The Psalter  

Psalm 76

Refrain: The Lord has made fast his throne for judgement.

1In Judah God is known; •
his name is great in Israel.

2At Salem is his tabernacle, •
and his dwelling place in Zion.

3There broke he the flashing arrows of the bow, •
the shield, the sword and the weapons of war. R

4In the light of splendour you appeared, •
glorious from the eternal mountains.

5The boastful were plundered; they have slept their sleep; •
none of the warriors can lift their hand.

6At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, •
both horse and chariot fell stunned. R

7Terrible are you in majesty: •
who can stand before your face when you are angry?

8You caused your judgement to be heard from heaven; •
the earth trembled and was still,

9When God arose to judgement, •
to save all the meek upon earth. R

10You crushed the wrath of the peoples •
and bridled the wrathful remnant.

11Make a vow to the Lord your God and keep it; •
let all who are round about him bring gifts
to him that is worthy to be feared.

12He breaks down the spirit of princes •
and strikes terror in the kings of the earth.

Refrain: The Lord has made fast his throne for judgement.

Majestic and gracious God,
more awesome than the agents of war,
more powerful than the wrath of nations,
restrain the violence of the peoples
and draw the despised of the earth
into the joyful life of your kingdom,
where you live and reign for ever and ever.

Psalm 77

Refrain: In the day of my trouble I have sought the Lord.

1I cry aloud to God; •
I cry aloud to God and he will hear me.

2In the day of my trouble I have sought the Lord; •
by night my hand is stretched out and does not tire;
my soul refuses comfort.

3I think upon God and I groan; •
I ponder, and my spirit faints.

4You will not let my eyelids close; •
I am so troubled that I cannot speak. R

5I consider the days of old; •
I remember the years long past;

6I commune with my heart in the night; •
my spirit searches for understanding.

7Will the Lord cast us off for ever? •
Will he no more show us his favour?

8Has his loving mercy clean gone for ever? •
Has his promise come to an end for evermore?

9Has God forgotten to be gracious? •
Has he shut up his compassion in displeasure?

10And I said, 'My grief is this: •
that the right hand of the Most High has lost its strength.' R

 

11I will remember the works of the Lord •
and call to mind your wonders of old time.

12I will meditate on all your works •
and ponder your mighty deeds.

13Your way, O God, is holy; •
who is so great a god as our God?

14You are the God who worked wonders •
and declared your power among the peoples.

15With a mighty arm you redeemed your people, •
the children of Jacob and Joseph. R

16The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and were afraid; •
the depths also were troubled.

17The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered; •
your arrows flashed on every side;

18The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the ground; •
the earth trembled and shook.

19Your way was in the sea, and your paths in the great waters, •
but your footsteps were not known.

20You led your people like sheep •
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Refrain: In the day of my trouble I have sought the Lord.

God our shepherd,
you led us and saved us in times of old;
do not forget your people in their troubles,
but raise up your power
to sustain the poor and helpless;
for the honour of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 78

Refrain: O Lord, how glorious are your works.

1Hear my teaching, O my people; •
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2I will open my mouth in a parable; •
I will pour forth mysteries from of old,

3Such as we have heard and known, •
which our forebears have told us.

4We will not hide from their children,
but will recount to generations to come, •
the praises of the Lord and his power
and the wonderful works he has done. R

5He laid a solemn charge on Jacob
and made it a law in Israel, •
which he commanded them to teach their children,

6That the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn, •
that they in turn might tell it to their children,

7So that they might put their trust in God •
and not forget the deeds of God,
but keep his commandments,

8And not be like their forebears,
a stubborn and rebellious generation, •
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
and whose spirit was not faithful to God. R

 

9The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow, •
turned back in the day of battle;

10They did not keep the covenant of God •
and refused to walk in his law;

11They forgot what he had done •
and the wonders he had shown them.

12For he did marvellous things in the sight of their forebears, •
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. R

13He divided the sea and let them pass through; •
he made the waters stand still in a heap.

14He led them with a cloud by day •
and all the night through with a blaze of fire.

15He split the hard rocks in the wilderness •
and gave them drink as from the great deep.

16He brought streams out of the rock •
and made water gush out like rivers. R

 

17Yet for all this they sinned more against him •
and defied the Most High in the wilderness.

18They tested God in their hearts •
and demanded food for their craving.

19They spoke against God and said, •
'Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

20'He struck the rock indeed, so that the waters gushed out
and the streams overflowed, •
but can he give bread or provide meat for his people?' R

21When the Lord heard this, he was full of wrath; •
a fire was kindled against Jacob
and his anger went out against Israel,

22For they had no faith in God •
and put no trust in his saving help.

