A Prayer of Moses the man of God.
This psalm was composed by Moses, the man of God, some time after God had sentenced the Hebrews to wandering and death in the wilderness, Num. 14. In it, (1.) Moses comforts himself, and his people, with the eternal and unchangeable duration of God himself, and their interest in him, ver. 1-2. (2.) He humbles himself and his people with the consideration of human frailty, ver. 3-6. (3.) He submits himself and his people to the righteous sentence of God passed upon them, ver. 7-11. (4.) By prayer he commits himself and his people to their gracious and merciful God; and requests the sanctified use of their awful chastisements; the averting of divine wrath, and the bestowal of true comforts and joys; the returns of his favour, and the progress of his work of mercy among their children, ver. 12-17.
Let me sing this psalm, as but the tenant of an hour, who hath none assurance of his present life: Sing it as resigned to my lot on earth, however afflicted; as active in preparation for death; and committing myself and family to the God of truth as our Redeemer, our God, and our everlasting all.
1 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place
in generations all.
2 Before thou ever hadst brought forth
the mountains great or small;
Ere ever thou hadst form'd the earth,
and all the world abroad;
Ev'n thou from everlasting art
to everlasting God.
3 Thou dost unto destruction
man that is mortal turn;
And unto them thou say'st, Again,
ye sons of men, return.
4 Because a thousand years appear
no more before thy sight
Than yesterday, when it is past,
or than a watch by night.
5 As with an overflowing flood
thou carry'st them away:
They like a sleep are, like the grass
that grows at morn are they.
6 At morn it flourishes and grows,
cut down at ev'n doth fade.
7 For by thine anger we're consum'd,
thy wrath makes us afraid.
8 Our sins thou and iniquities
dost in thy presence place,
And sett'st our secret faults before
the brightness of thy face.
9 For in thine anger all our days
do pass on to an end;
And as a tale that hath been told,
so we our years do spend.
10 Threescore and ten years do sum up
our days and years, we see;
Or, if, by reason of more strength,
in some fourscore they be:
Yet doth the strength of such old men
but grief and labour prove;
For it is soon cut off, and we
fly hence, and soon remove.
11 Who knows the power of thy wrath?
according to thy fear
12 So is thy wrath: Lord, teach thou us
our end in mind to bear;
And so to count our days, that we
our hearts may still apply
To learn thy wisdom and thy truth,
that we may live thereby.
13 Turn yet again to us, O Lord,
how long thus shall it be?
Let it repent thee now for those
that servants are to thee.
14 O with thy tender mercies, Lord,
us early satisfy;
So we rejoice shall all our days,
and still be glad in thee.
15 According as the days have been,
wherein we grief have had,
And years wherein we ill have seen,
so do thou make us glad.
16 O let thy work and pow'r appear
thy servants' face before;
And shew unto their children dear
thy glory evermore:
17 And let the beauty of the Lord
our God be us upon:
Our handy-works establish thou,
establish them each one.
This psalm was perhaps penned on the occasion of the pestilence, inflicted for numbering the people, 2 Sam. 24. In it, while the psalmist, by faith, takes God for his own refuge and keeper (ver. 2-9) he, for the encouragement of others to do the same, represents, (1.) The dignity, extent, and continuance, of their happiness and safety, who have God for their residence, ver. 1-4. (2.) Their preservation from all malice and baleful influence of the powers of darkness, while multitudes are ruined thereby, ver. 3-9. (3.) Their enjoyment of angels for their guard; and their triumph over devils and other opposers, ver. 10-12. (4.) Their possession of special favour from, and delightful intimacy with God, here and hereafter, ver. 13-16.
In singing these lines, let mine eyes be fixed on Jesus, the Man of God's right hand, in whom all these promises were fulfilled to the highest; and, in his name, let me depend on them to be accomplished in myself. And let all the begun experience I have had thereof, encourage me to rejoice in hope of the more abundant mercies and glory of God.
1 He that doth in the secret place
of the most High reside,
Under the shade of him that is
th' Almighty shall abide.
2 I of the Lord my God will say,
He is my refuge still,
He is my fortress, and my God,
and in him trust I will.
3 Assuredly he shall thee save,
and give deliverance
From subtile fowler's snare, and from
the noisome pestilence.
4 His feathers shall thee hide; thy trust
under his wings shall be:
His faithfulness shall be a shield
and buckler unto thee.
5 Thou shalt not need to be afraid
for terrors of the night;
Nor for the arrow that doth fly
by day, while it is light;
6 Nor for the pestilence, that walks
in darkness secretly;
Nor for destruction, that doth waste
at noon-day openly.
7 A thousand at thy side shall fall,
on thy right hand shall lie
Ten thousand dead; yet unto thee
it shall not once come nigh.
8 Only thou with thine eyes shalt look,
and a beholder be;
And thou therein the just reward
of wicked men shalt see.
9 Because the Lord, who constantly
my refuge is alone,
Ev'n the most High, is made by thee
thy habitation;
10 No plague shall near thy dwelling come;
no ill shall thee befall:
11 For thee to keep in all thy ways
his angels charge he shall.
12 They in their hands shall bear thee up,
still waiting thee upon;
Lest thou at any time should'st dash
thy foot against a stone.
13 Upon the adder thou shalt tread,
and on the lion strong;
Thy feet on dragons trample shall,
and on the lions young.
14 Because on me he set his love,
I'll save and set him free;
Because my great name he hath known,
I will him set on high.
15 He'll call on me, I'll answer him;
I will be with him still
In trouble, to deliver him,
and honour him I will.
16 With length of days unto his mind
I will him satisfy;
I also my salvation
will cause his eyes to see.
A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.
In this psalm or song for the sabbath day,, (1.) Praise, the business of the sabbath, is earnestly recommended, ver. 1-3. (2.) God's works (which are the reason of the sabbath and ground of praise) are celebrated, in their greatness, and unsearchableness, ver. 4-6. (3.) The ruin of sinners and the felicity of saints are beautifully contrasted. Sinners shall perish; but God, the portion and life of saints, shall endure for ever. Sinners, notwithstanding their temporary flourish, shall be cut off and destroyed; but saints shall be exalted and comforted. Sinners shall be confounded and ruined; but saints, through their union to, and fellowship with Christ, shall prosper and flourish, to the manifestation of God's faithfulness and equity, ver. 7-15.
