THE PSALMS OF DAVID. Translated from the Vulgat. M.DCC PREFACE. IT would be superfluous to say any thing in commendation of the Psalms of David; every body knows in what veneration they have been with the whole Church of God in all times and places. Most of the holy fathers observe, that they alone contain the whole substance of the old Testament; for all that Moses delivers by way of history, or by way of precept; and all that the rest of the Prophets have writ to exhort to virtue, and to deter from vices or to prophecy things to come, is to be found in the Psalms succinctly & distinctly set forth: And this, I may say, is not only the sense of all the holy Fathers in general, but even of Jesus Christ himself, and of his Apostles, who upon all occasions of establishing their Doctrine, And proving him to be the Messiah, most usually cite texts out of the Psalms S. Basil says They are a perfect sum of all Theology, S. Bas. Praem. in Psal. To. 1. They prophe●y things to come, They are a history of things past; They prescribe rules how ●e wought to live, and how we are to be saved: Much more to the same purpose is said by that holy Father. S. Austin tells us that David was inspired by the holy Ghost to teach all the faithful the language they are to use in addressing themselves to God: They are to pray as he prays, S. Aug. in Psal. 30. to grieve as he grieves, to rejoice as he rejoiceth, to hope as he hopes, to fear as he fears, etc. All the rest of the holy Doctors and Fathers are full of such expressions as these, concerning the Psalms: For which reason it is, that the Church of God in all ages has made the Psalms to be the principal part of Christian devotion, by making daily use of them in the public liturgies, and by obliging all ecclesiastics to recite them all over once every week, and also by recommending them to the faithful in general for their private devotions. The more generally they are used the more necessary it seems to be that they should be well understood; since light in the understanding contributes much to fervour in the heart and in the will, wherefore the labour (God's grace assisting thereunto) may prove not unprofitable which hath been employed in this present Translation of the Psalms out of the vulgate, to render them as clear and intelligible in our language, as the letter of the Text will permit: for in every Translation of scripture there is an obligation of sticking close to the Letter when ever it can be done without losing the sense of the Text; But so it is that in some places the Latin Text of the Psalms rigouroutly translated word by word would yield a scarce untelligible sense in the language, into which it is translated; and where that happens, it seems reasonable that such a latitude and liberty should be allowed, as is necessary to make the sense of the Text, as it is generally understood by the most approved Authors, intelligible to the Reader, espicially in a Translation intended only for the private devotions of Lay persons. This Translater thought he could not choose a better guide to direct him in giving such passages their due sense, than the learned Card. Bellarmin in his excellent Treatise upon the Psalms; And that he has accordingly followed his Guide, may be seen by any who will take the pains to compare one with the other. I may also add that this work has been revised and corrected by some persons who are the most proper judges of such writings; yet still it may very well be, that the faults were too many to be all of them spied and amended: however if the defects which still remain may prove a motive to some abler hand to undertake the work, and translate the Psalms in a more exact & perfect manner, this Translater will think himself verz happy, and his pains well bestowed. A TABLE OF THE PSALMS. Reduced under several heads, according to the different matters principally contained in each of them; that so they may be more useful for the private devotion of every Christian, as his occasions shall require. PSALMS HISTORICAL. OF the creation of the world. Of the actions of the Patriarches. The captivity in Egypt. The passage of the children of Israel through the red sea. Their peregrination in the desert; and their entrantrance into the land of promise. Ps. 8. 77. 103. 104. 105. 113. 134. PSALMS PROPHETICAL. Of Christ's first coming, & his spiritual Kingdom. Ps. 2. 44. 71. 84. 88 92. 109. Of his passion and death. Ps. 21. 40. 108. Of his resurrection and Ascension. Ps. 15. 17. 23. 67. 96. Of the conversion of Nations and establishment of the Church. Ps. 28. 46. 47. 64. 66. 67. 75. 86. 110. 146. PSALMS OF INSTTUCTION. For all the faithful in general. Ps. 1. 14. 36. 77. 100 118. For Kings and judges in particular. 74. 81. 10. PSALMS. Of thanksgiving to God for his benefits. Ps. 9 17. 29. 33. 88 115. 117. 143. Of praising him for all his works and mercies. Ps. 8. 65. 74. 91. 102. 144. 145. Of raising up our hearts to God. Ps. 41. 83. 94. 118. 136. Of comfort. Ps. 24. 36. 65. Of God's protection of the just. Ps. 30. 62. 63. 120. 124. PSALMS. In time of affliction and persecution. Ps. 7. 11. 12. 16. 24. 43. 53. 56. 59 68 76. 79. 85. 87. 139. 141. To appease God's anger. Ps. 6. 37. 73. 76. 40. To deplore the sufferings of the Church. Ps. 78. 79. 82. To implore the mercy of God. Ps. 25. 27. 38. 69. 76. 85. 142. Against preferring creatures to God the Creator. Ps. 48. 51. 54. 55. 113. Against calumnies. Ps. 25. 30. 34. 51. Against being scandalised at the prosperity of the wicked. Ps. 72. A Psalm of resignation to the will of God Ps. 61. The seven Penitential Psalms. 6. 31. 37. 50. 101. 129. 142. APPROBATIO. OMNIS scriptura divinitus inspirata utilis est ad docendum, ad Tim. 2. c. 3. n. 16. si qua tamen sacrarum paginarum pars prae caeteris utilior dici queat, hoc Psalmorum libri singulare privilegium videtur: quaecunque enim utilia sunt, inquit sanctus Basilius, ex omnibus continet. Cum historicis gesta praeterita narrat, Praefafatime in Psalmis ex interpretatione Rufini. cum prophetis futura predicit; cum Ecclesiaste concionatur, cum Evangelistis profundissima fidei arcana revelat & exponit; nulla est virtus ad quam non hortatur, nullum vitium a quo non deterret, verbisque ignitis legentium corda divina amoris flammâ passim accendit: nulla est aetas quam non dirigit, nullus status quem non suffulcit, incipientibus, ut docet idem S. Basil. primum efficitur elementum, proficientibus incrementum, perfectis stabile firmamentum, totius Ecclesiae vox una. ut ergo tam sancta documenta, tamque divina praesidia, veluti nocturna, & diuturna magisteria, ut Psalmi à S. Amb. appèllantur, Praefac. in Psal. fideles semper prae manibus haberent: hunc librum ab initio christiani nominis prae caeteris elegit Ecclesia, quo inter orandum, & in publicis, & privatis oratoriis, ejus ministri uterentur; hac disciplinâ, Davidis Psalmos proponit sancta mater, tanquam praestantissimam orandi formam, omnibus aliis anteponendam, ideoque a fidelibus eosdem quotidie evolvi & recitari exoptat. Hinc praecipui Ecclesiae Doctores, tam Graeci quàm Latini, plus in Psalmorum, quam in cujuscumque scripturae sacrae libri expositione, elaborarunt. S. Hieronimus bis latinum textum, suo tempore usitatum, juxta septuaginta versionem emendavit, & tandem rogante sophronio, Psalterium integrum ex fonte hebraeo latinitate donavit: S. S. Augustinus, Ambrose, Hilarius, ex graecis Origines, Basilius, integra volumina conscripserunt, ut caelestibus his thesauris, populum christianum ditarent; notatu vero dignum est, hoc iis temporibus praestitum, quando praecipuae orbis partes, non aliâ linguâ vernaculâ, praeter graecam & latinam utebantur. Ex tot tantisque S. S. PP. elucubrationibus, ad Psalmos Davidis elucidandos, docentur quotquot S. Ecclesiae Catholicae funt mumbra, quanti rei christianae interesse, hi Sancti viri existimarunt, ut populus sidelis haec sacra canticâ, non solum evolve●ent & legerent, in linguâ tunc omnibus notâ, sed ut legerent & psallerent sapienter, ut ipsemet Regius Psal●es monet, hoc est intelligenter, juxta septuaginta versionem; eo nimirum fine, ut mens simul & spritus secundum Apostoli monitum, 1. Cor. 14. 14. fructum percipiant. Merito ergo laudandus hujus versionis autor, qui nostratium utilitati consulens, hanc novam translationem juxta vulgatam latinam, Anglico idiomate adornavit. Prodiit, centum fere ab hinc annis, cum reliquis Sacrorum Bibliorum partibus, Psalmorum Editio Anglicana, à quibusdam viris admodum doctis, tunc temporis Duaci commorantibus, elaborata; at progressu temporis, communi omnium linguarum vulgarium fato, evenit, praedictam versionem, ob verba obsoleta quibus scatet, ob traductionem, de verbo poenè ad verbum, ex Latino textu vulga●o, iisque temporibus forsan necessariam, adeò perplexam tandem evasisse, ut hodie, propter obscuritatem parvo cum fructu, & propter phrases jam inusitatas magno cum tedio legatur. Hac versione publici juris factâ, non est quod ulterius haec causentur fideles; styli enim elegantia gravitati verbo divino dignae cunjuncta, severiores inter criticos ad legendum alliciet; sensusque claritas, quantum fert rerum obscurissimarum, tantorumque mysteriorum Majestas, vulgi captui videtur accommodata, hujus ergo nobilissimi autoris singularis laus est, ut quamvis claritati studuisse praecipuè videatur, leges tamen transferenti praescriptas non neglexit; fate or enim post acuratum examen, non tantum legendo & relegendo hanc versionem, eandemque cum aliis quam plurimis conferendo, me vix ullam invenisse, quae literae magis religiose adhaereat, & simul locorum tot difficillimorum sensum, minus involutum exhibeat: proinde nostratibus, doctis quam indoctis, opus pergratum, & utilissimum fore, ideoque luce publicâ dignissimum, judico. Datum in palatio Regio Sancti Germani die quinto Martii 1700. JOANNES BETHAM S. Th. Doctor Parisiensis & Serenissimi Principis walliae Praeceptor. ALTERA APPROBATIO. MEritò olim optabat Hieronimus ut Psalterium ad verbum discatur. Haec enim est perfecta quaedam Theologia, ut ait Basilius, seu omnium scripturarum epitome, & vera illa scientia sanctorum quam Ecclesia Christi ab infantia didicit, & tot saeculorum usu ac studio consecravit. Quae autem conditio, quis rerum humanarum status, quem Psalmista non instruat aut arguat? peccantibus praedicat poenitentiam, poenitentibus fervorem, ferventibus autem majorem adhuc charitatem, ac meliora charismata proponit. In prosperis rebus moderationem, in adversis docet patientiam. Cùm afflictis & lugentibus verè luget, cùm gaudentibus gaudet cùm infirmis infirmatur, cùm perfectis loquitur sapientiam. Hanc igitur Psalmorum versionem nostro idiomate adornatam, omnium votis diu expectatam, post varias catigationes summo Authoris studio emendatam laeti accipimus & approbamus. Nihil in ea sacris scripturarum interpretibus dissonum, nihil quòd pietatem non nutriat & confirmet esse judic●. Ita litterae inhaeret Autor, ut a sensu non deviet. Et si a rigore illo judaico aliquantisper recedat, id Linguae Anglicanae phrasis, aut textus obscuritas plerumque postulat. Det Deus legentibus cor docile, & spiritum intelligentiae, ut quae legunt intelligant; quae intelligunt vita & moribus exprimantur. Datum in palatio Regio Sancti Germani die quinto Martii. 1700. JOANNES INGLETON S. T. Doctor Parisiensis, & Serenissimi Principis walliae Subpraeceptor. Praecedentium Approbationum verificatio. FIdem facimus hanc Approbationem S. M. N. Joannis Betham Doctoris Parisiensis manu esse obsignatam, ipsumque eum esse cui prosua summa pietate parique in sacris litteris peritia non possit non haberi fides cum de Libri Doctr nam Christianam spectantibus testimonium fert. Nihil amplius de hac Psal●erii in Linguam Anglicam versione, potui testari, cum linguam non calleam; ille Anglus Serenissimi walliae principis Praeceptor Doctrissimus eam legit cujus testimonio Tuto potest quisque credere etiam si novum alterum S. M. N. Ingleton Subpraeceptoris & S. M. N. Doctoris Parisiensis quod & legimus non accederet. In Sorbona die Martii 26. 1700. PIROT. THE PSALMS OF DAVID, Translated from the Vulgat. PSALM I. Beatus vir qui non abiit. This Psalm has no title in the original, it shows that the good and the pious are the only happy, And on the contrary, that sinners, and the Impious, are miserable and wretched. The greatest part of the Interpreters believe David to be the Author. 1 BLESSED is the man who has not walked in the Counsel of the Impious, Psalm. 1. Nor has stood in the Way of sinners, Nor has sat down in the chair of * Heb. deriders of Gods la. Infection. 2 But his delight is in the law of God, And he meditates on it day and night. 3 And he shall be like the tree planted upon the banks of a running stream, That will not fail to bear fruit in the season. 4 His leaf shall not fall; And all that he does shall prosper. 5 Not so, not so shall it be with the wicked, For they shall be like the dust driven by the wind from the face of the earth. 6. Therefore the wicked shall not rise in the Judgement, Nor sinners in the Council of the Just. 7 For our Lord knows and approuves the way of the Just, But the way of the Impious will end in destruction. PSALM II. Quare fremuerunt. This Psalm though without a Title as the former, has David for the Author, and is cited as his Act. 4. v. 5. where it is applied to Christ and the Church. So likewise S. Paul applies those words, Thou art my son, I this day have begot the, to Christ, Heb. 1. v. 5. and the jews themselves think this Psalm. relat●s to their Messiah. Certain it is that under the figure of David and his Reign, Christ and his Kingdom are represented, the firmness of his Empire and of his Church are described, together with the vain conspiracies of men against it. All Kings and Princes are invited to be obedient to it. 1 WHy are the Gentiles in a rage, Psalm. And the Nations in a vain conspiracy? 2 The Kings of the earth have stood up, And the Princes have assembled against our Lord, and against his Christ, saying. 3 Let us break their bonds, And let us throw of their yoke. 4 But he who dwells in the heavens, will laugh at them, And our Lord will turn them to derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his anger, And in his fury he will confound them. 6 But I am constituted by him King over Zion, his holy Mountain, To hold forth his Law. 7 Our Lord said to me, Thou art my son, I this day have begot thee. 8 Ask it of me and I will give thee the Nations for thy Inheritance, And the whole earth shall be in thy possession. 9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, Psalm. 2. And like a potter's Vessel thou shalt break them in pieces. 10 And now you Kings be wise, Learn well your duty, you that judge the earth. 11 Serve our Lord with fear, Rejoice and tremble before him. 12 Embrace discipline, Lest out Lord should be angry, and you perish by leaving the way of the Just. 13 When his Indignation shall break out on the sudden, Happy are they who confide in him. PSALM III. Domine quid multiplicati. This in the Title is called the Psalm of David when he fled from the face of Absalon his son, as it is related 2. Reg. 15. v. 14. he declares that he puts his hope only in God, and describes how powerful his assistance is, and on the contrary how vain the designs of the enemies are. 1 WHy o Lord! Psalm. 3. does the number increase of those who persecute me? Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many say to my soul, in vain she seeks for safety from her God. 3 But thou o Lord! art my protector and my glory, by thee my head has been raised. 4 I have cried out with a loud voice to our Lord, and he has heard me from his holy mountain. 5 I slept & took my rest, and have risen up again, because our Lord hath protected me. 6 I shall not fear those thousands of people that encompass me: rise up and save me O Lord, my God 7 For thou hast struck down all that oppose me without cause, thou hast broken the teeth of sinners. 8 There is no safety but from our Lord; by thee, my God thy people are blest. PSALM IU. Cum invocarem exaudivit. This Psalm is upon the same subject with the former, and seems to have been made much at the same time. David implores the help of God, exhorts the Princes that revolted, to desist from their rebellion, and to acknowledge him for King, as having been so constituted by God. 1 WHen I called upon him, Psalm. 4. the God of my justice did hear me, thou didst enlarge me when I was in distress. 2 Still have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. 3 Ye sons of men, how long will your hearts be stupid? Why do you love vanity, and seek after lies? 4 Know that our Lord has done wonderful things for his holy one; he will hear me when I cry out to him. 5 Be angry, and sin not: what you have said in your hearts repent upon your beds. 6 Offer a sacrifice of justice, and put your confidence in our Lord; many say, who will show us good things? 7 The light of thy countenance, o Lord! is printed on us, thou hast poured joy into my heart. 8 They by their plenty of wheat, of wine, & of oil, increase and grow rich. 9 I at the same time in peace will sleep, and be at rest. 10 Because thou, o Lord! in a singular manner hast strengthened me with hope. PSALM V. Verba mea auribus. This Psalm shows to have been made by David when he was set upon, by the wicked. He begs of God to hear his prayers; he imprecates the Impious, wishing them deserved punishments, and comforts the pious and the just with the hope of reward. 1 GIve ear o Lord! to my words; Psalm. 5. understand my cry! 2 Be attentive to the voice of my prayer, my King, and my God. For to thee I will pray; early in the morning, o Lord! thou shalt hear my voice. 4 Early will I stand before thee; and I shall know that thou art not a God that loveth iniquity. 5 Nor shall the wicked dwell near thee; nor the unjust remain in thy sight. 6 Thou hatest all doers of injustice, thou wilt destroy all that speak lies. 7 The bloody and the deceitful man our Lord will abominate; but I, through the abundance of thy mercy. 8 Will enter into thy house; I will adore in thy holy Temple with fear and reverence. 9 Conduct me, o Lord! in the way of thy justice; look after me, and direct my ways in regard of my enemies. 10 Because there is no truth in their mouth; vain and hollow is their heart. 11 Their throat is an open sepulchre, they have dealt deceitfully with their tongues; judge them, o God 12 Let them miscarry in their designs; according to the multitude of their iniquities, expel them, because they have provoked thee, o Lord! 13 And let all rejoice who hope in thee; for ever they will be filled with joy, and thou wilt dwell in them. 14 And all will have glory in thee who love thy name, for thou wilt bless the just one. 15 With thy mercy, o Lord! as with a shield, thou hast incompased us. PSALM VI. Domine ne in furore. In this Psalm David first sets forth the violence of his sickness. In the next place he begs God to free him from it, and lastly he describes the consternation of his Enemies upon his prayers being heard, and his health restored to him. 1 O Lord! Psalm. 6. rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy anger. 2 Have mercy on me, o Lord! because I am infirm, heal me, o Lord! for my bones are all in disorder. 3 My soul is extremely afflicted; but thou, o Lord! Say, how long. 4 Turn to me, o Lord! and rescue my soul; save me for thy mercy's sake. 5 For the dead have no remembrance of thee; and in hell who will praise thy holy name? 6 I am tired with sighing, every night, I will wash my bed, and water with my tears the place, where I lie. 7 My eye is wasted with grief; I have grown old, in the midst of all my enemies. 8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for our Lord has heard the voice of my tears. 9 Our Lord has heard my supplication, he has received my petition. 10 Let all my enemies blush and be confounded; quickly let them be driven back, and be covered with shame. PSALM VII. Domine Deus meus. This Psalm was made by David, as most interpreters believe, in the time of his persecution under Saul: It contains excellent instructions for repenting sinners. 1 O Lord, Psalm. 7. my God in thee have I hoped; save me from all that persecute me, and set me free. 2 Lest at any time the enemy, like a lion, should snatch my soul, when there is no body to rescue me, and save me. 3 O Lord, my God if I have done that thing, if there be any iniquity of which my hands are guilty. 4 If I have rendered evil for evil let me deservedly fall with disgrace under my enemies. 5 Let the adversary seek my life, & take it; let him tread it on the ground; let him lay my glory in the dust. 6 Rise up, o Lord! in thy anger; and be exalted in the borders of my enemies. 7 Rise up, o Lord my God in regard to the precept thou hast given, and all the people will come and assemble about thee. 8 For their sake, re-ascend on high; it is our Lord who judges the people. 9 Judge me, o Lord! according to my justice, and according to my innocence. 10 The malice of sinners, will at last have an end, and the just will be directed by thee, o God the searcher of hearts and reins. 11 Just is my assistance from our Lord, who saves the upright of heart. 12 God is a just judge, powerful and patiented, Will his anger always continue? 13 Unless you be converted, he will brandish his sword; he has bend and made ready his bow. 14 And prepared in it instruments of death; of fiery matter he hath made his arrows. 15 Behold! the sinner has hatched injustice, he conceived sorrow, and has brought forth iniquity. 16 He has opened and digged a pit; and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 17 His mischief will return upon his own head, and his iniquity will fall heavy upon him. 18 I will praise our Lord for his justice, and I will celebrate with Canticles the name of God, the most high. PSALM VIII. Domine Dominus noster. According to the opinion of the most learned interpreters, which the Scripture seems to confirm, this Psalm principally regards the person of jesus Christ risen from the dead, in whom God did manifest his greatest glory and power. Tho it may also be applied to other men. 1 O Lord, Psalm. 8. our Lord! how admirable is thy name over all the earth? 2 For thy magnificence is raised above the heavens. 3 Out of the mouths of infants & sucking babes thou hast accomplished praise, for the confusion of thy enemies; that thou mayst destroy the foe, and the revengeful man. 4 When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast created. 5 What is man, that thou shouldst be mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou shouldst visit him? 6 Thou hast made him but little inferior to the Angels; thou hast crowned him with glory and honour; and placed him over the works of thy hands. 7 Thou hast made subject to him and put under his feet every Creature, the sheep, the oxen, and all the beasts of the field. 8 The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that walk in the paths of the deep. 9 O Lord, our Lord! how admirable is thy name over all the earth? PSALM IX. Confitebor tibi Domine. This Psalm of David in the figurative sense relates to the Incarnation of the son of God, and to the Church planted by him upon earth. 1 I will praise thee, Psalm. 9 o Lord! with my whole heart, I will relate all the wonderful things thou hast done. 2 I will rejoice, and be overjoyed in thee; I will sing praises to thy holy name, o! the most high. 3 My enemy being driven back, They will sink and fall before thee. 4 For thou hast undertaken my cause, and judged it for me; Thou hast sat upon thy throne, thou who dost justly judge. 5 Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, And the wicked one is destroyed; Their name thou hast blotted out to all Eternity. 6 The weapons of the Enemy are disabled for ever, Thou hast razed their Cities. 7 They fell with noise, Their memory is extinguished, And our Lord remains for ever. 8 He hath prepared his Throne, on which he will give Judgement; And he himself will judge the whole earth with equity, And all Nations with justice. 9 Our Lord is become a Refuge to the poor, A helper in necessities, and in tribulation. 10 And let all hope in thee, who know thy name, Because o Lord! thou hast not forsaken those, who seek thee. 11 Sing praises to our Lord you, who dwell in Zion; Publish amongst the Nations the wisdom of his Counsels. 12 For he has remembered, and required the blood of the Just, And has not forgot the cry of the poor. 13 Have mercy on me, o Lord! See how low I have been brought by my enemies. 14 Thou, who hast raised me from the gates of death, That I might declare all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Zion. 15 I will rejoice in thy mercy, that has saved me; The Gentiles are stuck fast in the ditch they made for my destruction. 16 Their foot is caught in the snare they laid for me. 17 Our Lord will make himself known by his judgements; whilst the sinner remains caught by the work of his own hands. 18 Let the wicked be turned over into hell, And all the Nations that forget God. 19 For the poor will not always be forgotten by him, The patience of the distressed will at last be remembered. 20 Rise up, o Lord! Let not man prevail; Bring the Nations to judgement before thee. 21 Place over them a Legislator, to make them know they are but men. * Here ends this Psalm according to the Hebrew. 22 Why, o Lord! art thou retired so far from us? Dost thou despise us in the time of our tribulations? 23 Whilst the Impious swells with pride, the poor just man burns: They are deceived in their cogitations. 24 For the sinner is applauded in his ways, and in the desires of his heart, And the wicked man is well spoken of. 25 Because the sinner has exasperated our Lord, And in the severity of his anger, he looks not after him. 26 God is quite out of his sight; he always walks in the ways of iniquity. 27 Thy judgements are removed from before his eyes; he will have dominion over all his Enemies. 28 For he has said in his heart, I will stand firm from generation to generation, untouched by any evil. 29 His mouth is full of malediction, of bitterness, and of deceit; Labour and grief lurk under his tongue. 30 He sits plotting with the rich in private, how he may destroy the innocent. 31 He watcheth the poor with his eyes; he lies in ambush like a Lion in his den. 32 He lays snares, that he may catch the poor man, And carry him off, when he has drawn him in. 33 Then he will tumble him down in his net, he will stoop and fall upon him when he has him fast 34 For he has said in his heart, God minds nothing of this, he looks another way, will he ever take notice of it. 35 Rise up, o Lord God Lift up thy hand, and forget not the poor. 36 For why has the impious man provoked God? Is it not because he has said in his heart, God will not call me to account. 37 This thou seest, for thou dost consider the labour and grief of the Just, That the sinners may be delivered up to thy justice. 38 For the poor are left to thy care, Thou art the Guardian of the Orphan. 39 Break the arm of the sinner, and of the malicious man; his sin will be required, and will not be found. 40 Our Lord will reign from age to age for ever and ever, And you Gentiles shall be exterminate out of his land. 41 Our Lord has heard the desire of the poor, Thou hast been attentive to the preparation of their heart. 42 To do justice to the pupil and to the humble, That Man may no longer presume to magnify himself upon the earth. PSALM X. In Domino confido. This Psalm contains a Dialogue between David and those who counselled him, to save himself from the fury of Saul, by flying away. It is also proper for all those who are under oppression and put their confidence in God. 1 I Confide in our Lord; Psalm. 10. Why do you say to my soul, fly over to the mountains like a sparrow? 2 For behold, the sinners have bend their bows, They have their arrows ready in the quiver, That they may shoot in the dark, the upright of heart. 3 They have destroyed what thou hast made. But what has the just man done? 4 Our Lord is in his holy Temple, our Lord's Throne is in heaven. 5 His eyes look favourably upon the poor; His eyes examine the sons of men. 6 Our Lord examines both the just and the Injust; But he that loves iniquity hates his own soul. 7 He will rain down snares upon sinners, Fire and brimstone, and tempests will be the portion of their Cup. 8 For our Lord is just, and he loves justice; Equity is looked upon by him. PSALM XI. Salvum me fac Domine. In this Psalm the Author describes the corrupt manners of his age. He prays that God would purge the land of all wieked and proud men, And in the last place, he assures that the Impious shall perish, and the Justice shall be saved. 1 SAve me, Psalm. 11 o Lord! for there is scarce a holy one remaining, there is little truth to be found amongst the sons of men. 2 They speak vanities one to another, Their lips are deceitful, and they talk with a double heart. 3 May our Lord confound all deceitful lips, And every boasting tongue. 4 Who have said, our tongues shall magnify us, our lips are our own, And who is our Lord? 5 In consideration of the misery of the poor, And of the sighs of the distressed, Now I will rise up, saith our Lord. 6 I will provide for their safety, And I will do it effectually. 7 The words of our Lord are pure and sincere, Like silver tried by the fire, purged from all dross, and seven times refined. 8 Thou, o Lord! wilt preserve us, And protect us for ever from this depraved generation. 9 The wicked walk in a round. In thy deep wisdom thou hast multiplied the sons of men. PSALM XII. Usquequo Domine. David being in great straits first complains of his own misery, and the rejoicing of his enemies, Then he implores the assistance of God, which he hopes will suddenly be given him, and promises to make grateful acknowlegments for the mercy which he expects. The occasion of writing this Psalm, seems rather to be the persecution of Saul, than the rebellion of Absalon. 1 HOw long, Psalm. 12 o Lord! wilt thou forget me? Will it be for ever? How long wilt thou turn away thy face from me? 2 How long will my thoughts perplex my soul? And fill my heart the whole day with grief. 3 How long must my enemy be exalted over me? Look upon me, and heat me, o Lord, my God 4 enlighten mine eyes, that I may not sleep the sleep of death, Lest my enemy should say, I have prevailed against him. 5 They who persecute me, will triumph if I quit my ground; But I have confidence in thy mercy. 6 My heart will be ravished with joy, when I am saved by thee; In songs, I will praise our Lord for the good things he hath bestowed on me; In Hymns I will celebrate the name of our most high Lord. PSALM XIII. Dixit insipiens in cord. When ever this Psalm was writ, or whoever was the writer of it, about which Interpreters differ in their opinions, yet all agree that the spiritual deliverance from the Captivity of the Devil, which jesus Christ procured for mankind, is clearly figured in it. 1 THe fool said in his heart, Psalm. 13 There is no God. 2 They are corrupted, and become abominable in all their ways, There is none that does what is good, No not one. 3 Our Lord from heaven has looked down upon the sons of men, That he might see if any were to be found that had understanding, or sought God. 4 They all have gone out of the way, They all are become unprofitable; There is not any that does good, No not one. 5 Their throat is an open sepulchre, They have dealt deceitfully with their tongues; The poison of aspics lies under their lips. 6 Their mouth is full of malediction and bitterness, Their feet swift towards the shedding of blood. 7 In their ways there is affliction and desolation; They know not the way of peace, The fear of our Lord is not before their eyes. 8 Will they not one day know me? They who work iniquity, and devour my people, like a morcel of bread? 9 They have not called upon our Lord; There they trembled with fear, where there was no reason to fear. 10 For our Lord sides with the generation of the Just; But you have put shame on the counsel of the poor, because they put their confidence in our Lord. 11 Who is he that out of Zion will bring salvation to Israel? When our Lord shall put an end to the Captivity of his people, Jacob will rejoice, And Israel will be overjoyed. PSALM XIV. Domine quis habitabit. This Psalm according to the opinion of many Interpreters was made by David about the time that he placed the Ark upon Mount Zion. In the literal it has reference to the City of jerusalem, And in the spiritual sense to the heavenly jerusalem, whither none but the Justice must pretend te come. 1 LOrd! Psalm. 14 who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle? Or who shall rest in thy holy mountain? 2 He whose ways are without blemish, And who acts according to Justice. 3 Who speaks truth from his heart, And in whose tongue there is no deceit. 4 Who has not injured his neighbour, Nor harkened to reproaches against him. 5 He looks with contempt on the man that is wicked, But he honours those who fear our Lord. 6 He never deceives when he swears to his neighbour, not puts out his money to usury, nor receives bribes to oppress the innocent. 7 He that acts so, shall be established for ever. PSALM XV. Conserva me Domine. This Psalm of David is full of mystery and prophecy, and under the literal sense, applicable to David's own person jesus Christ was principally intended by it. So that our saviour, the son of David, seems to speak in it, and declare that God his father by his omnipotent power will raise him from the dead. 1 PReserve me, Psalm. 15 o Lord! because I have hoped in thee; I have said to our Lord, thou art my God, for thou hast no need of any thing that is mine. 2 To the saints that are in his land, he has wonderfully made appear all my good intentions towards them. 3 Their infirmities increased upon them, and then they made haste. 4. I will not call together their conventicles, where blood is offered, nor shall my lips so much as name them, 5 My share of inheritance is our Lord; he is the portion of my cup; 'tis thou o Lord! that wilt restore my inheritance to me. 6 The lines have measured it to me in the richest soil, and I have an excellent inheritance. 7 I will bless our Lord, who has given me understanding, and that even at night my reins reprove, and instruct me. 8 I have always had our Lord present before me, he is still on my right hand to make me stand firm. 9 'Tis for this that my heart is glad, that my tongue expresseth joy, and also that my flesh will rest in hope. 10 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. 11 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou wilt fill me with joy in beholding thy countenance; endless delights are on thy right hand. PSALM XVI. Exaudi Domine justitiam. David relying upon his innocence earnestly asks from God his peculiar assistance against his enemies. 1 ATtend, Psalm. 16 o Lord! to the justice of my cause; harken to my petition. 2 Give ear to my prayer, that comes not from deceitful lips. 3 Be thou thyself my judge, let thine eyes behold the equity of my cause. 4 Thou hast examined my heart, and searched it by night; thou hast tried me by fire, and there has been no iniquity found in me. 5 That my mouth might not speak according to the works of men; I have in obedience to the words of thy lips, kept myself in hard and painful ways. 6 Make firm my steps in thy paths, that I may never tread out of the way. 7 I have cried out to thee, because thou, my God art accustomed to hear me; incline thine ear towards me, and hearken to what I say. 8 Make thy mercies to be admired, thou who savest those who hope in thee. 9 From all that resist thy right hand, preserve me, o Lord! as the apple of thine eye. 10 Protect me under the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked who persecute me. 11 My enemies have besieged my soul, their bowels are closed up with fat; they talk with insolence and pride. 12 After having cast me off, they now besiege me; they have fastened their eyes upon the ground. 13 They lie in wait for me, as a lion for his prey, or the lion's whelp lurking in his covert. 14 Rise up, o Lord! prevent him, and defeat him; rescue my soul from the wicked one; wrist thy sword out of their hands who are enemies to thy power. 15 O Lord! separate them in their life time from the small number of those, who are thine upon the earth: their belly is filled with the things hidden in thy treasures. 16 They have abundance of children, and what remains of their goods, they leave to their little ones. 17 But I with justice will appear before thee; I shall be satiated when thy glory does appear. PSALM XVII. Diligam te Domine. The title of this Psalm denotes the occusion in which it was made. viz when God had delivered David from the hands of Saul. But though it agrees according to the historic and literal sense wi●h David, yet it may very well be applied to jesus Christ himself, as S. Paul does the last vers● of it. 1 I will love thee, Psalm. 17 o Lord who art my strength; our Lord is my support, my refuge; and my deliverer. 2 He is my God, and my upholder, and I will hope in him. 3 He is my protector, and the strength of my safety; he is my defender. 4 With praises I will call upon him, and I shall be safe from my enemies. 5 I have been surrounded with the sorrows of death, and torrents of iniquity have filled me with trouble. 6 The griefs of hell have encompassed me, and the snares of death have been laid for me. 7 But in my tribulation I have called upon our Lord, I have cried out to my God. 8 And he has heard my voice from his holy Temple, and my loud cries in his presence have penetrated his ears. 9 The earth was moved, and trembled, the foundations of the mountains were stirred and shaken by reason of his anger. 10 His indignation raised up a smoke, fire broke out from his countenance, and coals were kindled thereby. 11 He bowed the heavens and came down, and a thick cloud was under his feet. 12 He mounted upon a Cherubin, and has taken his flight, he has flown upon the wings of the wind. 13 He has covered himself with darkness, he has enclosed himself in a tent of black & watery clouds. 14 At the brightness of his presence the clouds broke in sunder; hailstons and burning coals fell down. 15 And our Lord thundered from heaven, the most high made his voice heard, hailstons and burning coals fell down. 16 He has thrown his darts, and scattered them; he has redoubled his lightning, and struck them with terror. 