{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_75892/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_75892","id":"gutenberg_75892","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75892","summary":null,"tags":["Bible. Psalms -- Commentaries","Category: Religion/Spirituality"],"text":"A MANUAL OF THE BOOK OF PSALMS\n\nOR,\n\nTHE SUBJECT-CONTENTS OF ALL THE PSALMS\n\n\nBY\n\nMARTIN LUTHER\n\n\n\n\nNOW FIRST TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY THE REV. HENRY COLE,\nLATE OF CLARE-HALL, CAMBRIDGE;\nTRANSLATOR OF \u201cSELECT WORKS\u201d OF LUTHER, &C.\n\n\n\n\nPUBLISHED BY R. B. SEELEY AND W. BURNSIDE\nAND SOLD BY L. AND G. SEELEY,\nFLEET STREET, LONDON.\nMDCCCXXXVII.\n\n\n\n\nTRANSLATOR\u2019S PREFACE.\n\n\nThe assurance that the following production of the immortal and \nbeloved reformer, Luther, would be acceptable and beneficial to every \nlover of divine and experimental truth, was the motive that led the \nTranslator to present it, in an English version, to the British church \nof Christ.\n\nNo commendatory remarks are needed: the work itself will at once speak \nits own worth. The translator would only observe, that in the \nfollowing MANUAL COMMENTARY on the Book of Psalms, Luther has most \ndivinely, experimentally, and beautifully opened up\u2014the vanity and \ndelusion of all forms (even a gospel \u201cform\u201d) of godliness, without the \nknown and possessed \u201cpower\u201d thereof;\u2014the opposition and malicious \npersecution which the real disciples of Christ ever meet with from the \nwicked, and, above all, from hypocrites in religion;\u2014the true and only \ngrounds of a Christian man\u2019s hope, peace, and salvation; which are, a \ntrust and rest alone in the grace, righteousness, and atonement of our \nLord Jesus Christ;\u2014the blessedness of a nation where the pure word and \nworship of God guide, and are upheld by, its throne and government; \nand the sure destruction of a kingdom when its magistrates act against \nthat word and worship;\u2014and finally, the glory of all the creatures of \nGod, the abounding goodness of God in them, and the infinite \nblessedness of their lawful use.\n\nLuther takes occasion also, from numberless passages in the Psalms, to \ndescribe, point out, and distinguish the true church of God in the \nmidst of the earth, and the signs by which she may be known from all \nother churches;\u2014that she is that company of poor and afflicted people, \nwho are burdened with sins, filled with fears, covered with \ninfirmities, and despised by the world, and considered both by the \nwicked, and by formal professors of religion, to be the last people \nlikely to be the church of God. He repeatedly shews, however, that \nsuch, notwithstanding their rejection by all, are the true people and \nchurch of God; and that it is unto such, and such only, that all the \npromises of grace and mercy in Christ, and of help, provision, and \ndefence in this world, are made; \u2018For (saith Luther) if you will look \nthrough the whole Bible, you will find, that God is not the God of the \nrich, the proud, the secure, &c. but of the poor, the fearful, the \nafflicted, and the helpless; who cannot do without his daily mercy and \nhelp, either in the things of this world, or of that which is to \ncome.\u2019\n\nThat the great and heavenly things thus opened by the admired Luther \nmay be understood and enjoyed by every reader of the following manual, \nis the desire and prayer of,\n\nTHE TRANSLATOR.\n\n_Highbury Place, Islington,\nJune 8, 1837._\n\n\n\n\n_Other invaluable productions of Luther, which have never before been \ntranslated into ENGLISH, are in hand, and will duly appear: which, \nadded to the four vols. of \u201cSelect Works,\u201d the \u201cBondage of the Will,\u201d \nand the work \u201con Popery,\u201d just published by Messrs. Nisbet, will put \nthe ENGLISH Church of Christ in possession of all the holy Reformer\u2019s \nworks which are the most calculated to be of divine benefit to her._\n\n\n\n\nMARTIN LUTHER TO HIS FRIEND.\n\n\nI am unwilling to acknowledge that you are right in being so \nindustrious to publish abroad my poor productions: I fear you are \nactuated too much by favour towards me. As to myself, I am wholly \ndissatisfied with my works on the Psalms: not so much on account of \nthe sense which I have given, which I believe to be true and genuine, \nas on account of the verbosity, confusion, and undigested chaos of my \ncommentaries altogether. The Book of Psalms is a book, my Commentaries \non which, from want of time and leisure, I am obliged to conceive, \ndigest, arrange, and prepare all at once. For I am overwhelmed with \noccupation. I have two sermons to preach in a day: I have to meditate \non the Psalms: I have to consider over the letters which I receive by \nthe posts (as they are called) and to reply to my enemies: I have to \nattack the Pope\u2019s Bulls in both languages: and I have to defend \nmyself. (To say nothing about the letters of my friends which I have \nto answer, and various domestic and casual engagements to which I am \nobliged to attend!)\n\nYou do well, therefore, to pray for me; for I am oppressed with many \nafflictions, and much hindered from the performance of my sacred \nduties;\u2014my whole life is a cross to me! I have now in hand the xxii. \nPsalm, \u201cMy God, my God, &c.;\u201d and I had hopes of completing a \nCommentary on the whole Book of Psalms, if Christ should give us a \nsufficient interval of peace, so that I could devote my whole time and \nattention to it: but now, I cannot devote a fourth part of my time to \nsuch a purpose: nay, the time that I do devote to it, is but a few \nstolen moments.\n\nYou do right in admonishing me of my want of moderation: I feel my \ndeficiency myself; but I find that I have not command over my own \nmind: I am carried away from myself, as it were, by a certain vehement \nzeal of spirit, while I am conscious that I wish evil to no one, \nthough all my adversaries press in upon me with such maddened fury: so \nthat, in fact, I have not time to consider who my enemies are, nor \nwhat various treatment they require. Pray, therefore, the Lord for me, \nthat I may have wisdom to speak and write that which shall please him \nand become me, and not what may appear becoming to them. And now, \nfarewell in Christ.\n\n_Wittemberg_, A.D. 1521.\n\n\n\n\nMARTIN LUTHER\u2019S PREFACE TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS.\n\n\nMany of the old and godly fathers have highly extolled the Book of \nPsalms, above all the other books of the Scripture, and have testified \ntheir exceeding fondness and partiality for them. And indeed this \nbook, though small, deserves to be recommended above all others, (if a \ndifference may be made): though the Psalms of David do not want the \naid of borrowed encomiums, for they carry with them an abundance of \nself-recommendation; and in them is the old proverb verified, which \nsays \u2018The work proves the workman.\u2019 Therefore, I have not put my hand \nto this book for the purpose of parading before the world an encomium \nupon it, since it so amply commends itself; but that I might, \naccording to the best of my ability, present those that fear God with \nmy judgment upon its all-excelling contents.\n\nIn the years that are past we have seen an infinity of books handed \nabout in the world, but all most insipid and worthless; which, behind \nan apparently honest and plausible title, (for they were prefaced with \nthe sentiments and examples of the saints) contained the most nugatory \nfables, and the most barefaced lies. The world, therefore, was \neverywhere so filled with writings of this kind, the most foolish, and \nat the same time the most impious, that the Psalms themselves were \ndisregarded and thrust into darkness, and we had not one Psalm rightly \ninterpreted or understood. And yet, as this sweet book of David \ncontinued to be sung in all our churches, and to be chanted over so \nmany thousand times in these incessant rounds and forms of \nprayer,\u2014even by this frigid use of the Psalms, bad as it was, some \nsmall savor of life was diffused abroad among many that were of an \nhonest and good heart; and from these words themselves only, though \nnot understood, those that feared God drank in some little sweetness \nof the breath of life, and some small taste of consolation, like the \nfaint fragrance which is found in the air that is not far from a bed \nof roses. Their experience was like also unto a simple man passing \nthrough a flowery and sweet-smelling meadow, who, though he knew not \nthe peculiar nature and properties of the flowers and herbs, yet found \nhis senses regaled with the general fragrance.\n\nI would say what I think of the Psalms in a few words thus:\u2014I believe, \nfor my part, that there is no book under heaven, either of histories \nor examples, to be compared to the Book of Psalms. Wherefore, if it \nwere right to ask of God, and, if such were our soul\u2019s desire, that \nall the greatest excellences and most choice experiences of all the \ntrue saints should be gathered and collected from the whole church \nsince it has existed, and should be most briefly and appropriately \ncondensed into the focus of one book; if God, I say, should permit any \nmost spiritual and most gifted man to form and concentrate such a book \nfrom all the excellences of the saints, and from the flower of the \nfacts recorded in the whole scripture (which might be done);\u2014such a \nbook would be what the Book of Psalms is, or like unto it. For in the \nBook of Psalms we have not the life of one of the saints only, but we \nhave the experience of Christ himself, the head of all the saints, for \nhe is set forth in those Psalms: we have, moreover, the feelings and \nexperiences of all the faithful, both under their sorrows and under \ntheir joys, both in their adversity and their prosperity: how they \nconducted themselves towards God, towards their friends, and towards \ntheir enemies: how they acted in various perils and afflictions, in \nthe midst of temptations, and under the greatest necessities.\n\nAnd moreover, in addition to the great and blessed doctrines and \ninstructions in godliness which it embraces, the Book of Psalms ought \nto be most dearly and highly prized by us on this account;\u2014because it \ncontains such clear prophecies concerning the death and resurrection \nof Christ, and holds forth such great and gracious promises concerning \nthe kingdom of Christ, the spread of the Gospel, and the state of the \nwhole church. So that you may truly call the Book of Psalms, a little \nBible; for in it all things that are contained in the whole Bible are \ngiven to us in the most wonderfully brief and sweet manner, and \ncondensed into a most beautiful manual.\n\nIf God should himself hand down a book out of heaven and commend it to \nus with a divine voice, how highly would you prize and value it, how \ngreedily would you seize it? Be assured then that the Holy Spirit \nhimself has written and handed down to us this Book of Psalms, as a \nform of prayer, in the same way as a father would give a book to his \nchildren. He himself has drawn up this manual for his disciples; \nhaving collected together, as it were, the lives, groans, and \nexperiences of many thousands, whose hearts he alone sees and knows. \nIf, therefore, thou canst not read the whole Bible, behold! thou \nmayest, by reading the Book of Psalms only, have not only a summary of \nall godliness, but all godly excellences, and the most spiritual \nexperiences.\n\nAnd again, another great excellency of the Book of Psalms is this. In \nother scriptures and histories, for the most part the works and bodily \nexercises only of the saints are described: you have very few \nhistories which give you the words, expressions, and sighs of the \nsaints, which are the indexes of the state of their minds. But it is \nin these things that the Book of Psalms may be a feast of delight for \nthe meditations of the godly. In these respects, therefore, the \nreading of a Psalm is peculiarly sweet; because you have therein, not \nonly the works and acts of the saints, but their very words and \nexpressions, nay, their sighs and groans to God, and the utterance in \nwhich they conversed with him during their temptations; and all these \nare recorded in such a lively and descriptive manner, that those \nsaints, though now dead, seem still to live and speak in the Psalms.\n\nThus all other histories and lives of the saints, which describe their \nacts and works only, when compared to the Book of Psalms, set forth to \nus nothing more than dumb saints; and every thing that is recorded of \nthem is dull and lifeless. But in the Psalms, where the very \nexpressions of those that prayed in faith are recorded, all things \nlive, all things breathe, and living characters are set before us in \nthe most lively colours: the saints are represented to us as standing \nsupported by their faith, even in the midst of afflictions and \ntribulations. A dumb man, indeed, is rather a lifeless post than a \nman; for man is distinguished from the brute creation by nothing more \nthan by the power of speech. A stone even, under the hand of the \nartificer, may represent the figure of a man. And, as to eating and \ndrinking, all dumb animals can do those things as well as he: they can \nuse the organs of sense as well as he: and indeed, as to strength of \nbody, they have greatly the advantage of him. Hence, it is the power \nof speech that so distinguishes man from, and raises him above, the \nbrute creation: and that speech is the index of, and the mirror that \nreflects, the mind.\n\nAs, therefore, the Psalms describe the words and expressions of the \nsaints, they give us an exact picture of their minds. For the Psalms \nrecord not those common and everywhere-heard expressions of the \nsaints, but those ardent and pathetic utterances, by which, in real \nearnest, and under the very pressure of temptations, and in the very \nwrestlings of their souls, they poured out their hearts like Jacob, \nnot before man, but before God! The Psalms give us, therefore, not \nonly the works and words of the saints, but the very hidden treasure \nof their hearts\u2019 feelings\u2014the very inmost sensations and motions of \ntheir soul.\n\nWouldst thou see, then, the face and countenance of David, which he \ncarried under all those perils and sorrows with which the Lord \nexercised him?\u2014then read the Psalms; and they will give thee not only \nthe outward David, but, more expressively still, the inner David; and \nthat more descriptively than he could do it himself, if he were to \ntalk with you face to face. What then are all other histories, which \nband about the singular works, and I know not what miracles of the \nsaints? I can see all the works and the miracles of the saints in \nthese everywhere-to-be-had records, but I can see nothing of the \nfeelings and sensations of their hearts.\n\nAs, therefore, I had much rather hear David or any such eminent saint \nspeak, than merely see the works or exercises of his body; so, much \nrather would I know the inmost thoughts of David\u2019s heart, and the \ninward conflicts and struggles of his faith. With this knowledge the \nPsalms furnish us most satisfactorily; so that from them we can know \nwhat he felt and what all the saints felt, under their temptations, \nfrom the ardent expressions and effusions which are uttered. For the \nhuman heart is like a ship in the midst of the sea, which is exposed \nto the perils of the winds and the waves on every side, and made as it \nwere their sport. For as the ship is suddenly assaulted, so trouble, \nand the fear of future evil, like a sudden tempest, assaults and \ndisarms our minds: and then flow in cowardice of spirit, and sorrow of \nheart, which, like the waves, run over us and threaten to overwhelm us \nevery moment. By and by, again, the confidence inspired by prosperity \ncarries us up to heaven in full sail; and then, security under our \npresent prospects dashes unexpectedly our ship against a rock. These, \nI say, and the numberless other evils and perils of this life, tend to \narouse and stir up the saints, and teach and bring them to sigh and \ngroan from the recesses within, to pour out their whole hearts, and to \ncry with their whole souls unto heaven. The complaints of those who \nthus grieve and groan in truth, are far more ardent than theirs\u2019 who \nonly feign sorrows and straits of mind: just as the man, who feels \njoyful and glad in reality, discovers a far greater gladness, \nhilarity, and exultation in his countenance, expressions, and whole \nappearance, than he who only smoothes his brows with a feigned \nrejoicing.\n\nThe expressions contained in the Psalms, then, as I have said, are \nuttered under the true and real feelings of the heart; and the greater \npart of them contain the pathetic and ardent utterances of the heart \nunder every kind of affliction and temptation. But wherever the \nfeelings of joy are described, you will never find the sensations of a \nheart, filled with gladness and exultation, more significantly and \nexpressively described, than in the Psalms of thanksgiving, or the \nPsalms of praise. There you may look into the hearts of the saints, as \ninto paradise, or into the opened heaven; and may see, in the greatest \nvariety, all the beautiful and flourishing flowers, or the most \nbrilliant stars, as it were, of their upspringing affections towards \nGod for his benefits and blessings.\n\nOn the other hand, you will never find the straits, the sorrows, and \nthe pains of a distressed mind any where described in a more \nexpressive manner than in the Psalms of temptations, or of complaints; \nas in Psalm vi. and the like; where you see all dark and gloomy, all \nfull of anguish and distress, under a sight and sense of divine wrath, \nand the working of despair.\n\nAnd so again, where the Psalms are speaking of hope or fear, they so \ndescribe those feelings in their true and native colours, that no \nDemosthenes or Cicero could ever equal them in liveliness, or \ndescriptiveness of expression. For, as I have before observed, the \nPsalms have this peculiarity of excellence above all other books of \ndescription,\u2014that the saints, whose feelings and sensations are \ntherein set forth, did not speak to the wind, under those their \nexercises and conflicts, nor to an earthly friend, but unto, and \nbefore, God himself, and in the sight of God. And it is this that \nabove all things gives a seriousness, and reality to the feelings,\u2014it \nis this that affects, as it were, the very bones and the marrow,\u2014when \na creature feels itself speaking in the very sight and presence of its \nGod! But when we are speaking otherwise, and complaining to a friend, \nor to a man only, our necessities are not so keenly and really felt; \nour feelings are not so ardent, real, and poignant.\n\nThe Book of Psalms, therefore, as it contains these real feelings of \nthe saints, is a book so universally adapted and useful to all \nChristians, that whatever one that truly fears God may be suffering, \nor under what temptation soever he may be, he may find, in the Psalms, \nfeelings and expressions exactly suited to his case; just as much so \nas if the Psalms had been indited and composed from his own personal \nafflictions.\n\nIt ought, therefore, godly soul, to be a great consolation to thee \nwhen the Psalms truly suit and delight thee. There is a saying of \nQuinctilian left on record, who says, \u2018He that is truly delighted with \nCicero may be assured that he has made a good progress:\u2019 which I may \nnot unappropriately turn thus,\u2014\u2018He that is really delighted with, and \nreceives consolation from, the Psalms of David, may be assured that he \nhas arrived at some knowledge and experience in divine things.\u2019 For \nwhen thou findest thyself under the same feelings that David was; when \nthe chords and strings of his harp are really re-echoed by the \nfeelings and sensations of thy heart; thou mayest assure thyself that \nthou art in the congregation of the elect of God; seeing that thou art \nafflicted in the same manner as they were afflicted, and that thou \nprayest with the same faith, sensations, and affections as they \nprayed. Whereas, to a cold and frigid reader, destitute of faith, all \nthese Psalms are insipid and unengaging.\n\nAgain, the Psalms are those parts of the lives of the saints, which \nyou may most safely copy and imitate. Other lives and histories, which \ndo not set forth the words and expressions, but certain works of the \nsaints, contain many things of the saints which we cannot imitate, \nsuch as certain signs and wonders, and demonstrations of divine power. \nAnd indeed some of the recorded works of those who are considered to \nhave been saints, are such that you cannot imitate them without \neminent peril; being such works as cause sects and heresies, and draw \nus away from the unity of the Spirit; of which we have abundant proof \nin monkery. But the Psalms call us away from all sects and divisions, \nto the unity of the Spirit. They teach us to maintain fear in \nprosperity, and not to cast away our hope in adversity; and thus to be \nof the same mind, to have the same desires, and to have the same \nfeelings and sensations with all the saints.\n\nIn a word, if you desire to see the Christian church painted forth, as \nit were, in a most beautiful picture, and in the most lively and \ndescriptive colours, then take the Psalms into thy hands; this will be \nas an all-clear mirror, which will represent to thee the whole church \nin its true features; and if thou be one that fears God it will \npresent to thee a true picture of thyself: so that, according to the \nmaxim of the philosopher of old, \u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03b8\u03b9 \u03c3\u03b5\u03b1\u03c5\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd, thou wilt, by this \nbook, come to a true knowledge of thyself, nay, and also of God and \nall creatures.\n\nLet us therefore watch over our hearts, and see that we be thankful in \nthis our day for this revelation of the word, for this unspeakable \ngift of God. Let us use these precious gifts to the glory of God, and \nthe good of our neighbour, lest we be made to suffer the deserved \npunishment of our ingratitude. For not many years ago, during that \nbarbarous blindness and ignorance, what a treasure should we have had, \nif we had possessed one Psalm only, really and truly understood and \nset forth; but we had not so much as one! And now we are blessed with \nsuch an abundance of revelation\u2014\u201cBlessed therefore are the eyes which \nsee the things that we see, and the ears which hear the things that we \nhear.\u201d But how do I fear lest, like the Israelites in the desert, we \nshould at length nauseate this manna and say, \u201cOur souls loathe this \nlight food.\u201d But however, the despisers of the word shall bear their \njudgment, whoever they are, even as the Israelites bore the awful \njudgments wherewith God punished them. But may the Father of all \nmercies and the God of all consolation, keep and increase in us the \nknowledge of his word, for Jesus Christ our Lord\u2019s sake: to whom, for \nthis Book of Psalms, and for all the excellent gifts which he has \nrichly bestowed upon us, be praise and glory, for ever and ever! Amen!\n\n\n\n\nMARTIN LUTHER\u2019S INTRODUCTORY ADMONITION.\n\n\nBefore I commence my SUMMARIES, or SUBJECT-CONTENTS of the Psalms, I \nwould desire the reader to bear in mind that the Psalms contained in \nthis Book of David are of five different kinds.\n\n1. Some Psalms are Prophecies concerning Christ, the church, the \ndifferent states of the church, and the various afflictions of the \nsaints, &c. To this class belong all those Psalms which contain \npromises and threatenings,\u2014promises concerning the deliverances and \nsalvation of the godly; and threatenings concerning the destruction of \nthe wicked.\n\n2. There are some Psalms which teach us what we ought to do, and what \nwe ought not to do, according to the law of God. To this kind belong \nall those Psalms which condemn human doctrines, and extol the majesty \nand authority of the word of God.\n\n3. There are Psalms of consolation; which comfort and lift up the \nhearts of those who are distressed, tempted, and afflicted by Satan \nand the world: and which, on the other hand, rebuke and terrify \ntyrants. To this class belong all those Psalms which minister \nconsolation to the godly, and threaten the oppressors with the \njudgments of God.\n\n4. There are supplicatory Psalms, wherein the prophet and others in \ntheir afflictions call upon God in prayer and implore his help. To \nthis class belong all those Psalms which complain of persecutions from \nthe wicked.\n\n5. There are also Psalms of thanksgiving; wherein thanks are rendered \nto God for all his mercies and benefits, and for his deliverance in \nvarious times of need. To this class belong all those Psalms which \ncelebrate the praises of God and laud him for his works. These are the \nprincipal Psalms in the whole Book; and these peculiarly come under \nthe denomination of Psalms: for the whole Book was expressly written \nto praise God and to worship him according to the First Commandment. \nHence, in the Hebrew, the Book is called SEPHER IL CHILLIM: that is, \nthe Book of Praises and Thanksgivings.\n\nThe reader, however, is to bear in mind also, that the Psalms are not \nto be understood in a superstitious manner. He is not to suppose that \nevery Psalm must be divided into these five particulars in certain \nverses; for some Psalms contain two of these particulars, some three, \nand some all five of them: for, very often, the same Psalm contains \nprophecy, doctrine, consolation, supplication and thanksgiving. But I \nhave just made these remarks, that the reader may know that the Psalms \ncontain these five particulars; for knowing that, is of great help, \nnot only to the understanding of them, but to the perceiving of their \norder, to the bearing of them in memory, and to the perfect knowledge \nof them.\n\n\n\n\nTHE BOOK OF PSALMS.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM I.\n\n_The happiness of the godly.\u2014The unhappiness of the ungodly._\n\n\nBlessed _is_ the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, \nnor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the \nscornful.\n\nBut his delight _is_ in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he \nmeditate day and night.\n\nAnd he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that \nbringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not \nwither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.\n\nThe ungodly _are_ not so: but _are_ like the chaff which the wind \ndriveth away.\n\nTherefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in \nthe congregation of the righteous.\n\nFor the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the \nungodly shall perish.\n\n\nThis first is a Psalm of consolation; by which the hearts of the godly \nare encouraged and stirred up to magnify above all things the word of \nGod, in which the whole of true life and salvation stands; and to \nhear, read, weigh, and meditate on it with a willingness of mind. For \nthis Psalm shows, that those only are truly blessed, prosperous in all \nthings, and enjoy a firm, sure, and eternal consolation both in \nprosperity and adversity, who are enabled to learn and know, from his \nword, the will and the works of God.\n\nThus, as a tall palm-tree by the water-side continually grows upwards \nhigher and higher against all the violence of storms, retains its \nstrength against all the weights that man can put upon it, and, by a \nsecret growth, becomes daily more and more flourishing, and brings \nforth its fruits in its season; so, saith this Psalm, do the saints \nincrease and grow continually by the Spirit and word; so are they \nrendered more and more firm and constant, and invincible against every \nevil; so do they daily become more fortified against all the \ncalamities of life.\n\nThis Psalm denies, on the other hand, that any knowledge of God or any \ntrue consolation can be derived from human doctrines, how fair a show \nsoever they may make. The wicked, (saith it,) and hypocrites, are like \nthe chaff that is scattered by the wind: that is, the wicked are \nutterly destroyed by afflictions, at least in death; they endure not \nin temptation, but by and by separate themselves from the assembly of \nthe righteous, and at length come to nought.\n\nGod looks upon those alone who worship him by hearing, learning, and \ndeclaring his word; and these are they whom this Psalm pronounces \n\u201cblessed.\u201d He disregards all the rest, who are hypocrites and \npharisaical worshippers; he despises all their good works and \nworshippings, and leaves them to perish in their blindness.\n\nThis Psalm flows from the Third Commandment, and has respect unto that \nwhich is there written: \u201cRemember that thou keep holy the sabbath \nday;\u201d that is, that thou hear, read, meditate on, and ponder the word \nof God. And the sum of this Psalm is comprehended in the Lord\u2019s \nPrayer, in the second and third petitions, where we pray, that the \nkingdom of God may increase and be edified by his word, and at length \nbe revealed in its perfection, and that his will may be done: and both \nof these petitions are answered, when the word of God, which abideth \nfor ever, is purely taught and learnt, and seriously and diligently \nused and pondered.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM II.\n\n_The kingdom of Christ.\u2014Kings are exhorted to accept it._\n\n\nWhy do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?\n\nThe kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel \ntogether, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, _saying_,\n\nLet us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.\n\nHe that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them \nin derision.\n\nThen shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore \ndispleasure.\n\nYet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.\n\nI will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou _art_ my \nSon; this day have I begotten thee.\n\nAsk of me, and I shall give _thee_ the heathen _for_ thine \ninheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth _for_ thy \npossession.\n\nThou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in \npieces like a potter\u2019s vessel.\n\nBe wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the \nearth.\n\nServe the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.\n\nKiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish _from_ the way, when his \nwrath is kindled but a little. Blessed _are_ all they that put their \ntrust in him.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a remarkable prophecy concerning Christ: it is cited by \nthe apostles in the Acts, chapter iv.: it predicted that Christ should \nsuffer, be crucified, and glorified, and that he should be King and \nLord of all creatures; that to him should be given all power both in \nheaven and in earth, and that his name should be above every name that \nis named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come.\n\nThis Psalm contains also a description of the kingdom of Christ and \nthe terrible threatenings of God against the kings, the princes, the \nwise, and the powerful of the world; that they shall all perish, who, \nbeing carried away with the pride of human reason and carnal wisdom, \ndo not acknowledge this King, Christ, nor obey his gospel; but who \noppose his kingdom, and endeavour to blot out his name.\n\nOn the other hand, this Psalm contains most consoling promises, \nnamely, that he that sitteth in the heavens, (in comparison of whom \nall the kings of the earth are mere worms,) holds in derision, and in \na moment defeats, all their counsels and all their crafty devices \nagainst his word and this kingdom of Christ; and that he ever \npowerfully and miraculously saves, preserves, delivers, and prospers \nbelievers, and the whole church throughout the world, in the midst of \nthe kingdom of the devil, and against all the powers and the gates of \nhell.\n\nThis Psalm flows from the First Commandment; where God declares that \nhe alone will be our God, to save us and deliver us from all \nafflictions. Thus, it was he alone that delivered us, through Christ, \nfrom sin, from death, from the power of the devil, and from hell, and \ngave unto us eternal life. This pertains to the second petition of the \nLord\u2019s Prayer, \u201cThy kingdom come.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM III.\n\n_The security of God\u2019s protection._\n\nA Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.\n\n\nLORD, how are they increased that trouble me? many _are_ they that \nrise up against me.\n\nMany _there be_ which say of my soul, _There is_ no help for him in \nGod. Selah.\n\nBut thou O LORD, _art_ a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of \nmine head.\n\nI cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy \nhill. Selah.\n\nI laid me down and slept; I awaked: for the LORD sustained me.\n\nI will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set \n_themselves_ against me round about.\n\nArise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine \nenemies _upon_ the cheek-bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the \nungodly.\n\nSalvation _belongeth_ unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. \nSelah.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer of David in the time of his greatest \naffliction, and under the severest trial he ever experienced. And here \nwe have set before us a signal example of this greatest and most \nspiritual of men\u2014David; how he, in the time of Absalom, when all \nIsrael revolted from him and went over to Absalom; how this eminent \nsaint, I say, who was now an exile, forsaken by all, betrayed by those \nof his own household, and in the midst of the most appalling peril of \nhis own life and salvation; how, when sinking under this heavy \ncalamity, and struggling in this agony, he prayed unto God in faith; \nand what a fervency of heart there was in these his cries unto him.\n\nIn a word,\u2014in this Psalm, David, with a wonderful feeling of mind, and \na signal experience of faith, extols, in the highest strains, the \ngreatness of the long-suffering and goodness of God, when he says, \n\u201cSalvation is of the Lord!\u201d As if he had said, The Lord is he alone \nwho has all salvation in his hand, and all the issues of life and \ndeath. He sets up and changes kingdoms in a moment, just as he wills. \nNo peril is so great, no death so instant, from which he cannot \ndeliver his own, if they but call upon him in true faith, and flee \nunto him alone.\n\nThis Psalm has reference to the First Commandment, wherein it is said, \n\u201cI am the Lord thy God;\u201d and it is comprehended in the seventh \npetition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer, where we pray, \u201cDeliver us from evil.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM IV.\n\n_David prayeth for audience.\u2014He reproveth and exhorteth his \nenemies.\u2014Man\u2019s happiness is in God\u2019s favour._\n\nTo the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nHear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me \n_when I was_ in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.\n\nO ye sons of men, how long _will ye turn_ my glory into shame? _how \nlong_ will ye love vanity, _and_ seek after leasing? Selah.\n\nBut know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: \nthe Lord will hear when I call unto him.\n\nStand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, \nand be still. Selah.\n\nOffer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.\n\n_There be_ many that say, Who will shew us _any_ good? LORD, lift thou \nup the light of thy countenance upon us.\n\nThou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time _that_ their \ncorn and their wine increased.\n\nI will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only \nmakest me dwell in safety.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation: yet it at the same time teaches us to \nbear afflictions patiently, to expect the help of God, and to trust in \nhim in all adversities. For that greatest of all wisdom, true and real \nChristian wisdom, is unknown to the world: which wisdom is, to learn \nand to know, by daily temptations and by various trials of faith, that \nGod exercises his people in all these afflictions, to the end that \nthey may understand his will; and that his design in exposing them to \nthe all-bitter hatred of the world and the devil, is, that he might \nsave, deliver, comfort, strengthen, and glorify them in a wonderful \nmanner, in the midst of perils, and even in death itself; and that he \nmight make known his conflicting church as being invincible, through \nfaith and the word, in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, against \nall the storms of the world, and under all the clouds, darkness, and \ntempests of temptations of every kind.\n\nThis Psalm also most severely strikes at all hypocrites and wicked men \nof every description, who, before the eyes of the world, would have us \nbelieve that they are the only true saints and the people of God; who \neven say that they worship God, while they know nothing of him; for in \nthe time of affliction, they tremble with cowardly fear, and \nimpatiently mutter in their hearts against God and his holy will; they \nsoon forget his words and his works, and, wickedly forsaking him who \nalone is able to comfort them, cease from expecting his aid, hate the \ncross, and seek for human consolation: whereas, there is no sure \nconsolation to be obtained either from friends or from all the \nresources of human help; for in God alone is sure consolation; and \nthat is all-sure, and eternal; which no creature can take away, either \nin this world or in that which is to come.\n\nThis peace and consolation of God, however, is not like the peace of \nthe world. For, \u201cKnow ye, (saith David) that the Lord dealeth \nwonderfully with his saints:\u201d he casts them down, that he may raise \nthem up; he afflicts them that he may minister consolation unto them; \nhe humbles them that he may exalt them; he makes them sorrowful that \nhe may make them glad: in a word, he kills them that he may make them \nalive.\n\nThe agonizing struggles of the godly, therefore, in this life against \nsin, and the devil who unceasingly assaults them, and desires to sift \nthem as wheat, are their exercises of faith and patience: from which \nexercises those that fear God learn more satisfactorily to know his \npresence;\u2014that he is ever present with them; and that he will never \nleave nor forsake those that believe in him, but will ever \nmarvellously deliver, save and rescue them from all their deaths and \ndestructions.\n\nBut the wicked and hypocrites, how much soever they may talk about God \nwith their lips, yet hate God, and hate this his will in the \nafflictions of his saints; as it is written in the first \ncommandment\u2014\u201cUnto them that hate me.\u201d And again, as Paul saith\u2014\u201cWhose \nGod is their belly.\u201d These characters wish first, and above all \nthings, that all theirs,\u2014their fortunes, their property, their \nfriends, should be safe; and they trust in their riches and \npossessions. All such, therefore, deride this doctrine of faith: and \nif any one should preach to such this patience, and this word of the \ncross, they would laugh at it, and would boast of their holiness and \nreligion in opposition to those who truly fear God. They would say, \n\u2018What! are we to be taught what is right by such a fool as you? Are \nyou to teach us what is good, and what the true worship of God is?\u2019\n\nThis Psalm also pertains to the First Commandment. It teaches us to \ntrust in God both in prosperity and adversity, and patiently to wait \nfor his help, calling upon him with earnestness and constancy. The \nsubject matter of this Psalm is contained in the third and seventh \npetition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer\u2014\u201cThy will be done,\u201d and \u201cDeliver us from \nevil:\u201d and also in the fourth, where we pray, \u201cthat there may be given \nus our daily bread:\u201d that is, peace, and all those things that are \nrequired unto the sustaining of this life, against all the various \nevils of poverty, hunger, and want; with which things the devil, in an \nespecial manner, exercises the church of God in this world.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM V.\n\n_David prayeth, and professeth his study in prayer.\u2014God favoureth not \nthe wicked.\u2014David, professing his faith, prayeth unto God to guide \nhim\u2014and to preserve the godly._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Nehiloth. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nGive ear to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation.\n\nHearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee \nwill I pray.\n\nMy voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I \ndirect _my prayer_ unto thee, and will look up.\n\nFor thou _art_ not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; neither \nshall evil dwell with thee.\n\nThe foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of \niniquity.\n\nThou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the \nbloody and deceitful man.\n\nBut as for me, I will come _into_ thy house in the multitude of thy \nmercy; _and_ in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.\n\nLead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies; make \nthy way straight before my face.\n\nFor _there is_ no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part _is_ \nvery wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with \ntheir tongue.\n\nDestroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels: cast \nthem out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have \nrebelled against thee.\n\nBut let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever \nshout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love \nthy name be joyful in thee.\n\nFor thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou \ncompass him as _with_ a shield.\n\n\nThis Psalm is an earnest prayer against that most destructive \npestilence in the church\u2014false teachers: and all ages, from Cain, the \nfirst man that was born, the first hypocrite after the creation of \nAdam, and the first \u201cman of blood,\u201d have had their Cainish saints, \ntheir false prophets, their false apostles, and their fanatic spirits; \nwho have taught their own human dreams, and their own traditions for \nthe word of God, and resolutely contended for their own Cainish \nholiness, ever burning with an insatiable thirst to drink the blood of \nthe Abels, the true saints: and these Christ has called, in his \ngospel, \u201cvipers.\u201d\n\nIt is at the blasphemies of these against God, and their cruelty \ntowards men, that this Psalm strikes; and openly exposes the persons \nthemselves as most virulent hypocrites, in whose doctrine and works \nthere is nothing but outside daubing, nothing but doubting and \ndisquietude, and a whole slaughter-house of consciences. These \ncharacters suppress the true word, the doctrine of faith, and the true \nworship of God; namely, the worship required by the First Commandment: \nand there is no end to their rage against those that fear God: they \ncause horrid devastations in the church, and load her with an infinity \nof injuries.\n\nAgainst the destructive influence of these, therefore, David prays in \nthis Psalm;\u2014that it would please God to prevent the persecuting and \nCain-like counsels of such hypocrites, and all crafty and \nblood-thirsty characters of the kind, and, amid all this bitter and \nfurious hatred of the world and the devil, and such an infinity of \ncruelty in all their adversaries, to defend, comfort, prop up, and \nprotect the godly; to confound the hypocrisy of the wicked, to root \nout all false worship; to cause the true word and the true worship of \nGod to spread and flourish, and to glorify the true church in the face \nof the false one, under all the outward daubing and show of the \nlatter.\n\nIn the last verse, David appends a most glorious promise;\u2014that, \nalthough those who truly fear God are cruelly treated by those \nhypocrites, it shall yet come to pass that the godly shall at length \nrejoice that their prayers are heard, and shall see the judgments of \nGod openly fall upon the hypocrites and fanatics, and the true church \ndefended and preserved.\n\nThis Psalm has reference to the Second and Third Commandments of the \nDecalogue, and to the first and second petitions of the Lord\u2019s Prayer; \nwhere we pray \u201cthat the name of the Lord may be sanctified and \nglorified,\u201d against the pride and gloryings of such hypocrites.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM VI.\n\n_David\u2019s complaint in his sickness.\u2014By faith he triumpheth over his\nenemies._\n\nTo the chief Musician, on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nO LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot \ndispleasure.\n\nHave mercy upon me, O LORD; for I _am_ weak: O LORD, heal me; for my \nbones are vexed.\n\nMy soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?\n\nReturn, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies\u2019 sake.\n\nFor in death _there is_ no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall \ngive thee thanks?\n\nI am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I \nwater my couch with my tears.\n\nMine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all \nmine enemies.\n\nDepart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard \nthe voice of my weeping.\n\nThe LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.\n\nLet all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return _and_ \nbe ashamed suddenly.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer full of those mental exercises that are felt \nunder the deepest and most secret temptations which can only be known \nby experience, because no words can describe them; for they are those \nfeelings under which the saints agonize in those bitter and \nunutterable conflicts which are wholly unknown to the world: they are \nthose feelings, I say, under which they agonize when struggling with \nsin, the law, and the wrath and judgment of God: all which are \nexperienced in the hours of darkness, while the devil is horribly \ntempting and pressing in upon them.\n\nThese internal fears and terrors, under which all the godly agonize \nand sweat, will, of necessity, one day wholly swallow up the \nhypocrites who are destitute of the word. Here it is, that in the \ngodly, there is an unspeakable conflict of justice with sin; the law, \nand wrath of God, with a confidence in his mercy; and faith and hope, \nwith desperation and despair; though the godly are at length delivered \nand saved. These terrors the scripture calls in other places, and \nespecially in the Psalms, \u201cthe pains of hell,\u201d and, \u201cthe snares of \ndeath.\u201d\n\nBut this Psalm expressly shews in the end, that the sighs and groans \nof the godly under these agonizing conflicts, these pains, and these \nstraits of soul, shall surely be heard. This Psalm, therefore, and \nothers like it, open to us a view of the heart of David, and afford \nthe greatest consolation to the godly. For they shew, that, although \nthe saints thus deeply agonize under these straits, and under these \nterrible and open views of the wrath of God, yet, that these \ntemptations which appear to be infinite and endless, shall surely have \nan end, and that God will never forsake those who fear him, in their \nterrors and conflicts with death and hell.\n\nOn the other hand, the prophet, in this Psalm, with a wonderful zeal \nof spirit, and with the most cutting sharpness and severity, strikes \nat all the wicked of the world: and, above all, he condemns all secure \nhypocrites and pharisaical ministers; calling them, notwithstanding \ntheir outward appearance of being saints,\u2014\u201cworkers of iniquity;\u201d who \npersecute all afflicted and true Christians with the bitterness of \nCain, and cease not to hate them with all the virulence of Satan; \nadding grief to their grief, and affliction to their affliction.\n\n\u2018Away with ye,\u2019 saith he, \u2018ye hypocrites. I have learnt that I have a \nGod to go to; but ye are ignorant both of God and of his works. Ye \nknow not what an awful weight the wrath of God is, and how great and \nsoul-refreshing a thing the remission of sins, the knowledge of \neternal life, and the experience of grace, are. Ye worship God with \nyour mouths and with your lips; ye trust in your own righteousnesses \nand works, not knowing what God and what sin are; and therefore ye are \nmost cruel and most bitter enemies to the word and true worship of \nGod; in which worship, the greatest and most acceptable sacrifice is a \nspirit thus pressed into straits and afflicted.\u2019\n\nThis Psalm has reference to the First and Second Commandment; it \ncontains the agonizing conflict of faith, and calls upon God against \nthe force of sin and death. And it refers also to the first petition \nof the Lord\u2019s Prayer; as do also the other supplicatory Psalms. For, \nto supplicate and pray, is to sanctify and call upon the name of the \nLord.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM VII.\n\n_David prayeth against the malice of his enemies, professing his \ninnocency.\u2014By faith he seeth his defence, and the destruction of his \nenemies._\n\nShiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words \nof Cush the Benjamite.\n\n\nO LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that \npersecute me, and deliver me;\n\nLest he tear my soul like a lion, rending _it_ in pieces, while _there \nis_ none to deliver.\n\nO LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;\n\nIf I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I \nhave delivered him that without cause is mine enemy;)\n\nLet the enemy persecute my soul, and take _it_; yea, let him tread \ndown my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.\n\nArise, O LORD, in thine anger; lift up thyself, because of the rage of \nmine enemies; and awake for me _to_ the judgment _that_ thou hast \ncommanded.\n\nSo shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their \nsakes, therefore, return thou on high.\n\nThe LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my \nrighteousness, and according to mine integrity _that is_ in me.\n\nOh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the \njust: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.\n\nMy defence _is_ of God, which saveth the upright in heart.\n\nGod judgeth the righteous, and God is angry _with the wicked_ every \nday.\n\nIf he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow and made \nit ready.\n\nHe hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth \nhis arrows against the persecutors.\n\nBehold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and \nbrought forth falsehood.\n\nHe made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch _which_ he \nmade.\n\nHis mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing \nshall come down upon his own pate.\n\nI will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing \npraise to the name of the LORD Most High.\n\n\nThis is a prayer against that common and usual blasphemy with which \nthe world accuses the prophets, apostles, and all others who fear God, \nas being seditious persons, who destroy the peace and general \ntranquility of the state: as Shimei bitterly upbraided David, when \nunder that heavy affliction in the time of Absalom, calling him a \nbloody man, and saying that he had invaded the kingdom of Saul, &c. In \nthe same way the Jews accused Christ before Pilate. And in the same \nway also now do certain hypocrites,\u2014bishops and other enemies, against \nall conscience, brand the professors of the gospel with the \nappellation of \u2018seditious persons.\u2019\n\nAgainst all trials of this kind, which are indeed most bitter to bear, \nthe prophet fights by prayer unto God, calling upon God to bear \nwitness to his innocency. And then, to encourage and comfort all that \nfear God, he shews, that all who thus pray are heard; and he sets \nforth himself as an example.\n\nLastly, he threatens a horrid, sudden, and momentary judgment to those \nhypocrites and tyrants, who thus rage against the godly with the most \nbitter hatred: and he signifies that all such shall in the end perish \nlike Absalom, who was cut off and died in a new, sudden, and dreadful \nway, in the midst of his furious career, before he could accomplish \nthat which he had planned.\n\nThis Psalm refers to the second precept in the Decalogue, and to the \nfirst petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM VIII.\n\n_God\u2019s glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Gittith. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nO LORD our Lord, how excellent _is_ thy name in all the earth! who \nhast set thy glory above the heavens.\n\nOut of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, \nbecause of thine enemies; that thou mightest still the enemy and the \navenger.\n\nWhen I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the \nstars, which thou hast ordained;\n\nWhat _is_ man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that \nthou visitest him?\n\nFor thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast \ncrowned him with glory and honour.\n\nThou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands: thou \nhast put all _things_ under his feet:\n\nAll sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;\n\nThe fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, _and whatsoever_ passeth \nthrough the paths of the seas.\n\nO LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning Christ,\u2014concerning his passion, his \nresurrection, and his dominion over all creatures; and it is thus that \nthe apostle cites it, Ephes. i. with reference to the kingdom of \nChrist: where he foretels, that the power and might of his kingdom \nwill be invincible against all enemies, how violent soever they may be \nin their determination to wreak their vengeance:\u2014that is, that he will \nbe victoriously mighty against all the wise and the powerful of the \nworld, and against all hypocrites and pharisaical saints:\u2014that he will \nbe invincible and victorious, I say, not by arms, nor by mighty forces \nof horse and foot, but by the word of his gospel; which shall be \npreached by \u201cbabes and sucklings,\u201d (that is, by humble men, men who \nare weak and contemptible in the sight of the world,) and believed in \nby his church of poor, afflicted, crying, and complaining \ncreatures:\u2014that this word of the gospel, I repeat, preached and \nbelieved in by such poor creatures, shall nevertheless confound all \nthe wisdom of the world, and break and crush under it all the strength \nof the world, and that no creature power whatever shall impede it in \nits work and course, but that it shall stand firmer than the heaven, \nor the sun, or the moon, and shall endure for evermore!\n\nThis Psalm pertains to the First Commandment, where God declares that \nhe will be our God: and also to the second petition of the Lord\u2019s \nPrayer, as I have before observed under Psalm II.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM IX.\n\n_David praiseth God for executing of judgment.\u2014He inciteth others to \npraise him.\u2014He prayeth that he may have cause to praise him._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Muthlabben. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nI will praise _thee_, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth \nall thy marvellous works.\n\nI will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O \nthou Most High.\n\nWhen mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy \npresence.\n\nFor thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the \nthrone judging right.\n\nThou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou \nhast put out their name for ever and ever.\n\nO thou enemy! destructions are come to a perpetual end; and thou hast \ndestroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.\n\nBut the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for \njudgment;\n\nAnd he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister \njudgment to the people in uprightness.\n\nThe LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of \ntrouble.\n\nAnd they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, \nLORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.\n\nSing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the \npeople his doings.\n\nWhen he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he \nforgetteth not the cry of the humble.\n\nHave mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble _which I suffer_ of \nthem that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:\n\nThat I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of \nZion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.\n\nThe heathen are sunk down in the pit _that_ they made: in the net \nwhich they hid is their own foot taken.\n\nThe LORD is known _by_ the judgment _which_ he executeth: the wicked \nis snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.\n\nThe wicked shall be turned into hell, _and_ all the nations that \nforget God.\n\nFor the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the \npoor shall _not_ perish for ever.\n\nArise, O LORD; let not man prevail; let the heathen be judged in thy \nsight.\n\nPut them in fear, O LORD; _that_ the nations may know themselves _to \nbe but_ men. Selah.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prophecy: its title is \u201cconcerning the beautiful \nyouth:\u201d that is, concerning the children that are born anew in Christ, \nthe people of God and the church of God. For the people and sons of \nGod, and his new-born children by faith in Christ, must be conformed \nto the image of God\u2019s dear Son, Jesus Christ.\n\nChristians and the true sons of God are variously afflicted in the \nworld; and the blood of the innocents is daily shed by the fury and \ncruelty of Satan, raging against the word and the works of God. These \nare the flourishing and undefiled youth, the sons and children of God, \nof whom the title of the Psalm speaks; who are blameless, without \nrebuke, and babes in the midst of wolves, and among a perverse \ngeneration.\n\nThis Psalm has its striking descriptions of persons: and the prophecy \nwhich it contains is written in the manner of a thanksgiving: and \ntherefore it may be numbered among the consolatory Psalms. For, (as is \ngenerally the case with these spiritual canticles and songs,) the \nProphet here speaks in his own person, and in that of all the saints \nalso who are afflicted for the word of God\u2019s sake: all of whom give \nthanks with wonderful sensations of heart, that God does not forsake \nhis own. But God requires, at times, the tears and the blood of the \nsaints: though he preserves and saves his Church, and renders her \ninvincible against sword or fire, and against all the power of enemies \ntemporal or spiritual, nay, in the midst of blood and death; and he \nraises her up, as it were, from the blood, slaughter, and ashes of the \nsaints, and makes her flourish again and increase the more, in a \nwonderful manner, in this and that part of the world: so that many, \neven of the most bitter enemies, have been converted to the faith, and \neven a Saul has been made a Paul; and sometimes also the judgments of \nGod have fallen on the wicked, and they have perished before the eyes \nof the godly.\n\nThis Psalm has reference to the First Commandment of the Decalogue, \nand to the second petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer, as we have observed \nconcerning the preceding Psalm.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM X.\n\n_David complaineth to God of the outrage of the wicked.\u2014He prayeth for \nremedy.\u2014He professeth his confidence._\n\n\nWhy standest thou afar off, O LORD? _Why_ hidest thou _thyself_ in \ntimes of trouble?\n\nThe wicked in _his_ pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken \nin the devices that they have imagined.\n\nFor the wicked boasteth of his heart\u2019s desire, and blesseth the \ncovetous, _whom_ the Lord abhorreth.\n\nThe wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek _after \nGod_: God _is_ not in all his thoughts.\n\nHis ways are always grievous; thy judgments _are_ far above out of his \nsight: _as for_ all his enemies, he puffeth at them.\n\nHe hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for _I shall_ never \n_be_ in adversity.\n\nHis mouth is full of cursing, and deceit, and fraud: under his tongue \n_is_ mischief and vanity.\n\nHe sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places \ndoth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily laid against the \npoor.\n\nHe lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to \ncatch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his \nnet.\n\nHe croucheth, _and_ humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his \nstrong ones.\n\nHe hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he \nwill never see _it_.\n\nArise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.\n\nWherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou \nwilt not require _it_.\n\nThou hast seen _it_; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite \n_it_ with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art \nthe helper of the fatherless.\n\nBreak thou the arm of the wicked and the evil _man_: seek out his \nwickedness _till_ thou find none.\n\nThe LORD _is_ King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of \nhis land.\n\nLORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare \ntheir heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:\n\nTo judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth \nmay no more oppress.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a fervent prayer, and contains complaints of the deepest \nconcern against Antichrist, that most atrocious enemy of God and the \ngospel, who will ever assail and lay waste the church, not by force \nand tyranny only, but with all the \u03c0\u03b1\u03bd\u1d15\u03c1\u03b3\u03af\u1fb3 of Satan, all his frauds \nand impostures, and with an infinite variety of outside deception and \nhypocrisy.\n\nThis \u201cMan of Sin\u201d is descriptively pourtrayed in the present \nPsalm;\u2014that he really rages against the body with the sword, ruins and \ndestroys souls by his all-crafty and infinite hypocrisy, and with his \nsweet poison of false doctrines, and imposing forms of worship; but \nthat he has no concern whatever about teaching any one kindly and with \ngentleness, nor instructing them seriously unto godliness or true \ncomfort, but has his mouth ever full of cursing and deceit.\n\nThis we have manifested in the kingdom of the Pope, and in the tyranny \nof the Romish-church. All those fulminating and thundering \nexcommunications are mere execrations and _cursing_, by which he has \nwished to make himself, and has succeeded in making himself, \nformidable even to kings, under the false pretence of the apostolic \nname, and divine authority. And his \u2018_craft_\u2019 and lies are all that \ninfinite and inexplicable variety of hypocrisy and traditions of men; \ntogether with all that outward whitewash of holiness, and those \ndeceptive forms of worship, by means of which, and his delusions of \nmasses at one time, and of indulgences at another, this Antichrist \nceases not to turn to wicked lucre all things human and divine, under \nthe blasphemous cover and pretext of the name of God.\n\nIn the end of the Psalm we have a consolation; which declares that \nsuch an abomination shall, in the end of the world, be revealed, and, \nhaving been made openly manifest by the sudden judgment of God, shall \nbe rooted out.\n\nThis Psalm has reference to the Second Commandment, and to the second \npetition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer; as have all the Psalms of supplication.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XI.\n\n_David encourageth himself in God against his enemies.\u2014The providence \nand justice of God._\n\nTo the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.\n\n\nIn the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, flee _as_ a bird to \nyour mountain?\n\nFor, lo, the wicked bend _their_ bow, they make ready their arrow upon \nthe string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.\n\nIf the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?\n\nThe LORD _is_ in his holy temple, the LORD\u2019S throne _is_ in heaven: \nhis eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.\n\nThe LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth \nviolence his soul hateth.\n\nUpon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an \nhorrible tempest: _this shall be_ the portion of their cup.\n\nFor the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth \nbehold the upright.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a complaint against erroneous and fanatical spirits: of \nwhich kind are all those who in the present day draw men astray from \nthe pure and true doctrine of faith, and from the true worship of God, \n(which stands in true faith and the fear of God in the heart,) to \nhypocrisy, which has always an outward show of something great and \nwonderful:\u2014these, I say, are the erroneous and fanatics, who thus draw \naway men like so many birds, and make them fly over to their \nmountains: that is, make them turn easily over to hypocrisy, and \nwhite-wash holiness, which, in outward show, appears to be something \ngreat and wonderful, and a firm rock, whereas it is all a thing of \nnought.\n\nDavid ascribes to these characters that which is the peculiar \ncharacteristic of hypocrites,\u2014that they arrogantly, proudly, and with \nhigh looks, despise and deride the truly godly. What, say they, can \nthat righteous one, that fine fellow of a Christian, that poor \nmiserable creature, do?\n\nIn the end we have a consolation that God will certainly hear, and \nregard the afflicted; that he will be present with them, and show them \nby manifest tokens of his hand that he will not forsake them, and that \nhe will, by horrible judgment, take vengeance on scoffers of this \nkind; on these pharisees and other enemies of David.\n\nThis Psalm has reference to the Second precept of the Decalogue, and \nto the first petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XII.\n\n_David, destitute of human comfort, craveth help of God.\u2014He comforteth \nhimself with God\u2019s judgments on the wicked, and confidence in God\u2019s \ntried promises._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David.\n\n\nHelp, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from \namong the children of men.\n\nThey speak vanity every one with his neighbour: _with_ flattering lips \n_and_ with a double heart do they speak.\n\nThe LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, _and_ the tongue that \nspeaketh proud things;\n\nWho have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips _are_ our \nown: who _is_ lord over us?\n\nFor the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will \nI arise, saith the LORD; I will set _him_ in safety _from him that_ \npuffeth at him.\n\nThe words of the LORD _are_ pure words: _as_ silver tried in a furnace \nof earth, purified seven times.\n\nThou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this \ngeneration for ever.\n\nThe wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.\n\n\nThis is a prayer containing a heavy complaint against them, who, \nintroduce human doctrines instead of the word of God, and who, \nafterwards, by various new traditions and forms of worship disturb the \nchurch, and fill all things with a white-wash show of religion, and \nwith the outward daubing of pharisaism and hypocrisy, so that wicked \nmen and hypocrites reign on every side, as the last verse complains. \nFor when human doctrines have once invaded the church, they go on to \nrage far and wide, and spread in all directions like a cancer; there \nis no end to their corruption and destructive influence; they take \npossession of all things and wonderfully vex and torment consciences: \nso that the number of the true saints and of those that truly fear God \nis few and small indeed: of this the infinite variety of papistical \nhypocrisy affords a manifest example.\n\nBut we are consoled and comforted under all these afflictions by the \nconsideration that God always raises up in his church, sometimes in \nthis place and sometimes in that, his salvation; that is, his word and \ngospel; which, while the prophets, apostles, and other ministers \nthroughout the world, boldly and plainly teach against all heresy, \nthey detect and bring to light false doctrines, and overturn all false \nworship; for where the salvation of God is, (that is, the saving word \nof Christ and his gospel) it burns up and consumes, like a \nsuddenly-kindled fire, all the chaff and straw of human traditions, \nand delivers oppressed consciences.\n\nThis, however, never takes place without afflictions, and the cross in \nvarious forms. But as gold and silver are proved by the fire, so the \ntrue knowledge and purity of the word is not preserved in the church \nbut by means of the truly spiritual and godly, who for the word\u2019s sake \nare exercised without and within by Satan, with various temptations: \nfor these, like gold, are proved in the fire, and thus grow daily and \nflourish in the knowledge of the gospel, and the great things of God.\n\nThis Psalm refers to the second and third precept of the Decalogue, \nand to the first and second petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XIII.\n\n_David complaineth of delay in help.\u2014He prayeth for preventing \ngrace.\u2014He boasteth of divine mercy._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nHow long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou \nhide thy face from me?\n\nHow long shall I take counsel in my soul, _having_ sorrow in my heart \ndaily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?\n\nConsider _and_ hear me, O LORD my God; lighten mine eyes lest I sleep \nthe _sleep_ of death;\n\nLest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; _and_ those that \ntrouble me rejoice when I am moved.\n\nBut I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy \nsalvation.\n\nI will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.\n\n\nThis is a prayer full of the sighings and groanings of an afflicted \nheart in the hour of darkness, and almost overwhelmed, under that \ndarkness, with the extreme of grief and sorrow, and driven to the \ngreatest strait of mind. Of which sorrow the spirit of sadness \nhimself, the devil, is the author, who casts the unwary into these \ntemptations and perturbations in a moment, when he finds them unarmed \nwith the sword of the Spirit, the word of God; which unarmed state he \nhimself causes by turning away our eyes from the promises and the word \nof God, to look at the incredible ingratitude and iniquity of the \nworld, at the perplexed variety of offences, and at the greatness of \nthe perils which must be undergone for the sake of God\u2019s word and of \nhis holy name. For it cannot be but that even a man of a sound mind \nmust be thrown into tribulation when he considers with what infernal \narts, with what stratagems of deceit, and with what bitter and Cainish \nhatred, Satan and wicked men oppose themselves to the word of God; and \nthen, what fallings away and what monstrous instances of ingratitude \nthere are among those who pretend to be with us; all which offences \nSatan raises up through the instrumentality of those who are unwilling \nto appear not to be followers of godliness.\n\nBut the prayer of the church has great power; it breaks through and \nvictoriously overcomes all hatred, all perils, and all snares, how \ncraftily soever they may be laid; and faith is more powerful than any \nviolence or storm of temptation. \u201cThis (saith John) is the victory \nthat overcometh the world, even our faith.\u201d And this Psalm gives us an \nexample of that faith which enables us to stand fast in the midst of \ndeath, and not to doubt that God is able, and will deliver us from our \nterrible straits, and comfort us after all our fears; and which \nteaches to believe that we shall struggle through all our distress \nvictoriously, though it may appear to be endless, if we do but turn \nourselves away from all dark and dismal appearances of things, lay \nhold of that which is true and real, and lift ourselves up against the \nweight that lays upon us, by resting in the consolation of the word of \nthe Lord: as James saith, \u201cIs any afflicted, let him pray.\u201d\n\nThis Psalm also refers to the second precept, and to the first and \nlast petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer; where we pray \u201cHallowed be thy \nname,\u201d and \u201cDeliver us from evil.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XIV.\n\n_David describeth the corruption of a natural man.\u2014He convinceth the \nwicked by the light of their conscience.\u2014He glorieth in the salvation \nof God._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe fool hath said in his heart, _There_ is no God. They are corrupt; \nthey have done abominable works; _there is_ none that doeth good.\n\nThe LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if \nthere were any that did understand, _and_ seek God.\n\nThey are all gone aside, they are _all_ together become filthy: _there \nis_ none that doeth good, no, not one.\n\nHave all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people \n_as_ they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.\n\nThere were they in great fear: for God _is_ in the generation of the \nrighteous.\n\nYe have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his \nrefuge.\n\nOh that the salvation of Israel _were come_ out of Zion! when the LORD \nbringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, _and_ \nIsrael shall be glad.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prophecy; and it also teaches us, that all human \ndoctrines and works without faith are an abomination in the sight of \nGod; and that the God of all such hypocrites (of which kind are the \npope and his papists) is their belly; for they serve their belly, not \nGod or Christ, and devour widow\u2019s houses.\n\nBut such hypocrites, although they have always in their mouth the name \nof God, and boast of the law and the works of the law, know not what \nthe true worship of God is, but always hate and persecute the name and \nword of God, but the true doctrine, concerning faith and the fear of \nGod, they will not hear.