9 O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD he is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD. (S)

PSALM CXV.

[to praise God.

PSALM CXVI.

I LOVE the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplica

tions.

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righte ons; yea, our God is merciful.

6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

(S) A contrast between the God of Israel and the idols of the heathen.-The former, as the God of truth and mercy; the latter, as insensible images of wood and stone; and neither their makers, nor their worshippers, are much more intelligent. There is indeed a degree of stupidity among idolators hardly credible, if it were not notorious. The following anecdotes will illustrate this subject.

"When W. T. Money, esq. resided some years since in the Mahratta country, as his daughter, not then three years old, was walking out with a native servant, they came near an old Hindoo temple, when the man stepped aside and made his salaam,' as they call it, to a stone idol at the door. The child, in her simple language, said, Saamy, (that was his name) what for you

do that?' 'Oh, missy! (said he,) that my god.'' Your god, Saamy! why your god no see, no hear, no walk,-your god stone! My God see every thing, my God make you, make me, make every thing.'-At Buhapuram, in the northern Circars, a child about eight years old, who had been educated in Christianity, was ridiculed on that account by some heathen older than himself. In reply, he repeated what he had been taught respecting God. Show us your God!' said the heathens. I caunot do that,' answered the child; 'but I can soon show yours to you.' Taking up a stone, and daubing it with some resemblance of a human face, he placed it very gravely on the ground, and pushed it towards them with his foot: "There,' said he, 'is such a god as you worship!'" (Burder's Mission. Anec. 2d edit. pp. 321, 322.)

PSALM CXVI. Ver.1. I love the Lord-Heb. "I love," (Old Version, "Am well pleased;" so Horsley)" that (or because) the Lord," &c.—My voice and, &c.-LXX, "The voice of my supplica. tions." So Bp. Horsley.

Ver. 2. As long as I live-Heb. "In my days." Ver. 3. The sorrows of death.--See P's. xviii. 5, 6, and Notes. -Gat hold upon-Heb. " Found me."

Ver. 11. I said in my haste-That is, through fear or unbelief-All men are liars-Even the prophets themselves, in whom the author, whether David or Hezekiah, had placed confidence. So Ains

(T) The psalmist encouraged to trust in Ged, from a recollection of former mercies. -In those psalms which have no title, as is the case with this, we can only guess at the author, and seldom with any confidence. Bishop Patrick attributes this psalm to David, when he was obliged to leave Jerusalem, in consequence of AbsaJom's unnatural rebellion: (2 Sam. xv. 14, &c.) and it is certain that many of the expressions are found in David's acknowledged psalms. Others, however, from some forms of expression in the original, assign to it a later date, and attribute it to Hezekiah on his recovery from his illness; to which occasion, it must be acknowledged, it is not ill adapted. (2 Kings, chap.

This was the opinion of Bishop Horsley: but we confess ourselves inclined to the former. The psalm is evidently the language of a true penitent, devoting himself to God, in gratitude for mercies received, and determined, in future, to live solely to his praise.

"Here in thy courts I leave my vow,
And thy rich grace record:

Witness, ye saints, who hear we now, If I forsake the Lord."

PSALM CXVII.

Watts.

(U) All nations exhorted to praise the true God.-This, like the hundredth psalin, seems to predict the conversion of the Gentiles, since it calls upon men of all tribes and countries to praise the Lord for his mercy and his truth, and is so applied by St. Paul himself. (Rom. xv. 9-11.) Some, as Bishop Horsley, consider it only as an exordium to the psalm following; but it was probably used separately, as there seems no necessary connexion between them; and other learned men consider them as composed at very different periods. Dr. Watts' popular version is the best commentary we can offer on this psalın.

PSALM CXVII. Ver. 1. All ye nations.-The term nations is equivalent to gentiles, and is therefore so quoted by the apostle, Kom. xv. 11.

"From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creator's praise arise:
Let the Redeemer's name be sung
Thro' every land, by every tongue.
Eternal are thy mercies, Lord;
Eternal truth attends thy word;

Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore,
Till suns shall rise and set no more."

of the psalm.

The head-stone]

tress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate

me.

8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doth valiantly.

PSALM CXVIII.

[rejected. 17 I shall not die, but live; and declare the works of the LORD.

18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

19 Open to me the gates of righ teousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:

20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD, we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will

exalt thee.

(X) Praise to God, especially for the salvation by Messiah.-In this psalm, which

Ver. 10, 11, 12. Destroy them-Heb. "I cut them off." Both Ainsworth and Bp. Horne render these words in the past ("I cut," or "I did cut") So LXX, Vulgate, and Jerom.

Ver. 12. Quenched-LXX and Chal. "kindled." Ainsworth says, the Hebrew means both. The fact is, thorns are no sooner kindled into a blaze than they are extinct.

Ver. 13. Thou hast thrust. Dr. Boothroyd, following the Arabic, reads, "They have thrust, to agree with the verse preceding: but Bp. Horsley, following the LXX, Vulgate, &c. reads, "I received a strong push," or thrust.

Ver. 20. This gate-Bp. Horne, "This (is) the gate" referring to the gate of the tabernacle, or temple.

