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8. There went a smoke out in his presence and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it.

9. He bowed the heavens also, and came down and it was dark under his feet.

10. He rode upon the cherubims, and did fly he came flying upon the wings of the wind.

11. He made darkness his secret place his pavilion round about him with dark water, and thick clouds to cover him.

12. At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed: hailstones, and coals of fire. (t)

13. The Lord also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder; hail-stones and coals of fire. (u)

14. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them (x): he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed

them.

15. The springs of waters (y) of waters (y) were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered at thy chiding, O Lord: at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure.

16. He shall send down from on (t) v. 12. For "his clouds removed "hail-stones and coals of fire," the passage in Samuel is, "were coals of fire "kindled."

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(u) v. 13. For "gave his thunder, hailstones, and coals of fire," the passage in the Bible translation and in Samuel is, "uttered his voice," which introduces a new idea: saying that the Highest "gave "his thunder," after stating that he "thundered out of heaven," is repetition. (x) v. 14. "Them," i. e. "the hosts of "the ungodly."

(y) v. 15. "The springs of waters," i. e. "the very bowels of the earth, down to "the lowest water springs." In Samuel the reading is, "the channels of the sea," which contrasts better with "the found"ations of the world," or earth: "the

high to fetch me and shall take me out of many waters. (≈)

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17. He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me for they are too mighty for me.

18. They prevented (a) me in the day of my trouble but the Lord was my upholder.

19. He brought me forth (b) also into a place of liberty: he brought me forth, even because he had a favour unto me.

20. The Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing according to the cleanness of my hands shall he recompense me;

21. Because I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doeth.

22. For I have an eye unto all his laws and will not cast out his commandments from me.

23. I was also uncorrupt before him and eschewed mine own wickedness.

24. Therefore shall the Lord reward me after my righteous dealing and according unto the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

"inner parts of earth and sea were both "exposed to view."

(z) v. 16. "Many waters," i. e. "the greatest troubles or danger." The same expression is used in the same sense, Ps. lxix. 15. cxxiv. 3, 4. cxliv. 7. (a) v. 18. " Prevented," i. e. "prised," came upon me unawares."

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(b) v. 19. "Brought me forth, &c." A common expression (probably) to denote deliverance. So Ps. xxxi. 9. "Thou hast "not shut me up into the hand of the

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25. With the holy thou shalt be | hand also shall hold me up, and holy and with a perfect man thy loving-correction shall make thou shalt be perfect. me great.

26. With the clean thou shalt be clean and with the froward thou shalt learn frowardness.

27. For thou shalt save the people that are in adversity and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud.

28. Thou also shalt light my candle (c) the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light.

29. For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men and with the help of my God I shall leap over the wall (d).

30. The way of God is an undefiled way the word (e) of the Lord also is tried in the fire; he is the defender of all them that put their trust in him.

31. For who is God, but the Lord or who hath any strength except our God?

32. It is God that girdeth me with strength of war: and maketh my way perfect.

33. He maketh my feet like hart's feet (g) and setteth me up on high.

34. He teacheth mine hands to fight and mine arms shall break even a bow of steel (h).

35. Thou hast given me the defence of thy salvation: thy right

(c) v. 28. "Light my candle," a figurative expression: "bring me from trouble "to ease, from sorrow to joy."

(d) v. 29. "Leap over the wall." A figurative expression, to signify a great achievement: "I shall do what without "thy aid would have been impracticable."

(e) v. 30. "The word, &c." ì. e. "his as"surances will certainly be accomplished, "will never fail." See Ps. xii. 7.

(g) v.33. "Like hart's feet," i. e. "for "swiftness."

36. Thou shalt make room (i) enough under me for to go: that my footsteps shall not slide.

mine

37. I will follow upon enemies, and overtake them: neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them.

38. I will smite them, that they shall not be able to stand: but fall under my feet.

39. Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle thou shalt throw down mine enemies under me.

40. Thou hast made mine enemies also to turn their backs (k) upon me and I shall destroy them that hate me.

41. They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them yea, even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them.

42. I will beat them as small as the dust before the wind: I will cast them out as the clay in the

streets.

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43. Thou shalt deliver me from the strivings of the people and thou shalt make me the head of the heathen.

44. A people whom I have not known shall serve me.

45. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me but (1) the

(h) v. 34. "A bow of steel," "such is the "strength he has given me."

