was a ready way to become a man of God. He would say, "that prayer was the principal part of a minister's work: it was by this that he was to carry on the rest." Accordingly, he devoted one day in a month to prayer, with fasting, before the Lord, besides the public fasts, which often occurred. He would say, "that such extraordinary favours as the life of religion and the power of godliness, must be preserved by the frequent use of such extraordinary means as prayer, with fasting; and that if professors grew negligent of these means, iniquity would abound, and the love of many wax cold." When he lay dying, a friend standing by his bed said, "You are going to receive the reward of all your labours." He replied, “Brother, I am going to receive mercy.” PSALM THE SEVENTH. 1-6. (1) persecute me, an expression connecting the Ps. with the time of the enmity of Saul. (2) lest he," one person stood out prominently as leader among his enemies. Prob. Saul is meant, but Dav. respectfully avoids naming him. like a lion, whose habits Dav. knew, 1 Sa. xvii. 34-37. (3) done this," some specific charge was brought against him; prob. treason against Saul. (4) rewarded, or retaliated: better, "if I have injured my friend." delivered, with historical reference to 1 Sa. xxiv. 4-7, xxvi. 9.c (5) let, etc., if indeed a sinner he was willing to suffer. mine honour,d personal and official dignity. Exemplary conduct under great social trial.-David's conduct here includes three things. I. Earnest application. In which we see-1. Strong confidence in God; 2. A terrible sense of danger; 3. A deep consciousness of innocence; 4. An earnest invocation for help. II. Devout meditations. 1. On the character of God(a) As a friend of the just; (b) As an enemy of the wicked. 2. On the condition of sinners-(a) As painfully laborious; (b) Abortively laborious. III. Reverent adoration. 1. The character in which he worships the Almighty. (a) As righteous; (b) As supreme. 2. The spirit with which he worships the Almighty.c 6–9. (6) arise, etc., I appeal fr. their slanders to Thee, as Judge. because of, or against. awake, etc., render "Awake for me. Thou hast commanded judgment." (7) so shall, in that case, the case of granting me public vindication. compass thee, coming round Thee to acknowledge Thy righteousness. return.. high, to Thy judgment-throne. (8) judge me, only conscious integrity could make such an appeal. Dav. refers to the crime with wh. he was charged, not to any absolute sinlessness.d (9) wickedness, of slander and plotting. trieth, in specific sense of testing, assaying. A prayer for the cessation of sin (v. 9).—I. Make a few observations on the wickedness of the wicked. 1. It is the genuine fruit of a depraved nature; 2. It displays itself in various forms; 3. It presses into its service the whole man; 4. It has abounded in all ages of the world. II. When may it be said that this wickedness comes to an end? 1. In the individual conversion of sinners to God; 2. It will come to an end generally, by the conversion of the world to God. III. That this is a most desirable object. 1. It is desirable on God's account; 2. On our own account; 3. For the sake of the wicked. IV. What means can be adopted to this "Vindicate Thy end? 1. Give no countenance to wickedness; 2. Warn the wicked dignity by no of their danger; 3. Pray that their wickedness may come to an longer allowing end.f it to appear as though the wicked were to have the upper hand."-Jennings and Lowe. "When Thou hast delivered Thy judicial sentence, return on high above the gathering of Thy people, to Thy heavenly throne."-- Wordsworth. d Ps. xviii. 20, 24, xxvi. 1; Job xxix. 14. e Heart is seat of thoughts, reins of emotion. Sks. Beta, in 400 a "He bears my shield, has undertaken to defend me."-Jennings. Ps. lxii. 7. b "The word means not merely that God feels, but that He manifests, wrath, not by occasional outbursts, but by continuous indi cations of His intent to punish those who con tinually provoke Him."--Spk. Com. c De. vi. 7, marg., xxxii. 41. d C. Simeon, M.A. When Gregory Christian integrity.