Reading The Psalms Daily

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Ps 82:1 A Psalm of Asaph. God stands in the congregation of God; in the midst of the gods He judges.

Ps 82:2 How long will you judge unjustly and lift up the faces of the wicked? Selah.

Ps 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Ps 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy; save them out of the hand of the wicked.

Ps 82:5 They neither know nor will understand; they walk on in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Ps 82:6 I have said, You are gods; and all of you sons of the Most High.

Ps 82:7 But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Ps 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit in all nations.


MHCC

An exhortation to judges. (1-5)

 1-5 Magistrates are the mighty in authority for the public good. Magistrates are the ministers of God's providence, for keeping up order and peace, and particularly in punishing evil-doers, and protecting those that do well. Good princes and good judges, who mean well, are under Divine direction; and bad ones, who mean ill, are under Divine restraint. The authority of God is to be submitted to, in those governors whom his providence places over us. But when justice is turned from what is right, no good can be expected. The evil actions of public persons are public mischiefs.

The doom of evil rulers. (6-8)

 
6-8 It is hard for men to have honour put upon them, and not to be proud of it. But all the rulers of the earth shall die, and all their honour shall be laid in the dust. God governs the world. There is a righteous God to whom we may go, and on whom we may depend. This also has respect to the kingdom of the Messiah. Considering the state of affairs in the world, we have need to pray that the Lord Jesus would speedily rule over all nations, in truth, righteousness, and peace.[/u]


My Own Words

Brothers and Sisters the latter part of the above comment, the one I have underlined are so true for today. If you have been following up with the current news and the things going on in Israel you too will agree that we have need to pray that the Lord would speedily rule. 

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Ps 83:1 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. Keep not silence, O God; do not be speechless, and be not still, O God.

Ps 83:2 For lo, Your enemies roar; and those who hate You have lifted up their head.

Ps 83:3 They take shrewd counsel against Your people, and plot against Your hidden ones.

Ps 83:4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, so that the name Israel may be remembered no more.

Ps 83:5 For with one heart they have plotted together; they have made a covenant against You--

Ps 83:6 the tents of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarites;

Ps 83:7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the people of Tyre;

Ps 83:8 and Assyria has joined with them; they have helped the sons of Lot. Selah.

Ps 83:9 Do to them as to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin at the torrent Kishon;

Ps 83:10 who perished at Endor; they became as dung for the earth.

Ps 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb; yea, all their princes like Zebah, and like Zalmunna;

Ps 83:12 who said, Let us take possession for ourselves of the houses of God.

Ps 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; like the stubble before the wind.

Ps 83:14 As the fire burns a forest, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire,

Ps 83:15 so pursue them with Your tempest, and make them afraid with Your storm.

Ps 83:16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD.

Ps 83:17 Let them be ashamed and troubled forever; yea, let them be put to shame, and lost;

Ps 83:18 so that men may know that Your name is JEHOVAH, that You alone are the Most High over all the earth.


Commentary on following page

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MHCC


The designs of the enemies of Israel. (1-8)

 1-8 Sometimes God seems not to be concerned at the unjust treatment of his people. But then we may call upon him, as the psalmist here. All wicked people are God's enemies, especially wicked persecutors. The Lord's people are his hidden one; the world knows them not. He takes them under his special protection. Do the enemies of the church act with one consent to destroy it, and shall not the friends of the church be united? Wicked men wish that there might be no religion among mankind. They would gladly see all its restraints shaken off, and all that preach, profess, or practise it, cut off. This they would bring to pass if it were in their power. The enemies of God's church have always been many: this magnifies the power of the Lord in preserving to himself a church in the world.

Earnest prayer for their defeat. (9-18)

 
9-18 All who oppose the kingdom of Christ may here read their doom. God is the same still that ever he was; the same to his people, and the same against his and their enemies. God would make their enemies like a wheel; unsettled in all their counsels and resolves. Not only let them be driven away as stubble, but burnt as stubble. And this will be the end of wicked men. Let them be made to fear thy name, and perhaps that will bring them to seek thy name. We should desire no confusion to our enemies and persecutors but what may forward their conversion. The stormy tempest of Divine vengeance will overtake them, unless they repent and seek the pardoning mercy of their offended Lord. God's triumphs over his enemies, clearly prove that he is, according to his name JEHOVAH, an almighty Being, who has all power and perfection in himself. May we fear his wrath, and yield ourselves to be his willing servants. And let us seek deliverance by the destruction of our fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

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Ps 84:1 To the Chief Musician. On Gittith. A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How lovely are Your tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

Ps 84:2 My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh shout for joy to the living God.

