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76

1 In Judah you are ′ known O ′ God:
your ′ name is ′ great in ′ Israel.
2 Your tent is ′ pitched in ′ Salem:
and your dwelling is ′ on your ′ holy ′ hill.
3 There you broke the ′ flashing ′ arrows:
the shield, the ′ sword · and the ′ weapons · of ′ battle.
4 Glorious are ′ you O ′ Lord:
more majestic than the ′ ever′lasting ′ mountains.
5 The mighty ones have been despoiled,
they sleep their ′ last ′ sleep:
the strongest ′ cannot ′ lift a ′ hand.
6 At your rebuke O ′ God of ′ Jacob:
both ′ horse and ′ rider · fell ′ stunned.
7 Terrible are ′ you O ′ Lord:
who can stand in your ′ presence · when ′ you are ′ angry?
8 You gave ′ sentence · from ′ heaven:
the ′ earth in ′ terror · was ′ still,
9 when God a′rose to · give ′ judgment:
to save all that are op′pressed up′on ′ earth.
10 The fierceness of Edom shall ′ turn · to your ′ praise:
and the remnant of ′ Hamath · shall ′ keep your ′ festival.
11 Make your vows to the Lord your ′ God, and ′ keep them:
let all the surrounding nations bring gifts to the Lord,
as to the ′ one who ′ is · to be ′ feared,
12 who curbs the ′ spirit · of ′ princes:
and is the terror of the ′ rulers ′ of the ′ earth.

77

PART ONE

1 I cry a′loud to ′ God:
I cry aloud ′ to the ′ one · who will ′ hear me.
2 In the day of my distress I ′ sought the ′ Lord:
by night my hands were‿
spread out in prayer without ceasing,
my ′ soul re′fused all ′ comfort.
3 I remembered my God, ′ and I ′ groaned:
in my ′ thinking · my ′ spirit ′ fainted.
4 You kept my ′ eyelids · from ′ closing:
I was ′ dazed · and I ′ could not ′ speak.
5 I thought of the ′ days of ′ old:
I re′membered · the ′ years long ′ past.
6 At night I communed ′ with my ′ heart:
I pondered, ′ and I ′ questioned · my ′ spirit,
7 ‘Will you O Lord re′ject us · for ′ ever:
and ′ never · more ′ show us · your ′ favour?
8 ‘Has your unfailing love now ′ failed us · for ′ ever:
is your promise made ′ void for ′ all · gener′ations?
9 ‘Have you for′gotten · to be ′ gracious:
and in ′ anger · with′held · your com′passion?’
10 And I said, ‘This thought ′ causes · me ′ grief:
that the right hand of the Most ′‿
High has ′ lost its ′ strength.’

PART TWO

11 But then I remember what the ′ Lord has ′ done:
and call to ′ mind your ′ wonders · of ′ old.
12 I meditate on ′ all your ′ works:
and ′ ponder · the ′ things you have ′ done.
13 Your way O ′ God is ′ holy:
what god is so ′ great as ′ our ′ God?
14 You are the God ′ who does ′ wonders:
you have shown your ′ power · a′mong the ′ nations.
15 With your strong arm you de′livered · your ′ people:
the ′ offspring · of ′ Jacob · and ′ Joseph.
16 The waters saw you O God,
the waters saw you and ′ were a′fraid:
they ′ trembled ′ in their ′ depths.
17 The clouds poured out water, the ′ heavens ′ thundered:
and your ′ arrows ′ flashed a′broad.
18 The voice of your thunder was ′ heard · in the ′ whirlwind:
the ′ earth was ′ shaken · and ′ trembling.
19 Your path was in the sea,
and your way was through the ′ great ′ waters:
and your ′ footprints ′ were not ′ seen.
20 You led your ′ people · like ′ sheep:
by the ′ hand of ′ Moses · and ′ Aaron.

78Day 15 Evening

PART ONE

1 Give heed to my teaching ′ O my ′ people:
turn your ′ ears · to the ′ words of · my ′ mouth.
2 I will open my ′ mouth · in a ′ parable:
I will reveal the hidden′‿
meanings · of ′ things in the ′ past,
3 things we have ′ heard and ′ known:
and ′ such · as our ′ forbears · have ′ told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but declare to the ′ next · gener′ation:
your glories O Lord and your might,
and the ′ wonders · that ′ you have ′ done,
5 the testimony that you gave to Jacob,
and the law you ap′pointed · in′ Israel:
which you com′manded · them to ′ teach their ′ children,
6 that their posterity might know it, the children ′ yet un′born:
and these in turn should a′rise and ′ tell their ′ children,
7 that they should put their ′ trust in ′ you:
and not forget your great acts,
but ′ keep all ′ your com′mandments,
8 and not be like their ancestors,
a stubborn and re′belli·ous ′ race:
a generation fickle of heart,
whose spirit ′ was not ′ faithful to ′ you.
9 The sons of Ephraim ′ armed with the ′ bow:
turned ′ back · on the ′ day of ′ battle.
10 They did not ′ keep your ′ covenant:
and they would not live ac′cording ′ to your ′ law.
11 They forgot what ′ you had ′ done:
and the ′ wonderful ′ things · you had ′ shown them.
12 Marvellous things you did in the ′ sight of our ′ ancestors:
in the land of Egypt, ′ in the ′ plain of ′ Zoan.
13 You divided the sea and ′ let them · go ′ through:
and made the waters ′ stand up ′ like a ′ wall.
14 In the daytime you led them ′ with a ′ cloud:
and all the night ′ long · with a ′ beacon · of ′ fire.
15 You split ′ rocks · in the ′ wilderness:
and gave them drink in plenty, as ′ from the ′ great ′ deep.
16 You brought streams ′ out · of the ′ cliff:
and made ′ water · run ′ down like ′ rivers.

