the mellifluous flow of some modern hymns-is readily conceded. But, assuredly, what it lacks sometimes in smoothness it more than gains in a wonderfully close adherence to the very words of inspiration. It is, as it professes to be, a version of the Psalms, not a paraphrase. It bears internal marks of having been rendered directly from the Hebrew original. And in some places where the reading differs slightly from that of our prose version, the metrical one would seem to be the more exact of the two. It may be added, that the occasional ruggedness is only felt in reading the Psalms-in singing them it becomes a matter very unimportant.

May He "whose eye is on the truth," and with whom is "the residue of the Spirit," vouchsafe to accept and bless this attempt to advance his own glorious praise!

NOTE.

The late Rev. Dr. Tweedie undertook to prepare these Notes at the request of a friend, and had completed the manuscript of them shortly before his death. The proof sheets have been revised with care, and retouched, by the Rev. Dr. Charles J. Brown.

An Alphabetical Index of the matters in the Psalms has been prepared, and placed at the end of the volume; which may be found useful in selecting a portion bearing on any particular subject.

The Numbers of the Tunes named as the most appropriate for each Psalm, refer to the "SCOTTISH PSALMODY" published by T. Nelson and Sons.

THE

PSALMS OF DAVID

IN METRE.

1

PSALM I.

[The spirit in which this psalm should be sung, is that of a man who knows that "holiness becometh God's house." No man who lives in sin can worthily praise the Holy One. Ps. lxvi. 18.]

1 THAT man hath perfect blessedness who walketh not astray

2

In counsel of ungodly men,

nor stands in sinners' way,

Nor sitteth in the scorner's chair:

But placeth his delight

Upon God's law, and meditates
on his law day and night.

grows

3 He shall be like a tree that
near planted by a river,
Which in his season yields his fruit,

and his leaf fadeth never:

And all he doth shall prosper well.

The wicked are not so;

But like they are unto the chaff,

which wind drives to and fro.

1, 2. The character and blessedness of the righteous.

TUNES. Jackson's, 18. St. Andrew's, 35. Peterborough, 30.

3. Spiritual prosperity.

4-6. The misery and doom of the ungodly.

5 In judgment therefore shall not stand
such as ungodly are;

Nor in th' assembly of the just
shall wicked men appear.

6 For why? the way of godly men
unto the Lord is known:

Whereas the way of wicked men
shall quite be overthrown.

1-3. The

thoughts of the wicked against Messiah.

TUNES.
St. Gregory, 40.
Montrose, 22.
Peckham, 28.

4, 5. God's thoughts of the ungodly.

6-9. The glory and kingdom of the Son. (Acts xiii. 33.)

[In making melody to the Lord with this psalm, our thoughts should ascend to the King of Zion, the eternal Son, who is the subject of it,whose glory his enemies would obscure, but whose exaltation and rule are the joy of his people.]

1

WHY rage

WHY rage the heathen? and vain things
why do the people mind?

2 Kings of the earth do set themselves,
and princes are combin'd,

To plot against the Lord, and his
Anointed, saying thus,

3 Let us asunder break their bands,
and cast their cords from us.

4 He that in heaven sits shall laugh;
he Lord shall scorn them all.

5 Then shall he speak to them in wrath
in rage he vex them shall.

6 Yet, notwithstanding, I have him
to be my King appointed;
And over Sion, my holy hill,

I have him King anointed.

7 The sure decree I will declare;
the Lord hath said to me,

Thou art mine only Son; this day
I have begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and for heritage

the heathen I'll make thine; And, for possession, I to thee will give earth's utmost line. 9 Thou shalt, as with a weighty rod of iron, break them all;

And, as a potter's sherd, thou shalt

them dash in pieces small.

10 Now therefore, kings, be wise; be taught,

ye judges of the earth:

11 Serve God in fear, and see that ye

join trembling with your mirth.

12 Kiss ye the Son, lest in his ire ye perish from the way,

[As the second psalm tells of the glory of the Redeemer, the third sings of the safety and blessedness of his redeemed, even amid manifold sorrows.]

1

LORD, how are my foes increas'd?
against me many rise.

2 Many say of my soul, For him

in God no succour lies.

10-12. Kings and judges counselled to serve the SonThe blessedness of all who trust in Him.

1, 2. The enemies and troubles of the soul.

TUNES. Martyrdom, 20. Tallis, 145.

3-8. Its confidence and peace in Jeho

vah-Its courage and salvation.

3 Yet thou my shield and glory art,
th' uplifter of mine head.

4 I cry'd, and, from his holy hill,
the Lord me answer made.

5 I laid me down and slept, I wak'd;
for God sustained me.

6 I will not fear though thousands ten
set round against me be.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, my God;
for thou my foes hast stroke

All on the cheek bone, and the teeth
of wicked men hast broke.

1. The prayer

of faith amid

distress.

TUNES.

Abbey, 68.

St. Thomas, 50.

2, 3. Appeals to the sons of men.

[When this psalm is used in praise to God, believer is encouraging believer in the good ways of the Lord, and telling of the assured peace which flows from holy trust in him.]

GIVE

God of my righteousness;

Have mercy, hear my pray'r; thou hast enlarg❜d me in distress.

2 O ye the sons of men! how long

will ye love vanities?

How long my glory turn to shame,
and will ye follow lies?