3 Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters, Who maketh the clouds His chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment; The waters stood above the mountains. 7 At Thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of Thy thunder they hasted 8 They go up by the mountains; They go down by the valleys away. Unto the place which Thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth. (II. In the provision made for all creatures.) 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, Which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: The wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, Which sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the hills from His chambers: The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man: That He may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, And oil to make his face to shine, And bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; The cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: As for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; And the rocks for the conies. (III. In the revolution of the sun and moon.) 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: Wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, And lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labour until the evening. 24 O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: The earth is full of Thy riches. (IV. In the Sea.) 25 So is this great and wide sea, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, 26 There go the ships; there is that Leviathan, (V. The dependence of all on God.) 27 These all wait That Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That Thou givest them they gather : Thou openest Thy hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust; 30 Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: And Thou renewest the face of the earth. (VI. God's glory and power.) 31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: The Lord shall rejoice in His works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the hills, and they smoke. (VII. Praise: end of the wicked.) 33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. REFLECTIONS. 1. The works of creation ought to be contemplated by us with devout minds. They manifest the glory of the Creator. We look to the firmament above us; there are the clouds and winds; there are the ministers, seen and unseen, that do His pleasure. We look to the world in which we live; to the earth and to the ocean, and particularly to the tides and waves ruled and restrained by a fixed law. How great is the Maker and Upholder of this vast creation! How ought He to be admired, feared, and honoured! 2. Here is a subject for profitable meditation ;-the provision that is made for the support and comfort of the different classes of this world's inhabitants. The earth is watered by springs and rivers, and also from the clouds: it is thus made fruitful: beasts, great and small, birds, and man himself, are furnished with proper food. The birds sing among the trees; and even the hills and rocks afford a dwelling and a shelter to various creatures. All this clearly shows us the goodness and lovingkindness of God. 3, 4. If we meditate on the revolution of the heavenly bodies; on the regular succession of day and night; or if we direct our attention to the sea, traversed by ships, and inhabited by innumerable creatures, both great and small; we have additional evidence of God's adorable perfections. 5. All creatures depend upon God both for support and life. At the will of that Power which made them they flourish, and perish, and are revived. We should consider this in reference to ourselves, both as to the temporal and spiritual life; and wait upon God, that He may be merciful to us. 6, 7. We meditate on the works of God; we see in them the proofs of His glory and power. He is good and gracious to all His creatures; but He is also holy and righteous, and will banish the ungodly from His presence. Surely we ought to stand in awe of Him, and to sing His praise. Surely we ought to think on these things; to bless the Lord; and to call upon others to praise Him. PRAYER. Teach us, O Lord, to consider all Thy works with devout minds; and while we learn from them Thy power, goodness, and wisdom, may our piety be enlarged, strengthened, and enlivened. While we see Thee in Thy works, may we also see Thee in Thy word: and may we be partakers of Thy mercy and grace, that we may be glad in Thee, and praise Thee here and for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. DAY 21.] PSALM CV. MORNING PRAYER. Historical. Author, David. See 1 Chron. xvi. 8—22. (I. Exhortation to praise God for His works.) 1 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His Name: Make known His deeds among the people. 2 Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him; Talk ye of all His wondrous works. 3 Glory ye in His holy Name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 4 Seek the Lord, and His strength: Seek His face evermore. 5 Remember His marvellous works that He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; |