Слике страница
PDF
ePub

spleen, or pursuing their ambitious schemes? Do they not consider, that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand? Let this engage us to pray that the salvation of our Israel may come out of Zion, that God may interpose for our help, bring back our captivity, and deliver us from our distress, that we may rejoice and be glad in him.

PSALM XV.

A Psalm of David.

It was probably composed by him when he brought up the ark to mount Zion; and is an inquiry who should appear there as acceptable wor shippers. It seems intended particularly for the use of the priests. He fixes on moral virtues as what God peculiarly delights in; and especially on those which were most opposite to the reigning vices of the times.

1

and

ORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell 2 shipper in thy tabernacle? He that walketh uprightly, or sin cerely, and worketh righteousness, doeth justly, and speaketh the truth in his heart, is careful of all his words; and he does this in his heart; there is an exact agreement or conformity between his 3 words and sentiments. [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour; he that neither defames nor speaks evil of any man, nor doeth any kind of mischief to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour, that never says any thing to his prejudice; who neither raiseth nor receiveth 4 any ill report of him; neither invents nor supports a slander. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned, be he ever so great, rich, or eminent; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD, be they ...ever so poor and mean; judging of men's excellencies by their goodness, and not by their greatness, [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not; he that will make good his engage5 ments, though it be to his own prejudice, [He that] putteth not out his money to usury,* who never violates the law of justice or charity, but freely lends or gives to the necessitous; nor taketh reward against the innocent who never takes a bribe to pervert judgment, and hurt the innocent. He that not only heareth, but doeth these [things,] shall never be moved; he shall enjoy the · favour and help of God now, and be happy with him for ever.

Usury, for political reasons, was forbidden to the Jews among themselves, as they were not designed to be a trading nation. But it was not sinful in Itself, because they were allowed * șo lend upon usury to strangers.

[ocr errors]

REFLECTIONS.

E hence learn, that it is of great importance to inquire into our real characters. This question may be applied to the heavenly Zion, and we may ask, who shall be welcome there? It is a great privilege to dwell in God's tabernacle now; much more in his heavenly hill. To be deprived of this honour and felic.. ity, will be inconceivably dreadful. Therefore it becomes us to examine ourselves narrowly, that we may not be deceived, and that we do not deceive ourselves.

2. Let us therefore bring ourselves to the test of this psalm; and to judge of our own state, let us observe how far it answers to this description. Are we sincere in every thing we do in religion, just and honest in all our dealings, careful never to injure the property, person, or reputation of others, and solicitous never to raise or spread any reproach against them? Do we judge of men by their piety alone? or by their family, fortune, and rank in life? Who are our friends and favourites? vile persons, or those that fear God? Do we prefer a good conscience to secular gain? and never violate the law of God for the sake of advancing our fortune? If our conscience can answer these questions in the affirmative as in the sight of God, our state is comfortable, secure, and happy; we shall always be acceptable worshippers in his house below, and at length have an abundant entrance into his heavenly kingdom.

PSALM XVI.

Michtam of David, or, the golden Psalm.

It is so entitled, either to express the excellency of it, or rather, the name of some tune to which it was sung.

1

;PRESE, soul,] thou hast said unto the LORD, or, as some of

RESERVE me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

2

the ancient versions read it, I have said unto the Lord, Thou [art] my LORD: my goodness [extendeth] not to thee: cannot bene3 fit thee, or lay thee under any obligation; [But] I desire preservation, that I may be useful to others, to the saints that [are] in the earth, and [to] the excellent, in whom [is] all my delight, espe4 cially to thy servants, whom I love. And since Their sorrows shall be multiplied, [that] hasten [after] another [god,] I resolve not to be like them: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, I will not taste the blood of their victims, nor the wine which is mixed with it in token of their communion with idols; nor take up their names into my lips; I will not swear by their names, nor 5 mention them with reverence. The LORD [is] the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup; the only object of my worshift,

This is an allusion to the custom of the master of a feast, who used to distribute to his guests their several portions,

and the source of my happiness; thou maintainest my lot: this happiness thou wilt secure to me, whatever violence or calamity 6 may surround me. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant [places;] yea, I have a goodly heritage; an allusion to the dividing of the land of Canaan by a line or lot; as if he had said, I am highly pleased with my interest in thy favour, and I look upon it 7 as my best heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel, directed me in all my difficulties: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons; my inward thoughts are under the guidance of his Spirit, which directs and comforts me in the night. St. Paul quotes the following verses in Acts ii. 25. and applies them to Christ, of whom, he says, David as a prophet spake ; one of the discoveries God made to him in the night was of the Messiah. 8 I have set the LORD always before me, to observe the intimations of his will, and do the things that please him: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved; he will support my faith 9 and courage under all my sufferings. Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue, which is the glory of my frame, rejoiceth 10 my flesh also shall rest in hope of a glorious resurrection. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, among the abodes of departed spirits, as the word hell sometimes signifies; neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption ;* wilt not suffer my body 11 to putrify in the grave. Thou wilt show me the path of life, wile raise my body from death to life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore; thou will admit me to thy presence above, to the full enjoyment of thyself to a place and state of everlasting happiness.

