Saturday Morning.

PSALM ciii.

LESS the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me,

BLESS

bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities: for as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him: for he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those

that remember his commandments to do them.. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

GOD A FORGIVING FATHER.

Give us, O Lord, a heart to praise Thee, that we may remember with thankfulness our undeserved mercies.

THERE is much in this Psalm to remind us of our daily readings through the week, and to urge us to be grateful.

We have considered the subject of repentance, and this Psalm tells us we should bless God, 'who forgiveth all our iniquities.' We yesterday read the parable of the prodigal son, and what a welcome his father gave him; this Psalm tells us, that, 'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him,' and that As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our sins from us.'

If we have taken our sins to Him, how

thankful we shall be to know they are sent out of reach, and that all we have done amiss is blotted out in the precious blood of Christ. Let us then rejoice in the lovingkindness of our God, and remember with thankfulness, that the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on them that fear Him.' Do we fear Him? If we fear a man, we show it by our conduct. We do not dare to act so as to cause his displeasure. Is it thus we act towards God? While loving Him as a Father, do we fear to disobey His commands? Happy those who do. It is a safeguard against evil. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,' and, knowing the lovingkindness of our Heavenly Father, let us feel too much regard for His mercy to incur His displeasure.

If tempted to do wrong, let us say with Joseph, 'How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?'

Saturday Evening.

PSALM CXi.

PRAISE ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my

whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious, and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

A REVIEW OF MERCIES.

O Lord, give us thankful hearts for this week's blessings, and make us partakers of Thy redemption.

AT the close of another week, it is well to be reminded of our blessings, that we may

return thanks to the Giver of all good. He says, 'Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me,' and that it becomes well the just to be thankful.

This Psalm reminds us of the works of the Lord. The sun to shine by day, the moon and stars to give light by night, are all God's works.

The rain and snow, the wind and storm, are God's gifts, and do us good, though we do not always see their value. 'He giveth meat,' saith the Psalmist. We have all eaten, and been well filled; have we been content with such things as we have, or have we complained of our fare? and though we have said grace before our meals, have we always been grateful? Let the remembrance of God being our Provider and Sustainer, check any future murmurings, and, remembering all His commands are sure, let us endeavour to keep them.

The more we aim to do God's will, the more we shall understand God's teaching.

'A good understanding have all they that do His commandments;' and the