(i) v. 36. "Room." See note on v. 19. (k) v. 40. "To turn their backs," i. e. "to fly."

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(2) v. 45. "But, &c." B. T. is “the strangers shall submit themselves unto "me," which seems to agree better with the original. There is nothing in the Hebrew answering to the word "but."

strange children shall dissemble with me.

50. For this cause will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles and sing praises

46. The strange children shall fail and be afraid out of their unto thy name. : (m) prisons.

47. The Lord liveth, and blessed be my strong helper and praised be the God of my salvation,

48. Even the God that seeth that I be avenged and subdueth the people unto me.

49. It is he that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries thou shalt rid me from the wicked man.

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(m) v. 46. "Prisons," or (B. T.) " close places," the places in which they had hid themselves.

(n) On the glory of the heavenly system, the excellency of God's law, the grounds they afford for believing in and praising God, with an acknowledgement of man's frailty, and a prayer against falling into sin. David is considered as the author. It is one of the proper Psalms for Christmas Day.

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(0) v. 1. "Declare, &c." The works of the creation are elsewhere referred to as proving the power, wisdom, and goodness, of God. In Acts xiv. 17. Barnabas and Paul told the people of Lystra, that though God" in times past suffered all nations to "walk in their own ways, nevertheless he "left not himself without witness, in that "he did good, and gave us rain from "heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our "hearts with food and gladness." Rom. i. 20. and in Ps. xxviii. 6. it is assigned as a ground for punishing the wicked, that they regard not in their "mind the works of the Lord, nor the "operation of his hands." See also Is. v. 12. Had David known, (what astronomy has since discovered,) the size, and other particulars of the sun, moon, and starry system, how would it have raised his admiration! The moon, the nearest to us of the heavenly bodies, is almost one third the size of the earth. The planets, (that is, those stars which are nearest the sun, and derive their principal light from him,) are Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Herschel, &c. Mercury and Mars are less than the Earth, and

51. Great prosperity giveth he unto his king and sheweth loving-kindness unto David his Anointed, and unto his seed for

evermore.

MORNING PRAYER.
Psalm xix. (n)

THE heavens declare (0) the
glory of God and the firmament
sheweth his handy-work.

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Venus about the same size, but Jupiter is a thousand times larger, Saturn a hundred times, and Herschel eighty. And if these are all inhabited by rational beings, (as is most probable,) how insignificant in the great scale of the creation is our earth, and how is our idea of the works of God extended! And yet our sun and all these planets are almost as nothing when we enlarge our view. Every star is probably another sun like ours, with its peculiar planets; and if so, ours is only one, and that a very small one, of many thousand worlds. The sun is million times larger than the earth, and ninety-five millions of miles from us, and the nearest of the stars (excluding the planets) is many millions of miles beyond him. A thousand stars are visible to the naked eye, with a good telescope three thousand may be seen, and as glasses are improved, more are continually discovered. Mr. Addison has noticed the commencement of this Psalm in the 6th volume of the

Spectator, page 272. "The Supreme

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Being has made the best arguments for "his own existence in the formation of the "heaven and the earth and Aristotle says, "that should a man live under ground, "and there be conversant with the works "of art and mechanism, and then be "brought up into the open day, and see "the several glories of the heaven and "earth, he would immediately pronounce "them the works of such a Being as we "define God to be. The Psalmist has

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3. There is neither speech (r) speech" nor language but their voices (s) are heard among them.

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4. Their sound (s) is gone out into all lands and their words (s) into the ends of the world.

5. In them (t) hath he set a tabernacle for the sun : which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.

6. It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about (u) unto the end of it again and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7. The law (a) of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the (y) soul the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.

8. The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart

the

end of v. 4. and then he adds,) "as such a "bold and sublime manner of thinking "furnishes very noble matter for an ode, "it is wrought into the following one;" and then he subjoins the well-known hymn,

"The spacious firmament on high, &c."

(p) v. 2. The literal rendering seems to be, "Day unto day uttereth speech, and "night unto night rendereth knowledge;" and the meaning is, there is no day or night which does not supply to that which follows it proofs of God's glory and handywork.

(9) "Telleth another," and "certifieth "another," i. e. "of God's glory:" "it is "illustrated by the constant succession of day and night."

(r) v. 3. "Neither speech, &c." i. e. (probably) "there is no country to which "they do not proclaim the power and "glory of God." "Language" is used for "nation or people. Dan. iii. 4."" To you it is commanded, O people, nations "and languages."

