94

Deus ultionum

1  O Lord God to whom vengeance belongs, *
O God to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.
2  Arise, O Judge of the world, *
and reward the proud according to their deserving.
3  O Lord, how long shall the ungodly, *
how long shall the ungodly triumph?
4  How long shall all evildoers speak so disdainfully *
and make such proud boasting?
5  They smite down your people, O Lord, *
and trouble your heritage.
   393

6  They murder the widow and the stranger, *
and put the fatherless to death.
7  And yet they say, “The Lord shall not see, *
neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.”
8  Take heed, you unwise among the people; *
O you fools, when will you understand?
9  He who planted the ear, shall he not hear? *
Or he who made the eye, shall he not see?
10  Or he who nurtures the nations, *
he who teaches humanity knowledge, shall he not punish?
11  The Lord knows the thoughts of man, *
that they are but vain.
12  Blessed is the one whom you chasten, O Lord, *
and whom you teach your law,
13  That you may give him patience in time of adversity, *
until a pit is dug for the ungodly.
14  For the Lord will not fail his people, *
neither will he forsake his inheritance,
15  But righteousness shall return to the place of judgment, *
and all those who are true of heart shall follow it.
16  Who will rise up with me against the wicked, *
or who will take my part against the evildoers?
17  If the Lord had not helped me, *
my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence.
18  But when I said, “My foot has slipped,” *
your mercy, O Lord, held me up.
19  In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart, *
your comforts refreshed my soul.
20  Will you have anything to do with the council of wickedness, *
which turns evil into law?
21  They gather themselves together against the soul
  of the righteous *
and condemn the innocent to death.

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22  But the Lord is my refuge, *
and my God is the rock of my confidence.
23  He shall recompense them for their wickedness, and destroy
  them in their own malice; *
indeed, the Lord our God shall destroy them.

day 19 : mor ning pray er
95

Venite, exultemus

1  O come, let us sing unto the Lord; *
let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
3  For the Lord is a great God *
and a great King above all gods.
4  In his hand are all the depths of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
5  The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands prepared the dry land.
6  O come, let us worship and fall down, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7  For he is our God, *
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep 
of his hand.
8  Today, if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts *
as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation 
in the wilderness,
9  When your fathers tested me, *
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my works.
10  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said, *
“It is a people that err in their hearts, for they have not 
known my ways,”
   395

11  Of whom I swore in my wrath *
that they should not enter into my rest.

96

Cantate Domino

1  O sing unto the Lord a new song; *
sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2  Sing unto the Lord and praise his Name; *
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3  Declare his honor to the nations, *
and his wonders to all peoples.
4  For the Lord is great, and highly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5  As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6  Glory and majesty are before him; *
power and honor are in his sanctuary.
7  Ascribe unto the Lord, O you families of the peoples, *
ascribe unto the Lord worship and power.
8  Ascribe unto the Lord the honor due unto his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9  O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
10  Tell it out among the nations, “The Lord is King; *
it is he who has made the world so firm that it cannot 
be moved; he shall judge the peoples righteously.”
11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; *
let the sea make a noise, and all that is therein.
12  Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; *
then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord.

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13  For he comes, for he comes to judge the earth, *
and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples 
with his truth. 97

Dominus regnavit

1  The Lord is King; let the earth be glad. *
Indeed, let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2  Clouds and darkness are round about him; *
righteousness and judgment are the foundation 
of his throne.
3  There goes a fire before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
4  His lightnings gave light to the world; *
the earth saw it and was afraid.
5  The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6  The heavens have declared his righteousness, *
and all the people have seen his glory.
7  Confounded be all those who worship carved images,
  and who delight in false gods; *
worship him, all you gods.
8  Zion heard of it and rejoiced, *
and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of your 
judgments, O Lord.
9  For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
10  O you who love the Lord, see that you hate the thing
  which is evil; *
the Lord preserves the souls of his saints; he shall deliver
them from the hand of the ungodly.
11  A light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
   397

12  Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, *
and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

day 19 : e v ening pray er
98

Cantate Domino

1  O sing unto the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2  With his own right hand and with his holy arm, *
he has won for himself the victory.
3  The Lord declared his salvation; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight 
of the nations.
4  He has remembered his mercy and truth toward the house
  of Israel, *
and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation 
of our God.
5  Show yourselves joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
6  Praise the Lord with the harp; *
sing with the harp a psalm of thanksgiving.
7  With trumpets also and horns, *
O show yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King.
8  Let the sea make a noise, and all that is in it, *
the round world, and those who dwell therein.
9  Let the rivers clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful
  together before the Lord, *
for he has come to judge the earth.
10  With righteousness shall he judge the world, *
and the peoples with equity.

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 99

Dominus regnavit

1  The Lord is King; let the peoples tremble; *
he sits between the cherubim; let the earth shake.
2  The Lord is great in Zion *
and high above all peoples.
3  They shall give thanks unto his Name, which is great
  and wonderful; *
holy is he and mighty, a King who loves justice.
4  You have established equity; *
you have executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5  O magnify the Lord our God, *
and fall down before his footstool, for he is holy.
6  Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among
  those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he heard them.
7  He spoke to them out of the cloudy pillar, *
for they kept his testimonies and the law that he gave them.
8  You heard them, O Lord our God; *
you forgave them, O God, yet punished their evildoings.
9  O magnify the Lord our God, and worship him upon
  his holy hill, *
for the Lord our God is holy.

100

Jubilate Deo

1  O be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness, and come before
his presence with a song.
2  Be assured that the Lord, he is God; *
it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; 
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
   399

3  O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into
  his courts with praise; *
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
4  For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, *
and his truth endures from generation to generation.

101

Misericordiam et judicium

1  My song shall be of mercy and judgment; *
unto you, O Lord, will I sing.
2  O let me have understanding *
in the way of godliness.
3  When will you come to me? *
I will walk in my house with integrity of heart.
4  I will set no wicked thing before my eyes; * 
I hate the sins of unfaithfulness; no such thing shall cleave 
to me.
5  A crooked heart shall depart from me; *
I will not know a wicked person.
6  Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, *
him will I destroy.
7  Whoever has a proud look and an arrogant heart, *
I will not suffer him.
8  My eyes shall look with favor upon the faithful in the land, *
that they may dwell with me.
9  Whoever leads a godly life, *
he shall be my servant.
10  No deceitful person shall dwell in my house; *
the one who tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.
11  I shall soon destroy all the ungodly who are in the land, *
that I may root out all evildoers from the city of the Lord.

