He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, In those that hope in His mercy. (V. Security and prosperity of the Church.) 12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; Praise thy God, O Zion. 13 For He hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee. 14 He maketh peace in thy borders, And filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. (VI. God's power over the elements.) 15 He sendeth forth His commandment upon earth: His word runneth very swiftly. 16 He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth forth the hoar-frost like ashes. 17 He casteth forth His ice like morsels : Who can stand before His cold? 18 He sendeth out His word, and melteth them: He causeth His wind to blow, and the waters flow. (VII. His ordinances in the Church.) 19 He showeth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation : And as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord. REFLECTIONS. 1. God builds up His Church, gathers wanderers into His fold, and heals and comforts the contrite in heart: to praise Him is our duty, and ought to be our delight. 2. God is infinite in knowledge, and power, and goodness: He exalts the humble, and abases the proud and wicked. 3. God's providential care of His creatures, providing food for them, is another subject for praise. 4. Outward and perishable endowments of mind and body do not recommend us to God: His delight is in those who fear Him, trust in His mercy, and order their conversation accordingly. 5. National blessings, strength, peace, and plenty, demand our grateful acknowledgment. O that we, as a people, knew and profited by our blessings! 6. The revolution of the seasons, and the wonders it displays, show to us the power and goodness of God: thus in all His works He reminds us of Himself, and calls upon us to acknowledge Him. 7. In addition to all, and as the crown of all, we are blessed with God's holy word. How many nations are still destitute of this great treasure! May we know our privilege, and praise the Lord! PRAYER. Give us grace, O Lord, to meditate with devout and thankful hearts on all Thy goodness to the children of men. O that we may live and believe as Thy highly favoured people; and be such as Thou delightest in; and thus be blessed both now and ever. Amen. PSALM CXLVIII. Displaying the divine perfections, as Psalm viii. All things are exhorted to praise God. (I. Angels.) 1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: Praise Him in the heights. 2 Praise ye Him, all His angels: Praise ye Him, all His hosts. (II. The heavenly bodies.) 3 Praise ye Him, sun and moon: And ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the Name of the Lord : For He commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass. (III. The ocean.) 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, Ye dragons, and all deeps: (IV. Storms.) s Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; Stormy wind fulfilling His word: (V. The earth.) 9 Mountains, and all hills; Fruitful trees, and all cedars: 10 Beasts, and all cattle; Creeping things, and flying fowl: (VI. The human race.) 11 Kings of the earth, and all people; 13 Let them praise the Name of the Lord : (VII. The Church.) 14 He also exalteth the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints; REFLECTIONS. 1-5. In these five portions of the Psalm all things, both invisible and visible, inanimate and animate, are called upon to praise God. The hosts of happy beings above cease not day or night to celebrate his perfections. The inanimate creation in all its parts, from the splendid sun to the changeful meteor; from the ocean to the fountain; sets forth the power, wisdom, and goodness of God in a manner that is seen and understood by all mankind. Animate creation, also, the beasts of the field and the inhabitants of the waters, the soaring bird and the creeping insect, display the attributes of the adorable Creator. 6, 7. How can man, made in the image of God, redeemed by the blood of His Son, and heir of eternity;how can man be silent? All men, of every age and station, should join in the universal hymn. And surely the Church, a people near unto Him," can never be forgetful of her duty; but will praise Him in ceaseless songs of gratitude and joy, whose Name is excellent, whose glory is above the earth and heaven, and who exalts His people to glory and power. PRAYER. O Thou great and glorious and gracious God, fill our minds with a just view of Thy works, our hearts with a just sense of Thy goodness, and our souls with a just perception of Thy glory and excellence, that we may be always praising Thee. Made nigh unto Thee by the blood of Christ, and strengthened by Thy Spirit, may we live to Thy honour and glory, and praise Thy holy Name for ever, through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PSALM CXLIX. Thanksgiving, as Psalm xlvi. (I. Praise for salvation.) 1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, And His praise in the congregation of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him : Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. |