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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75892 ***
+
+
+A MANUAL OF THE BOOK OF PSALMS
+
+OR,
+
+THE SUBJECT-CONTENTS OF ALL THE PSALMS
+
+
+BY
+
+MARTIN LUTHER
+
+
+
+
+NOW FIRST TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY THE REV. HENRY COLE,
+LATE OF CLARE-HALL, CAMBRIDGE;
+TRANSLATOR OF “SELECT WORKS” OF LUTHER, &C.
+
+
+
+
+PUBLISHED BY R. B. SEELEY AND W. BURNSIDE
+AND SOLD BY L. AND G. SEELEY,
+FLEET STREET, LONDON.
+MDCCCXXXVII.
+
+
+
+
+TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.
+
+
+The assurance that the following production of the immortal and 
+beloved reformer, Luther, would be acceptable and beneficial to every 
+lover of divine and experimental truth, was the motive that led the 
+Translator to present it, in an English version, to the British church 
+of Christ.
+
+No commendatory remarks are needed: the work itself will at once speak 
+its own worth. The translator would only observe, that in the 
+following MANUAL COMMENTARY on the Book of Psalms, Luther has most 
+divinely, experimentally, and beautifully opened up—the vanity and 
+delusion of all forms (even a gospel “form”) of godliness, without the 
+known and possessed “power” thereof;—the opposition and malicious 
+persecution which the real disciples of Christ ever meet with from the 
+wicked, and, above all, from hypocrites in religion;—the true and only 
+grounds of a Christian man’s hope, peace, and salvation; which are, a 
+trust and rest alone in the grace, righteousness, and atonement of our 
+Lord Jesus Christ;—the blessedness of a nation where the pure word and 
+worship of God guide, and are upheld by, its throne and government; 
+and the sure destruction of a kingdom when its magistrates act against 
+that word and worship;—and finally, the glory of all the creatures of 
+God, the abounding goodness of God in them, and the infinite 
+blessedness of their lawful use.
+
+Luther takes occasion also, from numberless passages in the Psalms, to 
+describe, point out, and distinguish the true church of God in the 
+midst of the earth, and the signs by which she may be known from all 
+other churches;—that she is that company of poor and afflicted people, 
+who are burdened with sins, filled with fears, covered with 
+infirmities, and despised by the world, and considered both by the 
+wicked, and by formal professors of religion, to be the last people 
+likely to be the church of God. He repeatedly shews, however, that 
+such, notwithstanding their rejection by all, are the true people and 
+church of God; and that it is unto such, and such only, that all the 
+promises of grace and mercy in Christ, and of help, provision, and 
+defence in this world, are made; ‘For (saith Luther) if you will look 
+through the whole Bible, you will find, that God is not the God of the 
+rich, the proud, the secure, &c. but of the poor, the fearful, the 
+afflicted, and the helpless; who cannot do without his daily mercy and 
+help, either in the things of this world, or of that which is to 
+come.’
+
+That the great and heavenly things thus opened by the admired Luther 
+may be understood and enjoyed by every reader of the following manual, 
+is the desire and prayer of,
+
+THE TRANSLATOR.
+
+_Highbury Place, Islington,
+June 8, 1837._
+
+
+
+
+_Other invaluable productions of Luther, which have never before been 
+translated into ENGLISH, are in hand, and will duly appear: which, 
+added to the four vols. of “Select Works,” the “Bondage of the Will,” 
+and the work “on Popery,” just published by Messrs. Nisbet, will put 
+the ENGLISH Church of Christ in possession of all the holy Reformer’s 
+works which are the most calculated to be of divine benefit to her._
+
+
+
+
+MARTIN LUTHER TO HIS FRIEND.
+
+
+I am unwilling to acknowledge that you are right in being so 
+industrious to publish abroad my poor productions: I fear you are 
+actuated too much by favour towards me. As to myself, I am wholly 
+dissatisfied with my works on the Psalms: not so much on account of 
+the sense which I have given, which I believe to be true and genuine, 
+as on account of the verbosity, confusion, and undigested chaos of my 
+commentaries altogether. The Book of Psalms is a book, my Commentaries 
+on which, from want of time and leisure, I am obliged to conceive, 
+digest, arrange, and prepare all at once. For I am overwhelmed with 
+occupation. I have two sermons to preach in a day: I have to meditate 
+on the Psalms: I have to consider over the letters which I receive by 
+the posts (as they are called) and to reply to my enemies: I have to 
+attack the Pope’s Bulls in both languages: and I have to defend 
+myself. (To say nothing about the letters of my friends which I have 
+to answer, and various domestic and casual engagements to which I am 
+obliged to attend!)
+
+You do well, therefore, to pray for me; for I am oppressed with many 
+afflictions, and much hindered from the performance of my sacred 
+duties;—my whole life is a cross to me! I have now in hand the xxii. 
+Psalm, “My God, my God, &c.;” and I had hopes of completing a 
+Commentary on the whole Book of Psalms, if Christ should give us a 
+sufficient interval of peace, so that I could devote my whole time and 
+attention to it: but now, I cannot devote a fourth part of my time to 
+such a purpose: nay, the time that I do devote to it, is but a few 
+stolen moments.
+
+You do right in admonishing me of my want of moderation: I feel my 
+deficiency myself; but I find that I have not command over my own 
+mind: I am carried away from myself, as it were, by a certain vehement 
+zeal of spirit, while I am conscious that I wish evil to no one, 
+though all my adversaries press in upon me with such maddened fury: so 
+that, in fact, I have not time to consider who my enemies are, nor 
+what various treatment they require. Pray, therefore, the Lord for me, 
+that I may have wisdom to speak and write that which shall please him 
+and become me, and not what may appear becoming to them. And now, 
+farewell in Christ.
+
+_Wittemberg_, A.D. 1521.
+
+
+
+
+MARTIN LUTHER’S PREFACE TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS.
+
+
+Many of the old and godly fathers have highly extolled the Book of 
+Psalms, above all the other books of the Scripture, and have testified 
+their exceeding fondness and partiality for them. And indeed this 
+book, though small, deserves to be recommended above all others, (if a 
+difference may be made): though the Psalms of David do not want the 
+aid of borrowed encomiums, for they carry with them an abundance of 
+self-recommendation; and in them is the old proverb verified, which 
+says ‘The work proves the workman.’ Therefore, I have not put my hand 
+to this book for the purpose of parading before the world an encomium 
+upon it, since it so amply commends itself; but that I might, 
+according to the best of my ability, present those that fear God with 
+my judgment upon its all-excelling contents.
+
+In the years that are past we have seen an infinity of books handed 
+about in the world, but all most insipid and worthless; which, behind 
+an apparently honest and plausible title, (for they were prefaced with 
+the sentiments and examples of the saints) contained the most nugatory 
+fables, and the most barefaced lies. The world, therefore, was 
+everywhere so filled with writings of this kind, the most foolish, and 
+at the same time the most impious, that the Psalms themselves were 
+disregarded and thrust into darkness, and we had not one Psalm rightly 
+interpreted or understood. And yet, as this sweet book of David 
+continued to be sung in all our churches, and to be chanted over so 
+many thousand times in these incessant rounds and forms of 
+prayer,—even by this frigid use of the Psalms, bad as it was, some 
+small savor of life was diffused abroad among many that were of an 
+honest and good heart; and from these words themselves only, though 
+not understood, those that feared God drank in some little sweetness 
+of the breath of life, and some small taste of consolation, like the 
+faint fragrance which is found in the air that is not far from a bed 
+of roses. Their experience was like also unto a simple man passing 
+through a flowery and sweet-smelling meadow, who, though he knew not 
+the peculiar nature and properties of the flowers and herbs, yet found 
+his senses regaled with the general fragrance.
+
+I would say what I think of the Psalms in a few words thus:—I believe, 
+for my part, that there is no book under heaven, either of histories 
+or examples, to be compared to the Book of Psalms. Wherefore, if it 
+were right to ask of God, and, if such were our soul’s desire, that 
+all the greatest excellences and most choice experiences of all the 
+true saints should be gathered and collected from the whole church 
+since it has existed, and should be most briefly and appropriately 
+condensed into the focus of one book; if God, I say, should permit any 
+most spiritual and most gifted man to form and concentrate such a book 
+from all the excellences of the saints, and from the flower of the 
+facts recorded in the whole scripture (which might be done);—such a 
+book would be what the Book of Psalms is, or like unto it. For in the 
+Book of Psalms we have not the life of one of the saints only, but we 
+have the experience of Christ himself, the head of all the saints, for 
+he is set forth in those Psalms: we have, moreover, the feelings and 
+experiences of all the faithful, both under their sorrows and under 
+their joys, both in their adversity and their prosperity: how they 
+conducted themselves towards God, towards their friends, and towards 
+their enemies: how they acted in various perils and afflictions, in 
+the midst of temptations, and under the greatest necessities.
+
+And moreover, in addition to the great and blessed doctrines and 
+instructions in godliness which it embraces, the Book of Psalms ought 
+to be most dearly and highly prized by us on this account;—because it 
+contains such clear prophecies concerning the death and resurrection 
+of Christ, and holds forth such great and gracious promises concerning 
+the kingdom of Christ, the spread of the Gospel, and the state of the 
+whole church. So that you may truly call the Book of Psalms, a little 
+Bible; for in it all things that are contained in the whole Bible are 
+given to us in the most wonderfully brief and sweet manner, and 
+condensed into a most beautiful manual.
+
+If God should himself hand down a book out of heaven and commend it to 
+us with a divine voice, how highly would you prize and value it, how 
+greedily would you seize it? Be assured then that the Holy Spirit 
+himself has written and handed down to us this Book of Psalms, as a 
+form of prayer, in the same way as a father would give a book to his 
+children. He himself has drawn up this manual for his disciples; 
+having collected together, as it were, the lives, groans, and 
+experiences of many thousands, whose hearts he alone sees and knows. 
+If, therefore, thou canst not read the whole Bible, behold! thou 
+mayest, by reading the Book of Psalms only, have not only a summary of 
+all godliness, but all godly excellences, and the most spiritual 
+experiences.
+
+And again, another great excellency of the Book of Psalms is this. In 
+other scriptures and histories, for the most part the works and bodily 
+exercises only of the saints are described: you have very few 
+histories which give you the words, expressions, and sighs of the 
+saints, which are the indexes of the state of their minds. But it is 
+in these things that the Book of Psalms may be a feast of delight for 
+the meditations of the godly. In these respects, therefore, the 
+reading of a Psalm is peculiarly sweet; because you have therein, not 
+only the works and acts of the saints, but their very words and 
+expressions, nay, their sighs and groans to God, and the utterance in 
+which they conversed with him during their temptations; and all these 
+are recorded in such a lively and descriptive manner, that those 
+saints, though now dead, seem still to live and speak in the Psalms.
+
+Thus all other histories and lives of the saints, which describe their 
+acts and works only, when compared to the Book of Psalms, set forth to 
+us nothing more than dumb saints; and every thing that is recorded of 
+them is dull and lifeless. But in the Psalms, where the very 
+expressions of those that prayed in faith are recorded, all things 
+live, all things breathe, and living characters are set before us in 
+the most lively colours: the saints are represented to us as standing 
+supported by their faith, even in the midst of afflictions and 
+tribulations. A dumb man, indeed, is rather a lifeless post than a 
+man; for man is distinguished from the brute creation by nothing more 
+than by the power of speech. A stone even, under the hand of the 
+artificer, may represent the figure of a man. And, as to eating and 
+drinking, all dumb animals can do those things as well as he: they can 
+use the organs of sense as well as he: and indeed, as to strength of 
+body, they have greatly the advantage of him. Hence, it is the power 
+of speech that so distinguishes man from, and raises him above, the 
+brute creation: and that speech is the index of, and the mirror that 
+reflects, the mind.
+
+As, therefore, the Psalms describe the words and expressions of the 
+saints, they give us an exact picture of their minds. For the Psalms 
+record not those common and everywhere-heard expressions of the 
+saints, but those ardent and pathetic utterances, by which, in real 
+earnest, and under the very pressure of temptations, and in the very 
+wrestlings of their souls, they poured out their hearts like Jacob, 
+not before man, but before God! The Psalms give us, therefore, not 
+only the works and words of the saints, but the very hidden treasure 
+of their hearts’ feelings—the very inmost sensations and motions of 
+their soul.
+
+Wouldst thou see, then, the face and countenance of David, which he 
+carried under all those perils and sorrows with which the Lord 
+exercised him?—then read the Psalms; and they will give thee not only 
+the outward David, but, more expressively still, the inner David; and 
+that more descriptively than he could do it himself, if he were to 
+talk with you face to face. What then are all other histories, which 
+band about the singular works, and I know not what miracles of the 
+saints? I can see all the works and the miracles of the saints in 
+these everywhere-to-be-had records, but I can see nothing of the 
+feelings and sensations of their hearts.
+
+As, therefore, I had much rather hear David or any such eminent saint 
+speak, than merely see the works or exercises of his body; so, much 
+rather would I know the inmost thoughts of David’s heart, and the 
+inward conflicts and struggles of his faith. With this knowledge the 
+Psalms furnish us most satisfactorily; so that from them we can know 
+what he felt and what all the saints felt, under their temptations, 
+from the ardent expressions and effusions which are uttered. For the 
+human heart is like a ship in the midst of the sea, which is exposed 
+to the perils of the winds and the waves on every side, and made as it 
+were their sport. For as the ship is suddenly assaulted, so trouble, 
+and the fear of future evil, like a sudden tempest, assaults and 
+disarms our minds: and then flow in cowardice of spirit, and sorrow of 
+heart, which, like the waves, run over us and threaten to overwhelm us 
+every moment. By and by, again, the confidence inspired by prosperity 
+carries us up to heaven in full sail; and then, security under our 
+present prospects dashes unexpectedly our ship against a rock. These, 
+I say, and the numberless other evils and perils of this life, tend to 
+arouse and stir up the saints, and teach and bring them to sigh and 
+groan from the recesses within, to pour out their whole hearts, and to 
+cry with their whole souls unto heaven. The complaints of those who 
+thus grieve and groan in truth, are far more ardent than theirs’ who 
+only feign sorrows and straits of mind: just as the man, who feels 
+joyful and glad in reality, discovers a far greater gladness, 
+hilarity, and exultation in his countenance, expressions, and whole 
+appearance, than he who only smoothes his brows with a feigned 
+rejoicing.
+
+The expressions contained in the Psalms, then, as I have said, are 
+uttered under the true and real feelings of the heart; and the greater 
+part of them contain the pathetic and ardent utterances of the heart 
+under every kind of affliction and temptation. But wherever the 
+feelings of joy are described, you will never find the sensations of a 
+heart, filled with gladness and exultation, more significantly and 
+expressively described, than in the Psalms of thanksgiving, or the 
+Psalms of praise. There you may look into the hearts of the saints, as 
+into paradise, or into the opened heaven; and may see, in the greatest 
+variety, all the beautiful and flourishing flowers, or the most 
+brilliant stars, as it were, of their upspringing affections towards 
+God for his benefits and blessings.
+
+On the other hand, you will never find the straits, the sorrows, and 
+the pains of a distressed mind any where described in a more 
+expressive manner than in the Psalms of temptations, or of complaints; 
+as in Psalm vi. and the like; where you see all dark and gloomy, all 
+full of anguish and distress, under a sight and sense of divine wrath, 
+and the working of despair.
+
+And so again, where the Psalms are speaking of hope or fear, they so 
+describe those feelings in their true and native colours, that no 
+Demosthenes or Cicero could ever equal them in liveliness, or 
+descriptiveness of expression. For, as I have before observed, the 
+Psalms have this peculiarity of excellence above all other books of 
+description,—that the saints, whose feelings and sensations are 
+therein set forth, did not speak to the wind, under those their 
+exercises and conflicts, nor to an earthly friend, but unto, and 
+before, God himself, and in the sight of God. And it is this that 
+above all things gives a seriousness, and reality to the feelings,—it 
+is this that affects, as it were, the very bones and the marrow,—when 
+a creature feels itself speaking in the very sight and presence of its 
+God! But when we are speaking otherwise, and complaining to a friend, 
+or to a man only, our necessities are not so keenly and really felt; 
+our feelings are not so ardent, real, and poignant.
+
+The Book of Psalms, therefore, as it contains these real feelings of 
+the saints, is a book so universally adapted and useful to all 
+Christians, that whatever one that truly fears God may be suffering, 
+or under what temptation soever he may be, he may find, in the Psalms, 
+feelings and expressions exactly suited to his case; just as much so 
+as if the Psalms had been indited and composed from his own personal 
+afflictions.
+
+It ought, therefore, godly soul, to be a great consolation to thee 
+when the Psalms truly suit and delight thee. There is a saying of 
+Quinctilian left on record, who says, ‘He that is truly delighted with 
+Cicero may be assured that he has made a good progress:’ which I may 
+not unappropriately turn thus,—‘He that is really delighted with, and 
+receives consolation from, the Psalms of David, may be assured that he 
+has arrived at some knowledge and experience in divine things.’ For 
+when thou findest thyself under the same feelings that David was; when 
+the chords and strings of his harp are really re-echoed by the 
+feelings and sensations of thy heart; thou mayest assure thyself that 
+thou art in the congregation of the elect of God; seeing that thou art 
+afflicted in the same manner as they were afflicted, and that thou 
+prayest with the same faith, sensations, and affections as they 
+prayed. Whereas, to a cold and frigid reader, destitute of faith, all 
+these Psalms are insipid and unengaging.
+
+Again, the Psalms are those parts of the lives of the saints, which 
+you may most safely copy and imitate. Other lives and histories, which 
+do not set forth the words and expressions, but certain works of the 
+saints, contain many things of the saints which we cannot imitate, 
+such as certain signs and wonders, and demonstrations of divine power. 
+And indeed some of the recorded works of those who are considered to 
+have been saints, are such that you cannot imitate them without 
+eminent peril; being such works as cause sects and heresies, and draw 
+us away from the unity of the Spirit; of which we have abundant proof 
+in monkery. But the Psalms call us away from all sects and divisions, 
+to the unity of the Spirit. They teach us to maintain fear in 
+prosperity, and not to cast away our hope in adversity; and thus to be 
+of the same mind, to have the same desires, and to have the same 
+feelings and sensations with all the saints.
+
+In a word, if you desire to see the Christian church painted forth, as 
+it were, in a most beautiful picture, and in the most lively and 
+descriptive colours, then take the Psalms into thy hands; this will be 
+as an all-clear mirror, which will represent to thee the whole church 
+in its true features; and if thou be one that fears God it will 
+present to thee a true picture of thyself: so that, according to the 
+maxim of the philosopher of old, γνωθι σεαυτον, thou wilt, by this 
+book, come to a true knowledge of thyself, nay, and also of God and 
+all creatures.
+
+Let us therefore watch over our hearts, and see that we be thankful in 
+this our day for this revelation of the word, for this unspeakable 
+gift of God. Let us use these precious gifts to the glory of God, and 
+the good of our neighbour, lest we be made to suffer the deserved 
+punishment of our ingratitude. For not many years ago, during that 
+barbarous blindness and ignorance, what a treasure should we have had, 
+if we had possessed one Psalm only, really and truly understood and 
+set forth; but we had not so much as one! And now we are blessed with 
+such an abundance of revelation—“Blessed therefore are the eyes which 
+see the things that we see, and the ears which hear the things that we 
+hear.” But how do I fear lest, like the Israelites in the desert, we 
+should at length nauseate this manna and say, “Our souls loathe this 
+light food.” But however, the despisers of the word shall bear their 
+judgment, whoever they are, even as the Israelites bore the awful 
+judgments wherewith God punished them. But may the Father of all 
+mercies and the God of all consolation, keep and increase in us the 
+knowledge of his word, for Jesus Christ our Lord’s sake: to whom, for 
+this Book of Psalms, and for all the excellent gifts which he has 
+richly bestowed upon us, be praise and glory, for ever and ever! Amen!
+
+
+
+
+MARTIN LUTHER’S INTRODUCTORY ADMONITION.
+
+
+Before I commence my SUMMARIES, or SUBJECT-CONTENTS of the Psalms, I 
+would desire the reader to bear in mind that the Psalms contained in 
+this Book of David are of five different kinds.
+
+1. Some Psalms are Prophecies concerning Christ, the church, the 
+different states of the church, and the various afflictions of the 
+saints, &c. To this class belong all those Psalms which contain 
+promises and threatenings,—promises concerning the deliverances and 
+salvation of the godly; and threatenings concerning the destruction of 
+the wicked.
+
+2. There are some Psalms which teach us what we ought to do, and what 
+we ought not to do, according to the law of God. To this kind belong 
+all those Psalms which condemn human doctrines, and extol the majesty 
+and authority of the word of God.
+
+3. There are Psalms of consolation; which comfort and lift up the 
+hearts of those who are distressed, tempted, and afflicted by Satan 
+and the world: and which, on the other hand, rebuke and terrify 
+tyrants. To this class belong all those Psalms which minister 
+consolation to the godly, and threaten the oppressors with the 
+judgments of God.
+
+4. There are supplicatory Psalms, wherein the prophet and others in 
+their afflictions call upon God in prayer and implore his help. To 
+this class belong all those Psalms which complain of persecutions from 
+the wicked.
+
+5. There are also Psalms of thanksgiving; wherein thanks are rendered 
+to God for all his mercies and benefits, and for his deliverance in 
+various times of need. To this class belong all those Psalms which 
+celebrate the praises of God and laud him for his works. These are the 
+principal Psalms in the whole Book; and these peculiarly come under 
+the denomination of Psalms: for the whole Book was expressly written 
+to praise God and to worship him according to the First Commandment. 
+Hence, in the Hebrew, the Book is called SEPHER IL CHILLIM: that is, 
+the Book of Praises and Thanksgivings.
+
+The reader, however, is to bear in mind also, that the Psalms are not 
+to be understood in a superstitious manner. He is not to suppose that 
+every Psalm must be divided into these five particulars in certain 
+verses; for some Psalms contain two of these particulars, some three, 
+and some all five of them: for, very often, the same Psalm contains 
+prophecy, doctrine, consolation, supplication and thanksgiving. But I 
+have just made these remarks, that the reader may know that the Psalms 
+contain these five particulars; for knowing that, is of great help, 
+not only to the understanding of them, but to the perceiving of their 
+order, to the bearing of them in memory, and to the perfect knowledge 
+of them.
+
+
+
+
+THE BOOK OF PSALMS.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM I.
+
+_The happiness of the godly.—The unhappiness of the ungodly._
+
+
+Blessed _is_ the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, 
+nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the 
+scornful.
+
+But his delight _is_ in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he 
+meditate day and night.
+
+And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that 
+bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not 
+wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
+
+The ungodly _are_ not so: but _are_ like the chaff which the wind 
+driveth away.
+
+Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in 
+the congregation of the righteous.
+
+For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the 
+ungodly shall perish.
+
+
+This first is a Psalm of consolation; by which the hearts of the godly 
+are encouraged and stirred up to magnify above all things the word of 
+God, in which the whole of true life and salvation stands; and to 
+hear, read, weigh, and meditate on it with a willingness of mind. For 
+this Psalm shows, that those only are truly blessed, prosperous in all 
+things, and enjoy a firm, sure, and eternal consolation both in 
+prosperity and adversity, who are enabled to learn and know, from his 
+word, the will and the works of God.
+
+Thus, as a tall palm-tree by the water-side continually grows upwards 
+higher and higher against all the violence of storms, retains its 
+strength against all the weights that man can put upon it, and, by a 
+secret growth, becomes daily more and more flourishing, and brings 
+forth its fruits in its season; so, saith this Psalm, do the saints 
+increase and grow continually by the Spirit and word; so are they 
+rendered more and more firm and constant, and invincible against every 
+evil; so do they daily become more fortified against all the 
+calamities of life.
+
+This Psalm denies, on the other hand, that any knowledge of God or any 
+true consolation can be derived from human doctrines, how fair a show 
+soever they may make. The wicked, (saith it,) and hypocrites, are like 
+the chaff that is scattered by the wind: that is, the wicked are 
+utterly destroyed by afflictions, at least in death; they endure not 
+in temptation, but by and by separate themselves from the assembly of 
+the righteous, and at length come to nought.
+
+God looks upon those alone who worship him by hearing, learning, and 
+declaring his word; and these are they whom this Psalm pronounces 
+“blessed.” He disregards all the rest, who are hypocrites and 
+pharisaical worshippers; he despises all their good works and 
+worshippings, and leaves them to perish in their blindness.
+
+This Psalm flows from the Third Commandment, and has respect unto that 
+which is there written: “Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath 
+day;” that is, that thou hear, read, meditate on, and ponder the word 
+of God. And the sum of this Psalm is comprehended in the Lord’s 
+Prayer, in the second and third petitions, where we pray, that the 
+kingdom of God may increase and be edified by his word, and at length 
+be revealed in its perfection, and that his will may be done: and both 
+of these petitions are answered, when the word of God, which abideth 
+for ever, is purely taught and learnt, and seriously and diligently 
+used and pondered.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM II.
+
+_The kingdom of Christ.—Kings are exhorted to accept it._
+
+
+Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
+
+The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel 
+together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, _saying_,
+
+Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
+
+He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them 
+in derision.
+
+Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore 
+displeasure.
+
+Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.
+
+I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou _art_ my 
+Son; this day have I begotten thee.
+
+Ask of me, and I shall give _thee_ the heathen _for_ thine 
+inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth _for_ thy 
+possession.
+
+Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in 
+pieces like a potter’s vessel.
+
+Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the 
+earth.
+
+Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
+
+Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish _from_ the way, when his 
+wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed _are_ all they that put their 
+trust in him.
+
+
+This Psalm is a remarkable prophecy concerning Christ: it is cited by 
+the apostles in the Acts, chapter iv.: it predicted that Christ should 
+suffer, be crucified, and glorified, and that he should be King and 
+Lord of all creatures; that to him should be given all power both in 
+heaven and in earth, and that his name should be above every name that 
+is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come.
+
+This Psalm contains also a description of the kingdom of Christ and 
+the terrible threatenings of God against the kings, the princes, the 
+wise, and the powerful of the world; that they shall all perish, who, 
+being carried away with the pride of human reason and carnal wisdom, 
+do not acknowledge this King, Christ, nor obey his gospel; but who 
+oppose his kingdom, and endeavour to blot out his name.
+
+On the other hand, this Psalm contains most consoling promises, 
+namely, that he that sitteth in the heavens, (in comparison of whom 
+all the kings of the earth are mere worms,) holds in derision, and in 
+a moment defeats, all their counsels and all their crafty devices 
+against his word and this kingdom of Christ; and that he ever 
+powerfully and miraculously saves, preserves, delivers, and prospers 
+believers, and the whole church throughout the world, in the midst of 
+the kingdom of the devil, and against all the powers and the gates of 
+hell.
+
+This Psalm flows from the First Commandment; where God declares that 
+he alone will be our God, to save us and deliver us from all 
+afflictions. Thus, it was he alone that delivered us, through Christ, 
+from sin, from death, from the power of the devil, and from hell, and 
+gave unto us eternal life. This pertains to the second petition of the 
+Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM III.
+
+_The security of God’s protection._
+
+A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
+
+
+LORD, how are they increased that trouble me? many _are_ they that 
+rise up against me.
+
+Many _there be_ which say of my soul, _There is_ no help for him in 
+God. Selah.
+
+But thou O LORD, _art_ a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of 
+mine head.
+
+I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy 
+hill. Selah.
+
+I laid me down and slept; I awaked: for the LORD sustained me.
+
+I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set 
+_themselves_ against me round about.
+
+Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine 
+enemies _upon_ the cheek-bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the 
+ungodly.
+
+Salvation _belongeth_ unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. 
+Selah.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer of David in the time of his greatest 
+affliction, and under the severest trial he ever experienced. And here 
+we have set before us a signal example of this greatest and most 
+spiritual of men—David; how he, in the time of Absalom, when all 
+Israel revolted from him and went over to Absalom; how this eminent 
+saint, I say, who was now an exile, forsaken by all, betrayed by those 
+of his own household, and in the midst of the most appalling peril of 
+his own life and salvation; how, when sinking under this heavy 
+calamity, and struggling in this agony, he prayed unto God in faith; 
+and what a fervency of heart there was in these his cries unto him.
+
+In a word,—in this Psalm, David, with a wonderful feeling of mind, and 
+a signal experience of faith, extols, in the highest strains, the 
+greatness of the long-suffering and goodness of God, when he says, 
+“Salvation is of the Lord!” As if he had said, The Lord is he alone 
+who has all salvation in his hand, and all the issues of life and 
+death. He sets up and changes kingdoms in a moment, just as he wills. 
+No peril is so great, no death so instant, from which he cannot 
+deliver his own, if they but call upon him in true faith, and flee 
+unto him alone.
+
+This Psalm has reference to the First Commandment, wherein it is said, 
+“I am the Lord thy God;” and it is comprehended in the seventh 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray, “Deliver us from evil.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM IV.
+
+_David prayeth for audience.—He reproveth and exhorteth his 
+enemies.—Man’s happiness is in God’s favour._
+
+To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+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.
+
+O ye sons of men, how long _will ye turn_ my glory into shame? _how 
+long_ will ye love vanity, _and_ seek after leasing? Selah.
+
+But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: 
+the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
+
+Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, 
+and be still. Selah.
+
+Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
+
+_There be_ many that say, Who will shew us _any_ good? LORD, lift thou 
+up the light of thy countenance upon us.
+
+Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time _that_ their 
+corn and their wine increased.
+
+I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only 
+makest me dwell in safety.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation: yet it at the same time teaches us to 
+bear afflictions patiently, to expect the help of God, and to trust in 
+him in all adversities. For that greatest of all wisdom, true and real 
+Christian wisdom, is unknown to the world: which wisdom is, to learn 
+and to know, by daily temptations and by various trials of faith, that 
+God exercises his people in all these afflictions, to the end that 
+they may understand his will; and that his design in exposing them to 
+the all-bitter hatred of the world and the devil, is, that he might 
+save, deliver, comfort, strengthen, and glorify them in a wonderful 
+manner, in the midst of perils, and even in death itself; and that he 
+might make known his conflicting church as being invincible, through 
+faith and the word, in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, against 
+all the storms of the world, and under all the clouds, darkness, and 
+tempests of temptations of every kind.
+
+This Psalm also most severely strikes at all hypocrites and wicked men 
+of every description, who, before the eyes of the world, would have us 
+believe that they are the only true saints and the people of God; who 
+even say that they worship God, while they know nothing of him; for in 
+the time of affliction, they tremble with cowardly fear, and 
+impatiently mutter in their hearts against God and his holy will; they 
+soon forget his words and his works, and, wickedly forsaking him who 
+alone is able to comfort them, cease from expecting his aid, hate the 
+cross, and seek for human consolation: whereas, there is no sure 
+consolation to be obtained either from friends or from all the 
+resources of human help; for in God alone is sure consolation; and 
+that is all-sure, and eternal; which no creature can take away, either 
+in this world or in that which is to come.
+
+This peace and consolation of God, however, is not like the peace of 
+the world. For, “Know ye, (saith David) that the Lord dealeth 
+wonderfully with his saints:” he casts them down, that he may raise 
+them up; he afflicts them that he may minister consolation unto them; 
+he humbles them that he may exalt them; he makes them sorrowful that 
+he may make them glad: in a word, he kills them that he may make them 
+alive.
+
+The agonizing struggles of the godly, therefore, in this life against 
+sin, and the devil who unceasingly assaults them, and desires to sift 
+them as wheat, are their exercises of faith and patience: from which 
+exercises those that fear God learn more satisfactorily to know his 
+presence;—that he is ever present with them; and that he will never 
+leave nor forsake those that believe in him, but will ever 
+marvellously deliver, save and rescue them from all their deaths and 
+destructions.
+
+But the wicked and hypocrites, how much soever they may talk about God 
+with their lips, yet hate God, and hate this his will in the 
+afflictions of his saints; as it is written in the first 
+commandment—“Unto them that hate me.” And again, as Paul saith—“Whose 
+God is their belly.” These characters wish first, and above all 
+things, that all theirs,—their fortunes, their property, their 
+friends, should be safe; and they trust in their riches and 
+possessions. All such, therefore, deride this doctrine of faith: and 
+if any one should preach to such this patience, and this word of the 
+cross, they would laugh at it, and would boast of their holiness and 
+religion in opposition to those who truly fear God. They would say, 
+‘What! are we to be taught what is right by such a fool as you? Are 
+you to teach us what is good, and what the true worship of God is?’
+
+This Psalm also pertains to the First Commandment. It teaches us to 
+trust in God both in prosperity and adversity, and patiently to wait 
+for his help, calling upon him with earnestness and constancy. The 
+subject matter of this Psalm is contained in the third and seventh 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer—“Thy will be done,” and “Deliver us from 
+evil:” and also in the fourth, where we pray, “that there may be given 
+us our daily bread:” that is, peace, and all those things that are 
+required unto the sustaining of this life, against all the various 
+evils of poverty, hunger, and want; with which things the devil, in an 
+especial manner, exercises the church of God in this world.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM V.
+
+_David prayeth, and professeth his study in prayer.—God favoureth not 
+the wicked.—David, professing his faith, prayeth unto God to guide 
+him—and to preserve the godly._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation.
+
+Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee 
+will I pray.
+
+My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I 
+direct _my prayer_ unto thee, and will look up.
+
+For thou _art_ not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; neither 
+shall evil dwell with thee.
+
+The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of 
+iniquity.
+
+Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the 
+bloody and deceitful man.
+
+But as for me, I will come _into_ thy house in the multitude of thy 
+mercy; _and_ in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
+
+Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies; make 
+thy way straight before my face.
+
+For _there is_ no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part _is_ 
+very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with 
+their tongue.
+
+Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels: cast 
+them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have 
+rebelled against thee.
+
+But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever 
+shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love 
+thy name be joyful in thee.
+
+For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou 
+compass him as _with_ a shield.
+
+
+This Psalm is an earnest prayer against that most destructive 
+pestilence in the church—false teachers: and all ages, from Cain, the 
+first man that was born, the first hypocrite after the creation of 
+Adam, and the first “man of blood,” have had their Cainish saints, 
+their false prophets, their false apostles, and their fanatic spirits; 
+who have taught their own human dreams, and their own traditions for 
+the word of God, and resolutely contended for their own Cainish 
+holiness, ever burning with an insatiable thirst to drink the blood of 
+the Abels, the true saints: and these Christ has called, in his 
+gospel, “vipers.”
+
+It is at the blasphemies of these against God, and their cruelty 
+towards men, that this Psalm strikes; and openly exposes the persons 
+themselves as most virulent hypocrites, in whose doctrine and works 
+there is nothing but outside daubing, nothing but doubting and 
+disquietude, and a whole slaughter-house of consciences. These 
+characters suppress the true word, the doctrine of faith, and the true 
+worship of God; namely, the worship required by the First Commandment: 
+and there is no end to their rage against those that fear God: they 
+cause horrid devastations in the church, and load her with an infinity 
+of injuries.
+
+Against the destructive influence of these, therefore, David prays in 
+this Psalm;—that it would please God to prevent the persecuting and 
+Cain-like counsels of such hypocrites, and all crafty and 
+blood-thirsty characters of the kind, and, amid all this bitter and 
+furious hatred of the world and the devil, and such an infinity of 
+cruelty in all their adversaries, to defend, comfort, prop up, and 
+protect the godly; to confound the hypocrisy of the wicked, to root 
+out all false worship; to cause the true word and the true worship of 
+God to spread and flourish, and to glorify the true church in the face 
+of the false one, under all the outward daubing and show of the 
+latter.
+
+In the last verse, David appends a most glorious promise;—that, 
+although those who truly fear God are cruelly treated by those 
+hypocrites, it shall yet come to pass that the godly shall at length 
+rejoice that their prayers are heard, and shall see the judgments of 
+God openly fall upon the hypocrites and fanatics, and the true church 
+defended and preserved.
+
+This Psalm has reference to the Second and Third Commandments of the 
+Decalogue, and to the first and second petitions of the Lord’s Prayer; 
+where we pray “that the name of the Lord may be sanctified and 
+glorified,” against the pride and gloryings of such hypocrites.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM VI.
+
+_David’s complaint in his sickness.—By faith he triumpheth over his
+enemies._
+
+To the chief Musician, on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot 
+displeasure.
+
+Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I _am_ weak: O LORD, heal me; for my 
+bones are vexed.
+
+My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
+
+Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.
+
+For in death _there is_ no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall 
+give thee thanks?
+
+I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I 
+water my couch with my tears.
+
+Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all 
+mine enemies.
+
+Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard 
+the voice of my weeping.
+
+The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.
+
+Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return _and_ 
+be ashamed suddenly.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer full of those mental exercises that are felt 
+under the deepest and most secret temptations which can only be known 
+by experience, because no words can describe them; for they are those 
+feelings under which the saints agonize in those bitter and 
+unutterable conflicts which are wholly unknown to the world: they are 
+those feelings, I say, under which they agonize when struggling with 
+sin, the law, and the wrath and judgment of God: all which are 
+experienced in the hours of darkness, while the devil is horribly 
+tempting and pressing in upon them.
+
+These internal fears and terrors, under which all the godly agonize 
+and sweat, will, of necessity, one day wholly swallow up the 
+hypocrites who are destitute of the word. Here it is, that in the 
+godly, there is an unspeakable conflict of justice with sin; the law, 
+and wrath of God, with a confidence in his mercy; and faith and hope, 
+with desperation and despair; though the godly are at length delivered 
+and saved. These terrors the scripture calls in other places, and 
+especially in the Psalms, “the pains of hell,” and, “the snares of 
+death.”
+
+But this Psalm expressly shews in the end, that the sighs and groans 
+of the godly under these agonizing conflicts, these pains, and these 
+straits of soul, shall surely be heard. This Psalm, therefore, and 
+others like it, open to us a view of the heart of David, and afford 
+the greatest consolation to the godly. For they shew, that, although 
+the saints thus deeply agonize under these straits, and under these 
+terrible and open views of the wrath of God, yet, that these 
+temptations which appear to be infinite and endless, shall surely have 
+an end, and that God will never forsake those who fear him, in their 
+terrors and conflicts with death and hell.
+
+On the other hand, the prophet, in this Psalm, with a wonderful zeal 
+of spirit, and with the most cutting sharpness and severity, strikes 
+at all the wicked of the world: and, above all, he condemns all secure 
+hypocrites and pharisaical ministers; calling them, notwithstanding 
+their outward appearance of being saints,—“workers of iniquity;” who 
+persecute all afflicted and true Christians with the bitterness of 
+Cain, and cease not to hate them with all the virulence of Satan; 
+adding grief to their grief, and affliction to their affliction.
+
+‘Away with ye,’ saith he, ‘ye hypocrites. I have learnt that I have a 
+God to go to; but ye are ignorant both of God and of his works. Ye 
+know not what an awful weight the wrath of God is, and how great and 
+soul-refreshing a thing the remission of sins, the knowledge of 
+eternal life, and the experience of grace, are. Ye worship God with 
+your mouths and with your lips; ye trust in your own righteousnesses 
+and works, not knowing what God and what sin are; and therefore ye are 
+most cruel and most bitter enemies to the word and true worship of 
+God; in which worship, the greatest and most acceptable sacrifice is a 
+spirit thus pressed into straits and afflicted.’
+
+This Psalm has reference to the First and Second Commandment; it 
+contains the agonizing conflict of faith, and calls upon God against 
+the force of sin and death. And it refers also to the first petition 
+of the Lord’s Prayer; as do also the other supplicatory Psalms. For, 
+to supplicate and pray, is to sanctify and call upon the name of the 
+Lord.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM VII.
+
+_David prayeth against the malice of his enemies, professing his 
+innocency.—By faith he seeth his defence, and the destruction of his 
+enemies._
+
+Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words 
+of Cush the Benjamite.
+
+
+O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that 
+persecute me, and deliver me;
+
+Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending _it_ in pieces, while _there 
+is_ none to deliver.
+
+O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
+
+If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I 
+have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy;)
+
+Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take _it_; yea, let him tread 
+down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
+
+Arise, O LORD, in thine anger; lift up thyself, because of the rage of 
+mine enemies; and awake for me _to_ the judgment _that_ thou hast 
+commanded.
+
+So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their 
+sakes, therefore, return thou on high.
+
+The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my 
+righteousness, and according to mine integrity _that is_ in me.
+
+Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the 
+just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
+
+My defence _is_ of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
+
+God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry _with the wicked_ every 
+day.
+
+If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow and made 
+it ready.
+
+He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth 
+his arrows against the persecutors.
+
+Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and 
+brought forth falsehood.
+
+He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch _which_ he 
+made.
+
+His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing 
+shall come down upon his own pate.
+
+I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing 
+praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
+
+
+This is a prayer against that common and usual blasphemy with which 
+the world accuses the prophets, apostles, and all others who fear God, 
+as being seditious persons, who destroy the peace and general 
+tranquility of the state: as Shimei bitterly upbraided David, when 
+under that heavy affliction in the time of Absalom, calling him a 
+bloody man, and saying that he had invaded the kingdom of Saul, &c. In 
+the same way the Jews accused Christ before Pilate. And in the same 
+way also now do certain hypocrites,—bishops and other enemies, against 
+all conscience, brand the professors of the gospel with the 
+appellation of ‘seditious persons.’
+
+Against all trials of this kind, which are indeed most bitter to bear, 
+the prophet fights by prayer unto God, calling upon God to bear 
+witness to his innocency. And then, to encourage and comfort all that 
+fear God, he shews, that all who thus pray are heard; and he sets 
+forth himself as an example.
+
+Lastly, he threatens a horrid, sudden, and momentary judgment to those 
+hypocrites and tyrants, who thus rage against the godly with the most 
+bitter hatred: and he signifies that all such shall in the end perish 
+like Absalom, who was cut off and died in a new, sudden, and dreadful 
+way, in the midst of his furious career, before he could accomplish 
+that which he had planned.
+
+This Psalm refers to the second precept in the Decalogue, and to the 
+first petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM VIII.
+
+_God’s glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Gittith. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+O LORD our Lord, how excellent _is_ thy name in all the earth! who 
+hast set thy glory above the heavens.
+
+Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, 
+because of thine enemies; that thou mightest still the enemy and the 
+avenger.
+
+When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the 
+stars, which thou hast ordained;
+
+What _is_ man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that 
+thou visitest him?
+
+For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast 
+crowned him with glory and honour.
+
+Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands: thou 
+hast put all _things_ under his feet:
+
+All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
+
+The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, _and whatsoever_ passeth 
+through the paths of the seas.
+
+O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning Christ,—concerning his passion, his 
+resurrection, and his dominion over all creatures; and it is thus that 
+the apostle cites it, Ephes. i. with reference to the kingdom of 
+Christ: where he foretels, that the power and might of his kingdom 
+will be invincible against all enemies, how violent soever they may be 
+in their determination to wreak their vengeance:—that is, that he will 
+be victoriously mighty against all the wise and the powerful of the 
+world, and against all hypocrites and pharisaical saints:—that he will 
+be invincible and victorious, I say, not by arms, nor by mighty forces 
+of horse and foot, but by the word of his gospel; which shall be 
+preached by “babes and sucklings,” (that is, by humble men, men who 
+are weak and contemptible in the sight of the world,) and believed in 
+by his church of poor, afflicted, crying, and complaining 
+creatures:—that this word of the gospel, I repeat, preached and 
+believed in by such poor creatures, shall nevertheless confound all 
+the wisdom of the world, and break and crush under it all the strength 
+of the world, and that no creature power whatever shall impede it in 
+its work and course, but that it shall stand firmer than the heaven, 
+or the sun, or the moon, and shall endure for evermore!
+
+This Psalm pertains to the First Commandment, where God declares that 
+he will be our God: and also to the second petition of the Lord’s 
+Prayer, as I have before observed under Psalm II.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM IX.
+
+_David praiseth God for executing of judgment.—He inciteth others to 
+praise him.—He prayeth that he may have cause to praise him._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+I will praise _thee_, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth 
+all thy marvellous works.
+
+I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O 
+thou Most High.
+
+When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy 
+presence.
+
+For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the 
+throne judging right.
+
+Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou 
+hast put out their name for ever and ever.
+
+O thou enemy! destructions are come to a perpetual end; and thou hast 
+destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
+
+But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for 
+judgment;
+
+And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister 
+judgment to the people in uprightness.
+
+The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of 
+trouble.
+
+And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, 
+LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
+
+Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the 
+people his doings.
+
+When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he 
+forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
+
+Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble _which I suffer_ of 
+them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
+
+That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of 
+Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
+
+The heathen are sunk down in the pit _that_ they made: in the net 
+which they hid is their own foot taken.
+
+The LORD is known _by_ the judgment _which_ he executeth: the wicked 
+is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
+
+The wicked shall be turned into hell, _and_ all the nations that 
+forget God.
+
+For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the 
+poor shall _not_ perish for ever.
+
+Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail; let the heathen be judged in thy 
+sight.
+
+Put them in fear, O LORD; _that_ the nations may know themselves _to 
+be but_ men. Selah.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prophecy: its title is “concerning the beautiful 
+youth:” that is, concerning the children that are born anew in Christ, 
+the people of God and the church of God. For the people and sons of 
+God, and his new-born children by faith in Christ, must be conformed 
+to the image of God’s dear Son, Jesus Christ.
+
+Christians and the true sons of God are variously afflicted in the 
+world; and the blood of the innocents is daily shed by the fury and 
+cruelty of Satan, raging against the word and the works of God. These 
+are the flourishing and undefiled youth, the sons and children of God, 
+of whom the title of the Psalm speaks; who are blameless, without 
+rebuke, and babes in the midst of wolves, and among a perverse 
+generation.
+
+This Psalm has its striking descriptions of persons: and the prophecy 
+which it contains is written in the manner of a thanksgiving: and 
+therefore it may be numbered among the consolatory Psalms. For, (as is 
+generally the case with these spiritual canticles and songs,) the 
+Prophet here speaks in his own person, and in that of all the saints 
+also who are afflicted for the word of God’s sake: all of whom give 
+thanks with wonderful sensations of heart, that God does not forsake 
+his own. But God requires, at times, the tears and the blood of the 
+saints: though he preserves and saves his Church, and renders her 
+invincible against sword or fire, and against all the power of enemies 
+temporal or spiritual, nay, in the midst of blood and death; and he 
+raises her up, as it were, from the blood, slaughter, and ashes of the 
+saints, and makes her flourish again and increase the more, in a 
+wonderful manner, in this and that part of the world: so that many, 
+even of the most bitter enemies, have been converted to the faith, and 
+even a Saul has been made a Paul; and sometimes also the judgments of 
+God have fallen on the wicked, and they have perished before the eyes 
+of the godly.
+
+This Psalm has reference to the First Commandment of the Decalogue, 
+and to the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer, as we have observed 
+concerning the preceding Psalm.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM X.
+
+_David complaineth to God of the outrage of the wicked.—He prayeth for 
+remedy.—He professeth his confidence._
+
+
+Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? _Why_ hidest thou _thyself_ in 
+times of trouble?
+
+The wicked in _his_ pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken 
+in the devices that they have imagined.
+
+For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the 
+covetous, _whom_ the Lord abhorreth.
+
+The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek _after 
+God_: God _is_ not in all his thoughts.
+
+His ways are always grievous; thy judgments _are_ far above out of his 
+sight: _as for_ all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
+
+He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for _I shall_ never 
+_be_ in adversity.
+
+His mouth is full of cursing, and deceit, and fraud: under his tongue 
+_is_ mischief and vanity.
+
+He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places 
+doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily laid against the 
+poor.
+
+He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to 
+catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his 
+net.
+
+He croucheth, _and_ humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his 
+strong ones.
+
+He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he 
+will never see _it_.
+
+Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
+
+Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou 
+wilt not require _it_.
+
+Thou hast seen _it_; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite 
+_it_ with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art 
+the helper of the fatherless.
+
+Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil _man_: seek out his 
+wickedness _till_ thou find none.
+
+The LORD _is_ King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of 
+his land.
+
+LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare 
+their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
+
+To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth 
+may no more oppress.
+
+
+This Psalm is a fervent prayer, and contains complaints of the deepest 
+concern against Antichrist, that most atrocious enemy of God and the 
+gospel, who will ever assail and lay waste the church, not by force 
+and tyranny only, but with all the πανᴕργίᾳ of Satan, all his frauds 
+and impostures, and with an infinite variety of outside deception and 
+hypocrisy.
+
+This “Man of Sin” is descriptively pourtrayed in the present 
+Psalm;—that he really rages against the body with the sword, ruins and 
+destroys souls by his all-crafty and infinite hypocrisy, and with his 
+sweet poison of false doctrines, and imposing forms of worship; but 
+that he has no concern whatever about teaching any one kindly and with 
+gentleness, nor instructing them seriously unto godliness or true 
+comfort, but has his mouth ever full of cursing and deceit.
+
+This we have manifested in the kingdom of the Pope, and in the tyranny 
+of the Romish-church. All those fulminating and thundering 
+excommunications are mere execrations and _cursing_, by which he has 
+wished to make himself, and has succeeded in making himself, 
+formidable even to kings, under the false pretence of the apostolic 
+name, and divine authority. And his ‘_craft_’ and lies are all that 
+infinite and inexplicable variety of hypocrisy and traditions of men; 
+together with all that outward whitewash of holiness, and those 
+deceptive forms of worship, by means of which, and his delusions of 
+masses at one time, and of indulgences at another, this Antichrist 
+ceases not to turn to wicked lucre all things human and divine, under 
+the blasphemous cover and pretext of the name of God.
+
+In the end of the Psalm we have a consolation; which declares that 
+such an abomination shall, in the end of the world, be revealed, and, 
+having been made openly manifest by the sudden judgment of God, shall 
+be rooted out.
+
+This Psalm has reference to the Second Commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer; as have all the Psalms of supplication.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XI.
+
+_David encourageth himself in God against his enemies.—The providence 
+and justice of God._
+
+To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.
+
+
+In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, flee _as_ a bird to 
+your mountain?
+
+For, lo, the wicked bend _their_ bow, they make ready their arrow upon 
+the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
+
+If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
+
+The LORD _is_ in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne _is_ in heaven: 
+his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
+
+The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth 
+violence his soul hateth.
+
+Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an 
+horrible tempest: _this shall be_ the portion of their cup.
+
+For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth 
+behold the upright.
+
+
+This Psalm is a complaint against erroneous and fanatical spirits: of 
+which kind are all those who in the present day draw men astray from 
+the pure and true doctrine of faith, and from the true worship of God, 
+(which stands in true faith and the fear of God in the heart,) to 
+hypocrisy, which has always an outward show of something great and 
+wonderful:—these, I say, are the erroneous and fanatics, who thus draw 
+away men like so many birds, and make them fly over to their 
+mountains: that is, make them turn easily over to hypocrisy, and 
+white-wash holiness, which, in outward show, appears to be something 
+great and wonderful, and a firm rock, whereas it is all a thing of 
+nought.
+
+David ascribes to these characters that which is the peculiar 
+characteristic of hypocrites,—that they arrogantly, proudly, and with 
+high looks, despise and deride the truly godly. What, say they, can 
+that righteous one, that fine fellow of a Christian, that poor 
+miserable creature, do?
+
+In the end we have a consolation that God will certainly hear, and 
+regard the afflicted; that he will be present with them, and show them 
+by manifest tokens of his hand that he will not forsake them, and that 
+he will, by horrible judgment, take vengeance on scoffers of this 
+kind; on these pharisees and other enemies of David.
+
+This Psalm has reference to the Second precept of the Decalogue, and 
+to the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XII.
+
+_David, destitute of human comfort, craveth help of God.—He comforteth 
+himself with God’s judgments on the wicked, and confidence in God’s 
+tried promises._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David.
+
+
+Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from 
+among the children of men.
+
+They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: _with_ flattering lips 
+_and_ with a double heart do they speak.
+
+The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, _and_ the tongue that 
+speaketh proud things;
+
+Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips _are_ our 
+own: who _is_ lord over us?
+
+For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will 
+I arise, saith the LORD; I will set _him_ in safety _from him that_ 
+puffeth at him.
+
+The words of the LORD _are_ pure words: _as_ silver tried in a furnace 
+of earth, purified seven times.
+
+Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this 
+generation for ever.
+
+The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
+
+
+This is a prayer containing a heavy complaint against them, who, 
+introduce human doctrines instead of the word of God, and who, 
+afterwards, by various new traditions and forms of worship disturb the 
+church, and fill all things with a white-wash show of religion, and 
+with the outward daubing of pharisaism and hypocrisy, so that wicked 
+men and hypocrites reign on every side, as the last verse complains. 
+For when human doctrines have once invaded the church, they go on to 
+rage far and wide, and spread in all directions like a cancer; there 
+is no end to their corruption and destructive influence; they take 
+possession of all things and wonderfully vex and torment consciences: 
+so that the number of the true saints and of those that truly fear God 
+is few and small indeed: of this the infinite variety of papistical 
+hypocrisy affords a manifest example.
+
+But we are consoled and comforted under all these afflictions by the 
+consideration that God always raises up in his church, sometimes in 
+this place and sometimes in that, his salvation; that is, his word and 
+gospel; which, while the prophets, apostles, and other ministers 
+throughout the world, boldly and plainly teach against all heresy, 
+they detect and bring to light false doctrines, and overturn all false 
+worship; for where the salvation of God is, (that is, the saving word 
+of Christ and his gospel) it burns up and consumes, like a 
+suddenly-kindled fire, all the chaff and straw of human traditions, 
+and delivers oppressed consciences.
+
+This, however, never takes place without afflictions, and the cross in 
+various forms. But as gold and silver are proved by the fire, so the 
+true knowledge and purity of the word is not preserved in the church 
+but by means of the truly spiritual and godly, who for the word’s sake 
+are exercised without and within by Satan, with various temptations: 
+for these, like gold, are proved in the fire, and thus grow daily and 
+flourish in the knowledge of the gospel, and the great things of God.
+
+This Psalm refers to the second and third precept of the Decalogue, 
+and to the first and second petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XIII.
+
+_David complaineth of delay in help.—He prayeth for preventing 
+grace.—He boasteth of divine mercy._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou 
+hide thy face from me?
+
+How long shall I take counsel in my soul, _having_ sorrow in my heart 
+daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
+
+Consider _and_ hear me, O LORD my God; lighten mine eyes lest I sleep 
+the _sleep_ of death;
+
+Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; _and_ those that 
+trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
+
+But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy 
+salvation.
+
+I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
+
+
+This is a prayer full of the sighings and groanings of an afflicted 
+heart in the hour of darkness, and almost overwhelmed, under that 
+darkness, with the extreme of grief and sorrow, and driven to the 
+greatest strait of mind. Of which sorrow the spirit of sadness 
+himself, the devil, is the author, who casts the unwary into these 
+temptations and perturbations in a moment, when he finds them unarmed 
+with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God; which unarmed state he 
+himself causes by turning away our eyes from the promises and the word 
+of God, to look at the incredible ingratitude and iniquity of the 
+world, at the perplexed variety of offences, and at the greatness of 
+the perils which must be undergone for the sake of God’s word and of 
+his holy name. For it cannot be but that even a man of a sound mind 
+must be thrown into tribulation when he considers with what infernal 
+arts, with what stratagems of deceit, and with what bitter and Cainish 
+hatred, Satan and wicked men oppose themselves to the word of God; and 
+then, what fallings away and what monstrous instances of ingratitude 
+there are among those who pretend to be with us; all which offences 
+Satan raises up through the instrumentality of those who are unwilling 
+to appear not to be followers of godliness.
+
+But the prayer of the church has great power; it breaks through and 
+victoriously overcomes all hatred, all perils, and all snares, how 
+craftily soever they may be laid; and faith is more powerful than any 
+violence or storm of temptation. “This (saith John) is the victory 
+that overcometh the world, even our faith.” And this Psalm gives us an 
+example of that faith which enables us to stand fast in the midst of 
+death, and not to doubt that God is able, and will deliver us from our 
+terrible straits, and comfort us after all our fears; and which 
+teaches to believe that we shall struggle through all our distress 
+victoriously, though it may appear to be endless, if we do but turn 
+ourselves away from all dark and dismal appearances of things, lay 
+hold of that which is true and real, and lift ourselves up against the 
+weight that lays upon us, by resting in the consolation of the word of 
+the Lord: as James saith, “Is any afflicted, let him pray.”
+
+This Psalm also refers to the second precept, and to the first and 
+last petition of the Lord’s Prayer; where we pray “Hallowed be thy 
+name,” and “Deliver us from evil.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XIV.
+
+_David describeth the corruption of a natural man.—He convinceth the 
+wicked by the light of their conscience.—He glorieth in the salvation 
+of God._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+The fool hath said in his heart, _There_ is no God. They are corrupt; 
+they have done abominable works; _there is_ none that doeth good.
+
+The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if 
+there were any that did understand, _and_ seek God.
+
+They are all gone aside, they are _all_ together become filthy: _there 
+is_ none that doeth good, no, not one.
+
+Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people 
+_as_ they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
+
+There were they in great fear: for God _is_ in the generation of the 
+righteous.
+
+Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his 
+refuge.
+
+Oh that the salvation of Israel _were come_ out of Zion! when the LORD 
+bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, _and_ 
+Israel shall be glad.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prophecy; and it also teaches us, that all human 
+doctrines and works without faith are an abomination in the sight of 
+God; and that the God of all such hypocrites (of which kind are the 
+pope and his papists) is their belly; for they serve their belly, not 
+God or Christ, and devour widow’s houses.
+
+But such hypocrites, although they have always in their mouth the name 
+of God, and boast of the law and the works of the law, know not what 
+the true worship of God is, but always hate and persecute the name and 
+word of God, but the true doctrine, concerning faith and the fear of 
+God, they will not hear.
+
+Against such characters as these we must fight by prayer; which prayer 
+will certainly be heard, as is intimated in the last verse of this 
+Psalm, which promises the kingdom and dominion of Christ. For this 
+Psalm especially strikes at those seemingly holy pharisees, those 
+teachers of the law, who, before the coming of Christ, by enforcing 
+works and the righteousness of the law, were cruel torturers, and 
+tormented men’s consciences. And this Psalm promises that wished-for 
+day of Christ, and the redemption that should be wrought by his 
+coming. For the gospel was revealed from Zion, and the Spirit was 
+poured out upon the apostles at Jerusalem.
+
+This Psalm has reference to the First and Second Commandment: for it 
+gloriously exalts the word of God and promises the day of salvation, 
+that is, of Christ: but it rebukes hypocrites who despise the true 
+worship of God, and his faith and fear, and who serve not God but 
+their own belly. And it refers also to the first and second petition 
+of the Lord’s Prayer: where we pray, “Hallowed be thy name; Thy 
+kingdom come.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XV.
+
+_David describeth a citizen of Zion._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy 
+hill?
+
+He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the 
+truth in his heart.
+
+_He that_ backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his 
+neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
+
+In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that 
+fear the LORD. _He that_ sweareth to _his own_ hurt, and changeth not.
+
+_He that_ putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward 
+against the innocent. He that doeth these _things_ shall never be 
+moved.
+
+
+This Psalm strikes at the hypocrites who say that holiness stands in 
+the pretended works of the law of God, or in the vain and foolish 
+works of human invention and tradition; and it teaches us how to 
+understand the law of God rightly, and to live godly and righteously. 
+It shows us that we are to walk in the spirit and to mortify the 
+desires of the flesh. For the sum of all godliness is this;—to love 
+and worship God with a pure heart by faith, and then, to direct our 
+lives for the good of our neighbour; and to avoid all those things 
+which militate against these two; that is, to shun all hypocrisy and 
+pretended holiness, which militates against both faith and love: for 
+such an one is ignorant of the true worship of God, and neglects all 
+truly good works, which should be done for the benefit of his 
+neighbour.
+
+It has reference to the Third Commandment of the Decalogue, concerning 
+keeping holy the sabbath day, which is done when we hear and learn the 
+word. And it refers also to the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XVI.
+
+_David, in distrust of merits, and hatred of idolatry, fleeth to God 
+for preservation.—He sheweth the hope of his calling, of the 
+resurrection, and life everlasting._
+
+Michtam of David.
+
+
+Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
+
+_O my soul_, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou _art_ my Lord: my 
+goodness _extendeth_ not to thee;
+
+_But_ to the saints that _are_ in the earth, and _to_ the excellent, 
+in whom _is_ all my delight.
+
+Their sorrows shall be multiplied _that_ hasten _after_ another _god_; 
+their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their 
+names into my lips.
+
+The LORD _is_ the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou 
+maintainest my lot.
+
+The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant _places_; yea, I have a 
+goodly heritage.
+
+I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also 
+instruct me in the night-seasons.
+
+I have set the LORD always before me: because _he is_ at my right 
+hand, I shall not be moved.
+
+Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also 
+shall rest in hope.
+
+For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer 
+thine Holy One to see corruption.
+
+Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence _is_ fulness of 
+joy; at thy right hand _there are_ pleasures for evermore.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the passion and resurrection of Christ; 
+and the apostles quote it, Acts ii. and xiii. as having a striking 
+reference to Christ.
+
+This is a glorious Psalm and a precious jewel among all the Psalms on 
+this account,—because it shows forth in clear words that all that 
+splendid and magnificent worship of the law of Moses, its sacrifices, 
+its sabbath worship, its circumcision, in all which the Jews so 
+unceasingly boasted, is done away with by the gospel; for in the 
+fourth verse, David plainly says, that those who follow works and the 
+righteousness of the law, follow strange gods and idols: and he shows 
+that the Jews, although a sacred people, should be rejected, and 
+another people chosen, even a people who should believe in Christ, who 
+were the true elect, inheritance, and peculiar people of God.
+
+This Psalm also has reference to the First, Second, and Third 
+Commandments; for it foretels a new glory of God, a new work and word, 
+and that new kind of worship which was to be revealed to the world: 
+and it refers also to the first and second petitions of the Lord’s 
+Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XVII.
+
+_David, in confidence of his integrity, craveth defence of God against 
+his enemies.—He sheweth their pride, craft, and eagerness.—He prayeth 
+against them in confidence of his hope._
+
+A Prayer of David.
+
+
+Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, 
+_that goeth_ not out of feigned lips.
+
+Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold 
+the things that are equal.
+
+Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited _me_ in the night; thou 
+hast tried me, _and_ shalt find nothing; I am purposed _that_ my mouth
+shall not transgress.
+
+Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept _me 
+from_ the paths of the destroyer.
+
+Hold up my goings in thy paths, _that_ my footsteps slip not.
+
+I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine 
+ear unto me, _and hear_ my speech.
+
+Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right 
+hand them which put their trust _in thee_, from those that rise up 
+_against them_.
+
+Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy 
+wings.
+
+From the wicked that oppress me, _from_ my deadly enemies, _who_ 
+compass me about.
+
+They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak 
+proudly.
+
+They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes 
+bowing down to the earth;
+
+Like as a lion _that_ is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young 
+lion lurking in secret places.
+
+Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the 
+wicked, _which is_ thy sword:
+
+From men _which are_ thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, _which 
+have_ their portion in _this_ life, and whose belly thou fillest with 
+thy hid _treasure_ they are full of children, and leave the rest of 
+their substance to their babes.
+
+As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be 
+satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer against false teachers, and those very delicate 
+saints, that is, hypocrites, who by their human doctrines, call men 
+off from the word of God, and hate and persecute the truly godly 
+teachers. These are the characters whom Paul also calls “enemies of 
+the cross of Christ:” for they are not willing to suffer anything for 
+God’s sake, but shun the cross; but make a pretext of the name and 
+worship of God, and under all the artifices of their hypocrisy, seek 
+nothing else than earthly advantages, honors, wealth, the favour of 
+men, and the pleasures and gratifications of the world. Hence David 
+calls them, in the last verse but one, ‘men of this world,’ and ‘men 
+of this life.’ Of this kind also are all those animals of the belly in 
+monasteries, those cumberers of the earth, the monks, and lazy 
+priests.
+
+This Psalm also has reference to the Second and Third Commandments, 
+and to the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray 
+“Hallowed be thy name.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XVIII.
+
+_David praiseth God for his manifold and marvellous blessings._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who 
+spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD 
+delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of 
+Saul: And he said,
+
+
+I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
+
+The LORD _is_ my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my 
+strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my 
+salvation, _and_ my high tower.
+
+I will call upon the LORD, _who is worthy_ to be praised: so shall I 
+be saved from mine enemies.
+
+The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made 
+me afraid.
+
+The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented 
+me.
+
+In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard 
+my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, _even_ into 
+his ears.
+
+Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills 
+moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
+
+There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth 
+devoured: coals were kindled by it.
+
+He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness _was_ under his 
+feet.
+
+And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings 
+of the wind.
+
+He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him _were_ 
+dark waters _and_ thick clouds of the skies.
+
+At the brightness _that was_ before him his thick clouds passed, hail 
+_stones_ and coals of fire.
+
+The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his 
+voice; hail _stones_ and coals of fire.
+
+Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out 
+lightnings and discomfited them.
+
+Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the 
+world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the 
+breath of thy nostrils.
+
+He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
+
+He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: 
+for they were too strong for me.
+
+They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
+
+He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because 
+he delighted in me.
+
+The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the 
+cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
+
+For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed 
+from my God.
+
+For all his judgments _were_ before me, and I did not put away his 
+statutes from me.
+
+I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
+
+Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, 
+according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
+
+With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man 
+thou wilt shew thyself upright.
+
+With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou 
+wilt shew thyself froward.
+
+For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high 
+looks.
+
+For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my 
+darkness.
+
+For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped 
+over a wall.
+
+_As for_ God, his way _is_ perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he 
+_is_ a buckler to all those that trust in him.
+
+For who _is_ God save the LORD? or who _is_ a rock save our God?
+
+_It is_ God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
+
+He maketh my feet like hinds’ _feet_ and setteth me upon my high 
+places.
+
+He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine 
+arms.
+
+Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right 
+hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
+
+Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
+
+I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turn 
+again till they were consumed.
+
+I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen 
+under my feet.
+
+For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast 
+subdued under me those that rose up against me.
+
+Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might 
+destroy them that hate me.
+
+They cried, but _there was_ none to save _them_: _even_
+unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
+
+Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast 
+them out as the dirt in the streets.
+
+Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; _and_ thou 
+hast made me the head of the heathen: a people _whom_ I have not known 
+shall serve me.
+
+As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall 
+submit themselves unto me.
+
+The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close 
+places.
+
+The LORD liveth; and blessed _be_ my rock; and let the God of my 
+salvation be exalted.
+
+_It is_ God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people unto me.
+
+He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above 
+those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent
+man.
+
+Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and 
+sing praises unto thy name.
+
+Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his 
+anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in which David gives thanks to God 
+(as the title of the Psalm shows) because of his deliverance from all 
+his enemies. And this Psalm I should divide into four parts, for David 
+had combatted with four kinds of enemies—King Saul, the neighbouring 
+nations, his son Absalom, and his seditious subjects.
+
+At the beginning of the Psalm, in the first six verses, David 
+describes the greatness of his perils, his distresses and his straits 
+in the midst of so many and great afflictions, out of which the Lord 
+delivered him, “The sorrows of hell (saith he) compassed me about, 
+&c.”
+
+Then in the seventh verse, after the manner of the prophets, he 
+alludes in his song of praise to the deliverance out of Egypt, and to 
+those mighty works at Mount Sinai and in the Red Sea; intimating, that 
+as God then powerfully delivered his people from the midst of death, 
+so, he also more than once had been delivered by the powerful arm and 
+the high hand of God, again, as it were from the hand of Pharaoh, and 
+from the midst of surrounding death.
+
+And then again, when he says verses 16, and 17, “He delivered me from 
+my strong enemies and from them that were mightier than I,” he alludes 
+to King Saul, who had persecuted him with hostile hatred and 
+bitterness for the word of God’s sake, because he was chosen from on 
+high to be King and to be his successor.
+
+At verse 28, he celebrates the goodness of God who stands by the 
+humble and those who are despised by the world and defends them 
+against the proud and the mighty: as he did in giving David the 
+victory over Goliah, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and other 
+nations.
+
+At verse 34, he intimates something respecting his third and domestic 
+adversary his son Absalom, who, on that account, was by far the more 
+dreadful and atrocious enemy.
+
+Then at verse 42, he gives thanks to God who so wonderfully stood by 
+him against the crafty counsels and snares of the seditious, of which 
+kind was Siba and, in the time of Absalom almost the whole of Israel. 
+For this most excellent and most godly king had many national and 
+domestic enemies, and seditious citizens; so much so, that, as he 
+himself here says, many gentile nations were far more kind and 
+obedient to him than his own people.
+
+Therefore any afflicted one, especially if in magisterial office, may 
+use this Psalm in giving thanks to God for his deliverance out of 
+various perils and distresses which fall upon those who govern the 
+state, or who are set over the Church.
+
+And if any one wishes to understand the Psalm allegorically, David 
+signifies here Christ; Saul signifies the Jews; the nations that 
+persecuted David, the tyrants of the world who set themselves against 
+the Gospel; Absalom, heretics who proceed out from us but are not of 
+us; the seditious subjects, outside-show-Christians who sound forth 
+Christ with their mouth, but in their heart are far from him: from all 
+which this afflicted David, that is, Christ and those who are 
+Christians, are at length delivered.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the second precept of the Decalogue, and to the 
+first petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XIX.
+
+_The creatures show God’s glory.—The word his grace.—David prayeth for 
+grace._
+
+To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.
+
+
+The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his 
+handy-work.
+
+Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
+
+_There is_ no speech nor language _where_ their voice is not heard.
+
+Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the 
+end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun;
+
+Which _is_ as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, _and_ rejoiceth 
+as a strong man to run a race.
+
+His going forth _is_ from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto 
+the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
+
+The law of the LORD _is_ perfect, converting the soul: the testimony 
+of the LORD _is_ sure, making wise the simple:
+
+The statutes of the LORD _are_ right, rejoicing the heart: the 
+commandment of the LORD _is_ pure, enlightening the eyes:
+
+The fear of the LORD _is_ clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of 
+the LORD _are_ true _and_ righteous altogether.
+
+More to be desired _are they_ than gold; yea, than much fine gold; 
+sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb.
+
+Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: _and_ in keeping of them 
+_there is_ great reward.
+
+Who can understand _his_ errors! cleanse thou me from secret _faults_.
+
+Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous _sins_: let them not have 
+dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent 
+from the great transgression.
+
+Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be 
+acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the preaching of the Gospel to every 
+creature under the whole heaven wherever the wide earth extends. “Day 
+unto day, (saith David) uttereth the word;” that is, ‘from day to 
+day;’ or, day and night shall the Gospel be propagated by the voice of 
+the apostles and the ministers of the word, farther and farther; and 
+that, not only in Judea but every where in all the earth, and in all 
+languages throughout the world.—And says David, as by the life-giving 
+light of the Sun, all things in nature are illuminated, recreated, and 
+cherished: so this new light, this voice of the Gospel shall illumine 
+the world, and, by communicating the Spirit, shall revive and purify 
+the hearts of men, and shall lift up and comfort distressed 
+consciences.
+
+Here also David intimates, that the old law which was the ministration 
+of death was to be done away with; and that the Gospel was to succeed, 
+which should be the ministration of life and of the Spirit; and which 
+should be a word sweet and lovely, illumining the eyes and purifying 
+the heart.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment; for it shews us what is 
+the true Sabbath, namely, the day or time, in which the Gospel should 
+be preached throughout the whole world and received by those who 
+should believe it.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XX.
+
+_The Church blesseth the King in his exploits.—Her confidence in God’s 
+succour._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
+
+
+The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob 
+defend thee.
+
+Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.
+
+Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice. Selah.
+
+Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
+
+We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will 
+set up _our_ banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
+
+Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed: he will hear him from 
+his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
+
+Some _trust_ in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the 
+name of the LORD our God.
+
+They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen and stand upright.
+
+Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
+
+
+This is a prayer for kings, rulers, magistrates, and all who sustain 
+that most heavy burthen of governing the state:—that God, in such 
+momentous concerns, to which all human diligence and wisdom are 
+unequal (as even heathen rulers have confessed from their own 
+experience), would stand by magistrates when exposed to the hatred of 
+all, to their secret councils and plans of deceit; and would keep all 
+subjects in their duty, and give his blessing in the preservation of a 
+good and happy constitution, and public peace; especially when Satan 
+with horrible hatred against God and the works of God, is endeavouring 
+to destroy the constitutions of kingdoms, and to confound all things 
+with slaughter and blood-shed.
+
+Those great and eminently spiritual men who produced this and the like 
+Psalms, plainly saw that such great and important matters could not be 
+managed and governed by any human wisdom or human counsels; and 
+therefore they wished to pen forms of prayer of this kind for the 
+safety of magistrates and transmit them to posterity. For such prayers 
+as these were especially necessary for the people of God at that time, 
+when David and other godly rulers after him, were continually 
+exercised with new enemies and new afflictions, and those the most 
+severely distressing.—Therefore all Kings and Rulers are fools who do 
+not seek for, and expect, the happy government and the success of 
+their affairs from heaven.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the second commandment, as do all the other 
+supplicatory Psalms; for it contains a calling upon the name of the 
+Lord. And it belongs also to the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer, 
+where we pray that the will of God, not of the devil, may be done.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXI.
+
+_A thanksgiving for victory.—Confidence of further success._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
+
+
+The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord: and in thy salvation how 
+greatly shall he rejoice!
+
+Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the 
+request of his lips. Selah.
+
+For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a 
+crown of pure gold on his head.
+
+He asked life of thee, _and_ thou gavest _it_ him, _even_ length of 
+days for ever and ever.
+
+His glory _is_ great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou 
+laid upon him.
+
+For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him 
+exceeding glad with thy countenance.
+
+For the king trusteth in the LORD; and, through the mercy of the Most 
+High, he shall not be moved.
+
+Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand shall find 
+out those that hate thee.
+
+Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the 
+LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour 
+them.
+
+Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from 
+among the children of men.
+
+For they intended evil against thee; they imagined a mischievous 
+device, _which_ they are not able _to perform_:
+
+Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, _when_ thou shalt make 
+ready _thine arrows_ upon thy strings against the face of them.
+
+Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: _so_ will we sing and 
+praise thy power.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ;—that his kingdom 
+shall be temporal and eternal. The beginning of the Psalm gloriously 
+predicts that it shall come to pass that this king and this people 
+shall rejoice in this kingdom, and that the glory of it shall be 
+great. But you must understand that all this will be, not before the 
+world or according to the flesh, but in God. For Christ entered into 
+glory through the flesh and by the cross.
+
+This Psalm foretels also that this kingdom, that is, the Church of 
+Christ, although afflicted before the world, shall be enriched with 
+spiritual blessings and glorified; and that this word of grace and the 
+remission of sins, this joyful and all-sweet Gospel shall be diffused 
+abroad among all nations, and that the godly and those that believe, 
+shall rejoice and be glad, and exult in it with a full and perfect 
+joy, which no creature shall be able to destroy or to take away.
+
+On the other hand, David shews that the Jews who opposed this counsel 
+of God, and the whole of their kingdom should be destroyed by the 
+awful judgment of God, “Thou shalt make them (says he) to turn their 
+back;” that is, because that people opposed themselves to the Gospel, 
+and crucified Christ, thou shalt afflict them with heavy calamities; 
+and, having rejected the people destroyed their kingdom, and having 
+done away with, and abrogated the whole of their law and worship for 
+which they so furiously fight, thou shalt reduce them to a miserable 
+slavery, so that they shall be oppressed under a foreign yoke and 
+laws, and shall thus suffer the punishment due to their sins.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the first commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer: for it foretells of a people that 
+should not be under the law of Moses, but in a kingdom of rejoicing 
+and thanksgiving, and it speaks of a new manner of worship.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXII.
+
+_David complaineth in great discouragement.—He prayeth in great 
+distress.—He praiseth God._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.
+
+
+My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? _why art thou so_ far from 
+helping me, _and from_ the words of my roaring?
+
+O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; and in the 
+night-season, and am not silent.
+
+But thou _art_ holy, O _thou_ that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
+
+Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver 
+them.
+
+They cried unto thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and 
+were not confounded.
+
+But I _am_ a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the 
+people.
+
+All they that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they 
+shake the head, _saying_,
+
+He trusted on the LORD _that_ he would deliver him; let him deliver 
+him, seeing he delighted in him.
+
+But thou _art_ he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me 
+hope _when I was_ upon my mother’s breasts.
+
+I was cast upon thee from the womb; thou _art_ my God from my mother’s 
+belly.
+
+Be not far from me, for trouble _is_ near; for _there_ is none to 
+help.
+
+Many bulls have compassed me: strong _bulls_ of Bashan have beset me 
+round.
+
+They gaped upon me _with_ their mouths, _as_ a ravening and a roaring 
+lion.
+
+I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my 
+heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
+
+My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my 
+jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
+
+For dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed 
+me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
+
+I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
+
+They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
+
+But be not thou far from me, O LORD; O my strength, haste thee to help 
+me.
+
+Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
+
+Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns 
+of the unicorns.
+
+I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the 
+congregation will I praise thee.
+
+Ye that fear the LORD, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify 
+him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
+
+For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, 
+neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he 
+heard.
+
+My praise _shall be_ of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my 
+vows before them that fear him.
+
+The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the LORD that 
+seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
+
+All the ends of the world shall remember, and turn unto the LORD; and 
+all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
+
+For the kingdom _is_ the LORD’S; and he _is_ the governor among the 
+nations.
+
+All _they that be_ fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that 
+go down to the dust shall bow before him and none can keep alive his 
+own soul.
+
+A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the LORD for a 
+generation.
+
+They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people 
+that shall be born, that he hath done _this_.
+
+
+This Psalm is a kind of gem among the Psalms that contain prophecies 
+concerning Christ and his kingdom, and it is peculiarly excellent and 
+remarkable. For here, if anywhere, it may be said that David does not 
+seem to be delivering a prophecy of the future, but a history of the 
+past; a history of circumstances that took place within his own sight 
+and knowledge; for his expressions concerning Christ are not at all 
+more obscure than those of Peter or Paul, or any other of the 
+Apostles: and he speaks of Christ being nailed to the tree, and of the 
+piercing of his hands and his feet, as if the whole had taken place 
+before his own natural sight.
+
+This Psalm contains those deep, sublime, and heavy sufferings of 
+Christ, when agonizing in the midst of the terrors and pangs of divine 
+wrath and death, which surpass all human thought and comprehension. 
+And I know not whether any Psalm throughout the whole Book contains 
+matter more weighty, or from which the hearts of the godly can so 
+truly perceive those sighs and groans, inexpressible by man, which 
+their Lord and head Jesus Christ uttered when conflicting for us in 
+the midst of death, and in the midst of the pains and terrors of hell. 
+Wherefore this Psalm ought to be most highly prized by all who have 
+any acquaintance with these temptations of faith, and these spiritual 
+conflicts.
+
+Let Epicureans despise these things: examples of this kind will be 
+more precious to the truly godly and spiritual, whether they be found 
+in Christ himself, or (as St. Peter saith,) in our brethren that are 
+in the world, than all the treasures and riches of which the world can 
+boast.
+
+David as I said, describes most clearly and expressively the 
+sufferings of Christ, so much so, that you seem to see the 
+circumstances to take place before your eyes. And as he so clearly 
+pourtrays the forerunning sufferings of Christ, so does he with equal 
+plainness set forth the glories which followed them; for in the end of 
+the Psalm he shows that Christ should be delivered from the mouth of 
+the lion and of the dog, and from the midst of death and sufferings, 
+and should, through his resurrection wrought by divine power, be 
+glorified; that his Gospel should be preached, not only among that 
+people and in that kingdom, such narrow limits, but throughout all the 
+nations and kingdoms of the world; that the fat ones of the earth, 
+that is the rich and powerful of this world, and the poor also, should 
+be converted unto Christ; that his Church should be eternal, and his 
+posterity infinite; and that as King he should be adored throughout 
+the whole world, that his name should be praised and celebrated 
+throughout all ages, and his kingdom endure for ever, and remain 
+invincible against all the kingdoms of the world, and against all 
+creatures.
+
+The Psalm belongs to the first commandment of the Decalogue, for it 
+foretels a new worship of God; and it has reference to the first 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXIII.
+
+_David’s confidence in God’s grace._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+The LORD _is_ my shepherd; I shall not want.
+
+He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the 
+still waters.
+
+He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for 
+his name’s sake.
+
+Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will 
+fear no evil: for thou _art_ with me; thy rod and thy staff they 
+comfort me.
+
+Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou 
+anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
+
+Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and 
+I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
+
+
+This Psalm is a remarkable offering of thanks to God for the gift and 
+reception of the word: and it contains the description of a godly 
+heart acknowledging how incomparable and unspeakable a blessing and 
+gift of God the knowledge of his word is. It also gloriously declares 
+and extols the greatness of the goodness and mercy of God in leading 
+us in the right way, and in lifting us up and consoling us under every 
+temptation, while hypocrites are left to walk in their own crooked 
+ways.
+
+Under a beautiful similitude he compares himself to a sheep, in 
+seeking, (if perchance it has strayed) saving, defending and feeding 
+which, the faithful shepherd spares no labour nor anxiety. And as, 
+under a good and watchful shepherd, the sheep have fattening pastures, 
+and wholesome brooks and fountains; so do the godly find all these 
+same pastures for their hearts in the word which God has provided for 
+them.
+
+David alludes in this Psalm to the table and shew bread, and to the 
+balsam and the oil of gladness. For God will feed and comfort the 
+Ministers of the word, and the hearers, and will gladden them with his 
+cup though they are made sorrowful by the world.
+
+He calls the word of God a shepherd’s staff, refreshing waters, green 
+pastures, that by all such similitudes he may show that true 
+salvation, settled peace, and sure and eternal consolation are 
+established in men’s consciences by the word of God only.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXIV.
+
+_God’s lordship in the world.—The citizens of his spiritual 
+kingdom.—An exhortation to receive him._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+The earth _is_ the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and 
+they that dwell therein.
+
+For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the 
+floods.
+
+Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his 
+holy place?
+
+He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lift up his 
+soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
+
+He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from 
+the God of his salvation.
+
+This _is_ the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O 
+Jacob. Selah.
+
+Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting 
+doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
+
+Who _is_ this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD 
+mighty in battle.
+
+Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift _them_ up, ye everlasting 
+doors: and the King of glory shall come in.
+
+Who _is_ this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he _is_ the King of 
+glory. Selah.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ to be spread 
+and extended throughout the whole world by the Gospel.
+
+By a striking apostrophe David turns himself to the kings, princes, 
+and wise ones of the earth, and the men of power and authority, whom 
+he calls after the genius of the Hebrew language, the ‘gates of the 
+world.’ Remember, (saith he to such,) that the earth is the Lord’s, he 
+is Lord of all. It was he that gave you your kingdoms. He has set up 
+his Christ as King over all, whom if ye adore and acknowledge not, ye 
+shall perish together with your kingdoms, and shall be dashed in 
+pieces like a potter’s vessel.
+
+He exhorts such to acknowledge themselves sinners: for these powerful 
+ones, these pharisees and these wise ones of the world, being blinded 
+with a conceited opinion of human wisdom and righteousness, are above 
+all others enfuriated against the Gospel: for when the kingdom of 
+grace and of the remission of sins is preached; when this Christ is 
+declared and proclaimed by the Gospel to be the only King of eternal 
+peace, the only victorious King over sin, death, and the devil; then 
+these tyrants and powerful ones of the world immediately burst out 
+with their cry of pride “Who is this King of Glory? Who?” As if they 
+should say, what! Shall those poor abject fishermen, those dross of 
+the earth teach us? Shall they, instead of the law of Moses, and 
+instead of the religion which we received from our forefathers, force 
+upon us this new worship of God, and this King of theirs who was 
+hanged upon the cross? Shall they persuade us to believe such dreams 
+as these?
+
+This Psalm, therefore, at the same time intimates that this kingdom of 
+Christ should not be corporeal or earthly, nor of such a kind as 
+should destroy political governments: but a kingdom in which the 
+preachers of it should bring into subjection unto Christ the world and 
+the kingdoms of the world by the word and the Gospel.
+
+To this kingdom (says David) kings and rulers shall oppose themselves 
+and shall crucify the King and Lord of Glory, and shall persecute the 
+Apostles and Ministers of the word: but he nevertheless shall break 
+through all kingdoms, and in defiance of every opposer shall enter 
+into the world and reign by the Gospel in the midst of his enemies: he 
+shall give to his Apostles a mouth and wisdom which none of their 
+adversaries shall be able to gainsay or resist: and while the 
+mightiest kingdoms of the earth, as Daniel saith, shall be moved and 
+destroyed, this eternal king shall endure for ever and be truly 
+manifested to be the Lord of victory and of glory.
+
+It has reference to the First Commandment of the Decalogue, and to the 
+first, second, and third petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXV.
+
+_David’s confidence in prayer.—He prayeth for remission of sins, and 
+for help in affliction._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
+
+O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed; let not mine enemies 
+triumph over me.
+
+Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which 
+transgress without cause.
+
+Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, 
+and teach me: for thou _art_ the God of my salvation; on thee do I 
+wait all the day.
+
+Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies, and thy loving-kindnesses; for 
+they _have been_ ever of old.
+
+Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to 
+thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
+
+Good and upright _is_ the LORD; therefore will he teach sinners in the 
+way.
+
+The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his 
+way.
+
+All the paths of the LORD _are_ mercy and truth unto such as keep his 
+covenant and his testimonies.
+
+For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it _is_ great.
+
+What man _is_ he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way 
+_that_ he shall choose;
+
+His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
+
+The secret of the LORD _is_ with them that fear him; and he will show 
+them his covenant.
+
+Mine eyes _are_ ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out 
+of the net.
+
+Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I _am_ desolate and 
+afflicted.
+
+The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my 
+distresses.
+
+Look upon mine affliction, and my pain: and forgive all my sins.
+
+Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel 
+hatred.
+
+O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my 
+trust in thee.
+
+Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
+
+Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
+
+
+This is a prayer in which the prophet prays, with wonderful fervency 
+of heart, to be strengthened in the faith and in the love of the Word, 
+although he should have on this account great and bitter enemies in 
+the world: that is, that he may not be broken down in mind by the 
+afflictions, nor by the greatness and multiplicity of his own 
+encompassing infirmities when he saw that Epicurean hypocrites 
+despised the true religion and the true word with so much confidence 
+and secure presumption, as if they were things in which it was a 
+disgrace for men of a sound mind and a liberal education to be in the 
+least engaged.
+
+Ah Lord (saith David) preserve and glorify thy name and thy word. Let 
+us (saith he) who are thus derided, spit upon, and, for thy sake, well 
+nigh overwhelmed in the midst of so many afflictions and so many 
+offences, not be confounded, but let us expect thy consolations. Let 
+those haughty hypocrites and despisers be confounded both before God 
+and men, who, on account of their carnal wisdom and powers, and 
+riches, and other things of this world which they admire and value, so 
+despise thy word and thy worship, that they deem it a disgrace to have 
+such things in their thoughts. Our eyes (saith he) are unto thee O 
+Lord? Do thou, if there be any infirmity in us, pardon it. Keep us in 
+the knowledge of thy holy word and of that mystery of thine which is 
+hidden from the world, and stand by us in our great straits and 
+perils.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the Second Commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXVI.
+
+_David resorteth unto God in confidence of his integrity._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted 
+also in the LORD; _therefore_ I shall not slide.
+
+Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
+
+For thy loving-kindness _is_ before mine eyes; and I have walked in 
+thy truth.
+
+I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with 
+dissemblers.
+
+I have hated the congregation of evil-doers; and will not sit with the 
+wicked.
+
+I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine altar, O 
+LORD?
+
+That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy 
+wondrous works.
+
+LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where 
+thine honour dwelleth.
+
+Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men;
+
+In whose hands _is_ mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
+
+But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be 
+merciful unto me.
+
+My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless 
+the LORD.
+
+
+This is a prayer unto God, containing a complaint against hypocrites 
+who want to be justified by the works of the law, and who always 
+persecute the true doctrine of faith and condemn its supporters for 
+heretics. David calls these characters dissemblers, heretics, bloody 
+men, wicked persons. For although they boast of great sanctity, yet 
+their hearts are full of hatred and bitterness against God, and craft 
+and iniquity against their neighbour: as Christ says of all such 
+pharisees when he rebukes them by Luke, “Ye are they who justify 
+yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts.” For such worship 
+God with their lips, but their heart is far from him: they worship him 
+not in truth, but do all for gain.
+
+In a word they serve not God but Mammon and their own belly: as Paul 
+saith to the Philippians. And this Psalm saith, “And their right hand 
+is full of bribes.” Yet their hypocrisy has a wonderful outside 
+appearance. And indeed the false church who has power and dominion on 
+her side, has always a more wonderful and showy appearance than the 
+true, which lies hidden under the various forms of the cross.
+
+Therefore we have need to pray in no slothful manner that God would 
+preserve us in his true Church, and would not suffer us to be mingled 
+and carried away with these characters, lest we have our portion with 
+such hypocrites, whose end, though they may for a time make a show 
+before the world, shall be destruction, and whose glory shall be 
+turned into confusion: as we have seen it exemplified in the Pope and 
+his kingdom.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment, and to the first and 
+second petitions of the Lord’s Prayer: for it speaks of the true 
+worship and kingdom of God.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXVII.
+
+_David sustaineth his faith by the power of God, by his love to the
+service of God, by prayer._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+The LORD _is_ my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD 
+_is_ the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
+
+When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up 
+my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
+
+Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; 
+though war should rise against me, in this _will_ I be confident.
+
+One _thing_ have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I 
+may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold 
+the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
+
+For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the 
+secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me: he shall set me upon a 
+rock.
+
+And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about 
+me: therefore will I offer in this tabernacle sacrifices of joy: I 
+will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
+
+Hear, O LORD, _when_ I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and 
+answer me.
+
+_When thou saidst_, seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy 
+face, Lord, will I seek.
+
+Hide not thy face _far_ from me; put not thy servant away in anger: 
+thou hast been my help: leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my 
+salvation.
+
+When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me 
+up.
+
+Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine 
+enemies.
+
+Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses 
+are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
+
+_I had fainted_, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD 
+in the land of the living.
+
+Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine 
+heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
+
+
+This Psalm is a thanksgiving, containing also a prayer and consolation 
+against false teachers.
+
+David having been taught and exercised by such great afflictions, by 
+so many perils and sorrows, and by such fiery conflicts, for the 
+word’s sake, and having been supported therein against the devil, and 
+the world, now finds a greater truth and reliance on God, and is more 
+encouraged and fortified against all his enemies.
+
+The Lord (saith he) is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? 
+That is, the Lord hath so often and so wonderfully comforted me under, 
+and so powerfully delivered me from, various darknesses and storms of 
+temptations, that he will not leave nor forsake me in time to come. If 
+God, then, be for me, who can be against me? If God uphold me, what 
+power or violence of the enemy can cast me down, or who can destroy 
+me?
+
+I will not fear thousands of enemies (says he) though they should 
+raise up war against me. All that I am anxious about is this one 
+thing;—that I may remain and dwell in the house of the Lord; that is, 
+in the true church, and among those where the word of God is purely 
+and sincerely taught and learned. If I can hold fast this jewel I am 
+rich. For if I hold fast the word of God, no terrors, how great soever 
+they may be, nor even death itself, can destroy my light and my life; 
+that is, my sure and eternal consolation. But if I love not the word, 
+no human consolations, how great soever they may be, will be able to 
+afford me that light and life.
+
+David directs the whole of this Psalm against hypocrites and false 
+teachers, who are so soon carried away from the word, and who teach 
+human things and seduce men’s consciences. Here he calls these 
+characters false witnesses; that is, such as nothing can shame, and 
+who know not how to blush. The audacity of these inexperienced 
+characters is prodigious, who, without any calling, and without the 
+word, boastingly make use of the name of God and seduce men, and do 
+infinite damage both to the state and to the church. For we generally 
+find it to be the case, that the more inexperienced such characters 
+are, and the more devoid of spiritual things, the more easily they 
+rush forth to teach: and such as these are those fanatical spirits who 
+afterwards raise up divisions and sects against the truly godly.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the First and Second Commandments, and to the 
+first and second petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXVIII.
+
+_David prayeth earnestly against his enemies.—He blesseth God.—He 
+prayeth for the people._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, _if_ 
+thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
+
+Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift 
+up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
+
+Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, 
+which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief _is_ in their 
+hearts.
+
+Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of 
+their endeavours; give them after the work of their hands; render to
+them their desert.
+
+Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of 
+his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my 
+supplications.
+
+The LORD _is_ my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and 
+I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song 
+will I praise him.
+
+The LORD _is_ their strength, and he _is_ the saving strength of his 
+anointed.
+
+Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift 
+them up for ever.
+
+
+This is a prayer of David, which in his time he used against Saul, and 
+others like him; but especially against all those Cainish hypocrites 
+who in word pretended to desire peace, but burned with secret hatred 
+in their hearts. Such a viper as this was Absalom, his son, against 
+him; and such an one also was Joab against Amasa and Abner, 2 Kings 
+iii. David, therefore, fearing lest the same things should be laid to 
+his charge, prays, “Draw me not away with the wicked, nor with the 
+workers of iniquity.”
+
+We may use the Psalm against tyrants and fanatical spirits; for in 
+this way are tyrants and persecutors of the word wont to pretend peace 
+in word, and yet secretly plan counsels of slaughter and murder all 
+the while. And so also fanatical spirits and all false prophets boast 
+with ‘big swelling words’ of the word of God, and tumultuously cry out 
+that they seek the glory and the worship of God, and promise nothing 
+but divine and heavenly things, and yet seek all the while their own 
+advantage and their own glory, destroying souls, and walking about in 
+sheep’s clothing, while they are inwardly nothing but ravening wolves.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the second and third precept, and to the first 
+and second petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXIX.
+
+_David exhorteth princes to give glory to God, by reason of his power, 
+and protection of his people._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and 
+strength.
+
+Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in 
+the beauty of holiness.
+
+The voice of the LORD _is_ upon the waters: the God of glory 
+thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
+
+The voice of the LORD _is_ powerful; the voice of the LORD _is_ full 
+of majesty.
+
+The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the 
+cedars of Lebanon.
+
+He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a 
+young unicorn.
+
+The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
+
+The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the 
+wilderness of Kadesh.
+
+The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the 
+forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of _his_ glory.
+
+The LORD sitteth upon the flood: yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
+
+The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his 
+people with peace.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the spread of the gospel throughout the 
+whole world, and concerning the preaching of the name of Christ before 
+kings and nations, and the children of Israel.
+
+“Give unto the Lord, ye mighty;” that is, ye kings, ye rulers, and ye 
+wise and rich ones of the world, ye Pharisees and rabbi, acknowledge 
+your wisdom, righteousness, and all your excellent political virtues, 
+your works of the law, and all that is high and excellent before men, 
+to be abomination in the sight of God; repent ye and believe the 
+gospel, that ye may quit yourselves under that one King and Lord, 
+Christ, and his church and kingdom, and, by faith and the wisdom of 
+God, acknowledge Christ, this son of God, to be God; for God, by a 
+manifest work of his power, in the beginning sent a flood upon the 
+whole world, and destroyed all flesh; and the same God, by his gospel 
+and by baptism, will drown and mortify the flesh, that is, the old 
+fleshly Adam, by a new and spiritual baptism: that as many as are 
+baptized into Christ, being crucified according to the old Adam, may 
+be raised up together with the second Adam, and become new men and new 
+creatures.
+
+He calls, by a figure, the kingdoms, nations, and powerful cities of 
+this world, forests; the wilderness of Kadesh, confused places of many 
+waters, places for hinds to calve, &c. These confused places the Lord 
+has revealed and discovered, and brought to the light of the gospel.
+
+This Psalm refers to the third precept, and to the second petition of 
+the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXX.
+
+_David praiseth God for his deliverance.—He exhorteth others to praise 
+him by example of God’s dealing with him._
+
+A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the House of David.
+
+
+I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not 
+made my foes to rejoice over me.
+
+O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
+
+O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me 
+alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
+
+Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the 
+remembrance of his holiness.
+
+For his anger _endureth but_ a moment; in his favour _is_ life: 
+weeping may endure for a night, but joy _cometh_ in the morning.
+
+And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
+
+LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou 
+didst hide thy face, _and_ I was troubled.
+
+I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
+
+What profit _is there_ in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall 
+the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
+
+Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
+
+Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my 
+sackcloth, and girded me with gladness:
+
+To the end that _my_ glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. 
+O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
+
+
+This is a remarkable Psalm, and truly Davidical. Here, with a 
+wonderful fervency of heart, he gives thanks unto God for having 
+delivered him from spiritual temptations and unspeakable conflicts 
+with Satan, and for having refreshed and comforted his heart when 
+brought down to such a state of weakness, when broken with such views 
+of misery, terror, and wrath, and when almost overwhelmed with the 
+greatness of his temptations. “Thou hast (saith he) brought my soul up 
+from hell:” that is, thou hast enabled me to overcome the violence and 
+fury of Satan, which never could be overcome by any human power.
+
+This Psalm contains, as you see, those sublime and heavenly feelings 
+of one rejoicing in the Holy Ghost, because God has turned such deep 
+distress, such overwhelming terrors and fears, so many tears and sighs 
+from the very belly of hell, into a joy that has refreshed and healed 
+the soul that was just before burning with the fiery darts of the 
+devil, and with the very flames of hell.
+
+The Psalm contains also a most sweet consolation: “His anger (says 
+David) endureth but for a moment: in his favour is life;” that is, 
+God, although he exercises the godly in these deep temptations, and 
+these intense agonizings of soul, yet he does not so try them with the 
+intent to slay them; nor does he afflict, in order to destroy his 
+people; nor is he the God of misery, of terror, and of death, but the 
+God of peace and of life, the God of joy and of consolation.
+
+This Psalm belongs to the third precept and to the first petition of 
+the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXI.
+
+_David, shewing his confidence in God, craveth his help.—He rejoiceth 
+in his mercy.—He prayeth in his calamity.—He praiseth God for his 
+goodness._
+
+To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.
+
+
+In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver 
+me in thy righteousness.
+
+Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, 
+for an house of defence to save me.
+
+For thou _art_ my rock and my fortress: therefore, for thy name’s 
+sake, lead me and guide me.
+
+Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; for thou 
+_art_ my strength.
+
+Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God 
+of truth.
+
+I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
+
+I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my 
+trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
+
+And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my 
+foot in a large room.
+
+Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; mine eye is consumed 
+with grief, _yea_, my soul and my belly.
+
+For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my 
+strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
+
+I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my 
+neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me 
+without fled from me.
+
+I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.
+
+For I have heard the slander of many: fear _was_ on every side: while 
+they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my 
+life.
+
+But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou _art_ my God.
+
+My times _are_ in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, 
+and from them that persecute me.
+
+Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ 
+sake.
+
+Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the 
+wicked be ashamed, _and_ let them be silent in the grave.
+
+Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things 
+proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
+
+_Oh_ how great _is_ thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them 
+that fear thee; _which_ thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee 
+before the sons of men!
+
+Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of 
+man; thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of 
+tongues.
+
+Blessed _be_ the Lord; for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness 
+in a strong city.
+
+For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: 
+nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cried 
+unto thee.
+
+O love the LORD, all ye his saints: _for_ the LORD preserveth the 
+faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
+
+Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that 
+hope in the LORD.
+
+
+This Psalm is a thanksgiving, and contains also prayers and 
+consolations. And the way to arrive at a right understanding of the 
+deep feelings and circumstances contained in this Psalm, is to know 
+that this Psalm is the general and continual cry of Christ and his 
+members, groaning and sighing under the cross and various afflictions. 
+For the Church is a congregation of afflicted, poor, and tried 
+persons. The wicked men of the world, the rich, the despisers of all 
+religion, and the atheistical Epicureans have, as Christ saith, their 
+consolation; while the godly, the spiritual, and those that believe, 
+being exposed to the horrible hatred and envy of the devil, are 
+exercised and distressed through all their life, inwardly with fears 
+and terrors in their hearts, and outwardly by persecutions, 
+blasphemies, and contempt for the word of God’s sake; and yet, from 
+all these they are delivered: for, as St. Paul saith, “Where 
+afflictions abound, there consolations abound also.”
+
+This Psalm belongs to the second and third precept, and to the first 
+and third petition of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+
+
+
+ADMONITORY OBSERVATIONS.
+
+
+And here I will cease to show, like a schoolmaster, to which precept 
+of the Decalogue, and to which member of the Lord’s Prayer each Psalm 
+belongs; for from what I have already said upon these points, my 
+seriously-disposed readers will be enabled to observe and judge for 
+themselves. All the supplicatory Psalms belong to the second precept 
+and to the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, for they honour and 
+sanctify the name of the Lord. And the Psalms which teach, console, 
+and give thanks for deliverance, belong to the second and third 
+precepts of the Decalogue, and also to the first and third petitions 
+of the Lord’s Prayer: for they teach us how, in truth, to keep holy 
+the Sabbath day, how to worship God with the true and highest worship, 
+and how to offer the most acceptable sacrifice; namely, the sacrifice 
+of praise. And most of the Psalms refer to all those three precepts of 
+the Decalogue, and to all those petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.
+
+My reason for giving these hints respecting the commandments, and 
+petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, to which the different Psalms belong, 
+in this my brief summary of the contents of the Psalms, is this: to 
+show that the whole Scripture flows from the Decalogue as from a 
+fountain; and that in the Ten Commandments and in the Lord’s Prayer 
+are contained the sum and substance of all theology or divinity; and 
+that nothing can be taught in the Church more sublime or more 
+excellent than these two parts of Divine revelation. For we see how 
+the greatest prophets and Moses himself, drew their great and divine 
+discourses from the first, the second, and the third Commandments; 
+and, in a word, from the whole of the Decalogue; how diligently they 
+weighed every thing and made it harmonize with this; and how they 
+continually delivered new things, yet all with reference to this great 
+general Decalogue. Hence indeed it was that Moses, that most eminent 
+man of God, gave this precept, “These words (says he,) thou shalt 
+meditate, when thou standest up and when thou liest down; and thou 
+shalt teach them diligently to thy children,” &c.
+
+In all their discourses and writings, therefore, the prophets and 
+apostles allude and refer to the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. From 
+these Ten Commandments flow all the doctrines, and all the godly 
+living of the saints: for there is no holiness or godliness of life or 
+true religion, apart from the Ten Commandments: because they are the 
+never-failing inexhaustible fountain of all wisdom, righteousness, and 
+of all perfection in the saints. Nor is there any of the complaints 
+uttered by the Prophets or Apostles, nor will you find any other in 
+all their discourses, but that against false prophets, hypocrites and 
+false teachers, who, disregarding, nay, totally despising and spitting 
+upon, the true and highest worship of God, (which is that of the first 
+Commandment, that requires faith and the fear of God,) teach their own 
+human dreams, which have nothing whatever to do with the Decalogue, 
+and do not at all belong to it.
+
+Against these characters it is, (as we see in Moses himself, in 
+Isaiah, in Jeremiah, and in the epistles of Paul and Peter,) that the 
+Prophets and Apostles complain bitterly, and that with tears; against 
+these it is that they cry aloud and wage war with all their powers; 
+that they might preserve this true and highest worship of God, and 
+might destroy from among men, hypocrisy and all human doctrines and 
+fanatical dreams.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXII.
+
+_Blessedness consisteth in remission of sins.—Confession of sins 
+giveth ease to the conscience.—God’s promises bring joy._
+
+A Psalm of David, Maschil.
+
+
+Blessed _is he whose_ transgression _is_ forgiven, _whose_ sin _is_ 
+covered.
+
+Blessed _is_ the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in 
+whose spirit _there is_ no guile.
+
+When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day 
+long.
+
+For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned 
+into the drought of summer. Selah.
+
+I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I 
+said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou 
+forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
+
+For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when 
+thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall
+not come nigh unto him.
+
+Thou _art_ my hiding-place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou 
+shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
+
+I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I 
+will guide thee with mine eye.
+
+Be ye not as the horse, _or_ as the mule, _which_ have no 
+understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest 
+they come near unto thee.
+
+Many sorrows _shall be_ to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the 
+LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
+
+Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all 
+_ye that are_ upright in heart.
+
+
+This Psalm is a very remarkable and valuable one. St. Paul quotes it 
+in that profound discussion of his, Rom. iv. where he teaches us what 
+sin is, and how we obtain the remission of sins, and, in a word, how 
+we are justified before God: for it is in this matter that all 
+hypocrites so deeply err: because human reason cannot imagine that sin 
+is accompanied with such great and such infinite guilt before God, and 
+with a guilt that no human powers nor works can wash away. In a word, 
+it knows not what sin is, and thinks that it can be washed off, and 
+taken away by works.
+
+Whereas David here plainly says, “For this shall every one that is 
+godly pray:” and he says also, that no one can be justified or 
+sanctified before God, unless he acknowledge himself to be a sinner, 
+and know that he is to obtain the remission of sins without any works 
+and merits, by the mere mercy of God, and by a free and gratuitous 
+imputation. In a word, our righteousness is not placed in us, or in 
+our works; but is such, that the remission of our sins is truly and 
+rightly called the free REMISSION of our sins: and also that our sins 
+are truly said ‘_not to be imputed_,’ but ‘_to be covered_.’ ‘Blessed 
+(says David) are they (that is, such are accepted before God, and are 
+truly righteous and reconciled to God) whose transgressions are 
+forgiven and whose sins are covered.’
+
+Here David says, in plain words, that all the saints are, and still 
+remain, sinners; and that they are justified and sanctified in no 
+other way than this;—God of his free mercy, for Christ’s sake, is 
+pleased not to impute their sins unto them, nor to judge them, but, in 
+mercy, to forgive them, and cover over their sins, and forget them. 
+And although in many other respects there is a great difference 
+between the saints and the wicked, yet, in this point there is no 
+difference,—they are all equally sinners, and all equally sin every 
+day. But the sins of the saints are not imputed unto them: they are 
+covered and forgiven on account of their faith in the promise of free 
+grace. Whereas the sins of the wicked are imputed unto them, and they 
+are exposed to the eye and to the awful judgment of God. The wounds of 
+the latter are not bound up: but the wounds of the former are bound 
+up, and are cured with healing plasters and oil: and yet they are both 
+truly wounded and truly sinners! But of this, more in its place; and I 
+have said much upon it in others of my writings.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXIII.
+
+_God is to be praised for his goodness, for his power, and for his 
+providence.—Confidence is to be placed in God._
+
+
+Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: _for_ praise is comely for the 
+upright.
+
+Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery, and an 
+instrument of ten strings.
+
+Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
+
+For the word of the LORD _is_ right: and all his works _are done_ in 
+truth.
+
+He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the 
+goodness of the LORD.
+
+By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of 
+them by the breath of his mouth.
+
+He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up 
+the depth in storehouses.
+
+Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world 
+stand in awe of him.
+
+For he spake, and it was _done_; he commanded, and it stood fast.
+
+The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the 
+devices of the people of none effect.
+
+The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart 
+to all generations.
+
+Blessed _is_ the nation whose God _is_ the LORD; _and_ the people 
+_whom_ he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
+
+The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
+
+From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants 
+of the earth.
+
+He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
+
+There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is 
+not delivered by much strength.
+
+An horse _is_ a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver _any_ 
+by his great strength.
+
+Behold, the eye of the LORD _is_ upon them that fear him, upon them 
+that hope in his mercy:
+
+To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
+
+Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he _is_ our help and our shield.
+
+For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his 
+holy name.
+
+Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
+
+
+This Psalm is a remarkable thanksgiving, where the prophet calls upon 
+all the saints, and those that fear God, to rejoice and give thanks 
+unto God for his preserving the church so wonderfully in the midst of 
+the world, in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, and exposed to so 
+many evils and perils on every side,—to give thanks unto God, I say, 
+who never forsakes the godly, and those that fear him, when tossed to 
+and fro on such waves of temptation, nor suffers them to be 
+overwhelmed, nor to perish, though conflicting in so perilous a 
+manner.
+
+God, says David, created the heaven and this whole universe of things 
+by his word. “He spake, and they were made:” therefore he is 
+omnipotent, and nothing is difficult to him: and hence he can deliver 
+his own from the midst of death, and from the midst of hell. And then, 
+again, his goodness and his truth are exceedingly great and infinite. 
+He regardeth and heareth the afflicted, he is ever present with them 
+in the hour of temptation: and, as David says in another Psalm, “The 
+Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.”
+
+Therefore God is not only willing to help and succour the godly, but 
+to succour them even as a father would his children; even as that 
+gracious promise which is comprehended in the First Commandment, 
+declares “I am the Lord thy God:” that is, I will be the Lord thy God: 
+I will be thy life, thy salvation, thy shield, thy defence, thy 
+eternal strength, thy eternal salvation, and consolation; thy eternal 
+and infinite good, against all the evils that can come upon thee:—For 
+this is to be God!
+
+In the first place, therefore, David proclaims with great fulness of 
+expression this unequalled wisdom and power of God,—that God has in 
+his hand all the hearts and thoughts of all men, kings, rulers and 
+potentates throughout the whole world; that he turns them and orders 
+them just as he will; that he governs and overrules all their 
+deliberations and counsels, and directs them all according to his own 
+mind and pleasure. “The Lord (saith David) bringeth the counsel of the 
+heathen to nought:” that is, he wonderfully breaks off and disappoints 
+the counsels of the wise, of the kings, of the potentates of this 
+world: and suddenly defeats all the attacks of the enemies against his 
+people and his church, how sure soever of success they may appear, and 
+he turns all their destruction upon the heads of the enemies 
+themselves, so that they cannot perform their enterprises nor 
+accomplish the devices which they plot against the righteous, but they 
+fall themselves into the pits which they have digged, and there perish 
+and rot.
