earthly Jerusalem, on mount Sion, so should Christ reign there over his spiritual kingdom; and, after that, He should ascend to his throne in the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. Heb. xii. 22. Ver. 7. I will preach the law, &c.] I will make known the counsel or decree of the Lord Jehovah, Who speaks of Christ, and especially of his resurrection from the dead, in this manner: "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee;" on the day when thou shalt rise from the grave, thou wilt be, as it were, begotten unto a new life, when thine enemies thought thee dead for ever; and thou wilt thus be "declared to be the Son of God with power." Rom. i. 4. See also Acts xiii. 33. which tells us, that David is here speaking of the resurrection of our Lord. Accordingly, this is one of the proper Psalms, in our Church Service, for Easter Day, Ver. 8. the heathen, &c.] At David's desire and prayer, his kingdom was enlarged; but this and the two following verses chiefly foretel, that the heathen, or Gentiles, should be brought to the kingdom of Christ, when the Jews rejected him; that his enemies should be broken to pieces, and "put under his feet." Ver. 12. Kiss the Son, &c.] To kiss the king was, in those days, as it is now, a token of homage and service. 1 Sam. x. 1. Submit to the Son of God, your Saviour and King; worship, and love, and serve him, lest his mercy be turned to judgment: if his anger be kindled against you ever so little, ye will perish; even by him, who cometh to save you. Blessed are those who believe and obey. How very plainly does this Psalm shew, that David was a prophet, and " spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost;" and how greatly does it confirm the truth of the Gospel! It speaks very clearly of Christ, and the spreading of His kingdom through the world; and the rage of his enemies, and his victory over them all. And we know that these things were fulfilled, and are now fulfilling, just as they were declared by David, above one thousand years before Christ came in the flesh: for men still rage against God and His word, and rage in vain. And for what end was all this? "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, "to the glory of God the Father." Phil. ii. 10, 11. O Lord, grant us so perfectly, and without all doubt, to believe in Thy Son Jesus Christ, that our faith in Thy sight may never be reproved: that we may be " obedient by word and deed;" yea, "that we may bring every thought to the obedience of Christ:" and thus, that we "but have everlasting life." QUESTIONS. 66 may not perish, What did the heathen do? and kings and rulers, &c.?— What did they say, ver. 3.?-What vain thing?—What do you mean by anointed?-Who were the Lord's anointed, in this Psalm? Who raged against Christ?―Break their bonds?— Cast away their cords? Who dwelleth in heaven? -Laugh them to scorn?-Derision?-Set my king, &c.?-Will preach the law, &c.?-Thou art my Son: who?-This day have I begotten thee-what does this refer to?-The heathen for thine inheritance?-What should kings and people do?-What is it to kiss the Son?-And why?-What do we learn from this Psalm? PSALM III. A Psalm of David, composed when he fled from the cruel persecution of his son Absalom, and others who joined in that wicked conspiracy. 2 Sam. xv. 10-14. 1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me: many are they that rise against me. 2 Many one there be that say of my soul: There is no help for him in his God. 3 But thou, O Lord, art my defender: Thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head. 4 I did call upon the Lord with my voice: and He heard me out of His holy hill. 5 I laid me down and slept, | O my God: for Thou smitest all and rose up again: for the Lord mine enemies upon the cheeksustained me. bone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 6 I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people: that have set themselves against me round about. 7 Up, Lord, and help me, 8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: and Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Ver. 2. that say of my soul,] That say of me, of my life.-There is no help, &c.] Great afflictions are often regarded by thoughtless and faithless people, as a sure mark of God's displeasure and vengeance so thought Shimei. 2 Sam. xvi. 8. But they are sent in mercy and love to prove His servants; to increase their faith, and make them depend more fully upon His goodness and power. Heb. xii. 5-11. The Jews concluded, that the Son of David, the blessed Jesus, when suffering on the cross, was utterly deserted by His Heavenly Father: "he trusted in God," &c. Matt. xxvii. 43. But Jesus was delivered, as David had been; and as every faithful servant will be, whatever the world may think or say, and however sad or difficult the case may appear. Ver. 3. Thou art my worship,] In our days, the word "worship" signifies only prayer and praise to God; but formerly, it used to signify also honour, or respect from one man to another. Thus Luke xiv. 10. Here, "thou art my worship" means, thou makest me to be honoured and respected. In the Bible version it is, "thou art my glory."-Thou art the lifter up, &c.] Thou makest me to hold up my head with confidence and joy, and raisest me above my enemies. Ver. 4. His holy hill,] The hill of Sion, where was the tabernacle or house of prayer. Ver. 5. sustained me,] Supported me. In the midst of my troubles and dangers, I laid me down in peace and slept without fear, trusting to the Lord. This is a very suitable verse for every one to repeat, on his first rising in the morning. Ver. 7. the cheek-bone-the teeth,] This is a comparison made from fierce animals; their chief power of doing hurt is from their teeth and cheek-bone, their mouth and jaws: if these were broken, their power would be gone. Hence, to destroy the power of an enemy is sometimes expressed by breaking his teeth, or smiting Him on the cheek bone, &c. Job xxix. 17. The Lord had formerly disabled the foes of David, and, no doubt, he would do so again. Ver. 8. salvation, &c.] Safety, both of body and soul, is from the Lord alone. xlv. 21, 22. Prov. xxi. 31. Isaiah Let David's example teach us, under all afflictions and at all times, to put our whole trust in the Lord: if we heartily pray to Him, and faithfully depend upon Him, He will certainly help and deliver us, and He alone can do so. Our foes, like David's, may be, "those of our own household." Matt. x. 36. Our friends and relations, instead of walking with us in the ways of God, may vex and oppose us : but we need not be afraid; there is help for us in God. Let us behave ourselves humbly, and refer the matter in prayer to our almighty Saviour, and He will be our defender. In the most stormy night of trouble, we shall be able to sleep sweetly and securely; and we shall go at last to the grave as to our beds, in hope and comfort: for we shall sleep in Jesus, and awake to glory. QUESTIONS. On what occasion was this Psalm composed?-That say of my soul?-What did they say?-Why did they think God would not help him?-Why does God send affliction?-Wor ship?—The lifter up of my head?-His holy hill ?—Who sustained David?-What did David therefore do?-What words should we repeat in the morning?-What do you mean by breaking the teeth, &c. ?-What is salvation?-Who gives it? -What does David's example teach us? PSALM IV. David, pressed and insulted by his enemies, calls upon God; reproves, and warns the wicked; and declares his confidence, joy, and peace, in the Lord. I Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer. 2 Oye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour: and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing? 3 Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly: when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. 4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still. 5 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness: and put your trust in the Lord. 6. There be many that say: Who will shew us any good? 7 Lord, lift Thou up: the light of Thy countenance upon us. 8 Thou hast put gladness in my heart: since the time that their corn, and wine, and oil increased. 9 I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest: for it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety. Ver. 1. God of my righteousness,] Thou, whom I serve in righteousness, Who makest me righteous, and acceptest me as Thy righteous servant. Ver. 2. will ye blaspheme? &c.] Will ye speak evil of that which is my honour and glory; of my government and the service of my God; also of God himself.―in vanity,] In your vain and foolish strife against me; and in leasing, in deceit and lying. As |