While I keep the sabbath of the Lord my God, let these things deeply affect my heart; and be it my care, by a steady conversation and manifest growth in grace, to verify these precious promises of the New Testament in Jesus' blood.
1 To render thanks unto the Lord
it is a comely thing,
And to thy name, O thou most High,
due praise aloud to sing.
2 Thy loving-kindness to shew forth
when shines the morning light;
And to declare thy faithfulness
with pleasure ev'ry night.
3 On a ten-stringed instrument,
upon the psaltery,
And on the harp with solemn sound,
and grave sweet melody.
4 For thou, Lord, by thy mighty works
hast made my heart right glad;
And I will triumph in the works
which by thine hands were made.
5 How great, Lord, are thy works! each thought
of thine a deep it is:
6 A brutish man it knoweth not;
fools understand not this.
7 When those that lewd and wicked are
spring quickly up like grass,
And workers of iniquity
do flourish all apace;
It is that they for ever may
destroyed be and slain;
8 But thou, O Lord, art the most High,
for ever to remain.
9 For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord,
thine en'mies perish shall;
The workers of iniquity
shall be dispersed all.
10 But thou shalt, like unto the horn
of th' unicorn, exalt
My horn on high: thou with fresh oil
anoint me also shalt.
11 Mine eyes shall also my desire
see on mine enemies;
Mine ears shall of the wicked hear
that do against me rise.
12 But like the palm-tree flourishing
shall be the righteous one;
He shall like to the cedar grow
that is in Lebanon.
13 Those that within the house of God
are planted by his grace,
They shall grow up, and flourish all
in our God's holy place.
14 And in old age, when others fade,
they fruit still forth shall bring;
They shall be fat, and full of sap,
and aye be flourishing;
15 To shew that upright is the Lord:
he is a rock to me;
And he from all unrighteousness
is altogether free.
This psalm is a triumphant celebration of the government of Jehovah, and of Jesus our Redeemer, in (1.) The awfulness, strength, stability, and duration thereof, ver. 1-2. (2.) In his triumphant victories over all opposition, ver. 3-4. (3.) In the faithfulness and certainty of his words, and the holiness of his court, ver. 5.
While I sing, let my soul rejoice in the highness of my God, and in the glories of my Redeemer.
1 The Lord doth reign, and cloth'd is he
with majesty most bright;
His works do shew him cloth'd to be,
and girt about with might.
The world is also stablished,
that it cannot depart.
2 Thy throne is fix'd of old, and thou
from everlasting art.
3 The floods, O Lord, have lifted up,
they lifted up their voice;
The floods have lifted up their waves,
and made a mighty noise.
4 But yet the Lord, that is on high,
is more of might by far
Than noise of many waters is,
or great sea-billows are.
5 Thy testimonies ev'ry one
in faithfulness excel;
And holiness for ever, Lord,
thine house becometh well.
This is a psalm for the afflicted people of God, in which, (1.) God's just vengeance is implored upon their haughty, active, cruel, and atheistical oppressors, whose folly is exposed from the consideration of God's works of creation, providence and grace, ver. 1-11. (2.) His gracious comforts are presented to the persecuted saints, that he will bless them in and by their afflictions, and give them rest after them, while their enemies are ruined; that God will not cast them off when cast down, but will, in his due time, reduce things to their right course: to verify which, the psalmist produceth part of his own experience, ver. 12-24.
While I sing, let all revenge be rooted from my heart; all repining at afflictions be banished from my soul. But in every plunge of adversity, let me cast my burden on the Lord, that he may sustain me, and help me in the time of need. Let me rejoice in the assured hope¡s of God's yet reforming the church, and spreading his glory among the nations.
1 O Lord God, unto whom alone
all vengeance doth belong;
O mighty God, who vengeance own'st,
shine forth, avenging wrong.
2 Lift up thyself, thou of the earth
the sov'reign Judge that art;
And unto those that are so proud
a due reward impart.
3 How long, O mighty God, shall they
who lewd and wicked be,
How long shall they who wicked are
thus triumph haughtily?
4 How long shall things most hard by them
be uttered and told?
And all that work iniquity
to boast themselves be bold?
5 Thy folk they break in pieces, Lord,
thine heritage oppress:
6 The widow they and stranger slay,
and kill the fatherless.
7 Yet say they, God it shall not see,
nor God of Jacob know.
8 Ye brutish people! understand;
fools! when wise will ye grow?
9 The Lord did plant the ear of man,
and hear then shall not he?
He only form'd the eye, and then
shall he not clearly see?
10 He that the nations doth correct,
shall he not chastise you?
He knowledge unto man doth teach,
and shall himself not know?
11 Man's thoughts to be but vanity
the Lord doth well discern.
12 Bless'd is the man thou chast'nest, Lord,
and mak'st thy law to learn:
13 That thou may'st give him rest from days
of sad adversity,
Until the pit be digg'd for those
that work iniquity.
14 For sure the Lord will not cast off
those that his people be,
Neither his own inheritance
quit and forsake will he:
15 But judgment unto righteousness
shall yet return again;
And all shall follow after it
that are right-hearted men.
16 Who will rise up for me against
those that do wickedly?
Who will stand up for me 'gainst those
that work iniquity?
17 Unless the Lord had been my help
when I was sore opprest,
Almost my soul had in the house
of silence been at rest.
18 When I had uttered this word,
(my foot doth slip away,)
Thy mercy held me up, O Lord,
thy goodness did me stay.
19 Amidst the multitude of thoughts
which in my heart do fight,
My soul, lest it be overcharg'd,
thy comforts do delight.
20 Shall of iniquity the throne
have fellowship with thee,
Which mischief, cunningly contriv'd,
doth by a law decree?