23So he commanded the clouds above •
and opened the doors of heaven.

24He rained down upon them manna to eat •
and gave them the grain of heaven.

25So mortals ate the bread of angels; •
he sent them food in plenty. R

26He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens •
and led out the south wind by his might.

27He rained flesh upon them as thick as dust •
and winged fowl like the sand of the sea.

28He let it fall in the midst of their camp •
and round about their tents.

29So they ate and were well filled, •
for he gave them what they desired.

30But they did not stop their craving; •
their food was still in their mouths,

31When the anger of God rose against them, •
and slew their strongest men
and felled the flower of Israel. R

 

32But for all this, they sinned yet more •
and put no faith in his wonderful works.

33So he brought their days to an end like a breath •
and their years in sudden terror.

34Whenever he slew them, they would seek him; •
they would repent and earnestly search for God.

35They remembered that God was their rock •
and the Most High God their redeemer. R

36Yet they did but flatter him with their mouth •
and dissembled with their tongue.

37Their heart was not steadfast towards him, •
neither were they faithful to his covenant.

38But he was so merciful that he forgave their misdeeds
and did not destroy them; •
many a time he turned back his wrath
and did not suffer his whole displeasure to be roused.

39For he remembered that they were but flesh, •
a wind that passes by and does not return.

Refrain: O Lord, how glorious are your works.

God our deliverer,
as you led our ancestors through the wilderness,
so lead us through the wilderness of this world,
that we may be saved through Christ for ever.

 

Refrain: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord.

40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness •
and grieved him in the desert!

41Again and again they tempted God •
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

42They did not remember his power •
in the day when he redeemed them from the enemy;

43How he had wrought his signs in Egypt •
and his wonders in the field of Zoan. R

44He turned their rivers into blood, •
so that they could not drink of their streams.

45He sent swarms of flies among them, which devoured them, •
and frogs which brought them ruin.

46He gave their produce to the caterpillar, •
the fruit of their toil to the locust.

47He destroyed their vines with hailstones •
and their sycamore trees with the frost. R

48He delivered their cattle to hailstones •
and their flocks to thunderbolts.

49He set loose on them his blazing anger: •
fury, displeasure and trouble,
a troop of destroying angels.

50He made a way for his anger
and spared not their souls from death, •
but gave their life over to the pestilence.

51He smote the firstborn of Egypt, •
the first fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. R

52But he led out his people like sheep •
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53He led them to safety and they were not afraid, •
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54He brought them to his holy place, •
the mountain which his right hand took in possession.

55He drove out the nations before them
and shared out to them their inheritance; •
he settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. R

 

56Yet still they tested God Most High
and rebelled against him, •
and would not keep his commandments.

57They turned back and fell away like their forebears, •
starting aside like an unstrung bow.

58They grieved him with their hill altars •
and provoked him to displeasure with their idols.

59God heard and was greatly angered, •
and utterly rejected Israel. R

60He forsook the tabernacle at Shiloh, •
the tent of his presence on earth.

61He gave the ark of his strength into captivity, •
his splendour into the adversary's hand.

62He delivered his people to the sword •
and raged against his inheritance.

63The fire consumed their young men; •
there was no one to lament their maidens.

64Their priests fell by the sword, •
and their widows made no lamentation. R

 

65Then the Lord woke as out of sleep, •
like a warrior who had been overcome with wine.

66He struck his enemies from behind •
and put them to perpetual shame.

67He rejected the tent of Joseph •
and chose not the tribe of Ephraim,

68But he chose the tribe of Judah •
and the hill of Zion, which he loved. R

69And there he built his sanctuary like the heights of heaven, •
like the earth which he founded for ever.

70He chose David also, his servant, •
and took him away from the sheepfolds.

71From following the ewes with their lambs he took him, •
that he might shepherd Jacob his people
and Israel his inheritance.

72So he shepherded them with a devoted heart •
and with skilful hands he guided them.

Refrain: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord.

God our shepherd,
in all our wanderings and temptations,
teach us to rest in your mercy
and trust in your defence;
through him who laid down his life for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 79

Refrain: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name.

1O God, the heathen have come into your heritage; •
your holy temple have they defiled
and made Jerusalem a heap of stones.

2The dead bodies of your servants they have given
to be food for the birds of the air, •
and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the field.

3Their blood have they shed like water
on every side of Jerusalem, •
and there was no one to bury them.

4We have become the taunt of our neighbours, •
the scorn and derision of those that are round about us. R

5Lord, how long will you be angry, for ever? •
How long will your jealous fury blaze like fire?

6Pour out your wrath upon the nations that have not known you, •
and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your name.

