The Psalms (Days 29-31).

Day 29. Morning Prayer.

Psalm 139. Domine, probasti LORD, thou hast searched me out and known me : thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising, thou understandest my thoughts long before.
2. Thou art about my path, and about my bed : and spiest out all my ways.
3. For lo, there is not a word in my tongue : but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.
4. Thou hast fashioned me behind and before : and laid thine hand upon me.
5. Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me : I cannot attain unto it.
6. Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit : or whither shall I go then from thy presence?
7. If I climb up into heaven, thou art there : if I go down to hell, thou art there also.
8. If I take the wings of the morning : and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;
9. Even there also shall thy hand lead me : and thy right hand shall hold me.
10. If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me : then shall my night be turned to day.
11. Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day : the darkness and light to thee are both alike.
12. For my reins are thine : thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
13. I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made : marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.
14. My bones are not hid from thee : though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.
15. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect : and in thy book were all my members written;
16. Which day by day were fashioned : when as yet there was none of them.
17. How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God : O how great is the sum of them!
18. If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand : when I wake up I am present with thee.
19. Wilt thou not slay the wicked, O God : depart from me, ye blood-thirsty men.
20. For they speak unrighteously against thee : and thine enemies take thy Name in vain.
21. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee : and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22. Yea, I hate them right sore : even as though they were mine enemies.
23. Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart : prove me, and examine my thoughts.
24. Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me : and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 140. Eripe me, Domine ELIVER me, O Lord, from the evil man : and preserve me from the wicked man.
2. Who imagine mischief in their hearts : and stir up strife all the day long.
3. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent : adders' poison is under their lips.
4. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly : preserve me from the wicked men, who are purposed to overthrow my goings.
5. The proud have laid a snare for me, and spread a net abroad with cords : yea, and set traps in my way.
6. I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God : hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.
7. O Lord God, thou strength of my health : thou hast covered my head in the day of the battle.
8. Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord : let not his mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.
9. Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them : that compass me about.
10. Let hot burning coals fall upon them : let them be cast into the fire and into the pit, that they never rise up again.
11. A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth : evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.
12. Sure I am that the Lord will avenge the poor : and maintain the cause of the helpless.
13. The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name : and the just shall continue in thy sight.

Psalm 141. Domine, clamavi ORD, I call upon thee, haste thee unto me : and consider my voice when I cry unto thee.
2. Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense : and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth : and keep the door of my lips.
4. O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing : let me not be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work wickedness, lest I eat of such things as please them.
5. Let the righteous rather smite me friendly : and reprove me.
6. But let not their precious balms break my head : yea, I will pray yet against their wickedness.
7. Let their judges be overthrown in stony places : that they may hear my words, for they are sweet.
8. Our bones lie scattered before the pit : like as when one breaketh and heweth wood upon the earth.
9. But mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord God : in thee is my trust , O cast not out my soul.
10. Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me : and from the traps of the wicked doers.
11. Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together : and let me ever escape them.

Day 29. Evening Prayer.

Psalm 142. Voce mea ad Dominum CRIED unto the Lord with my voice : yea, even unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2. I poured out my complaints before him : and shewed him of my trouble.
3. When my spirit was in heaviness thou knewest my path : in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4. I looked also upon my right hand : and saw there was no man that would know me.
5. I had no place to flee unto : and no man cared for my soul.
6. I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said : Thou art my hope, and my portion in the land of the living.
7. Consider my complaint : for I am brought very low.
8. O deliver me from my persecutors : for they are too strong for me.
9. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy Name : which thing if thou wilt grant me, then shall the righteous resort unto my company.

Psalm 143. Domine, exaudi EAR my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire : hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness' sake.
2. And enter not into judgement with thy servant : for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground : he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.
4. Therefore is my spirit vexed within me : and my heart within me is desolate.
5. Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works : yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.
6. I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.
7. Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint : hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8. O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning, for in thee is my trust : shew thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies : for I flee unto thee to hide me.
10. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God : let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.
11. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name's sake : and for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12. And of thy goodness slay mine enemies : and destroy all them that vex my soul ; for I am thy servant.

Day 30 (and 31). Morning Prayer.

Psalm 144. Benedictus Dominus LESSED be the Lord my strength : who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight;
2. My hope and my fortress, my castle and deliverer, my defender in whom I trust : who subdueth my people that is under me.
3. Lord, what is man, that thou hast such respect unto him : or the son of man, that thou so regardest him?
4. Man is like a thing of nought : his time passeth away like a shadow.
5. Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down : touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6. Cast forth thy lightning, and tear them : shoot out thine arrows, and consume them.
7. Send down thine hand from above : deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, from the hand of strange children;
8. Whose mouth talketh of vanity : and their right hand is a right hand of wickedness.
9. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God : and sing praises unto thee upon a ten-stringed lute.
10. Thou hast given victory unto kings : and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword.
11. Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children : whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity.
12. That our sons may grow up as the young plants : and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple.
13. That our garners may be full and plenteous with all manner of store : that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets.
14. That our oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no decay : no leading into captivity, and no complaining in our streets.
15. Happy are the people that are in such a case : yea, blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God.