PART TWO

17 But for all this they sinned yet ′ more a′gainst you:
and provoked the Most ′ High ′ in the ′ desert.
18 They tried your ′ patience ′ wilfully:
demanding ′ food to ′ satisfy · their ′ craving.
19 They spoke a′gainst you · and ′ said:
‘Can God prepare a ′ table ′ in the ′ wilderness?
20 ‘God struck the rock indeed,
so that water gushed out and streams ′ over′flowed:
but can God also give bread,
or provide ′ meat · for the ′ people · to ′ eat?’
21 When you heard this O Lord, ′ you were ′ angry:
a fire was kindled against Jacob,
your ′ fury ′ rose a·gainst ′ Israel,
22 because they had no ′ faith in ′ you:
and would ′ not re′ly · on your ′ help.
23 Yet you commanded the ′ clouds a′bove:
and ′ opened · the ′ doors of ′ heaven.
24 You rained down manna for ′ them to ′ eat:
and ′ gave them · the ′ grain of ′ heaven.
25 So mortals ate the ′ bread of ′ angels:
you ′ sent them ′ food · in a′bundance.
26 You made the east wind ′ blow from ′ heaven:
and brought in the ′ south wind ′ through your ′ power.
27 You rained food upon them as ′ thick as ′ dust:
winged ′ birds · like the ′ sand · of the ′ sea.
28 You let it fall in the ′ midst · of the ′ camp:
all around the ′ tents · where they ′ dwelt.
29 So the people ate, and ′ had their ′ fill:
for you had ′ given · them ′ what they ′ craved.
30 But they had not satisfied their craving,
and the food was ′ still · in their ′ mouths:
when your ′ anger · rose ′ up a′gainst them.
31† You laid low the ′ strongest · a′mong them:
and struck down the ′ flower of ′ Israel′s ′ youth.

PART THREE

32 But for all this they ′ went on ′ sinning:
and despite your wonders ′ they did ′ not be′lieve.
33 So you made their days vanish ′ like a ′ breath:
and ′ ended · their ′ years in ca′lamity.
34 When you struck them down, ′ they would ′ seek you:
they would re′pent and ′ earnest·ly ′ look for you.
35 They would remember that ′ you · were their ′ rock:
and that God most ′ high was ′ their re′deemer.
36 But such words on their lips ′ were but ′ flattery:
and their ′ tongues were ′ speaking ′ lies.
37 For their heart was not ′ steadfast · to′wards you:
nor were they ′ faithful ′ to your ′ covenant.
38 But in your mercy you for′gave · their mis′deeds:
and ′ did not ′ utterly · de′stroy them.
39 Many a time you turned your ′ wrath a′way:
and did not let your anger ′ rise · to its ′ full ′ height.
40† For you remembered that they ′ were but ′ mortal:
like a wind that ′ passes · and ′ never re′turns.

PART FOUR

41 How often they rebelled against you ′ in the ′ wilderness:
and ′ grieved you ′ in the ′ desert.
42 Again and again they ′ put you · to the ′ test:
and pro′voked the ′ Lord most ′ high.
43 They did not keep in ′ mind your ′ power:
or the day when you ′ saved them ′ from the ′ enemy,
44 how you worked your ′ miracles · in ′ Egypt:
and your ′ wonders · in the ′ plain of ′ Zoan.
45 You turned their rivers ′ into ′ blood:
so that they ′ could not ′ drink · from their ′ streams.
46 You sent flies in swarms ′ to de′vour them:
and ′ frogs · to make ′ devas′tation.
47 You gave their ′ crops · to the ′ locust:
and the fruit of their ′ labour ′ to the ′ grasshopper.
48 You destroyed their ′ vines with ′ hail:
and their ′ syca·more ′ trees with ′ frost.
49 You gave up their ′ cattle · to the ′ plague:
and their ′ flocks · to a ′ burning ′ fever.
50 You loosed upon them the fierceness of your anger,
wrath, indig′nation · and ′ havoc:
these were the messengers ′ sent for ′ their de′struction.
51 You gave free course to your anger,
and did not ′ spare them · from ′ death:
but gave up their ′ lives ′ to the ′ plague,
52 and struck down the ′ first-born · of ′ Egypt:
the first-fruits of their‿
strength ′ in the ′ dwellings · of ′ Ham.
53 But your own people you led ′ out like ′ sheep:
and guided them in the ′ wilder·ness ′ like a ′ flock.
54 You brought them out safely,
and they were ′ not a′fraid:
but the sea ′ over′whelmed their ′ enemies.
55 So you brought them to your ′ holy ′ land:
to the mountain you had ′‿
won · by your ′ own right ′ hand.
56 You drove out the ′ nations · be′fore them:
you allotted their lands to Israel for a heritage,
and ′ settled · your ′ tribes · in their ′ tents.

PART FIVE

57 Still they tried your patience O God,
and rebelled against the ′ Most ′ High:
for they ′ did not ′ keep · your com′mandments.
58 They turned away, faithless ′ like their ′ forbears:
they started back,
like a ′ bow · when its ′ string is ′ loosed.
59 They grieved you ′ with their ′ hill-altars:
and provoked you to ′ anger ′ with their ′ idols.
60 when you heard this you were ′ filled with ′ fury:
and ′ utterly · re′jected ′ Israel,
61 so that you forsook your ′ dwelling-place · at ′ Shiloh:
the tent ′ where you ′ lived a′mong them.
62 You gave the ark of your power ′ into · cap′tivity:
your glory ′ into · the ′ hands · of the ′ enemy.
63 You delivered your ′ people · to the ′ sword:
and vented your ′ wrath on ′ your in′heritance.
64 The fire of war consumed their ′ young ′ men:
and for their ′ maidens · there ′ was no ′ marriage song.
65† Their priests ′ fell · by the ′ sword:
and their ′ widows · made ′ no · lamen′tation.
66 Then you awoke O Lord, as ′ one from ′ sleep:
as one who is strong ′ throws · off the ′ stupor · of ′ wine.
67 You struck down your enemies and ′ drove them ′ back:
and ′ put them · to per′petu·al ′shame.
68 You rejected the ′ tent of ′ Joseph:
you did not ′ choose the ′ tribe of ′ Ephraim.
69 But you chose the ′ tribe of ′ Judah:
and the ′ mountain ′ which you ′ loved.
70 There you built your temple, like the ′ heights of ′ heaven:
like the ′ earth · you had ′ founded · for ′ ever.
71 You chose ′ David · your ′ servant:
and ′ took him · a′way · from the ′ sheepfolds.
72 From following the′ sheep, you ′ brought him:
to be shepherd of Jacob your people,
and ′ Israel ′ your in′heritance.
73 He tended them with ′ upright ′ heart:
and ′ guided them · with ′ skilful ′ hands.

