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EVENING PRAYER.

10th Part. (i)

73. THY hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me because I have put my trust in thy word. 75. I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled.

76. O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort: according to thy word unto thy servant.

77. O let thy loving-mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78. Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me but I will be occupied in thy commandments.

79. Let such as fear thee and have known thy testimonies: be turned unto me.

80. O let my heart be sound in thy statutes that I be not ashamed.

11th Part. (k)

81. My soul hath longed for thy salvation (1) and I have a good hope, because of thy word. (m)

82. Mine eyes long sore for thy word saying, "O when wilt thou "O when wilt thou "comfort me?"

(i) Reflections in trouble, acknowledging the utmost dependence upon God and the justice of his judgments, praying earnestly for deliverance, and resolving to keep God's law.

(k) Reflections during trouble and persecution, (probably written whilst David was concealed for fear of Saul,) noticing the dangers he had undergone, and earnestly looking up to God for protection.

() v. 81. "Thy salvation," i. e. "de

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12th Part. (p)

89. O Lord, thy word: endureth for ever in heaven.

90. Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another: thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

91. They (q) continue this day according to thine ordinance: for all things serve thee.

92. If my delight had not been in thy law: I should have perished in my trouble.

93. I will never forget thy commandments: for with them thou hast quickened me.

94. I am thine, O save me:

"liverance at thy hand," "the protection "thou canst give."

(m)" Word." See note on verse 49.

(n) v. 83. " A bottle, &c." Their bottles were of skin, or leather, and when hung up in the smoke became parched, dried up, worn out.

(o) v. 85. "Which, &c." i. e. " the proud." (p) Upon the certainty of the fulfilment of God's promises, and the comfort of keeping his commandments.

(q) v. 91. "They," i. e. "all things."

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101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I may keep thy word.

102. I have not shrunk (z) from thy judgements: for thou teachest me. (a)

103. O how sweet are thy words

(r) v. 96. " All things," i. e. " all earthly "things."

(s)" Come to an end," i.e. "fail, perish." (t) "Broad," i. e. "firm, stable, upon "a solid foundation, not" (like earthly things)" coming to an end and perishing." (u) An eulogium upon God's law.

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(x) v. 98. "They," i. e. "thy command

ments."

(y) v. 99, 100." Teachers," and "aged." These verses imply that the writer was not very far advanced in years.

(z) v. 102. " Not shrunk, &c." i. e. " I "have borne my afflictions with patience." (a)" Thou teachest me," i. e. (either) "not to shrink, &c." or, "thou makest thy judgments instruments to teach

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(b) v. 103. "Sweeter, &c." So Ps. xix. 9, 10. "The judgments of the Lord are "true and righteous altogether: more to

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(d) v. 109. "My soul, &c." i. e. " "life is always in hazard;" probably, a proverbial expression. So Judges xii. 3. "I put my life in my hands, and passed

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over against the children of Ammon;" and 1 Sam. xix. 5. " he did put his life "in his hand, and slew the Philistine." So 1 Sam. xxviii. 21. when the witch of Endor did that for Saul for which she was punishable with death, she uses this expression, "I have put my life in my hand, "and have hearkened unto thy word."

(e) v. 111. Mine heritage," i. e. “ my "estate, possession. The thing above all "others I prefer."

ever and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

112. I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway: even unto the end.

15th Part. (g)

113. I hate them, that imagine evil things but thy law do I love. 114. Thou art my defence and shield and my trust is in thy (h) word.

115. Away from me, ye wicked: I will keep the commandments of my God.

116. O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live : and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

117. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

118. Thou hast trodden down

all them that depart from thy statutes.for they imagine but deceit.

119. Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross : therefore I love thy testimonies.

120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee and I am afraid of thy judgements.

16th Part. (i)

121. I deal with the thing that

(g) A profession of confidence in God, and attachment to his laws; a prayer for protection, and an assurance that God does and will put down the wicked.

(h) v. 114. "Thy word," i. e. (probably) "thy promises;" either, what thou hast promised in particular to me; or, what thou hast promised generally to all who trust in thee.

(i) A protestation of innocence and trust in God, and a prayer for protection; written, (apparently) after long continuance in distress.

(k) v. 122. "Make, &c." or, "be surety "to thy servant for good (B. T.);" which seems to agree better with the context.

is lawful and right : O give me not over unto mine oppressors.

122. Make (k) thou thy servant to delight in that which is good that the proud do me no wrong.

123. Mine eyes are wasted away (1) with looking for thy health (m) and for the (n) word of thy righteousness.

124. O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy: and teach me thy statutes.

125. I am thy servant; O grant know thy testimonies. me understanding that I may

126. It is time for thee, Lord, to lay (0) to thine hand for they have destroyed (p) thy law.

ments: above gold and precious 127. For I love thy command

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drew in my breath (r): for my delight was in thy commandments.

132. O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me: as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

133. Order my steps in thy word and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

134. O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men and so shall I keep thy commandments. 135. Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant : and teach me thy statutes.

136. Mine eyes gush out with water (s) because men keep not thy law.

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(r) v. 131. "Drew in my breath,” i. e. as a person panting or gasping," to denote his anxiety. So Ps. xlii. 1. "Like 66 as the bart desireth the water brooks, so "longeth my soul after thee, O. God;" and Ps. cxliii. 6. "My soul gaspeth unto "thee, as a thirsty land;" and see Ps. lxiii. 2.

(s) v. 136. "Water," i. e. "tears." (t) An eulogium upon God's commandments, fidelity and righteousness.

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(x)" Words," i. e. "commandments;" so unrestrained are they by any fear of thee.

(y) v. 141. "Small, &c." This implies that if David was the author, this part was written before he was upon the throne.

Lessons for the Twenty-sixth Day of the Month throughout the Year.

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Lessons for the Twenty-sixth Day of the Month, continued.

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