Reference: Psalms
Easton
The psalms are the production of various authors. "Only a portion of the Book of Psalms claims David as its author. Other inspired poets in successive generations added now one now another contribution to the sacred collection, and thus in the wisdom of Providence it more completely reflects every phase of human emotion and circumstances than it otherwise could." But it is specially to David and his contemporaries that we owe this precious book. In the "titles" of the psalms, the genuineness of which there is no sufficient reason to doubt, 73 are ascribed to David. Peter and John (Ac 4:25) ascribe to him also the second psalm, which is one of the 48 that are anonymous. About two-thirds of the whole collection have been ascribed to David.
Psalms 39, 62, and 77 are addressed to Jeduthun, to be sung after his manner or in his choir. Psalms 50 and 73-83 are addressed to Asaph, as the master of his choir, to be sung in the worship of God. The "sons of Korah," who formed a leading part of the Kohathite singers (2Ch 20:19), were intrusted with the arranging and singing of PS 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, and 88.
In Lu 24:44 the word "psalms" means the Hagiographa, i.e., the holy writings, one of the sections into which the Jews divided the Old Testament. (See Bible.)
None of the psalms can be proved to have been of a later date than the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, hence the whole collection extends over a period of about 1,000 years. There are in the New Testament 116 direct quotations from the Psalter.
The Psalter is divided, after the analogy of the Pentateuch, into five books, each closing with a doxology or benediction:
(1.) The first book comprises the first 41 psalms, all of which are ascribed to David except 1, 2, 10, and 33, which, though anonymous, may also be ascribed to him.
(2.) Book second consists of the next 31 psalms (42-72), 18 of which are ascribed to David and 1 to Solomon (the 72nd). The rest are anonymous.
(3.) The third book contains 17 psalms (73-89), of which the 86th is ascribed to David, the 88th to Heman the Ezrahite, and the 89th to Ethan the Ezrahite.
(4.) The fourth book also contains 17 psalms (90-106), of which the 90th is ascribed to Moses, and the 101st and 103rd to David.
(5.) The fifth book contains the remaining psalms, 44 in number. Of these, 15 are ascribed to David, and the 127th to Solomon.
PS 136 is generally called "the great hallel." But the Talmud includes also PS 120-135. PS 113-118, inclusive, constitute the "hallel" recited at the three great feasts, at the new moon, and on the eight days of the feast of dedication.
It is presumed that these several collections were made at times of high religious life: the first, probably, near the close of David's life; the second in the days of Solomon; the third by the singers of Jehoshaphat (2Ch 20:19); the fourth by the men of Hezekiah (29, 30, 31); and the fifth in the days of Ezra.
The Mosaic ritual makes no provision for the service of song in the worship of God. David first taught the Church to sing the praises of the Lord. He first introduced into the ritual of the tabernacle music and song.
Divers names are given to the psalms. (1.) Some bear the Hebrew designation shir (Gr. ode, a song). Thirteen have this title. It means the flow of speech, as it were, in a straight line or in a regular strain. This title includes secular as well as sacred song.
(2.) Fifty-eight psalms bear the designation (Heb) mitsmor (Gr. psalmos, a psalm), a lyric ode, or a song set to music; a sacred song accompanied with a musical instrument.
(3.) PS 145, and many others, have the designation (Heb) tehillah (Gr. hymnos, a hymn), meaning a song of praise; a song the prominent thought of which is the praise of God.
(4.) Six psalms (16, 56-60) have the title (Heb) michtam (q.v.).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
And he said unto them, "These are the words, which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms."
which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, 'Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things?
Fausets
(See DAVID; POETRY.) The Hebrew designation tehillim, "praises" or hymns," occurring only in the title of Psalm 145 and about 30 times in the body of the Psalms, applies only to some not to all the psalms. The glorification of God is the design of them all, even the penitentiary and precatory psalms; but tehilliym applies strictly to praise songs alone, tephillowt to the prayer songs; Psalm 17; Psalm 72 end, closing the second book of Psalms, Psalm 86; 90; 102 title. No one Hebrew title comprehends all.
The Greek Septuagint has given the title "Psalms" (from psalloo "to play an instrument") applied to the whole collection. The Hebrew mizmor designates 65 psalms; in the Syriac version it comprises the whole (from zaamar "to decorate"), psalms of artificial, adorned structure (Hengstenberg). "A rhythmical composition" (Lowth). "Psalms," the designation most applicable to the whole book, means songs accompanied by an instrument, especially the harp (1Ch 16:4-9; 2Ch 5:12-13). Shir, "a joyful thanksgiving song," is prefixed only to some. The various kinds are specified in Eph 5:19; "psalms (accompanied by an instrument), hymns (indirect praise of God), ... spiritual songs (joyous lyric pieces; contrast Am 8:10)."
TITLES. Their genuineness is confirmed by their antiquity (which is proved by their being unintelligible to the Septuagint translators of the Hebrew into Greek), and by their presence in the greatest number of manuscripts, and in fragments of Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion. Their obscurity and occasional want of connection with the psalm's contents (as title Psalm 34) are incompatible with their origination from forgers. The orientals, moreover, usually prefix titles to poems (Hab 3:1; Isa 38:9); so David (2Sa 23:1). The enigmatical titles, found only in the psalms of David and of David's singers, accord with Eastern taste. They are too "poetical, spirited, and profound for any later collector" (Hengstenberg). So David's "bow song" (2Sa 1:18), his enigmatical designation for "the song on him expert with the bow" (2Sa 1:22).
