Sermons & Devotionals by The Scottish Metrical Psalter

A Psalm for Solomon. This psalm was composed by David, about the time of Solomon's instalment in the throne of Israel, 1 Kings 1 and 2. With respect to him, here is, (1.) Fervent prayer for proper qualifications to furnish him for government, ver. 1. (2.) Predictions of the peace, glory, extent, wea... Read More

A Psalm of Asaph. This psalm, and the ten following, are called Psalms of Asaph; but whether because he composed most of them, or because he led the music in singing them, is not altogether certain. Here we have, (1.) The great foundation of all religion, viz. the goodness of God to his people, stro... Read More

Maschil of Asaph. This psalm relates to the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, or to some similar disaster. In it we have, (1.) The church's bitter complaints of God's displeasure; of the outrage of her enemies; and of the apparent hopelessness of her case, ver. 1-11. ... Read More

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. Here, (1.) David returns thanks to God for advancing him to the throne of Israel, and resolves to act for the public welfare, ver. 1-3, 9-10. (2.) He rebukes the insolence of such as opposed his advancement, which sprung from the sovereig... Read More

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. This psalm is like to the 48th, and was penned on occasion of some remarkable victory; but whether in the days of David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, or Hezekiah (2 Chron. 14, 20, 32), is uncertain. We have in it, (1.) Encouraging congratulations of ... Read More

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. This psalm relates to, (1.) A most afflicted case, in which are remarkable, fervent, and incessant prayers, agonizing restlessness, heart-overwhelming meditations, melancholy fears, and almost desperate outcries, concerning God, ver. 1-9. (2.) Th... Read More

Maschil of Asaph. This psalm is but a brief instructive history of the transactions between Israel and their God, for about four hundred and eighty years, from Moses to David. Here is, (1.) The introduction, containing a solemn call to an attentive consideration of God's words and works, in order to... Read More

A Psalm of Asaph. This psalm relates to the havoc made of the Jewish capital and nation, by the Chaldeans and Syro-Grecians, as typical of the afflictions of the gospel church. Observe, (1.) How deplorable the condition of these people of God was, when their enemies raged against their dwellings, pe... Read More

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. This psalm contains a pleasant, but solemn meditation upon the glory, the greatness, and the grace of God. Let me here observe, (1.) How illustrious and widespread are all his glory and renown, ver. 1, 3, 9. (2.) By how weak and insignificant ins... Read More

To the chief musician upon Shoshannim, Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph. This psalm relates to the distressed condition of the Hebrew church and nation, perhaps during the Syrian, Assyrian, or Chaldean invasions, 2 Kings 12-13, 15, 17-19, 24-25. Here are, (1.) Earnest supplications for God's special presence... Read More

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. This psalm was probably composed for the Feast of Trumpets, on the first day of the seventh month, Lev. 23:24. Here are, (1.) Solemn exhortations to praise God for what he is to his people, and for what he hath done for them, ver. 1-7. (2.) Instr... Read More

A Psalm of Asaph. This psalm was probably penned for the direction and warning of the Jewish courts of judicature. It represents, (1.) The dignity of magistrates, and their dependence on God as their sovereign Governor and Judge, ver. 1, 6. (2.) Their duty, ver. 3-4. (3.) Their too frequent degenera... Read More

A Song or Psalm of Asaph. This psalm relates to some combinations of the Heathens around, against the Hebrews, either in the days of David, 2 Sam. 8 or 10, or of Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. 20. It contains, (1.) A solemn remonstrance to God concerning their malicious designs against his church and honour,... Read More

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. This psalm is much like the 27th, 42nd, 43rd, and 63rd, and may have been composed on the same occasion with the former, when David was banished from Jerusalem by Absalom his son, 2 Sam. 15-16. We have here, (1.) David's ardent affec... Read More

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. This psalm relates to some remarkable deliverance of the Jewish nation; but whether that effected by the advancement of David to the throne, or that from the Assyrian invasion, 2 Kings 19, or from the Chaldean captivity, Ezra 1, is uncertain. It ... Read More

A Prayer of David. This psalm contains, (1.) David's fervent supplications, that God would hear his prayers, ver. 1, 6-7; mercifully preserve and save him, ver. 2-3, 16; and afford him joy, strength, and honour, ver. 4, 11, 17. (2.) His pleas, wherewith he enforceth his prayers, drawn from the goodn... Read More

A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah. This psalm is an encomium upon mount Zion, as typical of the gospel church. (1.) For the sake of the temple, mount Zion is preferred to every other place in Canaan; as more honoured by God and more delighted in by him, ver. 1-3. (2.) In respect of better inhabi... Read More

A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. In this doleful psalm, after a very short declaration of his faith, we have, (1.) Heman's bitter wailing over his distressed case, that his troubles were great; his body at the point o... Read More

Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. This psalm was perhaps composed on the occasion of Absalom's rebellion, 2 Sam. 15; or of the revolt of the ten tribes, from their subjection to the family of David, 1 Kings 12; or it relates to the Chaldean oppression and captivity, 2 Kings 24-25. In the first, and joy... Read More

To the chief Musician upon Muth-labben, A Psalm of David. This psalm was, perhaps, composed on the occasion of his son Absalom's death, 2 Sam. 18; or on the occasion of the death of Goliath the champion and duellist of Gath, 1 Sam. 17. We have in it, (1.) David's hearty thanksgivings to God, for his... Read More