The compiler of these prefaces and summaries requests the Christian reader not to expect a learned commentary in this book. The object was not to give a complete exposition of the Psalms, or to attempt an explanation of all the diff1cult passages found in them ; the object was to furnish a book for family devotion. Hence mainly such truths were made most prominent which seemed most conducive for instruction and edification. For the same reason a simple style of language was used, because family devotion is not only for the learned, but specially also for children and uneducated servants. Counting himself debtor both to the wise and to the unwise, the author trusts what is edifying to the simple will not be valueless to the learned.

These prefaces and summaries are taken from or patterned after those of the famous " Altenburg Bible." They are not a translation, but rather a reproduction in another language. Those summaries which were originally from the pen of Dr. M. Luther, were treated in like manner. This seemed preferable to a literal translation in order to make the book more adapted for use in our time and country. Many of the prefaces and summaries, especially where psalms are divided, are the compiler's own production.

In using this book the housefather may himself read or have a child do it. The references to Scripture passages were placed in brackets so that they can be easily skipped in reading. A proper time for reading a psalm is in the morning at the breakfast table, and at night before retiring. When the time is short the preface, or the summary, or both may be omitted, and only the psalm and the prayer used. Morning and evening prayers will be found in an appendix. To these may be added the Lord's Prayer and the benediction.

I, the compiler of this little work, hereby bear witness to my fellow housefathers, that family devotion in this form has been a great benefit to my own soul, as well as to my family.

May the blessing of God rest on every house where this booklet is used.

F. KUEGELE. Trinity Grove, Va., Sept. 10, 1895.

PSALM 1

PREFACE.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," so that pious and God-fearing prince Joshua declared after he had divided the land of promise among the twelve tribes, and all Israel declared, they too would serve the Lord, and the same day they made a covenant that the Lord should be their God and they would serve none other. So should every household in all Christendom be a house serving the Lord; for certainly that house shall be blessed. The house in which the word of God is daily read, in which praise is heard in the morning and prayer and thanksgiving at night, and where the inmates adorn their Christian profession by a walk of godliness, that house is a dwelling of the Most High, a resort of the angels, a stronghold against Satan, and there the Lord will command his blessing. The house in which is not the fear of God, in which the Lord is forgotten and his word is not heard, that house may prosper for a time, but the storm will come upon it, and then its prosperity and happiness will fly away like chaff driven by the wind. Whereas the house serving the Lord, though it be but a hut, has a safe mooring, a sure comfort in afflictions and is compassed about by the love of God. All this is confirmed by the first Psalm which reads as follows.

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.

SUMMARY.

This psalm exhorts us to love the word of God and to, delight in hearing and learning it. It promises that goodness and mercy shall follow him who loves the testimony of the Lord and who meditates in his law. He shall be like a palm-tree planted by a well of water, which grows and thrives though the scorching rays of the sun and the hot winds of the desert beat upon it. So shall the lover of the Lord's statutes flourish and his soul shall find comfort in the midst of the most dire afflictions. This the teachings of men can not accomplish; for when the day of trial comes they are consumed as stubble in the fire. But the word of God is a safe anchor, and will not pass away.

PRAYER.

Unto Thee, O God, belong thanks and praise, because Thou hast given unto us Thy holy word. Enlighten our eyes by Thy Holy Spirit to understand Thy counsel of grace in Jesus Christ, to love Thy word and to take delight in learning Thy statutes and walking in Thy law. Bestow Thy blessing and prosperity on the works of our hands in our Christian calling and all our conversation. Amen.

PSALM 2

PREFACE.

With the Jews the kiss was counted a peculiar token of love and friendship. Esau, when reconciled to his brother Jacob, fell upon his neck and kissed him. [Gen. 33, 4]. Jonathan and David sealed their covenant of friendship with a kiss. [1 Sam. 20, 41]. When the prodigal returned confessing and repenting of his sin his father embraced him and kissing him manifested his joy over his return and showing his free forgiveness. [Luke 15-, 20]. Hence David exhorts at the end of this psalm: "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way." We kiss the Son when we love the Lord Jesus Christ, when we encourage our hearts to draw nigh unto him and to embrace him as our own. We are indeed sinners, and should justly perish from the way, but for this purpose the Son of God became our brother, clothing himself in our flesh and bone, that we should have a cheerful heart towards him, seeing he did not come to judge and to condemn, but to redeem and to save us from our sins. This our loving and lovely Savior is always ready to be embraced by us, and he will in no wise cast us out, if we do but sincerely repent, seek forgiveness with him, and believing it that he is the propitiation for our sins strive to follow him in righteousness and true holiness. Hereunto we are persuasively urged by the second Psalm.

Prophecy of Christ and his kingdom.

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, saying,

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.

SUMMARY.

In this beautiful psalm we have a clear prophecy of Christ in which it was foretold that after pouring out his soul unto death he would be exalted and would become a ruler over all the earth. Hence this psalm threatens destruction to those kings and nations who would persecute him and would refuse to submit themselves to him, and it promises salvation and every blessing to those who believe on him. When Jesus Christ had given himself a ransom for all and the preaching of the gospel among all nations had commenced, then this raging of Jews and Gentiles against the Lord -and his Anointed began. But the enemies of Christ, kings and emperors, are here compared with earthen vessels which are easily broken and no more to be mended. So have the persecutors been shattered. But those putting their trust in him the Lord ever upholds and makes them triumphant even at the stake.

PRAYER.

Thanks be unto Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, because Thou wast once dead and by Thy blood didst redeem us from sin and everlasting torment. Thee do we own as our King and Thee do we desire to serve all the days of our life. Preserve us in the midst of so many enemies, and by Thy mighty hand keep us unto Thine eternal kingdom. Amen.

PSALM 3

PREFACE.

God is a just and righteous judge who will surely punish sin, though his long-suffering is great and his vengeance often seems to tarry. Receiving the well deserved chastisements from the hand of God we should therefore never murmur against him or accuse him of injustice, but should possess our souls in patience acknowledging that we receive what our deeds are worth. Willingly should we bear the indignation of the Lord, because we have sinned against him. Neither should we despair in our sins remembering that in Jesus Christ there is grace unto forgiveness. Rather should we return heartfelt thanks unto God, because he does not pour out upon us the full measure of his wrath, but has compassion upon us according to the multitude of his mercies. He remembers that we are dust, and for the sake of his dear Son he delights in remitting unto us those everlasting punishments which we so richly deserve. To this our kind and merciful Father in heaven we should lift up our hearts, imploring him to deal leniently with us and to forgive our transgressions. And this prayer we should offer up trusting and knowing that he will not cast us away, that he will walk among us and will be our God, and the very gates of hell shall not prevail against us. Unto such cheerful trust we are exhorted in the third Psalm.

