38 Thus were they stained with their own works and went a whoring with their own inventions. 39 Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against His people: insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance. 40 And He gave them over into the hand of the heathen: and they that hated them were lords over them. 41 Their enemies oppressed them: and had them in subjection. 42 Many a time did He deliver them: but they rebelled against Him with their own inventions, and were brought down in their wickedness. 43 Nevertheless, when He saw their adversity; He heard their complaint. 44 He thought upon His covenant, and pitied them, according unto the multitude of His mercies: yea, He made all those that led them away captive to pity them. 45 Deliver us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen: that we may give thanks unto Thy holy Name, and make our boast of Thy praise. 46 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and world without end: and let all the people say, Amen. SECOND PORTION. PSALM CVII. Confitemini Domino. GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious: and His mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let them give thanks whom the Lord : hath redeemed and delivered from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west: from the north, and from the south. 4 They went astray in the wilderness out of the way: and found no city to dwell in; 5 Hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them. 6 So they cried unto the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress. : 7 He led them forth by the right way: that they might go to the city where they dwelt. 8 0 that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness: and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men! 9 For He satisfieth the empty soul : and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 10 Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: being fast bound in misery and iron; 11 Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest; 12 He also brought down their heart through heaviness they fell down, and there was none to help them. 13 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble: He delivered them out of their distress. 14 For He brought them out of dark ness, and out of the shadow of death: and brake their bonds in sunder. 15 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness: and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men! 16 For He hath broken the gates of brass: and smitten the bars of iron in sunder. 17 Foolish men are plagued for their offence and because of their wickedness. 18 Their soul abhorred all manner of meat and they were even hard at death's door. 19 So when they cried unto the Lord in their trouble: He delivered them out of their distress. 20 He sent His word, and healed them': and they were saved from their destruction. 21 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men! 22 That they would offer unto Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving: and tell out His works with gladness! 23 They that go down to the sea in ships and occupy their business in great : waters; 24 These men see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep. : 25 For at His word the stormy wind ariseth which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26 They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep their soul melteth away because of the trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man and are at their wits' end. 28 So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble: He delivereth them out of their distress. 29 For He maketh the storm to cease: so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad, because they are at rest and so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be. 31 O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men! 32 That they would exalt Him also in the congregation of the people and praise Him in the seat of the elders! : 33 Who turneth the floods into a wilderness and drieth up the water-springs. 34 A fruitful land maketh He barren: for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. 35 Again, He maketh the wilderness a standing water and water-springs of a dry ground. 36 And there He setteth the hungry: that they may build them a city to dwell in; 37 That they may sow their land, and plant vineyards to yield them fruits of increase. 38 He blesseth them, so that they multiply exceedingly and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. 39 And again, when they are minished, and brought low through oppression, through any plague, or trouble; 40 Though He suffer them to be evil intreated through tyrants: and let them wander out of the way in the wilderness; 41 Yet helpeth He the poor out of misery: and maketh him households like a flock of sheep. 42 The righteous will consider this, and rejoice and the mouth of all wickedness shall be stopped. 43 Whoso is wise will ponder these things and they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. THIRD PORTION. PSALM CVIII. Paratum cor meum. GOD, my heart is ready, my heart is ready: I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have. 2 Awake, thou lute, and harp : I myself will awake right early: 3 I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations. 4 For Thy mercy is greater than the heavens and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. 5 Set up Thyself, O God, above the heavens and Thy glory above all the earth. 6 That Thy beloved may be delivered: let Thy right hand save them, and hear Thou me. 7 God hath spoken in His holiness: I |