Ps 84:3 Even the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young, Your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God.

Ps 84:4 Blessed are they who dwell in Your house; they will still praise You. Selah.

Ps 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You; Your ways are in their hearts.

Ps 84:6 Passing through the valley of weeping, they will make it a fountain; the early rain also covers it with blessings.

Ps 84:7 They go from strength to strength, appearing in Zion before God.

Ps 84:8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

Ps 84:9 Behold, O God, our shield, and look on the face of Your anointed.

Ps 84:10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Ps 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You.

Commentary on following page.

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MHCC


The psalmist expresses his affection to the ordinances of God. (1-7)


  1-7 The ordinances of God are the believer's solace in this evil world; in them he enjoys the presence of the living God: this causes him to regret his absence from them. They are to his soul as the nest to the bird. Yet they are only an earnest of the happiness of heaven; but how can men desire to enter that holy habitation, who complain of Divine ordinances as wearisome? Those are truly happy, who go forth, and go on in the exercise of religion, in the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ, from whom all our sufficiency is. The pilgrims to the heavenly city may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many a thirsty desert; but wells of salvation shall be opened for them, and consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course, shall find God add grace to their graces. And those who grow in grace, shall be perfect in glory.

His desire towards the God of the ordinances. (8-12)

 
8-12 In all our addresses to God, we must desire that he would look on Christ, his Anointed One, and accept us for his sake: we must look to Him with faith, and then God will with favour look upon the face of the Anointed: we, without him, dare not show our faces. The psalmist pleads love to God's ordinances. Let us account one day in God's courts better than a thousand spent elsewhere; and deem the meanest place in his service preferable to the highest earthly preferment. We are here in darkness, but if God be our God, he will be to us a Sun, to enlighten and enliven us, to guide and direct us. We are here in danger, but he will be to us a Shield, to secure us from the fiery darts that fly thick about us. Through he has not promised to give riches and dignities, he has promised to give grace and glory to all that seek them in his appointed way. And what is grace, but heaven begun below, in the knowledge, love, and service of God? What is glory, but the completion of this happiness, in being made like to him, and in fully enjoying him for ever? Let it be our care to walk uprightly, and then let us trust God to give us every thing that is good for us. If we cannot go to the house of the Lord, we may go by faith to the Lord of the house; in him we shall be happy, and may be easy. That man is really happy, whatever his outward circumstances may be, who trusts in the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob.

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Ps 85:1 <<For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.>> Jehovah, thou hast been favorable unto thy land; Thou hast  brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Ps 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people; Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah

Ps 85:3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath; Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.

Ps 85:4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, And cause thine indignation toward us to cease.

Ps 85:5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

Ps 85:6 Wilt thou not quicken us again, That thy people may rejoice in thee?

Ps 85:7 Show us thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, And grant us thy salvation.

Ps 85:8 I will hear what God Jehovah will speak; For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly.

Ps 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him, That glory may dwell in our land.

Ps 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Ps 85:11 Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

Ps 85:12 Yea, Jehovah will give that which is good; And our land shall yield its increase.

Ps 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him, And shall  make his footsteps a way to walk in.

Commentary on following page

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MHCC

Prayers for the continuance of former mercies. (1-7)

1-7 The sense of present afflictions should not do away the remembrance of former mercies. The favour of God is the fountain of happiness to nations, as well as to particular persons. When God forgives sin, he covers it; and when he covers the sin of his people, he covers it all. See what the pardon of sin is. In compassion to us, when Christ our Intercessor has stood before thee, thou hast turned away thine anger. When we are reconciled to God, then, and not till then, we may expect the comfort of his being reconciled to us. He shows mercy to those to whom he grants salvation; for salvation is of mere mercy. The Lord's people may expect sharp and tedious afflictions when they commit sin; but when they return to him with humble prayer, he will make them again to rejoice in him.

Trust in God's goodness. (8-13)

8-13 Sooner or later, God will speak peace to his people. If he do not command outward peace, yet he will suggest inward peace; speaking to their hearts by his Spirit. Peace is spoken only to those who turn from sin. All sin is folly, especially backsliding; it is the greatest folly to return to sin. Surely God's salvation is nigh, whatever our difficulties and distresses are. Also, his honour is secured, that glory may dwell in our land. And the truth of the promises is shown by the Divine mercy in sending the Redeemer. The Divine justice is now satisfied by the great atonement. Christ, the way, truth, and life, sprang out of the earth when he took our nature upon him, and Divine justice looked upon him well pleased and satisfied. For his sake all good things, especially his Holy Spirit, are given to those who ask him. Through Christ, the pardoned sinner becomes fruitful in good works, and by looking to and trusting in the Saviour's righteousness, finds his feet set in the way of his steps. Righteousness is a sure guide, both in meeting God, and in following him

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Ps 86:1 ¶ <<A Prayer of David.>> Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

Ps 86:2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.