17 The sources of waters have been laid bare, and the foundations of the earth have been uncovered. 18 By the loudness of thy threaten, o Lord! and by the breath of thy anger. 19 He has sent from above, and has taken me into his protection; from a deluge of water he has drawn me out. 20 He has rescued me our of the hands of my powerful enemies, and of those who hated me; for they were become too mighty for me. 21 They first set upon me in the day of my affliction, but our Lord became my protector. 22 He has set me at liberty; he has saved me because he loved me. 23 Our Lord will render to me according to my justice, and according to the cleanness of my hands. 24 Because I have kept the ways of our Lord, and have not been guilty of impiety towards my God. 25 For all his judgements are before my eyes, and I have not rejected his just laws. 26 And I will keep myself unspotted before him, and will watch myself lest I fall into iniquity. 27 Our Lord will render to me according to my justice, and will recompense me according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 28 * Heb. with the merciful thou wilt be merciful. With the holy thou wilt be holy, and with the innocent man thou wilt be innocent. 29 * Heb. and with the sincere thou wilt be sincere. And with the elect thou wilt be elect; and with the pervers thou wilt * Heb. wrestle. be perverted. 30 For thou wilt save the people that are humble, and thou wilt humble the eyes of the proud. 31 'Tis rhou, o Lord! that dost light my lamp; my God illuminat my darkness. 23 By thee I shall be delivered from temptation, and in the strength of my God I will make my way over the wall. 33 The ways of my God are clean without spot; the words of our Lord are tried as it were by fire; he is the protector of all that hope in him. 34 For who is God but our Lord? or what God is there but our God: 35 The God who has begirt me with fortitude, and made my ways to be free from blemish. 36 Who has bestowed on my feet the swiftness of stags, and has seated me on high places. 37 Who hath taught my hands to fight in battle, and has made my arms like a bow of brass. 38 And thou hast given me, o Lord! thy protection for my security, and thy right hand has held me up. 39 Thy discipline has thoroughly amended me, and by that I will always be instructed. 40 Thou hast widened my steps under me, and hast made my feet to tread firm. 41 I will pursue my enemies, and catch them, and will not go back till they are defeated. 42 I will break them, nor shall they stand before me, they shall fall under my feet. 43 For thou hast given me strength, and enabled me for war, and has brought under me all those that risen up against me. 44 Thou hast made my enemies turn their backs to me, and all that hate me thou hast destroyed. 45 They cried out for help, but there was none to save them, to our Lord they cried, but he did not hear them. 46 And I will bruise them as small as dust before the wind, and like dirt in the streets they shall be cast out. 47 Thou wilt deliver me from the contradictions of the people, thou wilt establish me chief over nations. 48 A people whom I did not know have served me, as soon as they heard of me they obeyed me. 49 The degenerate have been false to me, the degenerate children are grown rotten; they have halted, and are gone out of the way. 50 Our Lord liveth, and blessed be my God; let the God of my safety be exalted above all things. 51 Thou, who hast revenged my cause and subdued nations under me, thou who hast delivered me from all my enraged enemies. 52 Thou wilt likewise raise me above those who rise up against me, from the injust men thou wilt rescue me. 53 Therefore, o Lord! I will make known thy glory amongst the nations, and to thy name I will sing a Psalm. 54 May he still increase the safety of his king; may he show mercy to David his anointed, and to his seed for ever. PSALM XVIII. Coeli enarrant gloriam. This Psalm consists of two parts: in the first we are taught that the power and glory of God may be known by contemplating the celestial bodies, and especially the sun. In the second part is described the perfection and efficacy of the Divine law. The Psalm concludes with a prayer for the pardon of hidden sins. 1 THe heavens speak the glory of God, Psalm. 18 and the firmament sets forth the works of his hands. 2 Each day relates it to the next day, and night to night imparts the knowledge of it. 3 Not in words or speeches, whose voice is not heard. 4 For the sound of them is gone thorough the whole earth, and their words from one end of the world to the other. 5 He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, and he himself is like a bridegroom, coming out of his wedding chamber. 6 He sets forth with triumph as a gaint to run his career; from one end of the heavens he gins his progress. 7 And proceeds to the other end, and the whole world does feel his warmth. 8 The law of our Lord is perfect without blemish, it converts souls; the testimony of our Lord is faithful, it gives wisdom to little ones. 9 The decrees of our Lord are just, they comfort the heart; the precepts of our Lord are bright, they illuminat the eyes. 10 The fear of our Lord is holy, and remains for ever; the judgements of our Lord are true, and justifyd in themselves. 11 And are more to be desired then gold, and all precious stones; and more delicious than honey, and the honey comb. 12 Therefore thy servant carefully keeps them, and for keeping of them great is the reward. 13 But who is he that well knows his transgressions? Cleanse me, o Lord! from my hidden sins, and from the contagion of strangers preserve thy servant. 14 If they have not dominion over me, than I shall become pure, and shall be cleansed from the greatest sin. 15 Then will the words I speak become pleasing to thee, as also the meditation of my heart, which is always in thy sight. 16 Thou, o Lord! art my helper and my Redeemer. PLALME XIX. Exaudiat te Dominus. It is believed that David composed this Psalm to be sung by the people when he was ready to march against the Ammonites. It contains a prayer for the happy success of his war. 1 MAy our Lord hear thee in the day of tribulation, Psalm. 19 may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee. 2 May he send thee secure from his Sanctuary, and defence out of Zion. 3 May he be mindful of thy sacrifice, and may thy holocaust be grateful to him. 4 May he give thee the desire of thy heart, and prosper all thy designs. 5 We shall rejoice in thy safety, and we shall have glory in the name of our God. 6 May our Lord grant all thy petitions; now I know that our Lord has saved his anointed. 7 He will hear him from his holy heaven; from his right hand comes the safety of Princes. 8 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God. 9 They have been entangled, and are fallen; but we have risen up, and stand upright. 10 Lord! save the king, and hear us in the day in which we call upon thee. PSALM XX. Domine in virtute tua. This Psalm follows the other which went before, both in timé & in history: for as in the first he prayed for victery over his enemies, he now thanks God for having obtaindit. 1 IN thy strength, Psalm. 20 o Lord! the king will rejoice; he will be transported with joy for the safety thou hast given him. 2 Thou hast given him the desire of his heart, thou hast not made frustrate the prayer of his lips. 3 Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of thy bounty, thou hast put on his head a crown enriched with precious stones. 4 He asked life of thee, and thou hast bestowed upon him length of days that never will end. 5 Great is his glory by the means of thy saving mercy, thou wilt clothe him with glory & majesty. 6 Thou wilt make him a subject of thy blessings for all posterity, thy countenance will replenish him with joy. 7 For the king hopes in our Lord, and the mercy of the most high will make him firm for ever. 8 Let thy hand be felt by all thy enemies, let thy right hand find them out who hate thee. 9 Thou wilt make them become like a flaming oven in the day of thy anger; our Lord in his indignation will confound them, and fire will devour them. 10 Thou wilt exterminate their race from the face of the earth, and their posterity from amongst the sons of men: 11 Because they would have brought evils upon thee; they have framed designs, which they could not execute. 12 For thou wilt make them turn their backs, and prepare the remainder of thy punishments to meet them in their faces. 13 Be exalted, o Lord! in thine own strength, then shall we celebrate with Hymns & Canticles the wonders of thy power. PSALM. XXI. Deus Deus meus. This Psalm seems to have been consecrated by David, inspired by the holy Ghost, to the passion of our Saviour, who himself made use of the words contained in it, when he hung upon the cross. It also foretells the conversion of kings and nations to the church of Christ. 1 O God, Psalm. 21 my God look towards me; why hast thou forsaken me? my sins put safety at a distance from me. 2 My God I cry by day and thou wilt not hear me, I cry by night, nor is it to be reputed folly in me. 3 Thou dwellest in thy holy habitation, the praise of Israel. 4 In thee our fathers have hoped, they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them. 5 They cried out to thee, and thou didst save them; they did put their trust in thee, and they were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and not a man, the reproach of men, and the contempt of the people. 7 All that looked upon me derided me, they insulted me with their lips, and shaked their heads at me, saying, 8 He has trusted in the Lord, let the Lord come to deliver and save him, since he loves him so well. 9 And true it is, that thou, o Lord! hast brought me out of my mother's womb; and hast been my hope ever since I was sucking at her breast. 10 Out of her womb I was thrown into thy arms, thou hast been my God from my first coming into the world, depart not from me. 11 For my sufferings are near at hand, and there is no body to help me. 12 ● am surrounded with a multitude of young bullocks, And fat bulls have besieged me. 13 They have opened their mouths upon me, like a lion roaring and seizing his prey. 14 I am poured out, like water, and all the strength of my bones is dissipated. 15 My heart is become like melted wax in the middle of my body. 16 My natural vigour is dried up like an earthen pot, baked by the fire, my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; thou hast reduced me even to the dust of death. 17 For I have been beset by a company of dogs, a congregation of wicked ones hath besieged me. 18 They have pierced my hands and my feet, and they have counted all my bones. 19 They considered me all over, and inspected me, they divided my clothes amongst them, and upon my garment they cast lots. 20 But let not, o Lord! thy succour be far from me, take care of my defence. 21 O God deliver my soul from the sword, and my only one from the power of the dog. 22 Save me from the mouth of the lion, and from the horns of the unicorn, in this my low condition. 23 And I will make known thy name to my brethren; in the middle of the assembly I will publish thy praises. 24 Praise our Lord all you that fear him, let all the seed of Jacob give glory to him. 25 Let him be reverenced by the whole race of Israel, because he has not neglected nor despised the prayer of the poor. 26 Nor has he turned away his face from me, when I cried out to him he heard me. 27 I will utter thy praises in the great Congregation, I will pay my vows in the sight of those who fear thee. 28 The poor shall eat and be filled, all that seek our Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall live for ever and ever. 29 From one end of the earth to the other, they will call to mind our Lord, and be converted to him. 30 And all the families of the nations, shall adore before him. 31 For supreme power only belongs to our Lord, he will rule over the nations. 32 All the great ones of the earth have eaten, & have adored; all mortals shall fall down before him. 33 And my soul shall live to praise him, and my posterity shall serve him. 34 The generations to come shall belong to our Lord, and the heavens shall declare his justice, to the people that are yet to be born, who are of his making. PSALM XXII. Dominus regit me. David under the similitude of a shepherd leading his flock, shows what care God has had over him, and what great benefits he had received from the divine Majesty. 1 OUr Lord governs me; Psalm 22 nothing will be wanting to me, he has put me into a place of excellent pasture. 2 He has led me to waters of refreshment, he has revived my soul. 3 He has conducted me in the paths of justice, for the glory of his name. 4 Should I walk in the middle of the shade of death, I would fear no harm, because thou art with me. 5 Thy rod, and thy staff have been a comfort to me. 6 Thou hast prepared, and set before me a table, to strengthen me against those who persecute me. 7 Thou hast poured oil upon my head, and my inebriating cup how admirable is it? 7 And thy mercy will accompany me, all the days of my life. 9 That I may dwell for ever in the house of our Lord. PSALM XXIII. Domini est terra. Most believe that David made this Psalm to be sung by the people when the ark was carried to mount Zion: but all interpreters agree that the holy Prophet had principally in his view the ascension of our Saviour jesus Christ into heaven. 1 THe earth is our Lords, Psalm. 23 and all that it contains; the whole world, and all that dwell in it, be his. 2 For he it was, that founded the earth above the seas, and provided, it should be above the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend to the mountain of our Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are innocent, whose heart is clean; who has not in vain received his soul, and who has not deceitfully sworn to his neighbour. 5 This is he who shall receive blessings from our Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour. 6 This is the race of men who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. 7 Princes! lift up your gates; eternal gates! be ye lifted up; and the king of glory will enter. 8 Who is the king of glory? our Lord the strong & the mighty, our Lord the powerful in battle. 9 Princes! lift up your gates; eternal gates! be ye lifted up; and the king of glory will enter. 10 Who is the king of glory? the Lord of all power he is the king of glory. PSALM XXIV. Ad te Domine levavi. It is probable that David made this Psalm in the time of the rebellion of Absalon. It contains the prayer of a man in great straits, begging ye assistance of God against his enel mies, and the pardon of his sins. 1 TO thee, Psalm 24 o Lord! I have raised up my soul; in thee my God, I confide, and I shall not be ashamed. 2. Nor let my enemies deride me; for none who wait for thee, will be put to confusion. 3 Let all those be confounded, who void of reason act unjustly. 4 Show to me, o Lord! thy ways, and lead me in thy paths. 5 Direct me in thy truth, and teach me, because thou art my God and my Saviour; the whole day I wait for thee. 6 Remember, o Lord! thine own mercy, the mercy which thou hast shown from the beginning of the world. 7 But call not to mind the sins of my youth, nor my ignorances'. 8 Remember me according to thy mercy, o Lord! for thy goodness sake. 9 Our Lord is mild and just, and therefore he will prescribe a law to those who are out of the way. 10 The meek he will guide in Judgement, and he will teach the mild his ways. 11 All the ways of our Lord are mercy and truth, in respect to those who carefully seek his will and his laws. 12 For the sake of thy holy name, pardon, o Lord! my sin; for very great it is. 13 Who is the man that feareth our Lord? for him he has provided a law to guide him in the way he has chosen. 14 His soul shall dwell in plenty of goods, and his seed shall inherit the land. 15 Our Lord is a firm support to those that fear him, and he will make his covenant manifest to them. 16 My eyes shall always be lifted up to our Lord, for he will pull my feet out of the snare. 17 Look upon me, and have mercy on me; because I am alone and poor. 18 The griefs of my heart are multiplyd; deliver me from my necessities. 19 Behold my low condition, and the pain I am in; And pardon all my offences. 20 Consider how my enemies are increased, And how unjust a hatred they have towards me. 21 Preserve my soul, And deliver me; I will not be ashamed because I have hoped in thee. 23 O God deliver Israel from all its tribulations. PSALM XXV. Judica me Domine. The author of this Psalm appeals to God as his judge both of his own innocence, and of the injustice of his enemies. Interpreters differ in their opinion whither it was made by David in the time of Saul's persecution, or of Absalom's rebellion. 1 BE my Judge, Psalm. 25. O Lord! because I have proceeded with innocence; And having hoped in our Lord, I shall not be weakened. 2 Try me, O Lord! And put me to the test; try my reins and my heart by fire. 3 For thy mercy is always before my eyes; And I have delighted in thy truth. 4 I have not sat down in the assemblies of vanity, nor will I enter amongst the workers of iniquity. 5 I have detested the conventions of malicious men, nor will I ever sit in company with the Impious. 6 I will wash my hands with the innocent, And will still keep about thy altar, O Lord! 7 That I may hear the voice of thy praises, And that I may relate all thy wonders. 8 I have loved the beauty of thy house, O Lord! And the place where thy glory does reside. 9 Let not my soul, O God be lost with the Impious, nor my life with the men of blood. 10 Whose hands are stained with iniquity, And whose right hand is full of bribes. 11 But I will still proceed in my innocence, redeem me, and have mercy on me. 12 My feet have stood firm in the right way; in all assemblies I will praise thee, O Lord! PSALM XXVI. Dominus illuminatio mea. In this Psalm David mentions the dangers which by God's assistance he has overcome, and the assurance he has of being protected for the future; he also begs of our Lord that he may without disturbance serve him night and day in the Tabernacle. 1 OUr Lord is my light, Psalm. 27. And my safety, whom shall I fear? 2 Our Lord is the protector of my life, who shall make me tremble? 3 When the wicked came up against me, to devour me. 4 Those enemies that persecuted me, were themselves weakened, And fell to the ground. 5 Should armies be drawn up against me, my heart would be void of fear. 6 Should they give me battle, my hope in this would still be firm. 7 One only thing I have asked of our Lord, And this I will require, that I may dwell all the days of my life in the house of our Lord. 8 That I may contemplate the delights of our Lord, And visit his temple. 9 For he has hid me in his Tabernacle; Psalm. 26. in the days of my tribulation he sheltered me in the secret part of his Tabernacle. 10 He has set me up upon a rock; And has now raised my head above all my enemies. 11 I have gone round, and I have offered in his Tabernacle a sacrifice of joy, I will sing hymns, and Canticles to our Lord. 12 Hear, O Lord! my voice, with which I cry out to thee, be merciful to me, and hear me. 13 My heart has spoken to thee, my eyes have sought thee, thy face, o Lord! I will always seek. 14 Turn not thy face from me, turn not away in thy anger from thy servant. 15 Be still my helper; forsake me not, nor despise me, o God my Saviour! 16 For my father and my mother have abandoned me, but our Lord has taken me to himself. 17 Set me a rule, o Lord! to guide me in thy way, And conduct me in the right path, in regard of my enemies. 18 Deliver me not up to the will of those, who persecute me, because false witnesses have risen up against me, And iniquity has belied itself. 19 I believe that I shall see the good things of our Lord in the land of the living. 20 Wait for our Lord; act manfully; comfort thy heart, and wait for our Lord. PSALM XXVII. Ad te Domine clamabo. David asks of God that his prayers may be heard, that he may not perish with the Impious, against whom he makes many imprecations. He celebrates the powerful assistance of God, and lastly makes a vow for the safety of the people. 1 TO thee, Psalm. 27. O Lord! I will cry, answer me, my Cod! least if thou sayest not any thing to me, I be come like those who descend into the pit. 2 Hear, o Lord! the voice of my supplication, when I pray to thee, And when I lift up my hands towards thy holy Temple. 3 Drag me not along with the wicked, And with the workers of iniquity let me not be lost. 4 Who speak peace to their neighbour, And have mischief in their hearts. 5 Treat them according to their deeds, And according to the malice of their designs. 6 Let them receive what the works of their hands deserve, give them the recompense, that is due to them. 7 Because they have not understood the works of our Lord, the works which his hands have wrought; thou wilt destroy them, And build them no more. 8 Blessed be our Lord, because he has heard the voice of my prayer. 9 Our Lord is my helper and my protector, in him my heart has confided, And I have been relieved. 10 My flesh is restored to vigour, And I will praise him with a willing heart. 11 Our Lord is the strength of his people; he is the protector and Saviour of his anointed. 12 O Lord! save thy people, And bless thy inheritance; govern them, and raise them up for ever. PSALM XXVIII. Afferte Domino. David upon the occasion of a violent tempest which he describes, invites all to sing the praises of God who is the raiser and layer of tempests. 1 Bring to our Lord, Psalm. 28. you children of God, bring to our Lord the young ones of your rams. 2 Give to our Lord glory and honour, give to our Lord the glory due to his name, adore our Lord at his holy Tabernacle. 3 Our Lords voice has been heard upon the waters, the God of Majesty has thundered; our Lord upon many waters has made himself heard. 4 The voice of our Lord is full of power, the voice of our Lord is full of magnificence. 5 The voice of our Lord breaks the Cedars, And the Cedars of Libanus he will break to pieces. 6 He will tear them into bits as easily as a calf of Libanus, or as the tender faun of an unicorn may be torn. 7 The voice of our Lord divides flames of fire, the voice of our Lord shakes the desert, the desert of Cades our Lord will shake. 8 The voice of our Lord prepares the hinds to calve, And he will lay open the thick groves; And in his Temple all shall give glory to him. 9 Our Lord makes deluges upon the earth; And our Lord will sit in his Throne King for ever. 10 Our Lord will give strength to his people, our Lord will bless his people with peace. PSALM XXIX. Exaltabo te Domine. This Psalm contains the prayer of David, Psalm. 29. in which he gives thanks oh God for his health restored, and his purpose of always celebrating the praises of God 1 I will magnify thee, o Lord! because thou hast raised me up; And hast not delighted my enemies with insulting over me. 2 O Lord my God I have cried out to thee, And thou hast healed me. 3 Lord! thou hast brought my soul out of hell; thou hast saved me from being one of those who descend into the pit. 4 Sing praises to our Lord, you that are his Saints, And celebrate the memory of his holiness. 5 For in his anger there is destruction, And in his favour there is life. 6 In the evening we shall be in tears, when morning comes we shall be in joy. 7 I said in my prosperity, I shall stand firm, and never be moved. 8 But the firmness of my happiness O Lord! came only from thy goodness towards me. 9 Thou didst but turn away thy face from me, And I was presently brought into trouble. 10 To thee, O Lord! I will ever cry, And to my God I will offer my prayers. 11 What advantage will my death be to thee! when I fall into corruption. 12 Will dust and ashes praise thee, or publish thy verities? 13 Our Lord has heard me and taken pity of me; our Lord is become my protector. 14 Thou hast turned my mourning into joy, thou hast cut my sackcloth, And clothed me with gladness. 15 That in my glory I may sing thy praises, And may no more be in affliction, O Lord my God I will praise thee for ever. PSALM XXX. In te Domine speravi. In this Psalm David prays to God for safety, and thanks him for having delivered him out of the hands of his enemies. He describes his own sufferings, and foretells the destruction of his enemy's. Lastly he exhorts all good men not to despond in adversity, since G●d never forsakes those who serve him. 1 IN thee, Psalm. 30. o Lord! I have put my trust, let me never be put to confusion, relieve me according to thy justice. 2 Hear me graciously; speedily rescue me. 3 Be to me a protecting God, a sanctuary, that I may be saved by thee. 4 For thou art my strength, and thou art my refuge, And for the glory of thy name thou wilt conduct me and nourish me. 5 Thou wilt bring me out of the snare they have laid for me, because thou art my protector. 6 Into thy hands I recommend my soul; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord! the God of my truth. 7 Thou hatest all observers of vanities, that signify nothing. 8 But I have confided in our Lord; I will rejoice and be comforted in thy mercy. 9 For thou hast considered my low condition, thou hast delivered my soul from the straits she was in. 10 Thou hast not shut me up in the hands of my enemy, thou hast left my feet at liberty. 11 But still have mercy on me, O Lord! for I am in tribulation; by anger my eye, my soul, & my bowels are in disorder. 12 For my life wast's in sorrow, And my years are spent in sighs. 13 My natural strength is weakened by poverty, And my bones have lost their vigour. 14 More than all my enemies, I am very much reproached even by my neighbours; & my old acquaintance are afraid of me. 15 All that see me, fly away from me; I am blotted out of their memory, and their heart, like one of the dead. 16 I am become like a broken pitcher; for I have heard the injurious things said of me by many, that dwell about me. 17 When they met together against me, they held a Council for the taking away my life. 18 But I have put my trust in thee, O Lord! I have said thou art my God, my destiny is in thy hands. 19 Rescue me from the hands of my enemies, And my persecutors. 20 Let thy countenance shine upon thy servant; save me according to thy mercy. I will not be confounded, O Lord! because I have called upon thee. 21 Let the wicked be covered with shame, let them be brought into their grave; let all deceitful lips be struck dumb. 22 That speak injuriously against the just, with pride and contempt. 23 How great and many are the delights, O Lord! which thou hast laid up for such as fear thee? 24 Thou hast made perfect those who hope in thee, even in the sight of the sons of men. 25 Thou wilt hid them in the privacy of thy countenance, from the disturbance of men. 26 Thou wilt protect them in thy Tabernacle, from the contradiction of tongues. 27 Blessed be our Lord, for he has made wonderful his mercy towards me in a fortified city. 28 I said when I was out of myself, that thou hadst quite cast me out of thy sight. 29 Thou nevertheless hast heard the voice of my prayer, when cried out to thee. 30 Love our Lord all you, who are his holy ones, for he is a searcher of truth; And he will abundantly render to the proud what they deserve. 31 Act manfully, And strengthen your hearts, all you that hope in our Lord. PSALM XXXI. Beati quorum remissae. David declares those men to be happy, whose sins are forgiven. He invites all by his own example to have recours to the mercy of God. 1▪ BLessed are they whose sins are forgiven, Psalm. 31. And whose iniquity is covered. 2 Happy is the man to whom our Lord has imputed no sin, And in whose soul there is no guile. 3 Because I had been silent, my bones did whither, as it were with old age; when afterwards I cried out all the day. 4 For thy hand by day and by night has been heavy upon me; in my affliction I was converted, when the thorn was struck into me. 5 I have now confessed to thee my sin, And my iniquity I have not concealed. 6 I said, I will accuse myself of my iniquity to our Lord, And thou hast remitted the impiety of my sin. 7 For this every holy one will pray to thee, in a seasonable time. 8 But in the deluge of many waters, they will not approach to him. 9 Thou art my refuge in the tribulation which has incompased me, my only joy: rescue me from those who besiege me. 10 I will give thee understanding, and instruct thee in the way thou must walk; I will always have mine eyes upon thee. 11 Become not like the horse and the mule, that are void of understanding. 12 With the bit and the bridle kerb them hard, who approach not to thee. 13 Many are the scourges of sinners, but mercy shall incompas him who hopes in our Lord. 14 Rejoice in our Lord, be transported with joy, all you that are just; glorify him all you, who are upright of heart. PSALM XXXII. Exultate justi in Domino. This Psalm invites the just to celebrate the praises of God, and sets forth many powerful motives for the so doing. It shows the confidence whi●h the just aught to have in God when they implore his mercy. 1 YOu that are just, rejoice in our Lord; Psalm. 32. it becomes the righteous to celebrate his praises. 2 Praise our Lord upon the harp; praise him upon the psalter of ten strings. 3 Sing to him a new Canticle; sing with music loud and harmonious. 4 For the word of our Lord is sincere, And he is faithful in all his works. 5 He loveth mercy and justice, the world is replenishd with the mercy of our Lord. 6 By the word of our Lord the heavens were established, And from the breath of his mouth came all their perfection. 7 Who has gathered together the waters of the sea, as it were in a vessel, And laid up the abysses in his store house. 8 Let all the earth fear our Lord, And let all the inhabitants of the earth tremble before him. 9 For he spoke, and all things were made; he commanded, And every thing was created. 10 Our Lord brings to nothing the designs of the Nations; he makes vain the cogitations of the people, And defeats the counsel of Princes. 11 But the counsel of our Lord remains for ever, the thoughts of his heart subsist from generation to generation. 12 Happy is the Nation who hath our Lord for their God; happy the people whom he has chosen for his inheritance. 13 Our Lord has looked down from heaven, And beheld all the sons of men. 14 From his habitation which he prepared for himself, he cast his eyes upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15 'Tis he who formed all their hearts; And who penetrates into all their actions. 16 A King will not be saved by the greatness of his power, nor a giant by his mighty strength. 17 Who relys on his horse for safety, will be deceived, by his great strength & speed he will not be saved. 18 But our Lord has his eyes upon those who fear him, And upon those who confide in his mercy. 19 To deliver their souls from death, And to nourish them in a time of famine. 20 Our soul rests in expectation of our Lord, for he is our supporter and protector. 21 For in him our heart will rejoice, And in his holy name we confide. 22 Let thy mercy, O Lord! be bestowed upon us, accordingly as we have hoped in thee. PSALM XXXIII. Benedicam Dominum. David praiseth God for his late deliverance out of the hands of Achis the King of Geth. He exhorts others by his example to hope for safety, if they fear God. He teaches what the works are of one that fears God. 1 I will bless our Lord at all times, Psalm. 33. his praise shall be continually in my mouth. 2 My soul shall have glory in our Lord, let the humble and the mild hear this, and rejoice. 3 Let them join with me to magnify our Lord, And let us altogether celebrate the glory of his name. 4 I have sought our Lord and he has heard me, he has rescued me out of all my afflictions. 5 Approach to him and be enlightened, And your faces shall never blush for shame. 6 The poor man cried out, and our Lord heard him, And delivered him from all his tribulations. 7 The Angel of our Lord will guard them round, who fear him, and bring them out of danger. 8 Taste and see how sweet our Lord is; happy is the man who hopes in him. 9 Fear our Lord all you, that are his Saints, for no want can afflict those who fear him. 10 Rich men have fallen into necessity, and have felt hunger, but they, who seek our Lord, shall abound in all that's good. 11 Come children, and hear me; I will teach you the fear of our Lord. 12 Who is the man, that covets to live, And desires to see happy days? 13 Keep thy tongue from speaking evil, And thy lips from being deceitful. 14 Decline from evil and do good, seek after peace, and persever so to do. 15 The eyes of our Lord are upon the just, And his ears are open to receive their prayers. 16 But the countenance of our Lord is upon the doers of evil, to exterminate their memory our of the earth. 17 The just have cried out, and our Lord has heard them, from all their tribulations he has delivered them. 18 Our Lord is always near to those, whose heart is afflicted, And the humble of spirit he will save. 19 Many are the tribulations of the just, but from all these our Lord will deliver them. 20 Of every bone of them our Lord takes care, not one of them shall be broken. 21 The death of a sinner is dismal, And they, who hate the just, will be guilty of sin. 22 Our Lord will redeem the soul of his servants, And none shall fail who trust in him. PSALM XXXIV: Judica Domine nocentes. David implores the speedy assistance of God both against his open enemies, and his calumniators in private, whose perfidiousness he describes, and detests This● Psalm he writ● when he was persecuted by Saul and his courtiers. 1 JUdge, Psalm. 34. o Lord! those who hurt me; vanquish those who set upon me. 2 Take thy arms, and thy buckler, And rise up to help me. 3 Draw out thy sword, and stop their passage, who pursue me; say to my soul, I am thy safety. 4 Let them all be confounded, and covered with infamy, who seek my life. 5 Let all, that intent evil against me, be driven back with shame, and confusion. 6 Let them be like the dust before the face of the wind; And let the Angel of God closely pursue them. 7 Let their way be dark and sllippery, whilst the Angel of God is in pursuit of them. 8 Because unprovoked they have laid a hidden snare to destroy me, And they have unjustly calumniated me. 9 Let him fall into a snare which he does not foresee, even in the snare which he laid for me, let himself be caught. 10 But my soul shall rejoice in our Lord; And be delighted in the salvation which comes from him. 11 All my bones shall say, Lord! who is like to thee? 12 Who dost rescue the poor out of hands that are too strong for them, the feeble and the indigent from those, who prey upon them. 13 Corrupt witnesses rising up against me, have questioned me for matters I was ignorant of. 14 They did render unto me evil for good, And put my soul into desolation. 15 But I when they afflicted me, clothed myself with sackcloth. 16 I humbled my soul with fasting, And my prayer will return into my own bosom. 17 I behaved myself towards them as to a neighbour, and to a brother; I humbled myself as a sorrowful mourner. 18 And they rejoiced at my misery, they met together, and provided scourges for me, and I was ignorant of it. 19 They are now dissipated, but not penitent; they still provoke me; they insult me with mockeries, and gnash their teeth at me. 20 Lord! when wilt thou look towards me? deliver my soul from their malice, my only one from these lions. 21 And I will magnify thy name in the great assembly, in the multitudes of people I will publish thy praises. 22 Let them not triumph over me who unjustly rise up against me, and hate me without cause, And yet flatter me with their eyes. 23 For to me indeed they spoke peaceably, but when they spoke in a mutiny of the people, they studied to betray me. 24 They opened their mouths wide against me, And said, let us rejoice; now our eyes have beheld what we looked for. 25 This, O Lord! thou hast seen; be not therefore silent; O Lord! departed not from me. 26 Rise up, and mind the doing me justice; my God, and my Lord! embrace my cause. 27 Judge me according to thy justice, O Lord my God And let them not triumph over me. 28 Let them not say in their hearts, we have our soul's desire; nor let them say, we have devoured him. 29 Let all, who take joy in my misery, blush and be confounded. 30 Let all who speak of me with pride and disdain, be covered with shame and confusion. 31 Let those be glad, and abound with joy, who are well wishers to the justice of my cause. 32 Let them always say, glorified be our Lord, who desire the peace of his servant. 33 And my tongue shall celebrate thy justice, And all the day thy praises. PSALM XXXV. Dixit injustus. 'Tis believed that David made this Psalm after he had spared Saul, who fell into his hands, and after that ceased not to persecute him. He takes occasion from this obstinacy of Saul in his injustice to show the guilt of those who persevere in evil. And withal he sets forth the providence and mercy of God. 1 THe injust man resolves within himself to offend. Psalm. 35. The fear of God is not before his eyes. 2 For in his sight he has acted deceitfully, so that his iniquity has made him worthy of hatred. 3 The words of his mouth are full of injustice and fraud, he would not understand how to do well. 4 He meditates mischief on his bed; he follows all bad ways, and has no hatred of evil. 5 Lord; thy mercy is in heaven, And thy truth reacheth to the clouds. 6 Thy justice like the highest mountans is elevated; thy judgements are of a profound depth. 7 Thou wilt preserve, O Lord! both men & beasts, according to the great extent of thy mercy, O God 8 But the sons of men shall place their hope, in their being protected under thy wings. 9 They shall be inebriated with the flowing plenty of thy house, And thou wilt make them drink in the torrent of thy delights. 10 For the fountain of life is in thee, And in thy light we shall see light. 11 Hold forth thy mercy to those who know thee, And thy justice to the upright of heart. 12 Let not the foot of pride come at me, nor let me be moved by the hand of the sinner. 13 There have they fallen ', who work iniquity, they are driven out, and could not stand their ground. PSALM XXXVI. Noli aemulari. ' This Psalm seems to have been made by David when he was in some great affliction, and probably when Absalon rebelled against him. He fortify's himself & likewise others, against the scandal which the prosperity of the wicked does usually cause in the minds of those who do not live by faith. 