out him, a world in flames; within, the gnawing worm. Thus situated, he begins, in extreme agony of spirit," O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, "neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure." He expects that God will "rebuke" him, but only prays that it may not be " in anger" finally to destroy him ; he desires to be chastened, but chastened in fatherly love, not in the "hot displeasure" of an inexorable judge. As often as we are led thus to express our sense of sin, and dread of punishment, let us reflect on Him, whose righteous soul, endued with a sensibility peculiar to itself, sustained the sins of the world, and the displeasure of the Father.

2. Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am weak: O LORD, heal me for my bones are vexed, Heb. shaken, or, made to tremble.

The penitent entreats for mercy, first, by representing his pitiable case, under the image of sickness. He describes his soul as deprived of all its health and vigour, as languishing and fainting, by reason of sin, which had eat out the vitals, and shaken all the powers and supporters of the spiritual frame, so that the breath of life seemed to be departing. Enough however was left, to supplicate the healing aid of the God of mercy and comfort; to petition for oil and wine at the hands of the Physician of spirits. How happy is it for us, that we have a physician, who cannot but be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, seeing that he himself once took them upon him, and suffered for them, even unto the death of the cross, under which he "fainted," and on which "his bones were vexed!"

3. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

Another argument is drawn from the sense which the penitent hath of this his woful condition, and the consternation and anxiety produced thereby in his troubled mind. These cause him to fly for refuge to the hope set before him." Hope deferred maketh "the heart sick;" he is therefore beautifully represented as crying out, with a fond and longing impatience. "But thou, O Lord, how long?" His strength is supposed to fail him, and the sentence is left imperfect. What, blessed Jesus, were thy" trou❝bles," when to thy companions thou saidst, "My "soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death?" By those thy sorrows we beseech thee to hear the voice of thine afflicted church, crying to thee from the earth, "My soul also is sore troubled; but thou, O Lord, how long?"

4. Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: Oh, save me for thy mercies' sake.

A third argument is formed upon the consideration of God's "mercy;" for the sake of which, as it is promised to penitents, he is requested to " return," or to turn himself towards the suppliant; to lift up his countenance on the desponding heart; to" deliver" it from darkness and the shadow of death, and to diffuse around it light and life, salvation, joy, and gladness, like the sun in the morning, when he revisits a benighted world, and calls up the creation to bless the Maker of so glorious a luminary, so bright a representative of redeeming love.

5. For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

The fourth argument proceeds upon a supposition, that God created man for his own glory, which, therefore, would be so far diminished, if man were permitted finally to perish. The body could not glorify God, unless raised from the dead, nor could the soul, if left in hell. The voice of thanksgiving is not heard in the grave, and no hallelujahs are sung in the pit of destruction. This plea, now urged by the church, was urged for her without all doubt by her Saviour in his devotions, and prevailed in his mouth, as, through him, it will do in hers.

6. I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

The penitent is supplied with a fifth argument, by the signs and fruits of a sincere repentance, which put forth themselves in him. Such was his sorrow, and such revenge did he take upon himself, that for every idle word he now poured forth a groan, like him that is in anguish through extremity of bodily pain, until he was " weary," but yet continued groaning; while the sad remembrance of each wanton folly drew a tear from the fountains of grief. The all-righteous Saviour himself wept over sinners; sinners read the story, and yet return again to their

sins!

7. Mine eye is consumed because of grief: it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Grief exhausts the animal spirits, dims the eyes,

and brings on old age before its time. Thus it is said, concerning the man of sorrows, that "many "were astonished at him, his visage was so marred "more than any man, and his form more than the

sons of men:" Isa. lii. 14. How long, in these times, might youth and beauty last, were godly sorrow their only enemy!

8. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity, for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will hear, or, hath heard, my prayer.

Repentance, having performed her task, having taught her votary to forsake sin, and to renounce all communication with sinners, now gives place to faith, which appears with the glad tidings of pardon and acceptance, causing the penitent to rejoice in God his Saviour, with joy unspeakable; and inspiring his heart with vigour and resolution to run his course in the way of righteousness. Risen to newness of life, he defies the malice, and predicts the final overthrow, of his spiritual adversaries.

10. Let all mine enemies, or, all mine enemies shall, be ashamed, and sore vexed: let them, or, they shall, return, and be ashamed suddenly.

• Many of the mournful Psalms end in this manner, to instruct the believer, that he is continually to look forward, and solace himself with beholding that day, when his warfare shall be accomplished; when sin and sorrow shall be no more; when sudden and everlasting confusion shall cover the enemies of righteousness; when the sackcloth of the penitent shall be exchanged for a robe of glory, and every tear

become a sparkling gem in his crown; when to sighs and groans shall succeed the songs of heaven, set to angelic harps, and faith shall be resolved into the vision of the Almighty.

PSALM VII.

ARGUMENT.

David is said to have composed this Psalm concerning the words, or the matter, of Cush the Benjamite. Whether Saul, or Shimei, or any one else, be intended under this name, it is sufficiently clear, that David had been maliciously aspersed and calumniated by such a person; that the Psalm was written to vindicate himself from the imputation, whatever was the nature of it; and, consequently, may be considered as the true appeal of the true David and his disciples, against the grand Accuser and his associates. The person speaking, 1, 2. declares his trust to be in God; 3-5. protests his innocence; 6-8. desires that judgement may be given in the cause; 9, 10. prays for the abolition of sin, and the full establishment of righteousness; 11-13. sets forth the divine judgements against sinners; 14-16. describes the beginning, progress, and end, of sin, with, 17. the joy and triumph of the faithful.

1. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: