The Psalms of David.

PSALM I.

Perhaps this Psalm was added by Ezra, or whoever elst was the collector of the others into one book. We have represented to us in it, (1) The character of the godly how holy they are, abstaining from every temptation to or appearance of evil; and with pleasure meditating on, and endeavouring to fulfil the whole law of God, ver. 1, 2. and how happy, planted in the nearest fellowship with Jesus, the river of life, they prosper in their lawful attempts: They never fall from their grace or profession; and they shall stand with approbation at the judgment seat of God, ver. 3. (2) The sinfulness and misery of the wicked: How different from, and contrary to the godly in their inclination, companions, exercises and ends! How light and unsubstantial, as chaff, and ready to be hurled by the storms of infinite wrath, into the depths of hell, as cast and condemned in the righteous judgment of God! ver. 4, 5. (3) The great reason of the happiness of saints, and of the misery of sinners. The Lord loveth the righteous, and observes and approves their inclinations and behaviour; but as an enemy, he brings destructive vengeance upon the wicked, ver. 6.

While I sing these important lines, let my soul lift up her eyes to that great pattern of perfection, JESUS, the man of God's right hand, who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; and who fulfilled all righteousness, magnified the law, and made it honorable for men-for ME. United to his person, cloathed with his righteousness, and all inflamed and animated with his redeeming love shed abroad in my heart, let me examine myself as in his sight; let me walk in him as my way, and follow him as my pattern and guide: Let me with solemn awe look to, and prepare før his last, his eternal judgment !

T

2

HAT man hath perfect blessedness, who walketh not astray

In counsel of ungodly men,

nor stands in sinners' way,

Nor sitteth in the scorner's chair:
But placeth his delight,

Upon God's law, and meditates
on his law day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree that grows
near planted by a river,

4

Which in his season yields his fruit
and his leaf fadeth never:

And all he doth shall prosper well.
The wicked are not so:

But like they are unto the chaff

which wind drives to and fro.

5 In judgment, therefore, shall not stand such as ungodly are;

Nor in th' assembly of the just

shall wicked men appear.

6 For why? the way of godly men unto the Lord is known: Whereas the way of wicked men shall quite be overthrown.

PSALM II.

Perhaps this psalm relates partly to David's instalment on his throne and the victories over his enemies which attended it. Compare Psalm 18, 2 Sam. 3, 5, 8, 10, 18, 20. But the whole of it respects Jesus our Redeemer. Behold [1] The violent and harmonious, but unsuccessful opposition, which Jews and Gentiles of all ranks make to the person and redemption work of the great God my Saviour. Behold what ruin and woe they raw upon themselves by their attempts! ver. 1—5, 9.

[2] Behold how, notwithstanding all their raging malice and furious opposition, JEHOVAH instals our Redeemer King in his church, and infallibly fixeth him on his throne; avows him his only begotten Son, and gives unto him the Gentiles for his people! ver. 6-8. [3] Bchold Jehovali's demand of serious consideration and fear of, joy in, and trust, obedience and love to his exalted Son, ver. 9-12.

While I sing let me remark the horrid nature of sin; let me with broken heart, bewail my neglect of and opposition to Jesus Christ. Let me with wonder bless his name, that I have not already perished in mine iniquity. Let me with earnestness accept that once debased redeemer, as my saviour, my sovereign, my proprietor, my GoD and my ALL. Let me learn to know him, rejoice in him, and with holy awe, commit my whole salvation, and the salvation of my country, nay, of all the ends of the earth, to him.

HY rage the heathen? and vain things why do the people mind?

WT

2 Kings of the earth do set themselves, and princes are combin'd

To plot against the Lord, and his anointed, saying thus,

3 Let us asunder break their bands, and cast their cords from us.

4 He that in heaven sits, shall laugh ; the Lord shall scorn them all.

5 Then shall he speak to them in wrath,
in rage he vex them shall.

6 Yet, notwithstanding, I have him
to be my king appointed:
And over. Sion, my holy hill,
I have him king anointed.
The sure decree I will declare:
the Lord hath said to me,

Thou art mine only son; this day
I have begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and for heritage
the heathen I'll make thine,
And for possession I to thee
will give earth's utmost line.
9 Thou shalt, as with a weighty rod
of iron break them all:

And, as a potter's shred, thou shalt
them dash in pieces small.

10 Now therefore, kings, be wise be taught, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve God in fear, and see that ye
join trembling with your mirth,

12 Kiss ye the Son, lest in his ire
ye perish from the way,
If once his wrath begin to burn :
Bless'd all that on him stay.

PSALM III.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

Having beheld the royal dignity of my Redeemer, let me here behold the joy, the peace, the safety of the redeemed amidst their distresses innumerable. Here David, driven from his holy capital and high throne, by his rebellious son Absalom, [1] Complains to his God of the number and malice of his enemies, ver. 1. 2. [2] He encourageth himself in his God, as the source and subject matter of his safety, joy, and honor, ver. 3. [3] He recollects how, on former occasions, his troubles had driven him to his prayers; how he had always found God ready to hear and grant his requests; how safe and easy he had livid under his protection; and how effectually he had broken the power and restrained the malice of his enemies, ver. 4, 5, 7. [4] Triumphantly trusting in God, as the salvation and blesser of his people,

he silenceth all his fears, and pours forth his prayers for new protection and deliverance, ver. 6, 8.

Let

Think, my soul, of Jesus, who, when bulls of Bashan compassed him about, trusted in God, that he would deliver him. In all my distress, let me pour out my heart before him, believing in him as God, even MY GOD. me always rejoice in the great God my Saviour. Let me trust in him at all times, that as he hath delivered, and doth deliver, so he will deliver me.

LORD how are my foes increas'd?
against me many rise.

2 Many say of my soul, for him
in God no succour lies.

3 Yet thou my shield and glory art; the uplifter of mine head.

4 I cry'd, and, from his holy hill, the Lord me answer made.

5 I laid me down and slept; I wak'd, for God sustained me.

6 I will not fear though thousands ten set round against me be.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, my God: for thou my foes hast stroke

All on the cheek-bone; and the teeth of wicked men hast broke.

8 Salvation doth appertain unto the Lord alone.

Thy blessing, Lord, for evermore thy people is upon.

PSALM IV.

To the chief Musician on Nginoth, a Psalm of David.

This Psalm was perhaps composed on the same occasion as the former, when David fled from Absalom his Here [1] David, encouraged by former expe

son.