1 BE not troubled at the prosperity of the wicked, Psalm. 36. nor shalt thou envy the workers of iniquity. 2 For they will soon whither like hay. And will fade like herbs in the field. 3 Hope in our Lord, and do good, then shalt thou inhabit the earth, and be nourished with the plenty of it. 4 Place thy delight in our Lord, And he will grant thee the petitions of thy heart. 5 Lay open thy way to our Lord; hope in him, and he will do for thee. 6 And he will make thy justice appear as a shining light, And thy equity as the noon day; be subject to our Lord, and pray to him. 7 Envy not the man, who prospers in his ways, the man whose ways are full of injustice. 8 Lay aside anger and indignation, And be not provoked to do evil. 9 For the wicked shall be exterminated; but they who wait with patience upon our Lord, shall inherit the land. 10 Stay a little, and the sinner shall be no more; you shall look in the place where he was, and not find him. 11 But the meek shall possess the land, And shall be delighted in the fullness of peace. 12 The sinner will watch and observe the just, And grind his teeth at him. 13 But our Lord will laugh at him, because he foresees his day is coming. 14 The sinners have unsheathed their swords, And they have bend their bows. 15 To overthrow the poor and the needy, And to slay the upright of heart. 16 Let their swords pass into their own hearts, And let their bows be broken. 17 Happier is the just man with a little, than sinners with their overflowing riches. 18 For the arms of sinners shall be broken, but our Lord strengthens the just. 19 Our Lord knows the days of those who live without stain, And their inheritance will last for ever. 20 In evil days they shall not be confounded; in the time of famine they shall be filled; the sinners are they who shall perish. 21 The enemies of our Lord, after they have been honoured and raised up in the world, shall suddenly fall and vanish like smoke. 22 The sinner shall borrow and never pay, but the just shall have compassion, and give. 23 For they that bless and praise God, shall inherit the earth, but they who blaspheme him shall be brought to nothing. 24 The hopes of the just man shall be guided by our Lord, And he will be pleased with his way. 25 When he falls, he shall not be bruised, because our Lord lays his hand under him. 26 I have been young, and now I am old; And I have not seen a just man abandoned, and his children begging bread. 27 The whole day he is compassionate & lends, And his posterity, shall be in benediction. 28 Avoid evil, and do good, And thou shalt live for ever and ever. 29 For our Lord loves justice, and will never forsake his holy ones: eternally they shall be preserved. 30 The unjust shall be punished, And the race of the Impious shall perish. 31 But the just shall inherit the land, And shall dwell in it age after age. 32 The mouth of the just man shall utter wisdom, And his tongue shall speak according to justice and equity. 33 The law of his God is in his heart, And he shall not be supplanted in his way. 34 The sinner watches, and observes the just one, And seeks how to destroy him. 35 But our Lord will not leave him in his hands, nor will condemn him when he comes to be judged. 36 Wait for our Lord, and keep his way, and he will raise thee, that thou may'st possess the land by inheritance; when the Impious shall have perished, than thou wilt see this. 37 I have seen the wicked man mightily exalted, Psalm. 361 And elevated like the Cedars of Libanus. 38 And passing by again, beholds he was no more; I looked for him, And the place where he sto●d was not to be found. 39 Preserve thy innocence, and judge uprightly, for there will be still remains of the man, that loves peace. 40 But the Impious shall fall all at once, And all that remains of him shall perish. 41 The preservation of the just is from our Lord, he is their protector in the time of tribulation. 42 And our Lord will assist them and deliver them, he will rescue them out of the hands of sinners, And save them because they have hoped in him. PLALME XXXVII. Domine ne infurore. All agree that this penitential Psalm was made by David after the two crimes of adultery, and murder which he had committed. It contains the true and just sentments of a penitent heart. 1 O Lord rebuke me not in thy indignation, Psalm. 37. nor chastise me in thy anger. 2 For thy arrows are struck fast in me, And thy hand is heavy upon me. 3 At the sight of thy anger all my flesh is diseased, at the sight of my sins, I have no rest in my bones. 4 Because my iniquities are grown up above my head, And like a heavy weight they press me down. 5 My old wounds are putrified and are full of corruption, by reason of my extreme folly. 6 I am become wretched and bowed to the very ground, the whole day I walked in sorrow. 7 For my loins are full of illusions, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am afflicted and exceedingly humbled, my sighs did roar thorough the oppression of my heart. 9 Thou seest, o Lord! what I desire, And my sighs are not hidden from thee. 10 My heart is full of trouble, my strength hath forsaken me, and the light of my eyes, even that has failed me. 11 My friends and my relations came towards me, And stood up against me. 12 They who have been nearest to me stood far from me, And they used violence, who sought my life. 13 And the contrivers of mischief against me, spoke things void of truth, their daily study was to deceive. 14 But I, as if I were deaf, heard them not, And like a dumb man I did not open my mouth. 15 And so I became like one that had lost his hearing, And was unable to give any answer. 16 But since, O Lord! I have put my whole confidence in thee, thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God 17 For I have said within myself, let not my enemies insult over me, who seeing me ready to fall, already speak of me, with pride and contempt. 18 Yet I am still prepared for suffering, And my sorrow is never out of my sight. 19 I will openly declare my iniquity, And always think of my sin. 20 But in the mean time my enemies live, And are strengthened against me, And they increase who hate me unjustly. 21 They who render evil for good, speak ill of me, because I have followed goodness. 22 Forsake me not, O Lord my God do not departed from me, be mindful to help me, O Lord, God of my salvation. PSALM XXXVIII. Dixi custodiam vias. David probably made this Psalm about the same time with the former, viz. When he was pursued by Absalon▪ and outraged by Semei. He describes the vanity & shortness of this life, and the necessity of patience to attain peace and quiet. 1 I have said, Psalm. 38. I will watch my ways, that I may not offend with my tongue. 2 I have put a guard upon my mouth, when the sinner stood up against me. 3 I was silent, and humbled myself; even the good things I could say, I suppressed; And my grief did augment. 4 My heart was in a great heat, And whilst I meditated, a flame risen up with in me. 5 I said with my tongue, Lord! make known to me my end. 6 And what is the number of my days, that I may know what is wanting to me. 7 I see that thou hast stinted my days, And that my being is, as it were nothing before thee. 8 True it is, that every living man is vanity all over. 9 True it is, that man passeth away like a shadow, and like an image, And yet he vainly disquiets and troubles himself. 10 He gathers, and hoards up wealth, And yet knows not, who after him shall enjoy it. 11 But now where lies my hope and expectation? is it not in our Lord? all my treasure is in thee, my God 12 Deliver me from all my iniquities, thou hast made me a subject of derision, even to fools. 13 I have held my tongue, and have not opened my mouth, because thou hast done it; remove thy chastisements from me. 14 The force of thy hand has made me sink under thy corrections; 'tis for his iniquity that thou dost punish man. 15 And thou hast made his soul whither, and dry up like aspider; And indeed vain is the trouble, and solicitude of mankind. 16 O Lord! hear my prayer, and my supplication; hear the voice of my tears. 17 Be not silent; for I am but a stranger, and a traveller before thee, as all my progenitors have been. 18 O Lord! grant me remission, that I may be refreshed, before I depart, and shall be no more. PSALM XXXIX. Expectans expectavi. Interpreters say that this Psalm contains two different senses, the one which regards the person of David persecuted by Absalon, and the other, which regards the person of the son of God, born according to the flesh of the race of David. Thus it is applied by S. Paul in his Epistle to the Hebrews. David thanks God for having delivered him from so many dangers, and begs his further assistance in that which he at this time was in. jesus Christ in the name of all his members gives thanks to God his father for the many benefits they have received from him, and some times he speaks in hi● own name, clearly denoting the mystery of his Incarnation, which has made ce●se all the sacrifices of the old law. 1 I have waited with perseverance on our Lord, Psalm. 39 And at last he has harkened to me. 2 He has heard my prayer, And has brought me out of a lake of misery, And out of dirt and mire. 3 And has set my feet upon a rock▪ And he has directed my steps. 4 And has put into my mouth a new song, a song in praise of our Lord. 5 Many will see this, and they will fear, And they will hope in our Lord. 6 Happy is the man who has placed his hope in the name of our Lord, And has not looked after vanities, and deceitful follies. 7 Many wonderful things hast thou done, o Lord! my God nor is there any body like thee in thy designs. 8 I have told them, and I have spoke of them, they are multiplied above number. 9 Sacrifice, and offerings did not please thee, but thou hast given me ears to hear and obey thee. 10 Thou didst not require a holocaust, or sin-offering, than I said, behold I come. 11 In the first place of the book, 'tis written of me, that I should do thy will; my God so I will do; And thy law shall always be in the middle of my heart. 12 I have declared thy justice in the greatest assemblies, I will not shut my lips; Lord thou knowest it. 13 I have not concealed thy justice within, my heart, but have published thy truth and thy saving mercy. 14 In great assemblies I have made known thy truth, and thy mercy. 15 Remove not therefore, O Lord! thy commiseration from me, thy mercy, and thy truth have always been my protection. 16 For innumerable evils have encompassed me, my iniquities have beset me round, and I was not able to discern them. 17 They are more in number, than the hairs of my head, And my heart has quite failed me. 18 Be pleased, O Lord! to deliver me: o Lord! look upon me and help me. 19 Let them be covered with shame and confusion, who seek to take away my life. 20 Let those who intent evil against me, be driven back with infamy. 21 Let them suddenly be brought to confusion, who scoffingly insult me with their words. 22 But let all those who seek thee, triumph, and rejoice in thee; And who love thy salvation, let them always say, glorified be our Lord. 23 But I am poor and needy, our Lord is solicitous for me. 24 Thou art my helper, and my protector, my God make no delay. PSALM XXXX. Beatus qui intelligit. David in the time of his affliction fulls sick▪ and has recourse to God: All the fathers have applied this Psalm to jesus Christ, and with a great deal of reason, since our Saviour himself citys one of the verses of it as predicting the treason of judus. So that David in being persecuted by his son, betrayed & abandoned by his friends, was a plain figure of jesus Christ in the time of his passion, when the jews, who were the people of God, & called his children, risen up against him, and when his Apostles all abandoned him, and one betrayed him. 1 BLessed is the man who considers the poor and the distressed; Psalm. 40. in the evil day our Lord will deliver him. 2 May our Lord preserve Him, give him life, and make him happy upon the earth, And not deliver him up to the will of his enemies. 3 May our Lord bring him help, when he ly's in pain on his bed; thou hast turned, and made easy his bed for him in the time of his sickness. 4 I said, Lord! take pity on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned to thee. 5 My enemies with evil minds have said of me when will he die, and his name be extinct? 6 If any of them came in to visit me, he spoke deceitfully to me; his heart was full of iniquity. 7 Which, as soon as he went from me, he uttered to his complices. 8 All my enemies whispered against me, And they conspired to do me mischief. 9 They came to a wicked resolution against me; but he that sleeps, may he not rise up again? 10 Even the man with whom I lived in peace, on whom I relied, and who eat my bread, was the foremost in betraying me. 11 But thou, O Lord! take pity on me, raise me up again, and I will repay them. 12 In this I have known thou dost love me, because thou wilt not suffer my enemy to triumph over me. 13 For thou hast taken me to thyself in regard of my innocence, thou hast established me in thy sight for ever. 14 Blessed be our Lord, the God of Israel, from age to age without end; so be it, so be it. PSALM XXXXI. Quemadmodum desiderat cervus. Some doubt whither David be the author of this Psalm; but nothing hinders why we may not follow the opinion of some others who believe, that this Psalm agrees perfectly with the time of David's exile, whither it be applied to the time when he was absent from the Tabernacle, and suffering persecution, or to the whole time of his life, which he looked upon as a true banishment in regard to which he aspired with all his heart, and this last sense, is lo●k●d upon by Bellarm▪ at learned author to be the true literal sense of the Psalm. 1 AS the stag longs for running waters, Psalm. 42. so doth my soul ardently desire thy presence, O God 2 My soul thirsts after the mighty, and the living God; when shall I come, and appear before the face of God? 3 My tears have been my bread both day & night, whilst they continually upbraid me, with saying, where is thy God? 4 These things I have called to mind, and I have poured forth my soul within myself; because I will go into the place of the admirable Tabernacle, even to the house of God. 5 With loud cries of joy, and praise, the sound of a feast. 6 Why art thou sad my soul? And why dost thou disquiet me? 7 Confide in God, for still I will praise him, who is my Saviour, and my God. 8 My soul within me is greatly disturbed; I will therefore call thee to mind from the land of Jordan, and Hermoniim▪ and the little mountain. 9 Deluge comes upon deluge, when with loud voice, thy floodgates are opened. 10 All thy high swelling billows, And waves have gone over me. 11 Our Lord by day has dispensed his mercy, And by night I will sing a Canticle to him. 12 I have always ready my prayer to the God of my life; I will say to God, thou art my protector. 13 Why art thou forgetful of me? And why do I walk in sorrow, afflicted by my enemy? 14 Whilst my bones are broken, I am upbraided by the enemies who persecute me. 15 With saying continually to me, where is your God? O my soul! why art thou afflicted? And why dost thou disquiet me? 16 Confide in God, for I will still praise him, who is my Saviour, and my God. PSALM XXXXII. Judica me Deus. This Psalm seems to be an abridgement of the former, so that it is to be explicated in the same sense. Many interpreters have thought that David in this Psalm does not speak in his own person, but in the name of his people afterwards carried captive into Babylone which he as a Prophet foresaw. But there seems no necessity of having recourse to this prophetic explication, since the Psalm may very well be understood of David himself, either when he was persecuted by Saul, or assaulted by the temptations of the Devil. 1 BE my judge, Psalm. 42. O God and give sentence in my cause against an ungodly people; deliver me from the unjust, and the deceitful man. 2 For thou, O God art my strength; why hast thou cast me off? And why do I walk in sorrow, persecuted by my enemy? 3 Send forth thy light, and thy truth, those have conducted me, and brought me up to thy mountain, and into thy Tabernacle. 4 And I will enter to the altar of God, of God who gives joy to my youth. 5 Thy praises, O God, my God I will sing upon the harp; why, my soul! art thou afflicted? And why dost thou disquiet me? 6 Confide in God, for still I will praise him, who is my Saviour and my God. PSALM. XXXXIII. Deus auribus nostris. If David be the author of this Psalm, he speaks in it according to the holy fathers, by a spirit of prophecy either in the person of the Maccabees, and the fews oppressed by the tyranny of Antiochus, or in the person of the holy Martyrs of the▪ Church of Christ, persecuted by the fury of Tyrants, accordingly as S. Paul himself seems to have understood it, in citing one of the verses to show the violence, which the enemies of the church exercised against the faithful. This Psalm may be properly applied to all afflicted and persecuted persons, who, may find therein matter of comfort in regard of the mercies of our Lord▪ as also reasons of humiliation and fear, when they consider the rigour of his justice. 1 We have heard, Psalm. 43. O God with our ears, And our fathers have told us. 2 What works thou hast done in their days, And in the ages past. 3 Thy hand extirpated Nations, and thou hast planted us in their room, the people of the country thou didst afflict, and drive forth. 4 Not by their own swored did they possess the land, nor was it their own arm, that saved them. 5 But it was thy right hand, thy arm, and the favour of thy countenance, because it pleased thee to choose them for thy people. 6 Thou art also my King, and my God, by whose command Jacob has been, so often saved. 7 By the strength, which comes from thee, we will drive away our enemies, And in thy name we will make nothing of those, who rise up against us. 8 For not in my bow will I hope, nor is it my sword, that will save me. 9 For thou only hast saved us from those, who persecuted us, And hast confounded all that hated us. 10 The whole day our glory shall be in God, And thy holy name we will praise for ever. 11 But now thou hast cast us off, and put us to shame, And thou wilt not, O God go forth with our arms. 12 Thou hast made us turn our backs to the enemy, And we are become a prey, and a booty to those who hated us. 13 Thou hast exposed us, as sheep for the shambles, thou hast dispersed us amongst the Nations. 14 Thou hast sold thy people for for nothing, And there was little given in exchange for them. 15 Thou hast made us the reproach of our neighbours, And the scorn and derision of all, that are about us. 16 Thou hast made us become the fable of the Nations, And a mocking stock amongst the people. 17 All the day my ignominy is before my eyes, And the confusion of my countenance covers me all over. 18 At the voice of those who insult and reproach me, And at the sight of my enemy, who persecuts me. 19 All these things are come upon us, and yet we have not been forgetful of thee, nor have we acted unjustly against thy covenant. 20 And our heart has not gone backwards, And thou hast not turned aside our steps from thy way. 21 Thou hast humbled us in a place of affliction, And the shadow of death has covered us. 22 If we have forgotten the name of our God, if we have stretched forth our hands to a strange God. 23 Will not God ask an account of these things? for he knows the secrets of the heart. 24 But since for thee we are every day put to death, And looked upon as sheep destined for slaughter. 25 Rise up, O Lord! why dost thou sleep! rise up, and do not cast us off for ever. 26 Why dost thou turn away thy face? dost thou forget our poverty and affliction? 27 For our soul is brought down even to the dust, And our belly's are glued to the earth. 28 Rise up, O Lord! and help us, for the glory of thy name redeem us. PSALM XXXXIV. Eructavit cor meum. S. Chrisostome, S. Austin, and almost all the interpreters agree that this Psalm is a kind of a spiritual Epithalamium, representing the sacred union between jesus Christ, & his spouse the Church. S. Paul likewise in his Epistle to the Hebrews makes use of this Psalm to show the everlasting reign of the only son of the father, over his Elect. Some have thought that Solomon is the author, and that it was made upon the occasion of his marriage with the daughter of Pharah, though others attribute it to David. But all agree in this that the true sense of it, intended by the holy Ghost, regards the mystery of the Incarnation, and the union sf the word with human nature. 1 MY heart has thrown out a good word, Psalm. 44. I address my works to the King. 2 My tongue shall move like the pen of a fastwriting scrivener. 3 Shining thou art in beauty above all the sons of men, grace is diffused over thy lips, therefore hath God blessed thee for ever. 4 Gird thy sword on thy thigh, thou who art all powerful. 5 Armed with thy majesty, and thy beauty, go on prosperouslly, and reign. 6 According to truth, mildness, and justice, And thy right hand shall make wonderful progress. 7 Thy arrows are sharp, Nations shall fall under thee, into the hearts of the King's enemies thy arrows shall light. 8 Thy Throne, O God is established for ever, the sceptre of thy Kingdom is the sceptre of equity and, justice. 9 Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity, therefore hath God, thy God, anointed thee with the oil of gladness preferably to all that partake with thee. 10 The sent of Myrrh, Cinnamon, and cashia issued from thy garments, and from thy ivory mansions, for which the daughters of King have delighted thee in thy splendour. 11 At thy right hand stands the queen, in cloth of gold, with variety of ornaments. 12 Harken daughter, and see, and be attentive with thy ears; And forget thy country, and the house of thy father. 13 And the King will be taken with thy beauty, for he is thy Lord and God, and Nations shall adore him. 14 And the daughters of Tyrus, and all the rich of the land shall come before thee with presents, And offer their petitions. 15 The chief glory of this daughter of the King is from within, in fringes of gold, & embroidered attire. 16 After her, Virgins shall be brought to the King, those that are nearest her shall be brought to thee. 17 They shall be brought with joy and triumph, they shall be led into the Temple of the King. 18 In room of thy fathers, sons shall be born to thee, thou shalt make them Princes over all the earth. 19 They shall remember thy name, from generation to generation. 20 And therefore through out all ages, the people shall publish thy praises. PSALM XXXXV. Deus noster refugium. Since almost all the fathers agree that this Psalm according to the literal sense regards the Church persecuted▪ by the Infidels, and delivered from persecutions by the assistance of our Lord, we ought rather to adhere to this opinion, then to that of some other interpreters, who apply this Psalm only to David victorious over h●s enemies. 1 GOd is our refuge, Psalm. 45. and our strength, he is our support in our afflictions which lie heavy upon us. 2 Therefore we will not fear, should the earth shake, And should the mountans be overturned into the middle of the fea. 3 The waves in a violent commotion have roared, the force of the tempest made the mountains tremble. 4 The river abounding with water, brings gladness to the city of God, the most high has sanctified his Tabernacle. 5 God is in the middle of it, and it will remain firm: from the beginning of the morning God will protect it. 6 The Nations are in commotion, and the Kingdoms are tottering, at the voice of our Lord the whole earth did tremble. 7 But the Lord of hosts is with us, And the God of Jacob is our protector. 8 Come, and see the works of our Lord, the wonders he has done upon the earth, in making war cease from one end of it to the other. 9 He will break the bow, and the weapons in pieces, And the bucklers he will cast into the fire. 10 Be at rest, and behold that I am God; I will be exalted amongst the Nations, and I will be exalted over all the earth. 11 The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our protector. PSALM XXXXVI. Omnes gentes plaudite. All the interpreters agree that the sense of the holy Ghost in this Psalm is concerning the triumph of jesus Christ in his Ascension, and the conversion of all the faithful that are to follow him. Tho some there are, who think this Psalm was made upon the solemn translation of the ark into the Temple, which Solomon had built for it. 1 ALl ye Nations! Psalm. 46. clap your hands; with Jubily, and exclamations of joy, give praise to God. 2 For our Lord is the high, and the terrible one, the great King over all the earth. 3 He has subdued the Nations for us, And laid the Gentiles under our feet. 4 He hath given us an inheritance of his own Choosing, the beauty of Jacob, which he loved. 5 God is ascended in triumph, And our Lord with the founed of trumpets. 6 Sing praises to our God, sing; sing praises to our King, sing. 7 For God is the King of the whole earth, sing with understanding. 8 God will reign over the Nations, God sits upon his holy Throne. 9 The Princes of the people are assembled, and united with the God of Abraham, because the potent Gods of the earth have been excessively elevated. PSALM XXXXVII. Magnus Dominus. S. Ambroise & S. Austin apply this Psalm to the holy city of the Church, of which that of jerusalem was the figure, though S. Chrisostome and some other interpreters thi● it relates to the reestablishment of the city of jerusalem after the Captivity of Babylon. 1 GReat is our Lord, Psalm. 47. and worthy of all praise in the city of our God, upon his holy mountan. 2 With the joy of the whole earth, mount Zion is founded; on the side of the north stands the city of the great King. 3 In the houses thereof God will make himself known; when he takes upon him to defend it. 4 For behold the Kings of the earth did assemble, And conspire against it. 5 But when they saw it so defended, they were astonished, were frighted, were driven away, And were seized with trembling. 6 They felt the pains of a woman in labour; with a violent wind thou wilt break to pieces the ships of Tharsus. 7 As we have heard, so now we have seen in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God, that God has founded her to last for ever. 8 We have received thy mercy, O God in the middle of thy Temple. 9 As is thy name, so is thy praise spread to the ends of the earth; thy right hand is full of justice. 10 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be overjoyed, at the sight of thy judgements, O Lord! 11 Go round about Zion, and encompass it, relate those things from the top of its towers. 12 Consider well its strength, take a view of every house, that you may make it known to the next generation. 13 For he is God, our God for ever, and ever, And he will reign eternally over us. PSALM XXXXVIII. Audite haec omnes gentes. It is needles to be iniquisitive into the occasion of composing this Psalm, since there is nothing certain to be said of it; and on the other side it consists only of moral instructions. The Prophet represents the vanity of riches, the unprofitableness of worldly wisdom, and shows that though it often happens that the just are afflicted in this life, and that the wick●d are in prosperity, yet when death comes there will be an equal distribution made. 1 HEar what I say all you Nations, Psalm. 48. be attentive all you inhabitants of the world. 2 All that are born of the earth, all sons of men, both the rich and the poor. 3 My mouth shall utter wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth prudence. 4 I will give attention to parables, And my proposition I will explain upon the harp. 5 Why shall I be afraid in the evil day! least I be found involved in the iniquity of my ways. 6 They who confide in their strength, And who glory in the abundance of their riches, let them hear this. 7 A brother will not redeem a brother, will a man who is a stranger redeem him? he can not give for himself wherewith to appease God. 8 Nor pay the ransom of his own soul: he will always toil and labour, and so live on to the prefixed end of his days. 9 He will not look upon death, though he sees wise men dying before him: but the insensible man, and the fool at last must perish. 10 And they will leave their houses to strangers, And their sepulchres will be their houses to the world's end. 11 Their places of habitation pass from one generation to an other, they have left their names to their lands. 12 Man, when elevated in honour, looseth understanding, he is compared to brute beasts that have no reason, and he becomes like them. 13 This way of theirs is the occasion of their fall, And yet they please, and applaud themselves. 14 Like sheep to the shambles, they are driven into hell, And death will devour them. 15 And the just will have dominion over them in the morning; And all the props of their worldly glory will sink, and fail them in hell. 16 But God will redeem my soul from the power of hell, when he has taken me into his protection. 17 Be not concerned, when the unjust man becomes rich, And his house is in great glory. 18 For of all this, when he dies, he will carry nothing with him, nor will his glory accompany him, when he goes below. 19 During his life, he shall be said to be happy, And he will praise thee, as long as thou dost well with him. 20 There he will enter where his fathers went before him, And for ever he will not see light. 21 Man when he is elevated in honour, looseth understanding, he is compared to brute beasts, that have no reason, and is become like them. PSALM XXXXIX. Deus Deorum. Many of the holy fathers & interpreters think this Psalm relates to the come of our Saviour, the one of mercy, when he called mankind and established his Church, the other of justice, when he will come to judge the world. Others apply it to the Israelites who vainly confided in their sacrifices, and at that same time violated his law and neglected to obey his will. Those two opinions may easily be reconciled in taking the Israelites to be the figure of the Christians, and the judgement which God prononces against them to represent that which he will prononce at the last day against all who break his divine law. 1 THe God of Gods, Psalm. 49. our Lord has spoken, And has summoned the earth. 2 From the rising to the setting of the sun, the splendour of his glory shines out of Zion. 3 God will come, our God will manifest himself, And he will not be silent. 4 Fire will flame out before him, And a violent tempest will encompass him round. 5 He will call to him the heavens from above, and the earth from below, to distinguish his people. 6 Bring before him all his Saints, who make a covenant with him by sacrifices. 7 And the heavens shall proclaim his justice, for God is the supreme judge. 8 Hear me, my people, and I will speak; hear me, Israel, and I will testify to thee, that I am God, thy God. 9 I will not accuse thee as to thy sacrifices, for thy holocaustes are always in my sight. 10 I will not take your calves from your houses, nor your goats from your herds. 11 For all the beasts of the woods are mine, All the cattles in the mountains, and the oxen. 12 I know all the birds of the air, And the fruitful beauty of the fields comes from me. 13 If I want meat, I shall not tell you, for the whole world is mine, and all that it contains. 14 Will I eat the flesh of bulls? Or will I drink the blood of goats? 15 Immolate to God a sacrifice of praise, And pay your vows faithfully to the most high. 16 And call upon me in the day of tribulation, I will set you free, and you shall honour me. 17 But to the sinner God has said, why dost thou declare my laws? And why dost thou assume into thy mouth my covenant? 18 Thou that hast hated discipline, And hast cast behind thee my precepts? 19 When thou seest a thief, thou didst run in with him, And with adulterers thou didst take thy share. 20 Thy mouth has abounded with malice, And thy tongue has forged deceits. 21 Thou dost sit and talk against thy brother, And dost lay snares for the son of thy mother, these things thou hast done, and I have been silent. 22 Thou in thy iniquity hast thought that I would be like thee; I will call thee to account, and will lay before the thy evil deeds. 23 Mind these things all you that forget God, lest he should hurry you away on the sudden, when their is none to relieve you. 24 I will be honoured by sacrifices of praise, And in that way it is, that I will lead man to salvation. PSALM L. Miserete mei Deus. This Psalm contains an excellent prayer of a penitent Prince, made to God to ask pardon of his Crime, and to beg his grace to preserve him from the like temptations. And it contains not only the sentments of his own penitence, but also admirable rules, which the holy Ghost gives by his mouth to all sinners. 1 HAve pity on me O God Psalm. 50. According to the greatness of thy mercy. 2 And according to thy infinite commiseration, Blot out my sins. 3 Still more and more wash off my iniquity, And thoroughly cleanse me of my ●n. 4 For I know my transgressions, And my sin always stands up against me. 5 To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil in thy sight, That thou may'st be justified in thy words, and overcome when thy judgements are tried. 6 Thou knowest that at my conception I was defiled with iniquity, And that my mother conceived me with the stain of sin upon me. 7 But thou art a lover of truth, And hast laid open to me the hidden secrets of thy wisdom. 8 Thou wilt sprinkle me, O Lord! with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed, Thou wilt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. 9 Thou wilt let me hear words of joy, and comfort, And my humbled bones will be filled with gladness. 10 Turn away thy face from my sins, And wipe off all my iniquity. 11 Create in me a clean heart, O my God And renew a true spirit within me. 12 Cast me not out of thy sight, Nor take from me thy holy spirit. 13 Restore to me the joy of thy saving mercy, And strengthen me with thy sovereign spirit. 14 And I will teach the wicked thy ways, And the impious shall be converted to thee. 15 Free me from the guilt of blood, O God, the God of my salvation, And my tongue shall magnify, thy justice. 16 O Lord! thou wilt open my lips, And my mouth shall set forth thy praises. 17 For if sacrifice would have satisfied thee, I should willingly have offered it, But burnt offerings will not content thee. 18 A soul penetrated with sorrow is the sacrifice, that is acceptable to God, A contrite, and an humble heart, my God thou wilt not despise. 19 Show thy mercy, O Lord! and thy good will to Zion, That the walls of Jerusalem may be built. 20 Then wilt thou accept a sacrifice of justice, oblations, and burnt offerings, Then will Calves be laid upon thy Altar. PSALM LI. Quid gloriaris. This Psalm was made by David in detestation of the cruel malice of Doeg, who was the cause of the death of the high priest, and of the slaughterr committed in the t●won of Nobe, when he informed Saul of the assistance given by Abimelech to David, in presenting him with the sword of Goliath, and ●he holy bread of the Tabernacle. WHy dost thou glory in Mischief Thou that art power full in Wic kednes? Psalm. ●1 2 The whole day thy tongue contrives injustiee, And like a sharp razor thy deceits have cut 3 Thou hast loved wickedness more than goodness, And to speak with injustice, rather than with equity. 4 'Tis thy delight, deceitful tongue! By all thy words to precipitate and destroy. 5 Therefore will God finally destroy thee; he will pluck thee out, and drive thee from the place of thy habitation, And extirpate thee out of the land of the living. 6▪ The just will look on, and be in dread: and they will laugh at him, and say, behold the man who did not take God for his protector. 7 But did put his trust in the abundance of his wealth, and relied upon his own vanity. 8 I on the contrary, like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have placed my hope for ever, and ever in the mercy of God. 9 I will eternally praise thee, for what thou hast done; and I will expect the blessings to be bestowed in thy name, Because it is so good in the sight of thy 〈◊〉 PSALM LII. Dixit insipiens. Some interpreters think this Psalm relates to the time when Sennacherib King of the Assyriams' wasted judea, and sent Rabases to Ezechias to speak blaspemy against God. Others refer it to the persecution that Saul rai●'d against David, or to the rebellion of Absalon. Some also probably enough think it rather regards the Captivity of Babylon, and that it was composed by Aggeus or Some other Prophet of that time, Bat in this diversity of sentiments all of them agree in this, that the spiritual deliurance from the Captivity of the Devil which jesus-christ was to procure for men is therein clearly figured. 1 THe fool hath said in his heart, Psalm. 52. There is no God. 2 They are corrupted and become abominable in their iniquities, There is not one that does what is good. 3 Our Lord From heaven has looked out upon the sons of men, That he might see if any were to be found that had understanding and sought God. 4 All have gone out of the way, and are become unprofitable, There is not any▪ that does good, no not one. 5 Will they not understand? all they who work iniqnity, and who devour my people, as a morsel of bread? 6 They have not called upon our Lord, there they trembled with fear, where there was no reason to fear. 7 For God has broken the bones of those, who study to please men, they are confounded, because God has despised them. 8 Who out of Zion will give salvation to Israel? when God shall put an end to the captivity of his people, Jacob will be overjoyed, and Israel will rejoice. PSALM LIII. Deus in nomine tuo. David seeing himself surrounded by the troops of Saul, Psalm. 53. who was advertised by the inhabitants of Ziph, that David had made his retreat in their country, o●●ered▪ his prayer to God in so extreme danger, out of whick the divin power could only rescue him. 1 IN thy name, O God save me, and by thy power judge my cause. 