+
+This is no small consolation to those that fear God, amidst all that 
+bitterness and Satanic cruelty which the tyrants of this world execute 
+against the godly, when they fearfully threaten that they will fill 
+all things with blood if they do not deny Christ and his gospel. These 
+make no end of their threats, because they are as if they would 
+terrify God himself, and hurl Christ down from the throne of his 
+majesty. Whereas God, all the while, holds in his power the thoughts 
+and imaginations of every one of them, and also their life and the 
+breath that is in their nostrils: and therefore such are subverted and 
+destroyed in a moment before they have accomplished their designs. 
+Only meditate upon all the examples of this since the beginning of the 
+world. What became of all the counsels of the people of Sodom against 
+Lot? Where is that great monarch and terror of the world, Sennacherib? 
+What (to come to our own times) has become of Pope Leo X. and all the 
+other bitter enemies of the word?
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXIV.
+
+_David praiseth God, and exhorteth others thereto by his 
+experience.—They are blessed that trust in God.—He exhorteth to the 
+fear of God.—The privileges of the righteous._
+
+A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who 
+drove him away, and he departed.
+
+
+I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise _shall_ continually 
+_be_ in my mouth.
+
+My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear 
+_thereof_, and be glad.
+
+O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
+
+I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my 
+fears.
+
+They looked unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not 
+ashamed.
+
+This poor man cried, and the LORD heard _him_, and saved him out of 
+all his troubles.
+
+The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and 
+delivereth them.
+
+O taste and see that the LORD _is_ good: blessed _is_ the man _that_ 
+trusteth in him.
+
+O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for _there is_ no want to them that 
+fear him.
+
+The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD 
+shall not want any good _thing_.
+
+Come, ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the 
+LORD.
+
+What man _is he that_ desireth life, _and_ loveth _many_ days, that he 
+may see good?
+
+Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
+
+Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it.
+
+The eyes of the LORD _are_ upon the righteous, and his ears _are open_ 
+unto their cry.
+
+The face of the LORD _is_ against them that do evil, to cut off the 
+remembrance of them from the earth.
+
+_The righteous_ cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of 
+all their troubles.
+
+The LORD _is_ nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth 
+such as be of a contrite spirit.
+
+Many _are_ the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth 
+him out of them all.
+
+He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
+
+Evil shall slay the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall be 
+desolate.
+
+The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants; and none of them that 
+trust in him shall be desolate.
+
+
+This Psalm is a remarkable thanksgiving, and is nearly of the same 
+import with the preceding, as the title of the Psalm, and the sixth 
+verse show: for David here sets forth himself as an example and proof 
+before all the godly, to show, that God always hears the prayers and 
+supplications of the godly, and them that believe, and does not 
+despise the sighings of the afflicted.
+
+David here, after a majestic opening of the Psalm, promises that he 
+will set forth the sum of all godliness. “What man is he (saith the 
+Psalmist) that desireth life, and loveth many days. Keep thy tongue 
+from evil, &c.” Here, he requires before all things, the fear of the 
+Lord, and the worship of the First Commandment: that, cleaving closely 
+to the word, we might avoid hypocrisy and lying doctrines, and that we 
+might truly trust in God, endure his will, and not rebel or murmur 
+against him. And then, that we should live in peace with our 
+neighbour, not rendering evil for evil, but blessing even our 
+adversaries and our enemies, and, as much as in us lies, living in 
+peace with all men, whether they be good or evil.
+
+For thus does the counsel of God stand, which cannot be changed or 
+altered,—that the saints should live in affliction in this life. 
+Wherefore, if thou wilt be a godly man, if thou wilt cleave unto God, 
+prepare thy soul (as David here saith) to temptations, to the cross, 
+and to afflictions: for thus it is immutably decreed of God, (as he 
+says again afterwards) “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” 
+And again, this firm and eternal counsel of God stands also immutably 
+fixed,—that it is God’s will to deliver the saints from all these 
+evils, and so wholly and faithfully so, that not even the least bone 
+of them shall perish: nay, in the resurrection, and in glorification, 
+every bone shall return to the body with greater perfection than ever; 
+as Christ says in his Gospel, “Even the very hairs of your head are 
+all numbered.”
+
+What then is this light and momentary tribulation, in comparison with 
+that eternal weight of glory, which shall be revealed in us? For 
+although the bones and members of the saints are, above all others, 
+cruelly scattered and broken, burnt in the fire, and left to rot in 
+graves; yet, even though they be thus sown in ignominy, they shall be 
+raised in glory: they shall be quickened again with all their limbs 
+and bodies; and all their bones shall be restored; and the just shall 
+shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. For that maddened 
+and insatiable fury of the devil, shall not be able to mangle the 
+bones of the saints, or so to extinguish the church as that it shall 
+be annihilated altogether. The death, and the cruel bruising of the 
+bones of the saints, shall be temporary only: but their glorification 
+in God, shall be for ever and ever.
+
+And observe, how remarkably this Psalm speaks of the resurrection, and 
+also concerning angels. For this is the first Psalm which we have yet 
+treated on, that speaks of angels. This Psalm shows that they are 
+ministers and helpers to the saints, being sent forth to minister unto 
+them who shall be heirs of salvation. David shows that they are not 
+only present with us, but that they most diligently and unceasingly 
+watch over us, and stand up for our defence; that they encamp round 
+about us, and fight for us perpetually, as if in open battle, that 
+they may defend us against the horrible violence, and infinite snares 
+of Satan and his members. All which things are the greatest 
+consolation to the godly, and them that believe.
+
+This is all confirmed by the example of the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings 
+vi. 16. when he said concerning the ministration of angels, “Fear not, 
+for they that be with us, are more than they that be with them.” The 
+prophet makes an allusion here, after the manner of the prophets, who 
+drew all their matter from Moses, as it were from a fountain. Moses 
+says of Jacob, Gen. xxxii. when he feared the cruelty and rage of his 
+brother Esau, “And the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, 
+he said, this is God’s host.” So it is said, that angels came to 
+Elisha, and encamped round about him; as we have it in the present 
+Psalm.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXV.
+
+_David prayeth for his own safety, and his enemies’ confusion.—He 
+complaineth of their wrongful dealing.—Thereby he inciteth God against 
+them._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Plead _my cause_, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against 
+them that fight against me.
+
+Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
+
+Draw out also the spear, and stop _the way_ against them that 
+persecute me: say unto my soul, I _am_ thy salvation.
+
+Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let 
+them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
+
+Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD 
+chase _them_.
+
+Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD 
+persecute them.
+
+For without cause have they hid for me their net _in_ a pit, _which_ 
+without cause they have digged for my soul.
+
+Let destruction come upon him at unawares, and let his net that he 
+hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction, let him fall.
+
+And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his 
+salvation.
+
+All my bones shall say, LORD, who _is_ like unto thee, which 
+deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor 
+and the needy from him that spoileth him?
+
+False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge _things_ that I 
+knew not.
+
+They rewarded me evil for good _to_ the spoiling of my soul.
+
+But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing _was_ sackcloth: I 
+humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own 
+bosom.
+
+I behaved myself as though _he had been_ my friend _or_ brother: I 
+bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth _for his_ mother.
+
+But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: 
+_yea_, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew 
+_it_ not; they did tear _me_, and ceased not:
+
+With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their 
+teeth.
+
+LORD, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their 
+destructions, my darling from the lions.
+
+I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee 
+among much people.
+
+Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: 
+_neither_ let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
+
+For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against 
+_them that are_ quiet in the land.
+
+Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, _and_ said, Aha, aha, 
+our eye hath seen _it_.
+
+_This_ thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O LORD, be not far 
+from me.
+
+Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, _even_ unto my cause, my 
+God and my Lord.
+
+Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them 
+not rejoice over me.
+
+Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them 
+not say, We have swallowed him up.
+
+Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at 
+mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify 
+_themselves_ against me.
+
+Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: 
+yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath 
+pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
+
+And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness _and_ of thy praise all 
+the day long.
+
+
+This is a prayer wherein David complains bitterly against those worst 
+of all men who are found about palaces, and who flatter kings and 
+rulers, and, for their own gain and advantage, tickle their ears with 
+adulation in order to please them; and at the same time, speak evil of 
+the innocent, enflame the powerful against the preachers and 
+professors of the word of God, endeavour to suppress the truth, and 
+cause awful injuries both to churches and to states. Thus such 
+characters as these traduced David before king Saul, though they were 
+men to whom David had rendered the greatest services, for whom he had 
+often most fervently prayed, and in endeavouring to save and protect 
+whom he had brought upon himself much misery and distress.
+
+The matter of this Psalm may be a great consolation to us when we see 
+the doctrines of truth and the gospel of God to be hated and traduced 
+before kings and rulers, with the most impudent lies, and the most 
+virulent speeches of the enemies of true piety, nay of every thing 
+that is honest and becoming man. Thus, a certain man, remarkable for 
+the fear of God, once told me that, at the tenth year of the August 
+Assembly, by the impudent and malicious report of some present, 
+nothing was talked about in the pope’s palace concerning Luther, but, 
+‘that he denied the Lord Christ, that he despised the Virgin Mary, and 
+contemptuously set aside baptism, the sacraments, and all religion; 
+and that he winked at theft, adultery, and other open sins, and 
+permitted them to pass by with impunity.’ These forgers, however, of 
+this manifest lie were put to shame openly when Charles V. himself was 
+present and heard me when I made a confession of my doctrine; and then 
+also, the devil, the father and fountain of lies, was himself 
+confuted. Thus are these wretches wont to traduce the godly in this 
+malicious manner, and to defame them, while they themselves in the 
+mean time enjoy all the secular benefits of the gospel. Of this stamp 
+there are thousands before us in our day.
+
+Hypocritical (or halting) mockers (saith David), who halt between two 
+desires,—who want to serve both God and men,—conspire together against 
+me. For these when they have been raised at the expense and loss of 
+the godly, and have golden riches and honours, trample those very 
+godly ones under their feet. Such ungrateful wretches as these are all 
+hypocrites and fanatical spirits, who serve not the Lord or Christ but 
+their own belly. And just such now are all those who enjoy and 
+squander all our property, and persecute us into the bargain.
+
+In a word, as it happened to Christ our head, so it is now with the 
+church and all who fear God. He that eateth my bread, saith Christ, 
+trampleth me under foot, and that for the hire of thirty pieces of 
+silver. These are those hypocrites who consider their own belly above 
+every thing else, whose unbounded and insatiable cruelty is ever 
+raging against those that fear God; as David here complains.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXVI.
+
+_The grievous estate of the wicked.—The excellency of God’s 
+mercy.—David prayeth for favour to God’s children._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord.
+
+
+The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, _that there is_ 
+no fear of God before his eyes.
+
+For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found 
+to be hateful.
+
+The words of his mouth _are_ iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to 
+be wise, _and_ to do good.
+
+He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way _that 
+is_ not good; he abhorreth not evil.
+
+Thy mercy, O LORD, _is_ in the heavens; _and_ thy faithfulness 
+_reacheth_ unto the clouds.
+
+Thy righteousness _is_ like the great mountains; thy judgments _are_ a 
+great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
+
+How excellent _is_ thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children 
+of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
+
+They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and 
+thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
+
+For with thee _is_ the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see 
+light.
+
+O continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee; and thy 
+righteousness to the upright in heart.
+
+Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the 
+wicked remove me.
+
+There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and 
+shall not be able to rise.
+
+
+This is a Psalm containing a very necessary doctrine, and marks 
+whereby heretics, false-teachers, and fanatical spirits may be 
+discovered. And in the end he begs of God with a wonderful fervency 
+that he may be guarded against all these pestilences. And after he had 
+at the beginning of the Psalm exactly described these characters in 
+their own colours, he takes courage, in the middle, himself, and 
+comforts all those that fear God; and tells them, that, although Satan 
+by his instruments roars and rages against the church, yet, that the 
+word of God shall remain and the kingdom of God stand unmoved, against 
+all the violence of Satan, and against the power of all the kingdoms 
+of the world.
+
+“Thy righteousness (says David) is like the great mountains: and thy 
+judgments are a great deep;” that is, as the rocks and mountains which 
+God has fixed, no power can overthrow;—and as the great deeps of the 
+sea are inexhaustible, so, thy word O Lord stands firm, and no human 
+power can overthrow or subvert the truth: and although all the gates 
+of hell and all the attempts of men and devils should set themselves 
+against thy word and will, yet with thee is the fountain of life; that 
+is, in thy house, where thou dwellest by the word in the midst of 
+enemies: that fountain and river of life will still remain; that is, 
+this word of thine, whereby afflicted consciences will be raised up 
+and revived.
+
+And here, if any where, the prophet expressively describes those false 
+teachers. He _first_ of all breaks out against such, with the most 
+fervent zeal at the beginning of the Psalm. ‘Certainly, (saith he) if 
+there be any set of men, evil men, these are of all the worst: for 
+they are men of an abandoned impudence, virulent, and destitute of the 
+fear of God, and of faith in him; they are secure despisers of God and 
+religion; they are proud, arrogant, precipitate, audacious, and 
+prepared for every thing that is bad.’
+
+In the _next_ place, they approve and commend no one but themselves. 
+They hate all others most bitterly, and traduce and defame them: they 
+excel in this one thing only,—in adorning and setting off themselves, 
+in using boasted self-praising words, in contemptuously despising 
+others, and in arrogating to themselves only the spirit and worship of 
+God, and the appellation of the true church.
+
+In the _third_ place, their doctrines are most pernicious, and filled 
+with lies: for they fight against the doctrine of faith and of grace, 
+and deceive men by their outside daubing, and their hypocrisy.
+
+In the _fourth_ place, they are rashly precipitate, and will endure no 
+monitor; for they are harder than any iron or any adamant: and if you 
+do not applaud all they say and all they do, they immediately rage and 
+make a tumult with all the fury of Satan.
+
+In the _fifth_ place, they go out and diffuse their doctrines as 
+widely as possible; and their speech, as Paul saith, eateth like a 
+canker. For, for the most part, such men have an audacity above all 
+sincere and good men, and a determinate spirit to accomplish all their 
+own purposes; and they are restless, vehement, hot-headed, and so 
+furiously and wickedly aim at the accomplishment of their own 
+purposes, that you would think they would overturn everything else.
+
+And _lastly_, they hostilely persecute all those who do not subscribe 
+to their creed. And all these enormities they perpetrate with a 
+wonderfully unconcerned and insensible security; as if they were all 
+the time pleasing God and doing him service.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXVII.
+
+_David persuadeth to patience and confidence in God, by the different 
+estate of the godly and the wicked._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious 
+against the workers of iniquity.
+
+For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the 
+green herb.
+
+Trust in the LORD, and do good: _so_ shalt thou dwell in the land, and 
+verily thou shalt be fed.
+
+Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires 
+of thine heart.
+
+Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring 
+_it_ to pass.
+
+And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy 
+judgment as the noon day.
+
+Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because 
+of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth 
+wicked devices to pass.
+
+Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to 
+do evil.
+
+For evil-doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, 
+they shall inherit the earth.
+
+For yet a little while, and the wicked _shall_ not _be_; yea, thou 
+shalt diligently consider his place, and it _shall_ not _be_.
+
+But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in 
+the abundance of peace.
+
+The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his 
+teeth.
+
+The LORD shall laugh at him; for he seeth that his day is coming.
+
+The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast 
+down the poor and needy, _and_ to slay such as be of upright 
+conversation.
+
+Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be 
+broken.
+
+A little that a righteous man hath _is_ better than the riches of many 
+wicked.
+
+For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the 
+righteous.
+
+The LORD knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall 
+be for ever.
+
+They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine 
+they shall be satisfied.
+
+But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD _shall be_ as 
+the fat of Lambs: they shall consume, into smoke shall they consume 
+away.
+
+The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth 
+mercy, and giveth.
+
+For _such as be_ blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and _they 
+that be_ cursed of him shall be cut off.
+
+The steps of a _good_ man are ordered by the LORD; and he delighteth 
+in his way.
+
+Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD 
+upholdeth _him with_ his hand.
+
+I have been young, and _now_ am old; yet have I not seen the righteous 
+forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
+
+_He is_ ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed _is_ blessed.
+
+Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
+
+For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are 
+preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
+
+The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein for ever.
+
+The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of 
+judgment.
+
+The law of his God _is_ in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
+
+The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
+
+The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is 
+judged.
+
+Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit 
+the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see _it_.
+
+I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a 
+green bay-tree.
+
+Yet he passed away, and, lo, he _was_ not: yea, I sought him, but he 
+could not be found.
+
+Mark the perfect _man_, and behold the upright: for the end of _that_ 
+man _is_ peace.
+
+But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the 
+wicked shall be cut off.
+
+But the salvation of the righteous _is_ of the LORD; _he is_ their 
+strength in the time of trouble.
+
+And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them; he shall deliver them 
+from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation, which exhorts us to patience in the 
+world; and shews us that we should not be angry with, nor mutter 
+against God, when we see it to be well with evil men, and evilly with 
+the good. This indeed is often a cutting offence, and exceedingly 
+galls the weak ones; concerning which also Habakkuk complains, chap. 
+i. For when the saints think that all things turn out prosperously and 
+successfully to the wicked, and all things adversely and 
+unsuccessfully to those that fear God, they appear, as to human 
+judgment, to be dealt hardly with indeed.
+
+We see an infinity of malice and ingratitude in the world, and an 
+extreme contempt of religion; a contempt of all good learning, and of 
+all virtue and honesty. Of this we have examples sufficiently 
+manifest, in our time, among the powerful and noble of this world, and 
+also among citizens and peasants, who all wish to have the liberty of 
+doing what suits their pleasure. To these impious despisers of the 
+word of God all things turn out prosperously: they abound in riches, 
+and they are raised to honours: while those that fear God are 
+afflicted with hunger and nakedness, and are despised, derided, and 
+contemned. And moreover, they endure the most bitter hatred of the 
+devil and the world for the word’s sake; they can scarcely breathe 
+under their afflictions, and they are often bound with fetters and 
+imprisoned. Here, not to give way to anger and indignation; here, not 
+to turn epicureans and deny God, is a wisdom beyond all that is human: 
+is a wisdom that is altogether spiritual and divine.
+
+The sum therefore of this Psalm is,—suffer; that is, learn patience. 
+Every evil must be overcome by bearing it with patience. Cast thy 
+cares upon the Lord. Do not murmur; be not angry; wish no ill to the 
+wicked. Leave the management and government of all to God: he is a 
+righteous judge.—This is the all-necessary doctrine that is delivered 
+to us in this Psalm: a doctrine wholly unknown to the wise of this 
+world. And here the Holy Spirit comforts the godly in a various, and 
+at the same time, most fatherly and affectionate way; and that with 
+the most great and gracious promises. And then, as an example, David 
+himself says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet saw I never the 
+righteous forsaken.” And then he concludes with threatenings against 
+the wicked. But to show forth this patience in the midst of so much 
+malice and perverseness of the world, is the power and operation of 
+the Holy Spirit only, and is found only in spiritual men: for all 
+human reason, and all the wise ones of the world, cannot judge 
+otherwise, than that it is unworthy of God, and unjust, that it should 
+be well with the evil, and ill with the good.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXVIII.
+
+_David moveth God to take compassion of his pitiful case._
+
+A Psalm of David to bring to remembrance.
+
+
+O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot 
+displeasure.
+
+For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
+
+_There is_ no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither 
+_is there any_ rest in my bones because of my sin.
+
+For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they 
+are too heavy for me.
+
+My wounds stink _and_ are corrupt because of my foolishness.
+
+I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day 
+long.
+
+For my loins are filled with a loathsome _disease_: and _there is_ no 
+soundness in my flesh.
+
+I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the 
+disquietness of my heart.
+
+LORD, all my desire _is_ before thee; and my groaning is not hid from 
+thee.
+
+My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine 
+eyes, it also is gone from me.
+
+My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen 
+stand afar off.
+
+They also that seek after my life lay snares _for me_: and they that 
+seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day 
+long.
+
+But I, as a deaf _man_, heard not; and _I was_ as a dumb man _that_ 
+openeth not his mouth.
+
+Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth _are_ no 
+reproofs.
+
+For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O LORD my God.
+
+For I said, _Hear me_; lest _otherwise_ they should rejoice over me: 
+when my foot slippeth, they magnify _themselves_ against me.
+
+For I _am_ ready to halt, and my sorrow _is_ continually before me.
+
+For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
+
+But mine enemies _are_ lively, _and_ they are strong: and they that 
+hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
+
+They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I 
+follow _the thing that_ good _is_.
+
+Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
+
+Make haste to help me, O LORD my salvation.
+
+
+This is a fervent prayer to God, in which David complains with 
+wonderful groanings, that he is stricken and bruised with the sense of 
+his sin; that he is distressed and straitened in spirit under the 
+deepest sorrow; and that he can see nothing and feel nothing but wrath 
+from heaven, and the terrible lightnings, arrows, and threatenings of 
+God; and in a word, death, and hell itself; and that this great 
+distress exhausts not only all the moisture, all the strength, all the 
+blood, and all the marrow of his frame, but fills him with an 
+unspeakable alarm and perturbation, and makes him pant and sweat with 
+agony; so that the intenseness of his feelings, destroys the natural 
+colour and appearance of his face, and affects his whole body. For to 
+feel in reality the burthen of the conscience under a sense of sin, is 
+a distress and terror exceeding all other distresses and terrors. And 
+these deep temptations of the godly are greatly increased by those 
+wicked ones without, who cease not to call them heretics, seditious 
+persons, and murderers. For these hypocrites, while they boast in the 
+teeth of the godly that they are the true saints, and the true church, 
+and the real people of God, (and God in the meantime, which is often 
+the case, not bringing in help and consolation) the godly are deeply 
+grieved and afflicted, as if God was their enemy because of their 
+sins.
+
+But this Psalm teaches us constantly to hope for, and expect the help 
+and consolation of God, and still to fight against all such hypocrites 
+by prayer. And the prophet, in the midst of the agonizing conflict of 
+this temptation, sustains and lifts up himself by taking courage from 
+the divine promise. And here he maintains his cause, (which is not the 
+cause of men but of God,) as a strong fortress against Satan and his 
+cause, and here again flows in the consolation of faith, &c. And so 
+also we ought to pray always, and in no temptation yield to sorrow of 
+mind, even though we are sinners, and though Satan shakes us with the 
+horrible terrors of sin: for grace is stronger than sin!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XXXIX.
+
+_David’s care of his thoughts.—The consideration of the brevity and 
+vanity of life, the reverence of God’s judgments, and prayer, are his 
+bridles of impatience._
+
+To the chief Musician, _even_ to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I 
+will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
+
+I was dumb with silence: I held my peace, _even_ from good; and my 
+sorrow was stirred.
+
+My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire burned: _then_ 
+spake I with my tongue,
+
+LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it 
+_is_; _that_ I may know how frail I _am_.
+
+Behold, thou hast made my days _as_ an handbreadth, and mine age _is_ 
+as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state _is_ 
+altogether vanity. Selah.
+
+Surely every man walketh in a vain shew; surely they are disquieted in 
+vain; he heapeth up _riches_, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
+
+And now, LORD, what wait I for? my hope _is_ in thee.
+
+Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the 
+foolish.
+
+I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst _it_.
+
+Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine 
+hand.
+
+When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his 
+beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man _is_ vanity. 
+Selah.
+
+Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace 
+at my tears: for I _am_ a stranger with thee, _and_ a sojourner, as 
+all my fathers _were_.
+
+O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no 
+more.
+
+
+This is a consolatory Psalm, containing also a prayer of the prophet, 
+in which he prays that his mouth may be bridled, that he might not 
+break out into blasphemy and murmuring when he sees the wicked to 
+prosper in the world, and most proudly to despise God and his word, 
+and to think of nothing but amassing riches, &c.; and when he sees, on 
+the contrary, that the godly are afflicted with various temptations 
+without and within, and conflicting both with the world and with the 
+devil.
+
+Rather (says he) teach me, O Lord, to know mine end; that is, that 
+there will be an end to my life at length; that is, teach me to 
+magnify the future, which does not yet appear. Guard me from that 
+perilous security of the wicked in which they give themselves up 
+wholly to this world, and devote themselves to coveting the things 
+thereof, and to pride and ambition, as if they should live here for 
+ever. For it is often a great vexation to the godly, and indeed the 
+prophets themselves complain of it,—that the wicked and the evil 
+abound in every kind of luxury, wallow in all the pleasures of wine 
+and feasting, and live their whole lives in security, strangers to 
+trouble and affliction, while the godly are afflicted, and tempted, 
+and distressed both from without and from within.
+
+But the end shows that the godly are happy; and the wicked, with all 
+their perishable happiness, truly miserable. Hence the prophet saith, 
+“And now, Lord, what is my expectation, (or what wait I for?)” As if 
+he had said, shall I be always thus afflicted! Shall I be utterly 
+overwhelmed? Will these temptations continue to return upon us for 
+ever? No! (says he) the Lord is my expectation: that is, I shall find 
+in the end, after all these temptations and death, an eternal life, a 
+reconciled God, the pardon of all my sins, and even in this world, I 
+shall not be forsaken. But the wicked, after their short life, will 
+find nothing but death,—death eternal!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XL.
+
+_The benefit of confidence in God.—Obedience is the best 
+sacrifice.—The sense of David’s evils inflameth his prayer._
+
+To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.
+
+
+I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my 
+cry.
+
+He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, 
+and set my feet upon a rock, _and_ established my goings.
+
+And he hath put a new song in my mouth, _even_ praise unto our God: 
+many shall see _it_, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
+
+Blessed _is_ that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth 
+not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
+
+Many, O LORD my God, _are_ thy wonderful works _which_ thou hast done, 
+and thy thoughts _which are_ to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in 
+order unto thee: _if_ I would declare and speak _of them_, they are 
+more than can be numbered.
+
+Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou 
+opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
+
+Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book _it is_ written of 
+me;
+
+I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law _is_ within my heart.
+
+I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have 
+not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
+
+I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy 
+faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy 
+loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
+
+Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy 
+loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
+
+For innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have 
+taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more 
+than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
+
+Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
+
+Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to 
+destroy it; let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish 
+me evil.
+
+Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame, that say unto me, 
+Aha, aha!
+
+Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as 
+love thy salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified.
+
+But I _am_ poor and needy: _yet_ the LORD thinketh upon me: thou _art_ 
+my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prophecy, and the voice of Christ himself; where 
+Christ himself says, that he was heard in the midst of his sufferings, 
+when crying and groaning in the midst of the agony of death. And it is 
+also a beautiful example and consolation for the whole church, and for 
+all the members of Christ,—that God will never forsake any of those 
+that believe in him, when agonizing in the same manner, if they cry 
+unto him, and call upon him in the midst of the horrible pit and 
+terrors of death.
+
+The great prophet David, and others like him, published forth Psalms 
+of this kind, concerning the greatest and most important things of 
+Christ’s kingdom and people: for the expectation of the Messiah and of 
+Christ, was a very important matter among the people of God, and 
+therefore David makes the person of Christ himself speaking.
+
+Christ here plainly says, that he is the one and only person who 
+fulfils the law, and does the will of God. Here he excludes all others 
+and their works. “In the volume of the book (says he) it is written of 
+me.” That is, the promise of blessing and grace, that the seed of the 
+woman should bruise the serpent’s head, and that in the seed of 
+Abraham all the nations of the earth should be blessed, were 
+concerning me, &c. Thus he rejects and abrogates the whole law, with 
+all works, sacrifices, and forms of worship; because, by them, the 
+will of God is not fulfilled.
+
+All our works and sacrifices, therefore, are rejected. Christ here 
+saith, that he is the sole and only one who pleases God, and fulfils 
+his will. By these words, therefore, he promises the New Testament; 
+where there is no righteousness of the law, but the righteousness of 
+faith, preached in the great congregation: that is, in the whole 
+world, in all nations. There is no preaching of the righteousness of 
+the law, which only makes men proud pharisees and hypocrites, who have 
+not their hope fixed in God, or in the promise of grace, but in their 
+own righteousness, false holiness, and legal hypocrisy.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLI.
+
+_God’s care of the poor.—David complaineth of his enemies’ 
+treachery.—He fleeth to God for succour._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Blessed _is_ he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him 
+in time of trouble.
+
+The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; _and_ he shall be 
+blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of 
+his enemies.
+
+The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt 
+make all his bed in his sickness.
+
+I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned 
+against thee.
+
+Mine enemies speak evil of me; when shall he die, and his name perish?
+
+And if he come to see _me_, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth 
+iniquity to itself; _when_ he goeth abroad, he telleth _it_.
+
+All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they 
+devise my hurt.
+
+An evil disease, _say they_, cleaveth fast unto him: and _now_ that he 
+lieth, he shall rise up no more.
+
+Yea, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted, which did eat of my 
+bread, hath lift up _his_ heel against me.
+
+But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may 
+requite them.
+
+By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not 
+triumph over me.
+
+And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me 
+before thy face for ever.
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD God of Israel, from everlasting, and to 
+everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prophecy; where, after the manner of the Psalms, 
+Christ himself speaks, and with a wonderful feeling, complains of his 
+domestic traitor Judas, and of those cruel dogs which vented their 
+fury on the poor; by which dogs, he means those that crucified him. He 
+prays that God would judge his cause, and set him before his face: 
+that is, that God his father would comfort him in his suffering, and 
+raise him from the dead; that, being exalted, through the cross and 
+death, to the right hand of God, he might be glorified with eternal 
+life and victory.
+
+This is a great and unspeakable consolation to all the godly; where, 
+in the fourth verse, the Son saith, “heal my soul, for I have sinned 
+against thee.” He confesses himself to be a sinner before God his 
+Father, whereas he was without sin, and no guile was found in his 
+mouth. Here, therefore, he stands as our priest, as a victim and 
+sacrifice for sin, bearing and suffering for our sins, as if they were 
+his; and he bore the guilt of them.
+
+In the beginning of the Psalm he comprehends the sum of the whole 
+matter, in a very powerful expression. “Blessed (saith he) are they 
+who consider the poor and needy:” that is, blessed, yea, eternally 
+blessed are they, who are not offended at the once weak, crucified, 
+and condemned Christ, but who believe the Gospel. For the preaching of 
+the cross is to the Gentiles foolishness, and to the Jews a 
+stumbling-block. And it is the greatest of all offences to the world 
+to preach, teach, or confess, that the once poor, crucified, and 
+condemned Christ, now sits at the right hand of the divine Majesty, 
+and that he is on high, the Lord of all, both in this world, and that 
+which is to come. For with this Christ, that people of the Jews were 
+so offended, and they so ran upon and stumbled on this rock of 
+offence, that, to this day, they remain cast out and scattered, and 
+wander about over all the face of the earth, without a priesthood, and 
+without a kingdom!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLII.
+
+_David’s zeal to serve God in the temple.—He encourageth his soul to
+trust in God._
+
+To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.
+
+
+As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after 
+thee, O God.
+
+My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and 
+appear before God?
+
+My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say 
+unto me, Where _is_ thy God?
+
+When I remember these _things_, I pour out my soul in me: for I had 
+gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with 
+the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
+
+Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And _why_ art thou disquieted in 
+me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him _for_ the help of his 
+countenance.
+
+O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember 
+thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill 
+Mizar.
+
+Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts; all thy waves 
+and thy billows are gone over me.
+
+_Yet_ the LORD will command his loving-kindness in the day-time, and 
+in the night his song _shall be_ with me, _and_ my prayer unto the God 
+of my life.
+
+I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I 
+mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
+
+_As_ with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they 
+say daily unto me, where _is_ thy God?
+
+Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within 
+me; hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, _who is_ the health 
+of my countenance and my God.
+
+
+This is an ardent prayer to God; evincing an exceeding greatness of 
+spiritual feeling, and an unutterable groaning of the Spirit. Under 
+this similitude of a hart, at the beginning of the Psalm, the Psalmist 
+describes his feelings in the hour of temptation, when he was wholly 
+immersed in the extreme of distress, and absorbed in tears. For in 
+that hour of darkness, the God of life, and peace, and light, and 
+consolation, is not seen; but the sun of all comfort is hidden as it 
+were behind a cloud. Then the hearts of the thus tempted feel nothing 
+but an angry God, and a cruel avenger; and Satan increases these 
+dismal views of misery to a wonderful extent. To these things, 
+moreover, are often added the blasphemies of those who make derision 
+of the afflicted, and assail them with the taunt, “Where is now thy 
+God!”—For the world and the ungodly cannot contain themselves, when 
+they see the saints in calamities; they cannot refrain from taunting 
+and deriding them; from aggravating the distresses of these godly 
+ones, and from exclaiming, in their bitterly-cutting triumph, ‘They 
+hoped in God that he would deliver them. Where is now their delivering 
+God? Where is now their Christ they talk so much about? This is just 
+how such heretics ought to be served.’ For these wicked creatures 
+judge according to the flesh and blind reason; and imagine, that 
+affliction is a certain sign of divine anger against the saints. On 
+the other hand, they boast of their own afflictions, or any slight 
+adversities which they may meet with, as sufferings for the Lord’s 
+name sake, and as martyrdoms and sorrows endured for their apostolic 
+innocence. For those perverse and virulent wretches, those blind 
+leaders of the blind, though they know, yet will not know, that God 
+thus chastens his saints, that he may afterwards comfort them; but not 
+that he may forsake, destroy, or condemn them.
+
+The Psalmist desires, with the greatest fervency of heart, to come 
+unto the house of the Lord, and into the congregation of those that 
+sing and rejoice; to keep holy the sabbath, to celebrate the name of 
+the Lord, and to see the face of the Lord; that is, he has an ardent 
+desire to hear the word of the Lord, that he might thereby be lifted 
+up and refreshed; being well nigh consumed in such a fiery heat of 
+temptation and distress. The house of the Lord is where the word of 
+God, and the promise of grace are preached. And by “the face of God,” 
+he means the presence of God; where God, by his word, reveals himself, 
+and his will, and grace, and gives the knowledge of them unto men. 
+This he calls in another place ‘God’s turning, (not his back but) his 
+face towards us.’
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLIII.
+
+_David praying to be restored to the temple, promiseth to serve God 
+joyfully.—He encourageth his soul to trust in God._
+
+
+Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O 
+deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
+
+For thou _art_ the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why 
+go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
+
+O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring 
+me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
+
+Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, 
+upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.
+
+Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within 
+me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, _who is_ the health of my 
+countenance, and my God.
+
+
+This Psalm is of the same purport as the preceding; and David uses 
+almost the same expressions. He desires to go into the house of God in 
+the light and truth of God: that is, he desires to be comforted, under 
+his distress and temptation, by the word of God.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLIV.
+
+_The church, in memory of former favours, complaineth of their present 
+evils.—Professing her integrity, she fervently prayeth for succour._
+
+To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.
+
+
+We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, _what_ 
+work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
+
+_How_ thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst 
+them; _how_ thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
+
+For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither 
+did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and 
+the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
+
+Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
+
+Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we 
+tread them under that rise up against us.
+
+For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
+
+But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame 
+that hated us.
+
+In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
+
+But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with 
+our armies.
+
+Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy; and they which hate us 
+spoil for themselves.
+
+Thou hast given us like sheep _appointed_ for meat; and hast scattered 
+us among the heathen.
+
+Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase _thy wealth_ 
+by their price.
+
+Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to 
+them that are round about us.
+
+Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among 
+the people.
+
+My confusion _is_ continually before me, and the shame of my face hath 
+covered me,
+
+For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of 
+the enemy and avenger.
+
+All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have 
+we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
+
+Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy 
+way;
+
+Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered 
+us with the shadow of death.
+
+If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands, 
+to a strange God;
+
+Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the 
+heart.
+
+Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as 
+sheep for the slaughter.
+
+Awake, why sleepest thou, O LORD? arise, cast _us_ not off for ever.
+
+Wherefore hidest thou thy face, _and_ forgettest our affliction and 
+our oppression?
+
+For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the 
+earth.
+
+Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.
+
+
+This is a prayer of the whole people of God; and it is offered up in 
+the person of all the saints; especially of those under the New 
+Testament, whom you here find to be complaining that they are cruelly 
+slaughtered and slain by the wicked nations, by the ungodly men, and 
+by tyrants. For God delivers his saints into the hands of men, as if 
+he had rejected them, or utterly forgotten them. Whereas, he glorified 
+the patriarchs of old, and all those his people from the beginning, by 
+mighty works and miracles in the sight of the nations that opposed 
+them. And indeed all the saints maintain, not their own cause, but 
+God’s; and seek, not their own glory, but his: and yet for this very 
+just and holy cause, and for no other reason, nor any other crime, 
+they are thus torn and slaughtered by exile, by the spoiling of their 
+goods, and, in a word, by death; and are as cruelly treated in the 
+world, as if they were the most wicked of all men, and a mere set of 
+vagabonds and murderers.
+
+In a word, this Psalm is a sighing and groaning of spirit against the 
+weakness of the flesh; which flesh, even in the saints, murmurs 
+against God, because he governs the world with such an appearance of 
+injustice; and is in appearance, an unjust judge, permitting the 
+saints to be afflicted whom he ought to support and comfort, and 
+promoting and exalting the wicked whom he ought to overthrow.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLV.
+
+_The majesty and grace of Christ’s kingdom.—The duty of the church, 
+and the benefits thereof._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil. 
+A Song of Loves.
+
+
+My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have 
+made touching the king: my tongue _is_ the pen of a ready writer.
+
+Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy 
+lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
+
+Gird thy sword upon _thy_ thigh, O _most_ mighty, with thy glory and 
+thy majesty.
+
+And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness 
+_and_ righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible 
+things.
+
+Thine arrows _are_ sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; _whereby_ 
+the people fall under thee.
+
+Thy throne, O God, _is_ for and ever and ever: the sceptre of thy 
+kingdom _is_ a right sceptre.
+
+Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy 
+God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
+
+All thy garments _smell_ of myrrh, and aloes, _and_ cassia, out of the 
+ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
+
+Kings’ daughters _were_ among thy honourable women: upon thy right 
+hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
+
+Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also 
+thine own people, and thy father’s house;
+
+So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he _is_ thy Lord; and 
+worship thou him.
+
+And the daughter of Tyre _shall be there_ with a gift; _even_ the rich 
+among the people shall intreat thy favour.
+
+The king’s daughter _is_ all glorious within: her clothing _is_ of 
+wrought gold.
+
+She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the 
+virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
+
+With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter 
+into the king’s palace.
+
+Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make 
+princes in all the earth.
+
+I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore 
+shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the gospel and kingdom of Christ; and it 
+describes, in many rich and sweet figures and expressions, the spouse 
+of Christ, the church. It describes also Christ, going forth in all 
+his regal pomp; having all royal gifts, a manly and regal form, 
+suavity and grace of speech, a warrior’s armour, the splendour of 
+regal dress, and success in war against his enemies, &c.; and also as 
+possessing all kingly virtues,—righteousness, clemency, &c.
+
+And moreover that he may set the kingdom of Christ before our eyes in 
+its sweetest appearance, the Psalmist describes him as having palaces 
+and houses of ivory; a queen, and her attendant virgins; and sons and 
+daughters. All these things are to be understood of the spiritual 
+kingdom of Christ and the church, where Christ is a King, powerful, 
+wise, just, gracious, and victorious; and moreover, a conqueror 
+triumphant; and also rejoicing, preserving, comforting and enriching 
+his own, against sin, the law, and death, &c.
+
+And David here clearly foretels that the law of the Old Testament 
+should be abrogated. “Hearken (says he) O daughter, and incline thine 
+ear, forget also thy father’s house: (here he seems to glance at the 
+synagogue): so shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty, and thou 
+shalt worship him;” showing, that there is no true God out of Christ; 
+and ascribing unto Christ truly divine honour; namely, that of the 
+first and great precept,—that is, adoration. And in the sixth and 
+seventh verses, he plainly calls him God: thus making him an eternal 
+king, the foundation of whose throne is in righteousness: who 
+justifies all that believe in him, and takes away sin, and destroys 
+death and hell. And no one can be an eternal king that dies not, but 
+he that is truly and naturally God!—of which we have spoken at large 
+elsewhere, in our more full commentary on the 45th Psalm.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLVI.
+
+_The confidence which the church hath in God.—An exhortation to behold 
+it._
+
+To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah. A song upon Alamoth.
+
+
+God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
+
+Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though 
+the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
+
+_Though_ the waters thereof roar, _and_ be troubled, _though_ the 
+mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
+
+_There is_ a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of 
+God, the holy _place_ of the tabernacle of the most high.
+
+God _is_ in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help 
+her, _and that_ right early.
+
+The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the 
+earth melted.
+
+The LORD of hosts _is_ with us; the God of Jacob _is_ our refuge. 
+Selah.
+
+Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in 
+the earth.
+
+He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the 
+bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the 
+fire.
+
+Be still, and know that I _am_ God: I will be exalted among the 
+heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
+
+The LORD of hosts _is_ with us; the God of Jacob _is_ our refuge. 
+Selah.
+
+
+This is a thanksgiving which the people of Israel sang, at that time, 
+for their divine blessings, and miraculous deliverances, because God 
+had powerfully defended Jerusalem, situated in the midst of hostile 
+nations and enemies, and guarded it against all opposing kings, and 
+against all the snares and hostile attempts of the surrounding 
+nations; and had preserved it in peace against all the furious 
+counsels of war and bloodshed. Hence, after the manner of the 
+scriptures, David calls all that present flourishing state of his 
+kingdom’s affairs, the river of God, whose streams should never be 
+dry; which was but a small rivulet, in comparison of the great streams 
+and torrents of the sea by which he was surrounded, (that is, by those 
+immense kingdoms and islands of the nations, and Gentile kings,) which 
+although they were great, would yet, one day, dry up and disappear, 
+while the river of God should endure for ever.
+
+We sing this Psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us, and 
+powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his 
+word, against all fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, 
+against the implacable hatred of the devil, and against all the 
+assaults of the world, the flesh, and sin. So that our little river 
+remains a living fountain; whilst so many heresies, so many tyrants 
+and their doctrines, as so many stinking sewers and sinks, are 
+dispersed, like broken cisterns, and disappear, and are lost for ever.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLVII.
+
+_The nations are exhorted cheerfully to entertain the kingdom of 
+Christ._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
+
+
+O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of 
+triumph.
+
+For the LORD most high _is_ terrible; _he is_ a great King over all 
+the earth.
+
+He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
+
+He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob, whom 
+he loved. Selah.
+
+God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
+
+Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing 
+praises.
+
+For God _is_ the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with 
+understanding.
+
+God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his 
+holiness.
+
+The princes of the people are gathered together, _even_ the people of 
+the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth _belong_ unto God: he 
+is greatly exalted.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning Christ; describing the manner of his 
+ascension on high, and showing that he should be King over all. “Sing 
+praises, sing praises unto our King,” (saith he); thereby shewing, 
+that this kingdom of Christ should not be one of that kind that stands 
+in the power of arms, but in the word of praise, and in the singing of 
+thanksgivings. As if he had said, This king, by the word of the gospel 
+only, which is the word of praise and thanksgiving, shall destroy all 
+the power of the adversaries,—the world, and Satan; as the walls of 
+Jericho fell down by the sound of trumpets only, without sword or 
+arms!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLVIII.
+
+_The ornaments and privileges of the church._
+
+A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.
+
+
+Great _is_ the LORD and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, 
+_in_ the mountain of his holiness.
+
+Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, _is_ mount Zion; 
+_on_ the sides of the north the city of the great king.
+
+God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
+
+For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
+
+They saw _it_, _and_ so they marvelled; they were troubled, _and_ 
+hasted away.
+
+Fear took hold upon them there, _and_ pain, as of a woman in travail.
+
+Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
+
+As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in 
+the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
+
+We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy 
+temple.
+
+According to thy name, O God, so _is_ thy praise unto the ends of the 
+earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
+
+Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of 
+thy judgments.
+
+Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
+
+Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell _it_ 
+to the generation following.
+
+For this God _is_ our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide 
+_even_ unto death.
+
+
+This is a thanksgiving almost like Psalm xlvi. For the Psalmist 
+praises God, and magnifies and extols his works, because he had so 
+marvellously defended the city of Jerusalem against the neighbouring 
+nations, and against kings and tyrants; and because he had often 
+delivered it when besieged by the most bitter and the most powerful 
+enemies; while those enemies themselves were driven back in a 
+wonderful manner, and put to open shame; and because he had saved it 
+from infinite perils and destructions, in defiance of the very gates 
+of hell; and had preserved the city, the temple, the word, and the 
+worship of God.
+
+But, more especially, David is here celebrating the truth of God;—that 
+God faithfully fulfils his promise; ‘According to thy name, (saith he) 
+so is thy glory, and so are thy works unto the ends of the earth:’ 
+that is, according as thou hast promised us, “I will be your God,” and 
+accordingly as we have believed that word, so hast thou given us to 
+experience the fulfilment of it;—thou hast been with us, and delivered 
+and defended us; our city and our temple stand in the midst of 
+enemies, as if in the midst of flames, preserved and unhurt.
+
+_We_ sing this Psalm, because God is pleased to preserve his church 
+and gospel against the roaring and hatred of kings and princes; who 
+cease not from attacking them by violence and craft with all their 
+might: and yet, they shall perish and be confounded, and covered with 
+shame, while the gospel shall remain as it was before, unhurt and 
+unhindered.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XLIX.
+
+_An earnest persuasion to build the faith of resurrection, not on 
+worldly power, but on God.—Worldly prosperity is not to be admired._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
+
+
+Hear this, all _ye_ people; give ear, all _ye_ inhabitants of the 
+world.
+
+Both low and high, rich and poor together.
+
+My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart _shall 
+be_ of understanding.
+
+I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon 
+the harp.
+
+Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, _when_ the iniquity of my 
+heels shall compass me about?
+
+They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude 
+of their riches.
+
+None _of them_ can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a 
+ransom for him.
+
+(For the redemption of their soul _is_ precious, and it ceaseth for 
+ever.)
+
+That he should still live for ever, _and_ not see corruption.
+
+For he seeth _that_ wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish 
+person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
+
+Their inward thought _is_, _that_ their houses _shall continue_ for 
+ever, _and_ their dwelling-places to all generations: they call 
+_their_ lands after their own names.
+
+Nevertheless, man _being_ in honour, abideth not: he is like the 
+beasts _that_ perish.
+
+This their way _is_ their folly: yet their posterity approve their 
+sayings. Selah.
+
+Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and 
+the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning: and their 
+beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
+
+But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall 
+receive me. Selah.
+
+Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house 
+is increased.
+
+For, when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not 
+descend after him.
+
+Though, while he lived, he blessed his soul: (and men will praise thee 
+when thou doest well to thyself.)
+
+He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see 
+light.
+
+Man _that is_ in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts 
+_that_ perish.
+
+
+This is a Psalm that instructs us unto faith, and teaches us to trust 
+in God against that great god of this world, who is called Mammon. 
+David here gives a long and striking introduction to the Psalm, that 
+he may excite and wholly arrest our attention. He here sharply rebukes 
+all who trust in the riches and wealth of this world; concerning whom 
+Christ also severely says, “Woe unto you that are rich, for ye have 
+received your consolation.” Luke vi. 24.
+
+“The love of money, (saith Paul,) is the root of all evil;” and yet 
+the whole world leave the true God and worship this idol; and are 
+actuated more and more with the furious desire of getting wealth. All 
+men, from the least to the greatest, except those that fear God, are 
+in pursuit of money. Hence it is, that all the prophets exclaim, “For 
+from the least of them, even unto the greatest of them, every one is 
+given to covetousness,” Jeremiah vi. 13. And hence also have arisen 
+all those proverbs and trite sayings of the poets among the Greeks and 
+Latins. ‘All things give way to money,’—‘money is the first thing to 
+be sought after; virtue is a secondary consideration.’
+
+But all such admirers of, and slaves to riches are pointed at and 
+exposed in this Psalm; as are also all those who trust in their 
+wealth, nothing of which they can take with them when they die. And 
+here also true faith is highly extolled; by which we trust in God, who 
+can deliver us from death, and give us eternal life and salvation. And 
+death is the time when not only gold, but all creatures put together, 
+cannot save and deliver a man!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM L.
+
+_The majesty of God in the church.—His order to gather saints.—The 
+pleasure of God is not in ceremonies, but in sincerity of obedience._
+
+A Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+The mighty God, _even_ the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth 
+from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
+
+Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
+
+Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour 
+before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
+
+He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may 
+judge his people.
+
+Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant 
+with me by sacrifice.
+
+And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God _is_ judge 
+himself. Selah.
+
+Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify 
+against thee: I _am_ God, _even_ thy God.
+
+I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, _to 
+have been_ continually before me.
+
+I will take no bullock out of thy house, _nor_ he-goats out of thy 
+folds.
+
+For every beast of the forest _is_ mine, _and_ the cattle upon a 
+thousand hills.
+
+I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the 
+field _are_ mine.
+
+If I were hungry I would not tell thee: for the world _is_ mine, and 
+the fulness thereof.
+
+Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
+
+Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most high.
+
+And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou 
+shalt glorify me.
+
+But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my 
+statutes, or _that_ thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
+
+Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
+
+When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast 
+been partaker with adulterers.
+
+Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
+
+Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother: thou slanderest thine 
+own mother’s son.
+
+These _things_ hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest 
+that I was altogether _such an one_ as thyself: _but_ I will reprove 
+thee, and set _them_ in order before thine eyes.
+
+Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear _you_ in pieces, 
+and _there be_ none to deliver.
+
+Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth _his_ 
+conversation _aright_ will I shew the salvation of God.
+
+
+This Psalm teaches us, in the teeth of all hypocrites and all the 
+worship of hypocrites, what is true worship, and which are acceptable 
+sacrifices in the sight of God. For hypocrites consider their works, 
+and merits, and sacrifices as of such high value, that they think GOD 
+ought to acknowledge the benefit of their services; and they imagine 
+that he has need of them. Whereas, on the contrary, the Holy Spirit 
+declares with a loud voice by the prophets, what the true worship of 
+God is; namely, that of the First Commandment: which is, to worship 
+God, and adore him; and to acknowledge that we receive all things from 
+his hand, and that all glory is due to him!
+
+Observe, therefore,—there is here clearly expressed, in the plainest 
+words, what is the highest worship of God; and what sacrifice is the 
+most acceptable to him. And we are here briefly told, that the true 
+way and road to God is, to call upon him in the day of trouble, and 
+give him thanks for the infinite benefits which we receive from him; 
+(as the last verse here sings;) for this is truly to “pay our vows 
+unto God, and to offer unto him thanksgiving,” (as the 14th verse 
+saith.) These are not those foolish monastic vows, and the like; but 
+that highest of all vows, which the Decalogue and the First 
+Commandment require; where it saith, “To-day have ye vowed unto the 
+Lord your God: he will be your God:” that is, ye are made the people 
+of God, that ye may have him for your God; and that ye may truly 
+believe in him, call upon him, and cleave unto him alone. Of this 
+those foolish hypocrites and self-imagined saints know nothing 
+whatever.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LI.
+
+_David prayeth for remission of sins, whereof he maketh a deep 
+confession.—He prayeth for sanctification.—God delighteth not in 
+sacrifice but in sincerity.—He prayeth for the church._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came 
+unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.
+
+
+Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according 
+unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
+
+Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
+
+For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin _is_ ever before me.
+
+Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done _this_ evil in thy 
+sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, _and_ be 
+clear when thou judgest.
+
+Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive 
+me.
+
+Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden 
+_part_ thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
+
+Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be 
+whiter than snow.
+
+Make me to hear joy and gladness; _that_ the bones _which_ thou hast 
+broken may rejoice.
+
+Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
+
+Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
+
+Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from 
+me.
+
+Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me _with thy_ 
+free spirit.
+
+_Then_ will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be 
+converted unto thee.
+
+Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: 
+_and_ my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
+
+O LORD, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
+
+For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give _it_: thou 
+delightest not in burnt offering.
+
+The sacrifices of God _are_ a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite 
+heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
+
+Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of 
+Jerusalem.
+
+Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with 
+burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer 
+bullocks upon thine altar.
+
+
+This, among all the Psalms, is a signal and golden one. It contains 
+experiences and feelings truly Davidical; and teaches us what sin is, 
+what the origin of sin is, and how great and awful an evil the fall of 
+Adam was. And also, (which is an excellent part of it indeed,) it 
+shows us how we obtain the remission of sins. For in this Psalm, we 
+have it clearly expressed, that sin is a great and innate evil, and an 
+awful depravation and corruption of nature, in all the powers both of 
+soul and body. Unless, therefore, we are born again by faith in 
+Christ, and are renewed in spirit and made new creatures of God, the 
+sense of the loss of God and of eternal life and salvation is so heavy 
+a burthen, and the power of sin and the sting of death so great, that 
+the conscience is shaken with unspeakable distress and terror; and the 
+anguish that takes hold on it drinks up the very marrow, and bruises 
+and breaks the very inmost bones, until the word of grace and of the 
+Spirit again raises us up and refreshes us; as David here says, “That 
+the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”
+
+But in hearts that are purified and renewed by the Spirit, there is a 
+new light shining; there are new motions and spiritual affections; a 
+sure rest and peace of conscience; a true and full assurance of 
+salvation; a fervent and lively joy of spirit; a rejoicing in God and 
+a peace with him; a heart full of thanksgiving, and a patience under 
+afflictions. Hence those that fear God, those that are born again, if 
+they are at a point concerning the good will of God towards them, are 
+those who can rightly teach and instruct others unto godliness. “Then 
+(says David) will I teach transgressors thy ways;” then will I teach 
+them to call upon and praise the name of the Lord, and to give thanks 
+unto him; and in a word, to worship and adore God truly and aright, to 
+bear patiently the cross and afflictions, and to offer great and 
+glorious sacrifices; (for that is the way in which he here expresses 
+himself, calling “a broken and a contrite heart” the favourite 
+sacrifice of God;) for that is the highest and most excellent worship 
+of God: and he rejects, in plain words, all sacrifices which are 
+offered by hypocrites without _that_ sacrifice; which sacrifices of 
+theirs they consider to be the highest acts of worship.
+
+In concluding the Psalm, David begs of God that he would be pleased to 
+build and preserve the city of Jerusalem; that is, the place of the 
+word and the true worship of God. In the same manner, _we_ ought also 
+to pray. “Do good unto Zion, O Lord:” that is, ‘O Lord, thou seest the 
+virulent hatred of hypocrites: Do thou, O Lord, preserve the true 
+church, and the true worship of God in it;’ that is, the worship of 
+the First Commandment. Confound all those who boast of their good 
+works and sacrifices, and who neglect faith towards God, and trample 
+under foot the First Commandment. But preserve and comfort those who 
+adore thee in truth, serve thee, and sacrifice unto thee in the 
+spirit.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LII.
+
+_David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesieth his 
+destruction.—The righteous shall rejoice at it.—David, upon his 
+confidence in God’s mercy, giveth thanks._
+
+To the chief Musician, Maschil, _A Psalm_ of David, when Doeg the
+Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to
+the house of Ahimelech.
+
+
+Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of 
+God _endureth_ continually.
+
+Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a sharp razor, working 
+deceitfully.
+
+Thou lovest evil more than good, _and_ lying rather than to speak 
+righteousness. Selah.
+
+Thou lovest all devouring words, O _thou_ deceitful tongue.
+
+God shall likewise destroy thee for ever: he shall take thee away, and 
+pluck thee out of _thy_ dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land 
+of the living. Selah.
+
+The righteous also shall see, and fear and shall laugh at him:
+
+Lo, _this is_ the man _that_ made not God his strength; but trusted in 
+the abundance of his riches, _and_ strengthened himself in his 
+wickedness.
+
+But I _am_ like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the 
+mercy of God for ever and ever.
+
+I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done _it_: and I will 
+wait on thy name; for _it is_ good before thy saints.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation; and the title of it shows plainly what 
+are its contents. David is here complaining of Doeg who betrayed him, 
+and who was the cause of much hurt and bloodshed. 1 Sam. xxii.
+
+This Doeg furnishes a type of all those betrayers and blood-shedding 
+hypocrites who are in the halls of kings and princes; and who lyingly, 
+and with hatred, traduce the word of God and the doctrine of truth: of 
+which stamp there are now numbers rising up on every side, who 
+irritate and urge on kings and princes to slay the sincere ministers 
+of the word: such as those in our time, who kill many good men on 
+account of the sacraments and marriage, and make no end of shedding 
+the blood of God’s Abels.
+
+Against the furious cruelty of these men, therefore, this Psalm 
+comforts the godly; and promises them, that such shall not go 
+unpunished, but shall fall under those awful curses mentioned in Deut. 
+xxviii:—that they shall be rooted out of the earth; that their houses 
+shall be destroyed; and that they shall lose both their bodies and 
+their estates; but, that those who fear God shall be preserved; that 
+they shall remain in the house of the Lord; and that they shall 
+persevere in teaching and hearing the word of God, in defiance of the 
+devil and all the wicked.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LIII.
+
+_David describeth the corruption of a natural man.—He convinceth the 
+wicked by the light of their own conscience.—He glorieth in the 
+salvation of God._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil. _A Psalm_ of David.
+
+
+The fool hath said in his heart, _There is_ no God. Corrupt are they, 
+and have done abominable iniquity: _there is_ none that doeth good.
+
+God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there 
+were _any_ that did understand, that did seek God.
+
+Every one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy: 
+_there is_ none that doeth good, no, not one.
+
+Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people _as_ 
+they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
+
+There were they in great fear _where_ no fear was; for God hath 
+scattered the bones of him that encampeth _against_ thee: thou hast 
+put _them_ to shame, because God hath despised them.
+
+Oh that the salvation of Israel _were come_ out of Zion! When God 
+bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, _and_ 
+Israel shall be glad.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prophecy like that of Psalm xiv; and it is a Psalm of 
+instruction. The two Psalms are of the same purport, and contain 
+almost the same words and expressions. In a word, they both cut at 
+hypocrites and self-justifiers, who persecute the sound doctrine and 
+its preachers; and at the close they give a prophetic declaration 
+concerning the gospel, and the kingdom of Christ which should proceed 
+out of Zion.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LIV.
+
+_David, complaining of the Ziphims, prayeth for salvation.—Upon his 
+confidence in God’s help he promiseth sacrifice._
+
+To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, _A Psalm_ of David, when 
+the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with 
+us.
+
+
+Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
+
+Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
+
+For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my 
+soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
+
+Behold, God _is_ mine helper: the LORD _is_ with them that uphold my 
+soul.
+
+He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
+
+I will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O LORD, for 
+_it is_ good.
+
+For he hath delivered me out of all trouble; and mine eye hath seen 
+_his desire_ upon mine enemies.
+
+
+This is a fervent prayer against the persecutors of the word, who lay 
+plots against the lives of the good, and those that fear God, for the 
+word of God’s sake; just like king Saul and the people of Ziph, who 
+lay in wait for the life of David, on account of the name and word of 
+God, by which Saul was to be dethroned and David made king in his 
+stead. David, therefore, prays, that the vengeance of God might 
+overtake such cruelty and malice.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LV.
+
+_David in his prayer complaineth of his fearful case.—He prayeth 
+against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he 
+complaineth.—He comforteth himself in God’s preservation of him, and 
+confusion of his enemies._
+
+To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil. _A Psalm_ of David.
+
+
+Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my 
+supplication.
+
+Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a 
+noise;
+
+Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the 
+wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
+
+My heart is sore pained within me; and the terrors of death are fallen 
+upon me.
+
+Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath 
+overwhelmed me.
+
+And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! _for then_ would I fly 
+away and be at rest.
+
+Lo _then_ would I wander far off, _and_ remain in the wilderness. 
+Selah.
+
+I would hasten my escape from the windy storm _and_ tempest.
+
+Destroy, O LORD, _and_ divide their tongues: for I have seen violence 
+and strife in the city.
+
+Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; mischief also 
+and sorrow _are_ in the midst of it.
+
+Wickedness _is_ in the midst thereof; deceit and guile depart not from 
+her streets.
+
+For _it was_ not an enemy _that_ reproached me: then I could have 
+borne _it_: neither _was it_ he that hated me _that_ did magnify 
+_himself_ against me; then I would have hid myself from him;
+
+But _it was_ thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
+
+We took sweet counsel together, _and_ walked unto the house of God in 
+company.
+
+Let death seize upon them, _and_ let them go down quick into hell: for 
+wickedness _is_ in their dwellings, _and_ among them.
+
+As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
+
+Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he 
+shall hear my voice.
+
+He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle _that was_ against 
+me: for there were many with me.
+
+God shall hear and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. 
+Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
+
+He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him; he 
+hath broken his covenant.
+
+_The words_ of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war _was_ in 
+his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet _were_ they drawn 
+swords.
+
+Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall 
+never suffer the righteous to be moved.
+
+But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: 
+bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I 
+will trust in thee.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer: and although it may in the 10th and 11th 
+verses, be understood of Christ himself, praying against his betrayer 
+Judas, when he says, “If it had been mine enemy that reproached me,” 
+&c. yet, it is manifest to me, that it is a general prayer of the 
+godly against all the craft of insidious and deceitful men, and 
+against the artful Italian flattery of some persons, who are friends 
+as far as their tongue goes, but who have one thing on their tongue 
+and another in their heart, and consider craft and dissimulation in 
+all things to be the highest wisdom; as if they could deceive God 
+also!
+
+They know how to promise, and do promise all things to your face: so 
+that David justly describes them thus, “Their words are smoother than 
+oil:” but when you have turned your back, they blacken your character; 
+and their mouth is more destructive than arrows and coals of fire; and 
+their tongue is a sharp sword, and a drawn dagger. And this is what 
+David complains of in verse 12;—that they deceive effectually with 
+their countenance, their look, and their eyes, and cover, under these 
+fox-like arts, Satanic bitterness and virulence. They eat and drink 
+with you, and pretend to be your friends and intimates, (as Judas did 
+with Christ;) they keep holy days and go to the house of God with you.
+
+This is the reason, therefore, that David so utterly execrates them, 
+and says, “Let them be taken out of the way suddenly, and let them 
+descend into hell alive.” For virulent, outside-show hypocrites, like 
+these, distress the hearts of those that fear God in a manner that is 
+beyond description.
+
+This very judgment which David threatens in this Psalm we see 
+executed, in our day, upon many tyrants and originators of sects; who 
+are taken off in a moment. For this execration is prophetic; 
+foretelling the end of all hypocrites, who will not listen to those 
+that admonish them in a godly manner, nor regard their advice; as it 
+is expressed in verse 19, “But they (says David) will not regard; they 
+are not changed; nor will they fear God; they go on in their course, 
+till they are taken out of the way suddenly.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LVI.
+
+_David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complaineth of his 
+enemies.—He professeth his confidence in God’s word, and promiseth to 
+praise him._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Jonathelem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when 
+the Philistines took him in Gath.
+
+
+Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: he fighting 
+daily oppresseth me.
+
+Mine enemies would daily swallow _me_ up: for _they be_ many that 
+fight against me, O thou Most High.
+
+What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
+
+In God I will praise his word; in God I have put my trust: I will not 
+fear what flesh can do unto me.
+
+Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts _are_ against me for 
+evil.
+
+They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my 
+steps, when they wait for my soul.
+
+Shall they escape by iniquity? in _thine_ anger cast down the people, 
+O God.
+
+Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: _are 
+they_ not in thy book?
+
+When I cry _unto thee_, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I 
+know; for God _is_ for me.
+
+In God I will praise _his_ word; in the LORD will I praise _his_ word.
+
+In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto 
+me.
+
+Thy vows _are_ upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
+
+For thou hast delivered my soul from death; _wilt_ not _thou deliver_ 
+my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the 
+living?
+
+
+This is a fervent prayer; in which David complains of Saul and the men 
+of his party, because he was obliged to flee out of the land to the 
+Philistines. So bitterly and hostilely did Saul and the men of his 
+conspiracy persecute David, and plot against his life, that he could 
+be in safety no where. He encourages and supports himself, however, 
+with a constant and undaunted faith. ‘I will glory (says he) in the 
+word of God: for I have a command, a declaration, and a promise of God 
+in my favour: he has declared that Saul shall be dethroned, and that I 
+shall be king. I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Let them 
+gainsay: let Saul and the Saulites oppose and fight against me. Let 
+them say, and say again, that I shall not be king. If God be for me 
+what can man do against me?’
+
+_We_ ought also to pray, after the manner of this Psalm, against 
+tyrants; who unceasingly persecute the word of God and us, and will 
+never suffer us to be at rest. We, however, have that strong and 
+Davidical consolation,—that the word of God is for us, though they 
+unceasingly attack that in us, and corrupt, pervert, and reproach it; 
+crying out that we are heretics; and arrogating to themselves only, 
+the appellation of the church.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LVII.
+
+_David in prayer fleeing unto God, complaineth of his dangerous 
+case.—He encourageth himself to praise God._
+
+To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled 
+from Saul in the cave.
+
+
+Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusted 
+in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until 
+_these_ calamities be overpast.
+
+I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth _all things_ 
+for me.
+
+He shall send from heaven, and save me _from_ the reproach of him that 
+would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his 
+truth.
+
+My soul _is_ among lions: _and_ I lie _even among_ them that are set 
+on fire, _even_ the sons of men, whose teeth _are_ spears and arrows, 
+and their tongue a sharp sword.
+
+Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; _let_ thy glory _be_ above 
+all the earth.
+
+They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they 
+have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen 
+_themselves_. Selah.
+
+My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give 
+praise.
+
+Awake up, my glory; awake psaltery and harp; I _myself_ will awake 
+early.
+
+I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people; I will sing unto thee 
+among the nations:
+
+For thy mercy _is_ great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the 
+clouds.
+
+Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, _let_ thy glory _be_ above 
+all the earth.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer; in which David again complains concerning 
+Saul, and those around him; on account of whose plots and snares, he 
+was compelled to flee into a cave. It is nearly of the same purport as 
+the Psalm preceding.
+
+_We_ ought to make use of this Psalm also against tyrants, and against 
+sycophants, and certain powerful ones, about the palaces of kings and 
+princes; who persecute us on account of the word and name of God, and 
+persecute our doctrine also; interpreting every thing that we do in 
+the worst sense; and traducing and hating all that fear God.
+
+And David here paints forth the cruelty of these characters; “Their 
+teeth (says he) are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp 
+sword.” Thanks be to God therefore, that he does not forsake his 
+people, but makes their enemies fall into the pit which they 
+themselves have made; so that they are utterly subverted and taken in 
+their own craftiness!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LVIII.
+
+_David reproveth wicked judges, describeth the nature of the wicked, 
+devoteth them to God’s judgments, whereat the righteous shall 
+rejoice._
+
+To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.
+
+
+Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? Do ye judge 
+uprightly, O ye sons of men?
+
+Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands 
+in the earth.
+
+The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they 
+be born, speaking lies.
+
+Their poison _is_ like the poison of a serpent; _they_ are like the 
+deaf adder _that_ stoppeth her ear;
+
+Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so 
+wisely.
+
+Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth; break out the great teeth of 
+the young lions, O LORD.
+
+Let them melt away as waters _which_ run continually: _when_ he 
+bendeth _his bow to shoot_ his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
+
+As a snail _which_ melteth, let _every one of them_ pass away: _like_ 
+the untimely birth of a woman, _that_ they may not see the sun.
+
+Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with 
+a whirlwind, both living and in _his_ wrath.
+
+The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash 
+his feet in the blood of the wicked.
+
+So that a man shall say, verily _there is_ a reward for the righteous: 
+verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation against those hardened heretics, and 
+enthusiastic spirits, who pertinaciously defend their own errors, and 
+stop their ears; and who are so blinded and taken captive, that they 
+can hear no one; but pursue, with headlong precipitation, their own 
+designs, and rush on to the accomplishment of them, like a horse at 
+full speed. And these, as if they would devour the godly, cease not to 
+threaten them in the most terrifying manner.—David, however, here 
+makes use of five beautiful similitudes: under which, he represents 
+their vain attempts, and shows, that those very plots which they lay 
+for others, fall upon their own heads.
+
+1. The sudden inundation with which they make their attack, rushes 
+with such violence and roaring, that it seems as if it would tear up 
+and carry away every thing before it: and yet it flows by, and 
+suddenly disappears!
+
+2. Their arrow, fixed on the bow, threatens certain destruction: but, 
+in a moment, the bow and arrows are broken together, and the deadly 
+weapon accomplishes nothing!
+
+3. The snail puts forth his horns from his shell, as if he were just 
+going to do some deadly and mighty injury: but those horns prove to be 
+soft and ineffectual; they do nothing: nor have the power of doing any 
+hurt whatever.
+
+4. An imperfect conception, disengaged by abortion, makes the womb of 
+the mother to extend, as if there were a perfect conception, and as if 
+something great would at length come forth: but before it is brought 
+forth, it perishes, and never sees the sun.
+
+5. You may see a branch of buck-thorn, (which is the most prickly kind 
+of thorn,) filled with young sharp points and prickles, and seeming as 
+if it would one day tear many in pieces at once, and maim persons on 
+every side of it; but, before the prickles are fully ripe and strong, 
+the whole bush is, perhaps, cut down by the woodman, and he burns it 
+in the fire, and reduces it to ashes!
+
+So, just according to these similitudes, those enemies of God and 
+truth, plan, plot, and breathe out dreadful things; but like a mighty 
+flame, where there is no more fuel left to feed it, their fury ends in 
+nothing!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LIX.
+
+_David prayeth to be delivered from his enemies.—He complaineth of 
+their cruelty.—He trusteth in God.—He prayeth against them.—He 
+praiseth God._
+
+To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, 
+and they watched the house to kill him.
+
+
+Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise 
+up against me.
+
+Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
+
+For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty are gathered against 
+me; not _for_ my transgression, nor _for_ my sin, O LORD.
+
+They run and prepare themselves without _my_ fault: awake to help me, 
+and behold.
+
+Thou, therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to 
+visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. 
+Selah.
+
+They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round 
+about the city.
+
+Behold, they belch out with their mouth; swords _are_ in their lips; 
+for who, _say they_, doth hear?
+
+But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt have all the heathen 
+in derision.
+
+_Because of_ his strength will I wait upon thee: for God _is_ my 
+defence.
+
+The God of my mercy shall prevent me; God shall let me see _my desire_ 
+upon my enemies.
+
+Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and 
+bring them down, O LORD our shield.
+
+_For_ the sin of their mouth, _and_ the words of their lips, let them 
+even be taken in their pride; and for cursing and lying _which_ they 
+speak.
+
+Consume _them_ in wrath, consume _them_, that they _may_ not _be_; and 
+let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. 
+Selah.
+
+And at evening let them return, _and_ let them make a noise like a 
+dog, and go round about the city.
+
+Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge, if they be not 
+satisfied.
+
+But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in 
+the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of
+my trouble.
+
+Unto thee, O my strength, I will sing: for God _is_ my defence, _and_ 
+the God of my mercy.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer; and may be very properly understood as offered 
+up in the person of Christ, complaining of, and prophecying concerning 
+the Jews; on whom, on account of their denial of Christ, and their 
+rejection of the gospel, the awful judgments of God should fall; but 
+yet, not so as to destroy the whole nation entirely; but, in such a 
+manner, as to make of them an example to all future nations;—that they 
+should be scattered abroad as exiles, and left vagabonds among all 
+nations; and should be punished by being given up to blindness, and 
+maddened fury; so as not to be able to teach anything, or say 
+anything, but blasphemies against Christ. And this we see fulfilled in 
+them in reality: for all their books and commentaries are replete with 
+the most bitter reproaches and blasphemies against Christ and his 
+gospel. And, for this their wickedness, they suffer dreadful and 
+unceasing punishments: for they ‘go about the city like hungry dogs,’ 
+seeking food, and finding it not.
+
+The meaning of this prophecy is, therefore, that at the end, after the 
+times of the apostles, the Jews should be left as exiles, should be 
+banished from their own land, should wander about as outcasts, should 
+be oppressed under foreign jurisdictions, should be driven out from 
+one country to another, and should be cast out without any certain 
+dwelling-place; and that they should seek out any corner of the world, 
+where they might collect together again the wrecks and remains of 
+their kingdom, and endeavour to find out another one to lead them, but 
+should be frustrated in every attempt. And their exile and dispersion 
+shall remain unfinished until the end appointed: till then, they shall 
+remain and waste away like famished dogs, and run and smell about 
+round the cities, and gape like dogs, but shall not be filled: and 
+they shall perish without a king, and without a kingdom.
+
+But with respect to the history of this Psalm, it may rightly be 
+understood as referring to David, praying against the heirs of Saul 
+and the Saulites; who, being at length stripped of their kingdom, 
+wandered about like yawning and hungry dogs, ejected from their 
+kingdom, and forsaken and held in contempt, until they all utterly 
+perished. For God declared that the house of Saul should not be raised 
+up; though the posterity of Saul greatly desired his kingdom.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LX.
+
+_David, complaining to God of former judgment,—now, upon better hope, 
+prayeth for deliverance.—Comforting himself in God’s promises, he 
+craveth that help whereon he trusteth._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; 
+when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab 
+returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.
+
+
+O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been 
+displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
+
+Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the 
+breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
+
+Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink 
+the wine of astonishment.
+
+Thou hast given a banner to them that feared thee, that it may be 
+displayed because of the truth. Selah.
+
+That thy beloved may be delivered; save _with_ thy right hand and hear 
+me.
+
+God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide 
+Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
+
+Gilead _is_ mine, and Manasseh _is_ mine; Ephraim also _is_ the 
+strength of mine head; Judah _is_ my lawgiver;
+
+Moab _is_ my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, 
+triumph thou because of me.
+
+Who will bring me _into_ the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
+
+_Wilt_ not thou, O God, _which_ hadst cast us off? and _thou_, O God, 
+_which_ didst not go out with our armies?
+
+Give us help from trouble: for vain _is_ the help of man.
+
+Through God we shall do valiantly: for he _it is that_ shall tread 
+down our enemies.
+
+
+This is a signal thanksgiving. David gives thanks for the happy state 
+of his kingdom, in which religion and political government flourished 
+and prospered; for, in these two things, well-ordered, consist all 
+things divine and human. Before the time of David, in the days of 
+Saul, all things were in disorder, and the kingdom was in a declining 
+state; as the former verses of the Psalm show. The Philistines had 
+greatly afflicted the Israelites: so much so that even the ark of the 
+Lord was despised and profaned.
+
+Again, in the reign of Saul, all things were carried on with injury, 
+oppression, and wickedness: which is always the case, when God 
+forsakes magistrates, and suffers them to go on in their own ways. And 
+the example of David, who was obliged to have recourse to such 
+various, wise, and cautious means for safety, shows that the palace of 
+Saul was full of Ahithophels, and of all such pests of religion and 
+good government.
+
+But, says David, “Thou, O Lord, hast given a sign to them that feared 
+thee, that they may display it, and may believe and be assured, that 
+thou art present with them.” For God had given to his own a sign, and 
+had left it to them; by which, all those that believed in the grace of 
+God, might be comforted; namely, the ark of the covenant and the 
+mercy-seat; which God had delivered, by signal miracles, out of the 
+hand of the Philistines. For God had promised and declared, that he 
+would hear all those that called upon him before this ark, and this 
+mercy-seat; and that he would there vouchsafe his presence.
+
+At the end of the Psalm, he enumerates all his countries and his 
+people; and, in a very striking and eminent way, extols the true 
+worship of God, the true religion. “God (saith he) speaks in his 
+holiness (or sanctuary); I will rejoice:” that is, God is present in 
+my kingdom by his word, which is there preached: in this I will 
+rejoice.
+
+He enumerates, in order, these countries: Succoth, Shechem, Gilead, 
+Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah, Moab, Philistia. And, at the end, he 
+confesses, that, to defend and protect all these, by a good 
+government, and to ensure them victory against all their 
+enemies,—against Edom and Philistia, (that is to carry on war and to 
+extend dominions, successfully,) is not in the power of human wisdom 
+or human strength; “For vain (saith he) is the help of man. All 
+successful valour and victory are from God.” Why he does not mention 
+by name more countries than these nine, it belongs to a full 
+commentary to explain; the narrow limits, therefore, of our present 
+summary, will not allow us to enter upon that explanation.
+
+We may sing this Psalm to the honour of God also, because in the 
+church of Christ, God is continually making new orchards and gardens; 
+and daily increasing the number of its churches and parishes; in which 
+the word of God is preached; in which the sacraments are administered 
+in a godly manner; and in which there are various gifts of the Holy 
+Spirit.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXI.
+
+_David fleeth to God upon his former experience.—He voweth perpetual 
+service unto him, because of his promises._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Neginah. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
+
+From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is 
+overwhelmed; lead me to the rock _that_ is higher than I.
+
+For thou hast been a shelter for me, _and_ a strong tower from the 
+enemy.
+
+I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the covert of 
+thy wings. Selah.
+
+For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given _me_ the heritage 
+of those that fear thy name.
+
+Thou wilt prolong the king’s life; _and_ his years as many 
+generations.
+
+He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, _which_ 
+may preserve him.
+
+So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform 
+my vows.
+
+
+This is a prayer against the enemies of the people of God, and 
+especially also for magistrates, and for the king—that God would 
+increase faith in him, and further him in the knowledge of his holy 
+name and word; that he may walk in faith and in the fear of God; that 
+his government may be happy and endure; and that religion and good 
+government may not be injured and distracted by seditions and wars. 
+For Solomon, in his Proverbs, says, “That for the sins of the people, 
+God changes kings and kingdoms.” But where there are many kings, 
+there, (according to the manner of all human vicissitudes,) what one 
+builds up, another casts down: as the proverb goes, “A new king, a new 
+law,”—all changes in a state are dangerous: happy is that kingdom, 
+therefore, which, being once well constituted, is long preserved in 
+the same state.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXII.
+
+_David professing his confidence in God discourageth his enemies.—In 
+the same confidence he encourageth the godly.—No trust is to be put in 
+worldly things.—Power and mercy belong to God._
+
+To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him _cometh_ my salvation.
+
+He only _is_ my rock and my salvation; _he is_ my defence; I shall not 
+be greatly moved.
+
+How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all 
+of you: as a bowing wall _shall ye be, and as_ a tottering fence.
+
+They only consult to cast _him_ down from his excellency: they delight 
+in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
+
+My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation _is_ from him.
+
+He only _is_ my rock and my salvation: _he is_ my defence; I shall not 
+be moved.
+
+In God _is_ my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, _and_ 
+my refuge, _is_ in God.
+
+Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: 
+God _is_ a refuge for us. Selah.
+
+Surely men of low degree _are_ vanity, _and_ men of high degree _are_ 
+a lie: to be laid in the balance, they _are_ altogether _lighter_ than 
+vanity.
+
+Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches 
+increase, set not your heart _upon them_.
+
+God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power _belongeth_ 
+unto God.
+
+Also unto thee, O LORD, _belongeth_ mercy: for thou renderest to every 
+man according to his work.
+
+
+This Psalm contains most excellent doctrine: it greatly exalts the 
+dignity of faith, showing how firm a safeguard faith in God is, and 
+what a strong defence it is against all the evils of life. On the 
+other hand, the Psalmist shows the vanity of all confidence in 
+men;—that nothing is more vain, or more fallacious than to trust in 
+man. ‘God (says he) is my rock, my strength, and my defence: God is my 
+hope, my salvation, my strength, my glory, my life, and my trust. God 
+is my safe protection. God is my faithful helper; who never deceives 
+me. Therefore, vain are the sons of men. The sons of men are all 
+liars:’ that is, all human things are deceiving, uncertain, and cannot 
+be held fast.
+
+Many are to be found, who trust in the favour of kings and princes; 
+and on that account, they are puffed up with pride and insolence, and 
+oppress others with the more confidence; and especially if they see 
+their wall bowing down and giving way; that is, if they see a man 
+declining in his affairs, who was once in prosperity; or if they see 
+him not protected by wealth and influence against injury: such an one 
+as this, they endeavour to overthrow wholly; and to that end, 
+ingratiate themselves with the powerful, and wind themselves into 
+their affections, on whose favour they depend; as on a propitious 
+deity.
+
+But such see not how fallacious the favour of men is, and how variable 
+and uncertain their wills are; in a word, they see not that “vain is 
+the help of man!” Nor will they believe it to be vain, until they find 
+it out by experience, and are brought to lament their error; as Cicero 
+and many other wise men have done. Cicero exclaims with respect to 
+Octavius, ‘O how vain was all my reputation for being a wise man, &c.! 
+O how far was I from being wise indeed; though I sometimes evinced 
+that wisdom which was esteemed to be such; but in vain!’ Thus writes 
+he in his epistle to Octavius.—Therefore the sum of all religion is 
+‘Trust in God and injure not thy neighbour!’ So shalt thou rightly 
+conduct thyself before both God and men!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXIII.
+
+_David’s thirst for God.—His manner of blessing God.—His confidence of 
+his enemies’ destruction, and his own safety._
+
+A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
+
+
+O God, thou _art_ my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth 
+for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where 
+no water is;
+
+To see thy power and thy glory, so _as_ I have seen thee in the 
+sanctuary.
+
+Because thy loving-kindness _is_ better than life, my lips shall 
+praise thee.
+
+Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy 
+name.
+
+My soul shall be satisfied as _with_ marrow and fatness; and my mouth 
+shall praise _thee_ with joyful lips:
+
+When I remember thee upon my bed, _and_ meditate on thee in the 
+_night_ watches.
+
+Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings 
+will I rejoice.
+
+My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
+
+But those _that_ seek my soul, to destroy _it_, shall go into the 
+lower parts of the earth.
+
+They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
+
+But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him 
+shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
+
+
+This is a prayer containing the deep feelings of an afflicted heart, 
+thirsting after the word of God, which is the word of consolation! 
+David called thus upon God, when he fled from the face of Saul, and 
+lay hid in the wilderness of Judah. “My soul thirsteth for thee; my 
+flesh longeth for thee, that I may see thee in thy sanctuary.” O how 
+fervently does he desire to be present in the tabernacle, and before 
+the mercy-seat in the sanctuary! And to hear the word of God, in the 
+assembly of those who there truly worshipped him? He complains, also, 
+bitterly against the Saulites; who so hostilely lay in wait for his 
+life, that he could be in safety no where; and was compelled to be 
+away from the place of the worship of God; even away from the 
+sanctuary.—Notwithstanding all this, however, he raises himself up 
+with a holy firmness, and magnanimity, and glories in being king, 
+depending on the choice and promise of God; by which he comforts and 
+sustains himself during the time of that most miserable flight and 
+calamity.
+
+This Psalm may be used by those who are under the oppression of 
+tyrants, who feel a hungering and thirsting after the word of God, and 
+who can, under their calamity, glory in being the sons and heirs of 
+God, because they have the knowledge of Christ, and love the word; and 
+who can persevere in this confidence, until the impious Saul be 
+destroyed, and David exalted; that is, until God raise up and comfort 
+those that fear him.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXIV.
+
+_David prayeth for deliverance, complaining of his enemies.—He 
+promiseth himself to see such an evident destruction of his enemies, 
+as the righteous shall rejoice at it._
+
+To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.
+
+
+Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the 
+enemy.
+
+Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection 
+of the workers of iniquity.
+
+Who whet their tongue like a sword, _and_ bend _their bows to shoot_ 
+their arrows, _even_ bitter words;
+
+That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot 
+at him, and fear not.
+
+They encourage themselves _in_ an evil matter; they commune of laying 
+snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
+
+They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both 
+the inward _thought_ of every one _of them_, and the heart, _is_ deep.
+
+But God shall shoot at them _with_ an arrow; suddenly shall they be 
+wounded.
+
+So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves; all that 
+see them shall flee away.
+
+And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God: for they 
+shall wisely consider of his doing.
+
+The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and 
+all the upright in heart shall glory.
+
+
+This is a most ardent prayer, full of the feelings of a heart under 
+great straits, by reason of the unceasing and infinite malice of the 
+devil, the perfidy of men, and the ingratitude of the world.
+
+David here cries unto God, on account of having experienced so much 
+treachery, even from those of his own household, (as always is the 
+case, in the cause of religion). He cries to the Lord against his 
+betrayers and his most virulent slanderers,—those vipers, who, by 
+wicked speeches, and all the arts of perfidy and malice, did not cease 
+to plot against him. Of this base gang were his own son Absalom, 
+Ahithophel, and others like them; and especially many in the court of 
+Saul; Doeg, &c.
+
+He continues, however, perseveringly to comfort and console 
+himself;—that, by the just judgment of God, these same enemies shall 
+bring evil upon their own heads; and that those very base and viperous 
+tongues, which now cannot rest nor cease to slander, shall only wound 
+themselves; as, in the end, it happened unto Absalom, Ahithophel, and 
+Doeg.
+
+In the same way also, we ought to pray against all those vipers, our 
+enemies, in the halls of kings, bishops, and princes: who attack us 
+with satanic craft and hatred, and with all the arts of wickedness. 
+But they shall fall themselves into the snares which they have laid, 
+(as we have seen it exemplified in numberless instances;) and they 
+shall only plan mischief which shall fall upon their own heads; that 
+men may openly behold and see the works of God, and acknowledge that 
+God himself has visited them.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXV.
+
+_David praiseth God for his grace.—The blessedness of God’s chosen by
+reason of benefits._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm and Song of David.
+
+
+Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow 
+be performed.
+
+O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
+
+Iniquities prevail against me: _as for_ our transgressions, thou shalt 
+purge them away.
+
+Blessed _is the man whom_ thou choosest, and causest to approach _unto 
+thee, that_ he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the 
+goodness of thy house, _even_ of thy holy temple.
+
+_By_ terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of 
+our salvation; _who art_ the confidence of all the ends of the earth, 
+and of them that are afar off _upon_ the sea:
+
+Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; _being_ girded with 
+power:
+
+Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and 
+the tumult of the people.
+
+They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid of thy tokens: 
+thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
+
+Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it 
+with the river of God, _which is_ full of water: thou preparest them 
+corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
+
+Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly; thou settlest the furrows 
+thereof; thou makest it soft with showers; thou blessest the springing
+thereof.
+
+Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
+
+They drop _upon_ the pastures of the wilderness; and the little hills 
+rejoice on every side.
+
+The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered 
+over with corn: they shout for joy, they also sing.
+
+
+This is a remarkable Psalm of thanksgiving; (and all productions of 
+this kind were formed by the prophet out of the First Commandment,) 
+wherein thanks are rendered unto God, because he preserves among his 
+people (to whom he has given his word against Satan, heretics, and all 
+adversaries) the true religion, and the true worship of God; and 
+because he preserves also political peace, and guards the state from 
+all seditions, wars and tumults; and dispels all the storms of the 
+counsels of war, slaughter and bloodshed. For war is nothing less than 
+a horrible storm and tempest, which hurls into confusion all things 
+divine and human; and throws them into a perturbation, like as when 
+the waves of the sea rage with violence.
+
+The Psalmist gives thanks to God that he preserves peace;—(in which 
+one thing are contained all the treasures of good;) that he gives rain 
+from heaven and fruitful seasons; and that he crowns the year with his 
+goodness: that is, that during the revolution of the year, he 
+accomplishes and performs, as it were, a certain round of divine 
+blessing and goodness. For, in the spring, there first appear the 
+blossoms; and then, shortly after, the strawberries and cherries; and 
+then, ere long, plums, apples, and berries of various juice and 
+virtue; (to say nothing about the perpetual verdure of the herbs which 
+flourishes all the while, and is continually revived with fresh 
+supplies of dew). To these we are to add, the infinite variety of 
+herbs and odours. And then, at the time of harvest, our barns are 
+filled with wheat, rye, barley, and corn, and grain of every kind. In 
+the autumn, our presses overflow with wine of an infinite variety of 
+taste and fragrance, and our vats are filled to the brim. Thus the 
+Lord fills the whole revolution of the year, and every part of it, 
+with his overflowing and infinite goodness: and indeed every single 
+fruit is, as it were, a fund, and a world of the goodness of God.
+
+But how few are there, in general, who think about these numberless 
+and valuable blessings, and render thanks unto God for them? Alas! we 
+have innumerable examples of the impious manner in which the noble, 
+the powerful, and the rich, have abused the saving doctrine of faith 
+and Christian liberty, and also that peace which God has hitherto 
+miraculously preserved to us:—we have numberless examples, I say, of 
+the manner in which they have abused these great blessings, to their 
+own lusts, as Sodom and Gomorrah did:—but they shall be visited with 
+Sodom and Gomorrah’s judgment.
+
+You see, therefore, that those in the kingdom of David, and among the 
+people of Israel who composed these Psalms, were excellent and great 
+men. For these are spiritual and truly divine poems. No poems ever 
+equalled these. No poets, not even Homer himself, ever equalled these 
+poets, who thus speak of God, his works, and his creatures. These 
+Psalms contain the greatest and most weighty things, in a marvellous 
+brevity of expression!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXVI.
+
+_David exhorteth to praise God, to observe his great works, to bless 
+him for his gracious benefits.—He voweth for himself religious service 
+to God.—He declareth God’s special goodness to himself._
+
+To the chief Musician, a Song _or_ Psalm.
+
+
+Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
+
+Sing forth the honour of his name; make his praise glorious.
+
+Say unto God, How terrible _art thou in_ thy works! through the 
+greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto 
+thee.
+
+All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall 
+sing to thy name. Selah.
+
+Come and see the works of God _he is_ terrible _in his_ doing toward 
+the children of men.
+
+He turned the sea into _dry land_: they went through the flood on 
+foot: there did we rejoice in him.
+
+He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not 
+the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
+
+O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be 
+heard;
+
+Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be 
+moved.
+
+For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is 
+tried.
+
+Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our 
+loins.
+
+Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads: we went through fire and 
+through water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy _place_.
+
+I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my 
+vows,
+
+Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in 
+trouble.
+
+I will offer unto thee burnt-sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense 
+of rams: I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
+
+Come _and_ hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath 
+done for my soul.
+
+I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
+
+If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear _me_:
+
+_But_ verily God hath heard _me_; he hath attended to the voice of my 
+prayer.
+
+Blessed _be_ God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy 
+from me.
+
+
+This is a general thanksgiving, for God’s having rescued and delivered 
+his people so often out of the hands of their enemies, and out of the 
+very jaws of death itself; as he did at the Red Sea. The Books of 
+Judges and Kings are full of these deliverances.
+
+These deliverances are no less great and wonderful, at this day, in 
+the church, when God delivers those that fear him out of temptations, 
+both internal and external. For Satan, of whom that earthly Pharaoh 
+was so especial a type, being inflamed with so horrible a desire of 
+distressing and destroying, daily persecutes the church: and he would, 
+if he could, so harm every single one of the godly, and so beset them 
+on every side, that they should see nothing but death, and an angry 
+God: out of all these things, however, God delivers his own.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXVII.
+
+_A prayer for the enlargement of God’s kingdom, to the joy of the 
+people, and the increase of God’s blessings._
+
+To the chief Musician on Neginoth, a Psalm _or_ Song.
+
+
+God be merciful unto us, and bless us; _and_ cause his face to shine 
+upon us. Selah.
+
+That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all 
+nations.
+
+Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
+
+O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge the 
+people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
+
+Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
+
+_Then_ shall the earth yield her increase; _and_ God, even our God, 
+shall bless us.
+
+God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ; foretelling, that 
+it should be a spiritual kingdom, in which grace and the remission of 
+sins should be proclaimed, not only in Judea, but throughout all 
+nations. “Let the people praise thee, O God, yea let all the people 
+praise thee; for thou judgest the people righteously, &c.” That is, 
+thou reignest, by the Gospel, throughout all nations: thou judgest 
+all: (that is, all sinners in the hypocrisy of nature,) that they may 
+be brought to give thanks unto thee for thy mercy, and may rejoice, 
+and praise the blessings of the gospel.
+
+This sacrifice of praise, this offering of thanks, is the highest 
+worship of God, and is a sacrifice truly acceptable unto him, (as we 
+have continually observed;) for David does not here say, ‘The nations 
+shall become proselytes, and shall be circumcised, and shall flock to 
+Jerusalem:’ but “The nations shall remain uncircumcised, and shall, 
+nevertheless, sing praises unto God, and shall laud and magnify him:” 
+that is, the gospel shall be preached among all nations, and the 
+kingdom of Christ shall arise, the kingdom of grace and of the mercy 
+of God.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXVIII.
+
+_A prayer at the removing of the ark.—An exhortation to praise God for 
+his mercies, for his care of the church, for his great works._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm _or_ Song of David.
+
+
+Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate 
+him flee before him.
+
+As smoke is driven away, _so_ drive _them_ away: as wax melteth before 
+the fire, _so_ let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
+
+But let the righteous be glad: let them rejoice before God; yea, let 
+them exceedingly rejoice.
+
+Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon 
+the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
+
+A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, _is_ God in his 
+holy habitation.
+
+God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are 
+bound with chains; but the rebellious dwell in a dry _land_.
+
+O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst 
+march through the wilderness; Selah:
+
+The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: 
+_even_ Sinai itself _was moved_ at the presence of God, the God of 
+Israel.
+
+Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm 
+thine inheritance, when it was weary.
+
+Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy 
+goodness for the poor.
+
+The LORD gave the word: great _was_ the company of those that 
+published it.
+
+Kings of armies did flee apace; and she that tarried at home divided 
+the spoil.
+
+Though ye have lien among the pots, _yet shall ye be as_ the wings of 
+a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
+
+When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was _white_ as snow in 
+Salmon.
+
+The hill of God _is as_ the hill of Bashan; an high hill, _as_ the 
+hill of Bashan.
+
+Why leap ye, ye high hills? _this is_ the hill _which_ God desireth to 
+dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell _in it_ for ever.
+
+The chariots of God _are_ twenty thousand, _even_ thousands of angels; 
+the Lord _is_ among them _as in_ Sinai, in the holy _place_.
+
+Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast 
+received gifts for men; yea, _for_ the rebellious also, that the LORD 
+God might dwell _among them_.
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD, _who_ daily loadeth us _with benefits, even_ 
+the God of our salvation. Selah.
+
+_He that is_ our God _is_ the God of salvation; and unto God the LORD 
+_belong_ the issues from death.
+
+But God shall wound the head of his enemies, _and_ the hairy scalp of 
+such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
+
+The LORD said, I will bring again from Bashan; I will bring _my 
+people_ again from the depths of the sea:
+
+That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of _thine_ enemies, _and_ the 
+tongue of thy dogs in the same.
+
+They have seen thy goings, O GOD; _even_ the goings of my God, my 
+King, in the sanctuary.
+
+The singers went before, the players on instruments _followed_ after; 
+among _them were_ the damsels playing with timbrels.
+
+Bless ye God in the congregations, _even_ the LORD from the fountain 
+of Israel.
+
+There _is_ little Benjamin _with_ their ruler, the princes of Judah 
+_and_ their council, the princes of Zebulun, _and_ the princes of 
+Naphtali.
+
+Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which 
+thou hast wrought for us.
+
+Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto 
+thee.
+
+Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the 
+calves of the people, _till every one_ submit himself with pieces of 
+silver: scatter thou the people _that_ delight in war.
+
+Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her 
+hands unto God.
+
+Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the LORD; 
+Selah:
+
+To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens _which were_ of old: lo, 
+he doth send out his voice, _and that_ a mighty voice.
+
+Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency _is_ over Israel, and his 
+strength _is_ in the clouds.
+
+O God, _thou art_ terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel 
+_is_ he that giveth strength and power unto _his_ people. Blessed _be_ 
+God.
+
+
+This Psalm is, in the Latin, most obscurely translated; so much so, 
+that this one Psalm may well put us in remembrance of what we are 
+indebted unto God, for the great light which he has given us in this 
+our day; in having blessed us with the study of languages, and with 
+good books and instructors. Yet, in return for this universal, great, 
+and unspeakable gift, through the unceasing revilings of Satan, God 
+hears nothing but, ‘O this Lutheran poison! O this Lutheran 
+heresy!’—The world shall suffer heavy punishment for the contempt of 
+the blessing of this great and merciful light!
+
+In the former Latin translation of this Psalm there were the most 
+monstrous renderings; such as ‘_Rex vir tutum dilecti dilecti.—Speciei 
+domus dividere spolia.—Si dormiatis inter medios cleros.—Nives 
+dealbabuntur in Salmon.—Mons Dei, mons pinguis, mons 
+coæquatus.—Arundinis increpa feras. Congregatio taurorum in vaccis 
+populorum,’ &c._
+
+And how much of the same obscurity was there in Hosea, and the like 
+difficult books? What, then, have _they_ profited the church, who, by 
+a sort of madness, and from a hatred of, and longing desire to, 
+suppress the light of the gospel, have all along condemned not only 
+all pious studies, but all useful learning and godliness! But how easy 
+is it to sit down and condemn all things, and, as it were, to spit at 
+the sun that enlightens all things! The truly learned and godly know, 
+however, how arduous it is to imitate the laborious endeavours of 
+those who engage in the work of translations. But let us proceed to 
+speak upon the Psalm.—
+
+This Psalm is a signal prophecy concerning Christ; a prophecy more 
+animated and exalted, than usual, in fervency of spirit; and, as it 
+were, exulting in the Holy Ghost; setting before us a view of the 
+church, and those things which are to take place under the New 
+Testament; and all this is done with a representation so clear and 
+expressive, and with every thing depicted in that exact order, that it 
+seems to be, not a prediction of things to come, but a description of 
+things passing before our eyes. The Holy Ghost foretels the 
+resurrection and ascension of Christ, the revelation of the Holy 
+Spirit from heaven, and the mission of the Apostles: he describes, I 
+say, the whole of this spiritual kingdom: this kingdom of grace and 
+remission of sins, in which Christ should be preached as the true God, 
+and as the Saviour and deliverer from death.
+
+He shows also, that the kingdom and priesthood of the Jews was to be 
+abolished, and that a new and spiritual kingdom was to be erected; 
+which should stand, not in human strength, nor in many thousands of 
+horse and foot, but in the ministry and power of the word!—that it 
+should be a kingdom, in which the Lord should give the word unto those 
+who should preach it, in much power; by which the grace of Christ, and 
+the remission of sins by Christ, should be preached, and not the law 
+of Moses.
+
+He calls the apostles, “kings and heads of armies;” because, by the 
+gospel and the ministry of the word, they continually attack the 
+kingdom of the devil and the gates of hell. For what are all the 
+sermons and exhortations of the apostles, but the most terrible 
+battles and conflicts against sin, death, the devil, hell, and all the 
+righteousness and wisdom of the world?
+
+He also calls them “high hills, rich hills, and the inheritance of 
+God;” and “chariots of the Lord of many thousands;” and also, “the 
+multitude of them that preach good tidings, and sing, and play upon 
+instruments;” because, the apostles and ministers of the word, by 
+preaching the joyful gospel and the word of grace, continually praise, 
+sing of, and celebrate the immense benefits of Christ, and the mercy 
+of God. Thus, throughout the whole Psalm, the fervent prophet exulting 
+in the Holy Ghost, describes, in a most sweet song, the whole kingdom 
+of Christ!
+
+In the end, he prays that God would be pleased to render the church 
+more flourishing, and to give his blessing and a happy success to this 
+kingdom. And indeed, the prophet felt his heart moved, and was 
+peculiarly uplifted and fervent in spirit, when he composed this 
+divine and heavenly psalm concerning the kingdom of Christ.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXIX.
+
+_David complaineth of his affliction.—He prayeth for deliverance.—He 
+devoteth his enemies to destruction.—He praiseth God with 
+thanksgiving._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto _my_ soul.
+
+I sink in deep mire, where _there is_ no standing: I am come into deep 
+waters, where the floods overflow me.
+
+I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I 
+wait for my God.
+
+They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine 
+head: they that would destroy me, _being_ mine enemies wrongfully, are 
+mighty: then I restored _that_ which I took not away.
+
+O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.
+
+Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my 
+sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of 
+Israel.
+
+Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my 
+face.
+
+I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s 
+children.
+
+For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of 
+them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
+
+When I wept, _and chastened_ my soul with fasting, that was to my 
+reproach.
+
+I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.
+
+They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I _was_ the song of 
+the drunkards.
+
+But as for me, my prayer _is_ unto thee, O LORD, _in_ an acceptable 
+time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me: in the truth of 
+thy salvation,
+
+Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered 
+from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
+
+Let not the water-flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me 
+up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
+
+Hear me, O LORD; for thy loving-kindness _is_ good: turn unto me 
+according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
+
+And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble; hear me 
+speedily.
+
+Draw nigh unto my soul, _and_ redeem it: deliver me, because of mine 
+enemies.
+
+Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine 
+adversaries _are_ all before thee.
+
+Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness: and I 
+looked _for some_ to take pity, but _there was_ none; and for 
+comforters, but I found none.
+
+They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me 
+vinegar to drink.
+
+Let their table become a snare before them: and _that which should 
+have been_ for _their_ welfare, _let it become_ a trap.
+
+Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins 
+continually to shake.
+
+Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take 
+hold of them.
+
+Let their habitation be desolate; _and_ let none dwell in their tents.
+
+For they persecute _him_ whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the 
+grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
+
+Add iniquity unto their iniquity; and let them not come into thy 
+righteousness.
+
+Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written 
+with the righteous.
+
+But I _am_ poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on 
+high.
+
+I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with 
+thanksgiving.
+
+_This_ also shall please the LORD better than an ox _or_ bullock that 
+hath horns and hoofs.
+
+The humble shall see _this, and_ be glad: and your heart shall live 
+that seek God.
+
+For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
+
+Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that 
+moveth therein:
+
+For God will save Sion, and will build the cities of Judah; that they 
+may dwell there, and have it in possession.
+
+The seed also of his servants shall inherit it; and they that love his 
+name shall dwell therein.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer full of those most deep and spiritual feelings 
+that were experienced in the person of Christ our Lord. In the 
+beginning of the Psalm, in the first three verses, with what a 
+fervency and weight of words does the Psalmist describe those great 
+terrors of death and hell which Christ undertook and endured, for our 
+sins. “Save me now, O Lord,” saith he, “for the waters overflow me, I 
+sink into the depth of the mire: I have now no where to stand, nothing 
+whereon to set my foot, I sink into the abyss of the sea, and the 
+floods overflow me.” By all which figures and expressions he shadows 
+forth, with all his powers, that unspeakable agony of Christ, which he 
+endured for our sins, when groaning under the infinite weight of the 
+wrath of God.
+
+In the 7th verse Christ confesses himself as bearing our sins, and 
+complains of the Jews, who crucify him. “They gave me,” saith he, 
+“gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink:” so 
+expressively and circumstantially does the prophet foretel the 
+sufferings of Christ! And then he speaks, with the same clearness, 
+concerning the Jews who should be blinded, and their kingdom and 
+priesthood which should be destroyed, as also it was fulfilled; so 
+that now we see the accomplishment of these things, and experience has 
+set them plainly before our eyes.
+
+In the end of the Psalm the prophet shows that the law should be 
+abolished, and that a new worship should be instituted without the law 
+and circumcision: “I will praise the name of the Lord,” saith he, 
+“with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall 
+please the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that hath horns and 
+hoofs.” By these words he shews that the law should be abrogated with 
+the whole of that splendidly ceremonious worship, the boasted pride of 
+circumcision, the sabbaths, and the sacrifices; and that the worship 
+of the New Testament should be established in its stead; namely, the 
+sacrifice of praise and the preaching of the gospel; for it is by 
+faith in Christ, and obedience to the gospel that we attain unto the 
+true knowledge of God, and it is by truly keeping the first 
+commandment that God is truly worshipped; which, as it is written, 
+(Mark xii. 33.) is “more than all whole burnt offerings and 
+sacrifices.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXX.
+
+_David soliciteth God to the speedy destruction of the wicked, and 
+preservation of the godly._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.
+
+
+Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD.
+
+Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them 
+be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
+
+Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, 
+aha.
+
+Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such 
+as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
+
+But I _am_ poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou _art_ my 
+help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer against the persecutors and enemies of the 
+church and of the godly: for such instruments of the devil cease not 
+to plot against the good, and those that fear God, with all possible 
+machinations of craft, and with all the bitterness of Cain; and, like 
+Satan himself, they burn with an insatiable desire and determination 
+to destroy the church; nay, more than this, they insult the miseries 
+and calamities of the saints.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXI.
+
+_David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God’s favour, 
+prayeth both for himself, and against the enemies of his soul.—He 
+promiseth constancy.—He prayeth for perseverance.—He praiseth God, and 
+promiseth to do it cheerfully._
+
+
+In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
+
+Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine 
+ear unto me, and save me.
+
+Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou 
+hast given commandment to save me; for thou _art_ my rock and my
+fortress.
+
+Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand 
+of the unrighteous and cruel man.
+
+For thou _art_ my hope, O Lord GOD: _thou art_ my trust from my youth.
+
+By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me 
+out of my mother’s bowels: my praise _shall be_ continually of thee.
+
+I am as a wonder unto many: but thou _art_ my strong refuge.
+
+Let my mouth be filled _with_ thy praise _and with_ thy honour all the 
+day.
+
+Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my 
+strength faileth.
+
+For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul 
+take counsel together,
+
+Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for _there is_ 
+none to deliver _him_.
+
+O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste for my help.
+
+Let them be confounded _and_ consumed that are adversaries to my soul; 
+let them be covered _with_ reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
+
+But I will hope continually, and yet will praise thee more and more.
+
+My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness _and_ thy salvation all 
+the day; for I know not the numbers _thereof_.
+
+I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of thy 
+righteousness, _even_ of thine only.
+
+O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared 
+thy wondrous works.
+
+Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I 
+have shewed thy strength unto _this_ generation, _and_ thy power to 
+every one _that_ is to come.
+
+Thy righteousness also, O God, _is_ very high, who hast done great 
+things: O God, who _is_ like unto thee!
+
+_Thou_, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me 
+again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
+
+Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
+
+I will also praise thee with the psaltery, _even_ thy truth, O my God: 
+unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
+
+My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, 
+which thou hast redeemed.
+
+My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for 
+they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my 
+hurt.
+
+
+This Psalm is a general prayer; which, I think, may be very properly 
+used in the person of the whole church against all her enemies and 
+persecutors who are now or ever shall be, unto the end. “Forsake me 
+not,” saith he, “in the time of mine old age,” &c. and although this 
+may more especially apply to the prophet himself, as praying for 
+divine protection under his infinite temptations; yet the words may be 
+appropriately applied to the last times, and to the close of the 
+church militant before the last day. For the church has her old age 
+also: and Christ himself and his apostles have foretold, “That in the 
+latter days perilous times shall come:” as Daniel also prophesied, 
+that the truth should be persecuted and iniquity should abound: and 
+this we have experienced under Mahomet, and the Pope, to our infinite 
+peril and sorrow.
+
+Hence, in verses 15–17, the prophet foretells the justice and 
+righteousness of God. “My mouth (saith he) shall show forth thy 
+righteousness. O God thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto 
+have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also, when I am old and 
+grey-headed, &c.” This prophecy may be of singular use to us, and 
+apply to us very appropriately: because God has, as it were, brought 
+us back out of hell, and from the depths of the earth, and has made 
+the light of his word to shine again, by which our consciences have a 
+firm and eternal consolation. These our times are like the times of 
+Elias and Enoch: for they commonly say of us, ‘These men will subvert 
+antichrist, and restore all things!’
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXII.
+
+_David, praying for Solomon, sheweth the goodness and glory of his, in 
+type, and in truth, of Christ’s kingdom.—He blesseth God._
+
+A Psalm for Solomon.
+
+
+Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the 
+king’s son.
+
+He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with 
+judgment.
+
+The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, 
+by righteousness.
+
+He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of 
+the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
+
+They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout 
+all generations.
+
+He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers _that_ 
+water the earth.
+
+In his days shall the righteous flourish: and abundance of peace so 
+long as the moon endureth.
+
+He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto 
+the ends of the earth.
+
+They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his 
+enemies shall lick the dust.
+
+The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings 
+of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
+
+Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve 
+him.
+
+For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and 
+_him_ that hath no helper.
+
+He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the 
+needy.
+
+He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious 
+shall their blood be in his sight.
+
+And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: 
+prayer also shall be made for him continually: _and_ daily shall he be 
+praised.
+
+There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the 
+mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and _they_ of 
+the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
+
+His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as 
+the sun: and _men_ shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him 
+blessed.
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous 
+things.
+
+And blessed _be_ his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth 
+be filled _with_ his glory; Amen, and Amen.
+
+The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
+
+
+This is a most remarkable prophecy concerning Christ and his kingdom, 
+to be spread throughout the whole world, over all kingdoms, and the 
+isles of the sea: which should not be a kingdom of death, sin, and 
+judgment, but a kingdom of grace, righteousness, peace, and joy.—But 
+the life, the victory, the peace, and the glory of the church shall be 
+hidden; they shall be hidden in God; and the saints in this world 
+shall endure the most bitter hatred of the world, and its 
+persecutions; they shall shed their blood for Christ; nevertheless, 
+that blood shall be precious in the sight of the Lord, and he shall 
+require it.
+
+This Psalm also, verse 15, declares that the old worship of the law of 
+Moses should be abrogated, and a new worship set up, which should 
+consist in prayer and the giving of thanks. “Prayer shall be made unto 
+him (saith he) continually, and daily shall he be praised.” For the 
+sacrifice of praise and the preaching of the gospel, is the daily 
+sacrifice, and the highest worship of the New Testament. Here you hear 
+nothing of circumcision, or the law of Moses, as that which the 
+nations should receive. It saith that the kings of nations and nations 
+themselves shall endure and shall praise this king. Therefore, this 
+king, Christ, is truly and properly God. For prayer is the worship of 
+the first and greatest commandment, and is due to God alone; for he 
+alone can deliver from death and every affliction.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXIII.
+
+_The prophet, prevailing in a temptation, sheweth the occasion 
+thereof, the prosperity of the wicked.—The wound given thereby, 
+diffidence.—The victory over it, knowledge of God’s purpose, in 
+destroying of the wicked, and sustaining the righteous._
+
+A Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+Truly God _is_ good to Israel, _even_ to such as are of a clean heart.
