Psalm 124. Nisi quia Dominus.
IF the LORD himself had not been
on our side, now may Israel say; * if the LORD himself had not been
on our side, when men rose up against us; 2 They had swallowed us up
alive; * when they were so wrathfully displeased at us. 3 Yea, the
waters had drowned us, * and the stream had gone over our soul. 4 The
deep waters of the proud * had gone even over our soul. 5 But praised
be the LORD, * who hath not given us over for a prey unto their
teeth. 6 Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the
fowler; * the snare is broken, and we are delivered. 7 Our help
standeth in the Name of the LORD, * who hath made heaven and earth.
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Psalm 125. Qui confidunt.
THEY that put their trust in the
LORD shall be even as the mount Sion, * which may not be removed,
but standeth fast for ever. 2 The hills stand about Jerusalem; * even
so standeth the LORD round about his people, from this time forth for
evermore. 3 For the sceptre of the ungodly shall not abide upon the
lot of the righteous; * lest the righteous put their hand unto
wickedness. 4 Do well, O LORD, * unto those that are good and true of
heart. 5 As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness, * the
LORD shall lead them forth with the evil doers; but peace shall be upon
Israel.
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Psalm 33. Exultate, justi.
REJOICE in the LORD, O ye
righteous; * for it becometh well the just to be thankful. 2 Praise
the LORD with harp; * sing praises unto him with the lute, and
instrument of ten strings. 3 Sing unto the Lord a new song; * sing
praises lustily unto him with a good courage. 4 For the word of the
LORD is true; * and all his works are faithful. 5 He loveth
righteousness and judgment; * the earth is full of the goodness of the
LORD. 6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; * and all the
host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of
the sea together, as it were upon an heap; * and layeth up the deep, as
in a treasure-house. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: * stand in
awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world. 9 For he spake, and it
was done; * he commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The LORD bringeth the
counsel of the heathen to nought, * and maketh the devices of the people
to be of none effect, and casteth out the counsels of princes. 11 The
counsel of the LORD shall endure for ever, * and the thoughts of his
heart from generation to generation. 12 Blessed are the people whose
God is the Lord JEHOVAH; * and blessed are the folk that he hath chosen
to him, to be his inheritance. 13 The LORD looketh down from heaven,
and beholdeth all the children of men; * from the habitation of his
dwelling, he considereth all them that dwell on the earth. 14 He
fashioneth all the hearts of them, * and understandeth all their
works. 15 There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an
host; * neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength. 16 A
horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; * neither shall he
deliver any man by his great strength. 17 Behold, the eye of the LORD
is upon them that fear him, * and upon them that put their trust in his
mercy; 18 To deliver their soul from death, * and to feed them in the
time of dearth. 19 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the LORD; *
for he is our help and our shield. 20 For our heart shall rejoice in
him; * because we have hoped in his holy Name. 21 Let thy merciful
kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * like as we do put our trust in thee.
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The Twelfth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 62. Nonne Deo?
MY 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.
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Psalm 63. Deus, Deus meus.
O 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 the sanctuary, * 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 in
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.
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The Fourteenth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 71. In te, Domine, speravi.
IN 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 stronghold, 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 alway 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, 10 God hath forsaken
him; * persecute him, and take him, for there is none to deliver
him. 11 Go not far from me, O God; * my God, haste thee to help
me. 12 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. 13 As for me, I will patiently abide alway, * and will praise
thee more and more. 14 My mouth shall daily speak of thy
righteousness and salvation; * for I know no end thereof. 15 I will
go forth in the strength of the Lord GOD, * and will make mention of thy
righteousness only. 16 Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up
until now; * therefore will I tell of thy wondrous works. 17 Forsake
me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am gray-headed, * until I have
showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to all them that
are yet for to come. 18 Thy righteousness, O God, is very high, * and
great things are they that thou hast done: O God, who is like unto
thee! 19 O what great troubles and adversities hast thou showed me !
and yet didst thou turn and refresh me; * yea, and broughtest me from
the deep of the earth again. 20 Thou hast brought me to great honour,
* and comforted me on every side: 21 Therefore will I praise thee,
and thy faithfulness, O God, playing upon an instrument of music: * unto
thee will I sing upon the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. 22 My lips
will be glad when I sing unto thee; * and so will my soul whom thou hast
delivered. 23 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.