2 O God hear my prayer, Give ear to what I say. 3 For strangers have risen up against me; The powerful have sought my life; and they have not had God before their eyes. 4 But behold, God comes to my relief, And our Lord is the protector of my soul. 5 Turn upon my Enemies the evils they intent me, And according to thy verity exterminate them. 6 With a willing heart I will offer sacrifice to thee, And I will celebrate thy name, O Lord! because it is all good. 7 Because thou hast delivered me from all my afflictions, And now my eye can look with assurance upon my ennemies. PSALM LIV. Exaudi Deus orationem meam. It is believed that David composed this Psalm in the time of Absaloms' conspiracy against him. It also perfectly agrees in the spiritual sense with the passion of our Saviour. And the prayer which it contains, is very proper for all Christians when they find themselves besieged by the several temptations of the Enemies of their salvation. 1 HEar my prayer, Psalm. 54. O God and do not despise my petition; Have regard to me, and hear me. 2 My meditations fill me with sadness, And I have no rest from the clamour of the enemy, and from the persecution of the finner. 3 For they have wrongfully laid iniquities to my charge, And in their anger have afflicted me. 4 My heart is disturbed within me; And the fear of death is fallen upon me. 5 Terror and trembling have seized me, An darkness has covered me round. 6 And I have said, who will give me the wings of a dove, that I may fly away, and find a place to rest in? 7 Behold! I am already fled a far off, And I have remained in solitude. 8 Still expecting him; who has hitherto preserved me from losing courage, And from the storm. 9 Tumble them down, O Lord! and divide their tongues, For I have seen nothing, but injustice and dissension in the City. 10 Iniquity surrounds it upon the walls, both day and night; Oppression and injustice reign within it; 11 In the streets therofe there is never wanting usury, and fraud. 12 The malediction of my enemy, I could have born with patience. 13 And if he who professed hatred towards me, had spoken insultingly against me, I might perhaps have Kept out of his sight; 14 But 'tis you, who have been all one with me, my leader, my old acquaintance, 15 Who have so often delightfully eaten at my table, And walked with me hand in hand in the house of God 16 May death on the sudden come upon all such, And may they alive go down into hell. 17 For wickedness dwells in their houses, And in the middle of them. 18 But I have called out to God, And our Lord will save me. 19 Both evening, and morning, and at noon day, I will tell and set forth my sufferings; And he will hear my voice. 20 He will redeem my soul in peace from those who come upon me, for they amongst many have been with me, who are now against me. 21 God will hear me, and he will humble them, He who subsists before all ages. 22 For there is no hope of their changing; They have no fear of God, and he hath stretched out his hand, to give them their due. 23 They have contaminated his convenant; in his anger he hath dissipated them; And he has set his heart upon it. 24 Their speeches are softer than oil, But they pierce like darts. 25 Leave the care of thyself to our Lord, and he will maintain thee; He will not suffer the justman to be always in a tottering condition. 26 But, as to the wicked, thou wilt cast them, O God? Into the pit of destruction. 27 The bloody and the deceitful men shall not live half their days; But I will hope in thee; O Lord! PSALM LV. Miserere mei Deus quoniam. David forced to fly, and abscond, and besots round with enemies, prays to God, that he may he delivered out of their hands. Next he conceives certain hopes that his enemies shall perish, and the be saved, and therefore vows thanksgiving to God. 1 HAve mercy on me, Psalm. 55. O God for man has trod me under foot; All the day he sets upon me, and persecutes me; 2 All the day my enemies trample upon me, For they are many, who make war against me. 3 So that I fear the light of the noon day, But yet I will hope in thee. 4 I will praise God, for what he has said to me, I have put my trust in God; I will not fear, what flesh can do to me. 5 The whole day they execrated all that I said; all their thoughts are bend to do me hurt. 6 They keep about me, and lie in ambush; They watch all my steps. 7 Whereas they wait to take my life, Thou wilt have no regard for saving of them; In thy indignation thou wilt break that people in pieces. 8 O God I have laid open my life to thee, And my tears thou hast admitted into thy sight. 9 According to what thou hast promised, my enemies will at that time be overthrown, and driven back. 10 In what day soever I shall call upon thee, Behold, I Know, that thou art my God. 11 I will praise God for the word he has given me, I will praise our Lord for what he has said; I have hoped in God, And I will not fear, what men can do against me. 12 The vows I have made to thee, my God are still present in my mind, I will render praises to thee; 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, That in the light of the living I may appear acceptable to God. PSALM LVI. Miserere mei Deus, miserere. David implores the mercy of God, he gives thanks for being delivered out of the hands of his Enemy's, and he celebrates God's praises. 1 HAve mercy on me, Psalm. 56▪ O God have mercy on me, for my soul confides in thee. 2 And I will rest in hope under the shadow of thy wings, Till iniquity shall be quite gone off. 3 I will cry out to God the most high, To God, who has been my benefactor. 4 He has sent me secure from heaven, and has delivered me, He has made infamous all those who trod upon me. 5 He has sent forth his mercy and his truth, And has rescued my soul from the midst of young Lions; I have slept unquietly. 6 The teeth of the sons of men are weapons, and arrows, Their Tongue is a sharp-edged sword. 7 Be exalted, O God above the heavens, and let thy glory shine over all the earth. 8 They have laid a snare for my feet, And they bent down my soul. 9 They have digged a pit fall in my way, But they themselves have fallen into it. 10 My heart is prepared, O God my heart is prepared, I will sing and praise thy name in à Psalm. 11 Rise up my glory, rise up the psalter, and the harp, And I will rise up early myself. 12 I will praise thee, O Lord! in the middle of the people, And I will sing thy glory amongst the nations. 13 Because thy mercy is raised up to the heavens, And thy truth up to the clouds. 14 Be exalted, O God above all the heavens, And over all the earth let thy glory shine. PSALM LVII. Si verè utique justitiam. David takes occasion from the fury of Saul against him, and the malice of his Enemy's, to reprehend in this Psalm all wicked men. And S. Austin observes that we ought with respect to hear the truths herein declared, as a sermon made to all mankind. 1 IF you say truly what is Just, Psalm. 57 Judge also, according to justice, ye sons of men! 2 But you form iniquities in your hearts, And your hands execute injustice upon the earth. 3 Sinners are perverted, as soon as they come into the world, From their mother's womb they have gone wrong, They have spoken false. 4. Their rage is like, that of a serpent, like that of a deaf aspe, stopping his ears. 5 Which will not hear the voice of the charmers, nor of the magician, Let him charm never so skilfully. 6 God will break their teeth in their mouths, the laws of these Lions our Lord will tear in sunder. 7 They will come to nothing, like water that flows; His bow remains bend, till they be quite defeated. 8 Like wax that melts, they will drop away; Fire fell upon them, and they saw the sun no more. 9 Before your sprouting thorns grow up to a tree, as it were alive, he will swallow them up in his anger. 10 The just man will rejoice when he sees vengeance executed; he will wash his hands in the blood of the sinner. 11 Man will then say, if there be a reward for the just, there is certainly a God, who judges mankind upon the earth. PSALM LVIII. Eripe de inimicis meis. David implores the help of God against his Enemies, he describes the snares that were laid for him, he magnifys the divine assistance, impre●ats his Enemies. 1 REscue me, Psalm. 58. my God out of the hands of my Enemies, And defend me against those that rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, Psalm. 57 And save me from the men of blood. 3 For behold! they have my life in their power, and with a mighty force they set upon me. 4 Nor is it for any iniquity of mine, O Lord! or for my sin; My courses, and my conduct have been without crime. 5 Rise up, and come towards me; & behold my condition; Thou O Lord! The God of all power, the God of Israel! 6 Set thyself upon visiting all the Nations, And take no pity of any that work iniquity. 7 Thy will return in the evening famished like hungry dogs, And they will run about the city. 8 They will open their mouths; And there is a sword in their lips; They will say who has heard us? 9 But thou, O Lord! wilt laugh at them, Thou wilt bring to nothing all the Nations. 10 For thee I will preserve the strength thou hast given me, Because thou, O God art my defender; the mercy of my God will go before me. Psalm. 58. 11 God will let me see how he will, dispose of my enemies; Let them not die, lest my people should grow forgetful. 12 But disperse them by thy power, And pull them down, O Lord! who art my protector. 13 For the sins of their tongue, and speeches of their lips, And let them be apprehended and caught in their pride. 14 And their Lies, and execrations will be charged upon them in the consummation, In the wrath of consummation, And they will whither to nothing. 15 And they shall Know, that God will rule over Israel, And from one end of the earth to the other. 16 They will return in the evening, and be famished like hungry dogs, And they will run about the city. 17 They will be dispersed to seek their meat, And if they are not filled, they will murmur. 18 But I will sing the praises of thy power, And early in the morning, I will magnify thy mercy. 19 Because thou art become a protector to me, And my refuge in the day of tribulation. 20 I will praise thee, my defender! with voice and instruments, For thou art my merciful God. PSALM LIX. Deus repulisti. This Psalm made by David before his expedition against the Moabites, and the Idumeans, sets forth in the first place the danger, and fear of the Israelites upon having so many enemies round about them ready to fall upon them. Next he implores the divine assistance in confidence of which he foretells his victory over all his Enemies. 1 O God thou hast rejected us, Psalm. 59 thou hast undone us, thou hast been angry with us, And at last thou hast taken pity of us. 2 Thou hast shaked the land, and put it into confusion; Heal the breaches of it, for 'tis all out of order. 3 Thou hast made thy people feel hardships, Thou hast given them the wine of sorrow to drink. 4 To those who fear thee, thou hast given a sign, that they should fly before the bow. 5 That thy beloved ones may be preserved; Protect me with thy right hand, and hear me. 6 God has said by his holy Prophet, that I shall receive and share out the land of Sichem, And shall measure the valley of the tents. 7 Galaad is mine, and Manasses is mine, And Ephraim is the chief of my strength. 8 Judah is the seat of my Empire, Moab the vessel of my hope. 9 I will march on into Idumea, And foreigners shall become my subjects. 10 Who will lead me to their fortified City, who will conduct me into the middle of Idumea. 11 Is it not thou my God who a while since rejected us; And wilt thou not go forth with us at the head of our armies? 12 Relieve us, O Lord! in our distresses; For vain is the safety, which comes from man. 13 With the help of our God we will perform great actions, And 'tis he, who will bring to nothing all that afflict us. PSALM LX. Exaudi Deus deprecationem. This Psalm seems to have been composed by king David, in the time of Absalom's conspiracy. And whereas he was then a fugitive, and gone from jerusalem, the holy fathers have proposed the prayer which he makes as an excellent model of that which the Church of jesus-christ should offer to God in the banishment of this world, and in the middle, of all the temptations of his life. 1 HEar O God Psalm. 36. my supplication, Give ear to my prayer. 2 From one end of the land to the other, I have cried out to thee; when my heart was full of anxiety, thou didst raise me up, upon a firm rock 3 Thou hast led me forwards, and art become my Hope, My tower of strength against all my enemies. 4 I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever, I will be shelterd under the cover of thy wings. 5 Because thou, my God hast heard my prayer, Thou hast bestowed an inheritance upon those who fear thy name. 6 Thou wilt add days upon days to the life of the king, Thou wil● make his years reach from generation to generation. Psalm. 90. 7 He will remain for ever in the presence of God; who can search to the bottom his mercy, and his truth? 8 Therefore will I praise thy name in Psalms from age to age, That I may never fail from day to day to perform my vows. PSALM LXI. Nun Deo subjecta erit. It is believed that David made this Psalm about the same time with the former, he exhorts himself and all his to put their confidence in God, and to expect no relief but from him. Above all he warns men, not to rely upon riches, nor unjust actions. 1 SHall not my soul be subject to God, Psalm. 61. since from him comes my salvation? 2 For he is my God, and my Saviour; He is my protector, and I shall never more be disturbed. 3 How long will you all set upon a single man, and combine to kill him, And run him down as if he were a bending wall, and a building ready to fall. 4 They have conspired to deprive me of my dignity; I have run with great thirst; Their mouth did bless me, and their heart did curse me. 5 However, my soul! be thou subject to God, For my patience comes from him. 6 Because he is my God, and my Saviour; He is my supporter, and I will not move out of my place. 7 In God is my safety, and my glory; My succour is from God, and in God is my hope. 8 Let the whole congregation of the people hope in him, Pour forth your hearts before him, God is our defender for ever. 9 But vain are the sons of men; The sons of men are liars in their balances; They conspire together by vanity to deceiué. 10 Build not your hope upon injustice; cover not wealth got by rapine; And if riches do abound, set not your hearts upon them. 11 Once God has spok● and I heard these two things; That power belongs to God; and that to thee, o Lord! mercy belongs, For thou wilt render to every body according to their works. PSALM LXII. Deus Deus meus, ad te de luce vigilo. The most part of the interpreters apply this Psalm to the time of Saul, and believe that David made it when he fled into the desert of Siph to avoid Saul's fury. Tho some are of opinion it may have been made in the time of Absalom's revolt, when he was likewise forced to retire into a desert. He deplores his exile and his absence from the Tabernacle and the Ark: at the same time considers in a higher sense his absence from his true country ' which 〈◊〉 heaven? And▪ therefore the prayer which he makes is very proper for all the just who look upon this life but as a banishment. 1 O God, Psalm. 62. my God from the break of day I watch for thee. 2 Both my soul, and my body, exceedingly thirst after thee. 3 In this desert land, unpassable, and without water, I present myself before thee, as if I were in thy sanctuary, to contemplate thy power and thy glory. 4 Because thy mercy is more to be esteemed then life, My lips shall pronounce thy praises. 5 I will praise thee in this manner during my whole life, And with hands lifted up. I will call upon thy name. 6 Let my soul be replenished, as it were with marrow and fatness, And with joyful lips I will offer thy praises. 7 If on my bed I have been mindful of thee, I will likewise in the morning meditate on thee, Because thou hast assisted me. 8 And I will rejoice under the shelter of thy wings; My soul sticks fast to thee; Thy right hand has held me up. 9 In vain have they sought my life, They shall themselves go into the lowest part of the earth; They shall be delivered up to the sword, and shall be meat for foxes. 10 But the king shall rejoice in God; All shall be praised, who swear by his holy name; For their mouths are stopped, who spoke iniquity. PSALM LXIV. Exaudi Deus deprecationem. This Psalm may have been composed by David either in the time of Saul's persecution, or in that of Absalom's rebellion. The holy Fathers in the spiritual sense apply it to jesus. Christ, and to the faithful that are members of his Church. 1 HEar my prayer, Psalm. 63. O God when I offer it to thee, Free my soul from the fear of my enemy. 2 Thou hast protected me against the convention of wicked men, Against the multitude of the doers of injustice. 3 For they have made their tongues as sharp as a sword, They have bend their bow with bitterness, That they may secretly strike an innocent man. 4 They will wound him all on the sudden, and fear nothing; They are fixed in their wicked resolutions. 5 They have consulted how to cover their snares, And they have said, who can find them out? 6 They searched about for crimes to charge me with, They unprofitably tired themselves in the scrutiny. 7 Man will form deep designs in his heart, But God will be glorified. 8 Their arrows strike no deeper than those of children, And their tongues have not any force, but against themselves. 9 All were amazed, that saw them, And every man was in fear. 10 And they published what God had done, And they understood his works. 11 The just will rejoice in our Lord, and will hope in him; And all the upright of heart will have praise. PSALM LXIV. Te decet hymnus Deus. This Psalm according to the letter of it seems to be made about the time of the Israelites going out of Babylon and returning to jerusalem. It is to be applied in the spiritual sense to the church delivered from the Captivity of the Dev●● by the death of our Saviour jesus-christ. 1 A Hymn in Zion becomes thee, Psalm. 64. O God, And our vows to thee shall be performed in Jerusalem. 2 Graciously hear my prayer, All flesh will come to thee. 3 The words of the wicked have prevailed against us, But thou wilt mercifully pardon our sins. 4 Happy is he whom thou hast chosen and taken to thyself, He shall dwell in thy house. 5 We shall be filled with the good things of thy house, Thy temple is holy, and admirable for justice. 6 Hear us, O God thou, who art our Saviour, who art the hope of the whole earth to the farthest end of the sea. 7 Who with mighty power hast established and made firm the mountains, who hast stirred up the sea to the very bottom, and made the waves to roar. 8 The nations will be seized with terror, and th●y who live furthest off, will dread the wonderful effects of thy power; The evening and the morning are made delightful by thee. 9 Thou hast visited the earth; Thou hast made it drink of thy rain, and increased the riches thereof. 10 The river of God is filled with waters; whereby thou hast provided food for all creatures, and prepared the earth to bring it forth. 11 Plentifully water the furrows; Multiply the productions; What springs up will flourish with thy waterings. 12 The whole year round will be blessed by thy bounty, And thy fields will abound in plenty. 13 The plains of the desert will become fertile, And the hills will rejoice being covered with fruit. 14 The rams will be well clothed with their fleeces, And the veils will abound with corn; All with a loud voice will sing hymns of joy. PLALME LXV. Jubilate Deo omnis terra. The subject of this Psalm is the same with th● former with this difference that it seems to have been made after the return from captivity, whereas the former suits to the time of their coming away. 1 ALl ye people of the earth, Psalm. 65. Praise God with outcries of joy, sing a psalm to his name, and magnify his glory. 2 Say to God, how terrible are thy works, O Lord! The greatness of thy power will make even thy enemies feign obedience to thee. 3 Let all the earth adore thee, and publish thy praises, Let them sing hymns to the glory of thy name. 4 Come and behold the works of God, how terrible he is in his conduct over the sons of men. 5 Who turns the sea into dry land, makes us walk dry foot over rivers; Herein we will rejoice in him. 6 Who rules for ever in virtue of his own power; he has his eyes upon the Nations; They who provoke him, let them not be exalted within themselves. 7 But all ye nations, bless our God; Make your voice heard in publishing his praises. 8 Who hath given life to my soul, hath not suffered my feet to be moved. 9 For thou, O God hast tried us, Thou hast examined us by fire, as silver is tried. 10 Thou hast brought us into the net, thou hast laid tribulations on our back, Thou hast placed men over our heads. 11 We have passed through fire and water, And at last thou hast brought us into a place of refreshment. 12 I will enter into thy house, where I will offer holocausts; I will acquitt myself of the vows, which my lips have pronounced. 13 And which in the time of my affliction, My mouth has declared. 14 I will offer fat holocausts to thee, with the incense of burnt rams; Oxen, and goats I will offer to thee. 15 Come, and hear all you, that fear God, And I will tell what great things he has done to my soul. 16 To him I have cried aloud with my mouth, And I have magnified him with my tongue. 17 If I am conscious of iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me. 18 Wherefore God has heard me, And has been attentive to the voice of my prayer. 19 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my petition, Nor turned away his cy from me. PSALM. LXVI. Deus misereatur nostri. This Psalm seems also to have been made when the Israelites were going, but not gone out of Babylon. All the interpreters agree that it represents in the spiritual sense the ardent desire which the Prophet had to the coming of the Messiah, and the redemption of mankind, According to what josus-christ said to his disciples, that many Prophets and many Kings had desired to see what they saw, but had not seen it. 1 MAy God be merciful to us and bless us, Psalm. ●6. May the light of his countenance shine upon us, and may he be merciful to us. 2 That we may Know thy way upon the earth, And that thy saving mercy may be made Known to all nations. 3 Let the people praise thee, O God Let all people praise thee. 4 Let the nations be glad, Let them be filled with joy, For thou judgest the people with equity, and dost rule the nations upon the earth. 5 Let the people praise thee, O God Let all people praise thee; The earth has yielded its fruit. 6 May God, our God, give us his blessing; May God give us his blessing, and may the whole earth fear him from one end to the other. PSALM LXVII. Exurgat Deus▪ Some notwithstanding the title inscribed with David's name, apply this Psalm to the defeat of Sennacherihs' army King of the Assyrians. Others think it made by David at the time when the Ark was brought into the City of jerusalem. But most interpreters agree that the incarnation of the son of God, his Ascension, and the conversion of the Gentiles, with the destruction of the Devil's empire, were the things which the Holy Ghost principally intended in it. 1 LEt God rise up, Psalm. 67. and his Enemies be dissipated, Let all that hate him fly before his face. 2 As smoke doth vanish, so let them vanish; And as wax melts before the fire, so let sinners perish in the sight of God. 3 But let the just feast and rejoice in the presence of God, Let them be ●ill'd with joy, and delight. 4 Sing canticles to God, recite hymns to the glory of his name, Prepare the way for him who, ascends on the west, Lord is his name. 5 Rejoice you in his presence; they will be confounded, when he appears, who is the father of orphans, and the Patron of widows. 6 God is present in his sanctuary, God who makes those live in one house, who are of one mind. 7 Who by his power brings forth, those who were bound, and likewise those who provoked him, and dwell in sepulchres. 8 O God when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst pass through the desert. 9 The earth did tremble, and the heavens did let fall their drops, In the presence of the God of Sinai, in the presence of the God of Israel. 10 Out of thy good will, O God thou wilt provide rain for thy inheritance; It was decayed, but thou hast restored, and made it perfect. 11 Thy living creatures will dwell in it; Thou O God mercifully hast provided food for the poor. 12 Our Lord will give his word with mighty power to those whom he sends his heralds to declare his will. 13 The all-powerfull king of his most dear beloved will also give him power to divide the spoils, of the Enemy for the ornament of his house. 14 If you sleep in the middle between the inheritances, you shall be like the dove, whose wings are of silver, and whose back is of the colour of gold. 15 When he that is in heaven shall judge the kings upon the earth, they will turn white like snow in Selmon. The mountain of God, is a fertile mountain. 16 A mountain that flows with milk, a rich mountain; Why have you a suspicion of mountains that flow with milk? 17 A mountain in which God is well pleased to dwell, And our Lord for ever will inhabit there. 18 The chariot of God is attended by ten thousands, Millions rejoice about it; Our Lord is amongst them in Sinai, in his holy place. 19 Thou hast ascended on high; Thou hast led along a great number of captives; Thou hast received gifts to be distributed to men. 20 That even amongst those who were unbelievers, Our Lord God may come to dwell. 21 Blessed be our Lord from day to day, he who is the God of all our safety, will make our journey prosperous. 22 Our God, is the God who has the power to save; The Lord, our Lord, has the dominion of death. 23 But God will crush the heads of his Enemies, The proud heads who go on in their iniquities. 24 Our Lord has said, I will bring you out of Basan, I will fetch you out of the bottom of the sea. 25 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine Enemy, And thy dogs may lick it with their tongues. 26 They have seen, O God thy marches, The marches of my God, and my king, who resides in his holy place. 27 The Princes went before, and the singers of canticles in the middle of the virgins, that played upon timbrels. 28 Bless God the Lord in your assemblies, you that spring from the fountains of Israel. 29 There was the youth of Benjamin, in an ecstasy of mind. 30 The Princes of Judah, that were their Leaders, The Princes of Zabulon and the Princes of Nephtali. 31 Exert thy power, O God, Confirm what thou hast wrought in us. 32 From thy temple in Jerusalem, Kings shall offer presents to thee. 33 Tame the wild beasts sheltered amongst the reeds, A people resembling a herd of bulls and heffers, That conspire to drive out those, who have been tried like silver. 34 Scatter the nations that love war. The Ambassadors will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will go before, and lift up their hands to God. 35 Ye king domes of the earth! sing praises to God, sing to our Lord, sing to God, who is ascended above the highest heaven toward the East. 36 Behold! he hath made his voice, to be a voice of power; Give glory to God for what he hath done in Israel; his magnificence and mightiness have been manifested in the Clouds. 37 God is wonderful in his Saints, The God of Israel will give strength and virtue to his people, Blessed be God. PSALM LXVIII. Salvum me fac Deus. Many of the fathers and of the best interpreters have thought this Psalm made by David in a prophetic view of the passion of jesus-christ, of the establishment of the Church, and the ruin of the jews: In which sense the Apostles themselves have explicated many places of it. 1 SAve me, Psalm. 68 O God For the waters have entered even into my soul. 2 Jam stuck fast in deep mud, where I feel no bottom. 3 I have fallen into the depth of the sea, And the tempest hath owerwhelmed me. 4 Jam tired with crying out, my throat is grown hoarse, my eyes have failed me, Whilst I wait for secure from my God. 5 They who hate me without cause, are become more in number then the hairs of my head. 6 My Enemy's, who persecute me unjustly, are strengthened; What I never took, I was forced to pay. 7. O God thou knowest my folly, and my sins are not hid from thee. Psalm. 86. 8 O Lord, the Lord of hosts! let not those who wait for thee, be ashamed upon my account. 9 Let me be no cause of confusion to those who seek thee, O God of Israel! 10 For I have sustained reproach for thee, Confusion has covered my face. 11 I have been made a stranger to my brethren, And an alien to the sons of my mother. 12 For the zeal of thy house has devoured me, And the outrages of those who insulted thee, are fallen upon me. 13 I humbled my soul with fasting, And this was made a reproach to me. 14 I changed my garments, and put on sackcloth, and I became their fable, and their jest. 15 In all their meetings at the City gates, their whole discourse was against me, And the drinkers of wine made me the subject of their songs. 16 But I, O Lord! will offer my prayer to thee; This is the time of showing thy goodness. 17 Hear me according to thy great m●rcy, And according to the truth of thy promises to save me. 18 Draw me out of this mire, that I may not always stick in it; Deliver me from those who hate me, and from the bottom of the waters. 19 Let not the tempest drown me, no● the deep abyss swallow me up; Nor let the mouth of the well, into which I am thrown be shut upon me. 20 Hear me, O Lord! for thou art merciful, and benign; According to thy boundless compassion look towards me. 21 Turn not thy face from thy servant, Quickly hear me, for I am greivously afflicted. 22 Have a care of my soul and deliver it, Rescue me in regard of my Enemy's. 23 Thou knowest the reproaches, the shame, and the confusion, which I suffer. 24 All those, who afflict me, are in thy sight; My heart has been still prepared for reproach, and misery. 25 And I have long waited for some body to take part in my grief, and there was not any that did it, I looked for a comforter, but he was not to be found. 26 And they have given me gall for my meat, And when I thirsted they gave me vinegar to drink. 27 Let their table become a snare to them, a revenge upon them, and an occasion of their fall. 28 Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, make their backs stand always bend. 29 Pour forth thy wrath upon them, And let them feel the rigour of thy indignation. 30 Let their place, or dwelling become a desert, And let their tents be without inhabitants. 31 Because they have fallen upon him, who was wounded by thee, And have added to the pains of my wounds. 32 Lay to them iniquity, upon iniquity, And let them have no share in thy justification. 33 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and let them not be enrolled amongst the just. 34 I am poor, and full of sorrow; Thy mercy, O God hath protected me. 35 I will praise the name of God in canticles, And with praises I will magnify his glory. 36 And they will be more acceptable to him then, the offering of a young calf, with hoofs and horns newly sprouted. 37 Let the poor behold, and rejoice; seek God, and your soul shall live. 38 For our Lord has heard the poor, And he has not despised his captives. 39 Let the heavens, and the earth praise him, The sea, and all that it contains. 40 For God will save Zion, And the towns of Judah shall be built. 41 And his servants shall dwell there, And have it for their inheritance. 42 And the race of his servants shall possess it, And all who, love his name shall dwell in it. PSALM LXIX. Deus in adjutorium. The subject of this Psalm, and almost the very words are 〈◊〉 same with that of the 39, to the title of wh●●h the Reader is referred. 1 COme to my assistance, Psalm. ●9. O God Make haste, O Lord! to succour me. 2 Let them be confounded, and struck with fear and shame, who seek my life. 3 Let them be driven back, And let them blush, who intent evil towards me. 4 Let all those who insolently insult me with their words, be forthwith driven back with shame. 5 But let all who seek thee, be filled and transported with joy in thee; And they who love the salvation that comes from thee, Let them always say, glorified be our Lord. 6 But I am needy and poor, O God, help me. 7 Thou art my only helper and deliverer; Tarry not, O Lord! PSALM LXX. In te Domine speravi. It is the general opinion, that David made this Psalm in the time of Absaloms' rebellion, though the sons of jonadab made use of it afterwards in the first captivity of Babylon. S. Austin directs us to consider principally in it the necessity of God's grace, which is only capable to deliver us from the slavery of the Devil, in the Same manner that David acknowledges that his delivery could proceed only from God. 1 IN thee, Psalm. 70. O Lord! I have hoped, nor will I ever be confounded; According to thy justice deliver me, and save me. 2 Graciously harken to me, and make me safe. 3 Become a protecting God, a place of strength, that by thee, I may be saved. 4 Because thou art my strength, And my refuge. 5 Rescue me, my God out of the hands of the sinner, and out of the hands of those who break thy law, and act unjustly. 6 For thou art, O Lord! the sustainer of my patience, From my youth, O Lord! my trust hath been in thee. 7 Since I first came into the world, thou hast still been my support; From my mother's womb, thou hast been my protector. 8 I have always sung thy praises; I have been looked upon by many, as a wonder; But thou art my powerful defender. 9 Let my mouth be ever filled with thy praises, That I may the whole day publish thy greatness. 10 Cast me not off in the time of my old age, When my strength leaves me▪ do not thou forsake me. 11 For my enemies have spoke against me, And they who lay in wait for my life, have conspired to-gether. 12 Saying: God has forsaken him, pursue him, and take him, For there is no body to deliver him. 13 O God depart not from me; Look upon me, and help me. 14 Let those who calumniat me, be confounded, and destroyed; Let them be covered with confusion and shame, who design evil against me. 15 But I will always be in hope; And I will every day praise thee more▪ and more. 16 My mouth shall declare thy justice, And the whole day magnify thy saving mercy. 17 Because I am ignorant of worldly learning, I will betake myself wholly to consider the power of our Lord; O Lord! I will only carry in my mind thy justice. 18 Thou hast taught me, O God from my youth, even to this very day: I will declare thy wonderful things. 19 And do not abandon me, O God in my old age, and in the extremity of my life. 20 Whilst I make known the strength of thy arm, to all ages that are to come. 21 And thy power, O God and thy justice, which are raised above the heavens, by the mighty things thou hast performed. O God Who is like to thee? 22 How many, and how great afflictions and dangers hast thou made me under go? and yet turning towards me, thou hast restored me to life, and from the lowest parts of the earth thou hast brought me up again. 23 Thou hast still more, and more made appear thy magnificence, and turning towards me, thou hast filled me with comfort. 24 Wherefore I also will still praise thy name, and thy truth with the sound of musical instruments; O God I will sing to thee upon the harp, who art the holy one of Israel. 25 My lips will be transported with joy, when I sing to thee, as also my soul, which thou hast redeemed. 29 And my tongue the whole day shall be employed to declare thy justice, when my enemies shall be covered with shame, and confusion. PSALM LXXI. Deus judicium tuum. David made this Psalm at the very end of his life, after he had established Solomon his son upon the ●hrone of Israel. It seems designed by him to give his son his last instructions, as also to ask of God wisdom and justice to direct him. But 〈◊〉 he prophetically ma●es a transition from the reign of Solomon to that of Iesus-Ch●ist, of which the other was but the type, and figure. 1 GIve, Psalm. 7 O God, thy judgement to the king, & thy justice to the king's son. 2 To judge thy people with justice, And thy poor with Equity. 3 Let the mountains bring Peace to the People, & the l●sser hills justice. 4 He shall judge the cause of the poor of the people, he shall protect the children of the poor, And shall humble the calumniator. 5 And he shall last equally with the sun, and above the moon, from generation to generation. 6 He shall descend like rain upon a fleece of wool, And like gentle showers dropping upon the earth. 7 Justice shall spring up in his days, with the plenty of peace, which shall continue as long, as the moon. 8 And his dominions shall reach from sea to sea, And from the river to the extremity of the earth. 9 The Ethiopians shall fall down before him, and his Enemy's shall lick the earth. 10 The kings of Tharsis, and the Islands shall offer him presents, The kings of Arabia, Psalm. 71. and Saba shall bring their gifts. 11 And all the kings of the earth shall adore him, All the nations shall serve him. 12 For he will deliver the poor from the hands of the mighty, The poor who have none to assist them. 13 He will be indulgent, to the indigent, and to the needy, And he will save the souls of the poor. 14 He will redeem them from usury, and injustice, And their names will be honourable with him. 15 And he shall live. The Gold of Arabia shall be given to him; There will always be adorations for him, And the whole day ●hey will bless him. 16 And there shall be corn in the ground upon the tops of the mountains, and the fruit thereof shall be extolled above Libanus, And they in the Cities shall flourish, like the grass of the field. 17 Let his name be blessed for ever, be fore the sun his name doth subsist. 18 And all the Tribes of the earth shall be blessed in him, All the nations shall give glory to him. 19 Blessed be our Lord, the God of Israel; Who alone does wonderful things. 20 And blessed be his mighty name for ever, And the whole earth shall be filled with his Mightiness; so be it, so be it. PSALM LXXII. Quam bonus Israel Deus. The intent of this Psalm is to fortify the just that are in persecution, against the temptation of mistrusting the goodness and providence of God, when they see the wi●ked in prosperity. 