(Jump to Psalm: Psalms 1-25 Psalms 26-50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 Psalms 76-100 Psalms 101-125 Psalms 125-150 )

51

1 Have mercy on me O God in your ′ great ′ kindness:
in the fulness of your mercy ′ blot out ′ my of′fences.
2 Wash away ′ all my ′ guilt:
and ′ cleanse me ′ from my ′ sin.
3 For I ac′knowledge · my ′ faults:
and my ′ sin is ′ always · be ′fore me.
4 Against you only have I sinned‿
and done evil ′ in your ′ sight:
so that you are justified in your sentence,
and ′ blameless ′ in your ′ judging.
5 Evil have I been ′ from my ′ birth:
sinner I am from the ′ time of ′ my con ′ception.
6 But you desire truth in our ′ inward ′ being:
therefore teach me wisdom ′ in my ′ secret ′ heart.
7 Take hyssop,
sprinkle me with water and I ′ shall be ′ clean:
wash me, and I ′ shall be ′ whiter · than ′ snow.
8 Let me hear the sounds of ′ joy and ′ gladness:
that the bones you have ′ broken ′ may re ′joice.
9 Turn away your face ′ from my ′ sins:
and ′ blot out ′ all my · mis ′deeds.
10 Create in me a clean ′ heart O ′ God:
and re ′new a · right ′ spirit · with′in me.
11 Do not cast me away ′ from your ′ presence:
do not take your ′ holy ′ spirit ′ from me.
12 Give me the joy of your ′ help a′gain:
and strengthen me ′ with a ′ willing ′ spirit.
13† Then I will teach trans′gressors · your ′ ways:
and sinners will ′ turn to ′ you a′gain.
14 Rescue me from bloodshed O ′ God my ′ saviour:
and my tongue shall ′ sing of ′ your de′liverance.
15 O Lord ′ open · my ′ lips:
and my ′ mouth · shall pro′claim your ′ praise.
16 You desire no sacrifice, or ′ I would ′ give it:
but you take no de′light in ′ burnt-′offerings.
17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a ′ broken ′spirit:
a broken and contrite heart O God ′ you will ′ not de′spise.
18 Let it be your pleasure to do ′ good to · Je′rusalem:
to re′build the ′ walls · of the ′ city.
19 Then will you delight in the appointed sacrifices,
in burnt-offerings ′ and ob′lations:
then will they offer young ′ bulls up′on your ′ altar.

52Day 10 Evening

1 Why O mighty one do you ′ boast · of your ′ wickedness?:
always bent on harming ′ those ′ faithful · to ′ God.
2 Your tongue is like a ′ sharpened ′ razor:
you contriver ′ of de′ceit and ′ slander.
3 You love evil ′ rather · than ′ good:
lying ′ rather · than ′ speaking · the ′ truth.
4 You love all words that ′ may do ′ hurt:
O lying ′ tongue ′ that you ′ are.
5 Therefore God will de′stroy you · for ′ ever:
God will pluck you from your tent,
and uproot you ′ from the ′ land · of the ′ living.
6 The righteous will look ′ on with ′ awe:
and ′ then · will they ′ laugh and ′ say,
7† ‘Here is one who would not look to ′ God for ′ strength:
but trusted in great wealth,
and ′ in · the se′curity · of ′ riches.’
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the ′ house of ′ God:
I trust in the goodness of ′ God for ′ ever · and ′ ever.
9 I will always give you thanks, for this was ′ your ′ doing:
I will proclaim that your name is good,
in the ′ presence ′ of the ′ faithful.

53

1 The foolish have spoken ′ in their ′ heart:
and said, ′ ‘There is ′ no ′ God.’
2 All are corrupt, they do a′bomina·ble ′ things:
there is ′ no one · who ′ does · what is ′ good.
3 God looks down from heaven up′on us ′ all:
to see if any are ′ wise and ′ seek · after ′ God.
4 But they have all gone astray,
all alike have ′ been cor′rupted:
there is not one that does ′ good, ′ no not ′ one.
5 Have they no knowledge, all ′ those · who do ′ evil?:
they devour my people like so much bread,
and ′ do not ′ pray · to the ′ Lord.
6 There they are, in great terror;
terror such as ′ never · has ′ been:
for God will scatter the ′ bones ′ of the · un′godly.
7 They shall be ′ put to ′ shame:
because ′ God ′ has re′jected them.
8 O that deliverance for God’s people‿
would come forth ′ from Je′rusalem:
when God restores the fortunes of the people,
then shall Jacob re ′joice and ′ Israel · be ′ glad.

54

1 Save me O God by the ′ power · of your ′ name:
and ′ vindicate · me ′ by your ′ might.
2 Hear my ′ prayer O ′ God:
and ′ listen · to the ′ words of · my ′ mouth.
3 For insolent people have ′ risen · a′gainst me:
ruthless ones are seeking my life,
they ′ give no ′ thought to ′ God.
4 But see, ′ God · is my ′ helper:
it is the Lord ′ who up′holds my ′ life.
  * * *
6† The offering of a willing heart ′ I will ′ give you:
and praise your ′ name O ′ Lord · in your ′ faithfulness.
  * * *

55

PART ONE

1 Hear my ′ prayer O ′ God:
do not ′ hide your·self ′ from my ′ pleading.
2 Give heed to ′ me and ′ answer me:
for I am ′ anxious · and ′ greatly ′ troubled,
3 because my enemies shout,
and the wicked press ′ hard up ′on me:
they bring down trouble upon me,
and as′sail me ′ in their ′ fury.
4 My heart is dis′tressed with′in me:
and the terrors of ′ death have ′ fallen · up′on me.
5 Fear and ′ trembling · come ′ over me:
and ′ horror ′ over′whelms me.
6 And I said, ‘O that I had ′ wings · like a ′ dove:
for then I would fly a′way and ′ be at ′ rest.
7 ‘I would escape ′ far a′way:
and find a ′ refuge ′ in the ′ wilderness.
8 ‘I would hasten to ′ find a ′ shelter:
from the raging ′ wind ′ and the ′ storm.’
9 Frustrate their counsels O Lord,
and con′fuse their ′ speech:
for I have seen ′ violence · and ′ strife · in the ′ city.
10 Day and night they patrol a′long its ′ walls:
trouble and ′ mischief ′ are with′in it.
11† Wickedness is ′ at its ′ centre:
oppression and fraud ′ never ′ leave its ′ streets.

