resolution to meditate on, and cleave to God's testimonies amidst persecution; ver. 78.

73 Thou mad'st and fashion'dst me; thy laws to know, give wisdom, Lord:

74 So who thee fear shall joy to see
me trusting in thy word.

75 That very right thy judgments are
I know, and do confess;
And that thou hast afflicted me
in truth and faithfulness.
760 let thy kindness merciful,
I pray thee, comfort me,
As to thy servant faithfully
was promised by thee.
77 And let thy tender mercies come
to me that I may live;
Because thy holy laws to me
sweet delectation give.

78 Lord, let the proud ashamed be;
for they, without a cause,
With me perversely dealt; but I
will muse upon thy laws.

79 Let such as fear thee, and have known thy statutes, turn to me.

80 My heart let in thy laws be found, that sham'd I never be.

CAPH. Part 11th.

Contains, (1) Bitter complaints of great and long distress; ver. 81-87. (2) Fervent supplications for speedy comfort, help, and quickening; ver. 82. 86. 88. (3) Pleas wherewith these supplications are enforced; as that, his distress was become insupportable; that his hope was in God's word, and he clave to it in his profession and practice; that his life was but short, to have so much of it spent in the furnace of affliction; that the malice and pride of his enemies were excessive; and, in fine, that God's loving kindness was infinite; ver. 81-88. 81 My soul for thy salvation faints ;

yet I thy word believe,

82 Mine eyes fail for thy word: I say, when wilt thou comfort give?

83 For like a bottle I'm become, that in the smoke is set;

I'm black, and parch'd with grief; yet I thy statutes not forget.

81 How many are thy servant's days?
when wilt thou execute

Just judgment on these wicked men
that do me persecute?

85 The proud have digged pits for me,
which is against thy laws.

86 Thy words all faithful are: help me,
pursu'd without a cause.

87 They so consum'd me, that on earth
my life they scarce did leave:
Thy precepts yet forsook I not,
but close to them did cleave.
88 After thy loving-kindness Lord,
me quicken and preserve;
The testimony of thy mouth,
so shall I still observe.

LAMED. Part 12th.

Represents, (1) The eternity and unchangeableness of God's word and works; ver. 89. 90. 91. (2) The advantage of delighting in, and cleaving to God's truths; ver. 92, 93. (3) God's interest in men, a reason of his saving the observers of his law; ver. 94. (4) David's adherence to God's truths amidst furious persecution; ver. 95. (5) The superlative excellency of God's word, above all earthly enjoyments; ver. 96. 89 Thy word for ever is, O Lord,

in heaven settled fast,

90 Unto all generations

thy faithfulness doth last.

The earth thou hast established,
And it abides by thee.

91 This day they stand as thou ordain'st:
for all thy servants be.

92 Unless in thy most perfect law
my soul delights had found
I should have perished, when as
my troubles did abound.

93 Thy precepts I will ne'er forget;
they quick'ning to me brought.
94 Lord, I am thine, O save thou me :
thy precepts I have sought.

95 For me the wicked have laid wait,
me seeking to destroy;
But I thy testimonies true
consider will with joy.

96 An end of all perfection
here have I seen, O God:
But as for thy commandement
it is exceeding broad.

MEM. Part 13th.

Represents the Psalmist's ardent affection to God's law; ver. 97, because, (1.) Thereby he had attained much useful knowledge and wisdom; ver 98-100. (2) Thereby he was enabled to refrain from, and hates in; ver. 101, 104. (3) Thereby he was preserved steady in the path of his duty; ver. 101, 102. (4) Thereby he obtained much comfort to his soul; ver.

103.

97 O how love I thy law! it is my study all the day.

98 It makes me wiser than my foes: for it doth with me stay.

99 Than all my teachers now I have more understanding far:

Because my meditation

thy testimonies are.

100 In understanding I excel those that are ancients :

For I endeavoured to keep

all thy commandements.

101 My feet from each ill way I stay'd that I may keep thy word,

102 I from thy judgments have not swerv'de for thou hast taught me, Lord.

103 How sweet, unto my taste, O Lord,
are all thy words of truth!

Yea, I do find them sweeter far
than honey to my mouth.

104 I through thy precepts that are pure,
do understanding get:

I therefore ev'ry way that's false
with all my heart do hate.

NUN. Part 14th.

Represents, (1) The remarkable usefulness of God's word; ver. 105. (2) David's solemn dedication of himself to God's service; ver. 106. (3) His recourse to God by prayer under his afflictions; ver. 107, 108. (4) His faithful adherence to to God's way, amidst trouble and persecution; ver. 109, 110. (5) His solemn and deliberate choice of God's word for his portion and rule; ver. 111, 112.

105 Thy word is to my feet a lamp, and to my path a light.

106 I sworn have, and I will perform, to keep thy judgments right.

107 I am with sore affliction

even overwhelm'd O Lord; In mercy raise and quicken me, according to thy word.

108 The free will-off'rings of my mouth
accept, I thee beseech:

And unto me thy servant, Lord,
thy judgments clearly teach.

409 Though still my soul be in my hand,
thy laws I'll not forget:

110 I err'd not from them, though for me, the wicked snares did set.

111 I of thy testimonies have

above all things made choice,
To be my heritage for ay;
for they my heart rejoice.
112 I carefully inclined have

my heart still to attend ;
That I thy statutes may perform
alway unto the end.

SAMECH. Part 15th.

We have here, (1) David's hatred of sin, and love of God's law; ver. 113. (2) His profession of dependence upon God; ver. 114. (3) His debarring of wicked men from his company; ver. 115. (4) His prayer for support, comfort, and honour, in the Lord's way; ver. 116, 117. (5) His foresight of, and trembling at the ruin of the wicked; ver. 118-120.

113 I hate the thoughts of vanity, but love thy law do I.

114 My shield and hiding-place thou art: I on thy word rely.

115 All ye that evil-doers are,

from me depart away;

For the commandments of my God
I purpose to obey.

116 According to thy faithful word
uphold and 'stablish me,

That I may live, and of my hope

ashamed never be.

117 Hold thou me up, so shall I be
in peace and safety still:

And to thy statutes have respect
continually I will.

118 Thou tread'st down all that love to stray: false their deceit doth proye.

Dd