The historical hints in some titles give a clue to the dates. If the titles were added by later hands, how is it that they are wanting in those psalms where conjecture could most easily have had place, namely, the non-Davidic psalms of the fourth and fifth books, whereas they appear in the most regular and complete form in David's psalms, next in those of his singers? Now these are just the ones where conjecture is given no room for exercise; for the titles do not apparently illustrate these psalms, but are a memorial of the events which most deeply impressed David's own mind. In the last two books the historical occasions do not occur in the titles, because cycles of psalms mainly compose these books, and among such cycles psalms of an individual reference hardly have place.
DIVISIONS. Davidic basis of the whole. The Psalms form one "book"; so the Lord refers to them (Lu 20:42), so His apostles (Ac 1:20). The fathers, Ambrose (on Psalm 40) and Jerome to Cyprian (2:695), describe the Psalms as five books in one volume. Based on and corresponding to the historical Pentateuch, they form a poetical "Pentateuch" (Epiphanius, de Mens., c. 5), extending from Moses to the times of Malachi "the Hebrew history set to music an oratorio in five parts, with Messiah for its subject" (Wordsworth). The Psalms, like the Pentateuch, being used in divine worship, are the people's answer to God's address to them in the law, i.e. the expression of their pious feelings called forth by the word of God. The close of each of the five books is marked by a doxology. The "blessed be the Lord God of Israel" is taken up by Zacharias, as fulfilled in Christ (Le 1:17; Ps 106:48). Book I includes Psalm 1-41; Book II, Psalm 42-72; Book III, Psalm 73-89; Book IV, Psalm 90-106; Book V, Psalm 107-150.
Book I is according to the titles Davidic; accordingly there is no trace of any author hut David. The objection from the "temple" (Ps 5:7) being mentioned is groundless, for in 1Sa 1:9; 3:3, it is similarly used for the tabernacle long before Solomon's temple was built. The argument for a post-Babylonian date from the phrase "bring back the captivity" (Ps 14:7) is invalid; it is a Hebraism for reversing one's misfortunes (Job 42:10). Nor does the acrosticism in Psalm 25 prove a late date, for acrosticism appears in psalms acknowledged to be David's (Psalm 9). In Books II and III David's singers have borrowed from David (excepting "a song of the beloved" Psalm 45, and Psalm 46, "upon Alamoth") everything peculiar in his superscriptions; see Psalm 42; 43; 44; 84; 86. "Selah" is restricted to David and his singers; but "hallelujah" is never found in his or their psalms.
So also "to the chief musician," (committing the psalm to the music conductor to prepare for musical performance in the public service: 1Ch 15:21 Hebrew and margin, compare 1Ch 15:22,) is limited to David's and their psalms. The writer of 2 Samuel 22 evidently turned into prose David's poetical superscription (Psalm 18); so the writer of 1Sa 19:11; 21:13-14; 23:19, had before him the titles of Psalm 34; 54; 59. Hezekiah's "writing" (miktab) alludes probably to David's miktam (a "secret," or "song of deep import"), Psalm 56; 57 titles, for it was he who restored David's psalms to their liturgical use in the temple (2Ch 29:30). This imitation of David's title, and still more the correspondence of his prayer to David's psalms (Ps 102:24; 27:13; 49:1; 6:5; 30:9), is a presumption for the authenticity of David's and his singers' psalms and their titles.
Habakkuk similarly leans upon David's superscriptions, as also upon his psalms. Hab 3:1, "Shiggaion," compare title Ps 7:1, "Son of David"; Hab 3:19, "to the chief musician on my stringed instruments" is derived from the titles Psalm 4; 6. So the "Selah" (Ps 6:9-10) which occurs only in the psalms of David and his singers. The absence of the authors' names from most of the psalms in the fourth and fifth books implies that none of them have an individual and personal character, as the Davidic psalms have. In all such the psalmist represents the community. The later groups of psalms rest on the Davidic, and echo the poetry of David. Even in the psalms of David's singers, the authors, except Asaph (Psalm 1; 74) who was immediately associated with David, do not give their individual names.
PRINCIPLE OF SELECTION. Not all Israel's lyric poetry but only.
(1) such as is directly religious is included in the psalter, therefore not David's dirge over Saul and Jonathan (2Sa 1:17-27). Also
(2) only the psalms applicable to the whole church and therefore suited to the public services of the sanctuary. The individual psalmist represents the religious community whose mouthpiece he is. 2Sa 23:1; David sings in his typical and representative character; no other psalmist in the book has personal references. Hence Hezekiah's prayer (Isaiah 38) and Jonah's thanksgiving are excluded as too personal.
(3) Only such as were composed trader the Holy Spirit's inspiration. The very musicians who founded the sacred music were inspired (1Ch 25:1, "prophesy with harps"), much more the psalmists themselves. Asaph, the writer of some psalms, was a "seer" (2Ch 29:30).
