Psalm 1

Refrain: The Lord knows the way of the righteous.

2Their delight is in the law of the Lord •
and they meditate on his law day and night.

4As for the wicked, it is not so with them; •
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5Therefore the wicked shall not be able to stand in the judgement, •
nor the sinner in the congregation of the righteous.

6For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, •
but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Refrain: The Lord knows the way of the righteous.

Christ our wisdom,
give us delight in your law,
that we may bear fruits of patience and peace
in the kingdom of the righteous;
for your mercy’s sake.

Psalm 2

Refrain: The Lord is the strength of his people,
a safe refuge for his anointed.

1Why are the nations in tumult, •
and why do the peoples devise a vain plot?

2The kings of the earth rise up,
and the rulers take counsel together, •
against the Lord and against his anointed:

3‘Let us break their bonds asunder •
and cast away their cords from us.’ R

4He who dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; •
the Lord shall have them in derision.

5Then shall he speak to them in his wrath •
and terrify them in his fury:

6‘Yet have I set my king •
upon my holy hill of Zion.’ R

7I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; •
he said to me: ‘You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.

8‘Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance •
and the ends of the earth for your possession.

9‘You shall break them with a rod of iron •
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ R

10Now therefore be wise, O kings; •
be prudent, you judges of the earth.

11Serve the Lord with fear, and with trembling kiss his feet, •
lest he be angry and you perish from the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.

12Happy are all they •
who take refuge in him.

Refrain: The Lord is the strength of his people,
a safe refuge for his anointed.

Most high and holy God,
lift our eyes to your Son
enthroned on Calvary;
and as we behold his meekness,
shatter our earthly pride;
for he is Lord for ever and ever.

Psalm 3

Refrain: You, Lord, are a shield about me.

1Lord, how many are my adversaries; •
many are they who rise up against me.

2Many are they who say to my soul, •
‘There is no help for you in your God.’ R

3But you, Lord, are a shield about me; •
you are my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

4When I cry aloud to the Lord, •
he will answer me from his holy hill;

5I lie down and sleep and rise again, •
because the Lord sustains me.

6I will not be afraid of hordes of the peoples •
that have set themselves against me all around. R

7Rise up, O Lord, and deliver me, O my God, •
for you strike all my enemies on the cheek
and break the teeth of the wicked.

8Salvation belongs to the Lord: •
may your blessing be upon your people.

Refrain: You, Lord, are a shield about me.

Shield us, Lord, from all evil,
and lift us from apathy and despair,
that even when we are terrified,
we may trust your power to save;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 4

Refrain: In peace I will lie down and sleep.

1Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; •
you set me at liberty when I was in trouble;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2How long will you nobles dishonour my glory; •
how long will you love vain things and seek after falsehood?

3But know that the Lord has shown me his marvellous kindness; •
when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

4Stand in awe, and sin not; •
commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. R

5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness •
and put your trust in the Lord.

6There are many that say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ •
Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.

7You have put gladness in my heart, •
more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.

8In peace I will lie down and sleep, •
for it is you Lord, only, who make me dwell in safety.

Refrain: In peace I will lie down and sleep.

Give us today, O God,
a glad heart and a clear conscience,
that when we come to this day’s end
we may rest in peace with Christ our Lord.

Psalm 5

Refrain: You, O Lord, will bless the righteous.

1Give ear to my words, O Lord; •
consider my lamentation.

2Hearken to the voice of my crying, my King and my God, •
for to you I make my prayer.

3In the morning, Lord, you will hear my voice; •
early in the morning I make my appeal to you, and look up.

4For you are the God who takes no pleasure in wickedness; •
no evil can dwell with you. R

5The boastful cannot stand in your sight; •
you hate all those that work wickedness.

6You destroy those who speak lies; •
the bloodthirsty and deceitful the Lord will abhor.

7But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy,
I will come into your house; •
I will bow down towards your holy temple in awe of you. R

8Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness,
because of my enemies; •
make your way straight before my face.