79Day 16 Morning

1 O God the heathen have come ′ into · your ′ land:
your holy temple they have defiled,
and made Je′rusalem · a ′ heap of ′ stones.
2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants‿
to be food for the ′ birds · of the ′ air:
and the flesh of your ′ people · to the ′ beasts of · the ′ land.
3 Their blood has been spilled like water all ′ round Je′rusalem:
and ′ there is ′ no one · to ′ bury them.
4 We have become the ′ taunt · of our ′ neighbours:
the scorn and de′rision · of ′ those a′round us.
5 How long O Lord?
Will you be ′ angry · for ′ ever:
will your jealous ′ wrath ′ burn like ′ fire?
6 Pour out your rage on the nations that ′ do not ′ know you:
and on the kingdoms that ′ do not ′ call · on your ′ name.
7 For they have de′voured ′ Jacob:
and ′ laid ′ waste his ′ homeland.
8 Do not remember against us the sins of our forbears,
let your compassion come ′ swiftly · to ′ meet us:
for we are ′ brought ′ very ′ low.
9 Help us O God our saviour,
for the ′ glory · of your ′ name:
deliver us,
and wipe out our ′ sins · for your ′ name′s ′ sake.
  * * *
11 Let the groans of the prisoners ′ come be′fore you:
and by your strong arm‿
set free ′ those con′demned to ′ die.
  * * *
13† So we your people, and the sheep of your pasture,
will give you ′ thanks for ′ ever:
we will recount your ′ praise to ′ all · gener′ations.

80

1 Hear O Shepherd of Israel,
you that led Joseph ′ like a ′ flock:
shine forth from your ′ throne up′on the ′ cherubim.
2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin ′ and Man′asseh:
stir up your ′ strength and ′ come · to our ′ rescue.
3† Restore us a′gain O ′ God:
show us the light of your ′ face and ′ we · shall be ′ saved.
4 O Lord ′ God of ′ hosts:
how long will you set your face‿
a′gainst your ′ people′s ′ prayer?
5 You have fed them with the ′ bread of ′ tears:
and given them ′ tears in ′ plenty · to ′ drink.
6 You make a mockery of us ′ to our ′ neighbours:
and our ′ enemies ′ laugh us · to ′ scorn.
7 Restore us again O ′ God of ′ hosts:
show us the light of your ′ face and ′ we · shall be ′ saved.
8 You brought a vine ′ out of ′ Egypt:
you drove out the ′ nations · and ′ planted · it ′ in.
9 You ′ cleared the ′ ground for it:
and when it had taken ′ root it ′ filled the ′ land.
10 The mountains were covered ′ with the ′ shade of it:
and its boughs were like ′ those of ′ mighty ′ cedars.
11 It stretched out its branches as ′ far · as the ′ Sea:
and its ′ shoots as ′ far · as the ′ River.
12 Why then have you broken ′ down its ′ fences:
so that all who go ′ by pluck ′ off its ′ grapes?
13 The boar out of the forest ′ roots it ′ up:
and the ′ beasts · of the ′ field de′vour it.
14 Turn to us again O ′ God of ′ hosts:
look ′ down from ′ heaven · and ′ see.
15 Bestow your care up′on this ′ vine:
upon its stock which ′ your right ′ hand has ′ planted.
16 As for those who burn it with fire, and ′ cut it ′ down:
let them perish ′ at the ′ frown · of your ′ face.
17 Let your hand rest upon the one at your ′ right ′ hand:
the one you have ′ made so ′ strong · for your ′ service.
18 Then we will ′ never · for′sake you:
O give us life, and we will ′ call up′on your ′ name.
19 Restore us again Lord ′ God of ′ hosts:
show us the light of your ′ face and ′ we · shall be ′ saved.

81

1 Sing out with joy to ′ God our ′ strength:
shout in ′ triumph · to the ′ God of ′ Jacob.
2 Raise a song and ′ sound the ′ hand-drum:
the ′ tuneful ′ harp · with the ′ lute.
3 Blow the trumpet in the ′ new ′ moon:
and at the ′ full moon ′ on our ′ festival.
4 For this was made a ′ statute · for ′ Israel:
and a ′ law · of the ′ God of ′ Jacob,
5† which was imposed as a ′ duty · on ′ Joseph:
when he came ′ out · of the ′ land of ′ Egypt.
6 ‘I eased your shoulders ′ from the ′ burden:
and your ′ hands were ′ freed · from the ′ load.
7 ‘You called to me in trouble ′ and I ′ saved you:
I answered you in the thunder-cloud,
but put you to the test ′ at the ′ waters · of ′ Meribah.
8 ‘Hear O my people, and ′ I · will ad′monish you:
O Israel, if ′ only ′ you would ′ listen.
9 ‘There shall be no strange ′ god a′mong you:
nor shall you ′ worship · an ′ alien ′ god.
10† ‘I am the Lord your God,
who brought you out of the ′ land of ′ Egypt:
open wide your ′ mouth and ′ I shall ′ fill it.
11 ‘But my people would not ′ hear my ′ voice:
and ′ Israel · would ′ not o′bey me.
12 ‘So I left them in their ′ stubbornness · of ′ heart:
to ′ follow their ′ own de′vices.
13 ‘O that my ′ people would ′ listen to me:
and that ′ Israel · would ′ walk · in my ′ ways.
14 ‘I would soon put ′ down their ′ enemies:
and turn my ′ hand a′gainst their ′ adversaries.
15 ‘Those who hate me would ′ cringe be′fore me:
and their ′ fate · would be ′ sealed for ′ ever.
16 ‘But Israel I would feed with the ′ finest ′ wheat-flour:
and satisfy them with ′ honey ′ from the ′ rock.’

82Day 16 Evening

1 God stands in the ′ council · of ′ heaven:
in the midst of the ′ gods the ′ Lord gives ′ judgment.
2 ‘How long will you ′ judge un′justly:
and favour the ′ cause ′ of the ′ wicked?
3 ‘Defend the ′ weak · and the ′ orphaned:
maintain the ′ cause of · the af′flicted · and ′ destitute.
4 ‘Rescue the ′ weak · and the ′ needy:
and save them ′ from the ′ hands · of the ′ wicked.
5 ‘You neither know nor understand,
but go a′bout in ′ darkness:
all the found′ations · of the ′ earth are ′ shaken.
6 ‘I say then to you, ′ Gods you ′ may be:
and all of you ′ offspring ′ of the · Most ′ High,
7 ‘“but you shall ′ die like ′ mortals:
and fall like ′ any ′ of the ′ princes.”’
8 Arise O God and ′ judge the ′ earth:
for you shall take all ′ nations · as ′ your pos′session.

