Prayer For All People
The Psalter
Book One
First Day: Morning Prayer
1
Beatus vir qui non abiit
- Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
- Their delight is in the law of the LORD, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.!
- They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.!
- It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.!
- Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.!
- For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.!
2
Quare fremuerunt gentes?
- Why are the nations in an uproar? *
Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?
- Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt,
and the princes plot together, *
against the LORD and against his Anointed?
- "Let us break their yoke," they say; *
"let us cast off their bonds from us."
- He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; *
the Lord has them in derision.
- Then he speaks to them in his wrath, *
and his rage fills them with terror.
- "I myself have set my king *
upon my holy hill of Zion."
- Let me announce the decree of the LORD: *
he said to me, "You are my Son;
this day have I begotten you.
- Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance *
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
- You shall crush them with an iron rod *
and shatter them like a piece of pottery."
- And now, you kings, be wise; *
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
- Submit to the LORD with fear, *
and with trembling bow before him;
- Lest he be angry and you perish; *
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
- Happy are they all *
who take refuge in him!
3
Domine, quid multiplicati
- LORD, how many adversaries I have! *
how many there are who rise up against me!
- How many there are who say of me, *
"There is no help for him in his God."
- But you, O LORD, are a shield about me; *
you are my glory, the one who lifts up my head.
- I call aloud upon the LORD, *
and he answers me from his holy hill;
- I lie down and go to sleep; *
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
- I do not fear the multitudes of people *
who set themselves against me all around.
- Rise up, O LORD; set me free, O my God; *
surely, you will strike all my enemies across the face,
you will break the teeth of the wicked.
- Deliverance belongs to the LORD. *
Your blessing be upon your people!
4
Cum invocarem
- Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
- "You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols
and run after false gods?"
- Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.
- Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
- Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the LORD.
- Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!" *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.
- You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
- I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
5
Verba mea auribus
- Give ear to my words, O LORD; *
consider my meditation.
- Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, *
for I make my prayer to you.
- In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; *
early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.
- For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, *
and evil cannot dwell with you.
- Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; *
you hate all those who work wickedness.
- You destroy those who speak lies; *
the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O LORD, you abhor.
- But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; *
I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.
- Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness,
because of those who lie in wait for me; *
make your way straight before me.
- For there is no truth in their mouth; *
there is destruction in their heart;
- Their throat is an open grave; *
they flatter with their tongue.
- Declare them guilty, O God; *
let them fall, because of their schemes.
- Because of their many transgressions cast them out, *
for they have rebelled against you.
- But all who take refuge in you will be glad; *
they will sing out their joy for ever.
- You will shelter them, *
so that those who love your Name may exult in you.
- For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous; *
you will defend them with your favor as with a shield.
First Day: Evening Prayer
6
Domine, ne in furore
- LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; *
do not punish me in your wrath.
- Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak; *
heal me, LORD, for my bones are racked.
- My spirit shakes with terror; *
how long, O LORD, how long?
- Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; *
save me for your mercy's sake.
- For in death no one remembers you; *
and who will give you thanks in the grave?
- I grow weary because of my groaning; *
every night I drench my bed
and flood my couch with tears.
- My eyes are wasted with grief *
and worn away because of all my enemies.
- Depart from me, all evildoers, *
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
- The LORD has heard my supplication; *
the LORD accepts my prayer.
- All my enemies shall be confounded and quake with fear; *
they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
7
Domine, Deus meus
- O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; *
save and deliver me from all who pursue me;
- Lest like a lion they tear me in pieces *
and snatch me away with none to deliver me.
- O LORD my God, if I have done these things: *
if there is any wickedness in my hands,
- If I have repaid my friend with evil, *
or plundered him who without cause is my enemy;
- Then let my enemy pursue and overtake me, *
trample my life into the ground,
and lay my honor in the dust.
- Stand up, O LORD, in your wrath; *
rise up against the fury of my enemies.
- Awake, O my God, decree justice; *
let the assembly of the peoples gather round you.
- Be seated on your lofty throne, O Most High; *
O LORD, judge the nations.
- Give judgment for me according to my righteousness, O LORD, *
and according to my innocence, O Most High.
- Let the malice of the wicked come to an end,
but establish the righteous; *
for you test the mind and heart, O righteous God.
- God is my shield and defense; *
he is the savior of the true in heart.
- God is a righteous judge; *
God sits in judgment every day.
- If they will not repent, God will whet his sword; *
he will bend his bow and make it ready.
- He has prepared his weapons of death; *
he makes his arrows shafts of fire.
- Look at those who are in labor with wickedness, *
who conceive evil, and give birth to a lie.
- They dig a pit and make it deep *
and fall into the hole that they have made.
- Their malice turns back upon their own head; *
their violence falls on their own scalp.
- I will bear witness that the LORD is righteous; *
I will praise the Name of the LORD Most High.
8
Domine, Dominus noster
- O LORD our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
- Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
- You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
- When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
- What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
- You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;
- You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:
- All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
- The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
- O LORD our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
Second Day: Morning Prayer
9
Confitebor tibi
- I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
I will tell of all your marvelous works.
- I will be glad and rejoice in you; *
I will sing to your Name, O Most High.
- When my enemies are driven back, *
they will stumble and perish at your presence.
- For you have maintained my right and my cause; *
you sit upon your throne judging right.
- You have rebuked the ungodly and destroyed the wicked; *
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
- As for the enemy, they are finished, in perpetual ruin, *
their cities plowed under, the memory of them perished;
- But the LORD is enthroned for ever; *
he has set up his throne for judgment.
- It is he who rules the world with righteousness; *
he judges the peoples with equity.
- The LORD will be a refuge for the oppressed, *
a refuge in time of trouble.
- Those who know your Name will put their trust in you, *
for you never forsake those who seek you, O LORD.
- Sing praise to the LORD who dwells in Zion; *
proclaim to the peoples the things he has done.
- The Avenger of blood will remember them; *
he will not forget the cry of the afflicted.
- Have pity on me, O LORD; *
see the misery I suffer from those who hate me,
O you who lift me up from the gate of death;
- So that I may tell of all your praises
and rejoice in your salvation *
in the gates of the city of Zion.
- The ungodly have fallen into the pit they dug, *
and in the snare they set is their own foot caught.
- The LORD is known by his acts of justice; *
the wicked are trapped in the works of their own hands.
- The wicked shall be given over to the grave, *
and also all the peoples that forget God.
- For the needy shall not always be forgotten, *
and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever.
- Rise up, O LORD, let not the ungodly have the upper hand; *
let them be judged before you.
- Put fear upon them, O LORD; *
let the ungodly know they are but mortal.
10
Ut quid, Domine?
- Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, *
and hide yourself in time of trouble?
- The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, *
but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
- The wicked boast of their heart's desire; *
the covetous curse and revile the LORD.
- The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; *
their only thought is, "God does not matter."
- Their ways are devious at all times;
your judgments are far above out of their sight; *
they defy all their enemies.
- They say in their heart," I shall not be shaken; *
no harm shall happen to me ever."
- Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; *
under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
- They lurk in ambush in public squares
and in secret places they murder the innocent; *
they spy out the helpless.
- They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert;
they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; *
they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.
- The innocent are broken and humbled before them; *
the helpless fall before their power.
- They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; *
he hides his face; he will never notice."
- Rise up, O LORD;
lift up your hand, O God; *
do not forget the afflicted.
- Why should the wicked revile God? *
why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?
- Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *
you see it and take it into your own hand.
- The helpless commit themselves to you, *
for you are the helper of orphans.
- Break the power of the wicked and evil; *
search out their wickedness until you find none.
- The LORD is King for ever and ever; *
the ungodly shall perish from his land.
- The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; *
you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
- To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, *
so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.
11
In Domino confido
- In the LORD have I taken refuge; *
how then can you say to me,
"Fly away like a bird to the hilltop;
- For see how the wicked bend the bow
and fit their arrows to the string, *
to shoot from ambush at the true of heart.
- When the foundations are being destroyed, *
what can the righteous do?"
- The LORD is in his holy temple; *
the LORD'S throne is in heaven.
- His eyes behold the inhabited world; *
his piercing eye weighs our worth.
- The LORD weighs the righteous as well as the wicked, *
but those who delight in violence he abhors.
- Upon the wicked he shall rain coals of fire and
burning sulphur; *
a scorching wind shall be their lot.
- For the LORD is righteous;
he delights in righteous deeds; *
and the just shall see his face.
Second Day: Evening Prayer
12
Salvum me fac
- Help me, LORD, for there is no godly one left; *
the faithful have vanished from among us.
- Everyone speaks falsely with his neighbor; *
with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
- Oh, that the LORD would cut off all smooth tongues, *
and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
- Those who say, "With our tongue will we prevail; *
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?"
- "Because the needy are oppressed,
and the poor cry out in misery, *
I will rise up," says the LORD,
"and give them the help they long for."
- The words of the LORD are pure words, *
like silver refined from ore
and purified seven times in the fire.
- O LORD, watch over us *
and save us from this generation for ever.
- The wicked prowl on every side, *
and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.
13
Usquequo, Domine?
- How long, O LORD?
will you forget me for ever? *
how long will you hide your face from me?
- How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day? *
how long shall my enemy triumph over me?
- Look upon me and answer me, O LORD my God; *
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
- Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," *
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
- But I put my trust in your mercy; *
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
- I will sing to the LORD, for he has dealt with me richly; *
I will praise the Name of the Lord Most High.
14
Dixit insipiens
- The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.
- The LORD looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is one who seeks after God.
- Every one has proved faithless;
all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.
- Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *
who eat up my people like bread
and do not call upon the LORD?
- See how they tremble with fear, *
because God is in the company of the righteous.
- Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *
but the LORD is their refuge.
- Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! *
when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.
Third Day: Morning Prayer
15
Domine, quis habitabit?
- LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
who may abide upon your holy hill?
- Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
who speaks the truth from his heart.
- There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
- In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
but he honors those who fear the LORD.
- He has sworn to do no wrong *
and does not take back his word.
- He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
- Whoever does these things *
shall never be overthrown.
16
Conserva me, Domine
- Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
I have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
- All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.
- But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.
- Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
- O LORD, you are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.
- My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
- I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
- I have set the LORD always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
- My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.
- For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
- You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
17
Exaudi, Domine
- Hear my plea of innocence, O LORD;
give heed to my cry; *
listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.
- Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
let your eyes be fixed on justice.
- Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
- I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *
I have heeded the words of your lips.
- My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
- I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
incline your ear to me and hear my words.
- Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *
O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand
from those who rise up against them.
- Keep me as the apple of your eye; *
hide me under the shadow of your wings,
- From the wicked who assault me, *
from my deadly enemies who surround me.
- They have closed their heart to pity, *
and their mouth speaks proud things.
- They press me hard,
now they surround me, *
watching how they may cast me to the ground,
- Like a lion, greedy for its prey,
and like a young lion lurking in secret places.
- Arise, O LORD; confront them and bring them down; *
deliver me from the wicked by your sword.
- Deliver me, O LORD, by your hand *
from those whose portion in life is this world;
- Whose bellies you fill with your treasure, *
who are well supplied with children
and leave their wealth to their little ones.
- But at my vindication I shall see your face; *
when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding
your likeness.
Third Day: Evening Prayer
18
Part I Diligam te, Domine
- I love you, O LORD my strength, *
O LORD my stronghold, my crag, and my haven.
- My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, *
my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge;
you are worthy of praise.
- I will call upon the LORD, *
and so shall I be saved from my enemies.
- The breakers of death rolled over me, *
and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid.
- The cords of hell entangled me, *
and the snares of death were set for me.
- I called upon the LORD in my distress *
and cried out to my God for help.
- He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling; *
my cry of anguish came to his ears.
- The earth reeled and rocked; *
the roots of the mountains shook;
they reeled because of his anger.
- Smoke rose from his nostrils
and a consuming fire out of his mouth; *
hot burning coals blazed forth from him.
- He parted the heavens and came down *
with a storm cloud under his feet.
- I He mounted on cherubim and flew; *
he swooped on the wings of the wind.
- He wrapped darkness about him; *
he made dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion.
- From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds, *
burst hailstones and coals of fire.
- The LORD thundered out of heaven; *
the Most High uttered his voice.
- He loosed his arrows and scattered them; *
he hurled thunderbolts and routed them.
- The beds of the seas were uncovered,
and the foundations of the world laid bare, *
at your battle cry, O LORD,
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
- He reached down from on high and grasped me; *
he drew me out of great waters.
- He delivered me from my strong enemies
and from those who hated me; *
for they were too mighty for me.
- They confronted me in the day of my disaster; *
but the LORD was my support.
- He brought me out into an open place; *
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18: Part II Et retribuet mihi
- The LORD rewarded me because of my righteous dealing; *
because my hands were clean he rewarded me;
- For I have kept the ways of the LORD *
and have not offended against my God;
- For all his judgments are before my eyes, *
and his decrees I have not put away from me;
- For I have been blameless with him *
and have kept myself from iniquity;
- Therefore the LORD rewarded me according to my righteous dealing, *
because of the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
- With the faithful you show yourself faithful, O God; *
with the forthright you show yourself forthright.
- With the pure you show yourself pure, *
but with the crooked you are wily.
- You will save a lowly people, *
but you will humble the haughty eyes.
- You, O LORD, are my lamp; *
my God, you make my darkness bright.
- With you I will break down an enclosure; *
with the help of my God I will scale any wall.
- As for God, his ways are perfect;
the words of the LORD are tried in the fire; *
he is a shield to all who trust in him.
- For who is God, but the LORD? *
who is the Rock, except our God?
- It is God who girds me about with strength *
and makes my way secure.
- He makes me sure-footed like a deer *
and lets me stand firm on the heights.
- He trains my hands for battle *
and my arms for bending even a bow of bronze.
- You have given me your shield of victory; *
your right hand also sustains me;
your loving care makes me great.
- You lengthen my stride beneath me, *
and my ankles do not give way.
- I pursue my enemies and overtake them; *
I will not turn back till I have destroyed them.
- I strike them down, and they cannot rise; *
they fall defeated at my feet.
- You have girded me with strength for the battle; *
you have cast down my adversaries beneath me;
you have put my enemies to flight.
- I destroy those who hate me;
they cry out, but there is none to help them; *
they cry to the LORD, but he does not answer.
- I beat them small like dust before the wind; *
I trample them like mud in the streets.
- You deliver me from the strife of the peoples; *
you put me at the head of the nations.
- A people I have not known shall serve me;
no sooner shall they hear than they shall obey me; *
strangers will cringe before me.
- The foreign peoples will lose heart; *
they shall come trembling out of their strongholds.
- The LORD lives! Blessed is my Rock! *
Exalted is the God of my salvation!
- He is the God who gave me victory *
and cast down the peoples beneath me.
- You rescued me from the fury of my enemies;
you exalted me above those who rose against me; *
you saved me from my deadly foe.
- Therefore will I extol you among the nations, O LORD, *
and sing praises to your Name.
- He multiplies the victories of his king; *
he shows loving-kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants for ever.
Fourth Day: Morning Prayer
19
Caeli enarrant
- The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
- One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
- Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
- Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
- In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
- It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
- The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
- The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
- The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
- More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
- By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
- Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
- Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
- Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.
20
Exaudiat te Dominus
- May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble, *
the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;
- Send you help from his holy place *
and strengthen you out of Zion;
- Remember all your offerings *
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
- Grant you your heart's desire *
and prosper all your plans.
- We will shout for joy at your victory
and triumph in the Name of our God; *
may the LORD grant all your requests.
- Now I know that the LORD gives victory to his anointed; *
he will answer him out of his holy heaven,
with the victorious strength of his right hand.
- Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *
but we will call upon the Name of the LORD our God.
- They collapse and fall down, *
but we will arise and stand upright.
- O LORD, give victory to the king *
and answer us when we call.
21
Domine, in virtute tua
- The king rejoices in your strength, O LORD; *
how greatly he exults in your victory!
- You have given him his heart's desire; *
you have not denied him the request of his lips.
- For you meet him with blessings of prosperity, *
and set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
- He asked you for life, and you gave it to him: *
length of days, for ever and ever.
- His honor is great, because of your victory; *
splendor and majesty have you bestowed upon him.
- For you will give him everlasting felicity *
and will make him glad with the joy of your presence.
- For the king puts his trust in the LORD; *
because of the loving-kindness of the Most High, he
will not fall.
- Your hand will lay hold upon all your enemies; *
your right hand will seize all those who hate you.
- You will make them like a fiery furnace *
at the time of your appearing, O LORD;
- You will swallow them up in your wrath, *
and fire shall consume them.
- You will destroy their offspring from the land *
and their descendants from among the peoples of the earth.
- Though they intend evil against you
and devise wicked schemes, *
yet they shall not prevail.
- For you will put them to flight *
and aim your arrows at them.
- Be exalted, O LORD, in your might; *
we will sing and praise your power.
Fourth Day: Evening Prayer
22
Deus, Deus meus
- My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *
and are so far from my cry
and from the words of my distress?
- O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *
by night as well, but I find no rest.
- Yet you are the Holy One, *
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
- Our forefathers put their trust in you; *
they trusted, and you delivered them.
- They cried out to you and were delivered; *
they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
- But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *
scorned by all and despised by the people.
- All who see me laugh me to scorn; *
they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
- "He trusted in the LORD; let him deliver him; *
let him rescue him, if he delights in him."
- Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *
and kept me safe upon my mother's breast.
- I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *
you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb.
- Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *
and there is none to help.
- Many young bulls encircle me; *
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
- They open wide their jaws at me, *
like a ravening and a roaring lion.
- I am poured out like water;
all my bones are out of joint; *
my heart within my breast is melting wax.
- My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd;
my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *
and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
- Packs of dogs close me in,
and gangs of evildoers circle around me; *
they pierce my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
- They stare and gloat over me; *
they divide my garments among them;
they cast lots for my clothing.
- Be not far away, O LORD; *
you are my strength; hasten to help me.
- Save me from the sword, *
my life from the power of the dog.
- Save me from the lion's mouth, *
my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.
- I will declare your Name to my brethren; *
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.
- Praise the LORD, you that fear him; *
stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel;
all you of Jacob's line, give glory.
