Psalms 88

Psalms 88:6

6. The Lord shall count, &c.] In the Book of Life, that register of heaven, kept by God Himself, our names are entered, not as born of flesh and blood by the will of man, but as born of water and the Spirit by the will of God; of each person it is written “that he was born there,” in the church and city of God. Bp. Horne.

Psalms 88:7

7. — all my springs &c.] And the burden of the song, thus joyfully sung in praise of Zion, was to be this; “All my springs,” or fountains, “are in thee.” In thee, O Zion, is the fountain of salvation, and from thee are derived all those springs of grace which flow by the Divine appointment, while the world lasts, for the purification and refreshment of mankind upon earth. Bp. Horne.

If “the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob,” so should we. For the prosperity, therefore of the Church, we and all the world ought to pray. And while we pray for the Church with our lips, let it be our unfeigned endeavour to adorn her by our lives. So shall we make the proper return for the mercies we have received; so shall we draw down more and more of the Divine favour continually upon our king, our country, and ourselves; so shall we convince the world of this great and important truth, that the Christian is the loyal subject, and the Churchman the true patriot. Bp. Horne.

Psalm LXXXVIII. This Psalm is a continued detail of melancholy complaints, on account of some grievous

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