16 But of thy pow'r I'll sing aloud,
at morn thy mercy praise :
For thou to me my refuge wast,
and tow'r in troublous days.

17 O God, thou art my strength, I will
sing praises unto thec;
For God is my defence, a God
of mercy unto me.

PSALM LX.

To the chief Musician, upon SHUSHAN-EDUTH. MICHTAM of David, to teach; when he strove with ARAMNAHARAIM, and with ARAM-ZOBAH, when JOAB returned and smote of EDOM, in the valley of SALT, twelve thousand.

This Psalm was penned by David, during his wars with the Syrians and Edomites; 2 Sam. viii. Here (1) He bewails the tokens of God's displeasure with Israel, in the breaking and disjointing of the nation, under Saul and Ishbosheth ver. I—3. (2) In thankful contemplation of the late revival he had given to their affairs by bis own accession to the throne, and victories over the Philis

tines, Moabites, &c. He beseeches God to grant them victory over, and rest from all their other enemies; ver. 4, 5. (3) In the confident expectation of God's fulfilment of his promises, and along with importunate supplication he expresseth his triumphant hopes, that God would quickly subdue every enemy, the fortified cities of Edom not excepted; ver. 6—12.

In all my distressed cases, let me rejoice in the BANNER the ENSIGN given and displayed to the nations, and in the faith of God's promise let me firmly expect victory over every spiritual foe, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, the full enjoyment of the Canaan that is above.

LORD, thou hast rejected us,
and scatter'd us abroad;

Thou justly hast displeased been ;
return to us, O God.

2 The earth to tremble thou hast made; therein didst breaches make : Do thou thereof the breaches heal, because the land doth shake.

3 Unto thy people thou hard things hast shew'd, and on them sent; And thou hast caused us to drink wine of astonishment.

4 And yet a banner thou hast giv'n to them who thee do fear; That it by them because of truth, displayed may appear.

5 That thy beloved people may deliver'd be from thrall

;

Save with the pow'r of thy right hand, and hear me when I call. 6 God in his holiness hath spoke ; herein I will take pleasure: Shechem I will divide, and forth will Succoth's valley measure. 7 Gilead I claim as mine by right; Manasseh mine shall be :

Ephra'm is of mine head the strength;
Judah gives laws for me.

8 Moab's my washing-pot, my shoe
I'll over Edom throw:

And over Palestina's land

I will in triumph go.

90 who is he will bring me to
the city fortify'd?

O who is he that to the land
of Edom will me guide?

10 O God, which hadest us cast off,
this thing wilt thou not do?

Ev'n thou, O God, which didest not
forth with our armies go.

11 Help us from trouble; for the help
is vain which man supplies.

12 Through God we'll do great acts; he shall tread down our enemies.

PSALM LXI.

To the chief Musician, upon NEGINOTH. A Psalm of DAVID.

Here (1) David, in commemorating what the Lord had formerly done to him, and in the faith of what he had promised, cries to God for comfort and protection, amidst great troubles; ver. 1-4. (2) In the view of what God had and would for ever do for him, he supplicates necessary mercies, and resolves on everlasting praise and thanksgiving to God as his bound duty; ver. 5—8,

So may all providences, distressful or smiling, lead my soul to a thankful panting for God, as my ALL and in

ALL.

God give ear unto my cry;

unto my pray'r attend:

2 From th' utmost corner of the land my cry to thee I'll send,

What time my heart is overwhelm'd, and in perplexity:

Do thou me lead unto the rock that higher is than I.

3 For thou hast for my refuge been a shelter by thy pow'r;

And, for defence against my foes, thou hast been a strong tow'r.

4 Within thy tabernacle I for ever will abide:

And under covert of thy wings,
with confidence me hide.

5 For thou the vows that I did make,
O Lord my God, didst hear:
Thou hast giv'n me the heritage
of those thy name that fear.
6 A life prolong'd for many days
thou to the king shalt give;
Like many generations be

the years which he shall live.
7 He in God's presence his abode
for evermore shall have:
O do thou truth and mercy both
prepare, that may him save.

8 And so will I perpetually

sing praise unto thy name; That, having made my vows, I may each day perform the same.

PSALM LXII.

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthan. A Psalm of DAVID.

In this Psalm, (1) David solemnly avows his manifold relations to God; his composed dependence on, fixed trust in, and quiet waiting for God; and his hopes of the ruin of his enemies; ver. 1-7. (2) He earnestly encourageth others to trust in, and call on God, who is infinite in power, mercy, and justice; and to beware of trusting in men, or in outward riches or honours, which are deceitful, and unsubstantial; ver. 8-12.

While I sing, go thou, my soul, and do likewise. Be weaned from all dependence on creatures; but cleave to, and depend on this all-sufficient JEHOVAH, as answera. ble to all thy needs, all thy desires, all thy enjoying powers, for time and for eternity. Then, O how fixed in safety and how filled with the consolations of Christ

with expectation

M'depends on God indeed :

My strength and my salvation doth
from him alone proceed.

2 He only my salvation is,

and my strong rock is he; He only is my sure defence: much mov'd I shall not be. 3 How long will ye against a man plot mischief? ye shall all Be slain; ye as a tott'ring fence shall be, and bowing wall.

4 They only plot to cast him down from his excellency;

They joy in lies; with mouth they bless, but they curse inwardly.

5 My soul, wait thou with patience
upon thy God alone:

On him dependeth all my hope
and expectation.

6 He only my salvation is,

and my strong rock is he ; He only is my sure defence: I shall not moved be.

7 In God my glory placed is, and my salvation sure:

In God the rock is of my strength, my refuge most secure.

8 Ye people place your confidence.
in him continually;

Before him pour ye out your heart:
God is our refuge high.

9 Surely mean men are vanity,
and great men are a lie :