to God for the restoration of freedom to Israel
after the seventy years of captivity and exile.
after the seventy years of captivity and exile.
Childrens - Psalm-Book
"
After seventy years' captivity in Babylon, the
Israelites were allowed by King Cyrus of Persia,
(who had conquered the King of Babylon), to go back
to Jerusalem, and to rebuild the Temple. *
We can imagine the exiles setting out to return to
the land of their fathers, joyfully singing the old
marching hymns, and mingling with them new songs
of joy and thankfulness to God as they approached
Jerusalem, the beloved City that symbolized the
history of their race and faith.
The " Songs of Degrees " seem to carry us through
all the episodes of the return of Israel to the Father-
land. The first one, Psalm cxx. , rings with the
sorrow of the home-sick exile among unsympathetic
strangers.
Ezra, ch. i.
cxxi. nap
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
IPs. CXXI. is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right
hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor
the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee
from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. 8 The
Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming
in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
mote on Sorrow changes to hope as the great pilgrim-
IPs. CXXI. age starts on its way. The pilgrims eagerly
scan the horizon to catch sight of the mountain
range which marks the last stage of their journey.
But a vast plain is spread out before them; the
mountains of Zion are not yet in sight. "Whence
PSALM CXXII.
a Song of Degrees of Davio.
I WAS glad when they said unto me, Let us go into
the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand within
thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as
a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the
tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord; a testimony
unto Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the
Lord. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment
the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the
peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love
thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity
within thy palaces. 8 For the sake of my brethren
and my companions I will now say, Peace be within
thee, 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our
God I will seek thy good.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
-p-Sy pin? sp&e> rftxi5 'hx'p] nibit? >><<? cxxi.
t:it- -/? ? t: tv- i v >v - t ||-. - ? :
cometh my help ? " cries the Psalmist, as he thinks flote on
of their many long days of wayfaring through un- P8, CXXI.
known lands and across the great desert inhabited
only by wild beasts.
The rest of the Psalm is his comforting and
courage-giving answer to his own question.
cxxn. nap
? t: <: t tV 1 t ; - 't t; iV *:
*a 5 :nin^ de'1? rvniir? ^n^S nm rr*&3#
it: j**: :a** t; ? : j? ? rx ? ? : ?
:Tn rnfcM bsetoS nixoj >>b* 1 rvs&
i ? t j": :? at: ? : j : * j :it t t
/ t r: i'|t i t; ? -att i; j:
a" v: jt; r* 1-- ;i ||t j t it t; --j
247
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
IRote on Jerusalem is the emblem of rejoicing, of Israel's
ps. CXXII. consciousness of the Divine blessing. The pilgrims
beguile the way by singing the glories of her history.
In imagination they have already reached the
PSALM CXXIII.
H Song of Degrees.
Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that
dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of
servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as
the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;
so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that
He have mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy upon us, O
Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly
filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly
filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and
with the contempt of the proud.
1Flote on Many a long march had to be accomplished to
pe. CXXIII. cover the 600 miles that lay between Babylon
and Jerusalem.
As the pilgrims trudged sturdily over the great
Syrian desert, they strengthened their hearts and
braced their bodies for the toilsome journey by the
PSALM CXXIV.
% Song of Degrees of Davto.
If it had not been the Lord Who was on our side,
now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the Lord
Who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
cherished home of their forefathers, and restored mote on
the great Temple that was the centre and focus t>s' CXXII.
of the religious life of Israel.
cxxiii. aap
j -: i ?
nan 2 <d<< *ae>''n wtik *HKjw tVn
. . . ,|t t _ . . | _ a_ . . . . jt t j ?
: uan'0 ny wkx rrin^x tfw p wnaa t
|" t : v - V v: jt: v |j" jt :? : a-
nan 4 >up3|f nr*a qan nin; Ian 3
t&figi? nan D^ge>n jyVn n^>-nyae>
thought of God as their great Master, to whom all mote on
mankind owes faithful service. They thought with t>s' cxx
contempt of those who had slothfully preferred their
ease, and stayed behind, and prayed that God's
mercy might be with His more zealous servants.
cxxiv. nap
ioh 2 :htr&> so-netf* ub n w nirv hh
I t; ? t -- i at tjt V t ;i j"
D<<n *tx 3 *onx mpa vh nw nirr
j>> - ;i Itt j"t 11: at tjt V t;
249
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
t>3. CXXIV. wrath was kindled against us: 4 Then the waters had
overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the Lord, Who hath not given us
as a prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul is escaped
as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare
is broken, and we are escaped. 8 Our help is in the
name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
mote on The thought of the Divine Mercy that has
IPs. CXXIV. released them from exile and captivity fills all their
hearts with gratitude to God, and with the courage
PSALM CXXV.
a Song of Deflrees.
