An exhortation to give thanks a Ps. 106. 1. & 107. 1. & 118. 1. b Gen. 1. 1. c Gen. 1. 6. Jer. 10. 12. d Gen. 1. 14. + Heb. for the rulings by day. e Exod. 12, 29. f Exod. 13. 17. PSALMS. 21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. PSALM CXXXVI. to God for particular mercies. 12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 21, 22. 13 To him which divided the g Exod. 14. Red sea into parts: for his mercy en An exhortation to give thanks to God for par- dureth for ever: and active. In the inhabitants of heaven, who behold God without the vail of matter interposed, it is always so; and therefore, they rest not day nor night from singing hallelujahs, nor cease one moment to rejoice in God their Saviour. Bp. Horne. Psalm CXXXVI. This is a delightful hymn of praise and thanksgiving to Jehovah, God of gods, and Lord of lords, for the wonders of creation, of providence, and grace; which were probably celebrated in due order by one half of the choir, while the other half, or perhaps the whole in full chorus, took up the burden of each verse, "For his mercy endureth for ever:" a form prescribed by David (1 Chron. xvi. 41,) to be used continually in the Divine service: a form highly proper for creatures, and sinful creatures, to use; whose great employment it is now, and will be for ever, to magnify the mercy and loving-kindness of their God. Bp. Horne. Ver. 2.-God of gods :] That is, Sovereign of all the heavenly hosts. Bp. Patrick. See Exod. xviii. 11. Dimock. 3.- Lord of lords:] Lord of the kings and princes of the earth. Bp. Patrick. 4. To him who alone doeth great wonders:] All the works of God are wonderful, and speak Him alone to have been their author. The established course of the 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 28. 15h But overthrew Pharaoh and h Exod. 14. his host in the Red sea: for his + Heb. shaked endureth for ever. mercy off. i Exod. 15. 16 To him which led his people 22 through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Ps. 135. 10, is 18 And slew famous kings: for k Deut. 29.7. his mercy endureth for ever: 11. 21. 19 Sihon king of the Amorites: 1 Numb. 21. for his mercy endureth for ever: 33. 20 m And Og the king of Bashan: m Numb. 21. for his mercy endureth for ever: 21 And gave their land for an n Josh. 12. 7. heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. world is in reality no less admirable, than are those extraordinary interpositions of Omnipotence, whereby it hath been sometimes interrupted and suspended; though the latter, on account of their novelty, are apt to affect us more than the former doth, which is ever before our eyes, and therefore less regarded by us. of those for whom the wonders of creation, providence, and redemption have been wrought, think none of them worthy their attention! Angels admire and adore, where man will not deign to cast an eye, or employ a thought. Bp. Horne. How many The Sovereign Being, the great Author of nature, has in Him all possible perfection, as well in kind as in degree: so that when we have raised our notion of this infinite Being as high as it is possible for the mind of man to go, it will fall infinitely short of what He really is. "There is no end of his greatness." The most exalted creature He has made is only capable of adoring it, none but Himself can comprehend it. Such He is, when considered by the light of reason and philosophy. But if we would see Him in all the wonders of his mercy, we must have recourse to revelation, which represents Him to us not only as infinitely great and glorious, but as infinitely good and just in his dispensations towards man. We should often refresh The constancy of the Jews in captivity. PSALMS. about 570. + Heb. the words of a song. + Heb. laid us on heaps. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven for his mercy endureth for ever. PSALM CXXXVII. 1 The constancy of the Jews in captivity. 7 The prophet curseth Edom and Babel. BY the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us + a song; and they that † wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the LORD's + Heb. land song in a + strange land? of a stranger? + Heb. the head of my joy. a Obad. 10, &c. + Heb. Make bare. 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, † Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. 8 O daughter of Babylon, who art our minds with such thoughts of Him, and annihilate ourselves before Him, in the contemplation of our own worthlessness, and of his transcendent excellency and perfection. Addison. Psalm CXXXVII. This is the woful lamentation of one of the Jewish captives in Babylon, either at the time of their captivity, or at their return from it. It contains a mournful reflection on their banishment from their native country, combined with the insolent behaviour of their enemies; and foretels the future destruction which awaited the city of Babylon and its devoted inhabitants. Travell. Ver. 1.- - we sat down,] Sitting on the ground was a posture that denoted mourning and deep distress. See Lam. ii. 10; Job ii. 13. Bp. Lowth. 