous, a folution of 
 the difiicultics that arife thereupon, and an exhortation to carry our- 
 fclves as becomes us, under fuch dark difpenfatlcns. The work of 
 the prophets (and David was one) was to explain the law : now, the 
 law of Mofes had promifed temporal bleflings to the obedient, and 
 denounced temporal miferics againft the di'.-bedient ; which princi- 
 pally referred to the body of the people, the nation as a nation ; foE 
 when they came to be applied to particular perfons, many inflances 
 occurred of finners in profpcrity, and faints in adverfity : to reconcile 
 thofe inftances with the word that God had fpoktn, is the fcope of 
 the prophet in this Pfalm. In which (i) He forbids us to fret at 
 the profperity of the wicked in their wicked ways, verf. I, 7, 8. 
 (z) He gives very good reafons why we fhould not fret at it. 
 I. Becaufe of the fcandalous chara(51er of the wicked, verf. 12, 14, 
 21, 3Z. notwithftanding their profperity ; and the honourable charac- 
 ter of the righteous, verf. ai, 26, 30, 31. %. Becaufe of the de- 
 ilruilion and ruin which the wicked are nigh to, verf. 2, 9, lo, ao, 
 3j,, 36, 38. and the falvation and protedlion which theriglteous 
 are fure of, from all the malicious defigns of the wicked, verf. 13, 
 25, 17, 28, 33, 39, 40. 3. Becaufe of the particular mercy Go.ti^., 
 has in flore for all good people, and the favour he Ihews them',' 
 verf. II, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24,^25, 28, 29, 37. (3) He prefcribcs 
 very good remedies -'.gamfT this fin cf envying the profperity of the 
 wicked, and great encouratemerit to ufc thofe remedied, verf. 3, 4, 
 5, 6, 27, 34. — fn fmging this Pfairn, we mufl teach and admcnifh 
 one another rightly to underfland the proYidcncc of G6d, and to 
 
P S A L M XXXV^I. 81 
 
 accommodate ourfelves to it; at all times carefully to do our duty, anc^ 
 then patiently to leave the event with God, and to believe, that how 
 black loever things may look for the preftnt, it fnali be wcii witk 
 them that fear God, that fear before him. 
 
 A Plalm of Davidi 
 
 1 pOR evil doers fret thou not 
 
 thyfelf unquietly. 
 Nor do thou envy bear to thofe 
 that work iniquity. 
 
 2 For, even hke unto the grafs, 
 foon be cut down fhall they, 
 
 And, hke the green and tender herb^ 
 they wither Ihall away. 
 
 3 Set thou thy truft upon the Lord> 
 and be thou doing good j 
 
 And fo thou in the land flialt dwell, 
 and verily have food. 
 
 4 Delight thyfelf in God ; he'll give 
 thine heart's defire to thee. 
 
 5 Thy way to God commit : him truft, 
 it bring to pafs fhall he. 
 
 6 And like unto the light he fhall 
 thy righteoufnefs difplay, 
 
 And he thy judgment ihall bring forth 
 like noon-tide of the day. 
 
 7 Reft in the Lord, and patiently 
 wait for him : do not fret 
 
 For him v/ho, profp'ring in his w\iy^ 
 fuccefs in fin doth get. 
 
 8 Do thou from anger ceafe, and wrath 
 fee thou forfake alfo : 
 
 Fret not thyfelf in any wife, 
 that evil thou fhouldft do. 
 
82 S S A L M XXXVIL 
 
 9 For thofe that evil doers are 
 ill all be cut oft. and fall ; 
 
 But thofe that wait upon the Lord^ 
 the earth inherit fliall. 
 
 10 For yet a little while, and thert 
 the wicked fhall not b^ : 
 
 His place thou (halt confider welly, 
 but it thou fhalt not fee. 
 
 1 1 But, by inheritance, the earths 
 the meek ones fliall poffefs : 
 
 They alfo fliall delight themfelves 
 in an ribundant peaces 
 
 12 The wicked plots againft the juft, 
 and at him whets his teeth. 
 
 13 The Lord (hall laugh at him, becaufe 
 his day he coming feeth. 
 
 14 The wacked have drawn out the fword^. 
 and bent their bow to flay 
 
 The poor and needy, and to kill 
 men of an upright way. 
 
 15 But their own fword which they have 
 fhall enter their own heart, [drawn. 
 
 Their bows which they have bent fhall break,, 
 and into pieces part. 
 
 16 A little that a juft man hath 
 is more and better far, 
 
 Than is the wealth of many fuch - 
 as lewd and wicked are. 
 
 17 For fmners arms (1 all broken be; 
 but God the juft fuflains. 
 
 1 8 God knows the juft man's days, and ftill 
 their heritage remains. 
 
PSALM XXXv^rr. : 
 
 19 They (hall not be afliam'd, wheat hey 
 the evil time do fee ; 
 
 And when the days of famine are, 
 they fatisfy'd Ihall be. 
 
 20 But wicked men, and foes of God, 
 as fat of lambs decay ; 
 
 They fhall confame : yea, into fmcke 
 
 they fhall confume away. 
 2 I The wicked borrows, but the fame 
 
 again he doth not pay : 
 Whereas th-e righteous mercy fhows, 
 
 and gives his own away, 
 
 2 2 For fuch as blefied be of him, 
 
 the earth enherit (hall ; 
 And they that curfed are of him, 
 
 ihall be deftroyed all. 
 ^3 A good man's footfteps by the Lord 
 
 are ordered aright : 
 -And in the w^ay wherein he walks 
 
 he greatly doth delight. 
 
 24 Although he fa 1, yet fliall he not 
 be caft down utterly: 
 
 Becaufe th« Lord with his own hand 
 upholds him mightily, 
 
 25 I have been young, and nov/ am old ; 
 yet have I never {qqu 
 
 The juft man left, nor that his feed 
 for bread have beggars been. 
 
 26 He's ever merciful, and lends ; 
 his feed is bled therefore. 
 
 2y Depart from evil, and do good ; 
 • and dwell for evermore. 
 
84 PSALM XXXVII. 
 
 28 For God loves judgment, and his faints 
 leaves cot in any cafe, 
 
 They are kept ever : but cut off 
 Ihall be the iinner's race. 
 
 29 The juft inherit (hal! the land, 
 and ever in it dwelL 
 
 30 The juft man*s mouth doth wifdom fpeak, 
 his tongue doth judgm.ent telL 
 
 31 In's heart the law is of his God. 
 his fteps fiide not av7ay. 
 
 32 The wicked man doth watch the juft, 
 and feeketh him to flay. 
 
 33 Yet him the Lord Vv^ill not forfake, 
 nor leave him in his hands ; 
 
 The righteous will he not condemn, 
 when he in judgment ftands. 
 
 34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, 
 and thee exalt fhall he, 
 
 Th' earth to enherit : when cut off 
 the wicked thou flialt fee. 
 
 35 I faw the wicked great in pow'r, 
 fpread like a green bay-tree. 
 
 36 He paft, yea, was not : him I fought, 
 "but found he could not be. 
 
 37 Mark thou the perfect, and behold 
 the man of uprightnefs : 
 
 Becaufe that furely of this man 
 the latter end is peace. 
 
 38 But thofe men that tranfgreffors are 
 fhall be deftroy'd together. 
 
 The latter end of wicked men 
 fhall be cut oft' for ever. 
 
P S A L M XXXVIII. $s 
 
 39 But the faivation of the jufl: 
 is from the Lord above ; 
 
 He, in the time of their diftrefs, 
 their ftay and ftrength doth prove, 
 
 40 The Lord fliall help, and them deliver j 
 he Ihall them free and fave 
 
 From wicked men, becaufe in him 
 their confidence they have. 
 
 P S x\ L M XXXVIIL 
 
 This is one of the penitential pfalms ; it is full of grief and com- 
 plaint, from the beginning to the end. David's fms and his afflic- 
 tions are thecaufe of his grief, and the matter of his complaints. It 
 (hould fecm he was new fick, and in pain, which minded him of his 
 fins, and helped to humble him for them : he was at the fame ±ime 
 deferted by his friends, and perfecuted by his eneiKies ; fo that the 
 Pfalm is calculated for the depth of diftrefs, and a complication of 
 calamities. Ke complains, (l) OT God's difpleafure, and of his own 
 fin, which, provoked God againit him, verf. i, — 5. (2) Of his 
 bodily fickncfs, verf 6, — 10. (.■?) Of the unkindnefs of his friends, 
 verf. II. (4) Of the injuries which his enemies did him, pleading 
 his good carriage towards them, yet confefling his fms againft God, 
 verf. 12, — 20. Laftly, He concludes the Flalm with earnefl prayers 
 to God, for his gracious prefence and help, verf. 21, 22. In finging 
 this Pfahm, we ought to be much aiTeCled with the malignity of fin; 
 and if we have not fuch troubles as here are defcribed, we know not 
 how foon we may have, and therefore muft fing of them by way of 
 preparation ; and we know that others have them, and therefore Wfi 
 muft fing of them by way of fympathy. 
 
 A Pfaim of David to bring to remembrance*. 
 
 1 TN thy great indignation, 
 
 O Lord, rebuke me not ; 
 Nor on me lay thy chaft'ning hand 
 in thy difpleafure hot. 
 
 2 For in me fail thine arrows flick, 
 thine hand doth prefs me fore, 
 
 3 And in my fiefli there is no health, 
 nor foundnefs any more. 
 
 H 
 
U PSALM XXXV IIL 
 
 This grief I have, becaufe thy wratli 
 
 is forth agaijift me gone ; 
 And in my bones there is no reft, 
 
 for fm that I have done. 
 4 Becaufe gone up above mine head 
 
 my great tranfgreffions be ; 
 And, as a weighty burden, they 
 
 too heavy are for me. 
 
 J My w^ounds do ftink, and are corrupt : 
 my folly makes it fo. 
 
 6 I troubled am, and much bow'd down; 
 all day I mourning go. 
 
 7 For a difeafe that ioathfome is, 
 fo fills my loins with pain. 
 
 That in my weak and weary fiefb. 
 no found nefs doth remain. 
 
 8 So feeble and infirm am I, 
 and broken am fo fore ; 
 
 That, through difquiet of my heart, 
 I have been made to roar. 
 
 9 O Lord, all that 1 do defire, 
 is ftill before thine eye : 
 
 And of my heart the fecret groans 
 not hidden are from thee. 
 
 10 My heart doth pant inceflantly, 
 my ftrength doth quite decay : 
 
 As for mine eyes, their wonted light 
 is from me gone away. 
 
 1 1 My lovers and my friends do ftand, 
 at dlftance from my fore : 
 
 And thofe do ftand aloof that were 
 Idnfmen, and kind before* 
 
PSALM XXXVIIT, S^ 
 
 1 2 Yea, they that feek my life, lay fnares : 
 who feek to do me wrong, 
 
 Speak things mifchievous, and deceits 
 imagine all daylong.. 
 
 13 But, as one deaf, that heareth not, 
 ' 1 fuffer'd all to pais : 
 
 i as a dumb man did become, 
 whofe mouth not op*'ned was* 
 
 14 As one that hears not, in whofe mouth 
 are no reproofs at all. 
 
 15 For, Lord, I hope in thee ; my God, 
 thou It hear me when I call. 
 
 16 For I faid. Hear me, left they fhould 
 rejoice o'er me with pride : 
 
 And o'er me magnify themfelves, 
 when as my foot doth Hide* 
 
 1 7 For I am ne'er to halt, my grief 
 is ftill before mine eye. 
 
 18 For rU declare my fin.; and grieve 
 for mine iniquity. 
 
 19 But yet mine en'mies lively are, 
 and ftrong are they befide 5 
 
 And they that hate me wrongfully, 
 are greatly multiply'd. 
 
 20 And they for good that render ill,, 
 as en'mieam.e withftood : 
 
 Yea, ey'n for this, becaufe that I 
 do follow what is good. 
 
 21 Forfake me not, O Lord: myGod,- 
 far from me never be. 
 
 22 O Lord, thou my falvation art,, 
 hafte to give help to me. 
 
 Hz 
 
83 PSALM XXXVIir. 
 
 David feems to have been in a great tofs v^-hen he penned thb 
 Pfalm, and upon feme account or other very un^rafy ; for it is with 
 fome difficulty he conquers his pafiion, and compofeth his fpirit to 
 take that good counfel himfeif, which he had given to others, Pfal. 
 xxxvii to " rcfl in the Lord, and wait patitn lyfor him, without 
 fretting :" for it is eailer to give the good advice, than to give the 
 good example of quietnefs under alFiiftion. What Avas the particu- 
 lar trouble wliich gave occafion for the conflict- David was now in, 
 doth net appear. Perhaps it was the death of fome dear friend or 
 relation that was the trial of his patience, and that fuggefted to him 
 thcfe meditations of mortality; and at the fame time, if fiiOtild feem 
 too, he himfclf v/as v/eak and ill, and under fome prevailing diflem- 
 j-'tr. Hib enemies, likcwife, v/cre fecking advantages againfl him, 
 and watched for his halting, that they might have ibmething to re- 
 proach him for : thus aggrieved, ( i) He relates the ftruggle that w-as 
 in his breafl between grace and corruption, between pafiion and pa- 
 tience, verf. I, i, 3. {2) He m.cditates upon the do61rine of man's 
 iiailty and mortality, and prays to God to inftru(51 him In it, verf. 
 4> 55 6. (3) Ke applies himft.if to God lor the pardon of his 
 ims» the removal of his afHidlions, and the lengthening out of 
 jbis life, till he -was ready for death, verf. 7, — 13* This is a funeral 
 Pfalm, and very proper for the occafion.— In fmgingof it, we fhould 
 get our hearts duly aiifsfled with the brevity, uncertainty, and cala- 
 :!Aitous Hate of human life; and thofe on whofe comforts God has 
 by death made breaches, will find this Pfalm of great ufe to them, m 
 order to their obtaining what We ought to aim much at, under fucji 
 9n afflidion, which is to get it fandlificd tons, for cur fpiritual be- 
 jiefit, and to get oiir hearts reconciled to the holy will of God in it. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, even to Jeduthun, 
 
 A Pfalm cf David. 
 
 1 T Said I will look to my ways, 
 -'• left with my tongue i fm ; 
 
 In fight of wicked men my mouth 
 with bridle I'll keep in. 
 
 2 With filence I as dumb became, 
 I did myfelf reftrain 
 
 From fpeaking good ; but then the more 
 increafed was my pain. 
 
 3 My heart within me waxed hot, 
 and, while I mufiug was. 
 
PSALM XXXIX.- % 
 
 The fire did burn : and from my tongue 
 thefe words I did let pafs, 
 
 4 Mine end, and meafure of my days, 
 O Lord, unto me fhow, 
 
 What is the fame; that 1 thereby 
 my frciilty well may know. 
 
 5 Lo, thou my days an hand-breadth mad'ftj 
 mine age is in thine eye 
 
 As nothing : fore each man at beft. . 
 is wholly vanity. 
 
 6 Sure each man walks in a vain fhow, 
 they vex themfelves in vain : 
 
 He heaps up wealth, and doth not knovsr 
 to whom it (hall pertain. 
 
 7 And now, OLord, what wait I for I 
 my hope is fix'd on thee. 
 
 8 Free me from all my trefpafles, 
 the fool's fcorn make not me. 
 
 9 Dumb was I, op'ning not my mouth, 
 becaufe this work was thine. 
 
 10 Thy ftroke take from me : by the blov^ 
 of thine hand I do pine. 
 
 1 1 When with rebukes thou doft correft 
 man for iniquity, 
 
 Thou waftes his beauty like a moth : 
 fure each m:n's vanity. 
 
 1 2 Attend my cry, Lord, at my tears 
 and pray'rs not filent be. 
 
 I fojourn as my father's all, 
 and ftranger am with thee. 
 
 33 O fpare thou me, that I my ftrength 
 recover may again, 
 
 H3 
 
90 PSALM XL. 
 
 Before from hence I do depart, 
 and here no more remain. 
 
 PSALM XL. 
 
 It Ihould feem Da7id penned this Pfl\lm upon occafion of his ds- 
 Jiverance, by the power and goodnefs of God, from fome great and 
 preffing trouble, by v/hich he was in danger of being overwhehiicd; 
 probably it was fome trouble of ralnd, arifxagfroin a fcnfc of lin, and 
 of God's difpleafure againft lilra for it : whatever it was, the fame 
 Spirit that indited his praifes for t-liat deliverance, was in him at the 
 fame time a Spirit of prophecy, tellifying of the fufferings of Chriil, 
 and the glory that fhould follow ; or ere he was av.'are, he was led to 
 fpeak of Chrift's undertaking, and the difcharge of his undertaking, 
 in words that mufl be applied to Chrlft only: and therefore how far 
 the praifes that here go before that illultrious prophecy, and the 
 prayers that follow, may fafely and profitably be applied to him, k. 
 will be worthwhile to confider. In thfs Pfaln."i, (l) David records 
 God's favour to him, in delivering him out of his deep diftrefs, with 
 tha:ikfairi.jfs to his praife, verf. r, - 5-. (l) Thence he takes occafion 
 to fpeak of the work cf our redemption by Chrift, verf. 6, — ro. (3) 
 That gives him encouragement to pray to God for mercy and grace, 
 both forhimfeifandfor his friends, verf. ll, — 17. If, in Ponging thas 
 Pfalni, we mix faith witli the prophecy of Chrifl, and join in fin- 
 cerity v/ith thepraifes and prayers here offered up, we muke melody 
 with our hearts to the Lord. 
 
 To the chief Muficlan, A Pialm of David. 
 
 1 J Waited for the Lord my Gcdj 
 
 and patiently did bear : 
 At length to me he did incline 
 my voice and cry to hear. 
 
 2 He took me from a fearful pit^ 
 and fi*om the miry clay, 
 
 And on a rock he fet my fcQt^ 
 eftablifhing my wa)'. 
 
 3 He put a new long in my mouth, 
 our God to magnify ; 
 
 Many fliall fee it, and (hall fear, 
 nd oa the Lord rely. 
 
PSALM XL. gi 
 
 4 O bleffed is the man whofe truft 
 upon the Lord relics ; 
 
 Refpedting not the proud, norfuch 
 as ,turn afide to Ues. 
 
 5 O Lord my God, full many are 
 the wonders thou haft done ; - 
 
 Thy gracious thoughts to us- ward far 
 
 above all thoughts are gone : 
 In order none can reckon them 
 
 to thee ; if them declare, 
 And fpeak of them I would, they morfe 
 
 than can be numbVed are. 
 
 6 No facrihce nor offering 
 did ft thou at all defire. 
 
 Mine ears thou hor'd : fin-offering thou 
 and burnt, didft not require. 
 
 7 Then to the Lord thefe were my Vv'ords, 
 I come, behold and fee : 
 
 Within the volume of thy book 
 it written is of me. 
 
 8 To do thy will I take delight, 
 
 thou my God that art : 
 
 Yea, that moft holy law of thine 
 
 1 have within my heart. 
 
 9 Within the congregation great 
 I righteoufnefs did preach ; 
 
 Lo, thou doft know, O Lord, that I 
 refrained not my fpeeeh. 
 
 10 I never did within my heart 
 conceal thy righteoufnefs : 
 
 -I thy falvation have declar'd, 
 and ihown thy fluthfulnefs ', 
 
9^ PSALM XL. 
 
 Thy kindnefs which moft loving is^ 
 
 concealed have not I, 
 Nor fram the congregation great 
 
 have hid thy verity. 
 
 1 1 Thy tender-mercies, Lord, from me 
 
 do thou not reT-rain : 
 
 Thy loving-kindnefs and thy truth, 
 let them me ftiil maintain. 
 
 12 For ills paft reckoning compafs me^. 
 and'mine iniquities 
 
 Such hold upon me taken have^ 
 
 1 cannot lift rnine eyes : 
 
 They more than hairs are on my head ; 
 thence is my heart difmay'd. 
 
 13 Be pleafed, Lord, to refcue me : 
 Lord,haftento mine aid. 
 
 14 Sham'd and confounded be they all 
 that feek my foul to kill : 
 
 Yea, let them back-ward driven be, 
 and iham'd that wifh me ill. 
 
 15 For a reward of this their fhame, 
 confounded let them be, 
 
 That in this manner fcofEng fay. 
 Aha, aha, to me. 
 
 16 In thee let all be glad and joy, 
 who feeking thee abide : 
 
 Who thy falyation love, fay ftill. 
 The Lord be magnify'd. 
 
 17 Fm poor and needy, yet the Lord 
 of me a care doth take : 
 
 Thou art my help and Saviour, 
 my God, no tarrying make. 
 
PSALM XL-I. 
 
 93 
 
 God's kindnefs and truth have often been the fupport and comfort 
 •f the faints, when they have had moft experience of men's unkind- 
 ntfs and treachery ; David here found them fo upon a fick-bed, when 
 he found his enemies very barbarous, but his God very gracious, (i) 
 He here comforts himfelf in his communion with God under hisfick- 
 nefs, by faith receiving and laying hold of God's promifes to him, 
 verf. I, 2, 3. and lifting, up his heart in prayer to God, verf. 4. (2) 
 He here rcprefents the malice af his enemies againft him, their nwli- 
 cious cenfures of him, their fpiteful refledlions upon him, and their 
 infolent carriage tcmards him, verf. 5, — 9. (3) He leaves his cafe 
 with God, not doubting but that he would ov/n and favour him^ 
 verf. 10, II. and io the pfalm concludes with a doxology, verf. 13, 
 Is any aiHided with ficknefs ? let him. fmg the beginning of this 
 pfalm : Is any perfecutedby enemies ? let him fing the latter end of 
 it ; and we may any of us, in fmging of it, meditate upon both lh« 
 calamities and comforts of good people in this wo-rid. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 gLefied is he that wifely doth 
 
 the poor man's cafe confider ; 
 For when the time of trouble is, 
 the Lord will him deliver. 
 
 2 God will him keep ; yea, fave alive, 
 on earth he Weft ihall'live ; 
 
 And to his enemies' defire 
 thou wilt him not up give. 
 
 3 God will give ftrength, when he on bed 
 of languid-ling doth mourn : 
 
 And in his ficknefs fore, O Lord, 
 thou all his bed v/ilt turn. 
 
 4 I faid, O Lord, do thou extend 
 thy mercy unto me : 
 
 O do thou heal my foul, for why, 
 1 have offended thee. 
 
 5 Thofe that to me are enemies, 
 of me do evil fay : 
 
 When (liali he die, that fo his name 
 may periih quite away ! 
 
94 PSALM XLII. 
 
 6 To fee me if he comes, he fpeaks 
 vain words : but then his heart 
 
 Heaps mifchief to it, which he tells, 
 when forth he doth depart. 
 
 7 My haters jointly whifpeiing, 
 'gainft me my hurt devife. 
 
 8 Mifchief, fay they, cleaves faft to him ^ 
 he lieth and (hall not rife. 
 
 9 Yea, ev'n mine own familiar friend, 
 on whom I did rely, 
 
 'Who eat my bread, ev'n he his heal 
 againfl: me lifted high. 
 
 10 But, Lord, be merciful to me, 
 and up again me raife. 
 
 That I may juftly them requite 
 
 according to their ways. 
 X I By this I know that certainly 
 
 I favour'd am by thee ; 
 Becaufe my hateful enemy 
 
 triumphb not over me. 
 
 12 But as for me, thou me uphold'ft 
 in mine integrity : 
 
 And me before thy countenance 
 thoufett'fi continually 
 
 13 The Lord, the God of Ifrael,. 
 be blefs'd for ever then. 
 
 From age to age eternally. 
 Amen, yea, and amen. 
 
 PSALM XLIL 
 
 If the took of pfalms be, as fome have ftilcd it, a mirror or look- 
 ing-oL'.fs of pious and devout affcdioiip, this pfalm in particular de- 
 fer ves ;is iTiiich' a?, any one pfalm, to be fo intitkd, and is as proper as- 
 any othen to kkdle and excite fuch in us ; gracious defircs are here- 
 
P S A L INI XLII. 95 
 
 iftrong and fervent-, gracious hopes and fears, joys and forrows, are 
 here ftruggliiig, but the pJcdfing palfion comes ofi a conqueror; or 
 we may take it for a coiitli«3: between fenfe and faith ; fenfe object- 
 ing, and faith anfwering. (l) Faith begins with holy delires to- 
 'wards God, and communion with him, verf. I, 2. (2) Senfe com- 
 plains of the darknefs andcloudincfs of the prefeat condition, aggra- 
 vated by the remembrance of the former enjoyments, verf. 3, 4. (3) 
 Faith fxleaceth the complaint v/ith the affurance of a good iiTue at 
 laft, ver. 5. (4) Senfe renev/sits complaints of the prefent dark and 
 •melancholy (late, verf. 6, 7. (5) Faith holds up the heart, notv/ith- 
 flandmg, with hope that the day wiH dawn, verf. 8- (6) Senfe 
 repeats its lamentations, verf. 9, 10. and fighs out the fame remon- 
 ftrance it had before m.ade of irs grievances. ( 7) Faiih gets the lafl: 
 word, verf. II. for the filencing of the complaints of fenfe; and 
 .thou^ it be alnioil the fame with that, verf. 5. yet now it prevails 
 and carries the day. The title doth not tell u« ^vho was the peumaa 
 of this pfalm, but Tnof!; probably it was David ; and we may con- 
 jev3;ure it was penned by him at a time when cither by Saul's perfe- 
 cution, or Abfalom's rebellion, he was driven from the fanituary, and 
 cut off from the privilege of v/aiting upon God in public ordinances. 
 The ilrain of it is much the fame v/ith Pfiii. Ixiii. and therefore we 
 may prefamc it was penned by the fame hand, and upon the fame, or 
 a like occasion. In Tinging it, if v/e be either in outward afHlcftion, 
 or inward diilrefs, we may accommodate to ourfelves the melancholy 
 exprellions we find here ; if not, we mufl, in fingingtliem, fympAthi^e 
 -with thofe, whofe cafe they fpeak too plainly, and thank God it is 
 .not our own cafe ; but thofe paflages in it, which exprefs and excite 
 holy delires towards God, and dependence on him,, we mail earnellly 
 endeavour to bhngour minds up to. 
 
 To the chief mufician, Mafchil, for the fonsof Korah. 
 
 I T IKE as the hart for water brooks 
 
 in third doth pant and bray; 
 So pants my longing foul, O God, 
 
 that come to thee I may. 
 .2 My foul for God, the living God, 
 
 doth third when fhall I near 
 Unto thy countenance approach, 
 
 and in God's iiglit appear ? 
 
 3 v^l^^'teais have unto me been meat, 
 both in the night and day, 
 
^6 PSALM XLIL 
 
 AVhile unto me continually, - - 
 Where is thy God ? they fay. 
 
 4 My foul is poured out in me, 
 when this 1 think upon ; 
 
 Becaufe that with the multitude 
 1 heretofore had gone : 
 
 With them into God's houfe I went, 
 with voice of joy and praife ; 
 
 Yea, with the multitude that kept 
 the folemn holy days. 
 
 5 O why art thou caft down, my foul, 
 why in me fo difmay'd ? 
 
 Truft God, for I (hall praife him yet, 
 his count'nance is mine aid. 
 
 6 My God, my foul's caft down in me : 
 thee therefore mind i will 
 
 From Jordan's land, the Hermonites, 
 and even from Mizar hill. 
 
 7 At the noife of thy water-fpouts, 
 deep unto deep doth call : 
 
 Thy hreaking waves pafs over me, 
 yea, and thy billows all. 
 
 8 His loving-kindnefs yet the Lord 
 command will in the day. 
 
 His fongs v.'ith me by night : to God, 
 
 by whom 1 live, I'll pray. 
 g And I will fay to God my Rock, 
 
 Why me forgett'ft thou fo ? 
 Why for my foes' oppreiTion, 
 
 thus mourning do I go ? 
 
 lo 'Tis as a fword within my bones, 
 when my foes me upbraid ; 
 
PSALM XLIII. 97 
 
 Ev'n when by them. Where is thy God ? 
 
 'tis daily to me faid. 
 1 1 O why art thou caft down, my foul ? 
 
 why, thus w4th grief oppreil, 
 Art thou difquieted in me ? 
 
 in God ftili hope and reft: 
 
 For yet I know I fhall him praife, 
 
 who gracioully to me 
 The health is of my countenance, 
 
 yea, mine ow^n God is he. 
 
 PSALM XLIII. 
 
 This pfalm it is likely, was permed upon the fame occaHon witKtnft 
 firmer, and having no title, may be looked upon as an appendix to 
 it; the malady prefently returning, he had immediate recourfe to 
 the fame remedy, becatife he had entered it in his book with a pro- 
 EATUM EST upon it. The fecond verfe of this pfalm is almofl the 
 very fame with the ninth verfe of the foregoing pfalm, as the fiftk 
 of this is exadlly the fame with the eleventh of that. Chrift himfel£ 
 wlio had the Spirit without meafure, when there was occafion, prayed 
 a fecond and tliird time, * fa,ying the fame words,' Mat. xxvi. 44. la 
 this Pfalm, (i) He appeals to God concerning the injuries that 
 were dene him by his enemies, verf. I, a. (2) He prays to Godt» 
 reflcre to him the free enjoyment of public ordinances again, and 
 promifeth to make a good improvement of them, verf. 3, 4. (3) He 
 endeavours to ftill the tumult of his own fpirlt, with a lively hope 
 and confidence in God, ver. 5. which if wc labour after in finging this 
 pfalm, we fmg with grace in our hearts. 
 
 I JUDGE me, O God, and plead my caufe 
 
 againft th' ungodly nation ; 
 From the unjuft and crafty man 
 
 O be thou my falvation. 
 ^ For thou the God art of my ftrength j 
 
 why thrufts thou me thee fro ? 
 For th' enemies' opprefiion, 
 why do I mourning go ? 
 1 
 
 /. 
 
^ P S A L M XLIV. 
 
 3 Ofend thy light forth, and thy truth^ 
 let them be guides to me. 
 
 And bring me to thine holy hill, 
 ev'n where thy dwellings be. 
 
 4 Then will I to God's altar go, 
 to God my chiefeft joy ; 
 
 Yea, God, my God, thy name to praife 
 my harp 1 will employ. 
 
 5 Why art thou then caft down, my foul ? 
 what fhould difcourage thee ? 
 
 And why with vexing thoughts art thou 
 
 difquieted in me ? 
 Still truft in God, for him to praife 
 
 good caufe I yet (hall have ; 
 He of my countenance is the health, 
 
 my God that doth me fave. 
 
 PSArft4~XLIV. 
 
 "We are not told either who was the penman of this pfalm, or 
 -when, and upon what occafion, it was penned; upon a melancholy 
 occafion we are fare, not fo much to the penman himfclf, then we 
 could have found occafions enough for it in the hlftory of David and 
 his affli(5lions, but to the church of God in general; and therefore if 
 we fuppofe it penned by David, yet we inufl; attribute it purely to 
 the Spirit of prophecy, and mufl conclude that that Spirit (whatever 
 iiehad) had in vicv/.the captivity of Babylon, or the fuffcring of the 
 Jewifh church under Antiochus ; or rather, the affliAed Itatc of the 
 Chriftian church in its early days, to which ver. 2:2. is applied by the 
 apoftlc, Rom. viii. 36. and indeed in all its days on earth, for it is 
 its determined lot, that it mufl enter into the kingdom of heaven 
 through many tribulations. And if we have any gofpcl-pfalnis point- 
 ing at *he privilet't- and comforts of Chriftians, v/hy (liould we not 
 have one poi'jtin at n;:.:: trial^ and exercifes ? It is a pfalm cr.Iculated 
 for a day of falling and humiliation upon wCLufion of feme public cala- 
 mity either prefling or threatening. In it the church is taught, (j) 
 To oun with t]iankfulre*>, *o tl:u glory of God, the great things 
 God had done for their fachers, v.-r. i, — B. (z) To exhibit a mcmo- 
 Tialof their prefent calamitous fta*^e, V!.-. 9, — j6. (3) T . file a pro- 
 teftation of their integrity and adherence * '> God notwithftandirjg, 
 vek'f. J7,~22. (4) To lodge a petition at the tlirone of grace fo: fuc- 
 
P S A L M XLI\r. 9^ 
 
 coar and relief^ ver. 2,2,-26. In finging this pfalm, we ought to 
 give God the pi-aife of what he has formerly done for his people, to 
 reprefent our own grievances, or fympathizc with thofe pzrts of the 
 church that are in diflrefs, to engage ourfelves, whatever happens, to 
 cleave to God and duty, and then cheerfully to wait the event. 
 
 To the chief muGcianj for thefons of Korah, Mafchilr 
 
 I r\ God, we with our ears have heard, 
 
 our fathers have us told 
 What works thou in their days hadft done, 
 
 ev'n in the days of old. 
 0. Thy hand did drive the heathen out,- 
 
 and plant them in theh-p^ace^ 
 Thou didft afflict the nations, 
 
 but them thou didft increafe. 
 
 3 For neither got their fw^ord the land, 
 nor did their arm them fave : 
 
 But thy right-hand, arm, countenance 5 
 for thou them favour gave. 
 
 4 Thou art my King : for Jacob, Lord, 
 deliv'rances command. 
 
 5 Thro' thee we may pufh down our foes 
 that do againft us ftand : 
 
 We, thro' thy name, (hall tread down thofe 
 that ris'n again us have. 
 
 6 For in my bowl (hall not truft, 
 nor fhall my fword me fave. 
 
 7 But from our foes thou haft us fav'dj 
 our haters put to fhame. 
 
 8 In God we all the day do boaft, 
 and ever praife thy name. 
 
 9 But now we are caft off by thee^ 
 arid us thou putt'ft to fhame : 
 
i©o PSALM XLIV. 
 
 And when our armies do go forth, 
 thou go'ft not with the lame. 
 
 10 Thou mak'ft us from the enemy, 
 faint-hearted to turn back : 
 
 And they who hate us, for themfelves 
 our fpoils away do take. 
 
 1 1 Like fheep for meat thou gaveft us : 
 'mong heathen caft we be. 
 
 12 Thou didft for nought thy people fell, 
 their price enrich'd not thee. 
 
 13 Thou mak'ft us a reproach to be 
 unto our neighbours near ; 
 
 Derifion and afcorn to them 
 that round about us are. 
 
 14 A by-word alfothou doft us 
 among the heathen make : 
 
 The people, in contempt and fpite, 
 
 at us their heads do (hake* 
 J 5 Before me my confufion 
 
 continually abides ; 
 And of my baihful countenance 
 
 the Ihame me ever hides. 
 
 16 For voice of him that doth reproach, 
 and fpeaketh blafphemy ; 
 
 By reafon of th' avenging foe, 
 and cruel enemy. 
 
 17 All this is come on us ; yet we 
 have not forgotten thee, 
 
 Nor falfely in thy covenant 
 behav'd ourfelves have we. 
 
 1 8 Back from thy way our heart not turn'd, 
 OUT fteps no ftraying made ; 
 
PSALM XLV. 1^1 
 
 ir)" Tho' us thoubrak'ft in dragons! place^ 
 and cover'dft with death's Tnade. 
 
 20 If we God's name forgot, or ftretch'd 
 to a ftrange god our hands : 
 
 2 1 Shall not Gr-d fearch this out ? for he 
 heart's fecrets underftands. 
 
 22 Yea, for thy fake we're kill'd all day, 
 counted as flaughter-lneep. 
 
 23 Rife, Lord, caft us not ever off; 
 awake, why doii thou fieep ? 
 
 24 O wherefore hid eft thou thy face ^ 
 forgett'ft our cafe diflreft, 
 
 25 x^nd our oppreffion ? For our foul 
 is to the dufi: down preft ;. 
 
 Our belly alfo on the earth, 
 faft cleaving hold doth take. 
 
 26 Rife for our help, and us redeem, 
 ev'n for thy mercies' fake. 
 
 P S aITm ~XLV. 
 
 This pfalm is an illuftrious prop'rtecy of Meffiah the Prinqe ; it h 
 all over gofpel, and points at him or>iy as a Bridegroom efpoufing the 
 church to himfeh", and as a King ruling in it, and ruling for it : and 
 it is probable our Saviour has reference to this pfalm, when he com- 
 pares the kingdom of heaven more than once, to a nuptial folemnityj 
 the iblertjnity of a royal nuptial, Matt. xxii. a.— xxv. i. We have no 
 reafon to think it has any reference to Solomon's marriage with Pha- 
 raoh's daughter ; if I thought it had reference to any other than the 
 myftical marriage between Chriil and his church, I would rather ap- 
 ply it to fome of David's marriages, becaufe he was a man of war, 
 JTuch a one as the Bridegroom here is defcribcd to be, which Solomca 
 was not : but I take it, to be purely znd only meant of Jefus Chrift; 
 ©f him fpeaketh the prophet this, of him,'and of no other man ; and 
 to him verf. 6, 7. is applied in the New Teftament, Hfeb. i. 8. nor caji 
 it be underftood of any other. The preface fpeaks the excellency of 
 the fong, verf. i. The pfalm fpeaks, (i) Of the royal Bridegroom, 
 who is Chrift. i. The tranfcendent excellency of hisperfon, verf. x. 
 3 The glory «iiu» viftorics, Verfi 3, 4, j.: 3. The- right couintft^f 
 
 I 3 
 
ift2 l> S A L M XLV. 
 
 h'n governmcntj verf. 6, 7. 4. The fplendor of his court, verf. 8, 0. 
 (a) Of the royal bride, which is the church, i.Herconfent gained, 
 ■verf. 10, II. a. The nuptial foicmnized, verf. 13,-15. (3) The 
 iffue of this marriage, verf. 16, 17. In fmging this pfalm, our hearts 
 jnuft be filled with high thoughts of Chrift, with an entire fubmif- 
 dQon to, and fatisfadlion in his gcvernment, and earnefl defire of the 
 enlarging and perpetuating of his church in the world. 
 
 _To the chief Mufician upon Shofhannim, for the fons 
 of Korahj Mifchil, a fong of loves. 
 
 2 "J^Y heart brings forth a goodly thing : 
 
 my words that I indite, 
 Concern the King: my tongue's a pen 
 of one that fvvift doth write. 
 
 2 Thou fairer art than fons of men : 
 into thy Hps is ftore 
 
 Of grace infus'd : God therefore thee 
 hath blefs'd for evermore. 
 
 3 O thou that art the mighty One, 
 thy fword gird on thy thigh : 
 
 Ev'n with thy glory excellent, 
 and w^ith thy majefty. 
 
 4 For m.eeknefs, truth, and righteoufnefs, 
 inflate ride profp'roufly : 
 
 And thy right-hand fhall thee inftrudl 
 in things that fearful be. 
 
 5 Thine arrows fliarply pierce the hearts 
 of th' eri'mies of the 'King ; 
 
 And under thy fubjedion 
 the people down do bring. 
 
 6 For ever and for ever is, 
 
 O God, thy throne of might : 
 The fceptre of thy kingdom is 
 a fceptre that is right. 
 
 7 Thou loveft right, and hateftill ; 
 for God, thy God moft high, 
 
PSALM XLV. .103 
 
 Above thy fellows hath with th' oil 
 of joy anointed thee. 
 
 8 Of aloes, myrrh, and caffia, 
 a fmell thy garments had ; 
 
 Out of the iv'ry palaces, 
 
 whereby they made thee glad. 
 
 9 Among thy women honourable, 
 kings' daughters were at hand : 
 
 Upon thy right-hand did the queen, 
 in gold of Ophir ftand. 
 
 10 O daughter, hearken and regard, 
 and do thine ear incline; 
 
 Likewife forget thy father's houfe, 
 and people that are thine. 
 
 1 1 Then of the King deiir'd (liall be 
 thy beauty veh'mently : 
 
 Becaufe he is thy Lord, do thou 
 him woriliip rev'rently. 
 
 1 2 The daughter there of Tyre ihall be 
 w'nh gifts and offerings great : 
 
 Thofe of the people that are rich, 
 thy favour fhall intreat. 
 
 13 Behold, the daughter of the King 
 all glorious is within ; 
 
 And with embroideries of gold 
 her garments wrought have been, 
 
 14 She fhall be brought unto the King 
 in robes with needle wrought ; 
 
 Her fellow-virgins following, 
 fhall unto thee be brought. 
 
 15 They fliall be brought with gladnefs great^ 
 and mirth on ev ry fide, 
 
IC4 PSALM XLT. 
 
 Into the palace of the King, 
 and there they fhall abide. 
 
 16 Inftead of thofethy fathers dear, , 
 thy. children thou may'ft take,. 
 
 And in all places of the earth 
 them noble princes make. . 
 
 17 Thy name remember'd I will make^ 
 through ages all to be : 
 
 The people therefore evermore 
 ihall i^'aifes give to thee. 
 
 Another of the farne^ 
 
 I ]V| Y heart inditing is 
 
 good matter in a fong : 
 
 1 fpeak the things that I have made, 
 
 vv^hich to the King belong ; 
 My tongue fhall be as quick 
 
 his honour to indite. 
 As is the pen of any fcribe 
 
 that ufeth fad to y/rits. 
 
 2 ThouVt faireft of all men, 
 grace in thy lips doth flow : 
 
 And therefore bleiTmgs evermore 
 on thee doth God beftcw. 
 
 3 Thy fword gird on thy thigh, 
 thou that art moft of might ; 
 
 Appear in dreadful majefty, 
 and in thy glory bright. 
 
 4 For meeknefs, truth, and right, 
 ride T;rofp roufly in ilate : 
 
 And thy right-hand (h-all teach to theo 
 things terrible and great. 
 
P S A L M XLV, 105 
 
 5 Thy (hafts fhall pierce their hearts 
 that foes are to the King ; 
 
 Whereby into fubjedion 
 the people thou fhalt bring. 
 
 6 Thy royal feat, O Lord, 
 forever {halt remain : 
 
 The fceptre of thy kingdom doth 
 all righteoufnefs maintain. 
 
 7 Thou loveft right, and hateft ill : 
 for God, thy God moft high, 
 
 Above thy fellows hath with th' oil 
 of joy anointed thee. 
 
 8 Of myrrh and fpices fweet ' 
 a fmeil thy garments had i 
 
 Out of the ivVy palaces 
 
 whereby they made thee glad, 
 
 9 And in thy glorious train, 
 kings' daughters waiting ftand : 
 
 And thy fair queen, in Ophir gold, 
 doth ftand at thy right hand. 
 
 10 O daughter, take good heed^ 
 incline, and give good ear '. 
 
 Thou muft forget thy kindred all, 
 and father's houfe moft dear. 
 
 11 Thy beauty to the King 
 fhall then delightful be: 
 
 And do thou humbly worlhip himj 
 becaufe thy Lord is he. 
 
 1 2 The daughter then of Tyre 
 there with a gift fhall- be. 
 
 And all the wealthy of the land 
 lliall make their fuit to the^ 
 
10(5 P S A L M XLVr. 
 
 13 The daughter of the King 
 all glorious is within ; 
 
 And with embroideries of gold, 
 her garments wrought have been. 
 
 14 She Cometh to the King 
 
 in robes with needle wrought ;. 
 The virgins that do follow her 
 fhall unto thee be brought. 
 
 15 They fhall be brought with joy^ 
 and mirth on ev'ry fide, 
 
 Into the palace of the King, 
 . and there they fhall abide. 
 
 16 And in thy father's ftead, 
 thy children thou may'fl take, 
 
 And in all places of the earth, 
 them noble princes make. 
 
 1 7 1 will ihew forth thy name 
 to generations all : 
 
 Therefore the people evermore. 
 to thee give praifes fhalL 
 
 PSALM XLVI. 
 
 This pfalm encourageth us to hope and truftin God, and his power 
 and providence, and gracious preience with his charch, in the worft 
 of tin-res, and dire(fls us to give him the glory of ^Yhat he has done for 
 us, and what he w^ill do : probably it was penned upon occarion of 
 David's vidoriesover the neighbouring nations, 2 Sam. viii. and the 
 reft which God gave him from all his enemies round about. We are 
 here taugh!:, ( i) To take comfort in God, when things look very black 
 and threatening, verf. i, — 5. (2) To menticr. to his praife the great 
 things he has wrought for his church againft it?cnemics, verf, 6, — 9, 
 (3) To afTure ourfelves, that God, who hath giorificd his own name, 
 willgJorify it yet again, and to comfort ourfelves with that, verf. 10, 
 II. We may, in fmging it, apply it either to our fpiritual enemies, 
 aiid the encouragement we have to hope that, through Chri(t,we fnall 
 be more than concpierers over them ; or to the public enemies of 
 Chxilt's kingdom in the world, and their threatening infults, endea- 
 
P S A L M XL VI. 107 
 
 vouring to prefer ve a holy fecurlty and ferenlty of rxiind, when they 
 feem mofl formidable. It is faid of Luther, that when he heard any 
 difcouraging news, he would fay, Come, let us fmg the forty-fixth 
 pfalm. 
 
 To the chief MuHcian, for the fonsofKorah, 
 A fong upon Alamoth. 
 
 1 rjOD is our refuge and our ftrength, 
 
 in ftraits a prefent aid. 
 
 2 Therefore, although the earth remove, 
 we will not be afraid : 
 
 Though hills amidfl: the fea be caft, 
 3 Though waters roaring make, 
 
 And troubled be ; yea, though the hills 
 by fwelling feas do ihake. 
 
 4 A river is, whofe ftreams do glad 
 the city of our God : 
 
 The holy place, wherein the Lord 
 moil High hath his abode. 
 
 5 God in the midft of her doth dwell ; 
 nothing (hall her remove : 
 
 The Lord to her an helper will, 
 and that right early, prove. 
 
 6 The heathen rag'd tumult'oufly, 
 the kingdoms moved were: 
 
 The Lord God uttered his voice, 
 the earth did melt for fear. 
 
 7 The Lord of hofts upon our fide, 
 doth conitantly remain : 
 
 The God of Jacob's our refuge, 
 us fafely to maintain^ 
 
 8 Come, and behold what wond'rous works 
 have by the Lord been wrought : 
 
 Come, fee what defolations 
 he on the earth Ixath brought. 
 
ic8 PSALM XLVIL 
 
 9 Unto the ends of all the earth 
 
 wars into peace he turns : 
 The bow he breaks, the fpear he cuts, 
 
 in fire the chariot burns, 
 
 ID Be ftill, and know that I am God : 
 
 among the heathen I 
 Will be exalted, I on earth 
 
 will be exalted high. 
 II Our God, who is the Lord of hods, 
 
 is ftill upon our fide : 
 The God of Jacob our refuge 
 
 for ever will abide. 
 
 PS A"LR/rXLVlL 
 
 The fcope of this pfalm is to flir us up to praife God, to ftir up all 
 people to do it; and, (i) We arc direiled in what manner to dd it ; 
 publicly, Gheerfnlly, and intelligently, veri". i, 6, 7. (z) We arc 
 furniflied with matter for praife I. God's majefty, verf.- ^. %. His 
 rovercign and univcrfal dominion, verf. a, 7, 8, 9. 3. The great 
 things he had done, and would do for his people, verf. 3, 4, 5. Many 
 fuppofe, that this pfalm was penned upon occafion of the bringing up 
 of the ark to moitnt Sion, which verf. 5. fcems to refer to; " God is 
 gone up with a fhout :" but it looks further to the afcenfidn of Chrift 
 into the heavenly Sion, after he had finifiied his uncicrtaking on earth, 
 imd to thcfctting up of his kingdom in the world, to which the hea- 
 then fliould become willing fubje6ls. In fmging this pfalm we are to 
 give honour to the exalted Redeemer, to rejoice in his exaltation, and 
 to celebrate his praifes, confefling that he is Lord, to the glory of God 
 the Father. 
 
 To the chief Muficlan, A Pfalm for the fons of Korah. 
 
 1 y\ LI-* people, clap your hands ; to God 
 
 with voice of triumph fhout :;,. 
 
 2 For dreadful is the Lord moft High, 
 great King the earth throughout, 
 
 3 The heathen people under us 
 he furely fhall fubdue, 
 
 And he fliall make the nations 
 uud.er our feet to bow. 
 
P S A L M XL VIII. 1^^ 
 
 4 The lot of our inheritance 
 chufe out for us (hall he, 
 
 Of Jacob whom he loved well, 
 ev'u the excellency. 
 
 5 God is wdth fhouts gone up, the Lord 
 with trumpets founding high. 
 
 6 Sing praife to God, fmg praife, fiogpraifc, 
 praife to our King fing ye. 
 
 7 For God is King of all the earth, 
 with knowledge praife exprefs. 
 
 8 God rules the nations, God fits oa 
 his throne of holinefs. 
 
 9 The princes of the people are 
 affembled willingly ; 
 
 Ev'n of the God of Abraham, 
 they who the people be. 
 
 For w^hy ? the fhields that do defend 
 
 the earth, are only his : 
 They to the Lord belong ; yea, he 
 
 exalted greatly is. 
 
 PSALM XLVIIL 
 
 This Pfalm, as the two former, is a triumphant fong ; fome think 
 it was penned on occafion of Jehoflaaphat's^ vidtory, z Chron. xx- 
 others, of the rout given to Sennacherib, when his army laid fiege t» 
 Jerufalem in Hezekiah's time ; but, for aught I know, it might be 
 penned by David, upon occafion of fome eminent vidlory obtained in 
 his time ; yet not fo calculated for that, but that it might ferve any- 
 other the like occafion in after-times, and be applicable alfo to the 
 glories of the gofpel church, of which Jerufalem was a tyre, efpeciaily 
 when it (hall come to be a church-friumphant, ' the heavenly Jeru- 
 falem,' Heb. xii. 22. ' the jerufalem which is above,' Gal. iv. 26. 
 Jerufalem is here praifed, ( i) For its relation to God, ver. I, 2. (-2) 
 For God's care of it, ver. 3. (3) Foi* the terror it ftriies upon its ene- 
 mies, ver. 4, — 7. (4) For the pleafure it gives to its friends, wh'«' 
 delight to think, i. Of what God has done, doth, and will do foi: it, 
 
 K 
 
sio PSALM XL VIII. 
 
 ver. 8. 1. Of the gracious difcoverles he makes of himfelf In and 
 for that holy city, ver. 9, 10. 3. Of the efFedtual provifion which is 
 jnade for its fafety, ver. 11, 12, 13. 4. Of the ailurance we have of 
 the perpetuity of God's covenant with the children of Sion, ver. 14. 
 In fmging this pfalm, we muft be affedled with the privilege we have 
 as members of thegofpel church, and muft exprefsand excite our lin- 
 cere good-will to all its interefls. 
 
 A Song and Pfalm for the fons of Korah. 
 
 It QREAT is the Lord, and greatly he 
 
 is to be praifed ftill, 
 Within the city of our God, 
 upon his holy hill. 
 
 2 Mount Sion ftands moft beautiful, 
 the joy of all the land ; 
 
 The city of the mighty King 
 on her north fide doth ftand. 
 
 3 The Lord within her palaces 
 is for a refuge known. 
 
 4 For lo, the kings that gath'red werej 
 together by have gone. 
 
 5 But when they did behold the fame, 
 they wond'ring would not ftay : 
 
 But, being troubled at the fight, • 
 they thence did haile away. 
 
 6 Great terror there took hold on them, 
 they were poffefs'd w^ith fear, 
 
 There grief came like a woman's pain, 
 when fhe a child doth bear. 
 
 7 Thou Tarfhiihfhipswitheaft-wind break'ft: 
 
 8 \s we have heard it told; 
 So in the city of the Lord 
 
 our eyes did it behold : 
 In our God's city, which |as hand 
 
 for ever 'ftablifh will. 
 
PSALM XLIX. fit 
 
 g We of thy loving-kindnefs thought^ 
 Lord, in thy temple ftill. 
 
 10 O Lord, according to thy name, 
 through all the earth's thy praife : 
 
 And thy right hand, O Lord, is full 
 of righteoufnefs always. 
 
 1 1 Becaufe thy judgments are made known^ 
 let 8ion mount rejoice ; 
 
 Of Judah let the daughters all 
 fend forth a chearful voice. 
 
 1 2 Walk about Sion, and go round^; 
 the high tow'rs thereof tell. 
 
 13 Coniider ye her palaces, 
 and mark her bulwarks well j 
 
 That ye may tell poflerity. 
 
 14 For this God doth abide 
 Our God for evermore ; he will 
 
 ev'n unto death us guide. 
 
 PSALM XLIX. 
 
 This pfalm is a fermon, and fo is the next. In moft of the pfalttis 
 we have the penman praying' or praillng ; in thefe we have him 
 preaching ; and it is our duty in finging pfalms to teach and admonifti 
 ourfelvcs, and one another. The fcope and defign of this difcourfc, 
 is to convince the men of this world of their fin and folly, in fettin^ 
 their hearts upon the things of this world, and fo to perfuade them to 
 fcek the things of a better world; as alfo to comfort the people bf 
 God, in reference to their own troubles, and the grief that ariieth 
 from the profperity of the wicked, (i) In the preface, he propofeth 
 to awaken worldly people out of their fecurity, ver. I, 2, 3. and to 
 comfort himfelf, and other godly people, in a day of diftrefs, ver. 4, 
 5. 2) In the reft of the pfalm, [x] He endeavours to convince fin- 
 neri of the folly of doting upon the wealth of this world, by fhewing 
 them, I. That they cannot with all their wealth fave their friends 
 from death, ver. 6, — 9. 2. They cannot fave themfelves from death, 
 7er. JO. 3. They cannot fecure to themfelves a happinefs in tliis 
 K 2 
 
5ia PSALM XLIX. 
 
 world, ver. Il, I2. much lefs, 4. Can they fecure to themfelves a 
 happinefs in the other world, ver. 14. [2] He endeavours to com- 
 fort himfelf, and other good people, I. Againft the fear of death, 
 ver. 15. 2. Againfl the fear of the profpering power of wicked peo- 
 ple, ver. 16, — 20, In fingingthis pfalm, let us receive thefe inflruc- 
 tions, and be wife. 
 
 To the chief Mufician, a Pfalm for the fens of Korah.- 
 I UEAR this, all people, and give ear 
 
 all in the world that dwell : 
 12 Both high and low, both rich and poor, 
 
 3 My mouth fhall wifdom tell : 
 My heart fhall knowledge meditate. • 
 
 4 I will incline mine ear 
 To parables, and on the harp 
 
 my fayings dark declare. 
 
 5 Amidft thofe days that evil be, 
 why fhould I, fearing, doubt ? 
 
 When of my heels th' iniquity 
 fhall compafs me about. 
 
 6 Whoe'er they be that in their wealth, 
 their confidence doth pitch, 
 
 And boaft themfelves, becaufe they are 
 become exceeding rich. 
 
 7 Yet none of thefe his brother can 
 redeem by any w^ay ; 
 
 Nor can he unto God for him 
 fufficient ranfom pay : 
 
 8 (Their fouls' redemption precious is, 
 and it can never be) 
 
 g That ftill he fhould for ever live, 
 
 and not corruption fee. 
 10 For why ? he feeth fliat wife men die, 
 
 and brutiih fools alfo 
 Do perifh, and their wealth, when dead, 
 
 to others they let go. 
 
PSALM XLIX. 113 
 
 1 1 Their inward thought is, that their houfcj 
 and dwelling-places (hall 
 
 Stand through all ages ; they their lands 
 by their own names do call. 
 
 1 2 But yet in honour fliall not man 
 abide continually : 
 
 But palTing hence, may be compar'd 
 unto the hearts that die. 
 
 13 Thus, brutiih folly plainly is 
 their wiidom, and their way ;. 
 
 Yet, their pofterity approve 
 what they do fondly fay. 
 
 14 Like fheep they in the grave are laid, 
 and death (hall them devour ; 
 
 And, in the morning, upright mea 
 
 {hall over them have pow'r ; 
 Their beauty, from their dwellifig, fhall 
 
 confume within the grave. 
 
 15 But from hell's hand God will me free^ 
 for he fhall me receive. 
 
 16 Be thou not then afraid, when one 
 enriched thou doft fee. 
 
 Nor when the glory of his houfe 
 " advanced is on high. 
 
 17 For he (hall carry nothing hence^, 
 i when death his days doth end : 
 Nor fhall his glory after him 
 
 into the grave defcend. 
 
 1 8 Although he his own foul did blefs^ 
 whilft he on earth did live : 
 
 (And when thou to thyfelf doft wellc, 
 men will thee praifes give.) 
 K 3 
 
JI4 P S A L M L. 
 
 J 9 He to his father's race ihall go, 
 
 they never fhall fee light. 
 20 Man honour'd, wanting knowledge, is 
 
 like beaftsthat perifh quite. 
 
 PSALM L. 
 