84

1 How lovely ′ is your ′ dwelling-place:
Lord ′ God of ′ power and ′ might.
2 My soul has a desire and longing‿
to enter the ′ courts · of the ′ Lord:
my heart and my flesh re′joice · in the ′ living ′ God.
3 The sparrow finds for her′self a ′ house:
and the swallow a nest‿
where ′ she may ′ lay her ′ young.
4 Even so have the singers a ′ home · at your ′ altars:
they stand always praising you my ′ king ′ and my ′ God.
5 O Lord ′ God of ′ hosts:
blessèd are ′ those who ′ dwell in · your ′ house.
6 Blessèd are those whose ′ strength · is in ′ you:
who have ′ set their ′ hearts on ′ pilgrimage.
7 Going through the arid valley,
they find a spring from ′ which to ′ drink:
the early rain ′ covers it · with ′ pools of ′ water.
8 They go from ′ strength to ′ strength:
and appear every one before ′ God ′ in Je′rusalem.
 
9 O Lord God of hosts,′ hear my ′ prayer:
give ′ ear O ′ God of ′ Jacob.
10 Show favour O God to the ′ king · our de′fender:
and look upon the face of ′ your an′ointed ′ prince.
11 Truly one day ′ in your ′ courts:
is better ′ than a ′ thousand ′ elsewhere.
12 I would rather stand at the threshold‿
of the ′ house · of my ′ God:
than ′ live · in the ′ homes of · the ′ wicked.
13 For the Lord God is a defence and shield,
the Lord will give ′ grace and ′ honour:
and no good thing will be withheld‿
from those who ′ live a ′ blameless ′ life.
14 O Lord ′ God of ′ hosts:
blessèd are those who ′ put their ′ trust in ′ you.

85

1 Lord you were once gracious ′ to your ′ land
you re′stored the′ fortunes · of ′ Jacob.
2 You forgave the of′fence · of your ′ people:
and ′ covered ′ all their ′ sin.
3 You put away ′ all · your dis′pleasure:
and ′ turned · from your ′ bitter ′ wrath.
4 Restore us again O ′ God our ′ saviour:
and ′ let your ′ anger ′ cease from us.
5 Will you be displeased at ′ us for ′ ever:
will you prolong your wrath‿
from one gener′ation ′ to an′other?
6 Will you not re′vive us · a′gain:
so that your ′ people ′ may re′joice in you?
7† Show us your ′ mercy · O ′ Lord:
and ′ give us · your ′ saving ′ help.
 
8 Let me hear what you will ′ say O ′ Lord:
for you will speak peace to your people,
to your servants whose ′ hearts are ′ turned to ′ you.
9 For deliverance is at hand for ′ those who ′ fear you:
so that your ′ glory · may ′ dwell in our ′ land.
10 Mercy and faithfulness have ′ met to′gether:
justice and ′ peace · have em′braced each ′ other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up ′ from the ′ ground:
and righteousness will ′ look ′ down from ′ heaven.
12 You Lord will ′ give pros′perity:
and our ′ land shall ′ yield its ′ harvest.
13 Justice shall ′ go be′fore you:
and the path for your ′ feet ′ shall be ′ peace.

86Day 17 Morning

1 Turn your ear to me O ′ Lord and ′ answer me:
for I am ′ poor ′ and in ′ misery.
2 Preserve my life for ′ I am ′ faithful:
my God save your servant for I ′ put my ′ trust in ′ you.
3 Be merciful to ′ me O ′ Lord:
for I call to you ′ all the ′ day ′ long.
4 Gladden the ′ heart · of your ′ servant:
for to you Lord I ′ lift ′ up my ′ soul.
5 For you Lord are ′ good · and for′giving:
and of great mercy to ′ all who ′ call up′on you.
6 Give heed O Lord ′ to my ′ prayer:
and listen to my ′ cry of ′ suppli′cation.
7† In the day of my distress ′ I will ′ call:
and ′ surely ′ you will ′ answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like ′ you O ′ Lord:
nor can the deeds of ′ any · be com′pared with ′ yours.
9 All the nations you have made‿
shall come and bow ′ down be′fore you:
and they shall ′ glori′fy your ′ name.
10 For you are great, and do ′ marvel·lous ′ things:
truly ′ you a′lone are ′ God.
11 Show me your way O Lord,
that I may ′ walk in · your ′ truth:
let my heart rejoice in ′ rever·ence ′ for your ′ name.
12 I will praise you O Lord my God with ′ all my ′ heart:
and ′ glorify · your ′ name for ′ ever.
13 For great is your steadfast ′ love for ′ me:
you have delivered my ′ life · from the ′ pit of ′ death.
14 O God the proud have ′ risen · a′gainst me:
the ruthless seek my life, and ′ pay no ′ heed to ′ you.
15 But you are a God of com′passion · and ′ mercy:
slow to anger, a′bounding · in ′ love and ′ faithfulness.
16 Turn to me then and have mercy,
give your ′ strength · to your ′ servant:
and ′ save the ′ son of · your ′ handmaid.
17 Give me a sign of your favour,
that those who hate me may see it,
and be ′ put to ′ shame:
because you Lord have ′ been my ′ help · and my ′ comfort.

87

1 The Lord loves the city that is founded on the ′ holy ′ hill:
its gates are dearer to God‿
than ′ all the ′ dwellings · of ′ Jacob.
2 Glorious things are ′ spoken · of ′ you:
Zion, ′ city ′ of our ′ God.
3 ‘I the Lord will count ′ Egypt · and ′ Babylon:
as among ′ those who ′ are my ′ friends.
4 ‘The people of Philistia, Tyre and ′ Ethi′opia:
each ′ one was ′ born in ′ her.
5 ‘All shall call Je′rusa·lem, ′ Mother:
for each one of ′ them was ′ born in ′ her.’
6 The Most High will ′ keep her · se′cure:
when the roll of the peoples is written up,
the Lord shall record, ′ ‘Each · one was ′ born in ′ her.’
7† Singers and dancers a′like · shall pro′claim:
‘In ′ you all ′ find their ′ home.’