Ps 86:3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Ps 86:4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Ps 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Ps 86:6 Give ear,

O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.

Ps 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

Ps 86:8 ¶ Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Ps 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Ps 86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Ps 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Ps 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Ps 86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Ps 86:14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

Ps 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Ps 86:16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Ps 86:17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Commentary on following page

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MHCC

The psalmist pleads his earnestness, and the mercy of God, as reasons why his prayer should be heard. (1-7)

 1-7 Our poverty and wretchedness, when felt, powerfully plead in our behalf at the throne of grace. The best self-preservation is to commit ourselves to God's keeping. I am one whom thou favourest, hast set apart for thyself, and made partaker of sanctifying grace. It is a great encouragement to prayer, to feel that we have received the converting grace of God, have learned to trust in him, and to be his servants. We may expect comfort from God, when we keep up our communion with God. God's goodness appears in two things, in giving and forgiving. Whatever others do, let us call upon God, and commit our case to him; we shall not seek in vain.

He renews his requests for help and comfort. (8-17)

8-17 Our God alone possesses almighty power and infinite love. Christ is the way and the truth. And the believing soul will be more desirous to be taught the way and the truth of God, in order to walk therein, than to be delivered out of earthly distress. Those who set not the Lord before them, seek after believers' souls; but the compassion, mercy, and truth of God, will be their refuge and consolation. And those whose parents were the servants of the Lord, may urge this as a plea why he should hear and help them. In considering David's experience, and that of the believer, we must not lose sight of Him, who though he was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.

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Ps 87:1 ¶ <<A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.>> His foundation is in the holy mountains.

Ps 87:2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Ps 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

Ps 87:4 ¶ I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

Ps 87:5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.

Ps 87:6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

Ps 87:7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.


Commentary on follwing page

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MHCC

The glory of the church. (1-3)

1-3 Christ himself is the Foundation of the church, which God has laid. Holiness is the strength and firmness of the church. Let us not be ashamed of the church of Christ in its meanest condition, nor of those that belong to it, since such glorious things are spoken of it. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, even Jesus Christ. The glorious things spoken of Zion by the Spirit, were all typical of Christ, and his work and offices; of the gospel church, its privileges and members; of heaven, its glory and perfect happiness.

It is filled with the Divine blessing. (4-7)

4-7 The church of Christ is more glorious and excellent than the nations of the earth. In the records of heaven, the meanest of those who are born again stand registered. When God renders to every man according to his works, he shall observe who enjoyed the privileges of his sanctuary. To them much was given, and of them much will be required. Let those that dwell in Zion, mark this, and live up to their profession. Zion's songs shall be sung with joy and triumph. The springs of the joy of a carnal worldling are in wealth and pleasure; but of a gracious soul, in the word of God and prayer. All grace and consolation are derived from Christ, through his ordinances, to the souls of believers.

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Ps 88:1 ¶ <<A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.>> O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

Ps 88:2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

Ps 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

Ps 88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

Ps 88:5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

Ps 88:6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

Ps 88:7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

Ps 88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

Ps 88:9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.

Ps 88:10 ¶ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

Ps 88:11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?

Ps 88:12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Ps 88:13 But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.

Ps 88:14 LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?

Ps 88:15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.

Ps 88:16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.

Ps 88:17 They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.

Ps 88:18 Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.

Commentary on following page.

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MHCC

The psalmist pours out his soul to God in lamentation. (1-9)


 1-9 The first words of the psalmist are the only words of comfort and support in this psalm. Thus greatly may good men be afflicted, and such dismal thoughts may they have about their afflictions, and such dark conclusions may they make about their end, through the power of melancholy and the weakness of faith. He complained most of God's displeasure. Even the children of God's love may sometimes think themselves children of wrath and no outward trouble can be so hard upon them as that. Probably the psalmist described his own case, yet he leads to Christ. Thus are we called to look unto Jesus, wounded and bruised for our iniquities. But the wrath of God poured the greatest bitterness into his cup. This weighed him down into darkness and the deep.

