considering the first six verses and the last eight, as two different songs. I join the first six verses of the 27th to the preceding psalm, and agree with Dr Kennicott, that the last eight make of themselves an entire song.

PSALM XXVI.

THE author of this psalm prays for God's protection against enemies, who had set a price upon his life. [v. 10.] He pleads his attachment to God's service, and his abhorrence of idolaters and their practices. In the 12th verse, he promises himself the protection which he had asked, and triumphs in the certainty of this hope through the remainder of the song, which consists of six verses very improperly divided from this, and made the first six of the next, psalm.

1 Give-sentence-for-me, O Jehovah, for I-have-persevered in my loyalty,

And upon Jehovah I have-placed-my trust.-Let me not slide.

2 Examine me, O Jehovah, and try me;

Bring-to-the-test my most secret thoughts.

*

3 Truly thy loving-kindness is before mine-eyes, And I-have-ever-conducted-myself according to thy truth.

4 I never associate with the wretched-sonst of vanity,

I go not in with those-who-seek-concealment. ‡

5 I abhor the assembly of the wicked, And with the impious I associate not.

6 I wash my hands in innocency,

And ever am about thy altar, O Jehovah,

7 To listen to the sound of thanksgiving, And to recite all thy wondrous deeds.

* Literally, "my reins and my heart."

+ Literally, "mortals.”

i. e. With "those who hide themselves," who shan the light and seek privacy, to practise the abominable rites of sorcery and magic. "I go not in," i. e. I never enter their secret haunts. ᎠᏎ

8 O Jehovah, [ever] have I loved the lodging of

thy house,

潔

And the precincts of the dwelling of thy glory. *

9 Shut-not-up-my soul with transgressors,

Nor my life with murderers.

10 [With those] who ever have some plot in their hands,

And their right hand is full of bribes.

11 But I will persevere in my loyalty, Redeem me, and have-mercy-upon me.

PART II.

12 My foot standeth upon-even-ground,

In the congregations, I will bless Jehovah.

13 Jehovah is my light and my salvation, of whom shall I be afraid?

Jehovah is the strength of my life, of whom shall
I be in dread?

* Verses 6, 7, 8. These three verses, taken literally, are remarkably descriptive of our Lord's life on earth.

14. When the wicked advanced against me to devour my flesh,

Those mine enemies and my foes, they stumbled and are fallen.

15 Although an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;

Although war should rise against me, still I will be secure.

16 One thing I have requested of Jehovah; that I will require :

That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life,

To have-in-sight the beauty of Jehovah, and to contemplate his temple.

17 Truly he will hide me in his pavilion in the evil day;

He will keep-me-hid in the recess of his taber

nacle; he will set-me-high upon a rock.

18 And now he will exalt mine head above mine ene. mies around me,

That I may sacrifice in his tabernacle sacrifices

of triumph :

Unto Jehovah I will sing and chaunt the lay.

PSALM XXVII.

[See Notes.]

PSALM XXVIII.

THE CHURCH PRAYS TO BE PRESERVED FROM CORRUPTIONS.

PRAYER.

1 Unto thee, O Jehovah, I call; my Rock, be not averse to hear me ;

Lest, if thou seem averse to answer me, I be liken

ed unto them that descend into the pit.

2 Hear the voice of my entreaty, when I

thee,

When I lift up my hands towards the oracle of

thy sanctity.