praises, and declare his loving-kindness before all men, even before the great men of the earth, that they may learn to fear God, and show forth his glory. II. We see in this Psalm that the great God, who dwells in the heavens, knows all that is done here below; that he does not disdain to take care of men ; but especially, that his eyes are open upon his children; that he is with them in adversity; so that all those who fear him may say, with an entire confidence, The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. PSALM CXXXIX. I. David solemnly acknowledges in this Psalm that God is present every where; and that all, even the most secret things, are perfectly known to him. II. He praises the infinite wisdom of God, which appears in a particular manner in the formation of man: and being sensibly affected with the wonderful works of God, he declares, that the contemplation of them will always excite him to bless and fear him, and rejoice in him. Lastly, He says, that his confidence in the divine goodness and power would support him against all the assaults of his enemies, that he will never fear them, nor ever have any familiarity with them. Reflections. WE ought to consider this Psalm with great attention. This is one of those places of Scripture, which speak most clearly of the divine presence and knowledge. David teaches us very expressly, that God is every where that his knowledge is infinite, as well as his power; that nothing is hid from his all-seeing eye and that wherever we are, he is witness not only of our words and actions, but even of our most secret thoughts. These truths should make a deep impression upon us, as they did they did upon David, and engage us to live always as in God's sight, and to fear that great God, who is present every where, and, as nothing can be hid from him, will judge us according to our works. To this reflection, which is the principal, we must add these three particular considerations: I. That the wonderful manner in which God has given us life, affords us abundant motives to acknowledge his power and goodness, and to employ both our souls and bodies in his service. II. That the power and goodness of God ought to fill the righteous with great confidence, and secure them against all fear of men. The last reflection is, that if we love God, we shall hate every thing that God hates, we shall shun vice, and the company of the wicked, but without hating them personally; herein imitating our heavenly Father, who hates unrighteousness, but bears with sinners, doing them good continually, and using great patience towards them, to bring them to repentance. PSALM CXL. David entreats God to defend him from the wiles and malice of those that sought his ruin, and threatens them with the divine vengeance. Reflections. WE are to observe, that God defends the righteous from the violence of the wicked; that his vengeance pursues cruel and unjust men, and those who slander and deceive their neighbours; that how formidable soever their power may appear, he defeats all their designs; and if he suffers the innocent to be oppressed for a while, he shows at last that he is their protector; and gives them occasion to own and celebrate his power, justice, and goodness. In this view, and with such a spirit as this, and not with a spirit of resentment and revenge against them that have offended as, ought we to read and meditate on this Psalm. PSALM CXLI. I. David, exposed to the injustice and calumny of several who persecuted him, beseeches the Lord graciously to receive his prayers. II. He begs of God grace, that he may not sin with his tongue by giving way to murmuring, and that he may not be seduced by sinners, but he desires to be reproved and corrected by the righteous; he confides in God's help, and is persuaded, that he would deliver him from them that sought his ruin. Reflections. THE use we are to make of this Psalm is, I. To join with king David in the prayers which are here offered up to God, humbly beseeching him, favourably to receive our requests, and that our prayers may ascend into his presence; that he would preserve us from offending him, either by rash words or evil thoughts; and that he would not suffer us to be drawn away by the wicked, which is the design of this excellent prayer: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. II. David teaches us to receive with pleasure and thankfulness the warnings and corrections of good men; saying with David, as all pious men should do, Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil. Lastly, We find by this Psalm, that though the condition of the righteous is sometimes miserable, yet God always preserves them, and gives them not over to the will of those who seek to destroy them. PSALM CXLII. David, being hid in the cave of Adullam, and surrounded by Saul's army, prays God to assist him in that imminent danger, and vows to return him thanks and praise for so great a mercy. The history which occasioned this Psalm may be read in the twentyfourth chapter of the First Book of Samuel. Reflections. THIS prayer, which David offered up to God when he was in danger of falling immediately into the hands of Saul, teaches us, that to the Lord we must apply for the help we stand in need of; and the deliverance which God vouchsafed him in this extremity, shows, that the confidence of the faithful is never in vain; that God never wants means to deliver them from danger, and to change their sorrow into joy and thanksgivings. PSALM CXLIII. KING David humbles himself before God, by confessing his sins; prays him to have regard to his deplorable condition, favourably to hear his prayer, to guide him by his Spirit, and to deliver him from the danger he was in. Reflections. I. THE prayer which king David makes at the beginning of this Psalm, in these words, Enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified; is of such general use, that there is no man who has not reason to make it with humility and fervency. II. David's application to God in the time of trouble, teaches us, that whatever danger we are in, we ought to seek for security and comfort in prayer, and trust in God; and to this end we should meditate upon his works, and the many proofs he has given in all ages of his lovingkindness towards those that fear him. But whether we are in affliction, or in any other state, we ought, above all things, to beg of God grace to fear him, that we may feel the effects of his love and be guided by his good Spirit; offering up continually to him this prayer: Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness. Lastly, when we observe with what warmth David, in this and many other Psalms, beseeches God to deliver him from those who hated him, we must imagine, we have not the same reasons to make that prayer as this king had; but if we have not the same reason as he had, we ought heartily to implore the divine assistance against the enemies of our salvation, since we are always liable to be assaulted by them, and they are infinitely more to be feared than our temporal enemies. PSALM CXLIV. THIS is a song of thanksgiving for the victories and deliverances which God had granted to David, and a prayer for the prosperity of the people of Israel. It is thought David composed this song after he had slain Goliath. Reflections. I. David's thanksgivings to God for the victories he had obtained, teach us to give glory to God for all the good things that befall us; and that it is he who protects pious kings, and, in general, all that fear him, and who.delivers them from the greatest dangers. II. When God grants us any favour, we ought to add to our praises an humble acknowledgment of our own unworthiness, and say, with the most profound sentiments of humility, Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him? III. This Psalm teaches us, that plenty, peace, and temporal prosperity, are the effects of the goodness of God and his providence; and that we ought to receive these blessings with thankfulness, and to make a right use of them. But let us remember, that these temporal blessings which the Jews asked of God, and which |