7For they have devoured Jacob •
and laid waste his dwelling place. R

8Remember not against us our former sins; •
let your compassion make haste to meet us,
for we are brought very low.

9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; •
deliver us, and wipe away our sins for your name's sake.

10Why should the heathen say, •
'Where is now their God?' R

11Let vengeance for your servants' blood that is shed •
be known among the nations in our sight.

12Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you, •
and by your mighty arm
preserve those who are condemned to die.

13May the taunts with which our neighbours taunted you, Lord, •
return sevenfold into their bosom.

14But we that are your people and the sheep of your pasture
will give you thanks for ever, •
and tell of your praise from generation to generation.

Refrain: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name.

When faith is scorned
and love grows cold,
then, God of hosts, rebuild your Church
on lives of thankfulness and patient prayer;
through Christ your eternal Son.

Psalm 80

1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, •
you that led Joseph like a flock;

2Shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim, •
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.

3Stir up your mighty strength •
and come to our salvation.

4 Turn us again, O God; •
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

 

5O Lord God of hosts, •
how long will you be angry at your people's prayer?

6You feed them with the bread of tears; •
you give them abundance of tears to drink.

7You have made us the derision of our neighbours •
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

8 Turn us again, O God of hosts; •
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

 

9You brought a vine out of Egypt; •
you drove out the nations and planted it.

10You made room around it, •
and when it had taken root, it filled the land.

11The hills were covered with its shadow •
and the cedars of God by its boughs.

12It stretched out its branches to the Sea •
and its tendrils to the River.

13Why then have you broken down its wall, •
so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?

14The wild boar out of the wood tears it off, •
and all the insects of the field devour it.

 

15Turn again, O God of hosts, •
look down from heaven and behold;

16Cherish this vine which your right hand has planted, •
and the branch that you made so strong for yourself.

17Let those who burnt it with fire, who cut it down, •
perish at the rebuke of your countenance.

18Let your hand be upon the man at your right hand, •
the son of man you made so strong for yourself.

19And so will we not go back from you; •
give us life, and we shall call upon your name.

20 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; •
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Faithful shepherd of your people,
as we look for the light of your countenance,
restore in us the image of your glory
and graft us into the risen life of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 81

Refrain: O come, let us sing to the Lord.

1Sing merrily to God our strength, •
shout for joy to the God of Jacob.

2Take up the song and sound the timbrel, •
the tuneful lyre with the harp.

3Blow the trumpet at the new moon, •
as at the full moon, upon our solemn feast day.

4For this is a statute for Israel, •
a law of the God of Jacob,

5The charge he laid on the people of Joseph, •
when they came out of the land of Egypt. R

 

6I heard a voice I did not know, that said: •
'I eased their shoulder from the burden;
their hands were set free from bearing the load.

7'You called upon me in trouble and I delivered you; •
I answered you from the secret place of thunder
and proved you at the waters of Meribah.

8'Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: •
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!

9'There shall be no strange god among you; •
you shall not worship a foreign god.

10'I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up from the land of Egypt; •
open your mouth wide and I shall fill it.' R

 

11But my people would not hear my voice •
and Israel would not obey me.

12So I sent them away in the stubbornness of their hearts, •
and let them walk after their own counsels.

13O that my people would listen to me, •
that Israel would walk in my ways!

14Then I should soon put down their enemies •
and turn my hand against their adversaries.

15Those who hate the Lord would be humbled before him, •
and their punishment would last for ever.

16But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat •
and with honey from the rock would I satisfy them.

Refrain: O come, let us sing to the Lord.

Father of mercy,
keep us joyful in your salvation
and faithful to your covenant;
and, as we journey to your kingdom,
ever feed us with the bread of life,
your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Psalm 82

Refrain: Arise, O God, and judge the earth.

1God has taken his stand in the council of heaven; •
in the midst of the gods he gives judgement:

2'How long will you judge unjustly •
and show such favour to the wicked?

3'You were to judge the weak and the orphan; •
defend the right of the humble and needy;

4'Rescue the weak and the poor; •
deliver them from the hand of the wicked. R

5'They have no knowledge or wisdom;
they walk on still in darkness: •
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6'Therefore I say that though you are gods •
and all of you children of the Most High,

7'Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals •
and fall like one of their princes.'

8Arise, O God and judge the earth, •
for it is you that shall take all nations for your possession.

Refrain: Arise, O God, and judge the earth.

God our deliverer,
when the foundations are shaken
and justice has departed,
defend the poor and needy
and give your people strength to fight all wrong
in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 83

Refrain: The wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement.

1Hold not your peace, O God, do not keep silent; •
be not unmoved, O God;

2For your enemies are in tumult •
and those who hate you lift up their heads.

