Day 8. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 38. Domine, ne in furore
UT me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine anger : neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure.
2. For thine arrows stick fast in me : and thy hand presseth me sore.
3. There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure : neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.
4. For my wickednesses are gone over my head : and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear.
5. My wounds stink, and are corrupt : through my foolishness.
6. I am brought into so great trouble and misery : that I go mourning all the day long.
7. For my loins are filled with a sore disease : and there is no whole part in my body.
8. I am feeble, and sore smitten : I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.
9. Lord, thou knowest all my desire : and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10. My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me : and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.
11. My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble : and my kinsmen stood afar off.
12. They also that sought after my life laid snares for me : and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness, and imagined deceit all the day long.
13. As for me, I was like a deaf man, and heard not : and as one that is dumb, who doth not open his mouth.
14. I became even as a man that heareth not : and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15. For in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust : thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.
16. I have required that they, even mine enemies, should not triumph over me : for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly against me.
17. And I, truly, am set in the plague : and my heaviness is ever in my sight.
18. For I will confess my wickedness : and be sorry for my sin.
19. But mine enemies live, and are mighty : and they that hate me wrongfully are many in number.
20. They also that reward evil for good are against me : because I follow the thing that good is.
21. Forsake me not, O Lord my God : be not thou far from me.
22. Haste thee to help me : O Lord God of my salvation.
Psalm 39. Dixi, Custodiam
SAID, I will take heed to my ways : that I offend not in my tongue.
2. I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle : while the ungodly is in my sight.
3. I held my tongue, and spake nothing : I kept silence, yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
4. My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus musing the fire kindled : and at the last I spake with my tongue;
5. Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days : that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6. Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long : and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
7. For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain : he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8. And now, Lord, what is my hope : truly my hope is even in thee.
9. Deliver me from all mine offences : and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10. I became dumb, and opened not my mouth : for it was thy doing.
11. Take thy plague away from me : I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12. When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting a garment : every man therefore is but vanity.
13. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling : hold not thy peace at my tears.
14. For I am a stranger with thee : and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15. O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength : before I go hence, and be no more seen.
Psalm 40. Expectans expectavi
WAITED patiently for the Lord : and he inclined unto me, and heard my calling.
2. He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay : and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings.
3. And he hath put a new song in my mouth : even a thanksgiving unto our God.
4. Many shall see it, and fear : and shall put their trust in the Lord.
5. Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord : and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about with lies.
6. O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works which thou hast done, like as be also thy thoughts which are to us-ward : and yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee:
7. If I should declare them, and speak of them : they should be more than I am able to express.
8. Sacrifice and meat-offering thou wouldest not : but mine ears hast thou opened.
9. Burnt-offerings, and sacrifice for sin, hast thou not required : then said I, Lo, I come,
10. In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I should fulfil thy will, O my God : I am content to do it; yea, thy law is within my heart.
11. I have declared thy righteousness in the great congregation : lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Lord, and that thou knowest.
12. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart : my talk hath been of thy truth and of thy salvation.
13. I have not kept back thy loving mercy and truth : from the great congregation.
14. Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O Lord : let thy loving-kindness and thy truth alway preserve me.
15. For innumerable troubles are come about me; my sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up : yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.
16. O Lord, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me : make haste, O Lord, to help me.
17. Let them be ashamed and confounded together, that seek after my soul to destroy it : let them be driven backward and put to rebuke, that wish me evil.
18. Let them be desolate, and rewarded with shame : that say unto me, Fie upon thee, fie upon thee.
19. Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee : and let such as love thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
20. As for me, I am poor and needy : but the Lord careth for me.
21. Thou art my helper and redeemer : make no long tarrying, O my God.
Day 8. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 41. Beatus qui intelligit
LESSED is he that considereth the poor and needy : the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.
2. The Lord preserve him, and keep him alive, that he may be blessed upon earth : and deliver not thou him into the will of his enemies.
3. The Lord comfort him, when he lieth sick upon his bed : make thou all his bed in his sickness.
4. I said, Lord, be merciful unto me : heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.
5. Mine enemies speak evil of me : When shall he die, and his name perish?
6. And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity : and his heart conceiveth falsehood within himself, and when he cometh forth he telleth it.
7. All mine enemies whisper together against me : even against me do they imagine this evil.
8. Let the sentence of guiltiness proceed against him : and now that he lieth, let him rise up no more.
9. Yea, even mine own familiar friend, whom I trusted : who did also eat of my bread, hath laid great wait for me.
10. But be thou merciful unto me, O Lord : raise thou me up again, and I shall reward them.
11. By this I know thou favourest me : that mine enemy doth not triumph against me.
12. And when I am in my health, thou upholdest me : and shalt set me before thy face for ever.
13. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel : world without end. Amen.
Psalm 42. Quemadmodum
IKE as the hart desireth the water-brooks : so longeth my soul after thee, O God.
2. My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God : when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3. My tears have been my meat day and night : while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God?
4. Now when I think thereupon, I pour out my heart by myself : for I went with the multitude, and brought them forth into the house of God;
5. In the voice of praise and thanksgiving : among such as keep holy-day.
6. Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my soul : and why art thou so disquieted within me?
7. Put thy trust in God : for I will yet give him thanks for the help of his countenance.
8. My God, my soul is vexed within me : therefore will I remember thee concerning the land of Jordan, and the little hill of Hermon.
9. One deep calleth another, because of the noise of the water-pipes : all thy waves and storms are gone over me.
10. The Lord hath granted his loving-kindness in the day-time : and in the night-season did I sing of him, and made my prayer unto the God of my life.
