19 O set ye open unto me the gates of righteousness: Then will I enter into them, and I the Lord will bless. 20 This is the gate of God, by it the just shall enter in. 21 Thee will I praise, for thou me heard'st, and hast my safety been. 22 That stone is made head corner-stonę, which builders did despise. 23 This is the doing of the Lord, and wondrous in our eyes. 24 This is day God made, in it we'll joy triumphantly. 25 Save now, I pray thee, Lord: I pray send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he in God's great name that cometh us to save: We, from the house which to the Lord Bind ye unto the altar's horns, 28 Thou art my God, I'll thee exalt; PSALM CXIX. This Psalm is a collection of David's precious thoughts, sorrowful complaints, humble petitions, and holy resulu-, tions, which it seems, he had written down as they occured, and which in the end of his life, he digested into the form in which they now stand, consisting of as many parts as there are letters in the Hebrew alphabet, the eight verses of each always beginning with the same letter in the original. The general scope of it is to magnify God's word, and make it honourable. To intimate that it informs us of whatever we ought to expect from God in the way of gracious donation, and of whatever he may expect from us in the way of grateful returns of duty,it is represented under ten different characters, one or other of which is to be found in every verse, except the 122d and 1324,-As God's LAW, because framed and published by him as our Sovereign;-His COMMANDMENTS, because given with authority and lodged with uss a trust ;-His FRECEPTS, because peremptorily prescribed, and not left as a thing indifferent ;-His STATUTES, because it is fixed and determined, and of perpetual obligation-His WORD, because it is the declaration of his mind, and Christ his essential Word is ALL, and IN ALL therein;-His WAY, because it represents Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and is the rule of our faith and obedience ;-His TESTIMONIES, because therein God, upon his word, his oath, and writ, declares to men the truths necessary to be known, in order to his honour and their salvation, as ratified in the death ́ of his Son;-His JUDGMENTS, because it is framed in infinite wisdom, and by it we must both judge and be judged; but in verse 75, 84, 121, Judgment denotes righteous conduct; it is called his RIGHTEOUSNESS, because it is holy, just, and good, and is the perfect standard of righteousness; and his TRUTH or FAITHFULNESS, because its leading truths are eternal, and the faithfulness of God is pledged in every point thereof. While I sing, let me all along enter into the spirit of the Psalm. Let my delight be in God's testimonies; my desires after God's presence; and my endeavours to have God honoured. Let God's word be my rule, my food, my armour, my wealth, my comfort; and God himself, as therein revealed and bestowed, be my everlasting and infinite ALL. ALEPH. Part 1st. Here, (1) David marks out holy men as the only blessed men; ver. 1-3. [2] Begs that to his own honour satisfaction, he may be helped of God to an upright observance of his laws; ver. 4-6. [3] In the faith of God's direction and assistance, he resolves to praise and obey him; ver. 7, 8, B LESSED are they that undefil'd, do walk, and do not stray. 2 Blessed are they who to observe his statutes are inclin'd; And who do seek the living God with their whole heart and mind. 3 Such in his ways to walk, and they do no iniquity. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep 5 O that thy statutes to observe 7 Then with integrity of heart When I the judgments all have learn’d 8 That I will keep thy statutes all O do not then, most gracious God, forsake me utterly. BETH. Part. 2d. He, [1] Points out the proper method of mortifying lust and attaining true holiness; ver. 9. [2] Professeth his attachment to God and his word, and supplicates wisdom, direction and support; ver. 10-12. [3] Reflects with satisfaction on his former regard to God's truth and ways; ver. 13, 14. And, [4] Resolves to persevere therein, ver. 15, 16. Сс 9 By what means shall a young man learn his way to purify? If he according to thy word 10 Unfeignedly thee have I sought 11 Thy word I in my heart have hid, 12 O Lord, thou ever blessed art, thy statutes teach thou me. 13 The judgments of thy mouth each one my lips declared have : 14 More joy thy testimonies than riches all me gave. way 15 I will thy holy precepts make And carefully I'll have respect 16 Upon thy statutes my delight GIMEL. Part 3d. [1] With eagerness and longings of heart, he supplicates divine favour, and instruction in God's truths; ver. 17-20. [2] Remarks the just vengeance of God upon such as wander from his ways; ver. 21. [3] Supplicates preservation from reproach, as he observed, meditated on, delighted in, and consulted God's word in all his conduct; ver. 22-24. 17 With me thy servant, in thy grace, That by thy favour I may live, 18 Open mine eyes, that of thy law the wonders I may see. 19 I am a stranger on this earth, hide not thy laws from me. 20 My soul within me. breaks, and doth Through longing that it hath all times 21 Thou hast rebuk'd the cursed proud, 22 Reproach and shame remove from me, for thy laws observe. 23 Against me princes spake with spite, while they in counsel sat: But I, thy servant. did unon thy statutes meditate. 24 My comfort, and my heart's delight, And they, in all my doubts and fears, DALETH. Part 4th. He, [1] Represents his distress, and his behaviour under it, ver. 15, 26, 28, 30, 31. [2] Supplicates spiritual quickening, instruction, strength, rectitude of sentiment, and honour in the Lord's way; ver. 25, 31. [3] Resolves, under the influence of heaven, to be more active in holiness; ver. 32. 25 My soul to dust cleaves: quicken me according to thy word. 26 My ways I shew'd, and thou me heard'st: teach me thy statutes, Lord. 27 The way of thy commandements So all thy works that wondrous are 28 My soul doth melt, and drop away, |