PART TWO

12 It was not an open enemy ′ who in′sulted me:
for then I ′ could have ′ borne the ′ taunts.
13 Nor was it a rival who made ′ boasts a′gainst me:
for then I might have ′ kept out ′ of the ′ way.
14 But it was you, one of my ′ own ′ kind:
my companion ′ and my ′ inti·mate ′ friend .
15 Pleasantly we con′versed to′gether:
and walked in the ′ house of ′ God as ′ friends.
  * * *
17 But I will call to ′ you O ′ God:
you O ′ Lord my ′ God will ′ save me.
18 Evening, morning, ′ and at ′ noon:
I cry out to you in my grief,
and ′ you will ′ hear my ′ cry.
19 You will deliver me in ′ safety · from ′ battle:
for ′ those · who be ′set me · are ′ many.
20 You O God will hear.
You, the eternal ′ judge will ′ humble them:
because they keep no law, and ′ have no ′ fear of ′ you.
21 The treacherous have raised their hand‿
against those who ′ were at ′ peace with them:
they have ′ broken · their ′ solemn ′ covenant.
22 The words of their mouth were softer than butter,
yet war was ′ in their ′ heart:
their words were smoother than oil,
but ′ they · were like ′ naked ′ swords.
23 Cast your burden on the Lord‿
and the ′ Lord · will sus′tain you:
the Lord will never al′low the ′ righteous · to ′ stumble.
24 But as for the treacherous ′ and the ′ bloodthirsty:
you O God will cast them ′ into · the ′ pit · of de′struction.
25† They shall not live out ′ half their ′ days:
but I will ′ put my ′ trust in ′ you.

56Day 11 Morning

1 Be merciful to me O God,
for my assailants are ′ treading · me ′ down:
they harass me ′ all the ′ day ′ long.
2 My enemies tread me down ′ all day ′ long:
for many are ′ those who ′ fight a′gainst me.
3 When I am afraid O ′ God most ′ high:
I will ′ put my ′ trust in ′ you.
4 In God whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not ′ be a′fraid:
for what can human ′ malice ′ do to ′ me?
5 All day long they dis′tort my ′ words:
all their ′ thoughts · are to ′ do me ′ evil.
6 They gather together and ′ lie in ′ ambush:
they track me down, and ′ seek to ′ take my ′ life.
7 Recompense them O God ′ for their ′ wickedness:
in your ′ anger ′ bring · down the ′ nations.
8 You have taken account of my wanderings,
you have stored up my ′ tears · in your ′ bottle:
are not these things ′ entered ′ in your ′ book?
9 My enemies shall turn back on the ′ day · that I ′ call:
this I know, for ′ God is ′ on my ′ side.
10 In God whose ′ word I ′ praise:
in the ′ Lord whose ′ word I ′ praise,
11† in God I trust, I shall ′ not · be a′fraid:
for what can human ′ malice ′ do to ′ me?
12 To you O God I must per′form my ′ vows:
to you I will ′ offer ′ my thanks′giving.
13 For you have saved me from death,
and kept my ′ feet from ′ stumbling:
so that I may walk‿
in your presence ′ in the ′ light · of the ′ living.

57

1 Be merciful to me O ′ God, be ′ merciful:
for ′ I have ′ made · you my ′ refuge.
2 In the shadow of your wings ′ I take ′ shelter:
until the storms of de′struction ′ pass ′ by.
3 I call to you O ′ God most ′ high:
for you ful′fil your ′ purpose ′ for me.
4 You will send from heaven and save me,
you will put to shame those‿
who would ′ trample · me ′ down:
you will send forth your ′ steadfast ′ love and ′ faithfulness.
5 For I lie down amongst lions greedy for ′ human ′ prey:
their teeth are spears and arrows,
and their ′ tongues are ′ sharpened ′ swords.
6 Be exalted O God a′bove the ′ heavens:
and let your glory be ′ over ′ all the ′ earth.
7 They set a net for my feet, and ′ I was brought ′ low:
they dug a pit in my path, but ′ fell · into ′it them′selves.
8 My heart is steadfast O God, my ′ heart is ′ steadfast:
I will ′ sing and ′ make ′ melody.
9 Awake my soul, awake ′ lute and ′ harp:
I myself ′ will a′waken · the ′ dawn.
10 I will give you thanks O Lord a′mong the ′ peoples:
I will sing your ′ praise a′mong the ′ nations.
11 For the greatness of your mercy reaches ′ to the ′ heavens:
and your ′ faithful·ness ′ up · to the ′ clouds.
12 Be exalted O God a′bove the ′ heavens:
and let your glory be ′ over ′ all the ′ earth.

