
{1}1{/}
THE TWO WAYS{/}

What you sow in life you 
will harvest.Those who 
keep God's law will be 
happy here and in the 
next life. Whoever 
refuses will not prosper.
{I}1_{/}Blessed is the 
one
who does not go where the 
wicked gather,
or stand in the way of 
sinners,
or sit where the scoffers 
sit!
{I}2_{/}Instead, he finds 
delight in the law of the 
Lord
and meditates day and 
night
on his commandments.
{I}3_{/}He is like a tree 
beside a brook
producing its fruit in 
due season,
its leaves never 
withering.
Everything he does is a 
success.
{I}4_{/}But it is 
different with the 
wicked.
They are like chaff
driven away by the wind.
{I}5_{/}The wicked will 
not stand when judgment 
comes,
nor the sinners when the 
righteous assemble.
{I}6_{/}For the Lord 
knows the way of the 
righteous
but cuts off the way of 
the wicked.
{1}2{/}

THE TWO KINGDOMS{/}

This struggle between the 
kings of the earth and 
God's Anointed announces 
the Book of Revelation. 
God has come among us. 
His presence is a 
challenge to those who 
would like to be lords of 
the earth. There whill be 
no lasting peace here 
below.
{I}1_{/}Why do the 
nations conspire?
Why do the peoples plot 
in vain?
{I}2_{/}The kings of the 
earth brace themselves
and the rulers together 
take their stand
against the Lord and his 
anointed.
{I}3_{/}They say, "Let us 
break their bonds!
Let us cast away their 
chains!"
{I}4_{/}The One enthroned 
in heaven laughs;
the Lord looks at them in 
derision.
{I}5_{/}Then in anger he 
speaks to them,
terrifying them in the 
fury of his wrath:
{I}6_{/}"Behold the king 
I have installed,
in Zion, upon my holy 
hill!"
{I}7_{/}I will proclaim 
the decree of the Lord.
He said to me: "You are 
my son.
This day I have begotten 
you.
{I}8_{/}Ask of me and I 
will give you
the nations for your 
inheritance,
the ends of the earth for 
your possession.
{I}9_{/}You shall rule 
them with iron scepter
and shatter them as a 
potter's vase."
{I}10_{/}Now therefore, 
learn wisdom, O kings;
be warned, O rulers of 
the earth.
{I}11_{/}Serve the Lord 
with fear
and fall at his feet;
lest he be angry and you 
perish
when his anger suddenly 
flares.
Blessed are all who take 
refuge in him!
{1}3{/}

HOW MANY ARE MY 
ENEMIES!{/}

King David, like all 
Christians, has an ally 
more powerful than all 
his enemies together: 
God.
{I}1_{/}O Lord, how great 
in number are my foes!
How numerous are they who 
rise against me!
{I}3_{/}How many are they 
who say of my soul:
"There is no help for him 
in God!"
{I}4_{/}But you are my 
shield, O Lord,
my glory, you lift up my 
head.
{I}5_{/}Aloud I cry to 
the Lord,
and from his holy hill he 
answers me.
{I}6_{/}If I lie down to 
sleep,
again I awake, for the 
Lord supports me;
{I}7_{/}no fear of the 
thousands standing 
against me.
{I}8_{/}Arise, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
You strike all my enemies 
on the jaw,
you have broken the teeth 
of the wicked.
{I}9_{/}Salvation comes 
from the Lord.
May your blessing be upon 
your people!
{1}4{/}

EVENING PRAYER{/}

An evening prayer for 
those who trust God in 
the midst of their 
difficulties, remembering 
how many times God has 
come to their assistance. 
Gratitude for favors 
received leads us to ask 
for more; this request 
will be more trusful; 
trust will bring us peace 
and joy in our 
difficulties. Evil and 
misfortune come in many 
ways, but prayer always 
brings strength.
{I}2_{/}Answer when I 
call, O God, my justice!
When I was in distress, 
you gave me solace.
Have compassion on me and 
hear my plea.
{I}3_{/}And you people, 
how long
will you harden your 
hearts?
How long will you delight 
in deceit
and go in search of 
falsehood?
{I}4_{/}But you must know 
that the Lord
has shown his kindness to 
me.
When I call to him, he 
hears me.
{I}5_{/}Be angry, but 
don't offend.
Keep your words to 
yourself,
when you are in bed, and 
be still.
{I}6_{/}Offer the 
sacrifice commanded by 
the Law
and put your trust in the 
Lord your God.
{I}7_{/}Many ask, "Who 
will give us a happy 
time?
Would that his favor 
shine upon us!"
{I}8_{/}You, O Lord, have 
put joy in my heart;
more than by giving me 
wine and food.
{I}9_{/}I lie down and 
sleep in peace,
for you alone, O Lord,
make me feel safe and 
secure.
{1}5{/}