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BOOK III. Evening Prayer.
Psalm 73. Quam bonus Israel!
TRULY 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 cruelty covereth them as a garment. 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 there-out 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: 13 And I said, Then have
I cleansed my heart in vain, * and washed my hands in innocency. 14
All the day long have I been punished, * and chastened every
morning. 15 Yea, and I had almost said even as they; * but lo, then I
should have condemned the generation of thy children. 16 Then thought
I to understand this; * but it was too hard for me, 17 Until I went
into the sanctuary of God: * then understood I the end of these
men; 18 Namely, how thou dost set them in slippery places, * and
castest them down, and destroyest them. 19 O how suddenly do they
consume, * perish, and come to a fearful end! 20 Yea, even like as a
dream when one awaketh; * so shalt thou make their image to vanish out
of the city. 21 Thus my heart was grieved, * and it went even through
my reins. 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant, * even as it were a
beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless, I am alway by thee; * for thou
hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy
counsel, * and after that receive me with glory. 25 Whom have I in
heaven but thee? * and there is none upon earth that I desire in
comparison of thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth; * but God is
the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For lo, they
that forsake thee shall perish; * thou hast destroyed all them that are
unfaithful unto thee. 28 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.
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Psalm 87. Fundamenta ejus.
HER foundations are upon the holy
hills: * the LORD loveth the gates of Sion more than all the
dwellings of Jacob. 2 Very excellent things are spoken of thee, *
thou city of God. 3 I will make mention of Egypt and Babylon, * among
them that know me. 4 Behold, Philistia also; and Tyre, with Ethiopia;
* lo, in Sion were they born. 5 Yea, of Sion it shall be reported,
this one and that one were born in her; * and the Most High shall
stablish her. 6 The LORD shall record it, when he writeth up the
peoples; * lo, in Sion were they born. 7 The singers also and
trumpeters shall make answer: * All my fresh springs are in thee.
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Psalm 101. Misericordiam et judicium.
MY song shall be of mercy and
judgment; * unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 O let me have
understanding * in the way of godliness! 3 When wilt thou come unto
me? * I will walk in my house with a perfect heart. 4 I will take no
wicked thing in hand; I hate the sins of unfaithfulness; * there shall
no such cleave unto me. 5 A froward heart shall depart from me; * I
will not know a wicked person. 6 Whoso privily slandereth his
neighbour, * him will I destroy. 7 Whoso hath also a haughty look and
a proud heart, * I will not suffer him. 8 Mine eyes look upon such as
are faithful in the land, * that they may dwell with me. 9 Whoso
leadeth a godly life, * he shall be my servant. 10 There shall no
deceitful person dwell in my house; * he that telleth lies shall not
tarry in my sight. 11 I shall soon destroy all the ungodly that are
in the land; * that I may root out all wicked doers from the city of the
LORD.
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Psalm 92. Bonum est confiteri.
IT is a good thing to give thanks
unto the LORD, * and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most Highest; 2
To tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning, * and of thy truth
in the night season; 3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon
the lute; * upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp. 4 For thou,
LORD, hast made me glad through thy works; * and I will rejoice in
giving praise for the operations of thy hands. 5 O LORD, how glorious
are thy works! * thy thoughts are very deep. 6 An unwise man doth not
well consider this, * and a fool doth not understand it. 7 When the
ungodly are green as the grass, and when all the workers of wickedness
do flourish, * then shall they be destroyed for ever; but thou, LORD,
art the Most Highest for evermore. 8 For lo, thine enemies, O LORD,
lo, thine enemies shall perish; * and all the workers of wickedness
shall be destroyed. 9 But my horn shall be exalted like the horn of
an unicorn; * for I am anointed with fresh oil. 10 Mine eye also
shall see his lust of mine enemies, * and mine ear shall hear his desire
of the wicked that arise up against me. 11 The righteous shall
flourish like a palm-tree, * and shall spread abroad like a cedar in
Lebanon. 12 Such as are planted in the house of the LORD, * shall
flourish in the courts of the house of our God. 13 They also shall
bring forth more fruit in their age, * and shall be fat and
well-liking; 14 That they may show how true the LORD my strength is,
* and that there is no unrighteousness in him. Evening Prayer.
