Commentary on the Holy Bible

Book L From Psalm i. to Psalm xli* inclusive- Book n. From Psalm illu to Psalm Ixxii, inclusive. Book UL From Psalm Ixxiii. to Psalm Ixxxix, inclusive. Book IV* From Psalm xc. to Psalm cvi* inclusive* Book ¥♦ From PsaJra cvii* to Psalm cL inclusive. The First, Secondf and Third Books end with Amen and Amen; the Fourth^ with Amen and Halhlujah; the Fifths with Hallelujah.

But the Psalms Uiemselves are differently divided in all the versionSi and in many MiSS. TTiii IB often very embarrassing to the reader, not only in consulting the Polyglots, but also in referring to theological works, whether of the Greek or Latin Church, where the Psalms are quoted; ilie Greek ecclesiastical wiilers following Uic Sepiuagint; and those of ihe Latin Churcijj the Vulgate, I shall lay a proper table of these variations before the reader, remarking first, that though they differ so much in the division of the Psalms, tliey all agree in the number one hundred and fifty,

A Table of the Differences in dividing the Psalms between the Hebrew text and the ancient VEEsioNSj Syriac, Sepiuagint^ Chaldee^ Arabic, JElhi(^ic, and Vulgate.

In the above versions Psalm ix. and x. make only Psalin it. Hence there is one Paalm less in the reckoning as yon proceed to

Psalm cxiv., cxv,, which make Psalm cxiii. in all those versions. Hence tvro Psalms are lost in the reckoning.

Psalm cxvi. is divided at verse 9^ the versions beginning Psalm cxv. at verse lO. Hence one Psalm is gained on the above reckoning.

Psalm cxlfii. tliey dittdc at verse 1 1, and begin Psalm cxlvfi. with verse 12. Here then the reckoning becomfes equal, and all end alike with Psalm cL

In the Syriac, Sepiuagint, iEthiopic^ and Arabic, there is what ihey call an extra-mimerml Psaim^ said to have been composed by Pavid after his victory over Goliath. A translation of this will be found at the close of these notes.

The Hebrew MS8. agree often with the versions in uniting Psalms which the common Hebrew text has separated, and thus often support the ancient versions. These things shall be considered in the course of the nota».

After having said so much on the name and ancient divisions of this important book, it may be necessary to say aometliing in answer to the question, " Who w^as the author of the Book of Psalms?" If we were to follow tlie popular opinion, wt should rather be surprised at the qtieslion, and immediately answer, David, king of Israel \ That many of them were composed by Aim, there is no doubt; that several were written long after his time, there is internal evidence to prove; and that many of them were written even by his contemporaries^ Uicre is much reason to believe.

That the collection^ as ii now stands, was made long after David*s death, is a general opinion among learned men; and that Ezra was the collector and compiler is commonly believed. Indeed all antiquity is nearly unanimous in giving Ezra the honour of collecting the different writings of Moses and the prophets, and reducing them into that form in which they are now found in the Holy Bible, and consequently the Psalms among the rest* See this subject treated at large in the preface to Ezra^ Sec.

In making this collection it does not appear that the compirler paid any attention to chrO' nological arrangement. As he was an inspired man, he could judge of the pieces which came by Divine inspiration, and were proper for the general edification of the Church of God.

The writer of the Synopsis, attributed to St* AlJianasius, says tlial the friends of King Hezekiah chose one hundred and fifty Psalms out of the number of three thousand which David had composed, and that tliey suppressed the rest; he says farther, that tliis is written in the Chronicles; but it is not found in the Chronicles which we now have, though it might have been in other Chronicles which that author had seen.

That some Scriptural collections were made under the influence and by the order of Hexekiah, we learn from Prov, xxv. 1: ** These are also proverbs of Solomon, which tlie men of He^ekiah^ king of Judah, copied out " But whether those were employed on the writings of the father^ as ihey were on those of the son^ we cannot tell. The above authority is too slender to support any building of magnitude.

The only method we have of judging is from the internal uvicfence afforded by several of the Psalms themselves^ and from the inscriptions which many of them hear* As far as ti^ne tiadf&i^ aj^ concerned, mairy of them can be traced ta the days of David^ and the tfum- Tmcthns which then occurred » and in which he hore so eminent a part. But there are othera I in which we find no note of iimey and no reference to the transactions of David^s reign.

