The Psalter  

Psalm 26

Refrain: Lord, I love the place where your glory abides.

1Give judgement for me, O Lord,
for I have walked with integrity; •
I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.

2Test me, O Lord, and try me; •
examine my heart and my mind.

3For your love is before my eyes; •
I have walked in your truth.

4I have not joined the company of the false, •
nor consorted with the deceitful. R

5I hate the gathering of evildoers •
and I will not sit down with the wicked.

6I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, •
that I may go about your altar,

7To make heard the voice of thanksgiving •
and tell of all your wonderful deeds.

8Lord, I love the house of your habitation •
and the place where your glory abides. R

9Sweep me not away with sinners, •
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,

10Whose hands are full of wicked schemes •
and their right hand full of bribes.

11As for me, I will walk with integrity; •
redeem me, Lord, and be merciful to me.

12My foot stands firm; •
in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.

Refrain: Lord, I love the place where your glory abides.

Have mercy on us and redeem us, O Lord,
for our merits are your mercies
and in your judgement is our salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 27

Refrain: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? •
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?

2When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh, •
they stumbled and fell.

3Though a host encamp against me,
my heart shall not be afraid, •
and though there rise up war against me,
yet will I put my trust in him.

4One thing have I asked of the Lord
and that alone I seek; •
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,

5To behold the fair beauty of the Lord •
and to seek his will in his temple.

6For in the day of trouble
he shall hide me in his shelter; •
in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me
and set me high upon a rock.

7And now shall he lift up my head •
above my enemies round about me;

8Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation
with great gladness; •
I will sing and make music to the Lord. R

 

9Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; •
have mercy upon me and answer me.

10My heart tells of your word, 'Seek my face.' •
Your face, Lord, will I seek.

11Hide not your face from me, •
nor cast your servant away in displeasure.

12You have been my helper; •
leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

13Though my father and my mother forsake me, •
the Lord will take me up.

14Teach me your way, O Lord; •
lead me on a level path,
because of those who lie in wait for me.

15Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries, •
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and those who breathe out violence.

16I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord •
in the land of the living.

17Wait for the Lord;
be strong and he shall comfort your heart; •
wait patiently for the Lord.

Refrain: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

God, our light and our salvation,
illuminate our lives,
that we may see your goodness in the land of the living,
and, looking on your beauty,
may be changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 28

Refrain: The Lord is my strength and my shield.

1To you I call, O Lord my rock;
be not deaf to my cry, •
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.

2Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, •
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies. R

3Do not snatch me away with the wicked,
with the evildoers, •
who speak peaceably with their neighbours,
while malice is in their hearts.

4Repay them according to their deeds •
and according to the wickedness of their devices. R

5Reward them according to the work of their hands •
and pay them their just deserts.

6They take no heed of the Lord's doings,
nor of the works of his hands; •
therefore shall he break them down
and not build them up. R

 

7Blessed be the Lord, •
for he has heard the voice of my prayer.

8The Lord is my strength and my shield; •
my heart has trusted in him and I am helped;

9Therefore my heart dances for joy •
and in my song will I praise him. R

10The Lord is the strength of his people, •
a safe refuge for his anointed.

11Save your people and bless your inheritance; •
shepherd them and carry them for ever.

Refrain: The Lord is my strength and my shield.

Hear us, Shepherd of your people,
forgive us our sins
and, in a world of pretences,
make us true in heart and mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 29

Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

1Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, •
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; •
the Lord is upon the mighty waters. R

4The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; •
the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice.

5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; •
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf •
and Sirion like a young wild ox. R

7The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; •
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

8The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe
and strips the forests bare; •
in his temple all cry, 'Glory!'

9The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; •
the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore.

10The Lord shall give strength to his people; •
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Open our ears, glorious Lord Christ,
to hear the music of your voice
above the chaos of this world;
open our eyes to see the vision of your glory,
for you are our King, now and for ever.

Psalm 30

Refrain: You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.

1I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you have raised me up •
and have not let my foes triumph over me.

2O Lord my God, I cried out to you •
and you have healed me.

3You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; •
you restored me to life from among those that go down to the Pit.

4Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; •
give thanks to his holy name.

5For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,
his favour for a lifetime. •
Heaviness may endure for a night,
but joy comes in the morning. R

 

6In my prosperity I said,
'I shall never be moved. •
You, Lord, of your goodness,
have made my hill so strong.'

7Then you hid your face from me •
and I was utterly dismayed.

8To you, O Lord, I cried; •
to the Lord I made my supplication:

9'What profit is there in my blood,
if I go down to the Pit? •
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

10'Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; •
O Lord, be my helper.' R

 

11You have turned my mourning into dancing; •
you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness;

12Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; •
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Refrain: You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead.

