righteous have many enemies; they have many trials and afflictions; but they can say that God is righteous, and they can speak of deliverance. 2. How awful is the end of the ungodly! The haters of God's Church will in due time be covered with confusion: their glory will soon fade, and they themselves vanish away. Who blesses them in their life? Who laments at their death? PRAYER. In all our afflictions, O Lord, be Thou our supporter and comforter. May we acknowledge Thy righteousness, and experience Thy deliverance. May the wicked consider the end of a sinful course of life, and, through Thy grace, renounce all error and iniquity. Mercifully grant our petitions for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. PSALM CXXX.' Penitential. (I. Prayer.) 1 Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice: Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. (II. Confession.) 3 If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? (III. Faith in the divine mercy.) 4 But there is forgiveness with Thee, That Thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord; my soul doth wait, And in His word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord More than they that watch for the morning: 7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: For with the Lord there is mercy, And with Him is plenteous redemption. 8 And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. REFLECTIONS. 1. In the depths of spiritual and temporal trouble, we must present our earnest prayers to our God and Saviour. 2. A true penitent knows his sins and guilt: he sees and feels that he cannot stand before God, and be justified. 3. Faith looks to the mercy of God in Christ Jesus; looks to the forgiveness of sin; and waits for peace and consolation with eager and intense desire. 4. Those who thus pray, confess, and believe, will soon be able to encourage others, and to speak with gratitude and confidence of the redemption which the Gospel reveals and offers to us. PRAYER. In all our troubles, O Lord, enable us to pray to Thee, and do Thou graciously receive our prayer : may we approach Thee with humility, confessing our sins; and with faith, trusting in Thy mercy in Christ Jesus. On Thee may we wait, and experience Thy goodness, and be able to speak to others of Thy mercy and redeeming love. Amen. PSALM CXXXI. Instructive. A Song of David. Humility. 1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor mine eyes lofty: Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, My soul is even as a weaned child. (II. Exhortation to hope.) 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord From henceforth and for ever. REFLECTIONS. Nothing is more injurious than pride; nothing is more beneficial than humility. Pride is destruction; humility is salvation. Pray we, then, for a meek and humble spirit. Meddle we not with high things, which do not concern us. Be we quiet, peaceable, and dependent upon God, looking to Him and hoping in Him. PRAYER. Deliver us, O Lord, from pride and haughtiness, and fill us with humility and meekness: deliver us also from distrust and unbelief, and may we hope in Thee at all times according to the Gospel of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. DAY 28.] PSALM CXXXII. MORNING PRAYER. Prayer of Intercession, as Psalm xx. (I. Zeal for the Ark.) 1 Lord, remember David, And all his afflictions: 2 How he sware unto the Lord, And vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob : 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, Nor go up into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, Or slumber to mine eyelids, 5 Until I find out a place for the Lord, (II. Exultation and resolve.) 6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: (III. Prayer.) 8 Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest; Thou, and the ark of Thy strength. 9 Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness; And let Thy saints shout for joy. 10 For Thy servant David's sake Turn not away the face of Thine anointed. (IV. God's mercies to David and to his posterity.) 11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 12 If thy children will keep my covenant And my testimony that I shall teach them, evermore. 13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; For I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation : And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame : But upon himself shall his crown flourish. REFLECTIONS. 1. Imitate David, and attend to the interests of religion. We must not only be worshippers of God ourselves, but make provision also for others, that they may be worshippers of Him. Did Christians attend to religion as they ought, how thickly would Churches be strown over our land! Alas! how alive are many |