17. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Rev. i. 18.

1. The characters which our Lord assumes.-2. As such he is the source of security and felicity to his people.

The Saviour lives, no more to die;
He lives, the Lord enthroned on high;
He lives, triumphant o'er the grave;
He lives, eternally to save.

18. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. Jonah ii. 4.

1. A painful sense of God's displeasure.-2. A determination to seek the recovery of his favour. Behold, again we turn to thee;

Oh cast us not away, though vile:
No peace we have, no joy we see,

O Lord our God, but in thy smile.

19. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Ps. cxix. 18.

1. There are wondrous things in the Sacred Scriptures.-2. That we may perceive them, we need spiritual illumination.-3. That illumination is the gift of God.

While in thy word we search for thee,

Oh fill our souls with awe;

Thy light impart, that we may see
The wonders of thy law.

20. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Ps. cxix. 32.

1. A resolution to persevere vigorously in religion.-2. A sense of dependence upon God for ability to do it.

How would I run in thy commands,

If thou my heart discharge

From sin and Satan's hateful chains,
And set my feet at large.

21. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. 1 Pet. ii. 21.

1. The perfection of Christ's example.-2. Our obligation to follow it.

Thy fair example may we trace

To teach us what we ought to be;
Make us, by thy transforming grace,

Dear Saviour, daily more like thee.

22. Desire the sincere milk of the word, that yemay grow thereby. 1 Pet.ii. 2.

1. The word of God contains food for the feeblest capacity.-2. This food is both pure and nutritious.-3. Every one who is born of God has an appetite for it, and grows by receiving it.

Am I a stranger, or at home,
"Tis my perpetual feast;

Not honey dropping from the comb
So much allures the taste.

23. Surely after that I was turned, I repented. Jer. xxxi. 19.

1. The unrenewed heart is impenitent.-2. The renewed heart is penitent.

Return, my wandering soul, return,
And seek an injured Father's face;
Those warm desires that in thee burn
Were kindled by redeeming grace.

24. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Ps. cxix. 53.

1. The character of the wicked.-2. The impression which their conduct makes upon the pious.

I'm a companion of the saints,
Who fear and love the Lord;
My sorrows rise, my nature faints,
When men transgress thy word.

25. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. Ps. cxix. 96.

1. The vanity of the world, and its insufficiency to satisfy.-2. The fulness and satisfying sufficiency of the sacred Scriptures.

Our numerous griefs are here redress'd,
And all our wants supplied:

Nought we can ask to make us bless'd
Is in this book denied.

26. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. Ps. cxix. 63.

1. The character of those whom the believer prefers as his companions.-2. The proof of that preference, by making them his associates.

I love the company of those
Who worship thee in fear,
Obey thy word, observe thy laws,
And hold thy precepts dear.

27. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. Ps. cxix. 93.

1. A commendable determination.-2. A valid reason for it.

Thy holy precepts every hour
Shall dwell upon my mind;

Thence I derive a quickening power,
And daily peace I find.

28. There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. Luke xviii. 29, 30.

1. To be a Christian, often involves great selfdenial.-2. True self-denial is productive of the highest present and future happiness.

Yes, Lord, thy promised good

Will more than make amends

For all the losses I sustain

Of honour, riches, friends.

29. Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

Ps. cxix. 166.

1. God's salvation is the object of the believer's hope.-2. God's commandments are the rule of his

life.

My God, I long, I hope, I wait
For thy salvation still;

Thy holy law is my delight,
And I obey thy will.

30. Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.

Ps. cxix. 67.

1. The temptations of a prosperous condition.2. The benefits of an afflicted state.

Before I knew thy chastening rod,
My feet were apt to stray;
But now I learn to keep thy word.
Nor wander from thy way.

OCTOBER.

1. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

Ps. cxix. 167.

1. He who obeys the truth, will love it.-2. He who loves the truth, will obey it.

I love the volume of thy word;
What light and joy those leaves afford
To souls benighted and distressed!
Thy precepts guide my doubtful way;
Thy fear forbids my feet to stray;

Thy promise leads my heart to rest.