He complaineth of human fragility,

Or, A

PSALM XC.

1 Moses, setting forth God's providence, 3 complaineth of human fragility, 7 divine chastisements, 10 and brevity of life. 12 He prayeth for the knowledge and sensible experience of God's good providence.

Por being ¶ A Prayer of Moses the man of

a Psalm of Moses.

+ Heb. in generation and generation.

a 2 Pet. 3. 8.

God.

and the brevity of life.

fore thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

passed + Heb.

9 For all our days are away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

turned away.

|| Or, as a meditation.

for the days

ing place † in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of

men.

4 a For a thousand years in thy Or, when he sight are but as yesterday || when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

hath passed

them.

! Or, is changed.

5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which || groweth up.

6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

8 Thou hast set our iniquities be

stroyed before the new and spiritual kingdom of Messiah was set up in the earth. Christian communities, and the individuals that compose them, are in like manner corrected and punished for their offences. "Nevertheless, God's loving-kindness will he not utterly take from us, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail." So, "I am with you alway," says the Redeemer, " even unto the end of the world, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against my church," Matt. xxviii. 20, and xvi. 18. Nor shall the world be destroyed until Christ come again, and his glorious kingdom be ready to appear. Bp. Horne. The end of the third Book of Psalms.

Psalm XC. It has been commonly imagined, that this Psalm was composed by Moses, when God shortened the days of the murmuring Israelites in the wilderness; see Numb. xiv. It chiefly refers to the mortal and transitory state of man on earth, and is therefore adopted by the Church in the Funeral Service. Travell. Ver. 1. our dwelling place] Our place of refuge. Mudge, Old Translation.

3, 4.—and sayest, Return, &c.] That is, Thou restorest men to life. "For a thousand years, &c." that is, though the time of their restoration is remote, it is equally certain; for a thousand years are to Thee as one day.

sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may † apply our hearts + Heb. cause unto wisdom.

13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish

to come.

lays to heart the effects of thy anger, and considers that it is proportioned to our piety or disobedience? Travell. Moses here laments the insensibility of the Israelites under the judgments of God. They saw his wrath sweeping numbers away for their sins, and yet none studied to divert it, by fearing Him as they ought. Green.

13. Return, O Lord, &c.] Return, O Lord, at length, from thy severity against us; and let thy servants feel thy gracious pardon. Bp. Patrick, Travell.

16. Let thy work &c.] He prays God to shew them and their posterity those glorious works which heretofore He had exerted in behalf of his people, and to shine upon and prosper what they were doing. Mudge.

17. And let the beauty &c.] Let the countenance of the Lord our God smile upon us; and prosper Thou the work of our hands. Green.

This Psalm is remarkable for affording us much useful instruction. In it we have the governour of a numerous people sequestering his mind from the management of publick affairs to private meditations; from beholding the present outward appearances, to considering the real nature and secret causes of things: in the midst of all the splendour and pomp, of all the stir and tumult about him, he observes the frailty of human condition, he discerns the providence of God justly ordering all; this he does not only in the way of wise consideration, but of serious devotion, moulding his observations into pious acknowledgments, and earnest prayers to God. Thus doth that great and good man teach us all, (more particularly men of high estate and much business,) to find opportunities of withdrawing

The security and

thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

PSALM XCI.

1 The state of the godly. 3 Their safety. 9 Their habitation. 11 Their servants. 14 Their friend; with the effects of them all.

HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall + Heb. lodge. † abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

happiness of the godly.

and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels a Matt. 4. 6. charge over thee, to keep thee in all Luke 4. 10. thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and || adder: the young lion and the 1 Or, asp. dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and

their thoughts from those things which commonly amuse them, (the cares, the glories, the pleasures of this world,) and fixing them upon matters more improvable to devotion; the transitoriness of their condition, and their subjection to God's just providence; joining also to these meditations suitable acts of religion, due acknowledgments to God, and humble prayers. This was his practice among the greatest encumbrances that any man could have; and it should also be ours. Dr. Barrow.

