Psalm 48. Magnus Dominus.
GREAT 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 * were
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 dost
break the ships of the sea * through the eastwind. 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 judgments. 11
Walk about Sion, and go round about her; * and tell the towers
thereof. 12 Mark well her bulwarks, consider her palaces, * 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.
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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
righteouness 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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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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Psalm 77. Voce mea ad Dominum.
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 114. In exitu Israel.
WHEN Israel came out of Egypt, *
and the house of Jacob from among the strange people, 2 Judah was his
sanctuary, * and Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw that, and fled; *
Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, * and the
little hills like young sheep. 5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that
thou fleddest? * and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye
mountains, that ye skipped like rams? * and ye little hills, like young
sheep? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord: * at the
presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Who turned the hard rock into a
standing water, `: and the flint-stone into a springing well.
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Evening Prayer.
Psalm 41. Beatus qui intelligit.
BLESSED 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 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto
him; * and now that he lieth, he shall 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 in my innocency thou upholdest me, * and shalt set me before thy
face for ever. 13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, * world without
end. Amen.
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BOOK II.
Psalm 42. Quemadmodum.
LIKE 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 O put thy trust in God; * for I
will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my
God. 8 My soul is vexed within me; * therefore will I remember thee
from the land of Jordan, from Hermon and the little hill. 9 One deep
calleth another, because of the noise of thy water-floods; * all thy
waves and storms are gone over me. 10 The LORD will grant his
loving-kindness in the day-time; * and in the night season will I sing
of him, and make 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.
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Psalm 43. Judica me, Deus.
GIVE 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.
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The Ninth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 44. Deus, auribus.
WE 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 our fathers in; * how thou hast destroyed the nations, and made
thy people to flourish. 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 nations, * and that
the peoples 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.
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Psalm 49. Audite haec, omnes.
O 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 show my dark speech upon the harp. 5
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, * when wickedness at 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 give a ransom
unto God for him, 8 (For it cost more to redeem their souls, * so
that he must let that alone for ever;) 9 That he shall live alway, *
and not see 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 being in honour abideth not, * seeing he may be
compared unto the beasts that perish; 13 This their way is very
foolishness; * yet their posterity praise their saying. 14 They lie
in the grave like sheep; death is their shepherd; and the righteous
shall have dominion over them in the morning: * their beauty shall
consume in the sepulchre, and have no abiding. 15 But God hath
delivered my soul from the power of the grave; * 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
that is in honour but hath no understanding * is compared unto the
beasts that perish.
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Psalm 51. Miserere mei, Deus.
HAVE 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 shalt judge. 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 show 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.
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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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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 outcasts 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 showeth 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.
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Evening Prayer.
Psalm 119:89-104 XII. In
aeternum, Domine.
O LORD, thy word * endureth for
ever in heaven. go Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to
another; * thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it
abideth. 91 They continue this day according to thine ordinance; *
for all things serve thee. 92 If my delight had not been in thy law,
* I should have perished in my trouble. 93 I will never forget thy
commandments; * for with them thou hast quickened me. 94 I am thine:
O save me, * for I have sought thy commandments. 95 The ungodly laid
wait for me, to destroy me; * but I will consider thy testimonies. 96
I see that all things come to an end; * but thy commandment is exceeding
broad.
XIII. Quomodo dilexi!
LORD, what love have I unto thy
law! * all the day long is my study in it. 98 Thou, through thy
commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies; * for they are ever
with me. 99 I have more understanding than my teachers; * for thy
testimonies are my study. 100 I am wiser than the aged; * because I
keep thy commandments. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil
way, * that I may keep thy word. 102 I have not shrunk from thy
judgments; * for thou teachest me. 103 O how sweet are thy words unto
my throat; * yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth! 104 Through thy
commandments I get understanding: * therefore I hate all evil ways.
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The Twenty-ninth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 139. Domine, probasti.
O LORD, thou hast searched me out,
and known me. * Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine uprising;
thou understandest my thoughts long before. 2 Thou art about my path,
and about my bed; * and art acquainted with all my ways. 3 For lo,
there is not a word in my tongue, * but thou, O LORD, knowest it
altogether. 4 Thou hast beset 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
imperfect; * 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.
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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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Psalm 39. Dixi, Custodiam.
I 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.
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The Tenth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 50. Deus deorum.
THE 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; * as for
thy burnt-offerings, they are alway before me. 9 I will take no
bullock out of thine house, * nor he-goats 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 saith God, * Why dost thou preach my laws, and takest my
covenant in thy mouth; 17 Whereas thou hatest to be reformed, * and
hast 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 sattest 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 way aright, will I show the
salvation of God.
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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 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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The Seventeenth Day. Morning Prayer.
Psalm 86. Inclina, Domine.
BOW down thine ear, O LORD, and
hear me; * for I am poor, and in misery. 2 Preserve thou my soul, for
I am holy: * my God, save thy servant that putteth his trust in
thee. 3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord; * for I will call daily upon
thee. 4 Comfort the soul of thy servant; * for unto thee, O Lord, do
I lift up my soul. 5 For thou, Lord, art good and gracious, * and of
great mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 6 Give ear, LORD, unto
my prayer, * and ponder the voice of my humble desires. 7 In the time
of my trouble I will call upon thee; * for thou hearest me. 8 Among
the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; * there is not one that
can do as thou doest. 9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come
and worship thee, O Lord; * and shall glorify thy Name. 10 For thou
art great, and doest wondrous things: * thou art God alone. 11 Teach
me thy way, O LORD, and I will walk in thy truth: * O knit my heart unto
thee, that I may fear thy Name. 12 I will thank thee, O Lord my God,
with all my heart; * and will praise thy Name for evermore. 13 For
great is thy mercy toward me; * and thou hast delivered my soul from the
nethermost hell. 14 O God, the proud are risen against me; * and
the congregations of violent men have sought after my soul, and have
not set thee before their eyes. 15 But thou, O Lord God, art full of
compassion and mercy, * long-suffering, plenteous in goodness and
truth. 16 O turn thee then unto me, and have mercy upon me; * give
thy strength unto thy servant, and help the son of thine handmaid. 17
Show some token upon me for good; that they who hate me may see it, and
be ashamed, * because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.
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Psalm 93. Dominus regnavit.
THE LORD is King, and hath put on
glorious apparel; * the LORD hath put on his apparel, and girded
himself with strength. 2 He hath made the round world so sure, * that
it cannot be moved. 3 Ever since the world began, hath thy seat been
prepared: * thou art from everlasting. 4 The floods are risen, O
LORD, the floods have lift up their voice; * the floods lift up their
waves. 5 The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly; * but
yet the LORD, who dwelleth on high, is mightier. 6 Thy testimonies, O
LORD, are very sure: * holiness becometh thine house for ever.
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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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