David spoke "in the Spirit." Christ testifies (Mt 22:41-46), He classes" the Psalms," the chief book of the chetubim or hagiographa, with "the law and the prophets" (Lu 24:44). The Messianic prophetic element in David leans on Nathan's prophecy (2 Samuel 7). Subsequent prophets develop David's Messianic predictions. The Psalms draw out of the typical ceremonial of the law its tuner spirit, adapting it to the various requirements of the individual and the congregation. By their help the Israelite could enter into the living spirit of the law, and realizing his need of the promised Saviour look for Him of whom the Psalms testify. They are a treasury from which we can draw the inner experiences of Old Testament saints and express our corresponding feelings, under like circumstances, in their divinely sanctioned language of praise and prayer.
CLASSIFICATION.
(1) Psalms of joy and gratitude, shir, lethodah "for confession" or as
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and break his wings, but pluck them not asunder. And then let the priest burn it upon the altar, even upon the wood that lieth upon the fire, a burnt sacrifice and an offering of a sweet savour unto the LORD.'"
Then Hannah rose up after that they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. And Eli the priest sat upon a stool by one of the side posts of the temple of the LORD.
And before the lamp of God went out Samuel laid him down to sleep, in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
Then Saul sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him and to slay him in the morning. But Michal his wife told it him saying, "If thou save not thyself this night, tomorrow thou art a dead man."
And he changed his countenance before them, and raved in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servant, "Lo, ye saw that this man was beside himself; wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
Then came the Ziphites to Saul, to Gibeah, saying, "David hideth himself fast by us in strongholds that are in a thicket in the hill of Hachilah on the rightside of the wilderness.
And David was in a shrewd strait: for the people intended to stone him because the hearts of the people were vexed for their sons and their daughters.
And David sang this song of mourning over Saul and Jonathan his son, and bade to teach the children of Israel the staves thereof. And behold, it is written in the book of the righteous:
and bade to teach the children of Israel the staves thereof. And behold, it is written in the book of the righteous: "The glory of Israel is slain upon the high hills: Oh how were the mighty overthrown! read more. Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and that the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph thereof. Ye mountains of Gilboa, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor fields whence heave offerings come: For there the shields of the mighty were cast from them, the shield of Saul as though he had not been anointed with oil. The bow of Jonathan and the sword of Saul turned never back again empty, from the blood of the wounded and from the fat of the mighty warriors.
The bow of Jonathan and the sword of Saul turned never back again empty, from the blood of the wounded and from the fat of the mighty warriors. Saul and Jonathan lovely and pleasant in their lives, were in their deaths not divided; men swifter than Eagles and stronger than Lions. read more. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, which clothed you in purple and garments of pleasure, and bordered your raiment with ornaments of gold. How were the mighty slain in battle? Jonathan on the high hills was wounded to death. Woe is me for thee, my brother Jonathan! Delectable to me wast thou, exceeding. Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How were the mighty overthrown, and how were the weapons of war forlorn!"
And David made him a name after he returned from the slaughter of the Syrians in the valley of salt where he slew eighteen thousand men.
These be the last sayings of David. David the son of Jesse said: and the man which is lifted up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob and pleasant Psalmist of Israel said,
These be the last sayings of David. David the son of Jesse said: and the man which is lifted up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob and pleasant Psalmist of Israel said,
And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obededom, Jeiel, and Azaziah sang with harps an eight above to courage with all. And Chenaniah the chief of the Levites was master of the song and taught to sing, for he was a man of understanding.
And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the LORD, and to repeat, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: even Asaph the chief, and next to him Zachariah then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obededom, and Jeiel with Psalteries and harps. But Asaph with sounding cymbals, read more. and Benaiah and Jahaziel, priests, with trumpets; continually before the Ark of the covenant of God. And that same time David did appoint chiefly to thank the LORD by Asaph and his brethren: "Thank the LORD, call on his name, make his acts known among the people! Sing unto him and play unto him: and record all his wonderful deeds!
And David and the captains of the host appointed out to do service, the sons of Asaph of Heman and Jeduthun, which did prophesy with harps, psalteries and cymbals. And they were numbered unto the work according to their office.
And David said to Solomon his son, "Harden thyself and be strong and do it. Fear not, nor let thine heart discourage thee. For the LORD my God is with thee, and shall not leave thee nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work that must serve for the house of the LORD.
And David the king said unto all the congregation, "God hath specially chosen Solomon my son which is yet young and tender, and the work is great, for the house is not for man, but for the LORD God.
And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
And the fourth day they assembled in the valley of blessing, for there they blessed the LORD. And therefore they called the name of the said place the valley of blessing unto this day. And so all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned and Jehoshaphat among the thickest of them, for to go again to Jerusalem with gladness: for the LORD had made them to rejoice of their enemies. read more. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets, even unto the house of the LORD. And the fear of God fell in the kingdoms of all lands, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.
And Hezekiah the king and the lords bade the Levites to praise the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer of visions. And the Levites praised that they rejoiced again, and the other stooped and bowed themselves.
And Hezekiah the king and the lords bade the Levites to praise the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer of visions. And the Levites praised that they rejoiced again, and the other stooped and bowed themselves.
After all this, when Josiah had finished the temple, Neco king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish upon Euphrates, and Josiah went out against him. And the other sent messengers to him, saying, "What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I came not against thee now at this time, but against a house with whom I have war, and God bade me haste. Leave off therefore and meddle not with God, which is with me, lest he destroy thee." read more. Nevertheless, Josiah turned not his face from him, but made him ready to fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Neco out of the mouth of God. And when he was come to fight in the valley of Megiddo, the shooters shot against the king Josiah. And the king said to his servants, "Carry me away for I am sore hurt." And his servants had him out of the chariot and put him in another, and brought him to Jerusalem where he died and was buried in the sepulchre of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. And Jeremiah lamented Josiah, and all singing men and singing women speak of Josiah to this day, and made it an ordinance in Israel: and they be written in lamentations.
