2 Cor. 3. 18. Gen. 32. 9, 10. Gen. 15. 1. Rom. 8. 5, 6. Ps. 26. 8. Matt. 23. 5, &c. Prov. 2. 7. Ps. 2. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 6, &c. and unto [before] the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion. 8 0 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: hearken, O God of Jacob. 9 Behold, O God our defender [shield]; and look upon the face of thine anointed. 10 For one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. 11 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. 12 For the Lord God is a light and defence [sun and shield]: the Lord will give grace and worship, and no good thing shall he withhold from them, that live a godly life. 13 O Lord God of hosts, blessed is the man, that putteth his trust in thee. PSALM LXXXV. It is not unlikely, that the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity furnished the subject of the present Psalm. Nevertheless, whilst celebrating this deliverance, the author, who seems to have been Ezra, was carried by a prophetic impulse, to foretel a much greater deliverance through the coming of the Messiah. But it must be remembered, that, though re-esta and the nearer they approach Jerusalem, the object of their desire, the more resolute in mind, and the more vigorous in body, they become, and, consequently, the better able steadily to continue their toil. 8 Hear my prayer, &c. The Psalmist particularly entreats of Jehovah, that the blessedness, which he has just described, as vouchsafed to others, may be equally conferred on himself. 9 Thine anointed. See on Psalm ii. 2. 10 Than a thousand. Spent elsewhere. 11 A door-keeper. Of the Levites, four thousand were styled porters. 1 Chron. xxiii. 5. Their duty consisted in guarding the gates and passages into the temple (1 Chron. ix. 17, &c: xxvi. 1, &c), and in taking care, that no person, who was unclean or uncircumcised, should enter. 2 Chron. xxiii. 19. It formed the pious desire of the Psalmist to be one even of these men, how mean soever their employment was, rather than to dwell, though in the highest honor and dignity, amongst idolaters and ungodly persons.- -Tents. See on Psalm LXix. 26. 12 A light. As the sun enlightens, warms, and fertilizes, the face of the earth, so does "the Lord God" impart light, comfort, and fruitfulness, to those, who truly come unto him.- -Grace and worship. Favor and honor (see on Psalm iii. 3.) among men. Or, the words may mean, all spiritual and temporal blessings. L blished in their own land, the Jews were not yet entirely free from enemies. For, during the period which immediately followed this event, their happiness, was interrupted by the hatred of the neighbouring nations, and the rebuilding of their city and temple, for a time, effectually hindered. Ezra iv. 1. Neh. ii. 1, &c. ORD, thou art become gracious unto thy Ezek. 39. 25, &c. land; thou hast turned away the captivity 2 Cor. 5. 18, 19. of Jacob: 2 Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people, and covered all their sins: 3 Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation. 4 Turn us, then, O God our saviour, and let thine anger cease from us. 5 Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever? and, wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another? 6 Wilt thou not turn again and quicken [revive] us, that thy people may rejoice in thee? 7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. John 1. 29. Acts 13. 39. Deut. 13. 17. Mal. 4. 5, 6. Isai. 64. 9, &c. Luke 21. 24. Hos. 6. 2. Jer. 42. 11, 12. 8 I will hearken what the Lord God will Hab. 2. 1. say concerning me; for he shall speak peace unto 2 Pet. 2. 20, 21. his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again [to folly]; 2 And covered, &c. See on Psalm xxxii. 1. 4 Turn us, then, &c. Thou, who hast, on former occasions, done so great things for thy people, and who wast recently so gracious unto us, now restore us again, in all respects, to our once prosperous state. Notwithstanding "the captivity of Jacob" had been turned away, many visible marks of the divine anger and vengeance yet remained in their desolate country, in addition to the annoyances arising from their national foes. 6 Quicken. See on Psalm iii. 3. 8 I will hearken, &c. I will wait patiently, and see what Jehovah will deign to say respecting the affairs of my nation, in answer to my prayers. I feel, however, quite convinced, that he will express himself fully reconciled to the children of Israel, his chosen people (see on Psalm xxx. 4), and willing to benefit them for the future, (provided) that they do not relapse into sin, but, particularly, into the greatest of all sins, the worship of idols. Eccles. vii. 25. Psalm xxxviii. 5. The cause of their late captivity was idolatry, which offence against the majesty of Jehovah, it may be remarked, they never afterwards committed. Zech. 2. 5. John 7. 17. Isai. 32. 16, &c. Luke 2. 14. Isai. 45. 8. Jam. 1. 17. John 15. 16. 9 For his salvation is nigh them that fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall flourish out of the earth; and righteousness hath looked [shall look] down from heaven; 12 Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness, and our land shall give her increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him, and he shall direct his going in the way. THE SEVENTEENTH DAY. Morning Prayer. PSALM LXXXVI. DAVID, most probably, composed the present Psalm, whilst suffering from the persecution of Saul. He, therefore, earnestly supplicates God for assistance and protection in his contest with such 9 That glory, &c. That our land may not continue long in its present desolate and inglorious condition, but may soon fully regain its ancient splendor. The temple, and the ordinances of public worship, had been the glory of the Israelites, as manifesting the divine presence among them, and that glory, in some measure, revisited them after the captivity. 