PSALM 125. Qui confidunt.

[This pilgrim song seems inspired by the events connected with the return from Babylon.

There

is the triumph of the returned exile, together
with disappointment at the evil courses which
many of the returned had adopted.]

THEY that put their trust in the LORD shall
be even as the mount Sion: which may not
be removed, but standeth fast for ever.

2 The hills stand about Jerusalem: even so standeth the LORD round about His people, from this time forth for evermore.

3 For the rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous: lest the righteous put their hand unto wickedness.

4 Do well, O LORD: unto those that are good and true of heart.

5 As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness: the LORD shall lead them forth with the evil-doers; but peace shall be upon Israel.

Evening Prayer.

PSALM 126. In convertendo.

[In this pilgrim song there is the triumphant return of the first exiles, causing wonder even to the heathen. They were, however, but as the heralds of the rest who should follow.]

WHEN the LORD turned again the captivity of Sion then were we like unto them that dream.

:

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with joy.

:

3 Then said they among the heathen The LORD hath done great things for them. 4 Yea, the LORD hath done great things for us already: whereof we rejoice.

5 Turn our captivity, O LORD: as the rivers in the south.

joy.

6 They that sow in tears: shall reap in

7 He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed : shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.

PSALM 127. Nisi Dominus.

[This pilgrim song, with the next, describes social life in Palestine under the protecting providence of Jehovah. In the Bible it is inscribed as Solomon's, but this authorship is at least doubtful, and the Psalm may probably be ascribed to the period of the return.]

7. The man forth with anxious heart to the labour of sowing, but in the harvest-time returns

EXCEPT the LORD build the house their with joyous songs,

labour is but lost that build it.

2 Except the LORD keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain.

3 It is but lost labour that ye haste to

bearing his sheaves. The restoration of the

Temple was

com

menced in fear and

apprehension,

but

feasts and thanksgiv

rise up early, and so late take rest, and eating crowned the dedithe bread of carefulness: for so He giveth His beloved sleep.

4 Lo, children and the fruit of the womb : are an heritage and gift that cometh of the LORD.

cation.-Ezra vi. 22.

This is the second Psalm appointed in the "churching of women." It has been

5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the suggested that it was

giant even so are the young children.

6 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them : they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

similarly used in the Jewish Church.

3. Late take rest; lit. sit down late; possibly to food; to eat the bread of sorrows. So; Kay ex

plains this word by "freely”-in spite of outward adverse circumstances, God gives sleep and all things that are needful to those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

5. Young children; rather, sons of youth-i.e., born of young parents, and so grown up in their father's lifetime, able to help in his old age.

6. The gate being the seat of judgment, the stalwart sons would see justice done to their father's cause, that they should not be "crushed in the gate," Job v. 4.

PSALM 128. Beati omnes.

[This pilgrim song continues to describe the blessedness of the man who lives under the protection of Jehovah he who fears HIM is blessed in every act and deed.]

BLESSED are all they that fear the LORD: and walk in His ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thine hands: O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.

3 Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine : upon the walls of thine house.

4 Thy children like the olive branches : round about thy table.

5 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed : that feareth the LORD.

6 The LORD from out of Sion shall so bless thee that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long.

:

7 Yea, that thou shalt see thy children's children and peace upon Israel.

:

PSALM 129. Sæpe expugnaverunt.

[A pilgrim song, in which the Psalmist looks back upon the past history of the nation.]

MANY a time have they fought against me from my youth up: may Israel now say.

2 Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up: but they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back : and made long furrows.

4 But the righteous LORD: hath hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.

was passed in thraldom in Egypt.

2. The life of Christ is foreshadowed.

66

This Psalm is appointed to be read in the Marriage Service.

2. Labours i.e., the product of labour, especially agricultural. This he shall eatin peace, instead of seeing it overrun by foreign armies. O well is thee; lit. it is well with thee.

3. The walls; lit. the inmost recesses. The wife, within the house, is as the fruitful vine.

4. Branches; rather, plants. The wife is like the vine, fruitful, clinging, dependent; the children strong and lusty, like young olive plants.