\n\nAgainst such characters as these we must fight by prayer; which prayer \nwill certainly be heard, as is intimated in the last verse of this \nPsalm, which promises the kingdom and dominion of Christ. For this \nPsalm especially strikes at those seemingly holy pharisees, those \nteachers of the law, who, before the coming of Christ, by enforcing \nworks and the righteousness of the law, were cruel torturers, and \ntormented men\u2019s consciences. And this Psalm promises that wished-for \nday of Christ, and the redemption that should be wrought by his \ncoming. For the gospel was revealed from Zion, and the Spirit was \npoured out upon the apostles at Jerusalem.\n\nThis Psalm has reference to the First and Second Commandment: for it \ngloriously exalts the word of God and promises the day of salvation, \nthat is, of Christ: but it rebukes hypocrites who despise the true \nworship of God, and his faith and fear, and who serve not God but \ntheir own belly. And it refers also to the first and second petition \nof the Lord\u2019s Prayer: where we pray, \u201cHallowed be thy name; Thy \nkingdom come.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XV.\n\n_David describeth a citizen of Zion._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nLORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy \nhill?\n\nHe that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the \ntruth in his heart.\n\n_He that_ backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his \nneighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.\n\nIn whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that \nfear the LORD. _He that_ sweareth to _his own_ hurt, and changeth not.\n\n_He that_ putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward \nagainst the innocent. He that doeth these _things_ shall never be \nmoved.\n\n\nThis Psalm strikes at the hypocrites who say that holiness stands in \nthe pretended works of the law of God, or in the vain and foolish \nworks of human invention and tradition; and it teaches us how to \nunderstand the law of God rightly, and to live godly and righteously. \nIt shows us that we are to walk in the spirit and to mortify the \ndesires of the flesh. For the sum of all godliness is this;\u2014to love \nand worship God with a pure heart by faith, and then, to direct our \nlives for the good of our neighbour; and to avoid all those things \nwhich militate against these two; that is, to shun all hypocrisy and \npretended holiness, which militates against both faith and love: for \nsuch an one is ignorant of the true worship of God, and neglects all \ntruly good works, which should be done for the benefit of his \nneighbour.\n\nIt has reference to the Third Commandment of the Decalogue, concerning \nkeeping holy the sabbath day, which is done when we hear and learn the \nword. And it refers also to the third petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XVI.\n\n_David, in distrust of merits, and hatred of idolatry, fleeth to God \nfor preservation.\u2014He sheweth the hope of his calling, of the \nresurrection, and life everlasting._\n\nMichtam of David.\n\n\nPreserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.\n\n_O my soul_, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou _art_ my Lord: my \ngoodness _extendeth_ not to thee;\n\n_But_ to the saints that _are_ in the earth, and _to_ the excellent, \nin whom _is_ all my delight.\n\nTheir sorrows shall be multiplied _that_ hasten _after_ another _god_; \ntheir drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their \nnames into my lips.\n\nThe LORD _is_ the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou \nmaintainest my lot.\n\nThe lines are fallen unto me in pleasant _places_; yea, I have a \ngoodly heritage.\n\nI will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also \ninstruct me in the night-seasons.\n\nI have set the LORD always before me: because _he is_ at my right \nhand, I shall not be moved.\n\nTherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also \nshall rest in hope.\n\nFor thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer \nthine Holy One to see corruption.\n\nThou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence _is_ fulness of \njoy; at thy right hand _there are_ pleasures for evermore.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the passion and resurrection of Christ; \nand the apostles quote it, Acts ii. and xiii. as having a striking \nreference to Christ.\n\nThis is a glorious Psalm and a precious jewel among all the Psalms on \nthis account,\u2014because it shows forth in clear words that all that \nsplendid and magnificent worship of the law of Moses, its sacrifices, \nits sabbath worship, its circumcision, in all which the Jews so \nunceasingly boasted, is done away with by the gospel; for in the \nfourth verse, David plainly says, that those who follow works and the \nrighteousness of the law, follow strange gods and idols: and he shows \nthat the Jews, although a sacred people, should be rejected, and \nanother people chosen, even a people who should believe in Christ, who \nwere the true elect, inheritance, and peculiar people of God.\n\nThis Psalm also has reference to the First, Second, and Third \nCommandments; for it foretels a new glory of God, a new work and word, \nand that new kind of worship which was to be revealed to the world: \nand it refers also to the first and second petitions of the Lord\u2019s \nPrayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XVII.\n\n_David, in confidence of his integrity, craveth defence of God against \nhis enemies.\u2014He sheweth their pride, craft, and eagerness.\u2014He prayeth \nagainst them in confidence of his hope._\n\nA Prayer of David.\n\n\nHear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, \n_that goeth_ not out of feigned lips.\n\nLet my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold \nthe things that are equal.\n\nThou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited _me_ in the night; thou \nhast tried me, _and_ shalt find nothing; I am purposed _that_ my mouth\nshall not transgress.\n\nConcerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept _me \nfrom_ the paths of the destroyer.\n\nHold up my goings in thy paths, _that_ my footsteps slip not.\n\nI have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine \near unto me, _and hear_ my speech.\n\nShew thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right \nhand them which put their trust _in thee_, from those that rise up \n_against them_.\n\nKeep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy \nwings.\n\nFrom the wicked that oppress me, _from_ my deadly enemies, _who_ \ncompass me about.\n\nThey are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak \nproudly.\n\nThey have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes \nbowing down to the earth;\n\nLike as a lion _that_ is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young \nlion lurking in secret places.\n\nArise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the \nwicked, _which is_ thy sword:\n\nFrom men _which are_ thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, _which \nhave_ their portion in _this_ life, and whose belly thou fillest with \nthy hid _treasure_ they are full of children, and leave the rest of \ntheir substance to their babes.\n\nAs for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be \nsatisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer against false teachers, and those very delicate \nsaints, that is, hypocrites, who by their human doctrines, call men \noff from the word of God, and hate and persecute the truly godly \nteachers. These are the characters whom Paul also calls \u201cenemies of \nthe cross of Christ:\u201d for they are not willing to suffer anything for \nGod\u2019s sake, but shun the cross; but make a pretext of the name and \nworship of God, and under all the artifices of their hypocrisy, seek \nnothing else than earthly advantages, honors, wealth, the favour of \nmen, and the pleasures and gratifications of the world. Hence David \ncalls them, in the last verse but one, \u2018men of this world,\u2019 and \u2018men \nof this life.\u2019 Of this kind also are all those animals of the belly in \nmonasteries, those cumberers of the earth, the monks, and lazy \npriests.\n\nThis Psalm also has reference to the Second and Third Commandments, \nand to the first petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer, where we pray \n\u201cHallowed be thy name.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XVIII.\n\n_David praiseth God for his manifold and marvellous blessings._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who \nspake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD \ndelivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of \nSaul: And he said,\n\n\nI will love thee, O LORD, my strength.\n\nThe LORD _is_ my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my \nstrength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my \nsalvation, _and_ my high tower.\n\nI will call upon the LORD, _who is worthy_ to be praised: so shall I \nbe saved from mine enemies.\n\nThe sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made \nme afraid.\n\nThe sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented \nme.\n\nIn my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard \nmy voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, _even_ into \nhis ears.\n\nThen the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills \nmoved and were shaken, because he was wroth.\n\nThere went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth \ndevoured: coals were kindled by it.\n\nHe bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness _was_ under his \nfeet.\n\nAnd he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings \nof the wind.\n\nHe made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him _were_ \ndark waters _and_ thick clouds of the skies.\n\nAt the brightness _that was_ before him his thick clouds passed, hail \n_stones_ and coals of fire.\n\nThe LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his \nvoice; hail _stones_ and coals of fire.\n\nYea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out \nlightnings and discomfited them.\n\nThen the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the \nworld were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the \nbreath of thy nostrils.\n\nHe sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.\n\nHe delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: \nfor they were too strong for me.\n\nThey prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.\n\nHe brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because \nhe delighted in me.\n\nThe LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the \ncleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.\n\nFor I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed \nfrom my God.\n\nFor all his judgments _were_ before me, and I did not put away his \nstatutes from me.\n\nI was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.\n\nTherefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, \naccording to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.\n\nWith the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man \nthou wilt shew thyself upright.\n\nWith the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou \nwilt shew thyself froward.\n\nFor thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high \nlooks.\n\nFor thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my \ndarkness.\n\nFor by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped \nover a wall.\n\n_As for_ God, his way _is_ perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he \n_is_ a buckler to all those that trust in him.\n\nFor who _is_ God save the LORD? or who _is_ a rock save our God?\n\n_It is_ God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.\n\nHe maketh my feet like hinds\u2019 _feet_ and setteth me upon my high \nplaces.\n\nHe teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine \narms.\n\nThou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right \nhand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.\n\nThou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.\n\nI have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turn \nagain till they were consumed.\n\nI have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen \nunder my feet.\n\nFor thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast \nsubdued under me those that rose up against me.\n\nThou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might \ndestroy them that hate me.\n\nThey cried, but _there was_ none to save _them_: _even_\nunto the LORD, but he answered them not.\n\nThen did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast \nthem out as the dirt in the streets.\n\nThou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; _and_ thou \nhast made me the head of the heathen: a people _whom_ I have not known \nshall serve me.\n\nAs soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall \nsubmit themselves unto me.\n\nThe strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close \nplaces.\n\nThe LORD liveth; and blessed _be_ my rock; and let the God of my \nsalvation be exalted.\n\n_It is_ God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people unto me.\n\nHe delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above \nthose that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent\nman.\n\nTherefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and \nsing praises unto thy name.\n\nGreat deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his \nanointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in which David gives thanks to God \n(as the title of the Psalm shows) because of his deliverance from all \nhis enemies. And this Psalm I should divide into four parts, for David \nhad combatted with four kinds of enemies\u2014King Saul, the neighbouring \nnations, his son Absalom, and his seditious subjects.\n\nAt the beginning of the Psalm, in the first six verses, David \ndescribes the greatness of his perils, his distresses and his straits \nin the midst of so many and great afflictions, out of which the Lord \ndelivered him, \u201cThe sorrows of hell (saith he) compassed me about, \n&c.\u201d\n\nThen in the seventh verse, after the manner of the prophets, he \nalludes in his song of praise to the deliverance out of Egypt, and to \nthose mighty works at Mount Sinai and in the Red Sea; intimating, that \nas God then powerfully delivered his people from the midst of death, \nso, he also more than once had been delivered by the powerful arm and \nthe high hand of God, again, as it were from the hand of Pharaoh, and \nfrom the midst of surrounding death.\n\nAnd then again, when he says verses 16, and 17, \u201cHe delivered me from \nmy strong enemies and from them that were mightier than I,\u201d he alludes \nto King Saul, who had persecuted him with hostile hatred and \nbitterness for the word of God\u2019s sake, because he was chosen from on \nhigh to be King and to be his successor.\n\nAt verse 28, he celebrates the goodness of God who stands by the \nhumble and those who are despised by the world and defends them \nagainst the proud and the mighty: as he did in giving David the \nvictory over Goliah, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and other \nnations.\n\nAt verse 34, he intimates something respecting his third and domestic \nadversary his son Absalom, who, on that account, was by far the more \ndreadful and atrocious enemy.\n\nThen at verse 42, he gives thanks to God who so wonderfully stood by \nhim against the crafty counsels and snares of the seditious, of which \nkind was Siba and, in the time of Absalom almost the whole of Israel. \nFor this most excellent and most godly king had many national and \ndomestic enemies, and seditious citizens; so much so, that, as he \nhimself here says, many gentile nations were far more kind and \nobedient to him than his own people.\n\nTherefore any afflicted one, especially if in magisterial office, may \nuse this Psalm in giving thanks to God for his deliverance out of \nvarious perils and distresses which fall upon those who govern the \nstate, or who are set over the Church.\n\nAnd if any one wishes to understand the Psalm allegorically, David \nsignifies here Christ; Saul signifies the Jews; the nations that \npersecuted David, the tyrants of the world who set themselves against \nthe Gospel; Absalom, heretics who proceed out from us but are not of \nus; the seditious subjects, outside-show-Christians who sound forth \nChrist with their mouth, but in their heart are far from him: from all \nwhich this afflicted David, that is, Christ and those who are \nChristians, are at length delivered.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the second precept of the Decalogue, and to the \nfirst petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XIX.\n\n_The creatures show God\u2019s glory.\u2014The word his grace.\u2014David prayeth for \ngrace._\n\nTo the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his \nhandy-work.\n\nDay unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.\n\n_There is_ no speech nor language _where_ their voice is not heard.\n\nTheir line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the \nend of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun;\n\nWhich _is_ as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, _and_ rejoiceth \nas a strong man to run a race.\n\nHis going forth _is_ from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto \nthe ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.\n\nThe law of the LORD _is_ perfect, converting the soul: the testimony \nof the LORD _is_ sure, making wise the simple:\n\nThe statutes of the LORD _are_ right, rejoicing the heart: the \ncommandment of the LORD _is_ pure, enlightening the eyes:\n\nThe fear of the LORD _is_ clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of \nthe LORD _are_ true _and_ righteous altogether.\n\nMore to be desired _are they_ than gold; yea, than much fine gold; \nsweeter also than honey and the honey-comb.\n\nMoreover, by them is thy servant warned: _and_ in keeping of them \n_there is_ great reward.\n\nWho can understand _his_ errors! cleanse thou me from secret _faults_.\n\nKeep back thy servant also from presumptuous _sins_: let them not have \ndominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent \nfrom the great transgression.\n\nLet the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be \nacceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the preaching of the Gospel to every \ncreature under the whole heaven wherever the wide earth extends. \u201cDay \nunto day, (saith David) uttereth the word;\u201d that is, \u2018from day to \nday;\u2019 or, day and night shall the Gospel be propagated by the voice of \nthe apostles and the ministers of the word, farther and farther; and \nthat, not only in Judea but every where in all the earth, and in all \nlanguages throughout the world.\u2014And says David, as by the life-giving \nlight of the Sun, all things in nature are illuminated, recreated, and \ncherished: so this new light, this voice of the Gospel shall illumine \nthe world, and, by communicating the Spirit, shall revive and purify \nthe hearts of men, and shall lift up and comfort distressed \nconsciences.\n\nHere also David intimates, that the old law which was the ministration \nof death was to be done away with; and that the Gospel was to succeed, \nwhich should be the ministration of life and of the Spirit; and which \nshould be a word sweet and lovely, illumining the eyes and purifying \nthe heart.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment; for it shews us what is \nthe true Sabbath, namely, the day or time, in which the Gospel should \nbe preached throughout the whole world and received by those who \nshould believe it.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XX.\n\n_The Church blesseth the King in his exploits.\u2014Her confidence in God\u2019s \nsuccour._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob \ndefend thee.\n\nSend thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.\n\nRemember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice. Selah.\n\nGrant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.\n\nWe will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will \nset up _our_ banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.\n\nNow know I that the LORD saveth his anointed: he will hear him from \nhis holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.\n\nSome _trust_ in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the \nname of the LORD our God.\n\nThey are brought down and fallen; but we are risen and stand upright.\n\nSave, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.\n\n\nThis is a prayer for kings, rulers, magistrates, and all who sustain \nthat most heavy burthen of governing the state:\u2014that God, in such \nmomentous concerns, to which all human diligence and wisdom are \nunequal (as even heathen rulers have confessed from their own \nexperience), would stand by magistrates when exposed to the hatred of \nall, to their secret councils and plans of deceit; and would keep all \nsubjects in their duty, and give his blessing in the preservation of a \ngood and happy constitution, and public peace; especially when Satan \nwith horrible hatred against God and the works of God, is endeavouring \nto destroy the constitutions of kingdoms, and to confound all things \nwith slaughter and blood-shed.\n\nThose great and eminently spiritual men who produced this and the like \nPsalms, plainly saw that such great and important matters could not be \nmanaged and governed by any human wisdom or human counsels; and \ntherefore they wished to pen forms of prayer of this kind for the \nsafety of magistrates and transmit them to posterity. For such prayers \nas these were especially necessary for the people of God at that time, \nwhen David and other godly rulers after him, were continually \nexercised with new enemies and new afflictions, and those the most \nseverely distressing.\u2014Therefore all Kings and Rulers are fools who do \nnot seek for, and expect, the happy government and the success of \ntheir affairs from heaven.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the second commandment, as do all the other \nsupplicatory Psalms; for it contains a calling upon the name of the \nLord. And it belongs also to the third petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer, \nwhere we pray that the will of God, not of the devil, may be done.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXI.\n\n_A thanksgiving for victory.\u2014Confidence of further success._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord: and in thy salvation how \ngreatly shall he rejoice!\n\nThou hast given him his heart\u2019s desire, and hast not withholden the \nrequest of his lips. Selah.\n\nFor thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a \ncrown of pure gold on his head.\n\nHe asked life of thee, _and_ thou gavest _it_ him, _even_ length of \ndays for ever and ever.\n\nHis glory _is_ great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou \nlaid upon him.\n\nFor thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him \nexceeding glad with thy countenance.\n\nFor the king trusteth in the LORD; and, through the mercy of the Most \nHigh, he shall not be moved.\n\nThine hand shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand shall find \nout those that hate thee.\n\nThou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the \nLORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour \nthem.\n\nTheir fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from \namong the children of men.\n\nFor they intended evil against thee; they imagined a mischievous \ndevice, _which_ they are not able _to perform_:\n\nTherefore shalt thou make them turn their back, _when_ thou shalt make \nready _thine arrows_ upon thy strings against the face of them.\n\nBe thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: _so_ will we sing and \npraise thy power.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ;\u2014that his kingdom \nshall be temporal and eternal. The beginning of the Psalm gloriously \npredicts that it shall come to pass that this king and this people \nshall rejoice in this kingdom, and that the glory of it shall be \ngreat. But you must understand that all this will be, not before the \nworld or according to the flesh, but in God. For Christ entered into \nglory through the flesh and by the cross.\n\nThis Psalm foretels also that this kingdom, that is, the Church of \nChrist, although afflicted before the world, shall be enriched with \nspiritual blessings and glorified; and that this word of grace and the \nremission of sins, this joyful and all-sweet Gospel shall be diffused \nabroad among all nations, and that the godly and those that believe, \nshall rejoice and be glad, and exult in it with a full and perfect \njoy, which no creature shall be able to destroy or to take away.\n\nOn the other hand, David shews that the Jews who opposed this counsel \nof God, and the whole of their kingdom should be destroyed by the \nawful judgment of God, \u201cThou shalt make them (says he) to turn their \nback;\u201d that is, because that people opposed themselves to the Gospel, \nand crucified Christ, thou shalt afflict them with heavy calamities; \nand, having rejected the people destroyed their kingdom, and having \ndone away with, and abrogated the whole of their law and worship for \nwhich they so furiously fight, thou shalt reduce them to a miserable \nslavery, so that they shall be oppressed under a foreign yoke and \nlaws, and shall thus suffer the punishment due to their sins.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the first commandment, and to the second \npetition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer: for it foretells of a people that \nshould not be under the law of Moses, but in a kingdom of rejoicing \nand thanksgiving, and it speaks of a new manner of worship.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXII.\n\n_David complaineth in great discouragement.\u2014He prayeth in great \ndistress.\u2014He praiseth God._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.\n\n\nMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? _why art thou so_ far from \nhelping me, _and from_ the words of my roaring?\n\nO my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; and in the \nnight-season, and am not silent.\n\nBut thou _art_ holy, O _thou_ that inhabitest the praises of Israel.\n\nOur fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver \nthem.\n\nThey cried unto thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and \nwere not confounded.\n\nBut I _am_ a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the \npeople.\n\nAll they that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they \nshake the head, _saying_,\n\nHe trusted on the LORD _that_ he would deliver him; let him deliver \nhim, seeing he delighted in him.\n\nBut thou _art_ he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me \nhope _when I was_ upon my mother\u2019s breasts.\n\nI was cast upon thee from the womb; thou _art_ my God from my mother\u2019s \nbelly.\n\nBe not far from me, for trouble _is_ near; for _there_ is none to \nhelp.\n\nMany bulls have compassed me: strong _bulls_ of Bashan have beset me \nround.\n\nThey gaped upon me _with_ their mouths, _as_ a ravening and a roaring \nlion.\n\nI am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my \nheart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.\n\nMy strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my \njaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.\n\nFor dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed \nme: they pierced my hands and my feet.\n\nI may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.\n\nThey part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.\n\nBut be not thou far from me, O LORD; O my strength, haste thee to help \nme.\n\nDeliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.\n\nSave me from the lion\u2019s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns \nof the unicorns.\n\nI will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the \ncongregation will I praise thee.\n\nYe that fear the LORD, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify \nhim; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.\n\nFor he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, \nneither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he \nheard.\n\nMy praise _shall be_ of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my \nvows before them that fear him.\n\nThe meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the LORD that \nseek him: your heart shall live for ever.\n\nAll the ends of the world shall remember, and turn unto the LORD; and \nall the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.\n\nFor the kingdom _is_ the LORD\u2019S; and he _is_ the governor among the \nnations.\n\nAll _they that be_ fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that \ngo down to the dust shall bow before him and none can keep alive his \nown soul.\n\nA seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the LORD for a \ngeneration.\n\nThey shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people \nthat shall be born, that he hath done _this_.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a kind of gem among the Psalms that contain prophecies \nconcerning Christ and his kingdom, and it is peculiarly excellent and \nremarkable. For here, if anywhere, it may be said that David does not \nseem to be delivering a prophecy of the future, but a history of the \npast; a history of circumstances that took place within his own sight \nand knowledge; for his expressions concerning Christ are not at all \nmore obscure than those of Peter or Paul, or any other of the \nApostles: and he speaks of Christ being nailed to the tree, and of the \npiercing of his hands and his feet, as if the whole had taken place \nbefore his own natural sight.\n\nThis Psalm contains those deep, sublime, and heavy sufferings of \nChrist, when agonizing in the midst of the terrors and pangs of divine \nwrath and death, which surpass all human thought and comprehension. \nAnd I know not whether any Psalm throughout the whole Book contains \nmatter more weighty, or from which the hearts of the godly can so \ntruly perceive those sighs and groans, inexpressible by man, which \ntheir Lord and head Jesus Christ uttered when conflicting for us in \nthe midst of death, and in the midst of the pains and terrors of hell. \nWherefore this Psalm ought to be most highly prized by all who have \nany acquaintance with these temptations of faith, and these spiritual \nconflicts.\n\nLet Epicureans despise these things: examples of this kind will be \nmore precious to the truly godly and spiritual, whether they be found \nin Christ himself, or (as St. Peter saith,) in our brethren that are \nin the world, than all the treasures and riches of which the world can \nboast.\n\nDavid as I said, describes most clearly and expressively the \nsufferings of Christ, so much so, that you seem to see the \ncircumstances to take place before your eyes. And as he so clearly \npourtrays the forerunning sufferings of Christ, so does he with equal \nplainness set forth the glories which followed them; for in the end of \nthe Psalm he shows that Christ should be delivered from the mouth of \nthe lion and of the dog, and from the midst of death and sufferings, \nand should, through his resurrection wrought by divine power, be \nglorified; that his Gospel should be preached, not only among that \npeople and in that kingdom, such narrow limits, but throughout all the \nnations and kingdoms of the world; that the fat ones of the earth, \nthat is the rich and powerful of this world, and the poor also, should \nbe converted unto Christ; that his Church should be eternal, and his \nposterity infinite; and that as King he should be adored throughout \nthe whole world, that his name should be praised and celebrated \nthroughout all ages, and his kingdom endure for ever, and remain \ninvincible against all the kingdoms of the world, and against all \ncreatures.\n\nThe Psalm belongs to the first commandment of the Decalogue, for it \nforetels a new worship of God; and it has reference to the first \npetition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXIII.\n\n_David\u2019s confidence in God\u2019s grace._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe LORD _is_ my shepherd; I shall not want.\n\nHe maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the \nstill waters.\n\nHe restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for \nhis name\u2019s sake.\n\nYea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will \nfear no evil: for thou _art_ with me; thy rod and thy staff they \ncomfort me.\n\nThou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou \nanointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.\n\nSurely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and \nI will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a remarkable offering of thanks to God for the gift and \nreception of the word: and it contains the description of a godly \nheart acknowledging how incomparable and unspeakable a blessing and \ngift of God the knowledge of his word is. It also gloriously declares \nand extols the greatness of the goodness and mercy of God in leading \nus in the right way, and in lifting us up and consoling us under every \ntemptation, while hypocrites are left to walk in their own crooked \nways.\n\nUnder a beautiful similitude he compares himself to a sheep, in \nseeking, (if perchance it has strayed) saving, defending and feeding \nwhich, the faithful shepherd spares no labour nor anxiety. And as, \nunder a good and watchful shepherd, the sheep have fattening pastures, \nand wholesome brooks and fountains; so do the godly find all these \nsame pastures for their hearts in the word which God has provided for \nthem.\n\nDavid alludes in this Psalm to the table and shew bread, and to the \nbalsam and the oil of gladness. For God will feed and comfort the \nMinisters of the word, and the hearers, and will gladden them with his \ncup though they are made sorrowful by the world.\n\nHe calls the word of God a shepherd\u2019s staff, refreshing waters, green \npastures, that by all such similitudes he may show that true \nsalvation, settled peace, and sure and eternal consolation are \nestablished in men\u2019s consciences by the word of God only.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment, and to the second \npetition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXIV.\n\n_God\u2019s lordship in the world.\u2014The citizens of his spiritual \nkingdom.\u2014An exhortation to receive him._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe earth _is_ the LORD\u2019S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and \nthey that dwell therein.\n\nFor he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the \nfloods.\n\nWho shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his \nholy place?\n\nHe that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lift up his \nsoul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.\n\nHe shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from \nthe God of his salvation.\n\nThis _is_ the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O \nJacob. Selah.\n\nLift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting \ndoors; and the King of glory shall come in.\n\nWho _is_ this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD \nmighty in battle.\n\nLift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift _them_ up, ye everlasting \ndoors: and the King of glory shall come in.\n\nWho _is_ this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he _is_ the King of \nglory. Selah.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ to be spread \nand extended throughout the whole world by the Gospel.\n\nBy a striking apostrophe David turns himself to the kings, princes, \nand wise ones of the earth, and the men of power and authority, whom \nhe calls after the genius of the Hebrew language, the \u2018gates of the \nworld.\u2019 Remember, (saith he to such,) that the earth is the Lord\u2019s, he \nis Lord of all. It was he that gave you your kingdoms. He has set up \nhis Christ as King over all, whom if ye adore and acknowledge not, ye \nshall perish together with your kingdoms, and shall be dashed in \npieces like a potter\u2019s vessel.\n\nHe exhorts such to acknowledge themselves sinners: for these powerful \nones, these pharisees and these wise ones of the world, being blinded \nwith a conceited opinion of human wisdom and righteousness, are above \nall others enfuriated against the Gospel: for when the kingdom of \ngrace and of the remission of sins is preached; when this Christ is \ndeclared and proclaimed by the Gospel to be the only King of eternal \npeace, the only victorious King over sin, death, and the devil; then \nthese tyrants and powerful ones of the world immediately burst out \nwith their cry of pride \u201cWho is this King of Glory? Who?\u201d As if they \nshould say, what! Shall those poor abject fishermen, those dross of \nthe earth teach us? Shall they, instead of the law of Moses, and \ninstead of the religion which we received from our forefathers, force \nupon us this new worship of God, and this King of theirs who was \nhanged upon the cross? Shall they persuade us to believe such dreams \nas these?\n\nThis Psalm, therefore, at the same time intimates that this kingdom of \nChrist should not be corporeal or earthly, nor of such a kind as \nshould destroy political governments: but a kingdom in which the \npreachers of it should bring into subjection unto Christ the world and \nthe kingdoms of the world by the word and the Gospel.\n\nTo this kingdom (says David) kings and rulers shall oppose themselves \nand shall crucify the King and Lord of Glory, and shall persecute the \nApostles and Ministers of the word: but he nevertheless shall break \nthrough all kingdoms, and in defiance of every opposer shall enter \ninto the world and reign by the Gospel in the midst of his enemies: he \nshall give to his Apostles a mouth and wisdom which none of their \nadversaries shall be able to gainsay or resist: and while the \nmightiest kingdoms of the earth, as Daniel saith, shall be moved and \ndestroyed, this eternal king shall endure for ever and be truly \nmanifested to be the Lord of victory and of glory.\n\nIt has reference to the First Commandment of the Decalogue, and to the \nfirst, second, and third petitions of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXV.\n\n_David\u2019s confidence in prayer.\u2014He prayeth for remission of sins, and \nfor help in affliction._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nUnto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.\n\nO my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed; let not mine enemies \ntriumph over me.\n\nYea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which \ntransgress without cause.\n\nShew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, \nand teach me: for thou _art_ the God of my salvation; on thee do I \nwait all the day.\n\nRemember, O LORD, thy tender mercies, and thy loving-kindnesses; for \nthey _have been_ ever of old.\n\nRemember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to \nthy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness\u2019 sake, O LORD.\n\nGood and upright _is_ the LORD; therefore will he teach sinners in the \nway.\n\nThe meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his \nway.\n\nAll the paths of the LORD _are_ mercy and truth unto such as keep his \ncovenant and his testimonies.\n\nFor thy name\u2019s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it _is_ great.\n\nWhat man _is_ he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way \n_that_ he shall choose;\n\nHis soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.\n\nThe secret of the LORD _is_ with them that fear him; and he will show \nthem his covenant.\n\nMine eyes _are_ ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out \nof the net.\n\nTurn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I _am_ desolate and \nafflicted.\n\nThe troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my \ndistresses.\n\nLook upon mine affliction, and my pain: and forgive all my sins.\n\nConsider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel \nhatred.\n\nO keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my \ntrust in thee.\n\nLet integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.\n\nRedeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.\n\n\nThis is a prayer in which the prophet prays, with wonderful fervency \nof heart, to be strengthened in the faith and in the love of the Word, \nalthough he should have on this account great and bitter enemies in \nthe world: that is, that he may not be broken down in mind by the \nafflictions, nor by the greatness and multiplicity of his own \nencompassing infirmities when he saw that Epicurean hypocrites \ndespised the true religion and the true word with so much confidence \nand secure presumption, as if they were things in which it was a \ndisgrace for men of a sound mind and a liberal education to be in the \nleast engaged.\n\nAh Lord (saith David) preserve and glorify thy name and thy word. Let \nus (saith he) who are thus derided, spit upon, and, for thy sake, well \nnigh overwhelmed in the midst of so many afflictions and so many \noffences, not be confounded, but let us expect thy consolations. Let \nthose haughty hypocrites and despisers be confounded both before God \nand men, who, on account of their carnal wisdom and powers, and \nriches, and other things of this world which they admire and value, so \ndespise thy word and thy worship, that they deem it a disgrace to have \nsuch things in their thoughts. Our eyes (saith he) are unto thee O \nLord? Do thou, if there be any infirmity in us, pardon it. Keep us in \nthe knowledge of thy holy word and of that mystery of thine which is \nhidden from the world, and stand by us in our great straits and \nperils.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the Second Commandment, and to the second \npetition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXVI.\n\n_David resorteth unto God in confidence of his integrity._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nJudge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted \nalso in the LORD; _therefore_ I shall not slide.\n\nExamine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.\n\nFor thy loving-kindness _is_ before mine eyes; and I have walked in \nthy truth.\n\nI have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with \ndissemblers.\n\nI have hated the congregation of evil-doers; and will not sit with the \nwicked.\n\nI will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine altar, O \nLORD?\n\nThat I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy \nwondrous works.\n\nLORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where \nthine honour dwelleth.\n\nGather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men;\n\nIn whose hands _is_ mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.\n\nBut as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be \nmerciful unto me.\n\nMy foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless \nthe LORD.\n\n\nThis is a prayer unto God, containing a complaint against hypocrites \nwho want to be justified by the works of the law, and who always \npersecute the true doctrine of faith and condemn its supporters for \nheretics. David calls these characters dissemblers, heretics, bloody \nmen, wicked persons. For although they boast of great sanctity, yet \ntheir hearts are full of hatred and bitterness against God, and craft \nand iniquity against their neighbour: as Christ says of all such \npharisees when he rebukes them by Luke, \u201cYe are they who justify \nyourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts.\u201d For such worship \nGod with their lips, but their heart is far from him: they worship him \nnot in truth, but do all for gain.\n\nIn a word they serve not God but Mammon and their own belly: as Paul \nsaith to the Philippians. And this Psalm saith, \u201cAnd their right hand \nis full of bribes.\u201d Yet their hypocrisy has a wonderful outside \nappearance. And indeed the false church who has power and dominion on \nher side, has always a more wonderful and showy appearance than the \ntrue, which lies hidden under the various forms of the cross.\n\nTherefore we have need to pray in no slothful manner that God would \npreserve us in his true Church, and would not suffer us to be mingled \nand carried away with these characters, lest we have our portion with \nsuch hypocrites, whose end, though they may for a time make a show \nbefore the world, shall be destruction, and whose glory shall be \nturned into confusion: as we have seen it exemplified in the Pope and \nhis kingdom.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment, and to the first and \nsecond petitions of the Lord\u2019s Prayer: for it speaks of the true \nworship and kingdom of God.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXVII.\n\n_David sustaineth his faith by the power of God, by his love to the\nservice of God, by prayer._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe LORD _is_ my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD \n_is_ the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?\n\nWhen the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up \nmy flesh, they stumbled and fell.\n\nThough an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; \nthough war should rise against me, in this _will_ I be confident.\n\nOne _thing_ have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I \nmay dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold \nthe beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.\n\nFor in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the \nsecret of his tabernacle shall he hide me: he shall set me upon a \nrock.\n\nAnd now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about \nme: therefore will I offer in this tabernacle sacrifices of joy: I \nwill sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.\n\nHear, O LORD, _when_ I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and \nanswer me.\n\n_When thou saidst_, seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy \nface, Lord, will I seek.\n\nHide not thy face _far_ from me; put not thy servant away in anger: \nthou hast been my help: leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my \nsalvation.\n\nWhen my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me \nup.\n\nTeach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine \nenemies.\n\nDeliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses \nare risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.\n\n_I had fainted_, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD \nin the land of the living.\n\nWait on the LORD; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine \nheart: wait, I say, on the LORD.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a thanksgiving, containing also a prayer and consolation \nagainst false teachers.\n\nDavid having been taught and exercised by such great afflictions, by \nso many perils and sorrows, and by such fiery conflicts, for the \nword\u2019s sake, and having been supported therein against the devil, and \nthe world, now finds a greater truth and reliance on God, and is more \nencouraged and fortified against all his enemies.\n\nThe Lord (saith he) is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? \nThat is, the Lord hath so often and so wonderfully comforted me under, \nand so powerfully delivered me from, various darknesses and storms of \ntemptations, that he will not leave nor forsake me in time to come. If \nGod, then, be for me, who can be against me? If God uphold me, what \npower or violence of the enemy can cast me down, or who can destroy \nme?\n\nI will not fear thousands of enemies (says he) though they should \nraise up war against me. All that I am anxious about is this one \nthing;\u2014that I may remain and dwell in the house of the Lord; that is, \nin the true church, and among those where the word of God is purely \nand sincerely taught and learned. If I can hold fast this jewel I am \nrich. For if I hold fast the word of God, no terrors, how great soever \nthey may be, nor even death itself, can destroy my light and my life; \nthat is, my sure and eternal consolation. But if I love not the word, \nno human consolations, how great soever they may be, will be able to \nafford me that light and life.\n\nDavid directs the whole of this Psalm against hypocrites and false \nteachers, who are so soon carried away from the word, and who teach \nhuman things and seduce men\u2019s consciences. Here he calls these \ncharacters false witnesses; that is, such as nothing can shame, and \nwho know not how to blush. The audacity of these inexperienced \ncharacters is prodigious, who, without any calling, and without the \nword, boastingly make use of the name of God and seduce men, and do \ninfinite damage both to the state and to the church. For we generally \nfind it to be the case, that the more inexperienced such characters \nare, and the more devoid of spiritual things, the more easily they \nrush forth to teach: and such as these are those fanatical spirits who \nafterwards raise up divisions and sects against the truly godly.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the First and Second Commandments, and to the \nfirst and second petitions of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXVIII.\n\n_David prayeth earnestly against his enemies.\u2014He blesseth God.\u2014He \nprayeth for the people._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nUnto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, _if_ \nthou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.\n\nHear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift \nup my hands toward thy holy oracle.\n\nDraw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, \nwhich speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief _is_ in their \nhearts.\n\nGive them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of \ntheir endeavours; give them after the work of their hands; render to\nthem their desert.\n\nBecause they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of \nhis hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my \nsupplications.\n\nThe LORD _is_ my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and \nI am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song \nwill I praise him.\n\nThe LORD _is_ their strength, and he _is_ the saving strength of his \nanointed.\n\nSave thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift \nthem up for ever.\n\n\nThis is a prayer of David, which in his time he used against Saul, and \nothers like him; but especially against all those Cainish hypocrites \nwho in word pretended to desire peace, but burned with secret hatred \nin their hearts. Such a viper as this was Absalom, his son, against \nhim; and such an one also was Joab against Amasa and Abner, 2 Kings \niii. David, therefore, fearing lest the same things should be laid to \nhis charge, prays, \u201cDraw me not away with the wicked, nor with the \nworkers of iniquity.\u201d\n\nWe may use the Psalm against tyrants and fanatical spirits; for in \nthis way are tyrants and persecutors of the word wont to pretend peace \nin word, and yet secretly plan counsels of slaughter and murder all \nthe while. And so also fanatical spirits and all false prophets boast \nwith \u2018big swelling words\u2019 of the word of God, and tumultuously cry out \nthat they seek the glory and the worship of God, and promise nothing \nbut divine and heavenly things, and yet seek all the while their own \nadvantage and their own glory, destroying souls, and walking about in \nsheep\u2019s clothing, while they are inwardly nothing but ravening wolves.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the second and third precept, and to the first \nand second petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXIX.\n\n_David exhorteth princes to give glory to God, by reason of his power, \nand protection of his people._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nGive unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and \nstrength.\n\nGive unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in \nthe beauty of holiness.\n\nThe voice of the LORD _is_ upon the waters: the God of glory \nthundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.\n\nThe voice of the LORD _is_ powerful; the voice of the LORD _is_ full \nof majesty.\n\nThe voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the \ncedars of Lebanon.\n\nHe maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a \nyoung unicorn.\n\nThe voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.\n\nThe voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the \nwilderness of Kadesh.\n\nThe voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the \nforests: and in his temple doth every one speak of _his_ glory.\n\nThe LORD sitteth upon the flood: yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.\n\nThe LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his \npeople with peace.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the spread of the gospel throughout the \nwhole world, and concerning the preaching of the name of Christ before \nkings and nations, and the children of Israel.\n\n\u201cGive unto the Lord, ye mighty;\u201d that is, ye kings, ye rulers, and ye \nwise and rich ones of the world, ye Pharisees and rabbi, acknowledge \nyour wisdom, righteousness, and all your excellent political virtues, \nyour works of the law, and all that is high and excellent before men, \nto be abomination in the sight of God; repent ye and believe the \ngospel, that ye may quit yourselves under that one King and Lord, \nChrist, and his church and kingdom, and, by faith and the wisdom of \nGod, acknowledge Christ, this son of God, to be God; for God, by a \nmanifest work of his power, in the beginning sent a flood upon the \nwhole world, and destroyed all flesh; and the same God, by his gospel \nand by baptism, will drown and mortify the flesh, that is, the old \nfleshly Adam, by a new and spiritual baptism: that as many as are \nbaptized into Christ, being crucified according to the old Adam, may \nbe raised up together with the second Adam, and become new men and new \ncreatures.\n\nHe calls, by a figure, the kingdoms, nations, and powerful cities of \nthis world, forests; the wilderness of Kadesh, confused places of many \nwaters, places for hinds to calve, &c. These confused places the Lord \nhas revealed and discovered, and brought to the light of the gospel.\n\nThis Psalm refers to the third precept, and to the second petition of \nthe Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXX.\n\n_David praiseth God for his deliverance.\u2014He exhorteth others to praise \nhim by example of God\u2019s dealing with him._\n\nA Psalm and Song at the dedication of the House of David.\n\n\nI will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not \nmade my foes to rejoice over me.\n\nO LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.\n\nO LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me \nalive, that I should not go down to the pit.\n\nSing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the \nremembrance of his holiness.\n\nFor his anger _endureth but_ a moment; in his favour _is_ life: \nweeping may endure for a night, but joy _cometh_ in the morning.\n\nAnd in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.\n\nLORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou \ndidst hide thy face, _and_ I was troubled.\n\nI cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.\n\nWhat profit _is there_ in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall \nthe dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?\n\nHear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.\n\nThou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my \nsackcloth, and girded me with gladness:\n\nTo the end that _my_ glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. \nO LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.\n\n\nThis is a remarkable Psalm, and truly Davidical. Here, with a \nwonderful fervency of heart, he gives thanks unto God for having \ndelivered him from spiritual temptations and unspeakable conflicts \nwith Satan, and for having refreshed and comforted his heart when \nbrought down to such a state of weakness, when broken with such views \nof misery, terror, and wrath, and when almost overwhelmed with the \ngreatness of his temptations. \u201cThou hast (saith he) brought my soul up \nfrom hell:\u201d that is, thou hast enabled me to overcome the violence and \nfury of Satan, which never could be overcome by any human power.\n\nThis Psalm contains, as you see, those sublime and heavenly feelings \nof one rejoicing in the Holy Ghost, because God has turned such deep \ndistress, such overwhelming terrors and fears, so many tears and sighs \nfrom the very belly of hell, into a joy that has refreshed and healed \nthe soul that was just before burning with the fiery darts of the \ndevil, and with the very flames of hell.\n\nThe Psalm contains also a most sweet consolation: \u201cHis anger (says \nDavid) endureth but for a moment: in his favour is life;\u201d that is, \nGod, although he exercises the godly in these deep temptations, and \nthese intense agonizings of soul, yet he does not so try them with the \nintent to slay them; nor does he afflict, in order to destroy his \npeople; nor is he the God of misery, of terror, and of death, but the \nGod of peace and of life, the God of joy and of consolation.\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the third precept and to the first petition of \nthe Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXI.\n\n_David, shewing his confidence in God, craveth his help.\u2014He rejoiceth \nin his mercy.\u2014He prayeth in his calamity.\u2014He praiseth God for his \ngoodness._\n\nTo the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.\n\n\nIn thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver \nme in thy righteousness.\n\nBow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, \nfor an house of defence to save me.\n\nFor thou _art_ my rock and my fortress: therefore, for thy name\u2019s \nsake, lead me and guide me.\n\nPull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; for thou \n_art_ my strength.\n\nInto thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God \nof truth.\n\nI have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.\n\nI will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my \ntrouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;\n\nAnd hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my \nfoot in a large room.\n\nHave mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; mine eye is consumed \nwith grief, _yea_, my soul and my belly.\n\nFor my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my \nstrength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.\n\nI was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my \nneighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me \nwithout fled from me.\n\nI am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.\n\nFor I have heard the slander of many: fear _was_ on every side: while \nthey took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my \nlife.\n\nBut I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou _art_ my God.\n\nMy times _are_ in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, \nand from them that persecute me.\n\nMake thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies\u2019 \nsake.\n\nLet me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the \nwicked be ashamed, _and_ let them be silent in the grave.\n\nLet the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things \nproudly and contemptuously against the righteous.\n\n_Oh_ how great _is_ thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them \nthat fear thee; _which_ thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee \nbefore the sons of men!\n\nThou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of \nman; thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of \ntongues.\n\nBlessed _be_ the Lord; for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness \nin a strong city.\n\nFor I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: \nnevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cried \nunto thee.\n\nO love the LORD, all ye his saints: _for_ the LORD preserveth the \nfaithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.\n\nBe of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that \nhope in the LORD.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a thanksgiving, and contains also prayers and \nconsolations. And the way to arrive at a right understanding of the \ndeep feelings and circumstances contained in this Psalm, is to know \nthat this Psalm is the general and continual cry of Christ and his \nmembers, groaning and sighing under the cross and various afflictions. \nFor the Church is a congregation of afflicted, poor, and tried \npersons. The wicked men of the world, the rich, the despisers of all \nreligion, and the atheistical Epicureans have, as Christ saith, their \nconsolation; while the godly, the spiritual, and those that believe, \nbeing exposed to the horrible hatred and envy of the devil, are \nexercised and distressed through all their life, inwardly with fears \nand terrors in their hearts, and outwardly by persecutions, \nblasphemies, and contempt for the word of God\u2019s sake; and yet, from \nall these they are delivered: for, as St. Paul saith, \u201cWhere \nafflictions abound, there consolations abound also.\u201d\n\nThis Psalm belongs to the second and third precept, and to the first \nand third petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\n\n\n\nADMONITORY OBSERVATIONS.\n\n\nAnd here I will cease to show, like a schoolmaster, to which precept \nof the Decalogue, and to which member of the Lord\u2019s Prayer each Psalm \nbelongs; for from what I have already said upon these points, my \nseriously-disposed readers will be enabled to observe and judge for \nthemselves. All the supplicatory Psalms belong to the second precept \nand to the first petition of the Lord\u2019s Prayer, for they honour and \nsanctify the name of the Lord. And the Psalms which teach, console, \nand give thanks for deliverance, belong to the second and third \nprecepts of the Decalogue, and also to the first and third petitions \nof the Lord\u2019s Prayer: for they teach us how, in truth, to keep holy \nthe Sabbath day, how to worship God with the true and highest worship, \nand how to offer the most acceptable sacrifice; namely, the sacrifice \nof praise. And most of the Psalms refer to all those three precepts of \nthe Decalogue, and to all those petitions of the Lord\u2019s Prayer.\n\nMy reason for giving these hints respecting the commandments, and \npetitions of the Lord\u2019s Prayer, to which the different Psalms belong, \nin this my brief summary of the contents of the Psalms, is this: to \nshow that the whole Scripture flows from the Decalogue as from a \nfountain; and that in the Ten Commandments and in the Lord\u2019s Prayer \nare contained the sum and substance of all theology or divinity; and \nthat nothing can be taught in the Church more sublime or more \nexcellent than these two parts of Divine revelation. For we see how \nthe greatest prophets and Moses himself, drew their great and divine \ndiscourses from the first, the second, and the third Commandments; \nand, in a word, from the whole of the Decalogue; how diligently they \nweighed every thing and made it harmonize with this; and how they \ncontinually delivered new things, yet all with reference to this great \ngeneral Decalogue. Hence indeed it was that Moses, that most eminent \nman of God, gave this precept, \u201cThese words (says he,) thou shalt \nmeditate, when thou standest up and when thou liest down; and thou \nshalt teach them diligently to thy children,\u201d &c.\n\nIn all their discourses and writings, therefore, the prophets and \napostles allude and refer to the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. From \nthese Ten Commandments flow all the doctrines, and all the godly \nliving of the saints: for there is no holiness or godliness of life or \ntrue religion, apart from the Ten Commandments: because they are the \nnever-failing inexhaustible fountain of all wisdom, righteousness, and \nof all perfection in the saints. Nor is there any of the complaints \nuttered by the Prophets or Apostles, nor will you find any other in \nall their discourses, but that against false prophets, hypocrites and \nfalse teachers, who, disregarding, nay, totally despising and spitting \nupon, the true and highest worship of God, (which is that of the first \nCommandment, that requires faith and the fear of God,) teach their own \nhuman dreams, which have nothing whatever to do with the Decalogue, \nand do not at all belong to it.\n\nAgainst these characters it is, (as we see in Moses himself, in \nIsaiah, in Jeremiah, and in the epistles of Paul and Peter,) that the \nProphets and Apostles complain bitterly, and that with tears; against \nthese it is that they cry aloud and wage war with all their powers; \nthat they might preserve this true and highest worship of God, and \nmight destroy from among men, hypocrisy and all human doctrines and \nfanatical dreams.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXII.\n\n_Blessedness consisteth in remission of sins.\u2014Confession of sins \ngiveth ease to the conscience.\u2014God\u2019s promises bring joy._\n\nA Psalm of David, Maschil.\n\n\nBlessed _is he whose_ transgression _is_ forgiven, _whose_ sin _is_ \ncovered.\n\nBlessed _is_ the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in \nwhose spirit _there is_ no guile.\n\nWhen I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day \nlong.\n\nFor day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned \ninto the drought of summer. Selah.\n\nI acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I \nsaid, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou \nforgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.\n\nFor this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when \nthou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall\nnot come nigh unto him.\n\nThou _art_ my hiding-place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou \nshalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.\n\nI will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I \nwill guide thee with mine eye.\n\nBe ye not as the horse, _or_ as the mule, _which_ have no \nunderstanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest \nthey come near unto thee.\n\nMany sorrows _shall be_ to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the \nLORD, mercy shall compass him about.\n\nBe glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all \n_ye that are_ upright in heart.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a very remarkable and valuable one. St. Paul quotes it \nin that profound discussion of his, Rom. iv. where he teaches us what \nsin is, and how we obtain the remission of sins, and, in a word, how \nwe are justified before God: for it is in this matter that all \nhypocrites so deeply err: because human reason cannot imagine that sin \nis accompanied with such great and such infinite guilt before God, and \nwith a guilt that no human powers nor works can wash away. In a word, \nit knows not what sin is, and thinks that it can be washed off, and \ntaken away by works.\n\nWhereas David here plainly says, \u201cFor this shall every one that is \ngodly pray:\u201d and he says also, that no one can be justified or \nsanctified before God, unless he acknowledge himself to be a sinner, \nand know that he is to obtain the remission of sins without any works \nand merits, by the mere mercy of God, and by a free and gratuitous \nimputation. In a word, our righteousness is not placed in us, or in \nour works; but is such, that the remission of our sins is truly and \nrightly called the free REMISSION of our sins: and also that our sins \nare truly said \u2018_not to be imputed_,\u2019 but \u2018_to be covered_.\u2019 \u2018Blessed \n(says David) are they (that is, such are accepted before God, and are \ntruly righteous and reconciled to God) whose transgressions are \nforgiven and whose sins are covered.\u2019\n\nHere David says, in plain words, that all the saints are, and still \nremain, sinners; and that they are justified and sanctified in no \nother way than this;\u2014God of his free mercy, for Christ\u2019s sake, is \npleased not to impute their sins unto them, nor to judge them, but, in \nmercy, to forgive them, and cover over their sins, and forget them. \nAnd although in many other respects there is a great difference \nbetween the saints and the wicked, yet, in this point there is no \ndifference,\u2014they are all equally sinners, and all equally sin every \nday. But the sins of the saints are not imputed unto them: they are \ncovered and forgiven on account of their faith in the promise of free \ngrace. Whereas the sins of the wicked are imputed unto them, and they \nare exposed to the eye and to the awful judgment of God. The wounds of \nthe latter are not bound up: but the wounds of the former are bound \nup, and are cured with healing plasters and oil: and yet they are both \ntruly wounded and truly sinners! But of this, more in its place; and I \nhave said much upon it in others of my writings.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXIII.\n\n_God is to be praised for his goodness, for his power, and for his \nprovidence.\u2014Confidence is to be placed in God._\n\n\nRejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: _for_ praise is comely for the \nupright.\n\nPraise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery, and an \ninstrument of ten strings.\n\nSing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.\n\nFor the word of the LORD _is_ right: and all his works _are done_ in \ntruth.\n\nHe loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the \ngoodness of the LORD.\n\nBy the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of \nthem by the breath of his mouth.\n\nHe gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up \nthe depth in storehouses.\n\nLet all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world \nstand in awe of him.\n\nFor he spake, and it was _done_; he commanded, and it stood fast.\n\nThe LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the \ndevices of the people of none effect.\n\nThe counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart \nto all generations.\n\nBlessed _is_ the nation whose God _is_ the LORD; _and_ the people \n_whom_ he hath chosen for his own inheritance.\n\nThe LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.\n\nFrom the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants \nof the earth.\n\nHe fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.\n\nThere is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is \nnot delivered by much strength.\n\nAn horse _is_ a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver _any_ \nby his great strength.\n\nBehold, the eye of the LORD _is_ upon them that fear him, upon them \nthat hope in his mercy:\n\nTo deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.\n\nOur soul waiteth for the LORD: he _is_ our help and our shield.\n\nFor our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his \nholy name.\n\nLet thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a remarkable thanksgiving, where the prophet calls upon \nall the saints, and those that fear God, to rejoice and give thanks \nunto God for his preserving the church so wonderfully in the midst of \nthe world, in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, and exposed to so \nmany evils and perils on every side,\u2014to give thanks unto God, I say, \nwho never forsakes the godly, and those that fear him, when tossed to \nand fro on such waves of temptation, nor suffers them to be \noverwhelmed, nor to perish, though conflicting in so perilous a \nmanner.\n\nGod, says David, created the heaven and this whole universe of things \nby his word. \u201cHe spake, and they were made:\u201d therefore he is \nomnipotent, and nothing is difficult to him: and hence he can deliver \nhis own from the midst of death, and from the midst of hell. And then, \nagain, his goodness and his truth are exceedingly great and infinite. \nHe regardeth and heareth the afflicted, he is ever present with them \nin the hour of temptation: and, as David says in another Psalm, \u201cThe \nLord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.\u201d\n\nTherefore God is not only willing to help and succour the godly, but \nto succour them even as a father would his children; even as that \ngracious promise which is comprehended in the First Commandment, \ndeclares \u201cI am the Lord thy God:\u201d that is, I will be the Lord thy God: \nI will be thy life, thy salvation, thy shield, thy defence, thy \neternal strength, thy eternal salvation, and consolation; thy eternal \nand infinite good, against all the evils that can come upon thee:\u2014For \nthis is to be God!\n\nIn the first place, therefore, David proclaims with great fulness of \nexpression this unequalled wisdom and power of God,\u2014that God has in \nhis hand all the hearts and thoughts of all men, kings, rulers and \npotentates throughout the whole world; that he turns them and orders \nthem just as he will; that he governs and overrules all their \ndeliberations and counsels, and directs them all according to his own \nmind and pleasure. \u201cThe Lord (saith David) bringeth the counsel of the \nheathen to nought:\u201d that is, he wonderfully breaks off and disappoints \nthe counsels of the wise, of the kings, of the potentates of this \nworld: and suddenly defeats all the attacks of the enemies against his \npeople and his church, how sure soever of success they may appear, and \nhe turns all their destruction upon the heads of the enemies \nthemselves, so that they cannot perform their enterprises nor \naccomplish the devices which they plot against the righteous, but they \nfall themselves into the pits which they have digged, and there perish \nand rot.\n\nThis is no small consolation to those that fear God, amidst all that \nbitterness and Satanic cruelty which the tyrants of this world execute \nagainst the godly, when they fearfully threaten that they will fill \nall things with blood if they do not deny Christ and his gospel. These \nmake no end of their threats, because they are as if they would \nterrify God himself, and hurl Christ down from the throne of his \nmajesty. Whereas God, all the while, holds in his power the thoughts \nand imaginations of every one of them, and also their life and the \nbreath that is in their nostrils: and therefore such are subverted and \ndestroyed in a moment before they have accomplished their designs. \nOnly meditate upon all the examples of this since the beginning of the \nworld. What became of all the counsels of the people of Sodom against \nLot? Where is that great monarch and terror of the world, Sennacherib? \nWhat (to come to our own times) has become of Pope Leo X. and all the \nother bitter enemies of the word?