David's prayer and comfort against his persecutors.

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

SUMMARY.

This prayer David composed when he was fleeing from his undutiful and rebellious son Absalom. In it David expresses this firm conviction, though his enemies were many and ten thousand set themselves against him, yet the Lord would be his Shield and his Help. Of this he was so fully persuaded that committing his cause to the Lord he could lay himself down quietly and could sleep sweetly. This trust of David was not put to shame. The counsels of his enemies were confounded, that ungrateful son Absalom perished miserably, and with many honors was David conducted back to Jerusalem. Those calling upon him in distress and anguish the Lord will surely hear, and he will not fail to be a very present help to them that trust in his mercy.

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Son of the living God, be with us as the sure defence of Thy church. Defend us against our enemies, preserve us from the persecutions of the wicked, and when our last hour has come, deliver us from all evil, both of body and soul, and receive us into Thine everlasting kingdom. Amen.

PSALM 4

PREFACE.

In the sorrows and afflictions of this life and under the cross we should earnestly strive to practice four virtues: In the first place, we should not allow the happiness and the prosperity of the wicked to excite us to discontent with our own lot or to murmuring against divine providence, but banishing envy from the heart we should commit our own cause and the rewarding of the wicked to the hands of God and should be quiet in him. In the second place, we should willingly bear the cross being instant in prayer, and should console ourselves with the certainty that no harm can come to us without the will of our Father in heaven. Hence, whatever befalls us in this earthly pilgrimage must serve for our good, and the journey once over our sorrows will be turned into everlasting joy. In the third place, we should offer up the sacrifices of righteousness, acknowledging ourselves poor sinners who deserve chastisement alone and who have no other righteousness to bring before God save alone the obedience of Christ which we hold in faith. Having this faith we will always be ready to confess that God is just in his judgments and to say with heart and soul: "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory." [Ps. 115, 1]. In the fourth place, we should quietly wait for the Lord's deliverance firmly believing that for Christ's sake he will grant grace unto us poor sinners, will forgive us our sins, and will be a kind Father unto us in all our needs. Further instruction on these things is found in the fourth Psalm.

A psalm of comfort against the enmity of the world.

1 {To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.} 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 him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

SUMMARY.

This psalm teaches us to hope in God in the time of distress, trusting that he will make a way for us to escape. It rebukes the ungodly who are not willing to bear the cross, who seek after carnal ease, and whose trust is in earthly things and not in God, who is alone the true Comforter. His eyes are upon them that fear him, and he deals with them wonderfully often hiding himself from them as though he would forsake them, yet hearing their prayers. To the ungodly,-this divine comfort is foolishness. They want garner and cellar replenished. Their trust is in well filled barns. The preaching of faith and patience only excites their ridicule and mockery. 'Should this fellow,' say they, 'teach us what is good and wise? Let him stop baking, and see if God will hand him a loaf from heaven.' So this psalm rebukes unbelief and distrust and exhorts us patiently to wait for the Lord in the time of need. While those who trust in earthly things are disquieted by fears and troubles they that trust in the Lord can lay themselves down in peace and sleep knowing themselves safe under the shadow of the Almighty. And arising in the morning with a gladsome heart they go forth to their labors cheerfully because their God is with them.

PRAYER.

O God, our merciful Father in heaven, fill our hearts with patience under the cross, strengthen our faith and so govern us that we give offence to none, neither in word nor deed. Grant us also this day all that we need for body and soul. Amen.

PSALM 5

PREFACE.

It is by the just judgment of God, if at any time the true prophets, the fearless witnesses for the full and pure truth, are diminished in a land; and it is by the wiles and power of Satan, if false prophets, infidels, and seducers are multiplied. Therefore we should daily cry unto God with instant prayer, to guard us against such teachers who proclaim their own dreams and to preserve unto us the truth of his word. Morning and night we should offer up supplications and petitions that the name of the Lord may be glorified and that our own and the souls of those committed unto us may be preserved in the evil day. This is the more necessary because of the deceitfulness of false teachings. The hawthorn with its smooth bark and waxen leaves presents an attractive appearance, but it produces only stinging thorns and useless haws. So the teachers of another and a new gospel, which is not a gospel, come in "sheep's clothing" with a show of godliness or of wisdom, but their doctrines rob the heart of true comfort and destroy the soul. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, and they are proclaimed in the inspired word which is able to save the soul. But the doctrines and inventions of men are hay and stubble which are consumed in the day of trial and leave the soul unsaved. An illustration of this truth is found in the fifth Psalm.

A prayer for the church against false teachers.

1 {To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.} Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

SUMMARY.

This psalm is a prayer for the pious against the wicked, the hypocrites and all blind leaders who do much harm in the kingdom of God, because they corrupt the word of God and cease not to speak evil against the true followers of Jesus Christ. Of these spoilers of the Lord's vineyard, the hypocrites and false prophets, David makes bitter complaint, praying that the pious may be preserved in the pure word and the true worship of God. At the end David expresses the confidence that his prayer is heard, that the Lord will bless the righteous and will be his shield. Hence this psalm should urge us to hallow the name of the Lord, calling upon it in every need and worshiping him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus Christ, who art the Light of the world and alone the Way which in truth leads unto eternal life, restrain the corrupters of Thy word and all the enemies of Thy truth. Preserve unto us Thy word in these latter days and faithful teachers unto the day of Thy appearing unto judgment. And grant us to serve Thee In steadfast faith and a good conscience unto our end. Amen.

PSALM 6

PREFACE.

