Describeth David's Joy, which is expressed in the 30th Psalm, at the bringing of the Ark, and Offering for the Temple, and Dedication of his House to God's Service: And it is a Preparative Hymn for the Devout, in their going up to the Places of Religion and Solemn Worship; con∣taining their Thanks, Praise, and Pleasure, in the return of the Comfort and Company, which they enjoyed in the public Adoration of God; and their Prayers for the longer continuance of such signal Blessings: Made by David (as it is thought) upon his return to Jeru∣salem, after his slight from Absalom; and solemnly sung by the Levites at their coming out of Captivity. Jerusalem in general (as the Temple more especially) being the Type of God's Church, both Militant and Triumphant, that is built with the precious Stones of the Apostles and Prophets, CHRIST himself being the Rock, Caput Anguli, & Caput Angelorum; to whom when many come, there is much Joy.
The Poem is Dramatick, (like the 118th Psalm) in which the King, Priest, and People, seem to bear their Parts of Rejoycing at the public Festi∣vals (which were thrice every Year to be solemnized at Jerusalem) accor∣ding to the Command of God; which occasioned the great Beautifying, Enlarging, and Fortifying of the City, intimated in the 2d, 3d, 6th, and 7th Verses; as well as the other reason of its Happiness and Amplitude, (from the Temple of God, and Throne of David) mentioned in the 1st, 5th, 8th, and 9th Verses: To which may be added this reason, because there was the great Senate of the LXXII. or Sanhedrim.
The King beginneth the Psalm in the 1st Verse, the Priests follow in the 2d, the People in the 3d, and they go on in the 4th. Then the King takes it again in the 5th, the Priests in the 6th, and the People go on in the 7th (as in a Procession, and good order): The Priests take it again in the 8th, and the the King concludes in the best, (though last place) with a fixt and pious Resolution.
This may properly be set for the 29th of May.