As to the inscriptioiiSt they are of slender authority; several of them do not agree with { the subject of the Psahn to which they are prefixed, and not a few of them appear to be out [ <t}( their places.

In one of the prologues attributed to St. Jerome^ but probably of Eusebius, at the end of

' Vol. IL of St, Jerome's Works by Martinay^ we find a table in which the whole Book of

[ P»alms is dissected, showing those which have inscriptums^ tho«e which have tmne^ and those lo which the name of a particular per$mt^ as author, is prefixed, 1 shall give these in grogs, and then in detail: Psalms without any name prefixed, 17 \ Psalms with an inscription^ 133;

These are afterwards divided into those which bear different kinds ot tilhs, without names; and those which have names prefijced, I shall give these fiom the Quincvphsc Psalterium^ I lol- Parist 1513, as being mpre correct than in the edition of Jerome, by Martmat^,

A Psalm to which the name of He man is prefixed: Psa. Ixxxifii, - * • 1

Suppoeing th^V the persons already mentioned are the authors of those Psalms to which their are prefixed, there are still fifty-three ^ which, as bearing no propern ume, must be attri- f bated to uncertain authors, though it is very probable tliat several of them were made by David-

The reader will observe that as the preceding enumeration is taken from the Vulgate^ consequently it is not exactly the same with ours i but the niles already given at page 200,

Trill enable him to accommodate this division to that in our common Bibles, which is the iame with that in the Hebrew text*

In order to make the preceding tabic as correct as possible, I have carefully collated that in the Benedictine edition of Su Jerome's Works, with professedly the same table in the Quincuplex Psalter, in both of which there arc several errors. In the Works, though all the numbers are given at large, as primus^ decimus^ centesimus, 4"^., yet the sum total, under each head, rarely agrees with the itemi above it. This was so notoriously the case in the d taUe ifli Jerome's Works, that I thought best to follow that fa ihe Pmdter. above mentioned, which had been carefully corrected by Htaiy Stephens.

Afteir all, this table gives but small satisfaction, when we come to coUateit with the Psalms mthe Hebrew text,. or as they stand in our common English Bibles. That. nothing might be wanting, I have made an analysis of the whole firom our present text, collating this with the Hebrew where I wad in doubt; and by this the reader will see how greatly these tables ' diffiar from each other; and that many Psalms must now come under a different anrangement, lieoause of their different titles; from that which xic^y had in St. Jerome's time. For instance, in Bt Jerome's time there were seventy, or, as in some copies, seventy-two Psalms that had the name of David in the inscriptions: at present there are sev^ty-three thus inscribed in the Hebrew text.

Section IV. — Classification of tiib Psalms as they stand, in our common visasioN. Jerome gave two editions of the L^tin Psalter, one from the Hebrew, and the other corrected from the feptuagint. Efoth of these may be found in his Works, and in the Quincuplex Psalter mentioned above. I shall now add a table, on a similar plan with the above, tdien from our present authorized text,

A Psalm to which the name of Ethan is prefixed: Psa. Ixxxix. • - - I

After all that has been done to assign each Psalm to its author, there are few of which we can say positively. These were composed by David.

Most commentators, as well as historians of the life and reign of David, have taken great pains to throw some light upon this subject, particularly Calmet, Delaney, Chandler, and Venema, The former haa made seven divisions of th.em, to ascertain ihe order of time in «W c wbkh they wexe written. I iliill adopt this plan, and accommodate it to the Psalms as they stand in our present authorized rersion, after simply remarking that there are several Psalms which appear to he ill-dinded/ some making two or tkree^ which in all probabiltty made originally but one; and others, which formerly made two or more, now improperly connected* This has been already noticed in comparing the differences of the numeration between the varsUms and the Hebrew text. See p. 201; see also at the end of the foUowmg table.

Sbction V. — Chkonolooical Akranobmbnt of the Book of Psalms. 1. Psalms which contain no Note or Indication of <Ae Time when written.

