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 FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D. 
 
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 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 

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A N 
 
 ESSAY 
 
 O N 
 
 PSALMODY. 
 
 <£ine tfjaxiltsf unto t&eloro, call upon 
 f)i0 name, mafee fenoftm Us Deeugf 
 among tfce people: ft'ng; unto fum* 
 
 %3!iB® J3%a*L.a0%> unto mm. 
 
 i Chron. xvi. 8, 9. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED IN THE YEAR MDCCLXXV- 
 
[ iii ] 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 I 
 
 N the fervice of the church of Eng- 
 land there is great ufe made of the ' 
 pfalms. They are read in every day's 
 iervice, both at morning and evening 
 prayer, and are conftantly fung in public 
 worfhip. It is much to be wifhed they 
 were better underftood, that the daily 
 reading and finging of them might be the 
 means of grace. Very few, it is to be 
 feared, receive the profit from them, 
 which as an ordinance of God they were 
 intended to adminifter. I have long feen 
 the defign of them greatly miftaken, and 
 have long lamented the contempt put 
 upon them. At lad I have been per- 
 fuaded to try to make the fubjed: of thefe 
 divine hymns plain and clear, and to re- 
 ftor-e the finging of them in the congre- 
 gation to their primitive ufefulnef . This 
 is my prefent attempt. Succefs in it de- 
 pends on help from God. He revealed 
 the book of pfalms, and he alone can 
 A 2 make 
 
[ iv ] 
 
 make the fmging of them profitable. I 
 hope he will. May he accompany my 
 well-meant performance with his prefence, 
 and profper it with his grace. If it 
 bring any honor to his holy name and 
 word, thanks be to him. If any body 
 reads it, and is ftirred up to fing more 
 and better, if our public finging of 
 pfalms be reformed, and become in the 
 leaft like the great concert of faints and 
 angels, this will be altogether his doing ; 
 may he have all his praife. I deferve 
 none, being only in his church and fer- 
 vice what he is pleafed to make me. 
 Through his grace I wifh to live to his 
 glory, and to be ufeful in my day to his 
 caufe and intereft. Help me, reader, to 
 exalt him in life and death. May it be 
 thy happinefs to do the fame : for which 
 thou haft the hearty prayer of thy fervant 
 in him. 
 
 W. R. 
 
 A N 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 A N 
 
 ESSAY 
 
 O N 
 
 PSALMODY. 
 
 WE are the creatures of God, depen- 
 dent on him for being and for well 
 being. He gives us all our faculties both 
 of mind and body, and he requires us to 
 ufe them in his iervice and to his glory. 
 This is our bounden duty. It is the pecu- 
 liar dignity of man, who never a£ts more 
 nobly, than when he employs the powers 
 beftowed upon him to the praife of the 
 giver. None of them fhould be ufelefs, 
 but each fhould be exerted, whenever an 
 opportunity offers of glorifying God. 
 
 A 3 In 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 In the common aftions of life this 
 may, and fhould be done : The rule is, 
 €4 Whether ye eat or drink,or whatsoever 
 cc ye do, do all to the glory of God," but 
 it is far more needful in Spiritual matters, 
 which have an immediate relation to God 
 and his worfhip. Thefe he has appointed 
 to be the means of fhewing forth his praife. 
 Among them finging of pfalms is not the 
 leaft. It is frequently commanded, and 
 with a promife — faithful is he who hath 
 promifed — he will render the means ef- 
 fectual to anfwer the end. When believers 
 employ the faculties of foul and body in 
 finging of his goodnefs and greatnefs, he 
 does accept the fervice, and tefbifies his 
 acceptance. He does indeed communicate 
 to them by his Spirit joy and peace, and 
 he renders finging to the Lord with melo- 
 dy in the heart the means of increafmg the 
 melody and joy. 
 
 But where is fuch finging? in what 
 church ? among what people ? There are 
 fome. May their number increafe. It is 
 worth while to try to increafe them, es- 
 pecially as this ordinance is fe much neg- 
 lected. The holy affe&ions, which fhould 
 be ftirred up by fo heavenly an exercife, 
 are generally damped by it. When it is 
 performed with coldnefs and indifference, 
 how can it produce fenfations fuitable to 
 
 fuch 
 
[ 7 ] 
 
 fuch exalted means of grace ? Or whert 
 contempt is put upon it, how can it convey 
 any of the promiied bleflings ? 
 
 Many things have contributed to the 
 prefent negle£t and abufe of this ordinance, 
 and I have been led to the following re- 
 flections in order to try to bring it ag-iin 
 into repute. Happy indeed fhall I think 
 myfeif, if the Lord fhould be pleafed lo 
 make ufe of them, as any way conducive 
 to the finging of his praifes with the un- 
 derftanding. I fhall pray and labor for it: 
 May he give his abundant bleffing. 
 
 One of the nrft and sreateit caufes of 
 neglecting the finging of pf 1ms feems to 
 have arifen from not attending to 
 
 CHAR I. 
 
 The fubjeff of the book of Pfalms. 
 
 ^THE teftimony of Jefus is the fpirit 
 ** of prophecy : For to him give all the 
 prophets witnefs. With one voice they 
 fpeak of his wonderful perfon, of his di- 
 vine undertakings, and of his complete 
 and eternal falvation. It is the fpirit of 
 their writings to reveal and to teach the 
 good knowlege of the Lord. Whoevefr 
 underilands them perfectly will find the 
 A 4 prophets 
 
[ 8 ] 
 
 prophets treating of the coming of Inv 
 manuel in the flefh as clearly as the evan- 
 gelifts. When this molt blelled event 
 was to be accomplilhed in the fulnefs of 
 time, a, new teftament witnefs, filled 
 with the holy Ghoft, prophecied, faying, 
 " Bleffed be the Lord God of Ifrael, for 
 44 he hath according to his promife vifited 
 4C and redeemed his people, and hath 
 " raifed up an horn of falvation for us in 
 " the houle of his fervant David, as he 
 46 fpake by the mouth of his holy pro- 
 44 phets, which have been fince the world - 
 44 began." The Lord never left himfelf 
 without witnefs. Ever fince the world 
 began he had prophets, who foretold 
 what Chrift was to be and to do, who 
 teftified beforehand of the fuffei ings of 
 Chrift, and the glory that fhould follow. 
 This is the fubjedt of the book of 
 pfalms. It treats of Chrift, and contains 
 the praifes of the Father's love, and of 
 the Spirit's grace, as they were manifefted 
 in the perfon and work of Jefus Chrift. 
 The falvation of finners through him is 
 the greateft difplay of the covenant mer- 
 cies of the eternal Three •, therefore the 
 pfalms celebrate his wonderful perfon, 
 and his divine undertakings — they de- 
 fcribe his obedience and fufferings — his 
 conflicfts with, and victories over all his 
 
 enemies 
 
[ 9 3 
 
 enemies — his refurre&ion and afcenlion— 
 his fitting upon the throne, the great 
 King of all worlds, vifible and invifible — 
 his gathering together and perfe&ing the 
 number of his ele<5t — his coming at the 
 laft day to judge men and angels — and 
 the glory which he will bellow upon his 
 redeemed, when they fhall be with him and 
 like him, kings and pridts unto God and his 
 Father, and fhall reign with him for ever. 
 What fubject can be more noble in 
 itfelf than this ? Here are the greateft 
 tranfactions of the greateft perfonages* 
 that poffibly can be — the ever bleffed 
 Trinity purpofine and covenanting- to 
 bring many Ions unto glory — difplaying 
 their wifdom, and love, and power in an 
 infinite degree, through the incarnation, 
 obedience, and fufferings of the God- 
 man, Jehovah Jefus, and through the 
 effectual grace of the holy Spirit, calling 
 and bringing the elect to experience the 
 Father's love to them by faith in the Son's 
 perfect falvation, and then guiding them 
 fate by his council and might unto the 
 glory provided for them. This wonder- 
 ful theme is treated of in the book of 
 pfalms in a manner fuitable to its dignity 
 — it is not only fpoken of, but alfo cele- 
 brated — not merely defcribed > but alio 
 praifed. The .language therefore is 
 A 5 exalted* 
 
[ io ] 
 
 exalted. The fentiments are fublime. 
 The poetry is divine. And no wonder : 
 the author is equal to the fubje6t. He 
 is capable of extolling the mercies of that 
 covenant, which reach from eternity to 
 eternity, and of extolling them according 
 to their true greatnefs. The pfalms are 
 the compoiition of the all-wife Spirit : for 
 the holy Ghoft fpake by the mouth of 
 David, and of the other infpired penmen. 
 He guided both their hearts and their 
 hands. The fentiments and the words 
 are his : for the prophecy came not in 
 old time by the will of man, but holy 
 men of God fpake^ as they were moved 
 by the Holy Ghoft — they fpake as he 
 moved them — they indited the pfalms 
 under his infpiration. The praifes therein 
 given of the perfon and work of the ever 
 bleffed Immanuel are not human, but 
 truly divine. What may not be expefted 
 from fuch an author ? Who is by eflen- 
 tial union one in the Godhead with the 
 Father and the Son, and who is by his 
 office to teftify of Jefus and to glorify 
 Jefus. If the pfalms be read under his 
 influence, they will be found equal to the 
 fubjeft, in every view fuited to exalt the 
 incarnate God, and if they be fung with 
 grace in the heart, they will increafe the 
 faith and hope of every devout worflfipper. 
 
 There 
 
I « ] 
 
 There are feveral Pfalms which are ap- 
 plicable to none but Jefus Chrift, and 
 many exprefiions which could not be truly 
 fpoken by any one, but by him who was 
 God and man in one Chrift. Many will 
 receive new luftre and emphafis, when 
 viewed in the fame light. The proper 
 pfalms, which are appointed to be read 
 on the feftivals, do certainly treat of the 
 birth, death, refurreftion, and afcenfion 
 of the Lord Chrift, and of the coming of 
 the holy Spirit on the day of pentecoft, 
 in confequence of (Thrift's afcenfion : for, 
 fays he, " If I go not away the comforter 
 " will not come unto you; but if I go 
 " away, I will lend him unto you.** Our 
 reformers certainly ufiderftood thofe pro- 
 per pfalms to be defcriptive of Chrilt, and 
 took them in the f« e our Lord and 
 
 his apoftles did . who haye que ted the 
 book of pfalms eighty-two times, Their 
 manner of ftrates, that 
 
 they took it r it was written 
 
 concerning Chri ] ,ny paffages 
 
 cannot be a] pi to him : 
 
 for inftance — he appeals to God to be 
 tried according to his in ,:ice — to be 
 rewarded accor his righteoufnefs— 
 
 he defires to be judged according to the 
 cleannefs of his heart and hands — could 
 any one of us fay, " Search me to the 
 
 i c bottom, 
 
[ I* ] 
 
 " bottom, O God, and know my heart *, 
 " try me and know my thoughts, and fee 
 " if there be any way of wickednefs in 
 * me." All have finned. All we like 
 fheep have gone aftray, and if we were to 
 be tried according to the holy law by a 
 heart-fearching God, every mouth would 
 be flopped, and all the world would be- 
 come guilty before him. O what would 
 become of the beft of us, if God was to 
 judge us as we are. The cxixth Pfalm is 
 a defcription of the love of Chriit to the 
 law, his ftudy in it, and his perfeft ob- 
 fervance of it. O what love have I unto 
 thy law — with my whole heart have I fought 
 thee — I have not departed from thy judg- 
 ments — " 1 have fworn" (with the oath of 
 the covenant) " and I will perform it, that 
 " I will keep thy righteous judgments. " 
 Are not thefe the peculiar descriptions of 
 the work of the God-man, in which he 
 was alone, and of the people there was 
 none with him — any more than there was 
 in the offering for fin, when he trod the 
 wine-prefs alone, and of the people there 
 was none with him, of which the xlth 
 pfalm treats — any more than there was in 
 bringing in everla-ing righteoufnefs, for 
 which the church praifes him in feveral 
 pfalms, particularly in Ixxi, and will tri- 
 umph in his righteoufnefs, and in his only 
 
 for 
 
E 13 ] 
 
 for evermore. The glc^y is his. No 
 offering, no righteoufnefs, but his, can 
 fave : the praifes therefore of the great 
 falvation of onr God, which run through 
 the book of pfalms, are the peculiar pre- 
 rogatives of the king of faints. They are 
 his crown and diadem. The honors are 
 folely his, and he will wear them with 
 unrivalled fame. His name is King of 
 Kings and Lord of Lords, and the armies 
 of heaven follow him with one mind and 
 oae heart, afcribing unto him honor and 
 glory and blefling and praife for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 But although the work was altogether 
 his from firft to laft, none being capable 
 of any part, but he who is God as well 
 as man, yet eternal blefiings on him, he 
 did it for us and for our falvation. His 
 people have an intereft in what he is — - 
 God in our nature — they have their fhare 
 in what he did and fuffered for them, and 
 they have an unfpeakable benefit in what 
 he is now doing for them in the prefence 
 of the Father. By believing they have 
 pardon and peace through his offering on 
 the tree. By believing they put on the 
 Lord Jefus Chrift, and find acceptance 
 in his righteoufnefs. By believing they 
 commit their perfons and concerns into his 
 hands, and he ever liveth their prevailing 
 
 interceffcr 
 
t H ] 
 
 interceffor to obtain for them every needful 
 bleffing. Thus they learn to truft him, 
 and in trufting to experience his faithful- 
 nefs. He gives them caufe to love him, 
 and to rejoice in him. For having received 
 a new birth and life in him they can fing 
 the pfalms of his nativity, and join angels 
 and men in afcribing glory in the higheft 
 to the incarnate God. They read of his 
 dying love in feveral pfalms, and they 
 worfhip him for bearing their fins and 
 ftiame and curfe in his body and foul upon 
 the crofs : the lamb that was flain and 
 redeemed them to God by his blood is 
 the conftant theme of their grateful fongs. 
 When they read or fing the pfalms of his 
 refurre&ion, they . look upon him as the 
 firft fruits of the dead, the earned of the 
 whole harveft, and with grateful hearts 
 they blefs him for making, and for keep- 
 ing them alive to God. They fliare in all 
 his victories and triumphs, being his happy 
 fubjects : for he has a kingdom, which is 
 celebrated in many of the pfalms, Thefe 
 treat of his almighty power to rule all be- 
 ings and things, and of the fweet fceptre 
 of his love, by which he governs his willing 
 people. He manifefts to them the great- 
 nefs and majefty of his kingdom, fo that 
 under his royal protection they find deliver- 
 ance from the temptations to fi#, and from 
 
 the 
 
[ '5 ] 
 
 the miferies of fin, and through his fpecial 
 love he gives them here in the kingdom 
 of his grace a happinefs, which all the 
 kingdoms of the world, and the glory of 
 them, cannot poflibly give. They live 
 happy indeed : for he makes them fing of 
 the good of his chofen \ they do rejoice 
 in the gladnefs of his nation, and they 
 glory in his inheritance. Thefe are high 
 privileges ; but they are only the earnefts 
 of that kingdom, which endureth for ever. 
 O what glorious things are ipoken of thee, 
 thou city of God, in which the great king 
 delighteth to dwell, and to manifeft his 
 glory. Wonderful things are written of 
 this everlafting kingdom in the book of 
 pfalms, with which his happy fubjefts mix 
 faith, and can then fing them with a hope 
 full of glory and immortality. The pfalms 
 throughout fo defcribe the king of faints, 
 that they who partake of his grace may 
 find in them continual exercife of their 
 faith, and continual improvement of it : 
 for they have an intereft in all he was, 
 and in all he is. Was his truft in God 
 unfhaken ? They hope he will make theirs 
 ftedfaft. Was his walk holy, harmlefs, 
 and undefiled ? They depend on him for 
 ftrength to tread in his fteps. Were his 
 tempers perfectly holy ? They admire his 
 example, and through his Spirit they daily 
 
 put 
 
[ 16 ] 
 
 put off the old man, and put on the new. 
 Was he carried through the greateft fuffer- 
 ings with entire refignation ? They look 
 up under all their trials for his promifed 
 fupport. Has he all his enemies under 
 his feet ? They are waiting in joyful hope 
 for the fruit of his conqueft. Is he now 
 in our nature in the higheit glory ? It is 
 promifed them, their eyes fhall fee the 
 king in his beauty. O blelfed profpeft ! 
 they fhall foon be with him, and like him 
 too, when they fhall fee him as he is. 
 The pfalms are fo written of Chrift> that 
 every believer may find comfort in what 
 he reads or fmgs. Chrift being the head 
 of the body the church, all the members 
 do (hare with their head in what he is and 
 has, in his incarnation, life and death, re- 
 furre&ion and interceflion, yea they fhall 
 live and reign with him for ever and ever. 
 That my meaning may be better under- 
 stood, I will give an inftance in the firft 
 pfaim. Let us confider, how it is to be 
 underftood of Chrift, and in what manner 
 it is ufeful to thofe, who through faith are 
 one with Chrift. 
 
 As it treats of Chrift* it is a proper pre- 
 face to the whole book. It gives an ac- 
 count of the fubjedt, and is an abridgment 
 of it, containing in fubftance what is largely 
 handled in the other parts. For Chrift ia 
 
 here 
 
[ i7 J 
 
 here defcribed under the chara&er of that 
 perfect perfon, who was to retrieve for his 
 people all the lofles of the fail. He was 
 in their nature, and yet he was by nature 
 and practice, in heart and life, feparate 
 from finners •, negatively he had not the 
 lead communion with them, being with- 
 out one fpot of fin, pofitively he was per- 
 fectly holy. He fulfilled all the righteouf- 
 nels of the law in its higheft requirements, 
 both in obedience to its precepts, and alio 
 in fuffering its penalties. Thus he be- 
 came to his people the tree of life, having 
 life in himfelf, as God felf-exiftent, and 
 having life communicatively, as God-man, 
 to beftow upon every branch in him. — 1_ 
 am the vine, fays he, ye are the branches, 
 by him they are quickened, in him they 
 live, through him they become fruitful, 
 and by his influence they profper and 
 bring forth much fruit to the glory of 
 God. Herein they are direftly contrary 
 to the wicked, who are never quickened 
 by him, but left to perifh in their fins. 
 
 PSALM I. 
 
 i. Successful are the fteps of that per- 
 fon, who never walks in the council of 
 tranfgreflbrs, and in the way of finners ne- 
 ver ftands, and in the feat of mockers 
 never fits, 
 
 2. But 
 
[ i8 ] 
 
 2. But in the law of Jehovah is his 
 delight, and in his law will he meditate 
 day and night. 
 
 3. For then he fhall be like a tree that 
 was planted by the ftreams of waters, 
 which will yield its fruits in their feafon* 
 and its top-flioot fhall never fade, but 
 whatfoever he fhall take in hand he fhall 
 be able to make it profperous. 
 
 4. It fhall not be fo with tranfgreflbrs, 
 but they fhall be like the chaff which the 
 wind blows away. 
 
 5. Becaufe the tranfgreflbrs fhall not 
 be fet up in judgment, nor finners in the 
 congregation of the righteous. 
 
 6. For Jehovah acknowledged! the way 
 of the righteous, but the way of finners 
 fhall be deftroyed. 
 
 This pfalm is a general defcription of 
 the fuccefs of Jefus in his work, fhewing 
 what fteps he was to take for the falva- 
 tion of his people : He was to be a man 
 like us in all things, excepting fin ; from 
 which he was perfectly free : No thought 
 of it ever entered his mind, not one mo- 
 ment did he decline from the way of 
 duty, but always a£ted under the influ- 
 ence of divine love, in his life, and by 
 his example reproving thofe who made a 
 mock at fin. He was holy, hannlefs and 
 
 undefined 
 
C 19 1 
 
 undefiled in his nature, and fcparate from 
 finners in his practice : For 
 
 He was perfe6tly acquainted with the 
 divine law : It was his continual ftudy, 
 and to obey it was his continual delight — 
 It was his meat and drink — " Lo I come, 
 " fays he, to do thy will, O God :" He 
 rejoiced to fulfil its precepts by his life, 
 and he was a willing facrifice to fuffer its 
 penalties in his death. In both he mag- 
 nified the law, and made it infinitely ho- 
 nourable. And 
 
 Thus it became him to bring many 
 fons unto glory. Whatfoever he under- 
 took for them had perfect fuccefs. He 
 was the tree of life watered with abun- 
 dant ftreams of grace, the Spirit being 
 given not by meafure unto him ; a tree 
 iubjedt to no change, but always grow- 
 ing and flourifhing, always bearing forth 
 fruit, and making every branch in it a 
 partaker of the heavenly influences of the 
 ftock upon which it grows. 
 
 But, the tranfgrefibrs, who are not 
 grafted into him by faith, have no fpi- 
 ritual life, nor fruit — they are lighter 
 than vanity itfelf: And they fhall be 
 driven from the judgment feat of God, 
 as eafily as any light chaff is driven 
 about by a ftrong wind, and they fhall be 
 juftly banifhed for evermore from the 
 
 general 
 
[ 20 ] 
 
 general aflfembly and church of the firft 
 born : 
 
 For Jehovah always approved of the 
 way of the righteous, whom he chofe 
 and called, and juftified freely by his 
 grace through the redemption which is in 
 Chrift Jefus, but the way of tranfgref- 
 fors he difapproves, and they fhall foon 
 utterly perifh. 
 
 In this fenfe the Pialm is true of Chrift, 
 but believers have their (hare in the blef- 
 fings of which it treats : For in his fuc- 
 ceis they partake. They have fellow- 
 fhip with him in every ftep which he 
 took to work out their falvation. When 
 they have redemption through faith in 
 his blood, and free acceptance through 
 faith in his righteoufnefs, then they 
 walk humbly with him, and he puts 
 his fear within them. He teaches them 
 to depart from evil, they do not walk in 
 the council of the ungodly, nor ftand in 
 the way of finners, nor fit in the feat of 
 the fcornful : 
 
 But he puts his law in their inward 
 parts and writes it in their hearts : In 
 their renewed mind they are brought to 
 delight in it \ they make it their conti- 
 nual ftudy, and through grace to walk in 
 it is their continual praftice. Yea, they 
 live by the faith of the Son of God, as 
 
 branches 
 
[ 21 ] 
 
 branches in the tree of life : Becaufe he 
 lives they fhall live alfo ; drawing from 
 their life-giving root every thing needful 
 to mortify fin in them, and to enable 
 them to bring forth fruit unto God : 
 
 Thus he leparates them from tranf- 
 greffors, who live and die in their fins, 
 thefe are like chaff, which the wind 
 driveth away. 
 
 Becaufe they fhall not ftand in the 
 judgment of God, nor come into the 
 church of Chrift. 
 
 For the Lord with his loving kindnefs 
 regarded the way of the righteous, but 
 the way of tranfgrefTors fhall perifh. 
 
 Thus believers look upon the pfalms* 
 They confider them as treating of the 
 glorious perfon and work of the God- 
 man, and confidering themfelves in him, 
 as members under him their head, quick- 
 ened by his Spirit and receiving all the 
 blefilngs of fpiritual life out of his fulnefs, 
 they can underftand and fing the praifes 
 of Immanuel, with melody in their 
 hearts : For they can apply to themfelves 
 the benefits of his atonement and right- 
 eoufnefs, of his intercefiion and glory, 
 and this renders the pfalms precious, and 
 finging them an high ordinance. Their 
 God does meet them and blefs them in 
 finging pfalms. While they exprefs their 
 
 love 
 
[ * ] 
 
 love to him, he communicates his love 
 to them, and they have fellowfhip with 
 the Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrift 
 by the Spirit. 
 
 But this will be more evident from con- 
 fidering fome particulars relating to the 
 fubjed ; fuch as 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 The fcripture names of the Pfalms. 
 
 ^TPHERE are three Hebrew names of- 
 A ten ufed in the titles of the pfalms, 
 which the Septuagint have tranflated 
 pfalms, hymns, and fongs. The word 
 rendered by them hymns is Tbebilim, which 
 is the running title to this book, expref- 
 five of the general defign, and is an 
 abridgment of the whole matter. It 
 comes from a Hebrew word that fignifies 
 the brifk motion of light, fhining and 
 putting its fplendor upon any object, and 
 this makes it bright and iliuftrious. 
 Hence comes the propriety of the word, 
 as it is ufed to praife^ which is to fet an 
 objeft in the light; that the rays fhin- 
 ing upon it may render it fplendid and 
 beautiful, and thereby glorious and praife- 
 worthy. Such are the Pfalms. They 
 
 arc 
 
[ *3 ] 
 
 are rays of light — Enlighteners^ (if I might 
 ufe fuch a word, and it is the literal 
 knk of the Hebrew) hymns intended to 
 manifeft the glory of the perfon, and to 
 Ihew forth the praifes of the work of God 
 Jefus : For light in its various ufes in 
 nature is the appointed emblem of the 
 Lord (Thrift. He is diftinguifhed by this 
 name throughout the old teftament; and 
 he applied all the paffages to himfelf in 
 the new, when be declared — I am the 
 light of the world — " I am not only the 
 44 creator of light in the material world, 
 44 but alio in the fpiritual world — dark- 
 44 nefs ^overs the earth and grofs dark- 
 44 nefs the people, until 1 the light of life 
 44 arife upon their fouls : And when I 
 44 come with healing in my rays, in that 
 44 day fhall the deaf hear my words, and 
 44 the eyes of the blind fhall fee out of 
 44 obfeurity and out of darknefs." 
 
 Jefus gives eyes to fee with and light 
 to fee by : He opens the eyes of the un- 
 derftanding and makes fpiritual objedls 
 vifible : fo that, whoever is enlightened 
 with faving knowlege, has it all from 
 him, and it fhould all lead to him. He 
 is the bright day ftar which fhines 
 throughout the volume of revelation ; 
 but in no part with clearer rays than in 
 the book of pfalms. Here he is exalted 
 
 in 
 
r 2 4 ]. 
 
 in his meridian glory : For the whole 
 fcripture does not give greater light into 
 what he was to be, and to do, and to fuf- 
 fer, his life, his temper, his employ- 
 ment from his tender age until his cruci- 
 fixion, than is to be found in thole di- 
 vine hymns : Nor are there any more 
 full descriptions of his paffion, death, re- 
 furreftion, afcenfion, and his kingdom 
 which ruleth over all. In the pfalms he 
 himfelf read and meditated day and night, 
 while he was growing in wifdom and fta- 
 ture. And in them will every true be- 
 liever meditate, that he may have more 
 of the light of the knowlege of the glory 
 of God, as it fhines in the perfon of Jefus 
 Chrift. As the eyes of his underftanding 
 are more enlightened with this faving 
 truth he will more happily enjoy in 
 his heart the benefits of the humiliation, 
 and exaltation of the incarnate Jehovah. 
 May this, reader, be thy happy cafe : 
 may every pfalm be as the fhining light, 
 leading thee to a growing knowlege of 
 Jefus, and fhining on clearer ftill unto 
 the perfed day. 
 
 Zemer is another .Hebrew word which 
 the Septuagint tranflates pfalms \ as a 
 verb it fignifies to cut and prune trees, as 
 a noun it is a branch cut off and pruned, 
 and by way of eminence the branch, the 
 
 man 
 
[ 25 J 
 
 man whofe name is the branch, who 
 was known and diftinguiftied by this title 
 in the fcripture. He was the eternal 
 God, and he was in the fulnefs of time 
 to be made flefh, and to be cut off, but 
 not for himfelf. This was the great 
 tranfaftion in the everlafting covenant — 
 u Thus faith the Lord of hods, Zech. 
 " iii. 7, 8, Behold I will bring forth my 
 " fervant the branch/' the promifed 
 branch, which was to fpring from the 
 root of Jefle ; and again, Zech. vi. I2> 
 13. " Thus fpeaketh the Lord of hofts, 
 " Behold the man whole name is the 
 " branch, and he fhall grow up out of 
 " his place and he fhall build the tem- 
 " pie of the Lord, (in which the God-- 
 M head fhall refide) even he lliall build 
 " the temple of the Lord, and he fhall 
 " bear the glory, and fhall fit and fhall 
 " rule upon his throne^ and he fhall be 
 " a prieft upon his throne, and the coun- 
 " fel of peace fliall be between them 
 " both," between Jehovah and the 
 branch : For the brapch having grown 
 up in his place was in the temple of 
 his body to ratify the counfel of peace : 
 He was to eftablifn it in his life, and to 
 fulfil it in his death, and having by dying 
 conquered death, and him that had the 
 power of death, he was to rebuild the 
 B temple 
 
C 26 ] 
 
 temple of the Lord., as he faid unto the 
 Jews — " Deftroy this temple, and in 
 " three days I will build it up." Which 
 he fulfilled by building up the temple of 
 his body natural, and thereby he de- 
 monftrated that he will in due time per- 
 fectly complete the temple of his body 
 myftical, which is his church : For he 
 is a head to all his members. He. 
 quickens them by his grace, and actu- 
 ates them by his influence. By union 
 with him they live, by communion with 
 him they grow. His Spirit breathes through 
 the church, which is his body, and en- 
 ables the members to grow up into him in 
 all things, who is the head, even Chrift ; 
 whereby he teaches them, and it is a great 
 part of their growth, how to acknowlege 
 their obligations with increafing humi- 
 lity to their glorified head. He renders 
 the falvation of Jefus finifhed upon the 
 crofs the fweet iubjedt of their fpiri- 
 tual fong. His dying love they would 
 keep ever in mind -, they would have it 
 always warm upon their hearts, and always 
 upon their tongues. His paifion on the 
 tree is their never ceafing theme : God 
 forbid, fay they, that we ftiould glory, ex- 
 cept in the crofs of our Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 In this they glory, and in this alone, with 
 their voices, and with every mufical in- 
 
 ftrument, 
 
C 2 7 ] 
 
 ftrument, but chiefly with the melody of 
 their hearts, they endeavor to praife him, 
 who was flam and hath redeemed them 
 unto God by his blood. It becometh them 
 well in the houfe of their pilgrimage thus 
 to fing the triumphs of the worthy iamb : 
 For it is to be in their Father's houfe the 
 moft bleffed fubjett of their endlefs long. 
 The ten thoufand times ten thoufand, and 
 thouiands of thoufands of angels, and the 
 great multitude which no man could num- 
 ber of all nations and kindreds, and peo- 
 ple and tongues, harping with their golden 
 harps in full concert join in praifing the 
 crucified Immanuel. — " Worthy is the 
 u lamb that was flain to receive power 
 " and riches, and wifdom and ftrength, 
 " and honor and glory, and blefling. 
 " Amen. Hallelujah." 
 
 There is another Hebrew word SHeR^ 
 which the Septuagint conftantly render 
 a fongi frequently applied to the pfalrns. 
 It fignifies^rule and government, and is 
 ufed for any principality among men. 
 Hence it is very properly fpoken of him 
 whofe kingdom ruleth over all. The 
 prince of peace is one of his high titles. He 
 is called the prince of the kings of the 
 earth — a prince for ever — of whofe go- 
 vernment and peace there fhall be no end. 
 To this empire he had an unalienable and 
 B 2 inde- 
 
[ 28 ] 
 
 indefeifable right, being in the one Jeho- 
 vah poffefled of the fame perfedtions with 
 the Father and the holy Spirit. But the 
 moil common view in which the pfalms 
 confider him is that of the God-man, King- 
 mediator, whofe principality is the moft 
 glorious reign of grace. He fits upon his 
 throne freely to bellow ail divine bleffings 
 upon his redeemed, and he is Mefliah the 
 prince who was raifed to his kingdom by 
 the covenant of the eternal Three : In 
 which he engaged to be a furety for his 
 people ; and in their nature, and in their 
 itead to fatisfy all the offended attributes 
 of the Father by his holy life and death, 
 and the Father engaged to give him a 
 kingdom with all power in heaven and 
 earth. Accordingly in the fulnefs of time 
 he was manifefted in the flefh, and for the 
 joy that was fet before him, he endured 
 the crofs, and defpifed the fhame, and is 
 fet down at the right hand of the throne 
 of God. He is greatly exalted, far above 
 all principality and power, and might and 
 dominion, and every name that is named, 
 not only in this world, but alfo in that 
 which is to come. The once crucified is 
 now the enthroned Jefus, King of Kings 
 and Lord of Lords, almighty to fave his 
 people from all their fins and from all 
 their -enemies. The glories of Jmmanuel 
 
 in 
 
[ 2 9 } 
 
 in this refpeft are celebrated under the 
 name SHeR in feveral of the pfalms. In 
 the xlviith pfalm for inftance, all the peo- 
 ple are called upon to clap their hands for 
 joy, and to fhout unto God with the voice 
 of triumph, becaufe Jehovah Jefus is the 
 great king over all the earth. His happy 
 government, under which believers receive 
 aj^ their bleflings, was to be the conftant 
 iubjetl of their grateful fong. Singing 
 was uiing words and founds to exprefs the 
 praifes of the king of faints, and their joy 
 in him. It was io much the ruling and 
 leading fubjeft, that every hymn remind- 
 ed them of Meffiah the prince. When- 
 ever they were happy in their hearts, they 
 expreffed it by finging the praifes of that 
 moil glorious perfon, who was made flefh, 
 humbling himfelf to be obedient unto 
 death, even the death of the crofs, and 
 who thereby became the head of all prin- 
 cipality and power. He ruleth the al- 
 mighty Immanuel over every creature and 
 every thing, God-man upon his throne, 
 till all his enemies, death itfelf be de- 
 flroyed, and then he will reign with the 
 Father and the Spirit for ever and ever: 
 For his reign is everlafting, and of his 
 kingdom there (hall be no end. 
 
 This was the delightful theme in the 
 
 book of pfalms. The old teftament faints 
 
 B 3 were 
 
t 30 ] 
 
 were never weary of celebrating Mefiiah 
 their prince, the Lord and Saviour of his 
 people, made an offering for their fins, 
 dead, rifen, and afcended to his throne. 
 This is ftill the fweeteft fubjeft in the 
 church of God. Happy are they, who 
 have the Lord (Thrift ruling over their out- 
 ward eftate. Thrice happy they, who 
 have him ruling in their fouls. O what 
 happinefs is it to have fet up within them 
 the kingdom of God! which is righteonf- 
 nefs, peace, and joy in the holy Ghoft. 
 None have greater reafon to rejoice with 
 joy and finging, than they who have Chrift 
 dwelling in their hearts by faith. It was 
 one principal defign of thofe facred hymns 
 to keep up this holy joy, that if any were 
 merry they might fing pfalms and be glad 
 in the Lord, Senfible of his tender care 
 and royal prote£Hon, with what joyful lips 
 will they extoll their king ? They would 
 have all within them to blefs his holy 
 name, and would be praifing him with 
 pfalms and hymns and fpiritual fongs, re- 
 joicing all the way to Sion, and making 
 heavenly melody in their hearts unto the 
 Lord. 
 
 Thefe three names take in the fubjeft 
 of the whole book- — the hymns contain the 
 praifes of Immanuel, our fun of righteouf- 
 nefs — the pfalms treat of his taking our 
 
 nature. 
 
[ 3' J 
 
 nature, and in it being cut off for his 
 people, that through his death they might 
 live — xhz fongs celebrate the glories of his 
 kingdom, both in earth and heaven, in 
 time and eternity. Befides thefe names 
 of the book of pfalms there are feveral 
 other things written in fcripture concern- 
 ing them, which confirm the account here 
 given of their reference to the ever-bleflpd 
 Mefiiah, king of faints, and which will 
 be farther illuftrated under the confidera- 
 tion of 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Some pajfages of the Old Teftament, concern- 
 ing the book of Pfalms. 
 
 ^pHESE paffages are either fuch as 
 A command the finging of pfalms, or 
 fuch as lay down rules for finging them 
 properly : of the firft fort we find frequent 
 mention. " Give thanks unto the Lord, 
 " call upon his name, make known his 
 44 deeds among the people : Sing unto 
 44 him, fing pfalms unto him : O fing 
 44 unto the Lord a new fong, fing unto 
 " the Lord, all the earth : Sing unto the 
 " Lord, blefs his name, fhew forth his 
 6£ falvation from day to day. Make a 
 B 4 44 joyful 
 
[ 32 ] 
 
 joyful noife unto the Lord, all the earth, 
 make a loud noife, and rejoice, and 
 give praife : Sing unto the Lord with 
 the harp, with the harp, and the voice 
 of a pfalm. O clap your hands, all 
 ye people, fhout unto God with the 
 voice of triumph : For the Lord moft 
 high is to be feared : He is the great 
 king over all the earth : Sing forth the 
 honour of his name, make his praife 
 glorious : Sing pfalms nnto God, fing 
 pfalms : Sing pfalms to our king, fing 
 pfalms, for it is good to fing pfalms to 
 our God : for it is pleafant and praife 
 is comely : Sing ye praifes with the 
 underftanding : Sing ye praifes with 
 the whole heart : Let every thing that 
 hath breath praife the Lord. Amen. 
 Hallelujah." 
 In obedience to thofe commands be- 
 lievers exhort one another to this delight- 
 ful exercife : " O come let us fing unto 
 " the Lord, let us make a joyful noife to 
 " the rock of our falvation, (Heb. our 
 " Jefus). Let us come before his pre- 
 " ience with thankfgiving, and make a 
 " joyful noife unto him with pfalms." 
 And what was thus expreifed in the con- 
 gregation, every believer in private applies 
 to himfelf and praftices. " Blefs the 
 £ -Lord, O my foul, and all that is with- 
 
 " in 
 
[ 33 ] 
 
 " in me, blefs his holy name : While I 
 " live will I praife the Lord, I will fing 
 " prailes unto my God while I have my 
 " being : I will extol thee my God, O 
 " king, and I will blefs thy name for ever 
 " and ever." 
 
 We have abundant authorities in the 
 lives of believers to prove, that finging of 
 pfalms was very early in the church. 
 Mofes compofed a pfalm, which he and 
 the whole congregation fang to the glory 
 
 o C O O # J 
 
 of their almighty deliverer from Egyptian 
 bondage. On the victory obtained over 
 Sifera the captain of Jabin's hoft, Deborah 
 and Barak fang a hymn of thankfgiving 
 recorded in the book of the wars of the 
 Lord. David was the fweet finger of Ifrael 
 raifed up of God to indite the praifes of 
 the glorious Immanuel : The book of 
 pfalms, which he fpake by the holy Ghoft, 
 has been in life in the church ever fince 
 his time. They made part of every days 
 fervice in the temple. They were fung by 
 Chrift, and by his apoftles. Paul and 
 Silas in prifon, with their feet in the ftocks, 
 and at midnight, had liberty in their hearts 
 to fing a pfalm unto the Lord. We know 
 for certain from facred hiftory, confirmed 
 by profane authors, that when the whole 
 church was come together into one place 
 it was part of the public fervice to fing 
 B 5 pfalms : 
 
[ 34 ] 
 
 pfalms : for which there were rules laid 
 down both in the old teftament and in the 
 new. 
 
 The principal rule was about the end 
 propofed in fmging. Why did God en- 
 join it in his fervice ? And with what view 
 did he require it to be performed by his 
 people ? He has herein clearly revealed 
 his will. He intended to teach them to 
 acknowlege his infinite love in Jefus, 
 through whom all their bleffings flow, and 
 to,praife him and to thank him with joy r 
 ful hearts and lips. Singing was the out- 
 ward expreffion of their inward joy, and 
 therefore it was accompanied with inftru- 
 ments of all kinds to proclaim in the 
 grandeft manner their joy in the Lord. 
 While the daily Sacrifices were burning on 
 the altar, they celebrated with believing 
 hearts the atonement of the lamb of God, 
 and expreffed their triumphing in it with 
 all the powers of vocal and instrumental 
 lnufic' Thus they were commanded, 
 Num. x. 10. " In the. day of your glad- 
 V nefs, and in your folemn days, and in 
 ic the beginning of your months, ye Shall 
 " blow with the trumpets over your burnt 
 " offerings, and over the Sacrifices of your 
 " peace offering?, that they may be to 
 " you for a memorial before the Lord 
 M your God : I am the Lord your God." 
 
 This 
 
[ 35 ) 
 
 This commandment Hezckiah obfervecL 
 After he had cleanfed the temple from the 
 pollutions of his profane predecefTor., 
 u He fet the Levites in the houfe of the 
 " Lord with cymbals, with pfalteries, and 
 " with harps, according to th£ command- 
 " ment of David, and of Gad the king's 
 u leer, and Nathan the prophet : For fo 
 " was the commandment of the Lord by 
 " his prophets : And the Levites ftood 
 " with the inftruments of David, and the 
 " priefts with the trumpets : And Heze- 
 " kiah commanded to offer the burnt 
 " offering upon the altar, and when the 
 " burnt offering began, the song of the 
 " Lord began alio with the trumpets, and 
 " with the inftruments ordained by David 
 " king of Ifrael : And all the congrega- 
 " tion worshipped, and the fingers fang, 
 " and the trumpeters founded, and all this 
 " continued until the burnt offering was 
 " finifhed." 2 Chron. xxix. 25, &c. Their 
 mufic was not merely to pleafe \ it wafs 
 expreflive. For it was a memorial. It 
 was to call to mind the facrifice of Imma- 
 nuel, and the joy flowing from it, the 
 greateft joy that poffibly can be : For all 
 the facrifices pointed to him, and were 
 instituted to keep up faith and hope in 
 him. Fie was the lamb who verily was 
 fore-ordained before the foundation of the 
 
 world* 
 
[ 36 ] 
 
 world, who was flain in type from the 
 foundation of the world, and who in the 
 fulnefs of time appeared to put away fin 
 by the facrifice of himfelf. The apoftle 
 has proved at large in the epiftle to the 
 Hebrews, that all the facrifices under the 
 law were types and figures of the facrifice 
 of Chrift, and that the benefits afcribed to 
 them were to fignify the graces which flow 
 to his redeemed from his facrifice : For 
 through this alone juftice was fatisfied, 
 wrath appealed, atonement made, the con- 
 fcience purged from guilt, the finner freely 
 pardoned, fully juftified, yea fan&ified and 
 perfected for ever : So that by his one 
 offering he faves believers from all fins and 
 all miferies, and gives them enjoyment 
 now of all bleflings, and will fecure to 
 them eternal enjoyment. Here is the 
 fountain of all joy. From hence flows 
 peace with God, and love to God with 
 every blefling of his love. All comes 
 through the bleeding lamb, and is the fruit 
 of his crofs and paffion. This is the glo- 
 rious fubjedt treated of in the pfalms, and 
 the finging and the mufic of diZ old teita- 
 ment were entirely in praife of this. While 
 the burnt offering was confuming on the 
 fire of the altar, all that found could pof- 
 fibly do wi'h voices and inftruments was 
 exerted to roufe the attention, and to in- 
 flame 
 
[ 27 1 
 
 flame the affe&ions. The full concert 
 was to excite the higheft fentiments of 
 thankfulnefs in the view of that one of- 
 fering, which was to bear the fire of the 
 Father's wrath, and thereby was to be- 
 come an odor of a fweet fulfil, a facrifice 
 acceptable, well pleafmg to God. No 
 blefling is beyond this. No joy is to be 
 compared with the joy of this, if any 
 one had been prefent who did not know 
 the occafion of this wonderful rejoicing, 
 and had afked good Hezekiah what they 
 meant by this mufic, which made the very 
 earth ring again, he would have gracioufly 
 informed the enquirer — 
 
 We are now triumphing in ftedfaft faith 
 of the fulfilling of the promife, that God 
 will be incarnate, and will come to take 
 away fin by his facrifice : Therefore we 
 enter into his gates with thankigiving, 
 and into his courts with praife. We re- 
 joice in our hearts in the future offering 
 of the lamb of God. Although we have 
 divine words, in which to exprefs our 
 joy, yet our prefent fenfe of it is only 
 according to our faith. When this is 
 lively our joy is unfpeakable and full of 
 glory : For it brings a foretaft of that 
 fulnefs of joy, which we fhall have, when 
 we fhall receive the end of our faith, even 
 the eternal falvation of our fouls. Then 
 
 ail 
 
[ 38 } 
 
 all the bleffings, all the glories of heaven 
 will come to us through the redemption 
 that is in the blood of the lamb. Hence 
 while the burnt offering is confuming on 
 the altar, we make the moil joyful noife we 
 poffibly can,finging and triumphing in the 
 offering of Immanuel : For we believe it 
 will be a fweet fmelling favor unto God, 
 and through it we fhall enter within the 
 veil, even into heaven itlelf. There we 
 ihall take up the fame mod bleffed fub- 
 jedr, and celebrate the lamb that was 
 ilain with never-ceafing praife. 
 
 The anfwer, which I fuppofe Hezekiah 
 would have given, is perfectly agreeable 
 to David's own account of this matter. 
 He relates very clearly for what end the 
 pfalms were revealed, and were fung in 
 the temple fervice. We find it thus de- 
 fcribed, i Chron. xvi. " David appointed 
 " the Levites to minifter before the ark, 
 44 and to record and to thank and 
 " praise the Lord God of lfrael," ver. 4. 
 and again, ver. 7. " Then on that day 
 " David delivered firft this pfalm to thank 
 " the Lord into the hand of Afaph and 
 44 his brethren : Give thanks unto the 
 " Lord, call upon his name, make known . 
 " his deeds among the people : Sing unto 
 " him, fmg pfalms unto him, talk you 
 " of all his wondexous works : Glory ye 
 
 " in. 
 
[ 39 ] 
 
 " in his holy name, let the heart of them; 
 " rejoice that feek the Lord." 
 
 We have in this paffage a very clear 
 defcription of the dengn of the book of 
 pfalms. It was firft to record; the word 
 lignifies to caufe to be remembered. The 
 pfalms were a Handing memorial, to bring 
 into mind the wonderful love of the ever- 
 bleffed Trinity in faving tinners through 
 Jefus Chrift, and to keep it frefh and 
 lively upon the hearts of believers. We 
 are apt to forget this our greateft good, 
 and therefore God has gracioufly recorded 
 it in his word. Therein he has promifed 
 to fanftify the memory to retain it, and 
 in the ufe of the pfalms he bellows this 
 bleffing. When they are read and mixed 
 with faith, then they are meditated on. 
 with delight, fung with melody, and help 
 to keep the heart warm in its attachment 
 to the beloved Jefus. When they are. 
 thus treafured up in the mind, and brought 
 into cpnftant ufe, believers learn in ting- 
 ing them to rejoice in the infinitely per- 
 fett facrifice of Immanuel, and to triumph 
 in his divine righteoufnefs. The pfalms 
 are the means appointed of God to anfwer 
 thofe ends ; and they do by his grace. 
 They ftir up the pure minds of his peo- 
 ple by way of remembrance. They afford 
 them proper matter, and choice words, and 
 
 when 
 
[ 40 ] 
 
 when fung with fignificant founds, they ex- 
 cite affedtionsto Jefus,asholy and as happy, 
 as they can be on this fide of heaven. 
 
 The ufe of the pfalms was alio to 
 thank : " O give thanks unto the 
 " Lord : For his mercy endureth for 
 " ever," feems to have been the chorus 
 of all the antient hymns. The word 
 which we tranflate to thank fignifies to 
 give the hand to God, as an acknowleg- 
 ment that all power was his. The hand 
 is power. Our power extends as far as 
 our hand reaches. The hand of God is 
 every where, and his power is infinite. The 
 cuftom of paying homage in antient times 
 explains this ufage of the word, i Chron. 
 xxix. 23. " Then Solomon fat on the 
 " throne of the Lord as king, inftead of 
 " David his father, and profpered, and 
 " all Ifrael obeyed him, 24. And all 
 u the princes, and the mighty men, and 
 M all the fons likewife of king David 
 " fubmitted themfelves unto Solomon the 
 " king — Heb. gave the hand under So- 
 " lomon the king." This was an ex- 
 preflive ceremony : They kneeled down 
 and put their hands under his ; thereby 
 conferring chat their power was fubjedt to 
 his: And in this manner they paid him 
 homage. There is a curious letter ex- 
 tant of king H^zckiahs, which farther ex- 
 plains 
 
[ 4i ] 
 
 plains both the expreffion and the cuftom. 
 He fays in it to the people, 2 Chron. 
 xxx. 8. " Be ye not ftiffnecked as your 
 " fathers were, but yield your/elves^ Heb. 
 " give the hand unto the Lord," fall 
 down before him, and afcribe all your 
 power to the Lord — acknowlege him to 
 have all power in heaven and earth. Thus 
 give the honor due unto his name. Con- 
 fefs that all your good comes from him,, 
 and that he keeps you from all evil. 
 Every bleffing which you receive in earth 
 or hope for in heaven, acknowlege to be 
 from the good pleafure of his own will* 
 and to the praife of the glory of his free 
 grace. Moil of the pfalms were written, 
 and fhould be fung, with this fpirit. 
 What David felt in his own heart at the 
 free-will offerings of the people towards 
 the building of the temple, the fame he 
 would excite in others, when they read 
 or fing the pfalms. 1 Chron. xxix. 10, 
 &c. M Wherefore David bleffed the Lord 
 " before all the congregation, and David 
 " faid, Bleffed be thou Lord God of If- 
 " rael, our Father for ever and ever : 
 u Thine, O Lord, is the greatnefs, and 
 " the power, and the glory, and the vic- 
 " tory, and the majefty : For all that is 
 " in the heaven and in the earth is thine : 
 " Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and 
 
 " thou 
 
[ 42 ] 
 
 " thou art exalted as head above all : 
 " Both riches and honor come of thee, 
 " and thou reigneft over all, and in thy 
 " hand is power and might, and in thy 
 " hand it is to make great, and to give 
 " ftrength unto all: N>w therefore our 
 •i God we thank thee, and praife thy 
 " glorious name. 55 How delightfully 
 does he here defcribe one great end of 
 finging pfalms. It was to aicribe to the 
 Lord all the glory of his word and works 
 and ways — with voices and inftruments, 
 but chiefly with the mufic of the heart to 
 praife him for his goodnefs, and to blefs 
 him, becaufe his mercy cndureth for 
 ever. 
 
 There is another word ufed, i Chron. 
 xvi. 4. The pfalms were to record, and 
 to thank, and to praise (Heb. Hellel) 
 the Lord God of Ifrael. But this has 
 been treated of in the beginning of the 
 fecond chapter. It is the running title 
 of the pfalms, and fignifies the adtion of 
 light in the material world, and from 
 thence is applied to the a£tion of the fun 
 of righteoufnefs in the fpiritual world. 
 Singing pfalms was not only to remind us 
 of him, but alfo to lead us to afcribe to 
 him all the bleffings of nature and grace, 
 of earth and heaven. All are from him 
 —the gifts of his free unmerited love, 
 
 and 
 
t 43 ] 
 
 and call for the tribute of conftant thank- 
 fulnefs. He created the fun, and or- 
 dained it to difpenfe every earthly blefiing, 
 that it might be a lively picture of the 
 true light, who communicates fpiritual 
 ]ife, with all its comforts. While the 
 believer looks upon the moft glorious 
 Immanuel in this view, and has a warm 
 fcnk of his obligations to him, how fweet 
 is the exercife of faith ! He finds the 
 courts of the Lord to have fome of the 
 bieffednefs of the palace itielf. Such 
 they were to him, who faid, " BleiTed 
 " are they that dwell in thy courts, they 
 " will be ftill praifing thee. 3elah. 5? 
 They will be ftill acknowleging. their 
 debt in pfalms and hymns and fpiritual 
 fongs : Which? is the very employment of 
 the faints round the throne, and which 
 is the divine ordinance to exprefs our 
 communion with them, and to bring us 
 a foretaft of their happinefs. 
 