Lord, you hide your face
when we trust in ourselves;
strip us of false security
and re-clothe us in your praise,
that we may know you
as the one who raises us from death,
as you raised your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Psalm 31

Refrain: Into your hands I commend my spirit.

1In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; •
deliver me in your righteousness.

2Incline your ear to me; •
make haste to deliver me.

3Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me,
for you are my rock and my stronghold; •
guide me, and lead me for your name's sake.

4Take me out of the net
that they have laid secretly for me, •
for you are my strength.

5Into your hands I commend my spirit, •
for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. R

6I hate those who cling to worthless idols; •
I put my trust in the Lord.

7I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy, •
for you have seen my affliction
and known my soul in adversity.

8You have not shut me up in the hand of the enemy; •
you have set my feet in an open place. R

 

9Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in trouble; •
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
my soul and my body also.

10For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; •
my strength fails me because of my affliction,
and my bones are consumed.

11I have become a reproach to all my enemies
and even to my neighbours,
an object of dread to my acquaintances; •
when they see me in the street they flee from me.

12I am forgotten like one that is dead, out of mind; •
I have become like a broken vessel.

13For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is on every side; •
they scheme together against me,
and plot to take my life. R

14But my trust is in you, O Lord. •
I have said, 'You are my God.

15'My times are in your hand; •
deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.

16'Make your face to shine upon your servant, •
and save me for your mercy's sake.'

17Lord, let me not be confounded
for I have called upon you; •
but let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.

18Let the lying lips be put to silence •
that speak against the righteous
with arrogance, disdain and contempt. R

 

19How abundant is your goodness, O Lord,
which you have laid up for those who fear you; •
which you have prepared in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.

20You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from those who slander them; •
you keep them safe in your refuge from the strife of tongues.

21Blessed be the Lord! •
For he has shown me his steadfast love
when I was as a city besieged.

22I had said in my alarm,
'I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.' •
Nevertheless, you heard the voice of my prayer
when I cried out to you. R

23Love the Lord, all you his servants; •
for the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full the proud.

24Be strong and let your heart take courage, •
all you who wait in hope for the Lord.

Refrain: Into your hands I commend my spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ,
when scorn and shame besiege us
and hope is veiled in grief,
hold us in your wounded hands
and make your face shine on us again,
for you are our Lord and God.

Psalm 32

Refrain: Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord.

1Happy the one whose transgression is forgiven, •
and whose sin is covered.

2Happy the one to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, •
and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3For I held my tongue; •
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all the day long.

4Your hand was heavy upon me day and night; •
my moisture was dried up like the drought in summer. R

5Then I acknowledged my sin to you •
and my iniquity I did not hide.

6I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' •
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

7Therefore let all the faithful make their prayers to you
in time of trouble; •
in the great water flood, it shall not reach them.

8You are a place for me to hide in;
you preserve me from trouble; •
you surround me with songs of deliverance. R

 

9'I will instruct you and teach you
in the way that you should go; •
I will guide you with my eye.

10'Be not like horse and mule which have no understanding; •
whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.'

11Great tribulations remain for the wicked, •
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.

12Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; •
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Refrain: Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord.

Give us honest hearts, O God,
and send your kindly Spirit
to help us confess our sins
and bring us the peace of your forgiveness;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 33

Refrain: The earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord.

1Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, •
for it is good for the just to sing praises.

2Praise the Lord with the lyre; •
on the ten-stringed harp sing his praise.

3Sing for him a new song; •
play skilfully, with shouts of praise.

4For the word of the Lord is true •
and all his works are sure.

5He loves righteousness and justice; •
the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord. R

6By the word of the Lord were the heavens made •
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.

7He gathers up the waters of the sea as in a waterskin •
and lays up the deep in his treasury.

8Let all the earth fear the Lord; •
stand in awe of him, all who dwell in the world.

9For he spoke, and it was done; •
he commanded, and it stood fast. R

10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to naught; •
he frustrates the designs of the peoples.

11But the counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever •
and the designs of his heart from generation to generation.

12Happy the nation whose God is the Lord •
and the people he has chosen for his own. R

13The Lord looks down from heaven •
and beholds all the children of earth.

14From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze •
on all who dwell on the earth.

15He fashions all the hearts of them •
and understands all their works.

16No king is saved by the might of his host; •
no warrior delivered by his great strength.

17A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; •
for all its strength it cannot save. R

 

18Behold, the eye of the Lord
is upon those who fear him, •
on those who wait in hope for his steadfast love,

19To deliver their soul from death •
and to feed them in time of famine.