MORNING PRAYER{/}

Let us begin the day by 
asking God to be our 
light and our strength: 
going also to the house 
of God, his temple where 
his light and his 
strength are within our 
reach.
{I}2_{/}O Lord, listen to 
my words and hear my 
complaint,
{I}3_{/}give heed to my 
sighs, my King and my 
God.
{I}4_{/}From daybreak you 
hear my voice, from dawn 
I am in your presence 
watching for you.
{I}5_{/}You are not a God 
who delights in 
wickedness; evil has no 
place in you.
{I}6_{/}The arrogant 
cannot stand before you. 
You hate all who do evil;
{I}7_{/}you destroy all 
who speak falsehood, who 
thirst for blood and live 
on lies; all of them the 
Lord detests.
{I}8_{/}But I, by your 
love and grace, may come 
into your house. In 
reverence I bow down and 
worship at your holy 
temple.
{I}9_{/}Lead me, O Lord, 
through your path of 
righteousness; make your 
way straight before me, 
for my enemies lie in 
wait.
{I}10_{/}Not a word of 
their mouth can be 
trusted, for their heart 
is full of mischief. 
Their tongue flatters 
with deceit, but their 
throat is an open grave.
{I}11_{/}O Lord, make 
them pay for their guilt. 
Let their snares trap 
them. Cast them out for 
their many sins - for 
their offense and 
rebellion.
{I}12_{/}But for those 
who take refuge in you, 
let them ever sing and 
rejoice. Let your 
deliverance shield them, 
that they may praise you 
in gladness - those who 
love your name, O Lord.
{I}13_{/}You bless all 
who live in 
righteousness; your favor 
covers them as a shield.
{1}6{/}

PRAYER OF THE 
AFFLICTED{/}

This psalm is the prayer 
of a sick person. When 
she asks to be freed of 
her sickness she 
reaffirms her unshaken 
trust and will to have 
nothing to do with evil.
{I}2_{/}O Lord, in your 
anger do not reprove; nor 
punish me in your fury.
{I}3_{/}Have mercy on me, 
O Lord, for I have no 
strength left. O Lord, 
heal me, for my bones are 
in torment.
{I}4_{/}My soul also is 
greatly troubled. How 
long, O Lord, how long? 
How long will you be?
{I}5_{/}Come back to me, 
O Lord, save my life; 
rescue me for the sake of 
your love.
{I}6_{/}For no one 
remembers you in the 
grave; who will praise 
you in the world of the 
dead?
{I}7_{/}I am weary with 
moaning; I weep every 
night, drenching my bed 
with tears.
{I}8_{/}My eyes have 
grown dim from troubles; 
I have weakened because 
of my foes.
{I}9_{/}Away from me, you 
evildoers, for the Lord 
has heard my plaintive 
voice.
{I}10_{/}The Lord has 
heard my plea; the Lord 
will grant all that I 
pray for.
{I}11_{/}Let my enemies 
fall back in shame, all 
of a sudden - the whole 
bunch of them!
{1}7{/}