59Day 11 Evening

1 Rescue me from my enemies ′ O my ′ God:
pro′tect me · from ′ those · who as ′sail me.
2 Deliver me from ′ those · who do ′ evil:
and ′ save me ′ from the ′ bloodthirsty.
3 See, they lie in ′ wait · for my ′ life:
cruel enemies are gathered against me‿
through no fault of mine,
nor for ′ any ′ wrong · I have ′ done.
4 They run and take position against me,
innocent ′ though I ′ am:
arise O Lord to help me, and ′ see it ′ for your′self.
  * * *
6 Each evening they come back ′ howling · like ′ dogs:
and ′ prowling · a′bout the ′ city.
7 They snarl contempt from their mouths,
and swords come ′ out · from their ′ lips:
but they say, ′‘Who is ′ there to ′ hear us?’
8 But you Lord will treat them ′ with de′rision:
you will laugh ′ all the ′ nations · to ′ scorn.
9 It is to you my strength ′ that I ′ turn:
because ′ you O ′ God · are my ′ refuge.
10† In your love you will ′ come to ′ meet me:
you will let me look in ′ triumph ′ on my ′ foes.
  * * *
14 Let people know that God ′ rules · over ′Jacob:
and to the ′ very ′ ends · of the ′ earth.
15 Each evening they come back ′ howling · like ′ dogs:
and ′ prowling · a′bout the ′ city.
16 They roam about ′ looking · for ′ food:
and growl if they ′ do not ′ get their ′ fill.
17 But I will sing of your power O Lord,
and each morning ac′claim your ′ love:
for you have been my stronghold,
and a refuge in the ′ day of ′ my dis′tress.
18† To you O my strength ′ I will ′ sing:
for you are my refuge, and my ′ God · of un′failing ′ love.

60

1 O God you have re′jected us · and ′ broken us:
you have been angry, re′store · us a′gain · to your ′ favour.
2 You have made the earth shudder, and ′ torn it ′ open:
heal its wounds, for ′ it is ′ falling · to ′ pieces.
3 You have made your people drink a ′ cup of ′ bitterness:
you have given us ′ wine that ′ makes us ′ stagger.
4 You have given a warning to ′ those who ′ fear you:
to make their escape ′ from the ′ power · of the ′ bow.
5† Save us by your right ′ hand and ′ answer us:
so that your be′lovèd · may ′ be de′livered.
6 You have spoken in your ′ holy ′ place:
‘I will go up and divide Shechem,
and measure ′ out the ′ valley · of ′ Succoth.
7 ‘Gilead and Ma′nasseh · are ′ mine:
Ephraim is my helmet, and ′ Judah ′ is my ′ sceptre.
8 ‘Moab is my wash-basin, to Edom I will ′ cast my ′ shoe:
over Philistia ′ I will ′ shout in ′ triumph.’
9 Who will bring me into the ′ forti·fied ′ city:
who will ′ lead me ′ into ′ Edom,
10† since you O God ′ have re′jected us:
and no longer go ′ out ′ with our ′ armies?
11 Grant us help a′gainst the ′ enemy:
for vain ′ is all ′ human ′ help.
12 With the help of our God we ′ shall do ′ valiantly:
for it is God ′ who will ′ tread down · our ′ foes.

61

1 Hear my ′cry O ′ Lord:
and ′ listen ′ to my ′ prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I ′ call to ′ you:
when my ′ heart is ′ faint with′in me.
3 Set me on a rock that is too high for ′ me to ′reach:
for you have been my refuge,
and a strong tower for ′ me a′gainst the ′ enemy.
4 Let me dwell in your ′ tent for ′ ever:
and find shelter under the ′ cover·ing ′ of your ′ wings.
5 For you Lord have ′ heard my ′ vows:
and granted the desire of ′ those · who re′vere your ′ name.
6 Give long life ′ to the ′ king:
may his years cover ′ many ′ gener′ations.
7 May he live in God’s ′ presence · for′ever:
your steadfast love and ′ faithfulness · be ′ his pro′tection.
8 So will I always sing praise ′ to your ′ name:
while I ′ daily · per′form my ′ vows.

62Day 12 Morning

1 My soul truly is still, and ′ waits for ′ God:
from ′ whom comes ′ my de′liverance.
2 In truth the Lord is my rock and ′ my sal′vation:
my tower of strength, ′ so · that I ′ stand un′shaken.
3 How long will all of you set upon ′ me and ′ batter me:
as though I were a tottering ′ wall · or a ′ leaning ′ fence?
4 Their purpose is to thrust me down ′ from my ′ eminence:
they delight in lies,
they bless with their lips‿
but ′ curse me ′ in their ′ hearts.
5 Yet be still my soul, and ′ wait for ′ God:
from whom ′ comes my ′ hope · of de ′liverance.
6 God only is my rock and ′ my sal′vation:
my tower of strength, ′ so that · I ′ stand un′shaken.
7 In God is my deliverance ′ and my ′ honour:
the rock of my strength ′ and my ′ place of ′ refuge.
8 Put your trust in God ′ always · you ′ people:
pour out your hearts before the ′ one who ′ is our ′ refuge.
9 For we mortals are only a puff of wind,
the great among us are ′ but il′lusion:
weighed in the balance they rise upward, ′
all · of them ′ lighter · than ′ air.
10 Put no trust in extortion, set no vain ′ hopes on ′ plunder:
if riches increase, do not ′ set your ′ heart up′on them.
11 Once God has spoken,
and twice I have ′ heard God ′ say:
‘Power be′longs to ′ God a′lone.’
12 Steadfast love O ′ Lord is ′ yours:
and you reward us all ac′cording ′ to our ′ deeds.

