Chapter 43

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.

PSALM 115. _Non nobis, Domine_.

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give the praise: for thy loving mercy and for thy truth's sake.

2 Wherefore shall the heathen say: Where is now their God?

3 As for our God, he is in heaven: he hath done whatsoever pleased him.

4 Their idols are silver and gold: even the work of men's hands.

5 They have mouths, and speak not: eyes have they, and see not.

6 They have ears, and hear not: noses have they, and smell not.

7 They have hands, and handle not; feet have they, and walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

8 They that make them are like unto them: and so are all such as put their trust in them.

9 But thou, house of Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their succour and defence.

10 Ye house of Aaron, put your trust in the Lord: he is their helper and defender.

11 Ye that fear the Lord, put your trust in the Lord: he is their helper and defender.

12 The Lord hath been mindful of us, and he shall bless us: even he shall bless the house of Israel, he shall bless the house of Aaron.

13 He shall bless them that fear the Lord: both small and great.

14 The Lord shall increase you more and more: you and your children.

15 Ye are the blessed of the Lord: who made heaven and earth.

16 All the whole heavens are the Lord's: the earth hath he given to the children of men.

17 The dead praise not thee, O Lord: neither all they that go down into silence.

18 But we will praise the Lord: from this time forth for evermore. Praise the Lord.

DAY 24 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 116. _Dilexi, quoniam_.

I am well pleased: that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;

2 That he hath inclined his ear unto me: therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death compassed me round about: and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.

4 I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous: yea, our God is merciful.

6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was in misery, and he helped me.

7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul: for the Lord hath rewarded thee.

8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the Lord: in the land of the living.

10 I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled: I said in my haste, All men are liars.

11 What reward shall I give unto the Lord: for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?

12 I will receive the cup of salvation: and call upon the Name of the Lord.

13 I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people: right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

14 Behold, O Lord, how that I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast broken my bonds in sunder.

15 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving: and will call upon the Name of the Lord.

16 I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people: in the courts of the Lord's house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

PSALM 117. _Laudate Dominum_.

O praise the Lord, all ye heathen: praise him, all ye nations.

2 For his merciful kindness is ever more and more toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord.

PSALM 118. _Confitemini Domino_.

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

2 Let Israel now confess that he is gracious: and that his mercy endureth for ever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now confess: that his mercy endureth for ever.

4 Yea, let them now that fear the Lord confess: that his mercy endureth for ever.

5 I called upon the Lord in trouble: and the Lord heard me at large.

6 The Lord is on my side: I will not fear what man doeth unto me.

7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon mine enemies.

8 It is better to trust in the Lord: than to put any confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord: than to put any confidence in princes.

10 All nations compassed me round about: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.

11 They kept me in on every side, they kept me in, I say, on every side: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.

12 They came about me like bees, and are extinct even as the fire among the thorns: for in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them.

13 Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the Lord was my help.

14 The Lord is my strength, and my song i and is become my salvation.

15 The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass,

16 The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence: the right hand of the Lord bringeth mighty things to pass.

17 I shall not die, but live: and declare the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord hath chastened and corrected me: but he hath not given me over unto death.

19 Open me the gates of righteousness: that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter into it.

21 I will thank thee, for thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders refused: is become the head-stone in the corner.

23 This is the Lord's doing: and it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Help me now, O Lord: O Lord, send us now prosperity.

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: we have wished you good luck, ye that are of the house of the Lord.

27 God is the Lord who hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, yea, even unto the horns of the altar.

28 Thou art my God, and I will thank thee: thou art my God, and I will praise thee.

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

DAY 24 EVENING PRAYER

PSALM 119. _Beati immaculati_.

Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way: and walk in the law of the Lord.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies: and seek him with their whole heart.

3 For they who do no wickedness: walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast charged: that we shall diligently keep thy commandments.

5 O that my ways were made so direct: that I might keep thy statutes!

6 So shall I not be confounded: while I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will thank thee with an unfeigned heart: when I shall have learned the judgements of thy righteousness.

8 I will keep thy ceremonies: O forsake me not utterly.

_In quo corrigit?_

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way: even by ruling himself after thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: let me not go wrong out of thy commandments.

11 Thy words have I hid within my heart: that I should not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: O teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I been telling: of all the judgements of thy mouth.