4. How shall we sing &c.] Many singers were carried captives, Ezra ii. 41. These would of course carry their instruments with them and be insulted, as here. Their songs were sacred, and unfit to be sung before idolaters. But the words, "How shall we sing, &c." are not an answer given to their enemies, but the free utterance of the feelings of the Jews amongst themselves. Abp. Secker. 5. her cunning.] Or, skill to play upon the harp. Dr. Wells. 6.- if I prefer not &c.] Literally, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above the chief, or top, of my joy; that is, if I do not make it the principal subject of my joy. Bp. Lowth. 7. Remember, O Lord,-day of Jerusalem;] Or, Remember, O Lord, to "the children of Edom" the day of Jerusalem; that is, punish them for their cruel insults. Dimock. the day of Jerusalem;] The day on which it was destroyed. Rosenmüller. David praiseth God. wasted. to be † destroyed; happy shall he be, Heb. that rewardeth thee as thou hast + Heb. that served us. recompenseth unto thee thy thou didst to 9 Happy shall he be, that taketh deed which and dasheth thy little ones against us. † the stones. b Isa. 13. 16. + Heb. the rock. A Psalm of David. WILL praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I a Ps. 119. 46. sing praise unto thee. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. 5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD. 8. — happy shall he be,] The meaning of these words is, He shall go on and prosper, for the Lord of hosts shall go with him, and fight his battles against the enemy and oppressor of his people. Bp. Horne. 9.dasheth thy little ones against the stones.] That the Babylonians probably used this cruelty to the Israelitish children, see Lam. ii. 11, and Isa. xiii. 16. Dimock. If the law of nature obliges a man to love and reverence his parents who begat him, it also binds him to a vehement affection and concernment for his country, the place of his birth, and the air that nourished him. The happy state and condition of his country is a greater joy and comfort to a true patriot, than his own particular state of wealth and prosperity can be; and he is more afflicted and cast down for any publick misery that befalls it, than for any circumstance of it that brings calamity to himself. Lord Clarendon. Psalm CXXXVIII. In the Greek version this Psalm is said to have been made use of by Haggai and Zechariah at the rebuilding of the temple. Dr. Hammond. Ver. 1.- before the gods] Probably, in the presence of the princes and nobles assembled at some national solemnity. 2.- toward thy holy temple,] Wherever the ark was, there was the temple of Jehovah. See 1 Sam. iii. 3. And the Psalmist probably directed himself to that point. See Dan. vi. 10. Dimock. -for thou hast magnified &c.] God, he says, had done honour to his word beyond all that had ever been said or imagined of Him. Mudge. Or the rendering may be, "for thou hast magnified thy name and thy word above all things." Dimock and Old Translation. 5. they shall sing in the ways of the Lord:] They shall rejoice in the doctrine of God delivered by Christ. 6. — but the proud he knoweth afar off.] As to the proud, God "knoweth" and He detesteth them; He beholdeth and keepeth them at a distance. Bp. Horne. In the former part of this hymn, the fervent zeal which animates true believers appears in a strong light; it inclines them to rejoice in God, to worship Him, to sing his praises, and to declare his loving-kindness before all men, even before the great men of the earth, that they may learn to fear God, and shew forth his glory. Ostervald. From the last verse we learn, that in troublous times, and the days of affliction, we must look back on that which God hath already done for us, and from thence draw an argument, that He will perfect that which remains, and not leave his work unfinished: : we must remember that his mercies fail not after a time, but endure for ever the same; and when we call to mind, that we are the work of his own hands, how can we think He will forsake us, unless we utterly and finally forsake Him? Bp. Horne. Psalm CXXXIX. It seems evident, from the latter part of this noble and instructive Psalm, that the author penned it at a time when he was persecuted and calumniated, as an appeal to the all-seeing Judge between him and his adversaries. Bp. Horne. Ver. 2.- afar off.] From Heaven thy dwellingplace. Green. " Long before;" that is, Long before they are uttered, is the rendering in the old translation. 3. Thou compassest my path &c.] That is, Thou watchest and siftest all my actions, both by day and night. Travell. 5. - laid thine hand upon me.] That is, hast so reVOL. II. for his all-seeing providence. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 3, 4. 8 If I ascend up into heaven, a Amos 9. 2, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Hebr. 4. 13. 12 Yea, the darkness + hideth b Job 26. 