mouth, by entering the Cave of Engedi to rest, David and his men being concealed all the while in the sides of the Cave (I. Sam. xxiv.) See also the marginal references for this not uncommon metaphor. "My soul is bowed down." Prayer Book, "Pressed down my scul." V. 7. "Fixed," or "prepared" (for praise). V. 8. “My glory." Probably means the same as “My soul." 66 "Will awake early." The literal translation is far more beautiful and poetical, viz.--"Will awake the dawn." The meaning is "The morning's dawn shall find me at my praises." V. 11. "Exalted." Cf. Phillippians ii. 9—11. . 5 Heb. Hallelujah. a Ps. 35. 18. & 89. 5. & 107. 32. & 109. 30. & 149. 1. a Ps. 145. 4, 5, 10. 1 The psalmist by his example inciteth others to praise PRAISES ye the LORD. a I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his 4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remem- 6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, i Isai. 40. S. 7 The works of his hands are gverity and judgment:n all his commandments are sure. 8 They 7 stand fast for ever and ever, and are k done in truth and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever; m holy and reverend is his name. 10 n The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: 8 a good understanding have all they 9 that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. 9 success. Prov. 3. 4. Heb. that do them. There is no title to this Psalm, and its contents are of so general a nature that they give no clue to the Author or the date of composition. It is one of the Psalms (of which there are ten *) beginning with Hallelujah. Some of these were used by the Jews at their great Festivals, and many commentators think that Psalms cxi., cxii., were sung on the night of the Passover, as a kind of preface to Psalm cxiii. and the five which follow it, which were undoubtedly sung in every household during the celebration of that Feast. * The Ten Hallelujah Psalms are cvi., cxi., cxii., cxiii., cxxxv., cxlvi.—cl. F It is also one of the nine † Alphabetical or Acrostic Psalms, of which the best example is Psalm cxix. These being very similar in thought, expression and style, are most likely from the same pen. Psalm cxii. is closely linked with its predecessor, the latter proclaiming "the praise, the greatness and the works of Jehovah," whereas the former proclaims "the praise, the greatness and the works of His worshippers." "The one is of God in His covenant with mán, the other of man in his covenant with God." Each therefore completes the other. The key to the use of this Psalm upon Easter Morning is to be found in v. 9. Here the redemption of Israel from the bondage of Egypt is hinted at, a redemption figurative of that greater one from the bondage of sin and Satan finally accomplished when the grave was vanquished by the Resurrection of the Lord. Then also the old covenant given upon Mount Sinai was superseded by the New Covenant of which we are all made partakers in our Baptism. V. 1. "Praise ye the LORD." Heb., Hallelujah. The Prayer Book version omits these words altogether. Ten Psalms of Praise begin in this manner. The writer of the Hymn, "Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia ! The strife is o'er, the battle done, &c.," (A. & M. 135.) took the hint no doubt from these Psalms. 66 "Assembly," or "Company." It means a more limited number than 'the congregation." The Prayer Book version, "secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation," seems to shew that the Psalmist's idea was to praise God both secretly and openly. V. 2. "Sought out," Searched into with earnest care and attention. V. 3. "His work, etc." Above all other work, the great Act of our Redemptiou. V. 4. "He hath made, etc." Or, "He is remembered for His &c." (Ps. lxxviii. 3. 4.) Probably the writer was thinking of the deliverance out of Egypt by so many wonderful works. "Gracious and full of compassion." See Ex. xxxiv. 6. Cf. the Prayer Book version. 66 V. 5. Meat." Heb., "prey." An evident allusion to the feeding of the Israelites in the Wilderness. (See also marginal reference, and Ps. xxxiv. 9, 10, & Cf. S. John vi.) "His covenant." i.e. The covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. xv., &c). † An Alphabetical Psalm is one, in which the initial letter of consecutive verses is formed by each letter of the Hebrew Alphabet in turn. In Psalm cxix. each letter begins 8 consecutive verses. But generally each letter is once employed only. The Nine Alphabetical Psalms (all of which belong to the later period of the Hebrew Psalter,) are ix., X., XXV., xxxiv.. xxxvii, cxi., cxii., cxix. cxlv. V. 6. "The power of His works." The wonders in Egypt, &c. The heritage of the heathen." The land of Canaan is meant. We may refer the words now to the dominion of Christ's Church over all the earth, of which the conquest of Canaan was a type. N.B. The allusions in the above verses must not be confined to the things actually mentioned. They are only a few of the many proofs that Jehovah is "ever mindful of His covenant." They have now likewise a deep spiritual sense. V. 7. "Sure."