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day 20 : mor ning pray er
102

Domine, exaudi

1  Hear my prayer, O Lord, *
and let my cry come unto you.
2  Hide not your face from me in the time of my trouble; *
incline your ear to me when I call; O hear me, 
and very soon.
3  For my days are consumed like smoke, *
and my bones are burnt up as in a furnace.
4  My heart is smitten and withered like grass, *
so that I forget to eat my bread.
5  Because of the voice of my groaning, *
my bones will scarcely cleave to my flesh.
6  I have become like an owl in the wilderness *
and like a screech-owl among the ruins.
7  I am solitary, and lie sleepless because of my groaning; *
I am like a sparrow that sits alone upon the housetop.
8  My enemies revile me all day long, *
and those who are enraged against me conspire 
to do me hurt.
9  For I have eaten ashes as if they were bread *
and mingled my drink with weeping,
10  Because of your indignation and wrath, *
for you have taken me up and cast me down.
11  My days are gone like a shadow, *
and I am withered like grass.
12  But you, O Lord, shall endure for ever, *
and your remembrance throughout all generations.
13  You shall arise and have mercy upon Zion, *
for it is time for you to have mercy upon her; indeed, 
the time has come.
   401

14  For your servants love her very stones, *
and are moved to pity to see her in the dust.
15  The nations shall fear your Name, O Lord, *
and all the kings of the earth your majesty,
16  When the Lord shall build up Zion, *
and when his glory shall appear,
17  When he turns to the prayer of the destitute *
and despises not their plea.
18  This shall be written for those that come after, *
and a people that shall yet be born shall praise the Lord.
19  For he has looked down from his sanctuary; *
from the heavens the Lord has beheld the earth,
20  That he might hear the groanings of those
  who are in captivity, *
and deliver those who are condemned to die,
21  That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Zion, *
and his praises in Jerusalem;
22  When the peoples are gathered together, *
and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord.
23  He brought down my strength before my time, *
and shortened my days.
24  But I said, “O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days; *
for your years endure throughout all generations.”
25  You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, *
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26  They shall perish, but you shall endure; *
they all shall wear out, as does a garment;
27  And as a garment you shall change them, and they shall
  be changed; *
but you are the same, and your years shall not fail.
28  The children of your servants shall continue, *
and their seed shall stand fast in your sight.

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 103

Benedic, anima mea

1  Praise the Lord, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
2  Praise the Lord, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits:
3  Who forgives all your sin *
and heals all your infirmities,
4  Who saves your life from the pit *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness,
5  Who satisfies you with good things, *
renewing your youth like an eagle’s.
6  The Lord executes righteousness and judgment *
for all those who are oppressed with wrong.
7  He showed his ways to Moses, *
his works to the children of Israel.
8  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, *
long-suffering and of great goodness.
9  He will not always chide us, *
neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10  He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11  For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so great is his mercy also toward those who fear him.
12  As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he set our sins from us.
13  As a father pities his own children, *
so is the Lord merciful to those who fear him.
14  For he knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
15  The days of man are as grass; *
he flourishes as a flower of the field.
   403

16  For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17  But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures 
  for ever and ever upon those who fear him, *
and his righteousness upon children’s children,
18  Even upon those who keep his covenant *
and think upon his commandments to do them.
19  The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, *
and his kingdom rules over all.
20  O praise the Lord, you angels of his, you that excel
  in strength, *
you that fulfill his commandment, and hearken unto 
the voice of his words.
21  O praise the Lord, all you his hosts, *
you servants of his that do his pleasure.
22  O speak good of the Lord, all you works of his, in all places
  of his dominion; *
praise the Lord, O my soul.

day 20 : e v ening pray er
104

Benedic, anima mea

1  Praise the Lord, O my soul. *
O Lord my God, you have become exceedingly glorious;
you are clothed with majesty and honor.
2  You clothe yourself with light as with a garment, *
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.
3  You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters, *
and make the clouds your chariot, and walk upon the wings 
of the wind.
4  You make winds your messengers, *
and flames of fire your ministers.

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5  You laid the foundations of the earth, *
that it never should move at any time.
6  You cover it with the deep as with a garment; *
the waters stand above the hills.
7  At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
8  They went up as high as the hills, and down
  to the valleys beneath, *
even to the place you had appointed for them.
9  You have set bounds for them which they shall not pass; *
neither shall they again cover the earth.
10  You send the springs into the rivers, *
which run among the hills.
11  All beasts of the field drink thereof, *
and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12  Beside them shall the birds of the air have their habitation *
and sing among the branches.
13  You water the hills from above; *
the earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
14  You bring forth grass for the cattle, *
and plants for the service of mankind,
15  That they may bring food out of the earth, and wine
  that makes glad the heart, *
and oil to make a cheerful countenance, and bread 
to strengthen the heart. 
16  The trees of the Lord also are full of sap, *
even the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,
17  Wherein the birds make their nests, *
and the fir trees are a dwelling for the stork.
18  The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats, *
and so are the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.
19  You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows its going down.
   405

20  You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest move.
21  The lions, roaring after their prey, *
seek their meat from God.
22  The sun arises, and they go away together, *
and lay themselves down in their dens.
23  Man goes forth to his work, *
and to his labor until the evening.
24  O Lord, how manifold are your works; *
in wisdom you made them all; the earth is full 
of your creatures.
25  So is the great and wide sea also, *
in which are things creeping innumerable, creatures 
both small and great.
26  There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
whom you made to take its pleasure therein.
27  These all wait upon you, *
that you may give them food in due season.
28  When you give it to them, they gather it, *
and when you open your hand, they are filled 
with good things.
29  When you hide your face, they are troubled; *
when you take away their breath, they die, and are turned 
again to their dust.
30  When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made, *
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
31  The glorious majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever; *
the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32  He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
if he even touches the hills, they shall smoke.
33  I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being,

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34  And so shall my words please him; *
my joy shall be in the Lord.
35  As for sinners, they shall perish from the earth, and the
  ungodly shall come to an end. *
Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord.

day 21 : mor ning pray er
105

Confitemini Domino

1  Give thanks unto the Lord and call upon his Name; *
tell the peoples what things he has done.
2  O let your songs be of him, and praise him, *
and let your speech be of all his wondrous works.
3  Rejoice in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4  Seek the Lord and his strength; *
seek his face evermore.
5  Remember the marvelous works that he has done, *
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth,
6  O seed of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.
7  He is the Lord our God; *
his judgments are in all the world.
8  He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
and the promise that he made to a thousand generations,
9  Even the covenant that he made with Abraham, *
and the oath that he swore to Isaac,
10  Which he appointed to Jacob for a law, *
and to Israel for an everlasting testament,
11  Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *
to be the portion of your inheritance.”
   407

12  When there were yet but a few of them, *
and they were strangers in the land,
13  And they wandered from nation to nation, *
and from one kingdom to another,
14  He allowed no one to do them wrong, *
but reproved even kings for their sakes:
15  “Do not touch my Anointed, *
and do my prophets no harm.”
16  Moreover, he called for a famine in the land *
and destroyed all the provision of bread.
17  But he had sent a man before them: *
Joseph, who was sold to be a bondservant,
18  Whose feet they hurt in the stocks; *
they put an iron collar around his neck.
19  Until the time came that his sayings were fulfilled, *
the word of the Lord tried him.
20  The king sent and delivered him; *
the ruler of the people let him go free.
21  He made him lord over his house, *
and ruler of all his possessions,
22  That he might instruct his princes according to his will *
and teach his elders wisdom.

23  Israel also came into Egypt, *
and Jacob was a stranger in the land of Ham.
24  And he increased his people exceedingly, *
and made them stronger than their enemies,
25  Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *
and dealt deceitfully with his servants.
26  Then he sent Moses his servant, *
and Aaron whom he had chosen,
27  And they worked his signs among them, *
and wonders in the land of Ham.

