12 0 thou that art the Lord of hosts,
that man is truly blest,
Who by assured confidence,
on thee alone doth rest.

PSALM LXXXV.

To the chief musician. A Psalm for the sons of KORAH

This Psalm relates to some remarkable deliverance of the Jewish nation; but whether that effected by the advancement of David to the throne, or that from the Assyri an invasion, 2 Kings xix. or from the Chaldean captivity, Ezra i. is uncertain. It contains, (1) Thankful acknowledgments of divine favours received; ver. 1—3. (2) Supplications that further favours and deliverances may be speedily bestowed; ver. 4-7. (3) Firm expectations of a gracious answer, in the coming, mediation, and blessings, of the Messiah; ver. 8-13.

While I sing, let my soul be affected with the mercies, which I, which my country, which the church of God, have enjoyed. Let me be thereby encouraged to plead for more. And let me, without doubting, credit the promises, and expect supply from the fulness of Christ,

LORD thou hast been favourable to thy beloved land: Jacob's captivity thou hast

recall'd with mighty hand. 2 Thou pardoned thy people hast all their iniquities;

Thou all their trespasses and sins

hast cover'd from thine

eyes.

3 Thou took'st off all thine ire and turn'd'st

from thy wrath's furiousness.

4 Turn us, God of our health, and cause thy wrath 'gainst us to cease.

5 Shall thy displeasure thus endure against us without end?

Wilt thou to generations all thine anger forth extend?

6 That in thee may thy people joy, wilt thou not us revive?

7 Shew us thy mercy; Lord, to us
do thy salvation give.

8 I'll hear what God the Lord will speak:
to his folk he'll speak peace,
And to his saints; but let them not
return to foolishness.

9 To them that fear him, surely near
is his salvation;

That glory in our land may have her habitation.

10 Truth met with mercy, righteousness and peace kiss'd mutually :

11 Truth springs from earth, and righteousness looks down from heav'n high.

12 Yea, what is good the Lord shall give ; our land shall yield increase.

13 Justice to set us in his steps, shall go before his face.

PSALM LXXXVI.

A Prayer of DAVID.

This Psalm contains, (1) David's fervent supplications, that God would hear his prayers; ver. 1, 6, 7. mercifully preserve and save him; ver. 2, 3, 16. afford him joy, strength, and honour; ver. 4, 11, 17. (2) His pleas, wherewith he enforceth his prayers, drawn from the goodness of God; ver. 5, 13, 15. his own relation to, and trust in God; ver. 2, 4, 16. his former experi ence of God's kindness; ver. 17. and from the malice of his enemies; ver. 14. (3) His ascription of praise to od, as matchless in his nature and work; as the sole

object of worship; and as great and infinitely gracious; ver. 8, 9, 10, 12, 13.

While I sing, let me remember, that the Psalmist hath left me an example, that I should walk in his steps.

LORD, do thou bow down thine ear, and hear me graciously;

Because I sore afflicted am,

and am in poverty.

2 Because I'm holy, let my soul by thee preserved be:

O thou my God, thy servant save that puts his trust in thee.

3 Sith unto thee I daily cry,
be merciful to me :

4 Rejoice thy servant's soul; for, Lord,
I lift my soul to thee.
5 For thou art gracious, O Lord,
and ready to forgive;

And rich in mercy, all that call
upon thee, to relieve.

6 Hear, Lord, my prayer; unto the voice of my request attend.

In troublous times I'll call on thee; for thou wilt answer send.

8 Lord, there is none among the gods that may with thee compare ;

And like the works which thou hast done, not any work is there.

9 All nations whom thou mad'st, shall come and worship rev'rently

Before thy face; and they, O Lord,
thy name shall glorify.

10 Because thou art exceeding great,
and works by thee are done

Which are to me admir'd; and thou
art God thyself alone.

11 Teach me thy way, and in thy truth,
O Lord, then walk will I;

Unite my heart, that I thy name
may fear continually.

12 O Lord my God, with all my heart
to thee I will give praise;

And I the glory will ascribe
unto thy name always.

13 Because thy mercy toward me
in greatness doth excel;
And thou deliver'd hast my soul
out from the lowest hell.

14 O God the proud against me rise;
and vi'lent men have met,

That for my soul have sought; and thee before them have not set. 15 But thou art full of pity, Lord, a God most gracious, Long-suffering, and in thy truth and mercy plenteous.

16 0 turn to me thy countenance,
and mercy on me have:

Thy servant strengthen, and the son
of thine own hand-maid save.

17 Shew me a sign for good, that they
which do me hate may see,
And be asham❜d because thou, Lord,
didst help and comfort me.

PSALM LXXXVII.

A Psalm or Song for the sons of KORAH. This Psalm is an encomium upon mount Zion, as typi

cal of the gospel church, (1) For the sake of the temple, mount Zion is preferred to every other place in Canaan ; as more honoured by God, and more delighted in by him; ver. 1-3. (2) In respect of better inhabitants, greater stability, and more important joys and blessings, the church is preferred to all other nations; ver. 4-7.

While I sing, let me observe the dignity of relation to JEHOVAH as my God. Let me praise him for founding his church on Jesus the unmovable Rock of ages, that the gates of hell cannot prevail against her. Let me rejoice in the glorious promises made concerning her, and supplicate the speedy, the remarkable fulfilment thereof. And while I with joy draw water out of her ordinances, her wells of salvation, let me live as an holy, a cheerful member of her society.

PON the hills of holiness

UPO

he his foundation sets.

2 God, more than Jacob's dwellings all, delights in Zion's gates.

3 Things glorious are said of thee, thou city of the Lord.

4 Rahab and Babel, I, to those
that know me, will record.

Behold ev❜n Tyrus, and with it
the land of Palestine,

And likewise Ethiopia;

this man was born therein. 5 And it of Zion shall be said, this man and that man there Was born; and he that is most High himself shall 'stablish her.

6 When God the people writes, he'll count that this man born was there.

7 There be that sing, and play; and all my well-springs in thee are.