The word Selah occurs about seventy times in the Psalms, as well as three times in the Book of Habakkuk. It is supposed to be a stop in music; and it is very doubtful whether it has anything whatever to do with the sense. Luther however and others consider it as a direction to us to pause, and carefully to reflect on the words that have gone before.

The following Exposition of the Psalms is intended either for Reading in the Family, or for Private Devotional use. The writer has not attempted to solve critical difficulties; but at the same time he has endeavoured, so far as limited space would allow, to give his view of difficult passages, as well as those which are plain. He has not intentionally avoided any one verse, because it contains 'things hard to be understood,' but has given what seemed to him to be the most honest and obvious interpretation.

There is in David's Psalms a certain sameness, which all must have observed-the same complaints again and again repeated—the same sufferings dwelt upon-the constant attraction of his soul to the great Source of help, towards which he

ever turns.

God grant that the Psalmist's humility, his confidence, his joy and thankfulness, may be ours; and that, as we read his words, we may catch much of his devout and heavenly spirit.

In sending forth this volume, it is a great comfort to me that, whilst far away from scenes and persons very dear to me, I am still able to speak to many English hearts. And although numberless deficiencies will be found in these pages, my excuse is that they have been written amidst the constant cares and anxieties of a large Diocese.

Montreal, Feb. 12, 1872.

READINGS ON THE PSALMS.

PSALM I

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.

THE First Psalm is thought by some to be a kind of introduction to the rest. It begins, like the Sermon on the Mount, with a Beatitude, declaring at once the happiness and blessing which true godliness brings with it.

Two Pictures, as it were, are drawn and placed before us.

VOL. I.

B

First, we have a Picture of the GODLY MAN. He is described as "not walking in the counsel of the ungodly." He avoids his example, and listens not to his advice. Next, it is said that he "standeth not in the way of sinners." Their ways are hateful to him: their habits, their conversation, their feelings, are all contrary to his taste. And further, it is added that he "sitteth not in the seat of the scornful;" that is, he shuns the companionship of those who despise religion, as he would avoid persons infected with some loathsome disease. The scorner especially is his abhorrence.

It seems as if the gradual advances in what is wrong are here described. To walk with the ungodly is to hold occasional intercourse with them. To stand in their ways signifies a somewhat closer intimacy. And then, to sit with them is to have a still more fixed and decided connexion with them. And is it not true, that he who sets one foot within forbidden ground will probably not stop there; but will walk onwards, till at length he will deliberately take his seat among the opposers and scoffers of true religion?

Having spoken of what the godly man shuns, the Psalmist goes on to show us wherein he takes his pleasure. God's word is precious to him. He loves to dwell upon it. By day and by night the Lord's testimonies are his delight.