Let them be turned back and sham'd, 3 Turn'd back be they, ha, ha, that say, 4 O Lord, in thee let all be glad, PSALM LXXI. This Psalm was probably penned on the occasion of Absalom's rebellion, as Psalm 3d, 42d, 43d, or of Sheba's conspiracy; 2 Sam. xx. And contains, (1) David's firm confidence in God, encouraged by manifold experiences of his gracious kindness; ver. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7. (2) His fervent prayers that he might never be ashamed, but might be delivered; might find rest in God; might have constant matter of new praises and thanksgiving afforded him; might not be forsaken of God in his old age; and might have his numerous, powerful, and crafty enemies, confounded with shame and perplexity; ver. 1-13, 18. (3) His confident and joyful expectations of God's further kindness, particularly that God would never forsake, but revive him; that he would increase his honour and comfort, and put his enemies to shame-Along herewith, he resolves with admiring rapture, to extol God's righteousness and salvation, and his new-covenant relation to himself, and to Israel; ver. 14—24. While I sing, let me be affected with my troubles. Let me never stagger at the promise through unbelief, but be strong in the faith, giving glory to God. LORD, my hope and confidence Then let thy servant never be put to confusion. 2 And let me, in thy righteousnesss, Cause me escape, incline thine ear 3 Be thou my dwelling-roek, to which Thou gav'st commandment me to save, 4 Free me, my God, from wicked hands, hands cruel and unjust. 5 For thou, O Lord God, art my hope, and from my youth, my trust. 6 Thou from the womb didst hold me up; thou art the same that me Out of my mother's bowels took; I ever will praise thee. 7 To many I a wonder am; but thou'rt my refuge strong. 8 Fill'd let my mouth be with thy praise and honour all day long. 9 O do not cast me off, when as old age doth overtake me; And when my strength decayed is, then do not thou forsake me. 10 For those that are mine enemies, against me speak with hate : And they together counsel take, that for my soul lay wait. A They said, God leaves him him pursue and take: none will him save. 12 Be thou not far from me, my God: thy speedy help I crave. 13 Confound, consume them, that unto my soul are enemies : Cloth'd be they with reproach and shame that do my hurt devise. 14 But I with expectation will hope continually; And yet with praises more and more 45 Thy justice and salvation my mouth abroad shall show, Ev'n all the day; for I thereof the numbers do not know. 16 And I will constantly go on in strength of God the Lord : And thine own righteousness, ev'n thine alone, I will record. 17 For, ev'n from my youth, O God, 18 And now, Lord, leave me not, when I old and grey-headed grow: Till to this age, thy strength and pow'r, to all to come, I show. 49 And thy most perfect righteousness, O Lord, is very high, Who hast so great things done: O God, 20 Thou Lord, who great adversities, 21 My greatnes and my pow'r thou wilt ૧ On ev'ry side, against all grief. 22 Thee, ev'n thy truth, I'll also praise with harp I'll sing to thee. 23 My lips shall much rejoice in thee, My soul, which thou redeemed hast, 24 My tongue thy justice shall proclaim, For they confounded are, and sham'd, PSALM LXXII. A Psalm for Solomon. This Psalm was composed by David, about the time of Solomon's instalment in the throne of Israel; 1 Kings i. and ii. With respect to him, here is, (1) Fervent prayer for proper qualifications to furnish him for government; ver. 1. (2) Predictions of the peace, glory, extent, wealth, duration and happiness, of his government; ver. 2-17. (3) Praise to the God of Israel for his mercies to his people; ver. 18, 19. But as our Re deemer is principally intended, we have concerning him, (1) His being furnished with the Holy Ghost above measure, to qualify him for his work; ver. 1. (2) The glories of his government; how righteous, how prudent, how orderly, how condescending and merciful, how destructive to oppressors, how efficaciously productive to real religion, and how comfortable to his faithful subjects his administrations are! ver. 2-9. How extensive his church among all ranks and nations; how tender his care of the meanest of his subjects, how much he is revered and adored by them; how astonishing their increase, by means of his gospel truth preached; and how permanent and useful his government! ver. 10-17. (3) A solemn ascription of all the praise of these wonderful works to God alone, with an earnest request and believing expectation, that his glory shall fill the whole earth; ver. 18, 19. While I sing these lofty notes of the dying Psalmist, let me admire, let me adore, let me sing praises to Jesus my King. Let me rejoice in his highness, in his extens sive usefulness to men. LORD, thy judgments give the king, 2 With right he shall thy people judge, Likewise the little hills the same 4 The people's poor ones he shall judge, 5 They shall thee fear, while sun and moon do last through ages all. 6 Like rain on mown grass he shall drop, or show'rs on earth that fall. 7 The just shall flourish in his days, and prosper in his reign: He shall, while doth the moon endure, abundant peace maintain. 9 His large and great dominion shall from sea to sea extend: It from the river shall reach forth unto earth's utmost end. 9 They in the wilderness that dwell bow down before him must: |