kings and all in authority. This world abounds with trouble and confusion. Many are the dangers and calamities to which nations are exposed. Arduous, and frequently perilous, are the labours which rulers have to undergo. We ought to think of our rulers; to feel and to pray for them; to reject all vain confidences; and to look to God as the Preserver of kings and of nations. 2. View the Psalm spiritually. It is our duty to pray, that our blessed Redeemer may be victorious in the world over all the powers of darkness; that the Gospel may prevail and prosper in all nations; and that we and all Christians may triumph in His Name over all our enemies, and rejoice in His salvation. PRAYER. Be Thou, O Lord, the defender of kings and rulers. Be Thou the Maintainer of Thine own cause of the Gospel of Christ-in the world. Be Thou the Protector of Thine own people. May they renounce every vain trust, remember the name of the Lord our God, and rise and always stand upright. Graciously answer our petitions for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. PSALM XXI. Psalm of Thanksgiving, as Psalm xviii. David probably wrote this Psalm after some victory. Many expressions in it seem to point to the Messiah. (I. Thanksgiving.) 1 The king shall joy in Thy strength, O Lord; And in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, And hast not withholden the request of his lips. 3 For Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness; Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, Even length of days for ever and ever. 5 His glory is great in Thy salvation : Honour and majesty hast Thou laid upon him. 6 For Thou hast made him most blessed for ever: Thou hast made him exceeding glad with Thy countenance. 7 For the king trusteth in the Lord, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. (II. Assurance of further success.) 8 Thine hand shall find out all Thine enemies: The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath, 10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, And their seed from among the children of men. 11 For they intended evil against Thee: They imagined a mischievous device, 12 Therefore shalt Thou make them turn their back, (III. Prayer.) 13 Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength: So will we sing and praise Thy power. REFLECTIONS. We may remark here, 1. That kings and the mighty of the earth ought to ascribe all success to God: by Him they rule, prosper, and enjoy safety. Happy are those rulers who trust in Him and in His mercy; for they shall rejoice in His favour, and never be moved. But we may here view Messiah, and see His exaltation and victories; the cause, pattern, and pledge of our own. We dwell with delight on the stability and prosperity of His kingdom; rejoice to view the glory with which He is crowned; and pray for the time when all nations shall behold His majesty and celebrate His praise. 2. That it is not merely vain and foolish, but also impious and fearful, to contend with the Lord Jehovah. Presumptuous man! throw down the weapons of thy rebellion; renounce thy perverse counsels and evil ways; and meekly submit to the Redeemer's sceptre, before confusion and wrath be thy portion. 3. That we should daily pray, that God may be glorified by the conversion of the wicked, and by the edification of His Church; and that His power should be the subject of our adoring praise; that power by which He rules over all, subdues the impenitent, and reigns in the hearts of His people. PRAYER. Teach us, O Lord, to ascribe all our success and all our blessedness to Thee. Teach us to behold with joy and gratitude the exaltation and glory of Messiah. Subdue us wholly to Thyself, that we may escape the awful end of the proud: and while we praise Thee for Thy love and mercy, may we also praise Thy power, by which Thy word prospers in the earth, and by which we are preserved through faith unto salvation, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Advocate. Amen. DAY 4.] PSALM XXII. EVENING PRAYER. Prophetical the author, David: this Psalm is prophetical of the sufferings, death, and spiritual victories of our blessed Lord. (I. Sufferings of Christ: Complaint and Prayer.) 1 My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from helping me, And from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the day-time, but Thou hearest not; And in the night-season, and am not silent. 3 But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in Thee: They trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto Thee, and were delivered: They trusted in Thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lips, they shake the head, saying, 8" He trusted on the Lord that He would deliver him: "Let Him deliver him, seeing He delighted in him." 9 But Thou art He that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. 10 I was cast upon Thee from the womb : Thou art my God from my mother's belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, As a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: It is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And Thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: 17 I may tell all my bones: They look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not Thou far from me, O Lord: |