14 He views all from his dwelling-place that in the earth do dwell. 15 He forms their hearts alike, and all their doings he observes. 16 Great hosts save not a king, much strength no mighty man preserves. 17 An horse for preservation is a deceitful thing: And by the greatness of his strength 18 Behold on those that do him fear 19 From death to free their soul, in dearth life unto them to yield. 20 Our soul doth wait upon the Lord; he is our help and shield. 21 Sith in his holy name we trust, our hearts shall joyful be. 22 Lord, let thy mercy be on us, as we do hope in thee. PSALM XXXIV. A Psalm of DAVID, when he changed his behaviour before ABIMELECH, who drove him away, and he departed. This Psalm was composed by David, when Achish or Abimelech, king of Gath, drove him from his court as an ideot or madman, I ́Sam. xxi. 10-15. Here are, (1) David's high praises to God, for the favours himself and others had received; ver. 1-6. (2) His warm invitations and strong encouragements to others to seek after and fear the Lord, and to trust in him for all nc H h cessary supplies, in time or in eternity, ver.. 7-10. (3) Familiar advices to children and others to eschew every thing sinful, and make conscience of known duty, both towards God and man, as a mean of present and future happiness; ver. 11-14. (4) A representation of the misery of the wicked, in having God against them, as an avenging enemy, and in having ruin before them as the just reward of their sins; and of the happiness of the godly in having God near to them in every case, ready to hear their requests, to protect them amidst dangers, and to deliver them from enemics and trouble; ver. 15-22. While I sing, let my heart be warmed with my subject. Come my soul and walk in this light, in these joys of the Lord, come, taste and see that he is good. Extol his kindness, and trust him in all things, and on every occasion. YOD will I bless all times: his praise 2 My soul shall boast in God: the meek 3 Extol the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, he heard and did me from all fears deliver. 5 They look'd to him, and lighten'd were; not shamed were their faces. 6 This poor man cry'd, God heard, and sav'd him from all his distresses. The angel of the Lord encamps, All those about that do him fear, 8 O taste and see that God is good! 9 Fear God his saints: none that him fear shall be with want oppress'd. 10 The lions young may hungry be, and they may lack their food: But they that truly seek the Lord, shall not lack any good. 11 O children, hither do ye come, and unto me give ear I shall ye teach to understand how ye the Lord should fear. 12 What man is he that life desires, to see good would live long? 13 Thy lips refrain from speaking guile, and from ill words thy tongue. 14 Depart from ill, do good, seek peace, pursue it earnestly. 15 God's eyes are on the just; his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of God is set against those that do wickedly; That he may quite out from the earth cut off their memory. 17 The righteous cry unto the Lord, And they out of their troubles all, 18 The Lord is ever nigh to them To them he safety doth afford, 19 The troubles that afflict the just But yet at length out of them all 20 He carefully his bones doth keep, That not so much as one of them 21 Ill shall the wicked slay: laid waste 22 The Lord redeems his servants' souls; none perish that him trust. PSALM XXXV. A Psalm of DAVID. In this Psalm, (1) David, as a type of Christ, complains of the cruelty of his enemies, in striving with him, in persecuting him, in seeking his ruin, and in reproaching, contemning, deriding and triumphing over him; ver. 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, 16, 20, 21, 25, 26. (2) He pleads his own innocency, that he had never given them any provocation; but, amidst their abuse of him had earnestly and affectionately studied to promote their welfare; ver. 7, 9, 12—14. (3) He supplicates that God would espouse his cause, protect, deliver and comfort his soul, defeat the designs, and disappoint the expectations of his enemies; and that he would countenance and encourage his friends; ver. 1, 2, 4, 17, 22—27. (4) He predicts the destruction of his enemies, and the abounding of his own comfort, and in the views hereof, resolves to thank and praise the Lord; e. 4-10, 18, 28. While I sing, let me, with grief and shame, call to mind the infernal opposition, I and others have made to our all compassionate Redeemer. Let me beware of exposing myself to that vengeance, which is laid up in store for his incorrigible enemies. Let me never avenge myself on my injurious neighbours. But amidst all attacks from hell or earth, or from my own corrupt heart, let me commit all my concerns to him, who judgeth. righteously, that he may bring them to pass. P LEAD, Lord, with those that plead; and with those that fight with me, [fight 2 Of shield and buckler take thou hold, stand up mine help to be. 8 Draw also out the spear, and do against them stop the way That me pursue unto my soul, I'm thy salvation, say. 4 Let them confounded be, and sham'd, that for my soul have sought: Who plot my hurt, turn'd back be they, and to confusion brought. 5 Let them be like unto the chaff, 6 With darkness cover thou their way, For without cause have they for me 8 Let ruin seize him unawares, Himself let catch; and in the same 9 My soul in God shall joy; and glad 10 And all my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like unto thee. Which dost the poor set free from him The poor and needy from the man 11 False witnesses rose; to my charge |