THE THIRD DAY.

MORNING PRAYER.

PSALM XV.

It has been thought that this Psalm was composed when David, after having been driven from Mount Zion by Absalom's rebellion, was brought back again. 2 Sam. xv. 17. A description is given in it of the character of that person whom God would admit to serve Him continually, and dwell with Him in His courts upon earth, as an emblem and foretaste of His eternal service and dwelling in heaven. This going up and returning of David to God's presence on this hill of Zion, is therefore taken as a prophetical sign of our blessed Lord's ascending and returning to the heavens, when His earthly warfare was finished. Hence the Psalm is appointed to be read on Ascension Day.

1 Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle: or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?

2 Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life and doeth the

himself, but is lowly in his own eyes and maketh much of them that fear the Lord.

5 He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth thing which is right, and speak-him not: though it were to his eth the truth from his heart. own hindrance.

3 He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour: and hath not slandered his neighbour.

4 He that setteth not by

6 He that hath not given his money upon usury: nor taken reward against the innocent.

7 Whoso doeth these things: shall never fall.

Ver. 1. Who shall dwell—who shall rest] David inquires, what are the marks and qualities of God's

accepted servants; of those, who so worship Him on earth, as to have a well grounded hope of abiding with Him for ever on the everlasting hill of the heavenly Jerusalem. The Psalmist makes no inquiry here about faith, as the ground of the sinner's acceptance with God: this was another question; he asks, what must be the sign and the fruit by which a believer shews himself to be "made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light?" Col. i. 12.

Ver. 2. uncorrupt] Pure and holy. David gives the answer as from God, declaring, that a man's hope of heavenly favour must be shewn by a holy and vir tuous life. It was not enough for them to say, that they were born of Abraham; they must "do the works of Abraham." John viii. 39. It is not enough for us to name the name of Christ," we must "depart from iniquity." 2 Tim. ii. 19. Matt. vii. 21. Duty to God and duty to man must be faithfully performed. David here chiefly points out the latter of these duties: in fact, duty to man is a part of our duty to God, for God has commanded it.

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Ver. 4. that setteth not by himself] That doth not think much of himself; not "more highly than he ought to think." Rom. xii. 3.

Ver. 6. his money upon usury:] Usury was the interest paid for money lent: and the rich were forbidden to take any usury from a needy brother. Exod. xxii. 25-27. Deut. xxiii. 19, 20.-nor taken reward against the innocent.] Who never takes a bribe to speak or act against an innocent man.

Ver. 7. Whoso doeth these things:] Such things as these; shewing kindness and doing what is right to

all men, especially regarding those who fear the Lord, (ver. 4.) and proving by this means that all was done "for the Lord's sake," from faith in Him and love to Him. In short, the answer of God in this Psalm, agrees very much with what we find in the 6th chapter of Micah: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." See ver. 6-8.-shall never fall.] Shall hold on his way towards heaven, unmoved by temptation, and arrive there in safety.

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We are plainly told in this psalm, who they are whom God will honour and accept; and carefully should we examine our hearts and lives, to see if we are of the happy number. We may go to His temple and worship, with unholy hearts and unrighteous lives; but God will not own us; He will cast us out at last, like the man in the parable of the marriage feast, "who had not on a wedding-garment The worship of ungodly, unjust, or unmerciful men, is a mockery of God: "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is His delight." Prov. xv. 8. None upon earth can be accepted at the mercy-seat, none can be admitted into the presence-chamber in heaven, but such as love God; "And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." 1 John iv. 21. Jesus, our Lord and Priest and King, is gone up into the heavens; and if we would follow Him thither, we must walk on earth as He walked: He hath left us an example, that we should follow His steps;" 1 Pet. ii. 21. And he that doeth so, shall not be moved, to eternity.

QUESTIONS.

On what occasion was this psalm written?—Where was the holy hill?-What did David mean by dwelling and resting there? Of what was David's going up a pattern or type?What inquiry is made in this psalm?—What is the character of those whom God accepts ?-Uncorrupt?—Setteth not by him

self? Of whom does the true believer make much-Upon usury?—Taken reward against the innocent?-Whoso doeth these things-What of him?-How never fall?

PSALM XVI.

The former part expresses entire trust in God; the latter, verses 8-11, contains a remarkable prophecy of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ; indeed it would almost appear that Christ, the true David, is speaking through the whole of the Psalm.

1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee have I put my trust.

in a fair ground: yea, I have a goodly heritage.

8 I will thank the Lord for giving me warning: my reins also chasten me in the night

season.

2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord: Thou art my God; my goods are nothing unto Thee. 3 All my delight is upon the 9 I have set God always besaints that are in the earth: fore me: for He is on my right and upon such as excel in vir- hand, therefore I shall not fall. tue.

4 But they that run after another god shall have great trouble.

5 Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer neither make mention of their names within my lips.

6 The Lord himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup: Thou shalt maintain my lot.

7 The lot is fallen unto me

10 Wherefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

11 For why: Thou shalt not leave my soul in hell: neither shalt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

12 Thou shalt shew me the path of life; in Thy presence is the fulness of joy and at Thy right hand there is pleasure for

evermore.

Ver. 2. my goods are nothing unto Thee.] All the good things I possess, and all the good actions I can do, are of no profit to Thee; they add nothing to the greatness of Thy perfections, to Thy happiness or

and punish them, as if by the cutting off of their lips and tongue.

Ver. 4. With our tongue, &c.] We will do great things and gain our purpose by violent language.— Who is Lord over us?] Who shall order and stop

us ?

Ver. 5, 6. Now for the comfortless troubles' sake of the needy:] This is the answer to David's cry for help. For the sake of those troubles of the needy, which deprive them of comfort; for the consolation of the afflicted, I will up,] I will arise.

Ver. 7. Are pure words:] Then David reflects that the words of the Lord are true and faithful, without any mixture of error.-Even as the silver, which from the earth is tried,] The pureness and goodness of silver, when put into a vessel of earth or clay, is tried by fire, and purified seven times] that is, many times, from the dross which rises to the top when it is melted; and so the metal becomes purer and is more esteemed. Thus the word of God, found to be true under many and hard trials, is like the finest ore.

Ver. 9. Are put to rebuke.] Are scorned and trampled upon. The righteous are oppressed, and the wicked are encouraged.

The Lord is all-sufficient, even in the worst of times. Though we had not a godly neighbour left, though we could find no faith in the earth, though we were alone in the world, yet should we not be alone: the Lord would be with us, and hear our prayer for mercy and protection. Though there were ten thousand tongues to slander and ruin us, God can silence them all, or make them conduce even to our benefit. And amid all the violent and false words of men, how great is the comfort of depending upon the pure and sure word of God; in which we