April 15

Psalm oxv. — 1. Not unto us, O Lord! not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

2. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?

3. But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

4. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

5. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not:

6. They have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell not:

7. They have hands, but they handle not; feet have they, but they walk not; neither speak they through their throat.

8. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

9. O Israel! trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.

10. O house of Aaron! trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.

11. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.

12. The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

13. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.

14. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

15. Ye are blessed of the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

16. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

17. The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.

18. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord.

Psalm oxxvi. — 1. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing; then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

3. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4. Turn again our captivity, O Lord! as the streams in the south.

5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

These psalms belonged to the temple-service, and were arranged to be sung in a responsive form of worship. The first eight verses of Psalm oxv. would be sung by the choir of Levites; then, in verses nine, ten, and eleven, the precentor invokes several classes to trust in the Lord, and the chorus responds, "He is their help and their shield;" after which the choir sing the praises of the Lord. This psalm was probably composed during a time of pagan invasion and oppression. Surrounding nations had their tutelary gods, who were represented to the eye under visible forms; but Jehovah had no such form in his temple nor in the houses of his worshippers; and, when he suffered the Hebrews to be vanquished, the heathen would say, "Where is now their God?" Such a taunt called forth this magnificent burst of adoration to the God who is in the heavens, and who rules over all; and this

enthusiastic confidence that he will help and save those who put their trust in him.

Yet, when deliverance came, so marvellous was the hand of God, that, like the disciples upon the resurrection of Christ, they believed not for joy. When He to whom they had cried for help, and in whom they had trusted, put forth his hand, it was in a way so utterly beyond all human methods and calculations, that it seemed as a blissful dream. Even the heathen who had mocked at them now acknowledged that they had a God who caved for them and was able to deliver them. Most striking was such testimony from Cyrus when he decreed that the Jews should return from captivity. The experience of Israel invites us, under all discouragements, and in face of all enemies, to maintain our trust in God; sowing even in tears the seeds of faith and hope, that shall yield the harvest of joy.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 156, 160, 168.

We come to thee this morning, heavenly Father, with hearts full of thankfulness for the mercies of the night. Thou hast kept us quiet from the fear of evil: nor sickness, nor death, nor tempest, nor fire, nor any calamity, hath overtaken us or our dwelling. Fulfil unto us, we beseech thee, thy mercies and promises in Christ, and cause that this day we may rejoice in thy salvation.

Oh! sanctify us by thy truth; and, while we receive its instruction and comfort in our hearts, may we carry out its precepts in our lives, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things! May every day witness some new victory over evil desires and passions within us, and over the evil that is in the world! [Oh, may these

children grow in grace as they grow in years and in knowledge! May they shun evil companions and evil ways, and walk in the way of thy commandments!] Keep all dear to us even as the apple of thine eye. Bless our neighbors, and send thy Spirit upon this whole community. Bless our rulers, and the schools and churches in our land. May all who rule, and all who teach, be led and taught by thee! Have pity upon the poor and the sorrowing; upon homes made desolate by famine, pestilence, or war. Stay thy judgments, O Lord! and send peace and salvation to all people. Mercifully forgive our sins, and bring us unto the perfection of knowledge, of holiness, and of blessedness, in Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom be glory forever. Amen.