11. I will say unto the God of my strength, Why hast thou forgotten me : why go I thus heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me?
12. My bones are smitten asunder as with a sword : while mine enemies that trouble me cast me in the teeth;
13. Namely, while they say daily unto me : Where is now thy God?
14. Why art thou so vexed, O my soul : and why art thou so disquieted within me?
15. O put thy trust in God : for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 43. Judica me, Deus
IVE sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people : O deliver me from the deceitful and wicked man.
2. For thou art the God of my strength, why hast thou put me from thee : and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresseth me?
3. O send out thy light and thy truth, that they may lead me : and bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy dwelling.
4. And that I may go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness : and upon the harp will I give thanks unto thee, O God, my God.
5. Why art thou so heavy, O my soul : and why art thou so disquieted within me?
6. O put thy trust in God : for I will yet give him thanks, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Day 9. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 44. Deus, auribus
E HAVE heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us : what thou hast done in their time of old;
2. How thou hast driven out the heathen with thy hand, and planted them in : how thou hast destroyed the nations and cast them out.
3. For they gat not the land in possession through their own sword : neither was it their own arm that helped them;
4. But thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance : because thou hadst a favour unto them.
5. Thou art my King, O God : send help unto Jacob.
6. Through thee will we overthrow our enemies : and in thy Name will we tread them under, that rise up against us.
7. For I will not trust in my bow : it is not my sword that shall help me;
8. But it is thou that savest us from our enemies : and puttest them to confusion that hate us.
9. We make our boast of God all day long : and will praise thy Name for ever.
10. But now thou art far off, and puttest us to confusion : and goest not forth with our armies.
11. Thou makest us to turn our backs upon our enemies : so that they which hate us spoil our goods.
12. Thou lettest us be eaten up like sheep : and hast scattered us among the heathen.
13. Thou sellest thy people for nought : and takest no money for them.
14. Thou makest us to be rebuked of our neighbours : to be laughed to scorn, and had in derision of them that are round about us.
15. Thou makest us to be a by-word among the heathen : and that the people shake their heads at us.
16. My confusion is daily before me : and the shame of my face hath covered me;
17. For the voice of the slanderer and blasphemer : for the enemy and avenger.
18. And though all this be come upon us, yet do we not forget thee : nor behave ourselves frowardly in thy covenant.
19. Our heart is not turned back : neither our steps gone out of thy way;
20. No, not when thou hast smitten us into the place of dragons : and covered us with the shadow of death.
21. If we have forgotten the Name of our God, and holden up our hands to any strange god : shall not God search it out? for he knoweth the very secrets of the heart.
22. For thy sake also are we killed all the day long : and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain.
23. Up, Lord, why sleepest thou : awake, and be not absent from us for ever.
24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face : and forgettest our misery and trouble?
25. For our soul is brought low, even unto the dust : our belly cleaveth unto the ground.
26. Arise, and help us : and deliver us for thy mercy's sake.
Psalm 45. Eructavit cor meum
Y HEART is inditing of a good matter : I speak of the things which I have made unto the King.
2. My tongue is the pen : of a ready writer.
3. Thou art fairer than the children of men: full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever.
4. Gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most Mighty : according to thy worship and renown.
5. Good luck have thou with thine honour : ride on, because of the word of truth , of meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
6. Thy arrows are very sharp, and the people shall be subdued unto thee : even in the midst among the King's enemies.
7. Thy seat, O God, endureth for ever : the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
8. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity : wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
9. All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia : out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
10. Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women : upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, wrought about with divers colours.
11. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear ; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house.
12. So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty : for he is thy Lord God, and worship thou him.
13. And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift : like as the rich also among the people shall make their supplication before thee.
14. The King's daughter is all glorious within : her clothing is of wrought gold.
15. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle-work : the virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee.
16. With joy and gladness shall they be brought : and shall enter into the King's palace.
17. Instead of thy fathers thou shalt have children : whom thou mayest make princes in all lands.
18. I will remember thy Name from one generation to another : therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee, world without end.
Psalm 46. Deus noster refugium
OD is our hope and strength : a very present help in trouble.
2. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved : and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3. Though the waters thereof rage and swell : and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
4. The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God : the holy place of the tabernacle of the most Highest.
5. God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed : God shall help her, and that right early.
6. The heathen make much ado, and the kingdoms are moved : but God hath shewed his voice, and the earth shall melt away.
7. The Lord of hosts is with us : the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8. O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord : what destruction he hath brought upon the earth.
9. He maketh wars to cease in all the world : he breaketh the bow, and knappeth the spear in sunder, and burneth the chariots in the fire.
10. Be still then, and know that I am God : I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.
11. The Lord of hosts is with us : the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Day 9. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 47. Omnes gentes, plaudite
CLAP your hands together, all ye people : O sing unto God with the voice of melody.
2. For the Lord is high, and to be feared : he is the great King upon all the earth.
3. He shall subdue the people under us : and the nations under our feet.
4. He shall choose out an heritage for us : even the worship of Jacob, whom he loved.
5. God is gone up with a merry noise : and the Lord with the sound of the trump.
6. O sing praises, sing praises unto our God : O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
7. For God is the King of all the earth : sing ye praises with understanding.
8. God reigneth over the heathen : God sitteth upon his holy seat.
9. The princes of the people are joined unto the people of the God of Abraham: for God, which is very high exalted, doth defend the earth, as it were with a shield.
Psalm 48. Magnus Dominus
REAT is the Lord, and highly to be praised : in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.
