1"O give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures for ever."
2Let them say this, the Lord's redeemed, whom he redeemed from the hand of the foe 3and gathered from far-off lands, from east and west, north and south.
* * *
4Some wandered in the desert, in the wilderness, finding no way to a city they could dwell in. 5Hungry they were and thirsty; their soul was fainting within them.
6Then they cried to the Lord in their need and he rescued them from their distress 7and he led them along the right way, to reach a city they could dwell in.
8Let them thank the Lord for his love, for the wonders he does for men: 9for he satisfies the thirsty soul; he fills the hungry with good things.
* * *
10Some lay in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and chains, 11having defied the words of God and spurned the counsels of the Most High. 12He crushed their spirit with toil; they stumbled; there was no one to help.
13Then they cried to the Lord in their need and he rescued them from their distress. 14He led them forth from darkness and gloom and broke their chains to pieces.
15Let them thank the Lord for his goodness, for the wonders he does for men: 16for he bursts the gates of bronze and shatters the iron bars.
* * *
17Some were sick on account of their sins and afflicted on account of their guilt. 18They had a loathing for every food; they came close to the gates of death.
19Then they cried to the Lord in their need and he rescued them from their distress. 20He sent forth his word to heal them and saved their life from the grave.
21Let them thank the Lord for his love, for the wonders he does for men. 22Let them offer a sacrifice of thanks and tell of his deeds with rejoicing.
* * *
23Some sailed to the sea in ships to trade on the mighty waters. 24These men have seen the Lord's deeds, the wonders he does in the deep.
25For he spoke; he summoned the gale, tossing the waves of the sea 26up to heaven and back into the deep; their souls melted away in their distress.
27They staggered, reeled like drunken men, for all their skill was gone. 28Then they cried to the Lord in their need and he rescued them from their distress.
29He stilled the storm to a whisper: all the waves of the sea were hushed. 30They rejoiced because of the calm and he led them to the haven they desired.
31Let them thank the Lord for his love, for the wonders he does for men. 32Let them exalt him in the gathering of the people and praise him in the meeting of the elders.
* * *
33He changes streams into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 34fruitful land into a salty waste, for the wickedness of those who live there.
35But he changes desert into streams, thirsty ground into springs of water. 36There he settles the hungry and they build a city to dwell in.
37They sow fields and plant their vines; these yield crops for the harvest. 38He blesses them; they grow in numbers. He does not let their herds decrease.
* * *
40He pours contempt upon princes, makes them wander in trackless wastes. 39They diminish, are reduced to nothing by oppression, evil and sorrow.
41But he raises the needy from distress; makes families numerous as a flock. 42The upright see it and rejoice but all who do wrong are silenced.
43Whoever is wise, let him heed these things. And consider the love of the Lord.
Psalm 108(107) Paratum cor meum
.2My heart is ready, O God; I will sing, sing your praise. Awake, my soul; .3awake, lyre and harp, I will awake the dawn.
.4I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples, among the nations I will praise you, .5for your love reaches to the heavens and your truth to the skies. .6O God, arise above the heavens; may your glory shine on earth!
.7O come and deliver your friends; help with your right hand and reply. .8From his holy place God has made this promise; "I will triumph and divide the land of Shechem, I will measure out the valley of Succoth.
.9Gilead is mine and Manasseh, Ephraim I take for my helmet, Judah for my commander's staff. .10Moab I will use for my washbowl, on Edom I will plant my shoe. Over the Philistines I will shout in triumph."
.11But who will lead me to conquer the fortress? Who will bring me face to face with Edom? .12Will you utterly reject us, O God, and no longer march with our armies?
.13Give us help against the foe, for the help of man is vain. .14With God we shall do bravely and he will trample down our foes.
Psalm 109(108) Deus, laudem
1O God whom I praise, do not be silent, 2for the mouths of deceit and wickedness are opened against me.
3They speak to me with lying tongues; they beset me with words of hate and attack me without cause.
4In return for my love they accuse me while I pray for them. 5They repay me evil for good, hatred for love.
* * *
6Appoint a wicked man as his judge; let an accuser stand at his right. 7When he is judged let him come out condemned; let his prayer be considered as sin.
8Let the days of his life be few; let another man take his office. 9Let his children be fatherless orphans and his wife become a widow.
10Let his children be wanderers and beggars driven from the ruins of their home. 11Let the creditor seize all his goods; let strangers take the fruit of his work.
12Let no one show him any mercy nor pity his fatherless children. 13Let all his sons be destroyed and with them their names be blotted out.
14Let his father's guilt be remembered, his mother's be retained. 15Let it always stand before the Lord, that their memory be cut off from the earth.
16For he did not think of showing mercy but pursed the poor and the needy, 17hounding the wretched to death. He loved cursing; let curses fall upon him. He scorned blessing; let blessing pass him by.
18He put on cursing like his coat; let it sink into his body like water; let it sink like oil into his bones; 19let it be like the clothes that cover him, like a girdle he cannot take off!
* * *
20Let the Lord thus repay my accusers, all those who speak evil against me. 21For your name's sake act in my defense; in the goodness of your love be my rescuer.
22For I am poor and needy and my heart is pierced within me. 23I fade like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.
24My knees are weak from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt. 25I have become an object of scorn, all who see me toss their heads.
26Help me, Lord my God; save me because of your love. 27Let them know that is your work, That this is your doing, O Lord.