3They take secret counsel against your people •
and plot against those whom you treasure.

4They say, 'Come, let us destroy them as a nation, •
that the name of Israel be remembered no more.' R

5They have conspired together with one mind; •
they are in league against you:

6The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, •
Moab and the Hagarenes,

7Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, •
the Philistines and those who dwell in Tyre.

8Ashur also has joined them •
and has lent a strong arm to the children of Lot. R

9Do to them as you did to Midian, •
to Sisera and to Jabin at the river of Kishon,

10Who perished at Endor •
and became as dung for the earth.

11Make their commanders like Oreb and Zeëb •
and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12Who said, 'Let us take for ourselves •
the pastures of God as our possession.' R

13O my God, make them like thistledown, •
like chaff before the wind.

14Like fire that consumes a forest, •
like the flame that sets mountains ablaze,

15So drive them with your tempest •
and dismay them with your storm. R

16Cover their faces with shame, O Lord, •
that they may seek your name.

17Let them be disgraced and dismayed for ever; •
let them be put to confusion and perish;

18And they shall know that you, whose name is the Lord, •
are alone the Most High over all the earth.

Refrain: The wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement.

Lord God, most high over all the world,
when the pride of nations obscures
your glorious purpose,
draw us into that unity which is your will for all people
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 84

Refrain: Blessed are they who dwell in your house.

1How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! •
My soul has a desire and longing to enter the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

2The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young: •
at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

3Blessed are they who dwell in your house: •
they will always be praising you. R

4Blessed are those whose strength is in you, •
in whose heart are the highways to Zion,

5Who going through the barren valley find there a spring •
and the early rains will clothe it with blessing.

6They will go from strength to strength •
and appear before God in Zion. R

 

7O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; •
listen, O God of Jacob.

8Behold our defender, O God, •
and look upon the face of your anointed.

9For one day in your courts •
is better than a thousand. R

10I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God •
than dwell in the tents of ungodliness.

11For the Lord God is both sun and shield;
he will give grace and glory; •
no good thing shall the Lord withhold
from those who walk with integrity.

12O Lord God of hosts, •
blessed are those who put their trust in you.

Refrain: Blessed are they who dwell in your house.

Lord God,
sustain us in this vale of tears
with the vision of your grace and glory,
that, strengthened by the bread of life,
we may come to your eternal dwelling place;
in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 85

Refrain: Show us your mercy, O Lord.

1Lord, you were gracious to your land; •
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2You forgave the offence of your people •
and covered all their sins.

3You laid aside all your fury •
and turned from your wrathful indignation. R

 

4Restore us again, O God our Saviour, •
and let your anger cease from us.

5Will you be displeased with us for ever? •
Will you stretch out your wrath from one generation to another?

6Will you not give us life again, •
that your people may rejoice in you?

7Show us your mercy, O Lord, •
and grant us your salvation. R

8I will listen to what the Lord God will say, •
for he shall speak peace to his people and to the faithful,
that they turn not again to folly.

9Truly, his salvation is near to those who fear him, •
that his glory may dwell in our land. R

10Mercy and truth are met together, •
righteousness and peace have kissed each other;

11Truth shall spring up from the earth •
and righteousness look down from heaven.

12The Lord will indeed give all that is good, •
and our land will yield its increase.

13Righteousness shall go before him •
and direct his steps in the way.

Refrain: Show us your mercy, O Lord.

Most holy God,
when we come to you fearing that
truth condemns us,
show us that truth is one with love
in your Word made flesh,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Psalm 86

Refrain: All nations you have made shall come and worship
you, O Lord.

1Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, •
for I am poor and in misery.

2Preserve my soul, for I am faithful; •
save your servant, for I put my trust in you.

3Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; •
I call upon you all the day long.

4Gladden the soul of your servant, •
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. R

5For you, Lord, are good and forgiving, •
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

6Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer •
and listen to the voice of my supplication.

7In the day of my distress I will call upon you, •
for you will answer me. R

 

8Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, •
nor any works like yours.

9All nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord, •
and shall glorify your name.

10For you are great and do wonderful things; •
you alone are God. R

11Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; •
knit my heart to you, that I may fear your name.

12I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, •
and glorify your name for evermore;

13For great is your steadfast love towards me, •
for you have delivered my soul from the depths of the grave. R

14O God, the proud rise up against me
and a ruthless horde seek after my life; •
they have not set you before their eyes.

15But you, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, •
slow to anger and full of kindness and truth.

16Turn to me and have mercy upon me; •
give your strength to your servant
and save the child of your handmaid.

17Show me a token of your favour,
that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; •
because you, O Lord, have helped and comforted me.