 From this paffage in Chronicles we fee 
 the ufe of the pfalms in the old teftament, 
 and for what end they were then fung in 
 the church. It was to remind believers 
 of the wonderful perfon and of the divine 
 works of the incarnate Jehovah, that they 
 might admire his matchlefs beauty, and 
 adore him for his moft precious love. 
 With happy and thankful hearts they 
 
 ufed 
 
[ 44 ] 
 
 ufed daily to fing of him in the temple 
 fervice. The concert will never be ex- 
 celled upon this earth, and the effeft 
 which accompanied it will only be equalled 
 in heaven. The fubjeft — the number of 
 voices and inftruments — the excellence of 
 the mufic and of the performance — and 
 the divine approbation which crowned 
 the whole, by a miracle confirming the 
 faith and ftrengthening the hopes of the 
 congregation, thefe are moil nobly de- 
 scribed in 2 Chron. v. u, 12, &c. Solo- 
 mon had finifhed the temple, and had 
 brought the ark of the covenant into the 
 holy of holies: " And it came to pafs, 
 44 when the priefts were come out of the 
 " holy place: For all the priefts that 
 " were prefent were fanftified, and did 
 " not then wait by courfe : Alfo the Le- 
 44 vites who were the fingers, all of them 
 " of Afaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, 
 " with their fons and their brethren, be- 
 " ing arayed in white linnen, having 
 " cymbals, and pfalteries, and harps, 
 " ftood at the eaft end of the altar, and 
 " with them an hundre4 and twenty 
 " priefts founding with trumpets : It 
 44 came even to pafs, as the trumpeters 
 " and fingers were as one, to make one 
 44 found to be heard in praifing and 
 44 thanking the Lord. And when they 
 
 " lift 
 
[ 45 ] 
 
 fs lift up their voice with the trumpets- 
 " and cymbals, and inftruments of mu- 
 " fie, and praifed the Lord, faying, For 
 " he is good, for his mercy endureth for 
 " ever : That then the houfe was filled 
 " with a cloud, even the houfe of the 
 " Lord : So that the priefts could not 
 " (land to miniiter by reafon of the cloud: 
 " For the glory of the Lord had filled 
 ** the houfe of God. 3 ' All Ifrael met 
 upon this occafion, a very great congre- 
 gation, from the entering in of Hamath, 
 unto the river of Egypt. They came to 
 the dedication of the temple, knowing 
 that it was a type of the body of Chrift, 
 and prefigured his coming from heaven 
 to dwell with men on the earth. The 
 filling the temple with glory was to teach 
 them that a perfon in Jehovah was to 
 tabernacle in the manhood of Chrift. In 
 him the fulnefs of the Godhead was to 
 dwell bodily, and out of his fulnefs they 
 lhould receive grace for grace. While 
 they were looking forward with joyful 
 hope, and finging the praiies of this moft 
 blefled event, the Lord gave them a 
 fenfible proof, that he would come and 
 inhabit the temple of his body ; and 
 would alio come and dwell in their hearts 
 by faith. Once in the end of the world 
 God was manifelt in the fiefh, but in 
 
 every 
 
[ 46 ] 
 
 every age he has vifited his people with 
 his prefence, and bleffcd them with his 
 love, while they have been with thankful 
 hearts afcribing to him all the glory of 
 their falvation. When he has thus dif- 
 pofed them to give him the honor due 
 unto his name, then he has brought them 
 into a proper temper to receive the greateft 
 communications of his grace. For the 
 mod high and holy one that inhabiteth 
 eternity vouchfafes to dwell in the hum- 
 ble and contrite heart. The King of 
 Kings admits the meek and lowly to the 
 neareft approach, yea to the molt inti- 
 mate familiarity with him. The higheft 
 refides with the lowed. With them the 
 almighty lbvereign keeps his court, ac- 
 cording to his promife — " I will dwell 
 •* with you, and will walk among you, 
 " and I will be your God, and ye fhall 
 44 be my people." When he fmiles upon 
 them with his reconciled countenance, 
 and excites in them holy love and humble 
 adoration : O what an happinefs is it to 
 behold the king in his beauty, even here 
 by faith. The foul thus enamoured with 
 him will find it a moft delightful employ- 
 ment to fing his praifes, and cannot help 
 breaking out into pfalms and hymns of 
 thankfulnefs. Thefe are the appointed 
 means of teftifying its facred joy. In 
 
 them 
 
[ 47 ] 
 
 them the faints above have their heavenly 
 exercife, and the faints below have often 
 hi the ufe of the fame means a fortalt of 
 the glory to be revealed. . 
 
 When Zerubbabel and his brethren be- 
 gan to rebuild the temple after the capti- 
 vity, the work was entered upon with 
 finging pfalms. " And when the builders 
 " laid the foundation of the temple qi 
 " the Lord, they fet the priefts in their 
 4C apparel with trumpets, and the Levites 
 " the fons of Afaph with cymbals, to 
 " praife the Lord, after the ordinance of 
 " David king" of Iffael; and they fang 
 " together by courfe, in praijing and giv- 
 * 6 ing thanks unto the Lord : Becaufe he 
 46 is good : For his mercy endureth for 
 " ever towards Ifrael." Ezra iii. 10, \\. 
 The words to praife, and to give thanks 
 are the fame, as in the forecited place in 
 Chronicles, and applied to the fame per- 
 fon, even to the defire of all nations, who 
 was to come and fill the fecond temple 
 with his glory. — " The glory of this latter 
 " houfe (hall be greater than of the former, 
 " faith the Lord of hofts :" Hag. ii. 7. 
 which was really accomplifhed, when the 
 word was made flefh and dwelt among us. 
 Then the Lord came to his temple, and 
 his difciples faw his glory, the glory as 
 
 of 
 
C 48 ] 
 
 ef the only begotten of the Father, full 
 of grace and truth. 
 
 Of him alio fang Nehemiah, as men- 
 tioned in Chap, xii. He repaired the 
 wall of Jerufalem, and ended it with 
 praifing, and giving thanks to the Lord 
 God of Ifrael, finging pfalms unto him 
 with voices and inftruments of mufic, 
 according to the commandment of Da- 
 vid the man of God. From thefe in- 
 itances it is plain that the gen_eral fub- 
 je<ft of the pfalms was to afcribe to the 
 incarnate Jehovah all the honor of faving 
 finners. The fweet pfalmift of Ifrael fre- 
 quently calls upon the church to fmg 
 pfalms to the Saviour's praife, particu- 
 larly in pfalm xcii. which was conftantly 
 lung on the fabbath, the day of praife, 
 in pfalms xcv, xcvi, xcviii, &c. And he 
 does this very remarkably in pfalm c, 
 wherein he calls upon believers to join in 
 this delightful work, and affi^ns feveral 
 reafons for their encouragement to do it 
 with the warmeft gratitude of their hearts. 
 The title is 
 
 A pfalm of confeffian, viz. to God for 
 his goodnefs, and for the wonders which 
 he hath done for the children of men. 
 
 1. O all the earth, make the air ring 
 with the praifes of Jehovah. 
 
 2. Serve 
 
[ 49 ] 
 
 2. Serve ye Jehovah with heart-fek 
 joy — Come ye into his prefence with the 
 higheft praifes you can give. 
 
 3. Be ye certain, that Jehovah is the 
 very Alehim, he hath made us, and not 
 we ourfelves, we are his people, and the 
 flock under his paftoral care : 
 
 4. Enter ye into his gates with co'n- 
 fe-Tion, into his courts with afcribing to 
 lym the praiie of giving you every thing 
 uieful, pay ye homage to him, blefs ye 
 his name : 
 
 5.' For Jehovah is good, his mercy is 
 for ever, and his faithfulnefs is from ge- 
 neration to generation. 
 
 When believers in their church fervice 
 ufed to fing this pfalm, they acknowleged 
 in it the goodnefs of God to them, and 
 had in their hearts fentiments of his loving 
 kindnefs, fuch as theie — 
 
 1. O all ye inhabitants of the world, 
 who have found redemntion through 
 raith in the blood of the lamb, join to- 
 gether to make his praife to be heard : 
 Sing unto Jehovah a new fong, fing 
 praifes unto him luftily with a good cou- 
 rage : 
 
 2. Serve ye Jehovah with a free fpirit, 
 finging and making melody in your hearts 
 
 prefence, 
 having 
 
[ 5° 3 
 
 having now accefs with confidence, and 
 let the high praifes of God be in your 
 mouth, alcribing to him all the glory of 
 your falvation : 
 
 3. Be ye certain, that Jehovah is the 
 very Alehim, the three in covenant to 
 fave finners : For he has made us, and 
 not we ourfelves, we neither made our- 
 felves creatures, nor new creatures in 
 Chrift Jeius — he gave us our being, and 
 our well being — we have nothing of our 
 own, but fin : And he has made us his 
 free fubjedts by redeeming us from the 
 bondage of fin, yea we are his beloved 
 flock, and he is our good fliepherd, who 
 will give grace and glory to his people, 
 and to the fheep of his paftilre : 
 
 4. O come ye then into his gates with 
 thankful acknowlegen'ient of his infinite 
 goodnefs to your fouls — meet him in the 
 great congregation, and join all the re- 
 deemed, who in earth and heaven are 
 with one heart giving bleffing and honor, 
 and glory and power to God and the 
 lamb. 
 
 5. For Jehovah is good and doeth 
 good, his mercy is to be celebrated m 
 his church militant from age to age, anil 
 liis never failing faithfulnefs is to be 
 your fubjeft of never ending praiie in 
 the church triumphant. 
 
 O 
 
I 5> ] 
 
 O for fuch holy affeftions as this pfalm 
 requires. Reader, art thou acquainted 
 with the fubjedt, and art thou indeed a 
 partaker of that thankfulnefs, of which 
 it treats. O beg of him then to give 
 thee a growing lenfe of thine utter un- 
 worthinefs of the leaft: mercy. This is 
 gofpel-poverty of fpirit, and this will 
 lead thee to pray for a more thankful 
 acknowlegement of the goodnefs of God, 
 flowing from the happy experience of its 
 bleflino;s, and influencing the whole man 
 to praife him for them. To this grateful 
 temper the very reading of the pfalm will 
 be as an ordinance, and the linging of 
 it with the melody of the heart will be a 
 feaft. 
 
 From thefe authorities of the old tefta- 
 ment it is plain, that the fubjed of the 
 book of pialms, and the finging them 
 were intended to excite in believers the 
 warmed fentiments of gratitude. The 
 love of God manifefted in favins; finners 
 through Jefus Chrift is herein defcribed 
 with the true fublime both of ftyie and 
 fentiment; and when any pfalm was fung, 
 if the heart felt the fubjed, and made 
 harmony there, then it became a delight- 
 ful, as well as an acceptable fervice. But 
 we fhall fee clearer evidence of this mat- 
 ter, if we attend to 
 
 C 2 CHAP- 
 
I 5* 3 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Some QaJJages in the new teftament concern- 
 ing the book of pfalms. 
 
 *Tp H E quotations arc very numerous. 
 ■* Chrift and his apoftles often refer to 
 the pfalms, and make a direft applica- 
 tion of them : For they all treat of him, 
 as indeed the whole volume of revelation 
 does. He is the fpirit and life of all the 
 bible: But there is no part fo particular- 
 ly, and fo frequently applied to him, as 
 the book of pfalms. We know the fub- 
 jeci of the cxth from infallible authority 
 — it is the heavenly government of king- 
 mediator, who is David's fon, and yet 
 David calleth him his Lord : For he was 
 God and man in one Chrift. His own 
 ule of the pfalms is very remarkable : He 
 fung them, and quoted them. At his 
 laft paflbver he joined with his apoftles 
 in the pfalms commonly ufed upon that 
 occafion. St. Matthew fays, " When 
 c< they had Sung an hymn," which is 
 fuppofed to be part of the grand hallelu- 
 jah, beginning at the cxiiith, and ending 
 with the cxviiith pfalm. Hereby our 
 Lord not only made ufe of, but alio ap- 
 plied 
 
[ 53 I 
 
 plied thofe divine hymns to himfelf, he 
 being indeed the very pafchal lamb flair*' 
 in type from the foundation of the world, 
 and now about to take away fin by the 
 lacrifice of himfelf. And after he had 
 by his fufferings and death mad? a full 
 atonement, and was rifen from the dead, 
 he reproved his two difciples as they were 
 going to Emmaus, and he faid unto them, 
 Luke xxiv. 25. " O ye without under- 
 44 {landing, how flow of heart are ye to 
 "believe all that the prophets have 
 44 fpoken ! Ought not Chrift to have 
 " fuffered thefe things, and to have en- 
 " terecl into his glory ? And beginning 
 44 at Mofes he expounded unto them 
 44 from all the prophets the things written 
 44 of himfelf in all the fcriptures." And 
 among the reft: he expounded unto them 
 out of the pfalms, as his cuftom was : 
 For when he appeared to his apoftles to 
 confirm them in the belief of his refurreo 
 tion, he faid unto them, " Thefe are 
 " the words, which I fpake unto y$u, 
 " while I was yet with you, that all things 
 44 mirft be fulfilled, which were written 
 44 in the law of Mofes, and in the pro- 
 44 phets, and in. the pfalms concerning 
 " me. Then opened he their under- 
 4C {landings that they might underftand 
 44 the jfcriptures." Here he declares th E 
 C 2 the 
 
t 54 ] 
 
 the pfalms were written concerning hbn- 
 felf. Not only here and there a pafiage* 
 or an allufion, not only the quotations in 
 the new teftament, but the whole volume 
 throughout is concerning him. Upon 
 whatever occafion the pialmift compofed 
 any of them, yet it was only a cafe to 
 ipeak upon, in order to introduce what 
 was to be {aid concerning the divine per- 
 fon, and the divine work of the Mefiiah* 
 This is the fpiritual ufe and defign of the 
 pfalms. And every man, whole under- 
 standing the Lord has opened, as he did 
 his difciples, can fee them in this light. 
 The veil being taken away, he beholds 
 Chrift with open face* and every pfalrrt 
 fhews to him fome lovely feature of his 
 moil lovely Saviour. Therein he reads 
 of the divine and human nature of Im- 
 manuel, his Jife and death, his refurrec- 
 tion and afcenfion, his kingdom and glory. 
 He underftands the fcriptures, and with 
 the joy of his heart receives what is there- 
 in written concerning the God of his fal- 
 vation. 
 
 Agreeably to our Lord's own ufe of 
 the pfalms, we find the whole church of 
 believers with one accord ufing them in 
 the fame manner. The inftance recorded 
 in A£ts iv. is remarkable, becaufe the re- 
 ference, which they made to the pfalms, 
 
 iudifputably 
 
[ 55 J 
 
 indifputably proves, that they are written 
 concerning Chrift. Peter and John had 
 been imprifoned for preaching Jeius, but 
 being let go, they went to their own 
 company, and reported ail that the chief 
 priefts and elders had faid unto them : 
 And when they heard that, they lift up 
 their voice to God with one accord, and 
 laid, " Lord, thou art God, who haft 
 44 made heaven and earth, and the fea, 
 44 and all that in them is : Who by the 
 44 mouth of thy fervant David haft laid, 
 " why did the heathen rage, arid the 
 44 people imagine vain things ? The kings 
 44 of the earth ftood up, and the rulers 
 44 were gathered together againft the 
 44 Lord and againft his Chrift : For of a 
 44 truth againft thy holy child Jefus, 
 44 whom thou haft anointed, both Herod 
 44 and Pontius Pilate, w 7 ith the gentiles, 
 44 and the people of Ifrael were gathered 
 44 together, for to do whatfoever thy 
 44 hand, and thy counfel determined be- 
 " fore to be done. 55 Here the whole 
 church under the fpecial influence of the 
 holy Spirit applies the iid pfalm to Chrift, 
 and declares its accomplifhment in him — 
 he being of a truth the very perfon of 
 whom it treats : Which is decifive evi- 
 dence, and muft determine the point even 
 C 4 to 
 
[ 56 ] 
 
 to a demonftration" with all that believe 
 the fcriptures. 
 
 It is not to be wondered then, that the 
 apoftles fhould follow the lame rule in 
 explaining the pfalms. Peter quotes them 
 and refers them to Chrift. Jn his firft 
 fermon recorded Afts ii. he applies the 
 xvith pfalm to the refurredlion of Chrift, 
 and he brings the cxth to prove, that 
 Chrift had all power in heaven and earth, 
 and ihould fit at the right hand of Jeho- 
 vah, until all his enemies ihould be made 
 his footftool. In the fourth chapter of 
 the-Adts, he (hews that Chrift was the 
 Hone fet at nought by the Jewifti builders, 
 who nevertheiefs Ihould be made the head 
 of the corner, as it is in the cxviiith pfalm. 
 Peter had no doubt concerning the appli- 
 cation of the pfalms to Chrift, and his 
 beloved brother Paul (hews he was of the 
 fame opinion. 
 
 We have an account of his manner 
 of preaching among the Jews : " He 
 " nfed to reafon with them out of the 
 " fcriptures, opening and alledging, that 
 " Chrift muft needs have fuffered, and 
 " riien again from the dead, and that 
 " this Jeius, whom I preach unto you 
 " is the Chrift." And among/ the other 
 fcriptures he did not forget the pfalms : 
 For we, in Afts xiii, have a whole fer- 
 mon 
 
[ 57 1 
 
 mon of his, an ineftimable treafury of 
 his.fcripture learning, in which he quotes 
 feveral pfaims, and diredlly applies them 
 to Chrift, as he alio does in his other 
 writings. His epiftle to the Hebrews 
 abounds with references, twenty- nine at 
 lead. The iiid and ivth chapters are a 
 comment on the xcvth pfalm : As the 
 viith chapter is on the cxth : And the 
 xth is on the xlch. Whoever will attend 
 to the manner in which the apoftle rea- 
 Tons upon thefe paifages, will readily per- 
 ceive, that he does not enter upon any 
 formal proof of the defign of the book of 
 pfaims, or of Chrift's being the fubject. 
 of them. He does not aim at any fuch 
 thing ; but takes it for granted, and ar- 
 gues upon it as an eftablifhed truth. 
 Indeed it was at that time the belief of 
 the whole church. There was then no 
 doubt but all lcripture treated of him — 
 " To him give A L L the prophets wit- 
 44 neis" — He was their one fubjeft. But 
 more efpecially in the pfaims he was let 
 forth, and was to be highly exalted, with 
 all the powers of poetry, and with the 
 fweeteft founds of inftruments and voices* 
 Thefe hymns were infpired to celebrate 
 his matchlefs fame and renown ; that 
 whenever believers felt themfelves happy 
 in the knowlege and love of Jefus, hem 
 C 5 they 
 
f 5* 1 
 
 they might find proper matter and fuit- 
 able words to raife their gratitude, as 
 high as it can be on this fide of heaven. 
 We have alfo the apoftle's practice and 
 experience to recommend his ufe of the 
 pfalms. He fung them with delight, as 
 well as quoted them with propriety. His 
 love to Jefus run as high, as love ever 
 will upon earth. He lpeaks of him 
 continually as the perfedt delight of his 
 foul, on whom he had placed all his 
 affedtions, and whorh he found every day 
 worthy of more love* than his narrow 
 heart could contain. O how precious 
 was his Saviour, when he could fay — 
 " What things were gain to me, thofe I 
 " counted lofs for Chrift : Yea doubtlefs, 
 '• c and I do count all thinss but lofs for 
 " the excellency of the knowlege of 
 " Chrift Jefus my Lord, for whom I 
 M have fuffered the lofs of all things, 
 " and I do count them but dung, that I 
 " may win Chrift." Happy Paul ! what 
 mnft he have feen in Jefus, who could 
 account it an honor to fuffer fhame for 
 his name, and an infinite gain to win 
 Chrift, though with the lofs of all things ? 
 
 happy, thrice happy man, who could 
 carry the crofs of Chrift, and efteem it 
 as his crown. God forbid, fays he, that 
 
 1 fhould glory in any thing, except in 
 
 the 
 
[ 59 1 
 
 the crofs of our Lord Jefus Chrift : For 
 I count not my life dear to myfelf, fo 
 as I may but live and die fulfilling his 
 will. And this was not a flight of fancy, 
 or a mere rant of enthufiaim, but it was 
 cool fober love, and arofe from real ex- 
 perience of the pretioufnefs of Jefus to 
 his heart. This heavenly lover was the 
 fubject of his fongs in the worft houfe of 
 his painful pilgrimage. He was fo truly 
 in body foul and fpirit devoted to his 
 Jefus, that how much ibever he fuffered, 
 yet he could rejoice in the Lord. O 
 what a proof did he give of it! — fuffi- 
 cient to fhame our higheft profeftions of 
 attachment to the dear Redeemer. When 
 he had been beaten with many and cruel 
 ftripes, put into a difmal dungeon, and 
 even there with his feet in the ftocks, 
 his heart was then full of gratitude, and 
 in tune to make delightful melody unto 
 the Lord, yea brake out into pi alms 
 of praife— " At midnight Paul and Silas 
 " prayed, and fang praifes unto God," 
 with a loud voice: for the prilbners 
 heard them. O for more fakh in 
 Jefus to fill us more with this thankful 
 and praifing fpirit. Lord, pour it out 
 abundantly for thy mercies fake upon 
 aU thofe, who believe in thy holy name : 
 
 Let 
 
[ 60 ] 
 
 Let us make our boaft of thee all the 
 day long, and praife thy name for ever. 
 
 From thefe inftances it is evident, that 
 the new teftament church underftood the 
 pfalms in the fame light, as the old. 
 Believers always fnng them with the fame 
 view, with hearts and voices making 
 melody unto the Lord Chrift. He him- 
 felf confirmed this ufe of them: For he 
 joined in this part of religious worfhip* 
 The apoftles quoted the pfalms, and di- 
 reftly applied them to their bleffed Lord, 
 Yea, when the church met together in 
 one place, the pfalms were not only read 
 and fung, but feme abufes in finging 
 them are corrected, which will lead me 
 to confider 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Rules laid down in fcripture for finging 
 them aright. 
 
 CINGING of pfalms is a divine ordi- 
 ^ nance, and has an inward and an out- 
 ward fervice. The inward confifts in the 
 proper frame and affedlion of the renewed 
 and fpiritual mind : For no man can ufe 
 the pfalms as an ordinance of God, who 
 has not received the Spirit of God: With- 
 out him we can do nothing, being dead 
 
 ia 
 
[ 6i ] 
 
 in trefpaffes and fins. And after he is re- 
 ceived, he is the continual breath of fpi- 
 ritual life,' yea as much as the air we 
 breathe is of natural life. Every fpiriiual 
 fenfation of peace, comfort, and joy in God 
 the Father is from the divine agency of 
 the Lord the Spirit. Every aft of religious 
 worfhip is performed acceptably by his 
 ftreftgthening us mightily in the inner 
 man, and giving us the will and the power. 
 If we pray aright, it is in the holy Ghoft. 
 If we hear aright, it is by his blefiing on 
 the word preached. If we fing aright, it 
 is by the fame Spirit : And therefore w 7 e 
 are not only commanded to feek his affift- 
 ance in all we do, but alfo a growing and 
 increafing; meafure of his graces and gifts. 
 Thus the apoftle direfts the Ephefians in 
 their finging of pfalms, " Be ye filled with 
 " the Spirit, {peaking to yourfelves in 
 " pfalms," &c. This is not meant of 
 receiving him at firft : For it is ipoken to 
 believers, who had the Spirit, but it relates 
 to their thirfting after more, how much 
 foever they had attained, ftill more of the 
 Spirit's fulnefs, it being in him infinite, 
 and always in us finite. We never have fo 
 much, but we may have more; and when 
 we have the moft, our thirft is then the 
 greateft. This is an holy thirft, to which 
 there is a divine invitation — " Ho, every 
 
 " one 
 
[ 62 ] 
 
 < c one that thirfteth come to the waters 
 " of life." And a divine promile — " In 
 " the laft day, that great day of the feafb, 
 " Jefus ftood and cried faying, If any 
 " man thirft, let him come unco me, and 
 " drink •, but this fpake he of the Spirit, 
 " which they that believe on him fhould 
 " receive." And when this promiie is 
 fulfilled, and the holy Spirit is received, 
 we are ilill in faith to ufe means for the 
 increafing of his graces and gifts ; among 
 which means the apoftle recommends — 
 " Speaking to yourfelves in pfalms," &c. 
 He iuppofes their finging would tend to 
 their mutual edification : For the words 
 are in the plural number, and denote their 
 joining together in this holy exercife. He 
 alfo commands the Coloffians to inftrud: 
 and to admonifh one another in pfalms 
 and hymns and fpiritual fongs, herein 
 ufing the grace given both for its exercife* 
 and alfo for its improvement. And this 
 true manner of finging comes from the 
 Spirit, and increafes the fruits of the 
 Spirit. 
 
 It comes from the Spirit ; becaufe nofte 
 can perform it, but the new creature in 
 Chrift Jefus. It is a fpiritual fervice, in 
 which only the fpiritual man can joirr. 
 No one can make any melody acceptable 
 to God, who has not been firlt a partaker 
 
 of 
 
E 6 3 ] 
 
 of the holy Ghoft. He is the Lord and 
 giver of life £ without him all men are 
 dead in trefpaffes and fins. He only can 
 quicken and make the foul alive to God* 
 It requires his almighty power, and it be- 
 longs to his covenant office. And when 
 he the Spirit of life makes any one free 
 from the law of fin and death, then he is 
 a child of God. He is made to know it* 
 and to believe it : For he has received the 
 Spirit of adoption, whereby he cries Abba, 
 Father. In the fenfe of this love fhed 
 abroad in his heart by the holy Ghoft, he 
 begins to rejoice in God, as his God. 
 Trufting to what Jeius is co him, that he 
 has fatisfied for his fins, has wrought out 
 his righteoufnefs, and is now {landing in 
 the pretence of God for him, he fees him- 
 felf accepted in the beloved, an heir of 
 God, and a joint heir with Chrift. Here- 
 by his heart becomes reconciled to God, 
 and he finds the truth of what is written 
 — " We love him, becaufe he firft loved 
 " us." Now he has David's affeftion, 
 and he can join heartily in finging with 
 him — Blefs the Lord, O my foul*- and all 
 that is within me, blefs his holy name : 
 Blefs the Lord, O my foul, and forget 
 not all his benefits : Who forgive th all 
 thine iniquities, who healeth all thy dif- 
 eafes : Who redeemeth thy life from de- 
 
 ftru&ion* 
 
[ H ] 
 
 ftru&ion, \yho crowneth thee with loving 
 kincinefs and tender mercies. 
 
 Thus the right fmging the praifes of 
 God comes from the Spirit, and it alfo in- 
 creafes the fruits of the Spirit. It is one 
 of the appointed means of improving them. 
 True grace is always operative, and grows 
 by the fruit which it bears. If the be- 
 liever be rejoicing, fmging will add to his 
 joy, as it is v/ritten " Is any in a happy 
 " frame ? Let him fing pfalms -" and that 
 will make him happier. It is the divine 
 promife, and cannot fail : he (hall increafe 
 his joy in the Lord. Is any affi idled ? 
 Pfalms will refrefh and comfort him : 
 Paul and Silas fore whipt and put into the 
 flocks fung a pfalm at midnight. The 
 fulnefs of the Spirit in the fweet finger of 
 Ifrael went out much this way. He fang 
 moil, and praifed beft of all the faints of 
 God. He fang in all frames and upon 
 all occafions : Let us follow his example, 
 and be fpeaking much and often to one 
 another in pfalms and hymns and fpiritual 
 fongs, feeking thereby to be filled with 
 a growing meafure of the holy Spirit. 
 
 If thou enquired, how (hall I obtain this 
 inestimable bleffing ? The command is — 
 afk and it fhall be given you, feek and ye 
 fhall find — whoever is made fenfible he 
 ftands in need of the afliftance of the holy 
 
 Spirit; 
 
[ <% ] 
 
 Spirit is only required to afk, and the 
 
 promife is — " Every one that afketh re- 
 
 6 ceiveth, and he that feeketh findeth : 
 
 ' If a fon fhall afk bread of any of you 
 
 4 that is a father, will he give him a 
 
 c done ? or if he alk a fiih, will he for a 
 
 1 fifh give him a ferpent ? or if he afk an 
 
 c ego; will he give hirn a (corpion ? If ye 
 
 c then, being evil, know how to give good 
 
 4 gifts unto your children, how much 
 
 4 more (hall your heavenly Father give 
 
 4 the holy Spirit to them that aft; 
 
 c him? 5 ' How gracious are thefe words! 
 
 How encouraging are they to every one, 
 
 who has any concern about his falvation, 
 
 to defire the holy Spirit may be given to 
 
 him, to enable him to truft in Jefus, and 
 
 to find the Father's love in him : And 
 
 they leave every man without excufe, who 
 
 lives and dies without thofe bleflings, 
 
 which God has promifed to give to every 
 
 one that afketh. 
 
 Whoever is a partaker of the Spirit has 
 a new nature in Chrift Jefus, and has a 
 new underftanding given him, whereby 
 he is inabled to difcern and to judge of 
 fpiritual things : For thus runs the pro- 
 rnife-— " He fhall lead you into all truth :" 
 And the apoftle prays for the fulfilling of 
 it to the Ephefians — " May the God of 
 " our Lord Jefus Chrift the Father of 
 
 " glory^ 
 
[ 66 ] 
 
 4C glory, give unto you the. fpirit of wifdom 
 u and revelation in the knowlege of hi til, 
 iC that the eyes of your understanding may 
 " be enlightened." The holy Spirit a6ts 
 upon men as rational creatures. He does 
 not treat them, as if they were fhones or 
 brutes ; but he makes the truths of the gof- 
 pei clear to the mind, and defireable to the 
 will. He opens the eyes of the under- 
 Handing to fee the object, and then prefents 
 it in its glorious beauty and attracting 
 iovelinefs. The renewed mind beholds* 
 admire*', and loves it \ and then animated 
 with this love can ling its praifes. Holy 
 men of God in the old teftament fung with 
 knowlege. Ignorance was not the mo- 
 ther of their pfalmody. They were well 
 acquainted with what they fung. The 
 royal prophet fays, he employed his un- 
 deritanding in this devout exercife, as well 
 as his harp, and his voice. Hear him 
 how earneftly he call uoon others to extol 
 his beloved Jefus — " Sing praifes to God, 
 " fing praifes •, fing praifes unto our king, 
 " fing praifes : For God is the king of all 
 " the earth, fing ye praifes with under- 
 c< ftanding*" He would have them to 
 mind what they were about, and to under- 
 ftand what they fung •, leaft they fhould 
 utter lies tnnto the Lord, or offer to him 
 a facrifice without a heart : Confider 
 
 whom 
 
[ ® 1 
 
 whom you have to deal with — how great 
 and good a God — obferve, how yen praife 
 him : Engage all your mental powers in 
 this delightful work, that it may be holy* 
 acceptable to God, and a reafonable fer- 
 vice. 
 
 The apoftle agrees in fentiment with 
 the pfalmift : For thus he fpeaks to the 
 Corinthians : " If I pray in an unknown 
 " tongue, my fpirit prayeth, but my un- 
 " derftanding is unfruitful : What is it 
 " then ? 1 will pray with the fpirit and I 
 " will pray with the underftanding alio : 
 " I will fing with the fpirit, and I will 
 " fing with the underftanding alfo." 
 Singing is unfruitful, unlefs the under- 
 ftanding go with it. Unlefs the mind be. 
 profited, and God be honored, it is only 
 empty found. But when we fing by the 
 Spirit, then he will teach us to fing with 
 the underftanding alfo. He will open the 
 fubjed: to us, will give a fixt attention to 
 it, will bring the mind into tune, and will 
 keep us looking at the fenfe, more than 
 at the found. 
 
 Is it fo with thee, O my foul ? Enquire 
 carefully. Art thou led by the Spirit in 
 thy finging ? Does he enlighten thy mind* 
 and guide thee into the knowlege of the 
 fubjeft, in which thou art engaged ? Take 
 heed, and be often examining thyfeltf— how 
 
 thy 
 
[ 68 ] 
 
 thy mind is affefted — lead thou fhotildii 
 prelent unto the Lord the fong of fools. 
 
 But chiefly keep thy heart diligently : 
 Becaufe out of it are the iffues of life. 
 The man is what his heart is. If this be 
 dead to God, nothing in him is alive : If 
 this be right with God, all will be right. 
 If he has a clean heart, and a' right fpirit 
 renewed within him, the. holy Ghoft has 
 made him a new creature in Chrift Jefus, 
 and has won the will and the affeftions 
 over to God. This is his principal office 
 in the converfion of finners. He there- 
 fore difcovers truth to the underftanding, 
 in order that it may become defireable, 
 and that the heart may be properly in- 
 fluenced by it. The heart is the com- 
 manding faculty. When this has once 
 tailed the fweetnefs of the Father's love in 
 Jefus, it will engage the whole man to 
 feek for more. Love is very aftive,' and 
 will do or fuffer much to obtain and to 
 preferve the beloved object. Set this 
 Ipring a going, it will move all the 
 wheels. The hands will work for God. 
 The feet will run the way of his command- 
 ments. Love will make heavy burdens 
 not grievous to be borne : Love will 
 carry them a long time, and faint not. 
 Jacob " ferved feven years for Rachel, 
 and they feemed unto him but a few days 
 
 for 
 
[ 6 9 ] 
 
 for the love which he had unto her. The 
 labor of love is always delightful. When 
 we know God to be our Father in Jefus, 
 and have his love fhed abroad in our hearts 
 by the holy Ghoft, then his fervice be- 
 comes perfect freedom : Then duty is en- 
 nobled into privilege : Then obedience be- 
 comes willing, and filial : The beloved 
 child finds free accefs to the Father's 
 throne, and receives bleffed communica- 
 tions of his grace: For which his thank- 
 ful heart offers the facrifice of praife, and 
 it comes up with a fweet favor acceptable 
 to God through Jefus Chrift. This is the 
 meiody of the heart. While it feels its 
 infinite debt to free grace, is deeply con- 
 vinced of its utter unworthineft, and is 
 kept humble by the abiding fenle of its 
 imperfections, and of its indwelling cor- 
 ruptions, it is in a right frame to exalt the 
 exceeding riches of divine mercy. Then 
 it is difpofed to give God all his glory. 
 This he requires, as his due, and it be- 
 cometh well the righteous to pay it. When 
 the heart is made willing to aicribe every 
 good to his holy name, then it is right 
 with God. All within is now in tune to 
 join every golden harp, and every joyful 
 tongue in heaven, which are afcribing 
 blcffing and honor, and glory and power 
 
 to 
 
t 70 ] 
 
 to him that fitteth upon the throne, and 
 to the lamb for ever. 
 
 This is the chief requifite in finging 
 pfalms. The heart makes the belt mufic. 
 The fineft compofitions, ever fo well ex- 
 ecuted with inftruments and voices are not 
 a divine concert, unlefs the heart accom- 
 pany them. David knew this we'll, and 
 therefore he fet his affections to the higheft 
 pitch of praife, and he brought all of 
 them to join. His whole heart entered 
 into the performance, and rendered the 
 concert full. — " I will praife thee, O Lord 
 " my God, with all my heart, and I will 
 " glorify thy name for evermore : For 
 " great is thy mercy towards me." Thy 
 fpecial covenant mercy is fuch towards 
 me, that my very thoughts cannot rife up 
 to its greatnefs : How then can I utter 
 forth all its praife ? I cannot •, no, not 
 even half of it. But though the debt be 
 fo great, that I cannot count it up, yet 1 
 will the more extoll thee for it from day 
 to day : I would engage my affe&ions, and 
 give them all up to this heavenly employ- 
 ment. I would have my whole foul in it, 
 And yet the debt remains, rather increafes. 
 
 for a more enlarged heart ! My praifes 
 continued are only acknowledgements, and 
 
 1 want them continued with growing hu- 
 mility — more in earth and more in heaven. 
 
 There 
 
[ P ] 
 
 There I fhall praife better, when my heart 
 will have nothing in it, but humble grati- 
 tude. Yet here I will not give over ; but 
 will carry on my joyful fong, till I can 
 fing in a higher ftrain. " Praife the Lord, 
 " O my foul, and all within me blefs his 
 " holy name : O give thanks unto him 
 " for he is good, and his mercy endureth 
 " for ever. Hallelujah." 
 
 The apoftle Paul had his portion in the 
 fame mercy, and had the fame grateful 
 fenfe of it : He fang the pfalms of David 
 with the fpirit of David. What he prac- 
 ticed himfelf he has recommended to 
 others. He has given us fome rules about 
 finging in the congregation, and he chiefly 
 confines them to the heart accompanying 
 the voice. Thus he dire&s theEphefians — 
 * c Be not drunk With wine wherein is ex- 
 " cefs, but be ye filled with the fpirit, 
 " fpeaking to yourfelves in pfalms and 
 * c hymns, and fpiritual fongs, finging and 
 " making melody in your hearts unto 
 " the Lord, giving thanks always for all 
 ** things unto God and the Father in the 
 46 name of our Lord Jefus Chrift." He 
 would not have them meet together, as 
 they formerly had done, to feaft without 
 fear, and to drink unto drunkennefs, in- 
 citing one another to greater riot and ex- 
 cefs by wanton and profane fongs : Which 
 
 was 
 
I 72 ] 
 
 was the cuftom at moft of the heathen 
 banquets. They ufed to try to fill one 
 another with wickednefs. But ye have 
 not fo learned Chrift. Seek ye to be filled 
 with his fpirit, and ufe the means appointed 
 for that purpofe : Among which finging 
 of pfalms, and hymns, and fpiritual fongs 
 is one of the chief. Thefe feveral names 
 are expreflive of thedifferent fubjefts treat- 
 ed of in the facred poetry ; hymns are in 
 praife of Immanuel, fpiritual fongs are in 
 praife df his fpiritual kingdom, according 
 to the fenfe of the words in the Hebrew,- 
 and according to the translation of them 
 in the Septuagint, as was before (hewn. 
 The manner of finging them it is here 
 laid was by joining together with their 
 voices, but eipecially with their hearts. 
 From thence comes the beft melody. 
 Harmony in found is pleafant in our ears; 
 but harmony in affeftion is the mufic, 
 which enters into the ears of the Lord q£ 
 hofts. " My fon, give me thy heart s" 
 He will have no fervice without it. Prayer, 
 obedience, praife, every offering mult 
 come from the heart. He looks at this, 
 and this in all, and above all. This he 
 accepts, and teftifies his delight in : For 
 it is the fame facrifice of oraife, which will 
 for ever delight him. The church tri- 
 umphant has begun the long, which will 
 
 be 
 
[ 73 5 
 
 be perfedtly and for ever pleafmg to the 
 Lord : And when we meet below with one 
 faith to glorify our one Lord, then we en- 
 joy the communion of faints. We have 
 ont heart with them — join in the fame fub- 
 je£t of praife to their Lord and our Lord — 
 our harmony is theirs — our happinefs is 
 theirs — it is one and the fame communion 
 with the Father and the Son by the Spirit. 
 And though we cannot raife our fong to 
 fo high a pitch, or continue it without 
 ceafing, as the faints above do •, yet we 
 entirely agree with them, and are trying 
 to make better mufic in our hearts every 
 day, until we fee, their Jefus and our 
 Jefus face to face. He loves us, as well 
 as them : For he is our Immanuel : And 
 our fouls rejoice in him together with them. 
 We love him, we ierve him, we blefs him, 
 as humbly, and as thankfully, as we can ; 
 yea in all things we would be giving of 
 thanks to his holy name. O for more 
 love, more thankfulnefs, more devotednefs 
 to our precious Lord Jefus Chrift. This 
 is our daily prayer, and our conflant pur- 
 fuit. Blefled and eternal Spirit purify our 
 hearts by faith, and increafe in them a 
 fenfe of his wondrous love to us, that we 
 may be growing in love to him, until he 
 vouchfafe to admit us into his pre- 
 D fence, 
 
[ 74 ] 
 
 fence, and give us to thank him with ne- 
 ver ceafmg fongs of praife* 
 
 In another place the apoftle treats of 
 the fame fubjetft, only varies the expref- 
 fion a little. He recommends finging 
 of pfalms to the Coloflians, as an ordi- 
 dinance of God for increafing the graces 
 of his people — " Let the word of Chrift 
 * c dwell in you richly in all wifdom, 
 " teaching and admonifhing one another 
 €; in pfalms and hymns and fpiritual 
 cc fongs, finging with grace in your 
 " hearts to the Lord : And whatfoever 
 cc ye do in word or deed, do all in the 
 " name of the Lord Jefus, giving thanks 
 " to God and the Father by him." The 
 Coloflians had put on the new man, and 
 the apoftle exhorts them to put on the 
 ornaments and endowments peculiar to 
 their new nature, and he mentions feveral 
 of them: In which he would have them 
 to be growing daily : And he propofes to 
 them the word of God, as the belt means 
 for this purpofe. He would have it trea- 
 fured up in their hearts, and inwardly 
 digefted — " dwelling richly in them in all 
 " wifdom" for knowlege and pradtice. 
 He includes both : Becaufe this wifdom 
 was for edification — they were to teach 
 and to admonifh one another. What each 
 had learnt out of the fcriptures was to be 
 
 of 
 
[ 75 ] 
 
 of public benefit to the churcL And 
 the way of doing this is particularly men- 
 tioned — They were to fing together with 
 grace in their hearts. All is diicord with- 
 in, until we are taught by grace, free 
 effectual grace. But when we believe the 
 dodtrines of grace, then harmony comes 
 in, and we learn to afcribe every good to 
 the mere mercy of God, We receive his 
 bleffings, and he receives all the praife of 
 them. Then grace is in the heart : It is 
 there not only to reconcile the finner to 
 the way of falvation by faith alone, but 
 alfo to make him in love with it, and to 
 keep him willing to praife God for it with 
 his lips and life. O how good a thing is 
 it, that the heart be thus eftablifhed with 
 grace ! For then the affections will be fixe 
 upon the right object, and the whole foul 
 will be in harmony with the truth as it is 
 in Jefus. Free grace do&rines felt in their 
 power in the heart make heavenly melody. 
 Every faculty is in tune, and inclined to 
 bear its part in blefiing the name of the 
 Lord. The underfbnding fees it right, 
 the will choofes, the heart loves to give 
 him all the praife, and the mouth joins to 
 glorify him with joyful lips, finging unto 
 the Lord — The God-man — Immanuel is 
 the fubjeft of this happy fong. He is the 
 God of all grace. It is a joyful and plea- 
 D z fant 
 
[-76 1 
 
 fant thing to be thanking him for it : Yea, 
 it is a foretaft of the faints fulnefs of joy. 
 The truly humble believer, feeing the ex- 
 ceeding riches of grace, gladly joins his 
 elder brethren round the throne in praif- 
 ing the Lord Jefus Chrift. And when 
 the temple of God fhall be complete, and 
 the laft believer joined to the fpiritual 
 building, then the topftone fhall be 
 brought forth with fhouting — grace — 
 grace unto it — glory be to free grace for 
 ever and ever. 
 
 To the fame purpofe the apoftle James, 
 ch. v. 13. teaching believers how to be- 
 have in every date directs them, " Is any 
 " among you affii&ed ? let him pray. Is 
 " any merry ? let him fing pfalms." Af- 
 fli<5tion fhould fend him to prayer, for 
 grace to bear it and to improve it : Joy to 
 finging of pfalms to exprefs thankfulnefs 
 to God. Is any merry ? that is a proper 
 feafon, though not the only feafon. Prayer 
 is neceflary at all times, though it be moft 
 needful in affiidtion : And fo finging ; it 
 is not only needful when we are rejoicing, 
 lii order that our joy may center in the 
 Lord, but fometimes finging will beget 
 fpiritual joy, and will awaken it in the 
 afflicted heart. Paul and Silas were in 
 great outward diltrefs, yet they fang a 
 pfalm in prifon. The apoftles fang an 
 
 hymn 
 
[ 77 3 
 
 hymn after the facrament, although they 
 knew their Lord was going to fuffer, and 
 they were greatly troubled. In that for- 
 rowful hour they fang. Singing is always 
 feafonable, but efpecially when the heart 
 is happy, " Is any among you merry ?. 
 " Let him fmg pfalms." Is he in a good 
 frame of mind, rejoicing in the bounty of 
 God, either for temporal or fpiritual 
 mercies ? Let him fing pfalms to the praife 
 and glory of his benefactor : This is a 
 proper expreflion of gratitude for favors 
 received, and will be the means, of iecuring 
 them : For fince his happinefs comes from 
 a good God, and arifes from communion 
 with God in Chrift, it is fit and meet* 
 that he fhould afcribe it to the right ob-* 
 je6t, and in a way of God's own appoint- 
 ing. A divine hymn upon the fubjeit of 
 praife (of which there are many) fung 
 with heart-felt thankfulnefs is a grateful 
 fervice. The Lord requires fuch an ac- 
 knowlegement, and it becometh well the 
 jull to be thankful — yea he has vouch- 
 fafed to reveal the very words, in which 
 he requires, it to be paid him : And when 
 all within us bleffes his holy name, re- 
 joicing in the Lord, he would have the 
 outward man to join, and to declare with 
 the melody of his lips, how happy he is 
 in his heart, Thus in finging the praifes 
 D 3 of 
 
[ ?8 J 
 
 of our God we fhall find frefh reafon to 
 praife him. He will certainly meet us in 
 his own means, and bids us in his own 
 ways. We fhall not wait upon him in 
 vain. The means of his appointing can- 
 not fail of anfwering the end. He has 
 promiled to put honor upon his own ap- 
 pointments, and his word cannot be broken. 
 The joyful chriftian is commanded to fing 
 the praifes of his God, and his heart fhall 
 be thereby kept in holy joy, yea it fhall 
 beincreafed. His joy fhall abound : And 
 when believers fing, as they are command- 
 ed, with one another, it fhall tend to their 
 mutual edification. It fhall flir them up 
 to greater thankfulnefs, and excite warm- 
 er affection to the God of their falvation. 
 Singing pfalms is a church-ordinance, and 
 as fuch it is blefled. The Lord will not 
 forfake the affembly of his faints. When 
 they are met together to praife him, he 
 will be in the midft of them, and will 
 manifeft his acceptance, both of their per- 
 fons and fervices. This will make their 
 attendance upon him delightful. When 
 he lifts up the light of his countenance 
 upon them, how can they help finging 
 what they feel ? Now they experience he 
 has bought them with his blood, and faved 
 them from hell, has wrought out their 
 righteoufnefs, and will give them his 
 
 heaven* 
 
[ 79 ] 
 
 heaven, it becometh them well to praifc 
 him, and to rejoice in his holy name* 
 He has made them blefled at prefent, and 
 they ihall be bleffed for evermore. Their 
 bleffednefs comes from a never failing 
 fpring. They are the one true church, 
 of which it is faid — " Joy and gladnefs 
 " (hall be found therein, thankfgiving and 
 " the voice of melody." Singing is their 
 heaven in the church triumphant. They 
 have the fulnefs of joy from God and the 
 lamb, and they acldnowlege it with hum- 
 ble adoration, and a grateful fong of never 
 ending praife. The innumerable com- 
 pany of the redeemed will find their heaven 
 of heavens in enjoying communion with 
 the holy Trinity, and in fingingthe glories 
 of that mercy, which is from everlafting 
 to everlafting. 
 
 In this paflage the apoftle James fup- 
 pofes, that joy and finging agree well to- 
 gether. So they do. They depend on 
 one another as the caufe and the effedh 
 The melody of the heart breaks out, and 
 exprefles itfelf with the melody of the 
 mouth. A heart made fenfible of God's 
 love in Chrift has the greateft reafon to 
 rejoice, and will be ready to fnew it in 
 every way of God's appointment, parti- 
 cularly in finging the praifes of his won- 
 drous love. Does the prophet happy in 
 D ± his 
 
[ 8o ] 
 
 his foul declare ? " My mouth fhall praife 
 46 thee with joyful lips" — true chriftians 
 can gladly join him. They have return- 
 ed to God in faith, and have found re- 
 demption through the blood of the lamb. 
 They know in whom they have believed, 
 and are fatisfied of the Father's love to 
 them in his dear ion. Now they can de- 
 light in God. It is their privilege to re- 
 joice in him, as their God : Yea it is their 
 bounden duty (he calls ijpon them) to 
 exprefs their fenfe of his goodnefs in fongs 
 of praife. This joy in God is one of the 
 chief ingredients in pfalm finging. The 
 heart cannot make pleafant melody, un- 
 leis joy be there : For the Lord God has 
 an unalienable right to the fervice of the 
 whole man, but we never acknowlege it, 
 until we become his children through 
 faith in Chrift Jefus ; in whom we have 
 free accels unto the Father. Then per- 
 fuaded of his precious love to us, we love 
 him again, and in thankfulnefs give up 
 ourfelves with all we have and are to his 
 fervice and glory. From hence arifes our 
 joy in God, and every expreffion of it ; 
 which were required of all men by the 
 holy law, but are only fulfilled by thofe, 
 who have the faith of the gofpel. An 
 unpardoned finner cannot poffibly rejoice 
 in God : Becaufe this holy joy is a fruit 
 
 of 
 
 
[ 8' ] 
 
 of the Spirit, and is the confequence of be- 
 lieving. Thus David — " The Lord is 
 44 my -ftrength and my fhield, my heart 
 " trufted in him, and I am helped, there- 
 44 fore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and 
 u with my fong will I praife him." What 
 the prophet had experienced himfelf, the 
 fame he wifhes for others — " Let all thofe 
 46 that put their truft in thee rejoice, let 
 44 them ever fhout for joy, becaufe thou 
 4C defendefl them : Let them alfo that 
 44 love thy name be joyful in thee." And 
 when a company of thefe happy people 
 meet together, it is the delight of their 
 hearts to join in praifes to their God, and 
 Saviour. " O come letAis fing unto the 
 44 Lord ; let us make a chearful noife to 
 ** the rock of our falvation : Let us come 
 44 before his prefence with thankfgiving, 
 " and make a joyful noife unto him with 
 4C pfalms." With thefe words we always 
 begin the reading of the fcriptures in our 
 church fervice. And what could be more 
 fuitable ? How proper is it in a congrega- 
 tion of believers to call upon one another 
 to join in the praifes of the common Sa- 
 viour, that we may ftrengthen our mutual 
 joy in him. All true joy comes from him, 
 and every acknowledgement of it inward 
 and outward is therefore required, in order 
 to preferve and to increaie our rejoicing 
 D 5 io 
 
[ 82 ] 
 
 in the Lord Jefus Chrift. He deferves 
 all our joy — the lovelinefs of Immanuel — 
 his love to us — the bleffings of his love — 
 how many — how great — how lafting I 
 thefe fhould encourage us to be glad in 
 him now with great joy. But the well- 
 grounded profpefl, which hope has, of 
 finding in him infinite and everlafting 
 bleflings, fhould lead us to rejoice in him 
 with joy unfpeakable and full of glory. 
 This prgfpeft has brightened the darkeft 
 day : It has enabled fufferers ^greatly to 
 rejoice, when in heavinefs through mani- 
 fold temptations : It has fupported them 
 under every fiery trial. Nothing could 
 extinguish the joy. It has lived, and 
 triumphed in the martyr's breaft, even in 
 the agonies of the moft painful death. 
 ^Faith reads, and with hope looks out for 
 (and it is a hope that will never beafhamed) 
 the accomplifhment of this faithful pro- 
 mife — " The ranfomed of the Lord fhall 
 * 6 return and come to Sion with fongs,< 
 iC and everlafting joy upon their heads*. 
 *' they fhall obtain joy and gladnefs, and 
 *< forrow and fighing fhall flee away. 5 ' 
 
 Dolt thou find, O my foul, any of this 
 holy joy ? Canft thou fing pfalms with 
 the underftanding, with the heart, and 
 with gladnefs in thy heart, rejoicing in the 
 Lord ? Canft thou give thanks always for 
 
 all 
 
t S3 ] 
 
 all things unto God and the Father in 
 the name of our Lord Jefus Chrift ? This 
 is the privilege of every true believer. 
 Being faved from fin and hell, made an 
 heir of God and a joint heir with Chrift, 
 he has an intereft in all things : For they 
 are all working together under God for 
 his prefent and eternal good. While he 
 lives by faith, he knows it,, and has the 
 comfort of it. His heart is kept in tune* 
 and whatever befalls him, he has reafoa 
 to rejoice in the Lord his God. 
 
 Thus the Lord would have his people 
 to rejoice in him always. It is not only 
 true in theory, that they may, but it is 
 alfo true in practice, if the outward walk 
 be in concord with the doftrine of the 
 pfalms. This is another effential part of 
 pfaim finging. The believer fhould live 
 as he fmgs. His life fhould be in har- 
 mony with his principles. If he fees the 
 truth as it is in Jefus, and loves it, and 
 rejoices in it, the effe£t of all this will 
 certainly be outward and vifible. The 
 inward melody will be expreffed in his 
 tempers and behaviour. There will be 
 a confiftency throughout. As he lives,, 
 fo he will walk, by the faith of the Son 
 of God. Practice and principle will fweet- 
 ly accord. The fame found that comes^ 
 from his lips comes alfo from his heart* 
 
 and 
 
[ *4 1 
 
 and his whole life will be an unifon. His 
 a&ions fing, his tempers are in harmony* 
 his behaviour makes up the chorus, a- 
 broad and at home, the mufic of his heart 
 and life gives one certain note — Jefus is 
 mine ALL — I live in him— on him — to 
 him — I would have ail within me to 
 praife him, and all without me to fhew 
 forth his praifes — bleflings on him for 
 ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 If a man's life be not thus confident 
 with his fmging, he mocks God, he de- 
 ceives his neighbour, and he gives the 
 lie to his own words. Aftions are furer 
 evidences, than founds : For they difco- 
 ver the fettled, and the laft purpofe of 
 the mind. They fhew not only what a 
 man talks of, but what he is determined 
 to live by. The true character cannot 
 be known, but from them. God only 
 fees the heart. We know what is in it, 
 by what comes out of it. We judge of 
 the fountain from the flream. If the 
 ■words and works be evil, fo is the heart: 
 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, 
 murders, adulteries* fornications, &c, 
 thefe are clear fadts to judge by. If 
 fuch a man was to fing with a voice like 
 an angel, it is a voice and nothing more. 
 His actions prove it to be mere air and 
 empty found : Yea, they demonftrate, 
 
 that 
 
[ 8 5 1 
 
 that his heart is in perfect difcord with 
 God. He fays one thing, and does the 
 contrary. He feems to praife God, as if 
 he was happy in his love, but he cleaves 
 to the world and feeks his happinefs in it. 
 He fings — " Whom have I in heaven 
 " but thee, 35 yet fhews his fupreme joy is 
 in the earth. How can any thing, that 
 fuch a man fings be an acceptable iervice, 
 while his heart and life are in direft op- 
 pofition to the holy will of God ? A Jew 
 can fing, a Turk can join in concert with 
 him, an infidel may play well upon an 
 inftrument, a company of Jews, Turks, 
 and infidels may perform the fineft piece 
 of mufic and with the molt harmonious 
 founds. They may go through the ora- 
 torio of the Mefliah without one difcord. 
 But here is no melody to the Lord. 
 They have no defign to fhew forth the 
 praifes of Immanuel : And what is not 
 done in faith, and to his glory is fin. 
 Their mufic is as hateful to him, as any 
 of their other vices: For SELF is the 
 burden of their fong. They fing to pleafe 
 themfelves, and to pleafe God is not in 
 all their thoughts. O confider this, ye 
 that come to church, and join in finging 
 the pfalms. Is it with you an ordinance 
 of God ? Do you look upon it, as fuch, 
 and find it fuch ? Does your underftand- 
 
 ing 
 
[ 86 ] 
 
 ing go with the pfalm, and your heart 
 enter into it ? Is it the joy of your heart ? 
 Do you fing rejoicing in God ? And do 
 you find him your one iupreme bleffednefs 
 all the day long ? So that your life is a 
 continued fong of praife, and every adtion 
 of it, being fubjeft to his holy will, pre- 
 serves the harmony, and keeps up the 
 heavenly 'joy. Is it thus indeed? Who 
 is like unto you, O people faved by the 
 Lord. May nothing caufe difcord be- 
 tween you any more : But may increasing 
 faith witnefs with growing comfort that 
 you are one with God, and he is one with 
 you. Look to Jefus. Let your eyes be 
 fixt upon him, expe&ing all out of his. 
 fulneis. Keep .dole to him. Thus you 
 fliall go on your way rejoicing ; and loon? 
 you fliall fee him face to face, and your 
 joy fliall be full. 
 