9For there is no truth in their mouth,
in their heart is destruction, •
their throat is an open sepulchre,
and they flatter with their tongue.

10Punish them, O God; •
let them fall through their own devices.

11Because of their many transgressions cast them out, •
for they have rebelled against you. R

12But let all who take refuge in you be glad; •
let them sing out their joy for ever.

13You will shelter them, •
so that those who love your name may exult in you.

14For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous; •
and with your favour you will defend them as with a shield.

Refrain: You, O Lord, will bless the righteous.

Lord, protect us from the deceit
of flattering tongues and lying lips;
give us words of life which speak your truth
and bless your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 6

Refrain: Turn again, O Lord, and deliver my soul.

1O Lord, rebuke me not in your wrath; •
neither chasten me in your fierce anger.

2Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak; •
Lord, heal me, for my bones are racked.

3My soul also shakes with terror; •
how long, O Lord, how long?

4Turn again, O Lord, and deliver my soul; •
save me for your loving mercy's sake.

5For in death no one remembers you; •
and who can give you thanks in the grave?

6I am weary with my groaning; •
every night I drench my pillow
and flood my bed with my tears.

7My eyes are wasted with grief •
and worn away because of all my enemies. R

8Depart from me, all you that do evil, •
for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

9The Lord has heard my supplication; •
the Lord will receive my prayer.

10All my enemies shall be put to shame and confusion; •
they shall suddenly turn back in their shame.

Refrain: Turn again, O Lord, and deliver my soul.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may the tears shed in your earthly life
be balm for all who weep,
and may the prayers of your pilgrimage
give strength to all who suffer;
for your mercy’s sake.

Psalm 7

Refrain: Give judgement for me
according to my righteousness, O Lord.

1O Lord my God, in you I take refuge; •
save me from all who pursue me, and deliver me,

2Lest they rend me like a lion and tear me in pieces •
while there is no one to help me.

3O Lord my God, if I have done these things: •
if there is any wickedness in my hands,

4If I have repaid my friend with evil, •
or plundered my enemy without a cause,

5Then let my enemy pursue me and overtake me, •
trample my life to the ground,
and lay my honour in the dust. R

6Rise up, O Lord, in your wrath;
lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies. •
Awaken, my God, the judgement that you have commanded.

7Let the assembly of the peoples gather round you; •
be seated high above them: O Lord, judge the nations.

8Give judgement for me
according to my righteousness, O Lord, •
and according to the innocence that is in me.

10God is my shield that is over me; •
he saves the true of heart.

11God is a righteous judge; •
he is provoked all day long.

12If they will not repent, God will whet his sword; •
he has bent his bow and made it ready.

13He has prepared the weapons of death; •
he makes his arrows shafts of fire. R

14Behold those who are in labour with wickedness, •
who conceive evil and give birth to lies.

15They dig a pit and make it deep •
and fall into the hole that they have made for others.

16Their mischief rebounds on their own head; •
their violence falls on their own scalp.

17I will give thanks to the Lord for his righteousness, •
and I will make music to the name of the Lord Most High.

Refrain: Give judgement for me
according to my righteousness, O Lord.

Lord, your justice turns evil on itself:
move us to examine our hearts
and repent of all duplicity;
for the sake of Jesus Christ,
our Judge and righteous Saviour.

Psalm 8

Second version

1 O Lord our governor, •
how glorious is your name in all the world!

2Your majesty above the heavens is praised •
out of the mouths of babes at the breast.

3You have founded a stronghold against your foes, •
that you might still the enemy and the avenger.

4When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, •
the moon and the stars that you have ordained,

5What are mortals, that you should be mindful of them; •
mere human beings, that you should seek them out?

6You have made them little lower than the angels •
and crown them with glory and honour.

7You have given them dominion over the works of your hands •
and put all things under their feet,

8All sheep and oxen, •
even the wild beasts of the field,

9The birds of the air, the fish of the sea •
and whatsoever moves in the paths of the sea.