28They may curse but you will bless. Let my attackers be put to shame, but let your servant rejoice. 29Let my accusers be clothed with dishonor, covered with shame as with a cloak.
30Loud thanks to the Lord are on my lips. I will praise him in the midst of the throng, 31for he stands at the poor man's side to save him from those who condemn him.
Psalm 110(109) Dixit Dominus
1The Lord's revelation to my Master: "Sit on my right: your foes I will put beneath your feet."
2The Lord will yield from Zion your scepter of power: rule in the midst of all your foes.
3A prince from the day of your birth on the holy mountains; from the womb before the dawn I begot you.
4The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change. "You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old."
* * *
5The Master standing at your right hand will shatter kings in the day of his wrath.
6He, the judge of the nations will heap high the bodies; heads shall be scattered far and wide.
7He shall drink from the stream by the wayside and therefore he shall lift up his head.
Psalm 111(110) Confitebor tibi
1ALLELUIA!
I will thank the Lord with all my heart in the meeting of the just and their assembly. 2Great are the works of the Lord, to be pondered by all who love them.
3Majestic and glorious his work, his justice stands firm for ever. 4He makes us remember his wonders. The Lord is compassion and love.
5He gives food to those who fear him; keeps his covenant ever in mind. 6He has shown his might to his people by giving them the lands of the nations.
7His works are justice and truth, his precepts are all of them sure, 8standing firm for ever and ever; they are made in uprightness and truth.
9He has sent deliverance to his people and established his covenant for ever. Holy his name, to be feared.
10To fear the Lord is the first stage of wisdom; all who do so prove themselves wise. His praise shall last for ever!
Psalm 112(111) Beatus vir
1ALLELUIA!
Happy the man who fears the Lord, who take delight in all his commands. 2His sons shall be powerful on earth; the children of the upright are blessed.
3Riches and wealth are in his house; his justice stands firm for ever. 4He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just.
5The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honor. 6The just man will never waver: he will be remembered for ever.
7He has no fear of evil news; with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord. 8With a steadfast heart he will not fear; he will see the downfall of his foes.
9Open-handed, he gives to the poor; his justice stands firm for ever. His head will be raised in glory.
10The wicked man sees and is angry, grinds his teeth and fades away; the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Psalm 113(112) Laudate, pueri
1ALLELUIA!
Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! 2May the name of the Lord be blessed both now and for evermore! 3From the rising of the sun to its setting praised be the name of the Lord!
4High above all nations is the Lord, above the heavens his glory. 5Who is like the Lord, our God, who has risen on high to his throne 6yet stoops from the heights to look down, to look down upon heaven and earth?
7From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from the dungheap he raises the poor 8to set them in the company of princes, yes, with the princes of his people. 9To the childless wife he gives a home and gladdens her heart with children.
Psalm 114(113.1) In exitu Israel
ALLELUIA!
1When Israel came forth from Egypt, Jacob's sons from an alien people 2Judah became the Lord's temple, Israel became his kingdom.
3The sea fled at the sight: the Jordan turned back on its course, 4the mountains leapt like rams and the hills like yearling sheep.
5Why was it, sea, that you fled, that you turned back, Jordan, on your course? 6Mountains, that you leapt like rams; hills, like yearling sheep?
7Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, in the presence of the God of Jacob, 8who turns the rock into a pool and flint into a spring of water.
Psalm 115(113.2) Non nobis, Domine
1Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory for the sake of your love and your truth, 2lest the heathen say: "Where is their God?"
3But our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he wills. 4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5They have mouths but they cannot speak; they have eyes but they cannot see; 6they have ears but they cannot hear; they have nostrils but they cannot smell.
7With their hands they cannot feel; with their feet they cannot walk. (No sound comes from their throats.)
8Their makers will come to be like them and so will all who trust in them.
9Sons of Israel, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. 10Sons of Aaron, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield.
11You who fear him, trust in the Lord; he is their help and their shield. 12He remembers us, and he will bless us; he will bless the sons of Israel. (He will bless the sons of Aaron.)
13The Lord will bless those who fear him, the little no less than the great: 14to you may the Lord grant increase, to you and all your children.
15May you be blessed by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. 16The heavens belong to the Lord but the earth he has given to men.
17The dead shall not praise the Lord, nor those who go down into the silence. 18But we who live bless the Lord now and for ever. Amen.
Psalm 116.1(114) Dilexi, quoniam
ALLELUIA!
1I love the Lord for he has heard the cry of my appeal; 2for he turned his ear to me in the day when I called him.
3They surrounded me, the snares of death, with the anguish of the tomb; they caught me, sorrow and distress. 4I called on the Lord's name.
O Lord, my God, deliver me!
5How gracious is the Lord, and just; our God has compassion. 6The Lord protects the simple hearts; I was helpless so he saved me.
7Turn back, my soul, to your rest for the Lord has been good; 8he has kept my soul from death, (my eyes from tears) and my feet from stumbling.
9I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 116.2(115) Credidi, propter
10I trusted, even when I said: "I am sorely afflicted," 11and when I said in my alarm: "No man can be trusted."
12How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? 13The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord's name.
14My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people. 15O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.
16Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds. 17A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord's name.
18My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people, 19in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Psalm 117(116) Laudate Dominum
ALLELUIA!
1O praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples!
2Strong is his love for us; he is faithful for ever.