Psabn i. ** Blessed is the man,** &c. This is generally considered as a Preface to the whole book; supposed by some to have been written by Damd: but others attribute it to

^ JBzro, who collected the book of Psalms. Psahn ir. ^ Hear me when I call.** The evening prayer of a pi0UB man. Psalm viii> ** O hard our Lord.'' The privileges and dignity of man. Psalm xix. "The heavens declare the glwry of God." God's glory in the creation. The excellence, perfection, and use of the Divine law. Psalm Ixxxi. «< Sing aloud unto God." Supposed to be a Psahn usually sung at the Feast of Trumpets^ or the beginning of the year; and at the Feast of Tabernacles. Psalm xci. " He that dwelleth in the secret place." The lutppiness of those who trust in tlie

Lord. This Psalm might be placed during or after the Captivity. Psalm ex. ^ The Lord said unto my Lord." The advent, birth, passion, prieisthood, and kingdom of Christ. Probably composed by David. Psalm cxxxix. *' 0 Lord, thou hast searched me." On the wisdom and providence of God. Psalm cxIt. "I will extol thee^ my Grod,.0 King." Thanksgiving for the general benefits bestowed by GtA. In none of these is there any distinct notation of time.

n. Psalms composed by David while persecuted by Saul.

Psalm xi. " In the Lord put I my trust." Composed by David whisn in the court of Saul;

his friends exhorting him to esci^ for his life from the jealousy and cruelty of Saul. Psalm xxxL '' In theC) O Lord, do I put my trust." Composed when David was proscribed,

«and obliged to flee from Saul's court. Psalm xxxiv. '' I will bless the Lprd at all times."^ Supposed to have been composed by

-David when, by feigning himself to be mad, he escaped from the court of Achish, king of Gath. Psalm Ivi. ^'.Be merciful unto me,^0 God." Composed in the cave of Adullam^ after his escape from Achish, Psahn xvi. "Preserve me, Q Gdd." David persecuted by Saul,- and obliged to take refuge among the MoaBites and Philistines. Psahn liv. ^ Save me, O God, by thy name." David, betrayed by the ZiphimSf escapes from the hands of Saol. •Psalm lii. J*Why boastest thou thyself in mischief." Composed by David when Doeg betrayed him to Saul, who, not finding him, slew the priests at Nob. Psalm cix. " Hold not thy peace, 0 God." An invective against Doeg, and the rest of his enemies. Psalm xvii. "* ftcar the right, O Lord." When Saul carried his persecution to the highest pitch. Psalm xxii. " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me." SauFs persecution of David, an emblem of the persecutions of Christ by the Jews. Psalm XXXV. " Plead my cause, O Lord." Against Saul and his courtiers, who plotted his destruction. Psahn Ivii. " Be merciful unto me, O God." While shut up in the cave of En-gedi; 1 Sam.

xxiv. 4. Psalm Ivtii. ^ Do ye indeed speak righteousness." Against the wicked counsellors of Said e 903

III. P^AUts composed after the Commencement of the reign of David, tmd after the

A^salm ii. " Why do ll|e heathen rage." Written by David after he had. established his \t throne at itnisalem, notwithstanding the envy and malice of his enemies. A prophecy of the reign of Christ. Psalm ix. <' I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart." Sung by David on bringing the ark from the house of Obed-edom. Psalm xxiv. " The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness, thereof.*^ Sung on the^me occasion. Psalm Ixviii. " Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered.". Sung on bringing tho ark from

Psalm ci. ". I will sing of mercy and judgment." David describes the manner in which he will forn^his court,, his ministers, and confideuitial servants. Psalm xxix. <' Give unto the Lprd, O ye mighty." Composed ^fter the dearth which fell on the land because of Saul's unjust persecution of the Cribeonites; 2 Sam xxi. Psalm XX. ''The Lord hear thee. in the day of trouble." • Coniposed when David was about to march against the Ammonites and Syirians; 2 Sao). x. 16.. Psalm xxi. " The. king shall joy in thy strength;" Thanksgiving to God for the victory over the Ammonites^ Sec.; a continuafion of the subject in the preceding. Psalm xxxviii. " O Lord, rebuke me pot in thy wratlu" Composed during the.: iiaie.of a grievous affliction^ after his transgression with Bath-shebq.. See Psa. vi. Psalm xxxix. " I said, I will-take heed to my ways." A continuation of the same subject. Psalm xl. << I waited patiently for the Lord.". Thanksgiving for his recovery. Psalm xli. "Blessed is he.who considereth the poor." A continuation of the preceding