2. The hill of Sion is a fair place, and the joy of the whole earth : upon the north-side lieth the city of the great King; God is well known in her palaces as a sure refuge.
3. For lo, the kings of the earth : are gathered, and gone by together.
4. They marvelled to see such things : they were astonished, and suddenly cast down.
5. Fear came there upon them, and sorrow : as upon a woman in her travail.
6. Thou shalt break the ships of the sea : through the east-wind.
7. Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God : God upholdeth the same for ever.
8. We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God : in the midst of thy temple.
9. O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world's end : thy right hand is full of righteousness.
10. Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Judah be glad : because of thy judgements.
11. Walk about Sion, and go round about her : and tell the towers thereof.
12. Mark well her bulwarks, set up her houses : that ye may tell them that come after.
13. For this God is our God for ever and ever : he shall be our guide unto death.
Psalm 49. Audite haec, omnes
HEAR ye this, all ye people : ponder it with your ears, all ye that dwell in the world;
2. High and low, rich and poor : one with another.
3. My mouth shall speak of wisdom : and my heart shall muse of understanding.
4. I will incline mine ear to the parable : and shew my dark speech upon the harp.
5. Wherefore should I fear in the days of wickedness : and when the wickedness of my heels compasseth me round about?
6. There be some that put their trust in their goods : and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches.
7. But no man may deliver his brother : nor make agreement unto God for him;
8. For it cost more to redeem their souls : so that he must let that alone for ever;
9. Yea, though he live long : and see not the grave.
10. For he seeth that wise men also die, and perish together : as well as the ignorant and foolish, and leave their riches for other.
11. And yet they think that their houses shall continue for ever : and that their dwelling-places shall endure from one generation to another; and call the lands after their own names.
12. Nevertheless, man will not abide in honour : seeing he may be compared unto the beasts that perish; this is the way of them.
13. This is their foolishness : and their posterity praise their saying.
14. They lie in the hell like sheep, death gnaweth upon them, and the righteous shall have domination over them in the morning : their beauty shall consume in the sepulchre out of their dwelling.
15. But God hath delivered my soul from the place of hell : for he shall receive me.
16. Be not thou afraid, though one be made rich : or if the glory of his house be increased;
17. For he shall carry nothing away with him when he dieth : neither shall his pomp follow him.
18. For while he lived, he counted himself an happy man : and so long as thou doest well unto thyself, men will speak good of thee.
19. He shall follow the generation of his fathers : and shall never see light.
20. Man being in honour hath no understanding : but is compared unto the beasts that perish.
Day 10. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 50. Deus deorum
HE Lord, even the most mighty God, hath spoken : and called the world, from the rising up of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2. Out of Sion hath God appeared : in perfect beauty.
3. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence : there shall go before him a consuming fire, and a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him.
4. He shall call the heaven from above : and the earth, that he may judge his people.
5. Gather my saints together unto me : those that have made a covenant with me with sacrifice.
6. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness : for God is Judge himself.
7. Hear, O my people, and I will speak : I myself will testify against thee, O Israel; for I am God, even thy God.
8. I will not reprove thee because of thy sacrifices, or for thy burnt-offerings : because they were not alway before me.
9. I will take no bullock out of thine house : nor he-goat out of thy folds.
10. For all the beasts of the forest are mine : and so are the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11. I know all the fowls upon the mountains : and the wild beasts of the field are in my sight.
12. If I be hungry, I will not tell thee : for the whole world is mine, and all that is therein.
13. Thinkest thou that I will eat bulls' flesh : and drink the blood of goats?
14. Offer unto God thanksgiving : and pay thy vows unto the most Highest.
15. And call upon me in the time of trouble : so will I hear thee, and thou shalt praise me.
16. But unto the ungodly said God : Why dost thou preach my laws, and takest my covenant in thy mouth;
17. Whereas thou hatest to be reformed : and has cast my words behind thee?
18. When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst unto him : and hast been partaker with the adulterers.
19. Thou hast let thy mouth speak wickedness : and with thy tongue thou hast set forth deceit.
20. Thou satest, and spakest against thy brother : yea, and hast slandered thine own mother's son.
21. These things hast thou done, and I held my tongue, and thou thoughtest wickedly, that I am even such a one as thyself : but I will reprove thee, and set before thee the things that thou hast done.
22. O consider this, ye that forget God : lest I pluck you away, and there be none to deliver you.
23. Whoso offereth me thanks and praise, he honoureth me : and to him that ordereth his conversation right will I shew the salvation of God.
Psalm 51. Miserere mei, Deus
AVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness : according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.
2. Wash me throughly from my wickedness : and cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I acknowledge my faults : and my sin is ever before me.
4. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight : that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
5. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness : and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
6. But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
7. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean : thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness : that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9. Turn thy face from my sins : and put out all my misdeeds.
10. Make me a clean heart, O God : and renew a right spirit within me.
11. Cast me not away from thy presence : and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
12. O give me the comfort of thy help again : and stablish me with thy free Spirit.
13. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked : and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health : and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
15. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord : and my mouth shall shew thy praise.
16. For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee : but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
17. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit : a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
18. O be favourable and gracious unto Sion : build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations : then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
Psalm 52. Quid gloriaris?
HY boastest thou thyself, thou tyrant : that thou canst do mischief;
2. Whereas the goodness of God : endureth yet daily?
3. Thy tongue imagineth wickedness : and with lies thou cuttest like a sharp rasor.
4. Thou hast loved unrighteousness more then goodness : and to talk of lies more than righteousness.
5. Thou hast loved to speak all words that may do hurt : O thou false tongue.
6. Therefore shall God destroy thee for ever : he shall take thee, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling, and root thee out of the land of the living.