-An interesting instance of Christian integrity is recorded in the life of the late Rev. John Cooke, of Maidenhead. The circumstance has reference to property which had originally belonged to Mr. Cooke's mother, but had been illegally alienated from him by his father:-"A gentleman of very respectable appearance called at his house rather early one morning, and requested to see the Rev. Mr. Cooke. As soon as Mr. Cooke entered the room, he said, 'Sir, I am an entire stranger to you; and it is business of no very pleasant or ordinary kind that has brought me to Maidenhead. Some years ago, an estate was purchased by my father, for which an adequate value was given at the time; but,' continued the gentleman, 'I find on looking over the deeds, that although it has been in the possession of my family for many years, the sale is not valid, nor my title good, until it is signed by one John Cooke, who was, at the time of the sale, a minor. After much search, by the aid of my legal advisers, I have ascertained that you are that John Cooke: and now it depends on you, whether what my father honourably purchased, but your father dishonestly sold, shall continue in the possession of my family or not.' The gentleman then most frankly opened and exposed to Mr. Cooke a bundle of parchments containing all the particulars of the sale, with the deeds that had been executed. It is believed that the estate had greatly increased in value, and at the time of his application was worth between three and four hundred pounds per annum. 10-13. (10) my defence, lit. "my buckler is upon God." (11) judgeth the righteous, better as marg. "God is a righteous judge." angry, or wrathful, wh. is right feeling towards the wicked. Angry, or "violently moved with indignation." (12) turn not, in penitent submission. whet, sharpen.c ready, standing it up in act of shooting. (13) instruments of death, military weapons. his arrows, trans. "He maketh his arrows burning ones:" or lightning bolts. God's indignation against the wicked (vv. 11-13).-We see the conduct of God-I. In His moral government here. 1. The righteous are the objects of His tender care; 2. The wicked are the objects of His merited displeasure. II. In His judicial proceedings at the last day. 1. Then He will approve and reward the righteous; 2. He will consign the wicked to merited shame and punishment. Learn (1) The importance of ascertaining your real character; (2) The blessedness of having God for your friend.d A sure defence (v. 10).—During the seventeenth century, while the Rev. John Cotton was minister of Boston, in America, intelligence reached that town of the distress of the poor Christians was ordained at Sigatea, where a small church existed, the members of which bishop, the cele- were reduced to great extremity by persecution. Mr. Cotton imbrated Jerome's mediately began to collect for them, and sent the sum of £700 inquiry respectfor their relief. It is remarkable, that this relief arrived the very ing his canonical qualification was day after they had divided their last portion of meal, without any whether he knew other prospect but that of dying a lingering death; and immethe Psalms by diately after their pastor, Mr. White, had preached to them from Psalm xxiii. 1, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” heart. 14-17. (14) travaileth, etc., fig. indic. that the bad resolves of the wicked man's heart, he was at this time trying to work out in mischievous acts. falsehood, "Heb. word includes the meanings of emptiness and failure." a (15) digged it, or hollowed it out. is fallen, etc., historically illus. in Saul's personal peril in the cave (1 Sa. xxvi. 7-12), and in case of Haman. (16) return, etc., the very scoopings out of the pit shall tumble down on him as he lies in the pit. pate, top of the head. (17) righteousness, shown in his vindication. The saint's safety in evil times (v. 14).-The words express the conception, birth, carriage, and miscarriage of a plot against David, in which you may consider-I. What his enemies did. II. What God did. III. What we should all do. His enemies' intention, God's prevention, and our duty. His enemies' intention, he travaileth with iniquity, and conceiveth falsehood. God's intention, prevention. He brought forth a lie. Our duty,-behold.c Retribution (v. 15).—The end of this pope was a meet sequel to his life. Cæsar Borgia and the pope had plotted to poison a rich cardinal, that they might lay hands on his wealth. The whole body of cardinals were therefore invited to a banquet, and among the wines provided was one bottle of poison, carefully prepared and set apart. But the pope and his son coming in before supper, called for some wine, and a servant presented them, by mistake, with the bottle containing the poison. Borgia had largely diluted his wine, and being young and vigorous, he recovered under the use of proper antidotes; but Alexander died the same evening; a remarkable example of Divine retribution.d PSALM THE EIGHTH. 