Psalm vi. '' 0 Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger." Supposed to be. written in a time of sickness after his sin with Buth-sheba. See Psn. xtxviii. - Psalm U. "Have mercy^pon- me, O Gtxi.^ Written after ho recjsived the reproof by Nathan the prophet; 2 Sam. xii. Psalm xxii. " Blessed is he whose transgcession is forgiven." Written about.the same tiaie» and on the same subject. • Psalm xxxiii. " Rejoice ia the L6rd, O ye righteous," A continuation of the precediog Pjudm.

IV. PsAUfts composed during the rebellion of Absalom. <

Psalm iii. " Lord, how are they increased that trouble me?" When David was driven fipom^

Jerusalem by Absalom. Psalm iv. " Hear me when Icall." ' Composed at the same time.

Psalm Iv. •< Give ear to my prayer." When he was flying from Jerusalem before Absalom. Psalm Ixir. " Truly my soul waiteth upon God." Exercising faith and 'patience during

Absalom's rebellion. Psalm Ixx. " Make haste, O God^ to deliver me." During the same. Psalm Ixxi. " In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust." Continuation of the preceding. Psalm cxliii. "Hear my prayer, 0 Lord." Written during the war yifiih Absalom..psalm cxliv. " Blessed be the Lord my strength." Written after the overthrow of Absalomp

▼. Psalms wriOmh^iween eft« MebelBiii qf Absaleniy and the Babylonish Captivity.

of Oman; 2 Sam. niy. 26. Pflialm Iziii. " Give the king thy judgments.** Composed by David when he invested Sclomon with the kingdom. Psalm zlv. " My heart is inditing a good matter.** Written by the sons of feovali, for

Sohmon^s marriage. Psalm Ixxviii. ** Give ear, O my people;" Sung by the choir of Asaph, on the victory gaioea by Asa over Baasha king of Isnlel; 2 Chron. xvi. 4, &c. Psalm Ixxxii. '^ God standeth in the congregation.** Instractions given to the judges in the days of Jehashaphai, king of Judah. Psalm Ixxxiii. ^ Keep not thou.siIenoe, O God.** Thanksgiving for the victories of Jehosh- aphatf king of Judah, over the Ammonites^ Idum^anfi^ and others, ^ee. % Chron. xx. • 1, &c. Psalm Ixxvi. " In Judah is God known." Sung by the choir of Asaph after the victory over

Sennacherib. Psalm Ixxiv. '' O God, why bast thou cast us off?** Lamentation over the temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar^ Psalm Ixxix. ** O God, the heathen are come.** On the same subject; composed probably

VI. Psalms composed c/urinj' the Captivity.

Psalm X. ^ Why standest thou* afar, off?** Lamcfntation of the Jews during.the captivity. Psalm xii. *' Help, Lord, for flie godly man ceaseth.*^. Composed by the captive Jews, showing the wickedness of the Babylonians.. Psalm xiii. << How long wilt thou forget.me.** Continuation of the preceding. Psalm xiv. << The fool hath said in his heart.*** Aprayerof the poor captives for deliverance from their captivity..... Psalm liit. ''The fool hath^said.in his heart, There is nq God.** This Psalm is almost verbatim with Psalm xiv., and, like it, describes the wickedness of the Babyhnians ^ both having been composed -during the captivity. Psalm XV. " Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?" This Psalm was probaWy intended to point out the character of those 'v9\io might etpeot-to return to their own land, and join in th^ temple service. Psalm XXV. " Unto theOj O Lord, do I lift up my soul.** A prayer of the captives for de-

Psalm xxvii.. " The Lord is my light and my salvation." The captives express their confidence in God. Psdm xxviii. " Unto thee will I cry.** Prayers and thanksgivings of the captives. Ps^dm xxxvi. *< The transgression of the wicked.** Complaints of the captives against the

Babylonian^. Psalm xxxvii. "Fret not thyself.** A Psalm of consolation for the captives. Psalm -xiii. " As the hart panteth." Composed by the sons of Korah during the captivity. Psalm xliii. " Judge me, O God.** Continuation of Uie same. Psalm xliv. " We have heard with our ears.** Same subject.

