Chapter 42

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 words.

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.

DAY 20 EVENING PRAYER

PSALM 104. _Benedic, anima mea_.

Praise the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious; thou art clothed with majesty and honour.

2 Thou deckest thyself with light as it were with a garment: and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain.

3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: and maketh the clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind.

4 He maketh his angels spirits: and his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He laid the foundations of the earth: that it never should move at any time.

6 Thou coveredst it with the deep like as with a garment: the waters stand in the hills.

7 At thy rebuke they flee: at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.

8 They go up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath: even unto the place which thou hast appointed for them.

9 Thou hast set them their bounds which they shall not pass: neither turn again to cover the earth.

10 He sendeth the springs into the rivers: which run among the hills.

11 All beasts of the field drink thereof: and the wild asses quench their thirst.

12 Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation: and sing among the branches.

13 He watereth the hills from above: the earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.

14 He bringeth forth grass for the cattle: and green herb for the service of men;

15 That he may bring food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man: and oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen man's heart.

16 The trees of the Lord also are full of sap: even the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted;

17 Wherein the birds make their nests: and the fir-trees are a dwelling for the stork.

18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats: and so are the stony rocks for the conies.

19 He appointed the moon for certain seasons: and the sun knoweth his going down.

20 Thou makest darkness that it maybe night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do move.

21 The lions roaring after their prey: do seek their meat from God.

22 The sun ariseth, and they get them away together: and lay them down in their dens.

23 Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour: until the evening.

24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works: in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.

25 So is the great and wide sea also: wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

26 There go the ships, and there is that leviathan: whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein.

27 These wait all upon thee: that thou mayest give them meat in due season.

28 When thou givest it them they gather it: and when thou openest thy hand they are filled with good.

29 When thou hidest thy face they are troubled: when thou takest away their breath they die, and are turned again to their dust.

30 When thou lettest thy breath go forth they shall be made: and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

31 The glorious majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

32 The earth shall tremble at the look of him: if he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke.

33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will praise my God while I have my being.

34 And so shall my words please him: my joy shall be in the Lord.

35 As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end: praise thou the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord.

DAY 21 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 105. _Confitemini Domino_.

O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his Name: tell the people what things he hath done.

2 O let your songs be of him, and praise him: and let your talking be of all his wondrous works.

3 Rejoice in his holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

4 Seek the Lord and his strength: seek his face evermore.

5 Remember the marvellous works that he hath done: his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth,

6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant: ye children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the Lord our God: his judgements are in all the world.

8 He hath been alway mindful of his covenant and promise: that he made to a thousand generations;

9 Even the covenant that he made with Abraham: and the oath that he sware unto Isaac;

10 And appointed the same unto Jacob for a law: and to Israel for an everlasting testament;

11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan: the lot of your inheritance;

12 When there were yet but a few of them: and they strangers in the land;

13 What time as they went from one nation to another: from one kingdom to another people;

14 He suffered no man to do them wrong: but reproved even kings for their sakes;

15 Touch not mine Anointed: and do my prophets no harm.

16 Moreover, he called for a dearth upon the land: and destroyed all the provision of bread.

17 But he had sent a man before them: even Joseph, who was sold to be a bond-servant;

18 Whose feet they hurt in the stocks: the iron entered into his soul;

19 Until the time came that his cause was known: the word of the Lord tried him.

20 The king sent, and delivered him: the prince of the people let him go free.

21 He made him lord also of his house: and ruler of all his substance;

22 That he might inform his princes after his will: and teach his senators wisdom.

23 Israel also came into Egypt: and Jacob was a stranger in the land of Ham.

24 And he increased his people exceedingly: and made them stronger than their enemies;

25 Whose heart turned, so that they hated his people: and dealt untruly with his servants.

26 Then sent he Moses his servant: and Aaron whom he had chosen.

27 And these shewed his tokens among them: and wonders in the land of Ham.

28 He sent darkness, and it was dark: and they were not obedient unto his word.

29 He turned their waters into blood: and slew their fish.

30 Their land brought forth frogs: yea, even in their kings chambers.

31 He spake the word, and there came all manner of flies: and lice in all their quarters.

32 He gave them hail-stones for rain: and flames of fire in their land.

33 He smote their vines also and fig-trees: and destroyed the trees that were in their coasts.

34 He spake the word, and the grasshoppers came, and caterpillars innumerable: and did eat up all the grass in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

35 He smote all the first-born in their land: even the chief of all their strength.

36 He brought them forth also with silver and gold: there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

37 Egypt was glad at their departing: for they were afraid of them.

38 He spread out a cloud to be a covering: and fire to give light in the night-season.

39 At their desire he brought quails: and he filled them with the bread of heaven.

40 He opened the rock of stone, and the waters flowed out: so that rivers ran in the dry places.

41 For why? he remembered his holy promise: and Abraham his servant.

42 And he brought forth his people with joy: and his chosen with gladness;

43 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they took the labours of the people in possession;

44 That they might keep his statutes: and observe his laws.

DAY 21 EVENING PRAYER

PSALM 106. _Confitemini Domino_.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: and his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Who can express the noble acts of the Lord: or shew forth all his praise?

