19. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

20. The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

LAST WORDS

Of David. 2 Sam. xxiii. 1—7.

1. Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

2. The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

3. The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God:

4. And he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

5. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

6. But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:

7. But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron, and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.

DEATH

Of David. 1 Kings ii. 10-12.

10. So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

11. And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

12. Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.

EULOGIUM

Upon David. Ecclesiasticus xlvii. 2—15.

2. As is the fat taken away from the peace offering, so was David chosen out of the children of Israel.

3. He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs.

4. Slew he not a giant, when he was but young? and did he not take away reproach from the people, when he lifted up his hand with the stone in the sling, and beat down the boasting of Goliath ?

5. For he called upon the most high Lord, and he gave him strength in his right hand to slay that mighty warrior, and set up the horn of his people.

6. So the people honoured him with ten thousands, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in that he gave him a crown of glory.

7. For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and brought to nought the Philistines his adversaries, and brake their horn in sunder unto this day.

8. In all his works he praised the Holy One most High with words of glory; and with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved him that made him.

9. He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs.

10. He beautified their feasts, and set in order the solemn times until the end, that they might

praise his holy name, and that the temple might sound from morning.

11. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: he gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of glory in Israel.

12. After him rose up a wise son, and for his sake he dwelt at large.

13. Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honoured; for God made all quiet round about him, that he might build an house in his name, and prepare his sanctuary for ever.

14. How wise wast thou in thy youth, and, as a flood, filled with understanding!

15. Thy soul covered the whole earth, and thou filledst it with dark parables.

PSALM LXXIII. 50.

Confession of David on the discouragement he had experienced, and the doubts which had suggested themselves, at his own depressed and Saul's flourishing state, during his long persecution by that prince of seven years. Reflections of David on the transitory nature of that prosperity, and on Saul's sudden and tragical end; on the means by which God exalted himself to the throne, and his determination to be guided by the divine counsel.

A Psalm of Asaph.

A Psalm of gathering.

1. TRULY God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

2. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5. They are not in trouble as other men ; neither are they plagued like other men.

6. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily.

9. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most high?

12. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.