Og, in their passage to Canaan, and afterwards over the idolatrous kings of that country, are more proofs of the same point. For Israel therefore conquered, because Jehovah fought for them, and put them in possession of that good land, when the iniquity of its old inhabitants was full, and cried to heaven for vengeance. The enemies we have to encounter in our way to the promised inheritance, will also, if vigorously opposed, fall before us. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." But it is God who fighteth for us, and with us, who giveth us the victory, and putteth us in possession through our Lord Jesus Christ.

13. Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. 14. For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

By the destruction of Pharaoh, with his Egyptians, and by the battles and victories of Joshua ; much more, by the overthrow of the spiritual Pharaoh, with his infernal host, and by the battles and victories of the true Joshua, Jehovah hath gotten Him glory, and his name is magnified in the Church from age to age. The people whom He hath redeemed, may, indeed, for the chastisement of their iniquities, be sometimes delivered into the hands of their enemies, and oppressed by them. But it is only to show them their transgressions, and lead them to repentance. When this effect is wrought, He is always ready to "judge them," to plead and avenge their cause; He "repenteth him" of the evil, and averteth it; He is entreated for the land, and becometh gracious to his servants.

15. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 16. They have mouths,

but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not. 17. They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.

In these verses is set forth the difference between the God of Israel, and the idols of the nations, as also between the worshippers of each; all tending to confirm the truth of what was asserted, ver. 5, "I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods." As the same words occur, Psalm cxv. 4, &c., the reader is referred thither for the explication of them.

19. Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: 20. Bless the LORD, O house of Levi ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. 21. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

He who proved Himself superior to the objects of ancient idolatry, is no less superior to every object on which deluded man can place his affections. The Lord gave, and the Lord will take them away. Let "the house of Israel," therefore, and "the sons of Aaron," the Church and the ministers thereof, let all who "fear the Lord," bless and praise his holy name in the temple here below, until they shall be admitted to do it for evermore, in that which is above.

TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY.-EVENING

PRAYER.

PSALM CXXXVI.

ARGUMENT.

This is a delightful hymn of praise and thanksgiving to Jehovah, 1-3, God of gods and Lord of lords, for the wonders, 4-9, of creation, 10-26, of providence and grace; which were pro

bably celebrated in due order by one-half of the choir, while the other half, or perhaps the whole in full chorus, took up the burden of each verse, "For his mercy endureth for ever!" a form of acknowledgment, as Bishop Patrick observes, prescribed by David, 1 Chron. xvi. 41, to be used continually in the Divine service; a form highly proper for creatures, and sinful creatures, to use, whose great employment it is now, and will be for ever, to magnify the mercy and loving kindness of their God.

1. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

We are called upon to praise Jehovah, first, for his own essential attributes; then, for the exertion of those attributes in his works. The attributes here mentioned are those of "goodness" and "power;" the one renders Him willing, the other able, to save: and what can we desire more, but that He should continue to be so? Of this likewise we are assured, by contemplating the unchangeableness of his nature. His disposition altereth not, and his kingdom none can take from Him: "his mercy endureth for ever."

4. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

All the works of God are "wonderful," and speak Him "alone" to have been their author. The established course of the world is, in reality, no less admirable, than are those extraordinary interpositions of Omnipotence, whereby it hath been sometimes interrupted and suspended; though the latter, on account of their novelty, are apt to affect us more than the former doth, which is ever before our eyes, and therefore less regarded by us. How many of those, for whom the wonders of creation, providence, and redemption have been wrought, think none of them worthy their atten

tion! Angels admire and adore, where man will not deign to cast an eye, or employ a thought.

5. To him that by wisdom made the heavens : for his mercy endureth for ever. 6. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The heavens above, and the earth beneath, declare the wisdom of their great Maker, and proclaim aloud, to an intelligent ear, the Divinity of the hand that formed them. The heavens display the love of God to man; the earth teaches the duty of man to God. Heaven is glorious and gracious, earth verdant and fruitful. The bright and ample circumference of heaven, the variegated surface of the earth, and the profusion of good things that distinguish the seasons, contaminated as they all have been by man's transgression, even now yield a prospect which annihilates all human grandeur. What idea, then, are we to frame of those new heavens and earth, from which sin and corruption are excluded, and where righteousness hath fixed her eternal throne.

7. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever. 9. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for

ever.

Light is the life and soul of the universe, the noblest emblem of the power and glory of God, who in the night season leaves not Himself without witness, but gives us some portion of that light reflected, which by day we behold flowing from its great fountain in the heart of heaven. Thy Church and thy saints, O Lord, "are the moon and the stars," which by the communication of doctrine, and the splendour of example, guide our feet, while we travel on in the night that hath

overtaken us, waiting for the dawn of everlasting day. Then we shall behold thy glory, and see Thee as Thou art.

10. To him that smote Egypt in their first-born; for his mercy endureth for ever: 11. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever. 12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13. To him which divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever. 14. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever. 15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea : for his mercy endureth for ever. 16. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. 17. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever. 18. And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever. 19. Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever. 20. And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever. 21. And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever. 22. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23. Who remembered us in our low estate for his mercy endureth for ever. 24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

He

From the works of creation, the Psalmist proceeds to those of providence and grace. celebrates that mercy which rescued Israel from oppression, brought them out of the house of bondage, divided the sea to make a way for them, supported and conducted them through a waste, howling wilderness, crushed the might and power of those who opposed them, and at length settled them in the inheritance promised to their fathers. Eternal mercy hath in Christ Jesus realized all