PSALM CVI.

As the former Psalm gives an account of the mercies of God to the children of Israel; this is a relation and confession of the murmurings, and of the sins they fell into after their departure out of Egypt, both in the wilderness and in the land of Canaan. We see likewise here the several chastisements with which God visited this people, and the marks he gave them of his goodness in supporting and delivering them on many occasions.

Reflections.

To improve this Psalm to our edification, we must observe chiefly these three things. I. The confession which the Jews made of their sins and rebellion, and murmurings and ingratitude, and the idolatry they had several times been guilty of. From hence we may learn, on one hand, not to imitate the ingratitude and infidelity of that people, since God has conferred infinitely greater mercies on us than on them; and, on the other to acknowledge and confess our sins before God, when we have offended him. II. We here see, that whenever the Israelites, fell into disobedience, they felt the effects of God's wrath. God does not suffer the disobedience of men to go unpunished, but punishes the sins of those whom he has received into his covenant, and who abuse his favours, which he does, in order to recover them to their duty. Therefore, when God visits us, either with general calamities, or particular afflictions, instead of murmuring, we ought to acknowledge the justice of his chastisements, make a righteous use of them, and be afraid to draw new ones upon ourselves by the hardness of our hearts. III. It is said in this Psalm, that God in his great goodness had borne with the Jews, taken pity on them, and even delivered them upon several occasions. These are proofs of God's great mercy; that he is full of compassion and longsuffering to men, even to those who have offended

him, and is always ready to pardon men, as soon as they grow better by his correction, and to make them happy.

PSALM CVII.

THE design of this Psalm is to show that the Providence of God exposes men to various trials and dangers, to engage them to have recourse to him, to fear him, and to celebrate his goodness. This the prophet proves by the examples of those who wander in strange countries, or are in prison, or visited with sickness, and of those that are exposed to storms and tempests upon the sea. He makes mention likewise of famine, of drought, of the humbling of great men, and exalting them of low degree; and shows, that God does all this with wisdom and justice, and for the good of mankind.

Reflections.

THIS very instructing Psalm serves to teach us, that God does wisely dispense all that happens to men; and that when they are fugitives, and dispersed, captives, sick, and in danger of perishing, afflicted with famine, or in some other manner, it is God that makes them pass through all those trials, that he may engage them to call upon him, and have recourse to his power and goodness. This Psalm, therefore, shows us, that it is the duty of persons in affliction to apply themselves to God by humble and fervent prayer for deliverance out of all their misfortunes; that when men cry to God in their distress, and turn to him, he takes pity on them, and delivers them from all their troubles; and that it is the duty of those, who, by the help of God, have escaped any great sickness, danger of death, or other afflictions, to show their gratitude to him all their lives, and to celebrate his loving-kindness before all. Those who have been in affliction should take particular notice of these things. It is very common with men, to fly to God in their sufferings; but when

the danger is over, they generally forget the divine favours and fall into ingratitude. What is said in this Psalm is very instructive, and engages us seriously to reflect upon what happens in the world, and especially to ourselves; that we may learn from thence to fear God. This is the use we ought to make of this Psalm, as we are directed in the last verse in these words; Whoso is wise, and will observe these things: Even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.

PSALM CVIII.

David praises God with great zeal, and implores his assistance; he likewise assures himself, that by the divine aid he should reign over the whole land of Israel, and should be victorious over the Moabites, Edomites, and all those who opposed him.

Reflections.

I. THIS Psalm should inspire us with great devotion and ardent zeal to praise God, and to celebrate his mercy and truth. II. It should fill the saints with a firm trust in the divine assistance, and convince them that those whom God loves will always be delivered. III. David teaches us, that all our strength and all our happiness depends on God; that human assistance is but vanity; and that therefore we ought to fix our hope in God alone.

PSALM CIX.

IN this Psalm David describes the malice and injustice of his enemies, and threatens them with the curse of God.

Reflections.

WE may learn in general from this Psalm, that as God protects good men, liis curse does usually pursue the wicked, and chiefly those who oppress the innocent, who are cruel and hard-hearted, and injure others; that this curse doth even cleave to their posterity; and that the evil which they have done or wished to others, often falls upon them

selves. But care must be taken not to pervert this Psalm in a criminal and impious manner, by imagining we are at any time allowed to wish that the vengeance of God may fall upon those who hate us and do us hurt. David here speaks in quality of a king chosen by God, and of a prophet. He rather foretold than desired the destruction of his enemies; he even returned them good for evil, as he himself says, and love for hatred. Besides, what is here said, regards only the enemies of God, and certain great sinners, such as Judas, to whom some of the words of this Psalm are applied in the New Testament. But above all, let us remember that a Christian should hate no man, and that the character we bear as disciples of Jesus Christ, obliges us to love all men, even our greatest enemies, to pray for them with all our heart, and to wish and to do to them all the good in our power.

PSALM CX.

THE Holy Spirit, in this Psalm, foretells that the Messiah should be exalted to the right hand of God; that he should be the king and high-priest of the Church; that he should gloriously establish his kingdom, and triumph over all his enemies.

Reflections.

Jesus Christ himself and the apostles teach us, in the New Testament, that this Psalm relates to the Messiah. We here learn the divine dignity of his person; the nature of his kingdom, which was to be spiritual and heavenly; the supreme glory to which God would exalt him, by setting him at his right hand; and the power by which he would establish his empire, by the destruction of his enemies. The Holy Spirit here likewise foretells, that the Messiah should be not only a powerful king, but also our high-priest, who should atone for our sins; as St. Paul proves, in the seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews. This Psalm teaches us further, that

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those who are the subjects of this glorious king, should be a willing people, and that they would submit without restraint, willingly and joyfully obeying him. This Psalm, therefore, instructs us in our privileges and our duty. Lastly, what is here said, suffers us not to doubt but Jesus Christ will for ever reign over the faithful, and that he will one day tread under his feet all his and our enemies: which will be especially accomplished, when he shall destroy death, our last enemy, by a happy resurrection, as St. Paul remarks in the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians.

PSALM CXI.

THE Psalmist praises God on account of his wonderful works, and above all, for the temporal and spiritual mercies he had bestowed on the people of Israel.

Reflections.

WE ought to join our praises to those which are offered to God in this song; we have even more reason than the faithful of old had, to confess that the works of God are great and wonderful; that he is merciful, righteous, and full of compassion; that he has remembered his covenant, and sent salvation and redemption to his people. These inestimable blessings should excite us to praise God continually for all these things with our whole heart, and declare his goodness and marvellous works before men, and particularly in the assembly of the faithful. David gives us at the end of this Psalm, a very useful and important lesson, while he tells us, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and that all they have a good understanding that do his commandments. This teaches us, that the fear of God is the way to attain to true wisdom and solid happiness, and therefore, that this ought to be our chief study.