Chapter 44

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 quick: 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.

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 rod of the ungodly cometh not into 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.

DAY 27 EVENING PRAYER

PSALM 126. _In convertendo_.

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion: then were we like unto them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter: and our tongue with joy.

3 Then said they among the heathen: The Lord hath done great things for them.

4 Yea, the Lord hath done great things for us already: whereof we rejoice.

5 Turn our captivity, O Lord: as the rivers in the south.

6 They that sow in tears: shall reap in joy.

7 He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed: shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.

PSALM 127. _Nisi Dominus_.

Except the Lord build the house: their labour is but lost that build it.

2 Except the Lord keep the city: the watchman waketh but in vain.

3 It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, arid eat the bread of carefulness: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

4 Lo, children and the fruit of the womb: are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.

5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant: even so are the young children.

6 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

PSALM 128. _Beati omnes_.

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: and walk in his ways.

2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thine hands: O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.

3 Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine: upon the walls of thine house.

4 Thy children like the olive-branches: round about thy table.

5 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed: that feareth the Lord.

6 The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee: that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long.

7 Yea, that thou shalt see thy children's children: and peace upon Israel.

PSALM 129. _Saepe expugnaverunt_.

Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up: may Israel now say.

2 Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up: but they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back: and made long furrows.

4 But the righteous Lord: hath hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.

5 Let them be confounded and turned backward: as many as have evil will at Sion.

6 Let them be even as the grass growing upon the house-tops: which withereth afore it be plucked up;

7 Whereof the mower filleth not his hand: neither he that bindeth up the sheaves his bosom.

8 So that they who go by say not so much as, The Lord prosper you: we wish you good luck in the Name of the Lord.

PSALM 130. _De profundis_.

Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.

2 O let thine ears consider well: the voice of my complaint.

3 If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O Lord, who may abide it?

4 For there is mercy with thee: therefore shalt thou be feared.

5 I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him: in his word is my trust.

6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord: before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.

7 O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy: and with him is plenteous redemption.

8 And he shall redeem Israel: from all his sins.

PSALM 131. _Domine, non est_.

O Lord, I am not high-minded: I have no proud looks.

2 I do not exercise myself in great matters: which are too high for me.

3 But I refrain my soul, and keep it low, like as a child that is weaned from his mother: yea, my soul is even as a weaned child.

4 O Israel, trust in the Lord: from this time forth for evermore.

DAY 28 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 132. _Memento, Domine_.

Lord, remember David: and all his trouble;

2 How he sware unto the Lord: and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob;

3 I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house: nor climb up into my bed;

4 I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eye-lids to slumber: neither the temples of my head to take any rest;

5 Until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord: an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.

6 Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata: and found it in the wood.

7 We will go into his tabernacle: and fall low on our knees before his footstool.

8 Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place: thou, and the ark of thy strength.

9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness: and let thy saints sing with joyfulness.

10 For thy servant David's sake: turn not away the presence of thine Anointed.

11 The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David: and he shall not shrink from it;

12 Of the fruit of thy body: shall I set upon thy seat.

13 If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall learn them: their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore.

14 For the Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself: he hath longed for her.

15 This shall be my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.

16 I will bless her victuals with increase: and will satisfy her poor with bread.

17 I will deck her priests with health: and her saints shall rejoice and sing.

18 There shall I make the horn of David to flourish: I have ordained a lantern for mine Anointed.

19 As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

PSALM 133. _Ecce, quam bonum!_

Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is: brethren, to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard: even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.

3 Like as the dew of Hermon: which fell upon the hill of Sion.

4 For there the Lord promised his blessing: and life for evermore.

PSALM 134 _Ecce nunc_.

Behold now, praise the Lord: all ye servants of the Lord;

2 Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord: even in the courts of the house of our God.

3 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary: and praise the Lord.

4 The Lord that made heaven and earth: give thee blessing out of Sion.

PSALM 135. _Laudate Nomen_.

O praise the Lord, laud ye the Name of the Lord: praise it, O ye servants of the Lord;

2 Ye that stand in the house of the Lord: in the courts of the house of our God.

3 O praise the Lord, for the Lord is gracious: O sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely.

4 For why? the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself: and Israel for his own possession.

5 For I know that the Lord is great: and that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven and in earth: and in the sea, and in all deep places.

7 He bringeth forth the clouds from the ends of the world: and sendeth forth lightnings with the rain, bringing the winds out of his treasures.

8 He smote the first-born of Egypt: both of man and beast.

9 He hath sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O thou land of Egypt: upon Pharaoh, and all his servants.

