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to their own comfort and accommodation, while the habitation for the mighty God of Jacob is forgotten!

2. If we look to Bethlehem Ephratah, we there behold the blessed Jesus. Oh that we may worship before Him with reverence, humility, and joy!

3. We ought to pray for the prosperity of the Church; that her ministers may be holy and righteous; that her children may be joyful in piety; and that the prayers offered up in her may be heard.

4. The Lord Jesus Christ is King in Zion: He fills the mediatorial throne. His people must keep the covenant; must believe, obey, and persevere as the Gospel requires. Then the prosperity of the Church will be great. The divine presence will be in her; her children shall be fed with the bread of life; both ministers and people shall rejoice in the blessings of salvation; she shall flourish from age to age; and confusion and shame shall be the portion of her adversaries.

PRAYER.

Inspire us with zeal, O Lord, in promoting true religion; and may we be worshippers of Thee according to Thy Gospel. Teach us earnestly to pray for the prosperity of Thy Church; and mercifully grant that we may see that prosperity in the faithfulness of her ministers, and the happiness of her children, to the glory of Thy Name, through our only Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

PSALM CXXXIII.

Instructive, as Psalm i. A Song of David.

(I. The benefit of the communion of saints.) 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's

beard:

That went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon,

And as the dew that descended upon the mountains
of Zion:

For there the Lord commanded the blessing,
Even life for evermore.

REFLECTIONS.

The spirit of true religion is a spirit of love, concord, and unity. Where this spirit exists, the graces and virtues of piety diffuse their fragrance, and Christians flourish as plants watered with the dew of heaven. They enjoy all spiritual blessings; even life for

evermore.

PRAYER.

O Thou who art the God of peace and love, pour down, we beseech Thee, the spirit of true religion, the spirit of love, concord, and unity, on our hearts, on our families, on the Church of Christ, and on the whole world. Hasten the coming of that day when all men shall be of one mind, one in faith, and one in love. Amen.

PSALM CXXXIV.

Displaying the divine perfections, as Psalm viii.

(Exhortation to bless God.)

1 Behold, bless ye the Lord,

All ye servants of the Lord,

Which by night stand in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,

And bless the Lord.

3 The Lord that made heaven and earth Bless thee out of Zion.

REFLECTIONS.

In the duty here enjoined on the priests and Levites who kept nightly watch in the temple, we see what our duty is. In the house of the Lord all of us, ministers and people, should worship God in the beauty of holiness, and bless His name; bless Him, our Maker, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, for all His goodness to us. There, too, we should pray, that He who is King in Zion may pour forth His blessings on ministers and people in all lands.

PRAYER.

Enable us, O Lord, to offer unto Thee holy worship; to bless Thee for all Thy mercy and goodness; and to pray unto Thee for blessings on ourselves and on all Thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

C C

PSALM CXXXV.

Thanksgiving, as Psalm xlvi. Probably written after the captivity. (I. God to be praised for His mercy.)

1 Praise ye the Lord.

Praise ye the Name of the Lord;

Praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord.

2 Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, In the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good:

Sing praises unto His Name; for it is pleasant. 4 For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, And Israel for His peculiar treasure.

(II. For His power.)

5 For I know that the Lord is great,
And that our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He
In heaven, and in earth, in the seas,
and in all deep places.

7 He causeth the vapours to ascend
from the ends of the earth;

He maketh lightnings for the rain;
He bringeth the wind out of His treasuries.

(III. For His judgments.)

8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt,

Both of man and beast.

9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of

thee, O Egypt,

Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

10 Who smote great nations, And slew mighty kings;

11 Sihon king of the Amorites, And Og king of Bashan,

And all the kingdoms of Canaan: 12 And gave their land for a heritage, A heritage unto Israel His people. 13 Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; And Thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations.

14 For the Lord will judge His people,

And He will repent Himself concerning His ser

vants.

(IV. The vanity of Idols.)

15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, The work of men's hands.

16 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not;

17 They have ears, but they hear not;

Neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 They that make them are like unto them: So is every one that trusteth in them.

(V. Praise.)

19 Bless the Lord, O house of Israel:
Bless the Lord, O house of Aaron :
20 Bless the Lord, O house of Levi:

Ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
21 Blessed be the Lord out of Zion,
Which dwelleth at Jerusalem.
Praise ye the Lord.

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