3 Blessed are they that alway keep judgement: and do righteousness.

4 Remember me, O Lord, according to the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;

5 That I may see the felicity of thy chosen: and rejoice in the gladness of thy people, and give thanks with thine inheritance.

6 We have sinned with our fathers: we have done amiss, and dealt wickedly.

7 Our fathers regarded not thy wonders in Egypt, neither kept they thy great goodness in remembrance: but were disobedient at the sea, even at the Red sea.

8 Nevertheless, he helped them for his Name's sake: that he might make his power to be known.

9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the deep, as through a wilderness.

10 And he saved them from the adversaries' hand: and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.

11 As for those that troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them: there was not one of them left.

12 Then believed they his words: and sang praise unto him.

13 But within a while they forgat his works: and would not abide his counsel.

14 But lust came upon them in the wilderness: and they tempted God in the desert.

15 And he gave them their desire: and sent leanness withal into their soul.

16 They angered Moses also in the tents: and Aaron the saint of the Lord.

17 So the earth opened, and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiram.

18 And the fire was kindled in their company: the flame burnt up the ungodly.

19 They made a calf in Horeb: and worshipped the molten image.

20 Thus they turned their glory: into the similitude of a calf that eateth hay.

21 And they forgat God their Saviour: who had done so great things in Egypt;

22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham: and fearful things by the Red sea.

23 So he said, he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the gap: to turn away his wrathful indignation, lest he should destroy them.

24 Yea, they thought scorn of that pleasant land: and gave no credence unto his word;

25 But murmured in their tents: and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.

26 Then lift he up his hand against them: to overthrow them in the wilderness;

27 To cast out their seed among the nations: and to scatter them in the lands.

28 They joined themselves unto Baal-peor: and ate the offerings of the dead.

29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their own inventions: and the plague was great among them.

30 Then stood up Phinees and prayed: and so the plague ceased.

31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness: among all posterities for evermore.

32 They angered mm also at the waters of strife: so that he punished Moses for their sakes;

33 Because they provoked his spirit: so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

34 Neither destroyed they the heathen: as the Lord commanded them;

35 But were mingled among the heathen: and learned their works.

36 Insomuch that they worshipped their idols, which turned to their own decay: yea, they offered their sons and their daughters unto devils;

37 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters: whom they offered unto the idols of Canaan; and the land was defiled with blood.

38 Thus were they stained with their own works: and went a whoring with their own inventions.

39 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people: insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

40 And he gave them over into the hands of the heathen: and they that hated them were lords over them.

41 Their enemies oppressed them: and had them in subjection.

42 Many a time did he deliver them: but they rebelled against him with then* own inventions, and were brought down in their wickedness.

43 Nevertheless, when he saw their adversity: he heard their complaint.

44 He thought upon his covenant, and pitied them according unto the multitude of his mercies: yea, he made all those that led them away captive to pity them.

45 Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen: that we may give thanks unto thy holy Name, and make our boast of thy praise.

46 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting and world without end: And let all the people say, Amen.

DAY 22 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 107. _Confitemini Domino_.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: and his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed: and delivered from the hand of the enemy;

3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west: from the north and from the south.

4 They went astray in the wilderness out of the way: and found no city to dwell in;

5 Hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them.

6 So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble: and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them forth by the right way: that they might go to the city where they dwelt.

8 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness: and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!

9 For he satisfieth the empty soul: and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

10 Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: being fast bound in misery and iron;

11 Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord: and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest;

12 He also brought down their heart through heaviness: they fell down, and there was none to help them.

13 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble: he delivered them out of their distress.

14 For he brought them out of darkness, and out of the shadow of death: and brake their bonds in sunder.

15 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness: and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.

16 For he hath broken the gates of brass: and smitten the bars of iron in sunder.

17 Foolish men are plagued for their offence: and because of their wickedness.

18 Their soul abhorred all manner of meat: and they were even hard at death's door.

19 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble: he delivered them out of their distress.

20 He sent his word, and healed them: and they were saved from their destruction.

21 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness: and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!

22 That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving: and tell out his works with gladness!

23 They that go down to the sea in ships: and occupy their business in great waters;

24 These men see the works of the Lord: and his wonders in the deep.

25 For at his word the stormy wind ariseth: which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26 They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep: their soul melteth away because of the trouble.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man: and are at their wit's end.

28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble: he delivereth them out of their distress.

