REFLECTIONS. This is our consolation in all circumstances-Jehovah reigneth, He is glorious and almighty; the Creator and Upholder of all things; the everlasting God. The floods of the sea, and the floods of human passion, may swell and rage; but He stills both by His word. For our instruction, guidance, and comfort here, we have His testimonies, the revelation of His will; and in this we have what is true, faithful, and unchanging. Oh be it our study to receive the word of truth and life, and to worship Him and walk before Him in holi ness. PRAYER. O Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may we stand in awe of Thy majesty, acknowledge Thy government over all things, trust in Thy mercy and goodness, and worship Thee in the beauty of holiness; to Thy honour and glory, and to our own salvation. Grant this for Thine own Name's sake. Amen. PSALM XCIV. Prayer, as Psalm xliv. This Psalm has been supposed to have been written by David in the rebellion of Absalom. Compare Psalms xiv. lviii. (I. Prayer for the fall of wickedness.) 1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show Thyself. 2 Lift up Thyself, Thou Judge of the earth: Render a reward to the proud. T 3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, How long shall the wicked triumph? 4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? And all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? (II. Cruelty and impiety of the wicked.) 5 They break in pieces Thy people, O Lord, And afflict Thine heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the stranger, And murder the fatherless. 7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, Neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. (III. God's omniscience.) s Understand, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9 He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see? 10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not He correct? He that teacheth man knowledge shall not He know? 11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity. (IV. Blessedness of the afflicted.) 12 Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord, And teachest him out of Thy law; 13 That Thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit be digged for the wicked. 14 For the Lord will not cast off His people, Neither will He forsake His inheritance. 15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: And all the upright in heart shall follow it. (V. God is the refuge of His people.) 16 Who will rise up for me against the evil doers? Or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 17 Unless the Lord had been my help, against the soul of the righteous, And condemn the innocent blood. 22 But the Lord is my defence: And my God is the rock of my refuge. 23 And He shall bring upon them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own wickedness; Yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off. REFLECTIONS. 1, 2. We live in an evil world; in a world of trial and sorrow. In verses 5-7 we see the cruelty and impiety of ungodly men. And in verses 1-4 we see how the righteous present their prayer to God, and plead with Him. In all our troubles here, we should follow their example; not avenge ourselves, but com mit our cause to Him to whom vengeance belongeth. Rom. xii. 19. 3. Our bodily senses may shadow out to us the divine perfections. To God all things are known: to Him all hearts are open. The ungodly will do well to consider this, and to remember, that, sooner or later, they will receive at the hands of God according to their doings. Only timely repentance can prevent final ruin. 4. These verses are full of consolation to the righteous. They are chastened, but they shall not be forsaken they shall be instructed in God's word, shall be upheld in the way of righteousness, and shall obtain rest-rest in God here, and with God hereafter. Thus blessed are all those who know God in the Gospel of His Son. 5. Here we see how the true believer encourages himself in God. He may be reduced to a painful state of mind; but still the comforts of God will sustain and delight his soul. He may be surrounded with ungodly men, who meditate mischief; but God will be his defence and refuge. Thus his faith supports him amidst all dangers and difficulties. PRAYER. Grant, O merciful God, that in all our sorrows and troubles in this world we may put our confidence in Thee. Whatever be the malice and cruelty of ungodly men, help us to commit ourselves and our cause to Thee. Sanctify to us, we beseech Thee, all trials and chastisements. Uphold us in the way of righte ousness; comfort us and strengthen us in our souls; and give us rest in Thee both now and for ever, through Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord. Amen. DAY 19.] PSALM XCV. MORNING PRAYER. Psalm displaying the divine perfections, as Psalm viii. Written by David, perhaps, on the removal of the Ark to mount Zion. Heb. iv. 7. See (I. God is to be praised for His greatness and goodness.) 1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord; Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, And make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God, And a great King above all gods. 4 In His hand are all the deep places of the earth : The strength of the hills is His also. 5 The sea is His, and He made it : And His hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God: And we are the people of His pasture, (II. Caution against impenitence and unbelief.) |