PSALM LV. .99.

Afflicting prayer of David, when ascending the Mount of Olives weeping, with his head covered, and naked feet, with his little band of faithful followers, he learnt that Achitophel, his chief counsellor, in whom he trusted, and who had been absent at his own city of Giloh, offering sacrifices, (2 Sam. xv. 12.) had abandoned him, and joined the conspiracy of Absalom. 2 Sam. xv. 30, 31.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil. A Psalm of David.

To the giver of victory over afflictions. An instruction of David.

1. GIVE ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

2. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

3. Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate

me.

4. My heart is sore pained within me and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

5. Fearfulnes and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

6. And I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at

rest."

7. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

8. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

9. Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues ; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

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

11. Wickedness is in the midst thereof, deceit and guile depart not from her streets.

12. For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

13. But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

14. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

15. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in in their dwellings, and among them.

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

17. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

18. He hath delivered my soul in peace from

the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

19. God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

20. He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words softer than oil, yet were they drawn

were swords.

22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

PSALM LVI. 24.

Prayer of David, when he heard that Saul sought him every where in the wilderness of Ziph. 1 Sam. xxiii. 14—15.

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim. Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

To the giver of victory. Concerning the afflicted little band at a distance. David engraved this psalm when the Philistines, &c. &c.

1. BE merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

2. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most high.

3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

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

5. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil,

6. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

7. Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

8. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book.

9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back this I know; for God is for

me.

10. In God will I praise his word : in the Lord will I praise his word.

11. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

12. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

13. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

PSALM LVII. 32.

Prayer of David, when he passed the night in the cave of Engedi, where he was concealed with his people, knowing Saul to be drawing near and even close at hand. 1 Sam. xxiv. 1—3. To the chief Musician, Al-taschith. Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

To the giver of victory. Destroy not, to be engraven of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

1. BE merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings, will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

2. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

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

Selah.