 Thispfalm, as the former, is a pf:,lm of Iriflru.flion, not of prayer 
 «r praile ; it is apfalm of reproof and admonition, in finging of\vhich 
 we are to teach arid admonifh one another. In the foregoing pfalm, 
 after a general demand of attention, God by his prophet deals, ver. 3. 
 with the children of the worlds to convince tlicm of their fin and folly, 
 in fetting their hearts upon the wealth of this world ; in this pfalm, 
 after a like preface, he deals with thofe that were in profefiion the 
 church's children, to convince them of their fm and folly, in placing 
 their religion in ritual fervices, w hile they negledled pra6lical godli- 
 nels ; and this is as fure a way to ruin as the other. This pfalm is 
 intended, I. As a reproof to the carnei Jews, both thofe that refled 
 in the external performances of their religion, and were remifs in the 
 more excellent duties of prayer and praiie ; and thofe that expounded 
 the law to others, but lived wicked lives themfelves. 2. As a pre- 
 didtion of the abolifliing of the ceremonial law, and of the introducing 
 «f a fpiritual way4Sf worlhip,in and by the kingdom of the Mcfiiah, 
 John iv. 23, 24. 3 Asa reprefentatiozi of the day of judgment, in 
 which God will call men to an account concerning their obfervance 
 of thofe things which they have thus been taught; men fhall be judged 
 * according to what is written in the books ;' and therefore Chrift is 
 fitly reprefented fpeaking as a Judge then when he fpeaks as a Law- 
 giver. Here is, (i) The glorious appearance of the Prince that gives 
 law and judgment, ver. I, — 6. (2) Inftruction given to his wor- 
 Ihippersto turn their facrifices into prayers, ver. 7, — 15. (3) A re- 
 buke to thofe that pretend to worfhip God, but live in difobedience 
 to his commands, ver. 16, — 20. their doom read, ver. 21, 22. and 
 warning given to all to look to their converfation, as well as to their 
 <levotiont, ver. 23.. And thefe inftruftions and admonitions we muft 
 take to ourfelves, and give to one another in fxnging this pfalm. 
 
 A Pfalm of Afaph. 
 
 1 T'HE mighty God, the Lord 
 
 hath fpoken, and did call 
 The earth from rifmg of the fun^ 
 to where he hath his fall, 
 
 2 From out of Sion hill, 
 which of excellency 
 
PSALM L. 
 
 And beauty the perfedion is, 
 God fhined glorioufly, 
 
 3 Our God fhail furely come, 
 keep filence (hall not he ; 
 
 Before him fire ihall wafte, great florms 
 fhall round about him be. 
 
 4 Unto the heavens clear, 
 he from above fliall call, 
 
 And to the earth iikewife, that he 
 may judge his people all. 
 
 5 Together let my faints 
 unto me gather'd be, 
 
 Thofe that by facrin.ce have made 
 a covenant with me. 
 
 6 And then the heavens fhall 
 his righteoufnefs declare : 
 
 Becaufe the Lord himfelf is he 
 by whom men judged are. :^ 
 
 7 My people Ifra'l, hear, 
 fpeak will I from on high ; 
 
 Again ft thee I will teftify : 
 God, ev'n thy God, am I. 
 
 8 1, for thy facrifice, 
 
 no blame will on thee lay, 
 Nor for burnt-ofFrings, which to me 
 thou offer'dft ev'ry day. 
 
 9 I'll take no calf, nor goats, 
 from houfe or fold of thine^. 
 
 10 For beafts of forefts, cattle all 
 on thoufand hills are mine. 
 
 1 1 The fowls on mountains high, 
 are all to me well known ; 
 
 Wild beafts, which in the fields do lye, 
 ev'n they are all mine own 
 
ii6 P S A L M !• 
 
 12 Then, if I hungry were, 
 I would not tell it thee : 
 
 Becaufe the world, and fulnefs all 
 thereof belongs to me. 
 
 13 Willi eat flefli of bulls? 
 or goat's blood drink will I ? 
 
 14 Thanks^ offer thou to God, and pay 
 thy vows to the moft High. 
 
 15 And call upon me, when 
 in trouble thou ihalt be, 
 
 I will deliver thee, and thou 
 rny name ilialt glorify. 
 
 1 6 But to the wicked man 
 God faith, My laws and truth 
 
 Should'ft thou declare? how dar'fl thou take 
 my cov'nant in thy mouth ? 
 
 1 7 Sith thou inftruiStion hat'ft, 
 which fhould thy ways dired:: 
 
 And, fith my words behind thy back 
 thou caft'lt, and doth rejed:. 
 
 1 8 When thou a thief didfl: fee, 
 with him thou didft confent j 
 
 And with the vile adulterers 
 partaker on thou went. 
 
 19 Thou giv'ft thy mouth to ill. 
 thy tongue deceit doth frame. 
 
 2oThou fitt'ft,and'gainftthy brother fpeak'%^ 
 
 thy mother's fon doft fhame. 
 2 1 Becaufe I filence kept, 
 
 w^hile thou thefe things haft wrought ^ 
 That I was altogether like 
 
 thyfelf hath been thy thought ; 
 Yet I will thee reprove, 
 
 and fet before thine eyes - 
 
PSALM L. 117 
 
 In order ranked, thy mifdeeds, 
 and thine iniquities. 
 
 22 Now, ye that God forget, 
 this carefully confider ; 
 
 Left I in pieces tear you all, 
 and none can you deliver. 
 
 23 Whofo doth offer praife, 
 me glorifies, and 1 
 
 Will fhew him God's falvation, 
 that orders right his way. 
 
 Another of the fame, 
 
 1 "THE mighty God, the Lord hath fpoke> 
 
 and call'd the earth upon, 
 Ev'n from the rifing of the fun, 
 unto his going down. 
 
 2 From out of Sion, his own hill, 
 where the perfedion high 
 
 Of beauty is, from thence the Lord 
 hath fhined glorioufly. 
 
 3 Our God fhall come, and fhall no more 
 be filent, but fpeak out : 
 
 Before him fire fhall wafte, great ftorms 
 fhall. compafs him about. 
 
 4 He to the heavens from above, 
 and to the earth below 
 
 Shall call, that he his judgments may 
 before his people fhow. 
 
 5 Let all my faints together be 
 unto me gathered : 
 
 Thofe that by facrifice with me 
 a covenant have made. 
 
iiS PSALM L. 
 
 6 And then the heavens fhall declare 
 his righteoufnefs abroad ; 
 
 Becaufe the Lord himfelf doth come, 
 none elfe is judge but God. 
 
 7 Hear, O my people, and I'll fpeak } 
 O Ifrael by name, 
 
 Againft thee I will teftify, 
 God, ev'n thy God, I am. 
 
 8 I, for thy facrifices few, 
 reprove thee never will ; 
 
 Nor for burnt-ofFVings to have been 
 before me ofF'red ftiil. 
 
 9 I'll take no bullocks, nor he-goats^ 
 from houfe nor folds of thine. 
 
 I o For beafts of forefts, cattle all 
 
 on thoufand hills, are mine. 
 
 I I The fowls are all to me well known, 
 that mountains high do yield : 
 
 And 1 do challenge as my own 
 the wild beafts of the field. 
 
 1 2 If I were hungry, \ would not 
 to thee for need complain ; 
 
 For earth, and all its fulnefs, doth 
 to me of right pertain. 
 
 13 That I, to eat the flefh of bulls, 
 take pleafure, doftthou think? 
 
 Or that I need, to quench my thirft, 
 the blood of goats to drink ? 
 
 14 Nay, rather unto me thy God, 
 thankfgiving offer thou ; 
 
 To the moftHigh perform thy word, 
 and fully pay thy vow. 
 
PSALM L. il9 
 
 15 And, In the day of trouble great, 
 fee that thou call on me ; 
 
 I will deliver thee, and thou 
 my name fhalt glorify. 
 
 16 But God unto the wicked faith, 
 Why fhould'ft thou mention make 
 
 Of my commands ? how dar'ft thou in 
 thy mouth my cov'nant take ? 
 
 17 Sith it is fo, that thou doll hate 
 all good inftru£tion : 
 
 And fith thou caft'ft behind thy back, 
 and flighted my words each one.- 
 
 1 8 When thou a thief didft fee, then ftraight 
 thou join'dft with him in fin, 
 
 And with the vile adulterers 
 thou haft partaker been. 
 
 19 Thy mouth to evil thou doft give, 
 thy tongue deceit doth frame. 
 
 10 Thou fitt'ftand 'gainft thy brother fpeak'ft, 
 thy mother's fon to fhame. 
 
 2 1 Thefe things thou vrickedly haft done, 
 and 1 have filent been ; 
 
 Thou thought'ft that I was like thyfelf, 
 
 and did approve thy fin : 
 But I will fharply thee reprove, 
 
 and 1 will order right 
 Thy fins and thy tranfgrefiions, 
 
 in prefence of thy fight. 
 
 22 Confider this, and be afraid, 
 ye that forget the Lord, 
 
 Leil I in pieces tear you all, 
 when none can help afford. 
 
i2« PSALM LL 
 
 23 Who ofF'reth praife, me glorifies 
 
 ' i will fliew God's falvation 
 To him that ordereth aright 
 his life and converfation. 
 
 PSALM LL 
 
 Tholigh David penned this pfalm upon a very particular occaflon, 
 yet it is of as general ufe as any of David's pfalm : it is the nicft emi- 
 nent of the penitential pfalms, andmofl expreffing of the cares and 
 defires of a repenting fmner. It is pity indeed, that in our devout ad- 
 drefTes to God, we Ihould have any thing elfc to do but to praife God, 
 for that is the vv'ork of heaven ; but we make other work for oiir- 
 felves, by our own fms and follies ; we muft come to the throne of 
 grace in the poflure of penitents, to confefs our fins, and fue for the 
 grace of God ; and if therein we would take with us words, we can 
 nowhere find any more appofite than this pfalm, v/hich is the record 
 of David's repentance for his fin, in the matter of Uriah ; which was 
 the greateft blemifli upon his chara6lcr • all the reft of his faults were 
 nothing to this ; it is fald of him, 1 Kings xv. 5. that, * he turned 
 not afide from the commandment of the Lord all the days of his life, 
 faveonly in the matter of Uriah the Hittite." Jn this pfalm, (i) He 
 confeffeth his iln, vcr, 3, — 6. (2) He prays earneftly for the pardon 
 of hie fin, v.er. I, 2, 7, 8. (3) For peaceof confcience,ver. 8, 12. (4) 
 For grace to go and fm no more, ver. 10, 1 1, 14. (5) For liberty of 
 acccis to God, ver. 15. (6) He promifeth to do what he could forthc 
 good of the fouls of others, vcr. 1^. and for the glory of God, ver. 16. 
 17, 19. Andlaflly, concludes with a prayer for Sion and Jerufalcm, 
 vcr. 18. Thofc whofe conicienccs charge them with any grofs fin, 
 fhould, with a believing regard to Jefus Cnrift, the Mediator, again 
 and again pray over this pfalm ; cay, though we have not been guilty 
 of adultery and murder, or any the like enormous crime, yet in fing- 
 ing it, and praying it over, we may very fenfibly apply it all to our- 
 felvcs, which if we do with fultable affedions, we fhali through Chrift 
 find mercy to pardon, and grace for feafonable help. 
 
 To. ihQ chief Mufician, A i'faim of David, when Na- 
 than the prophet came unto him, after he had gone 
 in to Brtch-Oieba. 
 
 1 A FTER thy loving-kindnefs, Lord, 
 
 have mercy upon me : 
 For thy compaffions great, blot out 
 all mine iniquity. 
 
 2 Me cleanfe from fm, and throughly wafh 
 from mine iniquity ; 
 
PSALM LT. tU 
 
 3 For my tranfgreffions I confefs, 
 my fm I ever fee. 
 
 4 'Gainft thee, thee only have I finn'd, 
 in thy fight done this ill, 
 
 That when thou fpeak'ft thou may'ft be juft 
 and clear in judging ftill. 
 
 5 Behold, I in iniquity 
 
 was form'd the v/omb within ; 
 My mother alfo me conceiv'd 
 in guiltinefs and fin. 
 
 6 Behold, thou in the inward parts 
 with truth delighted art ; 
 
 And wufdom thou fhalt make me knOT^ 
 within the hidden part. 
 
 7 Do thou with hyffop fprinkle me, 
 I (hall be cleanfed fo. 
 
 Yea, wa(h thou me, and then I fhall 
 be whiter than the fiiow. 
 
 8 Of gladnefs and of joyful nefs, 
 make me to hear the voice ; 
 
 That fo thefe very bones which thoU 
 haft broken, may rejoice. 
 
 9 All mine iniquites blot out, 
 thy face hide from my fin. 
 
 10 Create a clean heart, Lord, renew 
 a right fp'rit me within. 
 
 1 1 Caft me not from thy fight, nor take 
 thy holy Sp'rit away. 
 
 12 Reftore me thy falvation's joy ; 
 with thy free Sp'rit me ftay, 
 
 13 Then will I teach thy ways untO 
 thofe that tranfgrefTors be^ 
 
122 PSALM LIL 
 
 And thofe that finners are, fhall then 
 be turned unto thee. 
 
 14 O God, of my falvation God, 
 me from blood-guiltinefs 
 
 Set free : then fhail my tongue aloud 
 fmg of thy righteoufnefs. 
 
 15 My clofed lips, O Lord, by thee 
 let them be opened, 
 
 "Then fhall thy praifes by my mouth 
 abroad be pubhihed. 
 
 J 6 For thou defir'ft not facrifice, 
 
 elfe would I give it thee ; 
 Nor wilt thou with burnt-offering 
 
 at all delighted be. 
 17 A broken fpirit is to God 
 
 a pleafmg facrifice : 
 A broken and a contrite heart. 
 
 Lord, thou wilt not defpife. 
 
 1 8v Shew kindnefs, and do good, O Lord, 
 
 to Zion thine own hill : 
 The walls of thy Jerufalem 
 
 build up of thy good v^^ill. 
 1 9 Then righteous off 'rings ft all thee pleafe, 
 
 and off 'rings burnt, which they, 
 With whole burnt-off 'rings, and with calves, 
 
 ihall on thine altar lay. 
 
 PSAiTm LIL 
 
 David, no doubt^. was in very great grief, when he faid to Abiathar, 
 U Sam. xxli. i-*. * I have occafioned the death of all the perfons of 
 " thy father's houfe,* who wtre put to death upon Doeg's mahcious 
 information : to give fome vent to that grief, and to gain fome relief 
 .«o his mind under it, he penned this pfalm, v/hercin, as a prophet, 
 5^;d tbersfors 7/sth as good an authority as if he had been now » 
 
F S A L M LIL i^f 
 
 prince U|J^n the throne, (i) He arraigns Doeg for what he had 
 done, ver. 1. (2) He accufetJi him, convivfls him, and aggravate* 
 his crimes, ver. a, 3, 4. (3) He palTcth fentenceupon him, ver. 5- 
 (4) He foretels the triumphs of the righteous in the execution of 
 the fcntence, veri 6, 7. (j) He comforts himfelf in the mercy of 
 God, and the afTurance he had that he fhould yet praife him, ver. 8, 9. 
 In the fmging tliis pfalm, we ihould conceive a deteflation of the fiu 
 of lying, forefee the rmn of thofe that perfift in it, and pleafe oirr- 
 felves with the alTurance of the prefer vation of God's church and 
 people, in fpite of all the malicious defigus of the children of Satan,. 
 that father of lies. 
 
 To the chief mufician, Mafchil, A pfalm of David when 
 Doeg the Edomlte came and told Saul, and faid unto 
 him, David is come to the houfe of Ahimelech, 
 
 1 "W^H Y doft thou boaft, O mighty man^ 
 
 of mifchief and of ill I 
 The goodnefs of almighty God, 
 eadureth ever (1111. 
 
 2 Thy tongue mifchievous calumnies 
 devifeth fubtilly, 
 
 Like to a razor fharp to cut, 
 working deceitfully. 
 
 3 111 more than good, and more than truth 
 thou loveft to fpeak wrong : 
 
 4 Thou loveft all devouring words, 
 O thou decitfui tongue. 
 
 5 So God Ihall thee deftroy for ay, 
 remove thee, pluck thee out 
 
 Qiiite from thy houfe, out of the land 
 of life he fhall thee root. 
 
 6 The righteous fhall it fee, and fear,, 
 and laugh at him they fhall. 
 
 7 Lo, this the man is, that did not 
 . make God his ftrength at all ;. 
 
 But he, in his abundant wealthy 
 his confidence did place-: 
 
124 PSALM LIIL 
 
 And he took ftrength unto himfelf 
 from his own wickednefs. 
 
 8 But I am in the houfe of God 
 Hke to an olive green : 
 
 My confidence for ever hath 
 upon God's mercy been. 
 
 9 And I for ever will thee praife^ 
 becaufe thou haft done this : 
 
 I on thy name will wait, for good 
 before thy faints it is. 
 
 PSALM LIIL 
 
 God fpeaketh once, yea twice, and it were well If man would 
 even then perceive it ; God, in this jifalm, fpeaketh twice, for this 
 is the fame almofl verbatim with the fourteenth pfalm. The fcope 
 of it is to convince us of our fins, to fet us a blufhing, and tofet us a 
 trembling becaufe of them; and this is what we are fo hardly brought 
 to, that there is need of line upon line to this purpofe. The word, 
 as a convincing word, is compared to a hammer, the Ilrokes whereof 
 muft be frequently repeated. God, by the pfalmill here, (i) Shews 
 us how bad we are, ver. i. (a) Proves it upon us by his own certain 
 feiowledge, ver. 2, 3. (3) He fpeaks terror to perfecutors, the worft 
 of finners, ver. 4, 5. (4) He fpeaks encouragment to God's perfe- 
 cuted people, ver. 6. Some little variation there is between pfalra 
 xiv. and this, but none confiderable, only between ver. 5, 6. there, 
 and ver. 5. here, where fome exprcflions there ufed, are here left out, 
 concerning the fhame which the v/icked put upon God's people, and 
 inftead of that, is here foretold the lliame which God would put upon 
 the wicked; which alteration, with fome others, he made by divine 
 diredlioil, when he delivered it the fccond tinieto the chief mufician. 
 In fmging it, v/e ought to lament the coi-juption of the human na- 
 ture, and the wretched degeneracy of the world we live in, yet re- 
 joicing, in hope of the great falvation. 
 
 To the chief mufician, upon Mahalatb, Mafchil, 
 A pfalm of David. 
 
 I 'T'HAT there is not a God, the fool 
 
 doth in his heart conclude. 
 They are corrupt, their works are vile, 
 not one of them doth good^ 
 
PSALM LIV, 1S< 
 
 2 The Lord upon the fons of men 
 from heav'n did caft his eyes, . 
 
 To fee if any one there v/as, 
 that fought God, and was wife. 
 
 3 They, altogether filthy are, 
 they all are backward gone ; 
 
 And there is none that doeth good, 
 no, not fo much as one. 
 
 4 Thefe workers of iniquity, 
 do tliey not know at all 
 
 That they my people eat as bread,.. 
 and on God do not call. 
 
 5 Ev'n there they were afraid, and flood 
 with trembling all difmay'd, 
 
 Whereas there was no caufe at all 
 
 why they fhould be afraid : 
 For God his bones that thee befieg'd,- 
 
 hath fcatter'd all abroad, 
 Thou haft confounded them, for they ' 
 
 defpifed are of God. 
 
 6 Let ifra'l's help from Zion come:: 
 when back the Lord fhall bring 
 
 His captives, Jacob fhall rejoice, 
 and Ifrael fliall fmg. 
 
 P S ALM LIV. 
 
 The key of this pfalm hangs at the door, for the title tells us' upon 
 >?7hat occalion it was penned, when the inhabitants of Ziph, men of 
 Judah, (types of Judas the traitor,) betrayed David to Saul, by in- 
 forming him where he was, and putting him on a way how to feize 
 Jiim. This they did twice, I Sara, xxiii. 19, — xxvi. i. andit is upon 
 record to their everlafting infamy. The pfalm is fweet ; the former 
 part of it, perhaps, was nieditated when he was in his diftrefs, and 
 when the danger was over, was put into writing, and the two laft 
 verfw added, Which fpeakiiis tbankfulnefs for the deliverance i which 
 
126 PSALM LIV. 
 
 yet might be written in faith, even then when he was in the midft 
 of his fright. Here, (l) He complain* to God of the malice of his 
 enemies, and prays for help againll thei-n, ver. i, 2, 3. (2) He com- 
 forts himfelf with an affurancc of the divine favour and proteAibn,, 
 and that in due time his enemies Ihould be confounded, and he de- 
 livered, ver, 4, — 7. What time we are in diflrefs, we may comforta- 
 bly ling this pfalm. 
 
 To the chief munclan on Neginoth,, Mafchil, A pfa!m^ 
 of David, when the Ziphinid came and faid to Saul,, 
 Doth not David hide himielf with' us. 
 
 I Q AVE me, O God, by thy great namCj,, 
 
 and j.udge me by thy ftrength. 
 1 My prayer hear, O God give ear" 
 unto my words at length. 
 
 3 For they that ilrangers are to me,, 
 do up againft me rife : 
 
 Oppreffors feek my Ibul, and God 
 iet not before their eyes. 
 
 4 The Lord my God my helper is,. 
 lo, therefore i am bold: 
 
 He taketh part with evVy one 
 that doth my foul uphold. 
 
 5 Unto mine enemies he ihall 
 mifchief and ill repay ; 
 
 O for thy truth's fake cut them off^. 
 and fweep them clean away. 
 
 6 I will a facriEce to thee 
 give with free willingnefs : ^ 
 
 Thy^ name, O Lord, becaufe 'tis good^, 
 with praife I will confefs. 
 
 7 For he hath me delivered 
 from all adverfities : 
 
 And his defire mine eye hath feeix 
 upoa mine enemit^Sr 
 
PSALM LV. iir 
 
 It is the conjedure of many expofitors, that David penned t^is 
 p-falm upon occa.fion of Abfalom's rebellion, and that the particular 
 enemy he here fpeaks of, that dealt treacheroufly with him, was Ahi- 
 thophel ; and fomc will therefore make David's troubles here typical 
 of Chriii's fufieriiigs, and Ahithophel's treachery a figure of Judas's, 
 becaufe they both hanged themfelves ; but there is nothing in it that 
 is particularly applied to Chrilt in the N^vv Teftament. David v/as 
 in great diltrefs when he penned this pfalm. ( i) He prays, that God 
 would manifeft his favour to him, and pleads his own foriow and 
 fear, ver. I, — 8. (a) He prays that God would manifefl his dif- 
 pleafure againft his enemies, and pleads their great wicktdncfs and 
 treachery, ver. 9, — is and agxiin ver. 20, 21. (3; Ke ailurcs him- 
 felf, that God would ib due tiiiie appear for him againfh his enemies, 
 comforts himfelf with the hopes of it, and encouragcth others to rruil 
 in God, ver. 16, — 19. and again, ver. 22,23. ^" ^i"gi^'g >his pfalm, 
 we may, if there be occafion, aj-ply it to our own troubles ; if not, v* e 
 may fympathize with thofe to whofe cafe it comes nearer, forefeeing 
 that there will be at lall indignation and wrath to the ptrfecutois, 
 falvatiou and joy to the perfecuied. 
 
 To the chief muriciaii on Ne^inoth, Mafchij, 
 A pfalfii of David. 
 
 1 T ORD, hear my prayer, hide not thyfelf 
 
 from my intreating voice : 
 
 2 Attend and hear me, in my plaint 
 I mourn and make a nolle. 
 
 3 Becaufe of th^ en'my's voice, and for 
 lewd men's oppreffion great ; 
 
 On me they caft iniquity, 
 and they in wrath me hate. 
 
 4 Sore pain'd within me is my heart : 
 death*s terrors on me fall. 
 
 5 On me comes trembling, fear, and dread 
 o'erwhelmed me withal. 
 
 6 O that I like a dove had wings, 
 faid I, then would I fly 
 
 Far hence, that I might find a place 
 where 1 in reft might be. 
 
 7 Lo, then far off I wander would, 
 and in the deikrt ftay ; 
 
128 F S A L M LV. 
 
 8 From windy ftorm, and tempeft I 
 would haile to 'I'cape away. 
 
 9 O lord, on them deiiru€lion bring, 
 and do their tongues divide: 
 
 For in the city violence 
 and flrife i have efpy'd. 
 
 10 They day and night upon the walls 
 do go about it round : 
 
 There milchief is, and forrow there- 
 in mid it of it is found. 
 
 1 1 Abundant wickednefs there is 
 within her inward part ; 
 
 And from her itreets, deceitfulnefs- 
 and guile do not depart. 
 
 12 He was no foe that me reproa.ch'd, 
 then that endure I could; 
 
 Nor hater that did 'gain ft me boafl:,. 
 from him me hide I would. 
 
 13 But thou, man, who mine equal, guide, 
 and mine acquaintance, waft. 
 
 14 We join'd fweet counfels, to God's houfe 
 in company we paft, 
 
 15 Let death upon them feize, and down 
 let them go quick to hell ; 
 
 For wickednefs doth much abound 
 among them where they dwell. 
 
 16 I'll call on God, God will me fave, 
 
 17 I'll pray and make a noife 
 
 At ev'ning, morning, and at noon 5 
 and he fhall hear my voice. 
 
 1 8 Fie hath my foul deliveredj 
 that it in peace might be. 
 
PSALM L\a. 1.2P 
 
 From battle that againft me was, 
 for many were with me. 
 
 19 The Lord fhall hear and them afflict 
 of old who hath abode : 
 
 Becaiife they never changes have, 
 therefore they fear not God. 
 
 20 'Gainft thofe that were at peace with him, 
 he hath put forth his hand : 
 
 The covenant that he had made, 
 by breaking he profan'd. 
 
 2 1 More fmooth than butter were his words, 
 while in his heart was war ; 
 
 His fpeeches were more foft than oil,, 
 and yet drawn fwords they are. 
 
 22 Cafl thou thy burden on the Lord, 
 and he fhall thee fuflain ; 
 
 Yea, he fhall caufe the righteous man 
 unmoved to remain. 
 
 23 But thou, O Lord my God, thofe men 
 in juftice (halt o'erthrow, 
 
 And in deftrudlion's dungeon dark 
 at laft fhall lay them low : 
 
 The bloody and deceitful mea 
 
 fliall not live half their days ; 
 But upon thee with confidence 
 
 1 will depend always* 
 
 PSALM LVL 
 
 It feems by this and many other pfalms, that even in times of th? 
 ^roitifl trouble und diftrcls, David never hung his harp upon the 
 willow-trees, never unftrung it, or laid it by; but v/hen his dangc-s 
 ^nd fears vfcre greateft, yet ftill he was in tune for iinging God's 
 praifes. He was in imminent peril, when he penned this pfulm, at 
 Isali wheii he meditated it.; yet even then his meditation of Gcd v/aj 
 
130 PSALM LVI. 
 
 fweet. (l) He complains of the malice of his enemies, and htgt 
 mercy for himfelf, and jullice againft them, ver. I, 2, 5, 6, 7. (2) 
 He confides in God, being affured that he took his part, comforting 
 himfelf with this, that therefore he wasiafe, and fhould be viiflorious,. 
 and that while he lived he Ihould praife God, ver. 3,4, 8, 13. How 
 pleafantly may a good Chriftian, in fmging this pfalm, rejoice in 
 God, and praiie him for what he will do, as well as for what he hftth. 
 ^one ! 
 
 To the chief mufician, upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, 
 Michtam of David, when the Philillines took hira- 
 in Gath. 
 
 1 gHE.^^ mercy. Lord, to me; for maa 
 
 would fwallow me outright ; 
 He me oppreffeth, while he doth 
 againft me daily fight. 
 
 2 They daily would me fwallow up>. 
 that hate me fpitefully ; 
 
 For they be many that go fight 
 againft me, O moft High. 
 
 3 When I'm afraid, I'll truft in thee : 
 
 fin God I'll praife his word ; 
 will not fear what flefli can do, 
 my truft is in the Lord. (thoughts 
 
 5 Each day they wreft my words, their 
 'gainft me are all for ill. 
 
 6 They m.eet, they lurk, they mark my fteps^. 
 waiting my ioul to kill. 
 
 7 But fhall they by iniquity 
 efcape thy judgment lo ? 
 
 O God, with indignation down 
 do thou the people throw. 
 
 8 My wand'rings all what they have been 
 thou know'ft ; their number took ; 
 
 Into thy bottle put my tears ; 
 are they not in thy book ? 
 
PSALM LVII. 131 
 
 9 My foes fhall, when I cry, turn back, 
 I know't, God is for me. 
 
 10 In God his word I'll praife : his word 
 in God fhall praifed be, 
 
 1 1 In God I truft, I will not fear 
 Whatman can do to me. 
 
 1 2 Thy VOWS upon me are, O God : 
 I'll render praife to thee, 
 
 13 Wilt thou not, who from death mefav'd, 
 my feet from falls keep free. 
 
 To walk before God in the light 
 of thofe that living be ? 
 
 PSALM LVIL 
 
 This pfalm IS very like that which goes next before it ; it was 
 jpenned upon a like occaiion, when David was both in danger of 
 trouble, and in temptation to fin ; it begins as that did, ' Be merci- 
 ful to me :' the method alfo is the lame, (l) He begins with pray- 
 er and complaint : yet not without fome affuranee of fpeeding in his 
 rcquefl, ver, i, — 6. (a) He cencludes with joy and praife, ver. 7, 
 II. So that from hence we may take direction and encouragement, 
 both in our fupplications, and in our thankfgivings, and may offer 
 both to God in finging this pfalm. 
 
 To the chief mufician, Al-tafchidi, Michtam of Divid/" 
 when he fled from Saul in the cave. 
 
 I "RE merciful to me, O God ; 
 
 thy mercy unto me 
 Do thou extend, becaufe my foul 
 
 doth put her truft in thee : 
 Yea, in the fhadow of thy wings 
 
 my refuge I will place^ 
 Until thefe fad calamities 
 
 do wholly overpafs. 
 
132 PSA L-M LVII. 
 
 2 My cry I will caufe to afcend 
 unto the Lord mofl: high, 
 
 To God, who doth all things for me 
 perform moft perfedly. 
 
 3 From heav'n he fhall fend down, and me 
 from his reproach defend, 
 
 That would devour me : God his truth 
 and mercy forth fhall fend. 
 
 4 My foul among fierce lions is, 
 I fire-brands live among ; 
 
 Men's fons, whofe teeth are fpears and darts, 
 a (harp fword is their tongue. 
 
 5 Be thou exalted very high 
 above the heav'ns, O God ; 
 
 Let thou thy glory be advanced 
 o'er all the earth abroad. 
 
 6 My foul's bow'd down ; for they a net 
 have laid, my fteps to fnare : 
 
 Into the pit which they have digg'd 
 for me, they fallen are. 
 
 7 My heart is fix'd, my heart is fix'd, 
 O God, I'll fingand praife. 
 
 8 My glory, wake, wake pfalt'ry, harp ; 
 myfelf I'll early raife. 
 
 9 I'll praife thee 'mong the people, Lord, 
 'mong nations fing will I. 
 
 10 For great to heav'n thy mercy is, 
 thy truth is to the fky. 
 
 1 1 O Lord, exalted be thy name, 
 above the heav'ns to fl:and : 
 
 Do thou thy glory far advance 
 above both fea and land. 
 
PSALM LVIII. 133 
 
 It is the probable conjc(9:ure of feme (Amyraldus particulaily) 
 that before Saul began to perfecute David by force of arms, and 
 raifed the militia to leize him, he formed a procefs againft him by 
 courfe of law, upon which he was condemned unheard, and attainted 
 as a traitor by the great council, or fupreme court of judicature, and 
 then proclaimed an outlaw, qvi caput gerit LUPiNUM,whom -. y 
 man might kill, and no man might protedl : and upon occafion of 
 paffing this bill of attainder, ■^vhich the elders did to curry favour 
 with Saul, David penned this pfalm ; wherein (l) He defcribes their 
 fin, and aggravates that, ver. I, — 5. (2) He imprecates and fore- 
 tels their ruin, and the judgments which the righteous God would 
 bring upon them for their injuftice, vcr. 6, — 9. Which would re- 
 dound, L. To the comfort of the faints, ver. 10. 2. To the glory 
 of God, ver. Ii. Sin appears here both exceeding finful and exceed- 
 ing dangerous, and God a juft avenger of wrong, with which ws 
 fhould be afFeCled in finging this pfalm. 
 
 To the chief mutician, AUtafchith, Michtam of 
 Davids 
 
 1 T)0 ye, O congregation, 
 
 indeed fpeak righteoufnefs ? 
 O ye that are the fons of men, 
 judge ye with uprightnefs ? 
 
 2 Yea, ev*n within your very hearts 
 ye wicked nefs have done ; 
 
 And ye the violence of your hands 
 do weigh the earth upon. 
 
 3 The wicked men eflranged are 
 ev'n from the very womb ; 
 
 They, fpeaking lies, do ftray as fooa 
 as to the world they come. 
 
 4 Unto a ferpent's poifon like 
 their poifon doth appear ; 
 
 Yea, they are like the adder deaf, 
 thatclofely flops her ear : 
 
 5 That fo fhe may not hear the voice 
 of one that charm her would, 
 
 Ko not though he moft cunning were, 
 and charm moft wifely could. 
 M 
 
134 PSALM LIX. 
 
 '6 Their teeth, O God, within their mouth 
 
 break thou in pieces final] ; 
 The great teeth break thou out, O Lord, 
 
 of thefe young lions all. 
 
 7 Let them like waters melt aw^ ay, 
 which downward ftill do flow : 
 
 In pieces cut his arrows all, 
 when he fhall bend his bow. 
 
 8 Like toafnail that melts away, 
 let each of them be gone ; 
 
 Like woman's birth untimely, that 
 they never fee the fun. 
 
 9 He (liall them take away, before 
 your pots the thorns can find, 
 
 Both living, and in fury great, 
 
 as with a ftormywind. 
 ID The righteous, when he vengeance fees, 
 
 he fhaU be joyful then : 
 The righteous one Ihall wafli his feet 
 
 in blood of wicked men. 
 
 s I So men Uiall fay, The righteous man •: 
 
 reward fhall never mils ; 
 And verily upon the earth 
 
 a God to judge there is. 
 
 PSALM LIX. 
 
 Th-ispfilm is of -the fame nature and fcope with fix or fev^n fore- 
 ^-oin- pfalms ; they arc all David's complaints of the malice of Ins 
 ^flemies, and of their cur'fed and cruel defigns agauiR h.m ; his 
 prayers and rrophecies agalnft them ; c^nd his comfort and conh- 
 dence in God as his God: the firft i^the language of nature, and 
 may be allowed ; the: fccond of a prophetical fpirit, locking torward 
 to Chrlft,;rod the encmiescf his kingdom, and therefore not to_ be 
 ^rawn into a precedent ; the third of grace, and a mofl holy ia.tn, 
 v/hkh cu-ht to he imitated by every one of us. In Uus pUlm, 
 
P S A L M LIX. r35^ 
 
 ,{l) He prays to God to defend and deliver him from his enc5n'Cs,re» 
 prtfcnting them as very ill men, barbarous, malicious, and atheifti- 
 c^l, ver. I, — 7. (2) He forefees and forete^ thcdeftratSlion of his- 
 enemies, tvhich he would give to God the glory of, vet, 8,-17. As- 
 far as it Ttppears that any oF the partiailar enemies of God's people 
 fail under thcfe characters, we may, in fmging this pfalm> read th«ir 
 doom, and forefee their ruin. 
 
 To the chief mufician, A!-tafchkh, Michtam of David : 
 wheiLSaul itni:, and they watched the houfe to kill 
 him. .:: 
 
 1 TV/T Y God, deliver me from thofe. 
 
 that are mine enemies ; 
 And do thou me defend from thofe.-^ 
 that up again ft me rife. /.W 
 
 2 Do thou deliver me from theni^ 
 that work iniquity ; 
 
 And give me fafety. from the merr 
 of bloody cruelty. 
 
 3 For lo, they for my foul lay wait : 
 the mighty do combine 
 
 •Againft me, Lord, not for my fault, 
 nor any fm of mine. 
 
 4 They run, and without fault in me 
 themfelves do ready make : 
 
 Awake to meet me with thy help, 
 and do thou notice take. 
 
 5 Awake, therefore, Lord God of hofts^, , 
 thou God of Ifrael, 
 
 To vifit heathen all : fpare none 
 that wickedly rebel. 
 
 6 At ev'ning they go to and fro ; 
 they make great poife and found- 
 Like to a dog, and often walk 
 
 about the city round. 
 
 y 
 
136 P S A L M LIX. 
 
 7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth, 
 and in their lips are fwords ; 
 
 For they do fay thus, Who is he 
 that now doth hear our words? 
 
 8 But thou, O Lord, fhalt laugh at them, 
 and all the heathen mock. 
 
 9 While he's in povv'r, Til wait on thee ; 
 for God is my high rock. 
 
 10 He of my mercy that is God, 
 betimes fliall me prevent : 
 
 Upon mine en'mies God fhall let 
 me fee mine heart's content. 
 
 1 1 Them flay not, left my folk forget ; 
 but fcatter them abroad 
 
 By thy ilrong pow'r ; and bring them down, 
 O thou our fhield, and God. 
 
 12 For their mouth's fin, and for the words 
 that from their lips do fly, 
 
 Let them be taken in their pride, 
 becaufe they curfe and lie. 
 
 13 In wrath confume them, them confume, 
 that fo they may not be ; 
 
 And that in Jacob, God doth rule, 
 to th' earth's end let them fee. 
 
 14 At ev'ning let thou them return, 
 making great noife and found 
 
 Like to a dog, and often walk 
 about the city round, 
 
 15 And let them wander up and down, 
 in feeking food to eat ; '^ 
 
 And let them grudge when they fhall not 
 be fatisfied with meat. 
 
PSALM LX. 137 
 
 16 Bat of thy pow'r I'll fing aloud, 
 at morn thy mercy praife : 
 
 For thou to me my refuge waft, 
 a tovv'r in troubrous days. 
 
 17 O God, thou art my ftrength, I will 
 fmg praifes unto thee ; 
 
 For God is my defence, a God 
 of mercy unto me. 
 
 P S ^ L M LX. 
 
 After many pfalms which David penned in a day of diftrefs, thif 
 comes, which was calculated for a day of triumph ; it was penned 
 after he v/as fettled in the throne, upon occafion of an illu trious 
 vidlory which God bleffed his forces with over i:he Syrians and 
 Edomites : it was when David was in the zenith of his profperity, 
 and the affairs of his kingdom feem to have been in a better pollure 
 than ever they were either before Qr after. See a Sam. viii 3, 13. 
 I Chron. xviii. 3, la, David, in profperity, was as devout as David 
 in adverfity. In this pfalm, (i) He reflects upon the ill {late of 
 the public intere ^3 for many years, in which God had been contend- 
 ing with them, ver. i, 2, 3. (z) He takes notice of the happy Z'uta 
 lately given to their affairs, ver. 4. .,3) He prays for the deliver- 
 ance of »^cd's Ifrael from their enemies, ver. 5. (4, He trvimphj 
 in the hope of their viftories over their enemies, and begs of God to 
 carry thtm on and complete thcra, vei. 6, — 12. la iinging rhis pfaim, 
 we may luvc an eye both to the ads of the ehu-ch, and to the ftatc 
 ©f our own fouls, both which have their Itruggles. 
 
 To the chief mufician upon Shuihan-edoth, Mlchtam 
 of David, to teach, when he drove with Aram-na* 
 haraini, and with Aram-2obah, when Joab returned 
 and imote of Edom in the valley of Salt, twelve 
 thoufand. 
 
 1 Q Lord, thou haft rejeded us, 
 
 and fcatter'd us abroad. 
 Thou juftly haft difpleafed been ; 
 return to us, O God. 
 
 2 The earth to tremble thou haft madCj 
 therein didft breaches make ; 
 
 M3 
 
 /_ 
 
138 PSALM LX. 
 
 Do thou thereof the breaches heal, 
 becaufethe land doth (hake. 
 
 3 Unto thy people thou hard things 
 haft fhew d, and on them fent ; 
 
 And thou haft caufed us to drink 
 wine of aftoniihment. 
 
 4 And yet a banner thou haft giv'n 
 to them who thee do fear : 
 
 That it by them, becaufe of truth, 
 difplayed may appear. 
 
 5 That thy beloved people may 
 deliver'd be from thrall, 
 
 Save with the pow'r of thy right hand, 
 and hear me when i call. 
 
 6 God in his holinefs hath fpoke, 
 herein I will take pleafure : 
 
 Shechem I will divide, and forth 
 will Succoth's valley meafure. 
 
 7 Gilead I claim as mine by right ; 
 Manafteh mine (hal. be ; 
 
 EpHraim is of mine head the ftrength ; 
 Jadah gives lavv's for me. 
 
 8 Moab's my waihing-pot, my fhoe 
 I'll over Edom throw ; 
 
 And over Paleftina's land 
 1 will in triumph go. 
 
 9 O who is he will bring me to 
 the c'ty fortify'd ? 
 
 O w^ho is he that to the land 
 of Edom will me guide ? 
 
 10 O God, which hadeft us caft off, 
 this thing wilt thou not do ? 
 
P S A L M LXI. 139 
 
 Ev'n thou, O God, which dideft not 
 forth with our armies go. 
 
 1 1 Help us from trouble ; for the help 
 is vain which man fupplies. 
 
 12 Thro' God we'll do great ads 5 he fhall 
 tread down our enemies. 
 
 PSALM LXI. 
 
 David in this pfa'm, as in many others, begins with a fad heart, 
 but concludes with an air of pleafantnefs ; begins with prayer? and 
 tears, but ends with fongs of praife. Thus the foul, by being lifted 
 up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itfelf. It Ihould feem David 
 was driven out and baniihed when he penned this pfalm, whether by 
 Saul o Abfalom is uncertain : fome think by Abfalorn, becaufe he 
 calls hinifelf the king, ver. 6. but that refers <"o the King MeiTiah. 
 David in this pfalm refolves to perfevere in his duty, encouraged 
 thereto both by experience and by his expec5laticns (i; He will call 
 upon God, becaufe God had protected him, ver i, 2, 3. (2) He will 
 call upon '^^od, becaufe God had provided well for him, ver. 4, 5. (3) 
 He will praife God, becaufe he had an aiTurance of the continuance of 
 God's ta- 00- to him, ver 0, 7, 2 So tKat in fingiT^f this plaha, we 
 may find that which is very expreilive bo:h cf our faith and of our 
 hope, of our pra>ers and of our praifes ; and foaie paffages in this 
 pfalm are very peculiar. 
 
 To the chief rnuficianuponNeginoth, A pfalm of David. 
 
 1 r^ God, give ear unto my cry, 
 
 unto my pray'r attend. 
 
 2 From th' utmoll: corner of the land 
 my cry to thee I'll fend, 
 
 What time my heart is overwhelm'd, 
 
 and in perplexity : 
 Do thou me lead unto the rock 
 
 that higher is than L 
 
 3 For thou hafi: for my refuge been 
 a fhelter by thy pow'r ; 
 
 And, for defence againft my foes, 
 thou hail been a ftrong towV, 
 
t40 PSALM LXIL 
 
 4 Within thy tabernacle I 
 for e-er will abide : 
 
 And, under covert of thy wingsr, 
 with confidence me hide. 
 
 5 For thou the vows that I did make^^ 
 O Lord my God, didft hear ; 
 
 Thou haft giv'n me the heritage 
 of thofe thy nam that fear. 
 
 6 A life prolong'd for many days 
 thou to the King (halt give : 
 
 Like many generations be 
 the years which he fhall live. 
 
 7 He in God's prefence his abode 
 for evermore fhall" have : 
 
 do thou truth and mercy both 
 prepare, that may him fave; 
 
 8 And fo will I perpetually 
 fmg praife unto thy name'; ' 
 
 That, having made my vows, I may 
 each day perform the fame. 
 
 P S A L M LXIL 
 
 This pfnlm ha? nothing in it dire<5l]y, either of prayer or praife » 
 nord< tu !t appear upon whcit occ fion it \ as penned, nor whether 
 upon ny pdrticu^r uccahon, whether mournful or joyfu'. But in 
 it, (ij Davia, with a great deal of pleafure, profcfleth his own con- 
 fidence in God, and dependence upon him, and encourageth himfetf 
 to ccntinu waiting on him, ver. i., — 7, (2) With a great deal of 
 earnellnefs he excites and encourageth others to truft in God like wife, 
 and not in any creature, ver. 8, — 12. And in finging it, we fhould 
 ftir up ourfeivestowait on God. 
 
 Tt' the chief mufician, to Jeduthun, A pfalm of David. 
 
 1 IVTY foul with expedation 
 
 depends on God indeerl : 
 My ftrength and my falvation doth 
 from him alone proceedt 
 
PSALM LXII. 74 1 
 
 2> He only my falvation is, 
 
 and my ftrong rock is he : 
 He only is my lure defence ; 
 
 much mov'd 1 fhall not be. 
 
 3 How long will ye againft a man 
 plot mifchief ? ye fhall all 
 
 Be flain ; ye as a tott'ring fence 
 fliall be, and bowing wall. 
 
 4 They only plot to call him down, 
 from his excellency : 
 
 They joy in lies ; with mouth they blefsj 
 but they curfe inwardly. 
 
 5 My foul, wait thou with patience 
 upon thy God alone : 
 
 On him dependeth all my hope 
 and expe(ftation. 
 
 6 He only my falvation is, 
 and my ftrong rock is he ; 
 
 He only is my lure defence : 
 1 (hall not moved be. 
 
 7 In God my glory placed is, 
 and my falvation fure : 
 
 lu God the rock is of my ftrength, 
 my refuge moll fecure. 
 
 8 Ye people, place your confidence 
 in him continually ; 
 
 Before him pour ye out your heart : 
 God is our refuge high. 
 
 9 Surely mean men are vanity, 
 and great men are a lie ; 
 
 In balance laid, they wholly are 
 more light than vanity. 
 
142 PSALM LXIII. 
 
 10 Trufl ye not in oppreffion, 
 in rohbVy be not vain ; 
 
 On wealth let not your hearts, when as 
 increafed is your gain. 
 
 1 1 God hath it fpoken once to me, 
 yea, this I heard again, 
 
 That power to ahnighty God, 
 alone doth appertain, 
 
 1 2 Yea, mercy alfo unto thee 
 belong?, O Lord, alone : 
 
 For thou according to his work 
 rewardeft every one. 
 
 '^ P S A L M~~LXIII. 
 
 This pfalm has in it as much of warmth and liveljr devotion, as 
 any of David's pfalms in fo little a compafs. As the fwceteft of 
 Paul's epiftles were thofe that bore date out of a prifon ; fo foinc of 
 the fweetell of David's pfalms, were thofe that were penned, as 
 this was, in a wiidernefs. That which grieved him mod in his 
 banifhment, was the want of public ordinances; thefe he here longs^ 
 to be rellorcd to the enjoyment of; and the prefent want did 'but 
 whet his appetite. ~Yet it is not the ordinances, but the God of the. 
 ordinances, that his heart is upon. And here we have, (i) His de- 
 fire towards God, ver. I, 2. [2) His efteem of God, ver. 3, 4. (3) 
 His fatisfadlion in God, ver. 5. (4-) His fecret communion with 
 God, ver. 6. (5) His joyful dependence upon God, ver. 7,8. ''6) 
 His holy triumph in God over his enemies, and in the affurance of his 
 ownfafety, ver. 9, 10, ii. A devout and pious foul has little need 
 of direcflion how to fing this pfalm, fo naturally doth it fpeak its 
 own genuine language ; and an unfandlified foul, that is upacqua'ntcd 
 and unafTeAed with divine things, is fcarce capable of finging it with 
 underftanding. 
 
 A pfalm of David, wh n he was in the wiidernefs of 
 Ju'^ah. 
 
 1 J^ORD, thee my God 111 early feek: 
 
 my foul doth thirli for thee ; 
 My flefli longs in a dry parch'd land^ 
 wherein no waters he : ■ 
 
 2 Th;n I thy power may hehold, 
 and brightaeis of thy face, 
 
PS A L M LXIV. J 43 
 
 As I have feen thee heretofore, 
 within thy holy place, 
 
 3 Since better is thy love than life, 
 my hps thee praife fhall give. 
 
 4 1 in thy name will lift my hands, 
 and blefs thee while \ live. 
 
 5 Ev'n as with marrow and with fat, 
 my foul (hall filled be ; 
 
 Then fliall my mouth, with joyful lips, 
 fmg praifes unto thee. 
 
 S When 1 do thee upon my bed 
 
 remember with delight. 
 And when on thee I meditate 
 
 m watches of the night : 
 
 7 In fhadow of thy Vs^ings Fll joy, 
 for thou mine help haft been. 
 
 8 My foul thee follows hard ; and me 
 thy right hand doth fuftain. 
 
 9 Who feek my foul to fpill, (hall fmk 
 down to earth's loweft room. 
 
 10 They by the fword (hall be cutoff, 
 and foxes prey become. 
 
 1 1 Yet (hall the king in God rejoice : 
 and each one glory ihall. 
 
 That fwear by him : but ftopt ihall be 
 the mouth of liars all. 
 
 PSALM LXIV. 
 
 The whole pfalm has reference to David's enemies, perfecutors, 
 and flanderers ; many fuch there were, and a great deal of troubl« 
 they gave him, almo'l all his days, fo that we need not guefs at any 
 particular occafion of penning this pfalm. (l) He prays to God to 
 prcfervc him from their malicious defigns againft him, vcr I, 2. (2) 
 He gives a very ill ch ra<Stcr of them, as men marked for ruin by 
 tiicii* own wickedricrs, vcr.^, — 6. (3) By the fpirit of prophecy he 
 
144 PSALM LXIV. 
 
 forctels their dcftruaion, which would redound to the glory of God, 
 and the encouragement of his people, ,ver. 7, — 10. In fmging this 
 pfalm, we nwifl obferve the effcA oi the old enmity that is in the feed 
 of the woman, againft the feed of the ferpent : and afTure ourfelves, 
 that the ferpent's head will be broken at lall, to the honour and ioy oi 
 the holy feed. 
 
 To the chief mufician, A pfalm of David. 
 
 1 W/^HEN I to thee my prayer make. 
 
 Lord, to my voice give ear ; 
 My life fave from the en my, 
 of whom I (land in fear. 
 
 2 Me from their fecret counfel hide, 
 who do live wickedly ; 
 
 From infurredion of thofe men 
 that work iniquity. 
 
 3 Who do their tongues with malice whet^ 
 and make them cut like fwords; 
 
 In whoib bent bows are arrows fet, 
 ev'n Iharp and bitter words. 
 
 4 That they may at the perfect man 
 in fecret aim their fhot : 
 
 Yea., fuddenly they dare at lum 
 to iioot, and fear it not. 
 
 5 In ill encourage they themselves : 
 and their fnares clofe do lay. 
 
 Together conference they liave ; 
 Who fliall them fee ? they fay. 
 
 6 They h:ive fearch*d out iniquities, 
 a perfect fearch they keep : 
 
 Of each of them the inward thought, 
 and very heart is deep. 
 
 7 God (hall an arrow (hoot at them, 
 and wound them fuddenly. 
 
 8 So their own tongue (hall them confound^ 
 who all them fee fhall fly* 
 
PSALM LXV. 14^ 
 
 g And on all men a fear fliall fall, 
 
 God's works they fliall declare ; 
 For they fhall wifely notice take 
 
 what thefe his doings are. 
 10 In God the rightepus Qiall rejoice, 
 
 and truft upon his might ; 
 Yea, they ihall greatly glory all, 
 
 in heart that are upright. 
 
 PSALM LXV. 
 
 In this pfalra we are dire<5led to give to God the glory of his 
 power end goodnefs, which appears, (i) In the kingdom of grace, 
 ver. r. hearing prayer, ver. 2. pardoning fin, ver. 3. fatlsfying the 
 fouls of the people, ver. 4. protedling and fuppcrting them, ver. 5. 
 (a) In the kingdom of providence, fixing the mountains, ver 6. 
 calming the fea, ver. 7. preferving the regular fucceffion of day and 
 night, ver. 8. and making the earth fruitful, ver. 9, — 13. Thefe are 
 bleflings we are all indebted to God for, and therefore may eaiily ac- 
 commodate this pfalm to ourfelves in finging of it. 
 
 To the chief mufician, A pfalm and fong of David. 
 
 I pRAISE waits for thee in Sion, Lord ; 
 
 to thee vows paid fhall be. 
 .2 O thou that hearer art of pray 'r, 
 all flefh {hall come to thee. 
 
 3 Iniquities, I muft confefs, 
 prevail againft me do : 
 
 But as -or our tranfgreffions, 
 them purge away ihalt thou. 
 
 4 Bleft is the man whom thou doft <:hoofe, 
 and mak'ft approach to thee ; 
 
 That he within thy courts, O Lord, 
 
 may ftill a dweller be. 
 We furely (hall be fatisfy'd 
 
 with thy abundant grace. 
 And with the goodnefs of thy houfe, 
 
 ev'nof thy holy place. 
 N 
 
14^ PSALM LXV« 
 
 5 O God of our falvation, 
 tbou, in thy righteoufnefs, 
 
 3j fearful works unto our pray'rs 
 
 thine anfwer doth exprefs : 
 Therefore the ends of all the earth, 
 
 and thofe afar that be 
 Upon the fea, their confidence^ 
 
 O Lord, will place in thee. 
 
 6 Who, being girt with pow'r^ fets faft, 
 by his great llrength, the hills ; 
 
 7 Who noife of feas, noife of their waves^ 
 and people's tumult ftills. 
 
 S Thofe in the utmoft parts that dwell, 
 
 are at thy ligns afraid : 
 Th' outgoings of the morn and ev'n 
 
 by thee are joyful made. 
 
 9 The earth thou vifit'ft, watVmg it, 
 
 thou mak'ft it rich to grow 
 With God's full flood ; thou corn prepar'ft 
 
 when thou provid'fl it fo. 
 I o Her rigs thou wat'reit plenteoufly^ 
 
 her furrows fettleft : 
 With ftiov^Vs thou dofther mollify, 
 
 her fpring by thee is bleft. 
 
 s 1 So thou the year moft lib'rally 
 
 doft with thy goodnefs crown j 
 And all thy paths abundantly 
 
 ofi us drop fatnefs down. 
 X 2 They drop upon the paftures wide, 
 
 that do in defarts lie, 
 The little hills on ev'ry fide 
 
 rejoice right pleafantly. 
 
PSALM LXVL i4gr 
 
 13 With flocks the paftures clothed hcy. 
 
 the vales with corn are clad j- 
 And now they fnout and (ing to thee^ 
 
 for thou haft made them glad. 
 
 PS ALM LXVL 
 
 This is a thankfgiving pfalir. ; and it is of fuch a general ufe and 
 application, that v/e need not fuppofe it penned upon any particular 
 occafion. All people arc here called upon to praife God (1) For 
 the general inftances of his fovereign dominion and power in ths 
 whole creation, ver. I, — 7. (z) For the fpecial tokens of his fa- 
 Tour to the church, his pecuTar people, ver. 8, — IZ. And then, (3) 
 The pfalmifl praifeth God for his own experiences of hit. goodnefsto 
 him in particular, cfpecially in anfwering his prayers, ver. 13, — 20, 
 If we have learned in every thing to give thanks for ancient and mo- 
 dern mercies, public and perfoual mercies, we fiialL know hew t* 
 fifig th's pfalm with grace and underflanding*. 
 
 To the chief mufician, A foncr or pfalm. 
 
 1 ^LL lands, to God in joyful founds 
 
 aloft your voices raife. 
 
 2 Sing forth the honour of his name, 
 and glorious make his praife. 
 
 3 Say unto God, How terrible 
 in all thy works art thou ? 
 
 Through thy great pow'r, thy foes to thee 
 fhali be conftrain'd to bow. 
 
 4 All on the earth fhall worfliip thee, 
 they (hall thy praife proclaim 
 
 In fongs : they ihall fing cheerfully 
 unto thy holy name. 
 
 5 Come, and the works that God hath 
 with admiration fee: [wrought^ 
 
 In's working to the fons of men 
 moft terrible is he. 
 
 6 Into dry land the fea he turn'd, 
 and thfey a paffage had, 
 
J4B PSALM LXVI. 
 
 Ev'n marching through the flood on foot, 
 there we in him were glad. 
 
 7 Heruleth ever by his pow'r, 
 his eyes the nations fee : 
 
 O let not the rebellious ones 
 lift up themfelves on high. 
 
