And of my heart the secret groans not hidden are from thee. 10 My heart doth pant incessantly, my strength doth quite decay : As for mine eyes, their wonted light is from me gone away. 11 My lovers and my friends do stand And those do stand aloof that were 12 Yea, they that seek my life lay snares: 13 But, as one deaf, that heareth not, I as a dumb man did become, 14 As one that hears not, in whose mouth, are no reproofs at all. 15 For, Lord, I hope in thee; my God, thou❜lt hear me when I call. 16 For I said, hear me, lest they should rejoice o'er me with pride : And o'er me magnify themselves, when as my foot doth slide, 17 For I am near to halt, my grief is still before mine eye: 18 For I'll declare my sin and grieve for mine iniquity. 19 But yet mine en'mies lively are, and strong are they beside; And they that hate me wrongfully are greatly multiply'd. 20 And they for good that render ill, Yea, ev'n for this, because that I 21 Forsake me not, O Lord: my God, PSALM XXXIX. To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun. Here we have, (1) violent struggling in the psalmist's own breast between grace and corruption; between passion and patience; ver. 1-3, 11. (2) Serious views of human frailty, shortness of life, and self-emptiness; ver. 4-6. (3) Strong cries to God, for pardon of sin, preservation from reproach and for removal of trouble; for hearing and answering of prayer, and for lengthening out of life, till further preparation for death should be attained, ver. 7—13. While I sing, let my soul blush deep, for the untenderness and want of circumspection, in my life; and for my want of resignation to God's disposing will. Let me be suitably affected with the shortness, vanity and uncertainty of my temporal life. Let me always be exercised in earnest prayer to, and believing dependence on God, as my companion and friend. Said, I will look to my ways, In sight of wicked men my mouth 2 With silence I as dumb became, I did myself restrain From speaking good; but then the more increased was my pain. 3 My heart within me waxed hot, and, while I musing was, The fire did burn: and from my tongue 4 Mine end, and measure of my days, 5 Lo, thou my days an hand-breadth mad'st mine age is in thine eye As nothing sure each man at best is wholly vanity. 6 Sure each man walks in a vain show, they vex themselves in vain: He heaps up wealth, and doth not know to whom it shall pertain. 7 And now, O Lord, what wait I for? 8 Free me from all my tresspasses, 10 Thy stroke take from me: by the blow of thine hand I do pine. 11 When with rebukes thou dost correct Thou wastes his beauty like a moth: 12 Attend my cry, Lord, at my tears -I sojourn as my father's all, and stranger am with thee. 13 O spare thou me, that I my strength recover may again, Before from hence I do depart, PSALM XL. To the chief Musician. A Psalm of DAVID. Here we have (1) David's hearty acknowledgments of God's kindness, in bringing him out of long and sore afflictions; ver. 1-5. (2) His preferring of holy obedience to God, and faithful publication of his truths and praises, to all ceremonial oblations; ver. 6-11. (3) His improvement of his former deliverance, as an encouragement to supplicate further mercy and protection; an encouragement to confess sin and implore the pardon thereof; an encouragement to rejoice in, and praise God for his excellencies and favours; to trust him under affiction, and to comfort himself in him amidst poverty, sinfulness, and trouble; ver. 12—17. But let me here chiefly think (1) of Jesus the great shepherd of the sheep, who was brought again from his agonies and death, by the blood of the everlasting covenant, and set down at the right hand of the majesty on high, that he might receive gifts for men, and that our faith and hope might be in God; ver. 1-5. (2) Let me think of the new covenant made between him and his eternal Father, for the redemption of sinful men, and of his complete fulfilment of the divine law as the condition thereof; ver. 6-10. (3) Let me think how our iniquities were charged to his account and punished on him, as our surety; ver. 11—13. (4) Let me think. how the unrelenting vengeance of almighty God, overtook his Jewish betrayers and murderers; and hath or will overtake his heathenish, anti-christian or other implacable enemies: and of the joy and consolation, which flow from and through him to his chosen friends; ver. 14-17. I WAITED for the Lord my God, At length to me he did incline 2 He took me from a fearful pit, And on a rock be set my feet, 3 He put a new song in my mouth, Many shall see it, and shall fear, 4 O blessed is the man whose trust Respecting not the proud, nor such 5 O Lord my God, full many are In order none can reckon them to thee if them declare, And speak of them I would, they more than can be number'd are. 6 No sacrifice, nor offering didst thou at all desire; Mine ears thou bor'd: sin-offering thou and burnt didst not require. 7 Then to the Lord these were my words, I come, behold and see : Within the volume of thy book 8 To do thy will I take delight, 9 Within the congregation great |