PSALM XIX. To a perfon entering into the New-Teftament view of the Pfalms, this one will appear perfe&tly plain, according to what is attempted in the paraphrafe, as exactly parallel to Pfalm xcvii. with all thofe of the fame fpirit and expreffion, wherein the Godhead and glory of the Son of God, the univerfal Lord and King over all, are described by the Holy Ghost as declared from heaven, and filling the whole earth, not with regard to creation and providence; (which operations of his alfo are abundantly defcribed elsewhere); but, with regard to the manifeftation of the everlasting gofpel, and of the character and glory of God, fhining in the face of Jefus, as held forth in the light of the apoftolic teftimony.-As the apoftle Paul has actually interpreted this Pfalm, Rom. x. 18. So that the matter is for ever decided with thofe, who will be determined by the account given by the Holy Spirit of inspiration himself. As to the Arong poetical colourings ufed in this Pfalm, drawn from the grandeft objects in the world, the heavens, the fun, and the glory of warriors, &c. according to thofe times and places, they are the very mothertongue, fo to speak, of all the prophets. From the 11th verfe, and downward to the end, the form of the difcourfe begins naturally to flide into the firft perfon--And that Melliah is the perfon, will appear manifeft to him who confiders the meaning of the parallels quoted in the margin; as the fame thall be demonstrated in the proper places. Like fire defcending down from heav'n, THE brightness of his Godhead shines Defcending, fhews the Son of God- Let all the nations clear the road. The pride of glory ftained all, Proclaim the gofpel far and loud. 2 Day unto day, and night to night, The wonders of his kingdom tell His wildom is the high delight Of all in whom the fame does dwell; His knowledge breathes more precious fweets, In ev'ry foul where e'er it flows, More kindly than Arabia greets With ev'ry fcent Arabia blows. His blefs'd Apoftles! fee, they come, Unto their Father's dear abode : No land unbleffed with his fmiles. 4 Their line is gone through all the earth; Unto the world's remoteft ends: Their preaching, like the fpacious sky, The Gospel everlasting fhines, Of men the light, the life, the breath; It gives a day that ne'er declines, A life that never ends in death: And fhines with healing in his wings; But his, from whence all glory fprings. In nuptial fplendour, all array'd With garments wrought in heav'nly loom, See th' orient majefty display'd ́ Of Chrift, the dear divine Bridegroom! Rejoicing, from his rofy bow'r, The foul and glory of the day!. He comes, his morning-beams to pour, Arifing in the eastern skies, And gradually advancing on In courfe, thro' all the heav'ns he flies, 7 His ways are all eternal love; Is faithful to tranfport the heart, To make the fool become alert. 8 Jehovah's precepts all are right, All his commands divinely pure, Of all the character divine, The judgments of the Lord are true, T'obey thy word is to enjoy More revenues than earth can yield; Who trefpafs on thy will reveal'd! 12 Their errors who can understand? 13 But thou wilt me preferve fecure From ev'ry caufe of reprimand: So I fhall stand before thee pure. 14 Thy fervant, I, Jehovah, come, 1 To fave himfelf, and fave his feed, A righteousness that never fades, THIS Pfalm, it is allowed on all hands, is fpoken in the person of the church, glorying in, and fympathifing with, her King in the day of his calamity; while fhe breathes forth, at the fame time, her fervent hope-infpired defires for his deliverance from all his troubles.-That not David, but his Lord, is the King, is certain from the last words of the Pfalm, Save, Lord: let the King hear us when we call.' To clothe his faints around with praise, Lo, Jefus fights their battles all- And plead for him the vict'ry due. I'LL fing a fong to my Belov'd, And in my fong I'll breathe my joy; Of thy diftress, and fend thee eafe; 2 Ten thousand legions from on high, |