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honest and sincere heart; since in all conditions good men can apply to God with assurance, knowing that God will always be their protector; That he preserves them as the apple of his eye, and keeps them under the shadow of his wings. II. On the other hand we here learn, that God knows the ways of the ungodly; and let their power be ever so great, he will not fail to restrain their wickedness and pride, and support the righteous. III. From David we learn, not to seek happiness in the things of the world, as carnal and worldly men are wont to do; and to pray to God to secure us from their malice; and, above all, to keep us from being like them; saying, with the prophet, O Lord, deliver me by thy hand from the men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid treasure. Finally, The last words of this Psalm, As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness; should raise our thoughts to the desire and expectation of eternal happiness, which the righteous shall enjoy after the resurrection.

PSALM XVIII.

THIS is a Psalm of Thanksgiving, in which David, seeing himself delivered from his enemies, vows to love God, and to praise him for ever. In this Psalm he describes the great dangers he had been exposed to, his wonderful deliverances, and the victories he had gained over his enemies by the divine assistance; extolling the power, justice, and goodness, that God had shown in delivering him.

Reflections.

I. FROM the first words of this Song we learn, that the divine favours and deliverances should inspire us with the most tender and sincere affection, and lead us to praise God continually. II. David's account of the extreme dangers he had been exposed to, and the wonderful power of God displayed in his deliverance,

shows, that whatever extremities we fall into, we should never despair of God's assistance, if we fear him; that his power is greater than man's, and that he never wants means to deliver those who hope in him. III. When David says, that God had rewarded him according to his righteousness, it cannot mean, that he thought himself innocent before God; but he thus speaks, first, to signify that God had maintained the justice of his cause against Saul, and all those who had persecuted him unjustly, or would not own him for king; and secondly, to show that God had approved of his never forsaking the pure religion, and the worship of the pure God. The reflection we are to make on this particular, may be expressed in the words of David: With the upright man, thou wilt show thyself upright; with the pure, thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward, thou wilt show thyself froward. IV. We observe in this Psalm, the unhappy state of the wicked; since, as David says, when they are in distress, there is none to deliver them, and when they cry to the Lord, he will not hear them. The consideration of so melancholy a condition ought to be a powerful motive to deter us from sin. Lastly, David's zeal, expressed in the last verses of this Psalm, proves that it is not sufficient to praise God in private for his mercies, but that we ought to proclaim his praises and loving-kindness to the utmost of our power, that his holy name may be glorified by us, and by all men.

PSALM XIX.

THIS Psalm has two parts. In the first, David celebrates the glory of God, which appears in the order of nature, and particularly in the heavens and the sun. In the second, He speaks of the excellency of the law of God; prays God to pardon his sins, to keep him from offending him, and to sanctify his thoughts, his words, and all his behaviour.

Reflections.

KING David here mentions the two principal means by which God has made himself known to us, which are the works of nature, and his word. Let us therefore make a good use of both these means; meditating upon the marvellous works of God, which afford us such proofs of his power and wisdom; but particularly let us apply ourselves to the reading and meditating on his word. David's high encomiums on God's word inform us, that it is a sure, evident, and unerring rule of faith and practice; that it is of infinitely more value than the most excellent things of this world; that it was given to enlighten and sanctify us, to rejoice and comfort the heart; that the fear of the Lord procures perfect happiness to those who are possessed with it, and that there is great reward in the keeping of his holy commandments. To these reflections let us add our humble and hearty prayers to God, with David, that he would imprint these truths in our hearts; that he would pardon all our sins; that he would preserve us above all from the sins of presumption, and that he would so sanctify our thoughts, words, and actions, that they may be always acceptable in his sight.

PSALM XX.

THE people of Israel pray to God, that he would preserve King David, and make him victorious; and express their firm confidence that God will grant their requests.

Reflections.

It appears from this Psalm, that the people are in duty bound to pray for kings and princes, whom God has set over them. That this is the duty of Christians, as it was of the Jews, appears from these words of St. Paul, wherein he exhorts, That prayers and supplications be made for kings, and all that are in authority. The Israelites beseech God, in this Psalm, to hear the 10

desires of their king, and to grant him the victory over his enemies. Christians, in like manner, should beg of God to support and defend their princes in just and necessary wars, and all their lawful undertakings; but the chief subject of their prayers should be, that they may lead a quiet, peaceable, and godly life under those who have the rule over them. Lastly, We here find, that the glory and security of kings and states depend on the divine favour and protection, to which they are accountable for all their victories and success; and therefore, that kings and their subjects ought to labour above all things to render God propitious. PSALM XXI.

THE subject of this Psalm is the same as of the foregoing. Here the Israelites join with David in praising God for the victories he had vouchsafed him; and doubt not but he will continue his protection and assistance.

Reflections.

In this Psalm we observe, I. That as it is the people's duty to pray for their kings, so ought they to rejoice when God blesses them and their lawful designs, and heartily thank him. II. That God loves, and in a very extraordinary manner defends, just and pious kings, who call upon him, and trust in him. III. That he brings low and destroys unrighteous princes, and especially such as oppose the establishment of his kingdom, and the designs of his providence.

PSALM XXII.

I. David complains that God had abandoned him to the violence of his afflictions, and to the fury of his enemies; he describes the wretched state he was reduced to, and beseeches God to come to his assistance. II. However, he expresses a firm confidence in God, and even praises him for the deliverance he expected from his goodness, and exhorts all the faithful to join

with him in praising the Lord. It must be observed that this Psalm is prophetical, and relates more especially to the sufferings and kingdom of the Messiah.

Reflections.

To improve by the reading of this Psalm, we must consider it as it relates to David, and as it refers to Jesus Christ. If we consider it in the first respect, we learn by David's complaints, that those whom God loves sometimes fall into so deplorable a condition, as to believe God has forsaken them. But the faith which David testifies in this Psalm, shows us likewise that we should never be discouraged under afflictions; because the Lord will deliver his children out of all their troubles, and give them cause to celebrate his goodness. II. This Psalm contains a very plain description of our Lord's sufferings and profound humiliation. Here we read those words which he uttered at his crucifixion; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Here we see how the Jews insulted him when he hung upon the cross, his hands and his feet pierced, his garments divided by lot, and the principal circumstances of his passion and death. God was pleased all these things should be foretold by David, that when they happened to our Lord we might not be so much surprised, and might acknowledge him to be the Messiah. We should therefore deplore the blindness of the Jews, who are scandalized at the sufferings and cross of Christ, which ought rather to convince them that he is the Messiah whom God had promised. These considerations ought to strengthen our faith in Jesus the Saviour of the world; as this Psalm sets before us the glory to which God has exalted him after his sufferings, and which he now enjoys at the right hand of his Father, and his kingdom is established throughout all the earth.

PSALM XXIII.

David represents the Lord's paternal care of him, under the similitude of a shepherd, conducting, feed

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