10 O Lord our governor, •
how glorious is your name in all the world!

We bless you, master of the heavens,
for the wonderful order which enfolds this world;
grant that your whole creation
may find fulfilment in the Son of Man,
Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Psalm 9

Refrain: You, Lord, have never failed those who seek you.

1I will give thanks to you, Lord, with my whole heart; •
I will tell of all your marvellous works.

2I will be glad and rejoice in you; •
I will make music to your name, O Most High.

3When my enemies are driven back, •
they stumble and perish at your presence.

4For you have maintained my right and my cause; •
you sat on your throne giving righteous judgement. R

5You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; •
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

6The enemy was utterly laid waste. •
You uprooted their cities;
their very memory has perished.

7But the Lord shall endure for ever; •
he has made fast his throne for judgement.

8For he shall rule the world with righteousness •
and govern the peoples with equity.

9Then will the Lord be a refuge for the oppressed, •
a refuge in the time of trouble.

10And those who know your name will put their trust in you, •
for you, Lord, have never failed those who seek you. R

11Sing praises to the Lord who dwells in Zion; •
declare among the peoples the things he has done.

12The avenger of blood has remembered them; •
he did not forget the cry of the oppressed.

13Have mercy upon me, O Lord; •
consider the trouble I suffer from those who hate me,
you that lift me up from the gates of death;

14That I may tell all your praises in the gates of the city of Zion •
and rejoice in your salvation.

15The nations shall sink into the pit of their making •
and in the snare which they set will their own foot be taken.

16The Lord makes himself known by his acts of justice; •
the wicked are snared in the works of their own hands. R

17They shall return to the land of darkness, •
all the nations that forget God.

18For the needy shall not always be forgotten •
and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever.

19Arise, O Lord, and let not mortals have the upper hand; •
let the nations be judged before your face.

20Put them in fear, O Lord, •
that the nations may know themselves to be but mortal.

Refrain: You, Lord, have never failed those who seek you.

Remember, Lord, all who cry to you
from death’s dark gates;
do not forget those whom the world forgets,
but raise your faithful ones to Zion’s gate,
with your all-conquering Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 10

Refrain: You, Lord, have never failed those who seek you.

1Why stand so far off, O Lord? •
Why hide yourself in time of trouble?

2The wicked in their pride persecute the poor; •
let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.

3The wicked boast of their heart’s desire; •
the covetous curse and revile the Lord.

4The wicked in their arrogance say, ‘God will not avenge it’; •
in all their scheming God counts for nothing. R

6They say in their heart, ‘I shall not be shaken; •
no harm shall ever happen to me.’

7Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit and fraud; •
under their tongue lie mischief and wrong.

10The innocent are broken and humbled before them; •
the helpless fall before their power.

11They say in their heart, ‘God has forgotten; •
he hides his face away; he will never see it.’ R

12Arise, O Lord God, and lift up your hand; •
forget not the poor.

13Why should the wicked be scornful of God? •
Why should they say in their hearts, ‘You will not avenge it’?

14Surely, you behold trouble and misery; •
you see it and take it into your own hand.

15The helpless commit themselves to you,•
for you are the helper of the orphan.

16Break the power of the wicked and malicious; •
search out their wickedness until you find none. R

17The Lord shall reign for ever and ever;•
the nations shall perish from his land.

18Lord, you will hear the desire of the poor;•
you will incline your ear to the fullness of their heart,

19To give justice to the orphan and oppressed,•
so that people are no longer driven in terror from the land.

Refrain: You, Lord, have never failed those who seek you.

When wickedness triumphs
and the poor are betrayed,
come to your kingdom, strong and holy God,
destroy the masks of evil
and reign in our broken hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord

Psalm 11

Refrain: The Lord’s throne is in heaven.

1In the Lord have I taken refuge; •
how then can you say to me,
‘Flee like a bird to the hills,

2For see how the wicked bend the bow
and fit their arrows to the string, •
to shoot from the shadows at the true of heart.

