12 They, to the spoiling of my soul,
me ill for good repaid.

13 But as for me, when they were sick,
in sackcloth sad I mourn'd:
My humble soul did fast, my pray'r
into my bosom turn'd.

14 Myself I did behave, as he

had been my friend or brother : I heavily bow'd down, as one

that mourneth for his mother. 15 But in my trouble they rejoic'd, gath'ring themselves together: Yea, abjects vile together did themselves against me gather: I knew it not, they did me tear, and quiet would not be.

16 With mocking hypocrites, at feasts they gnash'd their teeth at me.

17 How long, Lord, look'st thou on? from destructions they intend,

Rescue my soul, from lions young

my darling do defend.

18 I will give thanks to thee, O Lord,

within th' assembly great:

[those

And where much people gather'd are,
thy praises forth will set.

19 Let not my wrongful enemies
proudly rejoice o'er me :

Nor who me hate without a cause,
let them wink with the eye.

20 For peace they do not speak at all,
but crafty plots prepare

Against all those within the land
that meek and quiet are.

21 With mouths set wide, they 'gainst me said, ha, ha! our eye doth see.

22 Lord, thou hast seen, hold not thy peace: Lord be not far from me.

23 Stir up thyself; wake, that thou may'st judgement to me afford,

Ev'n to my cause, O'thou that art,
my only God and Lord.

24 O Lord my God, do thou me judge
after thy righteousness:

And let them not their joy 'gainst me
triumphantly express.

25 Nor let them say within their hearts,
Ah, we would have it thus :

Nor suffer them to say, that he
is swallow'd up by us.

26 Sham'd and confounded be they all,
that at my hurt are glad;
Let those against me that do boast,
with shame and scorn be clad.
27 Let them that love my righteous cause
be glad, shout, and not cease
To say, the Lord be magnify'd,
who loves his servant's peace.

28 Thy righteousness shall also be
declared by my tongue;
The praises that belong to thee,
speak shall it all day long.

PSALM XXXVI.

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of DAVID, the servant of the Lord.

Observe here (1) how great is the wickedness of men! They naturally contemn God; flatter themselves

in sin; and abandon themselves to falsehood and mischief; ver. 1, 4. (2) How great is the excellency of God, in truth, in righteousness, and in mercy! And what a fountain of preservation, support, comfort, light, and life, he is to his people! ver. 5-9. (3) How, from the excellency and goodness of God, the Psalmist draws encouragement, to pray for himself and other saints; and to triumph in the view of his enemies' ruin; ver. 10—

12.

While I sing, let me review my natural abominations and wretchedness, and try.. whether the Lord hath made me a new creature, created in Christ Jesus unto good works; and whether he hath made me taste of, admire, and trust in, the exceeding riches of his grace.

TH

HE wicked man's transgression
within my heart thus says,
Undoubtedly the fear of God
is not before his eyes.

2 Because himself he flattereth
in his own blinded eye,

Until the hatefulness be found

of his iniquity.

3 Words from his mouth proceeding are,
fraud and iniquity :

He to be wise, and to do good,
hath left off utterly.

4 He mischief, lying on his bed,
most cunningly doth plot:

He sets himself in ways not good,

ill he abhorreth not.

5 Thy mercy, Lord, is in the heavens :
thy truth doth reach the clouds.
6 Thy justice is like mountains great;
thy judgments deep as floods :

Lord, thou preservest man and beast.
How precious is thy grace!

by

Therefore in shadow of thy wings men's sons their trust shall place. 8 They with the fatness of thy house shall be well satisfy'd :

From rivers of thy pleasures thou
wilt drink to them provide.

9 Because of life the fountain pure
remains alone with thee;

And in that purest light of thine,
we clearly light shall see.
10 Thy loving-kindness unto them
continue that thee know;

And still on men upright in heart
thy righteousness bestow.

11 Let not the foot of cruel pride
come, and against me stand:
And let me not removed be,
Lord, by the wicked's hand,

12 There fall'n are they, and ruined,
that work iniquities :

Cast down they are, and never shall
be able to arise.

PSALM XXXVII.

A Psalm of DAVID.

As the

This Psalm is wholly of the instructive kind. Mosaic system, and the covenant between God and Israel, as his peculiar people, promised remarkable temporal felicity, to such as were obedient to the law, and denounced temporal miseries against those that were impious and profane; the Psalmist here cautions against stumbling at particular providences, which might appear contrary to the tenor of that covenant. Here are (1) Plain and express warnings against fretfulness at the

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prosperity of the wicked, in their wickedness; ver. 1,7, 8. with the arguments and reasons enforcing the same, viz. that the character of the wicked is ignominious, while that of the righteous is honourable; ver. 12, 14, 21, 26, 30, 31, 32. That the wicked, in the very height of their prosperity, are near to destruction, while the righteous, even in their adversity, have special protection from God, and shall never be ruined; ver. 2, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 28, 33, 40. And that God hath special blessings in store for, and even in this life manifests distinguished kindness to the righteous and their seed; ver. 11, 16, 18, 19, 22-25, 28, 29, 37. (2) Here are proper and effectual remedies to prevent sinful fretting at the prosperity of the wicked, or troubles of the godly, viz. hoping in God as our saviour, delighting in God as our companion, friend, and portion; following him as our guide; departing from evil and doing good; waiting on the Lord, and keeping his way; ver. 3-6, 27, 34.

Be thou, my soul, an accurate observer, of the matter and circumstances of every providence. Carefully compare them, one with another: and all with the perfections, convenant, and promises of God, in order that thou mayest never be offended thereat.

NOR evil-doers fret thou not

thyself unquietly;

Nor do thou envy bear to those that work iniquity.

2 For, even like unto the grass,

soon be cut down shall they;
And, like the green and tender herb,
they wither shall away.

Set thou thy trust upon the Lord,
and be thou doing good;

And so thou in the land shalt dwell,
and verily have food.

4 Delight thyself in God, he'll give

thine heart's desire to thee.