Refrain: All nations you have made shall come and worship
you, O Lord.

God of mercy,
who in your great love
drew your Son from the depths of the Pit,
bring your people from death to life,
that we may rejoice in your compassion
and praise you now and for ever.

Psalm 87

Refrain: The Lord has chosen Zion for himself.

1His foundation is on the holy mountains. •
The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

2Glorious things are spoken of you, •
Zion, city of our God.

3I record Egypt and Babylon as those who know me; •
behold Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia:
in Zion were they born.

4And of Zion it shall be said, 'Each one was born in her, •
and the Most High himself has established her.'

5The Lord will record as he writes up the peoples, •
'This one also was born there.'

6And as they dance they shall sing, •
'All my fresh springs are in you.'

Refrain: The Lord has chosen Zion for himself.

Lord, as you call us to your city
founded on the rock of ages,
let the springs of living water
rise within us to eternal life;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 88

Refrain: You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

1O Lord, God of my salvation, •
I have cried day and night before you.

2Let my prayer come into your presence; •
incline your ear to my cry.

3For my soul is full of troubles; •
my life draws near to the land of death.

4I am counted as one gone down to the Pit; •
I am like one that has no strength,

5Lost among the dead, •
like the slain who lie in the grave,

6Whom you remember no more, •
for they are cut off from your hand. R

7You have laid me in the lowest pit, •
in a place of darkness in the abyss.

8Your anger lies heavy upon me, •
and you have afflicted me with all your waves.

9You have put my friends far from me •
and made me to be abhorred by them.

10I am so fast in prison that I cannot get free; •
my eyes fail from all my trouble. R

11Lord, I have called daily upon you; •
I have stretched out my hands to you.

12Do you work wonders for the dead? •
Will the shades stand up and praise you?

13Shall your loving-kindness be declared in the grave, •
your faithfulness in the land of destruction?

14Shall your wonders be known in the dark •
or your righteous deeds in the land where all is forgotten? R

15But as for me, O Lord, I will cry to you; •
early in the morning my prayer shall come before you.

16Lord, why have you rejected my soul? •
Why have you hidden your face from me?

17I have been wretched and at the point of death from my youth; •
I suffer your terrors and am no more seen.

18Your wrath sweeps over me; •
your horrors are come to destroy me;

19All day long they come about me like water; •
they close me in on every side.

20Lover and friend have you put far from me •
and hid my companions out of my sight.

Refrain: You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.

In the depths of our isolation
we cry to you, Lord God;
give light in our darkness
and bring us out of the prison of our despair
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 89

Refrain: Truly the Lord is our shield.

1My song shall be always of the loving-kindness of the Lord: •
with my mouth will I proclaim your faithfulness
throughout all generations.

2I will declare that your love is established for ever; •
you have set your faithfulness as firm as the heavens.

3For you said: 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one; •
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:

4'"Your seed will I establish for ever •
and build up your throne for all generations."' R

 

5The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, •
and your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;

6For who among the clouds can be compared to the Lord? •
Who is like the Lord among the host of heaven?

7A God feared in the council of the holy ones, •
great and terrible above all those round about him.

8Who is like you, Lord God of hosts? •
Mighty Lord, your faithfulness is all around you.

9You rule the raging of the sea; •
you still its waves when they arise.

10You crushed Rahab with a deadly wound •
and scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

11Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; •
you established the world and all that fills it.

12You created the north and the south; •
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name. R

13You have a mighty arm; •
strong is your hand and high is your right hand.

14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; •
steadfast love and faithfulness go before your face.

15Happy are the people who know the shout of triumph: •
they walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance.

16In your name they rejoice all the day long •
and are exalted in your righteousness.

17For you are the glory of their strength, •
and in your favour you lift up our heads.

18Truly the Lord is our shield, •
the Holy One of Israel is our king.

Refrain: Truly the Lord is our shield.

As we sing of your love, O Lord,
anoint us with the Spirit's seal,
that we may praise your faithfulness
and proclaim your truth from age to age;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Refrain: The Lord has sworn an oath to David,
a promise from which he will not shrink.

19You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: •
'I have set a youth above the mighty;
I have raised a young man over the people.

20'I have found David my servant; •
with my holy oil have I anointed him.

21'My hand shall hold him fast •
and my arm shall strengthen him.

22'No enemy shall deceive him, •
nor any wicked person afflict him.

23'I will strike down his foes before his face •
and beat down those that hate him.

24'My truth also and my steadfast love shall be with him •
and in my name shall his head be exalted.

25'I will set his dominion upon the sea •
and his right hand upon the rivers.