 If all thefe things be put together, then 
 we learn that finging pfalms is an ordinance 
 ©f God, and one of the means of grace, 
 inftituted for the exercife and for the im- 
 provement of grace. It is commanded with- 
 a promife, and the promife is made good to 
 this very day, as thoufands of living wife* 
 jieffes can teftify. When they have met 
 together, underftanding the fubjedt of 
 the pfalm, and finging it with melody in> 
 their hearts, then the Lord has accepted 
 
 their 
 
[ s 7 i 
 
 their praifes, and increafed their joy m 
 him. They have found their affections 
 . drawn nearer to him, and he has warmed 
 them with a fweet fenfe of his love. And 
 this has not been a tranfient vifit. It 
 did not ceafe when they had done fing- 
 ing; but the harmony was preferved in 
 a well ordered walk, directed by the faith 
 of the Son of God. They lived their 
 fongs. Peace and love dwelt in their 
 hearts, and their joy abounded in the 
 Lord. 
 
 But where is this fort of finging, in 
 what place, or among what people? Who 
 are they that find thofe heavenly affeftions 
 exercifed in it, and thofe happy effects 
 from it ? It is much to be lamented, that 
 all finging of pfalms at prefent is not upon: 
 the right plan, and does not anfwer the 
 end of its inftitution. I fpeak not of the 
 contempt, with which it is treated by the 
 age, or of the negle£t of it by many 
 profeffors, but of the prevailing abufes 
 of it among them, who would be thought 
 altogether Chriftians. 
 
 C H A P« 
 
[ 88 ] 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Tbefe abufes I would particularly mention^ 
 and humbly propofe a remedy for each of 
 them. 
 
 COME of thefe may feem not worthy 
 . of notice, they are fuch fmall matters; 
 but I think there is nothing little in di- 
 vine worfhip. The majefty of God enno- 
 bles, and exalts every part of it. He 
 has commanded us to fing pfalms, and 
 whatever he has been pleafed to com- 
 mand, has his authority to enforce it : 
 And whatever he has engaged to blefs, 
 has his promife to make it the means of 
 bleffing. In keeping of it there is at 
 prefent great reward. His prefence will 
 be in it, when it is rightly performed, 
 and he will render it effectual. He will 
 hear, he will accept, he will witnefs his 
 acceptance of the praifes of his people : 
 Therefore every thing relating to them 
 fhould be done decently and in order. 
 We fhould always fing with a reverence, 
 becoming the greatnefs and goodnefs of 
 our God, in fuch a manner as may beffc 
 exprefs our happinefs in his love, and 
 as may tend molt to mutual edification. 
 
 If 
 
[ 89 ] 
 
 If thefe things be confidered, it will 
 not be thought an indifferent matter, 
 whether the pfalms be lung at all, or 
 how they be lung — whether with, or 
 without any heart devotion, with or 
 without any melody of the voice— whether 
 every believer in the congregation fnould 
 fing, or no — whether finging fnould be a 
 trial of fkill, who can bawl loudeft — whe- 
 ther the poiture fhould not be exprefllve 
 as well as the voice — whether fuitable 
 portions of the pfalms fhould be chofen, 
 or the perfon who gives them out fhould 
 be left to choofe them, often without any 
 judgment — whether grace fhould be ex- 
 ercifed in finging, or not — whether we 
 ihould fing in order to increafe grace, or 
 not — whether v/e fhould fing for amufe- 
 ment, or for the glory of God. It is 
 not a trifling matter — how you determine 
 thofe points : They enter deep into an 
 important part of religious worfhip, yea 
 into a very high aft of it, one in which 
 we pay* the noblefb fervice we can upon 
 earth, and indeed the neareft we can 
 come to the fervice of faints and angels. 
 How then can it be an indifferent thing, 
 whether a believer fings pfalms, or not, 
 or whether or no he fings them with me- 
 lody in his heart unto the Lord ? Certain- 
 ly if he would pleafe God in finging, he 
 
 (hould 
 
[ 90 ] 
 
 fhould attend to the fcripture rules before 
 laid down for directing his conduft, which 
 compared with the analogy of faith will 
 regulate every thing relating to the divine 
 ordinance of pfalm finging. 
 
 One great abufe is the general ignorance 
 of the fubjed of the book of pfalms. No 
 portion of God's word is lefs known: 
 Many in our congregation very feldom 
 vinderftand what they are finging. They 
 have not Chrift in their eye, nor his glory 
 in their view : Although the defign of all 
 thofe hymns is to defcribe the love of God 
 to finners in Chrift Jefus. They all treat 
 of him in forne view or other : For there 
 are many extenfive, and all very glorious 
 views, in which his perfon, offices, works 
 and ways may be confidered. Some treat 
 of his high praifes as God-man, defcribing 
 his perfon, as the infinite treafury of grace 
 and glory. Some celebrate the matchlefs 
 deeds of his life, as the Lord our righ- 
 teoufnefs, and the complete atonement 
 made for fin by the facrifice of himfelf. 
 Others in language and fentiments truly 
 fublime fing the endlefs viftories of his 
 refurre£tion, and the prevailing efficacy 
 of his intercefiion. Several of them treat 
 of his mod bleiTed government, when he 
 fets up his throne in the hearts of his will- 
 ing people, and faves them from fin, and 
 
 death. 
 
[ 9* I 
 
 death, and every enemy : While others 
 foretell the great day of the Lord, when 
 he will come to judge all flefh, will take 
 his redeemed home, and the whole hea- 
 ven fhall be filled with his glory. Be- 
 fides, the pfalms treat of this wonderful 
 perfon, not only from the beginning of 
 time, but alio from the ages of eternity : 
 They difcover the undertakings of his 
 love before all worlds in the covenant of 
 the Trinity — his fulfilling the covenant 
 engagements in time — and his bellowing 
 covenant-bleffings from henceforth and 
 for ever. What an extenfive view do 
 they give us of the loving kindnefs of 
 Immanue], reaching from everlafting to 
 everlafting 1 And in all thefe refpedts the 
 pfalms are of ineftimable value with be* 
 lievers : For their ufe the holy Spirit has 
 recorded them y and herein they learn, 
 what fentiments they are to form of God 
 the Saviour* with what gratitude they 
 fhould fpeak of him, and with what holy 
 joy they fhould fing the triumphs of re- 
 deeming love. The pfalms were fitted 
 for this purpofe by infinite wifdom : For 
 holy men of God fpake them as they were 
 moved by the holy Ghoft : And they are 
 bleffed for this purpofe, when with the 
 apoftie any one can fay, " I will fiag 
 
 " with 
 
[ 92 ] 
 
 " with the Spirit, and I will fing with 
 " the underftanding alio." 
 
 In order to remedy this great evil, I 
 have prefixed the fubjed of every pfalm 
 in this collection, that the congregation 
 might have a key to the true fenfe, and 
 each might know, what particular grace 
 was to be exerciied in finging it. This 
 will help fomewhat to keep up harmony 
 in the underftanding. But it will not 
 be without fome diicord, until the fub- 
 je<5t treated of in the book of pfalms be 
 made very plain, and their application to 
 Jefus Chrift be well fettled. For this 
 end I have finifhed fome years ago a 
 translation of the pfalms, with a treatife 
 upon their ufe and defign : It was com- 
 puted to make two large volumes in oc- 
 tavo, entitled, An ejfay towards a new 
 tr anjiation of the bible — In which 1 have 
 been engaged, as opportunity has offered, 
 above thirty years •, but I fhould have 
 publifhed nothing more of it in my life 
 time, than this effay, in which the transla- 
 tion of the book of pfalms would have 
 been given as a fpecimen of the work. 
 It has laid by me fo long, that I am not 
 very fanguine about the publication. Yet 
 if this little trade ftiould be favorably re- 
 ceived, and God fhould be pleafed to 
 
 make 
 
[ 93 ] 
 
 make it ufeful : If fome providence fhould 
 afford me leifure to revife my papers, of 
 which I have no profpedt at prefent, and 
 if they fhould then appear to me likely to 
 promote the honor of God, and the good 
 of his church, I fhould think it my duty 
 to let my light fhine before men. Yet in 
 this, and in every thing elfe, I do earneftly 
 pray — Not my will, Lord, but thine be 
 done. 
 
 Another very great abufe arifes from 
 not treating pfalm finging as becometh a 
 divine ordinance. There fhould be great 
 refpecl paid to what God has appointed, 
 and in the ufe of which he has promifed 
 to meet and to blefs his people. We 
 commonly call thoie the means of grace, to 
 which grace is promifed, and by which 
 grace is received, and through which it is 
 increafed in the heart. Singing of pfalms 
 is undoubtedly one of thofe means, but it 
 is amongft us very much neglected, and 
 when ufed, it is done in fo irreverent a 
 manner, that the end of its inftitution is 
 not attained. God, as has been already 
 proved, has enjoined, and enforced it by 
 repeated commands. He has alfo afligned 
 the reafon of them, namely, that when- 
 ever we find ourfelves happy in him, he 
 would have our joy to flow out this way. 
 And what more proper and fignificant ? 
 
 Singing 
 
[ 94 ] 
 
 Singing is only expreffing outwardly the 
 melody of the heart : And God has re- 
 quired it of us, as a juft fervice of praife. 
 He has furnifhed us both with matter and 
 words. He has given us a divine collec- 
 tion of moil perfeft hymns. And when 
 we ufe them in humble faith, God will 
 render them the means of exciting, of pre- 
 ferving, and of increafing our holy joy : 
 For the promife is — " The meek alfo 
 " fhall increafe their joy in the Lord, and 
 " the poor among men fhall rejoice in the 
 " holy one of Ifrael." 
 
 This promife has been made good in 
 all ages. The bleffing has come in the 
 ufe of means. The church of Chrift in 
 praifing him has found frefh reafon to 
 praife him. While its happy members 
 have been finging together, he has vouch- 
 fafed to them his gracious prefence, and 
 has given them fweet communications of 
 his heavenly love. They have fung till 
 their hearts burnt within them, inflamed 
 with a fenfe of his goodnefs. Then they 
 had delightful experience of the pfalmift's 
 words — " Praife ye the Lord ; for it is a 
 " good thing to give thanks unto the 
 " Lord, and to fing praifes unto thy name, 
 4C O moil high : For it is pleafant and 
 w praife is comely." 
 
 Reader, 
 
[ 95 ] 
 
 % Reader, doft thou find it fo ? Is it a 
 pleafure to thee to fing pfalms ? Dofl thou 
 ling them, -as an ordinance ? Doft thou in 
 faith expeft a bleffing upon thy Tinging ? 
 And is it indeed to thee the means of grace? 
 If it be, ufe them more, and thou wilt find 
 an increafing bleffing : If it be not, con- 
 fider well what has been faid — repent of 
 thine abufe of this precious ordinance — 
 and pray for grace to obferve it to the 
 honor of God, to the edification of others, 
 and to the profit of thine own foul : The 
 Lord give thee, a right underftanding in 
 this matter. 
 
 The neglect of it as an ordinance has 
 led many people entirely to neglect it. 1 
 have fcarce ever ken a congregation, in 
 which every one joined in finging. This 
 is a very great abufe : Becaufe it is defeat- 
 ing the end of God's inftitution. He 
 commanded pfalms to be fung for mutual 
 edification, h was to be the fervice of 
 the whole church. All were to join ; 
 whereas among us it is performed by fome 
 few, and they are fometimes let by them- 
 felves in a finging gallery, or in a corner 
 of the church, where they fing to be ad- 
 mired for their fine voices, and others hear 
 them for their entertainment. This is a 
 vile proftitution of church mufic, and 
 
 contrary 
 
C 96 ] 
 
 contrary to the letter and fpirit both of the 
 old teftament and alfo of the new. 
 
 The firft facred hymn upon record was 
 fung by Mofes, and the children of Ifrael, 
 in which Miriam, and all the women join- 
 ed, and fang the chorus. The fecond 
 hymn mentioned is faid to be fung by the 
 people of Ifrael without any ditlindtion. 
 When the ark was brought up to the city 
 of David, he and all Ifrael played before 
 God with all their might, and with fing- 
 ing : Moft likely they fang the lxviiith 
 pfalm accompanied with harps, and pfal- 
 teries, and with timbrels, and with cym- 
 bals, and with trumpets. David frequently 
 fpeaks of fmging pialms, as an ordinance 
 in which every one fhould bear his part, 
 that God might be glorified, and all might 
 be edified — " Make a joyful noife unto 
 64 God, all ye lands •, ling forth the honor 
 *5 of his name, make his praife glorious. 
 " All the earth fhall worfhip thee, and 
 4C fhall fing unto thee, they fhall fing unto 
 " thy name. O let the nations be glad, 
 " and fing for joy, fing unto God, ye 
 44 kingdoms of the earth : O ling praifes 
 44 unto the Lord." The fweet finger of 
 Ifrael choofes this for his fubjeft — t4 All 
 44 thy works fhall praife thee, O Lord, 
 
 " and thy faints fhall blefs thee" and 
 
 he purfues it through the cxlviiith pfalm. 
 
 He 
 
t 97 ] 
 
 He begins with Hallelujah, and intending 
 to have a full chorus to join him in afcrib- 
 ing all glory to God in the higheft, he 
 calls upon the holy angels and the heavenly 
 hofts to affift; then he addrefles himfelf to 
 the aftive powers in nature, which praife 
 God by doing his will and obeying his de- 
 cree ; afterwards he calls upon the earth 
 with every thing in it, and on it, animate, 
 and inanimate : For chefe fulfill his com- 
 mandments, and keep his laws, and fo 
 praife him : At la-ft he comes to mankind, 
 and requires high and low, kings and all 
 people, princes and all judges of the earth, 
 both young men, and maidens, old men 
 and children, to join with him in praifing 
 the name cf the Lord : For his name 
 alone is excellent*, his glory is above the 
 earth and heaven : He alfo exalteth the 
 power of his people, the praife of all his 
 faints, even of the children of Ifrael, a 
 people near unto him. Hallelujah. 
 
 This was the ftate of the cafe in the old 
 teftament. We know from propha-nc 
 hiftory, that the firft Chriftians in all their 
 meetings ufed to fing the praifes of Jefus 
 their God. They would not fit down to 
 meat, or rife up without a pfalm. Jerom 
 fays, you might have heard the plough- 
 men and reapers in the fields finging 
 pfalms : Yea feveral of them could repeat 
 E the 
 
[ 98 3 
 
 the whole book in Hebrew. Church 
 hiftory relates many particulars upon this 
 fubje£t. But the divine record is decifive. 
 It contains directions how to fing in the 
 congregation : They were to fpeak, not 
 inwardly, but to them/elves^ one to another, 
 that they might be heard, and the pfalms 
 which they fung might tend to each others 
 benefit. In another place the apoftle 
 commands believers to teach and admonifh 
 one another in pfalms and hymns, recom- 
 mending fuch Cnging as would edify the 
 congregation. 
 
 Confider thofe authorities, ye that have 
 flighted this ordinance. Has it been the 
 uniform pra£tice of the church of God in 
 all ages to join in fmging his praifes? Was 
 it by his exprefs command ? Has he given 
 us a collection of hymns, the very words 
 which we are to fing ? Has he promifed 
 to accept our thanks and praifes, and 
 while believers have been offering them 
 %vith grateful hearts, has he conftantly 
 made them the means of increafing their 
 joy in the Lord ? Was it for the benefit 
 of others, that the church might receive 
 edifying, and that each might bear his 
 part by ftirring up and exciting thank- 
 fulnefs in one another ? O do not then 
 negleft fuch a bleffed ordinance : But ra- 
 ther pray the Lord to enable you to re- 
 joice 
 
[ 99 1 
 
 joice with them that rejoice, to fing with 
 them that fing. Have you not mercies 
 to aflc ? Why then will you not join the 
 church in afking ? Have you not mercies 
 out of number to thank God for? Why 
 then will you not take your part in praif- 
 ing him for his goodnefs ? Why will you 
 rob yourfclf of the plealure of doing it ? 
 Why will you not profit your neighbor ? 
 And why will you not give God the glory 
 due unto his holy name ? Be aflured it be- 
 cometh you well to be thankful at all 
 times and in all places, efpecially in the 
 great congregation. May you have your* 
 ihare in the fervice, and your fhare in the 
 bfefling pfomiied to it. 
 
 If you are convinced it is part of the 
 public worfhip of God, in which you are 
 required to join, as much as in the prayers 
 or in hearing; the word, then take heed 
 you join properly. You may fing, and 
 yet greatly abufe this holy ordinance. 
 There are many fingers in the church, 
 who take no pains either to keep the 
 time, or to follow the tune, and who 
 thereby (hew they think it of no confe- 
 quence, how the praifcs of the moft high 
 God are funs;. Solomon differed much 
 from them. Fie thought it a great per- 
 fection in praifmg God, that among the 
 many thoufands of voices and inftruments, 
 E 2 which 
 
IO0 
 
 which were founding forth his praife at 
 one time, there was not a fingle difcord 
 to be heard. The fcripture has taken 
 notice of it — <c They all gave one found.'* 
 Why fhould not we do the fame ? Nay, 
 is it not the practice of the people of the 
 world? Will they fuffcr dilcords in any 
 of their concerts ? A public performer 
 would only rife in repute with them, as 
 he plays or lings well. Chriftian, con- 
 sider this. Shall they for their mere 
 amufement ftucly to have their muflc free 
 from every thing offeniive to the ear ? And 
 fhall not we be equally careful ? More 
 efpecially as we fing to the honor of God 
 and to the edifying of the brethren. We 
 have a mod noble fubje£t — divine matter 
 \ — divine words : We fing of one Lord 
 with one faith — — O for harmony in fome 
 meafure fuitable ! It is much to be wifhed. 
 I hope it will be attained. Let me 
 earneftly recommend it to every one to 
 fing, and to all who do fing, to learn to 
 fing well ; and till you do, endeavor to a- 
 void another matter of offence. 
 
 There are many in our congregations, 
 who feem to think they fing belt, when 
 they fing loudeft. You may fee them 
 often ftrain themfelves with fhouting, till 
 their faces are as red as fcarlet. The 
 worit fingers commonlv offend this wav- 
 
 Abad 
 
I *** 1 
 
 A bad coarfe voice quite cut of tune is 
 to be heard above all, and will take the 
 lead in the congregation : And whenever, 
 a number of fuch meet together in their 
 fhouting humor, they put all into con- 
 fufion. They diforder thofe, who would 
 fing with feeling and affection. They 
 drown the mufical voices of good fingers. 
 They offend the outward people. And 
 they do no good to themfelves : So they 
 entirely defeat the end of finging. If 
 thefe lines fhould fall into the hands of 
 any, who are fcnfible they have offended 
 in this way, I would beg of them to re- 
 form this abufe. Examine your motive 
 — Why would you be uppermoft in the 
 congregation ? Is your voice the belt ? 
 Do you think fo ? Afk one, who is a 
 judge ? Perhaps he may perfuade you, I 
 wifh 1 could prevail with you, to fing 
 lower. Indeed if you once come to feel 
 what you fing, you will reform yourfclf* 
 A great part of your finging will then be 
 between God and your own foul •, you 
 will try to keep up melody in your heart,, 
 and that will mend both your voice and 
 judgment. However it will certainly put 
 you upon trying to pleafe both God and 
 man in finging. 
 
 There is another very great and com- 
 mon abufe, which confifts in the choice 
 E 3 of 
 
[ T02 ] 
 
 of improper portions. The perfon, to 
 whofe judgment this is left, is not always 
 one of the wifeft in the congregation. 
 He may not underftand the pfalms. He 
 may mifapply and prophane them. It is 
 not a rare thing for him to make them 
 perfonal, and to apply the glorious things 
 fpoken of Chrift to trifling parifli bufinefs. 
 I have heard the quarrels among neigh- 
 bors fung over on fun days. The clerk 
 has chofen fome paflage, applicable en- 
 tirely to the enemies of the Lord and his 
 Chrift, and has moll grofly perverted it. 
 The congregation had nothing to do with 
 the difpute, and yet it was brought before 
 them, and they were called upon in an 
 ordinance to intereft themfelves in it. No 
 doubt, this and fuch like abufes arc a 
 very great infult upon God's word and 
 ordinance, and ought to be reformed. 
 The people fhould underftand the pfalm, 
 which they are going to fing, and fhould 
 be well acquainted with its relation to 
 Jefus Chrift. They are all required to 
 join ; and therefore fuitable portions fhould 
 Jbe chofen, in which all or the greateft part 
 of them are interefted. They fhould fing 
 with one mind, and one heart, as well as 
 in one tune : For which end the know- 
 lege of the pfalm, and of whom and of 
 •what it treats are abfolutely neceffary. 
 
 How 
 
t I0 3 ] 
 
 How can any one fing aright unto the 
 Lord with grace in his heart, unlefs he 
 underftands, whether the pfalrn relates to 
 pndfe or thankfgiving, to afking mercies 
 of God, or praifing him for them, what 
 grace was to be exercifed in finging, faith 
 or hope, or love, and what blefiing was 
 to be expected from it ? Theie things 
 Ihould be well known, that finging may 
 be a reafonable fervice, and the means of 
 grace. And to render it fuch I have col- 
 lected portions fuitable to moft cafes of a 
 chriftian's experience, and have alfo pre- 
 fixed the fubjedt of each. I have alio di- 
 rected the believer with what frame of 
 mind to fing, and what benefit to look 
 for from the word of promife in finging. 
 I wifh the attempt may help to make the 
 ordinance better obferved, and then I am 
 fure it will be more bleffed. 
 
 There is another thing relating to the 
 pfalms, I cannot call it an abufe : For it 
 is a total negleft of them. They are 
 quite reje&ed in many congregations, as 
 if there were no fuch hymns given by in- 
 fpiration of God, and as if they were not 
 Jeft for the ufe of the church and to be 
 fung in the congregation.. Human com- 
 pofitions are preferred to divine. Man's 
 poetry is exalted above the poetry of the 
 holy Ghoft* Is this right $ The hymns, 
 E 4. which, 
 
■I 
 
 [ !*4 ] 
 
 which he revealed for the life of the 
 Church, that we might have words fuit- 
 able to the praifes of Immanuel, are quite 
 fct afide : By which means the word of 
 man has got a preference in the church 
 above the word of God, yea fa far as to 
 exclude it entirely from public worfhip. 
 It is not difficult to account for this ftrange 
 practice. Our people had loft fight of 
 the meaning of the pfalms. They did not 
 ice their relation to Jefus Chrift. This 
 happened when vital religion began to 
 decay among us, more than a century ago. 
 It was a gradual decay, and went on, till 
 at laft there was a general complaint a- 
 gainft Sternhold and Hopkins. Their 
 translation was treated, as poor fiat fluff. 
 The wits ridiculed it. The prophane 
 blaiphemed it. Good men did not de- 
 fend it. Then it fell into fuch contempt, 
 that people were ready to receive any thing 
 in its room, which looked rational and 
 was poetical. In this fit uation the hymn- 
 makers find the church, and they are 
 fuffered to thruft out the pfalms to make 
 way for their own competitions : of which 
 they have fupplied us with a vaft variety, 
 collection upon eolle&ion, and in life too, 
 new hymns ftarting up daily — appendix 
 added to appendix — fung in many congre-i 
 gations, yea admired by very high pro T - 
 
 feflbrs 
 
f *°s } 
 
 fefTors to fuch a degree, that the pfalrnrl^ 
 are become quite ebfolete, and the Ting- 
 ing of them is now almoft as defpicablc 
 a mono- the modern religious, as it was 
 ibme time ago among the prophane. 
 
 I know this is a fofe place, and I would 
 touch it gently, as gently as I can witft 
 any hope of doing good. The value of 
 poems above pfalms is become fo great, 
 and the finging of mens words, fo as quire 
 to cart out the word of God, is become (o 
 univerial(exeept in the church ofEngland) 
 that one fcarce dare fpeak upon the fub- 
 je& : Neither would- I, having already 
 met with contempt enough for preferring 
 God's hymns to man's hymns ; if a high 
 regard for God's moft bleffed word did 
 not require me to bear my teftimony,. and 
 if I did not verily believe, that many real 
 chriftians have taken up* this practice 
 without thinking of the evil of it, and 
 v/hen they come to confider the matter 
 carefully, they wall rather thank me, than 
 eenfure me for freedom of fpeech. 
 
 Let me obferve then, that 1 blame nobody 
 for finging human compofitions. I do not 
 think it finful or unlawful, fo'the matter be 
 fcriptural. My complaint is againft pre- 
 ferring mens poems to the good word of 
 God, and preferring them to it in t he- 
 church. I have no quarrel with* 
 E5 
 
t 106 I 
 
 any living or dead verfifier. I 
 would not wifh all their poems burnt. 
 My concern is to fee chriftian congrega- 
 tions fhut out divinely infpired pfalms, 
 
 • — ~"^ »^ FF — — t? — J * 
 
 as if the words of a poet were better than 
 the words of a prophet, or as if the wit 
 of a man was to be preferred to the wif- 
 dom of God. When the church is met 
 together in one place the Lord God has 
 made a provifion for their fongs of praife 
 t — a large collection, and great variety — 
 and why fhould not thefe be ufed in the 
 church according to God's exprefs ap- 
 pointment ? I fpeak not of private people, 
 or of private finging ; but of the church 
 in its public fervice. Why fhould the 
 provifion which God has made be fo far 
 defpifed, as t o become quit e out of ufe ? 
 Why fhould iHHBHMflpAr any hymn- 
 maker not only take the precedence of the 
 holy Ghofl, but alfo thruft him entirely 
 put of the church ? Infomuch that the 
 rhymes of a man are now magnified above 
 the word of God, even to the annihilating 
 of it in many congregations. If this be 
 right, men and brethren, judge ye. Ex- 
 amine with candor the evidence* which 
 has determined my judgment, fo, far as it 
 is conclufive may it determine yours. 
 %* i Firft 
 
im j 
 
 Firft, the pfalms are the word of God, 
 with which no work of man's genius can 
 be compared. His attributes are manifeft 
 in every page* and prove the author to 
 be divine. His infinite wifdom fhines 
 throughout — his goodnefs appears to be 
 matchlefs — his truth in every tittle in- 
 fallible — his power almighty to blefs the 
 hearing, reading, and finging of his word. 
 None that trufted in it was ever afhamed : 
 For his faithfulnefs to it can never fail. 
 The word of the Lord has been tried, and 
 in very great difficulties, yea in feeming. 
 impossibilities, but it was always made 
 good. In every trial he " magnified his 
 word above all his name," he made it the 
 means of bringing glory to his name and 
 nature, and every perfection in deity has 
 been exalted by the faithfulnefs of God 
 to his word. In this view of the pfalms,. 
 what is there to be put in competition 
 with them ? What man is like their au- 
 thor ? What poetry is to be compared 
 with the pfalms of God ? Who can make 
 the finging of any human verfes an ordi- 
 nance, or give a blefllng to them, fuch as 
 is prornifed and is given to the finging of 
 pfalms ? For what reafon then are they 
 let afide in the church ? Why. are the 
 words of man's genius preferred to the- 
 words of infpiration? Singing of pfalms 
 
[ io8 ] 
 
 is commanded by divine authority, and 
 commanded as a part of divine worihip ; 
 not left to man's wifdom, how to provide 
 for it, but it is exprefly provided for in 
 the good word of God. And is not great 
 contempt put upon this infinitely wife 
 provifion, when it is quite difufed in the 
 church, and man's word is preferred to 
 it ? What would you think of them, who 
 fhould throw afide all the fcripture, and 
 never read it at all in the congregation ? 
 And is it not an offence of the like nature, 
 totally to negledt a part, a chief part of 
 it, which was recorded for the ufe of the 
 church, and in which its members were 
 to fing the high praifes of their God ? It 
 is hereby treated as ufelefs and good for 
 nothing. A very grofs affront is put up- 
 on the love and wifdom, which revealed 
 this divine colledtion of hymns, and the 
 church is deprived of "the bieiTing pro- 
 mifed to the finging of them, whereby it 
 is robbed of one of its choiceit treafures, 
 '"If any thing be facrilege this is. The 
 pfalms are ftolen out of the church, and 
 thereby the members are deprived of the 
 bleflings promifed to the finging of them : 
 For God will not give you the end, if 
 you negledt the means. Frequent are his, 
 commands in the old teftament to fing 
 pfalms, and we have feveral in the new : 
 
 For 
 
 r 
 
[ io 9 J 
 
 For inftance, Let the word (not fome- 
 thing befrdes it) but the word of Chrift 
 itfelf dwell in you richly in all wifdom r 
 teaching and admonishing one another in 
 pfalms and hymns and ipiritual longs — 
 thefe are not different things, but differenr 
 names for the fame collection of pfalms r 
 as they treat of different fubje&s. Pfalms 
 in praife of Immanuel, fuch efpecially as 
 have Hallelujah at the beginning or end,. 
 are called hymns, and the pfalms which, 
 relate to the Ipiritual things of Chrift and 
 his kingdom, have the title of fong let 
 before them by the holy Spirit, fuch as, 
 7, 18, 3.0, 45, 46, 48, 65, 66, 67, 68, 
 75, 76, 83, 87, 88, 92, 108, from 120 
 to 135. Thefe hymns and fpiritual fongs 
 were part of the fcripture, and part of the 
 pfalms, fcripture hymns and fcripture 
 fongs ; for the word of Chrift in finging 
 them was to dwell in them richly ; not 
 man's word, but Chrift's, and when the 
 apoftle is fpeaking of them altogether^ he 
 calls both the hymn and fpiritual fong a 
 pfalm. We render the word ^aWovltg. 
 making melody, but it means finging the 
 pfalm, and is as if he had laid — when 
 you ufe a hymn to the praife of God, or 
 a fpiritual fong to any fpiritual purpofe 
 fing the pfalm fo that one may teach and 
 admonilh the other. It was a fervice in 
 
 which 
 
[ no ] 
 
 which each is commanded to join, and 
 each was to endeavor in it to profit the 
 other. They were to try fo to ling with 
 the melody of the heart to the Lord, as 
 at the fame time to confult each other's 
 profit, that while the Lord was glorified 
 the church might receive edifying. Here 
 is a full authority for the ufe of pfalms iiv 
 the church, and a very clear direction 
 how to fing them, and as following this 
 direction was the divine means of making 
 the word of Chrift to dwell richly in be- 
 lievers, how poorly muft it dwell in them, 
 who -flight and defpife the command, 
 yea fo far as never to fing any pfalms at 
 all? 
 
 If any real chriftian would attend to 
 this reasoning, how can he oppofe it I 
 Here is a collection of hymns appointed 
 to be fung in the church by divine au- 
 thority •, but the authority is defpifed, and 
 the colleftion is thrown afide. It comes 
 from the infpiration of the Almighty, but 
 the church entirely refufes to ufe it; is 
 not this doing defpite unto the Spirit of 
 grace ? The eolleftion is large and very 
 particular in fetting forth the praifes of 
 the adoreaUe Immanuel •, is it not a grofs 
 affront to him to fing none of his praifes 
 in the words which the holy Ghoft teach- 
 eth, as if any praifes were good enough 
 
 tor 
 
[ III ] 
 
 for him, or as if he could be praifed bet- 
 ter in the words, which mans wifdom 
 teacheth. Men and brethren, confider 
 whether this be not a very grofs affront 
 to the word of God, to the Spirit of God, 
 and to the Son of God. Confider it well, 
 and the Lord give you a right underftand- 
 ing in this matter. 
 
 Secondly, The finging of mens poems in 
 the church and fetting afide the pialms 
 given by inipiration of God is contrary 
 to the prophecies of the old teftament, 
 and is an attempt to defeat them. They 
 defcribe the ftate of the gofpel church, 
 and declare there fhould be great joy and 
 gladnefs found in it; particularly they 
 mention finging of pfalms, as the outward 
 expreflion of their inward joy in the Lord. 
 Thus we read i Chron. xvi. 23, 24* 
 *' Sing unto the Lord all the earth, fhew 
 " forth from day to day his falvation : 
 " Declare his glory among the heathen, 
 " his marvellous works among all the na- 
 " tions :" Of the fame thing Jpeaketh the 
 prophet Ifa. lvi. 6, 7. " Aifo the fons 
 " of the ftranger that join themfelves to 
 " the Lord to lerve him, and to love the 
 " name of the Lord, to be his fervants, 
 " even every one that keepeth the fab- 
 " bath from polluting it, and taketh hold 
 " of my covenant, even them will I 
 
 " bring 
 
[ «a 1 
 
 11 bring to my holy mountain, and make 
 " them joyful in mine houfe of prayer - r 
 " their burnt offerings and their facri- 
 44 iices fhall be accepted upon mine altar: 
 44 For mine houfe lhall be called an houle 
 M of prayer for all people." How this 
 joy was to be expreffed is mentioned in 
 pfalm xcv. The prophet fhews how be- 
 lievers fhould ftir up one another to re- 
 joice in finging pfalms : And St. Paul 
 fays this was written of the new teftament 
 church. According to his explanation of 
 the pfalm given in the 3-d and 4th chap- 
 ters of the Hebrews, the holy Ghoft here 
 calls for the folemn worfhip of our Saviour, 
 and requires him to be praifed with pfalms : 
 He preffes this duty together with public 
 prayer, ver. 6 y y. and then demands obe- 
 dient attention to. the word of Gcd, againfl: 
 which no man fhould harden his heart 
 through unbelief: From whenre it appears, 
 that praiftng God foiemnly, with finging 
 pfalms, with public prayer, and with hear- 
 ing the word are ftill the ordinances of 
 Chrift, and are to continue to day, evea 
 while it is called to day, unto the end of 
 the world. Thefe prophecies have been 
 fulfilled. The bleifed gofpel has brought 
 joy and gladnefs into heathen lands, and 
 this very day pfalms have been fung and 
 a pure offering of praife has beenprefent- 
 
[ "3 ] 
 
 ecf unto the Lord, and it will be .prefen ted 
 unto him fo long as there is a true church 
 upon earth. What then fhall we think of 
 thofe pretended reformers, who have turn- 
 ed the pfalms out of the church, and who 
 are a&ing as if they would try to defeat 
 thefe prophecies? I wife they may not be 
 found fighting againft God : For they can- 
 not flop their accomplishment. His word 
 cannot be broken. As long as the earth 
 fhall continue, pfalms fhall be fling in the 
 church of Chrift : In it there will always 
 be found thankfgiving and the voice of 
 melody, and thefe will be expreffed in 
 God's ov/n way, in the matter and words 
 and form of God's own appointment. 
 
 Confider this, ye who believe the fcrip- 
 tures to be the word of God : If you obey 
 from the heart the form of do&rine there- 
 in delivered, you will begin to reafon- 
 thus, yea methinks I hear one of you fay 
 — Since God by his fovereign grace has 
 put a new fong in my mouth, it adds to 
 my joy, that he has revealed the very 
 words in which he would have me to 
 praife him. He has foretold that the gof- 
 pel fhould be received among the heathen^ 
 and that it fhould produce iuch effe&s as 
 I now experience. Glory be to him, he 
 has made me happy in Jelus, and my hap- 
 pineft is not only kept up, but 1 find k 
 
 iacreafes- 
 
[ "4 ] 
 
 increafes by Tinging the infpired pfalms 
 of the holy Ghoft. Whoever leaves off 
 the finging of pfalms, God forbid I fhould 
 be of that number. I hope never to aft 
 fo contrary to the honor of God and to 
 the profit of mine own foul. 
 
 Thirdly, Of the fame fentiments has 
 been the church of Chrift in all ages : 
 Which is a ftrong argument in favor of 
 pfalm finging. We know from very clear 
 teftimony, that the pfalms were fung in 
 the temple, until its final deftru&ion. We 
 are certain, that Chrift made ufe of the 
 pfalms. His apoftles followed his ex- 
 ample. The churches of Corinth, and 
 Ephefus, and Colofs, made the finging of 
 pfalms part of their public worfliip. Such 
 of the twelve tribes as were fcattered a- 
 broad being perfecuted for Chrift's fake 
 did fing pfalms when they were in an 
 happy frame : For they were commanded 
 to do it by the apoftle James. The 
 church hiftory affords abundant evidence 
 of the ufe of the pfalms in every country 
 converted to the faith, and of their being 
 fung in the church, as a part of public 
 worfhip. This has been the cafe in every 
 age without interruption. The primitive 
 chriftians fung in all their church meetings* 
 Eufebius fays, in the fecond century, they 
 fung pfalms in praife of Chrift and his 
 
 deity* 
 
[ "5 ] 
 
 deity. In the time of Juftin Martyr in- 
 ftrumental mufic was abolifhed, and he 
 highly commends finging with the voice, 
 becaufe fays he, pfalms with organs and 
 cymbals are fitter to pleafe children, than 
 to inftruft the church. In the third century 
 we read much of pfalm finging. Arius 
 was complained of as a perverter of this 
 ordinance. St. Ausuftine makes it an 
 high crime in certain heretics, that they 
 fung hymns compofed by human wit. 
 The fenfe, in which the church of Chrift 
 underftood this fubjed, has been, till of 
 late years, always one and uniform. Now 
 we leave the antient beaten path. But 
 why ? Have we found a better ? How 
 came we to be wifer, than the prophets, 
 than Chrift, than his apoftles, and the 
 primitive chriftians, yea than the whole 
 church of God ? They with one conlent 
 have fung pfalms in every age. Here I 
 leave the reader to his own reflections. 
 There is one plain inference to be made 
 from hence, none can eafily miltake it : 
 May he fee it in his judgment, and follow 
 it in his pradtice. 
 
 Fourthly, Singing of pfalms in the 
 church is an ordinance, commanded of 
 God, prophecied of in the old teftament, 
 and hitherto fulfilled in the new. That 
 pfalm finging is one of the means of grace 
 
 has 
 
J 116 J 
 
 6as been fhewn before. It is part of pub^ 
 Mc worfhip, enjoined of God, and to 
 which he has promifed his blefiing. Now 
 when you lay afide pfalms in the church, 
 you at the fame time call out the ordi- 
 nance : For they are infeparably one. The 
 pfalm is the ordinance. Your pra&ice 
 fpeaks, as if you faid — " We will neglect 
 " the means ofiucreafmg our joy in God: 
 M For we want no growing love to him, 
 " nor frefh communications of his love 
 " to us." Surely this is the language of 
 thole perfons, who live in the conftant 
 negledt of one of the divine ordinances. 
 God appointed it in vain as to them. 
 They make no more ufe of the pfalms, 
 than if there were no fuch hymns in being. 
 And is not this oppofing his authority ? 
 Is it not ungrateful to throw away his ap- 
 pointed mea,ns, and to think you can pleafe. 
 him better, with tinging your own poetry, 
 than his ? Is it not hurtful to yourfelves? 
 For in feeking the promifed bleBing in the 
 way of will-worfhip, you certainly cannot 
 find it. Beeaufe 
 
 Fifthly, The blefiing is promifed to the 
 ordinance. You canaot have the end 
 without the means. The pfalms were re- 
 vealed, that we might in finging them, 
 exprefs our joy in God, and thereby im- 
 prove it. They were for the.exercife of 
 
 grace* 
 
I 1*7 1 
 
 grace, and for the increafe of grace; that 
 we might fing with grace in our hearts, 
 and make one anothers hearts warmer by 
 finging. The word is one of the means 
 of grace : By hearing it faith cometh \ by 
 conftant hearing faith is eftablifhed. If 
 the word was never heard, how could 
 faith come? If the word be entirely neg- 
 lected, how can faith grow? Prayer is 
 one of the means of grace : It is appoint- 
 ed in order to keep up communion with 
 God, and to bring down daily fupplies of 
 mercies from him: Could thefe be had 
 without afking ? Certainly they could not. 
 Singing of pialms is alfo one of the means 
 of grace, how can the blefTing promiied 
 to the means be received, if no pfalms be 
 fung ? What fort of a church would it 
 be, in which the word was never read, 
 nor prayers, nor finging of pfalms, nor 
 any means of grace ufed ? It could not be 
 a church of Chrift : Became his prefence 
 with, and his bleffings to his people are 
 promifed to them in the ufe of the means. 
 The blefTing accompanies the ordinance, 
 and is promiied unto it ; God has 
 joined them together, and they rnuft not 
 be put afunder. He will give honor, he 
 does give honor to his own means. He 
 makes them anfwer the end of their infti- 
 tution. When the pialms are fung in 
 
 faith, 
 
[ »8 ] 
 
 faith, they do rejoice the heart. The 
 holy Spirit bleffes the finging, and caufes 
 mutual joy to abound, which is 
 
 Sixthly, Another reafon for preferring 
 divine pfalms to man's poems. The pfalms 
 were for church fervice. When the mem- 
 bers met, we read of their finging toge- 
 ther both in the old teftament and in the 
 new. It was their joint offering of praife. 
 The pfalms were appointed to befung in 
 the congregation, that one might admonifh 
 another, which we do, by joining with 
 them, by making the word of Chrift dwell 
 more richly in them, and by exercifmg 
 their graces with ours. Thus we fhew 
 our fellowfhip in the gofpel. When we 
 all fing the fame pfalm, it is as if the church 
 had but one mouth to glorify God. And 
 we never enjoy more of the prefence of 
 God, than while we are thus praifing him 
 together with thankful hearts. The Lord, 
 who inftituted the ordinance, promifed 
 this bleffing to it : But when his pfalms 
 are thrufl out, and human compofitions 
 lung in their room, what reafon have the 
 fingers to expeft, that he will give his 
 good Spirit to quicken their hearts, and to 
 inflame their devotion ? He did not pro- 
 mife mutual edification, but to the ufe of 
 his own means. He would have believers 
 to teach and to exhort one another, but it 
 
 was 
 
[ »9 ] 
 
 was in Tinging his own pfalms : And when 
 they do, he has met them and^bleffed them, 
 and always will : But he has given no prc- 
 mife to be prefent, whenever the church 
 meet together in public to fing their own 
 compofuions, or to make them full of joy 
 with the light of his countenance, when 
 they have been doing defpite to his Spirit, 
 and putting difhonor upon his word. 
 
 Perhaps thefe fentiments may arife from 
 my great attachment to the word of God, 
 with which others may not be affefted as 
 I am : For 1 am perfuaded it is not pofli- 
 ble for me to fet too high a value upon 
 the holy fcriptures — as the revelation of 
 the will of God, I want words to exprefs 
 my refpeft for them — as the revelation of 
 his good will in Jefus, I reverence them 
 next to himlelf. What more precious ! 
 What more delightful ! They are indeed 
 more precious than gold, yea than much 
 fine gold : And the pfalms are fweeter 
 than honey, yea than the honey dropping 
 from the comb. I find them lb. They 
 are my daily iludy and daily delight. I 
 do not boail, but praife. The more I 
 read, the more I admire them. The de- 
 fcription of Jefus in them is fweet : The 
 meditation of him is fweeter than all other 
 fweets. It often tails fo much of heaven, 
 that it feems to me I cannot poflibly be- 
 
 flow 
 
[ 1 20 ] 
 
 flow fo much admiration upon the pfalms^ 
 as they deferve. This is my fettled 
 judgment, confirmed by experience. I 
 cannot help taking particular notice of 
 this, becaufe it fully confirms the argu- 
 ments which have been before uied. 
 
 Experience demonftrates, that God does 
 blefs the fingingofpfalms in the church, and 
 does not blefs the fmging of mens hymns. 
 It is a melancholy matter of fa£t, that in 
 many congregations there is no reading 
 of God's word, no fiaging of God's word-. 
 It is almoft laid afide, even the great or- 
 dinance of God for all faving purpofes* 
 And what has followed ? Truly, what 
 might be expefted ; yea what could not 
 but follow. The holy Spirit has been 
 grieved, and has withdrawn his powerful 
 prefence. For want of which a deadnefs 
 that may be felt is in fuch places. Of 
 this good men have complained to one 
 another, and are humbled for it before 
 God. They find public worfhip without 
 power. Prayer is lifelefs. Preaching is 
 voice and nothing more. It may be the 
 truth, but the hearers are apt to fall afleep 
 over it, and the preacher is no more ani- 
 mated, than if he was telling an old ftory. 
 The channel of divine communication is 
 <juite ftopt up : Hence Ichabcd may be 
 fcen and felt too upon fuch congrega- 
 tions. 
 
I 
 
 [ "I ] 
 
 ticrns. Reader, if thou art alive to God 
 in thine own heart, thou knoweft this to 
 be true. And how does it affed thee ? 
 Certainly thou wilt join with me in begg* 
 ing of God to revive his work among 
 us, and to put glory upon his ordinances, 
 O that the Lord would return with his 
 gracious prefence to his worfhipping peo- 
 ple. May the holy Spirit lead them to 
 fee their error in negle6ting his eftablifhed 
 means of grace, efpecially his word read 
 and fung. And whenever he does this, 
 and wherever they put honor upon his 
 word, there will he certainly put life and 
 power into the ordinances, and the con- 
 gregations ihall again experience, that 
 God is among them of a truth. 
 
 And as God does not blefs the finging 
 of human compofitions in his church, fo 
 it is a certain matter of faft, that he does 
 blefs the finging of his own pfalms. If 
 the eyes of your underftanding be opened, 
 look around ; where is the power of God 
 mod to be found ? Among whom is he 
 chiefly carrying on his work ? And where 
 are the liveliest congregations ? If you 
 know the prefent ftate of religion in this 
 land, you caneafily find them. God has 
 made them very confpicuous. A city 
 that is fet on an hill cannot be hid, The 
 builder of it did not intend it fhould. 
 F His 
 
{ 122 ] 
 
 His gifts and graces are therefore con- 
 ferred, that the giver may have all the 
 glory. And who are mod enriched with 
 his gifts and graces ? Are they not fuch 
 as he has brought to ufe the means mod ? 
 Who honor his word, never failing to 
 make the reading of it part of public 
 worfhip, and who never meet, but they 
 fing out of the word the praifes of their 
 God. Among thefe the Lord the Spirit 
 does work with power, and they do find 
 in finging his pialms what they never find 
 in finging mens poems. He makes all 
 their chucrh ordinances lively and edify- 
 ing. He enables them to draw near to 
 God in prayer, and they have happy com- 
 munion with him : He hears, and an- 
 fwers. The word preached is mighty 
 through God. Sinners are awakened. 
 Mourners are comforted. Believers are 
 ftrengthened. The word fung is alfo ac- 
 companied with the fame power : The 
 pfalms are made an ordinance indeed. 
 The holy Spirit works in and by them to 
 keep up holyjoy in believing hearts. He 
 promifed this, and the promife is fulfilled 
 at this very hour — " The Lord (hall com- 
 " fort Sion, he will comfort all her wafte 
 " places, and he will make her wilder- 
 " nefs like Eden, and her defert like the 
 M garden of the Lord, joy and gladnefs 
 
 " fhall 
 
f I2 3 ] 
 
 w fhall be found therein, thankfgiving 
 " and the voke of melody." Bleffed be 
 God for thefe favors now bellowed upon 
 the church of England. This prophecy 
 is ours. Adored for ever be his love. 
 He is now with us of a truth, and he has 
 turned our wildernefs into the garden of 
 the Lord, We do not triumph for this 
 in ourfelves. We do not look down with 
 contempt upon others. No, no. We ac- 
 knowlege it to be the Lord's doing, to 
 the praife of the glory of his own grace \ 
 and to him we look for the continuance 
 of this ineftirnable blefTino*. O that he 
 
 o 
 
 would bellow it abundantly upon thofe 
 congregations, who have the form without 
 the power. This is the fervent prayer 
 of my heart. I am fure our joy will en- 
 creafe by their fharing with us. May the 
 good Lord revive his work in all his 
 churches, and may the life and power 
 vouchfafed to fome be found in all. 
 
 What can any unprejudiced perfon in- 
 fer from hence ? Is not the cafe plain ? 
 Where is the prefence of God moft to be 
 found? Among the fingers of poems, or 
 the fingers of pfalms ? What fays matter 
 of fad ? It fpeaks to the point, and de- 
 termines in iavor of God's word. The 
 holy Spirit does not put honor upon mans 
 poems, when fet up in the church in op- 
 F 2 pofition 
 
[ "4 ] 
 
 pofition to his divine hymns. Yea, he 
 difgraces them. He pours contempt up- 
 on them, as it might be expe&ed he 
 would : P'or he leaves the fingers to them- 
 felves, and then their performance is with- 
 out life and power. It keeps up no com- 
 munion with God. It adminifters no holy 
 joy. It is not the means of grace, but 
 degenerates into a mere entertainment, 
 and is the fame thing in the church, that 
 mufic is in the play-houfe. 
 
 How can that be, fays one, I am a wit- 
 nefs to the contrary : I have found profit in 
 finging hymns, and I am fure I have re- 
 ceivedpleafure. You may fancy fo,butper- 
 haps it is only fancy : For yourprafticecon- 
 iuies your profeffion. God has revealed the 
 pjfalms tor the ufe of the church, he has 
 commanded them to be fung in it, and 
 has promifed to meet his rejoicing people, 
 andinfinging to. make their joy abound : 
 But you defpife the command, and there- 
 fore you can have, no title to the promife. 
 You cannot have the end without the 
 means : While you flight the ordinance, 
 how can you poffibly receive the bleffing 
 promifed to it ? For the holy Ghoft will 
 not vouchfafe his joy to them, who feek 
 it in oppoiition to his fovereign will : So 
 that you might be pleafed, but profited 
 you could not. The profit is God's bleif- 
 
 ing 
 
ing upon the ufe of his own means, but 
 you did not ufe the means, nay you deC- 
 pifed his, and followed your own felf- 
 will. What profit could fuch finging. 
 bring you ? What fellowship could you 
 have with God in it, or w T hat joy in God 
 increaied by it ? You may bring your 
 poems into the church, and may be vaftly 
 delighted with performing them. So is 
 the vaineft creature alive at the opera. 
 The pleat u re in both cafes arifes from 
 the fame caufe. The ear is pleafed with 
 the harmony, fome animal joy is excited, 
 a fine tune, well played, well fung, a very 
 agreeable entertainment *, but there could 
 be no more ipiritual edification in one than 
 in the other : Becaufe neither of them 
 was the ordinance of God. 
 
 What ! fay fome* is it unlawful to fing 
 human eompofitions in the church ? How 
 can that be? Why, they fing them at 
 fuch a place, and fuch a place : Great 
 men, and good men, ay, and lively mi- 
 nifters too fing them : Will you fct up 
 your judgment againft theirs? 
 
 It is an odious thing to fpeak of one's 
 felf, except it be to magnify the grace of 
 God What is my private judgment ? I 
 fet it up againft no body in indifferent, 
 things : I would wifli to yield to every 
 man's infirmity : For I want the fame in- 
 F 3 dulgence 
 
[ ?2 6 ] 
 
 diligence myfclf. But in the prefent cafe 
 the fcripture, which is our only rule of 
 judgment, has not left the matter indiffe- 
 rent. God lias given us a large collection 
 of hymns, has commanded them to be 
 fung in the church, and has promifed his 
 bleffing to the finging of them. No re- 
 fpedt here muft be paid to names or au- 
 thorities, although they be the greateft 
 on earth : Becaufe no one can difpenfe 
 with the command of God, and no one 
 can by his wit compofe hymns to be com- 
 pared with the pfalms of God. I want 
 a name for that man, who fhould pretend 
 that he could make better hymns, than 
 the holy Ghoft. His collection is large 
 enough : It wants no addition. It is per- 
 fect, as its author, and not capable of 
 any improvement. Why in fuch a cafe 
 would any man in the world take it into 
 his head to fit down to write hymns for 
 the ufe of the church ? It is juft the fame 
 as if he was to write a new bible, not on- 
 ly better than the old, but fo much bet- 
 ter, that the old may be thrown afide. 
 What a blafphemous attempt ! And yet 
 our hymn-mongers, inadvertently I hope, 
 have come very near to this blafphemy : 
 For they fhut out the pfaims, introduce 
 their own verfes into the church, fing 
 them with great delight, and as they fan • 
 
[ I2 7 I 
 
 cy with great profit ; although the whole 
 pradtice be in diredt oppofition ta the 
 command of God, and therefore cannot 
 poffibly be accompanied with the bleffing 
 of God. 
 