When sin becomes alive in the conscience and begins to sting, when the thunderbolts of the divine law with its threats and curses strike into the soul, then the heart is cast to and fro like a frail craft in an angry sea. A heart filled with remorse over sin and terrified at the wrath to come has no peace. The light of day can not gladden it, and in the night it finds no rest, because it sees the jaws of hell open to devour it. This stinging of sin, these pangs of eternal death our Lord Jesus Christ suffered in the highest degree, when in the agony of death on the cross the cry burst from his lips: '' My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" But when it seems to us that God is turned against us, that he has forsaken us and is minded to consign us to destruction we should remember, though for a while he may hide his face from us as in anger, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. And we should imitate the example of our Lord in the darkest hour of his woe; we should cry unto God for light, for comfort and deliverance. The fervent prayer of faith offered up in the name of Jesus Christ is like refreshing rain on parched ground; for it extinguishes the fire of temptation and despair which Satan has kindled in the heart. No one shall remain without comfort who in the day of trouble will call upon the name of the Lord from a believing heart. Of this we are reminded by the sixth Psalm.

A penitential prayer for the healing of the soul.

1 {To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.} O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

SUMMARY.

In this psalm David complains of that high, spiritual temptation, the sittings of Satan, when the darts of the law pierce the conscience, when hope seems lost and the heart trembles on the brink of despair. This spiritual affliction, in which the heart is barren of comfort, is also called '' the sorrows of hell and the snares of death," [Ps. 18, 5], and St. Paul describes it as the buffetings of Satan's messenger. The soul so afflicted must cry out with the prophet: "Woe is me." But at the end David expresses the assurance that the Lord heard the voice of his weeping and received his supplications in his sore afflictions. In this he is a comforting example to all those who are exercised in the same conflicts. Of these conflicts the proud, who trust in themselves that they are righteous, know nothing. Thinking themselves worthy of God's favor they despise the penitent sinners and like the Pharisee in the temple they are not justified in the sight of God. But when death approaches the night of despair which knows no morning falls upon them. But the soul which seeks alone the righteousness of faith in Jesus Christ, though it must often pass through fire and must grapple with the powers of darkness, will finally triumph and the light of eternal glory will shine upon it.

PRAYER.

O Lord, Thou God of mercy, forgive us all our sins for the sake of the bitter sufferings of Thy Son Jesus Christ. Grant us a triumphant faith by which we may obtain the victory in all afflictions and temptations and by Thy grace uphold us when we must pass through the valley of the shadow of death. Amen.

PSALM 7

PREFACE.

Let the Christian live ever so peaceably, let him be ever so diligent to avoid giving occasion for offence to others, or to awaken enmity, yet he cannot always remain altogether without adversaries. Slanderers and defamers will rise up against him and will attempt to lay his honor in the dust. When he is so defamed without a cause the Christian must by no means cast away his trust in God; he must rather cry unto the Lord in true faith and Christian patience. Implore the Lord in instant prayer to silence the tongues of malicious enemies and by the power of his grace to enable you to abide in his fear through evil report and good report. Though slanderers and deceivers prevail for a while, they finally come to grief and will be punished with everlasting destruction. Truly does the poet say: " If thou but suffer God to guide thee, And hope in him through all thy ways, He'll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days. God never yet forsook in need The soul that trusted him indeed." " Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought." [Jer. 17, 7. 8.] This is illustrated in the seventh Psalm.

Prayer for the vindication of a righteous cause.

1 {Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.} O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.

8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

SUMMARY.

In this psalm David makes great complaint of the deceit and malice of the wicked and of those who have only the form of godliness, because they are quick to defame the true children of God and to accuse them wrongfully. When David was fleeing before Absalom, then Shimei, the Benjamite, publicly railed at him calling him a bloody man and accusing him of taking the kingdom from the house of Saul by violence and wickedness. In like manner did the Jews with hearts full of malice falsely accuse Jesus before Pilate. And at all times the true Christians who adhere closely to the words of the Scripture and show their faith by their works are hated and evil-spoken of by the world, the hypocrites, and the false Christians. But David appeals to his innocence insisting that he gave no cause for enmity. And in beautiful and comforting words he declares that his prayer was heard and he was delivered. But the slanderers and the spiteful fall into the pit which they have digged for others.

PRAYER.

Lord, our God, who art a Lover of the truth, succor those who for Thy name's sake are belied and slandered innocently. Strengthen, comfort, and preserve those who suffer wrongfully, and break and hinder the craftiness of evil men who would suppress Thy truth and destroy Thy kingdom. Amen.

PSALM 8

PREFACE.

Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Savior, had his day of humiliation and sufferings in which he was compassed about by innumerable evils and was tormented with the pangs of eternal death. He was abased to atone for our pride. He was crowned with thorns to earn for us the crown of heavenly glory. He became a servant to emancipate us from the bondage of Satan. He was mocked and he was spitted on to deliver us from the taunts of our enemies and to save us from all misery.

Our Lord Jesus Christ had also his glorious Easter day, when he was raised again to make us poor, lost, and condemned creatures inhabitants of heaven. He was exalted to the right hand of the Father, already in this life to grant us his righteousness with peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, and after this life to crown us with unceasing bliss and glory. This cannot be otherwise, because the glory which the Head possesses must glorify also the members. This we should daily remember with thanksgiving towards the Father who gave his only begotten Son to suffer for us and to rise again. Justly were the ancients accustomed to say : For nothing else. should we return thanks unto God, the Lord, so often, so diligently and so heartily, as for the suffering and the resurrection of his beloved Son. Of this we are reminded in the eighth Psalm.

Of Christ's kingdom, suffering, and glory.

1 {To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.} O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

SUMMARY.

Here we have a prophecy of Christ, his suffering, resurrection, and rule over all creatures in heaven and earth ; for in the 21st chapter of Matthew the Lord quotes this psalm as treating of him. When the children in the temple sang hosanna to him celebrating him as the Messiah and the chief priests and scribes took exception to this, Jesus said unto them: '' Have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise ?'' This Jesus Christ is the Lord our Lord whose name is so excellent in all the earth, even as at this day his kingdom extends over all lands. And this his kingdom is not established with sword and buckler, but through the mouth of babes, through the foolishness of preaching. By the voice of the gospel his children are brought from far and his heirs from the ends of the earth. "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." [Ps. 95, 8.]

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus, who wast delivered for our offenses and wast raised again for our justification, bless and defend Thy holy church. Endue Thy word with power, strengthen our faith, and after the sufferings of this life grant us to celebrate a happy Easter, rising again to live and reign with Thee to all eternity. Amen.

PSALM 9

PREFACE.