 8 Ye people, blefs our God ; aloud 
 the voice fpeak of his praife : 
 
 9 Our foul in life who fafe preferves, 
 our foot from fliding ftays. 
 
 10 For thou didit prove and try us, Lord, 
 as men do filvertry; 
 
 1 1 Erought'ft us into -the net, and mad'ft 
 bands on our loins to lye. 
 
 ,1 2 Thou haft caus'd men ride o'er our heads : 
 
 and though that we did pafs 
 Through fire and water^ yet thou brought'fl 
 
 us to a wealthy place. 
 J 3 I'll bring burnt-cff'rings fo thy houfe ; 
 
 to thee my vows Til pay, 
 
 14 Which my lips utter'd, my mouth fpake, 
 w^hen trouble on me lay. 
 
 15 Burnt-Sacrifices of fat rams, 
 with incenfe, I will bring ; 
 
 Of bullocks and of goats 1 will 
 prefent an offering. 
 
 16 Ail that feaf God, come here, I'll tell 
 w^hat be did for my foul. 
 
 17 I with my mouth unto him cry'd, 
 my tongue did him extol. 
 
 18 If in my heart T fin regard, 
 the Lord me will not hear; 
 
P S A L INI LXVIL 149 
 
 19 But furely God me heard,. and to 
 my prayer's voice gave ear. 
 
 20 O let the Lord, our gracious God, 
 for ever blefl'ed be, 
 
 Who turned not my pray'r from him, 
 nor yet his grace from me. 
 
 PSA nr~Lxvii. 
 
 This pfalm relates to the church, and is calculated for the public. 
 Here is, (i) A prayer for the profperity of the church of Tfrae], 
 ver. I. (2) A prayer for the converfion of the Gentiles, and the 
 bringing of -them into the church, ver. 2, 3, 4, 5. (3) A profpeft 
 of happy and glor ous times when God fhall do this, ver. 6, 7. Thus 
 V'as thepfalmift carried out by the fpirit of prophecy, to foretel the 
 glorious eftate of the Chriftian church, in which Jews and Gentiles 
 fliould unite into one flock ; the beginning of which blefTed Work 
 ought to be the matter of our joy and praifc, and the completing of 
 it, of our prayer and hope, in finging this pfalm. 
 
 To the chief mufician on Neginoth, A pfalm or fong. 
 
 1 T ORD, blefs and pity us, 
 
 fhine on us with thy face : 
 
 2 That th' earth thy way, and nations all 
 may know thy faving grace.' 
 
 3 Let people praife thee, Lord, 
 let people all thee praife. 
 
 4 O let the nations be glad, 
 in fongs their voices raife. 
 
 Thou'ltjuftly people judge, 
 on earth rule nations all. 
 
 5 Let people praife thee, Lord, let them 
 praife thee, both great and fmall. 
 
 6 The earth her fruit fhall yield, 
 our God fhall bleffing fend. 
 
 7 God fhall us blefs, men fhall him fear 
 unto earth's utmoft end, 
 
 N3 
 
ISO ' PSALM LXVIIL 
 
 Another of the fame, 
 
 1 J^ORD, unto us be merciful, 
 
 do thou us alfo blefs ; 
 And gracioufly caufe fiiine on us 
 the brightnefs of thy face. 
 
 2 That fo thy way upon the earth 
 to all men may be known, 
 
 Alfo among the nations all 
 thy iaving health be fhown. 
 
 3 O let the people praife thee, Lord, 
 let people all thee praife. 
 
 4 O let the nations be glad, 
 and fmg for joy always ; 
 
 For rightly thou fhalt people judge, 
 and nations rule on earth. 
 
 5 Let people praife thee, Lord, let all 
 the folk praife thee with mirth. 
 
 6 Then (hall the earth yield her increafe, 
 God, our God blefs us fliall. 
 
 7 God (hall us blefs, and of the earth 
 the ends fhall fear him all. 
 
 PSALM LXVIIL 
 
 This is a moft excellent pfalm, but in many places the genuiri* 
 fcnfe is not eafy to come at : for in this, as in fome other fcripture.s|fcf 
 there are things dark and hard to be underilood. It c'oth not appear 
 when, or upon what occafion, David penned this pfalm ; but proba- 
 bly it v/as whtn, God having given him reft from all his enemic* 
 jound about, he brought the ark (which was both the token of God's 
 prefence, and a type of Chrift's mediation) from the houfe of Obed- 
 cdorn, to the tci t he had pitched for it in Zion ; for the firft words 
 are the prayer which Mofes ufed-at the removing of the ark, Numb. 
 X. 35. From this he is led, by the fplrit of prophecy, to fpeak of 
 glorious things concerning the MeiTiah, his afcenfion into htaven, 
 •nd the fetting up of his kingdom in the world (l) He begins with 
 ^tayer, both againfl God's enemies, ver. I, a, and for his people, 
 
PSALM LX^mi. 151 
 
 ver. 3. (2) He proceeds to praife, which takes up the reft of the 
 pfalm, calling upon all to praife God, ver. 4, 26, 32 ; and Tuggeiling 
 many things as matter for praife. I. The grea:ncfs and goodnefs of 
 God, ver. 4, 5, 6. 2. The wonderful works God had wroughc for 
 his people formerly, brmging them through the v^ilder^tfs, ver. 7, 8. 
 fettling them in Canaan, ver. 9, Jo. givmg them viclory over their 
 enemies, ver. II,' 12. and delivering tnemout of the hands of their 
 oppreflbrsjver 13, 14. 3. The fpccia' prefence of God in his church, 
 ver. 15, 16, 17. 4. The afcenfion of Chriil, ver. 18 and the lalva- 
 tion of his people by him, ver. 19, 20. (5) The victories which 
 Chrift would obtain over his enemies, and the favours he would be- 
 ftow upon his church, ver. 21, — 28. 6. The enlargement of the 
 church by the acceflion of the Gentiles to it, ver 29, 30, 31. And 
 fo he concludes the pfalm with an awful acknowledgment of the 
 glory and grace of God, ver. 32, — ^S' With ail thefe great things 
 we fhould endeavour to be duly affeded in fmging this plalra. 
 
 To the chief muficidn, A pfalm or long of David. 
 
 1 T ET God arife, and fcattered 
 
 let all his en mies be ; 
 And let al. thofe that do him hate, 
 before his prefeace flee. 
 
 2 As fmoke is driv n, to drive thou them; 
 as fire melts wax away. 
 
 Before God's face let wicked men 
 fo periih and decay. 
 
 3 But let the righteous be gladj 
 let them before God's fight 
 
 Be very joyful : yea, let them 
 rejoice with all their might. 
 
 4 To God fing, to his name fing praife : 
 extol him wath your voice, 
 
 Thai rides on heaven, by his name JAH 
 before his name rejoice. 
 
 5 Becaufe the Lord a father is 
 unto the fatherlefs : 
 
 God is the widow's judge, withia 
 his place of hoUnefs, 
 
152 PSALM LXVIII. 
 
 6 God doth the foUtary fet 
 
 in fam'lies :" and from bands 
 The chained doth free, but rebels do 
 inhabit pa ched lands. 
 
 7 O God, what time thou didft go forth 
 before thy people's face ; 
 
 And when through the great wildernefs 
 thy glorious marching was : 
 
 8 Then at God's prefence fhook the earth, 
 then drops from heav'n fell ; 
 
 This Sinai fhook before the Lord, 
 the God of Ifrael. 
 
 9 O God, thou to thine heritage 
 didft fend ^plenteous rain, 
 
 Whereby thou, when it weary was, 
 didft it refrelh again. 
 
 10 Thy congregation then did make 
 their habitation there : 
 
 Of thine own goodnefs for the poor, 
 O God, thou didft prepare. 
 
 1 1 The Lord himfelf did give the word^ 
 the word abroad did fpread ; 
 
 Great was the company of them 
 the fame who publifhed. 
 
 1 2 Kings of great armies foiled were, 
 and forc'd to flee away ; 
 
 And women who remain'd at home, 
 did diftribute the prey. 
 
 13 Though ye have li' n among the pots, 
 like doves ye fhall appear, 
 
 Whofe wings with filver, and with gold 
 whofe feathers cover'd are. 
 
PSALM LXVIII. 153 
 
 14 When there th' Ahnighty fcatter'd kings, 
 like Sa'mon's fnow 'twas white. 
 
 15 God's hill is like to Badian hill, 
 like Bafhan hill for height. 
 
 16 Why do ye leap, ye mountains high ? 
 this is the hill where God 
 
 Defires to dwell : yea, God in it 
 for ay will make abode. 
 
 17 God's chariots twenty thoufand are, 
 thoLifands of angels ftrong ; 
 
 In's holy place, God is, as in 
 mount Sinai them among. 
 
 18 Thou haft, O Lord, moft gfcrious 
 afcended up on high ; 
 
 And, in triumph victorious, led 
 
 captive captivity: 
 Thou haft recived gifts for men, 
 
 for fuch as did rebel : 
 Yea, ev'n for them, that God the Lord 
 
 in midft of them might dwell. 
 
 19 Bleft betheLord, who is to us 
 of our falvation God, 
 
 Who daily with his benefits 
 us plenteoufly doth load. ^ v 
 
 20 He of falvation is the Ga8^' 
 who is our God moft ftrong : 
 
 And, unto God the Lord, from death ^-j,^ 
 the iflues do belong. 
 
 2 1 Tut furely God fhall w-ound the head 
 of thofe that are his foes : 
 
 The hairy fcalp of him that ftill 
 ca in his trefpafs goes. 
 
154 PSALM LXVIIL 
 
 22 God fald, ray people I will bring 
 again from Bafhan hill : 
 
 Yea, from the fea's devouring deeps 
 them bring again I will : 
 
 23 That in the blood of enemies 
 thy foot imbru'd may be, 
 
 And of thy dogs dipt in the fame 
 the tongues thou mayeft fee. 
 
 24 Thy goings they have feen, O God, 
 the fteps of raajefty 
 
 Of my God, and my m'ghty King, 
 within the fand:uary. 
 
 25 Before went fingers, players next 
 on inftruments took way, 
 
 And them among the damfels were 
 that did on timbrels play. 
 
 26 Within the congregations 
 blefs God with one accord : 
 
 From IfraTs foimtain do ye blefs, 
 and praife the mighty Lord. 
 
 27 With their prince little Benjamin, 
 princes and counfel there 
 
 Ofjudah were, there Zebulun's 
 
 and Napht'li's princes were. (flrong 
 
 28 Thy God commands thy ftrength : make 
 wfiat thou wrought'ft for us. Lord. 
 
 29 For thy houfe at Jerufalem, 
 kings fliall the gifts afford. 
 
 30 The fpearmen's hoft, the multitude 
 of bulls, which fiercely look, 
 
 Thofe calves, which people have forth fent, 
 O Lord our God, rebuke, 
 
PSALM LXIX. 155 
 
 Till ev'ry one fubmit himfelf, 
 
 and lilver-pieces bring : 
 The people that delight in war 
 
 difperie, O God and King. 
 
 3 1 Tiiofe that be princes great, fhall then 
 come out of Egypt lands. 
 
 And Ethiopia to God 
 
 fhall foon ftretch out her hands. 
 
 32 O all ye kingdoms of the earth, 
 fing pnifes to this King, 
 
 For he is Lord that ruleth all, 
 unto him praifes fing. 
 
 2i To him that rides on heav'ns of heav'ns, 
 
 which he of old did found ; 
 Lo, he fends out his voice, a voice 
 
 in might that doth abound. 
 34 Strength unto God do ye afcribe ; 
 
 for his excellency 
 Is over Ifra-^1, his ftrength ^ 
 
 is in the clouds moil high. 
 
 2S Thou'rt from thy temple dreadful, Lord, 
 
 Ifra I's own God is he, 
 Who gives his people ftrength and pow'r : 
 
 O let God bleffed be. 
 
 PSALM LXIX. 
 
 David penned this pfalm when he was in affiiAicn ; and in it, (l) 
 He complains of the great diftrefs and trouble he was in, and ear- 
 neftly begs of God to relieve and fuccour him, vcr. I, 21. (2) He 
 imprecates the judgment of God upon his perfecutors, ver. 2a, — 29. 
 (3; He concludes with the voice of joy and praife, in an affurance 
 that God would help and fuccour him, and do well for the church, 
 vcr. 30,-36. Nov/, in this David was a type of Chrift, and divers 
 paflagcs in this pfalm are applied to Chrift in the New Teftament, 
 and are faid to have their accompliihment in him, ver. 4, 9, 21, and 
 ver. a a. xdcisxo the enemies of Chrift. So that (like the xiii. f falm.} 
 
15^ P S A L M LXIX, 
 
 it begins witli the humiliation, and ends with the exaltation of Chrift, 
 one branch of which was the deftrudlion of the Jewilh nation for 
 perfecuting him, which the imprecations here are predictions of. And 
 in finging this pfalm, we mufl have an eye to the fufFerings of 
 Chrift, and the glory that followed ; not forgetting the fuiferings of 
 Chrift, and the glory that fhall follow them ; for it may lead us to 
 think of the ruin referved for the perfecutors, and the reft referved 
 for the perfecutcd. 
 
 To the chief mufician upon Shofhannim, 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 gAVE me, O God, becaufe the floods 
 
 do fo environ me, 
 That ev'n into my very foul 
 come in the waters be. 
 
 2 I downward in deep mire do fink, 
 where Handing there is none : 
 
 I am into deep waters come, 
 where floods have o'er me gone. 
 
 3 I weary with my crying am, 
 my throat is alfo dry'd, 
 
 M ne eyes do fail, while for my God 
 I w^aiting do abide. 
 
 4 Thofe m.en that do, without a caufe, 
 bear hatred unto me. 
 
 Than are the hairs upon my head 
 in number more they be : 
 
 They that would me deflroy, and are 
 
 mine en'mies wrongfully. 
 Are mighty : fo, what I took not, 
 
 to render forc'd was I. 
 
 5 Lord, thou my folly know'ft, my fins 
 not cover'd are from thee. 
 
 6 Let none that wait on thee be fham'd, 
 Lord God of hofls, for me ; 
 
PSALM LXIX. dr|7 
 
 O Lord the God of Ifrael, 
 
 let none, who fearch do make, 
 And feek thee, be at any time 
 
 confounded for my fake. 
 
 7 For I have borne reproach for thee, 
 my face is hid with fhame, 
 
 8 To brethren ftrange, to mother's fons 
 an aUen I became. 
 
 9 Becaufe the zeal did eat me up, 
 which to thine houfe I bare ; 
 
 And the reproaches call at thee, 
 upon me fallen are. 
 
 10 My tears and fafts, t' afflld my foul 
 were turned to my fhame. 
 
 1 1 When fackcloth t did wear, to them 
 a proverb I became. 
 
 12 The men that in the gate do fit, 
 againft me evil fpake : 
 
 They alfo that vile drunkards were, 
 of me their fong did make. 
 
 13 But in an acceptable time, 
 my pray'r, Lord, is to thee : 
 
 In truth of thy falvation, Lord, ;- 
 
 and mercy great, hear me. 
 
 14 Deliver me out of the mire, 
 from finking do me keep ; 
 
 Free me from thofe that do me hate, 
 and from the waters deep. 
 
 15 Let not the flood on me prevail, 
 whofe water overflows ; 
 
 Nor deep me fwallow, nor the pit 
 her mouth upon me clofe. 
 o 
 
%^n PSALM LXIX. 
 
 i5 Hear me, O Lord, becaufe thy Iotc 
 
 and kindnefs is moil good ; 
 Turn unto me, according to 
 
 thy mercies muhitude. 
 %y Nor from thy fervant hide thy face; 
 
 I'm troubled, foon attend. 
 
 18 Di'aw near my foul, an^i it redeem; 
 me from my foes defend. 
 
 1 9 To thee is my reproach well known, 
 my fliame, and my difgrace: 
 
 Thofe that mine adverfaries be, 
 
 are all before thy face. 
 i20 Reproach hath broke my heart, I'm fuU 
 
 of grief; I look'd for one 
 To pity me, but none 1 found: 
 
 comforters found 1 none. 
 
 ^ I They alfo bitter gall did give 
 
 unto me for my meat : 
 They give me vinegar to drink, 
 
 when as my thirll was great. 
 122 Before them let their table prove 
 
 a fnare ; and do thou make 
 Their w^elfare and profperity 
 
 a trap themfelves to take. 
 
 23 Let thou their eyes fo dark'ned be, 
 that fight may them forfake : 
 
 And let their loins be made by thee 
 continually to fhake. 
 
 24 Thy fury pour thou out on them, 
 and indignation : 
 
 And let thy wrathful anger, Lord, 
 faft hold take them upon. 
 
P S A L M LXIX. »5^ 
 
 25 All wafte and defolate let be 
 their habitation ; 
 
 And in their tabernacles all 
 inhabitants be none. 
 
 26 Becauie him they do perfecute. 
 Whom thou didit finite before y 
 
 They talk unto the ^rief of rhofe 
 whom thou haft wounded fore^ 
 
 27 Add thou iniquity unto 
 their former wickednefs : 
 
 And do not let them com^ at all 
 into thy rightecufnefs. 
 
 28 Out of the bock of life let them 
 . be raz'd and blotted quite ; 
 Among the juft and righteous 
 
 let not their names be writ. 
 
 29 But now become excecuing poor 
 and forrowful am I : 
 
 By thy falvation^ O my God, 
 let me be fet on high. 
 
 30 The name of God I with a fong 
 moft chearfully will praife ; 
 
 And I, in giving thanks to him, 
 his name fhall highly raife. 
 
 31 This to the Lord a facrifice,. 
 more gracious fl:iall prove, 
 
 Than bullock, ox or any beaft, 
 that hath both horn and hoof. 
 
 32 When this the humble men fhall fee^. 
 itjoy to them (hall give: 
 
 O all ye that do feek the Lord, 
 your hearts fhall ever live. 
 
i6o PSALM LXX. 
 
 2,;if For God the poor hears, and will not 
 
 his prifoners contemn. 
 34 Let heav'n, and earth, and feas him praifc, 
 
 and all that move in them. 
 2,S For God will Jndah's cities build, 
 
 and he will Sion fave ; 
 That they may dwell therein, and it 
 
 in furc poffeffion have. 
 
 36 And they that are his fervant's feed 
 
 inherit fhall the fame ; 
 So fhall they have their dwelling there, 
 
 that love his blefled name. 
 
 PSALM LXX. 
 
 This pfalm is adapted to a flate of alHi^ion ; it k* copied J4Lvi'>{l 
 word for word from another pfalm ; and fome think for that rcsfo« 
 is intitled, ' A pfalm to bring to remembrance ;' for it may be oi ufc 
 fometimes to pray over the prayers we have formerly made to God, 
 upon the like occafions, which may be done with new affedlious Da- 
 vid here prays that God would fend, (i) Help to himfelf, ver. I, 5, 
 (2) Shame to his enemies, ver. 2, 3. (3) Joy to his friends, ver. 4. 
 Thefc five verfes were the five lall vcrfes of Pfal. xl. He feems to 
 have intended this lliort prayer to be both for himfelf and us,a falvc 
 for every fore, and therefore to be always in mind, and in finging 
 "we may apply it to our particular troubles, whatever they are. 
 
 To the chief mufician, A pfalm of David, 
 
 to bring to remembrance,. 
 
 1 T ORD, hafte me to deliver ; 
 
 with fpeed. Lord fucconr me. 
 
 2 Let them that for my foul do feek, 
 iham'd and confounded be ; 
 
 Turn'd back be they, and fliam'd, 
 that in my hurt delight. 
 
 3 Turn'd back be they, Ha, ha, that' fay, 
 their fhaming to requite. 
 
 4 In thee let all be glad, 
 and joy that feek for thee ; 
 
PSALM XXXI. ifl^ 
 
 i,ct them who thy falvation love, 
 
 fay (iill, God praiied be. 
 i; I poor and needy am ; 
 
 come Lord, and make no flay : 
 My helpthou and deliv>er art, 
 
 O Lord, make do delay. 
 
 Another of the fame,- 
 
 1 "^ylAKE hafte, O God, me to preferve;». 
 "^ 'with ipeed, Lord, fuccour me. 
 
 2 Let them that for my foul do feek^ 
 fliam'd and confounded be ; ^ 
 
 Let them be turned back, and fham'd, 
 that in my hurt delight. 
 
 3 Turn d back be they, Ha, ha, that fafj 
 their ihaming to requite. 
 
 4 O Lord, in thee let all be glad, 
 and joy that feek for thee : 
 
 Let them, who thy falvation love^ . 
 fay ftill, God praifed be. 
 
 5 But I both poor and needy am^ . 
 come, Lord, and make no ftay ;, 
 
 My help thou and deliv'rer art, 
 O Lord, make no delay. 
 
 ■^ P S ALM LXXL 
 
 David penned this pfalm in his old age, as appears hj fev^ral pafTi.^ 
 gesin it ; which makes many think it was penned at the time of Ab« 
 falom's rebellion ; for this was the great trouble of his latter days : it 
 might be occafioned by Sheba's infurredlion, or fame trouble that 
 happened to him in that part of his life, of which-it was foretold, 
 that the fvvord fhould not depart from his houfe. But he is hot over 
 particular in reprefenting his cafe, becaufe he intended it for the ge-» 
 neral ufe of God's people in their afilidlion, efpecially thofe they 
 meet with in their declining years ; for this pfalm, above any other, 
 is #tt€d fgr th€ ufs of the old difciple of Jefus Chrift. (i) He begin? 
 
 93 
 
162 PSALM LXXI. 
 
 the pfalm with believing prayers ; with prayers that God would deli- 
 ver him, and " fave him," ver. a, 4 ; and not " caft him off," ver, 9, 
 «r be " far from him," ver. 12. and that his enemies might be put to 
 Ciame, ver. 13. He pleads his confidence in God, ver. i, 3, 5, 7. the 
 experience he had had of help from God, ver. 6. and the malice of his 
 enemies againfl him, ver 10, ii. (z) He concludes the pfalm with 
 believing praifes, ver. 14, &c. Never was his hope more eftablifhcd, 
 ver. 16, 18, ao, ai. Never were his joys and thankfgivings more en- 
 larged, ver. 15, 19, 22, 25, 24. He is in an extacy of joyful praife, 
 and in the finging of it, we ftiould have our faith in God enco«ragedj 
 and uur hearts ralfed In blefling his holy name. 
 
 1 f^ Lord, my hope and confidence 
 
 is plac'd in thee alone : 
 Then let thy fervant never be 
 put to confufion. 
 
 2 And let me in thy righteoufnefs, 
 from thee deliv'rance have ; 
 
 Caufe me efcape, incline thine ear 
 unto me, and me fave. 
 
 3 Be thou my dwelling rock, to which 
 I ever may refort : 
 
 Thou gav'ft commandment me to fave, » 
 for thou'rt m.y rock and fort. 
 
 4 Free me, my God, from wicked hands, 
 hands cruel and unjuft. 
 
 5 For thou, O Lord God, art my hope, 
 and from my youth, my truft. 
 
 6 Thou from the womb didft hold me up : 
 thou art the fame that me 
 
 Out of my mother's bowels took, 
 I ever will praife thee. 
 
 7 To many 1 a wonder am ; 
 but thou'rt my refuge ftrong. 
 
 8 Fiird let my mouth be with thy praife 
 and honour, all day 'long. 
 
 9 O do not caft me off, -when as 
 old age doth overtake me j 
 
P S A L IVt LXXI. i<>3 
 
 And, when my ftrength decayed is, 
 then do not thou for fake me. 
 
 10 For thofe that are mine enemies, 
 againit me fpeak with hate : 
 
 And they together counfel take, 
 that for my foul lay wait. 
 
 1 1 They faid, God leaves him; him purfue 
 and take : none will him fave. 
 
 1 2 Be thou not far from me, my God : 
 thy fpeedy help I crave. 
 
 13 Confound, confume them, that unto 
 my foul are enemies : 
 
 Cloth'd be they with reproach and fhame 
 that do my hurt devife. 
 
 14 Bat I with expedation 
 will hope continually ; 
 
 And yet with praifes more and more 
 I will thee magnify. 
 
 15 Thyjuftice and lalvation 
 my mouth abroad fhall fhow, 
 
 Ev'n all the day ; for I thereof 
 the numbers do not know. 
 
 16 And I will conftantly goon 
 in flrength of God the Lord : 
 
 And thine own righteoufnefs, ev'n thine 
 alone, 1 v^ill record. 
 
 17 For, ev'n from my youth, O God, 
 by thee I have been taught: 
 
 And hitherto I have declar'd 
 the wonders thou haft wrought. 
 
 18 And now. Lord, leave me not, when I 
 old and grey-headed grow ; 
 
i6a p s a l m Lxxn. 
 
 Till to thisage and flrcngth, and powV- 
 to all to come I fhow. 
 
 19 And thy nioft pcrfe»5t ngliteoufnefs, - 
 O Lord, is very high, 
 
 Who hail fo great things done : O God, 
 who is like unto thee ? 
 
 20 TIiou, Lord, who great adverfilies, 
 and fore to me didd ihow, 
 
 SI all quicken and bring m.e again 
 from depths of earth below. 
 
 2 1 My greatnefs, and my pow'r, thou wilt 
 increai'e, and far extend : 
 
 On ev'ry fide, againfl: all grief 
 thou wilt me comfort lend. 
 
 22 Thee, ev'n thy truth Til alfo praife, 
 my God, with pfaltery : 
 
 Thou holy One of Ifrael, 
 with harp I'll fing to thee. 
 
 23 My lips fhall much rejoice in thee, 
 when I thy praifes found : 
 
 My foul which thou redeemed haft, 
 in joy fhall much abound. 
 
 24 My tongue thy juftice fhall proclaim^ . 
 continuing all day long ; 
 
 For they confounded are, and fham'd, 
 that feek to do me wrong. 
 
 PSALM LXXn. 
 
 The foregoing pfalm was penned by David when he was old, and 
 it fhould feem, fo was this too ; for Solomon was now flanding fair 
 for the crown ; that was his prayer for himfelf, this for his fon and 
 fuccelTor ; and with thcfe two, the prayers of David the fon of JeiTe 
 
 «ire ended, as we find in the clofe ^l this pf^Im. If-yye hiive but God's 
 
• PSALM LXXir. i5^ 
 
 f rcfence with us while we live, and good hopes concernitg thofethat 
 ihall come after us, that they ihall be praifin"- God on earth, while we 
 are praiiing him in heaven, it is enough. This is entitled, A Pl'alm 
 for Solomon : it is probable, David dictated it, or rather it was hy 
 the bleffed Spirit dictated to him, when, a little before he died, by 
 divine direction he fettled the fucccuion, and gave orders to proclaim 
 Solbmop king, I Kings i. 30. But though Solomon's name is here 
 made ufc of, Clirift's kingdom is iierc prophefied of, under the type 
 arid figure of Solomon's. David knew what the divine oracle was, 
 That * of the fruit of his loins, according to the flefh, he would raife 
 •up Chrill talit on his throne,' A6ls ii, 30. And to him he here bare 
 witnefs, and with the profped: of the glories of his kingdom he com- 
 forted himfeif in his dying moments, when he forefaw that his houfe 
 would not be fo with God, not fo great, not fo good, as he wiflied. 
 David in fpirit, (i) Begins with a fhort prayer for his fucceffor, vcr. 
 I. (2) He paffeth immediately into a long predidlion of the glorias 
 of his reign, ver.'2j — 17. And, (3) He concludes with praife to the 
 God of Ifracl, ver. 18, 19, 20. In finging this plalrn, we muft have 
 an eye to Chrift, praifmg him as a King, and plea6ng ourfdteft wiUi 
 •ur happiiieis as hisfubjecls. 
 
 ' A Pfalm for Solomon. 
 
 1 Q Lord, thy jadgrrients give the king^ 
 
 ^ his fon thy righteoufnefs. 
 
 2 With right he Ihall thy people judge, 
 thy poor with uprightnefs. 
 
 3 The lofty mountains fhall bring forth 
 unto the people peace ; 
 
 Likewife the little hills the fame 
 fhall do, by righteoufnefs. 
 
 4 The people's poor ones he Ihall judge^ 
 the needy's children fave : 
 
 And thofe lliall he in pieces'break, 
 who them opprefiTed have. 
 
 5 They (hall thee fear, while fun and moon 
 do lad:, through ages all. 
 
 6 Like rain or mown grafs he fliall drop, 
 or (how'rs on earth that fall. 
 
 7 The juft (hall flourifli in his days, 
 and profper in his reign : 
 
i66 PSALM LXXir. ^ 
 
 He fhall, while doth the moon endure 
 abundant peace maintain. 
 
 8 His large and great dominion fhall 
 from fea to fea extend : 
 
 It from the river (hall reach forth 
 unto earth's utmoft end. 
 
 9 They in the wildernefs that dwell, 
 bow down before him muft: 
 
 And they, that are his enemies, 
 Ihall lick the very duft. 
 
 10 The kings of Tarfhi(h, and the ifles 
 to him fliali prefents bring : 
 
 And unto him ihall offer gifts 
 Sheba's and Seba's king. 
 
 1 1 Yea all the mighty kings on earth 
 before him down iLali fal! ; 
 
 And all the nations of the world 
 do fervice to him fhall. 
 
 12 For he the needy fhall preferve,^ 
 when he to him doth call ; 
 
 The poor alfo, and him that hath 
 no help of man at all. 
 
 13 The poor man and the indigent^ 
 in mercy he fhall fpare ; 
 
 He fhall preferve alive the fouls 
 of thofe that needy are. 
 
 14 Both from deceit and violence,, 
 their foul he fhall fet free ; 
 
 And in his fight right precious 
 and dear their blood fhall be. 
 
 ic Yea, he fliall live, and giv'n to hlvtk- 
 Ihall be of Sheba's golds 
 
PSALM LXXIII. i6j 
 
 For him ftill fhall they pray, and he 
 Ihall daily be extoll'd, 
 
 16 Of corn an handful in the earth 
 on tops of mountains high, 
 
 With profp'rous fruit Ihall Ihake, like trees 
 on Lebanon that be. 
 
 The city fhall be flourilhing, 
 
 her citizens abound 
 In number fhall, like to the grafs 
 
 that grows upon the ground. 
 
 17 His name for ever fhall endure, 
 laft like the fun it fhall : 
 
 Men fhall be blefs'd in him, and blefs'd 
 all nations fhall him call. 
 
 1 8 Now blefTed be the Lord our God, 
 the God of Ifrael, 
 
 For he alone doth wond'rous works, 
 in glory that excel. 
 
 19 And blefTed be his glorious name 
 to all eternity ; 
 
 The whole earth let his glory fill : 
 Ara^n, fo let it be. 
 
 The Prayers of David the fon of JeJJe art ended-* 
 
 PSALM LXXIII. 
 
 I^is pfalm, and the ten that next fallow it, carry the name of 
 Afaph in the titles of them; if he was the penman of them (as many 
 think) we rightly call them pfalms of Afaph ; if -he was only the 
 <hicf mufician, to whom they were delivered, our marginal reading 
 is right, which calls them pfalms for Afaph. It is probable he penned 
 them ; for we read of the words of David, and of Afaph the feer, 
 which were ufed in praifing God in Hezekiah's time, 2 Chron. xxix. 
 30, Though the fpirit of prophecy, by facred fongs, defcended 
 chiefly on I>avid, who is therefoje ftiied the i'wcet pfalmiil of Ifrael 5 
 
1 68 P S A L M LXXII. 
 
 yet God put fome of that fpirit upon tliofe about him. This Is t 
 pfalm of great ule ; it gives us an account of the confiicS: which the 
 pialmilL had with a fl:rong temptation to envy the profperity of 
 wicked people. He begins his account with a facred principle, which 
 he held fail, and by the help of which he kept his ground, and car- 
 ried his point, ver. i. and then tells us, (i) Kow he got into the 
 temptation, ver. 2, — 14. (2) How he got out -of the temptation, 
 and gained a vicflory over it, ver. 15, — 20. (3) How he got by the 
 temptation, and was the better for it, ver. 21, — 28. And if, inTmg- 
 ing this pfalm, we fortify ourfelves againft the like temptation, we 
 do not ufc it in vain. The experiences of others lliould be our in- 
 llrudlions. 
 
 a; Pfalm of Afaph. 
 
 1 YE'T ^^^ is good to Ifrael, 
 
 to each pure-hearted one. 
 
 2 But as for me, my fteps near flipt, 
 my feet were al moll' gone. 
 
 3 For i envious was, and grudg'd 
 the foolifli folk to fee, 
 
 When I perceiv'd the wicked fort 
 enjoy profperity. 
 
 4 For fciil their ftrength continueth firm, 
 their death of bands is free : 
 
 5 They are not toil'd as other men, 
 nor plagu'd as others be. 
 
 6 Therefore their pride, hke to a chain, 
 them compaileth about ; 
 
 And, as a garment, violence 
 doth cover them throughout. 
 
 7 Their eyes ftand out with fat, they have 
 more than their hearts could wifh. 
 
 8 They are corrupt, their talk of wrong 
 both lew'd and lofty is. 
 
 9 They fet their mouth againft the heav'ns 
 in their blafphemous talk ; 
 
 And their reproaching tongue throughout 
 the earth at large doth walk. 
 
PSALM LXXIII. i6> 
 
 10 His people oftentimes for this 
 look back, and turn about ; 
 
 Sith waters of fo full a cup 
 to thefe are poured out. 
 
 1 1 And thus they fay, How can it be 
 that God thefe things doth know i 
 
 O J can their in the Higheft be, 
 knowledge of things below ? 
 
 12 Behold, thefe are the wicked ones, 
 yet profper at their will 
 
 In worldly things ; they do increafe 
 in wealth and riches ftilL. 
 
 1 3 I verily have done in vain 
 my heart to purify : 
 
 To no effed: in innocence 
 wafhed my hands have I. 
 
 14 For daily, and all day throughout, 
 great plagues I fuffer a have ; 
 
 Yea, ev'ry morning I of new '; 
 
 did chaRifements receive. 
 
 15 If in this manner foolifhly 
 to fpeak I would intend, 
 
 Thy children's generation, 
 behold, I fhould offend. 
 
 16 When I this thought to know, it waS 
 too hard a tiring for me : 
 
 1 7 Till to God's fandtuary I went, 
 .then I their end did fee. 
 
 1 8 AfTuredly thou didft them fet 
 a flipp'ry place upon : 
 
 Themfuddenly thou caftedft down 
 into deftruaion. 
 
 P 
 
170 . PSALM LXXIII. 
 
 19 How iria moment fuddenly 
 
 to ruin brought are they ! 
 With fearful terrors utterly 
 
 they are conium'd away. 
 10 Ev'n like unto a dream, when one 
 
 from fleeping doth arife : 
 So thou, O Lord, wiien thou awak'il, 
 
 their image fhalt defpife. 
 
 21 Thus grieved was my heart in me, 
 
 and me my reins oppreft : 
 12 So rude was I, and ignorant, 
 
 and in thy firht a bealt. 
 
 23 Nevertheleis continually, 
 O Lord, I am with thee : 
 
 Thoudoft me hold by my right-hand, 
 .and ftill upholdeft me. 
 
 24 Thou, with thy counfel, while I live, 
 wilt me condu(fl and guide ; 
 
 And to thy glory afterward 
 receive me to abide. 
 
 25 Whom have I in ihe heavens high, 
 but thee, O Lor^;, alone ? 
 
 And in the earth, whom 1 defire, 
 befidesthee, there is none. 
 
 26 My flefh and heart doth faint and fail, 
 but God doth fail me never ; 
 
 For of my heart God is theftrength, 
 and portion for ever. 
 
 27 For lo, they that are far from thee, 
 for ever periih lliall : 
 
 Them that a whoring from thee go, 
 thou haft deftroyed all. 
 
PSALM LXXIV. 171 
 
 28 But furely it is good for me, 
 
 that I draw near to God, 
 In God I truft, that ail thy works- 
 
 1 may declare abroad. 
 
 P S A L m7 LXXIV. 
 
 This pfalm darh fo particulariy deforibe the deitruc5^ion of Jetufa- 
 lem and the temp'e, by Nebuchadnezzar and the army of the 
 Chaldeans, and can fo hardly be applied to any other event we 
 meet with in the Jewilh hiftory, that interpreters incline to think, 
 either it was penned by David, or Afaph in David's time, with a 
 prophetical reference to that fad event ; which yet is not fo proba- 
 ble : or, that it was penned by anocher Afaph, that lived at the 
 time of the captivity, or by Jeremiah, (for it is of a piece with his 
 Lamentations,) or fome other prorhet, and after the return out of 
 captivity, was delivered to the fons of Afaph, who were called by 
 his name, for the puMic ftrvice of the church : and that was the 
 moft eminent family of the fingers in Ezra's time. See Ezra ii. 41. 
 and i:i. 10. Neh. xi. 17, zz. and xii. ^^5, 46. The deplorable cafe 
 of the peopl of God at that tiiae, is here fpread before the Lord, 
 and left with liim. The prophet, in the narie of the church. 
 ( :; Ptiis in v.(jn\pl.iin!:ig pk-us of the m;;"£ricb thty fuifjred, for the 
 quickening of their dcfnes in prayer, ver. T, — ii. (a) He puts in 
 comfortable .pleas for the encouraging of their faith in prayer, 
 ver. 12, — 17. (3) He concludes with divers petitions to God for 
 d.°liverances, ver. t8. — 23. In finging it, we raufl be affcdied with 
 the former dtfolations of the church, for we are members of the 
 fame body, and may apply it to any prefent diilreilss or defolation* 
 of any part of the Chriftian church. 
 
 M.fchi! of Af.ph. 
 
 1 Q God, why haft thou caft us off? 
 
 it is for evermore ? 
 Againft thy pafture-fheep why doth 
 thine anger Imoke fo fore ? 
 
 2 O call to thy rememberance 
 thy congrcgolion, 
 
 \Vhioh thou hail purchafed of old; 
 itill think the fame upon : 
 
 The rod of thine inheritance, 
 which thou redeemed haft ; 
 
172 PSALM LXXIV. 
 
 This Sion hill, v/hereln thou hadft 
 thy dv\^elling in times part. 
 
 3 To thefe long defolations 
 thy feet lift, do not tarry : 
 
 For all the ills thy foes have done 
 within thy fandtuary. 
 
 4 Amidft thy congregations 
 thine enemies do roar : 
 
 Their enfigns they fet up, for figns 
 of triumph, thee before. 
 
 5 A man was famous, and was had 
 in eftimation, 
 
 According as he lifted up 
 his axe thick trees upon. 
 
 6 But all at once with axes now, 
 and hammers they go to, 
 
 And down the carved work thereof 
 they break, and quite "undo. 
 
 7 They fired have thy fanftuary, 
 and have defil'd the fame. 
 
 By cafting down unto the ground 
 the place where dwelt thy name. 
 
 8 Thus faid they in their hearts. Let us 
 deftroy them out of hand : 
 
 They burnt up all the fynagogues 
 of God within the land. 
 
 9 Our figns we do not now behold ; 
 there is not us among 
 
 A prophet more, nor any one 
 that knows the time how long. 
 
 10 How long. Lord, fh all the enemy 
 thus in reproach exclaim ? 
 
PSALM LXXIT. 175 
 
 And fliall the adverfary thus 
 always blafpheme thy name ? 
 
 1 1 Thy hand, ev'n thy right-hand of might, 
 wliy doft thou thus draw back ? 
 
 O from thy bofom pluck it out, 
 for our deliv'rance fake. 
 
 12 For certainly God is my King, 
 ev'n from the times of old, 
 
 Working in mid ft of all the earth 
 falvation manifold. 
 
 13 The fea, by thy great pow'r, to part 
 afunder thou didft make : 
 
 And thou the dragons' heads, O Lord, 
 within the waters brake. 
 
 14 The leviathan's heads thou brak'ft ^ 
 in pieces, ar d didft give 
 
 Him to be meat unto the folk 
 in wildernefs that live. 
 
 15 Thou clav'ft the fountain and the floods 
 which did with ftreams abound : " 
 
 Thou dry'ft the mighty waters up, 
 unto the very ground. 
 
 16 Thine only is the day, O Lord, 
 thine alfo is the night : 
 
 And thou alone prepared haft 
 the fun and fhining light. 
 
 1 7 By thee the borders of the earth 
 were fettled ev'ry where : 
 
 The fummerand the winter both 
 by thee created were. 
 
 1 8 That th' enemy reproached hath, 
 O keep it in record ; 
 
 P3 
 
'174 PSA L M LXXV, 
 
 And that the foollfh people have 
 blafpliem'd thy name, O Lord, 
 
 19 Unto the multitude do not 
 thy turtle's foul dehver : 
 
 The congregation of thy poor 
 do not forget for ever. 
 
 20 Unto thy covenant have refpedl : 
 for earth's dark places be 
 
 Full of the habitations 
 of horrid cruelty. 
 
 21 O let^ot thofe that be opprefs'd, 
 rciurn aj^ain with flianie : 
 
 Lettlioie that poor ar«d needy are, 
 ^ivcpraile unto tliy name. 
 
 22 Do thou, O God, arife, and plead 
 the caufe that is thine own : 
 
 Eemenriber how thou art reproach'd 
 i\rA by the fooliih one. 
 
 23 Do not forget the voice of thofe 
 that are thine enemies : 
 
 Of thofe the tumult ever grows, 
 that do againft thee rife. 
 
 PSaTTm LXXV. 
 
 Though this pfalm is a*^tril;uttd to Afgph in the title, yet it doth 
 fo cxi'&iy agree with Davia's circurr/fiancefr at his coming to the 
 crjwn after the death of Saui, that moft interpreters apply it to that 
 juntfture, and fuppofe that either Afaph penned it in the pcrfon of 
 I)av»<iVa':> his poet-laureat ; probably, the lubftance of the pfalni was 
 feme fpcech which David made to a convention of the ftates, at his 
 acceOlon to the government, and that Afaph turned it into wfe,and 
 publifhed it in a poem, for the better fpreading of it among the peo- 
 ple ; br that David penned it, and delivered it to Afaph as precen- 
 tor of the temple. In this pfalm, (i) David returns God thanks for 
 bringing him to the throne, ver, I, 9. (2) He promifeih to lay 
 out hiiiifcif for the public good, in the ufc of the power God had 
 givu) him, ver. z; 3, 10. (3; He checks the infolcncc of thofe 
 
PSALM LXXV.t 175 
 
 that oppofed his coming to the throne, ver. 4, 5. (4) He fetcheth 
 a reaioii for all this from God's fovereign d<miinion in the aiTviirs of 
 the chlldien of men, vcr. 6, 7, 8. In jlnging this pf..im, we, mull 
 ^'vic to God the glory of all the revolutions of ftatcs and kingdoms, 
 bciLving; that they are all according to his counfei, and he v/ill make 
 them ail to work tor ihe good of his church, 
 'iotii.^ ctiict inu;iciaii, Al-tafchith, Apfalin or fong of 
 Af^iph. 
 
 1 T'O thee, O God, do we give thanks, 
 
 we dj give thanks to thee: 
 B^'ciufe thy vvond rous works declare 
 thy great name near to be. 
 
 2 i purpoie, when I fhali receive 
 the congregation, 
 
 That I ihalijiidginent uprightly 
 render to ev'ry one. 
 
 3 Diflblved is the land, witli all 
 that in the fame do dwell ; 
 
 But I the pillars thereof do 
 bear up, and 'llablifli well. 
 
 4 I to the foolifh people faid, 
 Do not deal fooliilily ; 
 
 And unto thofe that wicked are, 
 Lift not your liorn on high. 
 
 5 Lift not your horn on high, nor fpeak 
 
 6 with ftubborn neck. But know, 
 Til at not from eaft, nor weft, nor fouth, 
 
 promotion doth flow. 
 
 7 But God is judge : he puts dov^rn one, 
 and fets another up. 
 
 8 For in the hand of God moft high 
 of red wine is a cup : 
 
 'Tis full of mixture ; he pours forth, 
 
 and makes the wicked all 
 Wring out the bitter dregs thereof; 
 
 yea, and they drink them (hall. 
 
1^6 PSALM tXXVI. 
 
 9 But I for ever will declare, 
 I Jacob's God will praife. 
 
 10 All horns of lewd men I'll cut off; 
 but juft men's horns will raife. 
 
 PSA lnTTxxvi. 
 
 This palmfeems to have been penned upon occafion of fomc great 
 vlilory obtained by the church over fome threatening enemy or other, 
 and defig-ned to grace the triumph. The LXX call it A fong upon 
 the Afiyrians; from whence many good interpreters conjcdure, that 
 it was penned when Sennacherib's army, then beficging Jerufalem, 
 was entirely cut off by a deflroying angel, in Hezekiah's time ; and 
 feveral paffagcs in the pfaim are very applicable to that work of 
 wonder ; but there was a religious triumph upon occafion of another 
 vidlory in Jehcfliaphat's time, which might as well be the fubjedl of 
 the plalm, 2 Chron. xx. 28. And it might be called a fong of Afaph, 
 becaufe always fung by the fons of Afaph. Or it might be penned 
 by Afaph that lived in David's time, upon occafion of the many tri- 
 umphs with which God delighted to honour that reign. Upon occa- 
 fion of this^loriousvidory, whatever it was, (i) The pfalmifl con- 
 gratulates the happinefs of the church, in having God fo nigh, ver. 
 i> 2, 3. (z) He celebrates the glory of God's power, which this 
 was an illullrious inftance of, vcr. 4, 5, 6. (3) He infers from hence 
 what reafon all have to fear before him, ver. 7, 8, 9. And, (4) 
 What reafon his people have to trufl in him, and to pay their vows 
 to him, ver. 10, II, 12. It is a pfalm proper for athankfgiving day, 
 upon the account of public fucceffes, and not improper at other times, 
 beeaufe it is never out of feafon to glorify God for the great things he 
 has done for his church formerly, efpecially for the vi6lories of the 
 Redeemer over the powers of darknefs, which all thofc Old Tefla- 
 inent vi(5lories were types of, at leafl, thofe that are celebrated in 
 the pfelms. 
 
 To the chief mufician on Neginoth, A pfalm or fong 
 of Afaph. 
 
 1 TN Judah's land God is well known, 
 
 his name's in Ifrael great : 
 
 2 In Salem is his tabernacle, 
 in Sion is his feat. 
 
 3 There arrows of the bow he brake, 
 the ihield, the fword, the war. 
 
 4 More glorious thou than hills of prey, 
 more excellent art far. 
 
PSALM LXXVIL 177 
 
 5 Thofe that were flout of heart are fpoil'd, 
 they flept their fleep outright ; 
 
 And none of thofe their hands did find 
 that were the men of might. 
 
 6 When thy rebuke, O Jacob's God, 
 had forth againft them paft, 
 
 Their horfes and their chariots both 
 were in a dead fieep caft. 
 
 7 Thou, Lord, ev'n thou art he that (h^i^ 
 be fear'd, and who is he • "^^^ 
 
 That may ftand up before thy fight, 
 
 if once thou angry be ? (heard, 
 
 8 From heav'n thou judgment caus'd be 
 the earth was ftill with fear^^ 
 
 9 When God to judgment role, to fave 
 all meek on earth that were. 
 
 10 Surely the very wrath of man 
 unto thy praife redounds : 
 
 Thou to the remnant of his wrath . 
 wilt fet reftraining bounds. 
 
 1 1 Vow to the Lord your God, and pay, 
 all ye that near him be ; 
 
 Bring gifts and prefents unto him, 
 for to be fear'd is he. 
 
 12 By him the fp'rits (hall be cut off, 
 of thofe that princes are : 
 
 Unto the kings that are en earth, 
 he fearful doth appear. 
 
 PSALM TXXVII. 
 
 This pfalm, according to the method of many other pfalms, begins 
 with forrov/ful complaints, but ends with comfortable encourage- 
 Txiciits. The complaints feem to be of perfonal grievances, but the 
 
178 PSALM LXXVIL 
 
 encouragments relate to the public concerns of the church, fo that it 5» 
 not certa*n, whether it waspenned upon a perfonal or public account : 
 if they were private troubles that he wes groaning urder, it teacl eg 
 us, that what God has wrought for his churcl^ in general, may be im- 
 proved for the comfort of particular btlievers; if it was fome public 
 calamity that he is htre lamenting, his fpeiiking of it fo feelingly, a? 
 if it had been fome particular trouble of his own, Ihews how much 
 we fhould lay to heart the iritereils of the church of God, and make 
 them our own. One of the rabbins faith, this pfalm isfpoken in the 
 dialed: of the captives; and therefore fome think it was penned in 
 the captivity of Babylon. (l) The pfalmifl complains here of the 
 deep imprefuon which his troubles made upon his fpirits, and the 
 temptation he was in to defpair of relief, ver. i, — lo. (a) He tn- 
 courageth himfelf to hope that it w<iuld be well at laft, by the remem*- 
 brance of God's former appearances for the help of his people, of 
 which he gives feveral inftanccs, ver,' IT, to 20. In f.ngirg this 
 pfalm, we mufl take fhamc to ourfelves for all our finful djftrrfts of 
 God, and of his providence and promife, and give to him the gloiy 
 of his power and goodnefs, by a thankful commemoration of what 
 he has done for us formerly, and a cheerful dependence on him for 
 the future. 
 
 'J'o thi^ ' ^''^f'murci'Mi, to J'"Hur^^^^, A pf^lm of Afaph. 
 
 1 TJNTO the Lord I with my voice, 
 
 1 unto God did cry 
 Ev'n with my voice, and unto me 
 his ear he did apply. 
 
 2 1 in my trouble fought the Lord ; . 
 my fore by night did run 
 
 And ceafed not : my grieved foul 
 did confolation (hun. 
 
 3 1 to rememb'rance God did call, 
 yet trouble did remain ; 
 
 And overwhelm M my fpirit w^as^ 
 whi ft I did fore complain. 
 
 4 Mine eyes debarred irom reft and flcep, 
 thou makeft ftill to wake: 
 
 My trouble is lb great, that I 
 unable am to fpeak. 
 
 5 The day^ of old to mind I call'd, 
 and eft did tliiuk upon 
 
P S A L M LXXVII. 179 
 
 The times and 'ages that are paft 
 full many years agone. 
 
 6 By night my iong 1 call to mind, 
 and commiune with my heart, 
 
 My ip'rit did carefully enquire, 
 how I might eafe my imart. 
 
 7 For ever will the Lord call off, 
 and gracious be no more ? 
 
 8 Forever is his mergy gone? 
 fails his word evermore ? 
 
 9 Is't true, that to be gracious 
 t' e Lord forgotten hath ? 
 
 And that his tender mercies he 
 hath fliut up in his wTath ? 
 
 10 Then did I fay, That furely this 
 is mine infirmity : 
 
 I'll mind the years of the right hand 
 of him that is moft high. 
 
 1 1 Yea, I remember will the w^orks 
 performed by the Lord : 
 
 The w^onders done of old by thee, 
 I furely will record. 
 
 .1 2 I alfo will of all thy works 
 
 my meditation make. 
 And of thy doings to difcourfe 
 
 great pleafure I will take. 
 
 13 O God, thy w^y moft holy is 
 within thy fancluary : 
 
 And what god is fo great in pow'r, 
 as is our God moft high ? ^ 
 
 14 Thou art the God that w^onders 3oft 
 by thy right hand moft ftrong ; 
 
iSo P S A L M LXXVIII. 
 
 Thy mighty pow'r thou haft declared 
 the nations among. . 
 
 15 To thine own people with thine arm 
 thou didft redemption bring : ' 
 
 To Jacob's fons, and to the tribes 
 of Jofeph that do fpring, 
 
 16 The waters, Lord, perceived thee, 
 the waters faw thee well : 
 
 And they for fear afide did flee ; 
 the depths on trembling fell. 
 
 1 7 The clouds in water forth were pour'd, 
 found loudly did the fl^y : 
 
 And fwiftly through the world abroad, 
 thine arrows fierce did fly. 
 
 18 Thy thunder's voice alongft the heav'n 
 a mighty noife did make : 
 
 By light'nings light'ned was the world, 
 th' earth tremble did and fhake. 
 
 19 Thy way is in the fea, and in 
 the waters great thy path ; 
 
 Yet are thy footfteps hid, OlLord, 
 none knowledge thiereof hath. 
 
 20 Thy people thou didfl; fafely lead 
 like to a flock of fheep, 
 
 By Mofes' hand, and Aaron's thou 
 didft them condud and keep. 
 
 PSALM LXXVIIL 
 
 This pfalm is hiftorical; it is a narrative of the great mercies 
 God liad bcftowcd upon Ifraeli the great fins wherewith they had pro- 
 voked him, and the many tokens of. his difpkafure they had been 
 under for their fins. The pfalmift- be^3ni , in the foregoing pfalm, 
 to relate God's wonders of old, fdr bis own encouragement in a dif- 
 ficult time, there he broke off abruptly, but here refumes the fub- 
 je<Sl, for thefl|dification of the church, and enlargeth much upon it ; 
 Ihewing not only how good God had been :o them, which was am 
 
PSALM LXXVin. iSi 
 
 ^©arseft of farther iinifliing m-ercy ; but how bafely they had carried 
 -themfclves to God, wlilch juftified him in correding them as he did 
 at this time, and fcrcbade all complaints. Here is, (l) The preface 
 to this church-hillory, commanding the attention of the prefent age 
 to it, and recommending it to the flxidy of the generations to come, 
 ver. I, — 8. (2) The hiftory itfelf from Mofes to David; it is |-ut 
 into a pfalm or fong, that it might be the better remembered, and 
 tranfmitted to pofterity ; and that the finging of it might affect 
 them, with the things here related, more than they wouM be with 
 ■a bare narrative of them. The general fcope of this pfalm we have, 
 V2r. 9, 10, II. where notice is taken of the prefent rebukes they 
 were under, ver. 9. the fin v/hich brought them under thofe rebukes, 
 ver. 10. and the mercies of God to thein formerly, which aggra- 
 vated that fin, ver, ii. As to the particulars, we are h&re told, I. 
 What wonderful works God had wrought for them in bringing them 
 «ut of Egypt, ver. 12,^-16. providing for them in the v/ildcrnefs, 
 ver. 23, — 29. plaguing and ruining their enemies, ver. 43. to SS' 
 and at length putting them in poficllion of the land of promife, ver. 
 54, SS' *• How ungrateful they were to God for his favours to 
 them, and how many provocations chey were guilty of. How they 
 murmured againll God, and diftrufted him, ver. 17, — 20. and did 
 but counterfeit repentance and fubmiffion when he punifhed them, 
 ver. 34, — 37. thus grieving and tempting him, ver. 40, 41, 42. 
 how they affronted God with their idolatries after they came to 
 Canaan, ver. 56,57, 58. 3. How God had juftly punifhed them 
 for their fins, ver. 21, 22. in the wildernefs, making their fin their 
 punifliment, ver. 29, to ^■^. and now of late when the ark was taken 
 ;by the Philiftines, ver. 59, — 64. 4. How gracioufly God had fpared 
 them, and returned in mercy to them, notwithflanding their provo- 
 cations. He had forgiven them formerly, ver. 38, 39. and now of 
 late had removed the judgments they load brought upon themfelves, 
 and brought them under a happy efiablifliment both in church and 
 ftate, ver. 65, to 72. As the general fcope of this pfiflm may be o£ 
 ufe to us in the finging of it, to put us upon recollecfling what God 
 has done for us, and for his church formerly, and what we have done 
 againft him ; fo the particulars alfo may Ije of ufe to us, for warning 
 againft thofe fins of unbelief and ingratkude, which Ifrael of old was 
 notorioufly guilty of, and the record of which was preferved for our 
 •learning; thcfe things happened unto them for enfemples,' I Cor. 
 X. II. Heb. iv. ir. 
 
 Mafchil of Afaph. 
 
 I ^TTEND, my people, to my law, 
 
 thereto give thou an ear : 
 The words that from my mouth proceed, 
 
 attentively do hear. 
 j2 My mouth ihall fpeak a parable, 
 ^nd fayings4ark of old : 
 No. 4, '^ <i^ 
 
iH2 "TT SAL M LXXVIII. 
 
 3 The fame w hich we have heard and known, 
 and us our fathers told. 
 
 4 We alfo will them not conceal 
 from their pofterity : 
 
 Them to the generation 
 
 to <:ome declare will we : 
 The praifes of the Lord our God^ 
 
 and his almighty ftrength, 
 The wondrous works that he hath done, 
 
 we will fhew forth at length. 
 
 5 His teftimony and his law 
 in Ifr.i'l he did place, 
 
 And charg'd our fathers it to fhow 
 to their fucceeding race. 
 