20Our soul waits longingly for the Lord; •
he is our help and our shield.

21Indeed, our heart rejoices in him; •
in his holy name have we put our trust.

22Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, •
as we have set our hope on you.

Refrain: The earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord.

Feed your people, Lord,
with your holy word
and free us from the emptiness of our
wrongful desires,
that we may sing the new song of salvation
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 34

Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.

1I will bless the Lord at all times; •
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.

2My soul shall glory in the Lord; •
let the humble hear and be glad.

3O magnify the Lord with me; •
let us exalt his name together.

4I sought the Lord and he answered me •
and delivered me from all my fears.

5Look upon him and be radiant •
and your faces shall not be ashamed. R

6This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me •
and saved me from all my troubles.

7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him •
and delivers them.

8O taste and see that the Lord is gracious; •
blessed is the one who trusts in him.

9Fear the Lord, all you his holy ones, •
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10Lions may lack and suffer hunger, •
but those who seek the Lord
lack nothing that is good. R

 

11Come, my children, and listen to me; •
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12Who is there who delights in life •
and longs for days to enjoy good things?

13Keep your tongue from evil •
and your lips from lying words.

14Turn from evil and do good; •
seek peace and pursue it. R

15The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous •
and his ears are open to their cry.

16The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, •
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry and the Lord hears them •
and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18The Lord is near to the brokenhearted •
and will save those who are crushed in spirit. R

19Many are the troubles of the righteous; •
from them all will the Lord deliver them.

20He keeps all their bones, •
so that not one of them is broken.

21But evil shall slay the wicked •
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22The Lord ransoms the life of his servants •
and will condemn none who seek refuge in him.

Refrain: O taste and see that the Lord is gracious.

Send your holy angels
to watch over us, O God,
that on our lips will be found your truth
and in our hearts your love;
so we may ever taste your goodness
in the land of the living;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 35

Refrain: Give me justice, O Lord my God,
according to your righteousness.

1Contend, O Lord, with those that contend with me; •
fight against those that fight against me.

2Take up shield and buckler •
and rise up to help me.

3Draw the spear and bar the way
against those who pursue me; •
say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'

4Let those who seek after my life be shamed and disgraced; •
let those who plot my ruin fall back and be put to confusion.

5Let them be as chaff before the wind, •
with the angel of the Lord thrusting them down.

6Let their way be dark and slippery, •
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. R

7For they have secretly spread a net for me without a cause; •
without any cause they have dug a pit for my soul.

8Let ruin come upon them unawares; •
let them be caught in the net they laid;
let them fall in it to their destruction.

9Then will my soul be joyful in the Lord •
and glory in his salvation.

10My very bones will say, 'Lord, who is like you? •
You deliver the poor from those that are too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who would despoil them.' R

 

11False witnesses rose up against me; •
they charged me with things I knew not.

12They rewarded me evil for good, •
to the desolation of my soul.

13But as for me, when they were sick I put on sackcloth •
and humbled myself with fasting;

14When my prayer returned empty to my bosom, •
it was as though I grieved for my friend or brother;

15I behaved as one who mourns for his mother, •
bowed down and brought very low. R

16But when I stumbled, they gathered in delight;
they gathered together against me; •
as if they were strangers I did not know
they tore at me without ceasing.

17When I fell they mocked me; •
they gnashed at me with their teeth.

18O Lord, how long will you look on? •
Rescue my soul from their ravages,
and my poor life from the young lions.

19I will give you thanks in the great congregation; •
I will praise you in the mighty throng. R

20Do not let my treacherous foes rejoice over me, •
or those who hate me without a cause
mock me with their glances.

21For they do not speak of peace, •
but invent deceitful schemes against those
that are quiet in the land.

22They opened wide their mouths and derided me, saying •
'We have seen it with our very eyes.'

23This you have seen, O Lord; do not keep silent; •
go not far from me, O Lord.

24Awake, arise, to my cause, •
to my defence, my God and my Lord!

25Give me justice, O Lord my God,
according to your righteousness; •
let them not triumph over me. R

26Let them not say to themselves,
'Our heart's desire!' •
Let them not say, 'We have swallowed him up.'

27Let all who rejoice at my trouble be put to shame and confusion; •
let those who boast against me
be clothed with shame and dishonour.

28Let those who favour my cause rejoice and be glad; •
let them say always,
'Great is the Lord, who delights in his servant's well-being.'

29So shall my tongue be talking of your righteousness •
and of your praise all the day long.

Refrain: Give me justice, O Lord my God,
according to your righteousness.