Psalm 118(117) Confitemini Domino
ALLELUIA!
1Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures for ever.
* * *
2Let the sons of Israel say: "His love endures for ever." 3Let the sons of Aaron say: "His love endures for ever." 4Let those who fear the Lord say: "His love endures for ever."
5I called to the Lord in my distress; he answered and freed me. 6The Lord is at my side; I do not fear. what can man do against me? 7The Lord is at my side as my helper; I shall look down on my foes.
8It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in men; 9it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
10The nations all encompassed me; in the Lord's name I crushed them. 11They compassed me, compassed me about; in the Lord's name I crushed them. 12They compassed me about like bees; they blazed like a fire among thorns. In the Lord's name I crushed them.
13I was thrust down, thrust down and falling, but the Lord was my helper. 14The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my savior. 15There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just.
The Lord's right hand has triumphed; 16his right hand raised me. The Lord's right hand has triumphed; 17I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. 18I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die.
19Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks. 20This is the Lord's own gate where the just may enter. 21I will thank you for you have answered and you are my savior.
22The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. 23This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. 24This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
25O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. 26Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; 27the Lord God is our light.
Go forward in procession with branches even to the altar. 28You are my God, I thank you. My God, I praise you. 29Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures for ever.
Psalm 119(118) Beati immaculati
*Aleph (A) I
1They are happy whose life is blameless, who follow God's law! 2They are happy who do his will, seeking him with all their hearts,
3who never do anything evil but walk in his ways. 4You have laid down your precepts to be obeyed with care.
5May my footsteps be firm to obey your statutes. 6Then I shall not be put to shame as I heed your commands.
7I will thank you with an upright heart as I learn your decrees. 8I will obey your statutes; do not forsake me.
*Beth (B) II
9How shall the young remain sinless? By obeying your word. 10I have sought you with all my heart; let me not stray from your commands.
11I treasure your promise in my heart lest I sin against you. 12Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.
13With my tongue I have recounted the decrees of your lips. 14I rejoiced to do your will as they all riches were mine.
15I will ponder all your precepts and consider your paths. 16I take delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
*Gimmel (G) III
17Bless your servant and I shall live and obey your word. 18Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of your law.
19I am a pilgrim on the earth; show me your commands. 20My soul is ever consumed as I long for your decrees.
21You threaten the proud, the accursed, who turn from your commands. 22Relieve me from scorn and contempt for I do your will.
23Though the princes sit plotting against me I ponder on your statutes. 24Your will is my delight; your statutes are my counselors.
*Daleth (D) IV
25My soul lies in the dust; by your will revive me. 26I declared my ways and you answered; teach me your statutes.
27Make me grasp the way of your precepts and I will muse on your wonders. 28My soul pines away with grief; by your word raise me up.
29Keep me from the way of error and teach me your law. 30I have chosen the way of truth with your decrees before me.
31I bind myself to do your will; Lord, do not disappoint me. 32I will run the way of your commands; you give freedom to my heart.
*He (H) V
33Teach me the demands of your statutes and I will keep them to the end. 34Train me to observe your law, to keep it with my heart.
35Guide me in the path of your commands; for there is my delight. 36Bend my heart to your will and not to love of gain.
37Keep my eyes from what is false; by your word, give me life. 38Keep the promise you have made to the servant who fears you.
39Keep me from the scorn I dread, for your decrees are good. 40See, I long for your precepts; then in your justice, give me life.
*Vau (V) VI
41Lord, let your love come upon me, the saving help of your promise. 42And I shall answer those who taunt me for I trust in your word.
43Do not take the word of truth from my mouth for I trust in your decrees. 44I shall always keep your law for ever and ever.
45I shall walk in the path of freedom for I seek your precepts. 46I will speak of your will before kings and not be abashed.
47Your commands have been my delight; these I have loved. 48I will worship your commands and love them and ponder your statutes.
*Zayin (Z) VII
49Remember your word to your servant by which you gave me hope. 50This is my comfort in sorrow: that your promise gives me life.
51Though the proud may utterly deride me I keep to your law. 52I remember your decrees of old and these, Lord, console me.
53I am seized with indignation at the wicked who forsake your law. 54Your statutes have become my song in the land of exile.
55I think of your name in the nighttime and I keep your law. 56This has been my blessing, the keeping of your precepts.
*Heth (CH) VIII
57My part, I have resolved, O Lord, is to obey your word. 58With all my heart I implore your favor; show the mercy of your promise.
59I have pondered over many ways and returned to your will. 60I made haste and did not delay to obey your commands.
61Though the nets of the wicked ensnared me I remembered your law. 62At midnight I will rise and thank you for your just decrees.
63I am a friend of all who revere you, who obey your precepts. 64Lord, your love fills the earth. Teach me your statutes.
*Teth (T) IX
65Lord, you have been good to your servant according to your word. 66Teach me discernment and knowledge for I trust in your commands.
67Before I was afflicted I strayed but now I keep your word. 68You are good and your deeds are good; teach me your statutes.
69Though proud men smear me with lies yet I keep your precepts. 70Their minds are closed to good but your law is my delight.
71It was good for me to be afflicted, to learn your statutes. 72The law from your mouth means more to me than silver and gold.
*Yod (Y) X
73It was your hands that made me and shaped me: help me to learn your commands. 74Your faithful will see me and rejoice for I trust in your word.