1 HOw good is God to Israel, Psalm. 72. And to those who are upright of heart? 2 But my feet can hardly stand their ground, at every step I am ready to fall. 3 By reason of my zeal against the wicked, When I behold the peace of sinners. 4 For they have no prospect of death, Nor does any punishment last upon them. 5 They are exempt from the labour of other men, And are not scourged like the rest of mankind. 6 Therefore they are possessed with pride, They are covered all over with injustice, and impiety. 7 Their iniquity, as it were, grows out of their fatness, and plenty, They are abandoned to the passions of their heart. 8 Their thoughts, and their words are full of malice, And in high places they speak iniquity. 9 They have set their mouth against heaven, And their tongues go about the earth, sparing none. 10 Therefore my People will turn their thoughts, to consider these things, & find the days, of sinners to be many & happy. 11 And they will say, how can God know this? or does the most high know all things? 12 See these sinners, how they abound with the goods of this world, what riches they possess. 13 And I myself have said, Therefore to no purpose I have made it my business to keep my heart clean, and to wash my hands with the innocent. 14 For the whole day I have been afflicted, and from the beginning of the morning I have been chastised. 15 But if I shall judge so, I have condemned the whole race of thy children. 16 I thought to penetrate into the secret; but I laboured in vain, 17 Till I entered into the sanctuary of God, and learned there, what their last end will be. 18 This prosperity proved a snare to them, and when they were raised up, thou hast cast them down. 19 Into what desolation are they fallen? they sunk down all on the sudden, They have perished by their own iniquity. 20 Thou wilt make their image vanish out of the Ci●ty, O Lord! like the dream of a man waking out of his sleep. 21 But in regard that my heart is inflamed; and my reins in disorder, And that I am brought to nothing, and am in utter ignorance. 22 And that being become as it were a dumb creature in thy presence, I have nevertheless not departed from thee. 23 Thou hast taken me by the right hand, and thou hast led me according to thy will, And thou hast received me into thy arms with glory. 24 For what have I to wish for in heaven, Or what is there upon the earth for me to desire, but only thee? 25 My flesh, and my heart have failed me, but God is the God of my heart, God is my portion for ever. 26 For they who depart from thee shall perish, And thou hast doomed to destruction all that are unfaithful to thee. 27 But 'tis good for me to be united to God, To place my hope in our Lord God. 28 That I may proclaim thy praises, at the gates of the daughter of Zion. PSALM LXXIII. Ut quid Deus repulisti. This Psalm deplores the calamity of the jewos; and the destruction of the temple. 1 O God why hast thou wholly cast us off? Psalm. 73. why art thou so incensed against the sheep of thy pasture? 2. Remember thy congregation, which thou hast possessed from the beginning. 3 The sceptre of thy inheritance which thou hast redeemed; Mount Zion in which thou hast been pleased to dwell. 4 Lift up thy hand to beat down their pride for ever. What outrages has not the enemy committed in the sanctuary? 5 And they who hated thee, have insolently boasted, in the middle of thy solemnities. 6 They placed (without regard) their standards, as trophies upon the high places art the gates. 7 Like so many fellers of wood, they all joined with their axes to cut down the gates; with the axe, and the hammer, they demolished thy City. 8 They have set fire to thy sanctuary, They have defiled thy tabernacle upon earth, where thy holy name was praised. 9 The whole herd of them said in their hearts, let us abolish all the festival days of God upon the Land. 10 We see no more of our former signs, Now there is no prophet, And we shall be a people forgotten. 11 How long, O God shall the Enemy reproach? Shall the Adversary provoke thy name for ever? 12 Why dost thou withdraw thy hand, even thy Right hand? Pluck it at last out of thy bosom. 13 God is our king from the beginning; He hath wrought salvation in the middle of the earth. 14 Thou by thy power didst make firm the sea. Thou didst crush the heads of the Dragons in the waters. 15 Thou didst crush the heads of the great Dragon, Thou hast made him meat for the people of Ethiopia. 16 Thou hast made fountains and torrents break out of rocks; Rapid rivers thou hast dried up. 17 Thine is the day, and thine is the night, The morning, and the sun are of thy making. 18 Thou hast framed the earth from end to end; The summer and the spring thou hast created. 19 Remember this, that the enemy has reproached thee, O Lord! And that a people without sense have blasphemed thy name. 20 Deliver not up to wild beasts the souls of those who worship thee, And forget not for ever the souls of thy poor ones. 21 Have regard to thy covenant; for the most abject of the earth have unjustly possessed, and filled our houses. 22 Let not the humble be turned away with confusion; The poor and the needy will praise thy name. 23 Rise up, O God judge thy cause, Remember the outrages done to thee, And which are continued the whole day by a senseless people. 24. Forget not the speeches of thy Enemy's, the pride of those, who hate thee, grows higher, and higher every day. PSALM LXXIV. Confitebimur tibi Deus. This Psalm is a kind of dialogue in which some times the just, some times the Prophet, and some times God himself speaks. In it the pride of men is humbled by the wholesome fear of the last judgement. 1 We will praise thee, Psalm. 74. O God We will give thee thanks, And we will call upon thy holy name. 2 We will relate thy wonders; when my time shall come, I will judge uprightly. 3 The earth is dissolved and all that is in it, It is I that have established the pillars of it. 4 I have said to the wicked, give over your wickedness, And to the sinners, be not elevated with pride. 5 Extol not yourselves with insolence, Nor speak impiously against God. 6 For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the mountains of the desert, Will any support you; For God himself is the sole jndge. 7 This man he humbles, and the other he exalts, For our Lord holds in his hand a cup filled with a mixture of different wines. 8 He pours out one into the other, but the dregs still remain, All the sinners of the earth shall drink thereof. 9 But I will declare, and will sing for ●ver the praises of the God of Jacob. 10 And I will destroy all the force of ●he wicked, And the just shall be exalted in glory and power. PSALM LXXV. Notus in Judea Deus. Theodoret, and many others think this Psalm was made upon the miraculous defeat of the Assyrians, which happened in the Reign of Ezechias, when a hundred and fourscore thousand men of the army of Zenach●rib were killed in one night by the angel of our Lord: But it appears ●hat the subject of this Psalm i● of a more large extent, And that it regards not only the town of old jerusalem delivered at that time from such formidable Enemy's, but also the n●w jerusalem, the Church, every day delivered from visible, and invisible enemies by the hand of the angel of the great Council, who is jesus-christ. 1 GOd is known in Judea, Psalm. 48. Great is his name in Israel. 2 His dwelling is in a place of peace, And his habitation is in Zion. 3 There he hath broke in pieces the bows, & the arrows, the buckler, the sword & war itself. 4 By thy wonderful coruscation from the eternal mountains, All ●he senseless of heart have been confounded. 5 They have slept out their sle●p, And waking, thes men of riches found nothing in their hands. 6 By thy loud threaten, O God of Jacob, Psalm. 75. all those that were mounted on horses have slept their last sleep. 7 Thou art terrible, And who can resist thee in the time of thy anger. 8 From heaven thou hast made thy judgement to be heard; The earth trembled, and was silent. 9 When God risen up in jugment to save the meek, and the humble upon the earth. 10 Therefore the thought of man shall be taken up with thy praises, And the memory which remains of them, will be a continued festival to thee. 11 Make vows, and fulfil them to the Lord your God, All you that approach his altar to make your offerings. 12 To the dreadful God, To him that takes a way the lives of Princes, who is terrible to the kings of the earth. PSALM LXXVI. Voce mea ad Dominum. There is nothing certain concerning the time in which this Psalm was made. The opinion of those authors seems probable, who think the Prophet had in view the deliurance from the Captivity of Babylon. But with S. Austin it may well be applied to the just, and the perfect who looking towards heaven, suffer with pain the banishement of this present life. 1 WIth a loud voice I have called upon our Lord, Psalm. 76. I have called upon God, and he has harkened to me. 2 In the day of my tribulation I have sought God, By night I have lifted up my hands to him, and I have not been disappointed. 3 My soul has refused all other comfort; I have called God to mind, and I found joy; With continual meditation my soul has languished. 4 My eyes prevented the night watch, I was disturbed within myself, and I was silent. 5 I called to mind the ancient days, And the years eternal have possessed my thoughts. 6 By night I have been in deep meditation, My thoughts have been in labour, and I have swept my soul. 7 Will God eternally cast us off? And will he never think of being more favourable to us? 8 Will he for ever, from generation to generation cut off his mercy from us? 9 Can God forget his mercy, Or will his anger always keep back his commiseration? 10 And I said, Now I begin to understand, This change is wrought by the right hand of the most high. 11 I called to memory the works of our Lord; And I will still have in my thoughts the wonders thou hast done from the beginning. 12 And I will meditate on all thy works, and I will consider with attention the secrets of thy conduct. 13 Thy way, O God is always holy; What God is there so great, as our God? ●hou art the God that does wonderful things. 14 Thou hast made Known thy power amongst the nations; By the strength of thy arm thou hast delivered thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. 15 The waters have seen thee, O God the waters have seen thee, and they were afraid, and the depths were troubled. 16 Great was the noise of the waters, and the clouds made their voice heard. 17 For thy darts were thrown, And the wheels of the Egyptians felt thy thunder. 18 Thy lightning did flash over the whole earth, the earth was in commotion and trembled. 19 Thou didst make a way for thyself throw the sea, Thou didst pass throw the middle of the waters, and none can trace thy footsteps. 20 Thou didst lead thy people like a flock of sheep, in the hands of Moses and Aaron. PSALM LXXVII. Attendite, Popule meus. S. Jerome and some other interpreters observe, according to the citations of S. Matthew, and S. Paul, that under the historical sense which appears in this Psalm, there lies a spiritual sense, which is the reason that the Prophet says in the beginning, he will speak mysteries in paraboles. This Psalm therefore in the spiritual sense has a reference to jesus-christ born according to the flesh of the tribe of judah, o● which 'tis said that God has chosen judah, and not Ephraim; This prophetically denotes that he who was to be born of the race of David and consequently of the tribe of judah, would establish a new kingdom, which should put an end to the kingdom of Israel figured by Ephraim. 1 MY people, Psalm. 77. give attention to my law, harken to the word I shall speak. 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will speak misteries of things done from the beginning. 3 What we have heard and known, And what our fore fathers have related to us. 4 And what hath not been hidden to their children, nor to the following generations. 5 They have published the praises of our Lord, his great power, and the wonders he has done. 6 He has made Known his will in Jacob, and he established his law in Israël. 7 Which he has commanded our fathers to make known to their children, That the succeeding generations may also know them. 8 The sons that shall be born and rise up, that they may also deliver them to their children. 9 To the end that they may put their trust in God, that they may not forget his works, and that they may mind and seek after his commandments. 10 Lest they become like their forefathers, a depraved and provoking generation. 11 A generation who's heart was not set right to God, And who's soul was unfaithful to him. 12 The sons of Ephraim formerly so dexterous to bend the bow, and shoot their arrows, have now turned their backs in the day of battle. 13 They did not keep the covenant made with God, nor did they walk in the way of his law. 14 They forgot the benefits they had received from him, and the wonderful things he had shown to them. 15 Their fathers beheld with their eyes the wonderful things, he did in the land of Egypt, in the plains of Janes. 16 He divided the sea, and brought them thorough it, He shut up the waters, as it were in a vessel. 17 With a cloud he led them by day, and by night with an illumination of fire. 18 He cleaved the rock in the desert, and gave them to drink as plentifully, as out of the deep. 19 He brought water out of the rock, and made it flow like a great river. 20 And after all this, they fell again to sinning against him, and provoked the anger of the most high in the dry desert. 21 And they tempted God in their hearts, in ask him for meat they longed for. 22 And they spoke evil of God, saying, can God provide a table for us in the desert. 23 Because he struck the rock, and the water gushed out, and the torrents did overflow. 24 Is he likewise able to give us bread, and provide a table in the wilderness for all his people? 25 Therefore our Lord hearing this suspended his blessings; and a fire was kindled in Jacob, and he poured his wrath over Israel. 26 Because they did not believe God, and did not trust to his powerful assistance. 27 And he gave his command to the clouds above, and he opened the gates of heaven. 28 And he reigned manna for them to eat, and he gave them the bread of heaven. 29 Man did eat the bread of angels, he sent them food in great abundance. 30 He removed the southerly wind out of the air, and by his power brought in a westernly wind; 31 And he reigned meat upon them, as thick, as the dust, that flies in the air, and birds innumerable, as the sands of the sea. 32 And he caused them to fall in the middle of their camp, and round about their tents; 33 And they did eat, and they were filled with them, he gave them their desire, And they had what they longed for. 34 The meat was still in their mouths, when the anger of our Lord risen up against them. 35 And he killed the strongest amongst them, and the choicest of Israel he overthrew. 36 After all this they sinned still, and his wonders wrought no faith in them; 37 And their days vanished like a shadow, and their years were suddenly at an end. 38 When he punished them with death they sought him, They returned, and made haste to come to him. 39 They remembered that God was their defender, that God the most high, was their redeemer; 40 And in their words they lov●d him, but their tongue lied to him. 41 For their heart was not right towards him, and they were found unfaithful in observing his covenant. 42 But he is merciful, and he pardoned their sins; and did not wholly destroy them. 43 And in great measure he did moderate the rigour of his justice; and would not kindle his whole anger against them. 44 He remembered that they were flesh; and that their life was like a breath of wind, passing away, and never returning. 45 How often did they exasperate him in the desert, and provoke his anger in places without water? 46 They still relapsed to tempt God, and to irritate the holy one of Israel. 47 They did not remember with what might and power, he had delivered them out of the hands of their persecutor. 48 What signs he had showed of his mightiness in Egipte, and what miracles he had wrought in the plains of Tanis. 49 How he turned the rivers into blood, and left them no waters that they could drink. 50 He sent them swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that destroyed them. 51 He gave their fruit to the Caterpillar, and their labour to the grasshopper. 52 With hail he killed their vines, and with frost their mulberry trees. 53 And with hailstones he destroyed their cattle, and their possessions with fire. 54 He made them feel the effects of his anger, and indignation is punishments of all kinds, by the ministry of evil angels. 55 He opened the passage of his ange● to fall upon them; He spared not the lives of them, nor of their cattle. 56 And he destroyed every first born in the land of Egipte, and all the first fruit of their labour in the tabernacle of Cham. 57 And he brought away his people like sheep, and conducted them like a flock in the desert. 58 He led them on with hope, and they feared nothing, And their enemies were overwhelmed in the sea. 59 And he brought them up to the-mountaine which he had made ' holy, To the mountain acquired with his right hand. 60 And he drove out the nations, before them, And divided by lot the land amongst them, measured out by the line. 61 And he established the tribes of Israel in the dwellings of these nations. 62 And still they tempted, and irritated God the most high, and his precepts they did not observe. 63 They turned away from him, And did not keep his covenant, as their fathers before them, they became like a bow that never carries true. 64 Upon their hills they provoked him to anger, and by their idols they raised his jealousy. 65 This God heard, and he despised them, And brought Israel even to nothing. 66 And he abandoned his Tabernacle at Silo, his Tabernacle where he had dwelled amongst men. 67 And he delivered up the ark, their strength, into captivity, And their glory into the hands of the Enemy. 68 And he exposed people on all sides to the sword, And he contemned his inheritance. 69 Their young men were devoured by fire, add their virgins were not lamented. 70 Their priests fell by the sword, and there was none to mourn for their widows. 71 Then our Lord risen up as it were waked out of a long sleep, Or like a strong man, after being drunk with wine. 72 And he struck the enemy in their hinder parts, and gave them a lasting mark of infamy. 73 And he rejected the Tabernacle of Joseph, nor did he choose the tribe of Ephraim. 74 But he made choice of the Tribe of Judah, The mountain of Zion, which he loved. 75 And he built his sanctuary in a high place upon the earth, which he hath founded to last for ever. 76 And he chose David his servant, and took him from the flocks of sheep, and from following the breeding yews. 77 To feed Jacob his servant, And Israel his inheritance. 78 And he led them with integrity of heart, And with skilful hands he conducted them. PSALM LXXVIII. Deus venerunt gentes. Some interpreters think that by this Psalm is meant the cruel persecution, which the jews suffered under Antiochus & his successors according to what is cited in the history of the Mabées, showing that what is here foretold was there accomplished. Others maintain that this Psalm speaks of the ruin of jerusalem caused by Nabuchodonosor. Wither it be the one or the other, what is said in it may be very well applied in general to the Church, and to the faith full in persecution. 1 O God Psalm. 78. the nations have entered into thy inheritance, They have defiled thy holy temple, They have made of Jerusalem a hovel to keep fruit in. 2 They have lef the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air, And the flesh of thy saints to be devoured by the beasts of the earth. 3 They spylt, and poured out the blood of thy servants, like water round about Jerusalem, And there was none to bury them. 4 We are become a subject of reproach to our neighbours, The scorn and mockery, of all that dwell about us. 5 How long, O Lord! will thy indignation continue against us! how long will thy anger be kindled like fire? 6 Power out hy wroth upon nations who know the not, and upon kingdoms, which never called upon thy name. 7 Because they have eaten up Jacob, and have made desolate the place of his habitation. 8 Remember not our past sins, quickly let thy mercy overtake us, for we are brought to the last degree of misery. 9 Help us o God who only can save us; And for the glory of thy name, o Lord! deliver us, and pardon our sins for the sake of thy name; 10 Lest it should be said amongst the Gentiles, where is their God? let us see thee manifest to the nations. 11 Thy revenge for the blood of thy servants, which has been spilt. Have regard to the sighs of those, who remain in fetters. 12 Take into the protection of thy powerful arm the sons of those, who have been slain. 13 And refund into the breasts of our neighbours seven times over the reproaches, which they have cast upon thee, O Lord! 14 But we, thy people, and the sheep of thy pasturs, will for ever praise thee. 15 From generation to generation, we will praise thy holy name. PSALM LXXIX. Qui regis Israel Intend. This Psalm contains a prayer which the Prophet puts into the mouth of the Israelites, when they were to be carried away to Babylon under the reign of Nabuchodonozor in which he teaches them how they should render God favourable to them, and Prevail upon his mercy. At the same time, it also contains a prophecy of the deliverance, which jesus Christ was to bring to all mankind by freeing them from the slavery of the Devil; figured by the Captivity of Babylon. 1 HAarken to us, Psalm. 79. Thou who dost govern Israel who dost lead Joseph, as thy sheep; 2 Who dost sit upon the Cherubins; manifest thyself to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses; 3 Exert thy power, And come, that we may be saved by thee. 4 Turn us to thee, O God and show thy face to us, And we shall be safe. 5 O Lord, the God of hosts! how long will thy anger make thee deaf to the prayer of thy servant? 6 How long, wilt thou feed us with the bread of tears, and give us tears in abundance to drink? 7 Thou hast laid us open to the assaults of our neighbours, And our enemies have derided us. 8 O God of all power! turn us to thee; show us thy face, and we shall be safe. 9 Thou hast transplanted thy vineyard out of Egypt, thou hast cast forth the nations, and planted us in their room. 10 Thou hast been the guide in the journey to conduct it, thou hast made it take root, and it has filled the whole earth. 11 The shadow of it has covered the mountains, And the branches of it the highest cedar. 12 The boughs extend, as far as the sea, and the shoots thereof reach to the river. 13 Why hast thou destroyed the fence, And laid it open to the pillage of all that pass by? 14 The bore of the wood has rooted it up, and the wild beast of the field has devoured it. 15 Turn towards us, o God of Hosts! Look down from heaven and see, and visit once more thy vineyard. 16 Repair, and make perfect what thy right hand hath planted, And look upon the son of man, whom thou hast establishd and chosen to thyself. 17 That is burnt, and rooted up; both are ready to perish by the threatening anger of thy countenance. 18. Stretch forth thy hand upon the Man of thy right hand, and upon the son of man, whom thou hast established and chosen to thyself. 19 And we will no more departed from thee, Thou wilt give us new life, and we will call upon thy name. 20 O Lord, the God of Hosts! make us return to thee, show us thy face, and we shall be safe. PSALM LXXX. Exultate Deo. Wither it be David that composed this Psalmè and gave it Asaph to sing, or whither Asaph himself made it, as the title seems to import, The people are therein exhorted to celebrate with joy and acknowledgements to God for his benefits, the festivities appointed the first days of the month, especially of September, to renew the memory of the covenant which God had made with his people. 1 WIth outcries of joy celebrate the praises of God our Protector, Psalm. 80. And rejoice in the presence of the God of Jacob. 2. Prepare a Psalm, Bring us the timbrill, the harmonious psalter, and the harp. 3 Sound the trumpet in the new moon in the great day of your solemnity. 4 For this is a precept in Israel, and an ordnance established by the God of Jacob. 5 He ordained it as a memorial to Joseph, when he went out of the land of Egipte where he heard a language he did not understand. 6 He freed him from carrying burdens on his back; his hands had long served in carrying baskets. 7 In thy tribulation thou didst call upon me, and I delivered thee, I heard thee when I was hid in the tempest, I made trial of thee, at the waters of contradiction. 8 Harken my people, and I will declare my will to you; O Israel if thou dost listen to me, there will be no new God amongst you, Thou wilt adore no strange God. 9 For I am the Lord thy God: who brought thee out of the land of Egipte; open thy mouth, and I will fill it. 10 But my people did not hearken to my voice, And Israel minded me not. 11 Where upon I abandoned them to the desires of their heart; They will follow their own inventions. 12 If my people would have heard me, If Israel had walked in my ways, 13 I could easily have humbled their Enemy's, and I would have laid my hand upon those, who afflicted them. 14 The Enemy's of our Lord have broke word with him, And the time of thei● calamity will last for ever. 15 And yet he has nourished them with the flower of the purest wheat, And hath fed them with honey flowing from the Rock. PSALM LXXXI. Deus stetit in Signagoga. Without determining the time'When this Psalm was made, which is much controverted, It is enough to say, that it contains an exhortation made by the Prophet to all judges to do equal justice, by telling them that God, as a suprem judge, presides in the middle of them, and will call them to account for the judgements they shall give. 1 GOd is present in the assembly of the Gods, Psalm. 81. and being in the middle of them, he judgeth the Gods. 2 How long therefore will you judge unjustly? how long will you have partial respect to the persons of sinners? 3 Judge the cause of the poor, and of the orphan, and do justice to the oppressed, and the needy. 4 Rescue the poor, and deliver the indigent from the oppression of the sinner. 5 But they are ignorant and void of understanding, they walk in the dark, For this reason the fundations of the world will be shaken. 6 I have said, you are Gods, and all of you sons of the most high. 7 But you shall die like men, and shall fall like other Princes. 8 Rise up, O God and judge the earth, for all the nations will become thy inheritance. PLALME LXXXII. Deus quis similis erit tibi. The time, when this Psalm was made is also much controverted amongst interpreters. It was certainly made upon the occasion of some great, and dangerous war which threatened the jews, and it is very proper to excite in us a confidence in God, in the middle of the greatest dangers. 1 O God who shall be like to thee? Psalm. 82. Be not silent, nor de lay any longer showing thy power. 2 For behold, thy enemies have made a great noise, And those who hate thee have lifted up their head. 3 They have formed malicious designs against thy people, and have conspired against thy saints. 4 They have said, Come Let us exterminate them from amongst the nations, that the name of Israel may be quite forgot. 5 To this end, they have conspired together, and are joined in confederacy against thee with the Tents of the Idumeans, and of the Ismaelites. 6 Moab, and the Agarens, Gebal and Ammon, and Amalech, & the strangers, together with the inhabitants of Tyrus. 7 Also the Assyrians are come up to them, And are become auxiliaries to the sons of Lot. 8 Do by them, as thou hast done by the Madianites, and by Cicera, And as thou hast done by Jabin near the torrent of Cisson. 9 They were destroyed in Endor, and they became, like dung upon the earth. 10 Dispose of their Princes, as thou didst of Oreb, and Zebel, and Salmena. 11 All those Princes, who have said, Come let us possess the sanctuary of God, as our own inheritance. My God turn them about like a wheel, and like chaff before the wind. 13 As a fire kindled burns down the wood of a forest, and as a flame consumes the mountains. 14 So will thy tempest drive them before the, And thy anger put them to an utter rout. 15 Fill their faces with Ignominy, And they will seek thy name, O Lord! 16 Otherwise Let their confusione, and their terrors last always, Let them be covered with shame, and perish. 17 And let them know, that thy name is Lord, And that thou art the only most high upon the earth. PSALM LXXXIII. Quam dilecta tabernacula. The subject of this Psalm seems to be the same with that of the 41. ch wherein David expresseth his great desire of seeing again the tabernacle of our Lord, at the time ●hen his persecutions had removed him at a distance from it: But principally it ought to be applied to the ardent desire which the faithful in the banishment of this life have of enjoying God in heaven, which is their true country. 1 HOw lovely are thy tabernacles, Psalm. 83. O Lord of hosts! my soul does languish with ardent desire of entering into the house of our Lord. 2 My heart, and my whole body with transports of joy seek the living. God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a lodging for itself, And the turtle a nest wherein to place its young ones. 4 Thy Altars, O Lord of hosts, my king, and my God are my place of rest. 5 Happy are they, who dwell in thy house, O Lord; For ever and ever they will praise thee. 6 Blessed is the man, who's help is from thee; he disposeth his heart in this veil of tears, to be still rising upward to the place, he hath proposed to himself. 7 For the maker of the law will give his benediction; They will rise from virtue to virtue, They will see the God of Gods in Zion. 8 O Lord, the God of Hosts! hear my prayer; harken to me, O God of Jacob! 9 Look upon us, O God our protector! and cast thine eyes upon the face of thy Christ. 10 For better is one day in thy tabernacles, than a thousand any where else. 11 I have chosen rather to be the lowest in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of sinners. 12 For God is a lover of mercy and of truth; our Lord is the giver of grace and glory. 13 He will not deprive those of his goods, who walk in innocence. O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man who hopes in thee. PSALM LXXXIV. Benedixisti Domine. This Psalm may be said to contain a double prediction, v●z of the return from the Captivity of Babylon, and of the general redemption of mankind, which was to proceed from the incarnation of the word. 1 THou hast given thy blessing, Psalm. 84. O Lord! to thy Land, thou hast delivered Jacob from captivity. 2 Thou hast pardoned the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sins. 3 Thou hast wholly appeased thy anger, And hast diverted from us the rigour of thy indignation. 4 Convert us to thee, O God our saviour! and turn away thy anger from us. 5 Wilt thou for ever be incensed against us? wilt thou extend thy anger from generation to generation? 6 O God in turning towards us thou wilt give us life, And thy people will rejoice in thee. 7 Show thy mercy to us, O Lord, and give us thy saving assistance. 8 I will hearken to what our Lord God shall speak within me, for he will speak peace to his people. 9 And to his saints, And to all those, who are converted at heart. 10 His salvation is certainly near at hand to those who fear him, that so glory may dwell in our Land. 11 Mercy and truth have met together, justice and peace have kissed each other. 12 Truth is sprung up from the earth, And justice has looked down from heaven. 13. For our Lord will power down his blessing, And out Land will yield its fruit. 14 Justice will walk before him, And in the way will direct his steps. PSALM LXXXV. Inclina Domine. It appears by this Psalm, that David was pressed with some great affliction, possibly the persecution of Saul, when he made this Psalm, ●hich contains a fervent prayer to God to hear him, and assist him in his mercy. This Psalm also contains a clear prophecy of the conversion of the gentiles. 1 BOw down thine ear, Psalm. 85. O Lord! hear me, for j am poor and in necessity. 2 Preserve my soul, for j am holy, my God save thy servant who trusts in thee. 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord! for all the day I have cried out to thee, make glad the soul of thy servant, because to thee, O Lord! I have lifted up my soul; 4 For thou, O Lord! art mild and benign, And full of mercy towards all that call upon thee. 5 Give ear, O Lord! to my prayer, And listen to the voice of my supplication. 6 In the day of my tribulation I have cried out to thee, Because thou art wont to hear me. 7 There is none amongst the Gods like to thee, O Lord! and none who's works, are like to thine. 8 All the nations whom thou hast created, shall come and adore thee, O Lord! and shall give glory to thy name; 9 For thou art truly great, and the doer of wonderful things, Thou art the only God. 10 Led me, O Lord! in thy way, And I shall enter into thy truth; Let my heart rejoyee in reverencing thy name. 11 I will praise thee, O Lord my God with my whole heart, and I will give glory to thy name for ever. 12 Because thy mercy hath been great upon me, and thou hast rescued my soul from the lowest hell. 13 O God the wicked have risen up against me, and a convention of powerful men have not had thee before their eyes. 14 But thou art compassionate and tenderhearted, slow to punish, and full of mercy and truth. 15 Look towards me, Psalm. 86. and have mercy on me, endow thy servant with power from thee, save the son of thy handmaid. 16 Give a sign of thy goodness towards me, that they who hate me may see it, and be confounded; For thou, O Lord! hast been still my helper and my comforter. PSALM LXXXVI. Fundamenta ejus. David in this Psalm celebrates t●e praises of the City of jerusalem, which in the Prophetic sense may very ●ell be applied to the Church of Christ, of which that City was the figure. 1 THe foundations thereof are laid in the holy mountains, Psalm. 85. Our Lord Loves the gates of Zion more than all the tents of Jacob. 2 Glorious things are said of thee, O City of God. 3 I will remember Rahab and Babylon, who shall know me. 4 Behold the strangers, and those of Tyrus, and the people of Ethiopia, they have been ther. 5 Will it not be said to Zion, Psalm. 86. that multitudes of men have been born there, And that the most high himself was the founder of it? 6 Our Lord will say it in the writings, wherein are registered the people, and the Princes that have lived there. 7 All thy inhabitants, O Zion! shall be replenished with joy. PSALM. LXXXVII. Domine Deus salutis. The Author of this Psalm describes, and Laments his misery, and prays to God to commiserate and help him, that so he may praise his holy name. 1 O Lord! Psalm. 87. the God of my safety! I have cried out by day, and by night before thee. 2 Vouchsafe to look upon my petition, And give ear to my prayer. 3 For my ●oul is oppressed with evils, And my life is on the brink of the grave. 4 I am reckoned as one of those that are to be let down into the pit, I am become forlorn, and destitute of all help, free amongst the dead. 5 Like the wounded that sleep in their sepulchres, who are forgotten by thee, and whom thy hand has rejected. 2 They have laid me in a deep pit, In a place of darkness, and in the shade of death. 7 Thy fury lies heavy upon me, and thou hast made all thy waves overwhelm me. 8 Thou hast separated from me all my friends, and they have me in abomination. 9 I have been shut up without being able to get out, my eyes languish with misery. 10 To thee, O Lord! I have cried out the whole day, I have stretched forth my hands to thee. 11 Is it amongst the dead that thou wilt show thy wonders? Or will physicians raise them to life, that so they may praise thee. 12 Will any in sepulchres relate thy mercy, and thy truth in the grave? 13 Will thy wonders be known in the region of darkness, and thy justice in the land of oblivion? 14 But I, O Lord! have cried out to thee, and early in the morning my prayer shall come before thee. 15 Why, O Lord! dost thou reject my prayer? why dost thou turn away thy face from me? 16 I am poor, and from my youth have been in labour and hardship, And after I was exalred, I was humbled again, and am full of trouble. 17 All thy anger has gone over me, And the terrors thereof have almost distracted me. 18 The whole day they have surrounded me like a flood of water, And all at once they have besieged me. 19 My friends and my neighbours thou hast removed far from me, And all my acquaintance fly me by reason of my misery. PSALM LXXXVIII. Misericordias Domini. The Psalmist praiseth God for his wonderful power, for his care of his people, for his favour shown, and promises made to David, and his posterity; Then complaining of contrary events, he expostulats, prayeth, and blesseth God. 1 THe mercies of our Lord, I will eternally sing; Psalm. 88 2 My mouth shall make known thy truth from generation to generation. 3 Because thou hast said, mercy shall be built up in heaven to last for ever; Thy verity will there be firmly established. 4 I have made a convenant with my Elect, I have sworn to David my servant; I will preserve thy race for ever. 5 And I will erect thy throne, which shall continue from age to age, 6 The heavens shall declare thy wonders, O Lord! And in the assembly of saints thy truth will be magnified. 7 For who in the heavens can equal our Lord, and who amongst the sons of God, shall be like to God? 8 To God, who is glorified in the assembly of his saints, who is great and terrible above all that are about him. 9 O Lord; the God of Hosts! who is like to thee? Thou art all powerful, O Lord! thy truth does encompass thee round. 10 Thou dost govern the rage of the sea, and thou dost moderate the violence of the waves. 11 The proud thou hast tamed, like a man that is wounded; by the strength of thy arm, thou hast dispersed thy Enemy's. 12 Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth; thou hast founded the univers, with all it contains; the north and the southern sea thou hast created. 