21 Against the righteous souls they join,
they guiltless blood condemn.
22 But of my refuge God's the rock,
and my defence from them.
23 On them their own iniquity
the Lord shall bring and lay,
And cut them off in their own sin;
our Lord God shall them slay.
This psalm contains, (1.) Solemn calls to celebrate the praises of Jesus and his Father, on account of what he had done, and what he is to us, and we to him, ver. 1-7. (2.) Alarming warnings, to hear his voice, and not to harden our hearts, as the Israelites in the desert, who on that account were debarred from the promised land, ver. 7-11.
While I sing, let me behold the glories of my Redeemer, and believe my new-covenant relation to him; and while it is yet called to-day, let me beware of being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. And since there is a promise left me of entering into his rest, let me take heed, lest I should seem to come short of it, through unbelief.
1 O come, let us sing to the Lord:
come, let us ev'ry one
A joyful noise make to the Rock
of our salvation.
2 Let us before his presence come
with praise and thankful voice;
Let us sing psalms to him with grace,
and make a joyful noise.
3 For God, a great God, and great King,
above all gods he is.
4 Depths of the earth are in his hand,
the strength of hills is his.
5 To him the spacious sea belongs,
for he the same did make;
The dry land also from his hands
its form at first did take.
6 O come, and let us worship him,
let us bow down withal,
And on our knees before the Lord
our Maker let us fall.
7 For he's our God, the people we
of his own pasture are,
And of his hand the sheep; to-day,
if ye his voice will hear,
8 Then harden not your hearts, as in
the provocation,
As in the desert, on the day
of the tentation:
9 When me your fathers tempt'd and prov'd,
and did my working see;
10 Ev'n for the space of forty years
this race hath grieved me.
I said, This people errs in heart,
my ways they do not know:
11 To whom I sware in wrath, that to
my rest they should not go.
This psalm was part of the hymn sung at the translation of the ark from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David, 1 Chron. 16:1, 22-33; but relates to the calling of the Gentiles to our Redeemer. Here are, (1.) Solemn calls to ascribe praises and glory to our high and great Immanuel, ver. 1-9. (2.) Loud proclamations of Jesus' establishment of his gospel church, and of his coming to Judge the world, to the great joy of his friends, ver. 10-13.
While these high praises of God are in my mouth, let my heart behold the glory, believe the promises, and burn with desire after the enjoyment of Christ, and of God in him.
1 O sing a new song to the Lord:
sing all the earth to God.
2 To God sing, bless his name, shew still
his saving health abroad.
3 Among the heathen nations
his glory do declare;
And unto all the people shew
his works that wondrous are.
4 For great's the Lord, and greatly he
is to be magnify'd;
Yea, worthy to be fear'd is he
above all gods beside.
5 For all the gods are idols dumb,
which blinded nations fear;
But our God is the Lord, by whom
the heav'ns created were.
6 Great honour is before his face,
and majesty divine;
Strength is within his holy place,
and there doth beauty shine.
7 Do ye ascribe unto the Lord,
of people ev'ry tribe,
Glory do ye unto the Lord,
and mighty pow'r ascribe.
8 Give ye the glory to the Lord
that to his name is due;
Come ye into his courts, and bring
an offering with you.
9 In beauty of his holiness,
O do the Lord adore;
Likewise let all the earth throughout
tremble his face before.
10 Among the heathen say, God reigns;
the world shall stedfastly
Be fix'd from moving; he shall judge
the people righteously.
11 Let heav'ns be glad before the Lord,
and let the earth rejoice;
Let seas, and all that is therein,
cry out, and make a noise.
12 Let fields rejoice, and ev'ry thing
that springeth of the earth:
Then woods and ev'ry tree shall sing
with gladness and with mirth
13 Before the Lord; because he comes,
to judge the earth comes he:
He'll judge the world with righteousness,
the people faithfully.
This psalm is of the same strain with the preceding; and contains, (1.) Solemn calls to the Gentile nations to rejoice at the equity and extent of Jesus' new-testament kingdom, and at the destruction of hardened Jews and heathen idolaters, occasioned by the establishment thereof, ver. 1-7. (2.) Representations of the pure and holy joy of the saints, on account of Jesus' highness, and the glory of God manifested therein, and of the care taken for their safety and comfort, ver. 8-12.
Join the choir, O my soul. Sing praises to thy King; sing praises with understanding.
1 God reigneth, let the earth be glad,
and isles rejoice each one.
2 Dark clouds him compass; and in right
with judgment dwells his throne.
3 Fire goes before him, and his foes
it burns up round about:
4 His lightnings lighten did the world;
earth saw, and shook throughout.
5 Hills at the presence of the Lord,
like wax, did melt away;
Ev'n at the presence of the Lord
of all the earth, I say.
6 The heav'ns declare his righteousness,
all men his glory see.
7 All who serve graven images,
confounded let them be.
Who do of idols boast themselves,
let shame upon them fall:
Ye that are called gods, see that
ye do him worship all.
8 Sion did hear, and joyful was,
glad Judah's daughters were;
They much rejoic'd, O Lord, because
thy judgments did appear.
9 For thou, O Lord, art high above
all things on earth that are;
Above all other gods thou art
exalted very far.
10 Hate ill, all ye that love the Lord:
his saints' souls keepeth he;
And from the hands of wicked men
he sets them safe and free.
11 For all those that be righteous
sown is a joyful light,
And gladness sown is for all those
that are in heart upright.
12 Ye righteous, in the Lord rejoice;
express your thankfulness,
When ye into your memory
do call his holiness.
