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'Selah' means, it seems used to divide the Psalm in which it occurs into separate poems, and thus to be of use in guiding the reader to the relation of these portions to one another, and so to the true intention and meaning of the Psalm. It is a mark of division.

A PLAIN COMMENTARY

ON

The Book of Psalms.

THE FIRST DIVISION.

PSALMS I.-XLI.

THE Book of Psalms has been from very ancient times looked upon as made up of five Divisions, or smaller books. In this the Jewish Rabbis saw a likeness to the five books which form the Law of Moses. Each of these divisions is clearly marked by a verse, which concludes it, and which ascribes praise and blessing to Jehovah, the God of Israel, in a set form; and also by the word 'Amen,' which inspired men seem often to have placed at the ending of their writings: the fifth alone omits the Amen, and concludes with a Hallelujah. The first Division contains forty-one Psalms, and is closed by the words,— "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel

From everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.”

The Psalms in this division were, it seems likely, collected and disposed in their present order by David himself, with the exception of the first Psalm, which was probably written as an introduction to the whole Book of Psalms, by the prophet who, under

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Divine guidance, finally arranged them in their present form in the canon of holy Scripture. This is generally considered to have been done by Ezra, after the Captivity; and therefore the first Psalm, though it has been sometimes given to Josiah, may be with great probability assigned to him.

The other Psalms which make up this portion, except the 2nd, 10th, and 33rd, bear the name of David in their titles, and these also seem to have been written by him. Indeed, all in this first book shew, in a greater or less degree, the marks of the same writer. They are all eminently what is called 'subjective' in their character; that is, they display the workings of an individual soul, and are the outpourings of an individual heart. They do not, as many of the succeeding Psalms do, enlarge upon the mercy and wisdom of the Almighty, in His dealings with Israel, or in His general providence; but they are of a strictly personal nature. Whether they speak of the glory of the reign of the coming King, or implore pardon for past guiltiness, or ask for defence against cruel and wicked foes, or plead with the All-merciful in instant prayer, they each and all are intensely earnest and vividly real. They bear the plain impress of the warm and quick, and yet tender, spirit of him who was the man after God's own heart.' The prayer or the prophecy he was indeed moved to utter by the Holy Ghost, but the words in which it was clothed bear still the traces of the heart which framed and the mouth which spake it.

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The Psalms of David.

THE FIRST DAY.

Morning Prayer.

PSALM i. Beatus vir, qui non abiit, &c.

1. BLESSED is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners: and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.

The first word of the first Psalm is a blessing. The first word which God spake to man in the day in which He created him was a blessing; when Christ the Saviour opened His mouth to teach the multitudes, it was with many blessings; and He Himself has told us that the last words which the redeemed shall hear before entering into His eternal joy shall be 'Come ye blessed :' and this first Psalm, and all other Scripture, is written for us and for our learning, that we may know that we are hereunto called, that we should inherit a blessing.' Blessed indeed is he who has never been tempted, even for a little while, to indulge in evil thoughts and to listen to the suggestions of the ungodly; who has not lingered at all in the broad road in which sinners hasten to de

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