Psalm xlix. " Hear this, aU ye people.** By the s<his of Korah: comfort for the captivee^ Psalm 1. " The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken.** God's reprehension of theJews^ showing them the cause of their captivity..; -*

Psalm Ix. " O God, thou hast cast us off." Tbf mptitm express their hope ef a 8|«ed^

Babylonians. Psalm IxxiiL "Truly God is good to Israel:" AMoph warns the captives agaiaiCAe bad example of the Babylonians^ and against being tnoious at the prosperity df the wicked.

Compare this with Psalm xxxvii. ^

Psalm hxv. " Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks." Asaph prays for the deliMNmce of the people. Psalm Ixxvii. " I cried unto God with my voice." Jedutkun and Asaph complain of the

Psalm Ixxx. << Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel." Asaph prays for the deUveralle of the

Psalm Ixxxiv. " How amiable are thy tabernacles." The Sons otKorah pray for their release. Psalm Ixxxvi. " Bow down thine ear." The same subject. Psalm Ixxxviii. " 0 Lord God of my salvation." The same subject. Psalm Ixxxix. " I will sing of the mercies of the Lord." Ethan prays for the deliverance of the captive Jews. Psalm xc. '' Lord, thou hast been our dwelling." The Levites^ the descendants of Moses^ request their return from captivity. Psalm^ xcii. '< It is a good thing to give thanks." The same subject, and by the same persons. Psalm xciii. "The Lord reigoeth." The^ame, by the same persons. Psalm xcv. " O come, let us sing unto the Lord." The same. Psalm cxix. " Blessed are the undefiled in the way.^.' APsalm Apposed to have been made by Danielj or some other captive prophet^ for the instruction of the people. Psalm cxx. " In my distress I cried." The, captives pray for deliverance. Psalm cxxi. "I will lift up ftiine eyes." The same subject. • x

Psalm cxxxi. " Lord, my heart fs not haughty." The heads of the people pray for their return. Psalm cxxxii. " Lord, remenibcr David;" A prayer of the- captive Jews in behalf of the

VII. Psalms written ader. the Jews were ^ permitted by the edict of Cyrus to return... to their own land.

Psalm cxxii. " I was glad when they said." A Psalm of thanksgiving when:thiey heard of

Psalm Ixi. " Hear my cry, O God.'* Thanksgivings when the Jews 'were about to rejt6m.to

Jerusalem. Psalm Ixiii. "t) God, thou art niy God." A PsaliA of the people, now on their return to

Psalm cxxiv. <' If it had not been the L<v4, who was on our side." On the same subject. Psalm xxiii. "The Lord is my shej^herd." Thanksgiving to God for their redemption from captivity. Psalm Ixxxvii. " His foundation is iri the holy mountains." Thanksgivings by t&e sons of

Korah for their return from captivity. Psalm Ixxxv. " Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land." Thanksgivings for dieir return. Psalm xlvi. " God is our refuge and strength." Sung by the sons of KonA at the dedita^

' Paalm xcri. ** O sing unto the Lord a new song.'' This and the three preceding all sung it the deSication qf the sectrnd temphf Psalm xcvii. <* The Lford reigneth; let the earth rejoice." Thanksgiyings of the Jews for their, delireryice; sung at the dedication of the second temple. Psalm zcriii. " O sing unto the Loid a new song; for he hath done marvellous.things." A odotinuation of the above. Pfealm xciz. " The Lord reigneth-; let the people tremble." Sung on the same occasion. Psabn c *^ Make a joyful noise." On the same occasion. Psabn «ii. " Hear my prayer, O Lord." A description of the sufferings of the captwes while in Babylon; and thanksgivings for their deliverance. Psalm dii. " Bless the Lord, O my sod." On the same subject. Psalm ciT. " Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my. God." On the same. Psalm cr. ^< O give thanks unto the Lord." Thanksgivings for deliverance from Babylon. Psalm cvi. ** Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord." On the sdme subject