\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXIV.\n\n_David praiseth God, and exhorteth others thereto by his \nexperience.\u2014They are blessed that trust in God.\u2014He exhorteth to the \nfear of God.\u2014The privileges of the righteous._\n\nA Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who \ndrove him away, and he departed.\n\n\nI will bless the LORD at all times: his praise _shall_ continually \n_be_ in my mouth.\n\nMy soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear \n_thereof_, and be glad.\n\nO magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.\n\nI sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my \nfears.\n\nThey looked unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not \nashamed.\n\nThis poor man cried, and the LORD heard _him_, and saved him out of \nall his troubles.\n\nThe angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and \ndelivereth them.\n\nO taste and see that the LORD _is_ good: blessed _is_ the man _that_ \ntrusteth in him.\n\nO fear the LORD, ye his saints: for _there is_ no want to them that \nfear him.\n\nThe young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD \nshall not want any good _thing_.\n\nCome, ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the \nLORD.\n\nWhat man _is he that_ desireth life, _and_ loveth _many_ days, that he \nmay see good?\n\nKeep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.\n\nDepart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it.\n\nThe eyes of the LORD _are_ upon the righteous, and his ears _are open_ \nunto their cry.\n\nThe face of the LORD _is_ against them that do evil, to cut off the \nremembrance of them from the earth.\n\n_The righteous_ cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of \nall their troubles.\n\nThe LORD _is_ nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth \nsuch as be of a contrite spirit.\n\nMany _are_ the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth \nhim out of them all.\n\nHe keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.\n\nEvil shall slay the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall be \ndesolate.\n\nThe LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants; and none of them that \ntrust in him shall be desolate.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a remarkable thanksgiving, and is nearly of the same \nimport with the preceding, as the title of the Psalm, and the sixth \nverse show: for David here sets forth himself as an example and proof \nbefore all the godly, to show, that God always hears the prayers and \nsupplications of the godly, and them that believe, and does not \ndespise the sighings of the afflicted.\n\nDavid here, after a majestic opening of the Psalm, promises that he \nwill set forth the sum of all godliness. \u201cWhat man is he (saith the \nPsalmist) that desireth life, and loveth many days. Keep thy tongue \nfrom evil, &c.\u201d Here, he requires before all things, the fear of the \nLord, and the worship of the First Commandment: that, cleaving closely \nto the word, we might avoid hypocrisy and lying doctrines, and that we \nmight truly trust in God, endure his will, and not rebel or murmur \nagainst him. And then, that we should live in peace with our \nneighbour, not rendering evil for evil, but blessing even our \nadversaries and our enemies, and, as much as in us lies, living in \npeace with all men, whether they be good or evil.\n\nFor thus does the counsel of God stand, which cannot be changed or \naltered,\u2014that the saints should live in affliction in this life. \nWherefore, if thou wilt be a godly man, if thou wilt cleave unto God, \nprepare thy soul (as David here saith) to temptations, to the cross, \nand to afflictions: for thus it is immutably decreed of God, (as he \nsays again afterwards) \u201cMany are the afflictions of the righteous.\u201d \nAnd again, this firm and eternal counsel of God stands also immutably \nfixed,\u2014that it is God\u2019s will to deliver the saints from all these \nevils, and so wholly and faithfully so, that not even the least bone \nof them shall perish: nay, in the resurrection, and in glorification, \nevery bone shall return to the body with greater perfection than ever; \nas Christ says in his Gospel, \u201cEven the very hairs of your head are \nall numbered.\u201d\n\nWhat then is this light and momentary tribulation, in comparison with \nthat eternal weight of glory, which shall be revealed in us? For \nalthough the bones and members of the saints are, above all others, \ncruelly scattered and broken, burnt in the fire, and left to rot in \ngraves; yet, even though they be thus sown in ignominy, they shall be \nraised in glory: they shall be quickened again with all their limbs \nand bodies; and all their bones shall be restored; and the just shall \nshine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. For that maddened \nand insatiable fury of the devil, shall not be able to mangle the \nbones of the saints, or so to extinguish the church as that it shall \nbe annihilated altogether. The death, and the cruel bruising of the \nbones of the saints, shall be temporary only: but their glorification \nin God, shall be for ever and ever.\n\nAnd observe, how remarkably this Psalm speaks of the resurrection, and \nalso concerning angels. For this is the first Psalm which we have yet \ntreated on, that speaks of angels. This Psalm shows that they are \nministers and helpers to the saints, being sent forth to minister unto \nthem who shall be heirs of salvation. David shows that they are not \nonly present with us, but that they most diligently and unceasingly \nwatch over us, and stand up for our defence; that they encamp round \nabout us, and fight for us perpetually, as if in open battle, that \nthey may defend us against the horrible violence, and infinite snares \nof Satan and his members. All which things are the greatest \nconsolation to the godly, and them that believe.\n\nThis is all confirmed by the example of the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings \nvi. 16. when he said concerning the ministration of angels, \u201cFear not, \nfor they that be with us, are more than they that be with them.\u201d The \nprophet makes an allusion here, after the manner of the prophets, who \ndrew all their matter from Moses, as it were from a fountain. Moses \nsays of Jacob, Gen. xxxii. when he feared the cruelty and rage of his \nbrother Esau, \u201cAnd the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, \nhe said, this is God\u2019s host.\u201d So it is said, that angels came to \nElisha, and encamped round about him; as we have it in the present \nPsalm.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXV.\n\n_David prayeth for his own safety, and his enemies\u2019 confusion.\u2014He \ncomplaineth of their wrongful dealing.\u2014Thereby he inciteth God against \nthem._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nPlead _my cause_, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against \nthem that fight against me.\n\nTake hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.\n\nDraw out also the spear, and stop _the way_ against them that \npersecute me: say unto my soul, I _am_ thy salvation.\n\nLet them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let \nthem be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.\n\nLet them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD \nchase _them_.\n\nLet their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD \npersecute them.\n\nFor without cause have they hid for me their net _in_ a pit, _which_ \nwithout cause they have digged for my soul.\n\nLet destruction come upon him at unawares, and let his net that he \nhath hid catch himself: into that very destruction, let him fall.\n\nAnd my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his \nsalvation.\n\nAll my bones shall say, LORD, who _is_ like unto thee, which \ndeliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor \nand the needy from him that spoileth him?\n\nFalse witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge _things_ that I \nknew not.\n\nThey rewarded me evil for good _to_ the spoiling of my soul.\n\nBut as for me, when they were sick, my clothing _was_ sackcloth: I \nhumbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own \nbosom.\n\nI behaved myself as though _he had been_ my friend _or_ brother: I \nbowed down heavily, as one that mourneth _for his_ mother.\n\nBut in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: \n_yea_, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew \n_it_ not; they did tear _me_, and ceased not:\n\nWith hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their \nteeth.\n\nLORD, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their \ndestructions, my darling from the lions.\n\nI will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee \namong much people.\n\nLet not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: \n_neither_ let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.\n\nFor they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against \n_them that are_ quiet in the land.\n\nYea, they opened their mouth wide against me, _and_ said, Aha, aha, \nour eye hath seen _it_.\n\n_This_ thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O LORD, be not far \nfrom me.\n\nStir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, _even_ unto my cause, my \nGod and my Lord.\n\nJudge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them \nnot rejoice over me.\n\nLet them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them \nnot say, We have swallowed him up.\n\nLet them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at \nmine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify \n_themselves_ against me.\n\nLet them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: \nyea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath \npleasure in the prosperity of his servant.\n\nAnd my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness _and_ of thy praise all \nthe day long.\n\n\nThis is a prayer wherein David complains bitterly against those worst \nof all men who are found about palaces, and who flatter kings and \nrulers, and, for their own gain and advantage, tickle their ears with \nadulation in order to please them; and at the same time, speak evil of \nthe innocent, enflame the powerful against the preachers and \nprofessors of the word of God, endeavour to suppress the truth, and \ncause awful injuries both to churches and to states. Thus such \ncharacters as these traduced David before king Saul, though they were \nmen to whom David had rendered the greatest services, for whom he had \noften most fervently prayed, and in endeavouring to save and protect \nwhom he had brought upon himself much misery and distress.\n\nThe matter of this Psalm may be a great consolation to us when we see \nthe doctrines of truth and the gospel of God to be hated and traduced \nbefore kings and rulers, with the most impudent lies, and the most \nvirulent speeches of the enemies of true piety, nay of every thing \nthat is honest and becoming man. Thus, a certain man, remarkable for \nthe fear of God, once told me that, at the tenth year of the August \nAssembly, by the impudent and malicious report of some present, \nnothing was talked about in the pope\u2019s palace concerning Luther, but, \n\u2018that he denied the Lord Christ, that he despised the Virgin Mary, and \ncontemptuously set aside baptism, the sacraments, and all religion; \nand that he winked at theft, adultery, and other open sins, and \npermitted them to pass by with impunity.\u2019 These forgers, however, of \nthis manifest lie were put to shame openly when Charles V. himself was \npresent and heard me when I made a confession of my doctrine; and then \nalso, the devil, the father and fountain of lies, was himself \nconfuted. Thus are these wretches wont to traduce the godly in this \nmalicious manner, and to defame them, while they themselves in the \nmean time enjoy all the secular benefits of the gospel. Of this stamp \nthere are thousands before us in our day.\n\nHypocritical (or halting) mockers (saith David), who halt between two \ndesires,\u2014who want to serve both God and men,\u2014conspire together against \nme. For these when they have been raised at the expense and loss of \nthe godly, and have golden riches and honours, trample those very \ngodly ones under their feet. Such ungrateful wretches as these are all \nhypocrites and fanatical spirits, who serve not the Lord or Christ but \ntheir own belly. And just such now are all those who enjoy and \nsquander all our property, and persecute us into the bargain.\n\nIn a word, as it happened to Christ our head, so it is now with the \nchurch and all who fear God. He that eateth my bread, saith Christ, \ntrampleth me under foot, and that for the hire of thirty pieces of \nsilver. These are those hypocrites who consider their own belly above \nevery thing else, whose unbounded and insatiable cruelty is ever \nraging against those that fear God; as David here complains.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXVI.\n\n_The grievous estate of the wicked.\u2014The excellency of God\u2019s \nmercy.\u2014David prayeth for favour to God\u2019s children._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.\n\n\nThe transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, _that there is_ \nno fear of God before his eyes.\n\nFor he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found \nto be hateful.\n\nThe words of his mouth _are_ iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to \nbe wise, _and_ to do good.\n\nHe deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way _that \nis_ not good; he abhorreth not evil.\n\nThy mercy, O LORD, _is_ in the heavens; _and_ thy faithfulness \n_reacheth_ unto the clouds.\n\nThy righteousness _is_ like the great mountains; thy judgments _are_ a \ngreat deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.\n\nHow excellent _is_ thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children \nof men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.\n\nThey shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and \nthou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.\n\nFor with thee _is_ the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see \nlight.\n\nO continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee; and thy \nrighteousness to the upright in heart.\n\nLet not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the \nwicked remove me.\n\nThere are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and \nshall not be able to rise.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm containing a very necessary doctrine, and marks \nwhereby heretics, false-teachers, and fanatical spirits may be \ndiscovered. And in the end he begs of God with a wonderful fervency \nthat he may be guarded against all these pestilences. And after he had \nat the beginning of the Psalm exactly described these characters in \ntheir own colours, he takes courage, in the middle, himself, and \ncomforts all those that fear God; and tells them, that, although Satan \nby his instruments roars and rages against the church, yet, that the \nword of God shall remain and the kingdom of God stand unmoved, against \nall the violence of Satan, and against the power of all the kingdoms \nof the world.\n\n\u201cThy righteousness (says David) is like the great mountains: and thy \njudgments are a great deep;\u201d that is, as the rocks and mountains which \nGod has fixed, no power can overthrow;\u2014and as the great deeps of the \nsea are inexhaustible, so, thy word O Lord stands firm, and no human \npower can overthrow or subvert the truth: and although all the gates \nof hell and all the attempts of men and devils should set themselves \nagainst thy word and will, yet with thee is the fountain of life; that \nis, in thy house, where thou dwellest by the word in the midst of \nenemies: that fountain and river of life will still remain; that is, \nthis word of thine, whereby afflicted consciences will be raised up \nand revived.\n\nAnd here, if any where, the prophet expressively describes those false \nteachers. He _first_ of all breaks out against such, with the most \nfervent zeal at the beginning of the Psalm. \u2018Certainly, (saith he) if \nthere be any set of men, evil men, these are of all the worst: for \nthey are men of an abandoned impudence, virulent, and destitute of the \nfear of God, and of faith in him; they are secure despisers of God and \nreligion; they are proud, arrogant, precipitate, audacious, and \nprepared for every thing that is bad.\u2019\n\nIn the _next_ place, they approve and commend no one but themselves. \nThey hate all others most bitterly, and traduce and defame them: they \nexcel in this one thing only,\u2014in adorning and setting off themselves, \nin using boasted self-praising words, in contemptuously despising \nothers, and in arrogating to themselves only the spirit and worship of \nGod, and the appellation of the true church.\n\nIn the _third_ place, their doctrines are most pernicious, and filled \nwith lies: for they fight against the doctrine of faith and of grace, \nand deceive men by their outside daubing, and their hypocrisy.\n\nIn the _fourth_ place, they are rashly precipitate, and will endure no \nmonitor; for they are harder than any iron or any adamant: and if you \ndo not applaud all they say and all they do, they immediately rage and \nmake a tumult with all the fury of Satan.\n\nIn the _fifth_ place, they go out and diffuse their doctrines as \nwidely as possible; and their speech, as Paul saith, eateth like a \ncanker. For, for the most part, such men have an audacity above all \nsincere and good men, and a determinate spirit to accomplish all their \nown purposes; and they are restless, vehement, hot-headed, and so \nfuriously and wickedly aim at the accomplishment of their own \npurposes, that you would think they would overturn everything else.\n\nAnd _lastly_, they hostilely persecute all those who do not subscribe \nto their creed. And all these enormities they perpetrate with a \nwonderfully unconcerned and insensible security; as if they were all \nthe time pleasing God and doing him service.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXVII.\n\n_David persuadeth to patience and confidence in God, by the different \nestate of the godly and the wicked._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nFret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious \nagainst the workers of iniquity.\n\nFor they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the \ngreen herb.\n\nTrust in the LORD, and do good: _so_ shalt thou dwell in the land, and \nverily thou shalt be fed.\n\nDelight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires \nof thine heart.\n\nCommit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring \n_it_ to pass.\n\nAnd he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy \njudgment as the noon day.\n\nRest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because \nof him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth \nwicked devices to pass.\n\nCease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to \ndo evil.\n\nFor evil-doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, \nthey shall inherit the earth.\n\nFor yet a little while, and the wicked _shall_ not _be_; yea, thou \nshalt diligently consider his place, and it _shall_ not _be_.\n\nBut the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in \nthe abundance of peace.\n\nThe wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his \nteeth.\n\nThe LORD shall laugh at him; for he seeth that his day is coming.\n\nThe wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast \ndown the poor and needy, _and_ to slay such as be of upright \nconversation.\n\nTheir sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be \nbroken.\n\nA little that a righteous man hath _is_ better than the riches of many \nwicked.\n\nFor the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the \nrighteous.\n\nThe LORD knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall \nbe for ever.\n\nThey shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine \nthey shall be satisfied.\n\nBut the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD _shall be_ as \nthe fat of Lambs: they shall consume, into smoke shall they consume \naway.\n\nThe wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth \nmercy, and giveth.\n\nFor _such as be_ blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and _they \nthat be_ cursed of him shall be cut off.\n\nThe steps of a _good_ man are ordered by the LORD; and he delighteth \nin his way.\n\nThough he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD \nupholdeth _him with_ his hand.\n\nI have been young, and _now_ am old; yet have I not seen the righteous \nforsaken, nor his seed begging bread.\n\n_He is_ ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed _is_ blessed.\n\nDepart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.\n\nFor the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are \npreserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.\n\nThe righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein for ever.\n\nThe mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of \njudgment.\n\nThe law of his God _is_ in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.\n\nThe wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.\n\nThe LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is \njudged.\n\nWait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit \nthe land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see _it_.\n\nI have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a \ngreen bay-tree.\n\nYet he passed away, and, lo, he _was_ not: yea, I sought him, but he \ncould not be found.\n\nMark the perfect _man_, and behold the upright: for the end of _that_ \nman _is_ peace.\n\nBut the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the \nwicked shall be cut off.\n\nBut the salvation of the righteous _is_ of the LORD; _he is_ their \nstrength in the time of trouble.\n\nAnd the LORD shall help them, and deliver them; he shall deliver them \nfrom the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation, which exhorts us to patience in the \nworld; and shews us that we should not be angry with, nor mutter \nagainst God, when we see it to be well with evil men, and evilly with \nthe good. This indeed is often a cutting offence, and exceedingly \ngalls the weak ones; concerning which also Habakkuk complains, chap. \ni. For when the saints think that all things turn out prosperously and \nsuccessfully to the wicked, and all things adversely and \nunsuccessfully to those that fear God, they appear, as to human \njudgment, to be dealt hardly with indeed.\n\nWe see an infinity of malice and ingratitude in the world, and an \nextreme contempt of religion; a contempt of all good learning, and of \nall virtue and honesty. Of this we have examples sufficiently \nmanifest, in our time, among the powerful and noble of this world, and \nalso among citizens and peasants, who all wish to have the liberty of \ndoing what suits their pleasure. To these impious despisers of the \nword of God all things turn out prosperously: they abound in riches, \nand they are raised to honours: while those that fear God are \nafflicted with hunger and nakedness, and are despised, derided, and \ncontemned. And moreover, they endure the most bitter hatred of the \ndevil and the world for the word\u2019s sake; they can scarcely breathe \nunder their afflictions, and they are often bound with fetters and \nimprisoned. Here, not to give way to anger and indignation; here, not \nto turn epicureans and deny God, is a wisdom beyond all that is human: \nis a wisdom that is altogether spiritual and divine.\n\nThe sum therefore of this Psalm is,\u2014suffer; that is, learn patience. \nEvery evil must be overcome by bearing it with patience. Cast thy \ncares upon the Lord. Do not murmur; be not angry; wish no ill to the \nwicked. Leave the management and government of all to God: he is a \nrighteous judge.\u2014This is the all-necessary doctrine that is delivered \nto us in this Psalm: a doctrine wholly unknown to the wise of this \nworld. And here the Holy Spirit comforts the godly in a various, and \nat the same time, most fatherly and affectionate way; and that with \nthe most great and gracious promises. And then, as an example, David \nhimself says, \u201cI have been young, and now am old, yet saw I never the \nrighteous forsaken.\u201d And then he concludes with threatenings against \nthe wicked. But to show forth this patience in the midst of so much \nmalice and perverseness of the world, is the power and operation of \nthe Holy Spirit only, and is found only in spiritual men: for all \nhuman reason, and all the wise ones of the world, cannot judge \notherwise, than that it is unworthy of God, and unjust, that it should \nbe well with the evil, and ill with the good.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXVIII.\n\n_David moveth God to take compassion of his pitiful case._\n\nA Psalm of David to bring to remembrance.\n\n\nO LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot \ndispleasure.\n\nFor thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.\n\n_There is_ no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither \n_is there any_ rest in my bones because of my sin.\n\nFor mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they \nare too heavy for me.\n\nMy wounds stink _and_ are corrupt because of my foolishness.\n\nI am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day \nlong.\n\nFor my loins are filled with a loathsome _disease_: and _there is_ no \nsoundness in my flesh.\n\nI am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the \ndisquietness of my heart.\n\nLORD, all my desire _is_ before thee; and my groaning is not hid from \nthee.\n\nMy heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine \neyes, it also is gone from me.\n\nMy lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen \nstand afar off.\n\nThey also that seek after my life lay snares _for me_: and they that \nseek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day \nlong.\n\nBut I, as a deaf _man_, heard not; and _I was_ as a dumb man _that_ \nopeneth not his mouth.\n\nThus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth _are_ no \nreproofs.\n\nFor in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O LORD my God.\n\nFor I said, _Hear me_; lest _otherwise_ they should rejoice over me: \nwhen my foot slippeth, they magnify _themselves_ against me.\n\nFor I _am_ ready to halt, and my sorrow _is_ continually before me.\n\nFor I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.\n\nBut mine enemies _are_ lively, _and_ they are strong: and they that \nhate me wrongfully are multiplied.\n\nThey also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I \nfollow _the thing that_ good _is_.\n\nForsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.\n\nMake haste to help me, O LORD my salvation.\n\n\nThis is a fervent prayer to God, in which David complains with \nwonderful groanings, that he is stricken and bruised with the sense of \nhis sin; that he is distressed and straitened in spirit under the \ndeepest sorrow; and that he can see nothing and feel nothing but wrath \nfrom heaven, and the terrible lightnings, arrows, and threatenings of \nGod; and in a word, death, and hell itself; and that this great \ndistress exhausts not only all the moisture, all the strength, all the \nblood, and all the marrow of his frame, but fills him with an \nunspeakable alarm and perturbation, and makes him pant and sweat with \nagony; so that the intenseness of his feelings, destroys the natural \ncolour and appearance of his face, and affects his whole body. For to \nfeel in reality the burthen of the conscience under a sense of sin, is \na distress and terror exceeding all other distresses and terrors. And \nthese deep temptations of the godly are greatly increased by those \nwicked ones without, who cease not to call them heretics, seditious \npersons, and murderers. For these hypocrites, while they boast in the \nteeth of the godly that they are the true saints, and the true church, \nand the real people of God, (and God in the meantime, which is often \nthe case, not bringing in help and consolation) the godly are deeply \ngrieved and afflicted, as if God was their enemy because of their \nsins.\n\nBut this Psalm teaches us constantly to hope for, and expect the help \nand consolation of God, and still to fight against all such hypocrites \nby prayer. And the prophet, in the midst of the agonizing conflict of \nthis temptation, sustains and lifts up himself by taking courage from \nthe divine promise. And here he maintains his cause, (which is not the \ncause of men but of God,) as a strong fortress against Satan and his \ncause, and here again flows in the consolation of faith, &c. And so \nalso we ought to pray always, and in no temptation yield to sorrow of \nmind, even though we are sinners, and though Satan shakes us with the \nhorrible terrors of sin: for grace is stronger than sin!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XXXIX.\n\n_David\u2019s care of his thoughts.\u2014The consideration of the brevity and \nvanity of life, the reverence of God\u2019s judgments, and prayer, are his \nbridles of impatience._\n\nTo the chief Musician, _even_ to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nI said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I \nwill keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.\n\nI was dumb with silence: I held my peace, _even_ from good; and my \nsorrow was stirred.\n\nMy heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire burned: _then_ \nspake I with my tongue,\n\nLORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it \n_is_; _that_ I may know how frail I _am_.\n\nBehold, thou hast made my days _as_ an handbreadth, and mine age _is_ \nas nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state _is_ \naltogether vanity. Selah.\n\nSurely every man walketh in a vain shew; surely they are disquieted in \nvain; he heapeth up _riches_, and knoweth not who shall gather them.\n\nAnd now, LORD, what wait I for? my hope _is_ in thee.\n\nDeliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the \nfoolish.\n\nI was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst _it_.\n\nRemove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine \nhand.\n\nWhen thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his \nbeauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man _is_ vanity. \nSelah.\n\nHear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace \nat my tears: for I _am_ a stranger with thee, _and_ a sojourner, as \nall my fathers _were_.\n\nO spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no \nmore.\n\n\nThis is a consolatory Psalm, containing also a prayer of the prophet, \nin which he prays that his mouth may be bridled, that he might not \nbreak out into blasphemy and murmuring when he sees the wicked to \nprosper in the world, and most proudly to despise God and his word, \nand to think of nothing but amassing riches, &c.; and when he sees, on \nthe contrary, that the godly are afflicted with various temptations \nwithout and within, and conflicting both with the world and with the \ndevil.\n\nRather (says he) teach me, O Lord, to know mine end; that is, that \nthere will be an end to my life at length; that is, teach me to \nmagnify the future, which does not yet appear. Guard me from that \nperilous security of the wicked in which they give themselves up \nwholly to this world, and devote themselves to coveting the things \nthereof, and to pride and ambition, as if they should live here for \never. For it is often a great vexation to the godly, and indeed the \nprophets themselves complain of it,\u2014that the wicked and the evil \nabound in every kind of luxury, wallow in all the pleasures of wine \nand feasting, and live their whole lives in security, strangers to \ntrouble and affliction, while the godly are afflicted, and tempted, \nand distressed both from without and from within.\n\nBut the end shows that the godly are happy; and the wicked, with all \ntheir perishable happiness, truly miserable. Hence the prophet saith, \n\u201cAnd now, Lord, what is my expectation, (or what wait I for?)\u201d As if \nhe had said, shall I be always thus afflicted! Shall I be utterly \noverwhelmed? Will these temptations continue to return upon us for \never? No! (says he) the Lord is my expectation: that is, I shall find \nin the end, after all these temptations and death, an eternal life, a \nreconciled God, the pardon of all my sins, and even in this world, I \nshall not be forsaken. But the wicked, after their short life, will \nfind nothing but death,\u2014death eternal!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XL.\n\n_The benefit of confidence in God.\u2014Obedience is the best \nsacrifice.\u2014The sense of David\u2019s evils inflameth his prayer._\n\nTo the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.\n\n\nI waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my \ncry.\n\nHe brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, \nand set my feet upon a rock, _and_ established my goings.\n\nAnd he hath put a new song in my mouth, _even_ praise unto our God: \nmany shall see _it_, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.\n\nBlessed _is_ that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth \nnot the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.\n\nMany, O LORD my God, _are_ thy wonderful works _which_ thou hast done, \nand thy thoughts _which are_ to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in \norder unto thee: _if_ I would declare and speak _of them_, they are \nmore than can be numbered.\n\nSacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou \nopened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.\n\nThen said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book _it is_ written of \nme;\n\nI delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law _is_ within my heart.\n\nI have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have \nnot refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.\n\nI have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy \nfaithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy \nloving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.\n\nWithhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy \nloving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.\n\nFor innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have \ntaken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more \nthan the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.\n\nBe pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.\n\nLet them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to \ndestroy it; let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish \nme evil.\n\nLet them be desolate for a reward of their shame, that say unto me, \nAha, aha!\n\nLet all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as \nlove thy salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified.\n\nBut I _am_ poor and needy: _yet_ the LORD thinketh upon me: thou _art_ \nmy help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prophecy, and the voice of Christ himself; where \nChrist himself says, that he was heard in the midst of his sufferings, \nwhen crying and groaning in the midst of the agony of death. And it is \nalso a beautiful example and consolation for the whole church, and for \nall the members of Christ,\u2014that God will never forsake any of those \nthat believe in him, when agonizing in the same manner, if they cry \nunto him, and call upon him in the midst of the horrible pit and \nterrors of death.\n\nThe great prophet David, and others like him, published forth Psalms \nof this kind, concerning the greatest and most important things of \nChrist\u2019s kingdom and people: for the expectation of the Messiah and of \nChrist, was a very important matter among the people of God, and \ntherefore David makes the person of Christ himself speaking.\n\nChrist here plainly says, that he is the one and only person who \nfulfils the law, and does the will of God. Here he excludes all others \nand their works. \u201cIn the volume of the book (says he) it is written of \nme.\u201d That is, the promise of blessing and grace, that the seed of the \nwoman should bruise the serpent\u2019s head, and that in the seed of \nAbraham all the nations of the earth should be blessed, were \nconcerning me, &c. Thus he rejects and abrogates the whole law, with \nall works, sacrifices, and forms of worship; because, by them, the \nwill of God is not fulfilled.\n\nAll our works and sacrifices, therefore, are rejected. Christ here \nsaith, that he is the sole and only one who pleases God, and fulfils \nhis will. By these words, therefore, he promises the New Testament; \nwhere there is no righteousness of the law, but the righteousness of \nfaith, preached in the great congregation: that is, in the whole \nworld, in all nations. There is no preaching of the righteousness of \nthe law, which only makes men proud pharisees and hypocrites, who have \nnot their hope fixed in God, or in the promise of grace, but in their \nown righteousness, false holiness, and legal hypocrisy.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLI.\n\n_God\u2019s care of the poor.\u2014David complaineth of his enemies\u2019 \ntreachery.\u2014He fleeth to God for succour._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.\n\n\nBlessed _is_ he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him \nin time of trouble.\n\nThe LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; _and_ he shall be \nblessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of \nhis enemies.\n\nThe LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt \nmake all his bed in his sickness.\n\nI said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned \nagainst thee.\n\nMine enemies speak evil of me; when shall he die, and his name perish?\n\nAnd if he come to see _me_, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth \niniquity to itself; _when_ he goeth abroad, he telleth _it_.\n\nAll that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they \ndevise my hurt.\n\nAn evil disease, _say they_, cleaveth fast unto him: and _now_ that he \nlieth, he shall rise up no more.\n\nYea, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted, which did eat of my \nbread, hath lift up _his_ heel against me.\n\nBut thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may \nrequite them.\n\nBy this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not \ntriumph over me.\n\nAnd as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me \nbefore thy face for ever.\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD God of Israel, from everlasting, and to \neverlasting. Amen, and Amen.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prophecy; where, after the manner of the Psalms, \nChrist himself speaks, and with a wonderful feeling, complains of his \ndomestic traitor Judas, and of those cruel dogs which vented their \nfury on the poor; by which dogs, he means those that crucified him. He \nprays that God would judge his cause, and set him before his face: \nthat is, that God his father would comfort him in his suffering, and \nraise him from the dead; that, being exalted, through the cross and \ndeath, to the right hand of God, he might be glorified with eternal \nlife and victory.\n\nThis is a great and unspeakable consolation to all the godly; where, \nin the fourth verse, the Son saith, \u201cheal my soul, for I have sinned \nagainst thee.\u201d He confesses himself to be a sinner before God his \nFather, whereas he was without sin, and no guile was found in his \nmouth. Here, therefore, he stands as our priest, as a victim and \nsacrifice for sin, bearing and suffering for our sins, as if they were \nhis; and he bore the guilt of them.\n\nIn the beginning of the Psalm he comprehends the sum of the whole \nmatter, in a very powerful expression. \u201cBlessed (saith he) are they \nwho consider the poor and needy:\u201d that is, blessed, yea, eternally \nblessed are they, who are not offended at the once weak, crucified, \nand condemned Christ, but who believe the Gospel. For the preaching of \nthe cross is to the Gentiles foolishness, and to the Jews a \nstumbling-block. And it is the greatest of all offences to the world \nto preach, teach, or confess, that the once poor, crucified, and \ncondemned Christ, now sits at the right hand of the divine Majesty, \nand that he is on high, the Lord of all, both in this world, and that \nwhich is to come. For with this Christ, that people of the Jews were \nso offended, and they so ran upon and stumbled on this rock of \noffence, that, to this day, they remain cast out and scattered, and \nwander about over all the face of the earth, without a priesthood, and \nwithout a kingdom!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLII.\n\n_David\u2019s zeal to serve God in the temple.\u2014He encourageth his soul to\ntrust in God._\n\nTo the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.\n\n\nAs the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after \nthee, O God.\n\nMy soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and \nappear before God?\n\nMy tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say \nunto me, Where _is_ thy God?\n\nWhen I remember these _things_, I pour out my soul in me: for I had \ngone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with \nthe voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.\n\nWhy art thou cast down, O my soul? And _why_ art thou disquieted in \nme? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him _for_ the help of his \ncountenance.\n\nO my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember \nthee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill \nMizar.\n\nDeep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts; all thy waves \nand thy billows are gone over me.\n\n_Yet_ the LORD will command his loving-kindness in the day-time, and \nin the night his song _shall be_ with me, _and_ my prayer unto the God \nof my life.\n\nI will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I \nmourning because of the oppression of the enemy?\n\n_As_ with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they \nsay daily unto me, where _is_ thy God?\n\nWhy art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within \nme; hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, _who is_ the health \nof my countenance and my God.\n\n\nThis is an ardent prayer to God; evincing an exceeding greatness of \nspiritual feeling, and an unutterable groaning of the Spirit. Under \nthis similitude of a hart, at the beginning of the Psalm, the Psalmist \ndescribes his feelings in the hour of temptation, when he was wholly \nimmersed in the extreme of distress, and absorbed in tears. For in \nthat hour of darkness, the God of life, and peace, and light, and \nconsolation, is not seen; but the sun of all comfort is hidden as it \nwere behind a cloud. Then the hearts of the thus tempted feel nothing \nbut an angry God, and a cruel avenger; and Satan increases these \ndismal views of misery to a wonderful extent. To these things, \nmoreover, are often added the blasphemies of those who make derision \nof the afflicted, and assail them with the taunt, \u201cWhere is now thy \nGod!\u201d\u2014For the world and the ungodly cannot contain themselves, when \nthey see the saints in calamities; they cannot refrain from taunting \nand deriding them; from aggravating the distresses of these godly \nones, and from exclaiming, in their bitterly-cutting triumph, \u2018They \nhoped in God that he would deliver them. Where is now their delivering \nGod? Where is now their Christ they talk so much about? This is just \nhow such heretics ought to be served.\u2019 For these wicked creatures \njudge according to the flesh and blind reason; and imagine, that \naffliction is a certain sign of divine anger against the saints. On \nthe other hand, they boast of their own afflictions, or any slight \nadversities which they may meet with, as sufferings for the Lord\u2019s \nname sake, and as martyrdoms and sorrows endured for their apostolic \ninnocence. For those perverse and virulent wretches, those blind \nleaders of the blind, though they know, yet will not know, that God \nthus chastens his saints, that he may afterwards comfort them; but not \nthat he may forsake, destroy, or condemn them.\n\nThe Psalmist desires, with the greatest fervency of heart, to come \nunto the house of the Lord, and into the congregation of those that \nsing and rejoice; to keep holy the sabbath, to celebrate the name of \nthe Lord, and to see the face of the Lord; that is, he has an ardent \ndesire to hear the word of the Lord, that he might thereby be lifted \nup and refreshed; being well nigh consumed in such a fiery heat of \ntemptation and distress. The house of the Lord is where the word of \nGod, and the promise of grace are preached. And by \u201cthe face of God,\u201d \nhe means the presence of God; where God, by his word, reveals himself, \nand his will, and grace, and gives the knowledge of them unto men. \nThis he calls in another place \u2018God\u2019s turning, (not his back but) his \nface towards us.\u2019\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLIII.\n\n_David praying to be restored to the temple, promiseth to serve God \njoyfully.\u2014He encourageth his soul to trust in God._\n\n\nJudge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O \ndeliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.\n\nFor thou _art_ the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why \ngo I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?\n\nO send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring \nme unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.\n\nThen will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, \nupon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.\n\nWhy art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within \nme? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, _who is_ the health of my \ncountenance, and my God.\n\n\nThis Psalm is of the same purport as the preceding; and David uses \nalmost the same expressions. He desires to go into the house of God in \nthe light and truth of God: that is, he desires to be comforted, under \nhis distress and temptation, by the word of God.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLIV.\n\n_The church, in memory of former favours, complaineth of their present \nevils.\u2014Professing her integrity, she fervently prayeth for succour._\n\nTo the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.\n\n\nWe have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, _what_ \nwork thou didst in their days, in the times of old.\n\n_How_ thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst \nthem; _how_ thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.\n\nFor they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither \ndid their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and \nthe light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.\n\nThou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.\n\nThrough thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we \ntread them under that rise up against us.\n\nFor I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.\n\nBut thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame \nthat hated us.\n\nIn God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.\n\nBut thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with \nour armies.\n\nThou makest us to turn back from the enemy; and they which hate us \nspoil for themselves.\n\nThou hast given us like sheep _appointed_ for meat; and hast scattered \nus among the heathen.\n\nThou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase _thy wealth_ \nby their price.\n\nThou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to \nthem that are round about us.\n\nThou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among \nthe people.\n\nMy confusion _is_ continually before me, and the shame of my face hath \ncovered me,\n\nFor the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of \nthe enemy and avenger.\n\nAll this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have \nwe dealt falsely in thy covenant.\n\nOur heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy \nway;\n\nThough thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered \nus with the shadow of death.\n\nIf we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands, \nto a strange God;\n\nShall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the \nheart.\n\nYea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as \nsheep for the slaughter.\n\nAwake, why sleepest thou, O LORD? arise, cast _us_ not off for ever.\n\nWherefore hidest thou thy face, _and_ forgettest our affliction and \nour oppression?\n\nFor our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the \nearth.\n\nArise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies\u2019 sake.\n\n\nThis is a prayer of the whole people of God; and it is offered up in \nthe person of all the saints; especially of those under the New \nTestament, whom you here find to be complaining that they are cruelly \nslaughtered and slain by the wicked nations, by the ungodly men, and \nby tyrants. For God delivers his saints into the hands of men, as if \nhe had rejected them, or utterly forgotten them. Whereas, he glorified \nthe patriarchs of old, and all those his people from the beginning, by \nmighty works and miracles in the sight of the nations that opposed \nthem. And indeed all the saints maintain, not their own cause, but \nGod\u2019s; and seek, not their own glory, but his: and yet for this very \njust and holy cause, and for no other reason, nor any other crime, \nthey are thus torn and slaughtered by exile, by the spoiling of their \ngoods, and, in a word, by death; and are as cruelly treated in the \nworld, as if they were the most wicked of all men, and a mere set of \nvagabonds and murderers.\n\nIn a word, this Psalm is a sighing and groaning of spirit against the \nweakness of the flesh; which flesh, even in the saints, murmurs \nagainst God, because he governs the world with such an appearance of \ninjustice; and is in appearance, an unjust judge, permitting the \nsaints to be afflicted whom he ought to support and comfort, and \npromoting and exalting the wicked whom he ought to overthrow.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLV.\n\n_The majesty and grace of Christ\u2019s kingdom.\u2014The duty of the church, \nand the benefits thereof._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil. \nA Song of Loves.\n\n\nMy heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have \nmade touching the king: my tongue _is_ the pen of a ready writer.\n\nThou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy \nlips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.\n\nGird thy sword upon _thy_ thigh, O _most_ mighty, with thy glory and \nthy majesty.\n\nAnd in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness \n_and_ righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible \nthings.\n\nThine arrows _are_ sharp in the heart of the king\u2019s enemies; _whereby_ \nthe people fall under thee.\n\nThy throne, O God, _is_ for and ever and ever: the sceptre of thy \nkingdom _is_ a right sceptre.\n\nThou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy \nGod, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.\n\nAll thy garments _smell_ of myrrh, and aloes, _and_ cassia, out of the \nivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.\n\nKings\u2019 daughters _were_ among thy honourable women: upon thy right \nhand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.\n\nHearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also \nthine own people, and thy father\u2019s house;\n\nSo shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he _is_ thy Lord; and \nworship thou him.\n\nAnd the daughter of Tyre _shall be there_ with a gift; _even_ the rich \namong the people shall intreat thy favour.\n\nThe king\u2019s daughter _is_ all glorious within: her clothing _is_ of \nwrought gold.\n\nShe shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the \nvirgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.\n\nWith gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter \ninto the king\u2019s palace.\n\nInstead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make \nprinces in all the earth.\n\nI will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore \nshall the people praise thee for ever and ever.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the gospel and kingdom of Christ; and it \ndescribes, in many rich and sweet figures and expressions, the spouse \nof Christ, the church. It describes also Christ, going forth in all \nhis regal pomp; having all royal gifts, a manly and regal form, \nsuavity and grace of speech, a warrior\u2019s armour, the splendour of \nregal dress, and success in war against his enemies, &c.; and also as \npossessing all kingly virtues,\u2014righteousness, clemency, &c.\n\nAnd moreover that he may set the kingdom of Christ before our eyes in \nits sweetest appearance, the Psalmist describes him as having palaces \nand houses of ivory; a queen, and her attendant virgins; and sons and \ndaughters. All these things are to be understood of the spiritual \nkingdom of Christ and the church, where Christ is a King, powerful, \nwise, just, gracious, and victorious; and moreover, a conqueror \ntriumphant; and also rejoicing, preserving, comforting and enriching \nhis own, against sin, the law, and death, &c.\n\nAnd David here clearly foretels that the law of the Old Testament \nshould be abrogated. \u201cHearken (says he) O daughter, and incline thine \near, forget also thy father\u2019s house: (here he seems to glance at the \nsynagogue): so shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty, and thou \nshalt worship him;\u201d showing, that there is no true God out of Christ; \nand ascribing unto Christ truly divine honour; namely, that of the \nfirst and great precept,\u2014that is, adoration. And in the sixth and \nseventh verses, he plainly calls him God: thus making him an eternal \nking, the foundation of whose throne is in righteousness: who \njustifies all that believe in him, and takes away sin, and destroys \ndeath and hell. And no one can be an eternal king that dies not, but \nhe that is truly and naturally God!\u2014of which we have spoken at large \nelsewhere, in our more full commentary on the 45th Psalm.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLVI.\n\n_The confidence which the church hath in God.\u2014An exhortation to behold \nit._\n\nTo the chief Musician for the sons of Korah. A song upon Alamoth.\n\n\nGod is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.\n\nTherefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though \nthe mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;\n\n_Though_ the waters thereof roar, _and_ be troubled, _though_ the \nmountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.\n\n_There is_ a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of \nGod, the holy _place_ of the tabernacle of the most high.\n\nGod _is_ in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help \nher, _and that_ right early.\n\nThe heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the \nearth melted.\n\nThe LORD of hosts _is_ with us; the God of Jacob _is_ our refuge. \nSelah.\n\nCome, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in \nthe earth.\n\nHe maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the \nbow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the \nfire.\n\nBe still, and know that I _am_ God: I will be exalted among the \nheathen, I will be exalted in the earth.\n\nThe LORD of hosts _is_ with us; the God of Jacob _is_ our refuge. \nSelah.\n\n\nThis is a thanksgiving which the people of Israel sang, at that time, \nfor their divine blessings, and miraculous deliverances, because God \nhad powerfully defended Jerusalem, situated in the midst of hostile \nnations and enemies, and guarded it against all opposing kings, and \nagainst all the snares and hostile attempts of the surrounding \nnations; and had preserved it in peace against all the furious \ncounsels of war and bloodshed. Hence, after the manner of the \nscriptures, David calls all that present flourishing state of his \nkingdom\u2019s affairs, the river of God, whose streams should never be \ndry; which was but a small rivulet, in comparison of the great streams \nand torrents of the sea by which he was surrounded, (that is, by those \nimmense kingdoms and islands of the nations, and Gentile kings,) which \nalthough they were great, would yet, one day, dry up and disappear, \nwhile the river of God should endure for ever.\n\nWe sing this Psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us, and \npowerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his \nword, against all fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, \nagainst the implacable hatred of the devil, and against all the \nassaults of the world, the flesh, and sin. So that our little river \nremains a living fountain; whilst so many heresies, so many tyrants \nand their doctrines, as so many stinking sewers and sinks, are \ndispersed, like broken cisterns, and disappear, and are lost for ever.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLVII.\n\n_The nations are exhorted cheerfully to entertain the kingdom of \nChrist._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah.\n\n\nO clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of \ntriumph.\n\nFor the LORD most high _is_ terrible; _he is_ a great King over all \nthe earth.\n\nHe shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.\n\nHe shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob, whom \nhe loved. Selah.\n\nGod is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.\n\nSing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing \npraises.\n\nFor God _is_ the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with \nunderstanding.\n\nGod reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his \nholiness.\n\nThe princes of the people are gathered together, _even_ the people of \nthe God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth _belong_ unto God: he \nis greatly exalted.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning Christ; describing the manner of his \nascension on high, and showing that he should be King over all. \u201cSing \npraises, sing praises unto our King,\u201d (saith he); thereby shewing, \nthat this kingdom of Christ should not be one of that kind that stands \nin the power of arms, but in the word of praise, and in the singing of \nthanksgivings. As if he had said, This king, by the word of the gospel \nonly, which is the word of praise and thanksgiving, shall destroy all \nthe power of the adversaries,\u2014the world, and Satan; as the walls of \nJericho fell down by the sound of trumpets only, without sword or \narms!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLVIII.\n\n_The ornaments and privileges of the church._\n\nA Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.\n\n\nGreat _is_ the LORD and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, \n_in_ the mountain of his holiness.\n\nBeautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, _is_ mount Zion; \n_on_ the sides of the north the city of the great king.\n\nGod is known in her palaces for a refuge.\n\nFor, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.\n\nThey saw _it_, _and_ so they marvelled; they were troubled, _and_ \nhasted away.\n\nFear took hold upon them there, _and_ pain, as of a woman in travail.\n\nThou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.\n\nAs we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in \nthe city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.\n\nWe have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy \ntemple.\n\nAccording to thy name, O God, so _is_ thy praise unto the ends of the \nearth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.\n\nLet mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of \nthy judgments.\n\nWalk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.\n\nMark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell _it_ \nto the generation following.\n\nFor this God _is_ our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide \n_even_ unto death.\n\n\nThis is a thanksgiving almost like Psalm xlvi. For the Psalmist \npraises God, and magnifies and extols his works, because he had so \nmarvellously defended the city of Jerusalem against the neighbouring \nnations, and against kings and tyrants; and because he had often \ndelivered it when besieged by the most bitter and the most powerful \nenemies; while those enemies themselves were driven back in a \nwonderful manner, and put to open shame; and because he had saved it \nfrom infinite perils and destructions, in defiance of the very gates \nof hell; and had preserved the city, the temple, the word, and the \nworship of God.\n\nBut, more especially, David is here celebrating the truth of God;\u2014that \nGod faithfully fulfils his promise; \u2018According to thy name, (saith he) \nso is thy glory, and so are thy works unto the ends of the earth:\u2019 \nthat is, according as thou hast promised us, \u201cI will be your God,\u201d and \naccordingly as we have believed that word, so hast thou given us to \nexperience the fulfilment of it;\u2014thou hast been with us, and delivered \nand defended us; our city and our temple stand in the midst of \nenemies, as if in the midst of flames, preserved and unhurt.\n\n_We_ sing this Psalm, because God is pleased to preserve his church \nand gospel against the roaring and hatred of kings and princes; who \ncease not from attacking them by violence and craft with all their \nmight: and yet, they shall perish and be confounded, and covered with \nshame, while the gospel shall remain as it was before, unhurt and \nunhindered.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XLIX.\n\n_An earnest persuasion to build the faith of resurrection, not on \nworldly power, but on God.\u2014Worldly prosperity is not to be admired._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah.\n\n\nHear this, all _ye_ people; give ear, all _ye_ inhabitants of the \nworld.\n\nBoth low and high, rich and poor together.\n\nMy mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart _shall \nbe_ of understanding.\n\nI will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon \nthe harp.\n\nWherefore should I fear in the days of evil, _when_ the iniquity of my \nheels shall compass me about?\n\nThey that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude \nof their riches.\n\nNone _of them_ can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a \nransom for him.\n\n(For the redemption of their soul _is_ precious, and it ceaseth for \never.)\n\nThat he should still live for ever, _and_ not see corruption.\n\nFor he seeth _that_ wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish \nperson perish, and leave their wealth to others.\n\nTheir inward thought _is_, _that_ their houses _shall continue_ for \never, _and_ their dwelling-places to all generations: they call \n_their_ lands after their own names.\n\nNevertheless, man _being_ in honour, abideth not: he is like the \nbeasts _that_ perish.\n\nThis their way _is_ their folly: yet their posterity approve their \nsayings. Selah.\n\nLike sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and \nthe upright shall have dominion over them in the morning: and their \nbeauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.\n\nBut God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall \nreceive me. Selah.\n\nBe not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house \nis increased.\n\nFor, when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not \ndescend after him.\n\nThough, while he lived, he blessed his soul: (and men will praise thee \nwhen thou doest well to thyself.)\n\nHe shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see \nlight.\n\nMan _that is_ in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts \n_that_ perish.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm that instructs us unto faith, and teaches us to trust \nin God against that great god of this world, who is called Mammon. \nDavid here gives a long and striking introduction to the Psalm, that \nhe may excite and wholly arrest our attention. He here sharply rebukes \nall who trust in the riches and wealth of this world; concerning whom \nChrist also severely says, \u201cWoe unto you that are rich, for ye have \nreceived your consolation.\u201d Luke vi. 24.\n\n\u201cThe love of money, (saith Paul,) is the root of all evil;\u201d and yet \nthe whole world leave the true God and worship this idol; and are \nactuated more and more with the furious desire of getting wealth. All \nmen, from the least to the greatest, except those that fear God, are \nin pursuit of money. Hence it is, that all the prophets exclaim, \u201cFor \nfrom the least of them, even unto the greatest of them, every one is \ngiven to covetousness,\u201d Jeremiah vi. 13. And hence also have arisen \nall those proverbs and trite sayings of the poets among the Greeks and \nLatins. \u2018All things give way to money,\u2019\u2014\u2018money is the first thing to \nbe sought after; virtue is a secondary consideration.\u2019\n\nBut all such admirers of, and slaves to riches are pointed at and \nexposed in this Psalm; as are also all those who trust in their \nwealth, nothing of which they can take with them when they die. And \nhere also true faith is highly extolled; by which we trust in God, who \ncan deliver us from death, and give us eternal life and salvation. And \ndeath is the time when not only gold, but all creatures put together, \ncannot save and deliver a man!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM L.\n\n_The majesty of God in the church.\u2014His order to gather saints.\u2014The \npleasure of God is not in ceremonies, but in sincerity of obedience._\n\nA Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nThe mighty God, _even_ the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth \nfrom the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.\n\nOut of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.\n\nOur God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour \nbefore him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.\n\nHe shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may \njudge his people.\n\nGather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant \nwith me by sacrifice.\n\nAnd the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God _is_ judge \nhimself. Selah.\n\nHear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify \nagainst thee: I _am_ God, _even_ thy God.\n\nI will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, _to \nhave been_ continually before me.\n\nI will take no bullock out of thy house, _nor_ he-goats out of thy \nfolds.\n\nFor every beast of the forest _is_ mine, _and_ the cattle upon a \nthousand hills.\n\nI know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the \nfield _are_ mine.\n\nIf I were hungry I would not tell thee: for the world _is_ mine, and \nthe fulness thereof.\n\nWill I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?\n\nOffer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most high.\n\nAnd call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou \nshalt glorify me.\n\nBut unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my \nstatutes, or _that_ thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?\n\nSeeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.\n\nWhen thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast \nbeen partaker with adulterers.\n\nThou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.\n\nThou sittest and speakest against thy brother: thou slanderest thine \nown mother\u2019s son.\n\nThese _things_ hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest \nthat I was altogether _such an one_ as thyself: _but_ I will reprove \nthee, and set _them_ in order before thine eyes.\n\nNow consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear _you_ in pieces, \nand _there be_ none to deliver.\n\nWhoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth _his_ \nconversation _aright_ will I shew the salvation of God.\n\n\nThis Psalm teaches us, in the teeth of all hypocrites and all the \nworship of hypocrites, what is true worship, and which are acceptable \nsacrifices in the sight of God. For hypocrites consider their works, \nand merits, and sacrifices as of such high value, that they think GOD \nought to acknowledge the benefit of their services; and they imagine \nthat he has need of them. Whereas, on the contrary, the Holy Spirit \ndeclares with a loud voice by the prophets, what the true worship of \nGod is; namely, that of the First Commandment: which is, to worship \nGod, and adore him; and to acknowledge that we receive all things from \nhis hand, and that all glory is due to him!\n\nObserve, therefore,\u2014there is here clearly expressed, in the plainest \nwords, what is the highest worship of God; and what sacrifice is the \nmost acceptable to him. And we are here briefly told, that the true \nway and road to God is, to call upon him in the day of trouble, and \ngive him thanks for the infinite benefits which we receive from him; \n(as the last verse here sings;) for this is truly to \u201cpay our vows \nunto God, and to offer unto him thanksgiving,\u201d (as the 14th verse \nsaith.) These are not those foolish monastic vows, and the like; but \nthat highest of all vows, which the Decalogue and the First \nCommandment require; where it saith, \u201cTo-day have ye vowed unto the \nLord your God: he will be your God:\u201d that is, ye are made the people \nof God, that ye may have him for your God; and that ye may truly \nbelieve in him, call upon him, and cleave unto him alone. Of this \nthose foolish hypocrites and self-imagined saints know nothing \nwhatever.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LI.\n\n_David prayeth for remission of sins, whereof he maketh a deep \nconfession.\u2014He prayeth for sanctification.\u2014God delighteth not in \nsacrifice but in sincerity.\u2014He prayeth for the church._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came \nunto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.\n\n\nHave mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according \nunto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.\n\nWash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.\n\nFor I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin _is_ ever before me.\n\nAgainst thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done _this_ evil in thy \nsight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, _and_ be \nclear when thou judgest.\n\nBehold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive \nme.\n\nBehold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden \n_part_ thou shalt make me to know wisdom.\n\nPurge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be \nwhiter than snow.\n\nMake me to hear joy and gladness; _that_ the bones _which_ thou hast \nbroken may rejoice.\n\nHide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.\n\nCreate in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.\n\nCast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from \nme.\n\nRestore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me _with thy_ \nfree spirit.\n\n_Then_ will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be \nconverted unto thee.\n\nDeliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: \n_and_ my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.\n\nO LORD, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.\n\nFor thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give _it_: thou \ndelightest not in burnt offering.\n\nThe sacrifices of God _are_ a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite \nheart, O God, thou wilt not despise.\n\nDo good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of \nJerusalem.\n\nThen shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with \nburnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer \nbullocks upon thine altar.\n\n\nThis, among all the Psalms, is a signal and golden one. It contains \nexperiences and feelings truly Davidical; and teaches us what sin is, \nwhat the origin of sin is, and how great and awful an evil the fall of \nAdam was. And also, (which is an excellent part of it indeed,) it \nshows us how we obtain the remission of sins. For in this Psalm, we \nhave it clearly expressed, that sin is a great and innate evil, and an \nawful depravation and corruption of nature, in all the powers both of \nsoul and body. Unless, therefore, we are born again by faith in \nChrist, and are renewed in spirit and made new creatures of God, the \nsense of the loss of God and of eternal life and salvation is so heavy \na burthen, and the power of sin and the sting of death so great, that \nthe conscience is shaken with unspeakable distress and terror; and the \nanguish that takes hold on it drinks up the very marrow, and bruises \nand breaks the very inmost bones, until the word of grace and of the \nSpirit again raises us up and refreshes us; as David here says, \u201cThat \nthe bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.\u201d\n\nBut in hearts that are purified and renewed by the Spirit, there is a \nnew light shining; there are new motions and spiritual affections; a \nsure rest and peace of conscience; a true and full assurance of \nsalvation; a fervent and lively joy of spirit; a rejoicing in God and \na peace with him; a heart full of thanksgiving, and a patience under \nafflictions. Hence those that fear God, those that are born again, if \nthey are at a point concerning the good will of God towards them, are \nthose who can rightly teach and instruct others unto godliness. \u201cThen \n(says David) will I teach transgressors thy ways;\u201d then will I teach \nthem to call upon and praise the name of the Lord, and to give thanks \nunto him; and in a word, to worship and adore God truly and aright, to \nbear patiently the cross and afflictions, and to offer great and \nglorious sacrifices; (for that is the way in which he here expresses \nhimself, calling \u201ca broken and a contrite heart\u201d the favourite \nsacrifice of God;) for that is the highest and most excellent worship \nof God: and he rejects, in plain words, all sacrifices which are \noffered by hypocrites without _that_ sacrifice; which sacrifices of \ntheirs they consider to be the highest acts of worship.