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28  He sent darkness, and it was dark; *
but they were not obedient to his word.
29  He turned their waters into blood *
and caused their fish to die.
30  Their land brought forth frogs, *
even in their kings’ chambers.
31  He spoke the word, and there came all manner of flies, *
and gnats in all their borders.
32  He gave them hailstones for rain, *
and flames of fire in their land.
33  He smote their vines also, and their fig trees, *
and destroyed the trees that were in their borders.
34  He spoke the word, and the grasshoppers came,
  and locusts innumerable, *
which ate up all the grass in their land and devoured 
the fruit of their ground.
35  He smote all the firstborn in their land, *
even the firstfruits of all their strength.
36  He brought forth Israel with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one who stumbled.
37  Egypt was glad at their departing, *
for they were afraid of them.
38  He spread out a cloud to be a covering, *
and fire to give light in the night season.
39  At their desire he brought quail, *
and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
40  He opened the rock, and the waters flowed out, *
so that rivers ran in the dry places.
41  For he remembered his holy promise *
and Abraham his servant.
42  And he brought forth his people with joy, *
and his chosen ones with gladness,
   409

43  And gave them the lands of the nations, *
and they took the labors of the peoples in possession,
44  That they might keep his statutes *
and observe his laws. Praise the Lord.

day 21 : e v ening pray er
106

Confitemini Domino

1  O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2  Who can express the mighty acts of the Lord, *
or show forth all his praise?
3  Blessed are those who act with justice, *
and who always do righteousness.
4  Remember me, O Lord, according to the favor that you show
  to your people; *
O visit me with your salvation,
5  That I may see the felicity of your chosen, *
and rejoice in the gladness of your people, and give thanks 
with your inheritance.
6  We have sinned like our fathers; *
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
7  Our fathers regarded not your wonders in Egypt, neither did
  they keep your great goodness in remembrance, *
but were disobedient at the sea, even at the Red Sea.
8  Nevertheless, he saved them for his Name’s sake, *
that he might make his power known.
9  He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up; *
so he led them through the deep as through a wilderness.
10  And he saved them from the adversary’s hand, *
and delivered them from the hand of the enemy.

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11  As for those who troubled them, the waters overwhelmed them; *
there was not one of them left.
12  Then they believed his words *
and sang praises unto him.
13  But soon they forgot his works *
and would not wait for his counsel.
14  A craving came upon them in the wilderness, *
and they tempted God in the desert.
15  So he gave them their desire, *
and sent leanness into their soul.
16  They were envious of Moses also 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  And fire was kindled in their company; *
the flame burnt up the ungodly.

19  They made a calf in Horeb *
and worshiped a molten image.
20  Thus they exchanged their glory *
for the image of a calf that feeds on hay.
21  And they forgot God their Savior, *
who had done great things in Egypt,
22  Wondrous works in the land of Ham, *
and fearful things by the Red Sea.
23  So he said he would have destroyed them, had not Moses
  his chosen stood before him in the gap *
to turn away his wrathful indignation, lest he should 
destroy them.
24  Then they scorned that pleasant land *
and gave no credence to his word,
25  But murmured in their tents *
and did not hearken to the voice of the Lord.
   411

26  Then he lifted up his hand against them *
to overthrow them in the wilderness,
27  To cast out their seed among the nations, *
and to scatter them in all the lands.
28  They joined themselves to Baal-Peor *
and ate the offerings to the dead.
29  Thus they provoked him to anger with their wanton deeds, *
and the plague broke out among them.
30  Then Phineas stood up and interceded, *
and so the plague was ended;
31  And that was counted to him as righteousness *
among all generations for evermore.
32  They angered him also at the waters of strife, *
so that he punished Moses for their misdeeds;
33  For they provoked him to anger, *
so that he spoke rashly with his lips.
34  Neither did they destroy the peoples *
as the Lord commanded them,
35  But intermingled among the nations *
and learned their heathen ways,
36  So that they worshiped their idols, which became a snare
  to them; *
they offered their sons and their daughters to demons,
37  And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons
  and of their daughters, *
whom they offered to the idols of Canaan; and the land 
was defiled with blood.
38  Thus were they defiled by their own works *
and went whoring with their own deeds.
39  Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against
  his people, *
and he abhorred his own inheritance,

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40  And he gave them over into the hands of the nations, *
and those who hated them were lords over them.
41  Their enemies oppressed them *
and held them in subjection.
42  Many a time did he deliver them, *
but they rebelled against him through their own devices, 
and were brought down in their wickedness.
43  Nevertheless, when he saw their adversity, *
when he heard their lamentation,
44  He remembered his covenant and pitied them, according
  to the multitude of his mercies; *
he made all those who led them away captive to pity them.
45  Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among
  the nations, *
that we may give thanks to your holy Name and make our 
boast of your praise.
46  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting
  and world without end, *
and let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the Lord.

day 22 : mor ning pray er
107

Confitemini Domino

1  O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2  Let those whom the Lord has redeemed give thanks, *
whom he has delivered from the hand of the enemy,
3  And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and
  from the west, *
from the north and from the south.
4  They went astray in the wilderness, even in the desert, *
and found no city to dwell in;
   413

5  They were hungry and thirsty, *
and their soul fainted within them.
6  Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
7  He led them forth by a straight path *
until they came to a city where they might dwell.
8  Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his    
  goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
9  For he satisfies the empty soul *
and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
10  Some sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death, *
being bound fast in misery and iron,
11  Because they rebelled against the words of God *
and lightly regarded the counsel of the Most High.
12  He also brought down their heart with heaviness; *
they fell down, and there was none to help them.
13  Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them out of their distress.
14  For he brought them out of darkness, and out of the shadow
  of death, *
and broke their bonds asunder.
15  Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his    
  goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
16  For he has broken the gates of brass *
and shattered the bars of iron asunder.
17  The foolish were plagued for their offense *
and because of their wickedness.
18  Their soul abhorred all manner of food, *
and they were even close to death’s door.

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19  So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, *
he delivered them out of their distress.
20  He sent his word and healed them, *
and they were saved from destruction.
21  Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his    
  goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
22  That they would offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of his works with gladness!

23  Those who go down to the sea in ships, *
who carry out their business in great waters,
24  They behold the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25  For at his word the stormy wind arises, *
which lifts up the waves.
26  They are carried up to heaven and down again to the deep; *
their soul melts away because of the trouble.
27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, *
and are at their wits’ end.
28  So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, *
he delivers them out of their distress.
29  For he makes the storm to cease, *
so that the waves are still.
30  Then they are glad, because they are at rest, *
and so he brings them into the haven where they desire to be.
31  Oh, that they would therefore praise the Lord for his    
  goodness *
and declare the wonders that he does for the children of men!
32  That they would exalt him also in the congregation
  of the people *
and praise him in the seat of the elders!
33  He turns rivers into a wilderness *
and water-springs into thirsty ground,
   415

34  A fruitful land he makes barren, *
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35  Again, he makes the wilderness into pools of water *
and dry ground into water-springs;
36  And there he sets the hungry *
that they may build a city to dwell in,
37  That they may sow their land and plant vineyards *
to yield the fruits of increase.
38  He blesses them, so that they multiply exceedingly, *
and does not allow their cattle to decrease.
39  And again, when they are diminished and brought low, *
through oppression, through any plague or trouble,
40  Though he pours contempt on princes *
and lets them wander in the pathless wilderness,
41  Yet he helps the poor out of misery *
and increases their households like a flock of sheep.
42  The righteous will consider this and rejoice, *
and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped.
43  Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *
and shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.

day 22 : e v ening pray er
108

Paratum cor meum

1  O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is firmly fixed; *
I will sing and give praise with the best that I have.
2  Awake, my soul; awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will awaken the dawn.
3  I will give thanks unto you, O Lord, among the peoples, *
and I will sing praises unto you among the nations,
4  For the greatness of your mercy reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.