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount
Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for
ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jeru-
salem, so the Lord is round about His people from
henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the
wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous;
lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O Lord, unto the good, and to the
upright in heart. 5 As for such as turn aside unto
their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth
with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon
Israel 1
250
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
ttwetf D^an *tk 4 :'ua ninns wySa (C)s. cxxiv.
at: *j-- --|t jt- at:
a-* :- ~ j- t --;i i" : ~ . . -t t ; -
epib <<ana nirv . ? mna 6 'doittpi D*sn
I v v /tt: ( v at: I /t i* i"-
D^pi; nso rtaSaj nisxa uetea 7 iDrvatrS
prtrp Deft tt-ny 8 n^Saj uroxi naeo nsn
at:: :it ; ? :*--:i- t: * *--
nStt mB0 n&jf
Itt '/-t "^
to face whatever danger may come across their path. mote on
"Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made P8, CXXIV.
Heaven and earth. "
CXXV. TOp
I? ? 't: ? i i j * -: at i- :l ~
iayS nim a*ao 5nn of? eh7 2
a -; j* t t a * t ? t ? - t i:
fy win nw 16 *a 3 'D^y-nyi nnya
- - V t V. <" t V it * - I t-|"
:DniaSa DntrVi d^nitsS nirr nawi 4 :ditt
it ? : ? t i ? : *? - t n t j- **
Ivatt i v t ;i j? ? . i t |-:|--: --:
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
mote on The first two verses describe with poetic imagery
p8. CXXV. tne mountains surrounding Jerusalem as an emblem of
steadfast faith in the never-ceasing care of God. That
same steadfast faith, which gives us courage in the
darkest moments of trouble and danger, inspires the
third verse. Without faith even the righteous--
tempted by the expediency of the moment--would
"put forth their hands to iniquity. " The purer our
faith, the greater our courage to hold fast to what
PSALM CXXVI.
H Song of Degrees-
When the Lord turned again the captivity of
Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was
our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with
singing: then said they among the nations, The
Lord hath done great things for them. 3 The Lord
hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams
in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in
joy. 6 He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bring-
ing his sheaves with him.
mote on Psalm cxxvi. is a song of joy and thankfulness
(C)8. CXXVI.
to God for the restoration of freedom to Israel
after the seventy years of captivity and exile.
When we are in trouble and things seem going
252
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
we know is right through all trial and temptation; mote on
believing with perfect faith, in God's perfect justice P8, CXXV.
and gracious mercy to us all. "For the rod of the
wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous. "
We know not how, we know not when, salvation
may come to us, and so arises our faith in life
beyond the grave when we think of those whose
souls have known little but adversity in this
world.
against us, it is good to think, as the Psalmist mote on
says, that they "who sow in tears shall reap in IPs. CXXVI.
joy," if only they cherish the "precious seed," i. e.
truth, honour, and trust in God.
CXXVI. 13p
ribvpn vty
it . . ? ? at ? : / t
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
PSALM CXXVII.
a Song of Degrees for Solomon. *
1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour
in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city,
the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late,
to eat the bread of toil. Even so He giveth His
beloved in sleep.
3 Lo, sons are an heritage of the Lord, and
children are His reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so
are children of youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of
them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak
with enemies in the gate
PSALM CXXVIII.
H Song of Degreee.
1 Happy is every one that feareth the Lord, that
walketh in His ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the inner-
most parts of thy house: thy children like olive
plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that
feareth the Lord.
* The translation of this Psalm is that of Mr. C. G. Monte-
fiore in the " Bible of Home Reading. "
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
cxxvu. tap
ia vata boo rvii niy riS 1 nirr-DK
|*>> J- t ;<t ? t; ? | 't: ?
