Refrain: The Lord remembered his covenant.
1 Alleluia.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious, ♦
for his faithfulness endures for ever.
2 Who can express the mighty acts of the Lord ♦
or show forth all his praise ♦
3 Blessed are those who observe what is right ♦
and always do what is just.
4 Remember me, O Lord, in the favour you bear for your people; ♦
visit me in the day of your salvation;
5 That I may see the prosperity of your chosen
and rejoice in the gladness of your people, ♦
and exult with your inheritance. [R]
6 We have sinned like our forebears; ♦
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
7 In Egypt they did not consider your wonders,
nor remember the abundance of your faithful love; ♦
they rebelled against the Most High at the Red Sea.
8 But he saved them for his name’s sake, ♦
that he might make his power to be known.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea and it was dried up; ♦
so he led them through the deep as through the wilderness.
10 He saved them from the adversary’s hand ♦
and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 As for those that troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them; ♦
there was not one of them left.
12 Then they believed his words ♦
and sang aloud his praise. [R]
13 But soon they forgot his deeds ♦
and would not wait for his counsel.
14 A craving seized them in the wilderness, ♦
and they put God to the test in the desert.
15 He gave them their desire, ♦
but sent a wasting sickness among them.
16 They grew jealous of Moses in the camp ♦
and of Aaron, the holy one of the Lord.
17 So the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan ♦
and covered the company of Abiram.
18 A fire was kindled in their company; ♦
the flame burnt up the wicked. [R]
19 They made a calf at Horeb ♦
and worshipped the molten image;
20 Thus they exchanged their glory ♦
for the image of an ox that feeds on hay.
21 They forgot God their saviour, ♦
who had done such great things in Egypt,
22 Wonderful deeds in the land of Ham ♦
and fearful things at the Red Sea.
23 So he would have destroyed them,
had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, ♦
to turn away his wrath from consuming them. [R]
24 Then they scorned the Promised Land ♦
and would not believe his word,
25 But murmured in their tents ♦
and would not heed the voice of the Lord.
26 So he lifted his hand against them ♦
and swore to overthrow them in the wilderness,
27 To disperse their descendants among the nations, ♦
and to scatter them throughout the lands. [R]
28 They joined themselves to the Baal of Peor ♦
and ate sacrifices offered to the dead.
29 They provoked him to anger with their evil deeds ♦
and a plague broke out among them.
30 Then Phinehas stood up and interceded ♦
and so the plague was stayed.
31 This was counted to him for righteousness ♦
throughout all generations for ever.
32 They angered him also at the waters of Meribah, ♦
so that Moses suffered for their sake;
33 For they so embittered his spirit ♦
that he spoke rash words with his lips. [R]
34 They did not destroy the peoples ♦
as the Lord had commanded them.
35 They mingled with the nations ♦
and learned to follow their ways,
36 So that they worshipped their idols, ♦
which became to them a snare.
37 Their own sons and daughters ♦
they sacrificed to evil spirits.
38 They shed innocent blood, ♦
the blood of their sons and daughters,
39 Which they offered to the idols of Canaan, ♦
and the land was defiled with blood.
40 Thus were they polluted by their actions, ♦
and in their wanton deeds went whoring after other gods. [R]
41 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord
kindled against his people, ♦
and he abhorred his inheritance.
42 He gave them over to the hand of the nations, ♦
and those who hated them ruled over them.
43 So their enemies oppressed them ♦
and put them in subjection under their hand.
44 Many a time did he deliver them,
but they rebelled through their own devices ♦
and were brought down through their wickedness.
45 Nevertheless, he saw their adversity, ♦
when he heard their lamentation.
46 He remembered his covenant with them ♦
and relented according to the greatness of his faithful love.
47 He made them also to be pitied ♦
by all who had taken them captive. [R]
and gather us from among the nations, ♦
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
49 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting and to everlasting; ♦
and let all the people say, Amen.
Alleluia.
Refrain: The Lord remembered his covenant.
Holy God,
when our memories blot out your kindness
and we ignore your patient love,
remember us, re-make us,
and give to us poor sinners
the rich inheritance 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.
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