A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day.

In this psalm or song for the sabbath day,, (1.) Praise, the business of the sabbath, is earnestly recommended, ver. 1-3. (2.) God’s works (which are the reason of the sabbath and ground of praise) are celebrated, in their greatness, and unsearchableness, ver. 4-6. (3.) The ruin of sinners and the felicity of saints are beautifully contrasted. Sinners shall perish; but God, the portion and life of saints, shall endure for ever. Sinners, notwithstanding their temporary flourish, shall be cut off and destroyed; but saints shall be exalted and comforted. Sinners shall be confounded and ruined; but saints, through their union to, and fellowship with Christ, shall prosper and flourish, to the manifestation of God’s faithfulness and equity, ver. 7-15.

While I keep the sabbath of the Lord my God, let these things deeply affect my heart; and be it my care, by a steady conversation and manifest growth in grace, to verify these precious promises of the New Testament in Jesus’ blood.

1 To render thanks unto the Lord
it is a comely thing,
And to thy name, O thou most High,
due praise aloud to sing.

2 Thy loving-kindness to show forth
when shines the morning light;
And to declare thy faithfulness
with pleasure ev’ry night.

3 On a ten-stringed instrument,
upon the psaltery,
And on the harp with solemn sound,
and grave sweet melody.

4 For thou, Lord, by thy mighty works
hast made my heart right glad;
And I will triumph in the works
which by thine hands were made.

5 How great, Lord, are thy works! each thought
of thine a deep it is:
6 A brutish man it knoweth not;
fools understand not this.

7 When those that lewd and wicked are
spring quickly up like grass,
And workers of iniquity
do flourish all apace;

It is that they for ever may
destroyed be and slain;
8 But thou, O Lord, art the most High,
for ever to remain.

9 For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord,
thine en’mies perish shall;
The workers of iniquity
shall be dispersed all.

10 But thou shalt, like unto the horn
of th’ unicorn, exalt
My horn on high: thou with fresh oil
anoint me also shalt.

11 Mine eyes shall also my desire
see on mine enemies;
Mine ears shall of the wicked hear
that do against me rise.

12 But like the palm-tree flourishing
shall be the righteous one;
He shall like to the cedar grow
that is in Lebanon.

13 Those that within the house of God
are planted by his grace,
They shall grow up, and flourish all
in our God’s holy place.

14 And in old age, when others fade,
they fruit still forth shall bring;
They shall be fat, and full of sap,
and aye be flourishing;

15 To show that upright is the Lord:
he is a rock to me;
And he from all unrighteousness
is altogether free.