The Book of Common Prayer Part 76

Save me, O G.o.d, for thy Name's sake: and avenge me in thy strength.

2 Hear my prayer, O G.o.d: and hearken unto the words of my mouth.

3 For strangers are risen up against me: and tyrants, which have not G.o.d before their eyes, seek after my soul.

4 Behold, G.o.d is my helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: destroy thou them in thy truth.

6 An offering of a free heart will I give thee, and praise thy Name, O Lord: because it is so comfortable.

7 For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

PSALM 55. _Exaudi, Deus_.

Hear my prayer, O G.o.d: and hide not thyself from my pet.i.tion.

2 Take heed unto me, and hear me: how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.

3 The enemy crieth so, and the unG.o.dly cometh on so fast: for they are minded to do me some mischief; so maliciously are they set against me.

4 My heart is disquieted within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.

5 Tearfulness and trembling are come upon me: and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.

6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove: for then would I flee away, and be at rest.

7 Lo, then would I get me away far off: and remain in the wilderness.

8 I would make haste to escape: because of the stormy wind and tempest.

9 Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them: for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they go about within the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

11 Wickedness is therein: deceit and guile go not out of her streets.

12 For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour: for then I could have borne it.

13 Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me: for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.

14 But it was even thou, my companion: my guide, and mine own familiar friend.

15 We took sweet counsel together: and walked in the house of G.o.d as friends.

16 Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into h.e.l.l: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

17 As for me, I will call upon G.o.d: and the Lord shall save me.

18 In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly: and he shall hear my voice.

19 It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

20 Yea, even G.o.d, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down: for they will not turn, nor fear G.o.d.

21 He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him: and he brake his covenant.

22 The words of his mouth were softer than b.u.t.ter, having war in his heart: his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.

23 O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee: and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.

24 And as for them: thou, O G.o.d, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.

25 The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days: nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.

DAY 11 MORNING PRAYER

PSALM 56. _Miserere met, Deus_.

Be merciful unto me, O G.o.d, for man goeth about to devour me: he is daily fighting, and troubling me.

2 Mine enemies are daily in hand to swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, thou most Highest.

3 Nevertheless, though I am sometime afraid: yet put I my trust in thee.

4 I will praise G.o.d, because of his word: I have put my trust in G.o.d, and will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

5 They daily mistake my words: all that they imagine is to do me evil.

6 They hold all together, and keep themselves close: and mark my steps, when they lay wait for my soul.

7 Shall they escape for their wickedness: thou, O G.o.d, in thy displeasure shalt cast them down.

8 Thou tellest my Sittings; put my tears into thy bottle: are not these things noted in thy book?

9 Whensoever I call upon thee, then shall mine enemies be put to flight: this I know; for G.o.d is on my side.

10 In G.o.d's word will I rejoice: in the Lord's word will I comfort me.

11 Yea, in G.o.d have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

12 Unto thee, O G.o.d, will I pay my vows: unto thee will I give thanks.

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling: that I may walk before G.o.d in the light of the living.

PSALM 57. _Miserere mei, Deus_.

Be merciful unto me, O G.o.d, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in thee: and under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until this tyranny be over-past.