\n\nIn concluding the Psalm, David begs of God that he would be pleased to \nbuild and preserve the city of Jerusalem; that is, the place of the \nword and the true worship of God. In the same manner, _we_ ought also \nto pray. \u201cDo good unto Zion, O Lord:\u201d that is, \u2018O Lord, thou seest the \nvirulent hatred of hypocrites: Do thou, O Lord, preserve the true \nchurch, and the true worship of God in it;\u2019 that is, the worship of \nthe First Commandment. Confound all those who boast of their good \nworks and sacrifices, and who neglect faith towards God, and trample \nunder foot the First Commandment. But preserve and comfort those who \nadore thee in truth, serve thee, and sacrifice unto thee in the \nspirit.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LII.\n\n_David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesieth his \ndestruction.\u2014The righteous shall rejoice at it.\u2014David, upon his \nconfidence in God\u2019s mercy, giveth thanks._\n\nTo the chief Musician, Maschil, _A Psalm_ of David, when Doeg the\nEdomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to\nthe house of Ahimelech.\n\n\nWhy boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of \nGod _endureth_ continually.\n\nThy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a sharp razor, working \ndeceitfully.\n\nThou lovest evil more than good, _and_ lying rather than to speak \nrighteousness. Selah.\n\nThou lovest all devouring words, O _thou_ deceitful tongue.\n\nGod shall likewise destroy thee for ever: he shall take thee away, and \npluck thee out of _thy_ dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land \nof the living. Selah.\n\nThe righteous also shall see, and fear and shall laugh at him:\n\nLo, _this is_ the man _that_ made not God his strength; but trusted in \nthe abundance of his riches, _and_ strengthened himself in his \nwickedness.\n\nBut I _am_ like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the \nmercy of God for ever and ever.\n\nI will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done _it_: and I will \nwait on thy name; for _it is_ good before thy saints.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation; and the title of it shows plainly what \nare its contents. David is here complaining of Doeg who betrayed him, \nand who was the cause of much hurt and bloodshed. 1 Sam. xxii.\n\nThis Doeg furnishes a type of all those betrayers and blood-shedding \nhypocrites who are in the halls of kings and princes; and who lyingly, \nand with hatred, traduce the word of God and the doctrine of truth: of \nwhich stamp there are now numbers rising up on every side, who \nirritate and urge on kings and princes to slay the sincere ministers \nof the word: such as those in our time, who kill many good men on \naccount of the sacraments and marriage, and make no end of shedding \nthe blood of God\u2019s Abels.\n\nAgainst the furious cruelty of these men, therefore, this Psalm \ncomforts the godly; and promises them, that such shall not go \nunpunished, but shall fall under those awful curses mentioned in Deut. \nxxviii:\u2014that they shall be rooted out of the earth; that their houses \nshall be destroyed; and that they shall lose both their bodies and \ntheir estates; but, that those who fear God shall be preserved; that \nthey shall remain in the house of the Lord; and that they shall \npersevere in teaching and hearing the word of God, in defiance of the \ndevil and all the wicked.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LIII.\n\n_David describeth the corruption of a natural man.\u2014He convinceth the \nwicked by the light of their own conscience.\u2014He glorieth in the \nsalvation of God._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil. _A Psalm_ of David.\n\n\nThe fool hath said in his heart, _There is_ no God. Corrupt are they, \nand have done abominable iniquity: _there is_ none that doeth good.\n\nGod looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there \nwere _any_ that did understand, that did seek God.\n\nEvery one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy: \n_there is_ none that doeth good, no, not one.\n\nHave the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people _as_ \nthey eat bread: they have not called upon God.\n\nThere were they in great fear _where_ no fear was; for God hath \nscattered the bones of him that encampeth _against_ thee: thou hast \nput _them_ to shame, because God hath despised them.\n\nOh that the salvation of Israel _were come_ out of Zion! When God \nbringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, _and_ \nIsrael shall be glad.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prophecy like that of Psalm xiv; and it is a Psalm of \ninstruction. The two Psalms are of the same purport, and contain \nalmost the same words and expressions. In a word, they both cut at \nhypocrites and self-justifiers, who persecute the sound doctrine and \nits preachers; and at the close they give a prophetic declaration \nconcerning the gospel, and the kingdom of Christ which should proceed \nout of Zion.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LIV.\n\n_David, complaining of the Ziphims, prayeth for salvation.\u2014Upon his \nconfidence in God\u2019s help he promiseth sacrifice._\n\nTo the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, _A Psalm_ of David, when \nthe Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with \nus.\n\n\nSave me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.\n\nHear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.\n\nFor strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my \nsoul: they have not set God before them. Selah.\n\nBehold, God _is_ mine helper: the LORD _is_ with them that uphold my \nsoul.\n\nHe shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.\n\nI will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O LORD, for \n_it is_ good.\n\nFor he hath delivered me out of all trouble; and mine eye hath seen \n_his desire_ upon mine enemies.\n\n\nThis is a fervent prayer against the persecutors of the word, who lay \nplots against the lives of the good, and those that fear God, for the \nword of God\u2019s sake; just like king Saul and the people of Ziph, who \nlay in wait for the life of David, on account of the name and word of \nGod, by which Saul was to be dethroned and David made king in his \nstead. David, therefore, prays, that the vengeance of God might \novertake such cruelty and malice.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LV.\n\n_David in his prayer complaineth of his fearful case.\u2014He prayeth \nagainst his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he \ncomplaineth.\u2014He comforteth himself in God\u2019s preservation of him, and \nconfusion of his enemies._\n\nTo the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil. _A Psalm_ of David.\n\n\nGive ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my \nsupplication.\n\nAttend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a \nnoise;\n\nBecause of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the \nwicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.\n\nMy heart is sore pained within me; and the terrors of death are fallen \nupon me.\n\nFearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath \noverwhelmed me.\n\nAnd I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! _for then_ would I fly \naway and be at rest.\n\nLo _then_ would I wander far off, _and_ remain in the wilderness. \nSelah.\n\nI would hasten my escape from the windy storm _and_ tempest.\n\nDestroy, O LORD, _and_ divide their tongues: for I have seen violence \nand strife in the city.\n\nDay and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; mischief also \nand sorrow _are_ in the midst of it.\n\nWickedness _is_ in the midst thereof; deceit and guile depart not from \nher streets.\n\nFor _it was_ not an enemy _that_ reproached me: then I could have \nborne _it_: neither _was it_ he that hated me _that_ did magnify \n_himself_ against me; then I would have hid myself from him;\n\nBut _it was_ thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.\n\nWe took sweet counsel together, _and_ walked unto the house of God in \ncompany.\n\nLet death seize upon them, _and_ let them go down quick into hell: for \nwickedness _is_ in their dwellings, _and_ among them.\n\nAs for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.\n\nEvening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he \nshall hear my voice.\n\nHe hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle _that was_ against \nme: for there were many with me.\n\nGod shall hear and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. \nBecause they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.\n\nHe hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him; he \nhath broken his covenant.\n\n_The words_ of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war _was_ in \nhis heart: his words were softer than oil, yet _were_ they drawn \nswords.\n\nCast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall \nnever suffer the righteous to be moved.\n\nBut thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: \nbloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I \nwill trust in thee.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer: and although it may in the 10th and 11th \nverses, be understood of Christ himself, praying against his betrayer \nJudas, when he says, \u201cIf it had been mine enemy that reproached me,\u201d \n&c. yet, it is manifest to me, that it is a general prayer of the \ngodly against all the craft of insidious and deceitful men, and \nagainst the artful Italian flattery of some persons, who are friends \nas far as their tongue goes, but who have one thing on their tongue \nand another in their heart, and consider craft and dissimulation in \nall things to be the highest wisdom; as if they could deceive God \nalso!\n\nThey know how to promise, and do promise all things to your face: so \nthat David justly describes them thus, \u201cTheir words are smoother than \noil:\u201d but when you have turned your back, they blacken your character; \nand their mouth is more destructive than arrows and coals of fire; and \ntheir tongue is a sharp sword, and a drawn dagger. And this is what \nDavid complains of in verse 12;\u2014that they deceive effectually with \ntheir countenance, their look, and their eyes, and cover, under these \nfox-like arts, Satanic bitterness and virulence. They eat and drink \nwith you, and pretend to be your friends and intimates, (as Judas did \nwith Christ;) they keep holy days and go to the house of God with you.\n\nThis is the reason, therefore, that David so utterly execrates them, \nand says, \u201cLet them be taken out of the way suddenly, and let them \ndescend into hell alive.\u201d For virulent, outside-show hypocrites, like \nthese, distress the hearts of those that fear God in a manner that is \nbeyond description.\n\nThis very judgment which David threatens in this Psalm we see \nexecuted, in our day, upon many tyrants and originators of sects; who \nare taken off in a moment. For this execration is prophetic; \nforetelling the end of all hypocrites, who will not listen to those \nthat admonish them in a godly manner, nor regard their advice; as it \nis expressed in verse 19, \u201cBut they (says David) will not regard; they \nare not changed; nor will they fear God; they go on in their course, \ntill they are taken out of the way suddenly.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LVI.\n\n_David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complaineth of his \nenemies.\u2014He professeth his confidence in God\u2019s word, and promiseth to \npraise him._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Jonathelem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when \nthe Philistines took him in Gath.\n\n\nBe merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: he fighting \ndaily oppresseth me.\n\nMine enemies would daily swallow _me_ up: for _they be_ many that \nfight against me, O thou Most High.\n\nWhat time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.\n\nIn God I will praise his word; in God I have put my trust: I will not \nfear what flesh can do unto me.\n\nEvery day they wrest my words: all their thoughts _are_ against me for \nevil.\n\nThey gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my \nsteps, when they wait for my soul.\n\nShall they escape by iniquity? in _thine_ anger cast down the people, \nO God.\n\nThou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: _are \nthey_ not in thy book?\n\nWhen I cry _unto thee_, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I \nknow; for God _is_ for me.\n\nIn God I will praise _his_ word; in the LORD will I praise _his_ word.\n\nIn God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto \nme.\n\nThy vows _are_ upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.\n\nFor thou hast delivered my soul from death; _wilt_ not _thou deliver_ \nmy feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the \nliving?\n\n\nThis is a fervent prayer; in which David complains of Saul and the men \nof his party, because he was obliged to flee out of the land to the \nPhilistines. So bitterly and hostilely did Saul and the men of his \nconspiracy persecute David, and plot against his life, that he could \nbe in safety no where. He encourages and supports himself, however, \nwith a constant and undaunted faith. \u2018I will glory (says he) in the \nword of God: for I have a command, a declaration, and a promise of God \nin my favour: he has declared that Saul shall be dethroned, and that I \nshall be king. I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Let them \ngainsay: let Saul and the Saulites oppose and fight against me. Let \nthem say, and say again, that I shall not be king. If God be for me \nwhat can man do against me?\u2019\n\n_We_ ought also to pray, after the manner of this Psalm, against \ntyrants; who unceasingly persecute the word of God and us, and will \nnever suffer us to be at rest. We, however, have that strong and \nDavidical consolation,\u2014that the word of God is for us, though they \nunceasingly attack that in us, and corrupt, pervert, and reproach it; \ncrying out that we are heretics; and arrogating to themselves only, \nthe appellation of the church.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LVII.\n\n_David in prayer fleeing unto God, complaineth of his dangerous \ncase.\u2014He encourageth himself to praise God._\n\nTo the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled \nfrom Saul in the cave.\n\n\nBe merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusted \nin thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until \n_these_ calamities be overpast.\n\nI will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth _all things_ \nfor me.\n\nHe shall send from heaven, and save me _from_ the reproach of him that \nwould swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his \ntruth.\n\nMy soul _is_ among lions: _and_ I lie _even among_ them that are set \non fire, _even_ the sons of men, whose teeth _are_ spears and arrows, \nand their tongue a sharp sword.\n\nBe thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; _let_ thy glory _be_ above \nall the earth.\n\nThey have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they \nhave digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen \n_themselves_. Selah.\n\nMy heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give \npraise.\n\nAwake up, my glory; awake psaltery and harp; I _myself_ will awake \nearly.\n\nI will praise thee, O LORD, among the people; I will sing unto thee \namong the nations:\n\nFor thy mercy _is_ great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the \nclouds.\n\nBe thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, _let_ thy glory _be_ above \nall the earth.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer; in which David again complains concerning \nSaul, and those around him; on account of whose plots and snares, he \nwas compelled to flee into a cave. It is nearly of the same purport as \nthe Psalm preceding.\n\n_We_ ought to make use of this Psalm also against tyrants, and against \nsycophants, and certain powerful ones, about the palaces of kings and \nprinces; who persecute us on account of the word and name of God, and \npersecute our doctrine also; interpreting every thing that we do in \nthe worst sense; and traducing and hating all that fear God.\n\nAnd David here paints forth the cruelty of these characters; \u201cTheir \nteeth (says he) are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp \nsword.\u201d Thanks be to God therefore, that he does not forsake his \npeople, but makes their enemies fall into the pit which they \nthemselves have made; so that they are utterly subverted and taken in \ntheir own craftiness!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LVIII.\n\n_David reproveth wicked judges, describeth the nature of the wicked, \ndevoteth them to God\u2019s judgments, whereat the righteous shall \nrejoice._\n\nTo the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.\n\n\nDo ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? Do ye judge \nuprightly, O ye sons of men?\n\nYea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands \nin the earth.\n\nThe wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they \nbe born, speaking lies.\n\nTheir poison _is_ like the poison of a serpent; _they_ are like the \ndeaf adder _that_ stoppeth her ear;\n\nWhich will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so \nwisely.\n\nBreak their teeth, O God, in their mouth; break out the great teeth of \nthe young lions, O LORD.\n\nLet them melt away as waters _which_ run continually: _when_ he \nbendeth _his bow to shoot_ his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.\n\nAs a snail _which_ melteth, let _every one of them_ pass away: _like_ \nthe untimely birth of a woman, _that_ they may not see the sun.\n\nBefore your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with \na whirlwind, both living and in _his_ wrath.\n\nThe righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash \nhis feet in the blood of the wicked.\n\nSo that a man shall say, verily _there is_ a reward for the righteous: \nverily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation against those hardened heretics, and \nenthusiastic spirits, who pertinaciously defend their own errors, and \nstop their ears; and who are so blinded and taken captive, that they \ncan hear no one; but pursue, with headlong precipitation, their own \ndesigns, and rush on to the accomplishment of them, like a horse at \nfull speed. And these, as if they would devour the godly, cease not to \nthreaten them in the most terrifying manner.\u2014David, however, here \nmakes use of five beautiful similitudes: under which, he represents \ntheir vain attempts, and shows, that those very plots which they lay \nfor others, fall upon their own heads.\n\n1. The sudden inundation with which they make their attack, rushes \nwith such violence and roaring, that it seems as if it would tear up \nand carry away every thing before it: and yet it flows by, and \nsuddenly disappears!\n\n2. Their arrow, fixed on the bow, threatens certain destruction: but, \nin a moment, the bow and arrows are broken together, and the deadly \nweapon accomplishes nothing!\n\n3. The snail puts forth his horns from his shell, as if he were just \ngoing to do some deadly and mighty injury: but those horns prove to be \nsoft and ineffectual; they do nothing: nor have the power of doing any \nhurt whatever.\n\n4. An imperfect conception, disengaged by abortion, makes the womb of \nthe mother to extend, as if there were a perfect conception, and as if \nsomething great would at length come forth: but before it is brought \nforth, it perishes, and never sees the sun.\n\n5. You may see a branch of buck-thorn, (which is the most prickly kind \nof thorn,) filled with young sharp points and prickles, and seeming as \nif it would one day tear many in pieces at once, and maim persons on \nevery side of it; but, before the prickles are fully ripe and strong, \nthe whole bush is, perhaps, cut down by the woodman, and he burns it \nin the fire, and reduces it to ashes!\n\nSo, just according to these similitudes, those enemies of God and \ntruth, plan, plot, and breathe out dreadful things; but like a mighty \nflame, where there is no more fuel left to feed it, their fury ends in \nnothing!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LIX.\n\n_David prayeth to be delivered from his enemies.\u2014He complaineth of \ntheir cruelty.\u2014He trusteth in God.\u2014He prayeth against them.\u2014He \npraiseth God._\n\nTo the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, \nand they watched the house to kill him.\n\n\nDeliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise \nup against me.\n\nDeliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.\n\nFor, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty are gathered against \nme; not _for_ my transgression, nor _for_ my sin, O LORD.\n\nThey run and prepare themselves without _my_ fault: awake to help me, \nand behold.\n\nThou, therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to \nvisit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. \nSelah.\n\nThey return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round \nabout the city.\n\nBehold, they belch out with their mouth; swords _are_ in their lips; \nfor who, _say they_, doth hear?\n\nBut thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt have all the heathen \nin derision.\n\n_Because of_ his strength will I wait upon thee: for God _is_ my \ndefence.\n\nThe God of my mercy shall prevent me; God shall let me see _my desire_ \nupon my enemies.\n\nSlay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and \nbring them down, O LORD our shield.\n\n_For_ the sin of their mouth, _and_ the words of their lips, let them \neven be taken in their pride; and for cursing and lying _which_ they \nspeak.\n\nConsume _them_ in wrath, consume _them_, that they _may_ not _be_; and \nlet them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. \nSelah.\n\nAnd at evening let them return, _and_ let them make a noise like a \ndog, and go round about the city.\n\nLet them wander up and down for meat, and grudge, if they be not \nsatisfied.\n\nBut I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in \nthe morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of\nmy trouble.\n\nUnto thee, O my strength, I will sing: for God _is_ my defence, _and_ \nthe God of my mercy.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer; and may be very properly understood as offered \nup in the person of Christ, complaining of, and prophecying concerning \nthe Jews; on whom, on account of their denial of Christ, and their \nrejection of the gospel, the awful judgments of God should fall; but \nyet, not so as to destroy the whole nation entirely; but, in such a \nmanner, as to make of them an example to all future nations;\u2014that they \nshould be scattered abroad as exiles, and left vagabonds among all \nnations; and should be punished by being given up to blindness, and \nmaddened fury; so as not to be able to teach anything, or say \nanything, but blasphemies against Christ. And this we see fulfilled in \nthem in reality: for all their books and commentaries are replete with \nthe most bitter reproaches and blasphemies against Christ and his \ngospel. And, for this their wickedness, they suffer dreadful and \nunceasing punishments: for they \u2018go about the city like hungry dogs,\u2019 \nseeking food, and finding it not.\n\nThe meaning of this prophecy is, therefore, that at the end, after the \ntimes of the apostles, the Jews should be left as exiles, should be \nbanished from their own land, should wander about as outcasts, should \nbe oppressed under foreign jurisdictions, should be driven out from \none country to another, and should be cast out without any certain \ndwelling-place; and that they should seek out any corner of the world, \nwhere they might collect together again the wrecks and remains of \ntheir kingdom, and endeavour to find out another one to lead them, but \nshould be frustrated in every attempt. And their exile and dispersion \nshall remain unfinished until the end appointed: till then, they shall \nremain and waste away like famished dogs, and run and smell about \nround the cities, and gape like dogs, but shall not be filled: and \nthey shall perish without a king, and without a kingdom.\n\nBut with respect to the history of this Psalm, it may rightly be \nunderstood as referring to David, praying against the heirs of Saul \nand the Saulites; who, being at length stripped of their kingdom, \nwandered about like yawning and hungry dogs, ejected from their \nkingdom, and forsaken and held in contempt, until they all utterly \nperished. For God declared that the house of Saul should not be raised \nup; though the posterity of Saul greatly desired his kingdom.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LX.\n\n_David, complaining to God of former judgment,\u2014now, upon better hope, \nprayeth for deliverance.\u2014Comforting himself in God\u2019s promises, he \ncraveth that help whereon he trusteth._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; \nwhen he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab \nreturned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.\n\n\nO God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been \ndispleased; O turn thyself to us again.\n\nThou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the \nbreaches thereof; for it shaketh.\n\nThou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink \nthe wine of astonishment.\n\nThou hast given a banner to them that feared thee, that it may be \ndisplayed because of the truth. Selah.\n\nThat thy beloved may be delivered; save _with_ thy right hand and hear \nme.\n\nGod hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide \nShechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.\n\nGilead _is_ mine, and Manasseh _is_ mine; Ephraim also _is_ the \nstrength of mine head; Judah _is_ my lawgiver;\n\nMoab _is_ my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, \ntriumph thou because of me.\n\nWho will bring me _into_ the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?\n\n_Wilt_ not thou, O God, _which_ hadst cast us off? and _thou_, O God, \n_which_ didst not go out with our armies?\n\nGive us help from trouble: for vain _is_ the help of man.\n\nThrough God we shall do valiantly: for he _it is that_ shall tread \ndown our enemies.\n\n\nThis is a signal thanksgiving. David gives thanks for the happy state \nof his kingdom, in which religion and political government flourished \nand prospered; for, in these two things, well-ordered, consist all \nthings divine and human. Before the time of David, in the days of \nSaul, all things were in disorder, and the kingdom was in a declining \nstate; as the former verses of the Psalm show. The Philistines had \ngreatly afflicted the Israelites: so much so that even the ark of the \nLord was despised and profaned.\n\nAgain, in the reign of Saul, all things were carried on with injury, \noppression, and wickedness: which is always the case, when God \nforsakes magistrates, and suffers them to go on in their own ways. And \nthe example of David, who was obliged to have recourse to such \nvarious, wise, and cautious means for safety, shows that the palace of \nSaul was full of Ahithophels, and of all such pests of religion and \ngood government.\n\nBut, says David, \u201cThou, O Lord, hast given a sign to them that feared \nthee, that they may display it, and may believe and be assured, that \nthou art present with them.\u201d For God had given to his own a sign, and \nhad left it to them; by which, all those that believed in the grace of \nGod, might be comforted; namely, the ark of the covenant and the \nmercy-seat; which God had delivered, by signal miracles, out of the \nhand of the Philistines. For God had promised and declared, that he \nwould hear all those that called upon him before this ark, and this \nmercy-seat; and that he would there vouchsafe his presence.\n\nAt the end of the Psalm, he enumerates all his countries and his \npeople; and, in a very striking and eminent way, extols the true \nworship of God, the true religion. \u201cGod (saith he) speaks in his \nholiness (or sanctuary); I will rejoice:\u201d that is, God is present in \nmy kingdom by his word, which is there preached: in this I will \nrejoice.\n\nHe enumerates, in order, these countries: Succoth, Shechem, Gilead, \nManasseh, Ephraim, Judah, Moab, Philistia. And, at the end, he \nconfesses, that, to defend and protect all these, by a good \ngovernment, and to ensure them victory against all their \nenemies,\u2014against Edom and Philistia, (that is to carry on war and to \nextend dominions, successfully,) is not in the power of human wisdom \nor human strength; \u201cFor vain (saith he) is the help of man. All \nsuccessful valour and victory are from God.\u201d Why he does not mention \nby name more countries than these nine, it belongs to a full \ncommentary to explain; the narrow limits, therefore, of our present \nsummary, will not allow us to enter upon that explanation.\n\nWe may sing this Psalm to the honour of God also, because in the \nchurch of Christ, God is continually making new orchards and gardens; \nand daily increasing the number of its churches and parishes; in which \nthe word of God is preached; in which the sacraments are administered \nin a godly manner; and in which there are various gifts of the Holy \nSpirit.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXI.\n\n_David fleeth to God upon his former experience.\u2014He voweth perpetual \nservice unto him, because of his promises._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Neginah. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nHear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.\n\nFrom the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is \noverwhelmed; lead me to the rock _that_ is higher than I.\n\nFor thou hast been a shelter for me, _and_ a strong tower from the \nenemy.\n\nI will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the covert of \nthy wings. Selah.\n\nFor thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given _me_ the heritage \nof those that fear thy name.\n\nThou wilt prolong the king\u2019s life; _and_ his years as many \ngenerations.\n\nHe shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, _which_ \nmay preserve him.\n\nSo will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform \nmy vows.\n\n\nThis is a prayer against the enemies of the people of God, and \nespecially also for magistrates, and for the king\u2014that God would \nincrease faith in him, and further him in the knowledge of his holy \nname and word; that he may walk in faith and in the fear of God; that \nhis government may be happy and endure; and that religion and good \ngovernment may not be injured and distracted by seditions and wars. \nFor Solomon, in his Proverbs, says, \u201cThat for the sins of the people, \nGod changes kings and kingdoms.\u201d But where there are many kings, \nthere, (according to the manner of all human vicissitudes,) what one \nbuilds up, another casts down: as the proverb goes, \u201cA new king, a new \nlaw,\u201d\u2014all changes in a state are dangerous: happy is that kingdom, \ntherefore, which, being once well constituted, is long preserved in \nthe same state.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXII.\n\n_David professing his confidence in God discourageth his enemies.\u2014In \nthe same confidence he encourageth the godly.\u2014No trust is to be put in \nworldly things.\u2014Power and mercy belong to God._\n\nTo the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nTruly my soul waiteth upon God: from him _cometh_ my salvation.\n\nHe only _is_ my rock and my salvation; _he is_ my defence; I shall not \nbe greatly moved.\n\nHow long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all \nof you: as a bowing wall _shall ye be, and as_ a tottering fence.\n\nThey only consult to cast _him_ down from his excellency: they delight \nin lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.\n\nMy soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation _is_ from him.\n\nHe only _is_ my rock and my salvation: _he is_ my defence; I shall not \nbe moved.\n\nIn God _is_ my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, _and_ \nmy refuge, _is_ in God.\n\nTrust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: \nGod _is_ a refuge for us. Selah.\n\nSurely men of low degree _are_ vanity, _and_ men of high degree _are_ \na lie: to be laid in the balance, they _are_ altogether _lighter_ than \nvanity.\n\nTrust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches \nincrease, set not your heart _upon them_.\n\nGod hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power _belongeth_ \nunto God.\n\nAlso unto thee, O LORD, _belongeth_ mercy: for thou renderest to every \nman according to his work.\n\n\nThis Psalm contains most excellent doctrine: it greatly exalts the \ndignity of faith, showing how firm a safeguard faith in God is, and \nwhat a strong defence it is against all the evils of life. On the \nother hand, the Psalmist shows the vanity of all confidence in \nmen;\u2014that nothing is more vain, or more fallacious than to trust in \nman. \u2018God (says he) is my rock, my strength, and my defence: God is my \nhope, my salvation, my strength, my glory, my life, and my trust. God \nis my safe protection. God is my faithful helper; who never deceives \nme. Therefore, vain are the sons of men. The sons of men are all \nliars:\u2019 that is, all human things are deceiving, uncertain, and cannot \nbe held fast.\n\nMany are to be found, who trust in the favour of kings and princes; \nand on that account, they are puffed up with pride and insolence, and \noppress others with the more confidence; and especially if they see \ntheir wall bowing down and giving way; that is, if they see a man \ndeclining in his affairs, who was once in prosperity; or if they see \nhim not protected by wealth and influence against injury: such an one \nas this, they endeavour to overthrow wholly; and to that end, \ningratiate themselves with the powerful, and wind themselves into \ntheir affections, on whose favour they depend; as on a propitious \ndeity.\n\nBut such see not how fallacious the favour of men is, and how variable \nand uncertain their wills are; in a word, they see not that \u201cvain is \nthe help of man!\u201d Nor will they believe it to be vain, until they find \nit out by experience, and are brought to lament their error; as Cicero \nand many other wise men have done. Cicero exclaims with respect to \nOctavius, \u2018O how vain was all my reputation for being a wise man, &c.! \nO how far was I from being wise indeed; though I sometimes evinced \nthat wisdom which was esteemed to be such; but in vain!\u2019 Thus writes \nhe in his epistle to Octavius.\u2014Therefore the sum of all religion is \n\u2018Trust in God and injure not thy neighbour!\u2019 So shalt thou rightly \nconduct thyself before both God and men!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXIII.\n\n_David\u2019s thirst for God.\u2014His manner of blessing God.\u2014His confidence of \nhis enemies\u2019 destruction, and his own safety._\n\nA Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.\n\n\nO God, thou _art_ my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth \nfor thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where \nno water is;\n\nTo see thy power and thy glory, so _as_ I have seen thee in the \nsanctuary.\n\nBecause thy loving-kindness _is_ better than life, my lips shall \npraise thee.\n\nThus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy \nname.\n\nMy soul shall be satisfied as _with_ marrow and fatness; and my mouth \nshall praise _thee_ with joyful lips:\n\nWhen I remember thee upon my bed, _and_ meditate on thee in the \n_night_ watches.\n\nBecause thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings \nwill I rejoice.\n\nMy soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.\n\nBut those _that_ seek my soul, to destroy _it_, shall go into the \nlower parts of the earth.\n\nThey shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.\n\nBut the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him \nshall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.\n\n\nThis is a prayer containing the deep feelings of an afflicted heart, \nthirsting after the word of God, which is the word of consolation! \nDavid called thus upon God, when he fled from the face of Saul, and \nlay hid in the wilderness of Judah. \u201cMy soul thirsteth for thee; my \nflesh longeth for thee, that I may see thee in thy sanctuary.\u201d O how \nfervently does he desire to be present in the tabernacle, and before \nthe mercy-seat in the sanctuary! And to hear the word of God, in the \nassembly of those who there truly worshipped him? He complains, also, \nbitterly against the Saulites; who so hostilely lay in wait for his \nlife, that he could be in safety no where; and was compelled to be \naway from the place of the worship of God; even away from the \nsanctuary.\u2014Notwithstanding all this, however, he raises himself up \nwith a holy firmness, and magnanimity, and glories in being king, \ndepending on the choice and promise of God; by which he comforts and \nsustains himself during the time of that most miserable flight and \ncalamity.\n\nThis Psalm may be used by those who are under the oppression of \ntyrants, who feel a hungering and thirsting after the word of God, and \nwho can, under their calamity, glory in being the sons and heirs of \nGod, because they have the knowledge of Christ, and love the word; and \nwho can persevere in this confidence, until the impious Saul be \ndestroyed, and David exalted; that is, until God raise up and comfort \nthose that fear him.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXIV.\n\n_David prayeth for deliverance, complaining of his enemies.\u2014He \npromiseth himself to see such an evident destruction of his enemies, \nas the righteous shall rejoice at it._\n\nTo the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.\n\n\nHear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the \nenemy.\n\nHide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection \nof the workers of iniquity.\n\nWho whet their tongue like a sword, _and_ bend _their bows to shoot_ \ntheir arrows, _even_ bitter words;\n\nThat they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot \nat him, and fear not.\n\nThey encourage themselves _in_ an evil matter; they commune of laying \nsnares privily; they say, Who shall see them?\n\nThey search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both \nthe inward _thought_ of every one _of them_, and the heart, _is_ deep.\n\nBut God shall shoot at them _with_ an arrow; suddenly shall they be \nwounded.\n\nSo they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves; all that \nsee them shall flee away.\n\nAnd all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God: for they \nshall wisely consider of his doing.\n\nThe righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and \nall the upright in heart shall glory.\n\n\nThis is a most ardent prayer, full of the feelings of a heart under \ngreat straits, by reason of the unceasing and infinite malice of the \ndevil, the perfidy of men, and the ingratitude of the world.\n\nDavid here cries unto God, on account of having experienced so much \ntreachery, even from those of his own household, (as always is the \ncase, in the cause of religion). He cries to the Lord against his \nbetrayers and his most virulent slanderers,\u2014those vipers, who, by \nwicked speeches, and all the arts of perfidy and malice, did not cease \nto plot against him. Of this base gang were his own son Absalom, \nAhithophel, and others like them; and especially many in the court of \nSaul; Doeg, &c.\n\nHe continues, however, perseveringly to comfort and console \nhimself;\u2014that, by the just judgment of God, these same enemies shall \nbring evil upon their own heads; and that those very base and viperous \ntongues, which now cannot rest nor cease to slander, shall only wound \nthemselves; as, in the end, it happened unto Absalom, Ahithophel, and \nDoeg.\n\nIn the same way also, we ought to pray against all those vipers, our \nenemies, in the halls of kings, bishops, and princes: who attack us \nwith satanic craft and hatred, and with all the arts of wickedness. \nBut they shall fall themselves into the snares which they have laid, \n(as we have seen it exemplified in numberless instances;) and they \nshall only plan mischief which shall fall upon their own heads; that \nmen may openly behold and see the works of God, and acknowledge that \nGod himself has visited them.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXV.\n\n_David praiseth God for his grace.\u2014The blessedness of God\u2019s chosen by\nreason of benefits._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm and Song of David.\n\n\nPraise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow \nbe performed.\n\nO thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.\n\nIniquities prevail against me: _as for_ our transgressions, thou shalt \npurge them away.\n\nBlessed _is the man whom_ thou choosest, and causest to approach _unto \nthee, that_ he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the \ngoodness of thy house, _even_ of thy holy temple.\n\n_By_ terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of \nour salvation; _who art_ the confidence of all the ends of the earth, \nand of them that are afar off _upon_ the sea:\n\nWhich by his strength setteth fast the mountains; _being_ girded with \npower:\n\nWhich stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and \nthe tumult of the people.\n\nThey also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid of thy tokens: \nthou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.\n\nThou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it \nwith the river of God, _which is_ full of water: thou preparest them \ncorn, when thou hast so provided for it.\n\nThou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly; thou settlest the furrows \nthereof; thou makest it soft with showers; thou blessest the springing\nthereof.\n\nThou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.\n\nThey drop _upon_ the pastures of the wilderness; and the little hills \nrejoice on every side.\n\nThe pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered \nover with corn: they shout for joy, they also sing.\n\n\nThis is a remarkable Psalm of thanksgiving; (and all productions of \nthis kind were formed by the prophet out of the First Commandment,) \nwherein thanks are rendered unto God, because he preserves among his \npeople (to whom he has given his word against Satan, heretics, and all \nadversaries) the true religion, and the true worship of God; and \nbecause he preserves also political peace, and guards the state from \nall seditions, wars and tumults; and dispels all the storms of the \ncounsels of war, slaughter and bloodshed. For war is nothing less than \na horrible storm and tempest, which hurls into confusion all things \ndivine and human; and throws them into a perturbation, like as when \nthe waves of the sea rage with violence.\n\nThe Psalmist gives thanks to God that he preserves peace;\u2014(in which \none thing are contained all the treasures of good;) that he gives rain \nfrom heaven and fruitful seasons; and that he crowns the year with his \ngoodness: that is, that during the revolution of the year, he \naccomplishes and performs, as it were, a certain round of divine \nblessing and goodness. For, in the spring, there first appear the \nblossoms; and then, shortly after, the strawberries and cherries; and \nthen, ere long, plums, apples, and berries of various juice and \nvirtue; (to say nothing about the perpetual verdure of the herbs which \nflourishes all the while, and is continually revived with fresh \nsupplies of dew). To these we are to add, the infinite variety of \nherbs and odours. And then, at the time of harvest, our barns are \nfilled with wheat, rye, barley, and corn, and grain of every kind. In \nthe autumn, our presses overflow with wine of an infinite variety of \ntaste and fragrance, and our vats are filled to the brim. Thus the \nLord fills the whole revolution of the year, and every part of it, \nwith his overflowing and infinite goodness: and indeed every single \nfruit is, as it were, a fund, and a world of the goodness of God.\n\nBut how few are there, in general, who think about these numberless \nand valuable blessings, and render thanks unto God for them? Alas! we \nhave innumerable examples of the impious manner in which the noble, \nthe powerful, and the rich, have abused the saving doctrine of faith \nand Christian liberty, and also that peace which God has hitherto \nmiraculously preserved to us:\u2014we have numberless examples, I say, of \nthe manner in which they have abused these great blessings, to their \nown lusts, as Sodom and Gomorrah did:\u2014but they shall be visited with \nSodom and Gomorrah\u2019s judgment.\n\nYou see, therefore, that those in the kingdom of David, and among the \npeople of Israel who composed these Psalms, were excellent and great \nmen. For these are spiritual and truly divine poems. No poems ever \nequalled these. No poets, not even Homer himself, ever equalled these \npoets, who thus speak of God, his works, and his creatures. These \nPsalms contain the greatest and most weighty things, in a marvellous \nbrevity of expression!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXVI.\n\n_David exhorteth to praise God, to observe his great works, to bless \nhim for his gracious benefits.\u2014He voweth for himself religious service \nto God.\u2014He declareth God\u2019s special goodness to himself._\n\nTo the chief Musician, a Song _or_ Psalm.\n\n\nMake a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:\n\nSing forth the honour of his name; make his praise glorious.\n\nSay unto God, How terrible _art thou in_ thy works! through the \ngreatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto \nthee.\n\nAll the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall \nsing to thy name. Selah.\n\nCome and see the works of God _he is_ terrible _in his_ doing toward \nthe children of men.\n\nHe turned the sea into _dry land_: they went through the flood on \nfoot: there did we rejoice in him.\n\nHe ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not \nthe rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.\n\nO bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be \nheard;\n\nWhich holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be \nmoved.\n\nFor thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is \ntried.\n\nThou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our \nloins.\n\nThou hast caused men to ride over our heads: we went through fire and \nthrough water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy _place_.\n\nI will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my \nvows,\n\nWhich my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in \ntrouble.\n\nI will offer unto thee burnt-sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense \nof rams: I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.\n\nCome _and_ hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath \ndone for my soul.\n\nI cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.\n\nIf I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear _me_:\n\n_But_ verily God hath heard _me_; he hath attended to the voice of my \nprayer.\n\nBlessed _be_ God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy \nfrom me.\n\n\nThis is a general thanksgiving, for God\u2019s having rescued and delivered \nhis people so often out of the hands of their enemies, and out of the \nvery jaws of death itself; as he did at the Red Sea. The Books of \nJudges and Kings are full of these deliverances.\n\nThese deliverances are no less great and wonderful, at this day, in \nthe church, when God delivers those that fear him out of temptations, \nboth internal and external. For Satan, of whom that earthly Pharaoh \nwas so especial a type, being inflamed with so horrible a desire of \ndistressing and destroying, daily persecutes the church: and he would, \nif he could, so harm every single one of the godly, and so beset them \non every side, that they should see nothing but death, and an angry \nGod: out of all these things, however, God delivers his own.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXVII.\n\n_A prayer for the enlargement of God\u2019s kingdom, to the joy of the \npeople, and the increase of God\u2019s blessings._\n\nTo the chief Musician on Neginoth, a Psalm _or_ Song.\n\n\nGod be merciful unto us, and bless us; _and_ cause his face to shine \nupon us. Selah.\n\nThat thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all \nnations.\n\nLet the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.\n\nO let the nations be glad, and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge the \npeople righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.\n\nLet the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.\n\n_Then_ shall the earth yield her increase; _and_ God, even our God, \nshall bless us.\n\nGod shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ; foretelling, that \nit should be a spiritual kingdom, in which grace and the remission of \nsins should be proclaimed, not only in Judea, but throughout all \nnations. \u201cLet the people praise thee, O God, yea let all the people \npraise thee; for thou judgest the people righteously, &c.\u201d That is, \nthou reignest, by the Gospel, throughout all nations: thou judgest \nall: (that is, all sinners in the hypocrisy of nature,) that they may \nbe brought to give thanks unto thee for thy mercy, and may rejoice, \nand praise the blessings of the gospel.\n\nThis sacrifice of praise, this offering of thanks, is the highest \nworship of God, and is a sacrifice truly acceptable unto him, (as we \nhave continually observed;) for David does not here say, \u2018The nations \nshall become proselytes, and shall be circumcised, and shall flock to \nJerusalem:\u2019 but \u201cThe nations shall remain uncircumcised, and shall, \nnevertheless, sing praises unto God, and shall laud and magnify him:\u201d \nthat is, the gospel shall be preached among all nations, and the \nkingdom of Christ shall arise, the kingdom of grace and of the mercy \nof God.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXVIII.\n\n_A prayer at the removing of the ark.\u2014An exhortation to praise God for \nhis mercies, for his care of the church, for his great works._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm _or_ Song of David.\n\n\nLet God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate \nhim flee before him.\n\nAs smoke is driven away, _so_ drive _them_ away: as wax melteth before \nthe fire, _so_ let the wicked perish in the presence of God.\n\nBut let the righteous be glad: let them rejoice before God; yea, let \nthem exceedingly rejoice.\n\nSing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon \nthe heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.\n\nA father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, _is_ God in his \nholy habitation.\n\nGod setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are \nbound with chains; but the rebellious dwell in a dry _land_.\n\nO God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst \nmarch through the wilderness; Selah:\n\nThe earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: \n_even_ Sinai itself _was moved_ at the presence of God, the God of \nIsrael.\n\nThou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm \nthine inheritance, when it was weary.\n\nThy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy \ngoodness for the poor.\n\nThe LORD gave the word: great _was_ the company of those that \npublished it.\n\nKings of armies did flee apace; and she that tarried at home divided \nthe spoil.\n\nThough ye have lien among the pots, _yet shall ye be as_ the wings of \na dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.\n\nWhen the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was _white_ as snow in \nSalmon.\n\nThe hill of God _is as_ the hill of Bashan; an high hill, _as_ the \nhill of Bashan.\n\nWhy leap ye, ye high hills? _this is_ the hill _which_ God desireth to \ndwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell _in it_ for ever.\n\nThe chariots of God _are_ twenty thousand, _even_ thousands of angels; \nthe Lord _is_ among them _as in_ Sinai, in the holy _place_.\n\nThou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast \nreceived gifts for men; yea, _for_ the rebellious also, that the LORD \nGod might dwell _among them_.\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD, _who_ daily loadeth us _with benefits, even_ \nthe God of our salvation. Selah.\n\n_He that is_ our God _is_ the God of salvation; and unto God the LORD \n_belong_ the issues from death.\n\nBut God shall wound the head of his enemies, _and_ the hairy scalp of \nsuch a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.\n\nThe LORD said, I will bring again from Bashan; I will bring _my \npeople_ again from the depths of the sea:\n\nThat thy foot may be dipped in the blood of _thine_ enemies, _and_ the \ntongue of thy dogs in the same.\n\nThey have seen thy goings, O GOD; _even_ the goings of my God, my \nKing, in the sanctuary.\n\nThe singers went before, the players on instruments _followed_ after; \namong _them were_ the damsels playing with timbrels.\n\nBless ye God in the congregations, _even_ the LORD from the fountain \nof Israel.\n\nThere _is_ little Benjamin _with_ their ruler, the princes of Judah \n_and_ their council, the princes of Zebulun, _and_ the princes of \nNaphtali.\n\nThy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which \nthou hast wrought for us.\n\nBecause of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto \nthee.\n\nRebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the \ncalves of the people, _till every one_ submit himself with pieces of \nsilver: scatter thou the people _that_ delight in war.\n\nPrinces shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her \nhands unto God.\n\nSing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the LORD; \nSelah:\n\nTo him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens _which were_ of old: lo, \nhe doth send out his voice, _and that_ a mighty voice.\n\nAscribe ye strength unto God: his excellency _is_ over Israel, and his \nstrength _is_ in the clouds.\n\nO God, _thou art_ terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel \n_is_ he that giveth strength and power unto _his_ people. Blessed _be_ \nGod.\n\n\nThis Psalm is, in the Latin, most obscurely translated; so much so, \nthat this one Psalm may well put us in remembrance of what we are \nindebted unto God, for the great light which he has given us in this \nour day; in having blessed us with the study of languages, and with \ngood books and instructors. Yet, in return for this universal, great, \nand unspeakable gift, through the unceasing revilings of Satan, God \nhears nothing but, \u2018O this Lutheran poison! O this Lutheran \nheresy!\u2019\u2014The world shall suffer heavy punishment for the contempt of \nthe blessing of this great and merciful light!\n\nIn the former Latin translation of this Psalm there were the most \nmonstrous renderings; such as \u2018_Rex vir tutum dilecti dilecti.\u2014Speciei \ndomus dividere spolia.\u2014Si dormiatis inter medios cleros.\u2014Nives \ndealbabuntur in Salmon.\u2014Mons Dei, mons pinguis, mons \nco\u00e6quatus.\u2014Arundinis increpa feras. Congregatio taurorum in vaccis \npopulorum,\u2019 &c._\n\nAnd how much of the same obscurity was there in Hosea, and the like \ndifficult books? What, then, have _they_ profited the church, who, by \na sort of madness, and from a hatred of, and longing desire to, \nsuppress the light of the gospel, have all along condemned not only \nall pious studies, but all useful learning and godliness! But how easy \nis it to sit down and condemn all things, and, as it were, to spit at \nthe sun that enlightens all things! The truly learned and godly know, \nhowever, how arduous it is to imitate the laborious endeavours of \nthose who engage in the work of translations. But let us proceed to \nspeak upon the Psalm.\u2014\n\nThis Psalm is a signal prophecy concerning Christ; a prophecy more \nanimated and exalted, than usual, in fervency of spirit; and, as it \nwere, exulting in the Holy Ghost; setting before us a view of the \nchurch, and those things which are to take place under the New \nTestament; and all this is done with a representation so clear and \nexpressive, and with every thing depicted in that exact order, that it \nseems to be, not a prediction of things to come, but a description of \nthings passing before our eyes. The Holy Ghost foretels the \nresurrection and ascension of Christ, the revelation of the Holy \nSpirit from heaven, and the mission of the Apostles: he describes, I \nsay, the whole of this spiritual kingdom: this kingdom of grace and \nremission of sins, in which Christ should be preached as the true God, \nand as the Saviour and deliverer from death.\n\nHe shows also, that the kingdom and priesthood of the Jews was to be \nabolished, and that a new and spiritual kingdom was to be erected; \nwhich should stand, not in human strength, nor in many thousands of \nhorse and foot, but in the ministry and power of the word!\u2014that it \nshould be a kingdom, in which the Lord should give the word unto those \nwho should preach it, in much power; by which the grace of Christ, and \nthe remission of sins by Christ, should be preached, and not the law \nof Moses.\n\nHe calls the apostles, \u201ckings and heads of armies;\u201d because, by the \ngospel and the ministry of the word, they continually attack the \nkingdom of the devil and the gates of hell. For what are all the \nsermons and exhortations of the apostles, but the most terrible \nbattles and conflicts against sin, death, the devil, hell, and all the \nrighteousness and wisdom of the world?\n\nHe also calls them \u201chigh hills, rich hills, and the inheritance of \nGod;\u201d and \u201cchariots of the Lord of many thousands;\u201d and also, \u201cthe \nmultitude of them that preach good tidings, and sing, and play upon \ninstruments;\u201d because, the apostles and ministers of the word, by \npreaching the joyful gospel and the word of grace, continually praise, \nsing of, and celebrate the immense benefits of Christ, and the mercy \nof God. Thus, throughout the whole Psalm, the fervent prophet exulting \nin the Holy Ghost, describes, in a most sweet song, the whole kingdom \nof Christ!\n\nIn the end, he prays that God would be pleased to render the church \nmore flourishing, and to give his blessing and a happy success to this \nkingdom. And indeed, the prophet felt his heart moved, and was \npeculiarly uplifted and fervent in spirit, when he composed this \ndivine and heavenly psalm concerning the kingdom of Christ.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXIX.\n\n_David complaineth of his affliction.\u2014He prayeth for deliverance.\u2014He \ndevoteth his enemies to destruction.\u2014He praiseth God with \nthanksgiving._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Shoshannim. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nSave me, O God; for the waters are come in unto _my_ soul.\n\nI sink in deep mire, where _there is_ no standing: I am come into deep \nwaters, where the floods overflow me.\n\nI am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I \nwait for my God.\n\nThey that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine \nhead: they that would destroy me, _being_ mine enemies wrongfully, are \nmighty: then I restored _that_ which I took not away.\n\nO God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.\n\nLet not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my \nsake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of \nIsrael.\n\nBecause for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my \nface.\n\nI am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother\u2019s \nchildren.\n\nFor the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of \nthem that reproached thee are fallen upon me.\n\nWhen I wept, _and chastened_ my soul with fasting, that was to my \nreproach.\n\nI made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.\n\nThey that sit in the gate speak against me; and I _was_ the song of \nthe drunkards.\n\nBut as for me, my prayer _is_ unto thee, O LORD, _in_ an acceptable \ntime: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me: in the truth of \nthy salvation,\n\nDeliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered \nfrom them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.\n\nLet not the water-flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me \nup, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.\n\nHear me, O LORD; for thy loving-kindness _is_ good: turn unto me \naccording to the multitude of thy tender mercies.\n\nAnd hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble; hear me \nspeedily.\n\nDraw nigh unto my soul, _and_ redeem it: deliver me, because of mine \nenemies.\n\nThou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine \nadversaries _are_ all before thee.\n\nReproach hath broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness: and I \nlooked _for some_ to take pity, but _there was_ none; and for \ncomforters, but I found none.\n\nThey gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me \nvinegar to drink.\n\nLet their table become a snare before them: and _that which should \nhave been_ for _their_ welfare, _let it become_ a trap.\n\nLet their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins \ncontinually to shake.\n\nPour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take \nhold of them.\n\nLet their habitation be desolate; _and_ let none dwell in their tents.\n\nFor they persecute _him_ whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the \ngrief of those whom thou hast wounded.\n\nAdd iniquity unto their iniquity; and let them not come into thy \nrighteousness.\n\nLet them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written \nwith the righteous.\n\nBut I _am_ poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on \nhigh.\n\nI will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with \nthanksgiving.\n\n_This_ also shall please the LORD better than an ox _or_ bullock that \nhath horns and hoofs.\n\nThe humble shall see _this, and_ be glad: and your heart shall live \nthat seek God.\n\nFor the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.\n\nLet the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that \nmoveth therein:\n\nFor God will save Sion, and will build the cities of Judah; that they \nmay dwell there, and have it in possession.\n\nThe seed also of his servants shall inherit it; and they that love his \nname shall dwell therein.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer full of those most deep and spiritual feelings \nthat were experienced in the person of Christ our Lord. In the \nbeginning of the Psalm, in the first three verses, with what a \nfervency and weight of words does the Psalmist describe those great \nterrors of death and hell which Christ undertook and endured, for our \nsins. \u201cSave me now, O Lord,\u201d saith he, \u201cfor the waters overflow me, I \nsink into the depth of the mire: I have now no where to stand, nothing \nwhereon to set my foot, I sink into the abyss of the sea, and the \nfloods overflow me.\u201d By all which figures and expressions he shadows \nforth, with all his powers, that unspeakable agony of Christ, which he \nendured for our sins, when groaning under the infinite weight of the \nwrath of God.\n\nIn the 7th verse Christ confesses himself as bearing our sins, and \ncomplains of the Jews, who crucify him. \u201cThey gave me,\u201d saith he, \n\u201cgall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink:\u201d so \nexpressively and circumstantially does the prophet foretel the \nsufferings of Christ! And then he speaks, with the same clearness, \nconcerning the Jews who should be blinded, and their kingdom and \npriesthood which should be destroyed, as also it was fulfilled; so \nthat now we see the accomplishment of these things, and experience has \nset them plainly before our eyes.\n\nIn the end of the Psalm the prophet shows that the law should be \nabolished, and that a new worship should be instituted without the law \nand circumcision: \u201cI will praise the name of the Lord,\u201d saith he, \n\u201cwith a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall \nplease the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that hath horns and \nhoofs.\u201d By these words he shews that the law should be abrogated with \nthe whole of that splendidly ceremonious worship, the boasted pride of \ncircumcision, the sabbaths, and the sacrifices; and that the worship \nof the New Testament should be established in its stead; namely, the \nsacrifice of praise and the preaching of the gospel; for it is by \nfaith in Christ, and obedience to the gospel that we attain unto the \ntrue knowledge of God, and it is by truly keeping the first \ncommandment that God is truly worshipped; which, as it is written, \n(Mark xii. 33.) is \u201cmore than all whole burnt offerings and \nsacrifices.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXX.\n\n_David soliciteth God to the speedy destruction of the wicked, and \npreservation of the godly._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.\n\n\nMake haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.\n\nLet them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them \nbe turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.\n\nLet them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, \naha.\n\nLet all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such \nas love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.\n\nBut I _am_ poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou _art_ my \nhelp and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer against the persecutors and enemies of the \nchurch and of the godly: for such instruments of the devil cease not \nto plot against the good, and those that fear God, with all possible \nmachinations of craft, and with all the bitterness of Cain; and, like \nSatan himself, they burn with an insatiable desire and determination \nto destroy the church; nay, more than this, they insult the miseries \nand calamities of the saints.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXI.\n\n_David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God\u2019s favour, \nprayeth both for himself, and against the enemies of his soul.\u2014He \npromiseth constancy.\u2014He prayeth for perseverance.\u2014He praiseth God, and \npromiseth to do it cheerfully._\n\n\nIn thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.\n\nDeliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine \near unto me, and save me.\n\nBe thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou \nhast given commandment to save me; for thou _art_ my rock and my\nfortress.\n\nDeliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand \nof the unrighteous and cruel man.\n\nFor thou _art_ my hope, O Lord GOD: _thou art_ my trust from my youth.\n\nBy thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me \nout of my mother\u2019s bowels: my praise _shall be_ continually of thee.\n\nI am as a wonder unto many: but thou _art_ my strong refuge.\n\nLet my mouth be filled _with_ thy praise _and with_ thy honour all the \nday.\n\nCast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my \nstrength faileth.\n\nFor mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul \ntake counsel together,\n\nSaying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for _there is_ \nnone to deliver _him_.\n\nO God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste for my help.\n\nLet them be confounded _and_ consumed that are adversaries to my soul; \nlet them be covered _with_ reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.\n\nBut I will hope continually, and yet will praise thee more and more.\n\nMy mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness _and_ thy salvation all \nthe day; for I know not the numbers _thereof_.\n\nI will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of thy \nrighteousness, _even_ of thine only.\n\nO God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared \nthy wondrous works.\n\nNow also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I \nhave shewed thy strength unto _this_ generation, _and_ thy power to \nevery one _that_ is to come.\n\nThy righteousness also, O God, _is_ very high, who hast done great \nthings: O God, who _is_ like unto thee!\n\n_Thou_, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me \nagain, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.\n\nThou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.\n\nI will also praise thee with the psaltery, _even_ thy truth, O my God: \nunto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.\n\nMy lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, \nwhich thou hast redeemed.\n\nMy tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for \nthey are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my \nhurt.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a general prayer; which, I think, may be very properly \nused in the person of the whole church against all her enemies and \npersecutors who are now or ever shall be, unto the end. \u201cForsake me \nnot,\u201d saith he, \u201cin the time of mine old age,\u201d &c. and although this \nmay more especially apply to the prophet himself, as praying for \ndivine protection under his infinite temptations; yet the words may be \nappropriately applied to the last times, and to the close of the \nchurch militant before the last day. For the church has her old age \nalso: and Christ himself and his apostles have foretold, \u201cThat in the \nlatter days perilous times shall come:\u201d as Daniel also prophesied, \nthat the truth should be persecuted and iniquity should abound: and \nthis we have experienced under Mahomet, and the Pope, to our infinite \nperil and sorrow.\n\nHence, in verses 15\u201317, the prophet foretells the justice and \nrighteousness of God. \u201cMy mouth (saith he) shall show forth thy \nrighteousness. O God thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto \nhave I declared thy wondrous works. Now also, when I am old and \ngrey-headed, &c.\u201d This prophecy may be of singular use to us, and \napply to us very appropriately: because God has, as it were, brought \nus back out of hell, and from the depths of the earth, and has made \nthe light of his word to shine again, by which our consciences have a \nfirm and eternal consolation. These our times are like the times of \nElias and Enoch: for they commonly say of us, \u2018These men will subvert \nantichrist, and restore all things!\u2019\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXII.\n\n_David, praying for Solomon, sheweth the goodness and glory of his, in \ntype, and in truth, of Christ\u2019s kingdom.\u2014He blesseth God._\n\nA Psalm for Solomon.\n\n\nGive the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the \nking\u2019s son.\n\nHe shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with \njudgment.\n\nThe mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, \nby righteousness.\n\nHe shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of \nthe needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.\n\nThey shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout \nall generations.\n\nHe shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers _that_ \nwater the earth.\n\nIn his days shall the righteous flourish: and abundance of peace so \nlong as the moon endureth.\n\nHe shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto \nthe ends of the earth.\n\nThey that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his \nenemies shall lick the dust.\n\nThe kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings \nof Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.\n\nYea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve \nhim.\n\nFor he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and \n_him_ that hath no helper.\n\nHe shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the \nneedy.\n\nHe shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious \nshall their blood be in his sight.\n\nAnd he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: \nprayer also shall be made for him continually: _and_ daily shall he be \npraised.\n\nThere shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the \nmountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and _they_ of \nthe city shall flourish like grass of the earth.\n\nHis name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as \nthe sun: and _men_ shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him \nblessed.\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous \nthings.\n\nAnd blessed _be_ his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth \nbe filled _with_ his glory; Amen, and Amen.\n\nThe prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.\n\n\nThis is a most remarkable prophecy concerning Christ and his kingdom, \nto be spread throughout the whole world, over all kingdoms, and the \nisles of the sea: which should not be a kingdom of death, sin, and \njudgment, but a kingdom of grace, righteousness, peace, and joy.\u2014But \nthe life, the victory, the peace, and the glory of the church shall be \nhidden; they shall be hidden in God; and the saints in this world \nshall endure the most bitter hatred of the world, and its \npersecutions; they shall shed their blood for Christ; nevertheless, \nthat blood shall be precious in the sight of the Lord, and he shall \nrequire it.\n\nThis Psalm also, verse 15, declares that the old worship of the law of \nMoses should be abrogated, and a new worship set up, which should \nconsist in prayer and the giving of thanks. \u201cPrayer shall be made unto \nhim (saith he) continually, and daily shall he be praised.\u201d For the \nsacrifice of praise and the preaching of the gospel, is the daily \nsacrifice, and the highest worship of the New Testament. Here you hear \nnothing of circumcision, or the law of Moses, as that which the \nnations should receive. It saith that the kings of nations and nations \nthemselves shall endure and shall praise this king. Therefore, this \nking, Christ, is truly and properly God. For prayer is the worship of \nthe first and greatest commandment, and is due to God alone; for he \nalone can deliver from death and every affliction.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXIII.\n\n_The prophet, prevailing in a temptation, sheweth the occasion \nthereof, the prosperity of the wicked.\u2014The wound given thereby, \ndiffidence.\u2014The victory over it, knowledge of God\u2019s purpose, in \ndestroying of the wicked, and sustaining the righteous._\n\nA Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nTruly God _is_ good to Israel, _even_ to such as are of a clean heart.\n\nBut as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh \nslipped.