Church of England home page Common Worship   Publications Site Map
    Psalm 141  
     
1
  O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; •
    hear my voice when I cry to you.
     
2
  Let my prayer rise before you as incense, •
    the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
     
3
  Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, •
    and guard the door of my lips;
     
4
  Let not my heart incline to any evil thing; •
    let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers,
    nor taste the pleasures of their table.
     
5
  Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;
    but let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; •
    for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
     
6
  Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places; •
    then they may know that my words are sweet.
     
7
  As when a plough turns over the earth in furrows, •
    let their bones be scattered at the mouth of the Pit.
     
     
8
  But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God; •
    in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.
     
9
  Protect me from the snare which they have laid for me •
    and from the traps of the evildoers.
     
10
  Let the wicked fall into their own nets, •
    while I pass by in safety.
     
    Psalm 142  
     
1
  I cry aloud to the Lord; •
    to the Lord I make my supplication.
     
2
  I pour out my complaint before him •
    and tell him of my trouble.
     
3
  When my spirit faints within me, you know my path; •
    in the way wherein I walk have they laid a snare for me.
     
4
  I look to my right hand, and find no one who knows me; •
    I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for my soul.
     
5
  I cry out to you, O Lord, and say: •
    'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
     
6
  'Listen to my cry, for I am brought very low; •
    save me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.
     
7
  'Bring my soul out of prison,
    that I may give thanks to your name; •
    when you have dealt bountifully with me,
    then shall the righteous gather around me.'
     
    Psalm 143  
     
1
  Hear my prayer, O Lord,
    and in your faithfulness give ear to my supplications; •
    answer me in your righteousness.
     
2
  Enter not into judgement with your servant, •
    for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
     
3
  For the enemy has pursued me,
    crushing my life to the ground, •
    making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
     
4
  My spirit faints within me; •
    my heart within me is desolate.
     
5
  I remember the time past; I muse upon all your deeds; •
    I consider the works of your hands.
     
6
  I stretch out my hands to you; •
    my soul gasps for you like a thirsty land.
     
7
  O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; •
    hide not your face from me
    lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.
     
8
  Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,
    for in you I put my trust; •
    show me the way I should walk in,
    for I lift up my soul to you.
     
9
  Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies, •
    for I flee to you for refuge.
     
10
  Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; •
    let your kindly spirit lead me on a level path.
     
11
  Revive me, O Lord, for your name's sake; •
    for your righteousness' sake, bring me out of trouble.
     
12
  In your faithfulness, slay my enemies,
    and destroy all the adversaries of my soul, •
    for truly I am your servant.
     
    Psalm 144  
     
1
  Blessed be the Lord my rock, •
    who teaches my hands for war and my fingers for battle;
     
2
  My steadfast help and my fortress,
    my stronghold and my deliverer,
    my shield in whom I trust, •
    who subdues the peoples under me.
     
3
  O Lord, what are mortals that you should consider them; •
    mere human beings, that you should take thought for them?
     
4
  They are like a breath of wind; •
    their days pass away like a shadow.
     
     
5
  Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down; •
    touch the mountains and they shall smoke.
     
6
  Cast down your lightnings and scatter them; •
    shoot out your arrows and let thunder roar.
     
7
  Reach down your hand from on high; •
    deliver me and take me out of the great waters,
    from the hand of foreign enemies,
     
8
  Whose mouth speaks wickedness •
    and their right hand is the hand of falsehood.
     
     
9
  O God, I will sing to you a new song; •
    I will play to you on a ten-stringed harp,
     
10
  You that give salvation to kings •
    and have delivered David your servant.
     
11
  Save me from the peril of the sword •
    and deliver me from the hand of foreign enemies,
     
12
  Whose mouth speaks wickedness •
    and whose right hand is the hand of falsehood;
     
13
  So that our sons in their youth
    may be like well-nurtured plants, •
    and our daughters like pillars
    carved for the corners of the temple;
     
14
  Our barns be filled with all manner of store; •
    our flocks bearing thousands,
    and ten thousands in our fields;
     
15
  Our cattle be heavy with young: •
    may there be no miscarriage or untimely birth,
    no cry of distress in our streets.
     
16
  Happy are the people whose blessing this is. •
    Happy are the people who have the Lord for their God.
     
    Psalm 145  
     
1
  I will exalt you, O God my King, •
    and bless your name for ever and ever.
     
2
  Every day will I bless you •
    and praise your name for ever and ever.
     
3
  Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; •
    his greatness is beyond all searching out.
     
4
  One generation shall praise your works to another •
    and declare your mighty acts.
     
5
  They shall speak of the majesty of your glory, •
    and I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
     
6
  They shall speak of the might of your marvellous acts, •
    and I will also tell of your greatness.
     
7
  They shall pour forth the story of your abundant kindness •
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
     
8
  The Lord is gracious and merciful, •
    long-suffering and of great goodness.
     
     
9
  The Lord is loving to everyone •
    and his mercy is over all his creatures.
     
10
  All your works praise you, O Lord, •
    and your faithful servants bless you.
     
11
  They tell of the glory of your kingdom •
    and speak of your mighty power,
     
12
  To make known to all peoples your mighty acts •
    and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
     
13
  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; •
    your dominion endures throughout all ages.
     
14
  The Lord is sure in all his words •
    and faithful in all his deeds.
     
15
  The Lord upholds all those who fall •
    and lifts up all those who are bowed down.
     
16
  The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, •
    and you give them their food in due season.
     
17
  You open wide your hand •
    and fill all things living with plenty.
     
18
  The Lord is righteous in all his ways •
    and loving in all his works.
     
19
  The Lord is near to those who call upon him, •
    to all who call upon him faithfully.
     
20
  He fulfils the desire of those who fear him; •
    he hears their cry and saves them.
     
21
  The Lord watches over those who love him, •
    but all the wicked shall he destroy.
     
22
  My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, •
    and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.