For God is in the generation of the righteous. 6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, Because the Lord is his refuge. (III. Prayer.) 7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. REFLECTIONS. 1. Practical atheism, depravity of mind and heart, wicked works, lack of understanding, cruelty, and neglect of devotion, are the dark features in the picture which is here set before us of our fallen nature. The evil is universal; all are wanderers; all are filthy. How has sin defaced the image in which man was created! How ought we to humble ourselves before God as guilty and depraved creatures, and thankfully receive the salvation which the Gospel offers! Rom. iii. 10, &c. 2. "Marvel not if the world hate you." But why should we be troubled or dismayed at the enmity of the wicked! They often feel terror now: and what will they feel when they stand before God in judgment? But God is always with His people; and although He may suffer them to be persecuted and derided here on account of their piety, it shall be seen at last that they choose the good part. 3. How earnestly did the Jews at Babylon desire restoration to their own land! The captivity was pain D ful; and great was their gladness when they returned to Zion. O, how great will be the joy of the whole Church, when the slavery and sufferings of time will be forgotten in the liberty and bliss of eternity! For this salvation we pray, when we say, "Thy kingdom come." PRAYER. Convince us, O Lord, of our sinfulness and guilt; and may we so believe in Christ as to be freely justified by Thy grace through the redemption that is in Him. Preserve us in an evil world from all our enemies; and by patient continuance in well doing, may we seek for glory and honour and immortality, and finally obtain eternal life, through the merits of our blessed and only Redeemer. Amen. DAY 3.] PSALM XV. MORNING PRAYER. Instructive, as Psalm i. David, the ark having been removed to Zion, describes the duties of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. We here see the Citizen of Zion, the practical Christian. 1 Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, And worketh righteousness, And speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his neighbour, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; But he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to His own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. REFLECTIONS. We have here an important question. Who is the true worshipper of God below, and who shall be received into the mansions of glory and bliss above? We have an explicit answer. It is true, that we must examine our views, principles, and affections; for the tree must be made good before its fruit can be good. And then it is true, that we judge of the tree by its fruits. If we love God, we shall walk uprightly and produce the fruit of good works, according to the requirements of His holy word. If we love our neighbour, we shall do no evil to him; use no deceit towards him; utter no reproach against him; use no extortion with him; and never betray the cause of the guiltless. We shall fulfil our engagements, even at our own loss. We shall make a marked distinction between the vile and those that fear God. In such things we see what practical piety is; and if we thus prove and adorn our pious principles by corresponding practice, we shall never be moved. PRAYER. Grant us grace, O Lord, to prove and examine our hearts and lives. Grant us, through the operation of Thy Holy Spirit, that true and living faith which will lead us to do Thy will in all things: and may we, as doers of the work, be blessed in our deed. While we believe in Christ as the way and the truth and the life, may we follow His example and keep His commandments, and finally through Him obtain everlasting happiness. Amen. PSALM XVI. Prophetical. The author, David: whatever was the occasion of this Psalm, our blessed Lord, Acts ii. 25-31., is the chief subject of it. (I. Prayer: personal merit disclaimed.) 1 Preserve me, O God: For in Thee do I put my trust. 2 O my soul, Thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my My goodness extendeth not to Thee; 3 But to the saints that are in the earth, And to the excellent in whom is all my delight. (II. Protestation against idolaters.) 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god : Their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, (III. Gratitude and Confidence.) 5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: My reins also instruct me in the night seasons. (IV. Hope in the resurrection.) 8 I have set the Lord always before me: Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, Neither wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life; In Thy presence is fulness of joy; At Thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more. REFLECTIONS. 1. A good man trusts in God, and prays for preservation. "Thou art my Lord"-is the language of his soul: but he has the humblest view of those good works which he does, which claim nothing from God, but are for the benefit of the saints and excellent on earth, in whom the good man delights, and whose happiness and welfare he endeavours to promote. 2. A good man resolves to keep far from the wicked and their abominations, who, adhering to many vanities, prepare for themselves the keenest sorrows. 3. A good man knows his privileges, and is thankful for them. He looks to God as his portion, defender, |