PSALM CIII. PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR HIS MERCIES TO REPENTANT SINNERS. PSALM CIV. AN HYMN FOR THE SABBATH-DAY. THIS Hymn celebrates the power of Jehovah displayed in the creation of the universe, the destruction of the earth by the deluge, and the restoration of beauty and order after that calamity; and describes the dependence of all Nature, animated and vegetable, upon his providence, for sustenance and preservation. For regularity of composition, richness of imagery, sublimity of sentiment, and elegance and perspicuity of diction, it is perhaps the principal poem in the whole collection of these inspired songs. As there is no allusion in it to the Mosaic ritual, nor any mention of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, it should seem that it was of an earlier age than the Exodus. It consists of parts sung alternately by two companies. The parts are easily distinguished, inasmuch as one Semichorus always speaks of God in the third person, the other addresses him in the second. [A] FIRST SEMICHORUS. 1 Bless the Jehovah, O my Soul SECOND SEMICHORUS. Jehovah, my God, thou art exceeding great, FIRST SEMICHORUS. 2 Investing with light like a garment, Extending the heavens like a canopy. 3 Laying the floor of his chambers upon the waters, Constituting clouds his chariot, Travelling upon the wings of wind: * *Or," the Spirit." 4 Making his angels blasts, His attendants a blazing fire:* 5 Setting the earth firm on its foundation, To eternity it never shall be moved. SECOND SEMICHORUS. 6 With the deep, as a garment, thou coveredst it; The waters stood above the hills. 7 At thy rebuke they retire, At the voice of thy thunder they hurry away, 8 Up the mountains, down the vallies,t Unto the place which thou hast established for them. * The first seven lines of this strophe allude, as I conceive, to eircumstances which usually accompanied the appearance of the Shechinah in the patriarchal ages. †The waters of the deluge, retiring to the bed of the sea, in their way are driven up mountains, and fall down vallies. MUDGE. 9 Thou hast appointed a boundary which they must not pass; They never again may cover the earth : FIRST SEMICHORUS. 10 Sending the springs into the valleys, Which run among the hills. 11 They afford drink to all the beasts of the field, The wild asses quench their thirst. 12 Beside them the birds of the air have their dwelling, Among the leafy branches they give their song. 13 Watering the mountains from his chambers, The earth is replenished with fruits by his operation.* [B] 14 Making grass to grow for the cattle, And herbage for the service of man; * Dr Durell. To bring forth bread from the ground, For bread supports the heart of mortals; 15 And wine which gladdens the heart of mortals, And to brighten the countenance with oil. [C] 16 The trees of Jehovah are plenteously supplied, The cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted. 17 There the birds build their nests, The fir-trees are the house of the stork. 18 The high mountains for the wild goats, The rocks are a refuge for the jerboas. 19 Making the moon for seasons, The Sun [which] knoweth his setting point. SECOND SEMICHORUS. 20 Thou appointest darkness, and it is night. Then all the beasts of the forests creep abroad. 21 The young lions roaring for the prey, And seeking their food of God. |