mighty is the lightning! How does it destroy buildings and trees; cleave the rocks; and strike terror through all tribes of animals! The thunder roars; the mountains tremble; we stand in silent awe, and own the power of God. The lightning flashes, mild or angry in its appearance, and we feel our weakness. We cannot silence the one: we cannot resist the other.

3. Amidst the tumult of the elements we look up unto the Lord, and acknowledge His government over all things. He is King for ever. And the delightful consideration is this, that He whose power is seen in creation will give strength to His people, and inspire them, amidst the confusion and uproar of the world, with peace in their souls.

PRAYER.

O ever-living Head of the Church, Thou who art King in Zion, may the wonders of the natural world lead us to consider the wonders of the spiritual world. Grant that we may so hear and understand the terrors of the Law that we may seek and enjoy the peace which the Gospel gives to the believing heart; and thus may we be able, in Thy temple, and out of it, to speak of Thy glory, to the praise of Thy Name and the edification of our souls. Grant this, we beseech Thee, for Amen.

Thy Name's sake.

DAY 6.]

PSALM XXX.

MORNING PRAYER.

Thanksgiving, as Psalm xviii. "A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David;" supposed, by some, to have been written at the dedication of the threshing floor of Araunah.

(I. Thanksgiving.)

1 I will extol Thee, O Lord;

for Thou hast lifted me up,

And hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried unto Thee,

And Thou hast healed me.

3 O Lord, Thou hast brought up my soul from the grave:

Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

(II. Exhortation to praise God.)

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His,

And give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. 5 For His anger endureth but a moment; In His favour is life:

Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy cometh in the morning.

(III. David's case and conduct.)

6 And in my prosperity I said,

I shall never be moved

7 Lord, by Thy favour Thou hast made my

to stand strong:

mountain

Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled. 8 I cried to Thee, O Lord,

And unto the Lord I made supplication.

9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit?

Shall the dust praise Thee? Shall it declare Thy truth?

10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me:

Lord, be Thou my Helper.

(IV. Gratitude.)

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me

with gladness;

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for

ever.

REFLECTIONS.

1. When God gives us deliverance, health, and comfort, we should not fail to praise Him for His goodness to us. In trouble, our language should be that of humble and believing prayer; in prosperity, it should be that of joyful and animated thanksgiving.

2. The holiness and the gracious conduct of God are delightful subjects for our meditation and praise. The favour of God is our life and happiness: but our enjoyment of it may be suspended, either as a trial or as a punishment: then our portion is darkness and sorrow. But He who "knoweth our frame" pities us in our distress, and the morning of gladness soon dawns on the night of sorrow; and we "give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness."

3. In the days of prosperity we are apt to form splendid dreams of security and happiness: but God, in order to cure us of this folly, in order to teach us

that our happiness depends upon Him and His favour, leads us into the thorny walks of trial: and then we feel the need of His mercy and help, and make our earnest supplication to Him.

4. When we abandon all presumptuous and vain thoughts; when we are humble and devout; when we mourn and are contrite; our heavenly Father will give us consolation, and turn our sorrow into gladness: and then we shall praise Him, and not be silent; we shall be always giving thanks to Him for His great good

ness.

PRAYER.

Grant, O Lord, that we may never forget Thy benefits, but acknowledge them with unfeigned gratitude. In the season of trial may we patiently wait for the return of light and joy. Keep us, we beseech Thee, from false security and vain confidence; and may we continually live in dependence upon Thee. In the day of affliction, look upon us in mercy, and be Thou our Helper: and when Thou art pleased to give us joy and gladness, may we praise Thee with thankful hearts; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

PSALM XXXI.

Prayer, as Psalm iii. A Psalm of David, written, probably, during Saul's persecution.

(I. Prayer for deliverance.)

1 In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed:

G

Deliver me in Thy righteousness.

2 Bow down Thine ear to me;

Deliver me speedily be Thou my strong rock,
For a house of defence to save me.

3 For Thou art my rock and my fortress; Therefore for Thy Name's sake lead me, and guide

me.

4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me:

For Thou art my strength.

5 Into Thy hand I commit my spirit:

Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

(II. Joy in the divine favour.)

6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in the Lord.

7 I will be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy: For Thou hast considered my trouble;

Thou hast known my soul in adversities:

8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the

enemy:

Thou hast set my feet in a large room.

9 Have

(III. Prayer in a forlorn state.)

mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: Mine eye is consumed with grief,

Yea, my soul and my belly.

10 For my life is spent with grief,
And my years with sighing:

My strength faileth because of mine iniquity,
And my bones are consumed.

11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies,
But especially among my neighbours,