63

1 O God ′ you are · my ′ God:
and ′ earnest·ly ′ will I ′ seek you.
2 My soul thirsts for you, my body ′ yearns for ′ you:
like a land that is ′ dry and ′ thirsty · for ′ water.
3 With this longing I have come before you ′ in the ′ sanctuary:
that I may see your ′ power ′ and your ′ glory.
4 Your steadfast love is better than ′ life it′self:
therefore my ′ lips will ′ speak your ′ praise.
5 As long as I live ′ I will ′ bless you:
and lift up my ′ hands to ′ pray · in your ′ name.
6 I shall be satisfied as with a rich and ′ sumptu·ous ′ feast:
and my mouth shall ′ praise you · with ′ joyful ′ lips.
7 When I remember you up′on my ′ bed:
and think of you in the ′ watches ′ of the ′ night,
8 how you have ′ been my ′ helper:
how I am safe in the ′ shadow ′ of your ′ wings,
9† then my ′ soul ′ clings to you:
and ′ your right ′ hand up′holds me.
10 But those who seek to des′troy my ′ life:
shall go down to the ′ depths ′ of the ′ earth.
11 They shall be given over to the ′ power · of the ′ sword:
their bodies shall ′ be a ′ prey for ′ jackals.
12† But the king shall rejoice in God,
and all who swear by God ′ shall ex′ult:
for the mouths of ′ liars ′ shall be ′ stopped.

64

1 Hear my voice O God ′ in my ′ prayer:
preserve my ′ life from ′ fear · of the ′ enemy.
2 Hide me from those who con′spire a′gainst me:
from the ′ turbu·lent ′ throng · of the ′ wicked.
3 They sharpen their ′ tongues like ′ swords:
they aim ′ bitter ′ words like ′ arrows,
 
4 to shoot from ambush at ′ one · who is ′ blameless:
sudden the attack ′ and by ′ foes un′seen.
5 They hold fast to their ′ evil ′ purpose:
they conspire to lay their snares,
and they ′ say, ′ ‘Who will ′ see us?’
6 With skill and cunning they con′trive ′ mischief:
for the human heart and ′ mind are ′ very ′ deep.
7 But God will shoot at them with a ′ swift ′ arrow:
and ′ sudden·ly ′ strike them ′ down.
8 Their own tongue will be ′ their un′doing:
and all who see their ′ fate shall ′ flee ′ from them.
9 Then all shall fear, and say, ′ ‘This is ′ God’s work’:
and they shall ′ ponder · what ′ God has ′ done.
10 The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord,
and find their refuge in the ′ Most ′ High:
and all who are ′ true of ′ heart · shall be ′ glad.

65Day 12 Evening

1 You O God are to be ′ praised · in Je′rusalem:
to ′ you shall ′ vows · be per′formed.
2 You give ′ heed to ′ prayer:
to you all mortals shall come ′ to con′fess their ′ sins.
3† The burden of our ′ sins · is too ′ great for us:
but ′ you will ′ purge · them a′way.
 
4 Blessèd are the people you choose,
and bring to ′ dwell· in your ′ courts:
we shall be filled with the blessings‿
of your ′ house your ′ holy ′ temple.
5 With awesome deeds you answer‿
our prayers for deliverance, O ′ God our ′ saviour:
you that are the hope of all the ends of the earth, ′
and · of the ′ far-off ′seas.
6 By your strength you made ′ fast the ′ mountains:
and ′ gird your·self ′ round with ′power.
7 You still the raging of the seas,
and the ′ roar · of their ′ waves:
and the ′ tumult ′ of the ′ peoples.
8† The dwellers at the ends of the earth‿
are awed ′ by your ′ wonders:
you make the lands of sunrise and sunset‿
re′sound with ′ shouts of ′ joy.
 
9 You visit the ′ earth and ′ water it:
you ′ make it ′ very ′ fruitful.
10 The waters of heaven brim ′ over · their ′ channel:
providing us with grain,
for so you ′ have pre′pared the ′ land,
11 drenching its furrows, ′ levelling · its ′ ridges:
softening it with ′ showers · and ′ blessing · its ′ growth.
12 You crown the year ′ with your ′ goodness:
and your paths ′ over ′flow with ′ plenty.
13 The pastures of the wilderness a′bound with ′ grass:
and the ′ hills are ′ girded · with ′ joy.
14 The fields are ′ clothed with ′ sheep:
the valleys are decked with wheat,
so that they ′ shout for ′ joy and ′ sing.

66

1 Cry out with joy all ′ people · on ′ earth:
sing to the honour of God’s name,
make the ′ praise · of the ′ Lord ′ glorious.
2 Say to the Almighty, ‘How awesome ′ are your ′deeds:
seeing your great power,
your ′ ene·mies ′ cringe be′fore you.
3 ‘For all the ′ world shall ′ worship you:
sing to ′ you and ′ praise your ′ name.’
4 O come and see what the ′ Lord has ′ done:
what God has wrought in ′ terror · a′mong all ′ people.
5 The Lord turned the sea into dry land,
and they crossed the ′ river · on ′ foot:
therefore in ′ God let ′ us re′joice,
6 who rules with power for ever,
whose eyes keep ′ watch · on the ′ nations:
let not the re′bellious · lift ′ up their ′ heads.
7 Praise our ′ God all ′ peoples:
and let the ′ sound of ′ praise be ′ heard.
8 The Lord has preserved us a′mong the ′ living:
and ′ kept our ′ feet from ′ stumbling.
9 For you O ′ God have ′ tested us:
and refined us as ′ silver ′ is re′fined.
10 You led us ′ into · the ′ snare:
you laid a burden of ′ trouble · up′on our ′ backs.
11† You let enemies ride over our heads,
we went through ′ fire and ′ water:
but you have brought us out ′ into · a ′ place of ′ liberty.
 
12 I will come into your house with ′ burnt- ′offerings:
and I will ′ pay you ′ my ′ vows,
13 the vows which I made ′ with my ′ lips:
and swore with my mouth ′ when I ′ was in ′ trouble.
14 I will offer fat beasts in sacrifice,
with the smoke of ′ burning ′ rams:
I will prepare you an ′ offering · of ′ bulls and ′ goats.
15 Come then and listen, all you that ′ fear the ′ Lord:
and I will ′ tell you · what ′ God has ′ done for me.
16 I cried a′loud to ′ God:
high praise was ′ ready ′ on my ′ tongue.
17 If I had cherished evil ′ in my ′ heart:
the ′ Lord would ′ not have ′ heard me.
18 But truly ′ God has ′ heard me:
and has ′ given ′ heed · to my ′ prayer.
19 Blessèd are you O God,
for you have not re′jected · my ′ prayer:
nor withdrawn from ′ me your ′ steadfast ′ love.