And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and made him king for his father in Jerusalem. And Jehoahaz was twenty three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. read more. For the king of Egypt put him down at Jerusalem and merced the land in a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king upon Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name unto Jehoiakim; but Jehoahaz his brother, Neco took and carried him to Egypt.
This Ezra was a perfect scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel did give. And the king gave him all that he required, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
And Nehemiah - which is Hathirsatha - and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites that caused the people to take heed, said unto all the people, "This day is holy unto the LORD your God: be not ye sorry therefore, and weep not." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
then let thistles grow instead of my wheat, and thorns for my barley."
and the LORD turned him unto Job, when he prayed for his friends: Yea, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had afore.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law will he exercise himself, day and night.
W hy did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things?
But as for me, I will come into thy house, even upon the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
For in death no man remembereth thee: and who will give thee thanks in the hell?
The LORD hath heard my humble petition; the LORD will receive my prayer. All mine enemies shall be confounded and sore vexed; they shall be turned back and put to shame suddenly.
{Shiggaion of David, which he sang for the words of Cush the son of Benjamin} O LORD my God, in thee have I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me,
Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Zion? When the LORD turneth the captivity of his people, then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
For who is God, but the LORD? Or, who hath any strength, but our God? {TYNDALE: Who is a God save the LORD, and who mighty save our God?}
I should utterly have fainted, but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down into the pit? Shall the dust give thanks unto thee? Or shall it declare thy truth?
He shall choose out a heritage for us, even the worship of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah. God is gone up with a merry noise, and the LORD with the sound of the trumpet.
God is gone up with a merry noise, and the LORD with the sound of the trumpet.
God reigneth over the Heathen; God sitteth upon his holy seat. The princes of the people are gathered together unto the God of Abraham; for God is far higher exalted, than the mighty lords of the earth.
The princes of the people are gathered together unto the God of Abraham; for God is far higher exalted, than the mighty lords of the earth.
Thou shalt break the ships of the sea, through the east wind.
{To the Chanter, a Psalm of the children of Korah} O Hear this, all ye people: ponder it with your ears, all ye that dwell in the world,
Blessed be the LORD God, even the God of Israel, which only doeth wondrous things.
Yea, they say in their hearts, "Let us make havoc of them all together." Thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.
{A Psalm of Asaph} O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled, and made Jerusalem a heap of stones.
Pour out thine indignation upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the kingdoms that call not upon thy name.
Thou hast taken away the strength of his sword, and givest him not victory in the battle.
The days of his youth hast thou shortened, and covered him with dishonour. Selah.
Yet will I say, "O my God, take me not away in the midst of my age; as for thy years, they endure throughout all generations."
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and world without end. And let all people say, "Amen, Amen." Praise the everlasting! Hallelujah!
{To the Chanter, a Psalm of David} Deliver me, o LORD, from the evil men, and preserve me from the wicked men,
A thanksgiving, which Hezekiah king of Judah wrote, when he had been sick, and was recovered.
But ye shall not go out with sedition nor make haste as they that flee away: for the LORD shall go before you, and the God of Israel shall keep the watch. Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, therefore shall he be magnified, exalted and greatly honored.
Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, therefore shall he be magnified, exalted and greatly honored. Like as the multitude shall wonder upon him, because his face shall be so deformed and not as a man's face, and his beauty like no man:
Like as the multitude shall wonder upon him, because his face shall be so deformed and not as a man's face, and his beauty like no man: Even so shall the multitude of the Gentiles look unto him, and the kings shall shut their mouths before him. For they that have not been told of him, shall see him, and they that heard nothing of him, shall behold him.
Even so shall the multitude of the Gentiles look unto him, and the kings shall shut their mouths before him. For they that have not been told of him, shall see him, and they that heard nothing of him, shall behold him.
Who believeth our sayings? And the arm of the LORD, to whom is it opened? He came up as a spray before him, and as a root out of a dry land. There was neither fashion or beauty on him. And when we looked on him, there was no godliness that we should lust after him. read more. He was despised and cast out of men's company; and one that had suffered sorrow, and had experience of infirmity. And we were as one that had hid his face from him. He was so despisable, that we esteemed him not. Truly, he took upon him our diseases, and bare our sorrows. And yet we counted him plagued, and beaten, and humbled of God. He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. The correction that brought us peace was on him, and with his stripes we were healed. And we went astray as sheep, and turned every man his way: and the LORD put on him the wickedness of us all. He suffered wrong and was evil entreated, and yet opened not his mouth: he was as a sheep led to be slain: and as a lamb before his shearer, he was dumb and opened not his mouth. By the reason of the affliction, he was not esteemed: and yet his generation who can number? When he is taken from the earth of living men: for my people's transgression he was plagued. He put his sepulchre with the wicked, and with the rich in his death: because he did none iniquity, neither was guile found in his mouth. And yet the LORD determined to bruise him with infirmities. His soul giving herself for trangression, he shall see seed of long continuance; and the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Because of the labour of his soul, he shall see and be satisfied. With his knowledge, he, being just, shall justify my servants: and that a great number. And he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him his part in many, and the spoil of the rich he shall divide: because he gave his soul to death, and was numbered with the trespassers, and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for transgressors.