This psalm insists on the same subject as the two preceding; and contains, (1.) Demands of praise to the Redeemer, for the wonders he hath wrought; the victories he hath won; the discoveries he hath made; and the promises he fulfils, ver. 1, 3. (2.) Demands of universal, and high rejoicing at the erection and establishment of his gospel church; and at his coming in the clouds to judge the world, ver. 4-9
While my lips utter these lofty notes, let my soul, according to this time also, say, What hath the Lord wrought? What is Jesus what is Jehovah to my heart? What hath he done for mankind, and what for my soul? What of Jesus what of Jehovah, have mine eyes seen, and my heart tasted? And while I assuredly believe his return to judgment, let me with ardour look for that blessed hope, and glorious appearance of the great God my Saviour. Let my soul, with rapture, spring forth to meet his burning chariot wheels, and long to see creation all on flames.
1 O sing a new song to the Lord,
for wonders he hath done:
His right hand and his holy arm
him victory hath won.
2 The Lord God his salvation
hath caused to be known;
His justice in the heathen's sight
he openly hath shown.
3 He mindful of his grace and truth
to Isr'el's house hath been;
And the salvation of our God
all ends of th' earth have seen.
4 Let all the earth unto the Lord
send forth a joyful noise;
Lift up your voice aloud to him,
sing praises, and rejoice.
5 With harp, with harp, and voice of psalms,
unto Jehovah sing:
6 With trumpets, cornets, gladly sound
before the Lord the King.
7 Let seas and all their fulness roar;
the world, and dwellers there;
8 Let floods clap hands, and let the hills
together joy declare
9 Before the Lord; because he comes,
to judge the earth comes he:
He'll judge the world with righteousness,
his folk with equity.
This psalm is of the same general nature as the three preceding, and calls men to revere, worship, and praise the Messiah, and his Father, (1.) For the glory, greatness, mercy, and equity of his government, ver. 1-5. (2.) For the instances of his kindness to Israel, in remarkably regarding and honouring their noted deliverers and reformers, ver. 6-9.
While I sing this, let my soul stand in awe of Jehovah's greatness and excellency. Let me call on God in every time of need, that he may answer and save me. Let me hope that he will forgive and subdue, but never that he will indulge, my trans gressions: For the Lord my God is holy.
1 Th' eternal Lord doth reign as king,
let all the people quake;
He sits between the cherubims,
let th' earth be mov'd and shake.
2 The Lord in Sion great and high
above all people is;
3 Thy great and dreadful name (for it
is holy) let them bless.
4 The king's strength also judgment loves;
thou settlest equity:
Just judgment thou dost execute
in Jacob righteously.
5 The Lord our God exalt on high,
and rev'rently do ye
Before his footstool worship him:
the Holy One is he.
6 Moses and Aaron 'mong his priests,
Samuel, with them that call
Upon his name: these call'd on God,
and he them answer'd all.
7 Within the pillar of the cloud
he unto them did speak:
The testimonies he them taught,
and laws, they did not break.
8 Thou answer'dst them, O Lord our God;
thou wast a God that gave
Pardon to them, though on their deeds
thou wouldest vengeance have.
9 Do ye exalt the Lord our God,
and at his holy hill
Do ye him worship: for the Lord
our God is holy still.
A Psalm of praise.
This psalm, (1.) Contains a solemn call to the Gentiles to praise God, and rejoice in him, ver. 1-4. (2.) Furnisheth us with matter of praise, viz. that he is God, and stands nearly related to us, and that his mercy and truth are everlasting, ver. 3, 5.
Knowing the Lord to be my God, let me approach his ordinances, and enter his heavenly palaces, with a heart ravished with his excellencies and kindness, and a mouth filled with his praise.
First Version (L.M.)
1 All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
2 Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him and rejoice.
3 Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid he did us make:
We are his flock, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
4 O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto:
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
5 For why? the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
Second Version (C.M.)
1 O all ye lands, unto the Lord
make ye a joyful noise.
2 Serve God with gladness, him before
come with a singing voice.
3 Know ye the Lord that he is God;
not we, but he us made:
We are his people, and the sheep
within his pasture fed.
4 Enter his gates and courts with praise,
to thank him go ye thither:
To him express your thankfulness,
and bless his name together.
5 Because the Lord our God is good,
his mercy faileth never;
And to all generations
his truth endureth ever.
A Psalm of David.
This psalm was probably composed when David assumed the government of his kingdom, and contains his holy resolutions, (1.) To make God's mercies and judgments the connected matter of his song; and to walk circumspectly before his family, through the assisting presence of God, ver. 1-2. (2.) To purge his family and kingdom; discouraging and punishing persons mischievous, wicked slanderers, liars, and deceitful workers; and encouraging the pious, ver. 3-8.
While I sing, let me remember my faults, and in the strength of the grace that is in Christ Jesus, form the like holy resolutions.
1 I mercy will and judgment sing,
Lord, I will sing to thee.
2 With wisdom in a perfect way
shall my behaviour be.
O when, in kindness unto me,
wilt thou be pleas'd to come?
I with a perfect heart will walk
within my house at home.
3 I will endure no wicked thing
before mine eyes to be:
I hate their work that turn aside,
it shall not cleave to me.
4 A stubborn and a froward heart
depart quite from me shall;
A person giv'n to wickedness
I will not know at all.
5 I'll cut him off that slandereth
his neighbour privily:
The haughty heart I will not bear,
nor him that looketh high.
6 Upon the faithful of the land
mine eyes shall be, that they
May dwell with me: he shall me serve
that walks in perfect way.
7 Who of deceit a worker is
in my house shall not dwell;
And in my presence shall he not
remain that lies doth tell.
8 Yea, all the wicked of the land
early destroy will I;
All from God's city to cut off
that work iniquity.
A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed,
and poureth out his complaint before the Lord.
This psalm relates to some grievous distress; wherein are observable, (1.) Bitter complaints of divine hidings and wrath; of sore bodily troubles; of inward griefs and perplexities; of calumnious reproaches; of sudden changes of condition, and of apparent nearness to death, ver. 1-11. (2.) Seasonable comforts against these grievances, arising from the eternity and unchangeableness of God, ver. 13, 24, 27; and from the deliverances, spread, and establishment he will grant to his church, in answer to the prayers, and for the comfort of his afflicted people, ver. 13-28.