Never for a single day should we forget to return thanks unto our God for the many blessings which he has bestowed on us. Neither should we attribute the benefits which we enjoy to our own merits and worthiness, but steadfastly we should give all honor alone unto the mercy of the Lord. Nor must we give thanks with the lips only or in a half-hearted manner, but with all the heart and with all the soul; for God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. He is a searcher of the hearts and reins ; so we must worship him without guile, in singleness of heart. So St. Paul teaches us to worship God saying: "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord ; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." [Eph. 5, 19, 20]. And though his neighbors and kindred do not join him in bringing thankofferings to God, yea rather deride him for his piety, yet should the Christian not cease from giving thanks and the praise of the Lord should be continually in his mouth. This worship of praise is more pleasing unto God, than the offering of a bullock having horns and hoofs. But his anger is kindled, if he is not glorified as God and no thanks are returned him. Praise David offers in the first part of the ninth Psalm.

Trust in God's faithfulness.

1 {To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David.} I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

SUMMARY.

In the first part of this psalm David gives thanks, because the Lord made him to triumph over his enemies who had beset him on every side. At the same time it is also a prophecy of the people of the New Testament who must suffer with Christ and must enter in to the kingdom of God through much tribulation, being tormented and persecuted by the enemy. This prophecy is properly contained in words of praise, because the Christians, chiefly the holy martyrs, in the midst of sufferings offer praise unto God, comforting themselves with the assurance that the Lord will not forsake them, but will multiply their number in the midst of persecutions, until the persecutors themselves are converted and become Christians, or perish in their wickedness ; for God is both merciful and just.

PRAYER.

With all our hearts we do give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, because Thou at all times dwellest with Thy Christians and graciously preservest in the true faith all those who confess Thy name. Dwell in us, O Lord, with Thy grace. Increase Thy church daily and grant us to be and to remain true members of the same unto our latter end. Amen.

PSALM 9 - PART II

PREFACE.

It is a wholesome consideration daily to bear in mind, that we are but men. Once indeed the name man denoted a most noble creature. Adam was made in the image of God in righteousness and true holiness, endowed with immortality and made a lord of the earth. But blinded by the old Serpent, man turned away from his Maker, and now, corrupted by sin, man must return again to dust from which he was originally taken. He is of few days and full of trouble. Why, O Man, is thy heart lifted up with pride ? Art not thou a creature fallen from the state of perfection ? Must thou not shortly become a prey to decay ? Hast thou not sinned against the Most High, and dost thou not deserve to be cast out into outer darkness where is weeping and gnashing of teeth?

Yet God has again highly honored man. The Only Begotten of the Father is made partaker of our flesh and bone and in him our nature is exalted to the very throne of God. And now as many as call upon this Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior, are made the children of adoption, and after this mortality they will again be clothed with immortality and will shine as the brightness of the firmament for ever and ever. Let us remember that we are but men, fallen creatures, dust and ashes ; but men, purchased by God's own blood and called unto his everlasting glory. Let us magnify the mercy of our God, as we are exhorted in the second part of the ninth Psalm.

11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

SUMMARY.

In this text David teaches that God will not forget, either the pride of the wicked or the lowliness and the sufferings of the righteous. They that fear not God are taken in their own cunning and are destroyed by their own wickedness. But they that hope in God will find help in time of need, and though for a season they must sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto them. The poor, the humble souls, have the gospel preached unto them, and from it they receive strength in the day of trial, comfort against death, and in the day of darkness it is a light of hope unto them. Remember to do what David here commands saying, Higgaion, that is, meditate in the word of the Lord, and though earthly might and means fail you, you shall not want; for "in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." [Isaiah 30, 15.]

PRAYER.

Teach us, O Lord, to know and to consider, what a vain thing man is that we may walk before Thee in true humility, not trusting in ourselves, but seeking Thy grace in Thy Son Jesus Christ, in whom Thou hast promised unto us the forgiveness of our sins. Amen.

PSALM 10

PREFACE.

To those under the cross God often seems to be asleep and altogether unconcerned about them. In the days of adversity the flesh yet remaining in the Christian is quick to think, that God has forgotten the unfortunate and has utterly abandoned them. By these thoughts the heart is filled with anxieties and fears, and is made to cry out: " The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me." [Isaiah 49, 14.] But what saith the divine answer? " Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb ? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.'' Considering this and many similar divine promises the Christian should never give place to the suggestions of the flesh. He should never allow fears and doubts to distress his mind, and least of all should he murmur against God. Neither should he be tempted to help himself out of trouble by resorting to sinful means or turning to evil ways, but having recourse to God in prayer he should persist in beseeching help from above. Nor must the Christian ever doubt the Lord's mercy and faithfulness, although he seems to hide himself and to stand afar off; yet he should patiently wait for the salvation of the Lord, knowing that he will not cast off for ever. Those trusting in his name and crying unto him the Lord will comfort. He will preserve them and deliver them, and he will heal all their diseases. Of this comforting truth we are reminded in the tenth Psalm.

Prayer against the enemies of the church.

1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

SUMMARY.

This text gives a graphic description of the extreme wickedness of man's heart. Hence many of the fathers explained it as being a prophecy of the great antichrist and the wickedness of the latter days. And in this explanation there is nothing improper. The pope, as the true antichrist, exalts himself against God, oppressing his church. By his fraud and deceit he draws the world's riches into his coffers, and by his false doctrines and his cursing the truth he catches the souls of men as in a net. And as to the latter days our Lord has told us before, it would again be as in the days of Noah, when the wickedness of man was great in the earth. Every one having eyes enlightened by the Holy Ghost cannot but see, that the signs of those latter evil days are fast multiplying. O how watchful should we Christians be, that our souls are not deceived by the seductive teachings of men and the evil examples surrounding us. But at the end of this psalm we have this glorious promise that the Lord will incline his ear to the prayer of the humble, and will be a just judge over the oppressors.

PRAYER.

O Lord, Thou faithful and jealous God, restrain the craftiness and the power, the oppression and the deceit of Thine enemies. Save the souls of the innocent from the snares of falsehood and lead them to the knowledge of Thy salvation in Thy Son Jesus Christ. Keep us in the true and saving faith and grant us to walk worthy of Thy name for the sake of Thy Son, our Savior. Amen.

PSALM 11

PREFACE.