\n\nFor I was envious at the foolish, _when_ I saw the prosperity of the \nwicked.\n\nFor _there are_ no bands in their death; but their strength _is_ firm.\n\nThey _are_ not in trouble _as other_ men; neither are they plagued \nlike _other_ men.\n\nTherefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth \nthem _as_ a garment.\n\nTheir eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could \nwish.\n\nThey are corrupt, and speak wickedly _concerning_ oppression: they \nspeak loftily.\n\nThey set their mouth against the heavens; and their tongue walketh \nthrough the earth.\n\nTherefore his people return hither; and waters of a full _cup_ are \nwrung out to them:\n\nAnd they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most \nHigh?\n\nBehold, these _are_ the ungodly who prosper in the world; they \nincrease _in_ riches.\n\nVerily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in \ninnocency.\n\nFor all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.\n\nIf I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend _against_ the \ngeneration of thy children.\n\nWhen I thought to know this, it _was_ too painful for me,\n\nUntil I went into the sanctuary of God; _then_ understood I their end.\n\nSurely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down \ninto destruction.\n\nHow are they _brought_ into desolation, as in a moment? they are \nutterly consumed with terrors.\n\nAs a dream when _one_ awaketh; _so_, O LORD, when thou awakest, thou \nshalt despise their image.\n\nThus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.\n\nSo foolish _was_ I and ignorant; I was _as_ a beast before thee.\n\nNevertheless, I _am_ continually with thee; thou hast holden _me_ by \nmy right hand.\n\nThou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me _to_ \nglory.\n\nWhom have I heaven _but thee_? and _there is_ none upon earth _that_ I \ndesire beside thee.\n\nMy flesh and my heart faileth: _but_ God is the strength of my heart, \nand my portion for ever.\n\nFor, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish; thou hast destroyed \nall them that go a whoring from thee.\n\nBut _it is_ good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in \nthe Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm that instructs us against that great offence and \nstumbling-block concerning which all the prophets have complained; \nnamely, that the wicked flourish in the world, enjoy prosperity, and \nincrease in abundance, while the godly suffer cold and hunger, and are \nafflicted, and spit upon, and despised, and condemned; and that God \nseems to be against and to neglect the latter, and to regard, support \nand give success to the former. And this outside appearance of the \nfalse church has, moreover, a great influence with, and excites the \nadmiration of, the world around. Whatever these hypocrites do or say, \nthey boast with great confidence, is pious, holy and divine: on the \nother hand, they consider the lives of the godly to be ungodly, and \ntheir doctrine erroneous. This offence has existed, and has exercised \nand vexed the godly from the very beginning of the church.\n\n\u201cSo foolish was I,\u201d saith Asaph, (v. 22.) that is, I was accounted \nungodly, a heretic, and a despiser of God. But these temptations, \nsaith he, remain until I cast away all my own cogitations about this \noffence, and go into the sanctuary: that is, until I hear or read the \nword, and find what God saith concerning the ungodly; and until I look \ninto the histories and behold the judgments of God, which have been \nsince the foundation of the world. There I find what God threatens in \nhis First Commandment: and how he has fulfilled this judgment and \nexecuted it, even from Cain; by which all the ungodly are overthrown \nand overwhelmed on a sudden: for they build upon slippery places and \nupon the sand, but the godly build upon a rock.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXIV.\n\n_The prophet complaineth of the desolation of the sanctuary.\u2014He moveth \nGod to help in consideration of his power, of his reproachful enemies, \nof his children, and of his covenant._\n\nMaschil of Asaph.\n\n\nO God, why hast thou cast _us_ off for ever? _why_ doth thine anger \nsmoke against the sheep of thy pasture?\n\nRemember thy congregation, _which_ thou hast purchased of old; the rod \nof thine inheritance, _which_ thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, \nwherein thou hast dwelt.\n\nLift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; _even_ all _that_ the \nenemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.\n\nThine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up \ntheir ensigns _for_ signs.\n\n_A man_ was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick \ntrees.\n\nBut now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and \nhammers.\n\nThey have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled _by casting \ndown_ the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.\n\nThey said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have \nburned up all the synagogues of God in the land.\n\nWe see not our signs: _there is_ no more any prophet: neither _is \nthere_ among us any that knoweth how long.\n\nO God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy \nblaspheme thy name for ever?\n\nWhy withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck _it_ out of \nthy bosom.\n\nFor God _is_ my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the \nearth.\n\nThou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of \nthe dragons in the waters.\n\nThou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, _and_ gavest him _to \nbe_ meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.\n\nThou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty \nrivers.\n\nThe day _is_ thine, the night also _is_ thine; thou hast prepared the \nlight and the sun.\n\nThou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and \nwinter.\n\nRemember this, _that_ the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and _that_ \nthe foolish people have blasphemed thy name.\n\nO deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude _of the \nwicked_: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.\n\nHave respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are \nfull of the habitations of cruelty.\n\nO let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise \nthy name.\n\nArise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man \nreproacheth thee daily.\n\nForget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise \nup against thee increaseth continually.\n\n\nThis is a prayer against the enemies who were then laying waste \nJerusalem, the sanctuary, all the holy places of assembly and of the \nworship of God in the land, and even the national cities themselves; \nuttering at the same time blasphemies against God, as if he were not \nable to succour and defend his people.\n\nIt seems also to be a prophecy of the future, and a prayer against \nthat future devastation which was wrought by those cruel enemies, the \nChaldeans, and by Antiochus Epiphanes; for it was on these two \noccasions only that the temple and the city of Jerusalem were \ndestroyed, with such cruelty as is here depicted.\n\nWe also use this Psalm against the Turk and Mahomet; and also against \nour Antiochus, the pope; who destroys daily the true church and the \npreaching of the word of God, daily despoils and scatters all sacred \nand divine things, and every where stirs up and diffuses abroad the \npoison of the devil and every abomination.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXV.\n\n_The prophet praiseth God.\u2014He promiseth to judge uprightly.\u2014He \nrebuketh the proud by consideration of God\u2019s providence.\u2014He praiseth \nGod, and promiseth to execute justice._\n\nTo the chief Musician, Al-taschith, a Psalm _or_ Song of Asaph.\n\n\nUnto thee, O God, do we give thanks, _unto thee_ do we give thanks; \nfor _that_ thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.\n\nWhen I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.\n\nThe earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the \npillars of it. Selah.\n\nI said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not \nup the horn:\n\nLift not up your horn on high: speak _not with_ a stiff neck.\n\nFor promotion _cometh_ neither from the east, nor from the west, nor \nfrom the south.\n\nBut God _is_ the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.\n\nFor in the hand of the LORD _there is_ a cup, and the wine is red: it \nis full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs \nthereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring _them_ out, _and_ \ndrink _them_.\n\nBut I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.\n\nAll the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; _but_ the horns of \nthe righteous shall be exalted.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation against all turbulent and hardened \nhypocrites, who boast of their church and their name, and despise \nalike all threatenings, and all exhortations; ever speaking like those \narrogant hypocrites in Psalm xii: \u201cWho shall teach us?\u201d \u201cWho is Lord \nover us?\u201d As if they should say, the power is ours, and the authority \nis ours, and he that does not listen to, and obey us, let him be \naccursed.\n\nIn like manner also now, our bishops are secure; and, from the \n\u2018Council of Worms\u2019 to this day, are deaf to all entreaties, and \ninsensible to all tears. And equally deaf also are most kings and \nprinces and fanatical spirits; who are so confident in themselves and \nin their own imaginations, that they seem to think that God himself \ncould not overthrow them or cast them down.\n\nThis Psalm admonishes us, the people of God, to know and acknowledge, \nthat there is a God who will surely judge all iniquity, if we do but \nwait his time. For he is the Lord who maketh the mountains to tremble, \nand who appeared on Mount Sinai with such terrible majesty. He, \naccording to the word of his First Commandment, visits the wicked in \nhis own appointed time, and yet preserves the pillars of the earth; \nthat is, the godly and the righteous; who bear up and sustain this \nworld upon their shoulders as it were: in the same way as the Apostle \nPaul calls the church the \u201cpillar and ground of the truth.\u201d Thus, God \npreserved the righteous and innocent Lot when he overthrew Sodom: and \nthus he preserved also the believing Jews and the Apostles when he \ndestroyed Jerusalem, and overthrew the whole nation and kingdom: for \nhe knows, when he destroys any nation, how to preserve his own.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXVI.\n\n_A declaration of God\u2019s majesty in the church.\u2014An exhortation to serve \nhim reverently._\n\nTo the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm _or_ Song of Asaph.\n\n\nIn Judah _is_ God known; his name _is_ great in Israel.\n\nIn Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.\n\nThere brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and \nthe battle. Selah.\n\nThou _art_ more glorious _and_ excellent than the mountains of prey.\n\nThe stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of \nthe men of might have found their hands.\n\nAt thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast \ninto a dead sleep.\n\nThou, _even_ thou, _art_ to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight \nwhen once thou art angry?\n\nThou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, \nand was still,\n\nWhen God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.\n\nSurely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath \nshalt thou restrain.\n\nVow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him \nbring presents unto him that ought to be feared.\n\nHe shall cut off the spirit of princes: _he is_ terrible to the kings \nof the earth.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and of the same subject-matter as \nPsalm xlvi. It gives thanks unto God for preserving his word and \nworship in Jerusalem; and shows that it is he who, by marvellous deeds \nand wonders, protects and defends his people against all kings and \ntyrants; such as Sennacherib. For the Lord, the Divine Majesty, is a \nwonderful \u201cMan of war\u201d; who has the hearts and spirits of kings in his \nhand, and who can fill the enemies with fear, and break their minds \nand spirits, whenever he pleases, with a single nod of his will.\n\nIn this manner does God fight for his church against tyrants and \nerroneous enemies. In the very midst of the course of their fury and \ntheir hostile roaring, he brings down and breaks their spirits with \nfear: and it is a terrible thing to kick and fight against him, who \ncan, in a moment, take away that which is the chief thing in \nbattle\u2014the spirit of a man! Satan himself, who makes war against the \nrighteous with such unceasing rage, with such horrible desire to \ndestroy, and with such confidence in his might, is cast down in his \nspirit, in a moment, by a repulse of the shield of faith, and falls \nback and is undone: how much more then shall a mortal man!\n\nThis verse, therefore, wherein the Psalmist says, \u201cHe shall cut off \nthe spirit of princes,\u201d ought greatly to comfort us; for thereby we \nmay know, that we cannot be conquered or oppressed, but as God wills; \nseeing we have that Warrior for our Captain, who holds in his hand the \nhearts and spirits of our enemies; and who, without any arms or \nweapons of men, can lay our adversaries prostrate in a moment, by \nstriking their spirits with fear!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXVII.\n\n_The psalmist sheweth what fierce combat he had with diffidence.\u2014The \nvictory which he had by consideration of God\u2019s great and gracious \nworks._\n\nTo the chief Musician to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nI cried unto God with my voice, _even_ unto God with my voice; and he \ngave ear unto me.\n\nIn the day of my trouble I sought the LORD: my sore ran in the night, \nand ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.\n\nI remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was \noverwhelmed. Selah.\n\nThou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.\n\nI have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.\n\nI call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own \nheart: and my spirit made diligent search.\n\nWill the LORD cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?\n\nIs his mercy clean gone for ever? doth _his_ promise fail for \nevermore?\n\nHath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender \nmercies? Selah.\n\nAnd I said, This _is_ my infirmity: _but I will remember_ the years of \nthe right hand of the Most High.\n\nI will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy \nwonders of old.\n\nI will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.\n\nThy way, O God, _is_ in the sanctuary: who _is so_ great a God as \n_our_ God!\n\nThou _art_ the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength \namong the people.\n\nThou hast with _thine_ arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and \nJoseph. Selah.\n\nThe waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee: they were afraid: the \ndepths also were troubled.\n\nThe clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows \nalso went abroad.\n\nThe voice of thy thunder _was_ in the heaven: the lightnings lightened \nthe world: the earth trembled and shook.\n\nThy way _is_ in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy \nfootsteps are not known.\n\nThou leddest thy people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.\n\n\nThis Psalm contains a blessed doctrine: the Psalmist puts forth \nhimself as an example: and the whole is for the consolation of the \ngodly: for the Psalmist describes the unspeakable anguish and sorrow \nof a heart alarmed at the wrath of God and sin: and he says, verse 4, \nthat he was so overwhelmed with these terrors and sorrows, that he \ncould neither sleep nor speak. And in verses 7\u201310, he, as it were, \nrepeats all these his feelings of sorrow and dread, saying, \u201cWill God \nforget to be merciful? Doth his promise fail for evermore\u201d?\n\nBut here, as the Psalm saith, lies the greatest and best of all \nconsolations,\u2014you will at once find comfort and deliverance if, \ncasting away from your mind (if you can by any means do it,) all these \napprehensions of evils and sorrows, (by which indeed you are \ndistressed in vain,) you turn to the word and works of God, and to the \nhistories of God\u2019s doings and dealings from the beginning of the \nworld: for you will there find that the works and doings of God from \nthe beginning have been these,\u2014to be merciful to and to save and help \nthe sorrowful, the distressed, the destitute, and the afflicted; and \nto visit, in vengeance, the secure, the proud, the despisers, and the \nwicked, in the same way as he delivered the Israelites, and destroyed \nthe Egyptians. Hence it is that David says, \u201cThy way, O God, is in the \ndeep,\u201d and \u201cin the sea:\u201d for God saves in the midst of death and of \ndestruction, when despair is on every side.\n\nLearn this, my Christian brother! This Psalm thus sets forth to us God \nand the ways of God: that is, how he works, and what he does, in his \nchurch and in the saints: and all this is thus written, that we should \nnot despair in perils and afflictions, when we are beyond the reach of \nall human help: but that rather, casting away all our own \napprehensions and distressing thoughts, we should, at, and from that \ntime, begin to trust in God, and to trust in him more and more, \nwaiting for his help.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXVIII.\n\n_An exhortation both to learn and to preach the law of God.\u2014The story \nof God\u2019s wrath against the incredulous and disobedient.\u2014The Israelites \nbeing rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David._\n\nMaschil of Asaph.\n\n\nGive ear, O my people, _to_ my law: incline your ears to the words of \nmy mouth.\n\nI will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old;\n\nWhich we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.\n\nWe will not hide _them_ from their children, shewing to the generation \nto come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful \nworks that he hath done.\n\nFor he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in \nIsrael, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them \nknown to their children;\n\nThat the generation to come might know _them, even_ the children \n_which_ should be born, _who_ should arise and declare _them_ to their \nchildren:\n\nThat they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of \nGod; but keep his commandments:\n\nAnd might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious \ngeneration; a generation _that_ set not their heart aright, and whose \nspirit was not stedfast with God.\n\nThe children of Ephraim, _being_ armed, _and_ carrying bows, turned \nback in the day of battle.\n\nThey kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;\n\nAnd forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.\n\nMarvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of \nEgypt, _in_ the field of Zoan.\n\nHe divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the \nwaters to stand as an heap.\n\nIn the day-time also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with \na light of fire.\n\nHe clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave _them_ drink as _out \nof_ the great depths.\n\nHe brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down \nlike rivers.\n\nAnd they sinned yet more against him, by provoking the Most High in \nthe wilderness.\n\nAnd they tempted God in their heart, by asking meat for their lust.\n\nYea, they spake against God: they said, Can God furnish a table in the \nwilderness?\n\nBehold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams \noverflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his \npeople?\n\nTherefore the LORD heard _this_, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled \nagainst Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel.\n\nBecause they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation;\n\nThough he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of \nheaven,\n\nAnd had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the \ncorn of heaven.\n\nMan did eat angels\u2019 food: he sent them meat to the full.\n\nHe caused an east wind to blow in the heaven; and by his power he \nbrought in the south wind.\n\nHe rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as \nthe sand of the sea;\n\nAnd he let _it_ fall in the midst of their camp, round about their \nhabitations.\n\nSo they did eat and were well filled: for he gave them their own \ndesire;\n\nThey were not estranged from their lust: but while their meat _was_ \nyet in their mouths,\n\nThe wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and \nsmote down the chosen _men_ of Israel.\n\nFor all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous \nworks.\n\nTherefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in \ntrouble.\n\nWhen he slew them, then they sought him; and they returned and \ninquired early after God:\n\nAnd they remembered that God _was_ their Rock, and the high God their \nRedeemer.\n\nNevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto \nhim with their tongues:\n\nFor their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in \nhis covenant.\n\nBut he, _being_ full of compassion, forgave _their_ iniquity, and \ndestroyed _them_ not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and \ndid not stir up all his wrath:\n\nFor he remembered that they _were but_ flesh; a wind that passeth \naway, and cometh not again.\n\nHow oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, _and_ grieve him in \nthe desert!\n\nYea, they turned back, and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of \nIsrael.\n\nThey remembered not his hand, _nor_ the day when he delivered them \nfrom the enemy:\n\nHow he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of \nZoan:\n\nAnd had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they \ncould not drink.\n\nHe sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and \nfrogs, which destroyed them.\n\nHe gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labour \nunto the locust.\n\nHe destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-trees with \nfrost.\n\nHe gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot \nthunderbolts.\n\nHe cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, \nand trouble, by sending evil angels _among them_.\n\nHe made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but \ngave their life over to the pestilence;\n\nAnd smote all the first-born in Egypt; the chief of _their_ strength \nin the tabernacles of Ham:\n\nBut made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the \nwilderness like a flock.\n\nAnd he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea \noverwhelmed their enemies.\n\nAnd he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, _even to_ this \nmountain, _which_ his right hand had purchased.\n\nHe cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an \ninheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their \ntents.\n\nYet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his \ntestimonies:\n\nBut turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were \nturned aside like a deceitful bow.\n\nFor they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him \nto jealousy with their graven images.\n\nWhen God heard _this_, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:\n\nSo that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent _which_ he \nplaced among men;\n\nAnd delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the \nenemy\u2019s hand.\n\nHe gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his \ninheritance.\n\nThe fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to \nmarriage.\n\nTheir priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.\n\nThen the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, _and_ like a mighty man that \nshouteth by reason of wine.\n\nAnd he smote his enemies in the hinder part: he put them to a \nperpetual reproach.\n\nMoreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe \nof Ephraim:\n\nBut chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.\n\nAnd he built his sanctuary like high _palaces_, like\nthe earth which he hath established for ever.\n\nHe chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:\n\nFrom following the ewes great with young he brought him, to feed Jacob \nhis people, and Israel his inheritance.\n\nSo he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided \nthem by the skilfulness of his hands.\n\n\nThis Psalm, by a glorious instruction, in a long recital of the acts \nof the children of Israel as examples, from the departure out of Egypt \ndown to David, teaches us to believe and trust in God: showing us, how \n\u201cvery present\u201d God always was to those who believed in him, in all \ntheir perils, and even in the midst of death. And, on the other hand, \nit shows us, how surely and terribly God always visited those who \ndespised his word and departed from him.\n\nFor, according to the words of the first commandment, God has, from \nthe beginning, wrought, not only in his own people, but in the \nGentiles also; and so he will work down to the world\u2019s end; showing \nmercy to those that love him, and visiting in judgment those that hate \nhim.\n\nAnd although the world despises, more unconcernedly than all things \nelse, the threatenings of God and his promises also; yet, \nnevertheless, God still goes on working, according to the words of his \nfirst commandment; and that commandment still prevails over all the \nkingdoms of the earth; laying prostrate kings, overturning kingdoms, \nuprooting families, and blotting out mighty names. And, on the other \nhand, the same commandment still and ever goes on, preserving those in \nthe church of God who love him; lifting up them that are down; \nsuccouring the oppressed; feeding the poor, the captives, and the \nexiles; loosing those that are in prison; raising the dead; and \nbringing salvation.\n\nThe hardened and unbelieving world do not believe God: nevertheless, \nthis first commandment goes on thus according to the word which it \ncontains, to accomplish God\u2019s will, in things private, and in things \npublic, in this present age, and throughout all the ages to come.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXIX.\n\n_The psalmist complaineth of the desolation of Jerusalem.\u2014He prayeth \nfor deliverance, and promiseth thankfulness._\n\nA Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nO God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple \nhave they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.\n\nThe dead bodies of thy servants have they given _to be_ meat unto the \nfowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the \nearth.\n\nTheir blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and \n_there was_ none to bury _them_.\n\nWe are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to \nthem that are round about us.\n\nHow long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn \nlike fire?\n\nPour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon \nthe kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.\n\nFor they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling-place.\n\nO remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies \nspeedily prevent us; for we are brought very low.\n\nHelp us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; and \ndeliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name\u2019s sake.\n\nWherefore should the heathen say, Where _is_ their God? let him be \nknown among the heathen in our sight, _by_ the revenging of the blood \nof thy servants _which is_ shed.\n\nLet the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the \ngreatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die:\n\nAnd render unto our neighbours seven-fold into their bosom their \nreproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O LORD.\n\nSo we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, will give thee thanks for \never; we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer to God against that future national \ndestruction, which was wrought by the Chaldeans and Antiochus \nEpiphanes; it is of the same subject-matter as Psalm lxxiv, and \ntherefore it may be set forth by the explication there given. Isaiah \nhas the same prayer against future devastations, chap. 63.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXX.\n\n_The psalmist in his prayer complaineth of the miseries of the \nchurch.\u2014God\u2019s former favours are turned into judgments.\u2014He prayeth for \ndeliverance._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Shoshannim-Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nGive ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; \nthou that dwellest _between_ the cherubims, shine forth.\n\nBefore Ephraim, and Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up thy strength, and \ncome _and_ save us.\n\nTurn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be \nsaved.\n\nO LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of \nthy people?\n\nThou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to \ndrink in great measure.\n\nThou makest us a strife unto our neighbours; and our enemies laugh \namong themselves.\n\nTurn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we \nshall be saved.\n\nThou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, \nand planted it.\n\nThou preparedst _room_ before it, and didst cause it to take deep \nroot, and it filled the land.\n\nThe hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof \n_were like_ the goodly cedars.\n\nShe sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.\n\nWhy hast thou _then_ broken down her hedges, so that all they which \npass by the way do pluck her?\n\nThe boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the \nfield doth devour it.\n\nReturn, we beseech thee, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and \nbehold, and visit this vine;\n\nAnd the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch \n_that_ thou madest strong for thyself.\n\n_It is_ burned with fire; _it is_ cut down: they perish at the rebuke \nof thy countenance.\n\nLet thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man \n_whom_ thou madest strong for thyself.\n\nSo will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon \nthy name.\n\nTurn us again, O LORD God of hosts; cause thy face to shine, and we \nshall be saved.\n\n\nThis is a prayer against those most bitter and daily enemies, the \nneighbouring Philistines, Syrians, Moabites, Edomites, &c.: for \nJerusalem was situated in the midst of these nations, all enemies, on \nevery side.\n\nThis Psalm is appropriate for _us_ against bishops, and monks, and \npriests, who hate us more bitterly than any Edomite or any Cain. The \nfathers used this Psalm (such was the state of the church then) \nagainst her error-broaching enemies.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXI.\n\n_An exhortation to a solemn praising of God.\u2014God challengeth that duty \nby reason of his benefits.\u2014God exhorting to obedience; complaineth of \ntheir disobedience, which proveth their own hurt._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Gittith, a Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nSing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of \nJacob.\n\nTake a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the \npsaltery.\n\nBlow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our \nsolemn feast day.\n\nFor this _was_ a statute for Israel, _and_ a law of the God of Jacob.\n\nThis he ordained in Joseph _for_ a testimony, when he went out through \nthe land of Egypt: _where_ I heard a language _that_ I understood not.\n\nI removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from \nthe pots.\n\nThou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the \nsecret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. \nSelah.\n\nHear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou \nwilt hearken unto me;\n\nThere shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any \nstrange god.\n\nI _am_ the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: \nopen thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.\n\nBut my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of \nme.\n\nSo I gave them up unto their own hearts\u2019 lust: _and_ they walked in \ntheir own counsels.\n\nOh that my people had hearkened unto me, _and_ Israel had walked in my \nways!\n\nI should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against \ntheir adversaries.\n\nThe haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but \ntheir time should have endured for ever.\n\nHe should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with \nhoney out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.\n\n\nThis is the form of a prayer and a solemn song for the people of the \nJews, which was sung yearly at the feast of tabernacles, to admonish \nthat people, and to keep them in the true worship of God; namely, that \nof the first commandment. This Psalm, therefore, like the prophets, in \nall their great instructions, holds forth and enforces the very words \nof the first commandment, \u201cI am the Lord thy God: thou shalt have none \nother gods but me:\u201d that is, thou shalt hold me as thy God, thou shalt \ncleave unto me, thou shalt trust alone in me; thou shalt not worship, \nthou shalt not call upon, any other God.\n\nBut here the whole world lieth in wickedness, the whole is unclean, \nthe whole is the kingdom of the devil. Not only were the people of the \nJews in this state of transgression against the first commandment, but \nall nations, and all religions, and all worshippers, from the \nbeginning of the world; and they will be the same down to the end of \nthe world. The Israelites were indeed the people of God; they had the \nprophets, and the godly priests and Levites, continually enforcing on \nthem this great and highest worship of the first commandment in all \ntheir preachings: and yet they fell away from this worship. Their \nmouth ought to have been full of God and the praise of God, but it was \nfull of idolatry, and of idolatrous doctrines and abominations.\n\nHere is the perverseness of the world: they will admire, they will \ntake up with, they will profess, all other kinds of worship, all other \nforms and kinds of religions and hypocrisies, and they will multiply \nand adorn them: but they will trample that very glorious worship of \nthe first commandment under foot: _that_ worship the devil cannot \nbear; _that_ worship he works to extinguish by all the ways and means \nin his power.\n\nAnd in the church of God, under the New Testament, this Psalm teaches \nus the righteousness of faith and of Christ; that we ought to set \nChrist and his righteousness before and above all works: for our mouth \nought to be full of Christ. But we, like the Jews, turn aside to other \ngods, embracing sometimes these and sometimes those sayings and \ntraditions, each one following the idol imaginations and thoughts of \nhis own heart.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXII.\n\n_The psalmist having exhorted the judges, and reproved their \nnegligence, prayeth God to judge._\n\nA Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nGod standeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth among the \ngods.\n\nHow long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? \nSelah.\n\nDefend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.\n\nDeliver the poor and needy: rid _them_ out of the hand of the wicked.\n\nThey know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: \nall the foundations of the earth are out of course.\n\nI have said, Ye _are_ gods; and all of you _are_ children of the Most \nHigh.\n\nBut ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.\n\nArise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation against tyrants, and wicked kings and \nmagistrates, who oppressed the destitute, the fatherless, and the \nwidows. I have given a full commentary on this Psalm, which is now in \npublic; therefore I need not say more upon it here.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXIII.\n\n_A complaint to God of the enemies\u2019 conspiracies.\u2014A prayer against \nthem that oppress the church._\n\nA Song or Psalm of Asaph.\n\n\nKeep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O \nGod.\n\nFor, lo, thine enemies make a tumult; and they that hate thee have \nlifted up the head.\n\nThey have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted \nagainst thy hidden ones.\n\nThey have said, Come, and let us cut them off from _being_ a nation; \nthat the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.\n\nFor they have consulted together with one consent; they are \nconfederate against thee:\n\nThe tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab and the \nHagarenes;\n\nGebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines, with the inhabitants of \nTyre;\n\nAssur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. \nSelah.\n\nDo unto them as _unto_ the Midianites; as _to_ Sisera, as _to_ Jabin, \nat the brook of Kison;\n\n_Which_ perished at En-dor: they became _as_ dung for the earth.\n\nMake their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb; yea, all their princes as \nZebah and as Zalmunna:\n\nWho said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.\n\nO my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.\n\nAs fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on \nfire,\n\nSo persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy \nstorm.\n\nFill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.\n\nLet them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to \nshame, and perish:\n\nThat _men_ may know that thou, whose name alone _is_ JEHOVAH, _art_ \nthe Most High over all the earth.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer of the same nature as Psalm lxxx. as the same \nmentioned names of the same nation show, who were bitter enemies unto \nIsrael. The same explanation, therefore, will suffice.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXIV.\n\n_The prophet longing for the communion of the sanctuary, sheweth how \nblessed they are that dwell therein.\u2014He prayeth to be restored unto \nit._\n\nTo the chief Musician upon Gittith, a Psalm for the sons of Korah.\n\n\nHow amiable _are_ thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!\n\nMy soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the LORD; my \nheart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.\n\nYea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for \nherself, where she may lay her young, _even_ thine altars, O LORD of \nhosts, my King, and my God.\n\nBlessed _are_ they that dwell in thy house: they will be still \npraising thee. Selah.\n\nBlessed _is_ the man whose strength _is_ in thee; in whose heart _are_ \nthe ways _of them_:\n\n_Who_ passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well: the rain \nalso filleth the pools.\n\nThey go from strength to strength; _every one of them_ in Zion \nappeareth before God.\n\nO LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.\n\nBehold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.\n\nFor a day in thy courts _is_ better than a thousand. I had rather be a \ndoor-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of \nwickedness.\n\nFor the LORD God _is_ a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and \nglory: no good _thing_ will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.\n\nO LORD of hosts, blessed _is_ the man that trusteth in thee.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation, which breaks forth into the most sweet \nand powerful expressions, in praise and love of the ministry of the \nword. \u201cBlessed are they (says David) that dwell in thy house:\u201d that \nis, they alone are truly blessed, and rest on a sure and eternal \nconsolation, who dwell in thy house and in thy tabernacle: that is, in \nthe place where thy word is taught and heard. For such, as the Apostle \nsaith, (1 Cor. i.) \u201care increased in all good, and enriched in all \nwisdom and all knowledge, and with every good gift, so that they can \nwant nothing.\u201d They have all riches.\n\nWherefore let the world have their rich ones, their powerful ones, and \ntheir wise ones, and their consolations in this world; let them trust \nand glory in their wisdom, their might, their wealth, and their \npossessions,\u2014my heart triumphs in the living God; that is, I rejoice, \nand triumph, and glory, with all my heart, that I know God in his \nword, and that I am of his true church. And I would rather cleave and \nhold to this poor despised flock of God\u2019s people, to his church of \npoor afflicted ones, who call upon God in truth; I would rather cleave \nto them, and hover over them, as a bird over her young in the nest, \nthan live in the most splendid palace of all earthly kings. I had \nrather sit at the door of the house of the Lord; that is, occupy the \nlowest place among the people of God, despised and disregarded by the \nworld, than be loaded with all the dainties and riches of the \nuniverse, and not belong to the assembly of them that hear, and love, \nand know the word of God.\n\nThis Psalm, therefore, exhorts us rather to suffer ourselves to be \ntorn away from all the riches, honours, consolations and pleasures of \nthe world, than from the house of God. For no riches, nor even \nkingdoms, can deliver us from sin or death, or from the kingdom of the \ndevil; nor can they overcome, in our hearts, the terrors of hell or of \nthe judgment of God. But God gives, by his word, grace and victory \nover all these. \u201cHe is a sun and a shield\u201d that is, in all darkness \nand in all afflictions, of every kind, the word of God is a joyful \nlight, a sure consolation, a firm bulwark, and an invincible armour \nagainst the violent assault of the devil and of sin: neither of which \ncan the riches or the wisdom of this world vanquish. He, therefore, \nthat hath the word of God hath every thing: he that hath not the word \nof God hath nothing. O blessed, eternally blessed are they, who thus \nlove and value the word of God! but where are they! how few such are \nthere to be found! for the world is full of mockers and despisers!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXV.\n\n_The Psalmist, out of the experience of former mercies, prayeth for \nthe continuance thereof.\u2014He promiseth to wait thereon, out of \nconfidence of God\u2019s goodness._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm to the sons of Korah.\n\n\nLORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back \nthe captivity of Jacob.\n\nThou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all \ntheir sin. Selah.\n\nThou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned _thyself_ from \nthe fierceness of thine anger.\n\nTurn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger towards us to \ncease.\n\nWilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to \nall generations?\n\nWilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?\n\nShew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.\n\nI will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto \nhis people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.\n\nSurely his salvation _is_ nigh them that fear him; that glory may \ndwell in our land.\n\nMercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed \n_each other_.\n\nTruth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down \nfrom heaven.\n\nYea, the LORD shall give _that which is_ good: and our land shall \nyield her increase.\n\nRighteousness shall go before him, and shall set _us_ in the way of \nhis steps.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer containing the feelings of a heart that fears \nGod; and it persuades, in the most impressive words, such an one, not \nto dread God\u2019s anger. For those who fear God, are not like the \ndespisers and Epicureans, who are secure and care for nothing that \nhappens; but when calamities fall upon godly men, their first and main \nconcern is to turn to God that smites them, and to make anew their \npeace with him.\n\nThe anger wherewith God chastised his people, at this time, was this: \nhe had taken away from them, for a time, the word; he had diminished \nthe number of those that preached it in truth, and had made few the \ntrue prophets, priests and Levites. In addition to which, the peace of \nthe nation was broken by seditions; and many evils prevailed in the \nstate and among the rulers thereof. And this was not all: there came \non also the dread and expectation of war, and the want of the \nnecessary provisions of life: for these calamities generally follow, \none after the other, when God, according to the first commandment, \nvisits the iniquities of a people.\n\nThe Psalmist, therefore, prays that God would be pleased again to \npreserve the church, and also the nation; again to restore the real \nministers of the word, who preached it in truth, and by whom alone God \ntruly speaks unto men.\n\nThe Psalmist, therefore, breaks forth with a wonderful burden of \nheart, as if he had said, \u2018O that I might again hear the Lord truly \nspeaking! O that the word of God were again truly preached, lest even \nthe godly should be \u201cturned to folly\u201d\u2019 (or ignorance; that is, lest \nthey should be so broken down and utterly worn out, by the greatness \nof their afflictions, as not to know what to do.) \u2018O that both the \nworship of God, and the prosperity of our nation, may be restored, and \nthat peace, and concord, and truth, and justice, may flourish among \nus! that the fruits of the earth, and the produce of the fields and of \nthe vineyards may be blessed; that we may lead a godly life in this \nour day, and, as St. Paul saith, may \u201clook for the glorious appearing \nof the great God!\u201d\u2019\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXVI.\n\n_David strengtheneth his prayer by the conscience of his religion,\u2014by \nthe goodness and power of God.\u2014He desireth the continuance of former \ngrace.\u2014Complaining of the proud he craveth some token of God\u2019s \ngoodness._\n\nA Prayer of David.\n\n\nBow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me; for I _am_ poor and needy.\n\nPreserve my soul, for I _am_ holy: O thou my God, save thy servant \nthat trusteth in thee.\n\nBe merciful unto me, O LORD: for I cry unto thee daily.\n\nRejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up \nmy soul.\n\nFor thou, LORD, _art_ good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in \nmercy unto all them that call upon thee.\n\nGive ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my \nsupplications.\n\nIn the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer \nme.\n\nAmong the gods _there is_ none like unto thee, O LORD; neither _are \nthere any works_ like unto thy works.\n\nAll nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O \nLORD; and shall glorify thy name.\n\nFor thou _art_ great, and doest wondrous things, thou _art_ God alone.\n\nTeach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to \nfear thy name.\n\nI will praise thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart; and I will \nglorify thy name for evermore.\n\nFor great _is_ thy mercy toward me; and thou hast delivered my soul \nfrom the lowest hell.\n\nO God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent \n_men_ have sought after my soul, and have not set thee before them.\n\nBut thou, O LORD, _art_ a God full of compassion, and gracious; \nlong-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.\n\nO turn unto me, and have mercy upon me: give thy strength unto thy \nservant, and save the son of thine handmaid.\n\nShew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see _it_, and be \nashamed; because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a supplication, and, as the title shows, a prayer of \nDavid: and here you may see that prayer is the highest exercise of \nfaith, and the highest worship of God. Every one knows with what \ndestroying calamities that great man David, that \u201cman after God\u2019s own \nheart,\u201d was surrounded; and yet you may see, in the book of Kings, \nthat, in his deepest straits and most calamitous afflictions, he calls \nupon God with all the ardour of his heart against his enemies, Saul, \nhis son Absalom, &c. those instruments of the devil, who so heavily \nafflicted him.\n\nBehold what an example of prayer for us to follow, this great, this \nmost spiritual man, gives us in the 6th, 9th, 10th and 11th verses. \nSee how fixedly he has before his eyes the first commandment. \u201cO God,\u201d \nsaith he, \u201cwho is like unto thee among the gods?\u201d who doeth works like \nunto thy works? \u201cThou art great and doest wonderful works; thou art \nGod alone. Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, \nlong-suffering and plenteous in mercy and in truth, unto all that call \nupon thee.\u201d\n\nBehold here how he calls up and sharpens, as it were, his faith, at a \nview of the mercy of God! so that, apprehending that mercy and the \npromise, he goes forth on the assurance, that God is not only powerful \nand great, and invincible against all the assaults of the devil and of \nthe world, and against all creatures; but that he is also ever present \nunto the godly, and ever merciful to those that call upon him, and \nbelieve in him. And thus, _we_ also ought to apprehend the word of the \ndivine promise of mercy, and cast out of our hearts all doubt, that we \nmay be enabled to call upon him without misgiving.\n\nAt the end David prays, \u201cShow me a token for good.\u201d God sometimes \npermits the wicked to glory for a while, as if they certainly should \nsoon devour the saints, and those that fear him. But God never finally \nforsakes his people: for here, in the church below, he often delivers \nthe godly, who fear him, out of the greatest perils; yea, out of the \nvery jaws of death; and plainly proves that he is ever present and \nnear his own: for their deliverances plainly show the hand of God. It \nis for such a token, or sign, as this, that David here prays.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXVII.\n\n_The nature and glory of the church.\u2014The increase, honour, and comfort \nof the members thereof._\n\nA Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.\n\n\nHis foundation _is_ in the holy mountains.\n\nThe LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of \nJacob.\n\nGlorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.\n\nI will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold \nPhilistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this _man_ was born there.\n\nAnd of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and \nthe highest himself shall establish her.\n\nThe LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, _that_ this _man_ \nwas born there. Selah.\n\nAs well the singers as the players on instruments _shall be there_: \nall my springs _are_ in thee.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ and the church, in \ntimes to come. The Psalmist, after the manner of the prophets, sets \nbefore us the future Jerusalem and the future Zion, as if represented \nin a painting before our eyes: the boundaries of which should be those \nof the world itself, reaching from east to west, and from north to \nsouth; and in which church there should be born men of every nation, \nkingdom, tribe, and tongue,\u2014Ethiopians, Egyptians, Babylonians, \nTyrians, Philistines, &c. and that these should be born in this \nchurch, not by a natural birth, but by the word of the gospel.\n\n\u201cGreat, excellent, and glorious things shall be spoken and preached in \nthee, O city of God!\u201d For the gospel is a great and glorious doctrine, \nthe highest of all doctrines, even the word of salvation; hence, as \nPaul saith, (Phil. i. 10.) the gospel contains, in comparison with the \nlaw, \u201cthe things that are excellent.\u201d For by the gospel is given to us \nthe knowledge of the counsel and will of God; in what manner God is \npacified; how we are delivered from sin, from the power of the devil, \nand from eternal death; which things neither the law, nor any human \nphilosophy, could teach.\n\nIn the last verse also, the Psalm most beautifully sets forth what the \nhighest worship, under the New Testament, should be. \u201cThere shall be \nin thee, (saith the Psalmist,) as the harmonious concert of those \nplaying on instruments;\u201d that is, it is not Moses, or the law, that \nshall be taught in that city; but the sweet and joyful message of the \ngospel shall be preached by the ministry of the word, even grace and \nthe remission of sins by Jesus Christ.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXVIII.\n\n_A prayer containing a grievous complaint._\n\nA Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon \nMahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.\n\n\nO LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day _and_ night before thee.\n\nLet my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;\n\nFor my soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the \ngrave.\n\nI am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man _that \nhath_ no strength:\n\nFree among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou \nrememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.\n\nThou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.\n\nThy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted _me_ with all \nthy waves. Selah.\n\nThou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an \nabomination unto them: _I am_ shut up, and I cannot come forth.\n\nMine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily \nupon thee; I have stretched out my hands unto thee.\n\nWilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise _and_ praise \nthee? Selah.\n\nShall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? _or_ thy \nfaithfulness in destruction?\n\nShall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the \nland of forgetfulness?\n\nBut unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer \nprevent thee.\n\nLORD, why castest thou off my soul? _why_ hidest thou thy face from \nme?\n\nI _am_ afflicted and ready to die from _my_ youth up: _while_ I suffer \nthy terrors I am distracted.\n\nThy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.\n\nThey came round about me daily like water, they compassed me about \ntogether.\n\nLover and friend hast thou put far from me, _and_ mine acquaintance \ninto darkness.\n\n\nThis is a prayer, as in the person of Christ and of all the saints. It \ncontains those mighty feelings and conflicts of heart, which no \nmortals but those who experience them, can either describe or \nconceive; I mean those pangs and pains, and that heavy sorrow of \nspirit, (above all natural distress of body or of mind, and above all \nnatural fear and dread,) when the heart is filled with a sense of the \nmajesty and anger of God, and is alarmed at the nature and end of sin; \nwhile God also, as yet, holds off all consolation; and the soul is \nshaken in the midst of darkness and terror, and, as Christ saith \nhimself, \u201csifted by the devil like wheat in a sieve;\u201d while the \nmalicious Satan craftily augments the soul\u2019s views of the anger of \nGod, and drives out of sight all hope of mercy and grace.\n\nDavid here calls these unspeakable terrors of soul, \u201chell,\u201d \n\u201cdarkness,\u201d \u201cthe shadow of death.\u201d \u201cThou hast cast me (saith he) into \nthe lowest pit, into darkness and the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon \nme; and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves.\u201d And rightly does \nDavid describe these pains and terrors by the terms, \u201cdeath,\u201d \u201chell,\u201d \n&c. because this anguish of soul is of the very nature, and power, and \npoison, and sting of hell and death; for no sooner is the darkness \ndispersed, by some shining in of divine consolation, than death is no \nlonger death, but we die gladly. And indeed, where such fears and \nterrors of mind abound and continue, they extend to the body, bring on \na paleness and emaciation, and affect the whole man. Paul calls them \nthe \u201cbuffetting of Satan,\u201d and \u201cthorns in the flesh;\u201d which has \nreference to a custom in certain nations of punishing criminals by \ntransfixing their bodies with a certain sharp pointed conical \ninstrument, in the shape of a thorn; and mocking and deriding them in \ntheir suffering. And just thus it is that the nations of the world \ncontemptuously call Christ \u2018that crucified fellow,\u2019 and the Jews, \n\u2018That fellow that was hanged.\u2019 For the world, in their malice, not \nonly persecute Christ, but also deride and mock his sufferings, and \nthe sufferings of his members. And hence it is David complains thus in \nthis Psalm, \u201cLover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine \nacquaintance into darkness.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM LXXXIX.\n\n_The psalmist praiseth God for his covenant, for his wonderful power, \nfor the care of his church, for his favour to the kingdom of \nDavid.\u2014Then complaining of contrary events, he expostulateth, prayeth, \nand blesseth God._\n\nMaschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.\n\n\nI will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I \nmake known thy faithfulness to all generations.\n\nFor I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness \nshalt thou establish in the very heavens.\n\nI have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my \nservant,\n\nThy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all \ngenerations. Selah.\n\nAnd the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness \nalso in the congregation of the saints.\n\nFor who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? _who_ among the \nsons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?\n\nGod is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be \nhad in reverence of all _them that are_ about him.\n\nO LORD God of hosts, who _is_ a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy \nfaithfulness round about thee?\n\nThou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou \nstillest them.\n\nThou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast \nscattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.\n\nThe heavens _are_ thine, the earth also _is_ thine: _as for_ the world \nand the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.\n\nThe north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall \nrejoice in thy name.\n\nThou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, _and_ high is thy right \nhand.\n\nJustice and judgment _are_ the habitation of thy throne: mercy and \ntruth shall go before thy face.\n\nBlessed _is_ the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O \nLORD, in the light of thy countenance.\n\nIn thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness \nshall they be exalted.\n\nFor thou _art_ the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn \nshall be exalted.\n\nFor the LORD _is_ our defence; and the Holy One of Israel _is_ our \nking.\n\nThen thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid \nhelp upon _one that is_ mighty; I have exalted _one_ chosen out of the\npeople.\n\nI have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:\n\nWith whom my hand shall be established; mine arm also shall strengthen \nhim.\n\nThe enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict \nhim.\n\nAnd I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that \nhate him.\n\nBut my faithfulness and my mercy _shall be_ with him; and in my name \nshall his horn be exalted.\n\nI will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.\n\nHe shall cry unto me, Thou _art_ my Father, my God, and the Rock of my \nsalvation.\n\nAlso I will make him _my_ first-born, higher than the kings of the \nearth.\n\nMy mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand \nfast with him.\n\nHis seed also will I make to _endure_ for ever, and his throne as the \ndays of heaven.\n\nIf his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;\n\nIf they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;\n\nThen will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity \nwith stripes.\n\nNevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor \nsuffer my faithfulness to fail.\n\nMy covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of \nmy lips.\n\nOnce have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David.\n\nHis seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.\n\nIt shall be established for ever as the moon, and _as_ a faithful \nwitness in heaven. Selah.\n\nBut thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine \nanointed.\n\nThou hast made void the covenant of thy servant; thou hast profaned \nhis crown, _by casting it_ to the ground.\n\nThou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong \nholds to ruin.\n\nAll that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his \nneighbours.\n\nThou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all \nhis enemies to rejoice.\n\nThou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to \nstand in the battle.\n\nThou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the \nground.\n\nThe days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with \nshame. Selah.\n\nHow long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn \nlike fire?\n\nRemember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in \nvain!\n\nWhat man _is he that_ liveth, and shall not see death? shall he \ndeliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.\n\nLORD, where _are_ thy former loving-kindnesses, _which_ thou swarest \nunto David in thy truth?\n\nRemember, LORD, the reproach of thy servants; _how_ I do bear in my \nbosom _the reproach of_ all the mighty people;\n\nWherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have \nreproached the footsteps of thine anointed.\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD for evermore. Amen, and amen.\n\n\nThis is a remarkable prophecy concerning Christ and his kingdom; he \nspeaks of the church or kingdom of Christ, as a \u201ckingdom in the \nheavens;\u201d in the same manner as Christ himself calls it \u201cthe kingdom \nof heaven.\u201d And though this spiritual kingdom of Christ is here upon \nearth, yet the Psalmist gloriously describes it as being \u201cin the \nheavens.\u201d\n\nThe Psalmist, indeed, here apprehends the promise made to David \nconcerning Christ; and, opening that promise in a wonderful manner, he \ndescribes the riches of this spiritual kingdom. He enforces the \neverlasting firmness and sureness of that promise; and, taking a stand \nof heavenly meditation therein, he dwells upon the effectual power of \nthat promise against all the violence of sin, and the malice and \naccusation of the devil; and here the Psalmist takes up his divine \nabode; here he fixes his standing; as the apostle hath it, \u201cby faith \nye stand:\u201d and he says that this truth of God, this his promise was \nprepared from everlasting, built up in the fulfilment of God\u2019s purpose \nof mercy, and firm, and \u201cestablished in the heavens.\u201d\n\n\u201cThy faithfulness and truth,\u201d (says the Psalmist,) \u201care established in \nthe heavens;\u201d that is, a heavenly righteousness is preached by the \ngospel, which is not placed in us, or in any worthiness or merit of \nours; but is out of us, and is the righteousness of Christ, and is \nimputed, for Christ\u2019s sake, unto all that believe in him: and hence, \nthe promised riches of this kingdom are the gift of the Spirit, and \nthe remission of sins, with all other spiritual blessings: all which \nare not offered unto us on any condition of the law, or of our works \nor our merit, but are given unto us freely of God. Salvation, \ntherefore, is not a matter conditional on our works, but freely given \nunto us for Christ\u2019s sake; that thus all doubting and uncertainty may \nbe taken from our souls; and that we may safely rest, entirely and \nonly on the immutable and immoveable certainty of this truth and \npromise of God.\n\nThe temporal kingdom of the Jews was promised to that people, on \ncondition of a law given to them; that, if they kept that law, \nnationally, as a people, if they were therein good and obedient, they \nshould be preserved and blessed. And, in the same way also, all the \nkingdoms of the world are given to their people under a like condition \nof a law, and, as long as they are good and obedient, God preserves \nthem. But the immense and glorious riches of this spiritual kingdom, \nthe forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Spirit, victory over death \nand the devil, &c. are promised and held forth without any condition \nof a law; and, in a word, the remission of sins is promised, freely, \nnot only to those who have done nothing to deserve it, but to those \nwho have done everything to forfeit it. This is a throne, therefore, \nnot of angry and destroying majesty, but of grace alone; and being \nfounded, not on the basis of our good works and merits, but on the \nrock of the sure and everlasting truth of God, it affords a great and \nmarvellous consolation to the afflicted consciences of sinners.\n\nAfter, however, the prophetic Psalmist has described the flower and \nglory of this kingdom and church of Christ, he deplores, on the other \nhand, from verse 39, in the most powerful expressions, the desolations \nand destructions of it: saying, that it shall come to pass that this \nkingdom, like as the apostle has also foretold, shall be so disturbed \nand torn to pieces by antichrist, that it shall seem as if God had \nwholly forgotten his promise unto it; nay, as if, contrary to the word \nof his promise, he did nothing but show his wrath against this \nkingdom.\n\nAll these things, however, are written for a consolation unto the \ngodly; and especially unto us who, in these last times, have witnessed \nsuch abominations of papacy; these things, I say, are written for our \ncomfort and consolation; that we should not be broken-spirited, or \nterrified, at the multitude and diversity of offences; nor be driven \nto despair, though wickedness should have the dominion for a time, and \nthough Satan should, as it were, so subvert all things human and \ndivine, that there should seem to be no church of Christ at all, no \nremains of the kingdom of Christ upon earth. For if you look at the \nabomination of the Pope, and of Mahomet, which have spread themselves \nover the whole world, no other appearance is presented than that there \nis not a vestige of the true church remaining: and yet, it is not \nwholly blotted or rooted out from the earth; for, under the reign of \neach abomination and tyranny, there has ever existed a true church of \nChrist, although greatly despised and greatly oppressed.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XC.\n\n_Moses, setting forth God\u2019s providence, complaineth of human \nfragility, divine chastisements, and brevity of life.\u2014He prayeth for \nthe knowledge and sensible experience of God\u2019s good providence._\n\nA prayer of Moses, the Man of God.\n\n\nLORD, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.\n\nBefore the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the \nearth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou _art_ \nGod.\n\nThou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of \nmen.\n\nFor a thousand years in thy sight _are but_ as yesterday when it is \npast, and _as_ a watch in the night.\n\nThou carriest them away as with a flood; they are _as_ a sleep: in the \nmorning _they are_ like grass _which_ groweth up.\n\nIn the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is \ncut down, and withereth.\n\nFor we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.\n\nThou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret _sins_ in the \nlight of thy countenance.\n\nFor all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a \ntale _that is told_.\n\nThe days of our years _are_ threescore years and ten; and if by reason \nof strength _they be_ fourscore years, yet _is_ their strength labour \nand sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.\n\nWho knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, _so \nis_ thy wrath.\n\nSo teach _us_ to number our days, that we may apply _our_ hearts unto \nwisdom.\n\nReturn, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy \nservants.\n\nO satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all \nour days.\n\nMake us glad according to the days _wherein_ thou hast afflicted us, \n_and_ the years _wherein_ we have seen evil.\n\nLet thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their \nchildren.\n\nAnd let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou \nthe work of our hands upon us: yea, the work of our hands establish\nthou it.\n\n\nThis Psalm contains a very great and important doctrine; in which \nMoses teaches what is the origin and cause of that death to which the \nwhole human race is subject, and the reason why so horrible a \npunishment was inflicted on the whole race of mortals: the Psalmist \nsaith, it was on account of sin: and the guilt and desert of sin are \ngreater than can be conceived by the human mind, unless God touch the \nheart with a knowledge of it; and yet, in this sin and guilt, and \nunder this wrath, all the sons of Adam are born.\n\nMoses here opens widely this punishment of sin, and this horrible \nmisery; setting forth the proof of it in the shortness and uncertainty \nof human life; which life, in addition to this its shortness and \nuncertainty, is subject also to all kinds of calamity: and, in verse \n11, Moses saith that this very unspeakable misery\u2014death, and all other \nhuman calamities, as parts of that death, tend, or should lead us, to \nseek the grace and mercy of God, who alone can deliver us from all \nthese evils,\u2014sin, the slavery of the devil, and death. Hence all the \ncalamities and afflictions of life, and even death itself, the \npunishment of sin, work together for good unto the elect, and unto \nthose that fear God; that they may, by all things, be humbled, broken \ndown, and crucified, and so, thirst after grace.\n\n\u201cSo teach us that we must die,\u201d says Moses, \u201cthat we may become wise:\u201d \nthat is, that we may learn to know God and his will aright; for this \nis what Moses calls \u201cbecoming wise.\u201d The wicked, and fools, who are \nnot exercised with afflictions, who number not their days, nor think \nof death, nor meditate on the misery of life, but remain unexperienced \nand ignorant of all spiritual things, and are wrapped up in their own \nhypocrisy, never rightly know God, nor truly seek his help and mercy.\n\nMoses then closes his Psalm with a divinely concluding prayer, \u201cLet \nthy work appear unto thy servants,\u201d or \u201cShow us thy work, O Lord.\u201d \nHere, by the work of God, he means deliverance from sin and death; \nand, in a word, all that deliverance that our fathers expected from \nthat blessed seed, which we have revealed to us in Christ. And again, \nsaith Moses, \u201cO satisfy us early with thy mercy:\u201d and he twice \nrepeats, \u201cProsper thou the works of our hands:\u201d that is, for the time \nthat we live, direct and prosper thou our whole life: preserve thy \ntrue religion and the good government of our nation: guard us from \nheresies, errors, wars, seditions, and all such evils. This Psalm, \ntherefore, is a short but a most spiritual prayer.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCI.\n\n_The state of the godly.\u2014Their safety.\u2014Their habitation.\u2014Their \nservants.\u2014Their friends; with the effects of them all._\n\n\nHe that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide \nunder the shadow of the Almighty.\n\nI will say of the LORD, _He is_ my refuge, and my fortress: my God; in \nhim will I trust.\n\nSurely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, _and_ from \nthe noisome pestilence.\n\nHe shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou \ntrust; his truth _shall be thy_ shield and buckler.\n\nThou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, _nor_ for the arrow \n_that_ flieth by day,\n\n_Nor_ for the pestilence _that_ walketh in darkness, _nor_ for the \ndestruction _that_ wasteth at noon-day.\n\nA thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; \n_but_ it shall not come nigh thee.\n\nOnly with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the \nwicked.\n\nBecause thou hast made the LORD, _which is_ my refuge, _even_ the Most \nHigh, thy habitation.\n\nThere shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh \nthy dwelling.\n\nFor he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy \nways.\n\nThey shall bear thee up in _their_ hands, lest thou dash thy foot \nagainst a stone.\n\nThou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the \ndragon shall thou trample under feet.\n\nBecause he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I \nwill set him on high, because he hath known my name.\n\nHe shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I _will be_ with him in \ntrouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.\n\nWith long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.\n\n\nThis is a most distinguished jewel among all the Psalms of \nconsolation. The Psalmist highly exalts faith in God, and shews that \nit is an invincible strength against all evils, and against all the \ngates of hell.\n\nAt the very outset, the Psalmist says, \u201cHe that dwelleth in the secret \nplace of the Most High, abideth under the shadow of the Almighty;\u201d and \nsuch an one shall say unto the Lord, \u201cThou art my confidence, my \nprotection, my fortress and my God,\u201d that is, he that believeth and \ntrusteth in God, and rests in his protection,\u2014he shall find, though \nshaken on every side, by the devil, by sin, by the world, and by \nvarious and endless temptations, that the godly are proof and \ninvincible against all these evils; that God is most high over all; \nthat he is Omnipotent; and, in a word, that \u201cgreater is he that is in \nus than he that is in the world.\u201d\n\nTowards the conclusion, this Psalm contains, accumulated together, \neight or nine promises of grace, which the Psalmist drew out of the \nfirst commandment, as out of a fountain. This Psalm, therefore, ought \nto be set before afflicted souls. 1. The Psalmist says \u201cBecause he \nhath hoped in me, therefore will I deliver him.\u201d 2. \u201cI will set him on \nhigh.\u201d 3. \u201cBecause he hath called upon me, I will hear him.\u201d 4. \u201cI \nwill be with him in trouble.\u201d 5. \u201cI will deliver him.