A recapitulation of what God did for their fathers in Egypt and in the wilderness. Psalm cvii. ^ O give thanks-<-liis mercy enduretli for ever." A fine poetical description of the miseries of the captivity.. Psalm cviii. '* O God, my heart is fixed." The Jews, delivered from captivity, pray for their brethren yet beyond the Siuphrates. Psalm cxi. "Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord' with my whole heart." Thanksgivings of the Jews after their captivity. Psalm cxii. <* Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth " A continuation of the same subject. Psalm cxiii. " Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants." A continuation of the above. Psalm cxiv. " When Israel.went out of Egjrpt" The same subject. Psalm cxvi. « I love the Lord." The same subject. Psalm cxvii. " O praise the Lord, all ye nations." The same subject. Psalm cxxvi. " When the Lord turned again our captivity." A prayer for the remnant still

Psalm cxxxiii-. '< Behold, how good and how pleasant." Happy union of the priests and

Levkes in the service of God, after, the captivity. Psalm cxxxiv. " Behol4, bless ye. the Lord." An exhortation to the priests and Levites properly to discharge their duties in the teniple, after they had returned from their captivity. Psalm cxxxv^ " Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye,the naotc of the Lord." Same as the preceding. Psalm cxxxvi. " O give thanks unto the Lord." Same as before.. Psalm cxxxvii, " By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down." The Levites on their

Psalm cxlviii. " Praise ye Uic Lord. Praise ye the liord from the heavens/* Thanksgiving for deliverance from the captivity; ismd an invitation to all creatures to celebrate the praise of the Lord. Psalm cxlix. ''Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song." On the same subject. Psalm cl. *' Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary." A continuation of the preceding Psalms. Psalm cxhri. "Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, 0 my soul." Supposed to have been composed by Haggai^ and Zechariah, to comfort the people when the edict of Cyrus waa revoked.. See the notes on. this Psalm. Psalm cxlvii. " Praise ye the Lord: for it is good." Thanksgiving of the same prophets after the long dearth mentioned by Haggai^ chap. i. In the Vulgate this Psalm is divided at-ver. 13, ''I^raise the Lord,.0 Jerusalem;" and is supposed by Calmet to c 907

% *. have been suntr at the dedi cation of ihe walls of Jemsalem* The whak Psalm is »uit-

Psalm lix. '* Deliver me from mine enemies /' Probably sung about ihe lame linic. See Neh* iv* and following chapters.

Psalm Ixv. " Praise wuiietli for thee, O God.^' Composed by Haggai ^d Zecharmh^ after. the Lord had sent the rain promised by Hoggai^ chap. i.; and when they had begun

Psalm cxviii* " O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good.'* A song of praise afier the death of CambyseSf or probably after the dedication of the walls of Jerusalem, Supposed to Jiave been vrrilien by Nehemiah.

Psalm cxxv. " They that trust in the Lord " The Jew*s encouraging each other to resist Sanballat and Tobiah^ an J their other enemies.

Psalm cxxvii. " Except die Lord build the house.*' Composed to encourage the people to labour at the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem; and to put their conhdenee in the Lord- Psalm cxxviii. ** Blessed is every one that fcarelh Ihe Lord," A continuation of the preceding.

Psalm cxxijc. ^' Many a time have they afflicted me.^V A description of the peace and comfort enjoyed by the Jews under the reign of Darius.

Psalm cxjixviii. " I will prais6 thee with my whole heart.'* A continuation of the same subject. "

For the reasons of the above chronological urrangement the reader may refer 'to the notes; and see also another table, page,2]5. Thi? arrangement is better than none; and I hope will in the main be found as coriJect as can reasonably be expected, and a great help to a proper understanding of the Psalms.

The Hebrew Psalter h tho most ancient collection of po^ms in the world; and was composed long before those in which ancient Gi-eece and Rome have gloried. Among all the heathen nations Greece had the honour of producing not only the ^r^f, but also the most subliroej of poets: but the subjects on which they employed their talents had, in general, but little tendency to meliorate the moral condition of men« Their subjects were either a fabulous theology^ i fahe and ridiculous religion^ chimerical wars^ absurd heroism ^ impure love^ agriculture^ national sports, or hymns in honour of gods more cornipt than the most profligate of men. ^ Their writings served only to rondelr vice amiable, to honour superstilion, to favour the most dangerous and most degrading passions of men^ such as impure love, ambition, pride, and impiety- What is said of tlic Greek poets may be spoken with equal truth of their successors and imitators, the Latin poets; out of the whole of whose writings it would be difKcult to extract even the common mamms of a decent morality ^ I am well aware that fine sentiments, strong and terse expressions, and luminous thoughts, may be found in different parts of their writings; but compared with what is of a different kind, it jriay be well said of these, —