3When the foundations are destroyed, •
what can the righteous do?’ R

4The Lord is in his holy temple; •
the Lord’s throne is in heaven.

5His eyes behold, •
his eyelids try every mortal being.

6The Lord tries the righteous as well as the wicked, •
but those who delight in violence his soul abhors.

7Upon the wicked he shall rain coals of fire
and burning sulphur; •
scorching wind shall be their portion to drink.

8For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds, •
and those who are upright shall behold his face.

Refrain: The Lord’s throne is in heaven.

God of heaven,
when the foundations are shaken
and there is no escape,
test us, but not to destruction,
look on the face of your anointed
and heal us in Jesus Christ your Son.

Psalm 12

Refrain: You, O Lord, will watch over us.

1Help me, Lord, for no one godly is left; •
the faithful have vanished from the whole human race.

2They all speak falsely with their neighbour; •
they flatter with their lips, but speak from a double heart.

3O that the Lord would cut off all flattering lips •
and the tongue that speaks proud boasts!

4Those who say, ‘With our tongue will we prevail; •
our lips we will use; who is lord over us?’ R

5‘Because of the oppression of the needy,
and the groaning of the poor, •
I will rise up now,’ says the Lord,
‘and set them in the safety that they long for.’

6The words of the Lord are pure words, •
like silver refined in the furnace
and purified seven times in the fire.

7You, O Lord, will watch over us •
and guard us from this generation for ever.

8The wicked strut on every side, •
when what is vile is exalted by the whole human race.

Refrain: You, O Lord, will watch over us.

Lord, when faith is faint
and speech veils our intentions,
restore us by your word of power and purity,
both now and for ever.

Psalm 13

Refrain: I love the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication.

1How long will you forget me, O Lord; for ever? •
How long will you hide your face from me?

2How long shall I have anguish in my soul
and grief in my heart, day after day? •
How long shall my enemy triumph over me? R

3Look upon me and answer, O Lord my God; •
lighten my eyes, lest I sleep in death;

4Lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him,’ •
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen. R

5But I put my trust in your steadfast love; •
my heart will rejoice in your salvation.

6I will sing to the Lord, •
for he has dealt so bountifully with me.

Refrain: I love the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication.

Jesus Christ, Son of God,
who passed through the dark sleep of death,
remember those who cry to you
in shame and silence and defeat
and raise them to your risen life,
for you are alive and reign for ever.

Psalm 14

Refrain: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

1The fool has said in his heart,‘There is no God.’ •
Corrupt are they, and abominable in their wickedness;
there is no one that does good.

2The Lord has looked down from heaven
upon the children of earth, •
to see if there is anyone who is wise
and seeks after God.

3But every one has turned back;
all alike have become corrupt: •
there is none that does good; no, not one. R

4Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, •
who eat up my people as if they ate bread
and do not call upon the Lord?

5There shall they be in great fear; •
for God is in the company of the righteous.

6Though they would confound the counsel of the poor, •
yet the Lord shall be their refuge.

7O that Israel’s salvation would come out of Zion! •
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
then will Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Refrain: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

God of heaven,
look with mercy on all who are consumed
by ignorance and greed,
and let the children of earth know
that you are God for ever.

Psalm 15

Refrain: Through the greatness of your mercy,
I will come into your house.

1Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? •
Who may rest upon your holy hill?

2Whoever leads an uncorrupt life •
and does the thing that is right;

3Who speaks the truth from the heart •
and bears no deceit on the tongue;

4Who does no evil to a friend •
and pours no scorn on a neighbour;

5In whose sight the wicked are not esteemed, •
but who honours those who fear the Lord.

6Whoever has sworn to a neighbour •
and never goes back on that word;

7Who does not lend money in hope of gain, •
nor takes a bribe against the innocent;

8Whoever does these things •
shall never fall.

Refrain: Through the greatness of your mercy,
I will come into your house.

