avid was the penman of most of the psalms, but some
evidently were composed by other writers, and the writers of
some are doubtful. But all were written by the inspiration of
the Holy Ghost; and no part of the Old Testament is more
frequently quoted or referred to in the New. Every psalm either
points directly to Christ, in his person, his character, and
offices; or may lead the believer's thoughts to Him. And the
psalms are the language of the believer's heart, whether
mourning for sin, thirsting after God, or rejoicing in Him.
Whether burdened with affliction, struggling with temptation, or
triumphing in the hope or enjoyment of deliverance; whether
admiring the Divine perfections, thanking God for his mercies,
mediating on his truths, or delighting in his service; they form
a Divinely appointed standard of experience, by which we may
judge ourselves. Their value, in this view, is very great, and
the use of them will increase with the growth of the power of
true religion in the heart. By the psalmist's expressions, the
Spirit helps us to pray. If we make the psalms familiar to us,
whatever we have to ask at the throne of grace, by way of
confession, petition, or thanksgiving, we may be assisted from
thence. Whatever devout affection is working in us, holy desire
or hope, sorrow or joy, we may here find words to clothe it;
sound speech which cannot be condemned. In the language of this
Divine book, the prayers and praises of the church have been
offered up to the throne of grace from age to age.