D^avpn onS *S3fc rotrnnxa oip *yaeto 1 DbS
D*aa nirv nSro nan 3 ftH*S uv a
a* t jt: j--;i- <<;** ? It" j ? ? )>? ? ? i^--
insfx"nx xba nfx n3|n e :D^wti
CXXVIII. TOp
niSgan tb>
2 :V31i3 "nbnri nirv x-rSa new
3dD dtvt bn&s wis wvd *na*Va Fi'nb
:nin; xn; n$| -spj; nan 4 :^nS^S
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
ps. * The Lord bless thee out Zion; may thou see
CXXVIII
'the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children.
Peace be upon Israel!
mote on These two Psalms seem to echo the thoughts of
CXXVII. t'ie released exiles, as they neared Jerusalem after
ano the seventy years captivity in Babylon.
CXXVIII. They picture the joys of a good citizen's life,
filled with honest work, and crowned with all the
blessings of family love and a happy homestead in
Jerusalem, the well-beloved city. Their earnest
resolve to try to be worthy of the blessing of God
inspires the first two verses of Ps. cxxvii. These
PSALM CXXX.
21 Song of Degrcc8.
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O
Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be
attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If
Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who
shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with Thee,
that Thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the
Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.
6 My soul looketh for the Lord more than they that
watch for the morning: yea, more than they that
watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the
Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with
Him is plenteous redemption. 8 And He shall
redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
% ^ D^T: >>9? *W N2? TO! 5 Cxfvhl
r? ? x: ? * t iavt: "t (" :( in-
verses came into my mind as I gazed amid the ruins mote on
of Rome on the triumphal arch erected by the Emperor ^XVII
Titus, to commemorate his conquest of the Jews and at,j)
capture of Jerusalem. The empire of the conqueror CXXVIII
has crumbled and vanished; but " Israel, the witness
of God, still remains, a marvel to many, a puzzle to
some, to accomplish in God's good time the work
which God has given him to do. "*
* "Bible for Home Reading. " C. G. Montefiore.
cxxx. bp
niSy&n v&
>--. \--
^ip? n? b& 7^2 :njn; -prwnp D^espp
nrpSpn ^y-^ 4 *p ^ ^PV^
inn'}^ nmp rfy-i; wip 5 :xpvi jyo1?
npnn r? n;-Dpa nin;-^ Sir7
^xn^-nx rns* xim8 :rvn$ tey nrrn
:vniaiy
It 1-:
257 S
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
Woteott Sometimes when we have done wrong, we lose
3. CXXX- Qur self-respect and feel discouraged, and as
though we could not start the struggle again.
How comforting it is then to read this Psalm! It
helps us to feel that if we are truly sorry, there
is always forgiveness with God, from whatever
depths we cry unto Him.
It gives us courage to "hope in the Lord," and to
feel that He will strengthen our hearts for the con-
PSALM CXXXIII.
a Song of Degrees of DavtD.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the
precious ointment upon the head, that ran down
upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went
down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew
of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the
mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded
the blessing, even life for evermore.
mote on This Psalm is in praise of the spirit of love and
3XXXHI kindliness that helps the peace and happiness of all
'the world. The word " brother " in Eastern countries
has a wide meaning, and includes not only brothers in
kinship, but also neighbours and fellow creatures. As
the Psalmist and his brother-pilgrims come near the
land of freedom, where no oppressive conquerors'
rule will bind them in common cause to one another,
he sings the beauty of peace and love and unity
among brethren.
Like all poetry written in the East, this Psalm is
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
stant struggle with our own faults, and that if we mote on
only try hard enough, we can--through the mercy P8<< cxx
of God--earn His full forgiveness (plenteous re-
demption). "For there is forgiveness with Thee
that Thou mayest be feared. " That is the watch-
word of courage and comfort for all who have done
wrong. Feel the fear of hope, but never despair;
pray for the merciful forgiveness of God, and "hope
in the Lord. "
trh rnf? yan n&
nrv-DH wm natf D^-rntti ato-ras nan
-IV -- j>> - V*V j<< t _ i - j-- ?
> - at t: - v t :i ji - t a" : -
full of imagery --that is, of description by comparison. mote on
An Eastern poet brings his thoughts before us, not CXXXIII
so much by speaking of the actual thing he is de-
scribing, as by speaking of some other thing that
suggests the special idea he wishes to bring to our
minds.
We do not use imagery, as Eastern people do, in
ordinary conversation, though we use it in poetry.