Lord, lead us to our heavenly home
by single steps of self-restraint
and deeds of righteousness;
through the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 16

Refrain: The Lord is at my right hand; I shall not fall.

1Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge; •
I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord,
all my good depends on you.’

2All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, •
upon those who are noble in heart.

3Though the idols are legion that many run after, •
their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, •
neither make mention of their names upon my lips.

4The Lord himself is my portion and my cup; •
in your hands alone is my fortune.

5My share has fallen in a fair land; •
indeed, I have a goodly heritage. R

6I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel, •
and in the night watches he instructs my heart.

7I have set the Lord always before me; •
he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.

8Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; •
my flesh also shall rest secure.

9For you will not abandon my soul to Death, •
nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.

10You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is the fullness of joy •
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Refrain: The Lord is at my right hand; I shall not fall.

Give to us, Lord Christ,
the fullness of grace,
your presence and your very self,
for you are our portion and our delight,
now and for ever.

Psalm 17

Refrain: Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand.

1Hear my just cause, O Lord; consider my complaint; •
listen to my prayer, which comes not from lying lips.

2Let my vindication come forth from your presence; •
let your eyes behold what is right.

3Weigh my heart, examine me by night, •
refine me, and you will find no impurity in me. R

4My mouth does not trespass for earthly rewards; •
I have heeded the words of your lips.

5My footsteps hold fast in the ways of your commandments; •
my feet have not stumbled in your paths. R

6I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; •
incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.

7Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, •
O Saviour of those who take refuge at your right hand
from those who rise up against them.

8Keep me as the apple of your eye; •
hide me under the shadow of your wings,

9From the wicked who assault me, •
from my enemies who surround me to take away my life. R

10They have closed their heart to pity •
and their mouth speaks proud things.

11They press me hard, they surround me on every side, •
watching how they may cast me to the ground,

12Like a lion that is greedy for its prey, •
like a young lion lurking in secret places. R

13Arise, Lord; confront them and cast them down; •
deliver me from the wicked by your sword.

14Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand •
from those whose portion in life is unending,

15Whose bellies you fill with your treasure, •
who are well supplied with children
and leave their wealth to their little ones.

16As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness; •
when I awake and behold your likeness, I shall be satisfied.

Refrain: Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand.

Generous Lord,
deliver us from all envious thoughts,
and when we are tempted by the desire for wealth,
let us see your face;
for your abundance is enough to clothe our lack;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 18

Refrain: The Lord my God shall make my darkness to be bright.

1I love you, O Lord my strength. •
The Lord is my crag, my fortress and my deliverer,

2My God, my rock in whom I take refuge, •
my shield, the horn of my salvation and my stronghold.

3I cried to the Lord in my anguish •
and I was saved from my enemies. R

4The cords of death entwined me •
and the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

5The cords of the Pit fastened about me •
and the snares of death entangled me.

6In my distress I called upon the Lord •
and cried out to my God for help.

7He heard my voice in his temple •
and my cry came to his ears. R

8The earth trembled and quaked; •
the foundations of the mountains shook;
they reeled because he was angry.

9Smoke rose from his nostrils
and a consuming fire went out of his mouth; •
burning coals blazed forth from him.

10He parted the heavens and came down •
and thick darkness was under his feet.

11He rode upon the cherubim and flew; •
he came flying on the wings of the wind.

12He made darkness his covering round about him, •
dark waters and thick clouds his pavilion. R

13From the brightness of his presence, through the clouds •
burst hailstones and coals of fire.

14The Lord also thundered out of heaven; •
the Most High uttered his voice
with hailstones and coals of fire.

15He sent out his arrows and scattered them; •
he hurled down lightnings and put them to flight.

17He reached down from on high and took me; •
he drew me out of the mighty waters.

18He delivered me from my strong enemy, •
from foes that were too mighty for me.

19They came upon me in the day of my trouble; •
but the Lord was my upholder.