Pour out thine indignation rather upon the Gentiles, that know thee not, and upon the people that call not on thy name: And that because they have consumed, devoured and destroyed Jacob, and have rooted out his glory.
and burnt up the house of the LORD. He burnt up also the king's palace, all the houses, and all the gorgeous buildings in Jerusalem.
The Chaldeans also brake the brazen pillars that were in the house of the LORD; yea, the seat and the brazen laver that was in the house of the LORD; and carried all the metal of them unto Babylon.
Your high feasts will I turn to sorrow, and your songs to mourning: I will bring sackcloth upon all backs, and baldness on every head. Yea, such a mourning will I send them, as is made upon an only begotten son, and they shall have a miserable end.
{A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk for the ignorances} O LORD, I have heard thy voice, and was afraid.
{A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk for the ignorances} O LORD, I have heard thy voice, and was afraid.
The LORD God is my strength, he shall make my feet as the feet of harts: and he which giveth the victory, shall bring me to my high places, singing upon my psalms.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he?" They said unto him, "The son of David." read more. He said unto them, "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand: till I make thine enemies thy footstool.' If David call him Lord: How is he then his son?" And none of them could answer him again one word. Neither durst any from that day forth, ask him any more questions.
And David himself saith in the book of the Psalms, 'The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit on my right hand,
And he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.
And he began at Moses, and at all the prophets, and interpreted unto them, in all scriptures which were written of him.
And he said unto them, "These are the words, which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms." Then opened he their wits, that they might understand the scriptures, read more. and said unto them, "Thus is it written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from death the third day.
It is written in the book of psalms, 'His habitation be void, and no man be dwelling therein,' and, 'His bishoprick let another take.'
For David speaketh of him, 'Aforehand, saw I God always before me: For he is on my righthand, that I should not be moved. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad. Moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope read more. because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt suffer thine holy to see corruption.
When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and unto the other apostles, "Ye men and brethren, what shall we do?"
speaking unto yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,
Of which salvation have the prophets enquired, and searched, which prophesied of the grace that should come unto you; searching when, or at what time, the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify - which spirit testified before - the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow after. read more. Unto which prophets it was declared, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they should minister the things which are now showed unto you, of them which, by the holy ghost sent down from heaven, have preached unto you the things which the angels desire to behold.
Hastings
PSALMS
1. Title and place in Canon.
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Ye shall not make therefore with me gods of silver nor gods of gold: in no wise shall ye do it.
and he shall take a handful of the memorial offering and burn it upon the altar, and then make her drink the water.
And Hannah prayed and said, "Mine heart rejoiceth in the LORD. Mine horn is high in the LORD and my mouth is wide open over mine enemies, for I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none so holy as the LORD: no, there is none save thou. Neither is there any strength like unto our God. read more. Let go your great boasting of high things, let go out of your mouth that old byword: for the LORD is a God that knoweth all things, and judgeth the thoughts. The bows of the strong are broken: and the weak are endued with strength. They that were full, have hired out themselves for bread, and they that were hungry cease so to be: insomuch that the barren hath borne seven, and she that had many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth and maketh alive; bringeth down to hell and fetcheth up again. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich; bringeth low, and heaveth up on high. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill: to set them among princes, and to inherit them with the seat of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the round world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints but the wicked shall keep silence in darkness. For in his own might shall no man be strong. The LORD's adversaries shall be made to fear him: and out of heaven he shall thunder upon them. The LORD shall judge the ends of the world, and shall give might unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."
Heman, Asaph and Ethan sang with cymbals of brass to make a sound. And Zachariah, Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah and Benaiah sang with psalteries on an Alamoth. read more. And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obededom, Jeiel, and Azaziah sang with harps an eight above to courage with all.
And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
The children of Bebai, six hundred and three and twenty;
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon: and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of God upon him.
{A Psalm of David when he fled from the face of Absalom} LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise against me.
The LORD is known to execute judgment; the ungodly is trapped in the work of his own hands. Selah.
The LORD is known to execute judgment; the ungodly is trapped in the work of his own hands. Selah.
{To the Chanter, a Psalm of David} The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork. One day telleth another, and one night certifieth another. read more. There is neither speech nor language, but their voices are heard among them. Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words in to the ends of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course. It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the LORD is an undefiled law, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, and giveth wisdom unto simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, and rejoice the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, and endureth forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant taught, and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get dominion over me: so shall I be undefiled and innocent from the great offense. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD; my strength and my redeemer.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD; my strength and my redeemer.
{A Psalm of David} The earth is the LORD's, and all that therein is: the compass of the world, and all that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the floods. read more. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or, who shall rise up in his holy place? Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart, and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from God his saviour. This is the generation of them that seek him, even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? It is the LORD strong and mighty, even the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? Even the LORD of Hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
{A Psalm of David} The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then should I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. read more. Though a host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid; and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him. One thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will require, even that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to visit his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; yea in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone. And now shall he lift up mine head above mine enemies round about me. Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness; I will sing and speak praises unto the LORD. Hearken unto my voice, O LORD, when I cry unto thee: have mercy upon me, and hear me. My heart hath talked of thee, seek ye my face. Thy face, LORD, will I seek. O hide not thou thy face from me, nor cast thy servant away in displeasure. Thou hast been my succor; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God my Saviour. When my father and my mother forsake me, the LORD taketh me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in the right way, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over into the will of mine adversaries; for there are false witnesses risen up against me, and such as imagine mischief. I should utterly have fainted, but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. O tarry thou the LORD's leisure. Be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the LORD.