\u201d 6. \u201cI will set \nhim on high, or glorify him.\u201d 7. \u201cWith long life will I satisfy him.\u201d \n8. \u201cI will show him my salvation:\u201d that is, that I am \u201cmighty to \nsave!\u201d\n\nAnd this also is the second Psalm wherein angels are proclaimed as our \nwatchful guardians and protectors: which is a truth very greatly \nconsoling to the really godly, who know with what fury Satan \nunceasingly assaults the church, and all the saints. This Psalm \nenumerates four kinds of evils and afflictions, which are to be \nendured by the saints and those that fear God:\n\n1. \u201cMighty fear,\u201d\u2014\u201cterror by night.\u201d The scripture frequently \nrepresents temptations and afflictions under the figures of darkness \nand night; and consolations under the figurative descriptions of light \nand day. The Psalmist, therefore, here sets forth all those horrible \ninstances of hatred, that Cain-like purpose to destroy, (which is ever \nsecretly bound up in the hearts of pharisaic religionists) all those \nmalicious threats, those hostile traps and snares, those created \nperils, those injuries, and all those other terrible oppositions which \nSatan ever raises up against the word of God, by nightly fear, or \n\u201cterror by night.\u201d\n\n2. \u201cThe arrow that flieth by day.\u201d By which are meant to be described \nall those open clamours, reproaches, execrations, and blasphemies, by \nwhich tyrants and hypocrites openly attack and condemn the word of \nGod, and the doctrine of Christ. Of this kind are the pope\u2019s bulls, \n(and truly they are bulls!) and also, the edicts of kings and princes, \nthe virulent and blasphemous books of erroneous disputers, and the \nwritings of erroneous and visionary men, such as the anabaptists, and \nthe like.\n\n3. \u201cThe pestilence that creepeth (or walketh) in darkness.\u201d These are \nthe deceits, the crafts, and the artifices of the papists; and the \nleagues, the covert conspiracies, the secret counsels, by which those \nenemies consult and plan among themselves in their private conclaves: \nwhich clandestine machinations they think they can keep hidden, even \nfrom the eyes of God himself; and by all which diabolical means, they \nplot to destroy and root out the godly and all doctrine that is truly \ngood and saving.\n\n4. \u201cThe disease (or contagion, or destruction) that wasteth at noon \nday.\u201d This is the work of open persecution; whereby these holy Cains, \nin their unheard-of cruelty and tyranny, shed the blood of the Abels, \ndrive into exile the godly, plunder their substance, and slaughter \nthem by every cruelty of torture; thereby attempting to lay the true \nchurch utterly waste, and to leave not a vestige of the true word \nremaining.\n\nThis is my view of the Psalm. I know that St. Bernard gives other \ninterpretations. Let others, therefore, if they can, put forth a \nbetter explication than I have done: that my view is simple, and \nagreeable to the mind and spirit of the prophets, is self-manifest, \nand proved by experience: for we see and experience daily, that the \nsaints of God are attacked and exercised by these four afflictions for \nthe word\u2019s sake, by means of the devil and by the world. The Holy \nSpirit, therefore, by this Psalm, revives and strengthens our faith; \nand by the cluster of promises at the end of the Psalm, the same Holy \nSpirit quickens and refreshes our hearts with consolation: this Psalm \ntherefore ought to be most acceptable to all the saints.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCII.\n\n_The prophet exhorteth to praise God, for his great works, for his \njudgments on the wicked, and for his goodness to the godly._\n\nA Psalm or Song for the Sabbath-day.\n\n\nIt _is a_ good _thing_ to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing \npraises unto thy name, O Most High:\n\nTo shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness \nevery night,\n\nUpon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltry; upon the harp \nwith a solemn sound.\n\nFor thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in \nthe works of thy hands.\n\nO LORD, how great are thy works! _and_ thy thoughts are very deep.\n\nA brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.\n\nWhen the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of \niniquity do flourish; _it is_ that they shall be destroyed for ever:\n\nBut thou, LORD, _art most_ high for evermore.\n\nFor, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; \nall the workers of iniquity shall be scattered;\n\nBut my horn shalt thou exalt like _the horn of_ an unicorn: I shall be \nanointed with fresh oil.\n\nMine eye also shall see _my desire_ on mine enemies; _and_ mine ears \nshall hear _my desire_ of the wicked that rise up against me.\n\nThe righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a \ncedar in Lebanon.\n\nThose that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the \ncourts of our God.\n\nThey shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and \nflourishing;\n\nTo shew that the LORD _is_ upright; _he is_ my rock, and _there is_ no \nunrighteousness in him.\n\n\nThis is a consolatory Psalm. The first six verses are full of the most \nsweet experiences of a heart rejoicing and triumphing in that \nincomparable treasure\u2014a knowledge of the true and sure word of God, \nand of the promises of grace in Christ. It is the same rejoicing of \nheart as that of the apostle, when he, exulting in the Spirit, saith, \n\u201cThanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.\u201d\n\nAt the very opening of the Psalm, the Psalmist saith, \u201cO how \nexcellent, how sweet a thing is it to give thanks unto the Lord, and \nto sing praises unto thy name, O Most High!\u201d that is, O what is \nsweeter than to know God aright by his word, and by true faith; to \nacknowledge his infinite mercies; to give thanks unto him joyfully and \nadoringly, with every cord and string of our hearts; to proclaim and \npraise him unceasingly with a full heart and a full mouth; to triumph \nin his goodness; and to offer him the full sacrifice of thanksgiving! \nin a word, to worship him with that all high and all-true worship of \nthe first commandment, which requires for its high worship, above all \nthings, true faith, and such joyful exercises of faith as these; as if \nthe Psalmist had said, \u2018How precious is that worship of God! How \nacceptable unto God, how grateful in his sight, and in the sight of \nangels too, are all such sabbaths, such sacrifices as these! Though we \nsaints, all the while, are said, by the world, to know nothing about \nworshipping God!\u2019\n\nAll these glorious things are pointed by the Psalmist against false \nsaints and hypocrites; who honour God (as they think) with cold hearts \nand lips, and tread all the while that high worship of the first \ncommandment under foot; and yet make a great show of the name of \nchurch among them, and flourish in the sight of the world, and display \nmuch wealth and much power and greatness. But though they greatly \nflourish and prosper thus for a time; yet they at length perish and go \nto destruction: and, according to the word of Paul, \u201cTheir folly is \nmade manifest unto all.\u201d\n\nBut the godly and the saints, though thus exercised and broken with \nafflictions, flourish, nevertheless, like palm-trees, in the house of \nthe Lord, and will flourish for evermore! Neither time, nor age, nor \nsorrow of mind, nor any afflictions, nor death itself, can root them \nout, or hurt them! But, both living and dying, and even in death \nitself, they live and bring forth fruit through the word of God, as \nPaul saith, \u201c_No creature_ can separate them!\u201d But fools, that is, the \nwicked and epicureans of this world, regard not these things, they \nwill not hear or endure them; and of this sort we may see thousands of \natheistical men in our day.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCIII.\n\n_The majesty, power, and holiness of Christ\u2019s kingdom._\n\n\nThe LORD reigneth; he is clothed with majesty: the LORD is clothed \nwith strength, _wherewith_ he hath girded himself: the world also is \nestablished, that it cannot be moved.\n\nThy throne _is_ established of old: thou _art_ from everlasting.\n\nThe floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their \nvoice; the floods lift up their waves.\n\nThe LORD on high _is_ mightier than the noise of many waters, _yea, \nthan_ the mighty waves of the sea.\n\nThy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, \nfor ever.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the spread of the kingdom of Christ, as \nfar and wide as the earth is extended, and its establishment for ever. \nBut against this kingdom, as the Psalmist saith, the \u201cwaves\u201d and \n\u201cmighty waters\u201d will swell and lift up themselves; that is, the \nkingdoms and peoples of the world will roar against the Lord and \nagainst his Anointed; and will rage against the godly with sword and \nfire; but they shall not prevail: for, as Daniel saith, \u201cthis kingdom \nshall break in pieces all other kingdoms beneath it, and shall stand \nfor ever.\u201d\u2014Daniel ii. 44.\n\nBut thy kingdom shall be established in no other way than by the word \nof the gospel. It shall not stand by the force of arms, nor by \nexternal pomp, or glory, before the world; but it shall be husbanded, \nand shall be increased and adorned, by the ministry of the word of the \ngospel. This is the \u201choliness,\u201d (namely the ministry of the word) that \nshall \u201cbecome,\u201d or \u201cadorn,\u201d the house of the Lord. For this true and \nhigh worship of God which is in the kingdom of Christ, takes the place \nof all sacrifices and of all oblations, candlesticks, and the like; \nand the preaching of the word, and the giving of thanks, are instead \nof all external representations of mercy: hence Paul saith, that the \nOld Testament is done away by this New Testament worship.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCIV.\n\n_The prophet, calling for justice, complaineth of tyranny and \nimpiety.\u2014He teacheth God\u2019s providence.\u2014He sheweth the blessedness of \naffliction.\u2014God is the defender of the afflicted._\n\n\nO LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance \nbelongeth, shew thyself.\n\nLift up thyself, thou Judge of the earth: render a reward to the \nproud.\n\nLORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?\n\n_How long_ shall they utter _and_ speak hard things? _and_ all the \nworkers of iniquity boast themselves?\n\nThey break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage:\n\nThey slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.\n\nYet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob \nregard _it_.\n\nUnderstand, ye brutish among the people; and, _ye_ fools, when will ye \nbe wise?\n\nHe that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, \nshall he not see?\n\nHe that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth \nman knowledge, _shall not he know?_\n\nThe LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they _are_ vanity.\n\nBlessed _is_ the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him \nout of thy law;\n\nThat thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the \npit be digged for the wicked.\n\nFor the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his \ninheritance:\n\nBut judgment shall return unto righteousness; and all the upright in \nheart shall follow it.\n\nWho will rise up for me against the evil-doers? _or_ who will stand up \nfor me against the workers of iniquity?\n\nUnless the LORD _had been_ my help, my soul had almost dwelt in \nsilence.\n\nWhen I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.\n\nIn the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my \nsoul.\n\nShall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth \nmischief by a law?\n\nThey gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and \ncondemn the innocent blood.\n\nBut the LORD is my defence; and my God _is_ the rock of my refuge.\n\nAnd he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them \noff in their own wickedness; _yea_, the LORD our God shall cut them \noff.\n\n\nThis is a general but a most fervent prayer, filled with the feelings \nof an afflicted and sorrowful heart, grieving that the blood of the \nAbels should be shed and drank up, with such iniquity and cruelty, by \nCainish hypocrites.\n\nThe Psalmist complains, (as I consider it,) not of hostile nations, \nbut of those domestic hypocrites and enemies, who will have it to \nappear that they, yea, that they alone, are the people of God; that \nis, the Psalmist complains of the wicked kings, and princes, and \npriests, and prophets, among the people of Israel. It is to these the \nPsalmist turns, in this apostrophe, \u201cUnderstand, ye brutish among the \npeople; and, ye fools, when will ye be wise?\u201d He calls these \ncharacters \u201cfools;\u201d that is, ignorant and impious despisers of God; \nbecause they taught and ruled the people without knowledge, and \nwickedly.\n\nIn a word, the Psalmist here directs his word against all who \npersecuted the true prophets, and their disciples and followers, and \nslew them with Cainish hatred, and nevertheless boasted all the while \nin God, and the name of God; who (they said) had given them power, and \nmade, and defended, and protected them, as magistrates and priests; \nbut who did not regard heretics, who seditiously resisted _them_ that \nwere the princes and magistrates of the people of God. And many such \nthings they continued to say.\n\nNow, against all such the prophet burns with zeal; and (with a certain \nzealous mimicry, as it were,) imitates their own words and \nexpressions; saying, (that is, meaning that they say,) \u201cThe Lord shall \nnot see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.\u201d And it is thus \nthat the papists say, in their security, \u2018Do you think God regards \nthese heretics! No! he regards us: he has respect unto us, the \ncatholic church, whom we certainly represent in the world.\u2019 Against \nsuch as these, the prophet burns with the rage of zeal; and against \nsuch he prays, and begs of God, that there may be enough to stand \nforward for the truth.\n\nBut, in the 16th verse, the Psalmist, on the other hand, strikes at \nthe perfidious deceitfulness of the world: \u201cWho (saith he) is on my \nside? Who will rise up for me against the evil doers?\u201d As if he had \nsaid, \u2018I know the world careth nothing about this: the blood of God\u2019s \nAbels is shed, and no one regardeth it. But (continues the holy \nPsalmist) this is my sure and eternal consolation, that the cause \nwhich I love and espouse is the right cause; nay, the cause of God, \nand not my cause: and I know in whom I have believed.\u2019 I am assured, \nsaith the Psalmist, (verse 20,) that the \u201cseat of the scornful,\u201d and \nthe \u201ccounsel of the ungodly,\u201d cleave not, and belong not, unto thee: \nthat is, I am sure that thou, O God, approvest not any impious or \nblasphemous doctrine. I am sure that thou requirest and demandest the \nblood, (and every drop of that blood,) and the tears, of the Abels, at \nthe hands of their persecutors; and that thou wilt keep, and fulfil, \nand glorify thy word, even in the midst of the death of thy saints; \nand that thou wilt revenge all blasphemy and wickedness against thee \nand them.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCV.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God for his greatness, and for his goodness, \nand not to tempt him._\n\n\nO come, let us sing unto the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the \nrock of our salvation.\n\nLet us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful \nnoise unto him with psalms.\n\nFor the LORD _is_ a great God, and a great King above all gods.\n\nIn his hand _are_ the deep places of the earth; the strength of the \nhills is his also.\n\nThe sea _is_ his, and he made it; and his hands formed the dry _land_.\n\nO come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our \nMaker.\n\nFor he _is_ our God; and we _are_ the people of his pasture, and the \nsheep of his hand. To-day, if ye will hear his voice,\n\nHarden not your heart, as in the provocation, _and_ as _in_ the day of \ntemptation in the wilderness:\n\nWhen your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.\n\nForty years long was I grieved with _this_ generation, and said, It \n_is_ a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my \nways:\n\nUnto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my \nrest.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prophecy concerning Christ, and its contents are fully \nand learnedly explained in the Apostle\u2019s epistle to the Hebrews. It \nprophecies concerning the time of the New Testament, and sets forth \nthe lovely and sweet voice of the gospel. In a word, the Psalmist \ninstructs us in, and allures us to, the knowledge of the riches of the \ngrace of God; which riches were known to our fathers as well as unto \nus, in the promised seed\u2014Christ.\n\n\u2018Come (saith the Psalmist) and let us rejoice in the Lord. Come ye \nthat are afar off and ye that are near, and let us exult in the Lord; \nlet us triumph in the God of such salvation:\u2019 that is, Come and let us \nrejoice with the whole triumph of our hearts, in that infinite benefit \nand mercy\u2014the granted grace of Christ! Since we have such promises, \nlet us not neglect such great salvation. For to believe in the promise \nof grace, contrary to all the objections of conscience, the \ntemptations of Satan, and the fears of the heart, is the true worship \nof God!\n\nIn a word, the Psalmist warns against unbelief. \u201cHarden not your \nhearts (says he) as ye did at Massah and Meribah in the desert: your \nfathers, on account of their unbelief, entered not into the holy land \nof promise.\u201d\n\nThe whole of this Psalm is to be referred to Christ: for he is that \nblessed God in whom we ought to rejoice, and whom the Psalmist would \nhave to be known. He is our Shepherd, and we are the sheep of his \npasture. He is that God, whom our fathers tempted in the desert, as \nPaul saith, (1 Cor. x.) It was he who took out of the way the law, and \nabolished all the ceremonial worship of the Old Testament. He will no \nlonger have the worship established by Moses; but he will have faith \nin the gospel, the preaching of the remission of sins, and that one \ntrue offering\u2014praise, instead of the whole Levitical worship.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCVI.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God,\u2014for his greatness,\u2014for his kingdom,\u2014for \nhis general judgment._\n\n\nO sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.\n\nSing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day \nto day.\n\nDeclare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.\n\nFor the LORD _is_ great, and greatly to be praised: he _is_ to be \nfeared above all gods.\n\nFor all the gods of the nations _are_ idols: but the LORD made the \nheavens.\n\nHonour and majesty _are_ before him: strength and beauty _are_ in his \nsanctuary.\n\nGive unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD \nglory and strength.\n\nGive unto the LORD the glory _due unto_ his name: bring an offering, \nand come into his courts.\n\nO worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the \nearth.\n\nSay among the heathen _that_ the LORD reigneth: the world also shall \nbe established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the people \nrighteously.\n\nLet the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, \nand the fulness thereof.\n\nLet the field be joyful, and all that _is_ therein: then shall all the \ntrees of the wood rejoice\n\nBefore the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he \nshall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his \ntruth.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ, and the spreading \nof the gospel over the whole world and before every creature; which \ngospel will be a word of joy and thanksgiving, of peace, of rejoicing, \nand of a continued sacrifice of praise: as the clear text of the Psalm \nof itself plainly shows.\n\nHere, commandment is given to all nations, kingdoms, peoples, woods, \nrivers, fountains, trees, &c. that they should praise and magnify the \nLord, and celebrate his name with rejoicing, because he judgeth the \nworld in righteousness and in truth: that is, because, through Christ, \nthe promised seed, he delivers, and will deliver the people from sin, \nfrom the power of the devil, from the wrath of God, and from eternal \ndeath: and because, instead of the kingdom of death and of darkness, \nhe sets up the kingdom of light, of the remission of sins, and of \neternal life, before all men.\n\nThis is that most joyful shout of victory, that peculiar song, that \nmost sweet note of the New Testament, concerning the kingdom and grace \nof Christ; in which kingdom there are born new men and new creatures; \nnot by the law or by the works of Moses, but by faith, by the Spirit \nof God through Christ, so that each believer is a new creature and a \nmarvellous work of God; and all believers daily do marvellous works \nand are marvellous monuments, in that they continue in spiritual life, \nand are finally conquerors over the mighty powers of sin and the \ndevil; hence it is that David says, verse 1. \u201cDeclare his wonders \namong all people.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCVII.\n\n_The majesty of God\u2019s kingdom.\u2014The church rejoiceth at God\u2019s judgments \nupon idolaters.\u2014An exhortation to godliness and gladness._\n\n\nThe LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles \nbe glad _thereof_.\n\nClouds and darkness _are_ round about him: righteousness and judgment \n_are_ the habitation of his throne.\n\nA fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.\n\nHis lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw and trembled.\n\nThe hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence \nof the LORD of the whole earth.\n\nThe heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his \nglory.\n\nConfounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves \nof idols: worship him, all _ye_ gods.\n\nZion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because \nof thy judgments, O LORD.\n\nFor thou, LORD, _art_ high above all the earth: thou art exalted far \nabove all gods.\n\nYe that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his \nsaints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.\n\nLight is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in \nheart.\n\nRejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance \nof his holiness.\n\n\nThis also, like the preceding, is a prophecy concerning Christ and his \nkingdom; and the sum of it is to proclaim, that Christ establishes and \nstrengthens his spiritual kingdom by the gospel; wherein he preaches \nrepentance, and whereby his lightnings and thunders terrify the whole \nworld, and cause the mountains to melt like wax before the fire of his \nface: that is, by the gospel he condemns, casts down, and humbles all \nhuman righteousness, human wisdom, and human patience, throughout the \nworld, and brings down every thing that is high and lifted up; as \nIsaiah saith, chapter 3, \u201cAnd the Lord alone shall be exalted in that \nday.\u201d For Christ alone is our \u201crighteousness, our sanctification, and \nour redemption,\u201d and that by the counsel of God, as it is written, \n\u201cThere is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved, \nbut Jesus Christ and him crucified.\u201d\n\nTogether also with these enemies of the gospel and these mountains of \nthe world, the ceremonial kingdom of the Jews perisheth, and all the \noutward worship of the law, and, indeed, every thing that is not in \nChrist. For he (as the apostle Paul saith, Col. i.) \u201cin all things \nhath the pre-eminence.\u201d And again, \u201cFor there is one Mediator between \nGod and man, the Man Christ Jesus.\u201d And so also, in Daniel, The stone \ncut out of the mountain filled the world, and broke in pieces all \nother kingdoms.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCVIII.\n\n_The Psalmist exhorteth the Jews, the Gentiles, and all the creatures \nto praise God._\n\nA Psalm.\n\n\nO sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: \nhis right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.\n\nThe LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he \nopenly shewed in the sight of the heathen.\n\nHe hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: \nall the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.\n\nMake a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, \nand rejoice, and sing praise.\n\nSing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a \npsalm.\n\nWith trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, \nthe King.\n\nLet the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that \ndwell therein.\n\nLet the floods clap _their_ hands; let the hills be joyful together\n\nBefore the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness \nshall he judge the world, and the people with equity.\n\n\nThis again is a prophecy concerning the preaching of Christ and the \nspread of his kingdom, and it is of the same subject as the two \npreceding Psalms; it calls upon us to rejoice in God, to triumph, to \ngive thanks, and to praise God for that great salvation: that is, to \npreach the remission of sins, and those riches of grace which are by \nChrist Jesus.\n\nIn this Psalm you again have set before you what is the highest \nworship of God, namely, that of the New Testament; which standeth not \nin the offering of thanks in Jerusalem, but in knowing Christ,\u2014that \nKing who ruleth the people in righteousness; who is himself righteous, \nand who maketh the people righteous throughout the world; and who \nalone delivereth them from sin, from death, and from the power of the \ndevil; and doeth it all without any merit of theirs.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM XCIX.\n\n_The prophet, setting forth the kingdom of God in Zion,\u2014exhorteth all, \nby the example of forefathers, to worship God at his holy hill._\n\n\nThe LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth _between_ the \ncherubims; let the earth be moved.\n\nThe LORD _is_ great in Zion; and he _is_ high above all the people.\n\nLet them praise thy great and terrible name; _for_ it _is_ holy.\n\nThe king\u2019s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, \nthou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.\n\nExalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; _for_ he _is_ \nholy.\n\nMoses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call \nupon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.\n\nHe spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, \nand the ordinance _that_ he gave them.\n\nThou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest \nthem, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.\n\nExalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our \nGod _is_ holy.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a Psalm of blessed doctrine. It exhorts the people of \nGod to preserve sacredly that true worship of the first commandment, \nthe praising of God alone, and the continuing in the faith of him, \nalthough the nations on all sides and the whole world should roar \nagainst that people who glory in being the people of God, and who know \nthat God is to be found no where but in this and that corner of the \nearth, in that tabernacle, in that sanctuary, and at that mercy-seat, \nwhere the word and the promise of God are preached. And the Psalm \nshows that this true people of God are exposed to the most bitter \nhatred of the world and of the devil, and to afflictions of every \nkind.\n\nThe Psalmist mentions, by name, Moses, and Aaron, and Samuel; those \nbest of men among the people of God, who endured great afflictions, \nboth inward and outward, for the sake of the name and the word of God. \nThe Psalmist shows, however, (as is set forth verses 4 and 5.) and \nteaches this people of God, that the highest worship of God is not \nplaced in ceremonial sacrifices: therefore he says, \u201cLet them praise \nthy great and terrible name, for it is holy.\u201d \u201cIn this kingdom of God, \n(says the Psalmist,) justice and judgment are loved.\u201d \u201cThou \njustifiest,\u201d says he, \u201cthy people;\u201d that is, thou deliverest from sin \nand death, and extendest unto them the remission of their sins.\n\nAnd unto us, who are in and of the church of God, the present Psalm is \na glorious prophecy of Christ, who governs and rules this church, the \ntrue Zion, in the Spirit, throughout the whole world, wheresoever she \nis. The holy Psalmist shews us, that Christ, sitting at the right hand \nof the Majesty in the heavens, is there continually as our Sacrificer \nand our Sacrifice. And he testifies that the whole world rages and \nroars against this people and church of God, and kills the saints, and \nloads them with all manner of afflictions, on account of their \nprofession and worship of Christ.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM C.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God cheerfully, for his greatness and for \nhis power._\n\nA Psalm of Praise.\n\n\nMake a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.\n\nServe the LORD with gladness; come before his presence with singing.\n\nKnow ye that the LORD he _is_ God: _it is_ he _that_ hath made us, and \nnot we ourselves: _we are_ his people, and the sheep of his pasture.\n\nEnter into his gates with thanksgiving, _and_ into his courts with \npraise: be thankful unto him, _and_ bless his name.\n\nFor the LORD _is_ good, his mercy _is_ everlasting; and his truth \n_endureth_ to all generations.\n\n\nThis Psalm again is a prophecy concerning Christ. It calls upon all to \nrejoice, to triumph, and to give thanks; to enter his gates with \nthanksgiving, and his courts and sanctuary with praise: because, by \nthe gospel and the preaching of the remission of sins, that kingdom of \nChrist is established and strengthened, which shall remain and stand \nfor ever: and for the setting-up of which kingdom thanks are for ever \nto be given.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CI.\n\n_David maketh a vow and profession of godliness._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nI will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.\n\nI will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O! when wilt thou come \nunto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.\n\nI will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them \nthat turn aside, _it_ shall not cleave to me.\n\nA froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked \n_person_.\n\nWhoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that \nhath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.\n\nMine eyes _shall be_ upon the faithful of the land, that they may \ndwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.\n\nHe that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that \ntelleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.\n\nI will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off \nall wicked doers from the city of the LORD.\n\n\nThis Psalm contains a most solemn and necessary doctrine: and David \nputs forth himself, so great a king, as an example. He teaches that \nimpious members and courtiers ought not to be borne with by any godly \nmagistrate or prince. He recounts also the iniquities, by which those \nwho are in the courts of kings and princes, more especially harm the \nstate and the church. He shews that they do the greatest evil when \nthey are given to sin or to false doctrine; and when they injure the \ncauses of good men by their hatred of them.\n\nIn the opening of the Psalm David says, \u201cI will sing of mercy and of \njudgment:\u201d that is as if he had said, \u2018I will sing that God most \ncertainly, according to the word of the first commandment, visits the \ngodly with mercy, and the ungodly with judgment, at all times.\u2019 Of \nthis visiting mercy David was himself an example, seeing that he had \nbeen so many times delivered from the very claws and jaws of the \ndevil. And of the divine visitations of judgment, Absalom, Ahithophel, \nJoab, and others, were examples. And every king and magistrate, who \nsets himself to defend the true religion, and to do good to his \nnation, is at once exposed to the hatred of all men, even of his own \nfamily and court: which is plainly seen in the case of Absalom, \nAhithophel, and other persecutors of David.\n\nHence it is that David, having so often experienced God\u2019s fulfilment \nof the word of his first commandment, sings in all places and at all \ntimes, \u2018that God is God over all, exercising mercy and judgment.\u2019 And \nit is with God alone that a kingdom and commonwealth can be rightly \ngoverned: for where God is not, there all things are scattered and in \nconfusion, and neither families are subject to their heads, nor \ncitizens to their rulers.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CII.\n\n_The prophet in his prayer maketh a grievous complaint.\u2014He taketh \ncomfort in the eternity and mercy of God.\u2014The mercies of God are to be \nrecorded.\u2014He sustaineth his weakness by the unchangeableness of God._\n\nA Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his \ncomplaint before the LORD.\n\n\nHear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.\n\nHide not thy face from me in the day _when_ I am in trouble; incline \nthine ear unto me: in the day _when_ I call, answer me speedily.\n\nFor my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an \nhearth.\n\nMy heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat \nmy bread.\n\nBy reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.\n\nI am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.\n\nI watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house-top.\n\nMine enemies reproach me all the day; _and_ they that are mad against \nme are sworn against me.\n\nFor I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping;\n\nBecause of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me \nup, and cast me down.\n\nMy days _are_ like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like \ngrass.\n\nBut thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever, and thy remembrance unto all \ngenerations.\n\nThou shalt arise, _and_ have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour \nher, yea, the set time, is come.\n\nFor thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust \nthereof.\n\nSo the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of \nthe earth thy glory.\n\nWhen the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.\n\nHe will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their \nprayer.\n\nThis shall be written for the generation to come; and the people which \nshall be created shall praise the LORD.\n\nFor he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven \ndid the LORD behold the earth;\n\nTo hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are \nappointed to death;\n\nTo declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;\n\nWhen the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the \nLORD.\n\nHe weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.\n\nI said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days; thy years \n_are_ throughout all generations.\n\nOf old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens \n_are_ the work of thy hands.\n\nThey shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax \nold like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they \nshall be changed:\n\nBut thou _art_ the same, and thy years shall have no end.\n\nThe children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be \nestablished before thee.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer of an afflicted and tempted heart, miserably \nsighing and praying for deliverance and the coming of the kingdom of \nGod. And indeed the whole sum and substance of this Psalm is, \u201cThy \nkingdom come.\u201d\n\nThis Psalm may be used as a general prayer. It was used especially by \nthe fathers under the law: who being most spiritual men, and knowing \nthe infinite weight of sin, and the kingdom of death, longed for the \ncoming and revelation of Christ, the kingdom of grace, and the \nblessing promised.\n\n\u201cHave mercy upon Zion (saith the Psalmist) for the time to have mercy \nupon her is come.\u201d For thy servants (saith he) long for her to be \nbuilt up again, and for the stones and cement to be made ready: that \nis, they long for that grace and that blessing to be revealed unto all \nnations, and to be preached in all kingdoms; that those who are \ncaptives and in chains under the power of the devil and of sin, and \nwho are the sons of wrath and death, may be delivered; and that there \nmay flow together into the true Zion, the church of God, those out of \nall nations and kingdoms, who may magnify the name of the Lord, and \nmay preach and hear the gospel, and that all the rigid demands and \nceremonies of the law, and the whole of the Old Testament \ndispensation, may cease. For out of and without Christ there is \nnothing but the kingdom of sin and death: that is, a continual misery \nand distress in this life, by various and hard temptations of the \ndevil and the world: and also a shortness of life itself, and that \nlife changeable and uncertain, full of sorrow and full of death; which \nlife the godly consider it a \u201cgain\u201d to have shortened and finished: as \nthe apostle saith, \u201cto me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.\u201d\n\nBut amidst all this misery, in Christ is consolation and eternal life; \nfor he is before every creature; he created the heaven and the earth, \nand by him all things consist; and he also, in the regeneration, will \nrenew the heavens and the earth. Hence he is independent of and above \nall time and years, and of his years there is no end. He now dies no \nmore, death hath no more dominion over him. For this kingdom of life \nand of salvation (saith the Psalmist) we pray and long. May this \nkingdom come. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CIII.\n\n_An exhortation to bless God for his mercy, and for the constancy \nthereof._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nBless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, _bless_ his holy \nname.\n\nBless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:\n\nWho forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;\n\nWho redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving \nkindness and tender mercies;\n\nWho satisfieth thy mouth with good _things; so that_ thy youth is \nrenewed like the eagle\u2019s.\n\nThe LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all _that are_ \noppressed.\n\nHe made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of \nIsrael.\n\nThe LORD _is_ merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in \nmercy.\n\nHe will not alway chide; neither will he keep _his anger_ for ever.\n\nHe hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to \nour iniquities.\n\nFor as the heaven is high above the earth, _so_ great is his mercy \ntoward them that fear him.\n\nAs far as the east is from the west, _so_ far hath he removed our \ntransgressions from us.\n\nLike as a father pitieth _his_ children, _so_ the LORD pitieth them \nthat fear him.\n\nFor he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we _are_ dust.\n\n_As for_ man, his days _are_ as grass; as a flower of the field, so he \nflourisheth:\n\nFor the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof \nshall know it no more.\n\nBut the mercy of the LORD _is_ from everlasting to everlasting upon \nthem that fear him, and his righteousness unto children\u2019s children;\n\nTo such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his \ncommandments to do them.\n\nThe LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom \nruleth over all.\n\nBless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his \ncommandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.\n\nBless ye the LORD, all _ye_ his hosts; _ye_ ministers of his that do \nhis pleasure.\n\nBless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion: bless \nthe LORD, O my soul.\n\n\nThis is a glorious Psalm, and full of the most ardent feelings and \nexercises of faith, and of a believing heart, a heart acknowledging \nthe infinite mercies of God, both temporal and spiritual. \u201cBless the \nLord (saith the Psalmist), O my soul,\u201d &c. The Psalmist embraces, in \nthe first three verses, six kinds of divine mercies and benefits, for \nwhich he exhorts all the godly to give praise unto God with their \nwhole heart, and to celebrate his great and holy name.\n\nThe first kind of mercy enumerated is the remission of all our sins in \nChrist, and for Christ\u2019s sake, our only Mediator and High-priest: who \nby himself sustained the just and infinite wrath of God, which burned \nagainst our sins: who offered himself a sacrifice to God for them; by \nwhich offering he reconciled unto us the Eternal Father, and now \npleads for us with an unceasing and prevailing intercession.\n\nThe second kind of mercy is the healing of those manifold, and by no \nmeans light infirmities, which shall remain in the flesh of the \nsaints, as long as they live in this world: all which remnant of sins \nGod, for Christ\u2019s sake, imputeth not unto them that believe: nor does \nhe only cover those sins by not imputing them, but he moreover purges \nthem away, by the gift of his Holy Spirit.\n\nThe third kind of mercy is a continual and daily protection and \ndefence against all the dangers of death, into numbers of which we \ncontinually fall; and into more and greater of which we should fall by \nfire, by water, by sword, by pestilence, and other means of \ndestruction, and be destroyed by them on account of the deserts of our \nsins, if God did not in his mercy prevent and save and preserve our \nlives.\n\nThe fourth kind of mercy is a manifold dispensation of the grace of \nGod, wherewith he covers and defends us with a shield, and crowns us, \ngiving us the Holy Spirit, and strengthening our minds with the true \ndoctrine against all doubts, and with true consolation in all perils \nand evils; and bestowing on the godly many and various gifts.\n\nThe fifth kind of mercy is that boldness wherewith by the aid and \nurgency of the Holy Spirit, we fearlessly preach before the world \nthese great mercies of God toward us: whereby many others also may \nlearn to acknowledge and lay hold of the goodness of God in Christ, \nand, embracing it themselves in the true faith, may, with us, magnify \nand call upon God.\n\nThe sixth kind of mercy is the restoration of our depraved nature by \nChrist into the image of God; into which image we being renewed by the \nHoly Ghost, begin with full purpose of heart to obey God; and so \ncontinue, until, being made perfect in the life to come, we may be \nable to render a full obedience with our whole unimpeded powers.\n\nThe Psalmist, therefore, first renders thanks to God for his spiritual \nbenefits; and then he from his heart thanks God for bestowing \nblessings of every kind,\u2014peace, good magistrates, good laws, good \nwives, good children, the fruits of the earth, and all needful \nprovision. The Psalmist sets forth God as a most kind Father towards \nus (who are nothing but a loathsome sore, full of sin) and as not \ndealing with us according to our sins, but treating and protecting us, \naccording to his infinite grace and mercy, as dear children: yet so \nthat he will have us to keep his covenant and his counsel: that is, to \nbelieve in him, to fear him, and to have him for our God. For if we \ntrust in our own works or righteousnesses, we thereby immediately \nbreak his covenant, and walk not in his counsel, and follow strange \ngods, and thus sin against the First Commandment.\n\nNow this fulfilling of the law, and keeping the covenant of God, is in \nand through Christ alone, who was then promised to the fathers, but \nnow in these last days has been given unto us; and manifested; whose \nkingdom shall rule over all.\n\nAt the end of the Psalm, when the Psalmist calls upon the angels and \nthe hosts of God, the powers and the dominions, to praise and magnify \nhim, he means Christ and the church and the apostles who cause his \nword to be heard. For all our salvation is in Christ, and there is no \ngrace out of Christ; who is preached by the angels; that is, by the \napostles.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CIV.\n\n_A meditation upon the mighty power, and wonderful providence of \nGod.\u2014God\u2019s glory is eternal.\u2014The prophet voweth perpetually to praise \nGod._\n\n\nBless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou \nart clothed with honour and majesty:\n\nWho coverest _thyself_ with light as _with_ a garment; who stretchest \nout the heavens like a curtain;\n\nWho layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the \nclouds his chariot; who walketh upon the wings of the wind;\n\nWho maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire;\n\n_Who_ laid the foundations of the earth, _that_ it should not be \nremoved for ever.\n\nThou coveredst it with the deep as _with_ a garment; the waters stood \nabove the mountains.\n\nAt thy rebuke they fled: at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.\n\nThey go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys, unto the \nplace which thou hast founded for them.\n\nThou hast set a bound that they may not pass over, that they turn not \nagain to cover the earth.\n\nHe sendeth the springs into the valleys, _which_ run among the hills.\n\nThey give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench \ntheir thirst.\n\nBy them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, _which_ \nsing among the branches.\n\nHe watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with \nthe fruit of thy works.\n\nHe causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service \nof man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth;\n\nAnd wine _that_ maketh glad the heart of man, _and_ oil to make _his_ \nface to shine, and bread _which_ strengthened man\u2019s heart.\n\nThe trees of the LORD are full _of sap_: the cedars of Lebanon, which \nhe hath planted;\n\nWhere the birds make their nests: _as for_ the stork, the fir-trees \n_are_ her house.\n\nThe high hills _are_ a refuge for the wild goats, _and_ the rocks for \nthe conies.\n\nHe appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.\n\nThou makest darkness, and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the \nforest do creep _forth_.\n\nThe young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.\n\nThe sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in \ntheir dens.\n\nMan goeth forth unto his work, and to his labour, until the evening.\n\nO LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: \nthe earth is full of thy riches;\n\n_So is_ this great and wide sea, wherein _are_ things creeping \ninnumerable, both small and great beasts.\n\nThere go the ships; _there is_ that leviathan, _whom_ thou hast made \nto play therein.\n\nThese wait all upon thee, that them mayest give _them_ their meat in \ndue season.\n\n_That_ thou givest them, they gather; thou openest thine hand, they \nare filled with good.\n\nThou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their \nbreath, they die, and return to their dust.\n\nThou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the \nface of the earth.\n\nThe glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in \nhis works.\n\nHe looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; he toucheth the hills, and \nthey smoke.\n\nI will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my \nGod while I have my being.\n\nMy meditation of him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the LORD.\n\nLet the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no \nmore. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a most spiritual song and a Psalm of glory to God. It is drawn \nout of the First Commandment: and with a grand enumeration of all the \ncreatures of God, it sets forth and exalts the whole work of creation. \nBy this recounting of the works of creation the Psalmist\u2019s design is \nto show, that all the creatures, whether those in the heavens, those \nin the earth, or those in the sea, are monuments of the goodness of \nGod. And what orator or what poet ever has existed, or ever will \nexist, with an eloquence adequate to describe the infinite use and \nbenefits of even one creature of God. If any one of those creatures \nwere gifted with speech, so as to declare its own nature and value, it \nwould praise God with a thousand tongues. Not only, therefore, the \nwhole of God\u2019s works together, as one glorious universe, but each one \ncreature, if you would explain its nature and use, exceeds all the \neloquence of men and angels.\n\nWhat philosopher or sage could even open or utter the extent of the \nuse and blessings of common light, in which we live? What one of them \ncould ever explain what that is which we call light, in which we all \nbreathe, all are nourished, and all live; by which the night and \ndarkness are dispelled in one short moment; by which the whole \ncreation is rendered visible, and as it were, recreated; and by which \nall creatures, from out of one same obscure darkness, receive each \ntheir proper hues and colours?\n\nWho, again, can recount the benefit and blessings of that one creature \nthe sun? and then those of the moon? Who can enumerate the blessings \nof fire, of water, of fountains and springs? If one creature were \ndeprived for one short hour of the blessings of fire or of water, you \nwould in a moment see the wide and infinite benefit of one of those \ncreatures of God.\n\nBut alas! who can even touch one of these creatures with anything like \na due comment or reflection! And yet, when heathen men have \ncontemplated the whole universe of creatures so diligently, (as we see \nit done in Cicero\u2019s second book \u2018De Natura Deorum;\u2019) and have thence \ngathered and concluded that there exists some eternal Deity who \ncreated and who governs all these things; it would be a shame in one \nprofessing the fear and worship of that God, to be cold and not \naffected with these same things, and not to meditate and reflect upon \nthem.\n\nThis Psalm, therefore, is a Psalm of thanksgiving for all the \ncreatures which God has created, whether in the heavens, in the earth, \nor in the sea; and a rendering of thanks unto God also, that he hath \nmade a covenant with the day and the night, and hath given laws to the \nheaven and the earth; laws so certain that they cannot be moved, but \ncontinue in their appointed order. The moon, saith the Psalmist, \ndistinguished the seasons; the sun knoweth his going down; the day \ncometh, and also the night; the summer returns at its appointed time, \nand the winter also in its season. Thou fillest, saith he, that \nimmense space of the heaven with light: thou stretchest out the heaven \nitself like a curtain, which resteth not on any beams or columns: and \nthou suspendest the mighty range of clouds, at thy word, like a \nglorious canopy. The winds rise, and blow over and blow through all \nthings, having neither wings nor feathers. And the angels whom thou \nsendest forth, saith he, fulfil their commands like the winds, and \nlike a \u201cflame of fire.\u201d\n\nHence the prophet, as you see, has all these things depicted in his \nmind, and his faith is kindled by a meditation on this wonderful and \nineffable work of creation. But, alas! how few, how very few, are \nthere who thus look into, meditate on, and admire these created \nthings? Here, therefore, with a view to reprove both the indolence and \nthe wickedness of certain characters, I cannot help transcribing the \nwords of Cicero, a heathen, who cites another heathen, Aristotle: \n\u2018Aristotle,\u2019 says Cicero, \u2018has most greatly and beautifully spoken \nthus. \u201cIf there could be men, who had lived under the earth in grand \nand noble habitations; habitations adorned with paintings and works of \nart, and with all those embellishments which ornament the houses of \nthose who are now accounted wealthy and happy; and if it could so be \nthat such subterranean inhabitants had never been above ground, but \nhad heard by fame and report that there was a certain Deity, and a \ncertain Almighty power of that Deity; and then if it could so be, \nthat, at a certain time, the doors of the earth\u2019s surface should be \nthrown open, and they should come forth from their subterranean \nabysses into these above-ground regions which we inhabit:\u2014when such \nmen beheld, on a sudden, the earth, the sea, and the heavens; when \nthey saw the expanded grandeur of the clouds, and felt the mighty \npower of the winds; when they looked up to the sun and beheld his \nglorious magnitude and his beauty, and knew something of his influence \nand efficacy in all creation,\u2014that it is he, who, by diffusing his \nlight through the whole heaven, makes the day; and when such mortals, \nnewly admitted on earth, should see by the departure of the sun the \nwhole creation veiled in the darkness of night, while the whole heaven \nwas studded and bespangled with stars; and when they saw and \nunderstood the various degrees of the light of the moon, and the \nincreasings and decreasings of that heavenly body; and the various \nrisings and settings of all the celestial luminaries; and, finally, \nwhen such astonished and contemplating strangers on the earth\u2019s \nsurface should know the appointed and never-erring and never-varying \ncourses and revolutions of all these glorious creatures,\u2014they would, \nwith one voice, confess that there was a God, and that all these \ncreatures were the works of that God! But our minds, by daily use, \nbecome insensible to these things; and as we daily see all these \ncreatures we inquire not their nature, nor wonder at their glory: as \nif the novelty of such things, and not their greatness and glory, is \nthat which should lead us to meditate on their natures, and the ends \nof their creation.\u201d\u2019 Thus far Cicero, the heathen! I shall perhaps be \ndeemed by some a silly man for bringing forth these things out of the \nbooks of a heathen! Let those that would fear God, then, remember what \nis required of them!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CV.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God, and to seek out his works.\u2014The story of \nGod\u2019s providence over Abraham,\u2014over Joseph,\u2014over Jacob, in Egypt,\u2014over \nMoses delivering the Israelites,\u2014over the Israelites brought out of \nEgypt, fed in the wilderness, and planted in Canaan._\n\n\nO give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds \namong the people.\n\nSing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous \nworks.\n\nGlory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the \nLORD.\n\nSeek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.\n\nRemember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the \njudgments of his mouth;\n\nO ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.\n\nHe _is_ the LORD our God: his judgments _are_ in all the earth.\n\nHe hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word _which_ he \ncommanded to a thousand generations.\n\nWhich _covenant_ he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;\n\nAnd confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, _and_ to Israel _for_ an \neverlasting covenant:\n\nSaying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your \ninheritance:\n\nWhen there were _but_ a few men in number: yea, very few, and \nstrangers in it.\n\nWhen they went from one nation to another, from _one_ kingdom to \nanother people;\n\nHe suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their \nsakes;\n\n_Saying_, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.\n\nMoreover, he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole \nstaff of bread.\n\nHe sent a man before them, _even_ Joseph, _who_ was sold for a \nservant:\n\nWhose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:\n\nUntil the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.\n\nThe king sent and loosed him: _even_ the ruler of the people, and let \nhim go free.\n\nHe made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:\n\nTo bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.\n\nIsrael also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.\n\nAnd he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their \nenemies.\n\nHe turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his \nservants.\n\nHe sent Moses his servant; _and_ Aaron whom he had chosen.\n\nThey shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.\n\nHe sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his \nword.\n\nHe turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.\n\nTheir land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their \nkings.\n\nHe spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, _and_ lice in all \ntheir coasts.\n\nHe gave them hail for rain, _and_ flaming fire in their land.\n\nHe smote their vines also and their fig-trees; and brake the trees of \ntheir coasts.\n\nHe spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without \nnumber,\n\nAnd did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of \ntheir ground.\n\nHe smote also all the first-born in their land, the chief of all their \nstrength.\n\nHe brought them forth also with silver and gold: and _there was_ not \none feeble _person_ among their tribes.\n\nEgypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon \nthem.\n\nHe spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.\n\n_The people_ asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the \nbread of heaven.\n\nHe opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry \nplaces _like_ a river.\n\nFor he remembered his holy promise, _and_ Abraham his servant.\n\nAnd he brought forth his people with joy, _and_ his chosen with \ngladness:\n\nAnd gave them the lands of the heathen; and they inherited the labour \nof the people;\n\nThat they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the \nLORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of particular thanksgiving; and a song especially \nadapted to the people of the Jews; that in the use of this Psalm they \nmight render thanks unto God for all those, his wonderful works, which \nhe wrought from Abraham down to the time when they were led into the \npromised land of Canaan. And the Psalmist, having recounted all these \nglorious works in their order, concludes with that word of Moses, \n(Deut. ix.) \u201cThat God did not do all these mighty works on account of \nany righteousness or merit of theirs, but because of the covenant and \nthe promise which he had made with their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and \nJacob:\u201d for how righteous they were and what they deserved at the hand \nof God, is sung in the Psalm following.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CVI.\n\n_The Psalmist exhorteth to praise God.\u2014He prayeth for pardon of sin, \nas God did with the fathers.\u2014The story of the people\u2019s rebellion, and \nGod\u2019s mercy.\u2014He concludeth with prayer and praise._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good: for \nhis mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nWho can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? _who_ can shew forth all \nhis praise?\n\nBlessed _are_ they that keep judgment, _and_ he that doeth \nrighteousness at all times.\n\nRemember me, O LORD, with the favour _that thou bearest unto_ thy \npeople: O visit me with thy salvation;\n\nThat I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the \ngladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.\n\nWe have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have \ndone wickedly.\n\nOur fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not \nthe multitude of thy mercies; but provoked _him_ at the sea, _even_ at \nthe Red Sea.\n\nNevertheless he saved them for his name\u2019s sake, that he might make his \nmighty power to be known.\n\nHe rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them \nthrough the depths, as through the wilderness.\n\nAnd he saved them from the hand of him that hated _them_, and redeemed \nthem from the hand of the enemy.\n\nAnd the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.\n\nThen believed they his words; they sang his praise.\n\nThey soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:\n\nBut lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the \ndesert.\n\nAnd he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.\n\nThey envied Moses also in the camp, _and_ Aaron the saint of the LORD.\n\nThe earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of \nAbiram.\n\nAnd a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the \nwicked.\n\nThey made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.\n\nThus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth \ngrass.\n\nThey forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;\n\nWondrous works in the land of Ham, _and_ terrible things by the Red \nSea.\n\nTherefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen \nstood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should\ndestroy _them_.\n\nYea, they despised the pleasant land; they believed not his word;\n\nBut murmured in their tents, _and_ hearkened not unto the voice of the \nLORD:\n\nTherefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the \nwilderness:\n\nTo overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in \nthe lands.\n\nThey joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of \nthe dead.\n\nThus they provoked _him_ to anger with their inventions; and the \nplague brake in upon them.\n\nThen stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and _so_ the plague was \nstayed.\n\nAnd that was counted unto him for righteousness, unto all generations \nfor evermore.\n\nThey angered _him_ also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill \nwith Moses for their sakes:\n\nBecause they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with \nhis lips.\n\nThey did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded \nthem:\n\nBut were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.\n\nAnd they served their idols; which were a snare unto them.\n\nYea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,\n\nAnd shed innocent blood, _even_ the blood of their sons, and of their \ndaughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land \nwas polluted with blood.\n\nThus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with \ntheir own inventions.\n\nTherefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, \ninsomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.\n\nAnd he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated \nthem ruled over them.\n\nTheir enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into \nsubjection under their hand.\n\nMany times did he deliver them: but they provoked _him_ with their \ncounsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.\n\nNevertheless, he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:\n\nAnd he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the \nmultitude of his mercies.\n\nHe made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them \ncaptives.\n\nSave us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give \nthanks unto thy holy name, _and_ to triumph in thy praise.\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: \nand let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of acknowledgment, of confession, and of thanksgiving. \nThe Psalmist confesses all those sins of murmuring and unbelief, and \nthose other numerous transgressions against the first commandment, by \nwhich the people of Israel provoked God, and rendered themselves \nutterly unworthy of all his mercies.\n\nAt the conclusion of the Psalm, therefore, the Psalmist proclaims the \nexceeding greatness of the divine mercy of God; whereby he continued \nmindful of his counsel and his covenant, and did not pour forth all \nhis wrath, but was merciful to them for his own name\u2019s sake. As Moses \nsaith also, (Deut. ix.) \u201cKnow ye, that not for your righteousness doth \nthe Lord God give unto you this good land: for ye are a stiff-necked \npeople.\u201d Therefore as the Israelites, the whole of that people of God, \ncould glory in nothing, but that they were saved by the mercy and \ngrace of God; so also we cannot glory in any work or merit of our own, \nbut in the mercy of God only!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CVII.\n\n_The psalmist exhorteth the redeemed, in praising God, to observe his \nmanifold providence, over travellers, over captives, over sick men, \nover seamen, and in divers varieties of life._\n\n\nO give thanks unto the LORD, for _he is_ good: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nLet the redeemed of the LORD say _so_, whom he hath redeemed from the \nhand of the enemy;\n\nAnd gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, \nfrom the north, and from the south.\n\nThey wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city \nto dwell in.\n\nHungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.\n\nThen they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, _and_ he delivered \nthem out of their distresses.\n\nAnd he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city \nof habitation.\n\nOh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his \nwonderful works to the children of men!\n\nFor he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with \ngoodness.\n\nSuch as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, _being_ bound in \naffliction and iron;\n\nBecause they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the \ncounsel of the Most High:\n\nTherefore he brought down their heart with labour: they fell down, and \n_there was_ none to help.\n\nThen they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, _and_ he saved them \nout of their distresses.\n\nHe brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake \ntheir bands in sunder.\n\nOh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his \nwonderful works to the children of men!\n\nFor he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in \nsunder.\n\nFools, because of their transgression, and because of their \niniquities, are afflicted:\n\nTheir soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the \ngates of death.\n\nThen they cry unto the LORD in their trouble; and he saveth them out \nof their distresses.\n\nHe sent his word and healed them, and delivered _them_ from their \ndestructions.\n\nOh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his \nwonderful works to the children of men!\n\nAnd let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his \nworks with rejoicing.\n\nThey that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great \nwaters;\n\nThese see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.\n\nFor he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the \nwaves thereof.\n\nThey mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths; their \nsoul is melted because of trouble.\n\nThey reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their \nwit\u2019s end.\n\nThen they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out \nof their distresses.\n\nHe maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.\n\nThen are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto \ntheir desired haven.\n\nOh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his \nwonderful works to the children of men!\n\nLet them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise \nhim in the assembly of the elders.\n\nHe turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs into dry \nground;\n\nA fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell \ntherein.\n\nHe turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into \nwater-springs.\n\nAnd there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city \nfor habitation;\n\nAnd sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of \nincrease.\n\nHe blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, and \nsuffereth not their cattle to decrease.\n\nAgain, they are minished, and brought low, through oppression, \naffliction, and sorrow.\n\nHe poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the \nwilderness, _where there is_ no way.\n\nYet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh _him_ \nfamilies like a flock.\n\nThe righteous shall see _it_, and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop \nher mouth.\n\nWhoso _is_ wise, and will observe these _things_, even they shall \nunderstand the loving-kindness of the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in general; rendering praise for that \ninfinite and incomparable mercy and goodness of God, wherewith he \ndaily helps and succours all men, both the righteous and the wicked, \nunder the various calamities of life, and defends them against the \nDevil: preserving also the public peace, giving healthfulness of air \nand climate, and blessing the earth to the springing of its \nproductions; as Paul saith, 2 Tim. ii. \u201cWho is the Saviour of all men, \nespecially of them that believe.\u201d\n\nIn the fourth verse, where the Psalmist says, \u201cThey wandered in the \nwilderness in a solitary way,\u201d he refers to all kinds of calamities; \nand especially to the afflictions of those who are oppressed with \npoverty, who are exiles, and deserted, and wandering without any \ncertain dwelling-place.\n\nIn the ninth verse by those \u201csitting in darkness,\u201d &c. he means those \nthroughout the whole world, who on account of their own crimes, or for \nother causes, are held in bonds and in prisons, and who are sometimes \ndelivered by the interposition and help of God himself.\n\nThen again, verse 6, he refers to those who live wickedly and fear not \nGod; on whom God sends diseases and distresses to punish them; of whom \nsome, although they call not upon God, are delivered by his pure mercy \nalone.\n\nIn verse 22, he speaks of those who are in perils on the seas, and \nthere enduring storms and shipwrecks; under which calamities God often \ndelivers wicked sailors, and preserves them from shipwreck and death, \nand from the power of the Devil, by his mere goodness and mercy.\n\nVerse 32 has reference to those fields and vineyards that are visited \nwith barrenness or any other calamity; unto whom God gives rain and \nfruitfulness, not according to their merits, but of his abounding \nmercy, whereby he sendeth rain upon the just and upon the unjust.\n\nVerse 38 applies to those who are oppressed by the Turk or any other \ntyrants, or by wars and seditions, and whose all in this world is in \nperil; unto whom God often, on a sudden, gives peace and quietness, as \nhe calmeth the waves of the sea.\n\nThis Psalm, therefore, shows that all salvation is to be sought and \nexpected from God alone; who will never forsake his people, or his \nchurch, or those that trust in him; and that he often bestows these \nbenefits on the Turks, and on the openly impious and profane; even \nwhen they are seeking all these great blessings from their idols of \nwood and stone. And we who profess the name of Christ also, not at all \nunlike the Turks, leave God our true and only Saviour and implore the \nhelp of saints. Hence St. Leonard is worshipped as the liberator of \nthe imprisoned; St. Sebastian is invoked by those who are in dread of \npestilence; St. George is the protecting saint of military troops of \nhorse and foot; St. Erasmus is said to bless with riches those that \ncall upon him; St. Christopher is openly worshipped as the god of land \nand sea; and his image is affixed to all doors of temples, and to all \nprows of ships, and adored by all sailors. And thus we have divided \nthe glory of God and of his saving mercies, which is due to him alone, \nunto saints set up by idolatrous men; just in the same way as the \nheathens gave to their gods the attributes and functions which belong \nto God only. This Psalm, however, rightly ascribes all the glory to \nGod alone.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CVIII.\n\n_David encourageth himself to praise God.\u2014He prayeth for God\u2019s \nassistance according to his promise.\u2014His confidence in God\u2019s help._\n\nA Song or Psalm of David.\n\n\nO God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my \nglory.\n\nAwake, psaltery and harp; I _myself_ will awake early.\n\nI will praise thee, O LORD, among the people; and I will sing praises \nunto thee among the nations.\n\nFor thy mercy is great above the heavens, and thy truth _reacheth_ \nunto the clouds.\n\nBe thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and thy glory above all the \nearth:\n\nThat thy beloved may be delivered, save _with_ thy right hand, and \nanswer me.\n\nGod hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice; I will divide \nShechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.\n\nGilead _is_ mine; Manasseh _is_ mine; Ephraim also _is_ the strength \nof mine head; Judah _is_ my law-giver;\n\nMoab _is_ my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over \nPhilistia will I triumph.\n\nWho will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?\n\n_Wilt_ not _thou_, O God, _who_ hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O \nGod, go forth with our hosts?\n\nGive us help from trouble: for vain _is_ the help of man.\n\nThrough God we shall do valiantly: for he _it is that_ shall tread \ndown our enemies.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving of the same substance, and almost in \nthe same words as Psalm lx.; wherein the Psalmist gives thanks for the \nhappy state of his kingdom, for the establishment of the true religion \nand good government, and for the increase of his dominions.\n\nThe first verses of the Psalm, however, refer to the kingdom of \nChrist. David prays that God would be pleased to set up this kingdom \nof Christ in all nations; that thus the kingdom and dominion of David \nmay be extended far and wide throughout all nations, according to the \npromise. For this temporal kingdom of David was confined within very \nnarrow limits in comparison with the whole world, and was a kingdom \nnot likely to be extended over all the nations and people of the \nearth; and yet this kingdom God promised to enlarge and extend, as in \nIsaiah, \u201cAnd in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall \nstand for an ensign of the people,\u201d Isa. xi. 10. And again, chapter \nix. 7, \u201cUpon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it \nand to establish it for ever.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CIX.\n\n_David, complaining of his slanderous enemies, under the person of \nJudas devoteth them.