75Lord, I know that your decrees are right, that you afflicted me justly. 76Let your love be ready to console me by your promise to your servant.
77Let your love come and I shall live for your law is my delight. 78Shame the proud who harm me with lies while I ponder your precepts.
79Let your faithful turn to me, those who know your will. 80Let my heart be blameless in your statutes lest I be ashamed.
*Caph (K) XI
81I yearn for your saving help; I hope in your word. 82My eyes yearn to see your promise. When will you console me
83Though parched and exhausted with waiting I remember your statutes. 84How long must your servant suffer? When will you judge my foes?
85For me the proud have dug pitfalls, against your law. 86Your commands are all true; then help me when lies oppress me.
87They almost made an end of me on earth, but I kept your precepts. 88Because of your love give me life and I will do your will.
*Lamed (L) XII
89Your word, O Lord, for ever stands firm in the heavens: 90your truth lasts from age to age, like the earth you created.
91By your decree it endures to this day; for all things serve you. 92Had your law not been my delight I would have died in my affliction.
93I will never forget your precepts for with them you give me life. 94Save me, for I am yours since I seek your precepts.
95Though the wicked lie in wait to destroy me yet I ponder your will. 96I have seen that all perfection has an end but your command is boundless.
*Mem (M) XIII
97Lord, how I love your law! It is ever in my mind. 98Your command makes me wiser than my foes; for it is mine for ever.
99I have more insight than all who teach me for I ponder your will. 100I have more understanding than the old for I keep your precepts.
101I turn my feet from evil paths to obey your word. 102I have not turned from your decrees; you yourself have taught me.
103Your promise is sweeter to my taste than honey in the mouth. 104I gain understanding from your precepts and so I hate false ways.
*Nun (N) XIV
105Your word is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path. 106I have sworn and have made up my mind to obey your decrees.
107Lord, I am deeply afflicted; by your word give me life. 108Accept, Lord, the homage of my lips and teach me your decrees.
109Though I carry my life in my hands, I remember your law. 110Though the wicked try to ensnare me, I do not stray from your precepts.
111Your will is my heritage for ever, the joy of my heart. 112I set myself to carry out your statutes in fullness, for ever.
*Samech (S) XV
113I have no love for half-hearted men; my love is for your law. 114You are my shelter, my shield; I hope in your word.
115Leave me, you who do evil; I will keep God's command. 116If you uphold me by your promise I shall live; let my hopes not be in vain.
117Sustain me and I shall be saved and ever observe your statutes. 118You spurn all who swerve from your statutes; their cunning is in vain.
119You throw away the wicked like dross; so I love your will. 120I tremble before you in terror; I fear your decrees.
*Ayin (O) XVI
121I have done what is right and just: let me not be oppressed. 122Vouch for the welfare of your servant lest the proud oppress me.
123My eyes yearn for your saving help and the promise of your justice. 124Treat your servant with love and teach me your statutes.
125I am your servant, give me knowledge; then I shall know your will. 126It is time for the Lord to act for your law has been broken.
127That is why I love your commands more than finest gold, 128why I rule my life by your precepts, and hate false ways.
*Pe (P) XVII
129Your will is wonderful indeed; therefore I obey it. 130The unfolding of your word gives light and teaches the simple.
131I open my mouth and I sigh as I yearn for your commands. 132Turn and show me your mercy; show justice to your friends.
133Let my steps be guided by your promise; let no evil rule me. 134Redeem me from man's oppression and I will keep your precepts.
135Let your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. 136Tears stream from my eyes because your law is disobeyed.
*Sade (TZ) XVIII
137Lord, you are just indeed; your decrees are right. 138You have imposed your will with justice and with absolute truth.
139I am carried away by anger for my foes forget your word. 140Your promise is tried in the fire, the delight of your servant.
141Although I am weak and despised, I remember your precepts. 142Your justice is eternal justice and your law is truth.
143Though anguish and distress have seized me, I delight in your commands. 144The justice of your will is eternal: if you teach me I shall live.
*Koph (Q) XIX
145I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me, I will keep your statutes. 146I call upon you, save me and I will do your will.
147I rise before dawn and cry for help, I hope in your word. 148My eyes watch through the night to ponder your promise.
149In your love hear my voice, O Lord; give me life by your decrees. 150Those who harm me unjustly draw near; they are far from your law.
151But you, O Lord, are close, your commands are truth. 152Long have I known that your will is established for ever.
*Resh (R) XX
153See my affliction and save me for I remember your law. 154Uphold my cause and defend me; by your promise, give me life.
155Salvation is far from the wicked who are heedless of your statutes. 156Numberless, Lord, are your mercies; with your decrees give me life.
157Though my foes and oppressors are countless I have not swerved from your will. 158I look at the faithless with disgust; they ignore your promise.
159See how I love your precepts; in your mercy give me life. 160Your word is founded on truth, your decrees are eternal.
*Shin (SH) XXI
161Though princes oppress me without cause I stand in awe of your word. 162I take delight in your promise like one who finds a treasure.
163Lies I hate and detest but your law is my love. 164Seven times a day I praise you for your just decrees.
165The lovers of your law have great peace; they never stumble. 166I await your saving help, O Lord, I fulfill your commands.
167My soul obeys your will and loves it dearly. 168I obey your precepts and your will; all that I do is before you.
