day 24 : e v ening pray er

119

Beati immaculati 
Aleph

1  Blessed are those who are undefiled in their ways, *
and walk in the law of the Lord.
2  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies *
and seek him with their whole heart,
3  Even those who do no wickedness *
and perfectly walk in his ways.
4  You have ordered your precepts *
that we should diligently keep them.
5  O that my ways were made so direct *
that I might keep your statutes!
6  Then would I not be put to shame *
while I give heed unto all your commandments.
7  I will thank you with an upright heart, *
when I have learned your righteous judgments.
8  I will keep your statutes; *
O do not forsake me utterly.

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 In quo corrigit? 
Beth

9  How shall a young man cleanse his way? *
By ruling himself according to your word.
10  With my whole heart I have sought you; *
O let me not go astray from your commandments.
11  Your words have I hidden within my heart, *
that I may not sin against you.
12  Blessed are you, O Lord; *
teach me your statutes.
13  With my lips have I been telling *
of all the judgments of your mouth.
14  I have had greater delight in the way of your testimonies *
than in all manner of riches.
15  I will meditate on your commandments *
and have respect for all your ways.
16  My delight will be in your statutes, *
and I will not forget your word. 

Retribue servo tuo 
Gimel

17  O do well unto your servant, *
that I may live, and keep your word.
18  Open my eyes that I may see *
the wondrous things of your law.
19  I am a sojourner on earth; *
O hide not your commandments from me.
20  My soul is consumed with the fervent desire *
that it always has for your judgments.
21  You have rebuked the proud, *
and cursed are those who stray from your commandments.
22  O turn from me shame and contempt, *
for I have kept your testimonies.
   429

23  Though princes sit and speak against me, *
yet will your servant meditate on your statutes;
24  For your testimonies are my delight, *
and they are my counselors.

Adhæsit pavimento 
Daleth

25  My soul cleaves to the dust; *
O revive me, according to your word.
26  I have acknowledged my ways, and you heard me; *
O teach me your statutes.
27  Make me to understand the way of your commandments, *
and so shall I meditate on your wondrous works.
28  My soul melts away for heaviness; *
comfort me according to your word.
29  Take from me the way of lying, *
and graciously teach me your law.
30  I have chosen the way of truth, *
and your judgments have I set before me.
31  I hold fast to your testimonies; *
O Lord, let me not be put to shame.
32  I will run the way of your commandments *
when you enlarge my heart with understanding.

day 25 : mor ning pray er
Legem pone 
He

33  Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
34  Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
indeed, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
35  Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for therein is my desire.

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36  Incline my heart to your testimonies, *
and not to covetous desires.
37  O turn away my eyes, lest they behold vanity, *
and revive me in your ways.
38  Confirm your word to your servant, *
and to all those who fear you.
39  Take away the reproach that I am afraid of, *
for your judgments are good.
40  Behold, my delight is in your precepts; *
O revive me in your righteousness.

Et veniat super me 
Waw

41  Let your loving mercy come to me, O Lord, *
even your salvation, according to your word.
42  So shall I answer those who taunt me, *
for my trust is in your word.
43  O do not take the word of your truth utterly out of my mouth, *
for my hope is in your judgments.
44  So shall I always keep your law, *
even for ever and ever;
45  And I will walk at liberty, *
for I seek your commandments.
46  I will speak of your testimonies also, even before kings, *
and will not be ashamed;
47  And my delight shall be in your commandments, *
which I have loved exceedingly.
48  My hands also will I lift up to your commandments, *
and I will meditate on your statutes.

Memor esto verbi tui 
Zayin

49  O remember your word to your servant, *
in which you have caused me to put my trust.
   431

50  This is my comfort in my trouble, *
for your word has given me life.
51  The proud have held me exceedingly in derision, *
yet I have not turned aside from your law.
52  For I have remembered, O Lord, your judgments from of old, *
and by them I have received comfort.
53  I am filled with indignation, *
because of the ungodly who forsake your law.
54  Your statutes have been my songs *
in the house of my pilgrimage.
55  I have thought upon your Name, O Lord, in the night season, *
and I have kept your law.
56  This has been my reward, *
because I have kept your commandments.

