17. Oh that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. 1 Chron. iv. 10.

1. Evil feared and deprecated.-2. Divine protection implored.-3. The request granted.

Oh that the Lord indeed

Would me his servant bless;
From every evil shield my head,
And crown my paths with peace.

18. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. Isa. xlix. 16.

1. A token of the Divine faithfulness.-2. A pledge which no one can erase.

My name from the palms of his hands
Eternity will not erase:
Impressed on his heart it remains,
In marks of indelible grace.

19. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John v. 5.

1. There is much in the path of the believer to be overcome.-2. It is faith alone that can give him the victory.

Faith hath an overcoming power,

And fears not death's approaching hour;
It bears us through this earthly strife,
And triumphs in immortal life.

20. When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Pet. v.

4.

1. The character of the promised crown.-2. The time when it shall be bestowed.

My Shepherd will appear, I know,
At his appointed day,

A crown of glory to bestow,

That cannot fade away.

21. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his ! Num. xxiii. 10.

1. An extorted petition.-2. An involuntary testimony.

Who would not wish to die like those
Whom God's own Spirit deigns to bless ?
To sink into that soft repose,

Then wake to perfect happiness.

22. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. Nah. i. 12.

1. God, for wise reasons, afflicts his people.2. The time will arrive when their afflictions shall cease.

O Saviour, the promise fulfil:

Its comfort impart to my mind;
Then calmly I'll bow to thy will,
To the cup of affliction resigned.

23. O Lord, revive thy work. Hab. iii. 2. 1. The Divine prerogative recognised.-2. The Divine interposition supplicated.

Saviour visit thy plantation,
Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain;
All will come to desolation,
Unless thou return again:
Lord, revive us-

All our help must come from thee.

24. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Hab. i. 2.

1. Answers to prayer are sometimes delayed.— 2. This should make us more importunate.

How long, O Lord, shall I complain
Like one that seeks his God in vain?
Canst thou thy face for ever hide?
And I still pray, and be denied?

25. Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. Ps. xxviii. 6.

1. Favour acknowledged.-2. Gratitude expressed. Come, praying soul, rejoice,

And bless your Father's name;
With joy to him lift up your voice,
And all his love proclaim.

26. I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan. Deut. iii. 25.

1. A natural desire.-2. A modest prayer.

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye

To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.

27. Having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Tim. vi. 8.

1. It is all we need.-2. It is more than we de

serve.

Enough our gracious God will give,

Just for the present hour;

But for to-morrow we must live
Upon his word and power.

28. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

John vi. 34.

1. We shall evermore need it.-2. It shall evermore satisfy.

Bread of heaven, on thee we feed,

For thy flesh is meat indeed;
Ever let our souls be fed

With this true and living bread.

29. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. 1 John iii. 16.

1. How conclusive the proof.-2. How extraordinary the fact.

The balm of life, the cure of woe,

The measure and the pledge of love,

The sinner's refuge here below,

The angels' theme in heaven above.

30. Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hos. vi. 1.

1. A good proposition.-2. Valid arguments.
Return, my wandering soul, return,
And wipe away the falling tear;
'Tis God who says, "No longer mourn;"
'Tis mercy's voice invites thee near.

31. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. Zech. ii. 8.

1. God's tender regard for his people,-2. The folly of those who persecute them.

Israel, rejoice, and rest secure;

Thy keeper is the Lord;

His wakeful eyes employ his power
For thine eternal guard.

NOVEMBER.

1. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Ps. cxix. 75.

1. The character of God assures that it must be so.-2. The word of God declares that it is so.

Thy judgments, Lord, are always right,
Though often dark to human sight;
And our afflictions thou wilt bless,
To show thy wondrous faithfulness.