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PSALM CXXX.

David here implores the mercy of God, and the pardon of his sins; and likewise expresses his confidence in the divine goodness.

Reflections.

THE Psalmist here gives us three lessons of instruction. I. That if God should examine us in the rigour of his justice, none would be found righteous before him: wherefore we ought all to have recourse to his mercy, and say with the deepest humility, If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? II. That if God is inclined to pardon men, it is to engage them to fear him; and that without this fear there is no pardon to be expected from him. This is expressed in these words, there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. III. That God has always been, and ever will be, the defender of his Church and of all true believers.

PSALM CXXXI.

David protests solemnly in this Psalm, that he had not entertained proud and haughty thoughts of himself, but had always studied to live in innocence and humility.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm expresses the sentiments which all the children of God ought to entertain: They are to be humble, not aiming at high things, but resembling little children in innocence and simplicity. What David teaches us on this head, is the same with what our Lord more fully recommends in the Gospel, when he tells us, that if we become not as little children he will not acknowledge us for his disciples, nor shall we enter into the kingdom of heaven.

PSALM CXXXII.

I. THE author of this Psalm, which is probably David, here mentions the vow which that prince had made, to take no rest till the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem, and divine service established; and he praises God that his vow had been accomplished. II. He hopes that God, according to his promises, would bless his posterity; and he prays for the priests, for the Levites, and for all the people.

Reflections.

I. THE VOW mentioned in this Psalm, which David made to establish divine service, is a mark of his piety. From hence great men, magistrates, and all men in general, ought to learn, that the glory of God, and his true worship, is what they should desire with the greatest fervency, and procure to the utmost of their power. II. The favour God showed David, in enabling him to execute his pious design, shows us, that God blesses those undertakings that are formed with a good intention. III. The choice which God had made of Sion for the place of his worship; and the promises with which he had engaged to dwell there for ever to bless and prosper it, are to be plied to the Christian Church, in which he dwells in a more particular manner, and wherein he is to be worshipped and adored unto the end of the world. Lastly, We ought all of us, in imitation of the Psalmist, continually to pray for the preservation of the Church, for a blessing on its ministers, and for prosperity to all its members.

PSALM CXXXIII.

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THIS Psalm represents the happiness of those that live in unity and peace, and the blessings which God bestows upon them.

Reflections.

THE instruction which we receive from this Psalm is, that nothing is more agreeable to God than peace and unity; and that his most valuable blessings are bestowed on those who live in good harmony with each other; which should be of great weight to incline us to live together in Christian and brotherly love.

PSALM CXXXIV.

THIS Psalm is an exhortation addressed to the ministers of the old temple, in which they are invited to praise God.

Reflections.

THE ministers of God should learn from this Psalm, that as the priests and Levites were by their office called to praise God day and night in his temple, and to pray for the people of Israel; so are the ministers of the Christian Church, by their office, in a particular manner, called to bless and praise continually God's holy name, and to pray without ceasing for the prosperity of the Church.

PSALM CXXXV.

I. THE prophet exhorts the Levites to praise God, to proclaim the infinite power by which he created all things; and, above all, to celebrate the wonders which he formerly wrought for his people, in delivering them out of Egypt, and putting them in possession of the land of Canaan. II. He describes the vanity of idols, and the folly of idolaters.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm engages us, no less than the Israelites, to bless God, and to celebrate his power, wisdom, and goodness, which appear in the creation and government of the world: and chiefly to acknowledge his mercy in choosing us to be his people. If he

delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, and destroyed the kings of Canaan to settle them in that country, Jesus Christ has done for us much greater wonders of power and love: he has destroyed the idolatry which reigned in the world; he has delivered us from condemnation and death, and admitted us into his Church. It is therefore meet and right that this Almighty and All-gracious God should be for ever praised; and that all those who fear him, especially his ministers and servants, should join together in praising him, and saying, Blessed be the Lord who dwelleth in Sion. Praise the Lord.

PSALM CXXXVI.

In this Psalm of praise the Israelites celebrate the goodness and mercy of God, as they appear in the works of the creation, and in the miracles he had wrought for them, when their fathers came out of Egypt, and entered into the land of Canaan. It must be observed, that throughout this whole Psalm the Levites and the people answered alternately, and in every verse praise God with these words, For his mercy endureth for ever. This form of praise was made use of at that time, and consecrated in a particular manner to praise God in the temple.

Reflections.

WE are to make two reflections upon this Psalm: I. The first is, that we have as great reason to bless God as the Jews had, when we contemplate the wonders of creation and providence, the miracles which God formerly wrought in behalf of his people: but above all we are to praise the infinite mercy and divine power manifested in the work of our redemption. II. The next reflection relates to these words, repeated in every verse of this Psalm, For his mercy endureth for ever; which was a form consecrated by custom to the use of divine worship. These words teach us, that the goodness of God appears in all his works, and is

the source of all the blessings we enjoy; and therefore that we ought likewise to celebrate it with continual praises, with great gratitude, and with all the zeal and fervency we are able.

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I. In this Psalm the Jews, in captivity at Babylon, express their great affliction to see themselves in an exiled condition, and their zeal for Jerusalem. II. The prophet foretells the destruction of the Edomites, who had rejoiced to see the city laid waste; he foretells likewise the destruction of the Babylonians.

Reflections.

THE sentiments of the captive Jews in this Psalm are the same with those of all true believers. I. They have a great zeal for the Church; they cannot rejoice when they see it exposed to sufferings; and would rather forget themselves, and their own concerns, than forget the interest of God's glory. II. The destruction of the Edomites and Babylonians, foretold in this Psalm, which happened a few years after the destruction of Jerusalem, teaches us, that God revenges the evils done to his Church; and that he severely punishes persecutors, and those who join with them, as well as those who insult the miserable, and rejoice at the evil which befalls them.

PSALM CXXXVIII.

I. David, inspired with a holy zeal, declares that he will praise God publicly for all his favours, and invites all kings and nations to praise the Lord with him. II. He entreats God to continue to bless and protect him, and testifies his entire confidence in his assistance and promises.

Reflections.

In this hymn, the fervent zeal which animates true believers appears in a strong light; it inclines them to rejoice in God, to worship him, to sing his

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