Ver. 22. The stone-Whether or not this stone had any reference to David himself, as chosen by God, but rejected by many of the people, we are sure that it reiers chiefly and ultimately to the Messiah,

is universally attributed to David, Bishop Horne remarks- A king of Israel appears leading his people in solemn proces

CXVIII. Con.

to whom it is specially applied, both by the evangelists and aposties. Matt. xxi. 42; Mark xii. 10; Luke xx. 17; Acts iv. 11; 1 Peter ii. 4.

See

Ibid. The head stone of the corner-That is, not the top stone, but the chief stone of the foundation, answering to what we call the first stone. Ephs. 11. 20, 21; 1 Peter ii. 4, 5. Ver. 23. This is the Lord's doing-Heb. "This is from the Lord." made. To make (or do) a day, is to appoint, or consecrate it. See Heb. of Exod. xxxiv. 22; Deut. v. 15.-xv. 1.

Ver. 24. The day

Ver. 25. Save now, I beseech-Heb. Hoshiak-no, or Hosanna. Matt. xxi. 9, 15.

Ver. 26. Elessed he he.-Matt. xvi. 9; Luke xix. 38. Ver. 27. Bind the sacrifice-Heb. The feast (offerings) with cords:" but the word rendered cords is sometimes used for thick branches, Levit. xxiii. 40, and may therefore refer to keeping the feast of tabernacles.

29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (X)

PSALM CXIX.

ALEPH.

BLESSED are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5 0 that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

BETH.

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I

[of obedience

sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

GIMEL.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

sion to the temple (or tabernacle,) there to offer up the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, for a marvellous deliverance from his enemies, and a glorious victory gained over them. After inviting the whole nation to join with him upon this joyful occasion, he describes at large his (previous) danger and his deliverance from it, which latter is wholly attributed to the power and goodness of Jehovah. After this, as Mr. Mudge has rightly observed, there ensues (if the whole he not such from the beginning,) a kind of sacred dialogue," which much resembles that in the latter part of the twenty-fourth Psalm, to which our readers may refer. Ver. 19. he demands of the priests," Open to me the gates of righ

teousness," meaning the entrance to the sanctuary, "I will go into them, and praise the Lord." The verses following were probably sung alternately by the king with his retinue, and the priests and levites.

The repeated application of the twentysecond verse to our Saviour Christ, leaves no doubt of its meaning or design. He is the great foundation-stone of the Christian church. "the head of the corner." The day of his resurrection was the most joyful that the Lord ever made; and the hosannah of the priests, in ver. 25. was literally adopted and addressed to our Lord Jesus by children in the temple. (Luke xix. 38.)

PSALM CXIX. ALEPH-BETH. The meaning is, that the first eight verses in the Hebrew, begin with sleph, answering to our A, the next eight with beth, or B, and so on.

Ver. 1. Undefiled-Marg," Perfect, or sincere," Ver. 2. Do no iniquity- LXX "Work not ini quity." So Ainsworth; and see 1 John iii. 6-10.

Ver. 18. Open thou mine eyes-Heb. "Reveal." or rather, uncover, unveil. St. Paul speaks of some who had still "the veil upon their hearts," or under standings. David prays, that from him this veil might be removed.

Ver. 24. My counsellors-Heb. "The men of m counsel."

DALETH.

25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29 Remove from me the way of lying and grant me thy law graciously.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

PSALM CXIX.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good, 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts quicken me in thy righ

teousness.

VAU.

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewith to

(Y) Ver. 1-24. The blessedness of obedience to the word of God.—“This psalm (says Bp. Horne,) is divided (most probably for the advantage of memory,) according to the number of letters which compose the Hebrew alphabet, into twenty-two portions, of eight verses each; and not only every portion, but every verse of that portion begins with the letter appropriated to it. David must, undoubtedly, have been the author. He describeth, in a series of devotional meditations, the instruction and the comfort which, through all vicissitudes of mind and fortune, he had ever found in the word of God. The many strong expressions of love towards the law, and the repeated resolutions and vows to observe it, will often force us to turn our thoughts to the true David, whose "meat and drink it was, to do the will of him that sent him."

As the psalm is very long, we shall divide it into several portions, with a brief expository hint on each. Mr. Heary re

marks, that there are ten different words by which divine revelation is here distinguished, namely, God's law, his way, his testimonies, his commandments, his precepts, his word, his judgments, his righteousness, his statutes, and his truth or faithfulness: we are not to suppose, however, that they are always used with distinct meanings, being often interchanged to prevent perpetual repetition.

Our younger readers should particularly remark, that attention to God's word is the best guard against temptation: the surest antidote against youthful sins is the trea sure of the scripture: "His word is a treasure," says Mr. Henry, "worth laying up; and there is no way of laying it up safe, but in our hearts." There deposited, it will fortify the mind against all the troubles of life, support us under all discouragements, and direct us in all circumstances of difficulty. He is sure to be well advised that makes the scriptures "the man of his counsel."

CXIX. Con.

Ver. 42. So shall I have-Marg. "So shall I answer him that reproacheth me in a thing," or, any matter." See Ainsworth.