14  A Song of God’s Compassion

1    The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,  

slow to anger and of great kindness.

2    He will not always accuse us,  

neither will he keep his anger for ever.

3    He has not dealt with us according to our sins,  

nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.

4    For as the heavens are high above the earth,  

so great is his mercy upon those who fear him.

5    As far as the east is from the west,  

so far has he set our sins from us.

6    As a father has compassion on his children,  

so is the Lord merciful towards those who fear him.

7    For he knows of what we are made;  

he remembers that we are but dust.

8    Our days are but as grass;  

we flourish as a flower of the field;

9    For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone,  

and its place shall know it no more.

10  But the merciful goodness of the Lord is from of old

and endures for ever on those who fear him,  

and his righteousness on children’s children;

11  On those who keep his covenant  

and remember his commandments to do them.

Psalm 103.8-18

All   Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning is now

and shall be for ever. Amen.

 

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

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