Shakespear, for instance, calls England "this
precious stone set in the silver sea. "
This Psalm is a poem full of imagery. The open-
CXXXIII. zbp
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
mote on ing words recall the words of Moses:--" Thou shalt
CXXXIII. ^ove neighbour as thyself. " The Psalmist
'speaks of the happiness of always being good friends,
and of never quarrelling. He does not describe love,
but he compares it, first to a fragrant ointment
softening and perfuming the hair and beard, flow-
ing down a beard so long that like the beard of
Aaron, the High Priest, it reaches to the very hem
of the long robe that men wore (and still wear)
in Eastern countries. So he brings before us the
thought of a sweet ointment,* softening everything
* Every one in the East uses ointment, as we use soap, to
cleanse and refresh themselves. The ointments used in the
East have a delicious and refreshing perfume,
PSALM CXXXIV.
a Song of Degrees.
Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the
Lord, which by night stand in the house of the
Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in holiness, and bless
the Lord.
3 The Lord that made heaven and earth bless
thee out of Zion.
mote on This evening hymn is the last of the Songs of
'XXXIV degrees. The long march is ended, and the pilgrims
'pour out a song of praise and thanks as they reach
the Temple. The third verse is the answering
blessing spoken by the priests of the Temple.
Every one of us, however young, or however
ignorant, may pour out our hearts in prayer to God.
For He is the all-merciful Father and King of us all.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
it touches, iust as love sweetens all companion- mote on
shiP- CXXXIII
Then the Psalmist compares love to the dew, that
beneficent gift of God, showered on all nature.
First to the dew of Hermon, a beautiful mountain,
a landmark for miles round, in the country where
our forefathers lived. And finally he compares it
to the dew on the mountain of Zion, on which
stood the Holy Temple, where the Lord com-
manded the blessing, "even life for evermore. "
So the Psalmist ends with the thought that love,
like the dew, is the gift of God, and is the ever-
lasting mirror of His goodness in the human heart.
One of the great Rabbis said, " If thou canst not mote on
pray in the synagogue, pray in thy field; and if thou IPs.
canst not pray there, pray in thy house; and if CXXX1V
thou canst not pray there, pray in thy bed; and
if thou canst not pray there, pray in thy heart. "
Whenever and wherever we think of God, and
pray to God, we are " standing in the house of the
CXXXIV. -hp
Lord.
261
?
After seventy years' captivity in Babylon, the
Israelites were allowed by King Cyrus of Persia,
(who had conquered the King of Babylon), to go back
to Jerusalem, and to rebuild the Temple. *
We can imagine the exiles setting out to return to
the land of their fathers, joyfully singing the old
marching hymns, and mingling with them new songs
of joy and thankfulness to God as they approached
Jerusalem, the beloved City that symbolized the
history of their race and faith.
The " Songs of Degrees " seem to carry us through
all the episodes of the return of Israel to the Father-
land. The first one, Psalm cxx. , rings with the
sorrow of the home-sick exile among unsympathetic
strangers.
Ezra, ch. i.
cxxi. nap
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
IPs. CXXI. is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right
hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor
the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee
from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. 8 The
Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming
in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
mote on Sorrow changes to hope as the great pilgrim-
IPs. CXXI. age starts on its way. The pilgrims eagerly
scan the horizon to catch sight of the mountain
range which marks the last stage of their journey.
But a vast plain is spread out before them; the
mountains of Zion are not yet in sight. "Whence
PSALM CXXII.
a Song of Degrees of Davio.
I WAS glad when they said unto me, Let us go into
the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand within
thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as
a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the
tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord; a testimony
unto Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the
Lord. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment
the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the
peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love
thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity
within thy palaces. 8 For the sake of my brethren
and my companions I will now say, Peace be within
thee, 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our
God I will seek thy good.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
-p-Sy pin? sp&e> rftxi5 'hx'p] nibit? >><<? cxxi.
t:it- -/? ? t: tv- i v >v - t ||-. - ? :
cometh my help ? " cries the Psalmist, as he thinks flote on
of their many long days of wayfaring through un- P8, CXXI.
known lands and across the great desert inhabited
only by wild beasts.
The rest of the Psalm is his comforting and
courage-giving answer to his own question.
cxxn. nap
? t: <: t tV 1 t ; - 't t; iV *:
*a 5 :nin^ de'1? rvniir? ^n^S nm rr*&3#
it: j**: :a** t; ? : j? ? rx ? ? : ?