He wrestles by faith, in his prayer to God for comfort. (10-18)

0-18 Departed souls may declare God's faithfulness, justice, and lovingkindness; but deceased bodies can neither receive God's favours in comfort, nor return them in praise. The psalmist resolved to continue in prayer, and the more so, because deliverance did not come speedily. Though our prayers are not soon answered, yet we must not give over praying. The greater our troubles, the more earnest and serious we should be in prayer. Nothing grieves a child of God so much as losing sight of him; nor is there any thing he so much dreads as God's casting off his soul. If the sun be clouded, that darkens the earth; but if the sun should leave the earth, what a dungeon would it be! Even those designed for God's favours, may for a time suffer his terrors. See how deep those terrors wounded the psalmist. If friends are put far from us by providences, or death, we have reason to look upon it as affliction. Such was the calamitous state of a good man. But the pleas here used were peculiarly suited to Christ. And we are not to think that the holy Jesus suffered for us only at Gethsemane and on Calvary. His whole life was labour and sorrow; he was afflicted as never man was, from his youth up. He was prepared for that death of which he tasted through life. No man could share in the sufferings by which other men were to be redeemed. All forsook him, and fled. Oftentimes, blessed Jesus, do we forsake thee; but do not forsake us, O take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

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Ps 89:1 ¶ <<Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.>> I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Ps 89:2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

Ps 89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

Ps 89:4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

Ps 89:5 ¶ And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

Ps 89:6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

Ps 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

Ps 89:8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

Ps 89:9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

Ps 89:10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

Ps 89:11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

Ps 89:12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

Ps 89:13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.

Ps 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

Ps 89:15 ¶ Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

Ps 89:16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

Ps 89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

Ps 89:18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

Ps 89:19 ¶ Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

Ps 89:20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

Ps 89:21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.

Ps 89:22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

Ps 89:23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.

Ps 89:24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

Ps 89:25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

Ps 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Ps 89:27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

Ps 89:28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

Ps 89:29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

Ps 89:30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

Ps 89:31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

Ps 89:32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

Ps 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

Ps 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

Ps 89:35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

Ps 89:36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

Ps 89:37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

Ps 89:38 ¶ But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

Ps 89:39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.

Ps 89:40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.

Ps 89:41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

Ps 89:42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

Ps 89:43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.

Ps 89:44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

Ps 89:45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.

Ps 89:46 How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

Ps 89:47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

Ps 89:48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

Ps 89:49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?

Ps 89:50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

Ps 89:51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

Ps 89:52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

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MHCC

God's mercy and truth, and his covenant. (1-4)


  1-4 Though our expectations may be disappointed, yet God's promises are established in the heavens, in his eternal counsels; they are out of the reach of opposers in hell and earth. And faith in the boundless mercy and everlasting truth of God, may bring comfort even in the deepest trials.

The glory and perfection of God. (5-14)

5-14 The more God's works are known, the more they are admired. And to praise the Lord, is to acknowledge him to be such a one that there is none like him. Surely then we should feel and express reverence when we worship God. But how little of this appears in our congregations, and how much cause have we to humble ourselves on this account! That almighty power which smote Egypt, will scatter the enemies of the church, while all who trust in God's mercy will rejoice in his name; for mercy and truth direct all he does. His counsels from eternity, and their consequences to eternity, are all justice and judgment.


The happiness of those in communion with him. (15-18)

 
15-18 Happy are those who so know the joyful sound of the gospel as to obey it; who experience its power upon their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives. Though believers are nothing in themselves, yet having all in Christ Jesus, they may rejoice in his name. May the Lord enable us to do so. The joy of the Lord is the strength of his people; whereas unbelief dispirits ourselves and discourages others. Though it steals upon us under a semblance of humility, yet it is the very essence of pride. Christ is the Holy One of Israel; and in him was that peculiar people more blessed than in any other blessing.


God's covenant with David, as a type of Christ. (19-37)


19-37 The Lord anointed David with the holy oil, not only as an emblem of the graces and gifts he received, but as a type of Christ, the King Priest, and Prophet, anointed with the Holy Ghost without measure. David after his anointing, was persecuted, but none could gain advantage against him. Yet all this was a faint shadow of the Redeemer's sufferings, deliverance, glory, and authority, in whom alone these predictions and promises are fully brought to pass. He is the mighty God. This is the Redeemer appointed for us, who alone is able to complete the work of our salvation. Let us seek an interest in these blessings, by the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. As the Lord corrected the posterity of David for their transgressions, so his people shall be corrected for their sins. Yet it is but a rod, not a sword; it is to correct, not to destroy. It is a rod in the hand of God, who is wise, and knows what he does; gracious, and will do what is best. It is a rod which they shall never feel, but when there is need. As the sun and moon remain in heaven, whatever changes there seem to be in them, and again appear in due season; so the covenant of grace made in Christ, whatever alteration seems to come to it, should not be questioned.



A calamitous state lamented, Prayer for redress. (38-52)