ciple in the heart. And here we learn how to praise God; with all the heart; for what He is in Himself, and for what He is to us, and has done for us. 4. The Christian must expect trouble and annoyance from the vain and worldly: let this lead him to prayer for divine mercy and strength; for that token and proof of the divine goodness which will comfort him and silence his enemies. PRAYER. O gracious God, in all circumstances, and especially in the day of trouble, may we humble ourselves before Thee, call upon Thee, and put our trust in Thee. So teach us, and unite our hearts to Thee, to the fear and love of Thy Name, that we may walk before Thee unto all well-pleasing, and glorify Thee for evermore, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. PSALM LXXXVII. Prophetical. (I. The stability and felicity of Zion.) 1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. (II. Accession of the Gentiles foretold.) Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; This man was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her : And the Highest Himself shall establish her. 6 The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, That this man was born there. (III. Grace and salvation in the Church.) 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments (shall be there ;) All my springs are in Thee. REFLECTIONS. 1. The Church is the city of God; a city which has foundations; a city which God loves, and in which He especially resides. He is in the dwellings of all His people but He is more particularly with them in His house of prayer. 2. Rahab and Babylon, and Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia, enemies and strangers, shall enrol themselves among the members of the Church. Our spiritual birth is in the Church; and those who are her true children are the persons who will be honoured in the last day. Rev. xxi. 27. 3. Joy becomes the Church; and she ought to proclaim it in songs of praise and gratitude. And what must be the burden of her grateful and triumphant acknowledgment? "All my springs are in Thee." Thou, O glorious and gracious Saviour, in whom all fulness dwells, art He in whom are all the springs of light and life, of salvation and blessedness. PRAYER. Enlighten our minds, O Lord, that we may understand the glory of Thy Church; that we may love what Thou lovest; and that we may regularly be found where Thou dost especially meet and bless Thy people. Grant that enemies and strangers may be brought into Thy fold. Grant that we may be found in the last day to be true members of Thy Church. And give us grace to rejoice in the Lord always, and thankfully and joyfully to acknowledge that all our springs are in Thee; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. PSALM LXXXVIII. Prayer, as Psalm xiii. Of Heman, to whom this Psalm is ascribed, nothing is known. It is (An earnest prayer in deep distress.) 1 O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before Thee. 2 Let my prayer come before Thee: Incline Thine ear unto my cry; 3 For my soul is full of troubles; And my life draweth nigh unto the grave. 4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength. 5 Free among the dead, Like the slain that lie in the grave, And they are cut off from Thy hand. 6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the deeps. 7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, And Thou hast afflicted me with all Thy waves. 8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. 9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon Thee, I have stretched out my hands unto Thee. 10 Wilt Thou show wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise Thee? 11 Shall Thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? Or Thy faithfulness in destruction? 12 Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 13 But unto Thee have I cried, O Lord; And in the morning shall my prayer prevent Thee. 14 Lord, why castest Thou off my soul? Why hidest Thou Thy face from me? 15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: While I suffer Thy terrors I am distracted. 16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; Thy terrors have cut me off. 17 They came round about me daily like water; They compassed me about together. 18 Lover and friend hast Thou put far from me, And mine acquaintance into darkness. REFLECTIONS. This Psalm describes a very painful state of mind from outward and inward troubles. But it is not darkness without light. It is the delineation of the workings of a pious mind. Here is communion with God in mourning, expostulation, and prayer. The Psalm would seem to have reference to our suffering Lord. He will best understand it who knows what deep repentance means; and he especially who has walked long in darkness, and seen no light. There are such children of affliction: and such may here see, for their comfort, that their case is not solitary. Forsaken by friends, perplexed by enemies, and tried by having no sense of the divine favour, their case is painful. But still they may here learn what is the right course of proceeding; to cleave to God, to pour out the heart in prayer to Him, and to wait upon Him in faith and patience. "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted:" and if their afflictions now abound, yet in due time, when God sees proper to turn their sorrow into gladness, their consolations shall abound also. PRAYER. O Lord our God, it is Thou who dealest out to us our sorrows and our joys, our afflictions and consolations: in the day of trial, darkness, and anguish, may we cleave to Thee, trust in Thee, and call upon Thee. O suffer not our faith and patience to fail. Support and strengthen us, we beseech Thee, and cause us, when Thou seest fit, to bless Thee for all our sufferings, and to rejoice in Thy salvation; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. S |