{To the Chanter, of David the servant of the Lord} My heart showeth me the wickedness of the ungodly, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own sight, until his abominable sin be found out. read more. The words of his mouth are unrighteous and full of deceit; he hath left off to behave himself wisely, and to do good. He imagineth mischief upon his bed, and hath set himself in no good way; neither doth he abhor any thing that is evil. Thy mercy, O LORD, reacheth unto the heavens, and thy faithfulness unto the clouds. Thy righteousness standeth like the strong mountains; thy judgments are like the great deep. Thou, LORD, shalt save both man and beast. How excellent is thy mercy, O God! And the children of men shall put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house, and thou shalt give them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the well of life; and in thy light shall we see light. O spread forth thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee, and thy righteousness unto them that are true of heart. O let not the foot of pride overtake me; O let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down. There are they fallen, all that work wickedness; they are cast down, and shall not be able to stand.
O LORD, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me; make haste, O LORD, to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded together, that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward, and put to rebuke, that wish me evil. read more. Let them be desolate, and rewarded with shame, that say unto me, "There! There!" But let all those that seek thee, be joyful and glad in thee; and let such as love thy salvation, say always, "The LORD be praised!" As for me, I am poor, and in misery, but the LORD careth for me. Thou art my helper and redeemer; make no long tarrying, O my God.
O blessed be the LORD God of Israel, from henceforth and forevermore. Amen. Amen.
Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? Put thy trust in God; for I will give him thanks for the help of his countenance.
Why art thou so vexed, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God; for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Why art thou so heavy, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me? O put thy trust in God, for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
O be favourable and gracious unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and give praise.
My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and give praise. Awake, O my glory; awake lute and harp. I myself will awake right early.
Awake, O my glory; awake lute and harp. I myself will awake right early. I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the people; I will sing unto thee among the nations.
I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the people; I will sing unto thee among the nations. For the greatness of thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens, and thy faithfulness unto the clouds.
For the greatness of thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens, and thy faithfulness unto the clouds. Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth.
Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth.
That thy beloved might be delivered, help them with thy righthand, and hear me.
That thy beloved might be delivered, help them with thy righthand, and hear me. God hath spoken in his holiness: I will rejoice, and divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
God hath spoken in his holiness: I will rejoice, and divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head, Judah is my lawgiver;
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head, Judah is my lawgiver; Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I stretch out my shoe; Philistia shall be glad of me.
Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I stretch out my shoe; Philistia shall be glad of me. Who will lead me into the strong city? Who will bring me into Edom?
Who will lead me into the strong city? Who will bring me into Edom? Shall not thou do it, O God, thou that hast cast us out? Wilt not thou, O God, go out with our hosts?
Shall not thou do it, O God, thou that hast cast us out? Wilt not thou, O God, go out with our hosts? O be thou our help in trouble, for vain is the help of man.
O be thou our help in trouble, for vain is the help of man. Through God will we do great acts, for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
Through God will we do great acts, for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
Blessed be the LORD God, even the God of Israel, which only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be the name of his majesty forever; and all the lands be fulfilled with his glory. Amen, Amen.
Thou hast put out his glory, and cast his throne down to the ground. The days of his youth hast thou shortened, and covered him with dishonour. Selah. read more. LORD, how long wilt thou hide thyself? Forever? And shall thy wrath burn like fire? O remember how short my time is; hast thou made all men for nought? What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? May a man deliver his own soul from the hand of hell? Selah. LORD, where are thy old loving-kindnesses, which thou sworest unto David in thy truth? Remember, LORD, the rebuke that the multitude of the people do unto thy servants, and how I have borne it in my bosom; wherewith thine have blasphemed thee, and slandered the footsteps of thine anointed. Thanks be to the LORD for evermore. Amen, Amen.
Thanks be to the LORD for evermore. Amen, Amen.
upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the lute and with a song upon the harp.
Arise, therefore, and have mercy upon Zion, for it is time to have mercy upon her; yea, the time is come.
when the LORD shall build up Zion, and when his glory shall appear;
Deliver us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the Heathen; that we may give thanks unto thy holy name, and make our boast of thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and world without end. And let all people say, "Amen, Amen." Praise the everlasting! Hallelujah!
and gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.
{A song of the stairs} When the LORD turneth again the captivity of Zion, then were we like unto them that dream.
By the waters of Babylon we sat down; and wept, when we remembered Zion.
The LORD doth build up Jerusalem, and gather together the outcasts of Israel.
A thanksgiving, which Hezekiah king of Judah wrote, when he had been sick, and was recovered.