6. Sion, where the sanctuary was in David's time. Jerusalem is the representative of the Holy Land; all was centred in its prosperity.

ther,

7. And peace; ra66 Peace upon Israel!" The blessing with which Ps. CXXV. ends.

1. From my youth; the youth of Israel

3. Zion for your sake shall be plowed as a field," Micah iii. 12.

4. Hath hewn, &c. ; lit. hath cut asunder the cord of the wicked—i.e.,

hath delivered from the captivity of the wicked.

5 Let them be confounded and turned backward: as many as have evil will at Sion. 6 Let them be even as the grass growing upon the house-tops: which withereth afore it be plucked up;

7 Whereof the mower filleth not his hand : neither he that bindeth up the sheaves his bosom.

8 So that they who go by say not so much as, The LORD prosper you: we wish you good luck in the Name of the LORD.

PSALM 130. De profundis.

[This pilgrim song is the sixth of the seven Peniten-
tial Psalms, see Ps. vi. Its phraseology seems
to point to the time of the return.
It was
a favourite Psalm of Luther, illustrating the
verse in Daniel, "To the Lord our God belong
mercies and forgivenesses, though we have re-
belled against Him,” Dan. ix. 9.]

Ash Wednesday.
The second Psalm

Our of the deep have I called upon Thee, at Evening Prayer,

O LORD: LORD, hear my voice.

2 O let Thine ears consider well: the voice of my complaint.

3 If Thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O LORD, who may abide it?

4 For there is mercy with Thee: therefore shalt Thou be feared.

:

5 I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for Him in His word is my trust. 6 My soul fleeth unto the LORD: before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.

7 O Israel, trust in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption.

followed by Ps. cxliii.

1. The deep-i.e., the deep waters of sin. "I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me," Ps. lxix. 2.

3. Extreme to

mark; Heb. keepi. e., mark with a view to punishment.

4. The effect of God's mercy on man is, love not inconsist ent with an holy awe.

6. My soul, &c.; Heb. "My soul [looketh] for the LORD more than watchers for the morningwatchers for the mornCf. " They WISHED for the day,' Acts xxvii. 29.

8 And He shall redeem Israel: from all ing." his sins.

8. Redeem; Heb. loose; hence redeem by paying a price.-Ex. xiii. 13. "He shall save His people from their sins," S. Matt. i. 21.

PSALM 131. Domine, non est.

[In this pilgrim song, which breathes the spirit of David, the Psalmist anticipates the Lord's warning, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." Bishop Magee calls this Psalm "that perfect miniature."]

LORD, I am not high-minded: I have no proud looks.

2 I do not exercise myself in great matters which are too high for me.

3 But I refrain my soul, and keep it low, like as a child that is weaned from his mother: yea, my soul is even as a weaned child.

4 O Israel, trust in the LORD: from this time forth for evermore.

The song of the meek. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK: FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.

1. I am not highminded; Heb. my heart is not proud, nor my eyes lofty.

2. Too high; lit. too wonderful.

3. I have subdued and appeased my soul; it is like a newly weaned child, late so fretful, but once more restored to its mother, lying tranquilly upon her breast. This interpretation best accords with the Hebrew text. So is man, when acquainted with grief and restored trustful to God.

Morning Prayer.

PSALM 132. Memento, Domine.

[The date and authorship of this pilgrim song are the subject of much discussion: some interpreters refer it to David; others to Solomon ; others to the time of the return. It was, at any rate, most fitly used at the time of the return, when the memory of the promises to David refreshed and sustained those labouring at the restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple.]

LORD, remember David and all his trouble;

:

2 How he sware unto the LORD and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob;

DAY 28.

Christmas Day.

The last Psalm at Evening Prayer.

The answer to the prayer [verse 11 to the end] can be fulfilled only in the MESSIAH.

1. Remember David; Heb. remember unto David-i.e., continue to him and his descendants the remembrance of Thy covenant.

3 I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house nor climb up into my bed; dwell in an house of cedar, but the Ark of God dwelleth within curtains."

3. Compare the spirit of David's address to Nathan, "I