ing, and defending his sheep; and he describes the favours which he hoped always to enjoy in communion with God.

us.

Reflections.

THE happy condition of the faithful, who live in full assurance of God's love, and under his protection, is here in a most affecting manner set before David shows, by his own example, that they never want; that God protects, comforts, and supports them in every condition; that he is with them even in death, and confers his graces and favours upon them in the highest degree, causing them to live in a blessed communion with him. This Psalm is full of consolation to true believers; and the desire of partaking in these precious advantages, should teach us all zealously to apply ourselves to the study of piety.

PSALM XXIV.

I. KING David acknowledges God to be the Creator of the world, and that he reigns over all things, and particularly over the Church. II. He shows whe are the true members of the Church, and by what marks they are distinguished. Lastly, He celebrates the strength and glory of the Almighty King.

Reflections.

THIS Hymn contains two lessons of instruction. I. That God, who created the world in the beginning, is the Supreme and Almighty King, whose glory and power ought to be celebrated for ever. II. This Psalm teaches us who they are whom God looks upon as his children, and will admit into his glorious presence. None will be admitted there, but men of pure hands and a clean heart, who are sincere and faithful in their words and all their behaviour; who avoid fraud and deceit, and call upon the Lord, and seek his face with their whole heart. If, therefore, we desire to be partakers of God's love, we should examine whether we find in ourselves these characters and sentiments; endeavouring to produce

them in ourselves, if we have them not; and if we have, improving them continually.

PSALM XXV.

In this Psalm David implores the favour of God with great fervency of devotion; beseeches him, above all things, to teach him to walk in his ways and to fear him, to pardon his sins, and to deliver him from his afflictions. He here, likewise, gives us a beautiful description of true piety, and of the happiness it procures. In this Psalm there are many very excellent instructions, and exalted strains of devotion.

Reflections.

THE use we are to make of this Psalm is, to take particular notice, I. With what confidence they who trust in God apply to him, and implore his assistance in all their necessities. II. That what we ought most earnestly to pray for is, that we may be filled with the knowledge of God; that he would teach us to walk in his way, and grant us pardon for all the sins we have committed. III. We here learn, how valuable it is to fear God, and the advantages it procures us. King David has told us, that God makes known his ways to the meek and humble; that he shows them that fear him the way that they should choose; that to them he reveals his secrets and his covenant; that he blesses them and their posterity exceedingly; and when they are in affliction, he protects them, and delivers them out of all their distress. These are instructions of the greatest use and importance; and carefully reading and meditating on these things, and frequently offering up to God the excellent prayers contained in this Psalm, is one of the best things we can do to strengthen us more and more in the fear of the Lord, and secure our eternal welfare.

PSALM XXVI.

David prays the Lord to support his innocence; he says, he always avoided the company of the wicked;

and that his greatest pleasure was, to serve God in his tabernacle; and with these dispositions, he hopes that God will not give him up to his enemies.

Reflections.

I. THE first instruction this Psalm furnishes us with is, that God chiefly regards our integrity and sincerity; that he searches and tries the heart; and therefore, that the only means of obtaining God's favour, is to approve ourselves in his sight, to live in innocency, to walk in truth, and to hate vice, and the company of the wicked. II. David's earnest desire to serve God in the tabernacle, should stir us up to discharge the duties of religion with the same fervency, and to take the greatest delight in going to the house of God, there to praise him, and to meditate on the wonders of his love. But the care this pious king took to purify himself before he went into the altar of God, should convince us, that in order to appear in the presence of God, we should be pure and live a holy life. Lastly, We should join with David in the prayer which he offers up to God at the end of this Psalm, and beseech him to preserve us from being like the wicked, lest we share with them in the punishments that are prepared for them.

PSALM XXVII.

I. KING David testifies his entire confidence in God in the greatest dangers; his zeal and firm adherence to the true worship of the Supreme Being. II. He begs of God to grant him tokens of his favour, and seems fully persuaded that God would never forsake him. In this Psalm there are many noble strains of devotion, faith, and piety.

Reflections.

In this Psalm we are to remark, I. That those who fear God and trust in him, are never afraid of men; but are calm and unshaken, even when persecuted and reduced to the most deplorable condition.

II. That the most inestimable advantage, and the greatest consolation we can enjoy in this world is, to meet often in the house of God, there to praise and adore him, and to receive the testimonies of his favour. III. That when God does incline our hearts to seek his face, we should improve the mercy, and not slight the gracious invitation. Lastly, David's assurance shows, that should we be forsaken by all the world, yet God will never forsake us, if we fear him and depend upon him; that nothing but our trust in him, and hope in his promises, can support us in the midst of the troubles of this life; and that the expectation of those who seek their happiness in God alone, should never be in vain.

PSALM XXVIII.

KING David prays God to defend him from the malice and artifice of his enemies, and from the judgments that should fall upon them. He praises him likewise for the care he took of him, trusts in his assistance, and prays for the prosperity of the Israelites.

Reflections.

WHAT we are to gather from this Psalm is, I. In all our wants to call upon the Lord, lifting up our hands and hearts to him, to implore his assistance, beseeching him not to suffer us to be exposed to the miseries of the ungodly. II. That God renders to the wicked according to their works; and particularly destroys the double-minded and deceitful men, who speak peace to their neighbours, while their hearts are full of rancour and hatred. III. That what brings men to misery and destruction is their not taking heed to the works of the Lord, that they may learn from thence to fear him. IV. The praises which David adds to his prayers, show that good men call upon the Lord, entirely relying upon his goodness; that God hears those who call upon him, and will always be the shield and strength of the righteous, and the protector of his people.

PSALM XXIX.

THIS is an exhortation to acknowledge the majesty of God, as it appears in all his works; and particularly in thunder and lightning. The prophet speaks likewise of the protection which God vouchsafed to his people Israel.

Reflections.

THE reading of this Psalm engages us to adore with reverence and fear the majesty of God, which he gives so many proofs of in his works. This Psalm teaches us in particular, that God by his power produces the thunder which is heard in the air, and its surprising effects; that he presides over all such events, and that his providence makes use of them to exercise his judgments, and to make known his greatness to mankind. Thus should we take occasion from the works of nature to fear God, and to put our whole trust in him, remembering that he is the Lord and judge of the world, and exerts his power to punish those who offend him, as he employs it at other times for the good of his people and of all his children.

PSALM XXX.

In this Psalm, David returns solemn thanks to God that he had delivered him, and made his wrath give way to his mercy. He acknowledges that he had in prosperity forgot himself, and therefore God had chastened him, to bring him again to a sense of his duty, and to induce him to call upon him with greater fervency; and he vows he will praise God for ever, because he had heard him. It is thought this Psalm relates to what David did when he returned to Jerusalem after the conspiracy of Absalom, to purge his house which had been defiled by that unnatural son.

Reflections.

THIS religious song of thanksgiving is particularly adapted to persons that have escaped some great

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