29 For he maketh the storm to cease: so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad, because they are at rest: and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.

31 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness: and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men!

32 That they would exalt him also in the congregation of the people: and praise him in the seat of the elders!

33 Who turneth the floods into a wilderness: and drieth up the water-springs.

34 A fruitful land maketh he barren: for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

35 Again, he maketh the wilderness a standing water: and water-springs of a dry ground

36 And there he setteth the hungry: that they may build them a city to dwell in;

37 That they may sow their land, and plant vineyards: to yield them fruits of increase.

38 He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly: and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

39 And again, when they are minished and brought low: through oppression, through any plague or trouble;

40 Though he suffer them to be evil intreated through tyrants: and let them wander out of the way in the wilderness;

41 Yet helpeth he the poor out of misery: and maketh him households like a flock of sheep.

42 The righteous will consider this, and rejoice: and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.

43 Whoso is wise will ponder these things: and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.

DAY 22 EVENING PRAYER

PSALM 108. _Paratum cor meum_.

O God, my heart is ready, my heart is ready: I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have.

2 Awake, thou lute, and harp: I myself will awake right early.

3 I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

4 For thy mercy is greater than the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

5 Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.

6 That thy beloved may be delivered: let thy right hand save them, and hear thou me.

7 God hath spoken in his holiness: I will rejoice therefore, and divide Sichem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

8 Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine: Ephraim also is the strength of my head.

9 Judah is my law-giver, Moab is my wash-pot: over Edom will I cast out my shoe, upon Philistia will I triumph.

10 Who will lead me into the strong city: and who will bring me into Edom?

11 Hast not thou forsaken us, O God: and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

12 O help us against the enemy: for vain is the help of man.

13 Through God we shall do great acts: and it is he that shall tread down our enemies.

PSALM 109. _Deus, laudem_.

Hold not thy tongue, O God of my praise: for the mouth of the ungodly, yea, the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me.

2 And they have spoken against me with false tongues: they compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.

3 For the love that I had unto them, lo, they take now my contrary part: but I give myself unto prayer.

4 Thus have they rewarded me evil for good: and hatred for my good will.

5 Set thou an ungodly man to be ruler over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

6 When sentence is given upon him, let him be condemned: and let his prayer be turned into sin.

7 Let his days be few: and let another take his office.

8 Let his children be fatherless: and his wife a widow.

9 Let his children be vagabonds, and beg their bread: let them seek it also out of desolate places.

10 Let the extortioner consume all that he hath: and let the stranger spoil his labour.

11 Let there be no man to pity him: nor to have compassion upon his fatherless children.

12 Let his posterity be destroyed: and in the next generation let his name be clean put out.

13 Let the wickedness of his fathers be had in remembrance in the sight of the Lord: and let not the sin of his mother be done away.

14 Let them alway be before the Lord: that he may root out the memorial of them from off the earth.

15 And that, because his mind was not to do good: but persecuted the poor helpless man, that he might slay him that was vexed at the heart.

16 His delight was in cursing, and it shall happen unto him: he loved not blessing, therefore shall it be far from him,

17 He clothed himself with cursing, like as with a raiment: and it shall come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.

18 Let it be unto him as the cloke that he hath upon him: and as the girdle that he is alway girded withal.

19 Let it thus happen from the Lord unto mine enemies: and to those that speak evil against my soul.

20 But deal thou with me, O Lord God, according unto thy Name: for sweet is thy mercy.

21 O deliver me, for I am helpless and poor: and my heart is wounded within me.

22 I go hence like the shadow that departeth: and am driven away as the grasshopper.

23 My knees are weak through fasting: my flesh is dried up for want of fatness.

24 I became also a reproach unto them: they that looked upon me shaked their heads.

25 Help me, O Lord my God: O save me according to thy mercy.

26 And they shall know, how that this is thy hand: and that thou, Lord, hast done it.

27 Though they curse, yet bless thou: and let them be confounded that rise up against me; but let thy servant rejoice.

28 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame: and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a cloke.

29 As for me, I will give great thanks unto the Lord with my mouth: and praise him among the multitude.

30 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor: to save his soul from unrighteous judges.

DAY 23 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 110. _Dixit Dominus_.

The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.

3 In the day of thy power shall thy people offer thee free-will offerings with an holy worship: the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning.

4 The Lord sware, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.

5 The Lord upon thy right hand: shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.

6 He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.

7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up his head.

PSALM 111. _Confitebor tibi_.

I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart: secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.

2 The works of the Lord are great: sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3 His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works: that they ought to be had in remembrance.

5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.

6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works: that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7 The works of his hands are verity and judgement: all his commandments are true.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever: and are done in truth and equity.

9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; the praise of it endureth for ever.

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 established, 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.

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 heathen: 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.

DAY 23 EVENING PRAYER