+
+But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh 
+slipped.
+
+For I was envious at the foolish, _when_ I saw the prosperity of the 
+wicked.
+
+For _there are_ no bands in their death; but their strength _is_ firm.
+
+They _are_ not in trouble _as other_ men; neither are they plagued 
+like _other_ men.
+
+Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth 
+them _as_ a garment.
+
+Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could 
+wish.
+
+They are corrupt, and speak wickedly _concerning_ oppression: they 
+speak loftily.
+
+They set their mouth against the heavens; and their tongue walketh 
+through the earth.
+
+Therefore his people return hither; and waters of a full _cup_ are 
+wrung out to them:
+
+And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most 
+High?
+
+Behold, these _are_ the ungodly who prosper in the world; they 
+increase _in_ riches.
+
+Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in 
+innocency.
+
+For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
+
+If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend _against_ the 
+generation of thy children.
+
+When I thought to know this, it _was_ too painful for me,
+
+Until I went into the sanctuary of God; _then_ understood I their end.
+
+Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down 
+into destruction.
+
+How are they _brought_ into desolation, as in a moment? they are 
+utterly consumed with terrors.
+
+As a dream when _one_ awaketh; _so_, O LORD, when thou awakest, thou 
+shalt despise their image.
+
+Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
+
+So foolish _was_ I and ignorant; I was _as_ a beast before thee.
+
+Nevertheless, I _am_ continually with thee; thou hast holden _me_ by 
+my right hand.
+
+Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me _to_ 
+glory.
+
+Whom have I heaven _but thee_? and _there is_ none upon earth _that_ I 
+desire beside thee.
+
+My flesh and my heart faileth: _but_ God is the strength of my heart, 
+and my portion for ever.
+
+For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish; thou hast destroyed 
+all them that go a whoring from thee.
+
+But _it is_ good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in 
+the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
+
+
+This is a Psalm that instructs us against that great offence and 
+stumbling-block concerning which all the prophets have complained; 
+namely, that the wicked flourish in the world, enjoy prosperity, and 
+increase in abundance, while the godly suffer cold and hunger, and are 
+afflicted, and spit upon, and despised, and condemned; and that God 
+seems to be against and to neglect the latter, and to regard, support 
+and give success to the former. And this outside appearance of the 
+false church has, moreover, a great influence with, and excites the 
+admiration of, the world around. Whatever these hypocrites do or say, 
+they boast with great confidence, is pious, holy and divine: on the 
+other hand, they consider the lives of the godly to be ungodly, and 
+their doctrine erroneous. This offence has existed, and has exercised 
+and vexed the godly from the very beginning of the church.
+
+“So foolish was I,” saith Asaph, (v. 22.) that is, I was accounted 
+ungodly, a heretic, and a despiser of God. But these temptations, 
+saith he, remain until I cast away all my own cogitations about this 
+offence, and go into the sanctuary: that is, until I hear or read the 
+word, and find what God saith concerning the ungodly; and until I look 
+into the histories and behold the judgments of God, which have been 
+since the foundation of the world. There I find what God threatens in 
+his First Commandment: and how he has fulfilled this judgment and 
+executed it, even from Cain; by which all the ungodly are overthrown 
+and overwhelmed on a sudden: for they build upon slippery places and 
+upon the sand, but the godly build upon a rock.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXIV.
+
+_The prophet complaineth of the desolation of the sanctuary.—He moveth 
+God to help in consideration of his power, of his reproachful enemies, 
+of his children, and of his covenant._
+
+Maschil of Asaph.
+
+
+O God, why hast thou cast _us_ off for ever? _why_ doth thine anger 
+smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
+
+Remember thy congregation, _which_ thou hast purchased of old; the rod 
+of thine inheritance, _which_ thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, 
+wherein thou hast dwelt.
+
+Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; _even_ all _that_ the 
+enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
+
+Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up 
+their ensigns _for_ signs.
+
+_A man_ was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick 
+trees.
+
+But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and 
+hammers.
+
+They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled _by casting 
+down_ the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.
+
+They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have 
+burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.
+
+We see not our signs: _there is_ no more any prophet: neither _is 
+there_ among us any that knoweth how long.
+
+O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy 
+blaspheme thy name for ever?
+
+Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck _it_ out of 
+thy bosom.
+
+For God _is_ my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the 
+earth.
+
+Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of 
+the dragons in the waters.
+
+Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, _and_ gavest him _to 
+be_ meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
+
+Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty 
+rivers.
+
+The day _is_ thine, the night also _is_ thine; thou hast prepared the 
+light and the sun.
+
+Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and 
+winter.
+
+Remember this, _that_ the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and _that_ 
+the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
+
+O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude _of the 
+wicked_: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
+
+Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are 
+full of the habitations of cruelty.
+
+O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise 
+thy name.
+
+Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man 
+reproacheth thee daily.
+
+Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise 
+up against thee increaseth continually.
+
+
+This is a prayer against the enemies who were then laying waste 
+Jerusalem, the sanctuary, all the holy places of assembly and of the 
+worship of God in the land, and even the national cities themselves; 
+uttering at the same time blasphemies against God, as if he were not 
+able to succour and defend his people.
+
+It seems also to be a prophecy of the future, and a prayer against 
+that future devastation which was wrought by those cruel enemies, the 
+Chaldeans, and by Antiochus Epiphanes; for it was on these two 
+occasions only that the temple and the city of Jerusalem were 
+destroyed, with such cruelty as is here depicted.
+
+We also use this Psalm against the Turk and Mahomet; and also against 
+our Antiochus, the pope; who destroys daily the true church and the 
+preaching of the word of God, daily despoils and scatters all sacred 
+and divine things, and every where stirs up and diffuses abroad the 
+poison of the devil and every abomination.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXV.
+
+_The prophet praiseth God.—He promiseth to judge uprightly.—He 
+rebuketh the proud by consideration of God’s providence.—He praiseth 
+God, and promiseth to execute justice._
+
+To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, a Psalm _or_ Song of Asaph.
+
+
+Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, _unto thee_ do we give thanks; 
+for _that_ thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.
+
+When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
+
+The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the 
+pillars of it. Selah.
+
+I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not 
+up the horn:
+
+Lift not up your horn on high: speak _not with_ a stiff neck.
+
+For promotion _cometh_ neither from the east, nor from the west, nor 
+from the south.
+
+But God _is_ the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
+
+For in the hand of the LORD _there is_ a cup, and the wine is red: it 
+is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs 
+thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring _them_ out, _and_ 
+drink _them_.
+
+But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
+
+All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; _but_ the horns of 
+the righteous shall be exalted.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation against all turbulent and hardened 
+hypocrites, who boast of their church and their name, and despise 
+alike all threatenings, and all exhortations; ever speaking like those 
+arrogant hypocrites in Psalm xii: “Who shall teach us?” “Who is Lord 
+over us?” As if they should say, the power is ours, and the authority 
+is ours, and he that does not listen to, and obey us, let him be 
+accursed.
+
+In like manner also now, our bishops are secure; and, from the 
+‘Council of Worms’ to this day, are deaf to all entreaties, and 
+insensible to all tears. And equally deaf also are most kings and 
+princes and fanatical spirits; who are so confident in themselves and 
+in their own imaginations, that they seem to think that God himself 
+could not overthrow them or cast them down.
+
+This Psalm admonishes us, the people of God, to know and acknowledge, 
+that there is a God who will surely judge all iniquity, if we do but 
+wait his time. For he is the Lord who maketh the mountains to tremble, 
+and who appeared on Mount Sinai with such terrible majesty. He, 
+according to the word of his First Commandment, visits the wicked in 
+his own appointed time, and yet preserves the pillars of the earth; 
+that is, the godly and the righteous; who bear up and sustain this 
+world upon their shoulders as it were: in the same way as the Apostle 
+Paul calls the church the “pillar and ground of the truth.” Thus, God 
+preserved the righteous and innocent Lot when he overthrew Sodom: and 
+thus he preserved also the believing Jews and the Apostles when he 
+destroyed Jerusalem, and overthrew the whole nation and kingdom: for 
+he knows, when he destroys any nation, how to preserve his own.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXVI.
+
+_A declaration of God’s majesty in the church.—An exhortation to serve 
+him reverently._
+
+To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm _or_ Song of Asaph.
+
+
+In Judah _is_ God known; his name _is_ great in Israel.
+
+In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
+
+There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and 
+the battle. Selah.
+
+Thou _art_ more glorious _and_ excellent than the mountains of prey.
+
+The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of 
+the men of might have found their hands.
+
+At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast 
+into a dead sleep.
+
+Thou, _even_ thou, _art_ to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight 
+when once thou art angry?
+
+Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, 
+and was still,
+
+When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
+
+Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath 
+shalt thou restrain.
+
+Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him 
+bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
+
+He shall cut off the spirit of princes: _he is_ terrible to the kings 
+of the earth.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and of the same subject-matter as 
+Psalm xlvi. It gives thanks unto God for preserving his word and 
+worship in Jerusalem; and shows that it is he who, by marvellous deeds 
+and wonders, protects and defends his people against all kings and 
+tyrants; such as Sennacherib. For the Lord, the Divine Majesty, is a 
+wonderful “Man of war”; who has the hearts and spirits of kings in his 
+hand, and who can fill the enemies with fear, and break their minds 
+and spirits, whenever he pleases, with a single nod of his will.
+
+In this manner does God fight for his church against tyrants and 
+erroneous enemies. In the very midst of the course of their fury and 
+their hostile roaring, he brings down and breaks their spirits with 
+fear: and it is a terrible thing to kick and fight against him, who 
+can, in a moment, take away that which is the chief thing in 
+battle—the spirit of a man! Satan himself, who makes war against the 
+righteous with such unceasing rage, with such horrible desire to 
+destroy, and with such confidence in his might, is cast down in his 
+spirit, in a moment, by a repulse of the shield of faith, and falls 
+back and is undone: how much more then shall a mortal man!
+
+This verse, therefore, wherein the Psalmist says, “He shall cut off 
+the spirit of princes,” ought greatly to comfort us; for thereby we 
+may know, that we cannot be conquered or oppressed, but as God wills; 
+seeing we have that Warrior for our Captain, who holds in his hand the 
+hearts and spirits of our enemies; and who, without any arms or 
+weapons of men, can lay our adversaries prostrate in a moment, by 
+striking their spirits with fear!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXVII.
+
+_The psalmist sheweth what fierce combat he had with diffidence.—The 
+victory which he had by consideration of God’s great and gracious 
+works._
+
+To the chief Musician to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+I cried unto God with my voice, _even_ unto God with my voice; and he 
+gave ear unto me.
+
+In the day of my trouble I sought the LORD: my sore ran in the night, 
+and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
+
+I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was 
+overwhelmed. Selah.
+
+Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
+
+I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
+
+I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own 
+heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
+
+Will the LORD cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
+
+Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth _his_ promise fail for 
+evermore?
+
+Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender 
+mercies? Selah.
+
+And I said, This _is_ my infirmity: _but I will remember_ the years of 
+the right hand of the Most High.
+
+I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy 
+wonders of old.
+
+I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
+
+Thy way, O God, _is_ in the sanctuary: who _is so_ great a God as 
+_our_ God!
+
+Thou _art_ the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength 
+among the people.
+
+Thou hast with _thine_ arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and 
+Joseph. Selah.
+
+The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee: they were afraid: the 
+depths also were troubled.
+
+The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows 
+also went abroad.
+
+The voice of thy thunder _was_ in the heaven: the lightnings lightened 
+the world: the earth trembled and shook.
+
+Thy way _is_ in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy 
+footsteps are not known.
+
+Thou leddest thy people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
+
+
+This Psalm contains a blessed doctrine: the Psalmist puts forth 
+himself as an example: and the whole is for the consolation of the 
+godly: for the Psalmist describes the unspeakable anguish and sorrow 
+of a heart alarmed at the wrath of God and sin: and he says, verse 4, 
+that he was so overwhelmed with these terrors and sorrows, that he 
+could neither sleep nor speak. And in verses 7–10, he, as it were, 
+repeats all these his feelings of sorrow and dread, saying, “Will God 
+forget to be merciful? Doth his promise fail for evermore”?
+
+But here, as the Psalm saith, lies the greatest and best of all 
+consolations,—you will at once find comfort and deliverance if, 
+casting away from your mind (if you can by any means do it,) all these 
+apprehensions of evils and sorrows, (by which indeed you are 
+distressed in vain,) you turn to the word and works of God, and to the 
+histories of God’s doings and dealings from the beginning of the 
+world: for you will there find that the works and doings of God from 
+the beginning have been these,—to be merciful to and to save and help 
+the sorrowful, the distressed, the destitute, and the afflicted; and 
+to visit, in vengeance, the secure, the proud, the despisers, and the 
+wicked, in the same way as he delivered the Israelites, and destroyed 
+the Egyptians. Hence it is that David says, “Thy way, O God, is in the 
+deep,” and “in the sea:” for God saves in the midst of death and of 
+destruction, when despair is on every side.
+
+Learn this, my Christian brother! This Psalm thus sets forth to us God 
+and the ways of God: that is, how he works, and what he does, in his 
+church and in the saints: and all this is thus written, that we should 
+not despair in perils and afflictions, when we are beyond the reach of 
+all human help: but that rather, casting away all our own 
+apprehensions and distressing thoughts, we should, at, and from that 
+time, begin to trust in God, and to trust in him more and more, 
+waiting for his help.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXVIII.
+
+_An exhortation both to learn and to preach the law of God.—The story 
+of God’s wrath against the incredulous and disobedient.—The Israelites 
+being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David._
+
+Maschil of Asaph.
+
+
+Give ear, O my people, _to_ my law: incline your ears to the words of 
+my mouth.
+
+I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old;
+
+Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
+
+We will not hide _them_ from their children, shewing to the generation 
+to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful 
+works that he hath done.
+
+For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in 
+Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them 
+known to their children;
+
+That the generation to come might know _them, even_ the children 
+_which_ should be born, _who_ should arise and declare _them_ to their 
+children:
+
+That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of 
+God; but keep his commandments:
+
+And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious 
+generation; a generation _that_ set not their heart aright, and whose 
+spirit was not stedfast with God.
+
+The children of Ephraim, _being_ armed, _and_ carrying bows, turned 
+back in the day of battle.
+
+They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
+
+And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
+
+Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of 
+Egypt, _in_ the field of Zoan.
+
+He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the 
+waters to stand as an heap.
+
+In the day-time also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with 
+a light of fire.
+
+He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave _them_ drink as _out 
+of_ the great depths.
+
+He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down 
+like rivers.
+
+And they sinned yet more against him, by provoking the Most High in 
+the wilderness.
+
+And they tempted God in their heart, by asking meat for their lust.
+
+Yea, they spake against God: they said, Can God furnish a table in the 
+wilderness?
+
+Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams 
+overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his 
+people?
+
+Therefore the LORD heard _this_, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled 
+against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel.
+
+Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation;
+
+Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of 
+heaven,
+
+And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the 
+corn of heaven.
+
+Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.
+
+He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven; and by his power he 
+brought in the south wind.
+
+He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as 
+the sand of the sea;
+
+And he let _it_ fall in the midst of their camp, round about their 
+habitations.
+
+So they did eat and were well filled: for he gave them their own 
+desire;
+
+They were not estranged from their lust: but while their meat _was_ 
+yet in their mouths,
+
+The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and 
+smote down the chosen _men_ of Israel.
+
+For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous 
+works.
+
+Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in 
+trouble.
+
+When he slew them, then they sought him; and they returned and 
+inquired early after God:
+
+And they remembered that God _was_ their Rock, and the high God their 
+Redeemer.
+
+Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto 
+him with their tongues:
+
+For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in 
+his covenant.
+
+But he, _being_ full of compassion, forgave _their_ iniquity, and 
+destroyed _them_ not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and 
+did not stir up all his wrath:
+
+For he remembered that they _were but_ flesh; a wind that passeth 
+away, and cometh not again.
+
+How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, _and_ grieve him in 
+the desert!
+
+Yea, they turned back, and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of 
+Israel.
+
+They remembered not his hand, _nor_ the day when he delivered them 
+from the enemy:
+
+How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of 
+Zoan:
+
+And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they 
+could not drink.
+
+He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and 
+frogs, which destroyed them.
+
+He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labour 
+unto the locust.
+
+He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-trees with 
+frost.
+
+He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot 
+thunderbolts.
+
+He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, 
+and trouble, by sending evil angels _among them_.
+
+He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but 
+gave their life over to the pestilence;
+
+And smote all the first-born in Egypt; the chief of _their_ strength 
+in the tabernacles of Ham:
+
+But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the 
+wilderness like a flock.
+
+And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea 
+overwhelmed their enemies.
+
+And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, _even to_ this 
+mountain, _which_ his right hand had purchased.
+
+He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an 
+inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their 
+tents.
+
+Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his 
+testimonies:
+
+But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were 
+turned aside like a deceitful bow.
+
+For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him 
+to jealousy with their graven images.
+
+When God heard _this_, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:
+
+So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent _which_ he 
+placed among men;
+
+And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the 
+enemy’s hand.
+
+He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his 
+inheritance.
+
+The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to 
+marriage.
+
+Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.
+
+Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, _and_ like a mighty man that 
+shouteth by reason of wine.
+
+And he smote his enemies in the hinder part: he put them to a 
+perpetual reproach.
+
+Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe 
+of Ephraim:
+
+But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
+
+And he built his sanctuary like high _palaces_, like
+the earth which he hath established for ever.
+
+He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
+
+From following the ewes great with young he brought him, to feed Jacob 
+his people, and Israel his inheritance.
+
+So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided 
+them by the skilfulness of his hands.
+
+
+This Psalm, by a glorious instruction, in a long recital of the acts 
+of the children of Israel as examples, from the departure out of Egypt 
+down to David, teaches us to believe and trust in God: showing us, how 
+“very present” God always was to those who believed in him, in all 
+their perils, and even in the midst of death. And, on the other hand, 
+it shows us, how surely and terribly God always visited those who 
+despised his word and departed from him.
+
+For, according to the words of the first commandment, God has, from 
+the beginning, wrought, not only in his own people, but in the 
+Gentiles also; and so he will work down to the world’s end; showing 
+mercy to those that love him, and visiting in judgment those that hate 
+him.
+
+And although the world despises, more unconcernedly than all things 
+else, the threatenings of God and his promises also; yet, 
+nevertheless, God still goes on working, according to the words of his 
+first commandment; and that commandment still prevails over all the 
+kingdoms of the earth; laying prostrate kings, overturning kingdoms, 
+uprooting families, and blotting out mighty names. And, on the other 
+hand, the same commandment still and ever goes on, preserving those in 
+the church of God who love him; lifting up them that are down; 
+succouring the oppressed; feeding the poor, the captives, and the 
+exiles; loosing those that are in prison; raising the dead; and 
+bringing salvation.
+
+The hardened and unbelieving world do not believe God: nevertheless, 
+this first commandment goes on thus according to the word which it 
+contains, to accomplish God’s will, in things private, and in things 
+public, in this present age, and throughout all the ages to come.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXIX.
+
+_The psalmist complaineth of the desolation of Jerusalem.—He prayeth 
+for deliverance, and promiseth thankfulness._
+
+A Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple 
+have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.
+
+The dead bodies of thy servants have they given _to be_ meat unto the 
+fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the 
+earth.
+
+Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and 
+_there was_ none to bury _them_.
+
+We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to 
+them that are round about us.
+
+How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn 
+like fire?
+
+Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon 
+the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
+
+For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling-place.
+
+O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies 
+speedily prevent us; for we are brought very low.
+
+Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; and 
+deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.
+
+Wherefore should the heathen say, Where _is_ their God? let him be 
+known among the heathen in our sight, _by_ the revenging of the blood 
+of thy servants _which is_ shed.
+
+Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the 
+greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die:
+
+And render unto our neighbours seven-fold into their bosom their 
+reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O LORD.
+
+So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, will give thee thanks for 
+ever; we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer to God against that future national 
+destruction, which was wrought by the Chaldeans and Antiochus 
+Epiphanes; it is of the same subject-matter as Psalm lxxiv, and 
+therefore it may be set forth by the explication there given. Isaiah 
+has the same prayer against future devastations, chap. 63.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXX.
+
+_The psalmist in his prayer complaineth of the miseries of the 
+church.—God’s former favours are turned into judgments.—He prayeth for 
+deliverance._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim-Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; 
+thou that dwellest _between_ the cherubims, shine forth.
+
+Before Ephraim, and Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up thy strength, and 
+come _and_ save us.
+
+Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be 
+saved.
+
+O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of 
+thy people?
+
+Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to 
+drink in great measure.
+
+Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours; and our enemies laugh 
+among themselves.
+
+Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we 
+shall be saved.
+
+Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, 
+and planted it.
+
+Thou preparedst _room_ before it, and didst cause it to take deep 
+root, and it filled the land.
+
+The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof 
+_were like_ the goodly cedars.
+
+She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
+
+Why hast thou _then_ broken down her hedges, so that all they which 
+pass by the way do pluck her?
+
+The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the 
+field doth devour it.
+
+Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and 
+behold, and visit this vine;
+
+And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch 
+_that_ thou madest strong for thyself.
+
+_It is_ burned with fire; _it is_ cut down: they perish at the rebuke 
+of thy countenance.
+
+Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man 
+_whom_ thou madest strong for thyself.
+
+So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon 
+thy name.
+
+Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts; cause thy face to shine, and we 
+shall be saved.
+
+
+This is a prayer against those most bitter and daily enemies, the 
+neighbouring Philistines, Syrians, Moabites, Edomites, &c.: for 
+Jerusalem was situated in the midst of these nations, all enemies, on 
+every side.
+
+This Psalm is appropriate for _us_ against bishops, and monks, and 
+priests, who hate us more bitterly than any Edomite or any Cain. The 
+fathers used this Psalm (such was the state of the church then) 
+against her error-broaching enemies.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXI.
+
+_An exhortation to a solemn praising of God.—God challengeth that duty 
+by reason of his benefits.—God exhorting to obedience; complaineth of 
+their disobedience, which proveth their own hurt._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Gittith, a Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of 
+Jacob.
+
+Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the 
+psaltery.
+
+Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our 
+solemn feast day.
+
+For this _was_ a statute for Israel, _and_ a law of the God of Jacob.
+
+This he ordained in Joseph _for_ a testimony, when he went out through 
+the land of Egypt: _where_ I heard a language _that_ I understood not.
+
+I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from 
+the pots.
+
+Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the 
+secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. 
+Selah.
+
+Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou 
+wilt hearken unto me;
+
+There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any 
+strange god.
+
+I _am_ the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: 
+open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
+
+But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of 
+me.
+
+So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: _and_ they walked in 
+their own counsels.
+
+Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, _and_ Israel had walked in my 
+ways!
+
+I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against 
+their adversaries.
+
+The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but 
+their time should have endured for ever.
+
+He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with 
+honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
+
+
+This is the form of a prayer and a solemn song for the people of the 
+Jews, which was sung yearly at the feast of tabernacles, to admonish 
+that people, and to keep them in the true worship of God; namely, that 
+of the first commandment. This Psalm, therefore, like the prophets, in 
+all their great instructions, holds forth and enforces the very words 
+of the first commandment, “I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt have none 
+other gods but me:” that is, thou shalt hold me as thy God, thou shalt 
+cleave unto me, thou shalt trust alone in me; thou shalt not worship, 
+thou shalt not call upon, any other God.
+
+But here the whole world lieth in wickedness, the whole is unclean, 
+the whole is the kingdom of the devil. Not only were the people of the 
+Jews in this state of transgression against the first commandment, but 
+all nations, and all religions, and all worshippers, from the 
+beginning of the world; and they will be the same down to the end of 
+the world. The Israelites were indeed the people of God; they had the 
+prophets, and the godly priests and Levites, continually enforcing on 
+them this great and highest worship of the first commandment in all 
+their preachings: and yet they fell away from this worship. Their 
+mouth ought to have been full of God and the praise of God, but it was 
+full of idolatry, and of idolatrous doctrines and abominations.
+
+Here is the perverseness of the world: they will admire, they will 
+take up with, they will profess, all other kinds of worship, all other 
+forms and kinds of religions and hypocrisies, and they will multiply 
+and adorn them: but they will trample that very glorious worship of 
+the first commandment under foot: _that_ worship the devil cannot 
+bear; _that_ worship he works to extinguish by all the ways and means 
+in his power.
+
+And in the church of God, under the New Testament, this Psalm teaches 
+us the righteousness of faith and of Christ; that we ought to set 
+Christ and his righteousness before and above all works: for our mouth 
+ought to be full of Christ. But we, like the Jews, turn aside to other 
+gods, embracing sometimes these and sometimes those sayings and 
+traditions, each one following the idol imaginations and thoughts of 
+his own heart.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXII.
+
+_The psalmist having exhorted the judges, and reproved their 
+negligence, prayeth God to judge._
+
+A Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+God standeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth among the 
+gods.
+
+How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? 
+Selah.
+
+Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
+
+Deliver the poor and needy: rid _them_ out of the hand of the wicked.
+
+They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: 
+all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
+
+I have said, Ye _are_ gods; and all of you _are_ children of the Most 
+High.
+
+But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
+
+Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation against tyrants, and wicked kings and 
+magistrates, who oppressed the destitute, the fatherless, and the 
+widows. I have given a full commentary on this Psalm, which is now in 
+public; therefore I need not say more upon it here.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXIII.
+
+_A complaint to God of the enemies’ conspiracies.—A prayer against 
+them that oppress the church._
+
+A Song or Psalm of Asaph.
+
+
+Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O 
+God.
+
+For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult; and they that hate thee have 
+lifted up the head.
+
+They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted 
+against thy hidden ones.
+
+They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from _being_ a nation; 
+that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
+
+For they have consulted together with one consent; they are 
+confederate against thee:
+
+The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab and the 
+Hagarenes;
+
+Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines, with the inhabitants of 
+Tyre;
+
+Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. 
+Selah.
+
+Do unto them as _unto_ the Midianites; as _to_ Sisera, as _to_ Jabin, 
+at the brook of Kison;
+
+_Which_ perished at En-dor: they became _as_ dung for the earth.
+
+Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb; yea, all their princes as 
+Zebah and as Zalmunna:
+
+Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
+
+O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
+
+As fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on 
+fire,
+
+So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy 
+storm.
+
+Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
+
+Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to 
+shame, and perish:
+
+That _men_ may know that thou, whose name alone _is_ JEHOVAH, _art_ 
+the Most High over all the earth.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer of the same nature as Psalm lxxx. as the same 
+mentioned names of the same nation show, who were bitter enemies unto 
+Israel. The same explanation, therefore, will suffice.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXIV.
+
+_The prophet longing for the communion of the sanctuary, sheweth how 
+blessed they are that dwell therein.—He prayeth to be restored unto 
+it._
+
+To the chief Musician upon Gittith, a Psalm for the sons of Korah.
+
+
+How amiable _are_ thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
+
+My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the LORD; my 
+heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
+
+Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for 
+herself, where she may lay her young, _even_ thine altars, O LORD of 
+hosts, my King, and my God.
+
+Blessed _are_ they that dwell in thy house: they will be still 
+praising thee. Selah.
+
+Blessed _is_ the man whose strength _is_ in thee; in whose heart _are_ 
+the ways _of them_:
+
+_Who_ passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well: the rain 
+also filleth the pools.
+
+They go from strength to strength; _every one of them_ in Zion 
+appeareth before God.
+
+O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
+
+Behold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
+
+For a day in thy courts _is_ better than a thousand. I had rather be a 
+door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of 
+wickedness.
+
+For the LORD God _is_ a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and 
+glory: no good _thing_ will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
+
+O LORD of hosts, blessed _is_ the man that trusteth in thee.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation, which breaks forth into the most sweet 
+and powerful expressions, in praise and love of the ministry of the 
+word. “Blessed are they (says David) that dwell in thy house:” that 
+is, they alone are truly blessed, and rest on a sure and eternal 
+consolation, who dwell in thy house and in thy tabernacle: that is, in 
+the place where thy word is taught and heard. For such, as the Apostle 
+saith, (1 Cor. i.) “are increased in all good, and enriched in all 
+wisdom and all knowledge, and with every good gift, so that they can 
+want nothing.” They have all riches.
+
+Wherefore let the world have their rich ones, their powerful ones, and 
+their wise ones, and their consolations in this world; let them trust 
+and glory in their wisdom, their might, their wealth, and their 
+possessions,—my heart triumphs in the living God; that is, I rejoice, 
+and triumph, and glory, with all my heart, that I know God in his 
+word, and that I am of his true church. And I would rather cleave and 
+hold to this poor despised flock of God’s people, to his church of 
+poor afflicted ones, who call upon God in truth; I would rather cleave 
+to them, and hover over them, as a bird over her young in the nest, 
+than live in the most splendid palace of all earthly kings. I had 
+rather sit at the door of the house of the Lord; that is, occupy the 
+lowest place among the people of God, despised and disregarded by the 
+world, than be loaded with all the dainties and riches of the 
+universe, and not belong to the assembly of them that hear, and love, 
+and know the word of God.
+
+This Psalm, therefore, exhorts us rather to suffer ourselves to be 
+torn away from all the riches, honours, consolations and pleasures of 
+the world, than from the house of God. For no riches, nor even 
+kingdoms, can deliver us from sin or death, or from the kingdom of the 
+devil; nor can they overcome, in our hearts, the terrors of hell or of 
+the judgment of God. But God gives, by his word, grace and victory 
+over all these. “He is a sun and a shield” that is, in all darkness 
+and in all afflictions, of every kind, the word of God is a joyful 
+light, a sure consolation, a firm bulwark, and an invincible armour 
+against the violent assault of the devil and of sin: neither of which 
+can the riches or the wisdom of this world vanquish. He, therefore, 
+that hath the word of God hath every thing: he that hath not the word 
+of God hath nothing. O blessed, eternally blessed are they, who thus 
+love and value the word of God! but where are they! how few such are 
+there to be found! for the world is full of mockers and despisers!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXV.
+
+_The Psalmist, out of the experience of former mercies, prayeth for 
+the continuance thereof.—He promiseth to wait thereon, out of 
+confidence of God’s goodness._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm to the sons of Korah.
+
+
+LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back 
+the captivity of Jacob.
+
+Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all 
+their sin. Selah.
+
+Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned _thyself_ from 
+the fierceness of thine anger.
+
+Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger towards us to 
+cease.
+
+Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to 
+all generations?
+
+Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?
+
+Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.
+
+I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto 
+his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
+
+Surely his salvation _is_ nigh them that fear him; that glory may 
+dwell in our land.
+
+Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed 
+_each other_.
+
+Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down 
+from heaven.
+
+Yea, the LORD shall give _that which is_ good: and our land shall 
+yield her increase.
+
+Righteousness shall go before him, and shall set _us_ in the way of 
+his steps.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer containing the feelings of a heart that fears 
+God; and it persuades, in the most impressive words, such an one, not 
+to dread God’s anger. For those who fear God, are not like the 
+despisers and Epicureans, who are secure and care for nothing that 
+happens; but when calamities fall upon godly men, their first and main 
+concern is to turn to God that smites them, and to make anew their 
+peace with him.
+
+The anger wherewith God chastised his people, at this time, was this: 
+he had taken away from them, for a time, the word; he had diminished 
+the number of those that preached it in truth, and had made few the 
+true prophets, priests and Levites. In addition to which, the peace of 
+the nation was broken by seditions; and many evils prevailed in the 
+state and among the rulers thereof. And this was not all: there came 
+on also the dread and expectation of war, and the want of the 
+necessary provisions of life: for these calamities generally follow, 
+one after the other, when God, according to the first commandment, 
+visits the iniquities of a people.
+
+The Psalmist, therefore, prays that God would be pleased again to 
+preserve the church, and also the nation; again to restore the real 
+ministers of the word, who preached it in truth, and by whom alone God 
+truly speaks unto men.
+
+The Psalmist, therefore, breaks forth with a wonderful burden of 
+heart, as if he had said, ‘O that I might again hear the Lord truly 
+speaking! O that the word of God were again truly preached, lest even 
+the godly should be “turned to folly”’ (or ignorance; that is, lest 
+they should be so broken down and utterly worn out, by the greatness 
+of their afflictions, as not to know what to do.) ‘O that both the 
+worship of God, and the prosperity of our nation, may be restored, and 
+that peace, and concord, and truth, and justice, may flourish among 
+us! that the fruits of the earth, and the produce of the fields and of 
+the vineyards may be blessed; that we may lead a godly life in this 
+our day, and, as St. Paul saith, may “look for the glorious appearing 
+of the great God!”’
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXVI.
+
+_David strengtheneth his prayer by the conscience of his religion,—by 
+the goodness and power of God.—He desireth the continuance of former 
+grace.—Complaining of the proud he craveth some token of God’s 
+goodness._
+
+A Prayer of David.
+
+
+Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me; for I _am_ poor and needy.
+
+Preserve my soul, for I _am_ holy: O thou my God, save thy servant 
+that trusteth in thee.
+
+Be merciful unto me, O LORD: for I cry unto thee daily.
+
+Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up 
+my soul.
+
+For thou, LORD, _art_ good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in 
+mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
+
+Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my 
+supplications.
+
+In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer 
+me.
+
+Among the gods _there is_ none like unto thee, O LORD; neither _are 
+there any works_ like unto thy works.
+
+All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O 
+LORD; and shall glorify thy name.
+
+For thou _art_ great, and doest wondrous things, thou _art_ God alone.
+
+Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to 
+fear thy name.
+
+I will praise thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart; and I will 
+glorify thy name for evermore.
+
+For great _is_ thy mercy toward me; and thou hast delivered my soul 
+from the lowest hell.
+
+O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent 
+_men_ have sought after my soul, and have not set thee before them.
+
+But thou, O LORD, _art_ a God full of compassion, and gracious; 
+long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
+
+O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me: give thy strength unto thy 
+servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
+
+Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see _it_, and be 
+ashamed; because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.
+
+
+This Psalm is a supplication, and, as the title shows, a prayer of 
+David: and here you may see that prayer is the highest exercise of 
+faith, and the highest worship of God. Every one knows with what 
+destroying calamities that great man David, that “man after God’s own 
+heart,” was surrounded; and yet you may see, in the book of Kings, 
+that, in his deepest straits and most calamitous afflictions, he calls 
+upon God with all the ardour of his heart against his enemies, Saul, 
+his son Absalom, &c. those instruments of the devil, who so heavily 
+afflicted him.
+
+Behold what an example of prayer for us to follow, this great, this 
+most spiritual man, gives us in the 6th, 9th, 10th and 11th verses. 
+See how fixedly he has before his eyes the first commandment. “O God,” 
+saith he, “who is like unto thee among the gods?” who doeth works like 
+unto thy works? “Thou art great and doest wonderful works; thou art 
+God alone. Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, 
+long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and in truth, unto all that call 
+upon thee.”
+
+Behold here how he calls up and sharpens, as it were, his faith, at a 
+view of the mercy of God! so that, apprehending that mercy and the 
+promise, he goes forth on the assurance, that God is not only powerful 
+and great, and invincible against all the assaults of the devil and of 
+the world, and against all creatures; but that he is also ever present 
+unto the godly, and ever merciful to those that call upon him, and 
+believe in him. And thus, _we_ also ought to apprehend the word of the 
+divine promise of mercy, and cast out of our hearts all doubt, that we 
+may be enabled to call upon him without misgiving.
+
+At the end David prays, “Show me a token for good.” God sometimes 
+permits the wicked to glory for a while, as if they certainly should 
+soon devour the saints, and those that fear him. But God never finally 
+forsakes his people: for here, in the church below, he often delivers 
+the godly, who fear him, out of the greatest perils; yea, out of the 
+very jaws of death; and plainly proves that he is ever present and 
+near his own: for their deliverances plainly show the hand of God. It 
+is for such a token, or sign, as this, that David here prays.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXVII.
+
+_The nature and glory of the church.—The increase, honour, and comfort 
+of the members thereof._
+
+A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.
+
+
+His foundation _is_ in the holy mountains.
+
+The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of 
+Jacob.
+
+Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
+
+I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold 
+Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this _man_ was born there.
+
+And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and 
+the highest himself shall establish her.
+
+The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, _that_ this _man_ 
+was born there. Selah.
+
+As well the singers as the players on instruments _shall be there_: 
+all my springs _are_ in thee.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ and the church, in 
+times to come. The Psalmist, after the manner of the prophets, sets 
+before us the future Jerusalem and the future Zion, as if represented 
+in a painting before our eyes: the boundaries of which should be those 
+of the world itself, reaching from east to west, and from north to 
+south; and in which church there should be born men of every nation, 
+kingdom, tribe, and tongue,—Ethiopians, Egyptians, Babylonians, 
+Tyrians, Philistines, &c. and that these should be born in this 
+church, not by a natural birth, but by the word of the gospel.
+
+“Great, excellent, and glorious things shall be spoken and preached in 
+thee, O city of God!” For the gospel is a great and glorious doctrine, 
+the highest of all doctrines, even the word of salvation; hence, as 
+Paul saith, (Phil. i. 10.) the gospel contains, in comparison with the 
+law, “the things that are excellent.” For by the gospel is given to us 
+the knowledge of the counsel and will of God; in what manner God is 
+pacified; how we are delivered from sin, from the power of the devil, 
+and from eternal death; which things neither the law, nor any human 
+philosophy, could teach.
+
+In the last verse also, the Psalm most beautifully sets forth what the 
+highest worship, under the New Testament, should be. “There shall be 
+in thee, (saith the Psalmist,) as the harmonious concert of those 
+playing on instruments;” that is, it is not Moses, or the law, that 
+shall be taught in that city; but the sweet and joyful message of the 
+gospel shall be preached by the ministry of the word, even grace and 
+the remission of sins by Jesus Christ.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXVIII.
+
+_A prayer containing a grievous complaint._
+
+A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon 
+Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.
+
+
+O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day _and_ night before thee.
+
+Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
+
+For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the 
+grave.
+
+I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man _that 
+hath_ no strength:
+
+Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou 
+rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
+
+Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
+
+Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted _me_ with all 
+thy waves. Selah.
+
+Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an 
+abomination unto them: _I am_ shut up, and I cannot come forth.
+
+Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily 
+upon thee; I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
+
+Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise _and_ praise 
+thee? Selah.
+
+Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? _or_ thy 
+faithfulness in destruction?
+
+Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the 
+land of forgetfulness?
+
+But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer 
+prevent thee.
+
+LORD, why castest thou off my soul? _why_ hidest thou thy face from 
+me?
+
+I _am_ afflicted and ready to die from _my_ youth up: _while_ I suffer 
+thy terrors I am distracted.
+
+Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.
+
+They came round about me daily like water, they compassed me about 
+together.
+
+Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, _and_ mine acquaintance 
+into darkness.
+
+
+This is a prayer, as in the person of Christ and of all the saints. It 
+contains those mighty feelings and conflicts of heart, which no 
+mortals but those who experience them, can either describe or 
+conceive; I mean those pangs and pains, and that heavy sorrow of 
+spirit, (above all natural distress of body or of mind, and above all 
+natural fear and dread,) when the heart is filled with a sense of the 
+majesty and anger of God, and is alarmed at the nature and end of sin; 
+while God also, as yet, holds off all consolation; and the soul is 
+shaken in the midst of darkness and terror, and, as Christ saith 
+himself, “sifted by the devil like wheat in a sieve;” while the 
+malicious Satan craftily augments the soul’s views of the anger of 
+God, and drives out of sight all hope of mercy and grace.
+
+David here calls these unspeakable terrors of soul, “hell,” 
+“darkness,” “the shadow of death.” “Thou hast cast me (saith he) into 
+the lowest pit, into darkness and the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon 
+me; and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves.” And rightly does 
+David describe these pains and terrors by the terms, “death,” “hell,” 
+&c. because this anguish of soul is of the very nature, and power, and 
+poison, and sting of hell and death; for no sooner is the darkness 
+dispersed, by some shining in of divine consolation, than death is no 
+longer death, but we die gladly. And indeed, where such fears and 
+terrors of mind abound and continue, they extend to the body, bring on 
+a paleness and emaciation, and affect the whole man. Paul calls them 
+the “buffetting of Satan,” and “thorns in the flesh;” which has 
+reference to a custom in certain nations of punishing criminals by 
+transfixing their bodies with a certain sharp pointed conical 
+instrument, in the shape of a thorn; and mocking and deriding them in 
+their suffering. And just thus it is that the nations of the world 
+contemptuously call Christ ‘that crucified fellow,’ and the Jews, 
+‘That fellow that was hanged.’ For the world, in their malice, not 
+only persecute Christ, but also deride and mock his sufferings, and 
+the sufferings of his members. And hence it is David complains thus in 
+this Psalm, “Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine 
+acquaintance into darkness.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM LXXXIX.
+
+_The psalmist praiseth God for his covenant, for his wonderful power, 
+for the care of his church, for his favour to the kingdom of 
+David.—Then complaining of contrary events, he expostulateth, prayeth, 
+and blesseth God._
+
+Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
+
+
+I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I 
+make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
+
+For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness 
+shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
+
+I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my 
+servant,
+
+Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all 
+generations. Selah.
+
+And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness 
+also in the congregation of the saints.
+
+For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? _who_ among the 
+sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
+
+God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be 
+had in reverence of all _them that are_ about him.
+
+O LORD God of hosts, who _is_ a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy 
+faithfulness round about thee?
+
+Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou 
+stillest them.
+
+Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast 
+scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
+
+The heavens _are_ thine, the earth also _is_ thine: _as for_ the world 
+and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
+
+The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall 
+rejoice in thy name.
+
+Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, _and_ high is thy right 
+hand.
+
+Justice and judgment _are_ the habitation of thy throne: mercy and 
+truth shall go before thy face.
+
+Blessed _is_ the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O 
+LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
+
+In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness 
+shall they be exalted.
+
+For thou _art_ the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn 
+shall be exalted.
+
+For the LORD _is_ our defence; and the Holy One of Israel _is_ our 
+king.
+
+Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid 
+help upon _one that is_ mighty; I have exalted _one_ chosen out of the
+people.
+
+I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
+
+With whom my hand shall be established; mine arm also shall strengthen 
+him.
+
+The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict 
+him.
+
+And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that 
+hate him.
+
+But my faithfulness and my mercy _shall be_ with him; and in my name 
+shall his horn be exalted.
+
+I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
+
+He shall cry unto me, Thou _art_ my Father, my God, and the Rock of my 
+salvation.
+
+Also I will make him _my_ first-born, higher than the kings of the 
+earth.
+
+My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand 
+fast with him.
+
+His seed also will I make to _endure_ for ever, and his throne as the 
+days of heaven.
+
+If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
+
+If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
+
+Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity 
+with stripes.
+
+Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor 
+suffer my faithfulness to fail.
+
+My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of 
+my lips.
+
+Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David.
+
+His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
+
+It shall be established for ever as the moon, and _as_ a faithful 
+witness in heaven. Selah.
+
+But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine 
+anointed.
+
+Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant; thou hast profaned 
+his crown, _by casting it_ to the ground.
+
+Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong 
+holds to ruin.
+
+All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his 
+neighbours.
+
+Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all 
+his enemies to rejoice.
+
+Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to 
+stand in the battle.
+
+Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the 
+ground.
+
+The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with 
+shame. Selah.
+
+How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn 
+like fire?
+
+Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in 
+vain!
+
+What man _is he that_ liveth, and shall not see death? shall he 
+deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
+
+LORD, where _are_ thy former loving-kindnesses, _which_ thou swarest 
+unto David in thy truth?
+
+Remember, LORD, the reproach of thy servants; _how_ I do bear in my 
+bosom _the reproach of_ all the mighty people;
+
+Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have 
+reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD for evermore. Amen, and amen.
+
+
+This is a remarkable prophecy concerning Christ and his kingdom; he 
+speaks of the church or kingdom of Christ, as a “kingdom in the 
+heavens;” in the same manner as Christ himself calls it “the kingdom 
+of heaven.” And though this spiritual kingdom of Christ is here upon 
+earth, yet the Psalmist gloriously describes it as being “in the 
+heavens.”
+
+The Psalmist, indeed, here apprehends the promise made to David 
+concerning Christ; and, opening that promise in a wonderful manner, he 
+describes the riches of this spiritual kingdom. He enforces the 
+everlasting firmness and sureness of that promise; and, taking a stand 
+of heavenly meditation therein, he dwells upon the effectual power of 
+that promise against all the violence of sin, and the malice and 
+accusation of the devil; and here the Psalmist takes up his divine 
+abode; here he fixes his standing; as the apostle hath it, “by faith 
+ye stand:” and he says that this truth of God, this his promise was 
+prepared from everlasting, built up in the fulfilment of God’s purpose 
+of mercy, and firm, and “established in the heavens.”
+
+“Thy faithfulness and truth,” (says the Psalmist,) “are established in 
+the heavens;” that is, a heavenly righteousness is preached by the 
+gospel, which is not placed in us, or in any worthiness or merit of 
+ours; but is out of us, and is the righteousness of Christ, and is 
+imputed, for Christ’s sake, unto all that believe in him: and hence, 
+the promised riches of this kingdom are the gift of the Spirit, and 
+the remission of sins, with all other spiritual blessings: all which 
+are not offered unto us on any condition of the law, or of our works 
+or our merit, but are given unto us freely of God. Salvation, 
+therefore, is not a matter conditional on our works, but freely given 
+unto us for Christ’s sake; that thus all doubting and uncertainty may 
+be taken from our souls; and that we may safely rest, entirely and 
+only on the immutable and immoveable certainty of this truth and 
+promise of God.
+
+The temporal kingdom of the Jews was promised to that people, on 
+condition of a law given to them; that, if they kept that law, 
+nationally, as a people, if they were therein good and obedient, they 
+should be preserved and blessed. And, in the same way also, all the 
+kingdoms of the world are given to their people under a like condition 
+of a law, and, as long as they are good and obedient, God preserves 
+them. But the immense and glorious riches of this spiritual kingdom, 
+the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Spirit, victory over death 
+and the devil, &c. are promised and held forth without any condition 
+of a law; and, in a word, the remission of sins is promised, freely, 
+not only to those who have done nothing to deserve it, but to those 
+who have done everything to forfeit it. This is a throne, therefore, 
+not of angry and destroying majesty, but of grace alone; and being 
+founded, not on the basis of our good works and merits, but on the 
+rock of the sure and everlasting truth of God, it affords a great and 
+marvellous consolation to the afflicted consciences of sinners.
+
+After, however, the prophetic Psalmist has described the flower and 
+glory of this kingdom and church of Christ, he deplores, on the other 
+hand, from verse 39, in the most powerful expressions, the desolations 
+and destructions of it: saying, that it shall come to pass that this 
+kingdom, like as the apostle has also foretold, shall be so disturbed 
+and torn to pieces by antichrist, that it shall seem as if God had 
+wholly forgotten his promise unto it; nay, as if, contrary to the word 
+of his promise, he did nothing but show his wrath against this 
+kingdom.
+
+All these things, however, are written for a consolation unto the 
+godly; and especially unto us who, in these last times, have witnessed 
+such abominations of papacy; these things, I say, are written for our 
+comfort and consolation; that we should not be broken-spirited, or 
+terrified, at the multitude and diversity of offences; nor be driven 
+to despair, though wickedness should have the dominion for a time, and 
+though Satan should, as it were, so subvert all things human and 
+divine, that there should seem to be no church of Christ at all, no 
+remains of the kingdom of Christ upon earth. For if you look at the 
+abomination of the Pope, and of Mahomet, which have spread themselves 
+over the whole world, no other appearance is presented than that there 
+is not a vestige of the true church remaining: and yet, it is not 
+wholly blotted or rooted out from the earth; for, under the reign of 
+each abomination and tyranny, there has ever existed a true church of 
+Christ, although greatly despised and greatly oppressed.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XC.
+
+_Moses, setting forth God’s providence, complaineth of human 
+fragility, divine chastisements, and brevity of life.—He prayeth for 
+the knowledge and sensible experience of God’s good providence._
+
+A prayer of Moses, the Man of God.
+
+
+LORD, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.
+
+Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the 
+earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou _art_ 
+God.
+
+Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of 
+men.
+
+For a thousand years in thy sight _are but_ as yesterday when it is 
+past, and _as_ a watch in the night.
+
+Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are _as_ a sleep: in the 
+morning _they are_ like grass _which_ groweth up.
+
+In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is 
+cut down, and withereth.
+
+For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.
+
+Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret _sins_ in the 
+light of thy countenance.
+
+For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a 
+tale _that is told_.
+
+The days of our years _are_ threescore years and ten; and if by reason 
+of strength _they be_ fourscore years, yet _is_ their strength labour 
+and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
+
+Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, _so 
+is_ thy wrath.
+
+So teach _us_ to number our days, that we may apply _our_ hearts unto 
+wisdom.
+
+Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy 
+servants.
+
+O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all 
+our days.
+
+Make us glad according to the days _wherein_ thou hast afflicted us, 
+_and_ the years _wherein_ we have seen evil.
+
+Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their 
+children.
+
+And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou 
+the work of our hands upon us: yea, the work of our hands establish
+thou it.
+
+
+This Psalm contains a very great and important doctrine; in which 
+Moses teaches what is the origin and cause of that death to which the 
+whole human race is subject, and the reason why so horrible a 
+punishment was inflicted on the whole race of mortals: the Psalmist 
+saith, it was on account of sin: and the guilt and desert of sin are 
+greater than can be conceived by the human mind, unless God touch the 
+heart with a knowledge of it; and yet, in this sin and guilt, and 
+under this wrath, all the sons of Adam are born.
+
+Moses here opens widely this punishment of sin, and this horrible 
+misery; setting forth the proof of it in the shortness and uncertainty 
+of human life; which life, in addition to this its shortness and 
+uncertainty, is subject also to all kinds of calamity: and, in verse 
+11, Moses saith that this very unspeakable misery—death, and all other 
+human calamities, as parts of that death, tend, or should lead us, to 
+seek the grace and mercy of God, who alone can deliver us from all 
+these evils,—sin, the slavery of the devil, and death. Hence all the 
+calamities and afflictions of life, and even death itself, the 
+punishment of sin, work together for good unto the elect, and unto 
+those that fear God; that they may, by all things, be humbled, broken 
+down, and crucified, and so, thirst after grace.
+
+“So teach us that we must die,” says Moses, “that we may become wise:” 
+that is, that we may learn to know God and his will aright; for this 
+is what Moses calls “becoming wise.” The wicked, and fools, who are 
+not exercised with afflictions, who number not their days, nor think 
+of death, nor meditate on the misery of life, but remain unexperienced 
+and ignorant of all spiritual things, and are wrapped up in their own 
+hypocrisy, never rightly know God, nor truly seek his help and mercy.
+
+Moses then closes his Psalm with a divinely concluding prayer, “Let 
+thy work appear unto thy servants,” or “Show us thy work, O Lord.” 
+Here, by the work of God, he means deliverance from sin and death; 
+and, in a word, all that deliverance that our fathers expected from 
+that blessed seed, which we have revealed to us in Christ. And again, 
+saith Moses, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy:” and he twice 
+repeats, “Prosper thou the works of our hands:” that is, for the time 
+that we live, direct and prosper thou our whole life: preserve thy 
+true religion and the good government of our nation: guard us from 
+heresies, errors, wars, seditions, and all such evils. This Psalm, 
+therefore, is a short but a most spiritual prayer.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCI.
+
+_The state of the godly.—Their safety.—Their habitation.—Their 
+servants.—Their friends; with the effects of them all._
+
+
+He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide 
+under the shadow of the Almighty.
+
+I will say of the LORD, _He is_ my refuge, and my fortress: my God; in 
+him will I trust.
+
+Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, _and_ from 
+the noisome pestilence.
+
+He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou 
+trust; his truth _shall be thy_ shield and buckler.
+
+Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, _nor_ for the arrow 
+_that_ flieth by day,
+
+_Nor_ for the pestilence _that_ walketh in darkness, _nor_ for the 
+destruction _that_ wasteth at noon-day.
+
+A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; 
+_but_ it shall not come nigh thee.
+
+Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the 
+wicked.
+
+Because thou hast made the LORD, _which is_ my refuge, _even_ the Most 
+High, thy habitation.
+
+There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh 
+thy dwelling.
+
+For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy 
+ways.
+
+They shall bear thee up in _their_ hands, lest thou dash thy foot 
+against a stone.
+
+Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the 
+dragon shall thou trample under feet.
+
+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.
+
+He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I _will be_ with him in 
+trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
+
+With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
+
+
+This is a most distinguished jewel among all the Psalms of 
+consolation. The Psalmist highly exalts faith in God, and shews that 
+it is an invincible strength against all evils, and against all the 
+gates of hell.
+
+At the very outset, the Psalmist says, “He that dwelleth in the secret 
+place of the Most High, abideth under the shadow of the Almighty;” and 
+such an one shall say unto the Lord, “Thou art my confidence, my 
+protection, my fortress and my God,” that is, he that believeth and 
+trusteth in God, and rests in his protection,—he shall find, though 
+shaken on every side, by the devil, by sin, by the world, and by 
+various and endless temptations, that the godly are proof and 
+invincible against all these evils; that God is most high over all; 
+that he is Omnipotent; and, in a word, that “greater is he that is in 
+us than he that is in the world.”
+
+Towards the conclusion, this Psalm contains, accumulated together, 
+eight or nine promises of grace, which the Psalmist drew out of the 
+first commandment, as out of a fountain. This Psalm, therefore, ought 
+to be set before afflicted souls. 1. The Psalmist says “Because he 
+hath hoped in me, therefore will I deliver him.” 2. “I will set him on 
+high.” 3. “Because he hath called upon me, I will hear him.” 4. “I 
+will be with him in trouble.” 5. “I will deliver him.” 6. “I will set 
+him on high, or glorify him.” 7. “With long life will I satisfy him.” 
+8. “I will show him my salvation:” that is, that I am “mighty to 
+save!”
+
+And this also is the second Psalm wherein angels are proclaimed as our 
+watchful guardians and protectors: which is a truth very greatly 
+consoling to the really godly, who know with what fury Satan 
+unceasingly assaults the church, and all the saints. This Psalm 
+enumerates four kinds of evils and afflictions, which are to be 
+endured by the saints and those that fear God:
+
+1. “Mighty fear,”—“terror by night.” The scripture frequently 
+represents temptations and afflictions under the figures of darkness 
+and night; and consolations under the figurative descriptions of light 
+and day. The Psalmist, therefore, here sets forth all those horrible 
+instances of hatred, that Cain-like purpose to destroy, (which is ever 
+secretly bound up in the hearts of pharisaic religionists) all those 
+malicious threats, those hostile traps and snares, those created 
+perils, those injuries, and all those other terrible oppositions which 
+Satan ever raises up against the word of God, by nightly fear, or 
+“terror by night.”
+
+2. “The arrow that flieth by day.” By which are meant to be described 
+all those open clamours, reproaches, execrations, and blasphemies, by 
+which tyrants and hypocrites openly attack and condemn the word of 
+God, and the doctrine of Christ. Of this kind are the pope’s bulls, 
+(and truly they are bulls!) and also, the edicts of kings and princes, 
+the virulent and blasphemous books of erroneous disputers, and the 
+writings of erroneous and visionary men, such as the anabaptists, and 
+the like.
+
+3. “The pestilence that creepeth (or walketh) in darkness.” These are 
+the deceits, the crafts, and the artifices of the papists; and the 
+leagues, the covert conspiracies, the secret counsels, by which those 
+enemies consult and plan among themselves in their private conclaves: 
+which clandestine machinations they think they can keep hidden, even 
+from the eyes of God himself; and by all which diabolical means, they 
+plot to destroy and root out the godly and all doctrine that is truly 
+good and saving.
+
+4. “The disease (or contagion, or destruction) that wasteth at noon 
+day.” This is the work of open persecution; whereby these holy Cains, 
+in their unheard-of cruelty and tyranny, shed the blood of the Abels, 
+drive into exile the godly, plunder their substance, and slaughter 
+them by every cruelty of torture; thereby attempting to lay the true 
+church utterly waste, and to leave not a vestige of the true word 
+remaining.
+
+This is my view of the Psalm. I know that St. Bernard gives other 
+interpretations. Let others, therefore, if they can, put forth a 
+better explication than I have done: that my view is simple, and 
+agreeable to the mind and spirit of the prophets, is self-manifest, 
+and proved by experience: for we see and experience daily, that the 
+saints of God are attacked and exercised by these four afflictions for 
+the word’s sake, by means of the devil and by the world. The Holy 
+Spirit, therefore, by this Psalm, revives and strengthens our faith; 
+and by the cluster of promises at the end of the Psalm, the same Holy 
+Spirit quickens and refreshes our hearts with consolation: this Psalm 
+therefore ought to be most acceptable to all the saints.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCII.
+
+_The prophet exhorteth to praise God, for his great works, for his 
+judgments on the wicked, and for his goodness to the godly._
+
+A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath-day.
+
+
+It _is a_ good _thing_ to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing 
+praises unto thy name, O Most High:
+
+To shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness 
+every night,
+
+Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltry; upon the harp 
+with a solemn sound.
+
+For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in 
+the works of thy hands.
+
+O LORD, how great are thy works! _and_ thy thoughts are very deep.
+
+A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
+
+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:
+
+But thou, LORD, _art most_ high for evermore.
+
+For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; 
+all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered;
+
+But my horn shalt thou exalt like _the horn of_ an unicorn: I shall be 
+anointed with fresh oil.
+
+Mine eye also shall see _my desire_ on mine enemies; _and_ mine ears 
+shall hear _my desire_ of the wicked that rise up against me.
+
+The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a 
+cedar in Lebanon.
+
+Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the 
+courts of our God.
+
+They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and 
+flourishing;
+
+To shew that the LORD _is_ upright; _he is_ my rock, and _there is_ no 
+unrighteousness in him.
+
+
+This is a consolatory Psalm. The first six verses are full of the most 
+sweet experiences of a heart rejoicing and triumphing in that 
+incomparable treasure—a knowledge of the true and sure word of God, 
+and of the promises of grace in Christ. It is the same rejoicing of 
+heart as that of the apostle, when he, exulting in the Spirit, saith, 
+“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
+
+At the very opening of the Psalm, the Psalmist saith, “O how 
+excellent, how sweet a thing is it to give thanks unto the Lord, and 
+to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High!” that is, O what is 
+sweeter than to know God aright by his word, and by true faith; to 
+acknowledge his infinite mercies; to give thanks unto him joyfully and 
+adoringly, with every cord and string of our hearts; to proclaim and 
+praise him unceasingly with a full heart and a full mouth; to triumph 
+in his goodness; and to offer him the full sacrifice of thanksgiving! 
+in a word, to worship him with that all high and all-true worship of 
+the first commandment, which requires for its high worship, above all 
+things, true faith, and such joyful exercises of faith as these; as if 
+the Psalmist had said, ‘How precious is that worship of God! How 
+acceptable unto God, how grateful in his sight, and in the sight of 
+angels too, are all such sabbaths, such sacrifices as these! Though we 
+saints, all the while, are said, by the world, to know nothing about 
+worshipping God!’
+
+All these glorious things are pointed by the Psalmist against false 
+saints and hypocrites; who honour God (as they think) with cold hearts 
+and lips, and tread all the while that high worship of the first 
+commandment under foot; and yet make a great show of the name of 
+church among them, and flourish in the sight of the world, and display 
+much wealth and much power and greatness. But though they greatly 
+flourish and prosper thus for a time; yet they at length perish and go 
+to destruction: and, according to the word of Paul, “Their folly is 
+made manifest unto all.”
+
+But the godly and the saints, though thus exercised and broken with 
+afflictions, flourish, nevertheless, like palm-trees, in the house of 
+the Lord, and will flourish for evermore! Neither time, nor age, nor 
+sorrow of mind, nor any afflictions, nor death itself, can root them 
+out, or hurt them! But, both living and dying, and even in death 
+itself, they live and bring forth fruit through the word of God, as 
+Paul saith, “_No creature_ can separate them!” But fools, that is, the 
+wicked and epicureans of this world, regard not these things, they 
+will not hear or endure them; and of this sort we may see thousands of 
+atheistical men in our day.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCIII.
+
+_The majesty, power, and holiness of Christ’s kingdom._
+
+
+The LORD reigneth; he is clothed with majesty: the LORD is clothed 
+with strength, _wherewith_ he hath girded himself: the world also is 
+established, that it cannot be moved.
+
+Thy throne _is_ established of old: thou _art_ from everlasting.
+
+The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their 
+voice; the floods lift up their waves.
+
+The LORD on high _is_ mightier than the noise of many waters, _yea, 
+than_ the mighty waves of the sea.
+
+Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, 
+for ever.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the spread of the kingdom of Christ, as 
+far and wide as the earth is extended, and its establishment for ever. 
+But against this kingdom, as the Psalmist saith, the “waves” and 
+“mighty waters” will swell and lift up themselves; that is, the 
+kingdoms and peoples of the world will roar against the Lord and 
+against his Anointed; and will rage against the godly with sword and 
+fire; but they shall not prevail: for, as Daniel saith, “this kingdom 
+shall break in pieces all other kingdoms beneath it, and shall stand 
+for ever.”—Daniel ii. 44.
+
+But thy kingdom shall be established in no other way than by the word 
+of the gospel. It shall not stand by the force of arms, nor by 
+external pomp, or glory, before the world; but it shall be husbanded, 
+and shall be increased and adorned, by the ministry of the word of the 
+gospel. This is the “holiness,” (namely the ministry of the word) that 
+shall “become,” or “adorn,” the house of the Lord. For this true and 
+high worship of God which is in the kingdom of Christ, takes the place 
+of all sacrifices and of all oblations, candlesticks, and the like; 
+and the preaching of the word, and the giving of thanks, are instead 
+of all external representations of mercy: hence Paul saith, that the 
+Old Testament is done away by this New Testament worship.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCIV.
+
+_The prophet, calling for justice, complaineth of tyranny and 
+impiety.—He teacheth God’s providence.—He sheweth the blessedness of 
+affliction.—God is the defender of the afflicted._
+
+
+O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance 
+belongeth, shew thyself.
+
+Lift up thyself, thou Judge of the earth: render a reward to the 
+proud.
+
+LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
+
+_How long_ shall they utter _and_ speak hard things? _and_ all the 
+workers of iniquity boast themselves?
+
+They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage:
+
+They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
+
+Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob 
+regard _it_.
+
+Understand, ye brutish among the people; and, _ye_ fools, when will ye 
+be wise?
+
+He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, 
+shall he not see?
+
+He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth 
+man knowledge, _shall not he know?_
+
+The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they _are_ vanity.
+
+Blessed _is_ the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him 
+out of thy law;
+
+That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the 
+pit be digged for the wicked.
+
+For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his 
+inheritance:
+
+But judgment shall return unto righteousness; and all the upright in 
+heart shall follow it.
+
+Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? _or_ who will stand up 
+for me against the workers of iniquity?
+
+Unless the LORD _had been_ my help, my soul had almost dwelt in 
+silence.
+
+When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.
+
+In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my 
+soul.
+
+Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth 
+mischief by a law?
+
+They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and 
+condemn the innocent blood.
+
+But the LORD is my defence; and my God _is_ the rock of my refuge.
+
+And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them 
+off in their own wickedness; _yea_, the LORD our God shall cut them 
+off.
+
+
+This is a general but a most fervent prayer, filled with the feelings 
+of an afflicted and sorrowful heart, grieving that the blood of the 
+Abels should be shed and drank up, with such iniquity and cruelty, by 
+Cainish hypocrites.
+
+The Psalmist complains, (as I consider it,) not of hostile nations, 
+but of those domestic hypocrites and enemies, who will have it to 
+appear that they, yea, that they alone, are the people of God; that 
+is, the Psalmist complains of the wicked kings, and princes, and 
+priests, and prophets, among the people of Israel. It is to these the 
+Psalmist turns, in this apostrophe, “Understand, ye brutish among the 
+people; and, ye fools, when will ye be wise?” He calls these 
+characters “fools;” that is, ignorant and impious despisers of God; 
+because they taught and ruled the people without knowledge, and 
+wickedly.
+
+In a word, the Psalmist here directs his word against all who 
+persecuted the true prophets, and their disciples and followers, and 
+slew them with Cainish hatred, and nevertheless boasted all the while 
+in God, and the name of God; who (they said) had given them power, and 
+made, and defended, and protected them, as magistrates and priests; 
+but who did not regard heretics, who seditiously resisted _them_ that 
+were the princes and magistrates of the people of God. And many such 
+things they continued to say.
+
+Now, against all such the prophet burns with zeal; and (with a certain 
+zealous mimicry, as it were,) imitates their own words and 
+expressions; saying, (that is, meaning that they say,) “The Lord shall 
+not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.” And it is thus 
+that the papists say, in their security, ‘Do you think God regards 
+these heretics! No! he regards us: he has respect unto us, the 
+catholic church, whom we certainly represent in the world.’ Against 
+such as these, the prophet burns with the rage of zeal; and against 
+such he prays, and begs of God, that there may be enough to stand 
+forward for the truth.
+
+But, in the 16th verse, the Psalmist, on the other hand, strikes at 
+the perfidious deceitfulness of the world: “Who (saith he) is on my 
+side? Who will rise up for me against the evil doers?” As if he had 
+said, ‘I know the world careth nothing about this: the blood of God’s 
+Abels is shed, and no one regardeth it. But (continues the holy 
+Psalmist) this is my sure and eternal consolation, that the cause 
+which I love and espouse is the right cause; nay, the cause of God, 
+and not my cause: and I know in whom I have believed.’ I am assured, 
+saith the Psalmist, (verse 20,) that the “seat of the scornful,” and 
+the “counsel of the ungodly,” cleave not, and belong not, unto thee: 
+that is, I am sure that thou, O God, approvest not any impious or 
+blasphemous doctrine. I am sure that thou requirest and demandest the 
+blood, (and every drop of that blood,) and the tears, of the Abels, at 
+the hands of their persecutors; and that thou wilt keep, and fulfil, 
+and glorify thy word, even in the midst of the death of thy saints; 
+and that thou wilt revenge all blasphemy and wickedness against thee 
+and them.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCV.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God for his greatness, and for his goodness, 
+and not to tempt him._
+
+
+O come, let us sing unto the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the 
+rock of our salvation.
+
+Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful 
+noise unto him with psalms.
+
+For the LORD _is_ a great God, and a great King above all gods.
+
+In his hand _are_ the deep places of the earth; the strength of the 
+hills is his also.
+
+The sea _is_ his, and he made it; and his hands formed the dry _land_.
+
+O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our 
+Maker.
+
+For he _is_ our God; and we _are_ the people of his pasture, and the 
+sheep of his hand. To-day, if ye will hear his voice,
+
+Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, _and_ as _in_ the day of 
+temptation in the wilderness:
+
+When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
+
+Forty years long was I grieved with _this_ generation, and said, It 
+_is_ a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my 
+ways:
+
+Unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my 
+rest.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prophecy concerning Christ, and its contents are fully 
+and learnedly explained in the Apostle’s epistle to the Hebrews. It 
+prophecies concerning the time of the New Testament, and sets forth 
+the lovely and sweet voice of the gospel. In a word, the Psalmist 
+instructs us in, and allures us to, the knowledge of the riches of the 
+grace of God; which riches were known to our fathers as well as unto 
+us, in the promised seed—Christ.
+
+‘Come (saith the Psalmist) and let us rejoice in the Lord. Come ye 
+that are afar off and ye that are near, and let us exult in the Lord; 
+let us triumph in the God of such salvation:’ that is, Come and let us 
+rejoice with the whole triumph of our hearts, in that infinite benefit 
+and mercy—the granted grace of Christ! Since we have such promises, 
+let us not neglect such great salvation. For to believe in the promise 
+of grace, contrary to all the objections of conscience, the 
+temptations of Satan, and the fears of the heart, is the true worship 
+of God!
+
+In a word, the Psalmist warns against unbelief. “Harden not your 
+hearts (says he) as ye did at Massah and Meribah in the desert: your 
+fathers, on account of their unbelief, entered not into the holy land 
+of promise.”
+
+The whole of this Psalm is to be referred to Christ: for he is that 
+blessed God in whom we ought to rejoice, and whom the Psalmist would 
+have to be known. He is our Shepherd, and we are the sheep of his 
+pasture. He is that God, whom our fathers tempted in the desert, as 
+Paul saith, (1 Cor. x.) It was he who took out of the way the law, and 
+abolished all the ceremonial worship of the Old Testament. He will no 
+longer have the worship established by Moses; but he will have faith 
+in the gospel, the preaching of the remission of sins, and that one 
+true offering—praise, instead of the whole Levitical worship.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCVI.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God,—for his greatness,—for his kingdom,—for 
+his general judgment._
+
+
+O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
+
+Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day 
+to day.
+
+Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
+
+For the LORD _is_ great, and greatly to be praised: he _is_ to be 
+feared above all gods.
+
+For all the gods of the nations _are_ idols: but the LORD made the 
+heavens.
+
+Honour and majesty _are_ before him: strength and beauty _are_ in his 
+sanctuary.
+
+Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD 
+glory and strength.
+
+Give unto the LORD the glory _due unto_ his name: bring an offering, 
+and come into his courts.
+
+O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the 
+earth.
+
+Say among the heathen _that_ the LORD reigneth: the world also shall 
+be established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the people 
+righteously.
+
+Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, 
+and the fulness thereof.
+
+Let the field be joyful, and all that _is_ therein: then shall all the 
+trees of the wood rejoice
+
+Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he 
+shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his 
+truth.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ, and the spreading 
+of the gospel over the whole world and before every creature; which 
+gospel will be a word of joy and thanksgiving, of peace, of rejoicing, 
+and of a continued sacrifice of praise: as the clear text of the Psalm 
+of itself plainly shows.
+
+Here, commandment is given to all nations, kingdoms, peoples, woods, 
+rivers, fountains, trees, &c. that they should praise and magnify the 
+Lord, and celebrate his name with rejoicing, because he judgeth the 
+world in righteousness and in truth: that is, because, through Christ, 
+the promised seed, he delivers, and will deliver the people from sin, 
+from the power of the devil, from the wrath of God, and from eternal 
+death: and because, instead of the kingdom of death and of darkness, 
+he sets up the kingdom of light, of the remission of sins, and of 
+eternal life, before all men.
+
+This is that most joyful shout of victory, that peculiar song, that 
+most sweet note of the New Testament, concerning the kingdom and grace 
+of Christ; in which kingdom there are born new men and new creatures; 
+not by the law or by the works of Moses, but by faith, by the Spirit 
+of God through Christ, so that each believer is a new creature and a 
+marvellous work of God; and all believers daily do marvellous works 
+and are marvellous monuments, in that they continue in spiritual life, 
+and are finally conquerors over the mighty powers of sin and the 
+devil; hence it is that David says, verse 1. “Declare his wonders 
+among all people.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCVII.
+
+_The majesty of God’s kingdom.—The church rejoiceth at God’s judgments 
+upon idolaters.—An exhortation to godliness and gladness._
+
+
+The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles 
+be glad _thereof_.
+
+Clouds and darkness _are_ round about him: righteousness and judgment 
+_are_ the habitation of his throne.
+
+A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
+
+His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw and trembled.
+
+The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence 
+of the LORD of the whole earth.
+
+The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his 
+glory.
+
+Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves 
+of idols: worship him, all _ye_ gods.
+
+Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because 
+of thy judgments, O LORD.
+
+For thou, LORD, _art_ high above all the earth: thou art exalted far 
+above all gods.
+
+Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his 
+saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
+
+Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in 
+heart.
+
+Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance 
+of his holiness.
+
+
+This also, like the preceding, is a prophecy concerning Christ and his 
+kingdom; and the sum of it is to proclaim, that Christ establishes and 
+strengthens his spiritual kingdom by the gospel; wherein he preaches 
+repentance, and whereby his lightnings and thunders terrify the whole 
+world, and cause the mountains to melt like wax before the fire of his 
+face: that is, by the gospel he condemns, casts down, and humbles all 
+human righteousness, human wisdom, and human patience, throughout the 
+world, and brings down every thing that is high and lifted up; as 
+Isaiah saith, chapter 3, “And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that 
+day.” For Christ alone is our “righteousness, our sanctification, and 
+our redemption,” and that by the counsel of God, as it is written, 
+“There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved, 
+but Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
+
+Together also with these enemies of the gospel and these mountains of 
+the world, the ceremonial kingdom of the Jews perisheth, and all the 
+outward worship of the law, and, indeed, every thing that is not in 
+Christ. For he (as the apostle Paul saith, Col. i.) “in all things 
+hath the pre-eminence.” And again, “For there is one Mediator between 
+God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.” And so also, in Daniel, The stone 
+cut out of the mountain filled the world, and broke in pieces all 
+other kingdoms.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCVIII.
+
+_The Psalmist exhorteth the Jews, the Gentiles, and all the creatures 
+to praise God._
+
+A Psalm.
+
+
+O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: 
+his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
+
+The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he 
+openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
+
+He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: 
+all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
+
+Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, 
+and rejoice, and sing praise.
+
+Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a 
+psalm.
+
+With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, 
+the King.
+
+Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that 
+dwell therein.
+
+Let the floods clap _their_ hands; let the hills be joyful together
+
+Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness 
+shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
+
+
+This again is a prophecy concerning the preaching of Christ and the 
+spread of his kingdom, and it is of the same subject as the two 
+preceding Psalms; it calls upon us to rejoice in God, to triumph, to 
+give thanks, and to praise God for that great salvation: that is, to 
+preach the remission of sins, and those riches of grace which are by 
+Christ Jesus.
+
+In this Psalm you again have set before you what is the highest 
+worship of God, namely, that of the New Testament; which standeth not 
+in the offering of thanks in Jerusalem, but in knowing Christ,—that 
+King who ruleth the people in righteousness; who is himself righteous, 
+and who maketh the people righteous throughout the world; and who 
+alone delivereth them from sin, from death, and from the power of the 
+devil; and doeth it all without any merit of theirs.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM XCIX.
+
+_The prophet, setting forth the kingdom of God in Zion,—exhorteth all, 
+by the example of forefathers, to worship God at his holy hill._
+
+
+The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth _between_ the 
+cherubims; let the earth be moved.
+
+The LORD _is_ great in Zion; and he _is_ high above all the people.
+
+Let them praise thy great and terrible name; _for_ it _is_ holy.
+
+The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, 
+thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
+
+Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; _for_ he _is_ 
+holy.
+
+Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call 
+upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
+
+He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, 
+and the ordinance _that_ he gave them.
+
+Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest 
+them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
+
+Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our 
+God _is_ holy.
+
+
+This Psalm is a Psalm of blessed doctrine. It exhorts the people of 
+God to preserve sacredly that true worship of the first commandment, 
+the praising of God alone, and the continuing in the faith of him, 
+although the nations on all sides and the whole world should roar 
+against that people who glory in being the people of God, and who know 
+that God is to be found no where but in this and that corner of the 
+earth, in that tabernacle, in that sanctuary, and at that mercy-seat, 
+where the word and the promise of God are preached. And the Psalm 
+shows that this true people of God are exposed to the most bitter 
+hatred of the world and of the devil, and to afflictions of every 
+kind.
+
+The Psalmist mentions, by name, Moses, and Aaron, and Samuel; those 
+best of men among the people of God, who endured great afflictions, 
+both inward and outward, for the sake of the name and the word of God. 
+The Psalmist shows, however, (as is set forth verses 4 and 5.) and 
+teaches this people of God, that the highest worship of God is not 
+placed in ceremonial sacrifices: therefore he says, “Let them praise 
+thy great and terrible name, for it is holy.” “In this kingdom of God, 
+(says the Psalmist,) justice and judgment are loved.” “Thou 
+justifiest,” says he, “thy people;” that is, thou deliverest from sin 
+and death, and extendest unto them the remission of their sins.
+
+And unto us, who are in and of the church of God, the present Psalm is 
+a glorious prophecy of Christ, who governs and rules this church, the 
+true Zion, in the Spirit, throughout the whole world, wheresoever she 
+is. The holy Psalmist shews us, that Christ, sitting at the right hand 
+of the Majesty in the heavens, is there continually as our Sacrificer 
+and our Sacrifice. And he testifies that the whole world rages and 
+roars against this people and church of God, and kills the saints, and 
+loads them with all manner of afflictions, on account of their 
+profession and worship of Christ.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM C.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God cheerfully, for his greatness and for 
+his power._
+
+A Psalm of Praise.
+
+
+Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
+
+Serve the LORD with gladness; come before his presence with singing.
+
+Know ye that the LORD he _is_ God: _it is_ he _that_ hath made us, and 
+not we ourselves: _we are_ his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
+
+Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, _and_ into his courts with 
+praise: be thankful unto him, _and_ bless his name.
+
+For the LORD _is_ good, his mercy _is_ everlasting; and his truth 
+_endureth_ to all generations.
+
+
+This Psalm again is a prophecy concerning Christ. It calls upon all to 
+rejoice, to triumph, and to give thanks; to enter his gates with 
+thanksgiving, and his courts and sanctuary with praise: because, by 
+the gospel and the preaching of the remission of sins, that kingdom of 
+Christ is established and strengthened, which shall remain and stand 
+for ever: and for the setting-up of which kingdom thanks are for ever 
+to be given.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CI.
+
+_David maketh a vow and profession of godliness._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
+
+I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O! when wilt thou come 
+unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
+
+I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them 
+that turn aside, _it_ shall not cleave to me.
+
+A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked 
+_person_.
+
+Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that 
+hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
+
+Mine eyes _shall be_ upon the faithful of the land, that they may 
+dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
+
+He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that 
+telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
+
+I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off 
+all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
+
+
+This Psalm contains a most solemn and necessary doctrine: and David 
+puts forth himself, so great a king, as an example. He teaches that 
+impious members and courtiers ought not to be borne with by any godly 
+magistrate or prince. He recounts also the iniquities, by which those 
+who are in the courts of kings and princes, more especially harm the 
+state and the church. He shews that they do the greatest evil when 
+they are given to sin or to false doctrine; and when they injure the 
+causes of good men by their hatred of them.
+
+In the opening of the Psalm David says, “I will sing of mercy and of 
+judgment:” that is as if he had said, ‘I will sing that God most 
+certainly, according to the word of the first commandment, visits the 
+godly with mercy, and the ungodly with judgment, at all times.’ Of 
+this visiting mercy David was himself an example, seeing that he had 
+been so many times delivered from the very claws and jaws of the 
+devil. And of the divine visitations of judgment, Absalom, Ahithophel, 
+Joab, and others, were examples. And every king and magistrate, who 
+sets himself to defend the true religion, and to do good to his 
+nation, is at once exposed to the hatred of all men, even of his own 
+family and court: which is plainly seen in the case of Absalom, 
+Ahithophel, and other persecutors of David.
+
+Hence it is that David, having so often experienced God’s fulfilment 
+of the word of his first commandment, sings in all places and at all 
+times, ‘that God is God over all, exercising mercy and judgment.’ And 
+it is with God alone that a kingdom and commonwealth can be rightly 
+governed: for where God is not, there all things are scattered and in 
+confusion, and neither families are subject to their heads, nor 
+citizens to their rulers.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CII.
+
+_The prophet in his prayer maketh a grievous complaint.—He taketh 
+comfort in the eternity and mercy of God.—The mercies of God are to be 
+recorded.—He sustaineth his weakness by the unchangeableness of God._
+
+A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his 
+complaint before the LORD.
+
+
+Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.
+
+Hide not thy face from me in the day _when_ I am in trouble; incline 
+thine ear unto me: in the day _when_ I call, answer me speedily.
+
+For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an 
+hearth.
+
+My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat 
+my bread.
+
+By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.
+
+I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.
+
+I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house-top.
+
+Mine enemies reproach me all the day; _and_ they that are mad against 
+me are sworn against me.
+
+For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping;
+
+Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me 
+up, and cast me down.
+
+My days _are_ like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like 
+grass.
+
+But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever, and thy remembrance unto all 
+generations.
+
+Thou shalt arise, _and_ have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour 
+her, yea, the set time, is come.
+
+For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust 
+thereof.
+
+So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of 
+the earth thy glory.
+
+When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
+
+He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their 
+prayer.
+
+This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people which 
+shall be created shall praise the LORD.
+
+For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven 
+did the LORD behold the earth;
+
+To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are 
+appointed to death;
+
+To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
+
+When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the 
+LORD.
+
+He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.
+
+I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days; thy years 
+_are_ throughout all generations.
+
+Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens 
+_are_ the work of thy hands.
+
+They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax 
+old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they 
+shall be changed:
+
+But thou _art_ the same, and thy years shall have no end.
+
+The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be 
+established before thee.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer of an afflicted and tempted heart, miserably 
+sighing and praying for deliverance and the coming of the kingdom of 
+God. And indeed the whole sum and substance of this Psalm is, “Thy 
+kingdom come.”
+
+This Psalm may be used as a general prayer. It was used especially by 
+the fathers under the law: who being most spiritual men, and knowing 
+the infinite weight of sin, and the kingdom of death, longed for the 
+coming and revelation of Christ, the kingdom of grace, and the 
+blessing promised.
+
+“Have mercy upon Zion (saith the Psalmist) for the time to have mercy 
+upon her is come.” For thy servants (saith he) long for her to be 
+built up again, and for the stones and cement to be made ready: that 
+is, they long for that grace and that blessing to be revealed unto all 
+nations, and to be preached in all kingdoms; that those who are 
+captives and in chains under the power of the devil and of sin, and 
+who are the sons of wrath and death, may be delivered; and that there 
+may flow together into the true Zion, the church of God, those out of 
+all nations and kingdoms, who may magnify the name of the Lord, and 
+may preach and hear the gospel, and that all the rigid demands and 
+ceremonies of the law, and the whole of the Old Testament 
+dispensation, may cease. For out of and without Christ there is 
+nothing but the kingdom of sin and death: that is, a continual misery 
+and distress in this life, by various and hard temptations of the 
+devil and the world: and also a shortness of life itself, and that 
+life changeable and uncertain, full of sorrow and full of death; which 
+life the godly consider it a “gain” to have shortened and finished: as 
+the apostle saith, “to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
+
+But amidst all this misery, in Christ is consolation and eternal life; 
+for he is before every creature; he created the heaven and the earth, 
+and by him all things consist; and he also, in the regeneration, will 
+renew the heavens and the earth. Hence he is independent of and above 
+all time and years, and of his years there is no end. He now dies no 
+more, death hath no more dominion over him. For this kingdom of life 
+and of salvation (saith the Psalmist) we pray and long. May this 
+kingdom come. Amen.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CIII.
+
+_An exhortation to bless God for his mercy, and for the constancy 
+thereof._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, _bless_ his holy 
+name.
+
+Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
+
+Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
+
+Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving 
+kindness and tender mercies;
+
+Who satisfieth thy mouth with good _things; so that_ thy youth is 
+renewed like the eagle’s.
+
+The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all _that are_ 
+oppressed.
+
+He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of 
+Israel.
+
+The LORD _is_ merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in 
+mercy.
+
+He will not alway chide; neither will he keep _his anger_ for ever.
+
+He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to 
+our iniquities.
+
+For as the heaven is high above the earth, _so_ great is his mercy 
+toward them that fear him.
+
+As far as the east is from the west, _so_ far hath he removed our 
+transgressions from us.
+
+Like as a father pitieth _his_ children, _so_ the LORD pitieth them 
+that fear him.
+
+For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we _are_ dust.
+
+_As for_ man, his days _are_ as grass; as a flower of the field, so he 
+flourisheth:
+
+For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof 
+shall know it no more.
+
+But the mercy of the LORD _is_ from everlasting to everlasting upon 
+them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
+
+To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his 
+commandments to do them.
+
+The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom 
+ruleth over all.
+
+Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his 
+commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
+
+Bless ye the LORD, all _ye_ his hosts; _ye_ ministers of his that do 
+his pleasure.
+
+Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion: bless 
+the LORD, O my soul.
+
+
+This is a glorious Psalm, and full of the most ardent feelings and 
+exercises of faith, and of a believing heart, a heart acknowledging 
+the infinite mercies of God, both temporal and spiritual. “Bless the 
+Lord (saith the Psalmist), O my soul,” &c. The Psalmist embraces, in 
+the first three verses, six kinds of divine mercies and benefits, for 
+which he exhorts all the godly to give praise unto God with their 
+whole heart, and to celebrate his great and holy name.
+
+The first kind of mercy enumerated is the remission of all our sins in 
+Christ, and for Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and High-priest: who 
+by himself sustained the just and infinite wrath of God, which burned 
+against our sins: who offered himself a sacrifice to God for them; by 
+which offering he reconciled unto us the Eternal Father, and now 
+pleads for us with an unceasing and prevailing intercession.
+
+The second kind of mercy is the healing of those manifold, and by no 
+means light infirmities, which shall remain in the flesh of the 
+saints, as long as they live in this world: all which remnant of sins 
+God, for Christ’s sake, imputeth not unto them that believe: nor does 
+he only cover those sins by not imputing them, but he moreover purges 
+them away, by the gift of his Holy Spirit.
+
+The third kind of mercy is a continual and daily protection and 
+defence against all the dangers of death, into numbers of which we 
+continually fall; and into more and greater of which we should fall by 
+fire, by water, by sword, by pestilence, and other means of 
+destruction, and be destroyed by them on account of the deserts of our 
+sins, if God did not in his mercy prevent and save and preserve our 
+lives.
+
+The fourth kind of mercy is a manifold dispensation of the grace of 
+God, wherewith he covers and defends us with a shield, and crowns us, 
+giving us the Holy Spirit, and strengthening our minds with the true 
+doctrine against all doubts, and with true consolation in all perils 
+and evils; and bestowing on the godly many and various gifts.
+
+The fifth kind of mercy is that boldness wherewith by the aid and 
+urgency of the Holy Spirit, we fearlessly preach before the world 
+these great mercies of God toward us: whereby many others also may 
+learn to acknowledge and lay hold of the goodness of God in Christ, 
+and, embracing it themselves in the true faith, may, with us, magnify 
+and call upon God.
+
+The sixth kind of mercy is the restoration of our depraved nature by 
+Christ into the image of God; into which image we being renewed by the 
+Holy Ghost, begin with full purpose of heart to obey God; and so 
+continue, until, being made perfect in the life to come, we may be 
+able to render a full obedience with our whole unimpeded powers.
+
+The Psalmist, therefore, first renders thanks to God for his spiritual 
+benefits; and then he from his heart thanks God for bestowing 
+blessings of every kind,—peace, good magistrates, good laws, good 
+wives, good children, the fruits of the earth, and all needful 
+provision. The Psalmist sets forth God as a most kind Father towards 
+us (who are nothing but a loathsome sore, full of sin) and as not 
+dealing with us according to our sins, but treating and protecting us, 
+according to his infinite grace and mercy, as dear children: yet so 
+that he will have us to keep his covenant and his counsel: that is, to 
+believe in him, to fear him, and to have him for our God. For if we 
+trust in our own works or righteousnesses, we thereby immediately 
+break his covenant, and walk not in his counsel, and follow strange 
+gods, and thus sin against the First Commandment.
+
+Now this fulfilling of the law, and keeping the covenant of God, is in 
+and through Christ alone, who was then promised to the fathers, but 
+now in these last days has been given unto us; and manifested; whose 
+kingdom shall rule over all.
+
+At the end of the Psalm, when the Psalmist calls upon the angels and 
+the hosts of God, the powers and the dominions, to praise and magnify 
+him, he means Christ and the church and the apostles who cause his 
+word to be heard. For all our salvation is in Christ, and there is no 
+grace out of Christ; who is preached by the angels; that is, by the 
+apostles.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CIV.
+
+_A meditation upon the mighty power, and wonderful providence of 
+God.—God’s glory is eternal.—The prophet voweth perpetually to praise 
+God._
+
+
+Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou 
+art clothed with honour and majesty:
+
+Who coverest _thyself_ with light as _with_ a garment; who stretchest 
+out the heavens like a curtain;
+
+Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the 
+clouds his chariot; who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
+
+Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire;
+
+_Who_ laid the foundations of the earth, _that_ it should not be 
+removed for ever.
+
+Thou coveredst it with the deep as _with_ a garment; the waters stood 
+above the mountains.
+
+At thy rebuke they fled: at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
+
+They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys, unto the 
+place which thou hast founded for them.
+
+Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over, that they turn not 
+again to cover the earth.
+
+He sendeth the springs into the valleys, _which_ run among the hills.
+
+They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench 
+their thirst.
+
+By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, _which_ 
+sing among the branches.
+
+He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with 
+the fruit of thy works.
+
+He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service 
+of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
+
+And wine _that_ maketh glad the heart of man, _and_ oil to make _his_ 
+face to shine, and bread _which_ strengthened man’s heart.
+
+The trees of the LORD are full _of sap_: the cedars of Lebanon, which 
+he hath planted;
+
+Where the birds make their nests: _as for_ the stork, the fir-trees 
+_are_ her house.
+
+The high hills _are_ a refuge for the wild goats, _and_ the rocks for 
+the conies.
+
+He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
+
+Thou makest darkness, and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the 
+forest do creep _forth_.
+
+The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
+
+The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in 
+their dens.
+
+Man goeth forth unto his work, and to his labour, until the evening.
+
+O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: 
+the earth is full of thy riches;
+
+_So is_ this great and wide sea, wherein _are_ things creeping 
+innumerable, both small and great beasts.
+
+There go the ships; _there is_ that leviathan, _whom_ thou hast made 
+to play therein.
+
+These wait all upon thee, that them mayest give _them_ their meat in 
+due season.
+
+_That_ thou givest them, they gather; thou openest thine hand, they 
+are filled with good.
+
+Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their 
+breath, they die, and return to their dust.
+
+Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the 
+face of the earth.
+
+The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in 
+his works.
+
+He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; he toucheth the hills, and 
+they smoke.
+
+I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my 
+God while I have my being.
+
+My meditation of him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the LORD.
+
+Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no 
+more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a most spiritual song and a Psalm of glory to God. It is drawn 
+out of the First Commandment: and with a grand enumeration of all the 
+creatures of God, it sets forth and exalts the whole work of creation. 
+By this recounting of the works of creation the Psalmist’s design is 
+to show, that all the creatures, whether those in the heavens, those 
+in the earth, or those in the sea, are monuments of the goodness of 
+God. And what orator or what poet ever has existed, or ever will 
+exist, with an eloquence adequate to describe the infinite use and 
+benefits of even one creature of God. If any one of those creatures 
+were gifted with speech, so as to declare its own nature and value, it 
+would praise God with a thousand tongues. Not only, therefore, the 
+whole of God’s works together, as one glorious universe, but each one 
+creature, if you would explain its nature and use, exceeds all the 
+eloquence of men and angels.
+
+What philosopher or sage could even open or utter the extent of the 
+use and blessings of common light, in which we live? What one of them 
+could ever explain what that is which we call light, in which we all 
+breathe, all are nourished, and all live; by which the night and 
+darkness are dispelled in one short moment; by which the whole 
+creation is rendered visible, and as it were, recreated; and by which 
+all creatures, from out of one same obscure darkness, receive each 
+their proper hues and colours?
+
+Who, again, can recount the benefit and blessings of that one creature 
+the sun? and then those of the moon? Who can enumerate the blessings 
+of fire, of water, of fountains and springs? If one creature were 
+deprived for one short hour of the blessings of fire or of water, you 
+would in a moment see the wide and infinite benefit of one of those 
+creatures of God.
+
+But alas! who can even touch one of these creatures with anything like 
+a due comment or reflection! And yet, when heathen men have 
+contemplated the whole universe of creatures so diligently, (as we see 
+it done in Cicero’s second book ‘De Natura Deorum;’) and have thence 
+gathered and concluded that there exists some eternal Deity who 
+created and who governs all these things; it would be a shame in one 
+professing the fear and worship of that God, to be cold and not 
+affected with these same things, and not to meditate and reflect upon 
+them.
+
+This Psalm, therefore, is a Psalm of thanksgiving for all the 
+creatures which God has created, whether in the heavens, in the earth, 
+or in the sea; and a rendering of thanks unto God also, that he hath 
+made a covenant with the day and the night, and hath given laws to the 
+heaven and the earth; laws so certain that they cannot be moved, but 
+continue in their appointed order. The moon, saith the Psalmist, 
+distinguished the seasons; the sun knoweth his going down; the day 
+cometh, and also the night; the summer returns at its appointed time, 
+and the winter also in its season. Thou fillest, saith he, that 
+immense space of the heaven with light: thou stretchest out the heaven 
+itself like a curtain, which resteth not on any beams or columns: and 
+thou suspendest the mighty range of clouds, at thy word, like a 
+glorious canopy. The winds rise, and blow over and blow through all 
+things, having neither wings nor feathers. And the angels whom thou 
+sendest forth, saith he, fulfil their commands like the winds, and 
+like a “flame of fire.”
+
+Hence the prophet, as you see, has all these things depicted in his 
+mind, and his faith is kindled by a meditation on this wonderful and 
+ineffable work of creation. But, alas! how few, how very few, are 
+there who thus look into, meditate on, and admire these created 
+things? Here, therefore, with a view to reprove both the indolence and 
+the wickedness of certain characters, I cannot help transcribing the 
+words of Cicero, a heathen, who cites another heathen, Aristotle: 
+‘Aristotle,’ says Cicero, ‘has most greatly and beautifully spoken 
+thus. “If there could be men, who had lived under the earth in grand 
+and noble habitations; habitations adorned with paintings and works of 
+art, and with all those embellishments which ornament the houses of 
+those who are now accounted wealthy and happy; and if it could so be 
+that such subterranean inhabitants had never been above ground, but 
+had heard by fame and report that there was a certain Deity, and a 
+certain Almighty power of that Deity; and then if it could so be, 
+that, at a certain time, the doors of the earth’s surface should be 
+thrown open, and they should come forth from their subterranean 
+abysses into these above-ground regions which we inhabit:—when such 
+men beheld, on a sudden, the earth, the sea, and the heavens; when 
+they saw the expanded grandeur of the clouds, and felt the mighty 
+power of the winds; when they looked up to the sun and beheld his 
+glorious magnitude and his beauty, and knew something of his influence 
+and efficacy in all creation,—that it is he, who, by diffusing his 
+light through the whole heaven, makes the day; and when such mortals, 
+newly admitted on earth, should see by the departure of the sun the 
+whole creation veiled in the darkness of night, while the whole heaven 
+was studded and bespangled with stars; and when they saw and 
+understood the various degrees of the light of the moon, and the 
+increasings and decreasings of that heavenly body; and the various 
+risings and settings of all the celestial luminaries; and, finally, 
+when such astonished and contemplating strangers on the earth’s 
+surface should know the appointed and never-erring and never-varying 
+courses and revolutions of all these glorious creatures,—they would, 
+with one voice, confess that there was a God, and that all these 
+creatures were the works of that God! But our minds, by daily use, 
+become insensible to these things; and as we daily see all these 
+creatures we inquire not their nature, nor wonder at their glory: as 
+if the novelty of such things, and not their greatness and glory, is 
+that which should lead us to meditate on their natures, and the ends 
+of their creation.”’ Thus far Cicero, the heathen! I shall perhaps be 
+deemed by some a silly man for bringing forth these things out of the 
+books of a heathen! Let those that would fear God, then, remember what 
+is required of them!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CV.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God, and to seek out his works.—The story of 
+God’s providence over Abraham,—over Joseph,—over Jacob, in Egypt,—over 
+Moses delivering the Israelites,—over the Israelites brought out of 
+Egypt, fed in the wilderness, and planted in Canaan._
+
+
+O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds 
+among the people.
+
+Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous 
+works.
+
+Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the 
+LORD.
+
+Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
+
+Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the 
+judgments of his mouth;
+
+O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
+
+He _is_ the LORD our God: his judgments _are_ in all the earth.
+
+He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word _which_ he 
+commanded to a thousand generations.
+
+Which _covenant_ he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
+
+And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, _and_ to Israel _for_ an 
+everlasting covenant:
+
+Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your 
+inheritance:
+
+When there were _but_ a few men in number: yea, very few, and 
+strangers in it.
+
+When they went from one nation to another, from _one_ kingdom to 
+another people;
+
+He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their 
+sakes;
+
+_Saying_, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
+
+Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole 
+staff of bread.
+
+He sent a man before them, _even_ Joseph, _who_ was sold for a 
+servant:
+
+Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
+
+Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
+
+The king sent and loosed him: _even_ the ruler of the people, and let 
+him go free.
+
+He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
+
+To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
+
+Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
+
+And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their 
+enemies.
+
+He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his 
+servants.
+
+He sent Moses his servant; _and_ Aaron whom he had chosen.
+
+They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
+
+He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his 
+word.
+
+He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
+
+Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their 
+kings.
+
+He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, _and_ lice in all 
+their coasts.
+
+He gave them hail for rain, _and_ flaming fire in their land.
+
+He smote their vines also and their fig-trees; and brake the trees of 
+their coasts.
+
+He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without 
+number,
+
+And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of 
+their ground.
+
+He smote also all the first-born in their land, the chief of all their 
+strength.
+
+He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and _there was_ not 
+one feeble _person_ among their tribes.
+
+Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon 
+them.
+
+He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
+
+_The people_ asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the 
+bread of heaven.
+
+He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry 
+places _like_ a river.
+
+For he remembered his holy promise, _and_ Abraham his servant.
+
+And he brought forth his people with joy, _and_ his chosen with 
+gladness:
+
+And gave them the lands of the heathen; and they inherited the labour 
+of the people;
+
+That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the 
+LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of particular thanksgiving; and a song especially 
+adapted to the people of the Jews; that in the use of this Psalm they 
+might render thanks unto God for all those, his wonderful works, which 
+he wrought from Abraham down to the time when they were led into the 
+promised land of Canaan. And the Psalmist, having recounted all these 
+glorious works in their order, concludes with that word of Moses, 
+(Deut. ix.) “That God did not do all these mighty works on account of 
+any righteousness or merit of theirs, but because of the covenant and 
+the promise which he had made with their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and 
+Jacob:” for how righteous they were and what they deserved at the hand 
+of God, is sung in the Psalm following.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CVI.
+
+_The Psalmist exhorteth to praise God.—He prayeth for pardon of sin, 
+as God did with the fathers.—The story of the people’s rebellion, and 
+God’s mercy.—He concludeth with prayer and praise._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good: for 
+his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? _who_ can shew forth all 
+his praise?
+
+Blessed _are_ they that keep judgment, _and_ he that doeth 
+righteousness at all times.
+
+Remember me, O LORD, with the favour _that thou bearest unto_ thy 
+people: O visit me with thy salvation;
+
+That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the 
+gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
+
+We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have 
+done wickedly.
+
+Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not 
+the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked _him_ at the sea, _even_ at 
+the Red Sea.
+
+Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his 
+mighty power to be known.
+
+He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them 
+through the depths, as through the wilderness.
+
+And he saved them from the hand of him that hated _them_, and redeemed 
+them from the hand of the enemy.
+
+And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.
+
+Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.
+
+They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
+
+But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the 
+desert.
+
+And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.
+
+They envied Moses also in the camp, _and_ Aaron the saint of the LORD.
+
+The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of 
+Abiram.
+
+And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the 
+wicked.
+
+They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
+
+Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth 
+grass.
+
+They forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
+
+Wondrous works in the land of Ham, _and_ terrible things by the Red 
+Sea.
+
+Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen 
+stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should
+destroy _them_.
+
+Yea, they despised the pleasant land; they believed not his word;
+
+But murmured in their tents, _and_ hearkened not unto the voice of the 
+LORD:
+
+Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the 
+wilderness:
+
+To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in 
+the lands.
+
+They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of 
+the dead.
+
+Thus they provoked _him_ to anger with their inventions; and the 
+plague brake in upon them.
+
+Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and _so_ the plague was 
+stayed.
+
+And that was counted unto him for righteousness, unto all generations 
+for evermore.
+
+They angered _him_ also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill 
+with Moses for their sakes:
+
+Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with 
+his lips.
+
+They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded 
+them:
+
+But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
+
+And they served their idols; which were a snare unto them.
+
+Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
+
+And shed innocent blood, _even_ the blood of their sons, and of their 
+daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land 
+was polluted with blood.
+
+Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with 
+their own inventions.
+
+Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, 
+insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
+
+And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated 
+them ruled over them.
+
+Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into 
+subjection under their hand.
+
+Many times did he deliver them: but they provoked _him_ with their 
+counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
+
+Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
+
+And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the 
+multitude of his mercies.
+
+He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them 
+captives.
+
+Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give 
+thanks unto thy holy name, _and_ to triumph in thy praise.
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: 
+and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of acknowledgment, of confession, and of thanksgiving. 
+The Psalmist confesses all those sins of murmuring and unbelief, and 
+those other numerous transgressions against the first commandment, by 
+which the people of Israel provoked God, and rendered themselves 
+utterly unworthy of all his mercies.
+
+At the conclusion of the Psalm, therefore, the Psalmist proclaims the 
+exceeding greatness of the divine mercy of God; whereby he continued 
+mindful of his counsel and his covenant, and did not pour forth all 
+his wrath, but was merciful to them for his own name’s sake. As Moses 
+saith also, (Deut. ix.) “Know ye, that not for your righteousness doth 
+the Lord God give unto you this good land: for ye are a stiff-necked 
+people.” Therefore as the Israelites, the whole of that people of God, 
+could glory in nothing, but that they were saved by the mercy and 
+grace of God; so also we cannot glory in any work or merit of our own, 
+but in the mercy of God only!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CVII.
+
+_The psalmist exhorteth the redeemed, in praising God, to observe his 
+manifold providence, over travellers, over captives, over sick men, 
+over seamen, and in divers varieties of life._
+
+
+O give thanks unto the LORD, for _he is_ good: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+Let the redeemed of the LORD say _so_, whom he hath redeemed from the 
+hand of the enemy;
+
+And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, 
+from the north, and from the south.
+
+They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city 
+to dwell in.
+
+Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
+
+Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, _and_ he delivered 
+them out of their distresses.
+
+And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city 
+of habitation.
+
+Oh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!
+
+For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with 
+goodness.
+
+Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, _being_ bound in 
+affliction and iron;
+
+Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the 
+counsel of the Most High:
+
+Therefore he brought down their heart with labour: they fell down, and 
+_there was_ none to help.
+
+Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, _and_ he saved them 
+out of their distresses.
+
+He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake 
+their bands in sunder.
+
+Oh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!
+
+For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in 
+sunder.
+
+Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their 
+iniquities, are afflicted:
+
+Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the 
+gates of death.
+
+Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble; and he saveth them out 
+of their distresses.
+
+He sent his word and healed them, and delivered _them_ from their 
+destructions.
+
+Oh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!
+
+And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his 
+works with rejoicing.
+
+They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great 
+waters;
+
+These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
+
+For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the 
+waves thereof.
+
+They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths; their 
+soul is melted because of trouble.
+
+They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their 
+wit’s end.
+
+Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out 
+of their distresses.
+
+He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
+
+Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto 
+their desired haven.
+
+Oh that _men_ would praise the LORD _for_ his goodness, and _for_ his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!
+
+Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise 
+him in the assembly of the elders.
+
+He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs into dry 
+ground;
+
+A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell 
+therein.
+
+He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into 
+water-springs.
+
+And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city 
+for habitation;
+
+And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of 
+increase.
+
+He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, and 
+suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
+
+Again, they are minished, and brought low, through oppression, 
+affliction, and sorrow.
+
+He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the 
+wilderness, _where there is_ no way.
+
+Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh _him_ 
+families like a flock.
+
+The righteous shall see _it_, and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop 
+her mouth.
+
+Whoso _is_ wise, and will observe these _things_, even they shall 
+understand the loving-kindness of the LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in general; rendering praise for that 
+infinite and incomparable mercy and goodness of God, wherewith he 
+daily helps and succours all men, both the righteous and the wicked, 
+under the various calamities of life, and defends them against the 
+Devil: preserving also the public peace, giving healthfulness of air 
+and climate, and blessing the earth to the springing of its 
+productions; as Paul saith, 2 Tim. ii. “Who is the Saviour of all men, 
+especially of them that believe.”
+
+In the fourth verse, where the Psalmist says, “They wandered in the 
+wilderness in a solitary way,” he refers to all kinds of calamities; 
+and especially to the afflictions of those who are oppressed with 
+poverty, who are exiles, and deserted, and wandering without any 
+certain dwelling-place.
+
+In the ninth verse by those “sitting in darkness,” &c. he means those 
+throughout the whole world, who on account of their own crimes, or for 
+other causes, are held in bonds and in prisons, and who are sometimes 
+delivered by the interposition and help of God himself.
+
+Then again, verse 6, he refers to those who live wickedly and fear not 
+God; on whom God sends diseases and distresses to punish them; of whom 
+some, although they call not upon God, are delivered by his pure mercy 
+alone.
+
+In verse 22, he speaks of those who are in perils on the seas, and 
+there enduring storms and shipwrecks; under which calamities God often 
+delivers wicked sailors, and preserves them from shipwreck and death, 
+and from the power of the Devil, by his mere goodness and mercy.
+
+Verse 32 has reference to those fields and vineyards that are visited 
+with barrenness or any other calamity; unto whom God gives rain and 
+fruitfulness, not according to their merits, but of his abounding 
+mercy, whereby he sendeth rain upon the just and upon the unjust.
+
+Verse 38 applies to those who are oppressed by the Turk or any other 
+tyrants, or by wars and seditions, and whose all in this world is in 
+peril; unto whom God often, on a sudden, gives peace and quietness, as 
+he calmeth the waves of the sea.
+
+This Psalm, therefore, shows that all salvation is to be sought and 
+expected from God alone; who will never forsake his people, or his 
+church, or those that trust in him; and that he often bestows these 
+benefits on the Turks, and on the openly impious and profane; even 
+when they are seeking all these great blessings from their idols of 
+wood and stone. And we who profess the name of Christ also, not at all 
+unlike the Turks, leave God our true and only Saviour and implore the 
+help of saints. Hence St. Leonard is worshipped as the liberator of 
+the imprisoned; St. Sebastian is invoked by those who are in dread of 
+pestilence; St. George is the protecting saint of military troops of 
+horse and foot; St. Erasmus is said to bless with riches those that 
+call upon him; St. Christopher is openly worshipped as the god of land 
+and sea; and his image is affixed to all doors of temples, and to all 
+prows of ships, and adored by all sailors. And thus we have divided 
+the glory of God and of his saving mercies, which is due to him alone, 
+unto saints set up by idolatrous men; just in the same way as the 
+heathens gave to their gods the attributes and functions which belong 
+to God only. This Psalm, however, rightly ascribes all the glory to 
+God alone.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CVIII.
+
+_David encourageth himself to praise God.—He prayeth for God’s 
+assistance according to his promise.—His confidence in God’s help._
+
+A Song or Psalm of David.
+
+
+O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my 
+glory.
+
+Awake, psaltery and harp; I _myself_ will awake early.
+
+I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people; and I will sing praises 
+unto thee among the nations.
+
+For thy mercy is great above the heavens, and thy truth _reacheth_ 
+unto the clouds.
+
+Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and thy glory above all the 
+earth:
+
+That thy beloved may be delivered, save _with_ thy right hand, and 
+answer me.
+
+God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice; I will divide 
+Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
+
+Gilead _is_ mine; Manasseh _is_ mine; Ephraim also _is_ the strength 
+of mine head; Judah _is_ my law-giver;
+
+Moab _is_ my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over 
+Philistia will I triumph.
+
+Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
+
+_Wilt_ not _thou_, O God, _who_ hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O 
+God, go forth with our hosts?
+
+Give us help from trouble: for vain _is_ the help of man.
+
+Through God we shall do valiantly: for he _it is that_ shall tread 
+down our enemies.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving of the same substance, and almost in 
+the same words as Psalm lx.; wherein the Psalmist gives thanks for the 
+happy state of his kingdom, for the establishment of the true religion 
+and good government, and for the increase of his dominions.
+
+The first verses of the Psalm, however, refer to the kingdom of 
+Christ. David prays that God would be pleased to set up this kingdom 
+of Christ in all nations; that thus the kingdom and dominion of David 
+may be extended far and wide throughout all nations, according to the 
+promise. For this temporal kingdom of David was confined within very 
+narrow limits in comparison with the whole world, and was a kingdom 
+not likely to be extended over all the nations and people of the 
+earth; and yet this kingdom God promised to enlarge and extend, as in 
+Isaiah, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall 
+stand for an ensign of the people,” Isa. xi. 10. And again, chapter 
+ix. 7, “Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it 
+and to establish it for ever.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CIX.
+
+_David, complaining of his slanderous enemies, under the person of 
+Judas devoteth them.—He sheweth their sin.—Complaining of his own 
+misery, he prayeth for help.—He promiseth thankfulness._
+
+To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
+
+For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened 
+against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
+
+They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against 
+me without a cause.
+
+For my love they are my adversaries: but I _give myself unto_ prayer.
+
+And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
+
+Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
+
+When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer 
+become sin.
+
+Let his days be few; _and_ let another take his office.
+
+Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
+
+Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek 
+_their bread_ also out of their desolate places.
+
+Let the extortioner catch all that he hath: and let the strangers 
+spoil his labour.
+
+Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any 
+to favour his fatherless children.
+
+Let his posterity be cut off; _and_ in the generation following let 
+their name be blotted out.
+
+Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let 
+not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
+
+Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the 
+memory of them from the earth.
+
+Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor 
+and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
+
+As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in 
+blessing, so let it be far from him.
+
+As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it 
+come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
+
+Let it be unto him as the garment _which_ covereth him, and for a 
+girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
+
+_Let_ this _be_ the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of 
+them that speak evil against my soul.
+
+But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy 
+mercy _is_ good, deliver thou me.
+
+For I _am_ poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
+
+I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down 
+as the locust.
+
+My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
+
+I became also a reproach unto them: _when_ they looked upon me they 
+shaked their heads.
+
+Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
+
+That they may know that this _is_ thy hand; _that_ thou, LORD, hast 
+done it.
+
+Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; 
+but let thy servant rejoice.
