16 JEHOVAH is King for ever and ever; The heathen perish out of His land! 17 THOU, JEHOVAH! hearest the desire of the afflicted, PSALM XI. 1 WITH JEHOVAH do I take refuge. Wherefore say ye unto me: "Flee to the mountains, like a bird. 2 "For behold, the wicked bend their bow, "They string it, their arrow is upon the string, "To shoot in secret at the upright of heart. His eye-lids prove the children of men. 5 JEHOVAH proveth the righteous and the wicked, And He hateth the lover of violence. 3 the foundations-i. e. the principles of right and equity. Compare Ps. LXXV. 3. and Ps. Lxxxii. 5. What can &c.-What remains for you but flight, which we, your friends, now recommend as offering you the only prospect of safety? 4 His throne "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." Isai. Lxvi. 1. His eyes &c.-Even from the height of heaven, He notices all that passes upon the earth below. See Ps. cxiii. 5, 6. 2 JEHOVAH looketh down from heaven Upon the children of men, To see if there be any, who behave wisely— Who seek after God. 3 All are gone aside together; they are deeply corrupted! There is not one, who acteth rightly; there is not even one! 4 Will not all the workers of iniquity be punished, Who devour my people as their food Who call not upon JEHOVAH? 5 Then shall they be greatly afraid, Because God is in the habitation of the righteous. 6 Will ye frustrate the counsel of the poor, Although JEHOVAH is his refuge? 70 that from out of Sion Salvation might come unto Israel! When JEHOVAH shall bring back His captive people, PSALM XV. 1 JEHOVAH! who may sojourn in Thy tabernacle? Who may dwell upon Thy holy mountain? 2 He, who walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh the truth from his heart; 3 Who slandereth not with his tongue, Nor uttereth calumnies against his neighbour; 5 Who giveth not his money upon usury, He, who doeth these things, shall never be moved. PSALM XVI. 1 PRESERVE me, O God! for with Thee do I take refuge. 2 I say unto JEHOVAH: "THOU art my Lord, All my happiness resteth upon Thee." 3 As for the divinities which are upon the earthAs for them, and as for the mighty ones, All who take delight in them— 4 Who multiply their idols-who hasten after them, I will not pour out their drink-offerings of blood, Nor will I utter their names with my lips. 5 JEHOVAH is mine allotted portion and my cup! THOU upholdest my lot; 6 A portion is fallen to me in a very pleasant place; Truly, mine is a goodly heritage. 7 I bless JEHOVAH, who giveth me counsel; Yea, in the night do my reins correct me. 8 I place JEHOVAH always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my mind rejoiceth, My body also resteth in confidence. 10 For Thou wilt not abandon me to the grave; THOU wilt not suffer Thy holy one to see corruption; join in such libations as these idolaters offer. 4 utter their names &c.-Heb. take their names upon my lips-i. e. invoke these false gods. 5 allotted &c.-Compare Ps. xi. 6. Note. -portion-The sacred writers frequently contrast the privileged condition of those who rely upon the promises of Jehovah, with the unhappy lot of those who are without this ground of confidence. See Ps. cxix. 57. "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in Him." Lam, iii. 24. suggestions of God's Holy Spirit, to rectify his conduct. 8 always &c.-i.e. I constantly consider myself as in the immediate presence of God. at my right hand-This seems equivalent to "by my side." Compare Ps. cx. 5, with ver. 1. of the same Psalm. 9 Therefore my heart is &c.-Compare Ps. xxx. 3. This and the remaining verses, taken literally, are applicable to David, and agree with the earlier part of the Psalm. They express his conviction that his life will not be given up to the fury of his deadly enemies, and describe the great comfort which he derives from Jehovah's favour. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Psalmist on this occasion employs a language which equally applies to the triumph of the Messiah over the grave. See Acts ii. 25-31. xiii. 35-37. 11 THOU wilt show me the path of life. With Thee is fulness of joy; At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. PSALM XVII. 1 HEAR, O JEHOVAH! my just cause, Attend unto my cry. Give ear unto my prayer, Which proceedeth from no deceitful lips. 2 Let sentence in my favour go forth from Thy presence, Let Thine eyes regard rectitude. 3 THOU hast searched my heart, Thou hast visited me by night; THOU hast tried me, Thou findest no wicked device in me. 4 My mouth transgresseth not, In compliance with the doings of men; According to Thy command, I take heed of the ways of the violent. 5 Support Thou my steps in Thy paths, Let not my feet be moved. 6 I call upon Thee, O God! for Thou art wont to answer me; Incline Thine ear unto me, hear my words. 7 Display wonderfully Thy mercies, |