EVENING PRAYER.

10th Part. (i)

73. THY hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me because I have put my trust in thy word. 75. I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled.

76. O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort: according to thy word unto thy servant.

77. O let thy loving-mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78. Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me but I will be occupied in thy commandments.

79. Let such as fear thee and have known thy testimonies: be turned unto me.

80. O let my heart be sound in thy statutes that I be not ashamed.

11th Part. (k) 81. My soul hath longed for thy salvation (D) and I have a good hope, because of thy word. (m)

82. Mine eyes long sore for thy word: saying, "O when wilt thou "comfort me?"

(i) Reflections in trouble, acknowledging the utmost dependence upon God and the justice of his judgments, praying earnestly for deliverance, and resolving to keep God's law.

(4) Reflections during trouble and persecution, (probably written whilst David was concealed for fear of Saul,) noticing the dangers he had undergone, and earnestly looking up to God for protection.

(1) v. 81. "Thy salvation," i. e. "de

83. For I am become like a bottle (n) in the smoke: yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84. How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute

me ?

85. The proud have digged pits for me: which (0) are not after thy law.

86. All thy commandments are true true they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

87. They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I forsook not thy commandments. 88. O quicken me after thy loving-kindness: and so shall I of thy keep the testimonies mouth.

12th Part. (p)

89. O Lord, thy word: endureth for ever in heaven.

90. Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another: thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

91. They (q) continue this day according to thine ordinance: for all things serve thee.

92. If my delight had not been in thy law: I should have perished in my trouble.

93. I will never forget thy commandments: for with them thou hast quickened me.

94. I am thine, O save me:

"liverance at thy hand," "the protection "thou canst give."

(m)" Word." See note on verse 49.

(n) v. 83. "A bottle, &c." Their bottles were of skin, or leather, and when hung up in the smoke became parched, dried up, worn out.

(o) v. 85. "Which, &c." i. e. " the proud." (p) Upon the certainty of the fulfil ment of God's promises, and the comfort of keeping his commandments.

(q) v. 91. "They," i. e. " all things."

unto my throat: yea, sweeter (b) than honey unto my mouth!

104. Through thy commandments I get understanding: therefore I hate all evil ways.

MORNING PRAYER.
14th Part. (c)

105. THY word is a lantern unto my feet and a light unto my paths.

106. I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed to keep thy righteous judgements.

107. I am troubled above measure quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

108. Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord: and teach me thy judgements.

109. My soul (d) is alway in my hand: yet do I not forget thy

law.

110. The ungodly have laid a snare for me but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

111. Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage (e) for

"be desired are they than gold; yea, "than much fine gold; sweeter also than "honey, and the honeycomb."

(c) Reflections in great distress, professing a constant adherence to God's law, and a firm resolution to continue it.

my

(d) v. 109. "My soul, &c." i. e. "life is always in hazard;" probably, a proverbial expression. So Judges xii. 3. "I put my life in my hands, and passed

over against the children of Ammon;" and 1 Sam. xix. 5. " he did put his life "in his hand, and slew the Philistine.” So 1 Sam. xxviii. 21. when the witch of Endor did that for Saul for which she was punishable with death, she uses this expression, "I have put my life in my hand, "and have hearkened unto thy word."

ever and why? they are the they are the very joy of my heart.

112. I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway: even unto the end.

15th Part. (g)

113. I hate them, that imagine evil things: but thy law do I love. 114. Thou art my defence and shield and my trust is in thy (h) word.

115. Away from me, ye wicked: I will keep the commandments of my God.

116. O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live: and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

117. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

118. Thou hast trodden down

all them that depart from thy statutes for they imagine but deceit.

119. Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross : therefore I love thy testimonies. 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgements.

16th Part. (i) 121. I deal with the thing that

(g) A profession of confidence in God, and attachment to his laws; a prayer for protection, and an assurance that God does and will put down the wicked.

(h) v. 114. Thy word," i. e. (probably)" thy promises;" either, what thou hast promised in particular to me; or, what thou hast promised generally to all who trust in thee.

(2) A protestation of innocence and trust in God, and a prayer for protection; written, (apparently) after long continuance in distress.

(k) v. 122. "Make, &c." or, " be surety "to thy servant for good (B. T.);" which seems to agree better with the context.

is lawful and right: O give me not over unto mine oppressors.

122. Make (k) thou thy servant to delight in that which is good that the proud do me no

wrong.

away (1) with looking for thy 123. Mine eyes are wasted health (m): and for the (n) word of thy righteousness.

124. O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy: and teach me thy statutes. 125. I am thy servant; O grant know thy testimonies. me understanding that I may

126. It is time for thee, Lord, to lay (o) to thine hand : for they have destroyed (p) thy law.

ments: above gold and precious 127. For I love thy command

stone.

all thy commandments false ways I utterly abhor.

and all 128. Therefore hold I straight

17th Part. (9)

129. THY testimonies are wontherefore doth my soul

derful keep them.

130. When thy word goeth forth it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

131. I opened my mouth, and

(7) v. 123. "Wasted away, &c." i. e. "from the earnestness and anxiety with "which I have looked."

(m) "Health," i. e. "protection," "de"liverance by thee."

(n) "The word, &c." i. e. (probably) "thy promises of protection."

(o) v. 126. "To lay to thine hand," " to "take vengeance upon the wicked."

(p) "Destroyed, &c." by disregarding it themselves, and making others hold it in contempt.

(9) A profession of delight in God's law, and a prayer for his guidance and protection.

drew in my breath (r) for my delight was in thy commandments.

132. O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me: as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

133. Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

134. O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men and so shall I keep thy commandments. 135. Shew the the light of thy countenance upon thy servant : and teach me thy statutes.

136. Mine eyes gush out with water (s) because men keep not thy law.

145. I CALL with my whole heart hear me, O Lord, I will keep thy statutes.

146. Yea, even unto thee do I call help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147. Early in the morning do I

cry unto thee: for in thy word is my trust.

148. Mine eyes prevent (a) the night-watches that I might be occupied in thy words.

149. Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness quicken me according as thou art wont.

150. They draw nigh that of malice persecute me : and are far from thy law.

151. Be thou nigh at hand, Ọ O Lord for all thy commandments (b) are true.

152. As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since: that thou hast grounded them for

20th Part. (c)

153. O CONSIDER mine adversity, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154. Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me quicken me according to thy word.

155. Health is far from the un

godly for they regard not thy

statutes.

156. Great is thy mercy, 0 Lord quicken me, as thou art

wont.

157. Many there are that trouble me and persecute me : yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

158. It grieveth me when I see the transgressors because they keep not thy law.

159. Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments: 0 quicken me according to thy loving-kindness.

160. Thy word is true from everlasting all the judgements of thy righteousness endure for

evermore.