88

1 O Lord my God, I call for ′ help by ′ day:
and I cry ′ out to ′ you by ′ night.
2 Let my prayer enter ′ into · your ′ presence:
and ′ turn your ′ ear · to my ′ cry.
3 For my soul is ′ full of ′ trouble:
and my life is ′ on the ′ brink · of the ′ grave.
4 I am counted among those who go‿
down to the ′ pit of ′ death:
I am a ′ person · quite ′ drained of ′ strength,
5 like one forsaken among the dead,
like the slain in battle who ′ lie · in the ′ grave:
whom you remember no more,
cut off as they ′ are from ′ your ′ care.
6 You have put me in the ′ lowest · a′byss:
in a place of ′ darkness ′ in the ′ depths.
7 Your wrath lies ′ heavy · up′on me:
you over′whelm me · with ′ all your ′ waves.
8 You have taken away my friends,
and made me loathsome ′ in their ′ sight:
I am im′prisoned · and ′ cannot es′cape.
9 My eyes grow ′ dim with ′ sorrow:
Lord I have called to you every day,
and stretched ′ out my ′ hands in ′ prayer.
10 Do you work wonders ′ for the ′ dead:
will the ′ shades rise ′ up to ′ praise you?
11 Do they speak of your ′ love · in the ′ grave:
or of your faithfulness ′ in the ′ place · of de′struction?
12 Will your wonders be known ′ in the ′ darkness:
or your saving help ′ in the ′ land · of ob′livion?
13 Yet Lord I ′ cry to ′ you:
in the morning my ′ prayer ′ comes be′fore you.
14 Lord why do you ′ cast me ′ off:
why do you ′ hide your ′ face ′ from me?
15 From childhood I have suffered,
and come ′ near to ′ death:
helpless ′ I have ′ borne your ′ terrors.
16 Your fury has swept ′ down up′on me:
and your dread as′saults have ′ utter·ly ′ crushed me.
17 They surround me like a flood ′ all the · day ′ long:
they close in on ′ me from ′ every ′ side.
18 Friend and acquaintance you have ′ taken · a′way from me:
and my ′ one com′panion · is ′ darkness.

89Day 17 Evening

PART ONE

1 I will sing of your steadfast love for ′ ever · O ′ Lord:
my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness‿
from one gener′ation ′ to an′other.
2 For your love is such as to en′dure for ′ ever:
your faithfulness is e′stablished · as ′ firm · as the ′ heavens.
3 You have said, `I have made a covenant ′ with my ′ chosen:
I have ′ sworn to ′ David · my ′ servant,
4 ‘I will establish your pos′terity · for ′ ever:
and uphold your ′ throne for ′ all · gener′ations.’
 
5 O Lord the heavens pro′claim your ′ wonders:
and the council of the‿
holy ones ′ praises ′ your ′ faithfulness.
6 For who is there in the skies to com′pare · with the ′ Lord:
or who is like the Lord a′mong the ′ heaven·ly ′ beings?
7 A God to be feared in the council ′ of the ′ holy ones:
great and terrible above ′ all · that are ′ round a′bout.
8 O Lord God of hosts,
who is a mighty ′ one like ′ you?:
your ′ faithfulness · is ′ all a′round you.
9 You rule the sea in its ′ swelling ′ pride:
and ′ check the ′ surge · of its ′ waves.
10 You crushed the monster of the deep with a ′ mortal ′ blow:
you scattered your foes ′ with your ′ mighty ′ arm.
11 The heavens are yours, the earth ′ also · is ′ yours:
you founded the ′ world and ′ all · that is ′ in it.
12 You made the ′ north · and the ′ south:
Tabor and ′ Hermon · re′joice · in your ′ name.
13 Yours is a ′ mighty ′ arm:
strong is your hand, your ′ right hand ′ lifted ′ high.
14 Righteousness and justice‿
are the foundation ′ of your ′ throne:
love and ′ faithfulness · at′tend your ′ presence.
15 Blessèd are the people‿
who know the shout ′ that ac′claims you:
the people who walk ′ in the ′ light · of your ′ presence.
16 They rejoice in your name ′ all the · day ′ long:
and because of your ′ righteousness · they ′ are ex′alted.
17 For you are their glory ′ and their ′ strength:
and through your favour our ′ heads are ′ lifted ′ high.
18 Truly the ′ Lord · is our ′ shield:
the ′ Holy · One ′ is our ′ sovereign.

PART TWO

19 Once in a vision to your ′ servant · you ′ said:
‘I have set the crown upon one who is mighty,
I have exalted one ′ chosen ′ from the ′ people.
20 ‘I have found ′ David · my ′ servant:
and with my holy ′ oil I ′ have an′ointed him.
21 ‘My hand shall ′ always · be ′ with him:
and my ′ arm shall ′ give him ′ strength.
22 ‘The enemy shall ′ never · out′wit him:
nor the ′ wicked ′ bring him ′ low.
23 ‘I will beat down his′ foes be′fore him:
and ′ vanquish ′ those who ′ hate him.
24 ‘My faithfulness and constant love ′ shall be ′ with him:
and through my name his ′ head · shall be ′ lifted ′ high.
25 ‘I will stretch out his ′ hand · to the ′ Sea:
and his ′ right · hand as ′ far · as the ′ River.
26 ‘He will say to me, ′ “You · are my ′ father:
my God and the ′ rock of ′ my sal′vation.”
27 ‘And I will ′ name him · my ′ first-born:
the highest among the ′ rulers ′ of the ′ earth.
28 ‘My steadfast love for him I will main′tain for ′ ever:
and my covenant with ′ him shall ′ stand ′ firm.
29† ‘I will maintain his pos′terity · for ′ ever:
and make his throne en′dure as ′ long · as the ′ heavens.
30 ‘But if his children for′sake my ′ law:
and cease to ′ live · as I ′ have de′creed,
31 ‘if they break my statutes,
and do not ′ keep · my com′mandments:
I will punish their offences with the rod,′
and their ′ sin with ′ lashes.
32 ‘But I will not take back my ′ love ′ from him:
nor ′ let my ′ promise ′ fail.
33 ‘My covenant I ′ will not ′ break:
nor go ′ back · on the ′ word · I have ′ spoken.
34† ‘Once and for all I have ′ sworn · by my ′ holiness:
that I ′ will not ′ lie to ′ David.
35 ‘His posterity shall en′dure for ′ ever:
and his throne as ′ long · as the ′ sun be′fore me.
36 ‘It shall stand fast for ever ′ like the ′ moon:
for as ′ long · as the ′ heavens · en′dure.’

