Hence, as these things were fully known, so we find most of the Psalms grievously complaining of the cruel malice of false prophets and hypocrites. And just in the same way, from the very beginning, hypocrites and false teachers have afflicted the true church of God; and the true saints in all ages found it necessary to cry unto God continually, against all such hypocrites and Cainish pretenders to saintship. All this is abundantly testified by the histories of the times of Elijah and king Ahab and Jezebel; when all the true prophets of the Lord were compelled to flee and to hide themselves, to escape the furious cruelty of these adversaries; all which histories might have been adduced as examples in this Psalm. And the recent times of the Arian heresy afford also a plain example of the same persecution and malice, when all the catholic bishops were compelled to flee; for Satan neither can nor will endure the pure word of God! PSALM CXLIII. _David prayeth for favour in judgment.—He complaineth of his griefs.—He strengtheneth his faith by meditation and prayer.—He prayeth for grace, for deliverance, for sanctification, for destruction of his enemies._ A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, _and_ in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground: he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that hath been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me: my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul _thirsteth_ after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O LORD; my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou _art_ my God: thy Spirit _is_ good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I _am_ thy servant.