 If any one be offended at my freedom 
 of fpeech, I am forry for it. I thought 
 I had liberty to give mine opinion, efpe- 
 cially in a matter, wherein the honor of 
 God and of his word required me to fpeak 
 openly. Let this be mine apology. If 
 you are not convinced, if you will ftill 
 fing human compofitions in preference to 
 divine ; pray do not quarrel with me. I 
 am a man of peace. Go on your way, 
 and let me go on mine. Let me fing 
 God's pfalms, and you may fing any body's 
 hymns. I have borne my teftimony, 
 Forgive me this once, and after I have 
 clofed up the evidence with a very good 
 witnefs, againft whom the admirers of 
 hymns can have no objedtion, I promife 
 herein to offend you no more. He is no 
 lefs a perfon than the great Dr. Watts 
 himfelf. He fpeaks full to the point, 
 and gives his teftimony very diftindtly. 
 He never intended he fays to thruft the 
 pfalms of God out of the church. His 
 words in the preface to his hymns are 
 thefe — " Far be it from my thoughts to 
 " lay afide the book of pfalms in public 
 F 4 " wor- 
 
[ "8 J 
 
 C4 worfhip : Few can pretend fo great a 
 44 value for them as myfelf : It is the 
 44 moft artful, moft devotional, and di- 
 44 vine collection of poefy ^ and nothing 
 44 can be fappofed more proper to raite a 
 44 pious foul to heaven, than fome parts 
 14 of that book ; never was a piece of ex- 
 44 perimental divinity fo nobly written,; 
 44 and fo juftly reverenced and admired." 
 Happy would it have been for the chri- 
 itian world, if his followers had ftopt juft 
 where he did. He declares it was far 
 from his thoughts to do what they have 
 done. It never came into his head to lay 
 slide the book of pfalms in public wor- 
 fhip. Think of this, and weigh it care- 
 fully, ye that idolize Dr. Watts, and 
 prefer his poems to the infallible word of 
 God. It would be well for you, if you 
 valued pfalms as much as he did : For 
 he fays none valued them more. Then 
 you would have looked upon them in his 
 light : For having already in your hands 
 the moft: devotional and the moft divine 
 collection, you would not have thought 
 of any other, knowing it was impofiible 
 to have a better, but you would have ufed 
 this, and would have found it too, as 
 Dr. Watts did, the moft proper to raife 
 the foul to heaven. BlefTed fentiments ! 
 I honor the memory of Dr. Watts for 
 
 thk 
 
[ I2 9 ] 
 
 this glorious teftimony. I can lay no- 
 thing that can bear harder upon thole 
 perfons, who contrary to his opinion, 
 have entirely left off finging the pfalms of 
 God in the church. He never intended 
 to countenance fnch a practice. He de- 
 clares it was far from his thoughts, yea, 
 he abhorred the very thought, and in fo 
 faying he has upon record condemned it. 
 Here I reft the matter. If the admirers 
 of Dr. Watts will not be determined by 
 his authority, I am fare they will not by 
 mine: And therefore I take my leave of 
 them. Farewell, May the Lord guide 
 you into all truth. 
 
 There are feveral abufes among us re- 
 lative to the mufic, which I wife to fee 
 reformed, and fome of which I would 
 point oul We have many good pfalm 
 tunes, excellently compofed and fitted 
 for public . worlhip. Thele fhould be 
 ftudied, in order that they may be well 
 fung, and properly applied — Sung well to 
 avoid the tedious drawling manner in ufe 
 in mod of cur churches, which gives of- 
 fence to worldly people, and makes the 
 ordinance dull and heavy to believers — 
 Properly applied^ and fuited to thefubjeft, 
 that the found may as near as poffible 
 exprefs the fenfe : For want of under-' 
 ftanding or attending to this, we very 
 F 5 often 
 
[ 13° I 
 
 often hear a light tune to a mournful 
 prayer, and heavy mufic fet to a joyful 
 pfalm, which are grievous difcords. la 
 the fervice of God every thing fhould be 
 folemn. Our own minds require it, as 
 well as his greatnefs; but efpecially in? 
 praifing him, we Ihould try to fhut out 
 whatever would diftradt us, or difhonor 
 him. When the heart is affe&ed, or de- 
 fires to be duly affe&ed with a fenfe of 
 the exceeding riches of his mercy in Jefus, 
 the pfalm and the tune Ihould help to 
 excite, and to keep up the heavenly 
 flame. If the pfalm be proper for this 
 purpcfe, the tune fhould not defeat it, 
 This was much ftudied in the primitive 
 church. They had great fimplicity in 
 their pfalm fingtng, which we are told 
 w#s corrupted by the heretics. Com- 
 plaint is made particularly of Arius, that 
 he perverted finging into an entertain- 
 ment. He had a tail for mufic^ and he 
 copipbfed feveraf light frothy tunes, by 
 which he fought to pleale trifling people, 
 who with him neither loved the God, nor 
 the praifes of the God of the chri-ftians* 
 Herein he fucceeded. His mufic was 
 admired, and did a great deal of hurt. 
 Let us take warning from hence. As far 
 as we can let our praifes of God be fung 
 wich fuch mufic as will folemnize our 
 
 hearts. 
 
[ h} } 
 
 hearts, and keep them in tune to make 
 melody unto the Lord. 
 
 I will only mention one thing more* 
 which is a great impropriety, and to me 
 very ofFenfive, and that is the pofture ge- 
 nerally ufed among us in Tinging. Sup- 
 pofe there had been nothing at all faid 
 about it in the fcripture, judge ye with 
 yourfelves, men and brethren, whether ir 
 be refpedlful and becoming to fit down to 
 fing. When fubjedts go upon any joyful 
 occafion to addrefs their Sovereign, is it 
 a cuftom in any nation of the world to 
 do it fitting ? Does the perfon who pays 
 homage fit, or he who receives it ? Bur 
 it is not left to ourfelves, or to what we 
 may think right or wrong. The cafe is 
 determined in fcripture, and there are 
 precedents to go upon. The fingers and 
 muficians feood^ when they performed ia 
 the tempte fervice : So did all the people. 
 i Chron. ii 28, &V. " The office of the 
 " Levites was to wait on the fans of 
 44 Aaron for the feirvice of the houfe of 
 4< the Lord in the courts and in the 
 " chambers, and in the purifying of all 
 44 holy things, and the work of the fer- 
 " vice of the houfe of God : And to 
 44 ft and every morning to thank and praife 
 44 the Lord,, and likewife at ettiuhg** 
 This was their appointment ; and we read 
 
C *32 ] 
 
 of their fulfilling it, 2 Chron. v. 12. 
 where it is faid, " they flood at the eaft 
 " end of the altar :" And we are certain 
 that all the congregation of Ifraely?^ at 
 the fame time : for it is exprefsly mention- 
 ed. When the royal prophet is encou- 
 raging the priefts and people in the hea- 
 venly work of praife, he thus addreflcs 
 the priefts, Pfal. cxxxiv. " Behold, blefs 
 " ye the Lord all ye fervants of the Lord, 
 *' who by night fland in the houfe of the 
 Lord: Lift up your hands in the fanc- 
 c tuary and blefs the Lord. The Lord 
 u that made heaven and earth blefs thee 
 u out of Sion " So again fpeaking to, 
 priefts and people, Pfal. cxxxv. " Praife 
 " ye the Lord, praife ye the name of the 
 " Lord, praife him O ye fervants of the 
 u Lord: Ye that fland in the houfe of 
 " the Lord, in the courts of the houfe of 
 w our God, praife ye the Lord, for the 
 u Lord is good : Sing praifes unto his 
 " name for it is pleafant." Standing to 
 fing is recommended in thofe fcriptures, 
 and was accordingly praclifed both by 
 clergy and laity : "When they thanked the 
 Lord morning and evening in the words 
 of David the man of God, they fung his 
 praifes ftanding. It. is a decent pofture, 
 people of fafhibn think it fo : For they; 
 Hand up even in the play-houfe, at the 
 
[ J 33 J 
 
 Hallelujahs in the oratorio of the Meffiah* 
 Our very good church people think lb: 
 For if they fit down at the pfalm, they 
 are fure to ftand up at the gloria patri* 
 It is indeed highly becoming the majefty 
 of the gceat king of heaven and earthy 
 and it is alfo expreflive of our readinefs to 
 join our brethren in praifing his holy 
 name. As fuch I would recommend it, 
 The venerable practice of antiquity has 
 fomething more to enforce it, than mere 
 propriety: At l.aft it calls upon me to 
 try to keep up an uniformity with the 
 church of Chrift in this particular. But 
 if you think oihetwife, and prefer fitting, 
 lolling, or any lazy indolent pofture,. I 
 will not unchriftian you- We may dif- 
 fer, and not quarrel : Nay, I will not 
 quarrel with you, if you will but let me 
 obferve, when I fee any perfon irreve- y 
 rently fitting down, after he has been 
 called upon to fing to the praife and 
 glory of God, and after a fuitable pfalm. 
 Has been given out, it feems to me, as if 
 he (aid — Indeed his behaviour fpeaks 
 louder than any words can — " You may 
 " fmg, but I wont— I will excrcife no 
 u grace — I want no more grace — -I have 
 " no melody in my heart, and therefore 
 * c I will make none with my mouth — ■ 
 tt Til take myfelf aw T ay while you are 
 
 4i fmg- 
 
[ '34 ] 
 
 " Tinging, and Pll fit down to fhew that 
 M I-have no part with you in this ordi- 
 " nance." 
 
 The abufes here complained of are not 
 to be eafily remedied. I know they are 
 not •, but I have done mjT duty. Some 
 of them are of long (landing, not foon to 
 be rooted out. Some are the confequenccs 
 of mere profeffion* which renders all or- 
 dinances ineffe&ual: for they are only 
 blefled to any one, as he obferves them 
 in true faith. Others are not looked up- 
 on to be prophanations of the ordinance,, 
 but" refinements of it ; againft fuch I only 
 deliver my fentiments, not from the chair* 
 as a pope \ but I beg leave to give my 
 opinion, and if I could, I would do it 
 without offence. If any one be offended, 
 1 am forry for it. 1 would not hurt a 
 worm. However, we are all agreed I 
 hope in one thing, and let us improve 
 that. It is our joint defire to pleafe God 
 in finging his praifes. If this be purfued, 
 it will tend to reform every abufe relating 
 to this ordinance. His glory fhould be 
 aimed at with a fingle eye. When this 
 is the ruling principle, the heart would 
 enter into the fervice, and then it would 
 foon influence the outward man. Ther£ 
 would be no negleft, no contempt* fta 
 mifbeKffaour, if gratitude to God in 
 
 Chri£ 
 
[ fyi 3 
 
 Cfcrrft infpired our fongs. We fhouU' 
 love to prefent fuch praifes and in fuch a 
 manner, as would beft exprefs our thank- 
 fulnefs, and we fhould ftudy to avoid 
 every thing which would render them un- 
 profitable to ourfelves or others, or dis- 
 honorable to him. 
 
 Let me intreat you, men and brethren^ 
 never to forget this point. Set God al- 
 ways before you, whenever you are going 
 to fing pfalms. Do it as in his prefence 
 and to his glory. If you think it your 
 bounden duty to fing with your voices to 
 be heard of one another, take heed that you 
 fing with your hearts unto the Lord. Let 
 it be the fervice of every faculty, and 
 each exerted to the utmoft. Praife your 
 bleffed Immanuel with your warmeft gra- 
 titude. Give him the beft you have. He 
 richly deferves it. And remember you 
 thereby pay him nothing again : Your 
 only give him his own. Your gratitude is 
 the gift of his grace, and by it you only 
 make acknowlegement of your vaft ob- 
 ligations to him. O beg of him then to 
 enable you to praife him with a growing 
 fenfe of your debt, and of his increafing 
 favors. And may you fo praife him, as 
 to find frefh reafon to continue your praifes 
 frOflhtef'to day, and for evermore. 
 
 Who- 
 
[ '36 J 
 
 Whoever is in this humble happy frame 
 will be kept from a temptation, into 
 which moft of our hymn-fingers have fall- 
 en. I have heard feveral of them, who 
 would by no means be thought commoU 
 rate underftandings, objed to Sternhold 
 and Hopkins. They wonder I would 
 make ufe of this verfion, which they 
 think is poor flat fluff, the poetry is mi- 
 ferable, and the language low and bafe. 
 To which I anfwer : They had a fcrupu- 
 lous regard for the very words of fcrip'- 
 ture, and to thofe they adhered clofely 
 and ftriftly : fo much as to render the 
 verification not equal to Mr. Pope. I 
 grant, it is not always fmooth : It is only 
 here and there brilliant. But what is a 
 thoufand times more valuable, it is gene- 
 rally the fentiment of the holy Spirit. 
 That is very rarely loft. And this fhould 
 filence every objection — 7/ is the word of 
 God. Moreover the verfion comes nearer 
 to the original, than any I have ever ken^ 
 except the Scotch, which I have made ufe 
 of, when it appeared to me better ex- 
 preffed than the Englilh. You may find 
 fault with the manner of ekeing out a; 
 verfe for the fake of rhyme \ but what of 
 that ? Here is every thing great, and no- 
 ble, and divine, ^mmmtmmmmmem^t^ 
 
 *^5r?~. 
 
MM^Hw* luJLU Ul 1 / Ulll uf tllCMlQ 
 
 the -f»ipture wants no mending; nay -it- 
 is always worfe for msading. It is plain 
 in majefty.^ God has not written it to 
 pleafe the imagination, but to convert 
 the heart, and to comfort and to edify 
 the foul ; therefore the infpired writers 
 have ufed great plainaefs of fpeech. They 
 difclaim all painted language and oratori- 
 cal colouring. Qr*e of them fpeaking for 
 the reft fays—" We have received not the 
 fpint of the world, but the Spirit which 
 is of God, that we might know the 
 " # things which are freely given to us of 
 I God ; which, things alio we fpeak, not 
 
 " in 
 
[ ^ ] 
 
 v< 'in the words which ij^n's will WL 
 " teachefhV 'fixit" wTiicIT the holy (mm 
 " teacKeth." To his words the uncler- 
 ftand'mg fhould bow, and with rever&Tce 
 receive them : Becaufe they are his. ^©fr- 
 riofity fhould be cuimbT'* It fhould ma % ke 
 no enquiry: ' ' Are they fm€ word s^ 
 
 *• cal, dreft up with flowers and metapJ^ 
 " brilliant as Cowley, fmootT? as roJfcP 
 No, they are not; but they are reve^ 
 
 to make the man oij^ocL^ile unto ial^a- 
 tion, and they *clo! * Aslucn, the fineft 
 poetry of man is no more to be compared 
 with them, than man is to be compared 
 with God. His worcHsjthe great instru- 
 ment of falvatibn. It is the ordinancg_of 
 God for every faving purpofe 1 . He weKs 
 in ic and by it, and therefore it is plain 
 and fimple, that the glory may not be 
 given to the means themfelves, but to his 
 almighty grace, which makes them ef- 
 fectual. How unlikely is the word preach- 
 ed fo to change a finner's heart, that he 
 fhall be as much a new creature, as if a 
 devil was made an angel ; and yet this ef- 
 fect is daily produced, and by plain 
 preaching too. Thus the moft fuccefsfut 
 preacher that ever was, declares — " My 
 " fpeech and my preaching was not with 
 M enticing words of man's wifdom, but 
 " in demonftration of the Spirit and of 
 
 " powers 
 
[ *39 ] 
 
 ***power ; that your faith Ihould not ft arid 
 ***in the wifdom of man, but in the power 
 " of God." And his power is promifed, 
 and is alfo experienced to this very day in 
 the ufe of the means of grace, God does 
 give his bleffing to them. What more 
 fimple than tfte facraments ? Yet through 
 Chflft working mightily in them, they do 
 anfwer the end of their inftitution ? What 
 lb unlikely as prayer to obtain: all need- 
 ful blefiings ? and yet it is certain matter 
 of fad:, that the effectual fervent prayer 
 of a righteous man availeth much. So 
 the pfaims, not trimmed up with human 
 embeilifhments, but in the fimple drels 
 of fcripture, do communicate holy joy in 
 the Lord. He blefles the means, becaufe 
 they are his own means, and when ufed 
 in faith, he never fails to render them 
 effectual. Here then let us look, not at 
 fine words, but at God's word. Let us 
 not be offended at its fimplicity : For it 
 is purpofely fo. It is written for profit, 
 and not for amufement. As an inftru- 
 ment, it has not the virtue in itfelf, that 
 the excellency of the power exerted by it 
 may be of God. He would have all the 
 glory. Our own joy in Tinging and, our 
 neighbor's edification, fhall not arife from 
 fine poetry, but from his effectual grace. 
 How much is it to be wifhed, that this 
 
 was 
 
[ *4o J 
 
 was more regarded in finging pfalms, 
 Then fhould we hear no more of this <J5- 
 jeftion ; but believers in the ufe of this, 
 and of all the means of grace, would be 
 feeking not entertainment, but commu- 
 nion with God, which is our higheft pri- 
 vilege, and they would be expefting the 
 improvement of it, which is their hflgheft 
 happinefs. 
 
 Another objection may be made to this 
 collection. If all the pialms.be alike the 
 word of God, why fhould thefe be feieft- 
 ed, %nd the reft excluded ? I do not ex- 
 clude any, not a letter or tittle. They 
 are all of equal authority, all given by 
 the infpiration of the Almighty. There 
 is the fame divine ftarnp and impreffion 
 upon every word. For which reafon I 
 reverence what is left, as much as thefe : 
 But thefe are fufficient for our ufe, and 
 thefe, if rightly ufed, will lead us to un- 
 derftand and to value the reft. If any 
 thing here faid fhould be the means of 
 explaining the fubje£t of the book of 
 pfalms, and of enabling believers to fee 
 more of the glory of the Lord Jefus Chrift, 
 then they will not only value this collec- 
 tion, but will alfo, as occafion offers, 
 fing the reft with increafing melody in 
 their hearts unto the Lord, 
 
 The 
 
[ *V 1 
 
 •The collection of pfalms f which I have 
 here made, cannot be fung aright by any- 
 one, unlefs he thus aims at the glory of 
 God. He muft be a true believer in Je- 
 fus, and made fenfibJe of the Father's 
 love to him in his Son : Becaufe they are 
 chiefly fongs of praife, and require the 
 mufic of the heart : He, who is in tune 
 to make the belt melody, has the deepeft 
 fenfe of his obligations to free grace. He 
 has found redemption through the blood 
 of Jefus, and is convinced of his accept- 
 ance through the righteoufnefs of Jeius. 
 He fees all bleffings, temporal, fpiritual 
 and eternal provided for him by the Fa- 
 ther's love in the Son's fulneis, and by 
 the faith of the operation of the holy Spi- 
 rit he receives them, as he wants them, 
 day by day. He feels himfelf a poor 
 needy creature, unworthy of the leaft of 
 thole bleffings, and while he is in this 
 humble frame he is thankful for the leaft. 
 Then he is moft difpofed to give the glory 
 of all his mercies to the eternal Three, 
 and to acknowlege his debt in every ap- 
 pointed way. This makes him defirous 
 of profiting others by finging the praifes 
 of that good God who has fo exceedingly 
 loved him, and herein he has an efpecial 
 regard to his brethren in Chrift. As a 
 church-member he frequents ordinances, 
 
 enters 
 
[ I 4 2 ] 
 
 enters into the fpirit of them, prays in die 
 holy Ghoft, hears and mixes faith with 
 the word; fings with the congregation, 
 and with his heart and voice tries to m- 
 creafe their melody. He lives the chris- 
 tian. In his walk and converfation he 
 fhews forth the praifes of God. He glo- 
 rifies his Father which is in heaven, be- 
 fore men, and lets them fee, that they 
 who are happy believers in Jefus have 
 found their heaven upon earth. Thus he 
 goes on his way, finging and rejoicing in 
 the Lord — ready to join the great concert 
 of faints and angels — yea he does join, 
 afcribing with them all the good he has 
 and hopes for to the free grace of the 
 holy bleffed and glorious Trinity. 
 
 Reader, art thou one of this happy 
 number ? Is thy heart in tune to fing 
 pfalms of praife to thy God ? Is he thy 
 Father which art in heaven, and doll 
 thou love him for the unfpeakable gift of 
 his Son ? Until he be known to thee in 
 this dear relation, thou canft not be hap- 
 py in him either in earth or heaven. If 
 thou art thinking he has mercy in ftore 
 for thee, how watt thou brought to be- 
 lieve it ? Was it in God's appointed way, 
 and in his means ? Didit thou hear his 
 word declaring what thy ftate was, and 
 didft thou yield to its teftimony, perfuad- 
 
 ed 
 
[ HZ ] 
 
 <ed thou waft under guilt and in great dan- 
 ger? Waft thou convinced of the ex- 
 ceeding finfulnefs of fin, how abominably 
 filthy it made thee in the fight of an holy- 
 God — how guilty in the fight of a jutt 
 God, and how utterly helplefs it has left 
 thee in thyfelf ? Did this conviftion fol- 
 low thee ? Waft thou made deeply and 
 thoroughly fenfible, that thou canft do 
 nothing for thyfelf, but haften on thy 
 ruin ? Such is thy captivity to fin, all 
 the powers and faculties of thy foul and 
 body are in fuch bondage to it, that thou 
 canft do nothing but ferve it, yea thou 
 art fuch a willing Have, that if God leave 
 thee to thyfelf, thou wilt go on finning 
 through time, and finning through eter- 
 nity, 
 
 Didft thou never fee thyfelf in this 
 ilate ? The fcripture declares, that thou 
 art by nature a child of wrath — and doft 
 not thou believe the word of God ? Are 
 its threatenings an idle tale ? What ! art 
 thou ftill afleep in the arms of fin, in the 
 midft of the thunder of the vengeance of 
 God — ftill dreaming of happinefs in the 
 ways of fin, which God affures thee in 
 his word will lead thee to deftru£tiom O 
 defperate delufion ! May God deliver thee 
 from it. May the eternal Spirit accom- 
 pany his own meflage 2nd fend it to thy 
 
 heart 
 
[ H4 ] 
 
 heart — " Awake thou that fleepeft, arid 
 " arife from the dead, and Chrift fhall 
 " give thee light." 
 
 If thou haft been made fenfible of thy 
 danger, what thinkeft thou of Chrift ? 
 If thou haft feen thyfelf a loft finner, 
 who is to fave thee ? To whom, pr to 
 what doft thou look for help ? To man, 
 or to God •, to thyfelf, or to Chrift ? To 
 thy works, orhis ? Is Chrift become thine 
 only objeft ? Examine with care : for 
 there is but one right way to the city of 
 habitation. ^ I am the way," fays Je- 
 fus. Be aflured, there is falvation for 
 thee in no other. Nothing can wafh thee 
 clean, but the atoning blood of Jefus. 
 Nothing can juftify thee, but his righ- 
 tepufnefs. His all-fufficient grace alone 
 can keep thee in the way to heaven. He 
 alone can prefcnt thee fpotlefs there before 
 the throne. Every other hope will dif- 
 appoint thee but hope in Jefus. One day 
 all the reft will prove refuges of lies. If 
 thou buildeft on them now with confi- 
 dence, they will fail thee at the bar of 
 God. Thou wilt then find, that other 
 foundation can no man lay, than that is 
 laid, which is Jefus Chrift. 
 
 If thou art enabled to build upon this 
 rock, happy art thou. Hail, thou that 
 art highly favored : The Lord is with 
 
 theec 
 
C H5 J 
 
 thee. He has encouraged thee to place 
 the whole weight of thy falvation upon 
 the work of Jefus, who is Immanuel, 
 the creator and the fupporter of all worlds, 
 vifible and invifible. Trull in him, and 
 be not afraid : For he is almighty to fave. 
 And he has given thee his infallible pro- 
 miles to fatisfy thee, that in him thou art 
 fafe from all thy fins and from all thine 
 enemies. O how eftablifhing are his own 
 words! Thus he fpeaketh to thee — *- 
 " Whofoever cometh unto me, and hear- 
 " eth my fayings, and doeth them, 1 will 
 " fhew you to whom he is like : He is 
 " like a man, who built an houfe, and 
 " digged deep, and laid the foundation 
 4C on a rock, and when the flood arofe, 
 " the ftream beat vehemently upon that 
 " houfe, and could not fhake it : For it 
 " was founded upon a rock." How hap- 
 py is thy ftate ! Thou art come to him at 
 his bidding, thou haft heard his fayings, 
 and art doing them in faith : Survey thy 
 fafety and blefs the Lord. Thou art the 
 wife man, who builds on a foundation 
 contrived by infinite wifdom, and fup- 
 ported by almighty power: " Behold, 
 " fays the Father, I lay in Sion for a 
 i; foundation, a ftone, a tried ftone, &V." 
 The Father chofe his co-equal Son, on 
 G whom 
 
[ 146 1 
 
 whom he would build his whole church ; 
 he is therefore called an ele& foundation ; 
 amdfure, as fure as God can make it, his 
 will and word, his arm and love fecure 
 the foundation and every thing built upon 
 it. Try it again and again, andjthou wilt 
 find how fure it is. This is another of 
 its divine excellencies — it is a tried foun- 
 dation, none ever built on it and were 
 confounded. Believers have made trial 
 6f it in every age, and it always anfwered 
 their hopes : Indeed how could it fail 
 them ? For the divine architect has fo 
 ftrengthened every part of his ftrndture, 
 that the gates of hell cannot prevail againft 
 it. How precious then is this founda- 
 tion ! " To them that believe he is pre- 
 * c cious." All the beauties and pleafures 
 in heaven and earth are to be found in his 
 fulnefs, and in the creature only as a 
 drop out of the ocean. Unfearchable 
 riches are his : So are eternal glories. 
 Blefled is the man who is living upon this 
 fulnefs : While he is receiving out of it 
 grace for grace, O how precious is Jefus ! 
 efpecially while he is hoping to receive 
 out of the fame fulnefs the glory that is 
 to be revealed : For he fhall not be dif- 
 appointed of his hope; becaufe " the 
 u righteous hath an everlajiing founda- 
 
 " tion." 
 
[ H7 1 
 
 " tion. 5 ' He is built upon the rock o£ 
 ages, and is kept there by the power of God. 
 O happy, thrice happy believer. Again 
 furvey thy mercies — fee how many — how 
 great they are — to thy body — to thy foul 
 — family, church, national mercies—* 
 fure and covenant mercies. Who is like 
 unto thee faved by the Lord ? The Fa- 
 " ther is thine with all his love. The Sou 
 is thine with all his falvation. The holy 
 Spirit is thine in ail his offices, to com- 
 fort, to ftrengthen, and to fandtify thee, 
 to lead thee fafe by his council, till he . 
 bring thee unto glory. And this is alio 
 thine with its richeft bleffings — eternal 
 life is the free gift of God to thee through 
 Jefus Chrift thy Lord. O what has God 
 .done for thee ! faved from deferved de- 
 struction, and faved with fuch a falva- 
 tion, fo wrought out for thee, fo fecured 
 to thee, and for ever, what could God 
 do more ? Now thou haft learned the 
 fubjeft of praife, and canft make fweet 
 melody with thefe words — " I waited pa- 
 " tiently for the Lord and he inclined 
 " unto me, and heard my cry : He 
 " brought me up alfo out of the hot- 
 " rible pit, out of the miry clay, and let 
 " my feet upon a rock, and eftablifhed 
 " my goings : And he hath put a new 
 
 G 2 " fong 
 
 \ 
 
[ 148 ] 
 
 " fong in my mouth, even praife unto 
 €< our God." None can learn this new 
 fong, except he be redeemed from the 
 earth — a faved fmner, delivered from the 
 pit of corruption, and finding his feet fet 
 faft upon the rock of falvation fings it 
 from experience. He feels what he fings. 
 His heart and mouth go together in bleflf- 
 ing the Lord his God. Now he wants 
 no comment upon the pfalms of praife. 
 He is taught them by the holy Spirit, and 
 can fing them with delight. A grateful 
 fenfe of the divine favors freely conferred 
 upon him keeps him in tune, humble and 
 thankful. And this is the right frame of 
 mind to offer up the facrifice of praife, 
 with which God is well pleafed. He ac- 
 cepts it from faints and angels round the 
 throne, and he accepts it alfo from us, 
 when we prefent it in their fpirit. The 
 humbleft upon earth pay him the highefl 
 fervice, as he declares — " Whofo offer- 
 " eth praife glorifieth me." 
 
 Reader, is this thine experience ? Dofl 
 thou fing pfalms, and didft thou learn to 
 fing them in this way ? Waft thou en- 
 abled by faith to love God in Chrift, and 
 art thou now blefiing him with a rejoicing 
 heart ? Is his glory the end and aim of 
 all thy fervices ? If it be, (but beware of 
 
 miftakes) 
 
[ M9 1 
 
 miftakes) then thou art accepted in Jeflis^ 
 and fo are thy fongs. May thy delight in 
 finging them increafe. I wifh to be a 
 helper of thy joy, and to that end let us 
 take a fhort review of the fubjeft. Thou 
 wilt fee the graces needful for finging of 
 pfalms, and if thou findeft God has be- 
 ftowed them upon thee, then make ufe 
 of them : Offer up through Jefus Chrift; 
 thy facrifice of praife to God continually,' 
 that is the fruit of thy lips, giving thanks 
 to his name. 
 
 i. Doft thou underftand the fubjeft of 
 the book of pfalms, and enter into it in 
 finging ? Doft thou fee the praifes of Im- 
 manuel celebrated throughout, and canft 
 thou take up the words and fing them 
 with melody in thy heart ? Being one with 
 Jefus by faith, and a partaker of his ful- 
 nefs, thou wilt fee a new glory in the 
 pfalms ; for thou wilt read thine own in- 
 tereft in all that Chrift is and has, and 
 wilt make ufe of it too, receiving from 
 him grace for grace. This will infpire 
 thy foul with warm devotion to the Lord 
 Chrift, and will lead thee greatly to prize 
 this Hefted book. Thou wilt delight to 
 
 2. Study the fcripture names of it,. 
 
 Doft thou attend to them ? Have they 
 
 their proper weight with thee, fo a; to 
 
 G 3 convince 
 
[ 150 ] 
 
 convince thee thoroughly, that the Sa- 
 viour in his feveral offices and works is 
 the perfon treated of in the book of 
 pfalms ? The different names are only to 
 defcribe him in different views as the giver 
 of every bleffing in earth and heaven, 
 hymns to celebrate his praifes, fpiritual 
 ibngs to kt forth the glory of his king- 
 dom, and the happineis of his fubje&s, 
 pfalms and hymns and fpiritual fongs al- 
 together intended to raife the affections of 
 the foul to as high a pitch of love to Im- 
 manuel, as we are capable of, while in 
 the body. 
 
 3. When thou art reading the old tefta- 
 ment or the new, and obferving the paf- 
 fages, in which the pfalms are mentioned, 
 do they farther confirm thee in the belief 
 of their being written concerning Chrifl ? 
 And mixing faith with them do they 
 warm thy heart with gratitude to Jefus, 
 and ftir thee up to ling his praifes with 
 increafing delight ? But above all, confi- 
 der 
 
 4. How thou fingeft the pfalms. Ex- 
 amine. Art thou made a new creature 
 in Chrift Jefus, and a partaker of his * 
 Spirit ? Dolt thou then fing with thine 
 underftanding, and with thy heart, fmg- 
 ing pfalms aS an ordinance of God to ex- 
 
 ercife 
 
f *& ] 
 
 ercife grace, and to increafe the grace, 
 which he has given ? And doft thou in- 
 deed find it profitable to thyfelf, and edi- 
 fying to others ? 
 
 5. Doft thou keep up the harmony in 
 thy life ? Is thy walk in concord with thy 
 pfalms ? Art thou fhewing forth the praifes 
 of Jeius in thy converfation ? What ! is 
 all confident and of a piece ? Are thy 
 heart and voice and life in tune to thank 
 the Lord for his goodneis, and to declare 
 the wonders which he hath done for thy 
 foul ? O this is heavenly mufic. Happy 
 man, to whom it is given thus to live the 
 chriftian. May there be no difcord in thy 
 tempers and walk, but may all within 
 and without thee confpire in fvveet con- 
 cert to blefs thy Lord and thy God, 
 
 6. If the Lord has thus enabled thee 
 to fing, and to love his praifes, then art 
 thou humble enough to ftudy to pleafe 
 others as well as thyfelf in finging, that 
 they may be edified? If here has been 
 any abufe in this ordinance, doft thou 
 (land corrected, and art willing to re- 
 form ? Is it thy defire in public finging 
 to give no offence to outward people, but 
 above all to give none to the church of 
 God ? This is the chriftian temper. Shew 
 it. Let it appear that the mind is in thee, 
 
 which 
 
[ 152 } 
 
 which was alio in Chrift Jefus. Aim in 
 finging at the profit of others. Look not 
 to thyfelf alone, that thou beared thy 
 part, with thine underftanding, heart and 
 voice, but endeavor alfo to edify the 
 church. See thy neighbor be benefited 
 
 according to the command " Teach 
 
 " and admonifh one another in pfalms," 
 oiV. Let this, and all other things in 
 the congregation be done to edifying. 
 
 If upon careful enquiry thou doft un- 
 derftand thofe truths, doft thou expe- 
 rience the power and comfort of them ? 
 Art thou indeed a living chriftian, capa- 
 ble of finging them with melody in thy 
 heart unto the Lord ? If this be thy hap- 
 py cafe, then accept this collection of 
 pfalms, which I here prefent to thee, not 
 in preference to any of thofe here omit- 
 ted, or to exclude any of them, but only 
 as a fufficient number for our regular fer- 
 vice. Go, and make ufe of them, and 
 the Lord be with thee. May he render 
 them profitable to thine own foul, and 
 edifying to his body the church. Pray 
 for grace to glorify him more in this ordi- 
 nance. It will foon be thy whole em- 
 ployment. Yet a very little while, and 
 thou wilt have nothing to do, but to en- 
 joy and to praife Immanuel for evermore, 
 
 May 
 
[ '53 J 
 
 May thy heart now feel fomething of this 
 heaven : And if it pleafe him may thy 
 happinefs daily increafe, in the enjoy- 
 ment of, and thankfulnefs for, all cove- 
 nant mercies, till thou art admitted to 
 the general affembly and church of the 
 firft-horn, to join with them in afcribing 
 all the glory of thy falvation to Father, 
 Son and holy Spirit, three perfons in one 
 Godhead, to whom be equal and ever- 
 lafting praifes. Amen. 
 
 FINIS, 
 
A 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 ' OUT OF THE 
 
 BOOK of PSALMS, 
 
 Suited to every Sunday in the Year. 
 
 Praife ge tfje lorD. praife tfje lorn, 
 €> mp foul; tofrile 3f Uue toil! 3j pratfe 
 tU lorn, 31 toitt ftng praife0 to 
 mp (Sot), tofjile 3( &ane anp being, 
 
 Pfal. cxlvi. 1,2. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED IN THE YEAR MDCCLXXV, 
 
[ *S7 ] 
 
 The firjt Sunday in Advent. 
 
 PSAIM XCV. 
 
 TH I S is a proper pfalm for public worfhip f 
 and therefore we always begin our daily fer- 
 vice with it. Believers are here reminded 
 to call upon one another to join in iinging the 
 praifes of Jehovah the rock of their falvation; in the 
 Hebrew it is, Jehovah the rock their Jefus : And the 
 arguments ufed to raife their thankfulnefs to him are 
 taken from his greatnefs in creating all things, and 
 from his goodnefs to his redeemed : For he is their 
 Maker, by and in whom they are new created ; their 
 covenant God, who has all his people under his paf- 
 toral care, being engaged to keep, to feed, and to 
 guide them, that they may not harden their hearts, 
 nor fall fhort of~his promifed reft. 
 O happy believer, to whom Jefus Hands thus related : 
 May thy heart be now in tune to join in his praifes. 
 Truft in him, and be not afraid. Exercife thy faitk 
 in glorifying him, that he may increafe it. Rejoice 
 in his holy name, that thy joy in him may grow and 
 abound. Unite thy voice with the church, and (ing 
 with courage, as thou art here commanded, that we 
 may teach and admonilh one another in this heavenly 
 fong, and that our Jefus may be exalted in the midft 
 of us. This mould be the end of all our church 
 meetings: /*nd the general aflembly and church of 
 the firft born will meet to carry on the fame fubject 
 of praife. Thou wilt never on earth be more like 
 them, than while thou art afcribing to him all the 
 glory of thy falvation. Do thy utmoii: Sing in the 
 H 2 higheit 
 
[ 158 ] 
 
 higheft note of gratitude, he will ever be above all 
 bleffing and praife. 
 
 I. 
 
 f\ COME let us lift up our voice 
 ^-^ and fing unto the Lord, 
 In Jefus our ftrong rock rejoice 
 
 let us with one accord. 
 IT. 
 Yea let us come before his face 
 
 to give him thanks and praife, 
 In finging pfalms unto his grace 
 
 let us be glad always. 
 III. 
 Come let us bow unto the Lord, 
 
 before him let us fall, 
 And worfhip him with one accord 
 
 the Maker of us all. 
 IV. 
 He is indeed the Lord our God, 
 
 for us he doth provide, 
 We are his flock, he doth us feed 
 
 his Iheep, and he our guide. 
 
 Psalm XCVI. 
 
 The word Advent fignifies coming, aad thefe four Sun- 
 days before Chriftmas, were fet apart for our medi- 
 tation upon the coming of Chrift in the flefh, and 
 upon his coming at the iaft day. The pfalms which 
 I have chofen treat of both his advents : And they, 
 who are partakers by faith of the benefit of his firil 
 
 - coming, may look forward to his fecond, and fing 
 of both with a hope full of glory and immortality. 
 
 This 
 
[ '59 ] 
 
 This is an advent hymn. All nations, Gentiles as well 
 as jews, are here called upon to praife the Lord jefus 
 Chrift for his falvation ; and for the glory of his 
 kingdom, which is exalted far above all that is called 
 God ; and will one day be exalted indeed, when all 
 his redeemed ihall in full concert, praife him for the 
 judgment palled upon all fleih. 
 
 This is called a new fong : Becaufe it can only be fung 
 by true believers; who being convinced of their in- 
 tereft in the judge are looking for the bleifed hope, 
 and the glorious appearing of Jefus Chrift the great 
 God and our Saviour. AH fuch ought to fing the 
 pfalm with delight: For the judge is their friend. 
 He requires them to lift up their heads with joy, 
 whenever he comes by death or judgment to take 
 them to himfelf : And furely then they ought to lift 
 up their voices to proclaim the wonders of his love. 
 May our hearts and lips go together, and make 
 fweet harmony in the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 
 
 I. 
 
 CING ye with praife unto the Lord 
 ^ a new fong with great mirth, 
 Sing unto him with one accord 
 
 all people on the earth. 
 II. ' 
 Sing ye unto the Lord alway, 
 
 blefs ye his holy name •, 
 Declare and {how from day to day 
 
 falvation by the fame, 
 111. 
 See ye among the heathen folk 
 
 his glory do declare, 
 And unto all the people fnow 
 
 his works, which wondrous are. 
 
 H 3 IV. For 
 
I 160 3 
 
 IV. 
 For great's rhe Lord, and highly he 
 
 is to be magnify'd, 
 Yea, worthy to be fear'd is he 
 
 above all gods beiide. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm XCVI. 
 
 I. 
 ASCRIBE unto the Lord our God 
 ^~ JL all men with one accord, 
 Glory and might for evermore 
 afcribe unto the Lord. 
 II. 
 Afcribe unto the Lord alfo 
 
 the glory of his name, 
 Into his courts an ofPring bring 
 and there prefent the fame. 
 
 III. 
 In beauty of his holinefs 
 fee ye adore his grace, 
 Let all the earths inhabitants 
 worfhip before his face. 
 IV. 
 Tell it abroad to heathen lands, 
 
 the Lord doth reign above, 
 Yea, he the earth fo faft hath ftay'd 
 that it lhall never move. 
 
 The 
 
[ ,6i ] 
 
 The fecond Sunday in Advent^ 
 Psalm XCVI. 
 
 I. 
 
 T T is the Lord himfelf alone, 
 
 who rules with princely might 
 To judge the nations every one 
 with equity and right. 
 II. 
 The heav'ns fnall joyfully begin, 
 
 the earth likewife rejoice, 
 The fea with all that is therein 
 fhall fhout and make a noife. 
 
 III. 
 The fields fhall joy, and every thing 
 
 that fpringeth on the earth, 
 The wood and ev'ry tree fhall fing 
 
 frith gladnefs and with mirth, 
 IV. 
 Before the Lord, becaufe he comes, 
 
 becaufe he comes with might, 
 With juftice he fhall judge the world 
 
 and give to all their right. 
 
 H 4 Ps A L M 
 
[ '(>* ] 
 
 PSAI.M XCVIII. 
 
 The fubjeft of this pfalm is the fame with the 96th. 
 All creatures are here called upon to praife the Lord 
 for his great falvation, wrought out by his own arm, 
 and applied by his own grace. He has obtained fuch 
 a complete vi&ory over all our fpiritual enemies, that 
 believers may now triumph in it, and partake of its 
 richer! blefiings for evermore. AU the ends of the 
 earth hearing of it fhall glorify the Lord Jefus, and 
 are exhorted in a variety of expreilions to teftify their 
 joy in him, and their thankfulnefs to him : Yea, 
 they are commanded in their fong to expedl his ap- 
 pearing, and to look for it as the eternal confirma- 
 tion of all their joys. O may we in faith and hope, 
 as here required, celebrate the praifes of God the 
 Saviour. May we find our hearts engaged in this 
 fweet exercife, and happy in afcribing to him the 
 glory of all the wonders which he hath done, and 
 will do, for us, and for our falvation* 
 
 L 
 £\ SING ye now unto the Lord 
 
 ^ a new and pleafant fong, 
 For he hath wrought throughout the world 
 his wonders great and ftrong. 
 IT. 
 With his right hand moft mightily 
 
 he did his foes devour, 
 And got himfelf the vidory 
 with his own arm and pow'r. 
 III. 
 The Lord did make his people know 
 
 his laving love and might, 
 And he hath Ihew'd his righteoufncfs 
 in all the heathens fight, 
 
 IV. He 
 
[ i6 3 ] 
 
 IV. 
 
 He mindful of his grace and truth 
 
 to Ifra'ls houfe hath been, 
 -And the falvation of our God 
 
 all ends of th' earth have feen. 
 
 AFTERNOON, 
 Psalm XCVIII. 
 
 t 
 
 E T all the earth unto the Lord 
 -L/ fend forth a joyful noife: 
 Lift up your voice aloud to him 
 fing praifes and rejoice. 
 II. 
 Yea, let the fea with all therein 
 
 for joy both roar and fwell, 
 The earth likevvife let it begin 
 with all that therein dwell. 
 
 III. 
 
 And let the running ltreams rejoice 
 
 and clap their hands apace, 
 Yea, let the mountains and the hills 
 
 triumph before his face. 
 IV. ■ 
 For he (hall come at the laft day, 
 
 to judge the earth he'll come, 
 He'll judge the world in uprightnefs 
 
 and take his people home. 
 
 h 5 m 
 
[ i*4 ] 
 
 Tie third Sunday in Advent. 
 Psalm LXXII. 
 
 This is a delightful hymn in praife of the kingdom cf 
 the Lord Cnrift. It begins with a prayer in the firft 
 xeife, and then urges the requeft by ieveral argu- 
 ments, concluding with an affectionate thankfgiving 
 to God for his promifes to hear and to anfwer the re- 
 queft. Many paffages in this pfalm could never re- 
 late to any other perfon, but to the Lord Jefus Chriit, 
 for inftance,— He was to be feared fo long, as the 
 fun and moon endure, throughout all generations — 
 he was to be ihe Saviour cf the foul — the redeemer 
 of the foul — prayer was to be made unto him conti- 
 nually — da ly is he to be praifed — men ihail reckon 
 themfelves bleffed in him — all nations fhali call him 
 bleffed, yea for ever. — When thefe things come to 
 pafs then the prayers of David the fen of Jefl'e (hall 
 be (not ended, as we render it, bu;) completed. 
 
 The prayer has been heard. The Son has been incar- 
 nate. And the Father has committed all judgment 
 to the Son — he is the king cf righteoufnefs and the 
 king of peace, the very Mekhifedek — who is al- 
 mighty to fave. His reign of grace is ail meeknefs 
 and gentlenefs He is a lamb upon the throne, 
 So he is defcribed in the iirfi part of the pfalm, and 
 in the lad his happy fubjects thank him for their ex- 
 perience of his loving-kindnefs. May we iing the 
 former with faiih, and the latter with affection. 
 Every word in the pfalm mixed with faith fhould be 
 a fpur to gratitude. May every heart make melody, 
 and blefs the Lord for the wonders of his love. 
 JBleffed fce his holy name for ever* Amen, and Amen. 
 
 I. O 
 
[ *s ] 
 
 L 
 
 r\ LORD thy judgments give the king 
 ^^ his fon thy righteoufnefs : 
 With right he fnall thy people judge 
 
 thy poor with uprightnefs. 
 IF. 
 The lofty mountains (hall bring forth 
 
 unto the people peace ; 
 Likewife the little hills the fame 
 
 fhall do by righteoufnefs. 
 Ill, 
 He fhall judge the poor and fhall fave 
 
 the weak, and make them ftrong, 
 And fhall deftroy for evermore 
 
 all thofe that do them wrong. 
 IV. 
 And then from age to age (hall they 
 
 regard and fear thy might, 
 So long as fun doth fhine by day, 
 
 or elfe the moon by night. 
 V. 
 The juft fhall flourifli in his days 
 
 and profper in his reign, 
 He fhall while doth the moon endure 
 
 abundant peace maintain. 
 VI. 
 His large and great dominion fhall 
 
 from fea to fea extend, 
 It from the river fhall reach forth 
 
 to the earth's utmoft end. 
 
 Psalm 
 
[ 166 ] 
 
 Psalm LXXIL 
 
 I. 
 
 ALL kings fhall feek with one accord 
 ■"* in his good grace to (land, 
 And all the people of the world 
 obey at his command. 
 II. 
 For he the needy fort (hall fave 
 
 who unto him do call, 
 Alfo the humble folk who have 
 no other help at all. 
 HI. 
 He taketh pity on the poor 
 who are with need oppreft. 
 He doth preferve them evermore, 
 and bring their fouls to reft. 
 IV. 
 He fhall redeem their lives from fraud 
 
 from violence and might, 
 Alfo their blood that (hall be fhed 
 is precious in his fight, 
 
 AFTER- 
 
[ i«7 ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LXXII. 
 
 I. 
 POR ever they fhall praife his name 
 **• while that the fun is light, 
 And think them blefied thro' the fame, 
 
 all folk fhall blefs his might. 
 II. 
 Praife ye the Lord of hods and fing 
 
 to Ifra'ls God each one : 
 For he doth ev'ry wondrous thing* 
 
 yea he himfelf alone. 
 III. 
 And blelTed be his glorious name 
 
 to all eternity, 
 The whole earth let his glory fill 
 
 Amen, Amen, fay I. 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now 5 
 
 and fhall be evermore* 
 
 Fourth 
 
[ 168 j 
 
 Fourth Sunday in Advent. 
 Psalm LXVII. 
 
 This is a prayer for the church of Chrift, begging the 
 grace of God and the blefling of God upon it, and 
 intreating the application of both by the mining of 
 his loving countenance. The end of this is men- 
 tioned, namely, that the way of his falvation may 
 be known among all nations, and that they might 
 join in praifmg him, and in rejoicing in him, yea 
 might increafe in their thankfgiving and abound in 
 it to the glory of God. 
 
 Every believer ought to join this prayer : Becaufe he is 
 made fenfible, that grace is the fountain from 
 whence all his bleilings flow, and that the difcovery 
 of God's purpofes of grace to him is a it ream from 
 this fountain. When he is favored with it, and the 
 Lord Chrill lifts up the light of his loving counte- 
 nance upon him, how thankful mould he be ? How 
 careful to exprefs his thankfulnefs in every appointed 
 way? May the heart of every fuch perfon enter into 
 this prayer. May it be fervent and effectual, fo 
 that the Lord's face may fhine upon us while we 
 fing, and he may give U3 a prefent anfwer to our 
 petitions. 
 
 I. 
 
 HAVE mercy on us Lord, 
 and grant to us thy grace, 
 To fhew to us do thou accord 
 the brightnefs of thy face. 
 
 II. That 
 
I 169 ] 
 
 f 
 
 II. 
 
 That all the world may know 
 
 the way to godly wealth, 
 And all the nations here below 
 
 may fee thy faving health. 
 
 IIT. 
 
 Let all the world, O God, 
 
 give praife unto thy name, 
 And let the people all abroad 
 
 extoll and blefs the fame. 
 IV. 
 Throughout the world fo wide 
 
 let all rejoice with mirth, 
 For thou with truth and right doffc guide 
 
 the nations of the earth. 
 V. 
 Let all the world, O God, 
 
 give praife unto thy name, 
 And let the people all abroad 
 
 extoll and blefs the fame. 
 VI. 
 The earth her fruit fhall yield, 
 
 our God fhall bleffing fend •> 
 God fhall us blefs, men fhall him fear 
 
 unto earth's utmoft end. 
 
 Psalm 
 
[ i7° ] 
 
 Psalm XCIX. 
 
 This pfalm describes the kingdom of Chrift, and ex- 
 tolls him for vouchfafing his gracious prefence to his 
 church, dwelling vifibly in the cherubim to protect 
 it by his love, and to oppofe its enemies by his great- 
 nefs and holinefs : Therefore his people are called 
 upon to worfhip at his footftool, and to exalt him 
 as their forefathers had done, whofe petitions he 
 gracioufly heard and anfwered. 
 
 The fubje&s of this moll blefled king may rejoice in 
 him at all times. Every fentence in this pfalm af- 
 fords them matter of joy and praife. The command 
 is — Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I fay re- 
 joice. This joy mould break forth into finging, 
 which is the expreifion of a thankful heart : And we 
 never confult our own intereft fo much, as when we 
 fing his praife and give him all his glory ; then we 
 may expect he will increafe our joy in the Lord. 
 May the Spirit of the Father and the Son help us to 
 receive all the profit from finging this hymn, which 
 he intended it mould be the means of bringing to 
 the people of God in every age. 
 
 I. 
 
 HpHE Lord doth reign, altho 5 at it 
 *■ the people rage full fore, 
 He on the cherubim doth fit 
 tho' all the world do roar. 
 II. 
 The Lord that in his church doth dwell 
 
 is high and wondrous great, 
 Above all folk he doth excell, 
 and he aloft is fet f 
 
 III. Let 
 
t 171 ] 
 
 III. 
 The princely pow'r of our great king 
 
 doth love judgment and right ^ 
 Thou juftly ruled ev'ry thing 
 
 in right'oufnefs and might. 
 IV. 
 To praife the Lord our God devife, 
 
 and honor to him fhew, 
 i\nd at his footitool worfhip him 
 
 who holy is and true. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LXXXV. 
 
 This pfalm contains two very interefting particulars, 
 firft a prayer for the mercy of God, and fecondly a 
 patient waiting for an anfwer. The mercy afked is 
 converting grace, that fince God through Chrift is 
 reconciled to his people, and has taken away all his 
 wrath againft them, he would give unto them fted- 
 fafl faith to depend upon his love to them in his 
 Son, and fo to enable them to truft in him that they 
 might be revived and comforted. Then they re- 
 folve to wait for the divine anfwer, and confirm 
 themfelves in waiting by many powerful motives fuch 
 as — the Lord's promife to fpeak peace to his people, 
 and they (hall not turn to folly — he will bring his 
 falvation near to them who fear him — his glory (hall 
 come and dwell in our land, even the Lord of hofts 
 the king of glory — in whom made rleih all the per- 
 fections of the Godhead will fweetly harmonize— 
 
 For 
 
For in him the Father is true in all his threatenings, 
 and yet can fhew mercy to Tinners — in him the Fa- 
 ther's righteoufnefs has had every demand paid it, 
 and now he is at peace with believers in Jefus — yea 
 when the divine truth was incarnate, righteoufnefs-, 
 looked down from heaven and faid, Behold, my be- 
 loved Son in whom I am well pleafed. Whoever 
 receives this falvation in the power of the holy Spi- 
 rit is thereby made fruitful in love and loving obe- 
 dience to God for it, and being now (kilful in the 
 word of righteoufnefs, his fteps are fet and kept in the 
 way which leadeth ftraight and fafe to heaven. 
 This is one of the hymns, which has been conflantly 
 ufed in the church on Chriftmas day. It is made 
 up of prayer and praife. And it requires faith and 
 gratitude to fing it well. He that has ftrongeft faith 
 will ling the beft : Becaufe he will find moil reafon 
 to adore his Saviour God for humbling himfelf to be 
 made man, that he might live and die for him and 
 for his falvation. May this delightful pfalm exer- 
 cife and improve our faith, and warm our afFe&ions. 
 May we fnig it in the Spirit, bleffing God for all 
 his mercies received through the incarnation of Jefus 
 Chrift. Glory be to him in the higheit. Amen, 
 and Amen. 
 