Free us, righteous God, from all oppression,
and bring justice to the nations,
that all the world may know you
as King of kings and Lord of lords,
now and for ever.

Psalm 36

Refrain: With you, O God, is the well of life.

1Sin whispers to the wicked, in the depths of their heart; •
there is no fear of God before their eyes.

2They flatter themselves in their own eyes •
that their abominable sin will not be found out.

3The words of their mouth are unrighteous and full of deceit; •
they have ceased to act wisely and to do good.

4They think out mischief upon their beds
and have set themselves in no good way; •
nor do they abhor that which is evil. R

 

5Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens •
and your faithfulness to the clouds.

6Your righteousness stands like the strong mountains,
your justice like the great deep; •
you, Lord, shall save both man and beast.

7How precious is your loving mercy, O God! •
All mortal flesh shall take refuge
under the shadow of your wings.

8They shall be satisfied with the abundance of your house; •
they shall drink from the river of your delights.

9For with you is the well of life •
and in your light shall we see light. R

10O continue your loving-kindness to those who know you •
and your righteousness to those who are true of heart.

11Let not the foot of pride come against me, •
nor the hand of the ungodly thrust me away.

12There are they fallen, all who work wickedness. •
They are cast down and shall not be able to stand.

Refrain: With you, O God, is the well of life.

O God, the well of life,
make us bright with wisdom,
that we may be lightened with the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 37

Refrain: The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord.

1Fret not because of evildoers; •
be not jealous of those who do wrong.

2For they shall soon wither like grass •
and like the green herb fade away.

3Trust in the Lord and be doing good; •
dwell in the land and be nourished with truth.

4Let your delight be in the Lord •
and he will give you your heart's desire.

5Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him, •
and he will bring it to pass.

6He will make your righteousness as clear as the light •
and your just dealing as the noonday. R

7Be still before the Lord and wait for him; •
do not fret over those that prosper
as they follow their evil schemes.

8Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; •
do not fret, lest you be moved to do evil.

9For evildoers shall be cut off, •
but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land.

10Yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; •
you will search for their place and find them gone.

11But the lowly shall possess the land •
and shall delight in abundance of peace. R

12The wicked plot against the righteous •
and gnash at them with their teeth.

13The Lord shall laugh at the wicked, •
for he sees that their day is coming.

14The wicked draw their sword and bend their bow
to strike down the poor and needy, •
to slaughter those who walk in truth.

15Their sword shall go through their own heart •
and their bows shall be broken.

16The little that the righteous have •
is better than great riches of the wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, •
but the Lord upholds the righteous. R

18The Lord knows the days of the godly, •
and their inheritance shall stand for ever.

19They shall not be put to shame in the perilous time, •
and in days of famine they shall have enough.

20But the wicked shall perish;
like the glory of the meadows
the enemies of the Lord shall vanish; •
they shall vanish like smoke.

21The wicked borrow and do not repay, •
but the righteous are generous in giving.

22For those who are blest by God shall possess the land, •
but those who are cursed by him shall be rooted out. R

23When your steps are guided by the Lord •
and you delight in his way,

24Though you stumble, you shall not fall headlong, •
for the Lord holds you fast by the hand.

25I have been young and now am old, •
yet never have I seen the righteous forsaken,
or their children begging their bread.

26All the day long they are generous in lending, •
and their children also shall be blest. R

27Depart from evil and do good •
and you shall abide for ever.

28For the Lord loves the thing that is right •
and will not forsake his faithful ones.

29The unjust shall be destroyed for ever, •
and the offspring of the wicked shall be rooted out.

30The righteous shall possess the land •
and dwell in it for ever. R

31The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, •
and their tongue speaks the thing that is right.

32The law of their God is in their heart •
and their footsteps shall not slide.

33The wicked spy on the righteous •
and seek occasion to slay them.

34The Lord will not leave them in their hand, •
nor let them be condemned when they are judged. R

35Wait upon the Lord and keep his way; •
he will raise you up to possess the land,
and when the wicked are uprooted, you shall see it.

36I myself have seen the wicked in great power •
and flourishing like a tree in full leaf.

37I went by and lo, they were gone; •
I sought them, but they could nowhere be found.

38Keep innocence and heed the thing that is right, •
for that will bring you peace at the last. R

39But the sinners shall perish together, •
and the posterity of the wicked shall be rooted out.

40The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; •
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

41The Lord shall stand by them and deliver them; •
he shall deliver them from the wicked and shall save them,
because they have put their trust in him.

Refrain: The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord.