6. not from thee; but the night shineth + Heb. as the day: the darkness and the not. light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that soul knoweth + right well. 15 My substance was not my darkeneth + Heb. as is the darkness, so is the light. † Heb. greatly. || Or, body. hid strength, or, strained me, that I cannot stir without thy leave. Bp. Patrick. 7.-from thy spirit?] By this expression most of the ancient Fathers, and the generality of modern interpreters, understand the Holy Ghost. It is also clear from Psalm li. 11, &c. that this Person of the Trinity was well known to the Jews in the time of David. Dimock. 8. —if I make my bed in hell,] That is, if I lie down in the grave. Abp. Secker. 9. If I take the wings &c.] Could I be transported, with the swiftness of light, to the regions of the farthest east; or could I make my dwelling in the remotest western sea. Travell. the sea;] That is, the Mediterranean sea, which was west of Judea. Dimock. 13. For thou hast possessed my reins:] Or rather, Because Thou hast created my reins. This verse contains the reason why darkness could not screen him from the Lord, because He who fashioned the heart and reins, would in every place be able to search them. Dimock, Green. 14. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:] Those who were skilled in anatomy among the ancients, concluded from the outward and inward make of the human body that it was the work of a Being transcendently wise and powerful. As the world grew more enlightened in this art, their discoveries gave them fresh opportunities of admiring the conduct of Providence in the formation of a human body. Galen was converted by his dissections, and could not but own a Supreme Being upon a survey of this his handy K from thee, when I was made in secret, 16 Thine eyes did see my sub- and against his enemies. ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of preserve me from theb, all of thy book + all my members were writ- DELIVER me, O LORD, from Heb. Or, what days they should be fashioned. c Ps. 40. 5. + Heb, way of pain, or, grief. ten, which in continuance were 17 How precious also are thy the + violent man ; 2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. ↑ Heb. man of violences. 3 They have sharpened their 18 If I should count them, they 20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any + wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. PSALM CXL. 1 David prayeth to be delivered from Saul work. By means of modern discoveries we see new wonders in the human frame. In short, the body of man is such a subject as stands the utmost test of examination. Though it appears formed with the nicest wisdom upon a superficial survey of it, it still mends upon the search, and produces our surprise and amazement in proportion as we pry into it. Addison. 15. — in the lowest parts of the earth.] By this expression is meant "the womb;" where, by the wonder- | ful power and wisdom of the Divine Workmaster operating in secret, the human form is gradually fashioned and matured for its birth. Bp. Horne. reverence and awe. It should be interwoven with all our thoughts and perceptions, and become one with the consciousness of our being. It is not to be reflected on with the coldness of philosophy, but ought to sink us into the lowest prostration before Him, who is so astonishingly great, wonderful, and holy. Addison. Psalm CXL. This Psalm is a prayer of David's for deliverance from his malicious and treacherous enemies, such as Doeg and the Ziphites, who had undertaken to overthrow him, and a prediction of the evils which should fall upon them, as a just reward of their dealings with him. Dr. Hammond. Ver. 1.—from the violent man ;] Thus Saul is cha- 16. Thine eyes did see &c.] When the matter, of which I am made, was without form, it was visible to Thee how all my body should be framed; and accord-racterized, Ps. xviii. 48. ingly all my members were fashioned, and adapted to their several uses. Bp. Patrick. 17. How precious &c.] How precious unto me, O God, are the thoughts of Thee! how numerous are the subjects of them! Green. 19. ye bloody men.] Ye blood-thirsty men, shedders of blood. Bp. Horne, Poole. The consideration that the Divine Being inhabits infinitude, that He dwells among all his works, that He is present to the mind of man, and that He discovers Himself in a more glorious manner among the regions of the blessed, should be kept awake in us at all times and in all places, and possess our minds with a perpetual 3. They have sharpened &c.] That is, By their false accusations, as by so much poison, they have endeavoured to destroy me. Dr. Wells. 5. The proud have hid a snare &c.] David here describes the subtilty and industry employed by his enemies to effect his destruction, by lying in wait for him, as a skilful fowler doth for his game, so that they thought it impossible he should escape their hands. Bp. Horne. - gins] Or, "traps." Old Translation. 