4

Christ beseeches kings, no less than their subjects, to be reconciled to him, and by him to the Father since a day is at hand, when mighty men shall have no distinction, but that of being mightily tormented. And then will be seen the "blessedness" of those who "put their trust in" the Lord Jesus. For when the glory of man shall fade away as the short-lived flower of the field, and when all, that is called great and honourable in princes, shall be laid low in the dust, he shall give unto his faithful servants a crown without cares, and a kingdom which cannot be moved.

PSALM III.

ARGUMENT.

This Psalm is said to have been composed by David, when he fled from his son Absalom. Thus circumstanced, he expresses himself in terms well adapted to the parallel case of the Son of David, persecuted by rebellious Israel; as also to that of his church, suffering tribulation in the world. 1,2. He complains, in much anguish, of the multitude of his enemies, and of the reproaches cast upon him, as one forsaken by God; but, 3. declares, notwithstanding, his sure trust in the divine promises; 4, 5. he relates the success of his prayers, 6-8. derides the impotent malice of his enemies, and ascribes salvation to Jehovah.

1. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me.

David is astonished to find, that "the hearts of "the men of Israel are after Absalom," 2 Sam. xv. 13. that his counsellors are revolted, and his friends falling off continually; and that the king of Israel is forced to leave his capital mourning and weeping. Thus, led forth out of Jerusalem by his own children in arms against him, the holy Jesus went, forsaken and sorrowing, to the cross, in the day of trouble. Thus is the church oftentimes opposed and betrayed by her sons, and the Christian by his passions and affections. So true it is, that "a man's "foes are they of his own household." But he who by prayer engages the assistance of Jehovah, will rise superior to them all.

2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in GOD.

Affliction and desertion are two very different things, but often confounded by the world. Shimei reviled David, as reprobated by heaven; and the language of the Shimeis afterward, concerning the Son of David, was, "He trusted in God; let him "deliver him now, if he will have him." See 2 Sam. xvi. 8. Matt. xxvii. 43. The fearful imaginations of our own desponding hearts, and the suggestions of our crafty adversary, frequently join to help forward this most dangerous temptation, in the hour of sorrow. What therefore hath faith to offer? We shall hear

3. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

Such is the answer of David, and of all the saints, but above all, of the King of saints, to the temptation before mentioned. Jehovah is a "shield" against this, and all other fiery darts, shot by Satan and his associates: he is the "glory" of Christ and the church, with which they will one day be seen invested, though for a season it appear not to the world, any more than did the royalty of David, when, weeping and barefoot, he went up mount Olivet: 2 Sam. xv. 30. The same Jehovah is "the " lifter up of our heads," by the gift of holy confi dence, and the hope of a resurrection, through that of Jesus Christ, prefigured by the triumphant and happy return of David to Jerusalem.

4. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.

David driven from Jerusalem, still looked and prayed towards the " holy hill" of Sion. Christ, when a stranger on the earth, "made supplication, "with strong crying," to his Father in heaven. Christ was heard for his own sake; David was heard, and we shall be heard, through him.

5. I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for the LORD sustained me.

Behold David, in the midst of danger, sleeping without fear; secure, through the divine protection, of awaking to engage and vanquish his enemies. Behold the Son of David composing himself to his rest upon the cross, that bed of sorrows; and commending his spirit into the Father's hands, in full confidence of a joyful resurrection, according to the promise, at the time appointed. Behold this, O

Christian, and let faith teach thee how to sleep, and how to die; while it assures thee, that as sleep is a short death, so death is only a longer sleep; and that the same God watches over thee, in thy bed and in thy grave.

6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Faith, revived and invigorated by prayer, and fixed on God alone, is a stranger to fear, in the worst of times. The innumerable examples of saints rescued from tribulation, and, above all, the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead, render the believer bold as a lion, although the name of his adversary be" Legion."

7. Arise, O LORD! save me, O my GOD! for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

The church, through Christ, prayeth in these words of David, that Jehovah would arise, as of old time, in the power of his might; that he would finally break the power of Satan and his adherents; pluck the spoil out of the jaws of those beasts of prey; and work that glorious deliverance for the members, which is already wrought for the Head, of the body mystical.

8. Salvation belongeth, or, be ascribed, unto the LORD; thy blessing is, or, be, upon thy people.

The Psalm ends with an acknowledgement, which ought always to fill the heart, and, upon every proper occasion, to flow from the mouth of a Christian; namely, that" salvation" is not to be had from man, from the kings of the earth, or the gods of the

heathen, from saints or angels, but from Jehovah alone; to whom alone, therefore, the glory shall be ascribed. If He will save, none can destroy; if He will destroy, none can save. Let Balak, then, curse Israel, or hire Balaam to curse them for him; be but "thy blessing," O Lord, upon thy people, and it sufficeth.

PSALM IV.

ARGUMENT.

The person speaking in this Psalm, 1. prayeth to be heard by God; 2. convinceth the world of sin; 3. declareth the righteous to be under the divine protection; 4, 5. prescribeth solitude and meditation, as the proper means to lead men to repentance and faith; 6. showeth that in God alone peace and comfort are to be found; and, 7. how superior the joys of the spirit are to those of sense; 8. reposeth himself, in full assurance of faith, on the loving kindness of the Lord.

1. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

The church, like David, "calls" aloud, as one in great affliction, for God's assistance: she addresses him as the "God of her righteousness," as the fountain of pardon and grace; she reminds him of that spiritual liberty, and " enlargement" from bondage,