The Hebrew poets, on the contrary, justly boast the highest antiquity: they were men inspired of God, holy in their lives, pure in their hearts, labouring for tfie good of mankind; proclaiming by their incomparable compositions the infinite perfections, attributes, and unity of the Divine nature; laying down and illustrating the purest rules of ihe most refined morality, and the most exalted piety. God, his attributes, his works, and the religion which he has given to man^ were the grand subjects of their Divinely inspired muse. By ilieir wonderful art, they bt only embelliBhed ilic iiistory of flieir own people, becnusc connected intimately ^*ith the ilory of God*s providence, but ihey also, by ihe light of the Spirit of God thai was wiihiit bein, foretold future events of the most unlikely occurrence, at the distance of many hunfcds of years, with such exact circumstantmhty as has been the wonder and aaionishnient considerate minds in all succeeding generations; a fact which, taken in its ccflfinection with be holirieaii and subUmity of their doctrine; the grandeur, boldness^ and truth of their imagery; (siij0a9irates minds under the immediate inspiration of that God whode nature is ineflablei who in all points of times and whose wisdom is intiniic* Some of the greatest both of ilie Greek and Roman poets, were men obscure In iheir birth, erate in iheir fortune, and of profligate manners; a fact at once proved both by their hisrand by their works. But the Hebrew poets were among the greatest men of iheir nation i among them were found kings of the highest character, judges of the greatest integrity^ "icj most renowned, and lawgivers whose fame has reached every nation of ibe earth. i^ of these men the lamp of true religioti has been lighted in the earth; and wjierever bere ts a ray of truth among the eons of men, it is an emanation immediately taken^ or indt* ectly borrowed, from tlie prophets, poets, and statesmen, of the sons of Jacob.

The chief of the Hebrew poets were Moses ^ Davids Solomon^ Jobj or whoevef was the iithor of the book so called, Isaiah, Jermniahj and most off the minor prophets. Solotnofl imi^U wrote one tkomand and Jive hytnns and poems: yet we know not tliat we have any his poetical works, except the Canticles^ though tliere may be some Psalms of his com-

>ti m the book before us.

gTeml of tiie fathers, both Greek and Lattn^ maintain that David is the author of the whoh ef Psalms. And although they allow tliat several of them speak of times most obviously sierior to the days of David, yet they assert that he is the tiuthor of these also, and ihat he of those events by the spirit of prophecy / The rabbins assert that the book of Psalms rlias composed by ten different authors, viz* Adum^ Melchizedeki Abralfomt Moses^ the sons of

I Korak, David J Solomofif Asaphf Jeduthun, and Elhun. But ihii opinion is slenderly supported.

Sectior VIL Observatioits on fHU Manner in which several or the Psalms afpeaji

That there were sev&ral authors^ and that the Psalms were composed at different tiniek^ lis sufficiently evident from the compositions themselves. The occasions also on which the^ were written arc frequently pointed out by their contents; and these things hare been kept constantly in view^ in the consiruciion of tlie preceding table.

There is a difficulty which should not be overlooked, and with which almost every reader 1 ji puzzled, vis*. How is it that in the. same Psalm we find so many different states of mind. circumstances pointed out? These could not be the experience of one and the sdme periim; at the same time. The answer that is commonly given is this': Such Psalms were composed \&fter the fnll termination of the events which they celebrate. For instance, David had fallen 1 into distress— his sorrows became multiplied — lie Was filled with torturing fears. He called earnestly ort ihj^ Lord for help; he was heard after a long night and fight of afflictions; and fce most feelingly and sublimely praises God for his dehverance. Now all these different I circumstances he describes as if then existing, tliough considerably distant in point of time; \heginning the Psalm with the language of the deepest peniientiai distress^ almost bordering ' on despdr; and ending it with the strangest confidence in Gody and thanksgiving for his ieiiv^rance. The thirtieth Psalm is a case in point; to the notes on wliich the reader is leferred- Now it is possible that the psalmist, having obtained deliverance from sore and oppressive cvils> might sit down to compose a hymn of thanksgiving to celebrmte God's mercies; and in order to do this the more effectuallyj might describe the different circumstances enumerated above, as if he were then passing through them.