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5  Exalt yourself, O God, above the heavens; *
let your glory be over all the earth.
6  That your beloved may be delivered, *
save me by your right hand, and answer me.
7  God has spoken in his holiness: *
“I will rejoice and divide Shechem, and parcel out the valley 
of Succoth.
8  Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; *
Ephraim also is the helmet for my head; Judah is my scepter.
9  Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast my shoe; *
over Philistia will I triumph.”
10  Who will lead me into the strong city, *
and who will bring me into Edom?
11  Have you not forsaken us, O God? *
And will you not, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12  O help us against the enemy, *
for vain is the help of man.
13  Through God we shall do great acts, *
for it is he who shall tread down our enemies.

109

Deus, laudem

1  Hold not your tongue, O God of my praise, *
for the mouth of the ungodly, the mouth of the deceitful 
is opened upon me.
2  They have spoken against me with false tongues; *
they encompassed me with words of hatred, and fought 
against me without a cause.
3  In return for the love that I had for them, they have become
  my adversaries; *
but I give myself to prayer.
   417

4  Thus have they rewarded me evil for good, *
and hatred for my love.
5  Set an ungodly man to be ruler over him, *
and let an accuser stand at his right hand.
6  When judgment is given, let him be condemned, *
and let sentence be passed on him for guilt.
7  Let his days be few, *
and let another take his office.
8  Let his children be fatherless *
and his wife a widow.
9  Let his children be vagabonds and beg their bread; *
let them be driven out, even from desolate places.
10  Let the creditor consume all that he has, *
and let strangers take his labor for spoil.
11  Let there be no one to pity him, *
nor to have compassion upon his fatherless children.
12  Let his posterity be destroyed, *
and in the next generation let his name be blotted out.
13  Let the wickedness of his fathers be held in remembrance
  in the sight of the Lord, *
and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
14  Let them be always before the Lord, *
that he may root out the memorial of them from the earth, 
15  Because he was not minded to do good, *
but persecuted to death the poor and needy, and those 
who were brokenhearted.
16  His delight was in cursing; let curses come upon him; *
he loved not blessing; therefore let it be far from him.
17  He clothed himself with cursing as with a garment, *
so let it soak into his body like water, and like oil 
into his bones.
18  Let it be to him as the cloak that he has on *
and as the belt that he always wears.

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19  Let this be the recompense from the Lord to my enemies, *
and to those who speak evil against my soul.
20  But deal with me, O Lord God, according to your Name; *
for sweet is your mercy. 
21  O deliver me, for I am helpless and poor, *
and my heart is wounded within me.
22  I disappear like the shadow that lengthens, *
and am shaken off like a grasshopper.
23  My knees are weak through fasting; *
my flesh is grown lean for want of nourishment.
24  I have become a reproach to them; *
when they look on me, they shake their heads.
25  Help me, O Lord my God; *
save me according to your mercy;
26  And they shall know that this is your hand, *
and that you, O Lord, have done it.
27  Though they curse, yet you bless; *
let them be confounded who rise up against me, 
but let your servant rejoice.
28  Let my adversaries be clothed with shame, *
and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace 
as with a cloak.
29  As for me, I will give great thanks unto the Lord
  with my mouth, *
and praise him among the multitude,
30  For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, *
to save their souls from the unrighteous judges.

day 23 : mor ning pray er
110

Dixit Dominus

1  The Lord said unto my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, *
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
   419

2  The Lord shall send the scepter of your power out of Zion: *
“Rule in the midst of your enemies.”
3  In the day of your power the people, in holy raiment,
  shall offer you freewill offerings; *
from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth 
belongs to you. 
4  The Lord has sworn and will not recant: *
“You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5  The Lord at your right hand *
shall smite kings in the day of his wrath.
6  He shall judge the nations; *
he shall fill the lands with dead bodies, and strike down 
heads over many countries.
7  He shall drink from the brook by the way; *
therefore shall he lift up his head.

111

Confitebor tibi

1  Praise the Lord. I will give thanks unto the Lord with my
  whole heart, *
in the company of the upright, and among the congregation.
2  The works of the Lord are great, *
sought out by all who have pleasure in them.
3  His work is worthy to be praised and held in honor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever.
4  He has made his marvelous works to be had in remembrance; *
The Lord is gracious and merciful.
5  He has given food to those who fear him; *
he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6  He has shown his people the power of his works, *
that he may give them the heritage of the nations.

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7  The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all his commandments are true.
8  They stand fast for ever and ever, *
and are done in truth and equity.
9  He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded
  his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name.
10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
a good understanding have all those who live accordingly; 
his praise endures for ever.

112

Beatus vir

1  Praise the Lord! Blessed is the one who fears the Lord, *
who has great delight in his commandments.
2  His seed shall be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3  Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house, *
and his righteousness shall endure for ever.
4  For the upright, there rises light in the darkness; *
he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5  It is good for him to be generous in lending *
and to guide his words with discretion.
6  For he shall never be moved, *
and the righteous shall be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7  He will not be afraid of any evil tidings, *
for his heart is steadfast and trusts in the Lord. 
8  His heart is established, and will not fear; *
at the last he shall see his desire upon his enemies.
9  He has given freely to the poor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever; his horn shall be 
exalted with honor.
   421

10  The ungodly shall see it, and shall be angry; *
he shall gnash his teeth, and waste away; the desire 
of the ungodly shall perish.

113

Laudate, pueri

1  Praise the Lord. Sing praises, you servants of the Lord; *
O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  Blessed be the Name of the Lord, *
from this time forth for evermore.
3  The Lord’s Name be praised *
from the rising up of the sun to the going down 
of the same.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like the Lord our God, who has his dwelling so high, *
and yet humbles himself to behold the things that are in 
heaven and earth?
6  He takes up the lowly out of the dust, *
and lifts the poor out of the ashes,
7  That he may set them with the princes, *
even with the princes of his people.
8  He gives the barren woman a home to dwell in, *
and makes her to be a joyful mother of children. 
Praise the Lord. 

day 23 : e v ening pray er
114

In exitu Israel

1  When Israel came out of Egypt, *
and the house of Jacob from among a people of a foreign 
tongue,

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2  Judah was God’s sanctuary, *
and Israel his dominion. 
3  The sea beheld it and fled; *
Jordan was driven back. 
4  The mountains skipped like rams, *
and the little hills like young sheep. 
5  What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? *
O Jordan, that you were driven back?
6  You mountains, that you skipped like rams, *
and you little hills like young sheep?
7  Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8  Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water, *
and the flint stone into a springing well.

