Ev'n when by them, where is thy God? 11 O why art thou cast down my soul! In God still hope and rest: For yet I know I shall him praise, The health is of my countenance; PSALM XLIII. This Psalm was probably composed on the same occasion as the former; and contains, (1) David's strong cries to his God, for help against, and deliverance from, his ungodly, unjust, and crafty oppressors; ver. 1, 2. (2) His earnest longings to be restored to the enjoy ment of his God in his public ordinances; ver. 3, 4. (3) His inward disquiets, composed by believing claims of his God, and firm dependance on his promises; ver. 5. While I sing, let my soul be deeply affected with the injuries I daily receive from Satan and my own lusts. Let my heart and flesh cry out for God, the living God, as my God, and mine exceeding joy. And let me still all the tumults of my heart with this, that he is my GOD and my ALL; MY GOD THAT DOTH ME SAVE. J UDGE me, O God, and plead my cause against the ungodly nation; From the unjust and crafty man, O be thou my salvation. 2 For thou the God art of my strength; why thrusts thou me thee fro? For the enemies oppression, why do I mourning go? 3 O send thy light forth and thy truth; Yea, God, my God, thy name to praise 5 Why art thou then cast down, my soul? And why with vexing thoughts art thon Still trust in God, for him to praise He of my count'nance is the health, my PSALM XLIV. To the chief musician, for the sons of KORAH, MASCHIL This Psalm was perhaps composed on the same occasion as the 60th, and may have a prophetic view to the after distresses of the Jews in the time of Rehoboam, 2 Chron. xii. of Jehoram, 2 Chron. xxi. of Ahaz, 2 Chron. xxviii. of Hezekiah, 2 Kings, xviii. xix. and during the Chaldean captivity Syro-grecian oppression, &c. and all these as typical of the distresses of the gospel church under heathens and anti-christians. It relates chiefly to the church, and contains, (1) thankful acknowledgments of what the Lord had done for her in former periods, as her God, her king, her joy, her praise; ver. 1-8. (2) Sorrowful complaints of divine desertion; and of the prevalent power, cruelty, and derisive contempt of enemies, ver. 9-16. (3) Solemn protestations of continued integrity, and of constant adherence to the Lord's way, amidst these manifold calamities; ver. 17-22. (4) Strong cries with supplications and tears to God, for his merciful appearance for, and granting her relief; ver. 23—26. pe In singing this, let me rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Let me rejoice in what the Lord hath wrought for his people, in any former riod; and in all their afflictions let me be afflicted. Let me give the Lord no rest till he make his church a joy in the whole earth. GOD, we with our ears have heard, our fathers have us told, What works thou in their days. hadst done, ev'n in the days of old. 2 Thy hand did drive the heathen out, and plant them in their place; Thou didst afflict the nations, but them thou didst increase. 3 For neither got their sword the land, nor did their arm them save: But thy right hand, arm, countenance : for thou them favor gave. 4 Thou art my King: for Jacob, Lord, deliv'rances command. 5 Through thee we shall push down our foes, that do against us stand. We, thro' thy name, shall tread down those that risen against us have. 6 For in my bow I shall not trust, nor shall my sword me save. 7 But from our foes thou hast us sav'd, our haters put to shame. 8 In God we all the day do boast, and ever praise thy name. 9 But now we are cast off by thee, and us thou putt'st to shame; And when our armies do go forth thou go'st not with the same. 10 Thou mak'st us from the enemy, And they who hate us for themselves 11 Like sheep for meat thou gavest us : 14 A bye-word also thou dost us 15 Before me my confusion And of my bashful countenance 16 For voice of him that doth reproach, By reason of th' avenging foe, 17 All this is come on us, yet we 18 Back from thy way our heart not turn'd; our steps no straying made, 19 Tho' us thou brak'st in dragon's place, and cover'dst with death's shade. 20 If we God's name forgot, or stretch'd to a strange God our hands : 21 Shall not God search this out? for he heart secrets understands. 22 Yea, for thy sake we're kill'd all day, 23 Rise, Lord, cast us not ever off; Our belly also on the earth, PSALM XLV. To the chief musician upon SHOSHANNIM, for the song of KORAH, MASCHIL. A song of loves. In this SONG OF LOVES, are celebrated (1) the glories of Jesus our Redeemer, particularly the transcendent comliness and blessedness of his person, God-man :— His almighty power in conquering his peopie, and destroying his enemies; the eternity, firmness and equity of his government, his royal unction with the Holy Ghost above measure; his fitness for his work, and the splendor of his court; ver. 1-9. (2) The glories of the redeemed; their listening to Jesus' proposals of marriage-union with himself; their renunciation of all others for his sake; their reverential submission to, and worship of him; ver. 10, 11. Their glorious ornaments of righteousness and grace; and their glorious entrance into the new covenant and the eternal state; ver. 12-15. Their glorious succession and work, for perpetuating the fame of the redeemer; ver. 16, 17. In singing this song of the Lamb, let me with open face behold his glory, and be changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord. Let my admiration of his excellency swell to the brim, |