July 4

Psalm xvi.—1. Preserve me, O God! for in thee do I put my trust.

2. O my soul! thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee,

3. But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

4. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

6. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night-seasons.

8. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm xvii.—5. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

6. I have called upon thee; for thou wilt hear me, O God! Incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7. Show thy marvellous loving-kindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them!

8. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9. From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies who compass me about;

14. From men which are thy hand, O Lord! from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Satisfaction in God, the feeling that he is all in all for this life and the life to come, is the theme of these psalms; and, through all the variations of life, it finds a response in every pious heart. God is acknowledged as the source of all present good, and the only promise of good in the future,—the "portion" of life, the "hope" of the soul. The meaning of ver. 2 of Ps. xvi is much clearer as the best scholars now read it: "My good [i.e., my happiness] is nought beyond thee." All the good that I possess, my intelligence, my home, my comforts, my heritage, every thing in my lot, is from the Lord; and he himself is my supreme portion and joy. And, because I thus rejoice in the Lord, I take delight in the saints, the godly upon earth, and have no sympathy with those who follow

other gods. My confidence and delight in God are such, that I see nothing to fear in the hereafter. Faith gives me victory over death. My soul shall not be left in the darkness of shed: even my body shall be rescued from the grave. This promise, which was literally fulfilled in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, shall also be fulfilled in all that believe in him. There is nothing, but happiness in religion,—peace, safety, and joy in life, hope and triumph in death, and then the fulness of joy in the presence of God. Nothing in this world can satisfy: riches, honors, pleasures, possessions, fail to fill our spiritual nature; but the spirit that is renewed in the likeness of God, and that seeks after righteousness, shall be forever satisfied in the presence of God.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 37, 98.

Whom have we in heaven but thee, O God! and there is none upon earth that we desire besides thee. Father of mercies, we render humble and hearty thanks for thy goodness vouchsafed to us this day. Thou hast watched over us with more than a father's care, and hast blessed us with more than a father's love. We have received the cup of blessing at thy hand. Thou hast supplied our need, nourished and sustained our bodies, preserved the powers of our minds, guarded and directed our steps, been with us in going to thy sanctuary, and blessed us with the means of grace. And now, at the close of the day, we meet to offer our evening sacrifice of praise. May the fire of heaven descend upon our hearts, purifying, quickening, transforming our whole nature, and so fitting us all for thy holy will!

Pardon, O God! the sins of the day; and, by thy gospel which we have heard, oh! lift us into higher light and life and joy.

We bless thee for the silence and quiet of night; for hours of rest by which we are strengthened and refreshed for the duties of each returning day. As a family, we commend ourselves to thy care and keeping. Bless thou us, O God! and we shall be blessed. Ever make thy face to shine upon us. Lift up the light of thy countenance upon those whom we love, and upon thy whole Church. Prosper thy Word this day preached and taught. Bless all mankind. Pitifully look upon the poor, the tried, the tempted, the forsaken, the oppressed, and all the children of sorrow; and have mercy upon all prisoners and captives.

And now, O our Father! grant that we, being made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit, and at last rise to the life immortal, through Jesus Christ our only Saviour; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be glory and thanksgiving throughout all ages. Amen.