13 Thabor and Hermon with the praises of thy name. Thy arm is all powerful. 14 Show the might of thy hand, and let thy right hand be exalted; justice and equity are the bases of thy throne. 15 Mercy and truth will march before thee. Happy the people, that knows to celebrate thy praise. 16 They will walk in the light of thy countenance; O God and all the day will joyfully praise thy holy name, and by thy justice they will be exalted. 17 For the glory of their strength is derived from thee, and to thy bounty, and goodness we own our elevation. 18 For 'tis our Lord, who has taken us into his protection, and the holy one of Israel, our king. 19 Then didst thou speak in a vision to thy saints, saying, I have given assistance to a man that hath strength, And I have raised up one chosen out of my people. 20 I have found out David my servant, and with my holy oil I have anointed him. 21 My hand shall be assisting to him, And my arm shall support him. 22 The enemy shall have no advantage over him, and the son of iniquity shall have no power to hurt him. 23 And I will cut in pieces his enemies before him, And I will mak● them fly who hate him. 24 My mercy, and my truth shall always be with him, and in my name his power shall be exalted. 25 And I will lay his hand upon the sea, And his right hand upon the rivers. 26 He shall call upon me, and say, Thou art my father, my God, and the author of my safety. 27 And I will constitute him my first begotten, and I will raise him above all the kings of the earth. 28 I will for ever preserve my mercy towards him, And my covenant with him shall be inviolable. 29 And I will make his race continue all ages, And his throne last as long as the heavens. 30 But if his sons shall deparr from my Law, and shall not walk according to my precepts. 31 If they shall violate my ordonances, and shall not keep my commandments. 32 I will visit with a rod their iniquities, and with stripes I will punish their sins; 33 But my mercy I will not wholly withdraw from them, Nor will I violate the truth of my promises. 34 I will not break my covenant, And the words which come from my mouth shall not be made void. 35 Once I have sworn by my own Holiness, and I will be true to David; That his race shall continue for ever. 36 And his throne shall always remain in my sight, like the sun, And like the moon in perfection, a faith full witness in heaven. 37 Thou notwithstanding hast rejected, hast despised, and laid aside him, whom thou hast anointed. 38 Thou hast reversed the covenant made with thy servant? thou hast thrown down to the ground, and profaned the sacred ensigns of his dignity. 39 Thou hast destroyed all his fences, all his strong places, thou hast filled with terror. 40 All that pass by the way have pillaged him; he is become the reproach of his neighbours. 41 Thou hast exalted the right hand of those who oppress him, and thou hast made joyful all his enemies. 42 Thou hast taken from him the help of his sword, And thou hast not succoured him in war. 43 Thou hast deprived him of Purification, and thou hast dashed in pieces his throne upon the ground 44 Thou hast shortened the number of his days, thou hast covered him with ignominy. 45 How long, O Lord! wilt thou turn away from me? will thy anger always burn on like a fire? 46 Remember how much of my life is consumed. Is it in vain that thou hast created the sons of men? 47 What man is there alive that must not see death? who shall save his life from the power of the grave? 48 Where, O Lord! are thy former mercies, which in thy truth thou hast sworn to David? 49 Remember, O Lord! the reproach of thy servants cast upon t●em by many nations, which I have contained within my breast. 50 Thy Enemy's (O Lord) have reproached us; They have reproached us, that, thou art changed towards thy anointed. 51 Let our Lord be eternally blessed, so be it, so be it. PSALM LXXXIX. Domine refugium. This Psalm contains the prayer of Moses (as the title shows) to God for the people, in which he complains of the miseries, and shortness of life, and asks from God happier times. 1 O Lord! Psalm. 89. thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. 2 Before the mountains were made, and the earth, and the univers were form; From all Eternity thou art God. 3 Let not man be cast down by thee, thou who hast said, Be converted ye sons of men. 4 For a thousand years in thy sight, are but as yesterday that is past; 5 And as the night watch, which is reckoned for nothing, so will their years be. 6 Like the grass, which in the space of one morning fades away; at break of day it flourishes, then decays, and in the evening it drops down, it hardens, and withers. 7 For we have fainted under thy anger, And thy indignation has put us into confusion. 8 Thou hast laid our iniquities before thy eyes, and exposed the whole course of our life to the light of thy countenance. 9 Thus all our days are wasted, And we ourselves are consumed by the rigour of thy anger. 10 Our years pass away like those of a spider in cobweb designs, The number of our days seldom exceeds seaventy years; 11 And in the strongest, if they arrive to eighty, all that is beyond that, is pain and sorrow. 12 But 'tis an effect of thy mercy, that we are so corrected. 13 Who knows the force of thy anger, and how much it ought to be feared? 14 Show the power of thy right hand, that our heart may be instructed in true wisdom. 15 Turn towards us O Lord! how long wilt thou neglect us? Be exorable towards rhy servants. 16 We have been filled in the morning with thy mercy, And we have rejoiced, and have been dilighted all the days of our Life. 17 We have rejoiced for the days in which thou didst humble us, And for the years in which evils did befall us. 18 Look upon thy servants, and upon thy own works, and be a guide to their children; 19 And let the splendour of the Lord our God, be upon us; direct all the works of our hands, Let the work of our hands be directed by thee. PSALM LXXXIX. Qui habitat. This Psalm which most probably is of David's making; though some attribute it to Moses, is full of useful instructions. It was upon the occasion of some great danger, that David made this Psalm in the manner of a Dialogue, ●her the Prophet, the just man, and our Lord speak by turns. 1 HE who dwell's under the shelter of the most high, Psalm. 90. shall always be protected by the God of heaven. 2 He shall say to our Lord, Thou art my defender and my refuge, he is my God and I will hope in him. 3 For he has delivered me from the snare of the hunters, And from the sharp word. 4 Under the shadow of his shoulders he will cover thee, and under his wings thou shalt be full of hope. 5 His truth will fence thee round like a buckler, And all that is frightful in the night, thou shalt not fear. 6 Nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the machinations contrived in the dark, nor the assault of the noon day devil. 7 A thousand shall fall by thy side, and ten thousand on thy right hand, But no hurt shall come att thee. 8 But thou shalt consider, and look round with thy eyes, and see the just recompense of sinners. 9 Because thou hast said in thee O Lord! is my hope; And thou hast chosen the most high for thy refuge; 10 Evil shall not approach to thee, And the scourge will not come near thy habitation. 11 For he has given thee in charge to his Angels, that they may preserve thee in all thy ways. 12 They will bear thee up with thei● hands, lest thy foot should stumble against the stone. 13 Thou shalt safely walk over the aspic and the basilisk, And thou shalt trample upon the Lion, and the Dragon. 14 Because he has trusted in me I will deliver him; I will protect him because he has known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will hear him; I am with him in time of tribulation; I will rescue him, and make him glorious. 16 I will fill him with length of days, And I will show him my salvation. PSALM LXXXXII. Bonum est confiteri. It is believed that this Psalm may have been made by David after he was delivered from the war of Absolom, he gives God thanks, admires the profoundness of his wisdom in all his works, and compares the false felicity of the wicked with the solid and everlasting happiness of the just. 1 IT is good to praise our Lord, Psalm. 91. and in Psalms to celebrate thy name, that art the most high. 2 To set forth thy mercy in the morning; And thy truth by night. 3 Upon the instrument of ten strings, in concert with the voice, and the harp. 4 For thou hast delighted me, O Lord! in the things thou hast made, And in the works of thy hands great will be my joy. 5 How magnificent are thy works O Lord! Deep and impenetrable are thy thoughts. 6 The man without sense will not know, and the fool will not understand these things. 7 Whilst the sinners spring up like grass, And the wicked flourish in the world. 8 To perish at last for ever, Thou O Lord! for all eternity art the most high. For behold, O Lord! thy enemies, for behold! thy enemies perish; And all the workers of iniquity will be scattered. 10 And like the horn of an unicorn my power will be raised up, And my oldage will be supported by thy plentiful mercy. 11 My eye has looked upon my enemies with contempt, And my ear will hear what becomes of those who maliciously have risen up against me. 12 The just shall flourish like the Palm tree, And shall grow up like a Cedar upon Libanus. 13 Planted in the house of our Lord; They shall flourish in the house of our God. 14 Still they shall be multiplied in a fruitful old age, and shall have vigour and strength to declare 15 That our Lord God is full of equity, and that there is no injustice in him. PSALM LXXXVIII. Dominus regnavit. The Author of this Psalm represeuts God's everlasting Kingdom, sets forth his power, and the truth of his promises. 1 OUr Lord reigneth, Psalm. 92. and is clothed with Majesty, Our Lord has put on strength, and has begirt himself. 2 For he has fixed the globe of the earth, which shall not be moved. 3 Even then thy throne was established, Thy being is before all ages. 4 The rivers, O Lord have raised, The rivers have raised, their voice; 5 The rivers have raised their waves, with the sound of many waters. 6 Wonderful are the swell of the sea, wonderful yet more is our Lord in the heavens. 7 Thy testimonies are most undoubtedly credible 3 Holiness becomes thy house, O Lord; for ever. PSALM LXXXXIII. Deus ultionum. The Prophet in this Psalm represents the blindness and unjustice of those who abusing the patience of God persecute, and oppress the just: Thes he incourages in their sufferings to rely upon the mercy of God, which sooner or later will never fail them, and this he confirms by his own exemple. 1 GOd is the Lord of revenge. Psalm. 93. The God of revenge acts with full liberty. 2 Be exalted thou, who judgest the earth; Render to the proud what they deserve. 3 How long, O Lord? shall sinners, how long shall sinners triumph? 4 How long shall they vaunt, and utter their iniquities? How long shall they boast, who act unjustly. 5 They have humbled thy people, O Lord! They have afflicted those of thy inheritance. 6 They have killed the widow, and the stranger, They have slain the orphan; 7 And they have said, The Lord will not see it, and the God of Jacob will know nothing of it. 8 Understand, all ye senseless amongst the people, And all ye fools at last grow wise. 9 He that form the ear, will he not hear? and he who made the eye, will he not see? 10 He that chastiseth whole nations, will he not reprehend you? he that gives knowledge to man will he not know? 11 Our Lord knows the thoughts of men, how vain they are. 12 Happy is the man, whom thou shalt teach, O Lord; and who shall be instructed by thee out of thy Law; 13 That thou mayst make the evil days easy to him, until the pit is dug for the sinner. 14 For our Lord will not cast off his people, nor will he abandon his own inheritance. 15 But preserve it, until his justice be manifested in his judgements; And all shall adhere to it, that are upright of heart. 16 Who in the mean time will take take my part against the wicked? Or who will stand by me against the workers of iniquity? 17 If our Lord had not helped me, my soul had almost dwelled in Hell. 18 If I said, my foot did fail me▪ Thy mercy, O Lord! at the same time held me up. 19 In proportion to the many sorrows that have oppressed my heart, Thy consolations have filled my soul with joy. 20 Will the seat of injustice have communication with thee, who hast made thy precept painful, and laborious? 21 They will lie in wait to take the life of the just, and they will condemn innocent blood. 22 But our Lord is become my refuge, And my God is the prop of my hope. 23 And he will make their injustice return upon themselves, The Lord our God will destroy them. PSALM LXXXXIV. Venite exultemus. This Psalm without doubt was made by David, since saint Paul citys it as his in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Some think it was made at the time when he carried the Ark to mount Zion. It contains a lively exhortation to praise God with our heart, our voice, and our works, and to submit to his holy laws. 1 COme, Psalm. 94. Let us rejoice in the presence of our Lord; Let us sing the praises of God our saviour. 2 Let us make haste to present ourselves before him with thanksgiving, and with voice, and instrument let us celebrate his glory. 3 For God is the great Lord, And the great king over all the Gods. 4 For the whole earth from one end to the other is in his hand, And the highest mountains belong to him; 5 For his is the sea, And he made it; And his hands form the dry Land. 6 Come, Let us adore, and fall down, And let us weep before our Lord, who has made us. 7 For he is the Lord our God, and we are the people nourished in his pastures, and the sheep guided by his hand. 8 If today you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 9 As in the time of provocation, and in the day of temptation in the desert, where your fathers tempted me, they made trial of me, and beheld my works. 10 For forty years together I was offended with that generation, and said, The heart of this people goes always wrong. 11 And they have not known my ways, Therefore I swore in my anger, they shall not enter into my place of rest. PSALM LXXXXV. Cantate Domino. Under the literal sense of this Psalm, which expresses the greatness of God, raised infinitely above the Gods of the Nations, and Victorious over all the Enemies of his people, All interpreters agree, that in the prophetic sense it contains the mystery of the coming of the Messiah, and of the establishment of the kingdom of jesus-christ, which is his Church upon the earth. 1 SIng to our Lord a new canticle, Psalm. 95. sing to our Lord over all the Earth. 2 Sing to our Lord, and bless his holy name; From day to day set forth his saving mercy. 3 Proclaim his glory amongst the people of the earth. 4 For great is our Lord, and infinitely praiseworthy, he is terrible above all the Gods. 5 For all the Gods of the Gentiles are devils, But our Lord is the Creator of the Heavens. 6 Glory & beauty shine out before him; sanctity and magnificence are in his sanctuary. 7 Ye Countries and nations I make offerings to our Lord of glory, and honour; offer to our Lord the glory due to his name. 8 Take your victimes, and go into his house, Adore our Lord at the entrance of his holy Tabernacle. 9 Let the whole earth tremble before him. Tell the nations, that our Lord is he who reigns. 10 For he has settled the earth, And it shall not be moved, The people thereof he will judge with equity. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be transported with joy. Let the sea alike be moved, and all that fill it, The fields will have gladness, and all that is in them. 12 Then will all the trees of the woods show their joy in the presence of our Lord, Because he comes, because he comes to judge the earth. 13 He will judge the whole earth with equity, And all nations according to his truth. PSALM LXXXXVI. Dominus regnavit. It is probable that David made this Psalm after some signal victory gained upon his Enemies for which he magnifys the power and mercy of God At the same time he does very plainly foretell the establishment of the spiritual kingdom of jesus-christ, And he exhorts all men to prepare themselves for it, by hatred to sin, and love to justice. 1 OUr Lord does reign, Psalm. 96. let the earth rejoice; Let all the Islands be glad. 2 Clouds, and darkness are round about him; justice and judgement support his Throne. 3 Fire will go before him, and he will consume his enemies round about him. 4 His lightnings appeared over all the earth, at the fight thereof the earth trembled. 5 The mountains melted like wax in the presence of our Lord; so did the whole earth in the presence of our Lord. 6 The heavens have declared his justice, And all people of the earth have seen his glory. 7 Let all be confounded, who adore graven images, And who glory in their jdols. 8 Adore him all his Angels! Zion has heard, and has rejoiced; 9 And the daugherts of Juda have been filled with joy, by reason of thy judgements, o Lord! 10 For thou art the supreme Lord over all the earth, Thou art infinitely raised above all the Gods. 11 All you that love our Lord, be haters of evil; our Lord takes care of the souls of his saints; he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner. 12 Light is risen upon the just, And joy upon the upright of heart. 13 Let all the just rejoice in our Lord, And celebrate the memory of his Hollines. PSALM LXXXXVII. Cantate Domino. This Psalm seems to have been made upon the same occasion, and upon the same subject with the last, And has the same spiritual, and prophetic meaning. 1 Sing to our Lord a new hymn, Psalm. 97. For he has done wonderful things. 2 We are saved by the might of his right hand, and by the strength of his holy arm. 3 Our Lord has made known his saving power; in the sight of the nations he has manifested his justice. 4 He has remembered his mercies, and the making good his promises to the house of Israel. 5 The whole earth has seen, the saving mercy of our God. 6 Joyfully sing all ye inhabitants of the earth, the praises of God: sing and be transported with joy; sing and play upon your instruments. 7 Sing to our Lord upon the harp, and the Psaltery, with trumpets, and cornets 8 Sound forth your joy in the presence of our Lord, our king: Let the sea rejoice, and all it contains, and the whole world with the inhabitants thereof. 9 The rivers will join their applause, and the mountains will show their joy at the sight of our Lord, because he comes to judge the earth. 10 He will judge the earth according to justice, And the people thereof with equity. PSALM LXXXXVIII. Dominus regnavit irascantur. It is probable David made this Psalm at the time when the Ark was placed upon mount Zion. It contains an exhortation to the people that they should reverence the glory of God residing in the Ark, and adore him with humble fear, as the holy Prophets in former times had done. 1 OUr Lord reigns, Psalm. 98. Let the Nations be angry: he reigns, who sits upon the Cherubins; Let the earth tremble. 2 Our Lord is great in Zion, And supreme over all the people of the world. 3 Let them give glory to thy great name, because it is terrible, and holy; And the glory of a king is love of justice. 4 Thou hast established just laws, Thou hast executed judgement, and justice in Jacob. 5 Magnify the glory of the Lord our God; And adore his footstool because it is holy. 6 Moses and Aron were of the number of his priests, Samuel was amongst those, who called upon his name. 7. They called upon the Lord and he heard them, in the pillar of the Cloud he spoke to them. 8 They Kept his ordinances, and the precept which he gave them. 9 O Lord our God thou didst hear them: O God: thou wast propitious to them; And yet didst take revenge of all their evil deeds. 10 Glorify the Lord our God, and adore him upon his holy mountain, Because the Lord our God is holy. PSALM LXXXXIX. Jubilate Deo. This also is a Psalm of praise and thanks giving, Psalm. 99 which invites all the people of the Earth to enter into the holy temple, which mystically, and truly is the Church of Christ. 1 ALl you of the earth sing praises to God, serve our Lord with joy. 2 Go in, And present yourselves with gladness of heart. 3 Know that our Lord he is God: he made us and not we ourselves. 4 You that are his people, and the sheep of his pastures, enter within his gates praising his holy name: Enter into his house with joyful hymns; worship him with thanksgiving. 5 Praise his name, for our Lord is full of mildness: his mercy is everlasting, and his truth remains from generation, to generation. PSALM C. Misericordiam & judicium. David (or rather the holy Ghost speaking by the mouth of David) represents in his own person to all Princes a model of the conduct, which they ought to observe in the gouvernment of their subjects. 1 MErcy & justice will sing to thee, Psalm. 100 O Lord? 2 I will sing, And I shall understand the way of perfection, when thou comest to me. 3 I have walked within my house with innocence of heart. 4 I have not proposed to myself any unjust thing: I have hated all breakers of thy Law. 5 The man of a depraved heart hath had no society with me; Nor would I know the wicked one, that turns a side from me. 6 I persecuted the man, who in secret calumniated his neighbour. 7 With the proud eye, and the insatiable heart, I have avoided to eat. 8 I have cast my eyes upon the faithful of the land; to have them sit by me; Nor would I be served by any, but those of an untainted life. 9 The proud, and the insolent man shall not dwell under my roof: he that speaks unjust things, is never welcome in my sight. 10 Be times I did cut off the sinners of the land, That I might abolish all wickedness in the city of God. PSALM CI. Domine exaudi. Whoever was the Author of this Psalm about which the Interpreters do not agree, certain it is that it contains an excellent prayer, which is proper in general for all those, who are under any great affliction, either spiritual, or corporal. In the siguratif sense the fathers apply it to jesus-christ, following the example of S. Pa●l, who accordingly explicats some verses in it. 1 O Lord! hear my prayer, Psalm. 101. And let my cry reach to the. 2 Turn not away thy face from me; In what day soever Jam afflicted incline thine ear to me; 3 In what day soever I call upon thee, instantly hear me. 3 Because my days have vanished like smoke; And my bones are parched like the hearth of a chimney. 5 I am withered like hay, And my heart is dried up within me: For I have forgot to eat my bread. 6 My bones cleave to my skin throw the lowdnes of my groans. 7 I am become like a pelican in the wilderness, And like a night-crow in a loan building. 8 Whole nights I have watched, like the solitary sparrow on the roof of the house. 9 All the day my enemies upbraided me; And they who praised me, conspired against me. 10 For I did eat ashes in stead of bread, And mingled my tears with my drink. 11 At the sight of thy Anger, and indignation; For after having raised me up, thou hast dashed me on the ground. 12 My days are vanished like a shadow, And like hay I am withered. 13 But thou, O Lord! remainest for ever, And thy memory continues from generation to generation. 14 Thou wilt rise up, and have mercy on Zion, For the time is come to take pity of it, For the time is now come. 15 For the ruins of it are still precious with thy servants, And they have compassion for the ground thereof. 16 And the Nations shall fear thy name O Lord; And the kings of the earth shall dread thy glory. 17 For Zion was built by our Lord; And he will be there seen in his glory. 18 He has had regard to the prayers of the humble, And has not despised their supplication. 19 Let these things be writ for the generations to come; And the people to be created shall praise our Lord. 20 For he has looked out from his sanctuary above, our Lord from heaven has cast his eyes upon the earth. 21 To hear the groans of the captitives, And to unbind the sons of those who have been slain; 22 That they may again set forth the name of our Lord in Zion, And his praises in Jerusalem. 23 When the people, and the kings shall meet together to serve our Lord. 24 He said to him in the vigour of his age, show me ●he fewnes of my days; 25 Call me not away in the middle of my days; Thy years reach from generation to generation. 26 In the beginning, O Lord! thou didst found the earth; And the heavens are the works of thy hands. 27 They shall perish, thou art still the same: And they shall all wear ou● like a garment, 28 And thou wilt change them like a Cloak, and they will be changed: But thou art still the same, and thy years will never have end; 29 The sons of thy servants shall have a fixed habitation; And their race shall remain for ever. PSALM CII. Benedic anima mea. This Psalm of David contains his thanks for the favours he had received from God, and particulary for the pardon of his sins. He also has regard to the mercies bestowed upon his people by our Lord; and therein are concerned all those, who in futur times shall find the effects of his bounty. 1 BLess, Psalm. 102. O my soul! our Lord, And all that is within me bless his holy name! 2 Bless, O my soul! our Lord, And never forget all his benefits. 3 It is he that pardons all thy iniquities, who heals all thy infirmities. 4 Who has redeemed thy life from the grave, Who does encompass thee with his mercy, and his goodness; 5 Who fills thee with all goods, thy heart can desire? who renews thy youth like that of an eagle. 6 Our Lord shows his mercy, And does justice to all that wrongfully suffer. 7 He made his way known to Moses, And his will to the children of Israel. 8 Our Lord is merciful and full of tenderness; he is patiented, and full of pity. 9 He will not be angry for ever, Nor will his threaten eternally last. 10 He has not treated us, as our sins deserved; Nor has he punished us in proportion to our iniquities. 11 For as much, as heaven is raised above the earth, so much hath his mercy been confirmed upon those, who fear him. 12 And as far as the East is distant from the West, so far he has removed our iniquities from us. 13 Even as a father has compassion for his children, so does our Lord take pity of those who fear him; For he knows what earth, we are made of. 14 He remembers that we are dust, And that the life of man, like the grass and the flower in the field, does flourish, and pass away. 15 For a wind will come upon it, and it will drop down, And the place where it stood will no longer be known. 16 But the mercy of our Lord remains. from ever to ever upon all that fear him; 17 And his justice will protect the sons of their sons, who observe his Covenant, 18 And who remember his Commandments, to keep them. 19 Our Lord has prepared his throne in heaven; And all things shall be subject to his Empire. 20 Bless our Lord all his Angels! Mighty in strength, That execute his Commands, And are still ready to receive his orders. 21 Bless our Lord all ye militia of heaven! That are Ministers to execute his will. 22 Bless our Lord all his works in every place of his Dominions. My soul! bless thou our Lord. PSALM CIII. Benedic anima mea Dominum. This Psalm contains the praises, and thanks of David to God in consideration of all the works of nature, and of the w●nders wihch appear both in the heavens, and on the earth. 1 MY soul, Psalm. 103. bless thou our Lord! O Lord my God thou hast made thy greatness wonderfully to appear. 2 Thou hast put on Majesty and Glory; Thou art clothed with light, as with a garment; 3 Thou hast extended the heavens as a skin, and covered the upper parts of them, with water. 4 Thou art he, who ascends upon a cloud, And walks upon the wings of the wind. 5 Who makes use of spirits to be thy messengers, and Angels; And of burning flames to be thy ministers. 6 Who hath founded the earth upon its own solidity, which will not be overturned for ever. 7 The sea like a garment covered it; And the waters overtopd the mountains; 8 But at thy threatening voice they did retire, And when thy thunder spoke, they were terrified. 9 Then the mountains risen, and the plains descended Each into the situation, thou hast allotted to them. 10 Thou hast set bounds tooth waters, which they shall not pass, Nor shall they return to cover the earth. 11 Thou makest fountains flow in the valleys, And waters to run in the middle between the mountains. 12 Theridamas all the beasts of the field shall drink, And the wild asses shall quench their thirst. 13 On the top of them the birds of the air shall dwell; the middle of the rocks their notes shall be heard. 14 Thou waterest the mountains with rain from above, And the earth will be replenished with the fruit of thy works. 15 Thou hast made the grass grow up for the beast, And herbs to spring for the use of man. 16 That out of the earth thou mayst produce bread, And wine to exhilerate the heart of man. 17 That his face may be cheered with owl, And bread may strengthen his heart. 18 The trees of the plains will be filled with sap, as also the Cedars of Libanus which he planted, There the birds will build their nests. 19 That of the stork will be the chief amongst them. The high mountains will be for the stags, And the rocks will be a refuge for the Irchins. 20 He made the moon to mark the times; The sun knows when to go down. 21 Thou didst order darkness, and it became night. Then all the beasts of the wood will range about, 22 The roaring whelps of the Lions to catch their prey, And seek the food which God destined for them. 23 At the sun rise they gather together, And return back to their couches again. 24 Then man will go out to his work, And to his labour till the evening comes. 25 How magnificent, O Lord! are thy works; Thou hast contrived all things according to thy profound wisdom; The earth is filled with thy riches. 26 See the wide sea of a vast extent, There swim fishes not be numbered; 27 Creatures of all sizes little and great; There ships sail to and fro. 28 There is that sea Dragon, which thou hast form to play in thee sea. All expect from thee their nourishment in due season. 29 When thou dost distribute it to them, they will gather it up, when thou openest thy hand, all will be filled with thy bounty. 30 But when thou shalt with draw▪ thy countenance from them, they will fall into confusion; Their breath thou wilt take from them; And they will sink down, and return to their primitive dust. 31 Thou wilt send forth again thy spirit, and they will be regenerated; And thou wilt renew the face of the earth. 32 Let the glory of our Lord last for ever; Our Lord will take pleasure in his works. 33 He looks upon the earth, and he makes it tremble; he touches the mountains, And they smoke, 34 I will sing to our Lord during my life, with voice and Instrument I will set forth his praises as long, as I am in being. 35 May my words be agreeable to him; On my part my delight shall be in our Lord. 36 Let sinners, and unjust Men be consumed upon the earth, that they may no longer be. O my soul! bless thou our Lord. PSALM CIV. Confitemini Domino. In this Psalm God is praised for the benefits bestowed by him upon the people of Israel, both when he first brought them into Egipte to avoid the famine, and when he led them back again into the land of Canaan. 1 GIve thanks to our Lord, Psalm. 104. And call upon his name; set forth his works amongst the Nations. 2 With voice, and instrument celebrate his praises; Relate all his wonders. 3 Place your glory in his holy name; Let all hearts rejoice that seek our Lord; 4 Seek our Lord, and be strengthened; always seek his face; 5 Remember the wonderful things he has done, his prodigys', and the judgements pronounced by him, 6 You that are of the race of Abraham, The sons of Jacob his elect. 7 He is the Lord our God; he gives judgement over all the earth. 8 He has all ways been mindful of his Covenant, And of his word established for ever. 9 Which he gave to Abraham; And of the oath he made to Isaac, 10 Which he confirmed to Jacob, to be a law inviolable, And to Israel, to be an everlasting Covenant, 11 Saying, I will give to thee the land of Canaan for thy inheritance. 12 At the time when they were few in number, A small family, And strangers in the land. 13 They passed from Country to Country, And from one Kingdom to another people. 14 He suffered none to do them hurt; he punished kings for their sake. 15 Touch not (he said) my anointed, And do no hurt to my prophet's. 16 He caused famine to come upon the land; And all their sustenance of bread he took from them. 17 He sent a man before them; Joseph whas sold for a slave. 18 They put fetters upon his feet; his irons penetrated his soul, till his prophecy was accomplished. 19 He was inspired by revelation from our Lord. The king sent, and caused him to be unbound; The ruler of the people set him at liberty. 20 He gave him absolute authority over his house, And made him the chief over all his dominions. 21 That he might instruct his Princes, as well as himself, And give rules of wisdom to his Elders. 22 Then Israel came into Egypt, And Jacob resided in the land of Cham; 23. And God exceedingly increased his people, And made them stronger, than their Enemies; 24 Whos hearts he turned into hatred against his people, so that they contrived to ensnare his servants. 25 Then he sent Moses his servant, And Aron, whom he had chosen to himself. 26 He endowed them with the power of doing miracles and prodigies in the land of Cham. 27 He sent darkness And Egypt was covered with it; All his words had their effect. 28 He turned their waters into blood, And destroyed all their fishes. 29 Their land brought forth frogs, Even in the private lodgings of their king. 30 He said the word, And swarms of flies of all sorts came upon them; And louse were spread over all their Country. 31 In stead of rain he sent them hail, and à consuming fire on their lands. 32 He killed their vines, and their fig trees, and destroyed all the trees on the ground. 33 He spoke, And the Locusts came, and the Caterpillars, that were innumerable; 34 And they did eat up all their grass in the fields, And devoured all the fruit of their Country. 35 And he killed every first born in their land, And the first fruits of their childbed labours; 36 And he brought forth his people loaded with gold, and silver; And there was not an infirm person in all their Tribes. 37 Egypt rejoiced at their departure, For they were in great dread of them. 38 He extended a cloud to be a cover to them, And lighted them by night with a pillar of fire. 39 They asked him meat, and he sent them quails; And he fed them with the bread of heaven. 40 He broke open the rock, and the waters did run; In the dry ground rivers did flow. 41 For he was mindful of his sacred word, which he gave to Abraham his servant. 42 And he brought forth his people with joy, And his chosen one's with gladness. 43 And he gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they possessed, and enjoyed the labours of the Nations. 44 That they might observe his precepts, And carefully mind his law. PSALM CV. Confitemini Domino quoniam. In this Psalm the people are excited to praise God, and to put their trust in his mercy, To which end the benefits of God formerly bestowed upon the Israelites are comemorated: Their sins are described, and the divine mercy towards them is extol. ed. This Psalm ends with a short prayer for the safety of the people, and the coming back of their dispersed brothers. So that it seems to have been writ in the time of the Captivity of Babylon. 1 PRaise our Lord, Psalm. 105. for he is good: For his mercy is everlasting. 2 Who shall relate the wonders of our Lord? who shall publish all his praises. 3 Happy are they, who keep the rules of justice, and in all times do what is right. 4 Remember us, O Lord! according to the love thou bearest thy people: visit us with thy saving mercy. 5 That we may enjoy the good things reserved for thy Elect, That we may have part in the enjoyments of thy people; And that thou mayest be praised by all those of thy Inheritance. 6 We as well as our Fathers, have sinned: We have acted unjustly, And we are guilty of iniquity. 8 They provoked God even when they were entering into the sea, Into the red sea. 9 Yet he ceased not to preserve them, for the glory of his name, And to manifest his power. 10 He threateningly commanded the red sea, And it instantly became dry: And he led them thorough the middle of the waters, as if it had been thorough a dry desert. 11 He rescued them out of the hands of those, who hated them, and delivered them out of the hands of Pharaoh their Enemy. 12 And the water overwhelmed those, who pursued them; Not one of them escaped. 13 Then they believed his words, and they celebrated his praises. 14 But soon after they forgot what he had done for them, And had not patience to wait for the execution of his designs. 15 They were carried away with their inordinate desires in the defert, And tempted God in the place without water. 16 He gave them what they petitioned for, And filled them with what their souls desired. 17 Again they provoked Moses in the Camp, And Aron the holy one of our Lord. 18 The earth opened, and swallowed Dathan, and devoured Abiram with his associates. 19 A fire risen up in the assembly of them, And the flames consumed the sinners. 20 They made a Calf in Horeb, and they adored the graven Image. 21 They transfered the glory belonging to him, To the image of an Ox that eats grass. 22 They forgot God, who had saved them, who had done such great things in Egypt, such prodigys' in the land of Cham, And such terrifying wonders in the red sea. 23 And he resolved to destroy them, which he had done, if Moses his chosen one had not stood in the breach, and presented himself before him. 24 To divert his anger from destroying them. Then again they despised the land so much to be desired. 25 They gave no credit to his word, And they murmured in their tents; They did not hear the voice of our Lord; 26 And he lifted up his hand upon them, to exterminate them in the desert. 27 And to scatter the race of them amongst the nations, And to disperse them into several Countries. 27 They worshipped Belphegor, and did eat of the sacrifices offered to dead men. 29 They irritated God in all their actions; And great numbers of them were destroyed. 