2 Had not the Lord been on our side, when men rose us to slay: 3 They had us swallow'd quick, when as their wrath 'gainst us did flame: 4 Waters had cover'd us, our soul had sunk beneath the stream. 5 Then had the waters, swelling high, over our soul made way. 6 Bless'd be the Lord, who to their teeth us gave not for a prey. 7 Our souls escaped as a bird out of the fowler's snare : The snare asunder broken is, and we escaped are. 8 Our sure and all sufficient help is in JEHOVAH's name; His name who did the heav'n create SECOND VERSION. TOW Israel Now may say, and that truly If that the Lord had not our cause maintain'd: 2 If that the Lord had not our right sustain'd, When cruel men against us furiously Rose up in wrath, to make of us their prey; 3 Then certainly they had devour'd us all, And swallow'd quick, for aught that we could deem;÷ Such was their rage, as we might well esteem: 4 And as fierce floods before them all things drown, So had they brought our soul to death quite down. The raging streams with their proud swelling waves, Had then our soul o'erwhelmed in the deep; 6 But bless'd be God, who doth us safely keep, and bloody cruelty. 7 Ev'n as a bird out of the fowler's snare Escapes away, so is our soul set free; Broke are their nets, and thus escaped we, 8 Therefore our help is in the Lord's great name, Who heav'n and earth by his great pow'r did frame. PSALM CXXV. A Song of Degrees. Let me, in this Psalm behold, [1] The happiness of the saints; in the fixedness of their new covenant state; the safety of their condition; the seasonableness of their deliverances; and the advantage of effectual fervent prayers in their behalf; ver. 14. [2] The misery of the wicked, particularly of apostates from the ways of God; ver. 5. Let me then never be of them that draw back, but of them who believe, to the fixing of their heart, and the saving of their soul. Ee T HEY in the Lord that firmly trust Which at no time can be remov'd but standeth ever still. 2 As round about Jerusalem the mountains stand alway, The Lord his folk doth the compass se, 3 For ill men's rod upon the lot of just men shall not lie: Lest righteous men stretch forth their hands unto iniquity. 4 Do thou to all those that be good thy goodness Lord impart ; And do thou good to those that are upright within their heart. 5 But as for such as turn aside after their crooked way, God shall lead forth with wicked men : on Isra'l peace shall stay. PSALM CXXVI. A Song of Degrees. This Psalm relates to some remarkable deliverance of the Jewish church, perhaps from Babylon, as typical of those of the gospel church; and [1] Represents great admiration of, and thankfulness for the deliverance; ver. 1-3. [2] Contains prayers for, and encouragement of saints exercised with tribulations; ver. 4-6. While I sing, let me admire the Lord's kindness to my country;-to his gospel church;-to mankind;-to my soul. And, in my remaining distress, personal or relative, let me sow in mourning and supplication, that I may reap joyful deliverances, and everlasting consolations, through grace. W HEN Zion's bondage God turn'd back, as men that dream'd were we. Then fill'd with laughter was our mouth, our tongue with melody: They 'mong the heathen said, The Lord great things for them hath wrought. 2 The Lord hath done great things for us, whence joy to us is brought. 4 As streams of water in the south, our bondage, Lord, recall. 5 Who sow in tears, a reaping-time of joy, enjoy they shall. 6 That man who, bearing precious seed, in going forth doth mourn, He doubtless, bringing back his sheaves, rejoicing shall return. PSALM CXXVII. A Song of Degrees for Solomon. This Psalm relates to David's orders for building the tem ple; 1 Chron. xxii. xxviii. or to Solomon's actual building of it; 2 Chron. ii.-vi. It teacheth us constant dependence on God, in all our concerns; particularly in, [ 1]P rospering our undertakings, or rearing our families; ver. 1. [2] In protecting our residence and country; ver. 1. [3] In enriching us without ex. cessive care or labour; ver. 2. [4] In giving us agreeable heirs to possess our substance; ver. 3-5. In In my undertakings, let me set the Lord always before me; and depend on his blessing, as the source of my success. all my enjoyments, let my care be to enjoy God himself. XCEPT the Lord do build the house, the builders loose their pain: Except the Lord the city keep, the watchmen watch in vain. 2 'Tis vain for you to rise betimes, or late from rest to keep. To feed on sorrows' bread: so gives he his beloved sleep. 3 Lo, children are God's heritage : the womb's fruit his reward. 4 The sons of youth as arrows are, for strong men's hands prepar'd. 5 O happy is the man that hath his quiver fill'd with those: They unashamed in the gate shall speak unto their foes. PSALM CXXVIII. A Song of Degrees. This Psalm exhibits, [1] The comprehensive duty of all, particularly married persons; ver. 1. [2] The advantage of studying it, viz. success in employments; comfort and honour in relations; joy in the prosperity of God's church, and of their own offspring; ver. 2. While I sing, let me be ashamed, be pained on account of my deficiency in holiness, and of the hurt my family and the church of God have thereby sustained. Let me behold the great gain of true godliness, having the promises of this life, and of that which is to come. B LESS'D is each one that fears the Lord, and walketh in his ways: 2 For of thy labour thou shalt eat, and happy be always. 3 Thy wife shall as a fruitful vine, by thy house sides be found; Thy children like to olive-plants, about thy table round. 4 Behold the man that fears the Lord, thus blessed shall he be. 5 The Lord shall out of Zion give his blessing unto thee. Thou shalt Jerus'lem's good behold, whilst thou on earth dost dwell. 6 Thou shalt thy children's children see, and peace on Israel. PSALM CXXIX. A Song of Degrees. Whether this Psalm.was penned when David brought up the ark of God to Mount Zion; 2 Sam. vi. or relates to the Chaldean |