1056 PSALM CXLVIII—THE ANGELIC CHOIR 17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 148 1 The psalmist exhorteth the celestial, 7 the terrestrial, 11 and the rational creatures to praise God. RAISE ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon; praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 149 1 The prophet exhorteth to praise God for his love to the church, 5 and for that power which he hath given to the church. RAISE ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. The Promise of Resurrection BY WITOLD PRUSZKOWSKI, A CONTEMPORARY POLISH ARTIST. + "My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."-Psalm 16, 9, 10. T HE mood of thankful peace established in the eighth psalm extends through several of those that follow. Yet the power of the wicked appalls the psalmist, the misery extending throughout the earth weighs down on him. "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor." Life seems of little worth. Only in God's love, cries the singer, is there any shelter, any happiness. At moments even God's help seems distant, as in the opening of the tenth psalm, "Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?" Confidence soon rises again: “But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment." "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble." The purpose of suffering is seen far more clearly than in the earlier Book of Job: "The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth." Thus God, the comforter, is understood and loved. The soul takes refuge in Him, until at length the sixteenth and seventeenth psalms rise to the divine assurance of resurrection. "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, |