26'He shall call to me, "You are my Father, •
my God, and the rock of my salvation;"

27'And I will make him my firstborn: •
the most high above the kings of the earth.

28'The love I have pledged to him will I keep for ever, •
and my covenant will stand fast with him.

29'His seed also will I make to endure for ever •
and his throne as the days of heaven. R

30'But if his children forsake my law •
and cease to walk in my judgements,

31'If they break my statutes •
and do not keep my commandments,

32'I will punish their offences with a rod •
and their sin with scourges.

33'But I will not take from him my steadfast love •
nor suffer my truth to fail.

34'My covenant will I not break •
nor alter what has gone out of my lips.

35'Once for all have I sworn by my holiness •
that I will not prove false to David.

36'His seed shall endure for ever •
and his throne as the sun before me;

37'It shall stand fast for ever as the moon, •
the enduring witness in the heavens.'

Refrain: The Lord has sworn an oath to David,
a promise from which he will not shrink.

Faithful God,
remember your promise
fulfilled in your anointed Son Jesus Christ,
in whose strength alone we stand,
now and for ever.

 

Refrain: For your servant David's sake,
turn not away the face of your anointed.

38But you have cast off and rejected your anointed; •
you have shown fierce anger against him.

39You have broken the covenant with your servant, •
and have cast his crown to the dust.

40You have broken down all his walls •
and laid his strongholds in ruins.

41All who pass by despoil him, •
and he has become the scorn of his neighbours.

42You have exalted the right hand of his foes •
and made all his enemies rejoice.

43You have turned back the edge of his sword •
and have not upheld him in battle.

44You have made an end of his radiance •
and cast his throne to the ground.

45You have cut short the days of his youth •
and have covered him with shame. R

46How long will you hide yourself so utterly, O Lord? •
How long shall your anger burn like fire?

47Remember how short my time is, •
how frail you have made all mortal flesh.

48Which of the living shall not see death, •
and shall deliver their soul from the power of darkness?

49Where, O Lord, is your steadfast love of old, •
which you swore to David in your faithfulness?

50Remember, O Lord, how your servant is scorned, •
how I bear in my bosom the taunts of many peoples,

51While your enemies mock, O Lord, •
while they mock the footsteps of your anointed.

52Blessed be the Lord for evermore. •
Amen and Amen.

Refrain: For your servant David's sake,
turn not away the face of your anointed.

Lord, when death appals us
and you hide your face,
may we know our life is hidden with Christ,
our hope of glory and our risen Lord.

Psalm 90

Refrain: O Lord my God, in you I take refuge.

1Lord, you have been our refuge •
from one generation to another.

2Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the earth and the world were formed, •
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn us back to dust and say: •
'Turn back, O children of earth.'

4For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday, •
which passes like a watch in the night.

5You sweep them away like a dream; •
they fade away suddenly like the grass.

6In the morning it is green and flourishes; •
in the evening it is dried up and withered. R

7For we consume away in your displeasure; •
we are afraid at your wrathful indignation.

8You have set our misdeeds before you •
and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

9When you are angry, all our days are gone; •
our years come to an end like a sigh.

10The days of our life are three score years and ten,
or if our strength endures, even four score; •
yet the sum of them is but labour and sorrow,
for they soon pass away and we are gone.

11Who regards the power of your wrath •
and your indignation like those who fear you?

12So teach us to number our days •
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. R

 

13Turn again, O Lord; how long will you delay? •
Have compassion on your servants.

14Satisfy us with your loving-kindness in the morning; •
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15Give us gladness for the days you have afflicted us •
and for the years in which we have seen adversity.

16Show your servants your works •
and let your glory be over their children.

17May the gracious favour of the Lord our God be upon us; •
prosper our handiwork; O prosper the work of our hands.

Refrain: O Lord my God, in you I take refuge.

Almighty God,
our eternal refuge,
teach us to live with the knowledge of our death
and to rejoice in the promise of your glory,
revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 91

Refrain: Keep me as the apple of your eye.

1Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High •
and abides under the shadow of the Almighty,

2Shall say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my stronghold, •
my God, in whom I put my trust.'

3For he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler •
and from the deadly pestilence.

4He shall cover you with his wings
and you shall be safe under his feathers; •
his faithfulness shall be your shield and buckler. R

5You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, •
nor of the arrow that flies by day;

6Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, •
nor of the sickness that destroys at noonday.

7Though a thousand fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand, •
yet it shall not come near you.

8Your eyes have only to behold •
to see the reward of the wicked. R

9Because you have made the Lord your refuge •
and the Most High your stronghold,

10There shall no evil happen to you, •
neither shall any plague come near your tent.

11For he shall give his angels charge over you, •
to keep you in all your ways.