7. The righteous also shall see this, and fear : and shall laugh him to scorn;
8. Lo, this is the man that took not God for his strength : but trusted unto the multitude of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
9. As for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God : my trust is in the tender mercy of God for ever and ever.
10. I will always give thanks unto thee for that thou hast done : and I will hope in thy Name, for thy saints like it well.
Day 10. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 53. Dixit insipiens
HE foolish body hath said in his heart : There is no God.
2. Corrupt are they, and become abominable in their wickedness : there is none that doeth good.
3. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men : to see if there were any that would understand, and seek after God.
4. But they are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become abominable : there is also none that doeth good, no not one.
5. Are not they without understanding, that work wickedness : eating up my people as if they would eat bread? they have not called upon God.
6. They were afraid where no fear was : for God hath broken the bones of him that besieged thee; thou hast put them to confusion, because God hath despised them.
7. O that the salvation were given unto Israel out of Sion : O that the Lord would deliver his people out of captivity!
8. Then should Jacob rejoice : and Israel should be right glad.
Psalm 54. Deus, in nomine
AVE me, O God, for thy Name's sake : and avenge me in thy strength.
2. Hear my prayer, O God : and hearken unto the words of my mouth.
3. For strangers are risen up against me : and tyrants, which have not God before their eyes, seek after my soul.
4. Behold, God is my helper : the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies : destroy thou them in thy truth.
6. An offering of a free heart will I give thee, and praise thy Name, O Lord : because it is so comfortable.
7. For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble : and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
Psalm 55. Exaudi, Deus
EAR my prayer, O God : and hide not thyself from my petition.
2. Take heed unto me, and hear me : how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.
3. The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast : for they are minded to do me some mischief; so maliciously are they set against me.
4. My heart is disquieted within me : and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me : and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
6. And I said, O that I had wings like a dove : for then would I flee away, and be at rest.
7. Lo, then would I get me away far off : and remain in the wilderness.
8. I would make haste to escape : because of the stormy wind and tempest.
9. Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them : for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.
10. Day and night they go about within the walls thereof : mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11. Wickedness is therein : deceit and guile go not out of their streets.
12. For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour : for then I could have borne it.
13. Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me : for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.
14. But it was even thou, my companion : my guide, and mine own familiar friend.
15. We took sweet counsel together : and walked in the house of God as friends.
16. Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell : for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
17. As for me, I will call upon God : and the Lord shall save me.
18. In the evening, and morning, and at noonday will I pray, and that instantly : and he shall hear my voice.
19. It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me : for there were many with me.
20. Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down : for they will not turn, nor fear God.
21. He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him : and he brake his covenant.
22. The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart : his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.
23. O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee : and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.
24. And as for them : thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.
25. The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days : nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.
Day 11. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 56. Miserere mei, Deus
E MERCIFUL unto me, O God, for man goeth about to devour me : he is daily fighting, and troubling me.
2. Mine enemies are daily in hand to swallow me up : for they be many that fight against me, O thou most Highest.
3. Nevertheless, though I am sometime afraid : yet put I my trust in thee.
4. I will praise God, because of his word : I have put my trust in God, and will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5. They daily mistake my words : all that they imagine is to do me evil.
6. They hold all together, and keep themselves close : and mark my steps, when they lay wait for my soul.
7. Shall they escape for their wickedness : thou, O God, in thy displeasure shalt cast them down.
8. Thou tellest my flittings; put my tears into thy bottle : are not these things noted in thy book?
9. Whensoever I call upon thee, then shall mine enemies be put to flight : this I know; for God is on my side.
10. In God's word I will rejoice : in the Lord's word will I comfort me.
11. Yea, in God have I put my trust : I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12. Unto thee, O God, will I pay my vows : unto thee will I give thanks.
13. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling : that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
Psalm 57 . Miserere mei, Deus
E MERCIFUL unto me, O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in thee : and under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until this tyranny be over-past.
2. I will call unto the most high God : even unto the God that shall perform the cause which I have in hand.
3. He shall send from heaven : and save me from the reproof of him that would eat me up.
4. God shall send forth his mercy and truth : my soul is among lions.
5. And I lie even among the children of men, that are set on fire : whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword
6. Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens : and thy glory above all the earth.
7. They have laid a net for my feet, and pressed down my soul : they have digged a pit before me, and are fallen into the midst of it themselves.
8. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed : I will sing, and give praise.
9. Awake up, my glory; awake, lute and harp : I myself will awake right early.
10. I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the people : and I will sing unto thee among the nations.
11. For the greatness of thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens : and thy truth unto the clouds.
12. Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens : and thy glory above all the earth.
Psalm 58. Si vere utique
RE your minds set upon righteousness, O ye congregation : and do ye judge the thing that is right, O ye sons of men?
2. Yea, ye imagine mischief in your heart upon the earth : and your hands deal with wickedness.
3. The ungodly are froward, even from their mother's womb : as soon as they are born, they go astray, and speak lies.
4. They are as venomous as the poison of a serpent : even like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ears;
5. Which refuseth to hear the voice of the charmer : charm he never so wisely.
6. Break their teeth, O God, in their mouths; smite the jaw-bones of the lions, O Lord : let them fall away like water that runneth apace; and when they shoot their arrows let them be rooted out.