But I own that, to me, this is not a satisfaciory solution. I rather suppofse thai such Psalms, and perhaps most of tliose called acrostic^ were ct?mposed from diaries or memo- VaL, m. ( 14) S0t 0 randa; add in forming a Psalm, materials out of different days, having little congruity with each other as to the time ia which they happened, would necessarily enter into the composition. This supposition will, in my opinion, account for all anomalies of this kind, which we perceive in the book of Psalms.

On this rule we can account for apparent contradictions in several Psalms: lakeii as metrical compositions formed from memoranda of religious experience for different days, they may well express different states; as the state of the author's mind was not likely to be precuely the same in all those times on which he made the memoranda. I can illustrate what I mean by the following extract from the Spiritual Diary of Doctor John Rutty: —

<< Seventh months 1768, dd day: Amidst our palpable desolations, matter of some comfixt appeared. An inward voice of thanksgiving to God for the gift of his Son, the Lord Jesiii Christ, to us Gentiles; the mystery hid from ages, adorable, incomprehensible, unutterable, and unmerited; and if the sweet singer of Israel had occasion to say, < Awake, sackblit, psaltery, and harp, and praise the Lord;' so had I, so had we, so had every one whose eyes the god of this world had not blinded.

<' My native fierceness seemed, in the clear vision, to be the chief sin of my bosom, not yet wholly, subdued: good Lord, and God of love, subdue it!

" 7th. Soul, awake! the everlasting antitypal Sabbath I tnist is at hand, the end of all labours, suffermgs, and sins; see and prepare for it by letting the earth now enjoy its Sabbaths, even in a gradual relaxation and holy carelessness in all the special concerns of flesh and blood.

" 8th. Protracted my vesper beyond the usual time, by reason of a sweet inspired song of thanksgiving to a gracious and ever adorable Providence.

'' 10th. Thy work is not yet done; the war in the members is still felt. Patience hath not yet had its perfect work. O my poverty! • Lord, help me!

" 11th. In the midst of various discouragements' I was induced, even from observation, to believe that our late labour had not been wholly in vain; yea, on the 15th and 20th,. I was a witness -to some effects thereof.

'' 19tb. A silent meeting with a loaded atmosphere; great heaviness, and the holy fire almost but not quite out.

^' 22d. I am a wonder of God's mercy and- bounty. He is, as it were, renewing my youth; and giving, in old age, to. enjoy and «weetly apply the labours of my youth, whilst multitudes of my equals and.associates are dropping into eternity, or else various ways distressed. Awake, soiil, and work; for th^ eleventh hour is come!

" 31st. The tenor of the drawing or proper steerage this day was, to keep carefully the holy medium between a criminal remissness in temporals on the one hand, and ^an anxiety about them on the other.*^ Spiritual Diary, vol. ii. p. 235.

One sentence excepted, yrhich is not relevant, here are die whole memoranda of this -eminent man's religious experience for one month, in which we find the following states distinctly marked:

1. Mourning over the small progress of religion in the place where he dwelt, yet receiving encouragement from other quarters, day 3d. 2. Exulting in God. for redemption by Christ Jesus, ditto. 3. Humbled on a view of his natural fierceness of spirit, ditto. 4.. Rejoicing at the prospect of being soon released from earth, day 7th. 5^ Thanksgiving for providential blessings, day 8th. 6. Fighting against inward sin, day lOtb. 7* Encouraged in the performance of his duty, days IJth, 1 5th, 20th. 8. Mourning over the heavenly flame, almost extinct, day 19th. 9. Triumphing in a restoration of mental and bodily vigour, day 22d. 10. Complaining of his suffering lot, day 23d. 1 1. Happy in his soul, and giving praise to God, day 25th. 12. Porming holy resolutions for the government of his future life, d^y 3 1st.

Let us compare this with Psalm xxx., to which I have ahready referred in tliis introduction.

The Psalm begins with " I will extol thee, O Lord." And wc find in it seven difierent states distinctly marked: