in our mouths and in our hearts, begging God to enlighten our minds, to teach us his law, to incline our hearts to obey him; that he would take care of us, and guide us always by his Providence and his Holy Spirit. These are the instructions which this Psalm furnishes us with; for which purpose we ought to read and meditate upon it very frequently.

PSALM CXX.

THE prophet begs of God to defend him from the deceits and calumnies of the wicked; and complains that he is forced to live among them.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm teaches, I. That good men may be exposed to calumny, and the malice of men, but that God protects and delivers them. II. That it is a great affliction to good men to live among the wicked and ungodly. Lastly, That it is the character o the righteous to love peace, as it is of the wicked to be addicted to confusion and trouble.

PSALM CXXI.

THE author of this Psalm testifies, that he firmly relied on the divine assistance; and that he was fully persuaded that God would always watch for the safety of his people, and of all the faithful.

Reflections.

THE substance of this Psalm is, that our help cometh from God alone; that he watches over his Church, and over all the righteous; that he preserves them in all dangers, and that he will never forsake them. This doctrine should fill the faithful with sure confidence in God, and confirm them more and more in his fear and love.

PSALM CXXII.

David expresses the zeal and love he had for the house of God, and for the city of Jerusalem; he prays for the prosperity of that city, and vows to promote with all his power the glory of God, and the good of the people of Israel.

Reflections.

David's great zeal for the temple and city of Jerusalem, and for the tribes of Israel, and the vows he made upon that occasion, instruct princes and magistrates, and all the true members of the Church, to concern themselves for the public tranquillity, and for the good of civil society; but, above all, for religion, and for the service of God; to pray continually for the peace of the Church, and join their labours to their prayers, by doing all that is in their power for its good and edification.

PSALM CXXIII.

THE children of Israel being oppressed and persecuted by their enemies, implore the divine assist

ance.

Reflections.

THOSE who are exposed to the contempt, persecution, and cruelty of the wicked, should learn from this Psalm, to look up continually to God, that he would have compassion on them; and to place all their trust in his help; believing that God will never forsake those who serve him faithfully and suffer for his sake.

PSALM CXXIV.

In this Psalm the Israelites acknowledge that God had delivered them on many occasions; and that without his protection they should have been destroyed long before.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm is still better suited to the Christian than to the Jewish Church. What is here said, engages us to reflect upon the different conditions the Church of Christ has been in; and to consider, that notwithstanding the attempts which Satan and the world have made against it, ever since its birth, it, still subsists. From whence we may conclude, that God will always be its strength and support, and will never permit it to be destroyed. Thus it is with all true believers, since it is impossible God should forsake them, or cease to love them, and take care of them.

PSALM CXXV.

I. David describes the stedfastness of those that trust in God, and his protection of Jerusalem, and of the children of Israel. II. He says, that if good men are afflicted, it is not for ever; whereas those that forsake God perish at last in a miserable manner.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm represents to us in a few words the happy condition of those who fear God, and put their trust in him. The Psalmist teaches us, that nothing can move them; that God is always ready for their defence; that if he suffers them to be afflicted, he has regard to their weakness; and that he softens and shortens their troubles. He likewise assures us, that God always does good to the righteous, and to those that are upright in heart; whereas those who wander out of the right way, fall at last into destruction. This meditation furnishes believers with powerful motives to be for ever calm and serene, to put their whole confidence in God, and to be more strictly attached to their duty.

PSALM CXXVI.

THIS is a song of thanksgiving, in which the Jews rejoice at the wonderful deliverance which God had granted them in bringing them out of captivity; and they pray him to finish their restoration.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm engages us to reflect on the wonderful things which God has done in all times for his people, by delivering them, contrary to all appearance, from the power of their enemies. This Psalm assures us, moreover, that if the Church, or the righteous, are in affliction and tears, God gives them at last occasion to rejoice; and, in general, when men have been tried and humbled by affliction, he makes gladness succeed to sorrow; so that, as the Jews here express it, they that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.

PSALM CXXVII.

THIS Psalm declares, that all the care that is taken for the prosperity of cities and families is unprofitable without the divine protection; and that he in mercy gives children to those whom he designs to bless.

Reflections.

HERE we learn, I. That it is not so much the care which men take, as the blessing of God, that makes states, cities, and families subsist; and therefore that magistrates and heads of families ought to labour to bring this blessing upon them. II. That God gives children, and that we ought to esteem them a particular blessing; since if we bring them up in virtue and godliness they will be the joy and glory of their parents not only in this world, but in that which is

to come.

PSALM CXXVIII.

THIS Psalm speaks of the happiness of the godly, and of the temporal blessings bestowed upon them by God, in prospering their labours, and in giving them children and a happy posterity.

Reflections.

THIS Psalm assures us, that God blesses the labour and the families of those that fear him and walk in his ways. Though the temporal blessings which were formerly promised to the Jews, are not the chief things which Christians ought to aspire after; yet they are to be considered as a reward of piety, and to be received with thankfulness. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is; God always blesses those families where piety prevails, and does particularly shower down upon them spiritual blessings; and at last exalts them who live in innocence to the supreme happiness which he has prepared for them in heaven.

PSALM CXXIX.

THE prophet exhorts the Church to acknowledge, that though they had been often persecuted, God had not forsaken them; and he foretells, that all the enemies of the Church should be destroyed.

Reflections.

WHAT is said in this Psalm engages us to consider, that the Church has been often assaulted, both under the Old Testament and under the New; but that God has always preserved it, and that its enemies have never been able to destroy it. This ought to confirm us in our belief, that the Church and all its true members will for ever subsist; and that all those who set themselves against them, shall have nothing but shame and confusion for their portion.