Portio mea, Domine 
Heth

57  You are my portion, O Lord; *
I have promised to keep your law.
58  I made my humble petition in your presence with
  my whole heart; *
O be merciful to me, according to your word.
59  I have called my ways to remembrance *
and turned my feet to your testimonies.
60  I made haste and did not delay *
to keep your commandments.
61  The cords of the ungodly have encircled me, *
but I have not forgotten your law.
62  At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, *
because of your righteous judgments.
63  I am a companion of all those who fear you *
and keep your commandments.
64  The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy; *
O teach me your statutes.

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 Bonitatem fecisti 
Teth

65  O Lord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *
according to your word.
66  O teach me true understanding and knowledge, *
for I have believed your commandments.
67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, *
but now I keep your word.
68  You are good and gracious; *
O teach me your statutes.
69  The proud have slandered me with lies, *
but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70  Their heart has become gross with fatness, *
but my delight is in your law.
71  It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *
that I may learn your statutes.
72  The law of your mouth is dearer to me *
than thousands in gold and silver.

day 25 : e v ening pray er
Manus tuæ fecerunt me 
Yodh

73  Your hands have made me and fashioned me; *
O give me understanding, that I may learn 
your commandments.
74  Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, *
because I have put my trust in your word.
75  I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, *
and that in your faithfulness you have caused 
me to be afflicted.
76  O let your merciful kindness be my comfort, *
according to your word to your servant.
   433

77  O let your loving mercies come to me, that I may live, *
for your law is my delight.
78  Let the proud be put to shame, for they go about wickedly
  to destroy me; *
but I will meditate on your commandments.
79  Let those who fear you turn to me, *
even those who know your testimonies.
80  O let my heart be sound in your statutes, *
that I may never be put to shame.

Defecit anima mea 
Kaph

81  My soul has longed for your salvation, *
and I have a good hope because of your word.
82  My eyes long sorely for your word, *
saying, “O when will you comfort me?”
83  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, *
yet I do not forget your statutes.
84  How many are the days of your servant? *
When will you execute judgment on those who 
persecute me?
85  The proud have dug pits for me; *
they do not walk after your law.
86  All your commandments are true. *
They persecute me falsely; O Lord, be my help.
87  They had almost made an end of me on earth, *
but I have not forsaken your commandments.
88  O revive me with your loving-kindness, *
and so shall I keep the testimonies of your mouth.

In æternum, Domine 
Lamedh

89  O Lord, your word endures for ever; *
it stands fast in heaven.

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90  Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; *
you have laid the foundation of the earth, and it abides.
91  Surely your ordinances stand firm this day, *
for all things are your servants.
92  If my delight had not been in your law, *
I should have perished in my affliction.
93  I will never forget your commandments, *
for with them you have enlivened me.
94  I am yours; O save me! *
For I have sought your commandments.
95  The ungodly lie in wait for me to destroy me, *
but I will consider your testimonies.
96  I see that all things come to an end, *
but your commandment has no bounds.

Quomodo dilexi! 
Mem

97  Lord, what love I have for your law; *
all the day long I meditate on it.
98  You, through your commandment, have made me wiser
  than my enemies, *
for it is always with me.
99  I have more understanding than my teachers, *
for your testimonies are my study.
100 I am wiser than the agéd, *
because I keep your commandments.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, *
that I may keep your word.
102 I have not turned aside from your judgments, *
for you yourself have taught me.
103 Oh how sweet are your words to my taste; *
indeed, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104 Through your commandments I get understanding; *
therefore I hate all evil ways.
   435

day 26 : mor ning pray er
Lucerna pedibus meis 
Nun

105 Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.
106 I have sworn and am steadfastly purposed *
to keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am troubled above measure; *
revive me, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Let the freewill offerings of my mouth please you, O Lord; *
and teach me your judgments.
109 My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.
110 The ungodly have laid a snare for me, *
yet I have not strayed from your commandments.
111 Your testimonies have I claimed as my heritage for ever, *
and why? They are the very joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes always, *
even unto the end.
 Iniquos odio habui 
Samekh

113 I hate those who are double-minded, *
but your law do I love.
114 You are my defense and shield, *
and my trust is in your word.
115 Away from me, you wicked. *
I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Establish me according to your word, that I may live, *
and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe; *
indeed, my delight shall be ever in your statutes.