\u2014He sheweth their sin.\u2014Complaining of his own \nmisery, he prayeth for help.\u2014He promiseth thankfulness._\n\nTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.\n\n\nHold not thy peace, O God of my praise;\n\nFor the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened \nagainst me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.\n\nThey compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against \nme without a cause.\n\nFor my love they are my adversaries: but I _give myself unto_ prayer.\n\nAnd they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.\n\nSet thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.\n\nWhen he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer \nbecome sin.\n\nLet his days be few; _and_ let another take his office.\n\nLet his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.\n\nLet his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek \n_their bread_ also out of their desolate places.\n\nLet the extortioner catch all that he hath: and let the strangers \nspoil his labour.\n\nLet there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any \nto favour his fatherless children.\n\nLet his posterity be cut off; _and_ in the generation following let \ntheir name be blotted out.\n\nLet the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let \nnot the sin of his mother be blotted out.\n\nLet them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the \nmemory of them from the earth.\n\nBecause that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor \nand needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.\n\nAs he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in \nblessing, so let it be far from him.\n\nAs he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it \ncome into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.\n\nLet it be unto him as the garment _which_ covereth him, and for a \ngirdle wherewith he is girded continually.\n\n_Let_ this _be_ the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of \nthem that speak evil against my soul.\n\nBut do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name\u2019s sake: because thy \nmercy _is_ good, deliver thou me.\n\nFor I _am_ poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.\n\nI am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down \nas the locust.\n\nMy knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.\n\nI became also a reproach unto them: _when_ they looked upon me they \nshaked their heads.\n\nHelp me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:\n\nThat they may know that this _is_ thy hand; _that_ thou, LORD, hast \ndone it.\n\nLet them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; \nbut let thy servant rejoice.\n\nLet mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover \nthemselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.\n\nI will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him \namong the multitude.\n\nFor he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save _him_ from \nthose that condemn his soul.\n\n\nCertain hypocrites of monks are accustomed to use this Psalm, \n(generally known by the name of \u2018The God of praise,\u2019) as a sort of \nincantation: and they say that, to a certainty, against what person \nsoever they babble and sing out the terrible words of this Psalm; that \nman is at once death-struck, and never lives a year afterwards.\n\nThis Psalm, however, is most certainly full of the complaints, tears, \nand groans of the godly against these very hypocrites themselves. It \nmay be very properly considered as used in the person of Christ, \ndeeply complaining against his betrayers the Jews, and against the \ncruelty of the Jews, which was not satisfied, even after the shedding \nof his innocent blood.\n\nLike unto Judas Iscariot, and unto all the Jews, are pharisaical \nsaints and hypocrites, of all nations and ages; of whom Christ doth \nnot say in vain, that they are guilty of all the blood that has been \nshed from Abel downwards. For so great and bitter is the terribleness \nand fury of their virulent and Satanic hatred, that they cannot rest \nsatisfied with the shedding of the blood of Abel and all the saints \nfrom the beginning of the world, but must hang Christ himself on the \ncross; and that is not all, they must (as the Psalmist saith, ver. \n22.) wag their heads at him, and insult and mock his sufferings; \u201cIf \nhe be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross.\u201d\n\nConcerning these wretches, David says, (ver. 2.) \u201cThey have opened \ntheir blaspheming mouth against me:\u201d for the raving fury of such \nhypocrites is incredible. And again he says, \u201cFor my love they are my \nadversaries, but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me \nevil for good, and hatred for my love.\u201d And again, \u201cThey fight against \nme without a cause.\u201d\n\nThese are the true and real colours of these hypocrites who pretend to \nbe in the truth. We have here pourtrayed not only the Cainish \ncountenances of these Iscariots, but their pharisaic and virulent \nhearts themselves; which are now become organs and instruments of the \ndevil. And we have also here depicted their thoughts, their furious \npurposes of injuring and harming, by which the minds of such are \nincessantly actuated. For these embittered wretches knowingly and \npurposely, and against the light of their own consciences, fight \nagainst and deny the known truth; and, as Stephen says, cease not to \nresist the Holy Ghost. And although they are convinced by natural \nreason, by the Scriptures, and by their natural understanding, they \nstill reject and fight against God and Christ, and harden themselves \nin the denial of the truth. And finally, \u201cThey delight not in \nblessing;\u201d but refuse and cast from them God and his Christ.\n\nIn addition to all this, they \u201crender evil for good.\u201d The ingratitude \nof these hypocrites and of the world surely is enough, in not \nreturning any thing for all that good which is offered to them by God \nhimself, and by the saints in his name: but they rest not here; they \nrender, for all this good, hatred and cursing, and a purpose to injure \nand to destroy: which is manifestly not human, but Satanic cruelty.\n\nBut we, the people of God, are hereby admonished throughout all times \nand ages of the church that, whenever God is pleased to reveal his \nword, and Christ is preached, so surely will the church have her \nJudases: that is, so surely will she have her enemies and her \nhypocrites; who, though they boast of the name of being the church of \nGod, will prove themselves \u201cvipers.\u201d\n\nTo set forth, therefore, the terrible judgments that shall fall on \nthose, who thus, with cruelty and without mercy, rage against the \npeople of God, the Psalmist shows (ver. 16.) that God will, to \nrecompense their iniquity, direct his fury also against them, who thus \nmercilessly oppress \u201chis poor,\u201d and will pour out all his wrath upon \nthem: and that, as these hypocrites so confidently despised God and \nhis saints; and as, though covered with the shed blood, and bathed \nwith the tears of so many saints, they still laughed at their \ncalamities, as if they really sought cursing and not blessing; so, \nthat cursing shall flow in upon them like a river.\n\nAnd again (saith David) they have cast away the word of God from them, \nand have rejected and despised the offered salvation, therefore all \nconsolation and salvation shall depart from them, and no more be \nbrought near unto them, neither now nor to all eternity. On the other \nhand, as they loved cursing, they shall be clothed with it as with a \ngirdle; it shall enter like water into their bowels, and like oil into \ntheir bones: and they shall bear about with them, like Cain, \neverlasting fears and terrors, and shall be tormented unceasingly with \nthe stings of their wickedness and sin; and they shall moreover be \nexiles, deserted outcasts, vagabonds, and held in contempt of all, as \nthe Jews now are, exhibiting an awful fulfilment of the judgments \nherein denounced.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CX.\n\n_The kingdom, the priesthood, the conquest, and the passion of \nChrist._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nThe LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make \nthine enemies thy footstool.\n\nThe LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in \nthe midst of thine enemies.\n\nThy people _shall be_ willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties \nof holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy \nyouth.\n\nThe LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou _art_ a priest for ever \nafter the order of Melchizedek.\n\nThe LORD at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of \nhis wrath.\n\nHe shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill _the places_ with the \ndead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.\n\nHe shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the \nhead.\n\n\nThis is a peculiar and glorious prophecy concerning the kingdom of \nChrist. This Psalm is cited by Christ himself, Matt. xxii. and he \napplies it to his own kingdom and priesthood. It speaks gloriously of \nChrist sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in the heaven, and as \nbeing the son and the seed of David, according to the flesh, and also \nDavid\u2019s Lord and God, the Creator and the Maker of all things, all \npower being given unto him in heaven and in earth: as the apostle also \nsaith, \u201cWho was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and \ndeclared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of \nholiness.\u201d Rom. i. 3.\n\nChrist cites this Psalm, (which, as we have said, is a very glorious \none) to confound the Pharisees. Indeed there is not a Psalm like it in \nthe whole scripture; and it ought to be very dear unto the church; \nseeing that it confirms that great article of faith\u2014Christ\u2019s sitting \nat the right hand of God the Father Almighty. For Christ is here \ndeclared to be a King and Priest; sitting at God\u2019s right hand, not \nonly as truly man, but also as properly God; the Propitiator and \nMediator between God and men; the Omnipotent and the Eternal!\n\nChrist is no where, throughout all the books of the prophets, and of \nthe whole scripture, so plainly and clearly declared to be \u201ca Priest,\u201d \nand so \u201ca Priest for ever,\u201d who alone did, and alone could abrogate \nthe Aaronic and Levitical priesthood; and who is, and ever will be an \neternal propitiation and reconciliation for us; as is most \nbeautifully, most fully, and with a wonderful power of the Holy \nSpirit, opened by the author of the epistle to the Hebrews.\n\nHence, this heavenly and golden Psalm has a blessed author (David) and \na glorious interpreter (Christ.) And all the apostles, all godly \nconsciences, and all who are not utterly unacquainted with the \ntemptations of sin, and of Satan, know how great and firm a \nconsolation it is against all the violent attacks of the devil, to be \nable to see Christ as our High Priest. Hence it is that Paul breaks \nforth into those great words, \u201cIf God be for us, who can be against \nus! Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea, rather \nthat is risen again; who is even at the right hand of God; who also \nmaketh intercession for us.\u201d Rom. viii. 31\u201334.\n\nIt is, therefore, of infinite benefit to the universal church of \nChrist, that the glorious things of this Psalm, the remission of sins, \nand the reconciliation of God toward us, which are brought in unto us \nby the priesthood of Christ, and which are infinite and eternal, are \nmost carefully and most fully explained to us in the epistle to the \nHebrews; and that such glorious doctrines of the truth concerning the \npriesthood of Christ are always present, and ready to our hands.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXI.\n\n_The Psalmist by his example inciteth others to praise God for his \nglorious and gracious works.\u2014The fear of God breedeth true wisdom._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with _my_ whole heart, in \nthe assembly of the upright, and _in_ the congregation.\n\nThe works of the LORD _are_ great, sought out of all them that have \npleasure therein.\n\nHis work _is_ honourable and glorious; and his righteousness endureth \nfor ever.\n\nHe hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD _is_ \ngracious and full of compassion.\n\nHe hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of \nhis covenant.\n\nHe hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give \nthem the heritage of the heathen.\n\nThe works of his hands _are_ verity and judgment; all his commandments \n_are_ sure.\n\nThey stand fast for ever and ever, _and are_ done in truth and \nuprightness.\n\nHe sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for \never: holy and reverend _is_ his name.\n\nThe fear of the LORD _is_ the beginning of wisdom: a good \nunderstanding have all they that do _his commandments_: his praise \nendureth for ever.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and a song for the people of Israel, \nto be sung at the feast of the passover, or at the eating of the \npaschal Lamb. For by this short song the people were instructed to \ngive thanks, and to magnify and praise God for those great and \nglorious works of his,\u2014the leading them out of Egypt at the first; and \nalso, for giving them a good and divine government, for the priesthood \nhe established, for the law he gave them, and for appointing the \npreaching of his word; for their feasts and for their Sabbaths, for \npublic peace and a good administration of the laws, and, in a word, \nfor all his infinite mercies: all which I have more fully opened in my \nmore extended commentary on this Psalm.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXII.\n\n_Godliness hath the promises of this life, and of the life to \ncome.\u2014The prosperity of the godly shall be an eyesore to the wicked._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. Blessed _is_ the man _that_ feareth the LORD, \n_that_ delighteth greatly in his commandments.\n\nHis seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright \nshall be blessed.\n\nWealth and riches _shall be_ in his house: and his righteousness \nendureth for ever.\n\nUnto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: _he is_ \ngracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.\n\nA good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with \ndiscretion.\n\nSurely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in \neverlasting remembrance.\n\nHe shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting \nin the LORD.\n\nHis heart _is_ established, he shall not be afraid, until he see _his \ndesire_ upon his enemies.\n\nHe hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness \nendureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.\n\nThe wicked shall see _it_, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his \nteeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation for those that fear God: in which those \nthat truly fear him are encouraged and praised in their Christian \nconversation: \u201cBlessed is the man that feareth the Lord,\u201d saith the \nPsalmist. As if he had said, The people of God appear to them to be of \nall men the most miserable; and both their life and their doctrine are \ncondemned by the world, and by those tongues which the devil raises up \nand uses for the work. All things in the saints make them appear to \nthe world, as if they were left and forsaken, and deserted of God, and \nas if they, and their posterity, and all like them, must surely \nperish. And then again, their lives and conversations, (though they \nrender most essential services, both to their nation and to the \nchurch, and though they conduct themselves blamelessly before God and \nman,) are, by the malice of the devil, represented as most abominable, \nand they themselves are looked upon as the contempt and off-scouring \nof the earth.\n\nOn the other hand, all hypocrites in the world are lauded as the \nsaints of God. \u201cBut,\u201d as the wise man saith, \u201cbetter is the little in \nthe house of the righteous, than the great revenues of the wicked.\u201d In \nthe midst of all this false representation, however, the righteous, \nstanding fast in all these their afflictions, and steadily trusting in \nGod, are delivered and saved, and gain blessed consolation, while the \nwicked perish on every side. \u201cTo the upright,\u201d saith the Psalmist, \n\u201cthere ariseth light in darkness.\u201d Here, according to the general \nlanguage of the scriptures, he calleth consolation, light; and \ntemptation, darkness.\n\nAnd, then, in the end of the Psalm, that noble and unsubdued \nsteadiness of faith is greatly praised: which, in such mighty \nstruggles, and in such agonizing conflicts, is yet unwearied and \nunyielding, resting in the promise of God; and which, though \ncontending with such mighty waves, is yet enabled to sing with Paul, \n\u201cThanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ.\u201d \u201cHe \nshall not be afraid of evil tidings,\u201d saith the Psalmist, \u201chis heart \nis fixed, trusting in the Lord: his heart is established, he shall not \nbe afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies.\u201d verse 7, 8. For \nunless there were in us divine strength communicated by Christ, it \nwould be impossible that we could stand against such numerous and \nmighty assaults of temptation.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXIII.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God for his excellency,\u2014for his mercy._\n\n\nPraise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name \nof the LORD.\n\nBlessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.\n\nFrom the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD\u2019S \nname _is_ to be praised.\n\nThe LORD _is_ high above all nations, _and_ his glory above the \nheavens.\n\nWho _is_ like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,\n\nWho humbleth _himself_ to behold _the things that are_ in heaven, and \nin the earth!\n\nHe raiseth up the poor out of the dust, _and_ lifteth the needy out of \nthe dunghill;\n\nThat he may set _him_ with princes, _even_ with the princes of his \npeople.\n\nHe maketh the barren woman to keep house, _and to be_ a joyful mother \nof children. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a most conspicuous and most blessed prophecy of the kingdom of \nChrist, and of its extension from the rising unto the setting of the \nsun throughout all the kingdoms of the earth: it calls upon all \nnations to laud and magnify God, and to proclaim the riches of his \ngrace; that is, the remission of sins for Christ\u2019s sake. For Christ is \nthe God of the humble, the God of the afflicted, and the God of those \nthat call upon him and that cry unto him; he is an altogether loving \nand lovely Saviour and God, who sitteth at the right hand of the \nMajesty on high, and loves and has respect unto the humble, the \nafflicted, the oppressed, and the trembling and contrite in heart.\n\nThe peculiar and express office of Christ, and the work of the kingdom \nof Christ is to bring down the proud, to put to shame the wise, and to \ncondemn hypocrites and false saints: and, on the other side, to raise \nup and exalt the humble, to enlighten and instruct fools, to sanctify \nunclean sinners, to make fruitful the barren, to comfort the \nfatherless; that is, those who are in any way afflicted or distressed.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXIV.\n\n_An exhortation, by the example of the dumb creatures, to fear God in \nhis church._\n\n\nWhen Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of \nstrange language,\n\nJudah was his sanctuary, _and_ Israel his dominion.\n\nThe sea saw _it_, and fled; Jordan was driven back.\n\nThe mountains skipped like rams, _and_ the little hills like lambs,\n\nWhat _ailed_ thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, _that_ \nthou wast driven back?\n\nYe mountains, _that_ ye skipped like rams; _and_ ye little hills like \nlambs?\n\nTremble, thou earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of \nthe God of Jacob;\n\nWhich turned the rock _into_ a standing water, the flint into a \nfountain of waters.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and a song for the people of Israel, \nto praise God while celebrating the feast of the passover; to magnify \nhim for bringing them with a high hand out of Egypt, through the Red \nSea, through the desert, over mountains, and through Jordan, into the \nland of promise. We use this Psalm to give thanks unto Christ, who \ndelivered us from the kingdom of darkness, and translated us into the \nkingdom of light, even into his own kingdom, the kingdom of God\u2019s dear \nSon, and led us forth into eternal life.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXV.\n\n_Because God is truly glorious, and idols are vanity, he exhorteth to \nconfidence in God.\u2014God is to be blessed for his blessings._\n\n\nNot unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for \nthy mercy, _and_ for thy truth\u2019s sake.\n\nWherefore should the heathen say, Where _is_ now their God?\n\nBut our God _is_ in the heavens; he hath done whatsoever he hath \npleased.\n\nTheir idols _are_ silver and gold, the work of men\u2019s hands.\n\nThey have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see \nnot;\n\nThey have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell \nnot;\n\nThey have hands, but they handle not; feet have they, but they walk \nnot; neither speak they through their throat.\n\nThey that make them are like unto them; _so is_ every one that \ntrusteth in them.\n\nO Israel, trust thou in the LORD; he _is_ their help and their shield.\n\nO house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; he _is_ their help and their \nshield.\n\nYe that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; he _is_ their help and their \nshield.\n\nThe LORD hath been mindful of us; he will bless _us_: he will bless \nthe house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron.\n\nHe will bless them that fear the LORD, _both_ small and great.\n\nThe LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.\n\nYe _are_ blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.\n\nThe heaven, _even_ the heavens, _are_ the LORD\u2019S: but the earth hath \nhe given to the children of men.\n\nThe dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.\n\nBut we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. \nPraise the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a glorious Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the God of Israel is \npraised, as being the one, only, true, living God, the Saviour of all \nmen, and especially of them that believe; and wherein also, all the \nother gods of the nations, who can save neither themselves nor others, \nare confessed, in the true faith, to be dumb idols.\n\nWherefore the Psalmist, in the first verse, saith \u201cNot unto us, O \nLord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the glory.\u201d As if he had \nsaid, \u2018Look not upon us, O Lord, to see how good or how righteous we \nare, for if thou do this, thou wilt never help us, thou wilt never \nsave us; we shall remain a people without salvation, and without God, \nlike all the nations around us; or we shall ever be at an uncertainty \nwhether we shall be saved or not. But look, O our God, at thy holy \nword, and at the glory of thine own name,\u2014that thou callest thyself \nour God; and that thou art the true and the living God, with whom is \nmercy, and with whom is plenteous redemption. According, O Lord, to \nthy promises of grace, according to thy counsel and thy covenant, in \nthe which thou hast said, \u201cI am the Lord your God;\u201d according to this \nthy glorious name deal thou with us, O Lord; but not according to any \nname of ours, whereby we may be called sacrificers, or good-workers, \nor singers, or fathers, or the like: for all these names the nations \nthat know not thee may assume, and yet remain still nations without \nGod.\u2019\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXVI.\n\n_The psalmist professeth his love and duty to God for his \ndeliverance.\u2014He studieth to be thankful._\n\n\nI love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice _and_ my \nsupplications.\n\nBecause he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon \n_him_ as long as I live.\n\nThe sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon \nme: I found trouble and sorrow.\n\nThen called I upon the name of the LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, \ndeliver my soul.\n\nGracious _is_ the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God _is_ merciful.\n\nThe LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.\n\nReturn unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully \nwith thee.\n\nFor thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, \n_and_ my feet from falling.\n\nI will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.\n\nI believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted.\n\nI said in my haste, All men _are_ liars.\n\nWhat shall I render unto the LORD _for_ all his benefits towards me?\n\nI will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.\n\nI will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his \npeople.\n\nPrecious in the sight of the LORD _is_ the death of his saints.\n\nO LORD, truly I _am_ thy servant; I _am_ thy servant, _and_ the son of \nthine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.\n\nI will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon \nthe name of LORD.\n\nI will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his \npeople,\n\nIn the courts of the LORD\u2019S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. \nPraise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in which the Psalmist renders thanks, \nafter coming out of a most heavy trial, and again rejoices in God; \npraising God for having delivered him from the terrors of death, and \nfrom the pains of hell; for by such terms does he express those deep \nand heavy spiritual temptations, concerning which he had spoken \nbefore, Psalm vi., which are not known unto all. And the Psalmist \ncomplains also that he suffered all these things, and was thus \noverwhelmed and almost destroyed by these heavy trials, because of his \nconfession of his faith and the truth of God before the world. \u201cI \nbelieved (saith he) and therefore have I spoken:\u201d but I am heavily \nafflicted for the word\u2019s sake. For all the saints confess and teach \nthe righteousness of faith; and, on the other hand, they expose and \ncondemn all the righteousness, wisdom, and holiness of the world, and \nalso all hypocrisy, and the outside form of godliness. And this the \nworld will by no means whatever endure: they ever rage and roar \nagainst it: and they load the godly with every kind of affliction, \nbecause of their unsocial confession: and hence arise all those \nterrors without and those fears within, by which the church of Christ \nand the saints have ever been afflicted from the kingdom of the devil, \nin the midst of which their confession is made.\n\nBut amid all these great, and hard, and numerous afflictions of Satan \nand the world, the Psalmist has this firm consolation, that his work \nand cause are right before God; therefore he comforts and encourages \nhimself by relying on the word of God, and stirs up and strengthens \nhimself unto all confidence. \u201cI will take (saith he) the cup of \nsalvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.\u201d As if he had said, If \nthey drink my destruction from the cup of their fury, and hate and \npersecute me unto death; what then? \u201cI will take the cup of God\u2019s \nsalvation and helping grace:\u201d that is (as if he had said), Supporting \nand strengthening my faith with the glad word of thy promise, as with \nstrong and generous wine, I shall be filled with the Spirit, by \ndrinking of that cup; and, by my continuing to preach and spread the \nword, I shall hold out the cup to others also, who confess with me the \nsame truth, and preach the same word; that they also may draw the same \nconsolation with me, out of the same most blessed word of the grace of \nGod.\n\nThis (saith the Psalmist) is our case, and this is the way in which we \ndrink of it and use it. We drink of it ourselves, and then we hold it \nout to others, and invite them to drink also; and this is the true \nworship of God; and by this we laud and magnify his name. By this \nservice we truly pay our vows unto God, namely, the vow of the first \ncommandment, paid unto God by his people; for the greatest and highest \nvow of the first commandment is this\u2014God, the true, the living God, \nalone shall be our God: we will cleave unto him alone: him only will \nwe adore; him only will we worship; him only will we seek; on him only \nwill we call!\n\nAs, therefore, in many other Psalms, so also in this, you may see what \nis the true sacrifice of praise (of that praise which is wrought in \nthe heart and in the spirit by the Holy Ghost, and is not lip-service \nonly.) And in this Psalm you may also see that the true preaching of \nthe word, and the true confession of the word, before the world, form \nthe highest and most precious worship of God.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXVII.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God for his mercy and truth._\n\n\nO praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.\n\nFor his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the \nLORD _endureth_ for ever. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a prophecy concerning Christ; that all peoples out of all \nkingdoms and islands, shall know Christ in his kingdom; that is, in \nhis church; in that kingdom where mercy and grace, and the remission \nof sins, and eternal life, and everlasting consolation, shall be \npreached against sin, death, the power of the devil, and all evil. \nThis Psalm has been before explained in my more full commentary \nthereon.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXVIII.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God for his mercy.\u2014The psalmist by his \nexperience sheweth how good it is trust in God.\u2014Under the type of the \npsalmist, the coming of Christ in his kingdom is expressed._\n\n\nO give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good; because his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nLet Israel now say, that his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nLet the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nLet them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy _endureth_ for \never.\n\nI called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, _and set me_ \nin a large place.\n\nThe LORD _is_ on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?\n\nThe LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see \n_my desire_ upon them that hate me.\n\n_It is_ better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in man:\n\n_It is_ better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in \nprinces.\n\nAll nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I \ndestroy them.\n\nThey compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name \nof the LORD I will destroy them.\n\nThey compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of \nthorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.\n\nThou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the LORD helped \nme.\n\nThe LORD _is_ my strength and song, and is become my salvation.\n\nThe voice of rejoicing and salvation _is_ in the tabernacles of the \nrighteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.\n\nThe right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD \ndoeth valiantly.\n\nI shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.\n\nThe LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto \ndeath.\n\nOpen to me the gates of righteousness: I will go in to them, _and_ I \nwill praise the Lord;\n\nThis gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.\n\nI will praise thee; for thou hast heard me, and art become my \nsalvation.\n\nThe stone _which_ the builders refused is become the head _stone_ of \nthe corner.\n\nThis is the LORD\u2019S doing; it _is_ marvellous in our eyes.\n\nThis _is_ the day _which_ the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be \nglad in it.\n\nSave now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now \nprosperity.\n\nBlessed _be_ he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed \nyou out of the house of the LORD.\n\nGod _is_ the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with \ncords, _even_ unto the horns of the altar.\n\nThou _art_ my God, and I will praise thee; _thou art_ my God, I will \nexalt thee.\n\nO give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\n\nThis is also a Psalm of thanksgiving. This Psalm, \u201cO give thanks unto \nthe Lord,\u201d which I so much love and admire, is the one which I, in \nparticular, call the golden Psalm; and is the Psalm which has often \nrevived and comforted me in my temptations.\n\nThe Psalmist gives thanks, and at the same time utters forth a \nprophecy concerning Christ, who by his suffering entered into glory; \nwho is that stone rejected of the builders, which became the head of \nthe corner; as Christ himself also saith, Matt. xxi. citing this \nPsalm. The Psalmist also describes with blessed feelings of heart the \njoyful day of the gospel, the day of salvation and peace, the day of \njoy and consolation, and the true and glorious feast-day.\n\nAmong other things the Psalmist speaks of the church and the children \nof God, who are to be conformed to the image of his Son; shewing, that \nthey must be surrounded with afflictions on every side, and by the \ncross and through death enter into glory.\n\nA brief summary, however, like this, cannot set forth the great and \nglorious contents of this Psalm: but my particular and more full \nCommentary on it will supply, in some measure, what is here wanting.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXIX.\n\n_This psalm containeth sundry prayers, praises, and professions of \nobedience._\n\n\n\u05d0 ALEPH.\n\nBlessed _are_ the undefined in the way, who walk in the law of the \nLORD.\n\nBlessed _are_ they that keep his testimonies, _and that_ seek him with \nthe whole heart.\n\nThey also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.\n\nThou hast commanded _us_ to keep thy precepts diligently.\n\nO that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes.\n\nThen shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy \ncommandments.\n\nI will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have \nlearned thy righteous judgments.\n\nI will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.\n\n\n\u05d1 BETH.\n\nWherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed \n_thereto_ according to thy word.\n\nWith my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy \ncommandments.\n\nThy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.\n\nBlessed _art_ thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.\n\nWith my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.\n\nI have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as _much as_ in all \nriches.\n\nI will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.\n\nI will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.\n\n\n\u05d2 GIMEL.\n\nDeal bountifully with thy servant, _that_ I may live, and keep thy \nword.\n\nOpen thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.\n\nI _am_ a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.\n\nMy soul breaketh for the longing _that it hath_ unto thy judgments at \nall times.\n\nThou hast rebuked the proud _that are_ cursed, which do err from thy \ncommandments.\n\nRemove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.\n\nPrinces also did sit _and_ speak against me: _but_ thy servant did \nmeditate in thy statutes.\n\nThy testimonies also _are_ my delight _and_ my counsellors.\n\n\n\u05d3 DALETH.\n\nMy soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.\n\nI have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.\n\nMake me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy \nwondrous works.\n\nMy soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy \nword.\n\nRemove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.\n\nI have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid _before me_.\n\nI have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.\n\nI will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my \nheart.\n\n\n\u05d4 HE.\n\nTeach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it _unto_ \nthe end.\n\nGive me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe \nit with _my_ whole heart.\n\nMake me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I \ndelight.\n\nIncline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.\n\nTurn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; _and_ quicken thou me in \nthy way.\n\nStablish thy word unto thy servant, who _is devoted_ to thy fear.\n\nTurn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments _are_ good.\n\nBehold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy \nrighteousness.\n\n\n\u05d5 VAU.\n\nLet thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, _even_ thy salvation, \naccording to thy word.\n\nSo shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I \ntrust in thy word.\n\nAnd take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have \nhoped in thy judgments.\n\nSo shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.\n\nAnd I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.\n\nI will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be \nashamed.\n\nAnd I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.\n\nMy hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved; \nand I will meditate in thy statutes.\n\n\n\u05d6 ZAIN.\n\nRemember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to \nhope.\n\nThis _is_ my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.\n\nThe proud have had me greatly in derision: _yet_ have I not declined \nfrom thy law.\n\nI remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.\n\nHorror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy \nlaw.\n\nThy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.\n\nI have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy \nlaw.\n\nThis I had, because I kept thy precepts.\n\n\n\u05d7 CHETH.\n\n_Thou art_ my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy \nwords.\n\nI entreated thy favour with _my_ whole heart: be merciful unto me \naccording to thy word.\n\nI thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.\n\nI made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.\n\nThe bands of the wicked have robbed me, _but_ I have not forgotten thy \nlaw.\n\nAt midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy \nrighteous judgments.\n\nI _am_ a companion of all _them_ that fear thee, and of them that keep \nthy precepts.\n\nThe earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.\n\n\n\u05d8 TETH.\n\nThou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy \nword.\n\nTeach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy \ncommandments.\n\nBefore I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.\n\nThou _art_ good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes.\n\nThe proud have forged a lie against me: _but_ I will keep thy precepts \nwith _my_ whole heart.\n\nTheir heart is as fat as grease: _but_ I delight in thy law.\n\n_It is_ good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy \nstatutes.\n\nThe law of thy mouth _is_ better unto me than thousands of gold and \nsilver.\n\n\n\u05d9 JOD.\n\nThy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I \nmay learn thy commandments.\n\nThey that fear thee will be glad when they see me: because I have \nhoped in thy word.\n\nI know, O LORD, that thy judgments _are_ right, and _that_ thou in \nfaithfulness hast afflicted me.\n\nLet, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according \nto thy word unto thy servant.\n\nLet thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law _is_ \nmy delight.\n\nLet the proud be ashamed: for they dealt perversely with me without a \ncause: _but_ I will meditate in thy precepts.\n\nLet those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy \ntestimonies.\n\nLet my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed.\n\n\n\u05db CAPH.\n\nMy soul fainteth for thy salvation; _but_ I hope in thy word.\n\nMine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?\n\nFor I am become like a bottle in the smoke; _yet_ do I not forget thy \nstatutes.\n\nHow many _are_ the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute \njudgment on them that persecute me?\n\nThe proud have digged pits for me, which _are_ not after thy law.\n\nAll thy commandments _are_ faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; \nhelp thou me.\n\nThey had almost consumed me upon earth: but I forsook not thy \nprecepts.\n\nQuicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of \nthy mouth.\n\n\n\u05dc LAMED.\n\nFor ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.\n\nThy faithfulness _is_ unto all generations: thou hast established the \nearth, and it abideth.\n\nThey continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all _are_ \nthy servants.\n\nUnless thy law _had been_ my delights, I should then have perished in \nmine affliction.\n\nI will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened \nme.\n\nI _am_ thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.\n\nThe wicked have waited for me to destroy me: _but_ I will consider thy \ntestimonies.\n\nI have seen an end of all perfection: _but_ thy commandment _is_ \nexceeding broad.\n\n\n\u05de MEM.\n\nO how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.\n\nThou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: \nfor they _are_ ever with me.\n\nI have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies \n_are_ my meditation.\n\nI understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.\n\nI have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy \nword.\n\nI have not departed from thy judgments; for thou hast taught me.\n\nHow sweet are thy words unto my taste! _yea, sweeter_ than honey to my \nmouth!\n\nThrough thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false \nway.\n\n\n\u05e0 NUN.\n\nThy word _is_ a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.\n\nI have sworn, and I will perform _it_, that I will keep thy righteous \njudgments.\n\nI am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.\n\nAccept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth, O LORD, \nand teach me thy judgments.\n\nMy soul _is_ continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.\n\nThe wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy \nprecepts.\n\nThy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever; for they _are_ \nthe rejoicing of my heart.\n\nI have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, _even unto_ \nthe end.\n\n\n\u05e1 SAMECH.\n\nI hate _vain_ thoughts: but thy law do I love.\n\nThou _art_ my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.\n\nDepart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my \nGod.\n\nUphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be \nashamed of my hope.\n\nHold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy \nstatutes continually.\n\nThou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their \ndeceit _is_ falsehood.\n\nThou puttest away all the wicked of the earth _like_ dross: therefore \nI love thy testimonies.\n\nMy flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.\n\n\n\u05e2 AIN.\n\nI have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.\n\nBe surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.\n\nMine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy \nrighteousness.\n\nDeal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy \nstatutes.\n\nI _am_ thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy \ntestimonies.\n\n_It is_ time for _thee_, LORD, to work: _for_ they have made void thy \nlaw.\n\nTherefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.\n\nTherefore I esteem all _thy_ precepts _concerning_ all _things to be_ \nright; _and_ I hate every false way.\n\n\n\u05e4 PE.\n\nThy testimonies _are_ wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.\n\nThe entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto \nthe simple.\n\nI opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.\n\nLook thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto \nthose that love thy name.\n\nOrder my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion \nover me.\n\nDeliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.\n\nMake thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.\n\nRivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.\n\n\n\u05e6 TSADDI.\n\nRighteous _art_ thou, O LORD, and upright _are_ thy judgments.\n\nThy testimonies _that_ thou hast commanded _are_ righteous and very \nfaithful.\n\nMy zeal hath consumed me: because mine enemies have forgotten thy \nwords.\n\nThy word _is_ very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.\n\nI _am_ small and despised; _yet_ do not I forget thy precepts.\n\nThy righteousness _is_ an everlasting righteousness, and thy law _is_ \nthe truth.\n\nTrouble and anguish have taken hold on me; _yet_ thy commandments \n_are_ my delights.\n\nThe righteousness of thy testimonies _is_ everlasting: give me \nunderstanding, and I shall live.\n\n\n\u05e7 KOPH.\n\nI cried with _my_ whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy \nstatutes.\n\nI cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.\n\nI prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy \nword.\n\nMine eyes prevent the _night_-watches, that I might meditate in thy \nword.\n\nHear my voice, according unto thy loving-kindness: O LORD, quicken me \naccording to thy judgment.\n\nThey draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.\n\nThou _art_ near, O LORD; and all thy commandments _are_ truth.\n\nConcerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded \nthem for ever.\n\n\n\u05e8 RESH.\n\nConsider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget thy law.\n\nPlead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.\n\nSalvation _is_ far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.\n\nGreat _are_ thy tender mercies, O LORD; quicken me according to thy \njudgments.\n\nMany _are_ my persecutors and mine enemies; _yet_ do I not decline \nfrom thy testimonies.\n\nI beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy \nword.\n\nConsider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy \nloving-kindness.\n\nThy word _is_ true _from_ the beginning: and every one of thy \nrighteous judgments _endureth_ for ever.\n\n\n\u05e9 SCHIN.\n\nPrinces have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in \nawe of thy word.\n\nI rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.\n\nI hate and abhor lying: _but_ thy law do I love.\n\nSeven times a-day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous \njudgments.\n\nGreat peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend \nthem.\n\nLORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.\n\nMy soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.\n\nI have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways _are_ \nbefore thee.\n\n\n\u05ea TAU.\n\nLet my cry come near before thee, O LORD; give me understanding \naccording to thy word.\n\nLet my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy \nword.\n\nMy lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.\n\nMy tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments _are_ \nrighteousness.\n\nLet thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy precepts.\n\nI have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law _is_ my delight.\n\nLet my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help \nme.\n\nI have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for I do not \nforget thy commandments.\n\n\nThis Psalm is the most extended in the whole Psalter. It contains \nprayers, consolations, doctrines, thanksgivings, and repeats all these \nwith a varied fulness. It is however given forth with a deep and \nblessed intent: namely, that by this repetition and fulness, it may \ninvite and exhort us to hear and diligently to treasure up the word of \nGod. For throughout the whole Psalm the Psalmist exalts unto the \nheavens, with the highest praises, the pure doctrine of God\u2019s holy \nword. He sets it forth as to be preferred before all gold and precious \nstones, and before all the riches of the world; as Solomon also \nbeautifully speaks of it in his Proverbs.\n\nOn the other hand, the Psalmist earnestly warns against all false \ndoctrine and against all security and contempt of the word. For no \npestilence is more destroying than false doctrine, or human doctrines \nwithout or contrary to the word of God. And knowing that Satan without \ncessation assaults the church of God with all kinds of heresies and \nfalse doctrine; the Psalmist takes up a great part of this Psalm in \nconsolations.\n\nThe principal, and indeed whole foundation and truth of godliness lies \nin the pure teaching and hearing of the word of God. For where that \nword is purely taught and heard, there, to a certainty, will be \nbegotten pure and prevailing prayer, calling upon God, diligence in \nreading, teaching, and exhortation, consolation for the weak that are \nafflicted and tried, strengthening of heart and spirit, joy, peace of \nconscience, thanksgivings, prophecyings, an abundant understanding of \nthe scriptures; and, in a word, true religion, and the true worship of \nGod; and also, confidence in God under the cross and afflictions, and \nperseverance unto the end; and, finally, all the blessed operations \nand gifts of the Holy Spirit, and all those things which please God \nand displease the Devil.\n\nOn the contrary, where the pure word is not taught, or where there is \na weariness and loathing of the word, there the true religion becomes \nextinguished, and all true worship of God perishes. For where the true \nword of God is not taught, there is not any truth of God; there is \nfound a great noise of external holiness, and the form of godliness, \nand hypocrisy;[1] there, indeed, is psalm-singing, prayer, doctrines, \nconsolation, thanksgiving, and all the varieties of the worship of \nGod, with all interpretations of the scriptures. I will add, also, \nthat there you may find sufferings and martyrdoms. But all is outside \nshow; all is the form of godliness only; all is false; all is feigned, \nand nothing but lies; all is full of the poison of the devil. Nor \nwithout true faith in the heart, nor without the divine word, nor \nwithout the worship of the First Commandment, is there, or can there \nbe, any true and real worship of God.\n\n[Footnote 1: Luther is here deeply opening up the extent to which the \n\u201cform of godliness\u201d may be carried, yet without the truth and \u201cpower\u201d \nof it.]\n\nHow many thousands of priests and monks have sung this Psalm at their \nfirst, third, sixth, and ninth hours, in their temples.\n\nBut what did they do during all their singings? They did nothing else \nbut call down God\u2019s judgment and indignation on their own heads! For \nthe design of this Psalm, in every word of it, is to glorify the word \nof God, and to confound, put to shame, destroy, and blot out all \nhypocrisy upon the face of the earth.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXX.\n\n_David prayeth against Doeg, reproveth his tongue, complaineth of his \nnecessary conversation with the wicked._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nIn my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.\n\nDeliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, _and_ from a deceitful \ntongue.\n\nWhat shall be given unto thee, or what shall be done unto thee, thou \nfalse tongue?\n\nSharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.\n\nWoe is me that I sojourn in Mesech, _that_ I dwell in the tents of \nKedar!\n\nMy soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.\n\nI _am for_ peace: but, when I speak, they _are_ for war.\n\n\nThis Psalm is an earnest prayer; and it complains, with deep feelings \nof sorrow, of those horrible evils which Satan causes in the church by \na false and crafty tongue: that is, by that virulent and truly \nserpentine tongue which boasts of God and the worship of God, and \nnever instructs any one in the truth, nor leads them to God.\n\nFor false teachers cause infinite and terrible evils in the church; \nand like giants with immense weapons in their hands, they never strike \nwithout inflicting some mighty wound: or, like fire-brands cast into a \ngrove of juniper trees, they consume in all directions, with a sudden \nand devouring flame. And just so, the common people often burst out \ninto one general flame, even by the throwing in among them of one \nsingle spark of false and wicked doctrine; and not only do they blaze \nforth with a sudden flame of their minds and spirits, but even greatly \nadmire the error and the hypocrisy. For all doctrines of this kind, as \nbeing more congenial to human reason than the truth of God, quickly \nplease men; as Paul saith, 2 Tim. iv. \u201cThey will heap to themselves \nteachers, having itching ears.\u201d\n\nMesech are the nations nigh unto Jerusalem itself, towards the north; \nwhere the Tartars now are. And Kedar are the Arabs, to the east of \nJerusalem. These nations are types of all enemies and heretics who \noppose themselves as adversaries to the true church. The Mesech of \nChristians, at this time are the Turks, who derive their origin from \nthe Tartars. And the Kedar are Mahomet and the Saracens; for they are \nfrom Arabia. These with their Alcoran have oppressed and laid waste \nthe Gospel in many places: and that fire of wicked doctrine, broke out \ninto a mighty blaze, just like a brand cast into a thicket of juniper \ntrees.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXI.\n\n_The great safety of the godly, who put their trust in God\u2019s \nprotection._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nI will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.\n\nMy help _cometh_ from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.\n\nHe will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not \nslumber.\n\nBehold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.\n\nThe LORD _is_ thy keeper; the LORD _is_ shade upon thy right hand.\n\nThe sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.\n\nThe LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy \nsoul.\n\nThe LORD shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this \ntime forth, and even for evermore.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation, wherein the Psalmist, from his own \nexperience, exhorts the godly to a constancy of faith, and to an \nexpectation of help and defence from God. For although in the hour of \ntemptation God puts off his help, and all things appear as if he were \nasleep, or had forgotten us altogether, and had left us to be scorched \nby the heat of the sun by day, and by the beams of the moon by night; \nthat is, as though he had given us up to be afflicted and destroyed by \nall manner of temptations, by Satan, by the world, and by sin, day and \nnight: yet it is not so;\u2014he has not given us up, as we, according to \nthe weakness of our flesh, imagine and feel. He sees and regards us, \nand watches over us; nor does he suffer us to be so burnt as to be \ndestroyed, nor so tempted or distressed, as to be swallowed up of \nover-much sorrow: and this all blessedly experience, who call upon him \nfor his help and patiently wait for it.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXII.\n\n_David professeth his joy for the church, and prayeth for the peace \nthereof._\n\nA Song of degrees of David.\n\n\nI was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the \nLORD.\n\nOur feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.\n\nJerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:\n\nWhither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony \nof Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.\n\nFor there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of \nDavid.\n\nPray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.\n\nPeace be within thy walls, _and_ prosperity within thy palaces.\n\nFor my brethren and companions\u2019 sakes, I will now say, Peace _be_ \nwithin thee.\n\nBecause of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, it contains the feelings of a glad, a \nrejoicing, and a thankful heart, for that unspeakable gift of God,\u2014the \nministry of his word. This Psalm in the person of the Jews, rejoices \nthat God had appointed a certain place, namely Jerusalem, in the midst \nof that people, where the name and the word of God had a certain \ndwelling-place and could there be found: and where it was administered \nby certain persons, the Levites and the priests, to certain disciples; \nnamely, to the tribes of Israel.\n\nFor what calamity or misery can be greater than to seek the word of \nGod anxiously, and not be able to find it? This calamity and misery \nthe children of Israel experienced in the times of God\u2019s anger, when, \nbeing forsaken by him, and left to their own inventions, they sought \nand worshipped idols. And in these our times of monkery also, the \nmasses and the travellings about to so many Marys have given abundant \nproofs of what it is to seek the word of God and not to find it.\n\nOur Jerusalem, our certain place, is the church, and our temple is \nChrist. Wheresoever Christ is preached and the sacraments are duly \nadministered, there we are sure God dwells; and there is our temple, \nour tabernacle, our cherubim, and our mercy-seat; for there God is \npresent with us by his word.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXIII.\n\n_The godly profess their confidence in God, and pray to be delivered \nfrom contempt._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nUnto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.\n\nBehold, as the eyes of servants _look_ unto the hand of their masters, \n_and_ as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our \neyes _wait_ upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.\n\nHave mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly \nfilled with contempt.\n\nOur soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at \nease, _and_ with the contempt of the proud.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a fervent prayer against all those secure and proud \ndespisers of the word of God and its true ministers. And the Gentile \nnations were not the only despisers who contemned the whole religion \nof the Israelites and the true worship of God, and condemned it as \nsedition altogether: but the idolaters and false teachers which were \nin the midst of that very people themselves proudly despised and \nderided the godly, that little flock of God, and the true prophets; as \nPsalms xii. and xiv. complain. And in the same way also our papists \nand fanatics now, who seem in their own eyes to be more holy than the \ngospel itself, more proudly and contemptuously than any others \ndespise, trample underfoot, and spit upon all true and good ministers \nof the word of God. Not to say anything now about that security and \npride wherein, at this day, even our bishops and priests themselves, \nwho are more profane than all heathen nations put together, despise \nthe true word of God. So that we, as the Psalmist saith in its \nconclusion, are indeed filled with the derision of the rich and the \ncontempt of the proud. But may God, (and he will!) regard us, and \nglorify his word. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXIV.\n\n_The church blesseth God for a miraculous deliverance._\n\nA Song of degrees of David.\n\n\nIf _it had not been_ the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;\n\nIf _it had not been_ the LORD who was on our side when men rose up \nagainst us;\n\nThen they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled \nagainst us:\n\nThen the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:\n\nThen the proud waters had gone over our soul.\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD, who hath not given us _as_ a prey to their \nteeth.\n\nOur soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the \nsnare is broken, and we are escaped.\n\nOur help _is_ in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.\n\n\nThe Psalmist, in this Psalm, gives thanks unto God for defending his \nlittle helpless flock, here in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, \nstruggling against all temptations, against tyrants, and against \nbloodthirsting hypocrites; and for delivering them from the snares of \nvirulent calumniators; the number of whom is so great, that compared \nwith the little flock of God, they are like a sweeping torrent, or a \nmighty deluge, to one solitary rivulet.\n\nThough, however, their teeth were of iron; that is, though their power \nwere infinitely greater than it is, and though their snares (that is, \ntheir cunning devices,) were infinitely more crafty than they are; yet \n\u201cGreater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world;\u201d he breaks \nand destroys their teeth, he defeateth their snares, and wonderfully \ndelivers his people, as we have seen it in our own times, on many and \ngreat occasions.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXV.\n\n_The safety of such as trust in God.\u2014A prayer for the godly, and \nagainst the wicked._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nThey that trust in the LORD _shall be_ as mount Zion, _which_ cannot \nbe removed, _but_ abideth for ever.\n\n_As_ the mountains _are_ round about Jerusalem, so the LORD _is_ round \nabout his people from henceforth, even for ever.\n\nFor the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the \nrighteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.\n\nDo good, O LORD, unto _those that be_ good, and to _them that are_ \nupright in their hearts.\n\nAs for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead \nthem forth with the workers of iniquity: _but_ peace _shall be_ upon \nIsrael.\n\n\nThis also is a Psalm of thanksgiving containing the feelings of an \nexercised faith: thanking God, that, although he sometimes permits \nfalse prophets and fanatical spirits to prevail, as if they would \npossess all things (which thing God often does so permit to be, as a \npunishment for the ingratitude of his people, who value not the \nblessing of the word;) yet he visits such with the more terrible \njudgment, and suffers them not to prevail in all things against the \nrighteous, lest the righteous, being entirely broken by too great \nafflictions and sorrows, should, through discouragement and despair, \nfall away from the word unto ungodliness and sin.\n\nFor the final end of all false teachers and blasphemers ever \nis,\u2014confusion, terrible judgment, and destruction; \u201cAnd their glory,\u201d \nas the apostle saith, \u201cis turned into shame.\u201d But the end of the poor \nflock of God, even though the church be proved and tried by a thousand \nfires and deaths, though it appear a thousand times over to be \noppressed, destroyed and extirpated is,\u2014eternal life, eternal \nconsolation, eternal glory! This is what the Psalmist means, when he \nsays, \u201cThe Lord doth good to them that be good, and to them that are \nupright in their hearts: but as for them that turn aside unto their \ncrooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil doers, but \npeace shall be upon Israel.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXVI.\n\n_The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, \nprayeth for, and prophesieth the good success thereof._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nWhen the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them \nthat dream.\n\nThen was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: \nthen said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for\nthem.\n\nThe LORD hath done great things for us; _whereof_ we are glad.\n\nTurn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.\n\nThey that sow in tears shall reap in joy.\n\nHe that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall \ndoubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves _with him_.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the Babylonish \ncaptivity; whether it was written after the captivity, or before it, \nas a prophecy to comfort the Jews with the certain hope of \ndeliverance, and that they should not despair, is uncertain: but at \nwhat particular time it was written, it matters not.\n\nThis Psalm ends with a remarkable and glorious conclusion; which \nembraces, in a few words, the whole counsel and the immutable decree \nof God concerning his church; namely, that it behoved Christ first to \nsuffer, and then to be raised up, and exalted of God and glorified. \nAnd so also Christians must first fill up a certain measure of \nafflictions before they enter into their joy; while, on the contrary, \nthe men of the world fill up a certain measure of their joy before \nthey are eternally punished and damned.\n\nThe church, therefore, is that poor little helpless flock, in the \nmidst of a wicked nation. They are that little company who pray, cry, \nare tempted, and are afflicted by the world; who sow in tears, but \nreap in joy. \u201cBut,\u201d says the Psalmist, \u201cthey went, and wept as they \nwent, sowing precious seed; but they shall come again with joy, \nbringing their sheaves with them.\u201d\n\nThese afflictions, and these deaths of the saints are very precious; \nhence it is that the Psalmist calls them \u201cprecious seed;\u201d because they \nare followed by the most fruitful crops, and by the most abundant \nharvests. But we infants in grace, we poor little children, under our \ntears and our sighs, understand not the voice, or the mind, or the \nwill of our heavenly Father in these afflictions: nor can we see or \nunderstand how precious this seed is in the sight of God; who calls \neven \u201cdeath,\u201d (which is the worst and lowest of all these seeds,) \n\u201cprecious;\u201d saying, in another place, \u201cPrecious in the sight of the \nLord is the death of his saints;\u201d and God sets this precious seed thus \nsown by his children, before all the treasures of the world.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXVII.\n\n_The virtue of God\u2019s blessing.\u2014Good children are his gift._\n\nA song of degrees for Solomon.\n\n\nExcept the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: \nexcept the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh _but_ in vain.\n\n_It is_ vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the \nbread of sorrows: _for_ so he giveth his beloved sleep.\n\nLo, children _are_ an heritage of the LORD; _and_ the fruit of the \nwomb _is his_ reward.\n\nAs arrows _are_ in the hand of a mighty man; so _are_ children of the \nyouth.\n\nHappy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be \nashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.\n\n\nThis Psalm contains a most blessed and important doctrine. It is of \nthe same subject-matter as that contained in the book of Solomon, \ncalled Ecclesiastes. The Psalmist teaches, that all governments and \ncommonwealths rightly constituted are the good and free gifts of God: \nand that none of them can be either rightly constituted, at the first, \nnor preserved afterwards, by any human wisdom or might: but that all \nthese things are in the hand of God: that, where he giveth not peace, \nwhere he giveth not men desirous of the arts of peace, and wise \ntherein, where he holdeth not the helm of the state,\u2014that there, all \nhuman wisdom, however great, all laws, all ordinances, all might, all \narms, all preparations are vain.\n\nIn the next place, the Psalmist saith, that where God blesseth not a \ndomestic household, where he giveth not concord between husband and \nwife, success and happiness in the bringing up of children, diligence \nand faithfulness to men-servants and maid-servants; there, all labour \nand industry and toil are vain: concerning all which I have spoken \nmore largely in my more full commentary on this psalm.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXVIII.\n\n_The sundry blessings which follow them that fear God._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nBlessed _is_ every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his \nways.\n\nFor thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy _shalt_ thou _be_, \nand _it shall be_ well with thee.\n\nThy wife _shall be_ as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: \nthy children like olive-plants round about thy table.\n\nBehold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.\n\nThe LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of \nJerusalem all the days of thy life.\n\nYea, thou shalt see thy children\u2019s children, _and_ peace upon Israel.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of consolation, wherein the Psalmist extols, with the \nhighest praises, marriage, as a holy and godly kind of life, \ninstituted of God himself. The Holy Spirit here comforts and \nencourages all husbands and wives with a divine consolation; and \nconfirms and fortifies them against all those wrong cogitations and \nthoughts of human reason; which reason does not look at what good \nthere is in marriage, but only beholds and exaggerates what of evil \nthere may be in it; and thus blasphemes the glorious work of God in \nthe two sexes. Hence, here arises all those blasphemous sayings among \nthe heathen: \u2018There are three great evils in life; fire, water, and \nwoman.\u2019 But Solomon saith, \u201cHe that findeth a wife findeth a good \nthing.\u201d\n\nThis Psalm reminds husbands and wives that they should not look at the \nlabours, the troubles, the cares, or the various temptations and \ntrials which are to be endured in marriage; but that they should \nrather keep their eyes fixed on the word and will of God; from which \nthey ought to hold themselves assured that marriage was not a human \ninvention, nor a matter casually contrived of men; but that the whole \nhuman race were, from the beginning, created and formed of God, man \nand woman, and that neither of the sexes, nor their design can or \nought to be altered or changed by men, by the devil, or any other \ncreature, any more than the sun and moon and their offices can or \nought to be altered or changed.\n\nGod, saith the scripture, created them male and female, and blessed \nthem. Marriage, therefore, is that kind of life, which, as being the \ncreation and institution of God, greatly pleases him. If, therefore, \nthou shalt obey God herein, and shalt keep the eyes of thy faith fixed \non the good, and on the blessings of marriage; if thou shalt obey the \ncommandment and the call of God in taking to thyself a wife, the sexes \ncreated of God will not be vile, but precious in thy sight: and all \nthe little troubles and trials of marriage shall be drowned and lost \nin that divine blessedness,\u2014the knowing that God favours husbands and \nwives, and is present with them; that the joining of marriage is one \nof his own works; and that he provides for, and defends those who are \njoined together.\n\nTo fortify thyself, therefore, against all that blasphemy of human \nreason and of the devil, by which they condemn marriage, hold thou \nfixed in thine heart that heavenly word, \u201cAnd the Lord made them male \nand female, and said, Be fruitful and multiply.\u201d And if thou fear the \nLord thou shalt be happy, and it shall be _well with thee_ in \nmarriage, even though the virulent and blaspheming mouth of the devil, \nand the whole world together with him, should say it shall be _evil \nwith thee_!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXIX.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God for saving Israel in their great \nafflictions.\u2014The haters of the church are cursed._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nMany a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:\n\nMany a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not \nprevailed against me.\n\nThe plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.\n\nThe LORD _is_ righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.\n\nLet them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion:\n\nLet them be as the grass _upon_ the house-tops, which withereth afore \nit groweth up:\n\nWherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves, \nhis bosom.\n\nNeither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD _be_ upon \nyou; we bless you in the name of the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the people of Israel give \nthanks unto the God of Israel for his deliverances and consolations of \nevery kind: seeing that from the beginning he had often mightily and \nmarvellously delivered them from the hand of their enemies, as we have \nit recorded in the books of Judges and Kings; where we find that the \nIsraelites were often oppressed by the cruel power and tyranny of \ntheir Gentile enemies, who afflicted them for a long time, and, as it \nwere, ploughed upon their backs (as the Psalmist saith) and made long \ntheir furrows, and held them most cruelly under their yokes; until God \nsent them a Saviour, and delivered them both from the ploughers and \nthe ploughs, and their yokes also.\n\nAt the conclusion, the Psalmist prays against them; or rather, \nprophesies that they shall perish, and shall be burnt up like grass \nupon the house-tops; as it also came to pass: for all the enemies and \nthe nations that were adversaries unto Israel perished; but Israel \nremained, and was afterwards lifted up with new consolations.\n\nIn the same way also all the wicked and the enemies of God and of his \nword, are like grass upon the house-tops; which flourishes, indeed, \nlike a thriving garden, as if it would remain; but before it is grown \nup, it withers, is burnt up, and becomes of no use whatever. So also \nthe enemies of the word, and all erroneous teachers, when they are \nshining in pride and magnifying themselves in their boastings against \nGod, wither on a sudden like the falling grass; while Christians and \nthe church of God flourish for evermore.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXX.\n\n_The Psalmist professeth his hope in prayer, and his patience in \nhope.\u2014He exhorteth Israel to hope in God._\n\nA Song of degrees.\n\n\nOut of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD: Lord, hear my voice: \nlet thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.\n\nIf thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?