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THE

BOOK OF PSALMS,

&c. &c.

PSALM 1. 19.

Inauguration Psalm, probably composed by the prophet Samuel at

his consecration of David. 1 Sam. xvi. 13. He enumerates to David the blessings of the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord; and prophecies his eternal kingdom, under the type of a tree, planted by the streams of water, whose leaf shall not wither. He contrasts David with Saul, who had walked in the counsel of the ungodly, 1 Sam. xv. 21. 24. and had sat in the seat of the scorner. 1 Sam. xiii. 8—15, and xv. 8-28. He prophecies the transient duration of Saul's kingdom; and compares it to chaff driven by the wind on the threshing-floor. It is remarkable that one of the principal threshing-floors was upon Mount Gilboa, where Saul fell in battle.

This psalm has also been supposed to have been used by the four hundred adherents of David, in their sojourn in the cave of Adullam. 1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2. This prophetic Inauguration Psalm was well calculated to cheer their hearts with the prospect of the permanent establishment of David, whose cause they had espoused; and of the final overthrow of Saul, under whose persecution they were suffering.

This psalm is without a title in the Hebrew; it in fact itself forms an appropriate title to the whole Book of Psalms.

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1. BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

PSALM II. 87.

Instructive psalm of David, on the conspiracy of those kings and people who had leagued themselves against him on occasion of the war he had declared against the Philistines; with a view to drive out the heathen from the possession of the inheritance which God had of old promised to Abraham and his descendants, and to himself; including the territory even from Egypt to the Euphrates. These combined nations included, viz. the Philistines, the Moabites, and Rehob,

king of Zobah; in whose favour the Syrians of Damascus, Tol, king of Hamath, the Amalekites, the Ammonites, and Edomites, leagued themselves. See 2 Sam. viii. 1—14.

1-5 Chorus. 6 High Priest. 7-9 King of Israel.

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10 and part

1. WHY do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed.

3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

PSALM III. 96.

Complaint and prayer of David, to implore the salvation of God; and to animate his own courage and that of his officers, on being informed by an express messenger that the hearts of all Israel were gone after Absalom. 2 Sam. xv. 1—15.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me. 2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

3. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

5. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of

people, that have set themselves against me round about.

7. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

PSALM IV. 112.

Thanksgiving and instruction of David to his people on receiving liberal and unexpected succours from Shobi, the son of Nachash, an inhabitant of Rabbah the capital of the Ammonites; and from Barzillai the Gileadite, at Mahanaim beyond Jordan, whither he had fled from Absalom, and remained in extreme destitution of every thing. 2 Sam. 17.27-29.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth. A Psalm of David. To the giver of victory over afflictions. A Psalm of David.

1. HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

3. But know that the Lord hath set apart

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