*Tau (TH) XXII
169Lord, let my cry come before you: teach me by your word. 170Let my pleading come before you: save me by your promise.
171Let my lips proclaim your praise because you teach me your statutes. 172Let my tongue sing your promise for your commands are just.
173Let your hand be ready to help me, since I have chosen your precepts. 174Lord, I long for your saving help and your law is my delight.
175Give life to my soul that I may praise you. Let your decrees give me help. 176I am lost like a sheep; seek your servant for I remember your commands.
Psalm 120(119) Ad Dominum
1To the Lord in the hour of my distress I call and he answers me. 2"O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, from the tongue of the deceitful."
3What shall he repay you in return, O treacherous tongue? 4The warriors arrows sharpened and coals, red-hot, blazing.
5(Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, dwell among the tents of Kedar!)
6Long enough have I been dwelling with those who hate peace. 7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for fighting.
Psalm 121(120) Levai oculos
1I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? 2My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
3May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. 4No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel's guard.
5The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. 6By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night.
7The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard you soul. 8The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and for ever.
Psalm 122(121) Laetatus sum
1I rejoiced when I heard them say: "Let us go to God's house." 2And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. 4It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel's law it is, there to praise the Lord's name. 5There were set the thrones of judgment of the house of David.
6For the peace of Jerusalem pray: "Peace be to your homes! 7May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!"
8For love of my brethren and friends I say: "Peace upon you." 9For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good.
Psalm 123(122) Ad te levavi oculos meos
1To you have I lifted up my eyes, you who dwell in the heavens; 2my eyes, like the eyes of slaves on the hand of their lords.
Like the eyes of a servant on the hand of her mistress, 3so our eyes are on the Lord our God till he show us his mercy.
4Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. We are filled with contempt. 5Indeed all too full is our soul with the scorn of the rich, (with the proud man's disdain).
Psalm 124(123) Nisi qua Dominus
1"If the Lord had not been on our side," this is Israel's song. 2"If the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us, 3then would they have swallowed us alive when their anger was kindled.
4Then would the waters have engulfed us, the torrent gone over us; 5over our head would have swept the raging waters."
6Blessed be the Lord who did not give us a prey to their teeth! 7Our life, like a bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed the snare has been broken and we have escaped. 8Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 125(124) Qui confidunt
1Those who put their trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken, that stands for ever.
2Jerusalem! The mountains surround her, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and for ever.
3For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest over the land of the just for fear that the hands of the just should turn to evil.
4Do good, Lord, to those who are good, to the upright of heart; 5but the crooked and those who do evil, drive them away!
On Israel, peace!
Psalm 126(125) In convertendo
1When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. 2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs.
The heathens themselves said: "What marvels the Lord worked for them!" 3What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.
4Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. 5Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
6They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves.
Psalm 127(126) Nisi Dominus
1If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
2In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat, when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
3Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, a blessing, the fruit of the womb. 4Indeed the sons of youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
5O the happiness of the man who has filled his quiver with these arrows! He will have no cause for shame when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
Psalm 128(127) Beati omnes
1O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
2By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper; 3the wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; Your children like shoots of the olive, around the your table.
4Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord. 5May the Lord bless you from Zion 5call the days of your life! 6May you see your children's children 5bin a happy Jerusalem!
On Israel, peace!
Psalm 129(128) Saepe expugnaverunt
1"They have pressed me hard from my youth," this is Israel's song. 2"They have pressed me hard from my youth but could never destroy me.
3They plowed my back like plowmen, drawing long furrows. 4But the Lord who is just, has destroyed the yoke of the wicked."
5Let them be shamed and routed, those who hate Zion! 6Let them be like grass on the roof that withers before it flowers.
7With that no reaper fill his arms, no binder makes his sheaves 8and those passing by will not say: "On you the Lord's blessing!"
"We bless you in the name of the Lord."
Psalm 130(129) De profundis
1Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, 2Lord, hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.
3If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive? 4But with you is found forgiveness: for this we revere you.
5My soul is waiting for the Lord. I count on his word. 6My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak. (Let the watchman count on daybreak 7and Israel on the Lord.)
Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption, 8Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity.
Psalm 131(130) Domine, non est
1O Lord, my heart is not proud nor haughty my eyes. I have not gone after things too great nor marvels beyond me.
2Truly I have set my soul in silence and peace. A weaned child on its mother's breast, even so is my soul.
3O Israel, hope in the Lord both now and forever.
Psalm 132(131) Memento, Domine
1O Lord, remember David and all the many hardships he endured, 2the oath he swore to the Lord, his vow to the Strong One of Jacob.
3"I will not enter the house where I live nor go the bed where I rest. 4I will give no sleep to my eyes, to my eyelids I will give no slumber 5till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Strong One of Jacob."
6At Ephrata we heard of the ark; we found it in the plains of Yearim. 7"Let us go to the place of his dwelling; let us go to kneel at his footstool."
8Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest, you and the ark of your strength. 9Your priests shall be clothed with holiness; your faithful shall ring out their joy. 10For the sake of David your servant do not reject your anointed.
11The Lord swore an oath to David; he will not go back on this word: "A son, the fruit of your body, will I set upon your throne.
12If they keep my covenant in truth and my laws that I have taught them, their sons too shall rule on your throne from age to age."
13For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling: 14"This is my resting-place for ever; here have I chosen to live.