+
+Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover 
+themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
+
+I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him 
+among the multitude.
+
+For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save _him_ from 
+those that condemn his soul.
+
+
+Certain hypocrites of monks are accustomed to use this Psalm, 
+(generally known by the name of ‘The God of praise,’) as a sort of 
+incantation: and they say that, to a certainty, against what person 
+soever they babble and sing out the terrible words of this Psalm; that 
+man is at once death-struck, and never lives a year afterwards.
+
+This Psalm, however, is most certainly full of the complaints, tears, 
+and groans of the godly against these very hypocrites themselves. It 
+may be very properly considered as used in the person of Christ, 
+deeply complaining against his betrayers the Jews, and against the 
+cruelty of the Jews, which was not satisfied, even after the shedding 
+of his innocent blood.
+
+Like unto Judas Iscariot, and unto all the Jews, are pharisaical 
+saints and hypocrites, of all nations and ages; of whom Christ doth 
+not say in vain, that they are guilty of all the blood that has been 
+shed from Abel downwards. For so great and bitter is the terribleness 
+and fury of their virulent and Satanic hatred, that they cannot rest 
+satisfied with the shedding of the blood of Abel and all the saints 
+from the beginning of the world, but must hang Christ himself on the 
+cross; and that is not all, they must (as the Psalmist saith, ver. 
+22.) wag their heads at him, and insult and mock his sufferings; “If 
+he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross.”
+
+Concerning these wretches, David says, (ver. 2.) “They have opened 
+their blaspheming mouth against me:” for the raving fury of such 
+hypocrites is incredible. And again he says, “For my love they are my 
+adversaries, but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me 
+evil for good, and hatred for my love.” And again, “They fight against 
+me without a cause.”
+
+These are the true and real colours of these hypocrites who pretend to 
+be in the truth. We have here pourtrayed not only the Cainish 
+countenances of these Iscariots, but their pharisaic and virulent 
+hearts themselves; which are now become organs and instruments of the 
+devil. And we have also here depicted their thoughts, their furious 
+purposes of injuring and harming, by which the minds of such are 
+incessantly actuated. For these embittered wretches knowingly and 
+purposely, and against the light of their own consciences, fight 
+against and deny the known truth; and, as Stephen says, cease not to 
+resist the Holy Ghost. And although they are convinced by natural 
+reason, by the Scriptures, and by their natural understanding, they 
+still reject and fight against God and Christ, and harden themselves 
+in the denial of the truth. And finally, “They delight not in 
+blessing;” but refuse and cast from them God and his Christ.
+
+In addition to all this, they “render evil for good.” The ingratitude 
+of these hypocrites and of the world surely is enough, in not 
+returning any thing for all that good which is offered to them by God 
+himself, and by the saints in his name: but they rest not here; they 
+render, for all this good, hatred and cursing, and a purpose to injure 
+and to destroy: which is manifestly not human, but Satanic cruelty.
+
+But we, the people of God, are hereby admonished throughout all times 
+and ages of the church that, whenever God is pleased to reveal his 
+word, and Christ is preached, so surely will the church have her 
+Judases: that is, so surely will she have her enemies and her 
+hypocrites; who, though they boast of the name of being the church of 
+God, will prove themselves “vipers.”
+
+To set forth, therefore, the terrible judgments that shall fall on 
+those, who thus, with cruelty and without mercy, rage against the 
+people of God, the Psalmist shows (ver. 16.) that God will, to 
+recompense their iniquity, direct his fury also against them, who thus 
+mercilessly oppress “his poor,” and will pour out all his wrath upon 
+them: and that, as these hypocrites so confidently despised God and 
+his saints; and as, though covered with the shed blood, and bathed 
+with the tears of so many saints, they still laughed at their 
+calamities, as if they really sought cursing and not blessing; so, 
+that cursing shall flow in upon them like a river.
+
+And again (saith David) they have cast away the word of God from them, 
+and have rejected and despised the offered salvation, therefore all 
+consolation and salvation shall depart from them, and no more be 
+brought near unto them, neither now nor to all eternity. On the other 
+hand, as they loved cursing, they shall be clothed with it as with a 
+girdle; it shall enter like water into their bowels, and like oil into 
+their bones: and they shall bear about with them, like Cain, 
+everlasting fears and terrors, and shall be tormented unceasingly with 
+the stings of their wickedness and sin; and they shall moreover be 
+exiles, deserted outcasts, vagabonds, and held in contempt of all, as 
+the Jews now are, exhibiting an awful fulfilment of the judgments 
+herein denounced.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CX.
+
+_The kingdom, the priesthood, the conquest, and the passion of 
+Christ._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make 
+thine enemies thy footstool.
+
+The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in 
+the midst of thine enemies.
+
+Thy people _shall be_ willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties 
+of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy 
+youth.
+
+The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou _art_ a priest for ever 
+after the order of Melchizedek.
+
+The LORD at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of 
+his wrath.
+
+He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill _the places_ with the 
+dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
+
+He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the 
+head.
+
+
+This is a peculiar and glorious prophecy concerning the kingdom of 
+Christ. This Psalm is cited by Christ himself, Matt. xxii. and he 
+applies it to his own kingdom and priesthood. It speaks gloriously of 
+Christ sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in the heaven, and as 
+being the son and the seed of David, according to the flesh, and also 
+David’s Lord and God, the Creator and the Maker of all things, all 
+power being given unto him in heaven and in earth: as the apostle also 
+saith, “Who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and 
+declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of 
+holiness.” Rom. i. 3.
+
+Christ cites this Psalm, (which, as we have said, is a very glorious 
+one) to confound the Pharisees. Indeed there is not a Psalm like it in 
+the whole scripture; and it ought to be very dear unto the church; 
+seeing that it confirms that great article of faith—Christ’s sitting 
+at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. For Christ is here 
+declared to be a King and Priest; sitting at God’s right hand, not 
+only as truly man, but also as properly God; the Propitiator and 
+Mediator between God and men; the Omnipotent and the Eternal!
+
+Christ is no where, throughout all the books of the prophets, and of 
+the whole scripture, so plainly and clearly declared to be “a Priest,” 
+and so “a Priest for ever,” who alone did, and alone could abrogate 
+the Aaronic and Levitical priesthood; and who is, and ever will be an 
+eternal propitiation and reconciliation for us; as is most 
+beautifully, most fully, and with a wonderful power of the Holy 
+Spirit, opened by the author of the epistle to the Hebrews.
+
+Hence, this heavenly and golden Psalm has a blessed author (David) and 
+a glorious interpreter (Christ.) And all the apostles, all godly 
+consciences, and all who are not utterly unacquainted with the 
+temptations of sin, and of Satan, know how great and firm a 
+consolation it is against all the violent attacks of the devil, to be 
+able to see Christ as our High Priest. Hence it is that Paul breaks 
+forth into those great words, “If God be for us, who can be against 
+us! Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea, rather 
+that is risen again; who is even at the right hand of God; who also 
+maketh intercession for us.” Rom. viii. 31–34.
+
+It is, therefore, of infinite benefit to the universal church of 
+Christ, that the glorious things of this Psalm, the remission of sins, 
+and the reconciliation of God toward us, which are brought in unto us 
+by the priesthood of Christ, and which are infinite and eternal, are 
+most carefully and most fully explained to us in the epistle to the 
+Hebrews; and that such glorious doctrines of the truth concerning the 
+priesthood of Christ are always present, and ready to our hands.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXI.
+
+_The Psalmist by his example inciteth others to praise God for his 
+glorious and gracious works.—The fear of God breedeth true wisdom._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with _my_ whole heart, in 
+the assembly of the upright, and _in_ the congregation.
+
+The works of the LORD _are_ great, sought out of all them that have 
+pleasure therein.
+
+His work _is_ honourable and glorious; and his righteousness endureth 
+for ever.
+
+He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD _is_ 
+gracious and full of compassion.
+
+He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of 
+his covenant.
+
+He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give 
+them the heritage of the heathen.
+
+The works of his hands _are_ verity and judgment; all his commandments 
+_are_ sure.
+
+They stand fast for ever and ever, _and are_ done in truth and 
+uprightness.
+
+He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for 
+ever: holy and reverend _is_ his name.
+
+The fear of the LORD _is_ the beginning of wisdom: a good 
+understanding have all they that do _his commandments_: his praise 
+endureth for ever.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and a song for the people of Israel, 
+to be sung at the feast of the passover, or at the eating of the 
+paschal Lamb. For by this short song the people were instructed to 
+give thanks, and to magnify and praise God for those great and 
+glorious works of his,—the leading them out of Egypt at the first; and 
+also, for giving them a good and divine government, for the priesthood 
+he established, for the law he gave them, and for appointing the 
+preaching of his word; for their feasts and for their Sabbaths, for 
+public peace and a good administration of the laws, and, in a word, 
+for all his infinite mercies: all which I have more fully opened in my 
+more extended commentary on this Psalm.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXII.
+
+_Godliness hath the promises of this life, and of the life to 
+come.—The prosperity of the godly shall be an eyesore to the wicked._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. Blessed _is_ the man _that_ feareth the LORD, 
+_that_ delighteth greatly in his commandments.
+
+His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright 
+shall be blessed.
+
+Wealth and riches _shall be_ in his house: and his righteousness 
+endureth for ever.
+
+Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: _he is_ 
+gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
+
+A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with 
+discretion.
+
+Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in 
+everlasting remembrance.
+
+He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting 
+in the LORD.
+
+His heart _is_ established, he shall not be afraid, until he see _his 
+desire_ upon his enemies.
+
+He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness 
+endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
+
+The wicked shall see _it_, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his 
+teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation for those that fear God: in which those 
+that truly fear him are encouraged and praised in their Christian 
+conversation: “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,” saith the 
+Psalmist. As if he had said, The people of God appear to them to be of 
+all men the most miserable; and both their life and their doctrine are 
+condemned by the world, and by those tongues which the devil raises up 
+and uses for the work. All things in the saints make them appear to 
+the world, as if they were left and forsaken, and deserted of God, and 
+as if they, and their posterity, and all like them, must surely 
+perish. And then again, their lives and conversations, (though they 
+render most essential services, both to their nation and to the 
+church, and though they conduct themselves blamelessly before God and 
+man,) are, by the malice of the devil, represented as most abominable, 
+and they themselves are looked upon as the contempt and off-scouring 
+of the earth.
+
+On the other hand, all hypocrites in the world are lauded as the 
+saints of God. “But,” as the wise man saith, “better is the little in 
+the house of the righteous, than the great revenues of the wicked.” In 
+the midst of all this false representation, however, the righteous, 
+standing fast in all these their afflictions, and steadily trusting in 
+God, are delivered and saved, and gain blessed consolation, while the 
+wicked perish on every side. “To the upright,” saith the Psalmist, 
+“there ariseth light in darkness.” Here, according to the general 
+language of the scriptures, he calleth consolation, light; and 
+temptation, darkness.
+
+And, then, in the end of the Psalm, that noble and unsubdued 
+steadiness of faith is greatly praised: which, in such mighty 
+struggles, and in such agonizing conflicts, is yet unwearied and 
+unyielding, resting in the promise of God; and which, though 
+contending with such mighty waves, is yet enabled to sing with Paul, 
+“Thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” “He 
+shall not be afraid of evil tidings,” saith the Psalmist, “his heart 
+is fixed, trusting in the Lord: his heart is established, he shall not 
+be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies.” verse 7, 8. For 
+unless there were in us divine strength communicated by Christ, it 
+would be impossible that we could stand against such numerous and 
+mighty assaults of temptation.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXIII.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God for his excellency,—for his mercy._
+
+
+Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name 
+of the LORD.
+
+Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
+
+From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S 
+name _is_ to be praised.
+
+The LORD _is_ high above all nations, _and_ his glory above the 
+heavens.
+
+Who _is_ like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
+
+Who humbleth _himself_ to behold _the things that are_ in heaven, and 
+in the earth!
+
+He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, _and_ lifteth the needy out of 
+the dunghill;
+
+That he may set _him_ with princes, _even_ with the princes of his 
+people.
+
+He maketh the barren woman to keep house, _and to be_ a joyful mother 
+of children. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a most conspicuous and most blessed prophecy of the kingdom of 
+Christ, and of its extension from the rising unto the setting of the 
+sun throughout all the kingdoms of the earth: it calls upon all 
+nations to laud and magnify God, and to proclaim the riches of his 
+grace; that is, the remission of sins for Christ’s sake. For Christ is 
+the God of the humble, the God of the afflicted, and the God of those 
+that call upon him and that cry unto him; he is an altogether loving 
+and lovely Saviour and God, who sitteth at the right hand of the 
+Majesty on high, and loves and has respect unto the humble, the 
+afflicted, the oppressed, and the trembling and contrite in heart.
+
+The peculiar and express office of Christ, and the work of the kingdom 
+of Christ is to bring down the proud, to put to shame the wise, and to 
+condemn hypocrites and false saints: and, on the other side, to raise 
+up and exalt the humble, to enlighten and instruct fools, to sanctify 
+unclean sinners, to make fruitful the barren, to comfort the 
+fatherless; that is, those who are in any way afflicted or distressed.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXIV.
+
+_An exhortation, by the example of the dumb creatures, to fear God in 
+his church._
+
+
+When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of 
+strange language,
+
+Judah was his sanctuary, _and_ Israel his dominion.
+
+The sea saw _it_, and fled; Jordan was driven back.
+
+The mountains skipped like rams, _and_ the little hills like lambs,
+
+What _ailed_ thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, _that_ 
+thou wast driven back?
+
+Ye mountains, _that_ ye skipped like rams; _and_ ye little hills like 
+lambs?
+
+Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of 
+the God of Jacob;
+
+Which turned the rock _into_ a standing water, the flint into a 
+fountain of waters.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and a song for the people of Israel, 
+to praise God while celebrating the feast of the passover; to magnify 
+him for bringing them with a high hand out of Egypt, through the Red 
+Sea, through the desert, over mountains, and through Jordan, into the 
+land of promise. We use this Psalm to give thanks unto Christ, who 
+delivered us from the kingdom of darkness, and translated us into the 
+kingdom of light, even into his own kingdom, the kingdom of God’s dear 
+Son, and led us forth into eternal life.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXV.
+
+_Because God is truly glorious, and idols are vanity, he exhorteth to 
+confidence in God.—God is to be blessed for his blessings._
+
+
+Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for 
+thy mercy, _and_ for thy truth’s sake.
+
+Wherefore should the heathen say, Where _is_ now their God?
+
+But our God _is_ in the heavens; he hath done whatsoever he hath 
+pleased.
+
+Their idols _are_ silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
+
+They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see 
+not;
+
+They have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell 
+not;
+
+They have hands, but they handle not; feet have they, but they walk 
+not; neither speak they through their throat.
+
+They that make them are like unto them; _so is_ every one that 
+trusteth in them.
+
+O Israel, trust thou in the LORD; he _is_ their help and their shield.
+
+O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; he _is_ their help and their 
+shield.
+
+Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; he _is_ their help and their 
+shield.
+
+The LORD hath been mindful of us; he will bless _us_: he will bless 
+the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron.
+
+He will bless them that fear the LORD, _both_ small and great.
+
+The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
+
+Ye _are_ blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
+
+The heaven, _even_ the heavens, _are_ the LORD’S: but the earth hath 
+he given to the children of men.
+
+The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
+
+But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. 
+Praise the LORD.
+
+
+This is a glorious Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the God of Israel is 
+praised, as being the one, only, true, living God, the Saviour of all 
+men, and especially of them that believe; and wherein also, all the 
+other gods of the nations, who can save neither themselves nor others, 
+are confessed, in the true faith, to be dumb idols.
+
+Wherefore the Psalmist, in the first verse, saith “Not unto us, O 
+Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the glory.” As if he had 
+said, ‘Look not upon us, O Lord, to see how good or how righteous we 
+are, for if thou do this, thou wilt never help us, thou wilt never 
+save us; we shall remain a people without salvation, and without God, 
+like all the nations around us; or we shall ever be at an uncertainty 
+whether we shall be saved or not. But look, O our God, at thy holy 
+word, and at the glory of thine own name,—that thou callest thyself 
+our God; and that thou art the true and the living God, with whom is 
+mercy, and with whom is plenteous redemption. According, O Lord, to 
+thy promises of grace, according to thy counsel and thy covenant, in 
+the which thou hast said, “I am the Lord your God;” according to this 
+thy glorious name deal thou with us, O Lord; but not according to any 
+name of ours, whereby we may be called sacrificers, or good-workers, 
+or singers, or fathers, or the like: for all these names the nations 
+that know not thee may assume, and yet remain still nations without 
+God.’
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXVI.
+
+_The psalmist professeth his love and duty to God for his 
+deliverance.—He studieth to be thankful._
+
+
+I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice _and_ my 
+supplications.
+
+Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon 
+_him_ as long as I live.
+
+The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon 
+me: I found trouble and sorrow.
+
+Then called I upon the name of the LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, 
+deliver my soul.
+
+Gracious _is_ the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God _is_ merciful.
+
+The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
+
+Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully 
+with thee.
+
+For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, 
+_and_ my feet from falling.
+
+I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
+
+I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted.
+
+I said in my haste, All men _are_ liars.
+
+What shall I render unto the LORD _for_ all his benefits towards me?
+
+I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
+
+I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his 
+people.
+
+Precious in the sight of the LORD _is_ the death of his saints.
+
+O LORD, truly I _am_ thy servant; I _am_ thy servant, _and_ the son of 
+thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
+
+I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon 
+the name of LORD.
+
+I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his 
+people,
+
+In the courts of the LORD’S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. 
+Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in which the Psalmist renders thanks, 
+after coming out of a most heavy trial, and again rejoices in God; 
+praising God for having delivered him from the terrors of death, and 
+from the pains of hell; for by such terms does he express those deep 
+and heavy spiritual temptations, concerning which he had spoken 
+before, Psalm vi., which are not known unto all. And the Psalmist 
+complains also that he suffered all these things, and was thus 
+overwhelmed and almost destroyed by these heavy trials, because of his 
+confession of his faith and the truth of God before the world. “I 
+believed (saith he) and therefore have I spoken:” but I am heavily 
+afflicted for the word’s sake. For all the saints confess and teach 
+the righteousness of faith; and, on the other hand, they expose and 
+condemn all the righteousness, wisdom, and holiness of the world, and 
+also all hypocrisy, and the outside form of godliness. And this the 
+world will by no means whatever endure: they ever rage and roar 
+against it: and they load the godly with every kind of affliction, 
+because of their unsocial confession: and hence arise all those 
+terrors without and those fears within, by which the church of Christ 
+and the saints have ever been afflicted from the kingdom of the devil, 
+in the midst of which their confession is made.
+
+But amid all these great, and hard, and numerous afflictions of Satan 
+and the world, the Psalmist has this firm consolation, that his work 
+and cause are right before God; therefore he comforts and encourages 
+himself by relying on the word of God, and stirs up and strengthens 
+himself unto all confidence. “I will take (saith he) the cup of 
+salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” As if he had said, If 
+they drink my destruction from the cup of their fury, and hate and 
+persecute me unto death; what then? “I will take the cup of God’s 
+salvation and helping grace:” that is (as if he had said), Supporting 
+and strengthening my faith with the glad word of thy promise, as with 
+strong and generous wine, I shall be filled with the Spirit, by 
+drinking of that cup; and, by my continuing to preach and spread the 
+word, I shall hold out the cup to others also, who confess with me the 
+same truth, and preach the same word; that they also may draw the same 
+consolation with me, out of the same most blessed word of the grace of 
+God.
+
+This (saith the Psalmist) is our case, and this is the way in which we 
+drink of it and use it. We drink of it ourselves, and then we hold it 
+out to others, and invite them to drink also; and this is the true 
+worship of God; and by this we laud and magnify his name. By this 
+service we truly pay our vows unto God, namely, the vow of the first 
+commandment, paid unto God by his people; for the greatest and highest 
+vow of the first commandment is this—God, the true, the living God, 
+alone shall be our God: we will cleave unto him alone: him only will 
+we adore; him only will we worship; him only will we seek; on him only 
+will we call!
+
+As, therefore, in many other Psalms, so also in this, you may see what 
+is the true sacrifice of praise (of that praise which is wrought in 
+the heart and in the spirit by the Holy Ghost, and is not lip-service 
+only.) And in this Psalm you may also see that the true preaching of 
+the word, and the true confession of the word, before the world, form 
+the highest and most precious worship of God.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXVII.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God for his mercy and truth._
+
+
+O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
+
+For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the 
+LORD _endureth_ for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a prophecy concerning Christ; that all peoples out of all 
+kingdoms and islands, shall know Christ in his kingdom; that is, in 
+his church; in that kingdom where mercy and grace, and the remission 
+of sins, and eternal life, and everlasting consolation, shall be 
+preached against sin, death, the power of the devil, and all evil. 
+This Psalm has been before explained in my more full commentary 
+thereon.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXVIII.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God for his mercy.—The psalmist by his 
+experience sheweth how good it is trust in God.—Under the type of the 
+psalmist, the coming of Christ in his kingdom is expressed._
+
+
+O give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good; because his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+Let Israel now say, that his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever.
+
+I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, _and set me_ 
+in a large place.
+
+The LORD _is_ on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
+
+The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see 
+_my desire_ upon them that hate me.
+
+_It is_ better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in man:
+
+_It is_ better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in 
+princes.
+
+All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I 
+destroy them.
+
+They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name 
+of the LORD I will destroy them.
+
+They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of 
+thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
+
+Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the LORD helped 
+me.
+
+The LORD _is_ my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
+
+The voice of rejoicing and salvation _is_ in the tabernacles of the 
+righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
+
+The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD 
+doeth valiantly.
+
+I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
+
+The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto 
+death.
+
+Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go in to them, _and_ I 
+will praise the Lord;
+
+This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
+
+I will praise thee; for thou hast heard me, and art become my 
+salvation.
+
+The stone _which_ the builders refused is become the head _stone_ of 
+the corner.
+
+This is the LORD’S doing; it _is_ marvellous in our eyes.
+
+This _is_ the day _which_ the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be 
+glad in it.
+
+Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now 
+prosperity.
+
+Blessed _be_ he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed 
+you out of the house of the LORD.
+
+God _is_ the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with 
+cords, _even_ unto the horns of the altar.
+
+Thou _art_ my God, and I will praise thee; _thou art_ my God, I will 
+exalt thee.
+
+O give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+
+This is also a Psalm of thanksgiving. This Psalm, “O give thanks unto 
+the Lord,” which I so much love and admire, is the one which I, in 
+particular, call the golden Psalm; and is the Psalm which has often 
+revived and comforted me in my temptations.
+
+The Psalmist gives thanks, and at the same time utters forth a 
+prophecy concerning Christ, who by his suffering entered into glory; 
+who is that stone rejected of the builders, which became the head of 
+the corner; as Christ himself also saith, Matt. xxi. citing this 
+Psalm. The Psalmist also describes with blessed feelings of heart the 
+joyful day of the gospel, the day of salvation and peace, the day of 
+joy and consolation, and the true and glorious feast-day.
+
+Among other things the Psalmist speaks of the church and the children 
+of God, who are to be conformed to the image of his Son; shewing, that 
+they must be surrounded with afflictions on every side, and by the 
+cross and through death enter into glory.
+
+A brief summary, however, like this, cannot set forth the great and 
+glorious contents of this Psalm: but my particular and more full 
+Commentary on it will supply, in some measure, what is here wanting.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXIX.
+
+_This psalm containeth sundry prayers, praises, and professions of 
+obedience._
+
+
+א ALEPH.
+
+Blessed _are_ the undefined in the way, who walk in the law of the 
+LORD.
+
+Blessed _are_ they that keep his testimonies, _and that_ seek him with 
+the whole heart.
+
+They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
+
+Thou hast commanded _us_ to keep thy precepts diligently.
+
+O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes.
+
+Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy 
+commandments.
+
+I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have 
+learned thy righteous judgments.
+
+I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
+
+
+ב BETH.
+
+Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed 
+_thereto_ according to thy word.
+
+With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy 
+commandments.
+
+Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
+
+Blessed _art_ thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
+
+With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
+
+I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as _much as_ in all 
+riches.
+
+I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
+
+I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
+
+
+ג GIMEL.
+
+Deal bountifully with thy servant, _that_ I may live, and keep thy 
+word.
+
+Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
+
+I _am_ a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
+
+My soul breaketh for the longing _that it hath_ unto thy judgments at 
+all times.
+
+Thou hast rebuked the proud _that are_ cursed, which do err from thy 
+commandments.
+
+Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
+
+Princes also did sit _and_ speak against me: _but_ thy servant did 
+meditate in thy statutes.
+
+Thy testimonies also _are_ my delight _and_ my counsellors.
+
+
+ד DALETH.
+
+My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
+
+I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
+
+Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy 
+wondrous works.
+
+My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy 
+word.
+
+Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
+
+I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid _before me_.
+
+I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
+
+I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my 
+heart.
+
+
+ה HE.
+
+Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it _unto_ 
+the end.
+
+Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe 
+it with _my_ whole heart.
+
+Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I 
+delight.
+
+Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
+
+Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; _and_ quicken thou me in 
+thy way.
+
+Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who _is devoted_ to thy fear.
+
+Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments _are_ good.
+
+Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy 
+righteousness.
+
+
+ו VAU.
+
+Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, _even_ thy salvation, 
+according to thy word.
+
+So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I 
+trust in thy word.
+
+And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have 
+hoped in thy judgments.
+
+So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
+
+And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
+
+I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be 
+ashamed.
+
+And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
+
+My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved; 
+and I will meditate in thy statutes.
+
+
+ז ZAIN.
+
+Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to 
+hope.
+
+This _is_ my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
+
+The proud have had me greatly in derision: _yet_ have I not declined 
+from thy law.
+
+I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
+
+Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy 
+law.
+
+Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
+
+I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy 
+law.
+
+This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
+
+
+ח CHETH.
+
+_Thou art_ my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy 
+words.
+
+I entreated thy favour with _my_ whole heart: be merciful unto me 
+according to thy word.
+
+I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
+
+I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
+
+The bands of the wicked have robbed me, _but_ I have not forgotten thy 
+law.
+
+At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy 
+righteous judgments.
+
+I _am_ a companion of all _them_ that fear thee, and of them that keep 
+thy precepts.
+
+The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
+
+
+ט TETH.
+
+Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy 
+word.
+
+Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy 
+commandments.
+
+Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.
+
+Thou _art_ good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes.
+
+The proud have forged a lie against me: _but_ I will keep thy precepts 
+with _my_ whole heart.
+
+Their heart is as fat as grease: _but_ I delight in thy law.
+
+_It is_ good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy 
+statutes.
+
+The law of thy mouth _is_ better unto me than thousands of gold and 
+silver.
+
+
+י JOD.
+
+Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I 
+may learn thy commandments.
+
+They that fear thee will be glad when they see me: because I have 
+hoped in thy word.
+
+I know, O LORD, that thy judgments _are_ right, and _that_ thou in 
+faithfulness hast afflicted me.
+
+Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according 
+to thy word unto thy servant.
+
+Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law _is_ 
+my delight.
+
+Let the proud be ashamed: for they dealt perversely with me without a 
+cause: _but_ I will meditate in thy precepts.
+
+Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy 
+testimonies.
+
+Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed.
+
+
+כ CAPH.
+
+My soul fainteth for thy salvation; _but_ I hope in thy word.
+
+Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
+
+For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; _yet_ do I not forget thy 
+statutes.
+
+How many _are_ the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute 
+judgment on them that persecute me?
+
+The proud have digged pits for me, which _are_ not after thy law.
+
+All thy commandments _are_ faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; 
+help thou me.
+
+They had almost consumed me upon earth: but I forsook not thy 
+precepts.
+
+Quicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of 
+thy mouth.
+
+
+ל LAMED.
+
+For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
+
+Thy faithfulness _is_ unto all generations: thou hast established the 
+earth, and it abideth.
+
+They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all _are_ 
+thy servants.
+
+Unless thy law _had been_ my delights, I should then have perished in 
+mine affliction.
+
+I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened 
+me.
+
+I _am_ thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
+
+The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: _but_ I will consider thy 
+testimonies.
+
+I have seen an end of all perfection: _but_ thy commandment _is_ 
+exceeding broad.
+
+
+מ MEM.
+
+O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
+
+Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: 
+for they _are_ ever with me.
+
+I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies 
+_are_ my meditation.
+
+I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
+
+I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy 
+word.
+
+I have not departed from thy judgments; for thou hast taught me.
+
+How sweet are thy words unto my taste! _yea, sweeter_ than honey to my 
+mouth!
+
+Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false 
+way.
+
+
+נ NUN.
+
+Thy word _is_ a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
+
+I have sworn, and I will perform _it_, that I will keep thy righteous 
+judgments.
+
+I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
+
+Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth, O LORD, 
+and teach me thy judgments.
+
+My soul _is_ continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
+
+The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy 
+precepts.
+
+Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever; for they _are_ 
+the rejoicing of my heart.
+
+I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, _even unto_ 
+the end.
+
+
+ס SAMECH.
+
+I hate _vain_ thoughts: but thy law do I love.
+
+Thou _art_ my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
+
+Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my 
+God.
+
+Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be 
+ashamed of my hope.
+
+Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy 
+statutes continually.
+
+Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their 
+deceit _is_ falsehood.
+
+Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth _like_ dross: therefore 
+I love thy testimonies.
+
+My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
+
+
+ע AIN.
+
+I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
+
+Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
+
+Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy 
+righteousness.
+
+Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy 
+statutes.
+
+I _am_ thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy 
+testimonies.
+
+_It is_ time for _thee_, LORD, to work: _for_ they have made void thy 
+law.
+
+Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
+
+Therefore I esteem all _thy_ precepts _concerning_ all _things to be_ 
+right; _and_ I hate every false way.
+
+
+פ PE.
+
+Thy testimonies _are_ wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
+
+The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto 
+the simple.
+
+I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
+
+Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto 
+those that love thy name.
+
+Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion 
+over me.
+
+Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
+
+Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
+
+Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
+
+
+צ TSADDI.
+
+Righteous _art_ thou, O LORD, and upright _are_ thy judgments.
+
+Thy testimonies _that_ thou hast commanded _are_ righteous and very 
+faithful.
+
+My zeal hath consumed me: because mine enemies have forgotten thy 
+words.
+
+Thy word _is_ very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
+
+I _am_ small and despised; _yet_ do not I forget thy precepts.
+
+Thy righteousness _is_ an everlasting righteousness, and thy law _is_ 
+the truth.
+
+Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; _yet_ thy commandments 
+_are_ my delights.
+
+The righteousness of thy testimonies _is_ everlasting: give me 
+understanding, and I shall live.
+
+
+ק KOPH.
+
+I cried with _my_ whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy 
+statutes.
+
+I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
+
+I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy 
+word.
+
+Mine eyes prevent the _night_-watches, that I might meditate in thy 
+word.
+
+Hear my voice, according unto thy loving-kindness: O LORD, quicken me 
+according to thy judgment.
+
+They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
+
+Thou _art_ near, O LORD; and all thy commandments _are_ truth.
+
+Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded 
+them for ever.
+
+
+ר RESH.
+
+Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget thy law.
+
+Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
+
+Salvation _is_ far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
+
+Great _are_ thy tender mercies, O LORD; quicken me according to thy 
+judgments.
+
+Many _are_ my persecutors and mine enemies; _yet_ do I not decline 
+from thy testimonies.
+
+I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy 
+word.
+
+Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy 
+loving-kindness.
+
+Thy word _is_ true _from_ the beginning: and every one of thy 
+righteous judgments _endureth_ for ever.
+
+
+ש SCHIN.
+
+Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in 
+awe of thy word.
+
+I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
+
+I hate and abhor lying: _but_ thy law do I love.
+
+Seven times a-day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous 
+judgments.
+
+Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend 
+them.
+
+LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
+
+My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
+
+I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways _are_ 
+before thee.
+
+
+ת TAU.
+
+Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD; give me understanding 
+according to thy word.
+
+Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy 
+word.
+
+My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
+
+My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments _are_ 
+righteousness.
+
+Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy precepts.
+
+I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law _is_ my delight.
+
+Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help 
+me.
+
+I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for I do not 
+forget thy commandments.
+
+
+This Psalm is the most extended in the whole Psalter. It contains 
+prayers, consolations, doctrines, thanksgivings, and repeats all these 
+with a varied fulness. It is however given forth with a deep and 
+blessed intent: namely, that by this repetition and fulness, it may 
+invite and exhort us to hear and diligently to treasure up the word of 
+God. For throughout the whole Psalm the Psalmist exalts unto the 
+heavens, with the highest praises, the pure doctrine of God’s holy 
+word. He sets it forth as to be preferred before all gold and precious 
+stones, and before all the riches of the world; as Solomon also 
+beautifully speaks of it in his Proverbs.
+
+On the other hand, the Psalmist earnestly warns against all false 
+doctrine and against all security and contempt of the word. For no 
+pestilence is more destroying than false doctrine, or human doctrines 
+without or contrary to the word of God. And knowing that Satan without 
+cessation assaults the church of God with all kinds of heresies and 
+false doctrine; the Psalmist takes up a great part of this Psalm in 
+consolations.
+
+The principal, and indeed whole foundation and truth of godliness lies 
+in the pure teaching and hearing of the word of God. For where that 
+word is purely taught and heard, there, to a certainty, will be 
+begotten pure and prevailing prayer, calling upon God, diligence in 
+reading, teaching, and exhortation, consolation for the weak that are 
+afflicted and tried, strengthening of heart and spirit, joy, peace of 
+conscience, thanksgivings, prophecyings, an abundant understanding of 
+the scriptures; and, in a word, true religion, and the true worship of 
+God; and also, confidence in God under the cross and afflictions, and 
+perseverance unto the end; and, finally, all the blessed operations 
+and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and all those things which please God 
+and displease the Devil.
+
+On the contrary, where the pure word is not taught, or where there is 
+a weariness and loathing of the word, there the true religion becomes 
+extinguished, and all true worship of God perishes. For where the true 
+word of God is not taught, there is not any truth of God; there is 
+found a great noise of external holiness, and the form of godliness, 
+and hypocrisy;[1] there, indeed, is psalm-singing, prayer, doctrines, 
+consolation, thanksgiving, and all the varieties of the worship of 
+God, with all interpretations of the scriptures. I will add, also, 
+that there you may find sufferings and martyrdoms. But all is outside 
+show; all is the form of godliness only; all is false; all is feigned, 
+and nothing but lies; all is full of the poison of the devil. Nor 
+without true faith in the heart, nor without the divine word, nor 
+without the worship of the First Commandment, is there, or can there 
+be, any true and real worship of God.
+
+[Footnote 1: Luther is here deeply opening up the extent to which the 
+“form of godliness” may be carried, yet without the truth and “power” 
+of it.]
+
+How many thousands of priests and monks have sung this Psalm at their 
+first, third, sixth, and ninth hours, in their temples.
+
+But what did they do during all their singings? They did nothing else 
+but call down God’s judgment and indignation on their own heads! For 
+the design of this Psalm, in every word of it, is to glorify the word 
+of God, and to confound, put to shame, destroy, and blot out all 
+hypocrisy upon the face of the earth.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXX.
+
+_David prayeth against Doeg, reproveth his tongue, complaineth of his 
+necessary conversation with the wicked._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
+
+Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, _and_ from a deceitful 
+tongue.
+
+What shall be given unto thee, or what shall be done unto thee, thou 
+false tongue?
+
+Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
+
+Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech, _that_ I dwell in the tents of 
+Kedar!
+
+My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
+
+I _am for_ peace: but, when I speak, they _are_ for war.
+
+
+This Psalm is an earnest prayer; and it complains, with deep feelings 
+of sorrow, of those horrible evils which Satan causes in the church by 
+a false and crafty tongue: that is, by that virulent and truly 
+serpentine tongue which boasts of God and the worship of God, and 
+never instructs any one in the truth, nor leads them to God.
+
+For false teachers cause infinite and terrible evils in the church; 
+and like giants with immense weapons in their hands, they never strike 
+without inflicting some mighty wound: or, like fire-brands cast into a 
+grove of juniper trees, they consume in all directions, with a sudden 
+and devouring flame. And just so, the common people often burst out 
+into one general flame, even by the throwing in among them of one 
+single spark of false and wicked doctrine; and not only do they blaze 
+forth with a sudden flame of their minds and spirits, but even greatly 
+admire the error and the hypocrisy. For all doctrines of this kind, as 
+being more congenial to human reason than the truth of God, quickly 
+please men; as Paul saith, 2 Tim. iv. “They will heap to themselves 
+teachers, having itching ears.”
+
+Mesech are the nations nigh unto Jerusalem itself, towards the north; 
+where the Tartars now are. And Kedar are the Arabs, to the east of 
+Jerusalem. These nations are types of all enemies and heretics who 
+oppose themselves as adversaries to the true church. The Mesech of 
+Christians, at this time are the Turks, who derive their origin from 
+the Tartars. And the Kedar are Mahomet and the Saracens; for they are 
+from Arabia. These with their Alcoran have oppressed and laid waste 
+the Gospel in many places: and that fire of wicked doctrine, broke out 
+into a mighty blaze, just like a brand cast into a thicket of juniper 
+trees.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXI.
+
+_The great safety of the godly, who put their trust in God’s 
+protection._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
+
+My help _cometh_ from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
+
+He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not 
+slumber.
+
+Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
+
+The LORD _is_ thy keeper; the LORD _is_ shade upon thy right hand.
+
+The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
+
+The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy 
+soul.
+
+The LORD shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this 
+time forth, and even for evermore.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation, wherein the Psalmist, from his own 
+experience, exhorts the godly to a constancy of faith, and to an 
+expectation of help and defence from God. For although in the hour of 
+temptation God puts off his help, and all things appear as if he were 
+asleep, or had forgotten us altogether, and had left us to be scorched 
+by the heat of the sun by day, and by the beams of the moon by night; 
+that is, as though he had given us up to be afflicted and destroyed by 
+all manner of temptations, by Satan, by the world, and by sin, day and 
+night: yet it is not so;—he has not given us up, as we, according to 
+the weakness of our flesh, imagine and feel. He sees and regards us, 
+and watches over us; nor does he suffer us to be so burnt as to be 
+destroyed, nor so tempted or distressed, as to be swallowed up of 
+over-much sorrow: and this all blessedly experience, who call upon him 
+for his help and patiently wait for it.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXII.
+
+_David professeth his joy for the church, and prayeth for the peace 
+thereof._
+
+A Song of degrees of David.
+
+
+I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the 
+LORD.
+
+Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
+
+Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
+
+Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony 
+of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
+
+For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of 
+David.
+
+Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
+
+Peace be within thy walls, _and_ prosperity within thy palaces.
+
+For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace _be_ 
+within thee.
+
+Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, it contains the feelings of a glad, a 
+rejoicing, and a thankful heart, for that unspeakable gift of God,—the 
+ministry of his word. This Psalm in the person of the Jews, rejoices 
+that God had appointed a certain place, namely Jerusalem, in the midst 
+of that people, where the name and the word of God had a certain 
+dwelling-place and could there be found: and where it was administered 
+by certain persons, the Levites and the priests, to certain disciples; 
+namely, to the tribes of Israel.
+
+For what calamity or misery can be greater than to seek the word of 
+God anxiously, and not be able to find it? This calamity and misery 
+the children of Israel experienced in the times of God’s anger, when, 
+being forsaken by him, and left to their own inventions, they sought 
+and worshipped idols. And in these our times of monkery also, the 
+masses and the travellings about to so many Marys have given abundant 
+proofs of what it is to seek the word of God and not to find it.
+
+Our Jerusalem, our certain place, is the church, and our temple is 
+Christ. Wheresoever Christ is preached and the sacraments are duly 
+administered, there we are sure God dwells; and there is our temple, 
+our tabernacle, our cherubim, and our mercy-seat; for there God is 
+present with us by his word.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXIII.
+
+_The godly profess their confidence in God, and pray to be delivered 
+from contempt._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
+
+Behold, as the eyes of servants _look_ unto the hand of their masters, 
+_and_ as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our 
+eyes _wait_ upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
+
+Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly 
+filled with contempt.
+
+Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at 
+ease, _and_ with the contempt of the proud.
+
+
+This Psalm is a fervent prayer against all those secure and proud 
+despisers of the word of God and its true ministers. And the Gentile 
+nations were not the only despisers who contemned the whole religion 
+of the Israelites and the true worship of God, and condemned it as 
+sedition altogether: but the idolaters and false teachers which were 
+in the midst of that very people themselves proudly despised and 
+derided the godly, that little flock of God, and the true prophets; as 
+Psalms xii. and xiv. complain. And in the same way also our papists 
+and fanatics now, who seem in their own eyes to be more holy than the 
+gospel itself, more proudly and contemptuously than any others 
+despise, trample underfoot, and spit upon all true and good ministers 
+of the word of God. Not to say anything now about that security and 
+pride wherein, at this day, even our bishops and priests themselves, 
+who are more profane than all heathen nations put together, despise 
+the true word of God. So that we, as the Psalmist saith in its 
+conclusion, are indeed filled with the derision of the rich and the 
+contempt of the proud. But may God, (and he will!) regard us, and 
+glorify his word. Amen.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXIV.
+
+_The church blesseth God for a miraculous deliverance._
+
+A Song of degrees of David.
+
+
+If _it had not been_ the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
+
+If _it had not been_ the LORD who was on our side when men rose up 
+against us;
+
+Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled 
+against us:
+
+Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
+
+Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD, who hath not given us _as_ a prey to their 
+teeth.
+
+Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the 
+snare is broken, and we are escaped.
+
+Our help _is_ in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
+
+
+The Psalmist, in this Psalm, gives thanks unto God for defending his 
+little helpless flock, here in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, 
+struggling against all temptations, against tyrants, and against 
+bloodthirsting hypocrites; and for delivering them from the snares of 
+virulent calumniators; the number of whom is so great, that compared 
+with the little flock of God, they are like a sweeping torrent, or a 
+mighty deluge, to one solitary rivulet.
+
+Though, however, their teeth were of iron; that is, though their power 
+were infinitely greater than it is, and though their snares (that is, 
+their cunning devices,) were infinitely more crafty than they are; yet 
+“Greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world;” he breaks 
+and destroys their teeth, he defeateth their snares, and wonderfully 
+delivers his people, as we have seen it in our own times, on many and 
+great occasions.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXV.
+
+_The safety of such as trust in God.—A prayer for the godly, and 
+against the wicked._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+They that trust in the LORD _shall be_ as mount Zion, _which_ cannot 
+be removed, _but_ abideth for ever.
+
+_As_ the mountains _are_ round about Jerusalem, so the LORD _is_ round 
+about his people from henceforth, even for ever.
+
+For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the 
+righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
+
+Do good, O LORD, unto _those that be_ good, and to _them that are_ 
+upright in their hearts.
+
+As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead 
+them forth with the workers of iniquity: _but_ peace _shall be_ upon 
+Israel.
+
+
+This also is a Psalm of thanksgiving containing the feelings of an 
+exercised faith: thanking God, that, although he sometimes permits 
+false prophets and fanatical spirits to prevail, as if they would 
+possess all things (which thing God often does so permit to be, as a 
+punishment for the ingratitude of his people, who value not the 
+blessing of the word;) yet he visits such with the more terrible 
+judgment, and suffers them not to prevail in all things against the 
+righteous, lest the righteous, being entirely broken by too great 
+afflictions and sorrows, should, through discouragement and despair, 
+fall away from the word unto ungodliness and sin.
+
+For the final end of all false teachers and blasphemers ever 
+is,—confusion, terrible judgment, and destruction; “And their glory,” 
+as the apostle saith, “is turned into shame.” But the end of the poor 
+flock of God, even though the church be proved and tried by a thousand 
+fires and deaths, though it appear a thousand times over to be 
+oppressed, destroyed and extirpated is,—eternal life, eternal 
+consolation, eternal glory! This is what the Psalmist means, when he 
+says, “The Lord doth good to them that be good, and to them that are 
+upright in their hearts: but as for them that turn aside unto their 
+crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil doers, but 
+peace shall be upon Israel.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXVI.
+
+_The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, 
+prayeth for, and prophesieth the good success thereof._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them 
+that dream.
+
+Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: 
+then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for
+them.
+
+The LORD hath done great things for us; _whereof_ we are glad.
+
+Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
+
+They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
+
+He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall 
+doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves _with him_.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the Babylonish 
+captivity; whether it was written after the captivity, or before it, 
+as a prophecy to comfort the Jews with the certain hope of 
+deliverance, and that they should not despair, is uncertain: but at 
+what particular time it was written, it matters not.
+
+This Psalm ends with a remarkable and glorious conclusion; which 
+embraces, in a few words, the whole counsel and the immutable decree 
+of God concerning his church; namely, that it behoved Christ first to 
+suffer, and then to be raised up, and exalted of God and glorified. 
+And so also Christians must first fill up a certain measure of 
+afflictions before they enter into their joy; while, on the contrary, 
+the men of the world fill up a certain measure of their joy before 
+they are eternally punished and damned.
+
+The church, therefore, is that poor little helpless flock, in the 
+midst of a wicked nation. They are that little company who pray, cry, 
+are tempted, and are afflicted by the world; who sow in tears, but 
+reap in joy. “But,” says the Psalmist, “they went, and wept as they 
+went, sowing precious seed; but they shall come again with joy, 
+bringing their sheaves with them.”
+
+These afflictions, and these deaths of the saints are very precious; 
+hence it is that the Psalmist calls them “precious seed;” because they 
+are followed by the most fruitful crops, and by the most abundant 
+harvests. But we infants in grace, we poor little children, under our 
+tears and our sighs, understand not the voice, or the mind, or the 
+will of our heavenly Father in these afflictions: nor can we see or 
+understand how precious this seed is in the sight of God; who calls 
+even “death,” (which is the worst and lowest of all these seeds,) 
+“precious;” saying, in another place, “Precious in the sight of the 
+Lord is the death of his saints;” and God sets this precious seed thus 
+sown by his children, before all the treasures of the world.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXVII.
+
+_The virtue of God’s blessing.—Good children are his gift._
+
+A song of degrees for Solomon.
+
+
+Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: 
+except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh _but_ in vain.
+
+_It is_ vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the 
+bread of sorrows: _for_ so he giveth his beloved sleep.
+
+Lo, children _are_ an heritage of the LORD; _and_ the fruit of the 
+womb _is his_ reward.
+
+As arrows _are_ in the hand of a mighty man; so _are_ children of the 
+youth.
+
+Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be 
+ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
+
+
+This Psalm contains a most blessed and important doctrine. It is of 
+the same subject-matter as that contained in the book of Solomon, 
+called Ecclesiastes. The Psalmist teaches, that all governments and 
+commonwealths rightly constituted are the good and free gifts of God: 
+and that none of them can be either rightly constituted, at the first, 
+nor preserved afterwards, by any human wisdom or might: but that all 
+these things are in the hand of God: that, where he giveth not peace, 
+where he giveth not men desirous of the arts of peace, and wise 
+therein, where he holdeth not the helm of the state,—that there, all 
+human wisdom, however great, all laws, all ordinances, all might, all 
+arms, all preparations are vain.
+
+In the next place, the Psalmist saith, that where God blesseth not a 
+domestic household, where he giveth not concord between husband and 
+wife, success and happiness in the bringing up of children, diligence 
+and faithfulness to men-servants and maid-servants; there, all labour 
+and industry and toil are vain: concerning all which I have spoken 
+more largely in my more full commentary on this psalm.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXVIII.
+
+_The sundry blessings which follow them that fear God._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+Blessed _is_ every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his 
+ways.
+
+For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy _shalt_ thou _be_, 
+and _it shall be_ well with thee.
+
+Thy wife _shall be_ as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: 
+thy children like olive-plants round about thy table.
+
+Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
+
+The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of 
+Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
+
+Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, _and_ peace upon Israel.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of consolation, wherein the Psalmist extols, with the 
+highest praises, marriage, as a holy and godly kind of life, 
+instituted of God himself. The Holy Spirit here comforts and 
+encourages all husbands and wives with a divine consolation; and 
+confirms and fortifies them against all those wrong cogitations and 
+thoughts of human reason; which reason does not look at what good 
+there is in marriage, but only beholds and exaggerates what of evil 
+there may be in it; and thus blasphemes the glorious work of God in 
+the two sexes. Hence, here arises all those blasphemous sayings among 
+the heathen: ‘There are three great evils in life; fire, water, and 
+woman.’ But Solomon saith, “He that findeth a wife findeth a good 
+thing.”
+
+This Psalm reminds husbands and wives that they should not look at the 
+labours, the troubles, the cares, or the various temptations and 
+trials which are to be endured in marriage; but that they should 
+rather keep their eyes fixed on the word and will of God; from which 
+they ought to hold themselves assured that marriage was not a human 
+invention, nor a matter casually contrived of men; but that the whole 
+human race were, from the beginning, created and formed of God, man 
+and woman, and that neither of the sexes, nor their design can or 
+ought to be altered or changed by men, by the devil, or any other 
+creature, any more than the sun and moon and their offices can or 
+ought to be altered or changed.
+
+God, saith the scripture, created them male and female, and blessed 
+them. Marriage, therefore, is that kind of life, which, as being the 
+creation and institution of God, greatly pleases him. If, therefore, 
+thou shalt obey God herein, and shalt keep the eyes of thy faith fixed 
+on the good, and on the blessings of marriage; if thou shalt obey the 
+commandment and the call of God in taking to thyself a wife, the sexes 
+created of God will not be vile, but precious in thy sight: and all 
+the little troubles and trials of marriage shall be drowned and lost 
+in that divine blessedness,—the knowing that God favours husbands and 
+wives, and is present with them; that the joining of marriage is one 
+of his own works; and that he provides for, and defends those who are 
+joined together.
+
+To fortify thyself, therefore, against all that blasphemy of human 
+reason and of the devil, by which they condemn marriage, hold thou 
+fixed in thine heart that heavenly word, “And the Lord made them male 
+and female, and said, Be fruitful and multiply.” And if thou fear the 
+Lord thou shalt be happy, and it shall be _well with thee_ in 
+marriage, even though the virulent and blaspheming mouth of the devil, 
+and the whole world together with him, should say it shall be _evil 
+with thee_!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXIX.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God for saving Israel in their great 
+afflictions.—The haters of the church are cursed._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
+
+Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not 
+prevailed against me.
+
+The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
+
+The LORD _is_ righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
+
+Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion:
+
+Let them be as the grass _upon_ the house-tops, which withereth afore 
+it groweth up:
+
+Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves, 
+his bosom.
+
+Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD _be_ upon 
+you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the people of Israel give 
+thanks unto the God of Israel for his deliverances and consolations of 
+every kind: seeing that from the beginning he had often mightily and 
+marvellously delivered them from the hand of their enemies, as we have 
+it recorded in the books of Judges and Kings; where we find that the 
+Israelites were often oppressed by the cruel power and tyranny of 
+their Gentile enemies, who afflicted them for a long time, and, as it 
+were, ploughed upon their backs (as the Psalmist saith) and made long 
+their furrows, and held them most cruelly under their yokes; until God 
+sent them a Saviour, and delivered them both from the ploughers and 
+the ploughs, and their yokes also.
+
+At the conclusion, the Psalmist prays against them; or rather, 
+prophesies that they shall perish, and shall be burnt up like grass 
+upon the house-tops; as it also came to pass: for all the enemies and 
+the nations that were adversaries unto Israel perished; but Israel 
+remained, and was afterwards lifted up with new consolations.
+
+In the same way also all the wicked and the enemies of God and of his 
+word, are like grass upon the house-tops; which flourishes, indeed, 
+like a thriving garden, as if it would remain; but before it is grown 
+up, it withers, is burnt up, and becomes of no use whatever. So also 
+the enemies of the word, and all erroneous teachers, when they are 
+shining in pride and magnifying themselves in their boastings against 
+God, wither on a sudden like the falling grass; while Christians and 
+the church of God flourish for evermore.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXX.
+
+_The Psalmist professeth his hope in prayer, and his patience in 
+hope.—He exhorteth Israel to hope in God._
+
+A Song of degrees.
+
+
+Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD: Lord, hear my voice: 
+let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
+
+If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
+
+But _there is_ forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
+
+I wait for the LORD; my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
+
+My soul _waiteth_ for the Lord more than they that watch for the 
+morning: _I say, more than_ they that watch for the morning.
+
+Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD _there is_ mercy, and 
+with him is plenteous redemption.
+
+And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
+
+
+This is a very blessed Psalm and a prayer unto God, proceeding from a 
+spirit and feeling of heart truly Davidical: for this Psalm confesses 
+that none is righteous before God on account of his own works and 
+merits, but only through grace and by faith in the promise of God, 
+freely giving the remission of sins and peace by Jesus Christ: on this 
+promise of God the Psalmist relies; and with this word of promise he 
+supports and comforts himself when struggling in the depths of sin and 
+hell.
+
+And he exhorts all Israel with a loud voice, to learn and to do the 
+same. “For (says the Psalmist) with thee only is mercy, and with thee 
+is plenteous redemption, that thou mayest be feared:” that is, that 
+thou mayest be worshipped with the worship of the first and greatest 
+commandment,—with the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. “And he 
+(continues the Psalmist) shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities;” 
+that is, neither Israel, nor any man, shall be delivered from sin, 
+from the power of the devil, and from death, in any other way than by 
+the grace and the free remission of sins: but he shall, without these, 
+remain in the deep; that is, in the kingdom of sin, death, and the 
+devil, and under the wrath of God.
+
+Behold in how few words this Psalm expresses the most glorious things! 
+The Psalmist is a truly great teacher of divine truths, and of the 
+whole sum of godliness. He has a clear and thorough view of those 
+glorious promises. “I will put enmity between thee and the serpent, 
+and between thy seed and his seed: thou shalt bruise his head:” and, 
+“In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” The 
+Psalmist wraps up both these promises in that one verse, “And he shall 
+redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXI.
+
+_David professing his humility, exhorteth Israel to hope in God._
+
+A Song of Degrees of David.
+
+
+LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I 
+exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
+
+Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of 
+his mother: my soul _is_ even as a weaned child.
+
+Let Israel hope in the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
+
+
+This is also a blessed Psalm, containing, in a few brief words, the 
+same most important doctrine which was taught also in the preceding 
+Psalm,—that we are not to trust in our own righteousness or works: and 
+it attacks all proud and arrogant hypocrites, who, by human strength, 
+attempt works beyond all human powers, namely to pacify God; and 
+understand not the power of grace nor the remission of sins; but 
+endeavour to pacify God by their own works.
+
+“My heart is not lifted up,” (saith the Psalmist); as if he had said, 
+Those proud saints (as they imagine themselves) being ignorant of all 
+trials and temptations, and spiritual things, trust greatly in their 
+own works, and know not what sin is, nor what the anger and judgment 
+of God are. But I, being broken down and humbled by these things, know 
+what they are. For whenever I leave off to trust closely and wholly to 
+the promise of grace; as often as I cease to suck the breast of mercy 
+and promised pardon, my rest is gone, and I begin to weep and howl 
+with distresses and straits of conscience; just as a little 
+newly-weaned infant cries unceasingly, night and day, for the breast 
+of its mother which it has lost.
+
+The sum therefore of all true religion and godliness is this, “Let 
+Israel hope in the Lord:” that is, there is no other salvation, there 
+is no other consolation, there is no other sure peace of conscience 
+for any mortal, than the apprehending and embracing the promise of 
+grace. Take care, therefore, that thou neglect not this true mother’s 
+breast for thy soul; take heed that thou lose it not out of thy mouth; 
+for this breast alone is that which can relieve, refresh, and quiet 
+thirsting and sinking consciences, in any of their agonies on account 
+of sin. Christ alone is eternal life, peace, and consolation!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXII.
+
+_David in his prayer commendeth unto God the religious care he had for 
+the ark.—His prayer at the removing of the ark, with a repetition of 
+God’s promises._
+
+A Song of Degrees.
+
+
+LORD, remember David, _and_ all his afflictions;
+
+How he sware unto the LORD, _and_ vowed unto the mighty _God_ of 
+Jacob;
+
+Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into 
+my bed;
+
+I will not give sleep to mine eyes, _or_ slumber to mine eyelids,
+
+Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty 
+_God_ of Jacob.
+
+Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah; we found it in the fields of the wood.
+
+We will go into his tabernacles; we will worship at his footstool.
+
+Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou and the ark of thy strength.
+
+Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints 
+shout for joy.
+
+For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
+
+The LORD hath sworn _in_ truth unto David, he will not turn from it; 
+Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
+
+If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall 
+teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for 
+evermore.
+
+For the LORD hath chosen Zion: he hath desired _it_ for his 
+habitation.
+
+This _is_ my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
+
+I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with 
+bread.
+
+I will also clothe her priests with salvation; and her saints shall 
+shout aloud for joy.
+
+There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for 
+mine anointed.
+
+His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown 
+flourish.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer, in which Solomon and the people of Israel beg 
+of God to preserve the priesthood and the kingdom: that is, that he 
+would maintain the true religion, the true worship of God, and a 
+prosperous and happy state of the kingdom among that people. In a 
+word, it is a prayer to God that he would be pleased to preserve the 
+ministry of the word above all things; and then also the laws, the 
+magistrates, and the public peace: for where these two things, the 
+word and the laws, are rightly constituted and preserved, there all 
+things go well with a kingdom.
+
+In the eleventh verse, the Psalmist, turning his eye, as it were, to 
+the promise, feels the fullest assurance that he is heard. For God had 
+promised by oath that he would dwell in that place, namely, in 
+Jerusalem or Zion; and would bless both the priesthood and the 
+kingdom, if they would keep the commandments of their God, and obey 
+him.
+
+Why the Psalmist calls, in the sixth verse, this habitation of God, 
+Jerusalem, “Ephratah,” and “the fields of the wood,” is explained in 
+my more full commentary elsewhere, on these “Psalms of Degrees.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXIII.
+
+_The benefit of the communion of saints._
+
+A song of degrees.
+
+
+Behold, how good and how pleasant _it is_ for brethren to dwell 
+together in unity!
+
+_It is_ like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon 
+the beard; _even_ Aaron’s beard; that went down to the skirts of his 
+garments;
+
+As the dew of Hermon, _and as the dew_ that descended upon the 
+mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, _even_ 
+life for evermore.
+
+
+This Psalm contains an important doctrine, and an exhortation unto 
+concord in the church, and also in the state; and especially an 
+exhortation unto unity in the Spirit; concerning which Paul speaks, 
+Phil. ii.; and also, it exhorts unto agreement in doctrine, and unto 
+peace in general. Let the wise, the strong, and the holy, (the 
+Psalmist would say,) bear with and support the simple, the 
+weak-minded, and the infirm; which is indicated and implied by the two 
+similitudes of “ointment” and “dew.”
+
+The Psalmist alludes to the priesthood and the kingdom. For divine 
+harmony and agreement in the priesthood, or in the doctrine of the 
+truth, is a great and lovely gift of God, and diffuseth a fragrance 
+like precious ointment; and this fragrance descendeth or runneth down; 
+that is, unity in the doctrine of truth, runs down from the high 
+priest Aaron, down his beard, and even unto the skirts of his 
+clothing; that is, down to all other teachers of the truth.
+
+And this “dew of Hermon” signifies literally that dew which revives 
+the flower of Lebanon; and, spiritually, the concord of Lebanon; that 
+is, of Jerusalem. For, as the natural dew fructifies Lebanon, and all 
+the places near unto Lebanon, so concord in divine and spiritual 
+things causes a kingdom to flourish and prosper.
+
+Wherever, therefore, concord in a state and in its church flourishes, 
+there God dwells with all his grace and blessing; but where there are 
+dissensions, divisions, and discord, there is the dwelling of Satan.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXIV.
+
+_An exhortation to bless God._
+
+A song of degrees.
+
+
+Behold, bless ye the LORD, all _ye_ servants of the LORD, which by 
+night stand in the house of the LORD.
+
+Lift up your hands _in_ the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
+
+The LORD, that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion.
+
+
+This again is a very short and brief Psalm, but it contains a most 
+blessed doctrine. It teaches and exhorts priests and Levites, to 
+perform the duties of their office diligently, and to be constant and 
+careful in the worship of God; that they be instant day and night in 
+teaching and exhorting by the word; as Paul exhorteth Timothy to the 
+continual preaching of the word; saying, “be instant in season and out 
+of season.” As if he had said, Be thou ever at the duty of thy office; 
+teach, exhort, rebuke; exercise both thyself and others unto godliness 
+by a constant preaching of the word; and continue therein, even though 
+some be turned unto fables, and others despise thee.
+
+For where the pure word of God is not sought and learnt, there, most 
+certainly, is no worship of God; there, of necessity, perishes all 
+true religion; and there as surely perishes also, the good and 
+prosperity of the nation; which is certainly either deserted of God, 
+or involved in darkness, errors, and the power of the Devil. But where 
+the word of God continues in truth, and the scriptures are rightly set 
+forth, there God gives his blessing. And although Satan will there 
+greatly oppose himself to, and will afflict both the church and the 
+state; yet God, who made the heavens and the earth, and who is 
+therefore greater than all creatures and the Devil also, preserves 
+that state and that church; and, on account of their holding fast his 
+name and his word, he saves them, even though they be ungrateful and 
+unworthy of his salvation.
+
+Let all ministers, and preachers, and bishops therefore, know, that 
+this Psalm, beginning “Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of 
+the Lord,” &c. pertains unto them; teaching them to know that the 
+highest worship of God is the preaching of the word; because, thereby 
+are praised and celebrated the name and the benefits of Christ.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXV.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God for his mercy, for his power, for his 
+judgments. The vanity of idols. An exhortation to bless God._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise _him_, O ye 
+servants of the LORD.
+
+Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of 
+our God,
+
+Praise the LORD; for the LORD _is_ good: sing praises unto his name; 
+for _it is_ pleasant.
+
+For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, _and_ Israel for his 
+peculiar treasure.
+
+For I know that the LORD _is_ great, and _that_ our LORD _is_ above 
+all gods.
+
+Whatsoever the LORD pleased, _that_ did he in heaven, and in earth, in 
+the seas, and all deep places.
+
+He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh 
+lightnings for the rain: he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
+
+Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast.
+
+_Who_ sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon 
+Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
+
+Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the 
+Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
+
+And gave their land _for_ an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his 
+people.
+
+Thy name, O LORD, _endureth_ for ever; _and_ thy memorial, O LORD, 
+throughout all generations.
+
+For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself 
+concerning his servants.
+
+The idols of the heathen _are_ silver and gold, the work of men’s 
+hands.
+
+They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see 
+not;
+
+They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there _any_ breath in 
+their mouths.
+
+They that make them are like unto them: _so is_ every one that 
+trusteth in them.
+
+Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
+
+Bless the LORD, O house of Levi; ye that fear the LORD, bless the 
+LORD.
+
+Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise 
+ye the LORD.
+
+
+This Psalm is a Psalm of thanksgiving; exhorting all priests and 
+ministers of the word to preach and to praise God in his great and 
+marvellous works, done in Egypt and in the land of Canaan, that the 
+people might not forget God and his wonderful works, and be turned 
+unto idols, and false kinds of worship; which very soon takes place 
+through security or contempt; where the word of God is not taught 
+diligently and with a great willingness and fervor of heart; as we 
+have already seen in the preceding Psalm.
+
+But where God judges a people; as the Psalmist sets it forth, verse 
+14; that is, when God by the mouth of his ministers, judges and 
+condemns our sin; there he manifests his grace unto us; there is a 
+ground of firm consolation for afflicted consciences; there God is 
+found and known, (for he is found in no other places and doctrines 
+than these!) there, to a certainty, he will be propitious and merciful 
+to his servant. But, where the word of God is not; there God is 
+silent; for where he doth not preach, he doth not judge; and there, to 
+a certainty, is the wrath of God and blindness. “Therefore,” (as saith 
+the Psalmist) “Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, all ye 
+servants of the Lord:” that is, preach the word and explain it, with 
+all diligence; and proclaim the works of the Lord.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXVI.
+
+_An exhortation to give thanks to God for particular mercies._
+
+
+O give thanks unto the LORD; for _he is_ good: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+O give thanks to the LORD of lords: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever.
+
+To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever.
+
+To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+To him that made great lights: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+The sun to rule by day: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever.
+
+To him that smote Egypt in their first-born: for his mercy _endureth_ 
+for ever.
+
+And brought out Israel from amongst them: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever:
+
+With a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+To him which divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy _endureth_ 
+for ever:
+
+And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy 
+_endureth_ for ever.
+
+To him which smote great kings: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever:
+
+And slew famous kings: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever:
+
+And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever:
+
+And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever:
+
+_Even_ an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy _endureth_ 
+for ever.
+
+Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever:
+
+And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever.
+
+Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy _endureth_ for ever.
+
+O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy _endureth_ for 
+ever.
+
+
+This Psalm is a blessed and general thanksgiving for the infinite, 
+unspeakable, and never-failing mercies of God, both with respect to 
+the body and the soul. In this golden and glorious Psalm, the 
+Psalmist’s design is to embrace and set forth a summary, as it were, 
+to all priests and ministers of the word; as a pattern for the subject 
+matter of all sermons, exhortations, and Psalms to be delivered to the 
+people: that all false and wicked doctrine might be avoided, and also 
+all false worship of God; and that God might be worshipped truly with 
+that worship required by the first commandment of the Decalogue.
+
+For this ought to be the sum and substance of all true worship,—“Let 
+us praise the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever:” 
+that is, praise, laud, and proclaim, without ceasing, the infinite 
+largeness of his grace. Learn ye, from his word, that as he hath 
+promised, so he is ever present with us, and continually bestows his 
+blessings upon us; and that the riches of his goodness are boundless 
+and inexhaustible.
+
+To fortify our hearts, therefore, against the devil, (whose whole aim 
+and employment is to destroy in our hearts faith in God, and the 
+knowledge of his goodness and mercy, and to cast us under doubting and 
+sorrow,) the Psalmist repeats this holy sentence at the end of every 
+verse—“For his mercy endureth for ever:” by which words, so often 
+repeated, the holy man wishes to impress and fix on our hearts the 
+doctrine of grace and the worship of the first commandment: as if he 
+had said, it is the infinite goodness of God, and not any human works 
+or merits of your own, that has done all these wonderful things for 
+you. It is the pure and unspeakable greatness of God’s goodness and 
+grace, that pours forth all these things upon you, and therefore they 
+are poured forth upon you freely and without any merit or deserving of 
+yours, and even while you are wholly undeserving of such mercies.
+
+In this repeated expression also the Psalmist refers, after the manner 
+of the prophets, to the promise of Christ to come; for it was from no 
+works of men, nor from any merit of theirs, that the promise of Christ 
+was given unto Abraham, which said, “In thy seed shall all the nations 
+of the earth be blessed.”
+
+Learn, thou, therefore, to rehearse and impress upon thine own heart, 
+and on the hearts of others also, this repeated conclusion of each 
+verse; that it may be a bulwark for thee against the devil, who is 
+ever maliciously jeering our temptations, and saying, that it is not 
+the _mercy_ of God, but his _judgment_, that “endureth for ever.” 
+Hypocrites and enthusiasts sing not, nor can sing, this blessed 
+conclusion of the verses, “For his mercy endureth for ever.” They can 
+only sing, ‘For our goodness endureth for ever.’ But do thou, 
+Christian brother, hold fast this doctrine of a Davidical heart; the 
+truly divine and heavenly doctrine of the remission of sins; a 
+remission “enduring for ever,” and which sin can never destroy; which 
+alone overcomes the devil and all errors, and which alone can give the 
+conscience rest under all temptations, and the agonizing conflicts of 
+death.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXVII.
+
+_The constancy of the Jews in captivity.—The prophet curseth Edom and 
+Babel._
+
+
+By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we 
+remembered Zion.
+
+We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
+
+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.
+
+How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?
+
+If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget _her cunning_.
+
+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.
+
+Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who 
+said, Rase _it_, rase _it, even_ to the foundation thereof.
+
+O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy _shall he be_, 
+that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
+
+Happy _shall he be_, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against 
+the stones.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer in the persons of the captives of Babylon; 
+whether we understand it as having been written after the captivity, 
+or before it in the way of prophecy. The captives here pray for the 
+city of Jerusalem; that is, for the place of the word and the worship 
+of God; for all these things had been destroyed by the Babylonians.
+
+This Psalm shows us that the first concern of all that fear and know 
+God should be the preservation of a place for the ministration of the 
+word, and for the true religion and true worship of God. For, as here, 
+when Jerusalem is destroyed, Babylon and Edom, and all other wicked 
+nations rejoice, and triumph over the grief and the tears of the 
+people of God, which adds great bitterness to their afflictions. But 
+such enemies shall never enjoy their triumph unpunished of God. They 
+themselves shall be laid waste in their appointed time, and shall be 
+utterly overthrown and laid in ruins and in ashes; their flourishing 
+youth shall be destroyed by the sword, their children shall be dashed 
+against the stones, and neither age nor sex shall find mercy. But 
+Israel and the people of God shall remain for evermore. In this manner 
+fell Babylon, that queen of nations: and in the same manner also shall 
+fall all the Babylonians and Edomites in our day, who rejoice, like 
+their forefathers, in the afflictions and calamities of the true 
+church of God.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXVIII.
+
+_David praiseth God for the truth of his word.—He prophesieth that the 
+kings of the earth shall praise God.—He professeth his confidence in 
+God._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing 
+praise unto thee.
+
+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.
+
+In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, _and_ strengthenedst me 
+_with_ strength in my soul.
+
+All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear 
+the words of thy mouth.
+
+Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great _is_ the glory 
+of the LORD.
+
+Though the LORD _be_ high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the 
+proud he knoweth afar off.
+
+Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt 
+stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy 
+right hand shall save me.
+
+The LORD will perfect _that which_ concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, 
+_endureth_ for ever: forsake not the work of thine own hands.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of general thanksgiving unto God for all his help 
+against enemies: and it prays that the kingdom of Christ may come; and 
+it prophesies also that even kings and nations shall hear the gospel, 
+shall render thanks unto God for the same, and shall know and worship 
+him in truth; and shall acknowledge the eternal kingdom of Christ, 
+namely, his exaltation over all things, and over every name that is 
+named; and that he succours, helps, and saves humble, tempted, and 
+afflicted sinners.
+
+In the conclusion of the Psalm, the Psalmist prays, “Forsake not the 
+work of thine own hands;” that is, Raise up, establish, and preserve 
+this promised kingdom of Christ, for the sake of which thou hast 
+chosen this people.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXXXIX.
+
+_David praiseth God for his allseeing providence, and for his infinite 
+mercies.—He defieth the wicked.—He prayeth for sincerity._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known _me_.
+
+Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my 
+thought afar off.
+
+Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted _with_ 
+all my ways.
+
+For _there is_ not a word in my tongue, _but_, lo, O LORD, thou 
+knowest it altogether.
+
+Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
+
+_Such_ knowledge _is_ too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot 
+_attain_ unto it.
+
+Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy 
+presence?
+
+If I ascend up into heaven, thou _art_ there: if I make my bed in 
+hell, behold, thou _art there_.
+
+_If_ I take the wings of the morning, _and_ dwell in the uttermost 
+parts of the sea;
+
+Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
+
+If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be 
+light above me.
+
+Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the 
+day: the darkness and the light _are_ both alike _to thee_.
+
+For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s 
+womb.
+
+I will praise thee; for I am fearfully _and_ wonderfully made: 
+marvellous _are_ thy works; and _that_ my soul knoweth right well.
+
+My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, _and_ 
+curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
+
+Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book 
+all _my members_ were written, _which_ in continuance were fashioned, 
+when _as yet there was_ none of them.
+
+How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the 
+sum of them!
+
+_If_ I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when 
+I awake, I am still with thee.
+
+Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me, therefore, ye 
+bloody men.
+
+For they speak against thee wickedly, _and_ thine enemies take _thy 
+name_ in vain.
+
+Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with 
+those that rise up against thee?
+
+I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
+
+Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
+
+And see if _there be any_ wicked way, and lead me in the way 
+everlasting.
+
+
+This is a high and glorious Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the 
+Psalmist, with a marvellous fervour of spirit, touches on that 
+all-high matter,—God’s predestination of all things; and proclaims 
+that incomprehensibleness of the divine wisdom and goodness, whereby, 
+in a wonderful manner, he himself and all men, with all their affairs, 
+all their works and all their thoughts, both the greatest and the 
+least, were predestinated of God from everlasting. This manifold 
+wisdom of God is incomprehensible to flesh and blood!
+
+“Thou, O Lord (saith the Psalmist) hast searched me out and known me; 
+thou knowest me altogether; thou understandest my thoughts long before 
+they are conceived by me. Wherever I move, whithersoever I go, thou 
+surroundest me on every side; and being ever present with me, thou 
+beholdest all my undertakings, and my works, and my ways, and all that 
+I think of doing or undertaking. There is no speech, not even the 
+least word, upon my tongue, but thou, O God, knowest it, before I 
+utter it. Thine eyes beheld me, when yet imperfect in my mother’s 
+womb; and thou didst wonderfully form and fashion me there.” And (ver. 
+6) the Psalmist exclaims, “Such knowledge is too high and wonderful; 
+no mortal thought can attain unto it.”
+
+Here, it is as if the Psalmist had said, it is not in the capacity or 
+powers of any mortal to think or determine how he will lead his life, 
+what he will undertake, what he will do, what he will speak, what he 
+will think, where he will go, or to, or from, or in what place he will 
+turn; but all our acts, motions, and thoughts, are nothing less than 
+the works of God ever present with us, doing and ruling all things as 
+he will. And hence (ver. 19.) he utters his indignation against the 
+wicked; saying, “Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God.” Here he 
+burns with zeal against hypocrites, who, being ignorant of all the 
+works and words of God, and utterly blind and mad, ascribe all their 
+doings to their own works and merits.
+
+These mortals are perpetually putting forth and boasting of their own 
+ability and works, and are ever relying on their own doings and 
+merits, and ascribing unto themselves that glory which belongs to God 
+alone; whereas they have not one of their words in their own power, as 
+of, or from, themselves; but all their words and thoughts are in the 
+hand of God.—This glory, I say, they arrogate to themselves, when they 
+are all the while so far from the wisdom of God and his divine works, 
+that they neither know themselves nor any one part of themselves; nor 
+understand how they were formed or fashioned in the womb of their 
+mother; nor what their own body is, nor what are its properties and 
+organs; nor what their eyes are, nor what their brain is; nor what the 
+origin and nature of that motion is, by which their body is moved; 
+and, in a word, when they know not what the soul and this natural life 
+are; nor whence arise all those various motions and affections of the 
+mind within, nor how they are uttered outwards by the tongue.
+
+When, therefore, this whole that we are, and this all that we do, are 
+not our own wisdom or doing, but God’s; and since we cannot comprehend 
+these earthly things; since, I say, we neither can know nor do any one 
+of these earthly and corporal things, as of ourselves; how awful a sin 
+is that enormous arrogance, whereby we profess that we have so much 
+power in ourselves and in our free-will, that we can understand God, 
+and do his divine and spiritual works, and deliver ourselves from sin, 
+and death, and hell.
+
+Wherefore (ver. 20.) the Psalmist utters his holy indignation against 
+such hypocrites and teachers of human works and doings; saying, “Thine 
+enemies speak blasphemously against thee, O Lord, and they are proud 
+and lifted up against thee without cause. Guard thou me, and prove and 
+try me, that I may continue in the right way; the way that is true and 
+eternal;” that is, in the way of the knowledge of the word of thy 
+grace.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXL.
+
+_David prayeth to be delivered from Saul and Doeg.—He prayeth against 
+them.—He comforteth himself by confidence in God._
+
+To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent 
+man;
+
+Which imagine mischiefs in _their_ heart: continually are they 
+gathered together _for_ war.
+
+They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison _is_ 
+under their lips. Selah.
+
+Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the 
+violent man, who have purposed to overthrow my goings.
+
+The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords: they have spread a net 
+by the way-side: they have set gins for me. Selah.
+
+I said unto the LORD, Thou _art_ my God: hear the voice of my 
+supplications, O LORD.
+
+O GOD the LORD, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my 
+head in the day of battle.
+
+Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; further not his wicked 
+device, _lest_ they exalt themselves. Selah.
+
+_As for_ the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of 
+their own lips cover them.
+
+Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into 
+deep pits, that they rise not up again.
+
+Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt 
+the violent man to overthrow _him_.
+
+I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, _and_ 
+the right of the poor.
+
+Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright 
+shall dwell in thy presence.
+
+
+This Psalm is an ardent prayer against those hypocrites, who not only 
+cause many offences, and lay many nets and snares for them that go on 
+the right way, but proceed with terrible threats and unceasing cruelty 
+against all who will not approve and follow their errors and wicked 
+ways.
+
+The Psalmist therefore here prays that God would be pleased to 
+disappoint their counsels and purposes, and all the wicked plots which 
+they form, and devise, and to turn them on themselves and on their own 
+heads; that all these enemies of the people of God may perish with 
+that horrible judgment with which Pharaoh perished in the Red Sea, 
+who, being at the same time struck with lightning from heaven, and 
+overwhelmed with the waves of the sea, was utterly destroyed.
+
+This Psalm affords an abundant consolation to the godly; as the 
+Psalmist saith in its conclusion, “The wicked shall fall into their 
+own nets, whilst that I at all times escape.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLI.
+
+_David prayeth that his suit may be acceptable, his conscience 
+sincere, and his life safe from snares._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, 
+when I cry unto thee.
+
+Let my prayer be set forth before thee _as_ incense; _and_ the lifting 
+up of my hands _as_ the evening sacrifice.
+
+Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
+
+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.
+
+Let the righteous smite me; _it shall be_ a kindness: and let him 
+reprove me; _it shall be_ an excellent oil, _which_ shall not break my 
+head: for yet my prayer also _shall be_ in their calamities.
+
+When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my 
+words; for they are sweet.
+
+Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and 
+cleaveth _wood_ upon the earth.
+
+But mine eyes _are_ unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; 
+leave not my soul destitute.
+
+Keep me from the snares _which_ they have laid for me, and the gins of 
+the workers of iniquity.
+
+Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
+
+
+This Psalm also is a fervent prayer, wherein the Psalmist prays to be 
+delivered from wicked teachers, who pretend to speak of peace, and 
+craftily use soft and flattering words, after they have found that 
+they can prevail nothing by terrors and threats. “Let the righteous,” 
+saith he, “smite me:” that is, I had rather that true and faithful 
+teachers should rebuke and condemn me, and reprove my ways, than that 
+hypocrites should flatter me and applaud me as a saint.
+
+And farther, (saith the Psalmist) although I suffer affliction for the 
+sake of that true and sound doctrine to which I cleave, and though, by 
+afflictions returning again and again, my bones be broken in pieces 
+and scattered like clods of earth before the penetrating and dividing 
+plough; yet I had rather be reproved and smitten by godly and true 
+teachers, and so acknowledge my sin, and rest upon the promise of God, 
+than hear all the flattering words of those hypocrites who deceive 
+themselves and others; and who pretend to have peace with God, when 
+there is no such peace unto them. For all such teachers and their 
+hypocrisies shall be hurled, as it were, from a mighty precipice, and 
+they shall suddenly be dashed to pieces and shall perish together; 
+their glory shall be hurried into confusion, and their end shall be 
+utter destruction; and then it shall appear how bitter their pleasing 
+doctrine is.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLII.
+
+_David sheweth that in his trouble all his comfort was in prayer unto 
+God._
+
+Maschil of David; a Prayer when he was in the cave.
+
+
+I cried unto the LORD with my voice: with my voice unto the LORD did I 
+make my supplication.
+
+I poured out my complaint before him: I shewed before him my trouble.
+
+When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path; 
+in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
+
+I looked on _my_ right hand, and beheld, but _there was_ no man that 
+would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
+
+I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou _art_ my refuge, _and_ my 
+portion in the land of the living.
+
+Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my 
+persecutors: for they are stronger than I.
+
+Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous 
+shall compass me about; for thou shall deal bountifully with me.
+
+
+This Psalm is a prayer; wherein the Psalmist, being now surrounded 
+with peril on every side, cries unto God out of prison, as it were, by 
+reason of the great cruelty and malice of false teachers, who 
+persecuted him on account of the word.
+
+As the people of Israel were a stiff-necked people, their Cainish 
+malice and bitterness had so hardened them, that they stoned, 
+rejected, and killed the true prophets, on account of their preaching 
+of the word, and maintaining the true worship of God; and had given 
+themselves up to hypocrisy and idolatry; and all this, their histories 
+of them testify; as does Christ also, (Matt. xxiii.) and Stephen. 
+(Acts vii.)
+
+Hence, as these things were fully known, so we find most of the Psalms 
+grievously complaining of the cruel malice of false prophets and 
+hypocrites. And just in the same way, from the very beginning, 
+hypocrites and false teachers have afflicted the true church of God; 
+and the true saints in all ages found it necessary to cry unto God 
+continually, against all such hypocrites and Cainish pretenders to 
+saintship. All this is abundantly testified by the histories of the 
+times of Elijah and king Ahab and Jezebel; when all the true prophets 
+of the Lord were compelled to flee and to hide themselves, to escape 
+the furious cruelty of these adversaries; all which histories might 
+have been adduced as examples in this Psalm. And the recent times of 
+the Arian heresy afford also a plain example of the same persecution 
+and malice, when all the catholic bishops were compelled to flee; for 
+Satan neither can nor will endure the pure word of God!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLIII.
+
+_David prayeth for favour in judgment.—He complaineth of his 
+griefs.—He strengtheneth his faith by meditation and prayer.—He 
+prayeth for grace, for deliverance, for sanctification, for 
+destruction of his enemies._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications: in thy 
+faithfulness answer me, _and_ in thy righteousness.
+
+And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall 
+no man living be justified.
+
+For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to 
+the ground: he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that hath 
+been long dead.
+
+Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me: my heart within me is 
+desolate.
+
+I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the 
+work of thy hands.
+
+I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul _thirsteth_ after thee, as 
+a thirsty land. Selah.
+
+Hear me speedily, O LORD; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from 
+me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
+
+Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I 
+trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up 
+my soul unto thee.
+
+Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
+
+Teach me to do thy will; for thou _art_ my God: thy Spirit _is_ good; 
+lead me into the land of uprightness.
+
+Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake 
+bring my soul out of trouble.
+
+And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that 
+afflict my soul: for I _am_ thy servant.
+
+
+This is a prayer, expressing the deep feelings of an afflicted and 
+agonizing conscience. The Psalmist, being in the midst of the sense 
+and peril of sin, and terrified at the judgment of God, begs of God 
+not to enter into judgment with him, and firmly cleaves to the promise 
+of mercy, and of the remission of sins. He complains, on the other 
+hand, of hypocrites and teachers of the law and of works; by means of 
+whom, as his instruments, the devil terribly harasses the godly, and 
+loads them with various trials and straits of mind and conscience, and 
+endeavours to draw them away from the certainty of the divine promise 
+unto doubt; in which state, consciences are horribly shaken with fear 
+and darkness, and the dread of the wrath of an unappeased God.
+
+“The enemy,” saith David, “hath persecuted my soul; he hath made me to 
+dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead; therefore my 
+spirit is overwhelmed within me.” Here David refers to those straits 
+into which consciences are cast by those who lay upon them burdens too 
+heavy to be borne, (as Christ saith concerning the Pharisees, Matt. 
+xxiii.) And yet will not so much as touch them with one of their 
+fingers. And hence this Psalm blessedly shows that there is no sure or 
+solid consolation for consciences, save for those who depend on the 
+promise of the free remission of sins, and on the word of God’s grace: 
+“Enter not,” saith David, “into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for 
+in thy sight shall no man living be justified.”
+
+That afflicted hearts and consciences can find rest in no other way 
+than this, all the scriptural histories bear witness. All the holy 
+patriarchs, from the beginning of the world, were justified before God 
+by the free, unmerited imputation of righteousness, and not by their 
+own works; as Peter also testifies (Acts xv.) concerning the law, “Why 
+tempt ye God; to lay upon us a yoke which neither we nor our fathers 
+were able to bear. But we believe that by the grace of our Lord Jesus 
+Christ, we shall be saved, as they.”
+
+“I remember,” says David again, “the days of old, I meditate on the 
+works of thy hands;” as if he had added, ‘By these, thy works from the 
+beginning, I comfort and support myself in all my temptations: for all 
+the great saints from the beginning were saved, not by any merit of 
+their own righteousness, but by grace alone: they were delivered from 
+sin and from the wrath of God, by faith in Christ the promised seed: 
+as Abraham also was, by the same grace of God in Christ, called out of 
+idolatry.’ Joshua xxiv. 2, 3.
+
+Therefore God leaves here no ground for any mortal’s boasting in his 
+own works and merits: and yet, by this doctrine of works Satan hath 
+never ceased to distress and torment consciences, contrary to the 
+manifest words and works of God.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLIV.
+
+_David blesseth God for his mercy both to him and to man.—He prayeth 
+that God would powerfully deliver him from his enemies.—He promiseth 
+to praise God.—He prayeth for the happy state of the kingdom._
+
+A Psalm of David.
+
+
+Blessed _be_ the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, 
+_and_ my fingers to fight:
+
+My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my 
+shield, and _he_ in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
+
+LORD, what _is_ man, that thou takest knowledge of him! _or_ the son 
+of man, that thou makest account of him!
+
+Man is like to vanity: his days _are_ as a shadow that passeth away.
+
+Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they 
+shall smoke.
+
+Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows and 
+destroy them.
+
+Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great 
+waters, from the hand of strange children;
+
+Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand _is_ a right hand of 
+falsehood.
+
+I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltry _and_ an 
+instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
+
+_It is he_ that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his 
+servant from the hurtful sword.
+
+Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth 
+speaketh vanity, and their right hand _is_ a right hand of falsehood:
+
+That our sons _may be_ as plants grown up in their youth; that our 
+daughters _may be_ as cornerstones, polished _after_ the similitude of 
+a palace:
+
+_That_ our garners _may be_ full, affording all manner of store: 
+_that_ our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our 
+streets:
+
+_That_ our oxen _may be_ strong to labour; _that there be_ no breaking 
+in, nor going out; that _there be_ no complaining in our streets.
+
+Happy _is that_ people that is in such a case: _yea_, happy _is that_ 
+people whose God _is_ the LORD.
+
+
+This is a blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for kings, princes, and all 
+magistrates. David here, as a king and a magistrate himself, who had 
+to govern the state and carry on wars, confesses that all prosperous 
+and happy government, all success at home and abroad, all the arts of 
+peace, and all victory in war, are the good gifts of God; and that a 
+man can no more effect these things by human wisdom or strength, or by 
+any ability of his own, than he can hold the millions of minds of 
+nations bound unto himself, and make their multitudes obey him alone: 
+for what could any mortal man do towards preserving whole kingdoms, 
+and cities, and provinces in quiet from sedition and commotions amid 
+all the infinite malice of the devil and the world? Every mortal man 
+would fail, like a vanishing shadow, before the thought of such an 
+undertaking.
+
+But the God of all majesty, as Isaiah saith, is the Lord of all the 
+kingdoms and kings of the earth. He, as Daniel saith, removes and 
+establishes kingdoms. That monarch of heaven and earth also taketh 
+down one king and sitteth up another. And he it is, who, in the time 
+of peace, curbs the wills and holds the minds of the multitude, and 
+stills all civil commotions like the waves of the sea, against all the 
+raised winds of the devil. And it is the same God also, who, in the 
+time of war, terrifieth the enemies of a nation, and maketh their 
+hearts to tremble, when he thunders in the heavens, when he touches 
+the mountains and great hills of nations and of peoples: he is 
+terrible; and who can stand before him? When he strikes the hearts of 
+the enemy with fear, it is easy for us to conquer. But what human 
+wisdom or power can strike this terror, or do or ordain such mighty 
+things?
+
+David then prays against the deeds of his own people, and rebukes 
+their ungodliness. The Israelites, because they had that especial 
+honour and glory of being the people of God, were above all people of 
+a stiff-neck; proud, seditious, avaricious, envious, unbelieving, and 
+disobedient; and all these things they manifested in their conduct to 
+Moses, to David himself, and to other godly kings. And although they 
+saw David, in the same manner as Moses before him, with the manifest 
+presence of God, and with great and divine miracles, governing the 
+state, and conducting wars successfully, in the midst of the assaults 
+of enemies on every side; yet falling into pride and security, from a 
+confidence in their high title, as the people of God; they showed 
+themselves to be no better than those of their forefathers, of whom 
+Moses saith, “Ye have always been a rebellious and stiff-necked people 
+before the Lord, from the day that I first knew you.” For the people 
+of David were carnally affected and ungodly; and were as if they had 
+said, ‘Command, and command again, if thou wilt; expect, and expect 
+still; and why dost thou preach unto us faith, whereas we all the 
+while continue in affliction? Those whom God favors, and to whom he 
+shows mercy, he blesses: to them he gives wives, children, riches, 
+houses, lands, and all things, and happiness in all things; and happy 
+are the people that are in such a case.’ Nor were false prophets 
+wanting, to dwell upon temporal promises in their preaching, and to 
+withstand the true prophets; denying that those were the favorites of 
+God who were not blessed with temporal prosperities; and saying that 
+all the saints of God were so blessed.
+
+Against these, therefore, David now most fervently prays, and 
+encourages himself in heart and in faith by his past experiences of 
+God’s mercies and deliverances. “If, (saith David,) thou hast 
+aforetime delivered me from the sword of Goliath, and hast given me 
+the victory, as thou hast done also unto other kings; so now defend me 
+from this ungodly, hardened, and unbelieving people; who neither 
+regard God nor his civil ministers; who care not with what evils a 
+good king is surrounded in his government, nor what perils of war 
+prevail, nor what blessings of peace are enjoyed; but are an ignorant 
+and unfeeling herd; the very dregs and sink of men: yea, very swine, 
+who regard nothing but their belly; whom it is more difficult to rule, 
+than to conduct the most fierce and perilous wars.” Exactly like unto 
+these are some of our nobles and citizens and countrymen now; who, for 
+the sake of their belly, trample and spit upon all true religion and 
+good learning; and indeed on all things human and divine.
+
+David here attacks these ungodly ones with a most severe rebuke; 
+calling them “strange children;” hereby cutting up that glorying of 
+theirs, wherein they boasted of being the children of Abraham, and the 
+peculiar people of God: and yet were all the while worse than any 
+heathen nation, and were false children and strangers; for they 
+honoured God with their mouth and with their lips, while their heart 
+was far from him.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLV.
+
+_David praiseth God for his fame, for his goodness, for his kingdom, 
+for his providence, for his saving mercy._
+
+David’s Psalm of praise.
+
+
+I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever 
+and ever.
+
+Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and 
+ever.
+
+Great _is_ the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness _is_ 
+unsearchable.
+
+One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare 
+thy mighty acts.
+
+I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy 
+wondrous works.
+
+And _men_ shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will 
+declare thy greatness.
+
+They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and 
+shall sing of thy righteousness.
+
+The LORD _is_ gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of 
+great mercy.
+
+The LORD _is_ good to all and his tender mercies _are_ over all his 
+works.
+
+All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless 
+thee.
+
+They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
+
+To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious 
+majesty of his kingdom.
+
+Thy kingdom _is_ an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion _endureth_ 
+throughout all generations.
+
+The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all _those that be_ 
+bowed down.
+
+The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due 
+season.
+
+Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living 
+thing.
+
+The LORD _is_ righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
+
+The LORD _is_ nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call 
+upon him in truth.
+
+He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear 
+their cry, and will save them.
+
+The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he 
+destroy.
+
+My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless 
+his holy name for ever and ever.
+
+
+This is a very blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for the kingdom and 
+dominion of Christ, which God was about to raise up among the people 
+of Israel: for it was on account of Christ, that this whole people was 
+from the beginning chosen out of all other nations; and on account of 
+Christ also that the law was given unto them, and the whole Mosaic 
+worship established.
+
+This Psalm also most especially urges forward that highest and most 
+excellent of all works, the peculiar and most glorious worship of God, 
+which the first table of the decalogue demands; that is, the sacrifice 
+of praise. The Psalmist in the most exalted expressions proclaims the 
+power of God, and his infinite mercy; which is above all his works.
+
+The whole Psalm presents to us a wonderful display of the eloquence of 
+the Holy Spirit; setting forth, by a great depth of feeling, and by a 
+luxuriant abundance of words and expressions, the glorious height of 
+the worship of God embraced in these words of the first commandment of 
+the decalogue, “I AM THE LORD THY GOD!” And the Psalm prays that men 
+may acknowledge the kingdom of Christ, “That thy power,” says David, 
+“may be known unto men, and the glorious majesty of thy kingdom:” that 
+is, that it may be known by the gospel, that there is no other 
+deliverance from the power of the devil, and from sin and eternal 
+death, than by faith in the word of thy mercy and grace, given unto us 
+in Jesus Christ.
+
+The power and kingdom of Christ lies hidden under the outward 
+appearance of the cross and of weakness; and the word of the gospel is 
+a contemptible doctrine with the wise and powerful of the world; for 
+“the gospel,” as Paul saith, “is the wisdom of God hidden in a 
+mystery.” And again, saith he, “Christ crucified, is, unto the Jews, a 
+stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” But when this 
+kingdom is, by the preaching of the word, and by the teaching and the 
+confession of the saints, made known before the world, it is proved to 
+be the kingdom of God and the power of God.
+
+That which the Psalmist saith, (verse 14) pertains especially unto the 
+kingdom of Christ, which is a kingdom that “upholdeth all that fall, 
+and lifteth up all them that are down;” for Christ is the king of the 
+afflicted, of the poor, of the fallen; and the king who justifies 
+sinners and raises the dead: by whom God is reconciled unto us, and 
+hears us as a father; fulfilling the desire of them that fear him, and 
+feeding and clothing us whom the world hateth, and guarding and 
+defending us against the gates of hell.
+
+From a worshipping admiration therefore, of the largeness of the grace 
+of God, the Psalmist breaks out into this fervent wish and prayer, 
+“and let all flesh bless his holy name;” as if he had said, the 
+blessings and riches of the kingdom of Christ are immense and 
+unsearchable; as Paul also saith, “Thanks be unto God for his 
+unspeakable gift.”
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLVI.
+
+_The Psalmist voweth perpetual praises to God.—He exhorteth not to 
+trust in man.—God, for his power, justice, mercy, and kingdom, is only 
+worthy to be trusted._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
+
+While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God 
+while I have any being.
+
+Put not your trust in princes, _nor_ in the son of man, in whom _there 
+is_ no help.
+
+His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day 
+his thoughts perish.
+
+Happy _is he_ that _hath_ the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope 
+_is_ in the LORD his God:
+
+Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein _is_; 
+which keepeth truth for ever:
+
+Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the 
+hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
+
+The LORD openeth _the eyes of_ the blind: the LORD raiseth them that 
+are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
+
+The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and 
+widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
+
+The LORD shall reign for ever, _even_ thy God, O Zion, unto all 
+generations. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving; and it contains a blessed doctrine; 
+namely, that we ought to trust in God, who alone can defend; and who 
+does defend faithfully all those that trust in him, and all those whom 
+the world hates and casts out. And the Psalm shows, that we ought not 
+to trust in any man, not even in kings or princes, nor in the mighty, 
+nor in the rich, as the world do. For (as the Psalmist saith) “it is 
+God alone that can mightily and gloriously deliver out of affliction,” 
+and all trust in man is deceitful and vain; for (to say nothing about 
+the vanity of such trust in all other particulars) no man knoweth any 
+thing certain respecting his own life!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLVII.
+
+_The Prophet exhorteth to praise God for his care of the church, his 
+power, and his mercy:—to praise him for his providence:—to praise him 
+for his blessings upon the kingdom, for his power over the meteors, 
+and for his ordinances in the church._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD: for _it is_ good to sing praises unto our God; for 
+_it is_ pleasant, _and_ praise is comely.
+
+The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts 
+of Israel.
+
+He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
+
+He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by _their_ 
+names.
+
+Great _is_ our LORD, and of great power: his understanding _is_ 
+infinite.
+
+The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the 
+ground.
+
+Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving: sing praise upon the harp unto 
+our God:
+
+Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, 
+who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
+
+He giveth to the beast his food, _and_ to the young ravens which cry.
+
+He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure 
+in the legs of a man.
+
+The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in 
+his mercy.
+
+Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
+
+For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy 
+children within thee.
+
+He maketh peace _in_ thy borders, _and_ filleth thee with the finest 
+of the wheat.
+
+He sendeth forth his commandment _upon_ earth: his word runneth very 
+swiftly.
+
+He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
+
+He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
+
+He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to 
+blow, _and_ the waters flow.
+
+He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto 
+Israel.
+
+He hath not dealt so with any nation: and _as for his_ judgments, they 
+have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a very blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for the various 
+unequalled and infinite mercies and gifts of God.
+
+In the first place, it thanks him for that especial mercy—his 
+regarding in, and miraculously delivering out of, afflictions, the 
+nations of Israel, his peculiar people, and the city of Jerusalem, 
+though placed in the midst of Gentile enemies.
+
+In the next place, it blesses God for that great and unspeakable 
+mercy, his giving throughout all the earth, to the godly and to the 
+ungodly, to the grateful and to the ungrateful, all necessary food and 
+gladness of heart, as Paul saith, Acts xiv. 17. “Filling the hearts of 
+men with food and gladness.”
+
+And more especially the Psalmist renders thanks unto God for his 
+refreshing, reviving, and comforting with his consolations, the hearts 
+of the godly when distressed and weakened by the devil, and burnt up, 
+as it were, by the greatness of the temptations; and for helping them 
+in all times of their temptation, affliction, and labour.
+
+Again, it thanks him for giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, 
+both unto the evil and unto the good; and for giving food unto men and 
+unto all the beasts of the earth; even so, that he suffereth not even 
+the ravens to hunger.
+
+And above all, the Psalmist gives thanks unto God, because he hears 
+and regards the godly, who call upon him; and that, especially in 
+Jerusalem; which is the place of his name and of his word; and because 
+he giveth Jerusalem, his city, civil peace, and a happy state of 
+government.
+
+Further, the Psalmist praises God for health of body and his blessing 
+therein, and for the good bringing up of children, and domestic order 
+and prosperity. And also for defence against all outward enemies, and 
+for the preservation of the boundaries of their land, and for national 
+peace and happiness. And, finally, he blesses God for the richness and 
+fertility of the land of Judah, and for the abundance of its fruits.
+
+The chosen people of God, and the elect places of his Zion have the 
+privilege, above all other nations, of being blessed with the word and 
+the worship of God. Wherefore they, above all others, show forth the 
+works of God and his wonders among the people. And all the creatures 
+of God, and his daily wonders, and blessings of rain, snow, dew, 
+frost, &c. are more clearly known where his word and worship are, than 
+among idolatrous nations, who have neither the prophets, nor the 
+Spirit, nor the word, nor see his works, though they daily enjoy his 
+creatures and all his heavenly gifts and mercies; on all which 
+abundant gifts and mercies they feed like swine; for as they are 
+ignorant of the word, they are altogether ignorant of God.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLVIII.
+
+_The Psalmist exhorteth the celestial, the terrestrial, and the 
+rational creatures to praise God._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in 
+the heights.
+
+Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
+
+Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
+
+Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that _be_ above the 
+heavens.
+
+Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were 
+created.
+
+He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree 
+which shall not pass.
+
+Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
+
+Fire and hail; snow and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
+
+Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
+
+Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
+
+Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the 
+earth:
+
+Both young men and maidens; old men and children:
+
+Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; 
+his glory _is_ above the earth and heaven.
+
+He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; 
+_even_ of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye 
+the LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of thanksgiving; wherein the Psalmist calls upon, and 
+exhorts all creatures, both in heaven and in earth, to praise God; 
+calling more especially on his saints, the children of Israel, among 
+whom is the word and the worship of God.
+
+In this Psalm you may remark this blessed doctrine, that all orders of 
+men, all kinds of life, which are created of God, are good,—that is, 
+kings, magistrates, judges, young men, old men, &c. For if to hold the 
+office of a magistrate and to hear and judge causes were of itself 
+wicked, then such magistrates could not call upon and praise God, nor 
+would the Holy Spirit exhort them in this Psalm to that praise of God. 
+And where there are magistrates and laws, kings and princes, there 
+also there are subjects, town-sergeants and constables. And there also 
+there must be artificers in the cities, and men-servants and 
+maid-servants, and countrymen, and soldiers, &c. And, again, where 
+there are young men and old men, there are also wives and children, 
+and so whole families and households.
+
+All these things are good and holy gifts of God, and by no means to be 
+condemned or refused, as the pope blasphemously saith they are. All 
+these things, moreover, show that their all-high and Almighty Creator 
+is good; and that all these his good creatures ought to speak his 
+praise, to sound it forth with thousands of tongues, and to celebrate 
+this infinite goodness and the countless and unspeakable mercies of 
+God!
+
+If, therefore, thou desirest, contrary to the blasphemous doctrine of 
+the pope, and all like him, to know how supremely good all the 
+creatures of God are, from the least of them even to the greatest of 
+them; then, suppose to thyself that one of these creatures, out of the 
+universal whole, were deficient or wanting, for one short moment; 
+suppose there were no fire or no sun for a moment’s space even; 
+suppose there were no women, no infantine offspring;—suppose, I say, 
+any deficiency of this kind: by this thought thou wilt immediately 
+feel that no one can sufficiently praise God, even for one of his 
+creatures? And how many creatures has he formed! What worlds of 
+goodness has he created!
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CXLIX.
+
+_The prophet exhorteth to praise God for his love to the church, and 
+for that power which he hath given to the church._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, _and_ his praise in 
+the congregation of saints.
+
+Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be 
+joyful in their King.
+
+Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him 
+with the timbrel and harp.
+
+For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek 
+with salvation.
+
+Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their 
+beds.
+
+_Let_ the high _praises_ of God _be_ in their mouth, and a two-edged 
+sword in their hand;
+
+To execute vengeance upon the heathen, _and_ punishments upon the 
+people;
+
+To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of 
+iron;
+
+To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his 
+saints. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This Psalm is also a Psalm of thanksgiving for that infinite goodness 
+of God, his being merciful to his people; and for assuring them, by 
+his word, and by his promises of his good will towards them; and that 
+he will hear them, regard them, and have mercy upon them. To which 
+immense goodness of God, no thanks of his people can be equal. And 
+that treasure of mercy, which is greater than the whole world unto 
+afflicted consciences,—that God freely promises to his people his 
+blessing, in the seed of Abraham, and the remission of sins; and does 
+not regard their unworthiness in the gift;—that treasure of mercy, I 
+say, is greater than the mind of man is capable of conceiving.
+
+This Psalm, therefore, (if we may so speak) is properly a Psalm of the 
+New Testament. Hence the Psalmist saith, “Sing unto the Lord a new 
+song:” showing that all praise is to be sung unto the king of Israel 
+and of Zion; whom all ought to laud with rejoicing, “upon their beds:” 
+that is, in the churches and temples where they meet for worship; as 
+the prophet Isaiah also mentions their temples, their altars, their 
+beds, and their couches, where Israel committed fornication; that is, 
+worshipped their idols.
+
+And that also pertains to the New Testament where the Psalmist saith, 
+“And a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the 
+heathen, and to bind their kings with chains.” This is not to be 
+understood simply of the Jews or of the Mahometans, with respect to 
+any earthly tyranny; but this is the vengeance promised in the 
+scriptures; which the seed of Abraham, that is, the Israelites and the 
+apostles, should execute by the sword of the Spirit, by which they 
+should destroy idolatry in so many nations, and should put to shame 
+the wisdom of the whole world, as the apostle Paul saith. 2 Cor. x.
+
+
+
+
+PSALM CL.
+
+_An exhortation to praise God with all kinds of instruments._
+
+
+Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the 
+firmament of his power.
+
+Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent 
+greatness.
+
+Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery 
+and harp.
+
+Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed 
+instruments and organs.
+
+Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding 
+cymbals.
+
+Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
+
+
+This is a Psalm of praise, written for the people of Israel, (to 
+praise God in his holiness, or in his sanctuary): that is, to praise 
+him for that infinite and unequalled mercy, of erecting his sanctuary, 
+his tabernacle, his ark, his mercy-seat among the Israelites; and 
+thereby making Jerusalem the place of his dwelling. For God dwelt in 
+that place, the city of Jerusalem, as in the heaven of his habitation. 
+Hence other prophets call that people “the heavens,” and the place of 
+the habitation, of the name, and of the word of God. Because the 
+presence, the power, and the majesty of God are there, where he 
+manifests himself forth by his acts and his wonderful works.
+
+The Psalmist then mentions many musical instruments, which were used 
+by the people of Israel in their worship, according to the appointed 
+ceremonies of the Levitical worship and priesthood. But among 
+Christians and the people of the New Testament, the trumpet, psaltery, 
+the harp, the timbrels, are the gospel itself in the ministration of 
+the word.
+
+
+
+
+CONCLUDING ADMONITION.
+
+
+I would, in conclusion, have all godly souls (whom Satan, without 
+ceasing, harasses with temptations,) to bear in mind that all the 
+laudatory Psalms, or Psalms of thanksgiving, are also promises of God, 
+designed to lift up, to sustain, and to refresh afflicted consciences, 
+and to furnish them with arguments against the devil; assuring them 
+that God is the God of peace, of life, of consolation, and not the God 
+of misery, cruelty, and damnation. For when David and other saints 
+thus joyfully, and with all possible abundance of expression, praise 
+God, they thereby show forth unto all the afflicted, that God never 
+forsakes his own in their temptations, but pities all such; and that 
+he gives them breathing-times in their conflicts, succours them in 
+their distresses, beholds their contrite hearts, gives them in due 
+time an end of their afflictions, delivers them from all evils, and 
+oft-times most sweetly and marvellously comforts them.
+
+Wherefore, every thanksgiving in the Psalms, is at the same time, a 
+promise of grace, and a sweet doctrine to the tempted and the 
+afflicted: because thereby is shown, by the example of David and of 
+others, that God regardeth the afflicted, heareth all that call upon 
+him, and giveth peace unto them in all the various afflictions under 
+which they labour.
+
+Learn thou well then how to gather, throughout the book of Psalms, the 
+blessed argument against the devil, contained in the words, “PRAISE YE 
+THE LORD!” It was this that comforted David himself while praising 
+God: for they are not the dead that praise the Lord, nor they that are 
+swallowed up of sorrow, nor they that go down into hell!
+
+As therefore God ceaseth not, during this short and momentous life, to 
+try and prove his church, by causing her to undergo these many and 
+great offences, temptations, and afflictions, and these most bitter 
+hatreds of Satan and of the word; so he will, as surely, most 
+marvellously and excellently comfort her from heaven, and deliver her, 
+and save her!
+
+All, therefore, that believe, how many soever they be, and how many or 
+great soever their afflictions, are ever lifted up by the consolations 
+of God. And hence God will comfort us also, and all saints; and he 
+will open our mouths to praise him; that Satan may be confounded in 
+all his devices and in all his works, and that Jesus Christ, the Lord 
+our God, may be glorified! who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 
+liveth and reigneth, One God, blessed for evermore. Amen.
+
+
+
+
+THE PRINTER
+
+TO THE GODLY READER, GREETING.
+
+
+Behold, we here present unto thee, good Reader, the summary Commentary 
+of Doctor Martin Luther, collected from his mouth by those that heard 
+him, with all possible care and diligence. We could scarcely obtain 
+leave from the holy author to edit this commentary in his name: 
+because he felt that many things were wanting in this extemporaneous 
+explication, which a diligent writing down might have rendered more 
+perfect and more clear. But as he was satisfied that the sense and 
+substance of each Psalm were every where faithfully given, and that a 
+very important part of the true religion was here copiously handled; 
+he was, under these assurances, the more willing to overlook any thing 
+that might be wanting in the way of greater correctness, and loftier 
+language and expression.
+
+We hope, therefore, that this our labour will not be unacceptable to 
+the lovers of the Holy Scriptures and divine things. For they will 
+here see how blessedly this great man opened and taught the word of 
+God, and what his only aim and object were therein. And they will also 
+be the better enabled to judge of the writings of others. For while 
+others devote all their labours, pains, and aims, to thrust their 
+books upon the world; they never, in those books, touch in the least 
+upon those things which form the substance of the true religion! 
+Reader, farewell! May thy soul be blessed by our labour!