God, the Lord, who is purity in himself and is a seeker and promoter of all that is right and good, most dearly loves all those who comfort their souls with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and who, for a testimony of the righteousness which they have received through faith, earnestly strive to walk also in the righteousness of the holy ten commandments. Remembering this we should not despair or give way to faint-heartedness in the day of affliction and temptation. Firmly should we cling to the righteousness of Jesus Christ, as the beauteous dress of our soul in the sight of the Father, daily striving to preserve an untarnished conscience by walking in the straight path of duty and of the law. If we so do then we have this precious comfort, though Satan and the world hate us, yet God loves us and is well pleased with us. But with all unrighteousness God is sorely displeased, and the unjust and the impenitent who repented not in the time of grace will, like those ten foolish virgins, find the door of the marriage-hall locked and themselves excluded. This truth we are taught in the eleventh Psalm.

Trust in God gives true comfort against the enemies.

1 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

SUMMARY.

This psalm makes great complaint of those who would destroy the very foundations of our most holy religion. These destroyers of God's temple are in these latter days the Infidels, Agnostics, Rationalists, Spiritualists, and all who deny the inspiration of the Scriptures and the fundamental truths of the gospel. These would bid us to flee to their mountains, teaching us to build on the wisdom of men and to trust for righteousness in our own piety and works. What can the righteous do when such evil doctrines prevail, by which the foundations of Christianity are destroyed I Then the simple and the upright must remain without comfort, because there is none to lead them in the right way. When Christ's faithful ministers become few, when the true doctrine of God's word is scarce in the land, then is fulfilled with many the word of the Lord by the prophet Hosea [4, 6] saying : '' My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.'' Yet this psalm gives also this comforting assurance that God will preserve his word, and, though his saving truth may be suppressed for a time, it must and will come to light again to gladden the hearts of the upright. But the portion of the wicked shall be snares and a horrible tempest.

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus, who didst come into this world to reveal unto us the will of Thy Father and to teach us the way everlasting, behold, how Thy sacred word is denied arid corrupted in these our days so perilous. Have mercy upon us and save us from the snares of unbelief and the seductive teachings of science falsely so called, and grant us to abide in Thy word that, made free from error and sin, we be found Thy disciples indeed. Amen.

PSALM 12

PREFACE.

If we value gold and silver as the most costly of metals, much rather should we value the Bible as the most precious of books. Gold and silver are corruptible things and will pass away, but the word of the Lord is an incorruptible seed and will not pass away. With gold and silver we can obtain the things which are necessary for our support and comfort in this bodily life, but through the word of God we obtain better and nobler treasures, even the Holy Ghost, the grace of the Father, the forgiveness of sins, sonship and eternal life. Silver and gold are tried and refined by the fire ; in the smelting oven the baser metals are separated and the impurities consumed. In like manner the fire of affliction purifies the affections, consumes the lustings of the flesh, and prepares the way for the word of God to bring fruit with us. Without affliction our hearts are cold and rarely relish the word of God, but in the day of trouble it becomes lovely to the heart and sweet to the soul. From his own experience David declares : '' Before I was afflicted I went astray : but now have I kept thy word." [Psalm 119, 67.] The same he teaches in this twelfth Psalm.

Prayer for the preservation of the little flock by the Lord's word.

1 {To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.} Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

SUMMARY.

As Isaiah in his first chapter speaks of an evil and a deplorable time in Israel, when the daughter of Zion, the company of true believers, had become like unto a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, so this psalm describes a time when piety has diminished and wickedness increased. It pictures a time when there is great pride and much hypocrisy ; when there is much boasting about the abilities, the wisdom, and the achievements of man. A time when men flatter with their lips and are of an inconstant heart ready to betray. A time when men will not be bound by the word of God, claiming the liberty to teach what they please and wanting to walk after their own thoughts. A time when the venal and the vile occupy high positions and oppress the poor. Who could deny that the picture drawn in this psalm suits our times ? But thanks be to God for this precious promise that they who continue in his word shall have the light of life and shall never perish. Purer than gold refined seven times are God's promises. When the pious seems utterly devoted to destruction the Lord says : " Now will I arise, and will set him in safety," [v. 5].

PRAYER.

O Lord our God, the Lord of hosts, guard us that we err not from the way of truth, and keep us from the temptation to sit where the mockers sit. Preserve us in the faith of Thy Son and in a walk of godliness all the days of our pilgrimage. Be with us when we must walk among the wicked, surrounded by so many evil examples, and keep us from the evil. Amen.

PSALM 13

PREFACE.

Melancholy of the heart, sorrowfulness of the soul, is a heavy burden, and it profits nothing. The man who abandons himself to a melancholy mood will every day and every night find some new reason to be low spirited. He is continually full of apprehensions and fears and he must soon experience that melancholy is a cause of infirmities and of premature old age. Now it is not the will of God that man should be continually sad. God has no pleasure in melancholy, he rather earnestly warns against it by the holy apostle saying : " The sorrow of the world worketh death." [2 Cor. 7, 10.] When tempted to sorrowfulness we should cry unto God in fervent prayer, and casting all our cares upon him should bid our hearts be still and trust the grace and mercy of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is not a more effectual remedy for melancholy and sadness than fervent and believing prayer, because it draws the heart away from the cause of sorrow unto God who is the author of light and of life. Dear people, pour out your troubles unto the Lord, and soon he will cause the clouds of heaviness to part and will show you a smiling face, filling your hearts with joy and gladness. An illustration of this is found in the thirteenth Psalm. gospel go forth. This gospel proclaims and brings the forgiveness of sin in Jesus Christ, in whom, as in the Beloved, we are accepted. Though many blindly believe what infidel scientists say, our hearts shall abide in the faith of the gospel of Christ, and we will rejoice and be glad in the Lord our Savior.

A prayer in sorrowfulness of heart.

1 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

SUMMARY.

This psalm is a fervent petition against melancholy and sadness of heart with which Satan often torments the Christian, as St. Paul complains of the buffettings of Satan's messenger. Frequently such heaviness of heart is also caused by the deceit, malice, and treachery of men who do violence to the Christian or slander him without a cause; for it grieves the heart to reap evil for good and to experience the ingratitude of those whom we trusted. But in David we see that the prayer of an afflicted heart is mighty and there is no sorrow so great persistent prayer will overcome it. Wherefore St. James [5, 13] exhorts: "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray." We should accustom ourselves to be cheerful in all manner of afflictions and misfortunes, and should never suffer sorrow to gnaw the heart, but should present our petitions before the Lord being assured that his ears are open to our prayers, because he has promised and said: '' Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." [Ps. 50, 15.]

