1 In the Lord have I taken refuge; ♦
how then can you say to me,
‘Flee like a bird to the hills,
2 ‘For see how the wicked bend the bow
and fit their arrows to the string, ♦
to shoot from the shadows at the true of heart.
3 ‘When the foundations are destroyed, ♦
what can the righteous do?’
4 The Lord is in his holy temple; ♦
the Lord’s throne is in heaven.
5 His eyes behold, ♦
his eyelids try every mortal being.
6 The Lord tries the righteous as well as the wicked, ♦
but those who delight in violence his soul abhors.
7 Upon the wicked he shall rain coals of fire
and burning sulphur; ♦
scorching wind shall be their portion to drink.
8 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds, ♦
and those who are upright shall behold his face.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.