+
+
+
+
+PRINTED BY L. AND G. SEELEY, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75892 ***
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+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75892 ***</div>
+<h1>A MANUAL<br><br>
+<small>OF</small><br><br>
+THE BOOK OF PSALMS<br>
+<br>
+<small><small>OR, THE</small></small><br><br>
+<small>SUBJECT-CONTENTS OF ALL THE PSALMS</small></h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2><small><small>BY</small></small><br><br>
+MARTIN LUTHER</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h4><small>NOW FIRST TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH</small><br>
+<br>
+BY THE REV. HENRY COLE,</h4>
+<p class="center"><small>LATE OF CLARE-HALL, CAMBRIDGE;<br>
+TRANSLATOR OF “SELECT WORKS” OF LUTHER, &amp;C.</small></p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h4>PUBLISHED BY R. B. SEELEY AND W. BURNSIDE<br>
+AND SOLD BY L. AND G. SEELEY,<br>
+FLEET STREET, LONDON.<br>
+MDCCCXXXVII.</h4>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<p>The assurance that the following production of the immortal and 
+beloved reformer, Luther, would be acceptable and beneficial to every 
+lover of divine and experimental truth, was the motive that led the 
+Translator to present it, in an English version, to the British church 
+of Christ.</p>
+
+<p>No commendatory remarks are needed: the work itself will at once speak 
+its own worth. The translator would only observe, that in the 
+following M<small>ANUAL</small> C<small>OMMENTARY</small> on the Book of Psalms, Luther has most 
+divinely, experimentally, and beautifully opened up—the vanity and 
+delusion of all forms (even a gospel “form”) of godliness, without the 
+known and possessed “power” thereof;—the opposition and malicious 
+persecution which the real disciples of Christ ever meet with from the 
+wicked, and, above all, from hypocrites in religion;—the true and only 
+grounds of a Christian man’s hope, peace, and salvation; which are, a 
+trust and rest alone in the grace, righteousness, and atonement of our 
+Lord Jesus Christ;—the blessedness of a nation where the pure word and 
+worship of God guide, and are upheld by, its throne and government; 
+and the sure destruction of a kingdom when its magistrates act against 
+that word and worship;—and finally, the glory of all the creatures of 
+God, the abounding goodness of God in them, and the infinite 
+blessedness of their lawful use.</p>
+
+<p>Luther takes occasion also, from numberless passages in the Psalms, to 
+describe, point out, and distinguish the true church of God in the 
+midst of the earth, and the signs by which she may be known from all 
+other churches;—that she is that company of poor and afflicted people, 
+who are burdened with sins, filled with fears, covered with 
+infirmities, and despised by the world, and considered both by the 
+wicked, and by formal professors of religion, to be the last people 
+likely to be the church of God. He repeatedly shews, however, that 
+such, notwithstanding their rejection by all, are the true people and 
+church of God; and that it is unto such, and such only, that all the 
+promises of grace and mercy in Christ, and of help, provision, and 
+defence in this world, are made; ‘For (saith Luther) if you will look 
+through the whole Bible, you will find, that God is not the God of the 
+rich, the proud, the secure, &amp;c. but of the poor, the fearful, the 
+afflicted, and the helpless; who cannot do without his daily mercy and 
+help, either in the things of this world, or of that which is to 
+come.’</p>
+
+<p>That the great and heavenly things thus opened by the admired Luther 
+may be understood and enjoyed by every reader of the following manual, 
+is the desire and prayer of,</p>
+
+<div class="right">T<small>HE</small> T<small>RANSLATOR</small>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
+
+<blockquote><i>Highbury Place, Islington,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;June 8, 1837.</i></blockquote>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p><i>Other invaluable productions of Luther, which have never before been 
+translated into E<small>NGLISH</small>, are in hand, and will duly appear: which, 
+added to the four vols. of “Select Works,” the “Bondage of the Will,” 
+and the work “on Popery,” just published by Messrs. Nisbet, will put 
+the E<small>NGLISH</small> Church of Christ in possession of all the holy Reformer’s 
+works which are the most calculated to be of divine benefit to her.</i></p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>MARTIN LUTHER TO HIS FRIEND.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<p>I am unwilling to acknowledge that you are right in being so 
+industrious to publish abroad my poor productions: I fear you are 
+actuated too much by favour towards me. As to myself, I am wholly 
+dissatisfied with my works on the Psalms: not so much on account of 
+the sense which I have given, which I believe to be true and genuine, 
+as on account of the verbosity, confusion, and undigested chaos of my 
+commentaries altogether. The Book of Psalms is a book, my Commentaries 
+on which, from want of time and leisure, I am obliged to conceive, 
+digest, arrange, and prepare all at once. For I am overwhelmed with 
+occupation. I have two sermons to preach in a day: I have to meditate 
+on the Psalms: I have to consider over the letters which I receive by 
+the posts (as they are called) and to reply to my enemies: I have to 
+attack the Pope’s Bulls in both languages: and I have to defend 
+myself. (To say nothing about the letters of my friends which I have 
+to answer, and various domestic and casual engagements to which I am 
+obliged to attend!)</p>
+
+<p>You do well, therefore, to pray for me; for I am oppressed with many 
+afflictions, and much hindered from the performance of my sacred 
+duties;—my whole life is a cross to me! I have now in hand the xxii. 
+Psalm, “My God, my God, &amp;c.;” and I had hopes of completing a 
+Commentary on the whole Book of Psalms, if Christ should give us a 
+sufficient interval of peace, so that I could devote my whole time and 
+attention to it: but now, I cannot devote a fourth part of my time to 
+such a purpose: nay, the time that I do devote to it, is but a few 
+stolen moments.</p>
+
+<p>You do right in admonishing me of my want of moderation: I feel my 
+deficiency myself; but I find that I have not command over my own 
+mind: I am carried away from myself, as it were, by a certain vehement 
+zeal of spirit, while I am conscious that I wish evil to no one, 
+though all my adversaries press in upon me with such maddened fury: so 
+that, in fact, I have not time to consider who my enemies are, nor 
+what various treatment they require. Pray, therefore, the Lord for me, 
+that I may have wisdom to speak and write that which shall please him 
+and become me, and not what may appear becoming to them. And now, 
+farewell in Christ.</p>
+
+<blockquote><i>Wittemberg</i>, <small>A.D.</small> 1521.</blockquote>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>MARTIN LUTHER’S PREFACE TO THE BOOK OF PSALMS.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<p>Many of the old and godly fathers have highly extolled the Book of 
+Psalms, above all the other books of the Scripture, and have testified 
+their exceeding fondness and partiality for them. And indeed this 
+book, though small, deserves to be recommended above all others, (if a 
+difference may be made): though the Psalms of David do not want the 
+aid of borrowed encomiums, for they carry with them an abundance of 
+self-recommendation; and in them is the old proverb verified, which 
+says ‘The work proves the workman.’ Therefore, I have not put my hand 
+to this book for the purpose of parading before the world an encomium 
+upon it, since it so amply commends itself; but that I might, 
+according to the best of my ability, present those that fear God with 
+my judgment upon its all-excelling contents.</p>
+
+<p>In the years that are past we have seen an infinity of books handed 
+about in the world, but all most insipid and worthless; which, behind 
+an apparently honest and plausible title, (for they were prefaced with 
+the sentiments and examples of the saints) contained the most nugatory 
+fables, and the most barefaced lies. The world, therefore, was 
+everywhere so filled with writings of this kind, the most foolish, and 
+at the same time the most impious, that the Psalms themselves were 
+disregarded and thrust into darkness, and we had not one Psalm rightly 
+interpreted or understood. And yet, as this sweet book of David 
+continued to be sung in all our churches, and to be chanted over so 
+many thousand times in these incessant rounds and forms of 
+prayer,—even by this frigid use of the Psalms, bad as it was, some small savor 
+of life was diffused abroad among many that were of an honest and good 
+heart; and from these words themselves only, though not understood, 
+those that feared God drank in some little sweetness of the breath of 
+life, and some small taste of consolation, like the faint fragrance 
+which is found in the air that is not far from a bed of roses. Their 
+experience was like also unto a simple man passing through a flowery 
+and sweet-smelling meadow, who, though he knew not the peculiar nature 
+and properties of the flowers and herbs, yet found his senses regaled 
+with the general fragrance.</p>
+
+<p>I would say what I think of the Psalms in a few words thus:—I believe, 
+for my part, that there is no book under heaven, either of histories 
+or examples, to be compared to the Book of Psalms. Wherefore, if it 
+were right to ask of God, and, if such were our soul’s desire, that 
+all the greatest excellences and most choice experiences of all the 
+true saints should be gathered and collected from the whole church 
+since it has existed, and should be most briefly and appropriately 
+condensed into the focus of one book; if God, I say, should permit any 
+most spiritual and most gifted man to form and concentrate such a book 
+from all the excellences of the saints, and from the flower of the 
+facts recorded in the whole scripture (which might be done);—such a 
+book would be what the Book of Psalms is, or like unto it. For in the 
+Book of Psalms we have not the life of one of the saints only, but we 
+have the experience of Christ himself, the head of all the saints, for 
+he is set forth in those Psalms: we have, moreover, the feelings and 
+experiences of all the faithful, both under their sorrows and under 
+their joys, both in their adversity and their prosperity: how they 
+conducted themselves towards God, towards their friends, and towards 
+their enemies: how they acted in various perils and afflictions, in 
+the midst of temptations, and under the greatest necessities.</p>
+
+<p>And moreover, in addition to the great and blessed doctrines and 
+instructions in godliness which it embraces, the Book of Psalms ought 
+to be most dearly and highly prized by us on this account;—because it 
+contains such clear prophecies concerning the death and resurrection 
+of Christ, and holds forth such great and gracious promises concerning 
+the kingdom of Christ, the spread of the Gospel, and the state of the 
+whole church. So that you may truly call the Book of Psalms, a little 
+Bible; for in it all things that are contained in the whole Bible are 
+given to us in the most wonderfully brief and sweet manner, and 
+condensed into a most beautiful manual.</p>
+
+<p>If God should himself hand down a book out of heaven and commend it to 
+us with a divine voice, how highly would you prize and value it, how 
+greedily would you seize it? Be assured then that the Holy Spirit 
+himself has written and handed down to us this Book of Psalms, as a 
+form of prayer, in the same way as a father would give a book to his 
+children. He himself has drawn up this manual for his disciples; 
+having collected together, as it were, the lives, groans, and 
+experiences of many thousands, whose hearts he alone sees and knows. 
+If, therefore, thou canst not read the whole Bible, behold! thou 
+mayest, by reading the Book of Psalms only, have not only a summary of 
+all godliness, but all godly excellences, and the most spiritual 
+experiences.</p>
+
+<p>And again, another great excellency of the Book of Psalms is this. In 
+other scriptures and histories, for the most part the works and bodily 
+exercises only of the saints are described: you have very few 
+histories which give you the words, expressions, and sighs of the 
+saints, which are the indexes of the state of their minds. But it is 
+in these things that the Book of Psalms may be a feast of delight for 
+the meditations of the godly. In these respects, therefore, the 
+reading of a Psalm is peculiarly sweet; because you have therein, not 
+only the works and acts of the saints, but their very words and 
+expressions, nay, their sighs and groans to God, and the utterance in 
+which they conversed with him during their temptations; and all these 
+are recorded in such a lively and descriptive manner, that those 
+saints, though now dead, seem still to live and speak in the Psalms.</p>
+
+<p>Thus all other histories and lives of the saints, which describe their 
+acts and works only, when compared to the Book of Psalms, set forth 
+to us nothing more than dumb saints; and every thing that is recorded 
+of them is dull and lifeless. But in the Psalms, where the very 
+expressions of those that prayed in faith are recorded, all things 
+live, all things breathe, and living characters are set before us in 
+the most lively colours: the saints are represented to us as standing 
+supported by their faith, even in the midst of afflictions and 
+tribulations. A dumb man, indeed, is rather a lifeless post than a 
+man; for man is distinguished from the brute creation by nothing more 
+than by the power of speech. A stone even, under the hand of the 
+artificer, may represent the figure of a man. And, as to eating and 
+drinking, all dumb animals can do those things as well as he: they can 
+use the organs of sense as well as he: and indeed, as to strength of 
+body, they have greatly the advantage of him. Hence, it is the power 
+of speech that so distinguishes man from, and raises him above, the 
+brute creation: and that speech is the index of, and the mirror that 
+reflects, the mind.</p>
+
+<p>As, therefore, the Psalms describe the words and expressions of the 
+saints, they give us an exact picture of their minds. For the Psalms 
+record not those common and everywhere-heard expressions of the 
+saints, but those ardent and pathetic utterances, by which, in real 
+earnest, and under the very pressure of temptations, and in the very 
+wrestlings of their souls, they poured out their hearts like Jacob, 
+not before man, but before God! The Psalms give us, therefore, not 
+only the works and words of the saints, but the very hidden treasure 
+of their hearts’ feelings—the very inmost sensations and motions of 
+their soul.</p>
+
+<p>Wouldst thou see, then, the face and countenance of David, which he 
+carried under all those perils and sorrows with which the Lord 
+exercised him?—then read the Psalms; and they will give thee not only 
+the outward David, but, more expressively still, the inner David; and 
+that more descriptively than he could do it himself, if he were to 
+talk with you face to face. What then are all other histories, which 
+band about the singular works, and I know not what miracles of the 
+saints? I can see all the works and the miracles of the saints in 
+these everywhere-to-be-had records, but I can see nothing of the 
+feelings and sensations of their hearts.</p>
+
+<p>As, therefore, I had much rather hear David or any such eminent saint 
+speak, than merely see the works or exercises of his body; so, much 
+rather would I know the inmost thoughts of David’s heart, and the 
+inward conflicts and struggles of his faith. With this knowledge the 
+Psalms furnish us most satisfactorily; so that from them we can know 
+what he felt and what all the saints felt, under their temptations, 
+from the ardent expressions and effusions which are uttered. For the 
+human heart is like a ship in the midst of the sea, which is exposed 
+to the perils of the winds and the waves on every side, and made as it 
+were their sport. For as the ship is suddenly assaulted, so trouble, 
+and the fear of future evil, like a sudden tempest, assaults and 
+disarms our minds: and then flow in cowardice of spirit, and sorrow of 
+heart, which, like the waves, run over us and threaten to overwhelm us 
+every moment. By and by, again, the confidence inspired by prosperity 
+carries us up to heaven in full sail; and then, security under our 
+present prospects dashes unexpectedly our ship against a rock. These, 
+I say, and the numberless other evils and perils of this life, tend to 
+arouse and stir up the saints, and teach and bring them to sigh and 
+groan from the recesses within, to pour out their whole hearts, and to 
+cry with their whole souls unto heaven. The complaints of those who 
+thus grieve and groan in truth, are far more ardent than theirs’ who 
+only feign sorrows and straits of mind: just as the man, who feels 
+joyful and glad in reality, discovers a far greater gladness, 
+hilarity, and exultation in his countenance, expressions, and whole 
+appearance, than he who only smoothes his brows with a feigned 
+rejoicing.</p>
+
+<p>The expressions contained in the Psalms, then, as I have said, are 
+uttered under the true and real feelings of the heart; and the greater 
+part of them contain the pathetic and ardent utterances of the heart 
+under every kind of affliction and temptation. But wherever the 
+feelings of joy are described, you will never find the sensations of a 
+heart, filled with gladness and exultation, more significantly and 
+expressively described, than in the Psalms of thanksgiving, or the 
+Psalms of praise. There you may look into the hearts of the saints, as 
+into paradise, or into the opened heaven; and may see, in the greatest 
+variety, all the beautiful and flourishing flowers, or the most 
+brilliant stars, as it were, of their upspringing affections towards 
+God for his benefits and blessings.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, you will never find the straits, the sorrows, and 
+the pains of a distressed mind any where described in a more 
+expressive manner than in the Psalms of temptations, or of complaints; 
+as in Psalm vi. and the like; where you see all dark and gloomy, all 
+full of anguish and distress, under a sight and sense of divine wrath, 
+and the working of despair.</p>
+
+<p>And so again, where the Psalms are speaking of hope or fear, they so 
+describe those feelings in their true and native colours, that no 
+Demosthenes or Cicero could ever equal them in liveliness, or 
+descriptiveness of expression. For, as I have before observed, the 
+Psalms have this peculiarity of excellence above all other books of 
+description,—that the saints, whose feelings and sensations are 
+therein set forth, did not speak to the wind, under those their 
+exercises and conflicts, nor to an earthly friend, but unto, and 
+before, God himself, and in the sight of God. And it is this that 
+above all things gives a seriousness, and reality to the feelings,—it 
+is this that affects, as it were, the very bones and the marrow,—when 
+a creature feels itself speaking in the very sight and presence of its 
+God! But when we are speaking otherwise, and complaining to a friend, 
+or to a man only, our necessities are not so keenly and really felt; 
+our feelings are not so ardent, real, and poignant.</p>
+
+<p>The Book of Psalms, therefore, as it contains these real feelings of 
+the saints, is a book so universally adapted and useful to all 
+Christians, that whatever one that truly fears God may be suffering, 
+or under what temptation soever he may be, he may find, in the Psalms, 
+feelings and expressions exactly suited to his case; just as much so 
+as if the Psalms had been indited and composed from his own personal 
+afflictions.</p>
+
+<p>It ought, therefore, godly soul, to be a great consolation to thee 
+when the Psalms truly suit and delight thee. There is a saying of 
+Quinctilian left on record, who says, ‘He that is truly delighted with 
+Cicero may be assured that he has made a good progress:’ which I may 
+not unappropriately turn thus,—‘He that is really delighted with, and 
+receives consolation from, the Psalms of David, may be assured that he 
+has arrived at some knowledge and experience in divine things.’ For 
+when thou findest thyself under the same feelings that David was; when 
+the chords and strings of his harp are really re-echoed by the 
+feelings and sensations of thy heart; thou mayest assure thyself that 
+thou art in the congregation of the elect of God; seeing that thou art 
+afflicted in the same manner as they were afflicted, and that thou 
+prayest with the same faith, sensations, and affections as they 
+prayed. Whereas, to a cold and frigid reader, destitute of faith, all 
+these Psalms are insipid and unengaging.</p>
+
+<p>Again, the Psalms are those parts of the lives of the saints, which 
+you may most safely copy and imitate. Other lives and histories, which 
+do not set forth the words and expressions, but certain works of the 
+saints, contain many things of the saints which we cannot imitate, 
+such as certain signs and wonders, and demonstrations of divine power. 
+And indeed some of the recorded works of those who are considered to 
+have been saints, are such that you cannot imitate them without 
+eminent peril; being such works as cause sects and heresies, and draw 
+us away from the unity of the Spirit; of which we have abundant proof 
+in monkery. But the Psalms call us away from all sects and divisions, 
+to the unity of the Spirit. They teach us to maintain fear in 
+prosperity, and not to cast away our hope in adversity; and thus to be 
+of the same mind, to have the same desires, and to have the same 
+feelings and sensations with all the saints.</p>
+
+<p>In a word, if you desire to see the Christian church painted forth, as 
+it were, in a most beautiful picture, and in the most lively and 
+descriptive colours, then take the Psalms into thy hands; this will be 
+as an all-clear mirror, which will represent to thee the whole church 
+in its true features; and if thou be one that fears God it will 
+present to thee a true picture of thyself: so that, according to the 
+maxim of the philosopher of old, γνωθι σεαυτον, thou wilt, by this book, 
+come to a true knowledge of thyself, nay, and also of God and all 
+creatures.</p>
+
+<p>Let us therefore watch over our hearts, and see that we be thankful in 
+this our day for this revelation of the word, for this unspeakable 
+gift of God. Let us use these precious gifts to the glory of God, and 
+the good of our neighbour, lest we be made to suffer the deserved 
+punishment of our ingratitude. For not many years ago, during that 
+barbarous blindness and ignorance, what a treasure should we have had, 
+if we had possessed one Psalm only, really and truly understood and 
+set forth; but we had not so much as one! And now we are blessed with 
+such an abundance of revelation—“Blessed therefore are the eyes which 
+see the things that we see, and the ears which hear the things that we 
+hear.” But how do I fear lest, like the Israelites in the desert, we 
+should at length nauseate this manna and say, “Our souls loathe this 
+light food.” But however, the despisers of the word shall bear their 
+judgment, whoever they are, even as the Israelites bore the awful 
+judgments wherewith God punished them. But may the Father of all 
+mercies and the God of all consolation, keep and increase in us the 
+knowledge of his word, for Jesus Christ our Lord’s sake: to whom, for 
+this Book of Psalms, and for all the excellent gifts which he has 
+richly bestowed upon us, be praise and glory, for ever and ever! Amen!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>MARTIN LUTHER’S INTRODUCTORY ADMONITION.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<p>Before I commence my S<small>UMMARIES</small>, or <small>SUBJECT-CONTENTS</small> of the Psalms, I 
+would desire the reader to bear in mind that the Psalms contained in 
+this Book of David are of five different kinds.</p>
+
+<p>1. Some Psalms are Prophecies concerning Christ, the church, the 
+different states of the church, and the various afflictions of the 
+saints, &amp;c. To this class belong all those Psalms which contain 
+promises and threatenings,—promises concerning the deliverances and 
+salvation of the godly; and threatenings concerning the destruction of 
+the wicked.</p>
+
+<p>2. There are some Psalms which teach us what we ought to do, and what 
+we ought not to do, according to the law of God. To this kind belong 
+all those Psalms which condemn human doctrines, and extol the majesty 
+and authority of the word of God.</p>
+
+<p>3. There are Psalms of consolation; which comfort and lift up the 
+hearts of those who are distressed, tempted, and afflicted by Satan 
+and the world: and which, on the other hand, rebuke and terrify 
+tyrants. To this class belong all those Psalms which minister 
+consolation to the godly, and threaten the oppressors with the 
+judgments of God.</p>
+
+<p>4. There are supplicatory Psalms, wherein the prophet and others in 
+their afflictions call upon God in prayer and implore his help. To 
+this class belong all those Psalms which complain of persecutions from 
+the wicked.</p>
+
+<p>5. There are also Psalms of thanksgiving; wherein thanks are rendered 
+to God for all his mercies and benefits, and for his deliverance in 
+various times of need. To this class belong all those Psalms which 
+celebrate the praises of God and laud him for his works. These are the 
+principal Psalms in the whole Book; and these peculiarly come under 
+the denomination of Psalms: for the whole Book was expressly written 
+to praise God and to worship him according to the First Commandment. 
+Hence, in the Hebrew, the Book is called <small>SEPHER IL CHILLIM</small>: that is, 
+the Book of Praises and Thanksgivings.</p>
+
+<p>The reader, however, is to bear in mind also, that the Psalms are not 
+to be understood in a superstitious manner. He is not to suppose that 
+every Psalm must be divided into these five particulars in certain 
+verses; for some Psalms contain two of these particulars, some three, 
+and some all five of them: for, very often, the same Psalm contains 
+prophecy, doctrine, consolation, supplication and thanksgiving. But I 
+have just made these remarks, that the reader may know that the Psalms 
+contain these five particulars; for knowing that, is of great help, 
+not only to the understanding of them, but to the perceiving of their 
+order, to the bearing of them in memory, and to the perfect knowledge 
+of them.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>THE BOOK OF PSALMS.</h2>
+<br>
+<hr align="center" width="100">
+<br>
+
+<h3>PSALM I.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The happiness of the godly.—The unhappiness of the ungodly.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, 
+nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the 
+scornful.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But his delight <i>is</i> in the law of the L<small>ORD</small>; and in his law doth he 
+meditate day and night.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that 
+bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not 
+wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The ungodly <i>are</i> not so: but <i>are</i> like the chaff which the wind 
+driveth away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in 
+the congregation of the righteous.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the 
+ungodly shall perish.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This first is a Psalm of consolation; by which the hearts of the godly 
+are encouraged and stirred up to magnify above all things the word of 
+God, in which the whole of true life and salvation stands; and to 
+hear, read, weigh, and meditate on it with a willingness of mind. For 
+this Psalm shows, that those only are truly blessed, prosperous in all 
+things, and enjoy a firm, sure, and eternal consolation both in 
+prosperity and adversity, who are enabled to learn and know, from his 
+word, the will and the works of God.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, as a tall palm-tree by the water-side continually grows upwards 
+higher and higher against all the violence of storms, retains its 
+strength against all the weights that man can put upon it, and, by a 
+secret growth, becomes daily more and more flourishing, and brings 
+forth its fruits in its season; so, saith this Psalm, do the saints 
+increase and grow continually by the Spirit and word; so are they 
+rendered more and more firm and constant, and invincible against every 
+evil; so do they daily become more fortified against all the 
+calamities of life.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm denies, on the other hand, that any knowledge of God or any 
+true consolation can be derived from human doctrines, how fair a show 
+soever they may make. The wicked, (saith it,) and hypocrites, are like 
+the chaff that is scattered by the wind: that is, the wicked are 
+utterly destroyed by afflictions, at least in death; they endure not 
+in temptation, but by and by separate themselves from the assembly of 
+the righteous, and at length come to nought.</p>
+
+<p>God looks upon those alone who worship him by hearing, learning, and 
+declaring his word; and these are they whom this Psalm pronounces 
+“blessed.” He disregards all the rest, who are hypocrites and 
+pharisaical worshippers; he despises all their good works and 
+worshippings, and leaves them to perish in their blindness.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm flows from the Third Commandment, and has respect unto that 
+which is there written: “Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath 
+day;” that is, that thou hear, read, meditate on, and ponder the word 
+of God. And the sum of this Psalm is comprehended in the Lord’s 
+Prayer, in the second and third petitions, where we pray, that the 
+kingdom of God may increase and be edified by his word, and at length 
+be revealed in its perfection, and that his will may be done: and both 
+of these petitions are answered, when the word of God, which abideth 
+for ever, is purely taught and learnt, and seriously and diligently 
+used and pondered.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM II.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The kingdom of Christ.—Kings are exhorted to accept it.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel 
+together, against the L<small>ORD</small>, and against his Anointed, <i>saying</i>,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the L<small>ORD</small> shall have them 
+in derision.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore 
+displeasure.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will declare the decree: the L<small>ORD</small> hath said unto me, Thou <i>art</i> my 
+Son; this day have I begotten thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ask of me, and I shall give <i>thee</i> the heathen <i>for</i> thine 
+inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth <i>for</i> thy 
+possession.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in 
+pieces like a potter’s vessel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the 
+earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Serve the L<small>ORD</small> with fear, and rejoice with trembling.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish <i>from</i> the way, when his 
+wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed <i>are</i> all they that put their 
+trust in him.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a remarkable prophecy concerning Christ: it is cited by 
+the apostles in the Acts, chapter iv.: it predicted that Christ should 
+suffer, be crucified, and glorified, and that he should be King and 
+Lord of all creatures; that to him should be given all power both in 
+heaven and in earth, and that his name should be above every name that 
+is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains also a description of the kingdom of Christ and 
+the terrible threatenings of God against the kings, the princes, the 
+wise, and the powerful of the world; that they shall all perish, who, 
+being carried away with the pride of human reason and carnal wisdom, 
+do not acknowledge this King, Christ, nor obey his gospel; but who 
+oppose his kingdom, and endeavour to blot out his name.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, this Psalm contains most consoling promises, 
+namely, that he that sitteth in the heavens, (in comparison of whom 
+all the kings of the earth are mere worms,) holds in derision, and in 
+a moment defeats, all their counsels and all their crafty devices 
+against his word and this kingdom of Christ; and that he ever 
+powerfully and miraculously saves, preserves, delivers, and prospers 
+believers, and the whole church throughout the world, in the midst of 
+the kingdom of the devil, and against all the powers and the gates of 
+hell.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm flows from the First Commandment; where God declares that 
+he alone will be our God, to save us and deliver us from all 
+afflictions. Thus, it was he alone that delivered us, through Christ, 
+from sin, from death, from the power of the devil, and from hell, and 
+gave unto us eternal life. This pertains to the second petition of the 
+Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM III.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The security of God’s protection.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his 
+son.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, how are they increased that trouble me? many <i>are</i> they that 
+rise up against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many <i>there be</i> which say of my soul, <i>There is</i> no help for him in 
+God. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>art</i> a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of 
+mine head.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I cried unto the L<small>ORD</small> with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy 
+hill. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I laid me down and slept; I awaked: for the L<small>ORD</small> sustained me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set 
+<i>themselves</i> against me round about.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O L<small>ORD</small>; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine 
+enemies <i>upon</i> the cheek-bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the 
+ungodly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Salvation <i>belongeth</i> unto the L<small>ORD</small>: thy blessing is upon thy people. 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer of David in the time of his greatest 
+affliction, and under the severest trial he ever experienced. And here 
+we have set before us a signal example of this greatest and most 
+spiritual of men—David; how he, in the time of Absalom, when all 
+Israel revolted from him and went over to Absalom; how this eminent 
+saint, I say, who was now an exile, forsaken by all, betrayed by those 
+of his own household, and in the midst of the most appalling peril of 
+his own life and salvation; how, when sinking under this heavy 
+calamity, and struggling in this agony, he prayed unto God in faith; 
+and what a fervency of heart there was in these his cries unto him.</p>
+
+<p>In a word,—in this Psalm, David, with a wonderful feeling of mind, and 
+a signal experience of faith, extols, in the highest strains, the 
+greatness of the long-suffering and goodness of God, when he says, 
+“Salvation is of the Lord!” As if he had said, The Lord is he alone 
+who has all salvation in his hand, and all the issues of life and 
+death. He sets up and changes kingdoms in a moment, just as he wills. 
+No peril is so great, no death so instant, from which he cannot 
+deliver his own, if they but call upon him in true faith, and flee 
+unto him alone.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has reference to the First Commandment, wherein it is said, 
+“I am the Lord thy God;” and it is comprehended in the seventh 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray, “Deliver us from evil.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM IV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David prayeth for audience.—He reproveth and exhorteth his 
+enemies.—Man’s happiness is in God’s favour.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm of 
+David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me 
+<i>when I was</i> in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O ye sons of men, how long <i>will ye turn</i> my glory into shame? <i>how 
+long</i> will ye love vanity, <i>and</i> seek after leasing? Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But know that the L<small>ORD</small> hath set apart him that is godly for himself: 
+the Lord will hear when I call unto him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, 
+and be still. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>There be</i> many that say, Who will shew us <i>any</i> good? L<small>ORD</small>, lift thou 
+up the light of thy countenance upon us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time <i>that</i> their 
+corn and their wine increased.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, L<small>ORD</small>, only 
+makest me dwell in safety.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation: yet it at the same time teaches us to 
+bear afflictions patiently, to expect the help of God, and to trust in 
+him in all adversities. For that greatest of all wisdom, true and real 
+Christian wisdom, is unknown to the world: which wisdom is, to learn 
+and to know, by daily temptations and by various trials of faith, that 
+God exercises his people in all these afflictions, to the end that 
+they may understand his will; and that his design in exposing them to 
+the all-bitter hatred of the world and the devil, is, that he might 
+save, deliver, comfort, strengthen, and glorify them in a wonderful 
+manner, in the midst of perils, and even in death itself; and that he 
+might make known his conflicting church as being invincible, through 
+faith and the word, in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, against 
+all the storms of the world, and under all the clouds, darkness, and 
+tempests of temptations of every kind.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm also most severely strikes at all hypocrites and wicked men 
+of every description, who, before the eyes of the world, would have us 
+believe that they are the only true saints and the people of God; who 
+even say that they worship God, while they know nothing of him; for in 
+the time of affliction, they tremble with cowardly fear, and 
+impatiently mutter in their hearts against God and his holy will; they 
+soon forget his words and his works, and, wickedly forsaking him who 
+alone is able to comfort them, cease from expecting his aid, hate the 
+cross, and seek for human consolation: whereas, there is no sure 
+consolation to be obtained either from friends or from all the 
+resources of human help; for in God alone is sure consolation; and 
+that is all-sure, and eternal; which no creature can take away, either 
+in this world or in that which is to come.</p>
+
+<p>This peace and consolation of God, however, is not like the peace of 
+the world. For, “Know ye, (saith David) that the Lord dealeth 
+wonderfully with his saints:” he casts them down, that he may raise 
+them up; he afflicts them that he may minister consolation unto them; 
+he humbles them that he may exalt them; he makes them sorrowful that 
+he may make them glad: in a word, he kills them that he may make them 
+alive.</p>
+
+<p>The agonizing struggles of the godly, therefore, in this life against 
+sin, and the devil who unceasingly assaults them, and desires to sift 
+them as wheat, are their exercises of faith and patience: from which 
+exercises those that fear God learn more satisfactorily to know his 
+presence;—that he is ever present with them; and that he will never 
+leave nor forsake those that believe in him, but will ever 
+marvellously deliver, save and rescue them from all their deaths and 
+destructions.</p>
+
+<p>But the wicked and hypocrites, how much soever they may talk about God 
+with their lips, yet hate God, and hate this his will in the 
+afflictions of his saints; as it is written in the first 
+commandment—“Unto them that hate me.” And again, as Paul saith—“Whose God is their 
+belly.” These characters wish first, and above all things, that all 
+theirs,—their fortunes, their property, their friends, should be safe; 
+and they trust in their riches and possessions. All such, therefore, 
+deride this doctrine of faith: and if any one should preach to such 
+this patience, and this word of the cross, they would laugh at it, and 
+would boast of their holiness and religion in opposition to those who 
+truly fear God. They would say, ‘What! are we to be taught what is 
+right by such a fool as you? Are you to teach us what is good, and 
+what the true worship of God is?’</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm also pertains to the First Commandment. It teaches us to 
+trust in God both in prosperity and adversity, and patiently to wait 
+for his help, calling upon him with earnestness and constancy. The 
+subject matter of this Psalm is contained in the third and seventh 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer—“Thy will be done,” and “Deliver us from 
+evil:” and also in the fourth, where we pray, “that there may be given 
+us our daily bread:” that is, peace, and all those things that are 
+required unto the sustaining of this life, against all the various 
+evils of poverty, hunger, and want; with which things the devil, in an 
+especial manner, exercises the church of God in this world.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM V.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David prayeth, and professeth his study in prayer.—God favoureth not 
+the wicked.—David, professing his faith, prayeth unto God to guide 
+him—and to preserve the godly.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth. A Psalm of 
+David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Give ear to my words, O L<small>ORD</small>; consider my meditation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee 
+will I pray.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O L<small>ORD</small>; in the morning will I 
+direct <i>my prayer</i> unto thee, and will look up.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou <i>art</i> not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; neither 
+shall evil dwell with thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of 
+iniquity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the L<small>ORD</small> will abhor the 
+bloody and deceitful man.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But as for me, I will come <i>into</i> thy house in the multitude of thy 
+mercy; <i>and</i> in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lead me, O L<small>ORD</small>, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies; make 
+thy way straight before my face.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For <i>there is</i> no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part <i>is</i> 
+very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with 
+their tongue.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels: cast 
+them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have 
+rebelled against thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever 
+shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love 
+thy name be joyful in thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou, L<small>ORD</small>, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou 
+compass him as <i>with</i> a shield.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is an earnest prayer against that most destructive 
+pestilence in the church—false teachers: and all ages, from Cain, the 
+first man that was born, the first hypocrite after the creation of 
+Adam, and the first “man of blood,” have had their Cainish saints, 
+their false prophets, their false apostles, and their fanatic spirits; 
+who have taught their own human dreams, and their own traditions for 
+the word of God, and resolutely contended for their own Cainish 
+holiness, ever burning with an insatiable thirst to drink the blood of 
+the Abels, the true saints: and these Christ has called, in his 
+gospel, “vipers.”</p>
+
+<p>It is at the blasphemies of these against God, and their cruelty 
+towards men, that this Psalm strikes; and openly exposes the persons 
+themselves as most virulent hypocrites, in whose doctrine and works 
+there is nothing but outside daubing, nothing but doubting and 
+disquietude, and a whole slaughter-house of consciences. These 
+characters suppress the true word, the doctrine of faith, and the true 
+worship of God; namely, the worship required by the First Commandment: 
+and there is no end to their rage against those that fear God: they 
+cause horrid devastations in the church, and load her with an infinity 
+of injuries.</p>
+
+<p>Against the destructive influence of these, therefore, David prays in 
+this Psalm;—that it would please God to prevent the persecuting and 
+Cain-like counsels of such hypocrites, and all crafty and 
+blood-thirsty characters of the kind, and, amid all this bitter and 
+furious hatred of the world and the devil, and such an infinity of 
+cruelty in all their adversaries, to defend, comfort, prop up, and 
+protect the godly; to confound the hypocrisy of the wicked, to root 
+out all false worship; to cause the true word and the true worship of 
+God to spread and flourish, and to glorify the true church in the face 
+of the false one, under all the outward daubing and show of the 
+latter.</p>
+
+<p>In the last verse, David appends a most glorious promise;—that, 
+although those who truly fear God are cruelly treated by those 
+hypocrites, it shall yet come to pass that the godly shall at length 
+rejoice that their prayers are heard, and shall see the judgments of 
+God openly fall upon the hypocrites and fanatics, and the true church 
+defended and preserved.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has reference to the Second and Third Commandments of the 
+Decalogue, and to the first and second petitions of the Lord’s Prayer; 
+where we pray “that the name of the Lord may be sanctified and 
+glorified,” against the pride and gloryings of such hypocrites.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM VI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David’s complaint in his sickness.—By faith he triumpheth over his
+enemies.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, on Neginoth upon Sheminith. A 
+Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot 
+displeasure.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Have mercy upon me, O L<small>ORD</small>; for I <i>am</i> weak: O L<small>ORD</small>, heal me; for my 
+bones are vexed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O L<small>ORD</small>, how long?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Return, O L<small>ORD</small>, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For in death <i>there is</i> no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall 
+give thee thanks?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I 
+water my couch with my tears.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all 
+mine enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the L<small>ORD</small> hath heard 
+the voice of my weeping.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath heard my supplication; 
+the L<small>ORD</small> will receive my prayer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return <i>and</i> 
+be ashamed suddenly.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer full of those mental exercises that are felt 
+under the deepest and most secret temptations which can only be known 
+by experience, because no words can describe them; for they are those 
+feelings under which the saints agonize in those bitter and 
+unutterable conflicts which are wholly unknown to the world: they are 
+those feelings, I say, under which they agonize when struggling with 
+sin, the law, and the wrath and judgment of God: all which are 
+experienced in the hours of darkness, while the devil is horribly 
+tempting and pressing in upon them.</p>
+
+<p>These internal fears and terrors, under which all the godly agonize 
+and sweat, will, of necessity, one day wholly swallow up the 
+hypocrites who are destitute of the word. Here it is, that in the 
+godly, there is an unspeakable conflict of justice with sin; the law, 
+and wrath of God, with a confidence in his mercy; and faith and hope, 
+with desperation and despair; though the godly are at length delivered 
+and saved. These terrors the scripture calls in other places, and 
+especially in the Psalms, “the pains of hell,” and, “the snares of 
+death.”</p>
+
+<p>But this Psalm expressly shews in the end, that the sighs and groans 
+of the godly under these agonizing conflicts, these pains, and these 
+straits of soul, shall surely be heard. This Psalm, therefore, and 
+others like it, open to us a view of the heart of David, and afford 
+the greatest consolation to the godly. For they shew, that, although 
+the saints thus deeply agonize under these straits, and under these 
+terrible and open views of the wrath of God, yet, that these 
+temptations which appear to be infinite and endless, shall surely have 
+an end, and that God will never forsake those who fear him, in their 
+terrors and conflicts with death and hell.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, the prophet, in this Psalm, with a wonderful zeal 
+of spirit, and with the most cutting sharpness and severity, strikes 
+at all the wicked of the world: and, above all, he condemns all secure 
+hypocrites and pharisaical ministers; calling them, notwithstanding 
+their outward appearance of being saints,—“workers of iniquity;” who 
+persecute all afflicted and true Christians with the bitterness of 
+Cain, and cease not to hate them with all the virulence of Satan; 
+adding grief to their grief, and affliction to their affliction.</p>
+
+<p>‘Away with ye,’ saith he, ‘ye hypocrites. I have learnt that I have a 
+God to go to; but ye are ignorant both of God and of his works. Ye 
+know not what an awful weight the wrath of God is, and how great and 
+soul-refreshing a thing the remission of sins, the knowledge of 
+eternal life, and the experience of grace, are. Ye worship God with 
+your mouths and with your lips; ye trust in your own righteousnesses 
+and works, not knowing what God and what sin are; and therefore ye are 
+most cruel and most bitter enemies to the word and true worship of 
+God; in which worship, the greatest and most acceptable sacrifice is a 
+spirit thus pressed into straits and afflicted.’</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has reference to the First and Second Commandment; it 
+contains the agonizing conflict of faith, and calls upon God against 
+the force of sin and death. And it refers also to the first petition 
+of the Lord’s Prayer; as do also the other supplicatory Psalms. For, 
+to supplicate and pray, is to sanctify and call upon the name of the 
+Lord.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM VII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David prayeth against the malice of his enemies, professing his 
+innocency.—By faith he seeth his defence, and the destruction of his 
+enemies.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the L<small>ORD</small>, concerning the words 
+of Cush the Benjamite.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that 
+persecute me, and deliver me;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending <i>it</i> in pieces, while <i>there 
+is</i> none to deliver.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I 
+have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy;)</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take <i>it;</i> yea, let him tread 
+down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O L<small>ORD</small>, in thine anger; lift up thyself, because of the rage of 
+mine enemies; and awake for me <i>to</i> the judgment <i>that</i> thou hast 
+commanded.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their 
+sakes, therefore, return thou on high.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall judge the people: judge me, O L<small>ORD</small>, according to my 
+righteousness, and according to mine integrity <i>that is</i> in me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the 
+just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My defence <i>is</i> of God, which saveth the upright in heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry <i>with the wicked</i> every 
+day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow and made 
+it ready.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth 
+his arrows against the persecutors.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and 
+brought forth falsehood.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch <i>which</i> he 
+made.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing 
+shall come down upon his own pate.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise the L<small>ORD</small> according to his righteousness: and will sing 
+praise to the name of the L<small>ORD</small> Most High.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer against that common and usual blasphemy with which 
+the world accuses the prophets, apostles, and all others who fear God, 
+as being seditious persons, who destroy the peace and general 
+tranquility of the state: as Shimei bitterly upbraided David, when 
+under that heavy affliction in the time of Absalom, calling him a 
+bloody man, and saying that he had invaded the kingdom of Saul, &amp;c. In 
+the same way the Jews accused Christ before Pilate. And in the same 
+way also now do certain hypocrites,—bishops and other enemies, against 
+all conscience, brand the professors of the gospel with the 
+appellation of ‘seditious persons.’</p>
+
+<p>Against all trials of this kind, which are indeed most bitter to bear, 
+the prophet fights by prayer unto God, calling upon God to bear 
+witness to his innocency. And then, to encourage and comfort all that 
+fear God, he shews, that all who thus pray are heard; and he sets 
+forth himself as an example.</p>
+
+<p>Lastly, he threatens a horrid, sudden, and momentary judgment to those 
+hypocrites and tyrants, who thus rage against the godly with the most 
+bitter hatred: and he signifies that all such shall in the end perish 
+like Absalom, who was cut off and died in a new, sudden, and dreadful 
+way, in the midst of his furious career, before he could accomplish 
+that which he had planned.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm refers to the second precept in the Decalogue, and to the 
+first petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM VIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>God’s glory is magnified by his works, and by his love to man.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Gittith. A Psalm of 
+David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> our Lord, how excellent <i>is</i> thy name in all the earth! who 
+hast set thy glory above the heavens.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, 
+because of thine enemies; that thou mightest still the enemy and the 
+avenger.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the 
+stars, which thou hast ordained;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What <i>is</i> man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that 
+thou visitest him?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast 
+crowned him with glory and honour.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands: thou 
+hast put all <i>things</i> under his feet:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, <i>and whatsoever</i> passeth 
+through the paths of the seas.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning Christ,—concerning his passion, his 
+resurrection, and his dominion over all creatures; and it is thus that 
+the apostle cites it, Ephes. i. with reference to the kingdom of 
+Christ: where he foretels, that the power and might of his kingdom 
+will be invincible against all enemies, how violent soever they may be 
+in their determination to wreak their vengeance:—that is, that he will 
+be victoriously mighty against all the wise and the powerful of the 
+world, and against all hypocrites and pharisaical saints:—that he will 
+be invincible and victorious, I say, not by arms, nor by mighty forces 
+of horse and foot, but by the word of his gospel; which shall be 
+preached by “babes and sucklings,” (that is, by humble men, men who 
+are weak and contemptible in the sight of the world,) and believed in 
+by his church of poor, afflicted, crying, and complaining 
+creatures:—that this word of the gospel, I repeat, preached and believed in by 
+such poor creatures, shall nevertheless confound all the wisdom of the 
+world, and break and crush under it all the strength of the world, and 
+that no creature power whatever shall impede it in its work and 
+course, but that it shall stand firmer than the heaven, or the sun, or 
+the moon, and shall endure for evermore!</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm pertains to the First Commandment, where God declares that 
+he will be our God: and also to the second petition of the Lord’s 
+Prayer, as I have before observed under Psalm II.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM IX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David praiseth God for executing of judgment.—He inciteth others to 
+praise him.—He prayeth that he may have cause to praise him.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben. A Psalm of 
+David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise <i>thee</i>, O L<small>ORD</small>, with my whole heart; I will shew forth 
+all thy marvellous works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O 
+thou Most High.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy 
+presence.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the 
+throne judging right.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou 
+hast put out their name for ever and ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O thou enemy! destructions are come to a perpetual end; and thou hast 
+destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the L<small>ORD</small> shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for 
+judgment;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister 
+judgment to the people in uprightness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of 
+trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, 
+L<small>ORD</small>, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing praises to the L<small>ORD</small>, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the 
+people his doings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he 
+forgetteth not the cry of the humble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Have mercy upon me, O L<small>ORD</small>; consider my trouble <i>which I suffer</i> of 
+them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of 
+Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The heathen are sunk down in the pit <i>that</i> they made: in the net 
+which they hid is their own foot taken.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> is known <i>by</i> the judgment <i>which</i> he executeth: the wicked 
+is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked shall be turned into hell, <i>and</i> all the nations that 
+forget God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the 
+poor shall <i>not</i> perish for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O L<small>ORD</small>; let not man prevail; let the heathen be judged in thy 
+sight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Put them in fear, O L<small>ORD</small>; <i>that</i> the nations may know themselves <i>to 
+be but</i> men. Selah.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prophecy: its title is “concerning the beautiful 
+youth:” that is, concerning the children that are born anew in Christ, 
+the people of God and the church of God. For the people and sons of 
+God, and his new-born children by faith in Christ, must be conformed 
+to the image of God’s dear Son, Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Christians and the true sons of God are variously afflicted in the 
+world; and the blood of the innocents is daily shed by the fury and 
+cruelty of Satan, raging against the word and the works of God. These 
+are the flourishing and undefiled youth, the sons and children of God, 
+of whom the title of the Psalm speaks; who are blameless, without 
+rebuke, and babes in the midst of wolves, and among a perverse 
+generation.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has its striking descriptions of persons: and the prophecy 
+which it contains is written in the manner of a thanksgiving: and 
+therefore it may be numbered among the consolatory Psalms. For, (as is 
+generally the case with these spiritual canticles and songs,) the 
+Prophet here speaks in his own person, and in that of all the saints 
+also who are afflicted for the word of God’s sake: all of whom give 
+thanks with wonderful sensations of heart, that God does not forsake 
+his own. But God requires, at times, the tears and the blood of the 
+saints: though he preserves and saves his Church, and renders her 
+invincible against sword or fire, and against all the power of enemies 
+temporal or spiritual, nay, in the midst of blood and death; and he 
+raises her up, as it were, from the blood, slaughter, and ashes of the 
+saints, and makes her flourish again and increase the more, in a 
+wonderful manner, in this and that part of the world: so that many, 
+even of the most bitter enemies, have been converted to the faith, and 
+even a Saul has been made a Paul; and sometimes also the judgments of 
+God have fallen on the wicked, and they have perished before the eyes 
+of the godly.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has reference to the First Commandment of the Decalogue, 
+and to the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer, as we have observed 
+concerning the preceding Psalm.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM X.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David complaineth to God of the outrage of the wicked.—He prayeth for 
+remedy.—He professeth his confidence.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Why standest thou afar off, O L<small>ORD</small>? <i>Why</i> hidest thou <i>thyself</i> in 
+times of trouble?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked in <i>his</i> pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken 
+in the devices that they have imagined.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the 
+covetous, <i>whom</i> the Lord abhorreth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek <i>after 
+God:</i> God <i>is</i> not in all his thoughts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His ways are always grievous; thy judgments <i>are</i> far above out of his 
+sight: <i>as for</i> all his enemies, he puffeth at them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for <i>I shall</i> never 
+<i>be</i> in adversity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His mouth is full of cursing, and deceit, and fraud: under his tongue 
+<i>is</i> mischief and vanity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places 
+doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily laid against the poor.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to 
+catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He croucheth, <i>and</i> humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his 
+strong ones.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he 
+will never see <i>it</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O L<small>ORD</small>; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou 
+wilt not require <i>it</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast seen <i>it;</i> for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite 
+<i>it</i> with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art 
+the helper of the fatherless.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil <i>man:</i> seek out his 
+wickedness <i>till</i> thou find none.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of 
+his land.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare 
+their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth 
+may no more oppress.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a fervent prayer, and contains complaints of the deepest 
+concern against Antichrist, that most atrocious enemy of God and the 
+gospel, who will ever assail and lay waste the church, not by force 
+and tyranny only, but with all the πανᴕργίᾳ of Satan, all his frauds 
+and impostures, and with an infinite variety of outside deception and 
+hypocrisy.</p>
+
+<p>This “Man of Sin” is descriptively pourtrayed in the present 
+Psalm;—that he really rages against the body with the sword, ruins and 
+destroys souls by his all-crafty and infinite hypocrisy, and with his 
+sweet poison of false doctrines, and imposing forms of worship; but 
+that he has no concern whatever about teaching any one kindly and with 
+gentleness, nor instructing them seriously unto godliness or true 
+comfort, but has his mouth ever full of cursing and deceit.</p>
+
+<p>This we have manifested in the kingdom of the Pope, and in the tyranny 
+of the Romish-church. All those fulminating and thundering 
+excommunications are mere execrations and <i>cursing</i>, by which he has 
+wished to make himself, and has succeeded in making himself, 
+formidable even to kings, under the false pretence of the apostolic 
+name, and divine authority. And his ‘<i>craft</i>’ and lies are all that 
+infinite and inexplicable variety of hypocrisy and traditions of men; 
+together with all that outward whitewash of holiness, and those 
+deceptive forms of worship, by means of which, and his delusions of 
+masses at one time, and of indulgences at another, this Antichrist 
+ceases not to turn to wicked lucre all things human and divine, under 
+the blasphemous cover and pretext of the name of God.</p>
+
+<p>In the end of the Psalm we have a consolation; which declares that 
+such an abomination shall, in the end of the world, be revealed, and, 
+having been made openly manifest by the sudden judgment of God, shall 
+be rooted out.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has reference to the Second Commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer; as have all the Psalms of supplication.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David encourageth himself in God against his enemies.—The providence 
+and justice of God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>In the L<small>ORD</small> put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, flee <i>as</i> a bird to 
+your mountain?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For, lo, the wicked bend <i>their</i> bow, they make ready their arrow upon 
+the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> in his holy temple, the L<small>ORD’S</small> throne <i>is</i> in heaven: 
+his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth 
+violence his soul hateth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an 
+horrible tempest: <i>this shall be</i> the portion of their cup.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the righteous L<small>ORD</small> loveth righteousness; his countenance doth 
+behold the upright.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a complaint against erroneous and fanatical spirits: of 
+which kind are all those who in the present day draw men astray from 
+the pure and true doctrine of faith, and from the true worship of God, 
+(which stands in true faith and the fear of God in the heart,) to 
+hypocrisy, which has always an outward show of something great and 
+wonderful:—these, I say, are the erroneous and fanatics, who thus draw 
+away men like so many birds, and make them fly over to their 
+mountains: that is, make them turn easily over to hypocrisy, and 
+white-wash holiness, which, in outward show, appears to be something 
+great and wonderful, and a firm rock, whereas it is all a thing of 
+nought.</p>
+
+<p>David ascribes to these characters that which is the peculiar 
+characteristic of hypocrites,—that they arrogantly, proudly, and with 
+high looks, despise and deride the truly godly. What, say they, can 
+that righteous one, that fine fellow of a Christian, that poor 
+miserable creature, do?</p>
+
+<p>In the end we have a consolation that God will certainly hear, and 
+regard the afflicted; that he will be present with them, and show them 
+by manifest tokens of his hand that he will not forsake them, and that 
+he will, by horrible judgment, take vengeance on scoffers of this 
+kind; on these pharisees and other enemies of David.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has reference to the Second precept of the Decalogue, and 
+to the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, destitute of human comfort, craveth help of God.—He comforteth 
+himself with God’s judgments on the wicked, and confidence in God’s 
+tried promises.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, a Psalm of 
+David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Help, L<small>ORD</small>; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from 
+among the children of men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: <i>with</i> flattering lips 
+<i>and</i> with a double heart do they speak.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall cut off all flattering lips, <i>and</i> the tongue that 
+speaketh proud things;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips <i>are</i> our 
+own: who <i>is</i> lord over us?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will 
+I arise, saith the L<small>ORD</small>; I will set <i>him</i> in safety <i>from him that</i> 
+puffeth at him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The words of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>are</i> pure words: <i>as</i> silver tried in a furnace 
+of earth, purified seven times.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt keep them, O L<small>ORD</small>, thou shalt preserve them from this 
+generation for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer containing a heavy complaint against them, who, 
+introduce human doctrines instead of the word of God, and who, 
+afterwards, by various new traditions and forms of worship disturb the 
+church, and fill all things with a white-wash show of religion, and 
+with the outward daubing of pharisaism and hypocrisy, so that wicked 
+men and hypocrites reign on every side, as the last verse complains. 
+For when human doctrines have once invaded the church, they go on to 
+rage far and wide, and spread in all directions like a cancer; there 
+is no end to their corruption and destructive influence; they take 
+possession of all things and wonderfully vex and torment consciences: 
+so that the number of the true saints and of those that truly fear God 
+is few and small indeed: of this the infinite variety of papistical 
+hypocrisy affords a manifest example.</p>
+
+<p>But we are consoled and comforted under all these afflictions by the 
+consideration that God always raises up in his church, sometimes in 
+this place and sometimes in that, his salvation; that is, his word and 
+gospel; which, while the prophets, apostles, and other ministers 
+throughout the world, boldly and plainly teach against all heresy, 
+they detect and bring to light false doctrines, and overturn all false 
+worship; for where the salvation of God is, (that is, the saving word 
+of Christ and his gospel) it burns up and consumes, like a 
+suddenly-kindled fire, all the chaff and straw of human traditions, 
+and delivers oppressed consciences.</p>
+
+<p>This, however, never takes place without afflictions, and the cross in 
+various forms. But as gold and silver are proved by the fire, so the 
+true knowledge and purity of the word is not preserved in the church 
+but by means of the truly spiritual and godly, who for the word’s sake 
+are exercised without and within by Satan, with various temptations: 
+for these, like gold, are proved in the fire, and thus grow daily and 
+flourish in the knowledge of the gospel, and the great things of God.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm refers to the second and third precept of the Decalogue, 
+and to the first and second petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David complaineth of delay in help.—He prayeth for preventing 
+grace.—He boasteth of divine mercy.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>How long wilt thou forget me, O L<small>ORD</small>? for ever? how long wilt thou 
+hide thy face from me?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How long shall I take counsel in my soul, <i>having</i> sorrow in my heart 
+daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Consider <i>and</i> hear me, O L<small>ORD</small> my God; lighten mine eyes lest I sleep 
+the <i>sleep</i> of death;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; <i>and</i> those that 
+trouble me rejoice when I am moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy 
+salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will sing unto the L<small>ORD</small>, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer full of the sighings and groanings of an afflicted 
+heart in the hour of darkness, and almost overwhelmed, under that 
+darkness, with the extreme of grief and sorrow, and driven to the 
+greatest strait of mind. Of which sorrow the spirit of sadness 
+himself, the devil, is the author, who casts the unwary into these 
+temptations and perturbations in a moment, when he finds them unarmed 
+with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God; which unarmed state he 
+himself causes by turning away our eyes from the promises and the word 
+of God, to look at the incredible ingratitude and iniquity of the 
+world, at the perplexed variety of offences, and at the greatness of 
+the perils which must be undergone for the sake of God’s word and of 
+his holy name. For it cannot be but that even a man of a sound mind 
+must be thrown into tribulation when he considers with what infernal 
+arts, with what stratagems of deceit, and with what bitter and Cainish 
+hatred, Satan and wicked men oppose themselves to the word of God; and 
+then, what fallings away and what monstrous instances of ingratitude 
+there are among those who pretend to be with us; all which offences 
+Satan raises up through the instrumentality of those who are unwilling 
+to appear not to be followers of godliness.</p>
+
+<p>But the prayer of the church has great power; it breaks through and 
+victoriously overcomes all hatred, all perils, and all snares, how 
+craftily soever they may be laid; and faith is more powerful than any 
+violence or storm of temptation. “This (saith John) is the victory 
+that overcometh the world, even our faith.” And this Psalm gives us an 
+example of that faith which enables us to stand fast in the midst of 
+death, and not to doubt that God is able, and will deliver us from our 
+terrible straits, and comfort us after all our fears; and which 
+teaches to believe that we shall struggle through all our distress 
+victoriously, though it may appear to be endless, if we do but turn 
+ourselves away from all dark and dismal appearances of things, lay 
+hold of that which is true and real, and lift ourselves up against the 
+weight that lays upon us, by resting in the consolation of the word of 
+the Lord: as James saith, “Is any afflicted, let him pray.”</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm also refers to the second precept, and to the first and 
+last petition of the Lord’s Prayer; where we pray “Hallowed be thy 
+name,” and “Deliver us from evil.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David describeth the corruption of a natural man.—He convinceth the 
+wicked by the light of their conscience.—He glorieth in the salvation 
+of God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The fool hath said in his heart, <i>There</i> is no God. They are corrupt; 
+they have done abominable works; <i>there is</i> none that doeth good.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if 
+there were any that did understand, <i>and</i> seek God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They are all gone aside, they are <i>all</i> together become filthy: <i>there 
+is</i> none that doeth good, no, not one.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people 
+<i>as</i> they eat bread, and call not upon the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There were they in great fear: for God <i>is</i> in the generation of the 
+righteous.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the L<small>ORD</small> is his 
+refuge.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh that the salvation of Israel <i>were come</i> out of Zion! when the L<small>ORD</small> 
+bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, <i>and</i> 
+Israel shall be glad.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prophecy; and it also teaches us, that all human 
+doctrines and works without faith are an abomination in the sight of 
+God; and that the God of all such hypocrites (of which kind are the 
+pope and his papists) is their belly; for they serve their belly, not 
+God or Christ, and devour widow’s houses.</p>
+
+<p>But such hypocrites, although they have always in their mouth the name 
+of God, and boast of the law and the works of the law, know not what 
+the true worship of God is, but always hate and persecute the name and 
+word of God, but the true doctrine, concerning faith and the fear of 
+God, they will not hear.</p>
+
+<p>Against such characters as these we must fight by prayer; which prayer 
+will certainly be heard, as is intimated in the last verse of this 
+Psalm, which promises the kingdom and dominion of Christ. For this 
+Psalm especially strikes at those seemingly holy pharisees, those 
+teachers of the law, who, before the coming of Christ, by enforcing 
+works and the righteousness of the law, were cruel torturers, and 
+tormented men’s consciences. And this Psalm promises that wished-for 
+day of Christ, and the redemption that should be wrought by his 
+coming. For the gospel was revealed from Zion, and the Spirit was 
+poured out upon the apostles at Jerusalem.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm has reference to the First and Second Commandment: for it 
+gloriously exalts the word of God and promises the day of salvation, 
+that is, of Christ: but it rebukes hypocrites who despise the true 
+worship of God, and his faith and fear, and who serve not God but 
+their own belly. And it refers also to the first and second petition 
+of the Lord’s Prayer: where we pray, “Hallowed be thy name; Thy 
+kingdom come.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David describeth a citizen of Zion.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy 
+hill?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the 
+truth in his heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>He that</i> backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his 
+neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that 
+fear the L<small>ORD</small>. <i>He that</i> sweareth to <i>his own</i> hurt, and changeth not.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>He that</i> putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward 
+against the innocent. He that doeth these <i>things</i> shall never be 
+moved.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm strikes at the hypocrites who say that holiness stands in 
+the pretended works of the law of God, or in the vain and foolish 
+works of human invention and tradition; and it teaches us how to 
+understand the law of God rightly, and to live godly and righteously. 
+It shows us that we are to walk in the spirit and to mortify the 
+desires of the flesh. For the sum of all godliness is this;—to love 
+and worship God with a pure heart by faith, and then, to direct our 
+lives for the good of our neighbour; and to avoid all those things 
+which militate against these two; that is, to shun all hypocrisy and 
+pretended holiness, which militates against both faith and love: for 
+such an one is ignorant of the true worship of God, and neglects all 
+truly good works, which should be done for the benefit of his 
+neighbour.</p>
+
+<p>It has reference to the Third Commandment of the Decalogue, concerning 
+keeping holy the sabbath day, which is done when we hear and learn the 
+word. And it refers also to the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, in distrust of merits, and hatred of idolatry, fleeth to God 
+for preservation.—He sheweth the hope of his calling, of the 
+resurrection, and life everlasting.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>Michtam of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>O my soul</i>, thou hast said unto the L<small>ORD</small>, Thou <i>art</i> my Lord: my 
+goodness <i>extendeth</i> not to thee;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>But</i> to the saints that <i>are</i> in the earth, and <i>to</i> the excellent, 
+in whom <i>is</i> all my delight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their sorrows shall be multiplied <i>that</i> hasten <i>after</i> another <i>god;</i> 
+their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their 
+names into my lips.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou 
+maintainest my lot.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant <i>places;</i> yea, I have a 
+goodly heritage.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will bless the L<small>ORD</small>, who hath given me counsel: my reins also 
+instruct me in the night-seasons.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have set the L<small>ORD</small> always before me: because <i>he is</i> at my right 
+hand, I shall not be moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also 
+shall rest in hope.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer 
+thine Holy One to see corruption.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence <i>is</i> fulness of 
+joy; at thy right hand <i>there are</i> pleasures for evermore.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the passion and resurrection of Christ; 
+and the apostles quote it, Acts ii. and xiii. as having a striking 
+reference to Christ.</p>
+
+<p>This is a glorious Psalm and a precious jewel among all the Psalms on 
+this account,—because it shows forth in clear words that all that 
+splendid and magnificent worship of the law of Moses, its sacrifices, 
+its sabbath worship, its circumcision, in all which the Jews so 
+unceasingly boasted, is done away with by the gospel; for in the 
+fourth verse, David plainly says, that those who follow works and the 
+righteousness of the law, follow strange gods and idols: and he shows 
+that the Jews, although a sacred people, should be rejected, and 
+another people chosen, even a people who should believe in Christ, who 
+were the true elect, inheritance, and peculiar people of God.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm also has reference to the First, Second, and Third 
+Commandments; for it foretels a new glory of God, a new work and word, 
+and that new kind of worship which was to be revealed to the world: 
+and it refers also to the first and second petitions of the Lord’s 
+Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, in confidence of his integrity, craveth defence of God against 
+his enemies.—He sheweth their pride, craft, and eagerness.—He prayeth 
+against them in confidence of his hope.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Prayer of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hear the right, O L<small>ORD</small>, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, 
+<i>that goeth</i> not out of feigned lips.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold 
+the things that are equal.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited <i>me</i> in the night; thou 
+hast tried me, <i>and</i> shalt find nothing; I am purposed <i>that</i> my mouth
+shall not transgress.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept <i>me 
+from</i> the paths of the destroyer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hold up my goings in thy paths, <i>that</i> my footsteps slip not.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine 
+ear unto me, <i>and hear</i> my speech.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right 
+hand them which put their trust <i>in thee</i>, from those that rise up 
+<i>against them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy 
+wings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>From the wicked that oppress me, <i>from</i> my deadly enemies, <i>who</i> 
+compass me about.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak 
+proudly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes 
+bowing down to the earth;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Like as a lion <i>that</i> is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young 
+lion lurking in secret places.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O L<small>ORD</small>, disappoint him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the 
+wicked, <i>which is</i> thy sword:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>From men <i>which are</i> thy hand, O L<small>ORD</small>, from men of the world, <i>which 
+have</i> their portion in <i>this</i> life, and whose belly thou fillest with 
+thy hid <i>treasure</i> they are full of children, and leave the rest of 
+their substance to their babes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be 
+satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer against false teachers, and those very delicate 
+saints, that is, hypocrites, who by their human doctrines, call men 
+off from the word of God, and hate and persecute the truly godly 
+teachers. These are the characters whom Paul also calls “enemies of 
+the cross of Christ:” for they are not willing to suffer anything for 
+God’s sake, but shun the cross; but make a pretext of the name and 
+worship of God, and under all the artifices of their hypocrisy, seek 
+nothing else than earthly advantages, honors, wealth, the favour of 
+men, and the pleasures and gratifications of the world. Hence David 
+calls them, in the last verse but one, ‘men of this world,’ and ‘men 
+of this life.’ Of this kind also are all those animals of the belly in 
+monasteries, those cumberers of the earth, the monks, and lazy 
+priests.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm also has reference to the Second and Third Commandments, 
+and to the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, where we pray 
+“Hallowed be thy name.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David praiseth God for his manifold and marvellous blessings.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David, the servant of the L<small>ORD</small>, who 
+spake unto the L<small>ORD</small> the words of this song in the day that the L<small>ORD</small> 
+delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of 
+Saul: And he said,</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will love thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, my strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my 
+strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my 
+salvation, <i>and</i> my high tower.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will call upon the L<small>ORD</small>, <i>who is worthy</i> to be praised: so shall I 
+be saved from mine enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made 
+me afraid.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In my distress I called upon the L<small>ORD</small>, and cried unto my God: he heard 
+my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, <i>even</i> into 
+his ears.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills 
+moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth 
+devoured: coals were kindled by it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness <i>was</i> under his 
+feet.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings 
+of the wind.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him <i>were</i> 
+dark waters <i>and</i> thick clouds of the skies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>At the brightness <i>that was</i> before him his thick clouds passed, hail 
+<i>stones</i> and coals of fire.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his 
+voice; hail <i>stones</i> and coals of fire.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out 
+lightnings and discomfited them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the 
+world were discovered at thy rebuke, O L<small>ORD</small>, at the blast of the 
+breath of thy nostrils.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: 
+for they were too strong for me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the L<small>ORD</small> was my stay.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because 
+he delighted in me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the 
+cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I have kept the ways of the L<small>ORD</small>, and have not wickedly departed 
+from my God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For all his judgments <i>were</i> before me, and I did not put away his 
+statutes from me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore hath the L<small>ORD</small> recompensed me according to my righteousness, 
+according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man 
+thou wilt shew thyself upright.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou 
+wilt shew thyself froward.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high 
+looks.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou wilt light my candle: the L<small>ORD</small> my God will enlighten my 
+darkness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped 
+over a wall.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>As for</i> God, his way <i>is</i> perfect: the word of the L<small>ORD</small> is tried: he 
+<i>is</i> a buckler to all those that trust in him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For who <i>is</i> God save the L<small>ORD</small>? or who <i>is</i> a rock save our God?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He maketh my feet like hinds’ <i>feet</i> and setteth me upon my high 
+places.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine 
+arms.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right 
+hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turn 
+again till they were consumed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen 
+under my feet.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast 
+subdued under me those that rose up against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might 
+destroy them that hate me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They cried, but <i>there was</i> none to save <i>them:</i> <i>even</i>
+unto the L<small>ORD</small>, but he answered them not.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast 
+them out as the dirt in the streets.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; <i>and</i> thou 
+hast made me the head of the heathen: a people <i>whom</i> I have not known 
+shall serve me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall 
+submit themselves unto me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close 
+places.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> liveth; and blessed <i>be</i> my rock; and let the God of my 
+salvation be exalted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people unto me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above 
+those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent
+man.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, among the heathen, and 
+sing praises unto thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his 
+anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in which David gives thanks to God 
+(as the title of the Psalm shows) because of his deliverance from all 
+his enemies. And this Psalm I should divide into four parts, for David 
+had combatted with four kinds of enemies—King Saul, the neighbouring 
+nations, his son Absalom, and his seditious subjects.</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the Psalm, in the first six verses, David 
+describes the greatness of his perils, his distresses and his straits 
+in the midst of so many and great afflictions, out of which the Lord 
+delivered him, “The sorrows of hell (saith he) compassed me about, 
+&amp;c.”</p>
+
+<p>Then in the seventh verse, after the manner of the prophets, he 
+alludes in his song of praise to the deliverance out of Egypt, and to 
+those mighty works at Mount Sinai and in the Red Sea; intimating, that 
+as God then powerfully delivered his people from the midst of death, 
+so, he also more than once had been delivered by the powerful arm and 
+the high hand of God, again, as it were from the hand of Pharaoh, and 
+from the midst of surrounding death.</p>
+
+<p>And then again, when he says verses 16, and 17, “He delivered me from 
+my strong enemies and from them that were mightier than I,” he alludes 
+to King Saul, who had persecuted him with hostile hatred and 
+bitterness for the word of God’s sake, because he was chosen from on 
+high to be King and to be his successor.</p>
+
+<p>At verse 28, he celebrates the goodness of God who stands by the 
+humble and those who are despised by the world and defends them 
+against the proud and the mighty: as he did in giving David the 
+victory over Goliah, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and other 
+nations.</p>
+
+<p>At verse 34, he intimates something respecting his third and domestic 
+adversary his son Absalom, who, on that account, was by far the more 
+dreadful and atrocious enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Then at verse 42, he gives thanks to God who so wonderfully stood by 
+him against the crafty counsels and snares of the seditious, of which 
+kind was Siba and, in the time of Absalom almost the whole of Israel. 
+For this most excellent and most godly king had many national and 
+domestic enemies, and seditious citizens; so much so, that, as he 
+himself here says, many gentile nations were far more kind and 
+obedient to him than his own people.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore any afflicted one, especially if in magisterial office, may 
+use this Psalm in giving thanks to God for his deliverance out of 
+various perils and distresses which fall upon those who govern the 
+state, or who are set over the Church.</p>
+
+<p>And if any one wishes to understand the Psalm allegorically, David 
+signifies here Christ; Saul signifies the Jews; the nations that 
+persecuted David, the tyrants of the world who set themselves against 
+the Gospel; Absalom, heretics who proceed out from us but are not of 
+us; the seditious subjects, outside-show-Christians who sound forth 
+Christ with their mouth, but in their heart are far from him: from all 
+which this afflicted David, that is, Christ and those who are 
+Christians, are at length delivered.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the second precept of the Decalogue, and to the 
+first petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The creatures show God’s glory.—The word his grace.—David prayeth for 
+grace.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his 
+handy-work.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>There is</i> no speech nor language <i>where</i> their voice is not heard.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the 
+end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which <i>is</i> as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, <i>and</i> rejoiceth 
+as a strong man to run a race.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His going forth <i>is</i> from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto 
+the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The law of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> perfect, converting the soul: the testimony 
+of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> sure, making wise the simple:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The statutes of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>are</i> right, rejoicing the heart: the 
+commandment of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> pure, enlightening the eyes:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The fear of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of 
+the L<small>ORD</small> <i>are</i> true <i>and</i> righteous altogether.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>More to be desired <i>are they</i> than gold; yea, than much fine gold; 
+sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: <i>and</i> in keeping of them 
+<i>there is</i> great reward.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who can understand <i>his</i> errors! cleanse thou me from secret <i>faults</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous <i>sins:</i> let them not have 
+dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent 
+from the great transgression.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be 
+acceptable in thy sight, O L<small>ORD</small>, my strength and my redeemer.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the preaching of the Gospel to every 
+creature under the whole heaven wherever the wide earth extends. “Day 
+unto day, (saith David) uttereth the word;” that is, ‘from day to 
+day;’ or, day and night shall the Gospel be propagated by the voice of 
+the apostles and the ministers of the word, farther and farther; and 
+that, not only in Judea but every where in all the earth, and in all 
+languages throughout the world.—And says David, as by the life-giving 
+light of the Sun, all things in nature are illuminated, recreated, and 
+cherished: so this new light, this voice of the Gospel shall illumine 
+the world, and, by communicating the Spirit, shall revive and purify 
+the hearts of men, and shall lift up and comfort distressed 
+consciences.</p>
+
+<p>Here also David intimates, that the old law which was the ministration 
+of death was to be done away with; and that the Gospel was to succeed, 
+which should be the ministration of life and of the Spirit; and which 
+should be a word sweet and lovely, illumining the eyes and purifying 
+the heart.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment; for it shews us what is 
+the true Sabbath, namely, the day or time, in which the Gospel should 
+be preached throughout the whole world and received by those who 
+should believe it.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The Church blesseth the King in his exploits.—Her confidence in God’s 
+succour.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob 
+defend thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will 
+set up <i>our</i> banners: the L<small>ORD</small> fulfil all thy petitions.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Now know I that the L<small>ORD</small> saveth his anointed: he will hear him from 
+his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Some <i>trust</i> in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the 
+name of the L<small>ORD</small> our God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They are brought down and fallen; but we are risen and stand upright.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Save, L<small>ORD</small>: let the king hear us when we call.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer for kings, rulers, magistrates, and all who sustain 
+that most heavy burthen of governing the state:—that God, in such 
+momentous concerns, to which all human diligence and wisdom are 
+unequal (as even heathen rulers have confessed from their own 
+experience), would stand by magistrates when exposed to the hatred of 
+all, to their secret councils and plans of deceit; and would keep all 
+subjects in their duty, and give his blessing in the preservation of a 
+good and happy constitution, and public peace; especially when Satan 
+with horrible hatred against God and the works of God, is endeavouring 
+to destroy the constitutions of kingdoms, and to confound all things 
+with slaughter and blood-shed.</p>
+
+<p>Those great and eminently spiritual men who produced this and the like 
+Psalms, plainly saw that such great and important matters could not be 
+managed and governed by any human wisdom or human counsels; and 
+therefore they wished to pen forms of prayer of this kind for the 
+safety of magistrates and transmit them to posterity. For such prayers 
+as these were especially necessary for the people of God at that time, 
+when David and other godly rulers after him, were continually 
+exercised with new enemies and new afflictions, and those the most 
+severely distressing.—Therefore all Kings and Rulers are fools who do 
+not seek for, and expect, the happy government and the success of 
+their affairs from heaven.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the second commandment, as do all the other 
+supplicatory Psalms; for it contains a calling upon the name of the 
+Lord. And it belongs also to the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer, 
+where we pray that the will of God, not of the devil, may be done.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>A thanksgiving for victory.—Confidence of further success.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord: and in thy salvation how 
+greatly shall he rejoice!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the 
+request of his lips. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a 
+crown of pure gold on his head.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He asked life of thee, <i>and</i> thou gavest <i>it</i> him, <i>even</i> length of 
+days for ever and ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His glory <i>is</i> great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou 
+laid upon him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him 
+exceeding glad with thy countenance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the king trusteth in the L<small>ORD</small>; and, through the mercy of the Most 
+High, he shall not be moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand shall find 
+out those that hate thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the 
+L<small>ORD</small> shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour 
+them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from 
+among the children of men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they intended evil against thee; they imagined a mischievous 
+device, <i>which</i> they are not able <i>to perform:</i></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, <i>when</i> thou shalt make 
+ready <i>thine arrows</i> upon thy strings against the face of them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be thou exalted, L<small>ORD</small>, in thine own strength: <i>so</i> will we sing and 
+praise thy power.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ;—that his kingdom 
+shall be temporal and eternal. The beginning of the Psalm gloriously 
+predicts that it shall come to pass that this king and this people 
+shall rejoice in this kingdom, and that the glory of it shall be 
+great. But you must understand that all this will be, not before the 
+world or according to the flesh, but in God. For Christ entered into 
+glory through the flesh and by the cross.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm foretels also that this kingdom, that is, the Church of 
+Christ, although afflicted before the world, shall be enriched with 
+spiritual blessings and glorified; and that this word of grace and the 
+remission of sins, this joyful and all-sweet Gospel shall be diffused 
+abroad among all nations, and that the godly and those that believe, 
+shall rejoice and be glad, and exult in it with a full and perfect 
+joy, which no creature shall be able to destroy or to take away.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, David shews that the Jews who opposed this counsel 
+of God, and the whole of their kingdom should be destroyed by the 
+awful judgment of God, “Thou shalt make them (says he) to turn their 
+back;” that is, because that people opposed themselves to the Gospel, 
+and crucified Christ, thou shalt afflict them with heavy calamities; 
+and, having rejected the people destroyed their kingdom, and having 
+done away with, and abrogated the whole of their law and worship for 
+which they so furiously fight, thou shalt reduce them to a miserable 
+slavery, so that they shall be oppressed under a foreign yoke and 
+laws, and shall thus suffer the punishment due to their sins.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the first commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer: for it foretells of a people that 
+should not be under the law of Moses, but in a kingdom of rejoicing 
+and thanksgiving, and it speaks of a new manner of worship.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David complaineth in great discouragement.—He prayeth in great 
+distress.—He praiseth God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of 
+David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? <i>why art thou so</i> far from 
+helping me, <i>and from</i> the words of my roaring?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; and in the 
+night-season, and am not silent.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou <i>art</i> holy, O <i>thou</i> that inhabitest the praises of Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver 
+them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They cried unto thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and 
+were not confounded.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I <i>am</i> a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the 
+people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All they that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they 
+shake the head, <i>saying</i>,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He trusted on the L<small>ORD</small> <i>that</i> he would deliver him; let him deliver 
+him, seeing he delighted in him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou <i>art</i> he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me 
+hope <i>when I was</i> upon my mother’s breasts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I was cast upon thee from the womb; thou <i>art</i> my God from my mother’s 
+belly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be not far from me, for trouble <i>is</i> near; for <i>there</i> is none to 
+help.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many bulls have compassed me: strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have beset me 
+round.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They gaped upon me <i>with</i> their mouths, <i>as</i> a ravening and a roaring 
+lion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my 
+heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my 
+jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed 
+me: they pierced my hands and my feet.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But be not thou far from me, O L<small>ORD</small>; O my strength, haste thee to help 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns 
+of the unicorns.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the 
+congregation will I praise thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ye that fear the L<small>ORD</small>, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify 
+him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, 
+neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he 
+heard.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My praise <i>shall be</i> of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my 
+vows before them that fear him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the L<small>ORD</small> that 
+seek him: your heart shall live for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All the ends of the world shall remember, and turn unto the L<small>ORD</small>; and 
+all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the kingdom <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD’S</small>; and he <i>is</i> the governor among the 
+nations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All <i>they that be</i> fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that 
+go down to the dust shall bow before him and none can keep alive his 
+own soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the L<small>ORD</small> for a 
+generation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people 
+that shall be born, that he hath done <i>this</i>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a kind of gem among the Psalms that contain prophecies 
+concerning Christ and his kingdom, and it is peculiarly excellent and 
+remarkable. For here, if anywhere, it may be said that David does not 
+seem to be delivering a prophecy of the future, but a history of the 
+past; a history of circumstances that took place within his own sight 
+and knowledge; for his expressions concerning Christ are not at all 
+more obscure than those of Peter or Paul, or any other of the 
+Apostles: and he speaks of Christ being nailed to the tree, and of the 
+piercing of his hands and his feet, as if the whole had taken place 
+before his own natural sight.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains those deep, sublime, and heavy sufferings of 
+Christ, when agonizing in the midst of the terrors and pangs of divine 
+wrath and death, which surpass all human thought and comprehension. 
+And I know not whether any Psalm throughout the whole Book contains 
+matter more weighty, or from which the hearts of the godly can so 
+truly perceive those sighs and groans, inexpressible by man, which 
+their Lord and head Jesus Christ uttered when conflicting for us in 
+the midst of death, and in the midst of the pains and terrors of hell. 
+Wherefore this Psalm ought to be most highly prized by all who have 
+any acquaintance with these temptations of faith, and these spiritual 
+conflicts.</p>
+
+<p>Let Epicureans despise these things: examples of this kind will be 
+more precious to the truly godly and spiritual, whether they be found 
+in Christ himself, or (as St. Peter saith,) in our brethren that are 
+in the world, than all the treasures and riches of which the world can 
+boast.</p>
+
+<p>David as I said, describes most clearly and expressively the 
+sufferings of Christ, so much so, that you seem to see the 
+circumstances to take place before your eyes. And as he so clearly 
+pourtrays the forerunning sufferings of Christ, so does he with equal 
+plainness set forth the glories which followed them; for in the end of 
+the Psalm he shows that Christ should be delivered from the mouth of 
+the lion and of the dog, and from the midst of death and sufferings, 
+and should, through his resurrection wrought by divine power, be 
+glorified; that his Gospel should be preached, not only among that 
+people and in that kingdom, such narrow limits, but throughout all the 
+nations and kingdoms of the world; that the fat ones of the earth, 
+that is the rich and powerful of this world, and the poor also, should 
+be converted unto Christ; that his Church should be eternal, and his 
+posterity infinite; and that as King he should be adored throughout 
+the whole world, that his name should be praised and celebrated 
+throughout all ages, and his kingdom endure for ever, and remain 
+invincible against all the kingdoms of the world, and against all 
+creatures.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalm belongs to the first commandment of the Decalogue, for it 
+foretels a new worship of God; and it has reference to the first 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David’s confidence in God’s grace.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> my shepherd; I shall not want.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the 
+still waters.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for 
+his name’s sake.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will 
+fear no evil: for thou <i>art</i> with me; thy rod and thy staff they 
+comfort me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou 
+anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and 
+I will dwell in the house of the L<small>ORD</small> for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a remarkable offering of thanks to God for the gift and 
+reception of the word: and it contains the description of a godly 
+heart acknowledging how incomparable and unspeakable a blessing and 
+gift of God the knowledge of his word is. It also gloriously declares 
+and extols the greatness of the goodness and mercy of God in leading 
+us in the right way, and in lifting us up and consoling us under every 
+temptation, while hypocrites are left to walk in their own crooked 
+ways.</p>
+
+<p>Under a beautiful similitude he compares himself to a sheep, in 
+seeking, (if perchance it has strayed) saving, defending and feeding 
+which, the faithful shepherd spares no labour nor anxiety. And as, 
+under a good and watchful shepherd, the sheep have fattening pastures, 
+and wholesome brooks and fountains; so do the godly find all these 
+same pastures for their hearts in the word which God has provided for 
+them.</p>
+
+<p>David alludes in this Psalm to the table and shew bread, and to the 
+balsam and the oil of gladness. For God will feed and comfort the 
+Ministers of the word, and the hearers, and will gladden them with his 
+cup though they are made sorrowful by the world.</p>
+
+<p>He calls the word of God a shepherd’s staff, refreshing waters, green 
+pastures, that by all such similitudes he may show that true 
+salvation, settled peace, and sure and eternal consolation are 
+established in men’s consciences by the word of God only.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>God’s lordship in the world.—The citizens of his spiritual 
+kingdom.—An exhortation to receive him.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The earth <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD’S</small>, and the fulness thereof; the world, and 
+they that dwell therein.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the 
+floods.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who shall ascend into the hill of the L<small>ORD</small>? or who shall stand in his 
+holy place?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lift up his 
+soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall receive the blessing from the L<small>ORD</small>, and righteousness from 
+the God of his salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This <i>is</i> the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O 
+Jacob. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting 
+doors; and the King of glory shall come in.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who <i>is</i> this King of glory? The L<small>ORD</small> strong and mighty, the L<small>ORD</small> 
+mighty in battle.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift <i>them</i> up, ye everlasting 
+doors: and the King of glory shall come in.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who <i>is</i> this King of glory? The L<small>ORD</small> of hosts, he <i>is</i> the King of 
+glory. Selah.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ to be spread 
+and extended throughout the whole world by the Gospel.</p>
+
+<p>By a striking apostrophe David turns himself to the kings, princes, 
+and wise ones of the earth, and the men of power and authority, whom 
+he calls after the genius of the Hebrew language, the ‘gates of the 
+world.’ Remember, (saith he to such,) that the earth is the Lord’s, he 
+is Lord of all. It was he that gave you your kingdoms. He has set up 
+his Christ as King over all, whom if ye adore and acknowledge not, ye 
+shall perish together with your kingdoms, and shall be dashed in 
+pieces like a potter’s vessel.</p>
+
+<p>He exhorts such to acknowledge themselves sinners: for these powerful 
+ones, these pharisees and these wise ones of the world, being blinded 
+with a conceited opinion of human wisdom and righteousness, are above 
+all others enfuriated against the Gospel: for when the kingdom of 
+grace and of the remission of sins is preached; when this Christ is 
+declared and proclaimed by the Gospel to be the only King of eternal 
+peace, the only victorious King over sin, death, and the devil; then 
+these tyrants and powerful ones of the world immediately burst out 
+with their cry of pride “Who is this King of Glory? Who?” As if they 
+should say, what! Shall those poor abject fishermen, those dross of 
+the earth teach us? Shall they, instead of the law of Moses, and 
+instead of the religion which we received from our forefathers, force 
+upon us this new worship of God, and this King of theirs who was 
+hanged upon the cross? Shall they persuade us to believe such dreams 
+as these?</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm, therefore, at the same time intimates that this kingdom of 
+Christ should not be corporeal or earthly, nor of such a kind as 
+should destroy political governments: but a kingdom in which the 
+preachers of it should bring into subjection unto Christ the world and 
+the kingdoms of the world by the word and the Gospel.</p>
+
+<p>To this kingdom (says David) kings and rulers shall oppose themselves 
+and shall crucify the King and Lord of Glory, and shall persecute the 
+Apostles and Ministers of the word: but he nevertheless shall break 
+through all kingdoms, and in defiance of every opposer shall enter 
+into the world and reign by the Gospel in the midst of his enemies: he 
+shall give to his Apostles a mouth and wisdom which none of their 
+adversaries shall be able to gainsay or resist: and while the 
+mightiest kingdoms of the earth, as Daniel saith, shall be moved and 
+destroyed, this eternal king shall endure for ever and be truly 
+manifested to be the Lord of victory and of glory.</p>
+
+<p>It has reference to the First Commandment of the Decalogue, and to the 
+first, second, and third petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David’s confidence in prayer.—He prayeth for remission of sins, and 
+for help in affliction.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, do I lift up my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed; let not mine enemies 
+triumph over me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which 
+transgress without cause.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shew me thy ways, O L<small>ORD</small>; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, 
+and teach me: for thou <i>art</i> the God of my salvation; on thee do I 
+wait all the day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember, O L<small>ORD</small>, thy tender mercies, and thy loving-kindnesses; for 
+they <i>have been</i> ever of old.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to 
+thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness’ sake, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Good and upright <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small>; therefore will he teach sinners in the 
+way.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his 
+way.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All the paths of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>are</i> mercy and truth unto such as keep his 
+covenant and his testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thy name’s sake, O L<small>ORD</small>, pardon mine iniquity; for it <i>is</i> great.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What man <i>is</i> he that feareth the L<small>ORD</small>? Him shall he teach in the way 
+<i>that</i> he shall choose;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The secret of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> with them that fear him; and he will show 
+them his covenant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eyes <i>are</i> ever toward the L<small>ORD</small>; for he shall pluck my feet out 
+of the net.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I <i>am</i> desolate and 
+afflicted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my 
+distresses.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Look upon mine affliction, and my pain: and forgive all my sins.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel 
+hatred.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my 
+trust in thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer in which the prophet prays, with wonderful fervency 
+of heart, to be strengthened in the faith and in the love of the Word, 
+although he should have on this account great and bitter enemies in 
+the world: that is, that he may not be broken down in mind by the 
+afflictions, nor by the greatness and multiplicity of his own 
+encompassing infirmities when he saw that Epicurean hypocrites 
+despised the true religion and the true word with so much confidence 
+and secure presumption, as if they were things in which it was a 
+disgrace for men of a sound mind and a liberal education to be in the 
+least engaged.</p>
+
+<p>Ah Lord (saith David) preserve and glorify thy name and thy word. Let 
+us (saith he) who are thus derided, spit upon, and, for thy sake, well 
+nigh overwhelmed in the midst of so many afflictions and so many 
+offences, not be confounded, but let us expect thy consolations. Let 
+those haughty hypocrites and despisers be confounded both before God 
+and men, who, on account of their carnal wisdom and powers, and 
+riches, and other things of this world which they admire and value, so 
+despise thy word and thy worship, that they deem it a disgrace to have 
+such things in their thoughts. Our eyes (saith he) are unto thee O 
+Lord? Do thou, if there be any infirmity in us, pardon it. Keep us in 
+the knowledge of thy holy word and of that mystery of thine which is 
+hidden from the world, and stand by us in our great straits and 
+perils.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the Second Commandment, and to the second 
+petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David resorteth unto God in confidence of his integrity.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Judge me, O L<small>ORD</small>; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted 
+also in the L<small>ORD</small>; <i>therefore</i> I shall not slide.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Examine me, O L<small>ORD</small>, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thy loving-kindness <i>is</i> before mine eyes; and I have walked in 
+thy truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with 
+dissemblers.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have hated the congregation of evil-doers; and will not sit with the 
+wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will wash mine hands in innocency; so will I compass thine altar, O 
+L<small>ORD</small>?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy 
+wondrous works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where 
+thine honour dwelleth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In whose hands <i>is</i> mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be 
+merciful unto me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless 
+the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer unto God, containing a complaint against hypocrites 
+who want to be justified by the works of the law, and who always 
+persecute the true doctrine of faith and condemn its supporters for 
+heretics. David calls these characters dissemblers, heretics, bloody 
+men, wicked persons. For although they boast of great sanctity, yet 
+their hearts are full of hatred and bitterness against God, and craft 
+and iniquity against their neighbour: as Christ says of all such 
+pharisees when he rebukes them by Luke, “Ye are they who justify 
+yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts.” For such worship 
+God with their lips, but their heart is far from him: they worship him 
+not in truth, but do all for gain.</p>
+
+<p>In a word they serve not God but Mammon and their own belly: as Paul 
+saith to the Philippians. And this Psalm saith, “And their right hand 
+is full of bribes.” Yet their hypocrisy has a wonderful outside 
+appearance. And indeed the false church who has power and dominion on 
+her side, has always a more wonderful and showy appearance than the 
+true, which lies hidden under the various forms of the cross.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore we have need to pray in no slothful manner that God would 
+preserve us in his true Church, and would not suffer us to be mingled 
+and carried away with these characters, lest we have our portion with 
+such hypocrites, whose end, though they may for a time make a show 
+before the world, shall be destruction, and whose glory shall be 
+turned into confusion: as we have seen it exemplified in the Pope and 
+his kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the Third Commandment, and to the first and 
+second petitions of the Lord’s Prayer: for it speaks of the true 
+worship and kingdom of God.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David sustaineth his faith by the power of God, by his love to the
+service of God, by prayer.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The L<small>ORD</small> 
+<i>is</i> the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up 
+my flesh, they stumbled and fell.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; 
+though war should rise against me, in this <i>will</i> I be confident.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>One <i>thing</i> have I desired of the L<small>ORD</small>, that will I seek after; that I 
+may dwell in the house of the L<small>ORD</small> all the days of my life, to behold 
+the beauty of the L<small>ORD</small>, and to inquire in his temple.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the 
+secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me: he shall set me upon a 
+rock.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about 
+me: therefore will I offer in this tabernacle sacrifices of joy: I 
+will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>when</i> I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and 
+answer me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>When thou saidst</i>, seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy 
+face, Lord, will I seek.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hide not thy face <i>far</i> from me; put not thy servant away in anger: 
+thou hast been my help: leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my 
+salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When my father and my mother forsake me, then the L<small>ORD</small> will take me 
+up.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Teach me thy way, O L<small>ORD</small>, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine 
+enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses 
+are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>I had fainted</i>, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the L<small>ORD</small> 
+in the land of the living.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wait on the L<small>ORD</small>; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine 
+heart: wait, I say, on the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a thanksgiving, containing also a prayer and consolation 
+against false teachers.</p>
+
+<p>David having been taught and exercised by such great afflictions, by 
+so many perils and sorrows, and by such fiery conflicts, for the 
+word’s sake, and having been supported therein against the devil, and 
+the world, now finds a greater truth and reliance on God, and is more 
+encouraged and fortified against all his enemies.</p>
+
+<p>The Lord (saith he) is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? 
+That is, the Lord hath so often and so wonderfully comforted me under, 
+and so powerfully delivered me from, various darknesses and storms of 
+temptations, that he will not leave nor forsake me in time to come. If 
+God, then, be for me, who can be against me? If God uphold me, what 
+power or violence of the enemy can cast me down, or who can destroy 
+me?</p>
+
+<p>I will not fear thousands of enemies (says he) though they should 
+raise up war against me. All that I am anxious about is this one 
+thing;—that I may remain and dwell in the house of the Lord; that is, 
+in the true church, and among those where the word of God is purely 
+and sincerely taught and learned. If I can hold fast this jewel I am 
+rich. For if I hold fast the word of God, no terrors, how great soever 
+they may be, nor even death itself, can destroy my light and my life; 
+that is, my sure and eternal consolation. But if I love not the word, 
+no human consolations, how great soever they may be, will be able to 
+afford me that light and life.</p>
+
+<p>David directs the whole of this Psalm against hypocrites and false 
+teachers, who are so soon carried away from the word, and who teach 
+human things and seduce men’s consciences. Here he calls these 
+characters false witnesses; that is, such as nothing can shame, and 
+who know not how to blush. The audacity of these inexperienced 
+characters is prodigious, who, without any calling, and without the 
+word, boastingly make use of the name of God and seduce men, and do 
+infinite damage both to the state and to the church. For we generally 
+find it to be the case, that the more inexperienced such characters 
+are, and the more devoid of spiritual things, the more easily they 
+rush forth to teach: and such as these are those fanatical spirits who 
+afterwards raise up divisions and sects against the truly godly.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the First and Second Commandments, and to the 
+first and second petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David prayeth earnestly against his enemies.—He blesseth God.—He 
+prayeth for the people.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Unto thee will I cry, O L<small>ORD</small> my rock; be not silent to me: lest, <i>if</i> 
+thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift 
+up my hands toward thy holy oracle.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, 
+which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief <i>is</i> in their 
+hearts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of 
+their endeavours; give them after the work of their hands; render to
+them their desert.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because they regard not the works of the L<small>ORD</small>, nor the operation of 
+his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small>, because he hath heard the voice of my 
+supplications.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and 
+I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song 
+will I praise him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> their strength, and he <i>is</i> the saving strength of his 
+anointed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift 
+them up for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer of David, which in his time he used against Saul, and 
+others like him; but especially against all those Cainish hypocrites 
+who in word pretended to desire peace, but burned with secret hatred 
+in their hearts. Such a viper as this was Absalom, his son, against 
+him; and such an one also was Joab against Amasa and Abner, 2 Kings 
+iii. David, therefore, fearing lest the same things should be laid to 
+his charge, prays, “Draw me not away with the wicked, nor with the 
+workers of iniquity.”</p>
+
+<p>We may use the Psalm against tyrants and fanatical spirits; for in 
+this way are tyrants and persecutors of the word wont to pretend peace 
+in word, and yet secretly plan counsels of slaughter and murder all 
+the while. And so also fanatical spirits and all false prophets boast 
+with ‘big swelling words’ of the word of God, and tumultuously cry out 
+that they seek the glory and the worship of God, and promise nothing 
+but divine and heavenly things, and yet seek all the while their own 
+advantage and their own glory, destroying souls, and walking about in 
+sheep’s clothing, while they are inwardly nothing but ravening wolves.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the second and third precept, and to the first 
+and second petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David exhorteth princes to give glory to God, by reason of his power, 
+and protection of his people.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Give unto the L<small>ORD</small>, O ye mighty, give unto the L<small>ORD</small> glory and 
+strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give unto the L<small>ORD</small> the glory due unto his name; worship the L<small>ORD</small> in 
+the beauty of holiness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> upon the waters: the God of glory 
+thundereth: the L<small>ORD</small> is upon many waters.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> powerful; the voice of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> full 
+of majesty.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of the L<small>ORD</small> breaketh the cedars; yea, the L<small>ORD</small> breaketh the 
+cedars of Lebanon.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a 
+young unicorn.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of the L<small>ORD</small> divideth the flames of fire.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of the L<small>ORD</small> shaketh the wilderness; the L<small>ORD</small> shaketh the 
+wilderness of Kadesh.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of the L<small>ORD</small> maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the 
+forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of <i>his</i> glory.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> sitteth upon the flood: yea, the L<small>ORD</small> 
+sitteth King for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> will give strength unto his people; the L<small>ORD</small> will bless his 
+people with peace.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the spread of the gospel throughout the 
+whole world, and concerning the preaching of the name of Christ before 
+kings and nations, and the children of Israel.</p>
+
+<p>“Give unto the Lord, ye mighty;” that is, ye kings, ye rulers, and ye 
+wise and rich ones of the world, ye Pharisees and rabbi, acknowledge 
+your wisdom, righteousness, and all your excellent political virtues, 
+your works of the law, and all that is high and excellent before men, 
+to be abomination in the sight of God; repent ye and believe the 
+gospel, that ye may quit yourselves under that one King and Lord, 
+Christ, and his church and kingdom, and, by faith and the wisdom of 
+God, acknowledge Christ, this son of God, to be God; for God, by a 
+manifest work of his power, in the beginning sent a flood upon the 
+whole world, and destroyed all flesh; and the same God, by his gospel 
+and by baptism, will drown and mortify the flesh, that is, the old 
+fleshly Adam, by a new and spiritual baptism: that as many as are 
+baptized into Christ, being crucified according to the old Adam, may 
+be raised up together with the second Adam, and become new men and new 
+creatures.</p>
+
+<p>He calls, by a figure, the kingdoms, nations, and powerful cities of 
+this world, forests; the wilderness of Kadesh, confused places of many 
+waters, places for hinds to calve, &amp;c. These confused places the Lord 
+has revealed and discovered, and brought to the light of the gospel.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm refers to the third precept, and to the second petition of 
+the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David praiseth God for his deliverance.—He exhorteth others to praise 
+him by example of God’s dealing with him.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the House of 
+David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will extol thee, O L<small>ORD</small>; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not 
+made my foes to rejoice over me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me 
+alive, that I should not go down to the pit.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto the L<small>ORD</small>, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the 
+remembrance of his holiness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For his anger <i>endureth but</i> a moment; in his favour <i>is</i> life: 
+weeping may endure for a night, but joy <i>cometh</i> in the morning.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou 
+didst hide thy face, <i>and</i> I was troubled.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I cried to thee, O L<small>ORD</small>; and unto the 
+L<small>ORD</small> I made supplication.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What profit <i>is there</i> in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall 
+the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear, O L<small>ORD</small>, and have mercy upon me: L<small>ORD</small>, 
+be thou my helper.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my 
+sackcloth, and girded me with gladness:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To the end that <i>my</i> glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. 
+O L<small>ORD</small> my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a remarkable Psalm, and truly Davidical. Here, with a 
+wonderful fervency of heart, he gives thanks unto God for having 
+delivered him from spiritual temptations and unspeakable conflicts 
+with Satan, and for having refreshed and comforted his heart when 
+brought down to such a state of weakness, when broken with such views 
+of misery, terror, and wrath, and when almost overwhelmed with the 
+greatness of his temptations. “Thou hast (saith he) brought my soul up 
+from hell:” that is, thou hast enabled me to overcome the violence and 
+fury of Satan, which never could be overcome by any human power.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains, as you see, those sublime and heavenly feelings 
+of one rejoicing in the Holy Ghost, because God has turned such deep 
+distress, such overwhelming terrors and fears, so many tears and sighs 
+from the very belly of hell, into a joy that has refreshed and healed 
+the soul that was just before burning with the fiery darts of the 
+devil, and with the very flames of hell.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalm contains also a most sweet consolation: “His anger (says 
+David) endureth but for a moment: in his favour is life;” that is, 
+God, although he exercises the godly in these deep temptations, and 
+these intense agonizings of soul, yet he does not so try them with the 
+intent to slay them; nor does he afflict, in order to destroy his 
+people; nor is he the God of misery, of terror, and of death, but the 
+God of peace and of life, the God of joy and of consolation.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the third precept and to the first petition of 
+the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, shewing his confidence in God, craveth his help.—He rejoiceth 
+in his mercy.—He prayeth in his calamity.—He praiseth God for his 
+goodness.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>In thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver 
+me in thy righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, 
+for an house of defence to save me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou <i>art</i> my rock and my fortress: therefore, for thy name’s 
+sake, lead me and guide me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; for thou 
+<i>art</i> my strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O L<small>ORD</small> God 
+of truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my 
+trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my 
+foot in a large room.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Have mercy upon me, O L<small>ORD</small>, for I am in trouble; mine eye is consumed 
+with grief, <i>yea</i>, my soul and my belly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my 
+strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my 
+neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me 
+without fled from me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I have heard the slander of many: fear <i>was</i> on every side: while 
+they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my 
+life.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I trusted in thee, O L<small>ORD</small>: I said, Thou <i>art</i> my God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My times <i>are</i> in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, 
+and from them that persecute me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ 
+sake.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let me not be ashamed, O L<small>ORD</small>; for I have called upon thee: let the 
+wicked be ashamed, <i>and</i> let them be silent in the grave.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things 
+proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Oh</i> how great <i>is</i> thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them 
+that fear thee; <i>which</i> thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee 
+before the sons of men!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of 
+man; thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of 
+tongues.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the Lord; for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness 
+in a strong city.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: 
+nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications, when I cried 
+unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O love the L<small>ORD</small>, all ye his saints: <i>for</i> the L<small>ORD</small> preserveth the 
+faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that 
+hope in the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a thanksgiving, and contains also prayers and 
+consolations. And the way to arrive at a right understanding of the 
+deep feelings and circumstances contained in this Psalm, is to know 
+that this Psalm is the general and continual cry of Christ and his 
+members, groaning and sighing under the cross and various afflictions. 
+For the Church is a congregation of afflicted, poor, and tried 
+persons. The wicked men of the world, the rich, the despisers of all 
+religion, and the atheistical Epicureans have, as Christ saith, their 
+consolation; while the godly, the spiritual, and those that believe, 
+being exposed to the horrible hatred and envy of the devil, are 
+exercised and distressed through all their life, inwardly with fears 
+and terrors in their hearts, and outwardly by persecutions, 
+blasphemies, and contempt for the word of God’s sake; and yet, from 
+all these they are delivered: for, as St. Paul saith, “Where 
+afflictions abound, there consolations abound also.”</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm belongs to the second and third precept, and to the first 
+and third petition of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h4>ADMONITORY OBSERVATIONS.</h4>
+<br>
+
+<p>And here I will cease to show, like a schoolmaster, to which precept 
+of the Decalogue, and to which member of the Lord’s Prayer each Psalm 
+belongs; for from what I have already said upon these points, my 
+seriously-disposed readers will be enabled to observe and judge for 
+themselves. All the supplicatory Psalms belong to the second precept 
+and to the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, for they honour and 
+sanctify the name of the Lord. And the Psalms which teach, console, 
+and give thanks for deliverance, belong to the second and third 
+precepts of the Decalogue, and also to the first and third petitions 
+of the Lord’s Prayer: for they teach us how, in truth, to keep holy 
+the Sabbath day, how to worship God with the true and highest worship, 
+and how to offer the most acceptable sacrifice; namely, the sacrifice 
+of praise. And most of the Psalms refer to all those three precepts of 
+the Decalogue, and to all those petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.</p>
+
+<p>My reason for giving these hints respecting the commandments, and 
+petitions of the Lord’s Prayer, to which the different Psalms belong, 
+in this my brief summary of the contents of the Psalms, is this: to 
+show that the whole Scripture flows from the Decalogue as from a 
+fountain; and that in the Ten Commandments and in the Lord’s Prayer 
+are contained the sum and substance of all theology or divinity; and 
+that nothing can be taught in the Church more sublime or more 
+excellent than these two parts of Divine revelation. For we see how 
+the greatest prophets and Moses himself, drew their great and divine 
+discourses from the first, the second, and the third Commandments; 
+and, in a word, from the whole of the Decalogue; how diligently they 
+weighed every thing and made it harmonize with this; and how they 
+continually delivered new things, yet all with reference to this great 
+general Decalogue. Hence indeed it was that Moses, that most eminent 
+man of God, gave this precept, “These words (says he,) thou shalt 
+meditate, when thou standest up and when thou liest down; and thou 
+shalt teach them diligently to thy children,” &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>In all their discourses and writings, therefore, the prophets and 
+apostles allude and refer to the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. From 
+these Ten Commandments flow all the doctrines, and all the godly 
+living of the saints: for there is no holiness or godliness of life or 
+true religion, apart from the Ten Commandments: because they are the 
+never-failing inexhaustible fountain of all wisdom, righteousness, and 
+of all perfection in the saints. Nor is there any of the complaints 
+uttered by the Prophets or Apostles, nor will you find any other in 
+all their discourses, but that against false prophets, hypocrites and 
+false teachers, who, disregarding, nay, totally despising and spitting 
+upon, the true and highest worship of God, (which is that of the first 
+Commandment, that requires faith and the fear of God,) teach their own 
+human dreams, which have nothing whatever to do with the Decalogue, 
+and do not at all belong to it.</p>
+
+<p>Against these characters it is, (as we see in Moses himself, in 
+Isaiah, in Jeremiah, and in the epistles of Paul and Peter,) that the 
+Prophets and Apostles complain bitterly, and that with tears; against 
+these it is that they cry aloud and wage war with all their powers; 
+that they might preserve this true and highest worship of God, and 
+might destroy from among men, hypocrisy and all human doctrines and 
+fanatical dreams.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>Blessedness consisteth in remission of sins.—Confession of sins 
+giveth ease to the conscience.—God’s promises bring joy.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David, Maschil.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is he whose</i> transgression <i>is</i> forgiven, <i>whose</i> sin <i>is</i> 
+covered.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> the man unto whom the L<small>ORD</small> imputeth not iniquity, and in 
+whose spirit <i>there is</i> no guile.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day 
+long.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned 
+into the drought of summer. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I 
+said, I will confess my transgressions unto the L<small>ORD</small>; and thou 
+forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when 
+thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall
+not come nigh unto him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou <i>art</i> my hiding-place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou 
+shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I 
+will guide thee with mine eye.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be ye not as the horse, <i>or</i> as the mule, <i>which</i> have no 
+understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest 
+they come near unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many sorrows <i>shall be</i> to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the 
+L<small>ORD</small>, mercy shall compass him about.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be glad in the L<small>ORD</small>, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all 
+<i>ye that are</i> upright in heart.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a very remarkable and valuable one. St. Paul quotes it 
+in that profound discussion of his, Rom. iv. where he teaches us what 
+sin is, and how we obtain the remission of sins, and, in a word, how 
+we are justified before God: for it is in this matter that all 
+hypocrites so deeply err: because human reason cannot imagine that sin 
+is accompanied with such great and such infinite guilt before God, and 
+with a guilt that no human powers nor works can wash away. In a word, 
+it knows not what sin is, and thinks that it can be washed off, and 
+taken away by works.</p>
+
+<p>Whereas David here plainly says, “For this shall every one that is 
+godly pray:” and he says also, that no one can be justified or 
+sanctified before God, unless he acknowledge himself to be a sinner, 
+and know that he is to obtain the remission of sins without any works 
+and merits, by the mere mercy of God, and by a free and gratuitous 
+imputation. In a word, our righteousness is not placed in us, or in 
+our works; but is such, that the remission of our sins is truly and 
+rightly called the free <small>REMISSION</small> of our sins: and also that our sins 
+are truly said ‘<i>not to be imputed</i>,’ but ‘<i>to be covered</i>.’ ‘Blessed 
+(says David) are they (that is, such are accepted before God, and are 
+truly righteous and reconciled to God) whose transgressions are 
+forgiven and whose sins are covered.’</p>
+
+<p>Here David says, in plain words, that all the saints are, and still 
+remain, sinners; and that they are justified and sanctified in no 
+other way than this;—God of his free mercy, for Christ’s sake, is 
+pleased not to impute their sins unto them, nor to judge them, but, in 
+mercy, to forgive them, and cover over their sins, and forget them. 
+And although in many other respects there is a great difference 
+between the saints and the wicked, yet, in this point there is no 
+difference,—they are all equally sinners, and all equally sin every 
+day. But the sins of the saints are not imputed unto them: they are 
+covered and forgiven on account of their faith in the promise of free 
+grace. Whereas the sins of the wicked are imputed unto them, and they 
+are exposed to the eye and to the awful judgment of God. The wounds of 
+the latter are not bound up: but the wounds of the former are bound 
+up, and are cured with healing plasters and oil: and yet they are both 
+truly wounded and truly sinners! But of this, more in its place; and I 
+have said much upon it in others of my writings.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>God is to be praised for his goodness, for his power, and for his 
+providence.—Confidence is to be placed in God.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Rejoice in the L<small>ORD</small>, O ye righteous: <i>for</i> praise is comely for the 
+upright.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise the L<small>ORD</small> with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery, and an 
+instrument of ten strings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the word of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> right: and all his works <i>are done</i> in 
+truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the 
+goodness of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>By the word of the L<small>ORD</small> were the heavens made; and all the host of 
+them by the breath of his mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up 
+the depth in storehouses.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let all the earth fear the L<small>ORD</small>: let all the inhabitants of the world 
+stand in awe of him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he spake, and it was <i>done;</i> he commanded, and it stood fast.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the 
+devices of the people of none effect.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The counsel of the L<small>ORD</small> standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart 
+to all generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> the nation whose God <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small>; <i>and</i> the people 
+<i>whom</i> he hath chosen for his own inheritance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants 
+of the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is 
+not delivered by much strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>An horse <i>is</i> a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver <i>any</i> 
+by his great strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, the eye of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> upon them that fear him, upon them 
+that hope in his mercy:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our soul waiteth for the L<small>ORD</small>: he <i>is</i> our help and our shield.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his 
+holy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let thy mercy, O L<small>ORD</small>, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a remarkable thanksgiving, where the prophet calls upon 
+all the saints, and those that fear God, to rejoice and give thanks 
+unto God for his preserving the church so wonderfully in the midst of 
+the world, in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, and exposed to so 
+many evils and perils on every side,—to give thanks unto God, I say, 
+who never forsakes the godly, and those that fear him, when tossed to 
+and fro on such waves of temptation, nor suffers them to be 
+overwhelmed, nor to perish, though conflicting in so perilous a 
+manner.</p>
+
+<p>God, says David, created the heaven and this whole universe of things 
+by his word. “He spake, and they were made:” therefore he is 
+omnipotent, and nothing is difficult to him: and hence he can deliver 
+his own from the midst of death, and from the midst of hell. And then, 
+again, his goodness and his truth are exceedingly great and infinite. 
