III.

For thou haft made me to rejoice in things fo wrought by thee, That I do triumph in my heart thy handy works to fee.

IV.

O Lord, how glorious, and how great are thy works round about, So deeply are thy counfels form'd that none can find them out.

PSALM XCII.

I.

UST like the palm tree flourishing fhall be the righteous one,

JUS

He fhall like to the cedar grow

that is in Lebanon.

II.

Those who within the house of God
are planted by his grace
Shall grow up fast, and flourish well
within his holy place.

III.

And in old age when others fade, they fruit ftill forth fhall bring: They fhall be fat, and full of fap and always flourishing.

IV.

To fhew that upright is the Lord, he is a rock to me:

And he from all unrighteousness is altogether free.

AFTERNOO N.

PSALM XCIV.

The prophet here treats of the perfecutors of the church. He prays to God to appear for his people, he reproves their enemies, and then, in the words which I have felected, he comforts the perfecuted; fhewing them fome of the benefits of fuffering, fuch as-it is the correction of a Father-it is to teach them the Fa ther's will-it is to lead them to fweet reft, when the perfecutors fhall fall into their own pit-it is to exercife faith in God's unchangeable love to them-and fo to convince them, that judgment is returned to righteoufnefs, when God the righteous judge shall deliver them, and punish their enemies.

Such is the profit of the Father's rod. Faith in Jefus under it will certainly bring thefe bleffings from it. May we know the rod, and kifs it. Although it be grievous to the flesh, yet may patience have its perfect work, till we reap the peaceable fruits of righte oufnefs. Happy are the people, who are in fuch a cafe; yea thrice happy are we, if we can with faith and patience pray and fing to day-"Thy will be "done."

I. BLEST

I.

BLEST is the man whom thou, O Lord,

in kindness doft chastise,

And by thy holy law to walk doft lovingly advise.

11.

This man fhall find reft to his foul
in feafons of distress,
While God prepares a pit for thofe,
who wilfully tranfgrefs.

III.

For from his people God will not
his favour wholly take,
Those of his own inheritance
he never will forfake.

IV.

The world fhall then confefs thee juft
in all that thou hast done;
And those who choose thine upright ways
thall in thofe paths go on.

The

The fifth Sunday after Trinity.

PSALM XCVII.

This pfalm has been applied to Chrift in the new teftament. It is fo plain a defcription of his kingdom, that commentators with one confent have taken it in this fenfe. His happy fubjects are called upon to be glad in him. The multitude of the ifles and Great Britain among them, fhould be joyful in their king. He ruleth over all; with a rod of iron, almighty to deftroy his enemies, but with a fceptre of love to guide, protect, and blefs his willing people. What he makes them in their hearts, tempers, and lives is here described. May we find the marks upon ourfelves! May we love our king, fear him and ferve him out of love, and then we fhall find his kingdom to be righteoufnefs and peace and joy in the holy Ghoft. Happy are the people, who are in fuch a cafe, yea thrice happy are they, who can now fing his praises, rejoicing in the Lord their king.

JEHO

I.

EHOVAH reigns, for which the earth may fing with pleasant voice,

Alfo the ifles with thankful mirth may triumph and rejoice.

II.

For thou, O Lord, art high above all things on earth that are,

Above all other gods thou art exalted very far.

III. Hate

III.

Hate ill, all ye that love the Lord :
his faints fouls keepeth he,
And from the hands of wicked men
he fets them fafe and free

IV.

Unto the righteous there is fown,
like feed, a joyful light,
And gladnefs fown is for all those,
who are in heart upright.

V.

Ye righteous in the Lord rejoice:
express your thankfulness,
When ye into your memory
do call his holiness.

PSALM CII.

There can be no doubt of whom this pfalm treats: Because it is applied by an infallible expofitor. St. Paul quotes it in proof of the Godhead and eternity of Chrift-of his being the creator of heaven and earth, -and of his being without variableness or fhadow of turning, yea when heaven and earth fhall pass away, and he thall fold them up like a fcroll, even then he fhall be the fame unchangeable God for ever, and his feed shall dwell with him in unchangeable blifs. In this faith may the Lord the Spirit establish our hearts. May we fo truft in what Chrift has done as God-man, that we may be thankful for it this day. And may the words fung be the means of filling us with a hope of seeing him in his glory, and of worshipping him with all his redeemed for ever and ever.