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-sons † 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 shun the light and seek privacy, to practice the abominable rites of sorcery and magic. "I go not in," i.e. I never enter their secret haunts.

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

thy house,

And the precincts of the dwelling of thy glory.*

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

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 enemies 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,

cry unto

When I lift up my hands towards the oracle of

thy sanctity.

3 Let me not be drawn away [A] with the impious,

and with the dealers in vanity,

With those who speak kindly* with their neighbours, while mischief is in their hearts.

4 Render unto them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their prac

tices;

Render unto them according to the works of their hands,

Requite unto them their desert.

5 Truly they take no consideration of the works

of Jehovah,

And of the operation of his hands.

ORACULAR VOICE.

-He shall demolish them and build them not.[B]

THANKSGIVING.

6 Blessed be Jehovah,

For he hath heard the voice of my entreaty.

* Courteously, peaceably.