30 Then Phin●es risen up, and appeased God, And the mortality ceased. 31 And this was imputed to him, as justice, for all the Ages to come. 32 Again they provoked him at the waters of contradiction: And they brought great vexation upon Moses, for they imbittered his spirit. 33 And he spoke diffidently: They did not destroy the Nations, which our Lord had commanded them to exterminat. 34 They mingled amongst the Gentiles, and learned their ways, and works: They adored their Idols; and this was the occasion of their fall. 35 And they immolated their sons, and their daughters to Devils. 36 They did spill innocent blood, even the blood of their sons, and daughters, which they sacrificed to the Idols of Canaan. 37 And the land was infected with blood, and contaminated with their works: And they prostituted them selves to Idols of their own making. 38 And our Lord was enraged against his people, And he abominated his inheritance. 39 And delivered them up into the hands of the Nations, And put them under the power of those, who hated them. 40 They were oppressed by their Enemies, and humbled under their Dominion. Many times did God deliver them. 41 But they still held on to exasperate him in their evil ways; And their own iniquities brought misery upon them. 42 Yet he had a regard for them in their affliction, And he heard their prayer. 43 And he remembered his Covenant, And he relented according to the greatness of his mercy; 44 And he raised compassion towards them in all those, who held them in captivity. 45 Save us, O Lord, our God And gather us again into a body out of the Nations. 46 That we may honour thy holy name, And have glory in praising thee. 47 Blessed be our Lord, the God of Israel, now and for ever; And all the people shall say, Amen, Amen. PSALM CVI Confitemini Domino quoniam honus. This Psalm is all praises, and tranksgiving. In the literal sense it sets forth the delivery of the Israelites from the Captivity of Egypt▪ And from that of Babylon; and in the Spiritual sense is described the redemption of mankind from the slavery of the Devil by the death▪ of our saviour. 1 PRaise our Lord, Psalm. 106. for he is good, For his meecy continues for ever. 2 Let those speak who have been redeemed by our Lord, who have been delivered by him out of the hands of the Enemy, And who have been brought together again out of the Countries, where they were dispersed. 3 From the east, and the west, From the north, and From the south. 4 They have wandered in a wilderness without water; And they have not found any way to a City of habiation. 5 They wandered hungry, and thirsty; Their souls fainted within them. 6 And in their tribulation they cried out to our Lord, And he delivered them from all their necessities. 7 And Brought them into a right way, by which they might come to a City of habitation. 8 Let them thank our Lord for his great mercy, And let them publish his wonders to the sons of men. 9 For he has filled the empty soul, And with his good things has satiated the hungry soul. 10 They sat in darkness, and in the shade of death, straitened with poverty, and bound in irons; 11 Because they had been rebellious to the word of God, And had despised the Counsel of the most high. 12 And their heart was brought low with labour, and misery; They sunk down throw weakness; And there was no body to help them. 13 And in their tribulation they cried out to our Lord, And he delivered them from all their calamities: 14 And brought them out of darkness, and out of the shade of death; And broke their chains in sunder. 15 Let them praise our Lord for his wonderful deeds to the sons of Men. 16 For he has made the brazen gates fly in pieces, And the iron bars he has broke in sunder. 17 He received them when they returned from the way of their iniquities: For their injustices were the cause of their humiliation. 18 Their soul loathed all nourishment, Aod they were come to the very gates of death. 19 And in their tribulation they cried out to our Lord, And he delivered them from all their Calamitys. 20 He sent his word, and he healed them, And delivered them from death. 21 Let them praise our Lord for his Mercys, And for his wonderful deeds to the sons of Men. 22 And let them offer him a sacrifice of praise, And with loud joy let them set forth his works, 23 Who in ships made voyages upon the sea, Driving their trade on the great waters, 24 They have seen the works of our Lord, And his wonders in the deep. 25 He said the word, and the wind blew a storm! and the waves were raised up: 26 They risen even to heaven, And fell again to the lowest depth: At the sight of so much danger their souls were in an agony: 27 They were terrified, and reeled about like a drunken man; And all their skill did q●i●e forsake them: 28 And in their trbulation they cried out to our Lord, And he delivered them from all their Calamitys: 29 And he changed his storm into a gentle gale, And his waves instantly were quiet: 30 And they became joyful, because they were appeased: And he brought them into their desired harbour. 31 Let them praise our Lord for his Mercys, And for his wonderful deeds to the sons of Men. 32 Let them glorify him in the assembly of the people: And in the session of the Elders, let them celebrate his praises. 33 He has changed rivers into dry deserts, And made dry ground where fountains did spring: 34 He has made fruitful land become barren, for the wickedness of the Inhabitants. 35 He has turned the barren desert into a place abounding with waters, And has made fountains rise in the driest land; 36 And there he has placed those, who wanted food; And they built themselves a City to dwell in; 37 And they sowed the fields, and planted vineyards, which yielded plenty of fruit. 38 And he gave them his blessing, and they multiplied exceedingly; And their stock of cattles did also increase. 39 And when they sinned again he reduced them to a small number; Evils came upon them, and they were oppressed with sorrow. 40 He let their Princes fall into contempt, And made them wander about in wildernese, whe● there was no way. 41 Yet he raised the poor out of their needy condition; And increased their families, as a flock of sheep. 42 The just will see these things, and rejoice; And the mouth of iniquity will be stopped. 43 Who is the wise man, that will keep in memory thes things? And the mouth of iniquity will be stopped. PSALM CVII. Paratum cormeum. In The first part of this Psalm the mercies of God are praised, and in the second his promise to preserve his kingdom is set forth with an invocation of his assistance. 1 MY heart is prepared, Psalm. 107. O God my heart is prepared; In all my glory I will celebrate thy praises with voice, and instrument. 2 Rise up my glory: Rise up the Psalter, and the harp, And I myself will rise up betimes. 3 I will praise thee, O Lord! in the middle of the people, And I will sing thy glory amongst the Nations: 4 Because thy mercy is raised above the heavens: And thy truth up to the clouds. 5 Be exalted, O God above all the heavens; And over all the earth let thy glory shine: That thy beloved may be delivered. 6 Protect me with thy right hand, and hear me; God has said by his holy Prophet; 7 I shall rejoice, and divide the land of Sichem, And measure out the valley of the tabernacles. 8 Galaad is mine, and Manasses is mine, And Ephraim is the chief of my strength. 9 Judah is the seat of my Empire; Moab vessel of my hope. 10 I will march into Idumea: strangers are now become my friends. 11 Who will lead me to the fortified City? who will conduct me into the middle of Idumea? 12 Is it not thou, My God? who a while since rejected us? And wilt thou not go forth with us at the head of our arms? 13 Relieve us, O Lord! in our distresses; For vain is the safety, which comes from man. 14 With the help of our God we will perform great actions, and he will bring to nothing all our Enemy's. PSALM CVIII. Deus laudem meam. David in this Psalm describes the malice of his Enemies, he imprecats them, and sets forth his own affliction, imploring the help of God. But David as a Prophet inspired by God had in his view the persecution, which the jews raised against jesus-christ, and the treason of judas one of his Apostles, as it appears by the testimony both of St. Peter, and St. john; who cite verses of this Psalm to that purpose. 1 O God conceal not my praise, Psalm. 108. for the mouth of the sinner, and the mouth of the deceiver are opened against me. 2 They spoke against me with a deceitful tongue, And the expressions of their hatred were heard on all sides; And they have set upon me without Cause. 3 In stead of loving me, as they ought, they have calumniated me; But I still have prayed to thee. 4 And they rendered to me evil for good; And hatred for love. 5 Place the sinner over him, And let the devil stand upon his right hand. 6 When he comes to be judged, Psalm. 108. let him go off condemned; And let his prayer become his sin. 7 Let his days be shortened; And let another take his ministry. 8 Let his children become orphans, And his wife a widow: 9 Let his children be vagabonds and beg, And let them be driven out of their habitations. 10 Let the Usurer lay hold on his Estate: And let strangers seize upon the fruits of his labours. 11 Let there be no body to help him▪ Nor to take pity of his orphan children: 12 Let all that is born of him be destroyed, And in one generation let his name be extinguished. 13 Let the memory of his Progenitors iniquities be still revived in the presence of our Lord: And let not the sin of his mother be ever blotted out. 14 Let their crimes be still in the sight of our Lord, And let their memory perish upon the earth: Because he did not remember to do mercy. 15 But persecuted an indigent, and poor man, and sought his life, who's heart was pierced with sorrow. 16 He loved malediction, and it will come upon him: He rejected benediction, And it will not come near him: 17 And he covered himself with malediction, as with a garment: It entered into his bowels like water, and like oil penetrated even to his very bones, 18 Let it be to him, as a garment, that covers him, And like a girdle that always goes round him. 19 Thus will my detractors be treated by our Lord, And they who conspire against my life. 20 And thou O Lord, O Lord! assist me for the sake of thy name, Because thou art full of mercy, and goodness. 21 Deliver me, for I am poor, and indigent, and my heart is disturbed within me. 22 Like the shadow which declines, I pass away, And like the Locust I am driven from place to place. 23 My knees are weakened with fasting: And my flesh is all changed for want of oil. 24 I am become a subject of mockery to them: They have looked upon me, and shaked their heads at me. 25 O Lord my God succour me; save me according to thy mercy. 26 Let them see thy hand in it; And And that it is thou, O Lord? that hast done it. 27 They will curse me, and thou wilt bless me. Let those, who rise up against me be covered with shame, But let thy servant be filled with joy. 28 Let those, who calumniat me be clothed with confusion; And let them be wrapped up in their own infamy, as with a double cloak. 19 I will praise our Lord with the whole force of my voice; And I will sing his praises in the middle of the great assembly. 30 Because he has stood by me in my poverty, to save my life from those who persecuted me. PLALME CIX. Dixit Dominus. This prophetic Psalm both by the Title, and by what our saviour himself said of it, is certainly of David's making. It contains a prophecy concerning the Messiah, as the jews themselves did own, when our saviour confuted them out of it. It declares that the Messiah shall sit at the right hand of God, & shall reign amongst the Nations; That his preis' thod shall be eternal, That kings skall fall before him, and that all shall be overcome by him. 1 THe Lord said to my Lord, Psalm. 109. sit on my right hand, 2 Until I bring thy enemies to be thy foot stool. 3 Our Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy Kingdom out of Zion: Go and rule in the middle of thy Enemies. 4 Thy Empire will appear in the day of thy strength, in the splendour of thy saints. Before the morning I begat thee. 5 Our Lord has sworn, and he will not repent; Thou art a Priest for all eternity, according to the order of Melchisedeck. 6 Our Lord on thy right hand has destroyed Kings in the day of his Anger. 7 7 He will judge the Nations, he will fill all with ruin, he will crush on the ground the heads of many. 8 He will drink out of the Torrent in the high way; therefore in glory he will exalt his head. PSALM CX. Confitebor tibi Domine. This Psalm contains praises, and thanks givings to God for the great wonders he has done in favour of the People of Israel, which are much more applicable to what he has done in favour of his Church. 1 I will praise thee, Psalm. 110. O Lord! with my whole heart, In the assembly and Congregation of the just. 2 Great are the works of our Lord, exquisite in all his designs. 3 His works are glorious, and magnificent: his justice abides for ever. 4 Our merciful, and indulgent Lord has perpetuated sustenance for all that fear him. 5 He will all ways remember his Covenant, he will make known to his people the mightiness of his works. 6 That he may give them the inheritance of the Nations: All his works are full of truth and justice. 7 All his precepts are inviolable; established for all ages? Form according to truth and equity. 8 He has sent a redeemer to his people; he has made a Covenant with them for all eternity. 9 Holy and terrible is his name: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 10 They who fear him are truly wise: His glory remains for ever and ever. PSALM CXI. Beatus vir. This Psalm contains the praises of the virtuous and charitable man, and the happiness which will attend him. 1 HAppy is the man who fears our Lord; Psalm. 111. his whole pleasure will be to keep his Commandments. 2 His posterity shall be powerful upon the earth; The race of the just shall be blessed. 3 Glory and riches will abound in his house; and his justice will remain for ever. 4 A Light in Darkness is risen upon the just. Mild merciful and just is our Lord. 5 He who takes pity and lends, and shall order his words with judgement, is a joyful man, for he shall never be moved out of his place. 6 The memory of the just will eternally last; he will not fear any ill to be said of him. 7 His heart is always prepared to hope in our Lord, his heart is firmly fixed; he will remain unmoved, till he despiseth his Enemies. 8 He has liberally distributed his alms to the poor: his justice remains recorded for ever: his power will be exalted in glory. 9 The sinner will see it, and be enraged, he will gnash his teeth, and whither with envy; The desires of sinners shall come to nothing. PSALM CXII. Laudate pueri Dominum. This Psalm contains an Exhortation to praise God for his greatness and glory, and above all for his goodness towards the sons of men in taking care even of the meanest amongst them, and raising them some times to the degree of Princes, as it happened in the person of David himself. 1 PRaise our Lord all you that are his servants: Psalm. 112. Praise the name of our Lord. 2 Let the name of our Lord be blssed both now and for ever. 3 From the rising to the setting of the sun all praise is due to the name of our Lord. 4 Our Lord is raised above all the Nations, And above the heavens his glory is exalted. 5 Who is like the Lord out God? who dwells on high, And looks upon all that is humble, both in heaven and upon the earth. 6 Who raiseth the poor from the dust, And lifts up the needy from the dunghill, 7 To place him with Princes, even the Princes of his people; 8 Who makes the barren woman in the house, become a joyful mother of children. PSALM CXIII. In exitu Israel. The Prophet in this Psalm makes an abrigement of the wonders which God performed in bringing his people out of Egypt into the land of Canaan. The chief design of it is to print an aversion in the minds of the people against the Idols of those Nations, And to settle them in the service of the true God. 1 WHen Israel went out of Egypt, Psalm. 113. The house of Jacob out from a barbarous Nation. 2 Judea became the place of his sanctification, And Israel the seat of his power. 3 The sea beheld him, and fled; Jordan was driven backwards. 4 The mountains leapt like rams, And the hills like the lambs of the flock. 5 O sea! what made thee fly? And thou Jordan! what drove thee back? 6 Why did, you mountains! leap like rams? And, you hills! like the lambs of the flock? 7 At the sight of our Lord the earth did tremble; At the sight of the God of Jacob, 8 Who changeth rocks into pools of water, and quaries of stone into fountains. 9 Not to us, O Lord! Not to us, But to thy name give glory; 10 By making manifest thy mercy and thy truth, Lest at any time the Nations should say, Where is their God? 11 But our God is in heaven; what ever pleased him to do, he hath done. 12 The Idols of the Nations are made of gold and silver, The handy works of men; 13 They have a mouth, and can not speak, They have eyes, and can not see; 14 They have ears and can not hear, They have nostrils and cannot smell: 15 They have hands and can not feel, They have feet and can not walk; They have a throat and can not cry out. 16 Let all be like them, who make them, and who confide in them. 17 The house of Israel confides in our Lord, he is their helper and their protector. 18 The house of Aaron confides in our Lord, he is their helper and their Protector. 19 All that fear our Lord confide in our Lord, he is their helper and their Protector. 20 Our Lord has been mindful of us, and has given us his blessing. 21 He has blessed the house of Israel, he has blessed the house of Aaron. 22 He has blessed all who fear him, Both little and great. 23 May our Lord increase his blessings upon you, and upon your children. 24 Be ye all blessed by our Lord, who made heaven and earth. 25 The heaven of heavens belongs to our Lord; The earth he has given to the sons of men. 26 The dead will not praise thee, O Lord, Nor all those, who descend into hell: 27 But we who live, bless our Lord now, and for ever. PSALM CXIV. Dilexi quoniam The Prophet in this Psalm gives thanks to God for having delivered him from an eminent danger, And promiseth sacrifices of praise to God for his mercy shown to him. 1 I have loved, Psalm. ●●4. Because our Lord will hear the voice of my prayer. 2 Because he has inclined his ear to me, And I will call upon him all the days of my life. 3 The sorrows of death have beset me, And the dangers of hell are come upon me, 4 I have met with tribulation and grief, And I have called upon the name of our Lord. 5 O Lord! free my soul: our Lord is merciful and just: Our God is full of pity. 6 Our Lord takes care of little ones: I was humbled, Psalm. 114. and he delivered me. 7 Return my soul to thy rest, Because our Lord has been bountiful to thee. 8 Because he has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will please our Lord in the land of the living. PSALM CXV. Credidi propter quod. This Psalm in the hebrew is a continuation of of the former, and it contains the thanks of the Prophet to God for having loosened his bonds and delivered him from a great danger. 1 I Have believed, and therefore I did speak; Ps●lm. 115. But I have been exceedingly humbled. 2 I said in my transport of mind, Every man is a liar. 3 What shall I render to our Lord for all the benefits I have received from him? I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of our Lord. 4 I will perfom my vows to our Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of our Lord is the death of his saints. 5. O Lord! because I am thy servant, Because I am thy servant and the son of thy hand maid. 6 Thou hast broken my bonds, And I will sacrifice to thee a victim of praise, And I will call upon the name of our Lord. 7 I will perform my vows to our Lord in the sight of all his people, At the entrance of the house of our Lord, in the middle of thee, Jerusalem! PSALM CXVI. Laudate Dominum. This Psalm is to be undertood of the vocation of the Gentiles, and the uniting all the people of the earth jews and Gentiles in one society viz. The Church of Christ. 1 PRaise our Lord all ye Nations! Psalm. 116. All people, give him praise! 2 Because his mercy is confirmed upon us: And the truth of our Lord remains for ever. PSALM CXVII. Confitemini Domino. This Psalm is a Canticle of thanksgiving which some think David sung, when he was delivered from all his Enemy's and settled upon the throne of Israel. But though this Psalm according to the letter is fitted to the person of David, yet all agree, and even some of the Rabins, it ought also to be understood of the Messiah: which evidently appears by the application which our saviour himself makes of it, and after him S. Peter. 1 GIve glory to our Lord, Psalm. 117. because he is good, Because his mercy continues for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, that he is good, That his mercy continues for ever. 3 Let the house of Aron now say, That his mercy continues for ever. 4 Let them all say who fear our Lord, That his mercy continues for ever. 5 When I was in straits and in tribulation I called upon our Lord, and our Lord heard me, and set me free. 6 Our Lord is my protector, I will not fear what man can do to me, 7 Our Lord is my protector, And I will despise all my enemies. 8 Much better it is to confide in our Lord, Then to confide in Man. 9 Much better it is to place our hope in our Lord, Then to place our hope in Princes. 10 All the Nations have beset me round, But in the name of our Lord I have been revenged upon them. 11 They have encompassed and besieged me; But in the name of our Lord I have been revenged upon them. 12 They have swarmed round me like bees, and have been inflamed like thorns set on fire, But in the name of our Lord I have been revenged upon them. 13 I have been run upon and pushed so violently, that I was ready to fall, But our Lord held me up. 14 Our Lord is my strength, and my praise, And he is become my saviour. 15 Avoice of joy, and of salvation is heard in the tents of the just. 16 The Right hand of our Lord has shown its power, The right hand of our Lord has raised me up, The Right hand of our Lord has shown its power. 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and relate the works of our Lord. 18 Our Lord has punished and chastised me, But he has spared my life. 19 Open to me the gates of justice; when I am entered, I will praise our Lord: This is the gate of our Lord, and the just will enter thereat. 20 I will give thee thanks, because thou hast heard me, And art become my saviour. 21 The stone which the bvilders rejected, is made the corner stone. 22 This is the work of our Lord, And it is wonderful in our eyes. 23 This is the day, which our Lord has made; Let us triumph and rejoice therein. 24 O Lord! save me! May thy reign O Lord! be prosperous; Blessed is he who comes in the name of our Lord. 25 We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. God is our Lord, And his light has shined upon us. 26 Make this a day of solemnity, with thick covering of bows even to the horn of the altar. 27 Thou art my God, and I will praise thy holy name, Thou art my God, And I will celebrate thy glory. 28 I will celebrate thy holy name, because thou hast heard me, and hast saved me. 29 Praise our Lord, because he is good, Because his mercy continues for ever. PSALM CXVIII. Beati immaculati. This Psalm is all in praise of the law and ordonances of God wherein the Prophet shows his own love and zeal for the observance of the Divine precepts, Psalm. 118. and also exhorts all people to do the like. Tho this Psalm be without any Title, yet by the ressemblance of the stile & the expressions, with those that bear the Title of david's, it appears to have been made by the Royal Prophet. ALEPH. 1 BLessed are they who's ways are free from sin, And who walk according to the Law of our Lord. 2 Blessed are they, who make his Commandments their inquiry, And who seek him with all their heart; 3 For the doers of iniquity have not walked in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded that thy laws shall be exactly kept. 5 Grant, O Lord! that my ways may be set right, And may only tend to the performance of thy precept. 6 I shall not fall into confusion, If I have always thy Commandments before my eyes. 7 I will praise thee with an upright heart, Because I have been instructed in the rules of thy justice. 8 I will keep thy ordinances, Do not forsake me for ever. BETH. 9 Man in his youth how shall he correct his ways, but by following thy precepts? 10 I have sought the with my whole heart; Deny me not grace to fulfil thy law. 11 All thy words I have laid up in my heart, That I may never offend thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord, teach me thy justifiing precepts. 13 I have pronounced with my lips all the judgements which have proceeded from thy mouth. 14 I have taken as much joy in following the way prescribed by thee, as in all the riches of the world. 15 I will meditate on thy precepts, And study thy ways. 16 My thoughts shall dwell upon thy law, And I will never forget thy words. GIMEL. 17 Bestow thy grace upon thy sevant, Give me new life & I will keep thy precepts. 18 Unveille my eyes, and I will contemplate the wonders of thy law. 19 I am but as a passenger upon the earth, Let me not remain in ignorance of the precepts. 20 My soul in all times has ardently desired thy justifications. 21 Thou hast shown thy anger against the proud; Cursed are they, who disobey thy Commandments. 22 Deliver me from reproach and contempt, since I have diligently sought thy ordinances; 23 For the Princes have set in consultation against me, whilst thy servant was busy in performing thy law. 24 Thy law is my only meditation, In all my actions I have consulted thy precepts. dale. 25 My soul has stuck to the earth; Give me life, according to thy word. 26 I have laid open to thee my ways, And thou hast heard me; Teach me thy saving Truths. 27 Led me in the path of thy precepts, And I will meditate on thy wonders. 28 My soul is tired and become drowsy, strengthen me with thy words. 29 Keep me out of the way of iniquity, And let me obtain thy mercy by observing thy law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth, I have not forgot thy judgements. 31 I have adhered to thy testimonies, O Lord, Let me not be put to confusion. 32 I ran with alacrity in the way of thy commandments. When thou wert pleased to enlarge my heart. HETH. 33 Make thy precepts, O Lord! my only law, And I will always seek it. 34 Give me understanding, & I will study thy law, And I will keep it with all my heart. 35 Led me in the path of thy Commandments, which are the desire of my soul. 36 Incline my heart to the love of thy law, And not to avarice. 37 Turn away my eyes, that they may not look upon vanity, Make me live in thy way. 28 Establish thy word in thy servant, by the fear of thee. 39 Free me from the reproach which I have dreaded, For thy judgements are f●ll of mildness. 40 Behold! I have ardently desired thy law: According to thy equity bestow life upon me. VAU. 41 And let thy mercy come down upon me, O Lord, And thy saving assistance according to thy word; 42 And I will answer to those who reproach me, That I have put my trust in thy promises. 43 Take not at any time the word of truth out of my mouth, Because I have put my whole confidence in thy judgements. 44 And I will keep thy law continually, for ever and ever. 45 I have walked at liberty, Because I sought thy precepts. 46 And I have declared thy law in the presence of Kings, And was not confounded. 47 I have meditated upon thy commandments, which are dear to me: 48 And I have lifted up my hands to execute thy precepts, which I have loved; And I have made thy law my daily exercise. ZAIN. 49 Remember thy promise made to thy servant, In which thou didst give me hope. 50 This has been my comfort in my distress, For thy word has revived me. 51 The proud have never ceased to do wickedly, But I have not declined from thy law. 52 I have called to mind, O Lord! thy judgements from the beginning, And I have been comforted. 53 I have been ready to sink down with grief, When I beheld sinners transgress sing thy law. 54 Thy just decrees have been th● subject of my Canticles in the place of my pilgrimage. 55 I have been mindful by night of thy name, O Lord, And I have kept thy law. 56 This good hath befallen me, because I made thy Ordinances my whole inquiry. ch. 57 I have said, It is my portion, O Lord! to keep thy law. 58 I have implored thy assistance with all my heart, Take pity on me according to thy promises. 59 I have examined my ways, And I have directed my steps according to thy precepts. 60 I am prepared, without being disturbed, to keep thy Commandments. 61 Sinners have laid their snares round about me, But I have not forgot thy law. 62 I have risen in the middle of the night to praise thee for the Equity of thy judgements. 63 I take part with all who fear thee, And who observe thy precepts. 64 The earth is full of thy mercy, O Lord, Teach me thy just Law. TETH. 65 Thou hast been good to thy servant, O Lord! According to thy promises. 66 Instruct me in goodness, discipline, and science, because I have faith in thy Commandments. 67 Because I was humbled, I sinned, And therefore I have kept thy Law. 68 Thou art good, and according to thy goodness, Teach me thy saving precepts. 69 The injustice of the proud increaseth against me, But I with my whole heart will seek to obey thee. 70 Their heart is curdled like milk, but I have always meditated on thy law. 71 It is good for me, that thou hast humbled me, That I may learn thy saving truths. 72 The Law, which thy mouth has pronounced, is better to me then thousands of gold and silver. JOD. 73 Thy hands have made me and formed me, Give me understanding, that I may learn thy precepts. 74 Who fear thee, will see me, and rejoice, Because I have entirely confided in thy words. 75 I have known, O Lord! that thy jugdments are equitable, And that according to thy justice thou hast humbled me. 76 Let thy mercy also appear to comfort me, According to what thou hast said to thy servant. 77 Let thy compassion come towards me, and I shall live For thy law is my only study. 78 Let the proud be confounded, because they have unjustly persecuted me; But I will be employed in performing thy Commands. 79 Let them turn on my side, all who fear the, And who understand thy law. 80 Let my heart be pure and sincere in keeping thy commandments, That I may not be confounded. CAPH. 81 My soul has languished in expectation of thy saving mercy, I have built my hope upon thy word. 82 My eyes languish with longing after thy promises, saying, when wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am become like a bottle of leather, exposed to the frost; But I have not forgot thy ordinances. 84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou judge those who persecute me? 85 The unjust have told me fables, But they were not like thy law. 86 All thy Ordinances are truth itself; They have persecuted me unjustly, Come and relieve me. 87 They have almost brought me to nothing upon the earth; But I have not forsaken thy precepts. 88 According to thy mercy give me life, And I will keep the law pronounced by thee. LAMED. 89 Thy word, O Lord! doth eternally subsist in heaven; 90 Thy truth will last from generation to generation; Thou hast founded the earth; And it will always remain. 91 The day subsists by thy order, For all things are subject to thee. 92 Had not thy law been my meditation, I should perhaps have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget thy just laws, For by them thou hast given me life. 94 I am thine, save me, Because I have carefully minded thy precepts. 95 Sinners have watched me, that they might destroy me; But I have kept myself attentive to thy law. 96 I have seen an end of all perfect things here below. But thy law hath no end. MEM. 97 How have I loved thy law, O Lord! It is my meditation the whole day. 98 Thy precepts have made me wiser than my enemies, For they are a rule to me for ever. 99 I am become more knowing then all my teachers, Because thy law is my study. 100 I am become more intelligent than the old men, Because I have made diligent inquiry into thy ordinances. 101 I have kept my feet out of every evil way, That I might observe thy precepts. 102 I have not swerved from thy rules, For thou hast thyself prescribed me a law to go by. 103 How delightful to my taste are thy oracles! More delicious than honey to my mouth. 104 Thy precepts have given me understanding, And therefore I have hated the ways of iniquity. NUN. 105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn, and have resolved to observe thy just decrees. 107 I have been humbled, O Lord! on all sides; Make me live, according to thy promises. 108 Mak● acceptable what my mouth does voluntarly offer to thee, And teach me thy judgements. 109 My * Expli. My life is always in danger. soul is always in my hands, And I have not forgotten thy law. 110 The sinners have laid a snare for me, But I have not deviated from thy precepts. 111 I have made thy law to be my inheritance for ever, Because it is the joy of my heart. 112 I have disposed my heart always to keep thy Commandments, Because the reward is great. SAMECH. 113 I have hated the unjust, And I have loved thy law. 114 Thou art my helper and my protector, And I build my hope upon thy word. 115 Depart from me all you that are wicked, For I will make the law of my God my whole inquiry. 116 Receive me into thy protection according to thy word, and I shall live; And let me not be confounded in failing of my expectation. 117 Help me, and I shall be safe, And I will always Meditate upon thy just decrees. 118 Thou hast despised all that depart from thy law, Because their thoughts are unjust. 119 I have looked upon all sinners of the earth as Prevaricaters, Therefore have I loved thy testimonies. 120 Penetrate my flesh with thy fear, For thy judgements are terrible to me. AIN. 121 I have proceeded with justice and equity, Give me not up to those who calumniat me. 122 Receive thy servant into thy good protection: Let not the proud oppress me with calumnies. 123 My eyes languish in expectation of thy saving mercy, And of the decrees of thy justice. 124 Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy; Teach me thy ordinances. 125 I am thy servant give me understanding, that I may know thy will. 126 It is time for thee, O Lord, now to act; They have annulled thy law. 127 Thy precepts are dearer to me then gold and Topazes. 128 Therefore have I directed my steps according to thy Commandments, And have detested all wicked ways. PHE. 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful▪ Therefore has my soul searched into them. 130 The manifestation of thy words gives light, And affords understanding to little ones. 131 I Have opened my mouth and panted, Because I longed for thy Commands. 132 Turn thine eyes towards me, and have mercy on me, As thou usually hast on those who love thy name. 133 Set my steps right in the way of thy precepts, And let no injustice rule over me. 134 Deliver me from the Calumnies of men, That I may keep the Commandments. 135 Let thy countenance shine upon thy servant, And teach me thy ordinances. 137 Fountains of tears have flowed from my eyes, Because they have not kept thy law. TSADE. 137 Thou art just, O Lord, And thy judgements are full of equity. 138 Thou hast commanded the keeping of thy laws, which are justice and truth itself. 139 My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgot thy words. 140 Thy words are sincere and tried by fire, And thy servant has loved them. 141 I am little and contemptible, yet have I not forgot thy precepts. 142 Thy justice is eternal justice, Thy law is truth itself. 143 Affliction and distress are come upon me, And I still meditate upon thy precepts. 144 The equity of thy law is eternal, Give me understanding, and I shall live. COPH. 145 I have cried out with my whole heart, Hear me, O Lord! I will seek thy law. 146 To thee I have cried out; Preserve me, that I may keep thy Commandments. 14● I have made hast and I have cried out betimes, Because all my hope is in thy promises. 148 My eyes before the morning are lifted up to thee, That I may meditate upon thy law. 149 Hear my voice O Lord! according to thy mercy, And according to thy justice give me life. 150 They who persecute me, approach to iniquity, and are at a great distance from thy law. 151 Thou, O Lord! art near at hand, And all thy ways are truth itself. 152 From the beginning I have known that thou hast established for ever the testimonies of thy law. REZ. 153 See how low I am brought, and deliver me, For I have not forgot thy law. 154 Judge my cause and redeem me, Give me life according to thy promise. 155 Salvation is far from sinners, Because they have not observed thy just law. 156 Many are thy mercies, O Lord; According to the equity of thy judgement give me life. 157 Many are they who persecute and afflict me, But I have not declined from thy precepts. 158 I have beheld the breakers of thy law, And I have pined with grief, because thy transgressed thy ordinances. 159 See, O Lord! how I have loved thy Commandments, Let thy mercy make me live. 160 Truth is the principle of thy words, The justice of thy judgements is eternal. ZIN. 161 Princes have persecuted me without cause, And my heart is kept in fear by thy words. 162 I will how ever rejoice in thy decrees, like one who finds rich spoils. 163 I have hated and abominated iniquity, But I have loved thy law. 164 Seven times in the day I have offered praises to thee for the righteousness of thy judgements. 165 Much peace is enjoyed by those who love thy law, And nothing shall, make them fall. 166 O Lord! I have waited for thy saving mercy, And I have loved thy Commandments. 167 My soul has kept thy precepts, And has ardently loved them. 168 Thy Laws and thy ordinances I have carefully observed, Because all my ways are seen by thee. TAU. 169 Let my prayer have access to thee, O Lord; Give me understanding according to thy word. 170 Let my petition come before thee, Deliver me according to thy promise. 171 My lips shall sing hymns, when thou shalt vouchsafe to teach me thy ordinances. 