THE BOOK OF PSALMS
The Book of Psalms is the Hebrew hymn book. The Psalms were gathered to sing at the services in the temple at Jerusalem. Here there was no sermon, as there is in our churches, and as there often was in the synagogues which were scattered all over the land, but there was a large choir which sung these Psalms of praise, while the people stood below and listened. Some of the Psalms were written for this choir. Others, written for other purposes, were put into this hymn book, sometimes with more or less change from their first form, as is the case with many hymns in our own hymn books. Praise to God is the most common thought of these poems, but many other thoughts are found in them--sorrow for sin and trust in God's goodness and hope for the future and thanksgiving for God's care in the past. Hardly a thought about God's relation to man but finds its expression in these songs. They were the work of many men through many years. They express the joy and the sorrow of many minds in many different situations. That is why they still fit so many different lives in all parts of the world. They are very simple and very beautiful, and they have always been, and doubtless always will be, dear to the hearts of all those who try to find God. Mr. Gilmour, the missionary to the Mongols, once wrote: "When I find I cannot make headway in [{18}] devotion, I open in the Psalms, and push out in my canoe, and let myself be carried along in the stream of devotion which flows through the whole book. The current always sets toward God, and in most places is strong and deep." So many men have found that the broad river of the Psalms bore them toward God.
| THE RIGHTEOUS MAN |
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The wicked are not so; But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the wicked shall perish. |
| --Psalm 1. |
| A MORNING PRAYER |
Lord, how are mine adversaries increased! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cry unto the Lord with my voice, And he answereth me out of his holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustaineth me. |
| --Psalm 3:1-5. |
| AN EVENING PRAYER |
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress: Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonour? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: The Lord will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord. Many there be that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than they have when their corn and their wine are increased. In peace will I both lay me down and sleep: For thou, Lord, alone makest me dwell in safety. |
| --Psalm 4. |
| A LITTLE LOWER THAN GOD |
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! |
| --Psalm 8. |