+He regardeth and heareth the afflicted, he is ever present with them 
+in the hour of temptation: and, as David says in another Psalm, “The 
+Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.”</p>
+
+<p>Therefore God is not only willing to help and succour the godly, but 
+to succour them even as a father would his children; even as that 
+gracious promise which is comprehended in the First Commandment, 
+declares “I am the Lord thy God:” that is, I will be the Lord thy God: 
+I will be thy life, thy salvation, thy shield, thy defence, thy 
+eternal strength, thy eternal salvation, and consolation; thy eternal 
+and infinite good, against all the evils that can come upon thee:—For 
+this is to be God!</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, therefore, David proclaims with great fulness of 
+expression this unequalled wisdom and power of God,—that God has in 
+his hand all the hearts and thoughts of all men, kings, rulers and 
+potentates throughout the whole world; that he turns them and orders 
+them just as he will; that he governs and overrules all their 
+deliberations and counsels, and directs them all according to his own 
+mind and pleasure. “The Lord (saith David) bringeth the counsel of the 
+heathen to nought:” that is, he wonderfully breaks off and disappoints 
+the counsels of the wise, of the kings, of the potentates of this 
+world: and suddenly defeats all the attacks of the enemies against his 
+people and his church, how sure soever of success they may appear, and 
+he turns all their destruction upon the heads of the enemies 
+themselves, so that they cannot perform their enterprises nor 
+accomplish the devices which they plot against the righteous, but they 
+fall themselves into the pits which they have digged, and there perish 
+and rot.</p>
+
+<p>This is no small consolation to those that fear God, amidst all that 
+bitterness and Satanic cruelty which the tyrants of this world execute 
+against the godly, when they fearfully threaten that they will fill 
+all things with blood if they do not deny Christ and his gospel. These 
+make no end of their threats, because they are as if they would 
+terrify God himself, and hurl Christ down from the throne of his 
+majesty. Whereas God, all the while, holds in his power the thoughts 
+and imaginations of every one of them, and also their life and the 
+breath that is in their nostrils: and therefore such are subverted and 
+destroyed in a moment before they have accomplished their designs. 
+Only meditate upon all the examples of this since the beginning of the 
+world. What became of all the counsels of the people of Sodom against 
+Lot? Where is that great monarch and terror of the world, Sennacherib? 
+What (to come to our own times) has become of Pope Leo X. and all the 
+other bitter enemies of the word?</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David praiseth God, and exhorteth others thereto by his 
+experience.—They are blessed that trust in God.—He exhorteth to the fear of 
+God.—The privileges of the righteous.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who 
+drove him away, and he departed.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will bless the L<small>ORD</small> at all times: his praise <i>shall</i> continually 
+<i>be</i> in my mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul shall make her boast in the L<small>ORD</small>: the humble shall hear 
+<i>thereof</i>, and be glad.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O magnify the L<small>ORD</small> with me, and let us exalt his name together.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I sought the L<small>ORD</small>, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my 
+fears.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They looked unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not 
+ashamed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This poor man cried, and the L<small>ORD</small> heard <i>him</i>, and saved him out of 
+all his troubles.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The angel of the L<small>ORD</small> encampeth round about them that fear him, and 
+delivereth them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O taste and see that the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> good: blessed <i>is</i> the man <i>that</i> 
+trusteth in him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O fear the L<small>ORD</small>, ye his saints: for <i>there is</i> no want to them that 
+fear him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the L<small>ORD</small> 
+shall not want any good <i>thing</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Come, ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What man <i>is he that</i> desireth life, <i>and</i> loveth <i>many</i> days, that he 
+may see good?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The eyes of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>are</i> upon the righteous, and his ears <i>are open</i> 
+unto their cry.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The face of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> against them that do evil, to cut off the 
+remembrance of them from the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>The righteous</i> cry, and the L<small>ORD</small> heareth, and delivereth them out of 
+all their troubles.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth 
+such as be of a contrite spirit.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many <i>are</i> the afflictions of the righteous: but the L<small>ORD</small> delivereth 
+him out of them all.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Evil shall slay the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall be 
+desolate.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> redeemeth the soul of his servants; and none of them that 
+trust in him shall be desolate.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a remarkable thanksgiving, and is nearly of the same 
+import with the preceding, as the title of the Psalm, and the sixth 
+verse show: for David here sets forth himself as an example and proof 
+before all the godly, to show, that God always hears the prayers and 
+supplications of the godly, and them that believe, and does not 
+despise the sighings of the afflicted.</p>
+
+<p>David here, after a majestic opening of the Psalm, promises that he 
+will set forth the sum of all godliness. “What man is he (saith the 
+Psalmist) that desireth life, and loveth many days. Keep thy tongue 
+from evil, &amp;c.” Here, he requires before all things, the fear of the 
+Lord, and the worship of the First Commandment: that, cleaving closely 
+to the word, we might avoid hypocrisy and lying doctrines, and that we 
+might truly trust in God, endure his will, and not rebel or murmur 
+against him. And then, that we should live in peace with our 
+neighbour, not rendering evil for evil, but blessing even our 
+adversaries and our enemies, and, as much as in us lies, living in 
+peace with all men, whether they be good or evil.</p>
+
+<p>For thus does the counsel of God stand, which cannot be changed or 
+altered,—that the saints should live in affliction in this life. 
+Wherefore, if thou wilt be a godly man, if thou wilt cleave unto God, 
+prepare thy soul (as David here saith) to temptations, to the cross, 
+and to afflictions: for thus it is immutably decreed of God, (as he 
+says again afterwards) “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” 
+And again, this firm and eternal counsel of God stands also immutably 
+fixed,—that it is God’s will to deliver the saints from all these 
+evils, and so wholly and faithfully so, that not even the least bone 
+of them shall perish: nay, in the resurrection, and in glorification, 
+every bone shall return to the body with greater perfection than ever; 
+as Christ says in his Gospel, “Even the very hairs of your head are 
+all numbered.”</p>
+
+<p>What then is this light and momentary tribulation, in comparison with 
+that eternal weight of glory, which shall be revealed in us? For 
+although the bones and members of the saints are, above all others, 
+cruelly scattered and broken, burnt in the fire, and left to rot in 
+graves; yet, even though they be thus sown in ignominy, they shall be 
+raised in glory: they shall be quickened again with all their limbs 
+and bodies; and all their bones shall be restored; and the just shall 
+shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. For that maddened 
+and insatiable fury of the devil, shall not be able to mangle the 
+bones of the saints, or so to extinguish the church as that it shall 
+be annihilated altogether. The death, and the cruel bruising of the 
+bones of the saints, shall be temporary only: but their glorification 
+in God, shall be for ever and ever.</p>
+
+<p>And observe, how remarkably this Psalm speaks of the resurrection, and 
+also concerning angels. For this is the first Psalm which we have yet 
+treated on, that speaks of angels. This Psalm shows that they are 
+ministers and helpers to the saints, being sent forth to minister unto 
+them who shall be heirs of salvation. David shows that they are not 
+only present with us, but that they most diligently and unceasingly 
+watch over us, and stand up for our defence; that they encamp round 
+about us, and fight for us perpetually, as if in open battle, that 
+they may defend us against the horrible violence, and infinite snares 
+of Satan and his members. All which things are the greatest 
+consolation to the godly, and them that believe.</p>
+
+<p>This is all confirmed by the example of the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings 
+vi. 16. when he said concerning the ministration of angels, “Fear not, 
+for they that be with us, are more than they that be with them.” The 
+prophet makes an allusion here, after the manner of the prophets, who 
+drew all their matter from Moses, as it were from a fountain. Moses 
+says of Jacob, Gen. xxxii. when he feared the cruelty and rage of his 
+brother Esau, “And the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, 
+he said, this is God’s host.” So it is said, that angels came to 
+Elisha, and encamped round about him; as we have it in the present 
+Psalm.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David prayeth for his own safety, and his enemies’ confusion.—He 
+complaineth of their wrongful dealing.—Thereby he inciteth God against 
+them.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Plead <i>my cause</i>, O L<small>ORD</small>, with them that strive with me: fight against 
+them that fight against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Draw out also the spear, and stop <i>the way</i> against them that 
+persecute me: say unto my soul, I <i>am</i> thy salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let 
+them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the L<small>ORD</small> 
+chase <i>them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the L<small>ORD</small> 
+persecute them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For without cause have they hid for me their net <i>in</i> a pit, <i>which</i> 
+without cause they have digged for my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let destruction come upon him at unawares, and let his net that he 
+hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction, let him fall.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And my soul shall be joyful in the L<small>ORD</small>: it shall rejoice in his 
+salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All my bones shall say, L<small>ORD</small>, who <i>is</i> like unto thee, which 
+deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor 
+and the needy from him that spoileth him?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge <i>things</i> that I 
+knew not.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They rewarded me evil for good <i>to</i> the spoiling of my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing <i>was</i> sackcloth: I 
+humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own 
+bosom.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I behaved myself as though <i>he had been</i> my friend <i>or</i> brother: I 
+bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth <i>for his</i> mother.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: 
+<i>yea</i>, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew 
+<i>it</i> not; they did tear <i>me</i>, and ceased not:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their 
+teeth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their 
+destructions, my darling from the lions.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee 
+among much people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: 
+<i>neither</i> let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against 
+<i>them that are</i> quiet in the land.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, <i>and</i> said, Aha, aha, 
+our eye hath seen <i>it</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>This</i> thou hast seen, O L<small>ORD</small>: keep not silence: O L<small>ORD</small>, be not far 
+from me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, <i>even</i> unto my cause, my 
+God and my Lord.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Judge me, O L<small>ORD</small> my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them 
+not rejoice over me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them 
+not say, We have swallowed him up.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at 
+mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify 
+<i>themselves</i> against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: 
+yea, let them say continually, Let the L<small>ORD</small> be magnified, which hath 
+pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness <i>and</i> of thy praise all 
+the day long.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer wherein David complains bitterly against those worst 
+of all men who are found about palaces, and who flatter kings and 
+rulers, and, for their own gain and advantage, tickle their ears with 
+adulation in order to please them; and at the same time, speak evil of 
+the innocent, enflame the powerful against the preachers and 
+professors of the word of God, endeavour to suppress the truth, and 
+cause awful injuries both to churches and to states. Thus such 
+characters as these traduced David before king Saul, though they were 
+men to whom David had rendered the greatest services, for whom he had 
+often most fervently prayed, and in endeavouring to save and protect 
+whom he had brought upon himself much misery and distress.</p>
+
+<p>The matter of this Psalm may be a great consolation to us when we see 
+the doctrines of truth and the gospel of God to be hated and traduced 
+before kings and rulers, with the most impudent lies, and the most 
+virulent speeches of the enemies of true piety, nay of every thing 
+that is honest and becoming man. Thus, a certain man, remarkable for 
+the fear of God, once told me that, at the tenth year of the August 
+Assembly, by the impudent and malicious report of some present, 
+nothing was talked about in the pope’s palace concerning Luther, but, 
+‘that he denied the Lord Christ, that he despised the Virgin Mary, and 
+contemptuously set aside baptism, the sacraments, and all religion; 
+and that he winked at theft, adultery, and other open sins, and 
+permitted them to pass by with impunity.’ These forgers, however, of 
+this manifest lie were put to shame openly when Charles V. himself was 
+present and heard me when I made a confession of my doctrine; and then 
+also, the devil, the father and fountain of lies, was himself 
+confuted. Thus are these wretches wont to traduce the godly in this 
+malicious manner, and to defame them, while they themselves in the 
+mean time enjoy all the secular benefits of the gospel. Of this stamp 
+there are thousands before us in our day.</p>
+
+<p>Hypocritical (or halting) mockers (saith David), who halt between two 
+desires,—who want to serve both God and men,—conspire together against 
+me. For these when they have been raised at the expense and loss of 
+the godly, and have golden riches and honours, trample those very 
+godly ones under their feet. Such ungrateful wretches as these are all 
+hypocrites and fanatical spirits, who serve not the Lord or Christ but 
+their own belly. And just such now are all those who enjoy and 
+squander all our property, and persecute us into the bargain.</p>
+
+<p>In a word, as it happened to Christ our head, so it is now with the 
+church and all who fear God. He that eateth my bread, saith Christ, 
+trampleth me under foot, and that for the hire of thirty pieces of 
+silver. These are those hypocrites who consider their own belly above 
+every thing else, whose unbounded and insatiable cruelty is ever 
+raging against those that fear God; as David here complains.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The grievous estate of the wicked.—The excellency of God’s 
+mercy.—David prayeth for favour to God’s children.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of 
+the Lord.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, <i>that there is</i> 
+no fear of God before his eyes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found 
+to be hateful.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The words of his mouth <i>are</i> iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to 
+be wise, <i>and</i> to do good.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way <i>that 
+is</i> not good; he abhorreth not evil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy mercy, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>is</i> in the heavens; <i>and</i> thy faithfulness 
+<i>reacheth</i> unto the clouds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy righteousness <i>is</i> like the great mountains; thy judgments <i>are</i> a 
+great deep: O L<small>ORD</small>, thou preservest man and beast.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How excellent <i>is</i> thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children 
+of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and 
+thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For with thee <i>is</i> the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see 
+light.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee; and thy 
+righteousness to the upright in heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the 
+wicked remove me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and 
+shall not be able to rise.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm containing a very necessary doctrine, and marks 
+whereby heretics, false-teachers, and fanatical spirits may be 
+discovered. And in the end he begs of God with a wonderful fervency 
+that he may be guarded against all these pestilences. And after he had 
+at the beginning of the Psalm exactly described these characters in 
+their own colours, he takes courage, in the middle, himself, and 
+comforts all those that fear God; and tells them, that, although Satan 
+by his instruments roars and rages against the church, yet, that the 
+word of God shall remain and the kingdom of God stand unmoved, against 
+all the violence of Satan, and against the power of all the kingdoms 
+of the world.</p>
+
+<p>“Thy righteousness (says David) is like the great mountains: and thy 
+judgments are a great deep;” that is, as the rocks and mountains which 
+God has fixed, no power can overthrow;—and as the great deeps of the 
+sea are inexhaustible, so, thy word O Lord stands firm, and no human 
+power can overthrow or subvert the truth: and although all the gates 
+of hell and all the attempts of men and devils should set themselves 
+against thy word and will, yet with thee is the fountain of life; that 
+is, in thy house, where thou dwellest by the word in the midst of 
+enemies: that fountain and river of life will still remain; that is, 
+this word of thine, whereby afflicted consciences will be raised up 
+and revived.</p>
+
+<p>And here, if any where, the prophet expressively describes those false 
+teachers. He <i>first</i> of all breaks out against such, with the most 
+fervent zeal at the beginning of the Psalm. ‘Certainly, (saith he) if 
+there be any set of men, evil men, these are of all the worst: for 
+they are men of an abandoned impudence, virulent, and destitute of the 
+fear of God, and of faith in him; they are secure despisers of God and 
+religion; they are proud, arrogant, precipitate, audacious, and 
+prepared for every thing that is bad.’</p>
+
+<p>In the <i>next</i> place, they approve and commend no one but themselves. 
+They hate all others most bitterly, and traduce and defame them: they 
+excel in this one thing only,—in adorning and setting off themselves, 
+in using boasted self-praising words, in contemptuously despising 
+others, and in arrogating to themselves only the spirit and worship of 
+God, and the appellation of the true church.</p>
+
+<p>In the <i>third</i> place, their doctrines are most pernicious, and filled 
+with lies: for they fight against the doctrine of faith and of grace, 
+and deceive men by their outside daubing, and their hypocrisy.</p>
+
+<p>In the <i>fourth</i> place, they are rashly precipitate, and will endure no 
+monitor; for they are harder than any iron or any adamant: and if you 
+do not applaud all they say and all they do, they immediately rage and 
+make a tumult with all the fury of Satan.</p>
+
+<p>In the <i>fifth</i> place, they go out and diffuse their doctrines as 
+widely as possible; and their speech, as Paul saith, eateth like a 
+canker. For, for the most part, such men have an audacity above all 
+sincere and good men, and a determinate spirit to accomplish all their 
+own purposes; and they are restless, vehement, hot-headed, and so 
+furiously and wickedly aim at the accomplishment of their own 
+purposes, that you would think they would overturn everything else.</p>
+
+<p>And <i>lastly</i>, they hostilely persecute all those who do not subscribe 
+to their creed. And all these enormities they perpetrate with a 
+wonderfully unconcerned and insensible security; as if they were all 
+the time pleasing God and doing him service.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David persuadeth to patience and confidence in God, by the different 
+estate of the godly and the wicked.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, neither be thou envious 
+against the workers of iniquity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the 
+green herb.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Trust in the L<small>ORD</small>, and do good: <i>so</i> shalt thou dwell in the land, and 
+verily thou shalt be fed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Delight thyself also in the L<small>ORD</small>; and he shall give thee the desires 
+of thine heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Commit thy way unto the L<small>ORD</small>; trust also in him, and he shall bring 
+<i>it</i> to pass.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy 
+judgment as the noon day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Rest in the L<small>ORD</small>, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because 
+of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth 
+wicked devices to pass.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to 
+do evil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For evil-doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the L<small>ORD</small>, 
+they shall inherit the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For yet a little while, and the wicked <i>shall</i> not <i>be;</i> yea, thou 
+shalt diligently consider his place, and it <i>shall</i> not <i>be</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in 
+the abundance of peace.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his 
+teeth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall laugh at him; for he seeth that his day is coming.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast 
+down the poor and needy, <i>and</i> to slay such as be of upright 
+conversation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be 
+broken.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A little that a righteous man hath <i>is</i> better than the riches of many 
+wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the L<small>ORD</small> upholdeth the 
+righteous.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> knoweth the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall 
+be for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine 
+they shall be satisfied.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>shall be</i> as 
+the fat of Lambs: they shall consume, into smoke shall they consume 
+away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth 
+mercy, and giveth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For <i>such as be</i> blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and <i>they 
+that be</i> cursed of him shall be cut off.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The steps of a <i>good</i> man are ordered by the L<small>ORD</small>; and he delighteth 
+in his way.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the L<small>ORD</small> 
+upholdeth <i>him with</i> his hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have been young, and <i>now</i> am old; yet have I not seen the righteous 
+forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>He is</i> ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed <i>is</i> blessed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are 
+preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of 
+judgment.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The law of his God <i>is</i> in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is 
+judged.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wait on the L<small>ORD</small>, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit 
+the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see <i>it</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a 
+green bay-tree.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yet he passed away, and, lo, he <i>was</i> not: yea, I sought him, but he 
+could not be found.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mark the perfect <i>man</i>, and behold the upright: for the end of <i>that</i> 
+man <i>is</i> peace.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the 
+wicked shall be cut off.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the salvation of the righteous <i>is</i> of the L<small>ORD</small>; <i>he is</i> their 
+strength in the time of trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And the L<small>ORD</small> shall help them, and deliver them; he shall deliver them 
+from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation, which exhorts us to patience in the 
+world; and shews us that we should not be angry with, nor mutter 
+against God, when we see it to be well with evil men, and evilly with 
+the good. This indeed is often a cutting offence, and exceedingly 
+galls the weak ones; concerning which also Habakkuk complains, chap. 
+i. For when the saints think that all things turn out prosperously and 
+successfully to the wicked, and all things adversely and 
+unsuccessfully to those that fear God, they appear, as to human 
+judgment, to be dealt hardly with indeed.</p>
+
+<p>We see an infinity of malice and ingratitude in the world, and an 
+extreme contempt of religion; a contempt of all good learning, and of 
+all virtue and honesty. Of this we have examples sufficiently 
+manifest, in our time, among the powerful and noble of this world, and 
+also among citizens and peasants, who all wish to have the liberty of 
+doing what suits their pleasure. To these impious despisers of the 
+word of God all things turn out prosperously: they abound in riches, 
+and they are raised to honours: while those that fear God are 
+afflicted with hunger and nakedness, and are despised, derided, and 
+contemned. And moreover, they endure the most bitter hatred of the 
+devil and the world for the word’s sake; they can scarcely breathe 
+under their afflictions, and they are often bound with fetters and 
+imprisoned. Here, not to give way to anger and indignation; here, not 
+to turn epicureans and deny God, is a wisdom beyond all that is human: 
+is a wisdom that is altogether spiritual and divine.</p>
+
+<p>The sum therefore of this Psalm is,—suffer; that is, learn patience. 
+Every evil must be overcome by bearing it with patience. Cast thy 
+cares upon the Lord. Do not murmur; be not angry; wish no ill to the 
+wicked. Leave the management and government of all to God: he is a 
+righteous judge.—This is the all-necessary doctrine that is delivered 
+to us in this Psalm: a doctrine wholly unknown to the wise of this 
+world. And here the Holy Spirit comforts the godly in a various, and 
+at the same time, most fatherly and affectionate way; and that with 
+the most great and gracious promises. And then, as an example, David 
+himself says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet saw I never the 
+righteous forsaken.” And then he concludes with threatenings against 
+the wicked. But to show forth this patience in the midst of so much 
+malice and perverseness of the world, is the power and operation of 
+the Holy Spirit only, and is found only in spiritual men: for all 
+human reason, and all the wise ones of the world, cannot judge 
+otherwise, than that it is unworthy of God, and unjust, that it should 
+be well with the evil, and ill with the good.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David moveth God to take compassion of his pitiful case.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David to bring to remembrance.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot 
+displeasure.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>There is</i> no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither 
+<i>is there any</i> rest in my bones because of my sin.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they 
+are too heavy for me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My wounds stink <i>and</i> are corrupt because of my foolishness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day 
+long.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For my loins are filled with a loathsome <i>disease:</i> and <i>there is</i> no 
+soundness in my flesh.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the 
+disquietness of my heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, all my desire <i>is</i> before thee; and my groaning is not hid from 
+thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine 
+eyes, it also is gone from me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen 
+stand afar off.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They also that seek after my life lay snares <i>for me:</i> and they that 
+seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day 
+long.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I, as a deaf <i>man</i>, heard not; and <i>I was</i> as a dumb man <i>that</i> 
+openeth not his mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth <i>are</i> no 
+reproofs.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For in thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O L<small>ORD</small> my God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I said, <i>Hear me;</i> lest <i>otherwise</i> they should rejoice over me: 
+when my foot slippeth, they magnify <i>themselves</i> against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I <i>am</i> ready to halt, and my sorrow <i>is</i> continually before me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But mine enemies <i>are</i> lively, <i>and</i> they are strong: and they that 
+hate me wrongfully are multiplied.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I 
+follow <i>the thing that</i> good <i>is</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Forsake me not, O L<small>ORD</small>: O my God, be not far from me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make haste to help me, O L<small>ORD</small> my salvation.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a fervent prayer to God, in which David complains with 
+wonderful groanings, that he is stricken and bruised with the sense of 
+his sin; that he is distressed and straitened in spirit under the 
+deepest sorrow; and that he can see nothing and feel nothing but wrath 
+from heaven, and the terrible lightnings, arrows, and threatenings of 
+God; and in a word, death, and hell itself; and that this great 
+distress exhausts not only all the moisture, all the strength, all the 
+blood, and all the marrow of his frame, but fills him with an 
+unspeakable alarm and perturbation, and makes him pant and sweat with 
+agony; so that the intenseness of his feelings, destroys the natural 
+colour and appearance of his face, and affects his whole body. For to 
+feel in reality the burthen of the conscience under a sense of sin, is 
+a distress and terror exceeding all other distresses and terrors. And 
+these deep temptations of the godly are greatly increased by those 
+wicked ones without, who cease not to call them heretics, seditious 
+persons, and murderers. For these hypocrites, while they boast in the 
+teeth of the godly that they are the true saints, and the true church, 
+and the real people of God, (and God in the meantime, which is often 
+the case, not bringing in help and consolation) the godly are deeply 
+grieved and afflicted, as if God was their enemy because of their 
+sins.</p>
+
+<p>But this Psalm teaches us constantly to hope for, and expect the help 
+and consolation of God, and still to fight against all such hypocrites 
+by prayer. And the prophet, in the midst of the agonizing conflict of 
+this temptation, sustains and lifts up himself by taking courage from 
+the divine promise. And here he maintains his cause, (which is not the 
+cause of men but of God,) as a strong fortress against Satan and his 
+cause, and here again flows in the consolation of faith, &amp;c. And so 
+also we ought to pray always, and in no temptation yield to sorrow of 
+mind, even though we are sinners, and though Satan shakes us with the 
+horrible terrors of sin: for grace is stronger than sin!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XXXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David’s care of his thoughts.—The consideration of the brevity and 
+vanity of life, the reverence of God’s judgments, and prayer, are his 
+bridles of impatience.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, <i>even</i> to Jeduthun. A 
+Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I 
+will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I was dumb with silence: I held my peace, <i>even</i> from good; and my 
+sorrow was stirred.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire burned: <i>then</i> 
+spake I with my tongue,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it 
+<i>is; that</i> I may know how frail I <i>am</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, thou hast made my days <i>as</i> an handbreadth, and mine age <i>is</i> 
+as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state <i>is</i> 
+altogether vanity. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely every man walketh in a vain shew; surely they are disquieted in 
+vain; he heapeth up <i>riches</i>, and knoweth not who shall gather them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And now, L<small>ORD</small>, what wait I for? my hope <i>is</i> in thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the 
+foolish.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst <i>it</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine 
+hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his 
+beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man <i>is</i> vanity. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear my prayer, O L<small>ORD</small>, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace 
+at my tears: for I <i>am</i> a stranger with thee, <i>and</i> a sojourner, as 
+all my fathers <i>were</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no 
+more.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a consolatory Psalm, containing also a prayer of the prophet, 
+in which he prays that his mouth may be bridled, that he might not 
+break out into blasphemy and murmuring when he sees the wicked to 
+prosper in the world, and most proudly to despise God and his word, 
+and to think of nothing but amassing riches, &amp;c.; and when he sees, on 
+the contrary, that the godly are afflicted with various temptations 
+without and within, and conflicting both with the world and with the 
+devil.</p>
+
+<p>Rather (says he) teach me, O Lord, to know mine end; that is, that 
+there will be an end to my life at length; that is, teach me to 
+magnify the future, which does not yet appear. Guard me from that 
+perilous security of the wicked in which they give themselves up 
+wholly to this world, and devote themselves to coveting the things 
+thereof, and to pride and ambition, as if they should live here for 
+ever. For it is often a great vexation to the godly, and indeed the 
+prophets themselves complain of it,—that the wicked and the evil 
+abound in every kind of luxury, wallow in all the pleasures of wine 
+and feasting, and live their whole lives in security, strangers to 
+trouble and affliction, while the godly are afflicted, and tempted, 
+and distressed both from without and from within.</p>
+
+<p>But the end shows that the godly are happy; and the wicked, with all 
+their perishable happiness, truly miserable. Hence the prophet saith, 
+“And now, Lord, what is my expectation, (or what wait I for?)” As if 
+he had said, shall I be always thus afflicted! Shall I be utterly 
+overwhelmed? Will these temptations continue to return upon us for 
+ever? No! (says he) the Lord is my expectation: that is, I shall find 
+in the end, after all these temptations and death, an eternal life, a 
+reconciled God, the pardon of all my sins, and even in this world, I 
+shall not be forsaken. But the wicked, after their short life, will 
+find nothing but death,—death eternal!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XL.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The benefit of confidence in God.—Obedience is the best 
+sacrifice.—The sense of David’s evils inflameth his prayer.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I waited patiently for the L<small>ORD</small>; and he inclined unto me, and heard my 
+cry.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, 
+and set my feet upon a rock, <i>and</i> established my goings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he hath put a new song in my mouth, <i>even</i> praise unto our God: 
+many shall see <i>it</i>, and fear, and shall trust in the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> that man that maketh the L<small>ORD</small> his trust, and respecteth 
+not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many, O L<small>ORD</small> my God, <i>are</i> thy wonderful works <i>which</i> thou hast done, 
+and thy thoughts <i>which are</i> to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in 
+order unto thee: <i>if</i> I would declare and speak <i>of them</i>, they are more 
+than can be numbered.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou 
+opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book <i>it is</i> written of 
+me;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law <i>is</i> within my heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have 
+not refrained my lips, O L<small>ORD</small>, thou knowest.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy 
+faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy 
+loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O L<small>ORD</small>: let thy 
+loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For innumerable evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities have 
+taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up: they are more 
+than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be pleased, O L<small>ORD</small>, to deliver me: O L<small>ORD</small>, make haste to help me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to 
+destroy it; let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish 
+me evil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame, that say unto me, 
+Aha, aha!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as 
+love thy salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I <i>am</i> poor and needy: <i>yet</i> the L<small>ORD</small> thinketh upon me: thou <i>art</i> 
+my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prophecy, and the voice of Christ himself; where 
+Christ himself says, that he was heard in the midst of his sufferings, 
+when crying and groaning in the midst of the agony of death. And it is 
+also a beautiful example and consolation for the whole church, and for 
+all the members of Christ,—that God will never forsake any of those 
+that believe in him, when agonizing in the same manner, if they cry 
+unto him, and call upon him in the midst of the horrible pit and 
+terrors of death.</p>
+
+<p>The great prophet David, and others like him, published forth Psalms 
+of this kind, concerning the greatest and most important things of 
+Christ’s kingdom and people: for the expectation of the Messiah and of 
+Christ, was a very important matter among the people of God, and 
+therefore David makes the person of Christ himself speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Christ here plainly says, that he is the one and only person who 
+fulfils the law, and does the will of God. Here he excludes all others 
+and their works. “In the volume of the book (says he) it is written of 
+me.” That is, the promise of blessing and grace, that the seed of the 
+woman should bruise the serpent’s head, and that in the seed of 
+Abraham all the nations of the earth should be blessed, were 
+concerning me, &amp;c. Thus he rejects and abrogates the whole law, with 
+all works, sacrifices, and forms of worship; because, by them, the 
+will of God is not fulfilled.</p>
+
+<p>All our works and sacrifices, therefore, are rejected. Christ here 
+saith, that he is the sole and only one who pleases God, and fulfils 
+his will. By these words, therefore, he promises the New Testament; 
+where there is no righteousness of the law, but the righteousness of 
+faith, preached in the great congregation: that is, in the whole 
+world, in all nations. There is no preaching of the righteousness of 
+the law, which only makes men proud pharisees and hypocrites, who have 
+not their hope fixed in God, or in the promise of grace, but in their 
+own righteousness, false holiness, and legal hypocrisy.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>God’s care of the poor.—David complaineth of his enemies’ 
+treachery.—He fleeth to God for succour.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> he that considereth the poor: the L<small>ORD</small> will deliver him 
+in time of trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> will preserve him, and keep him alive; <i>and</i> he shall be 
+blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of 
+his enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt 
+make all his bed in his sickness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I said, L<small>ORD</small>, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned 
+against thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine enemies speak evil of me; when shall he die, and his name perish?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And if he come to see <i>me</i>, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth 
+iniquity to itself; <i>when</i> he goeth abroad, he telleth <i>it</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they 
+devise my hurt.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>An evil disease, <i>say they</i>, cleaveth fast unto him: and <i>now</i> that he 
+lieth, he shall rise up no more.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted, which did eat of my 
+bread, hath lift up <i>his</i> heel against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou, O L<small>ORD</small>, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may 
+requite them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not 
+triumph over me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me 
+before thy face for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small> God of Israel, from everlasting, and to 
+everlasting. Amen, and Amen.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prophecy; where, after the manner of the Psalms, 
+Christ himself speaks, and with a wonderful feeling, complains of his 
+domestic traitor Judas, and of those cruel dogs which vented their 
+fury on the poor; by which dogs, he means those that crucified him. He 
+prays that God would judge his cause, and set him before his face: 
+that is, that God his father would comfort him in his suffering, and 
+raise him from the dead; that, being exalted, through the cross and 
+death, to the right hand of God, he might be glorified with eternal 
+life and victory.</p>
+
+<p>This is a great and unspeakable consolation to all the godly; where, 
+in the fourth verse, the Son saith, “heal my soul, for I have sinned 
+against thee.” He confesses himself to be a sinner before God his 
+Father, whereas he was without sin, and no guile was found in his 
+mouth. Here, therefore, he stands as our priest, as a victim and 
+sacrifice for sin, bearing and suffering for our sins, as if they were 
+his; and he bore the guilt of them.</p>
+
+<p>In the beginning of the Psalm he comprehends the sum of the whole 
+matter, in a very powerful expression. “Blessed (saith he) are they 
+who consider the poor and needy:” that is, blessed, yea, eternally 
+blessed are they, who are not offended at the once weak, crucified, 
+and condemned Christ, but who believe the Gospel. For the preaching of 
+the cross is to the Gentiles foolishness, and to the Jews a 
+stumbling-block. And it is the greatest of all offences to the world 
+to preach, teach, or confess, that the once poor, crucified, and 
+condemned Christ, now sits at the right hand of the divine Majesty, 
+and that he is on high, the Lord of all, both in this world, and that 
+which is to come. For with this Christ, that people of the Jews were 
+so offended, and they so ran upon and stumbled on this rock of 
+offence, that, to this day, they remain cast out and scattered, and 
+wander about over all the face of the earth, without a priesthood, and 
+without a kingdom!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David’s zeal to serve God in the temple.—He encourageth his soul to
+trust in God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of 
+Korah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after 
+thee, O God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and 
+appear before God?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say 
+unto me, Where <i>is</i> thy God?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I remember these <i>things</i>, I pour out my soul in me: for I had 
+gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with 
+the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And <i>why</i> art thou disquieted in me? 
+Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him <i>for</i> the help of his 
+countenance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee 
+from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts; all thy waves 
+and thy billows are gone over me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Yet</i> the L<small>ORD</small> will command his loving-kindness in the day-time, and 
+in the night his song <i>shall be</i> with me, <i>and</i> my prayer unto the God 
+of my life.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will say unto God my rock, why hast thou forgotten me? Why go I 
+mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>As</i> with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they 
+say daily unto me, where <i>is</i> thy God?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within 
+me; hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, <i>who is</i> the health 
+of my countenance and my God.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is an ardent prayer to God; evincing an exceeding greatness of 
+spiritual feeling, and an unutterable groaning of the Spirit. Under 
+this similitude of a hart, at the beginning of the Psalm, the Psalmist 
+describes his feelings in the hour of temptation, when he was wholly 
+immersed in the extreme of distress, and absorbed in tears. For in 
+that hour of darkness, the God of life, and peace, and light, and 
+consolation, is not seen; but the sun of all comfort is hidden as it 
+were behind a cloud. Then the hearts of the thus tempted feel nothing 
+but an angry God, and a cruel avenger; and Satan increases these 
+dismal views of misery to a wonderful extent. To these things, 
+moreover, are often added the blasphemies of those who make derision 
+of the afflicted, and assail them with the taunt, “Where is now thy 
+God!”—For the world and the ungodly cannot contain themselves, when 
+they see the saints in calamities; they cannot refrain from taunting 
+and deriding them; from aggravating the distresses of these godly 
+ones, and from exclaiming, in their bitterly-cutting triumph, ‘They 
+hoped in God that he would deliver them. Where is now their delivering 
+God? Where is now their Christ they talk so much about? This is just 
+how such heretics ought to be served.’ For these wicked creatures 
+judge according to the flesh and blind reason; and imagine, that 
+affliction is a certain sign of divine anger against the saints. On 
+the other hand, they boast of their own afflictions, or any slight 
+adversities which they may meet with, as sufferings for the Lord’s 
+name sake, and as martyrdoms and sorrows endured for their apostolic 
+innocence. For those perverse and virulent wretches, those blind 
+leaders of the blind, though they know, yet will not know, that God 
+thus chastens his saints, that he may afterwards comfort them; but not 
+that he may forsake, destroy, or condemn them.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist desires, with the greatest fervency of heart, to come 
+unto the house of the Lord, and into the congregation of those that 
+sing and rejoice; to keep holy the sabbath, to celebrate the name of 
+the Lord, and to see the face of the Lord; that is, he has an ardent 
+desire to hear the word of the Lord, that he might thereby be lifted 
+up and refreshed; being well nigh consumed in such a fiery heat of 
+temptation and distress. The house of the Lord is where the word of 
+God, and the promise of grace are preached. And by “the face of God,” 
+he means the presence of God; where God, by his word, reveals himself, 
+and his will, and grace, and gives the knowledge of them unto men. 
+This he calls in another place ‘God’s turning, (not his back but) his 
+face towards us.’</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David praying to be restored to the temple, promiseth to serve God 
+joyfully.—He encourageth his soul to trust in God.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O 
+deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou <i>art</i> the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why 
+go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring 
+me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, 
+upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within 
+me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, <i>who is</i> the health of my 
+countenance, and my God.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is of the same purport as the preceding; and David uses 
+almost the same expressions. He desires to go into the house of God in 
+the light and truth of God: that is, he desires to be comforted, under 
+his distress and temptation, by the word of God.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The church, in memory of former favours, complaineth of their present 
+evils.—Professing her integrity, she fervently prayeth for succour.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, 
+Maschil.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, <i>what</i> 
+work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>How</i> thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst 
+them; <i>how</i> thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither 
+did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and 
+the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we 
+tread them under that rise up against us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame 
+that hated us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with 
+our armies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy; and they which hate us 
+spoil for themselves.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast given us like sheep <i>appointed</i> for meat; and hast scattered 
+us among the heathen.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase <i>thy wealth</i> 
+by their price.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to 
+them that are round about us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among 
+the people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My confusion <i>is</i> continually before me, and the shame of my face hath 
+covered me,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of 
+the enemy and avenger.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have 
+we dealt falsely in thy covenant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy 
+way;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered 
+us with the shadow of death.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands, 
+to a strange God;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the 
+heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as 
+sheep for the slaughter.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Awake, why sleepest thou, O L<small>ORD</small>? arise, cast <i>us</i> not off for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherefore hidest thou thy face, <i>and</i> forgettest our affliction and 
+our oppression?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the 
+earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer of the whole people of God; and it is offered up in 
+the person of all the saints; especially of those under the New 
+Testament, whom you here find to be complaining that they are cruelly 
+slaughtered and slain by the wicked nations, by the ungodly men, and 
+by tyrants. For God delivers his saints into the hands of men, as if 
+he had rejected them, or utterly forgotten them. Whereas, he glorified 
+the patriarchs of old, and all those his people from the beginning, by 
+mighty works and miracles in the sight of the nations that opposed 
+them. And indeed all the saints maintain, not their own cause, but 
+God’s; and seek, not their own glory, but his: and yet for this very 
+just and holy cause, and for no other reason, nor any other crime, 
+they are thus torn and slaughtered by exile, by the spoiling of their 
+goods, and, in a word, by death; and are as cruelly treated in the 
+world, as if they were the most wicked of all men, and a mere set of 
+vagabonds and murderers.</p>
+
+<p>In a word, this Psalm is a sighing and groaning of spirit against the 
+weakness of the flesh; which flesh, even in the saints, murmurs 
+against God, because he governs the world with such an appearance of 
+injustice; and is in appearance, an unjust judge, permitting the 
+saints to be afflicted whom he ought to support and comfort, and 
+promoting and exalting the wicked whom he ought to overthrow.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The majesty and grace of Christ’s kingdom.—The duty of the church, 
+and the benefits thereof.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil. 
+A Song of Loves.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have 
+made touching the king: my tongue <i>is</i> the pen of a ready writer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy 
+lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Gird thy sword upon <i>thy</i> thigh, O <i>most</i> mighty, with thy glory and 
+thy majesty.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness 
+<i>and</i> righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible 
+things.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thine arrows <i>are</i> sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; <i>whereby</i> 
+the people fall under thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy throne, O God, <i>is</i> for and ever and ever: the sceptre of thy 
+kingdom <i>is</i> a right sceptre.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy 
+God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All thy garments <i>smell</i> of myrrh, and aloes, <i>and</i> cassia, out of the 
+ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Kings’ daughters <i>were</i> among thy honourable women: upon thy right 
+hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also 
+thine own people, and thy father’s house;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he <i>is</i> thy Lord; and 
+worship thou him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And the daughter of Tyre <i>shall be there</i> with a gift; <i>even</i> the rich 
+among the people shall intreat thy favour.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The king’s daughter <i>is</i> all glorious within: her clothing <i>is</i> of 
+wrought gold.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the 
+virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter 
+into the king’s palace.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make 
+princes in all the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore 
+shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the gospel and kingdom of Christ; and it 
+describes, in many rich and sweet figures and expressions, the spouse 
+of Christ, the church. It describes also Christ, going forth in all 
+his regal pomp; having all royal gifts, a manly and regal form, 
+suavity and grace of speech, a warrior’s armour, the splendour of 
+regal dress, and success in war against his enemies, &amp;c.; and also as 
+possessing all kingly virtues,—righteousness, clemency, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>And moreover that he may set the kingdom of Christ before our eyes in 
+its sweetest appearance, the Psalmist describes him as having palaces 
+and houses of ivory; a queen, and her attendant virgins; and sons and 
+daughters. All these things are to be understood of the spiritual 
+kingdom of Christ and the church, where Christ is a King, powerful, 
+wise, just, gracious, and victorious; and moreover, a conqueror 
+triumphant; and also rejoicing, preserving, comforting and enriching 
+his own, against sin, the law, and death, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>And David here clearly foretels that the law of the Old Testament 
+should be abrogated. “Hearken (says he) O daughter, and incline thine 
+ear, forget also thy father’s house: (here he seems to glance at the 
+synagogue): so shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty, and thou 
+shalt worship him;” showing, that there is no true God out of Christ; 
+and ascribing unto Christ truly divine honour; namely, that of the 
+first and great precept,—that is, adoration. And in the sixth and 
+seventh verses, he plainly calls him God: thus making him an eternal 
+king, the foundation of whose throne is in righteousness: who 
+justifies all that believe in him, and takes away sin, and destroys 
+death and hell. And no one can be an eternal king that dies not, but 
+he that is truly and naturally God!—of which we have spoken at large 
+elsewhere, in our more full commentary on the 45th Psalm.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The confidence which the church hath in God.—An exhortation to behold 
+it.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah. A song upon 
+Alamoth.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though 
+the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Though</i> the waters thereof roar, <i>and</i> be troubled, <i>though</i> the 
+mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>There is</i> a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of 
+God, the holy <i>place</i> of the tabernacle of the most high.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God <i>is</i> in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help 
+her, <i>and that</i> right early.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the 
+earth melted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> of hosts <i>is</i> with us; the God of Jacob <i>is</i> our refuge. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Come, behold the works of the L<small>ORD</small>, what desolations he hath made in 
+the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the 
+bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the 
+fire.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be still, and know that I <i>am</i> God: I will be exalted among the 
+heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> of hosts <i>is</i> with us; the God of Jacob <i>is</i> our refuge. 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a thanksgiving which the people of Israel sang, at that time, 
+for their divine blessings, and miraculous deliverances, because God 
+had powerfully defended Jerusalem, situated in the midst of hostile 
+nations and enemies, and guarded it against all opposing kings, and 
+against all the snares and hostile attempts of the surrounding 
+nations; and had preserved it in peace against all the furious 
+counsels of war and bloodshed. Hence, after the manner of the 
+scriptures, David calls all that present flourishing state of his 
+kingdom’s affairs, the river of God, whose streams should never be 
+dry; which was but a small rivulet, in comparison of the great streams 
+and torrents of the sea by which he was surrounded, (that is, by those 
+immense kingdoms and islands of the nations, and Gentile kings,) which 
+although they were great, would yet, one day, dry up and disappear, 
+while the river of God should endure for ever.</p>
+
+<p>We sing this Psalm to the praise of God, because God is with us, and 
+powerfully and miraculously preserves and defends his church and his 
+word, against all fanatical spirits, against the gates of hell, 
+against the implacable hatred of the devil, and against all the 
+assaults of the world, the flesh, and sin. So that our little river 
+remains a living fountain; whilst so many heresies, so many tyrants 
+and their doctrines, as so many stinking sewers and sinks, are 
+dispersed, like broken cisterns, and disappear, and are lost for ever.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The nations are exhorted cheerfully to entertain the kingdom of 
+Christ.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of 
+Korah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of 
+triumph.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> most high <i>is</i> terrible; <i>he is</i> a great King over all 
+the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob, whom 
+he loved. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God is gone up with a shout, the L<small>ORD</small> with the sound of a trumpet.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing 
+praises.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For God <i>is</i> the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with 
+understanding.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his 
+holiness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The princes of the people are gathered together, <i>even</i> the people of 
+the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth <i>belong</i> unto God: he 
+is greatly exalted.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning Christ; describing the manner of his 
+ascension on high, and showing that he should be King over all. “Sing 
+praises, sing praises unto our King,” (saith he); thereby shewing, 
+that this kingdom of Christ should not be one of that kind that stands 
+in the power of arms, but in the word of praise, and in the singing of 
+thanksgivings. As if he had said, This king, by the word of the gospel 
+only, which is the word of praise and thanksgiving, shall destroy all 
+the power of the adversaries,—the world, and Satan; as the walls of 
+Jericho fell down by the sound of trumpets only, without sword or 
+arms!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The ornaments and privileges of the church.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Great <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small> and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, 
+<i>in</i> the mountain of his holiness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, <i>is</i> mount Zion; 
+<i>on</i> the sides of the north the city of the great king.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God is known in her palaces for a refuge.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They saw <i>it</i>, <i>and</i> so they marvelled; they were troubled, <i>and</i> 
+hasted away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Fear took hold upon them there, <i>and</i> pain, as of a woman in travail.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the L<small>ORD</small> of hosts, in 
+the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy 
+temple.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>According to thy name, O God, so <i>is</i> thy praise unto the ends of the 
+earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of 
+thy judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell <i>it</i> 
+to the generation following.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For this God <i>is</i> our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide 
+<i>even</i> unto death.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a thanksgiving almost like Psalm xlvi. For the Psalmist 
+praises God, and magnifies and extols his works, because he had so 
+marvellously defended the city of Jerusalem against the neighbouring 
+nations, and against kings and tyrants; and because he had often 
+delivered it when besieged by the most bitter and the most powerful 
+enemies; while those enemies themselves were driven back in a 
+wonderful manner, and put to open shame; and because he had saved it 
+from infinite perils and destructions, in defiance of the very gates 
+of hell; and had preserved the city, the temple, the word, and the 
+worship of God.</p>
+
+<p>But, more especially, David is here celebrating the truth of God;—that 
+God faithfully fulfils his promise; ‘According to thy name, (saith he) 
+so is thy glory, and so are thy works unto the ends of the earth:’ 
+that is, according as thou hast promised us, “I will be your God,” and 
+accordingly as we have believed that word, so hast thou given us to 
+experience the fulfilment of it;—thou hast been with us, and delivered 
+and defended us; our city and our temple stand in the midst of 
+enemies, as if in the midst of flames, preserved and unhurt.</p>
+
+<p><i>We</i> sing this Psalm, because God is pleased to preserve his church 
+and gospel against the roaring and hatred of kings and princes; who 
+cease not from attacking them by violence and craft with all their 
+might: and yet, they shall perish and be confounded, and covered with 
+shame, while the gospel shall remain as it was before, unhurt and 
+unhindered.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XLIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An earnest persuasion to build the faith of resurrection, not on 
+worldly power, but on God.—Worldly prosperity is not to be admired.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of 
+Korah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hear this, all <i>ye</i> people; give ear, all <i>ye</i> inhabitants of the 
+world.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Both low and high, rich and poor together.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart <i>shall 
+be</i> of understanding.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon 
+the harp.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, <i>when</i> the iniquity of my 
+heels shall compass me about?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude 
+of their riches.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>None <i>of them</i> can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a 
+ransom for him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>(For the redemption of their soul <i>is</i> precious, and it ceaseth for 
+ever.)</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That he should still live for ever, <i>and</i> not see corruption.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he seeth <i>that</i> wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish 
+person perish, and leave their wealth to others.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their inward thought <i>is</i>, <i>that</i> their houses <i>shall continue</i> for 
+ever, <i>and</i> their dwelling-places to all generations: they call 
+<i>their</i> lands after their own names.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Nevertheless, man <i>being</i> in honour, abideth not: he is like the 
+beasts <i>that</i> perish.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This their way <i>is</i> their folly: yet their posterity approve their 
+sayings. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and 
+the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning: and their 
+beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall 
+receive me. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house 
+is increased.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For, when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not 
+descend after him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though, while he lived, he blessed his soul: (and men will praise thee 
+when thou doest well to thyself.)</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see 
+light.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Man <i>that is</i> in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts 
+<i>that</i> perish.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm that instructs us unto faith, and teaches us to trust 
+in God against that great god of this world, who is called Mammon. 
+David here gives a long and striking introduction to the Psalm, that 
+he may excite and wholly arrest our attention. He here sharply rebukes 
+all who trust in the riches and wealth of this world; concerning whom 
+Christ also severely says, “Woe unto you that are rich, for ye have 
+received your consolation.” Luke vi. 24.</p>
+
+<p>“The love of money, (saith Paul,) is the root of all evil;” and yet 
+the whole world leave the true God and worship this idol; and are 
+actuated more and more with the furious desire of getting wealth. All 
+men, from the least to the greatest, except those that fear God, are 
+in pursuit of money. Hence it is, that all the prophets exclaim, “For 
+from the least of them, even unto the greatest of them, every one is 
+given to covetousness,” Jeremiah vi. 13. And hence also have arisen 
+all those proverbs and trite sayings of the poets among the Greeks and 
+Latins. ‘All things give way to money,’—‘money is the first thing to 
+be sought after; virtue is a secondary consideration.’</p>
+
+<p>But all such admirers of, and slaves to riches are pointed at and 
+exposed in this Psalm; as are also all those who trust in their 
+wealth, nothing of which they can take with them when they die. And 
+here also true faith is highly extolled; by which we trust in God, who 
+can deliver us from death, and give us eternal life and salvation. And 
+death is the time when not only gold, but all creatures put together, 
+cannot save and deliver a man!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM L.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The majesty of God in the church.—His order to gather saints.—The 
+pleasure of God is not in ceremonies, but in sincerity of obedience.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The mighty God, <i>even</i> the L<small>ORD</small>, hath spoken, and called the earth 
+from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour 
+before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may 
+judge his people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant 
+with me by sacrifice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God <i>is</i> judge 
+himself. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify 
+against thee: I <i>am</i> God, <i>even</i> thy God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, <i>to 
+have been</i> continually before me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will take no bullock out of thy house, <i>nor</i> he-goats out of thy 
+folds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For every beast of the forest <i>is</i> mine, <i>and</i> the cattle upon a 
+thousand hills.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the 
+field <i>are</i> mine.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If I were hungry I would not tell thee: for the world <i>is</i> mine, and 
+the fulness thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most high.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou 
+shalt glorify me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my 
+statutes, or <i>that</i> thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast 
+been partaker with adulterers.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother: thou slanderest thine 
+own mother’s son.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>These <i>things</i> hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest 
+that I was altogether <i>such an one</i> as thyself: <i>but</i> I will reprove 
+thee, and set <i>them</i> in order before thine eyes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear <i>you</i> in pieces, 
+and <i>there be</i> none to deliver.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth <i>his</i> 
+conversation <i>aright</i> will I shew the salvation of God.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm teaches us, in the teeth of all hypocrites and all the 
+worship of hypocrites, what is true worship, and which are acceptable 
+sacrifices in the sight of God. For hypocrites consider their works, 
+and merits, and sacrifices as of such high value, that they think G<small>OD</small>
+ought to acknowledge the benefit of their services; and they imagine 
+that he has need of them. Whereas, on the contrary, the Holy Spirit 
+declares with a loud voice by the prophets, what the true worship of 
+God is; namely, that of the First Commandment: which is, to worship 
+God, and adore him; and to acknowledge that we receive all things from 
+his hand, and that all glory is due to him!</p>
+
+<p>Observe, therefore,—there is here clearly expressed, in the plainest 
+words, what is the highest worship of God; and what sacrifice is the 
+most acceptable to him. And we are here briefly told, that the true 
+way and road to God is, to call upon him in the day of trouble, and 
+give him thanks for the infinite benefits which we receive from him; 
+(as the last verse here sings;) for this is truly to “pay our vows 
+unto God, and to offer unto him thanksgiving,” (as the 14th verse 
+saith.) These are not those foolish monastic vows, and the like; but 
+that highest of all vows, which the Decalogue and the First 
+Commandment require; where it saith, “To-day have ye vowed unto the 
+Lord your God: he will be your God:” that is, ye are made the people 
+of God, that ye may have him for your God; and that ye may truly 
+believe in him, call upon him, and cleave unto him alone. Of this 
+those foolish hypocrites and self-imagined saints know nothing 
+whatever.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David prayeth for remission of sins, whereof he maketh a deep 
+confession.—He prayeth for sanctification.—God delighteth not in 
+sacrifice but in sincerity.—He prayeth for the church.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came 
+unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according 
+unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin <i>is</i> ever before me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done <i>this</i> evil in thy 
+sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, <i>and</i> be 
+clear when thou judgest.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden 
+<i>part</i> thou shalt make me to know wisdom.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be 
+whiter than snow.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make me to hear joy and gladness; <i>that</i> the bones <i>which</i> thou hast 
+broken may rejoice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me <i>with thy</i> 
+free spirit.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Then</i> will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be 
+converted unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: 
+<i>and</i> my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give <i>it:</i> thou 
+delightest not in burnt offering.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sacrifices of God <i>are</i> a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite 
+heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of 
+Jerusalem.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with 
+burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer 
+bullocks upon thine altar.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This, among all the Psalms, is a signal and golden one. It contains 
+experiences and feelings truly Davidical; and teaches us what sin is, 
+what the origin of sin is, and how great and awful an evil the fall of 
+Adam was. And also, (which is an excellent part of it indeed,) it 
+shows us how we obtain the remission of sins. For in this Psalm, we 
+have it clearly expressed, that sin is a great and innate evil, and an 
+awful depravation and corruption of nature, in all the powers both of 
+soul and body. Unless, therefore, we are born again by faith in 
+Christ, and are renewed in spirit and made new creatures of God, the 
+sense of the loss of God and of eternal life and salvation is so heavy 
+a burthen, and the power of sin and the sting of death so great, that 
+the conscience is shaken with unspeakable distress and terror; and the 
+anguish that takes hold on it drinks up the very marrow, and bruises 
+and breaks the very inmost bones, until the word of grace and of the 
+Spirit again raises us up and refreshes us; as David here says, “That 
+the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”</p>
+
+<p>But in hearts that are purified and renewed by the Spirit, there is a 
+new light shining; there are new motions and spiritual affections; a 
+sure rest and peace of conscience; a true and full assurance of 
+salvation; a fervent and lively joy of spirit; a rejoicing in God and 
+a peace with him; a heart full of thanksgiving, and a patience under 
+afflictions. Hence those that fear God, those that are born again, if 
+they are at a point concerning the good will of God towards them, are 
+those who can rightly teach and instruct others unto godliness. “Then 
+(says David) will I teach transgressors thy ways;” then will I teach 
+them to call upon and praise the name of the Lord, and to give thanks 
+unto him; and in a word, to worship and adore God truly and aright, to 
+bear patiently the cross and afflictions, and to offer great and 
+glorious sacrifices; (for that is the way in which he here expresses 
+himself, calling “a broken and a contrite heart” the favourite 
+sacrifice of God;) for that is the highest and most excellent worship 
+of God: and he rejects, in plain words, all sacrifices which are 
+offered by hypocrites without <i>that</i> sacrifice; which sacrifices of 
+theirs they consider to be the highest acts of worship.</p>
+
+<p>In concluding the Psalm, David begs of God that he would be pleased to 
+build and preserve the city of Jerusalem; that is, the place of the 
+word and the true worship of God. In the same manner, <i>we</i> ought also 
+to pray. “Do good unto Zion, O Lord:” that is, ‘O Lord, thou seest the 
+virulent hatred of hypocrites: Do thou, O Lord, preserve the true 
+church, and the true worship of God in it;’ that is, the worship of 
+the First Commandment. Confound all those who boast of their good 
+works and sacrifices, and who neglect faith towards God, and trample 
+under foot the First Commandment. But preserve and comfort those who 
+adore thee in truth, serve thee, and sacrifice unto thee in the 
+spirit.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesieth his 
+destruction.—The righteous shall rejoice at it.—David, upon his 
+confidence in God’s mercy, giveth thanks.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><small>To the chief Musician, Maschil, <i>A Psalm</i> of David, when Doeg the
+Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to
+the house of Ahimelech.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of 
+God <i>endureth</i> continually.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a sharp razor, working 
+deceitfully.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou lovest evil more than good, <i>and</i> lying rather than to speak 
+righteousness. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou lovest all devouring words, O <i>thou</i> deceitful tongue.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God shall likewise destroy thee for ever: he shall take thee away, and 
+pluck thee out of <i>thy</i> dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land 
+of the living. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The righteous also shall see, and fear and shall laugh at him:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lo, <i>this is</i> the man <i>that</i> made not God his strength; but trusted in 
+the abundance of his riches, <i>and</i> strengthened himself in his 
+wickedness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I <i>am</i> like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the 
+mercy of God for ever and ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done <i>it:</i> and I will 
+wait on thy name; for <i>it is</i> good before thy saints.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation; and the title of it shows plainly what 
+are its contents. David is here complaining of Doeg who betrayed him, 
+and who was the cause of much hurt and bloodshed. 1 Sam. xxii.</p>
+
+<p>This Doeg furnishes a type of all those betrayers and blood-shedding 
+hypocrites who are in the halls of kings and princes; and who lyingly, 
+and with hatred, traduce the word of God and the doctrine of truth: of 
+which stamp there are now numbers rising up on every side, who 
+irritate and urge on kings and princes to slay the sincere ministers 
+of the word: such as those in our time, who kill many good men on 
+account of the sacraments and marriage, and make no end of shedding 
+the blood of God’s Abels.</p>
+
+<p>Against the furious cruelty of these men, therefore, this Psalm 
+comforts the godly; and promises them, that such shall not go 
+unpunished, but shall fall under those awful curses mentioned in Deut. 
+xxviii:—that they shall be rooted out of the earth; that their houses 
+shall be destroyed; and that they shall lose both their bodies and 
+their estates; but, that those who fear God shall be preserved; that 
+they shall remain in the house of the Lord; and that they shall 
+persevere in teaching and hearing the word of God, in defiance of the 
+devil and all the wicked.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David describeth the corruption of a natural man.—He convinceth the 
+wicked by the light of their own conscience.—He glorieth in the 
+salvation of God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil. 
+<i>A Psalm</i> of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The fool hath said in his heart, <i>There is</i> no God. Corrupt are they, 
+and have done abominable iniquity: <i>there is</i> none that doeth good.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there 
+were <i>any</i> that did understand, that did seek God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Every one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy: 
+<i>there is</i> none that doeth good, no, not one.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people <i>as</i> 
+they eat bread: they have not called upon God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There were they in great fear <i>where</i> no fear was; for God hath 
+scattered the bones of him that encampeth <i>against</i> thee: thou hast 
+put <i>them</i> to shame, because God hath despised them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh that the salvation of Israel <i>were come</i> out of Zion! When God 
+bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, <i>and</i> 
+Israel shall be glad.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prophecy like that of Psalm xiv; and it is a Psalm of 
+instruction. The two Psalms are of the same purport, and contain 
+almost the same words and expressions. In a word, they both cut at 
+hypocrites and self-justifiers, who persecute the sound doctrine and 
+its preachers; and at the close they give a prophetic declaration 
+concerning the gospel, and the kingdom of Christ which should proceed 
+out of Zion.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David, complaining of the Ziphims, prayeth for salvation.—Upon his 
+confidence in God’s help he promiseth sacrifice.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><small>To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, <i>A Psalm</i> of David, when 
+the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with 
+us.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my 
+soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, God <i>is</i> mine helper: the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> with them that uphold my 
+soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O L<small>ORD</small>, for 
+<i>it is</i> good.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he hath delivered me out of all trouble; and mine eye hath seen 
+<i>his desire</i> upon mine enemies.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a fervent prayer against the persecutors of the word, who lay 
+plots against the lives of the good, and those that fear God, for the 
+word of God’s sake; just like king Saul and the people of Ziph, who 
+lay in wait for the life of David, on account of the name and word of 
+God, by which Saul was to be dethroned and David made king in his 
+stead. David, therefore, prays, that the vengeance of God might 
+overtake such cruelty and malice.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David in his prayer complaineth of his fearful case.—He prayeth 
+against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he 
+complaineth.—He comforteth himself in God’s preservation of him, and 
+confusion of his enemies.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician on 
+Neginoth, Maschil. <i>A Psalm</i> of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my 
+supplication.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a 
+noise;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the 
+wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My heart is sore pained within me; and the terrors of death are fallen 
+upon me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath 
+overwhelmed me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! <i>for then</i> would I fly 
+away and be at rest.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lo <i>then</i> would I wander far off, <i>and</i> remain in the wilderness. 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I would hasten my escape from the windy storm <i>and</i> tempest.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Destroy, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>and</i> divide their tongues: for I have seen violence 
+and strife in the city.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; mischief also 
+and sorrow <i>are</i> in the midst of it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wickedness <i>is</i> in the midst thereof; deceit and guile depart not from 
+her streets.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For <i>it was</i> not an enemy <i>that</i> reproached me: then I could have 
+borne <i>it:</i> neither <i>was it</i> he that hated me <i>that</i> did magnify 
+<i>himself</i> against me; then I would have hid myself from him;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But <i>it was</i> thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We took sweet counsel together, <i>and</i> walked unto the house of God in 
+company.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let death seize upon them, <i>and</i> let them go down quick into hell: for 
+wickedness <i>is</i> in their dwellings, <i>and</i> among them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As for me, I will call upon God; and the L<small>ORD</small> shall save me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he 
+shall hear my voice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle <i>that was</i> against 
+me: for there were many with me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God shall hear and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. 
+Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him; he 
+hath broken his covenant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>The words</i> of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war <i>was</i> in 
+his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet <i>were</i> they drawn 
+swords.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Cast thy burden upon the L<small>ORD</small>, and he shall sustain thee: he shall 
+never suffer the righteous to be moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: 
+bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I 
+will trust in thee.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer: and although it may in the 10th and 11th 
+verses, be understood of Christ himself, praying against his betrayer 
+Judas, when he says, “If it had been mine enemy that reproached me,” 
+&amp;c. yet, it is manifest to me, that it is a general prayer of the 
+godly against all the craft of insidious and deceitful men, and 
+against the artful Italian flattery of some persons, who are friends 
+as far as their tongue goes, but who have one thing on their tongue 
+and another in their heart, and consider craft and dissimulation in 
+all things to be the highest wisdom; as if they could deceive God 
+also!</p>
+
+<p>They know how to promise, and do promise all things to your face: so 
+that David justly describes them thus, “Their words are smoother than 
+oil:” but when you have turned your back, they blacken your character; 
+and their mouth is more destructive than arrows and coals of fire; and 
+their tongue is a sharp sword, and a drawn dagger. And this is what 
+David complains of in verse 12;—that they deceive effectually with 
+their countenance, their look, and their eyes, and cover, under these 
+fox-like arts, Satanic bitterness and virulence. They eat and drink 
+with you, and pretend to be your friends and intimates, (as Judas did 
+with Christ;) they keep holy days and go to the house of God with you.</p>
+
+<p>This is the reason, therefore, that David so utterly execrates them, 
+and says, “Let them be taken out of the way suddenly, and let them 
+descend into hell alive.” For virulent, outside-show hypocrites, like 
+these, distress the hearts of those that fear God in a manner that is 
+beyond description.</p>
+
+<p>This very judgment which David threatens in this Psalm we see 
+executed, in our day, upon many tyrants and originators of sects; who 
+are taken off in a moment. For this execration is prophetic; 
+foretelling the end of all hypocrites, who will not listen to those 
+that admonish them in a godly manner, nor regard their advice; as it 
+is expressed in verse 19, “But they (says David) will not regard; they 
+are not changed; nor will they fear God; they go on in their course, 
+till they are taken out of the way suddenly.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complaineth of his 
+enemies.—He professeth his confidence in God’s word, and promiseth to 
+praise him.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Jonathelem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when 
+the Philistines took him in Gath.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Be merciful unto me, O God; for man would swallow me up: he fighting 
+daily oppresseth me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine enemies would daily swallow <i>me</i> up: for <i>they be</i> many that 
+fight against me, O thou Most High.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In God I will praise his word; in God I have put my trust: I will not 
+fear what flesh can do unto me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts <i>are</i> against me for 
+evil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my 
+steps, when they wait for my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shall they escape by iniquity? in <i>thine</i> anger cast down the people, 
+O God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: <i>are 
+they</i> not in thy book?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I cry <i>unto thee</i>, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I 
+know; for God <i>is</i> for me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In God I will praise <i>his</i> word; in the L<small>ORD</small> will 
+I praise <i>his</i> word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy vows <i>are</i> upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast delivered my soul from death; <i>wilt</i> not <i>thou deliver</i> 
+my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the 
+living?</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a fervent prayer; in which David complains of Saul and the men 
+of his party, because he was obliged to flee out of the land to the 
+Philistines. So bitterly and hostilely did Saul and the men of his 
+conspiracy persecute David, and plot against his life, that he could 
+be in safety no where. He encourages and supports himself, however, 
+with a constant and undaunted faith. ‘I will glory (says he) in the 
+word of God: for I have a command, a declaration, and a promise of God 
+in my favour: he has declared that Saul shall be dethroned, and that I 
+shall be king. I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Let them 
+gainsay: let Saul and the Saulites oppose and fight against me. Let 
+them say, and say again, that I shall not be king. If God be for me 
+what can man do against me?’</p>
+
+<p><i>We</i> ought also to pray, after the manner of this Psalm, against 
+tyrants; who unceasingly persecute the word of God and us, and will 
+never suffer us to be at rest. We, however, have that strong and 
+Davidical consolation,—that the word of God is for us, though they 
+unceasingly attack that in us, and corrupt, pervert, and reproach it; 
+crying out that we are heretics; and arrogating to themselves only, 
+the appellation of the church.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David in prayer fleeing unto God, complaineth of his dangerous 
+case.—He encourageth himself to praise God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled 
+from Saul in the cave.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusted 
+in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until 
+<i>these</i> calamities be overpast.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth <i>all things</i> 
+for me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall send from heaven, and save me <i>from</i> the reproach of him that 
+would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his 
+truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul <i>is</i> among lions: <i>and</i> I lie <i>even among</i> them that are set 
+on fire, <i>even</i> the sons of men, whose teeth <i>are</i> spears and arrows, 
+and their tongue a sharp sword.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; <i>let</i> thy glory <i>be</i> above 
+all the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they 
+have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen 
+<i>themselves</i>. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give 
+praise.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Awake up, my glory; awake psaltery and harp; I <i>myself</i> will awake 
+early.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, among the people; I will sing unto thee 
+among the nations:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thy mercy <i>is</i> great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the 
+clouds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, <i>let</i> thy glory <i>be</i> above 
+all the earth.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer; in which David again complains concerning 
+Saul, and those around him; on account of whose plots and snares, he 
+was compelled to flee into a cave. It is nearly of the same purport as 
+the Psalm preceding.</p>
+
+<p><i>We</i> ought to make use of this Psalm also against tyrants, and against 
+sycophants, and certain powerful ones, about the palaces of kings and 
+princes; who persecute us on account of the word and name of God, and 
+persecute our doctrine also; interpreting every thing that we do in 
+the worst sense; and traducing and hating all that fear God.</p>
+
+<p>And David here paints forth the cruelty of these characters; “Their 
+teeth (says he) are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp 
+sword.” Thanks be to God therefore, that he does not forsake his 
+people, but makes their enemies fall into the pit which they 
+themselves have made; so that they are utterly subverted and taken in 
+their own craftiness!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David reproveth wicked judges, describeth the nature of the wicked, 
+devoteth them to God’s judgments, whereat the righteous shall 
+rejoice.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? Do ye judge 
+uprightly, O ye sons of men?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands 
+in the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they 
+be born, speaking lies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their poison <i>is</i> like the poison of a serpent; <i>they</i> are like the 
+deaf adder <i>that</i> stoppeth her ear;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so 
+wisely.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth; break out the great teeth of 
+the young lions, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them melt away as waters <i>which</i> run continually: <i>when</i> he 
+bendeth <i>his bow to shoot</i> his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As a snail <i>which</i> melteth, let <i>every one of them</i> pass away: <i>like</i> 
+the untimely birth of a woman, <i>that</i> they may not see the sun.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with 
+a whirlwind, both living and in <i>his</i> wrath.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash 
+his feet in the blood of the wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So that a man shall say, verily <i>there is</i> a reward for the righteous: 
+verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation against those hardened heretics, and 
+enthusiastic spirits, who pertinaciously defend their own errors, and 
+stop their ears; and who are so blinded and taken captive, that they 
+can hear no one; but pursue, with headlong precipitation, their own 
+designs, and rush on to the accomplishment of them, like a horse at 
+full speed. And these, as if they would devour the godly, cease not to 
+threaten them in the most terrifying manner.—David, however, here 
+makes use of five beautiful similitudes: under which, he represents 
+their vain attempts, and shows, that those very plots which they lay 
+for others, fall upon their own heads.</p>
+
+<p>1. The sudden inundation with which they make their attack, rushes 
+with such violence and roaring, that it seems as if it would tear up 
+and carry away every thing before it: and yet it flows by, and 
+suddenly disappears!</p>
+
+<p>2. Their arrow, fixed on the bow, threatens certain destruction: but, 
+in a moment, the bow and arrows are broken together, and the deadly 
+weapon accomplishes nothing!</p>
+
+<p>3. The snail puts forth his horns from his shell, as if he were just 
+going to do some deadly and mighty injury: but those horns prove to be 
+soft and ineffectual; they do nothing: nor have the power of doing any 
+hurt whatever.</p>
+
+<p>4. An imperfect conception, disengaged by abortion, makes the womb of 
+the mother to extend, as if there were a perfect conception, and as if 
+something great would at length come forth: but before it is brought 
+forth, it perishes, and never sees the sun.</p>
+
+<p>5. You may see a branch of buck-thorn, (which is the most prickly kind 
+of thorn,) filled with young sharp points and prickles, and seeming as 
+if it would one day tear many in pieces at once, and maim persons on 
+every side of it; but, before the prickles are fully ripe and strong, 
+the whole bush is, perhaps, cut down by the woodman, and he burns it 
+in the fire, and reduces it to ashes!</p>
+
+<p>So, just according to these similitudes, those enemies of God and 
+truth, plan, plot, and breathe out dreadful things; but like a mighty 
+flame, where there is no more fuel left to feed it, their fury ends in 
+nothing!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David prayeth to be delivered from his enemies.—He complaineth of 
+their cruelty.—He trusteth in God.—He prayeth against them.—He 
+praiseth God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, 
+and they watched the house to kill him.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise 
+up against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty are gathered against 
+me; not <i>for</i> my transgression, nor <i>for</i> my sin, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They run and prepare themselves without <i>my</i> fault: awake to help me, 
+and behold.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou, therefore, O L<small>ORD</small> God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to 
+visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round 
+about the city.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, they belch out with their mouth; swords <i>are</i> in their lips; 
+for who, <i>say they</i>, doth hear?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou, O L<small>ORD</small>, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt have all the heathen 
+in derision.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Because of</i> his strength will I wait upon thee: for God <i>is</i> my 
+defence.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The God of my mercy shall prevent me; God shall let me see <i>my desire</i> 
+upon my enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and 
+bring them down, O L<small>ORD</small> our shield.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>For</i> the sin of their mouth, <i>and</i> the words of their lips, let them 
+even be taken in their pride; and for cursing and lying <i>which</i> they 
+speak.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Consume <i>them</i> in wrath, consume <i>them</i>, that they <i>may</i> not <i>be;</i> and 
+let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And at evening let them return, <i>and</i> let them make a noise like a 
+dog, and go round about the city.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge, if they be not 
+satisfied.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in 
+the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of
+my trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Unto thee, O my strength, I will sing: for God <i>is</i> my defence, <i>and</i> 
+the God of my mercy.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer; and may be very properly understood as offered 
+up in the person of Christ, complaining of, and prophecying concerning 
+the Jews; on whom, on account of their denial of Christ, and their 
+rejection of the gospel, the awful judgments of God should fall; but 
+yet, not so as to destroy the whole nation entirely; but, in such a 
+manner, as to make of them an example to all future nations;—that they 
+should be scattered abroad as exiles, and left vagabonds among all 
+nations; and should be punished by being given up to blindness, and 
+maddened fury; so as not to be able to teach anything, or say 
+anything, but blasphemies against Christ. And this we see fulfilled in 
+them in reality: for all their books and commentaries are replete with 
+the most bitter reproaches and blasphemies against Christ and his 
+gospel. And, for this their wickedness, they suffer dreadful and 
+unceasing punishments: for they ‘go about the city like hungry dogs,’ 
+seeking food, and finding it not.</p>
+
+<p>The meaning of this prophecy is, therefore, that at the end, after the 
+times of the apostles, the Jews should be left as exiles, should be 
+banished from their own land, should wander about as outcasts, should 
+be oppressed under foreign jurisdictions, should be driven out from 
+one country to another, and should be cast out without any certain 
+dwelling-place; and that they should seek out any corner of the world, 
+where they might collect together again the wrecks and remains of 
+their kingdom, and endeavour to find out another one to lead them, but 
+should be frustrated in every attempt. And their exile and dispersion 
+shall remain unfinished until the end appointed: till then, they shall 
+remain and waste away like famished dogs, and run and smell about 
+round the cities, and gape like dogs, but shall not be filled: and 
+they shall perish without a king, and without a kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>But with respect to the history of this Psalm, it may rightly be 
+understood as referring to David, praying against the heirs of Saul 
+and the Saulites; who, being at length stripped of their kingdom, 
+wandered about like yawning and hungry dogs, ejected from their 
+kingdom, and forsaken and held in contempt, until they all utterly 
+perished. For God declared that the house of Saul should not be raised 
+up; though the posterity of Saul greatly desired his kingdom.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, complaining to God of former judgment,—now, upon better hope, 
+prayeth for deliverance.—Comforting himself in God’s promises, he 
+craveth that help whereon he trusteth.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><small>To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; 
+when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab 
+returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been 
+displeased; O turn thyself to us again.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the 
+breaches thereof; for it shaketh.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink 
+the wine of astonishment.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast given a banner to them that feared thee, that it may be 
+displayed because of the truth. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That thy beloved may be delivered; save <i>with</i> thy right hand and hear 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide 
+Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Gilead <i>is</i> mine, and Manasseh <i>is</i> mine; Ephraim also <i>is</i> the strength 
+of mine head; Judah <i>is</i> my lawgiver;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Moab <i>is</i> my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, 
+triumph thou because of me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who will bring me <i>into</i> the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Wilt</i> not thou, O God, <i>which</i> hadst cast us off? and <i>thou</i>, O God, 
+<i>which</i> didst not go out with our armies?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give us help from trouble: for vain <i>is</i> the help of man.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Through God we shall do valiantly: for he <i>it is that</i> shall tread 
+down our enemies.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a signal thanksgiving. David gives thanks for the happy state 
+of his kingdom, in which religion and political government flourished 
+and prospered; for, in these two things, well-ordered, consist all 
+things divine and human. Before the time of David, in the days of 
+Saul, all things were in disorder, and the kingdom was in a declining 
+state; as the former verses of the Psalm show. The Philistines had 
+greatly afflicted the Israelites: so much so that even the ark of the 
+Lord was despised and profaned.</p>
+
+<p>Again, in the reign of Saul, all things were carried on with injury, 
+oppression, and wickedness: which is always the case, when God 
+forsakes magistrates, and suffers them to go on in their own ways. And 
+the example of David, who was obliged to have recourse to such 
+various, wise, and cautious means for safety, shows that the palace of 
+Saul was full of Ahithophels, and of all such pests of religion and 
+good government.</p>
+
+<p>But, says David, “Thou, O Lord, hast given a sign to them that feared 
+thee, that they may display it, and may believe and be assured, that 
+thou art present with them.” For God had given to his own a sign, and 
+had left it to them; by which, all those that believed in the grace of 
+God, might be comforted; namely, the ark of the covenant and the 
+mercy-seat; which God had delivered, by signal miracles, out of the 
+hand of the Philistines. For God had promised and declared, that he 
+would hear all those that called upon him before this ark, and this 
+mercy-seat; and that he would there vouchsafe his presence.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the Psalm, he enumerates all his countries and his 
+people; and, in a very striking and eminent way, extols the true 
+worship of God, the true religion. “God (saith he) speaks in his 
+holiness (or sanctuary); I will rejoice:” that is, God is present in 
+my kingdom by his word, which is there preached: in this I will 
+rejoice.</p>
+
+<p>He enumerates, in order, these countries: Succoth, Shechem, Gilead, 
+Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah, Moab, Philistia. And, at the end, he 
+confesses, that, to defend and protect all these, by a good 
+government, and to ensure them victory against all their 
+enemies,—against Edom and Philistia, (that is to carry on war and to extend 
+dominions, successfully,) is not in the power of human wisdom or human 
+strength; “For vain (saith he) is the help of man. All successful 
+valour and victory are from God.” Why he does not mention by name more 
+countries than these nine, it belongs to a full commentary to explain; 
+the narrow limits, therefore, of our present summary, will not allow 
+us to enter upon that explanation.</p>
+
+<p>We may sing this Psalm to the honour of God also, because in the 
+church of Christ, God is continually making new orchards and gardens; 
+and daily increasing the number of its churches and parishes; in which 
+the word of God is preached; in which the sacraments are administered 
+in a godly manner; and in which there are various gifts of the Holy 
+Spirit.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David fleeth to God upon his former experience.—He voweth perpetual 
+service unto him, because of his promises.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Neginah. A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is 
+overwhelmed; lead me to the rock <i>that</i> is higher than I.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast been a shelter for me, <i>and</i> a strong tower from the 
+enemy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the covert of 
+thy wings. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given <i>me</i> the heritage 
+of those that fear thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou wilt prolong the king’s life; <i>and</i> his years as many 
+generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, <i>which</i> 
+may preserve him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform 
+my vows.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer against the enemies of the people of God, and 
+especially also for magistrates, and for the king—that God would 
+increase faith in him, and further him in the knowledge of his holy 
+name and word; that he may walk in faith and in the fear of God; that 
+his government may be happy and endure; and that religion and good 
+government may not be injured and distracted by seditions and wars. 
+For Solomon, in his Proverbs, says, “That for the sins of the people, 
+God changes kings and kingdoms.” But where there are many kings, 
+there, (according to the manner of all human vicissitudes,) what one 
+builds up, another casts down: as the proverb goes, “A new king, a new 
+law,”—all changes in a state are dangerous: happy is that kingdom, 
+therefore, which, being once well constituted, is long preserved in 
+the same state.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David professing his confidence in God discourageth his enemies.—In 
+the same confidence he encourageth the godly.—No trust is to be put in 
+worldly things.—Power and mercy belong to God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him <i>cometh</i> my salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He only <i>is</i> my rock and my salvation; <i>he is</i> my defence; I shall not 
+be greatly moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all 
+of you: as a bowing wall <i>shall ye be, and as</i> a tottering fence.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They only consult to cast <i>him</i> down from his excellency: they delight 
+in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation <i>is</i> from him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He only <i>is</i> my rock and my salvation: <i>he is</i> my defence; I shall not 
+be moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In God <i>is</i> my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, <i>and</i> 
+my refuge, <i>is</i> in God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: 
+God <i>is</i> a refuge for us. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely men of low degree <i>are</i> vanity, <i>and</i> men of high degree <i>are</i> 
+a lie: to be laid in the balance, they <i>are</i> altogether <i>lighter</i> than 
+vanity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches 
+increase, set not your heart <i>upon them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power <i>belongeth</i> 
+unto God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Also unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>belongeth</i> mercy: for thou renderest to every 
+man according to his work.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains most excellent doctrine: it greatly exalts the 
+dignity of faith, showing how firm a safeguard faith in God is, and 
+what a strong defence it is against all the evils of life. On the 
+other hand, the Psalmist shows the vanity of all confidence in 
+men;—that nothing is more vain, or more fallacious than to trust in man. 
+‘God (says he) is my rock, my strength, and my defence: God is my 
+hope, my salvation, my strength, my glory, my life, and my trust. God 
+is my safe protection. God is my faithful helper; who never deceives 
+me. Therefore, vain are the sons of men. The sons of men are all 
+liars:’ that is, all human things are deceiving, uncertain, and cannot 
+be held fast.</p>
+
+<p>Many are to be found, who trust in the favour of kings and princes; 
+and on that account, they are puffed up with pride and insolence, and 
+oppress others with the more confidence; and especially if they see 
+their wall bowing down and giving way; that is, if they see a man 
+declining in his affairs, who was once in prosperity; or if they see 
+him not protected by wealth and influence against injury: such an one 
+as this, they endeavour to overthrow wholly; and to that end, 
+ingratiate themselves with the powerful, and wind themselves into 
+their affections, on whose favour they depend; as on a propitious 
+deity.</p>
+
+<p>But such see not how fallacious the favour of men is, and how variable 
+and uncertain their wills are; in a word, they see not that “vain is 
+the help of man!” Nor will they believe it to be vain, until they find 
+it out by experience, and are brought to lament their error; as Cicero 
+and many other wise men have done. Cicero exclaims with respect to 
+Octavius, ‘O how vain was all my reputation for being a wise man, &amp;c.! 
+O how far was I from being wise indeed; though I sometimes evinced 
+that wisdom which was esteemed to be such; but in vain!’ Thus writes 
+he in his epistle to Octavius.—Therefore the sum of all religion is 
+‘Trust in God and injure not thy neighbour!’ So shalt thou rightly 
+conduct thyself before both God and men!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David’s thirst for God.—His manner of blessing God.—His confidence of 
+his enemies’ destruction, and his own safety.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O God, thou <i>art</i> my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth 
+for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where 
+no water is;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To see thy power and thy glory, so <i>as</i> I have seen thee in the 
+sanctuary.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because thy loving-kindness <i>is</i> better than life, my lips shall 
+praise thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy 
+name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul shall be satisfied as <i>with</i> marrow and fatness; and my mouth 
+shall praise <i>thee</i> with joyful lips:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I remember thee upon my bed, <i>and</i> meditate on thee in the 
+<i>night</i> watches.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings 
+will I rejoice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But those <i>that</i> seek my soul, to destroy <i>it</i>, shall go into the 
+lower parts of the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him 
+shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer containing the deep feelings of an afflicted heart, 
+thirsting after the word of God, which is the word of consolation! 
+David called thus upon God, when he fled from the face of Saul, and 
+lay hid in the wilderness of Judah. “My soul thirsteth for thee; my 
+flesh longeth for thee, that I may see thee in thy sanctuary.” O how 
+fervently does he desire to be present in the tabernacle, and before 
+the mercy-seat in the sanctuary! And to hear the word of God, in the 
+assembly of those who there truly worshipped him? He complains, also, 
+bitterly against the Saulites; who so hostilely lay in wait for his 
+life, that he could be in safety no where; and was compelled to be 
+away from the place of the worship of God; even away from the 
+sanctuary.—Notwithstanding all this, however, he raises himself up 
+with a holy firmness, and magnanimity, and glories in being king, 
+depending on the choice and promise of God; by which he comforts and 
+sustains himself during the time of that most miserable flight and 
+calamity.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm may be used by those who are under the oppression of 
+tyrants, who feel a hungering and thirsting after the word of God, and 
+who can, under their calamity, glory in being the sons and heirs of 
+God, because they have the knowledge of Christ, and love the word; and 
+who can persevere in this confidence, until the impious Saul be 
+destroyed, and David exalted; that is, until God raise up and comfort 
+those that fear him.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David prayeth for deliverance, complaining of his enemies.—He 
+promiseth himself to see such an evident destruction of his enemies, 
+as the righteous shall rejoice at it.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the 
+enemy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection 
+of the workers of iniquity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who whet their tongue like a sword, <i>and</i> bend <i>their bows to shoot</i> 
+their arrows, <i>even</i> bitter words;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot 
+at him, and fear not.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They encourage themselves <i>in</i> an evil matter; they commune of laying 
+snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both 
+the inward <i>thought</i> of every one <i>of them</i>, and the heart, <i>is</i> deep.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But God shall shoot at them <i>with</i> an arrow; suddenly shall they be 
+wounded.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves; all that 
+see them shall flee away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God: for they 
+shall wisely consider of his doing.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The righteous shall be glad in the L<small>ORD</small>, and shall trust in him; and 
+all the upright in heart shall glory.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a most ardent prayer, full of the feelings of a heart under 
+great straits, by reason of the unceasing and infinite malice of the 
+devil, the perfidy of men, and the ingratitude of the world.</p>
+
+<p>David here cries unto God, on account of having experienced so much 
+treachery, even from those of his own household, (as always is the 
+case, in the cause of religion). He cries to the Lord against his 
+betrayers and his most virulent slanderers,—those vipers, who, by 
+wicked speeches, and all the arts of perfidy and malice, did not cease 
+to plot against him. Of this base gang were his own son Absalom, 
+Ahithophel, and others like them; and especially many in the court of 
+Saul; Doeg, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>He continues, however, perseveringly to comfort and console 
+himself;—that, by the just judgment of God, these same enemies shall bring evil 
+upon their own heads; and that those very base and viperous tongues, 
+which now cannot rest nor cease to slander, shall only wound 
+themselves; as, in the end, it happened unto Absalom, Ahithophel, and 
+Doeg.</p>
+
+<p>In the same way also, we ought to pray against all those vipers, our 
+enemies, in the halls of kings, bishops, and princes: who attack us 
+with satanic craft and hatred, and with all the arts of wickedness. 