While I sing, think, my soul, if I am exercised by my troubles; if these of the inner man bear heaviest on my heart; and if I am a cordial partaker with Zion in her joys and griefs.
First Version (C.M.)
1 O Lord, unto my pray'r give ear,
my cry let come to thee;
2 And in the day of my distress
hide not thy face from me.
Give ear to me; what time I call,
to answer me make haste:
3 For, as an hearth, my bones are burnt,
my days, like smoke, do waste.
4 My heart within me smitten is,
and it is withered
Like very grass; so that I do
forget to eat my bread.
5 By reason of my groaning voice
my bones cleave to my skin.
6 Like pelican in wilderness
forsaken I have been:
I like an owl in desert am,
that nightly there doth moan;
7 I watch, and like a sparrow am
on the house-top alone.
8 My bitter en'mies all the day
reproaches cast on me;
And, being mad at me, with rage
against me sworn they be.
9 For why? I ashes eaten have
like bread, in sorrows deep;
My drink I also mingled have
with tears that I did weep.
10 Thy wrath and indignation
did cause this grief and pain;
For thou hast lift me up on high,
and cast me down again.
11 My days are like unto a shade,
which doth declining pass;
And I am dry'd and withered,
ev'n like unto the grass.
12 But thou, Lord, everlasting art,
and thy remembrance shall
Continually endure, and be
to generations all.
13 Thou shalt arise, and mercy have
upon thy Sion yet;
The time to favour her is come,
the time that thou hast set.
14 For in her rubbish and her stones
thy servants pleasure take;
Yea, they the very dust thereof
do favour for her sake.
15 So shall the heathen people fear
the Lord's most holy name;
And all the kings on earth shall dread
thy glory and thy fame.
16 When Sion by the mighty Lord
built up again shall be,
In glory then and majesty
to men appear shall he.
17 The prayer of the destitute
he surely will regard;
Their prayer will he not despise,
by him it shall be heard.
18 For generations yet to come
this shall be on record:
So shall the people that shall be
created praise the Lord.
19 He from his sanctuary's height
hath downward cast his eye;
And from his glorious throne in heav'n
the Lord the earth did spy;
20 That of the mournful prisoner
the groanings he might hear,
To set them free that unto death
by men appointed are:
21 That they in Sion may declare
the Lord's most holy name,
And publish in Jerusalem
the praises of the same;
22 When as the people gather shall
in troops with one accord,
When kingdoms shall assembled be
to serve the highest Lord.
23 My wonted strength and force he hath
abated in the way,
And he my days hath shortened:
24 Thus therefore did I say,
My God, in mid-time of my days
take thou me not away:
From age to age eternally
thy years endure and stay.
25 The firm foundation of the earth
of old time thou hast laid;
The heavens also are the work
which thine own hands have made.
26 Thou shalt for evermore endure,
but they shall perish all;
Yea, ev'ry one of them wax old,
like to a garment, shall:
Thou, as a vesture, shalt them change,
and they shall changed be:
27 But thou the same art, and thy years
are to eternity.
28 The children of thy servants shall
continually endure;
And in thy sight, O Lord, their seed
shall be establish'd sure.
Second Version (L.M.)
1 Lord, hear my pray'r, and let my cry
Have speedy access unto thee;
2 In day of my calamity
O hide not thou thy face from me.
Hear when I call to thee; that day
An answer speedily return:
3 My days, like smoke, consume away,
And, as an hearth, my bones do burn.
4 My heart is wounded very sore,
And withered, like grass doth fade:
I am forgetful grown therefore
To take and eat my daily bread.
5 By reason of my smart within,
And voice of my most grievous groans,
My flesh consumed is, my skin,
All parch'd, doth cleave unto my bones.
6 The pelican of wilderness,
The owl in desert, I do match;
7 And, sparrow-like, companionless,
Upon the house's top, I watch.
8 I all day long am made a scorn,
Reproach'd by my malicious foes:
The madmen are against me sworn,
The men against me that arose.
9 For I have ashes eaten up,
To me as if they had been bread;
And with my drink I in my cup
Of bitter tears a mixture made.
10 Because thy wrath was not appeas'd,
And dreadful indignation:
Therefore it was that thou me rais'd,
And thou again didst cast me down.
11 My days are like a shade alway,
Which doth declining swiftly pass;
And I am withered away,
Much like unto the fading grass.
12 But thou, O Lord, shalt still endure,
From change and all mutation free,
And to all generations sure
Shall thy remembrance ever be.
13 Thou shalt arise, and mercy yet
Thou to mount Sion shalt extend:
Her time for favour which was set,
Behold, is now come to an end.
14 Thy saints take pleasure in her stones,
Her very dust to them is dear.
15 All heathen lands and kingly thrones
On earth thy glorious name shall fear.
16 God in his glory shall appear,
When Sion he builds and repairs.
17 He shall regard and lend his ear
Unto the needy's humble pray'rs:
Th' afflicted's pray'r he will not scorn.
18 All times this shall be on record:
And generations yet unborn
Shall praise and magnify the Lord.
19 He from his holy place look'd down,
The earth he view'd from heav'n on high;
20 To hear the pris'ner's mourning groan,
And free them that are doom'd to die;
21 That Sion, and Jerus'lem too,
His name and praise may well record,
22 When people and the kingdoms do
Assemble all to praise the Lord.
23 My strength he weaken'd in the way,
My days of life he shortened.
24 My God, O take me not away
In mid-time of my days, I said:
Thy years throughout all ages last.
25 Of old thou hast established
The earth's foundation firm and fast:
Thy mighty hands the heav'ns have made.
26 They perish shall, as garments do,
But thou shalt evermore endure;
As vestures, thou shalt change them so;
And they shall all be changed sure:
27 But from all changes thou art free;
Thy endless years do last for aye.
28 Thy servants, and their seed who be,
Establish'd shall before thee stay.
A Psalm of David.