67

1 Be gracious to us O ′ God and ′ bless us:
and make the light of your ′ face to ′ shine up′on us,
2 that your ways may be ′ known up·on ′ earth:
your saving ′ power · a′mong all ′ nations.
3 Let the peoples ′ praise you · O ′ God:
let ′ all the ′ peoples ′ praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad, and ′ sing for ′ joy:
for you judge the peoples righteously,
and ′ guide the ′ nations · on ′ earth.
5 Let the peoples ′ praise you · O ′ God:
let ′ all the ′ peoples ′ praise you.
6 The earth has ′ yielded · its ′ harvest:
and ′ you our ′ God will ′ bless us.
7† Your blessing O God ′ be up′on us:
and let all the ′ ends · of the ′ world re′vere you.

68Day 13 Morning

PART ONE

1 Arise O God and let your ′ enemies · be ′ scattered:
let those who ′ hate you ′ flee be′fore you.
2 As smoke vanishes before the wind,
and as wax ′ melts · in the ′ fire:
so let the wicked ′ perish · at the ′ presence · of ′ God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and ex′ult be·fore ′ God:
let them re′joice · with ex′ceeding ′ joy.
4 Sing praises to God’s ′ holy ′ name:
make a highway for the one who rides on the clouds,
whose name is the Lord, ′ in whose ′ presence · ex′ult.
5 Guardian of orphans and pro′tector · of ′ widows:
such are you O God ′ in your ′ holy ′ dwelling-place.
6 You give the lonely a home to live in,
and lead out the prisoners ′ into · pros′perity:
but the re′bellious · must ′ live · in the ′ wasteland.
 
7 O God when you went out at the ′ head · of your ′ people:
when you ′ marched a′cross the ′ wilderness,
8 the earth quaked, the heavens ′ poured down ′ rain:
before God the Lord of Sinai,
before ′ God the ′ Lord most ′ high.
9 You sent down a generous ′ rain O ′ God:
to refresh the wilting ′ land of ′ your pos′session.
10 There your people ′ found a ′ home:
which in your goodness you pro′vided ′ for the ′ poor.
11 The Lord ′ gave the ′ word:
and great was the company‿
of ′ those who ′ carried · the ′ news,
12 ‘Kings with their armies are in ′ headlong ′ flight:
the women at home ′ are di′viding · the ′ spoil.
13 ‘You lingered a′mong the ′ sheepfolds:
but Israel is like a dove, its wings covered with silver,
and its ′ feathers ′ shining · with ′ gold.’
14 When the Almighty ′ scattered ′ kings:
it was like snowflakes ′ falling · up′on Mount ′ Zalmon.
15 A mighty mountain is the ′ mountain · of ′ Bashan:
the mountain of Bashan is a ′ mountain · of ′ many ′ peaks.
16 O mountain of many peaks,
why do you look with envy‿
at the mountain where God has ′ chosen · to ′ dwell:
and where the ′ Lord will ′ live for ′ ever?
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
indeed ′ thousands up·on ′ thousands:
you O Lord have come from Sinai ′ into · your ′ holy ′ place.
18 You have gone up on high, leading ′ captives ′ with you:
and receiving tribute, even from among the rebellious,
that ′you might ′ dwell a′mong them.

PART TWO

19 Blessèd are you O Lord,
for you bear us daily ′ as your ′ burden:
you are the ′ God of ′ our de′liverance.
20 Our God is a ′ God · of sal′vation:
God is the Lord through whom ′ we es′cape from ′ death.
  * * *
24 Your procession O God has ′ come · into ′ view:
the procession of my God and king ‿ ′
as it ′ enters · the ′ sanctuary.
25 The singers walk in front, the ′ minstrels ′ follow:
with them the maidens‿ ′
playing · the ′ timbrels · and ′ singing,
26 ‘Give thanks to the Lord in the ′ great · congre′gation:
bless the Lord,
all you that ′ spring · from the ′ fountain · of ′ Israel.’
27 There in the lead is the little tribe of Benjamin,
there the company of the ′ princes · of ′ Judah:
the princes of Zebulun ′ and the ′ princes · of ′ Naphtali.
28 Summon your ′ strength O ′ God:
the strength in which‿
you performed for ′ us your ′ mighty ′ deeds.
29 For your temple ′s sake ′ at Je′rusalem:
summon ′ kings to ′ bring you ′ gifts.
30 Rebuke the wild ′ beast · of the ′ reeds:
that ′ herd of ′ bulls · with their ′ calves.
31 Trample under foot those who are ′ greedy · for ′ silver:
and scatter the people ′ whose de′light · is in ′ war.
32† Let tribute be brought ′ out from ′ Egypt:
and Ethiopia stretch ′ out her ′ hands to ′ God.
 
33 Sing to God you ′ kingdoms· of the ′ earth:
sing ′ praises ′ to the ′ Lord,
34 who rides on the heavens, the ′ ancient ′ heavens:
who speaks aloud ′ with a ′ mighty ′ voice.
35 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is ′ over · our ′ people:
and whose ′ strength is ′ in the ′ skies.
36 Terrible are you O God, as you come from your ′ holy ′ place:
you give power and strength to your people. ′
Blessèd ′ be ′ God.