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(s) v. 3, 4. "Their voices," "their "sound," their words," i. e. the testimony

commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.

9. The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

10. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold sweeter (2) also than honey, and the honey-comb.

11. Moreover, by them is thy servant taught and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12. Who can tell how oft he offendeth : O cleanse thou me from from my secret faults!

13. Keep thy servant also from presumptous (a) sins, lest they get the dominion over me: so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.

mouth,

14. Let the words of my and the meditation of my heart: be alway acceptable in thy sight, 15. O Lord: my strength, and my redeemer.

they bear to God's wisdom, power and glory.

(t) v. 5. "Them," i. e. " the heavens." (u) v.6. "Runneth about," i.e. "passeth." (x) v. 7. "The law, &c." From the proofs of Almighty power, wisdom and goodness in the heavenly system, and the occasion thereby furnished to the world in general for magnifying the name of God, the Psalmist passes to the consideration of God's law, which supplies as strong proofs of the wisdom and goodness of God, and of his attention to the comforts and happiness of man; and therefore gave the Israelites in particular additional grounds for praising him.

(y) "Converting the soul," not confined to outward ceremonies or actions, but regulating the heart.

(z) v. 10. "Sweeter, &c." So Ps. cxix. 103. "O how sweet are thy words unto my throat, yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth!"

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(a) v. 13. See Exod. v. 2. Exod. xviii. 11. Exod. xxi. 14. Numb. xv. 30. Deuter. i. 42, 43. Deuter. xvii. 12, 13. Deuter. xviii. 22. See also 1. Magee, 344.

Psalm xx. (6)

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 Sion;

3. Remember all thy offerings: and accept thy burnt-sacrifice; 4. Grant thee thy heart's desire and fulfil all thy mind.

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THE (e) King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord: exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.

2. Thou hast given him his

denied him the request of his lips.

5. We will rejoice in thy salva-heart's desire and hast not tion, and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God: the Lord perform all thy petitions.

6. Now know I that the Lord helpeth his Anointed (c), and will hear him from his holy heaven: even with the wholesome strength of his right hand.

7. Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.

(b) This Psalm was probably occasioned by some successful expedition against a powerful enemy. The first five verses seem a prayer whilst the king was sacrificing before they set out, and the last four either a spirited assurance that God would give them success, or an exultation from perceiving that the offering was accepted, or a song of triumph after the victory. It is a very animated composition, and David is considered the author. Some writers consider it prophetical, looking forward to the sufferings and exaltations of the Messiah. So Jerome, "The prophet foresaw that "Christ would come for our redemption, " and pray for his enemies." Some think it an address of the people to Christ, as their God and King. It is used in the service for the King's Accession.

(c) v. 6. "Anointed," Hebr. "Messiah." (d) A prophetic hymn, looking forward to the success, and exaltation of the Messiah. Jarchi, one of the Jewish writers of the 13th century, says, "Our masters "understand it of King Messiah, but for "replying to the heretics, it is better "to understand it of King David ;" and Kimchi, his contemporary, another Jew, observes, "Some say David made this

3. For thou shalt prevent (g) him with the blessings of goodness and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

4. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life : even for ever (h) and ever.

5. His honour is great in thy salvation glory and great worship (i) shalt thou lay upon him.

6. For thou shalt give him ever

"Psalm for the Messiah ;" and this opinion he prefers. Chandl. Def. 257, 258. Bishop Patrick says, "It may be called a "Psalm of triumph, after the victories "David got over his enemies; which "were a type of Christ's victory over "death, and of the triumph that ensued ; "and truly there are some things in it "which are more literally fulfilled in Christ "than in David, as v. 4, 5, 6." It is difficult, indeed, to understand it of David, especially if David, as is generally supposed, was the author. His own successes might lead him to look prophetically to those of the Messiah. It is one of the Psalms for Ascension Day.

(e) v. 1." The King." An expression seldom if ever used in the Psalms, except to signify either God the Father or the Messiah.

(g) v. 3. "Prevent, &c." i. e. "antici"pate his wishes, give him beyond what "he can expect."

(h) v. 4. "For ever, &c." This is true of our Saviour," Christ being raised from "the dead, dieth no more: death hath no "more dominion over him. Rom. vi. 9."

(i) v. 5. "Glory and great worship, &c." This is also true with reference to our Saviour. According to Ephes. i. 20, 21.

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