20He brought me out into a place of liberty; •
he rescued me because he delighted in me. R

21The Lord rewarded me after my righteous dealing; •
according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me,

22Because I had kept the ways of the Lord •
and had not gone wickedly away from my God,

23For I had an eye to all his laws, •
and did not cast out his commandments from me.

24I was also wholehearted before him •
and kept myself from iniquity;

25Therefore the Lord rewarded me
after my righteous dealing, •
and according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. R

26With the faithful you show yourself faithful; •
with the true you show yourself true;

27With the pure you show yourself pure, •
but with the crooked you show yourself perverse.

28For you will save a lowly people •
and bring down the high looks of the proud.

29You also shall light my candle; •
the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be bright.

30By your help I shall run at an enemy host; •
with the help of my God I can leap over a wall. R

31As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is tried in the fire; •
he is a shield to all who trust in him.

32For who is God but the Lord, •
and who is the rock except our God?

33It is God who girds me about with strength •
and makes my way perfect.

34He makes my feet like hinds’ feet •
so that I tread surely on the heights.

35He teaches my hands to fight •
and my arms to bend a bow of bronze. R

36You have given me the shield of your salvation; •
your right hand upholds me
and your grace has made me great.

37You enlarge my strides beneath me, •
yet my feet do not slide.

38I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, •
nor turn again until I have destroyed them.

39I will smite them down so they cannot rise; •
they shall fall beneath my feet.

40You have girded me with strength for the battle; •
you will cast down my enemies under me;

41You will make my foes turn their backs upon me •
and I shall destroy them that hate me. R

42They will cry out, but there shall be none to help them; •
they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer.

43I shall beat them as small as the dust on the wind; •
I will cast them out as the mire in the streets.

44You will deliver me from the strife of the peoples; •
you will make me the head of the nations.

45A people I have not known shall serve me;
as soon as they hear me, they shall obey me; •
strangers will humble themselves before me.

46The foreign peoples will lose heart •
and come trembling out of their strongholds. R

47The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock! •
Praised be the God of my salvation,

48Even the God who vindicates me •
and subdues the peoples under me!

49You that deliver me from my enemies,
you will set me up above my foes; •
from the violent you will deliver me;

50Therefore will I give you thanks, O Lord, among the nations •
and sing praises to your name,

51To the one who gives great victory to his king •
and shows faithful love to his anointed,
to David and his seed for ever.

Refrain: The Lord my God shall make my darkness to be bright.

From your royal throne, O God,
you sent your living Word
to pierce the gloom of oppression;
so, in our souls’ night,
come with your saving help
and penetrate our darkness with the
rays of your glory
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 19

Refrain: The commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.

1The heavens are telling the glory of God •
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2One day pours out its song to another •
and one night unfolds knowledge to another.

3They have neither speech nor language •
and their voices are not heard,

4Yet their sound has gone out into all lands •
and their words to the ends of the world.

5In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, •
that comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber
and rejoices as a champion to run his course.

6It goes forth from the end of the heavens
and runs to the very end again, •
and there is nothing hidden from its heat. R

7The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; •
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the simple.

8The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart; •
the commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.

9The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; •
the judgements of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.

10More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, •
sweeter also than honey,
dripping from the honeycomb.

11By them also is your servant taught •
and in keeping them there is great reward. R

12Who can tell how often they offend? •
O cleanse me from my secret faults!

13Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins
lest they get dominion over me; •
so shall I be undefiled,
and innocent of great offence.

14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, •
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Refrain: The commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.

Christ, the sun of righteousness,
rise in our hearts this day,
enfold us in the brightness of your love
and bear us at the last to heaven’s horizon;
for your love’s sake.

Psalm 20

Refrain: We will call on the name of the Lord our God.

1May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble, •
the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

2Send you help from his sanctuary •
and strengthen you out of Zion;

3Remember all your offerings •
and accept your burnt sacrifice;

4Grant you your heart’s desire •
and fulfil all your mind.