12They shall bear you in their hands, •
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13You shall tread upon the lion and adder; •
the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. R

 

14Because they have set their love upon me,
therefore will I deliver them; •
I will lift them up, because they know my name.

15They will call upon me and I will answer them; •
I am with them in trouble,
I will deliver them and bring them to honour.

16With long life will I satisfy them •
and show them my salvation.

Refrain: Keep me as the apple of your eye.

Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
and, as you have bound us to yourself in love,
leave us not who call upon your name,
but grant us your salvation,
made known in the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 92

Refrain: You, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.

1It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord •
and to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

2To tell of your love early in the morning •
and of your faithfulness in the night-time,

3Upon the ten-stringed instrument, upon the harp, •
and to the melody of the lyre.

4For you, Lord, have made me glad by your acts, •
and I sing aloud at the works of your hands.

5O Lord, how glorious are your works! •
Your thoughts are very deep. R

6The senseless do not know, •
nor do fools understand,

7That though the wicked sprout like grass •
and all the workers of iniquity flourish,

8It is only to be destroyed for ever; •
but you, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.

9For lo, your enemies, O Lord,
lo, your enemies shall perish, •
and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

10But my horn you have exalted
like the horns of wild oxen; •
I am anointed with fresh oil.

11My eyes will look down on my foes; •
my ears shall hear the ruin of the evildoers
who rise up against me. R

12The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, •
and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.

13Such as are planted in the house of the Lord •
shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14They shall still bear fruit in old age; •
they shall be vigorous and in full leaf;

15That they may show that the Lord is true; •
he is my rock,
and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Refrain: You, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.

Give us the music of your praise, Lord,
morning, noon and night,
that our lives may be fruitful
and our lips confess you as the true and only God.

Psalm 93

Refrain: The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

1The Lord is king and has put on glorious apparel; •
the Lord has put on his glory
and girded himself with strength.

2He has made the whole world so sure •
that it cannot be moved.

3Your throne has been established from of old; •
you are from everlasting. R

4The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice; •
the floods lift up their pounding waves.

5Mightier than the thunder of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea, •
the Lord on high is mightier.

6Your testimonies are very sure; •
holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever.

Refrain: The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

Christ our King,
you put on the apparel of our nature
and raised us to your glory;
reign from your royal throne
above the chaos of this world,
that all may see the victory you have won
and trust in your salvation;
for your glory's sake.

Psalm 94

Refrain: Righteous are you, O Lord, and true are your judgements.

1Lord God to whom vengeance belongs, •
O God to whom vengeance belongs, shine out in majesty.

2Rise up, O Judge of the earth; •
give the arrogant their just deserts.

3Lord, how long shall the wicked, •
how long shall the wicked triumph?

4How long shall the evildoers boast •
and pour out such impudent words? R

5They crush your people, O Lord, •
and afflict your heritage.

6They murder the widow and the stranger; •
the orphans they put to death.

7And yet they say, 'The Lord will not see; •
neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.' R

8Consider, most stupid of people; •
you fools, when will you understand?

9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? •
He that formed the eye, shall he not see?

10He who corrects the nations, shall he not punish? •
He who teaches the peoples, does he lack knowledge?

11The Lord knows every human thought, •
that they are but a breath. R

 

12Blessed are those whom you chasten, O Lord, •
whom you instruct from your law;

13That you may give them rest in days of adversity, •
until a pit is dug for the wicked.

14For the Lord will not fail his people, •
neither will he forsake his inheritance.

15For justice shall return to the righteous, •
and all that are true of heart shall follow it. R

 

16Who will rise up for me against the wicked? •
Who will take my part against the evildoers?

17If the Lord had not helped me, •
my soul would soon have been put to silence.

18And when I said, 'My foot has slipped', •
your loving mercy, O Lord, upheld me.

19In the multitude of cares that troubled my heart, •
your comforts have refreshed my soul. R

20Will you have anything to do with the throne of wickedness, •
which fashions evil through its law?

21They gather together against the life of the righteous •
and condemn the innocent to death.

22But the Lord has become my stronghold •
and my God the rock of my trust.

23He will turn against them their own wickedness
and silence them through their own malice; •
the Lord our God will put them to silence.

Refrain: Righteous are you, O Lord, and true are your judgements.

Lord God, judge of all,
before whom no secrets are hidden,
let your justice shine out
and your righteousness sweep wickedness from its throne,
that we may live free from fear and stumbling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 95

Refrain: Come, let us worship and bow down.

1O come, let us sing to the Lord; •
let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.

2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving •
and be glad in him with psalms.