7. Let them consume away like a snail, and be like the untimely fruit of a woman : and let them not see the sun.
8. Or ever your pots be made hot with thorns : so let indignation vex him, even as a thing that is raw.
9. The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance : he shall wash his footsteps in the blood of the ungodly.
10. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous : doubtless there is a God that judgeth the earth.
Day 11. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 59. Eripe me de inimicis
ELIVER me from mine enemies, O God : defend me from them that rise up against me.
2. O deliver me from the wicked doers : and save me from the blood-thirsty men.
3. For lo, they lie waiting for my soul : the mighty men are gathered against me, without any offence or fault of me, O Lord.
4. They run and prepare themselves without my fault : arise thou therefore to help me, and behold.
5. Stand up, O Lord God of hosts, thou God of Israel, to visit all the heathen : and be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness.
6. They go to and fro in the evening : they grin like a dog, and run about through the city.
7. Behold, they speak with their mouth, and swords are in their lips : for who doth hear?
8. But thou. O Lord, shalt have them in derision : and thou shalt laugh all the heathen to scorn.
9. My strength will I ascribe unto thee : for thou art the God of my refuge.
10. God sheweth me his goodness plenteously : and God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11.Slay them not, lest my people forget it : but scatter them abroad among the people, and put them down, O Lord, our defence.
12. For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of their lips, they shall be taken in their pride : and why? their preaching is of cursing and lies.
13. Consume them in thy wrath, consume them, that they may perish : and know that it is God that ruleth in Jacob, and unto the ends of the world.
14. And in the evening they will return : grin like a dog, and will go about the city.
15. They will run here and there for meat : and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16. As for me, I will sing of thy power, and will praise thy mercy betimes in the morning : for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing : for thou, O God, art my refuge, and my merciful God.
Psalm 60. Deus, repulisti nos
GOD, thou hast cast us out, and scattered us abroad : thou hast also been displeased; O turn thee unto us again.
2. Thou hast moved the land, and divided it : heal the sores thereof, for it shaketh.
3. Thou hast shewed thy people heavy things : thou hast given us a drink of deadly wine.
4. Thou hast given a token for such as fear thee : that they may triumph because of the truth.
5. Therefore were thy beloved delivered : help me with thy right hand, and hear me.
6. God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice, and divide Sichem : and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7. Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine : Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my law-giver;
8. Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe : Philistia, be thou glad of me.
9. Who will lead me into the strong city : who will bring me into Edom?
10. Hast not thou cast us out, O God : wilt not thou, O God, go out with our hosts?
11. O be thou our help in trouble : for vain is the help of man.
12. Through God will we do great acts : for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
Psalm 61. Exaudi, Deus
EAR my crying, O God : give ear unto my prayer.
2. From the ends of the earth will I call upon thee : when my heart is in heaviness.
3. O set me up upon the rock that is higher than I : for thou hast been my hope, and a strong tower for me against the enemy.
4. I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever : and my trust shall be under the covering of thy wings.
5. For thou, O Lord, hast heard my desires : and hast given an heritage unto those that fear thy Name.
6. Thou shalt grant the King a long life : that his years may endure throughout all generations.
7. He shall dwell before God for ever : O prepare thy loving mercy and faithfulness, that they may preserve him.
8. So will I always sing praise unto thy Name : that I may daily perform my vows.
Day 12. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 62. Nonne Deo?
Y SOUL truly waiteth still upon God : for of him cometh my salvation.
2. He verily is my strength and my salvation : he is my defence, so that I shall not greatly fall.
3. How long will ye imagine mischief against every man : ye shall be slain all the sort of you; yea, as a tottering wall shall ye be, and like a broken hedge.
4. Their device is only how to put him out whom God will exalt : their delight is in lies; they give good words with their mouth, but curse with their heart.
5. Nevertheless, my soul, wait thou still upon God : for my hope is in him.
6. He truly is my strength and my salvation : he is my defence, so that I shall not fall.
7. In God is my health, and my glory : the rock of my might, and in God is my trust.
8. O put your trust in him alway, ye people : pour out your hearts before him, for God is our hope.
9. As for the children of men, they are but vanity : the children of men are deceitful upon the weights, they are altogether lighter than vanity itself.
10. O trust not in wrong and robbery, give not yourselves unto vanity : if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
11. God spake once, and twice I have also heard the same : that power belongeth unto God;
12. And that thou, Lord, art merciful : for thou rewardest every man according to his work.
Psalm 63. Deus, Deus meus
GOD, thou art my God : early will I seek thee.
2. My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee : in a barren and dry land where no water is.
3. Thus have I looked for thee in holiness : that I might behold thy power and glory.
4. For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself : my lips shall praise thee.
5. As long as I live will I magnify thee on this manner : and lift up my hands in thy Name.
6. My soul shall be satisfied, even as it were with marrow and fatness : when my mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips.
7. Have I not remembered thee in my bed : and thought upon thee when I was waking?
8. Because thou hast been my helper : therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
9. My soul hangeth upon thee : thy right hand hath upholden me.
10. These also that seek the hurt of my soul : they shall go under the earth.
11. Let them fall upon the edge of the sword : that they may be a portion for foxes.
12. But the King shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended : for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
Psalm 64. Exaudi, Deus
EAR my voice, O God, in my prayer : preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2. Hide me from the gathering together of the froward : and from the insurrection of wicked doers;
3. Who have whet their tongue like a sword : and shoot out their arrows, even bitter words;
4. That they may privily shoot at him that is perfect : suddenly do they hit him, and fear not.
5. They encourage themselves in mischief : and commune among themselves how they may lay snares, and say that no man shall see them.