1, 2. (1) our Lord, the Psalmist speaks in the name of the Church. excellent, lit. bright, glorious: like the stars. who.. heavens, lit. "set Thy glory upon the heavens." Who hast covered the heavens with Thy glory. (2) babes, child. able to play. sucklings, unweaned infants. Heb. weaned at three years old. ordained, or founded. “Thou hast built up a bulwark, a defence."d enemy, etc., the opponents of the Div. sovereignty. avenger, one who thirsts or breathes revenge." The murder of the innocents (v. 2).-I. Examine the occasion of the death of these innocents, with a few incidental remarks on the narrative. Describe the circumstances and scene. 1. How was it that such a destruction was permitted? For the punishment of the people of Bethlehem for their treatment of the infant Saviour. 2. Supposing this to be correct, does it not show the mercy of God as well as the justice? 3. However sin appears to prosper, it will not go unpunished even in this world. ÎÎ. Make some practical observations on what has been said. moral government is perfectly just; 2. And perfectly merciful; 3. Sin brings punishment. 1. God's a Infant praises (v. 2).—“A few Sabbaths since," says one, little boy, about six years of age, just after entering the school, came and asked me for the charity-box. I inquired what he wanted with it. I want to put a halfpenny into it,' said he. To examine his motives, and his knowledge of Divine things more a "He conceives certain. Possibly c Dr. R. Sibbes. Gregory, in the fifth century, writing to a wo man by the name of Eustochium, concerning her deceased mother, Paula, says: "The Holy Scriptures she knew by heart. Indeed, I must say more, every one seems what perhaps to incredible, she also understood the Hebrew lan guage SO well Psalms in He. A Ps. of praise to Gittith, a musica Gath: it was used for ps. of a jubi lant instrument from character. Comp. Ps. lxxxi., lxxxiv. a"Thou hast set Thy glory, Le. hast stamped the image of Thine infinite majesty, upon the heavens and yet dost condescend to reveal Thyself to man by near and, to some, less signifi cant tokens." Spk. Com. b Jer. vi. 11, ix. 21; La. iv. 4. "So manifest are God's perfections that by very weak instruments He conclusively sets forth His praise." particularly, I asked him what good he supposed it would do to put his money into the charity-box. 'I want to send it to the heathen,' he replied. 'Do you know,' said I, 'who the heathens are?' 'They are folks who have not got any Bible, and live a great way off.' 'What is the Bible?' The Word of God.' 'Of what use would it be to the heathen, if they had it?' 'It would tell them to love God, and be good.' 'Where did the Bible come from?' 'From heaven.' 'Was it written in heaven?' 'No, the prophets and good men wrote it.' 'If good men wrote it, how then is it the Word of God, and came from heaven?' 'Why, the Holy Ghost told them how to write it.' 'Did they see the Holy Ghost, and did He speak to them?' 'No, but He made them f W. Alexander, think it.' This was enough. I presented to him the charitycurate of Lon-box; he dropped in his money; a smile of joy glowed upon his donderry Cath. countenance; and he returned to his seat filled with the luxury of doing good." -Fausset. d Perowne. e Mendelssohn. g Whitecross. a "The term points to the impotence and mortality of the creature who has been thus honoured."-Jennings and Lowe. Ps. cxliv. 3-9. b" Modern interpreters are gene rally in favour of translating the 'Thou madest him little less words thus: 3-5. (3) when, or as often as. moon and stars, absence of reference to the sun fixes this as a night meditation. (4) man, lit. frail man.a (5) lower than the angels, Heb. Elohim, wh. is never used in the sense of angels. glory and honour, the attributes of royal dignity; man being placed in authority over God's creation. The Divine regard to man (vv. 3, 4).-I. Take a summary survey of God's regard to man, and the visits with which He indulges him. 1. By visible manifestations of His presence; 2. By the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ; 3. By the influences of His Spirit; 4. By the dispensations of His providence. II. Inquire on what ground we may justify this profusion of bounty and regard to man. 1. What is man, viewed as a material being, and an inhabitant of this world only? 2. What is man, considered as an intelligent being and destined to be the inhabitant of an eternal world? 3. What is man, considered as a moral agent and d Delta, in 400 a sinner? Expostulate with those who trifle with their souls; console those who enter into the designs of God.d The virtue of man (v. 4).— than God.""Wordsworth. c Ge. i. 28. Sks. "Who fights with passions and o'ercomes, that man is arm'd with the best virtue,-passive fortitude." -Webster. e Sir J. Davies. a 1 Cor. xiv. 2427; Eph. i. 22. b Ge. i. 20-25. St. Basil directs that such as neglect to commit the Psalms be shut up in O what is man, great Maker of mankind! 