5May we rejoice in your salvation
and triumph in the name of our God; •
may the Lord perform all your petitions. R

6Now I know that the Lord will save his anointed; •
he will answer him from his holy heaven,
with the mighty strength of his right hand.

7Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, •
but we will call only on the name of the Lord our God.

8They are brought down and fallen, •
but we are risen and stand upright.

9O Lord, save the king •
and answer us when we call upon you.

Refrain: We will call on the name of the Lord our God.

Merciful God,
purify our hearts in the flame of your Spirit
and transform our toil into an offering of praise,
that we may reject the proud rule of might
and trust in Christ alone,
for he is our Lord for ever and ever.

Psalm 21

Refrain: The king puts his trust in the Lord.

1The king shall rejoice in your strength, O Lord; •
how greatly shall he rejoice in your salvation!

2You have given him his heart’s desire •
and have not denied the request of his lips.

3For you come to meet him with blessings of goodness •
and set a crown of pure gold upon his head.

4He asked of you life and you gave it him, •
length of days, for ever and ever. R

5His honour is great because of your salvation; •
glory and majesty have you laid upon him.

6You have granted him everlasting felicity •
and will make him glad with joy in your presence.

7For the king puts his trust in the Lord; •
because of the loving-kindness of the Most High,
he shall not be overthrown. R

8Your hand shall mark down all your enemies; •
your right hand will find out those who hate you.

9You will make them like a fiery oven
in the time of your wrath; •
the Lord will swallow them up in his anger
and the fire will consume them.

10Their fruit you will root out of the land •
and their seed from among its inhabitants. R

11Because they intend evil against you •
and devise wicked schemes
which they cannot perform,

12You will put them to flight •
when you aim your bow at their faces.

13Be exalted, O Lord, in your own might; •
we will make music and sing of your power.

Refrain: The king puts his trust in the Lord.

Crown us, O God, but with humility,
and robe us with compassion,
that, as you call us into the kingdom of your Son,
we may strive to overcome all evil
by the power of good
and so walk gently on the earth
with you, our God, for ever.

Psalm 22

Refrain: Be not far from me, O Lord.

1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, •
and are so far from my salvation,
from the words of my distress?

2O my God, I cry in the daytime,
but you do not answer; •
and by night also, but I find no rest.

3Yet you are the Holy One, •
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.

4Our forebears trusted in you; •
they trusted, and you delivered them.

5They cried out to you and were delivered; •
they put their trust in you and were not confounded. R

6But as for me, I am a worm and no man, •
scorned by all and despised by the people.

7All who see me laugh me to scorn; •
they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,

8‘He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; •
let him deliver him, if he delights in him.’

9But it is you that took me out of the womb •
and laid me safe upon my mother’s breast.

10On you was I cast ever since I was born; •
you are my God even from my mother’s womb.

11Be not far from me, for trouble is near at hand •
and there is none to help. R

12Mighty oxen come around me; •
fat bulls of Bashan close me in on every side.

13They gape upon me with their mouths, •
as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.

14I am poured out like water;
all my bones are out of joint; •
my heart has become like wax
melting in the depths of my body.

15My mouth is dried up like a potsherd;
my tongue cleaves to my gums; •
you have laid me in the dust of death. R

16For the hounds are all about me;
the pack of evildoers close in on me; •
they pierce my hands and my feet.

17I can count all my bones; •
they stand staring and looking upon me.

18They divide my garments among them; •
they cast lots for my clothing.

19Be not far from me, O Lord; •
you are my strength; hasten to help me.

20Deliver my soul from the sword, •
my poor life from the power of the dog.

21Save me from the lion’s mouth,
from the horns of wild oxen. •
You have answered me! R

22I will tell of your name to my people; •
in the midst of the congregation will I praise you.

23Praise the Lord, you that fear him; •
O seed of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, O seed of Israel.

24For he has not despised nor abhorred the suffering of the poor;
neither has he hidden his face from them; •
but when they cried to him he heard them.