69Day 13 Evening

PART ONE

1 Save ′ me O ′ God:
for the waters have ′ risen ′ up · to my ′ neck.
2 I am sinking into miry depths and ′ have no ′ foothold:
I have come into deep waters, ′
and the ′ flood en′gulfs me.
3 I am wearied with crying out, my ′ throat is ′parched:
my eyes grow dim with ′ watching · so ′ long · for my ′ God.
4 Those who hate me without reason‿
are more in number than the ′ hairs · of my ′ head:
mighty are those who ′ seek · to de′stroy me · with ′ lies.
5 They bid me give back things that I ′ never ′ took:
God you know how foolish I am,
and my faults ′ are not ′ hidden · from ′ you.
6 Let not those who hope in you‿
be put to shame through ′ me O ′ God:
let not those who seek you‿
be dismayed at ′ me, Lord ′ God of ′ hosts.
7 It is for you I have ′ suffered · re′proach:
and ′ shame has ′ covered· my ′ face.
8 I have become a stranger ′ to my ′ family:
an alien ′ to my ′ mother’s ′ children.
9 Zeal for your house ′ has con′sumed me:
and insults aimed at ′ you have ′ fallen · on ′ me.
10 When I afflicted my′self with ′ fasting:
that was turned ′ as a · re′proach a′gainst me.
11 I put on ′ sackcloth ′ also:
and I be′came a ′ by-word · a′mong them.
12 I am the talk of those who ′ sit · at the ′ gate:
and the ′ drunkards · make ′ songs a′bout me.

PART TWO

13 But Lord I make my ′ prayer · to ′ you:
accept me ′ now in ′ your great ′ love.
 
14 Answer ′ me O ′ God:
with ′ your un′failing ′ help.
15 Rescue me from the mire, do not ′ let me ′ sink:
let me be delivered ′ from the ′ muddy ′ depths.
16 Do not let the flood engulf me,
or the deep ′ swallow · me ′ up:
or the Abyss of death ′ close its ′ mouth up′on me.
17 Answer me Lord, for your ′ love is ′ good:
turn to me ′ in your ′ great com′passion.
18 Do not hide your face ′ from your ′ servant:
be swift to answer me, for ′ I am ′ in dis′tress.
19 Come near to me ′ and re′deem me:
O ′ ransom me · be′cause of · my ′ enemies.
20 You know my reproach, my shame and hu′mili′ation:
my enemies are ′ all ′ in your ′ sight.
21 Reproach has ′ broken· my ′ heart:
and my ′ sickness · is ′ past all ′ healing.
22 I looked for compassion, ′ but I · re′ceived none:
for someone to console me, ′ but I ′ found ′ no one.
23† They gave me ′ poison · for ′ food:
and in my thirst they ′ gave me ′ vinegar · to ′ drink.
  * * *

PART THREE

31 As for me, I am afflicted ′ and in ′ pain:
O God, lift me up ′ by your ′ saving ′ power.
32 I will praise your name ′ with a ′ song:
and ′ glori·fy ′ you with ′ thanksgiving.
33 And that will please you‿
more than the offering ′ of an ′ ox:
more than a ′ bull with ′ horns and ′ hoofs.
34 Consider this, you that are humble, ′ and be ′glad:
let your heart rejoice, ′ you that ′ seek · after ′ God.
35 For you O God ′ listen · to the ′ poor:
and do not despise your ′ servants ′ in cap′tivity.
36 Let the heavens and the ′ earth ′ praise you:
the ′ seas and ′ all that ′ moves in them.
37 For you will deliver Jerusalem,
and rebuild the ′ cities · of ′ Judah:
and your people shall ′ dwell there ′ and pos′sess it.
38 Your servants’ children ′ shall in′herit it:
and those who ′ love your ′ name shall ′ dwell in it.

70

1 O God be ′ pleased · to de′liver me:
make ′ haste O ′ Lord to ′ help me.
2 Let those who seek my life‿
be put to ′ shame · and con′fusion:
let those who desire my hurt‿
be turned ′ back and ′ brought · to dis′honour.
3 Let those who mock at my hu′mili′ation:
be ap′palled · at their ′ own dis′grace.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be ′ glad in ′you:
and let those who long for your saving help‿
say ′ always, ′ ‘God is ′ great.’
5 As for me I am ′ poor and ′ needy:
come ′ quickly · O ′ God · to my ′aid.
6 You are my helper and ′ my de′liverer:
O ′ Lord make ′ no de′lay.

71Day 14 Morning

1 In you O Lord I have ′ taken ′ refuge:
let me ′ never · be ′ put to ′ shame.
2 In your righteousness de′liver me · and ′ rescue me:
incline your ′ ear to ′ me and ′ save me.
3 Be to me a rock of refuge,
a fortress where I may ′ find ′ safety:
for you are my ′ rock ′ and my ′ stronghold.
4 Rescue me O my God, from the ′ hand · of the ′ wicked:
from the ′ grasp of · the un′righteous · and ′ cruel.
5 For you O Lord ′ are my ′ hope:
my trust has been in you ′ from the ′ time · of my ′ youth.
6 On you have I leaned since ′ I was ′ born:
it is you that brought me out of my mother's womb,
you are the ′ theme · of my ′ constant ′ praise.
7 I have become a warning ′ sign to ′ many:
but you are my ′ strength ′ and my ′ refuge.
8 My mouth shall be ′ filled · with your ′ praises:
I will sing of your ′ glory ′ all the · day ′ long.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of ′ old ′ age:
or forsake me ′ when my ′ strength is ′ failing,
10 when my enemies ′ speak a′gainst me:
and those who lie in wait for me‿
con′spire to ′gether · a′gainst me.
11† They are sure that ′ you · have for′saken me:
that they may pursue me and seize me,
for ′ there is ′ no one · to ′ save me.
12 O God, do not ′ stand off ′ from me:
my ′ God make ′ haste to ′ help me.
13 Let my accusers be put to ′ shame · and con′fusion:
let those who seek my hurt‿
be ′ covered · with ′ scorn · and dis′grace.
14 But as for me, I will wait in ′ hope con′tinually:
and I will ′ praise you ′ more and ′ more.
15 My mouth shall speak of your righteousness‿
and of your saving acts ′ all the · day ′ long:
for their ′ number · is be′yond my ′ telling.
16 I will begin with your mighty acts O ′ Lord my ′ God:
and speak of your ′ righteous·ness, ′ yours a′lone.
17 O God you have taught me ′ from my ′ childhood:
and to this day I pro′claim your ′ wondrous ′ deeds.
18 Do not forsake me now that I am old and ′ grey′headed:
till I have made known the strength of your arm‿
to the generations ′ that are ′ yet to ′ come.
19 Your righteousness O God reaches ′ to the ′ heavens:
great are the things you have done, ′
who O ′ God is ′ like you?
20 Many bitter troubles you have laid upon me,
yet you will ′ turn · and re′vive me:
and raise me up again ′ from the ′ depths · of the ′ earth.
21 Restore me to more than my ′ former ′ greatness:
O ′ turn to me · a′gain and ′ comfort me.
22 Then will I praise you on the lute‿
for your faithfulness ′ O my ′ God:
I will sing to you with the ′ harp, O ′ Lord most ′ high.
23 My lips will shout for ′ joy· when I ′ sing to you:
and my soul also ′ which you ′ have de′livered.
24† My tongue shall speak of your righteousness ′‿
all the · day ′ long:
for those who sought to harm me‿
shall be ′ put to ′ shame · and dis′grace.

