7 Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my law-giver.

8 Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; Philistia, be thou glad of me.

9 Who will lead me into the strong city; who will bring me into Edom?

10 Hast not Thou cast us out, O God: wilt not Thou, O God, go out with our hosts?

11 O be Thou our help in trouble, for vain is the help of man.

12 Through God will we do great acts; for it is He that shall tread down our enemies.

7. Gilead is mine,] Gilead comprised the territory assigned to the tribes of Reuben and Gad.

Ephraim also is the strength of my head;] Ephraim, a powerful and warlike tribe, is the fortress which guards and protects me.

Judah is my law-giver.] The seat of government and law. See Gen. xlix. 10.

8. Moab is my wash-pot;] Moab was reduced to the most ignominious bondage, and employed for the basest uses. See 2 Sam. viii. 2.

Over Edom will I cast out my shoe;] As to a slave of low degree, whose office it is to clean and carry the shoes of his master. Refer to Matt. iii. 11. These several images pic

ture to us, in a characteristic way, the submission of the Jewish tribes and neighbouring people to David.

Philistia, be thou glad of me.] that is, Hail me with acclamations as a conqueror.

9. The strong city;] Petra, the capital of Edom or Idumæa, a city which was actually built in the rock and deemed impregnable. It is referred to in Obad. 3.

10. Hast not Thou, &c.] The Bible Version gives a more distinct meaning, and to the question, "Who will bring me into the strong city P" answers by another, Wilt not Thou, O God, who hadst cast us off ? and Thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies ?"

66

PSALM LXI.

PRAYER OF DAVID FOR RESTORATION TO HIS OWN CITY.

[EAR my crying, O God, give ear unto

HE

my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth will I call upon Thee, when my heart is in heaviness. 3 O set me up upon the rock that is higher than I, for Thou hast been my hope, and a strong tower for me against the enemy.

4 I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever, and my trust shall be under the covering of thy wings.

5 For Thou, O Lord, hast heard my desires, and hast given an heritage unto those that fear thy Name.

6 Thou shalt grant the King a long life, that his years may endure throughout all generations.

7 He shall dwell before God for ever: 0 prepare thy loving mercy and faithfulness, that they may preserve him.

8 So will I alway sing praise unto thy Name, that I may daily perform my vows.

Ps. LXI. was composed by David during his exile from Judea in consequence of Absalom's rebellion. He expresses his full confidence that the Lord will bring him back.

3. The rock that is higher than I] The secure fortress, which is too high for me to mount by my own strength; the allusion may be, perhaps,

to Mount Zion. See Matt. vii. 24; 1 Cor. x. 4.

5. An heritage] Canaan, the type of heaven.

6. A long life, &c.] Christ, the true King of Israel" shall reign for ever and ever." Rev. xi. 15.

8. My vows.] The offerings of praise and thanksgiving which I promised when in exile.

Morning.]

PSALM LXII.

TRUST IN GOD AND IN NONE BESIDE.

[Day 12.

Y soul truly waiteth still upon God, for of Him cometh my salvation.

2 He verily is my strength and my salvation; He is my defence, so that I shall not greatly fall.

3 How long will ye imagine mischief against every man: ye shall be slain all the sort of you; yea, as a tottering wall shall ye be, and like a broken hedge.

4 Their device is only how to put him out whom God will exalt; their delight is in lies; they give good words with their mouth, but curse with their heart.

5 Nevertheless, my soul, wait thou still upon God; for my hope is in Him.

6 He truly is my strength and my salvation, He is my defence, so that I shall not fall.

7 In God is my health, and my glory; the rock of my might, and in God is my trust. 80 put your trust in Him alway, ye

LXII.-1. My soul truly waiteth] The full meaning is, My soul in silence waits upon God only.

3. Against every man :] rather, as in the Bible Version, "against a man." David here remonstrates with his enemies for their furious and unprovoked attacks upon himself.

As a tottering wall, &c.] Your overthrow and downfall shall happen suddenly, like that of a bulging wall, or fence of loose stones.

4. To put him out whom God will exalt] To cast him down from his elevated position.

7. My health,] "My salvation."

people; pour out your hearts before Him, for God is our hope.

9 As for the children of men, they are but vanity; the children of men are deceitful upon the weights, they are altogether lighter than vanity itself.

10 O trust not in wrong and robbery, give not yourselves unto vanity; if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

11 God spake once, and twice I have also heard the same, that power belongeth unto God;

12 And that Thou, Lord, art merciful, for Thou rewardest every man according to his work.

PSALM LXIII.

THE LONGING DESIRE OF A SOUL FOR GOD AND HIS GRACE.

GOD, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee.

2 My soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh also longeth after Thee, in a barren and dry land where no water is.

3 Thus have I looked for Thee in holiness, that I might behold thy power and glory.

4 For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself; my lips shall praise Thee.

5 As long as I live will I magnify Thee on this manner; and lift up my hands in thy Name.

6 My soul shall be satisfied, even as it were with marrow and fatness; when my mouth praiseth Thee with joyful lips.

7 Have I not remembered Thee in my bed, and thought upon Thee when I was waking?

8 Because Thou hast been my helper, therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

9 My soul hangeth upon Thee; thy right hand hath upholden me.

10 These also that seek the hurt of my soul, they shall go under the earth.

11 Let them fall upon the edge of the sword; that they may be a portion for foxes.

12 But the King shall rejoice in God;

3. Thus have I looked, &c.] "To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary."

4. Better than the life itself, &c.] Precious as life is, thy goodness and mercy are dearer still.

6. When my mouth praiseth] "And my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips."

7. Have I not remembered] "When I remember Thee upon

my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches."

10. These also, &c.] "But those that seek," &c.

11. Let them] "They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a portion for foxes;" that is, their bodies shall remain unburied, and become the prey of jackals and other wild beasts. See the account of the destruction of Absalom's army, 2 Sam. xviii. 6-8.