15I will greatly bless her produce, I will fill her poor with bread. 16I will clothe her priests with salvation and her faithful shall ring out their joy.
17There David's stock will flower; I will prepare a lamp for my anointed. 18I will cover his enemies with shame but on him my crown shall shine."
Psalm 133(132) Eccem qyan bonum!
1How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers live in unity!
2It is like precious oil upon the head running down upon the beard, running down upon Aaron's beard, upon the collar of his robes.
3It is like the dew of Hermon which falls on the heights of Zion. For there the Lord gives his blessing, life for ever.
Psalm 134(133) Ecce nunc
1O come, bless the Lord, all you who serve the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
2Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord through the night.
3May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made both heaven and earth.
Psalm 135(134) Laudate nomen
1ALLELUIA!
Praise the name of the Lord, praise him, servants of the Lord, 2who stand in the house of the Lord in the courts of the house of our God.
3Praise the Lord for the Lord is good. Sing a psalm to his name for he is loving. 4For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself and Israel for his own possession.
5For I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is high above all gods. 6The Lord does whatever he wills, in heaven, on earth, in the seas.
7He summons clouds from the ends of the earth; makes lightning produce the rain; from his treasuries he sends forth the wind.
8The first-born of the Egyptians he smote, of man and beast alike. 9Signs and wonders he worked in the midst of your land, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10Nations in their greatness he struck and kings in their splendor he slew. 11Sihon, king of the Amorites, Og, the king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. 12He let Israel inherit their land; on his people their land he bestowed.
13Lord, your name stands for ever, unforgotten from age to age, 14for the Lord does justice for his people; the Lord takes pity on his servants.
15Pagan idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 16They have mouths but they cannot speak; they have eyes but they cannot see.
17They have ears but they cannot hear; there is never a breath on their lips. 18Their makers will come to be like them and so will all who trust in them!
19Sons of Israel, bless the Lord! Sons of Aaron, bless the Lord! 20Sons of Levi, bless the Lord! You who fear him, bless the Lord!
21From Zion may the Lord be blessed, he who dwells in Jerusalem!
Psalm 136(135) Confitemini
ALLELUIA!
1O give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures for ever. 2Give thanks to the God of gods for his love endures for ever. 3Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his love endures for ever;
4who alone has wrought marvelous works, for his love endures for ever; 5whose wisdom it was made the skies, for his love endures for ever; 6who fixed the earth firmly on the seas, for his love endures for ever.
7It was he who made the great lights, for his love endures for ever; 8the sun to rule in the day, for his love endures for ever; 9the moon and the stars in the night, for his love endures for ever.
10The first-born of the Egyptians he smote, for his love endures for ever. 11He brought Israel out from the midst, for his love endures for ever; 12arm outstretched, with power in his hand, for his love endures for ever.
13He divided the Red Sea in two, for his love endures for ever; 14he made Israel pass through the midst, for his love endures for ever; 15he flung Pharaoh and his force in the sea, for his love endures for ever.
16Through the desert his people he led, for his love endures for ever. 17Nations in their greatness he struck, for his love endures for ever. 18Kings in their splendor he slew, for his love endures for ever.
19Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his love endures for ever; 20and Og, the king of Bashan, for his love endures for ever.
21He let Israel inherit their land, for his love endures for ever. 22On his servant their land he bestowed, for his love endures for ever. 23He remembered us in our distress, for his love endures for ever.
24And he snatched us away from our foes, for his love endures for ever. 25He gives food to all living things, for his love endures for ever. 26To the God of heaven give thanks, for his love endures for ever.
Psalm 137(136) Super flumina
1By the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept, remembering Zion; 2on the poplars that grew there we hung up our harps.
3For it was there that they asked us, our captors, for songs, our oppressors, for joy. "Sing to us," they said, "one of Zion's songs."
4O how could we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil? 5If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!
6O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not, if I prize not Jerusalem above all my joys!
7Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem; when they said: "Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundations!"
8O Babylon, destroyer, he is happy who repays you the ills you brought on us. 9He shall seize and shall dash your children on the rock!
Psalm 138(137) Confitebor tibi
1I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, you have heard the words of my mouth. In the presence of the angels I will bless you. 2I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love which excel all we ever knew of you. 3On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul.
4All earth's kings shall thank you when they hear the words of your mouth. 5They shall sing of the Lord's ways: "How great is the glory of the Lord!"
6The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly and the haughty he knows from afar. 7Though I walk in the midst of affliction you give me life and frustrate my foes.
You stretch out your hand and save me, /8your hand will do all things for me. Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands.
Psalm 139(138) Domine, probasti
1O Lord, you search me and you know me, 2you know my resting and my rising, you discern my purpose from afar. 3You mark when I walk or lie down, all my ways lie open to you.
4Before ever a word is on my tongue you know it, O Lord, through and through. 5Behind and before you besiege me, your hand ever laid upon me. 6Too wonderful for me this knowledge, too high, beyond my reach.
7O where can I go from your spirit, or where can I flee from your face? 8If I climb the heavens, you are there. If I lie in the grave, you are there.
9If I take the wings of the dawn and dwell at the sea's furthest end, 10even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would hold me fast.
11If I say: "Let the darkness hide me and the light around me be night," 12even darkness is not dark for you and the night is as clear as the day.
13For it was you who created my being, knit me together in my mother's womb. 14I thank you for the wonder of my being, for the wonders of all your creation.