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus who in the days of Thy flesh wast a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, graciously remember us who are yet walking in this vale of tears and must enter Thy Kingdom through many tribulations. As Thou hast promised to be with Thine own and to support them unto the end, so grant us Thy Holy Spirit, the Spirit of joy and of peace, to comfort our hearts and the hearts of all Thy afflicted Christians with Thy everlasting comfort. Amen.

PSALM 14

PREFACE.

As a clock is made to run correctly and to show the exact time, so God created man in perfection that he should walk in righteousness and should live. But as a clockwork which is filled with dust and filth or otherwise spoiled will not keep time correctly, running either too fast or too slow, so man spoiled by the wiles of Satan can do nothing truly good in the sight of God. By the corruption which is in him man's understanding is so darkened that he receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ; yea, that they are foolishness unto him. [1 Cor. 2, 14.] His will is turned unto evil away from God, so that he wants to do what God has forbidden, and does not want what God has commanded. We must verily all confess that our heart breeds many evil affections and sinful lusts. What God likes the flesh dislikes, and what God hates the flesh craves. This our miserable condition we should know and acknowledge; we should sorrow over it, asking God to enlighten our eyes to know his will and to teach our feet to walk in his ways. Daily we should sigh: Lord, take from me what separates me from Thee, give me what will draw me to Thee: take me from myself and make me all Thine own. This confession and prayer is contained in the fourteenth Psalm.

Of man's corruption and his redemption.

1 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.

6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

SUMMARY.

This psalm pictures sin as a dire and a general disease. It is an epidemic which has spread wide as the world through all the race of Adam. All are conceived and born in sin. Not one has remained untainted, and they are all gone out of the way. By this corruption which is in them, men are led to the very height of presumption and folly, even to denying the very existence of God. And this men will do against the testimony of their own conscience, against reason and in spite of every-day experience. Yea, sin has so blinded man that without a divine revelation he cannot even know what is pleasing to God. Hence all teachings which men invent, all worship which they institute without the word of God, is all wrong, tending only to the dishonor of God. The fear of God is not in them, but the fear of signs and omens, and they are full of superstition. But at the end this psalm prophesies the coming of the gospel; for salvation is of the Jews [John 4, 22], and out of Zion did the

PRAYER.

Lord, from Thy throne on high look with a pitying eye upon us poor, sinful mortals. Preserve us that we be not led astray by infidelity or superstition, and grant us in all simplicity of faith to receive the gospel of Thy Son, who hath the words of eternal life, that in Him we may be Thine in time and eternity. Amen.

PSALM 15

PREFACE.

Paul, the apostle to the Ephesians, in the second chapter, verse 10, says: "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." In Jesus Christ God makes us new creatures, forgiving our sins and imputing to us the righteousness and merits of his beloved Son, and so without our worthiness, aid or assistance we are made the children and heirs of God. The immediate purpose for which we are made new creatures is, that we should walk in good works, and, indeed, the new man cannot remain idle, he will forthwith begin to do new and truly good works. But beginning to do good is not enough, we must also persevere therein unto death, if we would reach the end of faith, the salvation of the soul. We must not fall away again like withered bloom or wormeaten fruit; neither must we suffer the new man to be choked again by thorns: the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, but walking in the fear of the Lord continually we must be wide awake and watchful to maintain* good works each in his calling. In all humility calling upon God to grant us perseverance we must not expose ourselves to temptation, avoiding places and societies where we might be seduced to sin. Daily we must be on our guard that we lose not the grace of God, offend not our heavenly Father, grieve not the Holy Ghost, cause not joy to the devil, forfeit not faith and salvation, offend not the weak and bring upon ourselves eternal woe and misery. An earnest warning is contained in the fifteenth Psalm.

Of a Chr1stian life and walk.

1 {A Psalm of David.} LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

SUMMARY.

This psalm urges us unto a truly Christian life, which consists in walking uprightly before God, speaking the truth in the heart and dealing righteously towards all men. This no one can do save only he who, acknowledging himself a poor sinner by a living faith, holds fast the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ according to the gospel. This faith prompts to work righteousness, to walk honestly and to avoid hypocrisy. The man who walks uprightly towards God will not sit in the seat of the scornful, neither will he oppress the poor and the innocent, nor yet secretly smite his neighbor with his tongue. And though it is to his own temporal loss, yet he will perform his promise and will not break his oath. This walking in faith and charity has its promise that it shall not remain unrewarded.

PRAYER.

O Lord, our gracious and merciful Father, grant us steadfastly to believe in Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Savior, fearlessly to confess Him before men to the reproving of the unbelieving and the wicked, and strengthen us by Thy Spirit to walk honestly as in the day both in secret and in public. Amen.

PSALM 16

PREFACE.

In heaven we shall obtain the fullness of joy ; joy unspeakable and unalloyed. At God's right hand we shall enjoy pleasures, not only an hundred, or a thousand, or an hundred thousand years, but for evermore, without interruption and without end. This joy eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it descended into the heart of man, but God has prepared it and they that love him sigh for it. Contrariwise in hell there will be the fullness of misery with never ending torments and terrors at Satan's right hand, where the wicked shall be gnawed with remorse in the lake of fire burning with brimstone where is wailing and gnashing of teeth. "For their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched." O ye that live without God, consider this latter end of the wicked, and repent that ye may escape the wrath to come. But ye lovers of the Lord, rejoice over the hope which is set before us Christians. May it please God to preserve us body and soul in true repentance unto this everlasting joy by virtue of the merits and the advocacy of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And now let us hear the sixteenth Psalm.

Prophecy of Christ's suffering and resurrection.

1 {Michtam of David.} Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

5 The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

SUMMARY.

