Reflections after reading the Psalm.

In this Psalm we are taught, I. That one mark of a good man is, that he shuns all intercourse with the wicked and ungodly; that he observes none of their false maxims, imitates none of their disorders; and that he makes his chief pleasure consist in meditating upon, and keeping the law of God. II. That the righteous are perfectly happy; that the Lord knows and blesses them, and makes them prosper. III. That the wicked will not escape his vengeance; and that, sooner or later, they will fall into the utmost miseries.

PSALM II.

I. In this Psalm David expresses his firm confidence, that the designs of his enemies, of the kings and people who opposed him, would be in vain ; and that, notwithstanding their endeavours, God, who had annointed him king, would establish his kingdom. II. He exhorts them to submit to the will of God, and to serve him, lest they should expose themselves to his vengeance. This Psalm is prophetical, and relates to the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflections.

THE Confidence which David manifests in this Psalms shows, in general, that attempts against the designs of God are vain: that what he has decreed will always come to pass; and that nothing can hurt those whom he loves, and has promised to bless. But the application which the Apostle makes to our Lord of these words, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee, engages us more especially to consider this Psalm as it relates to the kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, which has been established in the world, in spite of all opposition from kings, and the great men of the earth, and will subsist for ever. And since this kingdom is established among us, and we have the happiness to be Christ's sub

jects, let us submit ourselves to this glorious king; let us serve him with humility and joy; let us dread exposing ourselves to his wrath, and let us place all our trust and confidence in his favour and protection.

PSALM III.

THIS is a prayer that David made when he was persecuted by Absalom his son; in which he complains of the great number of his enemies, implores the divine assistance, and expresses his entire trust in the protection of the Almighty.

Reflections.

David's firm confidence in God, when pursued by his son Absalom, teaches us, that a man who fears God may be reduced to great extremities; but that whatever condition he is in, he is easy and full of trust; that he fears not men, having God on his side; that he rises up and lies down with confidence, and always depends upon the divine assistance, even in the greatest dangers.

PSALM IV.

I. David implores God's assistance against his enemies, and exhorts them to lay aside their designs, and submit to the will of God, who had appointed him king. II. He declares that he trusted in God alone, and that the assurance he had of his favour rendered him more happy than worldly men are in their greatest prosperity.

Reflections.

WE learn from this Psalm, I. That good men always apply to God in their distress. II. That the enterprises formed against those whom God favours are in vain, and without effect. III. That worldly men seek after nothing but the advantages of this life, but that the righteous aspire after the favour of God; that his favour is all their happiness, and all

their security and fills their hearts with more joy, even under the greatest afflictions, than worldly men feel in their greatest plenty and prosperity.

PSALM V.

I. KING David, being afflicted and persecuted, prays the Lord to assist him; assuring himself that God, who hates cruel and deceitful men, would confound his cruel and unjust persecutors, and grant him the favour to go and worship him in his tabernacle. II. He prays God to guide and defend him from the snares and malice of the wicked, that he, and all righteous men, may have reason to praise him, and always to trust in his protection.

Reflections.

THESE four things are remarkable in this Psalm. I. The fervency and confidence with which good men call upon the Lord in their necessities. II. Their zeal for his service, and the joy and reverence with which they adore him, in places set apart for public worship. III. God's abhorrence and detestation of sin, and especially of pride and deceit; and the punishment reserved for the proud and unjust. And lastly, His favourable protection of all those that fear him and trust in him.

PSALM VI.

In this prayer, David, being afflicted, represents the greatness of his sufferings, and intreats God not to punish him in his wrath; but to pardon his sins, and to deliver him. He makes this prayer with a firm assurance that God will hear him, and that his enemies should be confounded.

Reflections.

I. THE first words of this Psalm, O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure, express the humility of those, who with a

lively sense of their sins, and of the need they stand in of the divine assistance, implore God's mercy. When we use this prayer, we should do it, not only with a desire to be delivered from the evils and afflictions of this life, but chiefly in order to obtain pardon for our sins, and deliverance from the punishments of the life to come. David's expression of confidence in this Psalm, wherein he manifests his repentance and humiliation, proves, that, when we have recourse to God with humility and faith, we may be sure he will hear our request, and grant us that assistance we stand in need of, whatever dangers we may be exposed to.

PSALM VII.

I. David prays the Lord to defend him from his enemies, and calls him to witness his innocence. II. He assures himself that God will hear him, and turn the enterprises of his enemies against him to their own destruction, if they persisted in their designs.

Reflections.

In this Psalm we are taught to have recourse to God in our afflictions, as David had when he was persecuted by his enemies. But we are here likewise taught that, if we would have God hear us, there should be no iniquity found in us; that God searches the heart and the reins, and favours those who walk in sincerity and uprightness of heart. As for the ungodly, David declares in this Psalm, that their wickedness shall come to an end; that God lets them alone, and bears with them for a time; but that if they persist in their wickedness, he prepares for them the punishments they deserve, and will make the evil which they design for others fall upon their own heads. These are powerful motives to induce us to adore the justice of God; to improve by his forbearance and long-suffering; and to avoid every thing that may expose us to his vengeance.

PSALM VIII.

David celebrates the power and majesty of God, which so evidently appear in the works of the creation; and praises him in particular for creating man after his image, and giving him dominion over other

creatures.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm engages our attention to the marks of God's infinite power, which we discover in the heavens, in the stars, and in the wonders we meet with by land and water. The use we ought to make of this meditation is to adore the majesty of the Lord, and from the due consideration of his greatness, and our own meanness, to say, Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him; or the son of man, that thou visitest him? And since God has created us in his own image, enduing us with reason and understanding, that we may know and praise him, and has made other creatures subject to us, we ought gratefully to improve these advantages to his glory, and continually praise our Creator and Benefactor; saying, with David, O Lord our governor, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

PSALM IX.

I. David, in this Psalm of thanksgiving for the victories he had obtained over his enemies, exhorts the righteous to join with him in praising the power, wisdom, and justice of the Lord, who delivers those that trust in him, and confounds the malice and devices of the wicked. II. He beseeches God to protect always those that fear him, against the violence of their enemies.

Reflections.

In this Song David shows forth his piety, joy, and gratitude, on account of the victories he had gained by the divine assistance; which should likewise stir us up to praise God with all our heart, for the deliverances he grants us, and for all his favours to us.

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