Here, (1.) The psalmist earnestly stirs up himself to praise God, for favours to himself in particular; for pardon of sins, healing of diseases, redemption from death, ver. 1-5; and for his mercies to his people, in revealing his mind to them; pardoning their sins; sympathizing with their weakness; pitying their afflictions; and perpetuating his new-covenant mercy towards them and their seed, ver. 6-18. (2.) Conscious of his own insufficiency, he requests the assistance of angels, and of all the works of God, to praise Him who is their sovereign, ver. 19-22.
Thus, my soul, let all my inward powers be stirred up to praise and thank my Redeemer, for all that he hath done for me, and for his church on earth.
1 O thou my soul, bless God the Lord;
and all that in me is
Be stirred up his holy name
to magnify and bless.
2 Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God,
and not forgetful be
Of all his gracious benefits
he hath bestow'd on thee.
3 All thine iniquities who doth
most graciously forgive:
Who thy diseases all and pains
doth heal, and thee relieve.
4 Who doth redeem thy life, that thou
to death may'st not go down;
Who thee with loving-kindness doth
and tender mercies crown:
5 Who with abundance of good things
doth satisfy thy mouth;
So that, ev'n as the eagle's age,
renewed is thy youth.
6 God righteous judgment executes
for all oppressed ones.
7 His ways to Moses, he his acts
made known to Isr'el's sons.
8 The Lord our God is merciful,
and he is gracious,
Long-suffering, and slow to wrath,
in mercy plenteous.
9 He will not chide continually,
nor keep his anger still.
10 With us he dealt not as we sinn'd,
nor did requite our ill.
11 For as the heaven in its height
the earth surmounteth far;
So great to those that do him fear
his tender mercies are:
12 As far as east is distant from
the west, so far hath he
From us removed, in his love,
all our iniquity.
13 Such pity as a father hath
unto his children dear;
Like pity shews the Lord to such
as worship him in fear.
14 For he remembers we are dust,
and he our frame well knows.
15 Frail man, his days are like the grass,
as flow'r in field he grows:
16 For over it the wind doth pass,
and it away is gone;
And of the place where once it was
it shall no more be known.
17 But unto them that do him fear
God's mercy never ends;
And to their children's children still
his righteousness extends:
18 To such as keep his covenant,
and mindful are alway
Of his most just commandements,
that they may them obey.
19 The Lord prepared hath his throne
in heavens firm to stand;
And ev'ry thing that being hath
his kingdom doth command.
20 O ye his angels, that excel
in strength, bless ye the Lord;
Ye who obey what he commands,
and hearken to his word.
21 O bless and magnify the Lord,
ye glorious hosts of his;
Ye ministers, that do fulfil
whate'er his pleasure is.
22 O bless the Lord, all ye his works,
wherewith the world is stor'd
In his dominions ev'ry where.
My soul, bless thou the Lord.
This psalm was perhaps composed along with the preceding one; and contains, (1.) High celebrations of God, as the God of nature; particularly of his appearances in his heavenly palaces, ver. 1-4; of his creation of the sea and dry land, ver 5-9; of the provision he makes for his creatures, according to their respective needs, ver. 10-28; and of his sovereign dominion and influence over them, ver. 29-32. (2.) Holy resolutions to meditate on, and praise the Lord, in the view of his destruction of the wicked, ver. 33-35.
Lo! how the stretched heavens, how refulgent luminaries, how fertile fields, how towering woods, how roaring seas, how ranging brutes, how labouring men, how flaming seraphs, unite their force to awaken my soul, to tune my heart to the high praises of her Redeemer! Let me meet my God, my Christ, in every view. In every sound let me hear his voice. In every form let me discern how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Nor let creation's lower plains detain my heart: Let new-covenant relations to my unbounded All, let redemption through his blood, fix all my thoughts, enrapture all my inward powers; that I may sing anthems, all on fire, to Him who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1 Bless God, my soul. O Lord my God,
thou art exceeding great;
With honour and with majesty
thou clothed art in state.
2 With light, as with a robe, thyself
thou coverest about;
And, like unto a curtain, thou
the heavens stretchest out.
3 Who of his chambers doth the beams
within the waters lay;
Who doth the clouds his chariot make,
on wings of wind make way.
4 Who flaming fire his ministers,
his angels sp'rits, doth make:
5 Who earth's foundations did lay,
that it should never shake.
6 Thou didst it cover with the deep,
as with a garment spread:
The waters stood above the hills,
when thou the word but said.
7 But at the voice of thy rebuke
they fled, and would not stay;
They at thy thunder's dreadful voice
did haste them fast away.
8 They by the mountains do ascend,
and by the valley-ground
Descend, unto that very place
which thou for them didst found.
9 Thou hast a bound unto them set,
that they may not pass over,
That they do not return again
the face of earth to cover.
10 He to the valleys sends the springs,
which run among the hills:
11 They to all beasts of field give drink,
wild asses drink their fills.
12 By them the fowls of heav'n shall have
their habitation,
Which do among the branches sing
with delectation.
13 He from his chambers watereth
the hills, when they are dry'd:
With fruit and increase of thy works
the earth is satisfy'd.
14 For cattle he makes grass to grow,
he makes the herb to spring
For th' use of man, that food to him
he from the earth may bring;
15 And wine, that to the heart of man
doth cheerfulness impart,
Oil that his face makes shine, and bread
that strengtheneth his heart.
16 The trees of God are full of sap;
the cedars that do stand
In Lebanon, which planted were
by his almighty hand.
17 Birds of the air upon their boughs
do chuse their nests to make;
As for the stork, the fir-tree she
doth for her dwelling take.
18 The lofty mountains for wild goats
a place of refuge be;
The conies also to the rocks
do for their safety flee.
19 He sets the moon in heav'n, thereby
the seasons to discern:
From him the sun his certain time
of going down doth learn.
20 Thou darkness mak'st, 'tis night, then beasts
of forests creep abroad.
21 The lions young roar for their prey,
and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun doth rise, and home they flock,
down in their dens they lie.
23 Man goes to work, his labour he
doth to the ev'ning ply.