 I. 
 *"pHOU haft been favorable, Lord, 
 A to thy beloved land, 
 For thou reftoredft Jacob's feed 
 from bondage by ftrong hand. 
 II. 
 The wicked works that they have done 
 
 thou didft them all remit, 
 And then didft hide thy people's fin 
 clofely thou cover'dlt it. 
 
 III. And 
 
[ m ] 
 in. 
 
 And thou thine anger didft aflwage 
 
 that all thy wrath was gone, 
 And fo didft turn thee from thy rage 
 
 with them to be at one. 
 IV. 
 O Saviour God, do thou then turn 
 
 thy people unto thee, 
 Put all thy wrath from us apart 
 
 and angry ceafe to be. 
 V. 
 Shall thy fierce anger never end, 
 
 but (till be pour'd on us, 
 And (hall thy wrath itfelf extend 
 
 unto all ages thus ? 
 
 VI. 
 That in thee may thy people joy 
 
 wilt thou not us revive ? 
 Shew us thy mercy, Lord, to us 
 
 thy great falvation give* 
 
 Chrijtnm 
 
[ i74 3 
 
 Chrijlmas Bay. 
 Psalm LXXXV. 
 
 See the title to the former part, p. 171. 
 
 L 
 T 5 LL hear what God the Lord doth fay, 
 ^ to his he fpeaketh peace, 
 And to his faints, and they fliall not 
 return to fooliihnefs. 
 
 II. 
 
 Surely his Jefus is at hand 
 to fuch as do him fear, 
 That his great glory in our land 
 may dwell and flourifh there. 
 IK. 
 Mercy and truth in him fhall meet 
 
 in one to take their place, 
 And righteoufnefs hath luffed peace 
 in him they fhall embrace. 
 IV. 
 When he the truth fliall from the earth 
 
 fpring up mod pleafantly, 
 Then righteoufnefs with loving face 
 fhall look from heaven moft high. 
 V. 
 Yea, what is good the Lord fhall give, 
 
 our land fhall yield increafe j 
 Juftice to fet us in his fteps 
 fhall go before his face. 
 
 P s A L m 
 
[ *75 ] 
 
 Psalm XL V. 
 
 In this hymn the Lord Jefus Chrift is celebrated for 
 his beauty, for his majelly, and for the eternal glory 
 of his kingdom. The happy fouls, whom he draws 
 to love him by his word and Spirit, are here fpoken 
 of as his bride, united to him in a bond of affection 
 never to be broken. The mutual love of this hea- 
 venly bridegroom and his bride is here treated of. 
 His affection to her is altogether wonderful: But 
 never to be more admired, than in the miracle of 
 this day. It was the admiration and the joy of an- 
 gels. Although he took not on him their nature, 
 but ours ; yet they had their fong ready to welcome 
 him into our world, O that we were as ready to- 
 day. We have more reafon, than they had ; let us 
 try to fing in as high a ftrain of praife, O for hearts 
 to love him, not as he deferves ; that cannot be, but 
 as far as we can. If Chriit be indeed formed in us, 
 his birth-day ihould excite in us every grateful fenti- 
 ment: And we fhould now bring him our ofFering, 
 ibme fruit of our new birth, even a fong of praife to 
 God manifeft in the flefh. May we fmg of this his 
 marvellous love to-day, and for ever. 
 
 M 
 
 I. 
 
 \Y heart doth take in hand 
 a godly fong to fing, 
 The praife that I fnall (hew therein 
 pertaineth to the King. 
 
 II. 
 My tongue Ihall be as fwifc 
 his honor to indite 
 As is the pen of any fcribe 
 who ufeth fad to write. 
 
 III. O 
 
I *76 ] 
 
 nr. 
 
 O faired of all men 
 
 thy lips with grace are pure, 
 For God hath bleffed thee with gifts 
 
 for ever to endure. 
 IV. 
 
 Thy royal feat, O Lord, 
 
 for ever (hall remain, 
 The fceptre of thy kingdom doth 
 
 all righteoufnefs maintain. 
 v. 
 
 Becaufe thou didft love right 
 
 and didft the ill deteft, 
 Therefore hath God anointed thee 
 
 with joy above the reit. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm XIX. 
 
 This is another Chriftmas hymn. It treats of the 
 glory of the Lord Chrift, as difplayed in the works of 
 nature, and in the word of grace. The material 
 heavens are a record of his glory, wifdom, power, 
 and goodnefs ; but efpecially the fun in the heavens 
 is the inftituted emblem of the uncreated light: In 
 them hath he fet a tabernacle for the fun, which re- 
 prefents ChrifVs tabernacling among us in a body of 
 flefh ; and as the fun communicates light, life, and 
 every material blefrmg through the world, fo Chrift 
 communicates light, and life, and every fpiritual 
 blefTing through his fyitem. He is as delighted as 
 any happy bridegroom, as able as any ftrong man to 
 run a race, to fend out his light and his truth into 
 
 all 
 
[ *77 ] 
 
 all lands, and his words unto the ends of the world ; 
 by which he brings his people to believe in him and 
 to rejoice in his falvation* if he has made his word 
 effectual by the power of his Spirit, then we know 
 the meaning of this fweet hymn, and can fee its ap- 
 plication to the fubjecl of this day. May this glo- 
 rious fun of righteoufnefs now arife upon our hearts 
 with his bright beams, and give us clearer know- 
 ledge of the great myftery of godlinefs, God mani- 
 feft in the flem. Thus our faith will increafe, and 
 we fhall fing of his love with growing gratitude. 
 May our fong of praife be lengthened out, till in 
 his light we fee and enjoy the light of life everlafling. 
 
 I. 
 
 *"pHE heav'ns and firmament on high 
 •*■ do wondroufly declare 
 God's glory and omnipotence, 
 
 his works and what they are. 
 II. 
 The wond'rous works of God appear 
 
 by ev'ry days fuccefs, 
 The nights likewife which their race run 
 
 the felf fame thing exprefs. 
 III. 
 There is no fpeech nor tongue to which 
 
 their voice doth not extend, 
 Their line is gone through all the earth 
 
 their words to the world's end. 
 IV. 
 In them the Lord made for the fun 
 
 a tent of great renown, 
 Who like a bridegroom ready trimm'd 
 
 comes from his chamber down. 
 
 V. And 
 
[ ** ] 
 
 V. 
 
 And as a giant he fets out 
 
 upon his work apace, 
 He (tops not till he has perfornVd 
 
 and run his glorious race. 
 VI. 
 From heav'ns end is his going forth 
 
 circling to th' end again : 
 And there is nothing from his heat 
 
 that hidden doth remain. 
 
 St. Stephen. 
 Psalm LXXIL 
 
 I. 
 /^ OD taketh pity on the poor, 
 **-* who are with need oppreft, 
 He doth preferve them evermore 
 
 and bring their fouls to reft. 
 II. 
 Both from deceit and violence 
 
 their fouls he fhall fet free, 
 Alfo their blood which fhall be fhed 
 
 precious to him fhall be, 
 
 Gloria Patri. 
 
 St. 
 
[ i79 ] 
 
 St. John. 
 Psalm LXXXIX. 
 
 I. 
 
 f\ Greatly bleft the people are 
 *^ the gofpel found who know, 
 In brightnefs of thy face, O Lord, 
 
 they ever on fhall go. 
 II. 
 They in thy name fhall all the day 
 
 rejoice exceedingly, 
 And in thy righteoufnefs fhall they 
 
 exalted be on high : 
 III. 
 Becaufe the glory of their ftrength 
 
 doth only (land in thee, 
 And in thy loving favor fhall 
 
 our pow'r exalted be. 
 
 Innocents 
 
[ "So ] 
 
 Innocents Day. 
 Psalm. LXVIIL 
 
 I. 
 CING praife, fing praife unto the Lord 
 ^ who rideth on the fky, 
 Extol the great Jehovah's name 
 
 and him ftill magnify. 
 II. 
 The fame is he that is above, 
 
 within his holy place, 
 That Father is of fatherlefs 
 
 and judge of widows cafe. 
 III. 
 Houfes and iffue both he gives 
 
 unto the comfortlefs, 
 He bringeth bondmen out of thrall 
 
 and rebels to diftrefs. 
 
 Tbt 
 
[ i8i ] 
 
 The Sunday after Chrifimas. 
 Psalm. XIX. 
 
 We fung the firft part of this pfalm on Chriftmas day, 
 which treats of the glory of the Lord Chrift, as it is 
 difplayed in his kingdom of nature : This fecond 
 part treats of his kingdom of grace. What the fun 
 is in the natural world, that is Chrift in the fpiritual. 
 The volume of nature (hews his glory, but never, 
 favingly, until it be explained by the volume of re- 
 velation. This is fuch a light to the foul, as the 
 other is to the body : And this is here fet forth by 
 fix names, to which fix effects are afcribed. The 
 gofpel of Chrift confidered as his law converts the 
 foul, as his teilimony it makes wife, as the ftatutes 
 of the Lord it rejoices the heart, as his command- 
 ment it enlightens the eyes, as the fear of the Lord 
 it endures for ever, as the judgments of the Lord it 
 is trua and righteous altogether : On thefe accounts 
 it is commended for its value, far above gold, and 
 for its fweetnefs, fweeter than honey, and for its 
 ufefulnefs, in keeping of it there is great reward. 
 
 O that the light of the gofpel may ihine upon all our 
 hearts, fo as to produce thofe gracious effe&s. Lord 
 blefs it this day, May we find fuch joy and peace 
 in hearing and believing it, that all within us may 
 blefs the name of our incarnate God. While we 
 fing his pravferroay he give us good reafon to hope, 
 that we fhall foon £>raife him better, when we fhall 
 fee him face to face. 
 
 I. 
 
 r** OD's law is perfedt and converts 
 ^* the foul in fin that lies, 
 God's teilimony is moil fure 
 and makes the fimple wife, 
 
 I 2 II. The 
 
[ 182 ] 
 
 II. 
 
 The ftatutes of the Lord are right, 
 
 and do rejoice the heart, 
 The Lord's command is pure, and doth 
 
 light to the eyes impart. 
 m. 
 Unfpotted is the fear of God, 
 
 and ever doth endure, 
 The judgments of the Lord moil true 
 
 molt righteous are and pure. 
 
 IV. 
 
 They more than gold, yea much fine gold 
 
 to be de fired are : 
 Than fweeteft honey, from the comb 
 
 that droppeth, fweeter far. 
 V. 
 Moreover they thy fervant warn 
 
 how he his life fhould frame : 
 A great reward provided is 
 
 for them that keep the fame. 
 
 Psalm CX. 
 
 This is another of our Chriftmas hymns. Its applica- 
 tion to Chrift is fettled by infallible authority. It 
 defcribes his nature, God-man, David's fon 'and yet 
 David's Lord, his kingdom, his prieithood, and his 
 government in gathering his church, and in con- 
 quering his enemies, and laitly the way in which 
 thefe effedts were produced, the fufferings of Chrift 
 and the glory that mould follow. So that this pfalm 
 is a fummary of the whole gofpeh 
 
 The 
 
[ its 3 
 
 The greateft part of it has been already fulfilled in hil 
 own perfon as the head, and in his members, many 
 of whom are now round his throne, and many now 
 upon earth have been made a willing people by the 
 gofpel, which is the fceptre of his power— they be- 
 lieve in the facriike of their great high pried, and 
 they rely upon 'the arm of the Lord their righteouf- 
 nefs, their great Melchizedek, and if he mould 
 make them drink of the brook in the way, as he did, 
 yet being his redeemed, they may fing in faith and 
 hope of his lifting up their head. His crofs is his 
 way to his crown. May the bleiTed profpe<ft raife 
 and purify our affections, that we may delight to be 
 aicribing to him all the honor of our falvation. May 
 every heart blefs him to day : yea may we now join 
 all thofe in heaven and earth, who are giving glory 
 to God and the Lamb. 
 
 I. 
 
 JEHOVAH faid unto my Lord, 
 fit thou at my right hand, 
 Till I have made thy foes a ftool 
 whereon thy feet fhall (land. 
 
 II. 
 
 The Lord fhall out of Sion fend 
 
 the fceptre of thy might, 
 Amidft thy greateft foes fhalt thou 
 
 be ruler in their fight. 
 III. 
 And in the day on which thy reign 
 
 and great pow'r they fhall fee, 
 Then free will-offerings fhall all 
 
 thy people give to thee. 
 
 I $ IV. Yea 
 
[ i8 4 J 
 
 IV. 
 
 Yea with an holy worlhipping 
 
 then fhall they offer all, 
 As num'rous as the drops of dew 
 
 which in the morning fall. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm. CX. 
 
 I. 
 
 'THE Lord hath fworn and never will 
 
 repent what he doth fay, 
 By th* order of Melchizedek 
 Thou art a pricfb alway. 
 II. 
 The glorious and mighty Lord, 
 
 who fits at thy right hand, 
 Shall in his day of wrath ftrike thro* 
 kings that do him withftand. 
 III. 
 He ihall among the heatfren judge 
 
 he (hall with bodies dead 
 The places fill, o'er rebel lands 
 he fhall wound ev'ry head. 
 IV. 
 And he (hall drink out of the brook 
 
 that runneth in the way. 
 Wherefore he (hall lift up on high 
 His royal head that day. 
 
 7'be 
 
C 185 ] 
 
 The Circumci/ton of Chrifi. 
 Psalm XXXIX. 
 
 This is new-year's day. How fhort is life ? Tts conti- 
 nuance how uncertain ? Eternity is at hand. How 
 careful then fhould we be to make a good ufe of 
 thefe flying moments, that when they are run out, 
 we may be happy for ever. We have here the pro- 
 phet's meditation upon this fubjeft. May his 
 thoughts be ours to-day. O that his prayer may be 
 made by every one of us. May the Lord teach us 
 fo to number our days that we may apply our hearts 
 to faving wifdom. How happy are they, whom the 
 Lord has made wife unto falvation ! How thankful 
 fhould they be, who can place the confidence of 
 their hearts in the Lord Jefus Chriit, and can fing 
 with the prophet, Truly ?ny hope is even in thee* 
 
 I. 
 
 TV/TINE end and meafure of my days 
 * O Lord unto me fhow, 
 
 What is the fame \ that I thereby 
 
 my frailty well may know. 
 II. 
 Lo, thou my days an hand breadth mad'it, 
 
 mine age is in thine eye, 
 As nothing : fure each man at beft 
 
 is wholly vanity. 
 
 III. 
 Sure each man walks in a vain fhow, 
 
 they vex themielves in vain : 
 He heaps up wealth and doth not know 
 to whom it ftiall pertain. 
 
 I 4 IV. And 
 
[ i»6 1 
 
 IV. 
 And now, O Lord, what wait I for ? 
 
 what help do I defire ? 
 Truly my hope is ev'n in thee, 
 
 I nothing elfe require. 
 
 Psalm XL. 
 
 St. Paul has opened the meaning of this pfalm, and has 
 proved that it treats of the Lord Chrift, as becoming 
 fubjeft to the law for man. When facrifices could 
 not take away fin, he came to take it away by his 
 own facrifice, and therefore he was circumcifed, and 
 made under the law to redeem them that were under 
 the law. By his life and death having perfe&ly done 
 the will of God he became the author of eternal fal- 
 vation. 
 
 Here is the objecl of our faith — iChrift. God-man keep- 
 ing the law, and fufFering its penalties for his people. 
 Here is their matter and ground of rejoicing, that 
 he is the end of the law for righteoufnefs to every 
 one who believeth. As this truth is received, the 
 confeience is at peace with God, and hope in God 
 revives. May we glorify Jefus this day, finging of 
 and rejoicing in that love, which led him to be cir- 
 cumcifed and obedient unto the law for man : For 
 this ineftimable mercy may he have honor and glory 
 and blefling and praife from us to day and for ever. 
 
 i; 
 
 "^TO facrifice nor offering 
 *^ didft thou at all defire, 
 Mine ears thou bor'd : fin-ofPring thou 
 and burnt didft not require. 
 
 II. Then 
 
[ i8 7 ] 
 
 II. 
 
 Then to the Lord thefe were my words* 
 
 I come, Behold and fee, 
 Within the volume of thy book 
 
 it written is of me, 
 
 III. 
 To do thy will I take delight 
 
 thou my God who art, 
 Yea that moft holy law of thine 
 
 1 have within my heart. 
 
 Gloria Patri. 
 
 Tbe firjl Sunday after the Epiphanyl 
 Psalm LXVI. 
 
 We call this Epiphany, which means the riling of the 
 fun of righteoufnefs upon the Gentiles. It is through 
 the tender- mercy of oar God, that Chrift the day 
 fpring from on high has vifited us, who were fitting 
 in darknefs, and in the fhadow of death. He brings 
 with him light and life, and comfort, yea every 
 blefTing to the foul, upon which he arifes. He opens 
 the blind eyes to fee his marvellous light. And 
 fhining with his bright beams upon the dead finner, 
 he quickens him : Shining on flill he guides him in 
 his way ai.d makes him a&ive in it : never wi:hdraw- 
 ing his influence, till the day of glory dawn, and 
 that fun, which never fets, arife upon the foul*. 
 
 I 5 ft 
 
[ i88 ] 
 
 It is our prefent fubjeft to blefs God for this diilinguifli- 
 ing favor. We have the light of his gofpeL Eter- 
 nal thanks be to him, we have alfo the power of it. 
 O that we may fing of it to day with thankful hearts. 
 The words are ready to our hands, indited for the 
 occafion by the eternal Spirit. May we ufe them in 
 faith, rejoicing in hope, and afcribing in our fongs 
 all the praife of this wonderful work to the God of 
 our falvationi 
 
 I. 
 
 A L L ye earth, in God rejoice, 
 with praife fet forth his name, 
 Extol his might, with heart and voice 
 give glory to the fame. 
 II. 
 How wonderful, O Lord, fay ye 
 
 in all thy works thou art, 
 Thy foes for fear fhall feek to thee 
 and much againft their heart. 
 IIL 
 The men who dwell the earth throughout 
 
 fhall praife the name of God, 
 The fame thereof the world about 
 is fhew'd and fet abroad. 
 IV. 
 All folk, come forth, behold and fee 
 
 ■what things the Lord hath wrought, 
 Mark well the wondrous works that he 
 for men to pafs hath brought. 
 
 Psalm 
 
[ i»9 J 
 
 Psalm LXVL 
 
 I. 
 
 VT E people give unto our God 
 
 •* due laud and thanks always, 
 
 With joyful voice publifh abroad 
 
 and fing unto his praife, 
 
 ir. 
 
 Who doth endue our foul with life 
 
 and it preferve withall, 
 He ftays our feet, fo that no foe 
 can make us flip or fall. 
 III. 
 For thou didft prove and try us, Lord, 
 
 as men do filver try : 
 Brought'ft us into the net, and mad'ft 
 bands on our loins to lye, 
 IV. 
 Thou haft caus'd men ride o'er our heads 
 
 and altho' we did pais 
 Thro 5 fire and water, yet thou brought'ft 
 us to a wealthy place. 
 V. 
 I'll bring mine off 'rings to thy houfe, 
 
 to thee my vows Til pay, 
 Which my lips utter'dj my mouth fpake^ 
 when trouble on me lay. 
 
 AFTER^ 
 
[ *9° ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LXVI. 
 
 I. 
 
 POME forth and hearken unto me 
 ^ ail ye that fear the Lord, 
 What he for my poor foul hath done 
 
 to you I will record. 
 II. 
 Often I call to mind his grace, 
 
 this mouth to him doth cry, 
 And thou my tongue make fpeedy pace 
 
 to praife him joyfully. 
 IIL 
 But if I feel my heart within 
 
 In wicked works rejoice, 
 Or if I have delight in fin 
 
 God will not hear my voice. 
 IV. 
 But furely God my voice hath heard, 
 
 and what I do require, 
 My pray'r alio he doth regard 
 
 and granteth my defire. 
 V. 
 O let the Lord our gracious God 
 
 for ever blefied be, 
 Who turned not my pray'r from him 
 
 &or yet his grace from me. 
 
 2% 
 
[ '9* ] 
 
 $he fecond Sunday after the Epiphany. 
 Psalm I. 
 
 The firft pfalm treats of the fitnefs of Chrift for his 
 work, and of his fuccefs in it. He was without fin, 
 when he came to put away fin ; and he was the tree 
 of life, in whom believers live as branches, and by 
 grace received from him they grow up into him in 
 all things. This pfalm mould be fung with faith 
 rhat we are in him, and with a lively hope, that we 
 fhall live on him, and to him for evermore, and then 
 we fhall make fweet melody in our hearts unto the 
 Lord. 
 
 I. 
 
 npHAT man hath perfect blefiednefs 
 -* who never walks aflray 
 In counfel of ungodly men* 
 Nor Hands in fmners way ^ 
 II. 
 Nor fitteth in the fcorners chair* 
 
 But placeth his delight 
 Upon God's law, and meditates 
 therein both day and night. 
 III. 
 He fhall be like a tree that is 
 
 planted the rivers nigh, 
 Which in due feafon bringeth forth 
 its fruit abundantly. 
 
 "Whofe top (hoot fhall not fade nor fall^ 
 but flounfhing fhall ftand, 
 • Juft io all things fhall profper well, 
 which this maa takes in hand. 
 
 Psalm 
 
[ 1 9 2 ] 
 
 Psalm III. 
 
 The title is, A pfalm for David when he fied from the 
 face of Abfahmy 2 Sam. xv. on which occafion he 
 fpake by the Spirit concerning the beloved Jefus, who 
 was in like manner to be driven by his own people 
 out of Jerufalem, and was to fuffer without the gate. 
 In this fituation he exprefTes h:s perfect confidence in 
 Gcd, and prays for deliverance from all his enemies, 
 which he found, and we (hall alfo find through him, 
 whenever we afk in faith nothing wavering. 
 
 We here fee how fafe they are, who live under the cart 
 of a covenant God ; they may lie down in their 
 beds, yea in their graves, and fear no evil. May 
 we in finging experience fome of this humble confi- 
 dence, and with all our hearts afcribe this and every 
 other bleffing of falvation to the Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 I. 
 
 C\ LORD, how are my foes increased ? 
 ^ Againft me many rife : 
 Many fay of my foul, for him 
 
 in God no fuccour lies. 
 IL 
 But thou, O Lord, art my defence* 
 
 on thee my hopes rely, 
 Thou art my glory, and (hall yet 
 
 lift up my head on high. 
 III. 
 When with my voice unto the Lord 
 
 I earneitly did cry, 
 Then he out of his holy hill 
 
 did hear me fpeedily. 
 
 IV. I 
 
[ r 93 ] 
 
 IV. 
 I laid me down, and quietly 
 
 I flept, and rofe again ; 
 For I did know affuredly 
 
 the Lord did me fuftain. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm III. 
 
 I. 
 
 T F thoufands up againft me rile 
 
 A I will not be afraid : 
 
 For thou art ftill my Lord and God 
 
 my Saviour and mine aid. 
 II. 
 Arife, O Lord, fave me my God ; 
 
 for thou my foes has itruck 
 On their cheek-bone, and thou the teeth 
 
 of wicked men haft broke, 
 lir. 
 Salvation only doth belong 
 
 unto the Lord above, 
 Who on thy people doft beftow 
 
 the blefling of thy love. 
 IV. 
 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and fhall be evermore. 
 
 Third 
 
[ >94 ] 
 
 Third Sunday after the Epiphany* 
 Psalm IV. 
 
 Believers are here called upon to truft in the Lord al- 
 ways ; that they may offer to him through the beloved 
 Jeiug the facrifice of praife continually : for which 
 end we mould be feeking in ail means for more (en^Q 
 of his favor towards us, an increafe of which is 
 better than all the worlds goods : For it makes us 
 live fafe and happy under the care of God both night 
 and day. BleiTed are they who can ting thefe words 
 with melody in their hearts unto the Lord* 
 
 L 
 
 f~\ F F E R to God the facrifice 
 ^- , of righteouihefs and praife, 
 And look that in the living God 
 you put your truft always. 
 IT. 
 
 who will fhew us any good ? 
 Is that which many fay, 
 
 But of thy countenance the light, 
 Lor J, lift on us alway. 
 III. 
 For thou thereby (halt make my heart 
 
 more joyful and more glad : 
 Than they who of their corn and wine 
 a great increafe have had. 
 IV. 
 
 1 will both lay me down in peace 
 
 d quiet Deep will take, 
 Becaufe thou only me to dwell 
 in fafciy, Lord* doft make. 
 
 Psalm 
 
t *95 ] 
 
 Psalm V. 
 
 This is a prayer of the Lord Chrift, in which he was 
 heard and anfvvered. lie trufted in Gcd at all times, 
 and he was carried through his obedience and fuffer- 
 ingswith continual fuccefs. So will our prayers through 
 him find admittance within the veil, and bring down 
 every needful bleffing. Let us afe in faith nothing 
 wavering, and our prayer hearing God will grant us 
 our hearts defire. May we fing with this fure truft 
 in his faithfulnefs. 
 
 I. 
 
 t^ I V E ear unto my words, O Lord, 
 ^* my meditation weigh : 
 Hear my loud cry, my king, my God, 
 for I to thee will pray : 
 
 II. 
 Lord thou (halt early hear my voice, 
 
 I early will direct 
 My prayer to thee, and looking up 
 
 an anfwer will expect ; 
 
 III. 
 And I will patiently ftill truft 
 
 in thee my God alone, 
 Thou art not pleas'd with wickednefs 
 and ill with thee dwells none. 
 IV. 
 Therefore will I come to thy houfe 
 
 trufting upon thy grace, 
 
 And I will worfhip in thy fear 
 
 towards thv holy place. 
 
 AFTER. 
 
[ 196 3 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm V. 
 
 r I. 
 
 CONDUCT me in thy righteoufnefs 
 
 for watchful is my foe, 
 Therefore, O Lord make plain, the way, 
 wherein I ought to go. 
 n. 
 And let all thofe who truft in thee 
 
 with fliouts their joy proclaim^ 
 Let them rejoice whom thou preferv'ft 
 and thofe who love thy name. 
 
 III. 
 For, Lord, unto the righteous man 
 
 thou wilt thy bleffing yield, 
 And with thy grace wilt compafs him 
 
 about as with a fhield. 
 
 Gloria Patri. 
 
 Fourth 
 
[ l 97 ] 
 
 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. 
 Psalm VIII. 
 
 Our Lord has applied this pfalm to himfelf in Matt. xxi. 
 And St. Paul has commented upon it in Heb. ii. 9. 
 " Bat we fee Jefus, who was made a little lower than 
 94 the angels crowned with glory and honor . He 
 has dominion over all creatures and things, which we 
 loft by the fall, and is only reitored to us under 
 Chrift. In this view he is here conTidered as glorious 
 even to admiration, he has the teitimony of children 
 to confute his enemies, and he has the earth and 
 heavens, the fun, moon, and ftars to magnify him, 
 for though he was a little while abafed below the 
 angels in his humiliation, yet he is now crowned 
 king of kings, and is fe* over all the works of God: 
 His kingdom ruleth over all. The prophet begins 
 and ends the pfalm with the fame admiration of the 
 furpaifing glory of the name of the Lord Chrift. May 
 we underiland and enter into the fpirit of this divine 
 hymn. O that we could fing it to day, as the happy 
 fubje&s of fuch a glorious, monarch. May we fo 
 truft in what he did for us, when he was lower than 
 the angels, as to exped he will be our friend in his 
 high exalted ftate. May we in ufing this hymn ad- 
 mire the excellency of his great name, and with 
 thankful hearts blefs and praife King-mediator to 
 day, and for ever. 
 
 I. 
 
 TJ O W excellent in all the earth, 
 * Jehovah our Lord is thy name, 
 Who haft thy glory far advane'd 
 Above the higheft Harry frame. 
 
 II. From 
 
[ i9§ ] 
 
 II. 
 
 From infants and from fucklings mouths 
 Thou didft a mighty ftrength ordain, 
 For thy foes fake, that fo thou might'ft 
 Th 5 avenging enemy reftrain : 
 
 III. 
 When I look up unto the heav'ns 
 Which thine almighty fingers fram'd, 
 Unto the moon and to the ftars 
 Which were by thee wifely ordain'd. 
 
 IV. 
 Then fay I, what is man, that we 
 Should be remembered fo by thee ! 
 Or what the Son of man, that thou 
 So merciful to us fhouldft be ! 
 
 PSAJ.M VIII. 
 
 I. 
 
 T O R D, for a little while thou haft 
 $*J Him lower than the angels made, 
 With glory and with dignity 
 Thou haft crowned his royal head, 
 
 II. 
 
 Ruler of all thy works he is, 
 Under his feet thou all didft lay, 
 All fheep and oxen, yea and beafts 
 Which in the open field do ftray. 
 
 III. Fowls 
 
[ 199 ] 
 
 iir. 
 
 Fowls of the air, fifh of the fea 
 
 Whatever paiTes thro' the fame. 
 How excellent in all the earth 
 Jehovah our Lord is thy name ! 
 
 A F T E R N O ON, 
 Psalm IX, 
 
 This pfalm treats of the wonderful work of God in 
 delivering Chrift from all his enemies, and from 
 death efpecially. A right underftanding of this de- 
 liverance, and faith in it, will lead us to praife God 
 for it at all times : Becaufe he will give us reafon to 
 ling of our own deliverance through him from all 
 our fins and foes and miferies : And this will keep 
 our hearts in tune to praife the Lord, 
 
 I. 
 VyiTH my whole heart to thee, OLord, 
 * y will I fing laud and praife, 
 And fpeak of all thy wondrous works 
 and them record always. 
 IL 
 I will be glad and much rejoice 
 
 in thee, O God mod high, 
 And make my fongs extoll thy name 
 above the ftarry fky, 
 I1L 
 Becaufe my foes are driven back 
 
 And turned unto flight, 
 They fhall fall down and are deftroyM 
 by thy great pow'r and might. 
 
 Fifth 
 
[ 200 ] 
 
 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. 
 
 Psalm IX. 
 
 I. 
 
 POD is prote&or of the poor, 
 *~* what time they be diftreft, 
 He is in all adverfity 
 
 their refuge and their reft. 
 II. 
 And they that know thy name, in thee 
 
 their confidence will place, 
 For thou haft not forfaken them 
 
 who truly feek thy face. 
 III. 
 Sing pfalms therefore unto the Lord 
 
 who dwells on Sion hill, 
 Among the people make him known 
 
 his deeds record ye (till. 
 
 Psalm XIV. 
 
 In this pfalm we have a humbling view of the finfulnefs 
 of human nature, as guilty of pra&ical atheifm, totally * 
 corrupt and filthy, deflitute of all good, and fet upon 
 all evil, yea even to perfecute the children of God. 
 St. Paul quotes it Rom. iii. to prove that there are 
 none righteous in themfelves, no not one, and there- 
 fore no flefh living can be juliified by any works of 
 their own. Whoever is made fenfible of this corrup- 
 tion will find no relief, but in the glorious falvation 
 mentioned in the laft part of the pfalm, for which the 
 prophet prays, and in which he rejoices. 
 
 This 
 
[ 201 ] 
 
 This pfalm fhould be fung with a heart felt conviclion 
 of our guilty (late by nature, and with a humbling 
 fenfe of our total helpleffnefs under it. May the 
 Lord the Spirit thus convince us ; and then he will 
 ihew us our need of a Saviour, and having received 
 him by faith he will enable us to rejoice in the falva- 
 tion of our God, The humbled heart will enter 
 deepefl into the fubjecl: of the pfalm, and will there- 
 fore fmg it to day with the bell melody. 
 
 I. 
 
 ^PH ERE is no God, the foolifh men 
 A do in their hearts conclude, 
 They are corrupt, their works are vile, 
 
 not one of them doth good, 
 n. 
 The Lord beheld from heav'n moil high 
 
 the whole race of mankind, 
 And faw not one who fought indeed 
 
 the living God to find. 
 
 III. 
 They altogether filthy are, 
 
 they all afide are gone, 
 And there is none that doeth good, 
 
 yea, fure there is not one. 
 IV. 
 Thefe workers of iniquity 
 
 do they not know at all, 
 That they my people eat as bread, 
 
 and on God do not call. 
 
 AFTER. 
 
[ 202 ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm XIV. 
 
 I. 
 
 XI^HEN thus they rage, then fuddenly 
 * * great fear fhall on them fall : 
 For God doth love the righteous men, 
 and will preferve them all. 
 
 II. 
 
 Ye mock the counfel of the poor, 
 
 and caft upon them fhame : 
 Becanfe they put their trnft in God, 
 
 and call upon his name. 
 
 III. 
 But who fhall fave thy people. Lord, 
 
 or when wilt thou fulfill 
 Thy promife made to Ifrael 
 
 from out of Sion hill ? 
 IV. 
 For when thou (halt bring back again 
 
 fuch as were captive led,. 
 Then Jacob (hall therein rejoice 
 
 and Ifra'l fhall be glad. 
 
 Sixth 
 
[ 20 3 ] 
 
 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. 
 Psalm XVII. 
 
 This is a prayer of the beloved Jefus againft his enemies 
 and ours, in which he was heard and anfvvered : He 
 was kept fafe and carried happily through all oppo- 
 fition, till he had finifhed the work, which his Father 
 had given him to do. By the fame divine love and 
 power all that believe in him are kept, as tenderly as 
 the apple of the eye, as fafely as they can be under 
 the covert of covenant faithfulnefs. May we take up 
 the words in the confidence of our hearts, and fing 
 them rejoicing in thefure mercies of our beloved. 
 
 I. 
 
 O R D, in thy paths which be mod pure 
 guide thou me and preferve, 
 That from the way wherein I walk 
 my fteps may never fwerve ; 
 
 ir. 
 
 For I have calPd on thee, O Lord, 
 
 furely thou wilt me aid, 
 Then hear my prayer, and weigh right well 
 
 the words which I have faid. 
 ' III. 
 Thy wondrous loving kindnefs fhew 
 
 to thofe who truft in thee, 
 And fave them from their foes who rife 
 
 againft thy majefty. 
 
 K IV, O 
 
[ 204 ] 
 
 IV. 
 O keep me as thou wouldeft keep 
 
 the apple of thine eye, 
 And under covert of thy wings 
 
 defend me fecretly. 
 
 Psalm XX. 
 
 This is a triumphant hymn, in which the work of Chrift 
 is celebrated, and the church. of Chrift glories therein. 
 "God the Father, according to what is here written, has 
 accepted his perfon and his work, and the pleafure 
 of the Lord is now profpering in his Son's hand. O 
 that we could fiug of this mod blefled falvation, as 
 they did of old in this pfalm : They not only had 
 faith in it, but they alfo triumph, and fet up their 
 banners as conquerors over all their enemies. Thus 
 they put honor upon their almighty Jefus. May his 
 Spirit help us to do the fame this day. May he 
 enable us to fing in faith, and to glorify him with 
 our lips and lives. 
 
 I. 
 
 *Tp H E Lord will hear thee in the day 
 -* when trouble he doth fend, 
 And the name of Jacob's God will 
 
 thee from all ill defend : 
 II. 
 He will thee help fend from above 
 
 out of his fanftuary, 
 From Sion his own holy hill 
 
 he will give ftrength to thee. 
 
 III. He 
 
[ 20 5 ] 
 
 III. 
 He will remember all thy gifts, - 
 
 accept thy facrifice, 
 Grant thee thy hearts wi(h, and fulfill 
 
 thy thoughts and counfel wife. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm XX, 
 
 I. 
 
 f N thy falvation we will joy 
 A in our God's name we will 
 Difplay our banners ; and the Lord 
 
 will all thy prayers fulfill. 
 IF. 
 Now know I God his Chrift doth fave, 
 
 he from his holy heav'n 
 Will hear him, with the faving ftrength 
 
 by his own right hand giv'n. 
 
 III. 
 In chariots fome put confidence 
 
 fome horfes truft upon : 
 But we remember will the name 
 of our Lord God alone. 
 IV. 
 We rife and upright ftand, when they 
 
 are bowed down and fall, 
 The Lord will fave, and hear the king 
 when we on him do call. 
 
 K 2 Septuagejinto 
 
{ 206 ] 
 
 Septuagefima. 
 Psalm XXIII. 
 
 This pfalm is fpoken in the chara&er of the good fhep- 
 herd : He exprefles his perfed truft in the covenant 
 engagements of Jehovah, afTured that all would go 
 well with him in life in death and in eternity. 
 Every word of it has been literally fulfilled to him, 
 and it will be literally fulfilled to all his. When the 
 fheep of his pailure have heard his voice, and are 
 enabled to follow him, then they can ufe the fame 
 words, and expect the fame bleffings. O with what 
 thankful hearts mould they extol their good (hepherd, 
 when it is given them to receive his words without 
 doubt or wavering — u My fheep, fays he, hear my 
 " voice, and I know them, and they follow me : 
 " And I give unto them eternal life, and they fhall 
 *' never perifh, neither (hall any pluck them out of 
 " my hand. They hear, they believe, they rejoice. 
 Safe under the paltoral care of his loving heart and 
 faithful arm, they can ring with gratitude of the dear 
 ihepherd and bifhop of their fouls. May he be glo- 
 rified in our fong this day. 
 
 I. 
 
 JEHOVAH my good fhepherd is 
 and he who doth me feed. 
 How can I then lack any thing 
 whereof I (land in need. 
 II. 
 He fruitful paftures doth provide \ 
 
 where I do fafely lie, 
 And after leads me to the ftreams 
 which run molt pleafantly. 
 
 III. My 
 
[ 207 ] 
 III. 
 
 My foul he doth reftore again, 
 and me to walk doth make, 
 
 In the plain paths of righteoufnefs 
 ev'n for his own name's fake. 
 
 Psalm XXIII. 
 
 I. 
 
 VTEA, tho' I walk in vale of death, 
 * yet I will fear no ill, 
 Thy rod and ftaff do comfort me 
 and thou art with me ftill. 
 II. 
 My table thou haft furniflied 
 
 in prefence of my foes : 
 My head with oil thou doft anoint, 
 and my cup overflows. 
 
 III. 
 Goodnefs and mercy all my life 
 
 (hall furely follow me, 
 And in God's houfe for evermore 
 
 my dwelling place lhall be. 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and lhall be evermore. 
 
 K 3 AFTER- 
 
[ 208 ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm XXV. 
 
 This is a prayer for deliverance from fins and enemies* 
 It is to be fung in faith : And the anfwer is to be 
 waited for with patience. For the Father will hear 
 the petitions of all thofe, who afk in his Son's name, 
 and will grant them their hearts defire. We (hall 
 fing the words aright, if we have a fenfe of our 
 wants, and a dependence upon the faithfulnefs of 
 God to give the promifed fupply. Afk this, and ye 
 ihall have. 
 
 I. 
 LIFT my heart to thee 
 my God and guide moll juft, 
 O fuffer me to take no fhame : 
 for in thee do I truft. 
 IT. 
 Let not my foes rejoice 
 
 nor make a fcorn of me ; 
 And let them not be overthrown 
 who put their truft in thee. 
 III. 
 Direft me in thy truth 
 
 and teach me I thee pray, 
 Thou art my Saviour and my God 
 on thee I wait alway. 
 IV. 
 Thy mercies manifold, 
 
 O Lord, recall to mind, 
 
 And gracioufly continue dill, 
 
 as thou waft ever kind. 
 
 Sexagefima 
 
[ 2o 9 ] 
 
 Sexage/ima. 
 Psalm XXV. 
 
 I. 
 >Tp H E humble God will teach 
 A his precepts to obey, 
 He will direct in all his paths 
 
 the lowly man alway. 
 1L 
 For all the ways of God 
 
 both truth and mercy are, 
 To them who do his covenant 
 
 and flatutes keep with care. 
 nr. 
 With thofe that fear him is 
 
 the fecret of the Lord, 
 The knowlege of his covenant 
 
 he will to them afford. 
 IV. 
 In fafety keep my foul 
 
 and ftill deliver me, 
 And let me never be afham'd, 
 
 becaufe I truft in thee. 
 
 K 4 Psalm 
 
[ 2IO ] 
 
 Psalm XXVII. 
 
 We have in this pfalm a lively pidlure of perfect confi- 
 dence in Jehovah againft all enemies and dangers. 
 It is the prayer of Jefus : To which he joins his ear- 
 ned defire to enjoy conftant communion with Jehovah 
 in his houfe and ordinances. BlefTed is the man, 
 who is in Jefus, one with him and living by faith 
 upon him, he may ufe the fame prayer, and expect 
 communion in the houfe and ordinances of God with 
 the Father and the Son, by the influence of the holy 
 Spirit. May we all enjoy this bleffing, while we take 
 up the words, and ling 
 
 I. 
 
 Vy'HOM (hould I fear, fince God to me 
 
 falvation is and light ? 
 Since ftrongly he my life fupports, 
 what can my foul affright ? 
 IL 
 Againft me tho' an hoft encamp, 
 
 my heart yet fearlefs is, 
 Tho 5 war againft me rife, I will 
 be confident in this. 
 in. 
 One thing I of the Lord defir'd 
 
 and will feek to obtain, 
 That all days of my life I may 
 within God's houfe remain, 
 IV. 
 That I the beauty of the Lord 
 
 may behold and admire, 
 
 And that I in his holy place 
 
 may reverently enquire, 
 
 AFTER- 
 
[ ;ff» 3 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm XXVIL 
 
 r. 
 f\ LORD, inftruft me in thy way 
 ^ to me a leader be 
 In a plain path, becaufe of thofe 
 who hatred bear to me, 
 II. 
 
 leave me not unto the will 
 of them who are my foes ; 
 
 For they furmife againft me ftili 
 falfe witnefs to depofe. 
 III. 
 
 1 utterly fliould faint, but that 
 this hope fupporreth me, 
 
 That in the land of the living 
 
 thy goodnefs I lhall fee. 
 IV. 
 * Wait on the Lord thee to confirm, 
 
 and he (hall ftrength afford 
 Unto thy heart ; yea, do thou wait 
 
 I fay, upon the Lord. 
 
 * The Lord's anfwer to the foregoing prayer. 
 
 K £ Quinqua- 
 
[ 212 ] 
 
 Quinquagefima. 
 Psalm XXVIII. 
 
 This is a thankfgiving to the Lord for his fpecial fa- 
 vors in hearing the fupplication of his Chriit, and 
 in helping him in every time of need, and for the 
 favors bellowed upon his people through faith in 
 him : From whence the prophet takes occafion to 
 pray for the continuance of thefe favors. With what 
 gladnefs of heart mould every one fing the words^ 
 who has been made a monument of free grace, and 
 who by diftinguifhing love can ufe the words to day 
 for his own thankfgiving. O that we may fing them 
 to the glory of our God, and to our mutual edifica- 
 tion. 
 
 I. 
 
 *TP O render thanks unto the Lord 
 ■*■ how great a caufe have I ? 
 Who heard my prayer for grace, and fe&s 
 
 an anfwer willingly. 
 II. 
 He is my fhield and fortitude, 
 
 my buckler in diftrefs, 
 My heart rejoiceth greatly, and 
 
 my fong fhall him confefs. 
 III. 
 He is our ftrength and our defence 
 
 our foes for to refill, 
 The ftrength of the falvation of 
 
 his own eleft by Chrift. 
 
 IV. Thy 
 
[ «3 J 
 
 IV. 
 
 Thy people and thy heritage 
 Lord, fave, blefs, and preferve, 
 
 Increafe them, Lord, and rule their hearts^ 
 that they may never fwerve a 
 
 Psalm XXX. 
 
 The title of this pfalm fixes the fubjecl:. It was to be 
 fung at the dedication of the temple of the beloved, 
 The temple was the type of his body, which was 
 then in an efpecial manner dedicated, when it wai 
 raifed from the dead. So the apoitle James inter- 
 pret! the prophecies relating to the refurreclion of 
 Chrilt : " To this, fays he, agree the words of the 
 " prophets, as it is written, after this I will return 
 " and will build again the tabernacle of David {not 
 " of king David but of the beloved) which was fallen 
 " down, and I will raife it up." For which the ri- 
 fen Saviour praifesin this pfalm, and blefTes his God. 
 Happy for us, if we be rifen through" faith in him 
 from the grave of fin. Then we may fing of his re- 
 furreclion in joyful hope of our rifing one day from 
 the grave of death, and of our being like him and 
 with him for ever. With this hope may our thank- 
 ful hearts now blefs his holy name. 
 
 I. 
 
 ORB, I will thee extol, for thou 
 - *- J haft lifted me on high, 
 And over me thou to rejoice 
 snacTft not mine enemy* 
 
 II. Thou 
 
[ 2J 4 ] 
 
 II. 
 
 Thou, Lord, haft brought my foul from hell, 
 
 and thou the fame didft fave 
 From them, who in the pit do dwell 
 
 quick'ning me from the grave. 
 III. 
 O ye who have his mercy found 
 
 fing praife unto the Lord, 
 And give unto him thanks, when you 
 
 his holinefs record. 
 IV. 
 For but a moment lafts his wrath y 
 
 life in his favor lies, 
 Weeping may for a night endure, 
 
 at morn doth joy arife. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm XXXI. 
 
 This pfalm is made up of prayer and praife. The pro- 
 phet prays for deliverance from fins and enemies, and 
 he has a gracious anfvver. Thereupon he encourages 
 believers to follow his example, calling upon them 
 to admire the Lord's goodnefs, and to truft in him at 
 all times, and then they will always have reafon to 
 praife him. We fhall fing the words aright if we 
 truft to what Jefus is to us, our Saviour from fins and 
 enemies, and thereby we fhall know how good God 
 is. May we tail how gracious he is, and blefs him 
 for the wonders, which he doeth for the children of 
 men. 
 
 I. How 
 
[ 2i 5 ] 
 I. 
 
 LJOW great's thy goodnefs which thou haft 
 
 ■*■ A laid up for thy children, 
 
 And wrought for them who truft in thee 
 
 before the fons of men ! 
 IT. 
 All praife and thanks be to the Lord 
 
 for he hath magnify'd 
 His wondrous love to me, within 
 
 a city fortify'd. 
 
 III. 
 O love the Lord all ye his faints* 
 
 becaufe the Lord doth guard 
 The faithful, and he plenteoufly 
 
 proud doers doth reward. 
 IV. 
 Be of good courage, and he ftrength 
 
 unto your heart (hall fend, 
 All ye whofe hope and confidence 
 
 do on the Lord depend* 
 
[ *** ] 
 
 Afh-tVednefday. 
 
 Psalm XXXIL 
 
 There are none truly humbled for fin, but pardoned 
 finners. A fenfe of iin unpardoned hardens the 
 heart and nurfes unbelief; but the feeling of fin in 
 the believing foul melts the heart and makes it truly- 
 contrite. Then fin is confeffed aright. Then God 
 is glorified for the free forgivenefs of it. His bound- 
 lefs mercy is more prized in the growing fenfe of 
 the exceeding finfulnefs of fin, which is followed 
 with more hatred to it and more viclory over it, 
 Of thefe the prophet fweetly fings in this pfalm. 
 David here defcribeth the bleffednefs of the man, 
 unto whom the Lord imputeth righteoufnefs without 
 works. He is a bleffed man indeed. May we know 
 it, and fing of this mercy to day with thankful 
 hearts, admiring the exceeding riches of the grace 
 of God in his kindnefs to us through Chrift Jefus. 
 I. 
 
 *T< H E man is bleft whofe wickednefs 
 
 •"■ the Lord forgiven hath, 
 And he whofe fin is likewife hid 
 and cover'd from his wrath. 
 II. 
 Bleft is the man to whom the Lord 
 
 imputeth not his fin, 
 And in whofe foul there is no guile, 
 nor fraud is found therein. 
 III. 
 Ye righteous in the Lord be glad* 
 
 in him do ye rejoice, 
 ^11 ye who upright are in heart 
 for joy lift up your voice. 
 
[ 2I 7 ] 
 
 The firjl Sunday in Lent. 
 Psalm XXXIII. 
 
 Believers are called upon by the holy Spirit in this 
 triumphant hymn to praiie Immanuel for his word, 
 and works. By his word he fpake, and all things 
 were made: By the fame word he commands and 
 all things fubfift, for they all ferve him. His will is 
 almighty, whether in his word or work. Happy^ 
 thrice happy they, who believe his word of grace, 
 and truft according to it, that all things are working 
 together for their good. Thefe are the righteous* 
 who are called upon to fing this pfaJm with thank- 
 ful hearts. May we be in their number. May the 
 Lord the Spirit give us reafon to day to blefs and 
 praife our God for his precious love to our fouls* 
 
 I. 
 
 l^E righteous in the Lord rejoice, 
 
 * it is a feemly fight, 
 That upright men with thankful voice 
 fhould praife the Lord of might. 
 II. 
 Sing to the Lord with a new fong^ 
 
 with courage give him praife ; 
 Becaufe his word is ever true, 
 his works and all his ways.. 
 III. 
 For by the word of God alone 
 
 the heav'ns above were wrought^ 
 Their hofts and pow'rs every one, 
 his breath to pais hath brought. 
 
 IV. What 
 
[ 218 J 
 
 IV. 
 What he commanded done it was 
 
 at once with utmoft fpeed ; 
 What he doth will is brought to pafs 
 
 with full effect indeed. 
 V. 
 The councils of the heathen folk 
 
 the Lord doth bring to nought* 
 He doth defeat the multitude 
 
 of their device and thought : 
 VI. 
 But his decrees continue ftill, 
 
 and (land for ever fure, 
 The motions of his mind and will 
 
 from age to age endure. 
 
 Psalm XXXIII. 
 
 I. 
 T2LESSED are they to whom the Lord 
 -*-* as God and guide is known, 
 Whom he doth choofe of mere accord 
 
 to take them for his own. 
 II. 
 Behold, on thofe who do him fear 
 
 the Lord doth let his eye, 
 Ev'n thofe who on his mercy da 
 
 with confidence rely* 
 
 III. Where- 
 
[ 2l 9 ] 
 
 in. 
 Wherefore our foul doth whole depend 
 
 on God our ftrertgth and ftay, 
 He is our fhield us to defend 
 
 and keep all ill away. 
 IV. 
 O let thy mercy gracious Lord 
 
 (till prefent with us be, 
 As we defire with one accord 
 
 only to truft in thee. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm XXXIV. 
 
 The prophet being in great danger called upon the 
 Lord, and he heard and anfwered his petitions : He 
 here lings of his deliverance, and calls upon all the 
 redeemed to join in praifing God for his goodneft, 
 and for the wonders which he hath done for them 
 and for their falvation. Whoever has tailed that the 
 Lord is gracious has the fame fubjeft of praife, and 
 may he find his thankfulnefs increafe, while he is 
 with his lips afcribing to him all his glory. May 
 every heart rejoice, and make fweet melody to the 
 Lord, while we are offering up our facrifice of 
 praife. 
 
 I. 
 
 r Will give thanks unto the Lord, 
 A and blefs his name always, 
 My mouth alfo for evermore 
 fhall fpeak unto his praife. 
 
 II. I 
 
[ 220 ] 
 
 II. 
 
 I do delight to laud the Lord 
 
 in heart in foul and voice, 
 That humble men may hear thereof 
 
 and with me may rejoice. 
 UI. 
 Therefore fee that ye magnify 
 
 with me the living Lord, 
 Let us exalt his holy name 
 
 always with one accord : 
 IV. 
 For I myfelf befought the Lord, 
 
 he anfwer'd me again, 
 And me delivered fpeedily 
 
 from all my fears and pain. 
 
 Tie 
 
L 221 ] 
 
 The fecond Sunday in Lent. 
 
 Psalm XXXIV. 
 
 I. 
 
 ^THE angel of the Lord doth pitch 
 -* his tent in ev'ry place 
 To fave all thofe, who do him fear 
 
 that nothing them deface. 
 II. 
 O tall and fee that God is good ; 
 
 who trufts in him is bleft. 
 Fear God, his faints : none that him fear 
 
 {hall be with want oppreft, 
 III. 
 The lions young may hungry be; 
 
 and they may lack their food ; 
 But they who truly feek the Lord 
 
 lhall not lack any good. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The troubles which afflift the juft 
 
 in number many be, 
 But yet at length out of them all 
 
 the Lord doth fet him free. 
 
 PS A LM 
 
[ 222 ] 
 
 Psalm XXXVI. 
 