 6 That fo the race which was to eome, 
 might wetl them learn and know ; 
 
 And Tons unborn, who (hould arife^ 
 might to their fons them fliow. 
 
 7 That they might fet their hope in God, 
 and fuffer not to fall 
 
 His mighty works out of their mind, 
 
 hut keep his precepts all ; 
 S And might not, like their fathers, be 
 
 a flifFrebellious race, 
 A race not right in heart ; with God 
 
 whofe fp'rit not ftedfaft was. 
 
 9 The fons of Ephra'm, who nor bows, 
 
 nor other arms did lack. 
 When as the day of battle was, 
 
 they faintly turned back. 
 JO They brake God's cov'nant, and refus'd 
 
 ia his commands to go. 
 
PSALM LXXVM. 183: 
 
 Ti His works and wonders they forgot^ 
 which he to them did fhow. 
 
 1 2 Things marvellous he brought to pafs^ 
 their fathers them beheld 
 
 Within the land of Egypt donCy 
 yea, ev'n in Zoan's field. 
 
 13 By him divided was the fea, 
 he caus'd them through to pafs j. 
 
 And made the waters fo to Hand 
 as like an heap it was* 
 
 14 With cloud by day 5, with light of fire 
 •all night he did them guide. 
 
 15 In defert, rocks he clave, and drink 
 as from great depths (upplyM. 
 
 16 He from the rock brought jlreams, likgi 
 made waters to run down. (floods 
 
 *7 Yet finning more, in defert they 
 provok'd the high^ft One. 
 
 18 For in their heart they tempted Godj 
 and, fpeaking with miftruft,. 
 
 5phey greedily did meat require 
 to fatisfy their luft. 
 
 19 Againft the Lord himfelf they fpake, 
 and murmuring, faid thus^ 
 
 A table in the wildernefs 
 can God prepare us I 
 
 20. Behold, he fmote the rock, and thence 
 
 came ftreams and waters great ; 
 But can he give his people bread ? 
 
 and fend them flelh to eat ? 
 21 The Lord did hear, and waxed wroth, 
 
 fo kindled was a flame 
 
i84 r S A L M LXXVIIL 
 
 'Gainft Jacob, and 'gainfl: Ifrael 
 up indignation came. 
 
 2 2 For they helievM not God, nor trufl 
 in his falvation had. 
 
 23 Though clouds above he did command^ 
 and heav'n's doors open made ; 
 
 24 And manna rain'd on them, and gave 
 them corn of heav'n to eat. 
 
 25 Man angels' food did eat, to them 
 he to the full fent meat. 
 
 26 And in the heaven he did caufe 
 an eaftern v;ind to blow ; 
 
 And by liis povv^er he let out 
 the foathern wind to go. 
 
 27 Then fiefli as thick as duft he made 
 to rain down them among ; 
 
 And feather'd fowls, like as the fand 
 which ly'th the Ihore along. 
 
 28 At his command, amidft their camp 
 thefe fhow'rs of flefh down fell, 
 
 All round about the tabernacles, 
 and tents where they did dwell. 
 
 29 So did they eat abundantly, 
 and had of meat their fill ; 
 
 For he did give to them what was 
 their own defire and will. 
 
 30 They from their luft had not efirang'd 
 their heart and their defire ; 
 
 But while the meat was in their mouths, 
 which they did fo require, 
 
 31 God's wrath upon them came, and flew 
 the fatteft of them all ; 
 
PSALM LXXVIIL 185 
 
 So that the choice of Ifrael, 
 o'erthrown by death, did fall. 
 
 52 Yet notwithftan^ng ofallthis, 
 
 they fmned ftill the more ; 
 And, tho' he had great wonders wrought^ 
 
 believ'd him not therefore. 
 2;^ Wherefore their days in vanity 
 
 he did confume and wafte ; 
 And by his wrath their wretched years • 
 
 away in trouble paft. 
 
 54 But when he flew them, then they did 
 
 to feek him fhew defire ; 
 Yea, they return'd, and after God 
 
 right early did enquire. 
 2,s And that the Lord had been their rock 
 
 they did remember then ; 
 Ev'n that the high almighty God 
 
 had their redeemer been. 
 
 36 Yet with their mouth they flatter'd him, 
 and fpake but fe^gnedly ; 
 
 And they unto the God of truth 
 with their falfe tongues did lie. 
 
 37 For tho' their wcrds were good, their heart 
 with him was not fincere : 
 
 Unftedfaft and perfidious 
 they in his cov'nant were. 
 
 38 But full of pity, he forgave 
 their fin, them did not flay : 
 
 Nor ftirr'd up all his wrath, but oft 
 his anger turn'd away. 
 
 39 For that they were but fading flefli, 
 to mind he did recal ; 
 
 93 
 
1 86 PSALM LXXVm. 
 
 A wind that paffeth foon away, 
 and not returns at all. 
 
 40 How often did they him provoke 
 within the wildernels ; 
 
 And in the defert did him grieve 
 with their rebellioufnefs ? 
 
 41 Yea, turning back, they tempted Ged, 
 and limits fet upon 
 
 Him, who in midft of Ifra'l is 
 the only holy One. 
 
 42 They did not call to mind his pow'r, 
 nor yet the day when he 
 
 Delivered them out of the hand 
 of their fierce enemy. 
 
 43 Nor how^ great figns in Egypt-land 
 he openly had wrought. 
 
 What miracles in Zoan's field . 
 his hand to pafs had brought. 
 
 44 How lakes and rivers ev'ry where 
 he turned into blood ; 
 
 So that no man nor beafl could drink 
 of flanding lake or flood. 
 
 45 He brought among them fwarms of flies, 
 which did them fore annoy; 
 
 And divers kinds of filthy frogs 
 he fent them to deilroy. 
 
 46' He to the caterpillar gave 
 
 the fruits of all their foil ; 
 Their labours he deliver'd up 
 
 unto the locufi's fpcil. 
 47 Their vines with hai^, their fycailiores 
 'he vi'ith the froft did blaflj 
 
PSALM LXXVIII. 187 
 
 48 Their beafts to hail he gave, their flocks 
 hot thunder-bolts did wafte. 
 
 49 Fierce burning wrath he on them caft, 
 and indignation ftrong ; 
 
 And troubles fore, by fending forth 
 ill angels them among. 
 
 50 He to his wrath made way, their foul 
 from death he did not fave ; 
 
 But over to the peftilence 
 the lives of them he gave. 
 
 5 1 In Egypt-land the firft-born all 
 he fmote down ev'ry w^here : 
 
 Amongil the tents of Ham, ev'n thofe 
 chief of their ftrength that were. 
 
 ^2 But his own people, like to iheep, 
 thence to go forth he made ; 
 
 And he amldft the wildernefs 
 them as a flock did lead. 
 
 ^2^ And he them fafely on did lead, 
 
 fo that they did not fear : 
 Whereas their en'mies by the fea 
 
 quite overwhelmed were. 
 54 To borders of his fan£tuary 
 
 the Lord his people led, 
 Ev'n to the mount, which his right hand 
 
 for them had purchafed. 
 
 ^^ The nations of Canaan, 
 
 by his almighty hand. 
 Before their face he did expel 
 
 out of their native land ; 
 Which for inheritance to them 
 
 by line he did divide, 
 
iS8 PSALM LXXVIIL 
 
 And made the tribes of Ifrael 
 within their tents abide. 
 
 ^6 Yet God moft high they did provoke, 
 
 and tempted ever ftill, 
 And to obferve his teftimonies 
 
 did not incline their will. 
 
 57 But like their fathers turned back, 
 and dealt unfaithfully : 
 
 Afide they turned, like a bow 
 that fhoots deceitfully. 
 
 58 For they to anger did provoke 
 him with their places high ; 
 
 And v>^ith their graven images 
 mov'd him to jealoufy. 
 
 59 When God heard this, he waxed wroth,, 
 and much loth'd Ifra'l then : 
 
 60 So Shiloh's tent he left, the tent 
 which he had plac'd with men : 
 
 61 And he his ftrength delivered 
 into captivity, 
 
 He left his glory in the hand 
 of his proud enemy. 
 
 62 His people alfo he gave o'er 
 unto the fword's fierce rage : 
 
 £0 fore his wrath inflamed was 
 againii his heritage. 
 
 6 3 The fireconfum'd their choiceyoung men : 
 their maids no marriage had. 
 
 64 And when their priefts fell by thefword, 
 their wives no mournintj made. 
 
 65 But then the Lord arofe as one 
 that doth from fleep awake j 
 
PSALM LXXVIII. 189 
 
 And like a giant, that by wine 
 refrefh'd, a fhout doth make : 
 
 66 Upon his en'mies' hinder parts 
 he made his ftroke to fall: 
 
 And fo upon them he did put 
 a (hame perpetual. 
 
 67 Moreover, he the tabernacle 
 of Jofeph did refufe : 
 
 The mighty tribe of Ephraiin 
 he would in no wife chufe. 
 
 68 But he did chufe Jehudah's tribe 
 to be the reft above ; 
 
 And of mount Sion he m.ade choice, 
 which he fo much did love, 
 
 69 And he his fanduary built, 
 like to a palace high, 
 
 Like to the earth, which he did found 
 to perpetuity. 
 
 70 Of David, that his fervant was, 
 he alfo choice did make ; 
 
 And even from the folds of Iheep 
 
 was pleafed him to take. * 
 
 7 1 From waiting on the ewes with young, 
 he brought him forth to feed 
 
 Ifrael his inheritance, 
 his people Jacob's feed. 
 
 72 So after the integrity 
 he of his heart them fed ; 
 
 And by the good fkill of his hands 
 tl;iem wifely governed. 
 
190 PSALM LXXIX. 
 
 This pfalm, if penned with any particular event in view, is with 
 mod probability made to refer to the deftrudlion of Jerufalem and the 
 temple, and the woful havock made of the Jewifh nation by the 
 Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar. It is fet to the fame tune, as I 
 may fay, with the lamentations of Jeremiah, and that weeping prci- 
 phet borrows two verfcs out of it, (ver. 6, 7.) and makes ufe of 
 them in his prayer, Jer. x. 25. Some think it was penned long be- 
 fore by the fpirit of prophecy, prepared for the ufe of the church, in 
 that cloudy and dark day : Others, that it was penned then l)y the 
 fpirit of prayer, cither by a prophet named Afaph, or feme other 
 prophet for the fons of Afaph. Whatever the particular occafion 
 was, we have here, (j) A rtprefentation of the very deploiable con- 
 dition that the people of God were in at this time, ver. I, — 5. (2) A 
 petition to God for fuccour and relief; that their enemies might be 
 reckoned with, ver. 6, 7, 10, 12. that their fins might be 
 pardoned, ver. 8, 9. and that they might be delivered, ver. II. (3) 
 A plea taken from the readinefs of his people to praife him, ver. 13. 
 In times of the church's peace and profperity, thib pfalm may, in the 
 fmging of it, give us occafion to blefs God, that we are not thus 
 trampled on and infulted : but it isefpecially feafonable in a day of 
 treading down and perplexity, for the exciting of our dcfires to- 
 wards God, and the encouragement of our faith in him as the 
 church's patron. 
 
 A Pfalm of Afaph. 
 
 1 r\ God, the heathen enter'd have 
 
 thine heritage, by them 
 Defiled is thy houfe ; on heaps 
 they laid Jerufalem. 
 
 2 The bodies of thy fervants they 
 have caft forth to be meat 
 
 To rav'nous fowls, thy dear faints' flefii 
 they gave to beafls to eat. 
 
 3 Their blood about Jerufalem 
 like water they have n»ed : 
 
 And there w^as none to bury them^ 
 when they were flain and dead. 
 
 4 Unto our neighbours a reproach 
 moft bafe become are we : 
 
 A fcorn and laughing-flock to thein 
 that round about us be; 
 
PSALM LXXIX. 191 
 
 5 How long, Lord, (hall thine anger laft ? 
 wilt thou ftill keep the fame ? 
 
 And (hall thy fervent jealoufy 
 burn like unto a flame ? 
 
 6 On heathens pour thy fury forth, 
 that have thee never known, 
 
 And on thofe kingdoms which thy name 
 have never call'd upon. 
 
 7 For thefe are they who Jacob have 
 devoured cruelly, 
 
 And they his habitation 
 have caufed wafte to lie. 
 
 8 Againft us mind not former fms : 
 thy tender mercies fliow. 
 
 Let them prevent us fpeedily, 
 for we're brought very low. 
 
 9 For thy name's glory, help us, Lord, 
 who haft our Saviour been ; 
 
 Deliver us, for thy name's fake 
 O purge away ourfm. 
 
 I o Why fay the heathen,Where s their God ? 
 
 let him to them be known, 
 When thofe who fhed thy fervants' blood 
 are in our fight o'erthrown, 
 
 I I O let the pris'ners' fighs afcend 
 before thy fight on high : 
 
 Preferve thofe in thy mighty pow'r, 
 
 that are defign'd to die. 
 12 And to our neighbour's bofom caufc 
 
 it fev'nfold render'd be, 
 Ev'n the reproach v>^herewith they have, 
 
 O Lord, reproached thee. 
 
- ip2 P S A L M LXXX. 
 
 13 So we thy folk, and pafture-fheep, 
 
 fhall give thee thanks always : 
 And unto generations all 
 
 we will fhew forth thy praife. 
 
 P S A L ]Vr~LXXX. 
 
 This pfalm is much to the fame purpofe with the next forcgoin|r; 
 fome think ic was penned upon occafioii of the defolution and capti- 
 vity of the ten tribes, as the foregoing pfahn of the two. But many 
 were the diflreffes of the Ifrael of God, many perhaps which are not 
 recorded in the facred hiilory, fome whereof might give occafion for 
 the drawing up this pfalm, which is proper to be fung in the day of 
 Jacob's trouble ; and if, in fmging of it, we exprefs a true love for 
 the church, and a hearty concern for its intereft, with a firm con- 
 fidence in God's power to help it out of its greatefl difireffes, we 
 make melody with our hearts to the Lord. The pfalmill here, (i) 
 Begs for the tokens of God's prefence with them, and favour to 
 them, ver. I, 2, 3. (2) He complains of the prefent rebukes they 
 were under, ver. 4, — 7. (3) He illuftrates the prefent defolations 
 of the church, by the comparifon of a vine and a vineyard which had 
 flouriflied, but was now dcflroyed, ver. 8, — i^. (4) He concludes 
 with prayer to God for the preparing of mercy, ver. 17, 18, 19. 
 This, as many pfalms before and after, relate to the public interefts 
 of God's Ifrael, which ought to lie nearer to our hearts, than any fe- 
 cular intereft of our own. 
 
 To the chief mufician upon Shofliannim, Eduth, A 
 pfahn of Afaph. 
 
 1 T-JEAR, IfraTs fhepherd, like a flock 
 
 thou that dofl Jofeph guide ; 
 Shine forth, O thou that doft between 
 the cherubims abide. 
 
 2 In Ephraim's and Benjamin's, 
 and in Manaffeh's light, 
 
 O come for our falvation, 
 
 flir up thy ftrength and might. 
 
 3 Turn us again, O Lord our God, 
 and upon us vouchfafe 
 
 To make thy countenance to fhine, 
 and fo we Ihall be fafe* 
 
PSALM LXXX. 153 
 
 4 O Lord of hofts, almighty God, 
 how long fhall kindled be > 
 
 Thy wrath againft the prayer made 
 by thine own folk to thee ? 
 
 5 Thou tears of forrow giv'ft to them^ 
 inftead of bread, to eat : 
 
 Yea, tears inftead of drink thou giv'ft 
 to Jthem in meafure great. 
 
 6 Thou makeft us a ftrife unto 
 our neighbours round about : 
 
 Our enemies among themfelVes 
 at us do laugh and flout. 
 
 7 Turn us again, O God of hofts, 
 and upon us vouchfafe 
 
 To make thy countenance to fliine, 
 and {o we fhall be fafe. 
 
 8 A vine from Egypt brought thou haftj 
 by thine out-ftretched hand : 
 
 And thou the heathen out didft caft, 
 to plant it in their land. 
 
 9 Before it thou a room didft make, 
 where it might grow and ftand ; 
 
 Thou caufed it deep root to take, 
 and it did fill the land. 
 
 10 The mountains vail'd were with its fhadej 
 as with a covering ; 
 
 Like goodly cedars were the boughs 
 which out from it did fpring. 
 
 1 1 Upon the one hand, to the fea 
 her^boughs flie out did fend ; 
 
 On th' other fide, unto the flood 
 her branches did extend. 
 R ' 
 
1^4 PSALM LXXX. 
 
 12 Why haft thou then thus broken down, 
 and ta'en her hedge away, 
 
 So that ail pailengers do pluck, ; 
 
 and make of her a prey ? 
 
 13 The boar who from the foreft comes, 
 doth wafte it at his pleafure ; 
 
 The wild beaft of the field alfo 
 devours it out of meafure. 
 
 14 O God of hofts, we thee befeecTi, 
 return now unto thine ; 
 
 Look nown from heav'n in love, behold 
 and vifit this thy vine : 
 
 1 5 This vineyard which thine own right-hand 
 hath planted us among ; 
 
 And that fame branch, which for thyfelf 
 thou haft made to be ftrong. 
 
 16 Burnt up it is with flaming fire, 
 it alfo is cut down : 
 
 They utterly are perifhed 
 when as thy face doth frown. 
 
 17 O let thy hand be ftill upon 
 the man of thy right-hand, 
 
 The Son of man, whom for thyfelf 
 
 ■thou madeft ftrong to ftand. 
 iS So henceforth we will not go back, 
 
 nor turn from thee at all : 
 O do thou quicken us, and we 
 
 upon thy name will call. 
 
 19 Turn us again, Lord God of hofts, 
 
 and upon us vouchfafe 
 To make thy countenance to ftiine, 
 
 and fo we Ihall be fafe. 
 
PSALM LXXXI. i^n 
 
 This pfalm was penned, as is fuppofed, not upon occ^fion of any 
 particular providence, but for the fokmnity of a particular ordinance^ 
 either that of the new-moon in general, or that of the feaft of trum- 
 pets, on the new-moon of the 7th month, JLev. xxiii. 24. Numb. 
 xxix. I. When David, by the Spirit, introduced the finging of pfalms 
 into the tcmple-fervice, this pfalm was intended for that day, to ex- 
 cite and afiiil the proper devotions of it. All the pfalms are profit-, 
 able ; but if one pfalm be more fuitablc than another to the day, 
 and the obfervances of it, we fnould choofe that. The two great 
 intentions of our religious aflemblies, and which we ought to have 
 in our eye, in our attendance on them, are anfwered in this pfalm, 
 which are to give glory to God, and to receive inftruAion frona 
 God; to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his tem- 
 ple ; accordingly, by this pfalm, we are affifted, on our folemn 
 feaft-days, (i) In praifmg God, for what he is to his people, ver. 
 1,2, 3. and has done for them, ver. 4, — 7. (2) In teaching and 
 admonifhing one another, concerning- the obligations we lie under to 
 God, ver. 8, 9, 10 the danger of revolting from him, ver. 11, 12. 
 and the happinefs we ihould have, if we v/ould hut keep clofe to 
 him, Tcr. 13, — 16. This, though fpeaking primarily of Ifrael of 
 old, is written for our learning, and is therefore to be fung wirh ap- 
 plication. 
 
 To the chief muficlan upon Gitt'ith, A pfalm of Afaph. 
 
 1 QING loud toGodourftrength: with joy 
 
 to Jacob's God do (ing. 
 
 2 Take up a pfalm. the pleafant harp, 
 timbrel and pfalt'ry bring. 
 
 3 Blow trumpets at new-moon, what day 
 our feaft appointed is. 
 
 4 For charge to Ifra'l, and a law 
 of Jacob's God was this. 
 
 5 To Jofeph this a teRimony 
 he made, when Egypt land 
 
 He travell'd through, where fpeechi heard 
 I did not underiiand. 
 
 6 His ihoulder 1 from burdens took, 
 his hands from pots did free. 
 
 7 Thou didft in trouble on me call, 
 and I deUver'd thee : 
 
 R 2 
 
tg6 PSALM LXXXI. 
 
 In fecret place of thundering 
 
 I did thee anfwer make ; 
 And at the ftreams of Meribah 
 
 of thee a proof did take. 
 
 8 O thou my people, give an ear, ' 
 I'll teftify to thee : 
 
 To thee, O Ifra 1, if thou wilt 
 but hearken unto me. 
 
 9 In midfl of thee there fhall not be 
 any ftrange god at all ; 
 
 Nor unto any god unknown 
 thou bowing down fhalt fall. 
 
 I o I am the Lord thy God, which did 
 
 from Egypt land thee guide ; 
 I'll fill thy mouth abundantly, 
 • do thou it open wide. 
 
 I I But yet my people to my voice 
 would not attentive be ; 
 
 And ev'n my chofen Ifrael 
 he would have none of me. 
 
 12 So to the lull of their own hearts 
 1 them delivered : 
 
 And then in counfel of their own 
 they vainly wandered. 
 
 33 O that my people had me heard, 
 Ifra'l my w^ays had chofe ! 
 
 14 I had their en'mies foon fubdu'd, 
 my hand turn'd on their foes. 
 
 15 The haters of the Lord, to him 
 fubmiflion fhould have feign'd : 
 
 But as for them, their time fhould have 
 for evermore remained. 
 
P S A L M LXXXir. 197 
 
 16 He fliould have alio fed them with 
 
 the fin eft of the wheat : 
 Of honey from the rock, thy fill 
 
 I fliould have made thee eat. 
 
 PSALM LXXXIL 
 
 This pfalm is calculated for the meridian of princes, courts, and 
 couris of jufticc, not in Ifrael orjty,but in other nations; yet it wag 
 probably penned primarily, for the ufe of the ii"iagifi;rate3 of Ifrael, 
 the great Sanhedrim, and others their ciders that were in places of 
 power, and, periiaps, by David's diredion. This pfalm is, defigned 
 to make kiiigs Vv'ife, and ' to inftrud: the judges of the earth,' as 
 Pfal. ii. 10. to tell them their duty, as s Sam. xxii. 3. and tell them 
 of their faults, as Pfal. Iviii. I. We have here, (i; The dignity of 
 n^agiftracy, and its dependence upon God, ver. I. (2) The duty of 
 magiilrates, ver 3, 4. (3) The degeneracy of bad magiftrates, 
 and the mifchief they do, ver. 2. 5. (4) Their doom read, 
 ver. 6, 7. (5) The defire and prayer of all good people, that 
 the kingdom of God may be fet up more r.nd more, ver. 8. Though 
 magiftrates may raoR: clofely apply this pfalm to themfeives, yet we 
 may any of us fing it with underftanding, when we give glory to 
 God in fmging it, asprefidmg in all public affairs, providing for tke 
 protcsflion of injured innocency, and ready to punifh the m.ofl 
 powerful injuftice, and when we comfort ourfelves with the belief 
 of his prefent govermcnt, and with the hopes of hisfutupe judgment, 
 
 A pfalm of Afaph. 
 
 iTN gods' affembly God doth ftand : - 
 he judgeth gods among. 
 
 2 Hov¥ long, accepting perfons vileg. 
 will ye give judgment wrong ? 
 
 3 Defend the poor and fatherlefs : 
 to poor opprefs*d do right. 
 
 4 The poor and needy ones fet free : 
 rid them from ill men's might. 
 
 5 They know not, nor will underftand f 
 in darknefs they walk on ; 
 
 All the foundations of the earth 
 out of their courfe are gonei 
 R 3 
 
198 PSALM LXXXIIL 
 
 6 I faid that you are gods, and are 
 fons of the Higheft all : 
 
 7 But ye (hall die like men, and as 
 one of the princes fall. 
 
 8 O God, do thou raife up thyfelf, 
 the earth to judgment call : 
 
 For thou, as thine inheritance, 
 fhalt take the nations all. 
 
 PSALM LXXXIir. 
 
 Thispfalm is the lafl of thofe that go under the H'ame of Afaph; 
 St is penned, as mofl of thofe, upon a public account, with refer- 
 ence to the infults of the church's enemies, that fought its ruin ; 
 ibme think, it was penned upon occafion of the threatening defccnt 
 v^hich was made upon the land of Judnh in Jehofhaphat's time, by 
 the Moabites and Ammonites,, thofe children of Lot, here fpoken of 
 ver. 8. who were at the head of the alliance, and to whom ail the 
 other flates here meniicncd, were auxiliaries; we have the flory, 
 ^ Chron. xx. I. where it is faid, the children of Moab and Amnion, 
 and others befides them, invaded the land Others think, it was 
 .jrenned with reterence to all the confederacies of the neighbour-na- 
 tions againft ifrael, from firfl^ to lafl. The pfalmift here makes an 
 appeal and application, (i) To God's knowledge, by a remon- 
 ilrance of their" defigns and endeavours to deftroy Ifrael, ver. i,— - 
 }?. (2) To God's jufiice and jealoufy, both for his church, and for 
 his own hoijour, by an carneft prayer for the defeat of their at- 
 tempt, that tke church inight be preferved, the enemies humbled, 
 and God glorified, \ tr. 9, — 18. 1 his, in the ftnging of it, we mij 
 apply to the enemies of the gofpcl-church, all Antichriflian powers 
 and fa«fl:ions, repi efcnting to God their confederacies againft Chiilt 
 and hisTiingdom, and rejoicing in hopes that ail their projcAs w.ll 
 te baffled, and the gates of kcli fhalinot prevail againft the church^ 
 
 A fong or pfalm of Afaph. 
 
 1 J^EEP not, O God, v/e thee intreat, 
 
 O keep not filcnce now : 
 Do thou not hold thy peace, O God, 
 and ftill no more be thou. 
 
 2 For lo, thine enemies a noife* 
 tumultuoufly have made ; 
 
PSALM LXXXIII. 199 
 
 And they that haters are of thee, 
 have Ufted up the head. 
 
 3 Agahift thy chofen people they 
 do crafty counfel take, 
 
 And they againft thy hidden ones 
 do confultations make. 
 
 4 Come, let us cut them off, faid they, 
 from being a nation ; 
 
 That of the name of Ifra 1 may 
 no more be mention, 
 
 5 For with joint heart they plot ; in league 
 againft thee they combine. 
 
 6 The tents of Edom, IfhmaTites, 
 Moab's, and Hagar's line. 
 
 7 Gebd,and Ammon, Amaiek, 
 Philiftines, thofe of Tyre ; 
 
 8 And Affiir join'd with them : to help 
 Lot's children they confpire, 
 
 9 Do to them, as to Midian, 
 Jabin at Kifon ftrand ; 
 
 ID And Sis'ra, w^hich at Endor fell, 
 as dung to fat the land. 
 
 1 1 Like Oreb, and like Zeeb make 
 their noble men to fall : 
 
 Like Zeba and Zalmunna-like, 
 make thou their princes all : 
 
 1 2 Who faid, For our poffeffion 
 let us God's houfes take. 
 
 1 3 My God, them like a wheel, as chaff 
 before the wind them make. 
 
 14 As fire confumes the wood, as flame M 
 doth mountains fet on fire ; 
 
200 P S A L M LXXXIV, 
 
 15 Chafe and afFright them with the ftorm. 
 and tempeil of thine ire. 
 
 16 Their faces fill with fhame, O Lord, 
 
 that they may feek thy name. 
 
 1 7 Let them confounded be, and vex'd, 
 and periih in their fhame : 
 
 i 8 That men may know, that thou to whom 
 . alone doth appertain 
 The name Jehovah, doft moft high 
 o'er all the earth remain. 
 
 PSALM LXXXIV. 
 
 Though David's name be not in the tJile of tliis pfalm, ypt we 
 have reafon to think he was the penman of it, becaufe it breathes io 
 much of his excellent fpirit, and is fo like to the fixty-third pfahn, 
 which was penned by him; it is fuppofed, that David penned this 
 pfalm, when he was forced by Abfalom's rebellion to quit his city, 
 which he lamented his abfence from, not fo much becaufe it was the 
 royal city, as becaufe it was-the holy city ; witnefs this pfalm, which 
 contains the pious breathi¥^;-Qfa^racious foul after God, and com- 
 munion with him. Though it-'Bi? Rot itititled, yet it may fitly be 
 looked upon as a pfalm or fong for the Sabbath-day, the day of our 
 folemn affemblies. The Pfalmift here, with great devotion, espreff- 
 cth his afFedion, (i) To the ordinances of God ; his value for them, - 
 ver. I. defire towards them, ver. 2, 3. his convi(5Jjon of the hap- 
 plnefs of ihofe that did enjoy them, ver. 4. to 7. and his placing 
 his own happinefs fo very much in the enjoyment of them, ver. 10. 
 (z) To the God of the ordinances; his defire towards him, ver. 8, 9. 
 his faith in him, ver. II. ap.d his convidtion of the happinefs of thofe 
 that put their confidence in him, ver. la. In finging this pfalm, we- 
 fhould have the fame devout aiFciflions working towards P94 that 
 David had, and then the finging of it wiU be very pleafan.t. 
 'io the chief mufician upon Gittith, A pfahn for the 
 fons of Korah. 
 
 1 XJOW lovely is thy dwelling-place, 
 
 O Lord of hofts, to me ! 
 The tabernacles of thy grace, 
 how pleafaiit Lord, they be ! 
 
 2 My thirfty foul longs veh'mently^ 
 
 yea, faints thy courts to fee ; i -* 
 
PSALM LXXXIV. 2<xv 
 
 My very heart and flefh cry out, 
 O living God, for thee. 
 
 3 Behold, the fparrow findeth out, 
 an houfe wherein to reft. 
 
 The fwallow alfo for herfeif 
 
 hath purchafed a neft, 
 Ev'n thine own altars, where (he fafe 
 
 her young ones forth may bring ; 
 O thou Almighty, Lord of hofts, 
 
 who art my God and King. 
 
 4 Blefs'd are they in thy houfe that dwell, 
 they ever give thee praife. 
 
 5 Blefs'd is the man whofe ftrength thou art^ 
 in whofe heart are thy ways. 
 
 6 Who, paffing thorough Baca's vale, 
 therein do dig up wells ; 
 
 Alfo the rain that falleth down 
 the pools with water fills. 
 
 7 So they from ftrength unweary'd g© 
 ftill forward unto ftrength, 
 
 Until in Zion they appear, 
 before the Lord at length. 
 
 8 Lord God of hofts, my prayer hear : 
 O Jacob's God, give ear. 
 
 9 See, God our fhield, look on the face 
 of thine anointed dear. 
 
 20 For in thy courts one day excels 
 
 a thoufand : rather in 
 My God's houfe will I keep a door, 
 
 than dwell in tents of fin. 
 1 1 For God the Lord's a fun and fhield : 
 
 he'll grace and glory give : 
 
202 PSA L M LXXXV. 
 
 And will with- hold no good from thena 
 that uprightly do live. 
 
 1 2 O thou that art the Lord of hofts, 
 
 that man is truly bleft, 
 Who by afliired confidence 
 
 on thee alone doth reft. 
 
 PSALM LXXXV. 
 
 Interpreters are generally of opinion, that this pfalm was penned 
 after the return of the Jews out of their captivity in Babylon, when 
 they ftill remained under fome tokens of God's difpleafurc, which they 
 here pray for the removal of. And nothing appears to the contrarrr, 
 but that it might be penned then, as well as Pfal. cxxxvii. They 
 are the public interefts that lie near the Pfalmifl's heart, here, and 
 the pfalm is penned for the great congregation. The church was 
 here in a deluge, above were clouds, below were waves, every thing 
 was dark and difmal ; the church is like Noah in the ark, between 
 life and death, between hope and fear; being fo, (i) Here is the 
 dove fent forth in prayer. The petitions are, againft fin and,wrath, ver. 
 4. and for mercy and grace, ver. 7. the pleas are taken from former 
 favours, ver, i, 2, 3. and prefent diftreffes, ver. 5, 6. (a) Here it 
 the dove returning with an oHve branch of peace and good tidings ; 
 the Pfalmift expeds her return, ver. 8. and then recounts the fa- 
 vours to God's Ifrael, which by the fpirit of prophecy he gave af- 
 furance of to others, and by the fpirit of faith he took tlie af- 
 furance of to himfelf, ver. 9, — 13. In fmging this pfalm, we may 
 be aflifted in our prayers to God, both for his church in general, and 
 for the land of our nativity in particular. The former part will be 
 of ufe to dire<5t our defires ; the latter to encourage cut faith and 
 hope in thofe prayers. 
 
 To the chief muficlan, A pfalm for the fonsof Korah. 
 
 1 r\ Lord, thou haft been favourable 
 
 to thy beloved land : 
 Jacob's captivity thou haft 
 recaird with mighty hand. 
 
 2 Thou pardoned thy people haft 
 all their iniquities ; 
 
 Thou all their trefpafles and fins 
 haft covered from thine eyes. 
 
P S A L M LXXXVI. 2C3 
 
 3 Thou took'ft ofFall thine ire, and turn'dft 
 from thy wrath's furioufneis. 
 
 4 Turn us, God of our health, and caufe 
 thy wrath 'gain ft us to ceafe. 
 
 5 Shall thy difpleafure thus endure 
 againft us without end ? 
 
 Wilt thou to generations all 
 thine anger forth extend ? 
 
 6 That in thee may thy people joy, 
 wilt thou not us revive ? 
 
 7 Shew us thy mercy. Lord, to us 
 do thy falvation give. 
 
 8 I'll hear what God the Lord will fpeak, 
 to his folk he'll fpeak peace, 
 
 And to his faints : but let them not 
 return to fooliihnefs. 
 
 9 To them that fear him, furely near 
 is his falvation ; 
 
 That glory in our land may have 
 her habitation. 
 
 10 Truth met with mercy, righteoufnefs 
 and peace kifs'd mutual y. 
 
 1 1 Truth fprings from earth, and rightoouf- 
 looks down from heaven high. [nefs 
 
 1 2 Yea, what is good the Lord ihall give : 
 our land ihall yield increafe. 
 
 13 Juftice, tofet us in hisfteps, 
 ihall go before his face. 
 
 P S A L A/f LXXXVL 
 
 This pfalm is entitled a prayer of David ; probably it was not 
 penned upon any particular occafion, but was a prayer he often ufed 
 himfelf, and recommended to others for their ufe, efpecially in a 
 day of afilidion. Man-y think that David penned this prayer a* a 
 
13^ P S A L M LXXXVr. 
 
 type of Chrifl, ' who, in the diys of his flefh, offered up flrong 
 cries,' Keb. v. 7. David in this prayer, (according to the nature 
 of that duty,) (i) Gives glory to God, ver. 8, 9, 10, 12, 13. (2) 
 Seeks for grace and favour from God; that God would hear his 
 prayers, ver. I, 6, 7. preferve and iave him, and be merciful to 
 him, ver. a, 3, 16. and that he would give him joy and grace, and 
 flrcngth, and put'hcnour upon him, ver 4, ii, 17. he pleads God's 
 goodnef^, ver. 5, 15. and the malice of his enemies, ver. 14. la 
 finging this, we mufc, as David did, lift up our fouls to God witk 
 application. 
 
 A prayer of David. 
 
 1 r\ Lord, do thou bow down thine ear, 
 
 and hear me gracioufly : 
 Becauie I fore afflidled am, 
 and am in poverty. 
 
 2 Becaufe I'm holy, let my foul 
 by thee preferved be : 
 
 O thou, my God, thy fervant fave 
 that puts his truft in thee. 
 
 3 Sith unto thee I daily cry, 
 
 be merciful to me. ♦ 
 
 4 Rejoice thy fervant's foul : for, Lord, 
 I lift my foul to thee. 
 
 5 For thou art gracious, O Lord, 
 and ready to forgive ; 
 
 And rich in mercy, all that call 
 upon thee to relieve. 
 
 6 Hear, Lord, my pray'r : unto the voice 
 of my requeft attend. 
 
 7 In troublous times I'll call on thee : 
 for thou wilt anfwer fend. 
 
 8 Lord, there is none among the gods 
 that may with thee compare, 
 
 And hke the works which thou haft done, 
 not any work is there. ' 
 
PSALM LXXXVI. 205 
 
 9 AH nations vv^hom thou mad'ft, fhall come 
 and worfhip rev'rently 
 
 Before thy face : and they, O Lord, 
 thy name fhall glorify. 
 
 10 Becaufe thou art exceeding great, 
 and works by thee are done 
 
 Which are to be admir'd ; and thou 
 art God thyfelf alone. 
 
 11 Teach me thy way, and in thy truth, 
 O Lord, then walk will I : 
 
 Unite my heart, that I thy name 
 may fear continually. 
 
 1 2 O Lord my God, with my whole heart 
 to thee I will give praife : 
 
 And I the glory will afcribe 
 unto thy name always. 
 
 13 Becaufe thy mercy toward me 
 in greatnefs doth excel ; 
 
 And thou deliver'd haft my foul 
 out from the loweft hell. 
 
 14 O God, the proud againft me rife, 
 and vi'lent men have met, 
 
 That for my foul have fought 5 and thee 
 before them have not fet. 
 
 15 But thou art full of pity Lord, 
 a God moft gracious : 
 
 Long-fuffering, and in thy truth 
 and mercy plenteous. 
 
 16 O turn to me thy countenance, 
 and mercy on me have : 
 
 Thy fervant ftrengthen, and the foa 
 of thine own handmaid fave. 
 S 
 
2o6 P S A L M LXXXVII. 
 
 i 7 Shew me a fign for good, that they 
 which .do me hate, may fee, 
 
 And be afham'd ; becaufe thou, Lord, 
 ^didil help and comfort me. 
 
 PSALM LXXXVII. 
 
 The foreoroing pfaim was very plain and eafy, but in this, arc 
 tilings dark, and hard to be underflood. ft is an encomium of Sion, 
 as a type acd figure of the gofpel-church, to which what is here 
 fpokjfn, is very applicable. Sicn, for the temple's fake, is here pre- 
 ferred, (i) Before the rell of the land of Canaan, as being crowned 
 ■with fpecial tokens of God's favour, ver. i, 2, 3. (z) Before arey 
 other place or cpuntry whatfoever, as being replenifned with more 
 eminent men, and with a greater plenty of divine bleflings, ver. 4, 
 7. Some think it was penned to exprefs the joy of God's people 
 whenlSionwasin aflovrilhing ftate ; others think it was penned to en- 
 courage their faith and hope, when Sion was in ruins, and was to be 
 rebuilt after the captivity ; though no man cared for her, Jer. xxx. 
 17., ' This is Zion whom no man feeketh after,' yet God bad done 
 -great things for her, and fpoken glorious things of her ; which fhould 
 all have their perfection and accomplifhment in the gofpel-church ; 
 to that therefore we mufl have an eye in.fingingthis pfalm. 
 
 A fong or pfalm for the fons of Korah. 
 
 1 IJPON the hills of holinefs 
 
 he his foundation fets. 
 
 2 God, -more than Jacob's dwellings all, 
 delights in Zion's gates. 
 
 3 Tilings glorious are faid of thee, 
 thou city of the Lord. 
 
 ,4 Rahab and Babel, I, to thofe 
 that knov/ me, will record : 
 
 Sehold ev'n Tyrus, and with it 
 
 the land of Paleftine, 
 And likewife Ethiopia : 
 
 this man was born therein. 
 5 And it of Zion fliall be faid, 
 
 This man, and that man there | 
 
PSALM LXXXVIII. 2-7 
 
 \Vasborn : and he that is Mofl; High 
 himielf aiall ftabliih her. 
 
 6 When God the people writes, he'll coiint 
 that tills man born was there. 
 
 7 There be that fing, and play : and all 
 my well-fprings in thee are. 
 
 PSALM LXXXVIII. 
 
 This pfalm is a lamentation ; one of the mofl melancboly of alUhe 
 :pfalms ; and it doth not conclude as usually the nielancholy pfaims 
 do, with any of the lead intimation of comfort or joy, but from hrft 
 to laft, it is mourning and woe. It is not upon a public cccount 
 that the Pfalmiit: here complains: here Is no mention of the afHic- 
 tions of the church, but only upon a perfanal account, tfpecially 
 trouble of mind, and the grief impreficd iipon his fpirits, both by 
 his outward affii^ions. and by the remenibrance of his fin.", and the 
 fear of God's wrath. It is reckcned among the penitential pfalms, 
 and it is well when our fears are thus tamed into the right channel, 
 and w^e take occafion from our v/orldly grievances, to forrow after a 
 godly fort. Tn this pfaim, Vv^e have, ( I ) The great prefTure of fpirit 
 that the Pfalraift was under, ver. 3, — 6. (2) The wrath of God, 
 which was the caufc of that preffure, ver. 7, 15, 16, 17. (3) The 
 wickednefs of his friends, ver. 8, i3. (4) The application he made 
 te God by prayer, ver. i, 2, 9, 13. (5) His humble expoftulations 
 and pleadings with God, ver. 10,12, 14. Thofe who are in trouble 
 of mind, n>ay Ung this pfalm feelingly; thofe who are not, ought to 
 fing it thankfully, blefling God that it is not their cafe. 
 
 A fong or pfalm for the fons of Korah, to the chief mu- 
 fician upon Mahalath Lt^anoth Mafchii of Hcman ihe 
 Ezrahitc. 
 
 1 j^ORD God, my Saviour, day and night 
 
 before thee cry'd have I. 
 
 2 Before thee let my prayer come : 
 give ear unto my cry. 
 
 3 Fop troubles great do fill my foul : 
 my life draws nigh the grave. 
 
 4 Fm counted with thofe that go down- 
 to pit, and no ftrength have* 
 
20$ P S A L M LXXXVIIL 
 
 5 Ev'n free among the dead, like them 
 that flain in grave do lie ; 
 
 Cut off from thy hand, whom no more 
 *" thou haft in memory. 
 
 6 Thou haft me laid in loweft pit, 
 in deeps and darkfome caves. 
 
 7 Thy wrath lies hard on me, thou haft 
 me prefs'd with all thy waves. 
 
 8 Thou haft put far from me my friends : 
 thou mad'ft them to abhor me : 
 
 And 1 am {o fhut up, that I 
 find no evafion for me. 
 
 9 By reafon of aftlidion 
 mine eye mourns dolefully : 
 
 To thee. Lord, do I call, and ftretch . 
 my hands continually. 
 
 10 Wilt thou fhew wonders to the dead? 
 fhalithey rife and thee blefs ? 
 
 1 1 Shall in the grave thy love be told ? 
 in death thy faithfidnefs ? 
 
 3 2 Shall thy great wonders in the dark, 
 
 or fhall thy righteoufnefs 
 Be known to any in the land 
 
 of deep forgetfulnefs ? 
 
 13 But, Lord, to thee I cry'd, my pray'r 
 
 at morn prevent fliall thee. 
 34 Why, Lord, doft thou caft off my foul i 
 
 and hid'ft thy face from me ? 
 15 Diftrefs'd am I, and from my youth 
 
 I ready am to die : 
 Thy terrors I have borne, and am 
 
 diftraded fearfully. 
 
PSALM LXXXrX. 209 
 
 16 The dreadful fiercenefs of thy wrath 
 quite over me doth go ; 
 
 Thy terrors great have cut me off, 
 they did purfue me fo. 
 
 17 For round about me ev'ry day, 
 Hke water, they did roul ; 
 
 And, gathering together, they 
 have compaffed my foul. 
 
 18 My friends thou haft put far from me, 
 and him that did me love ; 
 
 And thofe that mine acquaintance were 
 to darknefs didft remove. 
 
 PSALM LXXXIX. 
 
 Many pfalms that begin with complaint and prayer, end with joy 
 and praile; but this begins with joy and praife, and ends with fad 
 complaints and petitions; for the Pfalmift firft recounts God's for- 
 mer favours, and then with the confideration of them aggravates the 
 prefent grievances. It is uncertain when it was penned ; only in 
 general, that it was at a time when the houfe of David was wofully 
 eclipfed ; fome think it was at the time of the captivity of Babylon, 
 when lung Zedekiahr was infulted over, and abufed by Nebuchad- 
 nezzar, and then they make the title to fignify no more, but that the 
 pfalm was fet to the tunt: of a fong of Ethan the fon of Zerah, called 
 Mafchil; others fuppofe it to be penned by Ethan, who is mention- 
 ed in the flory of Solomon, who outliving that glorious prince, thus 
 lamented the great dlfgrace done to the houfe of David in the next: 
 reign, by the revolt of the ten tribes. I. The Pfaimiit, in the joy- 
 ful pleafant part of the pfalm, gives glory to God, and rakes comfort 
 to hiir.felf and his friends ; and this he doth more briefly, mentioning 
 God's mercy and truth, ver. I. and his covenant, ver. 2, 3, 4. but 
 more largely in the following verfes, wherein, (i) He adores the 
 glory and perfection of God, ver. 5, — 14. (2) He pleafcth himfelf 
 in the happinefs of thofe that are admitted into communion with 
 him, ver. 15, — 18. (3) He builds all his hope upon God's cove- 
 nant with David, as a type of Chrifl, ver. 19, — 37. a. In the melan- 
 choly part of the pfalm, he laments the prefent calamitous flate of 
 the prince and royal family, ver. 38, — 45. expoflulates with God 
 upon it, ver. A^,—49 and concludes with prayer for ledrefs, ver. $0, 
 S 2 
 
2IO PSALM LXXXIX- 
 
 51. In finglng this pfalm, we muft have high thoughts of God, a 
 lively faith in his covenant with the Redeemer, and a fympathy with 
 the afflided parts of the church. 
 
 Mafchii of Ethan the Ezrahlte. 
 
 1 r^OD's mercies I vnll ever fing : 
 
 and with my mouth I fhall 
 Thy faithfulnefs make to be known 
 to generations all. 
 
 2 For mercy fhall be built, faid I, 
 for ever to endure : 
 
 Thy faithfulnefs, ev'n in the heav^nSy 
 thou wilt eftablifh fure. 
 
 3 I with my chofen One have made 
 a cov'nant gracioufly ; 
 
 And to my fervant whom I lov'd, 
 to David fv/orn have I : 
 
 4 That 1 thy feed eftablifli (hall 
 for ever to remain ; 
 
 And will to generations all 
 
 thy throne build and maintain* 
 
 5 The praifes of thy wonders, Lord, 
 the heavens fl-iall exprefs ; 
 
 And in the congregation 
 of faints, thy faithfulnefs. 
 
 6 For who in heaven with the Lord 
 may once himfelf compare ? 
 
 Who is like God among the fons 
 of thofe that mighty are ? 
 
 7 Great fear in meeting of the faints 
 is due unto the Lord : 
 
 And he, of all about him, fhould 
 with rev'rtnce be ador'd. 
 
PSALM LXXXIX. 2!£ 
 
 8 O thou that art the Lord of hofts, 
 what Lord in mightinefs 
 
 Is Hke to thee, who compafs'd round 
 art with thy faithfulnels } 
 
 9 Ev'n in the raging of the lea 
 thou over it doft reign ; 
 
 And when the waves thereof do fwell, 
 thou ftilleft them again. 
 
 10 Rahab in pieces thou didfl: break, 
 like one that flaughter*d is ; 
 
 And with thy mighty arm thou haft 
 difpers'd thine enemies. 
 
 1 1 The heav'ns are thine, thou for thine own 
 the earth doft' alfo take : 
 
 The w^orld, and fulnefs of the fame, 
 thy pow'r did found and make. 
 
 1 2 The north and fouth from thee alone 
 their firft beginning had : 
 
 Both Tabor mount and Hermon hill 
 fhall in thy name be glad. 
 
 I ;^ Thou haft an arm that's full of pow'r : 
 
 thy hand is great in might : 
 And thy right hand exceedingly 
 
 exalted is in height. 
 
 14 Juftice and judgment of thy throne 
 are made the dwelling-place : 
 
 Mercy, accompany'd with truth, 
 fhall go before thy face. 
 
 15 O greatly blefs'd the people are 
 the joyful found that know ; 
 
 In brightnefs of thy face, O Lord, 
 they ever on fhall go. . 
 
212 PSALM LXXXIX. 
 
 1 6 They in thy name fhall all the day 
 rejoice exceedingly : 
 
 And in thy righteoufnefs ihall they 
 exalted be on high. 
 
 17 Becaufe the glory of their ftrength 
 doth only ftand in thee : 
 
 And in thy favour (hall our horn . 
 and pow'r exalted be. 
 
 18 For God is our defence, and he 
 to us doth fafety bring,: 
 
 The holy One of ifrael 
 is our almighty King. 
 
 19 In vifion to thy holy One, 
 thou faidft, 1 help upon 
 
 A ftrongone laid : out of the folk 
 I rais'd a chofen one. 
 
 20 Ev'n David, I have found him out 
 a fervant unto me ; 
 
 And, with my holy oil, my king 
 anointed him to be. 
 
 21 With whom my hand fhall 'ftablifh'd be 
 mine arm (hall make him ftrong. 
 
 22 On him the foe fhall not exadi, 
 nor {on of mifchief wrong. 
 
 23 I will beat down before his face 
 all his malicious foes : 
 
 I will them greatly plague, who do 
 with hatred him oppofe. 
 
 24 My mercy and my faithfulnefs 
 with him yetftill fhall be: 
 
 And in my name his horn and pow'r 
 men fhall exalted fee. 
 
PSALM LXXXIX. 213 
 
 25 His hand and pow'r fliall reach afar, 
 I'll fet it in the fea ; 
 
 And his right hand ertablifhed 
 fhall in the rivers be. 
 
 26 Thou art my Father, he fhall cry, 
 thou art my God alone ; 
 
 And he fhall fay. Thou art the rock 
 of my falvation. 
 
 27 rU make him my firfl-born, more high 
 than kings of any land. 
 
 28 My love I'll ever keep for him, 
 my cov'nantfaft Ihall ftand. 
 
 29 His feed I by my pow'r will make 
 for ever to endure ; 
 
 And, as the days of heav'n, his throne 
 fliall ftable be and fure. 
 
 30 But if his children fhall forfake 
 my laws, and go aflray, 
 
 And in my judgments fhall not walk, 
 but wander from my way : 
 
 31 If they my laws break, and do not 
 keep my commandemenrs : 
 
 32 ril viiit then their faults with rods, 
 their fins with chaftifements. 
 
 ^1, Yet I'll not take my love from him, 
 
 nor falfe my promife make. 
 34 My ccv'nant FU not break, nor change 
 
 what with my mouth I fpake. 
 
 ^S Once by my holinefs I fware, 
 
 to David I'll not lie. 
 36 His feed and throne fhall as the fun 
 
 before me lad for ay. 
 
:ir4 PSALM LXXXIX. 
 
 37 It, like the moon, fliall ever be 
 eftabllfli'd ftedfaflly ; 
 
 And like to that v/hich in the heav'n 
 doth witnefs faithfully. 
 
 38 But thou, difpleafed, haft caft ofT, 
 thou didft abhor and lothe, 
 
 With him that thine anointed is, 
 thou haft been very wroth. 
 
 39 Thou haft thy fervant's covenant 
 made void, and quite caft 'by : 
 
 Thou haft profan'd his crown, while it 
 caft on the ground doth lie. 
 
 40 Thou all his hedges haft broke down^ 
 his ftrong-holds down haft torn. 
 
 41 He to all paiTers by a fpoil, 
 to neighbours is a fcorn. 
 
 42 Thou haft fet up his foes' light-hand ; 
 mad'ft all his en'mies glad : 
 
 43 Turn'd hi^ fword's edge, and him to ftand< 
 in battle haft not made. 
 
 44 His glory thou haft made to ceafe, 
 his throne to ground down caft ; 
 
 45 Shortened his days of youth, and him 
 with fhame thou cover'd haft. 
 
 46 How long, Lord, wilt thou hide thyfelfi^ 
 for ever in thine ire ? 
 
 And (hall thine indignation 
 burn like unto a fire ? 
 
 47 Remember, Lord, how fliort a time 
 I fhall on earth remain : 
 
 O wherefore is it fo, that thou 
 haft made all men in vain ? 
 
PSALM XC. 215 
 
 48 What man is he that liveth herc^ 
 and death thall never fee ? 
 
 Or from the power of the grave 
 what man his foul fliall free ? 
 
 49 Thy former loving-kindneffes, 
 ^O Lord, where hethey now ? 
 
 Thofe which in truth and faithfuhiefs 
 10 David fworn haft thou ? 
 
 50 Mind, Lord, thy fervant's fad reproach i 
 how I in bofom bear 
 
 The fcornings of the people all, 
 who ftrong and mighty are. 
 
 5 1 Wherewith thy raging enemies 
 reproach'd, O Lord, think on^; 
 
 Wherewith they have reproach'd the fteps 
 of thine anointed One. 
 
 52 All bl effing to the Lord our God 
 let be afcribed then : 
 
 for evermore fo let it be. 
 Amen, yea, and amen. 
 
 PSALM xa 
 
 The foregoing pfalm was fuppofed to be penned as late as the 
 captivity in Babylon ; this, it is plain, was penned as early as the 
 deliverance out of Egypt, sftid yet they are put clofe together in 
 this colkcfiion of divine fongs. This pfalm was penned by Mofes, 
 -as appears by the title, the moft ancient penman of facred writ. We 
 have upon record a praifing fong of his, Exod. xv, which is alluded 
 to, Rev. XV. 3. and an inflrudling fong of his, Deut. xxxii. but this is 
 of a different nature from both, for it is called a prayer. It is fup- 
 ■pofed that this pfalm was penned upon occafion of the fentence paf- 
 fed upon Ifrael in the wildernefs, for their unbelief, murmuring, and 
 rebellion, that their carcafes Ihould fall in the wildernefs, that they 
 fhould be wafted av/ay by a feries of miferies for thirty-eight years 
 together, and none of them that were then of age Ihould enter Ca- 
 naan., This was calculated for their wanderings in the wildernefs, as 
 that O^her fong of Mofes, Deut. xxxii. 19, ai. was for their fettls- 
 
2i6 PSALM XC. 
 
 iripfit In Canaan. We have the flory to which this pfalni feems t« 
 refer, Numb. xiv. Probably, Mofjps penned this prayer to be daily 
 Tjfed, either by the people in their tents, or at leafi, by the prielts in 
 the tabernacle fervice, during that tedious fatigue of theirs in the- 
 ■v^'ilderncfs. In it, (l) Mofes comforts himfelf, and his people, Avith 
 the eternity of God, and their intereft in him however, vcr. i, 2. 
 (2) He humbles himfelf, and his people, with the confideiation of 
 the frailty of man, ver. 3, — 6. (3) He fubmits himf;lf, and hw 
 people, to the r'ghteous fentence of God paiTed upon them, ver. 7, 
 ir. He commits himfeh' and his people to God, by prayer, for 
 divine mercy and grace, and the return of God's favour, ver. 12, — 
 17. Though it feems to have been penned upon this particular oc- 
 cafion, yet it is very applicable to the frailty of human life in ge- 
 neral ; and, in finging of it, we may eafily apply it to the years of 
 our paffage through the wildernefe of this world ; and it furnifiieth 
 us with meditations and prayers very fuitabie to the folemnity of a 
 funeral. 
 
 A prayer of Mofes the man of God. 
 
 1 T ORD thouhaftbeen our dwelling-place 
 
 in generations all. 
 
 2 Before thou ever hadft brought forth 
 the mountains great or fmall, 
 
 Ere ever thou hadft form'd the earth, 
 
 and all the world abroad, 
 Ev'n thou from everlafting art 
 
 to everlafting God. 
 
 3 Thou doft unto deftruSion 
 man that is mortal turn : 
 
 And unto them thou fay 'ft, Again^ 
 ye fons of men, return. 
 
 4 Becaufe a thoufand years appear 
 no more before thy fight 
 
 Than yefterday, when it is paft, 
 or than a watch by night. 
 
 5 As with an overflowing flood 
 thou carry'ft them away : 
 
 They like a fleep are ; like the grafs 
 that grows at morn are they. 
 
PSALM XC. 21^ 
 
 6 At morn it flourifties and grows, 
 cut down at ev'n doth fade. 
 
 7 For by thine anger we're confum'd, 
 thy wrath makes us afraid. 
 
 8 Our fms thou and iniquities 
 doft in thy prefence place, 
 
 And fett'ft our fecret faults before 
 the brightnefs of thy face. 
 
 9 For in thine anger all our days 
 do pafs on to an end ; 
 
 And, as a tale that hath been told, 
 fo we our days do fpend. 
 
 10 Threefcore and ten years do fum up 
 our days and years, we fee : 
 
 Or if, by reafon of more ftrength, 
 
 in fome fourfcore they be : 
 Yet doth the ftrength of fuch old men, 
 
 but grief and labour prove ; 
 For it is foon cut off, and we 
 
 fly hence, and foon remove. 
 