PART THREE

37 But now you have cast off and rejected your an′ointed ′ king:
and poured ′ out your ′ wrath up′on him.
38 You have renounced your covenant ′ with your ′ servant:
you have de′filed his ′ crown · in the ′ dust.
39 You have broken down ′ all his ′ walls:
and reduced his ′ strongholds · to ′ ruins.
40 All those who pass ′ by de′spoil him:
and he has be′come the ′ scorn · of his ′ neighbours.
41 You have increased the power ′ of his ′ adversaries:
and given ′ joy to ′ all his ′ foes.
42 You have blunted the ′ edge · of his ′ sword:
and ′ failed · to sup′port him · in ′ battle.
43 You have removed the sceptre ′ from his ′ hand:
and ′ cast his ′ throne to the ′ ground.
44 You have cut short the ′ days · of his ′ youth:
and ′ covered ′ him with ′ shame.
45 Lord how ′ long · will you ′ hide yourself:
how long will your ′ wrath ′ burn like ′ fire?
46 Remember how ′ short my ′ life is:
have you created ′ human′kind for ′ nothing?
47 Who is there alive that shall ′ not see ′ death:
or who can escape ′ from the ′ power · of the ′ grave?
48 Where O Lord are your former acts of ′ loving ′ kindness:
and your faithful ′ promises ′ made to ′ David?
49 Remember Lord how your ′ servant · is ′ taunted:
how I bear in my heart the ′ insults ′ of the ′ peoples.
50 Remember O Lord how your ′ enemies ′ mock:
how they fling back their taunts at ′ your an′ointed ′ king.
51† Blessèd be the ′ Lord for ′ ever:
A′men and ′ A′men.

90Day 18 Morning

PART ONE

1 Lord you have ′ been our ′ refuge:
from one gener′ation ′ to an′other.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or the earth and the ′ world were ′ made:
you are God, from ′ age to ′ age · ever′lasting.
3 You turn humanity ′ back · into ′ dust:
saying, `Return to ′ dust you ′ children · of ′ mortals.′
4 For a thousand years in your sight are ′ only · as ′ yesterday:
as it ′ were · but a ′ day · that is ′ past.
5 As a night-watch that comes‿
quickly to an ′ end you ′ scatter them:
they ′ fade · like a ′ dream at ′ daybreak.
6 They are like the grass which in the ′ morning · is ′ green:
but in the ′ evening · is ′ dried up · and ′ withered.
7 For we consume away ′ in your ′ anger:
and are ′ terri·fied ′ by your ′ wrath.
8 You set our mis′deeds be′fore you:
our secret ′ sins · in the ′ light of · your ′ face.
9 All our days pass away ′ under · your ′ anger:
we bring our years to an end ′ as it ′ were a ′ sigh.
10 The span of our life is seventy years,
though the strong may ′ come to ′ eighty:
yet all the years bring is labour and sorrow,
so soon they ′ pass and ′ we are ′ gone.
11 But who understands the ′ power · of your ′ wrath:
or who considers the ′ fierceness ′ of your ′ anger?
12 Teach us to know how ′ few · are our ′ days:
that we may ap′ply our ′ hearts to ′ wisdom.

PART TWO

13 Turn from your wrath O Lord,
how long be′fore · you re′lent?:
have ′ pity ′ Lord · on your ′ servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your ′ constant ′ love:
so that we may rejoice‿
and be glad ′ all the ′ days · of our ′ life.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you ′ have af′flicted us:
for as many years as ′ we have ′ suffered · ad′versity.
16 Show your ′ servants · your ′ work:
and let their ′ children ′ see your ′ glory.
17† May your favour O Lord our God ′ be up′on us:
and prosper the work of our hands,
O ′ prosper · the ′ work · of our ′ hands.

91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the ′ Most ′ High:
and passes the night‿
under the ′ shadow ′ of the · Al′mighty,
2 will say to the Lord,
‘You are my refuge ′ and my ′ stronghold:
my ′ God in ′ whom I ′ trust.’
3 The Lord will free you from the ′ snare · of the ′ hunter:
and ′ from · the de′stroying ′ pestilence.
4 The wings of the Most High will cover you,
and you will be safe ‿
under the feathers ′ of · the Al′mighty:
the faithfulness of the Lord will ′‿
be your ′ shield · and de′fence.
5 You will not be afraid of any ′ terror by ′ night:
nor of the ′ arrow that ′ flies by ′ day,
6 of the pestilence that ′ stalks in ′ darkness:
nor of the ′ plague that lays ′ waste at ′ noon.
7 A thousand may fall beside you,
ten thousand at your ′ right ′ hand:
but ′ you · will re′main un′scathed.
8 You have only to ′ look · with your ′ eyes:
to see the re′ward ′ of the ′ wicked.
9 Because you have said, ‘The ′ Lord · is my ′ refuge’:
and ′ made the · Most ′ High your ′ stronghold,
10 there shall no ′ evil · be′fall you:
no ′ plague · shall come ′ near your ′ dwelling.
11 For the angels of God ′ have been ′ charged:
to ′ keep you · in ′ all your ′ ways.
12 They shall bear you up ′ in their ′ hands:
lest you should strike your ′ foot a′gainst a ′ stone.
13 You shall tread on the ′ asp · and the ′ adder:
the viper and the serpent you shall ′ trample ′ under′foot.
14 ‘Because they have set their love upon me‿
I ′ will de′liver them:
I will uphold them be′cause they ′ know my ′ name.
15 ‘When they call to me ′ I will ′ answer:
I will be with them in trouble,
I will ′ rescue them · and ′ bring them · to ′ honour.
16 ‘With long life ′ I will ′ satisfy them:
and ′ show · them my ′ saving ′ power.’