\n\nBut _there is_ forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.\n\nI wait for the LORD; my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.\n\nMy soul _waiteth_ for the Lord more than they that watch for the \nmorning: _I say, more than_ they that watch for the morning.\n\nLet Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD _there is_ mercy, and \nwith him is plenteous redemption.\n\nAnd he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.\n\n\nThis is a very blessed Psalm and a prayer unto God, proceeding from a \nspirit and feeling of heart truly Davidical: for this Psalm confesses \nthat none is righteous before God on account of his own works and \nmerits, but only through grace and by faith in the promise of God, \nfreely giving the remission of sins and peace by Jesus Christ: on this \npromise of God the Psalmist relies; and with this word of promise he \nsupports and comforts himself when struggling in the depths of sin and \nhell.\n\nAnd he exhorts all Israel with a loud voice, to learn and to do the \nsame. \u201cFor (says the Psalmist) with thee only is mercy, and with thee \nis plenteous redemption, that thou mayest be feared:\u201d that is, that \nthou mayest be worshipped with the worship of the first and greatest \ncommandment,\u2014with the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. \u201cAnd he \n(continues the Psalmist) shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities;\u201d \nthat is, neither Israel, nor any man, shall be delivered from sin, \nfrom the power of the devil, and from death, in any other way than by \nthe grace and the free remission of sins: but he shall, without these, \nremain in the deep; that is, in the kingdom of sin, death, and the \ndevil, and under the wrath of God.\n\nBehold in how few words this Psalm expresses the most glorious things! \nThe Psalmist is a truly great teacher of divine truths, and of the \nwhole sum of godliness. He has a clear and thorough view of those \nglorious promises. \u201cI will put enmity between thee and the serpent, \nand between thy seed and his seed: thou shalt bruise his head:\u201d and, \n\u201cIn thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.\u201d The \nPsalmist wraps up both these promises in that one verse, \u201cAnd he shall \nredeem Israel from all his iniquities.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXI.\n\n_David professing his humility, exhorteth Israel to hope in God._\n\nA Song of Degrees of David.\n\n\nLORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I \nexercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.\n\nSurely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of \nhis mother: my soul _is_ even as a weaned child.\n\nLet Israel hope in the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.\n\n\nThis is also a blessed Psalm, containing, in a few brief words, the \nsame most important doctrine which was taught also in the preceding \nPsalm,\u2014that we are not to trust in our own righteousness or works: and \nit attacks all proud and arrogant hypocrites, who, by human strength, \nattempt works beyond all human powers, namely to pacify God; and \nunderstand not the power of grace nor the remission of sins; but \nendeavour to pacify God by their own works.\n\n\u201cMy heart is not lifted up,\u201d (saith the Psalmist); as if he had said, \nThose proud saints (as they imagine themselves) being ignorant of all \ntrials and temptations, and spiritual things, trust greatly in their \nown works, and know not what sin is, nor what the anger and judgment \nof God are. But I, being broken down and humbled by these things, know \nwhat they are. For whenever I leave off to trust closely and wholly to \nthe promise of grace; as often as I cease to suck the breast of mercy \nand promised pardon, my rest is gone, and I begin to weep and howl \nwith distresses and straits of conscience; just as a little \nnewly-weaned infant cries unceasingly, night and day, for the breast \nof its mother which it has lost.\n\nThe sum therefore of all true religion and godliness is this, \u201cLet \nIsrael hope in the Lord:\u201d that is, there is no other salvation, there \nis no other consolation, there is no other sure peace of conscience \nfor any mortal, than the apprehending and embracing the promise of \ngrace. Take care, therefore, that thou neglect not this true mother\u2019s \nbreast for thy soul; take heed that thou lose it not out of thy mouth; \nfor this breast alone is that which can relieve, refresh, and quiet \nthirsting and sinking consciences, in any of their agonies on account \nof sin. Christ alone is eternal life, peace, and consolation!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXII.\n\n_David in his prayer commendeth unto God the religious care he had for \nthe ark.\u2014His prayer at the removing of the ark, with a repetition of \nGod\u2019s promises._\n\nA Song of Degrees.\n\n\nLORD, remember David, _and_ all his afflictions;\n\nHow he sware unto the LORD, _and_ vowed unto the mighty _God_ of \nJacob;\n\nSurely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into \nmy bed;\n\nI will not give sleep to mine eyes, _or_ slumber to mine eyelids,\n\nUntil I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty \n_God_ of Jacob.\n\nLo, we heard of it at Ephratah; we found it in the fields of the wood.\n\nWe will go into his tabernacles; we will worship at his footstool.\n\nArise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou and the ark of thy strength.\n\nLet thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints \nshout for joy.\n\nFor thy servant David\u2019s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.\n\nThe LORD hath sworn _in_ truth unto David, he will not turn from it; \nOf the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.\n\nIf thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall \nteach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for \nevermore.\n\nFor the LORD hath chosen Zion: he hath desired _it_ for his \nhabitation.\n\nThis _is_ my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.\n\nI will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with \nbread.\n\nI will also clothe her priests with salvation; and her saints shall \nshout aloud for joy.\n\nThere will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for \nmine anointed.\n\nHis enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown \nflourish.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer, in which Solomon and the people of Israel beg \nof God to preserve the priesthood and the kingdom: that is, that he \nwould maintain the true religion, the true worship of God, and a \nprosperous and happy state of the kingdom among that people. In a \nword, it is a prayer to God that he would be pleased to preserve the \nministry of the word above all things; and then also the laws, the \nmagistrates, and the public peace: for where these two things, the \nword and the laws, are rightly constituted and preserved, there all \nthings go well with a kingdom.\n\nIn the eleventh verse, the Psalmist, turning his eye, as it were, to \nthe promise, feels the fullest assurance that he is heard. For God had \npromised by oath that he would dwell in that place, namely, in \nJerusalem or Zion; and would bless both the priesthood and the \nkingdom, if they would keep the commandments of their God, and obey \nhim.\n\nWhy the Psalmist calls, in the sixth verse, this habitation of God, \nJerusalem, \u201cEphratah,\u201d and \u201cthe fields of the wood,\u201d is explained in \nmy more full commentary elsewhere, on these \u201cPsalms of Degrees.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXIII.\n\n_The benefit of the communion of saints._\n\nA song of degrees.\n\n\nBehold, how good and how pleasant _it is_ for brethren to dwell \ntogether in unity!\n\n_It is_ like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon \nthe beard; _even_ Aaron\u2019s beard; that went down to the skirts of his \ngarments;\n\nAs the dew of Hermon, _and as the dew_ that descended upon the \nmountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, _even_ \nlife for evermore.\n\n\nThis Psalm contains an important doctrine, and an exhortation unto \nconcord in the church, and also in the state; and especially an \nexhortation unto unity in the Spirit; concerning which Paul speaks, \nPhil. ii.; and also, it exhorts unto agreement in doctrine, and unto \npeace in general. Let the wise, the strong, and the holy, (the \nPsalmist would say,) bear with and support the simple, the \nweak-minded, and the infirm; which is indicated and implied by the two \nsimilitudes of \u201cointment\u201d and \u201cdew.\u201d\n\nThe Psalmist alludes to the priesthood and the kingdom. For divine \nharmony and agreement in the priesthood, or in the doctrine of the \ntruth, is a great and lovely gift of God, and diffuseth a fragrance \nlike precious ointment; and this fragrance descendeth or runneth down; \nthat is, unity in the doctrine of truth, runs down from the high \npriest Aaron, down his beard, and even unto the skirts of his \nclothing; that is, down to all other teachers of the truth.\n\nAnd this \u201cdew of Hermon\u201d signifies literally that dew which revives \nthe flower of Lebanon; and, spiritually, the concord of Lebanon; that \nis, of Jerusalem. For, as the natural dew fructifies Lebanon, and all \nthe places near unto Lebanon, so concord in divine and spiritual \nthings causes a kingdom to flourish and prosper.\n\nWherever, therefore, concord in a state and in its church flourishes, \nthere God dwells with all his grace and blessing; but where there are \ndissensions, divisions, and discord, there is the dwelling of Satan.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXIV.\n\n_An exhortation to bless God._\n\nA song of degrees.\n\n\nBehold, bless ye the LORD, all _ye_ servants of the LORD, which by \nnight stand in the house of the LORD.\n\nLift up your hands _in_ the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.\n\nThe LORD, that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion.\n\n\nThis again is a very short and brief Psalm, but it contains a most \nblessed doctrine. It teaches and exhorts priests and Levites, to \nperform the duties of their office diligently, and to be constant and \ncareful in the worship of God; that they be instant day and night in \nteaching and exhorting by the word; as Paul exhorteth Timothy to the \ncontinual preaching of the word; saying, \u201cbe instant in season and out \nof season.\u201d As if he had said, Be thou ever at the duty of thy office; \nteach, exhort, rebuke; exercise both thyself and others unto godliness \nby a constant preaching of the word; and continue therein, even though \nsome be turned unto fables, and others despise thee.\n\nFor where the pure word of God is not sought and learnt, there, most \ncertainly, is no worship of God; there, of necessity, perishes all \ntrue religion; and there as surely perishes also, the good and \nprosperity of the nation; which is certainly either deserted of God, \nor involved in darkness, errors, and the power of the Devil. But where \nthe word of God continues in truth, and the scriptures are rightly set \nforth, there God gives his blessing. And although Satan will there \ngreatly oppose himself to, and will afflict both the church and the \nstate; yet God, who made the heavens and the earth, and who is \ntherefore greater than all creatures and the Devil also, preserves \nthat state and that church; and, on account of their holding fast his \nname and his word, he saves them, even though they be ungrateful and \nunworthy of his salvation.\n\nLet all ministers, and preachers, and bishops therefore, know, that \nthis Psalm, beginning \u201cBehold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of \nthe Lord,\u201d &c. pertains unto them; teaching them to know that the \nhighest worship of God is the preaching of the word; because, thereby \nare praised and celebrated the name and the benefits of Christ.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXV.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God for his mercy, for his power, for his \njudgments. The vanity of idols. An exhortation to bless God._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise _him_, O ye \nservants of the LORD.\n\nYe that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of \nour God,\n\nPraise the LORD; for the LORD _is_ good: sing praises unto his name; \nfor _it is_ pleasant.\n\nFor the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, _and_ Israel for his \npeculiar treasure.\n\nFor I know that the LORD _is_ great, and _that_ our LORD _is_ above \nall gods.\n\nWhatsoever the LORD pleased, _that_ did he in heaven, and in earth, in \nthe seas, and all deep places.\n\nHe causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh \nlightnings for the rain: he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.\n\nWho smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast.\n\n_Who_ sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon \nPharaoh, and upon all his servants.\n\nWho smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the \nAmorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:\n\nAnd gave their land _for_ an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his \npeople.\n\nThy name, O LORD, _endureth_ for ever; _and_ thy memorial, O LORD, \nthroughout all generations.\n\nFor the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself \nconcerning his servants.\n\nThe idols of the heathen _are_ silver and gold, the work of men\u2019s \nhands.\n\nThey have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see \nnot;\n\nThey have ears, but they hear not: neither is there _any_ breath in \ntheir mouths.\n\nThey that make them are like unto them: _so is_ every one that \ntrusteth in them.\n\nBless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:\n\nBless the LORD, O house of Levi; ye that fear the LORD, bless the \nLORD.\n\nBlessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise \nye the LORD.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a Psalm of thanksgiving; exhorting all priests and \nministers of the word to preach and to praise God in his great and \nmarvellous works, done in Egypt and in the land of Canaan, that the \npeople might not forget God and his wonderful works, and be turned \nunto idols, and false kinds of worship; which very soon takes place \nthrough security or contempt; where the word of God is not taught \ndiligently and with a great willingness and fervor of heart; as we \nhave already seen in the preceding Psalm.\n\nBut where God judges a people; as the Psalmist sets it forth, verse \n14; that is, when God by the mouth of his ministers, judges and \ncondemns our sin; there he manifests his grace unto us; there is a \nground of firm consolation for afflicted consciences; there God is \nfound and known, (for he is found in no other places and doctrines \nthan these!) there, to a certainty, he will be propitious and merciful \nto his servant. But, where the word of God is not; there God is \nsilent; for where he doth not preach, he doth not judge; and there, to \na certainty, is the wrath of God and blindness. \u201cTherefore,\u201d (as saith \nthe Psalmist) \u201cPraise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, all ye \nservants of the Lord:\u201d that is, preach the word and explain it, with \nall diligence; and proclaim the works of the Lord.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXVI.\n\n_An exhortation to give thanks to God for particular mercies._\n\n\nO give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nO give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nO give thanks to the LORD of lords: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nTo him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never.\n\nTo him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never.\n\nTo him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nTo him that made great lights: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nThe sun to rule by day: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nThe moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never.\n\nTo him that smote Egypt in their first-born: for his mercy _endureth_ \nfor ever.\n\nAnd brought out Israel from amongst them: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never:\n\nWith a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nTo him which divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy _endureth_ \nfor ever:\n\nAnd made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nBut overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nTo him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy \n_endureth_ for ever.\n\nTo him which smote great kings: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever:\n\nAnd slew famous kings: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nSihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever:\n\nAnd Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever:\n\nAnd gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never:\n\n_Even_ an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy _endureth_ \nfor ever.\n\nWho remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never:\n\nAnd hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never.\n\nWho giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.\n\nO give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy _endureth_ for \never.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a blessed and general thanksgiving for the infinite, \nunspeakable, and never-failing mercies of God, both with respect to \nthe body and the soul. In this golden and glorious Psalm, the \nPsalmist\u2019s design is to embrace and set forth a summary, as it were, \nto all priests and ministers of the word; as a pattern for the subject \nmatter of all sermons, exhortations, and Psalms to be delivered to the \npeople: that all false and wicked doctrine might be avoided, and also \nall false worship of God; and that God might be worshipped truly with \nthat worship required by the first commandment of the Decalogue.\n\nFor this ought to be the sum and substance of all true worship,\u2014\u201cLet \nus praise the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever:\u201d \nthat is, praise, laud, and proclaim, without ceasing, the infinite \nlargeness of his grace. Learn ye, from his word, that as he hath \npromised, so he is ever present with us, and continually bestows his \nblessings upon us; and that the riches of his goodness are boundless \nand inexhaustible.\n\nTo fortify our hearts, therefore, against the devil, (whose whole aim \nand employment is to destroy in our hearts faith in God, and the \nknowledge of his goodness and mercy, and to cast us under doubting and \nsorrow,) the Psalmist repeats this holy sentence at the end of every \nverse\u2014\u201cFor his mercy endureth for ever:\u201d by which words, so often \nrepeated, the holy man wishes to impress and fix on our hearts the \ndoctrine of grace and the worship of the first commandment: as if he \nhad said, it is the infinite goodness of God, and not any human works \nor merits of your own, that has done all these wonderful things for \nyou. It is the pure and unspeakable greatness of God\u2019s goodness and \ngrace, that pours forth all these things upon you, and therefore they \nare poured forth upon you freely and without any merit or deserving of \nyours, and even while you are wholly undeserving of such mercies.\n\nIn this repeated expression also the Psalmist refers, after the manner \nof the prophets, to the promise of Christ to come; for it was from no \nworks of men, nor from any merit of theirs, that the promise of Christ \nwas given unto Abraham, which said, \u201cIn thy seed shall all the nations \nof the earth be blessed.\u201d\n\nLearn, thou, therefore, to rehearse and impress upon thine own heart, \nand on the hearts of others also, this repeated conclusion of each \nverse; that it may be a bulwark for thee against the devil, who is \never maliciously jeering our temptations, and saying, that it is not \nthe _mercy_ of God, but his _judgment_, that \u201cendureth for ever.\u201d \nHypocrites and enthusiasts sing not, nor can sing, this blessed \nconclusion of the verses, \u201cFor his mercy endureth for ever.\u201d They can \nonly sing, \u2018For our goodness endureth for ever.\u2019 But do thou, \nChristian brother, hold fast this doctrine of a Davidical heart; the \ntruly divine and heavenly doctrine of the remission of sins; a \nremission \u201cenduring for ever,\u201d and which sin can never destroy; which \nalone overcomes the devil and all errors, and which alone can give the \nconscience rest under all temptations, and the agonizing conflicts of \ndeath.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXVII.\n\n_The constancy of the Jews in captivity.\u2014The prophet curseth Edom and \nBabel._\n\n\nBy the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we \nremembered Zion.\n\nWe hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.\n\nFor there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and \nthey that wasted us _required of us_ mirth, _saying_, Sing us _one_ of \nthe songs of Zion.\n\nHow shall we sing the LORD\u2019S song in a strange land?\n\nIf I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget _her cunning_.\n\nIf I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my \nmouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.\n\nRemember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who \nsaid, Rase _it_, rase _it, even_ to the foundation thereof.\n\nO daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy _shall he be_, \nthat rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.\n\nHappy _shall he be_, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against \nthe stones.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer in the persons of the captives of Babylon; \nwhether we understand it as having been written after the captivity, \nor before it in the way of prophecy. The captives here pray for the \ncity of Jerusalem; that is, for the place of the word and the worship \nof God; for all these things had been destroyed by the Babylonians.\n\nThis Psalm shows us that the first concern of all that fear and know \nGod should be the preservation of a place for the ministration of the \nword, and for the true religion and true worship of God. For, as here, \nwhen Jerusalem is destroyed, Babylon and Edom, and all other wicked \nnations rejoice, and triumph over the grief and the tears of the \npeople of God, which adds great bitterness to their afflictions. But \nsuch enemies shall never enjoy their triumph unpunished of God. They \nthemselves shall be laid waste in their appointed time, and shall be \nutterly overthrown and laid in ruins and in ashes; their flourishing \nyouth shall be destroyed by the sword, their children shall be dashed \nagainst the stones, and neither age nor sex shall find mercy. But \nIsrael and the people of God shall remain for evermore. In this manner \nfell Babylon, that queen of nations: and in the same manner also shall \nfall all the Babylonians and Edomites in our day, who rejoice, like \ntheir forefathers, in the afflictions and calamities of the true \nchurch of God.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXVIII.\n\n_David praiseth God for the truth of his word.\u2014He prophesieth that the \nkings of the earth shall praise God.\u2014He professeth his confidence in \nGod._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nI will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing \npraise unto thee.\n\nI will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy \nlovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word \nabove all thy name.\n\nIn the day when I cried thou answeredst me, _and_ strengthenedst me \n_with_ strength in my soul.\n\nAll the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear \nthe words of thy mouth.\n\nYea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great _is_ the glory \nof the LORD.\n\nThough the LORD _be_ high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the \nproud he knoweth afar off.\n\nThough I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt \nstretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy \nright hand shall save me.\n\nThe LORD will perfect _that which_ concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, \n_endureth_ for ever: forsake not the work of thine own hands.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of general thanksgiving unto God for all his help \nagainst enemies: and it prays that the kingdom of Christ may come; and \nit prophesies also that even kings and nations shall hear the gospel, \nshall render thanks unto God for the same, and shall know and worship \nhim in truth; and shall acknowledge the eternal kingdom of Christ, \nnamely, his exaltation over all things, and over every name that is \nnamed; and that he succours, helps, and saves humble, tempted, and \nafflicted sinners.\n\nIn the conclusion of the Psalm, the Psalmist prays, \u201cForsake not the \nwork of thine own hands;\u201d that is, Raise up, establish, and preserve \nthis promised kingdom of Christ, for the sake of which thou hast \nchosen this people.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXXXIX.\n\n_David praiseth God for his allseeing providence, and for his infinite \nmercies.\u2014He defieth the wicked.\u2014He prayeth for sincerity._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nO LORD, thou hast searched me, and known _me_.\n\nThou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my \nthought afar off.\n\nThou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted _with_ \nall my ways.\n\nFor _there is_ not a word in my tongue, _but_, lo, O LORD, thou \nknowest it altogether.\n\nThou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.\n\n_Such_ knowledge _is_ too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot \n_attain_ unto it.\n\nWhither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy \npresence?\n\nIf I ascend up into heaven, thou _art_ there: if I make my bed in \nhell, behold, thou _art there_.\n\n_If_ I take the wings of the morning, _and_ dwell in the uttermost \nparts of the sea;\n\nEven there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.\n\nIf I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be \nlight above me.\n\nYea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the \nday: the darkness and the light _are_ both alike _to thee_.\n\nFor thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother\u2019s \nwomb.\n\nI will praise thee; for I am fearfully _and_ wonderfully made: \nmarvellous _are_ thy works; and _that_ my soul knoweth right well.\n\nMy substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, _and_ \ncuriously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.\n\nThine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book \nall _my members_ were written, _which_ in continuance were fashioned, \nwhen _as yet there was_ none of them.\n\nHow precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the \nsum of them!\n\n_If_ I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when \nI awake, I am still with thee.\n\nSurely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me, therefore, ye \nbloody men.\n\nFor they speak against thee wickedly, _and_ thine enemies take _thy \nname_ in vain.\n\nDo not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with \nthose that rise up against thee?\n\nI hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.\n\nSearch me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:\n\nAnd see if _there be any_ wicked way, and lead me in the way \neverlasting.\n\n\nThis is a high and glorious Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the \nPsalmist, with a marvellous fervour of spirit, touches on that \nall-high matter,\u2014God\u2019s predestination of all things; and proclaims \nthat incomprehensibleness of the divine wisdom and goodness, whereby, \nin a wonderful manner, he himself and all men, with all their affairs, \nall their works and all their thoughts, both the greatest and the \nleast, were predestinated of God from everlasting. This manifold \nwisdom of God is incomprehensible to flesh and blood!\n\n\u201cThou, O Lord (saith the Psalmist) hast searched me out and known me; \nthou knowest me altogether; thou understandest my thoughts long before \nthey are conceived by me. Wherever I move, whithersoever I go, thou \nsurroundest me on every side; and being ever present with me, thou \nbeholdest all my undertakings, and my works, and my ways, and all that \nI think of doing or undertaking. There is no speech, not even the \nleast word, upon my tongue, but thou, O God, knowest it, before I \nutter it. Thine eyes beheld me, when yet imperfect in my mother\u2019s \nwomb; and thou didst wonderfully form and fashion me there.\u201d And (ver. \n6) the Psalmist exclaims, \u201cSuch knowledge is too high and wonderful; \nno mortal thought can attain unto it.\u201d\n\nHere, it is as if the Psalmist had said, it is not in the capacity or \npowers of any mortal to think or determine how he will lead his life, \nwhat he will undertake, what he will do, what he will speak, what he \nwill think, where he will go, or to, or from, or in what place he will \nturn; but all our acts, motions, and thoughts, are nothing less than \nthe works of God ever present with us, doing and ruling all things as \nhe will. And hence (ver. 19.) he utters his indignation against the \nwicked; saying, \u201cSurely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God.\u201d Here he \nburns with zeal against hypocrites, who, being ignorant of all the \nworks and words of God, and utterly blind and mad, ascribe all their \ndoings to their own works and merits.\n\nThese mortals are perpetually putting forth and boasting of their own \nability and works, and are ever relying on their own doings and \nmerits, and ascribing unto themselves that glory which belongs to God \nalone; whereas they have not one of their words in their own power, as \nof, or from, themselves; but all their words and thoughts are in the \nhand of God.\u2014This glory, I say, they arrogate to themselves, when they \nare all the while so far from the wisdom of God and his divine works, \nthat they neither know themselves nor any one part of themselves; nor \nunderstand how they were formed or fashioned in the womb of their \nmother; nor what their own body is, nor what are its properties and \norgans; nor what their eyes are, nor what their brain is; nor what the \norigin and nature of that motion is, by which their body is moved; \nand, in a word, when they know not what the soul and this natural life \nare; nor whence arise all those various motions and affections of the \nmind within, nor how they are uttered outwards by the tongue.\n\nWhen, therefore, this whole that we are, and this all that we do, are \nnot our own wisdom or doing, but God\u2019s; and since we cannot comprehend \nthese earthly things; since, I say, we neither can know nor do any one \nof these earthly and corporal things, as of ourselves; how awful a sin \nis that enormous arrogance, whereby we profess that we have so much \npower in ourselves and in our free-will, that we can understand God, \nand do his divine and spiritual works, and deliver ourselves from sin, \nand death, and hell.\n\nWherefore (ver. 20.) the Psalmist utters his holy indignation against \nsuch hypocrites and teachers of human works and doings; saying, \u201cThine \nenemies speak blasphemously against thee, O Lord, and they are proud \nand lifted up against thee without cause. Guard thou me, and prove and \ntry me, that I may continue in the right way; the way that is true and \neternal;\u201d that is, in the way of the knowledge of the word of thy \ngrace.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXL.\n\n_David prayeth to be delivered from Saul and Doeg.\u2014He prayeth against \nthem.\u2014He comforteth himself by confidence in God._\n\nTo the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.\n\n\nDeliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent \nman;\n\nWhich imagine mischiefs in _their_ heart: continually are they \ngathered together _for_ war.\n\nThey have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders\u2019 poison _is_ \nunder their lips. Selah.\n\nKeep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the \nviolent man, who have purposed to overthrow my goings.\n\nThe proud have hid a snare for me, and cords: they have spread a net \nby the way-side: they have set gins for me. Selah.\n\nI said unto the LORD, Thou _art_ my God: hear the voice of my \nsupplications, O LORD.\n\nO GOD the LORD, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my \nhead in the day of battle.\n\nGrant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his wicked \ndevice, _lest_ they exalt themselves. Selah.\n\n_As for_ the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of \ntheir own lips cover them.\n\nLet burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into \ndeep pits, that they rise not up again.\n\nLet not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt \nthe violent man to overthrow _him_.\n\nI know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, _and_ \nthe right of the poor.\n\nSurely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright \nshall dwell in thy presence.\n\n\nThis Psalm is an ardent prayer against those hypocrites, who not only \ncause many offences, and lay many nets and snares for them that go on \nthe right way, but proceed with terrible threats and unceasing cruelty \nagainst all who will not approve and follow their errors and wicked \nways.\n\nThe Psalmist therefore here prays that God would be pleased to \ndisappoint their counsels and purposes, and all the wicked plots which \nthey form, and devise, and to turn them on themselves and on their own \nheads; that all these enemies of the people of God may perish with \nthat horrible judgment with which Pharaoh perished in the Red Sea, \nwho, being at the same time struck with lightning from heaven, and \noverwhelmed with the waves of the sea, was utterly destroyed.\n\nThis Psalm affords an abundant consolation to the godly; as the \nPsalmist saith in its conclusion, \u201cThe wicked shall fall into their \nown nets, whilst that I at all times escape.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLI.\n\n_David prayeth that his suit may be acceptable, his conscience \nsincere, and his life safe from snares._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nLORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, \nwhen I cry unto thee.\n\nLet my prayer be set forth before thee _as_ incense; _and_ the lifting \nup of my hands _as_ the evening sacrifice.\n\nSet a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.\n\nIncline not my heart to _any_ evil thing, to practise wicked works \nwith men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.\n\nLet the righteous smite me; _it shall be_ a kindness: and let him \nreprove me; _it shall be_ an excellent oil, _which_ shall not break my \nhead: for yet my prayer also _shall be_ in their calamities.\n\nWhen their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my \nwords; for they are sweet.\n\nOur bones are scattered at the grave\u2019s mouth, as when one cutteth and \ncleaveth _wood_ upon the earth.\n\nBut mine eyes _are_ unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; \nleave not my soul destitute.\n\nKeep me from the snares _which_ they have laid for me, and the gins of \nthe workers of iniquity.\n\nLet the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.\n\n\nThis Psalm also is a fervent prayer, wherein the Psalmist prays to be \ndelivered from wicked teachers, who pretend to speak of peace, and \ncraftily use soft and flattering words, after they have found that \nthey can prevail nothing by terrors and threats. \u201cLet the righteous,\u201d \nsaith he, \u201csmite me:\u201d that is, I had rather that true and faithful \nteachers should rebuke and condemn me, and reprove my ways, than that \nhypocrites should flatter me and applaud me as a saint.\n\nAnd farther, (saith the Psalmist) although I suffer affliction for the \nsake of that true and sound doctrine to which I cleave, and though, by \nafflictions returning again and again, my bones be broken in pieces \nand scattered like clods of earth before the penetrating and dividing \nplough; yet I had rather be reproved and smitten by godly and true \nteachers, and so acknowledge my sin, and rest upon the promise of God, \nthan hear all the flattering words of those hypocrites who deceive \nthemselves and others; and who pretend to have peace with God, when \nthere is no such peace unto them. For all such teachers and their \nhypocrisies shall be hurled, as it were, from a mighty precipice, and \nthey shall suddenly be dashed to pieces and shall perish together; \ntheir glory shall be hurried into confusion, and their end shall be \nutter destruction; and then it shall appear how bitter their pleasing \ndoctrine is.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLII.\n\n_David sheweth that in his trouble all his comfort was in prayer unto \nGod._\n\nMaschil of David; a Prayer when he was in the cave.\n\n\nI cried unto the LORD with my voice: with my voice unto the LORD did I \nmake my supplication.\n\nI poured out my complaint before him: I shewed before him my trouble.\n\nWhen my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path; \nin the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.\n\nI looked on _my_ right hand, and beheld, but _there was_ no man that \nwould know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.\n\nI cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou _art_ my refuge, _and_ my \nportion in the land of the living.\n\nAttend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my \npersecutors: for they are stronger than I.\n\nBring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous \nshall compass me about; for thou shall deal bountifully with me.\n\n\nThis Psalm is a prayer; wherein the Psalmist, being now surrounded \nwith peril on every side, cries unto God out of prison, as it were, by \nreason of the great cruelty and malice of false teachers, who \npersecuted him on account of the word.\n\nAs the people of Israel were a stiff-necked people, their Cainish \nmalice and bitterness had so hardened them, that they stoned, \nrejected, and killed the true prophets, on account of their preaching \nof the word, and maintaining the true worship of God; and had given \nthemselves up to hypocrisy and idolatry; and all this, their histories \nof them testify; as does Christ also, (Matt. xxiii.) and Stephen. \n(Acts vii.)\n\nHence, as these things were fully known, so we find most of the Psalms \ngrievously complaining of the cruel malice of false prophets and \nhypocrites. And just in the same way, from the very beginning, \nhypocrites and false teachers have afflicted the true church of God; \nand the true saints in all ages found it necessary to cry unto God \ncontinually, against all such hypocrites and Cainish pretenders to \nsaintship. All this is abundantly testified by the histories of the \ntimes of Elijah and king Ahab and Jezebel; when all the true prophets \nof the Lord were compelled to flee and to hide themselves, to escape \nthe furious cruelty of these adversaries; all which histories might \nhave been adduced as examples in this Psalm. And the recent times of \nthe Arian heresy afford also a plain example of the same persecution \nand malice, when all the catholic bishops were compelled to flee; for \nSatan neither can nor will endure the pure word of God!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLIII.\n\n_David prayeth for favour in judgment.\u2014He complaineth of his \ngriefs.\u2014He strengtheneth his faith by meditation and prayer.\u2014He \nprayeth for grace, for deliverance, for sanctification, for \ndestruction of his enemies._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nHear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications: in thy \nfaithfulness answer me, _and_ in thy righteousness.\n\nAnd enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall \nno man living be justified.\n\nFor the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to \nthe ground: he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that hath \nbeen long dead.\n\nTherefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me: my heart within me is \ndesolate.\n\nI remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the \nwork of thy hands.\n\nI stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul _thirsteth_ after thee, as \na thirsty land. Selah.\n\nHear me speedily, O LORD; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from \nme, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.\n\nCause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I \ntrust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up \nmy soul unto thee.\n\nDeliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.\n\nTeach me to do thy will; for thou _art_ my God: thy Spirit _is_ good; \nlead me into the land of uprightness.\n\nQuicken me, O LORD, for thy name\u2019s sake: for thy righteousness\u2019 sake \nbring my soul out of trouble.\n\nAnd of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that \nafflict my soul: for I _am_ thy servant.\n\n\nThis is a prayer, expressing the deep feelings of an afflicted and \nagonizing conscience. The Psalmist, being in the midst of the sense \nand peril of sin, and terrified at the judgment of God, begs of God \nnot to enter into judgment with him, and firmly cleaves to the promise \nof mercy, and of the remission of sins. He complains, on the other \nhand, of hypocrites and teachers of the law and of works; by means of \nwhom, as his instruments, the devil terribly harasses the godly, and \nloads them with various trials and straits of mind and conscience, and \nendeavours to draw them away from the certainty of the divine promise \nunto doubt; in which state, consciences are horribly shaken with fear \nand darkness, and the dread of the wrath of an unappeased God.\n\n\u201cThe enemy,\u201d saith David, \u201chath persecuted my soul; he hath made me to \ndwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead; therefore my \nspirit is overwhelmed within me.\u201d Here David refers to those straits \ninto which consciences are cast by those who lay upon them burdens too \nheavy to be borne, (as Christ saith concerning the Pharisees, Matt. \nxxiii.) And yet will not so much as touch them with one of their \nfingers. And hence this Psalm blessedly shows that there is no sure or \nsolid consolation for consciences, save for those who depend on the \npromise of the free remission of sins, and on the word of God\u2019s grace: \n\u201cEnter not,\u201d saith David, \u201cinto judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for \nin thy sight shall no man living be justified.\u201d\n\nThat afflicted hearts and consciences can find rest in no other way \nthan this, all the scriptural histories bear witness. All the holy \npatriarchs, from the beginning of the world, were justified before God \nby the free, unmerited imputation of righteousness, and not by their \nown works; as Peter also testifies (Acts xv.) concerning the law, \u201cWhy \ntempt ye God; to lay upon us a yoke which neither we nor our fathers \nwere able to bear. But we believe that by the grace of our Lord Jesus \nChrist, we shall be saved, as they.\u201d\n\n\u201cI remember,\u201d says David again, \u201cthe days of old, I meditate on the \nworks of thy hands;\u201d as if he had added, \u2018By these, thy works from the \nbeginning, I comfort and support myself in all my temptations: for all \nthe great saints from the beginning were saved, not by any merit of \ntheir own righteousness, but by grace alone: they were delivered from \nsin and from the wrath of God, by faith in Christ the promised seed: \nas Abraham also was, by the same grace of God in Christ, called out of \nidolatry.\u2019 Joshua xxiv. 2, 3.\n\nTherefore God leaves here no ground for any mortal\u2019s boasting in his \nown works and merits: and yet, by this doctrine of works Satan hath \nnever ceased to distress and torment consciences, contrary to the \nmanifest words and works of God.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLIV.\n\n_David blesseth God for his mercy both to him and to man.\u2014He prayeth \nthat God would powerfully deliver him from his enemies.\u2014He promiseth \nto praise God.\u2014He prayeth for the happy state of the kingdom._\n\nA Psalm of David.\n\n\nBlessed _be_ the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, \n_and_ my fingers to fight:\n\nMy goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my \nshield, and _he_ in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.\n\nLORD, what _is_ man, that thou takest knowledge of him! _or_ the son \nof man, that thou makest account of him!\n\nMan is like to vanity: his days _are_ as a shadow that passeth away.\n\nBow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they \nshall smoke.\n\nCast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows and \ndestroy them.\n\nSend thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great \nwaters, from the hand of strange children;\n\nWhose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand _is_ a right hand of \nfalsehood.\n\nI will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltry _and_ an \ninstrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.\n\n_It is he_ that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his \nservant from the hurtful sword.\n\nRid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth \nspeaketh vanity, and their right hand _is_ a right hand of falsehood:\n\nThat our sons _may be_ as plants grown up in their youth; that our \ndaughters _may be_ as cornerstones, polished _after_ the similitude of \na palace:\n\n_That_ our garners _may be_ full, affording all manner of store: \n_that_ our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our \nstreets:\n\n_That_ our oxen _may be_ strong to labour; _that there be_ no breaking \nin, nor going out; that _there be_ no complaining in our streets.\n\nHappy _is that_ people that is in such a case: _yea_, happy _is that_ \npeople whose God _is_ the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for kings, princes, and all \nmagistrates. David here, as a king and a magistrate himself, who had \nto govern the state and carry on wars, confesses that all prosperous \nand happy government, all success at home and abroad, all the arts of \npeace, and all victory in war, are the good gifts of God; and that a \nman can no more effect these things by human wisdom or strength, or by \nany ability of his own, than he can hold the millions of minds of \nnations bound unto himself, and make their multitudes obey him alone: \nfor what could any mortal man do towards preserving whole kingdoms, \nand cities, and provinces in quiet from sedition and commotions amid \nall the infinite malice of the devil and the world? Every mortal man \nwould fail, like a vanishing shadow, before the thought of such an \nundertaking.\n\nBut the God of all majesty, as Isaiah saith, is the Lord of all the \nkingdoms and kings of the earth. He, as Daniel saith, removes and \nestablishes kingdoms. That monarch of heaven and earth also taketh \ndown one king and sitteth up another. And he it is, who, in the time \nof peace, curbs the wills and holds the minds of the multitude, and \nstills all civil commotions like the waves of the sea, against all the \nraised winds of the devil. And it is the same God also, who, in the \ntime of war, terrifieth the enemies of a nation, and maketh their \nhearts to tremble, when he thunders in the heavens, when he touches \nthe mountains and great hills of nations and of peoples: he is \nterrible; and who can stand before him? When he strikes the hearts of \nthe enemy with fear, it is easy for us to conquer. But what human \nwisdom or power can strike this terror, or do or ordain such mighty \nthings?\n\nDavid then prays against the deeds of his own people, and rebukes \ntheir ungodliness. The Israelites, because they had that especial \nhonour and glory of being the people of God, were above all people of \na stiff-neck; proud, seditious, avaricious, envious, unbelieving, and \ndisobedient; and all these things they manifested in their conduct to \nMoses, to David himself, and to other godly kings. And although they \nsaw David, in the same manner as Moses before him, with the manifest \npresence of God, and with great and divine miracles, governing the \nstate, and conducting wars successfully, in the midst of the assaults \nof enemies on every side; yet falling into pride and security, from a \nconfidence in their high title, as the people of God; they showed \nthemselves to be no better than those of their forefathers, of whom \nMoses saith, \u201cYe have always been a rebellious and stiff-necked people \nbefore the Lord, from the day that I first knew you.\u201d For the people \nof David were carnally affected and ungodly; and were as if they had \nsaid, \u2018Command, and command again, if thou wilt; expect, and expect \nstill; and why dost thou preach unto us faith, whereas we all the \nwhile continue in affliction? Those whom God favors, and to whom he \nshows mercy, he blesses: to them he gives wives, children, riches, \nhouses, lands, and all things, and happiness in all things; and happy \nare the people that are in such a case.\u2019 Nor were false prophets \nwanting, to dwell upon temporal promises in their preaching, and to \nwithstand the true prophets; denying that those were the favorites of \nGod who were not blessed with temporal prosperities; and saying that \nall the saints of God were so blessed.\n\nAgainst these, therefore, David now most fervently prays, and \nencourages himself in heart and in faith by his past experiences of \nGod\u2019s mercies and deliverances. \u201cIf, (saith David,) thou hast \naforetime delivered me from the sword of Goliath, and hast given me \nthe victory, as thou hast done also unto other kings; so now defend me \nfrom this ungodly, hardened, and unbelieving people; who neither \nregard God nor his civil ministers; who care not with what evils a \ngood king is surrounded in his government, nor what perils of war \nprevail, nor what blessings of peace are enjoyed; but are an ignorant \nand unfeeling herd; the very dregs and sink of men: yea, very swine, \nwho regard nothing but their belly; whom it is more difficult to rule, \nthan to conduct the most fierce and perilous wars.\u201d Exactly like unto \nthese are some of our nobles and citizens and countrymen now; who, for \nthe sake of their belly, trample and spit upon all true religion and \ngood learning; and indeed on all things human and divine.\n\nDavid here attacks these ungodly ones with a most severe rebuke; \ncalling them \u201cstrange children;\u201d hereby cutting up that glorying of \ntheirs, wherein they boasted of being the children of Abraham, and the \npeculiar people of God: and yet were all the while worse than any \nheathen nation, and were false children and strangers; for they \nhonoured God with their mouth and with their lips, while their heart \nwas far from him.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLV.\n\n_David praiseth God for his fame, for his goodness, for his kingdom, \nfor his providence, for his saving mercy._\n\nDavid\u2019s Psalm of praise.\n\n\nI will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever \nand ever.\n\nEvery day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and \never.\n\nGreat _is_ the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness _is_ \nunsearchable.\n\nOne generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare \nthy mighty acts.\n\nI will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy \nwondrous works.\n\nAnd _men_ shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will \ndeclare thy greatness.\n\nThey shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and \nshall sing of thy righteousness.\n\nThe LORD _is_ gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of \ngreat mercy.\n\nThe LORD _is_ good to all and his tender mercies _are_ over all his \nworks.\n\nAll thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless \nthee.\n\nThey shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;\n\nTo make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious \nmajesty of his kingdom.\n\nThy kingdom _is_ an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion _endureth_ \nthroughout all generations.\n\nThe LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all _those that be_ \nbowed down.\n\nThe eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due \nseason.\n\nThou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living \nthing.\n\nThe LORD _is_ righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.\n\nThe LORD _is_ nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call \nupon him in truth.\n\nHe will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear \ntheir cry, and will save them.\n\nThe LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he \ndestroy.\n\nMy mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless \nhis holy name for ever and ever.\n\n\nThis is a very blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for the kingdom and \ndominion of Christ, which God was about to raise up among the people \nof Israel: for it was on account of Christ, that this whole people was \nfrom the beginning chosen out of all other nations; and on account of \nChrist also that the law was given unto them, and the whole Mosaic \nworship established.\n\nThis Psalm also most especially urges forward that highest and most \nexcellent of all works, the peculiar and most glorious worship of God, \nwhich the first table of the decalogue demands; that is, the sacrifice \nof praise. The Psalmist in the most exalted expressions proclaims the \npower of God, and his infinite mercy; which is above all his works.\n\nThe whole Psalm presents to us a wonderful display of the eloquence of \nthe Holy Spirit; setting forth, by a great depth of feeling, and by a \nluxuriant abundance of words and expressions, the glorious height of \nthe worship of God embraced in these words of the first commandment of \nthe decalogue, \u201cI AM THE LORD THY GOD!\u201d And the Psalm prays that men \nmay acknowledge the kingdom of Christ, \u201cThat thy power,\u201d says David, \n\u201cmay be known unto men, and the glorious majesty of thy kingdom:\u201d that \nis, that it may be known by the gospel, that there is no other \ndeliverance from the power of the devil, and from sin and eternal \ndeath, than by faith in the word of thy mercy and grace, given unto us \nin Jesus Christ.\n\nThe power and kingdom of Christ lies hidden under the outward \nappearance of the cross and of weakness; and the word of the gospel is \na contemptible doctrine with the wise and powerful of the world; for \n\u201cthe gospel,\u201d as Paul saith, \u201cis the wisdom of God hidden in a \nmystery.\u201d And again, saith he, \u201cChrist crucified, is, unto the Jews, a \nstumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.\u201d But when this \nkingdom is, by the preaching of the word, and by the teaching and the \nconfession of the saints, made known before the world, it is proved to \nbe the kingdom of God and the power of God.\n\nThat which the Psalmist saith, (verse 14) pertains especially unto the \nkingdom of Christ, which is a kingdom that \u201cupholdeth all that fall, \nand lifteth up all them that are down;\u201d for Christ is the king of the \nafflicted, of the poor, of the fallen; and the king who justifies \nsinners and raises the dead: by whom God is reconciled unto us, and \nhears us as a father; fulfilling the desire of them that fear him, and \nfeeding and clothing us whom the world hateth, and guarding and \ndefending us against the gates of hell.\n\nFrom a worshipping admiration therefore, of the largeness of the grace \nof God, the Psalmist breaks out into this fervent wish and prayer, \n\u201cand let all flesh bless his holy name;\u201d as if he had said, the \nblessings and riches of the kingdom of Christ are immense and \nunsearchable; as Paul also saith, \u201cThanks be unto God for his \nunspeakable gift.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLVI.\n\n_The Psalmist voweth perpetual praises to God.\u2014He exhorteth not to \ntrust in man.\u2014God, for his power, justice, mercy, and kingdom, is only \nworthy to be trusted._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.\n\nWhile I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God \nwhile I have any being.\n\nPut not your trust in princes, _nor_ in the son of man, in whom _there \nis_ no help.\n\nHis breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day \nhis thoughts perish.\n\nHappy _is he_ that _hath_ the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope \n_is_ in the LORD his God:\n\nWhich made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein _is_; \nwhich keepeth truth for ever:\n\nWhich executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the \nhungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:\n\nThe LORD openeth _the eyes of_ the blind: the LORD raiseth them that \nare bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:\n\nThe LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and \nwidow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.\n\nThe LORD shall reign for ever, _even_ thy God, O Zion, unto all \ngenerations. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving; and it contains a blessed doctrine; \nnamely, that we ought to trust in God, who alone can defend; and who \ndoes defend faithfully all those that trust in him, and all those whom \nthe world hates and casts out. And the Psalm shows, that we ought not \nto trust in any man, not even in kings or princes, nor in the mighty, \nnor in the rich, as the world do. For (as the Psalmist saith) \u201cit is \nGod alone that can mightily and gloriously deliver out of affliction,\u201d \nand all trust in man is deceitful and vain; for (to say nothing about \nthe vanity of such trust in all other particulars) no man knoweth any \nthing certain respecting his own life!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLVII.\n\n_The Prophet exhorteth to praise God for his care of the church, his \npower, and his mercy:\u2014to praise him for his providence:\u2014to praise him \nfor his blessings upon the kingdom, for his power over the meteors, \nand for his ordinances in the church._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD: for _it is_ good to sing praises unto our God; for \n_it is_ pleasant, _and_ praise is comely.\n\nThe LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts \nof Israel.\n\nHe healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.\n\nHe telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by _their_ \nnames.\n\nGreat _is_ our LORD, and of great power: his understanding _is_ \ninfinite.\n\nThe LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the \nground.\n\nSing unto the Lord with thanksgiving: sing praise upon the harp unto \nour God:\n\nWho covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, \nwho maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.\n\nHe giveth to the beast his food, _and_ to the young ravens which cry.\n\nHe delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure \nin the legs of a man.\n\nThe LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in \nhis mercy.\n\nPraise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.\n\nFor he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy \nchildren within thee.\n\nHe maketh peace _in_ thy borders, _and_ filleth thee with the finest \nof the wheat.\n\nHe sendeth forth his commandment _upon_ earth: his word runneth very \nswiftly.\n\nHe giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.\n\nHe casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?\n\nHe sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to \nblow, _and_ the waters flow.\n\nHe sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto \nIsrael.\n\nHe hath not dealt so with any nation: and _as for his_ judgments, they \nhave not known them. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a very blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for the various \nunequalled and infinite mercies and gifts of God.\n\nIn the first place, it thanks him for that especial mercy\u2014his \nregarding in, and miraculously delivering out of, afflictions, the \nnations of Israel, his peculiar people, and the city of Jerusalem, \nthough placed in the midst of Gentile enemies.\n\nIn the next place, it blesses God for that great and unspeakable \nmercy, his giving throughout all the earth, to the godly and to the \nungodly, to the grateful and to the ungrateful, all necessary food and \ngladness of heart, as Paul saith, Acts xiv. 17. \u201cFilling the hearts of \nmen with food and gladness.\u201d\n\nAnd more especially the Psalmist renders thanks unto God for his \nrefreshing, reviving, and comforting with his consolations, the hearts \nof the godly when distressed and weakened by the devil, and burnt up, \nas it were, by the greatness of the temptations; and for helping them \nin all times of their temptation, affliction, and labour.\n\nAgain, it thanks him for giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, \nboth unto the evil and unto the good; and for giving food unto men and \nunto all the beasts of the earth; even so, that he suffereth not even \nthe ravens to hunger.\n\nAnd above all, the Psalmist gives thanks unto God, because he hears \nand regards the godly, who call upon him; and that, especially in \nJerusalem; which is the place of his name and of his word; and because \nhe giveth Jerusalem, his city, civil peace, and a happy state of \ngovernment.\n\nFurther, the Psalmist praises God for health of body and his blessing \ntherein, and for the good bringing up of children, and domestic order \nand prosperity. And also for defence against all outward enemies, and \nfor the preservation of the boundaries of their land, and for national \npeace and happiness. And, finally, he blesses God for the richness and \nfertility of the land of Judah, and for the abundance of its fruits.\n\nThe chosen people of God, and the elect places of his Zion have the \nprivilege, above all other nations, of being blessed with the word and \nthe worship of God. Wherefore they, above all others, show forth the \nworks of God and his wonders among the people. And all the creatures \nof God, and his daily wonders, and blessings of rain, snow, dew, \nfrost, &c. are more clearly known where his word and worship are, than \namong idolatrous nations, who have neither the prophets, nor the \nSpirit, nor the word, nor see his works, though they daily enjoy his \ncreatures and all his heavenly gifts and mercies; on all which \nabundant gifts and mercies they feed like swine; for as they are \nignorant of the word, they are altogether ignorant of God.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLVIII.\n\n_The Psalmist exhorteth the celestial, the terrestrial, and the \nrational creatures to praise God._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in \nthe heights.\n\nPraise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.\n\nPraise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.\n\nPraise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that _be_ above the \nheavens.\n\nLet them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were \ncreated.\n\nHe hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree \nwhich shall not pass.\n\nPraise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:\n\nFire and hail; snow and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:\n\nMountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:\n\nBeasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:\n\nKings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the \nearth:\n\nBoth young men and maidens; old men and children:\n\nLet them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; \nhis glory _is_ above the earth and heaven.\n\nHe also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; \n_even_ of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye \nthe LORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of thanksgiving; wherein the Psalmist calls upon, and \nexhorts all creatures, both in heaven and in earth, to praise God; \ncalling more especially on his saints, the children of Israel, among \nwhom is the word and the worship of God.\n\nIn this Psalm you may remark this blessed doctrine, that all orders of \nmen, all kinds of life, which are created of God, are good,\u2014that is, \nkings, magistrates, judges, young men, old men, &c. For if to hold the \noffice of a magistrate and to hear and judge causes were of itself \nwicked, then such magistrates could not call upon and praise God, nor \nwould the Holy Spirit exhort them in this Psalm to that praise of God. \nAnd where there are magistrates and laws, kings and princes, there \nalso there are subjects, town-sergeants and constables. And there also \nthere must be artificers in the cities, and men-servants and \nmaid-servants, and countrymen, and soldiers, &c. And, again, where \nthere are young men and old men, there are also wives and children, \nand so whole families and households.\n\nAll these things are good and holy gifts of God, and by no means to be \ncondemned or refused, as the pope blasphemously saith they are. All \nthese things, moreover, show that their all-high and Almighty Creator \nis good; and that all these his good creatures ought to speak his \npraise, to sound it forth with thousands of tongues, and to celebrate \nthis infinite goodness and the countless and unspeakable mercies of \nGod!\n\nIf, therefore, thou desirest, contrary to the blasphemous doctrine of \nthe pope, and all like him, to know how supremely good all the \ncreatures of God are, from the least of them even to the greatest of \nthem; then, suppose to thyself that one of these creatures, out of the \nuniversal whole, were deficient or wanting, for one short moment; \nsuppose there were no fire or no sun for a moment\u2019s space even; \nsuppose there were no women, no infantine offspring;\u2014suppose, I say, \nany deficiency of this kind: by this thought thou wilt immediately \nfeel that no one can sufficiently praise God, even for one of his \ncreatures? And how many creatures has he formed! What worlds of \ngoodness has he created!\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CXLIX.\n\n_The prophet exhorteth to praise God for his love to the church, and \nfor that power which he hath given to the church._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, _and_ his praise in \nthe congregation of saints.\n\nLet Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be \njoyful in their King.\n\nLet them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him \nwith the timbrel and harp.\n\nFor the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek \nwith salvation.\n\nLet the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their \nbeds.\n\n_Let_ the high _praises_ of God _be_ in their mouth, and a two-edged \nsword in their hand;\n\nTo execute vengeance upon the heathen, _and_ punishments upon the \npeople;\n\nTo bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of \niron;\n\nTo execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his \nsaints. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis Psalm is also a Psalm of thanksgiving for that infinite goodness \nof God, his being merciful to his people; and for assuring them, by \nhis word, and by his promises of his good will towards them; and that \nhe will hear them, regard them, and have mercy upon them. To which \nimmense goodness of God, no thanks of his people can be equal. And \nthat treasure of mercy, which is greater than the whole world unto \nafflicted consciences,\u2014that God freely promises to his people his \nblessing, in the seed of Abraham, and the remission of sins; and does \nnot regard their unworthiness in the gift;\u2014that treasure of mercy, I \nsay, is greater than the mind of man is capable of conceiving.\n\nThis Psalm, therefore, (if we may so speak) is properly a Psalm of the \nNew Testament. Hence the Psalmist saith, \u201cSing unto the Lord a new \nsong:\u201d showing that all praise is to be sung unto the king of Israel \nand of Zion; whom all ought to laud with rejoicing, \u201cupon their beds:\u201d \nthat is, in the churches and temples where they meet for worship; as \nthe prophet Isaiah also mentions their temples, their altars, their \nbeds, and their couches, where Israel committed fornication; that is, \nworshipped their idols.\n\nAnd that also pertains to the New Testament where the Psalmist saith, \n\u201cAnd a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the \nheathen, and to bind their kings with chains.\u201d This is not to be \nunderstood simply of the Jews or of the Mahometans, with respect to \nany earthly tyranny; but this is the vengeance promised in the \nscriptures; which the seed of Abraham, that is, the Israelites and the \napostles, should execute by the sword of the Spirit, by which they \nshould destroy idolatry in so many nations, and should put to shame \nthe wisdom of the whole world, as the apostle Paul saith. 2 Cor. x.\n\n\n\n\nPSALM CL.\n\n_An exhortation to praise God with all kinds of instruments._\n\n\nPraise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the \nfirmament of his power.\n\nPraise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent \ngreatness.\n\nPraise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery \nand harp.\n\nPraise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed \ninstruments and organs.\n\nPraise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding \ncymbals.\n\nLet every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.\n\n\nThis is a Psalm of praise, written for the people of Israel, (to \npraise God in his holiness, or in his sanctuary): that is, to praise \nhim for that infinite and unequalled mercy, of erecting his sanctuary, \nhis tabernacle, his ark, his mercy-seat among the Israelites; and \nthereby making Jerusalem the place of his dwelling. For God dwelt in \nthat place, the city of Jerusalem, as in the heaven of his habitation. \nHence other prophets call that people \u201cthe heavens,\u201d and the place of \nthe habitation, of the name, and of the word of God. Because the \npresence, the power, and the majesty of God are there, where he \nmanifests himself forth by his acts and his wonderful works.\n\nThe Psalmist then mentions many musical instruments, which were used \nby the people of Israel in their worship, according to the appointed \nceremonies of the Levitical worship and priesthood. But among \nChristians and the people of the New Testament, the trumpet, psaltery, \nthe harp, the timbrels, are the gospel itself in the ministration of \nthe word.\n\n\n\n\nCONCLUDING ADMONITION.\n\n\nI would, in conclusion, have all godly souls (whom Satan, without \nceasing, harasses with temptations,) to bear in mind that all the \nlaudatory Psalms, or Psalms of thanksgiving, are also promises of God, \ndesigned to lift up, to sustain, and to refresh afflicted consciences, \nand to furnish them with arguments against the devil; assuring them \nthat God is the God of peace, of life, of consolation, and not the God \nof misery, cruelty, and damnation. For when David and other saints \nthus joyfully, and with all possible abundance of expression, praise \nGod, they thereby show forth unto all the afflicted, that God never \nforsakes his own in their temptations, but pities all such; and that \nhe gives them breathing-times in their conflicts, succours them in \ntheir distresses, beholds their contrite hearts, gives them in due \ntime an end of their afflictions, delivers them from all evils, and \noft-times most sweetly and marvellously comforts them.\n\nWherefore, every thanksgiving in the Psalms, is at the same time, a \npromise of grace, and a sweet doctrine to the tempted and the \nafflicted: because thereby is shown, by the example of David and of \nothers, that God regardeth the afflicted, heareth all that call upon \nhim, and giveth peace unto them in all the various afflictions under \nwhich they labour.\n\nLearn thou well then how to gather, throughout the book of Psalms, the \nblessed argument against the devil, contained in the words, \u201cPRAISE YE \nTHE LORD!\u201d It was this that comforted David himself while praising \nGod: for they are not the dead that praise the Lord, nor they that are \nswallowed up of sorrow, nor they that go down into hell!\n\nAs therefore God ceaseth not, during this short and momentous life, to \ntry and prove his church, by causing her to undergo these many and \ngreat offences, temptations, and afflictions, and these most bitter \nhatreds of Satan and of the word; so he will, as surely, most \nmarvellously and excellently comfort her from heaven, and deliver her, \nand save her!\n\nAll, therefore, that believe, how many soever they be, and how many or \ngreat soever their afflictions, are ever lifted up by the consolations \nof God. And hence God will comfort us also, and all saints; and he \nwill open our mouths to praise him; that Satan may be confounded in \nall his devices and in all his works, and that Jesus Christ, the Lord \nour God, may be glorified! who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, \nliveth and reigneth, One God, blessed for evermore. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nTHE PRINTER\n\nTO THE GODLY READER, GREETING.\n\n\nBehold, we here present unto thee, good Reader, the summary Commentary \nof Doctor Martin Luther, collected from his mouth by those that heard \nhim, with all possible care and diligence. We could scarcely obtain \nleave from the holy author to edit this commentary in his name: \nbecause he felt that many things were wanting in this extemporaneous \nexplication, which a diligent writing down might have rendered more \nperfect and more clear. But as he was satisfied that the sense and \nsubstance of each Psalm were every where faithfully given, and that a \nvery important part of the true religion was here copiously handled; \nhe was, under these assurances, the more willing to overlook any thing \nthat might be wanting in the way of greater correctness, and loftier \nlanguage and expression.\n\nWe hope, therefore, that this our labour will not be unacceptable to \nthe lovers of the Holy Scriptures and divine things. For they will \nhere see how blessedly this great man opened and taught the word of \nGod, and what his only aim and object were therein. And they will also \nbe the better enabled to judge of the writings of others. For while \nothers devote all their labours, pains, and aims, to thrust their \nbooks upon the world; they never, in those books, touch in the least \nupon those things which form the substance of the true religion! \nReader, farewell! May thy soul be blessed by our labour!\n\n\n\n\nPRINTED BY L. AND G. SEELEY, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.","title":"A manual of the book of Psalms : $b or, The subject-contents of all the Psalms","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":103652}