- For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;
neither does he hide his face from them; *
but when they cry to him he hears them.
- My praise is of him in the great assembly; *
I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him.
- The poor shall eat and be satisfied,
and those who seek the LORD shall praise him: *
"May your heart live for ever!"
- All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, *
and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.
- For kingship belongs to the LORD; *
he rules over the nations.
- To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; *
all who go down to the dust fall before him.
- My soul shall live for him;
my descendants shall serve him; *
they shall be known as the LORD'S for ever.
- They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn *
the saving deeds that he has done.
23
Dominus regit me
- The LORD is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
- He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
- He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
- Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
- You spread a table before me in the presence of those
who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
- Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Fifth Day: Morning Prayer
24
Domini est terra
- The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, *
the world and all who dwell therein.
- For it is he who founded it upon the seas *
and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
- Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? *
and who can stand in his holy place?
- "Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn by what is a fraud.
- They shall receive a blessing from the LORD *
and a just reward from the God of their salvation."
- Such is the generation of those who seek him, *
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
- Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
and the King of glory shall come in.
- "Who is this King of glory?" *
"The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle."
- Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
and the King of glory shall come in.
- "Who is he, this King of glory?" *
"The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory."
25
Ad te, Domine, levavi
- To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
- Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
- Show me your ways, O LORD, *
and teach me your paths.
- Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
- Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
- Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.
- Gracious and upright is the LORD; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
- He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
- All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
- For your Name's sake, O LORD, *
forgive my sin, for it is great.
- Who are they who fear the LORD? *
he will teach them the way that they should choose.
- They shall dwell in prosperity, *
and their offspring shall inherit the land.
- The LORD is a friend to those who fear him *
and will show them his covenant.
- My eyes are ever looking to the LORD, *
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
- Turn to me and have pity on me, *
for I am left alone and in misery.
- The sorrows of my heart have increased; *
bring me out of my troubles.
- Look upon my adversity and misery *
and forgive me all my sin.
- Look upon my enemies, for they are many, *
and they bear a violent hatred against me.
- Protect my life and deliver me; *
let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you.
- Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, *
for my hope has been in you.
- Deliver Israel, O God, *
out of all his troubles.
26
Judica me, Domine
- Give judgment for me, O LORD,
for I have lived with integrity; *
I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
- Test me, O LORD, and try me; *
examine my heart and my mind.
- For your love is before my eyes; *
I have walked faithfully with you.
- I have not sat with the worthless, *
nor do I consort with the deceitful.
- I have hated the company of evildoers; *
I will not sit down with the wicked.
- I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD, *
that I may go in procession round your altar,
- Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving *
and recounting all your wonderful deeds.
- LORD, I love the house in which you dwell *
and the place where your glory abides.
- Do not sweep me away with sinners, *
nor my life with those who thirst for blood,
- Whose hands are full of evil plots, *
and their right hand full of bribes.
- As for me, I will live with integrity; *
redeem me, O LORD, and have pity on me.
- My foot stands on level ground; *
in the full assembly I will bless the LORD.
Fifth Day: Evening Prayer
27
Dominus illuminatio
- The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
- When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who
stumbled and fell.
- Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
- And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in him.
- One thing have I asked of the LORD;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days
of my life;
- To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
and to seek him in his temple.
- For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe
in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
- Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
- Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
- Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
- You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
Your face, LORD, will I seek.
- Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
- You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
- Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the LORD will sustain me.
- Show me your way, O LORD; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
- Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
- What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the LORD *
in the land of the living!
- O tarry and await the LORD'S pleasure;
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the LORD.
28
Ad te, Domine
- O LORD, I call to you;
my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; *
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.
- Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, *
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
- Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, *
who speak peaceably with their neighbors,
while strife is in their hearts.
- Repay them according to their deeds, *
and according to the wickedness of their actions.
- According to the work of their hands repay them, *
and give them their just deserts.
- They have no understanding of the LORD'S doings,
nor of the works of his hands; *
therefore he will break them down and not
build them up.
- Blessed is the LORD! *
for he has heard the voice of my prayer.
- The LORD is my strength and my shield; *
my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped;
- Therefore my heart dances for joy, *
and in my song will I praise him.
- The LORD is the strength of his people, *
a safe refuge for his anointed.
- Save your people and bless your inheritance; *
shepherd them and carry them for ever.
29
Afferte Domino
- Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, *
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
- Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; *
worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
- The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the LORD is upon the mighty waters.
- The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.
- The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; *
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
- He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
- The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; *
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
- The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.
- And in the temple of the LORD *
all are crying, "Glory!"
- The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; *
the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.
- The LORD shall give strength to his people; *
the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Sixth Day: Morning Prayer
30
Exaltabo te, Domine
- I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
- O LORD my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
- You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
- Sing to the LORD, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
- For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
- Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
- While I felt secure, I said,
"I shall never be disturbed. *
You, LORD, with your favor, made me as strong as
the mountains."
- Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
- I cried to you, O LORD; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
- "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
- Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; *
O LORD, be my helper."
- You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
- Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
31
In te, Domine, speravi
- In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
- Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
- Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
- Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
- Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O LORD, O God of truth.
- I hate those who cling to worthless idols, *
and I put my trust in the LORD.
- I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; *
for you have seen my affliction;
you know my distress.
- You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; *
you have set my feet in an open place.
- Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
- For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
- I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
- I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
- For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
- But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
I have said, "You are my God.
- My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
- Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."
- LORD, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; *
rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.
- Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against
the righteous, *
haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.
- How great is your goodness, O LORD!
which you have laid up for those who fear you; *
which you have done in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.
- You hide them in the covert of your presence from those
who slander them; *
you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
- Blessed be the LORD! *
for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a
besieged city.
- Yet I said in my alarm,
"I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes." *
Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty
when I cried out to you.
- Love the LORD, all you who worship him; *
the LORD protects the faithful,
but repays to the full those who act haughtily.
- Be strong and let your heart take courage, *
all you who wait for the LORD.
Sixth Day: Evening Prayer
32
Beati quorum
- Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
- Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
- While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
- For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
- Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
- I said," I will confess my transgressions to the LORD." *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
- Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in
time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
- You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you
should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
- Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you."
- Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.
- Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the LORD; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
33
Exultate, justi
- Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; *
it is good for the just to sing praises.
- Praise the LORD with the harp; *
play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
- Sing for him a new song; *
sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
- For the word of the LORD is right, *
and all his works are sure.
- He loves righteousness and justice; *
the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.
- By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, *
by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.
- He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *
and stores up the depths of the sea.
- Let all the earth fear the LORD; *
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.
- For he spoke, and it came to pass; *
he commanded, and it stood fast.
- The LORD brings the will of the nations to naught; *
he thwarts the designs of the peoples.
- But the LORD'S will stands fast for ever, *
and the designs of his heart from age to age.
- Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! *
happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
- The LORD looks down from heaven, *
and beholds all the people in the world.
- From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *
on all who dwell on the earth.
- He fashions all the hearts of them *
and understands all their works.
- There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army;
a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.
- The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *
for all its strength it cannot save.
- Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, *
on those who wait upon his love,
- To pluck their lives from death, *
and to feed them in time of famine.
- Our soul waits for the LORD; *
he is our help and our shield.
- Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *
for in his holy Name we put our trust.
- Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, *
as we have put our trust in you.
34
Benedicam Dominum
- I will bless the LORD at all times; *
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
- I will glory in the LORD; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.
- Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD; *
let us exalt his Name together.
- I sought the LORD, and he answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.
- Look upon him and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.
- I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.
- The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.
- Taste and see that the LORD is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!
- Fear the LORD, you that are his saints, *
for those who fear him lack nothing.
- The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.
- Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
- Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
- Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.
- Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.
- The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, *
and his ears are open to their cry.
- The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, *
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
- The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them *
and delivers them from all their troubles.
- The LORD is near to the brokenhearted *
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
- Many are the troubles of the righteous, *
but the LORD will deliver him out of them all.
- He will keep safe all his bones; *
not one of them shall be broken.
- Evil shall slay the wicked, *
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
- The LORD ransoms the life of his servants, *
and none will be punished who trust in him.
Seventh Day: Morning Prayer
35
Judica, Domine
- Fight those who fight me, O LORD; *
attack those who are attacking me.
- Take up shield and armor *
and rise up to help me.
- Draw the sword and bar the way against those
who pursue me; *
say to my soul," I am your salvation."
- Let those who seek after my life be shamed and humbled, *
let those who plot my ruin fall back and be dismayed.
- Let them be like chaff before the wind, *
and let the angel of the LORD drive them away.
- Let their way be dark and slippery, *
and let the angel of the LORD pursue them.
- For they have secretly spread a net for me without a cause; *
without a cause they have dug a pit to take me alive.
- Let ruin come upon them unawares; *
let them be caught in the net they hid;
let them fall into the pit they dug.
- Then I will be joyful in the LORD; *
I will glory in his victory.
- My very bones will say, "LORD, who is like you? *
You deliver the poor from those who are too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them."
- Malicious witnesses rise up against me; *
they charge me with matters I know nothing about.
- They pay me evil in exchange for good; *
my soul is full of despair.
- But when they were sick I dressed in sack-cloth *
and humbled myself by fasting;
- I prayed with my whole heart,
as one would for a friend or a brother; *
I behaved like one who mourns for his mother,
bowed down and grieving.
- But when I stumbled, they were glad and gathered together;
they gathered against me; *
strangers whom I did not know tore me to pieces and
would not stop.
- They put me to the test and mocked me; *
they gnashed at me with their teeth.
- O Lord, how long will you look on? *
rescue me from the roaring beasts,
and my life from the young lions.
- I will give you thanks in the great congregation; *
I will praise you in the mighty throng.
- Do not let my treacherous foes rejoice over me, *
nor let those who hate me without a cause
wink at each other.
- For they do not plan for peace, *
but invent deceitful schemes against the
quiet in the land.
- They opened their mouths at me and said, *
"Aha! we saw it with our own eyes."
- You saw it, O LORD; do not be silent; *
O Lord, be not far from me.
- Awake, arise, to my cause! *
to my defense, my God and my Lord!
- Give me justice, O LORD my God,
according to your righteousness; *
do not let them triumph over me.
- Do not let them say in their hearts,
"Aha! just what we want!" *
Do not let them say, "We have swallowed him up."
- Let all who rejoice at my ruin be ashamed and disgraced; *
let those who boast against me be clothed with
dismay and shame.
- Let those who favor my cause sing out with joy and be glad; *
let them say always, "Great is the LORD,
who desires the prosperity of his servant."
- And my tongue shall be talking of your righteousness *
and of your praise all the day long.
36
Dixit injustus
- There is a voice of rebellion deep in the heart of the wicked; *
there is no fear of God before his eyes.
- He flatters himself in his own eyes *
that his hateful sin will not be found out.
- The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful, *
he has left off acting wisely and doing good.
- He thinks up wickedness upon his bed
and has set himself in no good way; *
he does not abhor that which is evil.
- Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
- Your righteousness is like the strong mountains,
your justice like the great deep; *
you save both man and beast, O LORD.
- How priceless is your love, O God! *
your people take refuge under the
shadow of your wings.
- They feast upon the abundance of your house; *
you give them drink from the river of your delights.
- For with you is the well of life, *
and in your light we see light.
- Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *
and your favor to those who are true of heart.
- Let not the foot of the proud come near me, *
nor the hand of the wicked push me aside.
- See how they are fallen, those who work wickedness! *
they are cast down and shall not be able to rise.
Seventh Day: Evening Prayer
37
Part I Noli aemulari
- Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; *
do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
- For they shall soon wither like the grass, *
and like the green grass fade away.
- Put your trust in the LORD and do good; *
dwell in the land and feed on its riches.
- Take delight in the LORD, *
and he shall give you your heart's desire.
- Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him, *
and he will bring it to pass.
- He will make your righteousness as clear as the light *
and your just dealing as the noonday.
- Be still before the LORD *
and wait patiently for him.
- Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, *
the one who succeeds in evil schemes.
- Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; *
do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.
- For evildoers shall be cut off, *
but those who wait upon the LORD shall possess the land.
- In a little while the wicked shall be no more; *
you shall search out their place, but they will not be there.
- But the lowly shall possess the land; *
they will delight in abundance of peace.
- The wicked plot against the righteous *
and gnash at them with their teeth.
- The Lord laughs at the wicked, *
because he sees that their day will come.
- The wicked draw their sword and bend their bow
to strike down the poor and needy, *
to slaughter those who are upright in their ways.
- Their sword shall go through their own heart, *
and their bow shall be broken.
- The little that the righteous has *
is better than great riches of the wicked.
- For the power of the wicked shall be broken, *
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
Psalm 37: Part II Novit Dominus
- The LORD cares for the lives of the godly, *
and their inheritance shall last for ever.
- They shall not be ashamed in bad times, *
and in days of famine they shall have enough.
- As for the wicked, they shall perish, *
and the enemies of the LORD, like the glory of
the meadows, shall vanish;
they shall vanish like smoke.
- The wicked borrow and do not repay, *
but the righteous are generous in giving.
- Those who are blessed by God shall possess the land, *
but those who are cursed by him shall be destroyed.
- Our steps are directed by the LORD; *
he strengthens those in whose way he delights.
- If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong, *
for the LORD holds them by the hand.
- I have been young and now I am old, *
but never have I seen the righteous forsaken,
or their children begging bread.
- The righteous are always generous in their lending, *
and their children shall be a blessing.
- Turn from evil, and do good, *
and dwell in the land for ever.
- For the LORD loves justice; *
he does not forsake his faithful ones.
- They shall be kept safe for ever, *
but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed.
- The righteous shall possess the land *
and dwell in it for ever.
- The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, *
and their tongue speaks what is right.
- The law of their God is in their heart, *
and their footsteps shall not falter.
- The wicked spy on the righteous *
and seek occasion to kill them.
- The LORD will not abandon them to their hand, *
nor let them be found guilty when brought to trial.
- Wait upon the LORD and keep his way; *
he will raise you up to possess the land,
and when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
- I have seen the wicked in their arrogance, *
flourishing like a tree in full leaf.
- I went by, and behold, they were not there; *
I searched for them, but they could not be found.
- Mark those who are honest;
observe the upright; *
for there is a future for the peaceable.
- Transgressors shall be destroyed, one and all; *
the future of the wicked is cut off.
- But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the LORD; *
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
- The LORD will help them and rescue them; *
he will rescue them from the wicked and deliver them,
because they seek refuge in him.
Eighth Day: Morning Prayer
38
Domine, ne in furore
- O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; *
do not punish me in your wrath.
- For your arrows have already pierced me, *
and your hand presses hard upon me.
- There is no health in my flesh,
because of your indignation; *
there is no soundness in my body, because of my sin.
- For my iniquities overwhelm me; *
like a heavy burden they are too much for me to bear.
- My wounds stink and fester *
by reason of my foolishness.
- I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; *
I go about in mourning all the day long.
- My loins are filled with searing pain; *
there is no health in my body.
- I am utterly numb and crushed; *
I wail, because of the groaning of my heart.
- O Lord, you know all my desires, *
and my sighing is not hidden from you.
- My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me, *
and the brightness of my eyes is gone from me.
- My friends and companions draw back from my affliction; *
my neighbors stand afar off.
- Those who seek after my life lay snares for me; *
those who strive to hurt me speak of my ruin
and plot treachery all the day long.
- But I am like the deaf who do not hear, *
like those who are mute and do not open their mouth.
- I have become like one who does not hear *
and from whose mouth comes no defense.
- For in you, O LORD, have I fixed my hope; *
you will answer me, O Lord my God.
- For I said, "Do not let them rejoice at my expense, *
those who gloat over me when my foot slips."
- Truly, I am on the verge of falling, *
and my pain is always with me.
- I will confess my iniquity *
and be sorry for my sin.
- Those who are my enemies without cause are mighty, *
and many in number are those who wrongfully hate me.
- Those who repay evil for good slander me, *
because I follow the course that is right.
- O LORD, do not forsake me; *
be not far from me, O my God.
- Make haste to help me, *
O Lord of my salvation.
39
Dixi, Custodiam
- I said, "I will keep watch upon my ways, *
so that I do not offend with my tongue.
- I will put a muzzle on my mouth *
while the wicked are in my presence."
- So I held my tongue and said nothing; *
I refrained from rash words;
but my pain became unbearable.
- My heart was hot within me;
while I pondered, the fire burst into flame; *
I spoke out with my tongue:
- LORD, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
so that I may know how short my life is.
- You have given me a mere handful of days,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; *
truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.
- We walk about like a shadow,
and in vain we are in turmoil; *
we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.
- And now, what is my hope? *
O Lord, my hope is in you.
- Deliver me from all my transgressions *
and do not make me the taunt of the fool.
- I fell silent and did not open my mouth, *
for surely it was you that did it.
- Take your affliction from me; *
I am worn down by the blows of your hand.
- With rebukes for sin you punish us;
like a moth you eat away all that is dear to us; *
truly, everyone is but a puff of wind.
- Hear my prayer, O LORD,
and give ear to my cry; *
hold not your peace at my tears.
- For I am but a sojourner with you, *
a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.
- Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again, *
before I go my way and am no more.
40
Expectans, expectavi
- I waited patiently upon the LORD; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
- He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
- He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe,
and put their trust in the LORD.
- Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
- Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
how great your wonders and your plans for us! *
there is none who can be compared with you.
- Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *
but they are more than I can count.
- In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
- Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *
and so I said, "Behold, I come.
- In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *
'I love to do your will, O my God;
your law is deep in my heart."'
- I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips;
and that, O LORD, you know.
- Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the
great congregation.
- You are the LORD;
do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
- For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *
they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
- Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
- Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; *
let them draw back and be disgraced
who take pleasure in my misfortune.
- Let those who say "Aha!" and gloat over me be confounded,
because they are ashamed.
- Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *
let those who love your salvation continually say,
"Great is the LORD!"
- Though I am poor and afflicted, *
the Lord will have regard for me.
- You are my helper and my deliverer; *
do not tarry, O my God.
Eighth Day: Evening Prayer
41
Beatus qui intelligit
- Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! *
the LORD will deliver them in the time of trouble.
- The LORD preserves them and keeps them alive,
so that they may be happy in the land; *
he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
- The LORD sustains them on their sickbed *
and ministers to them in their illness.
