anthems of Heaven, "the prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended."

Edward. And then he died.

Mrs. A.-He had nothing more to do but to die. Solomon was established in the kingdom; he had prayed for him-foreseen his reign and prosperity-beheld, in faith, the coming of the consolation of Israel. Now might David well say, "Let Thy servant depart in peace." Read the short record of his end in 1 Chron. xxix. 28.

Edward." And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour; and Solomon his son reigned in his stead."

Mrs. A.-So, after a troubled and stormy day, the sun set in golden glory, and the Royal Psalmist went to his rest.

Ever the richest, tenderest glow

Sets round the autumnal sun;
But there sight fails: no heart may know
The bliss when life is done."

Clement. Well, I am sorry. The Psalms seem to belong to David more than any one else. The others won't be half as nice.

Edward.-I don't know that. I want very much to hear something about the other

writers; so you will go on, mother, won't you, next Sunday evening?

Mrs. A.—I hope we may have several more pleasant talks about the Psalms; but you know Michaelmas will very soon be here, and then what will happen?

Edward.-O yes; when I go to school, we shall have to stop; but it wants a long time yet-nearly five weeks.

Mrs. A.—Then next Sunday we shall read the Psalms of Solomon, and see whether he fulfilled the promise of his early youth.

CHAPTER XI.

SOLOMON.

"I HAVE been looking through and through the Psalms, mother," said Edward, "but I can't find that any of them were written by Solomon."

Clement.-There's "Solomon's Song" in the Bible, but that isn't in the Psalms.

Mrs. A.-If we expect to find many Psalms bearing this great king's name, we shall be disappointed. It is remarkable that, though "his songs were one thousand and five," yet only three Psalms have ever been ascribed to him; and of these two only bear the name of Solomon. One of these is the 72d.

Edward.-Why, mother, we read that last Sunday, and you said it was a prayer of David for Solomon.

Mrs. A.-So I take it to be, although learned men have sometimes ascribed it to Solomon himself. I only mention it as one

of those Psalms which have been coupled with the name of Solomon.

Clement.-And which is the other?

Mrs. A.-It is one of the "Songs of degrees," the 127th, entitled "A Song of degrees for Solomon;" but there is great reason to doubt whether it was written by him.

Edward. Then what are we to learn about to-night, mother? I thought we were going to talk about Solomon.

Mrs. A.-And so we are, my boy, if you will have a little patience. There are several Psalms connected with Solomon, and probably first used by him at the dedication of the Temple, although not composed by him; and the study of these we shall find very interesting. Always remember, however, that it is far more important to learn the lessons of daily life and conduct, and, above all, the Gospel truths taught us in the Psalms, than to try and find out exactly the occasion on which they were written.

Edward.-But I like to know this too.

Mrs. A.-And very interesting it is to study the historical meaning of the Psalms as far as we can discover it. Turn now to

the 132d, and we will see whether both kinds of lessons may not be learnt from it.

Edward (reads).-"Lord, remember David and all his afflictions." Well, that sounds like Solomon speaking of his father David. But what do you think, mother?

Mrs. A.-This Psalm has been ascribed to either David or Solomon. Most likely it belongs to both. The Psalm is easy to understand if we divide it into two parts:-the first, (verses 1-10) speaks of David's vow; the second, (verses 11-end) gives God's promise. We are not told when David made this vow; it is not mentioned in the historical books; but perhaps Solomon found a record of it, and uniting it to his own fervent resolve, wove the whole into a beautiful song for the Dedication service.

Edward.-But I think I remember something like that vow, when David said he was ashamed of his own fine house, when the Ark of God was only in a tent.

Mrs. A.-No doubt it was then that David's vow was made. Then came the message from God by Nathan the prophet, that not he, but Solomon his son, should build the House of the Lord; and it is beau