+But they shall fall themselves into the snares which they have laid, 
+(as we have seen it exemplified in numberless instances;) and they 
+shall only plan mischief which shall fall upon their own heads; that 
+men may openly behold and see the works of God, and acknowledge that 
+God himself has visited them.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David praiseth God for his grace.—The blessedness of God’s chosen by
+reason of benefits.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm and Song of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow 
+be performed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Iniquities prevail against me: <i>as for</i> our transgressions, thou shalt 
+purge them away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is the man whom</i> thou choosest, and causest to approach <i>unto 
+thee, that</i> he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the 
+goodness of thy house, <i>even</i> of thy holy temple.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>By</i> terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of 
+our salvation; <i>who art</i> the confidence of all the ends of the earth, 
+and of them that are afar off <i>upon</i> the sea:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; <i>being</i> girded with 
+power:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and 
+the tumult of the people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid of thy tokens: 
+thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it 
+with the river of God, <i>which is</i> full of water: thou preparest them 
+corn, when thou hast so provided for it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly; thou settlest the furrows 
+thereof; thou makest it soft with showers; thou blessest the springing
+thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They drop <i>upon</i> the pastures of the wilderness; and the little hills 
+rejoice on every side.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered 
+over with corn: they shout for joy, they also sing.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a remarkable Psalm of thanksgiving; (and all productions of 
+this kind were formed by the prophet out of the First Commandment,) 
+wherein thanks are rendered unto God, because he preserves among his 
+people (to whom he has given his word against Satan, heretics, and all 
+adversaries) the true religion, and the true worship of God; and 
+because he preserves also political peace, and guards the state from 
+all seditions, wars and tumults; and dispels all the storms of the 
+counsels of war, slaughter and bloodshed. For war is nothing less than 
+a horrible storm and tempest, which hurls into confusion all things 
+divine and human; and throws them into a perturbation, like as when 
+the waves of the sea rage with violence.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist gives thanks to God that he preserves peace;—(in which 
+one thing are contained all the treasures of good;) that he gives rain 
+from heaven and fruitful seasons; and that he crowns the year with his 
+goodness: that is, that during the revolution of the year, he 
+accomplishes and performs, as it were, a certain round of divine 
+blessing and goodness. For, in the spring, there first appear the 
+blossoms; and then, shortly after, the strawberries and cherries; and 
+then, ere long, plums, apples, and berries of various juice and 
+virtue; (to say nothing about the perpetual verdure of the herbs which 
+flourishes all the while, and is continually revived with fresh 
+supplies of dew). To these we are to add, the infinite variety of 
+herbs and odours. And then, at the time of harvest, our barns are 
+filled with wheat, rye, barley, and corn, and grain of every kind. In 
+the autumn, our presses overflow with wine of an infinite variety of 
+taste and fragrance, and our vats are filled to the brim. Thus the 
+Lord fills the whole revolution of the year, and every part of it, 
+with his overflowing and infinite goodness: and indeed every single 
+fruit is, as it were, a fund, and a world of the goodness of God.</p>
+
+<p>But how few are there, in general, who think about these numberless 
+and valuable blessings, and render thanks unto God for them? Alas! we 
+have innumerable examples of the impious manner in which the noble, 
+the powerful, and the rich, have abused the saving doctrine of faith 
+and Christian liberty, and also that peace which God has hitherto 
+miraculously preserved to us:—we have numberless examples, I say, of 
+the manner in which they have abused these great blessings, to their 
+own lusts, as Sodom and Gomorrah did:—but they shall be visited with 
+Sodom and Gomorrah’s judgment.</p>
+
+<p>You see, therefore, that those in the kingdom of David, and among the 
+people of Israel who composed these Psalms, were excellent and great 
+men. For these are spiritual and truly divine poems. No poems ever 
+equalled these. No poets, not even Homer himself, ever equalled these 
+poets, who thus speak of God, his works, and his creatures. These 
+Psalms contain the greatest and most weighty things, in a marvellous 
+brevity of expression!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David exhorteth to praise God, to observe his great works, to bless 
+him for his gracious benefits.—He voweth for himself religious service 
+to God.—He declareth God’s special goodness to himself.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, a Song <i>or</i> Psalm.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing forth the honour of his name; make his praise glorious.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Say unto God, How terrible <i>art thou in</i> thy works! through the 
+greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto 
+thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall 
+sing to thy name. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Come and see the works of God <i>he is</i> terrible <i>in his</i> doing toward 
+the children of men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He turned the sea into <i>dry land:</i> they went through the flood on 
+foot: there did we rejoice in him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not 
+the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be 
+heard;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be 
+moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is 
+tried.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our 
+loins.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads: we went through fire and 
+through water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy <i>place</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will go into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my 
+vows,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in 
+trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will offer unto thee burnt-sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense 
+of rams: I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Come <i>and</i> hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath 
+done for my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If I regard iniquity in my heart, the L<small>ORD</small> will not hear <i>me:</i></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>But</i> verily God hath heard <i>me;</i> he hath attended to the voice of my 
+prayer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy 
+from me.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a general thanksgiving, for God’s having rescued and delivered 
+his people so often out of the hands of their enemies, and out of the 
+very jaws of death itself; as he did at the Red Sea. The Books of 
+Judges and Kings are full of these deliverances.</p>
+
+<p>These deliverances are no less great and wonderful, at this day, in 
+the church, when God delivers those that fear him out of temptations, 
+both internal and external. For Satan, of whom that earthly Pharaoh 
+was so especial a type, being inflamed with so horrible a desire of 
+distressing and destroying, daily persecutes the church: and he would, 
+if he could, so harm every single one of the godly, and so beset them 
+on every side, that they should see nothing but death, and an angry 
+God: out of all these things, however, God delivers his own.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>A prayer for the enlargement of God’s kingdom, to the joy of the 
+people, and the increase of God’s blessings.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician on Neginoth, a Psalm <i>or</i> Song.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>God be merciful unto us, and bless us; <i>and</i> cause his face to shine 
+upon us. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all 
+nations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge the 
+people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Then</i> shall the earth yield her increase; <i>and</i> God, even our God, 
+shall bless us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ; foretelling, that 
+it should be a spiritual kingdom, in which grace and the remission of 
+sins should be proclaimed, not only in Judea, but throughout all 
+nations. “Let the people praise thee, O God, yea let all the people 
+praise thee; for thou judgest the people righteously, &amp;c.” That is, 
+thou reignest, by the Gospel, throughout all nations: thou judgest 
+all: (that is, all sinners in the hypocrisy of nature,) that they may 
+be brought to give thanks unto thee for thy mercy, and may rejoice, 
+and praise the blessings of the gospel.</p>
+
+<p>This sacrifice of praise, this offering of thanks, is the highest 
+worship of God, and is a sacrifice truly acceptable unto him, (as we 
+have continually observed;) for David does not here say, ‘The nations 
+shall become proselytes, and shall be circumcised, and shall flock to 
+Jerusalem:’ but “The nations shall remain uncircumcised, and shall, 
+nevertheless, sing praises unto God, and shall laud and magnify him:” 
+that is, the gospel shall be preached among all nations, and the 
+kingdom of Christ shall arise, the kingdom of grace and of the mercy 
+of God.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>A prayer at the removing of the ark.—An exhortation to praise God for 
+his mercies, for his care of the church, for his great works.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm <i>or</i> Song of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate 
+him flee before him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As smoke is driven away, <i>so</i> drive <i>them</i> away: as wax melteth before 
+the fire, <i>so</i> let the wicked perish in the presence of God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But let the righteous be glad: let them rejoice before God; yea, let 
+them exceedingly rejoice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon 
+the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, <i>is</i> God in his 
+holy habitation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are 
+bound with chains; but the rebellious dwell in a dry <i>land</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst 
+march through the wilderness; Selah:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: 
+<i>even</i> Sinai itself <i>was moved</i> at the presence of God, the God of 
+Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm 
+thine inheritance, when it was weary.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy 
+goodness for the poor.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> gave the word: great <i>was</i> the company of those that 
+published it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Kings of armies did flee apace; and she that tarried at home divided 
+the spoil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though ye have lien among the pots, <i>yet shall ye be as</i> the wings of 
+a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was <i>white</i> as snow in 
+Salmon.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The hill of God <i>is as</i> the hill of Bashan; an high hill, <i>as</i> the 
+hill of Bashan.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Why leap ye, ye high hills? <i>this is</i> the hill <i>which</i> God desireth to 
+dwell in; yea, the L<small>ORD</small> will dwell <i>in it</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The chariots of God <i>are</i> twenty thousand, <i>even</i> thousands of angels; 
+the Lord <i>is</i> among them <i>as in</i> Sinai, in the holy <i>place</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast 
+received gifts for men; yea, <i>for</i> the rebellious also, that the L<small>ORD</small> 
+God might dwell <i>among them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small>, <i>who</i> daily loadeth us <i>with benefits, even</i> 
+the God of our salvation. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>He that is</i> our God <i>is</i> the God of salvation; and unto God the L<small>ORD</small> 
+<i>belong</i> the issues from death.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But God shall wound the head of his enemies, <i>and</i> the hairy scalp of 
+such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> said, I will bring again from Bashan; I will bring <i>my 
+people</i> again from the depths of the sea:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of <i>thine</i> enemies, <i>and</i> the 
+tongue of thy dogs in the same.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have seen thy goings, O G<small>OD</small>; <i>even</i> the goings of my God, my 
+King, in the sanctuary.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The singers went before, the players on instruments <i>followed</i> after; 
+among <i>them were</i> the damsels playing with timbrels.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bless ye God in the congregations, <i>even</i> the L<small>ORD</small> from the fountain 
+of Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There <i>is</i> little Benjamin <i>with</i> their ruler, the princes of Judah 
+<i>and</i> their council, the princes of Zebulun, <i>and</i> the princes of 
+Naphtali.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which 
+thou hast wrought for us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto 
+thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the 
+calves of the people, <i>till every one</i> submit himself with pieces of 
+silver: scatter thou the people <i>that</i> delight in war.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her 
+hands unto God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the L<small>ORD</small>; 
+Selah:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens <i>which were</i> of old: lo, 
+he doth send out his voice, <i>and that</i> a mighty voice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency <i>is</i> over Israel, and his 
+strength <i>is</i> in the clouds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O God, <i>thou art</i> terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel 
+<i>is</i> he that giveth strength and power unto <i>his</i> people. Blessed <i>be</i> 
+God.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is, in the Latin, most obscurely translated; so much so, 
+that this one Psalm may well put us in remembrance of what we are 
+indebted unto God, for the great light which he has given us in this 
+our day; in having blessed us with the study of languages, and with 
+good books and instructors. Yet, in return for this universal, great, 
+and unspeakable gift, through the unceasing revilings of Satan, God 
+hears nothing but, ‘O this Lutheran poison! O this Lutheran 
+heresy!’—The world shall suffer heavy punishment for the contempt of the 
+blessing of this great and merciful light!</p>
+
+<p>In the former Latin translation of this Psalm there were the most 
+monstrous renderings; such as ‘<i>Rex vir tutum dilecti dilecti.—Speciei 
+domus dividere spolia.—Si dormiatis inter medios cleros.—Nives 
+dealbabuntur in Salmon.—Mons Dei, mons pinguis, mons 
+coæquatus.—Arundinis increpa feras. Congregatio taurorum in vaccis populorum,’ 
+&amp;c.</i></p>
+
+<p>And how much of the same obscurity was there in Hosea, and the like 
+difficult books? What, then, have <i>they</i> profited the church, who, by 
+a sort of madness, and from a hatred of, and longing desire to, 
+suppress the light of the gospel, have all along condemned not only 
+all pious studies, but all useful learning and godliness! But how easy 
+is it to sit down and condemn all things, and, as it were, to spit at 
+the sun that enlightens all things! The truly learned and godly know, 
+however, how arduous it is to imitate the laborious endeavours of 
+those who engage in the work of translations. But let us proceed to 
+speak upon the Psalm.—</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a signal prophecy concerning Christ; a prophecy more 
+animated and exalted, than usual, in fervency of spirit; and, as it 
+were, exulting in the Holy Ghost; setting before us a view of the 
+church, and those things which are to take place under the New 
+Testament; and all this is done with a representation so clear and 
+expressive, and with every thing depicted in that exact order, that it 
+seems to be, not a prediction of things to come, but a description of 
+things passing before our eyes. The Holy Ghost foretels the 
+resurrection and ascension of Christ, the revelation of the Holy 
+Spirit from heaven, and the mission of the Apostles: he describes, I 
+say, the whole of this spiritual kingdom: this kingdom of grace and 
+remission of sins, in which Christ should be preached as the true God, 
+and as the Saviour and deliverer from death.</p>
+
+<p>He shows also, that the kingdom and priesthood of the Jews was to be 
+abolished, and that a new and spiritual kingdom was to be erected; 
+which should stand, not in human strength, nor in many thousands of 
+horse and foot, but in the ministry and power of the word!—that it 
+should be a kingdom, in which the Lord should give the word unto those 
+who should preach it, in much power; by which the grace of Christ, and 
+the remission of sins by Christ, should be preached, and not the law 
+of Moses.</p>
+
+<p>He calls the apostles, “kings and heads of armies;” because, by the 
+gospel and the ministry of the word, they continually attack the 
+kingdom of the devil and the gates of hell. For what are all the 
+sermons and exhortations of the apostles, but the most terrible 
+battles and conflicts against sin, death, the devil, hell, and all the 
+righteousness and wisdom of the world?</p>
+
+<p>He also calls them “high hills, rich hills, and the inheritance of 
+God;” and “chariots of the Lord of many thousands;” and also, “the 
+multitude of them that preach good tidings, and sing, and play upon 
+instruments;” because, the apostles and ministers of the word, by 
+preaching the joyful gospel and the word of grace, continually praise, 
+sing of, and celebrate the immense benefits of Christ, and the mercy 
+of God. Thus, throughout the whole Psalm, the fervent prophet exulting 
+in the Holy Ghost, describes, in a most sweet song, the whole kingdom 
+of Christ!</p>
+
+<p>In the end, he prays that God would be pleased to render the church 
+more flourishing, and to give his blessing and a happy success to this 
+kingdom. And indeed, the prophet felt his heart moved, and was 
+peculiarly uplifted and fervent in spirit, when he composed this 
+divine and heavenly psalm concerning the kingdom of Christ.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David complaineth of his affliction.—He prayeth for deliverance.—He 
+devoteth his enemies to destruction.—He praiseth God with 
+thanksgiving.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim. A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto <i>my</i> soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I sink in deep mire, where <i>there is</i> no standing: I am come into deep 
+waters, where the floods overflow me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I 
+wait for my God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine 
+head: they that would destroy me, <i>being</i> mine enemies wrongfully, are 
+mighty: then I restored <i>that</i> which I took not away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord G<small>OD</small> of hosts, be ashamed for my 
+sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of 
+Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my 
+face.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s 
+children.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of 
+them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I wept, <i>and chastened</i> my soul with fasting, that was to my 
+reproach.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I <i>was</i> the song of 
+the drunkards.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But as for me, my prayer <i>is</i> unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>in</i> an acceptable 
+time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me: in the truth of 
+thy salvation,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered 
+from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let not the water-flood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me 
+up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear me, O L<small>ORD</small>; for thy loving-kindness <i>is</i> good: turn unto me 
+according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble; hear me 
+speedily.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Draw nigh unto my soul, <i>and</i> redeem it: deliver me, because of mine 
+enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine 
+adversaries <i>are</i> all before thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness: and I 
+looked <i>for some</i> to take pity, but <i>there was</i> none; and for 
+comforters, but I found none.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me 
+vinegar to drink.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let their table become a snare before them: and <i>that which should 
+have been</i> for <i>their</i> welfare, <i>let it become</i> a trap.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins 
+continually to shake.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take 
+hold of them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let their habitation be desolate; <i>and</i> let none dwell in their tents.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they persecute <i>him</i> whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the 
+grief of those whom thou hast wounded.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Add iniquity unto their iniquity; and let them not come into thy 
+righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written 
+with the righteous.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I <i>am</i> poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on 
+high.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with 
+thanksgiving.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>This</i> also shall please the L<small>ORD</small> better than an ox <i>or</i> bullock that 
+hath horns and hoofs.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The humble shall see <i>this, and</i> be glad: and your heart shall live 
+that seek God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that 
+moveth therein:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For God will save Sion, and will build the cities of Judah; that they 
+may dwell there, and have it in possession.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The seed also of his servants shall inherit it; and they that love his 
+name shall dwell therein.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer full of those most deep and spiritual feelings 
+that were experienced in the person of Christ our Lord. In the 
+beginning of the Psalm, in the first three verses, with what a 
+fervency and weight of words does the Psalmist describe those great 
+terrors of death and hell which Christ undertook and endured, for our 
+sins. “Save me now, O Lord,” saith he, “for the waters overflow me, I 
+sink into the depth of the mire: I have now no where to stand, nothing 
+whereon to set my foot, I sink into the abyss of the sea, and the 
+floods overflow me.” By all which figures and expressions he shadows 
+forth, with all his powers, that unspeakable agony of Christ, which he 
+endured for our sins, when groaning under the infinite weight of the 
+wrath of God.</p>
+
+<p>In the 7th verse Christ confesses himself as bearing our sins, and 
+complains of the Jews, who crucify him. “They gave me,” saith he, 
+“gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink:” so 
+expressively and circumstantially does the prophet foretel the 
+sufferings of Christ! And then he speaks, with the same clearness, 
+concerning the Jews who should be blinded, and their kingdom and 
+priesthood which should be destroyed, as also it was fulfilled; so 
+that now we see the accomplishment of these things, and experience has 
+set them plainly before our eyes.</p>
+
+<p>In the end of the Psalm the prophet shows that the law should be 
+abolished, and that a new worship should be instituted without the law 
+and circumcision: “I will praise the name of the Lord,” saith he, 
+“with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall 
+please the Lord better than an ox or a bullock that hath horns and 
+hoofs.” By these words he shews that the law should be abrogated with 
+the whole of that splendidly ceremonious worship, the boasted pride of 
+circumcision, the sabbaths, and the sacrifices; and that the worship 
+of the New Testament should be established in its stead; namely, the 
+sacrifice of praise and the preaching of the gospel; for it is by 
+faith in Christ, and obedience to the gospel that we attain unto the 
+true knowledge of God, and it is by truly keeping the first 
+commandment that God is truly worshipped; which, as it is written, 
+(Mark xii. 33.) is “more than all whole burnt offerings and 
+sacrifices.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David soliciteth God to the speedy destruction of the wicked, and 
+preservation of the godly.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them 
+be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, 
+aha.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such 
+as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I <i>am</i> poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou <i>art</i> my 
+help and my deliverer; O L<small>ORD</small>, make no tarrying.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer against the persecutors and enemies of the 
+church and of the godly: for such instruments of the devil cease not 
+to plot against the good, and those that fear God, with all possible 
+machinations of craft, and with all the bitterness of Cain; and, like 
+Satan himself, they burn with an insatiable desire and determination 
+to destroy the church; nay, more than this, they insult the miseries 
+and calamities of the saints.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God’s favour, 
+prayeth both for himself, and against the enemies of his soul.—He 
+promiseth constancy.—He prayeth for perseverance.—He praiseth God, and 
+promiseth to do it cheerfully.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>In thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine 
+ear unto me, and save me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou 
+hast given commandment to save me; for thou <i>art</i> my rock and my
+fortress.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand 
+of the unrighteous and cruel man.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou <i>art</i> my hope, O Lord G<small>OD</small>: <i>thou art</i> my trust from my youth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me 
+out of my mother’s bowels: my praise <i>shall be</i> continually of thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am as a wonder unto many: but thou <i>art</i> my strong refuge.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my mouth be filled <i>with</i> thy praise <i>and with</i> thy honour all the 
+day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my 
+strength faileth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul 
+take counsel together,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for <i>there is</i> 
+none to deliver <i>him</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste for my help.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be confounded <i>and</i> consumed that are adversaries to my soul; 
+let them be covered <i>with</i> reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I will hope continually, and yet will praise thee more and more.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness <i>and</i> thy salvation all the 
+day; for I know not the numbers <i>thereof</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will go in the strength of the Lord G<small>OD</small>; I will make mention of thy 
+righteousness, <i>even</i> of thine only.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared 
+thy wondrous works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I 
+have shewed thy strength unto <i>this</i> generation, <i>and</i> thy power to 
+every one <i>that</i> is to come.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy righteousness also, O God, <i>is</i> very high, who hast done great 
+things: O God, who <i>is</i> like unto thee!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Thou</i>, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me 
+again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will also praise thee with the psaltery, <i>even</i> thy truth, O my God: 
+unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, 
+which thou hast redeemed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for 
+they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my 
+hurt.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a general prayer; which, I think, may be very properly 
+used in the person of the whole church against all her enemies and 
+persecutors who are now or ever shall be, unto the end. “Forsake me 
+not,” saith he, “in the time of mine old age,” &amp;c. and although this 
+may more especially apply to the prophet himself, as praying for 
+divine protection under his infinite temptations; yet the words may be 
+appropriately applied to the last times, and to the close of the 
+church militant before the last day. For the church has her old age 
+also: and Christ himself and his apostles have foretold, “That in the 
+latter days perilous times shall come:” as Daniel also prophesied, 
+that the truth should be persecuted and iniquity should abound: and 
+this we have experienced under Mahomet, and the Pope, to our infinite 
+peril and sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>Hence, in verses 15–17, the prophet foretells the justice and 
+righteousness of God. “My mouth (saith he) shall show forth thy 
+righteousness. O God thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto 
+have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also, when I am old and 
+grey-headed, &amp;c.” This prophecy may be of singular use to us, and 
+apply to us very appropriately: because God has, as it were, brought 
+us back out of hell, and from the depths of the earth, and has made 
+the light of his word to shine again, by which our consciences have a 
+firm and eternal consolation. These our times are like the times of 
+Elias and Enoch: for they commonly say of us, ‘These men will subvert 
+antichrist, and restore all things!’</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David, praying for Solomon, sheweth the goodness and glory of his, in 
+type, and in truth, of Christ’s kingdom.—He blesseth God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm for Solomon.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the 
+king’s son.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with 
+judgment.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, 
+by righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of 
+the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout 
+all generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers <i>that</i> 
+water the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In his days shall the righteous flourish: and abundance of peace so 
+long as the moon endureth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto 
+the ends of the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his 
+enemies shall lick the dust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings 
+of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve 
+him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and 
+<i>him</i> that hath no helper.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the 
+needy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious 
+shall their blood be in his sight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: 
+prayer also shall be made for him continually: <i>and</i> daily shall he be 
+praised.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the 
+mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and <i>they</i> of 
+the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as 
+the sun: and <i>men</i> shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him 
+blessed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small> God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous 
+things.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And blessed <i>be</i> his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth 
+be filled <i>with</i> his glory; Amen, and Amen.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a most remarkable prophecy concerning Christ and his kingdom, 
+to be spread throughout the whole world, over all kingdoms, and the 
+isles of the sea: which should not be a kingdom of death, sin, and 
+judgment, but a kingdom of grace, righteousness, peace, and joy.—But 
+the life, the victory, the peace, and the glory of the church shall be 
+hidden; they shall be hidden in God; and the saints in this world 
+shall endure the most bitter hatred of the world, and its 
+persecutions; they shall shed their blood for Christ; nevertheless, 
+that blood shall be precious in the sight of the Lord, and he shall 
+require it.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm also, verse 15, declares that the old worship of the law of 
+Moses should be abrogated, and a new worship set up, which should 
+consist in prayer and the giving of thanks. “Prayer shall be made unto 
+him (saith he) continually, and daily shall he be praised.” For the 
+sacrifice of praise and the preaching of the gospel, is the daily 
+sacrifice, and the highest worship of the New Testament. Here you hear 
+nothing of circumcision, or the law of Moses, as that which the 
+nations should receive. It saith that the kings of nations and nations 
+themselves shall endure and shall praise this king. Therefore, this 
+king, Christ, is truly and properly God. For prayer is the worship of 
+the first and greatest commandment, and is due to God alone; for he 
+alone can deliver from death and every affliction.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The prophet, prevailing in a temptation, sheweth the occasion 
+thereof, the prosperity of the wicked.—The wound given thereby, 
+diffidence.—The victory over it, knowledge of God’s purpose, in 
+destroying of the wicked, and sustaining the righteous.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Truly God <i>is</i> good to Israel, <i>even</i> to such as are of a clean 
+heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh 
+slipped.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I was envious at the foolish, <i>when</i> I saw the prosperity of the 
+wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For <i>there are</i> no bands in their death; but their strength <i>is</i> firm.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They <i>are</i> not in trouble <i>as other</i> men; neither are they plagued 
+like <i>other</i> men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth 
+them <i>as</i> a garment.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could 
+wish.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They are corrupt, and speak wickedly <i>concerning</i> oppression: they 
+speak loftily.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They set their mouth against the heavens; and their tongue walketh 
+through the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore his people return hither; and waters of a full <i>cup</i> are 
+wrung out to them:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most 
+High?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, these <i>are</i> the ungodly who prosper in the world; they 
+increase <i>in</i> riches.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in 
+innocency.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend <i>against</i> the 
+generation of thy children.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I thought to know this, it <i>was</i> too painful for me,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Until I went into the sanctuary of God; <i>then</i> understood I their end.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down 
+into destruction.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How are they <i>brought</i> into desolation, as in a moment? they are 
+utterly consumed with terrors.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As a dream when <i>one</i> awaketh; <i>so</i>, O L<small>ORD</small>, when thou awakest, thou 
+shalt despise their image.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So foolish <i>was</i> I and ignorant; I was <i>as</i> a beast before thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Nevertheless, I <i>am</i> continually with thee; thou hast holden <i>me</i> by 
+my right hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me <i>to</i> 
+glory.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whom have I heaven <i>but thee?</i> and <i>there is</i> none upon earth <i>that</i> I 
+desire beside thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My flesh and my heart faileth: <i>but</i> God is the strength of my heart, 
+and my portion for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish; thou hast destroyed 
+all them that go a whoring from thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But <i>it is</i> good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in 
+the Lord G<small>OD</small>, that I may declare all thy works.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm that instructs us against that great offence and 
+stumbling-block concerning which all the prophets have complained; 
+namely, that the wicked flourish in the world, enjoy prosperity, and 
+increase in abundance, while the godly suffer cold and hunger, and are 
+afflicted, and spit upon, and despised, and condemned; and that God 
+seems to be against and to neglect the latter, and to regard, support 
+and give success to the former. And this outside appearance of the 
+false church has, moreover, a great influence with, and excites the 
+admiration of, the world around. Whatever these hypocrites do or say, 
+they boast with great confidence, is pious, holy and divine: on the 
+other hand, they consider the lives of the godly to be ungodly, and 
+their doctrine erroneous. This offence has existed, and has exercised 
+and vexed the godly from the very beginning of the church.</p>
+
+<p>“So foolish was I,” saith Asaph, (v. 22.) that is, I was accounted 
+ungodly, a heretic, and a despiser of God. But these temptations, 
+saith he, remain until I cast away all my own cogitations about this 
+offence, and go into the sanctuary: that is, until I hear or read the 
+word, and find what God saith concerning the ungodly; and until I look 
+into the histories and behold the judgments of God, which have been 
+since the foundation of the world. There I find what God threatens in 
+his First Commandment: and how he has fulfilled this judgment and 
+executed it, even from Cain; by which all the ungodly are overthrown 
+and overwhelmed on a sudden: for they build upon slippery places and 
+upon the sand, but the godly build upon a rock.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The prophet complaineth of the desolation of the sanctuary.—He moveth 
+God to help in consideration of his power, of his reproachful enemies, 
+of his children, and of his covenant.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>Maschil of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O God, why hast thou cast <i>us</i> off for ever? <i>why</i> doth thine anger 
+smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember thy congregation, <i>which</i> thou hast purchased of old; the rod 
+of thine inheritance, <i>which</i> thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, 
+wherein thou hast dwelt.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; <i>even</i> all <i>that</i> the 
+enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up 
+their ensigns <i>for</i> signs.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>A man</i> was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick 
+trees.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and 
+hammers.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled <i>by casting 
+down</i> the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have 
+burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We see not our signs: <i>there is</i> no more any prophet: neither <i>is 
+there</i> among us any that knoweth how long.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy 
+blaspheme thy name for ever?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck <i>it</i> out of 
+thy bosom.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For God <i>is</i> my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the 
+earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of 
+the dragons in the waters.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, <i>and</i> gavest him <i>to 
+be</i> meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty 
+rivers.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The day <i>is</i> thine, the night also <i>is</i> thine; thou hast prepared the 
+light and the sun.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and 
+winter.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember this, <i>that</i> the enemy hath reproached, O L<small>ORD</small>, and <i>that</i> 
+the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude <i>of the 
+wicked:</i> forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are 
+full of the habitations of cruelty.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise 
+thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man 
+reproacheth thee daily.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise 
+up against thee increaseth continually.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer against the enemies who were then laying waste 
+Jerusalem, the sanctuary, all the holy places of assembly and of the 
+worship of God in the land, and even the national cities themselves; 
+uttering at the same time blasphemies against God, as if he were not 
+able to succour and defend his people.</p>
+
+<p>It seems also to be a prophecy of the future, and a prayer against 
+that future devastation which was wrought by those cruel enemies, the 
+Chaldeans, and by Antiochus Epiphanes; for it was on these two 
+occasions only that the temple and the city of Jerusalem were 
+destroyed, with such cruelty as is here depicted.</p>
+
+<p>We also use this Psalm against the Turk and Mahomet; and also against 
+our Antiochus, the pope; who destroys daily the true church and the 
+preaching of the word of God, daily despoils and scatters all sacred 
+and divine things, and every where stirs up and diffuses abroad the 
+poison of the devil and every abomination.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The prophet praiseth God.—He promiseth to judge uprightly.—He 
+rebuketh the proud by consideration of God’s providence.—He praiseth 
+God, and promiseth to execute justice.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, a Psalm <i>or</i> Song of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, <i>unto thee</i> do we give thanks; 
+for <i>that</i> thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the 
+pillars of it. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not 
+up the horn:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lift not up your horn on high: speak <i>not with</i> a stiff neck.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For promotion <i>cometh</i> neither from the east, nor from the west, nor 
+from the south.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But God <i>is</i> the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For in the hand of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>there is</i> a cup, and the wine is red: it 
+is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs 
+thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring <i>them</i> out, <i>and</i> 
+drink <i>them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; <i>but</i> the horns of 
+the righteous shall be exalted.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation against all turbulent and hardened 
+hypocrites, who boast of their church and their name, and despise 
+alike all threatenings, and all exhortations; ever speaking like those 
+arrogant hypocrites in Psalm xii: “Who shall teach us?” “Who is Lord 
+over us?” As if they should say, the power is ours, and the authority 
+is ours, and he that does not listen to, and obey us, let him be 
+accursed.</p>
+
+<p>In like manner also now, our bishops are secure; and, from the 
+‘Council of Worms’ to this day, are deaf to all entreaties, and 
+insensible to all tears. And equally deaf also are most kings and 
+princes and fanatical spirits; who are so confident in themselves and 
+in their own imaginations, that they seem to think that God himself 
+could not overthrow them or cast them down.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm admonishes us, the people of God, to know and acknowledge, 
+that there is a God who will surely judge all iniquity, if we do but 
+wait his time. For he is the Lord who maketh the mountains to tremble, 
+and who appeared on Mount Sinai with such terrible majesty. He, 
+according to the word of his First Commandment, visits the wicked in 
+his own appointed time, and yet preserves the pillars of the earth; 
+that is, the godly and the righteous; who bear up and sustain this 
+world upon their shoulders as it were: in the same way as the Apostle 
+Paul calls the church the “pillar and ground of the truth.” Thus, God 
+preserved the righteous and innocent Lot when he overthrew Sodom: and 
+thus he preserved also the believing Jews and the Apostles when he 
+destroyed Jerusalem, and overthrew the whole nation and kingdom: for 
+he knows, when he destroys any nation, how to preserve his own.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>A declaration of God’s majesty in the church.—An exhortation to serve 
+him reverently.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm <i>or</i> Song of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>In Judah <i>is</i> God known; his name <i>is</i> great in Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and 
+the battle. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou <i>art</i> more glorious <i>and</i> excellent than the mountains of prey.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of 
+the men of might have found their hands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast 
+into a dead sleep.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou, <i>even</i> thou, <i>art</i> to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight 
+when once thou art angry?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, 
+and was still,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath 
+shalt thou restrain.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Vow, and pay unto the L<small>ORD</small> your God: let all that be round about him 
+bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall cut off the spirit of princes: <i>he is</i> terrible to the kings 
+of the earth.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and of the same subject-matter as 
+Psalm xlvi. It gives thanks unto God for preserving his word and 
+worship in Jerusalem; and shows that it is he who, by marvellous deeds 
+and wonders, protects and defends his people against all kings and 
+tyrants; such as Sennacherib. For the Lord, the Divine Majesty, is a 
+wonderful “Man of war”; who has the hearts and spirits of kings in his 
+hand, and who can fill the enemies with fear, and break their minds 
+and spirits, whenever he pleases, with a single nod of his will.</p>
+
+<p>In this manner does God fight for his church against tyrants and 
+erroneous enemies. In the very midst of the course of their fury and 
+their hostile roaring, he brings down and breaks their spirits with 
+fear: and it is a terrible thing to kick and fight against him, who 
+can, in a moment, take away that which is the chief thing in 
+battle—the spirit of a man! Satan himself, who makes war against the 
+righteous with such unceasing rage, with such horrible desire to 
+destroy, and with such confidence in his might, is cast down in his 
+spirit, in a moment, by a repulse of the shield of faith, and falls 
+back and is undone: how much more then shall a mortal man!</p>
+
+<p>This verse, therefore, wherein the Psalmist says, “He shall cut off 
+the spirit of princes,” ought greatly to comfort us; for thereby we 
+may know, that we cannot be conquered or oppressed, but as God wills; 
+seeing we have that Warrior for our Captain, who holds in his hand the 
+hearts and spirits of our enemies; and who, without any arms or 
+weapons of men, can lay our adversaries prostrate in a moment, by 
+striking their spirits with fear!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The psalmist sheweth what fierce combat he had with diffidence.—The 
+victory which he had by consideration of God’s great and gracious 
+works.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I cried unto God with my voice, <i>even</i> unto God with my voice; and he 
+gave ear unto me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In the day of my trouble I sought the L<small>ORD</small>: my sore ran in the night, 
+and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was 
+overwhelmed. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own 
+heart: and my spirit made diligent search.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Will the L<small>ORD</small> cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth <i>his</i> promise fail for 
+evermore?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender 
+mercies? Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And I said, This <i>is</i> my infirmity: <i>but I will remember</i> the years of 
+the right hand of the Most High.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will remember the works of the L<small>ORD</small>: surely I will remember thy 
+wonders of old.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy way, O God, <i>is</i> in the sanctuary: who <i>is so</i> great a God as 
+<i>our</i> God!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou <i>art</i> the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength 
+among the people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast with <i>thine</i> arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and 
+Joseph. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee: they were afraid: the 
+depths also were troubled.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows 
+also went abroad.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of thy thunder <i>was</i> in the heaven: the lightnings lightened 
+the world: the earth trembled and shook.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy way <i>is</i> in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy 
+footsteps are not known.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou leddest thy people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains a blessed doctrine: the Psalmist puts forth 
+himself as an example: and the whole is for the consolation of the 
+godly: for the Psalmist describes the unspeakable anguish and sorrow 
+of a heart alarmed at the wrath of God and sin: and he says, verse 4, 
+that he was so overwhelmed with these terrors and sorrows, that he 
+could neither sleep nor speak. And in verses 7–10, he, as it were, 
+repeats all these his feelings of sorrow and dread, saying, “Will God 
+forget to be merciful? Doth his promise fail for evermore”?</p>
+
+<p>But here, as the Psalm saith, lies the greatest and best of all 
+consolations,—you will at once find comfort and deliverance if, 
+casting away from your mind (if you can by any means do it,) all these 
+apprehensions of evils and sorrows, (by which indeed you are 
+distressed in vain,) you turn to the word and works of God, and to the 
+histories of God’s doings and dealings from the beginning of the 
+world: for you will there find that the works and doings of God from 
+the beginning have been these,—to be merciful to and to save and help 
+the sorrowful, the distressed, the destitute, and the afflicted; and 
+to visit, in vengeance, the secure, the proud, the despisers, and the 
+wicked, in the same way as he delivered the Israelites, and destroyed 
+the Egyptians. Hence it is that David says, “Thy way, O God, is in the 
+deep,” and “in the sea:” for God saves in the midst of death and of 
+destruction, when despair is on every side.</p>
+
+<p>Learn this, my Christian brother! This Psalm thus sets forth to us God 
+and the ways of God: that is, how he works, and what he does, in his 
+church and in the saints: and all this is thus written, that we should 
+not despair in perils and afflictions, when we are beyond the reach of 
+all human help: but that rather, casting away all our own 
+apprehensions and distressing thoughts, we should, at, and from that 
+time, begin to trust in God, and to trust in him more and more, 
+waiting for his help.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>An exhortation both to learn and to preach the law of God.—The story 
+of God’s wrath against the incredulous and disobedient.—The Israelites 
+being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>Maschil of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Give ear, O my people, <i>to</i> my law: incline your ears to the words of 
+my mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We will not hide <i>them</i> from their children, shewing to the generation 
+to come the praises of the L<small>ORD</small>, and his strength, and his wonderful 
+works that he hath done.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in 
+Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them 
+known to their children;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That the generation to come might know <i>them, even</i> the children 
+<i>which</i> should be born, <i>who</i> should arise and declare <i>them</i> to their 
+children:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of 
+God; but keep his commandments:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious 
+generation; a generation <i>that</i> set not their heart aright, and whose 
+spirit was not stedfast with God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The children of Ephraim, <i>being</i> armed, <i>and</i> carrying bows, turned 
+back in the day of battle.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of 
+Egypt, <i>in</i> the field of Zoan.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the 
+waters to stand as an heap.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In the day-time also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with 
+a light of fire.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave <i>them</i> drink as <i>out 
+of</i> the great depths.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down 
+like rivers.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And they sinned yet more against him, by provoking the Most High in 
+the wilderness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And they tempted God in their heart, by asking meat for their lust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, they spake against God: they said, Can God furnish a table in the 
+wilderness?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams 
+overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his 
+people?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore the L<small>ORD</small> heard <i>this</i>, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled 
+against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of 
+heaven,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the 
+corn of heaven.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven; and by his power he 
+brought in the south wind.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as 
+the sand of the sea;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he let <i>it</i> fall in the midst of their camp, round about their 
+habitations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So they did eat and were well filled: for he gave them their own 
+desire;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They were not estranged from their lust: but while their meat <i>was</i> 
+yet in their mouths,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and 
+smote down the chosen <i>men</i> of Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous 
+works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in 
+trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When he slew them, then they sought him; and they returned and 
+inquired early after God:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And they remembered that God <i>was</i> their Rock, and the high God their 
+Redeemer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto 
+him with their tongues:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in 
+his covenant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But he, <i>being</i> full of compassion, forgave <i>their</i> iniquity, and 
+destroyed <i>them</i> not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and 
+did not stir up all his wrath:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he remembered that they <i>were but</i> flesh; a wind that passeth 
+away, and cometh not again.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, <i>and</i> grieve him in 
+the desert!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, they turned back, and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of 
+Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They remembered not his hand, <i>nor</i> the day when he delivered them 
+from the enemy:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of 
+Zoan:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they 
+could not drink.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured them; and 
+frogs, which destroyed them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, and their labour 
+unto the locust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-trees with 
+frost.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot 
+thunderbolts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, 
+and trouble, by sending evil angels <i>among them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but 
+gave their life over to the pestilence;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And smote all the first-born in Egypt; the chief of <i>their</i> strength 
+in the tabernacles of Ham:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the 
+wilderness like a flock.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea 
+overwhelmed their enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, <i>even to</i> this 
+mountain, <i>which</i> his right hand had purchased.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an 
+inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their 
+tents.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yet they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his 
+testimonies:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were 
+turned aside like a deceitful bow.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him 
+to jealousy with their graven images.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When God heard <i>this</i>, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So that he forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent <i>which</i> he 
+placed among men;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the 
+enemy’s hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his 
+inheritance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to 
+marriage.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then the L<small>ORD</small> awaked as one out of sleep, <i>and</i> like a mighty man that 
+shouteth by reason of wine.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he smote his enemies in the hinder part: he put them to a 
+perpetual reproach.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe 
+of Ephraim:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he built his sanctuary like high <i>palaces</i>, like
+the earth which he hath established for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>From following the ewes great with young he brought him, to feed Jacob 
+his people, and Israel his inheritance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided 
+them by the skilfulness of his hands.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm, by a glorious instruction, in a long recital of the acts 
+of the children of Israel as examples, from the departure out of Egypt 
+down to David, teaches us to believe and trust in God: showing us, how 
+“very present” God always was to those who believed in him, in all 
+their perils, and even in the midst of death. And, on the other hand, 
+it shows us, how surely and terribly God always visited those who 
+despised his word and departed from him.</p>
+
+<p>For, according to the words of the first commandment, God has, from 
+the beginning, wrought, not only in his own people, but in the 
+Gentiles also; and so he will work down to the world’s end; showing 
+mercy to those that love him, and visiting in judgment those that hate 
+him.</p>
+
+<p>And although the world despises, more unconcernedly than all things 
+else, the threatenings of God and his promises also; yet, 
+nevertheless, God still goes on working, according to the words of his 
+first commandment; and that commandment still prevails over all the 
+kingdoms of the earth; laying prostrate kings, overturning kingdoms, 
+uprooting families, and blotting out mighty names. And, on the other 
+hand, the same commandment still and ever goes on, preserving those in 
+the church of God who love him; lifting up them that are down; 
+succouring the oppressed; feeding the poor, the captives, and the 
+exiles; loosing those that are in prison; raising the dead; and 
+bringing salvation.</p>
+
+<p>The hardened and unbelieving world do not believe God: nevertheless, 
+this first commandment goes on thus according to the word which it 
+contains, to accomplish God’s will, in things private, and in things 
+public, in this present age, and throughout all the ages to come.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The psalmist complaineth of the desolation of Jerusalem.—He prayeth 
+for deliverance, and promiseth thankfulness.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple 
+have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The dead bodies of thy servants have they given <i>to be</i> meat unto the 
+fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the 
+earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and 
+<i>there was</i> none to bury <i>them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to 
+them that are round about us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How long, L<small>ORD</small>? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn 
+like fire?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon 
+the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling-place.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies 
+speedily prevent us; for we are brought very low.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; and 
+deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherefore should the heathen say, Where <i>is</i> their God? let him be 
+known among the heathen in our sight, <i>by</i> the revenging of the blood 
+of thy servants <i>which is</i> shed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the 
+greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And render unto our neighbours seven-fold into their bosom their 
+reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, will give thee thanks for 
+ever; we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer to God against that future national 
+destruction, which was wrought by the Chaldeans and Antiochus 
+Epiphanes; it is of the same subject-matter as Psalm lxxiv, and 
+therefore it may be set forth by the explication there given. Isaiah 
+has the same prayer against future devastations, chap. 63.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The psalmist in his prayer complaineth of the miseries of the 
+church.—God’s former favours are turned into judgments.—He prayeth for 
+deliverance.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim-Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; 
+thou that dwellest <i>between</i> the cherubims, shine forth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Before Ephraim, and Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up thy strength, and 
+come <i>and</i> save us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be 
+saved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of 
+thy people?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to 
+drink in great measure.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours; and our enemies laugh 
+among themselves.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we 
+shall be saved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, 
+and planted it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou preparedst <i>room</i> before it, and didst cause it to take deep 
+root, and it filled the land.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof 
+<i>were like</i> the goodly cedars.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Why hast thou <i>then</i> broken down her hedges, so that all they which 
+pass by the way do pluck her?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the 
+field doth devour it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and 
+behold, and visit this vine;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch 
+<i>that</i> thou madest strong for thyself.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> burned with fire; <i>it is</i> cut down: they perish at the rebuke 
+of thy countenance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man 
+<i>whom</i> thou madest strong for thyself.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon 
+thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn us again, O L<small>ORD</small> God of hosts; cause thy face to shine, and we 
+shall be saved.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer against those most bitter and daily enemies, the 
+neighbouring Philistines, Syrians, Moabites, Edomites, &amp;c.: for 
+Jerusalem was situated in the midst of these nations, all enemies, on 
+every side.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm is appropriate for <i>us</i> against bishops, and monks, and 
+priests, who hate us more bitterly than any Edomite or any Cain. The 
+fathers used this Psalm (such was the state of the church then) 
+against her error-broaching enemies.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>An exhortation to a solemn praising of God.—God challengeth that duty 
+by reason of his benefits.—God exhorting to obedience; complaineth of 
+their disobedience, which proveth their own hurt.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Gittith, a Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of 
+Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the 
+psaltery.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our 
+solemn feast day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For this <i>was</i> a statute for Israel, <i>and</i> a law of the God of Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This he ordained in Joseph <i>for</i> a testimony, when he went out through 
+the land of Egypt: <i>where</i> I heard a language <i>that</i> I understood not.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from 
+the pots.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the 
+secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt 
+hearken unto me;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any 
+strange god.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am</i> the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: 
+open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: <i>and</i> they walked in 
+their own counsels.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, <i>and</i> Israel had walked in my 
+ways!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against 
+their adversaries.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but 
+their time should have endured for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with 
+honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is the form of a prayer and a solemn song for the people of the 
+Jews, which was sung yearly at the feast of tabernacles, to admonish 
+that people, and to keep them in the true worship of God; namely, that 
+of the first commandment. This Psalm, therefore, like the prophets, in 
+all their great instructions, holds forth and enforces the very words 
+of the first commandment, “I am the Lord thy God: thou shalt have none 
+other gods but me:” that is, thou shalt hold me as thy God, thou shalt 
+cleave unto me, thou shalt trust alone in me; thou shalt not worship, 
+thou shalt not call upon, any other God.</p>
+
+<p>But here the whole world lieth in wickedness, the whole is unclean, 
+the whole is the kingdom of the devil. Not only were the people of the 
+Jews in this state of transgression against the first commandment, but 
+all nations, and all religions, and all worshippers, from the 
+beginning of the world; and they will be the same down to the end of 
+the world. The Israelites were indeed the people of God; they had the 
+prophets, and the godly priests and Levites, continually enforcing on 
+them this great and highest worship of the first commandment in all 
+their preachings: and yet they fell away from this worship. Their 
+mouth ought to have been full of God and the praise of God, but it was 
+full of idolatry, and of idolatrous doctrines and abominations.</p>
+
+<p>Here is the perverseness of the world: they will admire, they will 
+take up with, they will profess, all other kinds of worship, all other 
+forms and kinds of religions and hypocrisies, and they will multiply 
+and adorn them: but they will trample that very glorious worship of 
+the first commandment under foot: <i>that</i> worship the devil cannot 
+bear; <i>that</i> worship he works to extinguish by all the ways and means 
+in his power.</p>
+
+<p>And in the church of God, under the New Testament, this Psalm teaches 
+us the righteousness of faith and of Christ; that we ought to set 
+Christ and his righteousness before and above all works: for our mouth 
+ought to be full of Christ. But we, like the Jews, turn aside to other 
+gods, embracing sometimes these and sometimes those sayings and 
+traditions, each one following the idol imaginations and thoughts of 
+his own heart.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The psalmist having exhorted the judges, and reproved their 
+negligence, prayeth God to judge.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>God standeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth among the 
+gods.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver the poor and needy: rid <i>them</i> out of the hand of the wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: 
+all the foundations of the earth are out of course.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have said, Ye <i>are</i> gods; and all of you <i>are</i> children of the Most 
+High.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation against tyrants, and wicked kings and 
+magistrates, who oppressed the destitute, the fatherless, and the 
+widows. I have given a full commentary on this Psalm, which is now in 
+public; therefore I need not say more upon it here.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>A complaint to God of the enemies’ conspiracies.—A prayer against 
+them that oppress the church.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song or Psalm of Asaph.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O 
+God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult; and they that hate thee have 
+lifted up the head.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted 
+against thy hidden ones.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from <i>being</i> a nation; 
+that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they have consulted together with one consent; they are 
+confederate against thee:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab and the 
+Hagarenes;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines, with the inhabitants of 
+Tyre;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. 
+Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Do unto them as <i>unto</i> the Midianites; as <i>to</i> Sisera, as <i>to</i> Jabin, 
+at the brook of Kison;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Which</i> perished at En-dor: they became <i>as</i> dung for the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb; yea, all their princes as 
+Zebah and as Zalmunna:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on 
+fire,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy 
+storm.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to 
+shame, and perish:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That <i>men</i> may know that thou, whose name alone <i>is</i> JEHOVAH, <i>art</i> 
+the Most High over all the earth.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer of the same nature as Psalm lxxx. as the same 
+mentioned names of the same nation show, who were bitter enemies unto 
+Israel. The same explanation, therefore, will suffice.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The prophet longing for the communion of the sanctuary, sheweth how 
+blessed they are that dwell therein.—He prayeth to be restored unto 
+it.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician upon Gittith, a Psalm for the sons of Korah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>How amiable <i>are</i> thy tabernacles, O L<small>ORD</small> of hosts!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the L<small>ORD</small>; my 
+heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for 
+herself, where she may lay her young, <i>even</i> thine altars, O L<small>ORD</small> of 
+hosts, my King, and my God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>are</i> they that dwell in thy house: they will be still 
+praising thee. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> the man whose strength <i>is</i> in thee; in whose heart <i>are</i> 
+the ways <i>of them:</i></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Who</i> passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well: the rain 
+also filleth the pools.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They go from strength to strength; <i>every one of them</i> in Zion 
+appeareth before God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For a day in thy courts <i>is</i> better than a thousand. I had rather be a 
+door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of 
+wickedness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> God <i>is</i> a sun and shield: the L<small>ORD</small> will give grace and 
+glory: no good <i>thing</i> will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> of hosts, blessed <i>is</i> the man that trusteth in thee.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation, which breaks forth into the most sweet 
+and powerful expressions, in praise and love of the ministry of the 
+word. “Blessed are they (says David) that dwell in thy house:” that 
+is, they alone are truly blessed, and rest on a sure and eternal 
+consolation, who dwell in thy house and in thy tabernacle: that is, in 
+the place where thy word is taught and heard. For such, as the Apostle 
+saith, (1 Cor. i.) “are increased in all good, and enriched in all 
+wisdom and all knowledge, and with every good gift, so that they can 
+want nothing.” They have all riches.</p>
+
+<p>Wherefore let the world have their rich ones, their powerful ones, and 
+their wise ones, and their consolations in this world; let them trust 
+and glory in their wisdom, their might, their wealth, and their 
+possessions,—my heart triumphs in the living God; that is, I rejoice, 
+and triumph, and glory, with all my heart, that I know God in his 
+word, and that I am of his true church. And I would rather cleave and 
+hold to this poor despised flock of God’s people, to his church of 
+poor afflicted ones, who call upon God in truth; I would rather cleave 
+to them, and hover over them, as a bird over her young in the nest, 
+than live in the most splendid palace of all earthly kings. I had 
+rather sit at the door of the house of the Lord; that is, occupy the 
+lowest place among the people of God, despised and disregarded by the 
+world, than be loaded with all the dainties and riches of the 
+universe, and not belong to the assembly of them that hear, and love, 
+and know the word of God.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm, therefore, exhorts us rather to suffer ourselves to be 
+torn away from all the riches, honours, consolations and pleasures of 
+the world, than from the house of God. For no riches, nor even 
+kingdoms, can deliver us from sin or death, or from the kingdom of the 
+devil; nor can they overcome, in our hearts, the terrors of hell or of 
+the judgment of God. But God gives, by his word, grace and victory 
+over all these. “He is a sun and a shield” that is, in all darkness 
+and in all afflictions, of every kind, the word of God is a joyful 
+light, a sure consolation, a firm bulwark, and an invincible armour 
+against the violent assault of the devil and of sin: neither of which 
+can the riches or the wisdom of this world vanquish. He, therefore, 
+that hath the word of God hath every thing: he that hath not the word 
+of God hath nothing. O blessed, eternally blessed are they, who thus 
+love and value the word of God! but where are they! how few such are 
+there to be found! for the world is full of mockers and despisers!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The Psalmist, out of the experience of former mercies, prayeth for 
+the continuance thereof.—He promiseth to wait thereon, out of 
+confidence of God’s goodness.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm to the sons of Korah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back 
+the captivity of Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all 
+their sin. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned <i>thyself</i> from 
+the fierceness of thine anger.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger towards us to 
+cease.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to 
+all generations?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shew us thy mercy, O L<small>ORD</small>, and grant us thy salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will hear what God the L<small>ORD</small> will speak: for he will speak peace unto 
+his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely his salvation <i>is</i> nigh them that fear him; that glory may 
+dwell in our land.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed 
+<i>each other</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down 
+from heaven.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, the L<small>ORD</small> shall give <i>that which is</i> good: and our land shall 
+yield her increase.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Righteousness shall go before him, and shall set <i>us</i> in the way of 
+his steps.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer containing the feelings of a heart that fears 
+God; and it persuades, in the most impressive words, such an one, not 
+to dread God’s anger. For those who fear God, are not like the 
+despisers and Epicureans, who are secure and care for nothing that 
+happens; but when calamities fall upon godly men, their first and main 
+concern is to turn to God that smites them, and to make anew their 
+peace with him.</p>
+
+<p>The anger wherewith God chastised his people, at this time, was this: 
+he had taken away from them, for a time, the word; he had diminished 
+the number of those that preached it in truth, and had made few the 
+true prophets, priests and Levites. In addition to which, the peace of 
+the nation was broken by seditions; and many evils prevailed in the 
+state and among the rulers thereof. And this was not all: there came 
+on also the dread and expectation of war, and the want of the 
+necessary provisions of life: for these calamities generally follow, 
+one after the other, when God, according to the first commandment, 
+visits the iniquities of a people.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist, therefore, prays that God would be pleased again to 
+preserve the church, and also the nation; again to restore the real 
+ministers of the word, who preached it in truth, and by whom alone God 
+truly speaks unto men.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist, therefore, breaks forth with a wonderful burden of 
+heart, as if he had said, ‘O that I might again hear the Lord truly 
+speaking! O that the word of God were again truly preached, lest even 
+the godly should be “turned to folly”’ (or ignorance; that is, lest 
+they should be so broken down and utterly worn out, by the greatness 
+of their afflictions, as not to know what to do.) ‘O that both the 
+worship of God, and the prosperity of our nation, may be restored, and 
+that peace, and concord, and truth, and justice, may flourish among 
+us! that the fruits of the earth, and the produce of the fields and of 
+the vineyards may be blessed; that we may lead a godly life in this 
+our day, and, as St. Paul saith, may “look for the glorious appearing 
+of the great God!”’</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David strengtheneth his prayer by the conscience of his religion,—by 
+the goodness and power of God.—He desireth the continuance of former 
+grace.—Complaining of the proud he craveth some token of God’s 
+goodness.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Prayer of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Bow down thine ear, O L<small>ORD</small>, hear me; for I <i>am</i> poor and needy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Preserve my soul, for I <i>am</i> holy: O thou my God, save thy servant 
+that trusteth in thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be merciful unto me, O L<small>ORD</small>: for I cry unto thee daily.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, do I lift up 
+my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou, L<small>ORD</small>, <i>art</i> good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in 
+mercy unto all them that call upon thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give ear, O L<small>ORD</small>, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my 
+supplications.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Among the gods <i>there is</i> none like unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>; neither <i>are 
+there any works</i> like unto thy works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O 
+L<small>ORD</small>; and shall glorify thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou <i>art</i> great, and doest wondrous things, thou <i>art</i> God alone.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Teach me thy way, O L<small>ORD</small>; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to 
+fear thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee, O L<small>ORD</small> my God, with all my heart; and I will 
+glorify thy name for evermore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For great <i>is</i> thy mercy toward me; and thou hast delivered my soul 
+from the lowest hell.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent 
+<i>men</i> have sought after my soul, and have not set thee before them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>art</i> a God full of compassion, and gracious; 
+long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me: give thy strength unto thy 
+servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see <i>it</i>, and be 
+ashamed; because thou, L<small>ORD</small>, hast holpen me, and comforted me.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a supplication, and, as the title shows, a prayer of 
+David: and here you may see that prayer is the highest exercise of 
+faith, and the highest worship of God. Every one knows with what 
+destroying calamities that great man David, that “man after God’s own 
+heart,” was surrounded; and yet you may see, in the book of Kings, 
+that, in his deepest straits and most calamitous afflictions, he calls 
+upon God with all the ardour of his heart against his enemies, Saul, 
+his son Absalom, &amp;c. those instruments of the devil, who so heavily 
+afflicted him.</p>
+
+<p>Behold what an example of prayer for us to follow, this great, this 
+most spiritual man, gives us in the 6th, 9th, 10th and 11th verses. 
+See how fixedly he has before his eyes the first commandment. “O God,” 
+saith he, “who is like unto thee among the gods?” who doeth works like 
+unto thy works? “Thou art great and doest wonderful works; thou art 
+God alone. Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and gracious, 
+long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and in truth, unto all that call 
+upon thee.”</p>
+
+<p>Behold here how he calls up and sharpens, as it were, his faith, at a 
+view of the mercy of God! so that, apprehending that mercy and the 
+promise, he goes forth on the assurance, that God is not only powerful 
+and great, and invincible against all the assaults of the devil and of 
+the world, and against all creatures; but that he is also ever present 
+unto the godly, and ever merciful to those that call upon him, and 
+believe in him. And thus, <i>we</i> also ought to apprehend the word of the 
+divine promise of mercy, and cast out of our hearts all doubt, that we 
+may be enabled to call upon him without misgiving.</p>
+
+<p>At the end David prays, “Show me a token for good.” God sometimes 
+permits the wicked to glory for a while, as if they certainly should 
+soon devour the saints, and those that fear him. But God never finally 
+forsakes his people: for here, in the church below, he often delivers 
+the godly, who fear him, out of the greatest perils; yea, out of the 
+very jaws of death; and plainly proves that he is ever present and 
+near his own: for their deliverances plainly show the hand of God. It 
+is for such a token, or sign, as this, that David here prays.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The nature and glory of the church.—The increase, honour, and comfort 
+of the members thereof.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>His foundation <i>is</i> in the holy mountains.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of 
+Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold 
+Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this <i>man</i> was born there.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and 
+the highest himself shall establish her.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall count, when he writeth up the people, <i>that</i> this <i>man</i> 
+was born there. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As well the singers as the players on instruments <i>shall be there:</i> 
+all my springs <i>are</i> in thee.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ and the church, in 
+times to come. The Psalmist, after the manner of the prophets, sets 
+before us the future Jerusalem and the future Zion, as if represented 
+in a painting before our eyes: the boundaries of which should be those 
+of the world itself, reaching from east to west, and from north to 
+south; and in which church there should be born men of every nation, 
+kingdom, tribe, and tongue,—Ethiopians, Egyptians, Babylonians, 
+Tyrians, Philistines, &amp;c. and that these should be born in this 
+church, not by a natural birth, but by the word of the gospel.</p>
+
+<p>“Great, excellent, and glorious things shall be spoken and preached in 
+thee, O city of God!” For the gospel is a great and glorious doctrine, 
+the highest of all doctrines, even the word of salvation; hence, as 
+Paul saith, (Phil. i. 10.) the gospel contains, in comparison with the 
+law, “the things that are excellent.” For by the gospel is given to us 
+the knowledge of the counsel and will of God; in what manner God is 
+pacified; how we are delivered from sin, from the power of the devil, 
+and from eternal death; which things neither the law, nor any human 
+philosophy, could teach.</p>
+
+<p>In the last verse also, the Psalm most beautifully sets forth what the 
+highest worship, under the New Testament, should be. “There shall be 
+in thee, (saith the Psalmist,) as the harmonious concert of those 
+playing on instruments;” that is, it is not Moses, or the law, that 
+shall be taught in that city; but the sweet and joyful message of the 
+gospel shall be preached by the ministry of the word, even grace and 
+the remission of sins by Jesus Christ.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>A prayer containing a grievous complaint.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><small>A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon 
+Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> God of my salvation, I have cried day <i>and</i> 
+night before thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the 
+grave.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man <i>that 
+hath</i> no strength:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou 
+rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted <i>me</i> with all 
+thy waves. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an 
+abomination unto them: <i>I am</i> shut up, and I cannot come forth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: L<small>ORD</small>, I have called daily 
+upon thee; I have stretched out my hands unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise <i>and</i> praise 
+thee? Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? <i>or</i> thy 
+faithfulness in destruction?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the 
+land of forgetfulness?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But unto thee have I cried, O L<small>ORD</small>; and in the morning shall my prayer 
+prevent thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, why castest thou off my soul? <i>why</i> hidest thou thy face from 
+me?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am</i> afflicted and ready to die from <i>my</i> youth up: <i>while</i> I suffer 
+thy terrors I am distracted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They came round about me daily like water, they compassed me about 
+together.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, <i>and</i> mine acquaintance 
+into darkness.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer, as in the person of Christ and of all the saints. It 
+contains those mighty feelings and conflicts of heart, which no 
+mortals but those who experience them, can either describe or 
+conceive; I mean those pangs and pains, and that heavy sorrow of 
+spirit, (above all natural distress of body or of mind, and above all 
+natural fear and dread,) when the heart is filled with a sense of the 
+majesty and anger of God, and is alarmed at the nature and end of sin; 
+while God also, as yet, holds off all consolation; and the soul is 
+shaken in the midst of darkness and terror, and, as Christ saith 
+himself, “sifted by the devil like wheat in a sieve;” while the 
+malicious Satan craftily augments the soul’s views of the anger of 
+God, and drives out of sight all hope of mercy and grace.</p>
+
+<p>David here calls these unspeakable terrors of soul, “hell,” 
+“darkness,” “the shadow of death.” “Thou hast cast me (saith he) into 
+the lowest pit, into darkness and the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon 
+me; and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves.” And rightly does 
+David describe these pains and terrors by the terms, “death,” “hell,” 
+&amp;c. because this anguish of soul is of the very nature, and power, and 
+poison, and sting of hell and death; for no sooner is the darkness 
+dispersed, by some shining in of divine consolation, than death is no 
+longer death, but we die gladly. And indeed, where such fears and 
+terrors of mind abound and continue, they extend to the body, bring on 
+a paleness and emaciation, and affect the whole man. Paul calls them 
+the “buffetting of Satan,” and “thorns in the flesh;” which has 
+reference to a custom in certain nations of punishing criminals by 
+transfixing their bodies with a certain sharp pointed conical 
+instrument, in the shape of a thorn; and mocking and deriding them in 
+their suffering. And just thus it is that the nations of the world 
+contemptuously call Christ ‘that crucified fellow,’ and the Jews, 
+‘That fellow that was hanged.’ For the world, in their malice, not 
+only persecute Christ, but also deride and mock his sufferings, and 
+the sufferings of his members. And hence it is David complains thus in 
+this Psalm, “Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine 
+acquaintance into darkness.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM LXXXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The psalmist praiseth God for his covenant, for his wonderful power, 
+for the care of his church, for his favour to the kingdom of 
+David.—Then complaining of contrary events, he expostulateth, prayeth, and 
+blesseth God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will sing of the mercies of the L<small>ORD</small> for ever: with my mouth will I 
+make known thy faithfulness to all generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness 
+shalt thou establish in the very heavens.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my 
+servant,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all 
+generations. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O L<small>ORD</small>: thy faithfulness 
+also in the congregation of the saints.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For who in the heaven can be compared unto the L<small>ORD</small>? <i>who</i> among the 
+sons of the mighty can be likened unto the L<small>ORD</small>?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be 
+had in reverence of all <i>them that are</i> about him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> God of hosts, who <i>is</i> a strong L<small>ORD</small> like unto thee? or to thy 
+faithfulness round about thee?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou 
+stillest them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast 
+scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The heavens <i>are</i> thine, the earth also <i>is</i> thine: <i>as for</i> the world 
+and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall 
+rejoice in thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, <i>and</i> high is thy right 
+hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Justice and judgment <i>are</i> the habitation of thy throne: mercy and 
+truth shall go before thy face.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O 
+L<small>ORD</small>, in the light of thy countenance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness 
+shall they be exalted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou <i>art</i> the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn 
+shall be exalted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> our defence; and the Holy One of Israel <i>is</i> our 
+king.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid 
+help upon <i>one that is</i> mighty; I have exalted <i>one</i> chosen out of the
+people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With whom my hand shall be established; mine arm also shall strengthen 
+him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict 
+him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that 
+hate him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But my faithfulness and my mercy <i>shall be</i> with him; and in my name 
+shall his horn be exalted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall cry unto me, Thou <i>art</i> my Father, my God, and the Rock of my 
+salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Also I will make him <i>my</i> first-born, higher than the kings of the 
+earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand 
+fast with him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His seed also will I make to <i>endure</i> for ever, and his throne as the 
+days of heaven.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity 
+with stripes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor 
+suffer my faithfulness to fail.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of 
+my lips.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>It shall be established for ever as the moon, and <i>as</i> a faithful 
+witness in heaven. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine 
+anointed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant; thou hast profaned 
+his crown, <i>by casting it</i> to the ground.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong 
+holds to ruin.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his 
+neighbours.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all 
+his enemies to rejoice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to 
+stand in the battle.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the 
+ground.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with 
+shame. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How long, L<small>ORD</small>? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn 
+like fire?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in 
+vain!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What man <i>is he that</i> liveth, and shall not see death? shall he 
+deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, where <i>are</i> thy former loving-kindnesses, <i>which</i> thou swarest 
+unto David in thy truth?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember, L<small>ORD</small>, the reproach of thy servants; <i>how</i> I do bear in my 
+bosom <i>the reproach of</i> all the mighty people;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O L<small>ORD</small>; wherewith they have 
+reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small> for evermore. Amen, and amen.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a remarkable prophecy concerning Christ and his kingdom; he 
+speaks of the church or kingdom of Christ, as a “kingdom in the 
+heavens;” in the same manner as Christ himself calls it “the kingdom 
+of heaven.” And though this spiritual kingdom of Christ is here upon 
+earth, yet the Psalmist gloriously describes it as being “in the 
+heavens.”</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist, indeed, here apprehends the promise made to David 
+concerning Christ; and, opening that promise in a wonderful manner, he 
+describes the riches of this spiritual kingdom. He enforces the 
+everlasting firmness and sureness of that promise; and, taking a stand 
+of heavenly meditation therein, he dwells upon the effectual power of 
+that promise against all the violence of sin, and the malice and 
+accusation of the devil; and here the Psalmist takes up his divine 
+abode; here he fixes his standing; as the apostle hath it, “by faith 
+ye stand:” and he says that this truth of God, this his promise was 
+prepared from everlasting, built up in the fulfilment of God’s purpose 
+of mercy, and firm, and “established in the heavens.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thy faithfulness and truth,” (says the Psalmist,) “are established in 
+the heavens;” that is, a heavenly righteousness is preached by the 
+gospel, which is not placed in us, or in any worthiness or merit of 
+ours; but is out of us, and is the righteousness of Christ, and is 
+imputed, for Christ’s sake, unto all that believe in him: and hence, 
+the promised riches of this kingdom are the gift of the Spirit, and 
+the remission of sins, with all other spiritual blessings: all which 
+are not offered unto us on any condition of the law, or of our works 
+or our merit, but are given unto us freely of God. Salvation, 
+therefore, is not a matter conditional on our works, but freely given 
+unto us for Christ’s sake; that thus all doubting and uncertainty may 
+be taken from our souls; and that we may safely rest, entirely and 
+only on the immutable and immoveable certainty of this truth and 
+promise of God.</p>
+
+<p>The temporal kingdom of the Jews was promised to that people, on 
+condition of a law given to them; that, if they kept that law, 
+nationally, as a people, if they were therein good and obedient, they 
+should be preserved and blessed. And, in the same way also, all the 
+kingdoms of the world are given to their people under a like condition 
+of a law, and, as long as they are good and obedient, God preserves 
+them. But the immense and glorious riches of this spiritual kingdom, 
+the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Spirit, victory over death 
+and the devil, &amp;c. are promised and held forth without any condition 
+of a law; and, in a word, the remission of sins is promised, freely, 
+not only to those who have done nothing to deserve it, but to those 
+who have done everything to forfeit it. This is a throne, therefore, 
+not of angry and destroying majesty, but of grace alone; and being 
+founded, not on the basis of our good works and merits, but on the 
+rock of the sure and everlasting truth of God, it affords a great and 
+marvellous consolation to the afflicted consciences of sinners.</p>
+
+<p>After, however, the prophetic Psalmist has described the flower and 
+glory of this kingdom and church of Christ, he deplores, on the other 
+hand, from verse 39, in the most powerful expressions, the desolations 
+and destructions of it: saying, that it shall come to pass that this 
+kingdom, like as the apostle has also foretold, shall be so disturbed 
+and torn to pieces by antichrist, that it shall seem as if God had 
+wholly forgotten his promise unto it; nay, as if, contrary to the word 
+of his promise, he did nothing but show his wrath against this 
+kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>All these things, however, are written for a consolation unto the 
+godly; and especially unto us who, in these last times, have witnessed 
+such abominations of papacy; these things, I say, are written for our 
+comfort and consolation; that we should not be broken-spirited, or 
+terrified, at the multitude and diversity of offences; nor be driven 
+to despair, though wickedness should have the dominion for a time, and 
+though Satan should, as it were, so subvert all things human and 
+divine, that there should seem to be no church of Christ at all, no 
+remains of the kingdom of Christ upon earth. For if you look at the 
+abomination of the Pope, and of Mahomet, which have spread themselves 
+over the whole world, no other appearance is presented than that there 
+is not a vestige of the true church remaining: and yet, it is not 
+wholly blotted or rooted out from the earth; for, under the reign of 
+each abomination and tyranny, there has ever existed a true church of 
+Christ, although greatly despised and greatly oppressed.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XC.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>Moses, setting forth God’s providence, complaineth of human 
+fragility, divine chastisements, and brevity of life.—He prayeth for 
+the knowledge and sensible experience of God’s good providence.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A prayer of Moses, the Man of God.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the 
+earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou <i>art</i> 
+God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of 
+men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For a thousand years in thy sight <i>are but</i> as yesterday when it is 
+past, and <i>as</i> a watch in the night.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are <i>as</i> a sleep: in the 
+morning <i>they are</i> like grass <i>which</i> groweth up.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is 
+cut down, and withereth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret <i>sins</i> in the 
+light of thy countenance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a 
+tale <i>that is told</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The days of our years <i>are</i> threescore years and ten; and if by reason 
+of strength <i>they be</i> fourscore years, yet <i>is</i> their strength labour 
+and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, <i>so 
+is</i> thy wrath.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So teach <i>us</i> to number our days, that we may apply <i>our</i> hearts unto 
+wisdom.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Return, O L<small>ORD</small>, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy 
+servants.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all 
+our days.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make us glad according to the days <i>wherein</i> thou hast afflicted us, 
+<i>and</i> the years <i>wherein</i> we have seen evil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their 
+children.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And let the beauty of the L<small>ORD</small> our God be upon us: and establish thou 
+the work of our hands upon us: yea, the work of our hands establish
+thou it.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains a very great and important doctrine; in which 
+Moses teaches what is the origin and cause of that death to which the 
+whole human race is subject, and the reason why so horrible a 
+punishment was inflicted on the whole race of mortals: the Psalmist 
+saith, it was on account of sin: and the guilt and desert of sin are 
+greater than can be conceived by the human mind, unless God touch the 
+heart with a knowledge of it; and yet, in this sin and guilt, and 
+under this wrath, all the sons of Adam are born.</p>
+
+<p>Moses here opens widely this punishment of sin, and this horrible 
+misery; setting forth the proof of it in the shortness and uncertainty 
+of human life; which life, in addition to this its shortness and 
+uncertainty, is subject also to all kinds of calamity: and, in verse 
+11, Moses saith that this very unspeakable misery—death, and all other 
+human calamities, as parts of that death, tend, or should lead us, to 
+seek the grace and mercy of God, who alone can deliver us from all 
+these evils,—sin, the slavery of the devil, and death. Hence all the 
+calamities and afflictions of life, and even death itself, the 
+punishment of sin, work together for good unto the elect, and unto 
+those that fear God; that they may, by all things, be humbled, broken 
+down, and crucified, and so, thirst after grace.</p>
+
+<p>“So teach us that we must die,” says Moses, “that we may become wise:” 
+that is, that we may learn to know God and his will aright; for this 
+is what Moses calls “becoming wise.” The wicked, and fools, who are 
+not exercised with afflictions, who number not their days, nor think 
+of death, nor meditate on the misery of life, but remain unexperienced 
+and ignorant of all spiritual things, and are wrapped up in their own 
+hypocrisy, never rightly know God, nor truly seek his help and mercy.</p>
+
+<p>Moses then closes his Psalm with a divinely concluding prayer, “Let 
+thy work appear unto thy servants,” or “Show us thy work, O Lord.” 
+Here, by the work of God, he means deliverance from sin and death; 
+and, in a word, all that deliverance that our fathers expected from 
+that blessed seed, which we have revealed to us in Christ. And again, 
+saith Moses, “O satisfy us early with thy mercy:” and he twice 
+repeats, “Prosper thou the works of our hands:” that is, for the time 
+that we live, direct and prosper thou our whole life: preserve thy 
+true religion and the good government of our nation: guard us from 
+heresies, errors, wars, seditions, and all such evils. This Psalm, 
+therefore, is a short but a most spiritual prayer.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The state of the godly.—Their safety.—Their habitation.—Their 
+servants.—Their friends; with the effects of them all.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide 
+under the shadow of the Almighty.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will say of the L<small>ORD</small>, <i>He is</i> my refuge, and my fortress: my God; in 
+him will I trust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, <i>and</i> from 
+the noisome pestilence.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou 
+trust; his truth <i>shall be thy</i> shield and buckler.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, <i>nor</i> for the arrow 
+<i>that</i> flieth by day,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Nor</i> for the pestilence <i>that</i> walketh in darkness, <i>nor</i> for the 
+destruction <i>that</i> wasteth at noon-day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; 
+<i>but</i> it shall not come nigh thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the 
+wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because thou hast made the L<small>ORD</small>, <i>which is</i> my refuge, <i>even</i> the Most 
+High, thy habitation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh 
+thy dwelling.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy 
+ways.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall bear thee up in <i>their</i> hands, lest thou dash thy foot 
+against a stone.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the 
+dragon shall thou trample under feet.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>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.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I <i>will be</i> with him in 
+trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a most distinguished jewel among all the Psalms of 
+consolation. The Psalmist highly exalts faith in God, and shews that 
+it is an invincible strength against all evils, and against all the 
+gates of hell.</p>
+
+<p>At the very outset, the Psalmist says, “He that dwelleth in the secret 
+place of the Most High, abideth under the shadow of the Almighty;” and 
+such an one shall say unto the Lord, “Thou art my confidence, my 
+protection, my fortress and my God,” that is, he that believeth and 
+trusteth in God, and rests in his protection,—he shall find, though 
+shaken on every side, by the devil, by sin, by the world, and by 
+various and endless temptations, that the godly are proof and 
+invincible against all these evils; that God is most high over all; 
+that he is Omnipotent; and, in a word, that “greater is he that is in 
+us than he that is in the world.”</p>
+
+<p>Towards the conclusion, this Psalm contains, accumulated together, 
+eight or nine promises of grace, which the Psalmist drew out of the 
+first commandment, as out of a fountain. This Psalm, therefore, ought 
+to be set before afflicted souls. 1. The Psalmist says “Because he 
+hath hoped in me, therefore will I deliver him.” 2. “I will set him on 
+high.” 3. “Because he hath called upon me, I will hear him.” 4. “I 
+will be with him in trouble.” 5. “I will deliver him.” 6. “I will set 
+him on high, or glorify him.” 7. “With long life will I satisfy him.” 
+8. “I will show him my salvation:” that is, that I am “mighty to 
+save!”</p>
+
+<p>And this also is the second Psalm wherein angels are proclaimed as our 
+watchful guardians and protectors: which is a truth very greatly 
+consoling to the really godly, who know with what fury Satan 
+unceasingly assaults the church, and all the saints. This Psalm 
+enumerates four kinds of evils and afflictions, which are to be 
+endured by the saints and those that fear God:</p>
+
+<blockquote>1. “Mighty fear,”—“terror by night.” The scripture frequently 
+represents temptations and afflictions under the figures of darkness 
+and night; and consolations under the figurative descriptions of light 
+and day. The Psalmist, therefore, here sets forth all those horrible 
+instances of hatred, that Cain-like purpose to destroy, (which is ever 
+secretly bound up in the hearts of pharisaic religionists) all those 
+malicious threats, those hostile traps and snares, those created 
+perils, those injuries, and all those other terrible oppositions which 
+Satan ever raises up against the word of God, by nightly fear, or 
+“terror by night.”</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>2. “The arrow that flieth by day.” By which are meant to be described 
+all those open clamours, reproaches, execrations, and blasphemies, by 
+which tyrants and hypocrites openly attack and condemn the word of 
+God, and the doctrine of Christ. Of this kind are the pope’s bulls, 
+(and truly they are bulls!) and also, the edicts of kings and princes, 
+the virulent and blasphemous books of erroneous disputers, and the 
+writings of erroneous and visionary men, such as the anabaptists, and 
+the like.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>3. “The pestilence that creepeth (or walketh) in darkness.” These are 
+the deceits, the crafts, and the artifices of the papists; and the 
+leagues, the covert conspiracies, the secret counsels, by which those 
+enemies consult and plan among themselves in their private conclaves: 
+which clandestine machinations they think they can keep hidden, even 
+from the eyes of God himself; and by all which diabolical means, they 
+plot to destroy and root out the godly and all doctrine that is truly 
+good and saving.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>4. “The disease (or contagion, or destruction) that wasteth at noon 
+day.” This is the work of open persecution; whereby these holy Cains, 
+in their unheard-of cruelty and tyranny, shed the blood of the Abels, 
+drive into exile the godly, plunder their substance, and slaughter 
+them by every cruelty of torture; thereby attempting to lay the true 
+church utterly waste, and to leave not a vestige of the true word 
+remaining.</blockquote>
+
+<p>This is my view of the Psalm. I know that St. Bernard gives other 
+interpretations. Let others, therefore, if they can, put forth a 
+better explication than I have done: that my view is simple, and 
+agreeable to the mind and spirit of the prophets, is self-manifest, 
+and proved by experience: for we see and experience daily, that the 
+saints of God are attacked and exercised by these four afflictions for 
+the word’s sake, by means of the devil and by the world. The Holy 
+Spirit, therefore, by this Psalm, revives and strengthens our faith; 
+and by the cluster of promises at the end of the Psalm, the same Holy 
+Spirit quickens and refreshes our hearts with consolation: this Psalm 
+therefore ought to be most acceptable to all the saints.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The prophet exhorteth to praise God, for his great works, for his 
+judgments on the wicked, and for his goodness to the godly.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath-day.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>It <i>is a</i> good <i>thing</i> to give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>, and to sing 
+praises unto thy name, O Most High:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness 
+every night,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltry; upon the harp 
+with a solemn sound.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou, L<small>ORD</small>, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in 
+the works of thy hands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, how great are thy works! <i>and</i> thy thoughts are very deep.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of 
+iniquity do flourish; <i>it is</i> that they shall be destroyed for ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou, L<small>ORD</small>, <i>art most</i> high for evermore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For, lo, thine enemies, O L<small>ORD</small>, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; 
+all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But my horn shalt thou exalt like <i>the horn of</i> an unicorn: I shall be 
+anointed with fresh oil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eye also shall see <i>my desire</i> on mine enemies; <i>and</i> mine ears 
+shall hear <i>my desire</i> of the wicked that rise up against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a 
+cedar in Lebanon.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Those that be planted in the house of the L<small>ORD</small> shall flourish in the 
+courts of our God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and 
+flourishing;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To shew that the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> upright; <i>he is</i> my rock, and <i>there is</i> no 
+unrighteousness in him.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a consolatory Psalm. The first six verses are full of the most 
+sweet experiences of a heart rejoicing and triumphing in that 
+incomparable treasure—a knowledge of the true and sure word of God, 
+and of the promises of grace in Christ. It is the same rejoicing of 
+heart as that of the apostle, when he, exulting in the Spirit, saith, 
+“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”</p>
+
+<p>At the very opening of the Psalm, the Psalmist saith, “O how 
+excellent, how sweet a thing is it to give thanks unto the Lord, and 
+to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High!” that is, O what is 
+sweeter than to know God aright by his word, and by true faith; to 
+acknowledge his infinite mercies; to give thanks unto him joyfully and 
+adoringly, with every cord and string of our hearts; to proclaim and 
+praise him unceasingly with a full heart and a full mouth; to triumph 
+in his goodness; and to offer him the full sacrifice of thanksgiving! 
+in a word, to worship him with that all high and all-true worship of 
+the first commandment, which requires for its high worship, above all 
+things, true faith, and such joyful exercises of faith as these; as if 
+the Psalmist had said, ‘How precious is that worship of God! How 
+acceptable unto God, how grateful in his sight, and in the sight of 
+angels too, are all such sabbaths, such sacrifices as these! Though we 
+saints, all the while, are said, by the world, to know nothing about 
+worshipping God!’</p>
+
+<p>All these glorious things are pointed by the Psalmist against false 
+saints and hypocrites; who honour God (as they think) with cold hearts 
+and lips, and tread all the while that high worship of the first 
+commandment under foot; and yet make a great show of the name of 
+church among them, and flourish in the sight of the world, and display 
+much wealth and much power and greatness. But though they greatly 
+flourish and prosper thus for a time; yet they at length perish and go 
+to destruction: and, according to the word of Paul, “Their folly is 
+made manifest unto all.”</p>
+
+<p>But the godly and the saints, though thus exercised and broken with 
+afflictions, flourish, nevertheless, like palm-trees, in the house of 
+the Lord, and will flourish for evermore! Neither time, nor age, nor 
+sorrow of mind, nor any afflictions, nor death itself, can root them 
+out, or hurt them! But, both living and dying, and even in death 
+itself, they live and bring forth fruit through the word of God, as 
+Paul saith, “<i>No creature</i> can separate them!” But fools, that is, the 
+wicked and epicureans of this world, regard not these things, they 
+will not hear or endure them; and of this sort we may see thousands of 
+atheistical men in our day.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The majesty, power, and holiness of Christ’s kingdom.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> reigneth; he is clothed with majesty: the L<small>ORD</small> is clothed 
+with strength, <i>wherewith</i> he hath girded himself: the world also is 
+established, that it cannot be moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy throne <i>is</i> established of old: thou <i>art</i> from everlasting.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The floods have lifted up, O L<small>ORD</small>, the floods have lifted up their 
+voice; the floods lift up their waves.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> on high <i>is</i> mightier than the noise of many waters, <i>yea, 
+than</i> the mighty waves of the sea.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O L<small>ORD</small>, 
+for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the spread of the kingdom of Christ, as 
+far and wide as the earth is extended, and its establishment for ever. 
+But against this kingdom, as the Psalmist saith, the “waves” and 
+“mighty waters” will swell and lift up themselves; that is, the 
+kingdoms and peoples of the world will roar against the Lord and 
+against his Anointed; and will rage against the godly with sword and 
+fire; but they shall not prevail: for, as Daniel saith, “this kingdom 
+shall break in pieces all other kingdoms beneath it, and shall stand 
+for ever.”—Daniel ii. 44.</p>
+
+<p>But thy kingdom shall be established in no other way than by the word 
+of the gospel. It shall not stand by the force of arms, nor by 
+external pomp, or glory, before the world; but it shall be husbanded, 
+and shall be increased and adorned, by the ministry of the word of the 
+gospel. This is the “holiness,” (namely the ministry of the word) that 
+shall “become,” or “adorn,” the house of the Lord. For this true and 
+high worship of God which is in the kingdom of Christ, takes the place 
+of all sacrifices and of all oblations, candlesticks, and the like; 
+and the preaching of the word, and the giving of thanks, are instead 
+of all external representations of mercy: hence Paul saith, that the 
+Old Testament is done away by this New Testament worship.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The prophet, calling for justice, complaineth of tyranny and 
+impiety.—He teacheth God’s providence.—He sheweth the blessedness of 
+affliction.—God is the defender of the afflicted.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small> God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance 
+belongeth, shew thyself.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lift up thyself, thou Judge of the earth: render a reward to the 
+proud.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>How long</i> shall they utter <i>and</i> speak hard things? <i>and</i> all the 
+workers of iniquity boast themselves?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They break in pieces thy people, O L<small>ORD</small>, and afflict thine heritage:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yet they say, The L<small>ORD</small> shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob 
+regard <i>it</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Understand, ye brutish among the people; and, <i>ye</i> fools, when will ye 
+be wise?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, 
+shall he not see?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth 
+man knowledge, <i>shall not he know?</i></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> knoweth the thoughts of man, that they <i>are</i> vanity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> the man whom thou chastenest, O L<small>ORD</small>, and teachest him 
+out of thy law;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the 
+pit be digged for the wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his 
+inheritance:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But judgment shall return unto righteousness; and all the upright in 
+heart shall follow it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers? <i>or</i> who will stand up 
+for me against the workers of iniquity?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Unless the L<small>ORD</small> <i>had been</i> my help, my soul had almost dwelt in 
+silence.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O L<small>ORD</small>, held me up.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my 
+soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth 
+mischief by a law?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and 
+condemn the innocent blood.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the L<small>ORD</small> is my defence; and my God <i>is</i> the rock of my refuge.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them 
+off in their own wickedness; <i>yea</i>, the L<small>ORD</small> our God shall cut them 
+off.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a general but a most fervent prayer, filled with the feelings 
+of an afflicted and sorrowful heart, grieving that the blood of the 
+Abels should be shed and drank up, with such iniquity and cruelty, by 
+Cainish hypocrites.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist complains, (as I consider it,) not of hostile nations, 
+but of those domestic hypocrites and enemies, who will have it to 
+appear that they, yea, that they alone, are the people of God; that 
+is, the Psalmist complains of the wicked kings, and princes, and 
+priests, and prophets, among the people of Israel. It is to these the 
+Psalmist turns, in this apostrophe, “Understand, ye brutish among the 
+people; and, ye fools, when will ye be wise?” He calls these 
+characters “fools;” that is, ignorant and impious despisers of God; 
+because they taught and ruled the people without knowledge, and 
+wickedly.</p>
+
+<p>In a word, the Psalmist here directs his word against all who 
+persecuted the true prophets, and their disciples and followers, and 
+slew them with Cainish hatred, and nevertheless boasted all the while 
+in God, and the name of God; who (they said) had given them power, and 
+made, and defended, and protected them, as magistrates and priests; 
+but who did not regard heretics, who seditiously resisted <i>them</i> that 
+were the princes and magistrates of the people of God. And many such 
+things they continued to say.</p>
+
+<p>Now, against all such the prophet burns with zeal; and (with a certain 
+zealous mimicry, as it were,) imitates their own words and 
+expressions; saying, (that is, meaning that they say,) “The Lord shall 
+not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.” And it is thus 
+that the papists say, in their security, ‘Do you think God regards 
+these heretics! No! he regards us: he has respect unto us, the 
+catholic church, whom we certainly represent in the world.’ Against 
+such as these, the prophet burns with the rage of zeal; and against 
+such he prays, and begs of God, that there may be enough to stand 
+forward for the truth.</p>
+
+<p>But, in the 16th verse, the Psalmist, on the other hand, strikes at 
+the perfidious deceitfulness of the world: “Who (saith he) is on my 
+side? Who will rise up for me against the evil doers?” As if he had 
+said, ‘I know the world careth nothing about this: the blood of God’s 
+Abels is shed, and no one regardeth it. But (continues the holy 
+Psalmist) this is my sure and eternal consolation, that the cause 
+which I love and espouse is the right cause; nay, the cause of God, 
+and not my cause: and I know in whom I have believed.’ I am assured, 
+saith the Psalmist, (verse 20,) that the “seat of the scornful,” and 
+the “counsel of the ungodly,” cleave not, and belong not, unto thee: 
+that is, I am sure that thou, O God, approvest not any impious or 
+blasphemous doctrine. I am sure that thou requirest and demandest the 
+blood, (and every drop of that blood,) and the tears, of the Abels, at 
+the hands of their persecutors; and that thou wilt keep, and fulfil, 
+and glorify thy word, even in the midst of the death of thy saints; 
+and that thou wilt revenge all blasphemy and wickedness against thee 
+and them.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God for his greatness, and for his goodness, 
+and not to tempt him.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O come, let us sing unto the L<small>ORD</small>; let us make a joyful noise to the 
+rock of our salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful 
+noise unto him with psalms.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> a great God, and a great King above all gods.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In his hand <i>are</i> the deep places of the earth; the strength of the 
+hills is his also.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sea <i>is</i> his, and he made it; and his hands formed the dry <i>land</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the L<small>ORD</small> our 
+Maker.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he <i>is</i> our God; and we <i>are</i> the people of his pasture, and the 
+sheep of his hand. To-day, if ye will hear his voice,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, <i>and</i> as <i>in</i> the day of 
+temptation in the wilderness:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Forty years long was I grieved with <i>this</i> generation, and said, It 
+<i>is</i> a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my 
+ways:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my 
+rest.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prophecy concerning Christ, and its contents are fully 
+and learnedly explained in the Apostle’s epistle to the Hebrews. It 
+prophecies concerning the time of the New Testament, and sets forth 
+the lovely and sweet voice of the gospel. In a word, the Psalmist 
+instructs us in, and allures us to, the knowledge of the riches of the 
+grace of God; which riches were known to our fathers as well as unto 
+us, in the promised seed—Christ.</p>
+
+<p>‘Come (saith the Psalmist) and let us rejoice in the Lord. Come ye 
+that are afar off and ye that are near, and let us exult in the Lord; 
+let us triumph in the God of such salvation:’ that is, Come and let us 
+rejoice with the whole triumph of our hearts, in that infinite benefit 
+and mercy—the granted grace of Christ! Since we have such promises, 
+let us not neglect such great salvation. For to believe in the promise 
+of grace, contrary to all the objections of conscience, the 
+temptations of Satan, and the fears of the heart, is the true worship 
+of God!</p>
+
+<p>In a word, the Psalmist warns against unbelief. “Harden not your 
+hearts (says he) as ye did at Massah and Meribah in the desert: your 
+fathers, on account of their unbelief, entered not into the holy land 
+of promise.”</p>
+
+<p>The whole of this Psalm is to be referred to Christ: for he is that 
+blessed God in whom we ought to rejoice, and whom the Psalmist would 
+have to be known. He is our Shepherd, and we are the sheep of his 
+pasture. He is that God, whom our fathers tempted in the desert, as 
+Paul saith, (1 Cor. x.) It was he who took out of the way the law, and 
+abolished all the ceremonial worship of the Old Testament. He will no 
+longer have the worship established by Moses; but he will have faith 
+in the gospel, the preaching of the remission of sins, and that one 
+true offering—praise, instead of the whole Levitical worship.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God,—for his greatness,—for his kingdom,—for 
+his general judgment.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O sing unto the L<small>ORD</small> a new song: sing unto the L<small>ORD</small>, 
+all the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto the L<small>ORD</small>, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day 
+to day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> great, and greatly to be praised: he <i>is</i> to be 
+feared above all gods.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For all the gods of the nations <i>are</i> idols: but the L<small>ORD</small> made the 
+heavens.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Honour and majesty <i>are</i> before him: strength and beauty <i>are</i> in his 
+sanctuary.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give unto the L<small>ORD</small>, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the L<small>ORD</small> 
+glory and strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give unto the L<small>ORD</small> the glory <i>due unto</i> his name: bring an offering, 
+and come into his courts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O worship the L<small>ORD</small> in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the 
+earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Say among the heathen <i>that</i> the L<small>ORD</small> reigneth: the world also shall 
+be established that it shall not be moved; he shall judge the people 
+righteously.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, 
+and the fulness thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the field be joyful, and all that <i>is</i> therein: then shall all the 
+trees of the wood rejoice</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Before the L<small>ORD</small>: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he 
+shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his 
+truth.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning the kingdom of Christ, and the spreading 
+of the gospel over the whole world and before every creature; which 
+gospel will be a word of joy and thanksgiving, of peace, of rejoicing, 
+and of a continued sacrifice of praise: as the clear text of the Psalm 
+of itself plainly shows.</p>
+
+<p>Here, commandment is given to all nations, kingdoms, peoples, woods, 
+rivers, fountains, trees, &amp;c. that they should praise and magnify the 
+Lord, and celebrate his name with rejoicing, because he judgeth the 
+world in righteousness and in truth: that is, because, through Christ, 
+the promised seed, he delivers, and will deliver the people from sin, 
+from the power of the devil, from the wrath of God, and from eternal 
+death: and because, instead of the kingdom of death and of darkness, 
+he sets up the kingdom of light, of the remission of sins, and of 
+eternal life, before all men.</p>
+
+<p>This is that most joyful shout of victory, that peculiar song, that 
+most sweet note of the New Testament, concerning the kingdom and grace 
+of Christ; in which kingdom there are born new men and new creatures; 
+not by the law or by the works of Moses, but by faith, by the Spirit 
+of God through Christ, so that each believer is a new creature and a 
+marvellous work of God; and all believers daily do marvellous works 
+and are marvellous monuments, in that they continue in spiritual life, 
+and are finally conquerors over the mighty powers of sin and the 
+devil; hence it is that David says, verse 1. “Declare his wonders 
+among all people.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The majesty of God’s kingdom.—The church rejoiceth at God’s judgments 
+upon idolaters.—An exhortation to godliness and gladness.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles 
+be glad <i>thereof</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Clouds and darkness <i>are</i> round about him: righteousness and judgment 
+<i>are</i> the habitation of his throne.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw and trembled.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The hills melted like wax at the presence of the L<small>ORD</small>, at the presence 
+of the L<small>ORD</small> of the whole earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his 
+glory.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves 
+of idols: worship him, all <i>ye</i> gods.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because 
+of thy judgments, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou, L<small>ORD</small>, <i>art</i> high above all the earth: thou art exalted far 
+above all gods.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ye that love the L<small>ORD</small>, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his 
+saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in 
+heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Rejoice in the L<small>ORD</small>, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance 
+of his holiness.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This also, like the preceding, is a prophecy concerning Christ and his 
+kingdom; and the sum of it is to proclaim, that Christ establishes and 
+strengthens his spiritual kingdom by the gospel; wherein he preaches 
+repentance, and whereby his lightnings and thunders terrify the whole 
+world, and cause the mountains to melt like wax before the fire of his 
+face: that is, by the gospel he condemns, casts down, and humbles all 
+human righteousness, human wisdom, and human patience, throughout the 
+world, and brings down every thing that is high and lifted up; as 
+Isaiah saith, chapter 3, “And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that 
+day.” For Christ alone is our “righteousness, our sanctification, and 
+our redemption,” and that by the counsel of God, as it is written, 
+“There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved, 
+but Jesus Christ and him crucified.”</p>
+
+<p>Together also with these enemies of the gospel and these mountains of 
+the world, the ceremonial kingdom of the Jews perisheth, and all the 
+outward worship of the law, and, indeed, every thing that is not in 
+Christ. For he (as the apostle Paul saith, Col. i.) “in all things 
+hath the pre-eminence.” And again, “For there is one Mediator between 
+God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.” And so also, in Daniel, The stone 
+cut out of the mountain filled the world, and broke in pieces all 
+other kingdoms.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The Psalmist exhorteth the Jews, the Gentiles, and all the creatures 
+to praise God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O sing unto the L<small>ORD</small> a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: 
+his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he 
+openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: 
+all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make a joyful noise unto the L<small>ORD</small>, all the earth: make a loud noise, 
+and rejoice, and sing praise.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto the L<small>ORD</small> with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a 
+psalm.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the L<small>ORD</small>, 
+the King.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that 
+dwell therein.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the floods clap <i>their</i> hands; let the hills be joyful together</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Before the L<small>ORD</small>; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness 
+shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This again is a prophecy concerning the preaching of Christ and the 
+spread of his kingdom, and it is of the same subject as the two 
+preceding Psalms; it calls upon us to rejoice in God, to triumph, to 
+give thanks, and to praise God for that great salvation: that is, to 
+preach the remission of sins, and those riches of grace which are by 
+Christ Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>In this Psalm you again have set before you what is the highest 
+worship of God, namely, that of the New Testament; which standeth not 
+in the offering of thanks in Jerusalem, but in knowing Christ,—that 
+King who ruleth the people in righteousness; who is himself righteous, 
+and who maketh the people righteous throughout the world; and who 
+alone delivereth them from sin, from death, and from the power of the 
+devil; and doeth it all without any merit of theirs.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM XCIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The prophet, setting forth the kingdom of God in Zion,—exhorteth 
+all, by the example of forefathers, to worship God at his holy hill.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth <i>between</i> the 
+cherubims; let the earth be moved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> great in Zion; and he <i>is</i> high above all 
+the people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them praise thy great and terrible name; <i>for</i> it <i>is</i> holy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, 
+thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Exalt ye the L<small>ORD</small> our God, and worship at his footstool; <i>for</i> he <i>is</i> 
+holy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call 
+upon his name; they called upon the L<small>ORD</small>, and he answered them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, 
+and the ordinance <i>that</i> he gave them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou answeredst them, O L<small>ORD</small> our God: thou wast a God that forgavest 
+them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Exalt the L<small>ORD</small> our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the L<small>ORD</small> our 
+God <i>is</i> holy.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a Psalm of blessed doctrine. It exhorts the people of 
+God to preserve sacredly that true worship of the first commandment, 
+the praising of God alone, and the continuing in the faith of him, 
+although the nations on all sides and the whole world should roar 
+against that people who glory in being the people of God, and who know 
+that God is to be found no where but in this and that corner of the 
+earth, in that tabernacle, in that sanctuary, and at that mercy-seat, 
+where the word and the promise of God are preached. And the Psalm 
+shows that this true people of God are exposed to the most bitter 
+hatred of the world and of the devil, and to afflictions of every 
+kind.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist mentions, by name, Moses, and Aaron, and Samuel; those 
+best of men among the people of God, who endured great afflictions, 
+both inward and outward, for the sake of the name and the word of God. 
+The Psalmist shows, however, (as is set forth verses 4 and 5.) and 
+teaches this people of God, that the highest worship of God is not 
+placed in ceremonial sacrifices: therefore he says, “Let them praise 
+thy great and terrible name, for it is holy.” “In this kingdom of God, 
+(says the Psalmist,) justice and judgment are loved.” “Thou 
+justifiest,” says he, “thy people;” that is, thou deliverest from sin 
+and death, and extendest unto them the remission of their sins.</p>
+
+<p>And unto us, who are in and of the church of God, the present Psalm is 
+a glorious prophecy of Christ, who governs and rules this church, the 
+true Zion, in the Spirit, throughout the whole world, wheresoever she 
+is. The holy Psalmist shews us, that Christ, sitting at the right hand 
+of the Majesty in the heavens, is there continually as our Sacrificer 
+and our Sacrifice. And he testifies that the whole world rages and 
+roars against this people and church of God, and kills the saints, and 
+loads them with all manner of afflictions, on account of their 
+profession and worship of Christ.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM C.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God cheerfully, for his greatness and for 
+his power.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of Praise.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Make a joyful noise unto the L<small>ORD</small>, all ye lands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Serve the L<small>ORD</small> with gladness; come before his presence with singing.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Know ye that the L<small>ORD</small> he <i>is</i> God: <i>it is</i> he <i>that</i> hath made us, and 
+not we ourselves: <i>we are</i> his people, and the sheep of his pasture.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, <i>and</i> into his courts with 
+praise: be thankful unto him, <i>and</i> bless his name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> good, his mercy <i>is</i> everlasting; and his truth 
+<i>endureth</i> to all generations.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm again is a prophecy concerning Christ. It calls upon all to 
+rejoice, to triumph, and to give thanks; to enter his gates with 
+thanksgiving, and his courts and sanctuary with praise: because, by 
+the gospel and the preaching of the remission of sins, that kingdom of 
+Christ is established and strengthened, which shall remain and stand 
+for ever: and for the setting-up of which kingdom thanks are for ever 
+to be given.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David maketh a vow and profession of godliness.</i>
+</small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, will I sing.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O! when wilt thou come 
+unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them 
+that turn aside, <i>it</i> shall not cleave to me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked 
+<i>person</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that 
+hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eyes <i>shall be</i> upon the faithful of the land, that they may 
+dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that 
+telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off 
+all wicked doers from the city of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains a most solemn and necessary doctrine: and David 
+puts forth himself, so great a king, as an example. He teaches that 
+impious members and courtiers ought not to be borne with by any godly 
+magistrate or prince. He recounts also the iniquities, by which those 
+who are in the courts of kings and princes, more especially harm the 
+state and the church. He shews that they do the greatest evil when 
+they are given to sin or to false doctrine; and when they injure the 
+causes of good men by their hatred of them.</p>
+
+<p>In the opening of the Psalm David says, “I will sing of mercy and of 
+judgment:” that is as if he had said, ‘I will sing that God most 
+certainly, according to the word of the first commandment, visits the 
+godly with mercy, and the ungodly with judgment, at all times.’ Of 
+this visiting mercy David was himself an example, seeing that he had 
+been so many times delivered from the very claws and jaws of the 
+devil. And of the divine visitations of judgment, Absalom, Ahithophel, 
+Joab, and others, were examples. And every king and magistrate, who 
+sets himself to defend the true religion, and to do good to his 
+nation, is at once exposed to the hatred of all men, even of his own 
+family and court: which is plainly seen in the case of Absalom, 
+Ahithophel, and other persecutors of David.</p>
+
+<p>Hence it is that David, having so often experienced God’s fulfilment 
+of the word of his first commandment, sings in all places and at all 
+times, ‘that God is God over all, exercising mercy and judgment.’ And 
+it is with God alone that a kingdom and commonwealth can be rightly 
+governed: for where God is not, there all things are scattered and in 
+confusion, and neither families are subject to their heads, nor 
+citizens to their rulers.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The prophet in his prayer maketh a grievous complaint.—He taketh 
+comfort in the eternity and mercy of God.—The mercies of God are to be 
+recorded.—He sustaineth his weakness by the unchangeableness of God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his 
+complaint before the L<small>ORD</small>.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hear my prayer, O L<small>ORD</small>, and let my cry come unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hide not thy face from me in the day <i>when</i> I am in trouble; incline 
+thine ear unto me: in the day <i>when</i> I call, answer me speedily.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an 
+hearth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat 
+my bread.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones cleave to my skin.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house-top.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine enemies reproach me all the day; <i>and</i> they that are mad against 
+me are sworn against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me 
+up, and cast me down.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My days <i>are</i> like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like 
+grass.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou, O L<small>ORD</small>, shalt endure for ever, and thy remembrance unto all 
+generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou shalt arise, <i>and</i> have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour 
+her, yea, the set time, is come.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust 
+thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So the heathen shall fear the name of the L<small>ORD</small>, and all the kings of 
+the earth thy glory.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When the L<small>ORD</small> shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their 
+prayer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people which 
+shall be created shall praise the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven 
+did the L<small>ORD</small> behold the earth;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are 
+appointed to death;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To declare the name of the L<small>ORD</small> in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days; thy years 
+<i>are</i> throughout all generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens 
+<i>are</i> the work of thy hands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax 
+old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they 
+shall be changed:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But thou <i>art</i> the same, and thy years shall have no end.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be 
+established before thee.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer of an afflicted and tempted heart, miserably 
+sighing and praying for deliverance and the coming of the kingdom of 
+God. And indeed the whole sum and substance of this Psalm is, “Thy 
+kingdom come.”</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm may be used as a general prayer. It was used especially by 
+the fathers under the law: who being most spiritual men, and knowing 
+the infinite weight of sin, and the kingdom of death, longed for the 
+coming and revelation of Christ, the kingdom of grace, and the 
+blessing promised.</p>
+
+<p>“Have mercy upon Zion (saith the Psalmist) for the time to have mercy 
+upon her is come.” For thy servants (saith he) long for her to be 
+built up again, and for the stones and cement to be made ready: that 
+is, they long for that grace and that blessing to be revealed unto all 
+nations, and to be preached in all kingdoms; that those who are 
+captives and in chains under the power of the devil and of sin, and 
+who are the sons of wrath and death, may be delivered; and that there 
+may flow together into the true Zion, the church of God, those out of 
+all nations and kingdoms, who may magnify the name of the Lord, and 
+may preach and hear the gospel, and that all the rigid demands and 
+ceremonies of the law, and the whole of the Old Testament 
+dispensation, may cease. For out of and without Christ there is 
+nothing but the kingdom of sin and death: that is, a continual misery 
+and distress in this life, by various and hard temptations of the 
+devil and the world: and also a shortness of life itself, and that 
+life changeable and uncertain, full of sorrow and full of death; which 
+life the godly consider it a “gain” to have shortened and finished: as 
+the apostle saith, “to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”</p>
+
+<p>But amidst all this misery, in Christ is consolation and eternal life; 
+for he is before every creature; he created the heaven and the earth, 
+and by him all things consist; and he also, in the regeneration, will 
+renew the heavens and the earth. Hence he is independent of and above 
+all time and years, and of his years there is no end. He now dies no 
+more, death hath no more dominion over him. For this kingdom of life 
+and of salvation (saith the Psalmist) we pray and long. May this 
+kingdom come. Amen.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to bless God for his mercy, and for the constancy 
+thereof.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Bless the L<small>ORD</small>, O my soul; and all that is within me, <i>bless</i> his holy 
+name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bless the L<small>ORD</small>, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving 
+kindness and tender mercies;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who satisfieth thy mouth with good <i>things; so that</i> thy youth is 
+renewed like the eagle’s.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> executeth righteousness and judgment for all <i>that are</i> 
+oppressed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of 
+Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in 
+mercy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He will not alway chide; neither will he keep <i>his anger</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to 
+our iniquities.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For as the heaven is high above the earth, <i>so</i> great is his mercy 
+toward them that fear him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As far as the east is from the west, <i>so</i> far hath he removed our 
+transgressions from us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Like as a father pitieth <i>his</i> children, <i>so</i> the L<small>ORD</small> pitieth them 
+that fear him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we <i>are</i> dust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>As for</i> man, his days <i>are</i> as grass; as a flower of the field, so he 
+flourisheth:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof 
+shall know it no more.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But the mercy of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> from everlasting to everlasting upon 
+them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his 
+commandments to do them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom 
+ruleth over all.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bless the L<small>ORD</small>, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his 
+commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bless ye the L<small>ORD</small>, all <i>ye</i> his hosts; <i>ye</i> ministers of his that do 
+his pleasure.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bless the L<small>ORD</small>, all his works, in all places of his dominion: bless 
+the L<small>ORD</small>, O my soul.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a glorious Psalm, and full of the most ardent feelings and 
+exercises of faith, and of a believing heart, a heart acknowledging 
+the infinite mercies of God, both temporal and spiritual. “Bless the 
+Lord (saith the Psalmist), O my soul,” &amp;c. The Psalmist embraces, in 
+the first three verses, six kinds of divine mercies and benefits, for 
+which he exhorts all the godly to give praise unto God with their 
+whole heart, and to celebrate his great and holy name.</p>
+
+<p>The first kind of mercy enumerated is the remission of all our sins in 
+Christ, and for Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and High-priest: who 
+by himself sustained the just and infinite wrath of God, which burned 
+against our sins: who offered himself a sacrifice to God for them; by 
+which offering he reconciled unto us the Eternal Father, and now 
+pleads for us with an unceasing and prevailing intercession.</p>
+
+<p>The second kind of mercy is the healing of those manifold, and by no 
+means light infirmities, which shall remain in the flesh of the 
+saints, as long as they live in this world: all which remnant of sins 
+God, for Christ’s sake, imputeth not unto them that believe: nor does 
+he only cover those sins by not imputing them, but he moreover purges 
+them away, by the gift of his Holy Spirit.</p>
+
+<p>The third kind of mercy is a continual and daily protection and 
+defence against all the dangers of death, into numbers of which we 
+continually fall; and into more and greater of which we should fall by 
+fire, by water, by sword, by pestilence, and other means of 
+destruction, and be destroyed by them on account of the deserts of our 
+sins, if God did not in his mercy prevent and save and preserve our 
+lives.</p>
+
+<p>The fourth kind of mercy is a manifold dispensation of the grace of 
+God, wherewith he covers and defends us with a shield, and crowns us, 
+giving us the Holy Spirit, and strengthening our minds with the true 
+doctrine against all doubts, and with true consolation in all perils 
+and evils; and bestowing on the godly many and various gifts.</p>
+
+<p>The fifth kind of mercy is that boldness wherewith by the aid and 
+urgency of the Holy Spirit, we fearlessly preach before the world 
+these great mercies of God toward us: whereby many others also may 
+learn to acknowledge and lay hold of the goodness of God in Christ, 
+and, embracing it themselves in the true faith, may, with us, magnify 
+and call upon God.</p>
+
+<p>The sixth kind of mercy is the restoration of our depraved nature by 
+Christ into the image of God; into which image we being renewed by the 
+Holy Ghost, begin with full purpose of heart to obey God; and so 
+continue, until, being made perfect in the life to come, we may be 
+able to render a full obedience with our whole unimpeded powers.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist, therefore, first renders thanks to God for his spiritual 
+benefits; and then he from his heart thanks God for bestowing 
+blessings of every kind,—peace, good magistrates, good laws, good 
+wives, good children, the fruits of the earth, and all needful 
+provision. The Psalmist sets forth God as a most kind Father towards 
+us (who are nothing but a loathsome sore, full of sin) and as not 
+dealing with us according to our sins, but treating and protecting us, 
+according to his infinite grace and mercy, as dear children: yet so 
+that he will have us to keep his covenant and his counsel: that is, to 
+believe in him, to fear him, and to have him for our God. For if we 
+trust in our own works or righteousnesses, we thereby immediately 
+break his covenant, and walk not in his counsel, and follow strange 
+gods, and thus sin against the First Commandment.</p>
+
+<p>Now this fulfilling of the law, and keeping the covenant of God, is in 
+and through Christ alone, who was then promised to the fathers, but 
+now in these last days has been given unto us; and manifested; whose 
+kingdom shall rule over all.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the Psalm, when the Psalmist calls upon the angels and 
+the hosts of God, the powers and the dominions, to praise and magnify 
+him, he means Christ and the church and the apostles who cause his 
+word to be heard. For all our salvation is in Christ, and there is no 
+grace out of Christ; who is preached by the angels; that is, by the 
+apostles.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>A meditation upon the mighty power, and wonderful providence of 
+God.—God’s glory is eternal.—The prophet voweth perpetually to praise God.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Bless the L<small>ORD</small>, O my soul. O L<small>ORD</small> my God, thou art very great; thou 
+art clothed with honour and majesty:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who coverest <i>thyself</i> with light as <i>with</i> a garment; who stretchest 
+out the heavens like a curtain;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the 
+clouds his chariot; who walketh upon the wings of the wind;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Who</i> laid the foundations of the earth, <i>that</i> it should not be 
+removed for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou coveredst it with the deep as <i>with</i> a garment; the waters stood 
+above the mountains.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>At thy rebuke they fled: at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys, unto the 
+place which thou hast founded for them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over, that they turn not 
+again to cover the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sendeth the springs into the valleys, <i>which</i> run among the hills.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench 
+their thirst.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, <i>which</i> 
+sing among the branches.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with 
+the fruit of thy works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service 
+of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And wine <i>that</i> maketh glad the heart of man, <i>and</i> oil to make <i>his</i> 
+face to shine, and bread <i>which</i> strengthened man’s heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The trees of the L<small>ORD</small> are full <i>of sap:</i> the cedars of Lebanon, which 
+he hath planted;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Where the birds make their nests: <i>as for</i> the stork, the fir-trees 
+<i>are</i> her house.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The high hills <i>are</i> a refuge for the wild goats, <i>and</i> the rocks for 
+the conies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou makest darkness, and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the 
+forest do creep <i>forth</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in 
+their dens.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Man goeth forth unto his work, and to his labour, until the evening.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: 
+the earth is full of thy riches;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>So is</i> this great and wide sea, wherein <i>are</i> things creeping 
+innumerable, both small and great beasts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There go the ships; <i>there is</i> that leviathan, <i>whom</i> thou hast made 
+to play therein.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>These wait all upon thee, that them mayest give <i>them</i> their meat in 
+due season.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>That</i> thou givest them, they gather; thou openest thine hand, they 
+are filled with good.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their 
+breath, they die, and return to their dust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the 
+face of the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The glory of the L<small>ORD</small> shall endure for ever: the L<small>ORD</small> shall rejoice in 
+his works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; he toucheth the hills, and 
+they smoke.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will sing unto the L<small>ORD</small> as long as I live; I will sing praise to my 
+God while I have my being.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My meditation of him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no 
+more. Bless thou the L<small>ORD</small>, O my soul. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a most spiritual song and a Psalm of glory to God. It is drawn 
+out of the First Commandment: and with a grand enumeration of all the 
+creatures of God, it sets forth and exalts the whole work of creation. 
+By this recounting of the works of creation the Psalmist’s design is 
+to show, that all the creatures, whether those in the heavens, those 
+in the earth, or those in the sea, are monuments of the goodness of 
+God. And what orator or what poet ever has existed, or ever will 
+exist, with an eloquence adequate to describe the infinite use and 
+benefits of even one creature of God. If any one of those creatures 
+were gifted with speech, so as to declare its own nature and value, it 
+would praise God with a thousand tongues. Not only, therefore, the 
+whole of God’s works together, as one glorious universe, but each one 
+creature, if you would explain its nature and use, exceeds all the 
+eloquence of men and angels.</p>
+
+<p>What philosopher or sage could even open or utter the extent of the 
+use and blessings of common light, in which we live? What one of them 
+could ever explain what that is which we call light, in which we all 
+breathe, all are nourished, and all live; by which the night and 
+darkness are dispelled in one short moment; by which the whole 
+creation is rendered visible, and as it were, recreated; and by which 
+all creatures, from out of one same obscure darkness, receive each 
+their proper hues and colours?</p>
+
+<p>Who, again, can recount the benefit and blessings of that one creature 
+the sun? and then those of the moon? Who can enumerate the blessings 
+of fire, of water, of fountains and springs? If one creature were 
+deprived for one short hour of the blessings of fire or of water, you 
+would in a moment see the wide and infinite benefit of one of those 
+creatures of God.</p>
+
+<p>But alas! who can even touch one of these creatures with anything like 
+a due comment or reflection! And yet, when heathen men have 
+contemplated the whole universe of creatures so diligently, (as we see 
+it done in Cicero’s second book ‘De Natura Deorum;’) and have thence 
+gathered and concluded that there exists some eternal Deity who 
+created and who governs all these things; it would be a shame in one 
+professing the fear and worship of that God, to be cold and not 
+affected with these same things, and not to meditate and reflect upon 
+them.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm, therefore, is a Psalm of thanksgiving for all the 
+creatures which God has created, whether in the heavens, in the earth, 
+or in the sea; and a rendering of thanks unto God also, that he hath 
+made a covenant with the day and the night, and hath given laws to the 
+heaven and the earth; laws so certain that they cannot be moved, but 
+continue in their appointed order. The moon, saith the Psalmist, 
+distinguished the seasons; the sun knoweth his going down; the day 
+cometh, and also the night; the summer returns at its appointed time, 
+and the winter also in its season. Thou fillest, saith he, that 
+immense space of the heaven with light: thou stretchest out the heaven 
+itself like a curtain, which resteth not on any beams or columns: and 
+thou suspendest the mighty range of clouds, at thy word, like a 
+glorious canopy. The winds rise, and blow over and blow through all 
+things, having neither wings nor feathers. And the angels whom thou 
+sendest forth, saith he, fulfil their commands like the winds, and 
+like a “flame of fire.”</p>
+
+<p>Hence the prophet, as you see, has all these things depicted in his 
+mind, and his faith is kindled by a meditation on this wonderful and 
+ineffable work of creation. But, alas! how few, how very few, are 
+there who thus look into, meditate on, and admire these created 
+things? Here, therefore, with a view to reprove both the indolence and 
+the wickedness of certain characters, I cannot help transcribing the 
+words of Cicero, a heathen, who cites another heathen, Aristotle: 
+‘Aristotle,’ says Cicero, ‘has most greatly and beautifully spoken 
+thus. “If there could be men, who had lived under the earth in grand 
+and noble habitations; habitations adorned with paintings and works of 
+art, and with all those embellishments which ornament the houses of 
+those who are now accounted wealthy and happy; and if it could so be 
+that such subterranean inhabitants had never been above ground, but 
+had heard by fame and report that there was a certain Deity, and a 
+certain Almighty power of that Deity; and then if it could so be, 
+that, at a certain time, the doors of the earth’s surface should be 
+thrown open, and they should come forth from their subterranean 
+abysses into these above-ground regions which we inhabit:—when such 
+men beheld, on a sudden, the earth, the sea, and the heavens; when 
+they saw the expanded grandeur of the clouds, and felt the mighty 
+power of the winds; when they looked up to the sun and beheld his 
+glorious magnitude and his beauty, and knew something of his influence 
+and efficacy in all creation,—that it is he, who, by diffusing his 
+light through the whole heaven, makes the day; and when such mortals, 
+newly admitted on earth, should see by the departure of the sun the 
+whole creation veiled in the darkness of night, while the whole heaven 
+was studded and bespangled with stars; and when they saw and 
+understood the various degrees of the light of the moon, and the 
+increasings and decreasings of that heavenly body; and the various 
+risings and settings of all the celestial luminaries; and, finally, 
+when such astonished and contemplating strangers on the earth’s 
+surface should know the appointed and never-erring and never-varying 
+courses and revolutions of all these glorious creatures,—they would, 
+with one voice, confess that there was a God, and that all these 
+creatures were the works of that God! But our minds, by daily use, 
+become insensible to these things; and as we daily see all these 
+creatures we inquire not their nature, nor wonder at their glory: as 
+if the novelty of such things, and not their greatness and glory, is 
+that which should lead us to meditate on their natures, and the ends 
+of their creation.”’ Thus far Cicero, the heathen! I shall perhaps be 
+deemed by some a silly man for bringing forth these things out of the 
+books of a heathen! Let those that would fear God, then, remember what 
+is required of them!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>An exhortation to praise God, and to seek out his works.—The story of 
+God’s providence over Abraham,—over Joseph,—over Jacob, in Egypt,—over 
+Moses delivering the Israelites,—over the Israelites brought out of 
+Egypt, fed in the wilderness, and planted in Canaan.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>; call upon his name: make known his deeds 
+among the people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>; call upon his name: make known his deeds 
+among the people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous 
+works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Seek the L<small>ORD</small>, and his strength: seek his face evermore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the 
+judgments of his mouth;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small> our God: his judgments <i>are</i> in all the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word <i>which</i> he 
+commanded to a thousand generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which <i>covenant</i> he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, <i>and</i> to Israel <i>for</i> an 
+everlasting covenant:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your 
+inheritance:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When there were <i>but</i> a few men in number: yea, very few, and 
+strangers in it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When they went from one nation to another, from <i>one</i> kingdom to 
+another people;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their 
+sakes;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Saying</i>, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole 
+staff of bread.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sent a man before them, <i>even</i> Joseph, <i>who</i> was sold for a 
+servant:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Until the time that his word came: the word of the L<small>ORD</small> tried him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The king sent and loosed him: <i>even</i> the ruler of the people, and let 
+him go free.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their 
+enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his 
+servants.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sent Moses his servant; <i>and</i> Aaron whom he had chosen.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their 
+kings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, <i>and</i> lice in all 
+their coasts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He gave them hail for rain, <i>and</i> flaming fire in their land.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He smote their vines also and their fig-trees; and brake the trees of 
+their coasts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without 
+number,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of 
+their ground.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He smote also all the first-born in their land, the chief of all their 
+strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and <i>there was</i> not 
+one feeble <i>person</i> among their tribes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon 
+them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>The people</i> asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the 
+bread of heaven.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry 
+places <i>like</i> a river.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he remembered his holy promise, <i>and</i> Abraham his servant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he brought forth his people with joy, <i>and</i> his chosen with 
+gladness:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And gave them the lands of the heathen; and they inherited the labour 
+of the people;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of particular thanksgiving; and a song especially 
+adapted to the people of the Jews; that in the use of this Psalm they 
+might render thanks unto God for all those, his wonderful works, which 
+he wrought from Abraham down to the time when they were led into the 
+promised land of Canaan. And the Psalmist, having recounted all these 
+glorious works in their order, concludes with that word of Moses, 
+(Deut. ix.) “That God did not do all these mighty works on account of 
+any righteousness or merit of theirs, but because of the covenant and 
+the promise which he had made with their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and 
+Jacob:” for how righteous they were and what they deserved at the hand 
+of God, is sung in the Psalm following.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The Psalmist exhorteth to praise God.—He prayeth for pardon of sin, 
+as God did with the fathers.—The story of the people’s rebellion, and 
+God’s mercy.—He concludeth with prayer and praise.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. O give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>; for <i>he is</i> good: for 
+his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who can utter the mighty acts of the L<small>ORD</small>? <i>who</i> can shew forth all 
+his praise?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>are</i> they that keep judgment, <i>and</i> he that doeth 
+righteousness at all times.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember me, O L<small>ORD</small>, with the favour <i>that thou bearest unto</i> thy 
+people: O visit me with thy salvation;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the 
+gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have 
+done wickedly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not 
+the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked <i>him</i> at the sea, <i>even</i> at 
+the Red Sea.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his 
+mighty power to be known.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them 
+through the depths, as through the wilderness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he saved them from the hand of him that hated <i>them</i>, and redeemed 
+them from the hand of the enemy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the 
+desert.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They envied Moses also in the camp, <i>and</i> Aaron the saint of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of 
+Abiram.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the 
+wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth 
+grass.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They forgat God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wondrous works in the land of Ham, <i>and</i> terrible things by the Red 
+Sea.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen 
+stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should
+destroy <i>them</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, they despised the pleasant land; they believed not his word;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But murmured in their tents, <i>and</i> hearkened not unto the voice of the 
+L<small>ORD</small>:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the 
+wilderness:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in 
+the lands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of 
+the dead.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thus they provoked <i>him</i> to anger with their inventions; and the 
+plague brake in upon them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and <i>so</i> the plague was 
+stayed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And that was counted unto him for righteousness, unto all generations 
+for evermore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They angered <i>him</i> also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill 
+with Moses for their sakes:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with 
+his lips.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the L<small>ORD</small> commanded 
+them:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And they served their idols; which were a snare unto them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And shed innocent blood, <i>even</i> the blood of their sons, and of their 
+daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land 
+was polluted with blood.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with 
+their own inventions.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore was the wrath of the L<small>ORD</small> kindled against his people, 
+insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated 
+them ruled over them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into 
+subjection under their hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many times did he deliver them: but they provoked <i>him</i> with their 
+counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the 
+multitude of his mercies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them 
+captives.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Save us, O L<small>ORD</small> our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give 
+thanks unto thy holy name, <i>and</i> to triumph in thy praise.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small> God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: 
+and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of acknowledgment, of confession, and of thanksgiving. 
+The Psalmist confesses all those sins of murmuring and unbelief, and 
+those other numerous transgressions against the first commandment, by 
+which the people of Israel provoked God, and rendered themselves 
+utterly unworthy of all his mercies.</p>
+
+<p>At the conclusion of the Psalm, therefore, the Psalmist proclaims the 
+exceeding greatness of the divine mercy of God; whereby he continued 
+mindful of his counsel and his covenant, and did not pour forth all 
+his wrath, but was merciful to them for his own name’s sake. As Moses 
+saith also, (Deut. ix.) “Know ye, that not for your righteousness doth 
+the Lord God give unto you this good land: for ye are a stiff-necked 
+people.” Therefore as the Israelites, the whole of that people of God, 
+could glory in nothing, but that they were saved by the mercy and 
+grace of God; so also we cannot glory in any work or merit of our own, 
+but in the mercy of God only!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The psalmist exhorteth the redeemed, in praising God, to observe his 
+manifold providence, over travellers, over captives, over sick men, 
+over seamen, and in divers varieties of life.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>, for <i>he is</i> good: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the redeemed of the L<small>ORD</small> say <i>so</i>, whom he hath redeemed from the 
+hand of the enemy;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, 
+from the north, and from the south.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city 
+to dwell in.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then they cried unto the L<small>ORD</small> in their trouble, <i>and</i> he delivered 
+them out of their distresses.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city 
+of habitation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh that <i>men</i> would praise the L<small>ORD</small> <i>for</i> his goodness, and <i>for</i> his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with 
+goodness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, <i>being</i> bound in 
+affliction and iron;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the 
+counsel of the Most High:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore he brought down their heart with labour: they fell down, and 
+<i>there was</i> none to help.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then they cried unto the L<small>ORD</small> in their trouble, <i>and</i> he saved them 
+out of their distresses.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake 
+their bands in sunder.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh that <i>men</i> would praise the L<small>ORD</small> <i>for</i> his goodness, and <i>for</i> his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in 
+sunder.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their 
+iniquities, are afflicted:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the 
+gates of death.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then they cry unto the L<small>ORD</small> in their trouble; and he saveth them out 
+of their distresses.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sent his word and healed them, and delivered <i>them</i> from their 
+destructions.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh that <i>men</i> would praise the L<small>ORD</small> <i>for</i> his goodness, and <i>for</i> his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his 
+works with rejoicing.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great 
+waters;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>These see the works of the L<small>ORD</small>, and his wonders in the deep.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the 
+waves thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths; their 
+soul is melted because of trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their 
+wit’s end.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then they cry unto the L<small>ORD</small> in their trouble, and he bringeth them out 
+of their distresses.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto 
+their desired haven.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Oh that <i>men</i> would praise the L<small>ORD</small> <i>for</i> his goodness, and <i>for</i> his 
+wonderful works to the children of men!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise 
+him in the assembly of the elders.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs into dry 
+ground;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell 
+therein.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into 
+water-springs.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city 
+for habitation;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of 
+increase.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, and 
+suffereth not their cattle to decrease.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Again, they are minished, and brought low, through oppression, 
+affliction, and sorrow.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the 
+wilderness, <i>where there is</i> no way.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh <i>him</i> 
+families like a flock.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The righteous shall see <i>it</i>, and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop 
+her mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whoso <i>is</i> wise, and will observe these <i>things</i>, even they shall 
+understand the loving-kindness of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in general; rendering praise for that 
+infinite and incomparable mercy and goodness of God, wherewith he 
+daily helps and succours all men, both the righteous and the wicked, 
+under the various calamities of life, and defends them against the 
+Devil: preserving also the public peace, giving healthfulness of air 
+and climate, and blessing the earth to the springing of its 
+productions; as Paul saith, 2 Tim. ii. “Who is the Saviour of all men, 
+especially of them that believe.”</p>
+
+<p>In the fourth verse, where the Psalmist says, “They wandered in the 
+wilderness in a solitary way,” he refers to all kinds of calamities; 
+and especially to the afflictions of those who are oppressed with 
+poverty, who are exiles, and deserted, and wandering without any 
+certain dwelling-place.</p>
+
+<p>In the ninth verse by those “sitting in darkness,” &amp;c. he means those 
+throughout the whole world, who on account of their own crimes, or for 
+other causes, are held in bonds and in prisons, and who are sometimes 
+delivered by the interposition and help of God himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then again, verse 6, he refers to those who live wickedly and fear not 
+God; on whom God sends diseases and distresses to punish them; of whom 
+some, although they call not upon God, are delivered by his pure mercy 
+alone.</p>
+
+<p>In verse 22, he speaks of those who are in perils on the seas, and 
+there enduring storms and shipwrecks; under which calamities God often 
+delivers wicked sailors, and preserves them from shipwreck and death, 
+and from the power of the Devil, by his mere goodness and mercy.</p>
+
+<p>Verse 32 has reference to those fields and vineyards that are visited 
+with barrenness or any other calamity; unto whom God gives rain and 
+fruitfulness, not according to their merits, but of his abounding 
+mercy, whereby he sendeth rain upon the just and upon the unjust.</p>
+
+<p>Verse 38 applies to those who are oppressed by the Turk or any other 
+tyrants, or by wars and seditions, and whose all in this world is in 
+peril; unto whom God often, on a sudden, gives peace and quietness, as 
+he calmeth the waves of the sea.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm, therefore, shows that all salvation is to be sought and 
+expected from God alone; who will never forsake his people, or his 
+church, or those that trust in him; and that he often bestows these 
+benefits on the Turks, and on the openly impious and profane; even 
+when they are seeking all these great blessings from their idols of 
+wood and stone. And we who profess the name of Christ also, not at all 
+unlike the Turks, leave God our true and only Saviour and implore the 
+help of saints. Hence St. Leonard is worshipped as the liberator of 
+the imprisoned; St. Sebastian is invoked by those who are in dread of 
+pestilence; St. George is the protecting saint of military troops of 
+horse and foot; St. Erasmus is said to bless with riches those that 
+call upon him; St. Christopher is openly worshipped as the god of land 
+and sea; and his image is affixed to all doors of temples, and to all 
+prows of ships, and adored by all sailors. And thus we have divided 
+the glory of God and of his saving mercies, which is due to him alone, 
+unto saints set up by idolatrous men; just in the same way as the 
+heathens gave to their gods the attributes and functions which belong 
+to God only. This Psalm, however, rightly ascribes all the glory to 
+God alone.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David encourageth himself to praise God.—He prayeth for God’s 
+assistance according to his promise.—His confidence in God’s help.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>A Song or Psalm of David.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my 
+glory.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Awake, psaltery and harp; I <i>myself</i> will awake early.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, among the people; and I will sing praises 
+unto thee among the nations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thy mercy is great above the heavens, and thy truth <i>reacheth</i> 
+unto the clouds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and thy glory above all the 
+earth:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That thy beloved may be delivered, save <i>with</i> thy right hand, and 
+answer me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice; I will divide 
+Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Gilead <i>is</i> mine; Manasseh <i>is</i> mine; Ephraim also <i>is</i> the strength 
+of mine head; Judah <i>is</i> my law-giver;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Moab <i>is</i> my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over 
+Philistia will I triumph.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Wilt</i> not <i>thou</i>, O God, <i>who</i> hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O 
+God, go forth with our hosts?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give us help from trouble: for vain <i>is</i> the help of man.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Through God we shall do valiantly: for he <i>it is that</i> shall tread 
+down our enemies.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving of the same substance, and almost in 
+the same words as Psalm lx.; wherein the Psalmist gives thanks for the 
+happy state of his kingdom, for the establishment of the true religion 
+and good government, and for the increase of his dominions.</p>
+
+<p>The first verses of the Psalm, however, refer to the kingdom of 
+Christ. David prays that God would be pleased to set up this kingdom 
+of Christ in all nations; that thus the kingdom and dominion of David 
+may be extended far and wide throughout all nations, according to the 
+promise. For this temporal kingdom of David was confined within very 
+narrow limits in comparison with the whole world, and was a kingdom 
+not likely to be extended over all the nations and people of the 
+earth; and yet this kingdom God promised to enlarge and extend, as in 
+Isaiah, “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall 
+stand for an ensign of the people,” Isa. xi. 10. And again, chapter 
+ix. 7, “Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it 
+and to establish it for ever.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David, complaining of his slanderous enemies, under the person of 
+Judas devoteth them.—He sheweth their sin.—Complaining of his own 
+misery, he prayeth for help.—He promiseth thankfulness.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened 
+against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against 
+me without a cause.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For my love they are my adversaries: but I <i>give myself unto</i> prayer.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer 
+become sin.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let his days be few; <i>and</i> let another take his office.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek 
+<i>their bread</i> also out of their desolate places.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the extortioner catch all that he hath: and let the strangers 
+spoil his labour.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any 
+to favour his fatherless children.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let his posterity be cut off; <i>and</i> in the generation following let 
+their name be blotted out.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the L<small>ORD</small>; and let 
+not the sin of his mother be blotted out.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be before the L<small>ORD</small> continually, that he may cut off the 
+memory of them from the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor 
+and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in 
+blessing, so let it be far from him.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it 
+come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let it be unto him as the garment <i>which</i> covereth him, and for a 
+girdle wherewith he is girded continually.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Let</i> this <i>be</i> the reward of mine adversaries from the L<small>ORD</small>, and of 
+them that speak evil against my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But do thou for me, O G<small>OD</small> the Lord, for thy name’s sake: because thy 
+mercy <i>is</i> good, deliver thou me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I <i>am</i> poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down 
+as the locust.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I became also a reproach unto them: <i>when</i> they looked upon me they 
+shaked their heads.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Help me, O L<small>ORD</small> my God: O save me according to thy mercy:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That they may know that this <i>is</i> thy hand; <i>that</i> thou, L<small>ORD</small>, hast 
+done it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; 
+but let thy servant rejoice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover 
+themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will greatly praise the L<small>ORD</small> with my mouth; yea, I will praise him 
+among the multitude.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save <i>him</i> from 
+those that condemn his soul.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>Certain hypocrites of monks are accustomed to use this Psalm, 
+(generally known by the name of ‘The God of praise,’) as a sort of 
+incantation: and they say that, to a certainty, against what person 
+soever they babble and sing out the terrible words of this Psalm; that 
+man is at once death-struck, and never lives a year afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm, however, is most certainly full of the complaints, tears, 
+and groans of the godly against these very hypocrites themselves. It 
+may be very properly considered as used in the person of Christ, 
+deeply complaining against his betrayers the Jews, and against the 
+cruelty of the Jews, which was not satisfied, even after the shedding 
+of his innocent blood.</p>
+
+<p>Like unto Judas Iscariot, and unto all the Jews, are pharisaical 
+saints and hypocrites, of all nations and ages; of whom Christ doth 
+not say in vain, that they are guilty of all the blood that has been 
+shed from Abel downwards. For so great and bitter is the terribleness 
+and fury of their virulent and Satanic hatred, that they cannot rest 
+satisfied with the shedding of the blood of Abel and all the saints 
+from the beginning of the world, but must hang Christ himself on the 
+cross; and that is not all, they must (as the Psalmist saith, ver. 