FREE ME FROM MY 
PERSECUTORS{/}

A cry that comes from the 
depth of the soul, 
demanding justice.
{I}2_{/}O Lord, my God, 
in you I take shelter; 
deliver me and save me 
from all my pursuers, 
{I}3_{/}lest lions tear 
me to pieces with no one 
to rescue me.
{I}4_{/}O Lord, my God, 
if my hands are stained 
with guilt - {I}5_{/}if 
with evil I have repaid 
good, if I have plundered 
unjustly my opponent, 
{I}6_{/}let the enemy 
hound me, let him crush 
me to the ground and lay 
down my glory in the 
dust.
{I}7_{/}Arise, O Lord, in 
your wrath; rise up 
against the fury of my 
foes. Awake, O my God and 
judge the nations, for 
the time of judgment has 
come.
{I}8_{/}Let the nations 
gather around you; and 
you take your seat high 
above them.
{I}9_{/}Proclaim, O Lord, 
my righteousness; you see 
that I am blameless.
{I}10_{/}Bring to an end 
the power of the wicked, 
but affirm the just, O 
righteous God, searcher 
of mind and heart.
{I}11_{/}You cover me as 
a shield, Oh God, for you 
protect the upright.
{I}12_{/}A righteous 
judge is God, his anger 
ever awaiting those who 
refuse to repent.
{I}13_{/}God has his 
sword ready and 
sharpened, his bow bent 
and arrows aimed.
{I}14_{/}He has in hand, 
always ready, his deadly 
weapons and fiery darts.
{I}15_{/}Look at the one 
who conceived iniquity 
and is pregnant with 
mischief: miscarriage 
will result.
{I}16_{/}He digs a pit 
and makes it deep, he 
will fall into the trap 
he made.
{I}17_{/}His evil intent 
recoils upon his head; 
his wicked design comes 
back in his face.
{I}18_{/}I will rejoice 
in the Lord for his 
justice, and sing to the 
Most High in gratitude 
and praise.
{1}8{/}

GLORY OF GOD AND DIGNITY 
OF HUMANS{/}

The universe reveals the 
glory and the beauty of 
God. In becoming one of 
us, the son of God has 
put humans above all 
material creation and 
emphasized for 
fundamental equality of 
all humans.
{I}2_{/}O Lord, our Lord,
how great is your name 
throughout the earth!
And your glory in the 
heavens above.
{I}3_{/}Even the mouths 
of children and infants
exalt your glory in front 
of your foes
and put to shame enemies 
and rebels.
{I}4_{/}When I observe 
the heavens,
the work of your hands,
the moon and the stars 
you set in their place -
{I}5_{/}what is the 
mortal that you be 
mindful of him,
the son of man, that you 
should care for him?
{I}6_{/}Yet you made him 
a little lower than the 
angels;
you have crowned him with 
glory and honor.
{I}7_{/}You made him rule 
over the works of your 
hands;
you have put all things 
under his feet -
{I}8_{/}sheep and oxen 
without number
and even the beasts of 
the field,
{I}9_{/}the birds of the 
air, the fish of the sea,
and all that swim the 
paths of the ocean.
{I}10_{/}O Lord, our 
Lord,
how great is your name 
all over the earth!
{1}9{/}

GOD, REFUGE OF THE 
OPPRESSED{/}

Recalling the examples of 
the past, the psalmist 
affirms: "The hope of the 
poor will not be 
destroyed."
{I}2_{/}Let my heart give 
thanks to the Lord, I 
yearn to proclaim your 
marvelous deeds, 
{I}3{/}and rejoice and 
exult in you, and sing 
praise to your name, O 
Most High.
{I}4_{/}For my enemies 
fell back in retreat, 
they stumbled and 
perished before you. 
{I}5_{/}You have upheld 
my right and my cause, 
you have sentenced from 
your throne, O just 
judge.
{I}6_{/}You have turned 
back the nations; you 
have beaten down the 
wicked and blotted out 
their names forever.
{I}7_{/}Your enemies lay 
in endless ruin, their 
cities trampled, their 
memory perished.
{I}8_{/}But the Lord 
reigns forever, having 
set up his throne for 
judgment.
{I}9_{/}He will judge the 
nations with justice and 
govern the peoples in 
righteousness.
{I}10_{/}The Lord is a 
rampart for the 
oppressed, a refuge in 
times of distress.
{I}11_{/}Those who 
cherish your name, O 
Lord, can rely on you, 
for you have never 
forsaken those who look 
to you.
{I}12_{/}Sing praises to 
the Lord enthroned in 
Zion, proclaim his deeds 
among the nations.
{I}13_{/}For he who 
avenges blood remembers, 
he does not ignore the 
cry of the lowly.
{I}14_{/}Have mercy on 
me, O Lord. See how they 
afflict me. Oh, lift me 
up from the gates of 
death, {I}15_{/}that I 
may declare your praise, 
that I may rejoice in 
your salvation in the 
gates of Zion.
{I}16_{/}The pagans have 
sunk into the pit they 
have dug, their own feet 
ensnared by the trap they 
laid.
{I}17_{/}The Lord has 
shown his presence, he 
has judged and the wicked 
plotters have been 
trapped by the work of 
their hands.
{I}18_{/}To the 
netherworld the wicked 
will depart, all the 
nations that have no 
thought of God.
{I}19_{/}For the needy 
will not always be 
forgotten, nor the hope 
of the poor perish 
forever.
{I}20_{/}Rise, O Lord! Do 
not let mortals prevail; 
let the nations stand on 
trial before you.
{I}21_{/}Bring terror, O 
Lord, strike at them; let 
these pagans realize that 
they are but humans.
{1}10{/}