 This pfalm treats of the corruption of the wicked, 
 particularly of their enmity to the Lord and to his 
 ways, and then defcribes the fpecial loving kindnefs 
 of the Lord to his Chritt and to his people. The 
 inftances of this here given contain every blefling of 
 earth and heaven — fuch as, (afety to believers under 
 the protection of his covenant- love — a moft abundant 
 provifion made in his houfe for their fpiritual food, 
 yea for their fpiritual banquet — light and life flow- 
 ing from the only fountain of both to their fouls— 
 and thefe bleffings fecured perfe&ly and for ever to 
 all who partake of them by true faith. 
 
 O what a fubjed is here of praife! May the holy Spi- 
 rit apply thofe precious promifes afrefh to our hearts. 
 We mould ring of them with joy in believing. All 
 within us mould blefs the Lord for making fuch pro- 
 mifes, and we mould wait for his fulfilling them 
 this day. May we in finging experience his faith- 
 fulnefs, and tall fome of his loving kindnefs to our 
 own fouls. 
 
 ^pHY mercy is above all things, 
 A O Lord it doth excell, 
 In truft whereof under thy wings 
 the fons of men fhall dwell : 
 
 II. 
 They with the fatnefs of thy houfe 
 
 fhall be well fatisfy'd, 
 From rivers of thy pleafures thou 
 
 wilt drink for them provide. 
 
 III. Becaufe 
 
[ 223 ] 
 III. 
 
 Becaufe of life the fountain pure 
 
 remains alone with thee : 
 And in that pureft light of thine 
 
 we clearly light fhall fee. 
 IV. 
 From fuch as do acknowlege thee 
 
 thy grace (hall not depart, 
 Thy righteoufhefs thou wilt extend 
 
 to men of upright heart. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm XXXVII. 
 
 This is a fweet pfalm, full of motives to encourage 
 truiting in the Lord, with promifes of aflittance 
 againft all oppofition, and of the deftru&ion of all 
 enemies, be they ever fo profperous for a time. 
 This pfalm has been fulfilled in the great head of the 
 church, and it is daily fulfilling in all his members. 
 They truft in him, and are never difappointed. 
 They find him faithful to his word and promife. 
 He requires great truft, and he enables to it: For 
 he giveth great grace. May we magnify his faith- 
 fulnefs this day. The words to be fung require fled- 
 fait reliance upon him. O for ftrong faith, that we 
 may realize the pfalm, and find it made good to us. 
 May we make melody with our hearts, as well as 
 our lips finging unto the Lord. 
 
 I. IN 
 
[ 224 ] 
 
 I. 
 
 TN God fet all thy heart's delight 
 
 A and look what thou woukTft have, 
 
 Or elfe canft wifli in all the world 
 
 thou needft it not to crave : 
 Call both thyfelf and thine affairs 
 
 on God with perfect truft, 
 And then thou fhalt with gladnefs fee 
 
 th' effed both fure and juft. 
 
 II. 
 Reft in the Lord and patiently 
 
 wait for him : Do not fret 
 For him who, profp'ring in his way, 
 
 fuccefs in fin doth get : 
 For every wicked man will God 
 
 moft certainly deftroy j 
 But fuch as truft in him are fure 
 
 the land for to enjoy. 
 III. 
 For yet a little while and then 
 
 the wicked fhall not be, 
 His place thou fhalt confider well 
 
 yet it thou (halt not fee : 
 But by inheritance the earth 
 
 the meek ones fhall poffefs : 
 They alfo fhall delight themfelves 
 
 in an abundant peace. 
 
 tte 
 
f. 22 5 3 
 
 ^he third Sunday in Lent. 
 
 Psalm XXXVII. 
 I. 
 
 THE Lord the juft man's fteps doth guide 
 and all his ways doth blefs, 
 To ev'ry thing he takes in hand 
 
 God giveth good fuccefs : 
 Tho 5 he do fall, yet he is fure 
 
 not utterly to fink : 
 For God upholds him with his hand 
 
 and from him will not ihrink : 
 II. 
 For the falvation of the juft 
 
 is from the Lord above, 
 He in the time of their diftrefs 
 
 their flay and ftrength doth prove : 
 God evermore delivers them 
 
 from bad men and unjuft, 
 And dill will fave them, therefore they 
 
 in him do put their truft. 
 
 Psalm XXXIX. 
 
 The prophet here confidering the fhortnefs of life de- 
 fires to be acquainted with it more practically, in- 
 order that he may not be bufy about perifhing things 
 and forget eternal, but may keep his faith and hope 
 fixed on God.* This is our one bufinefs in time. 
 May we have it well done. Our hope centered on 
 God in Chrift, and our hearts ready to leave the 
 world. ~0 for a pilgrim's fpirit! fo fhall we fmg the 
 words aright. May great grace be upon us, that our 
 affections may now be in heaven, and our converfa- 
 . tion where Jefus is fitting at the right hand of God. 
 
 I. MINE 
 
[ 226 ] 
 
 I. 
 
 TV/T I N E end, and meafure of my days 
 • A O Lord, unto me (how, 
 What is the fame, that I thereby 
 
 my frailty well may know. 
 II. 
 Lo, thou my days an handbreadth mad'ft 
 
 mine age is in thine eye 
 As nothing : Sure each man at beft 
 
 is wholly vanity. 
 
 III. 
 Sure each man walks in a vain (how, 
 
 they vex themfelves in vain : 
 He heaps up wealth and doth not know 
 
 to whom it fhall pertain. 
 IV. 
 Therefore O Lord, what wait I for? 
 
 what help do I defire ? 
 Truly my hope is ev'n in thee, 
 
 I thee alone require. 
 
 A F T E R N O O N. 
 Psalm XLIII. 
 
 This pfalm is a prayer made in great trouble, requeu- 
 ing feafonable grace to bear it with patience, and 
 then keeping down murmuring with the hope of 
 pronrfed deliverance, waiting with faith until it 
 mould come. May we thus behave in every trial. 
 We always Hand in need of the light of God's pre- 
 fence with us, and the truth of his promifes made 
 
 good 
 
[ 22 7 ] 
 
 good to us ! Thefe we mould pray for without Gear- 
 ing, and pray for them in order to keep up conftant 
 communion with God, which may be our fupport 
 under our miferies, and may be the crown of all our 
 comforts. Let us make the words our own, not 
 doubling, but that he who has fulfilled them thou- 
 fands of times will now hear and aniwer our prayer 
 of faith, 
 
 L 
 
 f~\ Lord, fend out thy light and truth 
 ^^^ and lead me with thy grace, 
 Which may condudt me to thy hill, 
 
 and to thy dwelling place, 
 n. 
 Then fhall I to thine altar go 
 
 with joy to worfhip there, 
 And with my heart give thanks to thee, 
 
 O God, my God mod dear. 
 III. 
 Why art thou then caft down my foul ? 
 
 what fhould difcourage thee ? 
 And why with vexing thoughts art thou 
 
 difquieted in me ? 
 
 IV. 
 Still truft in God, for him to praife, 
 
 good caufe I yet fhall have, 
 He of my perfon is the health, 
 
 my, God who doth me fave. 
 
 ^he 
 
{ 228 ] 
 
 The fourth Sunday in Lent. 
 Psalm XLVI. 
 
 This is a fong-of triumph, in which believers having 
 made God in Chrift their refuge find themfelves fafe 
 from all enemies and dangers. Their God himfelf 
 has put thefe words into their mouths, that they 
 may truft, and not be afraid : For when he is their 
 Itrength, what mould make their confidence ? The 
 iinging of this pfalm has Hilled many guilty fears, 
 and has relieved many aching hearts, When any 
 bad news was related to Luther he ufed to fay- 
 Come, let us iing the forty-fixth pfalm, and fear 
 nothing. It is indeed a divine antidote againlt the 
 greatelt fears. May we experience its truth and 
 power by mixing faith with it to-day. May we fo 
 ling, our hearts joining with our tongues, as to find 
 310 reafon to fear from any quarter. 
 
 L 
 f^OD is our refuge and our ftrength 
 ^** in ftfaits a prefent aid ; 
 Therefore altho' the earth remove 
 we will not be afraid. 
 II. 
 Tho* hills amidft the fea be cad, 
 
 tho' waters roaring make 
 And troubled be, yea tho* the hills 
 by fwelling leas do (hake. 
 III. 
 Our God who is the Lord of hofts 
 
 is ftill upon our fide, 
 The God of Jacob our refuge 
 for ever will abide* 
 
 IV. To 
 
r [ 2 *9 ] 
 
 IV. 
 
 To Father, Son and Holy Ghoft, 
 
 eternal glory be, 
 As was, and is, and fhall be (till, 
 
 to all eternity. 
 
 Psalm XLIX. 
 
 This pfalm has a moil folemn preface, calling for the 
 attention of all mankind. The truth to be propofed 
 is equally interefting to all forts and conditions of 
 men. It is this — No man can by any means redeem 
 another; for if he be ever fo rich or great he cannot 
 pay the lead farthing for the ra'nfom of his own foul. 
 Chriit, and Chrift alone is able to pay the full re- 
 demption price to infinite juftice, and he has paid it. 
 O moll: bleffed truth ! All that believe find redemp- 
 tion through his blood. They are led to renounce 
 every hope but in his atonement, and it is their ear- 
 ner!, defire to love the Lord Redeemer with growing 
 affection. May this be our happy cafe. May we 
 believe in his redemption, and blefs him and praife 
 him for it this day with joyful lips, and thankful 
 hearts. 
 
 I. 
 TLJEAR this all people, and give ear^ 
 "*• A All in the world that dwell, 
 Both low and high, both rich and poor, 
 My mouth fhall wifdom tell, 
 II. 
 Whoe'er they be that in their wealth 
 
 their confidence do pitch j 
 And boaft themfelves, becaufe they are 
 become exceeding rich ^ 
 
 L 2 III. Yet 
 
[ * 3 o ] 
 
 HI. 
 
 Yet none of thefe his brother can 
 
 redeem by any way, 
 Nor can he unto God for him 
 
 fufficicnt ranfom pay : 
 
 His own foul's ranfom is too dear, 
 
 paid by him it can't be, 
 That (till he fhould for ever live 
 
 and not corruption fee. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LVI. 
 
 The title of this pfalm is a good comment upon it. It 
 runs thus — " To the beloved who prevailed over the 
 *' oppreflion of the congregation of ftrangers, a pfalm 
 €S to be engraved upon his mind, when the Phili- 
 « c (lines held him faft in Gath :" Hence the prophet 
 takes occafion to fpeak of the oppreflion of the belo- 
 ved Jefus from the confpiracy of Jews and Gentiles, 
 of his confidence of vidlory from the word and pro- 
 xnife of Jehovah, and of his obtaining it. Every 
 believer may expedl the fame vi&ory, and plead it 
 upon the fame promife : Becaufe Jefus Chrift con- 
 quered, not as a private perfon, but as a furety for 
 all his people. His vi&ory was theirs. O that we 
 may, when fin or Satan, or wicked men rife up 
 againft us, put honor upon his word. By trufting in 
 it we fhalr infallibly find it fulfilled: Yea, we fhall 
 rejoice in it, as they that find great fpoil. May we 
 praife him to-day for his word and faithfulnefs, and 
 fing of them as of a foundation, which cannot pof- 
 fibly fail thofe who build upon it. 
 
 I HAVE 
 
t 231 ] 
 
 t 
 
 IT AVE mercy, Lord, on me I pray, 
 A A for man would me devour : 
 He fighteth with me day by day 
 and troubleth me each hour. 
 
 II. 
 My foes do daily enterprife 
 
 to fwallow me outright, 
 To fight again!! me many rife, 
 
 O thou moft high of might. 
 III. 
 When they would make me fore afraid 
 
 with boafts and brags of pride, 
 I truft in thee alone for aid 
 
 by thee I will abide : 
 IV. 
 God's promife I do greatly praife, 
 
 O Lord, 1 truft to thee, 
 I do not care nor fear at all 
 
 what flefti can do to me. 
 
 Fifth 
 
[ 2 3 2 ] 
 
 Fifth Sunday in Lent. 
 
 Psalm LVI. 
 
 1. 
 V\7HEN T do call upon thy name 
 
 * my foes away do ftart, 
 From hence I plainly do perceive 
 that God doth take my part. 
 II. 
 I glory in the word of God, 
 
 to praife it I accord, 
 With joy I will declare abroad 
 the promife of the Lord. 
 III. 
 I truft in God the Lord and fay 
 
 as I before began, 
 The Lord is my lure help and ftay, 
 I do not fear foi- man. 
 
 Psalm LVI. 
 
 I. 
 F WILL perform with heart mod free 
 ■*• my vows to God always, 
 And I, O Lord, all times to thee 
 will offer thanks and praife : 
 IL 
 For thou haft brought my foul from death,. 
 
 and thou wilt ftill fecure 
 The life thou freely haft.preferv'd, 
 and malic my footfteps Cure, 
 
 III. That 
 
[ 233 ] 
 
 in. 
 
 That thus protected by thy pow'r 
 
 I may thy light enjoy, 
 And in the praites of my God 
 
 my endlefs days employ. 
 
 A F T E R N O O N. 
 Psalm LVII. 
 
 This pfalm is a prayer made in great trouble and in 
 great faith. The prophet flees to the mercy and 
 truth of God for fafety.and finds it. He thereupon 
 blefles the Lord, and with enlarged heart praifes 
 and magnifies his great deliverer. Man is born to 
 trouble. There is no efcaping it. But Jefus changes 
 its nature, and turns it into a blefling. When fin, 
 the caufe of trouble, is pardoned, and the confcience 
 is at peace with God, then all things work together 
 fbr good. A fcriptural perfuafion of this fets the 
 heart at liberty, and the experience of it excites in- 
 ward and outward melody. May the 'Spirit of love 
 enable us in faith to flee to our God for refuge in 
 every time of need, and then we fhall fing of his 
 mercy and truth to his glory and to our comfort. 
 May thefe ends be anfwered by our fongs of praife 
 this day. 
 
 I. 
 
 T>E merciful to me, O God, 
 *-* thy mercy unto me 
 Do thou extend : Becaufe my foul 
 doth put her truft in thee : 
 
 L 4 II. Yea, 
 
[ 234 ] 
 
 ii. 
 Yea, in the fhadow of thy wings 
 
 my refuge I will place, 
 Unci! theiV fad calamities 
 
 do wholly overpafs. 
 HI. 
 My prayer I will caufe to afcend 
 
 unto the Lord moft high, 
 To God, who doth all things for me 
 
 perform moft perfe&ly. 
 IV. 
 From heav'n he (hall fend down, and mc 
 
 from their reproach defend, 
 Who would devour me ; God his truth 
 
 and mercy forth fhall fend. 
 V. 
 Be thou exalted very .high 
 
 above the heav'ns, O God, 
 And let thy glory be advane'd 
 
 o'er all the earth abroad. 
 
 Sunday 
 
[ 2 is ) 
 
 Sunday next before Eafter. 
 Psalm LVII. 
 
 I. 
 
 Ti/TY heart is fet to blefs the Lord 
 -*** A in him to joy always, 
 My heart would ever well accord 
 
 to fing his glorious praife. 
 II. 
 Among the people I will tell 
 
 the goodnefs of my God, 
 And fhew his praife that doth excell 
 
 in heathen lands abroad. 
 III. 
 Thy mercy, Lord, is magnify'd 
 
 as far as heav'n is high, 
 Thy truth as high as any ftar, 
 
 that lhineth in the fky. 
 IV. 
 Do thou exalt thyfelf, O God, 
 
 above the heav'ns mod bright. 
 Exalted be thro' all the earth 
 
 thy glory and thy might. 
 
 Psalm LIX. 
 
 The fubjeft is the fame with the foregoing pfalm. A 
 prayer — an anfwer — and thankfulnefs for the an- 
 fwer. Go, and do thou likewife. Pray in faith, 
 Alk and it fhall be given. The promife cannot fail. 
 L s " Call 
 
[ *3« J 
 
 — " Call upon me in the time of trouble, fo I will 
 „ " hear thee, and thou malt glorify me." May he. 
 get himfelf glory from us this day. 
 
 I. 
 
 ^pHE ftrength that does our foes withfland^ 
 ■* O Lord, doth come from thee, 
 Thou art, O God, my help at hand- 
 
 an high tow'r unto me. 
 IL 
 The God of mercies plentiful 
 
 fhall me with good prevent, 
 My God on thofe who envy me 
 
 fhall fhew me his intent. 
 III. 
 Of thy great powV Til fing aloud 5 . 
 
 at morn thy mercy praife, 
 For thou to me my refuge waft 
 
 and tower in troublous days. 
 IV. 
 O God, thou art my ftrength, I will! 
 
 fing praifes unto thee, 
 For God is my defence, a God 
 
 of mercy unto me. 
 
 AFTERNOO N. 
 Psalm LX. 
 
 This is a prayer made in faith. It was heard, and'art- 
 fwered. In every diftrefs we fhould take the fame 
 method. We fhould flee to God for refuge, and we 
 
 ihould 
 
[ 2 37 ] 
 
 mould always find him a very prefent help. His 
 promifes in Chrifl cannot fail. What he hath fpo- 
 ken in his holinefs, he will infallibly fulfill: And 
 we put honor upon his word, when we fo rely upon 
 it as to triumph, becaufe of its truth. May ive ling 
 in this faith, not doubting but it iTiall be done unto 
 us according to what our God hath prcmifed. 
 
 I. 
 
 >TpO fuch, O Lord, as fear thy name, 
 A a banner thou doft fhew, 
 That they may triumph in the fame, 
 becaufe thy word is true. 
 ■ II. 
 That thy beloved people may 
 
 deliver'd be from thrall, 
 Save with the pow'r of thy right hand^ 
 and hear me when I call. 
 III. 
 Give aid, O Lord, and us relieve 
 
 from them who us difdain, 
 The help which hofts of men can give 
 is all but weak and vain. 
 IV. 
 But thro' our God we fhall have might 
 
 to take great things in hand ; 
 He will tread down and put to flight 
 all thofe who us wkhftand, 
 
 Good 
 
[ 2 3 8 3 
 
 Good Friday. 
 Psalm XXII. 
 
 This pfalm treats of the fufTerings of Chrift, and of the 
 glory which mould follow, by the fpreading of his 
 gofpel, and by the fetting up of his kingdom in the 
 hearts of his willing people. Every circumftance 
 here mentioned has had its accomplimment in the 
 perfon of Chriir, as the new teftament has infallibly 
 proved, and the reft is receiving its accomplimment 
 in the preaching of the gofpel, and thereby bringing 
 finners to believe in a crucified Jefus. 
 
 Whoever has found redemption in the blood of the 
 Jamb will this day adore and blefs him. Here is the 
 fubjecl of the day indited by the hoh Spirit in pro- 
 per words. Faith in Jefus will enable us to apply 
 them, and lead us to adore, with all his redeemed in 
 earth and heaven, him that loved us and warned us 
 from our fins in his own blood, and hath made us 
 kings and prieils to God and the Father : to him be 
 glory for ever and ever. Amen — let every creature 
 fay, Amen. 
 
 r. 
 [Y God, my God, wherefore doft thou 
 ■* forfake me utterly, 
 And helped not, when I do make 
 my great complaint and cry ? 
 
 If- 
 
 All day, my God, to thee I cry, 
 
 yet am not heard by thee, 
 And in the feafon of the night 
 
 I cannot filent be, 
 
 III. All 
 
[ 2 39 I 
 
 in. 
 All that me fee, laugh me to fcorn, 
 
 fhoot out the lip do they, 
 They nod and fhake their heads at me, 
 
 and mocking they do fay, 
 IV. 
 This man did truft in God that he 
 
 would free him by his might, 
 Let him deliver him, fince he 
 
 had in him fuch delight. 
 V. 
 Then, Lord, depart not now from me 
 
 in this my prefent grief, 
 Since I have none to be my help 
 
 my fuccor and relief. 
 
 Psalm XXIL 
 
 I, 
 
 ]\/f Y garments they divided have 
 A in parts among them all, 
 
 And for my vefture they caft lots 
 to whom it ihould befall. 
 
 II. 
 
 Therefore, I pray thee, be not far 
 from me at my great need, 
 
 But rather fince thou art my ftrength 
 to help me, Lord* make fpeed* 
 
 III. Then 
 
[ 2 4 J 
 
 HI. 
 
 Then (hall I to my brethren all 
 
 thy majefty record, 
 And in the church fhall praife the name 
 
 of rhee the living Lord. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm XXIL 
 
 I. 
 TX7TTHIN the congregation great: 
 * * my praife fhall be of thee, 
 My vows before them who him fear 
 fhall be perform'd by me. 
 II. 
 The meek fhall eat and fhall be fill'd;, 
 
 they alfo praife fhall give 
 Unto the Lord, who do him feek : 
 your heart fhall ever live. 
 III. 
 The coafts of all the earth fhall praife 
 
 the Lord, and feek his grace ; 
 The heathen folk fhall worfhip ail- 
 before his glorious face. 
 IV. 
 The kingdom of the heathen folk 
 
 the Lord fhall have therefore, 
 And he fhall be their governor 
 l and king for evermore,. 
 
 ILaji'er 
 
[ 2 4i J 
 
 Eafter Sunday* 
 Psalm CXVIII. 
 
 This is a day big with wonders. Chrift the Lord is- 
 rifen. He has put away fin, has fubdued Satan, and 
 death, and all our enemies, and we are met to 
 Jhare with him in his victories* Here is an Eafter 
 hymn, to be fung with thankfgiving to our triumph- 
 ant Jefus. It treats, as the new teflament abun- 
 dantly (hews, of his fufferings, his refurre&ion, and 
 of his entrance into his kingdom, whereby he be- 
 came the head Hone of the corner, uniting both 
 Jews and Gentiles into one fpiritual building. I have 
 felecled a parage out of it for the prefent exercife of 
 our faith and gratitude. Its fenfe is fixed by our 
 Lord and his apoftles. If we underftand it as they 
 did, and believe Chrift to be rifen for our j unifica- 
 tion, we cannot but blefs him, and praife him this 
 day, reckoning ourlelves to be dead indeed unto fin, 
 but alive unto God in Jefus Chrift our Lord. May. 
 we fing with hearts alive to him, triumphing in his 
 complete and eternal falvation. 
 
 >Tp H E (lone which formerly among 
 - 1 the builders was refus'd, 
 Is now become the corner ftone 
 
 and chiefiy to be us'd. 
 II. 
 This was the mighty work of Godj, 
 
 it was the Lord's own fa£t v 
 And it is wondrous to behold. 
 
 this great and noble ad, 
 
 lit This 
 
[ 2 42 ] 
 
 in. 
 This is the joyful day indeed 
 
 which God himfelf hath wrought, 
 Let us be glad and joy therein, 
 
 in voice in heart and thought. 
 IV. 
 Thou art my God I will confefs 
 
 and render thanks to thee, 
 Thou art my God and I will praife 
 
 thy mercy towards me. 
 
 Psalm XVI. 
 
 The words of the pfalm, which follow, are fpoken by 
 Chrift in faith of his rifing from the dead, and they 
 are applied in this fenfe by the apoftle Peter : He 
 quotes them A&s ii. as a proof of v$ not being pof- 
 fible that Chrift fhould be holden of death. Since 
 Chrift the firft fruits is rifen, fo are all who believe 
 in him rifen already from the grave of fin, and they 
 fhall rife one day from the grave of death, when the 
 la' enemy fhall be deitroyed. In this hope, which 
 Humid be full of glory and immortality, they ought 
 to praife their rifen Jefus, and in their fongs to bkfs 
 him to day and for ever. 
 I. 
 
 T SET the Lord ftill in my fight 
 
 -* and iruft him over all, 
 
 For he doth Hand at my right hand, 
 
 therefore I fhall not fall. 
 II. 
 Becaufe of this my heart was glad 
 
 and joy (hall be expreft, 
 Ev'n by my glory : and my flelh 
 
 in confidence fhall reft* 
 
 IP. Thou 
 
[ 2 43 J 
 
 in. 
 Thou wilt not leave my foul in hell* 
 
 becaufe thou lovtft me, 
 Nor jrct will give thy holy one 
 
 corruption for to fee ; 
 IV. 
 But wilt fhew me the path of life, 
 
 where there is joy in (lore, 
 And where at thy right hand there are 
 
 pleafures for evermore. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm XVIII. 
 
 This pfalm is applied to Clirift in the New Teftamentv 
 Jt treats of his death, his refurrection, and his king- 
 dom. The title explains it all : for it fays, the 
 pfalm was fpoken by Chrift upon his being delivered 
 from the power of all his enemies, and from the 
 pov\er of the grave. This has been literally fulfilled 
 in the perfon of Jefus Chrift. We are remembring 
 the fact to day. May it be with thankful faith. May 
 the finging of thefe lines tend to exite and im- 
 prove it. 
 
 Ir 
 
 *TP HE pangs of death did compafs me 
 A and bound me ev'ry where, 
 The floods of the ungodly men 
 did put me in great fear. 
 
 II. The 
 
[ 244 ] 
 
 The forrows and the bonds of hell 
 
 were round about me fet, 
 And for my life there was prepar'd 
 
 a deadly trapping net. 
 IU. 
 I thus befet with pain and grief 
 
 did pray to God for grace, 
 And he forthwith heard my complaint 
 
 out of his holy place. 
 IV. 
 He to a place where liberty 
 
 and room was, hath me brought, 
 Becaufe he took delight in me 
 
 he my deliverance wrought. 
 
 Eajier Monday. 
 Psalm IL 
 
 St. Jerom fays, he mull be a very bold man, who would 
 dare to give any other interpretation of this pfalm, 
 than Peter has done in the A6ls of the Apoftles. He 
 and his beloved brother Paul have quoted it feveral 
 times. It confifts of three parts, according to which 
 I have divided it. 
 
 Firil, It defcribes the oppofition, which the kingdom of 
 Chrifl fhould meet with from the great ones of the 
 world, and which would certainly bring deftru&ion 
 upon their own heads : So Herod, and Pontius Pilate 
 and the people of the Jews found it : For 
 
 Secondly, Chrifl is in the Godhead omnipotent and eter- 
 nal, but as God-man he had all power in heaven and 
 earth committed to him by the decree of the ever- 
 bkffedTrinity, which took place upon his refurrec- 
 
 tiofl 
 
I 2 45 ] 
 
 tion. Then as King-mediator he was feated a prieft 
 on his throne, until all his enemies death itfelf be 
 made his footftool. 
 
 Thirdly, It being in vain to oppofe fuch an almighty 
 Sovereign, kings and people are called upon to do 
 him homage, to kifs the Son and truit in his royal care 
 and love: Becaufe all fuch are blefTed of the Lord. 
 
 This pfalm mould be fiing with faith in his refurreclion, 
 that being rifen with him we may ihare in the blef- 
 fings of his kingdom and glory. Our affections 
 fhould delight to be, where he is fitting at the right 
 hand of God, and we Should with grateful hearts 
 acknovvlege our fuhjection to our Lord and king. 
 
 I. 
 
 \X7 H Y did the Gentiles tumults raife 
 
 * what rage was in their brain ? 
 Why do the people (till contrive 
 
 a thing that is but vain ? 
 ir. 
 The kings and rulers of the earth, 
 
 confpire, and are all bent 
 Againft the Lord, and Chrift his Son* 
 
 whom he among us fent. 
 III. 
 Shall we be bound to them, fay they r 
 
 let all their bonds be broke, 
 And of their doftrine and their law 
 
 let us rejedt the yoke. 
 IV. 
 But God who fits enthroned on high. 
 
 and fees how they combine, 
 Does their confpiring ftrength defy 
 
 and mocks their vain defign. 
 
 E after 
 
[ 246 J 
 
 Eajler Tuefday. 
 Psalm II. 
 
 T. 
 /^ O D in his anger fhall reprove 
 ^■^ their pride and fcornful way, 
 And in his fury trouble them 
 
 and unto them fhall fay, 
 ir. 
 Tho* madly you oppofe my will 
 
 the king whom I orda'n, 
 Whofe throne is fixt on Sion's hill 
 
 fhall there fecurely reign. 
 III. 
 " Attend, O earth, while I declare 
 
 " God's uncontroul'd decree, 
 " Thou art my Son, this day my heir 
 
 44 have I begotten thee. 
 IV. 
 11 Afk and receive thy full demands 
 
 " thiae fhall the heathen be, 
 " The utmoft limits of the lands 
 
 " fhall be pofleft by thee." 
 
 Wednefday 
 
[ 247 J 
 
 Wedntfday in Eafter Week. 
 Psalm II. 
 
 L 
 
 CEE that ye lerve th* anointed Lord, 
 ^ rulers and kings with fear, 
 See that with reverence ye rejoice, 
 when ye to him draw near. 
 
 II. 
 
 See that ye homage pay and kils 
 
 the Son without delay, 
 Leaft in his wrath ye fuddenly 
 
 perifh from the right way. 
 III. 
 If once his wrath but little fhall 
 
 be kindled in his breaft, 
 Then only they who truft in h!m 
 
 fliall happy be and blefh 
 
 Firji 
 
[ MS 3 
 
 Firfi Sunday after Eafter. 
 Psalm LXIL 
 
 The prophet here reils his foul upon God. He has 
 been in the foregoing pfalms making many prayers, 
 and in this he declares his perfect confidence in being 
 heard and anfwerech In this faith lie defies his ene- 
 mies, and excites himfelf to continue waiting upon 
 God. He reje&s all creature fcrpports, and relies 
 wholly upon the power of the Almighty. This is a 
 moll blefled lefTon for us. May we learn it of him, 
 who has pra&ifed it, and who alone can teach it, 
 even our great prophet. By his word, and by his 
 Spirit he can enable us to truft him at all times and 
 in all cafes. The Lord give us this faith. The Lord 
 increafe it where it is given, that while we are now 
 •exercifing it, we may have, frefh reafon to thank him 
 for it. O for an high fong of faith to day. It 
 would redound much to the glory of a promife- 
 keeping God. May he be greatly exalted, and then 
 our fouls will be greatly refrefhed, in finging this 
 pfalm. 
 
 I. 
 
 *TpRULY my foul with waiting hope 
 ■*■ depends on God indeed, 
 My itrength and my falvation do 
 from him alone proceed. 
 II. 
 He only my falvation is 
 
 and qiy ftrong rock is he ; 
 He only is my fure defence, 
 much mov'd 1 lhall not be. 
 
 III. Surely 
 
[ 2 49 ] 
 
 nr. 
 Surely my foul doth whole depend 
 
 on God my chief defire, 
 From ev'ry ill me to defend 
 
 none but him I defire. 
 
 Psalm LXIL 
 
 I. 
 
 O O D only my falvation is 
 ^* and my ftrong rock is he, 
 He only is my fure defence, 
 
 I fhall not moved be. 
 II. 
 In God my glory placed is 
 
 and my falvation fure, 
 In God the rock is of my ftrength 
 
 my refuge mod fecure. 
 
 ; in. 
 
 O put your truft in him alway 
 
 ye folk with one accord, 
 Pour out your hearts to him and fay, 
 
 our truft is in the Lord. 
 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and fhall be evermore. 
 
 AFTER- 
 
£ 2 5 o ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LXII. 
 
 I. 
 
 CURELY mean men are vanity, 
 
 and great men are a lie ; 
 In ballance laid, they wholly are 
 lighter than vanity. 
 IT. 
 Truit not in wrong and robbery, 
 
 let vain delights be gone, 
 Tho' riches in abundance flow, 
 Set not your hearts thereon. 
 Ill- 
 God hath it fpoken once to me, 
 
 yea this I heard again, 
 That pow'r unto Almighty God 
 alone doth appertain. 
 IV. 
 Yea mercy alfo unto thee 
 
 belongs, O Lord, alone : 
 For thou according to his work 
 wilt reward ev'ry one. 
 
 ne 
 
f 251 1 
 
 The ficond Sunday after Eafier. 
 Psalm LXIII. 
 
 This pfalm contains the holy breathings of the prophet 
 after God and his ordinances. He thirds for the 
 means of communion with God, remembering what 
 he had formerly found in them, and efpecially being 
 now deprived of them, he longs the more. May 
 this appetite be ever keen in our fouls. May we 
 hunger and third night and day after growing fel- 
 lowship with God. 1£ ever we had any tail of its 
 fweetnefs, we mall then have a key to the pfalm. 
 Our experience will open it to us. And may we find 
 the defires here exprefled in our own breads. May 
 we feel what the prophet did when he fpake the 
 words, and may we ufe them to day to quicken the 
 fame defires in ali our hearts. 
 
 f~\ GOD, my God, I early feek 
 ^ to come to thee in haft, 
 My foul and body both do long 
 
 and third of thee to tall : 
 II. 
 And in this barren wildernefs 
 
 where waters there are none, 
 My flefli is parent for thought of thee, 
 
 for thee I wffli alone : 
 III. 
 That I thy pow'r may now behold, 
 
 and brightnefs of thy face, 
 As I have feen thee heretofore 
 
 within thy holy place. 
 
 M JV, Becaufe 
 
[ 2 5* ] 
 
 IV. 
 
 Becaufe thy mercies far furmount 
 
 this life and wretched days, 
 My lips therefore fhall give to thee 
 
 thine honor and thy praife. 
 
 Psalm LXIII. 
 I. 
 T ORD, while I live I will not fail 
 ■ L/ to worfhip thee alway, 
 And in thy name I will lift up 
 my hands when I do pray. 
 
 it 
 
 Ev'n as with marrow and with fat 
 
 my mouth fhall filled be, 
 Then fhall my mouth with joyful lips 
 
 fing praifes unto thee. 
 III. 
 When I do thee upon my bed 
 
 remember with delight, 
 And when on thee I meditate 
 
 in watches of the night : 
 IV. 
 In fhadow of thy wings I'll joy, 
 
 for thou my help haft been ; 
 My foul thee follows hard, and mc 
 
 thy right hand doth fuftain. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LXV. 
 
 The fubjeft of this divine hymn is praife. It waiteth for 
 God in his Sion. The church will always praife him 
 
 for 
 
[ 253 ] 
 
 for pardoning fin, for bringing the pardoned finner 
 Bear to him, and for fatisfying him with loving kind- 
 nefs. He will ever be glorified for his power to pro- 
 tect his church, and for his bleffings conferred upon 
 her, which are in the latter part of the pfalm compa- 
 red to the fruitful influences of the rain and mining 
 of the heavens upon the earth. The redeemed of 
 the Lord know how to fmg this hymn. Their praife 
 is always due,- and they wifh to pay it: They wait 
 to do it at all times, but efpecially when called upon 
 in the great congregation. May we offer up our fa- 
 criHce acceptably to day, even the fruit of our lips, 
 giving thanks unto his name. 
 
 I. 
 
 T) R A I S E waits for thee in Sion, Lord, 
 * to thee vows paid fhall be, 
 O thou that hearer art of prayer, 
 
 all flefh fhall come to thee. 
 II. 
 Iniquities I muft confefs 
 
 againft me do prevail, 
 But as for our rebellious fins 
 
 thou fhalt forgive them all. 
 III. 
 Bleft is the man whom thou doft choofe, 
 
 and mak'ft approach to thee, 
 That he within thy courts, O Lord, 
 
 a dweller (till may be, 
 IV. 
 We furely fhall be fatisfy'd 
 
 with thine abundant grace, 
 And with the goodnefs of thy houfe 
 
 ev'n thy moft holy place. 
 
 M 2 Thi 
 
i m J 
 
 Tbe third Sunday after Eajier. 
 Psalm LXV. 
 
 L 
 
 GOD our mighty Saviour 
 thou in thy righteoufhefs, 
 By fearful works unto our prayers 
 thine anfwer doft exprefs : 
 II. 
 Therefore the ends of all the earth 
 
 and thofe afar that be 
 Upon the fea, their confidence 
 v/ill wholly place in thee. 
 III. 
 W ho being girt with pow'r fets* faft 
 
 by his great ftrength the hills, 
 Who noife of feas, noife of their waves, 
 and people's tumults ftills. 
 IV. 
 The folk that dwell throughout the earth 
 
 {hall fear thy figns to fee, 
 Morning and ev'ning with great mirth 
 fhall praifes give to thee. 
 
 Psalm LXXI. 
 
 This is the prayer of a perfon in great diilrefs, never- 
 thelefs he places his perfect faith and hope in God, 
 yea he rejoices in the prqmifes of deliverance. Some 
 lake this pfalm to be a plain prophecy of Chrifb, in 
 
 which 
 
[ *S5 ] 
 
 which his humiliation, and his exaltation are treated 
 of. Jerom and AuguiHne are of this opinion. The 
 Syriac verfion calls it, " A prophecy of the paflion 
 " and refurrection of ChriiL" Through faith in him 
 we fee our inttreit in this pfalm, and can fing of 
 what he did and fuffered, of what he was, and is, 
 and is to us. The promifes already fulfilled to him, 
 are in him yea, and in him amen to all his mem- 
 bers. May we fing with believing hearts, loving 
 and blefnng him for all that he has done for us, ami 
 waiting in joyful hope for the glory that is to be re- 
 vealed at the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 I. 
 LORD, my God, in all diftrefs 
 my hope is whole in thee. 
 Then let no fhame my foul opprefs 
 nor once take hold on me : 
 II. 
 And let me in thy righteoufnefs 
 
 from thee deliverance have, 
 Caufe me efcape, incline thine ear 
 unto me, and me fave. 
 III. 
 Be thou my dwelling rock, to which 
 
 I ever may refort, 
 Thou gav'it commandment me to fave, 
 for thou'rt my rock and fort. 
 IV. 
 Free me my God from wicked hands, 
 
 hands cruel and unjuft •, 
 For thou, O Lord God, art my h 
 and from my youth my truft. 
 
 M 2 AFTE R- 
 
[ **6 ] 
 
 A F T E R N O O N. 
 Psalm LXXL 
 
 I. 
 
 ORD, I with patient hope will wait 
 • on thee continually, 
 And yet with praifes more and more 
 
 I will thee magnify. 
 If. 
 Thy righteoufnefs and falvation 
 
 my mouth abroad lhall (how, 
 Ev'n all the day •, for I thereof 
 
 the nun^bers do not know y 
 III. 
 And I will conftantly go on 
 
 in ftrength of God the Lord, 
 And thine own righteoufnefs, ev'n thine 
 
 alone I will record. 
 IV. 
 My lips fhall much rejoice in thee 
 
 when I thy praifes found, 
 My foul which thou redeemed haft 
 
 with joy fhall much abound, 
 
 n* 
 
[ *57 J 
 
 I'be fourth Sunday after Eajier. 
 
 Psalm LXXIII. 
 
 This pfalm treats of a great temptation, arifing from 
 the profperity of the wicked ; from which the pro- 
 phet was delivered, by coniidering their end, how 
 foon they are cut down, and perifh, whereas the 
 righteous even in this life are happy in God, and 
 moil happy in him for ever. This ije expreffes for 
 himfelf in the words before us. He found God his 
 portion. He was fatisfied. He was thankful. May 
 we find the fame. Trufting to our blefled Jefus, may 
 we with fome comfortable hope ufe the words for our 
 own this day, and may we fo grow in faith, that 
 when heart and flefh, and life fail us, we may find 
 God the ilrength of our heart and our portion for 
 ever. 
 
 I. 
 \XfHAT thing is there, that I can wifh 
 
 but thee in heav'n above ? 
 Lord, in the earth there nothing is 
 like thee that I can love. 
 II. 
 My fleih and fpirit both do fail, 
 
 but God will me reftore : 
 For of my heart he is the ilrength 
 and portion evermore. 
 
 M 4 III. But 
 
[ #8 ] 
 
 ill. 
 
 But lo, all fuch as thee forfake 
 
 thou fhalt deftroy each one, 
 And thoie who truft in any thing 
 
 except in thee alone. 
 IV- 
 Therefore will I draw near to God, 
 
 and ever with him dwell, 
 In God alone I put my truft, 
 
 his wonders I will tell. 
 
 Psalm LXXVIL 
 
 The prophet here gives thanks to God for hearing his 
 prayer, even when he had been tempted to quelUon, 
 whether God had not (hut his ears, and would not 
 vouchfafe him a gracious anfvver. He finds the ten- 
 der mercies of his God flili the fame : And therefore 
 he refolves to meditate on the wondrous works of 
 God, and his dealings with the children of men, 
 for the increafe of his faith and for the exercife of his 
 thankfulnefs. Here is great encouragement to pray 
 and praife. May this example ftir up both. May 
 we fing the words in faith, and that will certainly 
 excite gratitude. We fhall find the ears of our God 
 open to hear ^ur requefts, and he will give us reafon 
 to glorify him. 
 
 I. 
 
 T WITH my voice to God did cry, 
 ■*• who lent a gracious ear, 
 My voice I lifted up to God, 
 and he my pray'r did hear. 
 
 II. I 
 
[ 2 59 ] 
 
 ii. 
 I will remember the great works 
 
 performed by the Lord, 
 The wonders done of old by thee 
 
 I gladly will record. 
 III. 
 I alfo will of all thy woiks 
 
 my meditation make, 
 And of thy doings to difcourfe 
 
 great pleafure I will take. 
 IV. 
 Thou art a God who doft (hew forth 
 
 thy wonders every hour, 
 And fo doft make the people know 
 
 thine own almighty power. 
 
 A F T E R N O O N. 
 Psalm LXXIX. 
 
 The church here is in great affliction, and God delays 
 to help. This makes prayer more fervent, and efpe- 
 cially for the pardon of thofe fins, which were the 
 caufe of the pre fen t affliction. Every day we afk — 
 forgive us our trefpaffes, &c : Becaufe every day we 
 want forgivenefs, a frefh application of the blood of 
 fpinkling, which having received by faith then we 
 can join in praifing God as the church here does. 
 May the fame mercy excite in us the fame gratitude ; 
 and may it be abundant in our hearts this day to the 
 glory of a fin-forgiving God. 
 
 M /; I. HOW 
 
[ 260 ] 
 
 T. 
 
 Ill OW long, Lord, fhall thine anger laft? 
 * wilt thou ftill keep the fame : 
 And fhall thy fervent jealouiy 
 
 burn like unto a flame f 
 II. 
 Againft us mind not former fins, 
 
 thy tender mercies (how, 
 Let them prevent us fpeedily : 
 
 for we're brought very low* 
 
 III. 
 For thy name's glory help us Lord, 
 
 who haft our Saviour been, 
 Deliver us for thy name's fake ; 
 
 O purge away our fin. 
 IV. 
 So we thy flock and pafture (beep 
 
 will praife thee evermore, 
 And teach all ages how to keep - 
 
 for thee like praife in ftore. 
 
 The 
 
[ 26 1 ] 
 
 fie fifth Sunday after Eajler. 
 Psalm LXXXIV. 
 
 The prophet having tailed that the Lord is gracious, 
 here exprefTes the fervent defires of his heart after 
 growing communion with him in the place and 
 means of his appointment. He vehemently longs 
 for public ordinances, and the divine prefence in 
 them, arinngfrom the fenie he had of their happi- 
 nefs, who enjoyed thofe privileges. He prays for the 
 Meffiah's fake to be one of them. This is a very de- 
 lightful pfalm. It is adapted to all ages of the church, 
 and exprefies the fentiments of true believers, efpe- 
 cially if for fome time they have been kept from the 
 ordinances. BlefTed be God for the means of grace, 
 and for his Spirit in them. May we and more of his 
 influence in them daily. While we fing the words 
 may he enable us to mix faith with them, fo that 
 every privilege here mentioned may be ours, and, 
 may become in experience a matter of praife, 
 
 I. 
 
 T| O W pleafant is thy dwelling place 
 1 A O Lord of hafts of me I 
 The tabernacles of thy grace 
 
 how pleafant Lord they be ! 
 II. 
 My thirfty foul longs veh'mentlyv 
 
 yea faints thy courts to fee, 
 My very heart and fiefti cry out, 
 
 O living God for thee. 
 
 HI. O 
 
[ 262 ] 
 
 III. 
 O they be blefied, who may dwell 
 
 within thy houfe always : 
 For they all times thy fads do tell 
 
 and ever give thee praife. 
 IV. 
 Yea, blefled fure likewife are they 
 
 whofe ftay and ftrength thou art, 
 Who to thy houfe do mind the way, 
 
 and feek thee with their heart. 
 
 Psalm LXXXIV. 
 
 I. 
 
 A S they go through the thirfty vale 
 '**' they dig up fountains ftill, 
 That as a fpring it does appear, 
 and thou their pools doft fill. 
 H. 
 So they from ftrength unwearied go 
 
 ftill forward unto ftrength, 
 Until in Sion they appear 
 before the Lord at length. 
 III. 
 O Lord of hofts to me give heed; 
 
 and hearken to my cry, 
 And let it come into thine ears 
 O Jacob's God moft high. 
 
 IV. O 
 
[ 263 ] 
 
 IV. 
 
 O God our fhield of thy good grace 
 look on me and draw near, 
 
 Behold me in the lovely face 
 of thine anointed dear. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LXXXIV. 
 
 I. 
 ^\ LORD, within thy courts one day 
 Vr is better to abide, 
 Than other where to dwell or flay 
 
 a thoufand days befide : 
 IL 
 Much rather had I keep a door 
 
 within the houfe of God, 
 Than in the tents of wickednefs 
 
 to fettle mine abode. 
 III. 
 For God the Lord, our fun and fhield, 
 
 will grace and glory give, 
 And no good thing will he withhold 
 
 from them who purely live. 
 IV. 
 O Lord of hofbs that man is bleft^ 
 
 and profp'rous fure is he, 
 Who is perfuaded in his bread 
 
 to trull all times in thee. 
 
 dfcenjion 
 
[ 264 ] 
 
 Afctnfion Day, 
 Psalm XXIV. 
 
 In this pfalm the holy Ghoft by the mouth of David de- 
 fcribes the Lord Chrift, the maker of all worlds vi- 
 fible and invifible. He gives us the chara&er of 
 this univerfal king, as he was God manifeft in the 
 flefti : And then relates the fulfillment to him of 
 every covenant engagement. After he had drank 
 of the brook in the way his head was lifted up. He 
 afcended up on high leading captivity captive, and 
 went with great triumph into his kingdom- This is 
 defcribed in language worthy of the author and of 
 the fubjed. The ideas are truly fublime. The 
 king of glory is fet forth in a manner fuited to excite 
 the faith and to warm the affections of his people. 
 May the divine infpirer of this hymn open our hearts 
 to receive the king of glory, that we may be happy 
 in finging his praifes to-day and for ever. 
 
 I. 
 
 , \7 r E gates and everlafting doors 
 •* lift up your heads on high, 
 Then fhall the king of glory come 
 ent'ring triumphantly. 
 II. 
 But who of glory is the king ? 
 
 the mighty Lord is this, 
 Ev'n that fame Lord, who great in might 
 and ftrQng in battle is, 
 
 III. Ye 
 
[ 265 ] 
 
 in. 
 Ye gates and everlafting doors 
 
 life up your heads on high, 
 Then fhall the king of glory come 
 
 eni'ring triumphantly. 
 IV. 
 Who is the king of glory ? who ? 
 
 the Lord of hofts renown'd, 
 Of glory he alone is king, 
 
 who is with glory crown'd. 
 
 Psalm XL VII. 
 
 This pfalm defcribes the kingdom of Chrift, which 
 ruleth over all, Gentiles as well as Jews : for they 
 are both here called upon to acknowlege his fo- 
 vereignty and to rejoice in it. He is afcended up 
 on high : he has all power in heaven and earth to 
 gather together, and to protect his people, and he 
 will give them reafon to praife him for ever and ever. 
 This hymn was written to excite their joy in the 
 Lord. Every word contains matter of praife, and 
 fhould lead them to rejoice in their God and king, 
 May we take up the hymn in faith, that as he is 
 afcended into the heavens, fo we may alfo in heart 
 and mind thither afcend, and may dwell to-day with 
 pure delight on the fubjeel of his praifes, joining 
 all his redeemed in exalting, as highly as we can 
 the great king of heaven and earth. 
 
 L 
 
 AUR God afcended up on high 
 ^^ with ftiouts of joyful noife, 
 The Lord goes up above the fky 
 with trumpets royal voice. 
 
 II. Sing: 
 
[ 266 ] 
 
 ii. 
 Sing praifes to our God, fing praife, 
 
 fing praifes to our king, 
 For God is king of all the earth, 
 
 all fkilful praifes fing. 
 III. 
 God o'er the heathen reigns and fits 
 
 upon his holy throne ; 
 The princes of the people have 
 
 themfelves join'd ev'ry one 
 IV. 
 To Abram's people : For our God 
 
 who is exalted high, 
 As with a buckler doth defend *, 
 
 his church continually. 
 
 Sunday 
 
[ 26/ ] 
 
 Sunday after Afcenfion Day. 
 Psalm XLVII. 
 
 See page 265. 
 
 I. 
 T^E people all with one accord 
 
 * clap hands, fhout and rejoice, 
 Be glad and fing unco the Lord 
 with fweet and pleafant voice. 
 II. 
 For high he is and to be fear'd, 
 
 his wonders manifold, 
 A mighty king he is likewife 
 in all the world extoll'd, 
 HI. 
 The heathen people under us 
 
 he furely (hall iubdue, 
 And all the nations he ihall make 
 under our feet to bow, 
 
 Gloria Patri. 
 
 Psalm XCIII. 
 
 This pfalm defcribes the kingdom of the Lord Chrift. 
 It is fhort, but full ; containing the pra : fes of his 
 government for its majefty, power, and holinefs. 
 Thefe are celebrated from fome of his royal acls, 
 fuch as his eitablifhing the courfe of nature, out of 
 
 which 
 
[ 268 ] 
 
 Which it cannot be turned by any hand, but his 
 own, and his eftablifhing his church upon a rock, 
 againfi which let the multitude rage, and the hofb 
 of hell combine, yet mall they not prevail. His 
 throne is from everlafiing, out of the reach of all 
 oppofition. His church ihall find his teftimonies 
 faithful in every word, and he will according to his 
 tefiimonies keep it by his mighty power, till it be 
 perfected in holinefs for evermore. 
 The fubjects of this kingdom, partakers of righteouf- 
 nefs, peace and joy in the holy Ghoft, are here 
 called upon to fing the praifes of their fovereign 
 Lord. It becometh them well to be thankful. Every 
 exprefiion of gratitude is their privilege, and the ho- 
 mage which he requires of them. May our hearts 
 adore him and blefs him, while we utter his praifes 
 with our lips. O holy and eternal Spirit glorify 
 Jefus in our fongs this day, 
 
 I. 
 fT^HE Lord doth reign and cloathM is he 
 
 * with majefty moft bright, 
 His works do fhew him cloath'd to be, 
 and girt about with might ; 
 II. 
 The Lord alfo the world hath made 
 
 and formed it moft fure, 
 No might can make it change its courfe, 
 at ftay it doth endure, 
 III. 
 Or e'er the earth was made or wrought 
 
 thy throne was fet before, 
 Beyond all time that can be thought 
 thou haft been evermore. 
 
 AFTER- 
 
[ ^9 1 
 
 AFTERNOON, 
 
 Psalm XCIII. 
 
 >TpHE floods, O Lord, have lifted up, 
 * have lifted up their voice, 
 The floods have lifted up their waves, 
 and made a mighty noife ^ 
 II. 
 But yet the Lord who is on high 
 
 is mightier by far, 
 Than noife of many waters is 
 or greateft billows are. 
 in. 
 Thy teftimonies ev'ry one 
 
 in faithfulnefs excel], 
 And holinefs for ever Lord 
 within thine houfe doth dwelL 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 and (hall be evermore. 
 
 WhiU 
 
[ 270 ] 
 
 Whitfunday. 
 Psalm LXVIIL 
 
 This is a defcription of the vi&ory of Jefus over all his 
 enemies and ours. Having conquered fin, and the 
 world, and Satan, and having triumphed glorioufly 
 over death and the grave, he afcended on high lead- 
 ing captivity captive, and he received gifts for men, 
 which he bellowed upon them abundantly on the day 
 of pentecoft. Then he demonflrated that he was 
 head over ail things to the church, by giving his 
 minifters every needful gift and grace of the holy 
 Spirit to gather in his people, and to build them up 
 in their moft holy faith. Still his hand is not fhort- 
 ened. He has the fame gifts for men, yea for the 
 rebellious. May he beftovv them on us this day. 
 Lord, give us thy Spirit ; that he may teftify of 
 thee to us, and may glorify thee in us and by us. 
 If he has indeed enabled us to receive thee by true 
 faith, and we can call thee Lord by the holy Gholt, 
 may he awaken in us every grateful fentiment. May 
 we join with all the church to day in blefiing the 
 Lord the Spirit for bringing us into fellowfhip with 
 the Father and the Son. May he continue and in- 
 creafe this holy fellowfhip, till it be perfected in full 
 enjovment of the Father's love in Jefus,. to whom be 
 all glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 I. 
 
 T E T righteous men in God be glad, 
 
 let them before his fight 
 Be very joyful, yea let them 
 rejoice with all their might* 
 
 II. To 
 
L 271 ] 
 
 11. 
 
 To God fing, to his name fing praife, 
 
 extoll him with your voice, 
 Who rides on heav'n by his name Jah 
 
 before his face rejoice. 
 III. 
 The fame is he that is above 
 
 within his holy place, 
 The father of the fatherlefs 
 
 and judge of widow's cafe. 
 IV. 
 Houfes and iflue both he gives 
 
 unto the comfortlefs, 
 He brings the bondmen out of thrall 
 
 and rebels to diftrefs. 
 