+22.) wag their heads at him, and insult and mock his sufferings; “If 
+he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross.”</p>
+
+<p>Concerning these wretches, David says, (ver. 2.) “They have opened 
+their blaspheming mouth against me:” for the raving fury of such 
+hypocrites is incredible. And again he says, “For my love they are my 
+adversaries, but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me 
+evil for good, and hatred for my love.” And again, “They fight against 
+me without a cause.”</p>
+
+<p>These are the true and real colours of these hypocrites who pretend to 
+be in the truth. We have here pourtrayed not only the Cainish 
+countenances of these Iscariots, but their pharisaic and virulent 
+hearts themselves; which are now become organs and instruments of the 
+devil. And we have also here depicted their thoughts, their furious 
+purposes of injuring and harming, by which the minds of such are 
+incessantly actuated. For these embittered wretches knowingly and 
+purposely, and against the light of their own consciences, fight 
+against and deny the known truth; and, as Stephen says, cease not to 
+resist the Holy Ghost. And although they are convinced by natural 
+reason, by the Scriptures, and by their natural understanding, they 
+still reject and fight against God and Christ, and harden themselves 
+in the denial of the truth. And finally, “They delight not in 
+blessing;” but refuse and cast from them God and his Christ.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to all this, they “render evil for good.” The ingratitude 
+of these hypocrites and of the world surely is enough, in not 
+returning any thing for all that good which is offered to them by God 
+himself, and by the saints in his name: but they rest not here; they 
+render, for all this good, hatred and cursing, and a purpose to injure 
+and to destroy: which is manifestly not human, but Satanic cruelty.</p>
+
+<p>But we, the people of God, are hereby admonished throughout all times 
+and ages of the church that, whenever God is pleased to reveal his 
+word, and Christ is preached, so surely will the church have her 
+Judases: that is, so surely will she have her enemies and her 
+hypocrites; who, though they boast of the name of being the church of 
+God, will prove themselves “vipers.”</p>
+
+<p>To set forth, therefore, the terrible judgments that shall fall on 
+those, who thus, with cruelty and without mercy, rage against the 
+people of God, the Psalmist shows (ver. 16.) that God will, to 
+recompense their iniquity, direct his fury also against them, who thus 
+mercilessly oppress “his poor,” and will pour out all his wrath upon 
+them: and that, as these hypocrites so confidently despised God and 
+his saints; and as, though covered with the shed blood, and bathed 
+with the tears of so many saints, they still laughed at their 
+calamities, as if they really sought cursing and not blessing; so, 
+that cursing shall flow in upon them like a river.</p>
+
+<p>And again (saith David) they have cast away the word of God from them, 
+and have rejected and despised the offered salvation, therefore all 
+consolation and salvation shall depart from them, and no more be 
+brought near unto them, neither now nor to all eternity. On the other 
+hand, as they loved cursing, they shall be clothed with it as with a 
+girdle; it shall enter like water into their bowels, and like oil into 
+their bones: and they shall bear about with them, like Cain, 
+everlasting fears and terrors, and shall be tormented unceasingly with 
+the stings of their wickedness and sin; and they shall moreover be 
+exiles, deserted outcasts, vagabonds, and held in contempt of all, as 
+the Jews now are, exhibiting an awful fulfilment of the judgments 
+herein denounced.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The kingdom, the priesthood, the conquest, and the passion of 
+Christ.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make 
+thine enemies thy footstool.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in 
+the midst of thine enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy people <i>shall be</i> willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties 
+of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy 
+youth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou <i>art</i> a priest for ever 
+after the order of Melchizedek.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of 
+his wrath.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill <i>the places</i> with the 
+dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the 
+head.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a peculiar and glorious prophecy concerning the kingdom of 
+Christ. This Psalm is cited by Christ himself, Matt. xxii. and he 
+applies it to his own kingdom and priesthood. It speaks gloriously of 
+Christ sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in the heaven, and as 
+being the son and the seed of David, according to the flesh, and also 
+David’s Lord and God, the Creator and the Maker of all things, all 
+power being given unto him in heaven and in earth: as the apostle also 
+saith, “Who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and 
+declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of 
+holiness.” Rom. i. 3.</p>
+
+<p>Christ cites this Psalm, (which, as we have said, is a very glorious 
+one) to confound the Pharisees. Indeed there is not a Psalm like it in 
+the whole scripture; and it ought to be very dear unto the church; 
+seeing that it confirms that great article of faith—Christ’s sitting 
+at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. For Christ is here 
+declared to be a King and Priest; sitting at God’s right hand, not 
+only as truly man, but also as properly God; the Propitiator and 
+Mediator between God and men; the Omnipotent and the Eternal!</p>
+
+<p>Christ is no where, throughout all the books of the prophets, and of 
+the whole scripture, so plainly and clearly declared to be “a Priest,” 
+and so “a Priest for ever,” who alone did, and alone could abrogate 
+the Aaronic and Levitical priesthood; and who is, and ever will be an 
+eternal propitiation and reconciliation for us; as is most 
+beautifully, most fully, and with a wonderful power of the Holy 
+Spirit, opened by the author of the epistle to the Hebrews.</p>
+
+<p>Hence, this heavenly and golden Psalm has a blessed author (David) and 
+a glorious interpreter (Christ.) And all the apostles, all godly 
+consciences, and all who are not utterly unacquainted with the 
+temptations of sin, and of Satan, know how great and firm a 
+consolation it is against all the violent attacks of the devil, to be 
+able to see Christ as our High Priest. Hence it is that Paul breaks 
+forth into those great words, “If God be for us, who can be against 
+us! Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea, rather 
+that is risen again; who is even at the right hand of God; who also 
+maketh intercession for us.” Rom. viii. 31–34.</p>
+
+<p>It is, therefore, of infinite benefit to the universal church of 
+Christ, that the glorious things of this Psalm, the remission of sins, 
+and the reconciliation of God toward us, which are brought in unto us 
+by the priesthood of Christ, and which are infinite and eternal, are 
+most carefully and most fully explained to us in the epistle to the 
+Hebrews; and that such glorious doctrines of the truth concerning the 
+priesthood of Christ are always present, and ready to our hands.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The Psalmist by his example inciteth others to praise God for his 
+glorious and gracious works.—The fear of God breedeth true wisdom.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. I will praise the L<small>ORD</small> with <i>my</i> whole heart, in 
+the assembly of the upright, and <i>in</i> the congregation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The works of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>are</i> great, sought out of all them that have 
+pleasure therein.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His work <i>is</i> honourable and glorious; and his righteousness endureth 
+for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> 
+gracious and full of compassion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of 
+his covenant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give 
+them the heritage of the heathen.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The works of his hands <i>are</i> verity and judgment; all his commandments 
+<i>are</i> sure.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They stand fast for ever and ever, <i>and are</i> done in truth and 
+uprightness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for 
+ever: holy and reverend <i>is</i> his name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The fear of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> the beginning of wisdom: a good 
+understanding have all they that do <i>his commandments:</i> his praise 
+endureth for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and a song for the people of Israel, 
+to be sung at the feast of the passover, or at the eating of the 
+paschal Lamb. For by this short song the people were instructed to 
+give thanks, and to magnify and praise God for those great and 
+glorious works of his,—the leading them out of Egypt at the first; and 
+also, for giving them a good and divine government, for the priesthood 
+he established, for the law he gave them, and for appointing the 
+preaching of his word; for their feasts and for their Sabbaths, for 
+public peace and a good administration of the laws, and, in a word, 
+for all his infinite mercies: all which I have more fully opened in my 
+more extended commentary on this Psalm.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>Godliness hath the promises of this life, and of the life to 
+come.—The prosperity of the godly shall be an eyesore to the wicked.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. Blessed <i>is</i> the man <i>that</i> feareth the L<small>ORD</small>, 
+<i>that</i> delighteth greatly in his commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright 
+shall be blessed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wealth and riches <i>shall be</i> in his house: and his righteousness 
+endureth for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: <i>he is</i> 
+gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with 
+discretion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in 
+everlasting remembrance.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting 
+in the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His heart <i>is</i> established, he shall not be afraid, until he see <i>his 
+desire</i> upon his enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness 
+endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked shall see <i>it</i>, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his 
+teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation for those that fear God: in which those 
+that truly fear him are encouraged and praised in their Christian 
+conversation: “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,” saith the 
+Psalmist. As if he had said, The people of God appear to them to be of 
+all men the most miserable; and both their life and their doctrine are 
+condemned by the world, and by those tongues which the devil raises up 
+and uses for the work. All things in the saints make them appear to 
+the world, as if they were left and forsaken, and deserted of God, and 
+as if they, and their posterity, and all like them, must surely 
+perish. And then again, their lives and conversations, (though they 
+render most essential services, both to their nation and to the 
+church, and though they conduct themselves blamelessly before God and 
+man,) are, by the malice of the devil, represented as most abominable, 
+and they themselves are looked upon as the contempt and off-scouring 
+of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, all hypocrites in the world are lauded as the 
+saints of God. “But,” as the wise man saith, “better is the little in 
+the house of the righteous, than the great revenues of the wicked.” In 
+the midst of all this false representation, however, the righteous, 
+standing fast in all these their afflictions, and steadily trusting in 
+God, are delivered and saved, and gain blessed consolation, while the 
+wicked perish on every side. “To the upright,” saith the Psalmist, 
+“there ariseth light in darkness.” Here, according to the general 
+language of the scriptures, he calleth consolation, light; and 
+temptation, darkness.</p>
+
+<p>And, then, in the end of the Psalm, that noble and unsubdued 
+steadiness of faith is greatly praised: which, in such mighty 
+struggles, and in such agonizing conflicts, is yet unwearied and 
+unyielding, resting in the promise of God; and which, though 
+contending with such mighty waves, is yet enabled to sing with Paul, 
+“Thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” “He 
+shall not be afraid of evil tidings,” saith the Psalmist, “his heart 
+is fixed, trusting in the Lord: his heart is established, he shall not 
+be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies.” verse 7, 8. For 
+unless there were in us divine strength communicated by Christ, it 
+would be impossible that we could stand against such numerous and 
+mighty assaults of temptation.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God for his excellency,—for his mercy.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the L<small>ORD</small>, praise the name 
+of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed be the name of the L<small>ORD</small> from this time forth and for evermore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the L<small>ORD’S</small> 
+name <i>is</i> to be praised.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> high above all nations, <i>and</i> his glory above the 
+heavens.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who <i>is</i> like unto the L<small>ORD</small> our God, who dwelleth on high,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who humbleth <i>himself</i> to behold <i>the things that are</i> in heaven, and 
+in the earth!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, <i>and</i> lifteth the needy out of 
+the dunghill;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That he may set <i>him</i> with princes, <i>even</i> with the princes of his 
+people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He maketh the barren woman to keep house, <i>and to be</i> a joyful mother 
+of children. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a most conspicuous and most blessed prophecy of the kingdom of 
+Christ, and of its extension from the rising unto the setting of the 
+sun throughout all the kingdoms of the earth: it calls upon all 
+nations to laud and magnify God, and to proclaim the riches of his 
+grace; that is, the remission of sins for Christ’s sake. For Christ is 
+the God of the humble, the God of the afflicted, and the God of those 
+that call upon him and that cry unto him; he is an altogether loving 
+and lovely Saviour and God, who sitteth at the right hand of the 
+Majesty on high, and loves and has respect unto the humble, the 
+afflicted, the oppressed, and the trembling and contrite in heart.</p>
+
+<p>The peculiar and express office of Christ, and the work of the kingdom 
+of Christ is to bring down the proud, to put to shame the wise, and to 
+condemn hypocrites and false saints: and, on the other side, to raise 
+up and exalt the humble, to enlighten and instruct fools, to sanctify 
+unclean sinners, to make fruitful the barren, to comfort the 
+fatherless; that is, those who are in any way afflicted or distressed.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation, by the example of the dumb creatures, to fear God in 
+his church.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of 
+strange language,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Judah was his sanctuary, <i>and</i> Israel his dominion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sea saw <i>it</i>, and fled; Jordan was driven back.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The mountains skipped like rams, <i>and</i> the little hills like lambs,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What <i>ailed</i> thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, <i>that</i> 
+thou wast driven back?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ye mountains, <i>that</i> ye skipped like rams; <i>and</i> ye little hills like 
+lambs?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the L<small>ORD</small>, at the presence of 
+the God of Jacob;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which turned the rock <i>into</i> a standing water, the flint into a 
+fountain of waters.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and a song for the people of Israel, 
+to praise God while celebrating the feast of the passover; to magnify 
+him for bringing them with a high hand out of Egypt, through the Red 
+Sea, through the desert, over mountains, and through Jordan, into the 
+land of promise. We use this Psalm to give thanks unto Christ, who 
+delivered us from the kingdom of darkness, and translated us into the 
+kingdom of light, even into his own kingdom, the kingdom of God’s dear 
+Son, and led us forth into eternal life.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>Because God is truly glorious, and idols are vanity, he exhorteth to 
+confidence in God.—God is to be blessed for his blessings.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Not unto us, O L<small>ORD</small>, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for 
+thy mercy, <i>and</i> for thy truth’s sake.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherefore should the heathen say, Where <i>is</i> now their God?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But our God <i>is</i> in the heavens; he hath done whatsoever he hath 
+pleased.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their idols <i>are</i> silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see 
+not;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell 
+not;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have hands, but they handle not; feet have they, but they walk 
+not; neither speak they through their throat.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that make them are like unto them; <i>so is</i> every one that 
+trusteth in them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O Israel, trust thou in the L<small>ORD</small>; he <i>is</i> their help and their shield.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O house of Aaron, trust in the L<small>ORD</small>; he <i>is</i> their help and their 
+shield.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ye that fear the L<small>ORD</small>, trust in the L<small>ORD</small>; he <i>is</i> their help and their 
+shield.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath been mindful of us; he will bless <i>us:</i> he will bless 
+the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He will bless them that fear the L<small>ORD</small>, <i>both</i> small and great.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall increase you more and more, you and your children.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ye <i>are</i> blessed of the L<small>ORD</small> which made heaven and earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The heaven, <i>even</i> the heavens, <i>are</i> the L<small>ORD’S</small>: but the earth hath 
+he given to the children of men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The dead praise not the L<small>ORD</small>, neither any that go down into silence.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But we will bless the L<small>ORD</small> from this time forth and for evermore. 
+Praise the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a glorious Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the God of Israel is 
+praised, as being the one, only, true, living God, the Saviour of all 
+men, and especially of them that believe; and wherein also, all the 
+other gods of the nations, who can save neither themselves nor others, 
+are confessed, in the true faith, to be dumb idols.</p>
+
+<p>Wherefore the Psalmist, in the first verse, saith “Not unto us, O 
+Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the glory.” As if he had 
+said, ‘Look not upon us, O Lord, to see how good or how righteous we 
+are, for if thou do this, thou wilt never help us, thou wilt never 
+save us; we shall remain a people without salvation, and without God, 
+like all the nations around us; or we shall ever be at an uncertainty 
+whether we shall be saved or not. But look, O our God, at thy holy 
+word, and at the glory of thine own name,—that thou callest thyself 
+our God; and that thou art the true and the living God, with whom is 
+mercy, and with whom is plenteous redemption. According, O Lord, to 
+thy promises of grace, according to thy counsel and thy covenant, in 
+the which thou hast said, “I am the Lord your God;” according to this 
+thy glorious name deal thou with us, O Lord; but not according to any 
+name of ours, whereby we may be called sacrificers, or good-workers, 
+or singers, or fathers, or the like: for all these names the nations 
+that know not thee may assume, and yet remain still nations without 
+God.’</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The psalmist professeth his love and duty to God for his 
+deliverance.—He studieth to be thankful.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I love the L<small>ORD</small>, because he hath heard my voice <i>and</i> my 
+supplications.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon 
+<i>him</i> as long as I live.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon 
+me: I found trouble and sorrow.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then called I upon the name of the L<small>ORD</small>: O L<small>ORD</small>, I beseech thee, 
+deliver my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Gracious <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small>, and righteous; yea, our God <i>is</i> merciful.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the L<small>ORD</small> hath dealt bountifully 
+with thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, 
+<i>and</i> my feet from falling.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will walk before the L<small>ORD</small> in the land of the living.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I said in my haste, All men <i>are</i> liars.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What shall I render unto the L<small>ORD</small> <i>for</i> all his benefits towards me?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will pay my vows unto the L<small>ORD</small> now in the presence of all his 
+people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Precious in the sight of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> the death of his saints.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, truly I <i>am</i> thy servant; I <i>am</i> thy servant, <i>and</i> the son of 
+thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon 
+the name of L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will pay my vows unto the L<small>ORD</small> now in the presence of all his 
+people,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In the courts of the L<small>ORD’S</small> house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. 
+Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, in which the Psalmist renders thanks, 
+after coming out of a most heavy trial, and again rejoices in God; 
+praising God for having delivered him from the terrors of death, and 
+from the pains of hell; for by such terms does he express those deep 
+and heavy spiritual temptations, concerning which he had spoken 
+before, Psalm vi., which are not known unto all. And the Psalmist 
+complains also that he suffered all these things, and was thus 
+overwhelmed and almost destroyed by these heavy trials, because of his 
+confession of his faith and the truth of God before the world. “I 
+believed (saith he) and therefore have I spoken:” but I am heavily 
+afflicted for the word’s sake. For all the saints confess and teach 
+the righteousness of faith; and, on the other hand, they expose and 
+condemn all the righteousness, wisdom, and holiness of the world, and 
+also all hypocrisy, and the outside form of godliness. And this the 
+world will by no means whatever endure: they ever rage and roar 
+against it: and they load the godly with every kind of affliction, 
+because of their unsocial confession: and hence arise all those 
+terrors without and those fears within, by which the church of Christ 
+and the saints have ever been afflicted from the kingdom of the devil, 
+in the midst of which their confession is made.</p>
+
+<p>But amid all these great, and hard, and numerous afflictions of Satan 
+and the world, the Psalmist has this firm consolation, that his work 
+and cause are right before God; therefore he comforts and encourages 
+himself by relying on the word of God, and stirs up and strengthens 
+himself unto all confidence. “I will take (saith he) the cup of 
+salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” As if he had said, If 
+they drink my destruction from the cup of their fury, and hate and 
+persecute me unto death; what then? “I will take the cup of God’s 
+salvation and helping grace:” that is (as if he had said), Supporting 
+and strengthening my faith with the glad word of thy promise, as with 
+strong and generous wine, I shall be filled with the Spirit, by 
+drinking of that cup; and, by my continuing to preach and spread the 
+word, I shall hold out the cup to others also, who confess with me the 
+same truth, and preach the same word; that they also may draw the same 
+consolation with me, out of the same most blessed word of the grace of 
+God.</p>
+
+<p>This (saith the Psalmist) is our case, and this is the way in which we 
+drink of it and use it. We drink of it ourselves, and then we hold it 
+out to others, and invite them to drink also; and this is the true 
+worship of God; and by this we laud and magnify his name. By this 
+service we truly pay our vows unto God, namely, the vow of the first 
+commandment, paid unto God by his people; for the greatest and highest 
+vow of the first commandment is this—God, the true, the living God, 
+alone shall be our God: we will cleave unto him alone: him only will 
+we adore; him only will we worship; him only will we seek; on him only 
+will we call!</p>
+
+<p>As, therefore, in many other Psalms, so also in this, you may see what 
+is the true sacrifice of praise (of that praise which is wrought in 
+the heart and in the spirit by the Holy Ghost, and is not lip-service 
+only.) And in this Psalm you may also see that the true preaching of 
+the word, and the true confession of the word, before the world, form 
+the highest and most precious worship of God.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God for his mercy and truth.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O praise the L<small>ORD</small>, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the 
+L<small>ORD</small> <i>endureth</i> for ever. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prophecy concerning Christ; that all peoples out of all 
+kingdoms and islands, shall know Christ in his kingdom; that is, in 
+his church; in that kingdom where mercy and grace, and the remission 
+of sins, and eternal life, and everlasting consolation, shall be 
+preached against sin, death, the power of the devil, and all evil. 
+This Psalm has been before explained in my more full commentary 
+thereon.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>An exhortation to praise God for his mercy.—The psalmist by his 
+experience sheweth how good it is trust in God.—Under the type of the 
+psalmist, the coming of Christ in his kingdom is expressed.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>; for <i>he is</i> good; because his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let Israel now say, that his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them now that fear the L<small>ORD</small> say, that his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I called upon the L<small>ORD</small> in distress: the L<small>ORD</small> answered me, <i>and set me</i> 
+in a large place.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see 
+<i>my desire</i> upon them that hate me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> better to trust in the L<small>ORD</small>, than to put confidence in man:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> better to trust in the L<small>ORD</small>, than to put confidence in 
+princes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the L<small>ORD</small> will I 
+destroy them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name 
+of the L<small>ORD</small> I will destroy them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of 
+thorns: for in the name of the L<small>ORD</small> I will destroy them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the L<small>ORD</small> helped 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> my strength and song, and is become my salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The voice of rejoicing and salvation <i>is</i> in the tabernacles of the 
+righteous: the right hand of the L<small>ORD</small> doeth valiantly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The right hand of the L<small>ORD</small> is exalted; the right hand of the L<small>ORD</small> 
+doeth valiantly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto 
+death.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go in to them, <i>and</i> I 
+will praise the Lord;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This gate of the L<small>ORD</small>, into which the righteous shall enter.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee; for thou hast heard me, and art become my 
+salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The stone <i>which</i> the builders refused is become the head <i>stone</i> of 
+the corner.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This is the L<small>ORD’S</small> doing; it <i>is</i> marvellous in our eyes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This <i>is</i> the day <i>which</i> the L<small>ORD</small> hath made; we will rejoice and be 
+glad in it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Save now, I beseech thee, O L<small>ORD</small>: O L<small>ORD</small>, I beseech thee, send now 
+prosperity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> he that cometh in the name of the L<small>ORD</small>: we have blessed 
+you out of the house of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>God <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small>, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with 
+cords, <i>even</i> unto the horns of the altar.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou <i>art</i> my God, and I will praise thee; <i>thou art</i> my God, I will 
+exalt thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>; for <i>he is</i> good: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is also a Psalm of thanksgiving. This Psalm, “O give thanks unto 
+the Lord,” which I so much love and admire, is the one which I, in 
+particular, call the golden Psalm; and is the Psalm which has often 
+revived and comforted me in my temptations.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist gives thanks, and at the same time utters forth a 
+prophecy concerning Christ, who by his suffering entered into glory; 
+who is that stone rejected of the builders, which became the head of 
+the corner; as Christ himself also saith, Matt. xxi. citing this 
+Psalm. The Psalmist also describes with blessed feelings of heart the 
+joyful day of the gospel, the day of salvation and peace, the day of 
+joy and consolation, and the true and glorious feast-day.</p>
+
+<p>Among other things the Psalmist speaks of the church and the children 
+of God, who are to be conformed to the image of his Son; shewing, that 
+they must be surrounded with afflictions on every side, and by the 
+cross and through death enter into glory.</p>
+
+<p>A brief summary, however, like this, cannot set forth the great and 
+glorious contents of this Psalm: but my particular and more full 
+Commentary on it will supply, in some measure, what is here wanting.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>This psalm containeth sundry prayers, praises, and professions of 
+obedience.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">א <small>ALEPH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>are</i> the undefined in the way, who walk in the law of the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>are</i> they that keep his testimonies, <i>and that</i> seek him with 
+the whole heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast commanded <i>us</i> to keep thy precepts diligently.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy 
+commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have 
+learned thy righteous judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ב <small>BETH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed 
+<i>thereto</i> according to thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy 
+commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>art</i> thou, O L<small>ORD</small>: teach me thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as <i>much as</i> in all 
+riches.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ג <small>GIMEL</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deal bountifully with thy servant, <i>that</i> I may live, and keep thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am</i> a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul breaketh for the longing <i>that it hath</i> unto thy judgments at 
+all times.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast rebuked the proud <i>that are</i> cursed, which do err from thy 
+commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Princes also did sit <i>and</i> speak against me: <i>but</i> thy servant did 
+meditate in thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy testimonies also <i>are</i> my delight <i>and</i> my counsellors.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ד <small>DALETH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy 
+wondrous works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid <i>before me</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O L<small>ORD</small>, put me not to shame.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my 
+heart.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ה <small>HE</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Teach me, O L<small>ORD</small>, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it <i>unto</i> 
+the end.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe 
+it with <i>my</i> whole heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I 
+delight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; <i>and</i> quicken thou me in 
+thy way.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who <i>is devoted</i> to thy fear.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments <i>are</i> good.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy 
+righteousness.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ו <small>VAU</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let thy mercies come also unto me, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>even</i> thy salvation, 
+according to thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I 
+trust in thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have 
+hoped in thy judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be 
+ashamed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved; 
+and I will meditate in thy statutes.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ז <small>ZAIN</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to 
+hope.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This <i>is</i> my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The proud have had me greatly in derision: <i>yet</i> have I not declined 
+from thy law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I remembered thy judgments of old, O L<small>ORD</small>; and have comforted myself.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy 
+law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have remembered thy name, O L<small>ORD</small>, in the night, and have kept thy 
+law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This I had, because I kept thy precepts.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ח <small>CHETH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Thou art</i> my portion, O L<small>ORD</small>: I have said that I would keep thy 
+words.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I entreated thy favour with <i>my</i> whole heart: be merciful unto me 
+according to thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The bands of the wicked have robbed me, <i>but</i> I have not forgotten thy 
+law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy 
+righteous judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am</i> a companion of all <i>them</i> that fear thee, and of them that keep 
+thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The earth, O L<small>ORD</small>, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ט <small>TETH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O L<small>ORD</small>, according unto thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy 
+commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou <i>art</i> good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The proud have forged a lie against me: <i>but</i> I will keep thy precepts 
+with <i>my</i> whole heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Their heart is as fat as grease: <i>but</i> I delight in thy law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy 
+statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The law of thy mouth <i>is</i> better unto me than thousands of gold and 
+silver.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">י <small>JOD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I 
+may learn thy commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that fear thee will be glad when they see me: because I have 
+hoped in thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I know, O L<small>ORD</small>, that thy judgments <i>are</i> right, and <i>that</i> thou in 
+faithfulness hast afflicted me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according 
+to thy word unto thy servant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law <i>is</i> 
+my delight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the proud be ashamed: for they dealt perversely with me without a 
+cause: <i>but</i> I will meditate in thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy 
+testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my heart be sound in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">כ <small>CAPH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul fainteth for thy salvation; <i>but</i> I hope in thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; <i>yet</i> do I not forget thy 
+statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How many <i>are</i> the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute 
+judgment on them that persecute me?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The proud have digged pits for me, which <i>are</i> not after thy law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All thy commandments <i>are</i> faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; 
+help thou me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They had almost consumed me upon earth: but I forsook not thy 
+precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Quicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of 
+thy mouth.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ל <small>LAMED</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For ever, O L<small>ORD</small>, thy word is settled in heaven.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy faithfulness <i>is</i> unto all generations: thou hast established the 
+earth, and it abideth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all <i>are</i> 
+thy servants.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Unless thy law <i>had been</i> my delights, I should then have perished in 
+mine affliction.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am</i> thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: <i>but</i> I will consider thy 
+testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have seen an end of all perfection: <i>but</i> thy commandment <i>is</i> 
+exceeding broad.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">מ <small>MEM</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: 
+for they <i>are</i> ever with me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies 
+<i>are</i> my meditation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have not departed from thy judgments; for thou hast taught me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How sweet are thy words unto my taste! <i>yea, sweeter</i> than honey to my 
+mouth!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false 
+way.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">נ <small>NUN</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy word <i>is</i> a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have sworn, and I will perform <i>it</i>, that I will keep thy righteous 
+judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O L<small>ORD</small>, according unto thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth, O L<small>ORD</small>, 
+and teach me thy judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul <i>is</i> continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy 
+precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever; for they <i>are</i> 
+the rejoicing of my heart.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, <i>even unto</i> 
+the end.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ס <small>SAMECH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I hate <i>vain</i> thoughts: but thy law do I love.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou <i>art</i> my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my 
+God.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be 
+ashamed of my hope.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy 
+statutes continually.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their 
+deceit <i>is</i> falsehood.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth <i>like</i> dross: therefore 
+I love thy testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ע <small>AIN</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy 
+righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy 
+statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am</i> thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy 
+testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> time for <i>thee</i>, L<small>ORD</small>, to work: <i>for</i> they have made void thy 
+law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore I esteem all <i>thy</i> precepts <i>concerning</i> all <i>things to be</i> 
+right; <i>and</i> I hate every false way.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">פ <small>PE</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy testimonies <i>are</i> wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto 
+the simple.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto 
+those that love thy name.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion 
+over me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">צ <small>TSADDI</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Righteous <i>art</i> thou, O L<small>ORD</small>, and upright <i>are</i> thy judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy testimonies <i>that</i> thou hast commanded <i>are</i> righteous and very 
+faithful.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My zeal hath consumed me: because mine enemies have forgotten thy 
+words.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy word <i>is</i> very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am</i> small and despised; <i>yet</i> do not I forget thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy righteousness <i>is</i> an everlasting righteousness, and thy law <i>is</i> 
+the truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; <i>yet</i> thy commandments 
+<i>are</i> my delights.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The righteousness of thy testimonies <i>is</i> everlasting: give me 
+understanding, and I shall live.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ק <small>KOPH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I cried with <i>my</i> whole heart; hear me, O L<small>ORD</small>: I will keep thy 
+statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mine eyes prevent the <i>night</i>-watches, that I might meditate in thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear my voice, according unto thy loving-kindness: O L<small>ORD</small>, quicken me 
+according to thy judgment.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou <i>art</i> near, O L<small>ORD</small>; and all thy commandments <i>are</i> truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded 
+them for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ר <small>RESH</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget thy law.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Salvation <i>is</i> far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Great <i>are</i> thy tender mercies, O L<small>ORD</small>; quicken me according to thy 
+judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many <i>are</i> my persecutors and mine enemies; <i>yet</i> do I not decline 
+from thy testimonies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O L<small>ORD</small>, according to thy 
+loving-kindness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy word <i>is</i> true <i>from</i> the beginning: and every one of thy 
+righteous judgments <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ש <small>SCHIN</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in 
+awe of thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I hate and abhor lying: <i>but</i> thy law do I love.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Seven times a-day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous 
+judgments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend 
+them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways <i>are</i> 
+before thee.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote class="center">ת <small>TAU</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my cry come near before thee, O L<small>ORD</small>; give me understanding 
+according to thy word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy 
+word.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments <i>are</i> 
+righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy precepts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have longed for thy salvation, O L<small>ORD</small>; and thy law <i>is</i> my delight.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help 
+me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for I do not 
+forget thy commandments.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is the most extended in the whole Psalter. It contains 
+prayers, consolations, doctrines, thanksgivings, and repeats all these 
+with a varied fulness. It is however given forth with a deep and 
+blessed intent: namely, that by this repetition and fulness, it may 
+invite and exhort us to hear and diligently to treasure up the word of 
+God. For throughout the whole Psalm the Psalmist exalts unto the 
+heavens, with the highest praises, the pure doctrine of God’s holy 
+word. He sets it forth as to be preferred before all gold and precious 
+stones, and before all the riches of the world; as Solomon also 
+beautifully speaks of it in his Proverbs.</p>
+
+<p>On the other hand, the Psalmist earnestly warns against all false 
+doctrine and against all security and contempt of the word. For no 
+pestilence is more destroying than false doctrine, or human doctrines 
+without or contrary to the word of God. And knowing that Satan without 
+cessation assaults the church of God with all kinds of heresies and 
+false doctrine; the Psalmist takes up a great part of this Psalm in 
+consolations.</p>
+
+<p>The principal, and indeed whole foundation and truth of godliness lies 
+in the pure teaching and hearing of the word of God. For where that 
+word is purely taught and heard, there, to a certainty, will be 
+begotten pure and prevailing prayer, calling upon God, diligence in 
+reading, teaching, and exhortation, consolation for the weak that are 
+afflicted and tried, strengthening of heart and spirit, joy, peace of 
+conscience, thanksgivings, prophecyings, an abundant understanding of 
+the scriptures; and, in a word, true religion, and the true worship of 
+God; and also, confidence in God under the cross and afflictions, and 
+perseverance unto the end; and, finally, all the blessed operations 
+and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and all those things which please God 
+and displease the Devil.</p>
+
+<p>On the contrary, where the pure word is not taught, or where there is 
+a weariness and loathing of the word, there the true religion becomes 
+extinguished, and all true worship of God perishes. For where the true 
+word of God is not taught, there is not any truth of God; there is 
+found a great noise of external holiness, and the form of godliness, 
+and hypocrisy;<small><small><sup>1</sup></small></small> there, indeed, is psalm-singing, prayer, doctrines, 
+consolation, thanksgiving, and all the varieties of the worship of 
+God, with all interpretations of the scriptures. I will add, also, 
+that there you may find sufferings and martyrdoms. But all is outside 
+show; all is the form of godliness only; all is false; all is feigned, 
+and nothing but lies; all is full of the poison of the devil. Nor 
+without true faith in the heart, nor without the divine word, nor 
+without the worship of the First Commandment, is there, or can there 
+be, any true and real worship of God.</p>
+
+<blockquote><small><small><sup>1</sup></small> Luther is here deeply opening up the extent to which the 
+“form of godliness” may be carried, yet without the truth and “power” 
+of it.</small></blockquote>
+
+<p>How many thousands of priests and monks have sung this Psalm at their 
+first, third, sixth, and ninth hours, in their temples.</p>
+
+<p>But what did they do during all their singings? They did nothing else 
+but call down God’s judgment and indignation on their own heads! For 
+the design of this Psalm, in every word of it, is to glorify the word 
+of God, and to confound, put to shame, destroy, and blot out all 
+hypocrisy upon the face of the earth.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David prayeth against Doeg, reproveth his tongue, complaineth of his 
+necessary conversation with the wicked.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>In my distress I cried unto the L<small>ORD</small>, and he heard me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver my soul, O L<small>ORD</small>, from lying lips, <i>and</i> from a deceitful 
+tongue.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>What shall be given unto thee, or what shall be done unto thee, thou 
+false tongue?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech, <i>that</i> I dwell in the tents of 
+Kedar!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I <i>am for</i> peace: but, when I speak, they <i>are</i> for war.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is an earnest prayer; and it complains, with deep feelings 
+of sorrow, of those horrible evils which Satan causes in the church by 
+a false and crafty tongue: that is, by that virulent and truly 
+serpentine tongue which boasts of God and the worship of God, and 
+never instructs any one in the truth, nor leads them to God.</p>
+
+<p>For false teachers cause infinite and terrible evils in the church; 
+and like giants with immense weapons in their hands, they never strike 
+without inflicting some mighty wound: or, like fire-brands cast into a 
+grove of juniper trees, they consume in all directions, with a sudden 
+and devouring flame. And just so, the common people often burst out 
+into one general flame, even by the throwing in among them of one 
+single spark of false and wicked doctrine; and not only do they blaze 
+forth with a sudden flame of their minds and spirits, but even greatly 
+admire the error and the hypocrisy. For all doctrines of this kind, as 
+being more congenial to human reason than the truth of God, quickly 
+please men; as Paul saith, 2 Tim. iv. “They will heap to themselves 
+teachers, having itching ears.”</p>
+
+<p>Mesech are the nations nigh unto Jerusalem itself, towards the north; 
+where the Tartars now are. And Kedar are the Arabs, to the east of 
+Jerusalem. These nations are types of all enemies and heretics who 
+oppose themselves as adversaries to the true church. The Mesech of 
+Christians, at this time are the Turks, who derive their origin from 
+the Tartars. And the Kedar are Mahomet and the Saracens; for they are 
+from Arabia. These with their Alcoran have oppressed and laid waste 
+the Gospel in many places: and that fire of wicked doctrine, broke out 
+into a mighty blaze, just like a brand cast into a thicket of juniper 
+trees.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The great safety of the godly, who put their trust in God’s 
+protection.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My help <i>cometh</i> from the L<small>ORD</small>, which made heaven and earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not 
+slumber.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> thy keeper; the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> shade upon thy right hand.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy 
+soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this 
+time forth, and even for evermore.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation, wherein the Psalmist, from his own 
+experience, exhorts the godly to a constancy of faith, and to an 
+expectation of help and defence from God. For although in the hour of 
+temptation God puts off his help, and all things appear as if he were 
+asleep, or had forgotten us altogether, and had left us to be scorched 
+by the heat of the sun by day, and by the beams of the moon by night; 
+that is, as though he had given us up to be afflicted and destroyed by 
+all manner of temptations, by Satan, by the world, and by sin, day and 
+night: yet it is not so;—he has not given us up, as we, according to 
+the weakness of our flesh, imagine and feel. He sees and regards us, 
+and watches over us; nor does he suffer us to be so burnt as to be 
+destroyed, nor so tempted or distressed, as to be swallowed up of 
+over-much sorrow: and this all blessedly experience, who call upon him 
+for his help and patiently wait for it.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David professeth his joy for the church, and prayeth for the peace 
+thereof.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the L<small>ORD</small>, unto the testimony 
+of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of 
+David.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Peace be within thy walls, <i>and</i> prosperity within thy palaces.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace <i>be</i> 
+within thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Because of the house of the L<small>ORD</small> our God I will seek thy good.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, it contains the feelings of a glad, a 
+rejoicing, and a thankful heart, for that unspeakable gift of God,—the 
+ministry of his word. This Psalm in the person of the Jews, rejoices 
+that God had appointed a certain place, namely Jerusalem, in the midst 
+of that people, where the name and the word of God had a certain 
+dwelling-place and could there be found: and where it was administered 
+by certain persons, the Levites and the priests, to certain disciples; 
+namely, to the tribes of Israel.</p>
+
+<p>For what calamity or misery can be greater than to seek the word of 
+God anxiously, and not be able to find it? This calamity and misery 
+the children of Israel experienced in the times of God’s anger, when, 
+being forsaken by him, and left to their own inventions, they sought 
+and worshipped idols. And in these our times of monkery also, the 
+masses and the travellings about to so many Marys have given abundant 
+proofs of what it is to seek the word of God and not to find it.</p>
+
+<p>Our Jerusalem, our certain place, is the church, and our temple is 
+Christ. Wheresoever Christ is preached and the sacraments are duly 
+administered, there we are sure God dwells; and there is our temple, 
+our tabernacle, our cherubim, and our mercy-seat; for there God is 
+present with us by his word.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The godly profess their confidence in God, and pray to be delivered 
+from contempt.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, as the eyes of servants <i>look</i> unto the hand of their masters, 
+<i>and</i> as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our 
+eyes <i>wait</i> upon the L<small>ORD</small> our God, until that he have mercy upon us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Have mercy upon us, O L<small>ORD</small>, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly 
+filled with contempt.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at 
+ease, <i>and</i> with the contempt of the proud.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a fervent prayer against all those secure and proud 
+despisers of the word of God and its true ministers. And the Gentile 
+nations were not the only despisers who contemned the whole religion 
+of the Israelites and the true worship of God, and condemned it as 
+sedition altogether: but the idolaters and false teachers which were 
+in the midst of that very people themselves proudly despised and 
+derided the godly, that little flock of God, and the true prophets; as 
+Psalms xii. and xiv. complain. And in the same way also our papists 
+and fanatics now, who seem in their own eyes to be more holy than the 
+gospel itself, more proudly and contemptuously than any others 
+despise, trample underfoot, and spit upon all true and good ministers 
+of the word of God. Not to say anything now about that security and 
+pride wherein, at this day, even our bishops and priests themselves, 
+who are more profane than all heathen nations put together, despise 
+the true word of God. So that we, as the Psalmist saith in its 
+conclusion, are indeed filled with the derision of the rich and the 
+contempt of the proud. But may God, (and he will!) regard us, and 
+glorify his word. Amen.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The church blesseth God for a miraculous deliverance.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>If <i>it had not been</i> the L<small>ORD</small> who was on our side, now may Israel say;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If <i>it had not been</i> the L<small>ORD</small> who was on our side when men rose up 
+against us;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled 
+against us:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small>, who hath not given us <i>as</i> a prey to their 
+teeth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the 
+snare is broken, and we are escaped.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our help <i>is</i> in the name of the L<small>ORD</small>, who made heaven and earth.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>The Psalmist, in this Psalm, gives thanks unto God for defending his 
+little helpless flock, here in the midst of the kingdom of the devil, 
+struggling against all temptations, against tyrants, and against 
+bloodthirsting hypocrites; and for delivering them from the snares of 
+virulent calumniators; the number of whom is so great, that compared 
+with the little flock of God, they are like a sweeping torrent, or a 
+mighty deluge, to one solitary rivulet.</p>
+
+<p>Though, however, their teeth were of iron; that is, though their power 
+were infinitely greater than it is, and though their snares (that is, 
+their cunning devices,) were infinitely more crafty than they are; yet 
+“Greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world;” he breaks 
+and destroys their teeth, he defeateth their snares, and wonderfully 
+delivers his people, as we have seen it in our own times, on many and 
+great occasions.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The safety of such as trust in God.—A prayer for the godly, and 
+against the wicked.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>They that trust in the L<small>ORD</small> <i>shall be</i> as mount Zion, <i>which</i> cannot 
+be removed, <i>but</i> abideth for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>As</i> the mountains <i>are</i> round about Jerusalem, so the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> round 
+about his people from henceforth, even for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the 
+righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Do good, O L<small>ORD</small>, unto <i>those that be</i> good, and to <i>them that are</i> 
+upright in their hearts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the L<small>ORD</small> shall lead 
+them forth with the workers of iniquity: <i>but</i> peace <i>shall be</i> upon 
+Israel.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This also is a Psalm of thanksgiving containing the feelings of an 
+exercised faith: thanking God, that, although he sometimes permits 
+false prophets and fanatical spirits to prevail, as if they would 
+possess all things (which thing God often does so permit to be, as a 
+punishment for the ingratitude of his people, who value not the 
+blessing of the word;) yet he visits such with the more terrible 
+judgment, and suffers them not to prevail in all things against the 
+righteous, lest the righteous, being entirely broken by too great 
+afflictions and sorrows, should, through discouragement and despair, 
+fall away from the word unto ungodliness and sin.</p>
+
+<p>For the final end of all false teachers and blasphemers ever 
+is,—confusion, terrible judgment, and destruction; “And their glory,” as 
+the apostle saith, “is turned into shame.” But the end of the poor 
+flock of God, even though the church be proved and tried by a thousand 
+fires and deaths, though it appear a thousand times over to be 
+oppressed, destroyed and extirpated is,—eternal life, eternal 
+consolation, eternal glory! This is what the Psalmist means, when he 
+says, “The Lord doth good to them that be good, and to them that are 
+upright in their hearts: but as for them that turn aside unto their 
+crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil doers, but 
+peace shall be upon Israel.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The church, celebrating her incredible return out of captivity, 
+prayeth for, and prophesieth the good success thereof.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>When the L<small>ORD</small> turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them 
+that dream.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: 
+then said they among the heathen, The L<small>ORD</small> hath done great things for
+them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath done great things for us; <i>whereof</i> we are glad.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Turn again our captivity, O L<small>ORD</small>, as the streams in the south.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall 
+doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves <i>with him</i>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from the Babylonish 
+captivity; whether it was written after the captivity, or before it, 
+as a prophecy to comfort the Jews with the certain hope of 
+deliverance, and that they should not despair, is uncertain: but at 
+what particular time it was written, it matters not.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm ends with a remarkable and glorious conclusion; which 
+embraces, in a few words, the whole counsel and the immutable decree 
+of God concerning his church; namely, that it behoved Christ first to 
+suffer, and then to be raised up, and exalted of God and glorified. 
+And so also Christians must first fill up a certain measure of 
+afflictions before they enter into their joy; while, on the contrary, 
+the men of the world fill up a certain measure of their joy before 
+they are eternally punished and damned.</p>
+
+<p>The church, therefore, is that poor little helpless flock, in the 
+midst of a wicked nation. They are that little company who pray, cry, 
+are tempted, and are afflicted by the world; who sow in tears, but 
+reap in joy. “But,” says the Psalmist, “they went, and wept as they 
+went, sowing precious seed; but they shall come again with joy, 
+bringing their sheaves with them.”</p>
+
+<p>These afflictions, and these deaths of the saints are very precious; 
+hence it is that the Psalmist calls them “precious seed;” because they 
+are followed by the most fruitful crops, and by the most abundant 
+harvests. But we infants in grace, we poor little children, under our 
+tears and our sighs, understand not the voice, or the mind, or the 
+will of our heavenly Father in these afflictions: nor can we see or 
+understand how precious this seed is in the sight of God; who calls 
+even “death,” (which is the worst and lowest of all these seeds,) 
+“precious;” saying, in another place, “Precious in the sight of the 
+Lord is the death of his saints;” and God sets this precious seed thus 
+sown by his children, before all the treasures of the world.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The virtue of God’s blessing.—Good children are his gift.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A song of degrees for Solomon.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Except the L<small>ORD</small> build the house, they labour in vain that build it: 
+except the L<small>ORD</small> keep the city, the watchman waketh <i>but</i> in vain.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the 
+bread of sorrows: <i>for</i> so he giveth his beloved sleep.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lo, children <i>are</i> an heritage of the L<small>ORD</small>; <i>and</i> the fruit of the 
+womb <i>is his</i> reward.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As arrows <i>are</i> in the hand of a mighty man; so <i>are</i> children of the 
+youth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be 
+ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains a most blessed and important doctrine. It is of 
+the same subject-matter as that contained in the book of Solomon, 
+called Ecclesiastes. The Psalmist teaches, that all governments and 
+commonwealths rightly constituted are the good and free gifts of God: 
+and that none of them can be either rightly constituted, at the first, 
+nor preserved afterwards, by any human wisdom or might: but that all 
+these things are in the hand of God: that, where he giveth not peace, 
+where he giveth not men desirous of the arts of peace, and wise 
+therein, where he holdeth not the helm of the state,—that there, all 
+human wisdom, however great, all laws, all ordinances, all might, all 
+arms, all preparations are vain.</p>
+
+<p>In the next place, the Psalmist saith, that where God blesseth not a 
+domestic household, where he giveth not concord between husband and 
+wife, success and happiness in the bringing up of children, diligence 
+and faithfulness to men-servants and maid-servants; there, all labour 
+and industry and toil are vain: concerning all which I have spoken 
+more largely in my more full commentary on this psalm.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The sundry blessings which follow them that fear God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>is</i> every one that feareth the L<small>ORD</small>; that walketh in his 
+ways.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy <i>shalt</i> thou <i>be</i>, 
+and <i>it shall be</i> well with thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy wife <i>shall be</i> as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: 
+thy children like olive-plants round about thy table.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of 
+Jerusalem all the days of thy life.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, <i>and</i> peace upon Israel.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of consolation, wherein the Psalmist extols, with the 
+highest praises, marriage, as a holy and godly kind of life, 
+instituted of God himself. The Holy Spirit here comforts and 
+encourages all husbands and wives with a divine consolation; and 
+confirms and fortifies them against all those wrong cogitations and 
+thoughts of human reason; which reason does not look at what good 
+there is in marriage, but only beholds and exaggerates what of evil 
+there may be in it; and thus blasphemes the glorious work of God in 
+the two sexes. Hence, here arises all those blasphemous sayings among 
+the heathen: ‘There are three great evils in life; fire, water, and 
+woman.’ But Solomon saith, “He that findeth a wife findeth a good 
+thing.”</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm reminds husbands and wives that they should not look at the 
+labours, the troubles, the cares, or the various temptations and 
+trials which are to be endured in marriage; but that they should 
+rather keep their eyes fixed on the word and will of God; from which 
+they ought to hold themselves assured that marriage was not a human 
+invention, nor a matter casually contrived of men; but that the whole 
+human race were, from the beginning, created and formed of God, man 
+and woman, and that neither of the sexes, nor their design can or 
+ought to be altered or changed by men, by the devil, or any other 
+creature, any more than the sun and moon and their offices can or 
+ought to be altered or changed.</p>
+
+<p>God, saith the scripture, created them male and female, and blessed 
+them. Marriage, therefore, is that kind of life, which, as being the 
+creation and institution of God, greatly pleases him. If, therefore, 
+thou shalt obey God herein, and shalt keep the eyes of thy faith fixed 
+on the good, and on the blessings of marriage; if thou shalt obey the 
+commandment and the call of God in taking to thyself a wife, the sexes 
+created of God will not be vile, but precious in thy sight: and all 
+the little troubles and trials of marriage shall be drowned and lost 
+in that divine blessedness,—the knowing that God favours husbands and 
+wives, and is present with them; that the joining of marriage is one 
+of his own works; and that he provides for, and defends those who are 
+joined together.</p>
+
+<p>To fortify thyself, therefore, against all that blasphemy of human 
+reason and of the devil, by which they condemn marriage, hold thou 
+fixed in thine heart that heavenly word, “And the Lord made them male 
+and female, and said, Be fruitful and multiply.” And if thou fear the 
+Lord thou shalt be happy, and it shall be <i>well with thee</i> in 
+marriage, even though the virulent and blaspheming mouth of the devil, 
+and the whole world together with him, should say it shall be <i>evil 
+with thee!</i></p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God for saving Israel in their great 
+afflictions.—The haters of the church are cursed.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not 
+prevailed against me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them be as the grass <i>upon</i> the house-tops, which withereth afore 
+it groweth up:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves, 
+his bosom.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the L<small>ORD</small> <i>be</i> upon you; 
+we bless you in the name of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the people of Israel give 
+thanks unto the God of Israel for his deliverances and consolations of 
+every kind: seeing that from the beginning he had often mightily and 
+marvellously delivered them from the hand of their enemies, as we have 
+it recorded in the books of Judges and Kings; where we find that the 
+Israelites were often oppressed by the cruel power and tyranny of 
+their Gentile enemies, who afflicted them for a long time, and, as it 
+were, ploughed upon their backs (as the Psalmist saith) and made long 
+their furrows, and held them most cruelly under their yokes; until God 
+sent them a Saviour, and delivered them both from the ploughers and 
+the ploughs, and their yokes also.</p>
+
+<p>At the conclusion, the Psalmist prays against them; or rather, 
+prophesies that they shall perish, and shall be burnt up like grass 
+upon the house-tops; as it also came to pass: for all the enemies and 
+the nations that were adversaries unto Israel perished; but Israel 
+remained, and was afterwards lifted up with new consolations.</p>
+
+<p>In the same way also all the wicked and the enemies of God and of his 
+word, are like grass upon the house-tops; which flourishes, indeed, 
+like a thriving garden, as if it would remain; but before it is grown 
+up, it withers, is burnt up, and becomes of no use whatever. So also 
+the enemies of the word, and all erroneous teachers, when they are 
+shining in pride and magnifying themselves in their boastings against 
+God, wither on a sudden like the falling grass; while Christians and 
+the church of God flourish for evermore.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The Psalmist professeth his hope in prayer, and his patience in 
+hope.—He exhorteth Israel to hope in God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>: Lord, hear my voice: 
+let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If thou, L<small>ORD</small>, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But <i>there is</i> forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I wait for the L<small>ORD</small>; my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My soul <i>waiteth</i> for the Lord more than they that watch for the 
+morning: <i>I say, more than</i> they that watch for the morning.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let Israel hope in the L<small>ORD</small>: for with the L<small>ORD</small> <i>there is</i> mercy, and 
+with him is plenteous redemption.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a very blessed Psalm and a prayer unto God, proceeding from a 
+spirit and feeling of heart truly Davidical: for this Psalm confesses 
+that none is righteous before God on account of his own works and 
+merits, but only through grace and by faith in the promise of God, 
+freely giving the remission of sins and peace by Jesus Christ: on this 
+promise of God the Psalmist relies; and with this word of promise he 
+supports and comforts himself when struggling in the depths of sin and 
+hell.</p>
+
+<p>And he exhorts all Israel with a loud voice, to learn and to do the 
+same. “For (says the Psalmist) with thee only is mercy, and with thee 
+is plenteous redemption, that thou mayest be feared:” that is, that 
+thou mayest be worshipped with the worship of the first and greatest 
+commandment,—with the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. “And he 
+(continues the Psalmist) shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities;” 
+that is, neither Israel, nor any man, shall be delivered from sin, 
+from the power of the devil, and from death, in any other way than by 
+the grace and the free remission of sins: but he shall, without these, 
+remain in the deep; that is, in the kingdom of sin, death, and the 
+devil, and under the wrath of God.</p>
+
+<p>Behold in how few words this Psalm expresses the most glorious things! 
+The Psalmist is a truly great teacher of divine truths, and of the 
+whole sum of godliness. He has a clear and thorough view of those 
+glorious promises. “I will put enmity between thee and the serpent, 
+and between thy seed and his seed: thou shalt bruise his head:” and, 
+“In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” The 
+Psalmist wraps up both these promises in that one verse, “And he shall 
+redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David professing his humility, exhorteth Israel to hope in God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of Degrees of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I 
+exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of 
+his mother: my soul <i>is</i> even as a weaned child.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let Israel hope in the L<small>ORD</small>, from henceforth and for ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is also a blessed Psalm, containing, in a few brief words, the 
+same most important doctrine which was taught also in the preceding 
+Psalm,—that we are not to trust in our own righteousness or works: and 
+it attacks all proud and arrogant hypocrites, who, by human strength, 
+attempt works beyond all human powers, namely to pacify God; and 
+understand not the power of grace nor the remission of sins; but 
+endeavour to pacify God by their own works.</p>
+
+<p>“My heart is not lifted up,” (saith the Psalmist); as if he had said, 
+Those proud saints (as they imagine themselves) being ignorant of all 
+trials and temptations, and spiritual things, trust greatly in their 
+own works, and know not what sin is, nor what the anger and judgment 
+of God are. But I, being broken down and humbled by these things, know 
+what they are. For whenever I leave off to trust closely and wholly to 
+the promise of grace; as often as I cease to suck the breast of mercy 
+and promised pardon, my rest is gone, and I begin to weep and howl 
+with distresses and straits of conscience; just as a little 
+newly-weaned infant cries unceasingly, night and day, for the breast 
+of its mother which it has lost.</p>
+
+<p>The sum therefore of all true religion and godliness is this, “Let 
+Israel hope in the Lord:” that is, there is no other salvation, there 
+is no other consolation, there is no other sure peace of conscience 
+for any mortal, than the apprehending and embracing the promise of 
+grace. Take care, therefore, that thou neglect not this true mother’s 
+breast for thy soul; take heed that thou lose it not out of thy mouth; 
+for this breast alone is that which can relieve, refresh, and quiet 
+thirsting and sinking consciences, in any of their agonies on account 
+of sin. Christ alone is eternal life, peace, and consolation!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David in his prayer commendeth unto God the religious care he had for 
+the ark.—His prayer at the removing of the ark, with a repetition of 
+God’s promises.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Song of Degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, remember David, <i>and</i> all his afflictions;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How he sware unto the L<small>ORD</small>, <i>and</i> vowed unto the mighty <i>God</i> of 
+Jacob;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into 
+my bed;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will not give sleep to mine eyes, <i>or</i> slumber to mine eyelids,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Until I find out a place for the L<small>ORD</small>, an habitation for the mighty 
+<i>God</i> of Jacob.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah; we found it in the fields of the wood.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We will go into his tabernacles; we will worship at his footstool.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Arise, O L<small>ORD</small>, into thy rest; thou and the ark of thy strength.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints 
+shout for joy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> hath sworn <i>in</i> truth unto David, he will not turn from it; 
+Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall 
+teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for 
+evermore.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> hath chosen Zion: he hath desired <i>it</i> for his 
+habitation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>This <i>is</i> my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with 
+bread.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will also clothe her priests with salvation; and her saints shall 
+shout aloud for joy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for 
+mine anointed.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown 
+flourish.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer, in which Solomon and the people of Israel beg 
+of God to preserve the priesthood and the kingdom: that is, that he 
+would maintain the true religion, the true worship of God, and a 
+prosperous and happy state of the kingdom among that people. In a 
+word, it is a prayer to God that he would be pleased to preserve the 
+ministry of the word above all things; and then also the laws, the 
+magistrates, and the public peace: for where these two things, the 
+word and the laws, are rightly constituted and preserved, there all 
+things go well with a kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>In the eleventh verse, the Psalmist, turning his eye, as it were, to 
+the promise, feels the fullest assurance that he is heard. For God had 
+promised by oath that he would dwell in that place, namely, in 
+Jerusalem or Zion; and would bless both the priesthood and the 
+kingdom, if they would keep the commandments of their God, and obey 
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Why the Psalmist calls, in the sixth verse, this habitation of God, 
+Jerusalem, “Ephratah,” and “the fields of the wood,” is explained in 
+my more full commentary elsewhere, on these “Psalms of Degrees.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The benefit of the communion of saints.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, how good and how pleasant <i>it is</i> for brethren to dwell 
+together in unity!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is</i> like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon 
+the beard; <i>even</i> Aaron’s beard; that went down to the skirts of his 
+garments;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>As the dew of Hermon, <i>and as the dew</i> that descended upon the 
+mountains of Zion: for there the L<small>ORD</small> commanded the blessing, <i>even</i> 
+life for evermore.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm contains an important doctrine, and an exhortation unto 
+concord in the church, and also in the state; and especially an 
+exhortation unto unity in the Spirit; concerning which Paul speaks, 
+Phil. ii.; and also, it exhorts unto agreement in doctrine, and unto 
+peace in general. Let the wise, the strong, and the holy, (the 
+Psalmist would say,) bear with and support the simple, the 
+weak-minded, and the infirm; which is indicated and implied by the two 
+similitudes of “ointment” and “dew.”</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist alludes to the priesthood and the kingdom. For divine 
+harmony and agreement in the priesthood, or in the doctrine of the 
+truth, is a great and lovely gift of God, and diffuseth a fragrance 
+like precious ointment; and this fragrance descendeth or runneth down; 
+that is, unity in the doctrine of truth, runs down from the high 
+priest Aaron, down his beard, and even unto the skirts of his 
+clothing; that is, down to all other teachers of the truth.</p>
+
+<p>And this “dew of Hermon” signifies literally that dew which revives 
+the flower of Lebanon; and, spiritually, the concord of Lebanon; that 
+is, of Jerusalem. For, as the natural dew fructifies Lebanon, and all 
+the places near unto Lebanon, so concord in divine and spiritual 
+things causes a kingdom to flourish and prosper.</p>
+
+<p>Wherever, therefore, concord in a state and in its church flourishes, 
+there God dwells with all his grace and blessing; but where there are 
+dissensions, divisions, and discord, there is the dwelling of Satan.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to bless God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A song of degrees.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Behold, bless ye the L<small>ORD</small>, all <i>ye</i> servants of the L<small>ORD</small>, which by 
+night stand in the house of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Lift up your hands <i>in</i> the sanctuary, and bless the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small>, that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This again is a very short and brief Psalm, but it contains a most 
+blessed doctrine. It teaches and exhorts priests and Levites, to 
+perform the duties of their office diligently, and to be constant and 
+careful in the worship of God; that they be instant day and night in 
+teaching and exhorting by the word; as Paul exhorteth Timothy to the 
+continual preaching of the word; saying, “be instant in season and out 
+of season.” As if he had said, Be thou ever at the duty of thy office; 
+teach, exhort, rebuke; exercise both thyself and others unto godliness 
+by a constant preaching of the word; and continue therein, even though 
+some be turned unto fables, and others despise thee.</p>
+
+<p>For where the pure word of God is not sought and learnt, there, most 
+certainly, is no worship of God; there, of necessity, perishes all 
+true religion; and there as surely perishes also, the good and 
+prosperity of the nation; which is certainly either deserted of God, 
+or involved in darkness, errors, and the power of the Devil. But where 
+the word of God continues in truth, and the scriptures are rightly set 
+forth, there God gives his blessing. And although Satan will there 
+greatly oppose himself to, and will afflict both the church and the 
+state; yet God, who made the heavens and the earth, and who is 
+therefore greater than all creatures and the Devil also, preserves 
+that state and that church; and, on account of their holding fast his 
+name and his word, he saves them, even though they be ungrateful and 
+unworthy of his salvation.</p>
+
+<p>Let all ministers, and preachers, and bishops therefore, know, that 
+this Psalm, beginning “Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of 
+the Lord,” &amp;c. pertains unto them; teaching them to know that the 
+highest worship of God is the preaching of the word; because, thereby 
+are praised and celebrated the name and the benefits of Christ.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God for his mercy, for his power, for his 
+judgments. The vanity of idols. An exhortation to bless God.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. Praise ye the name of the L<small>ORD</small>; praise <i>him</i>, O ye 
+servants of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Ye that stand in the house of the L<small>ORD</small>, in the courts of the house of 
+our God,</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise the L<small>ORD</small>; for the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> good: sing praises unto his name; 
+for <i>it is</i> pleasant.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> hath chosen Jacob unto himself, <i>and</i> Israel for his 
+peculiar treasure.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For I know that the L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> great, and <i>that</i> our L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> above 
+all gods.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whatsoever the L<small>ORD</small> pleased, <i>that</i> did he in heaven, and in earth, in 
+the seas, and all deep places.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh 
+lightnings for the rain: he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Who</i> sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon 
+Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the 
+Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And gave their land <i>for</i> an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his 
+people.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy name, O L<small>ORD</small>, <i>endureth</i> for ever; <i>and</i> thy memorial, O L<small>ORD</small>, 
+throughout all generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> will judge his people, and he will repent himself 
+concerning his servants.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The idols of the heathen <i>are</i> silver and gold, the work of men’s 
+hands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see 
+not;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there <i>any</i> breath in 
+their mouths.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They that make them are like unto them: <i>so is</i> every one that 
+trusteth in them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bless the L<small>ORD</small>, O house of Israel: bless the L<small>ORD</small>, O house of Aaron:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bless the L<small>ORD</small>, O house of Levi; ye that fear the L<small>ORD</small>, bless the 
+L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed be the L<small>ORD</small> out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise 
+ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a Psalm of thanksgiving; exhorting all priests and 
+ministers of the word to preach and to praise God in his great and 
+marvellous works, done in Egypt and in the land of Canaan, that the 
+people might not forget God and his wonderful works, and be turned 
+unto idols, and false kinds of worship; which very soon takes place 
+through security or contempt; where the word of God is not taught 
+diligently and with a great willingness and fervor of heart; as we 
+have already seen in the preceding Psalm.</p>
+
+<p>But where God judges a people; as the Psalmist sets it forth, verse 
+14; that is, when God by the mouth of his ministers, judges and 
+condemns our sin; there he manifests his grace unto us; there is a 
+ground of firm consolation for afflicted consciences; there God is 
+found and known, (for he is found in no other places and doctrines 
+than these!) there, to a certainty, he will be propitious and merciful 
+to his servant. But, where the word of God is not; there God is 
+silent; for where he doth not preach, he doth not judge; and there, to 
+a certainty, is the wrath of God and blindness. “Therefore,” (as saith 
+the Psalmist) “Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, all ye 
+servants of the Lord:” that is, preach the word and explain it, with 
+all diligence; and proclaim the works of the Lord.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to give thanks to God for particular mercies.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the L<small>ORD</small>; for <i>he is</i> good: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks to the L<small>ORD</small> of lords: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him that made great lights: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The sun to rule by day: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him that smote Egypt in their first-born: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> 
+for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And brought out Israel from amongst them: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>With a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him which divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> 
+for ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To him which smote great kings: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And slew famous kings: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Even</i> an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> 
+for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for 
+ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a blessed and general thanksgiving for the infinite, 
+unspeakable, and never-failing mercies of God, both with respect to 
+the body and the soul. In this golden and glorious Psalm, the 
+Psalmist’s design is to embrace and set forth a summary, as it were, 
+to all priests and ministers of the word; as a pattern for the subject 
+matter of all sermons, exhortations, and Psalms to be delivered to the 
+people: that all false and wicked doctrine might be avoided, and also 
+all false worship of God; and that God might be worshipped truly with 
+that worship required by the first commandment of the Decalogue.</p>
+
+<p>For this ought to be the sum and substance of all true worship,—“Let 
+us praise the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever:” 
+that is, praise, laud, and proclaim, without ceasing, the infinite 
+largeness of his grace. Learn ye, from his word, that as he hath 
+promised, so he is ever present with us, and continually bestows his 
+blessings upon us; and that the riches of his goodness are boundless 
+and inexhaustible.</p>
+
+<p>To fortify our hearts, therefore, against the devil, (whose whole aim 
+and employment is to destroy in our hearts faith in God, and the 
+knowledge of his goodness and mercy, and to cast us under doubting and 
+sorrow,) the Psalmist repeats this holy sentence at the end of every 
+verse—“For his mercy endureth for ever:” by which words, so often 
+repeated, the holy man wishes to impress and fix on our hearts the 
+doctrine of grace and the worship of the first commandment: as if he 
+had said, it is the infinite goodness of God, and not any human works 
+or merits of your own, that has done all these wonderful things for 
+you. It is the pure and unspeakable greatness of God’s goodness and 
+grace, that pours forth all these things upon you, and therefore they 
+are poured forth upon you freely and without any merit or deserving of 
+yours, and even while you are wholly undeserving of such mercies.</p>
+
+<p>In this repeated expression also the Psalmist refers, after the manner 
+of the prophets, to the promise of Christ to come; for it was from no 
+works of men, nor from any merit of theirs, that the promise of Christ 
+was given unto Abraham, which said, “In thy seed shall all the nations 
+of the earth be blessed.”</p>
+
+<p>Learn, thou, therefore, to rehearse and impress upon thine own heart, 
+and on the hearts of others also, this repeated conclusion of each 
+verse; that it may be a bulwark for thee against the devil, who is 
+ever maliciously jeering our temptations, and saying, that it is not 
+the <i>mercy</i> of God, but his <i>judgment</i>, that “endureth for ever.” 
+Hypocrites and enthusiasts sing not, nor can sing, this blessed 
+conclusion of the verses, “For his mercy endureth for ever.” They can 
+only sing, ‘For our goodness endureth for ever.’ But do thou, 
+Christian brother, hold fast this doctrine of a Davidical heart; the 
+truly divine and heavenly doctrine of the remission of sins; a 
+remission “enduring for ever,” and which sin can never destroy; which 
+alone overcomes the devil and all errors, and which alone can give the 
+conscience rest under all temptations, and the agonizing conflicts of 
+death.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The constancy of the Jews in captivity.—The prophet curseth Edom and 
+Babel.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we 
+remembered Zion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and 
+they that wasted us <i>required of us</i> mirth, <i>saying</i>, Sing us <i>one</i> of 
+the songs of Zion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How shall we sing the L<small>ORD’S</small> song in a strange land?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget <i>her cunning</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>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.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Remember, O L<small>ORD</small>, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who 
+said, Rase <i>it</i>, rase <i>it, even</i> to the foundation thereof.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy <i>shall he be</i>, 
+that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Happy <i>shall he be</i>, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against 
+the stones.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer in the persons of the captives of Babylon; 
+whether we understand it as having been written after the captivity, 
+or before it in the way of prophecy. The captives here pray for the 
+city of Jerusalem; that is, for the place of the word and the worship 
+of God; for all these things had been destroyed by the Babylonians.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm shows us that the first concern of all that fear and know 
+God should be the preservation of a place for the ministration of the 
+word, and for the true religion and true worship of God. For, as here, 
+when Jerusalem is destroyed, Babylon and Edom, and all other wicked 
+nations rejoice, and triumph over the grief and the tears of the 
+people of God, which adds great bitterness to their afflictions. But 
+such enemies shall never enjoy their triumph unpunished of God. They 
+themselves shall be laid waste in their appointed time, and shall be 
+utterly overthrown and laid in ruins and in ashes; their flourishing 
+youth shall be destroyed by the sword, their children shall be dashed 
+against the stones, and neither age nor sex shall find mercy. But 
+Israel and the people of God shall remain for evermore. In this manner 
+fell Babylon, that queen of nations: and in the same manner also shall 
+fall all the Babylonians and Edomites in our day, who rejoice, like 
+their forefathers, in the afflictions and calamities of the true 
+church of God.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David praiseth God for the truth of his word.—He prophesieth that the 
+kings of the earth shall praise God.—He professeth his confidence in 
+God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing 
+praise unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>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.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, <i>and</i> strengthenedst me 
+<i>with</i> strength in my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O L<small>ORD</small>, when they hear 
+the words of thy mouth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the L<small>ORD</small>: for great <i>is</i> the glory 
+of the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though the L<small>ORD</small> <i>be</i> high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the 
+proud he knoweth afar off.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt 
+stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy 
+right hand shall save me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> will perfect <i>that which</i> concerneth me: thy mercy, O L<small>ORD</small>, 
+<i>endureth</i> for ever: forsake not the work of thine own hands.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of general thanksgiving unto God for all his help 
+against enemies: and it prays that the kingdom of Christ may come; and 
+it prophesies also that even kings and nations shall hear the gospel, 
+shall render thanks unto God for the same, and shall know and worship 
+him in truth; and shall acknowledge the eternal kingdom of Christ, 
+namely, his exaltation over all things, and over every name that is 
+named; and that he succours, helps, and saves humble, tempted, and 
+afflicted sinners.</p>
+
+<p>In the conclusion of the Psalm, the Psalmist prays, “Forsake not the 
+work of thine own hands;” that is, Raise up, establish, and preserve 
+this promised kingdom of Christ, for the sake of which thou hast 
+chosen this people.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXXXIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David praiseth God for his allseeing providence, and for his infinite 
+mercies.—He defieth the wicked.—He prayeth for sincerity.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>O L<small>ORD</small>, thou hast searched me, and known <i>me</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my 
+thought afar off.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted <i>with</i> 
+all my ways.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For <i>there is</i> not a word in my tongue, <i>but</i>, lo, O L<small>ORD</small>, thou 
+knowest it altogether.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Such</i> knowledge <i>is</i> too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot 
+<i>attain</i> unto it.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy 
+presence?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If I ascend up into heaven, thou <i>art</i> there: if I make my bed in 
+hell, behold, thou <i>art there</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>If</i> I take the wings of the morning, <i>and</i> dwell in the uttermost 
+parts of the sea;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be 
+light above me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the 
+day: the darkness and the light <i>are</i> both alike <i>to thee</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s 
+womb.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will praise thee; for I am fearfully <i>and</i> wonderfully made: 
+marvellous <i>are</i> thy works; and <i>that</i> my soul knoweth right well.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, <i>and</i> 
+curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book 
+all <i>my members</i> were written, <i>which</i> in continuance were fashioned, 
+when <i>as yet there was</i> none of them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the 
+sum of them!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>If</i> I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when 
+I awake, I am still with thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me, therefore, ye 
+bloody men.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For they speak against thee wickedly, <i>and</i> thine enemies take <i>thy 
+name</i> in vain.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Do not I hate them, O L<small>ORD</small>, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with 
+those that rise up against thee?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And see if <i>there be any</i> wicked way, and lead me in the way 
+everlasting.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a high and glorious Psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the 
+Psalmist, with a marvellous fervour of spirit, touches on that 
+all-high matter,—God’s predestination of all things; and proclaims 
+that incomprehensibleness of the divine wisdom and goodness, whereby, 
+in a wonderful manner, he himself and all men, with all their affairs, 
+all their works and all their thoughts, both the greatest and the 
+least, were predestinated of God from everlasting. This manifold 
+wisdom of God is incomprehensible to flesh and blood!</p>
+
+<p>“Thou, O Lord (saith the Psalmist) hast searched me out and known me; 
+thou knowest me altogether; thou understandest my thoughts long before 
+they are conceived by me. Wherever I move, whithersoever I go, thou 
+surroundest me on every side; and being ever present with me, thou 
+beholdest all my undertakings, and my works, and my ways, and all that 
+I think of doing or undertaking. There is no speech, not even the 
+least word, upon my tongue, but thou, O God, knowest it, before I 
+utter it. Thine eyes beheld me, when yet imperfect in my mother’s 
+womb; and thou didst wonderfully form and fashion me there.” And (ver. 
+6) the Psalmist exclaims, “Such knowledge is too high and wonderful; 
+no mortal thought can attain unto it.”</p>
+
+<p>Here, it is as if the Psalmist had said, it is not in the capacity or 
+powers of any mortal to think or determine how he will lead his life, 
+what he will undertake, what he will do, what he will speak, what he 
+will think, where he will go, or to, or from, or in what place he will 
+turn; but all our acts, motions, and thoughts, are nothing less than 
+the works of God ever present with us, doing and ruling all things as 
+he will. And hence (ver. 19.) he utters his indignation against the 
+wicked; saying, “Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God.” Here he 
+burns with zeal against hypocrites, who, being ignorant of all the 
+works and words of God, and utterly blind and mad, ascribe all their 
+doings to their own works and merits.</p>
+
+<p>These mortals are perpetually putting forth and boasting of their own 
+ability and works, and are ever relying on their own doings and 
+merits, and ascribing unto themselves that glory which belongs to God 
+alone; whereas they have not one of their words in their own power, as 
+of, or from, themselves; but all their words and thoughts are in the 
+hand of God.—This glory, I say, they arrogate to themselves, when they 
+are all the while so far from the wisdom of God and his divine works, 
+that they neither know themselves nor any one part of themselves; nor 
+understand how they were formed or fashioned in the womb of their 
+mother; nor what their own body is, nor what are its properties and 
+organs; nor what their eyes are, nor what their brain is; nor what the 
+origin and nature of that motion is, by which their body is moved; 
+and, in a word, when they know not what the soul and this natural life 
+are; nor whence arise all those various motions and affections of the 
+mind within, nor how they are uttered outwards by the tongue.</p>
+
+<p>When, therefore, this whole that we are, and this all that we do, are 
+not our own wisdom or doing, but God’s; and since we cannot comprehend 
+these earthly things; since, I say, we neither can know nor do any one 
+of these earthly and corporal things, as of ourselves; how awful a sin 
+is that enormous arrogance, whereby we profess that we have so much 
+power in ourselves and in our free-will, that we can understand God, 
+and do his divine and spiritual works, and deliver ourselves from sin, 
+and death, and hell.</p>
+
+<p>Wherefore (ver. 20.) the Psalmist utters his holy indignation against 
+such hypocrites and teachers of human works and doings; saying, “Thine 
+enemies speak blasphemously against thee, O Lord, and they are proud 
+and lifted up against thee without cause. Guard thou me, and prove and 
+try me, that I may continue in the right way; the way that is true and 
+eternal;” that is, in the way of the knowledge of the word of thy 
+grace.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXL.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David prayeth to be delivered from Saul and Doeg.—He prayeth against 
+them.—He comforteth himself by confidence in God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me, O L<small>ORD</small>, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent 
+man;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which imagine mischiefs in <i>their</i> heart: continually are they 
+gathered together <i>for</i> war.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison <i>is</i> 
+under their lips. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Keep me, O L<small>ORD</small>, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the 
+violent man, who have purposed to overthrow my goings.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords: they have spread a net 
+by the way-side: they have set gins for me. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I said unto the L<small>ORD</small>, Thou <i>art</i> my God: hear the voice of my 
+supplications, O L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>O G<small>OD</small> the L<small>ORD</small>, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my 
+head in the day of battle.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Grant not, O L<small>ORD</small>, the desires of the wicked; further not his wicked 
+device, <i>lest</i> they exalt themselves. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>As for</i> the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of 
+their own lips cover them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into 
+deep pits, that they rise not up again.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt 
+the violent man to overthrow <i>him</i>.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I know that the L<small>ORD</small> will maintain the cause of the afflicted, <i>and</i> 
+the right of the poor.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright 
+shall dwell in thy presence.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is an ardent prayer against those hypocrites, who not only 
+cause many offences, and lay many nets and snares for them that go on 
+the right way, but proceed with terrible threats and unceasing cruelty 
+against all who will not approve and follow their errors and wicked 
+ways.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist therefore here prays that God would be pleased to 
+disappoint their counsels and purposes, and all the wicked plots which 
+they form, and devise, and to turn them on themselves and on their own 
+heads; that all these enemies of the people of God may perish with 
+that horrible judgment with which Pharaoh perished in the Red Sea, 
+who, being at the same time struck with lightning from heaven, and 
+overwhelmed with the waves of the sea, was utterly destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm affords an abundant consolation to the godly; as the 
+Psalmist saith in its conclusion, “The wicked shall fall into their 
+own nets, whilst that I at all times escape.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David prayeth that his suit may be acceptable, his conscience 
+sincere, and his life safe from snares.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, 
+when I cry unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let my prayer be set forth before thee <i>as</i> incense; <i>and</i> the lifting 
+up of my hands <i>as</i> the evening sacrifice.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Set a watch, O L<small>ORD</small>, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Incline not my heart to <i>any</i> evil thing, to practise wicked works 
+with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the righteous smite me; <i>it shall be</i> a kindness: and let him 
+reprove me; <i>it shall be</i> an excellent oil, <i>which</i> shall not break my 
+head: for yet my prayer also <i>shall be</i> in their calamities.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my 
+words; for they are sweet.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and 
+cleaveth <i>wood</i> upon the earth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>But mine eyes <i>are</i> unto thee, O G<small>OD</small> the Lord: in thee is my trust; 
+leave not my soul destitute.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Keep me from the snares <i>which</i> they have laid for me, and the gins of 
+the workers of iniquity.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm also is a fervent prayer, wherein the Psalmist prays to be 
+delivered from wicked teachers, who pretend to speak of peace, and 
+craftily use soft and flattering words, after they have found that 
+they can prevail nothing by terrors and threats. “Let the righteous,” 
+saith he, “smite me:” that is, I had rather that true and faithful 
+teachers should rebuke and condemn me, and reprove my ways, than that 
+hypocrites should flatter me and applaud me as a saint.</p>
+
+<p>And farther, (saith the Psalmist) although I suffer affliction for the 
+sake of that true and sound doctrine to which I cleave, and though, by 
+afflictions returning again and again, my bones be broken in pieces 
+and scattered like clods of earth before the penetrating and dividing 
+plough; yet I had rather be reproved and smitten by godly and true 
+teachers, and so acknowledge my sin, and rest upon the promise of God, 
+than hear all the flattering words of those hypocrites who deceive 
+themselves and others; and who pretend to have peace with God, when 
+there is no such peace unto them. For all such teachers and their 
+hypocrisies shall be hurled, as it were, from a mighty precipice, and 
+they shall suddenly be dashed to pieces and shall perish together; 
+their glory shall be hurried into confusion, and their end shall be 
+utter destruction; and then it shall appear how bitter their pleasing 
+doctrine is.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David sheweth that in his trouble all his comfort was in prayer unto 
+God.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>Maschil of David; a Prayer when he was in the cave.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I cried unto the L<small>ORD</small> with my voice: with my voice unto the L<small>ORD</small> did I 
+make my supplication.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I poured out my complaint before him: I shewed before him my trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path; 
+in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I looked on <i>my</i> right hand, and beheld, but <i>there was</i> no man that 
+would know me; refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I cried unto thee, O L<small>ORD</small>: I said, Thou <i>art</i> my refuge, <i>and</i> my 
+portion in the land of the living.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my 
+persecutors: for they are stronger than I.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous 
+shall compass me about; for thou shall deal bountifully with me.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is a prayer; wherein the Psalmist, being now surrounded 
+with peril on every side, cries unto God out of prison, as it were, by 
+reason of the great cruelty and malice of false teachers, who 
+persecuted him on account of the word.</p>
+
+<p>As the people of Israel were a stiff-necked people, their Cainish 
+malice and bitterness had so hardened them, that they stoned, 
+rejected, and killed the true prophets, on account of their preaching 
+of the word, and maintaining the true worship of God; and had given 
+themselves up to hypocrisy and idolatry; and all this, their histories 
+of them testify; as does Christ also, (Matt. xxiii.) and Stephen. 
+(Acts vii.)</p>
+
+<p>Hence, as these things were fully known, so we find most of the Psalms 
+grievously complaining of the cruel malice of false prophets and 
+hypocrites. And just in the same way, from the very beginning, 
+hypocrites and false teachers have afflicted the true church of God; 
+and the true saints in all ages found it necessary to cry unto God 
+continually, against all such hypocrites and Cainish pretenders to 
+saintship. All this is abundantly testified by the histories of the 
+times of Elijah and king Ahab and Jezebel; when all the true prophets 
+of the Lord were compelled to flee and to hide themselves, to escape 
+the furious cruelty of these adversaries; all which histories might 
+have been adduced as examples in this Psalm. And the recent times of 
+the Arian heresy afford also a plain example of the same persecution 
+and malice, when all the catholic bishops were compelled to flee; for 
+Satan neither can nor will endure the pure word of God!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David prayeth for favour in judgment.—He complaineth of his 
+griefs.—He strengtheneth his faith by meditation and prayer.—He prayeth for 
+grace, for deliverance, for sanctification, for destruction of his 
+enemies.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Hear my prayer, O L<small>ORD</small>; give ear to my supplications: in thy 
+faithfulness answer me, <i>and</i> in thy righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall 
+no man living be justified.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to 
+the ground: he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that hath 
+been long dead.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me: my heart within me is 
+desolate.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the 
+work of thy hands.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul <i>thirsteth</i> after thee, as 
+a thirsty land. Selah.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Hear me speedily, O L<small>ORD</small>; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from 
+me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I 
+trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up 
+my soul unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Deliver me, O L<small>ORD</small>, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Teach me to do thy will; for thou <i>art</i> my God: thy Spirit <i>is</i> good; 
+lead me into the land of uprightness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Quicken me, O L<small>ORD</small>, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake 
+bring my soul out of trouble.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that 
+afflict my soul: for I <i>am</i> thy servant.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a prayer, expressing the deep feelings of an afflicted and 
+agonizing conscience. The Psalmist, being in the midst of the sense 
+and peril of sin, and terrified at the judgment of God, begs of God 
+not to enter into judgment with him, and firmly cleaves to the promise 
+of mercy, and of the remission of sins. He complains, on the other 
+hand, of hypocrites and teachers of the law and of works; by means of 
+whom, as his instruments, the devil terribly harasses the godly, and 
+loads them with various trials and straits of mind and conscience, and 
+endeavours to draw them away from the certainty of the divine promise 
+unto doubt; in which state, consciences are horribly shaken with fear 
+and darkness, and the dread of the wrath of an unappeased God.</p>
+
+<p>“The enemy,” saith David, “hath persecuted my soul; he hath made me to 
+dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead; therefore my 
+spirit is overwhelmed within me.” Here David refers to those straits 
+into which consciences are cast by those who lay upon them burdens too 
+heavy to be borne, (as Christ saith concerning the Pharisees, Matt. 
+xxiii.) And yet will not so much as touch them with one of their 
+fingers. And hence this Psalm blessedly shows that there is no sure or 
+solid consolation for consciences, save for those who depend on the 
+promise of the free remission of sins, and on the word of God’s grace: 
+“Enter not,” saith David, “into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for 
+in thy sight shall no man living be justified.”</p>
+
+<p>That afflicted hearts and consciences can find rest in no other way 
+than this, all the scriptural histories bear witness. All the holy 
+patriarchs, from the beginning of the world, were justified before 
+God by the free, unmerited imputation of righteousness, and not by 
+their own works; as Peter also testifies (Acts xv.) concerning the 
+law, “Why tempt ye God; to lay upon us a yoke which neither we nor our 
+fathers were able to bear. But we believe that by the grace of our 
+Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, as they.”</p>
+
+<p>“I remember,” says David again, “the days of old, I meditate on the 
+works of thy hands;” as if he had added, ‘By these, thy works from the 
+beginning, I comfort and support myself in all my temptations: for all 
+the great saints from the beginning were saved, not by any merit of 
+their own righteousness, but by grace alone: they were delivered from 
+sin and from the wrath of God, by faith in Christ the promised seed: 
+as Abraham also was, by the same grace of God in Christ, called out of 
+idolatry.’ Joshua xxiv. 2, 3.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore God leaves here no ground for any mortal’s boasting in his 
+own works and merits: and yet, by this doctrine of works Satan hath 
+never ceased to distress and torment consciences, contrary to the 
+manifest words and works of God.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLIV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>David blesseth God for his mercy both to him and to man.—He prayeth 
+that God would powerfully deliver him from his enemies.—He promiseth 
+to praise God.—He prayeth for the happy state of the kingdom.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>A Psalm of David.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Blessed <i>be</i> the L<small>ORD</small> my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, 
+<i>and</i> my fingers to fight:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my 
+shield, and <i>he</i> in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>L<small>ORD</small>, what <i>is</i> man, that thou takest knowledge of him! <i>or</i> the son 
+of man, that thou makest account of him!</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Man is like to vanity: his days <i>are</i> as a shadow that passeth away.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Bow thy heavens, O L<small>ORD</small>, and come down: touch the mountains, and they 
+shall smoke.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows and 
+destroy them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great 
+waters, from the hand of strange children;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand <i>is</i> a right hand of 
+falsehood.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltry <i>and</i> an 
+instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>It is he</i> that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his 
+servant from the hurtful sword.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth 
+speaketh vanity, and their right hand <i>is</i> a right hand of falsehood:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>That our sons <i>may be</i> as plants grown up in their youth; that our 
+daughters <i>may be</i> as cornerstones, polished <i>after</i> the similitude of a 
+palace:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>That</i> our garners <i>may be</i> full, affording all manner of store: 
+<i>that</i> our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our 
+streets:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>That</i> our oxen <i>may be</i> strong to labour; <i>that there be</i> no breaking 
+in, nor going out; that <i>there be</i> no complaining in our streets.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Happy <i>is that</i> people that is in such a case: <i>yea</i>, happy <i>is that</i> 
+people whose God <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for kings, princes, and all 
+magistrates. David here, as a king and a magistrate himself, who had 
+to govern the state and carry on wars, confesses that all prosperous 
+and happy government, all success at home and abroad, all the arts of 
+peace, and all victory in war, are the good gifts of God; and that a 
+man can no more effect these things by human wisdom or strength, or by 
+any ability of his own, than he can hold the millions of minds of 
+nations bound unto himself, and make their multitudes obey him alone: 
+for what could any mortal man do towards preserving whole kingdoms, 
+and cities, and provinces in quiet from sedition and commotions amid 
+all the infinite malice of the devil and the world? Every mortal man 
+would fail, like a vanishing shadow, before the thought of such an 
+undertaking.</p>
+
+<p>But the God of all majesty, as Isaiah saith, is the Lord of all the 
+kingdoms and kings of the earth. He, as Daniel saith, removes and 
+establishes kingdoms. That monarch of heaven and earth also taketh 
+down one king and sitteth up another. And he it is, who, in the time 
+of peace, curbs the wills and holds the minds of the multitude, and 
+stills all civil commotions like the waves of the sea, against all the 
+raised winds of the devil. And it is the same God also, who, in the 
+time of war, terrifieth the enemies of a nation, and maketh their 
+hearts to tremble, when he thunders in the heavens, when he touches 
+the mountains and great hills of nations and of peoples: he is 
+terrible; and who can stand before him? When he strikes the hearts of 
+the enemy with fear, it is easy for us to conquer. But what human 
+wisdom or power can strike this terror, or do or ordain such mighty 
+things?</p>
+
+<p>David then prays against the deeds of his own people, and rebukes 
+their ungodliness. The Israelites, because they had that especial 
+honour and glory of being the people of God, were above all people of 
+a stiff-neck; proud, seditious, avaricious, envious, unbelieving, and 
+disobedient; and all these things they manifested in their conduct to 
+Moses, to David himself, and to other godly kings. And although they 
+saw David, in the same manner as Moses before him, with the manifest 
+presence of God, and with great and divine miracles, governing the 
+state, and conducting wars successfully, in the midst of the assaults 
+of enemies on every side; yet falling into pride and security, from a 
+confidence in their high title, as the people of God; they showed 
+themselves to be no better than those of their forefathers, of whom 
+Moses saith, “Ye have always been a rebellious and stiff-necked people 
+before the Lord, from the day that I first knew you.” For the people 
+of David were carnally affected and ungodly; and were as if they had 
+said, ‘Command, and command again, if thou wilt; expect, and expect 
+still; and why dost thou preach unto us faith, whereas we all the 
+while continue in affliction? Those whom God favors, and to whom he 
+shows mercy, he blesses: to them he gives wives, children, riches, 
+houses, lands, and all things, and happiness in all things; and happy 
+are the people that are in such a case.’ Nor were false prophets 
+wanting, to dwell upon temporal promises in their preaching, and to 
+withstand the true prophets; denying that those were the favorites of 
+God who were not blessed with temporal prosperities; and saying that 
+all the saints of God were so blessed.</p>
+
+<p>Against these, therefore, David now most fervently prays, and 
+encourages himself in heart and in faith by his past experiences of 
+God’s mercies and deliverances. “If, (saith David,) thou hast aforetime 
+delivered me from the sword of Goliath, and hast given me the victory, 
+as thou hast done also unto other kings; so now defend me from this 
+ungodly, hardened, and unbelieving people; who neither regard God nor 
+his civil ministers; who care not with what evils a good king is 
+surrounded in his government, nor what perils of war prevail, nor what 
+blessings of peace are enjoyed; but are an ignorant and unfeeling 
+herd; the very dregs and sink of men: yea, very swine, who regard 
+nothing but their belly; whom it is more difficult to rule, than to 
+conduct the most fierce and perilous wars.” Exactly like unto these are 
+some of our nobles and citizens and countrymen now; who, for the sake 
+of their belly, trample and spit upon all true religion and good 
+learning; and indeed on all things human and divine.</p>
+
+<p>David here attacks these ungodly ones with a most severe rebuke; 
+calling them “strange children;” hereby cutting up that glorying of 
+theirs, wherein they boasted of being the children of Abraham, and the 
+peculiar people of God: and yet were all the while worse than any 
+heathen nation, and were false children and strangers; for they 
+honoured God with their mouth and with their lips, while their heart 
+was far from him.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLV.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>David praiseth God for his fame, for his goodness, for his kingdom, 
+for his providence, for his saving mercy.</i></small></blockquote>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small>David’s Psalm of praise.</small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever 
+and ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and 
+ever.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Great <i>is</i> the L<small>ORD</small>, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness <i>is</i> 
+unsearchable.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare 
+thy mighty acts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy 
+wondrous works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>And <i>men</i> shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will 
+declare thy greatness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and 
+shall sing of thy righteousness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of 
+great mercy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> good to all and his tender mercies <i>are</i> over all his 
+works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>All thy works shall praise thee, O L<small>ORD</small>; and thy saints shall bless 
+thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious 
+majesty of his kingdom.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thy kingdom <i>is</i> an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion <i>endureth</i> 
+throughout all generations.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all <i>those that be</i> 
+bowed down.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due 
+season.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living 
+thing.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> <i>is</i> nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call 
+upon him in truth.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear 
+their cry, and will save them.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he 
+destroy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>My mouth shall speak the praise of the L<small>ORD</small>: and let all flesh bless 
+his holy name for ever and ever.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a very blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for the kingdom and 
+dominion of Christ, which God was about to raise up among the people 
+of Israel: for it was on account of Christ, that this whole people was 
+from the beginning chosen out of all other nations; and on account of 
+Christ also that the law was given unto them, and the whole Mosaic 
+worship established.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm also most especially urges forward that highest and most 
+excellent of all works, the peculiar and most glorious worship of God, 
+which the first table of the decalogue demands; that is, the sacrifice 
+of praise. The Psalmist in the most exalted expressions proclaims the 
+power of God, and his infinite mercy; which is above all his works.</p>
+
+<p>The whole Psalm presents to us a wonderful display of the eloquence of 
+the Holy Spirit; setting forth, by a great depth of feeling, and by a 
+luxuriant abundance of words and expressions, the glorious height of 
+the worship of God embraced in these words of the first commandment of 
+the decalogue, “I <small>AM THE</small> L<small>ORD</small> <small>THY</small> 
+G<small>OD</small>!” And the Psalm prays that men 
+may acknowledge the kingdom of Christ, “That thy power,” says David, 
+“may be known unto men, and the glorious majesty of thy kingdom:” that 
+is, that it may be known by the gospel, that there is no other 
+deliverance from the power of the devil, and from sin and eternal 
+death, than by faith in the word of thy mercy and grace, given unto us 
+in Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The power and kingdom of Christ lies hidden under the outward 
+appearance of the cross and of weakness; and the word of the gospel is 
+a contemptible doctrine with the wise and powerful of the world; for 
+“the gospel,” as Paul saith, “is the wisdom of God hidden in a 
+mystery.” And again, saith he, “Christ crucified, is, unto the Jews, a 
+stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.” But when this 
+kingdom is, by the preaching of the word, and by the teaching and the 
+confession of the saints, made known before the world, it is proved to 
+be the kingdom of God and the power of God.</p>
+
+<p>That which the Psalmist saith, (verse 14) pertains especially unto the 
+kingdom of Christ, which is a kingdom that “upholdeth all that fall, 
+and lifteth up all them that are down;” for Christ is the king of the 
+afflicted, of the poor, of the fallen; and the king who justifies 
+sinners and raises the dead: by whom God is reconciled unto us, and 
+hears us as a father; fulfilling the desire of them that fear him, and 
+feeding and clothing us whom the world hateth, and guarding and 
+defending us against the gates of hell.</p>
+
+<p>From a worshipping admiration therefore, of the largeness of the grace 
+of God, the Psalmist breaks out into this fervent wish and prayer, 
+“and let all flesh bless his holy name;” as if he had said, the 
+blessings and riches of the kingdom of Christ are immense and 
+unsearchable; as Paul also saith, “Thanks be unto God for his 
+unspeakable gift.”</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLVI.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The Psalmist voweth perpetual praises to God.—He exhorteth not to 
+trust in man.—God, for his power, justice, mercy, and kingdom, is only 
+worthy to be trusted.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. Praise the L<small>ORD</small>, O my soul.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>While I live will I praise the L<small>ORD</small>: I will sing praises unto my God 
+while I have any being.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Put not your trust in princes, <i>nor</i> in the son of man, in whom <i>there 
+is</i> no help.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day 
+his thoughts perish.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Happy <i>is he</i> that <i>hath</i> the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope 
+<i>is</i> in the L<small>ORD</small> his God:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein <i>is;</i> 
+which keepeth truth for ever:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the 
+hungry. The L<small>ORD</small> looseth the prisoners:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> openeth <i>the eyes of</i> the blind: the L<small>ORD</small> raiseth them that 
+are bowed down: the L<small>ORD</small> loveth the righteous:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and 
+widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> shall reign for ever, <i>even</i> thy God, O Zion, unto all 
+generations. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving; and it contains a blessed doctrine; 
+namely, that we ought to trust in God, who alone can defend; and who 
+does defend faithfully all those that trust in him, and all those whom 
+the world hates and casts out. And the Psalm shows, that we ought not 
+to trust in any man, not even in kings or princes, nor in the mighty, 
+nor in the rich, as the world do. For (as the Psalmist saith) “it is 
+God alone that can mightily and gloriously deliver out of affliction,” 
+and all trust in man is deceitful and vain; for (to say nothing about 
+the vanity of such trust in all other particulars) no man knoweth any 
+thing certain respecting his own life!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLVII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote><small><i>The Prophet exhorteth to praise God for his care of the church, his 
+power, and his mercy:—to praise him for his providence:—to praise him 
+for his blessings upon the kingdom, for his power over the meteors, 
+and for his ordinances in the church.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>: for <i>it is</i> good to sing praises unto our God; for 
+<i>it is</i> pleasant, <i>and</i> praise is comely.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts 
+of Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by <i>their</i> 
+names.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Great <i>is</i> our L<small>ORD</small>, and of great power: his understanding <i>is</i> 
+infinite.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the 
+ground.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving: sing praise upon the harp unto 
+our God:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, 
+who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He giveth to the beast his food, <i>and</i> to the young ravens which cry.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure 
+in the legs of a man.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>The L<small>ORD</small> taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in 
+his mercy.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise the L<small>ORD</small>, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy 
+children within thee.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He maketh peace <i>in</i> thy borders, <i>and</i> filleth thee with the finest 
+of the wheat.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sendeth forth his commandment <i>upon</i> earth: his word runneth very 
+swiftly.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to 
+blow, <i>and</i> the waters flow.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto 
+Israel.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath not dealt so with any nation: and <i>as for his</i> judgments, they 
+have not known them. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a very blessed Psalm of thanksgiving for the various 
+unequalled and infinite mercies and gifts of God.</p>
+
+<p>In the first place, it thanks him for that especial mercy—his 
+regarding in, and miraculously delivering out of, afflictions, the 
+nations of Israel, his peculiar people, and the city of Jerusalem, 
+though placed in the midst of Gentile enemies.</p>
+
+<p>In the next place, it blesses God for that great and unspeakable 
+mercy, his giving throughout all the earth, to the godly and to the 
+ungodly, to the grateful and to the ungrateful, all necessary food and 
+gladness of heart, as Paul saith, Acts xiv. 17. “Filling the hearts of 
+men with food and gladness.”</p>
+
+<p>And more especially the Psalmist renders thanks unto God for his 
+refreshing, reviving, and comforting with his consolations, the hearts 
+of the godly when distressed and weakened by the devil, and burnt up, 
+as it were, by the greatness of the temptations; and for helping them 
+in all times of their temptation, affliction, and labour.</p>
+
+<p>Again, it thanks him for giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, 
+both unto the evil and unto the good; and for giving food unto men and 
+unto all the beasts of the earth; even so, that he suffereth not even 
+the ravens to hunger.</p>
+
+<p>And above all, the Psalmist gives thanks unto God, because he hears 
+and regards the godly, who call upon him; and that, especially in 
+Jerusalem; which is the place of his name and of his word; and because 
+he giveth Jerusalem, his city, civil peace, and a happy state of 
+government.</p>
+
+<p>Further, the Psalmist praises God for health of body and his blessing 
+therein, and for the good bringing up of children, and domestic order 
+and prosperity. And also for defence against all outward enemies, and 
+for the preservation of the boundaries of their land, and for national 
+peace and happiness. And, finally, he blesses God for the richness and 
+fertility of the land of Judah, and for the abundance of its fruits.</p>
+
+<p>The chosen people of God, and the elect places of his Zion have the 
+privilege, above all other nations, of being blessed with the word and 
+the worship of God. Wherefore they, above all others, show forth the 
+works of God and his wonders among the people. And all the creatures 
+of God, and his daily wonders, and blessings of rain, snow, dew, 
+frost, &amp;c. are more clearly known where his word and worship are, than 
+among idolatrous nations, who have neither the prophets, nor the 
+Spirit, nor the word, nor see his works, though they daily enjoy his 
+creatures and all his heavenly gifts and mercies; on all which 
+abundant gifts and mercies they feed like swine; for as they are 
+ignorant of the word, they are altogether ignorant of God.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLVIII.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The Psalmist exhorteth the celestial, the terrestrial, and the 
+rational creatures to praise God.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small> from the heavens: praise him in 
+the heights.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that <i>be</i> above the 
+heavens.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them praise the name of the L<small>ORD</small>: for he commanded, and they were 
+created.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree 
+which shall not pass.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise the L<small>ORD</small> from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Fire and hail; snow and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the 
+earth:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Both young men and maidens; old men and children:</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them praise the name of the L<small>ORD</small>: for his name alone is excellent; 
+his glory <i>is</i> above the earth and heaven.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; 
+<i>even</i> of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye 
+the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of thanksgiving; wherein the Psalmist calls upon, and 
+exhorts all creatures, both in heaven and in earth, to praise God; 
+calling more especially on his saints, the children of Israel, among 
+whom is the word and the worship of God.</p>
+
+<p>In this Psalm you may remark this blessed doctrine, that all orders of 
+men, all kinds of life, which are created of God, are good,—that is, 
+kings, magistrates, judges, young men, old men, &amp;c. For if to hold the 
+office of a magistrate and to hear and judge causes were of itself 
+wicked, then such magistrates could not call upon and praise God, nor 
+would the Holy Spirit exhort them in this Psalm to that praise of God. 
+And where there are magistrates and laws, kings and princes, there 
+also there are subjects, town-sergeants and constables. And there also 
+there must be artificers in the cities, and men-servants and 
+maid-servants, and countrymen, and soldiers, &amp;c. And, again, where 
+there are young men and old men, there are also wives and children, 
+and so whole families and households.</p>
+
+<p>All these things are good and holy gifts of God, and by no means to be 
+condemned or refused, as the pope blasphemously saith they are. All 
+these things, moreover, show that their all-high and Almighty Creator 
+is good; and that all these his good creatures ought to speak his 
+praise, to sound it forth with thousands of tongues, and to celebrate 
+this infinite goodness and the countless and unspeakable mercies of 
+God!</p>
+
+<p>If, therefore, thou desirest, contrary to the blasphemous doctrine of 
+the pope, and all like him, to know how supremely good all the 
+creatures of God are, from the least of them even to the greatest of 
+them; then, suppose to thyself that one of these creatures, out of the 
+universal whole, were deficient or wanting, for one short moment; 
+suppose there were no fire or no sun for a moment’s space even; 
+suppose there were no women, no infantine offspring;—suppose, I say, 
+any deficiency of this kind: by this thought thou wilt immediately 
+feel that no one can sufficiently praise God, even for one of his 
+creatures? And how many creatures has he formed! What worlds of 
+goodness has he created!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXLIX.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>The prophet exhorteth to praise God for his love to the church, and 
+for that power which he hath given to the church.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. Sing unto the L<small>ORD</small> a new song, <i>and</i> his praise in 
+the congregation of saints.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be 
+joyful in their King.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him 
+with the timbrel and harp.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>For the L<small>ORD</small> taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek 
+with salvation.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their 
+beds.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote><i>Let</i> the high <i>praises</i> of God <i>be</i> in their mouth, and a two-edged 
+sword in their hand;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To execute vengeance upon the heathen, <i>and</i> punishments upon the 
+people;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of 
+iron;</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his 
+saints. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This Psalm is also a Psalm of thanksgiving for that infinite goodness 
+of God, his being merciful to his people; and for assuring them, by 
+his word, and by his promises of his good will towards them; and that 
+he will hear them, regard them, and have mercy upon them. To which 
+immense goodness of God, no thanks of his people can be equal. And 
+that treasure of mercy, which is greater than the whole world unto 
+afflicted consciences,—that God freely promises to his people his 
+blessing, in the seed of Abraham, and the remission of sins; and does 
+not regard their unworthiness in the gift;—that treasure of mercy, I 
+say, is greater than the mind of man is capable of conceiving.</p>
+
+<p>This Psalm, therefore, (if we may so speak) is properly a Psalm of the 
+New Testament. Hence the Psalmist saith, “Sing unto the Lord a new 
+song:” showing that all praise is to be sung unto the king of Israel 
+and of Zion; whom all ought to laud with rejoicing, “upon their beds:” 
+that is, in the churches and temples where they meet for worship; as 
+the prophet Isaiah also mentions their temples, their altars, their 
+beds, and their couches, where Israel committed fornication; that is, 
+worshipped their idols.</p>
+
+<p>And that also pertains to the New Testament where the Psalmist saith, 
+“And a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the 
+heathen, and to bind their kings with chains.” This is not to be 
+understood simply of the Jews or of the Mahometans, with respect to 
+any earthly tyranny; but this is the vengeance promised in the 
+scriptures; which the seed of Abraham, that is, the Israelites and the 
+apostles, should execute by the sword of the Spirit, by which they 
+should destroy idolatry in so many nations, and should put to shame 
+the wisdom of the whole world, as the apostle Paul saith. 2 Cor. x.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>PSALM CXL.</h3>
+
+<blockquote class="center"><small><i>An exhortation to praise God with all kinds of instruments.</i></small></blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<blockquote>Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the 
+firmament of his power.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent 
+greatness.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery 
+and harp.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed 
+instruments and organs.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding 
+cymbals.</blockquote>
+
+<blockquote>Let every thing that hath breath praise the L<small>ORD</small>. Praise ye the L<small>ORD</small>.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>This is a Psalm of praise, written for the people of Israel, (to 
+praise God in his holiness, or in his sanctuary): that is, to praise 
+him for that infinite and unequalled mercy, of erecting his sanctuary, 
+his tabernacle, his ark, his mercy-seat among the Israelites; and 
+thereby making Jerusalem the place of his dwelling. For God dwelt in 
+that place, the city of Jerusalem, as in the heaven of his habitation. 
+Hence other prophets call that people “the heavens,” and the place of 
+the habitation, of the name, and of the word of God. Because the 
+presence, the power, and the majesty of God are there, where he 
+manifests himself forth by his acts and his wonderful works.</p>
+
+<p>The Psalmist then mentions many musical instruments, which were used 
+by the people of Israel in their worship, according to the appointed 
+ceremonies of the Levitical worship and priesthood. But among 
+Christians and the people of the New Testament, the trumpet, psaltery, 
+the harp, the timbrels, are the gospel itself in the ministration of 
+the word.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>CONCLUDING ADMONITION.</h3>
+<br>
+
+<p>I would, in conclusion, have all godly souls (whom Satan, without 
+ceasing, harasses with temptations,) to bear in mind that all the 
+laudatory Psalms, or Psalms of thanksgiving, are also promises of God, 
+designed to lift up, to sustain, and to refresh afflicted consciences, 
+and to furnish them with arguments against the devil; assuring them 
+that God is the God of peace, of life, of consolation, and not the God 
+of misery, cruelty, and damnation. For when David and other saints 
+thus joyfully, and with all possible abundance of expression, praise 
+God, they thereby show forth unto all the afflicted, that God never 
+forsakes his own in their temptations, but pities all such; and that 
+he gives them breathing-times in their conflicts, succours them in 
+their distresses, beholds their contrite hearts, gives them in due 
+time an end of their afflictions, delivers them from all evils, and 
+oft-times most sweetly and marvellously comforts them.</p>
+
+<p>Wherefore, every thanksgiving in the Psalms, is at the same time, a 
+promise of grace, and a sweet doctrine to the tempted and the 
+afflicted: because thereby is shown, by the example of David and of 
+others, that God regardeth the afflicted, heareth all that call upon 
+him, and giveth peace unto them in all the various afflictions under 
+which they labour.</p>
+
+<p>Learn thou well then how to gather, throughout the book of Psalms, the 
+blessed argument against the devil, contained in the words, “P<small>RAISE YE 
+THE</small> L<small>ORD</small>!” It was this that comforted David himself while praising 
+God: for they are not the dead that praise the Lord, nor they that are 
+swallowed up of sorrow, nor they that go down into hell!</p>
+
+<p>As therefore God ceaseth not, during this short and momentous life, to 
+try and prove his church, by causing her to undergo these many and 
+great offences, temptations, and afflictions, and these most bitter 
+hatreds of Satan and of the word; so he will, as surely, most 
+marvellously and excellently comfort her from heaven, and deliver her, 
+and save her!</p>
+
+<p>All, therefore, that believe, how many soever they be, and how many or 
+great soever their afflictions, are ever lifted up by the consolations 
+of God. And hence God will comfort us also, and all saints; and he 
+will open our mouths to praise him; that Satan may be confounded in 
+all his devices and in all his works, and that Jesus Christ, the Lord 
+our God, may be glorified! who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, 
+liveth and reigneth, One God, blessed for evermore. Amen.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h4>THE PRINTER</h4>
+
+<blockquote class="center">TO THE GODLY READER, GREETING.</blockquote>
+<br>
+
+<p>Behold, we here present unto thee, good Reader, the summary Commentary 
+of Doctor Martin Luther, collected from his mouth by those that heard 
+him, with all possible care and diligence. We could scarcely obtain 
+leave from the holy author to edit this commentary in his name: 
+because he felt that many things were wanting in this extemporaneous 
+explication, which a diligent writing down might have rendered more 
+perfect and more clear. But as he was satisfied that the sense and 
+substance of each Psalm were every where faithfully given, and that a 
+very important part of the true religion was here copiously handled; 
+he was, under these assurances, the more willing to overlook any thing 
+that might be wanting in the way of greater correctness, and loftier 
+language and expression.</p>
+
+<p>We hope, therefore, that this our labour will not be unacceptable to 
+the lovers of the Holy Scriptures and divine things. For they will 
+here see how blessedly this great man opened and taught the word of 
+God, and what his only aim and object were therein. And they will also 
+be the better enabled to judge of the writings of others. For while 
+others devote all their labours, pains, and aims, to thrust their 
+books upon the world; they never, in those books, touch in the least 
+upon those things which form the substance of the true religion! 
+Reader, farewell! May thy soul be blessed by our labour!</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<blockquote class="center"><small>PRINTED BY<br>
+L. AND G. SEELEY, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.</small></blockquote>
+
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75892 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
+
+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+book #75892 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75892)