and whofe leaf doth not wither; for whatsoever he doeth fhall profper.

4. The ungodly are not fo; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5. Therefore the ungodly fhall not stand in the judgment, nor finners in the congregation of the righteous.

6. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly fshall perish.

PSALM II.

The immediate occafion of this Pfalm, according to Hammond, was the inftating and fettling of David, both in the Kingdom of Judah, 2 Sam. ii. 4. and, after fome short oppofition, of Ifrael also, v. 4. and foon after that, his taking Zion from the Jebusites, v. 7. and poffeffing and enlarging it, v. 9. and bringing the ark to it; after which Hiram king of Tyre, fent prefents to him, and Toi, king of Hamath, his ambaffador. Meanwhile other heathen Princes assault him, the Philiftines, Moabites, the king of Zobath, the Syrians of Damafcus, the Amorites and Amalekites, all which were wonderfully fubdued by David.

1. WHY do the nations rage, and the people imagine a vain thing.

2. The kings of the land stand up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed, Jaying:

3. "Let us break their bands afunder, and caft away their cords from us."

4. He that fitteth in the Heavens fhall laugh them to fcorn; the Lord fhall have them in derifion.

5. For he fhall fubdue them in his wrath, and rout them in his fore displeasure.

6. And I am appointed king, upon his holy hill of Sion.

7.

I will declare the decree of the Lord; he hath faid unto me, "Thou art my fon, this day have I begotten thee.

8. Defire of me and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance; and the uttermoft parts of the land for thy poffeffion.

9. Thou shalt crush them with a fceptre of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” 10. Be wife now therefore, O ye kings; be inftructed, ye judges of the earth.

11. Serve ye the LORD with fear, and rejoice with awe.

12. Kifs the fon; left he be angry, and ye perish in the way, when his wrath shall kindle even for a little: Blessed are all they who put their truß in him.

PSALM III.

A Pfalm of David when he fled from Abfalom his Son. See 2 Sam. xv. 14. xvii. 2.

1. LORD, how are they encreafed that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me.

2. Many are they that fay to my foul, there is no help for him in God.

3, But thou, O Lord, art a fhield for me, my glory and the lifter up of my head.

4. I have cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he hath heard me out of his holy hill.

5. I have layed me down and flept, and I have awoke again, for the Lord fuftaineth me.

6. I will not be afraid of the ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me. round about.

7. Arife, O Lord, fave me, O! my God; for thou fmitest all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone: thou breakeft the teeth of the ungodly.

8. Salvation belongeth unto thee O Lord; thy bleffing be upon thy people,

This is a reprimand and exhortation of David to his allies and foldiers, who because of his calamities, began to murmur and defpair of his favour with God. Venema thinks it relates to the deftruction of Ziklag by the Amalekites, 1 Sam. xxx. which feems probable.

1. HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteoufness thou haft enlarged me, when I was in ftraights; have mercy upon me, and hear my

prayer.

:

2. O ye fons of men, how long will ye be heavy of heart? Wherefore will ye love vanity, and seek after falfehood?

3. But know, that the Lord hath fet apart him that is godly for himself; the Lord will hear what time I call upon him.

4. Stand in awe and fin not : commune with your own heart, upon your couch, and be still. 5. Offer the facrifice of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

6. There are many that fay, "who will fhew us plenty?" Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7. Thou haft given greater gladness unto my

heart, than their's is when their corn and wine are encreased.

8. I will lay me down in peace and take my reft; for thou Lord only makest me dwell in fafety.

PSALM V.

David prayeth to God for his affistance to preferve him in the path of virtue, left his deceitful flatterers and enemies fhould have any pretence for calumniating him: he then expresses his hope, that God will punish them for their wickedness, and protect the righteous.

1. PONDER my words, O Lord, confider my meditation.

2. Hearken to the voice of my calling, my king, and my God, for unto thee will I make my prayer. 3. My voice fhalt thou hear betimes, O Lord: in the morning will I be prepared for thee, and will watch.

4. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; neither fhall any evil dwell with thee.

5. The foolifh fhall not ftand in thy fight; thou hatest all workers of iniquity.