ger. Those whom God has thus delivered, ought, in imitation of David, to celebrate his goodness, and to invite all men to celebrate it with them; acknowledging that his anger endureth but a moment, and that in his favour is life. But above all, we ought to take notice of the instructions here given us concerning the usefulness of affliction. David observes, That when he was in prosperity, he said, he should never be moved; but as soon as God had hid his face, he was troubled; and that he cried to the Lord and was heard by him. Let this convince us of the use and necessity of afflictions. Even the best of men sometimes forget themselves in prosperity; but God makes use of adversity to inspire them with a holy fear, to bring them to a sense of their duty, and to oblige them to have recourse to him; and then he is reconciled and hears their cry, changing their sorrow into joy, and their complaints into songs of praise. This is a doctrine of general use, and deserves our most serious meditation, that if God grants us rest, we may not abuse it; and if he sends us adversity, it may serve to humble us, and draw us more effectually unto him.

PSALM XXXI.

KING David prays God, that as he trusted in him, he would be pleased to defend him against the evils he endured from his enemies, and even from his nearest friends; and being persuaded that his prayer should be heard, he rejoices in the deliverance which he expected from the goodness of the Lord.

Reflections.

I. THE confidence which David in this Psalm seems to be inspired with, and the prayers which he here addresses to his Almighty Protector, show, that the children of God, full of confidence in the divine goodness, draw nigh to him in all their wants, and are never disappointed in their hopes. Let us imitate David in his piety and confidence in God, re

commend ourselves continually to his protection, and always have this prayer in our hearts, Into thy hand I commit my spirit; for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord thou God of truth. II. The evils and persecutions which David suffered, even from his nearest relations, and the manner in which he submitted to these severe trials, prove, that if we are exposed to sufferings, we ought to bear them patiently, without entertaining any malice or hatred in our hearts against those who injure us, not resenting the evils they do us, but waiting with resignation for the divine assistance. Observe, lastly, in this Psalm, how David is transported with sense of God's favour towards those that fear him, and of the greatness of those good things he lays up in store for them. Let all that fear God consider this for their comfort; and let this consideration encourage them more and more to obey and please him. The exhortation which concludes this hymn, naturally tends to produce this effect; O love the Lord, all ye saints, for the Lord preserves the faithful; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

PSALM XXXII.

I. This doctrinal Psalm teaches us, that man's true happiness consists in the pardon of his sins, and in the purity of his conscience; and that this favour is obtained by a sincere confession of sin, and by truly returning to God. II. David exhorts men to make a good use of this doctrine, and to take heed not to harden their hearts; threatening the wicked with the greatest miseries, and promising complete happiness to the righteous.

Reflections.

I. WE must make the same reflection upon the first words of this Psalm, as St. Paul does in the fourth chapter of the epistle to the Romans; which is, that the happiness of man, and his justification before God, consist in the pardon of sins, in peace

of conscience, and a sense of God's mercy. II. King David teaches us, that if we desire to attain this happy condition, we must have a clean heart, and a pure conscience; that the remission of sins is the effect of God's mercy; that in order to obtain it, we must sincerely confess and forsake our sins, which, as soon as we confess and forsake them, are blotted out, and God restores us to a sense of his grace and favour. III. It appears from this Psalm, that a true penitent, when he has received pardon for sins, does not only praise God for his own happiness, but endeavours, as much as in him lies, to bring other men to repentance and conversion. This is the direct tendency of these exhortations and instructions we read at the end of this Psalm, wherein David warns us not to harden our hearts, as sinners do; and assures us, That many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall encompass him about; and that those who are righteous, shall rejoice and be glad in the Lord; and all that are upright of heart shall shout for joy.

PSALM XXXIII.

I. David exhorts the righteous to praise God with heart and voice, from the consideration of his goodness, righteousness, and power, which appear in the works of creation and providence. II. He represents God, as seeing all things, examining the actions of men, and displaying his mercy towards those that fear him, and trust in him.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm engages us to make these five reflections. I. That it is a duty highly reasonable as well as delightful to praise God: but that none but upright men can discharge it in a becoming manner; and that the praise of God is only proper in their mouths. II. That we ought to praise God, because he has created the world by his almighty power, and because he governs it wisely and justly by his providence.

III. That if it was a great advantage to the Israelites, to be the people whom God had chosen for his inheritance, and who were in a peculiar manner protected by him; the favour which God has vouchsafed us, in admitting us into his church, and entering into covenant with us, is a still more glorious privilege. IV. That God has a perfect knowledge of all that passes in the world, and in particular that he sees all the actions and thoughts of men, which is expressed in these words, The Lord looketh from heaven, he beholdeth all the sons of men; from the place of his habitation, he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth, and considereth all their works. This thought should continually possess our souls, that the consideration of the presence of God, and of his infinite knowledge, may engage us to walk before him in holiness and righteousness. Lastly, Since David has told us, That the eyes of the Lord are upon those that fear him, and upon them that hope in his mercy; let us observe from thence, that the true way to have God our friend is to trust in him, to fear him, without ceasing to apply to him for mercy; and to this end, to pray continually in the words of the prophet, Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

PSALM XXXIV.

I. In this Psalm of thanksgiving, which is likewise doctrinal, David praises God for delivering him, when he was discovered by the Philistines in the city of Gath. II. He represents God's care and protection of his children, the advantages which the fear of God procures them, and the fatal lot of the wicked. The whole is expressed in this Psalm with particular strength and beauty.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm is deservedly esteemed one of the noblest and most edifying. King David here informs us by his instructions and example, I. That when

God grants us any deliverance, or any other favour, we ought to express our gratitude, not only by our own thankfulness, but by inviting others likewise to praise him with us. II. That the Lord never fails to hear and deliver the righteous who call upon him in their distress, and employs even angels for their defence. III. David in this Psalm seems thoroughly affected with a sense of God's goodness, and the happiness which those experience who are partakers of his love; and describes, in a beautiful manner, the nature of piety, exhorting the saints to live always in the fear of the Lord, to be sincere in their words and actions, to fly from evil, do good, and seek peace. Lastly, The Psalmist sets before us, the inestimable benefits and advantages of holiness, since they that fear the Lord can lack nothing; his eyes being always over the righteous, his ears open to their cries, and if they are exposed to many misfortunes, he delivers them from them all at the last; whereas he sets his face against the wicked for their destruction. Nothing can be of greater use, than continually to call to mind these divine and excellent lessons, to have them continually before our eyes and in our hearts; to which end we must frequently read this admirable Psalm, and make a constant use of it for our edification and comfort.

PSALM XXXV.

David implores the divine assistance against his enemies, whose malice, injustice, ingratitude, and cruelty, he describes. He mentions his own innocence, and the manner in which he behaved himself towards them: he threatens their ruin; and blesses God beforehand for the deliverance he expected from his power and goodness.

Reflections.

WE may collect in general from this Psalm, that God defends good men; that the wicked, and such as persecute the faithful, are exposed to his vengeance;