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Psalm 94. Deus ultionum.
O LORD God, to whom vengeance
belongeth, * thou God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself. 2
Arise, thou Judge of the world, * and reward the proud after their
deserving. 3 LORD, how long shall the ungodly, * how long shall the
ungodly triumph? 4 How long shall all wicked doers speak so
disdainfully, * and make such proud boasting? 5 They smite down thy
people, O LORD, * and trouble thine heritage. 6 They murder the widow
and the stranger, * and put the fatherless to death. 7 And yet they
say, Tush, the LORD shall not see, * neither shall the God of Jacob
regard it. 8 Take heed, ye unwise among the people: * O ye fools,
when will ye understand? 9 He that planted the ear, shall he not
hear? * or he that made the eye, shall he not see? 10 Or he that
instructeth the heathen, * it is he that teacheth man knowledge; shall
not he punish? 11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, * that they
are but vain. 12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, *
and teachest him in thy law; 13 That thou mayest give him patience in
time of adversity, * until the pit be digged up for the ungodly. 14
For the LORD will not fail his people; * neither will he forsake his
inheritance; 15 Until righteousness turn again unto judgment: * all
such as are true in heart shall follow it. 16 Who will rise up with
me against the wicked? * or who will take my part against the evil
doers? 17 If the LORD had not helped me, * it had not failed, but my
soul had been put to silence. 18 But when I said, My foot hath slipt;
* thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. 19 In the multitude of the sorrows
that I had in my heart, * thy comforts have refreshed my soul. 20
Wilt thou have any thing to do with the throne of wickedness, * which
imagineth mischief as a law? 21 They gather them together against the
soul of the righteous, * and condemn the innocent blood. 22 But the
LORD is my refuge, * and my God is the strength of my confidence. 23
He shall recompense them their wickedness, and destroy them in their own
malice; * yea, the LORD our God shall destroy them.
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Psalm 96. Cantate Domino.
O SING unto the LORD a new song; *
sing unto the LORD, all the whole earth. 2 Sing unto the LORD, and
praise his Name; * be telling of his salvation from day to day. 3
Declare his honour unto the heathen, * and his wonders unto all
peoples. 4 For the LORD is great, and cannot worthily be praised;* he
is more to be feared than all gods. 5 As for all the gods of the
heathen, they are but idols; * but it is the LORD that made the
heavens. 6 Glory and worship are before him; * power and honour are
in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the
peoples, * ascribe unto the LORD worship and power. 8 Ascribe unto
the LORD the honour due unto his Name; * bring presents, and come into
his courts. 9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; * let the
whole earth stand in awe of him. 10 Tell it out among the heathen,
that the LORD is King, and that it is he who hath made the round world
so fast that it cannot be moved; * and how that he shall judge the
peoples righteously. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be
glad; * let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is. 12 Let the
field be joyful, and all that is in it; * then shall all the trees of
the wood rejoice before the LORD. 13 For he cometh, for he cometh to
judge the earth; * and with righteousness to judge the world, and the
peoples with his truth.
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The Thirteenth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 68. Exsurgat Deus.
LET 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; * 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 women that bare the tidings. 12 Kings with their
armies did flee, and were discomfited, * and they of the household
divided the spoil. 13 Though ye have lain among the sheep-folds, 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 Bashan, so is God's hill; * even an high hill, as the hill of
Bashan. 16 Why mock 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 from men; * yea, even from 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 Bashan; * 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 of the damsels playing with the
timbrels. 26 Give thanks unto God the Lord in the congregation, * ye
that are of the fountain of Israel. 27 There is little Benjamin their
ruler, and the princes of Judah their council; * the princes of Zebulon,
and the princes of Naphthali. 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 Rebuke thou the dragon and the bull, with the leaders of the
heathen, so that they humbly bring pieces of silver; * scatter thou the
peoples that delight in war; 31 Then shall the princes come out of
Egypt; * the Morians' land shall soon stretch out 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.
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Psalm 123. Ad te levavi oculos meos.
UNTO thee lift I up mine eyes, * O
thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, even as the eyes of
servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a
maiden unto the hand of her mistress, * even so our eyes wait upon the
LORD our God, until he have mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy upon us, O
LORD, have mercy upon us; * for we are utterly despised. 4 Our soul
is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy, * and with the
despitefulness of the proud.
