5 He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not: though it were to his own hindrance. 6 He that hath not given his money upon usury: nor taken reward against the innocent. fall. 5. He regards his oath, and (6) loves neither interest nor bribery. Usury against the poor was forbidden, strictly Lev. xxv. 35-37; and bribery was especial 7 Whoso doeth these things: shall never ly denounced by the PSALM 16. Conserva me, Domine. [A Psalm of David, having probable reference to the history in 1 Sam. xxvi. Compare verse 19 of the chapter with verses 4, 5 of the Psalm. It is a Messianic Psalm, directly referring to JESUS CHRIST in verses 10 and 11, as is testified by S. Peter, Acts ii. 30, 31.] PRESERVE me, O God: for in Thee have I put my trust. 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 saints, that are in the earth and upon such as excel in virtue. : 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 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. for 4, 5. "They have driven me out this day," said David to 6. Lot; here an inheritance appointed by lot. 7. Lot; here literally "lines"— i. e., land measured out by lines. "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places.' Bible version. 8. Warning-i.e., 9 I have set God always before me counsel. Reins, heart (cf. Job xix. 27), considered to be the seat of feeling and emotions. The night-season, when man is ALONE with God. He is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall. 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. PSALM 17. Exaudi, Domine. [A Prayer of David. In the time of great trouble he calls upon God to deliver him from evil men, who persecute him.] HEAR the right, O LORD, consider my complaint and hearken unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from Thy presence and let Thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal. 3 Thou hast proved and visited mine heart in the night-season; Thou hast tried me, and shalt find no wickedness in me : for I am utterly purposed that my mouth shall not offend. 4 Because of men's works, that are done against the words of Thy lips : I have kept me from the ways of the destroyer. 11. Hell; Hades, the unseen world. Corruption; the pit, the grave. "He, see ing this before, spake of the resurrection of CHRIST, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption," Acts ii. 31. 1. Feigned lips; lit. lips of fraud. 3. Night-season. Cf. "My reins chasten me in the night-season," Ps. xvi. 8. Tried-i.e., tested as in a refiner's fire. 4. Rather, "with reference to the works of men, I have kept from evil ways through 5 O hold Thou up my goings in Thy hearkening to Thy paths that my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called upon Thee, O God, for Thou shalt hear me incline Thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words. 7 Shew Thy marvellous loving-kindness, Thou that art the Saviour of them which put their trust in Thee: from such as resist Thy right hand. words." 8 Keep me as the apple of an eye: hide me under the shadow of Thy wings, 9 From the ungodly that trouble me : mine enemies compass me round about [to take away my soul]. 10 They are enclosed in their own fat: and their mouth speaketh proud things. 11 They lie waiting in our way on every side: turning their eyes down to the ground; 12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey and as it were a lion's whelp, lurking in secret places. 13 Up, LORD, disappoint him, and cast him down deliver my soul from the ungodly, which is a sword of Thine; : 14 From the men of Thy hand, O LORD, from the men, I and from the evil say, world which have their portion in this : life, whose bellies Thou fillest with Thy hid treasure. 15 They have children at their desire : and leave the rest of their substance for their babes. 16 But as for me, I will behold Thy presence in righteousness: and when I awake up after Thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it. Evening Prayer. PSALM 18. Diligam te, Domine. [A Psalm of David, who, reviewing his whole life, recognises in it how great mercies he had received from God, and the comfort which a man finds in realising this fact betimes.] I WILL love Thee, O LORD, my strength; the LORD is my stony rock, and my defence: my Saviour, my God, and my might, in This Psalm is found in 2 Sam. xxii. 1. "These images are suggested by the experience of David's warlike life. The idea whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn of horn is that of sovalso of my salvation, and my refuge. 2 I will call upon the LORD, which is so shall I be safe worthy to be praised from mine enemies. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me : and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid. ereign power, as in Daniel."-KAY. 3, 4. Sorrows and pains are the same word in Hebrew, meaning bands, cords. 4 The pains of hell came about me: the Hell; unseen world. snares of death overtook me. 5 In my trouble I will call upon the LORD and complain unto my God. : 6 So shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple and my complaint shall come before Him, it shall enter even into His ears. 7 The earth trembled and quaked: the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because He was wroth. 8 There went a smoke out in His presence and a consuming fire out of His mouth, so that coals were kindled at it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down and it was dark under His feet. : 10 He rode upon the cherubims, and did fly : He came flying upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His secret place : His pavilion round about Him with dark water, and thick clouds to cover Him. 12 At the brightness of His presence His clouds removed hailstones, and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave His thunder: hailstones, and coals of fire. 14 He sent out His arrows, and scattered them He cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them. 15 The springs of waters were seen, and It 5. Will call. should be, "I called." It expresses what he did. So also in next verse-he heard. 6. Temple - i. e., heaven. the foundations of the round world were discovered, at Thy chiding, O LORD: at the blasting of the breath of Thy displeasure. 16 He shall send down from on high to fetch me and shall take me out of many waters. 17 He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me : for they are too mighty for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my trouble but the LORD was my upholder. 19 He brought me forth also into a place of liberty: He brought me forth, even because He had a favour unto me. 20 The LORD shall reward me after my righteous dealing: according to the cleanness of my hands shall He recompense me. 21 Because I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doth. : 22 For I have an eye unto all His laws : and will not cast out His commandments from me. 23 I was also uncorrupt before Him and eschewed mine own wickedness. : : 24 Therefore shall the LORD reward me after my righteous dealing and according unto the cleanness of my hands in His eyesight. 25 With the holy Thou shalt be holy and with a perfect man Thou shalt be perfect. 26 With the clean Thou shalt be clean : and with the froward Thou shalt learn frowardness. 27 For Thou shalt save the people that are in adversity: and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud. 28 Thou also shalt light my candle : the LORD my God shall make my darkness to be light. |