- I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; *
heal me, for I have sinned against you."
- My enemies are saying wicked things about me: *
"When will he die, and his name perish?"
- Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words; *
their heart collects false rumors;
they go outside and spread them.
- All my enemies whisper together about me *
and devise evil against me.
- "A deadly thing," they say, "has fastened on him; *
he has taken to his bed and will never get up again."
- Even my best friend, whom I trusted,
who broke bread with me, *
has lifted up his heel and turned against me.
- But you, O LORD, be merciful to me and raise me up, *
and I shall repay them.
- By this I know you are pleased with me, *
that my enemy does not triumph over me.
- In my integrity you hold me fast, *
and shall set me before your face for ever.
- Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, *
from age to age. Amen. Amen.
Book Two
42
Quemadmodum
- As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *
so longs my soul for you, O God.
- My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
- My tears have been my food day and night, *
while all day long they say to me,
"Where now is your God?"
- I pour out my soul when I think on these things: *
how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God,
- With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *
among those who keep holy-day.
- Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
- Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
- My soul is heavy within me; *
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.
- One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; *
all your rapids and floods have gone over me.
- The LORD grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; *
in the night season his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
- I will say to the God of my strength,
"Why have you forgotten me? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy
oppresses me?"
- While my bones are being broken, *
my enemies mock me to my face;
- All day long they mock me *
and say to me, "Where now is your God?"
- Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
- Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
43
Judica me, Deus
- Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
- For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy
oppresses me?
- Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling;
- That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
- Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
- Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Ninth Day: Morning Prayer
44
Deus, auribus
- We have heard with our ears, O God,
our forefathers have told us, *
the deeds you did in their days,
in the days of old.
- How with your hand you drove the peoples out
and planted our forefathers in the land; *
how you destroyed nations and made your people flourish.
- For they did not take the land by their sword,
nor did their arm win the victory for them; *
but your right hand, your arm, and the
light of your countenance,
because you favored them.
- You are my King and my God; *
you command victories for Jacob.
- Through you we pushed back our adversaries; *
through your Name we trampled on those who
rose up against us.
- For I do not rely on my bow, *
and my sword does not give me the victory.
- Surely, you gave us victory over our adversaries *
and put those who hate us to shame.
- Every day we gloried in God, *
and we will praise your Name for ever.
- Nevertheless, you have rejected and humbled us *
and do not go forth with our armies.
- You have made us fall back before our adversary, *
and our enemies have plundered us.
- You have made us like sheep to be eaten *
and have scattered us among the nations.
- You are selling your people for a trifle *
and are making no profit on the sale of them.
- You have made us the scorn of our neighbors, *
a mockery and derision to those around us.
- You have made us a byword among the nations, *
a laughing-stock among the peoples.
- My humiliation is daily before me, *
and shame has covered my face;
- Because of the taunts of the mockers and blasphemers, *
because of the enemy and avenger.
- All this has come upon us; *
yet we have not forgotten you,
nor have we betrayed your covenant.
- Our heart never turned back, *
nor did our footsteps stray from your path;
- Though you thrust us down into a place of misery, *
and covered us over with deep darkness.
- If we have forgotten the Name of our God, *
or stretched out our hands to some strange god,
- Will not God find it out? *
for he knows the secrets of the heart.
- Indeed, for your sake we are killed all the day long; *
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
- Awake, O Lord! why are you sleeping? *
Arise! do not reject us for ever.
- Why have you hidden your face *
and forgotten our affliction and oppression?
- We sink down into the dust; *
our body cleaves to the ground.
- Rise up, and help us, *
and save us, for the sake of your steadfast love.
45
Eructavit cor meum
- My heart is stirring with a noble song;
let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; *
my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
- You are the fairest of men; *
grace flows from your lips,
because God has blessed you for ever.
- Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, *
in your pride and in your majesty.
- Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth *
and for the sake of justice.
- Your right hand will show you marvelous things; *
your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.
- The peoples are falling at your feet, *
and the king's enemies are losing heart.
- Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, *
a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom;
you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
- Therefore God, your God, has anointed you *
with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
- All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, *
and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
- Kings' daughters stand among the ladies of the court; *
on your right hand is the queen,
adorned with the gold of Ophir.
- "Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; *
forget your people and your father's house.
- The king will have pleasure in your beauty; *
he is your master; therefore do him honor.
- The people of Tyre are here with a gift; *
the rich among the people seek your favor."
- All glorious is the princess as she enters; *
her gown is cloth-of-gold.
- In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; *
after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
- With joy and gladness they are brought, *
and enter into the palace of the king.
- "In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; *
you shall make them princes over all the earth.
- I will make your name to be remembered
from one generation to another; *
therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever."
46
Deus noster refugium
- God is our refuge and strength, *
a very present help in trouble.
- Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *
and though the mountains be toppled into the
depths of the sea;
- Though its waters rage and foam, *
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
- The LORD of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
- There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *
the holy habitation of the Most High.
- God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be overthrown; *
God shall help her at the break of day.
- The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
- The LORD of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
- Come now and look upon the works of the LORD, *
what awesome things he has done on earth.
- It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; *
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire.
- "Be still, then, and know that I am God; *
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth."
- The LORD of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Ninth Day: Evening Prayer
47
Omnes gentes, plaudite
- Clap your hands, all you peoples; *
shout to God with a cry of joy.
- For the LORD Most High is to be feared; *
he is the great King over all the earth.
- He subdues the peoples under us, *
and the nations under our feet.
- He chooses our inheritance for us, *
the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
- God has gone up with a shout, *
the LORD with the sound of the ram's-horn.
- Sing praises to God, sing praises; *
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
- For God is King of all the earth; *
sing praises with all your skill.
- God reigns over the nations; *
God sits upon his holy throne.
- The nobles of the peoples have gathered together *
with the people of the God of Abraham.
- The rulers of the earth belong to God, *
and he is highly exalted.
48
Magnus Dominus
- Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; *
in the city of our God is his holy hill.
- Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the
hill of Zion, *
the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
- God is in her citadels; *
he is known to be her sure refuge.
- Behold, the kings of the earth assembled *
and marched forward together.
- They looked and were astounded; *
they retreated and fled in terror.
- Trembling seized them there; *
they writhed like a woman in childbirth,
like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
- As we have heard, so have we seen,
in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; *
God has established her for ever.
- We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *
in the midst of your temple.
- Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to
the world's end; *
your right hand is full of justice.
- Let Mount Zion be glad
and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments.
- Make the circuit of Zion;
walk round about her; *
count the number of her towers.
- Consider well her bulwarks;
examine her strongholds; *
that you may tell those who come after.
- This God is our God for ever and ever; *
he shall be our guide for evermore.
49
Audite haec, omnes
- Hear this, all you peoples;
hearken, all you who dwell in the world, *
you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.
- My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *
and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
- I will incline my ear to a proverb *
and set forth my riddle upon the harp.
- Why should I be afraid in evil days, *
when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,
- The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, *
and boast of their great riches?
- We can never ransom ourselves, *
or deliver to God the price of our life;
- For the ransom of our life is so great, *
that we should never have enough to pay it,
- In order to live for ever and ever, *
and never see the grave.
- For we see that the wise die also;
like the dull and stupid they perish *
and leave their wealth to those who come after them.
- Their graves shall be their homes for ever,
their dwelling places from generation to generation, *
though they call the lands after their own names.
- Even though honored, they cannot live for ever; *
they are like the beasts that perish.
- Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in themselves, *
and the end of those who delight in their own words.
- Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die;
Death is their shepherd; *
they go down straightway to the grave.
- Their form shall waste away, *
and the land of the dead shall be their home.
- But God will ransom my life; *
he will snatch me from the grasp of death.
- Do not be envious when some become rich, *
or when the grandeur of their house increases;
- For they will carry nothing away at their death, *
nor will their grandeur follow them.
- Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived, *
and were praised for their success,
- They shall join the company of their forebears, *
who will never see the light again.
- Those who are honored, but have no understanding, *
are like the beasts that perish.
Tenth Day: Morning Prayer
50
Deus deorum
- The LORD, the God of gods, has spoken; *
he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to
its setting.
- Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, *
God reveals himself in glory.
- Our God will come and will not keep silence; *
before him there is a consuming flame,
and round about him a raging storm.
- He calls the heavens and the earth from above *
to witness the judgment of his people.
- "Gather before me my loyal followers, *
those who have made a covenant with me
and sealed it with sacrifice."
- Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; *
for God himself is judge.
- Hear, O my people, and I will speak:
"O Israel, I will bear witness against you; *
for I am God, your God.
- I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; *
your offerings are always before me.
- I will take no bull-calf from your stalls, *
nor he-goats out of your pens;
- For all the beasts of the forest are mine, *
the herds in their thousands upon the hills.
- I know every bird in the sky, *
and the creatures of the fields are in my sight.
- If I were hungry, I would not tell you, *
for the whole world is mine and all that is in it.
- Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, *
or drink the blood of goats?
- Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and make good your vows to the Most High.
- Call upon me in the day of trouble; *
I will deliver you, and you shall honor me."
- But to the wicked God says: *
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and take my covenant upon your lips;
- Since you refuse discipline, *
and toss my words behind your back?
- When you see a thief, you make him your friend, *
and you cast in your lot with adulterers.
- You have loosed your lips for evil, *
and harnessed your tongue to a lie.
- You are always speaking evil of your brother *
and slandering your own mother's son.
- These things you have done, and I kept still, *
and you thought that I am like you."
- "I have made my accusation; *
I have put my case in order before your eyes.
- Consider this well, you who forget God, *
lest I rend you and there be none to deliver you.
- Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving
honors me; *
but to those who keep in my way will I show
the salvation of God."
51
Miserere mei, Deus
- Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
loving-kindness; *
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
- Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
and cleanse me from my sin.
- For I know my transgressions, *
and my sin is ever before me.
- Against you only have I sinned *
and done what is evil in your sight.
- And so you are justified when you speak *
and upright in your judgment.
- Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
a sinner from my mother's womb.
- For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
- Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
- Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
- Hide your face from my sins *
and blot out all my iniquities.
- Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
- Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
- Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
- I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *
and sinners shall return to you.
- Deliver me from death, O God, *
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,
O God of my salvation.
- Open my lips, O Lord, *
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
- Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, *
but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
- The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
- Be favorable and gracious to Zion, *
and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
- Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,
with burnt-offerings and oblations; *
then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.
52
Quid gloriaris?
- You tyrant, why do you boast of wickedness *
against the godly all day long?
- You plot ruin;
your tongue is like a sharpened razor, *
O worker of deception.
- You love evil more than good *
and lying more than speaking the truth.
- You love all words that hurt, *
O you deceitful tongue.
- Oh, that God would demolish you utterly, *
topple you, and snatch you from your dwelling,
and root you out of the land of the living!
- The righteous shall see and tremble, *
and they shall laugh at him, saying,
- "This is the one who did not take God for a refuge, *
but trusted in great wealth
and relied upon wickedness."
- But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; *
I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
- I will give you thanks for what you have done *
and declare the goodness of your Name in the presence
of the godly.
Tenth Day: Evening Prayer
53
Dixit insipiens
- The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.
- God looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is one who seeks after God.
- Every one has proved faithless;
all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.
- Have they no knowledge, those evildoers *
who eat up my people like bread
and do not call upon God?
- See how greatly they tremble,
such trembling as never was; *
for God has scattered the bones of the enemy;
they are put to shame, because God has rejected them.
- Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! *
when God restores the fortunes of his people
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.
54
Deus, in nomine
- Save me, O God, by your Name; *
in your might, defend my cause.
- Hear my prayer, O God; *
give ear to the words of my mouth.
- For the arrogant have risen up against me,
and the ruthless have sought my life, *
those who have no regard for God.
- Behold, God is my helper; *
it is the Lord who sustains my life.
- Render evil to those who spy on me; *
in your faithfulness, destroy them.
- I will offer you a freewill sacrifice *
and praise your Name, O LORD, for it is good.
- For you have rescued me from every trouble, *
and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.
55
Exaudi, Deus
- Hear my prayer, O God; *
do not hide yourself from my petition.
- Listen to me and answer me; *
I have no peace, because of my cares.
- I am shaken by the noise of the enemy *
and by the pressure of the wicked;
- For they have cast an evil spell upon me *
and are set against me in fury.
- My heart quakes within me, *
and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
- Fear and trembling have come over me, *
and horror overwhelms me.
- And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! *
I would fly away and be at rest.
- I would flee to a far-off place *
and make my lodging in the wilderness.
- I would hasten to escape *
from the stormy wind and tempest."
- Swallow them up, O Lord;
confound their speech; *
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
- Day and night the watchmen make their rounds
upon her walls, *
but trouble and misery are in the midst of her.
- There is corruption at her heart; *
her streets are never free of oppression and deceit.
- For had it been an adversary who taunted me,
then I could have borne it; *
or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me,
then I could have hidden from him.
- But it was you, a man after my own heart, *
my companion, my own familiar friend.
- We took sweet counsel together, *
and walked with the throng in the house of God.
- Let death come upon them suddenly;
let them go down alive into the grave; *
for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.
- But I will call upon God, *
and the LORD will deliver me.
- In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday,
I will complain and lament, *
and he will hear my voice.
- He will bring me safely back from the battle
waged against me; *
for there are many who fight me.
- God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and
bring them down; *
they never change; they do not fear God.
- My companion stretched forth his hand against his comrade; *
he has broken his covenant.
- His speech is softer than butter, *
but war is in his heart.
- His words are smoother than oil, *
but they are drawn swords.
- Cast your burden upon the LORD,
and he will sustain you; *
he will never let the righteous stumble.
- For you will bring the bloodthirsty and deceitful *
down to the pit of destruction, O God.
- They shall not live out half their days, *
but I will put my trust in you.
Eleventh Day: Morning Prayer
56
Miserere mei, Deus
- Have mercy on me, O God,
for my enemies are hounding me; *
all day long they assault and oppress me.
- They hound me all the day long; *
truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
- Whenever I am afraid, *
I will put my trust in you.
- In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not be afraid, *
for what can flesh do to me?
- All day long they damage my cause; *
their only thought is to do me evil.
- They band together; they lie in wait; *
they spy upon my footsteps;
because they seek my life.
- Shall they escape despite their wickedness? *
O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples.
- You have noted my lamentation;
put my tears into your bottle; *
are they not recorded in your book?
- Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight; *
this I know, for God is on my side.
- In God the LORD, whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not be afraid, *
for what can mortals do to me?
- I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God; *
I will present to you thank-offerings;
- For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet
from stumbling, *
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
57
Miserere mei, Deus
- Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful,
for I have taken refuge in you; *
in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge
until this time of trouble has gone by.
- I will call upon the Most High God, *
the God who maintains my cause.
- He will send from heaven and save me;
he will confound those who trample upon me; *
God will send forth his love and his faithfulness.
- I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people; *
their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongue a sharp sword.
- They have laid a net for my feet,
and I am bowed low; *
they have dug a pit before me,
but have fallen into it themselves.
- Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.
- My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *
I will sing and make melody.
- Wake up, my spirit;
awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will waken the dawn.
- I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD; *
I will sing praise to you among the nations.
- For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
- Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.
58
Si vere utique
- Do you indeed decree righteousness, you rulers? *
do you judge the peoples with equity?
- No; you devise evil in your hearts, *
and your hands deal out violence in the land.
- The wicked are perverse from the womb; *
liars go astray from their birth.
- They are as venomous as a serpent, *
they are like the deaf adder which stops its ears,
- Which does not heed the voice of the charmer, *
no matter how skillful his charming.
- O God, break their teeth in their mouths; *
pull the fangs of the young lions, O LORD.
- Let them vanish like water that runs off; *
let them wither like trodden grass.
- Let them be like the snail that melts away, *
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
- Before they bear fruit, let them be cut down like a brier; *
like thorns and thistles let them be swept away.
- The righteous will be glad when they see the vengeance; *
they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
- And they will say,
"Surely, there is a reward for the righteous; *
surely, there is a God who rules in the earth."
Eleventh Day: Evening Prayer
59
Eripe me de inimicis
- Rescue me from my enemies, O God; *
protect me from those who rise up against me.
- Rescue me from evildoers *
and save me from those who thirst for my blood.
- See how they lie in wait for my life,
how the mighty gather together against me; *
not for any offense or fault of mine, O LORD.
- Not because of any guilt of mine *
they run and prepare themselves for battle.
- Rouse yourself, come to my side, and see; *
for you, LORD God of hosts, are Israel's God.
- Awake, and punish all the ungodly; *
show no mercy to those who are faithless and evil.
- They go to and fro in the evening; *
they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
- Behold, they boast with their mouths,
and taunts are on their lips; *
"For who," they say, "will hear us?"
- But you, O LORD, you laugh at them; *
you laugh all the ungodly to scorn.
- My eyes are fixed on you, O my Strength; *
for you, O God, are my stronghold.
- My merciful God comes to meet me; *
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
- Slay them, O God, lest my people forget; *
send them reeling by your might
and put them down, O Lord our shield.
- For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips,
for the cursing and lies that they utter, *
let them be caught in their pride.
- Make an end of them in your wrath; *
make an end of them, and they shall be no more.
- Let everyone know that God rules in Jacob, *
and to the ends of the earth.
- They go to and fro in the evening; *
they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
- They forage for food, *
and if they are not filled, they howl.
- For my part, I will sing of your strength; *
I will celebrate your love in the morning;
- For you have become my stronghold, *
a refuge in the day of my trouble.
- To you, O my Strength, will I sing; *
for you, O God, are my stronghold and my merciful God.
60
Deus, repulisti nos
- O God, you have cast us off and broken us; *
you have been angry;
oh, take us back to you again.
- You have shaken the earth and split it open; *
repair the cracks in it, for it totters.
- You have made your people know hardship; *
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
- You have set up a banner for those who fear you, *
to be a refuge from the power of the bow.
- Save us by your right hand and answer us, *
that those who are dear to you may be delivered.
- God spoke from his holy place and said: *
"I will exult and parcel out Shechem;
I will divide the valley of Succoth.
- Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; *
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my scepter.
- Moab is my wash-basin,
on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, *
and over Philistia will I shout in triumph."
- Who will lead me into the strong city? *
who will bring me into Edom?
- Have you not cast us off, O God? *
you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.
- Grant us your help against the enemy, *
for vain is the help of man.
- With God we will do valiant deeds, *
and he shall tread our enemies under foot.
61
Exaudi, Deus
- Hear my cry, O God, *
and listen to my prayer.
- I call upon you from the ends of the earth
with heaviness in my heart; *
set me upon the rock that is higher than I.
- For you have been my refuge, *
a strong tower against the enemy.
- I will dwell in your house for ever; *
I will take refuge under the cover of your wings.
- For you, O God, have heard my vows; *
you have granted me the heritage of those
who fear your Name.
- Add length of days to the king's life; *
let his years extend over many generations.
- Let him sit enthroned before God for ever; *
bid love and faithfulness watch over him.
- So will I always sing the praise of your Name, *
and day by day I will fulfill my vows.
Twelfth Day: Morning Prayer
62
Nonne Deo?
- For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
from him comes my salvation.
- He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.
- How long will you assail me to crush me,
all of you together, *
as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall?
- They seek only to bring me down from my place of honor;
lies are their chief delight.
- They bless with their lips, *
but in their hearts they curse.
- For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
truly, my hope is in him.
- He alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
- In God is my safety and my honor; *
God is my strong rock and my refuge.
- Put your trust in him always, O people, *
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
- Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, *
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.
- On the scales they are lighter than a breath, *
all of them together.
- Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride; *
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
- God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, *
that power belongs to God.
- Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, *
for you repay everyone according to his deeds.
63
Deus, Deus meus
- O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
- Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.
- For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.
- So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your Name.
- My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
- When I remember you upon my bed, *
and meditate on you in the night watches.
- For you have been my helper, *
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
- My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
- May those who seek my life to destroy it *
go down into the depths of the earth;
- Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, *
and let them be food for jackals.
- But the king will rejoice in God;
all those who swear by him will be glad; *
for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.
64
Exaudi, Deus
- Hear my voice, O God, when I complain; *
protect my life from fear of the enemy.
- Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, *
from the mob of evildoers.
- They sharpen their tongue like a sword, *
and aim their bitter words like arrows,
- That they may shoot down the blameless from ambush; *
they shoot without warning and are not afraid.
- They hold fast to their evil course; *
they plan how they may hide their snares.
- They say,"Who will see us?
who will find out our crimes? *
we have thought out a perfect plot."
- The human mind and heart are a mystery; *
but God will loose an arrow at them,
and suddenly they will be wounded.
- He will make them trip over their tongues, *
and all who see them will shake their heads.
- Everyone will stand in awe and declare God's deeds; *
they will recognize his works.
- The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and put their trust in him
and all who are true of heart will glory.
Twelfth Day: Evening Prayer
65
Te decet hymnus
- You are to be praised, O God, in Zion; *
to you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem.
- To you that hear prayer shall all flesh come, *
because of their transgressions.
- Our sins are stronger than we are, *
but you will blot them out.
- Happy are they whom you choose
and draw to your courts to dwell there! *
they will be satisfied by the beauty of your house,
by the holiness of your temple.
- Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness,
O God of our salvation, *
O Hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the seas that are far away.
- You make fast the mountains by your power; *
they are girded about with might.
- You still the roaring of the seas, *
the roaring of their waves,
and the clamor of the peoples.
- Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your
marvelous signs; *
you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy.
- You visit the earth and water it abundantly;
you make it very plenteous; *
the river of God is full of water.
- You prepare the grain, *
for so you provide for the earth.
- You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; *
with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.
- You crown the year with your goodness, *
and your paths overflow with plenty.
- May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, *
and the hills be clothed with joy.
- May the meadows cover themselves with flocks,
and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; *
let them shout for joy and sing.
66
Jubilate Deo
- Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
sing the glory of his Name;
sing the glory of his praise.
- Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
because of your great strength your enemies
cringe before you.
- All the earth bows down before you, *
sings to you, sings out your Name."
- Come now and see the works of God, *
how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
- He turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
and there we rejoiced in him.
- In his might he rules for ever;
his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
let no rebel rise up against him.
- Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard;
- Who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip.
- For you, O God, have proved us; *
you have tried us just as silver is tried.
- You brought us into the snare; *
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
- You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
- I will enter your house with burnt-offerings
and will pay you my vows, *
which I promised with my lips
and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
- I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts
with the smoke of rams; *
I will give you oxen and goats.
- Come and listen, all you who fear God, *
and I will tell you what he has done for me.
- I called out to him with my mouth, *
and his praise was on my tongue.
- If I had found evil in my heart, *
the Lord would not have heard me;
- But in truth God has heard me; *
he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
- Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, *
nor withheld his love from me.
Deus misereatur
- May God be merciful to us and bless us, *
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
- Let your ways be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
- Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
- Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
- Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
- The earth has brought forth her increase; *
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
- May God give us his blessing, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
Thirteenth Day: Morning Prayer
68
Exsurgat Deus
- Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate him flee before him.
- Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *
as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at
the presence of God.
- But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *
let them also be merry and joyful.
- Sing to God, sing praises to his Name;
exalt him who rides upon the heavens; *
YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!
- Father of orphans, defender of widows, *
God in his holy habitation!
- God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners
into freedom; *
but the rebels shall live in dry places.
- O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,
- The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
- You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.
- Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision
for the poor.
- The Lord gave the word; *
great was the company of women who bore the tidings:
- "Kings with their armies are fleeing away; *
the women at home are dividing the spoils."
- Though you lingered among the sheepfolds, *
you shall be like a dove whose wings are covered with silver,
whose feathers are like green gold.
- When the Almighty scattered kings, *
it was like snow falling in Zalmon.
- O mighty mountain, O hill of Bashan! *
O rugged mountain, O hill of Bashan!
- Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountain,
at the hill which God chose for his resting place? *
truly, the LORD will dwell there for ever.
- The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
even thousands of thousands; *
the Lord comes in holiness from Sinai.
- You have gone up on high and led captivity captive;
you have received gifts even from your enemies, *
that the LORD God might dwell among them.
- Blessed be the Lord day by day, *
the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.
- He is our God, the God of our salvation; *
God is the LORD, by whom we escape death.
- God shall crush the heads of his enemies, *
and the hairy scalp of those who go on still in their
wickedness.
- The Lord has said," I will bring them back from Bashan; *
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;
- That your foot may be dipped in blood, *
the tongues of your dogs in the blood of your enemies."
- They see your procession, O God, *
your procession into the sanctuary, my God and my King.
- The singers go before, musicians follow after, *
in the midst of maidens playing upon the hand-drums.
- Bless God in the congregation; *
bless the LORD, you that are of the fountain of Israel.
- There is Benjamin, least of the tribes, at the head;
the princes of Judah in a company; *
and the princes of Zebulon and Naphtali.
- Send forth your strength, O God; *
establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.
- Kings shall bring gifts to you, *
for your temple's sake at Jerusalem.
- Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, *
and the peoples, a herd of wild bulls with its calves.
- Trample down those who lust after silver; *
scatter the peoples that delight in war.
- Let tribute be brought out of Egypt; *
let Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God.
- Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; *
sing praises to the Lord.
- He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *
he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
- Ascribe power to God; *
his majesty is over Israel;
his strength is in the skies.
- How wonderful is God in his holy places! *
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!
Blessed be God!
Thirteenth Day: Evening Prayer
69
Salvum me fac
- Save me, O God, *
for the waters have risen up to my neck.
- I am sinking in deep mire, *
and there is no firm ground for my feet.
- I have come into deep waters, *
and the torrent washes over me.
- I have grown weary with my crying;
my throat is inflamed; *
my eyes have failed from looking for my God.
- Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head;
my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty. *
Must I then give back what I never stole?
- O God, you know my foolishness, *
and my faults are not hidden from you.
- Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
Lord GOD of hosts; *
let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me,
O God of Israel.
- Surely, for your sake have I suffered reproach, *
and shame has covered my face.
- I have become a stranger to my own kindred, *
an alien to my mother's children.
- Zeal for your house has eaten me up; *
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
- I humbled myself with fasting, *
but that was turned to my reproach.
- I put on sack-cloth also, *
and became a byword among them.
- Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, *
and the drunkards make songs about me.
- But as for me, this is my prayer to you, *
at the time you have set, O LORD:
- "In your great mercy, O God, *
answer me with your unfailing help.
- Save me from the mire; do not let me sink; *
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.
- Let not the torrent of waters wash over me,
neither let the deep swallow me up; *
do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.
- Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind; *
in your great compassion, turn to me."
- "Hide not your face from your servant; *
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.
- Draw near to me and redeem me; *
because of my enemies deliver me.
- You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; *
my adversaries are all in your sight."
- Reproach has broken my heart, and it cannot be healed; *
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I could find no one.
- They gave me gall to eat, *
and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
- Let the table before them be a trap *
and their sacred feasts a snare.
- Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, *
and give them continual trembling in their loins.
- Pour out your indignation upon them, *
and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
- Let their camp be desolate, *
and let there be none to dwell in their tents.
- For they persecute him whom you have stricken *
and add to the pain of those whom you have pierced.
- Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, *
and let them not receive your vindication.
- Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
and not be written among the righteous.
- As for me, I am afflicted and in pain; *
your help, O God, will lift me up on high.
- I will praise the Name of God in song; *
I will proclaim his greatness with thanksgiving.
- This will please the LORD more than an offering of oxen, *
more than bullocks with horns and hoofs.
- The afflicted shall see and be glad; *
you who seek God, your heart shall live.
- For the LORD listens to the needy, *
and his prisoners he does not despise.
- Let the heavens and the earth praise him, *
the seas and all that moves in them;
- For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; *
they shall live there and have it in possession.
- The children of his servants will inherit it, *
and those who love his Name will dwell therein.
70
Deus, in adjutorium
- Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
- Let those who seek my life be ashamed
and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune
draw back and be disgraced.
- Let those who say to me "Aha!" and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
- Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever,
"Great is the LORD!"
- But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.
- You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O LORD, do not tarry.
Fourteenth Day: Morning Prayer
71
In te, Domine, speravi
- In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; *
let me never be ashamed.
- In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *
incline your ear to me and save me.
- Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *
you are my crag and my stronghold.
- Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *
from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.
- For you are my hope, O Lord GOD, *
my confidence since I was young.
- I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother's womb you have been my strength; *
my praise shall be always of you.
- I have become a portent to many; *
but you are my refuge and my strength.
- Let my mouth be full of your praise *
and your glory all the day long.
- Do not cast me off in my old age; *
forsake me not when my strength fails.
- For my enemies are talking against me, *
and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.
- They say, "God has forsaken him;
go after him and seize him; *
because there is none who will save."
- O God, be not far from me; *
come quickly to help me, O my God.
- Let those who set themselves against me be put to shame and
be disgraced; *
let those who seek to do me evil be covered with scorn
and reproach.
- But I shall always wait in patience, *
and shall praise you more and more.
- My mouth shall recount your mighty acts
and saving deeds all day long; *
though I cannot know the number of them.
- I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord GOD; *
I will recall your righteousness, yours alone.
- O God, you have taught me since I was young, *
and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.
- And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not
forsake me, *
till I make known your strength to this generation
and your power to all who are to come.
- Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; *
you have done great things;
who is like you, O God?
- You have showed me great troubles and adversities, *
but you will restore my life
and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.
- You strengthen me more and more;
you enfold and comfort me,
- Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your
faithfulness, O my God; *
I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
- My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, *
and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.
- My tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, *
for they are ashamed and disgraced who sought
to do me harm.
72
Deus, judicium
- Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King's Son;
- That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
- That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
- He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
- He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
- He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
- In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
- He shall rule from sea to sea, *
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
- His foes shall bow down before him, *
and his enemies lick the dust.
- The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
- All kings shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.
- For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
- He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
- He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
- Long may he live!
and may there be given to him gold from Arabia; *
may prayer be made for him always,
and may they bless him all the day long.
- May there be abundance of grain on the earth,
growing thick even on the hilltops; *
may its fruit flourish like Lebanon,
and its grain like grass upon the earth.
- May his Name remain for ever
and be established as long as the sun endures; *
may all the nations bless themselves in him and
call him blessed.
- Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *
who alone does wondrous deeds!
- And blessed be his glorious Name for ever! *
and may all the earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.
Book Theee
Fourteenth Day: Evening Prayer
73
Quam bonus Israel
- Truly, God is good to Israel, *
to those who are pure in heart.
- But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; *
I had almost tripped and fallen;
- Because I envied the proud *
and saw the prosperity of the wicked:
- For they suffer no pain, *
and their bodies are sleek and sound;
- In the misfortunes of others they have no share; *
they are not afflicted as others are;
- Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace *
and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.
- Their iniquity comes from gross minds, *
and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.
- They scoff and speak maliciously; *
out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.
- They set their mouths against the heavens, *
and their evil speech runs through the world.
- And so the people turn to them *
and find in them no fault.
- They say, "How should God know? *
is there knowledge in the Most High?"
- So then, these are the wicked; *
always at ease, they increase their wealth.
- In vain have I kept my heart clean, *
and washed my hands in innocence.
- I have been afflicted all day long, *
and punished every morning.
- Had I gone on speaking this way, *
I should have betrayed the generation of your children.
- When I tried to understand these things, *
it was too hard for me;
- Until I entered the sanctuary of God *
and discerned the end of the wicked.
- Surely, you set them in slippery places; *
you cast them down in ruin.
- Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, *
come to an end, and perish from terror!
- Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, *
when you arise you will make their image vanish.
- When my mind became embittered, *
I was sorely wounded in my heart.
- I was stupid and had no understanding; *
I was like a brute beast in your presence.
- Yet I am always with you; *
you hold me by my right hand.
- You will guide me by your counsel, *
and afterwards receive me with glory.
- Whom have I in heaven but you? *
and having you I desire nothing upon earth.
- Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *
God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
- Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *
you destroy all who are unfaithful.
- But it is good for me to be near God; *
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.
- I will speak of all your works *
in the gates of the city of Zion.
74
Ut quid, Deus?
- O God, why have you utterly cast us off? *
why is your wrath so hot against the sheep of your pasture?
- Remember your congregation that you purchased long ago, *
the tribe you redeemed to be your inheritance,
and Mount Zion where you dwell.
- Turn your steps toward the endless ruins; *
the enemy has laid waste everything in your sanctuary.
- Your adversaries roared in your holy place; *
they set up their banners as tokens of victory.
- They were like men coming up with axes to a grove of trees; *
they broke down all your carved work with hatchets
and hammers.
- They set fire to your holy place; *
they defiled the dwelling-place of your Name
and razed it to the ground.
- They said to themselves, "Let us destroy them altogether." *
They burned down all the meeting-places of God
in the land.
- There are no signs for us to see;
there is no prophet left; *
there is not one among us who knows how long.
- How long, O God, will the adversary scoff? *
will the enemy blaspheme your Name for ever?
- Why do you draw back your hand? *
why is your right hand hidden in your bosom?
- Yet God is my King from ancient times, *
victorious in the midst of the earth.
- You divided the sea by your might *
and shattered the heads of the dragons upon the waters;
- You crushed the heads of Leviathan *
and gave him to the people of the desert for food.
- You split open spring and torrent; *
you dried up ever-flowing rivers.
- Yours is the day, yours also the night; *
you established the moon and the sun.
- You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; *
you made both summer and winter.
- Remember, O LORD, how the enemy scoffed, *
how a foolish people despised your Name.
- Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; *
never forget the lives of your poor.
- Look upon your covenant; *
the dark places of the earth are haunts of violence.
- Let not the oppressed turn away ashamed; *
let the poor and needy praise your Name.
- Arise, O God, maintain your cause; *
remember how fools revile you all day long.
- Forget not the clamor of your adversaries, *
the unending tumult of those who rise up against you.
Fifteenth Day: Morning Prayer
75
Confitebimur tibi
- We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, *
calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.
- "I will appoint a time," says God; *
"I will judge with equity.
- Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, *
I will make its pillars fast.
- I will say to the boasters, 'Boast no more,' *
and to the wicked, 'Do not toss your horns;
- Do not toss your horns so high, *
nor speak with a proud neck.'"
- For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
- It is God who judges; *
he puts down one and lifts up another.
- For in the LORD'S hand there is a cup,
full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out, *
and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and
drain the dregs.
- But I will rejoice for ever; *
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
- He shall break off all the horns of the wicked; *
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
76
Notus in Judaea
- In Judah is God known; *
his Name is great in Israel.
- At Salem is his tabernacle, *
and his dwelling is in Zion.
- There he broke the flashing arrows, *
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of battle.
- How glorious you are! *
more splendid than the everlasting mountains!
- The strong of heart have been despoiled;
they sink into sleep; *
none of the warriors can lift a hand.
- At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, *
both horse and rider lie stunned.
- What terror you inspire! *
who can stand before you when you are angry?
- From heaven you pronounced judgment; *
the earth was afraid and was still;
- When God rose up to judgment *
and to save all the oppressed of the earth.
- Truly, wrathful Edom will give you thanks, *
and the remnant of Hamath will keep your feasts.
- Make a vow to the LORD your God and keep it; *
let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy
to be feared.
- He breaks the spirit of princes, *
and strikes terror in the kings of the earth.
77
Voce mea ad Dominum
- I will cry aloud to God; *
I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
- In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; *
my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire;
I refused to be comforted.
- I think of God, I am restless, *
I ponder, and my spirit faints.
- You will not let my eyelids close; *
I am troubled and I cannot speak.
- I consider the days of old; *
I remember the years long past;
- I commune with my heart in the night; *
I ponder and search my mind.
- Will the Lord cast me off for ever? *
will he no more show his favor?
- Has his loving-kindness come to an end for ever? *
has his promise failed for evermore?
- Has God forgotten to be gracious? *
has he, in his anger, withheld his compassion?
- And I said, "My grief is this: *
the right hand of the Most High has lost its power."
- I will remember the works of the LORD, *
and call to mind your wonders of old time.
- I will meditate on all your acts *
and ponder your mighty deeds.
- Your way, O God, is holy; *
who is so great a god as our God?