 1 1 Who knows the povrer of thy wrath ? 
 according to thy fear, 
 
 12 So is thy wrath. Lord, teach thou uft 
 our end in mind to bear ; 
 
 And fo to count our days, that we 
 
 our hearts may ftiil apply 
 To learn thy wildom and thy truth, 
 
 that we may live thereby. 
 
 13 Turn yet again to us, O Lord, 
 how long thus fhall it be ? 
 
 Let it repent thee now for thofe 
 that fervants are to thee, 
 T 
 
n^ PSALM XCL 
 
 14 O with thy tender mercies, Lord^ 
 us early fatisfy ; 
 
 So we rejoice (hall all our days, 
 and ftill be glad in thee. 
 
 15 According as the days have been 
 wherein we grief have had, 
 
 And years wherein we ill have feen, 
 fo do thou make us glad. 
 
 16 O let thy work and pow'r appear 
 thy fervants' face before, 
 
 And {hew unto their children dear, 
 thy glory evermore. 
 
 17 And let the beauty of the Lord 
 our God be us upon : 
 
 Our handy-works eftablifli thou, 
 eftablifli them each one. 
 
 PSALM XCL 
 
 Some of the ancients were of opinion, that Mofes was the penman, 
 not only of the foregoing pfalm, which is exprefly fald to be hi~, 
 but alfo of the eight that next follow it ; hut that cannot be, for 
 pfalm xcv is exprefly faid to be penned by David, and long after 
 Mofes, Heh. iy. 7. And it is probable, this pfalm alfo \yas penned 
 by Dt£vid . it is a writ of protedion for all true believers, not in the 
 name of king David, or under his broad fcal ; he needed it himLlf, 
 cfpecially if the pfalm was penned, as fome conjeiLure it was, at 
 the time of the peftilence, which was fent for his numbering the 
 people ; but in the name of the Xing of kings, and under the broad 
 feal of heaven. Obferve, (i) The Pfalmlfl's own refolution fo take 
 God for his keeper, ver. z. from which he gives both direction and 
 encouragement to others, ver. 9. (2) The promifes which are here 
 Blade in God's name to all thofe that do fo in fmccrity, I. They 
 ihall be taken under the peculiar care of heaven, ver. I, 3. 2. They 
 ihall be delivered from the malice of the pov/ers of daiknefs, ver. 
 3, — 6. and that by a dilHnguifliing prefervation, ver. 7, 8. 3. They 
 ihall be the charge of the holy angels, ver, 10, Ji. 4- '^I'^ey fhajl 
 triumph over their enemies, ver. 13. 5. They (hall be the fpeclal 
 favourites of Cod himfelf, ver. 14, ij, j6. In fuiging this, we nvull 
 
PSALM XCI. 27^ 
 
 flieltcr ourfclves under, and then folacc ourfelves in the divine pro* 
 tccftion. Many think, that to Chnft, as Mediator, thefe promifes do 
 primarily bc'ong, Ifa. xlix. 2- not becaufe to him the devil applied 
 one of thefe promifes, Mat. iv. 6. but becaufe to him they are ver*' 
 applicable, and coming thro' him, they are more fweet and fure to aii 
 believers. 
 
 1 ME that doth in the fecret place 
 
 of the moft High refide, 
 Under the ihade of him that is 
 th' Almighty fhall abide. 
 
 2 I of the Lord my God will fay, 
 He is my refuge ftill, 
 
 He is my fortrefs, and my God, 
 and in him truft I will. 
 
 3 AfTuredly he Ihall thee fave, 
 and give deliverance 
 
 From fubtle fowler's fnare, and from 
 the noifome peftilence. 
 
 4 His feathers fhall thee hide, thy truft ^. 
 under his wings fhall be : 
 
 His faithfulnefs Ihall be a fhield 
 and buckler unto thee. 
 
 5 Thou flialt not need to be afraid 
 for terrors of the night : 
 
 Nor for the arrow that doth fly 
 by day, while it is light : 
 
 6 Nor for the peftilence, that walks 
 in darknefs fecretly : 
 
 Nor for deftruction, that doth wafle 
 at noon-day openly. 
 
 7 A thoufand at thy fide (hall fall, 
 ^ on thy right hand fhall lie 
 
 Ten thoufand dead; yet unto thee 
 it fliall not once come nigh. 
 
42<» PS A L M XCI. 
 
 8 Only thou with thine eye {halt look, 
 and a beholder be ; 
 
 And thou therein the jufl reward 
 of wicked men fhalt fee. 
 
 9 Becaufe the Lord, who conftantly 
 my refuge is alone, 
 
 £v'n the moft High is made by thee 
 thy habitation. 
 
 10 No plague fhall near thy dwelling come, 
 no ill (hall thee befal : 
 
 2 I For thee to keep in all thy ways 
 his angels charge he (hall. 
 
 1 2 They in their hands fhall bear thee up, 
 flill waiting thee upon ; 
 
 Left thou at any time fhould dalh 
 thy foot againft a ftone. 
 
 13 Upon the adder thou {halt tread, 
 and on the lion ftrong : 
 
 Thy feet on dragons trample fhall, 
 and on the lions young. 
 
 14 Becaufe on me he fet his love, 
 I'll fave and fet him free : 
 
 Becaufe my great name he hath known, 
 I will him fet on high. 
 
 15 He'll call on me, I'll anfwer him, 
 I will be with him ftill, 
 
 In trouble to deliver him, 
 and honour him 1 will. 
 
 16 With length of days unto his mind 
 I will him fatisfy ; 
 
 I alfo my falvation 
 will caufe his eyes to fee. 
 
PSALM XCII. 22i 
 
 It is a groundlefs opinion of fome of the Jewifli writers, who arc 
 xifually free of their conjectures, that this pfalm was penned, and 
 fung by Adam in innoccncy, on the firft Sabbath. It is inconfiftent 
 with the pfahii itfelf, which fpeaks of the workers of iniquity, whert 
 as yet fin had not entered. It is probable, it was penned by David, 
 and being calculated for the Sabbath-day, (i) Praife, the bufinefs 
 of the Sabbath, is here recommended, ver. I, 2, 3. (2) God's works, 
 which gave occafion for the Sabbath, are here celebrated, as great and 
 unfearchable in general, ver. 4, 5, 6. In particular, with reference 
 to the works both of providence and redemption, the Pfalmift fings 
 unto God both of mercy and judgment, the ruin of finners, and the 
 joy of faints, three times countcrchanged. I. The wicked ftiall 
 perifhjver. 7. but God is eternal, ver. 8. 2. God's enemies fhall be 
 cut off, but David fhall be exalted, ver. 9, 10. 3. David's enemies 
 fhall be confounded, ver. ii. but all the righteous fhall be fruitful 
 and flourifhing, ver, 12, — 15. In finging this pfalm, we mufl take 
 pleafure in giving to God the glory due to his name, and triumph ia 
 his works. 
 
 A pfalm or fong for the Sabbath-day. 
 
 1 "^O render thanks unto the Lord,. 
 
 it is a comely thing, 
 And to thy name, O thou Moft High, 
 due praifes aloud do fing. 
 
 2 Thy loving-kindnefs to fliew forth^ 
 when Ihines the morning-light ; 
 
 And to declare thy faithfulnefs 
 with pleafure ev'ry night. 
 
 3 On a ten-ftringed inftrument, 
 upon the pfaltery ; 
 
 And on the harp with folemn found, 
 and grave fweet melody. 
 
 4 For thou, Lord, by thy mighty works 
 haft made my heart right glad : 
 
 And I will triumph in the works 
 which by thine hands were made. 
 
22Z PSALM XCII. 
 
 5 How great, Lord, are thy works ! each 
 of thine a deep it is. [thought 
 
 6 A brutifh man it knoweth not ; 
 fools underftand not this. 
 
 7 When thofe that lewd and wicked are, 
 fpring quickly up like grafs, 
 
 And workers of iniquity 
 do flourifh all apace ; 
 
 It is that they for ever may 
 deftroyed be and flain : 
 
 8 But thou, O Lord, art the Moft High, 
 for ever to remain. 
 
 9 For lo, thine enemies, O Lord, 
 thine en'mies perifh fhall ; 
 
 The workers of iniquity 
 ihall be difperfed all. 
 
 "lo But thou ihalt, like unto the horn 
 
 of th' unicorn, exalt 
 My horn on high : thou with frefh oil 
 
 anoint me alfo (halt. 
 
 1 1 Mine eyes fhall alfo my defire 
 fee on mine enemies : 
 
 Mine ears ihall of the wicked hear, 
 that do againft me rife. 
 
 12 But like the palm-tree flourfhing 
 fhall be the righteous one ; 
 
 He ihall like to the cedar grow 
 
 that is in Lebanon. 
 I 3 Thofe that within the houfe of God 
 
 ' are planted by his grace, 
 They fhall grow up and flourifli all 
 
 in our God's holy place. 
 
PSALM XCIII. 223 
 
 14 And in old age, when others fade, 
 they fruit ftill forth (hall bring : 
 
 They Ihall be fat, and full of fap, 
 and ay be flouri filing : 
 
 15 To ihew that upright is t^e Lord : 
 he is a rock to me, "^"^ 
 
 And he from all unrighteoufnefs 
 is altogether free. 
 
 PSALM XCIII. 
 
 This fliort pfalm fets forth the honour of the kingdom of God 
 among men, to his glory, the terror of his enemies, and the comfort 
 of all his loving fiibic^ils. And it relates both to thekingdom of 
 his providence, by which he upholds and governs the world, and 
 efpecially to the kingdom of his grace, by which he fecures the 
 church, fandlifies and preferves it. The adminiftration of both thefe 
 kingdoms is put into the hands of the Mefliah, and to him, doubt- 
 lefs, the prophet here bears witnefs, and to his kingdom, fpeaking 
 of it as prefent, bccaufe fure ; and becaufe, as the eternal Word, 
 even before his incarnation, he was Lord of all. Concerning God's 
 kingdom glorious things are here fpoken. (i) Have other kings 
 their royal robes? fo has he, ver. I. (2) Have they their throne? 
 fo has he, ver. 2. (3) Have they their enemies whom they fubduc 
 and triumph over? fo has he, ver. 3,4. (4) Is it their honour to 
 be faithful and holy ? fo is it his, ver. 5. In finging this pfalhi, we 
 forget ourfelves, if we forget Chrift, to whom the Father has giveiK- 
 all power both in heaven and earth. 
 
 1 T^HELord doth reign, and cloth'd Is he 
 
 with majefty moft bright : 
 His works do ihew him cloth'd to be 
 
 and girt about with might. 
 The world is alfo 'ftablifhed, 
 
 that it cannot depart. 
 
 2 Thy throne. is fix'd of old, and thou 
 from everlafting art. 
 
 3 The floods, O Lord, have lifted up, 
 
 they lifted up their voice ) ' 
 
224 PSALM XCIV. 
 
 The floods have lifted up their waves, 
 and made a mighty noife. 
 
 4 But yet the Lord, that is on high, 
 is more of might by far, 
 
 Than noife of many waters is, 
 or great fea-billows are. 
 
 5 Thy teftimoniesev'ry one 
 in faithfulnefs excel ; 
 
 And holinefs for ever, Lord, 
 thine houfe becometh well. 
 
 PSALM. XCiV. 
 
 This pfalm was penned -when the church of God, was under 
 hatches, oppreffed and peifecuted ; and it an appeal to God, as the 
 Judge of heaven and earth, and an addrefs to him, to appear for his 
 people, againft his and their enemies. Two things this pfalm 
 fpeaks, (l) Convidion and terror to the perfecutors, ver. i, — ii. 
 ihewing them their danger and fo'ly, and arguing with them. (2) 
 Comfort and peace to the perfecuted, ver. 12, — 23. affuring them 
 both from God's promife, and from the Pfalmift's own experience, 
 that their troubles would end well, and God would in due time ap- 
 pear to their joy, and the confufion of thofe that fet themfelves 
 againft them. In finging this pfalm, we muft look abroad upon the 
 pride of oppreffors, with a holy indignation, and the tears of the op- 
 preffed, with a holy compafiion ; but at the fame time, look upwards 
 to the righteous Judge, with an entire fatisfaAion, and look forwards 
 to the end of all thefe things, with a pleafing hope. 
 
 1 r\ Lord God, unto w^hom alone 
 
 all vengeance doth belong : . 
 O mighty God, who vengeance own*ft, 
 fhine forth, avenging wrong. 
 
 2 Lift up thyfelf, thou of the earth 
 the fov'reign Judge that art : 
 
 And unto thofe that are fo proud 
 a due reward impart. 
 
 3 How long, O mighty God, fhall they 
 who lewd and wicked be, 
 
PSALM XCIV. 225 
 
 How long fhall they who wicked are, 
 thus triumph haughtily ? 
 
 4 How long ihall things moft hard by them 
 be uttered and told : 
 
 And all that work iniquity 
 to boafl: themfelves be bold, 
 
 5 -Thy folk they break in pieces, Lord, 
 thine heritage opprefs. 
 
 6 The widow they, and ftrangers flay, 
 and kill the fatherlefs. 
 
 7 Yet fay they, God it fhall not fee, 
 nor God of Jacob know. 
 
 8 Ye brutifh people, underftand ; 
 fools, when wife will ye grow? 
 
 9 The Lord did plant the ear of man, 
 and hear then fhall not he ? 
 
 He only form'd the eye, and then 
 fhall he not clearly fee ? 
 
 10 He that the nations doth corred, 
 fhall he not chaflife you ? 
 
 He knowledge unto man doth teach, 
 and (hall himfelf not know ? 
 
 1 1 Man's thoughts to be but vanity, 
 the Lord doth well difcern. 
 
 1 2 Blefs'd i. the man thou chafl'nefl, Lord, 
 and mak'fl thy law to learn, 
 
 1 3 That thou may'ft give him refl from days 
 of fad adveriity. 
 
 Until the pit be digg'd for.thofe 
 that work iniquity. 
 
 14 Forf ]re the Lord will not cafl off 
 thofe that his people be, 
 
226 PSALM XCIV. 
 
 Neither his own inheritance 
 quit and forfake will he. 
 
 15 But judgment unto righteoufnefs 
 fhall yet return again ; 
 
 And all fhall follow after it, 
 that are right-hearted men. 
 
 1 6 Who will rife up for me, againft 
 thofe that do wickedly ? 
 
 Who will ftand up for me, 'gainft thofc 
 that work iniquity ? 
 
 1 7 Unlefs the Lord had been my help,, 
 when I was fore o]:)preft, 
 
 Almoft my foul had in the houfe - 
 of filence been at reft. 
 
 1 8 When I had uttered this word, 
 (My foot doth flip away,) 
 
 Thy mercy held me up, O Lord, 
 thy goodnefs did me ftay. 
 
 19 Amidft the multitude of thoughts 
 which in my heart do fight, 
 
 My foul, left it be overcharg'd, 
 thy comforts do delight. 
 
 20 Shall of iniquity the throne 
 have fellowfhip with thee. 
 
 Which mifchief, cunningly contriv'd, 
 doth by a law decree ? 
 
 2 1 Againft the righteous fouls they join, 
 they guiltlefs blood condemn. 
 
 2 2 But of my refuge God's the rock, 
 and my defence from them. 
 
 23 On them their own iniquity 
 the Lord fhall bring and lay, 
 
PSALM XCV. 227 
 
 And cut them ofF in their own fin ; 
 our Lord God fhall them flay. 
 
 PSALM XCV. 
 
 For the expounding of this pfalm, we may horrow a great deal of 
 light from the apoflle's difcourfe, Heb. iii. and iv. where it appears 
 both to have been penned by David, and to have been calculated for 
 the days of the Mefliah ; for it is there faid exprefsly, Heb. iv. 7. 
 that the day here fpoken of, ver. 7. is to be underflood of the gofpel- 
 day, in which God fpeaks to us by his Son, in a voice which we are 
 concerned to hear, and propofeth to us a refl, befides that of Canaan, 
 In fmging of pfalms, it is intended, (i) That we fhould make me- 
 lody unto the Lord, and that we are here excited to do, and afliited 
 in doing ; being called upon to praife God, ver. I, 2. as a great God, 
 ver; 3, 4,5. and as our gracious benefador, ver. 6, 7. (2) That we 
 Ihould teach and admonifii ourfelves, and one another ; and we are 
 here taught and warned to hear God's voice, ver. 7. and not to har- 
 den our hearts as the Ifraelites in the wildernefs did, ver. 8, 9. left we 
 fall under God's wrath, and fall fhort of his reft, as they did, ver. 
 10, II. I'his pfdlni mufl be fung v/ith an holy reverence of God's 
 majcfty, and a dread of his juftice, with a defire to pleafe him, and a 
 fear to offend him. 
 
 I r\ Come, let us fing to the Lord : 
 
 come, let us ev'ry one 
 A joyful noife make to the rock 
 
 of our falvation. 
 .2 Let us before his prefence come 
 
 with praife and thankful voice : 
 Let us fing pililms to him with grace, 
 
 •and make a joyful noife. 
 
 3 For God a great God, and great King, 
 above all gods he is. 
 
 4 Depths of the earth are in his hand, 
 the llrength of hills is his. 
 
 5' To him the fpacious fea belongs, 
 
 for he the fame did make : 
 The dry land-tilfo from his hands 
 
 its form at firft did take. 
 
128 PSALM XC7L 
 
 9 O come, and let us worlhip him, 
 
 let us bow down withal, 
 And on our knees, before the Lord, 
 
 our maker, let us fall. 
 
 7 For he's our God, the people we 
 of his own pafture are, 
 
 And of his hand the fheep ; to-day 
 if ye his voice will hear. 
 
 8 Then harden not your hearts, as in 
 the provocation, 
 
 As in the defert, on the day 
 of the tentation : 
 
 9 When me yourfathers tempt'd, and prov'd, 
 and did my v/orking fee : 
 
 ID Ev'n for the fpace of forty years 
 this race hath grieved me : 
 
 Ifaid,This people errs in heart, 
 
 my ways they do not know. 
 1 1 To whom i fware in wrath, that to 
 
 my reft they fliould not go. 
 
 PSALM XCVL 
 
 This pfalm is part of that pfalm which was delivered into the 
 hands of Afaph and his brethren, i Chron. xvi. 7. by w^hich it ap- 
 pears, both that David was the penman of it, and that it has refer- 
 ence to the bringing up of the ark to the city of David: whether 
 that long pfalm was made firft, and this afterwards taken out of it, 
 or this made firft and afterwards borrowed to make up that, is not 
 certain. But this is certain, that though it was fung at the tranfla- 
 tion of the ark, it looks further to the kingdom of Chrift, and is de- 
 figucd, to celebrate the glories of that kingdom, efpecially the accef- 
 fion of the Gentiles to it. Here is, (i) A call given to all people 
 to praife God, to worfhip him, and give glory to him, as a great and 
 glorious God, ver. I. to 9. (2) Notice given to all people, of God's 
 univerfal government and judgment, which ought to be the matter 
 
 ^ 
 
PSALM XCVI. 229 
 
 tjf unlverfal jny, ver. 10, — 13. In finp^ing this pfalm, we ov.^ht to 
 have our hearts tilled with great and high thoughts of the glorj cf 
 Ood, and the grace of the gofpel, and with an entire fatisfadlion in 
 Chrift's fovercign dominion, and in the expectation of the judgracnt 
 ■to come. 
 
 1 r^ Sing a new fong to the Lord, 
 
 fing all the earth to God. 
 
 2 To God fmg, blefs his name ; fhew (lill 
 his faving health abroad. 
 
 .3 Among the heathen nations 
 
 his glory do declare ; 
 And unto all the people ihow 
 
 his works that wond rous are. 
 
 4 For great's the Lord, and greatly he 
 is to be magnify'd : 
 
 Yea, worthy to be fearM is he 
 above all gods befide. 
 
 5 For all the gods are idols dumb 
 which blinded nations fear ; 
 
 But our God is the Lord, by whom 
 the heav'ns created were. 
 
 6 Great honour is before his face, 
 and majefty divine : 
 
 Strength is within his holy place, 
 and there doth beauty Ihine. 
 
 7 Do ye afcribe unto the Lord, 
 of people ev'ry tribe. 
 
 Glory do ye unto the Lord, 
 and mighty pow'r afcribe. 
 
 '8 Give ye the glory to the Lord, 
 
 that to his name is due : 
 Come ye into his courts, and bring 
 
 an offering with you. 
 U 
 
X 
 
 230 P S A L M XCVII. 
 
 9 In beauty of his holinefs 
 
 O do the Lord adore : 
 Likewife let all the earth throughout 
 
 tremble his face before. 
 
 io Among the heathen fay, God reigns : 
 
 .the world fhall ftedfaftly' 
 Be fix'd from moving, he (hall judge 
 
 the people righteoufly. 
 2 I Let heav'ns be glad before the Lord, 
 
 and let the earth rejoice: 
 Let feas, and all that is therein, 
 
 cry out, and make a noife. 
 
 1 2 Let fields rejoice, and ev'ry thing 
 that fpringethof the earth: 
 
 Then woods, and ev'ry tree (hall fmg 
 with gladnefs and with mirth 
 
 1 3 Before the Lord ; becaufe he comes, 
 to judge the earth comes he : 
 
 He'll judge the world with righteoufnefs, 
 the people faithfully. 
 
 PSA L M XCVIL 
 
 This pfalm dwells upon the fame fubjed, and is fet to the fame 
 -fcune with the foregoing pfalm. Chrill is the Alpha £rd the Omega 
 of both ; they are both penned, and are both to be fung to his hon- 
 our : and we make nothing of them, if we do not in them make me, 
 lody with our hearts to the Lord jefus. He it is that reigns to the 
 joy of all mankind, ver. I. and his government fpeaks, (l) Terror to 
 his enemies; for he is a Prince of inflexible juflice, and irrefiftible 
 power, ver. 2, — 7. (2) Comfort to his friends, and loyal fubjcds, 
 arifing from his fovcreign dominion, the care he takes of his people, 
 and the provifion he makes for them, ver. 8, — 12. In finging this 
 pfalm, we muft be afTcvfled with the glory of the exalted Redeemer, 
 muft dread the lot of his enemies, and think ourfelves happy, if we arc 
 of thofe thatkiTs the Son. 
 
 I r^OD reigneth, let the earth be glad, 
 and ifles rejoice each one. 
 
P S A L IM XCVIT. 231 
 
 2 Dark clouds him compafs, and In right 
 with judgment dwells his throne. 
 
 3 Fire goes before him, and his foes 
 it burns up round about, 
 
 4 His light'nings Hghten did the world ^ 
 earth favv, and (liook throughout. 
 
 5 Hills, at the prefence of the Lord,, 
 like wax did melt away : 
 
 Ev'n at the prefence of the Lord 
 of all the earth, I fay. 
 
 6 The heav'ns declare his righteoafnefey 
 all men his glory fee. 
 
 7 All who ferve graven images, 
 confounded let th^m be: 
 
 Who do of idols boaft themfelvew«5y 
 
 let (hameupon them fall : 
 Ye that are called gods, fee that 
 
 ye do him worfliip all. 
 
 8 Sion did hear, and joyful was, 
 glad Judah's daughters were, 
 
 They much rejoic'd, O Lord, becaufe 
 thy judgmuits did appear. 
 
 9 For thou, O Lord, art high above 
 all things on earth that are : 
 
 Above all other gods thou art 
 exalted very far. 
 
 10 Hate ill, all ye that love the Lord : 
 his faints' fouls keepeth he. 
 
 And from the hands of wicked men 
 he fets them fafe and free. 
 
 1 1 For all thofe that be righteous 
 iown is a joyful light,^. 
 
232 P S A L M XCVFL 
 
 And gladnefs fown is for all tbofe 
 
 that are in heart upright. 
 1 2 Ye righteous, in the Lord rejoice ; 
 
 expreis your thankful nefs, 
 When ye into your memory 
 
 do call his holinefs. 
 
 PSALM XCVUT. 
 
 This pfalm is to the fame purpofe with the two foregoing pfalnas ; 
 it is a prophecy of the kirgdom of the Mcffiah, the fctting it up ia 
 the v.orld, and the bringing in of the Gtntiles to it. Tlie Ch^ddee 
 intitles it, A prophetic pfalm. It fees forth, (i) The glory of the 
 Redeemer, ver, i, 2, 3. {2) The joy of the rtdctmcd, ver. 4,-9. 
 If we in a right manner give to Chrift this glory, and upon right 
 proimds, take to otirfclves tiiis joy in linging this pfalm, we fiiig it 
 with underilanding. And if they then, who fiiw ChriU's day at a 
 ciRancc, and in the proniife only, niuft rejoice and trlun"!ph thus; 
 much more reafon have we to dofo, that fee thcfe things accomj-liih- 
 ed, and ihavein tlic better things providtd for us, Htb. xi. 40. 
 
 1 Q Sing a new fong to the Lord, 
 
 for wonders he hath done : 
 His right hand and Jiis holy arm 
 himvidory hath won. 
 
 2 The Lord God his fldvatipn 
 hath caufed to he known : 
 
 His juRice in the heathen's fight 
 he openly hath fliowm. 
 
 3 He mindful of his grace and truth 
 to IfraTs houfe hath he en : 
 
 And the falvation of our God 
 all ends of th' earth have feen. 
 
 4 Let all the earth unto the Lord 
 fend forth a joyful noife : 
 
 Lift up your voice aloud to him, 
 Sing praifes, and rejoice. 
 
PSALM XCIX. 23^ 
 
 5 With harp, with harp, and \'oice of pfahxiS, 
 unto Jehovah fing. 
 
 6 With trumpets, cornets, gladly found 
 before the Lord, the King. 
 
 7 Let feas, and all their fulnefs roar ; 
 the world, and dwellers there. 
 
 8 Let floods clap hands j and let the hills 
 together joy declare 
 
 g Before the Lord ; becaufe he comes : 
 
 to judge the earth comes he : 
 He'll judge the world with righteoufnefs,. 
 
 his folk with equity. 
 
 PSALM XCIX. 
 
 Still we are celebrating the glories of the kingdom of God amojjg 
 men, and are called upon to piaife him, as in the foregoing pfalms ; 
 but thofe pfalms looked forward to the times of the gofpel, and pro- 
 phefied of the graces and comforts of thofe times; this pfalm feems 
 to dwell more upon the Old Teframent difpenfation, and the mani- 
 ftflation of God's glory and grace in that. Let not nien, in espc»fla- 
 tion of the Mefliah's kingdom, and the evangelical vvorfhip, neglet5l 
 that divine regimen they v/ere then under, and the ordinances that 
 were then given them, but in them, fee God reigning, and worfliip 
 before him, according to the law of JMcfes. Prophecies of good 
 things to come, niuft not IcfTen car efteem of good things prefent. 
 To Ifrael indeed pertained the promifes V/hich they muft believe ; 
 but to them pertained alfo the giving of the lav/, and the fervice.of 
 God, which they miifL alfo dutifully and ccnfcientiouily attend to, 
 P>.cm. ix. 4 And this they are called to do, in this pfalm ; vvhere 
 yet there is much of Chrifl, for the government of the church was 
 in the hands of the eternal Word, before he was iancarnate ; and 
 befides, the ceremonial fervices were types and figures of evangelical 
 worlhip. The people cf Iirael are here required to praife and exalt 
 God, and to v^'crihip before him, in confideraticn of thefe two things, 
 (i) The happy coiifttution cf the government they were under, 
 both in facred and civil things, vcr. I, — 5. (2) Some inflances of 
 the happy adminiRration of it, ver. 6, — 9. Tn finging of this pfalm, 
 we muft fet ourfelves to exalt the nim^cf God. as it is made known 
 to us in the gofpel, which v/e have much more vc^iQn to dc, than tiiey 
 tha; lived ua^icrthehw. 
 
234 PSALM XCiX 
 
 1 'T'H' eternal Lord doth reign as King, 
 
 let all the people quake : 
 He fits between the cherubims, 
 let th' earth be mov'd and fliake. 
 
 2 The Lord in Zion great, and high 
 above all people is. 
 
 3 Thy great and dreadful name (for it 
 is holy) let thena blefs. 
 
 4 The King's ftrength alfo judgnaent loves 5 
 thou fettled equity, 
 
 Juft judgment thou doft execute 
 in Jacob righteoufly. 
 
 5 The Lord our God exalt on high, 
 and revVently do ye 
 
 Before his footftool worfhip him : 
 the holy One is he. 
 
 6 Mofes and Aaron 'mongft his priefts, 
 Samuel v;ith them that call, 
 
 Upon his name : thefe call'd on God, 
 and he them anfwer'd all 
 
 7 Within the pillar of the cloud 
 he unto them did fpeak : 
 
 The teftimonies he them taught, 
 and lavrs thy did not break. 
 
 8 Thou anfwer'dfl them, O Lord our God ; 
 tliou waft a God that gave 
 
 Pardon to them, though on their deeds 
 thou wouldeft vengeance have. 
 
 9 Do ye exalt the Lord our God, 
 and at his holy hill 
 
 Do ye him wor(hip : for the Lord 
 our God is holy ftilL 
 
P S A L M C. 235 
 
 It is with good reafon that many fing this pfalm very frequently 
 in their religious affemblies, for it is very proper both to -eiprefs 
 and to excite pious and devout affections towards God in our ap- 
 proach to him in holy ordinances; and if our hearts go along with 
 the words, we Ihail make melody in it to the Lord. The Jews fay, 
 it was penned to be fung with their thank-offerings ; perhaps it 
 v/as ; but v/e fay, that as their is nothing in it peculiar to their 
 cjeccnomy, fo its beginning with a call to all lands to praife God, 
 plainly extends ic to the gofpel-church. Here, (l) We are called 
 upon to praife God, and rejoice in him, ver. I, 2, 4. (2) We are 
 furnifhed with matter for j)raife ; we muft praife him, conSdcring 
 his being and relation to us, ver. 3, and his mercy and truth, ver. 5. 
 Thefe are plain and common thing?, and therefore the more fit to be 
 the matter of devotion. 
 
 A Pfaim of Praife. 
 
 1 A LL people that on earth do dwell, 
 
 Sing to the Lord with checrfal voice, 
 
 2 Him ferve with mirth, his praife forth tell, 
 Come ye before him, -and rejoice. 
 
 3 Know, that the Lord is God indeed, 
 V/ithout our aid he did us make ; 
 
 We are his flock, he doth us feed, 
 And for his fheep he doth us take. 
 
 4 O enter then his gates with praife. 
 Approach with joy his courts unto : 
 Praife, laud, and blefs his name always, 
 For it is feemly fo to do. 
 
 5 For why ? the Lord our God is good, 
 His mercy is for ever fure : 
 
 His truth at all times firmly flood, 
 And Ihall from age to age endure. 
 
 Another of the fame, 
 
 1 r\ All ye lands, unto the Lord 
 
 make ye a joyful noife. 
 
 2 Serve God with gladnefs ; him before 
 come with a fmging voice. 
 
296 PSALM CI. 
 
 3 Know ye the Lord, that he is God, 
 not we, but he, us made ; 
 
 We are his people, and the Ihecp 
 within his pafture fed. 
 
 4 Enter his gates and courts with praife, 
 to thank him go ye thitiier : 
 
 To him exprefs your thankfulnefs, 
 and blefs his name together. 
 
 5 Becaufe the Lord our God is good,, 
 his mercy faileth never : 
 
 And to all generations 
 his truth enduretli ever. 
 
 P S A L M CT. 
 
 David v.'as for certain the penman of this pfalm, and it has in it 
 the eenuine fpirit of the man after God's own heart ; it is a foiemn 
 vow he made to God when he took upon him the charge of a family 
 and of the kin^vdom. Whether it was penned when he entered upon 
 the governmei.u immediately after the death of Saul, as fome think, 
 or when lie Jjegan ro re gn over all Jfrael,and brought up the ark to 
 the city of David, z.i others think, is not material ; it is an excellent 
 plan cr model for the good g--vernment of a court, or the keeping up 
 of virtue and piety, and, by that mcans,good order in it ; but it is ap- 
 plicable to private fap.iilies; i^ is the houfeholder's palm. It inftruds 
 all that are in any f^r.tre ofpov/er, whether larger or narrower, to 
 life th€ii:4'owcr fo, as to make it a terror to evil doers, but a praife to 
 them th:!t do well. Here is, (i) The general fcope of David's 
 vow, ver ^,%. (z) The particulars of it^ that he would detell and 
 difcountcance all manner of wickednefs, ver. 3,4, 5, 7, 8. and that 
 he would favour and encourage fuch as were vircucus, ver. 6. Some 
 think thu may fitly be accommodated to Chrift, the Son of David, 
 who go -crns his church, the city of the Lord, by thefe rules, and who 
 loveth righteoufncfs, and hateth wickednefs. In finging this pf-lm, 
 families', both governors and governed, fhould teach and admonifii, 
 and ^"ig£ge themfelve^, and one another, to walk by the rule of it,,- 
 that } tace may be upon them, and<iod's prefcnce v*'ith them. , 
 A Pfaim ot David. 
 
 1 T Mercy will and judgment fmgj 
 
 Lord, 1 will fing to thee. 
 
 2 With wifdom, in a perfe(S way, 
 
 fhdl n^y beha^'iour be ; :- 
 
PSALM CIL 237 
 
 when in kindnefs unto me, 
 wilt thou be pleas'd to come ? 
 
 1 with a perfect heart will walk 
 
 within my houfeat home. 
 
 3 I will endure no wicked thing 
 before mine eyes to be : 
 
 I hate their work that turn a fide, 
 it fhall not cleave to me. 
 
 4 A ftubborn and a froward heart 
 depart quite from me ihall ; 
 
 A perfon giv'n to wickednefs 
 1 will not know at all. 
 
 5 I'll cut him ofFthat flandcreth 
 his neighbour privily : 
 
 The haughty heart I will not bear, 
 nor him that looketh high. 
 
 6 Upon the faithful of the land 
 mine eyes fliall be, that they 
 
 May dwell with me : he (liall me ferve 
 that walks in perfe<^ vvay. 
 
 7 Who of deceit a worker is, 
 in my houfe fliall not dwell : 
 
 And in my prefence fhall he not 
 remain, that lies doth tell. 
 
 8 Yea, all the wicked of the land 
 early dedroy will I ; 
 
 All from God's city to cut off, 
 that work iniquit^^ 
 
 P S A L M CIL 
 
 Some think David penned this pfalm at the time of Abfalom's 
 rebellion ; others, that Daniel, Nchemiah, or fonie other prophet, 
 penned it for the ufe cf the church, when it v/as in captiviry in 
 Babylon, becaufe it feems to fpeak of the ruins of Sion, and of a 
 
238 P S A L M CII. 
 
 time fet for the rebuilding of It, -vvhich Daniel undenloocl by books, 
 Dan. Ix. a. or perhaps, the Pfalmiit was hunfelf in great afliiclion, 
 which he complains of in the beginning of the pfalm, but (as in 
 pfalm Ixxvii. and elfcwhere) he comforts himfelf under it, with the 
 confideration of God's eternity, and the church's profperity and per- 
 petuity, however it was now diflreffed and threatened. But it is 
 clear by the application of ver. 25, a6. to Chrifi, Heb. i. II, 12.' 
 that the pfalm has reference to the days of the Mefiiah, and fpeaks 
 cither of his affli(?i;ion, or of the afHiclions of his chi:rch for his fake. 
 In the pfalm, we have, (i; Aforrowful complaint which the Pfalmift 
 makes, either for himfelf, or in the name of the church, of great af- 
 flidions which were very prefung, vsr. i, — 1 1. (2) Scafonable 
 comfort fetched in againil thefe grievances, i. From the eternity of 
 God, ver. is, 23, 27. From a believing profpeifl of the deliverance 
 which God would in due tinie work for his ayPu&cd church, ver. 13, 
 2%. and the continuance of it in the world, ver 28. In fmging this 
 pfrdm, If we have not occafion to make the fame complaints, yet we 
 may take ocCafion to fympathize with thcfe that have, and then' the 
 comfortable part of the pfalm will be the more tamfortable to u8 ift- 
 finging ai it. 
 
 A Prnyer of the A^lcled, -when he is overwhelmed 
 and poureth out his complaint befoi'e the Lord. 
 
 1 ry Lord, unto my pray'r give ear, 
 
 my cry let come to thee ; 
 
 2 And in the day of my diftrefs, 
 hide not thy face from me. 
 
 Give ear to me : what time I call, 
 to anfwer me make hafte. 
 
 3 For as an hearth my bones are burnt : 
 my days like fmoke do wade. 
 
 4 My heart within me fmitten is, 
 and it is withered 
 
 Like very grafs : fo that I do 
 forget to eat my bread. 
 
 5 By reafon of m.y groaning voice, 
 my bones cleave to my fkin. 
 
 :#6 Like pelican in wildern efs 
 forfaken I have beea: 
 
PSALM CII. 
 
 I like an owl in defert am, 
 
 that nightly there doth moan. 
 7 I watch, and like a iparrow am 
 
 on the houfe top alone. 
 •8 Pvly bitter en'niies all the day 
 
 reproaches cafl: on me : 
 And being mad at me, with rage 
 
 againft mefworn they be. 
 
 9 For why, I aflies eaten have, 
 like bread, in forrows deep ; 
 
 My drink I alfo mingled have 
 with tears that I did weep. 
 
 10 Thy wrath and indigpation 
 did caufe this grief and pain : 
 
 For thou haft lift me up on high, 
 and caft me down again. 
 
 I I My days are like unto a fhade, 
 which doth declining pafs : 
 
 And I am dry'd and withered, 
 ev'n like unto the grafs. 
 
 12 But thou, Lord, everlafting art, 
 and thy remembrance fhall 
 
 Continually endure, and be 
 to generations all. 
 
 13 Thou (halt arife, and mercy have 
 upon thy Sion yet : 
 
 The time to favour her is come, 
 the time that thou haft fet. 
 
 14 For in her rubbifh and her ftones, 
 thy fervants pleafure take ; 
 
 Yea, they the very duft thereof 
 do favour for her fake. 
 
 239 
 
240 PSALM CII. 
 
 15 Sofliall the heathen people fear 
 the Lord's moil: holy name ; 
 
 And ail the kings on earth fhail dread 
 thy glory and thy fame. 
 
 16 VVhen Sion by the mighty Lord 
 built up again fhall be, 
 
 In glory then, and majefty, 
 -to men appear fhall he. 
 
 17 The prayer of the deflitute 
 he furely will regard, 
 
 Their prayer will he not defpife, 
 by him it fliall be heard. 
 
 1 8 For generations yet to come 
 this fhall be on record : 
 
 So fhall the people that fhall be 
 created, praife the Lord. 
 
 19 He from his fandluary's height 
 hath downv^ard caft his eye : 
 
 And from his glorious throne in heav'n 
 the Lord the earth did fpy : 
 
 •20 That of the mournful prifoner 
 the groanings he might hear, 
 
 To fet them free that unto death 
 by men appointed are : 
 
 2 I That they in Sion may declare 
 
 the Lord's mxoft holy name, 
 And publifh in Jerufalem 
 
 the praifes of the fam-e. 
 22 When as the people gather iliall 
 
 in troops with one accord. 
 When kingdoms fhall aflembled be 
 
 to ferve the higheft Lord. 
 
PSALM CII. 241 
 
 23 My wonted ftrength and force he hath 
 abated in the wsij ; 
 
 And he my days hath fhortened : 
 
 24 Thus therefore did I fay, 
 My God, in mid-time of my days 
 
 take thou me not away : 
 From age to age eternally 
 thy years endure and ftay. 
 
 25 The firm foundation of the earth 
 of old time thou haft laid : 
 
 The heavens alfo are the work 
 
 whi :h thine own hands have made* 
 
 26 Thou fhalt for evermore endure 
 but they fhall perifli all ; 
 
 Yea, ev'ry one of them wax old, 
 like to a garment (hall. 
 
 Thou as a vefture (halt them change, 
 and they fhall changed be : 
 
 27 But thou the fame art, and thy years 
 are to eternity. 
 
 28 The children of thy fervants fhall 
 continually endure. 
 
 And in thy fight, O Lord, their feed 
 ihali be eftabliQi'd fure. 
 
 Another of the fame, 
 
 1 J^ORD, hear my pray'r,and let my cry 
 
 Have fpeedy accefs unto thee. 
 
 2 In day of my calamity 
 
 O hide not thou thy face from me : 
 Hear when I call to thee, that day 
 An anfwer fpeedily return. 
 No. 5^ X 
 
^£ PSALM CII. 
 
 3 My days like frnoke confi'.me away, 
 And, as an hearth, my bones do burn* 
 
 4 My heart is wounded very fore, 
 And withered, -like grafs, doth iade : • 
 I am forgetful grown therefore 
 
 To take and eat my daily bread. 
 
 5 By reafon of my fmart within, 
 
 And voice of my mofl: grievous groans, 
 
 My fielli confum.ed ij^, my fkui, 
 
 All parch'd, doth cleave unto my bones. 
 
 6 The pelican of wildernefs, 
 The ovvd in defert I do n^atch : 
 
 7 And fparrow-like, companionlefs. 
 Upon the houfe's top 1 watch, 
 
 ;8 I all day long am made a fcorn, 
 Keproach'd by my maliaous foes : 
 The madmen are again ft me fworn. 
 The mtn againft me that arofc. 
 
 €^ For I have aflies eaten up. 
 
 To me as if they had been bread ; 
 And with my drink I in my cup 
 Of bitter tears a mixture made. 
 
 I o Becaufe thy wrath was not appeas'd, 
 And dreadful indignation : ,.^ 
 Therefore it was that thou me d&'is'd. 
 And thou again didft caft me down. 
 
 % I My days are like a fhade aUvay, 
 Which doth declining fwiftly pafs: 
 And I am withered away 
 Much like unto the fading grafs. 
 
 12 But thou, O Lord, flialtftill endure, 
 From change and all mutation free, 
 
F S A L M CIL 243 
 
 And, to all generations fare. 
 Shall thy remembrance ever be. 
 
 13 Thoo flialt arife, and mercy yet 
 Thou to mount Zion fhalt extend : 
 Her time for favour which was fee, 
 Behold^ is now come to an end. ' 
 
 14 7'hy fiiintstake pleafure in her fioneSy. 
 Her very dufl to them is dear. 
 
 15 All heathen lands, and kingly thronesr 
 On earth, thy glorious name /hall fean. 
 
 16 God in hisglo'-y fhall appear, 
 When Zion he builds and repairs. 
 
 17 He fhall regard and lend his ear^ 
 Unto the needy's humble pray'rs : 
 Th' afflid:ed's prayV he will not fcoruv 
 
 18 Ail times this fhall be on record, 
 And generations yet unborn 
 
 Shall praife and magnify the Lord. 
 
 19 He from his holy place look'd down; 
 The earth he viev/M from heav'n on higR r 
 
 20 To hear the pris'ners' mourning groaUj 
 And free them that are doom'd to die. 
 
 2 i That Zion, and Jerus'lem too 
 
 His name and praife may well record i 
 
 22 When people, and the kingdoma do 
 Aflemble all to praife the Lord. 
 
 23 My ftrength he weakened in the way. 
 My days of life he fhorten'ed. 
 
 24 My God, O take me not away 
 in mid time of my days, I faid : 
 Thy years throughout all ages laft, 
 
 25 Of old thou haft eftabUfheA 
 
244 PSALM cm. 
 
 The earth's foundation firm and fad : 
 Thy mighty hands the heav'ns have made. 
 
 26 They periih fliall, as garments do. 
 But thou fhalt evermore endure : 
 
 As veflures, thou fhalt change them fo ; 
 And they fliali all be changed fare. 
 
 27 But from all changes thou art free, 
 Thy endlefs years do I aft for ay. 
 
 28 Thy fervants, and their feed v/ho be, 
 EftablidVd fhall before thee ftay. 
 
 p s AL M cm. 
 
 This pfalm calls more for devotion than expofition ; ir is a niofi: 
 excellent pfaim of praife, and cf general ufe. Th^ pfalmiit, (i) 
 Stirs up himfclf and his ov/n for,] to praiie God, ver. i; %. for his 
 fiive-ur to him in particular, ver. 3, 4, 5. to the church in genera), 
 and to all good men, to whom he is and Vvill Lc juft, and kind, and 
 conflant, ver. 6, — 18. and for his government of the woriu, ver. 13. 
 (2) He deilres the affiftanee of the holy angels, and all the wciks of 
 God in praifmg him, ver. 20, il, 22. In imging this pfalm, we muO, 
 in a fpecial manner, get cur hearts affedled with ihc goodne'Is of Cod, 
 and enlarged in iove and thankfulnefs. 
 
 A Pfa'.m of David. 
 
 1 r\ Thou my foul, blefs God the Lord, 
 
 and all that in me is 
 Be (lirred up, his holy name 
 to magnify and blefs, 
 
 2 Blefs, O my foul, the Lord thy God, 
 and not forgetful be 
 
 Of all his gracious benefits 
 he hath bcflow'd on thee. 
 
 3 All thine iniquities who doth 
 moft gracioufly forgive : 
 
 Who thy difeafes all and pains 
 doth heal, and thee relieve. 
 
 4 Who doth redeem thy life, that thou 
 to death may'ft not go down : 
 
PSALM cm. 24^ 
 
 Who thee with loving-kindiiefs doth 
 and tender mercies crown. 
 
 5 Who with abundance of good things 
 doth fatisfy thy mouth : 
 
 So that, ev'n as the eagle's age,, 
 renewed is thy youth. 
 
 6 God righteous judgment executes 
 for all opprefTed ones. * 
 
 7 His way to Mofes, he his a£ls 
 made known to Ifra'i's fons. 
 
 8 The Lord our God is merciful,, 
 and he is gracious, 
 
 Long-fuffering, and flow to wTatli,. 
 in mercy plenteous. 
 
 9 He will not chide continually, 
 nor keep his anger ftill. 
 
 10 With us he dealt not as we fmn'd, 
 nor did requite our ill. 
 
 1 1 For as the heaven in its height 
 the earth furmounteth far ; 
 
 So great to thofe that do him fear, 
 his tender mercies are. 
 
 1 2 As far as eaft is diftant from 
 the weft, fo far hath he 
 
 From us removed, in -his love, 
 all our iniquity. 
 
 13 Such pity as a father hath 
 unto his children dear ; 
 
 Like pity (hews the Lord to fuch 
 as worftiip him in fear. 
 
 14 For he remembers we are duft, 
 and be our frame well knows. 
 
 X3 
 
24<5 PSALM CIIL 
 
 15 Frail man, his days are like the grafs, 
 as flow'r in field he grows. 
 
 1 6 For over it the wind doth pafs, 
 and it away is gone ; 
 
 And of the place where once it was, 
 it Ihall no more be known. 
 
 1 7 But unto them that do him fear, 
 God's mercy never ends : 
 
 And to their children's children ftill 
 his righteoufnefs extends : 
 
 1 8 To fuch as keep his covenant, 
 and mindful are alway 
 
 Of his mofl juft commandements, 
 that they may them obey. 
 
 19 The Lord prepared hath his throne 
 in heav'ns firm to (land : 
 
 And evVy thing that being hath, 
 his kingdom doth command. 
 
 20 O ye his angels that excel 
 in flrength, blefs ye the Lord, 
 
 Ye who obey what he commands, 
 
 and hearken to his word. 
 1 1 O blefs and magnify the Lord, 
 
 ye glorious hofts of his, 
 Ye minifters, that do fulfil 
 
 whate'er his pleafure is. 
 
 22 O blefs the Lord, all ye his works, 
 wherewith the world is ftor'd 
 
 In his dominions ev'ry where : 
 my foul, blefs thou the Lord. 
 
PSALM CIV. 2^7 
 
 It is very probable that this pfalm was penned by the fame hand, 
 and at the fame time with the former; for as that ended, this be- 
 gins, with, ' Blefs the Lord, O my foul,' and concludes with it too, 
 ver. ^s. The ftile indeed is fomewhat different, becaufe the matter 
 is fo ; the fcope of the foregoing pfalm was to celebrate the goodnefs 
 of God, and his tender mercy and compaffion, to which a foft and 
 fweet ftile was moft agreeable ; the fcope of this is to celebrate his 
 greatnefs and majefly, and fovereign dominion, which ought to be 
 done in the moft lofty ftrains of poetry. David, in the former pfalm 
 gave God the glory of his covenant mercy and love to his people ; 
 in this he gives him the glory of his works of creation and providence, 
 his dominion over, and his bounty to all the creatures. God is there 
 praifed as the God of grace, here as the God of nature. And this 
 pfalm is wholly beftowed on that fubjedl ; not as Pfalm xix. which 
 begins with it, but paffeth from it to the confideration of the divine 
 law; nor as pfalm viii. which fpeaks of this but prophetically, and 
 with an eye to Chrift. This noble poem is thought, by very compe- 
 tent judges, not only for piety and devotion, (that is paft difpute,) but 
 for flight of fiincy, brightnefs of ideas, furprifing turns, and all the, 
 beauties and ornaments of exprefTion, far to excel any of the Greek or 
 Latin poets upon any fubje A of this nature. P»/[any great things the 
 Pfalmift here gives God the glory of : ( l) The fplendour of his ma- 
 jefty in the upper v/orld, ver. I, — 4. (2) The creation of the fea, 
 and the dry land, ver, 5, — 9. (3) The provifion he makes for the 
 maintenance of all the creatures according to their nature, ver. 10, — 
 18. and again, ver. 27, 28. (4) The regular courfe of the fun and 
 moon, ver. 19, — 24. (5) The furniture of the fea, ver. 25, 26. (6) 
 God's fovereign power over all the creatures, ver. 29, — 32. And 
 laftly, He concludes with a plcafant and firm refolution to continue 
 praifing God, ver. 33, 34, ;^s. With which we fhould heartily join 
 in finging this pfalm. 
 
 1 gLESS God, my foul : O Lord my God^ 
 
 thou art exceeding great, 
 With honour and with majefly 
 thou clothed art in ftate. 
 
 2 With light, as with a robe, thyfelf 
 thou covered about ; 
 
 And, like unto a curtain, thou 
 the heavens ftretcheft out. 
 
 3 Who of his chambers doth the beams 
 within the waters lay j 
 
24^ F S A L M CIV. 
 
 Who doth the^clouds his chariot make, 
 on wings of wind make way. 
 
 4 Who flaming fire his minifters,, 
 his angels fp'rits doth make, 
 
 5 Who earth's foundations did lay, 
 that it fhould never fhake. 
 
 6 Thou didftit cover with the deep, 
 as with a garment fpread : 
 
 The waters flood above the hills, 
 when thou the word but faid. 
 
 7 But at the voice of thy rebuke 
 they fled, and would not ftay : 
 
 They at thy thunder's dreadful voice 
 did hafte them faft away. 
 
 8 They by the mountains do afcend, 
 and by the valley-ground 
 
 Defcend, unto that very p^ace 
 which thou for them didfl: found. 
 
 9 Thou haft a bound unto them fet,. 
 that they may not pafs over, 
 
 That they do not return again 
 the face of earth to cover. 
 
 10 He to the valleys fends the fpring^, 
 which run among the hills : 
 
 1 1 They to all beafts of field give drink, 
 w^ild aflTes drink their fills. 
 
 12 By them the fowls of heav'n fhall hav3 
 their habitation, 
 
 Which do among the branches fing 
 with delegation. 
 
 13 He from his chambers watereth 
 " the hills, when they are dry'd ; 
 
PSALM CIV. 249 
 
 With fruit and increafe of thy works 
 the earth is fatisfy'd. ^ 
 
 14 For cattle he makes grafs to grow, 
 he makes the herb to fpriiig 
 
 For th' ufe of man, that food to hira 
 he from the earth may bring : 
 
 15 And wine, that to the heart of man 
 doth chearfuhiefs impart, 
 
 Oi! that his face makes Ihine, and bread 
 that ftrengtheneth his heart. 
 
 16 The trees of God are full of fap, 
 the cedars that do (land 
 
 In Lebanon, winch planted were 
 by his almighty hand. 
 
 i'^' Birds of the air, upon their boughs, 
 
 do choofe their nefts to make : 
 As for the ftork, the fir-tree (he 
 
 . doth for her dwelling take. 
 ^l8 The lofty mountains for wild goats 
 a place of refuge be : 
 The conies alfo to the rocks 
 
 do for their fafety flee. ^ 
 
 19 He fets the moon in heav'n, thereby ^ 
 the feafons to difcern : 
 
 From him the fun his certain time 
 of going down doth learn. 
 
 20 Thou darknefs mak'fl:, 'tis night; then 
 of forefts creep abroad. , [beads 
 
 2 1 The lions young roar for their prey, 
 and feek their meat from God. 
 
 22 The fun doth rife, and home they flock, 
 down in their dens they lie. 
 
aso PSALM CIV. 
 
 23 Man goes to work, his labour he 
 doth to the ev'nirjfy ply. 
 
 24 How manifold, Lo:^J, are thy works 1 
 in wifdom v^onderful 
 
 Thou ev'ry one of them hafl made ;. 
 earth's of thy riches full 
 
 25 So is this great and fpacious fea, 
 wherein things creeping are. 
 
 Which nuinb'red cannot be ; and beads 
 both great and fmall are there. 
 
 26 There ihips go ; there thou mak'fttoplay 
 that leviathan great. 
 
 27 Thefe all wait on thee, that thou may*ft 
 in due time give them meat. 
 
 28 That which thou giveft unto them, 
 they gather for their food ; 
 
 Thine hand thou op'neft libVally, 
 they filled are wich good. 
 
 29 Thou hid'ft thy face, they troubled are, 
 their breath thou tak'ft aw^ay : 
 
 Then do they die, and to their duft 
 return again do they. 
 
 30 Thy quickening fp'rit thou fendeft forth, 
 th:n they created be : 
 
 And then the earth's decayed face 
 renewed is by thee. 
 
 31 The glory of the mighty Lord 
 contine fhall for ever : 
 
 The Lord Jehovah fliall rejoice 
 in all his works together. 
 
 32 Earth, as affrighted, trembleth all,, 
 if he on it but look ; 
 
PSALM CV. 251 
 
 And if the mountains he but touch, 
 they prefently do inioke. 
 
 33 1 will ling to the Lord mod high, 
 lb long as I (hall live : 
 
 And, while I being have, I fhall 
 to my God praifes give. 
 
 34 Of him my meditation (hall 
 fweet thoughts to me afford : 
 
 And as for me, I will rejoice 
 
 in God, my only Lord. 
 ^^ From earth let fmners be confum'd, 
 
 let ill men no more be : 
 O thou my foul, blefs thou the Lord : 
 
 praife to the Lord give ye. 
 
 PSALM CV. 
 
 "Some of t'-e pfalms of praife are very fliort, others very long, .to 
 teach us, the: m our devotions, we fhould be more obfervant how 
 o.ir hccirts wc, >. *han how the time palTeth ; and neither overflretch 
 curfelves, by c. ring to be long, nor overflint ourfelves by coveting 
 to be fhort ; but - ither the one or the other, as we find in our hearts 
 to prav'. This 15 a long pfalm; the general fcope is the fame with 
 moft of the pfalrns, to fct forth the glory of God, but the fubjedl- 
 niatter is particular. Every time we come to the throne of grace, we 
 ma)r, if v/e pleafe,furniih ourfelves out of the word of God, (out of 
 the hillcry of tke new Teftamexit, as this out of the hillory of tl^e 
 Old,) wich new icngs, with frcfii thoughts, fo copious, fo various, fo 
 inexhauftihle is the fubjedl. In the foregoing pfalm, we are taught 
 to praife God for h's wondrous works of common providence, with 
 reference to the world in general. In this, we are directed to praife 
 him for his fpecial favours to his church. We find the firft eleven 
 vcrfesof this pfalm in the beginning of that pfalm which David de- 
 livered 10 Afaph, to be ufed (as it Ciould feem) in the daily fervice of 
 the fancluary, when the ark was fixed in the place he had prepared 
 for it ; by which ft appears, both who penned it, and when, and up- 
 ;<>n what occafion ii was penned, i Chron. xvi. 7, &c. David, by it 
 defigued to inftruc^ his people in the obligations they lay under to ad- 
 here faithfully to their holy religion. Here is the preface, ver. I, — 7. 
 3r.d the hiflory itfelf, in feveral articles, (i) God's covenant with 
 :he patriarchs, ver. 8, — ti. (2) His care of them, while they were 
 ,lrangcrsj vex. 12,-15. (3) Kis raifing up Jolicph to be the fhep- 
 
252 P S A L M CV 
 
 herd and {lore of Ifrael, ver. i6, — 22. (4) The increafe of TiVael In 
 F.gypt, and their deliverance out of Egypt, ver. a3,~38. (5) The 
 care he took of them in the wildernefs, and tlieir fettlement in Ca- 
 naan, ver. 39, — 45- In finging this, \ve mud give to God the glory 
 of his wifdom and power, his goodnefs and faithfulncfs; mufl look 
 upon ourfelves as concerned in the affairs of the Old-Teftament 
 church, both becaufe to it were committed the oracks of God, 
 which are our treafure, and out of it Chrift arofe, and thefe things 
 iiappened to it for snfamples. 
 