This is a clear prophecy of Christ's suffering and resurrection ; for as such it is established by the New Testament. In the sermon which the apostle Peter preached at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost he adduces the four last verses of this psalm and then adds : " Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption." [Acts 2, 29, 31]. And St. Paul [Acts 13, 35] speaks in this manner : "He saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption ; but he whom God raised again saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Here is included the promise that the old Jewish worship with its emblems and manifold types would be abolished after the coming of the Holy One, and those are threatened with dire punishments who would reject this Holy One and would look for another. Clearly is this prophecy fulfilled before our eyes. No infidel can deny that sorrows have been multiplied upon the Jews since they have rejected and crucified the Lord of glory. But this Holy One, who poured out his soul unto death, has obtained an inheritance from among all kindreds and tongues and nations.

PRAYER.

Thanks be unto Thee, Lord Jesus, for Thy bitter sufferings, Thy shameful death, and Thy joyous resurrection. Enlighten our eyes to see in Thee the way unto life. Uphold us by Thy truth that we fall not into Jewish blindness, idolatry, and false worship, and preserve us in the true faith unto eternal life. Amen.

PSALM 17

PREFACE.

When at any time or place the light of the gospel is made to shine brightly, when God is glorified by the preaching of his word and Satan's lies and souldestroying errors are exposed, then that prince of darkness will always exert his utmost power and skill to obscure and to extinguish this light. Unto this end the enemy often awakens false teachers and deceitful workers who transform themselves into angels of light [2 Cor. 11, 13] and do great harm in the Lord's vineyard. In this Satan is most successful, when the Christians have fallen to slumbering and thinking themselves secure are not so earnestly intent on working out their own salvation with fear and trembling. In his wise providence God often permits false teachers to arise in order to try his own and to awaken them to a sense of their danger that they do not become lukewarm and lose their heavenly treasure which they carry in an earthen vessel. [2 Cor. 4, 7]. It is a truth what Hilerius says : " We care little for the word of God when we are secure and in no danger.'' This we should daily bear in mind, taking heed lest we fall. '' No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." [Luke 9, 62]. Remember Lot's wife, who, when looking back to Sodom, was turned into a pillar of salt. To watchfulness we are urged by the seventeenth Psalm.

Prayer for purity of doctrine and holiness of life.

1 {A Prayer of David.} Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.

2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;

12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

SUMMARY.

This psalm makes great complaint of the wicked, who hate the pious, because they will have no fellowship with the unfruithful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. [Eph. 5, 11]. They lay in wait to find a reproach against the pious, and it is joy unto them when misfortune con1es upon him. They are often increased in riches, prosperity surrounds their house, and they seem to be the favorites of heaven. But they have their portion in this life, and after death they fare like Dives to whom it was said: "Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things : but now thou art tormented." [Luke 19, 25]. Chief among these enemies of the true Christians are those who boast of their morality and those who teach justification and salvation by man's own works and self-chosen piety. These being spiritually proud are sullen enemies of the doctrine of salvation alone by grace through faith in Christ, and they hate the witnesses of this truth with a bitter hatred. But what are the sufferings of this present time more than shadows which soon pass away ? When we awake out of the dust of the earth we will be in the image of our Lord.

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus, the true shepherd and defender of Thy people, grant us wisdom, strength, and patience. Wisdom to know and to walk in the way everlasting; strength to resist all temptations to error and sin, and boldly to confess Thy truth before men; patience to bear the cross without murmuring, being gladly ready to suffer with Thee that we may also rule with Thee. Amen.

PSALM 18

PREFACE.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you," so St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians [1 Ep. 5, 18], and the Colossians [3, 17] he exhorts: "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Never should we forget to return thanks for the good which God has done unto us. Daily should hymns of praise dwell on our lips, heart and soul being filled with thanksgiving towards him whose mercies are so great and his blessings unnumbered. God has commanded us to be thankful. He delights in a grateful heart which is joyous before him, and with manifold blessings in body and soul will he crown those who give thanks and praise unto him. But the ungrateful who do not appreciate his gifts and give no thanks unto him he will not hold guiltless. A beautiful hymn of sincere thanks is contained in the eighteenth Psalm, the first part reading as follows:

Thanksgiving for divine deliverance and help.

1 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,} I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.

23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

SUMMARY.

When David had triumphed over his foreign and domestic enemies and had attained unto more peaceable days he sang this hymn of praise to God, giving glory to God for the great things which he had accomplished. Giving the glory to God David nevertheless also says: ' 'The Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands." These words we must not construe, as though David counted himself without sin, or thought himself just before God by his own righteousness or the works of his hands. In the same connection David confesses himself a sinner saying: " I kept myself from mine iniquity.'' The lust of sin was in him, but he suppressed it and indulged it not. Although a sinner before God David was a righteous man in comparison to his enemies. Saul hated him without a just cause, Shimei cursed him without provocation, and even so with others. In his conflicts and wars David was the innocent party. Now it is written: '' Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid." [Prov. 13, 21]. Absalom perished miserably, and David was soon reinstated in the kingdom. Confessing ourselves unworthy sinners we must appeal to the merits of Christ as alone being our righteousness in heaven, but in this world we should so live as to be able to say, when men hate us and persecute us, that they do it without a cause. '

PRAYER.

Praise, honor, and thanksgiving do we offer unto Thee, O Lord, from whom cometh every good and every perfect gift, because Thou daily preservest us from many evils, guardest us in many dangers, crownest us with many blessings, and enablest our hearts to appreciate Thy goodness and to rejoice before Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

PSALM 18 - PART II

PREFACE.

To Titus in the first chapter at the 15th verse St. Paul writes: "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." A mind full of unchastity will find a score of occasions for filthy thoughts, where a chaste heart finds no stumbling-block. From beholding the same picture very different thoughts may be awakened in different persons. Whilst the one is filled with filthy imaginings, the other is edified with thoughts of God and of heaven. The object being the same, the difference in the result is owing to the disposition and the sentiment of the beholders. It is owing to the purity or the impurity of the mind. To the believer, who has learned to trust God, "the Lord is righteous in all his ways ; and holy in all his works." [Ps. 145, 17]. Even when smarting under the chastening rod of the Lord the righteous is ready to say with Job: "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" [2,10.] To the righteous God's ways are always right. But to the wicked all God's doings appear wrong. Whatever God does it will not suit the froward. Therefore God will also show himself froward with them and will make.them eat the fruit of their own doings. From the second part of the eighteenth Psalm let us learn to accept in humility all the Lord's words and works.

25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;

26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.

41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.

43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.

44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.

46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

SUMMARY.