:Tn rnfcM bsetoS nixoj >>b* 1 rvs&
i ? t j": :? at: ? : j : * j :it t t
/ t r: i'|t i t; ? -att i; j:
a" v: jt; r* 1-- ;i ||t j t it t; --j
247
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
IRote on Jerusalem is the emblem of rejoicing, of Israel's
ps. CXXII. consciousness of the Divine blessing. The pilgrims
beguile the way by singing the glories of her history.
In imagination they have already reached the
PSALM CXXIII.
H Song of Degrees.
Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that
dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of
servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as
the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;
so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that
He have mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy upon us, O
Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly
filled with contempt. 4 Our soul is exceedingly
filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and
with the contempt of the proud.
1Flote on Many a long march had to be accomplished to
pe. CXXIII. cover the 600 miles that lay between Babylon
and Jerusalem.
As the pilgrims trudged sturdily over the great
Syrian desert, they strengthened their hearts and
braced their bodies for the toilsome journey by the
PSALM CXXIV.
% Song of Degrees of Davto.
If it had not been the Lord Who was on our side,
now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the Lord
Who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their
248
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
cherished home of their forefathers, and restored mote on
the great Temple that was the centre and focus t>s' CXXII.
of the religious life of Israel.
cxxiii. aap
j -: i ?
nan 2 <d<< *ae>''n wtik *HKjw tVn
. . . ,|t t _ . . | _ a_ . . . . jt t j ?
: uan'0 ny wkx rrin^x tfw p wnaa t
|" t : v - V v: jt: v |j" jt :? : a-
nan 4 >up3|f nr*a qan nin; Ian 3
t&figi? nan D^ge>n jyVn n^>-nyae>
thought of God as their great Master, to whom all mote on
mankind owes faithful service. They thought with t>s' cxx
contempt of those who had slothfully preferred their
ease, and stayed behind, and prayed that God's
mercy might be with His more zealous servants.
cxxiv. nap
ioh 2 :htr&> so-netf* ub n w nirv hh
I t; ? t -- i at tjt V t ;i j"
D<<n *tx 3 *onx mpa vh nw nirr
j>> - ;i Itt j"t 11: at tjt V t;
249
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
t>3. CXXIV. wrath was kindled against us: 4 Then the waters had
overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the Lord, Who hath not given us
as a prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul is escaped
as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare
is broken, and we are escaped. 8 Our help is in the
name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
mote on The thought of the Divine Mercy that has
IPs. CXXIV. released them from exile and captivity fills all their
hearts with gratitude to God, and with the courage
PSALM CXXV.
a Song of Deflrees.
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount
Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for
ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jeru-
salem, so the Lord is round about His people from
henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the
wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous;
lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O Lord, unto the good, and to the
upright in heart. 5 As for such as turn aside unto
their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth
with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon
Israel 1
250
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
ttwetf D^an *tk 4 :'ua ninns wySa (C)s. cxxiv.
at: *j-- --|t jt- at:
a-* :- ~ j- t --;i i" : ~ . . -t t ; -
epib <<ana nirv . ? mna 6 'doittpi D*sn
I v v /tt: ( v at: I /t i* i"-
D^pi; nso rtaSaj nisxa uetea 7 iDrvatrS
prtrp Deft tt-ny 8 n^Saj uroxi naeo nsn
at:: :it ; ? :*--:i- t: * *--
nStt mB0 n&jf
Itt '/-t "^
to face whatever danger may come across their path. mote on
"Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made P8, CXXIV.
Heaven and earth. "
CXXV. TOp
I? ? 't: ? i i j * -: at i- :l ~
iayS nim a*ao 5nn of? eh7 2
a -; j* t t a * t ? t ? - t i:
fy win nw 16 *a 3 'D^y-nyi nnya
- - V t V. <" t V it * - I t-|"
:DniaSa DntrVi d^nitsS nirr nawi 4 :ditt
it ? : ? t i ? : *? - t n t j- **
Ivatt i v t ;i j? ? . i t |-:|--: --:
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
mote on The first two verses describe with poetic imagery
p8. CXXV. tne mountains surrounding Jerusalem as an emblem of
steadfast faith in the never-ceasing care of God. That
same steadfast faith, which gives us courage in the
darkest moments of trouble and danger, inspires the
third verse. Without faith even the righteous--
tempted by the expediency of the moment--would
"put forth their hands to iniquity. " The purer our
faith, the greater our courage to hold fast to what
PSALM CXXVI.