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Psalm 142. Voce mea ad Dominum.
I 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 showed 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.
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Psalm 100. Jubilate Deo.
O BE joyful in the LORD, all ye
lands: * serve the LORD with gladness, and come before his presence
with a song. 2 Be ye sure that the LORD he is God; it is he that hath
made us, and not we ourselves; * we are his people, and the sheep of his
pasture. 3 O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into
his courts with praise; * be thankful unto him, and speak good of his
Name. 4 For the LORD is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his
truth endureth from generation to generation.
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Psalm 101. Misericordiam et judicium.
MY song shall be of mercy and
judgment; * unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 O let me have
understanding * in the way of godliness! 3 When wilt thou come unto
me? * I will walk in my house with a perfect heart. 4 I will take no
wicked thing in hand; I hate the sins of unfaithfulness; * there shall
no such cleave unto me. 5 A froward heart shall depart from me; * I
will not know a wicked person. 6 Whoso privily slandereth his
neighbour, * him will I destroy. 7 Whoso hath also a haughty look and
a proud heart, * I will not suffer him. 8 Mine eyes look upon such as
are faithful in the land, * that they may dwell with me. 9 Whoso
leadeth a godly life, * he shall be my servant. 10 There shall no
deceitful person dwell in my house; * he that telleth lies shall not
tarry in my sight. 11 I shall soon destroy all the ungodly that are
in the land; * that I may root out all wicked doers from the city of the
LORD.
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The Sixth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 30. Exaltabo te, Domine.
I WILL magnify thee, O LORD; for
thou hast set me up, * and not made my foes to triumph over me. 2 O
LORD my God, I cried unto thee; * and thou hast healed me. 3 Thou,
LORD, hast brought my soul out of hell: * thou hast kept my life, that I
should not go down into the pit. 4 Sing praises unto the LORD, O ye
saints of his; * and give thanks unto him, for a remembrance of his
holiness. 5 For his wrath endureth but the twinkling of an
eye, and in his pleasure is life; * heaviness may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning. 6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall
never be removed: * thou, LORD, of thy goodness, hast made my hill so
strong. 7 Thou didst turn thy face from me, * and I was
troubled. 8 Then cried I unto thee, O LORD; * and gat me to my LORD
right humbly. 9 What profit is there in my blood, * when I go down
into the pit? 10 Shall the dust give thanks unto thee? * or shall it
declare thy truth? 11 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me; * LORD,
be thou my helper. 12 Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy; * thou
hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness: 13 Therefore
shall every good man sing of thy praise without ceasing. * O my God, I
will give thanks unto thee for ever.
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Psalm 121. Levavi oculos.
I WILL lift up mine eyes unto the
hills; * from whence cometh my help? 2 My help cometh even from the
LORD, * who hath made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot
to be moved; * and he that keepeth thee will not sleep. 4 Behold, he
that keepeth Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD
himself is thy keeper; * the LORD is thy defence upon thy right
hand; 6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, * neither the
moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; * yea,
it is even he that shall keep thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy
going out, and thy coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.
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Psalm 77. Voce mea ad Dominum.
I WILL cry unto God with my voice;
* even unto God will I cry with my voice, and he shall hearken unto
me. 2 In the time of my trouble I sought the Lord: * I stretched
forth my hands unto him, and ceased not in the night season; my soul
refused comfort. 3 When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God; *
when my heart is vexed, I will complain. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes
waking: * I am so feeble that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the
days of old, * and the years that are past. 6 I call to remembrance
my song, * and in the night I commune with mine own heart, and search
out my spirit. 7 Will the Lord absent himself for ever? * and will he
be no more intreated? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? * and is
his promise come utterly to an end for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten
to be gracious? * and will he shut up his loving-kindness in
displeasure? 10 And I said, It is mine own infirmity; * but I will
remember the years of the right hand of the Most Highest. 11 I will
remember the works of the LORD, * and call to mind thy wonders of old
time. 12 I will think also of all thy works, * and my talking shall
be of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is holy: * who is so great a God
as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders, * and hast
declared thy power among the peoples. 15 Thou hast mightily delivered
thy people, * even the sons of Jacob and Joseph. 16 The waters saw
thee, O God, the waters saw thee, and were afraid; * the depths also
were troubled. 17 The clouds poured out water, the air thundered, *
and thine arrows went abroad. 18 The voice of thy thunder was heard
round about: * the lightnings shone upon the ground; the earth was
moved, and shook withal. 19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in
the great waters, * and thy footsteps are not known. 20 Thou leddest
thy people like sheep, * by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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Evening Prayer.