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118 You have trodden down all those who depart from
  your statutes, *
for they only imagine deceit.
119 You put away all the ungodly of the earth like dross; *
therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, *
and I am afraid of your judgments.

Feci judicium 
Ayin

121 I have done that which is lawful and right; *
O give me not over to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for your servant’s good; *
O let not the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes have wasted away with looking for your salvation, *
and for the word of your righteousness.
124 O deal with your servant according to your loving mercy, *
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; O grant me understanding, *
that I may know your testimonies.
126 It is time for you, O Lord, to act, *
for they have broken your law.
127 For I love your commandments above all things, *
more than gold and precious stones.
128 Therefore I hold all your commandments to be right, *
and all false ways I utterly abhor.

Mirabilia 
Pe

129 Your testimonies are wonderful; *
therefore does my soul keep them.
130 When your word goes forth it gives light *
and understanding to the simple.
   437

131 I opened my mouth, and drew in my breath, *
for my delight was in your commandments.
132 O look upon me, and be merciful unto me, *
as you always do for those who love your Name.
133 Order my steps according to your word, *
and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me.
134 O deliver me from those who deal wrongfully, *
and so shall I keep your commandments.
135 Show the light of your countenance upon your servant, *
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes gush out water *
because of those who do not keep your law.

Justus es, Domine 
Sadhe

137 Righteous are you, O Lord, *
and true are your judgments.
138 The testimonies that you have commanded *
are exceedingly righteous and true.
139 My zeal has even consumed me, *
because my enemies have forgotten your words.
140 Your word is tested to the uttermost, *
and therefore your servant loves it.
141 I am small, and of no reputation, *
yet I do not forget your commandments.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, *
and your law is the truth.
143 Trouble and heaviness have taken hold of me, *
yet my delight is in your commandments.
144 The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting; *
O grant me understanding, and I shall live.

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day 26 : e v ening pray er
Clamavi in toto corde meo 
Qoph

145 I call with my whole heart. *
Hear me, O Lord; I will keep your statutes.
146 Even unto you do I call; *
help me, and I shall keep your testimonies.
147 Early in the morning do I cry unto you, *
for in your word is my trust.
148 My eyes open before the night watches, *
that I may meditate on your words.
149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness; *
give me life according to your judgments.
150 They draw nigh who in malice persecute me, *
and are far from your law.
151 Be near at hand, O Lord, *
for all your commandments are true.
152 Concerning your testimonies, I have known long ago *
that you have founded them for ever.

Vide humilitatem 
Resh

153 O consider my adversity and deliver me, *
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and deliver me; *
give me life according to your word.
155 Salvation is far from the ungodly, *
for they do not regard your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; *
give me life according to your judgments.
157 Many there are who trouble me and persecute me, *
yet I do not swerve from your testimonies.
   439

158 It grieves me when I see the transgressors, *
because they do not keep your law.
159 Consider, O Lord, how I love your commandments; *
O give me life according to your loving-kindness.
160 Your word is true from everlasting; *
all the judgments of your righteousness endure 
for evermore. Principes persecuti sunt 
Shin

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, *
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162 I am as glad of your word *
as one who finds great spoils.
163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *
but your law do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise you, *
because of your righteous judgments.
165 Great is the peace they have who love your law *
and find in it no stumbling block.
166 Lord, I have looked for your saving health *
and have done your commandments.
167 My soul has kept your testimonies, *
and I have loved them exceedingly.
168 I have kept your commandments and testimonies, *
for all my ways are before you.

Appropinquet deprecatio 
Taw

169 Let my complaint come before you, O Lord; *
give me understanding, according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you; *
deliver me, according to your word.
171 My lips shall pour forth your praise, *
when you have taught me your statutes.

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172 Surely my tongue shall sing of your word, *
for all your commandments are righteous.
173 Let your hand be strong to help me, *
for I have chosen your commandments.
174 I have longed for your saving health, O Lord, *
and in your law is my delight.
175 O let my soul live, and it shall praise you; *
and let your judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; *
O seek your servant, for I do not forget 
your commandments.