48 Their beasts to hail he gave, their flocks hot thunder-bolts did waste.

49 Fierce burning wrath he on them cast,
and indignation strong,

And troubles sore, by sending forth
ill angels them among.

50 He to his wrath made way their soul
from death he did not save;
But over to the pestilence

the lives of them he gave.

51 In Egypt land the first-born all
he smote down every where ;
Among the tents of Ham, ev'n these
chief of their strength that were.
52 But his own people like to sheep,
thence to go forth he made ;
And, he amidst the wilderness,
them, as a flock, did lead.

53 And he them safely on did lead,
so that they did not fear:
Whereas their en'mies by the sea
quite overwhelmed were.

54 To borders of his sanctuary

the Lord his people led,

Ev'n to the mount, which his right hand
for them had purchased.

55 The nations of Canaan,
by his almighty hand,
Before their face he did expel

out of their native land :
Which for inheritance to them
by line he did divide,

And made the tribes of Israel
within their tents abide,

56 Yet God most high they did provoke, and tempted ever still,

And to observe his testimonies

did not incline their will.

57 But like their fathers turned back,
and dealt unfaithfully :
Aside they turned, like a bow
that shoots deceitfully.

58 For they to anger did provoke
him with their places high;
And with their graven images
mov'd him to jealousy.

59 When God heard this, he waxed wroth, and much loth'd Isr'el then : 60 So Shiloh's tent he left, the tent which he had plac'd with men :

61 And he his strength delivered
into captivity:

He left his glory in the hand
of his proud enemy.

62 His people also he gave o'er

unto the sword's fierce rage: So sore his wrath inflamed was against his heritage.

63 The fire consum'd their choice young men; their maids no marriage had :

64 And when their priests fell by the sword, their wives no mourning made.

65 But then the Lord arose, as one that doth from sleep awake; And like a giant, that by wine refresh'd, a shout doth make,

66 Upon his en'mies' hinder parts he made his stroke to fall,

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And so upon them he did put
a shame perpetual.

67 Moreover, he the tabernacle
of Joseph did refuse;

The mighty tribe of Ephraim
he would in no wise chuse.

68 But he did chuse Jehudah's tribe
to be the rest above;

And of mount Zion he made choice,
which he so much did love.

69 And he his sanctuary built
like to a palace high:

Like to the earth which he did found
to perpetuity.

70 Of David, that his servant was,
he also choice did make ;

And even from the folds of sheep,
was pleased him to take.

71 From waiting on the ewes with young,
he brought him forth to feed
Israel his inheritance,

his people, Jacob's seed.

72 So after the integrity

he of his heart them fed;
And by the good skill of his hands
them wisely governed.

PSALM LXXIX.

A Psalm of ASAPH.

This Psalm relates to the havock made of the Jewish capital and nation, by the Chaldeans and Syro-grecians, as typical of the afflictions of the gospel church. Observe, (1) How deplorable the condition of these people of God was, when their enemies raged against their

dwellings, persons, and characters; and their God him self long continued the tokens of his just displeasure; ver. 15. (2) Their humble, but fervent supplications, for the just punishment of their heathen enemies; and for divine pity, pardon, and help to themselves; ver. 6— 12. (3) The pleas wherewith they enforce their requests viz. God's relation to them, as their God and shepherd; and the tendency of what they asked to promote the declaritive glory of his name; ver. 1, 6, 9, 10, 13.

While I sing, let my soul have a deep sympathy with the afflicted members of Christ: Let me bless his holy name, that I am not in similar circumstances. Let me lay before the Lord the spiritual injuries which Satan and my lusts have done to my soul, and to the church of God; and let me cry bitterly for his merciful rising up to destroy them, and to shew me his salvation.

God, the heathen enter'd have thine heritage; by them Defiled is thy house; on heaps they laid Jerusalem.

2 The bodies of thy servants they
have cast forth to be meat

To rav'nous fowls, thy dear saints' flesh
they gave to beasts to eat.

3 Their blood about Jerusalem
like water they have shed:
And there was none to bury them
when they were slain and dead.
4 Unto our neighbours a reproach
most base become are we :

A scorn and laughing-stock to them
that round about us be.

5 How long, Lord, shall thine anger last? wilt thou still keep the same?

And shall thy fervent jealousy burn like unto a flame?

6 On heathen pour thy fury forth,
that have thee never known,

And on those kingdoms which thy name
have never call'd upon.

For these are they who Jacob have
devoured cruelly;

And they his habitation

have caused waste to lie.
8 Against us mind not former sins;
thy tender mercies show :
Let them prevent us speedily,
for we're brought very low.

9 For thy name's glory, help us, Lord,
who hast our saviour been :
Deliver us for thy name's sake,

O purge away our sin.

10 Why say the heathen, where's their God P let him to them be known,

When those who shed thy servants' blood are in our sight o'erthrown.

11 O let the pris'ner's sighs ascend
before thy sight on high :

Preserve those in thy mighty pow'r,
that are design'd to die.

12. And to our neighbours' bosom cause
it sev'nfold render'd be,

Ev'n the reproach wherewith they have,
O Lord, reproached thee.

13 So we thy folk, and pasture sheep,
shall give thee thanks always;

And unto generations all

we will shew forth thy praise.