115

Non nobis, Domine

1  Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto your Name
  give the praise, *
for your loving mercy and for your truth’s sake.
2  Why shall the nations say, *
“Where now is their God?”
3  As for our God, he is in heaven; *
he has done whatsoever pleased him.
4  Their idols are silver and gold, *
even the work of human hands.
5  They have mouths, but they speak not; *
eyes have they, but they see not.
6  They have ears, but they hear not; *
noses have they, but they smell not.
   423

7  They have hands, but they feel not; feet have they,
  but they walk not; *
neither is there any sound in their throat.
8  Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.
9  But you, O house of Israel, trust in the Lord; *
he is their helper and defender.
10  You house of Aaron, put your trust in the Lord; *
he is their helper and defender.
11  You who fear the Lord, put your trust in the Lord; *
he is their helper and defender.
12  The Lord has been mindful of us, and he shall bless us; *
he shall bless the house of Israel; he shall bless the house 
of Aaron;
13  He shall bless those who fear the Lord, *
both small and great together.
14  The Lord shall increase you more and more, *
you and your children after you.
15  You are the blessed of the Lord, *
who has made heaven and earth.
16  The heavens are the Lord’s; *
the earth has he given to the children of men.
17  The dead praise you not, O Lord, *
neither all those who go down into silence.
18  But we will praise the Lord, *
from this time forth for evermore. Praise the Lord.

day 24 : mor ning pray er
116

Dilexi, quoniam

1  I love the Lord, *
because he heard the voice of my prayer,

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2  Because he inclined his ear to me; *
therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3  The snares of death encompassed me, and the pains
  of the Grave laid hold of me; *
I suffered trouble and sorrow.
4  Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *
“O Lord, I beseech you, deliver my soul.”
5  Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *
indeed, our God is full of compassion.
6  The Lord preserves the simple; *
I was in misery, and he helped me.
7  Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *
for the Lord has rewarded you.
8  You have delivered my soul from death, *
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
9  I will walk before the Lord *
in the land of the living.
10  I believed, and therefore will I speak: “I am greatly troubled.” *
I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”
11  What shall I give unto the Lord *
for all the benefits that he has done unto me?
12  I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon the Name of the Lord.
13  I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the presence of all
  his people; *
dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
14  O Lord, I am your servant; *
I am your servant, and the child of your handmaid; you 
have broken my bonds asunder.
15  I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and will call upon the Name of the Lord.
   425

16  I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the sight of all
  his people, *
in the courts of the Lord’s house, even in the midst of you,
O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

117

Laudate Dominum

1  O praise the Lord, all you nations; *
praise him, all you peoples.
2  For great is his loving-kindness towards us, *
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.
Praise the Lord.
 118

Confitemini Domino

1  Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious; *
his mercy endures for ever.
2  Let Israel now confess that he is gracious, *
that his mercy endures for ever. 
3  Let the house of Aaron now confess *
that his mercy endures for ever. 
4  Indeed, let those who fear the Lord confess *
that his mercy endures for ever.
5  I called upon the Lord in trouble, *
and the Lord heard me and set me free.
6  The Lord is on my side; *
I will not fear what man can do to me.
7  The Lord takes my side with those who help me; *
therefore shall I look in triumph on my enemies.
8  It is better to trust in the Lord *
than to put any confidence in man.

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9  It is better to trust in the Lord *
than to put any confidence in princes.
10  All the nations encompass me, *
but in the Name of the Lord will I cut them off.
11  They hem me in on every side; indeed, they hem me in on    
  every side, *
but in the Name of the Lord will I cut them off.
12  They come about me like bees, and blaze like fire among 
  the thorns, *
but in the Name of the Lord will I cut them off.
13  I was thrust aside so that I almost fell, *
but the Lord was my help.
14  The Lord is my strength and my song, *
and has become my salvation.
15  The voice of joy and deliverance is in the dwellings
  of the righteous; *
the right hand of the Lord brings mighty things to pass.
16  The right hand of the Lord is exalted; *
the right hand of the Lord brings mighty things to pass. 
17  I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the Lord.
18  The Lord has chastened and corrected me, *
but he has not given me over to death.
19  Open unto me the gates of righteousness, *
that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord.
20  This is the gate of the Lord; *
the righteous shall enter into it.
21  I will thank you, for you have heard me, *
and have become my salvation.
22  The same stone which the builders refused *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23  This is the Lord’s doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
   427

24  This is the day that the Lord has made; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25  Help me now, O Lord; *
O Lord, send us now prosperity. 
26  Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
27  God is the Lord, who has shown us light; *
bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
28  You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
29  O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious; *
his mercy endures for ever.

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.

day 27 : mor ning pray er
120

Ad Dominum

1  When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord, *
and he hearkened to my calling.
2  Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips *
and from a deceitful tongue.
3  What reward shall be given or done unto you,
  O false tongue? *
Even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.
4  Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell in Meshech, *
and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar.
5  My soul has long dwelt among those *
who are enemies of peace.
6  I labor for peace, but when I speak to them of it, *
they make themselves ready for battle.
   441

121

Levavi oculos

1  I will lift up my eyes unto the hills; *
from whence comes my help?
2  My help comes from the Lord, *
who has made heaven and earth.
3  He will not let your foot be moved, *
and he who keeps you will not sleep.
4  Behold, he who keeps Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5  The Lord himself is your keeper; *
the Lord is your defense upon your right hand,
6  So that the sun shall not burn you by day, *
neither the moon by night.
7  The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *
indeed, it is he who shall keep your soul.
8  The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.

122

Lætatus sum

1  I was glad when they said unto me, *
“We will go into the house of the Lord.”
2  Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3  Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity in itself.
4  For there the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, *
as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks unto the Name 
of the Lord.

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5  For there is the throne of judgment, *
even the throne of the house of David.
6  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; *
they shall prosper that love you.
7  Peace be within your walls *
and plenteousness within your palaces.
8  For my brethren and companions’ sakes, *
I will wish you prosperity.
9  Indeed, because of the house of the Lord our God, *
I will seek to do you good.

123

Ad te levavi oculos meos

1  Unto you I lift up my eyes, *
you who are enthroned in the heavens.
2  Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand
  of their masters, *
and as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress, 
3  Even so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, *
until he show us his favor.
4  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, *
for we have suffered more than enough contempt.
5  Long has our soul suffered the scorn of the wealthy *
and the spitefulness of the proud.