24 How manifold, Lord, are thy works!
in wisdom wonderful
Thou ev'ry one of them hast made;
earth's of thy riches full:
25 So is this great and spacious sea,
wherein things creeping are,
Which number'd cannot be; and beasts
both great and small are there.
26 There ships go; there thou mak'st to play
that leviathan great.
27 These all wait on thee, that thou may'st
in due time give them meat.
28 That which thou givest unto them
they gather for their food;
Thine hand thou open'st lib'rally,
they filled are with good.
29 Thou hid'st thy face; they troubled are,
their breath thou tak'st away;
Then do they die, and to their dust
return again do they.
30 Thy quick'ning spirit thou send'st forth,
then they created be;
And then the earth's decayed face
renewed is by thee.
31 The glory of the mighty Lord
continue shall for ever:
The Lord Jehovah shall rejoice
in all his works together.
32 Earth, as affrighted, trembleth all,
if he on it but look;
And if the mountains he but touch,
they presently do smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord most high,
so long as I shall live;
And while I being have I shall
to my God praises give.
34 Of him my meditation shall
sweet thoughts to me afford;
And as for me, I will rejoice
in God, my only Lord.
35 From earth let sinners be consum'd,
let ill men no more be.
O thou my soul, bless thou the Lord.
Praise to the Lord give ye.
This psalm was a part of the solemn hymn sung at the translation of the ark from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David, 1Chron. 16; and contains, (1.) Solemn calls to meditate on, seek, magnify, and praise God, who is so great, so gracious, and so nearly connected with us, ver. 1-7. (2.) A narrative of the particular mercies of God to Israel for the space of 480 years, as grounds of praise: Particularly, his covenant with their patriarchs, ver. 8-11; his care of them, while strangers and sojourners, ver. 12-15; his advancement of Joseph, to be the shepherd and stone of Israel, ver. 16-22; his increasing of them in Egypt, and at last delivering them from it, in the way of inflicting manifold plagues on the Egyptians, ver. 23-38; and his care of them in the wilderness, and setting them in Canaan, as a peculiar people to himself, ver. 39-45.
While I sing, let my soul, with affecting wonder, think what God is to me; and what he hath done for me, and for his church, in prosecution of his covenant engagements with Jesus Christ.
1 Give thanks to God, call on his name;
to men his deeds make known.
2 Sing ye to him, sing psalms; proclaim
his wondrous works each one.
3 See that ye in his holy name
to glory do accord;
And let the heart of ev'ry one
rejoice that seeks the Lord.
4 The Lord Almighty, and his strength,
with stedfast hearts seek ye:
His blessed and his gracious face
seek ye continually.
5 Think on the works that he hath done,
which admiration breed;
His wonders, and the judgments all
which from his mouth proceed;
6 O ye that are of Abr'ham's race,
his servant well approv'n;
And ye that Jacob's children are,
whom he chose for his own.
7 Because he, and he only, is
the mighty Lord our God;
And his most righteous judgments are
in all the earth abroad.
8 His cov'nant he remember'd hath,
that it may ever stand:
To thousand generations
the word he did command.
9 Which covenant he firmly made
with faithful Abraham,
And unto Isaac, by his oath,
he did renew the same:
10 And unto Jacob, for a law,
he made it firm and sure,
A covenant to Israel,
which ever should endure.
11 He said, I'll give Canaan's land
for heritage to you;
12 While they were strangers there, and few,
in number very few:
13 While yet they went from land to land
without a sure abode;
And while through sundry kingdoms they
did wander far abroad;
14 Yet, notwithstanding suffer'd he
no man to do them wrong:
Yea, for their sakes, he did reprove
kings, who were great and strong.
15 Thus did he say, Touch ye not those
that mine anointed be,
Nor do the prophets any harm
that do pertain to me.
16 He call'd for famine on the land,
he brake the staff of bread:
17 But yet he sent a man before,
by whom they should be fed;
Ev'n Joseph, whom unnat'rally
sell for a slave did they;
18 Whose feet with fetters they did hurt,
and he in irons lay;
19 Until the time that his word came
to give him liberty;
The word and purpose of the Lord
did him in prison try.
20 Then sent the king, and did command
that he enlarg'd should be:
He that the people's ruler was
did send to set him free.
21 A lord to rule his family
he rais'd him, as most fit;
To him of all that he possess'd
he did the charge commit:
22 That he might at his pleasure bind
the princes of the land;
And he might teach his senators
wisdom to understand.
23 The people then of Israel
down into Egypt came;
And Jacob also sojourned
within the land of Ham.
24 And he did greatly by his pow'r
increase his people there;
And stronger than their enemies
they by his blessing were.
25 Their heart he turned to envy
his folk maliciously,
With those that his own servants were
to deal in subtilty.
26 His servant Moses he did send,
Aaron his chosen one.
27 By these his signs and wonders great
in Ham's land were made known.
28 Darkness he sent, and made it dark;
his word they did obey.
29 He turn'd their waters into blood,
and he their fish did slay.
30 The land in plenty brought forth frogs
in chambers of their kings.
31 His word all sorts of flies and lice
in all their borders brings.
32 He hail for rain, and flaming fire
into their land he sent:
33 And he their vines and fig-trees smote:
trees of their coasts he rent.
34 He spake, and caterpillars came,
locusts did much abound;
35 Which in their land all herbs consum'd,
and all fruits of their ground.
36 He smote all first-born in their land,
chief of their strength each one.
37 With gold and silver brought them forth,
weak in their tribes were none.
38 Egypt was glad when forth they went,
their fear on them did light.
39 He spread a cloud for covering,
and fire to shine by night.
40 They ask'd, and he brought quails: with bread
of heav'n he filled them.
41 He open'd rocks, floods gush'd, and ran
in deserts like a stream.
42 For on his holy promise he,
and servant Abr'ham, thought.
43 With joy his people, his elect
with gladness, forth he brought.
44 And unto them the pleasant lands
he of the heathen gave;
That of the people's labour they
inheritance might have.
45 That they his statutes might observe
according to his word;
And that they might his laws obey.