92

1 It is good to give ′ thanks · to the ′ Lord:
to sing praise to your ′ name ′ O Most ′ High,
2 to tell of your love ′ in the ′ morning:
and of your ′ faithful·ness ′ during · the ′ night,
3† on the ten-stringed ′ lyre · and the ′ lute:
with the ′ tuneful ′ sound · of the ′ harp.
4 For you Lord have made me glad ′ by your ′ deeds:
I shout for joy at the ′ works ′ of your ′ hands.
5 O Lord, what great things ′ you have ′ done:
your ′ thoughts are ′ very ′ deep.
6 The dull of heart ′ do not · per′ceive this:
the foolish ′ do not ′ under′stand,
7 how the wicked may ′ sprout like ′ grass:
and ′ evil′doers · may flourish,
8 yet they shall be destroyed for ′ all ′ time:
while you Lord are en′throned on ′ high for ′ ever.
9 See Lord how your ′ ene·mies ′ perish:
and all ′ evil′doers · are ′ scattered.
10 But you have lifted up my head‿
like the ′ wild bull′s ′ horns:
you have a′nointed me · with ′ fresh ′ oil.
11 My eyes have looked down in triumph ′ on my ′ enemies:
and my ears were ′‿
gladdened · with ′ news · of their ′ downfall.
12 The just shall flourish ′ like a ′ palm tree:
and grow ′ like a ′ cedar · in ′ Lebanon.
13 Planted in the ′ house · of the ′ Lord:
they flourish in the ′ courts of ′ our ′ God.
14 Still bearing fruit in their ′ old ′ age:
they are still ′ green and ′ full of ′ sap,
15 to show that the ′ Lord is ′ just:
the Lord my rock, in ′ whom is ′ no un′righteousness.

93Day 18 Evening

1 You O Lord are king, you are ′ clothed in ′ majesty:
you have robed yourself,
and put ′ on the ′ girdle · of ′ strength.
2 You have made the ′ world so ′ firm:
that it can ′ never ′ be ′ moved.
3 Your throne O Lord has stood firm ′ from of ′ old:
from all e′terni·ty ′ you are ′ God.
4 The waters have lifted up O Lord,
the waters have lifted ′ up their ′ voice:
the waters lift ′ up their ′ pounding ′ waves.
5 Mightier than the noise of great waters,
mightier than the ′ waves · of the ′ sea:
so the ′ Lord on ′ high is ′ mighty.
6 Truly your ′ law stands ′ firm:
holiness O Lord a′dorns your ′ house for ′ ever.

94

PART ONE

1 O Lord God to whom ′ vengeance · be′longs:
God to whom vengeance belongs,′
shine out ′ in your ′ glory.
2 Rise up O ′ judge · of the ′ earth:
and give the ′ proud what ′ they de′serve.
3 How long shall the ′ wicked O ′ Lord:
how ′ long · shall the ′ wicked · ex′ult?
4 How long shall evildoers pour out ′ arrogant ′ words:
and ′ flaunt themselves · with ′ much ′ boasting?
5 They crush your ′ people · O ′ Lord:
and af′flict your ′ chosen ′ nation.
6 They murder the widow ′ and the ′ alien:
and ′ put the ′ orphan · to ′ death.
7† And they say, ‘The ′ Lord · does not ′ see:
the God of ′ Jacob ′ gives no ′ heed to it.’
8 Consider this, you most ′ stupid · of the ′ people:
fools, when ′ will you ′ under′stand?
9 Does the one who planted the ′ ear not ′ hear:
does the one who ′ formed the ′ eye not ′ see?
10 Shall the one who instructs the ′ nations · not ′ punish:
is the one who teaches ′ all of us · with′out ′ knowledge?
11 The Lord knows our ′ human ′ thoughts:
the Lord knows that they are ′ no more ′ than a ′ breath.
 
12 Blessèd are those you in′struct O ′ Lord:
to whom you give ′ teaching ′ out of · your ′ law,
13 so that they may have respite from ′ days · of ad′versity:
until a ′ pit is ′ dug · for the ′ wicked.
14 For you O Lord will not a′bandon · your ′ people:
you will ′ never · for′sake your ′ own.
15 But justice shall return to the ′ place of ′ judgment:
all the ′ true of ′ heart · shall up′hold it.

PART TWO

16 Who is on my side a′gainst the ′ wicked:
who will stand up for me against ′ those who ′ do ′ evil?
17 If the Lord ′ had not ′ helped me:
I would soon have gone to ′ dwell · in the ′ land of ′ silence.
18 But when I said, ‘I have ′ lost my ′ foothold’:
your love O ′ Lord ′ held me ′ up.
19 When the cares of my ′ heart are ′ many:
your consolations give ′ joy ′ to my ′ soul.
20 You are no friend of un′righteous ′ judges:
who frame mischief ′ under ′ cover · of ′ law.
21 They band together against the ′ life · of the ′ righteous:
and condemn the ′ innocent · to ′ death.
22 But the ′ Lord · is my ′ stronghold:
my God ′ is the ′ rock · of my ′ refuge.
23 The Lord shall recompense them for their wickedness,
and destroy them for their ′ evil ′ deeds:
truly the ′ Lord our ′ God · shall de′stroy them.

95Day 19 Morning

1 O come let us ′ sing · to the ′ Lord:
let us shout with joy to the ′ rock of ′ our sal′vation.
2 Let us come into God’s ′ presence · with ′ thanksgiving:
and sing to the ′ Lord with ′ psalms of ′ triumph.
3 For you Lord are a ′ great ′ God:
and a great ′ king a·bove ′ all ′ gods.
4 In your hand are the ′ depths · of the ′ earth:
so also are the ′ heights ′ of the ′ mountains.
5† The sea is yours ′ and you ′ made it:
the dry land also ′ which your ′ hands have ′ fashioned.
6 O come let us bow ′ down and ′ worship:
let us kneel be′fore the ′ Lord our ′ maker.
7 For the Lord ′ is our ′ God:
we are the Lord′s people,
the ′ flock that ′ God ′ shepherds.
8 O that today you would listen to ′ God’s ′ voice:
‘Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at ′ Massah ′ in the ′ wilderness,
9 ‘when your forbears tried me, and ′ put me · to the ′ test:
although ′ they had ′ seen my ′ works.
10 ‘Forty years long I had a loathing for‿
this gener′ation · and ′ said:
“They are a people whose hearts are perverse,
for they ′ give no ′ heed · to my ′ ways.”
11 ‘Then I vowed ′ in my ′ anger:
“They shall ′ never ′ enter · my ′ rest.”’