Blessed and holy God,
ever merciful and forgiving,
may we turn from what is evil
and do what is good in your sight,
for you have saved us by the cross of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Psalm 38

Refrain: Make haste to help me,
O Lord of my salvation.

1Rebuke me not, O Lord, in your anger, •
neither chasten me in your heavy displeasure.

2For your arrows have stuck fast in me •
and your hand presses hard upon me.

3There is no health in my flesh
because of your indignation; •
there is no peace in my bones because of my sin.

4For my iniquities have gone over my head; •
their weight is a burden too heavy to bear. R

5My wounds stink and fester •
because of my foolishness.

6I am utterly bowed down and brought very low; •
I go about mourning all the day long.

7My loins are filled with searing pain; •
there is no health in my flesh.

8I am feeble and utterly crushed; •
I roar aloud because of the disquiet of my heart. R

9O Lord, you know all my desires •
and my sighing is not hidden from you.

10My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me; •
the light of my eyes is gone from me.

11My friends and companions stand apart from my affliction; •
my neighbours stand afar off.

12Those who seek after my life lay snares for me; •
and those who would harm me whisper evil
and mutter slander all the day long. R

13But I am like one who is deaf and hears not, •
like one that is dumb, who does not open his mouth.

14I have become like one who does not hear •
and from whose mouth comes no retort.

15For in you, Lord, have I put my trust; •
you will answer me, O Lord my God.

16For I said, 'Let them not triumph over me, •
those who exult over me when my foot slips.' R

17Truly, I am on the verge of falling •
and my pain is ever with me.

18I will confess my iniquity •
and be sorry for my sin.

19Those that are my enemies without any cause are mighty, •
and those who hate me wrongfully are many in number.

20Those who repay evil for good are against me, •
because the good is what I seek.

21Forsake me not, O Lord; •
be not far from me, O my God.

22Make haste to help me, •
O Lord of my salvation.

Refrain: Make haste to help me,
O Lord of my salvation.

Almighty Lord and Saviour,
behold with pity the wounds of your people;
do not forsake us, sinful as we are,
but for the sake of the passion of your
Beloved One, Jesus,
come quickly to our aid,
for his mercy's sake.

Psalm 39

Refrain: Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days.

1I said, 'I will keep watch over my ways, •
so that I offend not with my tongue.

2'I will guard my mouth with a muzzle •
while the wicked are in my sight.'

3So I held my tongue and said nothing; •
I kept silent but to no avail. R

4My distress increased, my heart grew hot within me; •
while I mused, the fire was kindled
and I spoke out with my tongue:

5'Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, •
that I may know how short my time is.

6'You have made my days but a handsbreadth,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; •
truly, even those who stand upright are but a breath.

7'We walk about like a shadow
and in vain we are in turmoil; •
we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them. R

8'And now, what is my hope? •
Truly my hope is even in you.

9'Deliver me from all my transgressions •
and do not make me the taunt of the fool.'

10I fell silent and did not open my mouth, •
for surely it was your doing.

11Take away your plague from me; •
I am consumed by the blows of your hand.

12With rebukes for sin you punish us;
like a moth you consume our beauty; •
truly, everyone is but a breath. R

13Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; •
hold not your peace at my tears.

14For I am but a stranger with you, •
a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.

15Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again, •
before I go my way and am no more.

Refrain: Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days.

O Christ, Son of the living God,
help us when we are too cast down to pray,
and grant that we may trust you all our days,
for you are with us in our living and our dying,
Jesus, Lord and God.

Psalm 40

Refrain: Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.

1I waited patiently for the Lord; •
he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2He brought me out of the roaring pit,
out of the mire and clay; •
he set my feet upon a rock and made my footing sure.

3He has put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; •
many shall see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.

4Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, •
who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie.

5Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
How great your designs for us! •
There is none that can be compared with you.

6If I were to proclaim them and tell of them •
they would be more than I am able to express. R

 

7Sacrifice and offering you do not desire •
but my ears you have opened;

8Burnt offering and sacrifice for sin you have not required, •
then said I: 'Lo, I come.

9'In the scroll of the book it is written of me
that I should do your will, O my God; •
I delight to do it: your law is within my heart.'

10I have declared your righteousness in the great congregation; •
behold, I did not restrain my lips;
and that, O Lord, you know.

11Your righteousness I have not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; •
I have not concealed your loving-kindness and truth
from the great congregation. R

12Do not withhold your compassion from me, O Lord; •
let your love and your faithfulness always preserve me,

13For innumerable troubles have come about me;
my sins have overtaken me so that I cannot look up; •
they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.

14Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; •
O Lord, make haste to help me.

15Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; •
let them be driven back and put to shame
who wish me evil.

