CLELAND BOYD MCAFEE AUTHOR OF "The Greatest ENGLISH CLASSIC," Association Press NEW YORK: 124 EAST 28TH STREET 1916 The Bible Text used in this volume is taken from the American Standard CONTENTS CHAPTER I The Songs of a Thousand Years The book of the Psalms is the best known book in the Bible. That is because it is the most complete expression of human life in literature. It ranges all moods. No man can seek the expression of any mood without finding terms for it here. From the depths of despair he can cry for help; in rage at injustice, in the pain of betrayal by friends, in doubt of God's goodness, in assurance of his unfailing love, feeling himself wrong or wronged, seeing the world as going to ruin or seeing it as working out a plan of good, wanting inspiration to serve his fellowmen better or wanting refuge from their demands, fearing the future or hoping for it, in depression or in exultation-whatever mood any man cares to express is here. Calvin says: "All griefs, sorrows, fears, doubts, hopes, cares, and anxieties, in short all those tumultuous agitations wherewith the minds of men are wont to be tossed the Holy Spirit hath here represented to the life." It is a literature of insight. DAILY READINGS First Week, First Day Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy desire with good things, So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle. And judgments for all that are oppressed. -Psalm 103: 1-6. |