 Psalm LXVIII. 
 
 npHOU didft, O Lord, afcend on high 
 A and captive lead them all, 
 Who in time paft thy chofen flock 
 
 in bondage did enthrall. 
 II. 
 Thou haft received gifts for men 
 
 ev'n for thine enemies, 
 Unto the end that God the Lord 
 
 might dwell with them likewife. 
 
 III. Now 
 
[ 272 ] 
 
 III. 
 Now praifed be the Lord for that 
 
 he pours on us fuch grace, 
 From day to day he is the God 
 
 both of our health and peace. 
 IV. 
 Fie is the God from whom alone 
 
 falvation we obtain, 
 And to the Lord Jehovah fhall 
 
 death's iffues appertain, 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm LXVIII. 
 
 L 
 
 f\ ALL ye kingdoms of the earth 
 ^^ fing praifes to this king : 
 For he is Lord that ruleth all, 
 
 unto him praifes fing. 
 II. 
 To him that rides on heav'n of heav'ns, 
 
 which he of old did found, 
 Lo, he fends out his voice, a voice 
 
 in might which doth abound. 
 III. 
 Therefore the ftrength of Ifrael 
 
 afcribe to God on high, 
 Whofe mighty power doth far extend 
 
 above the cloudy ffcy. 
 
 IV. O 
 
[ 2 73 3 
 
 O God for thy great holinefs 
 thou'rt fear'd for evermore, 
 
 The God of Ifr'el gives us ftrength, 
 let us his name adore. 
 
 Whitfun Monday. 
 Psalm XL VIII. 
 
 In this mofl glorious pfalm the church triumphs in her 
 almighty Saviour. He puts his own beauty on her, 
 gives her many invaluable privileges, keeps her fafe 
 from all her enemies ; but in this fhe chiefly rejoices, 
 that God is in the midrl: of her, well-known to be a 
 fure refuge. This is alfo our ground of rejoicing to- 
 day. The fame Lord is dill prefent with us by his 
 Spirit, and we now wait on him hoping to find him 
 in his houfe and ordinances. May his good Spirit 
 help us to iing in faith. May we make the words 
 our own ; fo that while we praife our God for his 
 prefence with his church, he may give us frefh rea- 
 ibn to praife him. 
 
 I. 
 
 r\ LORD, we wait and do depend 
 ^^ on thy good help and grace, 
 For which we do all times attend 
 
 within thy holy place. 
 II. 
 O Lord, according to thy name 
 
 thro' all the earth's thy praife, 
 And thy right hand, O Lord is full 
 
 of righteoufnefs always. 
 
 III. To 
 
[ 2 74 ] 
 
 in. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and lhall be evermore, 
 
 Whit fun Tuefday. 
 Psalm CXLIII. 
 
 This is a prayer for the direction of the good Sp : rit of 
 God in order to be ilrengthened under thecrofs, and 
 to be led and comforted in the way of obedience. 
 We want the fame Spirit for the fame purpofes. 
 May we afk to-day in faith, nothing wavering. And 
 when we make the words our own, finging them 
 with a fenfe of our itanding in need of the influence 
 of the holy Spirit every moment, may we rely upon 
 his faithfulnefs, who put the words in our mouths, 
 that he will fulfill them, and grant us our hearts de- 
 fir e. 
 
 I. 
 
 HpEACH me the way that I fhould walk, 
 "7 I lift my foul to thee, 
 Lord, free me from my foes : I flee 
 to thee to protect me. 
 n. 
 Thou art my God, thy righteous will 
 
 inftrucl me to obey, 
 Let thy good Spirit lately lead 
 my foul in the right way. 
 III. 
 Revive and comfort me, O Lord, 
 ev'n for thine own name's fake, 
 And do thou for thy righteoufnefs 
 my foul from trouble take. 
 
 Wednefday 
 
[ 2 75 ] 
 
 Wednefday in Whitfun Week. 
 Psalm XLVI. 
 
 In this pfalm the church triumphs in her fafety in a co- 
 venant God. Believers have no reafon to fear from 
 any inward or outward troubles: Becaufe God is 
 their refuge and ftrength. And the grace of his 
 Spirit, which comes through Chrift, is always ready 
 to help in every time of need. This grace is through- 
 cut the fcriptures compared to water : For what water 
 is to animal life, that is the holy Spirit to fpiritual 
 life. He refrefhes, comforts, makes glad the inha- 
 bitants of the city of God. He is always prefent 
 with them, almighty to help, and that right early, 
 in the belt time, and in the bed way. May this 
 river of the water of life revive our hearts to day. 
 While we are finging of its gladdening itreams may 
 the holy Ghoit give us joy and peace in believing. 
 
 I. 
 
 A RIVER is, whofe ftreams do glad 
 •^ the city of our God •, 
 The holy place wherein the Lord 
 moft high has his abode : 
 II. 
 God in the midft of her doth dwell 
 
 nothing (hall her remove, 
 The Lord to her an helper will 
 and that right early prove. 
 Iff. 
 To Father, Son and Holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 and ftiall be evermore. 
 
 N trinity 
 
[ 2 7 6 ] 
 
 Trinity Sunday. 
 Psalm XLV. ver. 6. yl 
 
 The pfalmift in thefe words gives us a plain teftimony 
 for the perfonality in the Godhead. The Father 
 fpeaks to the Son, and calls him God, yea, when 
 he bringeth his firft-begotten into the world in our 
 nature, upon whom the holy Spirit is poured: For 
 the oil of gladnefs here mentioned is the un&ion of 
 the holy One, which Jefus had without meafure. 
 This oil was poured upon the head of our great 
 high prieft, that it might flow down to the fkirts of 
 his cloathing, and that the loweft of his members 
 might partake of it. May we partake of this unc- 
 tion to day. May the Spirit of wifdom teach us the 
 faving knowlege of the Father and of the Son, that 
 by truiUng to the Son's falvation we may experience 
 the Father's love, and may have fellowfhip with the 
 eternal Three in grace and glory. Of this may we 
 fing to day with ftedfaft faith, and with rejoicing 
 hope. 
 
 I. 
 "TpOR ever and for ever is 
 -*• O God, thy throne of might : 
 The fceptre of thy kingdom is 
 a fceptre that is right : 
 m 
 Thou loveft right, and hate ft ill, 
 thee, God, thy God therefore 
 Anointed hath with oil of joy 
 thy fellows far before* 
 
 III. To 
 
[ 2 77 ] 
 in. 
 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 the God whom we adore, 
 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 and {hall be evermore. 
 
 Psalm CX, 
 
 See what was faid of this pfalm on the Sunday after 
 Chriftmas. The two firft verfes give clear proof of 
 the perfonality in the Godhead, and of the divinity 
 of Jefus Chrift. " Jehovah faid to my Lord," the 
 Father to the Son, as Chrift himfelf explains it, 
 Matt. xxii. and this David fpake by the Spirit, as 
 Chrift there afTerts. Here are the three perfons in 
 their covenant characters — the Father ordaining the 
 Son to be head over all things to the church, and 
 the holy Spirit fan&ifying the manhood of Chrift for 
 this office. Thus he was every way qualified for it 
 being perfect God and perfect man. He was David's 
 ion, and alfo David's Lord. His fon as man ; his 
 Lord as God-man — God over all bleffed for ever. 
 Thanks be to him, he has been, according to the 
 fcriptu-res, born of the houfe and lineage of David— * 
 he has lived and died for his people — and he is now 
 upon his throne, the object of worfhip for faints and 
 angels. They are now adoring and bleiling God 
 and the Lamb. O for a fong of praife fomething 
 like theirs. Come holy Ghoit, teitify to us of Jefus. 
 Enable us to fubmit to the Father's decree concern- 
 ing him. Let us willingly take Jefus for our Lord, 
 and live fafe and happy under his government, not 
 doubting but that as he has fulfilled this pfalm in 
 his own perfon he will alfo fulfill it in ours, and to 
 his eternal glory he will put all our enemies under 
 our feet. 
 
 N 2 I. JE- 
 
[ 2 7 3 ] 
 
 I. 
 JEHOVAH faid unto my Lord, 
 J fit thou at my right hand 
 Til] I have made thy foes a ftool 
 
 whereon thy feet fhall (land. 
 H. 
 The Lord ihall out of Sion fend 
 
 the fceptre of thy might, 
 Amidft thy greateft foes (halt thou 
 
 be ruler in their fight. 
 
 III. 
 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and fhall be evermore. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CIV. 
 
 The pfalmift here calls upon his own foul to praife 
 God fur his great works of creation and providence. 
 He made, he fupports all nature : He gives the 
 breath of life, and food, and every thing needful to 
 all his creatures. In the verfes before us the Spirit 
 of God is confidered as the breath of fpiritual life, 
 the giver of fpiritual food, and of every thing need- 
 ful to the new creature in Chriil Jefus.. What the 
 air and elements of this world are to animal, that 
 is he to fpiritual life. Whoever is born of the Spirit 
 is his new creation. The Spirit of God hath made 
 him, and the breath of the Almighty hath given 
 him life. And the Lord and giver of this life is in 
 the Godhead, uncreate, incomprehenfible, eternal, 
 almighty, Lord and Gcd, equal in every perfection 
 with the Father, and the Son, and as fuch the object 
 of prayer and praife, and of every aft of worfhip. 
 
 If 
 
[ 2 79 3 
 
 H he has indeed quickened us, and given us the 
 faculties of the new man, may we ufe them to his 
 glory this day. If we have through him feliowfhip 
 with the Fa:her and the Son, everlaiKng praife be 
 to him for thofe wonders, which he hath done for u C: , 
 
 I. 
 
 A J~L things on thee wait, 
 *^ thou doft them relieve. 
 And thou in due time 
 
 full well doft them feed. 
 And when it doth pleafe thee 
 
 the fame for to give, 
 They gather full gladly 
 
 thofe things which they need, 
 II. 
 Thou open'ft thy hand 
 
 and they find fuch grace, 
 That they with good things 
 
 are filled we fee, 
 But fore they are troubled 
 
 if thou hide thy face, 
 For if thou their breath take 
 
 vile duft then they be : 
 III. 
 Again when thy Spirit 
 
 from thee doth proceed 
 All things to appoint 
 
 and what fhall enfue, 
 Then are they created 
 
 as thou haft decreed, 
 And doft by thy goodnefs 
 
 thine image renew. 
 
 N 3 The 
 
[ 28o ] 
 
 I'hefrft Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm LXXXVI.. 
 
 The prophet, perfuaded he fhould be heard, prays for 
 grace to bring him to the knowlege of the truth, and 
 to keep his heart always influenced by the fear of 
 God, and he declares his readinefs to thank him for 
 the fame. May we trufting to his love and power 
 now afk for the fame grace. " Afk, and ye ihall 
 4i have" — encouraged by this promife, let us afk 
 to be guided into all truth, and to ad according to 
 it with an holy fear of offending our good God. 
 This prayer of faith cannot be in vain. Our peti- 
 tions will be followed with praife. 
 
 I. 
 
 f\ LORD, to thee when I do pray, 
 
 ^^ regard and give an ear, 
 
 Mark well the words which I do fay, 
 
 all my petitions hear. 
 II. 
 O teach me, Lord, thy way, and I 
 
 fhall in thy truth proceed, 
 Unite my heart to thee fo nigh, 
 
 that I thy name may dread. 
 III. 
 To thee will I give thanks and praife* 
 
 O Lord, with my whole heart, 
 And glorify thy name always, 
 
 becaufe my God thou art. 
 
 Ps A LM 
 
[ 28l ] 
 
 . Psalm LXXXIX. 
 
 This pfalm is the fum and fubitance of the bible. Xl 
 contains a lively defcription of the covenant cf the 
 Father and of the Son. The holy Ghoil by the 
 mouth of David prcpofes the fubjed in the two firff 
 verfcs. The Father fpeaks to the Son 3d and 4th 
 verfes : Then the prophet to the 19th. The Father 
 to the Son from the 19th to the 38th, and then the 
 prophet to the end. Thefe are the fure mercies of 
 David, to which the apoille refers, Acts xiii. and 
 thefe are the burden of all our fongs of praife — the 
 Father's covenant engagement with his Son, and 
 ratified with his oath, as ver. 3. and his unchange- 
 able purpofes concerning Chrift, and all his : For 
 when thefe mercies are applied by the hoty Spirit and 
 made ours by believing, then we have the new fong 
 put into our hearts,' and mouths, which the church 
 militant and triumphant is ufing. May the holy 
 Spirit explain this pfalm to day, and for the confir- 
 mation of our faith teach us what is here faid of the 
 power and faithfulnefs of God to fulfill his promifes, 
 even when outward providences would lead one to 
 doubt, whether his covenant was ordered in all 
 things and fure. The words require much faith and 
 gratitude. To be fung aright the heart fhould be 
 duly affected with a fenfe of God's mercy and truth. 
 May we fing with David's fpirit, afcribing all the 
 glory of covenant bleffings to free grace and fovereign 
 love. 
 
 I. 
 
 'TPO fing the mercies of the Lord 
 A my tongue fhall never fpare, 
 My mouth from age to age accords 
 thy truth for to declare. 
 
 N 4 H. For 
 
[ 282 ] 
 
 - IF. 
 For mercy fhall be built, faid I, 
 
 for ever to endure, 
 Thy faithfulnefs ev'n in the heav'ns 
 
 thou wilt eftablifh fure. 
 HI. 
 With mine ele6t, faith God, have I 
 
 a faithful covenant made, 
 And fworn to my beloved Son 
 
 having to him thus faid, 
 IV. 
 I will thy feed eftablifh fure 
 
 for ever to remain, 
 And will to generations all 
 
 thy throne build and maintain, 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm LXXXIX. 
 
 I. 
 >TpH£ heav'ns do fhew with joy and mirth 
 **" thy wond'rous works, O Lord, 
 Thy faints within thy church on earth 
 thy faithfulnefs record. 
 II. 
 For who in heav'n may with the Lord 
 
 at all himfelf compare, 
 Who is like God among the fons 
 of thofe that mighty are ? 
 
 III. Great 
 
C 283 ] 
 
 III. 
 
 Great fear in meeting of the faints 
 
 is due unto the Lord : 
 And he of all about him (hould 
 
 with rev'rence be ador'd. 
 IV. 
 Lord God of hofts in all the world 
 
 what one is like to thee ? 
 On ev'ry fide, molt mighty Lo;d 
 
 thy truth is k^a to be. 
 
 N 5 
 
C 2S4 J 
 
 tfbefecond Sunday after Trinity: 
 
 Psalm LXXXIX. 
 
 I. 
 
 TF that his fons forfake my law 
 
 ■*■ and do begin to fwerve, 
 
 And of my judgments have no awe* 
 
 and will them not obferve ; 
 II. 
 Then with the rod will I begin 
 
 their doings to amend •, 
 And fo will fcourge them from their fim 
 
 whenever they offend. 
 III. 
 But yet my mercy and goodnefs 
 
 1 will not take away 
 From him, nor let my faithfulnefs 
 
 in any wife decay. 
 
 IV. 
 But fure my cov'nant I will hold 
 
 with all that I have fpoke, 
 No word the which my lips have told 
 
 fhall alter'd be or broke. 
 V. 
 For this all praife be unto thee, 
 
 O God, the Lord moft high, 
 From this time forth for evermore, 
 
 Amen, Amen fay L 
 
 P S A L M 
 
[ **S ] 
 
 Psalm XC. 
 
 This is a pfalm of Mofes the man of God, in whcfe 
 days Zinging was in ufe in the church, and has been 
 ever fince. He defcribes the fhortnefs of life and 
 prays for wifdom from above to teach him how to 
 redeem the time, becaufe the days were fhort and 
 evil. This mould be our daily prayer. The Lord 
 give us grace fo to ufe thofe flying moments, that 
 we may be prepared to die. This is our one great 
 leilon. We have lived to no purpofe, till we have 
 learnt it. If we have not yet begun, may the Lord 
 now fet us about it in earneft. And if he has made 
 us wife unto falvation, then we (hall afcribe all the 
 praife to our divine teacher, who will be our guide in 
 life and death, and our God for ever. 
 
 I. 
 
 /~\ LORD, a thoufand years appear 
 ^ no more before thy fight 
 Than yefterday, when it is paffc, 
 
 or than a watch by night. 
 II. 
 For in thine anger all our days 
 
 do pafs unto an end, 
 And as a tale that hath been told 3 
 
 fo we our years do fpend. 
 
 irt 
 
 Threefcore and ten years do fum up 
 
 our days and years, we fee, 
 Or if by reafon of more ftrength 
 
 in fome fourfcore they be, 
 
 W. Yet 
 
[ zS6 ] 
 
 IV. 
 Yet doth the ftrength of fuch old men 
 
 but grief and labor prove, 
 For it is foon cut off, and. we 
 
 fly hence, and foon remove. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm XC. 
 
 I. 
 T ORD, teach us then to number well 
 
 our few days which remain, 
 That fo we may our hearts apply 
 true wifdom to attain. 
 II. 
 O with thy tender mercies, Lord* 
 
 us early fatisfy \ 
 So we fnall all our days rejoice 
 and ftill be glad in thee. 
 in. 
 According as the days have been 
 
 wherein we grief have had, 
 And years wherein we ill have feen, 
 fo do thou make us glad. 
 
 The 
 
[ **7 ] 
 
 The third Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm XCI. 
 
 St. Auguftine fays this pfalm relates to the temptations 
 of Chrift, with promifes of perfect deliverance from 
 them all. In him it has received its accomplimment. 
 He was protected and kept through life, and though 
 he was tempted in every way, by which Satan had 
 prevailed, yet he overcame in every affault, and was 
 more than conqueror. He triumphed over death,, 
 and over the great dragon, as ver. 13. he is afcended 
 and fet up on high on the throne of glory, where he 
 ihall fee his feed, he (hall prolong his days, and the 
 pleafure of the Lord mail profper in his hands, as in 
 the lad words of the pfalm. To them who believe 
 this pfalm is precious, exceeding precious: For it is 
 made up of rich free promifes, already fulfilled 
 in Chrift",- and he is engaged to fee them fulfilled to 
 all his people. O that we may put honor today 
 upon his word and arm, and then we (hall (hare with 
 him in the bleflings here mentioned. He will keep 
 us fafe from evil, and from the evil one, yea from 
 the fear of evil, and he will give us grace and glory. 
 God help us fo to believe, that we may exalt him to 
 day with as high a note of praife, as ever he had 
 from this earth. May the holy Ghoft now glorify 
 him in our hearts, that all within us may blefs the 
 name of our God. 
 
 I. 
 
 TJT E that within the fecret place 
 
 of God moft high doth dwell,. 
 Under the fhadow of his grace 
 th' almighty keeps him welL 
 
 II. Thou 
 
[ 288 J 
 
 II. 
 
 Thou art my hope, and my flrong hold 
 
 I to the Lord will fay, 
 My God he is, in him will I 
 
 my whole affiance ftay. 
 III. 
 AfTuredly he fhall thee fave 
 
 and give deliverance 
 From cunning tempters fnare* and from 
 
 the noifom peftilence. 
 IV. 
 His feathers fhall thee hide, thy truil 
 
 under his wings fhall be - % 
 His faithfulnefs fhall be a fhield 
 
 and buckler unto thee. 
 
 Psalm XCI. 
 
 *Tp H O U (halt not need to be afraid 
 -*- for terrors of the night, 
 Nor for the arrow that doth fly 
 
 by day, while it is light : 
 II. 
 Nor for the peftilence which walks 
 
 in darknefs fecretly, 
 Nor for deftru&ion that doth wait 
 
 at noon day openly. 
 
 HI. Tho? 
 
[ 2» 9 ] 
 
 III. 
 
 Tho 5 at thy fide as thou dofl {land, 
 
 a thoufand dead fhould be, 
 Ten thoufand more at thy right hand, 
 
 yet ftill Ihalt thou be free. 
 IV. 
 No evil lhalt thou need to fear, 
 
 with thee it fhall go well, 
 No plague fhall ever once come near 
 
 the houfe where thou doft dwell. 
 
 AFTER N.O O N. 
 
 Psalm XCL 
 
 L 
 
 T5ECAUSE he fet his love on me 
 "*-* I'll fave him by my might, 
 I'll him advance, becaufe that he 
 
 hath known my name aright. 
 IL 
 When he for help to me doth call 
 
 an anfwer I will give, 
 And from his grief I will him take 
 
 in glory for to live. 
 Ill, 
 With length of endlefs days I will 
 
 him fully fatisfy, 
 And my.falvation I will fhew 
 
 to him affuredly, 
 
 Gloria Patri. 
 
 Tbi 
 
C 290 ] 
 
 The fourth Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm XCII. 
 
 This pfalm was compofed, as the title (hews, for the ufe 
 of the church in praifing God every fabbath, and the 
 the Rabbi's fay, it was commonly fung on that day 
 in the fan&uary. It defcribes the employment of 
 this holy feafon, which is to admire and adore the 
 Lord for his works, to praife him for them with ring- 
 ing pfalms morning and evening, particularly for the 
 great work of redemption. This is the bufinefs of the 
 Lord's day. By believing we enter into reft, and 
 keep the chriftian fabbath : For we enjoy the works 
 of Jefus, and ceaiing from our own works we glory 
 in his. May the holy Spirit anoint us to day with 
 frefh oil in every ordinance, that we may be growing 
 and flourifhing chriflians, like the palm tree in 
 flrength, and (hooting up like the cedar. May we 
 improve in faith and love, and fing with lively hope 
 of the perfect fulfilling of this hymn in that fabbath* 
 which remaineth for the people of God. 
 
 r. 
 
 r T is a thing both good and meet 
 ■7 to give thanks to the Lord, 
 And to thy name, O thou moft {ligh, 
 
 to fing with one accord : 
 If. 
 Thy loving kindnefs to fhew forth 
 
 when fhines the morning light. 
 And to declare thy faithfulnds 
 
 with pleafurc ev'ry night.. 
 
 III. For 
 
[ 2 9* ] 
 
 in. 
 For thou haft made me to rejoice * 
 
 in things ib wrought by thee, 
 That I do triumph in my heart 
 
 thy handy works to fee. 
 IV. 
 O Lord, how glorious, and how great 
 
 are thy works round about, 
 So deeply are thy counfcls form'd 
 
 that none Can find them out. 
 
 Psalm XCII. 
 
 I. 
 
 JUST like the palm tree flourishing 
 (hall be the righteous one, 
 He (hall like to the cedar grow 
 that is in Lebanon. 
 
 II. 
 Thofe who within the houfe of God 
 
 are planted by his grace 
 Shall grow up fa ft, and flourifti well 
 
 within his holy place. 
 HI. 
 And in old age when others fade, 
 
 they fruit (till forth (hall bring : 
 They fhall be fat, and full of fap 
 
 and always flourifhing. 
 
 IV. To 
 
[ 2 9 2 ] 
 
 IV. 
 To (hew that upright is the Lord, 
 
 he is a rock to me : 
 And he from all unrighteoufnefs 
 
 is altogether free. 
 
 AFTERNQON. 
 Psalm XC1V. 
 
 The prophet here treats of the perfecutors of the church. 
 He prays to God to appear for his people, he re- 
 proves their enemies, and then, in the words which 
 I have fele&ed, he comforts the perfecuted ; ihewing 
 
 .. them fome of the benefits of fuffering, fuch as — it is 
 the corre&ion of a Father — it is to teach them the Fa- 
 ther's will — it is to lead them to fvveet reft, when the 
 perfecutors (hall fall into their own pit — it is to ex- 
 ercife faith in God's unchangeable love to them — and 
 fo to convince them, that judgment is returned to 
 righteoufnefs, when God the righteous judge mall 
 deliver them, and puniih their enemies. 
 
 Such is the profit of \he Father's rod. Faith in Jefus 
 under it will certainly bring thefe blefiings from it. 
 May we know the red, and kifs it. Although it be 
 grievous to the flefh, yet may patience have its per- 
 fed work, till we reap the peaceable fruits of righte- 
 oufnefs. Happy are the people, who are in fuch a 
 cafe ; yea thrice happy are we, if we can with faith 
 and patience pray and fing to day — " Thy will be 
 M done. ? ' 
 
 I. BLEST 
 
[ 2 93 J 
 
 i. 
 IDLEST is the man whom thou, O Lord, 
 •*-* in kindnefs doft chaftife, 
 And by thy holy law to walk 
 
 doft lovingly advife. 
 II. 
 This man (hall find reft to his foul 
 
 in feafons of diftrefs, 
 While God prepares'a pit for thofe, 
 
 who wilfully tranfgrefs. 
 III. 
 For from his people God will not 
 
 his favour wholly take, 
 Thofe of his own inheritance 
 
 he never will forfake. 
 IV. 
 The world (hall then confefs thee juft 
 
 in all that thou haft done ; 
 And thofe who choofe thine upright ways 
 
 ihall in thofe paths go on. 
 
 Tbi 
 
[ 2 94 1 
 
 The fifth Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm XCVII. 
 
 This pfalm has been applied to Chrifl in the new tefta- 
 ment. It is fo plain a defcription of his kingdom, 
 that commentators with one confent have taken it in 
 this fenfe. His happy fubjec~ls are called upon to be 
 glad in him. The multitude of' the ifles and Great 
 Britain among them, fhould be joyful in their king. 
 He ruleth over all ; with a rod of iron, almighty to 
 deilroy his enemies, but with a fceptre of love to 
 guide, pro<e&, and bleft his willing people. What 
 he makes them in their hearts, tempers, and lives is 
 here defcribed. May we find the marks upon our- 
 felves ! May we love our king, fear him and ferve 
 Urn out of love, and then we mail find his kingdom 
 to be righteoufnefs and peace and joy in the holy 
 Ghoft. Happy are the people, who are in fuch a 
 cafe, yea thrice happy are they, who can now fing 
 his praifes, rejoicing in the Lord their king, 
 
 I. 
 
 JEHOVAH reigns, for which the earth 
 may fing with pleafant voice, 
 Alfo the ifles with thankful mirth 
 may triumph and rejoice. 
 II. 
 For thou, O Lord, art high above 
 
 all things on earth that are, 
 Above all other gods thou art 
 exalted very far. 
 
 III. Hate 
 
t *?5 ] 
 
 HI. 
 
 Hate ill, all ye that love the Lord : 
 
 his fakits fouls keepeth he, 
 And from the hands of wicked men 
 
 he lets them fafe and free 
 IV. 
 Unto the righteous there is fovvn, 
 
 like feed, a joyful light, 
 And gladnefs fown is for all thofe, 
 
 who are in heart upright. 
 V. 
 Ye righteous in the Lord rejoice: 
 
 exprefs your thankfulneis, 
 When ye into your memory 
 
 do call his holinefs. 
 
 Psalm CIL 
 
 There can be no doubt of uhom this pfalm treats : Ee- 
 caufe it is applied by an infallible expofitor. St. Paul 
 quotes it in proof of the Godhead and eternity of 
 Chriil — of his being the creator of heaven and earth, 
 — and of his being without variablenefs or fhadow oi 
 turning, yea when heaven and earth (hall pafs away, 
 and he (hall fold them up like a fcroll, even then he 
 fhall be the fame unchangeable God for ever, and his 
 feed (hall dwell with him in unchangeable blifs. In 
 this fai^h may the Lord the Spirit eflablifh our hearts. 
 May we fo truft in what Chriil has done as God-man, 
 that we'may be thankful for it this day. And may 
 the words fung be the means of rilling us with a hope 
 of feeing him in his glory, and of wor(hipping him 
 with all his redeemed for ever and ever. 
 
 I. THE 
 
[ 2 9 6 ] 
 
 I. 
 
 *Hp H E firm foundation of the earth 
 •* of old time thou haft laid, 
 The heav'ns alfo are the great work, 
 which thine own hands have made. 
 IT. 
 They all fhall perifh and decay, 
 
 but thou remained ftill, 
 And they (hall all in time wax old, 
 ev'n as a garment will. 
 III. 
 Thou as a vefture fhalt them change, 
 
 and changed fhall they be, 
 But thou doft ftill abide the fame, 
 thy years do never flee. 
 IV. 
 The children of thy fervants fhall 
 
 continually endure, 
 And in thy fight their happy feed 
 for ever fhall ftand fure. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm C 
 
 The whole church is here called upon to praife our God 
 for his greatnefs, and goodnefs, and truth, and to 
 praife him with joy, efpecially in the great congrega- 
 tion, Confideiing his relation to us, our fhepherd, 
 and our relation to him- — his people; we ought to re- 
 joice in him in every ordinance. Singing of pfalms 
 h appointed for the outward exprefiion of our joy. 
 
[ 297 ] 
 
 He requires it. He accepts it. May we perform it 
 to day in a manner well pleaiing to him, and may we 
 fin-g to our mutual edification. 
 
 I. 
 
 A LL people that on earth do dwell, 
 *** Sing to the Lord with chearful voice, 
 Him ferve with fear, his praife forth tell, 
 Come ye before him and rejoice. 
 
 n. 
 The Lord ye know is God indeed, 
 Without our aid he did us make, 
 We are his flock, he doth us feed. 
 And for his fheep he doth us take. 
 
 III. 
 O enter then his gates with praife, 
 Approach with joy his courts unto, 
 Praiie, thank, and blefs his name always • 
 For it is feemly fo to do. 
 
 IV. 
 Becaufe the Lord our God is good, 
 His mercy is for ever fure ; 
 His truth at all times firmly flood, 
 And ihall from age to age endure. 
 
 Tbe 
 
[ 2 9 8 ] 
 
 The Jixth Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm CIIL 
 
 This is a choice pfalm of praife. The prophet begins 
 and ends with ftirring up himfelf to blefs God for 
 his benefits. He mentions feveral of them, which 
 are common to all the redeemed, and which ought 
 to afFecl our hearts with as much gratitude, as they 
 did his. May a due confideration of them difpofe us 
 to afcribe all the glory to our good God : And then 
 we (hall make the pfalm our own, finging it as our 
 own thankfgiving. May the Lord enable us to mix 
 faith with every word, that he may be greatly exalted 
 in our fong of praife this day. 
 
 I. 
 
 QTHOUmy foul, Jehovah blefs ; 
 ^^ and all that in me is 
 Be ftirred up, his holy name 
 to magnify and blefs. 
 II. 
 My foul, Jehovah blefs who hath 
 
 to thee been very kind, 
 And fuffer not his benefits 
 to flip out of thy mind. 
 
 III. 
 All thine iniquities, who doth 
 
 • moil gracioufly forgive, 
 Who thy difeafes all and pains 
 doth heal, and thee relieve : 
 
 IV. Who 
 
[ 2 99 ] 
 
 IV. 
 Who doth redeem thy life, that thou 
 
 to death may'ft not go down, 
 Who thee with loving kindnefs doth 
 
 and tender mercies crown. 
 
 Psalm CIII. 
 
 T. 
 Hh H E Lord is full of tender love, 
 
 ■*• and he is gracious, 
 Long fuffering and flow to wrath, 
 in mercy plenteous : 
 II. 
 He will not chide continually 
 
 nor keep his anger ftill : 
 With us he dealt not as we finn'd 
 nor did requite us ill. 
 Iff. 
 For as the heaven in its heig-ht 
 the earth furmounteth far •, 
 So great to thofe who do him fear 
 his tender mercies are. 
 IV. 
 As far as Eaft is diftant from 
 
 the Weft, fo far hath he 
 From us removed in his love, 
 all our iniquity. 
 
 O AFTER- 
 
[ 3°o ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CIII. 
 
 I. 
 
 OUCH pity as a father hath 
 ^ unto his children dear, 
 Like pity fhews the Lord to fuch 
 
 as worfhip him in fear : 
 IL 
 For he remembers we are duft, 
 
 and he our frame well knows : 
 Frail man his days are like the grafs 
 
 as flow'r in field he grows. 
 
 HI. 
 
 But unto them who do him fear 
 Cod's mercy never ends, 
 
 And to their childrens children ft ill 
 his righteoufnefs extends, 
 
 IV. 
 To fuch as keep his covenant, 
 
 and mindful are alvvay 
 Of all things he has giv'n in charge 
 
 that they might them obey. 
 
 Tie 
 
C 3^1 ] 
 
 The feventh Sunday after Trinity. 
 
 Psalm CIV. 
 
 See the fubjett of this P faint on Trinity Sunday I 
 
 I. 
 "\/T Y foul praife the Lord, 
 A fpeak good of his name, 
 
 O Lord, our great God, 
 
 how doll thou appear ? 
 So paffing in glory 
 
 that great is thy fame, 
 Honour and majefty 
 
 in thee fliine moft clear. 
 u. 
 
 With light as a robe 
 
 thou haft thyfelf clad, 
 Whereby all the earth 
 
 thy greatnefs may fee, 
 The heav'ns in fuch fort 
 
 thou alfo haft fpread, 
 That they to a curtain 
 
 compared may be. 
 in. 
 How fundry, O Lord, 
 
 are all thy works found, 
 With wifdom moft great 
 
 they are indeed wrought, 
 So that the whole world 
 
 of thy praife doth found, 
 And as for thy riches 
 
 they pafs ail mens thought. 
 
 O 2 So 
 
[ 3°2 3 
 
 IV. 
 By angels in heav'n 
 
 of every degree, 
 And faints upon earth 
 
 all praife be addreft 5 
 To God in three perfons 
 
 one God ever bleft, 
 As it has been, now is, 
 
 and always fhall be. 
 
 Psalm CV. 
 
 This pfaim contains the praifes of God for his difpenfa- 
 tions of grace to his people — in choofing them for 
 his own peculiar — in diitinguiihing them by cove- 
 nant mercies— revealed to their fathers before they 
 were in bondage in Egypt — in redeeming them from 
 the houfe of bondage- — in working miracles before 
 their eyes for forty years in the wildemefs — and then 
 in fettling them in the promifed land. He conferred 
 all thefe favors upon them for this end, that they 
 might cleave to him in love as their God, that they 
 might keep his ftatutes and obferve his laws. When 
 believers of old fang the praifes of God for thofe mer- 
 cies, they confidered them as we do. They knew 
 they had fouls, and that thefe outward bleffings were 
 figns and earners of fpiritual — a fpiritual covenant — 
 a fpiritual bondage — a fpiritual deliverance from it— 
 a fpiritual fupport to enable them, being delivered, 
 to reach the promifed land. May we be as thankful 
 for thofe mercies, as the prophet here calls upon us to 
 be. O pray for a due fenfe of God's goodnefs to 
 your fouls, who have your fhare in covenant graces 
 and gifts. May you enter into the fpirit of this hymn 
 and glory in the Lord your God. Your hearts will be 
 in tune to fing it aright, if you can truly fay — " Not 
 4i unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy great 
 96 name, be all the praife:" 
 
 L GIVE 
 
[ 3^3 1 
 
 i. 
 
 /^ IVE thanks to God, call on his name* 
 ^+* to men his deeds make known : 
 Sing ye to him, fmg pfalms : proclaim 
 
 his wondrous works each one, 
 II. 
 See that ye in his holy name 
 
 to glory do accord : 
 And let the heart of ev'ry one 
 
 rejoice that feeks the Lord. 
 III. 
 The Lord Almighty, and his ftrength, 
 
 with ftedfaft hearts feek ye, 
 The light of his moll loving face 
 
 feek ye continually. 
 IV. 
 The wondrous works which he hath done 
 
 remember in your heart, 
 Let not the judgments of his mouth 
 
 out of your mind depart. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CVL 
 
 This is a pfalm of praife, like the laft, defcribing 
 God's dealings with his people in the wildernefs, and 
 in the land of Canaan. Many times they rebelled 
 againft him, and he magnified his mercy in forgiving 
 them. The prophet in this view compares their re- 
 bellions with the mercy of God, that their finfulnefs 
 might appear exceeding finful, and thereby his mercy 
 O 3 exceeding 
 
[ 3°4 ] 
 
 exceeding great. Such are his dealings ftill. Free 
 grace and mercy run through them alJ. They who 
 know this belt, and know mod of themfelves, will 
 be befl fingers to day. The poo.reft in fpirit will fing 
 the higheft drain of praife. O for more humility, 
 that God may be more exalted both in our lips and 
 lives. 
 
 I. 
 
 T>R A1SE ye the Lord, and give him thanks; 
 
 for very good is he, 
 His tender mercy doth endure 
 unto eternity. 
 
 II. 
 God's mighty works who can expr'efs 
 
 or fhew forth all his praife ? 
 Blefied are they, who judgment keep, 
 and juftly do always. , 
 III. 
 Remember me, Lord, with that love, 
 
 which thou to thine doft bear, 
 With thy falvation, O my God, 
 to vifit me draw near. 
 IV. 
 That I thy chofen's good may fee, 
 
 and in their joy rejoice, 
 And may with thine inheritance 
 triumph with chearful voice. 
 
 Eighth 
 
[ 305 1 
 
 Eighth Sunday after Trinity. 
 
 Psalm CVL 
 
 I. 
 CAVE us, O Lord, who art our God. 
 ^ we do thee humbly pray, 
 And from among the heathen folk, 
 
 Lord, gather us away ; 
 II. 
 That we may triumph and rejoice 
 
 in thy moil holy name, 
 That we may glory in thy praife 
 
 and founding of thy fame. 
 III. 
 Bleft be Jehovah, Ifra'i's God 
 
 to all eternity, 
 Let all the people fay, Amen, 
 
 praife to the Lord give ye. 
 
 Psalm CVII. 
 
 St. Aoguftine thinks this pfalm was written for the ufe 
 of the church in all age?. The fubjeft is praife. 
 The occaiion is the mercy of God fhewn to finners, 
 confidered as, having loir, their way, as being cap- 
 tives, in ficknefs, and toil with a temped. The Lord 
 pats a cry into their hearts for deliverance, he hears 
 and anfwers them, and thenexpe&s they fiiould praife 
 him for his gcodr.efs. His redeemed do praife him, 
 and wifli to do it better. May we do it with more. 
 O 4 humble 
 
[ 3^6 ] 
 
 
 humble and thankful hearts than we ever did. May 
 the holy Spirit enable us with growing gratitude to 
 blefs our God for the wonders which he hath done 
 for us, and for our falvation. This is the burden 
 
 of the pfalm " O that men would therefore 
 
 " praife the Lord, &c." Glory be to him : Let all 
 the people fay. Amen. 
 
 I. 
 
 >Tp O God your thankful voices raife, 
 A Who does your daily patron prove, 
 And let your never ceafing praife 
 Attend on his eternal love. 
 
 II. 
 Let thofe give thanks whom he from bonds 
 Of proud oppreffing foes releas'd, 
 And brought them back from diftant lands, 
 From North and South, and Weft and Eaft. 
 
 III. 
 Thro* lonely defert ways they went, 
 Nor could they any city find, 
 Till quite with thirft and hunger fpent 
 Their fainting foul within them pin'd : 
 
 IV. 
 Then to the Lord's attentive ear 
 Did they their mournful cry addrefs, 
 Who gracioufly vouchfaf'd to hear, 
 And freed them from their deep diftrefs. 
 
 AFTER- 
 
[ 3°7 ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CVII. 
 
 r. 
 
 TJ E by the way which was moff right 
 -*** Did lead them like a faithful guide 5 
 That they might to a city go, 
 Wherein they fafely fhould abide. 
 
 II. 
 O then that all the earth with me 
 Would God for this his goodnefs praife,- 
 And for the mighty works which he 
 Thro'out the wond'ring world difplays : 
 
 III. 
 For he from heav'n the fad eftate 
 Of longing fouls with pity views, 
 To hungry fouls that pant for meat 
 His bounty daily food renews, 
 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 The God whom earth and heaven adore 5 
 Be glory as it was of old, 
 Is now and Jhall be evermore* 
 
 © 5 Ninth 
 
f 308 ] 
 
 Ninth Sunday after Trinity. 
 
 Psalm CVII. 
 
 I. 
 TJ* O O LS, for their fin and their offence 
 ■*- do fore affii&ion bear : 
 All kind of meat their foul abhors, 
 
 they to death's gates draw near. 
 II. 
 In grief they cry to God, he faves 
 
 them from their miferies, 
 He fends his word, them heals, and them 
 
 from their deftrudtion frees. 
 III. 
 O that men to the Lord would give 
 
 praife for his goodnefs then, 
 And for his works of wonder done 
 
 unto the fons of men. 
 IV. 
 And let them facrifice to him 
 
 offerings of thankfulnefs, 
 And let them fhew abroad his works 
 
 with fongs of joyfulnefs, 
 
 Psalm 
 
[ 3°9 ] 
 Psalm- CVIII. 
 
 This is a piYiin of praife. The fubjefi is thankfgiving 
 to God for his faithfuinefs to all his promifes. His 
 mercy and truth fail not. What he fpake, he ful- 
 filled. " The Lord hath fpoken," fays the prophet, 
 and therefore he not only trulls in his word, but alfo 
 rejoices as one that findeth great fpoils. He was 
 perfectly fatisfied, that whatever the Lord had fpoken 
 with his mouth he would make good with his arm : 
 Therefore his heart is fixed, his inftruments are in 
 tune early, he rifes before the fun to fing his pfalm 
 of praife. O believers, why are you fo feldom at 
 this fweet exercife i why are your hearts fo little in 
 it ? You have the fame promifes as the prophet had, 
 why do you not put the fame honor upon, them ? 
 May the Lord give you the fame fpirit of praife, that 
 mixing faith with the pfalm, you may fing it with as 
 much gratitude, as ever it was fung with upon earth/ 
 
 r. 
 /~\ G O D, my heart prepared is, 
 ^^ my tongue is likewife fo •, 
 I will advance my voice in pfalms, 
 that I thy praife may fhow. 
 
 II. 
 By me among the people, Lord, 
 
 ftill praifed fhak thou be, 
 And I among the nations will 
 fingpfalms of thanks to thee ; 
 III. 
 Becaufe thy mercy doth afcend 
 
 above the heav'ns molt high, 
 Alfo thy truth doth reach the clouds- 
 within the lofty fky. 
 
 IV. Exalted 
 
[ 3'° ] 
 
 IV. 
 
 Exalted be thy majefty, 
 above the heav'ns, O God> 
 
 Difplay likewife throughout the earth; 
 thy glory all abroad. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXI. 
 
 This hymn and the feven following are called the grand 
 Hallelujah, The Jews ufed to fing them with great 
 folemnity at their three yearly festivals. The fubjeft 
 of them all is praife, They contain the thankf- 
 giving of the church to God for his mercies, which 
 are defcribed not as peculiar to the Jewim difpenfa- 
 tion, but as belonging to believers in every place and 
 age. The fabjeel of th : -s pfalm k praife to God for 
 his great works in redeeming, preferving, and blef- 
 
 * fing his people. Happy people! they ought to fing 
 his praife, whom he has brought to the knowlege 
 of his love in Jefus. Through faith it is our happi- 
 nefs : In him we m ay offer our facrifice of praife as 
 acceptably to day as ever. If we can afcribe to him 
 all the glory of faving us, we are then in rune to 
 fing the grand Hallelujah. Our hearts are in har- 
 mony with the general affembly of the firft born* 
 which is now iinging the praifes of God and the 
 lamb : May we bear our part in this blelfed chorus^ 
 and in confort with all the holt of heaven fing — 
 " Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God 
 " Almighty, juft and true are thy ways, thou king 
 " of faints*" 
 
 I. WITH 
 
L 3" ) 
 I. 
 
 WI T H heart I do accord 
 to praife and blefs the Lord, 
 
 in prefence of the juft, 
 For great his works are found 
 to fearch them fuch are bound 
 
 who do him love and truit* 
 II. 
 His works are glorious : 
 His righteoufnefs for us 
 
 doth evermore endure, 
 His wondrous works he would 
 we (till remember fhould, 
 
 his mercy is full fure. 
 III. 
 Redemption great he gave 
 his people for to fave, 
 
 it alio hath appear'd ; 
 His covenant cannot fail, 
 but evermore prevail, 
 
 his holy name be fear'd* 
 IV. 
 Such as to him bear love, 
 a portion fair above 
 
 he hath up for them laid v 
 For this they (hall well find, 
 he will have them in mind 
 
 and keeo them as he laid, 
 
 Tenth 
 
[ 312 1 
 
 Tenth Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm CX1L 
 
 This is a pfalm of praife. The prophet blefies God 
 for the great prornifes, which have been fulfilled to 
 Chrift, and will be fulfilled to all his. Under him, 
 exceeding great and precious though they be, yet 
 every believer may claim them as his own, and ex- 
 pect the fulfilling of them. O for more faith. The 
 Lord increafe it in our hearts, that we may fing the 
 words for ourfelves. May every one of us find the 
 pfalm realized to day, and blefs the Lord for this and 
 for all his goodnefs to the children of men. 
 
 L 
 pRAISE ye the Lord. That man is bleft 
 A who fears the Lord aright : 
 Who in keeping of his commands 
 
 doth greatly take delight. 
 n. 
 He fhall his feed and offspring make 
 
 mighty the earth upon ; 
 Of upright men bleffed fhall he 
 
 make the generation. 
 III. 
 Treafures of wealth fhall ever be 
 
 within his houfe in ftore> 
 And his free gift of righteoufnefs 
 
 endures for evermore. 
 
 IV. For 
 
[ 3'3 ] 
 
 IV. 
 
 For th* upright he makes light arile 
 
 tho' they in darknefs be : 
 Compaffionate and merciful, 
 
 and juftifier he. 
 
 V. 
 This good man doth his grace beftow 
 
 and doth to others lend, 
 He with difcretion his affairs 
 
 will guide unto the end. 
 
 Psalm CXII. 
 
 I. 
 
 CURELY there is not any thing 
 ^ that ever fhall him move : 
 This righteous man's memorial 
 fhall everlafting prove. 
 
 II. 
 
 When he fhall evil tidings hear 
 
 he fhall not be afraid, 
 His heart is fixt, his confidence 
 
 upon the Lord is flay'd. 
 III. 
 His heart is firmly ftablifned* 
 
 afraid he fhall not be, 
 Until upon his enemies 
 
 he his defirc fhall fee, 
 
 IV. He 
 
F 3*4 1 
 
 IV. 
 He hath difpers'd, giv'n to the poor, 
 
 his righteoufnefs alway 
 Remains : High fhall his glory rife, 
 
 and never fhall decay. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXIII. 
 
 This is another pfalm of praife : One of the grand 
 Hallelujah chorus. It fets forth the majeity of the 
 Lord as worthy to be extolled throughout the world 
 for his infinite condefcenfion to poor finners. His 
 free grace lifts them up from their depth of mifery, 
 and raifes them to the height of glory, even to be 
 numbered among the children of the moil high God. 
 This honor he confers on the poor Gentile church, 
 making her a joyful mother of children : " Far more 
 44 fhall be the children of the defoia^e,than of the mar- 
 " ried woman, faith the Lord," To day is this fcrip- 
 ture fulfilled. O how fhouJd we rejoice and be glad 
 therein! The hymn was made for as poor iinners of 
 the Gentiles.. It treats of us, and of our falvation. 
 With what triumph of joy fhould believers fing it! 
 admiring and adc; ing the free grace of God ; And 
 as it begins and ends with Hallelujah, may we from 
 our hearts^afcribe to him all the glory of his goodnefs 
 to the childien of men. 
 
 L 
 
 XT E children which do ferve the Lord, 
 * Praife ye his name with one accord, 
 Yea bleffed be always his name, 
 "Who from the riling of the fun, 
 Till it return where k begun,, 
 Is to be praifed with great fame. 
 
 II. The 
 
[ 3*5 ] 
 
 II. 
 
 The Lord all people doth furmount, 
 As for his glory we may count 
 
 Above the higheft heav'ns to be. 
 With God the Lord, who can compare, 
 Whofe dwellings in the heav'ns are, 
 
 Of fuch great power and might is he. 
 III. 
 He doth abafe himfelf we know, 
 Things to behold on earth below, 
 
 And alfo in the heav'n above, 
 The needy out of dull to draw, 
 Alfo the poor who help none faw 
 
 His mercy only did him move* 
 IV. 
 And fo did fet them up on high 
 With princes of great dignity, 
 
 Raifed by him unto, great fame, 
 The barren church he makes to bear,. 
 And with great joy her fons to rear, 
 
 Therefore praife ye his holy name. 
 
 Eleventh 
 
[ 3*6 1 
 
 Eleventh Sunday after 'Trinity. 
 Psalm CXIV. 
 
 The fubject of this pfalm is the praife of God for deli- 
 vering his people from the bondage in Egypt, which 
 has been always fuppofed to be a type and earneil 
 of the great deliverance from the bondage of fin, 
 and of all our fpiritual enemies. It has been fo un- 
 derftood by the Chriftian church, which has ap- 
 pointed it one of the proper pfalms for Eailer Sun- 
 day, and which coniidered it as treating of our re- 
 demption by the death of Chrift our paflbver. All 
 nature acknowleged the God of Jacob to be fove- 
 reign at the Exodus. So will all nature acknowlege 
 the fovereignty of Chrift. Mountains will tremble, 
 feas will flee at his prefence : Every thing mall make 
 way for his accomplishing the full redemption of his 
 people. Let the redeemed of the Lord fay fo. Has 
 he delivered us with a mighty hand from our fpiri- 
 tual bondage? O let us give thanks unto him. Let 
 us blefs him for what he has done, and expect he 
 will go on doing wonders for us: He is our rock: 
 Through him the water of life flows* May he re- 
 frefh our hearts with it to day; and may its ftreams 
 follow us all the way to the land of reft, till we come 
 to Sion with fongs, and everlafting joy upon our 
 heads. 
 
 I. 
 
 V^HEN Ifr'el out of Egypt came, , 
 
 and did his dwelling change ; 
 'When Jacob's houfe came out from thofe, 
 who were of language ftrange. 
 
 II. He 
 
t 3*7 3 
 ii. 
 
 He Judah did his holy place 
 
 his kingdom Ifr'el make : 
 The fea it faw and quickly fled, 
 
 Jordan was driven back. 
 III. 
 Like rams the mountains and like lambs 
 
 the hills fkipt to and fro : 
 O fea why fledft thou ? Jordan back 
 
 why waft thou driven fo ? 
 IV. 
 Ye mountains great, wherefore was it 
 
 that ye did fkip like rams ? 
 And wherefore was it little hills 
 
 that ye did leap like lambs ? 
 V. 
 O earth, confefs thy fov'reign Lord 
 
 and dread his mighty hand, 
 Before the face of Jacob's God 
 
 tremble both fea and land. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Who from the hardeft marble rock 
 
 did Handing water bring, 
 And by his pow'r did turn the flint 
 
 into a water fpring. 
 
 Psalm CXV. 
 
 This is another of the Hallelujah hymns. The people 
 of God here afcribe to him the glory of his mercy 
 and truth, praying they may take none of it to 
 themfelves, nor give any of it to idols, but may be 
 
 ever 
 
[ $«& ] 
 
 ever afcribing it wholly to him, by placing their 
 whole confidence in his gracious help and protection. 
 O that we may do the fame. It is the great leilbn 
 of our religion to afcribe all the glory of f^ving us to 
 the mere mercy of God. The old-teftament faints 
 were all of this fpirit — " Not unto us, O Lord, not 
 " unto us" — And one of the new mall fpeak for his 
 brethren — " We rejoice in Chrift. Jefus, and have 
 <c no confidence in the flelh." May we rejoice with 
 them, placing all the confidence of our hearts in 
 him : And then we mall fing in fweet concert with 
 all in heaven and earth, who are giving glory to 
 God and the Lamb, 
 
 I. 
 •^[OT unto us, Lord, not to us, 
 *^ but do thou glory take 
 Unto thy name, ev'n for thy truth 
 and for thy mercy's fake. 
 II. 
 O wherefore fhould the heathen fay, 
 
 where is their God now gone ? 
 Our God he is in heav'n, and what 
 he will'd, that he hath done. 
 III. 
 Their idols filver are and gold, 
 work of mens hands they be, 
 Mouths have they, but they do not fpeak, 
 and eyes, but do not fee. 
 IV. 
 Like them their makers are, and all 
 
 on them their truft who build : 
 O Ifr'el truft thou in the Lord, 
 he is thy help and ihield. 
 
 V. O 
 
[ 3*9 3 
 
 v. 
 
 O Aaron's houfe truft in the Lord, 
 their help and (hield is he : 
 
 Ye that fear God, truft in the Lord 
 their help and fhield he'll be/ 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXV. 
 
 L 
 
 ^PHE Lord of us hath mindful been 
 A and will us blefs alfo, 
 On Ifrael and Aaron's houfe 
 his blefling will beftow. 
 II. 
 Both fmall and great that fear the Lord 
 
 he will them furely blefs : 
 The Lord will you, you and your feed 
 (till more and more increafe. 
 in. 
 Ye are the blefled of the Lord, 
 ev ? n of the Lord moft high, 
 Who both the heav'n and earth did make 
 and fixt immoveably. 
 IV. 
 Then let us praife the Lord our God 
 
 henceforth for evermore, 
 He only worthy is of praife, 
 praife ye the Lord therefore. 
 
 Twelfth 
 
[ 3 20 ] 
 
 Twelfth Sunday after 'Trinity. 
 Psalm CXVI. 
 
