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And have done abominable iniquity; There is none that doeth good. 2 God looked down from heaven

upon the children of men,

To see if there were any that did understand,
That did seek God.

3 Every one of them is gone back:

They are altogether become filthy;

There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

(II. Their cruelty; their destruction.) 4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread : They have not called upon God.

5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was ; For God hath scattered the bones of him

that encampeth against Thee: Thou hast put them to shame,

because God hath despised them.

(III. Prayer for salvation.)

6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion !

When God bringeth back the captivity of His people,

Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

REFLECTIONS.

1. St. Paul teaches us, Rom. iii. 10, 11, that we have here a proof of human depravity and guilt. Oh what a vile creature is man when he casts off the fear of God, and follows his own devices!

2. Without knowledge, cruel, persecuting, and un

devout; such are the wicked; and their portion is terror and desolation. Why should the righteous fear, who have God for their defender?

3. Pray we always that the Church may prosper, that salvation may go forth from her to all the world, and that her faithful children may rejoice in God their Saviour, being delivered from the power of all their enemies.

PRAYER.

Convince all men, O Lord, of their depravity, sin, and folly, and give them true repentance, and faith in Christ. Mercifully prosper and protect Thy Church, and grant that Thy people may rejoice in Thee, through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

PSALM LIV.

Prayer, as Psalm iii. Written, probably, by David, when persecuted by Saul.

(I. Praise.)

1 Save me, O God, by Thy Name,

And judge me by Thy strength.

2 Hear my prayer, O God;

Give ear to the words of my

mouth.

(II. Complaint.)

3 For strangers are risen up against me, And oppressors seek after my soul: They have not set God before them.

(III. Confidence.)

4 Behold, God is my helper:

The Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies : Cut them off in Thy truth.

(IV. Thanksgiving.)

6 I will freely sacrifice unto Thee: I will praise Thy name, O Lord;

For it is good.

7 For He hath delivered me out of all trouble: And mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine

enemies.

REFLECTIONS.

David prays that God would save him, defend his cause, and hear his prayer. He complains of persons who were seeking his life. His prayer brings faith into exercise: then he sees that God is his Helper, and that his enemies will be overthrown. The convictions of faith lead to thanksgiving and praise. Such are some of the exercises of a pious soul.

PRAYER.

O Lord, whoever rise up against us, grant that we may look to Thee, call upon Thee, and confide in Thee. Help us and uphold us in all our ways, and keep us in perfect safety, that we may praise Thy Name for ever, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

PSALM LV.

Prayer, as Psalm iv. Written by David, probably, during the rebellion of Absalom.

(I. Prayer in distress.)

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God;

And hide not Thyself from my supplication. 2 Attend unto me, and hear me :

I mourn in my complaint and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the oppression of the wicked:
For they cast iniquity upon me,

And in wrath they hate me.

4 My heart is sore pained within me:

And the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.

6 And I said, "Oh that I had the wings of a dove!" For then would I fly away, and be at rest.

7 Lo, then would I wander far off,

And remain in the wilderness.

8 I would hasten my escape

From the windy storm and tempest.

(II. Conduct of enemies.)

9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: For I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go about it

upon the walls thereof:

Mischief, also, and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof:

Deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me;

Then I could have borne it:

Neither was it he that hated me

that did magnify himself against me; Then I could have hid myself from him. 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal,

My guide and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together,

And walked into the house of God in company.

(III. Their ruin: the good man's confidence.) 15 Let death seize upon them,

And let them go down quick into hell:

For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.

16 As for me, I will call upon God;

And the Lord shall save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, Will I pray, and cry aloud:

And He shall hear my voice.

18 He hath delivered my soul in peace From the battle that was against me:

For there were many

with me.

19 God shall hear, and afflict them,

Even He that abideth of old. Because they have no changes, Therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands

Against such as be at peace with him:

He hath broken his covenant.

21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart:

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