CHAPTER XLI. CANST thou draw out leviathan with an hook ? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? 2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? 3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? 4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever? 5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird ? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens ? 6 Shall thy companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants ? 7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons ? or his head with fish spears ? 8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. 9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? 10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up who then is able to stand before me? 11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. 12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion. 13 Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle ? 14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. 15 His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. 16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them. 17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered. 18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. 20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething-pot or caldron. 21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his moutn. 22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him. 23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. 24 His heart is as firm as a stone; Ver. 1. The whale is commonly supposed to have been meant by the leviathan; but some writers conjecture that it was the crocodile, and others, that some enormous kind of fish was alluded to, of which the race is now extinct. 292 yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. 25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. 26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold; the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. 27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. 28 The arrow cannot make him flee sling-stones are turned with him into stubble. 29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear. 30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp-pointed things upon the mire. 31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. 32 He maketh a path to shine. after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. 33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. 34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride. CHAPTER XLII. THEN Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge ? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee: 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." 7 And it was so, that, after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two Ver. 2. Bowed down with the feeling of God's omnipotence, Job acknowledges that his complaints, proceeding as they did from a very imperfect view of the divine decrees, were weak and impious. Till this time he had remained satisfied with the mere general view of the Almighty's proceedings; and though he believed, had felt no deep or experimental certainty in his convictions. Now he beheld his God; the outward contemplation was carried on through the soul; and he could acknowledge Him, whom he had before only dimly discovered through the veil of mystery, as his all-merciful, allwise, and ever present God. Hence his humility, so full, so earnest, and sincere.-Ver. 7. Job's friends friends for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt-offering, and my servant Job shall pray for you; for him will I accept; lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, went and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. 10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house; and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an ear-ring of gold. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. 17 So Job died, being old, and full of days. had sinned by their bold assumptions, and by their false pretensions to heavenly wisdom; but the merciful Lord left the gate of repentance wide open to them, and willingly accepted their prayers and sacrifices.-Ver. 17. May the Almighty thus give to all his people grace to endure, with patience, whatever he chooses to call upon them to bear: may he afford them the means of learning the blessed truths of the Spirit, and bestowing upon them, at the same time, a heart willing to receive and cherish the light may he finally crown our days with light, and our souls with salvation. THE BOOK OF PSALMS. The inestimable worth of this portion of Scripture is proved by the universal testimony of the devoutest servants of God, in every age of the Church. While examining it as a portion of the great prophetical chart, they have rejoiced to find it abounding in those exhibitions of their Saviour, which afford the surest proofs that He came to be an offering for sin, and to triumph over the grave: and while meditating on the prayers, precepts, and confessions which it contains, they have felt and acknowledged that the Spirit of God only, which searcheth the hearts of men, and knows all their secret passages, could have inspired its authors with those thoughts, and that language of truth and power, which form the substance of its contents It is not known how many of the psalms were written by David; but the book is called after his name, because of the conspicuous station which he occupied, and from its being allowed that those of his composition are the mest important in the collection. Melchizedec, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Asaph, and others, have been named as authors of different portions of the book; and the number of psalms precisely attributable to David is stated, by some authors, to be not more than forty-five; and by ethers, to be seventy-three. It is, however, certain, that the psalms, thus preserved to us, were regarded by the Jews as the produce of Divine inspiration, and they are supposed to have been selected from a great variety of hymns, used in the public services, and preserved apart from the rest with especial care, because of this their divine character. There is no book of Scripture, which is not pure history, more historical than the Book of Psalms, and therefore, a considerable degree of Scriptural knowledge is necessary to its being properly read: and there is no book more deeply imbued with spiritual sentiment, and therefore, to be understood, it must always be used with prayer, and studied in the Spirit. sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give Psa!. I. This psalm has been considered as placed first to form sort of introduction to the rest an idea borne out by its general statement of the glory and happiness of the righteous, and of the misery of the wicked-a contrast strongly developed through the whole of the book. It is supposed by some critics to have been written by Ezra. thee the heathen for thine inherit- 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them 10 Be wise now therefore, O ye 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. PSALM III. A psalm of David, when he fled LORD, how are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. Psal. 11. See Acts, xiii. 33; and Heb. i. 5; v. 5. This is distinctly prophetical of Christ. The phrase, Kiss the Son, is to be understood as meaning,-pay homage to him, the Messiah, to whose coming the nation is looking; and who, when he appears, will rule the earth with a sceptre of righteousness, while he bruises. the impious with a rod of iron. Psal. III. This psalm formed, it is supposed, the prayer of David when he was obliged to flee from PSALM IV. To the chief musician on Neginoth, A psalm of David. HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. 2 Oye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. 3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. 4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. 6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenauce upon us. 7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine in creased. 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. PSALM V. To the chief musician upon GIV 2 Hearken unto the voice of my ery, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. 4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all workers of iniquity. his son Absalom. How tranquil a spirit does it breathe from the midst of danger and distress the most afflicting! Psal. IV. Another prayer in trouble; and equally beautiful for the confidence it expresses in the Divine mercy. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. 7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy; and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. 8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies: make thy way straigh: before my face. 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. 10 Destroy thou them, O God: let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. 11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. PSALM VI. To the chief musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A psalm of David. LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercies' sake. 5 For in death there no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with my tears. 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. 8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. 10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. PSALM VII. Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me; 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done Psal. V. This appears to have been composed by David in some season of great affliction, but while he was still in a situation to enjoy the comfort to be found in the house of the Lord. Psal. VI. The believer seeks God in every season of affliction, whatever may be its origin or its nature. He knows that if enemies persecute him, his almighty Father is stronger than all the hosts of hell: and that if sickness weigh him down, the Lord and giver of life can heal him with a single look of mercy. this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy;) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself, because of the rage of mine enemies; and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. 8 The LORD shall judge the people judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness; and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. PSALM VIII. To the chief musician upon Gittith, A psalm of David. LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! PSALM IX. To the chief musician upon Muth-labben, A psalm of David. WILL praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I 2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. 3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. 4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. 5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. 60 thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end; and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. 7 But the LORD shall endure for ever; he hath prepared his throne for judgment; 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in upright ness. 9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. 12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble. 13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death; 14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. 15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. 19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail; let the heathen be judged in thy sight. 20 Put them in fear, O LORD; that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. Psal. VIII. We know from the application of this psalm to Christ, (see Heb. ii. 6.) that it had a mystical reference to his triumph, and to that of mankind in him. Psal. IX. This was probably a song of triumph on some special occasion; but it is applicable to the state of the Christian church at all times, when, meditating on its privileges, it holds them firm by obeying its exalted Lord. PSALM X. WHY standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. 3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. 4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. 5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. 7 His mouth is full of cursing, and deceit, and fraud; under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 8 He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he leth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. 10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. 12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. 13 Wherefore doth the wicked contein God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. 14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man seek out his wickedness till thou find none. 16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. 17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause ine ear to hear; 18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. PSALM XI. To the chief musician, IN the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain ? 2 For, le, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may Psal. X. The sentiment of this psalm will be understood by all who, studying the ways of God, observe the condition of the world when he hides from men the light of his countenance. It is then that wickedness and injustice of every kind increase that the poor are oppressed, and the basest characters exalted to stations of dignity that deceit prospers in its vilest practices, and holiness remains neglected, or suffers the bitterest persecution. privily shoot at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. 5 The LORD trieth the righteous; but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. PSALM XII To the chief musician upon Sheminith, A psalm of David. HELP, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips, and with a double heart, do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things; our 4 Who have said, With tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? 5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. 6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. 8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men exalted. PSALM XIII. are To the chief musician, A psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy faee from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the LORD, be. cause he hath dealt bountifully with me. PSALM XIV. To the chief musician, THE fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt; they have done abomi Psal. XI. A noble confession of confidence in the Almighty, however dark the surrounding prospect. Psal. XII. When wickedness is daily on the increase, how ought the zeal of the righteous to increase! Psal. XIII. True faith loses none of its strength in times of trouble, and when God appears to stand afar off, but only urges its nable works; there is none that doeth good. 2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. 5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. 7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. PSALM XVI. PRESERVE me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. 20 my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth nct to thee; 3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names. into my lips. 5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup? thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel; my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the LORD always be fore me because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope: 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. claims to mercy with more and stronger cryings. Psal. XIV. A bitter and everenduring reproof against the mad and impious folly of disbelievers. Psal. XV. A commentary on the words Be ye holy, for I am holy.' A prayer of David. HEAR the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry; give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. 3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called upon thee; for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. 10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. 11 They have now compassed us in our steps; they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; 12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, O LORD; disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: 14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. 15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. PSALM XVIII. To the chief musician, A psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake 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 said, I WILL love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; Psal. XVI. The application of part of this psalm to Christ stamps. it with peculiar sacredness. Acts, ii. 25; xxxi. 13-35. See Psal. XVII. A prayer which David appears to have put up when, surrounded with foes, he examined his past conduct and present intentions; and finding that he was innocent of the faults laid to his charge, appealed to God as the justifier of the upright. Spiritually considered, it is to Christ the language of this psalm properly belongs. my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shail I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly; yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 lle made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed; hail- stones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail-stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23 was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27 For thou wilt save the af flicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness, 29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30 As for God, his way is per fect the word of the LORD is tried; he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation; and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. 36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38 I have wounded them, that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. 41 They cried, but there was none to save them; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not. 42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did east them out as the dirt in the streets. 43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. 44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. 45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The LORD liveth: and blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth 'he people under me. 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies; yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me thou hast delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. 50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. PSALM XIX. To the chief musician, A psalm of David. THE heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Psal. XVIII. This was David's song of triumph, when, through the power and goodness of the Lord, he was delivered from the hand of Saul. See 2 Sam. xxii. 1. But how applicable is it to the feelings of all who, having been deeply afflicted, find themselves preserved by the might of God's mercy and providence. |