 This is a moll fweet pattern of thankfgiving. It was the 
 divine breathing of Jefus, delivered from all his and 
 our enemies, and it is the breathing of all his re- 
 deemed, when they are delivered by faith in him. 
 Thefe are their fentiments — trufting to the blood of 
 the lamb, they look upon God as their reconciled 
 Father, they love him, they devote themfelves to 
 him privately, and publicly in his courts they teftify 
 their willing fubjeclion to him, and that in all things. 
 Every believer has good reafon to follow their ex- 
 ample. O that our thankfulnefs may be as like 
 theirs as poflible. Let us pray for it. Afk in faith, 
 and he giveth liberally. The Lord increafe in us a 
 fpirit of praife, that he may receive more thanks 
 and get greater glory from us to-day. 
 
 I. 
 
 T LOVE the Lord, becaufe my voice, 
 
 ■*■ and my pray'rs he did hear, 
 I while I live will call on him, 
 who bow'd to me his ear. 
 II. 
 Of death the cords and forrows did 
 
 about me compafs round -, 
 The pains of hell took hold on me 
 diftrefs and grief I found : 
 ii r. 
 Upon the name of God the Lord, 
 
 then did I call and fay, 
 Deliver thou my foul, O Lord 
 I do thee humbly pray, 
 
 IV. God 
 
[ 321 ] 
 
 IV. 
 God merciful and righteous is, 
 
 yea gracious is our Lord : 
 God faves the meek : I was brought low • 
 
 he did me help afford. 
 
 Psalm CXVI. 
 I. 
 'HpHE wholfom cup of faving health 
 ■*■ I thankfully will take, 
 And on the name of Gad will call 
 when I my pray'rs do make. 
 IL 
 Thy fervant, Lord, thy fervant, lo 
 
 myfelf I do confefs, 
 Son of thy handmaid, thou haft broke 
 the bonds of my diftrefs : 
 III. 
 Therefore I'll offer up to thee 
 
 a facrifice of praife, 
 And I will call upon the name 
 of God the Lord always : 
 IV. 
 Yea in the courts of God's own houfe 
 
 and in the midft of thee, 
 O thou Jerufalem : Therefore 
 the Lord our God praife ye. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm GXVII. 
 
 This is the fliorteft pfalm in words, but not in matter : 
 It is a moil bkfled prophecy, and this day fulfilled 
 
 iu 
 
[ 322 ] 
 
 in our hearts. The Lord is here praifedfor calling 
 the gentiles to the knowlege of his mercy and truth 
 in Jefus. This is the highefl favor God has to give, 
 and it demands our higheil thanks. The apoftle has 
 cited this pfalm in Rom. xv. 1 1. " Praife the Lord 
 " all ye Gentiles, and laud him" that is, try to 
 praife him better, " all ye people" — the duty is en- 
 forced again and again, intimating, that we mould 
 do it with redoubled diligence. And leaft we mould 
 remit or forget, it is once more repeated, as the 
 burden of all — Hallelujah — Afcribe ye all the good 
 in earth and heaven to the felf-exiftent Jefus. May 
 the Lord, who requires this praife, give us grace, 
 now to offer it up acceptably. May we ring the 
 words with their fpirit, of whom the Lord fays — ■ 
 <* This people have I formed for myfelf, they fhall 
 ** ihew forth my praife." 
 
 L 
 
 /~\ ALL ye nations of the world 
 ^^ praife ye the Lord always, 
 And all ye people ev'ry where 
 
 fet forth his noble praife, 
 IL 
 For great his mercy is to us 
 
 his truth doth not decay, 
 Wherefore praife ye the Lord our God, 
 
 praife ye the Lord alway. 
 III. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and fhall be evermore* 
 
 Thirteenth 
 
[ 3 2 3 ] 
 
 Thirteenth Sunday after 'Trinity. 
 Psalm CXVIII. 
 
 See what was faid of this pfalm on Eafter Sunday. It 
 treats of the perfon of Chrift, his fufferings, death, 
 refurre&ion, and of his becoming the head ftone of 
 the corner: For which bleflings we are called upon 
 to praife his holy name. This is the laft of the 
 grand Hallelujah hymns. The fubjecl; of it requires 
 our warmerl thanks. May the Spirit of Jefus glorify 
 him in our hearts to day, and help us to fing with 
 fach gratitude as the words require, 
 
 I. 
 
 r\ GIVE ye thanks to God the Lord, 
 ^^ for very kind is he, 
 Becaufe his mercy doth endure 
 unto eternity. 
 
 II. 
 
 Let all that fear the Lord our God 
 
 freely confds and fay, 
 The mercy of the Lord our God 
 
 endureth ftill alway. 
 III. 
 I in diftrefs call'd on the Lord, 
 
 the Lord did anlwer me, 
 He in a large place did me (tt> 
 
 from trouble made me free. 
 
 P IV. The 
 
[ 3 2 4 ] 
 
 IV. 
 The mighty Lord is on my fide, 
 
 I will not be afraid •, 
 For any thing that man can do 
 
 I fhall not be difmaid. 
 V. 
 The Lord doth take my part with them, 
 
 who help to fuccor me-, 
 Therefore on thofe who do me hate 
 
 I my defire fhall fee. 
 
 Psalm CXVIII. 
 
 I. 
 *HpHE Lord is my mighty defence, 
 
 of whom I make my long 
 
 He is become for me indeed 
 
 a Saviour great and ftrong. 
 II. 
 The right hand of the Lord our God 
 
 doth bring to pafs great things, 
 He caufeth voice of joy and health 
 
 in righteous mens dwellings. 
 III. 
 The right hand of the mighty Lord 
 
 exalted is on high, 
 The right hand of the mighty Lord 
 
 doth ever valiantly. 
 
 IV. I 
 
[ 325 ] 
 
 IV. 
 I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, 
 
 and ever will praife thee, 
 Who haft me heard, and art become 
 
 a Saviour unto me. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXIX. 
 
 This pfalm is made up of prayer and praife : Prayer 
 for llrength to keep the law, and praife for having 
 kept it. There are twenty-two parts of the pfalm 
 according to the Hebrew alphabet, each part has 
 eight verfes beginning with the fame letter: In 
 every verfe the prophet fpeaks of the revealed will of 
 God under a variety of names to exprefs his faith in 
 it, his love to it, and his perfedt fulfillment of it. 
 Jerom fays it contains a great myftery : And Au- 
 guftine declares, that though it feemed plain, yet 
 the more he frudied it, the deeper he found the fenfe 
 was. I fuppofe they fpake of it in this manner, be- 
 caufe they knew it belonged to Chrift, and was 
 ftri&ly and literally true of him, and of believers 
 only as intereiled in him. He wa? their law-fulnller : 
 Through his atonement they are faved from its pe- 
 nalties, through his obedience they are made righ- 
 teous, as the law requires. When the holy Spirit 
 enables them to believe in the blood and righteouf- 
 nefs of Immanuel, then he alfo puts the law into 
 their inward parts, and writes it in their hearts, 
 fweetly conftraining them to walk in his itatutes and 
 to keep his commandments, and do them. Then 
 they can declare their hearty attachment to the Taw 
 of God, and their nxt purpofe to walk according to 
 
 P 2 it> 
 
[ 326 J 
 
 it, in order to glorify God for his mercy, to do good 
 to men, and to exercife and to improve their graces 
 and gifts. Upon this plan they can ling the pfalm 
 before us. It is then a fweet fubjecl of prayer and 
 praife. Every word tends to ftir up love to the holy 
 will of God, and defires to keep it with growing de- 
 light. May the tinging of it now anfwex thofe pur- 
 pofes. 
 
 I. 
 
 r\ THAT thy ftatutes to obfervc 
 ^■^ thou would'ft my ways direft : 
 Then fhail I have no fhame, when I 
 thy precepts all refpect. 
 
 11. 
 
 Thy teftimonies and thy ways 
 
 much more my heart rejoice, 
 Than all the treasures of the earth, 
 
 which worldlings make their choice. 
 HI. 
 Upon thy precepts I will mufe, 
 
 and thereto frame my talk, 
 As at a mark lb will I aim, 
 
 in thy ways how to walk. 
 IV. 
 Upon thy ftatutes my delight 
 
 fhall conftantly be fet, 
 And by thy grace I never will 
 
 thy holy word forget. 
 
 Fourteenth 
 
[ 3 2 7 3 
 
 Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. 
 
 Psalm CXIX. 
 
 I. 
 TNSTRUCT me, Lord, in the right way 
 
 of thy ftatutes divine, 
 That them to keep unto the end 
 my heart I may incline. 
 II. 
 Grant me the knowlege of thy law r 
 
 that I may it obey, 
 With heart and mind and all my might 
 I may it keep alway. 
 III. 
 From vain defires and worldly lufts 
 
 turn back mine eyes and fight, 
 And with thy Spirit ftrengthen mc 
 to walk thy ways aright, 
 IV. 
 Confirm thy gracious promife, Lord, 
 
 which thou haft made to me, 
 Who am thy fervant, and would love 
 and nothing fear but thee. 
 
 Psalm 
 
[f zA: l> 
 
 Psalm CXIX. 
 
 I. 
 
 -DEFORE that I afflided was, 
 ■M I eri'd and went aftray, 
 But now I keep thy holy word 
 
 and make it all my ftay. 
 II. 
 Thou Lord art good, and doeft good* 
 
 thy gifts cf grace are free, 
 Thine ordinances how to keep 
 
 therefore, O Lord teach me. 
 Ill, 
 O happy time may I well fay, 
 
 when thou didft me correct, 
 That. I thereby might learn thy laws 
 
 and never them rejedt. 
 IV. 
 O Lord, thy word and law to me 
 
 is dearer manifold, 
 Than gold and filver in great fums, 
 
 or ought that can be told. 
 
 P S A L Nf 
 
[ 3 2 9 ] 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm CXIX. 
 
 TN heav'n, O Lord, where thou doft dwell 
 A thy word is ftablifh'd fure, 
 And fhall to all eternity 
 
 fail fettled there endure. 
 II 
 From age to age thy truth abides, 
 
 as doth the earth witnefs, 
 Whofe groundwork thou haft laid fo fure, 
 
 as no tongue can exprefs, 
 HI, 
 Ev'n to this day we may well fee 
 
 how thou doft them preferve 
 According to thine ordinance ; 
 
 for all things do thee ferve. 
 IV. 
 For nothing in this world I fee, 
 
 which hath at length no end, 
 But thy commandments and thy word 
 
 beyond all time extend. 
 
 P 4 Fifteenth 
 
[ 33° J 
 
 Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm CXXI, 
 
 The fifteen pfalms following the cxixth are entitled 
 fcngsy as fome are called hymns, and others pfalms, 
 and fongs of degrees, or of afcenfions, defcribing the 
 goings up of Jefus, ftep by ftep to his higheft. 
 exaltation He expreffes here in the two firfl veifes, 
 his dependence upon Jehovah for help to carry him 
 through his work, and in the following part of the 
 pfrJm receives a gracious anfwer from Jehovah con- 
 taining a full promife of continual* fupport. The 
 promife made to Jefus the head will be made good 
 to every believer in him, who is rifen with Chrift, 
 and is growing up into Chrift. If our afFe&ions be, 
 and our converfation be,- where he is at the right 
 hand of God, then we (hall by faith reft upon him 
 to fulfill this pfalm to us. And waiting on him for 
 it we fhall lift up our hearts and voices in this high 
 fong of praife. May we now fing it to his glory and 
 to cur mutual edification. 
 
 jr. 
 
 T TO the hills will lift mine eyes 
 
 from whence doth come mine aid ^ 
 My fafety cometh from the Lord 
 who heav'n and earth hath made. 
 
 II. 
 
 Thy foot he'll not let Aide : nor will 
 
 he (lumber who thee keeps ; 
 Behold he who keeps Ifrael 
 
 he (lumbers not, nor fleeps. 
 
 III. The 
 
I 33 1 1 
 
 in. 
 The Lord thee keeps, he thy defence 
 
 on thy right hand doth (lay, 
 The moon by night thee fhall not fmite 
 
 nor yet the fun by day. 
 IV. 
 The L-.>rd fhall keep thy foul, he fhall 
 
 preferve thee from all ill, 
 Henceforth th) going out and in 
 
 God keep for ever will. 
 
 Psalm CXXIL 
 
 The prophet here rejoices in heart at the people's wil- 
 lingnefs to ferve God in his appointed place and 
 means. He commends Jerufalem for its privileges 
 in this refpe , and prays for its peac^ and profperity. 
 The church at thac time was the congregation of 
 believers profeiiing the fame faith in the fame Jefus, 
 as we do now. Of rhis church, whether on earth, 
 or the Jerufalem that is above, our one Lord Imma- 
 nuel is the head, and his Spirit is in all the members. 
 He keeps them in unity with their Lord and with one 
 another. Thus they are taught to pray for the prot- 
 perity of the catholic church, and they never confult 
 their own intereft more, than by praying for its 
 Becaufe he has promifed, " they fhall profper that 
 ** love thee," May we find his promife made good 
 to day : It will, if we endeavor to keep the unity 
 of the Spirit in the bond of peace. May we fing 
 with one faith and one heart to the praife of our one 
 Lord. Glory be to him in the higher! : May he- 
 keep peace upon earth, and good will towards men* 
 
[ 33* ] 
 
 i. 
 T JOY'D when to the houfe of God 
 A We will go up they faid to me : 
 Jerufalem within thy gates 
 Our happy feet fhall (landing be. 
 
 II. 
 Jerufalem as a city 
 Is compadlly built together, 
 Unto that place the tribes go up, 
 Ev'n the tribes of God go thither, 
 
 III. 
 To Ifr'ePs teftimony, there 
 Unto God's name their thanks to pay : 
 For thrones of judgment ev'n the thrones 
 Of David's houfe are there to flay. 
 
 AFTER- 
 
C 333 3 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm CXXIL 
 
 I. 
 r\ PRAY Jerufalem may have 
 ^^ Peace from God and felicity, 
 They that love thee and wifh thee peace 
 Shall have certain profperity. 
 
 II. 
 I pray that peace may ftill abide 
 And fafe within thy walls remain, 
 And ever may thy palaces 
 Their fweet profperity retain. 
 
 UL 
 Now for my friends and brethrens fake. 
 That peace (hall be in thee I'll fay, 
 And for the houfe of God our Lord 
 I'll feek to do thee good alway. 
 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son and Holy Ghoft, 
 The God whom heav'n and earth adore? 
 Be glory as it was of old, 
 Is now, and flull be evermore* 
 
 Sixteenth 
 
[ 334 1 
 
 Sixteenth Sunday after 'Trinity. 
 Psalm CXXIII. 
 
 The prophet here being in great diftrefs teacher us by. 
 his example, to whom we are to look for fupport 
 under, and for deliverance from^ fufFering. He puts 
 his perfect trull in the God of heaven, looking to 
 him for every fpiritual blefling ; as a good fervant 
 dors to his lord for every temporal blefling : And 
 then he prays earneftly — give us grace, give us 
 grace — repeating it through the fervency of his de- 
 votion, and the heavinefs of his crofs, for he was 
 greatly troubled with the reproaches of proud world- 
 lings. Here is a pattern for us under all our fuf- 
 ferings ; and fuffer we mull. If we belong to ChriuY 
 this pfalm will become familiar to us. We have 
 often met with this very cafe, and trying it has been,, 
 and will be Hill more fo : Becaufe it is a crofs we 
 can • >e. May we never meet with it, but as 
 the crofs of C&rift. Then if we be reproached for 
 his name, happy are we. He will give us grace fuf- 
 ficient for us under the trial, and he will make it 
 bring forth its proper fruits. In this faith may we 
 all fing the pfalm to his praife, vvhogiveth grace and 
 glory. 
 
 T. 
 
 r\ THOU that in the heav'ns doft dwell, 
 
 ^-^ I lift mine eyes to thee, 
 
 Behold, as fervants eyes do look 
 their mailers hand to fee : 
 II.. 
 
 As maidens eyes her miftrefs' hand, 
 fo do our eyes attend 
 
 Upon the Lord our God, until 
 to us he mercy fend, 
 
 III. O 
 
[ 335 J 
 
 ur. 
 O grant to us thy mercy, Lord, 
 
 grant mercy in thy fight, 
 For we are fill'd and overcome 
 
 with contempt and defpite. 
 IV. 
 Our foul is fill'd with fcorn of thofe 
 
 who at their eafe abide, 
 And with the infolent contempt 
 
 of thofe who fwell in pride. 
 
 Psalm CXXIV. 
 
 This is a fweet hymn of praife to the keeper ©f IfraeL 
 His redeemed in all ages have his fame love towards 
 them, and his fame power over them : And they 
 here acknowlege it. They afcribe their fafety from 
 enemies entirely to the Lord their God, They give 
 him all the glory of paft deliverance, and profefs 
 their nxt hope in his help for the time to come. The 
 whole Ifrael of God has fl III the fame- almighty 
 keeper. May we remember what he has done for 
 us, and thank him — what he has promifed, and truft 
 him: Then we (hall be in tune to fing the pfalm 
 aright. If he has indeed f°ved us from all our fpi- 
 ritual enemies, and has engaged to fave u^ for ever, 
 O what a hymn of thanks ihould we offer to him 
 this day! TheL/rd make us more fenfible of his 
 mercies, and more thankful for them. 
 
 I. 
 
 IT AD not the Lord been on our fide, 
 ^ * may Ifrael now fay •> 
 Had not the Lord been on our fide 
 when men rofe us to flay. 
 
 IL They 
 
[ 336 ] 
 
 IT. 
 They had us fwallow'd quick, when as 
 
 their wrath 'gainft us did flame: 
 Waters had cover'd us, our foul 
 
 had funk beneath the ftream. 
 III. 
 Then had the waters fwelling high 
 
 over our foul made way : 
 Bleft be the Lord, who to their teeth 
 
 gave us not for a prey. 
 IV. 
 Our fouls efcaped, as a bird 
 
 out of the fowler's fnare, 
 The fnare afunder broken is, 
 
 and we efcaped are. 
 V. 
 Our fure and all-fufficient help 
 
 is in Jehovah's name, 
 His name who did the heav'ns create^ 
 
 and who the earth did frame. 
 
 AFTERNOON, 
 Psalm CXXV. 
 
 The fubjeft of this pfalm is nearly the fame with the 
 lad: It defcribes the perfeft fafetv of thofe who truft 
 in the Lord. He himfelf will be their almighty pro- 
 testor. When enemies invade them, as the hills 
 Hand about Jerufalem, fo will he (land round about 
 his people. His falvation fliall be for walls and bul- 
 warks* 
 
[ 337 ] 
 
 warks. Happy are the people, that are in fuch a 
 cafe ! Yea blefled are the people, who have the 
 Lord for their defence ! O for more faith in his 
 word, and more dependence upon hi? perfevering 
 love, and almighty arm. He will certainly fulfill 
 his promifes in this pfalm, great though they be, to 
 thofe who truft in him. May we now put honor 
 upon the promifes here made us, and fing of his 
 faithfulnefs with rejoicing hearts. 
 
 I. 
 
 fp HOSE that do place their confidence 
 A Upon the Lord our God only, 
 And flee to him for their defence 
 In all their need and mifery, 
 Their faith is fure ilill to endure 
 Grounded on Chrift the corner-ftone, 
 Mov'd with no ill, but ftandeth ftill 
 Stedfaft like to the mount Sion, 
 
 JI. 
 And as about Jerufalem 
 The mighty hills do it compais, 
 So that no foes can come to them 
 To hurt that town in any cafe, 
 So God indeed in ev'ry need 
 His faithful people doth defend, 
 Standing them by affuredly 
 From this time forth world without end. 
 
 Seventeenth 
 
t 338 ] 
 
 Seventeenth Sunday after trinity* 
 
 Psalm CXXV. 
 
 I. 
 
 D IGHT wife and good is our Lord God, 
 
 *^ And will not fuffer certainly 
 
 The finners and ungodly's rod 
 
 To reft upon his family : 
 
 Leaft they alfo from God Ihould ftray 
 
 Falling to fin and wickednefs : 
 
 O Lord defend both night and day 
 
 Thy little flock and them ftill blefs. 
 
 O Lord, do good to chriftians all 
 Who ftedfatt in thy word abide, 
 But fuch as from the Lord do fall, 
 And to falfe doctrine daily Aide, 
 Them will the Lord fcatter abroad 
 With hypocrites thrown down to hell ; 
 God will them fend pains without end, 
 But peace he will give Ifrael. 
 
 Psalm 
 
[ 339 I 
 
 Psalm CXXVL 
 
 This pfalm was written for our admonition, upon whom 
 the ends of the world are come. It was not peculiar 
 to one age or time of the church, It is not of any 
 fuch piivate interpretation, but belongs to the whole 
 people of God : For it relates to a fpiritual captivity, 
 which we are all under through fin, and it fets forth 
 the holy joy, which Chrift gives, when he proclaims 
 liberty to the captives. He enables them to find re- 
 demption through faith in his blood, and he puts a 
 new fong in their mouths, even a thankfgiving to 
 their almighty deliverer. Then fuch perfons under- 
 hand the pfalm well. They remember the joy of 
 their fir ft love, and what great things Goo" did for 
 them. And they know their own hearts, how ready 
 they are to turn to captivity again, if the holy Spirit 
 was to leave them, therefore they pray, that the 
 ftreams of his grace may be to them, what ftreams of 
 water are to dr> ground, (fuch as was fbuth of Judah)h 
 kept alive and made fruitful through him, they fhall 
 not turn again to- folly, but fhall go on their way re* 
 joicing : they may fow in tears, always forrowful for 
 what they are in themfeives, but they may now al- 
 ways rejoice in Chrift Jefus, and they fhall reap in 
 him a harveft of joy everlafting. Is this pfalm true 
 of us ? Are we his lawful captives, whom he has de- 
 livered from the hand of all our enemies? O let us 
 ling of the liberty wherewith Chrift hath made us 
 free. Let us exalt our redeemer to day. Here is a 
 glorious hymn for the occafion. May all within us 
 blefs him, and may the holy Spirit glorify him in our 
 hearts, while we praife him with our lips. 
 
 I. WHEN 
 
[ 34° ] 
 
 r. 
 
 \X7 HEN Sion's fad captivity 
 the Lord returned again, 
 Like unto them that dream were we, 
 our mouth was filled then 
 II. 
 With laughter, and our tongue did fing, 
 
 then faid they thereupon 
 Among the heathen : Mighty things 
 for them the Lord hath done, 
 III. 
 The Lord hath done great things for us, 
 
 we joyful are thereby. 
 Like ftreams in South, ftill do thou Lord, 
 turn our captivity. 
 IV. 
 Who fow in tears (hall reap in joy : 
 
 who goeth on and mourns 
 Bearing choice feed, fure he with joy 
 bearing his (heaves returns* 
 
 AFTER- 
 
[ 34i ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXXX. 
 
 This is a prayer for pardon and acceptance, and an en- 
 couragement to wait on the Lord for thefe bleffings. 
 They who have known what the guilt of fin is, and 
 have been exercifed in the fchool of repentance, can 
 fee a great beauty in this pfalm. It is their very 
 cafe. And when they have found mercy, and plen- 
 teous redemption, then they underitand it all, and 
 can blefs the Lord for his goodnefs to their fouls. 
 O that we may fing it to day, as our own experience. 
 Indeed fo far as we believe ourfelves raifed from the 
 depths of fin and mifery, and partakers of the mercy 
 of God in Chrift Jefus, we fhall blefs and praife his 
 holy name. May our lives as well as our lips ihevv 
 forth his praifes now and for even 
 
 I. 
 
 ORD, From the depths to thee I cry'd, 
 *~* my voice, Lord, do thou hear, 
 Unto my fupplications voice 
 give an attentive ear. 
 II. 
 Lord, if in juftice rhou fhouldft mark 
 
 our fins, and them perufe, 
 Who could ftand in thy fight and fay, 
 I can myfelf excufe ? 
 III. 
 But thou art merciful and free 
 and boundlefs in thy grace, 
 That we might always careful be 
 to fear before thy face. 
 
 Eighteenth 
 
[ 342 ] 
 
 Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity. 
 
 Psalm CXXX. 
 
 I. 
 
 T N God the Lord I put my truft,. 
 A mv foul waits on his will, 
 His promife is for ever juft 
 
 and I hope therein (till. 
 IL 
 My foul to God hath great regard 
 
 waiting for him alway, 
 Waiting much more than they who watcft 
 
 to fee the dawn of day. 
 
 III. 
 O Ifrael trud in the Lord, 
 
 with him there mercy is, 
 And he doth plenteoufly afford 
 
 redemption unto his : 
 IV. 
 Ev'n he it is, who Ifr'al (hall 
 
 thro 5 his abundant grace 
 Redeem from his offences all, 
 
 and wholly them deface. 
 
 Psalm CXXXI. 
 
 We have here a pattern of perfect humility. Learn of 
 me, fays Jefus, for I am meek and lowly. In this 
 pfalm he appeals to his Father for the lowlinefs of his 
 heart and looks and converfation : Who could ever 
 make fuch an appeal, but himfelf ? And then he re- 
 quires 
 
[ 343 ] 
 
 quires all his difciples to hope in God for grace to 
 follow his example : And they do. Taught by his 
 word and enabled by his Spirit the fame mind is in 
 them, which was alfo in Chrilt Jefus. Thus he gives 
 them his promifed reft, a fweet holy reft unto their 
 fouls, which none upon earth but the humble know, 
 and which they partake more of, as they grow more 
 humble. Jefus mafter fave us from pride, from the 
 guilt and from the power of it. O make us willing 
 to learn of thee, and make us able to follow thy fteps 
 in true meeknefs andlowlinefs, fo mall we iingof thy 
 grace and tell of thy goodnefs, as long as we have 
 our being. 
 
 T. 
 
 TV/T Y heart not haughty is, O Lord, 
 
 -***-*- mine eyes not lofty be, 
 
 Nor do I deal in matters great, 
 or things too high for me. 
 II. 
 
 But as a child, that weaned is, 
 with fpirit meek and mild, 
 
 So have I, Lord, behav'd, my foul 
 is like a weaned child. 
 III. 
 
 O IfraeLtruft in the Lord, 
 let him be all thy (lay, 
 
 Truft in the Lord from this time forth 
 from age to age alway. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXXXIIL 
 
 This is a beautiful defcnption of the communion of 
 faints — being made one with Jefus, he by his Spiric 
 
 unites 
 
[ 344 ] 
 
 unites them to one another under him. This com- 
 munion with him their life-giving head, and with 
 each other through him is like the fandlifying oil on 
 the high priefls head, which was upon Jefus without 
 meafure, and from thence flows down to the loweft 
 believer, and it is like the fruitful dew, which made 
 the dry hills of Hermon and Sion afford plenty of 
 paflure, and this communion lafts through life, and 
 will be perfected with the bleffing of life everlafting. 
 Well may we fing of it then in this our pilgrimage. 
 It brings with it many mercies, and alleviates many 
 miferies. O that we may all be one with Jefus our 
 head, live in love as members actuated by his Spirit, 
 and with mutual prayers, advice, and helps endeavor 
 to fhew that we have been taught of God to love one 
 another. May we fing as brethren with harmony of 
 hearts to the praife of the God of love. 
 
 I. 
 
 BEHOLD how good a thing it is 
 and how becoming well, 
 Together fuch as brethren be 
 in unity to dwell. 
 
 II. 
 Like precious ointment on the head 
 
 which down the beard did flow, 
 Ev'n Aaron's beard, and to the fkirts 
 did of his garments go. 
 III. 
 Like Hermon's dew, like dew which doth 
 
 on Sion's hill defcend : 
 For there the bleffing God commands 
 life that fhall never end. 
 
 Nineteenth 
 
[ 345 ] 
 
 Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. 
 
 Psalm CXXXIV. 
 
 This is a command to the Lord's fervants to afcribe all 
 bleffings to him, and to do it conftantly night, as 
 well as day, and to exprefs outwardly their heart 
 dependence on him, by lifting up their hands to the 
 holy place, to Chrifl, who was there reprefented, ex- 
 pe&ing all good from him. Afcribe this to him, 
 and he will blefs you. He has promifed it : And he 
 is able to make his word good : For he is the al- 
 mighty creator of heaven and earth. We are going 
 to fulfill this command in the letter : May we all 
 perform it, as a fpiritual fervice. May every heart 
 afcribe its bleffings, whether we have them in hand 
 or in hope to the God of our falvation, and may we 
 fing together glorifying him in deed and in truth, 
 
 I. 
 
 T3EHOLD and have regard 
 *^ ye fervants of the Lord, 
 Who in his houfe by night do watch, 
 
 blefs him with one accord. 
 II. 
 Lift up your hands on high 
 
 unto his holy place, 
 And give the Lord his praifes due, 
 
 his benefits embrace. 
 
 III. 
 Jehovah is our God, 
 
 who heav'n and earth did frame, 
 He will blefs Sion, and preferve 
 for evermore the fame. 
 
 IV. To 
 
I 346 3 
 
 IV. 
 To God the Father, Son, 
 
 and Spirit, glory be, 
 As 'twas, and is, and thai! be fo 
 
 to all eternity. 
 
 Psalm CXXXV. 
 
 The fubjeft of this pfalm is the fame with the laft. It 
 is a command to blefs God, and it is given to every 
 one who draws near to him in his houfe. It is repeated 
 again and again, with great vehemency, to enforce 
 It the more upon us. It is faid to be good, to be plea- 
 fant, and it is fo to thofe whom God hath called to 
 be his peculiar people : They find praifing him with 
 their hearts, and expreffing it with their voices, a de- 
 lightful exercife. All his works, and providences 
 afford to them frefh matter of praife. The pfalm 
 ends with calling upon the whole church to join in 
 the praifes of the Lord their God. O for a Spirit of 
 praife, more, more fall poured out upon us. The 
 more we know of God in Chrift, the more reafon we 
 have to praife him. Our mercies are free, great, 
 many, endlefs — God give us a deeper fenfe of our - 
 unworthinefs of the leait, and keep us in a right 
 frame to afcribe to him all the praife of the greateft. 
 May he receive it from us to day and for ever. 
 
 I. 
 
 £\ PRAISE the Lord, praife ye his name, 
 ^^^ praife him with one accord, 
 O praife him (till all ye that be 
 
 the fervants of the Lord. 
 II. 
 O praife him, ye that (land and be 
 
 in the houfe of the Lord, 
 Ye of his court and of his houfe 
 
 praife him with one accord. 
 
 III. Praife 
 
[ 347 1 
 
 in. 
 
 Praife ye the Lord : For he is good, 
 
 fing praifes to his name, 
 It is a very pleafant thing 
 
 always to do the fame. 
 IV. 
 For Jacob to himfelf the Lofd 
 
 hath chofen, as ye fee : 
 And he hath chofen Ifrael 
 
 his treafure for to be. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXXXV. 
 
 I. 
 ^TpHIS have I known afluredly, 
 A the Lord is very great, 
 And that our Lord above all Gods 
 in glory hath his feat. 
 II. 
 What thing foever pleas'd the Lord, 
 
 that in the heav'n did he, 
 And in the earth, the feas, and all 
 the places deep that be. 
 III. 
 Thy name fhall ftill endure and thy 
 
 memorial likewife, 
 Throughout all generations, which 
 are now, or fhall arife. 
 
 Q^ Tw entieth 
 
[ 348 ] 
 
 ^twentieth Sunday after Trinity. 
 
 Psalm CXXXV, 
 
 J. 
 £\ ALL ye houfe of Ifrael, 
 ^^ fee that ye praife the Lord, 
 And ye that be of Aaron's houfe 
 
 praife him with one accord. 
 IL 
 O praife the Lord of Levi's houfe, 
 
 ye who his fervancs are, 
 And praife the holy name of God, 
 
 all ye the Lord who fear, 
 III. 
 And out of Sion found his praife., 
 
 the great praife of the Lord, 
 L Who dwelleth in Jerufalem, 
 
 praife him with one accord. 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft 5 
 
 the God whom we adore, 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and £hall be evermore. 
 
 Psalm CXXXVL 
 
 This pfalm is an exhortation to praife Jehovah for that 
 mercy, which is over all his works of .creation, pro- 
 dence, and redemption, and which is over his people 
 to blefs them for ever. The burden of this fong is 
 «— ■" for his mercy endureth for ever" which is re- 
 peated in every vexte, to fliew that we cannot enough 
 9 extol 
 
r 349 ] 
 
 extol that mercy, to which we owe all our bleffings 
 both in earth and heaven. May a fweet fenfe of it 
 accompany our praifes this day, and may we fing in 
 perfect harmony with the old teframent church, ce- 
 lebrating with thankful hearts the mercy of our God, 
 which endureth for ever. 
 
 I. 
 
 p R A I S E God for he is kind, 
 A his mercy ne'er decays, 
 Give thanks and praifes fmg 
 to God of Gods always : 
 
 For certainly 
 
 his mercies dure 
 
 mod firm and fure 
 
 eternally. 
 
 IT. 
 The Lord of hofts praife ye, 
 whofe mercies ftill endure, 
 Great wonders only he 
 doth work by his great power : 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 III. 
 Who us remember'd when 
 in our lowed degree, 
 And from our fins and foes 
 redeemed, and fet us free. 
 For certainly, &c. 
 IV. 
 Who doth all men with food 
 abundantly fupply : 
 Wherefore let God moft good 
 be prais'd inceffantly. 
 
 For certainly, &c. 
 
 Q^ AFTER- 
 
[ 350 ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXXXVIII. 
 
 This is a pfalm of praife for God's faithfulnefs to his 
 word. He has magnified it above all his name. For 
 he has fulfilled every promife made to Jefus Chrift 
 the head of the church, and what has been made 
 good to the head will infallibly be made good to all 
 his members. In this faith we may ufe the words. 
 They contain exceeding great and precious promifes. 
 May the Lord the Spirit apply them, and enable 
 us to mix faith with them, that while we fing 
 them we may be fatisfied all the bleffings here men- 
 tioned are ours, 
 
 L 
 TPHEE will I praife with my whole heart, 
 ■*■ O Lord, my God always, 
 Ev'n in the prefence of the gods 
 I will advance thy praife. 
 II. 
 Towards thy holy temple I 
 
 will look and worfliip thee, 
 And praifed in my thankful mouth 
 thy holy name fhall be. 
 III. 
 Ev'n for thy mercy and thy truth, 
 
 I will praife thee, O Lord, 
 For thou above all thy great name 
 haft magnify'd thy word. 
 IV. 
 Thou didft me anfwer in the day 
 
 when I to thee did cry, 
 And thou my fainting foul with flrength 
 didft ftrengthen inwardly. 
 
 Twenty* 
 
[ 35i ] 
 
 Twenty-firjl Sunday after Trinity, 
 
 Psalm CXXXVIII. 
 
 I. 
 >TpHE Lord is high, but yet he doth 
 
 the lowly man refpefl: : 
 The proud ke knows far off, and them 
 he doth with fcorn rejeft. 
 
 II. 
 
 Altho' in midfl of trouble I 
 
 do walk, yet fhall I fxand 
 Reviv'd by thee : For thou, O Lord ? 
 
 wilt ftretch out thy right hand 
 
 III. 
 Upon the wrath of all my foes : 
 
 And faved fhall I be 
 By thy right hand. The Lord God will 
 
 perfect his work on me. 
 IV. 
 Thy mercies laft for evermore, 
 
 thou wilt not me forfake : 
 Thou wilt not caft away the work 
 
 which thine own hands did make. 
 
 Q^ 3 Psalm 
 
[ & ] 
 
 Psalm CXLI. 
 
 This is a prayer for the acceptance of our perfons and 
 fervices ; we and they are well pleafing unto the Fa- 
 ther in the beloved. Through his intercefTion our 
 prayers are graciouily heard, and feafonably anfvvered. 
 He is the great angel of the covenant, who has much 
 incenfe to offer with the prayers of the faints upon 
 
 - the golden altar, v. hich is before the throne. May 
 the holy Spirit enable us to prefent thefe our fervices 
 through him. Let us fi ng, and pray, and hear, 
 looking in all to Jefus.; and -hoping that he. is now 
 (landing in the prc&nceof God for us, let us rejoice 
 and be glad in our heavenly advocate. 
 
 I. 
 
 fX LORD, upon thee, do I call, 
 ^■^ then halt thee unto me, 
 And hearken thou unto my voice 
 
 when I do cry to thee. 
 II. 
 As incenfe let my pray'r come up 
 
 directed in thine eyes, 
 And the uplifting of mine hands 
 
 as th* ev'ning facrifice. 
 III. 
 For, O my Lord and God, mine eyes 
 
 do look up unto thee, 
 In thee is all my trull, my foul 
 
 fhall not forfaken be^ 
 
 IV. Thou 
 
E 353 I 
 
 IV. 
 
 Thou from the fnare wilt keep me fafe 
 
 which they for me prepare, 
 And from the dang'rous traps of them 
 
 who wicked workers are. 
 V. 
 The workers of iniquity 
 
 fhall in their own nets fall, 
 Whilft I do by thine help efcape 
 
 the danger of them all. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXLIfL 
 
 The perfon who fpeaks this pfalm is in the greateft dif- 
 trefs, but finds relief by meditation and prayer. He 
 carries his cafe to God, and leaves it with him. That 
 part of his prayer, which we now ufe is for fupport 
 under trials, and for fafe guidance through them by 
 the good Spirit of God There is no chriflian without 
 trials. No happy christian, but he who is kept un- 
 der them, as is here defcribed. May we ufe the 
 words as our own. We are commanded to afk, and 
 it is promifed we fhall have even grace fufncient for 
 us. The Lord help us to afk in faith nothing wa- 
 vering. 
 
 I. 
 
 E T me thy loving kindnefs in 
 T- 1 the morning hear and know. 
 For in thee is my truft, fhew me 
 the way that I flionld go. 
 
 Q4 II. For 
 
[ 354 ] 
 
 u. 
 For unto thee I lift my foul, 
 
 O Lord, deliver me 
 From all mine enemies, for I 
 
 for covert flee to thee. 
 III. 
 Becaufe thou art my God, thy will 
 
 to fulfill me inftruft, 
 Thy good Spirit fhall to the land 
 
 of uprightnefs conduct. 
 IV. 
 Thou wilt revive my foul, O Lord, 
 
 ev'n for thine own name's fake, 
 And thou wilt for thy nghteoufnefs 
 
 my foul from trouble take. 
 
 Twenty- 
 
[ 355 ] 
 
 Twenty -fecond Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm CXLV. 
 
 This pfalm and the five following are hymns of praife. 
 The greatnefs, juflice, goodnefs, wifdom, and mercy 
 of God in all his works and ways are here celebrated. 
 The firft verfe begins with the letter A, the fecond 
 with B, the third with G, and fo on through twenty 
 one letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Every verfe is 
 a ihort hymn. The holy Ghoft by the mouth of the 
 prophet ilirs up the hearts of believers to admire, to 
 adore, and to blefs the Lord for all his dealings with 
 them. He would have them to rejoice, yea to tri- 
 umph in the wonders, which he has done for them. 
 Here we want more humble and thankful hearts, that 
 we may iing better than we ever did the high praifes 
 of our God. The humbleft man will fing in the 
 highell key : Becaufe he will fee molt of God's infi- 
 nite love to him. May the holy Spirit abafe us in our 
 own eyes, and give us grace to glorify Immanuel by 
 finging the words, which he has put into our mouths " 
 this day. 
 
 L 
 
 f\ LORD, thou art my God 
 ^ Thee will I magnify and praife^ 
 I will thee blefs and gladly fing 
 Unto thy holy name always. 
 
 II. 
 From day to day I will thee blefs, 
 And praife thy name time without end. 
 Much to be prais'd, and great God is, 
 His greatnefs none can comprehend. 
 
 a 5 in. 
 
 and king^ 
 
 
[ 356 } 
 
 IIL 
 
 Age (hall thy works praife unto age^. 
 The mighty works fhew done by thee, 
 I will fpeak of the glorious grace 
 And honor of thy majefty : 
 
 IV. 
 Thy wondrous works I will record. 
 By men the might (hall be extoll'd 
 Of all thy fearful a£ts* O Lord, 
 And I thy greatnefs will unfold. 
 
 Psalm CXLV.. 
 
 I. 
 
 *TPHY kingdom, Lord, fhall never feftcfe, 
 "*" It doth thro 5 ages all remain ; 
 The Lord upholdcth all that fall, 
 The cad-down raifeth up again : 
 
 II. 
 The eyes of all things, Lord, attend^ 
 And on thee wait that here do live, 
 And thou in feafon due doft fend 
 Sufficient food them to relieve. 
 
 III. 
 Yea thou thy hand doft open wide 
 And ev'ry thing doft fatisfy 
 That lives, and does on earth abide 
 Of thy great liberality : 
 
 IV, The 
 
[ 357 ) 
 
 IV. 
 
 The Lord is juft in all his ways 
 And holy in his works each one : 
 He's near to all who on him call, 
 Who call in truth on him alone. 
 
 AFTERNOON, 
 Psalm CXLV. 
 
 t. 
 POD will accomplish the defire 
 ^^ of thofe who do him fear, 
 He alfo will deliver them 
 
 and he their cry will hear. 
 II. 
 The Lord preferves all who him love, 
 
 that nought can them annoy, 
 But he all thofe who wicked are 
 
 will utterly deftroy. 
 
 HI. 
 
 My thankful mouth (hall gladly fpeak 
 
 the praifes of the Lord : 
 All flclh to praife his holy name 
 
 for ever fhall- accord. 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghofty 
 
 the God whom we adore, - 
 
 Be glory as it was, is now, 
 
 and fhall be evermore. 
 
 Titfen#± 
 
[ 358 ] 
 
 'twenty -third Sunday after Trinity . 
 Psalm CXLVI. 
 
 This is a pfalm of praife. It begins and ends with 
 Hallelujah. Every word tends to lead us fo to truit 
 in God, as to find reafon to love him, and to praife 
 him. To this end we are required to put no truft in 
 any man or thing, which may draw away our hearts 
 from God, but in every difficulty to reft entirely 
 upon God as our loving Father in Jefus with perfect 
 confidence, and then we (hall always find in him 
 matter of praife. Several inftances are here given 
 of his faving his people in their greateft difirefTes : 
 From whence we are encouraged to depend upon his 
 all-fuffieiency, his truth, and his mercy, and we 
 fhall experience the fame falvatioa. O for a heart 
 to thank the Lord according to the fpirit of this 
 hymn. It calls for much thankfulnefs. May we 
 mix faith with it, and fing rejoicing: So that oar 
 God may be exalted, and our fouls comforted. 
 
 I. 
 
 pRAISE the Lord : Praife him, O my fou!, 
 * I'll praife God while I live, 
 While I have being, to my God 
 
 in pfalms I'll praifes give. 
 II. 
 Truft not in worldly princes then 
 
 tho' they abound in wealth, 
 Nor in the fons of mortal men 
 
 in whom there is no health* 
 
 in. For 
 
[ 359 } 
 
 in. 
 For when their breath from them departs 
 
 to earth anon they fall, 
 And then the counfels of their hearts 
 
 decay and perifh alL 
 
 Psalm CXLVL 
 
 L 
 
 r\ HAPPY is that man and bled 
 ^ whom Jacob's God doth aid, 
 Whofehope upon the Lord doth reft 
 
 and on his God is ftay'd. 
 2L 
 Who made the earth and higheft heav'ns* 
 
 who made the fwelling deep ; 
 And all that is. within the fame, 
 
 who truth doth ever keep. 
 III. 
 Who righteous judgment executes 
 
 for thofe opprelt that be, 
 Who to the hungry giveth food,, 
 
 God fets the prisoners free. 
 IV. 
 The Lord fhall reign for evermore,, 
 
 thy God, O Sion, he 
 Shall reign from age to age alone i 
 
 praife to the Lord give ye. 
 
 AFTER- 
 
[ 36o ] 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 Psalm CXLVII. 
 
 Here the pfalmift ftill fings the praifes of God for his 
 great love to, and care over his church. He is very 
 particular in his defcription, letting forth the per- 
 fections of God, which are difplayed in all his deal- 
 ings with his people. May his Spirit teach us the 
 true fenfe of this hymn, and if he enable us to fee 
 all the bleflings here mentioned our own, then we 
 (hall fmg it with grateful hearts unto the praife cf 
 our God. 
 
 h 
 
 ¥}RAISE ye the Lord, for it is good 
 "* unto our God to fing, 
 For it is pleafant, and to praife 
 
 is a rnoft comely thing. 
 II. 
 The Lord his own Jerufalem 
 
 he buildeth up alone, 
 And the difpers'd of Ifrael 
 
 doth gather into one. 
 III. 
 He heals the broken in their heart, 
 
 their wounds up doth he bind, 
 He counts the number of the ftars 3 
 
 and names them in their kind. 
 IV. 
 In all of them who do him fear 
 
 the Lord doth pleafure take, 
 In thofe that to his mercy do 
 
 by hope themfelves betake, 
 
 fvbentyi 
 
I 361 T 
 
 twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity* 
 
 Psalm CXLVIL 
 
 PRAISE the Lord, je.rufalem 
 thy God,. O Sion, praife, 
 For he the bars hath forged ftrong, 
 wherewith thy gates he itays. 
 If. 
 Thy children in thee he hath bleft 5 
 
 and in thy borders he 
 Doth fettle peace, and with the flour 
 of nneft wheat fills thee. 
 KI. 
 The doftrine of fife holy word 
 
 to Jacob he doth fhow, 
 His ftatutes and his judgments he 
 gives Ifrael to know. 
 
 IV. 
 With any nation he hath not 
 
 fo dealt, nor have they known 
 His holy judgments, therefore praife^ 
 
 praife ye the Lord alone.. 
 
 ■P'S A L &• 
 
[ 3^2 ] 
 Psalm CXLVIII. 
 
 This is a fong of praife. A hallelujah pfalm — much the 
 fame as the laft — only the chorus is fuller: In it may 
 we all bear a part. The prophet would have the 
 univerfe to join in thankfgiving to our incarnate 
 God. Fie calls upon the angels, and the heavenly 
 holl, then upon fun, moon, and ftars, upon every 
 animate and inanimate being, and then fills up the 
 concert with the fons of men of every age, con- 
 dition, and fex, requefting them to celebrate the 
 praifes of our Lord and king. May all this congre- 
 gation now make melody in their hearts unto the 
 Lord. May we fing to day in fome meafure as we 
 hope to fing our everlafling hymn. 
 
 T. 
 /"MVE laud unto the Lord 
 V From heav'n that is fo high, 
 Praife him in deed and word 
 Above the ftarry fky, 
 
 And alfo ye 
 
 His angels all 
 
 Armies royal, 
 
 Praife joyfully, 
 
 H. 
 Praife him both fun and moon* 
 which are fo clear and bright, 
 The fame of you be done 
 ye glittring liars of light y 
 
 And you no lefs 
 
 ye heav'ns mod fair, 
 
 Clouds of the air 
 
 his laud exprefs. 
 
 HI. Fat 
 
[ 3^3 J 
 
 iir. 
 For at his word they were 
 all formed as we fee, 
 At his voice did appear 
 all things in their degree, 
 
 And all fhall laft 
 
 from changes free ; 
 
 His firm decree 
 
 ftands ever faft. 
 IV. 
 Extoll and praife God's name, 
 on earth ye dragons fell, 
 All deeps do ye the fame, 
 for it becomes ye well : 
 
 The fame do ye 
 
 fire, hail, ice, fnow, 
 
 And ilorms that blow 
 
 at his decree. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Psalm CXLVIII. 
 
 ^pHE hills and mountains all, 
 A and trees that fruitful are, 
 The cedars great and tall, 
 his worthy praife declare •> 
 Beafts and cattle, 
 yea birds of wing, 
 And worms creeping, 
 that on earth dwell. 
 
 II. All 
 
[ 364 I 
 
 II. 
 
 All kings both great and finally 
 with all their pompous train, 
 Princes and judges all, 
 that in the world remain, 
 
 Exalt his name 
 
 young men and maids,, 
 
 Old men and babes 
 
 do ye the fame. 
 
 iir. 
 For his name fhall we prove 
 to be moft excellent ; 
 Whofe praife is far above 
 the earth and firmament, 
 
 For fure he fhall 
 
 exalt with blifs 
 
 The horn of his 
 
 and help them all. 
 IV. 
 His faints all fhall forth tell, 
 his praife and worthinefs, 
 The fons of Ifrael 
 
 his worthy name fhall blefs, 
 
 O therefore raife 
 
 your grateful voice, 
 
 And ftlll rejoice 
 
 the Lord to praife. 
 
 Twenty- 
 
[ 3^5 ] 
 
 Twentyfifth Sunday after Trinity. 
 Psalm CXLIX. 
 
 Several of the pfalms before this have treated of the 
 praifes of God. In the church's triumph of praife 
 this pfalm follows the reft in order, as completing 
 the fubject: For here we have the ^reat victory of 
 the church over all her enemi *s celebrated, which is 
 begun here by faith, and w ;i i be completed when 
 the faints (hall judge the world, Then tbev (hall be 
 one with their glorified head To** ever, and tfidr cms 
 pfalm (hall have its eternal accompli in raeift. They 
 fhall triumph in their king Fmrnanud, and through 
 him in his Father and their Fa; her by the grace of 
 the holy Spirit. There is nothing contrary to this, 
 except what is faid of their rejoicing in *beir beds, 
 which is literally tranflated, when they rife from their 
 beds, viz. now from' lying afleep in the grave of fin, and 
 hereafter from lying afleep in the grave of death, 
 All the church has its (hare in the firft refurredlion^ 
 *&nd every member of it may fingthis fong with glad- 
 nefs of heart, expecting the blerfings of the fecond 
 refurrection. Bleffed be the fovereign grace which 
 awakens the dead afieep in fin. O what praifes are 
 due for this miracle of love. And what a moft happy 
 profpect does it open to us of endlefs praife. May 
 we fmg with this faith, and with a'hope full of glory 
 and immortality. 
 
 L 
 TDRAISE ye the Lord \ unto him fing 
 A a new fong, and his praife 
 In the affembly of his faints, 
 in fweet pfalms do ye raife. 
 
 II. Let 
 
[ 366 ] 
 
 II. 
 
 Let Ifr'el in his creators 
 
 rejoice, and praifes fing : 
 Let all who Sion's children are 
 
 be joyful in their king. 
 III. 
 Let them found praife with inftruments 
 
 unto his holy name, 
 And with their choic^ft melody 
 
 fing praifes to the fame: 
 IV. 
 For God doth pleafure take in thofe 
 
 who his own people be, 
 And he with his great falvation 
 
 the meek will beautify. 
 
 A 
 
 Psalm CXLIX. 
 
 I. 
 
 ND in his glory excellent 
 let all his faints rejoice, 
 Let them when they rife from their graves 
 aloud lift up their voice. 
 U. 
 And in their mouth let them exalt 
 
 the high praife of the Lord, 
 And let them have in their right hand 
 the Spirit's two edg'd fword, 
 
 III. To 
 
[ 367 ] 
 
 III. 
 
 To execute the vengeance due 
 
 upon the heathen all, 
 And make deferved punifliment 
 
 upon the people fall : 
 IV. 
 And ev'n with chains, as prisoners, bind 
 
 their kings that them command, 
 Yea, and with iron fetters ftrong 
 
 the nobles of the land -, 
 V. 
 On them the judgment to perform 
 
 found written in his word : 
 This honor is to all his faints ; 
 
 O therefore praife the Lord. 
 
 AFTERNOON, 
 Psalm CL. 
 
 The prophet here continues the fubjeft of praife. It is 
 his concluding hymn, and he finifhes with calling for 
 more praife to God. He repeats his calls no lefs 
 than thirteen times in thefe few verfes. Let us praife 
 ever fo often, evei fo well, he would have us to try to 
 do it more, and to do it better : And (till though we 
 have failed (and we fhall fail for ever) yet to take up 
 frefli praiies in our mouths, never wearied of this 
 bleiled employment upon earth : for it will be our 
 holy employment and fweeteft happinefs in hea- 
 ven. Though we have gone through the pfalms and 
 are finilhing to day, yet the prophet would have us 
 to pray for an higher note of praife than we ever 
 fang in. O may we have fome of their Spirit, 
 
 among 
 
[ 368 ] 
 
 among whom not only every thing that breathes, b«t 
 alfo every breath praifeth the Lord. May God 
 the holy Ghoil fill our hearts with gratitude, and help 
 us to fing with heavenly joy and gladnefs unto the 
 Lord our God. 
 
 r. 
 TDRAISE ye the Lord : Gods praife within 
 * His fanftuary fee ye raife, 
 And to him in the firmament 
 Of his great pow'r afcribe ye praife, 
 
 JL 
 Becaufe of all his mighty a£ls 
 "With praife try him to magnify: 
 O praife him according as he 
 Excells in glorious majefty. 
 
 III. 
 Let all who vital breath enjoy, 
 The breath he does to them afford, 
 In juft returns of praife employ : 
 Let ev'ry creature praife the Lord. 
 
 IV. 
 To Father, Son, and holy Ghoft, 
 The God whom earth, and heav'n adore, 
 Be glory as it was of old, 
 Is now, and lhall be evermore. 
 
 FINIS