Psalm XCI. The subject of this Psalm is the security, the success, and the reward of piety. If any reader will carefully weigh and consider the nature and dignity of the imagery contained in this Psalm, having due respect at the same time to the principles of the mystical allegory, I am persuaded he will agree with me, that something of a mystical design is concealed under the literal meaning of it. Without a question, the pious person, the king, or high priest perhaps, who in the literal sense is the principal character of the poem, is meant in reality to represent some greater and sublimer personage. Bp. Lowth.

Ver. 1. He that dwelleth &c.] "To dwell in the secret place of the Most High," is a figurative expression, and signifies no more than to put ourselves under the Divine protection. Green.

3. Surely he shall deliver &c.] Leaving the former sentence unfinished, the Psalmist turns and addresses the same person whom he had been describing: "He indeed shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, from the destroying pestilence." Bp. Lowth.

4-7. He shall cover thee &c.] This imagery is beautiful and diversified, and at the same time uncommonly solemn and sublime. Bp. Lowth.

8. Only with thine eyes &c.] The meaning is, that the righteous person all along spoken of, himself secure

from the judgments of God, should in safety behold the destruction wrought by them upon impenitent and incorrigible sinners. Bp. Horne.

12.- lest thou dash &c.] Lest any the slightest harm should befall thee. Bp. Patrick. See the quotation of these words at Matt. iv. 6.

13. Thou shalt tread &c.] The most noxious and venomous creatures shall have no power to hurt thee, but thou shalt subdue and trample them under foot. So Ishall Christ triumph over the "dragon, that old serpent," Rev. xx. 2, and He shall make his faithful servants victorious "over all the power of the enemy," Luke x. 19. Travell.

the dragon] See the notes on Deut. xxxii. 33; Psalm xliv. 19; and Lam. iv. 3.

14. Because he hath set &c.] In the former part of the Psalm the prophet spoke in his own person; here God Himself is plainly introduced as the speaker. Bp. Horne.

because he hath known my name.] Hath acknowledged my power, and relied on that alone for protection. Bp. Patrick, Travell.

How much man stands in need of the protection of Heaven, appears from a survey of the dangers to which he is continually exposed. Various are the terrours of the night, manifold the perils of the day; from diseases, whose infection makes its progress unobserved; from assaults, casualties, and accidents, which can neither be foreseen, nor guarded against. The soul has likewise her enemies ready to attack and surprise her at all hours. Avarice and ambition are abroad watching for her in the day; while concupiscence, like a pestilence, "walketh in darkness." In adversity she is disturbed by terrours; in prosperity still more endangered by pleasures. But Jesus Christ has overcome the world, to prevent us from being overcome by it. Bp. Horne.

IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

eye

11 Mine also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

12 The righteous shall flourish a Hos. 14. 5.

like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Those that be planted in the

+lleb. in the fulness + every night,

nights.

3 Upon an instrument of ten 1 Or. upon the strings, and upon the psaltery; || upon solemn sound the harp with a solemn sound.

with the harp.

↑ Heb. Higgaion.

4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.

9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all

6. A brutish man — a fool] He who is ignorant of the final issue of things, and attendeth not to his eternal interest, is in Scripture language the "brutish man," and the "fool," who knoweth not the works, neither understandeth the designs of Heaven. Bp. Horne.

8.-art most high] The expression is equivalent to God's sitting in heaven, and there overruling all the designs of men to his own glory, and the good of his servants. Mudge.

10. But my horn &c.] But, as the unicorn is superiour in power and strength to other creatures, so shall my authority be exalted above others; and I shall enjoy a continual course of happiness; like one who is newly anointed for the enjoyment of a feast. Travell.

-

unicorn:] See the note on Psalm xxii. 21. 13. Those that be planted &c.] Those who, like fruitful trees, are firmly rooted in their obedience to God's laws, shall be sheltered under his protection, and shall grow and increase in his service. Travell.

