March 30

Psalms 3:1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.

3. But thou, O Lord! art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter-up of mine head.

4. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.

5. I laid me down, and slept; I awaked: for the Lord sustained me.

6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about.

7. Arise, O Lord! save me, O my God! for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone: thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people.

Psalms 4:1. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress: have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2. O ye sons of men! how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?

It is the beauty of a true piety that it grows more calm and rich in faith and love toward God as troubles, sorrows, and perils are multiplied without. David's life was marked by dangers and conflicts before which a mere native heroism might have quailed; but in presence of these he was serene and hopeful. When Absalom rebelled, and David fleeing from Jerusalem was mocked at by the people, and many rose up against him, he trusted in God as his shield, and slept calmly under his protection. When the Amalickites had burnt Ziklag, and carried off captive the women and children, David's band marching to the relief of the town were so bitter at their loss, that they turned against David, and would have stoned him to give vent to their rage. In this extremity,

3. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

4. Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.

6. There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

8. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalms 131:1. Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

2. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

3. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and forever.

beaten by his enemies, and set upon by his own people, "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). He took refuge in prayer; and, strong in the confidence of God's help, he rebuked his companions for their false-heartedness toward himself, for their faint-heartedness toward God.

At the very moment when they were murmuring against him, and chimecing, "Who will show us any good?" he was silently communing with his own heart, and gathering strength and gladness from his trust in the Lord. In the most untoward circumstances, he could lie down in peace, and sleep, under the loving care of God. How sweet and blessed is that faith which can bring rest to the body through the peace and comfort of the soul!

APPROPRIATE HYMNE.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 33, 37, 71.

Thou, Lord, only makest us to dwell in safety: therefore will we lie down in peace, and sleep. We commit ourselves to thy keeping; for the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. O Thou who never slumberest nor sleepest! keep us this night under the shadow of thy wings: grant us the sleep which thou givest to thy beloved; or, if wakeful hours shall be allotted us, may we remember thee upon our bed, and meditate upon thee in the night-watches!

O Lord Jesus, who hast invited the weary and heavy-laden to come unto thee that thou mayest give them rest! grant us, we pray thee, rest from all care and trouble, from all sin and sorrow; and prepare us by thy grace for that holy and blessed rest which remaineth for the people of God.

We thank thee for this holy day, — its sacred memories, its blessed communion of prayer and

praise, its comforting sacraments, its teachings, and promises, and its immortal hopes.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And bless thy Word, also, to all who have heard it: to the young, for their guidance; to the aged, for their comfort; to all, for their instruction in righteousness. And, O Lord! send, we pray thee, thy Word to those who have it not. Let thy salvation be known in all the earth; and hasten the coming of thy kingdom. And unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.