6. They imagine wickedness, and practise it : that they keep secret among themselves, every man in the deep of his heart.
7. But God shall suddenly shoot at them with a swift arrow : that they shall be wounded.
8. Yea, their own tongues shall make them fall : insomuch that whoso seeth them shall laugh them to scorn.
9. And all men that see it shall say, This hath God done : for they shall perceive that it is his work.
10. The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and put his trust in him : and all they that are true of heart shall be glad.
Day 12. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 65. Te decet hymnus
HOU, O God, art praised in Sion : and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem.
2. Thou that hearest the prayer : unto thee shall all flesh come.
3. My misdeeds prevail against me : O be thou merciful unto our sins.
4. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and receivest unto thee : he shall dwell in thy court, and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5. Thou shalt shew us wonderful things in thy righteousness, O God of our salvation : thou that art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remain in the broad sea.
6. Who in his strength setteth fast the mountains : and is girded about with power.
7. Who stilleth the raging of the sea : and the noise of his waves, and the madness of the people.
8. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth shall be afraid at thy tokens : thou that makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to praise thee.
9. Thou visitest the earth, and blessest it : thou makest it very plenteous.
10. The river of God is full of water : thou preparest their corn, for so thou providest for the earth.
11. Thou waterest her furrows, thou sendest rain into the little valleys thereof : thou makest it soft with the drops of rain, and blessest the increase of it.
12. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness : and thy clouds drop fatness.
13. They shall drop upon the dwellings of the wilderness : and the little hills shall rejoice on every side.
14. The folds shall be full of sheep : the valleys also shall stand so thick with corn, that they shall laugh and sing.
Psalm 66. Jubilate Deo
BE joyful in God, all ye lands : sing praises unto the honour of his Name, make his praise to be glorious.
2. Say unto God, O how wonderful art thou in thy works : through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies be found liars unto thee.
3. For all the world shall worship thee : sing of thee, and praise thy Name.
4. O come hither, and behold the works of God : how wonderful he is in his doing toward the children of men.
5. He turned the sea into dry land : so that they went through the water on foot; there did we rejoice thereof.
6. He ruleth with his power for ever; his eyes behold the people : and such as will not believe shall not be able to exalt themselves.
7. O praise our God, ye people : and make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8. Who holdeth our soul in life : and suffereth not our feet to slip.
9. For thou, O God, hast proved us : thou also hast tried us, like as silver is tried.
10. Thou broughtest us into the snare : and laidest trouble upon our loins.
11. Thou sufferedst men to ride over our heads : we went through fire and water, and thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
12. I will go into thine house with burnt-offerings : and will pay thee my vows, which I promised with my lips, and spake with my mouth, when I was in trouble.
13. I will offer unto thee fat burnt-sacrifices, with the incense of rams : I will offer bullocks and goats.
14. O come hither, and hearken, all ye that fear God : and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul.
15. I called unto him with my mouth : and gave him praises with my tongue.
16. If I incline unto wickedness with mine heart : the Lord will not hear me.
17. But God hath heard me : and considered the voice of my prayer.
18. Praised be God, who hath not cast out my prayer : nor turned his mercy from me.
Psalm 67. Deus misereatur
OD be merciful unto us, and bless us : and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us:
2. That thy way may be known upon earth : thy saving health among all nations.
3. Let the people praise thee, O God : yea, let all the people praise thee.
4. O let the nations rejoice and be glad : for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
5. Let the people praise thee, O God : let all the people praise thee.
6. Then shall the earth bring forth her increase : and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
7. God shall bless us : and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
Day 13. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 68. Exurgat Deus
ET God arise, and let his enemies be scattered : let them also that hate him flee before him.
2. Like as the smoke vanisheth, so shalt thou drive them away : and like as wax melteth at the fire, so let the ungodly perish at the presence of God.
3. But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God : let them also be merry and joyful.
4. O sing unto God, and sing praises unto his Name : magnify him that rideth upon the heavens, as it were upon an horse; praise him in his Name JAH, and rejoice before him.
5. He is a father of the fatherless, and defendeth the cause of the widows : even God in his holy habitation.
6. He is the God that maketh men to be of one mind in an house, and bringeth the prisoners out of captivity : but letteth the runagates continue in scarceness.
7. O God, when thou wentest forth before the people : when thou wentest through the wilderness;
8. The earth shook, and the heavens dropped at the presence of God : even as Sinai also was moved at the presence of God, who is the God of Israel.
9. Thou, O God, sentest a gracious rain upon thine inheritance : and refreshedst it when it was weary.
10. Thy congregation shall dwell therein : for thou, O God, hast of thy goodness prepared for the poor.
11. The Lord gave the word : great was the company of the preachers.
12. Kings with their armies did flee, and were discomfited : and they of the household divided the spoil.
13. Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove : that is covered with silver wings, and her feathers like gold.
14. When the Almighty scattered kings for their sake : then were they as white as snow in Salmon.
15. As the hill of Basan, so is God's hill : even an high hill, as the hill of Basan.
16. Why hop ye so, ye high hills? this is God's hill, in the which it pleaseth him to dwell : yea, the Lord will abide in it for ever.
17. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels : and the Lord is among them, as in the holy place of Sinai.
18. Thou art gone up on high, thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men : yea, even for thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19. Praised be the Lord daily : even the God who helpeth us, and poureth his benefits upon us.
20. He is our God, even the God of whom cometh salvation : God is the Lord, by whom we escape death.
21. God shall wound the head of his enemies : and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his wickedness.
22. The Lord hath said, I will bring my people again, as I did from Basan : mine own will I bring again, as I did sometime from the deep of the sea.