- You are the God who works wonders *
and have declared your power among the peoples.
- By your strength you have redeemed your people, *
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
- The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and trembled; *
the very depths were shaken.
- The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered; *
your arrows flashed to and fro;
- The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world; *
the earth trembled and shook.
- Your way was in the sea,
and your paths in the great waters, *
yet your footsteps were not seen.
- You led your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Fifteenth Day: Evening Prayer
78
Part I Attendite, popule
- Hear my teaching, O my people; *
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
- I will open my mouth in a parable; *
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
- That which we have heard and known,
and what our forefathers have told us, *
we will not hide from their children.
- We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, *
and the wonderful works he has done.
- He gave his decrees to Jacob
and established a law for Israel, *
which he commanded them to teach their children;
- That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn; *
that they in their turn might tell it to their children;
- So that they might put their trust in God, *
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments;
- And not be like their forefathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation, *
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
- The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow, *
turned back in the day of battle;
- They did not keep the covenant of God, *
and refused to walk in his law;
- They forgot what he had done, *
and the wonders he had shown them.
- He worked marvels in the sight of their forefathers, *
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
- He split open the sea and let them pass through; *
he made the waters stand up like walls.
- He led them with a cloud by day, *
and all the night through with a glow of fire.
- He split the hard rocks in the wilderness *
and gave them drink as from the great deep.
- He brought streams out of the cliff, *
and the waters gushed out like rivers.
- But they went on sinning against him, *
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
- They tested God in their hearts, *
demanding food for their craving.
- They railed against God and said, *
"Can God set a table in the wilderness?
- True, he struck the rock, the waters gushed out, and the
gullies overflowed; *
but is he able to give bread
or to provide meat for his people?"
- When the LORD heard this, he was full of wrath; *
a fire was kindled against Jacob,
and his anger mounted against Israel;
- For they had no faith in God, *
nor did they put their trust in his saving power.
- So he commanded the clouds above *
and opened the doors of heaven.
- He rained down manna upon them to eat *
and gave them grain from heaven.
- So mortals ate the bread of angels; *
he provided for them food enough.
- He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens *
and led out the south wind by his might.
- He rained down flesh upon them like dust *
and winged birds like the sand of the sea.
- He let it fall in the midst of their camp *
and round about their dwellings.
- So they ate and were well filled, *
for he gave them what they craved.
- But they did not stop their craving, *
though the food was still in their mouths.
- So God's anger mounted against them; *
he slew their strongest men
and laid low the youth of Israel.
- In spite of all this, they went on sinning *
and had no faith in his wonderful works.
- So he brought their days to an end like a breath *
and their years in sudden terror.
- Whenever he slew them, they would seek him, *
and repent, and diligently search for God.
- They would remember that God was their rock, *
and the Most High God their redeemer.
- But they flattered him with their mouths *
and lied to him with their tongues.
- Their heart was not steadfast toward him, *
and they were not faithful to his covenant.
- But he was so merciful that he forgave their sins
and did not destroy them; *
many times he held back his anger
and did not permit his wrath to be roused.
- For he remembered that they were but flesh, *
a breath that goes forth and does not return.
Psalm 78: Part II Quoties exacerbaverunt [698]
- How often the people disobeyed him in the wilderness *
and offended him in the desert!
- Again and again they tempted God *
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
- They did not remember his power *
in the day when he ransomed them from the enemy;
- How he wrought his signs in Egypt *
and his omens in the field of Zoan.
- He turned their rivers into blood, *
so that they could not drink of their streams.
- He sent swarms of flies among them, which ate them up, *
and frogs, which destroyed them.
- He gave their crops to the caterpillar, *
the fruit of their toil to the locust.
- He killed their vines with hail *
and their sycamores with frost.
- He delivered their cattle to hailstones *
and their livestock to hot thunderbolts.
- He poured out upon them his blazing anger: *
fury, indignation, and distress,
a troop of destroying angels.
- He gave full rein to his anger;
he did not spare their souls from death; *
but delivered their lives to the plague.
- He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, *
the flower of manhood in the dwellings of Ham.
- He led out his people like sheep *
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
- He led them to safety, and they were not afraid; *
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
- He brought them to his holy land, *
the mountain his right hand had won.
- He drove out the Canaanites before them
and apportioned an inheritance to them by lot; *
he made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
- But they tested the Most High God, and defied him, *
and did not keep his commandments.
- They turned away and were disloyal like their fathers; *
they were undependable like a warped bow.
- They grieved him with their hill-altars *
and provoked his displeasure with their idols.
- When God heard this, he was angry *
and utterly rejected Israel.
- He forsook the shrine at Shiloh, *
the tabernacle where he had lived among his people.
- He delivered the ark into captivity, *
his glory into the adversary's hand.
- He gave his people to the sword *
and was angered against his inheritance.
- The fire consumed their young men; *
there were no wedding songs for their maidens.
- Their priests fell by the sword, *
and their widows made no lamentation.
- Then the LORD woke as though from sleep, *
like a warrior refreshed with wine.
- He struck his enemies on the backside *
and put them to perpetual shame.
- He rejected the tent of Joseph *
and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
- He chose instead the tribe of Judah *
and Mount Zion, which he loved.
- He built his sanctuary like the heights of heaven, *
like the earth which he founded for ever.
- He chose David his servant, *
and took him away from the sheepfolds.
- He brought him from following the ewes, *
to be a shepherd over Jacob his people
and over Israel his inheritance.
- So he shepherded them with a faithful and true heart *
and guided them with the skillfulness of his hands.
Sixteenth Day: Morning Prayer
79
Deus, venerunt
- O God, the heathen have come into your inheritance;
they have profaned your holy temple; *
they have made Jerusalem a heap of rubble.
- They have given the bodies of your servants as food for the
birds of the air, *
and the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts
of the field.
- They have shed their blood like water on every side
of Jerusalem, *
and there was no one to bury them.
- We have become a reproach to our neighbors, *
an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
- How long will you be angry, O LORD? *
will your fury blaze like fire for ever?
- Pour out your wrath upon the heathen who have not
known you *
and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon
your Name.
- For they have devoured Jacob *
and made his dwelling a ruin.
- Remember not our past sins;
let your compassion be swift to meet us; *
for we have been brought very low.
- Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your Name; *
deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your Name's sake.
- Why should the heathen say, "Where is their God?" *
Let it be known among the heathen and in our sight
that you avenge the shedding of your servants' blood.
- Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you, *
and by your great might spare those who are
condemned to die.
- May the revilings with which they reviled you, O Lord, *
return seven-fold into their bosoms.
- For we are your people and the sheep of your pasture; *
we will give you thanks for ever
and show forth your praise from age to age.
80
Qui regis Israel [702]
- Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
- In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
- Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
- O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
- You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
- You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
- Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
- You have brought a vine out of Egypt; *
you cast out the nations and planted it.
- You prepared the ground for it; *
it took root and filled the land.
- The mountains were covered by its shadow *
and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.
- You stretched out its tendrils to the Sea *
and its branches to the River.
- Why have you broken down its wall, *
so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
- The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, *
and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
- Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven;
behold and tend this vine; *
preserve what your right hand has planted.
- They burn it with fire like rubbish; *
at the rebuke of your countenance let them perish.
- Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, *
the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
- And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
- Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
81
Exultate Deo [704]
- Sing with joy to God our strength *
and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob.
- Raise a song and sound the timbrel, *
the merry harp, and the lyre.
- Blow the ram's-horn at the new moon, *
and at the full moon, the day of our feast.
- For this is a statute for Israel, *
a law of the God of Jacob.
- He laid it as a solemn charge upon Joseph, *
when he came out of the land of Egypt.
- I heard an unfamiliar voice saying *
"I eased his shoulder from the burden;
his hands were set free from bearing the load."
- You called on me in trouble, and I saved you; *
I answered you from the secret place of thunder
and tested you at the waters of Meribah.
- Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: *
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
- There shall be no strange god among you; *
you shall not worship a foreign god.
- I am the LORD your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt and said, *
"Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."
- And yet my people did not hear my voice, *
and Israel would not obey me.
- So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, *
to follow their own devices.
- Oh, that my people would listen to me! *
that Israel would walk in my ways!
- I should soon subdue their enemies *
and turn my hand against their foes.
- Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, *
and their punishment would last for ever.
- But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat *
and satisfy him with honey from the rock.
Sixteenth Day: Evening Prayer
82
Deus stetit
- God takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
- "How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favor to the wicked?
- Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
- Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
- They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
- Now I say to you, 'You are gods, *
and all of you children of the Most High;
- Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.'"
- Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.
83
Deus, quis similis? [706]
- O God, do not be silent; *
do not keep still nor hold your peace, O God;
- For your enemies are in tumult, *
and those who hate you have lifted up their heads.
- They take secret counsel against your people *
and plot against those whom you protect.
- They have said, "Come, let us wipe them out from among
the nations; *
let the name of Israel be remembered no more."
- They have conspired together; *
they have made an alliance against you:
- The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; *
the Moabites and the Hagarenes;
- Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; *
the Philistines and those who dwell in Tyre.
- The Assyrians also have joined them, *
and have come to help the people of Lot.
- Do to them as you did to Midian, *
to Sisera, and to Jabin at the river of Kishon:
- They were destroyed at Endor; *
they became like dung upon the ground.
- Make their leaders like Oreb and Zeëeb, *
and all their commanders like Zebah and Zalmunna,
- Who said, "Let us take for ourselves *
the fields of God as our possession."
- O my God, make them like whirling dust *
and like chaff before the wind;
- Like fire that burns down a forest, *
like the flame that sets mountains ablaze.
- Drive them with your tempest *
and terrify them with your storm;
- Cover their faces with shame, O LORD,
that they may seek your Name.
- Let them be disgraced and terrified for ever;
let them be put to confusion and perish.
- Let them know that you, whose Name is YAHWEH, *
you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
84
Quam dilecta [707]
- How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
- The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
- Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.
- Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
- Those who go through the desolate valley will find
it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
- They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
- LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
- Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
- For one day in your courts is better than
a thousand in my own room, *
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
- For the LORD God is both sun and shield; *
he will give grace and glory;
- No good thing will the LORD withhold *
from those who walk with integrity.
- O LORD of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!
85
Benedixisti, Domine [708]
- You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
- You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
- You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
- Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
- Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
- Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
- Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
- I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
- Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
- Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
- Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
- The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
- Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
Seventeenth Day: Morning Prayer
86
Inclina, Domine
- Bow down your ear, O LORD, and answer me, *
for I am poor and in misery.
- Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; *
save your servant who puts his trust in you.
- Be merciful to me, O LORD, for you are my God; *
I call upon you all the day long.
- Gladden the soul of your servant, *
for to you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
- For you, O LORD, are good and forgiving, *
and great is your love toward all who call upon you.
- Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer, *
and attend to the voice of my supplications.
- In the time of my trouble I will call upon you, *
for you will answer me.
- Among the gods there is none like you, O LORD, *
nor anything like your works.
- All nations you have made will come and
worship you, O LORD, *
and glorify your Name.
- For you are great;
you do wondrous things; *
and you alone are God.
- Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth; *
knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.
- I will thank you, O LORD my God, with all my heart, *
and glorify your Name for evermore.
- For great is your love toward me; *
you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit.
- The arrogant rise up against me, O God,
and a band of violent men seeks my life; *
they have not set you before their eyes.
- But you, O LORD, are gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
- Turn to me and have mercy upon me; *
give your strength to your servant;
and save the child of your handmaid.
- Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; *
because you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
87
Fundamenta ejus [711]
- On the holy mountain stands the city he has founded; *
the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
- Glorious things are spoken of you, *
O city of our God.
- I count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me; *
behold Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia:
in Zion were they born.
- Of Zion it shall be said, "Everyone was born in her, *
and the Most High himself shall sustain her."
- The LORD will record as he enrolls the peoples, *
"These also were born there."
- The singers and the dancers will say, *
"All my fresh springs are in you."
88
Domine, Deus [712]
- O LORD, my God, my Savior, *
by day and night I cry to you.
- Let my prayer enter into your presence; *
incline your ear to my lamentation.
- For I am full of trouble; *
my life is at the brink of the grave.
- I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; *
I have become like one who has no strength;
- Lost among the dead, *
like the slain who lie in the grave,
- Whom you remember no more, *
for they are cut off from your hand.
- You have laid me in the depths of the Pit, *
in dark places, and in the abyss.
- Your anger weighs upon me heavily, *
and all your great waves overwhelm me.
- You have put my friends far from me;
you have made me to be abhorred by them; *
I am in prison and cannot get free.
- My sight has failed me because of trouble; *
LORD, I have called upon you daily;
I have stretched out my hands to you.
- Do you work wonders for the dead? *
will those who have died stand up and give you thanks?
- Will your loving-kindness be declared in the grave? *
your faithfulness in the land of destruction?
- Will your wonders be known in the dark? *
or your righteousness in the country where all
is forgotten?
- But as for me, O LORD, I cry to you for help; *
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
- LORD, why have you rejected me? *
why have you hidden your face from me?
- Ever since my youth, I have been wretched and at the
point of death; *
I have borne your terrors with a troubled mind.
- Your blazing anger has swept over me; *
your terrors have destroyed me;
- They surround me all day long like a flood; *
they encompass me on every side.
- My friend and my neighbor you have put away from me, *
and darkness is my only companion.
Seventeenth Day: Evening Prayer
89
Part I Misericordias Domini
- Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing; *
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
- For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
- "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
- 'I will establish your line for ever, *
and preserve your throne for all generations.'"
- The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O LORD, *
and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
- For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? *
who is like the LORD among the gods?
- God is much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, *
great and terrible to all those round about him.
- Who is like you, LORD God of hosts? *
O mighty LORD, your faithfulness is all around you.
- You rule the raging of the sea *
and still the surging of its waves.
- You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound; *
you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
- Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; *
you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it.
- You have made the north and the south; *
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your Name.
- You have a mighty arm; *
strong is your hand and high is your right hand.
- Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; *
love and truth go before your face.
- Happy are the people who know the festal shout! *
they walk, O LORD, in the light of your presence.
- They rejoice daily in your Name; *
they are jubilant in your righteousness.
- For you are the glory of their strength, *
and by your favor our might is exalted.
- Truly, the LORD is our ruler; *
the Holy One of Israel is our King.
Psalm 89 - Part II Tunc locutus es [715]
- You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: *
"I have set the crown upon a warrior
and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
- I have found David my servant; *
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
- My hand will hold him fast *
and my arm will make him strong.
- No enemy shall deceive him, *
nor any wicked man bring him down.
- I will crush his foes before him *
and strike down those who hate him.
- My faithfulness and love shall be with him, *
and he shall be victorious through my Name.
- I shall make his dominion extend *
from the Great Sea to the River.
- He will say to me, 'You are my Father, *
my God, and the rock of my salvation.'
- I will make him my firstborn *
and higher than the kings of the earth.
- I will keep my love for him for ever, *
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
- I will establish his line for ever *
and his throne as the days of heaven."
- "If his children forsake my law *
and do not walk according to my judgments;
- If they break my statutes *
and do not keep my commandments;
- I will punish their transgressions with a rod *
and their iniquities with the lash;
- But I will not take my love from him, *
nor let my faithfulness prove false.
- I will not break my covenant, *
nor change what has gone out of my lips.
- Once for all I have sworn by my holiness: *
'I will not lie to David.
- His line shall endure for ever *
and his throne as the sun before me;
- It shall stand fast for evermore like the moon, *
the abiding witness in the sky.'"
- But you have cast off and rejected your anointed; *
you have become enraged at him.
- You have broken your covenant with your servant, *
defiled his crown, and hurled it to the ground.
- You have breached all his walls *
and laid his strongholds in ruins.
- All who pass by despoil him; *
he has become the scorn of his neighbors.
- You have exalted the right hand of his foes *
and made all his enemies rejoice.
- You have turned back the edge of his sword *
and have not sustained him in battle.
- You have put an end to his splendor *
and cast his throne to the ground.
- You have cut short the days of his youth *
and have covered him with shame.
- How long will you hide yourself, O LORD?
will you hide yourself for ever? *
how long will your anger burn like fire?
- Remember, LORD, how short life is, *
how frail you have made all flesh.
- Who can live and not see death? *
who can save himself from the power of the grave?
- Where, Lord, are your loving-kindnesses of old, *
which you promised David in your faithfulness?
- Remember, Lord, how your servant is mocked, *
how I carry in my bosom the taunts of many peoples,
- The taunts your enemies have hurled, O LORD, *
which they hurled at the heels of your anointed.
- Blessed be the LORD for evermore! *
Amen, I say, Amen.
Book Four
Eighteenth Day: Morning Prayer
90
Domine, refugium
- Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another.
- Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the land and the earth were born, *
from age to age you are God.
- You turn us back to the dust and say, *
"Go back, O child of earth."
- For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday
when it is past *
and like a watch in the night.
- You sweep us away like a dream; *
we fade away suddenly like the grass.
- In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
in the evening it is dried up and withered.
- For we consume away in your displeasure; *
we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
- Our iniquities you have set before you, *
and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
- When you are angry, all our days are gone; *
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
- The span of our life is seventy years,
perhaps in strength even eighty; *
yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow,
for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
- Who regards the power of your wrath? *
who rightly fears your indignation?
- So teach us to number our days *
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
- Return, O LORD; how long will you tarry? *
be gracious to your servants.
- Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
- Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *
and the years in which we suffered adversity.
- Show your servants your works *
and your splendor to their children.
- May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; *
prosper the work of our hands;
prosper our handiwork.
91
Qui habitat [719]
- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, *
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
- He shall say to the LORD,
"You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust."
- He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter *
and from the deadly pestilence.
- He shall cover you with his pinions,
and you shall find refuge under his wings; *
his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
- You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, *
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
- Of the plague that stalks in the darkness, *
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
- A thousand shall fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand, *
but it shall not come near you.
- Your eyes have only to behold *
to see the reward of the wicked.
- Because you have made the LORD your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
- There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
- For he shall give his angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
- They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
- You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent
under your feet.
- Because he is bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver him; *
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
- He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; *
I am with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him to honor.
- With long life will I satisfy him, *
and show him my salvation.