72

1 Give the king your ′ justice · O ′ God:
and your righteousness ′ to a ′ king’s ′ son,
2 that he may judge your ′ people ′ rightly:
and up′hold the ′ poor with ′ justice.
3 Let the mountains bring forth peace ′ for the ′people:
and the ′ hills pros′perity · with ′ justice.
4 May the king defend the cause of the poor‿
a′mong the ′ people:
save the children of the ′‿
needy · and ′ crush · the op′pressor.
5 May he live as long as the ′ sun en′dures:
as long as the ′ moon from ′ age to ′ age.
6 May he come down like rain up′on the ′ grass:
like ′ showers · that ′ water · the ′ earth.
7 In his days may ′ righteous·ness ′ flourish:
and abundance of peace ′ till the ′ moon · is no ′ more.
8 May his rule extend from ′ sea to ′ sea:
and from the ′ River · to the ′ ends · of the ′ earth.
9 May the tribes of the desert bow ′ down be′fore him:
and his ′ ene·mies ′ lick the ′ dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the ′ isles pay ′ tribute:
the kings of Sheba and ′ Seba ′ bring their ′ gifts.
11† May all kings fall ′ prostrate · be′fore him:
and all ′ nations ′ render · him ′ service.
 
12 He shall deliver the needy ′ when they ′ cry:
and the ′ poor who ′ have no ′ helper.
13 He shall have pity on the ′ weak · and the ′ needy:
and ′ save the ′ lives · of the ′ poor.
14† He shall rescue them from op′pression · and ′ violence:
and their blood shall be ′ precious ′ in his ′ sight.
15 Long may the king live,
and receive gifts of ′ gold from ′ Sheba:
may prayer be made for him continually,
and may people ′ bless him ′ every ′ day.
16 Let there be abundance of wheat in the land,
growing thick ′ up · to the ′ hill-tops:
may its crops flourish like those of Lebanon,
and the sheaves be ′ numberless · as ′ blades of ′ grass.
17 May the king ′ live for ′ ever:
and his name en′dure as ′ long · as the ′ sun.
18 May all nations pray to be ′ blessed as ′ he is:
and all ′ peoples ′ call him ′ blessèd.
19 Blessèd are you O ′ Lord our ′ God:
for you a′lone do ′ marvel·lous ′ things.
20 Blessèd be your glorious ′ name for ′ ever:
let the whole earth be filled with your glory. ′
Amen. ′ A′men.

73Day 14 Evening

PART ONE

1 Truly God is ′ good · to the ′ upright:
to ′ those · who are ′ pure in ′ heart.
2 Nevertheless my feet had ′ almost ′ stumbled:
my ′ steps had ′ well-nigh ′ slipped.
3 For the boasting of the wicked ′ roused me · to ′ envy:
when I ′ saw how ′ greatly · they ′ prosper.
4 They ′ suffer · no ′ pain:
their ′ bodies · are ′ sound and ′ sleek.
5 They come to no misfortune as ′ others ′ do:
nor are they af′flicted · like ′ other ′ people.
6 So they wear their pride ′ like a ′ necklace:
and cover themselves with ′ vio·lence ′ as · with a ′ cloak.
7 Iniquity comes ′ forth · from with′in them:
and folly ′ over′flows · from their ′ hearts.
8 They scoff, they ′ speak ma′liciously:
indeed they speak of oppression ′ by the ′ Most ′ High.
9 Their slanders reach ′ up to ′ heaven:
while their tongues ply ′ to and ′ fro on ′ earth.
10 So the people ′ turn and ′ follow them:
and ′ find in ′ them no ′ fault.
11† They say, ′‘How can · God ′ know:
is there ′ knowledge ′in the · Most ′ High?’
12 So the ′ wicked ′ talk:
yet they prosper, and ′ still their ′ riches ′ grow.
13 So it was all in vain that I kept my ′ heart ′clean:
and ′ washed my ′ hands in ′ innocence.
14 All the day long have ′ I been ′ buffeted:
and ′ punished · a′new · every ′ morning.
15 If I had said, ‘I will go on ′ speaking · like ′ this’:
then I should have be′trayed the ′ children · of ′ God.
16 So I kept thinking how to ′ under·stand ′ this:
but I ′ found it · too ′ hard for ′ me,
17 till I went into the ′ sanctuary · of ′ God:
and then I perceived ′ what be′comes · of the ′ wicked.
18 Surely it is on slippery ground ′ that you ′ set them:
and make them ′ fall ′ headlong · to ′ ruin.
19 How suddenly they ′ come · to de′struction:
they are swept away, and ′ come · to a ′ fearful ′ end.
20† Like a dream when ′ one a′wakens:
so Lord you a′rise· to dis′miss them · as ′ phantoms.

