PSALM LXXXVII. A Psalm or Song for the sons of KORAH, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of HEMAN the EZRAHITE. In this doleful Psalm, after a very short declaration of his faith, we have, (1) Heman's bitter wailing over his distressed case, that his troubles were great; his body at the point of death; his soul filled with grief; his God hiding and angry; his mind distressed with terrors; and his friends unkind ver. 3-9. 14-18. (2) His bitter groans to, and expostulations with God, importing that he had long cried for mercy, and that in death nothing could be done for him, &c. ver. 1, 2, 9, 14. While I sing, let me think how dreadful hell must be, when even fatherly chastisements are so severe; how dreadful the enormity of sin, which provokes God so grievously to afflict his dearest favourites; and how necessary it is to retain our faith of our relation to God, amidst the worst of troubles. L ORD God my Saviour, day and night 2 Before thee let my prayer come, 3 For troubles great do fill my soul : my life draws nigh the grave. 4 I'm counted with those that go down to pit, and no strength have. 5 Ev'n free among the dead, like them Cut off from thy hand, whom no more 6 Thou hast me laid in lowest pit, 8 Thou hast put far from me my friends, And I am so shut up that I find no evasion for me. 9 By reason of affliction mine eye mourns dolefully: To thee, Lord, do I call, and stretch 10 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? 11 Shall in the grave thy love be told? in death thy faithfulness? 12 Shall thy great wonders in the dark, Be known to any in the land 13 But, Lord, to thee I cry'd, my pray'r at morn prevent shall thee. 14 Why, Lord, dost thou cast off my soul? and hid'st thy face from me? 15 Distress'd am I, and from my youth Thy terrors I have borne, and am 16 The dreadful fierceness of thy wrath Thy terrors great have cut me off, they did pursue me so. 17 For round about me ev'ry day like waters they did roll: And, gathering together, they have compassed my soul. 18 My friends thou hast put far from me, and him that did me love; And those that mine acquaintance were to darkness didst remove. PSALM LXXXIX. Maschil of ETHAN the EZRAHITE. This Psalm was perhaps composed on the occasion of Absalom's rebellion; 2 Sam. xv. or of the revolt of the ten tribes, from their subjection to the family of David; 1 Kings xii. or it relates to the Chaldean oppression and captivity; 2 Kings xxiv. xxv. In the first and joyful part, we have, (1) the foundation of all comfort, happiness, honour, and stability, laid in the mercy of God and his covenant with David, emblematic of that made with Jesus Christ for the redemption of mankind; ver. 1—4. (2) A celebration of the God of the covenant, in his faithfulness, glory, greatness, mercy, and equity; and in his works; ver. 5-14. And of the glorious dignity, happiness, and safety of the covenant people; ver. 15-18. (3) A bundle of covenant promises, securing proper qualifications, assistance and glory to the head of the covenant; and indefeasible blessings to his covenant seed, notwithstanding their manifold sins and chastisements; ver. 19-37. In the second and mournful part, we have, (1) Grievous lamentations over the dishonour, distress, and danger of David's family; ver. 38-45. (2) Expostulations with God, concerning the same, drawn from the continuance of trouble; the shortness of human life, and certainty of death; the withdrawment of former kindness promised in the covenant; and the insolent reproaches of enemies; ver. 46-51. (3) A triumphant conclusion of praise to God; ver. 52. While I sing, let me chiefly keep mine eyes on David's Lord. Let me with joy behold the covenant made with him, for our redemption. Let me adore my covenant God, as in him, well pleased for his righteousness sake, and rendering him and his seed most blessed for evermore. And as Jesus' sufferings for me purchased my eternal happiness, let never my own, or the church's troubles weaken my faith, or make me drop my songs of praise. OD's mercies I will ever sing: and with my mouth I shall Thy faithfulness make to be known to generations all. 2 For mercy shall be built, said I, Thy faithfulness ev'n in the heav'ns 3 I with my chosen One have made And to my servant whom I lov'd, 4 That I thy seed establish shall 5 The praises of thy wonders, Lord, of saints, thy faithfulness. 6 For who in heaven with the Lord may once himself compare? Who is like God among the sons. of those that mighty are? 7 Great fear in meeting of the saints And he, of all about him should 80 thou that art the Lord of hosts, Is like to thee, who compass'd round art with thy faithfulness? 9 Ev'n in the raging of the sea thou over it dost reign: And when the waves thereof do swell, thou stillest them again. 10 Rahab in pieces thou didst break, like one that slaughter'd is; And with thy mighty arm thou hast 11 The heavens are thine, thou for thine own the earth dost also take: The world, and fulness of the same, 12 The north and south from thee alone Both Tabor mount and Hermon hill 13 Thou hast an arm that's full of pow'r, 14 Justice and judgment of thy throne 15 O greatly bless'd the people are In brightness of thy face, O Lord, 16 They in thy name shall all the day And in thy righteousness shall they 17 Because the glory of their strength And in thy favour shall our horn 18 For God is our defence, and he |