A thanksgiving, which Hezekiah king of Judah wrote, when he had been sick, and was recovered. "I thought I should have gone to the gates of hell in my best age, and have wanted the residue of my years. read more. I spake within myself, 'I shall never visit the LORD God in this life: I shall never see man among the dwellers of the world. Mine age is folden up together, and taken away from me, like a shepherd's cottage: my life is hewn off, like as a weaver cutteth off his web. While I was yet taking my rest, he hewed me off, and made an end of me in one day.' I thought I would have lived unto the morrow, but he bruised my bones like a lion, and made an end of me in one day. Then chattered I like a swallow, and like a crane, and mourned as a dove. I lift up mine eyes to the height: 'O LORD,' say I, 'violence is done unto me, be thou surety for me.' What shall I say? The Lord hath made a promise to me. Yea, and he himself hath performed it. I shall therefore, as long as I live, remember bitterness of my life. O LORD, men may live beyond their years, and I will declare to all men that even in those years, it was thou that causedest me to sleep, and again thou hast given me life. Behold, bitter as gall was my pensiveness: so sore longed I for health. And it was thy pleasure to deliver me from the filthy pit: for thou it is, O Lord, that hath cast all my sins behind thy back. For hell praiseth not thee, death doth not magnify thee. They that go down into the grave, praise not thy truth: but the living, yea the living acknowledge thee, like as I do this day. The father telleth his children of thy faithfulness. Deliver us, O LORD, and we will sing praises in thy house, all the days of our life."
Moreover, thus sayeth the LORD: like as when one would gather holy grapes, men say unto him, "Break it not off, for it is holy," even so will I do also for my servants' sakes, that I will not destroy them all.
{A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk for the ignorances} O LORD, I have heard thy voice, and was afraid.
The LORD God is my strength, he shall make my feet as the feet of harts: and he which giveth the victory, shall bring me to my high places, singing upon my psalms.
And Mary said, "My soul magnifieth the Lord. And my spirit rejoiceth in God my saviour: read more. For he hath looked on the poor degree of his handmaiden. Behold, now from henceforth shall all generations call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is his name. And his mercy is always on them that fear him, throughout all generations. He showeth strength with his arm, he scattereth them that are proud in the imagination of their hearts. He putteth Down the mighty from their seats, and hath exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things: And sendeth away the rich empty. He remembereth mercy: and helpeth his servant Israel. Even as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and to his seed forever."
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people. And hath raised up a horn of salvation unto us, in the house of his servant David. read more. Even as he promised by the mouth of his holy prophets which were since the world began. That we should be saved from our enemies: And from the hands of all that hate us: To fulfill the mercy promised to our fathers; And to remember his holy covenant; And to perform the oath, which he sware to our father Abraham, for to give us. That we, delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear: all the days of our life, in such holiness and righteousness that are accept before him. And thou child, shalt be called the prophet of the highest, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways: And to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, for the remission of sins: Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us: To give light to them that sat in darkness, and in shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."
And David himself saith in the book of the Psalms, 'The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit on my right hand,
And he said unto them, "These are the words, which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms."
And it was at Jerusalem, the feast of the dedication, and it was the winter:
It is written in the book of psalms, 'His habitation be void, and no man be dwelling therein,' and, 'His bishoprick let another take.'
Morish
This word occurs in the O.T. only in connection with the Psalms of David and those in the Book of Psalms. David is called "the sweet psalmist of Israel." 2Sa 23:1. There can be no doubt that in connection with the 'singers,' and the praising God with instruments, the Psalms were used. We read "sing psalms unto him," "Make a joyful noise unto him with psalms," etc. In N.T. days, for a time at least, the Psalms of David may have been sung by believers, but there were also hymns and spiritual songs, and it is to be remarked that in the singing at the institution of the Lord's supper a hymn (?????) is spoken of, not a psalm (??????). See PASSOVER. The latter Greek word (besides the occurrences which refer to the Book of Psalms) is found in 1Co 14:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16.
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These be the last sayings of David. David the son of Jesse said: and the man which is lifted up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob and pleasant Psalmist of Israel said,
How is it then brethren? When ye come together, every man hath his song, hath his doctrine, hath his tongue, hath his revelation, hath his interpretation: Let all things be done unto edifying.
speaking unto yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,
Let the word of Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisdom. Teach and exhort your own selves, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs which have favour with them, singing in your hearts to the Lord.