124

Nisi quia Dominus

1  If the Lord himself had not been on our side, now may
  Israel say: *
if the Lord himself had not been on our side, when men
rose up against us,
   443

2  Then would they have swallowed us up alive, *
when they were so wrathfully displeased with us;
3  Then the waters would have drowned us, and the torrent
  gone over us; *
then the raging waters would have gone clean over us.
4  But praised be the Lord, *
who has not given us over to be prey for their teeth.
5  We escaped like a bird out of the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have been delivered.
6  Our help is in the Name of the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

125

Qui confidunt

1  Those who put their trust in the Lord shall be like
  Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2  The hills stand about Jerusalem *
even as the Lord stands round about his people, from this 
time forth for evermore.
3  For the scepter of the ungodly shall not rest upon the land
  allotted to the righteous, *
lest the righteous put forth their hand to do wickedness.
4  Do good, O Lord, unto those who are good, *
unto those who are good and true of heart.
5  As for those who turn aside to their own wicked ways,
  the Lord shall lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace shall be upon Israel.

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day 27 : e v ening pray er
126

In convertendo

1  When the Lord overturned the captivity of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
2  Then was our mouth filled with laughter *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3  Then they said among the nations, *
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
4  Indeed, the Lord has done great things for us already, *
whereof we rejoice.
5  Overturn our captivity, O Lord, *
as when streams refresh the deserts of the south.
6  Those who sow in tears *
shall reap with songs of joy.
7  He who goes on his way weeping and bears good seed *
shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring 
his sheaves with him.
 127

Nisi Dominus

1  Unless the Lord builds the house, *
their labor is in vain who build it.
2  Unless the Lord keeps the city, *
the watchman keeps vigil in vain.
3  It is in vain that you rise up early, and take rest so late,
  and eat the bread of toil, *
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
4  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, *
and the fruit of the womb is a gift that comes from him.

  445

5  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, *
so are the children of one’s youth.
6  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; *
he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with his enemies 
in the gate.
 128

Beati omnes

1  Blessed are all those who fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways.
2  For you shall eat of the labors of your hands; *
it shall be well with you, and happy you shall be.
3  Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine *
upon the walls of your house,
4  Your children like the olive branches *
round about your table.
5  Indeed, thus shall the man be blessed *
who fears the Lord.
6  May the Lord bless you out of Zion; *
may you see Jerusalem in prosperity all your life long.
7  May you see your children’s children, *
and may there be peace upon Israel.

129

Sæpe expugnaverunt

1  “Many a time have they fought against me from my youth on,”  *
may Israel now say;
2  “Indeed, many a time have they afflicted me from my youth on,   *
but they have not prevailed against me.
3  The plowers plowed upon my back, *
and made long furrows.

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4  But the righteous Lord *
has hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.”
5  Let them be ashamed and turned backward, *
as many as hate Zion.
6  Let them be as the grass growing upon the housetops, *
which withers before it grows up,
7  Which does not fill the hand of the reaper, *
neither the bosom of him who binds up the sheaves,
8  So that those who go by say not so much as, “The Lord
  prosper you. *
We bless you in the Name of the Lord.”

130

De profundis

1  Out of the deep have I called unto you, O Lord; *
Lord, hear my voice.
2  O let your ears consider well *
the voice of my supplications.
3  If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who could abide it?
4  For there is mercy with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
5  I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my trust.
6  My soul waits for the Lord, *
more than watchmen for the morning, more than 
watchmen for the morning. 
7  O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, *
and with him is plenteous redemption;
8  And he shall redeem Israel *
from all their sins.
   447

131

Domine, non est

1  O Lord, I am not haughty; *
I have no proud looks.
2  I do not occupy myself with great matters, *
or with things that are too high for me.
3  But I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child
  upon his mother’s breast; *
so is my soul quieted within me.
4  O Israel, trust in the Lord *
from this time forth for evermore.

day 28 : mor ning pray er
132

Memento, Domine

1  Lord, remember David, *
and all his tribulations,
2  How he swore unto the Lord, *
and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob:
3  “I will not come within the tabernacle of my house, *
nor climb up into my bed,
4  I will not allow my eyes to sleep, nor my eyelids to slumber, *
neither the temples of my head to take any rest,
5  Until I find a place for the temple of the Lord, *
a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.”
6  Lo, we heard of the ark at Ephrathah *
and found it in the wood.
7  We will go into his tabernacle, *
and fall low on our knees before his footstool.
8  Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place, *
you and the ark of your strength.

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9  Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, *
and let your saints sing with joy.
10  For your servant David’s sake, *
turn not away the presence of your Anointed.
11  The Lord has made a faithful oath unto David, *
and he shall not shrink from it:
12  “Of the fruit of your body *
shall I set upon your throne.
13  If your children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies
  that I shall teach them, *
their children also shall sit upon your throne for evermore.”
14  For the Lord has chosen Zion for himself; *
he has longed for her to be his habitation:
15  “This shall be my rest for ever; *
here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.
16  I will bless her provisions with increase, *
and will satisfy her poor with bread.
17  I will clothe her priests with salvation, *
and her saints shall rejoice and sing.
18  There shall I make the horn of David flourish; *
I have prepared a lantern for my Anointed.
19  As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame; *
but upon his head shall his crown flourish.”

133

Ecce, quam bonum!

1  Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is *
when brethren dwell together in unity.
2  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down
  upon the beard, *
even Aaron’s beard, and went down to the edges 
of his clothing,
   449

3  Like the dew of Hermon, *
which falls upon the hills of Zion.
4  For there the Lord promised his blessing, *
even life for evermore.
 134

Ecce nunc

1  Behold now, praise the Lord, *
all you servants of the Lord,
2  You that stand by night in the house of the Lord, *
even in the courts of the house of our God.
3  Lift up your hands in the sanctuary *
and sing praises unto the Lord.
4  The Lord who made heaven and earth *
give you blessing out of Zion.

135

Laudate Nomen

1  O praise the Lord. Praise the Name of the Lord; *
offer praise, you servants of the Lord,
2  You who stand in the house of the Lord, *
in the courts of the house of our God.
3  O praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; *
sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely.
4  For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself *
and Israel for his own possession.
5  For I know that the Lord is great, *
and that our Lord is above all gods.
6  Whatsoever the Lord pleases he does, in heaven
  and on earth, *
in the seas and in all the deep places.

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7  He brings forth clouds from the ends of the earth *
and sends forth lightning with the rain, bringing the wind 
out of his treasuries.
8  It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
both of man and beast.
9  He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O land
  of Egypt, *
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10  He smote many nations, *
and slew mighty kings:
11  Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og the king of Bashan, *
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12  And he gave their land to be an inheritance, *
an inheritance for Israel his people.
13  Your Name, O Lord, endures for ever; *
so does your renown, O Lord, from one generation
to another.
14  For the Lord will avenge his people *
and have compassion upon his servants.
15  As for the idols of the nations, they are but silver and gold, *
the work of human hands.
16  They have mouths, but they speak not; *
eyes have they, but they see not;
17  They have ears, and yet they hear not, *
neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18  Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.
19  Praise the Lord, O house of Israel; *
praise the Lord, O house of Aaron.
20  Praise the Lord, O house of Levi; *
you who fear the Lord, praise the Lord.
21  Praised be the Lord from Zion, *
who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
   451

day 28 : e v ening pray er
136

Confitemini

1  O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
2  O give thanks unto the God of all gods, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
3  O give thanks unto the Lord of all lords, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
4  Who alone does great wonders, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
5  Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
6  Who laid out the earth above the waters, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
7  Who made the great lights, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
8  The sun to rule the day, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
9  The moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
10  Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
11  And brought out Israel from among them, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
12  With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
13  Who divided the Red Sea in two parts, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
14  And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for his mercy endures for ever;