10 He smote divers nations: and slew mighty kings;

11 Sehon king of the Amorites, and Og the king of Basan: and all the kingdoms of Canaan;

12 And gave their land to be an heritage: even an heritage unto Israel his people.

13 Thy Name, O Lord, endureth for ever: so doth thy memorial, O Lord, from one generation to another.

14 For the Lord will avenge his people: and be gracious unto his servants.

15 As for the images of the heathen, they are but silver and gold: the work of men's hands.

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

17 They have ears, and yet they hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouths.

18 They that make them are like unto them: and so are all they that put their trust in them.

19 Praise the Lord, ye house of Israel; praise the Lord, ye house of Aaron.

20 Praise the Lord, ye house of Levi: ye that fear the Lord, praise the Lord.

21 Praised be the Lord out of Sion: who dwelleth at Jerusalem.

DAY 28 EVENING PRAYER

PSALM 136. _Confitemini_.

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

2 O give thanks unto the God of all gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

3 O thank the Lord of all lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

4 Who only doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

5 Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

6 Who laid out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

7 Who hath made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever;

8 The sun to rule the day: for his mercy endureth for ever;

9 The moon and the stars to govern the night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

10 Who smote Egypt with their first-born: for his mercy endureth for ever;

11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever;

12 With a mighty hand, and stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13 Who divided the Red sea in two parts: for his mercy endureth for ever;

14 And made Israel to go through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever.

15 But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

16 Who led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17 Who smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever;

18 Yea, and slew mighty kings: for his mercy endureth for ever;

19 Sehon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever;

20 And Og the king of Basan: for his mercy endureth for ever;

21 And gave away their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever;

22 Even for an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us when we were in trouble: for his mercy endureth for ever;

24 And hath delivered us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

27 O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

PSALM 137. _Super flumina_.

By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept: when we remembered thee, O Sion.

2 As for our harps, we hanged them up: upon the trees that are therein.

3 For they that led us away captive required of us then a song, and melody in our heaviness: Sing us one of the songs of Sion.

4 How shall we sing the Lord's song: in a strange land?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem: let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth: yea, if I prefer not Jerusalem in my mirth.

7 Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem: how they said, Down with it, down with it, even to the ground.

8 O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery: yea, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast served us.

9 Blessed shall he be that taketh thy children: and throweth them against the stones.

PSALM 138. _Confitebor tibi_.

I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: even before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy Name, because of thy loving-kindness and truth: for thou hast magnified thy Name and thy word above all things.

3 When I called upon thee, thou heardest me: and enduedst my soul with much strength.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord: for they have heard the words of thy mouth.

5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: that great is the glory of the Lord.

6 For though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: as for the proud, he beholdeth them afar off.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt thou refresh me: thou shalt stretch forth thy hand upon the furiousness of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

8 The Lord shall make good his loving-kindness toward me: yea, thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever; despise not then the works of thine own hands.

DAY 29 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 139. _Domine, probasti_.

Lord, thou hast searched me out and known me: thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising, thou understandest my thoughts long before.

2 Thou art about my path, and about my bed: and spiest out all my ways.

3 For lo, there is not a word in my tongue: but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.

4 Thou hast fashioned me behind and before: and laid thine hand upon me.

5 Such knowledge is too wonderful and excel lent for me: I cannot attain unto it.

6 Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit: or whither shall I go then from thy presence?

7 If I climb up into heaven, thou art there: if I go down to hell, thou art there also.

8 If I take the wings of the morning: and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;

9 Even there also shall thy hand lead me: and thy right hand shall hold me.

10 If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me: then shall my night be turned to day.

11 Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day: the darkness and light to thee are both alike.

12 For my reins are thine: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

13 I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.

14 My bones are not hid from thee: though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.

15 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect: and in thy book were all my members written;

16 Which day by day were fashioned: when as yet there was none of them.

17 How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God: O how great is the sum of them!

18 If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand: when I wake up I am present with thee.

19 Wilt thou not slay the wicked, O God: depart from me, ye blood-thirsty men.

20 For they speak unrighteously against thee: and thine enemies take thy Name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee: and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 Yea, I hate them right sore: even as though they were mine enemies.

23 Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart: prove me, and examine my thoughts.

24 Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me: and lead me in the way everlasting.

PSALM 140. _Eripe me, Domine_.

Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: and preserve me from the wicked man.

2 Who imagine mischief in their hearts: and stir up strife all the day long.

3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders poison is under their lips.

4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly; preserve me from the Wicked men, who are purposed to overthrow my goings.