This song of triumph which David sang after vanquishing his enemies is at the same time a prophecy of the victories of Christ over our enemies. St. Paul [Rom. 15, 9] quotes this psalm in proof that the heathen should glorify God for his mercy in Jesus Christ, and from the concluding verse it is clear that he is not speaking alone of his own person, but of Him who should sit on the throne of David forever. As David triumphed over and subdued all the surrounding enemies of Israel, so our David has bruised the head of the hellish Goliath, has redeemed us from that strong man, the Law, and has burst the bars of death. And though Satan may yet tempt, and the law may yet threaten, and death may yet terrify while we sojourn in the flesh, if we will but lean on our David, taking refuge under his cross, he will not fail to do what David of old [verse 27] said: "Thou wilt save the afflicted people." Nestling under his wings nor death nor hell shall rule over us.

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus, both David's Son and David's Lord, thanks be to Thee, because Thou didst undertake the battle against our enemies, and didst ransom us from the power of them that hated us. And as Thou now sittest at the right hand of Thy Father, a Lord over all things, be Thou our Rock and our Defense, our Buckler and the Captain of our salvation, that in Thy name we may defy and despise the very gates of hell, triumphing over them for ever and ever. Amen.

PSALM 19

PREFACE.

Surely, "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." [1 John 1, 8]. Often we do unwittingly what we ought not to do, and omit what we ought to do. In the time of need we are quick to doubt the truthfulness and mercy of God, and under the cross discontent and murmuring soon arise in our hearts. • Who can know and who can number the sins yet daily overtaking and besetting the Christian who earnestly strives after sanctification ? Not one of us can know all the sinful thoughts and cravings arising in his heart in a single day. And these are truly sins which would surely condemn us, if God did not graciously cover them over with the mantle of Christ's merits. This we should continually bear in mind that we do not trust in our own innocency and purity, but daily draw nigh unto the throne of grace, seeking the forgiveness of sin in Christ our Mediator. Neither should we suffer any sin to rule over us, and should strive to walk innocently in all things. Unto this we are exhorted in the nineteenth Psalm.

Of the preaching of the gospel and true repentance.

1 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

SUMMARY.

In beautiful -words does David here picture the preaching and the triumphs of the gospel. Beginning at Jerusalem the voice of the gospel spreads under the whole canopy of the heavens and without interruption its proclamation continues day and night until there is not a language in which the voice of Christ is not heard." Even as the sun rising at one end of the firmament encircles the heavens, giving light to land and sea and dispelling the darkness in mountain and vale, so the gospel encircling the earth enlightens the nations and shining into the recesses of the soul gladdens the heart with joy and hope. This "New I^w," the Gospel, he praises as being far more glorious than the law given by Moses; for this new law he describes as bringing salvation and enduring forever. Blessed are the ears which hear this new law, the word of Christ, which is able to save the soul.

PRAYER.

Lord Jesus, Thou who art the Sun of righteousness with healing in his wings, enlighten our darkened understanding by Thy holy word. Enkindle our hearts and mould our will to walk in faith, love, and hope unto all pleasing. Enlighten the nations that sit in darkness and preserve Thy church unto the day of Thy coming. Amen.

PSALM 20

PREFACE.

Good, liberal, and permanent institutions of government are a peculiar and noble gift of the Father of light, through which a nation enjoys many blessings, as bad government is one of God's scourges, with which he punishes nations for their sins. This punishment God threatened to the Jews [Isaiah 3, 4] saying: "I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed." Solomon also [Eccles. 10, 16] exclaims: "Wo to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning \'' Unhappy the nation which is oppressed by a tyrant regarding neither law nor right, or whose government meddles in matters of conscience and is intolerant in religion. Unhappy the land in which anarchy and civil disorders prevail. On the other hand, by a good government, peace and righteousness, morality, culture, and art are greatly promoted. "I exhort," says Paul, " that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." [1 Tim. 2, 1-2]. Christians are to offer up supplications and prayers for the government, and to remember to do this we Americans have great reason. To this, our native country, God has granted good and liberal civil institutions, and petitions for the perpetuation of our free government should rise up to God from our hearts and our churches, and that the public offices be filled with wise, honest, and patriotic men. A prayer for the government is contained in the twentieth Psalm.

1 {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

SUMMARY.

Here again applies what was said in the eighteenth psalm, that David was a figure of Christ. Therefore this psalm is both a prayer of Israel for David, the son of Jesse, and of Zion, or the church for Christ her King. For and in the place of all Israel did David go forth to meet Goliath, and David's victory was Israel's victory. So Christ, our King, made war on our enemies, and he did more than David; for David only risked his life for Israel, but our King poured out his soul an offering for sin, laying down his life for us. David made offering of beasts and birds, but our King offered himself a sacrifice for us, and bearing our sins on the tree he was consumed in the fire of eternal wrath, that he cried unto God as one forsaken. But the Father accepted the offering of the Son, and exalting him to his right hand has made him an everlasting King, who '' is able to save them to the uttermost 'that come unto God by him." [Heb. 7, 25.] Let us rejoice over his salvation and in the name of our King let us set up our banners; for his name must prevail.

PRAYER.

Thanks be unto Thee, O God, Thou King of kings, because Thou hast granted a good and a free government unto our land. What Thou hast given do Thou graciously preserve unto us and our children. Grant also that the civil liberty which we enjoy may remind us to seek that spiritual and everlasting freedom which is found alone in the kingdom of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

PSALM 21

PREFACE.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is both our King and our High-priest. As our King he governs and protects us, restraining our enemies that without his will they can not touch a hair of our head. As our High-priest he offered himself on the high altar of the cross for the sins of the whole world, and so he "gave himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor." [Eph. 5, 2]. And as he in the days of his flesh offered up "prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears and was heard," [Heb. 5, 7], even so he is yet at the right hand of God making intercession for us and is heard, obtaining for us all that is needful and good for soul and body, in time and eternity. As the promised Seed of Abraham he crowns us with the blessing of Abraham. To him we should look for help in every need, and should rejoice 1n his salvation. And because in these latter evil days temptations are strong and spiritual delusions are many, we should daily call on our King to perform his royal office in us, and so to guide us as it is conducive to our true welfare in time and eternity. The praise of this our King is sung in the twenty-first Psalm.

David's hymn of triumph over the victories of Messiah.