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Psalms for the Ninth Hour.

Psalm cxix. Part 17.

Ver. 1. "Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them." The wonderful depth of wisdom, admirable equity and purity of the Divine revelations should engage all men to observe them.

2." When Thy word goeth forth, it giveth light and understanding to the simple." The word of God cleared up to the mind, dispels the darkness of ignorance, error, and sinfulness.

3. "I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath: for my delight was in Thy commandments." Obedience to God's commandments is the way of true delight, for the which the righteous do pant, and breathe forth their souls in ardent prayers.

4. "O look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me; as Thou usest to do unto those that love Thy Name." And such persons may with a holy confidence beg, and also reasonably hope for the mercy and propitious favour of God.

5. "Order my steps in Thy word, and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me." Temptations to

evil shall not prevail, where both the steps or actions, and also the affections of the soul, are regulated by the laws of God.

6. "O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men, and so shall I keep Thy commandments." The injuries of men must not cause us to disobey the laws of God.

7. "Shew the light of Thy countenance upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes." It is the light of Divine grace that teacheth both the knowledge and obedience of God's holy will and commandments.

8. "Mine eyes gush out with water; because men keep not Thy law." Not only our own sins, but the transgressions of others also are to be lamented.

Glory be to the Father,
&c.
As it was in the begin-
ning, &c.

The Prayer.

Look upon me, O Lord, with the eyes of grace and mercy, and not in the rigour of justice: let not the wrongful dealings of others, or any wickedness of mine own, get

so much dominion over me as to make me swerve from those steps which Thou hast commanded me to observe and follow; from the which I cannot fall, whilst the light of Thy countenance shines upon me, and that mercy is extended unto me, which Thou shewest unto them that love Thy Name, through Jesus Christ, &c.

THE EIGHTEENTH PART.

Ver. 1. "Righteous art Thou, O Lord; and true is Thy judgment."

2. "The testimonies that Thou hast commanded, are exceeding righteous and true." God's commandments are called His judgments, because they are the rule by which He will pass judgment upon all; and He is most just, both in His laws, and in His judgments, according thereunto.

3. "My zeal hath even consumed me because mine enemies have forgotten Thy word." Great therefore is the zeal of the righteous against all transgressors of such just and holy laws; whom he esteems his enemies, because the enemies of truth and justice.

4. "Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and Thy servant loveth it." But his

heart is inflamed with the love of God's word, the truth and equity whereof hath appeared upon trial at all times.

5. "I am small, and of no reputation: yet do I not forget Thy commandments." The most strictly conscientious persons do in all humility acknowledge themselves to be the meanest of His servants.

6. "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness and Thy law is the truth." Obedience to the law of God is truth everlasting, or the true way to everlasting blessedness.

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No

7. Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me yet is my delight in Thy commandments." troubles, whether outward, or inward, can rob the righteous of that delight which is the issue of their obedience.

8. "The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live.” The practical understanding of those holy truths God hath testified or revealed, is that righteousness which is immortal.

Glory be to the Father,
&c.
As it was in the begin-
ning, &c.

The Prayer. Most righteous Lord God, give me a right understanding of Thy revealed will, as the path that leads to everlasting righteousness: inflame my soul with an ardent love and delight in Thy laws, and with a discreet zeal against all the transgressors thereof: let a very humble and mean esteem of myself be the foundation of all my righteousness, lest it evaporate into vainglory, and lose its reward which Thou hast promised, through Jesus Christ, &c.

THE NINETEENTH PART.

Ver. 1. "I call with my whole heart hear me, O Lord, I will keep Thy statutes." So prayeth the devout soul for grace and obedience, not only with the lips, but with the whole heart.

2. “ Yea, even unto Thee do I call help me, and I shall keep Thy testimonies." The discipline of the law, and the devout use of prayer, do support each other: the law commands the use of prayer, and prayer obtaineth grace to keep the law.