92
Bonum est confiteri [720]
- It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD, *
and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
- To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning *
and of your faithfulness in the night season;
- On the psaltery, and on the lyre, *
and to the melody of the harp.
- For you have made me glad by your acts, O LORD; *
and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.
- LORD, how great are your works! *
your thoughts are very deep.
- The dullard does not know,
nor does the fool understand, *
that though the wicked grow like weeds,
and all the workers of iniquity flourish,
- They flourish only to be destroyed for ever; *
but you, O LORD, are exalted for evermore.
- For lo, your enemies, O LORD,
lo, your enemies shall perish, *
and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
- But my horn you have exalted like the horns of wild bulls; *
I am anointed with fresh oil.
- My eyes also gloat over my enemies, *
and my ears rejoice to hear the doom of the wicked who
rise up against me.
- The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *
and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
- Those who are planted in the house of the LORD *
shall flourish in the courts of our God;
- They shall still bear fruit in old age; *
they shall be green and succulent;
- That they may show how upright the LORD is, *
my Rock, in whom there is no fault.
Eighteenth Day: Evening Prayer
93
Dominus regnavit
- The LORD is King;
he has put on splendid apparel; *
the LORD has put on his apparel
and girded himself with strength.
- He has made the whole world so sure *
that it cannot be moved;
- Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.
- The waters have lifted up, O LORD,
the waters have lifted up their voice; *
the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.
- Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea, *
mightier is the LORD who dwells on high.
- Your testimonies are very sure, *
and holiness adorns your house, O LORD,
for ever and for evermore.
94
Deus ultionum [722]
- O LORD God of vengeance, *
O God of vengeance, show yourself
- Rise up, O Judge of the world; *
give the arrogant their just deserts.
- How long shall the wicked, O LORD, *
how long shall the wicked triumph?
- They bluster in their insolence; *
all evildoers are full of boasting.
- They crush your people, O LORD, *
and afflict your chosen nation.
- They murder the widow and the stranger *
and put the orphans to death.
- Yet they say, "The LORD does not see, *
the God of Jacob takes no notice."
- Consider well, you dullards among the people; *
when will you fools understand?
- He that planted the ear, does he not hear? *
he that formed the eye, does he not see?
- He who admonishes the nations, will he not punish? *
he who teaches all the world, has he no knowledge?
- The LORD knows our human thoughts; *
how like a puff of wind they are.
- Happy are they whom you instruct, O Lord! *
whom you teach out of your law;
- To give them rest in evil days, *
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
- For the LORD will not abandon his people, *
nor will he forsake his own.
- For judgment will again be just, *
and all the true of heart will follow it.
- Who rose up for me against the wicked? *
who took my part against the evildoers?
- If the LORD had not come to my help, *
I should soon have dwelt in the land of silence.
- As often as I said, "My foot has slipped," *
your love, O LORD, upheld me.
- When many cares fill my mind, *
your consolations cheer my soul.
- Can a corrupt tribunal have any part with you, *
one which frames evil into law?
- They conspire against the life of the just *
and condemn the innocent to death.
- But the LORD has become my stronghold, *
and my God the rock of my trust.
- He will turn their wickedness back upon them
and destroy them in their own malice; *
the LORD our God will destroy them.
Nineteenth Day: Morning Prayer
95
Venite, exultemus
- Come, let us sing to the LORD; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
- Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
- For the LORD is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
- In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
- The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.
- Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the LORD our Maker.
- For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
- Harden not your hearts,
as your forebears did in the wilderness, *
at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,
when they tempted me.
- They put me to the test, *
though they had seen my works.
- Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *
"This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways."
- So I swore in my wrath, *
"They shall not enter into my rest."
96
Cantate Domino [725]
- Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.
- Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
- Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.
- For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
- As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.
- Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
- Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the LORD honor and power.
- Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
- Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.
- Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King! *
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."
- Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
- Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the LORD when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.
- He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.
97
Dominus regnavit [726]
- The LORD is King;
let the earth rejoice; *
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
- Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
- A fire goes before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
- His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
- The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
- The heavens declare his righteousness, *
and all the peoples see his glory.
- Confounded be all who worship carved images
and delight in false gods! *
Bow down before him, all you gods.
- Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments, O LORD.
- For you are the LORD,
most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
- The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he preserves the lives of his saints
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
- Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
- Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, *
and give thanks to his holy Name.
Nineteenth Day: Evening Prayer
98
Cantate Domino
- Sing to the LORD a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
- With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
- The LORD has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in
the sight of the nations.
- He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to
the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the
victory of our God.
- Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
- Sing to the LORD with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
- With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the LORD.
- Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
- Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD,
when he comes to judge the earth.
- In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.
99
Dominus regnavit [728]
- The LORD is King;
let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth shake.
- The LORD is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.
- Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.
- "O mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."
- Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.
- Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
- He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
- O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.
- Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the LORD our God is the Holy One.
100
Jubilate Deo [729]
- Be joyful in the LORD, all you lands; *
serve the LORD with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
- Know this: The LORD himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
- Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
- For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
101
Misericordiam et judicium [730]
- I will sing of mercy and justice; *
to you, O LORD, will I sing praises.
- I will strive to follow a blameless course;
oh, when will you come to me? *
I will walk with sincerity of heart within my house.
- I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; *
I hate the doers of evil deeds;
they shall not remain with me.
- A crooked heart shall be far from me; *
I will not know evil.
- Those who in secret slander their neighbors I will destroy; *
those who have a haughty look and a proud
heart I cannot abide.
- My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may
dwell with me, *
and only those who lead a blameless life shall
be my servants.
- Those who act deceitfully shall not dwell in my house, *
and those who tell lies shall not continue in my sight.
- I will soon destroy all the wicked in the land, *
that I may root out all evildoers from the city of the LORD.
Twentieth Day: Morning Prayer
102
Domine, exaudi
- LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come before you; *
hide not your face from me in the day of my trouble.
- Incline your ear to me; *
when I call, make haste to answer me,
- For my days drift away like smoke, *
and my bones are hot as burning coals.
- My heart is smitten like grass and withered, *
so that I forget to eat my bread.
- Because of the voice of my groaning *
I am but skin and bones.
- I have become like a vulture in the wilderness, *
like an owl among the ruins.
- I lie awake and groan; *
I am like a sparrow, lonely on a house-top.
- My enemies revile me all day long, *
and those who scoff at me have taken an oath against me.
- For I have eaten ashes for bread *
and mingled my drink with weeping.
- Because of your indignation and wrath *
you have lifted me up and thrown me away.
- My days pass away like a shadow, *
and I wither like the grass.
- But you, O LORD, endure for ever, *
and your Name from age to age.
- You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to have mercy upon her; *
indeed, the appointed time has come.
- For your servants love her very rubble, *
and are moved to pity even for her dust.
- The nations shall fear your Name, O LORD, *
and all the kings of the earth your glory.
- For the LORD will build up Zion, *
and his glory will appear.
- He will look with favor on the prayer of the homeless; *
he will not despise their plea.
- Let this be written for a future generation, *
so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD.
- For the LORD looked down from his holy place on high; *
from the heavens he beheld the earth;
- That he might hear the groan of the captive *
and set free those condemned to die;
- That they may declare in Zion the Name of the LORD, *
and his praise in Jerusalem;
- When the peoples are gathered together, *
and the kingdoms also, to serve the LORD.
- He has brought down my strength before my time; *
he has shortened the number of my days;
- And I said, "O my God,
do not take me away in the midst of my days; *
your years endure throughout all generations.
- In the beginning, O LORD, you laid the foundations
of the earth, *
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
- They shall perish, but you will endure;
they all shall wear out like a garment; *
as clothing you will change them,
and they shall be changed;
- But you are always the same, *
and your years will never end.
- The children of your servants shall continue, *
and their offspring shall stand fast in your sight."
103
Benedic, anima mea [733]
- Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
- Bless the LORD, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits.
- He forgives all your sins *
and heals all your infirmities;
- He redeems your life from the grave *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
- He satisfies you with good things, *
and your youth is renewed like an eagle's.
- The LORD executes righteousness *
and judgment for all who are oppressed.
- He made his ways known to Moses *
and his works to the children of Israel.
- The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
- He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
- He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
- For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
- As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.
- As a father cares for his children, *
so does the LORD care for those who fear him.
- For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
- Our days are like the grass; *
we flourish like a flower of the field;
- When the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
- But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever
on those who fear him, *
and his righteousness on children's children;
- On those who keep his covenant *
and remember his commandments and do them.
- The LORD has set his throne in heaven, *
and his kingship has dominion over all.
- Bless the LORD, you angels of his,
you mighty ones who do his bidding, *
and hearken to the voice of his word.
- Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, *
you ministers of his who do his will.
- Bless the LORD, all you works of his,
in all places of his dominion; *
bless the LORD, O my soul.
Twentieth Day: Evening Prayer
104
Benedic, anima mea [735]
- Bless the LORD, O my soul; *
O LORD my God, how excellent is your greatness!
you are clothed with majesty and splendor.
- You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak *
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.
- You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above; *
you make the clouds your chariot;
you ride on the wings of the wind.
- You make the winds your messengers *
and flames of fire your servants.
- You have set the earth upon its foundations, *
so that it never shall move at any time.
- You covered it with the Deep as with a mantle; *
the waters stood higher than the mountains.
- At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
- They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath, *
to the places you had appointed for them.
- You set the limits that they should not pass; *
they shall not again cover the earth.
- You send the springs into the valleys; *
they flow between the mountains.
- All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, *
and the wild asses quench their thirst.
- Beside them the birds of the air make their nests *
and sing among the branches.
- You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; *
the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works.
- You make grass grow for flocks and herds *
and plants to serve mankind;
- That they may bring forth food from the earth, *
and wine to gladden our hearts,
- Oil to make a cheerful countenance, *
and bread to strengthen the heart.
- The trees of the LORD are full of sap, *
the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,
- In which the birds build their nests, *
and in whose tops the stork makes his dwelling.
- The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats, *
and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.
- You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows the time of its setting.
- You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest prowl.
- The lions roar after their prey *
and seek their food from God.
- The sun rises, and they slip away *
and lay themselves down in their dens.
- Man goes forth to his work *
and to his labor until the evening.
- O LORD, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
- Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.
- There move the ships,
and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.
- All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season.
- You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.
- You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
- You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.
- May the glory of the LORD endure for ever; *
may the LORD rejoice in all his works.
- He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
he touches the mountains and they smoke.
- I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.
- May these words of mine please him; *
I will rejoice in the LORD.
- Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, *
and the wicked be no more.
- Bless the LORD, O my soul. *
Hallelujah!
Twenty-first Day: Morning Prayer
105
Part I Confitemini Domino [738]
- Give thanks to the LORD and call upon his Name; *
make known his deeds among the peoples.
- Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.
- Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
- Search for the LORD and his strength; *
continually seek his face.
- Remember the marvels he has done, *
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,
- O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.
- He is the LORD our God; *
his judgments prevail in all the world.
- He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
the promise he made for a thousand generations:
- The covenant he made with Abraham, *
the oath that he swore to Isaac,
- Which he established as a statute for Jacob, *
an everlasting covenant for Israel,
- Saying, "To you will I give the land of Canaan *
to be your allotted inheritance."
- When they were few in number, *
of little account, and sojourners in the land,
- Wandering from nation to nation *
and from one kingdom to another,
- He let no one oppress them *
and rebuked kings for their sake,
- Saying, "Do not touch my anointed *
and do my prophets no harm."
- Then he called for a famine in the land *
and destroyed the supply of bread.
- He sent a man before them, *
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
- They bruised his feet in fetters; *
his neck they put in an iron collar.
- Until his prediction came to pass, *
the word of the LORD tested him.
- The king sent and released him; *
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
- He set him as a master over his household,
as a ruler over all his possessions,
- To instruct his princes according to his will
and to teach his elders wisdom.
Psalm 105 - Part II Et intravit Israel [739]
- Israel came into Egypt, *
and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.
- The LORD made his people exceedingly fruitful; *
he made them stronger than their enemies;
- Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *
and dealt unjustly with his servants.
- He sent Moses his servant, *
and Aaron whom he had chosen.
- They worked his signs among them, *
and portents in the land of Ham.
- He sent darkness, and it grew dark; *
but the Egyptians rebelled against his words.
- He turned their waters into blood *
and caused their fish to die.
- Their land was overrun by frogs, *
in the very chambers of their kings.
- He spoke, and there came swarms of insects *
and gnats within all their borders.
- He gave them hailstones instead of rain, *
and flames of fire throughout their land.
- He blasted their vines and their fig trees *
and shattered every tree in their country.
- He spoke, and the locust came, *
and young locusts without number,
- Which ate up all the green plants in their land *
and devoured the fruit of their soil.
- He struck down the firstborn of their land, *
the first fruits of all their strength.
- He led out his people with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.
- Egypt was glad of their going, *
because they were afraid of them.
- He spread out a cloud for a covering *
and a fire to give light in the night season.
- They asked, and quails appeared, *
and he satisfied them with bread from heaven.
- He opened the rock, and water flowed, *
so the river ran in the dry places.
- For God remembered his holy word *
and Abraham his servant.
- So he led forth his people with gladness, *
his chosen with shouts of joy.
- He gave his people the lands of the nations, *
and they took the fruit of others' toil,
- That they might keep his statutes *
and observe his laws.
Hallelujah!
Twenty-first Day: Evening Prayer
106
Part I Confitemini Domino
- Hallelujah!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Who can declare the mighty acts of the LORD *
or show forth all his praise?
- Happy are those who act with justice *
and always do what is right!
- Remember me, O LORD, with the favor you have
for your people, *
and visit me with your saving help;
- That I may see the prosperity of your elect
and be glad with the gladness of your people, *
that I may glory with your inheritance.
- We have sinned as our forebears did; *
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
- In Egypt they did not consider your marvelous works,
nor remember the abundance of your love; *
they defied the Most High at the Red Sea.
- But he saved them for his Name's sake, *
to make his power known.
- He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up, *
and he led them through the deep as through a desert.
- He saved them from the hand of those who hated them *
and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
- The waters covered their oppressors; *
not one of them was left.
- Then they believed his words *
and sang him songs of praise.
- But they soon forgot his deeds *
and did not wait for his counsel.
- A craving seized them in the wilderness, *
and they put God to the test in the desert.
- He gave them what they asked, *
but sent leanness into their soul.
- They envied Moses in the camp, *
and Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.
- The earth opened and swallowed Dathan *
and covered the company of Abiram.
- Fire blazed up against their company, *
and flames devoured the wicked.
Psalm 106: Part II Et fecerunt vitulum [743]
- Israel made a bull-calf at Horeb *
and worshiped a molten image;
- And so they exchanged their Glory *
for the image of an ox that feeds on grass.
- They forgot God their Savior, *
who had done great things in Egypt,
- Wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, *
and fearful things at the Red Sea.
- So he would have destroyed them,
had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, *
to turn away his wrath from consuming them.
- They refused the pleasant land *
and would not believe his promise.
- They grumbled in their tents *
and would not listen to the voice of the LORD.
- So he lifted his hand against them, *
to overthrow them in the wilderness,
- To cast out their seed among the nations, *
and to scatter them throughout the lands.
- They joined themselves to Baal-Peor *
and ate sacrifices offered to the dead.
- They provoked him to anger with their actions, *
and a plague broke out among them.
- Then Phinehas stood up and interceded, *
and the plague came to an end.
- This was reckoned to him as righteousness *
throughout all generations for ever.
- Again they provoked his anger at the waters of Meribah, *
so that he punished Moses because of them;
- For they so embittered his spirit *
that he spoke rash words with his lips.
- They did not destroy the peoples *
as the LORD had commanded them.
- They intermingled with the heathen *
and learned their pagan ways,
- So that they worshiped their idols, *
which became a snare to them.
- They sacrificed their sons *
and their daughters to evil spirits.
- They shed innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters, *
which they offered to the idols of Canaan,
and the land was defiled with blood.
- Thus they were polluted by their actions *
and went whoring in their evil deeds.
- Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against
his people *
and he abhorred his inheritance.
- He gave them over to the hand of the heathen, *
and those who hated them ruled over them.
- Their enemies oppressed them, *
and they were humbled under their hand.
- Many a time did he deliver them,
but they rebelled through their own devices, *
and were brought down in their iniquity.
- Nevertheless, he saw their distress, *
when he heard their lamentation.
- He remembered his covenant with them *
and relented in accordance with his great mercy.
- He caused them to be pitied *
by those who held them captive.
- Save us, O LORD our God,
and gather us from among the nations, *
that we may give thanks to your holy Name
and glory in your praise.
- Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting and to everlasting; *
and let all the people say, "Amen!"
Hallelujah!
Book Five
Twenty-second Day: Morning Prayer
107
Part I Confitemini Domino
- Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
- Let all those whom the LORD has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
- He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
- Some wandered in desert wastes; *
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
- They were hungry and thirsty; *
their spirits languished within them.
- Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
- He put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.
- Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
- For he satisfies the thirsty *
and fills the hungry with good things.
- Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *
bound fast in misery and iron;
- Because they rebelled against the words of God *
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
- So he humbled their spirits with hard labor; *
they stumbled, and there was none to help.
- Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
- He led them out of darkness and deep gloom *
and broke their bonds asunder.
- Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
- For he shatters the doors of bronze *
and breaks in two the iron bars.
- Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.
- They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death's door.
- Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
- He sent forth his word and healed them *
and saved them from the grave.
- Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
- Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.
- Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
- They beheld the works of the LORD *
and his wonders in the deep.
- Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
- They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
- They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits' end.
- Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
- He stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
- Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.
- Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
- Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the council of the elders.
Psalm 107: Part II Posuit flumina [748]
- The LORD changed rivers into deserts, *
and water-springs into thirsty ground,
- A fruitful land into salt flats, *
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
- He changed deserts into pools of water *
and dry land into water-springs.
- He settled the hungry there, *
and they founded a city to dwell in.
- They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *
and brought in a fruitful harvest.
- He blessed them, so that they increased greatly; *
he did not let their herds decrease.
- Yet when they were diminished and brought low, *
through stress of adversity and sorrow,
- (He pours contempt on princes *
and makes them wander in trackless wastes)
- He lifted up the poor out of misery *
and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.