14 I have had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies: as in all manner of riches.

15 I will talk of thy commandments: and have respect unto thy ways.

16 My delight shall be in thy statutes: and I will not forget thy word.

_Retribue servo tuo_.

O do well unto thy servant: that I may live, and keep thy word.

18 Open thou mine eyes: that I may see the wondrous things of thy law.

19 I am a stranger upon earth: O hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh out for the very fervent desire: that it hath alway unto thy judgements.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud: and cursed are they that do err from thy commandments.

22 O turn from me shame and rebuke: for I have kept thy testimonies.

23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant is occupied in thy statutes.

24 For thy testimonies are my delight: and my counsellors.

_Adhaesit pavimento_.

My soul cleaveth to the dust: O quicken thou me, according to thy word.

26 I have acknowledged my ways, and thou heardest me: O teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy commandments: and so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth away for very heaviness: comfort thou me according unto thy word.

29 Take from me the way of lying: and cause thou me to make much of thy law.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: and thy judgements have I laid before me.

31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, confound me not.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments: when thou hast set my heart at liberty.

DAY 25 MORNING PRAYER

_Legem pone_.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it unto the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law: yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments: for therein is my desire.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies: and not to covetousness.

37 O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity: and quicken thou me in thy way.

38 O stablish thy word in thy servant: that I may fear thee.

39 Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of: for thy judgements are good.

40 Behold, my delight is in thy commandments: O quicken me in thy righteousness.

_Et veniat super me_.

Let thy loving mercy come also unto me, O Lord: even thy salvation, according unto thy word.

42 So shall I make answer unto my blasphemers: for my trust is in thy word.

43 O take not the word of thy truth utterly out of my mouth: for my hope is in thy judgements.

44 So shall I alway keep thy law: yea, for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy commandments.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also, even before kings: and will not be ashamed.

47 And my delight shall be in thy commandments: which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved: and my study shall be in thy statutes.

_Memor esto verbi tui_.

O think upon thy servant, as concerning thy word: wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust.

50 The same is my comfort in my trouble: for thy word hath quickened me.

51 The proud have had me exceedingly in derision: yet have I not shrinked from thy law.

52 For I remembered thine everlasting judgements, O Lord: and received comfort.

53 I am horribly afraid: for the ungodly that forsake thy law.

54 Thy statutes have been my songs: in the house of my pilgrimage.

55 I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season: and have kept thy law.

56 This I had: because I kept thy commandments.

_Portio mea, Domine_.

Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have promised to keep thy law.

58 I made my humble petition in thy presence with my whole heart: O be merciful unto me, according to thy word.

59 I called mine own ways to remembrance: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60 I made haste, and prolonged not the time: to keep thy commandments.

61 The congregations of the ungodly have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee: because of thy righteous judgements.

63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee: and keep thy commandments.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: O teach me thy statutes.

_Bonitatem fetisti_.

O Lord, thou hast dealt graciously with thy servant: according unto thy word.

66 O learn me true understanding and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

67 Before I was troubled, I went wrong: but now have I kept thy word.

68 Thou art good and gracious: O teach me thy statutes.

69 The proud have imagined a lie against me: but I will keep thy commandments with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as brawn: but my delight hath been in thy law.

71 It is good for me that I have been in trouble: that I may learn thy statutes.

72 The law of thy mouth is dearer unto me: than thousands of gold and silver.

DAY 25 EVENING PRAYER

_Manus tuae fecerunt me_.

Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: O give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me: because I have put my trust in thy word.

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right: and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled.

76 O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort: according to thy word unto thy servant.

77 O let thy loving mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me: but I will be occupied in thy commandments.

79 Let such as fear thee, and have known thy testimonies: be turned unto me.

80 O let my heart be sound in thy statutes: that I be not ashamed.

_Defecit anima mea_.

My soul hath longed for thy salvation: and I have a good hope because of thy word.

82 Mine eyes long sore for thy word: saying, O when wilt thou comfort me?

83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke: yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84 How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?

85 The proud have digged pits for me: which are not after thy law.

86 All thy commandments are true: they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.

87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I forsook not thy commandments.

88 O quicken me after thy loving-kindness: and so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

_In aeternum, Domine_.

O Lord, thy word: endureth for ever in heaven.

90 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.

_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 judgements: 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.

DAY 26 MORNING PRAYER

_Lucerna pedibus meis_.

Thy word is a lantern unto my feet: and a light unto my paths.