172 My tongue shall publish thy words, Because thy precepts are justice itself. 173 Hold out thy hand to save me, Because I have chosen thy law. 174 O Lord! I have earnestly sought thy saving mercy, And thy law is my meditation. 175 My soul shall live and praise thee, And thy judgements will support me. 176 I have wandered like a Lost sheep; seek thy servant, for I have not forgot thy Commandments. PSALM CIX. Ad Dominum cum tribularer. This Psalm and fourteen more that follow are called by The Title of gradual, though the reason does not appear why they are so called. David seems to have made this Psalm in the time of his banishment; he begs of God to deliver him from the treachery of his Enemies, and deplores his exile amongst barbarous people. 1 I called out to Our Lord in my affliction, Psalm. 119. And he heard me. 2 Deliver my soul, O Lord! from unjust lips, And from the deceitful tongue. 3 What will be the just reward of a deceitful tongue? 4 The piercing Arrows of the mighty, desolating coals. 5 I grieve, because my banishment is prolonged; I have dwelled with the Inhabitants of Cedar, My soul has been a long while a stranger. 6 I was peaceful with those who hated peace, when I spoke to them, they without any reason fell upon me. PSALM CXX. Levavi oculos meos. The Author of this Psalm teacheth, that hely is only to be expected from God who always takes care of the safety of his people. 1 I Have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, Psalm. 120. whence assistance will come to me. 2 My assistance is from our Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 Let him not suffer thy foot to be moved, And let him not slumber who has thee in his custody. 4 Behold he will not slumber, nor will he sleep, who has the care of Israel. 5 Our Lord has thee in keeping, Our Lord is thy protection, he is on thy right hand. 6 The fun shall not scorch thee by day, Nor the Moon hurt the by night. 7 Our Lord preserves thee from all evil, our Lord preserve thy soul. 8 Let our Lord guard thee at thy coming in and at thy going out, From this time forwards and for ever. PSALM CXXI. Laetatus sum. This Psalm in the literal sense expresses the joy of the people of Israel, when they went to offer their sacrifices in jerusalem; And in the spiritual sense it ought to be applied to the desire the faithful should have of entering into the heavenly jerusalem. I Have rejoiced in what has been said to me, Psalm. 121. That we shall go into the house of our Lord. 2 Our feet have formely stood within thy gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem; a City so built, that all may in it meet together; 4 For thither have come up the Tribes, The Tribes of our Lord, according to the Command given to Israel, There to celebrate the name of our Lord. 5 For there are seats of judicature, The seats belonging to the house of David. 6 Ask the things which make for the peace of Jerusalem, And may they enjoy all plenty, who love thee, holy City. 7 Let there be peace within thy walls, And plenty within thy Towers; 8 For the sake of my brethren and of my neighbours I have spoken for thy peace. 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought thy good. PSALM CXXII. Ad te Levavi. This Psalm contains an excellent prayer made to God by the just when they are oppressed by their Enemy's. 1 TO thee I have lifted up my eyes, Psalm. 122. who dwellest in heaven. 2 As the eyes of servants watch their Master's hands. 3 As the eyes of the handmaid are fixed upon the hand of their Mistress, so are our eyes upon the Lord our God, till he takes compassion of us. 4 Have mercy on us, O Lord! have mercy on us; For we are in the lowest degree of contempt. 5 Our soul is full of confusion being reproached by the rich, and despised by the proud. PSALM CXXIII. Nisi quia Dominus. This Psalm appears to be a thanks giving, which the Prophet put into the mouth of the jews after their return from Babylon. 1 HAd not our Lord been with us, Let Israel now say, Psalm. 123. had not our Lord been with us. 2 When men risen up against us, we might have been devoured alive. 3 When their fury was raised against us, We might have been swallowed up in the Deep. 4 Our soul hath passed thorough a torrent, In which we might otherwise have been drowned. 5 Blessed be our Lord, who has not given us up as a prey into their teeth. 6 Our soul is delivered like a sparrow out of the nets of the fowlers. 7 The net was broken, and we have been set free. 8 We have been succoured in the name of our Lord, who made heaven and earth. PSALM CXXIV. Qui confidunt in Domino. In this Psalm God declares himself the Protector of his people of Israel, and promiseth to support them against all their Enemies, Which chiefly is to be understood of the Church, which comprehends the true people of God, and which our Lord has promised to preserve to the end of the world. 1 THey who confide in our Lord, Psalm. 124. shall be like mount Zion: He who dwells in Jerusalem shall never be moved. 2 Mountains encompass Jerusalem, And our Lord doth encompass his people, now and for all ages. 3 For our Lord will not permit the sceptre of the wicked to continue over the Inheritance of the Just, Lest the just should be brought to stretch forth their hands to iniquity. 4 Bestow thy benefits, O Lord! upon the good, And the upright of heart; 5 But such as turn aside to crooked ways, our Lord will treat like those who commit open iniquity; Peace be to Israel. PSALM CXXV. In convertendo Dominus. This Psalm seems to relate to the time when the jews were brought back from the first Captivity of Babylon, And therefore the Author congratulats the people upon the greatness of so unexpected a felicity; after which he prays God to finish the work he has begun, and foretells that happy days are at last to succeed. 1 WHen Our Lord restored Zion out of captivity, Psalm. 125. great was our consolation. 2 Then was our mouth filled with Jubily, And our tongue with outcries of joy. 3 Then it was said amongst the Nations, The Lord has done great things for them. 4 Our Lord indeed has done great things for us; And we are become full of joy. 5 Make our Captivity, O Lord, come back like a torrent in the south. 6 Who sow in tears, with joy shall reap. 7 They went forth weeping when they sowed their seed, 8 They shall return with joy, when they carry their sheaves. PSALM CXXVI. Nisi Dominus. This Psalm declares that vain are the labours of men, unless God give success to them. 1 UNless our Lord puts his hand to the building of the house, Psalm. 126. In vain they labour who build it. 2 Unless our Lord does guard the City, In vain they watch who have the keeping of it. 3 It is to no purpose for you to rise before day; Rise after you have reposed, you who eat the bread of sorrow. 4 When to his beloved he shall give sleep, Children are the inheritance which our Lord bestows; The fruit of the womb is his reward. 5 The Children of those who have been driven out, Will prove like arrows in the hands of the mighty. 6 Happy is the man, who has plenty of them according to his wish; he shall not be put to confusion, when he speaks to his Enemies in judicature, at the gate of the City. PSALM CXXVII. Beati omnes. In this Psalm the prophet shows that by fearing God we become happy even in this life. Figuratively is meant the happiness of the Church of jesus-christ. 1 HAppy are all who fear our Lord, Psalm. 127. who walk in his ways. 2 Thou shalt eat the fruit of the labour of thy hands; Thou art happy, and it shall be well with thee. 3 Thy wife shall be like a fruitful vine on the sides of thy house. 4 Thy children shall sit round thy table, like young olive trees. 5 So shall the man be blessed, who feareth our Lord. 6 May our Lord bless thee from Zion, And mayest thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 7 And mayst thou see the sons of thy sons, And peace over Israel. PSALM CXXVIII. Saepè expugnaverunt. This Psalm foretells the punishments which shall fall upon those, who persecute the Iust. 1 OFten have they set upon me from my youth, Psalm. 128. Let Israel now say. 2 Often have they set upon me from my youth, But they have not prevailed against me. 3 Sinners have laid loads upon my back, They have long continued their injustice against me. 4 But our Just Lord will cut in sunder the necks of sinners; Let them all be confounded and driven back, who hate Zion. 5 Let them become like the grass that grows on the tops of houses, which withers before you can pluck it, 6 with which he can not fill his hand who cuts it, Nor he his lap, who gathers it. 7 Nor did they say, who passed by, the blessing of our Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of our Lord. PSALM CXXVIX. De profundis. This Psalm is an excellent Model for sinners that implore the Mercy of Lord: And it is particularly applied by the Church to beg his mercy for the dead as well as for the living. 1 FRom the lowest depth I have cried out to thee, Psalm. 129. O Lord! O Lord! hear my voice. 2 Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my prayer. 3 O Lord, if thou takest a strict account of our iniquities, O Lord! who can stand before thee? 4 But mercy dwells with thee, And thy law, O Lord! make me hope in thee. 5 My soul is supported by his word, The hope of my soul is in our Lord. 6 From the morning watch to the close of the evening, Let Israel hope in our Lord; 7 For our Lo●d is full of mercy, And in him is found plentiful redemption. 8 And he will redeem Israel from all their Iniquitys. PSALM CXXX. Domine non est exaltum. It is generally believed that David made this Psalm when he was accused by Saul and his Courtiers of ambitious dessigns to make himself King, He appeals to God, that he was unjustly accused, and that his heart was free from any such ambition. 1 O Lord! Psalm. 130. my heart has not been lifted up, Nor have my eyes been elevated with pride. 2 Nor have I gone busying myself with great and high things, that are above me. 3 If I have not had humble thoughts of myself, And if pride has puffed up my soul. 4 May I be reduced to the helpless condition of an infant newly weaned from the breast of the mother. 5 Let Israel hope in our Lord now and for ever. PSALM CXXXI. Memento Domine David. Some say this Psalm was made by David when he translated the Ark to mount Zion; Others that it was made by Solomon when it was translated into the Temple which he built. 1 O Lord! Psalm. 131. remember David, And all his mildness; 2 How he swore to the Lord, And made a vow to the God of Jacob, 3 If I enter into the lodgings of my house, if I ascend into the bed whereon I use to lie. 4 If I permit my eyes to sleep, or my eye lids to slumber. 5 If I lay down my head to rest, Till I find a place for our Lord, a Tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 6 We have heard it said that the Ark was in Ephrata; we have found it in the plains of the forest. 7 We will enter into his Tabernacle, we will adore in the place, where his feet have stood. 8 Rise up, O Lord! and go into thy place of rest, Thou, and the Ark sanctified by thee. 9 Let thy priests be clothed with justice, And thy saints filled with joy. 10 For the sake of David thy servant, Turn not thy face away from thy Christ. 11 Our Lord has sworn the truth to David, and he will not go from it I will place upon thy throne the issue of thy body. 12 If thy children do keep my Covenant, And the precepts which I will teach them. 13 They and their children for ever shall sit upon thy Throne. 14 For our Lord has made choice of Zion, he has chosen it to be a habitation for himself. 15 He hath said, Here I will rest for ever, here I will dwell, because it is a place of my own choosing. 16 The widow there shall abundantly find my blessings; The poor I will plentifully feed with bread. 17 The priests I will clothe with my saving mercy, And the saints shall there sing Canticles of joy. 18 There I will manifest the power of David: I have prepared a lamp for my Christ. 19 His Enemy's I will cover with confusion, But upon him my sanctification shall flourish. PLALME CXXXII. Ecce quam bonum. This Psalm declares the happiness of unity amongst the faithful. 1 BEhold how good and how dilghtfull it is, Psalm. 132. for brethren to dwell in unity together. 2 'Tis like the precious ointment poured upon the head, which dropped down upon the beard, the beard of Aron; 3 And descended to the hem of his garment, 'Tis like the dew of Hermon, the dew, which falls upon the mountain of Zion. 4 For it is there, that our Lord has established benediction and life for ever. PSALM CXXXIII. Ecce nunc benedicite. All those who serve God are exhorted to pray to him, And bless him both by day and by night. 1 COme now and bless our Lord, Psalm. 133. all you that are servants of our Lord; 2 You who attend in the house of our Lord, In the Courts of the house of our God. 3 Lift up your hands by night in the sanctuary, And praise our Lord. 4 Let our Lord bless thee from Zion, who made heaven and earth. PSALM CXXXIV. Laudate nomen Domini. The Priests and the Levites are exhorted in this Psalm to sing the praises of God upon the subjects of his mercy, of his power and Majesty. vanity of Idols is also set forth. 1 PRaise the name of our Lord; Psalm. 134. you that are his servants, praise, our Lord. 2. Who attend in the house of our Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise our Lord, because our Lord, is good; With voice and instrument praise his name, because it is full of sweetness. 4 For our Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, And Jsrael for his own possession. 5 I know that our Lord is great, And that our God is above all the Gods. 6 Whatever he would do, our Lord hath done, both In heaven and in earth, In the sea, And all the deep places. 7 He raiseth clouds from the extremities of the earth: he makes thunder produce rain; 8 He draws forth winds out of his Magazines. He struck dead the first born of Egypt, both men and beasts; 9 And he made his signs and prodigys' appear in the middle of thee, O Egypt; Against Pharaoh and all his servants. 10 He defeated several Nations, And killed powerful Kings. 11 Schon King of the Amorheans, And Og the King of Basan, And all the Kingdoms of Canaan. 12 And he gave their land to be the inheritance of his people of Israel. 13 O Lord! thy name will last eternally; Thy memory, O Lord! will continue from generation to generation. 14 For our Lord will judge his people, And he will hearken to the prayers of his servants. 15 The Idols of the Nations are made of gold and silver, The works of men's hands. 16 They have a mouth, and can not speak, They have eyes and can not see. 17 They have ears, and can not hear; Nor is their breath in their mouths. 18 Let all that make them be like to them, And all that confide in them. 19 House of Israel! bless our Lord; house of Aron! bless our Lord. 20 House of Levi! bless our Lord; All you that fear our Lord, bless our Lord. 21 Blessed be our Lord in Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. PSALM XXXV. Confitemini Domino. All are invited to praise God for the benfites he has bestowed upon, And the wonders h● has done, for the people of Israel. 1 PRaise our Lord, because, he is good, Psalm. 135. Because his mercy continues for ever. 2 Praise the God of Gods, Because his mercy continues for ever. 3 Praise the Lord of Lords, because his mercy continues for ever; 4 Praise him, who alone does great and wonderful things, because his mercy continues for ever? 5 Who by his wisdom made the heavens, because his mercy continues for ever; 6 Who settled the earth above the waters, because his mercy continues for ever. 7 Who made the great luminars, because his mercy continues for ever; 8 The sun to preside by day, because his mercy continues for ever; 9 The moon and the stars to preside by night, because his mercy continues for ever; 10 Who struck Egypt and killed their first born, because his mercy continues for ever. 11 Who brought forth Israel from the middle of them, because his mercy continues for ever. 12 With a strong hand and a stretched out arm, because his mercy continues for ever. 13 Who divided in sunder the red sea, because his mercy continues for ever, 14 And brought out Israel through the middle of it, because his mercy continues for ever; 15 And over threw Pharaoh with all his host in the red sea, because his mercy continues for ever; 16 Who conducted his people in the desert; because his mercy continues for ever. 17 Who defeated great Kings because his mercy continues for ever. 18 Who slew strong Kings, because his mercy continues for ever, 19 Sehon the King of the Amorites, because his mercy continues for ever, 20 And Og the King of Basan, because his mercy continues for ever. 21 And he gave their land for an inheritance, because his mercy Continues for ever, 22 For an inheritance to Israel his servant, because his mercy continues for ever. 23 In our humiliation he was mindful of us, because his mercy continues for ever. 24 And he redeemed us out of the hand of our Enemies, because his mercy continues for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all living creatures, because his mercy continues for ever. 26 Praise the God of heaven, because his mercy continues for ever. 27 Praise the Lord of Lords, because his mercy continues for ever. PSALM CXXXVI. Super flumina Babylonis. This is a Canticle which the Prophet puts into the mouth of the people of Israel when they were in Captivity, to deplore the misery of their banishment, an● to desire their return to jerusalem. The Church makes use of it to represent to her Children the miseries of this life, And to raise holy desires in them of going to heaven which is their true Country. 1 UPon the banks of the rivers of Babylon we have sat down and wept, Psalm. 36. when we remembered Zion. 2 We hung up our harps on the willows in the middle thereof; 3 For theridamas did the men who had made us Captives, Ask us to sing songs of joy. 4 They, who had carried us away, said, sing to us one of your Canticles of Zion. 5 How shall we sing a Canticle of our Lord in a strange land: Psalm. 136. 6 If I ever forget thee, O Jerusalem! Let me forget my right hand; 7 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember not thee. 8 If I do not make Jerusalem the principal subject of my joy. 9 Remember, O Lord! the sons of Edom, what they did in the day of Jerusalem's desolation; 10 They cry, destroy it, destroy it to the very foundation. 11 Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed be he, who shall render to thee the evil thou hast done us. 12 May he be blessed, who takes thy little ones, and dashes them in pieces against the rock. PSALM CXXXVII. Confitebor tibi Domine. In this Psalm David thanks God for all the benefits received from him, and expresseth his assurance in the Divine assistance for the future. 1 I Will thank thee, O Lord! with my whole heart, Psalm. 137. because thou hast heard the words of my mouth. 2 In the presence of thy Angels I will sing thy praises; I will adore thee in thy holy Temple, and celebrate thy name. 3 In acknowledgement of thy mercy; and thy truth, because thou hast magnified thy holy name above all names. 4 In what day soever I shall call upon thee, Vouchsafe to hear me, Thou wilt strengthen my soul still more and more. 5 Let all the Kings of the earth celebrate thy praises, O Lord; because they have heard all the words of thy mouth. 6 And let them sing in the ways of our Lord, That great is the glory of our Lord. 7 For our Lord is above all, And he regards low things; And the high he looks upon at a distance. 8 If I walk in the middle of tribulation, thou wilt give me life; Thou hast stretched out thy hand against the rage of my Enemies, And thy right hand has saved me. 9 Our Lord will revenge my cause, Thy mercy, O Lord! is everlasting; Despise not the works of thy own hands. PSALM XXXVIII. Domine probasti me. In this Psalm David sets forth the infinite ex●ont of God's knowledge, and how nothing from the beginning to the end of the world is concealed from him, according to which knowledge he will judge Mankind. 1 O Lord! Psalm. 138. thou hast tried me, and thou hast known me; Thou hast known my sit down, and my rise up. 2 A far off thou hast discovered my thoughts, And thou hast traced all my steps. 3 Thou hast foreseen all my ways, and every word that my tongue shall speak. 4 O Lord! thou knowest all that is to come, and all that is past; Thou hast formed me, and thou hast laid thy hand upon me. 5 Wonderful is thy knowledge concerning me, It is above my reach, And I can not comprehend it. 6 Whither can I go to be concealed from thy spirit? And whither shall I fly to be out of thy sight? 7 If I go up to heaven, thou art there; If I go down into hell, there also thou art. 8 If I take wings early in the morning to go and dwell in the extremest parts of the sea, 9 Even thither thy hand will conduct me, And thou wilt hold me with thy right hand. 10 I then said, perhaps darkness will cover me; But I found that night was not dark to the, but discovered me to thee in my pleasures: 11 For darkness hides nothing from thee, to whom the night is no less illuminated than the day: The Darkness of the one, and the light of the other are both alike to thee. 12 For thou hast possessed my Reins; Thou didst receive me from my Mother's womb. 13 I will praise thee, because thou hast in a terrible manner shown thy power; Thy works are wonderful, and my soul is penetrated with them. 14 Theridamas is not a bone within me, formed by thee in a secret place, that is hid to thee, And my whole substance was known to thee, when it lay below in the earth. 15 Thy eyes beheld me when I was but half finished. All will be registered in thy book, They will be formed from day to day, And non of them will be missing. 15 But I see, my God how exceedingly thou hast honoured thy friends, how firmly thou hast established their dominion. 17 If I go to reckon them, I find they exceed in number the grains of sand. I have risen up, and I am still with thee. 18 O God since thou wilt destroy sinners, Depart from me all you men of blood! 19 Because you say within yourselves, In vain they will take possession of thy Cittys. 20 Have I not, O Lord! hated those who hate thee? And been almost consumed with Zeal against thy enemies. 21 I hated them with a perfect hatred, And they became my Enemies. 22 Search me, O Lord! and sound my heart; Examine me, And look into all my ways, 23 And see if I am in any way of iniquity, And lead me right in the way of eternity. PSALM CXXXIX. Eripe me Domine. This Psalm seems to have been made by the holy prophet David when he saw himself besieged on all sides, and persecuted to death by Saul. 1 DEliver me, Psalm. 139. O Lord, from the wicked man; From the unjust man deliver me. 2 They who form wicked dessigns in their heart, have made continual war against me. 3 They have sharpened their tongues like serpents: The poison of asps lies under their lips. 4 Preserve me, O Lord! from the hand of the sinner, Deliver me from unjust men, 5 Who have designed to supplant me, and make me fall: The proud have Laid a secret snare for me. 6 They have spread their nets, and have set their traps in my way. 7 I have said to our Lord, Thou art my God; O Lord! hear the voice of my prayer. 8 O Lord! by whose power I have been saved, Who hast covered my head in the day of battle. 9 O Lord! do not deliver me up against my will to the sinner; They have designs against me, forsake me not, lest their pride should triumph over me. 10 All their circumventions, and studied Calumnies of their lips, will return upon themselves. 11 Burning coals will fall upon them, Thou wilt cast them into the fire; They will sink under their misery. 12 The lavish tongue shall not thrive upon the earth, And the unjust man will make a wretched end. 13 I know that our Lord will do justice to the afflicted, And that he will revenge the cause of the poor. 14 The just shall praise thy name, And the upright of heart shall enjoy thy presence. PSALM CXL. Domine clamavi. It is believed that this Psalm was made by David upon the same occasion, and near the same time with that which went before. 1 O Lord! Psalm. 140. I have cried out to thee▪ Vouchsafe to hear me: Listen to my voice when I call upon thee. 2 Let my prayer, like incense, ascend to thee; as an evening sacrifice, receive the holding up of my hands. 3 Place a watch, O Lord! upon my mouth, and a door to guard my lips. 4 Suffer not my heart to be inclined to words of malice, to seek excuses for my sins. 5 I will have nothing to do with the workers of iniquity, nor with any thing that is pleasing to them. 6 The just man will admonish me with charity, and will reprehend me; But let not the sinner grease my head with his oil of flattery. 7 For I will still pray against the things, which they delight in, Their Judges shall be splitt upon the rock, and swallowed up. 8 They will hear my words at last, because th●y are powerful. As clods of the earth are borken by the plough and scattered about the ground: 9 So are our bones dispersed even to the brink of the grave Wherefore to thee O Lord! my Lord; I lift up my eyes: I have put my hope in thee, Let not my life be taken away. 10 Preserve me from the snare, which they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity. 11 Sinners shall fall into their own net, stand alone, till the time of my passage comes. PSALM CXLI. Voce mea ad Dominum. This Psalm contains David's prayer ●hen he was in the Cave besieged by Saul. He sets forth the greatness of the danger he was in: he expects, and hopes for his deliverance only from God. 1 I Have raised my voice, Psalm. 141. and cried out to our Lord; I have raised my voice, And prayed to our Lord. 2 I pour forth my prayer in his presence, And I lay before him all my sufferings. 3 Whilst my spirit sinks down within me: But thou, O Lord, knowest all my steps. 4 In the way I used to walk they have laid a hiden snare for me. 5 I looked about on my right hand, and I considered, And there was no body that knew me. 6 I can not escape by flying away, And there is not any that takes care to save my life. 7 O Lord; I have cried out to thee: I have said, thou art my hope, Thou art my portion in the land of the living. 8 Be attentive to my prayer, For I am humbled to the last extremity. 9 Deliver me from those who persecute me, Because I am overpowered by them. 10 Deliver my soul out of this prison, that I may praise thy name: The just wait for me, expecting the relief thou wilt give me. PSALM CXLII. Domine exaudi. This Psalm David made when God punished him by the rebellion of his son Absalon for his former sins of adultery and murder. He humbles himself before God, and begs his pardon and mercy And by his example teaches all sinners how they ought to humble themselves before God for their sins. 1 LOrd! Psalm. 142. hear my prayer; Give ear to my supplication, according to thy truth; hear me according to thy equity. 2 And enter not into judgement with thy servant; For no man living can be justified in thy sight. 3 For the Enemy has persecuted my soul: he has humbled my life even to the earth. 4 He has lodged me in a obscure place, like the dead; And my soul is full of anxiety, my heart is disturbed within me. 5 I have called to mind the days of old, I have considered the great things thou hast done, and I have meditated upon the works of thy hands. 6 I have stretched forth my hands to thee; I present my soul before thee a● earth without water. 7 Hear me quickly, O Lord! my spirit is quite sinking 8 Turn not thy face from me, Lest I become like those, who descend into the lake. 9 Let me speedily find thy timely mercy, Because I have hoped in ●hee. 10 Make known to me the way, in which I am to walk, For to thee I have lifted up my soul. 11 Rescue me, O Lord! from my Enemy's; to thee I fly for refuge: Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. 12 Thy good spirit will lead me into the right way: For the glory of thy name, O Lord! thou wilt give me life according to thy equity. 13 Thou wilt bring my soul out of tribulation, And in thy mercy thou wilt defeat my enemies. 14 And thou wilt destroy all who afflict my soul, because I am thy servant. PSALM CXLIII. Benedictus Dominus. David gives thanks to God in this Psalm for the assistance he has always received from him. In the second place he prays that all the Kings, and Nations, that oppose him, may be overthrown. 1 BLessed be our Lord, Psalm. 143. my God; who teaches my hands to fight in battle, And my fingers to wage war. 2 He is merciful towards me; he is my refuge, my defender, and my deliverer. 3 He is my protector, and my hope is in him, who makes subject my people to me. 4 O Lord! what is man that thou shouldst m●ke thyself known to him? Or the son of man, that he should merit thy consideration? 5 Man is become like to nothing, his days pass away like a shadow 6 Bow thy heavens, O Lord! and come down: Touch the mountains, and they will smoke. 7 Dart forth thy lightenning, and thou wilt dissipate them. Shoot thy arrows, and thou wilt confound them. 8 Stretch forth thy hand from above, and rescue me: Deliver me out of the deep waters, out of the hands of the sons of strangers * Rebellious children▪ . 9 Whos mouths speak lies, And who's right hand is the right hand of iniquity. 10 O God; I will sing a new song to thee, I will sing it upon the instrument of ten strings. 11 Thou, who givest safety to Kings, who hast redeemed David thy servant from the sword of the Enemy; Now also deliver me; 12 Deliver me out of the hands of the sons of strangers, who's right hands are the right hands of iniquity; 13 Whos children flourish in youth, like new plantations; 14 Their daughters are finely decked, And adorned like a Temple; 15 Their store houses are full, and overflown out of one into the other; 16 Their yews are fruitful, and come out of their folds in great flocks; Their oxen are fat. 17 There are no breaches nor open passages in their enclosures, Nor any outcries in their streets. 18 Happy, they have said, are the people to whom thes things befall; But happy is the people, who have our Lord for their God. PSALM CXLIV. Exaltabo t● Deus. The Title of this Psalm shows that David made it to serve upon occasions for praising and thanking our Lord. 1 I will glorify thee, Psalm. 144. my King, and my God: I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless thee, And I will praise thy name eternally. 3 Great is our Lord, worthy of all praise; His greatness is infinite. 4 All ages to come shall praise thy works, And shall declare thy power; 5 They shall celebrate the magnificent glory of thy holiness, And shall relate ●hy wonders; 6 They shall make known the force of thy terrible judgements; And set forth thy greatness; 7 They will publish the memory of thy abounding sweetness, And they will rejoice in thy justice. 8 Our Lord is compassionate and merciful, he is patiented and full of mercy. 9 Our Lord is Benign to all: And his mercies are above all his works. 10 Let all thy works praise thee, O Lord! And let thy saints bless thee. 11 They shall publish the glory of thy Kingdom, And shall declare thy power. 12 That they may make known to the sons of men thy Allmightynes, And the magnificent glory of thy Kingdom 13 Thy Kingdom is a Kigdome of all ages, And thy Empire is from generation to generation. 14 Our Lord is true in all his words, And holy in all his works; 15 He lifts up all that fall, And raiseth from the ground all that are bruised. 16 The eyes of all creatures hope in thee, And thou givest them food in seasonable time. 17 Thou openest thy hand, and fillest every living creature with benediction. 18 Our Lord is just in all his ways, And holy in all his works. 19 Our Lord is near at hand to those, who call upon him, And to all that invoke him in truth. 20 He will perform the desires of those, who fear him; he will hear their prayers, and will save them. 21 Our Lord takes into his protection those, wholove him, And will destroy all sinners. 22 My mouth shall speak the praises of our Lord: And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. PSALM CXLV. Lauda anima mea. In this Psalm are commemorated the benefits of God bestowed upon men, and it declares that we ought to put our trust in him alone. ALLALUIA. 1 O My soul! Psalm. 145. Praise thou our Lord; Whilst I live I will praise our Lord; I will sing the praises of my God, as long as I am in being. 2 Confide not in Princes, not in the sons of men, in whom there is no safety. 3 Their soul will departed, and they will return to the earth, whence they came: In that day all their designs will vanish. 4 Blessed is he, who has the God of Jacob for his defender, who's hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. 5 Who preserves truth for ever; Who does justice to those, who suffer injury, and gives food to thee hungry. 6 Our Lord loosens the bonds of prisoners, Our Lord gives sight to the blind. 7 Our Lord lifts up those, who have been bruised; Our Lord loveth the just; 8 Our Lord will defend the stranger, And take into his protection the orphan and the widow, And he will confound the ways of sinners. 9 Our Lord will reign for ever, Thy God, O Zion! will reign from generation to generation. ALLELUIA. PSALM CXLVI. Laudate Dominum. This Psalm was also made to praise God for his universal providence towards all creatures and for his particular care of the people of Israel, ALLELUIA. 1 PRaise ye our Lord, Psalm. 147. for 'tis good to sing his praise: Let us offer praises to our God, that may be acceptable and worthy of him. 2 Our Lord, who built Jerusalem, will gather together the people of Israel, that have been dispersed. 3 'Tis he who heals those, who's hearts are broken, And binds up their wounds. 4 Who numbers all the stars, And calls them by their names. 5 Great is our Lord, And great is his power, his wisdom is infinite. 6. Our Lord takes the meek into his protection, he humbles the sinners down to the earth. 7 Sing to our Lord with thanksgiving, sing upon the harp praises to our God. 8 Who covers the heaven with clouds, And prepares rain for the earth; 9 Who produceth grass upon the mountains, ad herbs for the use of men; 10 Who provides food for their cattle, And for the young ones of crows, when they cry out to him. 11 Our Lord loves not the man, who confides in the strength of his horse, Or in the swiftness of his legs; 12 Our Lord is pleased with those, who fear him, And who hope in his mercy. ALLELUIA. PSALM XLVII. Lauda Jerusalem. This Psalm was made when the jews had rebuilt the walls of jerusalem in praise of God's providence over all his creatures, and of his particular mercy towards the Israelites. ALLELUIA. 1 JErusalem! Psalm. 147. praise thou our Lord; Zion! praise thou thy God; 2 For he has made strong the locks of thy gates, Psalm. 148. he has blessed thy children within thee; 3 It is he who has settled peace in thy borders, And fills thee with the choicest wheat. 4 Who sends his word of command to the earth, And his words runs suiftly about. 5 Who makes snow fall like wool, And scatters the hoary frost like ashes. 6 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: Who can endure the rigour of his cold? 7 When he says the word, they will all be melted: his wind will blow, and the waters will flow again. 8 It is he who holds forth his word to Jacob, The rules of his justice, and his judgements to Israel. 9 He has not done so to any of the Nations, Nor has he manifested his judgements to them. ALLELUIA. PSALM CXLVIII. Laudate Dominum de celis. This Psalm also invites all creatures to celebrate the praises of God. ALLELUIA. 1 PRaise our Lord all you that are in heaven, Psalm. 148. Praise him in the high places. 2 Praise him all his Angels, Praise him all his heavenly hosts; 3 Sun and moon praise him, stars and light join all to praise him, 4 Praise him the heaven of heavens, And let all the waters above the heavens, praise the name of our Lord: 5 For he spoke, and they were made, he commanded, and they were created. 6 He has established them for ever to last all ages; he has set a rule, and he will not go from it. 7 Praise our Lord all Creature of the earth, Dragons and all in the Deep. 8 Let fire, Psalm. 118. hail, snow, ice, storms of wind, which execute his will, 9 Let the mountains, and all hills, fruit-bearing trees, and all Cedars, 10 Let all beasts and cattle, all that creep, o● fly with wings, 11 Let the Kings of the earth, and all the people, The Princes and the judges of the earth, 12 Let the young men, and the virgins, All the old men, and the Children, praise the name of our Lord; For his name alone is great and high. 13 Both heaven and earth proclaim his praise; And he hath exalted the power of his people. 24 Let hymns be sung to him by all his saints, By the Children of Israël by the people, that are near to him. ALLELUIA. PSALM XLIX. This Psalm also invites the Israelites to sing the praises of God, And foretells, that they shall prevail over their Enemies. ALLELUIA. 1 SIng to our Lord a new Canticle, Psalm. 149. Let his praise be celebrated in the assembly of the saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in him, who made them, Let the sons of Zion glory in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with Concerts of music, With the drum, and the harp let them sound forth his praises; 4 For our Lord is well pleased with his people, he will raise up, and save the meek. 5 The saints shall rejoice in glory, They shall be filled with joy in their places of rest. 6 The praises of God will● be always in their mouths And they will have two edged swords in their hands. 7 To take revenge upon the Gentiles, And to chastise the Nations; 8 To bind their Kings with fetters, And their Nobles with manacles of iron: 9 That so they may execute upon them the judgement signed by God; This will be glory to all his saints. ALLELUIA. PSALM CL. Laudate Dominum in sanctis. This Psalm is upon the same subject with the former. ALLELUIA. 1 PRaise our Lord in his sanctuary, Psalm. 150. Praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for the mighty things he has done; Praise him for his greatness which has no bounds; 3 Praise him with the sound of trumpets, Praise him with the Psalter and harp; 4 Praise him with the drum and the flute, Praise him with strung instruments, and the Organ. 5 Praise him with loud and harmonious cimbals, Praise him with cimbals of Jnbily; Let every thing that breathes, praise our Lord. ALLELUIA.