 1 O IVE thanks to God ; ca!! on his name » 
 
 to men his deeds make known. 
 
 2 Sing ye to him, (ing pfalms ; proclaim 
 his wond'rous works each one. 
 
 4 See that ye in his holy name 
 
 to glory do accord ; 
 And let the heart of ev'ry one 
 
 rejoice, that feeks the Lord. 
 
 4 The Lord almighty, and his ftrength, 
 w^ith ftedfaft hearts leek ye : 
 
 His bleffed and his gracious face 
 feek ye continually. 
 
 5 Think on the works that he hath done^ 
 which admiration breed ; 
 
 His wonders, and the judgments all 
 which from his mouth proceed. 
 
 6 O ye that are of Abrah'm's race, 
 his fervant well approv'n ; 
 
 And ye that Jacob's children are, 
 whom he choos'd for his own. 
 
 7 Becaufe he, and he only, is 
 the mighty Lord our God ; 
 
 And his moft righteous judgments are 
 in all the earth abroad. 
 
 8 His cov'nant he rememb'red hath, 
 that it may ever ftand : 
 
PSALM CV. 253 
 
 Tothoufand generations 
 the word he did command. 
 
 9 Which covenant he firmly made 
 with faithful Abraham, 
 
 And unto Ifaac, by his oath, 
 he did xenew the fame. 
 
 10 And unto Jacob, for a law, 
 he made it firm and fure, 
 
 A covenant to Ifrael, 
 
 which ever fhould endure. 
 
 1 1 He faid, I'll give Canaan's land 
 for heritage to you : 
 
 12 While they were ftrangers there^ and few, 
 in number very few. 
 
 13 While yet they went from land to land 
 without a fure abode ; 
 
 And v/hile, thro' fundry kingdoms, they 
 did wander far abroad. 
 
 14 Yet notwithftanding fuffer'd he 
 no man to do them wrong : 
 
 Yea, for their fakes, he did reprove 
 kings, who were great and ftrong. 
 
 15 Thus did he fay, Touch ye not thofe 
 that mine anointed be, 
 
 Nor do the prophets any harm 
 that do pertain to me. 
 
 16 He call'd for famine on the land, 
 he brake the ftaff of bread. 
 
 1 7 But yet he fent a man before, 
 by whom they fhould be fed : 
 
 Ev'n Jofeph, whom unnat'rally 
 fell for a flave did they, 
 Y 
 
SS4 ? S A L M CV. 
 
 a8 Whofe feet with fetters they did hurt, 
 
 and he in irons lay ; 
 J 9 Uutil the time that his word came, 
 
 to give him Uberty: 
 The word and promife of the Lord 
 
 did him in prifon try. 
 
 :20 Then fent the king, and did command 
 
 that he enlarg'd fhould be : 
 He that the people's ruler was, 
 
 did fend to fet him free. 
 !2 1 A lord, to rule his family, 
 
 he rais'd him, as moft fit ; 
 To him of all that he poffefs'd 
 
 he did the charge commit : 
 
 2.2 That he might at his pleafore bind 
 
 the princes of the land ; 
 And he might teach his fenator* 
 
 wifdom to underftand. 
 :23 The people then of Ifrael 
 
 down into Egypt came : 
 And Jacob alfo fojourned 
 
 within the land of Ham. 
 
 24 And he did greatly by his pow'r 
 
 increafe his people there ; 
 And ftronger than their enemies 
 
 they by his bleffing were. 
 ^5 Tiieir hearts he turned to^nvy 
 
 his folk malicioufly, 
 With thofe that his own fervants were 
 
 to deal in fubtilty. 
 
 6 His fervant Mofes he did fend, 
 aron his chofen one. 
 
FS A L M CV, 2j^; 
 
 27 By thefe his figns and wonders great 
 in Ham's land were made known, 
 
 28 Darknefs he fent, and made it dark r 
 his word they did obey. 
 
 29 He turn'd their waters into bloody 
 and he their fiih did flay. 
 
 30 The land in plenty brought forth frogs 
 in chambers of their kings. 
 
 3 1 His word all forts of flies and lice 
 in all their borders brings. 
 
 32 He hail for rain, and flaming fir^ 
 into their land he fent : 
 
 33 And he their vines and fig-trees fniote,v 
 trees of their coafl:s he rent. 
 
 34 He fpake, and caterpillars came, 
 locufts did much abound ; 
 
 ^^ Which in their land all herbs confum'd, 
 and all fruits of their ground. 
 
 36 He fmote all firft-born in their land, 
 chief of their ftrength each one, 
 
 37 With gold and filver brought them forth ^, 
 weak in their tribes were none. 
 
 38 Egypt was glad when forth they v/entj. 
 their fear on them did light. 
 
 39 He fpread a cloud for covering, 
 and fire to fliine by night. 
 
 40 They aik'd, and he brought quails : v/ith 
 of heav'n he filled them. [bread 
 
 41^ He op'ned rocks, floods gufh'd and ran 
 in deferts like a ftream. 
 
 42 For on his holypromife he, 
 and fervant Abrah'm, thought, - 
 
25^ P S A L M CVr. 
 
 43 With joy his people, his elcc^ 
 with gladnefs forth he brought. , 
 
 44 And unto them the pleafant lands 
 he of the heathen gave : 
 
 TJiat of the people's labour they 
 mheritance might have. 
 
 45 That they his flatutes might obferve 
 according to his word : 
 
 And that they might his laws obey. 
 Give praife unto the Lord. 
 
 PSALM CVL 
 
 We muftglve glory to God by making confciTion, not only of hU 
 goodntfs, but onr own bi-dnefs, which ferve ae foils to each other; 
 ©nr badnefs makes his goodnefs appear the more iruHrious, as his 
 goodnefs makes our badnef&the more heinous aud fcandalous. The 
 foregoing pfahn is a hiflory of God's goodntfs to Ifrael •. this is a 
 hiHory of their rebellions and provocations, and yet it begins and ends 
 \\'it:h halleluiah ; for even forrow for fin muft not put us out of tune 
 for praifing God. Some think it was penned at the time of the cap- 
 tivity in Babylon, and the difperfion of the Jewifti nation thereupon, 
 becaufe of that prayer in the clofe, vcr. 47. I rather think it was 
 penned by David, at the fame time with the foregoing pfalm, becaufe 
 we find the fifft verfe and the two lail in that pfalm, which David 
 delivered to Afaph, at the bringing up of the ark to the place he had 
 prepared for it, I Chron. xvi. 34, ^^, 36. ' Gather us from among 
 the heathen ;' for, we may fuppofe, in Saul's time, there was a great 
 difperfion of the pious Ifraelites, when David was forced to wander. 
 In the pfalm, we have, (i) The preface 'o the narrative, fi ealcing ho- 
 nour to God, ver. i, 2. comfoit to the faints, ver. 3. and the dtfire 
 of the faithful towards God's favour, ver. 4,5. (2) The narrative 
 itfelf of the fins of Ifrael, aggravated by the great things God did for 
 them, an account of which is intermixed. Their provocations at the 
 Red fca, ver. 6, — 12. lulling, ver. 13, 14, Ij mutinying, vcr. 16, 
 17, 18. worfhipping the golden calf, vtr. 19, — 23 murmuring, ver. 
 24, 27. joining themftlves to Baal-peor, ver. 28, — 31. qua relling 
 with Mofes, ver. 32,33. incorporating th'-mfclves with the nations 
 of Canaan, vcr. 34, — 39.; to which is added, an account how God 
 had relinked them for their fins, and yet faved them from ruin, ver. 
 40, — 46. (3) The conclufion of the pfalm with prayer and praife, 
 ver, 47, 48. It may be of ufe to us to fing this pfalm, that being put 
 
PSALM CVI. 257 
 
 ifi. mind by It of our fins, the fins of our land, and the fins cf OT;r 
 fathers, we may be humbled before God, and yet not defpair ci 
 mercy, which even rebellious Ifraei often found with God. 
 
 1 r^IVE praiie and thanks unto the Lord, 
 
 for bountiful is he ; 
 His tender mercy doth endure 
 unto eternity. 
 
 2 God's mighty works who can exprefs I 
 or fhew forth all his praife ? 
 
 3 Bleffed are they that judgment keep, 
 and juflly do always. 
 
 4 Remember me. Lord, with that love 
 which thou to thine doft bear ; 
 
 With thy falvation, O my God, 
 to viiit n:ie draw near : 
 
 5 That I thy chofen's good may fee, 
 and in their joy rejoice : 
 
 And may, with thine inheritance, 
 triumph with chearful voice. 
 
 6 We with our fathers fmned have, 
 and of iniquity 
 
 Too long we have the workers been, 
 v;e have done wickedly. 
 
 7 The wonders great, v/hich thou, O Lord,. 
 did ft work in Egypt land, 
 
 Our fathers, though they faw, yet them 
 they did not underftand : 
 
 And they thy mercies multitude 
 
 kept not in memory. 
 But at the fea, ev'n the Red fea, 
 
 provoked himgrievoufly. 
 
 8 Neverthelefs he faved them, 
 €v'n for his own name's fake : 
 
 ?3 
 
258 PSALM CVI. 
 
 That fo he might, to be well knovTn, 
 his mighty power make. 
 
 Q When he the Red fea did rebuke, 
 
 then dried up it was : 
 Through deeps, as through the wildernefs^ 
 
 he fafely made them pafs. 
 
 10 From hands of thofe that hated them, 
 he did his people fave ; 
 
 And from the en'mies cruel hand 
 to them redemption gave. 
 
 1 1 The waters overwhelm'd their foeis ; 
 not one was left alive. 
 
 12 Then they believ'd his word, and praife 
 to him in fongs did give. 
 
 13 But foon did they hi& mighty works 
 forget unthankful) y, 
 
 And on his counfel and his will 
 did not wait patiently : 
 
 34 But much did lull in wildernefs, 
 
 and God in defert tempt. 
 1^ He gave them what they fought, but t© 
 
 their foul he leannefs fent. 
 
 16 And again ft Mofes, in the camp, 
 their envy did appear ; 
 
 At Aaron they, the laint of G od, 
 envious alfo were. 
 
 1 7 Therefore the earth did open wide, 
 and Dathan did devour. 
 
 And ail Abiram's company 
 did cover in that hour. 
 
 18 Likewife among their company 
 arfire was kindled then j 
 
PSALM CVI. 2;c> 
 
 And fo the hot confuming flame 
 burnt up thofe wicked men. 
 
 19 Upon the hill of Horeb they 
 an idol-calf did frame, 
 
 A molten image they did make, 
 and worfhipped the fame. 
 
 20 And thus their glory, and their God, 
 moft vainly changed they 
 
 Into the likenefs of an ox 
 that eateth grafs or hay. 
 
 2 1 They did forget the mighty God, 
 that had their Saviour been, 
 
 By whom fuch great things brought to pafs, 
 they had in Egypt feen. 
 
 22 In Ham's land he did wond'rous works, 
 things terrible did he, 
 
 When he his mighty hand and arm 
 
 ftretch'd out at the Red fea. , 
 
 23 Then faid he, He would them deftroy, 
 had not, his waath to ftay, 
 
 His chofen Mofes flood in breach, 
 that them he fhould not flay. 
 
 24 Yea, they defpis'd the pleafant land, 
 believed not his word: 
 
 35 But in their tents they murmured, 
 not heark'ning to the Lord, 
 
 26 Therefore in defert, them to flay 
 he lifted up his hand : 
 
 27 'Mong nations too'erthrow their feed, 
 and fcatter in each land. 
 
 28 They unto Baal-peor did 
 themfelves afTociate j 
 
2^0 PSALM CVL 
 
 The facrifices of the dead 
 they did profanely eat. 
 
 29 Thus, by their lewd inventions^ 
 they did provoke liis ire ; 
 
 And then upon them fuddenly 
 the plague brake in as fire. 
 
 30 Then Phineas rofe, and juftice did f 
 and fo the plague did ceafe : 
 
 30 That to all ages counted, was 
 to him for righteoufnefs. 
 
 32 And at the waters where they drove, 
 they did him angry make, 
 
 In fuch fort, that it fared ill 
 wuth Mofes for their fake : 
 
 33 Eecaufe they there his fpirit meek 
 provoked bitterly, 
 
 £0 that he utter'd w!th his lips, 
 words unadvifedly. 
 
 34 Nor, as the Lord commanded them, 
 did they the nations ilsiy^: 
 
 45 But with the heathen mingled were, 
 and learn'd of them their way. 
 
 36 And they their idols ferv'd, which did 
 a fnare unto them turn. 
 
 37 Their fons and daughters they to de'ils^ 
 in facrifice did burn. 
 
 38 In their own children's guiltlefs blood 
 their hands they did imbrue, 
 
 Whom to Canaan's idols they 
 
 for facrifices flew : 
 So was the land defil'd with blood. 
 
 39 They ftain'd with their own way, 
 
PSALM CVL 261 
 
 And with their own inventions 
 a- whoring they did llray. 
 
 40 Againft his people kindled was 
 the wrath of God therefore, 
 
 Infomuch that he did his own 
 inheritance abhor. 
 
 41 He gave them to the heathen's hand ; 
 their foes did them command, 
 
 42 Their en'mies them opprefs'd, they were 
 made fubjed to their hand. 
 
 43 He many times deliver'd them ; 
 but with their counfel fo 
 
 They him provok'd, that for their (ia 
 they were brought very low. 
 
 44 Yet their afflidtion he beheld, 
 when he did hear their cry : 
 
 45 And he for them his covenant 
 did call to memory. 
 
 After his mercies multitude 
 
 46 he did repent ; and made 
 Them to be pity'd of all thofe 
 who did them captive lead. 
 
 47 O Lord our God, us fave, and gather 
 the heathen from among, 
 
 That vwe thy holy name may praife 
 in a triumphant fong. 
 
 48 Blefs'd be Jehovah, Ifrael's God, 
 to all eternity : 
 
 Let all the people fay, Amen. 
 Praife to the Lord give ye. 
 
262 PSALM CVn. 
 
 The Pfalmlft having, in the two foregoing pfalms, celebrated the 
 wifdom, power, and goodnefs of God in his dealings with his church 
 in particular, here obfervc fome of the inltances of his providential 
 care of the children of men in general, cfpecially in their diflreffes; 
 for he is not only King of faints, bat King of nations, not only the 
 God of Ifrael, but the God of the whole earth, and a connmon Far- 
 ther to ail mankind. Though th s may efpecially refer to Ifraelite* 
 in their perfonal capacity, yet there were thofe that pertained not 
 to the commonwealth of Ifrael, and yet were worfliippers of the 
 true God ; and even thofe that worihipped images, yet had fome 
 knowledge of a fupreme Numen, to whom, when they were in 
 earneft, they looked above all their falfe gods. And of thefe, when 
 they prayed in their diftrelfcs, God took a particular care, (i) He 
 inftances in fome of the moft common calamities of human life ; 
 and fhews how God fucccurs thofe that labour under them, in 
 anfvver to their prayers, I. Baniihment and difperfion, ver. I, — 9. 
 a. Captivity and imprifonment, ver. 10, — J6. 3. Sicknefs and 
 diftemper of body, ver. 17, — 22. 4. Danger and diftrefs at fea,. 
 ver. .43, — 32.. And thefe are put for all the like perils, in which 
 thofe that cry unto God have ever found him a very prefent help. 
 (2) He inftances in the varieties and vicifiitudes of events, concern- 
 ing nations and families ; in all which God's hand is to be eyed by 
 his own people, with joyful acknov/ledgments of his goodnefs, ver. 
 33, — 43. When we are in any of thefe, or the like diilrelTes, it will 
 be comfortable to fingthis pfaim with application ; but if we be not, 
 others are and have'been, of whofe deliverance it becomes us to give 
 God the glory, for we are members one of another. 
 
 I pRAlSE God, for he is good ; for ftill 
 
 his mercies lafting be. 
 ■2 Let God's redeem'd fay fo, whom he 
 from th' en'my's hand did free : 
 
 3 And gathered ihem out of the lands, 
 from north, fouth, eaft. and weft. 
 
 4 They ftray'd in deferts pathlefs way,, 
 no city found to reft. 
 
 5 For thirftand hunger in them faints 
 
 6 their fouL When ftraits them prefs^ 
 They cry unto the Lord, and he 
 
 them frees from their diftrefs. 
 n Them alfo in a way to walk, 
 that right is^ he did guide ; 
 
PSALM CVII. 263 
 
 That they might to a city go 
 wherein they might abide. 
 
 8 Othat men to the Lord would give 
 praife, for his goodnefs, then, 
 
 And for his works of wonder done 
 unto the fons of men ! 
 
 9 For he the foul that longing is, 
 doth fully fatisfy : 
 
 With goodnefs he the hungry foul 
 doth fill abundantly. 
 
 10 Such as fhut up in darknefs deep, 
 and in death's (hade abide, 
 
 Whom ftrongly hath afflidlion bound, 
 and irons faft have ty'd : 
 
 1 1 (Becaufe againft the wordsr:of God 
 they wrought rebelliouily ; - 
 
 And they the counfel did contentn 
 of him that is moft high :) 
 
 1 2 Their heart he did bring down with grief; 
 they fell, no help could have. 
 
 13 In trouble then they cry'd to God, 
 he them from ftraits did lave. 
 
 14 He out of darknefs did them bring, 
 and from death's fhade them take : 
 
 Thofe bands wherewith they had been 
 afunder quite he brake. [bound, 
 
 15 O that men to the Lord would give 
 praife, for his goodnefs, then, 
 
 And for his works of wonder done 
 unto the fons of men ! 
 
 16 Becaufe the mighty gates of brafs 
 in pieces he did tear, 
 
264 P S A L M CVIL 
 
 By him ia funder alfo cut 
 the bars of iron were. 
 
 1 7 Fools, for then* fin, and their offence, 
 do fore affliftion bear. 
 
 18 All kind of meat their foul abhors, 
 they to death's gales draw near. 
 
 19 In grief they cry to God, he faves 
 them from their miferies. 
 
 20 He fends his word, them heals, and them 
 from their deftrud:ions frees. 
 
 2 1 O that men to the Lord would give 
 praife, for his goodnefs, then. 
 
 And for his works of wonder done 
 unto the fons of men ! 
 
 22 And letthem facrifice to him 
 off 'rings of thankfulnefs. 
 
 And let them fhew abroad his works 
 in fongs of joyfulnefs. 
 
 23 Who go to fea in fhips, and in 
 great waters trading be, 
 
 24 Within the deep thefe men God's works, 
 and his great wonders fee. 
 
 25 For he commands, and forth in hafle 
 the ftormy temped flies, 
 
 Which makes the fea wuth rolling waves, 
 aloft to fwell and rife. 
 
 26 They mount to heav'n, then to the depths 
 they do go down again ; 
 
 Their foul doth faint, and melt away 
 with trouble and with pain. 
 
 27 They reel and ftagger like one drunk, 
 at their wits end they be ; 
 
PSALM CVII. 26s 
 
 28 Then they to God in trouble cry, 
 who them from ftraits doth free. 
 
 29 Theftorm is chang'd into a calm, 
 at his command and will, ^ 
 
 So that the weaves which rag'd before, 
 now quiet are and Hill. 
 
 30 Then are they glad, becaufe at reft 
 and quiet now they be ; 
 
 So to the haven he them brings, 
 which they defir'd to fee, 
 
 31 O that men to the Lord would give 
 praife, for his goodnefs, then, 
 
 And for his works of wonder done 
 unto the fons of men 1 
 
 32 Among the people gathered, 
 let them exalt his name ; 
 
 Among affembled elders fpread 
 his mod renowned fame, 
 
 2;^ He to dry land turns water-fprings, 
 
 and floods to wildernefs ; 
 34 For fins of thofe that dwell therein, 
 
 fat land to barrennefs. 
 ^^ The burnt and parched wildernefs 
 
 to water-pools h^ brings. 
 The ground that was dry'd up before, 
 
 he turns to water-fprings. 
 
 36 And there, for dwelling, he a place 
 doth to the hungry give. 
 
 That they a city may prepare, 
 commodioufly to live. 
 
 37 There fow they fields, and vineyards plant, 
 to yield fruits of increafe, 
 
 Z 
 
^66 P S A L M CVIII. 
 
 38 His bleffing makes them multiply, 
 lets not their beads decreafe. 
 
 39 Again they are diminifhed, 
 and very low brought down, 
 
 Through forrow and afflidion, 
 and great opprelTion. 
 
 40 He upon princes pours contempt, 
 and caufeth them to ftray 
 
 And wander in a wildernefs, 
 wherein there is no way. 
 
 41 Yet fetteth he the poor on high 
 from all his miferies. 
 
 And he, much like unto a flock, 
 doth make him families. 
 
 42 They that are righteous fhall rejoice, 
 when they the fame fhall fee ; 
 
 And, as afhamed, flop her mouth 
 fhall all iniquity. 
 
 43 Whofo is wife, and will thefe things 
 obferve, and them record, 
 
 Ev'n they fliall underftand the love 
 and kindnefs of the Lord. 
 
 PSALM CVIII. 
 
 This pfalm begins with praife, and concludes with prayer, and 
 faith is at work in both, (i) David here gives thanks to God for 
 xnercies to himfelf, ver. I, — 5. (2) He prays to God for mercies for 
 the land, pleading the promifes of God, and putting them in fuit, 
 ver. 6, — 12' The former part is taken out of Pfaim Ivii, 7, &c. 
 the latter out of Ffalm Ixv. 5, &c. and both with very little varia- 
 tion ; to teach us, that^^we may, in prayer, ufe the fame words that 
 we have formerly ufed, provided it be with new affeiftions. It in- 
 timates likewife, that it is not only allowable, but fometimes con- 
 venient, to gather fome verfes out of one pfalm, and fome out of 
 another, and to put them together to be fung to the glory of God. 
 In finging this pfalm, we muH give glory to God, and take comfort 
 to ourfelves. 
 
PSALM CVIII. a^7 
 
 A fong or Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 j\/f Y heart is fix'd, Lord ; I \yill fing, 
 
 and with my glory praiie. 
 
 2 Awake up, pfaltery and harp, 
 myfelf I'll early raife. 
 
 3 I'll pralfe thee 'mong the people, Lord^. 
 'mong nations ling will I. 
 
 4 For above heav'n thy mercy's great,, 
 thy truth doth reach the fky. 
 
 5 Be thou above the heavens, Lord^ 
 exalted glorioufly : 
 
 Thy glory all the earth above 
 be lifted up on high. 
 
 6 That thofe who thy beloved arCy 
 delivered may be : 
 
 O do thou fave with thy right hand,, 
 and anfwer give to me. . 
 
 7 God in his holinefs hath faid,. 
 Herein I will take pleafure, 
 
 Shechem I wall divide, and forth 
 will Succoth's valley meafure, 
 
 8 Gilead I claim as mine by right, 
 Manafl^h mine Iliall be, 
 
 Ephra'm is of my head the ftrength,, 
 Judah gives laws for me. 
 
 9 Moab's my wafhing pot, my fiioe' 
 V\\ over Edom throw : 
 
 Over the land of Paleftine 
 1 will in triumph go. 
 
 10 O who is he will bring me to 
 f the city fortify'd? 
 
 O who is he that to the land 
 of Edom will me guide ? 
 
268 P S A L M CIX. 
 
 1 1 O God, thou who hadft cafl us oiF, 
 this thing wiit thou not do ? 
 
 And wilt not thou, ev'n thou, O God, 
 forth with our armies go ? 
 
 12 Do thou from trouhle give us help : 
 for helplefs is man's aid. 
 
 13 Through God we (liall do valiantly: 
 our foes he iliall down tread. 
 
 PSALM CIX. 
 
 Vv''hetlier David penned this pfalm v.'Iien he was perfecsted by 
 Faul, or when his fon Abfalcm rebelled againft him, or upon occafion 
 of fome other trouble that was given him, is uncertain ; and vi'hethcr 
 the particular enemy he prays agalnil was Saul, or Doeg, or Ahi- 
 tl.opci, or fome other, not mentioned in the ftory, we cannot derer- 
 mine ; but it is certain, that in penning it he had an eye to Chrift, 
 his fufferings, and his perfecutors, for that imprecation, ver 8. i» 
 applied to Judas, Adls i. 20. And the rcil of the prayers here a- 
 gainfb his enemies were the expreflions not of paf!:on, but of the 
 iphh of prophecy. (l) He lodgeth a complaint in the court of 
 heaven, of the malice and bafe ingratitude of his enemies, and with 
 it an appeal to the righteous God, ver. I, — 5. (2) He prays againft 
 his enemies, and devotes them to deftruAion, ver. 6, — 20. (3; He 
 prays for himfclf, that God would help and fuctour him in his low 
 condition, ver. 21, — 29, (4) He concludes with a joyful cxpedation 
 that God would appear for him, ver. 30, 3 r. In finging this pfalm, 
 we muft com^'ort ourfelves with the beliving forefight of the certain 
 dellruvflion of all the enemies of Chrilt ai.d his church, and the cer- 
 Uin falvation of all thofe that truft in God, and keep dofc to him. 
 
 To the chief mufician, A pfalm of David. 
 
 1 r\ Thou the God of all my praife, 
 
 do thou not hold thy peace : 
 
 2 For mouths of wicked men, to fpeak 
 againft me do not ceafe ; 
 
 The mouths of vile deceitful men 
 
 againft me open'd he : 
 And withafalfe and lying tongue 
 
 they have accufed nie. 
 
PSALM CIX. ^6g 
 
 3 They did befet me round about 
 with words of hateful fpite : 
 
 And though to them no caufe I gave, 
 againft me they did fight. 
 
 4 They for my love became my foes : 
 but I me fet to pray. 
 
 J Evil for good, hatred for love,, 
 to me they did repay. 
 
 6 Set thou the wicked over him ; 
 and upon his right hand 
 
 Give thou his greateft enemy, 
 ev'n Satan, leave to ftand. 
 
 7 And when by thee he ihall be judg'd, 
 let him condemned be ; 
 
 And let his pray'r be turn'd to fin, 
 when he ihall call on thee. 
 
 8 Few be his days, and in his roonx^ 
 his charge another take. 
 
 9 His children let be fatherlefs, 
 his wife a vi'idow make. 
 
 10 His children let be vagabonds^ 
 and beg continually : 
 
 And, from their places defolate, 
 feek bread for their fupply. 
 
 11 Let covetous extortioners 
 catch all he hath away : 
 
 Of all for which he laboured hath 
 let ftrangers make a prey. 
 
 12 Let there be none to pity him : 
 let there be none at all 
 
 That on his children fatherlefs 
 will let his mercy fall. 
 Z 3 
 
1^o PSALM CIX. 
 
 13 Let his pofterity from earth 
 cut off for ever be, 
 
 And in the following age their name 
 be blotted out by thee. 
 
 14 Let God his father's wickednefs 
 ftill to remembrance call : 
 
 And never let his mother's fm 
 be blotted out at all. 
 
 15 But let them all before the Lord, 
 appear continually, 
 
 That he may wholly from the earth 
 cut off their memory. 
 
 1 6 Becaufe he mercy minded not, 
 but perfecuted ftill 
 
 The poor and needy, that he might 
 the broken hearted kill. 
 
 17 As he in curfmg pleafure took, 
 fo let it to him fail : 
 
 As he delighted not to blefs, 
 fo blefs him not at all. 
 
 1 8 As curfmg he like clothes put on, 
 into his bowels fo, 
 
 Like water, and into his bone^^, 
 like oil, down let it go. 
 
 19 Like to the garment let it be 
 which doth himfelf array, 
 
 And for a girdle, wherewith he 
 
 is girt about alway. 
 '10 From God let this be their reward 
 
 that en'mies are to me. 
 And their reward, that fpeak againft 
 
 my foul malicioufly. 
 
PSALM CIX. 27£ 
 
 2 1 But do thou, for thine own name's fake, 
 O God the Lord, for me : 
 
 Sith good and fweet thy mercy is, 
 from trouble fet me free. 
 
 22 For I am poor and indigent, 
 afflided fore am I, 
 
 My heart within me alfo is 
 wounded exceedingly. 
 
 i>3 I pafs like a declining fhade, 
 am like the locuft toft. 
 
 24 My knees through fafting weak'ned arc, 
 my flefli hath fatnefs loft* 
 
 25 I alfo am a vile reproach 
 unto them made to be : 
 
 x^nd they that did upon me look, 
 did (hake their heads at me. 
 
 26 O do thou help and fuccour me, 
 who art my God and Lord : 
 
 And, for thy tender mercies' fake, 
 fafety to me afford. 
 
 27 That thereby they may know, that this 
 is thy almighty hand ; - ^ ^ 
 
 And that thou, Lord, haft done the fame, 
 . they may well underftand. 
 
 28 Although they curfe withfpite, yet, Lord, 
 blefs thou with loving voice : 
 
 Let them ailiam'd be when they rife : 
 thy fervant let rejoice. 
 
 29 Let thou mine adverfaries all 
 with fhame be clothed over : 
 
 And let their own confufion 
 them, as a mantle, cover. 
 
27a PSALM ex. 
 
 30 But as for me, I with my mouth 
 will greatly praife the Lord ^ 
 
 And I among the multitude 
 his pralfes will record. 
 
 3 1 For he Aall ftand at his right-hand 
 who is in poverty, 
 
 To fave him from all thofe that would 
 condemn his foul to die. 
 
 PSALM ex. 
 
 This pfalm is pure gofpel ; it is only and wholly concerning Chrift 
 the Mefliah, promifed to the fathers, and expected by tnem : if is 
 plain the Jews of old, even the woril of them, fo underftood it, 
 however the nrodern Jews have endeavoured to pervert it, and to 
 rob us of it: for when the Lord Jefus propofed a queftion to the 
 Pharifees upon the f.rft words of this p aim, where he takes it for 
 granted, that David in Spirit calls Chrift his Lord, though he were 
 his Son, they chofe rather to fay nothing, and to own themfelves 
 gravelled, than to make it a queftion, whether David dorh indeed 
 fpeak of the Meffiah, or no; for they freely yield fo plain a truth, 
 though they forefee it will turn to their own difgrace, Matth. xxii. 
 41, &c. Of him, therefore, no doubt, the prophet here fpeaks; 
 of him, and of no other man. Chrift, as our Redeemer, executes 
 the office of a Prophet, of a Prieft, and of a King, both in his ftatc 
 cf humiliation and exaltation ; and of each of thefe we have here 
 an account, (i) His prophetical office, vtr. a. (2) His prieftly 
 office, ver. 4. (3) His kingly office, ver. 1,3, 5, 6. (4} His cftates 
 of humiliation and exaltation, ver. 7. In finging this pfalm, we 
 muft Z&. faith upon Chrift, fubmit ourfelves entirely to him, to his 
 grace and government, and triumph in him as cur Prophet, Prieft, 
 and King, by whom we hope to be ruled and tai'ght, and faved for 
 ever ; and as the Prophf t, Prieft, and King cf the whole church, 
 who ftiall reign till he has put (!own all oppcHng rule, principality 
 and power, and delivered up the kingdom to God the Father^- 
 
 A Pfalm of Oavid, 
 
 1 nrHE Lord did fay unto my Lord, 
 
 Sit thou at my right hand, 
 Until I make thy foes a ftool 
 whereon thy feet may ftand. 
 
 2 The Lord fhall cut of Zion fend 
 the rod of thy great pow'r ; 
 
PSALM CXI. . 273 
 
 In mulfl: of all thine enemies 
 be thou the governor. 
 
 3 A willing people, in thy day 
 of pow'r, (hall come to thee, 
 
 In holy beauties from morn's womb: 
 thy youth like dew fhall be. 
 
 4 The Lord himfelf hath made an oath, 
 and will repeat him never. 
 
 Of th' order of Melchizedeck 
 thou art a prieft for ever, 
 
 5 The glorious and mighty Lord, 
 that fits at thy right hand, 
 
 Shall, in his day of w^ath, ftrike through 
 kings that do him withftand. 
 
 6 He ihall among the heathen judge, 
 he fhall with bodies dead 
 
 The places fill : o'er many lands 
 he wound fhall ev'ry head. 
 
 7 The brook that runneth in the way 
 with drink fhall him fupply : 
 
 And for this caufe, in triumph he 
 fhall lift his head on high. 
 
 P S A L M CXI. 
 
 This, and divers of the pfalms that follow it, feem to have been 
 penned by David for the (ervice of the church, in their folemn fcafts, 
 and not upon any particular occafion. 1'his is a pfalm of praife, the 
 title of it is Hallelujah, Praife ye the Lord; intimating, that wc 
 muft addrefs ourfelves to the ufe of this pfalm, with hearts diipofed 
 to praife God.- Ir is comj»ofed alphabetically, each fentence begin- 
 ing with a feveral letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order exadlly ; 
 and two fentences to each vcrfe, and three a piece to the laft two. 
 The pfdlmift. exhorting to praife God, (i) Sets himfjlf for an 
 example, ver I. (2) Furnifhes us v.-ith matter for praife from th« 
 •works of God ; I. The grcatntfs of Iris works, and the glory of 
 
$74 PSALM CXI. 
 
 them. 2. The righteoufnefs of them. 3. The goodnefs of them. 
 4. The power of them. 5. The conformity of them to his word of 
 promife. 6. The perpetuity of them. Thefe obfervations are in- 
 termixed, ver. 2, — 9. (3) He recommends the holy fear of God, 
 and confcientious obedience to his commands, as the moil acceptable 
 way of praifing God, ver. 10. 
 
 1 pRAISE ye the Lord : with my whole 
 
 I will God's praife declare, [heart 
 Where the affemblies of the juft 
 and congregations are. 
 
 2 The whole works of the Lord our Gody 
 are great above all meafure, 
 
 Sought out they are of ev'ry one 
 that doth therein take pleafure. 
 
 3 His work mod honourable is, 
 moft glorious and pure : 
 
 And his untainted righteoufnefs 
 for ever doth endure. 
 
 4 His works moft wonderful he hath 
 made to be thought upon : 
 
 The Lord is gracious, and he is 
 full of compaflion. 
 
 5 He giveth meat unto all thofe 
 that truly do him fear : 
 
 And evermore his covenant 
 he in his mind will bear. 
 
 6 He did the power of his works 
 unto his people (how, 
 
 When he the heathen's heritage 
 upon them did beftow. 
 
 7 His handy- works are truth and right; 
 all his commands are fure. 
 
 8 And done in truth and uprightnefs,. 
 they evermore endure. 
 
PSALM CXII. 275 
 
 9 He fent redemption to his folk, 
 his covenant for ay- 
 He did command : holy his name 
 
 and revVend is alway. 
 
 10 Wifdom's beginning is God's fear : 
 good underftanding they 
 
 Have all, that his commands fulfil : 
 his praife endures for ay. 
 
 PSA LM. cxir. 
 
 This pfalm is compofed alphabetically, as the former is, and is 
 (like the former) entitled, Hallelujah ; tho' it treats of the happinefs 
 of the faints, becaufe it redounds to the glory of God ; and what- 
 ever we have the pleafure of, he muft have the praife of. It is a 
 comment upon the laft verfe of the foregoing pfalm, and fully fhews,. 
 how much it is ourwifdomto ' fear God, and do his commandments.' 
 We have here, (i) The character of the righteous, ver. i. (a) The 
 bleifednefs of the righteous, [i] There is a blefling entailed on 
 their pofterity, ver. 2. [2] There is a blefling conferred upon 
 t,hemfelves, I. Profperity outward and inward, ver. 3. 2. Comfort, 
 ver. 4. 3. Wifdom, ver. 5. 4 Stability, ver. 6, 7, 8. 5. Honour, 
 ver. 6, 9. (3) The mifery of the wicked, ver. 10. So that here is 
 good and evil fet before us, the blefling and the curfe. In finging 
 this pfalm, we mufl; not only teach and admonifli ourfelves and one 
 another, to anfwer the characters here given of the happy ; but com- 
 fort and encourage ourfelves and one another, with the privileges 
 and comforts here fecured to the holy. 
 
 1 pRAISEyetheLord. The man is blefs'd 
 
 that fears the Lord aright, 
 He who in his commandements 
 doth greatly take delight. 
 
 2 His feed and offspring powerful 
 fhall be the earth upon : 
 
 Of upright men bleffed fliall be 
 the generation. 
 
 3 Riches and wealth fliall ever be 
 within his houfe in ftore : 
 
 And his unfpotted righteoufnefs 
 endures for evermore. 
 
276 PSALM CXIII. 
 
 4 Unto the upright light doth rife, 
 though he in darknefs be : 
 
 Compalfionate, and merciful, 
 and righteous is he. 
 
 5 A good man doth his favour fhew, 
 and doth to others lend r 
 
 He with difcretion his affairs 
 will guide unto the end. 
 
 6 Surely there is not any thing 
 that ever (hall him move : 
 
 The righteous man's memorial 
 fhall everlafting prove. 
 
 7 When he fhall evil tidings hear, 
 he fhall not be afraid : 
 
 His heart is fix'd his confidence 
 upon the Lord is flay'd. 
 
 8 His heart is firmly 'ftabliflied, 
 afraid he fhall not be. 
 
 Until upon his enemies 
 he his defire (hall fee. 
 
 9 He hath difpers'd, giv'n to the poor ; 
 his righteoufnefs fliall be 
 
 To ages all ; with honour fhall 
 his horn be raifed high. 
 
 10 The wicked fhall it fee, and fret, 
 his teeth gnafh, melt away ; 
 
 What wicked men do mofl defire 
 fhall utterly decay. 
 
 PSALM CXIIL 
 
 This pfalm begins and ends with Hallelujahs ; for, as many othew, 
 it is defigned to promote the great, and good work of praifing God. 
 (i) We are here called upon and urged to praife God, ver. I, 2, 3. 
 (a) We arc here furniflied with matter for praife, and words are 
 put into our mouths j in finging -which, we mull, with holy fear and 
 
PSALM CXIV. 277 
 
 bvc, give to God the glory of, i. Th.e elevations of his glory and 
 greatneis, ver. 4, 5. 2. The condefcenfions of his grace and good- 
 nefs, ver. 6, — 9. v/hich very much iiluflrdte one another, that wc 
 may be duly affeded with both. 
 
 1 pRAISEGod. YefervantsoftheLord, 
 
 O praife,the Lord's name praife. 
 
 2 Yea, bleffed be the name of God 
 from this time forth always. 
 
 3 From rifmg fan to where it fets, 
 God's name is to be prais'd. 
 
 4 Above all nations God is high, 
 'bove heav'ns his glory rais'd. 
 
 5 Unto the Lord our God, that dwells 
 on high, who can compare ? 
 
 6 Himfelf that humbleth things to fee 
 in heav'n and earth that are ? 
 
 7 He from the duft doth raife the poor, 
 that very low doth lie, 
 
 And from the dunghill lifts the man 
 opprefs'd with poverty : 
 
 8 That he may highly him advance, 
 and with the princes fet. 
 
 With thofe that of his people are 
 the chiefs ev'n princes great. 
 
 9 The barren woman houfe to keep 
 he maketh, and to be 
 
 Of fons a mother full of joy. 
 Praife to the Lord give ye, 
 
 P S A L M CXIV. 
 
 The deliverance of Ifrael out of Egypt gave birth to thelf church 
 and nation, which were then founded, then formed ; that work of 
 wonder ought therefore to be had in everlafting remembrance : God 
 gloried in it in the preface to the ten commandments, and Hof. 
 xi. J. * Out of Egypt have I called my Son.' In this pfaira it is 
 
 A SI 
 
273 P S A L M CXIV. 
 
 celebrated '.a lively drains of praife; it was fitly therefore ttiacle a 
 part of the greai hallelujah, or foag of praife, which the Jews were 
 wont to fing at the clofe of the paflbver-fupper. It muft never be 
 forgotten, (i) That they were brought out of llavery, ver. i. 
 (2) That God fet up his tabernacle among them, ver. 2. (3) That 
 the fta and Jordan were divided bt;fore them, vei 3, 5. (4) That 
 the earth fhook at the giving the law, when God came down on 
 Mount Sinai, ver. 4, 6, 7. (5) That God gave them water out of 
 the rock, ver. "8. In finging this pfalm, we muft acknowledge 
 Cod's power and gocdnefs in Vv'hat he did for Tfrael, applying it to 
 the much greater work of wonder, our redemption by Chrift, and 
 encouraging ourfelves and others, to truH in God in the greatefb 
 il raits. 
 
 1 ^^HEN Ifra'l outof Egypt went, 
 
 and did his dwelling change, 
 When Jacob's houfe went out from thofc 
 that were of language (Irange ; 
 
 2 He Judah did his fanduary, 
 his kingdom Ifra'l make. 
 
 3 The fea it faw, and quickly fled ; 
 Jordan was driven back. 
 
 4 Like rams the mountains, and like lambs 
 the hills ftipp'd to and fro. 
 
 5 O fea, why fledd'ft thou ? Jordan back 
 why waft thou driven fo ? 
 
 6 Ye mountains great, wherefore was it 
 that ye did fkip like rams ? 
 
 And vv^herefore was it, little hills, 
 that ye did leap like lambs ? 
 
 7 O at the prefence of the Lord, 
 earth, tremble thou for fear, 
 
 While as the prefence of the God 
 
 of Jacob doth appear. 
 S Who from the hard and ftony rock 
 
 did ftanding water bring, 
 And by his pow'r did turn the flint 
 
 into a water-fpring. 
 
PSALM CXV, 27^ 
 
 Many ancient tranflarlons join thi3 p'alm to that wnicB goes nc%t 
 before vt ; the Scptuagint particularly, and the vulgar Latin : but it 
 is in the Hebrew a diftind pf.ilm. In it, we are taught to give 
 glory, (i) To God, and not to ourfclves, ver. I. (z) To Goc^, 
 and net to idols, vcr. 2, — 8. V/e muft give glory to God, I. B7 
 tr'uding in him, and in his promifc aird blelTin^, ver. 9, — 15. ^■ By 
 blefiing him, ver. 16, 17, 18. Some think this pfalm was penned 
 upon occafion of fome great diilrefs and trouble that the church of 
 Gcd v/as in, when the eneniies were infolent and threatening; ire 
 wntchcafe the church doth not fo mu<:h pour out her complaint to 
 God, as place her confidence in God, and triumph in doing fo •, a»d 
 with fuch an holy triumph we ought to fing thisplalm. 
 
 1 "MOT unto us, Lordy not to us^ 
 
 but do thou glory take 
 Unto thy name, ev'n for thy truth, 
 and for thy mercy's falce. 
 
 2 O wherefore fliould the heathen fay,. 
 Where is their God now gone ? 
 
 3 But our God in the heavens is, 
 what pleasM him he hath done* 
 
 4 Their idols fiiver are and gold, 
 work of men's handr they be. 
 
 5 Mouths have they^ but they do not fpeakj: 
 and eyes, but do not fee. 
 
 6 Ears have they, but they do not hear ;. 
 nofes, but favour not : ^ 
 
 7 Hands, feet, but handle not, nor walk ; 
 nor fpeak they through their throat. 
 
 8 Like them their makers are ; and alt 
 on them their truft that build. 
 
 9 O Ifra 1, truft thou in the Lord : 
 he is their help and fliield. 
 
 10 O Aaron's houfe, truft in the Lord:- 
 their help and ftiield is he. 
 
 1 1 Ye that fear God, truft in the Lord : 
 their help and.fhield he'll be. 
 
28o P S A L M CXVI. 
 
 12 The Lord of us hath mindful been, 
 and he will blefs us IHII, 
 
 He will the houfe of Ifra'l b'efs, 
 blefs Aaron's houfe he will. 
 
 13 Both fmall and great that fear the Lord, 
 he will theiii furely blefs. 
 
 14 The Lord will you, you and your feed 
 ay more and more increafe. 
 
 15 O bleffed are ye of the Lord, 
 who made the earth and heav'n. 
 
 16 The heav'n, ev'n heav'ns are God's: but 
 earth to men's fens hath giv'n. [he 
 
 17 The dead, nor who to filencego, 
 Gcd*s praife do not record. 
 
 18 But henceforth we for ever will 
 blefs God. Praife ye the Lord, 
 
 PSALM CXVL 
 
 This is a rhankfglving pfalm ; it is not certain, whether David 
 penned it upon any particular occafion, or upon a general review of 
 the many gracious deliverances God had wrought for him out of 
 fix troubles, and feven ; from which he takes rife for many very 
 lively exprefiions of devction^love, and gratitude : and with the like 
 pious afFcdions our fouls fhould be lifted up to God in finging it. 
 Obferve, (i) The great diflrefs and danger chat the Pfalmifl was 
 in, which alnioll drove him to dcfpair, ver. 3, 10, 1 1. (2) The 
 application he made to God in that dillrefs, ver. 4 (3) The ex- 
 perience he had of God's goodneis to him in anfwcr to prayer ; God 
 heard him, ver. i, 2. pitied him, ver. 5, 6 delivered him, ver. 8. 
 (4) His care v.'hat acknowledgments he Ihould make of the good- 
 refs cf God to him, ver. 12. I. He will love God, vtr. I. 2 He 
 will continue to call upon him, ver. 2, 13, 17. 3. He v/ill reft in 
 him, ver. 7. 4. He will walk betore him, ver. 9. 5 He will pay 
 his vows of thankfgiving, in which he will own the tender regard 
 God had to him, and this publicly, ver. 13, 14, 15- snd ver. 17, t8. 
 19. Laftly, He will continue God's faithful fervant to his life's 
 end, ver. 16. Thele are fuch breathings of a hoiy fcul, as bciptak 
 it very happy. 
 
PSALM CXVL 2>8t 
 
 1 T Love the Lord, becaufe my voice 
 
 and prayers he did hear. 
 
 2 I, while 1 live, will call on him,, 
 who bow'd to me his ear. 
 
 3 Of death the cords and forrov/s did 
 about me compafs round. 
 
 The pains of hell took hold en me : 
 I grief and trouble found* 
 
 4 Upon the name of God the Lord 
 then did I call, and fay, 
 
 Deliver thou my foul, O Lord, 
 I do thee humbly pray. 
 
 5 God merciful and righteous is : 
 yea, gracious is our Lord. 
 
 6 God faves the meek : I was brought low, 
 he did me help afford. 
 
 7 O thou my foul, do thou return 
 unto my quiet reft^ 
 
 For largely, lo,the Lord to thee 
 his bounty hath expreft. 
 
 8 For my diftreffed foul from death 
 deliver'd was by thee : 
 
 Thou didft my mourning eyes from tears, 
 my feet from falling free, 
 
 9 Im the land of thofe that live, 
 will walk the Lord before. 
 
 10 I did believe, therefore I fpake : 
 I was afflicted fore. 
 
 1 1 1 faid, when I was in my hafte, 
 that all men liars be. 
 
 J 2 What .(hall I render to the Lord,= 
 for all his gifts to me ? 
 A a :i 
 
a82 PSALM CXVII. 
 
 13 I'll of falvation take the cup 
 on God's name will I call. 
 
 14 ril pay my vows now to the Lord, 
 before his people all. 
 
 15 Dear in God's fight is his faints' death. 
 10 Thy fervant, Lord, am I, 
 
 Thy fervant fure, thine handmaid's fon : 
 my bands thou didfl: untie. 
 
 17 Thank-ofF'rings I to thee will give, 
 and on God's name will call. 
 
 1 8 I'll pay my vows now to the Lord, 
 before his people all : 
 
 19 Within the courts of God's own houfe, 
 within the midft of thee, 
 
 Ocity of Jerufalem. 
 
 Praife to the Lord give ye. 
 
 PSALM CXVil. 
 
 This pfalm is fhort and fweet; I doubt the reafon why we fing' 
 it fo oft as we do, is for the fhortnefs of it ; but if we rightly un- 
 derftood and confidered it, we would fing it ofttner for the fweetiitfs 
 cf it, efpecially to us finners of the Gentiles, on whom it cafls a very 
 favourable eye. Here is, (i) A folemn call to al! nations to praife 
 God, ver. I. (2) Proper matter for that praife fuggtfted, vcr. a. 
 We are foon weary indeed of Well-doing, if in finging this pfalm, 
 we keep not up thofe pious and devout affedlions with which the 
 fj^iritualfacrincc of praife ought to be kindled, and kept burning. 
 
 1 r\ Give ye praife unto the Lord, 
 
 all nations that be : 
 Likev/ife, ye people all, accord 
 his name to magnify. 
 
 2 For great to us-ward ever are 
 his loving kindneffes : 
 
 His truth endures for evermore 
 The Lord O do ye blefs. 
 
P S A L M CXVIII. 283 
 
 It Is probable David penned this pfalm when he had, after mapy 
 a dorm, weathered his pomt at laft, and gained a full pofTdTion of 
 the kingdom to which he had been anointed. He then invites and 
 flirs up his friends to join with him, not only in a cheerful acknow- 
 ledgment of God's goodnefs, and a cheerful dependence upon that 
 goodnefs for the future, but in a believing expe<5lation of the pro- 
 mifcd Mcfliah, of whofe kingdom, and his eirakation to it, his were 
 typical : to him, it is Certain, the prophet here bears witncfs in the 
 latter part of the pfalm ; Chrifl himfclf applies it to himfelf, Matth. 
 xxi 4a. and the former part of the pfalm may fairly, and without 
 forcing-, be accommodated to him and his undertaking. Some think 
 it was tirft calculated for the folemnity of the bringing of the ark to 
 the city of David, and wa^ afterwards fung at the feaft of taber- 
 nacles. In it, (l) David calls upon all about him, to give to God 
 the glory of his goodnefs, ver. i, — 4. (a) He en courageth himfelf 
 and ochers to trufl in God, from the experience he had had of God's 
 power and pity in the great and kind things he had done for him, 
 vcr. 5, — 18. (3) He gives thanks for his advancement to the 
 throne, as it was a figure o; the exaltation of Chrift, ver. 19, — 23. 
 (4) The people, the priefis, and the Pfalmill himfelf, triumph in 
 the profpecl of the Redeemer's kingdom, ver. 24, — 29. In fmging 
 this pfalm, we muil glorify God for his goodnefs to us, and efpeci- 
 ally his goodnefs to us in Jefus Chrift. 
 
 1 r\ Praife the Lord, for he is good : 
 
 his mercy laileth ever. 
 
 2 Let thole of Ifrael new fay, 
 His mercy faileth never. 
 
 3 Now let the houfe of Aaron fay, 
 His mercy lafteth ever. 
 
 4 Let thofe that fear the Lord now fay, 
 His mercy faileth never. 
 
 5 I in diftrefs callM on the Lord : 
 the Lord did anfwer me. 
 
 He in a large place did me fet, 
 from trouble made me free. 
 
 6 The mighty Lord is on my fide, - 
 I Tvill not be afraid ; 
 
 For any thing that man can do, 
 I fhall not be difmay'd. 
 
2S4 P S A L M CXVIII. 
 
 7 The Lord doth take my part with them 
 that help to fuccour me : 
 
 Therefore on thofethat do me hate 
 I my defire fhall fee. 
 
 8 Betteritisto truftin God, 
 than truil in man's defence. 
 
 9 Better to truft in God than make 
 princes our confidence. 
 
 10 The nations, joining all in one, 
 did compafs me about : 
 
 But in the Lord's moft holy name 
 I fhall them all root out 
 
 1 1 They compafs'd me about, I fay, 
 they compafs'd me about : 
 
 But in the Lord's moft holy name 
 I fhall them all rcot out, 
 
 1 2 Like bees they compafs'd me about, 
 like unto thorns that flame 
 
 They quenched are : for them fhall I 
 deflroy in God's own name. 
 
 13 Thou fore haft thruft, that I might fall: 
 but my Lord helped me. 
 
 14 God my falvation is become, 
 my ftrength apd fong is he. 
 
 35 In dwellings of the righteous 
 
 is heard the melody 
 Of joy and he^th : the Lord's right hand 
 
 doth ever valiantly. 
 16 The right hand of the mighty Lord- 
 
 exalted is on high : 
 The right hand of the mighty Lord 
 
 doth ever valiantly. 
 
PSALM CXVIIL 285 
 
 1 7 I fhall not die, but live, and fliall 
 the works of God difcover. 
 
 18 The Lord hath me chaftifed fore, 
 but not to death giv'n over. 
 
 1 9 O fet ye open unto me 
 the gates of righteoufnefs : 
 
 Then will I enter into thera, 
 and I the Lord will blefs. 
 
 20 This is the gate of God, by It 
 the juft Ihall enter in : 
 
 2 I Thee will I praire,for thou me heard'ft, 
 and haft my fafety l3een. 
 
 22 That ftone is made head corner-Ilonej 
 which builders did defpife. 
 
 23 This is the doing of the Lord, 
 and wondrous in our eyes. 
 
 24 This is the day God ni'ade, in It 
 we'll joy triumphantly. 
 
 25 Save now, I pray thee, Lord : I pray 
 fend now profperity. 
 
 26 Bleffed is he, in God's great name 
 that Cometh us to fave : 
 
 We, from the houfe which to the Lord 
 pertains, you bleffed have. 
 
