David is said to have composed this Psalm concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. Whether Saul, or Shimei, or any one else be intended under this name, it is clear that David had been maliciously calumniated by such a person that the Psalm was written to vindicate himself from the imputation, whatever was the nature of it- and, consequently, may be considered as the appeal of the True David and his Disciples against the grand Accuser and his Associates.

1

FIRST PART. (vv. 1-7.) L. M.

The Appeal of the Upright unto God.
LORD, my God, my hopes repose
Firm on thy Name: from all my foes,
Who range with persecuting breath,
Rescue my soul, and save from death!
2 Like the fierce lion rous'd to rage,
Behold th' unequal war they wage,
On death intent: my dangers see!
For Thou, alone, can'st rescue me.
3 O Lord, my God, their censures view:
Say, did I e'er such acts pursue?
Shall their false charge unnotic'd stand?
Was e'er such evil in my hand?

4 If e'er my soul, in treach'rous part,
Dealt falsely with the friendly heart-
How base the charge! I boast to show
Compassion on my causeless foe-

5 Then might they hate, pursue, surround,
And tread my life out on the ground;
Might lay, with indignation just,
My deep-stain'd honour in the dust.
6 Rise, then, O Lord, with just disdain
The anger of my foes restrain!

To judgment wake! on thy command
Justice and Truth securely stand.
7 Rise!-and the people round thy seat
In crowds of holy joy shall meet;
And since on Thee our hopes rely,
Return, and fix thy power on high.

1

SECOND PART. (vv. 8-10.) L. M.
God the righteous Judge of all.

THE Lord is Judge: before his throne
All nations shall his justice own :
Oh may my soul be found sincere,

And stand approv'd with courage there!

2 The Lord, in righteousness array'd,
Surveys the world his hands have made;
Pierces the heart, and tries the reins,
And judgment from on high ordains.
3 My God, my Shield! around me place
The shelter of the Saviour's grace:
Then, when thine arm the just shall save,
My life shall triumph o'er the grave.

PSALM VIII.

This is the first of those Psalms which are appointed to be read on Ascension Day. It treats, as appears from Heb. ii. 6-8, of the wonderful love of God. shewn by the exaltation of our nature in Messiah, or the Second Adam, to the right hand of the Majesty on high, and by the subjection of all creatures to the word of His power.

The Love of God shewn in the exaltation of the Second Adam.

1

LORD, our Lord, how wondrous great
Is thine exalted Name!

The glories of thy heavenly state

Let men and babes proclaim.

2 Lord, what is man, or all his race,
Who dwells so far below,

That Thou should'st visit him with grace,
And love his nature so?

3 That thine eternal Son should bear
To take a mortal form;

Made lower than his angels are,

To save a dying worm!

4 Let Him be crown'd with majesty,
Who bow'd his head to death;
And be his honours sounded high,
By all things that have breath!

5 Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great
Is thine exalted Name!

The glories of thy heavenly state
Let the whole earth proclaim.

10

THOU, to whom all creatures bow
Within this earthly frame,

Through all the world how great art Thou!
How glorious is thy Name!

2 In heaven, thy wondrous acts are sung,
Nor fully reckon'd there;

And yet thou mak'st the infant-tongue
Thy boundless praise declare.

3 What's man, O Lord, that thus Thou lov'st To keep him in thy mind?

Or what his offspring, that Thou prov'st
To them so wondrous kind?

4 O Thou, to whom all creatures bow
Within this earthly frame,

Through all the world how great are Thou!
How glorious is thy Name!

10 LORD, our Lord, in power divine,
How great is thy illustrious Name!
Through all the earth thy glories shine,
Plac'd high above the heavenly frame.
2 Down from his throne thy Son descends,
A little time our form to wear:

Beneath th' angelic hosts he bends,
Our suff'rings and our guilt to bear.
3 But, lo! thy power exalts him high,
In glorious dignity enthron'd!

He bears our nature to the sky,
O'er all thy works the Ruler crown'd.
4 Jesus, the Man, in glory sits,
Creation at his feet obeys:

To Him each living tribe submits,
Natives of earth, or air, or seas.
5 Jesus, our Lord, in power divine,
How great is thy illustrious Name!
Through all the earth thy glories shine,
Let the whole earth resound thy fame!

PSALM IX.

This Psalm was probably composed to celebrate the victories gained by David over the neighbouring nations, after God had exalted him to be King in Zion: but most certainly it was intended for the use of the Christian Church. The Kingdom of Christ is established, and affords to Believers refuge and salvation: for these blessings Christians are excited to praise their Redeemer.

1

FIRST PART. (vv. 1-5.) L. M.

Christ subduing his Enemies.

WITH my whole heart, Eternal Lord!
My lips shall celebrate thy praise;

The wonders of thy love record,
In all its varied acts of grace.

3 Supported by thy heavenly aid,
I laid me down, and slept secure;
Not death should make my heart afraid,
Though I should wake and rise no more.
4 But God sustain'd me all the night;
Salvation doth to God belong:

He rais'd my head to see the light,
And makes his praise my morning song.
Second Version.

C. M.

Doubts and Fears suppressed.

1 MY God, how many are my fears!
How fast my foes increase!

Conspiring my eternal death,
They break my present peace.

2 But Thou, my Glory and my Strength,
Shalt on the tempter tread;
Shalt silence all my threat'ning guilt,
And raise my drooping head.

3 I cried, and from his holy hill
He bow'd a listening ear:
I call'd my Father and my God,
And he subdued my fear.

4 He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes,
In spite of all my foes:

I woke, and wonder'd at the grace
Which guarded my repose.

5 What though the hosts of death and hell All arm'd against me stood,

Terrors no more shall shake my soul:
My Refuge is my God!

PSALM IV.

FIRST PART. (vv. 1—3.) L.M.

God our Portion, and Christ our Hope. 1 GOD of grace and righteousness, Hear and attend when we complain;

Thou hast enlarg'd us in distress,
Bow down a gracious ear again.

2 Ye sons of men, in vain ye try
To turn our glory into shame:
How long will scoffers love to lie,

And dare reproach the Saviour's Name!

S Know that the Lord divides his saints
From all the tribes of men beside:
He hears the cry of penitents,
For the dear sake of Him that died.

SECOND PART. (vv. 4-6.) S. M.
Sinners invited to Christ.

IYE sinners, stand in awe,

And from your sins depart;
Out of the evil world withdraw,
And commune with your heart.
2 In thinking of Christ's love
Be day and night employ'd:
Be still; nor in his presence move,
But wait upon your God.

3 Offer your prayer and praise,
Which he will not despise,

Through Jesus Christ our Righteousness,
Accepted sacrifice.

4 Offer your heart's desires;
But trust in Him alone,

Who gives whatever he requires,
And freely saves his own.

5 The world, with fruitless pain,
Seek happiness below;
What man, they ask, but all in vain,
The long-sought good will show !

6 The brightness of thy face
Give us, O Lord, to see;
Glory on earth begun in grace,
And happiness in Thee!

THIRD PART. (vv. 7, 8.)

L. M.

"So He giveth His beloved sleep!"

1 THY favour, gracious Lord, impart,
With sacred joy to cheer my heart:
Howe'er the corn and wine increase,
Earth ne'er can yield such heavenly peace.

2 With thy protection kindly blest,
I'll lay me down in peace to rest;
Safe in thy care, from danger free,
To wake on earth, or wake with Thee.