23. That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies : and that the tongue of thy dogs may be red through the same.
24. It is well seen, O God, how thou goest : how thou, my God and King, goest in the sanctuary.
25. The singers go before, the minstrels follow after : in the midst are the damsels playing with the timbrels.
26. Give thanks, O Israel, unto God the Lord in the congregations : from the ground of the heart.
27. There is little Benjamin their ruler, and the princes of Judah their counsel : the princes of Zabulon, and the princes of Nephthali.
28. Thy God hath sent forth strength for thee : stablish the thing, O God, that thou hast wrought in us,
29. For thy temple's sake at Jerusalem : so shall kings bring presents unto thee.
30. When the company of the spear-men, and multitude of the mighty are scattered abroad among the beasts of the people, so that they humbly bring pieces of silver : and when he hath scattered the people that delight in war;
31. Then shall the princes come out of Eqypt : the Morians' land shall soon stretch our her hands unto God.
32. Sing unto God, O ye kingdoms of the earth : O sing praises unto the Lord;
33. Who sitteth in the heavens over all from the beginning : lo, he doth send out his voice, yea, and that a mighty voice.
34. Ascribe ye the power to God over Israel : his worship and strength is in the clouds.
35. O God, wonderful art thou in thy holy places : even the God of Israel, he will give strength and power unto his people; blessed be God.
Day 13. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 69. Salvum me fac
AVE me, O God : for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.
2. I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is : I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3. I am weary of crying; my throat is dry : my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.
4. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head : they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5. I paid them the things that I never took : God, thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
6. Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my cause : let not those that seek thee be confounded through me, O Lord God of Israel.
7. And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof : shame hath covered my face.
8. I am become a stranger unto my brethren : even an alien unto my mother's children.
9. For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me : and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10. I wept, and chastened myself with fasting : and that was turned to my reproof.
11. I put on sackcloth also : and they jested upon me.
12. They that sit in the gate speak against me : and the drunkards make songs upon me.
13. But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee : in an acceptable time.
14. Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy : even in the truth of thy salvation.
15. Take me out of the mire, that I sink not : O let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
16. Let not the water-flood drown me, neither let the deep swallow me up : and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
17. Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable : turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.
18. And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble : O haste thee, and hear me.
19. Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it : O deliver me, because of mine enemies.
20. Thou hast known my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour : mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
21. Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness : I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man, neither found I any to comfort me.
22. They gave me gall to eat : and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23. Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal : and let the things that should have been for their wealth be unto them an occasion of falling.
24. Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not : and ever bow thou down their backs.
25. Pour out thine indignation upon them : and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
26. Let their habitation be void : and no man to dwell in their tents.
27. For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten : and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.
28. Let them fall from one wickedness to another : and not come into thy righteousness.
29. Let them be wiped out of the book of the living : and not be written among the righteous.
30. As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness : thy help, O God, shall lift me up.
31. I will praise the Name of God with a song : and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32. This also shall please the Lord : better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
33. The humble shall consider this, and be glad : seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.
34. For the Lord heareth the poor : and despiseth not his prisoners.
35. Let heaven and earth praise him : the sea, and all that moveth therein.
36. For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah : that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.
37. The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it : and they that love his Name shall dwell therein.
Psalm 70. Deus, in adjutorium
ASTE thee, O God, to deliver me : make haste to help me, O Lord.
2. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul : let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil.
3. Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame : that cry over me, There, there.
4. But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee : and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
5. As for me, I am poor and in misery : haste thee unto me, O God.
6. Thou art my helper and my redeemer : O Lord, make no long tarrying.
Day 14. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 71. In te, Domine, speravi
N THEE, O Lord, have I put my trust, let me never be put to confusion : but rid me and deliver me in thy righteousness, incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
2. Be thou my strong hold, whereunto I may alway resort : thou hast promised to help me, for thou art my house of defence and my castle.
3. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the ungodly : out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
4. For thou, O Lord God, art the thing that I long for : thou art my hope, even from my youth.
5. Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was born : thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb; my praise shall be always of thee.
6. I am become as it were a monster unto many : but my sure trust is in thee.
7. O let my mouth be filled with thy praise : that I may sing of thy glory and honour all the day long.
8. Cast me not away in the time of age : forsake me not when my strength faileth me.
9. For mine enemies speak against me, and they that lay wait for my soul take their counsel together, saying : God hath forsaken him; persecute him, and take him, for there is none to deliver him.
10. Go not far from me, O God : my God, haste thee to help me.
11. Let them be confounded and perish that are against my soul : let them be covered with shame and dishonour that seek to do me evil.
12. As for me, I will patiently abide alway : and will praise thee more and more.
13. My mouth shall daily speak of thy righteousness and salvation : for I know no end thereof.
14. I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God : and will make mention of thy righteousness only.
15. Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up until now : therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works.
16. Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am gray-headed : until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to all them that are yet for to come.
17. Thy righteousness, O God, is very high : and great things are they that thou hast done; O God, who is like unto thee?
18. O what great troubles and adversities hast thou shewed me, and yet didst thou turn and refresh me : yea, and broughtest me from the deep of the earth again.
19. Thou hast brought me to great honour : and comforted me on every side.
20. Therefore will I praise thee and thy faithfulness, O God, playing upon an instrument of musick : unto thee will I sing upon the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
21. My lips will be fain when I sing unto thee : and so will my soul whom thou hast delivered.
22. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long : for they are confounded and brought unto shame that seek to do me evil.