- The upright will see this and rejoice, *
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
- Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *
and consider well the mercies of the LORD.
Twenty-second Day: Evening Prayer
108
Paratum cor meum
- My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *
I will sing and make melody.
- Wake up, my spirit;
awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will waken the dawn.
- I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD; *
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
- For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
- Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.
- So that those who are dear to you may be delivered, *
save with your right hand and answer me.
- God spoke from his holy place and said, *
"I will exult and parcel out Shechem;
I will divide the valley of Succoth.
- Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; *
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my scepter.
- Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, *
and over Philistia will I shout in triumph."
- Who will lead me into the strong city? *
who will bring me into Edom?
- Have you not cast us off, O God? *
you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.
- Grant us your help against the enemy, *
for vain is the help of man.
- With God we will do valiant deeds, *
and he shall tread our enemies under foot.
109
Deus, laudem [750]
- Hold not your tongue, O God of my praise; *
for the mouth of the wicked,
the mouth of the deceitful, is opened against me.
- They speak to me with a lying tongue; *
they encompass me with hateful words
and fight against me without a cause.
- Despite my love, they accuse me; *
but as for me, I pray for them.
- They repay evil for good, *
and hatred for my love.
- Set a wicked man against him, *
and let an accuser stand at his right hand.
- When he is judged, let him be found guilty, *
and let his appeal be in vain.
- Let his days be few, *
and let another take his office.
- Let his children be fatherless, *
and his wife become a widow.
- Let his children be waifs and beggars; *
let them be driven from the ruins of their homes.
- Let the creditor seize everything he has; *
let strangers plunder his gains.
- Let there be no one to show him kindness, *
and none to pity his fatherless children.
- Let his descendants be destroyed, *
and his name be blotted out in the next generation.
- Let the wickedness of his fathers be remembered before
the LORD, *
and his mother's sin not be blotted out;
- Let their sin be always before the LORD; *
but let him root out their names from the earth;
- Because he did not remember to show mercy, *
but persecuted the poor and needy
and sought to kill the brokenhearted.
- He loved cursing,
let it come upon him; *
he took no delight in blessing,
let it depart from him.
- He put on cursing like a garment, *
let it soak into his body like water
and into his bones like oil;
- Let it be to him like the cloak which he
wraps around himself, *
and like the belt that he wears continually.
- Let this be the recompense from the LORD to my accusers, *
and to those who speak evil against me.
- But you, O Lord my GOD,
oh, deal with me according to your Name; *
for your tender mercy's sake, deliver me.
- For I am poor and needy, *
and my heart is wounded within me.
- I have faded away like a shadow when it lengthens; *
I am shaken off like a locust.
- My knees are weak through fasting, *
and my flesh is wasted and gaunt.
- I have become a reproach to them; *
they see and shake their heads.
- Help me, O LORD my God; *
save me for your mercy's sake.
- Let them know that this is your hand, *
that you, O LORD, have done it.
- They may curse, but you will bless; *
let those who rise up against me be put to shame,
and your servant will rejoice.
- Let my accusers be clothed with disgrace *
and wrap themselves in their shame as in a cloak.
- I will give great thanks to the LORD with my mouth; *
in the midst of the multitude will I praise him;
- Because he stands at the right hand of the needy, *
to save his life from those who would condemn him.
Twenty-third Day: Morning Prayer
110
Dixit Dominus
- The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, *
until I make your enemies your footstool."
- The LORD will send the scepter of your power out of Zion, *
saying, "Rule over your enemies round about you.
- Princely state has been yours from the day of your birth; *
in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you,
like dew from the womb of the morning."
- The LORD has sworn and he will not recant: *
"You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."
- The Lord who is at your right hand
will smite kings in the day of his wrath; *
he will rule over the nations.
- He will heap high the corpses; *
he will smash heads over the wide earth.
- He will drink from the brook beside the road; *
therefore he will lift high his head.
111
Confitebor tibi [754]
- Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, *
in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
- Great are the deeds of the LORD! *
they are studied by all who delight in them.
- His work is full of majesty and splendor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever.
- He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *
the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
- He gives food to those who fear him; *
he is ever mindful of his covenant.
- He has shown his people the power of his works *
in giving them the lands of the nations.
- The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all his commandments are sure.
- They stand fast for ever and ever, *
because they are done in truth and equity.
- He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name.
- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; *
those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
his praise endures for ever.
112
Beatus vir [755]
- Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in his commandments!
- Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
- Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.
- Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
- It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.
- For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
- They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the Lord.
- Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.
- They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honor.
- The wicked will see it and be angry;
they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *
the desires of the wicked will perish.
113
Laudate, pueri [756]
- Hallelujah!
Give praise, you servants of the LORD; *
praise the Name of the LORD.
- Let the Name of the LORD be blessed, *
from this time forth for evermore.
- From the rising of the sun to its going down *
let the Name of the LORD be praised.
- The LORD is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.
- Who is like the LORD our God, who sits enthroned on high *
but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth?
- He takes up the weak out of the dust *
and lifts up the poor from the ashes.
- He sets them with the princes, *
with the princes of his people.
- He makes the woman of a childless house *
to be a joyful mother of children.
Twenty-third Day: Evening Prayer
114
In exitu Israel
- Hallelujah!
When Israel came out of Egypt, *
the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech,
- Judah became God's sanctuary *
and Israel his dominion.
- The sea beheld it and fled; *
Jordan turned and went back.
- The mountains skipped like rams, *
and the little hills like young sheep.
- What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? *
O Jordan, that you turned back?
- You mountains, that you skipped like rams? *
you little hills like young sheep?
- Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
- Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water *
and flint-stone into a flowing spring.
115
Non nobis, Domine [757]
- Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
but to your Name give glory; *
because of your love and because of your faithfulness.
- Why should the heathen say, *
"Where then is their God?"
- Our God is in heaven; *
whatever he wills to do he does.
- Their idols are silver and gold, *
the work of human hands.
- They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *
eyes have they, but they cannot see;
- They have ears, but they cannot hear; *
noses, but they cannot smell;
- They have hands, but they cannot feel;
feet, but they cannot walk; *
they make no sound with their throat.
- Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.
- O Israel, trust in the LORD; *
he is their help and their shield.
- O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; *
he is their help and their shield.
- You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; *
he is their help and their shield.
- The LORD has been mindful of us, and he will bless us; *
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
- He will bless those who fear the LORD, *
both small and great together.
- May the LORD increase you more and more, *
you and your children after you.
- May you be blessed by the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
- The heaven of heavens is the LORD'S, *
but he entrusted the earth to its peoples.
- The dead do not praise the LORD, *
nor all those who go down into silence;
- But we will bless the LORD, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Hallelujah!
Twenty-fourth Day: Morning Prayer
116
Dilexi, quoniam
- I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
- The cords of death entangled me;
the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.
- Then I called upon the Name of the LORD: *
"O LORD, I pray you, save my life."
- Gracious is the LORD and righteous; *
our God is full of compassion.
- The LORD watches over the innocent; *
I was brought very low, and he helped me.
- Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *
for the LORD has treated you well.
- For you have rescued my life from death, *
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
- I will walk in the presence of the LORD *
in the land of the living.
- I believed, even when I said,
"I have been brought very low." *
In my distress I said, "No one can be trusted."
- How shall I repay the LORD *
for all the good things he has done for me?
- I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
- I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people.
- Precious in the sight of the LORD *
is the death of his servants.
- O LORD, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me from my bonds.
- I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the Name of the LORD.
- I will fulfill my vows to the LORD *
in the presence of all his people,
- In the courts of the LORD'S house, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!
117
Laudate Dominum [760]
- Praise the LORD, all you nations; *
laud him, all you peoples.
- For his loving-kindness toward us is great, *
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever.
Hallelujah!
118
Confitemini Domino [760]
- Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
- Let Israel now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."
- Let the house of Aaron now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."
- Let those who fear the LORD now proclaim, *
"His mercy endures for ever."
- I called to the LORD in my distress; *
the LORD answered by setting me free.
- The LORD is at my side, therefore I will not fear; *
what can anyone do to me?
- The LORD is at my side to help me; *
I will triumph over those who hate me.
- It is better to rely on the LORD *
than to put any trust in flesh.
- It is better to rely on the LORD *
than to put any trust in rulers.
- All the ungodly encompass me; *
in the name of the LORD I will repel them.
- They hem me in, they hem me in on every side; *
in the name of the LORD I will repel them.
- They swarm about me like bees;
they blaze like a fire of thorns; *
in the name of the LORD I will repel them.
- I was pressed so hard that I almost fell, *
but the LORD came to my help.
- The LORD is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.
- There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:
- "The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! *
the right hand of the LORD is exalted!
the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!"
- I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the LORD.
- The LORD has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death.
- Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.
- "This is the gate of the LORD; *
he who is righteous may enter."
- I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.
- The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
- This is the LORD'S doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
- On this day the LORD has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
- Hosannah, LORD, hosannah! *
LORD, send us now success.
- Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
- God is the LORD; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
- "You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you."
- Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.
Twenty-fourth Day: Evening Prayer [763]
119
Aleph
Beati immaculati
- Happy are they whose way is blameless, *
who walk in the law of the LORD!
- Happy are they who observe his decrees *
and seek him with all their hearts!
- Who never do any wrong, *
but always walk in his ways.
- You laid down your commandments, *
that we should fully keep them.
- Oh, that my ways were made so direct *
that I might keep your statutes!
- Then I should not be put to shame, *
when I regard all your commandments.
- I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, *
when I have learned your righteous judgments.
- I will keep your statutes; *
do not utterly forsake me.
Beth In quo corrigit? [764]
- How shall a young man cleanse his way? *
By keeping to your words.
- With my whole heart I seek you; *
let me not stray from your commandments.
- I treasure your promise in my heart, *
that I may not sin against you.
- Blessed are you, O LORD; *
instruct me in your statutes.
- With my lips will I recite *
all the judgments of your mouth.
- I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees *
than in all manner of riches.
- I will meditate on your commandments *
and give attention to your ways.
- My delight is in your statutes; *
I will not forget your word.
Gimel Retribue servo tuo [764]
- Deal bountifully with your servant, *
that I may live and keep your word.
- Open my eyes, that I may see *
the wonders of your law.
- I am a stranger here on earth; *
do not hide your commandments from me.
- My soul is consumed at all times *
with longing for your judgments.
- You have rebuked the insolent; *
cursed are they who stray from your commandments!
- Turn from me shame and rebuke, *
for I have kept your decrees.
- Even though rulers sit and plot against me, *
I will meditate on your statutes.
- For your decrees are my delight, *
and they are my counselors.
Daleth Adhaesit pavimento [765]
- My soul cleaves to the dust; *
give me life according to your word.
- I have confessed my ways, and you answered me; *
instruct me in your statutes.
- Make me understand the way of your commandments, *
that I may meditate on your marvelous works.
- My soul melts away for sorrow; *
strengthen me according to your word.
- Take from me the way of lying; *
let me find grace through your law.
- I have chosen the way of faithfulness; *
I have set your judgments before me.
- I hold fast to your decrees; *
O LORD, let me not be put to shame.
- I will run the way of your commandments, *
for you have set my heart at liberty.
Twenty-fifth Day: Morning Prayer
He Legem pone
- Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
- Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
I shall keep it with all my heart.
- Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for that is my desire.
- Incline my heart to your decrees *
and not to unjust gain.
- Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *
give me life in your ways.
- Fulfill your promise to your servant, *
which you make to those who fear you.
- Turn away the reproach which I dread, *
because your judgments are good.
- Behold, I long for your commandments; *
in your righteousness preserve my life.
Waw Et veniat super me [766]
- Let your loving-kindness come to me, O LORD, *
and your salvation, according to your promise.
- Then shall I have a word for those who taunt me, *
because I trust in your words.
- Do not take the word of truth out of my mouth, *
for my hope is in your judgments.
- I shall continue to keep your law; *
I shall keep it for ever and ever.
- I will walk at liberty, *
because I study your commandments.
- I will tell of your decrees before kings *
and will not be ashamed.
- I delight in your commandments, *
which I have always loved.
- I will lift up my hands to your commandments, *
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Zayin Memor esto verbi tui [767]
- Remember your word to your servant, *
because you have given me hope.
- This is my comfort in my trouble, *
that your promise gives me life.
- The proud have derided me cruelly, *
but I have not turned from your law.
- When I remember your judgments of old, *
O LORD, I take great comfort.
- I am filled with a burning rage, *
because of the wicked who forsake your law.
- Your statutes have been like songs to me *
wherever I have lived as a stranger.
- I remember your Name in the night, O LORD, *
and dwell upon your law.
- This is how it has been with me, *
because I have kept your commandments.
Heth Portio mea, Domine [768]
- You only are my portion, O LORD; *
I have promised to keep your words.
- I entreat you with all my heart, *
be merciful to me according to your promise.
- I have considered my ways *
and turned my feet toward your decrees.
- I hasten and do not tarry *
to keep your commandments.
- Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, *
I do not forget your law.
- At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, *
because of your righteous judgments.
- I am a companion of all who fear you; *
and of those who keep your commandments.
- The earth, O LORD, is full of your love; *
instruct me in your statutes.
Teth Bonitatem fecisti [768]
- O LORD, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *
according to your word.
- Teach me discernment and knowledge, *
for I have believed in your commandments.
- Before I was afflicted I went astray, *
but now I keep your word.
- You are good and you bring forth good; *
instruct me in your statutes.
- The proud have smeared me with lies, *
but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
- Their heart is gross and fat, *
but my delight is in your law.
- It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *
that I might learn your statutes.
- The law of your mouth is dearer to me *
than thousands in gold and silver.
Twenty-fifth Day: Evening Prayer
Yodh Manus tuae fecerunt me
- Your hands have made me and fashioned me; *
give me understanding, that I may learn your
commandments.
- Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, *
because I trust in your word.
- I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right *
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
- Let your loving-kindness be my comfort, *
as you have promised to your servant.
- Let your compassion come to me, that I may live, *
for your law is my delight.
- Let the arrogant be put to shame, for they wrong me
with lies; *
but I will meditate on your commandments.
- Let those who fear you turn to me, *
and also those who know your decrees.
- Let my heart be sound in your statutes, *
that I may not be put to shame.
Kaph Defecit in salutare [770]
- My soul has longed for your salvation; *
I have put my hope in your word.
- My eyes have failed from watching for your promise, *
and I say, "When will you comfort me?"
- I have become like a leather flask in the smoke, *
but I have not forgotten your statutes.
- How much longer must I wait? *
when will you give judgment against those who
persecute me?
- The proud have dug pits for me; *
they do not keep your law.
- All your commandments are true; *
help me, for they persecute me with lies.
- They had almost made an end of me on earth, *
but I have not forsaken your commandments.
- In your loving-kindness, revive me, *
that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.
Lamedh In aeternum, Domine [770]
- O LORD, your word is everlasting; *
it stands firm in the heavens.
- Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; *
you established the earth, and it abides.
- By your decree these continue to this day, *
for all things are your servants.
- If my delight had not been in your law, *
I should have perished in my affliction.
- I will never forget your commandments, *
because by them you give me life.
- I am yours; oh, that you would save me! *
for I study your commandments.
- Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, *
I will apply my mind to your decrees.
- I see that all things come to an end, *
but your commandment has no bounds.
Mem Quomodo dilexi [771]
- Oh, how I love your law! *
all the day long it is in my mind.
- Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
and it is always with me.
- I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
for your decrees are my study.
- I am wiser than the elders, *
because I observe your commandments.
- I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
that I may keep your word.
- I do not shrink from your judgments, *
because you yourself have taught me.
- How sweet are your words to my taste! *
they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
- Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
therefore I hate every lying way.
Twenty-sixth Day: Morning Prayer
Nun Lucerna pedibus meis
- Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.
- I have sworn and am determined *
to keep your righteous judgments.
- I am deeply troubled; *
preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
- Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips, *
and teach me your judgments.
- My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.
- The wicked have set a trap for me, *
but I have not strayed from your commandments.
- Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *
truly, they are the joy of my heart.
- I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *
for ever and to the end.
Samekh Iniquos odio habui [772]
- I hate those who have a divided heart, *
but your law do I love.
- You are my refuge and shield; *
my hope is in your word.
- Away from me, you wicked! *
I will keep the commandments of my God.
- Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, *
and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
- Hold me up, and I shall be safe, *
and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
- You spurn all who stray from your statutes; *
their deceitfulness is in vain.
- In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross; *
therefore I love your decrees.
- My flesh trembles with dread of you; *
I am afraid of your judgments.
Ayin Feci judicium [773]
- I have done what is just and right; *
do not deliver me to my oppressors.
- Be surety for your servant's good; *
let not the proud oppress me.
- My eyes have failed from watching for your salvation *
and for your righteous promise.
- Deal with your servant according to your loving-kindness *
and teach me your statutes.
- I am your servant; grant me understanding, *
that I may know your decrees.
- It is time for you to act, O LORD, *
for they have broken your law.
- Truly, I love your commandments *
more than gold and precious stones.
- I hold all your commandments to be right for me; *
all paths of falsehood I abhor.
Pe Mirabilia [774]
- Your decrees are wonderful; *
therefore I obey them with all my heart.
- When your word goes forth it gives light; *
it gives understanding to the simple.
- I open my mouth and pant; *
I long for your commandments.
- Turn to me in mercy, *
as you always do to those who love your Name.
- Steady my footsteps in your word; *
let no iniquity have dominion over me.
- Rescue me from those who oppress me, *
and I will keep your commandments.
- Let your countenance shine upon your servant *
and teach me your statutes.
- My eyes shed streams of tears, *
because people do not keep your law.
Sadhe Justus es, Domine [774]
- You are righteous, O LORD, *
and upright are your judgments.
- You have issued your decrees *
with justice and in perfect faithfulness.
- My indignation has consumed me, *
because my enemies forget your words.
- Your word has been tested to the uttermost, *
and your servant holds it dear.
- I am small and of little account, *
yet I do not forget your commandments.
- Your justice is an everlasting justice *
and your law is the truth.
- Trouble and distress have come upon me, *
yet your commandments are my delight.
