and that he heaps his favours upon us, not only of nature, but especially of grace, and gives his Church tokens of his goodness and mercy.

PSALM CI.

David makes a vow to govern his people righteously, and chiefly to punish and drive the wicked from him, and to show favour to good men.

Reflections.

In this Psalm we see what are the duties and sentiments of good princes and good magistrates, and how they ought to conduct themselves in the government of their states. I. They ought to walk in uprightness, to abhor evil, and to apply themselves to govern their people with justice. II. It is their duty to punish the wicked and the ungodly; to drive from them proud men, slanderers, deceivers, and flatterers; and, on the contrary, to make much of upright and sincere men, protecting them, and employing them in their service. Persons in authority ought to meditate upon this Psalm for their instruction: and we ought all of us to pray to God that he would inspire those who govern the people with these sentiments; since upon that depends the happiness and tranquillity of the public, and the promoting of the glory of God.

PSALM CII.

THIS is a prayer of the captive Jews, in which they represent to God the desolation of Jerusalem, and their deplorable state, and beseech him to restore them. They likewise here express their trust in God, and their hope that he, who is always the same, and unchangeable in his promises as well as in his essence, would reinstate them in such a manner, that all nations should admire the happiness and glory of Sion; and that the posterity of the Jews might bless the Lord for ever.

Reflections.

THERE are two things chiefly to be considered in this Psalm First, The sad condition of the captive Jews, and their extreme affliction; and secondly, their hope in God. Therefore the reading of this Psalm furnishes us with these two instructions: I. That the children of God have a tender affection for the Church, and that there is nothing which more deeply concerns them than to see it exposed to sufferings. But if the faithful are afflicted when the Church is persecuted, they are not less afflicted to see the deplorable state it is often reduced to when it enjoys peace and prosperity. II. As the ancient Jews firmly trusted that God would arise and take pity upon Sion, and restore it to its glorious state; and that he would, by delivering the Jews from their captivity, manifest his glory to all the kings and nations of the earth; we ought not to doubt but God will do the same thing, and even after a more illustrious manner, in favour of the Christian Church; and that the time is coming, wherein his glory and his kingdom will appear in splendour. This happy restoration is what true Christians desire above all things, and what they ask of God in most fervent prayers. This too will undoubtedly be brought to pass by the infinite power of Jesus Christ, since he is Lord of the world, and is over all, God blessed for ever. This St. Paul teaches in the first chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, where he applies to the Son of God what is said of the creation of the world at the end of this Psalm.

PSALM CIII.

THIS is a Psalm of praise, in which, I. David blesses the Lord for all the favours he had granted him, and for what he had done for the people of Israel. II. He celebrates here particularly the great goodness of God towards men; the mercy he shows in pardoning their sins, and his tender and constant

love to those that fear him. Lastly, He here invites all creatures to join with him in praising the name of the Lord.

Reflections.

THIS is one of the most excellent songs of thanksgiving in the whole Book of Psalms. David here seems affected with the highest strains of devotion, and the most lively sense of gratitude. He here teaches us by his example to bless God, not only with our mouth, but with our whole heart, and with all the powers of our soul; to cherish the remembrance of all his mercies, and to take delight in rehearsing them, and praising him continually. The prophet here celebrates particularly the infinite mercy of God, who, knowing that we are but dust, bears with us, and does not render to us what our sins deserve; and entertains the same compassion and kindness as a father does for his children. But he teaches us, at the same time, that the divine goodness is displayed only in behalf of those that fear him and reverence him; and that his mercy extends only to them that keep his covenant, and remember his commandments to do them. Lastly, It appears from this Psalm, that, in order to praise God worthily, we must not only praise him ourselves, but must earnestly desire, with David, that he may be praised by men and angels, and by all creatures. With such sentiments as these, of zeal, love, and gratitude, we should say continually, Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

PSALM CIV.

I. David adores and celebrates the majesty of God, which appears in the works of creation and providence. II. He describes the power, wisdom, and goodness, by which God preserves and governs the many creatures which the world contains. Lastly, He wishes that God may be praised and blessed for ever.

Reflections.

THE design of this Psalm is, to teach us to praise God for his marvellous works; and to this end to consider with great attention, the wonders which the world presents to our view; the many different creatures it contains, and which we see in the heavens, in the air, upon the earth, and in the waters; the regular and wonderful order that reigns among them; the manner in which God preserves and governs them; and the care which his adorable providence takes of plants and animals, and particularly, in providing for the necessities of man; since all creatures serve to the various uses and conveniences of our life. These reflections lead us to acknowledge, that God is the author of all these things; that by him alone they subsist; that as he has created them by his power, he can also destroy them by his will alone. Above all, we should remember, that if all these creatures were made for man, man was made for God, and that God has placed us in this world, and has made us capable of seeing so many wonders, and of enjoying so many different blessings, that we may know our Creator, and love him, and thank him for all his kindnesses. These sentiments of admiration, love, and gratitude, which this meditation produces in us, are in this Psalm expressed by these words: O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all; The earth is full of thy riches. The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: The Lord shall rejoice in his works. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord.

PSALM CV.

I. THE prophet exhorts the Israelites to praise God, and to celebrate his power, goodness, and faithfulness. II. He relates what God has done for their fathers, in consequence of the covenant he had made with Abraham. III. He recites what

had happened to the posterity of that patriarch, and particularly to Joseph; the arrival of Jacob in Egypt; the persecution which the people of Israel underwent in that country; the plagues with which God smote the Egyptians; their sojourning in the wilderness; and lastly, their settlement in the land of Canaan.

Reflections.

I. In this Psalm we see the prophet break forth into joy, and express that holy zeal which animates the faithful to praise God, and makes his mercies known to all. II. We have here a brief history of God's favours to the Israelites, which proves, that God has always taken care of his own people; that in all times he has wrought great wonders in their favour; and that he is faithful and constant in his covenant, and in his promises, which ought to fill us with confidence, and convince us that God will be for ever the protector of his Church, and his children. III. This hymn was designed to perpetuate among the Israelites the remembrance of God's mercies, and to excite their gratitude. Though these events do not directly regard Christians, yet they ought to preserve the remembrance of them, as affording matter for the most edifying and instructive meditations. But it is our duty, above all, to take occasion, from what is contained in this Psalm, to raise our thoughts to the consideration of those signal mercies and spiritual blessings which God has communicated to us, by making with us a new covenant in Jesus Christ; by delivering us from the captivity of sin, of the devil, and of death, and by receiving us into his church. IV. We see in the last words of this Psalm, that God showed all these mercies to the Jews, that they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. This is God's design in doing good to men. His mercies naturally tend to engage us to love and fear him, and keep his commandments, which is the best way of expressing our gratitude.