16Let those who heap insults upon me •
be desolate because of their shame. R

17Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; •
let those who love your salvation say always,
'The Lord is great.'

18Though I am poor and needy, •
the Lord cares for me.

19You are my helper and my deliverer; •
O my God, make no delay.

Refrain: Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.

Free us from our sins, O God,
and may our sacrifices be of praise
to the glory of your Son,
our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 41

Refrain: O Lord, be merciful to me.

1Blessed are those who consider the poor and needy; •
the Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble.

2The Lord preserves them and restores their life,
that they may be happy in the land; •
he will not hand them over to the will of their enemies.

3The Lord sustains them on their sickbed; •
their sickness, Lord, you will remove.

4And so I said, 'Lord, be merciful to me; •
heal me, for I have sinned against you.' R

 

5My enemies speak evil about me, •
asking when I shall die and my name perish.

6If they come to see me, they utter empty words; •
their heart gathers mischief;
when they go out, they tell it abroad.

7All my enemies whisper together against me, •
against me they devise evil,

8Saying that a deadly thing has laid hold on me, •
and that I will not rise again from where I lie.

9Even my bosom friend, whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, •
has lifted up his heel against me. R

 

10But you, O Lord, be merciful to me •
and raise me up, that I may reward them.

11By this I know that you favour me, •
that my enemy does not triumph over me.

12Because of my integrity you uphold me •
and will set me before your face for ever.

13Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, •
from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Refrain: O Lord, be merciful to me.

God our deliverer,
raise up the poor and comfort the betrayed,
through the one who for our sakes became poor
and whose betrayal brought our salvation,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 42

1As the deer longs for the water brooks, •
so longs my soul for you, O God.

2My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God; •
when shall I come before the presence of God?

3My tears have been my bread day and night, •
while all day long they say to me, 'Where is now your God?'

4Now when I think on these things, I pour out my soul: •
how I went with the multitude
and led the procession to the house of God,

5With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, •
among those who kept holy day.

6 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, •
and why are you so disquieted within me?

7 O put your trust in God; •
for I will yet give him thanks,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

 

8My soul is heavy within me; •
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
and from Hermon and the hill of Mizar.

9Deep calls to deep in the thunder of your waterfalls; •
all your breakers and waves have gone over me.

10The Lord will grant his loving-kindness in the daytime; •
through the night his song will be with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.

11I say to God my rock,
'Why have you forgotten me? •
and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresses me?'

12As they crush my bones, my enemies mock me; •
while all day long they say to me, 'Where is now your God?'

13 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? •
and why are you so disquieted within me?

14 O put your trust in God; •
for I will yet give him thanks,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Come, creator Spirit, source of life;
sustain us when our hearts are heavy
and our wells have run dry,
for you are the Father's gift,
with him who is our living water,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 43

1Give judgement for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; •
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.

2For you are the God of my refuge;
why have you cast me from you, •
and why go I so heavily, while the enemy oppresses me?

3O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, •
and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling,

4That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; •
and on the lyre I will give thanks to you, O God my God.

5 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, •
and why are you so disquieted within me?

6 O put your trust in God; •
for I will yet give him thanks,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Come, creator Spirit, light and truth;
bring us to the altar of life
and renew our joy and gladness
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 44

Refrain: Rise up, O Lord, to help us.

1We have heard with our ears, O God, our forebears have told us, •
all that you did in their days, in time of old;

2How with your hand you drove out nations and planted us in, •
and broke the power of peoples and set us free.

3For not by their own sword did our ancestors take the land •
nor did their own arm save them,

4But your right hand, your arm, and the light of your countenance, •
because you were gracious to them. R

 

5You are my King and my God, •
who commanded salvation for Jacob.

6Through you we drove back our adversaries; •
through your name we trod down our foes.

7For I did not trust in my bow; •
it was not my own sword that saved me;

8It was you that saved us from our enemies •
and put our adversaries to shame.

9We gloried in God all the day long, •
and were ever praising your name. R

 

10But now you have rejected us and brought us to shame •
and go not out with our armies.

11You have made us turn our backs on our enemies, •
and our enemies have despoiled us.

12You have made us like sheep to be slaughtered, •
and have scattered us among the nations.

13You have sold your people for a pittance •
and made no profit on their sale.

14You have made us the taunt of our neighbours, •
the scorn and derision of those that are round about us.

15You have made us a byword among the nations; •
among the peoples they wag their heads. R

 

16My confusion is daily before me, •
and shame has covered my face,

17At the taunts of the slanderer and reviler, •
at the sight of the enemy and avenger.