-"Firm," "unalterable." Prayer Book, "True" (Cf. S. Luke xvi,, 17). V. 8. "They stand fast, etc." i.e. The Works and Commandments of God are established, &c. "Uprightness." Prayer Book, "Equity." V. 9. "He sent redemption, etc." Temporal redemption to His people in the days of Egyptian bondage; spiritual redemption to all by the Resurrection from the dead. "Holy and reverend is His Name." Cf. Phillip, ii. 9-11. V. 10. "The beginning," rather "the principal part." Cf. Eccles. xii. 13, where the fear of the Lord and keeping His commandments is said to be "the whole duty of man." A good understanding," or "good success." (Cf. Prov. xiii. 15). His praise." The praise of Jehovah; not "the praise of it." Prayer Book version. (Cf. Ps. cxlv. 21.) Evensong, Psalms cxiii., cxiv., cxviii. PSALM CXIII. 1 An exhortation to praise God for his excellency. 6 For PRAIS his mercy. RAISE 3 ye the LORD. a Praise, O ye servants of the 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. 4 The LORD is dhigh above all nations, and e his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who 4 dwelleth on high. 69 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth? 7 h He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill. 8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. 9 He maketh the barren woman 5 to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. ¿ Dan. 2. 20. d Ps. 97. 9.. & 99. 2. e Ps. 8. 1. 9 Ps. 11. 4. ¿Job 36. 7. This is also a Hallelujah Psalm, like Psalm cxi. It has no title, and gives no clue by which to fix the author or date. It is probably one of the later Psalms; and a possible supposition is, that it was composed for the service at the laying the foundation of the Second Temple. *Its use in later days, however, among the Jews, makes its place in the Services of the Great Festival of Easter most appropriate. The connection between the Jewish Festival of the Passover and the Christian Feast of Easter is too apparent to need more than mention. Psalm cxiii., with the five which follow it (Pss. cxiii.-cxviii), are called the "Hallel," and were sung at the great Jewish Festivals, especially at the Passover. On the Passover night the order of the ceremonies observed at the Sacred Feast was as follows: † (i.) A short Prayer or Grace, followed by passing round the first cup of wine, mingled with water. (ii.) Eating the Paschal Lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. (iii.) Singing the first portion of the Hallel (Pss. cxiii., cxiv). (iv.) The second cup of wine and water. (v.) Eating unleavened bread dipped in a sauce of vinegar and water. (vi.) The third cup of wine, called "the cup of blessing" (I. Cor. x. 16). (vii.) Singing the second portion of the Hallel (Pss. cxv.— cxviii). (viii.) The fourth cup of wine. (ix.) Singing Pss. cxx.-cxxxvii. called the "greater Hallel." (x.) The fifth cup of wine. This Psalm of Praise may be divided into three parts, viz. :—vv. 1-3; 4-6; 7-9; containing respectively à call. to praise Jehovah's Name; a picture of His greatness and glory; and a picture of His condescension to man. V. 1. "O ye servants, etc." Not the Levites only-the ministers of Jehovah,-but all true and faithful Israelites. V. 3. "From the rising, etc." i.e. From the East to the West; equivalent to "every where and at every time." (Cf. Ps. 1. 1.) We may remark too that Christianity has spread from East to West. The same remark is equally applicable to the two other Psalms (cxiv., cxviii.) used at Evensong on Easter Day. † Some commentators vary the order of ii. iii. iv.; and ix. and x. were introduced only in later times and among the richer Jews, V. 4. "Nations." Heathen, Gentiles.. = Glory above the heavens." The heavens declare God's glory (Ps. xix. 1). He has prepared His throne in the heavens (Ps. ciii. 19; Isaiah lxvi. 1). V. 5. "Who is like, etc." The original language of this and the following verse is very emphatic. To shew it they may be rendered "Who is like unto Jehovah, our God? Who sits enthroned on high; Who looks so low, in the heavens and the earth (Cf. Isaiah lvii. 15). 66 V. 7. "He raiseth up the poor, etc." Here, in vv. 7, 8, we have the Song of Hannah (I Sam. ii. 8) almost exactly reproduced. See also the Virgin Mary's Song (S. Luke i. 52, &c). Cf. the Prayer Book Version. "He taketh up the simple out of the dust, and lifteth the poor out of the mire." V. 9. "To keep house." To understand this allusion, we must remember that in Hebrew a house implies children (Ex. i. 21; II. Sam. vii. 11). Barrenness also deprived the lawful wife of the rule, as in the case of Sarah, Abraham's wife. It was a sorrow, and almost a disgrace amongst the Jewish women to be barren. a Ex. 13. 3. Ps. 81. 5. d Ex. 14. 21. Ps. 77. 16. Josh. 3. 13, 16. 9 Hab. 3. 8. PSALM CXIV. An exhortation, by the example of the dumb creatures, ion. went house of Jacob from a people of strange language: 2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his domin 3 d The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 59 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8hWhich turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. Most com Like Psalm cxiii. this has no date nor title. mentators think that it was written after the return from the Babylonish captivity, but it may just as probably be of very early date. It forms part of the "Hallel," or, as it was sometimes known, "The Egyptian Hallel." Sung at the Paschal Feast (see notes on Ps. cxiii), it commemorated the great deliverance from Egypt, and the miracles wrought by God for His chosen people. Some have thought that Pss. cxiii., cxiv. form one whole, but there is no proof of this, and the spirit of the poem suggests a much earlier date for Ps. cxiv. As a piece of composition and poetry this Psalm has |