1.

[ocr errors]

REFLECTIONS.

E should often be recollecting the solemn engagements we are under to serve the Lord; be often, with David, reminding ourselves, O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, thou art my Lord. He often said it, and said it with seriousness and sincerity. Let us recollect this, that we may abide by it, and take the comfort of it in every time of difficulty and affliction; and it should be an encouragement to trust in God.

2. Let us learn to maintain the highest esteem for the saints, and show the greatest kindness to them. They are the most excellent, yea, they only are the excellent of the earth, however they may be overlooked or despised. They are excellent in God's esteem; he prefers them before wicked princes, the richest sinners, or the haughtiest beauties. May we reverence their character, delight in their acquaintance, company, and converse, and do them all the good we can, especially when they are in want; rejoice with them in all their joys, sympathize with them in all their sorrows, and abound in labours of love toward them.

The apostle Paul argues, in Acts xiii. 35, 36, 37, that this passage belongs to Christ, because David did see corruption; and surely St. Paul is the best interpreter we can follow.

3. Those who have entered into covenant with God, should guard against the sins which prevail among those they converse with. It was a good resolution of David, not to join with others in their idolatry and vice. If we have devoted ourselves to God, we must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, nor be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Their vices must not be imitated by us, nor named among us, as becometh saints. To excite us to this, we should consider that their sorrows shall be multiplied; however gay and merry they may be now, sorrow will overtake them, and it will be multiplied in proportion to their offences. Partake not of their sins, therefore, lest ye partake of their plagues,

4. If we deliberately choose God for our portion, he will be our guide and defence, our instructor and our hope, v. 4. Let us not make the world our portion, nor make its gains and pleasures our heritage; but seek our happiness in God, live upon it, and rejoice in it. Then we may leave it to him to maintain our lot, to determine our abode, and all the events of our lives. He will give us counsel, when we want it, always good counsel; and that when other counsellors deceive or disappoint us. He will give us advice by day, and gentle hints by night, give unexpected and pleasing turns to our thoughts. If we set him before us, and approve all our actions and thoughts to his all seeing eye, he will be at our right hand to support "and animate us, and we shall never be moved or come into trouble, lor be shaken from our obedience.

5. Let us rejoice in the resurrection of Christ, both with respect to him and ourselves; and adore the spirit of prophecy that directed the thoughts of the psalmist to Christ Jesus. He being a propher, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins according to the flesh he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne, spake in the words before us, of the resurrection of Christ. Let us bless God that this prophecy is accomplished; that "God hath raised up his son Jesus, and set him at his own right hand. By virtue of this, his people shall rise too; their souls shall not be left in a separate state, nor the body dwell for ever in the grave; they shall be advanced to that place where Christ is, and partake of his honour and joy. May we therefore set our affections on things above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God,

PSALM XVII,

A Prayer of David,

Probably camposed upon occasion of his cruel persecution by Saul,

'H

TEAR the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, consider the justice of my cause; give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned, or deceitful lips, for mine have not dissembled 2 with God or with Saul. Let my sentence come forth from thy

[ocr errors]

presence, then I am sure judgment will be in my favour, let thine eyes behold the things that are equal; I know I appeal to an 3 heartsearching God, for Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night, in times of the greatest retirement ; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing of which they accuse me; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress; so far from having attempted Saul's life, I have not spoken a disloyal 4 word. Concerning the works of men, the evil works of men which are commonly practised in my circumstances, by the word of thy lips, the consideration and observation of thy holy word, and of the rules laid down therein, I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer; those injurious courses which will prove destructive in 5 the end to those who use them. Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not; enable me to persevere in those ways 6 of holiness in which I have hitherto walked. I have called upon thee formerly, and will still do it, for thou wilt hear me, O God 7 incline thine ear unto me, [and hear] my speech. Show thy marvellous loving kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them; or, O thou that savest them which trust in thee from those that rise up against thy right hand, against thy power, 8 authority, and destination. Keep me as the apple of the eye, as carefully as a man guards his eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings, as tenderly as a hen gathers and watches over her 9 brood, From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly ene mies, [who] compass me about, whom nothing will satisfy but my 10 destruction. They are inclosed in their own fat; with their

mouth they speak proudly; they live in splendor and prosperity, 11 and boast as if they already had me in their power. They have now compassed us in our steps, hunted me and my small company from place to place: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; looking narrowly into every place to find us out; 12 Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young 13 lion lurking in secret places. Arise, O LORD, disappoint

him, that is, Saul, cast him down deliver my soul from the 14 wicked, [which is] thy sword: From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD; thy instruments to correct me, and who can do nothing without thy permission; from men of the world, who mind only earthly things, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure,] with great substance: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes; or, their children are full of it, and they leave great inheritances to their grandchildren; but all is in this life, they have no prospect or hope beyond it. Then, oppoε15 ing himself to them, and his hopes to theirs, he says, As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I have hope in thy fa vour beyond the grave, when I shall behold thee and be like thee: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, either from this dream of life, or rather, at the resurrection, with thy likeness.

« ПретходнаНастави »