96

1 O sing to the Lord a ′ new ′ song:
sing to the ′ Lord ′ all the ′ earth.
2 Sing, and give praise to ′ God’s ′ name:
tell the glad news of sal′vation · from ′ day to ′ day.
3 Proclaim God’s glory ′ to the ′ nations:
God′s marvellous ′ deeds to ′ all the ′ peoples.
4 For you O Lord are great and highly ′ to be ′ praised:
more to be ′ feared than ′ all the ′ gods.
5 The gods of the nations are no ′ more than ′ idols:
but you O Lord are the ′ one who ′ made the ′ heavens.
6 Glory and ′ majesty · at′tend you:
strength and ′ beauty · are ′ in your ′ sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families ′ of the ′ nations:
ascribe to the ′ Lord ′ honour · and ′ might.
8 Ascribe due honour to God’s ′ holy ′ name:
bring offerings, and ′ enter · the ′ courts · of the ′ Lord.
9 Worship the Lord in the ′ beauty · of ′ holiness:
let the ′ whole earth ′ stand in ′ awe.
10 Proclaim to the nations, ‘The ′ Lord is ′ king:
the Lord has made the world so firm it cannot be moved,
and will ′ judge the ′ peoples · with ′ justice.’
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and the ′ earth be ′ glad:
let the sea roar and ′ all the ′ creatures ′ in it.
12 Let the fields be joyful and ′ all · that is ′ in them:
then all the trees of the forest‿
will shout with ′ joy be′fore the ′ Lord.
13† For you O Lord are coming to ′ judge the ′ earth:
with righteousness you will judge the world,
and the ′ peoples ′ with your ′ truth.

97

1 You are king O Lord, let the ′ earth be ′ glad:
let the many ′ islets and ′ coastlands · re′joice.
2 Clouds and darkness are ′ round a′bout you:
righteousness and justice are‿
the found′ation ′ of your ′ throne.
3 Fire ′ goes be′fore you:
and burns up your ′ enemies · on ′ every ′ side.
4 The world is lit up ′ by your ′ lightnings:
and earth ′ trembles ′ at the ′ sight.
5 The mountains melt like′ wax be′fore you:
before the ′ Lord of ′ all the ′ earth.
6 The heavens pro′claim your ′ righteousness:
and all the ′ peoples ′ see your ′ glory.
7 Shame on all who worship images,
and glory in their ′ worthless ′ idols:
bow down before the ′ Lord ′ all you ′ gods.
8 Jerusalem hears ′ and is ′ glad:
the cities of Judah rejoice O ′ Lord ′ at your ′ judgments.
9 For you Lord are most high over ′ all the ′ earth:
you are exalted ′ far a·bove ′ all the ′ gods.
10 You love those who ′ hate ′ evil:
you preserve the lives of your servants,
and deliver them ′ from the ′ hand · of the ′ wicked.
11 Light has dawned ′ for the ′ righteous:
and ′ joy · for the ′ upright in ′ heart.
12 Rejoice in the ′ Lord you ′ righteous:
and give ′ thanks · to God’s ′ holy ′ name.

98Day 19 Evening

1 Sing to the Lord a ′ new ′ song:
for the Lord has ′ done ′ marvel·lous ′ things.
2 With your own right hand O Lord, and with your ′ holy ′ arm:
you have ′ gained · for your′self the ′ victory.
3 You have made ′ known your ′ victory:
you have displayed your saving ′‿
power · to ′ all the ′ nations.
4 You have remembered your faithfulness,
and your love for the ′ house of ′ Israel:
and all the ends of the ′ earth have ′ seen your ′ victory.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord ′ all the ′ earth:
sing and rejoice ′ with the ′ sound of ′ melody.
6 Sing to the Lord ′ with the ′ harp:
with the harp ′ and the ′ voice of ′ song.
7 With trumpets ′ also · and ′ horns:
shout with joy be′fore the ′ Lord our ′ king.
8 Let the sea roar and ′ all · that is ′ in it:
the world and ′ those ′ who in′habit it.
9 Let the rivers ′ clap their ′ hands:
and let the hills rejoice to′gether · be′fore the ′ Lord.
10 For you O Lord are coming to ′ judge the ′ earth:
with righteousness you will judge the world,
and the ′ peoples ′ with ′ equity.

99

1 You are king O Lord, and the ′ people ′ tremble:
you sit enthroned upon the cherubim, ′
and the ′ earth is ′ quaking.
2 You O Lord are great upon your ′ holy ′ mountain:
you are exalted ′ over ′ all the ′ nations.
3 Let them praise your great and ′ terri·ble ′ name:
holy are you and mighty,
a ′ king · who de′lights in ′ justice.
4 You have e′stablished ′ equity:
you have dealt ′ justice · and ′ righteousness · in ′ Jacob.
5† We proclaim your greatness O ′ Lord our ′ God:
we bow down before your ′‿
footstool · for ′ you are ′ holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among your priests,
and Samuel among those who ′ called · on your ′ name:
these called to you O ′ Lord ′ and you ′ answered.
7 You spoke to them out of the ′ pillar · of ′ cloud:
they kept your teachings‿
and the ′ law ′ that you ′ gave them.
8 You answered them O ′ Lord our ′ God:
to them you were a God who forgives,
though you ′ punished ′ their of′fences.
9 We proclaim your greatness O ′ Lord our ′ God:
we bow down towards your holy hill,
for you O ′ Lord our ′ God are ′ holy.

100

1 Cry out with joy to the Lord ′ all the ′ earth:
worship with gladness,
and enter the Lord′s ′ presence · with ′ songs of ′ joy.
2 Know that the Lord is God,
our maker, whose ′ people · we ′ are:
the flock which the ′ Lord our ′ God ′ shepherds.
3 Enter the gates of the temple with thanksgiving,
and go into its ′ courts with ′ praise:
give thanks, and ′ bless God′s ′ holy ′ name.
4 For the Lord is a gracious God,
whose mercy is ′ ever′lasting:
and whose faithfulness endures‿
from gener′ation · to′ gener′ation.

A New Zealand Prayer Book | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa

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