18All this has come upon us,
though we have not forgotten you •
and have not played false to your covenant.

19Our hearts have not turned back, •
nor our steps gone out of your way,

20Yet you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, •
and covered us with the shadow of death.

21If we have forgotten the name of our God, •
or stretched out our hands to any strange god,

22Will not God search it out? •
For he knows the secrets of the heart.

23But for your sake are we killed all the day long, •
and are counted as sheep for the slaughter. R

 

24Rise up! Why sleep, O Lord? •
Awake, and do not reject us for ever.

25Why do you hide your face •
and forget our grief and oppression?

26Our soul is bowed down to the dust; •
our belly cleaves to the earth.

27Rise up, O Lord, to help us •
and redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.

Refrain: Rise up, O Lord, to help us.

In the darkness of unknowing,
when your love seems absent,
draw near to us, O God,
in Christ forsaken,
in Christ risen,
our Redeemer and our Lord.

Psalm 45

Refrain: Behold our defender, O God,
and look upon the face of your anointed.

1My heart is astir with gracious words; •
as I make my song for the king,
my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

2You are the fairest of men; •
full of grace are your lips,
for God has blest you for ever.

3Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one; •
gird on your majesty and glory.

4Ride on and prosper in the cause of truth •
and for the sake of humility and righteousness.

5Your right hand will teach you terrible things; •
your arrows will be sharp in the heart of the king's enemies,
so that peoples fall beneath you. R

6Your throne is God's throne, for ever; •
the sceptre of your kingdom is the sceptre of righteousness.

7You love righteousness and hate iniquity; •
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

8All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia; •
from ivory palaces the music of strings makes you glad.

9Kings' daughters are among your honourable women; •
at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. R

 

10Hear, O daughter; consider and incline your ear; •
forget your own people and your father's house.

11So shall the king have pleasure in your beauty; •
he is your lord, so do him honour.

12The people of Tyre shall bring you gifts; •
the richest of the people shall seek your favour.

13The king's daughter is all glorious within; •
her clothing is embroidered cloth of gold.

14She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework; •
after her the virgins that are her companions.

15With joy and gladness shall they be brought •
and enter into the palace of the king.

16'Instead of your fathers you shall have sons •
whom you shall make princes over all the land.

17'I will make your name to be remembered through all generations; •
therefore shall the peoples praise you for ever and ever.'

Refrain: Behold our defender, O God,
and look upon the face of your anointed.

Lord our God,
bring your bride, your holy Church,
with joy to the marriage feast of heaven,
and unite us with your anointed Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 46

1God is our refuge and strength, •
a very present help in trouble;

2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, •
and though the mountains tremble in the heart of the sea;

3Though the waters rage and swell, •
and though the mountains quake at the towering seas.

 

4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, •
the holy place of the dwelling of the Most High.

5God is in the midst of her;
therefore shall she not be removed; •
God shall help her at the break of day.

6The nations are in uproar and the kingdoms are shaken, •
but God utters his voice and the earth shall melt away.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; •
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

 

8Come and behold the works of the Lord, •
what destruction he has wrought upon the earth.

9He makes wars to cease in all the world; •
he shatters the bow and snaps the spear
and burns the chariots in the fire.

10'Be still, and know that I am God; •
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.'

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; •
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

God of Jacob,
when the earth shakes
and the nations are in uproar,
speak, and let the storm be still;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 47

Refrain: O sing praises to God, sing praises.

1Clap your hands together, all you peoples; •
O sing to God with shouts of joy.

2For the Lord Most High is to be feared; •
he is the great King over all the earth.

3He subdued the peoples under us •
and the nations under our feet.

4He has chosen our heritage for us, •
the pride of Jacob, whom he loves. R

 

5God has gone up with a merry noise, •
the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.

6O sing praises to God, sing praises; •
sing praises to our King, sing praises.

7For God is the King of all the earth; •
sing praises with all your skill. R

8God reigns over the nations; •
God has taken his seat upon his holy throne.

9The nobles of the peoples are gathered together •
with the people of the God of Abraham.

10For the powers of the earth belong to God •
and he is very highly exalted.

Refrain: O sing praises to God, sing praises.

As Christ was raised by your glory, O Father,
so may we be raised to new life
and rejoice to be called your children,
both now and for ever.

Psalm 48

Refrain: We have waited on your loving-kindness, O God.

1Great is the Lord and highly to be praised, •
in the city of our God.

2His holy mountain is fair and lifted high, •
the joy of all the earth.

3On Mount Zion, the divine dwelling place, •
stands the city of the great king.