5 The proud have laid a snare for me, and spread a net abroad with cords: yea, and set traps in my way.

6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.

7 O Lord God, thou strength of my health: thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

8 Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord: let not his mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.

9 Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them: that compass me about.

10 Let hot burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire and into the pit, that they never rise up again.

11 A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth: evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him,

12 Sure I am that the Lord will avenge the poor: and maintain the cause of the helpless.

13 The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name: and the just shall continue in thy sight.

PSALM 141. _Domine, clamavi_.

O Lord, I call upon thee, haste thee unto me: and consider my voice when I cry unto thee.

2 Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense: and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.

3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and keep the door of my lips.

4 O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing: let me not be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work wickedness, lest I eat of such things as please them.

5 Let the righteous rather smite me friendly: and reprove me.

6 But let not their precious balms break my head: yea, I will pray yet against their wickedness.

7 Let their judges be overthrown in stony places: that they may hear my words, for they are sweet.

8 Our bones lie scattered before the pit: like as when one breaketh and heweth wood upon the earth.

9 But mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord God: in thee is my trust, O cast not out my soul.

10 Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me: and from the traps of the wicked doers.

11 Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together: and let me ever escape them.

DAY 29 EVENING PRAYER

PSALM 142. _Voce mea ad Dominum_.

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 shewed him of my trouble.

3 When my spirit was in heaviness thou knewest my path: in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

4 I looked also upon my right hand: and saw there was no man that would know me.

5 I had no place to flee unto: and no man cared for my soul.

6 I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said: Thou art my hope, and my portion in the land of the living.

7 Consider my complaint: for I am brought very low.

8 O deliver me from my persecutors: for they are too strong for me.

9 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy Name: which thing if thou wilt grant me, then shall the righteous resort unto my company.

PSALM 143. _Domine, exaudi_. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire: hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness sake.

2 And enter not into judgement with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground: he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit vexed within me: and my heart within me is desolate.

5 Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works: yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land.

7 Hear me, O Lord, and that soon, for my spirit waxeth faint: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8 O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning, for in thee is my trust: shew thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: for I flee unto thee to hide me.

10 Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee, for thou art my God: let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness.

11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name's sake: and for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12 And of thy goodness slay mine enemies: and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.

DAY 30 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 144. _Benedictus Dominus_.

Blessed be the Lord my strength: who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight;

2 My hope and my fortress, my castle and deliverer, my defender in whom I trust: who subdueth my people that is under me.

3 Lord, what is man, that thou hast such respect unto him: or the son of man, that thou so regardest him?

4 Man is like a thing of nought: his time passeth away like a shadow.

5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6 Cast forth thy lightning, and tear them: shoot out thine arrows, and consume them.

7 Send down thine hand from above: deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, from the hand of strange children;

8 Whose mouth talketh of vanity: and their right hand is a right hand of wickedness.

9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: and sing praises unto thee upon a ten-stringed lute.

10 Thou hast given victory unto kings: and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword.

11 Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children: whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity.

12 That our sons may grow up as the young plants: and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple.

13 That our garners may be full and plenteous with all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets.

14 That our oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no decay: no leading into captivity, and no complaining in our streets.

15 Happy are the people that are in such a case: yea, blessed are the people who have the Lord for their God.

PSALM 145. _Exaltabo te, Deus_.

I will magnify thee, O God, my King: and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I give thanks unto thee: and praise thy Name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and marvellous worthy to be praised: there is no end of his greatness.

4 One generation shall praise thy works unto another: and declare thy power.

5 As for me, I will be talking of thy worship: thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works;

6 So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous acts: and I will also tell of thy greatness.

7 The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be shewed: and men shall sing of thy righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful: long-suffering and of great goodness.

9 The Lord is loving unto every man: and his mercy is over all his works.

10 All thy works praise thee, O Lord: and thy saints give thanks unto thee.

11 They shew the glory of thy kingdom: and talk of thy power;

12 That thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy kingdom: might be known unto men.

13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom: and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages.

14 The Lord upholdeth all such as fall: and lifteth up all those that are down.

15 The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord: and thou givest them their meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thine hand: and fillest all things living with plenteousness.

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways: and holy in all his works.

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: yea, all such as call upon him faithfully.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will help them.

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but scattereth abroad all the ungodly.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.

PSALM 146. _Lauda, anima mea_.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord: yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God.

2 O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man: for there is no help in them.

3 For when the breath of man goeth forth he shall turn again to his earth: and then all his thoughts perish.

4 Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help: and whose hope is in the Lord his God;