Already you knew my soul 15my body held no secret from you when I was being fashioned in secret and molded in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes saw all my actions, they were all of them written in your book; every one of my days was decreed before one of them came into being.
17To me, how mysterious your thoughts, the sum of them not to be numbered! 18If I count them, they are more than the sand; to finish, I must be eternal, like you.
19O God, that you would slay the wicked! Men of blood, keep far away from me! 20With deceit they rebel against you and set your designs at naught.
21Do I not hate those who hate you, abhor those who rise against you? 22I hate them with a perfect hate and they are foes to me.
23O search me, God, and know my heart. O test me and know my thoughts. 24See that I follow not the wrong path and lead me in the path of life eternal.
Psalm 140(139) Exripe me, Domine
.2Rescue me, Lord, from evil men; from the violent keep me safe, .3from those who plan evil in their hearts and stir up strife every day; .4who sharpen their tongue like an adder's, with the poison of viper on their lips.
.5Lord, guard me from the hands of the wicked; from the violent keep me safe; they plan to make me stumble. .6The proud have hidden a trap, have spread out lines in a net, set snares across my path.
.7I have said to the Lord: "You are my God." Lord, hear the cry of my appeal! .8Lord my God, my mighty help, you shield my head in the battle. .9Do not grant the wicked their desire nor let their plots succeed.
.10Those surrounding me lift up their heads. Let the malice of their speech overwhelm them. .11Let coals of fire rain upon them. Let them be flung in the abyss, no more to rise. .12Let the slanderer not endure upon the earth. Let evil hunt the violent man to death!
.13I know that the Lord will avenge the poor, That he will do justice for the needy. Truly the just will praise your name the upright shall live in your presence.
Psalm 141(140) Domine, clamavi
1I have called to you, Lord; hasten to help me! Hear my voice when I cry to you. 2Let my prayer arise before you like incense, the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.
3Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips! 4Do not turn my heart to things that are wrong, to evil deeds with men who are sinners.
Never allow me to share in their feasting. 5If a just man strikes or reproves me it is kindness but let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head. Let my prayer be ever against their malice.
6Their princes were thrown down by the side of the rock; then they understood that my words were kind. 7As a millstone is shattered to pieces on the ground, so their bones were strewn at the mouth of the grave.
8To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned: in you I take refuge; spare my soul! 9From the trap they have laid for me keep me safe: keep me from the snares of those who do evil.
10Let the wicked fall into the traps they have set while I pursue my way unharmed.
Psalm 142(141) Voce mea ad Dominum
.2With all my voice I cry to the Lord, with all my voice I entreat the Lord. .3I pour out my trouble before him; I tell him all my distress .4while my spirit faints within me. But you, O Lord, know my path.
On the way where I shall walk they have hidden a snare to entrap me. .5Look on my right and see: there is no one who takes my part. I have no means of escape, not one who cares for my soul.
.6I cry to you, O Lord. I have said: "You are my refuge all I have in the land of the living." .7Listen, then, to my cry for I am in the depths of distress.
Rescue me from those who pursue me for they are stronger than I. .8Bring my soul out of this prison and then I shall praise your name. Around me the just will assemble because of your goodness to me.
Psalm 143(142) Domine, exaudi
1Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal. You are faithful, you are just; give answer. 2Do not call your servant to judgment for no one is just in your sight.
3The enemy pursues my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead, long forgotten. 4Therefore my spirit fails; my heart is numb within me.
5I remember the days that are past: I ponder all your works. I muse on what your hand has wrought 6and to you I stretch out my hands. Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.
7Lord, make haste and answer; for my spirit fails within me. Do not hide your face lest I become like those in the grave.
8In the morning let me know your love for I put my trust in you. Make me know the way I should walk: to you I lift up my soul.
9Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. 10Teach me to do your will for you, O Lord, are my God. Let your good spirit guide me in ways that are level and smooth.
11For your name's sake, Lord, save my life; in your justice save my soul from distress. 12In your love make an end of my foes; destroy all those who oppress me for I am your servant, O Lord.
Psalm 144(143) Benedictus Dominus
1Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my arms for battle, who prepares my hands for war.
2He is my love, my fortress; he is my stronghold, my savior my shield, my place of refuge. He brings peoples under my rule.
3Lord, what is man that you care for him, mortal man, that your keep him in mind; 4man, who is merely a breath whose life fades like a passing shadow?
5Lower your heavens and come down; touch the mountains; wreathe them in smoke. 6Flash your lightnings; rout the foe, shoot your arrows and put them to flight.
7Reach down from heaven and save me; draw me out from the mighty waters, from the hands of alien foes 8whose mouths are filled with lies, whose hands are raised in perjury.
9To you, O God, will I sing a new song; I will play on the ten-stringed Harp 10to you who give kings their victory, who set David your servant free.
11You set him free from the evil sword; you rescued him from alien foes whose mouths were filled with lies, whose hands were raised in perjury.
* * *
12Let our sons then flourish like saplings grown tall and strong from their youth, our daughters graceful as columns, adorned as though for a palace.
13Let our barns be filled to overflowing with crops of every kind; our sheep increasing by thousands, myriads of sheep in our fields, 14our cattle heavy with young,
no ruined wall, no exile, no sound of weeping in our streets. 15Happy the people with such blessings; happy the people whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 145(144) Exaltabo te, Deus
1I will give you glory, O God my king, I will bless your name for ever.
