The trouble, deepening to the apprehension of death, though at the hands of enemies, felt now as divine displeasure. The plea is now for mercy alone, and it is heard.

To the chief musician, on stringed instruments, upon Sheminith. A psalm of David.

JEHOVAH, rebuke me not in Thine anger; neither chasten me in Thy wrath!

2. Be gracious to me, Jehovah, for I am wasting away; heal me, Jehovah, for my bones are vexed.

3. My soul is also sore vexed; and Thou, Jehovah, how long?

4. Return, Jehovah, deliver my soul:O save me for Thy mercy's sake!

5. For in death there is no remembrance of Thee:in hades, who shall give Thee thanks?

6. I am weary with my sighing; all the night make I my bed to swim:I make my couch to run down with my tears.

7. Mine eye is consumed with vexation; it is waxed old because of all that straiten me.

8. Depart from me, all ye workers of vanity; for Jehovah hath heard the voice of my weeping.

9. Jehovah hath heard my supplication; Jehovah receiveth my prayer.

10. All mine enemies shall be greatly ashamed and terrified:they shall return, they shall be ashamed in a moment.

Text.-(5) "Hades," in Hebrew, Sheol, the place of the departed spirit; never the grave, for which there is another word altogether. The key to the thought here is to be found, not in materialism, but in what death was to the Jew, as judgment under the divine hand. The subject is treated of at large in "Facts and Theories as to a Future State."

This psalm is the fourth of the series, a number which speaks of testing; the ten verses, of responsibility.