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It is happy when our "afflictions" do not make us to "forget the law of God;" then have we confidence toward him in our prayers, that he will "consider" and regard our sufferings, as he did those of Israel in Egypt, and come down to " deliver" us out of all our troubles; for Israel is still in Egypt, while the church is in the world; but let us remember the promise, and rejoice in hope.

154. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

God is the Patron of his people, to "plead" their cause; their Redeemer, to "deliver" them out of troubles; the Author and Fountain of their life, to" quicken" and support them. We may, therefore, have recourse to him at all times, as an Advocate, à Saviour, and a Comforter, for the defence of our cause, the deliverance of our persons, and the support of our hearts. And all this," according to

his word," in which he hath engaged thus to patronize, to rescue, and to strengthen, those who trust in him, and apply to him.

155. Salvation is far from the wicked; for they seek not thy statutes.

The "salvation" which is nigh to the faithful, because they diligently and earnestly seek to know and to do the will of God revealed to them in his word, is "far from the wicked," because "they seek not his "statutes," nor concern themselves to know what they are, much less to observe and practise them.

156. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgements, that is, thy word.

157. Many are my persecutors, and

mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. 158. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

Persecution tempteth men to apostasy, and is the great trial of our fidelity to God and to his word. He who, in such circumstances, forgetteth his own sufferings, to commiserate the sin and folly of his persecutors, is a true follower, as David was a forerunner of Jesus Christ.

159. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy loving kindness. 160. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for

ever.

It is observable how the Psalmist delighteth to dwell on these two sweet notes; the "loving kind"ness" of God in promising salvation, and his "truth" in the constant performance of that promise to his church, while she "loves" and adheres to his "precepts." Thus it hath been "from the begin"ning," and thus it will be, until the whole counsel of heaven shall at length be fulfilled, by the resurrec tion and salvation of the just.

SCHIN. PART XXI.

161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. 162. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. David was "persecuted," by Saul and his associates, "without a cause." The life of Saul was spared by him, because "he stood in awe of God's

"word," and preferred the comfortable reflection of having obeyed its injunctions, to all the "spoil," and to those many advantages, that would have accrued to him, by the overthrow and death of his implacable adversary, who acknowledged, upon the occasion, "Thou art more righteous than I:"1 Sam. xxiv. 17. The sufferings of the body are soon over; the joys of conscience have no end.

163. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

The word of truth is the proper object of our "love," and every thing which is contrary to it deserveth our "hatred and abhorrence;" nor is life itself worth preserving, at the expense either of our faith or our virtue.

164. Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgements.

They who, like David, during the time of persecution and affliction, put their trust in God, and wait his decision of their cause, will always find reason, as David did, to "praise him seven times a day," or continually, for his just decrees and "righteous "judgments" concerning them.

165. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Amidst the storms and tempests of the world, there is a perfect calm in the breasts of those who not only do the will of God, but "love" to do it. They are at peace with God, by the blood of reconciliation; at peace with themselves, by the answer of a good conscience, and the subjection of those desires which war against the soul; at peace with all men,

by the spirit of charity; and the whole creation is so at peace with them, that all things work together for their good. No external troubles can rob them of this "great peace,' no "offences" or stumblingblocks, which are thrown in their way by persecution or temptation, by the malice of enemies or the apostasy of friends, by any thing which they see, hear of, or feel, can detain or divert them from their course. Heavenly love surmounts every obstacle, and runs with delight the way of God's commandments.

166. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

This is the true posture of a Christian, in which he need not fear to be found by his last and great enemy, death," doing" his duty, and " hoping" for salvation from the person who is his Maker, as well as his Redeemer, and who, consequently, expecteth to be obeyed, no less than to be believed in.

167. My soul hath kept thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. 168. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

The "love of God's testimonies," and the consideration, that all "our ways are before him," and subject to his immediate inspection, are two powerful motives to obedience. The plea of having "kept the divine precepts," &c. in the mouth of David, or any other believer, intendeth sincerity, not perfection, and is alleged as an evidence of grace, not as a claim of merit. Christ alone kept the old law, and he enableth us to observe the

TAU. PART XXII

169. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. 170. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

The Psalmist still continueth instant in prayer for "understanding," to direct him in the midst of dangers and temptations, and for "deliverance" out of them all, when God shall see fit to accomplish the promises made in his "word." These are blessings, for which a man cannot be too frequent, or too earnest, in his petitions to the throne of heaven.

171. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

He who obtaineth his requests, and is made a partaker of that grace and salvation for which he so fervently prayed, will edify men, by singing the praises," and proclaiming the "righteousness" of God his Saviour.

173. Let thine hand help me : for I have chosen thy precepts. 174. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD: and thy law is my delight.

"Salvation" by the "hand," or arm of Jehovah (which is often in Scripture a title of Messiah), hath been the object of the hopes, the desires, and "longing" expectation of the faithful, from Adam to this hour; and will continue so to be, until He, who hath already visited us in great humility,