- The righteousness of your decrees is everlasting; *
grant me understanding, that I may live.
Twenty-sixth Day: Evening Prayer
Qoph Clamavi in toto corde meo
- I call with my whole heart; *
answer me, O LORD, that I may keep your statutes.
- I call to you;
oh, that you would save me! *
I will keep your decrees.
- Early in the morning I cry out to you, *
for in your word is my trust.
- My eyes are open in the night watches, *
that I may meditate upon your promise.
- Hear my voice, O LORD, according to your loving-kindness; *
according to your judgments, give me life.
- They draw near who in malice persecute me; *
they are very far from your law.
- You, O LORD, are near at hand, *
and all your commandments are true.
- Long have I known from your decrees *
that you have established them for ever.
Resh Vide humilitatem [776]
- Behold my affliction and deliver me, *
for I do not forget your law.
- Plead my cause and redeem me; *
according to your promise, give me life.
- Deliverance is far from the wicked, *
for they do not study your statutes.
- Great is your compassion, O LORD; *
preserve my life, according to your judgments.
- There are many who persecute and oppress me, *
yet I have not swerved from your decrees.
- I look with loathing at the faithless, *
for they have not kept your word.
- See how I love your commandments! *
O LORD, in your mercy, preserve me.
- The heart of your word is truth; *
all your righteous judgments endure for evermore.
Shin Principes persecuti sunt [777]
- Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, *
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
- I am as glad because of your promise *
as one who finds great spoils.
- As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *
but your law is my love.
- Seven times a day do I praise you, *
because of your righteous judgments.
- Great peace have they who love your law; *
for them there is no stumbling block.
- I have hoped for your salvation, O LORD, *
and I have fulfilled your commandments.
- I have kept your decrees *
and I have loved them deeply.
- I have kept your commandments and decrees, *
for all my ways are before you.
Taw Appropinquet deprecatio [777]
- Let my cry come before you, O LORD; *
give me understanding, according to your word.
- Let my supplication come before you; *
deliver me, according to your promise.
- My lips shall pour forth your praise, *
when you teach me your statutes.
- My tongue shall sing of your promise, *
for all your commandments are righteous.
- Let your hand be ready to help me, *
for I have chosen your commandments.
- I long for your salvation, O LORD, *
and your law is my delight.
- Let me live, and I will praise you, *
and let your judgments help me.
- I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; *
search for your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
Twenty-seventh Day: Morning Prayer
120
Ad Dominum [778]
- When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD; *
I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
- Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips *
and from the deceitful tongue.
- What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *
O you deceitful tongue?
- The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *
along with hot glowing coals.
- How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *
and dwell among the tents of Kedar!
- Too long have I had to live; *
among the enemies of peace.
- I am on the side of peace, *
but when I speak of it, they are for war.
121
Levavi oculos [779]
- I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
- My help comes from the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
- He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
- Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
- The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
- So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
- The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
- The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
122
Laetatus sum [779]
- I was glad when they said to me, *
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
- Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
- Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;
- To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the LORD.
- For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.
- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
"May they prosper who love you.
- Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
- For my brethren and companions' sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.
- Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
I will seek to do you good."
123
Ad te levavi oculos meos [780]
- To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
- As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
- So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
until he show us his mercy.
- Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
- Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.
124
Nisi quia Dominus [781]
- If the LORD had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
- If the LORD had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
- Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
- Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
- Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
- Blessed be the LORD! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
- We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
- Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
125
Qui confidunt [781]
- Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
- The hills stand about Jerusalem; *
so does the LORD stand round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
- The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the land allotted to the just, *
so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.
- Show your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good *
and to those who are true of heart.
- As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,
the LORD will lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace be upon Israel.
Twenty-seventh Day: Evening Prayer
126
In convertendo
- When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
- Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
- Then they said among the nations, *
"The LORD has done great things for them."
- The LORD has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.
- Restore our fortunes, O LORD, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.
- Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
- Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
Nisi Dominus [782]
- Unless the LORD builds the house, *
their labor is in vain who build it.
- Unless the LORD watches over the city, *
in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.
- It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; *
vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
- Children are a heritage from the LORD, *
and the fruit of the womb is a gift.
- Like arrows in the hand of a warrior *
are the children of one's youth.
- Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! *
he shall not be put to shame
when he contends with his enemies in the gate.
Beati omnes [783]
- Happy are they all who fear the LORD, *
and who follow in his ways!
- You shall eat the fruit of your labor; *
happiness and prosperity shall be yours.
- Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, *
your children like olive shoots round about your table.
- The man who fears the LORD *
shall thus indeed be blessed.
- The LORD bless you from Zion, *
and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days
of your life.
- May you live to see your children's children; *
may peace be upon Israel.
129
Saepe expugnaverunt [784]
- "Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth," *
let Israel now say;
- "Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth, *
but they have not prevailed against me."
- The plowmen plowed upon my back *
and made their furrows long.
- The LORD, the Righteous One, *
has cut the cords of the wicked.
- Let them be put to shame and thrown back, *
all those who are enemies of Zion.
- Let them be like grass upon the housetops, *
which withers before it can be plucked;
- Which does not fill the hand of the reaper, *
nor the bosom of him who binds the sheaves;
- So that those who go by say not so much as,
"The LORD prosper you. *
We wish you well in the Name of the LORD."
130
De profundis [784]
- Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
- If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who could stand?
- For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
- I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.
- My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
- O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;
- With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
131
Domine, non est [785]
- O LORD, I am not proud; *
I have no haughty looks.
- I do not occupy myself with great matters, *
or with things that are too hard for me.
- But I still my soul and make it quiet,
like a child upon its mother's breast; *
my soul is quieted within me.
- O Israel, wait upon the LORD, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Twenty-eighth Day: Morning Prayer
132
Memento, Domine
- LORD, remember David, *
and all the hardships he endured;
- How he swore an oath to the LORD *
and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
- "I will not come under the roof of my house, *
nor climb up into my bed;
- I will not allow my eyes to sleep, *
nor let my eyelids slumber;
- Until I find a place for the LORD, *
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."
- "The ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; *
we found it in the fields of Jearim.
- Let us go to God's dwelling place; *
let us fall upon our knees before his footstool."
- Arise, O LORD, into your resting-place, *
you and the ark of your strength.
- Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; *
let your faithful people sing with joy.
- For your servant David's sake, *
do not turn away the face of your Anointed.
- The LORD has sworn an oath to David; *
in truth, he will not break it:
- "A son, the fruit of your body *
will I set upon your throne.
- If your children keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them, *
their children will sit upon your throne for evermore."
- For the LORD has chosen Zion; *
he has desired her for his habitation:
- "This shall be my resting-place for ever; *
here will I dwell, for I delight in her.
- I will surely bless her provisions, *
and satisfy her poor with bread.
- I will clothe her priests with salvation, *
and her faithful people will rejoice and sing.
- There will I make the horn of David flourish; *
I have prepared a lamp for my Anointed.
- As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame; *
but as for him, his crown will shine."
133
Ecce, quam bonum [787]
- Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!
- It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,
- Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
- It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.
- For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.
134
Ecce nunc [787]
- Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
- Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless
you out of Zion.
135
Laudate nomen [788]
- Hallelujah!
Praise the Name of the LORD; *
give praise, you servants of the LORD,
- You who stand in the house of the LORD, *
in the courts of the house of our God.
- Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; *
sing praises to his Name, for it is lovely.
- For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself *
and Israel for his own possession.
- For I know that the LORD is great, *
and that our Lord is above all gods.
- The LORD does whatever pleases him, in heaven and on earth, *
in the seas and all the deeps.
- He brings up rain clouds from the ends of the earth; *
he sends out lightning with the rain,
and brings the winds out of his storehouse.
- It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
the firstborn both of man and beast.
- He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, *
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
- He overthrew many nations *
and put mighty kings to death:
- Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, the king of Bashan, *
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
- He gave their land to be an inheritance, *
an inheritance for Israel his people.
- O LORD, your Name is everlasting; *
your renown, O LORD, endures from age to age.
- For the LORD gives his people justice *
and shows compassion to his servants.
- The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, *
the work of human hands.
- They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *
eyes have they, but they cannot see.
- They have ears, but they cannot hear; *
neither is there any breath in their mouth.
- Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.
- Bless the LORD, O house of Israel; *
O house of Aaron, bless the LORD.
- Bless the LORD, O house of Levi; *
you who fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
- Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, *
who dwells in Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!
Twenty-eighth Day: Evening Prayer
136
Confitemini [789]
- Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Give thanks to the God of gods, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Who only does great wonders, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- Who by wisdom made the heavens, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- Who spread out the earth upon the waters, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- Who created great lights, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- The sun to rule the day, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- The moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- And brought out Israel from among them, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- Who divided the Red Sea in two, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- Who led his people through the wilderness, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Who struck down great kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- And slew mighty kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- Sihon, king of the Amorites, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- And Og, the king of Bashan, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- And gave away their lands for an inheritance, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- An inheritance for Israel his servant, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Who remembered us in our low estate, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- And delivered us from our enemies, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
- Who gives food to all creatures, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
- Give thanks to the God of heaven, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
137
Super flumina [792]
- By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, *
when we remembered you, O Zion.
- As for our harps, we hung them up *
on the trees in the midst of that land.
- For those who led us away captive asked us for a song,
and our oppressors called for mirth: *
"Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
- How shall we sing the LORD'S song *
upon an alien soil.
- If I forget you, O Jerusalem, *
let my right hand forget its skill.
- Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you, *
if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.
- Remember the day of Jerusalem, O LORD,
against the people of Edom, *
who said, "Down with it! down with it!
even to the ground!"
- O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, *
happy the one who pays you back
for what you have done to us!
- Happy shall he be who takes your little ones, *
and dashes them against the rock!
138
Confitebor tibi [793]
- I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
- I will bow down toward your holy temple
and praise your Name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;
- For you have glorified your Name *
and your word above all things.
- When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
- All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
- They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
that great is the glory of the LORD.
- Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
he perceives the haughty from afar.
- Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.
- The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.
Twenty-ninth Day: Morning Prayer
139
Domine, probasti [794]
- LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
- You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
- Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O LORD, know it altogether.
- You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.
- Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
- Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
where can I flee from your presence?
- If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
- If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
- Even there your hand will lead me *
and your right hand hold me fast.
- If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, *
and the light around me turn to night,"
- Darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day; *
darkness and light to you are both alike.
- For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
- I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
- My body was not hidden from you, *
while I was being made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
- Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;
all of them were written in your book; *
they were fashioned day by day,
when as yet there was none of them.
- How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
how great is the sum of them!
- If I were to count them, they would be more in number
than the sand; *
to count them all, my life span would need to
be like yours.
- Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *
You that thirst for blood, depart from me.
- They speak despitefully against you; *
your enemies take your Name in vain.
- Do I not hate those, O LORD, who hate you? *
and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
- I hate them with a perfect hatred; *
they have become my own enemies.
- Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *
try me and know my restless thoughts.
- Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *
and lead me in the way that is everlasting.
140
Eripe me, Domine [796]
- Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; *
protect me from the violent,
- Who devise evil in their hearts *
and stir up strife all day long.
- They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; *
adder's poison is under their lips.
- Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; *
protect me from the violent,
who are determined to trip me up.
- The proud have hidden a snare for me
and stretched out a net of cords; *
they have set traps for me along the path.
- I have said to the LORD, "You are my God; *
listen, O LORD, to my supplication.
- O Lord GOD, the strength of my salvation, *
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
- Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O LORD, *
nor let their evil plans prosper.
- Let not those who surround me lift up their heads; *
let the evil of their lips overwhelm them.
- Let hot burning coals fall upon them; *
let them be cast into the mire, never to rise up again."
- A slanderer shall not be established on the earth, *
and evil shall hunt down the lawless.
- I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor *
and render justice to the needy.
- Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your Name, *
and the upright shall continue in your sight.
Twenty-ninth Day: Evening Prayer
141
Domine, clamavi
- O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
- Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
- Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,
and guard the door of my lips; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
- Let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers, *
nor eat of their choice foods.
- Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;
let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; *
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
- Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places, *
that they may know my words are true.
- As when a plowman turns over the earth in furrows, *
let their bones be scattered at the mouth of the grave.
- But my eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *
in you I take refuge;
do not strip me of my life.
- Protect me from the snare which they have laid for me *
and from the traps of the evildoers.
- Let the wicked fall into their own nets, *
while I myself escape.
142
Voce mea ad Dominum [798]
- I cry to the LORD with my voice; *
to the LORD I make loud supplication.
- I pour out my complaint before him *
and tell him all my trouble.
- When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path; *
in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
- I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me; *
I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.
- I cry out to you, O LORD; *
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."
- Listen to my cry for help, for I have been brought very low; *
save me from those who pursue me,
for they are too strong for me.
- Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your Name; *
when you have dealt bountifully with me,
the righteous will gather around me.
143
Domine, exaudi [798]
- LORD, hear my prayer,
and in your faithfulness heed my supplications; *
answer me in your righteousness.
- Enter not into judgment with your servant, *
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
- For my enemy has sought my life;
he has crushed me to the ground; *
he has made me live in dark places like those who
are long dead.
- My spirit faints within me; *
my heart within me is desolate.
- I remember the time past;
I muse upon all your deeds; *
I consider the works of your hands.
- I spread out my hands to you; *
my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.
- O LORD, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; *
do not hide your face from me
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
- Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,
for I put my trust in you; *
show me the road that I must walk,
for I lift up my soul to you.
- Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD, *
for I flee to you for refuge.
- Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; *
let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
- Revive me, O LORD, for your Name's sake; *
for your righteousness' sake, bring me out of trouble.
- Of your goodness, destroy my enemies
and bring all my foes to naught, *
for truly I am your servant.
Thirtieth Day: Morning Prayer
144
Benedictus Dominus
- Blessed be the LORD my rock! *
who trains my hands to fight and my fingers to battle;
- My help and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, *
my shield in whom I trust,
who subdues the peoples under me.
- O LORD, what are we that you should care for us? *
mere mortals that you should think of us?
- We are like a puff of wind; *
our days are like a passing shadow.
- Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down; *
touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
- Hurl the lightning and scatter them; *
shoot out your arrows and rout them.
- Stretch out your hand from on high; *
rescue me and deliver me from the great waters,
from the hand of foreign peoples,
- Whose mouths speak deceitfully *
and whose right hand is raised in falsehood.
- O God, I will sing to you a new song; *
I will play to you on a ten-stringed lyre.
- You give victory to kings *
and have rescued David your servant.
- Rescue me from the hurtful sword *
and deliver me from the hand of foreign peoples,
- Whose mouths speak deceitfully *
and whose right hand is raised in falsehood.
- May our sons be like plants well nurtured from their youth, *
and our daughters like sculptured corners of a palace.
- May our barns be filled to overflowing with all manner of crops; *
may the flocks in our pastures increase by thousands and tens of thousands;
may our cattle be fat and sleek.
- May there be no breaching of the walls, no going into exile, -
no wailing in the public squares.
- Happy are the people of whom this is so! *
happy are the people whose God is the LORD!
145
Exaltabo te, Deus [801]
- I will exalt you, O God my King, *
and bless your Name for ever and ever.
- Every day will I bless you *
and praise your Name for ever and ever.
- Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
there is no end to his greatness.
- One generation shall praise your works to another *
and shall declare your power.
- I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty *
and all your marvelous works.
- They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *
and I will tell of your greatness.
- They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *
they shall sing of your righteous deeds.
- The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
- The LORD is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.
- All your works praise you, O LORD, *
and your faithful servants bless you.
- They make known the glory of your kingdom *
and speak of your power;
- That the peoples may know of your power *
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
- Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *
your dominion endures throughout all ages.
- The LORD is faithful in all his words *
and merciful in all his deeds.
- The LORD upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.
- The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, *
and you give them their food in due season.
- You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.
- The LORD is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.
- The LORD is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.
- He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.
- The LORD preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.
- My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.
146
Lauda, anima mea [803]
- Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
- Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
- When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
- Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
- Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
- Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
- The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
- The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
- The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!
Thirtieth Day: Evening Prayer
147
Laudate Dominum
- Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
- The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
- He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
- He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
- Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
- The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
- Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
- He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
- He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
- He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
- He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
- But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
- Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;
- For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.
- He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
- He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
- He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
- He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?
- He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
- He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
- He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!
148
Laudate Dominum [805]
- Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD from the heavens; *
praise him in the heights.
- Praise him, all you angels of his; *
praise him, all his host.
- Praise him, sun and moon; *
praise him, all you shining stars.
- Praise him, heaven of heavens, *
and you waters above the heavens.
- Let them praise the Name of the LORD; *
for he commanded, and they were created.
- He made them stand fast for ever and ever; *
he gave them a law which shall not pass away.
- Praise the LORD from the earth, *
you sea-monsters and all deeps;
- Fire and hail, snow and fog, *
tempestuous wind, doing his will;
- Mountains and all hills, *
fruit trees and all cedars;
- Wild beasts and all cattle, *
creeping things and winged birds;
- Kings of the earth and all peoples, *
princes and all rulers of the world;
- Young men and maidens, *
old and young together.
- Let them praise the Name of the LORD, *
for his Name only is exalted,
his splendor is over earth and heaven.
- He has raised up strength for his people
and praise for all his loyal servants, *
the children of Israel, a people who are near him.
Hallelujah!
149
Cantate Domino [807]
- Hallelujah!
Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
- Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
- Let them praise his Name in the dance; *
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
- For the LORD takes pleasure in his people *
and adorns the poor with victory.
- Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *
let them be joyful on their beds.
- Let the praises of God be in their throat *
and a two-edged sword in their hand;
- To wreak vengeance on the nations *
and punishment on the peoples;
- To bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles with links of iron;
- To inflict on them the judgment decreed; *
this is glory for all his faithful people.
Hallelujah!
150
Laudate Dominum [807]
- Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy temple; *
praise him in the firmament of his power.
- Praise him for his mighty acts; *
praise him for his excellent greatness.
- Praise him with the blast of the ram's-horn; *
praise him with lyre and harp.
- Praise him with timbrel and dance; *
praise him with strings and pipe.
- Praise him with resounding cymbals; *
praise him with loud-clanging cymbals.
- Let everything that has breath *
praise the LORD.
Hallelujah!
Prayer For All People