Thanksgiving is the duty, and ought to be the delight,

14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and + flourishing;

15 To shew that the LORD is upright he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

PSALM XCIII. The majesty, power, and holiness of Christ's kingdom.

+ Heb. green.

HE LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. 2 Thy throne is established + of Heb. from old: thou art from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

66

4 The LORD on high is mightier

them.

of a Christian. It is his duty, as being the least return he can make to his great Benefactor: it ought to be his delight, for it is that of angels, and will be that of every grateful heart, whether in heaven or on earth. The mercy" of God in promising salvation, and his "faithfulness" in accomplishing it, are inexhaustible subjects for morning and evening praises; every instrument should be strung, and every voice tuned to celebrate them, until day and night come to an end. But more especially should this be done on the sabbath day; which, when so employed, affords a lively resemblance of that eternal sabbath, to be hereafter kept by the redeemed in the kingdom of God. Bp. Horne.

Psalm XCIII. ver. 1.— clothed with majesty ;] See the second note from Bp. Sanderson on Job xxix. 14.

3. The floods have lifted up, &c.] The meaning is, Our numerous enemies are risen up against us, and threaten to overwhelm us, like a furious storm. Travell. The rage and clamour of the enemies of God's people is frequently represented by the raging and roaring of the sea. Green.

4. The Lord on high &c.] The king of heaven is stronger than all earthly potentates, and will subdue them under his feet. Poole.

This Psalm teaches us, that God rules with glory and magnificence over all the world; that his throne is established in righteousness; that his power infinitely

The prophet complaineth of tyranny.

↑ Heb. to length of days.

+ Heb. God

of revenges.

than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

PSALM XCIV.

The blessedness of affliction.

he not hear? he that formed the eye,

shall he not see?

10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?

forth.

a Ps. 10. 11, 13.

b Exod. 4. 11. Prov. 20. 12.

2 Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.

3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? 4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.

7 a Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

8 Understand, ye brutish among the people and ye fools, when will be wise?

ye

9 He that planted the ear, shall

exceeds that of all created beings: from whence we are to conclude that He will reign for ever, for the good and advantage of his people, and of all those who serve Him and submit themselves to Him. Ostervald.

Psalm XCIV. In this prayer, the children of Israel represent to God the sad condition they were reduced to by the cruelty of their enemies, whose insolence, impiety, and blasphemies they describe. The Prophet nevertheless adores the wisdom and goodness of God, in the corrections wherewith He visits men; and foretels the deliverance of the righteous, and the destruction of the wicked. Ostervald. This is one of the Psalms appointed for the fast service on the thirtieth of January.

Ver. 1.- shew thyself.] Appear in the defence of thy oppressed servants. Travell.

4. - hard things?] That is, insolent, malicious, contemptuous and threatening words. Poole.

12, 13. Blessed is the man &c.] Since, therefore, the schemes of the adversary are vain, and the counsel of Jehovah shall infallibly stand, happy is the man who, having learned from the Scriptures of truth the lessons of faith and patience, enjoys tranquillity of mind in time of trouble, while destruction is preparing for the impenitent. Bp. Horne.

15. But judgment shall return &c] Although the justice of God may seem to be called in question, while the wicked flourish and the godly are afflicted; yet shall true righteousness and judgment return at the

13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness and all the upright in heart shall † follow it.

+ Heb. shall

16 Who will rise up for me against be after it. the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

17 Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had || almost dwelt in Or, quickly. silence.

18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.

19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

last, and all the upright shall follow God, and justify the ways of his providence. Travell, Bp. Patrick.

17.- my soul &c.] I had been laid in the grave among the silent dead. Bp. Nicholson.

20. Shall the throne &c.] Can it be possible, O Lord, that thou shouldest take the part of oppression and injustice, and have any fellowship with those unrighteous judges, who oppress thy servants under the pretence of law and justice? Bp. Patrick, Travell.