 27 God is the Lord, who unto us 
 hath made light to arife ; 
 
 Bind ye unto the altar's horr^, 
 with cords, the facritice, 
 
 28 Thou art my God, 1 11 thee exalt ; 
 my God, I will thee praife. 
 
 29 Give thanks to God, for he Is good : 
 his mercy lafts always. 
 
286 PSA L M CXIX. 
 
 f This is a pfalm by itfelf, like none of the reft; It excels them>aJ|, 
 and Ihines brightell in this con'leliation. It is much longer than 
 any of them ; more than tv/ice.as iongas any of them. It is not 
 making long prayers that ChrlR: ceni'ures, but miking them for a 
 pretence ; wliich intimates, that they are in themfelves good and 
 commendable. It feems to me to be a colled ion .of Dacid's pions 
 and devout ejaculations, the fhort and fudden breathings and eleva- 
 tions of his foul to God, which he wrote down as they occurred ; 
 and, towards the latter end of his time, gathered them out of his 
 day-book where they lay fcattercd, added to them many like words, 
 and digelled them into this pfahn : in wliich there is fcldom any 
 coherence between the verfes ; but, lil^e Solomon's proverbs, it is a 
 cheft of gold rings, not a chain of gold links. And as we may not 
 only learn, by the Pfalmift's example, to accuftom ourfelves to fuch 
 pious ejaculations, which arc an excellent m.ean of miaintaining 
 conftant communion with God, and keeping the heart in frame for 
 the more folemn exercifes of religion, but we mufl make ufe of the 
 Pfalmifl's words, both for the exciting and for the opprtiTmg of our 
 devout affc6li(,':is : and it is true what feme have faid of this pf:dm. 
 He that Ihall read it confiderately, It will either warm him, or Ihame ' 
 him. (i) The compofure of it is fmgular, and very nice. It is 
 divided into twenty-two parts, according to the num.ber of the letters 
 of the Hebrew alphabet, and each part conlifts of eight verfes; all 
 the verfes of the firfl part beginning with Aleph, all the verfes of 
 the fecond with Beth, and fo on, without any flaw, throughout the 
 whole pfalm. Archbifhop Tillotfon faith, It fcems to have more of 
 poetical fkill and number in it, than we at this diftance can eafily 
 underftand. Some have called it the faint's alphabet ; and it were 
 to be wi{hed we had it as ready in our memories, as the very letters 
 of our alphabet, as ready as our A B C. Perhaps the penman found 
 it of ufe to himfelf, to obfcrve this method, as it obliged him to fink 
 for thoughts, and fearch for them, that he might fill up the quota of 
 every part ; and the letter he was to begin with,, might lead him to 
 a v/ord which might fuggeft a good fentence ; and all little enough 
 to ra^fe any thing that is good in the barren foil of our hearts. How- 
 ever, it would be of ufe to the learners, a help to them, both Irf 
 committing it to memory, and In calling it to mind, upon occafion, 
 by the letter th« firft word would be got, and that would bring in 
 tl»e whole verfe : thus young people would the caficr learn it by 
 heart, and retain It the better even in old age. If any cenfure it as 
 childlfh and trifling, becaufe acroilics are now^ quite out of fafhion, 
 let them know that the royal pfalmifl dcfpifeth their cenfv.rc ; he is 
 a teacher of babes, and if this method may be beneficial to them, 
 he can eafily floop to it : if tliis be to be vile, he ' -Ntlll be yet more 
 vile,' (a) The general fcope and defignofitis to maj;nify the 
 law, and make it honourahle ; to fet forth the excellency and ufe- 
 fulnefs of divine revelation, and to recommend it to us, not only for 
 the entertainment, but for the government of ourfelves, by the 
 
PSALM CXIX. 287 
 
 Pfdlmiil's own example, who fpeaks oy experience of the henefit of 
 it, and of the good imprciTions made upon him hy it; for which he 
 praifeth God, and earneftly prays, from firft ro lift, for the continu- 
 ance of God's grace with him, to diredt and quicken him in the way 
 of his duty. There are ten feveral words by whichdivine revelation 
 is called in this pfalm ; and they are upon the matter fynonimous, 
 each of them expreflive of the whole compafs of it, both that which 
 tells us what God expeAs from us, and that which teRs us 
 what we, may exped from him; and of the fyftem of religion 
 which is founded upon it, and gUided by it. The things contained 
 in the fcripcure, and drawn from it, are here called, I. God's law, 
 becaufe they are enaAed by him as our Sovereign. 2. His way, 
 becaufe they are the rule both of his providence and our obedience, 
 3. His teftimonies, because they are folemnly declared to the world, 
 and atttfted beyond contradiAion. 4. His commandments, becaufe 
 given with authority, and (as the word fignifies) lodged with us as 
 a truft. 5, His precepts, becaufe prefcribed to us, and not left in- 
 different. 6. His word, or faying, becaufe it is the declaration of 
 his mind, and Chrift the eflential, the eternal Word, is all in all in it, 
 7, His judgments, becaufe framed in infinite wifdom, and becaufe 
 by them, we muft both judge and be judged. 8. His righteoufnefs, 
 becaufe it is all holy, jull, and good, and the rule and ftandard of 
 rightcoufncfs. 9 His ftatutes, becaufe they are fixed and deter- 
 mined, and of perpetual obligation. 10. His truth or faithfulnefs, 
 becaufe the principles upon which the divine law is built, are eternal 
 truths. And I think there is but one verfe (it is verfe 122) in all 
 th s long pfalm^ in which there is not one or other of thefe ten words ; 
 only in three or four they are ufed concerning God's providence, or 
 David's pra«5lice, as ver. 75, 84, IZI, and vcr. 13a. They are 
 called God's name. The great efteem and afFedlion David had for 
 the word of God, is the more admirable, confidering how little he 
 had of it, in comparifon with what we have ; no more, perhaps, in 
 writing, than the firll books of Mofes, which were but the dawning 
 of this day ; which may fhame us who enjoy the full difcoveries of 
 divine revelation, and yet are fo cold towards it. In finging this 
 pfalm there is work for all the devout affedbions of a fandlified foul ; 
 fo copious, fo various is the matter of it. We here find that in 
 which we muft give glory to God, both as our ruler and great bene- 
 fadlor; and that in which we are to teach and admonifli ourfelves 
 and one another ; fo many are the inftrudlions which we here find 
 about a religious life ; and to comfort and encourage ourfelves and 
 one another, fo many are the fvveet experiences of one that lived 
 fuch a life. Here is fomething or other to fuit the cafe of every 
 Chriftlan. Is any axHidled ? is any merry ? each will find that here 
 that is proper for them And it is fo far from being a tedious 
 repetition of the fame thing, as may feem to thofe who look over it 
 curforily, that if we duly meditate upon it, we fliall find almoft every 
 verfe has a new thought, and fomething in it very lively. And this, 
 is many other of David's pfalma, tsach us to be fcntentious in our 
 
288 PSALM CXIX. 
 
 devotions, both alone, and when orhers join with ns; for ordinarily 
 the afFedtions, efpecially of weaker Chriftians, are more likely to be 
 raifed and kept by Ihort exprefTions, the fenfe of which lies in a little 
 room, than by long and laboured periods. 
 
 A L E P H. The \Ji ParU 
 
 1 gLESSED are they that undefird, 
 
 and ftral'ght are in the way. 
 Who in the Lord's moft holy law 
 do walk, and do not ftray. 
 
 2 BlefTed are they who to obferve 
 his ftatutes are inclined. 
 
 And who do feek the living God 
 with their whole heart and mind, 
 
 3 Such in his ways do walk : and they 
 do no iniquity. ' ■ 
 
 4 Thou haft commanded us to keep 
 thy precepts carefully. 
 
 5 O that thy ftatutes to obferve 
 thou wouldft my ways dired; : 
 
 6 Then (hall I not be fham'd, when I 
 thy precepts all refpe£t. 
 
 7 Th€n with integrity of heart 
 thee w^ill I praife and blefs, 
 
 When 1 the judgments all have learn'd 
 of thy pure righteoufnefs. 
 
 8 That I will keep thy ftatutes all 
 firmly refolv'd have I: 
 
 O do not thou, moft gracious God, 
 forfake me utterly. 
 
PSALM CXIX. 2% 
 
 BETH. The 2d Pari. 
 
 9 By what means (hall a young man leara 
 his way to purify ? 
 
 If he according to thy w^ord 
 thereto attentive be. 
 
 10 Unfeignedly thee have I fought 
 w^ith all my foul and heart ; 
 
 O let me not from the right path 
 of thy commands depart. 
 
 1 1 Thy w^ord I in my heart have hid, 
 that I offend not thee. 
 
 1 2 O Lord, thou ever blefled art : 
 thy ftatutes teach thou me. 
 
 1 3 The judgments of thy mouth each ouq 
 my lips declared have. > 
 
 14 More joy thy teBimonies' way 
 than riches all me gave. 
 
 1 5 I will thy holy precepts make 
 my meditation, 
 
 And carefully I'll have refped: 
 unto thy ways each one. 
 
 16 Upon thy Itatutes my delight 
 lliall conftantly be fet : 
 
 And by thy grace I never will 
 thy holy word forget. 
 
 G IM EL. The ^d Fart. 
 
 1 7 With me thy fervant, in thy grace, 
 deal bountifully, Lord, 
 
 That by thy favour I may live, 
 and duly keep thy word, 
 Bb 
 
ago P S A L M CXIX. 
 
 1 8 Open mine eyes, that of thy law 
 
 the wonders I may lee. 
 fg I am a ftrangeron this earth, 
 
 hide not thy laws from me. 
 
 ao My foul within me breaks, and doth 
 
 much fainting ftili endure. 
 Through longing that it hath all times 
 
 unto thy judgments pure. 
 
 2 1 Thou haft rebuk'd the curfed proud, 
 who from thy precepts fwerve. 
 
 22 Reproach and fhame remove from me, 
 for I thy laws obferve. 
 
 ,23 Againft me princes fpake with fpite, 
 
 while they in counfel fat : 
 ^ut I thy fervant did upon 
 
 thy ftatutes meditate. 
 24. My comfort, and my heart's delight, 
 
 thy teftimonies be ; 
 And they in all my doubts and fears 
 
 are counfellors to me. 
 
 D A L E T I-I. r/je 4.th Part. 
 
 25 My foul to duft cleaves : quicken me 
 according to thy word. 
 
 26 My waysi fhew'd, and me thou heard'ft 
 teach me thy ftatutes, Lord. 
 
 2"] The way of thy commandements 
 
 make me aright to know : 
 So all thy works that wondrous are 
 
 I fhall to others fliow. 
 
 a 8 My foul doth melt, and drop away, 
 for heavinefs and grief: 
 
PSALM CXIX, 591 
 
 To me, according to thy word, 
 give ilrength and fend relief. 
 
 29 From me the wicked way of lies 
 let far removed be : 
 
 ' And gracioufly thy holy law 
 do thou grant unto me. 
 
 30 I chofen have the perfect way 
 of truth and verity : 
 
 Thy judgments that moft righteous are 
 before me laid have I. 
 
 31 I to thy teftimonies cleave : 
 ihame do not on me caft. 
 
 32 ril run thy precepts way, when thou 
 my heart enlarged haft, 
 
 H E, The ^th Part. 
 
 33 Teach me, O Lord, the perfe(9; way,, 
 of thy precepts divine. 
 
 And to obferve it to the end 
 I fhall my heart incline, 
 
 34 Give underftanding unto me, 
 fo keep thy law fhall I, 
 
 Yea, ev'n with my whole heart I fhall 
 i^ obferve it carefully. 
 
 35 In thy laws path make me to go, 
 for I delight therein. 
 
 36 My heart unto thy teftimonies, 
 and not to greed, incline. 
 
 37 Turn thou away my fight and eyes 
 from viewing vanity : 
 
 And in thy good and holy way 
 be pleas'd to quicken me. 
 
292 PSALM CXIX. 
 
 38 Confirm to me thy gracious word 
 which I did gladly hear, 
 
 Ev'n to thy fervant, Lord, who is 
 devoted to thy fear. 
 
 39 Turn thou away my fear'd reproach : 
 for good thy judgments be. 
 
 40 Lo, for thy precepts 1 have longM : 
 in thy truth quicken me. 
 
 V A U. The 6th Part. 
 
 41 Let thy fweet mercies alfo come, 
 and vifit me, O Lord ; 
 
 Ev'n thy benign falvation, 
 according to thy word. 
 
 42 So fhall I have wherewith I may 
 give him an anfwer juft, 
 
 Who fpitefuily reproacheth me: 
 for in thy word 1 truft. 
 
 43 The word of truth out of my mouth 
 take thou not utterly ; 
 
 For on thy judgments righteous 
 my hope doth ftill rely. 
 
 44 So (hall I keep for evermore 
 the law continually. 
 
 45 And fith that I thy precepts feek, 
 I'll walk at liberty. 
 
 46 rilfpeak thy word to kings, and I 
 with {hame (hall not be mov'd : 
 
 47 And will delight my felf always 
 in thy laws which I lov'd. 
 
 48 To thy commandments which 1 lov'd, 
 my hancls lift up I will: 
 
 And I will alfo meditate 
 upon thy ftatutes ftill. 
 
PSALM CXIX. '29j^ 
 
 Z A I N. The 71b Part. 
 
 49 Remember^ Lord, thy gracious word 
 thou to thylervant fpake, 
 
 Which, for a ground of my fure hope^ 
 thou caufedfl me to take. 
 
 50 This word of thine my comfort is 
 in mine affliclion : 
 
 For in my ftraits I am reviv'd 
 by this thy word alone. 
 
 51 The men whofe hearts with pride are 
 did greatly me deride: (ftufFd 
 
 Yet from thy ftraight commandements 
 I have not turn'd afide. 
 
 52 Thy judgments righteous, O Lord, 
 which thou of old forth gave, 
 
 I did remember ; and myfelf 
 by them comforted have. 
 
 53 Horror took hold on me, becaufe 
 ill men thy law forfake. 
 
 54 I in my houfe of pilgrimage 
 thy laws my fongs do make. 
 
 ^^ Thy name by night, Lord, I did mind, 
 
 and I have kept thy law. 
 56 And this I had; becaufe thy word 
 
 I kept, and ftood in awe. 
 
 C H E T H. T/je Sth Part. 
 
 57 , Thou my fure portion art alone, 
 
 which I did choofe, O Lord : 
 I have refolv'd, and faid, that I 
 
 would keep thy holy word. 
 B b 3 
 
^ PSALM CXIX. 
 
 58 With my whole heart I did intreat 
 thy face and favour free : 
 
 According to thy gracious word 
 be merciful to me. 
 
 59 I thought upon my former ways, 
 and did my life well try : 
 
 And to thy teftimonies pure 
 my feet then turned I. 
 
 60 1 did not ftay, nor linger long, 
 as thofe that fiothful are : 
 
 Bat hafilly thy laws to keep 
 myfelf 1 did prepare. 
 
 61 Bands-of ill men me robb'd ; yet I 
 thy precepts did not flight. 
 
 62 rU rife at midnight thee to praife, 
 ev'n for thy judgments right. 
 
 62, I am companion to all thofe 
 Vv'ho fear and thee obey. 
 
 64 O Lord, thy mercy fills the earth : 
 teach me thy laws 1 pray. 
 
 T E T H. The gth Part. 
 
 65 Well haft thou with thy fervant dealt, 
 as thou didft promife give. 
 
 66 Good judgment me, and knowledge teach: 
 for I thy word believe. 
 
 67 Ere I afflided was, I ftray'd ; 
 but now I keep thy word. 
 
 68 Both good thou art, and good thou doft : 
 teach me thy ftatutes. Lord. 
 
 69 The men that are puft up with pride 
 againft me forg'd a lie ^ 
 
PSALM CXIX, 
 
 25^5 
 
 Yet thy commandements obferve 
 with my whole heart will I. 
 
 70 Their hearts, through worldly eafe and 
 as fat as greafe they be : [wealth, 
 
 But in thy holy law I take 
 delight continually. 
 
 71 It hath been very good forme, 
 that I afFiicted was, 
 
 That I might well inflructed be, 
 and le^rn thy holy laws. 
 
 72 The ^^^ord that cometh frgm thy mouth 
 is better unto me ' « 
 
 Than n^any thoufands, and great fums -. 
 of gold and filver be. 
 
 J O D. The loih Part. 
 
 73 Thou mad'rt: and fafhion'dft me : thy laws 
 to know, give wifdom, Lord y 
 
 74 So who thee fear, ihall joy to fee 
 me truftingin thy Word. 
 
 75 That very right thy judgments are 
 I know, and do confefs, 
 
 And that thou haft fflidled me 
 in truth and faithfulnefs. 
 
 76 O let thy kindnefs merciful, 
 I pray thee, comfort me, 
 
 As to thy fervant faithfully 
 was promifed by thee. 
 
 77 And let thy tender mercies come 
 to me, that I may live : 
 
 Becaufe thy holy laws to me 
 fweet delegation give. 
 
296 P S A L M CXIX. 
 
 78 Lord, let the proud afhamed be, 
 
 for they without a caufe 
 With me perverfely dealt ; but I 
 
 will mule upon thy laws. 
 70 Let fuch as fear thee, and have known 
 
 "thy ftatutes turn to me. 
 
 80 My heart let in thy laws- be found ; 
 that iham'd I never be. 
 
 C APH. • The \uh Part. 
 
 8 1 My foul for tfiy falvation faints : 
 yet 1 thy wcfrd believe. 
 
 82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, I fay. 
 When wilt thou comfort give? 
 
 83 For like a bottle I'm become 
 that in the fmoke is fet, 
 
 I'm black and parch'd with grief: yet I 
 thy ftatutes not forget. 
 
 84 How many are thy fervant's days? 
 when wilt thou execute 
 
 Juft judgment on thefe wicked men 
 that do me perfecute ? 
 
 85 The proud have digged pits for me, 
 which is againft thy laws. 
 
 86 Thy words a^l faithful are ; help me, 
 purfu'd without a caufe. 
 
 87 They fo confum'd me, that on earth 
 my life they fcarce did leave : 
 
 Thy precepts yet forfook I not, 
 but clofe to them did cle*ive. 
 
 88 After thy loving-kindnefs, Lord, 
 me quicken and prefer ve j 
 
PSALM CXIX. 297 
 
 The teflimony of thy mouth 
 io (hall I ftill obferve. 
 
 LAMED. The 12th Part. 
 
 89 Thy word for ever is, O Lord, 
 in heaven fettled faft. 
 
 90 Unto all generations 
 thy faithfalnefs doth laft. 
 
 The earth thou haft eftabliihed, 
 and it abides by thee. 
 
 91 This day they ftand as thou ordain'dft 5 
 for all thy fervants be. 
 
 92 Unlefs in thy moft perfect law 
 my foul delights had found, 
 
 I (hould have perifhed, v^hen as 
 my troubles did abound. 
 
 93 Thy precepts I will ne'er forget t 
 they quick'ning to me brought. 
 
 94 Lord, I am thine, O fave thou me : 
 thy precepts I have fought. 
 
 95 For me the wicked have laid v/ait, 
 me feeking to deftroy : 
 
 But I thy teftimonies true 
 confider will with joy. 
 
 96 An end of all perfedlion 
 liere have I feen, O God : 
 
 But as for thy commandement, 
 it is exceeding broad. 
 
 M E M. The I ^th Part. 
 
 97 O how love I thy law ! it is 
 my ftudy all the day. 
 
298 PSALM CXIX. 
 
 98 It makes me wifer than my foes : 
 for it doth with me ftay. 
 
 99 Than all my teachers now I have 
 more underftanding far : 
 
 Becaufe my meditation 
 - thy teflimonies are. 
 
 100 In underftanding I excel 
 thofe that are ancients : 
 
 For I endeavoured to keep 
 all thy commandements. 
 
 10 1 My feet from each ill way I flay'd, 
 that I may keep thy word. 
 
 1C2 I from thy judgments have not fwerv'd i 
 for thou halt taught me, Lord. 
 
 103 Hov7 fweet unto my tafte,© Lord, 
 are all thy words of truth ! 
 
 Yea, I do find them fweeter far 
 than honey to my mouth. 
 
 104 I through thy precepts, that are pure, 
 do underftanding get : 
 
 I therefore evVy way that's falfe 
 with ail my heart do hate. 
 
 NUN. Tbe i,\ih Part. 
 
 105 Thy v/ord is to my feet a lamp, 
 and to my path a light. 
 
 1 06 I fworn have, and I will perform, 
 to keep thy judgments right. 
 
 107 1 am with fore afflidion 
 ev'n overwhelm'd,OLord, 
 
 In mercy raife and quicken me, 
 according to thy w^ord. 
 
PSALM CXIX. 299 
 
 108 The free-will ofF'rings of my mouth 
 accept, I thee befeech, 
 
 And unto me, thy fervant, Lord, 
 thy ju gments clearly teach, 
 
 109 Though ftill my foul be in my hand, 
 thy laws Fll not forget. 
 
 1 10 I err'd not from them, though for me 
 the wicked fnares did {cU 
 
 111 I of thy teftimonies have 
 above all things made choice, 
 
 To be my heritage for ay : 
 for they my heart rejoice. 
 
 1 1 2 I carefully inclined have 
 my heart ftill to attend. 
 
 That I thy ftatutes may perform 
 always unto the end. 
 
 S AMECH. r/je 15//^ Fart. 
 
 1 13 I hate the thoughts of vanity : 
 but love thy law do L 
 
 1 14 My Cn'idd and hiding-place thou art, . 
 i on thy word rely. 
 
 1 15 All ye that evil-doers are, 
 from me depart away ; 
 
 For the commandments of my God 
 I purpofe to obey. 
 
 1 16 According to thy faithful word 
 uphold and 'ftablidi me, 
 
 That I may live, and of my hope 
 adiamed never be. 
 
 1 1 7 Hold thou me up, fo fliall I be 
 in peace and fafety ftill : 
 
3oa PSALM CXIX. 
 
 And to tliy (latates have refped; 
 continually I will. 
 
 1 1 8 Thou tread'ft down all that love to ftray ; 
 falfe their deceit doth prove. 
 
 1 19 Lewd men like drofs away thou putt'ft: 
 therefore thy law I love. 
 
 120 For fear of thee, my very flefh 
 doth tremble, all difmay'd ; 
 
 And of thy righteous judgments, Lord, 
 my foul is much afraid. 
 
 A IN. The i6tb Part. 
 
 12 1 To all men I have judgment done, 
 performing jiiftice right : 
 
 Then let me not be left unto 
 my fierce oppreflbrs' might. 
 
 122 For good unto thy fervant, Lord, 
 thy fervant's furety be : 
 
 From the oppreffion of the proud 
 do thou deliver me. 
 
 123 Mine eyes do fail with looking long 
 for thy falvation ; 
 
 The word of thy pure righteoufnefs 
 while I do wait upon. ^ 
 
 1 24 In mercy with thy fervant deal, 
 thy laws me teach and Ihow. 
 
 1 25 I am thy fervant, wifdom give, 
 that 1 thy laws may know. 
 
 i i6 'Tis time thou work, Lord ; for they have 
 
 made void thy law divine. 
 127 Therefore thy precepts morel love 
 
 than gold, yea, gold moil fine. 
 
PSALM CXIX. 301 
 
 128 Concerning all things, thy commands 
 all right 1 judge therefore ; 
 
 And ev'ry falfe and wicked way 
 I perfedly abhor. 
 
 P E. The I yih Part. 
 
 129 Thy ftatutes, Lord, are wonderful : 
 my foul them keeps with care. 
 
 I 30 The entrance of thy word gives light j 
 makes wife whofimple are. 
 
 131 My mouth I have wide opened, 
 and panted earneftly: 
 
 While after thy commandements 
 1 long'd exceedingly. 
 
 132 Look on me. Lord, and merciful 
 do thou unto me prove, 
 
 As thou art wont to do to thofe 1 
 
 thy name who truly love. 
 
 133 O let my footfteps in thy word . 
 aright ftill order'd be : 
 
 Let no iniquity obtain 
 dominion over me. 
 
 134 From man's opp'-effion fave thou me: ' 
 fo keep thy laws I w^ill. 
 
 135 Thy face make on thy fervant fhine : 
 teach me thy flatutes ftill. 
 
 1 36 Rivers of w^aters from mine eyes 
 did run down, when I faw 
 
 How wicked men run on in fin, 
 and do not keep thy law. 
 
 No. 6. C c 
 
joit l» S A L M CXIX. 
 
 TS ADDI. The i^thPart. 
 
 237 O Lord, thou art mod righteous, 
 thy judgments are upright. 
 
 138 Thy tedimonies thou command'ft, 
 moil faithful are, and right. 
 
 139 My zeal hathev'n confumed me; 
 becaufe nnne enemies 
 
 Thy holy words forgotten have, 
 arid do thy laws defpife. 
 
 340 Thy word's mod pure : therefore on it 
 
 thy fervant's love is fet. 
 241 Small and defpis'd 1 am : yet I 
 
 thy precepts not forget. 
 
 142 Thy nghteouineis is righteoufnefs 
 which ever doth endure ; 
 
 Thy holy law, Lord, alfo is 
 the very truth moft pure, 
 
 143 Trouble and anguifh have me found, 
 and taken hold on me : 
 
 Yet in my trouble my deli;:ht 
 thy juii commandments be. 
 
 144 Eternal righteoufnefs is in 
 thy tedimonies all : 
 
 Lord to me underdanding give, 
 and ever live I ihall. 
 
 K O PH. The igtb Part 
 
 145 With my whole heart Icry'd, Lord,hear 
 I will thy word obey. 
 
 146 ] cry'dtothee, lave me, and I 
 will keep thy laws aiway, 
 
 f 
 
PSALM CXIX. 303 
 
 147 I of the morning did prevent 
 the dawning, and did cry : 
 
 For all mine expediation 
 did on thy word rely. 
 
 148 Mine eyes did timeoufly prevent 
 the watches of the night. 
 
 That in thy word, with careful mindy 
 then meditate I might. 
 
 149 After thy loving-kindnefs hear 
 my voice, that calls on thee : 
 
 According to thy judgnent. Lord, 
 revive and quicken me. 
 
 150 Who follow mifchief, they draw night: 
 they from thy law are far. 
 
 15 I But thou art near. Lord : mod firm truth 
 all thy commandments are. 
 
 152 As for thy tefti monies all, 
 of old this have i try'd. 
 
 That thou haft furely founded them 
 for ever to abide, 
 
 RESH. The 20th ParU 
 
 153 Confuler mine afflidion, 
 in fafety do me fet. 
 
 Deliver me, O Lord : for I 
 thy law^ do not forget. 
 
 154 After thy -Tord revive thou me 2 
 lave me, and plead my caufe. 
 
 155 Salvation is from fmners far: 
 foi they feek not thy laws. 
 
 C c 2 
 
394 P S A L M CXIX. 
 
 156 OLord, both great and manifold 
 thy tender mercies be : 
 
 According to thy judgments jaft 
 revive and quiciven me. 
 
 157 My per lecu tors many arc, 
 and fees, that do combine : 
 
 Yet from thy tePti monies pure 
 my heart doth not decline. 
 
 158 I fdw tranfgreflbrs, and was griev'd ; 
 tor they k ep not thy word. 
 
 159 See how 1 love thy law : as thou 
 art kind, me quicken, Lord. 
 
 160 From the beginning all thy word 
 hath been niofl: true and furc : 
 
 Thy righteous judgments evVy one 
 for evermore endure. 
 
 SCHIN. The 2 ij Part. 
 
 161 Princes have perfecuted me, 
 although no caufe they faw : 
 
 But flill of thy moft holy v^ord 
 my heart doth ftand in awe. 
 
 162 I at thy word rejoice, as one 
 of fpoil that finds great ftore. 
 
 16^ Thy law I love : but lying all 
 I hate and do abhor. 
 
 164 Sev'n times a day it is my care 
 to give due praife to thee : 
 
 Becaufe of all thy judgments, Lord, 
 which righteous ever be. 
 
 165 Great peace have they who love thy law: 
 offence they ihall have none. 
 
PSALM CXIX. 30. 
 
 166 I hop'd for thy falvation, Lord, 
 and thy commands have done. 
 
 167 My foul thy teftimonies pure 
 obferved carefully : 
 
 On them my heart is fet, and them 
 I love exceedingly. 
 
 168 Thy teftimonies and thy laws 
 I kept with fpecial care : 
 
 For all my works and ways each one 
 before thee open are. 
 
 TAU. The 22d Part. 
 
 169 O let my earneft pray'r and cry- 
 come near before thee, Lord : 
 
 Give underftanding unto me 
 according to thy word. 
 
 1 70 Let my requeft before thee come : 
 after thy word me free. 
 
 171 My lips fhall utter pralfe, when thoil 
 haft taught thy laws to me. 
 
 172 My tongue of thy moft blefled word 
 ftiall fpeak, and it confefs : 
 
 Becaufe all thy commandements 
 are perfedl lighteoufnefs. 
 
 1 73 Let thy ftrong hand make help to me : 
 thy precepts arc my choice. 
 
 174 I long'd for thy falvation, Lord : 
 and in thy law rejoice. 
 
 1 75^ O let my foul live, and it fhall 
 
 give praifes unto thee : 
 And let thy judgments gracious 
 
 be helpful unto me. 
 C c 3 
 
3o6 PSALM CXX. 
 
 176 I like a loft fneep went aftray, 
 thy fervant feek, and find : 
 
 For thy commands I fufTer'd not 
 to flip out of my mind. 
 
 PSALM CXX. 
 
 This pfalm Is fuppofed to have been penned by David upon occa- 
 fion of Doeg's accufing him and the priefts to Saul, becaufc it is 
 like Pfalm Hi. which was penned on that occafion ; and becanfe the 
 Pfalmifl complains of his being driven out of the congregation of 
 the Lord, and his being forced among barbarous people, (i)' He 
 prays to God to deliver him from the mifchiefs defigned him by falfe 
 and malicious tongues, ver. I, "2. (2) He threatens the judgments 
 of God againll fuch, ver. 3, 4. (3) He complains of his ill neigh- 
 bours that were tjuarrelfome and vexatious, ver. 5, 6, 7. In fingujg 
 this pfalm, we may comfort ourfelves in reference to the fcourge of 
 the tongue, when at any time we fall unjuftly under the klh of it, 
 that better thazi wc have fmarted for it. 
 
 A fong of degrees. 
 
 1 JN my diftrefs to God I cry'd, 
 
 and he gave ear to me. 
 
 2 From lying lips, and guileful tongue, 
 O Lord, my foul fet free. 
 
 3 What fhall begiv'n thee ? or what (hall 
 be done to thee, falfe tongue ? 
 
 4 Ev'n burning coals of juniper, 
 fharp arrows of the ftrong. 
 
 5 Woe's me, tliat I In Melliech am 
 ' a fojourner fo long, 
 
 That 1 in tabernacles dwell 
 to Kedar that belong. 
 
 6 My foul with him that hateth peace 
 hath long a dweller been. 
 
 J 1 am for peace : but when I fpe^vk, 
 for battle they are keen. 
 
PSALM CXXI. 
 
 3c^7 
 
 Some call this the foldier's pfalm, and think it was penned in the 
 camp, when David was jeoparding his life in the high places of the 
 field, and thus trudtd God to cover his head in the day of battle. 
 Others call it the traveller's pfalm, (for there is nothing in it of 
 military dangers) and think David penned it when he was going 
 abroad, and deligned it, pro vehicjlo, for a good man's convoy 
 and companion in a journey or voyage. But we need not thus 
 appropriate it, wherever we are, at home or abroad, we are expofed 
 to danger more than we are aware of; and this pfalni diresfls and 
 encourageth us to repofe ourfelves and our confidence in God, and 
 by faith to put ourfelves under his prote<5tion, and commit ourfelves 
 to his care, which we mufl do, with an entire refignation and fatif- 
 faftion. In finging this pfalm, (j) David here affures himfelf of 
 help from God, ver, i, 2. (2) He afTurcs others of it, ver. 3, — 8. 
 
 A fong of degrees, 
 
 1 T To the hills v^ill lift mine eyes, 
 
 from whence doth come mine aid 
 
 2 My fafety cometh from the Lord, 
 who heav'n and earth hath made. 
 
 3 Thy foot he'll not let Aide : nor will 
 he (lumber that thee keeps. 
 
 4 Behold, he that keeps Ifrael, 
 he {lumbers not, nor fleeps. 
 
 5 The Lord thee keeps : the Lord thy fhade 
 en thy right hand doth ftay. 
 
 6 The moon by night thee fliall not fmite : 
 nor yet the fun by day, 
 
 7 The Lord (hall keep thy foul : he fhall 
 preferve thee from all ill. 
 
 8 Henceforth thy going out and in 
 God keep for ever will. 
 
 PSALM cxxir. 
 
 This pfalnr. feems to have been penned by David for the cfe of 
 the people of Ifrael when they came up to Jerufalem to worfhip at 
 the three folemn feafts. It was in David's time tiiat Jerusalem was 
 furft chofco to be the city where God would rccorj his name, It 
 
3o8 P S A L M CXXII. 
 
 being a new thing, this, among other means, was ufed to bring the 
 people to be in love with Jcrulalem, as the holy city, though it was 
 but the other day in the hands of the Jebufites. Obferve, (i) The 
 joy with which they were to go up to Jcrufalcm, ver. I, 2. (2) The 
 great efleem they were to have of Jerufakm, ver. 3, 4, 5. (3) The 
 great concern they were to have for Jeiufaleni, and the prayers 
 they v.'ere to put up for its welfare, ver 6, — 9. In finging this 
 pfalm, we muft have an eye to the gofpel church, which is called 
 the * Jerufalem that is from above.' 
 
 A fong of degrees of David. 
 
 1 J Joy'd, when, to the houfe of God,. 
 
 Go up, they laid to me. 
 
 2 Jerufalem, within thy gates 
 our feet fhalt ftanding be. 
 
 3 Jerus'lem as a city is 
 compacflly built together ; 
 
 4 Unto that place the tribes go up, 
 the tribes of God go thither ; 
 
 To IfraTs teftimony, there 
 to God's name thanks to pay. 
 
 5 For thrones of judgment, even the thrones^^ 
 of David's houfe there flay. 
 
 6 Pray that Jerufalem may have 
 peace and felicity : 
 
 Let them that love thee, and thy peace, 
 have ftill profperity. 
 
 7 Therefore I wifh that peace may flill 
 wuthin thy walls remain, 
 
 And ever may thy palaces 
 pro perity retain, 
 
 8 Now, for my friends and brethren's fake, 
 Peace be in thee, I'll fay. 
 
 9 And for the houfe of God our Lord, 
 I'll feek thy good alway. 
 
P S A L M CXXITI. 309 
 
 This pfalm was penned at a time when the church of God was 
 kroiight low and trampled upon ; feme think it was when the Jews 
 were captives in Babylon ; though that was not the only time that 
 they were infulted over by the proud The Pfalmill b j^ins a3 if he 
 fpoke for himfclf only, vcr. I but prefently fpeaks in the name of 
 the church. Here is, (1) Their expectation of mercy from God, 
 ver. I, 2 (z) Their pl'-a for mercy with God, vtr 3,4. In finging 
 it, we muil have our eye up to God's favour wiih a holy concern, and 
 *a eye down to raen's reproach with a holy contempt. 
 
 A fone of degrers. 
 
 1 Cy Thou that dwelled in the heav'ns, 
 
 i lift mine eyes to thee. 
 
 2 Behold, as fervants' eyes do look 
 their mafter*s hand to fee^ 
 
 As handmaid's eyes her miitrcfs' hand : 
 
 lo do our eyes attend 
 Upon the Lord our God, until 
 
 to us he mercy fend. 
 
 3 O Lord, be gracious to us, 
 unto us gracious he : 
 
 Becaufe repleniQi'd with contempt 
 exceedingly are we. 
 
 4 Our foul is fill'd with fcorn of thofe 
 that at their eafe abide, 
 
 And with the infolent contempt 
 of thofe that fwell in pride. 
 
 PSALM CXXIV. 
 
 t)avid penned this pfalm (we fuppofe) upon occafion of Tome 
 ^eat deliverance which God wrought for him and his people from 
 fome very threatening danger, vs^hich was likely to have involved 
 them all in ruin; whether by foreign invafion, or inteftine infuirec- 
 tion, is not certain : whatever it vi-as, he feems to have been himfelf 
 much airc<5led, and very defirous to aifeA others, with the goodncis 
 
3IO PSALM CXXIV. 
 
 of God, in making a way for them to efcape : to him he Is careful 
 to give all the glory, and takes none to himfelf, as conquerors ufe 
 to do. (J^ He here magnifies the greatncfs of the danger they were 
 in, and of tlie ruin they were at the brink of, ver. I, — 5. ( 2) He 
 gives God the glory of their efcape, ver. 6, 7. compared with ver,. 
 I, a. (3) He takes encouragement from thence to truft in God, 
 ver. 8. Tn fjnging this pfalm, befides the application of it to any 
 particular dclivtrance wrought for us and our people, in our days, 
 and thf days of our fathers, vi'e may have in our thoughts the great- 
 work of our redcmptjnn y Jefus Chriil, by which we were refeued 
 from the powers of darkncls. 
 
 A fong of degrees of David. 
 
 1 TTAD not t-e Lord been on our fide, 
 
 may ifrael now fay : 
 
 2 Had not the I ord been on our fide, 
 when men rofe up to flay : 
 
 3 They had us fwallow'd quick, when as 
 their wrath 'gainll us did flame i 
 
 4 Waters had covered us, our loul 
 had !unk beneath the ftream. 
 
 5 Then had the waters, fwelling high, 
 over our foul made way. 
 
 6 B'efs'd be the Lord, who to their teeth 
 us gave not for a prey 
 
 y Our foul s efcaped as a bird 
 
 out of the fowler's fnare ; 
 The fnare afunder broken is, 
 
 and we efcaped are. 
 
 8 Our fure and all-fufiicient help 
 
 is in Jehovah's name, 
 His name who did the heav'n create^ 
 
 and who the earth did frame. 
 
^ S ALU CXXIV, 3if 
 
 Another of the fame. 
 
 1 "JsIOWIfrael 
 
 may lay, and that truly, 
 If that the Lord 
 
 had not our caufe maintain'd x 
 
 2 If that the Lord 
 
 had not our right fuftain'd, 
 When cruel men 
 
 again •! us furioufly 
 Role up in wrath, 
 
 to make of us their prey : 
 
 3 Then certainly 
 
 they had devojr'd us all, 
 And fwallow'd quick, 
 
 for ought that we could deem: ' 
 Such was their rage, 
 
 as we might well efteern. 
 
 4 And as fierce floods 
 
 before them all things drown, 
 So had they brought 
 
 our foul to death quite down* 
 
 5 The raging ftreams, 
 
 with their proud fwelling waves, 
 Had then our foul 
 
 o'erw helmed in the deep. 
 
 6 But bleft be God, 
 
 who doth us fafely keep, 
 And hath not giv n 
 
 us for a living prey 
 Unto their teeth, 
 
 and bloody cruelty* 
 
312 PSALM CXXV, 
 
 7 Ev'n as a bird 
 
 oi t of the fowler's fnarc 
 Efcapes away, 
 
 fo is our ioul fet free : 
 Broke are their nets, 
 
 and husefcaped we* 
 
 8 Therefore our help 
 
 is in the Lord's great name, 
 Who heav'n and earth 
 
 by his great pow r did frame* 
 
 PSALM CXXV. 
 
 *rhis fliOrt pfalm may be fumrred up in the words of the propKct, 
 Ifa. iii. lo, II. Say ye to the righteous, It fhali be well with 
 him. Woe to the wicked, it fhall be ill with him.* Thus ate 
 life and death, the hlcfling and the curfe, fet before us often in the 
 pfalms, as well as in the law and the prophet?, (i) It is certainly 
 ■well with the people of God ; for, i. They have the promifes of 
 a^oodGod, that they fhall be fixed, ver. I. and fafe, ver. a. an i 
 not always under hatches, ver. 3 (2) They have the j>rayers of 
 a good man, which fhall be heard for them, ver. 4. a. It is cer- 
 tainly ill with the wicked, and particularly with the apoflates, ver. 
 5. Some of the Jewifh rabbins aie of opinion, that it has reference 
 to the days of the MefTiah; however, we that are members of the 
 gofpel church may certainly, m finging this pfalm, take the comfort 
 cf thefe promifes, and the more, if wc ftand in awe of the threat-* 
 cning, 
 
 A fong of degrees. 
 
 1 ^HEY in the Lord that firmly truft, 
 
 fhall be like Zion hill. 
 Which at no time can be remov'd, 
 but ftandeth ever ftill. 
 
 2 As round about Jerufalem 
 the mountains ftand alway. 
 
 The Lord his folk doth compafs fo, 
 from henceforth and for ay. 
 
PSALM CXXVI. 3^3 
 
 3 For HI men's rod upon the lot 
 of juft men (hall not lye : 
 
 Left righteous men ftretch forth their hands 
 unto iniquity. 
 
 4 Do thou to all thofe that be good 
 thy goodnefs, Lord, impart ; 
 
 And do thou good to thofe that are 
 upright within their heart. 
 
 5 But as for fuch as turn afide 
 after their crooked way, 
 
 God fhall lead forth with wicked men: 
 on Ifra'l peace (hall ftay. 
 
 PSALM CXXVL 
 
 It was with reference to fome great and furprifing deliverance of 
 the people of God, out of bondage and diftrefs, that this pfalm was 
 penned ; mofl likely their return out of Babylon in Ezra's time. 
 'I'hough Babylon be not mentioned here, as it is Pfalm cxxxvii. yet 
 their captivity there was the mofl remarkable captivity both in itfelf, 
 and as their return out of it was typical of our redemption by Chrift. 
 Probably it was penned by Ezra, or fome of the prophets that came 
 tip with the firft. We read of fingers of the children of Afaph, that 
 famous pfalmiit, that returned then, Ezra ii. 41. It being a fong' 
 of afcents, in which twice the fame things are repeated with ad- 
 vancement, ver. 2, 3. and vcr. 4, 5. it is put here among the reft o£ 
 the pfalms that bear that title, (i) Thofe that were returned out 
 of captivity are here called upon to be thankful, ver. I, 2, 3. (a) Thofe 
 that were yet remaining in captivity are here prayed for, ver. 4. and 
 encouraged, ver. 5, 6. It will be eafy, in finging this pfalm, to ap- 
 ply it either to any particular deliverance wrought for the church, oc' 
 our own land, or to the great work of our falvation by Chrift. 
 
 A Song of degrees. 
 
 1 WHEN Zion's bondage God tufn'd back, 
 
 as men that dream'd were we. 
 
 2 Then filFd with laughter w^as our mouth, 
 our tongue with melody : 
 
 Dd 
 
314 P S A L M CXXVII. 
 
 They 'mong the heathen faid, The Lord 
 great things for them hath wrought. 
 
 3 The Lord hath done great things for us : 
 whence joy to us is brought. 
 
 4 As flreams of water in the fouth, 
 our bondage, Lord, recal. 
 
 5 Who fow in tears a reaping time 
 of joy enjoy they iliall. 
 
 6 That man who bearing precious feed 
 in going forth doth mourn, 
 
 He doublefs, bringing back his fheaves, 
 rejoicing fhall return. 
 
 PSALM CXXVIL 
 
 This is a family-pfaim, as divers before were ilate poem$, and 
 cTiurch poems. It is entitled (as we read it) for Solomon, deditated 
 to him by his father. He having a houfe to build, a city to keep, 
 and feed to raife up to his father, David direois him to look up unto 
 God, and to depend upon his providence, without which', all his 
 "wifdom, care, and induitry would not ferve. Some take it to have 
 been penned by Solomon himfelf, and it may as well be read, ^ A 
 fong of Solomon ;' and he wrote a great many : and they compare it 
 %vith Ecclefiaftes, the fcope of both being the fame, 'to flicw the 
 vanity of worldly care ; and how neceffary it is that we keep in with 
 God. On him we mufl depend, ( i) For v/ealth, ver. i, 2. (2) For 
 heirs to leave it to, ver. 3,4, j. In fmgiiig this :ifalm, wc niuil have 
 our eye up unto God fur fucccfs in all our undertakings, and ablefiing 
 upon all our comforts and enjoyments, becaufe every creature is that 
 to us, and no more than he makes it to be. 
 
 A Song of degrees for Solomon. 
 
 I p^XCEPT the Lord doth build the houfe, 
 
 the builders lofe their pain : 
 Except the Lord tne city keep, 
 
 the watchmen watch in vain. 
 a 'Tis vain for you to rife betimes, 
 
 or late from reft to keep, 
 "To feed on forrow's bread : fo gives 
 
 he his beloved fleep. 
 
PSALM CXXVIII. 31 J 
 
 3 Lo, children are God's heritage : 
 the womb's fruit his reward. 
 
 4 The fons of youth as arrows are, 
 for ftrong men's hands prepar'd, 
 
 5 O happy is the man that hath 
 his quiver filFd wdth thofe : 
 
 They, unalhamed, in the gate 
 fhall fpeak uato their foes. 
 
 P S A L M CXXVIIL 
 
 This, as the former, is a pfalm for families. In that we are 
 taught, that the profperity of our faitiilies depends upon the blefiing 
 of God ; in this \vc are taught, that tHe only -way to obtain that 
 bieiTinf, whiv^h wiil make our families comfortubk, is to live in the 
 f^aj* of God, and in obedience t© him. They that do fo in general, 
 they fiiall be bltffed, ver. i, a, 4. In oarticular, (i) They (hall be 
 profperous and fuccefsful in their employments, ver. a. (a) Their 
 relations ihall be agre^abk, ver, 3, (3) They (hall live to f«e their 
 families brought up, ver 6, (4) They fnali have the fatisfacftion of 
 feeing the church cf God in a Sourifhing condition, ver. 5, 6. Vv^ 
 muil fing thispffelmin the ftrm belief of this truth, that religion and 
 piety is the bcfi friend to outward profperity, giving God the praife 
 that ir is fo, and that we have found h fo ; and encourage ourfeives 
 and others with it. 
 
 A Song of degrees. 
 
 1 J^Lefs'd is each one that fears the Lord^ 
 
 and walketh in his ways. 
 
 2 For of thy labour thou fhalt eat : 
 and happy be always. 
 
 3 Thy wife fhall, as a fruitful vine, 
 by thy houfe-fides be found : 
 
 Thy children like to olive plants, 
 about thy table round. 
 
 4 Behold, the man that fears the Lordg- 
 thus bleiled fhall he be. 
 
 5 The Lord ihall out of Zion give 
 his bleihrjg unto thee j 
 
31*^ PSALM CXXIX. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 Thou (halt Jeriis'lem's good behold 
 whilft thou on earth doft dwell. 
 
 6 Thou (halt thy children's children fee, 
 and peace on Ifrael. 
 
 PSALM CXXIX. 
 
 This pfalm relates to the public concerns of God's Ifrad : it is 
 not certain when it was penned, probably when they were in cap- 
 tivity in Babylon, or about the time of their return, (i) They 
 look back with thankfulnefs for the former deliverances God had 
 wrought for them and their fathers, out of many diftrefles they had 
 been in from time to time, ver I, — 4. (2) They look forward with 
 a believing prayer for, and profped of the deftrudion of all the ene* 
 Plies of Zion, ver. 5, 8. In finging this pfalm, we may apply it both 
 ways to thegofpel Ifrael, which, like the Old Tcflamcnt Ifrael, has 
 weathered many a llorm, and is ftill threatened by many enemies. 
 A Song of degrees. 
 
 1 QFTdid they vex me from my youth, 
 
 may Ifra 1 now declare : 
 
 2 Oft did they vex me from my youth : 
 yet not victorious were. 
 
 3 The plowers plow'd upon my back : 
 they long their furrows drew. 
 
 4 The righteous Lord did cut the cords , 
 of the ungodly crew. 
 
 5 Let Zion's haters all be turn'd 
 back with confufion. 
 
 6 As grafs on houfes tops be they, 
 which fades ere it be grown : 
 
 7 Whereof enough to fill his hand 
 the mower cannot find ; 
 
 Nor can the man his bofom fill, 
 whofe work is fheaves to bind, 
 
 8 Neither fay they who do go by, 
 God's blciling on ycu reft : 
 
 We, in the name of God the Lord, 
 do willi you to be bleft. 
 
PSALM CXXX-. 317 
 
 This pfalm relates not any tempor?.! concern either perfonal or 
 piihlic, but it is wKoUy taken up in the affairs of the foul. It is 
 reckoned one of the feven penitential pfalms, which have fometimci 
 been madeufe of by penitents upon their admiflion into the cliurch; 
 and in Tinging it, we are all concerned to apply it to ourfelves. 
 I'he Pfalmift here expreffcth, (i) His defire towards God, ver, i, ^. 
 (z) His repentance before God, ver. 3, 4. (3) His attendance upon 
 God, ver. 5, 6. (4) His expevSation from God, ver. 7, 8. And as 
 in water face anfwers to face, fo doth the heart of one humble peni- 
 tent to another. 
 
 A Song of degrees. • 
 
 1 T ORD, from the depths to thee I cry'd, 
 
 2 My voice. Lord, do thou hear : 
 Unto my fupplication's voice 
 
 give an attentive ear. 
 
 3 Lord, who.iha'l (land, if thou, O Lord, 
 fhould'd mark iniquity ? 
 
 4 But yet with thee forgivenefs is ; 
 that fear'd thou mayeft be. 
 
 5 I wait for God, my foul doth wait, 
 my hope is in his word. 
 
 6 More than they that for morning watch^ 
 my foul waits for the Lord : 
 
 I fay, more than they that do watch 
 the morning light to fee. 
 
 7 Let Ifrael hope in the Lord : 
 for with him mercies be ; 
 
 And plenteous redemption 
 is ever found with him. 
 
 8 And from all his iniquities 
 he Ifra'l ftiall redeem. 
 
 C d 3 
 
3i8 PSALM CXXXI. 
 
 This pfalm is David's profcflion of humility ; but Humhly made 
 T^'ith thankfulnefs to God, for his grace, and not in vain glory. 
 It is probable enough, that (asmoflinttrprecers fuggef]:) David ma,de 
 thJsrproteftation in anfv/er to the calumnies of Saui and his courtiers, 
 who reprcfentcd David as an ambitious, afpiring man, who, under 
 pretence of a divine appointment, fought the kingdom in the pride 
 of his heart. But he appeals to God, that, on the contrary, (i; Ke 
 aimed at nothing high or great, ver. i. (2) He was very eafy in 
 every condition to which God alloted him, ver. a And therefore, 
 (3) He encouragetii all good people to truft in God as he did, ver. 3. 
 Some have made it an objeclion againil lir.-.ing David's pfalm?, that 
 there are many who cannot fay, ' Their heart is not haughty,' ^e. 
 It is true there are: but we may fing it for the fame purpofe that 
 ■vve read it, to teach and admoniih curfelves, and one another, v^'hat 
 •we ou^ht to be, with repentance that we have come fliort of being 
 fo, and humble prayer to God for his grace to make us fo. 
 
 A Song of degrees oF David. 
 
 1 "M""^ heart not haughty Is, O Lord, 
 
 mine eyes not lofty be ; 
 Nor do I deal in matters great, 
 or things too high for me. 
 
 2 I furely have myfelf behav'd 
 with quiet fp'rit and mild. 
 
 As child of mother wean'd : my foul 
 is hke a weaned child. 
 
 3 Upon the Lord let all the hope 
 of ifrael rely, 
 
 Ev'n from the time that prefect is 
 unto eternity. 
 
 PSALM cxxxir. 
 
 It is probable, this pfalm was penned by Solomon to be fung at 
 the dedication of the temple, which he built according to the charge 
 his father gave him, I Chron. xxviii. 3, &c. Having fulfilled his 
 truft, he begs of God to own what he had done, (i) He had built 
 this houfe for the honour and fervice of God ; and when he brings 
 the ark into it, the token of God's prefence, he defires God himfelf 
 Sivould come and take poiTeflion of it, ver. 8, 9, 10. With thefe 
 
PSALM CXXXII. 34.0, 
 
 words Solomon concluded his prayer, 2 Chron. vi. 41, 42, (2) l^c"t< 
 had built it in purluance of the orders he had received from his fa* 
 th.cr ; and therefore his pleas to enforce thcfe petitions, refer to 
 David. I. He pleads David's piety towards God, ver. I, — 7. 2, He 
 pleads God's proniife to David, ver. li, — 18. The former intro- 
 duceth his petition, the latter follows as an aniV/er to it. In fino-ine 
 this pfaim, we muft have a concern for the gofpel-church as the 
 temple of Godj and a dependence upon Chrifl as David our king, in 
 whom the mercies of God are fure mercies. 
 
 A Song of degrees. 
 
 1 J) AVID, and his afflidions all, 
 
 Lord, do thou thuik upon: 
 
 2 How unto God he fware, and vov/'d 
 to Jacob's mighty One. 
 
 3 I will not come within ray houfe, 
 nor red in bed at all : 
 
 4 Nor ihall mine eyes take any fleep, 
 nor eye-lids flumber fhall. 
 
 5 Till for the Lord a place I find, 
 where he may make abode ; 
 
 A place of habitation 
 for Jacob's mighty God. 
 
 6 Lo, at the place of Ephratah 
 of it we underflood : 
 
 And we did find it in the fields, 
 and city of the wood. 
 
 7 We'll go into his tabernacles, 
 and at his footftool bow, 
 
 8 Arife, O Lord, into thy reft : 
 th' ark of thy ftrength and thou. 
 
 9 O let thy priefts be clothed, Lord, 
 with truth and righteoufnefs : 
 
 And let all thofe that are thy faints 
 Ihout loud for joyfulnefs. 
 
320 PSALM CXXXil. 
 
 10 For thine own fervant David's fake, 
 do not deny thy grace, 
 
 Nor of tMne own anointed One, 
 tarn thou away thy face. 
 
 1 1 The Lord in truth to David fware, 
 he will not turn from it, 
 
 I of thy body's fruit will make 
 upon thy throne to lit. 
 
 I 2 My cov'nant if thy Tons will keep, 
 and laws to them made known ; 
 
 Their children then fiiall alfo fit 
 for ever on tliy throne. 
 
 I 3 For God of Zion hath made choice : 
 there he defires to dwell. 
 
 14 This is my reft : here ftill I'll ftay, 
 for I do like it well. 
 
 15 Her food Fll greatly blefs : her poor 
 with bread will fatisfy. 
 
 16 Fler priefts Fll clothe with health: her 
 fhall Oiout forth joyfully. , ^ [faints 
 
 17 And there will 1 make David^s horn 
 to bud forth pleafantly ; 
 
 For him that mine anointed is 
 a lamp ordain'd have I. 
 
 18 As w4th a garment I will clothe 
 with fhame his en'mies all : 
 
 But yet the crowr* thiit be doth wear^ 
 upon him flounih ihail. 
 
PSALM CXXXIII. 321 
 
 This pfiilm is a brief encomium of unity andbroLherly Iove,wliich, 
 if we did not fee the miferies of difcord among men, we would 
 think needlefs ; but we cannot fay too niiich, it were well enough 
 if we could fay enough, to perfuade people to live to.^cther in peace. 
 The con]e<5lure fome make is well enough of the kind, that David 
 penned it upon occafion of the union between the tribes, when they 
 S.11 met unanimouHy to make hina king. It is a pfaim of general ufe 
 to all focieties, ieffer and larger, civil and facred. Here is> (l) The 
 dodrinc laid down of the happinefs of brotherly loye, vsr. I. (a) 
 The illuftration of that do6uricc in two fimilitudes, ver. 2- (3) The 
 proof of it in a good reafon given for it, ver. 3. And then we arc 
 left to make the application, which we ought to do in finging of k, 
 provoking ourlelves and one another to holy love. The contents o£ 
 this pfalm in our Bibles is (hort, but very proper ; it is, ' The b^iiie- 
 fit of the communion of faints.' 
 
 A Song of degrees of David. 
 
 1 gEHOLD, how good a thing it is, 
 
 and how becoming well, 
 Together fuch as brethren are, 
 in unity to dwell. 
 
 2 Like precious ointment on the head, 
 th^t down the beard did flow, 
 
 Ev'n Aaron's beard, and to the Ikirts 
 did of his garments go. 
 
 3 As Hermon's dew, the dew that doth 
 on Zion's hill defcend ; 
 
 For there the blefiing God commands, 
 life that ihall never end, ■ 
 
 P S A L M CXXXIV. 
 
 This is the lafl: of the fifteen fongs of degrees; and if they were 
 at any time fung altogether in the temple fervice, it Is fitly made 
 the conclufion of them ; for the defign of it is to ftir up the miniffexs 
 to go on with their work in the night, when the folemnities of the 
 day were over. Som.e make this pfalm to he a dialogue (i) In 
 the tv/o firft verfes, the priefts or L,evites that fat up all night to 
 keep the watch of the houfe of the Lord, are called upon to fpend 
 their time, while they were upon the guard, not in idle talk, but in 
 the ads of devotion, (a) In the lafl verfe, they that were thus 
 called upon tcrpraifc God, pray for him that gave them the txhor- 
 
322 PSALM CXXXV. 
 
 tatlon, cither the high prieft, or the captain of tht guard. Or thus : 
 they who did that fervice did mutually exhort one mother, and pray 
 for one another. In fmging this pfajm, we mufl both ftir up our- 
 felves to givs glory to God, and encourage ourfelv<:s to hope f«r 
 mercy and grace from hin*. 
 
 A Song of degrees of David. 
 
 1 gEHOLD, blefs ye the Lord, all ye 
 
 that his attendants are, 
 Ev'n you that in God's temple be, 
 and praife him nightly there. 
 
 2 Your hands within God's holy place 
 lift up ; and praife his name* 
 
 3 From" Zion hill the Lord thee blefs, 
 that heav'n and earth did framg. 
 
 PSALM CXXXV. 
 
 TMs h one of the hallelyjah'pfalms ; that h the title of it, and 
 that is the Amen of it, both its Alpha and its Omega, (l) It begins 
 with s call to praife God, particularly a call to the fcrvants of the 
 I^ord to praife him, as in the foregoing pfalm, ver. i, », 3, (a) It 
 goes on to furnilh us with matter for praife. God is to be praifed, 
 I. As the God of Jacob, ver. 4. 2. As the God of gods, ver. 5, 
 3. As the God of the whole world, ver. 6, 7. 4. As a terrible God 
 to the enemies of Ifracl, ver. 8, — it. 5. Asa gracious God to Tfrael, 
 both in what he had done for them, and what he would do, ver. 12, 
 13. 14. 6. As the only living God, all other gods being vanity and 
 a lie, ver. 15, — 18. (3) It concludes with another exhortation to all 
 perfons concerned to praife God, ver. 19, 20, 21. In finging this 
 pfalm, our hearts muil be filled, as well as our mouths, with the high 
 praifes of God. 
 
 1 pRAISE ye the Lord, the Lord's name 
 
 his fervants praile ye God. (praife, 
 
 2 Who ftand in God's houfe, in the courts 
 of our God make abode. 
 
 3 Praife ye the Lord, for he is good, 
 unto him praifes fing : 
 
 Sing praifes to his name, becaufe 
 it is a pleafant thing. 
 
PSALM CXXXV. 323 
 
 4 For Jacob to himfelf, the Lord 
 did clioofe of his good pleafure, 
 
 And he hath choien Ilraei 
 for his peculiar treafure. 
 
 5 Becaufe I know affuredly 
 the Lord is very great, 
 
 And that our Lord above all gods 
 in glory hath his feat. 
 
 6 What thing foever pleas'd the Lord, 
 that in the heav'n did he, 
 
 And in the eartii, the feas, and all 
 the places deep that be. 
 
 7 Fie from the ends of earth doth make 
 the vapours to afcend. 
 
 With rain he light'nings makes : and wind 
 doth from his treafures fend. 
 