Psalm 78. Attendite, popule.
HEAR my law, O my people; *
incline your ears unto the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth
in a parable; * I will declare hard sentences of old; 3 Which we have
heard and known, * and such as our fathers have told us; 4 That we
should not hide them from the children of the generations to come; *
but to show the honour of the LORD, his mighty and wonderful works that
he hath done. 5 He made a covenant with Jacob, and gave Israel a law,
* which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children; 6 That
their posterity might know it, * and the children which were yet
unborn; 7 To the intent that when they came up, * they might show
their children the same; 8 That they might put their trust in God; *
and not to forget the works of God, but to keep his commandments; 9
And not to be as their forefathers, a faithless and stubborn generation;
* a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit clave
not stedfastly unto God; 10 Like as the children of Ephraim; * who
being harnessed, and carrying bows, turned themselves back in the day of
battle. 11 They kept not the covenant of God, * and would not walk in
his law; 12 But forgat what he had done, * and the wonderful works
that he had showed for them. 13 Marvellous things did he in the sight
of our forefathers, in the land of Egypt, * even in the field of
Zoan. 14 He divided the sea, and let them go through; * he made the
waters to stand on an heap. 15 In the day-time also he led them with
a cloud, * and all the night through with a light of fire. 16 He
clave the hard rocks in the wilderness, * and gave them drink thereof,
as it had been out of the great depth. 17 He brought waters out of
the stony rock, * so that it gushed out like the rivers. 18 Yet for
all this they sinned more against him, * and provoked the Most Highest
in the wilderness. 19 They tempted God in their hearts, * and
required meat for their lust. 20 They spake against God also, saying,
* Shall God prepare a table in the wilderness? 21 He smote the stony
rock indeed, that the water gushed out, and the streams flowed withal; *
but can he give bread also, or provide flesh for his people? 22 When
the LORD heard this, he was wroth; * so the fire was kindled in Jacob,
and there came up heavy displeasure against Israel; 23 Because they
believed not in God, * and put not their trust in his help. 24 So he
commanded the clouds above, * and opened the doors of heaven. 25 He
rained down manna also upon them for to eat, * and gave them food from
heaven. 26 So man did eat angels' food; * for he sent them meat
enough. 27 He caused the east-wind to blow under heaven; * and
through his power he brought in the southwest-wind. 28 He rained
flesh upon them as thick as dust, * and feathered fowls like as the sand
of the sea. 29 He let it fall among their tents, * even round about
their habitation. 30 So they did eat, and were well filled; for he
gave them their own desire: * they were not disappointed of their
lust. 31 But while the meat was yet in their mouths, the heavy wrath
of God came upon them, and slew the wealthiest of them; * yea, and smote
down the chosen men that were in Israel. 32 But for all this they
sinned yet more, * and believed not his wondrous works. 33 Therefore
their days did he consume in vanity, * and their years in trouble. 34
When he slew them, they sought him, * and turned them early, and
inquired after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their
strength, * and that the High God was their redeemer. 36
Nevertheless, they did but flatter him with their mouth, * and
dissembled with him in their tongue. 37 For their heart was not whole
with him, * neither continued they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But
he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds, * and destroyed them
not. 39 Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away, * and would not
suffer his whole displeasure to arise. 40 For he considered that they
were but flesh, * and that they were even a wind that passeth away, and
cometh not again. 41 Many a time did they provoke him in the
wilderness, * and grieved him in the desert. 42 They turned back, and
tempted God, * and provoked the Holy One in Israel. 43 They thought
not of his hand, * and of the day when he delivered them from the hand
of the enemy; 44 How he had wrought his miracles in Egypt, * and his
wonders in the field of Zoan. 45 He turned their waters into blood, *
so that they might not drink of the rivers. 46 He sent flies among
them, and devoured them up; * and frogs to destroy them. 47 He gave
their fruit unto the caterpillar, * and their labour unto the
grasshopper. 48 He destroyed their vines with hailstones, * and their
mulberry-trees with the frost. 49 He smote their cattle also with
hailstones, * and their flocks with hot thunderbolts. 50 He cast upon
them the furiousness of his wrath, anger, displeasure, and trouble: *
