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DAY 17.]

PSALM LXXXIX.

EVENING PRayer.

Prayer, as Psalm xliv. This Psalm has been, by some, referred to David, and is to be illustrated by 2 Sam. vii. 12, &c. Spiritually viewed, it describes the perpetuity of Christ's kingdom.

(I. Promises to David respecting Christ.)

1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: With my voice will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: Thy faithfulness shalt Thou establish in the very

heavens.

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen,

I have sworn unto David my servant,

4 Thy seed will I establish for ever,

And build up Thy throne to all generations.

(II. God's perfections.)

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord:

Thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

6 For who in the heaven

can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?

7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,

And to be had in reverence of all them that are

about Him.

8 O Lord God of hosts!

Who is a strong Lord like unto Thee?

Or to Thy faithfulness round about Thee? 9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea :

When the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them. 10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces,

as one that is slain;

Thou hast scattered Thine enemies
with Thy strong arm.

11 The heavens are Thine; the earth also is Thine: As for the world and the fulness thereof,

Thou hast founded them.

12 The north and the south Thou hast created them : Tabor and Hermon shalt rejoice in Thy Name.

13 Thou hast a mighty arm;

Strong is Thy hand, and high is Thy right hand. 14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne;

Mercy and Truth shall go before Thy face.

(III. Happiness and safety of His people.)

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy

countenance.

16 In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: And in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. 17 For Thou art the glory of their strength: And in Thy favour our horn shall be exalted. 18 For the Lord is our defence;

And the Holy One of Israel is our King.

(IV. Covenant with David as the representative of Christ.) 19 Then Thou spakest in vision to Thy holy one,

And saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty: I have exalted one chosen out of the people. 20 I have found David my servant;

With my holy oil have I anointed him : 21 With whom my hand shall be established;

Mine arm also shall strengthen him:

22 The enemy shall not exact upon

him;

Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, And plague them that hate him.

24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: 25 I will set his hand also in the sea,

And his right hand in the rivers. 26 He shall cry unto me,

Thou art my Father,

My God, and the Rock of my salvation. 27 Also I will make him my first-born, Higher than the kings of the earth.

28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, And my covenant shall stand fast with him. 29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, And his throne as the days of heaven.

30 If his children forsake my law,

And walk not in my judgments;

31 If they break my statutes,

And keep not my commandments;

32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes.

33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him,

Nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. 34 My covenant will I not break,

Nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness

That I will not lie unto David. 36 His seed shall endure for ever,

And his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, And as a faithful witness in heaven.

(V. The Church's lamentation.)

38 But Thou hast cast off and abhorred,

Thou hast been wroth with Thine anointed. 39 Thou hast made void the covenant of Thy servant : Thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the

ground.

40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges;

Thou hast brought his strongholds to ruin. 41 All that pass by the way spoil him;

He is a reproach to his neighbours.

42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; Thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword,

And hast not made him to stand in the battle.

44 Thou hast made his glory to cease,

And cast his throne down to the ground. 45 The days of his youth hast Thou shortened; Thou hast covered him with shame.

(VI. Her prayer.)

46 How long, Lord? wilt Thou hide Thyself for ever?

Shall Thy wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how short my time is;

Wherefore hast Thou made all men in vain ?

48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?

Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? 49 Lord, where are Thy former lovingkindnesses,

Which Thou swarest unto David in Thy truth? 50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of Thy servants; How I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

51 Wherewith Thine enemies have reproached,
O Lord;

Wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of
Thine anointed.

52 Blessed be the Lord for evermore.

Amen, and Amen.

REFLECTIONS.

1. The mercy and faithfulness of God are subjects for our delightful meditation at all times. We know of a covenant that is ordered in all things and sure. The throne of Messiah is established, and it shall exist through all ages: and if we be His faithful subjects, we may well sing of the tender mercies of the God of our salvation.

2. Our notions of God should be lofty and sublime; we are here taught how to think of Him. All creation, all His dealings, show his power and majesty : His justice and judgment, His mercy and truth, are unquestionable. Surely, then, He is to be greatly feared, and to be had in reverence by all His people.

3. It is our privilege to hear the joyful sound of the Gospel. Happy are we if we know it and receive it: for then we enjoy the divine favour; and "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" we have righteous

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