The man who enjoys the world under a sense of religion, and of the power and goodness of God, will so use the world as not to abuse it; will look upon the uncertainties of life with the unconcernedness of one who knows he has a much nobler possession, of which no one can rob him: he will part with his riches without torment, he will keep them without anxiety, and use them so as to make them a blessing to himself and all around him. If the course of the world be disordered, and threaten the inhabitants thereof with calamity and distress, he will maintain his inward peace, knowing that "the Lord is King, be the earth never so unquiet." He will look with pleasure on all the scenes of futurity, being well assured that the world that now is, and the world that is to come, are in the hands of God. These are the comforts which, in the multitude of sorrows which surround us, will refresh the soul of a religious man; whilst they who forget God are spending a wretched life in lamenting over the misfortunes of this world, and are ending it to begin a more wretched life in the world that is to come. Bp. Sherlock.

Psalm XCV. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews hath taught us to consider this Psalm as an address to believers under the Gospel; and he affirms it to be written by David, Heb. iv. 7. Bp. Horne. Ver. 3. above all gods.] Above all the powers of heaven and earth. Bp. Patrick.

4. the strength of the hills] That is, the loftiest and largest hills. Dr. Hammond.

6. — let us kneel before the Lord] It is most becoming, on all occasions, to express religious feelings of the mind by suitable actions of the body; and, especially, to "kneel before the Lord our Maker" when we humbly pour forth to his sacred name the tribute of our prayers and adorations.

7. For he is our God; &c.] "For he is our God, we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand, if ye will hear his voice to-day;" that is, if ye will be his obedient people, He will continue to be your God. Or else, the word translated “if” may be rendered in the optative form; "O that you would hear his voice to-day," saying unto you, "Harden not &c." However this be, what follows to the end of the Psalm is undoubtedly spoken in the person of God Himself. Bp. Horne.

8, 9. Harden not &c.] These verses allude to what passed at the place called Massah, and Meribah, from the people there striving with their God, notwithstanding all the mighty works which He had wrought for them before their eyes, Exod. xvii. 7. Bp. Horne.

9. When your fathers tempted me,] See the notes on Numb. xiv. 22.

10.—they have not known my ways:] They have not acknowledged my power and presence among them. Bp. Wilson.

PSALM XCVI.

An exhortation to praise God, 4 for his greatness, 8 for his kingdom, 11 for his general judgment.

a

enter into my rest.

23.

SING unto the LORD a new 21 Chron. 16. song sing unto the LORD, all

the earth.

2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

4 For the LORD is great, and greatly

11. into my rest.] That is, into the land of Canaan, which was a type of heaven. Dr. Wells.

The wisdom and piety of the Church hath appointed this Psalm to be used every day in the beginning of our publick morning devotions, that there may be an union of all in heart and voice in the acknowledgment of God's mercy. It is from not acknowledging at all, or not acknowledging together, the superiority of God over all the world, and his power and justice of disposing of all things in it, that we fail in our humility towards Him, and in the exercise of Christian duties towards all men; and it is from not enough remembering the ingratitude and rebellion of our forefathers, and the grievous punishments they underwent for the same, the forcing God to reverse his own purpose, and compelling Him not to let them see the blessing He intended to them, that we are still so much inclined to murmur at his providence, and undervalue his power. Lord Clarendon.

Psalm XCVI. We learn from 1 Chron. xvi, that, on the removal of the ark to the place prepared for it on mount Zion, David delivered this Psalm to be sung in commemoration of God's special presence among them. It is a solemn invocation to the people to give glory to God, to acknowledge and adore Him, both as the Creator of all things, and the supreme and righteous Judge of the world. By common consent of Jews as well as Christians, this Psalm is applied to the times of the Messiah. Bp. Horne, Travell.

According to the Greek version, this Psalm was used at the dedication of the second temple, after the return of the Babylonish captivity. And it was somewhat altered to accommodate it to that purpose. Rosenmüller, Ver. 1.. - a new song:] See note at Ps. xxxiii. 3.