and sent evil angels among them. 51 He made a way to his indignation,
and spared not their soul from death; * but gave their life over to the
pestilence; 52 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt, * the most
principal and mightiest in the dwellings of Ham. 53 But as for his
own people, he led them forth like sheep, * and carried them in the
wilderness like a flock. 54 He brought them out safely, that they
should not fear, * and overwhelmed their enemies with the sea. 55 And
brought them within the borders of his sanctuary, * even to this
mountain, which he purchased with his right hand. 56 He cast out the
heathen also before them, * caused their land to be divided among them
for an heritage, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their
tents. 57 Yet they tempted and displeased the Most High God, * and
kept not his testimonies. 58 They turned their backs, and fell away
like their forefathers; * starting aside like a broken bow. 59 For
they grieved him with their hill-altars, * and provoked him to
displeasure with their images. 60 When God heard this, he was wroth,
* and took sore displeasure at Israel; 61 So that he forsook the
tabernacle in Shiloh, * even the tent that he had pitched among
men. 62 He delivered their power into captivity, * and their beauty
into the enemy's hand 63 He gave his people over also unto the sword,
* and was wroth with his inheritance. 64 The fire consumed their
young men, * and their maidens were not given in marriage. 65 Their
priests were slain with the sword, * and there were no widows to make
lamentation. 66 So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, * and like a
giant refreshed with wine. 67 He drave his enemies backward, * and
put them to a perpetual shame. 68 He refused the tabernacle of
Joseph, * and chose not the tribe of Ephraim; 69 But chose the tribe
of Judah, * even the hill of Sion which he loved. 70 And there he
built his temple on high, * and laid the foundation of it like the
ground which he hath made continually. 71 He chose David also his
servant, * and took him away from the sheep-folds: 72 As he was
following the ewes with their young he took him, * that he might feed
Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 73 So he fed them with
a faithful and true heart, * and ruled them prudently with all his
power.
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Psalm 85. Benedixisti, Domine.
LORD, thou art become gracious
unto thy land; * thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. 2 Thou
hast forgiven the offence of thy people, * and covered all their
sins. 3 Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, * and turned
thyself from thy wrathful indignation. 4 Turn us then, O God our
Saviour, * and let thine anger cease from us. 5 Wilt thou be
displeased at us for ever? * and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from
one generation to another? 6 Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken
us, * that thy people may rejoice in thee? 7 Show us thy mercy, O
LORD, * and grant us thy salvation. 8 I will hearken what the LORD
God will say; * for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his
saints, that they turn not again unto foolishness. 9 For his
salvation is nigh them that fear him; * that glory may dwell in our
land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together: * righteousness and peace
have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall flourish out of the earth, *
and righteousness hath looked down from heaven. 12 Yea, the LORD
shall show loving-kindness; * and our land shall give her
increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him, * and shall direct
his going in the way.
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Evening Prayer.
Psalm 98. Cantate Domino.
O SING unto the LORD a new song; *
for he hath done marvellous things. 2 With his own right hand, and
with his holy arm, * hath he gotten himself the victory. 3 The LORD
declared his salvation; * his righteousness hath he openly showed in the
sight of the heathen. 4 He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward
the house of Israel; * and all the ends of the world have seen the
salvation of our God. 5 Show yourselves joyful unto the LORD, all ye
lands; * sing, rejoice, and give thanks. 6 Praise the LORD upon the
harp; * sing to the harp with a Psalm of thanksgiving. 7 With
trumpets also and shawms, * O show yourselves joyful before the LORD,
the King. 8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; * the
round world, and they that dwell therein. 9 Let the floods clap their
hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the LORD; * for he is
come to judge the earth. 10 With righteousness shall he judge the
world, * and the peoples with equity.
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BOOK IV. The Eighteenth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 90. Domine, refugium.