2I will bless you day after day and praise your name for ever. 3The Lord is great, highly to be praised, his greatness cannot be measured.
4Age to age shall proclaim your works, shall declare your mighty deeds, 5shall speak of your splendor and glory, tell the tale of your wonderful works. 6They will speak of your terrible deeds, recount your greatness and might. 7They will recall your abundant goodness; age to age shall ring out your justice.
8The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures.
10All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. 11They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God,
12to make known to all your mighty deeds and the glorious splendor of your reign. 13Yours is an everlasting kingdom; your rule lasts from age to age.
The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. 14The Lord supports all who fall and raise up all who are bowed down.
15The eyes of all creatures look to you and you give them their food in due time. 16You open wide your hand, grant the desires of all who live.
17The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. 18He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.
19He grants the desires of those who fear him, he hears their cry and he saves them. 20The Lord protects all who love him ; the wicked he will utterly destroy.
21Let me speak the praise of the Lord, let all peoples bless his holy name for ever, for ages unending.
Psalm 146(145) Lauda, anima mea
1ALLELUIA!
My soul, give praise to the Lord; 2I will praise the Lord all my days, make music to my God while I live.
3Put no trust in princes, In mortal men in whom there is no help. 4Take their breath, they return to clay and their plans that day come to nothing.
5He is happy who is helped by Jacob's God, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6who alone made heaven and earth, the seas and all they contain.
It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, 7who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free,
8the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down, 9the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan.
8cIt is the Lord who loves the just 9cbut thwarts the path of the wicked. 10The Lord will reign for ever, Zion's God, from age to age.
ALLELUIA!
Psalm 147.1(146) Laudate Dominum
ALLELUIA!
1Praise the Lord for he is good; sing to our God for he is loving: to him our praise is due.
2The Lord builds up Jerusalem and brings back Israel's exiles, 3he heals the broken-hearted, he binds up all their wounds. 4He fixes the number of the stars; he calls each one by its name.
5Our Lord is great and almighty; his wisdom can never be measured. 6The Lord raises the lowly; he humbles the wicked to the dust. 7O sing to the Lord giving thanks; sing psalms to our God with the harp.
8He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares the rain for the earth, making mountains sprout with grass and with plants to serve man's needs. 9He provides the beasts with their food and young ravens that call upon him.
10His delight is not in horses nor his pleasure in warriors' strength. 11The Lord delights in those who revere him, in those who wait for his love.
Psalm 147.2(147) Lauda, Jerusalem
12O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Zion praise your God!
13He has strengthened the bars of your gates he has blessed the children within you. 14He established peace on your borders, he feeds you with finest wheat.
15He sends out his word to the earth and swiftly runs his command. 16He showers down snow white as wool, he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
17He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. The waters are frozen at his touch; 18he sends forth his word and it melts them: at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
19He makes his word known to Jacob, to Israel his laws and decrees. 20He has not dealt thus with other nations; he has not taught them his decrees.
ALLELUIA!
Psalm 148(148) Laudate Dominum
1ALLELUIA!
Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. 2Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host.
3Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, shining stars. 4Praise him, highest heavens and the waters above the heavens.
5Let them praise the name of the Lord. He commanded: they were made. 6He fixed them for ever, gave a law which shall not pass away.
7Praise the Lord from the earth, sea creatures and all oceans, 8fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy winds that obey his word;
9all mountains and hills, all fruit trees and cedars, 10beasts, wild and tame, reptiles and birds on the wing;
11all earth's kings and peoples, earth's princes and rulers, 12young men and maidens, the old men together with children.
13Let them praise the name of the Lord for he alone is exalted. The splendor of his name reaches beyond heaven and earth.
14He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, of the people to whom he comes close.
ALLELUIA!
Psalm 149(149) Cantate Domino
1ALLELUIA!
Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2Let Israel rejoice in its Maker, let Zion's sons exult in their king. 3Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp.
4For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation. 5Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. 6Let the praise of God be on their lips and a two-edged sword in their hand,
7to deal out vengeance to the nations and punishment on all the peoples; 8to bind their kings in chains and their nobles in fetters of iron; 9to carry out the sentence pre-ordained: this honor is for all his faithful.
ALLELUIA!
Psalm 150(150) Laudate Dominum
1ALLELUIA!
Praise God in his holy place, praise him in his mighty heavens. 2Praise him for his powerful deeds, praise his surpassing greatness.
3O praise him with sound of trumpet, praise him with lute and harp. 4Praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipes.
5O praise him with resounding cymbals, praise him with clashing of cymbals. 6Let everything that lives and that breathes give praise to the Lord.
ALLELUIA!
Psalm (151) This Psalm is ascribed to David and is outside the number. When he slew Goliath in single combat. (This Title given in the Septuagint)
1Little was I among my brethren: A younger brother in my father's house. 2My hands, they made an instrument of music: My fingers, they prepared a psaltery. 3And who shall bring back tidings to my master? The Lord Himself, Himself gives ear. 4Himself sent forth His messenger: And took me from among my father's sheep; And with the oil of His annointing He annointed me. 5Comely my brethren were and tall: And yet they found not favour with the Lord. 6But I, I sallied forth to meet the alien: And he reviled me by all his idols. 7But I drew forth the sword that was beside him: I cut his head off with it, And from the sons of Israel removed reproach.