that of the restored Jews, and that of the ingrafted Gentiles. Or rather, perhaps, the Bride or Consort (b) is the church of the converted Jews, become the metropolitical church of all Christendom, and the Virgin's companions are the other churches.

1 My heart labours* with a goodly theme, I address my performance to the king;

My tongue is the pen of a well-instructed writer.t

2 Thou art adorned-with-beauty beyond-the sons

of men;

Grace is poured upon thy lips;

Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

3 Warrior! gird thy sword upon thy thigh; Buckle on thy refulgent dazzling armour; [B]

4 And take thou aim; be prosperous, pursue, [C]

* Literally, "boileth, or bubbleth up."

"Well-instructed," the word " ready," which is used in the public translation, rightly understood, renders the original properly; but then it must be understood, not for nimbleness of hand in writing, but readiness of mind in the subject treated.

In the cause of truth, humility, and righteous

ness;

For thy own right hand shall shew thee wonders.

5 Thine arrows are sharpened, [D] (Peoples shall fall beneath thee)

In the heart of the king's enemies.

6 Thy name, O God, is for ever and ever; A straight sceptre is the sceptre of thy royalty.*

7 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated impiety; Therefore God hath anointed thee,

Thy own God, with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.t

8 Thy garments are all myrrh,aloes, and cassia ;[E] Excelling ivory palaces, [F]

Excelling those which delight thee.

to

* It is very evident that this verse is applicable to no throne and

ho sceptre, but the throne and sceptre of Messiah; nor can any other king be addressed by the title of God. Therefore, by Mr Hutchinson's rule, the whole Psalm belongs to him.

+ Those whom thou art "not ashamed to call thy brethren."

9 King's daughters are among thy bright beau

ties, [G]

On thy right hand the Consort [H]has-her-station,
In standard gold of Ophir.

10 Hearken, O daughter! and consider;

Incline thine ear, and forget

Thine own people, and thy father's house;

11 So shall the king set-his-heart-upon thy beauty. Truly he is thy Lord; therefore worship thou him.

12 See the daughter of Tyre, with a gift! [I] The wealthiest of the people shall entreat thy favour.

13 She is all-glorious,-daughter of a king !†

Her inner garment is studded with gold; ‡

* See Bishop Horne's Note.

This "king's daughter," and the "consort" are evidently the same person. "The connection between Christ and his church," says Bishop Horne, " uniting in itself every relation, and every affection."

Literally," with studs of gold."

Her upper garment is embroidered with the

needle.

14 She is-conducted-in-procession to the King; The virgins follow her*, her companions; They are coming unto thee.

15 They are conducted-in-procession, with festivity and rejoicing;

They enter the palace of the King.

16 Thy children shall be in the place of thy fa therst;

Thou shalt appoint them for princes over all the earth.

* If the consort be the church of the restored Jews, these virgins, her companions, are the other churches of Christendom. See my Sermons, Vol. I.

"Thy children shall be what thy fathers were," God's chosen and peculiar people. Or, "Thy sons shall eclipse, the glory of thy fathers, born to the inheritance of a better kingdom."

17 I shall propagate-the-remembrance of thy name to all generations, [K]

Insomuch that the peoples shall praise thee for

2 Both the sons of the low, and the sons of the great, [B]

The rich man and the poor, one with another.

3 My mouth uttereth maxims-of-wisdom,

And the meditations of my heart are matters-ofunderstanding.