Analysis Of The Hundred And Forty-Sixth Psalm The subject of this Psalms is the same with the former.

It is divided into four parts: ] I. An exhortation to praise God, ver. 1. Which the psalmist resolves to do, ver. 2.

II. A dehortation from confidence in man, ver. 3, 4.

III. He pronounces them happy who trust in God, ver. 5.

IV. And to persuade to this he uses every reason, ver. 6-10.

I. He begins with a dialogism.

1. "He speaks to all: "Praise ye the Lord." 2. Then by an apostrophe he turns to himself: "Praise the Lord, O my soul." 3. Andl his soul answers: "While I live," &c. While I am, while I shall be.

II. But the prophet, for fear men should trust too much in the great, and not rely wholly upon God, exhorts them: "Put not your trust in princes," &c.

He gives his reasons for the warning: ] 1. Because of their impotency: "There is no help in them," &c.

2. Because of their mortality: "Their breath goeth forth," &c.

III. If a man will be happy, the prophet shows him that he must rely upon God alone; for, 1. "Happy is he that hath," &c. Him in whom Jacob trusted.

2. "And whose hope," &c. Not in short-lived man.

And this he confirms by many reasons: - I. From his omnipotence: "He is God the Creator," &c.

II. From his veracity: "Who keeps truth for ever," &c. His word is passed for our protection, and he can and will keep it.

III. From his justice: "He executeth judgment," &c.

IV. From his mercy.

1. "He giveth food," &c. Relieves men in their necessities.

2. "The Lord looseth the prisoner." Another act of grace, again.

3. "The Lord openeth the eyes," &c. Whether spiritually or corporeally.

4. "The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down," &c. By sin or misery.

V. From his love: "The Lord loveth," &c. Of which the effects are: - 1. "The Lord preserveth," &c.

2. "He delivereth the fatherless," &c.