1. PRAISE REFLECTIONS. RAISE should have a large share of our public worship. It is reasonable and good to praise God at all times, but especially when admitted to the privileges of his house, and when we behold his beauty and perfection there. Let us consider the many favours we have received, and are daily receiving from him; particularly our privileges as christians, in being a peculiar treasure to the Lord; not only succeeding to the dignity of his ancient people, but enjoying nobler blessings. It is a pleasant work; tends to raise the soul to habitual cheerfulness, and by that promoting the health of the body and serenity of the mind. Let us therefore exhort one another to, and assist one another in this reasonable, useful, and delightful work. 2. Let us observe and adore the hand of Providence in all events. As all nature depends upon God, all its powers and elements are directed and actuated by him. The rain, the lightning, and the wind are his when they produce any favourable or dreadful effects, his hand should be acknowledged. We should also own his providence in all the favours bestowed on his church and people; especially in delivering them from their enemies: and let the remembrance of his goodness be kept up through every gene ration. 3. We have great encouragement to pray for God's oppressed people, from what he has done and promised to do for them. Though he may suffer them for a while to be under the power of the oppressor, he will at length vindicate their cause. He will not proceed in his controversy with them, but set them free from their enemies. We see so many instances of this in his conduct toward Israel, as ought to give great encouragement to our prayers and hopes. 4. Let us bless God for our deliverance from that idolatry, which is so stupid in itself, and so offensive to God. The contemptuous but just manner in which idolaters and their idols are here spoken of, should lead us to reflect on our happiness in being favoured with the gospel, which has delivered us from that state of idolatry and darkness in which our ancestors were; and to give God thanks for the reformation from popery, which had brought us back to a state almost as bad as the former. Let us be thankful that we are not obliged to submit to any thing in devotion, which is displeasing to God, shocking to our consciences, or inconsistent with that spirit and truth in which God ought to be worshipped. PSALM CXXXVI. This psalm is called by the Jews, the great Hallel,” or psalm of praise; and was used in the daily service of the temple. We find a reference to it in several parts of the Old Testament history ; when Solomon dedicated the temple, while singing this psalm the Lord entered into it by a cloud of glory; in Jehoshaphat's time, when God destroyed their enemies, they sung this psalm. We find it used when the foundation of the second temple was laid in Ezra's time. The composition is singular; the burden of the song is repeated in every verse. The former part of each verse was probably sung by the Levites, and the latter by all the people. There is nothing in it that needs explanation. 1. GIVE thanks unto the LORD; for he [is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. O give thanks unto the God 3 of gods: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. O give thanks to 4 the LORD of lords: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy [endureth] for 5 ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mer6 cy [endureth] for ever. To him that stretched out the earth 7 above the waters: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy [endureth] for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [endureth] 10 for ever: To him that smote Egypt in their first born: for his 11 mercy [endureth] for ever: And brought out Israel from 12 among them for his mercy [endureth] for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm for his mercy [en13 dureth] for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into 14 parts for his mercy [endureth] for ever: And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy [endureth] for 15 ever: But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for 16 his mercy [endureth] for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. 17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy [endureth] 18 for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy [endureth] 19 for ever: Sihon, king of the Amorites: for his mercy [endur20 eth] for ever: And Og king of Bashan for his mercy [en21 dureth] for ever: And gave their land for an heritage for his 22 mercy [endureth] for ever: [Even] an heritage unto Israel his 23 servant for his mercy [endureth] for ever. Who remember ed us in our low estate for his mercy [endureth] for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy [en25 dureth] for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh for his mercy 26 [endureth] for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven : for his mercy [endureth] for ever. : IT creatures. REFLECTION. T should be the ground of our daily joy and praise, that the mercy of God endureth for ever. There is no truth concerning God, so often repeated, and so much magnified in scripture as this. No truth more comfortable or delightful to sinful, and yet immortal His mercy followed our fathers through all their lives; it will accompany us through our days; it will attend our children and posterity to the end of time; and will extend through a blessed eternity; it will be the everlasting song of heaven, and therefore should be our joy and our song in this house of our pilgrimage. Let us trace up all the favours we receive to this true source, and offer the sacrifice of praise continually. PSALM CXXXVII. This psalm was composed during the captivity, probably by some Levite who was a leading musician in the temple. Such persons were in high repute in Babylon, as great proficients in their art, having been obliged to play daily during their attendance at the tabernacle, before the Israelites assembled there; and three times a year before the whole nation. 1 2 BY OY the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof; we went out to the river side to soothe our distress, hoping to divert our grief by our music; but 3 found our hearts too full to relish it, For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us [required of us] mirth, [saying,] Sing us [one] of the songs of Zion; some of our enemies came and would have us sing such songs 4 as we used in the temple; to which we replied, How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? A song appropriated to the temple service,in a strange, idolatrous land, among them 5 which know not God, and by whom we are oppressed. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [her cunning,] its 6 skill in music, or its use for any purpose. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy; if I do not prefer thy interest above any of my joys, and mourn for thy distresses more than for any of my personal injuries, let me not only lose the power 7 of singing, but the faculty of speech. Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it,] rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof; remember the Edomites, to punish them; who, though allied to us, by descent from Abraham and Isaac, though we were commanded by Jehovah, not to injure them, when we passed through their land, yet have ungratefully hunted us down, and stirred up the Chaldeans utterly 1. 8 to destroy us.* O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be,] that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 9 Happy [shall he be,] that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones, as it is foretold in Isaiah xiii. 16.† THE us very REFLECTIONS. HE pitiable state of the captives in Babylon, should make thankful that it is not our own; that we are not groaning under the oppression of enemies, and suffering their cruel mockings; but can sing the songs of the Lord in comfort. Our fathers, in many places, were obliged to omit this part of worship, for fear of being overheard and informed against; but we can sing God's praises without the oppression or scorn of our enemies; and it is fit our hearts and voices should be fervently engaged in this work. 2. We are taught to retain an affection for the church of God, even when in its lowest state. Let us esteem its welfare our chief joy; and its distresses and declensions our greatest grief, and let us speak a good word for it whenever we hear it aspersed. Yet we should be careful to govern our passions, and to wish the enemies of the church no further ill, than the defeating of their schemes and the changing of their hearts. PSALM CXXXVIII. [A Psalm] of David. Composed probably soon after his accession to the throne. He had many enemies, but God was pleased to prosper him wheresoever he 1 went. 'I WILL praise thee with my whole heart before the gods, the princes and great men, will I sing praise unto thee; I will not be ashamed to acknowledge thy goodness and celebrate thy 2 praise. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name; employed all thy other attributes in the performance of thy promise, and so made them all 3 testify and magnify thy faithfulness. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, [and] strengthenedst me [with] strength • There is a reference to this in the prophecy of Obadiah, chap. i. 10-14. This kind of cruel execution was common in the east ; but no reason or custom can justify so inhuman a practice. Probably the author of this psalm might have seen or suffered something of this kind, when Jerusalem was taken; if so, one can scarce wonder at his men tioning such a circumstance as this. It is not necessary to maintain that all the sentiments in scripture were suggested by the spirit of God: especially the poetical compositions; and this in particular, any more than Job's and Jeremiah's cursing their day. God might leave his servants to the irregular passions and workings of their own hearts, and to utter sentiments which are neither to be imitated nor vindiested; and which are peculiarly unbecom ing christians, whose religion teaches them to love and pray for their enemies. in my soul; didst support and comfort me under my sorrows, 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth; referring probably to the day when heathen nations should be converted to the knowledge of the true 5 God. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD, engage in and pursue thy service with pleasure: for great [is,] or shall be, the 6 glory of the LORD. Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; he knows, favours, and delights in them: but the proud he knoweth afar off; looks upon them with abhor7 rence, and will not allow them to come near him. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me; thou shalt lay thy right hand upon their wrath; as if he had said, When they raise their hands with the 8 utmost rage, thou canst easily hold them down. The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever; I doubt not but thou wilt establish my throne: but, instead of being made cool and remiss by that confidence, I will be more earnest in prayer; therefore I beseech thee, O Lord, forsake not the works of thine own hands. 1. W REFLECTIONS. E learn from this psalm to make the service of God the cheerful business of our lives; and to seek strength from him to discharge it. If we have entered on the ways of God, let us proceed resolutely in them; and rejoice therein, as they are ways of pleasantness and paths of peace; as we have a good guide, a powerful guard, and agreeable company; and they lead to everlasting life. We see the great glory of the Lord displayed, and therefore should go on our way rejoicing. In order to this, let us pray that God would strengthen us with strength in our souls; enable us to bear up under the burdens of life; to maintain our faith and patience, and make us joyful in all our tribulation. If for this we beseech the Lord, his grace will be sufficient for us. 2. Let us charge it upon our souls to be humble, if we desire any fellowship with God. He knows the proud afar off: though men may not discern their pride, or may even think themselves humble, he will reject them, how confidently soever they pretend to his favour. Whereas he hath respect to the humble; is pleased with them, and will put honour upon them. Let us therefore not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think; but be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 3. We should learn from David, to depend upon, and to improve the promises of God; since he has magnified his word of promise above all the other glories of his name; that is, displayed his faithfulness in the contrivances of his wisdom and the exertions of his power. This is an encouragement for us to trust in him, and to depend on his loving kindness and his truth. We see in the last verse how the faith of David operated; he was assured that God would |