9—11. As for the head &c.] The Prophet, in these three verses, predicted those just judgments, which Heaven will inflict on the slanderers and persecutors of He prayeth for acceptance, + Heb. a man of tongue. PSALMS. and for a conscience free from guilt. them let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. 11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow Or, an evil speaker, a wicked man him. of violence, be established in the earth: let him be overthrow. 12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, hunted to his and the right of the poor. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. + Heb. directed. PSALM CXLI. 1 David prayeth that his suit may be acceptable, 3 his conscience sincere, 7 and his life safe from snares. ¶ A Psalm of David. ORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. the righteous. Their lips, which uttered mischief against others, shall be the means of covering themselves with confusion, when out of their own mouths they shall be judged. Those tongues, which have contributed to set the world on fire, shall be tormented with the hot burning coals of eternal vengeance: and they who with so much eagerness and diligence have prepared pits for the destruction of their brethren, shall be cast into a deep and bottomless pit, out of which they shall never rise. Bp. Horne. We are here to observe, that God defends the righteous from the violence of the wicked; that his vengeance pursues cruel and unjust men, and those who slander and deceive their neighbours; that how formidable soever their power may appear, He defeats all their designs; and if He suffers the innocent to be oppressed for a while, He shews at last that He is their Protector, and gives them occasion to own and celebrate his power, justice, and goodness. In this view, and with such a spirit as this, and not with a spirit of resentment and revenge against them that have offended us, we ought to read and meditate on this Psalm. Ostervald. Psalm CXLI. David being driven out of Judea by Saul, begs of God grace that he may not sin against Him with his tongue, nor be drawn into any sinful compliances by living amongst idolaters. He confides in God's help, and prays that He would deliver him from those who sought his ruin. He probably composed this Psalm just before his flight to Achish, king of Gath; when he had a second time spared Saul's life, but could trust him no longer. See 1 Sam. xxvi. and xxvii. 1. Green, Bp. Horne. Ver. 2. Let my prayer &c.] This verse plainly shews, that the Psalmist was then at a distance from the taber 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. righteous reprove me; 5 || Let the righteous smite me; it Or, Let the shall be a kindness: and let him re- smite me prove me; it shall be an excellent kindly, and oil, which shall not break my head: let not their for yet my prayer also shall be in break my their calamities. 6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet. 7 Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. 8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; +leave not my soul destitute. precious oil head, &c. + Heb. make not my soul 9 Keep me from the snares which bare. of the workers of iniquity. they have laid for me, and the gins 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal † es- Heb. pass cape. PSALM CXLII. fort was in prayer unto God. over. nacle, where all the solemn prayers of the Israelites, together with their daily sacrifices, were offered up. And therefore he begs that God would accept of all which it was in his power to perform, namely, the devotion of his heart, and the elevation of his hands in prayer; that the one might ascend to heaven, fragrant and well-pleasing as the cloud of "incense" mounting from the holy altar; and the other, in conjunction with it, prevail instead of the "evening oblation," for the deliverance of himself and his companions. Bp. Horne. 4. Incline not my heart] O let not mine heart be inclined." Old Translation. let me not eat of their dainties.] Let me not partake of their society. 6. When their judges &c.] This passage has been variously rendered. According to our translation, the sense may be, "When their judges" (the leaders, principal persons of my enemies)" are overthrown in stony places," endeavouring to escape into a place of safety, they will hearken to my counsels and offers, which they now despise. Poole. 7. Our bones are scattered &c.] Expressing the great danger, in which he and his friends were, of being utterly destroyed by their enemies. Junius. The chief security against the fruitless anguish of impatience, must arise from frequent reflection on the wisdom and goodness of the God of nature, in whose hands are riches and poverty, honour and disgrace, pleasure and pain, life and death. A settled conviction of the tendency of every thing to our good, and the possibility of turning miseries into happiness by receiving them rightly, will incline us to bless the name of the Lord, whether He gives or takes way. Dr. Johnson. Psalm CXLII. This Psalm is entitled, "A prayer of |