proved faithless in the hour of trial. All the day he had been bitterly reproached, while his enemies exultingly asked, "Where is thy God?" His tent is near the river, and within hearing of its noisy waters. Jordan is known for the swiftness of its current, and for its numerous rapids. David is near to one of these. The rush and roar of its tumultuous waters break the solemn stillness of the night, and awaken an echo in his agitated heart. He, too, is in tempestuous waters. The nation, like a mighty river-current, is at this moment whirling and tumbling in the downward plunge of revolution. The king himself is carried on by the mighty force of these waters. Each moment they threaten to engulf him. He lifts his cry: "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy cataracts: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me."

He intends to make a stand against Absalom at Mahanaim, but he deems it possible he may be driven out of his kingdom. In such a case, he would pass into Syria by the usual route, which lay around the southeast base of the mountains of Hermon. Yet, even in this gloomy prospect, his confidence in God revives. He will not swerve from his integrity, though banished from his people to seek shelter among the heathen.

"O my God! My soul is cast down within me:

Therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan,
And of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar."

Bishop Lowth considers Psalm xlii one of the most beautiful specimens of the Hebrew elegy. Thus mournfully mused the exiled monarch. Psalm cxliii well suits David's circumstances and feelings at this time. The earnest deprecations of verse 2 point us back to the awful denunciations of the prophet Nathan, (2 Samuel xii, 7-14,) which the king feared more than the sword of Absalom or the treachery of Ahithophel. This Psalm throughout is full of earnestness and feeling, and the most pathetic appeals to God of a soul in the depths of a life-struggle, in which the issue as yet seems doubtful.

Thus passed most of this ever-memorable night, till nature, worn down with fatigue, and oppressed with an enormity of woe now grown insupportable, sank down to a brief repose. Read 2 Samuel xvii, 1–22.

PSALM XLII

WHILE DAVID LAY ENCAMPED BY THE RIVER JORDAN, THE FIRST NIGHT AFTER ABSALOM'S REBELLION.

David's longing for the house of God, 1-4; he encourages his soul to trust in God in the midst of his sorrows and reproaches, 5–11.

To the chief Musician. Maschil for the sons of Korah: [i. e., A Psalm giving instruction for the sons of Korah.]

1 As the hart 'panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God!

a

2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:

3

When shall I come and appear before God?

с

My tears have been my meat day and night,

d

While they continually say unto me, "Where is thy

God?"

4 When I remember these things, I pour

5

in me;

For I had gone with the multitude,

If went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept holyday.

2

out my

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me?

h

Hope thou in God-for I shall yet 'praise him
For the help of his countenance.

6 0

soul

O my God! my soul is cast down within me: Therefore will I remember thee from the land of

Jordan,

And of the Hermonites, from 'the hill Mizar.

i

7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water

k

spouts :

All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8 Yet the LORD will command his loving-kindness in

the daytime,

m

And in the night his song shall be with me,

And my prayer unto the God of my life.

9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me?

Why "go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10 As with a 'sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach

11

me;

While they say daily unto me, "Where is thy God?"

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in God-for I shall yet praise him,

Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

WHILE DAVID LAY ENCAMPED BY THE RIVER JORDAN, THE FIRST NIGHT AFTER ABSALOM'S REBELLION.

David prayeth for deliverance from his enemies, 1, 2; for restoration to the tabernacle and worship of God, 3, 4; he encourageth his soul to trust in God, 5.

1 Judge me, O God,

And plead my cause against an 'ungodly nation:
O deliver me 'from the deceitful and unjust man.

1 Or, unmerciful.

"Heb. from a man of deceit and iniquity.

2. For thou art the God of my strength:

Why dost thou cast me off?

Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

3 Osend out thy light and thy truth:

Let them lead me;

Let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

4 Then will I go unto the altar of God,

5

Unto God 'my exceeding joy:

Yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God! Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

And why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope in God-for I shall yet praise Him,

Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

a Psa. 40. 11.

Heb. the gladness of my joy.

PSALM CXLIII.

WHILE DAVID LAY ENCAMPED BY THE RIVER JORDAN, THE FIRST NIGHT AFTER ABSALOM'S REBELLION.

David prayeth for favour in judgment, 1,2; he complaineth of his griefs, 3, 4; he strengtheneth his faith by meditation and prayer, 5, 6; he prayeth for grace, 7; for deliverance, 9; for sanctification, 10, 11; for the destruction of his enemies, 12.

TA Psalm of David.

1 Hear my prayer, O LORD! give ear to my suppli

cations:

In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant;

3

a

For in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul;

He hath smitten my life down to the ground;

a Job 14. 3. b Exod. 84. 7. Job 4. 17. Psa. 180. 8. Eccl. 7. 20. Rom. 8. 20. Gal 2. 16.

He hath made me to dwell in darkness,
As those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all thy works;

I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee:

7

My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah! Hear me speedily, O LORD-my spirit faileth:

Hide not thy face from me,

'Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust:

Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee.

9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies:

I'flee unto thee to hide me.

d

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:

Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake:

For thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies,

And destroy all them that afflict my soul;
For I am thy servant.