 8 Egypt's firft-born, from man to beaft, 
 
 9 who fmote. Strange tokens he 
 On Pharaoh and his fervants fent, 
 
 Egypt, in midil of thee. 
 
 10 He fmote great nations, flew great kings : 
 
 1 1 Sihon of Heflibon king, 
 And Og of Ballian, and to nought 
 
 did Canaan's kingdoms bring : 
 
 12 And for a wealthy heritage 
 their pleafant land he gave. 
 
 An heritage which Ifrael 
 his chofen folk ihould have. 
 
 13 Thy name, O Lord, fhall Rill endure, 
 and thy memorial 
 
 With honour fhall continu'd be 
 to generations alL 
 
3^4 PSALM CXXXVr. 
 
 14 For why, the righteous God will judge 
 his people righteoufly, 
 
 Concerning thofethat do him ferve 
 himfelf repent will he. 
 
 15 The idols-of the nations 
 of filver are and geld. 
 
 And by the hands of men is made 
 their fafhion and mould. y 
 
 1 6 Mouths have they, but they do not fpeak ; 
 eyes, but they do not fee. 
 
 17 Ears have they, but hear not ; and in 
 their months no breathing be. 
 
 18 Their makers are like them : fo are 
 all that on them rely. 
 
 19 O IfraTs houfe, blefsGod ; blefs God, 
 O Aaron's family. 
 
 20 O blefs the Lord, of Levi's houfe 
 ye who his fervants are ; 
 
 And blefs the holy name of God, 
 all ye the Lord that fear. 
 
 21 And blelTed be the Lord our God 
 from Zion's holy hill. 
 
 Who dwelleth at Jerufalem. 
 The Lord, O praife ye ftill. 
 
 PSALM CXXXVL 
 
 The fcope of this pfalm is the fame with that of the foregoing 
 pfalm, but there is fomething very fingular in the compofure of 
 it ; for the latter half of eacfe verfe is the fame repeated through- 
 out the pfalm, ' for his mercy endureth for ever,' and yet no vain 
 repetition. It is allov/ed, that fuch burdens or keepings, as we call 
 them, add very much to the beauty of a fong, and help to make it 
 moving and affedling; nor can any verfe contain more w^eighty 
 matter, or more worthy to be thus repeated than this, that ' God's 
 ' mercy endureth for t- vcr ;' and the repetition of it here twenty-fix 
 timts, intimates, (i) That God's mercies to his people are thus 
 
PSALM CXXXVI. 31^ 
 
 repeated and drawn, as it were, with a continuando from the 
 "beginning to the end, with a progrefs and advance in infinitum, 
 (a) That in every particular favour, we ought to take notice of the 
 mercy of God, and to take notice of it enduring fhill, the fame now 
 that it has been, and enduring tor ever, the fame always that it is. 
 (3) That the everlafting continuance of the mercy of God is very 
 much his honour, and that which he glories in, and very much the' 
 faints' comfort, and that which they glory in. It is that which 
 therefore our hearts fhould be fall of, and greatly affected with, fo 
 as that the moll frequent mention of it, inftead of cloying us, fnould 
 raife us the more, becaufe it will be the fubjetft of our praife to all 
 eternity. This moft excellent fentcnce, that ' God's mercy enduretl* 
 for ever,' is magnified above all the truths concerning God not only 
 by the repetition of it here, but by the fignai tokens of divine ac- 
 ceptance, with which God owned the iinging of it, both in Solo- 
 mon's time, Z Chron. v 13. when they fang thefe words, ' for hit 
 ■* mercy endureth for ever,' the houfe was filled with a cloud ; and 
 in Jehofkaphat's time, when they fang thcfe words, God gave then* 
 viclery, 2 Chron. xx 21, 2Z. which fhould make us love to fing, 
 ' His mercies fure, doth ftill endure, eternally.' We mufl praife 
 God, I, As great and good in himfelf, ver. I, a, 3. 2. As the 
 CreatoTjbf the world, ver. 5, — 9. (4) As Ifrael's God and Saviour, 
 •ver. 10, — 22. 4. As our Redeemer, ver. 23, 24. 5. As the great; 
 Benefactor of the whole creation, and God over all blelTed for evei^ 
 «iore, ver. 25,26. 
 
 I (^IVE thanks to God for good ia he : 
 
 for mercy hath he ever. 
 a Thanks to this God of gods give ye : 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 3 Thanks give the Lord of lords unto : 
 for mercy hath he ever. 
 
 4 Who only wonders great can do : 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 5 Who by his wifdom made heav'ns high : 
 for mercy hath he ever. 
 
 € Who ftretch'd the earth above the fea: 
 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 J To him that made the great lights fhiacs 
 
 for mercy hath he ever. 
 
32^ PSALM CXXXVL 
 
 2 The fun to rule till day decline : 
 for liis grace faileth never. 
 
 5 The moon and ftars to rule by night: 
 for mercy hath be even 
 
 50 Who Egypt's fir fl-born kill'd outright: 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 1 1 And Ifra'l brought from Egypt land : 
 for mercy hath he ever. ' 
 
 12 With ftretch'd out arm, and with ftrong 
 for his grace faileth never. [hand : 
 
 13 By whom the Red fea parted was : 
 for mercy hath he ever. 
 
 34 And through its midft made Ifra'l pafs : 
 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 15 But Pharaoh and his hoft did drown : 
 
 for mercy hath he ever. 
 
 26 W^ho through the defert led his own : 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 27 To him great kings who overthrew: 
 for he hath mercy ever. 
 
 5 8 Yea, famous kings in battle flew : 
 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 29 Ev'n bihon king of Amorites : 
 
 for he hath mercy ever. 
 2.0 And Og the king of Bafhanites : 
 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 5 1 Their land in heritage to have : 
 (for mercy hath he ever.) 
 
 22 His fervant Ifra'l right he gave : 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 23 In our low ftate who on us thought: 
 for he hath mercy ever. 
 
PSALM CXXXVI. 327 
 
 24 And from our foes our freedom wrought t 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 25 Who doth all flefh with food relieve % 
 for he hath mercy ever. 
 
 26 Thanks to the God of heaven give; 
 for his grace faileth never. 
 
 Another of the fame. 
 
 1 pRAISE God, for he is kind. 
 
 His mercy lafts for ay. 
 
 2 Give thanks with heart and mind 
 To God of gods alway ; 
 
 For certainly 
 His mercies dure 
 Moft firm and fure 
 Eternally. 
 
 3 The Lord of lords praife ye^ 
 Whofe mercies ftill endure. 
 
 4 Great wonders only he 
 
 Doth vjovk by his great powV: 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 5 Which God omnipotent, 
 By might and wifdom high. 
 The heav'n and firmament 
 Did frame, as we may fee : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 6 To him who did out-ftretch 
 This earth fo great and wide. 
 Above the waters reach. 
 Making it to abide : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
32S PSALM CXXXVL 
 
 7 Great lights he made to be : 
 For his grace lafteth ay. 
 
 8 Such as the fun we fee, 
 to rule the lightfome day : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 9 Alfo the moon fo clear. 
 Which ll ineth in our light, 
 The ftars that do appear, 
 
 To guide the darkfome night t 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 JO To him that Egypt fmote. 
 Who did his meffage fcorn ; 
 And in his anger hot 
 Did kill all their firft born : 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 2 1 Thence Ifra'i out he brought i 
 For his grace lafteth ever. 
 
 12 With a ftrong hand he wrought. 
 And ftretch'd-out arm deliver : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 13 The fea he cut in two ; 
 For his grace lafteth ftilL 
 
 14 And through its midft to go 
 Made his own Ifrael : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 15 But overwhelm'd and loft 
 Was proud king Pharaoh, 
 With all his mighty hoft, 
 And chariots there alfo : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
PSALM CXXXVI. 32« 
 
 1 6 To him who pow'rfully 
 His chofen people led, 
 Ev'n through the defert dry. 
 And in that place them fed j 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 17 To him great kings who fmotei - 
 For his grace hath no bound. 
 
 1 8 Who flew and fpared not 
 Kings famous and renown'd : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 19 Sihon the Am'rite's king : 
 For his grace lafteth ever, 
 
 20 Og alfb who did reign 
 The land of Bafhan over ; 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 21 Their land by lot he gave : : 
 For his grace faileth never. 
 
 22 That Ifra'l might it have 
 In heritage for ever : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 23 Who hath remembered 
 Us in our low eftate : 
 
 24 And us delivered 
 
 From foes which did us hate : 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 25 Who to all fledi gives food : 
 For his grace faileth never. 
 
 26 Give thanks to God moft good, 
 The God of heav'n for ever : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 Ee 3 
 
320 PSALM CXXXVIL 
 
 There are divers pfalms which are thought to have been pennc4 
 in the latter days of the Jewifti church, when prophecy was near 
 expiring, and the canon of the Old Teftament ready to be clofcd up ; 
 but none of them appears fo plainly to be of a late date, as this here, 
 •wliich was penned when the people of God were captives in Babylon, 
 and there infulted over by their proud oppreflbrs ; probably it was 
 toward the latter end of their captivity ; for now they faw the 
 deftruction of Babylon haftening- on apace, ver. 8. which would be 
 their difcharge. It is a mournful pfalm, a lamentation; and the 
 Septuagint make it one of the lamentations of Jeremiah, naming 
 him for the author of it. Here, (i) The melancholy captives 
 cannot enjoy themfelves, ver. i, a. (a) They cannot humour their 
 proud oppreflbrs, ver. 3, 4. (3) They cannot forget Jerufalem, 
 •ver. 5, 6. (4) They cannot forgive Edom and Babylon, ver. 7, 8, 9. 
 In finging this pfalm, we muft be much afFetfted with the concern- 
 ments of the church, efpecially that part of it that is in afflidion, 
 laying the forrows of God's people near our hearts, comforting our- 
 felves in the profpedl of the deliverance of the church, and the ruin 
 of its enemies in due time, but carefully avoiding all perfonal ani* 
 anofities, and not mixing the leaven of malice with our facrifice*. 
 
 1 "RY Babel's ftreams we fat and wept, 
 
 when Zion we thought on, 
 
 2 In midft thereof we hang'd our harps 
 the willow-trees upon. 
 
 3 For there a fong required they 
 who did us captive bring ; 
 
 Our fpoilers call'd for mirth, and faid, 
 A fong of Zion fing. 
 
 4 O how the Lord's fong fhall we fing 
 within a foreign land : 
 
 5 If thee, Jerufalem, l^ forget, 
 fkill part from my right hand. 
 
 6 My tongue to my mouth's roof let cleave, 
 if I do thee forget, 
 
 Jerufalem, and thee above 
 my chief joy do not fet. 
 
PSALM CXXXVIir. 331 
 
 7 Remember Edom's children, Lord, 
 who in Jerus'lem's day, 
 
 JEv'n unto its foundation 
 Raze, raze it quite, did fay. 
 
 8 O daughter thou of Babylon, 
 near to deftruftion, 
 
 Bleft fhall he be that thee rewards, 
 as thou to us haft done. 
 
 9 Yea, happy furely fhall he be, 
 thy tender little ones, 
 
 Who (hall lay hold upon, and them 
 fhall daih againft the ftones. 
 
 PS A lm"^ CXXXVIir. 
 
 It dot9 not appear, nor is it material to enquire, upon what occa- 
 fion David penned this pfalm ; but in it, (i) He looks back with 
 tbankfulnefs upon the experiences he had had of God's goodnefs to 
 him, ver. i, z. 3. (z) He looks forward with comfort, in hopes, 
 I. That others would go on to pralfe God like him, ver. 4, 5. a. 
 That God would go on to do good to him, ver. 6, 7, 8. In finging 
 this pfalm, we muft, in like manner, devote ourfelves to God's praife 
 and glory, and repofe ourfelves in his power and goodnefs. 
 
 A Pfalm of David. 
 
 1 "^HEE will I praife with all my heart, 
 
 I will fmg praife to thee 
 
 2 Before the gods : and worihip will 
 toward thy fan<ftuary. 
 
 ril praife thy name, ev'n for thy truth, 
 
 and kindnefs of thy love : 
 For thou thy word haft magnify'd 
 
 all thy great name above. 
 
 3 Thou didft me anfwer in the day 
 when I to thee did cry : 
 
 And thou my fainting foul with ftrength 
 did ftrengthea inwardly. 
 
\ 
 
 332 PSALM CXXXIX. 
 
 4 All kings upon the earth that are, 
 lliall give thee praife, O Lord, 
 
 When as they from thy mouth fhall hear 
 thy true and faithful word. 
 
 5 Yea, in the Vighteous ways of God^ 
 with gladnefs they fhall fing : 
 
 For great's the glory of the Lord, 
 who doth for ever reign. 
 
 6 Though God be high, yet he refpeds 
 all thofe that lowly be ; 
 
 Whereas the proud and lofty ones 
 afar off knoweth he. 
 
 7 Though I in midfl of trouble walk, 
 I life from thee fhall have ; 
 
 'Gainft my foes wrath thou'lt ftretch thine 
 thy right hand fhall mefave. [hand^ 
 
 8 Surely, that which concerneth me, 
 the Lord will perfed: make : 
 
 Lord, ftill thy mercy lafts : do not 
 thine own hands works forfake. 
 
 PSALM CXXXIX. 
 
 Some of the Jcwifh dodors are of opinion, that this is the mcft 
 excellent of all the pfalms of David ; and a very pious devout medi- 
 tation it is upon the dodlriiie of God's omnifcience, which we fhould 
 therefore have our hearts fixed upon, and filled with, in finging this 
 pfalm. (i) This dodrine is here aflerted and fully laid down, ver, 
 I, — 6. (2) It is confirmed by two arguments. I. God is every 
 ■where prefent, therefore he knows all, ver. 7, — 13, a He made vs, 
 therefore he knows us, ver. 13, — 16. (3) Some inferences are drawn 
 from this do«5lrine. I. It may fill us with pleafing admiration o£ 
 God, ver. 17, 18. 2. With a holy dread and deteftation of fin and 
 finners, ver. 19, 22. 3. With a holy fatisfaAion in our own inte- 
 grity, concerning which we may appeal to God, ver. 23, 24. This 
 great and felf-evident truth, that God knows our hearts, and the 
 hearts of all the children of men, if we did but mix faith with it, and 
 ferioufly confider it, and apply it, would have a great ipfiuence upon 
 cur holinei« and upon owr comfort. 
 
PSALM CXXXIX. 333 
 
 To the chief muficlan, A pf^lm of David. 
 
 1 r\ Lord, thouhaft me fearch'd and knownn 
 
 2 Thou know'd my fitting down 
 And rinng up ; yea, all my thoughts 
 
 afar to thee are known. 
 
 3 My footileps, and my lying down, 
 thou compaffeft always ; 
 
 Thou alio moit entirely art 
 acquaint with all my ways. 
 
 4 For in my tongue, before I fpeak, 
 not any word can be, 
 
 But altogether, lo, O Lord, 
 it is well known to thee. 
 
 5 Behind, before, thou haft befet, 
 and laid on me thine hand. 
 
 6 Such knowledge is too ftrange for me f 
 too high to underftand. 
 
 7 From thy SpVit whither fhall I go ? 
 or from thy prefence fly ? 
 
 8 Afcend I heav'n, lo, thou art there ; 
 there, if in hell I lie. 
 
 9 Take I the morning's wings, and dwell 
 in utmoft parts of fea : 
 
 10 Ev'n there, Lord, (hall thy hand me lead^ 
 thy right-hand hold fhall me. 
 
 11 If I do fay, that darknefs fhall 
 me cover from thy fight. 
 
 Then furely fhall the very night 
 about me be as light. 
 
 1 2 Yea, darknefs hideth not from thee, 
 but night doth fhine as day : 
 
 To thee the darkneis and the light 
 are both alike alvvav. 
 
334 PSALM CXXXIX. 
 
 1 3 For thou pofTeffed haft my reins, 
 
 and thou haft cover'd me, 
 When I within niy mother's womb 
 
 inclofed was by thee. 
 141 hee will I praife, for fearfully 
 
 and ftrangely made I am : 
 Thy works are marv'lous, and right well 
 
 my foul doth know the fame, 
 
 15 My fubftance was not hid fromthee^ 
 
 when as in fecret I 
 Was made ; and in earth's loweft parts 
 
 was wrought moft curioufly. 
 I'6 Thine eyes my fubftance did behold^ 
 
 yet being unperfeft, 
 And in the volum.e of thy book 
 
 my members all were writ ; 
 
 Which after in continuance, 
 
 were fafhion'd ev'ry one, 
 When as they yet all (liapelefs were, 
 
 and of them there was none. 
 
 17 How precious alfo are thy thoughts, 
 
 gracious God, to me ! 
 
 And in their fum how paffing great, 
 and numberlefs they be I 
 
 18 If I iliould count them, than the fand 
 they more in number be : 
 
 What time foever I awake, 
 
 1 ever am with thee. 
 
 19 Thou, Lord, wilt fure the wicked flay 
 hence from me, bloody men. 
 
 20 Thy foes againft thee loudly fpeak, 
 and take thy name in vain. 
 
PSALM CXL. 335 
 
 1 1 Do not T hate all thofe, O Lord, 
 
 that hatred bear to thee ? 
 With thofe that up againft thee rile 
 
 can I but grieved be ? 
 
 22 With perfed hatred them I hate : 
 my foes I them do hold. 
 
 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart : 
 ' try me, my thoughts unfold. 
 
 24 And fee if any wicked way 
 there be at all in me. 
 
 And in thine everlafting way 
 to me a leader be. 
 
 PSALM CXL. 
 
 This and the four following pfalms are much of a piece, and th« 
 fcope of them the fame with many that we met with in the hegin- 
 -ning and middle of the book of Pfalms, but few of late. They 
 were penned by David (.as it fhould fcem) when he was perfecuted 
 by Saul; one of them i« faid to be his prayer when he was in the 
 cave, and it is probable all the reft were penned about the fame 
 time. In this pfalm, (i) David complains of the malice of his 
 -enemies, and prays to God to preferve him from them, ver. I, — 5. 
 -(2) He encourageth himfelf in God, as his God, ver. 6, 7. (3) He 
 prays for, and prophefies the deftrudlion of his periecutors, ver. 8,— 
 n. (4; He affures all God's afflix5ted people, that their troubles 
 would in due time end well, ver. iz, 13. with which affurance W€ 
 aauft comfort ourfelves and one another in hnging this pfalm. 
 
 To the chief muficlan, A plalm of David. 
 
 1 T ORD^ from the ill and froward maa 
 
 give me deliverance : 
 And do thoufafe preferve me from 
 the man o' violence. 
 
 2 Who in their hearr mifchievous things 
 are meditating ever ; 
 
 And they for war afl'embled are 
 continually together^ 
 
3J9 PSALM CXL. 
 
 3 Much like unto a ferpent's tongue 
 their tongues they (harp do make : 
 
 And underneath their lips there lies 
 the poifon of a fnak€. 
 
 4 Lord, keep me from the wicked's hands, 
 from violent men me fave. 
 
 Who utterly to overthrow 
 my goings purpos'd have. 
 
 5 The proud for me a fnare have hid, 
 and cords, yea, they a net 
 
 Have by the way-fide for me fpread '<, 
 they gins for me have fet. 
 
 6 1 faid unto the Lord, Thou art 
 my God : unto the cry 
 
 Of all my fupplications, 
 Lord, do thine ear apply. 
 
 7 O God the Lord, who art the Ilrengtli -- 
 of my falvation ; 
 
 A cov'ring in the day of war 
 my head thou hafl put on. 
 
 8 Unto the wicked man, O Lord, 
 his wifhes do not grant. 
 
 Nor further thou his ill device, 
 left they themfelves fhould vaunt, 
 
 9 As for the head and chief of thofe 
 about that compafs me, 
 
 Ev'n by the mifchief of their lips 
 let thou them cover'd be. 
 
 10 Let burning coals upon them fall, 
 them throw in fiery flame : 
 
 And in deep pits, that they no mor€ 
 may rife out of the lame. 
 
PSALM CXLl. 337 
 
 1 1 Let not an evil fpeaker be 
 on earth eftabliihed : 
 
 Mifchief ihall hunt the violent man 
 till he be ruined. 
 
 1 2 I know God will th' afflided's caufe 
 maintain, and poor men^s right. 
 
 13 Surely the juft fhall praife thy name, 
 th' upright dwell in thy fight. 
 
 PSALM CXLL 
 
 David was In diftrefs when he penned this pfalm ; it Is mofl Hkelf 
 purfued by Saul, that violent man. ' Is any diftreffed ? let him pray ; 
 David did fo, and had the comfort of it. (i) He prays for God's 
 favourable acceptance, ver. i, a. (z) For his powerful afrul;ance, 
 vsr. 3,4. (3) That others might be intlrumental of good to his 
 ioul, as he hoped to be to the fouls of others, ver. 5, 6. (4) That 
 he and his friends being now brought to the laft extremity, God 
 would gracioufly appear for their relief and refcue, ver. 7, — Jo 
 The mercy and grace of God are as neceflary to us as they were to 
 him, and therefore we fhould be humbly earned for them in linging 
 this pfalm. 
 
 A pfalm of David. 
 
 1 Q Lord, I unto thee do cry, 
 
 do thou make hafte to me 
 And give an ear unto my voice, 
 when I cry unto thee. 
 
 2 As incenfe let my prayer be 
 directed in thine eyes ; 
 
 And the uplifting of my hands 
 as th' ev'ning facrifice. 
 
 3 Set, Lord, a watch before my mouth, 
 keep of my lips the door. 
 
 4 My heart incline thou not unto * 
 the ills I fhould abhor, 
 
 Ff 
 
338 PSALM CXLI. 
 
 To pradife wicked works with mea 
 
 that work iniquity : 
 And with their delicates, my tafte 
 
 let me not fatisfy. ♦; 
 
 5 Let him that righteous is me Imite, 
 it (hall akindnefs be ; 
 
 Let him reprove, I fhall it count 
 
 a precious oil to me : 
 Such fmiting (hall not break my head ; 
 
 for yet the time (hall fall, 
 When I in their calamities 
 
 to God pray for them fliall. 
 
 6 When as their judges down Qiall be 
 in ftony places caft, 
 
 Then fhall they hear my words, for they 
 fhall fweet be to their tafte. 
 
 7 About the grave's devouring mouth 
 our bones are fcatter'd round, 
 
 As wood, which men do cut and cleave, 
 lies fcatter'd on the ground. 
 
 8 But unto thee, O God the Lord, 
 mine eyes uplifted be : 
 
 My foul do not leave deflitute, 
 
 my truft is fet on thee. 
 .9 Lord, keep me fafely from the fnare 
 
 which they for m.e prepare ; 
 And from the fubtile gins of tliem 
 
 that wicked workers are. 
 
 10 Let workers of iniquity 
 
 into their own nets fall, 
 'Whilft I do by thine help efcape 
 
 the danger of them alU 
 
PSALM CXLIL 339 
 
 Tills pfalm is a prayer, the fubflance of which David offertd up 
 to God, when he was forced hy Saul to take fhelter in a cav€, and 
 afterwards penned it in this form. Here is, (i) The complaint he 
 makes to God, vcr. I, 2. of the fubtilty, ftrength, and malice of 
 his enemies, ve#i(^3, 6. and the coldnefs and indiiferency of his 
 friends, ver. 4. -(i) The comfort he takes in God, that he knew 
 his cafe, ver. 3. and was his refuge, ver. 5. (3) His expecLatioii 
 from God, that he would hear and deliver him, ver. 6, 7. (4) H - 
 exjie<ftation from the righteous, that they would join with him i;. 
 praifes, ver. 7. Thofe that are troubled in mind, body, or eftate, 
 may, in finging this pfalm, (if they fmg it in fome meafure with 
 David's fpirit) both warrant his complaints, and fetch in his comfort. 
 
 Mafchil of David : a prayer when he was in the cave. 
 
 1 J With my voice cry'd to the Lord : 
 
 with it made my requeft. 
 
 2 Pcur'd out to him my plaint ; to him 
 my trouble I expreft. 
 
 3 When in me was o'erwhelm'd my fp'rit, 
 then well thou knew'il my way ; 
 
 Where I did walk, a fnare for me 
 they privily did lay. 
 
 4 I lodk*d on my right hand, and view'd, 
 but none to know me v/ere ; 
 
 All refuge failed me, no man 
 did for miy foul take care. 
 
 5 I cry'd to thee, I faid. Thou art 
 my refuge, Lord, alone ; 
 
 And in the land of thofe that live 
 thou art my portion. 
 
 6 Becaufe I am brought very low, 
 ~ attend unto my cry : 
 
 Me from my perfecutors fave, 
 who ilronger are than L 
 
 F f 2 
 
340 P S A.L M CXLIII. 
 
 7 From prifon bring my foul, that I 
 
 thy name may glorify : 
 The juft fhall compafs me, when thou 
 
 with me deal'ft bounteouCy. 
 
 PSALM CXLIII. 
 
 This pfalm, as thofe before, is a- prayer, and full of complaints 
 of the great dif^rcfs and danger he was in, probably when Saul pcr- 
 fecuted him. He did not only pray in that afRidion, but he prayed 
 very much, and very often, not the fame over again, but new 
 thoughts. Intbispfalmj (i) He complains of his troubles, through 
 the opprcfiion of his enemies, rer. 3. and the w^eaV.nefs of his fpirit 
 iinder it, which was ready to fink, notwithRanding the likely courfe 
 he took to fuppcrt himfelf, ver. 4, 5. (a) He prays, and prays 
 carneflly, ver. 6. i. That God would hear him, ver. 1, 7. %. That 
 he would not deal with him according to his fins, ver. ^. 3. That 
 he would not hide his face from him, ver. 7. but manifefl his favour 
 to him, ver. 8. 4. That he would guide and dircd: him in the way 
 of his duty, ver. 8, o, 10. and (Quicken him in it, ver. Ji. 5. That 
 he would deliver him cut of his troubles, ver. 9, 10, ll. 6. That 
 he Vv'ould in due time reckon with his pcrfecutors, ver. iz. We may 
 the eafier accommodate this pfalm to ourfelves in the finglng of it, 
 bccaufc mofl of the petitions in it are for fpiritual bltffings, which we 
 all need at all times, mercy and grace. 
 
 A pfalm of David. 
 
 1 I^ORD, hear miy pray V, attend my fuits : 
 
 and in thy faithfulnefs 
 Give thou an anfwer unto me, 
 
 and in thy righteoufnefs. 
 CL Thy fervant alfo bring thou not 
 
 in judgment to be try'd : 
 Becaufe no living man can be 
 
 in thy fight juftify'd. 
 
 3 Forth' en'my hath purfu'd my foul, 
 
 my life to ground down tread. 
 In darknefs he ha'h m.ade me dwell, 
 
 as who have long been dead. 
 
PSALM CXLin. 34\ 
 
 4 My fp'rit is therefore overwhelm'd 
 in me perplexedly : 
 
 Within me is my very heart 
 amazed wond^roufly. 
 
 5 I call to mind t^ie days of old, 
 to meditate! ufe 
 
 On all thy works : upon the deeds 
 1 of thy hands do mufe. 
 
 6 My hands to thee I ftretch : my foul 
 thirds as dry land for thee. 
 
 7 Hafle, Lord, to hear, my fpirit fails : 
 hide not thy face from me, 
 
 Left like to them 1 do become 
 that go down to the diid, 
 
 8 At morn let me thy kindnefs hear^ 
 for in thee do I truft : 
 
 Teach m:- the way that 1 (hould walk, 
 I lift my foul to thee. 
 
 9 Lord, free me from my foes : I flee 
 to thee to cover me. 
 
 10 Becaufe thou art my God, to do 
 thy will do me inftrudl : 
 
 Thy fp'rit is good, me to the land 
 
 of uprightnefs conducS. 
 1 1 . Revive and quicken me, O Lord, 
 
 ev'n for thine own name's fake : 
 And do thou for thy righteoufnefs, 
 
 my foul from trouble take. 
 
 1 2 And of thy mercy flay my foes ^ 
 
 let all deftroyed be 
 That do affli(St my foul : for I 
 
 a fervant am to thee. 
 
 Ff3 
 
34^ PSALM CXLIIL 
 
 Jnoiber of the fame, 
 
 J Q^ • hear my prayer, Lord, 
 And unto my defire 
 To bow thine ear accord, 
 I humbly thee require : 
 And in thy faithfuhiefs 
 Unto me anfwer make, 
 And in thy righteoufnefs 
 Upon me pity take. 
 
 a In judgment enter not 
 With me thy fervant poor ; 
 For why, this well I wot, 
 No finner can endure. 
 Thefightof thee, O God, 
 If thou his deeds fhalt try. 
 He dare make none abode 
 Himfelf to juftify. 
 
 3 Behold, the cruel foe 
 Me persecutes with fpite. 
 My foul to overthrow : 
 Yea he my life down quite 
 Unto the ground hath fmote. 
 And made me dw^ell full low, 
 In darknefs, as forgot. 
 
 Or men dead long ago. 
 
 4 Therefore my fp'rit, much vex' 
 O'erwhelm'd is me within : 
 My heart right fore perplex'd, 
 And defolate hath been. 
 
PSALM CXLIII. 343 
 
 5 Yet r do call to mind 
 What ancient days record ; 
 Thy works of ev r}^ kind 
 
 I think upon, O Lord. 
 
 6 Lo, I do ftretch my hands 
 To thee, my help alone ; 
 For thoa well underftands 
 All my complaint and moan ; 
 My thirfting foul defires, 
 And longeth after thee, 
 
 As thirfty ground requires 
 With rain refrefli'd to be. 
 
 7 Lord, let my prayV prevail. 
 To anfwer it, make fpeed ; 
 For lo, my fp'rit doth fail : 
 Hide not thy face in need : 
 Left I be like to thofe 
 That do in darknefs fit, 
 
 Or him that downward goes 
 Into the dreadful pit. 
 
 8 Becaufe I truft in thee, 
 O Lord, caufe me to hear 
 Thy loving-kindnefs free. 
 When morning doth appear : 
 Caufe me to know the way 
 Wherein my path fhould be, 
 For why, my foul on high 
 
 • I do lift up to thee. 
 
 9 From my fierce enemy 
 In 'afety do me guide, 
 Becaufe 1 flee to thee, 
 
 Lord, that thou may'fl: me hide. 
 
344 PSALM CXLIV. 
 
 10 My God alone art thou ; 
 Teacli me thy righteoufnefs : 
 Thy Sp'rit's good, lead me to 
 The land of uprightness. 
 
 1 1 O Lord, for thy name's fake, 
 Be pleas'd to quicken me : 
 And for thy truth forth take 
 My foul fi'om mifery. 
 
 12 And of thy grace deftroy 
 My foes, and put to Oame 
 All vx^hom my foul annoy j 
 For I thy fervant am. 
 
 P S A L M CXLIV. 
 
 The four precedirig pfalms feem to have been penned "by David 
 before hi^^acceffion to tbe crown, when he was perfecuted by Saul; 
 this ftcms to have been penned after, when he was ftill in tiouble, 
 (for there is no condiiion in this world privileged with an exemp- 
 tion from trouble; ) the neighbouring nations n-.olefling him, and 
 givirig him difluibaiKc, efpecially the Philifiines, a Sam. v. 17. In 
 this pfaim, (i; He acknowledgeth, wiih triumph and thankfulnefs, 
 the great goodnti's of God to him, in advancing him to the govern- 
 ment, ver. I, — 4. (2 Ke prays to God to help him againil the 
 enemies that threatened him, ver 5, — 8. and again, ver. ii. (3) 
 Herejoiceth in the affutance of vidory over them, ver. 9, 10. (4) 
 He prays for the piofpeiity of his own kingdom, and pleafeth him- 
 felfv/ith the hopescfit, ver la, — 15. In fmging this pfalm, v. e may 
 give God the glory of our fpiritual privileges and advancements, and 
 fetch in help from him againft our fpiritual enemies: may pray for 
 the profpeiity of our fouis, of our families, and of our land ; and, in 
 the opinion of fome of the jewifh writers, may refer the pfalm to the 
 Mefliah and his kingdom. 
 
 A pfalm of David. 
 
 I Qi BlefTed ever be the Lord, 
 
 who is my I rength and might, 
 Who doth iDitruct my hands to war, 
 my fingers teach to fight* 
 
PSALM CXLIV. 345 
 
 2 My goodnefs, fortrefs, my high tow'r, 
 deliverer and fhield, 
 
 In whom I truft : who under me 
 my people makes to yield. 
 
 3 Lord, what is m.^.n, that thou of him 
 doft fo much knowledge take ? 
 
 Or fon of man, that thou of him 
 fo great account doft make ? 
 
 4 Man is like vanity : his days 
 as ihadows pafs away. 
 
 5 Lord, bow thy heav'ns, come down : touch 
 the hills, and fmoke fhall they. (thou 
 
 6 Caft forth thy I'.ght'nings, fcatter them : 
 thine arrows fhoot, them rout. 
 
 7 Thine hand fend from above, me fave, 
 from great depths draw me out ; 
 
 8 And from the hand of children flrange, 
 Whofe mouth fpeaks vanity ; 
 
 And their right hand is a right hand 
 that works deceitfully. 
 
 9 A new fong I to thee will fmg, 
 Lord, on a pfaltery : 
 
 I on a ten-ftring'd inftrument 
 will praifes fmg to thee. 
 
 10 Ev'n he it is, that unto kings 
 falvation doth fend : 
 
 Who his own fervant David doth 
 from hurtful fword defend. 
 
 1 1 O free me from ftrange cliildren's hands 5 
 whofe mouth fpeaks vanity. 
 
 And their right hand a right hand is, 
 that works deceitfully. 
 
34<5 PSALM CXLIV. 
 
 1 2 That as the plants our fons may be 
 in youth grown up that are ; 
 
 Our daughters like to corner-ftones, 
 carv'd like a palace fair ; 
 
 1 3 That, to afford all kind of ftore, 
 our garners may be fill'd ; 
 
 That our flieep thoufands, in our ftreets 
 ten thoufands they may yield : 
 
 14 That ftrong our oxen be for work ; 
 that no inbreaking be. 
 
 Nor going out ; and that our ftreets 
 may from complaints be free* 
 
 i^ Thofe people bleffed are, who be 
 
 in fuch a cale as this: 
 Yea, blefled all thofe people are, 
 
 whofe God Jehovah is. 
 
 psaiTm^xlv, 
 
 The five foregoing pfa'ms were all of a piece, all full of prayersi ; 
 this, and the five that follow it to the end of the book, are all of a 
 piece too, all full of praifes ; and though this only is entitled David's 
 pfalm, yet we have no reafon to think but that they were all his, aa 
 well as all the foregoing prayers. And it is obfervable, (l) That 
 after five pfalms of prayer, follow fix pfalrns of praife; for thofe that 
 are much in prayer fliall not want matter for praife : and thofe that 
 have fped in prayer, mufc abound in praife. Our thankfgivings 
 for mercy, when we have received it, fhould even exceed our fup- 
 plications for it, when we were in purfuit of it David, in the lailof 
 his begging pfalms, liad promifcd to jiraife Gcd, Pfalm csliv. 9. and 
 here he performs his proniife. (2) That the bock of Pfalms con- 
 cludes with pfalms of praife, all praife; for praife Is the ccnclufion of 
 the v.'hole matter, it is that in which all the pfalms centre. And it 
 intimates, that Gcd's people, towardb the end of their life, fhould 
 abound much in praife; and the rather, bccaufe at the end of their 
 life, they hope to remove to the world of everlafting praife ; and the 
 nearer they come to heaven, the moie they fit ould cccuftom thtm- 
 felvcs to the work of heaven. This is one of tliofe pfalms which are 
 compofed alphabetically, as Pfalm XXV. and xxxiv. &c. that it might 
 be the eafier committed to memory, and kept in mind. The Jewjih 
 
PSALM CXLV. 347 
 
 writers juftly extol thispfalm as aftar of the firft. magnitude in this 
 bright conilcUation ; and fome of them have an extravajjant faying 
 concerning it,#ot much unlike fome of the Popifli fupcrfkitions, That 
 vvhofoever will fing this pfalmconilantly three times a day, ihali cer- 
 tainly be happy in the v/orld to come. In this pfalm, i. David en- 
 gagcth himfelf and others to praife God, ver. I, a, 4, — 7, 10, 1 1, 12. 
 1. He fallens upon thofe chlngs that are proper matter for praife : 
 God's greatnefs, ver. 3. his goodnefs, ver. 8, 9. the proofs of both in 
 the adminillrition of his kingdom, ver. 13 the kingdom of provi- 
 dence, ver. 14, 15, 16 the kingdom of grace, ver. 17, — 20. and then 
 he concludes with a refolution to continue praifing God, ver. 21. 
 with which refolution our hearts muft be filled and fixed in finglno^ 
 this pfalm. 
 
 Da/id's pfahn of praife. 
 
 1 I'LL thee extol, my God, O King, 
 
 I'll blefs thy name always. 
 
 2 Thee will I blels each day, and will 
 thy name for ever praife, 
 
 3 Great is the Lord, much to be prais'd ; 
 his greatnefs fearch exceeds. 
 
 4 Race unto race fliall praife thy works, 
 and {how thy mighty deeds. 
 
 5 I of thy glorious majefty 
 the honour will record. 
 
 I'll fpeakofall thy mighty works, 
 which wond'rous are, O Lord. 
 
 6 Men of thine a£l:s the might ihali Ihow, 
 thine a6:s that dreadful are : 
 
 'And I, thy glory to advance, 
 thy greatnefs will declare. 
 
 7 The mem'ry of thy goodnefs great, .'r# 
 they largely fliall exprefs ; 
 
 With fongs of praife they (hall extol 
 thy perfedi righteoufnefs. 
 
348 PSALM CXLV. 
 
 8 The Lord is very gracio\is, 
 
 in him compafiions flow ; ,**-- 
 
 In mercy he is very great, 
 and is to anger flow. 
 
 9 The Lord Jehovah unto all 
 his gocdnefs doth declare: 
 
 And over all his other works 
 
 his tender mercies are. 
 ID Thee all thy works fhall praife, O Lord, 
 
 and thee thy faints (hall blefs. 
 
 1 1 They ihall thy kingdom's glory fhow, 
 thy pov^'r by fpeech exprefs. 
 
 1 2 To make the fons of men to knov/ 
 his a<fis done mightily, 
 
 And of his kingdom th' excellent 
 and glorious majefty. 
 
 13 Thy kingdom (hall for ever ftand, 
 thy reign through ages all. 
 
 14 God raifeth all that are bow'd dovvn, 
 upholdeth all that fall. 
 
 15 The eyes of all things wait on thee, 
 the giver of all good, 
 
 And thou in time convenient- 
 beftow^s on them their food. 
 
 16 Thine hand thou op'neft lib'rally, 
 and of thy bounty gives 
 
 Enough to fatisfy the need 
 of ev'ry thing that lives. 
 
 1 7 The Lord is juft in all his ways, 
 holy in his works all, 
 
 1 8 God's near to all that call on him, 
 in truth that on him call. 
 
PSALM CXLV. 34f 
 
 J 9 Hewillaccompllflithe defire 
 
 of thofe that do him fear : 
 He alfo will deliver them, 
 
 and he their cry will hear. 
 
 20 The Lord preferves all who him Icn^e, 
 that nought can them annoy : 
 
 But he all thofe that wicked are 
 will utterly deftroy. 
 
 2 1 My mouth the praifes of the Lord 
 to pubhfh ceafe fhall never : 
 
 Let all flefli blefs his holy name 
 for ever and for ever. 
 
 Another of the fame. 
 
 1 r\ Lord, that art my God and King, 
 
 Thee will I magnify and praife, 
 I will thee blefs and gladly fing 
 Unto th^t holy name always. 
 
 2 Eacli'day I rife, I will thee blefs, 
 
 And praife thy name time without end. 
 
 3 Much to be prais'd, and great God is. 
 His greatnefs none can comprehend. 
 
 4 Race fhall thy works praife unto race. 
 The mighty ad:s fhow, done by thee. 
 
 5 I will fpeak of thy glorious grace, 
 And honour of thy majefty, 
 
 Thy wondVous works I will record. 
 
 6 By men the might fhall be extoird 
 Of all thy dreadful adts, O Lord : 
 And i thy greatnefs will unfold. 
 
 Gg 
 
'SS* P S A L M CXL^^ 
 
 7 They utter fhall abundantly 
 
 The niem'ry of thy goodnefs great. 
 And Ihall iing prailes cheerfully, 
 Whilft they thy righteoufners relate 
 
 :S The Lord our God is gracious, 
 Compaffionate is he aifo, 
 In mercy he is plenteous. 
 But unto wrath and anger flow. 
 
 iQ Good unto all men is the Lord : 
 
 O'er all his works his mercy is. 
 go Thy works all praiie to thee afford, 
 
 Thy faints, O Lord, thy name fhall blefs. 
 Jl The glory of thy kingdom (how 
 
 Shall they, and of thy power tell. 
 iS. 2 That fo men's fons his deeds may know. 
 
 His kingdom's grace that doth excel. 
 
 ^3 Thy kingdom hath no end at all, 
 It doth through ages all remain. 
 
 J4 The Lord uphold^th all that fall, 
 The caft-down raifeth up again. 
 
 ^5 Theeyes of all things, Lord, attend^ 
 And on thee wait, that here do live : 
 And thou in feafon <;lue doft fend 
 Sufficient food them to relieve. 
 
 ,-a5 Yea, thou thine hand dofl: open wide, 
 
 And ev'ry thing doft fatisfy 
 
 That lives, and doth on earth abide. 
 
 Of thy great liberality. 
 -X 7 The Lord is juft in his ways all, 
 
 And holy in his works each one. 
 ijS He's near to all that on him call^ 
 
 WJho call in truth on him alone. 
 
PSALM CXLVr: -jri 
 
 jy-^ 
 
 rg God will the juft defire fulfil 
 Of fuch as do him fear and dread v- 
 Their cry regard, and hear he will. 
 And fave them in the time of need. 
 
 20 The Lord preferves all, more and lefty^ 
 That bear to him a loving heart : 
 
 But workers- all of Vv^ickednefs^ 
 Deftroy will he, and clean fubvert. 
 
 2 1 Therefore my mouth and lips ITi framCr 
 Tofpeak the praifes of the Lord ^ 
 
 To magnify his holy name 
 Eor ever let all fleih accord* 
 
 PSALM CXLVL 
 
 This, afld all the reft of the pfalms that follow, begin" and tnd 
 with Hallelujah, a word which puts much of Gcd's praife into a 
 little compafs; for in it we praife him by his name Jah, the con- 
 tradion of Jehovah. In this excellent pfalm of praife, (l) The 
 pfalmifl engageth hiirXelf to praife God, ver. I, 3. (2) He engag- 
 cth others to trult in him, which is one necefiV -y and acceptable way 
 of prailing him. And, i. He fiiews why we ihould not truft in men, 
 Tcr. 3, 4. a. Why we fhould truil in God, ver. 5. becaufe of hi» 
 power in the kingdom of nature, ver. 6. his dominion in the kingdom 
 of providence, ver. 7. and liis grace in the kingdom of the Mefliah, 
 ver. 8, 9. that everlading kingdom, ver. 10 •to which many of the 
 Jewifh writers refer this pfalm, and to which therefore we Ihould 
 have an eye in the finging of it. 
 
 1 pRaifeGod. Th e Lord praife, O my fouL- 
 
 2 ^ I'll praife God w4iile 1 live ; 
 While I have being, to my God 
 
 in fongs I'll praifes give. 
 
 3 Truft not in princes, nor man's fon, 
 in. whom there is no iiay. 
 
 4 His breath departs, to's earth he turns 5 
 that day his thoughts decay. 
 
352 PSALM CXLVII. 
 
 5 O happy is that man, and bleft, 
 whom Jacob's God doth aid, 
 
 Whofe hope upon the Lord doth refi", 
 and on his God is (laid : 
 
 6 Who made the earth, and heavens high, 
 who made the fwelling deep, 
 
 And all that is within the' fame : 
 who truth doth ever keep : 
 
 7 Who righteous judgment executes 
 for thofe opprefs'd that be ; 
 
 Who to the hungry giveth food : 
 God fets the pris'ners free. 
 
 8 The Lord doth give the blind their fight : 
 the bowed-down doth raife : 
 
 The Lord doth dearly love all thofe 
 that walk in upright ways. 
 
 9 The Granger's Ihield, the widow's ftay, 
 the orphan's help is he : 
 
 But yet by him the wicked's way 
 turn'd upfide down fhall be. 
 
 10 The Lord fhall reign for evermore, 
 thy God, O Zion, he 
 
 Reigns to all generations. 
 Praife to the Lord give ye. 
 
 PSALM CXLVIL 
 
 This Is another pfalm of praife; fopie think it was penned after 
 the return of the Jews from their captivity ; but it is fo much of a 
 piece with pfalm cxlv. that T rather think it was. penned by David, 
 and\vhat isfaid, ver. a, 13. may well enough be apphed to the firft 
 buildina and fortifylngof Jerufakm in his time, and the gathering.in 
 of thofe that had been outcafts in Saul's time. The Scptuagmt divide 
 it into two, and we may divide it into the firft and fecond part, but 
 both of the fame import. (l) We are called upon to praife God, 
 ver. I, 7, IX. (s) We are furniihcd with matter forprade ; for God 
 
PSALM CXLVII. 35^ 
 
 15 to be glorified, I. As the God of nature, and fo he is very greaf,, 
 ver. 4, 5, 8, 9, 15, — 18. 2. As the God of grace comforting his 
 people, ver. 3, 6, — II. 3. Asthe God of Ifrael, Jerufalem and Zion, 
 fettling their civil ftate, ver. 12, .13, 14. and efpecially fettling reli- 
 gion among them, ver. 19, 20. It is eafy, in finging this pfalm, to 
 apply it to ourfclves,hoth as to perfonal and national mercies, were it ' 
 b-ut as eafy to do it with fuif able affcdlions. 
 
 I pRAISE ye the Lord : for It Is good - 
 
 praife to our God to fing ; 
 For it is pleafant, and to praife 
 
 it is a comely thing. 
 2- God doth build up Jerufalem : 
 
 and he it is alone 
 That the difpers'd of Ifrael 
 
 doth gather into one, 
 
 3 Thofe that are broken in their hearts^ . 
 and grieved in their minds, 
 
 He healeth, and their painful wounds 
 he tenderly up-binds. 
 
 4 He counts the number of the ftars : 
 he names them ev'ry one. 
 
 5 Great is our Lord, and of great pow'r : 
 his wifdom fearch can none. 
 
 6 The Lord lifts up the meek, and calls 
 the wicked to the ground. 
 
 7 Sing to the Lord, and give him thanks: 
 on harp his praifes found : 
 
 8 Who covereth the heav'n with clouds, 
 who for the earth below 
 
 Prepareth rain, whomaketh grafs^ 
 upon the mountains grow. 
 
 g 
 
354 PSALM CXLVIL 
 
 9 He gives the beaft his food, he feeds 
 the ravens young that cry. 
 
 10 His pleafiire not in horie's ftrength, 
 nor in man's legs, doth lie. 
 
 1 1 But in all thofe that do him fear 
 the Lord doth pleafure take, 
 
 In thofe that to his mercy do 
 by hope themfelvcs betake. 
 
 12 The Lord praife, O Jerufalem : 
 Zion, thy God confefs. 
 
 13 For thy gates bars he maketh ftrong: 
 thy fons in thee doth blefs. 
 
 14 He in thy borders maketh peace, 
 with fine wheat filleth thee. 
 
 15 He fends forth his command on earth 
 his word runs fpeedily. 
 
 1 6 Hoar froft, like afhes, fcatt'reth he : 
 like wool he fnow doth give. 
 
 1 7 Like morfels cafteth forth his ice : 
 who in its cold can live ? 
 
 18 He fendeth forth his mighty word, 
 and meketh them again: 
 
 His winds he makes to blow, and then 
 the waters flow amain. 
 
 19 The dodrine of his holy word 
 to Jacob he doth {how, 
 
 His ftatutes and his judgments he 
 gives Ifrael to know, 
 
 20 To any nation never he 
 fuch favour did afford : 
 
 For they his judgments have not known* 
 O do ye praiie the Lord. 
 
PSALM CXLVIII. 35^1^ 
 
 This pfalm is a mod folenin and earneft call to all the creature?, 
 according to their capacity, to praife their Creator, and to fhcw 
 forth his eternal power and Godhead, the invifible things of which 
 are manifelled in the things that are feen : and thereby the Pfalmilt 
 defigns to exprefs his great affevilion to the duty of praife ; he is highly 
 fatisfied that God is praifed, is very defirous that he may be more 
 praifed, and therefore doth all he can to engage all about him, in this 
 pleafant work, yea, and all that Ihall come after him, whofe hearts 
 muft be very dead and cold, if they be not raifed and enlarged in 
 praifing God, by the lofty flights of divine poetry, which we find in 
 this pfalm. (i) He calls upon the higher houfe, the creatures that 
 are placed in the other world, to praife the Lord, boththofe that are 
 intelledlual beings, and are capable of doing it adlively, ver. I, 3. 
 and thofe that are not, and are therefore capable of doing it only ob- 
 jecftively, v^r. 3, — 6. (2) He calls upon the lower houfe, the crea- 
 tures of this lower world, both thofe that can only minifler matter of 
 praife, ver 7, — lo. and thofe that, being endued with reafon, are 
 capable of offering up this facrifice, ver. II, — 13. efpecially his own 
 people, who have more caufe to do it, and are more concerned to do 
 it, than any other, ver. I4. 
 
 1 pRAISE God. From heavens praife the 
 
 in heights praife to him be. [Lord : 
 
 2 All ye his angels, praife ye him : 
 his hofts all, praife him ye. 
 
 3 O praife ye him, both fun and moon : 
 praife him, all ftars of light. 
 
 4 Ye heav'nofheav'ns,him praife, and floods 
 
 above the heavens height. 
 
 5 Let all the creatures praife the name 
 of our almighty Lord : 
 
 For he commanded, and they were 
 created by his word. 
 
 6 He alfo,for all times to come, 
 hath them eftablifh'd fure : 
 
 He hath appointed them a law, 
 which ever fliall endure. 
 
J ^^6 P S A L M CXLVIII. 
 
 7 Praife ye Jehovah from the earth, 
 dragons, and ev'ry deep. 
 
 8 Fire, hail,fnow, vapour, ftormy wind, 
 his word that fully keep. 
 
 9 All hills and mountains, fruitful trees, . 
 and all ye cedars high. 
 
 10 Beafts and all cattle, creeping. things, 
 and all ye birds that fly. 
 
 1 1 Kings of the earth, all nations ; 
 princes, earth's judges all. 
 
 1 2 Both young men, yea, and maidens too,, 
 old men, and children fmall. 
 
 1 3 Let them God's name praife : for his name 
 alone is excellent ; 
 
 His glory reacheth far above 
 the earth and firmament. - 
 
 X4 His people's horn, the praife of all i 
 his faints, exalteth he ; 
 . Ev'n IfraTs feed, a people near 
 to him* The Lord praife ye. 
 
 Another of the fame<, . 
 
 1 'T'HE Lord of heav'n confefs^ , 
 
 On high his glory raife* 
 a Him let all angels blefs. 
 Him all his armies praife* 
 
 Him glorify, 
 
 Sun, moon, and ftars : 
 4 Ye higher fpheres, 
 
 And cloudy iky. 
 
PSALM CXLVIII. 35' 
 
 5 From God your beings are. 
 Him therefore famous make 
 You all created were, 
 When he the word but fpake. 
 
 6 And from that place, 
 Where fix'd you be 
 By his decree, 
 
 You cannot pafs. 
 
 7 Praife God from earth below, 
 Ye dragons, and ye deeps : 
 
 8 Fire, hail, clouds, wind, and fnow^ 
 Whom in command he keeps, 
 
 9 Praife ye his name. 
 Hills great and fmall, 
 Trees low and tall : 
 
 10 Beafts wild and tame, 
 
 All things that creep or fiy. 
 
 1 1 Ye kings, ye vulgar throng, 
 All princes mean or high. 
 
 12 Both men and virgins young, 
 
 Ev'n young and old, 
 
 13 Exalt his name ; 
 For much his fame 
 Should be extoll'd. 
 
 O let God's name be prais'd 
 Above both earth and fky : 
 
 14 For he his faints hath rais'd, 
 And fet their horn on high ; 
 
 Ev'n thofe that be 
 Of IfraTs race, 
 Near to his grace. 
 The Lord praife ye. 
 
358 PSALM CXLIX. 
 
 The foregoing pfalm was a hymn of pralfe to the Creator y thir 
 to the Redeemer : it is a pfalm of triumph in the God of Ifracl, and 
 over the enemies of Ifrael. Probably it was penned upon occafion of 
 ^jme vi(5lory which I'rael was blefied and honoured with Some con- 
 jecture that it was penned when David had taken the flrong-hold of 
 Zion, and fettled his government there; but it looks further to the 
 kingdom of the McfTidh, who, in the chariot of the everlafting gof- 
 pel got s forth conquering and to conquer To him, and his graces 
 and glories, we mull have an eye in finging this pfalm, which fpeaks,^ 
 (i) Abundance of joy to all the people of God, ver. i, — 5. (4) 
 Abundance of terror to the proudell of their enemies, ver. 6, — 9. 
 
 1 pRAISE ye the Lord : unto him fing^ 
 
 a new iong : and his praife 
 In the affembly of his faints 
 in fweet*pfalms do ye raife. 
 
 2 Let Ifra'I in his Maker joy, «^_ 
 and to him praifes fing : ^1^1 
 
 Let all that Zion's ehlklren are,. ^H 
 
 be joyful in their King, ™ 
 
 3 O let them unto hvs great name: 
 give praifes in the danoe : 
 
 Let them Vv^ith timbrel, and with harp^ 
 in fongs his praife advance. . 
 
 4 For God doth pleafure takein thofe 
 that his own people be : 
 
 And he with his falvation 
 . the meek will beautify. 
 
 5 And in his glory excellent 
 let all his faints rejoice : 
 
 Let them to him, upon their bedsj, 
 aloud lift up their voice. 
 
 6 Let in their mouth aloft be rais'd 
 the high praife of the Lord ; 
 
 And let them have in their right hand 
 a fharp two-edged fword ; 
 
^ 
 
 PSALM CL. %^ 
 
 *j To execute the vengeance dae 
 
 upon the heathen all ; 
 And make deferved punifliment 
 
 upon the people fall : 
 -8 And ev'n with chains, as pris'ners, bind 
 
 their kings that them command ; 
 Yea, and with iron fetters ftrong, 
 
 the nobles of their land : 
 
 9 On them the judgment to perfo^im 
 
 found written in his word. 
 This honour is to all is faints. 
 
 O do ye praife the Lord. 
 
 PSALM CL. 
 
 The firft and laft of the pfalms have both the fame number ©i 
 verfes, are both fliort,'and very memorable; but the fcope of them 
 is very different ; the firft pfalm is an elaborate inllruftion in out 
 duty, to prepare us for the comforts of our devotion : this is all rap. 
 ture and tranfport, and perhaps was penned on purpofe to be thecon- 
 clufion of thofe facred fongs, to fliew what is the defign of them all, 
 and that is, to affill us in praifing God. The Pfalmifl had been him- 
 felf full of the praifes of God, and here he would fain fill all the world 
 with them: again and again he calls, * Praife the Lord, praife him, 
 praife him,' no lefs than thirteen times in thefe fix ihort verfes. He 
 fliews, (i) For what, and upon what account God is to he praifed 
 ver. I, a. (2) How, and with what exprcffions of joy God is to be 
 praifed, ver. 3, 4, 5. (3) Who mull praife the Lord; it is every 
 one's bufinefs, ver. 6. In finging this pfalm, we fhould endeavoux 
 ■^to get our hearts much affe<Sled with the perfe(5lions of God, and th< 
 praifes with which he is, andihall be for evjer attended, throughout all 
 ages, world without end. 
 
 I pRaife ye the Lord. God's praife within 
 
 his fandluary raife : 
 And to him in the firmament 
 cif his pow rgive ye praife* 
 
26o P S A L M CL. 
 
 2 Becaufe of all his mighty ads, 
 with praife him magnify : 
 
 O praife him, as he doth excel 
 in glorious majefty. 
 
 3 Praife him with trumpet's found : his praife 
 with pfaltery advance. 
 
 4 With timbrel, harp, flring'd inftruments, 
 and organs, in the dance. 
 
 5 Praife iiim on cymbals loud : him praife 
 on cymbals founding high. 
 
 6 Let each thing breathing praife th^ Lord, 
 Praife to the Lord give ye. 
 
 FINIS.