s Nevertheless He saved them for His Name's sake, That He might make His mighty power

to be known.

9 He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried So He led them through the depths,

as through the wilderness.

10 And He saved them from the hand

of him that hated them,

up:

And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11 And the waters covered their enemies :

There was not one of them left. 12 Then believed they His words; They sang His praise.

(V. In the wilderness.)

13 They soon forgat His works;
They waited not for His counsel:
14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness,
And tempted God in the desert.

15 And He gave them their request;
But sent leanness into their soul.

(VI. In the matter of Korah.)

16 They envied Moses also in the camp,
And Aaron the saint of the Lord.

17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan,
And covered the company of Abiram.
18 And a fire was kindled in their company;
The flame burned up the wicked.

(VII. In that of the molten calf.)

19 They made a calf in Horeb,

And worshipped the molten image.

20 Thus they changed their glory

Into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21 They forgat God their Saviour,

Which had done great things in Egypt; 22 Wondrous things in the land of Ham, And terrible things by the Red Sea. 23 Therefore He said that He would destroy them, Had not Moses His chosen

Stood before Him in the breach,

To turn away His wrath,

lest He should destroy them.

(VIII. At the report of the spies.)

24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, They believed not His word:

25 But murmured in their tents,

And hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. 26 Therefore He lifted up His hand against them, To overthrow them in the wilderness:

27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations, And to scatter them in the lands.

(IX. In the matter of Baal-peor.)

28 They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, And ate the sacrifices of the dead.

29 Thus they provoked Him to anger with their inventions:

And the plague brake in upon them.

30 Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: And so the plague was stayed.

31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness Unto all generations for evermore.

(X. At the waters of Meribah.)

32 They angered Him also at the waters of strife,

So that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: 33 Because they provoked His spirit,

So that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

(XI. In mingling with idolaters.)

34 They did not destroy the nations,
Concerning whom the Lord commanded them:
35 But were mingled among the heathen,
And learned their works.

36 And they served their idols:
Which were a snare unto them.
37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons
And their daughters unto devils.

38 And shed innocent blood,

Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters,
Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan:
And the land was polluted with blood.

39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, And went a whoring with their own inventions.

(XII. God's mercies and judgments.)

40 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against His people,

Insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance. 41 And He gave them into the hand of the heathen; And they that hated them ruled over them.

42 Their enemies also oppressed them,

And they were brought into subjection under their hand.

43 Many times did He deliver them;

But they provoked Him with their counsel, And were brought low for their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless He regarded their affliction,

45 And He remembered for them His covenant,

And repented according to the multitude of His mercies.

46 He made them also to be pitied

Of all those that carried them captives.

(XIII. Prayer and praise.)

47 Save us, O Lord our God,

And gather us from among the heathen,
To give thanks unto Thy holy Name,
And to triumph in Thy praise.

48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting:
And let all people say,

Amen. Praise ye the Lord.

REFLECTIONS.

Compare this Psalm with the preceding; and how striking, but how painful and humiliating is the contrast! There we see the manifold goodness of God: here we see the manifold perverseness of man.

1. The mercy and goodness of God are inexhaustible subjects for thankfulness and praise. We here see who is truly blessed; he whose knowledge and faith produce right practice.

2. This is a prayer which we need daily to offer to God; that we may be visited with salvation, and enjoy the happiness and portion of His people.

3. We are sinful creatures; and in all our prayers confession of sin will have a place. "We have committed iniquity: we have done wickedly!" Who can approach God, having a just sense of his own character, and not make such an avowal?

4. Look upon the Israelites at the Red Sea; 5. In the wilderness; 6. In the matter of Korah; 7. In the matter of the molten calf at the foot of Sinai; 8. At the report of the unbelieving spies; 9. In the matter of Baal-peor; 10. At Meribah; 11. In mingling with idolaters. In all this we see the conduct of man; full of impiety, rebellion, and ingratitude: and we see, also, the dealings of God, marked with goodness, patience, and righteous severity. But let us look to ourselves, and ask how much of sin and provocation enter into our lives. How can we read the transgressions of the Israelites without being reminded of our own?

12. The conduct of God towards His people is here distinctly stated. The sum of all is this: He punished them for their sins; and in their affliction He heard their prayer, remembered His covenant, and dealt with them according to the multitude of His mercies. If we sin, God will punish us: if we pray, He will be gracious to us.

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13. Pray we thus for salvation, that we may rejoice in God and ascribe we all blessing and praise to the God of our salvation, who pardons our sins, restores our souls to health and peace, and causes us to experience His mercy, grace, and favour.