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15  But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them
  in the Red Sea, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
16  Who led his people through the wilderness, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
17  Who smote great kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
18  And slew mighty kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
19  Sihon king of the Amorites, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
20  And Og the king of Bashan, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
21  And gave away their land for an inheritance, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
22  Even for an inheritance for Israel his servant, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
23  Who remembered us when we were in trouble, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
24  And delivered us from our enemies, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
25  Who gives food to all flesh, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
26  O give thanks unto the God of heaven, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
27  O give thanks unto the Lord of lords *
for his mercy endures for ever.
   453

137

Super flumina

1  By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, *
when we remembered you, O Zion.
2  As for our harps, we hung them up *
upon the trees that are therein.
3  For those who led us away captive required of us a song
  and melody in our heaviness: *
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
4  How shall we sing the Lord’s song *
in the land of our captivity?
5  If I forget you, O Jerusalem, *
let my right hand forget its skill.
6  If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to the roof
  of my mouth, *
if I prefer not Jerusalem above my dearest joy.
7  Remember the children of Edom, O Lord,
  in the day of Jerusalem, *
how they said, “Down with it, down with it, 
even to the ground.”
8  O daughter of Babylon, wasted with misery, *
happy shall be the one who rewards you as you have  
done to us.
9  Blessed shall he be who takes your children *
and throws them against the stones.

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 138

Confitebor tibi

1  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *
even before the gods will I sing praises to you.
2  I will worship toward your holy temple and praise your Name,
  because of your loving-kindness and truth, *
for you have magnified your Name and your word 
above all things.
3  When I called upon you, you heard me *
and gave me increase of strength.
4  All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, *
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5  They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, *
that great is the glory of the Lord.
6  For though the Lord be high, yet he has respect for the lowly; *
as for the proud, he beholds them from afar.
7  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shall you
  refresh me; *
you shall stretch forth your hand upon the furiousness 
of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me.
8  The Lord shall make good his loving-kindness toward me; *
your mercy, O Lord, endures for ever; despise not
the works of your own hands.

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139

Domine, probasti

1  O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up; 
you understand my thoughts from afar.
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2  You examine my path and my places of rest, *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3  Indeed, there is not a word on my tongue, *
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4  You have enclosed me behind and before, *
and have laid your hand upon me.
5  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, *
so excellent I cannot attain to it.
6  Where shall I go then from your Spirit, *
or where shall I flee from your presence?
7  If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make my bed in the Grave, you are there also.
8  If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9  Even there shall your hand lead me, *
and your right hand shall hold me.
10  If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,” *
then shall my night be turned to day. 
11  Even the darkness is not dark to you, and the night is as clear
  as the day; *
the darkness and the light to you are both alike.
12  For you yourself made my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
13  I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and 
  wonderfully made; *
marvelous are your works, and my soul knows it very well.
14  My bones were not hidden from you *
when I was made in secret and fashioned in the depths 
of the earth.
15  Your eyes beheld my substance, while I was yet unformed; *
and in your book were all my members written,

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16  Which day by day were fashioned, *
when as yet there was none of them.
17  How dear to me are your thoughts, O God. *
How great is the sum of them!
18  If I were to count them, they would be more in number
  than the sand. *
When I wake up, I am present with you.
19  Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *
Depart from me, you bloodthirsty men.
20  For they speak unrighteously against you; *
your enemies take your Name in vain.
21  Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you, *
and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22  Indeed, I hate them with a perfect hatred; *
they have become my own enemies.
23  Search me, O God, and know my heart; *
try me and examine my thoughts.
24  Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me, *
and lead me in the way everlasting.

140

Eripe me, Domine

1  Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers, *
and preserve me from the violent,
2  Who imagine evil in their hearts *
and stir up strife all the day long.
3  They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; *
adders’ poison is under their lips.
4  Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly; *
preserve me from the violent, who have purposed 
to overthrow my steps.
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5  The proud have laid a snare for me and spread out a net
  with cords; *
they have set traps in my way.
6  I said unto the Lord, “You are my God; *
hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.”
7  O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, *
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8  Let not the ungodly have their desire, O Lord; *
let not their evil imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.
9  Let not those who encompass me lift up their heads; *
let the evil of their own lips consume them.
10  Let hot burning coals fall upon them; *
let them be cast into the fire and into the pit, that they 
may never rise up again.
11  A slanderer shall not prosper upon the earth; *
evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.
12  I am sure that the Lord will avenge the poor *
and maintain the cause of the helpless.
13  Surely, the righteous shall give thanks unto your Name, *
and the just shall continue in your sight.

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141

Domine, clamavi

1  Lord, I call upon you; hasten unto me, *
and hear my voice when I cry unto you.
2  Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
3  Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, *
and keep the door of my lips.

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4  O let not my heart be inclined to any evil thing; *
let me not be occupied in ungodly works with those 
who work wickedness, lest I eat of such things 
as please them.
5  Rather, let the righteous smite me, *
and in their loving-kindness reprove me.
6  But let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; *
while I live, I will pray against their wickedness.
7  Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places, *
that they may hear my words, for they are sweet.
8  Let their bones lie scattered at the mouth of the grave, *
as when the ploughman scatters the earth in furrows.
9  But my eyes look unto you, O Lord God; *
in you is my refuge; O do not cast out my soul.
10  Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, *
and from the traps of the evildoers.
11  Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together, *
and let me ever escape them.

142

Voce mea ad Dominum

1  I cried unto the Lord with my voice; *
even unto the Lord I made my supplication.
2  I poured out my complaints before him, *
and showed him my trouble.
3  When my spirit was in heaviness, you knew my path; *
in the way wherein I walked they had secretly laid 
a snare for me.
4  I looked also to my right hand *
and saw there was no one who would know me.
5  I had no place to flee to, *
and no one cared for my soul.
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6  I cried out to you, O Lord, and said, *
“You are my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living.”
7  Consider my complaint, *
for I am brought very low.
8  O deliver me from my persecutors, *
for they are too strong for me.
9  Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks unto
  your Name. *
When you show me your loving-kindness, then shall the 
righteous gather around me.

143

Domine, exaudi

1  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my supplications; *
hearken to me, for your truth and righteousness’ sake.
2  Enter not into judgment with your servant, *
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
3  For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has smitten my life
  down to the ground; *
he has laid me in the darkness, like those 
who have been long dead.
4  Therefore my spirit faints within me, *
and my heart within me is desolate.
5  Yet I remember the time past; I muse upon all your works; *
indeed, I meditate on the works of your hands.
6  I stretch forth my hands to you; *
my soul gasps for you as a thirsty land.
7  Hear me, O Lord, and very soon, for my spirit grows faint; *
hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go 
down into the pit.

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8  O let me hear your loving-kindness in the morning, for in you
  have I put my trust; *
show me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul 
unto you.
9  Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies, *
for I flee unto you to hide me.
10  Teach me to do the thing that pleases you, for you are my God; *
let your loving Spirit lead me forth into the land 
of righteousness.
11  Revive me, O Lord, for your Name’s sake; *
and for your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12  Of your goodness slay my enemies, *
and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I 
am your servant.