25From you comes my praise in the great congregation; •
I will perform my vows
in the presence of those that fear you.

26The poor shall eat and be satisfied; •
those who seek the Lord shall praise him;
their hearts shall live for ever. R

27All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the Lord, •
and all the families of the nations shall bow before him.

28For the kingdom is the Lord’s •
and he rules over the nations.

29How can those who sleep in the earth
bow down in worship, •
or those who go down to the dust kneel before him?

30He has saved my life for himself;
my descendants shall serve him; •
this shall be told of the Lord for generations to come.

31They shall come and make known his salvation,
to a people yet unborn, •
declaring that he, the Lord, has done it.

Refrain: Be not far from me, O Lord.

Restless with grief and fear,
the abandoned turn to you:
in every hour of trial,
good Lord, deliver us,
O God most holy, God most strong,
whose wisdom is the cross of Christ.

Psalm 23

Refrain: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

1The Lord is my shepherd; •
therefore can I lack nothing.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures •
and leads me beside still waters. R

3He shall refresh my soul •
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; •
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. R

5You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me; •
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.

6Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life, •
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Refrain: I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

O God, our sovereign and shepherd,
who brought again your Son Jesus Christ
from the valley of death,
comfort us with your protecting presence
and your angels of goodness and love,
that we also may come home
and dwell with him in your house for ever.

Psalm 24

Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.

1The earth is the Lord’s and all that fills it, •
the compass of the world and all who dwell therein.

2For he has founded it upon the seas •
and set it firm upon the rivers of the deep. R

3‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord, •
or who can rise up in his holy place?’

4‘Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, •
who have not lifted up their soul to an idol,
nor sworn an oath to a lie;

5‘They shall receive a blessing from the Lord, •
a just reward from the God of their salvation.’

6Such is the company of those who seek him, •
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob. R

7Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors; •
and the King of glory shall come in.

8‘Who is the King of glory?’ •
‘The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord who is mighty in battle.’

9Lift up your heads, O gates;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors; •
and the King of glory shall come in.

10‘Who is this King of glory?’•
‘The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.’

Refrain: The Lord of hosts: he is the King of glory.

O Lord of hosts,
purify our hearts
that the King of glory may come in,
your Son, Jesus our redeemer.

Psalm 25

Refrain: Remember, Lord, your compassion and love.

1To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
O my God, in you I trust; •
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies triumph over me.

2Let none who look to you be put to shame, •
but let the treacherous be shamed and frustrated.

3Make me to know your ways, O Lord, •
and teach me your paths.

4Lead me in your truth and teach me, •
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you have I hoped all the day long.

5Remember, Lord, your compassion and love, •
for they are from everlasting. R

6Remember not the sins of my youth
or my transgressions, •
but think on me in your goodness, O Lord,
according to your steadfast love.

7Gracious and upright is the Lord; •
therefore shall he teach sinners in the way.

8He will guide the humble in doing right •
and teach his way to the lowly.

9All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth •
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. R

10For your name’s sake, O Lord, •
be merciful to my sin, for it is great.

11Who are those who fear the Lord? •
Them will he teach in the way that they should choose.

12Their soul shall dwell at ease •
and their offspring shall inherit the land.

13The hidden purpose of the Lord is for those who fear him •
and he will show them his covenant.

14My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, •
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. R

15Turn to me and be gracious to me, •
for I am alone and brought very low.

16The sorrows of my heart have increased; •
O bring me out of my distress.

17Look upon my adversity and misery •
and forgive me all my sin.

18Look upon my enemies, for they are many •
and they bear a violent hatred against me.

19O keep my soul and deliver me; •
let me not be put to shame, for I have put my trust in you.

20Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, •
for my hope has been in you.

21Deliver Israel, O God, •
out of all his troubles.

Refrain: Remember, Lord, your compassion and love.

Free us, God of mercy,
from all that keeps us from you;
relieve the misery of the anxious and the ashamed
and fill us with the hope of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.