H Song of Degrees-
When the Lord turned again the captivity of
Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was
our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with
singing: then said they among the nations, The
Lord hath done great things for them. 3 The Lord
hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams
in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in
joy. 6 He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bring-
ing his sheaves with him.
mote on Psalm cxxvi. is a song of joy and thankfulness
(C)8. CXXVI.
to God for the restoration of freedom to Israel
after the seventy years of captivity and exile.
When we are in trouble and things seem going
252
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
we know is right through all trial and temptation; mote on
believing with perfect faith, in God's perfect justice P8, CXXV.
and gracious mercy to us all. "For the rod of the
wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous. "
We know not how, we know not when, salvation
may come to us, and so arises our faith in life
beyond the grave when we think of those whose
souls have known little but adversity in this
world.
against us, it is good to think, as the Psalmist mote on
says, that they "who sow in tears shall reap in IPs. CXXVI.
joy," if only they cherish the "precious seed," i. e.
truth, honour, and trust in God.
CXXVI. 13p
ribvpn vty
it . . ? ? at ? : / t
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
PSALM CXXVII.
a Song of Degrees for Solomon. *
1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour
in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city,
the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late,
to eat the bread of toil. Even so He giveth His
beloved in sleep.
3 Lo, sons are an heritage of the Lord, and
children are His reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so
are children of youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of
them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak
with enemies in the gate
PSALM CXXVIII.
H Song of Degreee.
1 Happy is every one that feareth the Lord, that
walketh in His ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the inner-
most parts of thy house: thy children like olive
plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that
feareth the Lord.
* The translation of this Psalm is that of Mr. C. G. Monte-
fiore in the " Bible of Home Reading. "
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
cxxvu. tap
ia vata boo rvii niy riS 1 nirr-DK
|*>> J- t ;<t ? t; ? | 't: ?
D^avpn onS *S3fc rotrnnxa oip *yaeto 1 DbS
D*aa nirv nSro nan 3 ftH*S uv a
a* t jt: j--;i- <<;** ? It" j ? ? )>? ? ? i^--
insfx"nx xba nfx n3|n e :D^wti
CXXVIII. TOp
niSgan tb>
2 :V31i3 "nbnri nirv x-rSa new
3dD dtvt bn&s wis wvd *na*Va Fi'nb
:nin; xn; n$| -spj; nan 4 :^nS^S
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
ps. * The Lord bless thee out Zion; may thou see
CXXVIII
'the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children.
Peace be upon Israel!
mote on These two Psalms seem to echo the thoughts of
CXXVII. t'ie released exiles, as they neared Jerusalem after
ano the seventy years captivity in Babylon.
CXXVIII. They picture the joys of a good citizen's life,
filled with honest work, and crowned with all the
blessings of family love and a happy homestead in
Jerusalem, the well-beloved city. Their earnest
resolve to try to be worthy of the blessing of God
inspires the first two verses of Ps. cxxvii. These
PSALM CXXX.
21 Song of Degrcc8.
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O
Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be
attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If
Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who
shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with Thee,
that Thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the
Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope.
6 My soul looketh for the Lord more than they that
watch for the morning: yea, more than they that
watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the
Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with
Him is plenteous redemption. 8 And He shall
redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
% ^ D^T: >>9? *W N2? TO! 5 Cxfvhl
r? ? x: ? * t iavt: "t (" :( in-
verses came into my mind as I gazed amid the ruins mote on
of Rome on the triumphal arch erected by the Emperor ^XVII
Titus, to commemorate his conquest of the Jews and at,j)
capture of Jerusalem. The empire of the conqueror CXXVIII
has crumbled and vanished; but " Israel, the witness
of God, still remains, a marvel to many, a puzzle to
some, to accomplish in God's good time the work
which God has given him to do. "*
* "Bible for Home Reading. " C. G. Montefiore.
cxxx. bp
niSy&n v&
>--. \--
^ip? n? b& 7^2 :njn; -prwnp D^espp
nrpSpn ^y-^ 4 *p ^ ^PV^
inn'}^ nmp rfy-i; wip 5 :xpvi jyo1?
npnn r? n;-Dpa nin;-^ Sir7
^xn^-nx rns* xim8 :rvn$ tey nrrn
:vniaiy
It 1-:
257 S
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
Woteott Sometimes when we have done wrong, we lose
3. CXXX- Qur self-respect and feel discouraged, and as
though we could not start the struggle again.