3. "Early in the morning do I cry unto Thee: for in Thy word is my trust." A

holy confidence of God's promises in His word, prefers the duty of prayer before all other actions or concerns in the world.

4. "Mine eyes prevent the night watches; that I might be occupied in Thy words." Holy meditations and prayers, are, both night and day, early and late, the employment of the right

eous.

5. "Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy loving-kindness: quicken me according as Thou art wont." Whom God will vouchsafe to hear, and quicken their zeal, and holy endeavours, whilst they beg it upon the account of God's lovingkindness, not for any merits of their own.

6. "They draw nigh that of malice persecute me: and are far from Thy law." Our ghostly enemies are ever at hand to disturb our holy resolutions and devotions, in opposition to God's commands.

7. "Be Thou nigh at hand, O Lord: for all Thy commandments are true." To disappoint their assaults, God's assisting presence is to be implored, Who will not be wanting to His own truth.

8. "As concerning Thy

testimonies: I have known long since, that Thou hast grounded them for ever." The foundation of which truth, which is the word of God, is from everlasting, and the true way to that blessedness that shall last for ever.

Glory be to the Father,
&c.
As it was in the begin-
ning, &c.

The Prayer.

Night and day will I call upon Thee, O Lord, and that not with my lips alone, but with my whole heart; humbly beseeching Thee to be ever nigh at hand to disappoint all the subtile practices of the devil and his angels, who continually lay snares to entrap me, and maliciously persecute me, for my love and obedience to Thy most holy laws, which are grounded upon everlasting truth, and lead to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, &c.

THE TWENTIETH PART.

Ver. 1. "O consider mine adversity, and deliver me: for I do not forget Thy law." That we may be delivered from the temptations of our spiritual adversaries, we must be mindful both of the precepts and promises of God's word.

2. "Avenge Thou my cause and deliver me: quicken me according to Thy word." According to these promises we must pray to have the cause of our contest with the devil to be vindicated, and our endeavours to resist him to be quickened.

3. "Health is far from the ungodly: for they regard not Thy statutes." These endeavours for the health of the soul, are not regarded by such persons as have not God in their thoughts and desires.

4." Great is Thy mercy, O Lord: quicken me as Thou art wont." But the righteous are frequently sensible of God's mercy, quickening them to their duty and even

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5. "Many there are that trouble me and persecute me; yet do I not swerve from Thy testimonies." Even in the greatest and most troublesome temptations of their numerous adversaries, continue firm and upright in their innocence and obedience.

6. "It grieveth me when I see the transgressors: because they keep not Thy law." And are grieved also to see others, in the time of temptation, to fall away.

7." Consider, O Lord, how

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Consider, O Lord, how adverse to my holy resolves are the continual temptations of my ghostly enemies: and withal remember the love I have to Thy law, and zeal to Thine honour: deliver me from the one, and quicken me in the other, that I neither swerve from Thy testimonies, or be dull and dead-hearted in my obedience thereunto: give me a heart to lament both my own, and the transgressions of others; that I may escape that bitter weeping and wailing of the nether hell: from the which, good Lord, deli

ver me, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, &c.

THE ONE AND TWENTIETH PART.

Ver. 1. "Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of Thy word." Stand in awe, and sin not, whatever persecutions may arise from any of the powers either of earth or hell.

2. "I am as glad of Thy word, as one that findeth great spoils." The spoils of our ghostly enemies are taken through delight in God's word.

3. "As for lies, I hate and abhor them: but Thy law do I love." The love of the truth, and hatred of all falsehood, whether in opinion or conversation, are the inseparable qualifications of a righteous soul.

4. "Seven times a day do I praise Thee: because of Thy righteous judgment.” The righteousness of God's laws, and of all His judgments according thereunto, excite the devout soul to praise Him continually.

5. "Great is the peace they have who love Thy law: and they are not offended at it." The fruit of righteousness is peace,

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