4 My heart is disquieted within me, and the fear of death is fallen upon me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed

me.

6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away, and be

at rest.

7 Lo, then would I get me away far off, and remain in the wilderness.

8 I would make haste to escape, because of the stormy wind and tempest.

9 Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them, for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they go about within the walls thereof, mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

11 Wickedness is therein, deceit and guile go not out of their streets.

12 For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour, for then I could have borne it.

13 Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me, for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.

8. Because of the stormy wind, &c.] Rather, perhaps, From the stormy wind and tempest; that is, from the fury and violence of my enemies.

9. Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them,] that is, Divide and distract their connsels, as at the building of Babel. "O Lord, I pray Thee,

turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." 1 Sam. xv. 32.

12-15. For it is not an open enemy, &c.] The description suits the many aggravating circumstances of Ahithophel's treason against David, and that of Judas against his Divine Master.

13. Peradventure] Perhaps.

14 But it was even thou, my companion, my guide, and mine own familiar friend.

15 We took sweet counsel together, and walked in the house of God as friends.

16 Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

17 As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me.

18 In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly, and He shall hear my voice.

19 It is He that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many with me.

20 Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down, for they will not turn, nor fear God.

21 He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him, and he brake his cove

nant.

22 The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart; his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.

23 O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall nourish thee, and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.

16. Let them go down quick into hell] Let them be swallowed up alive in the grave, like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Num. xvi. 23-34.

21. He] David's treacherous friend.

23. Shall nourish thee, &c.] "Shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

24 And as for them, Thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.

25 The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; nevertheless, my trust shall be in Thee, O Lord.

Morning.]

PSALM LVI.

[Day 11.

TRUST IN GOD WHILE SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES.

BE

E merciful unto me, O God, for man goeth about to devour me; he is daily fighting, and troubling me.

2 Mine enemies are daily in hand to swallow me up; for they be many that fight against me, O Thou most Highest.

3 Nevertheless, though I am sometime afraid, yet put I my trust in Thee.

4 I will praise God, because of his word; I have put my trust in God, and will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

5 They daily mistake my words; all that they imagine is to do me evil.

6 They hold all together, and keep themselves close, and mark my steps, when they lay wait for my soul.

24. And as for them,] that is, My malicious enemies, who are also the enemies of God.

25. Nevertheless, my trust] "But I will trust in Thee."

Ps. LVI. is ascribed in the Bible to "David, when the Philistines took him in Gath." See 1 Sam. xxi. 10-15.

3. Nevertheless, though I am sometime afraid,] "When I am afraid, then trust I in Thee."

5. They daily mistake my words;]"Every day they wrest [i.e. pervert] my words.

6. Keep themselves close,] Conceal themselves and their movements.

Lay wait for my soul.] Lay snares for my life.

7 Shall they escape for their wickedness? Thou, O God, in thy displeasure shalt cast them down.

8 Thou tellest my flittings; put my tears into thy bottle: are not these things noted in thy book?

9 Whensoever I call upon Thee, then shall mine enemies be put to flight; this I know, for God is on my side.

10 In God's word will I rejoice; in the Lord's word will I comfort me.

11 Yea, in God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12 Unto Thee, O God, will I pay my vows, unto Thee will I give thanks.

13 For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

PSALM LVII.

PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM ENEMIES.-ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE.

Proper Psalm for Easter Day.

E merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in Thee;

and under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until this tyranny be over-past.

2 I will call unto the most high God; even unto the God that shall perform the cause which I have in hand.

3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproof of him that would eat me up.

4 God shall send forth his mercy and truth; my soul is among lions.

5 And I lie even among the children of men, that are set on fire, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

6 Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth.

7 They have laid a net for my feet, and pressed down my soul; they have digged a pit before me, and are fallen into the midst of it themselves.

8 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing, and give praise.

9 Awake up, my glory; awake, lute and harp, I myself will awake right early.

10 I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the people; and I will sing unto Thee among the nations.

1. This tyranny] This persecution and oppression.

2. That shall perform, &c.] Who bringeth all things to a good end for me.

4. My soul is among lions.] I am surrounded by powerful and cruel enemies. 1 Cor. xv.

8. My heart is fixed, O God, &c.] I am fortified against all fear by my sure trust in God.

9-12.] The deliverance of David from the hand of Saul is regarded by the Church as a type of the resurrection of