This Psalm also, verse 15, declares that the old worship of the law of Moses should be abrogated, and a new worship set up, which should consist in prayer and the giving of thanks. “Prayer shall be made unto him (saith he) continually, and daily shall he be praised.” For the sacrifice of praise and the preaching of the gospel, is the daily sacrifice, and the highest worship of the New Testament. Here you hear nothing of circumcision, or the law of Moses, as that which the nations should receive. It saith that the kings of nations and nations themselves shall endure and shall praise this king. Therefore, this king, Christ, is truly and properly God. For prayer is the worship of the first and greatest commandment, and is due to God alone; for he alone can deliver from death and every affliction. PSALM LXXIII. _The prophet, prevailing in a temptation, sheweth the occasion thereof, the prosperity of the wicked.—The wound given thereby, diffidence.—The victory over it, knowledge of God’s purpose, in destroying of the wicked, and sustaining the righteous._ A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God _is_ good to Israel, _even_ to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, _when_ I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For _there are_ no bands in their death; but their strength _is_ firm. They _are_ not in trouble _as other_ men; neither are they plagued like _other_ men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them _as_ a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly _concerning_ oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens; and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither; and waters of a full _cup_ are wrung out to them: And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these _are_ the ungodly who prosper in the world; they increase _in_ riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend _against_ the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it _was_ too painful for me, Until I went into the sanctuary of God; _then_ understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they _brought_ into desolation, as in a moment? they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when _one_ awaketh; _so_, O LORD, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish _was_ I and ignorant; I was _as_ a beast before thee. Nevertheless, I _am_ continually with thee; thou hast holden _me_ by my right hand.