6-9. (6) works.. hands, those summed up in the earthly sphere of creation.a (7) all sheep, etc., rend. as marg. “Flocks and oxen all of them." The reference is to man's original estate. (8) passeth.. seas, creatures of the deep not classed with fish. All are subject to man. (9) O Lord, etc., repetition of v. 1, as the impression wh. the meditation had left. to memory shall Modes of fishing.-There is fishing with the hand-net. The net solitude, or kept is in shape like the top of a tent, with a long cord fastened to the fasting, till they apex. This is tied to his arm, and the net so folded that when it .do. Another is thrown it expands to its utmost circumference, around which that "no one who are strung beads of lead to make it drop suddenly to the bottom. claims the name Then there is the great drag-net, the working of which teaches writer declares the value of united effort. Some must row the boat, some cast out the net, some on the shore pull the rope with all their strength, others throw stones and beat the water round the ends to frighten the fish from escaping there; and as it approaches the shore every one is active in holding up the edges, drawing it to land and seizing the fish. Again, there is the bag-net and basket-net of various kinds, which are so constructed and worked as to enclose the fish out in deep water. I have seen them of almost every size and pattern.c PSALM THE NINTH. 1—5. (1) show forth, recount, or declare.a marvellous works, the gracious ways in wh. God saves and protects His people. (2) sing, as the expression of joyfulness. praise, trans. psalms, in Prayer Bk. Ver. (3) when, or because. This is the subject of the thanksgiving. they shall, or because they fall, at thy presence, on account of Thine angry countenance. (4) maintained, lit. executed my judgment. judging right, or in righteousness. (5) the heathen, should be nations. their name, as independent nations. etc. Praise (v. 1).-I. Praise should always follow answered prayer. II. God should be praised for His mercies. III. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves. IV. To bless God for mercies received is a way to bless our fellow-men. V. Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. and cities which 6-10. (6) O thou enemy, better rend. As for the enemy." a "The enemy is destructions, etc., or, "they are in ruins for ever," like Sodom, cut off-they are and Babylon. destroyed cities, or rooted them out. (7) perpetual ruins; endure, better, is calmly, securely seated. prepared, firmly Thou hast rooted established. (8) and he, none other than He, for He only is out, -the very above all things; He only changeth, passeth, not. judge..memorial of righteousness, or righteously judge. Observe the fulness of them isperished.” meaning St. Paul put into these words. in uprightness, or rowne. equity; with impartiality. (9) refuge, lit. high place. times of trouble, lit." at times of desperation, i.e. on occasions when all hope is cut off." (10) know, etc., so know as to find full basis of trust (Jno. xvii. 3). Trans. by Pe Comp. Ex. xv. 4 -6; De. xxxii. 26; Job xviii. 17; Is. xiv. 20. b Ac. xvii. 31. accessible rock, The name of God a ground of trust (v. 10).—I. I will endeavour c "A fort on the to show what the knowledge of the name of God imports. Not summit of an inmerely a knowledge of the different names by which He is called, such as often afbut-1. His own essential perfections; 2. His diversified dis-forded a refuge pensations. II. How it will evince its existence in the soul. It will lead one-1. To renounce all false confidences; 2. To rely solely upon God. In order to this-(1) Study the Holy Scriptures; (2) Follow the example of Scripture saints.-The knowledge of God's name (v. 10).—Ī. The name. It is one of-1. Great- Lowe. ness; 2. Grace; 3. Forgiveness; 4. Righteousness and holiness. II. The knowledge. III. The trust.ƒ to David in early Comp. 2 Sa. xxii. days of exile, 3; Ps. xci. 2.”— Spk. Com. d Jennings and e C. Simeon, M.A. f Dr. Bonar. The old Clugni acs, when travel Washington's confession.-Thomas Mullet, Esq., an English gentleman, being in America, called on General Washington, at ling, were wont his residence at Mount Vernon, soon after the close of the contest to beguile the between that country and Great Britain. Washington asked him, in the course of conversation in his library, if he had met with an individual in that country, who could write the history distance whole the Psalms, in order partly to |