106 I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed: to keep thy righteous judgements.

107 I am troubled above measure: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.

108 Let the free-will offerings of my mouth please thee, O Lord: and teach me thy judgements.

109 My soul is alway in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me: but yet I swerved not from thy commandments.

111 Thy testimonies have I claimed as mine heritage for ever: and why? they are the very joy of my heart.

112 I have applied my heart to fulfil thy statutes alway: even unto the end.

Iniquos odio habui.

I hate them that imagine evil things: but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my defence and shield: and my trust is in thy word.

115 Away from me, ye wicked: I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 O stablish me according to thy word, that I may live: and let me not be disappointed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: yea, my delight shall be ever in thy statutes.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that depart from thy statutes: for they imagine but deceit.

119 Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee: and I am afraid of thy judgements.

_Feci judicium_.

I deal with the thing that is lawful and right: O give me not over unto mine oppressors.

122 Make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good: that the proud do me no wrong.

123 Mine eyes are wasted away with looking for thy health: and for the word of thy righteousness.

124 O deal with thy servant according unto thy loving mercy: and teach me thy statutes.

125 I am thy servant, O grant me understanding: that I may know thy testimonies.

126 It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand: for they have destroyed thy law.

127 For I love thy commandments: above gold and precious stone.

128 Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments: and all false ways I utterly abhor.

_Mirabilia_.

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 When thy word goeth forth: it giveth light and understanding unto the simple.

131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath: for my delight was in thy commandments.

132 O look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me: as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.

134 O deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men: and so shall I keep thy commandments.

135 Shew the light of thy countenance upon thy servant: and teach me thy statutes.

136 Mine eyes gush out with water: because men keep not thy law.

_Justus es, Domine_.

Righteous art thou, O Lord: and true is thy judgement.

138 The testimonies that thou hast commanded: are exceeding righteous and true.

139 My zeal hath even consumed me: because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost: and thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small, and of no reputation: yet do I not forget thy commandments.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness: and thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me: yet is my delight in thy commandments.

144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live.

DAY 26 EVENING PRAYER

_Clamavi in toto corde meo_.

I call with my whole heart: hear me, O Lord, I will keep thy statutes.

146 Yea, even unto thee do I call: help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 Early in the morning do I cry unto thee: for in thy word is my trust.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night-watches: that I might be occupied in thy words.

149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness: quicken me, according as thou art wont.

150 They draw nigh that of malice persecute me: and are far from thy law.

151 Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord: for all thy commandments are true.

152 As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since: that thou hast grounded them for ever.

_Vide humilitatem_.

O consider mine adversity, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154 Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me: quicken me, according to thy word.

155 Health is far from the ungodly: for they regard not thy statutes.

156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord: quicken me, as thou art wont.

157 Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me: yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

158 It grieveth me when I see the transgressors: because they keep not thy law.

159 Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments: O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.

160 Thy word is true from everlasting: all the judgements of thy righteousness endure for evermore.

_Principes persecuti sunt_.

Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162 I am as glad of thy word: as one that findeth great spoils.

163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them: but thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee: because of thy righteous judgements.

165 Great is the peace that they have who love thy law: and they are not offended at it.

166 Lord, I have looked for thy saving health: and done after thy commandments.

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and loved them exceedingly.

168 I have kept thy commandments and testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

_Appropinquet deprecatio_.

Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord: give me understanding, according to thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me, according to thy word.

171 My lips shall speak of thy praise: when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteous.

173 Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy commandments.

174 I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord: and in thy law is my delight.

175 O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee: and thy judgements shall help me.

176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.

DAY 27 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 120. _Ad Dominum_.

When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord: and he heard me.

2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips: and from a deceitful tongue.

3 What reward shall be given or done unto thee, thou false tongue: even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.

4 Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech: and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar.

5 My soul hath long dwelt among them: that are enemies unto peace.

6 I labour for peace, but when I speak unto them thereof: they make them ready to battle.

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.

PSALM 122. _Laetatus sum_.

I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord.

2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates: O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is built as a city: that is at unity in itself.

4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord: to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.

5 For there is the seat of judgement: even the seat of the house of David.

6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7 Peace be within thy walls: and plenteousness within thy palaces.

8 For my brethren and companions sakes: I will wish thee prosperity.

9 Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God: I will seek to do thee good.

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.

PSALM 124. _Nisi quia Dominus_.