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144

Benedictus Dominus

1  Blessed be the Lord my strength, *
who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight,
2  My hope and my fortress, my stronghold and deliverer,
  my defender in whom I trust, *
who subdues the peoples under me.
3  O Lord, what is man, that you have shown such respect to him, *
or the son of man, that you so regard him?
4  Man is like a thing of nought; *
his time passes away like a shadow.
5  Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down; *
touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6  Cast forth your lightning and scatter them; *
shoot out your arrows and consume them.
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7  Send down your hand from above; *
deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, 
from the hand of strangers,
8  Whose mouth talks of vain things, *
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9  I will sing a new song unto you, O God, *
and sing praises unto you upon a ten-stringed lute.
10  You have given victory to kings, *
and have delivered David your servant from the peril 
of the sword.
11  Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strangers, *
whose mouth talks of vain things, and whose right hand 
is a right hand of falsehood;
12  That our sons may grow up as young plants, *
and that our daughters may be as the polished corners 
of the temple,
13  That our storehouses may be full and plenteous
  with all manner of grain, *
that our sheep may bring forth thousands 
and ten thousands in our fields,
14  That our oxen may be strong to labor, that there be no decay, *
no leading into captivity, and no outcry in our streets.
15  Happy are the people of whom this is so; *
indeed, blessed are the people who have the Lord
for their God.
 145

Exaltabo te, Deus

1  I will magnify you, O God my King, *
and I will praise your Name for ever and ever.
2  Every day will I give thanks to you, *
and praise your Name for ever and ever.

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3  Great is the Lord, and most worthy to be praised; *
there is no end of his greatness.
4  One generation shall praise your works to another, *
and shall declare your power.
5  As for me, I will be talking of the glorious splendor
  of your majesty, *
and of all your wondrous works.
6  They shall speak of the might of your marvelous acts, *
and I also will tell of your greatness.
7  The remembrance of your abundant goodness
  shall they proclaim, *
and they shall sing of your righteousness.
8  The Lord is gracious and merciful, *
long-suffering, and of great kindness.
9  The Lord is loving to everyone, *
and his mercy is over all his works.
10  All your works praise you, O Lord, *
and your faithful servants give thanks to you.
11  They speak of the glory of your kingdom *
and talk of your power,
12  That your power may be known to the children of men, *
even the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, *
and your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14  The Lord upholds all those who fall *
and lifts up all those who are bowed down.
15  The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
and you give them their food in due season.
16  You open wide your hand, *
and fill all things living with plenteousness.
17  The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
and merciful in all his works.
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18  The Lord is near to all those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.
19  He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him; *
he also will hear their cry and will help them.
20  The Lord preserves all those who love him, *
but he will destroy all the ungodly.
21  My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *
and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name 
for ever and ever.
 146

Lauda, anima mea

1  Praise the Lord, O my soul; *
while I live I will praise the Lord.
2  Indeed, as long as I have my being, *
I will sing praises unto my God.
3  Put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man, *
for there is no help in them.
4  For when one breathes his last, he shall return again
  to the earth, *
and in that day all his thoughts perish.
5  Blessed is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help *
and whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6  Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is therein; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
7  Who does right to those who suffer wrong; *
and who feeds the hungry.
8  The Lord sets prisoners free; *
the Lord gives sight to the blind.
9  The Lord helps those who have fallen; *
the Lord loves the righteous.

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10  The Lord cares for the strangers in the land; he defends
  the fatherless and widow; *
but the way of the ungodly he makes crooked.
11  The Lord shall be King for evermore, *
even your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. 
Praise the Lord.

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147

Laudate Dominum

1  Praise the Lord, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto
  our God; *
indeed, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.
2  The Lord builds up Jerusalem, *
and gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3  He heals those who are broken in heart, *
and binds up their wounds.
4  He counts the number of the stars, *
and calls them all by their names.
5  Great is our Lord, and great is his power; *
indeed, his wisdom is infinite.
6  The Lord lifts up the meek, *
and brings the ungodly down to the ground.
7  O sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; *
sing praises with the harp unto our God,
8  Who covers the heavens with clouds, and prepares rain
  for the earth, *
and makes the grass to grow upon the mountains, 
and plants for the use of men,
9  Who gives food to the cattle *
and feeds the young ravens that call upon him.
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10  He has no pleasure in the strength of a horse; *
neither does he delight in any man’s strength.
11  But the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him *
and put their trust in his mercy.
12  Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion.
13  For he has made strong the bars of your gates *
and has blessed your children within you.
14  He makes peace in your borders *
and fills you with the finest of wheat.
15  He sends forth his commandment upon the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
16  He gives snow like wool *
and scatters the white frost like ashes.
17  He casts forth his ice like crumbs; *
who is able to abide his frost?
18  He sends out his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
19  He declares his word unto Jacob, *
his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.
20  He has not dealt so with other nations; *
neither have they knowledge of his laws. Praise the Lord.

148

Laudate Dominum

1  Praise the Lord. O praise the Lord of heaven; *
praise him in the heights.
2  Praise him, all you angels of his; *
praise him, all his host.
3  Praise him, sun and moon; *
praise him, all you stars of light.

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4  Praise him, all you highest heavens, *
and you waters that are above the heavens.
5  Let them praise the Name of the Lord, *
for he spoke the word, and they were made; he commanded, 
and they were created.
6  He has made them stand fast for ever and ever; *
he has given them a law which shall not be broken.
7  Praise the Lord upon earth, *
you sea monsters and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and fog, *
wind and storm, fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills, *
fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle, *
creeping things and birds of the air;
11  Kings of the earth and all peoples, *
princes and all rulers of the world;
12  Young men and maidens, *
old men and children together.
13  Let them praise the Name of the Lord, *
for his Name only is excellent, and his praise 
above heaven and earth.
14  He shall exalt the horn of his people; all his faithful
  shall praise him, *
the children of Israel, the people who are near him. 
Praise the Lord.
 149

Cantate Domino

1  Praise the Lord. O sing unto the Lord a new song; *
let the congregation of the faithful praise him.
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2  Let Israel rejoice in the one who made him, *
and let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3  Let them praise his Name in the dance; *
let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp.
4  For the Lord has pleasure in his people *
and gives victory to those who are oppressed.
5  Let the faithful be joyful with glory; *
let them rejoice upon their beds.
6  Let the praises of God be in their mouth *
and a two-edged sword in their hands,
7  To inflict vengeance on the nations, *
and to rebuke the peoples,
8  To bind their kings in chains, *
and their nobles with links of iron,
9  That they may execute judgment upon them, as it is written; *
this is the honor of all his servants. Praise the Lord.

150

Laudate Dominum

1  Praise the Lord. Praise God in his holiness; *
praise him in the firmament of his power.
2  Praise him for his mighty acts; *
praise him for his excellent greatness.
3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet; *
praise him upon the lute and harp.
4  Praise him with the timbrels and dances; *
praise him upon the strings and pipe.
5  Praise him with the resounding cymbals; *
praise him with the loud cymbals.
6  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. *
O praise the Lord.