Watsons
PSALMS. The book of Psalms is a collection of hymns, or sacred songs, in praise of God, and consists of poems of various kinds. They are the productions of different persons, but are generally called the Psalms of David, because a great part of them was composed by him, and David himself is distinguished by the name of the Psalmist. We cannot now ascertain all the Psalms written by David, but their number probably exceeds seventy; and much less are we able to discover the authors of the other Psalms, or the occasions upon which they were composed. A few of them were written after the return from the Babylonian captivity. The titles prefixed to them are of very questionable authority; and in many cases they are not intended to denote the writer but refer only to the person who was appointed to set them to music. David first introduced the practice of singing sacred hymns in the public service of God; and it was restored by Ezra. The authority of the Psalms is established not only by their rank among the sacred writings, and by the unvaried testimony of ages, but likewise by many intrinsic proofs of inspiration. Not only do they breathe through every part a divine spirit of eloquence, but they contain numberless illustrious prophecies that were remarkably accomplished, and are frequently appealed to by the evangelical writers. The sacred character of the whole book is established by the testimony of our Saviour and his Apostles, who, in various parts of the New Testament, appropriate the predictions of the Psalms as obviously apposite to the circumstances of their lives, and as intentionally composed to describe them. The veneration for the Psalms has in all ages of the church been considerable. The fathers assure us, that in the earlier times the whole book of Psalms was generally learned by heart; and that the ministers of every gradation were expected to be able to repeat them from memory. These invaluable Scriptures are daily repeated without weariness, though their beauties are often overlooked in familiar and habitual perusal. As hymns immediately addressed to the Deity, they reduce righteousness to practice; and while we acquire the sentiments, we perform the offices of piety; while we supplicate for blessings, we celebrate the memorial of former mercies; and while in the exercise of devotion, faith is enlivened by the display of prophecy. Josephus asserts, and most of the ancient writers maintain, that the Psalms were composed in metre. They have undoubtedly a peculiar conformation of sentences, and a measured distribution of parts. Many of them are elegiac, and most of David's are of the lyric kind. There is no sufficient reason however to believe, as some writers have imagined, that they were written in rhyme, or in any of the Grecian measures. Some of them are acrostic; and though the regulations of the Hebrew measure are now lost, there can be no doubt, from their harmonious modulation, that they were written with some kind of metrical order; and they must have been composed in accommodation to the measure to which they were set. (See Poetry of the Hebrews.) The Hebrew copies and the Septuagint version of this book contain the same number of Psalms; only the Septuagint translators have, for some reason which does not appear, thrown the ninth and tenth into one, as also the one hundred and fourteenth and one hundred and fifteenth, and have divided the one hundred and sixteenth and one hundred and forty-seventh each into two.
It is very justly observed by Dr. Allix, that, "although the sense of near fifty Psalms be fixed and settled by divine authors, yet Christ and his Apostles did not undertake to quote all the Psalms they could, but only to give a key to their hearers, by which they might apply to the same subjects the Psalms of the same composure and expression." With regard to the Jews, Bishop Chandler very pertinently remarks, that "they must have understood David, their prince, to have been a figure of Messiah. They would not otherwise have made his Psalms part of their daily worship; nor would David have delivered them to the church to be so employed, were it not to instruct and support them in the knowledge and belief of this fundamental article. Were the Messiah not concerned in the Psalms, it would have been absurd to celebrate twice a day, in their public devotions, the events of one man's life, who was deceased so long ago, as to have no relation now to the Jews and the circumstances of their affairs; or to transcribe whole passages from them into their prayers for the coming of the Messiah." Upon the same principle it is easily seen that the objections, which may seem to lie against the use of Jewish services in Christian congregations, may cease at once. Thus it may be said, Are we concerned with the affairs of David and of Israel? Have we any thing to do with the ark and the temple? They are no more. Are we to go up to Jerusalem, and to worship on Sion? They are desolated, and trodden under foot by the Turks. Are we to sacrifice young bullocks according to the law? The law is abolished, never to be observed again. Do we pray for victory over Moab, Edom, and Philistia; or for deliverance from Babylon? There are no such nations, no such places in the world. What then do we mean, when, taking such expressions into our mouths, we utter them in our own persons, as parts of our devotions, before God? Assuredly we must mean a spiritual Jerusalem and Sion; a spiritual ark and temple; a spiritual law; spiritual sacrifices; and spiritual victories over spiritual enemies; all described under the old names, which are still retained, though "old things are passed away, and all things are become new," 2Co 5:17. By substituting Messiah for David, the Gospel for the law, the church Christian for that of Israel, and the enemies of the one for those of the other, the Psalms are made our own. Nay, they are with more fulness and propriety applied now to the substance, than they were of old to the "shadow of good things then to come," Heb 10:1. For let it not pass unobserved, that when, upon the first publication of the Gospel, the Apostles had occasion to utter their transports of joy, on their being counted worthy to suffer for the name of their Lord and Master, which was then opposed by Jew and Gentile, they brake forth into an application of the second Psalm to the transactions then before their eyes, Ac 4:25. The Psalms, thus applied, have advantages which no fresh compositions, however finely executed, can possibly have; since, beside their incomparable fitness to express our sentiments, they are at the same time memorials of, and appeals to, former mercies and deliverances; they are acknowledgments of prophecies accomplished; they point out the connection between the old and new dispensations, thereby teaching us to admire and adore the wisdom of God displayed in both, and furnishing while we read or sing them, an inexhaustible variety of the noblest matter that can engage the contemplations of man.
Very few of the Psalms, comparatively, appear to be simply prophetical, and to belong only to Messiah, without the intervention of any other person. Most of them, it is apprehended, have a double sense, which stands upon this ground and foundation, that the ancient patriarchs, prophets, priests, and kings, were typical characters, in their several offices, and in the more remarkable passages of their lives, their extraordinary depressions and miraculous exaltations foreshowing him who was to arise as the head of the holy family, the great prophet, the true priest, the everlasting king. The Israelitish polity, and the law of Moses, were purposely framed after the example and shadow of things spiritual and heavenly; and the events which happened to the ancient people of God were designed to shadow out parallel occurrences, which should afterward take place in the accomplishment of man's redemption, and the rise and progress of the Christian church, (See Prophecy.) For this reason, the Psalms composed for the use of Israel, and by them accordingly used at the time, do admit of an application to us, who are now "the Israel of God," Ga 6:16, and to our Redeemer
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which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, 'Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things?
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon Israel that pertaineth to God.
For the law - which hath but the shadow of good things to come, and not the things in their own fashion - can never with the sacrifices which they offer year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.