joy. In the 19th Psalm, another of his shepherd-life, David rejoices in the glories of the starry heavens, and the wonderful beauty and order of the sun's course; comparing its light, and heat, and life-giving power, with "the law of the Lord." And in the 148th Psalm, which I often think must have been written by David during his life among the hills, and watchings beneath the canopy of heaven, he calls upon all things in sky and ocean, in earth or air, to praise the Lord.

Now shall we follow his example, and close this evening with a Hymn of Praise ? Clement. O yes! do let us, mother-the "Evening Hymn.”

So together they sang of "Glory to God," pleading forgiveness for all ill deeds of the day, seeking protection for the coming night, and a blessing for all, and for ever.

CHAPTER IV.

66

THE FUGITIVE.

"I WONDER What Psalms we are going to hear about this evening," said Clement, drawing his chair to the table, on which the Bibles were already arranged, for a showery day had made the ground too damp to allow of their sitting, as usual, out-of-doors. "Come, Edward, mother will be here directly; I say, what do you think we shall hear about tonight?"

Edward, who was seated upon the windowsill, deeply engaged in reading, now threw aside his book and joined his brother. "What do you say, Clement? Oh! I should think it will be the Psalms that David made when he had to escape from Saul. That comes next after killing Goliath."

"But he couldn't make many Psalms then," rejoined Clement. "I should rather think he had enough to do to take care of himself, without minding his harp too."

"Why, you don't suppose David always carried his harp about with him! Mother," continued he, as Mrs. Arthur entered the room, "here's Clement believing that David always walked about with his harp slung on his shoulder, like the German band."

"No, Edward, you know I didn't mean that; but I always thought he had it somewhere near him; and how could he make Psalms, mother, when he was escaping from Saul? I should think there are very few of them."

Mrs. Arthur.-Well, you shall see presently, as they are to be our subject for this evening, the Psalms belonging to the period of Saul's persecution. Perhaps you had better turn to the account of all that befell David during that time, in the 1st Book of Samuel, and then I will point out the Psalms which are thought to have been composed by him on the different events of that long and wearisome persecution. But bear in mind what I told you last Sunday about the double meaning of all these histories, and the way in which the fightings and troubles of David picture the never-ceasing conflict of the Christian against sin and Satan. And

then there is another, deeper meaning still, which I said when you were older you would understand better. Can you tell me, Edward, in what other way such Psalms as the 88th, with its pitiful complaint, may be explained?

Edward. I think you said that it all had an under-meaning about Jesus Christ, and His sufferings.

Mrs. A.-Yes, and so with all those which relate to David's trials. They shadow forth the bitter desolation and sorrows of the Son of God, just as the battle-songs and joyful thanksgivings of this warrior-king are like so many prophecies, foretelling the glorious triumphs of the True David, David's Son and David's Lord.

Edward.-I do think it was such a strange thing that Saul should have hated a fine brave fellow like David. He might have made him his general or commander-in-chief, and then he would soon have been rid of the Philistines.

Mrs. A.-You know it was that very thing that, on the contrary, excited Saul's jealousy. He was "afraid of David," and every new victory only increased his hatred. Now the

Psalms of the persecution began on that night when Saul sent messengers to surround David's house, with orders to kill him as soon as he came out in the morning.

Edward.-That was when Michal put an image in the bed and pretended that David was ill, and couldn't come down. What a disappointment it was for the men who thought they could murder him so nicely!

Clement. What sort of an image was it? Was it an idol?

Mrs. A.-It was more likely only a statue, such as we have in the hall, for it is not very probable that a God-fearing man like David would permit any idolatrous practices in his house. Now turn to the 59th Psalm; the title you see tells us that it was written "when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him."

Edward.-But what's the meaning of this? It says in the margin, "Destroy not: a golden Psalm of David."

Mrs. A.-Michtam, or golden, is a title prefixed to many of David's Psalms, and it is thought to mean, "A Psalm to be written in golden letters," and set up, like our commandments, in some public place. The