PREFACE. HAVING been kindly allowed by the Author to print separately the following pages to be disposed of in aid of an important religious object, it appears desirable, by way of preface, for those who are unacquainted with the original work, to state that it is an Exposition of the Twenty-second Psalm, regarded as a prophetic record of the inwardly expressed feelings of Christ on the Cross, from the period when He experienced the hidings of His Heavenly Father's countenance, which called forth the agonizing cry of the first verse, to that of the completion of His vicarious work, when He exclaimed "it is finished," (or fulfilled *) as expressed in the last verse. The Author also regards the psalm under two grand divisions :-Christ on the Cross,-First in Darkness; Second in Light. The portion here printed con * See note on verse 31 at page 388 of the Exposition. sists of "THE IMPORTUNITY," which concludes the first division, and "THE DELIVERANCE" and "THE GRATITUDE, ," which commence the second. But for the better understanding of the subject the Titles and Texts of the Exposition are annexed, thereby giving the whole psalm, with extracts from The Introductory Epistle. Of the spiritual and practical character of the entire Exposition, which occupies above 400 pages octavo, this selection of a continuous portion will afford some proof; and, while forbearing to express my own feelings of admiration of the work and of gratefulness to the Author for permitting this use of it, I may properly mention that, among other evidences of its high and just appreciation by many eminent Christians, it has obtained the strong and published commendation of the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, of Watton, Herts; the Rev. Charles Bridges, of Old Newton, Suffolk; the Rev. John Browne, of Cheltenham; and the Rev. Hugh White, of Dublin. ISLINGTON, July 14th, 1842. F. S. TITLES AND TEXTS OF THE EXPOSITION OF PSALM XXII. To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, a Psalm of David. CHRIST ON THE CROSS, IN DARKNESS. THE CRY.-Ver. 1. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? THE COMPLAINT.-2. O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 3. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. THE CONTRAST.-4. Our fathers trusted in thee; they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6. But I am a worm, and no man; THE REPROACH.-6. A reproach of men, and despised of the people. THE MOCKERY.-7. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, THE TAUNT.-8. He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. THE APPEAL.-9. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. 10. I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mother's belly. THE ENTREATY.-11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. THE ASSAULT.-12. Many bulls have compassed me strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. THE FAINTNESS.-14. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. THE EXHAUSTION.-15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. THE PIERCING.-16. For dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me they pierced my hands and my feet. THE EMACIATION.-17. I may tell all my bones. THE INSULTING GAZE.-They look and stare upon me. |