Psalm ciii. Benedic, anima mea. PRAISE the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy Name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities; Who sayeth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, making thee young and lusty as an eagle. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all them that are oppressed with wrong. He showed his ways unto Moses, his works unto the children of Israel. The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and of great goodness. He will not alway be chiding; neither keepeth he his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses. For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth; so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him! Look how wide also the east is from the west; so far hath he set our sins from us! Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children; even so is the LORD merciful unto them that fear him. For he knoweth whereof we are made; he remembereth that we are but dust. The days of man are but as grass; for he flourisheth as a flower of the field. For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the merciful goodness of the LORD endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him; and his righteousness upon children's children; Even upon such as keep his covenant, and think upon his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his seat in heaven, and his kingdom ruleth over all. O praise the LORD, ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength; ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his word. O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye servants of his that do his pleasure. O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion: praise thou the LORD, O my soul. Selection Second. From Psalm cxxxix. Domine, probasti. LORD, thou hast searched me out, and known me; thou knowest. my down-sitting, and mine up-rising; thou understandest my thoughts long before. Thou art about my path, and about my bed; and spiest out all my ways. For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, but thou, O LORD, knowest it altogether. Thou hast fashioned me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit? or whither shall I go then from thy presence? If I climb up into heaven, thou art there; if I go down to hell, thou art there also. If I take the wings of the morning, and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there also shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me; then shall my night be turned to day. Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as the day; the darkness and light to thee are both alike. For my reins are thine; thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks unto thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My bones are not hid from thee, though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book were all my members written; Which day by day were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God; O how great is the sum of them! If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand: when I wake up, I am present with thee. Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart; prove me, and examine my thoughts. Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me; and lead me in the way everlasting. I Psalm cxlv. Exaltabo te, Deus. WILL magnify thee, O God, my King; and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever. Every day will I give thanks unto thee; and praise thy Name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and marvellous worthy to be praised; there is no end of his greatness. One generation shall praise thy works unto another, and declare thy power. As for me, I will be talking of thy worship, thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works; So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous acts; and I will also tell of thy greatness. The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be showed; and men shall sing of thy righteous ness. The LORD is gracious and merciful; long-suffering, and of great goodness. The LORD is loving unto every man; and his mercy is over all his works. All thy works praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints give thanks unto thee. They show the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; That thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy kingdom, might be known unto men. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages. The LORD Upholdeth all such as fall, and lifteth up all those that are down. The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him ; yea, all such as call upon him faithfully. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will help them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him; but scattereth abroad all the ungodly. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever. H Selection Third. From Psalm li. Miserere mei, Deus. AVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. |