Psalm 72. Deus, judicium
IVE the King thy judgements, O God : and thy righteousness unto the King's son.
2. Then shall he judge thy people according unto right : and defend the poor.
3. The mountains also shall bring peace : and the little hills righteousness unto the people.
4. He shall keep the simple folk by their right : defend the children of the poor, and punish the wrong-doer.
5. They shall fear thee, as long as the sun and moon endureth : from one generation to another.
6. He shall come down like the rain into a fleece of wool : even as the drops that water the earth.
7. In his time shall the righteous flourish : yea, and abundance of peace, so long as the moon endureth.
8. His dominion shall be also from the one sea to the other : and from the flood unto the world's end.
9. They that dwell in the wilderness shall kneel before him : his enemies shall lick the dust.
10. The kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall give presents : the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts.
11. All kings shall fall down before him : all nations shall do him service.
12. For he shall deliver the poor when he crieth : the needy also, and him that hath no helper.
13. He shall be favourable to the simple and needy : and shall preserve the souls of the poor.
14. He shall deliver their souls from falsehood and wrong : and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15. He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the gold of Arabia : prayer shall be made ever unto him, and daily shall he be praised.
16. There shall be an heap of corn in the earth, high upon the hills : his fruit shall shake like Libanus, and shall be green in the city like grass upon the earth.
17. His Name shall endure for ever; his Name shall remain under the sun among the posterities : which shall be blessed through him; and all the heathen shall praise him.
18. Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel : which only doeth wondrous things;
19. And blessed be the Name of his majesty for ever : and all the earth shall be filled with his majesty. Amen, Amen.
Day 14. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 73. Quam bonus Israel!
RULY God is loving unto Israel : even unto such as are of a clean heart.
2. Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone : my treadings had well-nigh slipt.
3. And why? I was grieved at the wicked : I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.
4. For they are in no peril of death : but are lusty and strong.
5. They come in no misfortune like other folk : neither are they plagued like other men.
6. And this is the cause that they are so holden with pride : and overwhelmed with cruelty.
7. Their eyes swell with fatness : and they do even what they lust.
8. They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy : their talking is against the most High.
9. For they stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven : and their tongue goeth through the world.
10. Therefore fall the people unto them : and thereout suck they no small advantage.
11. Tush, say they, how should God perceive it : is there knowledge in the most High?
12. Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, and these have riches in possession : and I said, Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed mine hands in innocency.
13. All the day long have I been punished : and chastened every morning.
14. Yea, and I had almost said even as they : but lo, then I should have condemned the generation of thy children.
15. Then thought I to understand this : but it was too hard for me,
16. Until I went into the sanctuary of God : then understood I the end of these men;
17. Namely, how thou dost set them in slippery places : and castest them down, and destroyest them.
18. O how suddenly do they consume : perish, and come to a fearful end!
19. Yea, even like as a dream when one awaketh : so shalt thou make their image to vanish out of the city.
20. Thus my heart was grieved : and it went even through my reins.
21. So foolish was I, and ignorant : even as it were a beast before thee.
22. Nevertheless, I am alway by thee : for thou hast holden me by my right hand.
23. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel : and after that receive me with glory.
24. Whom have I in heaven but thee : and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of thee.
25. My flesh and my heart faileth : but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
26. For lo, they that forsake thee shall perish : thou hast destroyed all them that commit fornication against thee.
27. But it is good for me to hold me fast by God, to put my trust in the Lord God : and to speak of all thy works in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
Psalm 74. Ut quid, Deus?
GOD, wherefore art thou absent from us so long : why is thy wrath so hot against the sheep of thy pasture?
2. O think upon thy congregation : whom thou hast purchased and redeemed of old.
3. Think upon the tribe of thine inheritance : and mount Sion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
4. Lift up thy feet, that thou mayest utterly destroy every enemy : which hath done evil in thy sanctuary.
5. Thine adversaries roar in the midst of thy congregations : and set up their banners for tokens.
6. He that hewed timber afore out of the thick trees : was known to bring it to an excellent work.
7. But now they break down all the carved work thereof : with axes and hammers.
8. They have set fire upon thy holy places : and have defiled the dwelling-place of thy Name, even unto the ground.
9. Yea, they said in their hearts, Let us make havock of them altogether : thus have they burnt up all the houses of God in the land.
10. We see not our tokens, there is not one prophet more : no, not one is there among us, that understandeth any more.
11. O God, how long shall the adversary do this dishonour : how long shall the enemy blaspheme thy Name, for ever?
12. Why withdrawest thou thy hand : why pluckest thou not thy right hand out of thy bosom to consume the enemy?
13. For God is my King of old : the help that is done upon earth he doeth it himself.
14. Thou didst divide the sea through thy power : thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
15. Thou smotest the heads of Leviathan in pieces : and gavest him to be meat for the people in the wilderness.
16. Thou broughtest out fountains and waters out of the hard rocks : thou driedst up mighty waters.
17. The day is thine, and the night is thine : thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
18. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth : thou hast made summer and winter.
19. Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy hath rebuked : and how the foolish people hath blasphemed thy Name.
20. O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the enemies : and forget not the congregation of the poor for ever.
21. Look upon the covenant : for all the earth is full of darkness and cruel habitations.
22. O let not the simple go away ashamed : but let the poor and needy give praise unto thy Name.
23. Arise, O God, maintain thine own cause : remember how the foolish man blasphemeth thee daily.
24. Forget not the voice of thine enemies : the presumption of them that hate thee increaseth ever more and more.