3For the Lord is a great God •
and a great king above all gods. R

4In his hand are the depths of the earth •
and the heights of the mountains are his also.

5The sea is his, for he made it, •
and his hands have moulded the dry land.

6Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

7For he is our God; •
we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. R

 

8O that today you would listen to his voice: •
'Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
on that day at Massah in the wilderness,

9'When your forebears tested me, and put me to the proof, •
though they had seen my works.

10'Forty years long I detested that generation and said, •
"This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways."

11'So I swore in my wrath, •
"They shall not enter into my rest."'

Refrain: Come, let us worship and bow down.

Lord God, the maker of all,
as we bow down in praise this day,
make us attentive to your voice
and do not test us beyond our enduring;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 96

Refrain: O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

1Sing to the Lord a new song; •
sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2Sing to the Lord and bless his name; •
tell out his salvation from day to day.

3Declare his glory among the nations •
and his wonders among all peoples. R

4For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; •
he is more to be feared than all gods.

5For all the gods of the nations are but idols; •
it is the Lord who made the heavens.

6Honour and majesty are before him; •
power and splendour are in his sanctuary. R

 

7Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; •
ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.

8Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; •
bring offerings and come into his courts.

9O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; •
let the whole earth tremble before him.

10Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. •
He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity. R

 

11Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; •
let the sea thunder and all that is in it;

12Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them; •
let all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord.

13For he comes, he comes to judge the earth; •
with righteousness he will judge the world
and the peoples with his truth.

Refrain: O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Lord God, you draw us by your beauty
and transform us by your holiness;
let our worship echo all creation's praise
and declare your glory to the nations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 97

Refrain: You, Lord, are most high over all the earth.

1The Lord is king: let the earth rejoice; •
let the multitude of the isles be glad.

2Clouds and darkness are round about him; •
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3Fire goes before him •
and burns up his enemies on every side. R

 

4His lightnings lit up the world; •
the earth saw it and trembled.

5The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, •
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6The heavens declared his righteousness •
and all the peoples have seen his glory. R

 

7Confounded be all who worship carved images
and delight in mere idols. •
Bow down before him, all you gods.

8Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, •
because of your judgements, O Lord.

9For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth; •
you are exalted far above all gods. R

 

10The Lord loves those who hate evil; •
he preserves the lives of his faithful
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11Light has sprung up for the righteous •
and joy for the true of heart.

12Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous •
and give thanks to his holy name.

Refrain: You, Lord, are most high over all the earth.

Most high and holy God,
enthroned in fire and light,
burn away the dross of our lives
and kindle in us the fire of your love,
that our lives may reveal the light and life
we find in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 98

Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.

1Sing to the Lord a new song, •
for he has done marvellous things.

2His own right hand and his holy arm •
have won for him the victory.

3The Lord has made known his salvation; •
his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness
towards the house of Israel, •
and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. R

 

5Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth; •
break into singing and make music.

6Make music to the Lord with the lyre, •
with the lyre and the voice of melody.

7With trumpets and the sound of the horn •
sound praises before the Lord, the King. R

 

8Let the sea thunder and all that fills it, •
the world and all that dwell upon it.

9Let the rivers clap their hands •
and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.

10In righteousness shall he judge the world •
and the peoples with equity.

Refrain: The Lord has made known his salvation.

Lord God, just and true,
you make your salvation known in the sight of the nations;
tune the song of our hearts to the music of creation
as you come among us to judge the earth;
through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Psalm 99

1The Lord is king: let the peoples tremble; •
he is enthroned upon the cherubim: let the earth shake.

2The Lord is great in Zion •
and high above all peoples.

3Let them praise your name, which is great and awesome; •
the Lord our God is holy.

4Mighty king, who loves justice,
you have established equity; •
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5 Exalt the Lord our God; •
bow down before his footstool, for he is holy.

 

6Moses and Aaron among his priests
and Samuel among those who call upon his name, •
they called upon the Lord and he answered them.

7He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; •
they kept his testimonies and the law that he gave them.

8You answered them, O Lord our God; •
you were a God who forgave them
and pardoned them for their offences.

9 Exalt the Lord our God
and worship him upon his holy hill, •
for the Lord our God is holy.

Lord God, mighty king,
you love justice and establish equity;
may we love justice more than gain
and mercy more than power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 100

Refrain: The Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting.

1O be joyful in the Lord, all the earth; •
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.

2Know that the Lord is God; •
it is he that has made us and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. R

3Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise; •
give thanks to him and bless his name.

4For the Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting, •
and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation.

Refrain: The Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting.

O Christ, door of the sheepfold,
may we enter your gates with praise
and go from your courts to serve you
in the poor, the lost and the wandering,
this day and all our days.