PART TWO

21 When therefore I ′ was em′bittered:
and ′ envy ′ goaded · my ′ heart,
22 stupid was ′ I and ′ ignorant:
no ′ better · than a ′ beast in · your ′ sight.
23 Yet I am ′ always ′ with you:
for you hold me ′ by my ′ right ′ hand.
24 You guide me ′ with your ′ counsel:
and afterwards ′ will re′ceive me · with ′ glory.
25 Whom have I in ′ heaven · but ′ you?:
and having you, I desire ′ nothing ′ else up·on ′ earth.
26 My flesh and my ′ heart may ′ fail:
but God is the strength of my heart‿
and ′ my pos′session · for ′ ever.
27 Those who go far from you ′ Lord shall ′ perish:
and all who are ′ faithless ′ you will · de′stroy.
28 But for me it is good to draw ′ near to ′ God:
I have made you Lord God my refuge,
and I will ′ speak of ′ all · you have ′ done.

74

PART ONE

1 O God, why have you cast us ′ off for ′ ever:
why is your anger so hot‿
a′gainst the ′ sheep of · your ′ pasture?
2 Remember the assembly ′ of your ′ people:
whom you long ago ′ chose ′ for your ′ own.
3 Remember the tribe you redeemed‿
to be your ′ own pos′session:
and the hill ′ where you ′ made your ′ dwelling.
4 Draw near, and see how ′ all · is in ′ ruins:
how the enemy have ′‿
utterly · laid ′ waste your ′ sanctuary.
5 Your adversaries have made uproar in your ′ holy ′ place:
and set up their ′ standards · in ′ token · of ′ victory.
6 Like timber cutters hacking at a ′ thicket · of ′ trees:
they broke the carved ′‿
woodwork · with ′ axes · and ′ hammers.
7 They set ′ fire · to your ′ sanctuary:
defiled your dwelling-place, and ′ razed it ′ to the ′ ground.
8 They said in their hearts, ′ ‘Let us · de′stroy them’:
and they burned every ′ shrine of ′ God · in the ′ land.
9 We see no signs, we have no ′ prophet ′ now:
no one knows how ′ long these ′ things · shall con′tinue.
10 How long O God shall the ′ adver·sary ′ scoff:
will the enemy blas′pheme your ′ name for′ ever?
11† Why do you hold ′ back your ′ hand:
why do you keep your ′ right hand ′ in your ′ bosom?

PART TWO

12 Yet God ′ reigns · from of ′ old:
achieving ′ victory · up′on the ′ earth.
13 It was you that split the sea in two ′ by your ′ power:
and smashed the heads of the ′ monsters ′ in the ′ waters.
14 It was you that crushed the ′ heads · of Le′viathan:
and gave him for food to the ′ creatures ′ of the ′ deep.
15 It was you that opened channels for ′ springs and ′ torrents:
and ′ dried up · per′enni·al ′ rivers.
16 Yours is the day, and yours ′ also · the ′ night:
you ap′pointed · the ′ moon · and the ′ sun.
17 It was you that fixed the ′ bounds · of the ′ earth:
and ′ you made ′ summer · and ′ winter.
18 Remember O Lord the ′ taunts · of the ′ enemy:
see how an ungodly ′ people · re′viles your ′ name.
19 Do not hand over to wild beasts‿
the ′ soul · that con′fesses you:
do not forget your af′flicted ′ people · for′ ever.
20 Look upon the ′ world · you have ′ made:
see how full it is of darkness,
and how ′ violence · in′habits · the ′ earth.
21 Let not the oppressed be turned away ′ disap′pointed:
but let the poor and ′ needy ′ praise your ′ name.
22 Arise O God, and defend your ′ own ′ cause:
remember how the ungodly‿ ′
taunt you ′ all the · day ′ long.
23 Do not ignore the clamour ′ of your ′ foes:
or the uproar of your adversaries,
which ′ rises ′ up con′tinually.

75Day 15 Morning

1 To you O God ′ we give ′ thanks:
yes, to you O ′ Lord ′ we give ′ thanks.
2 We ′ call on · your ′ name:
and tell of ′ all your ′ marvel·lous ′ deeds.
3 ‘At the time of ′ my a′ppointing:
I will ′ judge the ′ world with ′ justice.
4 ‘The earth may shake, with ′ all who ′ dwell in it:
but it is ′ I · who keep ′ steady · its ′ pillars.
5 ‘To the boastful I say, ′ “Boast no ′ longer”:
and to the wicked, ′ “Do not ′ toss your ′ horns.
6 ‘ “Do not toss your ′ horns so ′ high:
or ′ speak with ′ stiff-necked ′ pride.” ’
7 For help comes neither from the east nor ′ from the ′ west:
neither from the ′ desert · nor ′ yet · from the ′ mountains.
8 But it is ′ God · who is ′ judge:
the Lord puts down one, and ′ raises ′ up an′other.
9 In the Lord’s hand is a cup of wine ′ foaming · and ′ spiced:
the Lord gives it to ′ each of ′ them to ′ drink.
10 All the wicked of the ′ earth shall ′ drink from it:
they shall ′ drain it ′ to the ′ dregs.
11 But I will re′joice for ′ ever:
I will sing ′ praises · to the ′ God of ′ Jacob.
12 ‘All the horns of the wicked ′ I will ′ break:
but the horns of the righteous ′ shall be ′ lifted ′ high.’

A New Zealand Prayer Book | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa

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