LORD, thou hast been our refuge, *
from one generation to another. 2 Before the mountains were brought
forth, or ever the earth and the world were made, * thou art God from
everlasting, and world without end. 3 Thou turnest man to
destruction; * again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men. 4
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
* and as a watch in the night. 5 As soon as thou scatterest them they
are even as a sleep; * and fade away suddenly like the grass. 6 In
the morning it is green, and groweth up; * but in the evening it is cut
down, dried up, and withered. 7 For we consume away in thy
displeasure, * and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation. 8 Thou
hast set our misdeeds before thee; * and our secret sins in the light of
thy countenance. 9 For when thou art angry all our days are gone: *
we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told. 10 The
days of our age are threescore years and ten; and though men be so
strong that they come to fourscore years, * yet is their strength then
but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone. 11
But who regardeth the power of thy wrath? * or feareth aright thy
indignation? 12 So teach us to number our days, * that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom. 13 Turn thee again, O LORD, at the last, *
and be gracious unto thy servants. 14 O satisfy us with thy mercy,
and that soon: * so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our
life. 15 Comfort us again now after the time that thou hast plagued
us; * and for the years wherein we have suffered adversity. 16 Show
thy servants thy work, * and their children thy glory. 17 And the
glorious majesty of the LORD our God be upon us: * prosper thou the work
of our hands upon us; O prosper thou our handy-work.
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Psalm 103. Benedic, anima mea.
PRAISE the LORD, O my soul; * and
all that is within me, praise his holy Name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my
soul, * and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thy sin,
* and healeth all thine infirmities; 4 Who saveth thy life from
destruction, * and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness; 5
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, * making thee young and lusty
as an eagle. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment * for
all them that are oppressed with wrong. 7 He showed his ways unto
Moses, * his works unto the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is full of
compassion and mercy, * long-suffering, and of great goodness. 9 He
will not alway be chiding; * neither keepeth he his anger for
ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; * nor rewarded us
according to our wickednesses. 11 For look how high the heaven is in
comparison of the earth; * so great is his mercy also toward them that
fear him. 12 Look how wide also the east is from the west; * so far
hath he set our sins from us. 13 Yea, like as a father pitieth his
own children; * even so is the LORD merciful unto them that fear
him. 14 For he knoweth whereof we are made; * he remembereth that we
are but dust. 15 The days of man are but as grass; * for he
flourisheth as a flower of the field. 16 For as soon as the wind
goeth over it, it is gone; * and the place thereof shall know it no
more. 17 But the merciful goodness of the LORD endureth for ever and
ever upon them that fear him; * and his righteousness upon children's
children; 18 Even upon such as keep his covenant, * and think upon
his commandments to do them. 19 The LORD hath prepared his seat in
heaven, * and his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 O praise the LORD, ye
angels of his, ye that excel in strength; * ye that fulfil his
commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word. 21 O praise the
LORD, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his that do his pleasure. 22
O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all places of his
dominion: * praise thou the LORD, O my soul.
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Psalm 112. Beatus vir.
BLESSED is the man that feareth
the LORD; * he hath great delight in his commandments. 2 His seed
shall be mighty upon earth; * the generation of the faithful shall be
blessed. 3 Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house; * and his
righteousness endureth for ever. 4 Unto the godly there ariseth up
light in the darkness; * he is merciful, loving, and righteous. 5 A
good man is merciful, and lendeth; * and will guide his words with
discretion. 6 For he shall never be moved: * and the righteous shall
be had in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of any
evil tidings; * for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the
LORD. 8 His heart is stablished, and will not shrink, * until he see
his desire upon his enemies. 9 He hath dispersed abroad, and given to
the poor. * and his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall
be exalted with honour. 10 The ungodly shall see it, and it shall
grieve him; * he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away; the
desire of the ungodly shall perish.
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Psalm 113. Laudate, pueri.
PRAISE the LORD, ye servants; * O
praise the Name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the Name of the LORD * from
this time forth for evermore. 3 The LORD'S Name is praised * from the
rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same. 4 The LORD is
high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is
like unto the LORD our God, that hath his dwelling so high, * and yet
humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth! 6
He taketh up the simple out of the dust, * and lifteth the poor out of
the mire; 7 That he may set him with the princes, * even with the
princes of his people. 8 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, *
and to be a joyful mother of children.
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