Refrain:    Sing to God, sing praises to his name.

1    Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered;  ♦

let those that hate him flee before him.

2    As the smoke vanishes, so may they vanish away;  ♦

as wax melts at the fire,

so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3    But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;  ♦

let them make merry with gladness.

4    Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

exalt him who rides on the clouds.  ♦

The Lord is his name; rejoice before him.

5    Father of the fatherless, defender of widows,  ♦

God in his holy habitation!

6    God gives the solitary a home

and brings forth prisoners to songs of welcome,  ♦

but the rebellious inhabit a burning desert. [R]

7    O God, when you went forth before your people,  ♦

when you marched through the wilderness,

8    The earth shook and the heavens dropped down rain,

at the presence of God, the Lord of Sinai,  ♦

at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9    You sent down a gracious rain, O God;  ♦

you refreshed your inheritance when it was weary.

10  Your people came to dwell there;  ♦

in your goodness, O God, you provide for the poor. [R]

11  The Lord gave the word;

great was the company of women who bore the tidings:  ♦

‘Kings and their armies they flee, they flee!’

and women at home are dividing the spoil.

12  Though you stayed among the sheepfolds,  ♦

see now a dove’s wings covered with silver

and its feathers with green gold.

13  When the Almighty scattered the kings,  ♦

it was like snowflakes falling on Zalmon. [R]

14  You mighty mountain, great mountain of Bashan!  ♦

You towering mountain, great mountain of Bashan!

15  Why look with envy, you towering mountains,

at the mount which God has desired for his dwelling,  ♦

the place where the Lord will dwell for ever?

16  The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,

even thousands upon thousands;  ♦

the Lord is among them, the Lord of Sinai in holy power.

17  You have gone up on high and led captivity captive;  ♦

you have received tribute,

even from those who rebelled,

that you may reign as Lord and God. [R]

18  Blessed be the Lord who bears our burdens day by day,  ♦

for God is our salvation.

19  God is for us the God of our salvation;  ♦

God is the Lord who can deliver from death.

20  God will smite the head of his enemies,  ♦

the hairy scalp of those who walk in wickedness.

21  The Lord has said, ‘From the heights of Bashan,  ♦

from the depths of the sea will I bring them back,

22  ‘Till you dip your foot in blood  ♦

and the tongue of your dogs has a taste of your enemies.’ [R]

23  We see your solemn processions, O God,  ♦

your processions into the sanctuary, my God and my King.

24  The singers go before, the musicians follow after,  ♦

in the midst of maidens playing on timbrels.

25  In your companies, bless your God;  ♦

bless the Lord, you that are of the fount of Israel.

26  At the head there is Benjamin, least of the tribes,

the princes of Judah in joyful company,  ♦

the princes of Zebulun and Naphtali. [R]

27  Send forth your strength, O God;  ♦

establish, O God, what you have wrought in us.

28  For your temple’s sake in Jerusalem  ♦

kings shall bring their gifts to you.

29  Drive back with your word the wild beast of the reeds,  ♦

the herd of the bull-like, the brutish hordes.

30  Trample down those who lust after silver;  ♦

scatter the peoples that delight in war.

31  Vessels of bronze shall be brought from Egypt;  ♦

Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God. [R]

32  Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;  ♦

make music in praise of the Lord;

33  He rides on the ancient heaven of heavens  ♦

and sends forth his voice, a mighty voice.

34  Ascribe power to God, whose splendour is over Israel,  ♦

whose power is above the clouds.

35  How terrible is God in his holy sanctuary,  ♦

the God of Israel, who gives power and strength to his people!

Blessed be God.

Refrain:    Sing to God, sing praises to his name.

Blessed are you, gracious God;

you make your home among the weak,

you deliver us from death,

you bring us joy beyond our imagining

to the praise of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.