10 Mercy and truth, &c. This verse contains, doubtless, a personification of the divine attributes, which are represented, as again meeting together, like ancient friends, in Judea, from which country they had long been absent. When God restored the captive Jews, he mercifully fulfilled his promises to them, and gave evident proof of his faithfulness; he had satisfied his justice by their afflictions, and therefore, he, at length, returned unto them in peace. 11 Truth shall flourish, &c. Under the figure of a plentiful crop of earthly produce, it is signified, that men will hereafter cultivate all those virtues, which are necessary to prove them sincere lovers of each other, and devout worshippers of Jehovah.—And righteousness, &c. The next verse, which is closely connected with this, and where the Psalmist evidently praises the divine loving-kindness for again giving his people "rain from heaven and fruitful seasons,” shews, that by "righteousness" is now meant the merciful and gracious providence of God. Psalm xxiv. 5. 13 Righteousness, &c. Mercy or benevolence is here described as going before the face of Jehovah (Psalm Lxxxix. 15), like a harbinger to prepare his way, and Jehovah himself, as vouchsafing to walk in the paths, which she points out. a powerful enemy: he expresses a strong conviction, that his prayer will be heard; at the same time he celebrates the divine faithfulness and loving-kindness, which, having often experienced them before, he feels assured will again be vouchsafed to him. The Jews say, that Hezekiah also used this Psalm, when his kingdom was invaded by Sennacherib. Bow OW down thine ear, O Lord, and hear me, | 2 Kings 19. 16. for I am poor, and in misery. 2 Preserve thou my soul, for I am holy: my Isai. 26. 3. God, save thy servant, that putteth his trust in thee. 3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I will call daily upon thee. 4 Comfort the soul of thy servant, for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For thou, Lord, art good and gracious [ready to forgive]; and of great mercy unto all them, that call upon thee. 6 Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer; and ponder [attend to] the voice of my humble desires. 7 In the time of my trouble I will call upon thee, for thou hearest [wilt answer] me. 8 Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; there is not one, that can do as Thou doest. 9 All nations, whom thou hast made, shall come and worship thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name; 10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things; thou art God alone. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and I will walk in thy truth: O knit my heart unto thee, that I may fear thy name. 1 Poor. See on Psalm LXXii. 2. John 12.26. 2 For I am holy. For I belong to that nation, which has been consecrated and set apart peculiarly for Thy service, Exod. xix. 6. Psalm L. 5. Or,-For I am devoted to the cultivation and practice of all those religious duties, which thou hast appointed. Psalm cxix. 94. 8 Among the gods, &c. None of those idols, which are worshipped by the heathen nations as gods, can do such wonderful works on behalf of their deluded followers, as Thou art wont to perform in defence of Thy people. Psalm XLviii. 9: xcvi. 5. 11 In thy truth. The path or course of life, in which God commands all men to walk, is very naturally called his "truth," since there we shall meet with nothing, which can lead our hearts or understandings into error. Deut. 6. 5. Acts 8. 7, 8. Luke 1. 38, 58. 2 Sam. 15. 1, &c. Acts 4. 27, 28. Ex. 34. 6, 7. Ephes. 3. 16, &c. Ps. 40. 1, &c. 12 I will thank thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart; and will praise thy name for ever more. 13 For great is thy mercy toward me; and thou hast delivered my soul from the nethermost hell [lowest grave]. 14 O God, the proud are risen against me; and the congregations [assemblies] of naughty men have sought after my soul, and have not set thee before their eyes. 15 But thou, O Lord God, art full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering, plenteous in goodness and truth. 16 O turn thee, then, unto me, and have mercy upon me: give thy strength unto thy servant, and help [save] the son of thine handmaid. 17 Shew some token upon me for good; that they, who hate me, may see it, and be ashamed, because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me. PSALM LXXXVII. THERE is not perhaps any composition in the whole book of Psalms more difficult than this. It begins as well as ends abruptly, and was, probably, written just after the rebuilding of Jerusalem had been completed, on the return from the Babylonish captivity. The author, having apparently contemplated with intense delight the strength, the beauty, and the splendor, of his native city: moreover, imagining, as it would seem, the minds of other men to be employed about the same subject, he breaks forth into raptures on its stability and approaching happiness, foretels the conversion of the gentiles, and announces their enrolment among its spiritual citizens. 2 Chron. 6. 6. Joel 2. 32. HER ER foundations are upon the holy hills: the Lord loveth the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 13 The nethermost hell. David wishes by this expression to point out, both the greatness of his danger, and the intensity of his mental sufferings. Psalm LXXXviii. 5. 16 Thy strength. God's mighty aid, and the exercise of his irresistible power. Help the son, &c. Deliver me, who am as completely thy property, as the offspring of a female slave born in her master's house, and which belongs of right to him. Gen. xiv. 14. Jer. ii. 14. 17 Shew some token, &c. Grant me some indisputable sign of thy favor, that all my enemies may easily perceive how dear I am to thee, and desist with shame from their fruitless attacks. 1 The holy hills. As Jerusalem with its sacred edifices was, in part, |