Give praise unto the Lord.
This psalm may be considered as a supplement to the preceding. That exhibited to our view, the marvellous kindness of God to Israel: this exhibits the fearful rebellions of Israel against their gracious God. We have, (1.) A preface, ascribing praise to God, exhibiting comfort to his saints, and requesting favours from God, ver. 1-5. (2.) An alarming confession or narrative of Israel's wickedness against their God, notwithstanding his marvellous kindness to them; in provoking him at the Red Sea, ver 6-12; in lusting after sensual gratifications, ver 13-15; in mutinying against his vicegerents, ver. 16-18; in worshipping the golden calf, ver. 19-23; in murmuring contempt of the promised land, ver. 24-27; in joining with the Moabites and Midianites, in the worship of Baal-peor, ver. 28-31; in quarrelling with Moses at Kadesh, ver. 32-33; in incorporating themselves with the Canaanites, and imitating their idolatrous and cruel customs, ver. 34-39. (3.) An affecting view of God's great compassion to Israel, notwithstanding they had provoked him to inflict sore and almost destructive punishments upon them, ver. 40-46. (4.) An affectionate improvement of his kindness, in imploring his powerful deliverance, and ascription of endless praises to his name, ver. 47-48.
While I sing, let my soul be deeply affected with the dreadful nature of sin, and with men's obstinacy, nay mine own obstinacy therein. Let me, with amazement, behold the unbounded mercy of God to men; in that where sin hath abounded grace doth much more abound.
1 Give praise and thanks unto the Lord,
for bountiful is he;
His tender mercy doth endure
unto eternity.
2 God's mighty works who can express?
or shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that judgment keep,
and justly do always.
4 Remember me, Lord, with that love
which thou to thine dost bear;
With thy salvation, O my God,
to visit me draw near:
5 That I thy chosen's good may see,
and in their joy rejoice;
And may with thine inheritance
triumph with cheerful voice.
6 We with our fathers sinned have,
and of iniquity
Too long we have the workers been;
we have done wickedly.
7 The wonders great, which thou, O Lord,
didst work in Egypt land,
Our fathers, though they saw, yet them
they did not understand:
And they thy mercies' multitude
kept not in memory;
But at the sea, ev'n the Red sea,
provok'd him grievously.
8 Nevertheless he saved them,
ev'n for his own name's sake;
That so he might to be well known
his mighty power make.
9 When he the Red sea did rebuke,
then dried up it was:
Through depths, as through the wilderness,
he safely made them pass.
10 From hands of those that hated them
he did his people save;
And from the en'my's cruel hand
to them redemption gave.
11 The waters overwhelm'd their foes;
not one was left alive.
12 Then they believ'd his word, and praise
to him in songs did give.
13 But soon did they his mighty works
forget unthankfully,
And on his counsel and his will
did not wait patiently;
14 But much did lust in wilderness,
and God in desert tempt.
15 He gave them what they sought, but to
their soul he leanness sent.
16 And against Moses in the camp
their envy did appear;
At Aaron they, the saint of God,
envious also were.
17 Therefore the earth did open wide,
and Dathan did devour,
And all Abiram's company
did cover in that hour.
18 Likewise among their company
a fire was kindled then;
And so the hot consuming flame
burnt up these wicked men.
19 Upon the hill of Horeb they
an idol-calf did frame,
A molten image they did make,
and worshipped the same.
20 And thus their glory, and their God,
most vainly changed they
Into the likeness of an ox
that eateth grass or hay.
21 They did forget the mighty God,
that had their saviour been,
By whom such great things brought to pass
they had in Egypt seen.
22 In Ham's land he did wondrous works,
things terrible did he,
When he his mighty hand and arm
stretch'd out at the Red sea.
23 Then said he, He would them destroy,
had not, his wrath to stay,
His chosen Moses stood in breach,
that them he should not slay.
24 Yea, they despis'd the pleasant land,
believed not his word:
25 But in their tents they murmured,
not heark'ning to the Lord.
26 Therefore in desert them to slay
he lifted up his hand:
27 'Mong nations to o'erthrow their seed,
and scatter in each land.
28 They unto Baal-peor did
themselves associate;
The sacrifices of the dead
they did profanely eat.
29 Thus, by their lewd inventions,
they did provoke his ire;
And then upon them suddenly
the plague brake in as fire.
30 Then Phin'has rose, and justice did,
and so the plague did cease;
31 That to all ages counted was
to him for righteousness.
32 And at the waters, where they strove,
they did him angry make,
In such sort, that it fared ill
with Moses for their sake:
33 Because they there his spirit meek
provoked bitterly,
So that he utter'd with his lips
words unadvisedly.
34 Nor, as the Lord commanded them,
did they the nations slay:
35 But with the heathen mingled were,
and learn'd of them their way.
36 And they their idols serv'd, which did
a snare unto them turn.
37 Their sons and daughters they to dev'ls
in sacrifice did burn.
38 In their own children's guiltless blood
their hands they did imbrue,
Whom to Canaan's idols they
for sacrifices slew:
So was the land defil'd with blood.
39 They stain'd with their own way,
And with their own inventions
a whoring they did stray.
40 Against his people kindled was
the wrath of God therefore,
Insomuch that he did his own
inheritance abhor.
41 He gave them to the heathen's hand;
their foes did them command.
42 Their en'mies them oppress'd, they were
made subject to their hand.
43 He many times deliver'd them;
but with their counsel so
They him provok'd, that for their sin
they were brought very low.
44 Yet their affliction he beheld,
when he did hear their cry:
45 And he for them his covenant
did call to memory;
After his mercies' multitude
46 he did repent: And made
Them to be pity'd of all those
who did them captive lead.
47 O Lord our God, us save, and gather
the heathen from among,
That we thy holy name may praise
in a triumphant song.
48 Bless'd be Jehovah, Isr'el's God,
to all eternity:
Let all the people say, Amen.
Praise to the Lord give ye.
Copyright ©1991 by Presbyterian Heritage Publications