How comforting it is then to read this Psalm! It
helps us to feel that if we are truly sorry, there
is always forgiveness with God, from whatever
depths we cry unto Him.
It gives us courage to "hope in the Lord," and to
feel that He will strengthen our hearts for the con-
PSALM CXXXIII.
a Song of Degrees of DavtD.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the
precious ointment upon the head, that ran down
upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went
down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew
of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the
mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded
the blessing, even life for evermore.
mote on This Psalm is in praise of the spirit of love and
3XXXHI kindliness that helps the peace and happiness of all
'the world. The word " brother " in Eastern countries
has a wide meaning, and includes not only brothers in
kinship, but also neighbours and fellow creatures. As
the Psalmist and his brother-pilgrims come near the
land of freedom, where no oppressive conquerors'
rule will bind them in common cause to one another,
he sings the beauty of peace and love and unity
among brethren.
Like all poetry written in the East, this Psalm is
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
stant struggle with our own faults, and that if we mote on
only try hard enough, we can--through the mercy P8<< cxx
of God--earn His full forgiveness (plenteous re-
demption). "For there is forgiveness with Thee
that Thou mayest be feared. " That is the watch-
word of courage and comfort for all who have done
wrong. Feel the fear of hope, but never despair;
pray for the merciful forgiveness of God, and "hope
in the Lord. "
trh rnf? yan n&
nrv-DH wm natf D^-rntti ato-ras nan
-IV -- j>> - V*V j<< t _ i - j-- ?
> - at t: - v t :i ji - t a" : -
full of imagery --that is, of description by comparison. mote on
An Eastern poet brings his thoughts before us, not CXXXIII
so much by speaking of the actual thing he is de-
scribing, as by speaking of some other thing that
suggests the special idea he wishes to bring to our
minds.
We do not use imagery, as Eastern people do, in
ordinary conversation, though we use it in poetry.
Shakespear, for instance, calls England "this
precious stone set in the silver sea. "
This Psalm is a poem full of imagery. The open-
CXXXIII. zbp
259
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
mote on ing words recall the words of Moses:--" Thou shalt
CXXXIII. ^ove neighbour as thyself. " The Psalmist
'speaks of the happiness of always being good friends,
and of never quarrelling. He does not describe love,
but he compares it, first to a fragrant ointment
softening and perfuming the hair and beard, flow-
ing down a beard so long that like the beard of
Aaron, the High Priest, it reaches to the very hem
of the long robe that men wore (and still wear)
in Eastern countries. So he brings before us the
thought of a sweet ointment,* softening everything
* Every one in the East uses ointment, as we use soap, to
cleanse and refresh themselves. The ointments used in the
East have a delicious and refreshing perfume,
PSALM CXXXIV.
a Song of Degrees.
Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the
Lord, which by night stand in the house of the
Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in holiness, and bless
the Lord.
3 The Lord that made heaven and earth bless
thee out of Zion.
mote on This evening hymn is the last of the Songs of
'XXXIV degrees. The long march is ended, and the pilgrims
'pour out a song of praise and thanks as they reach
the Temple. The third verse is the answering
blessing spoken by the priests of the Temple.
Every one of us, however young, or however
ignorant, may pour out our hearts in prayer to God.
For He is the all-merciful Father and King of us all.
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? THE CHILDREN'S PSALM-BOOK
it touches, iust as love sweetens all companion- mote on
shiP- CXXXIII
Then the Psalmist compares love to the dew, that
beneficent gift of God, showered on all nature.
First to the dew of Hermon, a beautiful mountain,
a landmark for miles round, in the country where
our forefathers lived. And finally he compares it
to the dew on the mountain of Zion, on which
stood the Holy Temple, where the Lord com-
manded the blessing, "even life for evermore. "
So the Psalmist ends with the thought that love,
like the dew, is the gift of God, and is the ever-
lasting mirror of His goodness in the human heart.
One of the great Rabbis said, " If thou canst not mote on
pray in the synagogue, pray in thy field; and if thou IPs.
canst not pray there, pray in thy house; and if CXXX1V
thou canst not pray there, pray in thy bed; and
if thou canst not pray there, pray in thy heart. "
Whenever and wherever we think of God, and
pray to God, we are " standing in the house of the
CXXXIV. -hp
Lord.
261
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