4In her palaces God has shown himself •
to be a sure refuge. R

 

5For behold, the kings of the earth assembled •
and swept forward together.

6They saw, and were dumbfounded; •
dismayed, they fled in terror.

7Trembling seized them there;
they writhed like a woman in labour, •
as when the east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish.

8As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the Lord of hosts, the city of our God: •
God has established her for ever. R

 

9We have waited on your loving-kindness, O God, •
in the midst of your temple.

10As with your name, O God,
so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; •
your right hand is full of justice.

11Let Mount Zion rejoice and the daughters of Judah be glad, •
because of your judgements, O Lord.

12Walk about Zion and go round about her;
count all her towers; •
consider well her bulwarks; pass through her citadels,

13That you may tell those who come after
that such is our God for ever and ever. •
It is he that shall be our guide for evermore.

Refrain: We have waited on your loving-kindness, O God.

Father of lights,
raise us with Christ to your eternal city,
that, with kings and nations,
we may wait in the midst of your temple
and see your glory for ever and ever.

Psalm 49

Refrain: Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

1Hear this, all you peoples; •
listen, all you that dwell in the world,

2You of low or high degree, •
both rich and poor together.

3My mouth shall speak of wisdom •
and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

4I will incline my ear to a parable; •
I will unfold my riddle with the lyre. R

 

5Why should I fear in evil days, •
when the malice of my foes surrounds me,

6Such as trust in their goods •
and glory in the abundance of their riches?

7For no one can indeed ransom another •
or pay to God the price of deliverance.

8To ransom a soul is too costly; •
there is no price one could pay for it,

9So that they might live for ever, •
and never see the grave.

10For we see that the wise die also;
with the foolish and ignorant they perish •
and leave their riches to others.

11Their tomb is their home for ever,
their dwelling through all generations, •
though they call their lands after their own names.

12Those who have honour, but lack understanding, •
are like the beasts that perish. R

13Such is the way of those who boast in themselves, •
the end of those who delight in their own words.

14Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die;
death is their shepherd; •
they go down straight to the Pit.

15Their beauty shall waste away, •
and the land of the dead shall be their dwelling.

16But God shall ransom my soul; •
from the grasp of death will he take me. R

17Be not afraid if some grow rich •
and the glory of their house increases,

18For they will carry nothing away when they die, •
nor will their glory follow after them.

19Though they count themselves happy while they live •
and praise you for your success,

20They shall enter the company of their ancestors •
who will nevermore see the light.

21Those who have honour, but lack understanding, •
are like the beasts that perish.

Refrain: Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

Save us from envy, God our Redeemer,
and deliver us from the chains of wealth,
that, ransomed through your Son,
we may inherit the crown of everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 50

Refrain: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

1The Lord, the most mighty God, has spoken •
and called the world from the rising of the sun to its setting.

2Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth; •
our God comes and will not keep silence.

3Consuming fire goes out before him •
and a mighty tempest stirs about him.

4He calls the heaven above, •
and the earth, that he may judge his people:

5'Gather to me my faithful, •
who have sealed my covenant with sacrifice.'

6Let the heavens declare his righteousness, •
for God himself is judge. R

 

7Hear, O my people, and I will speak: •
'I will testify against you, O Israel;
for I am God, your God.

8'I will not reprove you for your sacrifices, •
for your burnt offerings are always before me.

9'I will take no bull out of your house, •
nor he-goat out of your folds,

10'For all the beasts of the forest are mine, •
the cattle upon a thousand hills.

11'I know every bird of the mountains •
and the insect of the field is mine.

12'If I were hungry, I would not tell you, •
for the whole world is mine and all that fills it.

13'Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, •
or drink the blood of goats?

14'Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving •
and fulfil your vows to God Most High.

15'Call upon me in the day of trouble; •
I will deliver you and you shall honour me.' R

16But to the wicked, says God: •
'Why do you recite my statutes
and take my covenant upon your lips,

17'Since you refuse to be disciplined •
and have cast my words behind you?

18'When you saw a thief, you made friends with him •
and you threw in your lot with adulterers.

19'You have loosed your lips for evil •
and harnessed your tongue to deceit.

20'You sit and speak evil of your brother, •
you slander your own mother's son.

21'These things have you done, and should I keep silence? •
Did you think that I am even such a one as yourself?

22'But no, I must reprove you, •
and set before your eyes the things that you have done.

23'You that forget God, consider this well, •
lest I tear you apart and there is none to deliver you.

24'Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me •
and to those who keep my way
will I show the salvation of God.'

Refrain: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Mighty God,
dwelling in unapproachable light,
forgive our vain attempts to appease you,
and show us your full salvation
in Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.