Psalm 145. Exaltabo te, Deus WILL magnify thee, O God, my King : and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever.
2. Every day will I give thanks unto thee : and praise thy Name for ever and ever.
3. Great is the Lord, and marvellous worthy to be praised : there is no end of his greatness.
4. One generation shall praise thy works unto another : and declare thy power.
5. As for me, I will be talking of thy worship : thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works;
6. So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous acts : and I will also tell of thy greatness.
7. The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be shewed : and men shall sing of thy righteousness.
8. The Lord is gracious and merciful : long-suffering and of great goodness.
9. The Lord is loving unto every man : and his mercy is over all his works.
10. All thy works praise thee, O Lord : and thy saints give thanks unto thee.
11. They shew the glory of thy kingdom : and talk of thy power;
12. That thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy kingdom : might be known unto men.
13. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom : and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages.
14. The Lord upholdeth all such as fall : and lifteth up all those that are down.
15. The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord : and thou givest them their meat in due season.
16. Thou openest thine hand : and fillest all things living with plenteousness.
17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways : and holy in all his works.
18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him : yea, all such as call upon him faithfully.
19. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him : he also will hear their cry, and will help them.
20. The Lord preserveth all them that love him : but scattereth abroad all the ungodly.
21. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord : and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.

Psalm 146. Lauda, anima mea RAISE the Lord, O my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord : yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God.
2. O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man : for there is no help in them.
3. For when the breath of man goeth forth he shall turn again to his earth : and then all his thoughts perish.
4. Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help : and whose hope is in the Lord his God;
5. Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is : who keepeth his promise for ever;
6. Who helpeth them to right that suffer wrong : who feedeth the hungry.
7. The Lord looseth men out of prison : the Lord giveth sight to the blind.
8. The Lord helpeth them that are fallen : the Lord careth for the righteous.
9. The Lord careth for the strangers, he defendeth the fatherless and widow : as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.
10. The Lord thy God, O Sion, shall be King for evermore : and throughout all generations.

Day 30 (and 31). Evening Prayer.

Psalm 147. Laudate Dominum PRAISE the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God : yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.
2. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem : and gather together the out-casts of Israel.
3. He healeth those that are broken in heart : and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.
4. He telleth the number of the stars : and calleth them all by their names.
5. Great is our Lord, and great is his power : yea, and his wisdom is infinite.
6. The Lord setteth up the meek : and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground.
7. O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving : sing praises upon the harp unto our God;
8. Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth : and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men;
9. Who giveth fodder unto the cattle : and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.
10. He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse : neither delighteth he in any man's legs.
11. But the Lord's delight is in them that fear him : and put their trust in his mercy.
12. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem : praise thy God, O Sion.
13. For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates : and hath blessed thy children within thee.
14. He maketh peace in thy borders : and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.
15. He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth : and his word runneth very swiftly.
16. He giveth snow like wool : and scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
17. He casteth forth his ice like morsels : who is able to abide his frost?
18. He sendeth out his word, and melteth them : he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.
19. He sheweth his word unto Jacob : his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.
20. He hath not dealt so with any nation : neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.

Psalm 148. Laudate Dominum PRAISE the Lord of heaven : praise him in the height.
2. Praise him, all ye angels of his : praise him, all his host.
3. Praise him, sun and moon : praise him, all ye stars and light.
4. Praise him, all ye heavens : and ye waters that are above the heavens.
5. Let them praise the Name of the Lord : for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.
6. He hath made them fast for ever and ever : he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.
7. Praise the Lord upon earth : ye dragons, and all deeps;
8. Fire and hail, snow and vapours : wind and storm, fulfilling his word;
9. Mountains and all hills : fruitful trees and all cedars;
10. Beasts and all cattle : worms and feathered fowls;
11. Kings of the earth and all people : princes and all judges of the world;
12. Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord : for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.
13. He shall exalt the horn of his people; all his saints shall praise him : even the children of Israel, even the people that serveth him.

Psalm 149. Cantate Domino SING unto the Lord a new song : let the congregation of saints praise him.
2. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him : and let the children of Sion be joyful in their King.
3. Let them praise his Name in the dance : let them sing praises unto him with tabret and harp.
4. For the Lord hath pleasure in his people : and helpeth the meek-hearted.
5. Let the saints be joyful with glory : let them rejoice in their beds.
6. Let the praises of God be in their mouth : and a two-edged sword in their hands;
7. To be avenged of the heathen : and to rebuke the people;
8. To bind their kings in chains : and their nobles with links of iron.
9. That they may be avenged of them, as it is written : Such honour have all his saints.

Psalm 150. Laudate Dominum PRAISE God in his holiness : praise him in the firmament of his power.
2. Praise him in his noble acts : praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3. Praise him in the sound of the trumpet : praise him upon the lute and harp.
4. Praise him in the cymbals and dances : praise him upon the strings and pipe.
5. Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals : praise him upon the loud cymbals.
6. Let every thing that hath breath : praise the Lord.