(9)
CONTINUATION OF THE 
PRECEDING PSALM{/}

{I}1_{/}Why, O Lord, do 
you stand afar? Why hide 
from us in times of 
distress?
{I}2_{/}The wicked are in 
power; the weak suffer 
harassment; the poor 
become victims of evil 
schemes.
{I}3_{/}Exploiters boast 
in their power and greed; 
the covetous blasphemes 
and defies God.
{I}4_{/}In their pride 
the wicked say, "There is 
no God." He sees no 
further.
{I}5_{/}The wicked 
prosper in their ways, 
your laws are far from 
their minds; haughtily 
they sneer at their 
rivals, {I}6_{/}all of 
them saying in their 
heart, "Nothing will 
trouble me. I am secure, 
powerful and happy."
{I}7_{/}Their mouths are 
filled with cursing, 
deceit and threats; spite 
and mischief are under 
their tongues.
{I}8_{/}They lie in 
ambush near the villages, 
murdering the innocent 
and the unfortunate, 
spying upon their next 
victim.
{I}9_{/}The evil one 
lurks in secret, like a 
lion in its covert, 
waiting to seize his prey 
and drag him off in a 
net.
{I}10_{/}Lying prone or 
crouching, he waits and 
the unfortunate falls 
into his power.
{I}11_{/}He thinks to 
himself: "God has 
forgotten; he has hidden 
his face and will never 
see this."
{I}12_{/}Rise, Lord, O 
God, raise your hand, do 
not forget the lowly.
{I}13_{/}Why do the 
wicked revile God and 
say, "He cannot make me 
account"?
{I}14_{/}But you see 
those in misery, O God, 
and you take it in hand. 
The unfortunate commits 
himself to you; the 
orphan turns to you for 
help.
{I}15_{/}Break the power 
of the wicked - seek out 
their wickedness till 
there is none to be 
found.
{I}16_{/}The Lord is king 
forever and the pagans 
have vanished from his 
land.
{I}17_{/}For you hear, O 
Lord, the longings of the 
lowly, and you strengthen 
their hearts; {I}18{/}you 
give heed to the orphans 
and the oppressed. Let no 
human raise from earth 
and strike terror.
{1}11{/}

(10)
THE JUST FEAR NOTHING{/}

If god is with us, who 
will condemn us? May he 
deliver us from fear when 
we face those who 
threaten and crush 
others.
{I}1_{/}In the Lord I 
take refuge.
How, then, can you say to 
me,
"Flee to the mountains 
like a bird;
{I}2_{/}for the wicked 
are bending their bows
and fit their arrows to 
the string.
They get ready to shoot 
in the dark,
they take aim at the 
upright of heart.
{I}3_{/}When foundations 
fall to ruin,
what can the righteous 
do?"
{I}4_{/}The Lord is in 
his holy place -
our God whose throne is 
in heaven.
He looks down to earth
to observe the race of 
Adam.
{I}5_{/}The Lord searches 
both righteous and 
wicked.
He hates those who 
delight in violence.
{I}6_{/}Upon the wicked, 
he will rain
coals of fire and 
brimstone;
a burning blast will be 
their lot.
{I}7_{/}For the Lord is 
righteous;
he loves justice.
The upright will see his 
face.
{1}12{/}

(11)
AGAINST THE WORLD OF 
LIES{/}

Lies, propaganda and the 
false prophets of the 
easy life conceal the 
injustice of every day. 
God's word is true, and 
it will judge the world. 
In the Word-of-God-made-
man, there is no yes and 
no: in him all the 
promises of God have 
become a yes.
{I}2_{/}Help us, O Lord, 
none of the godly are 
left, the faithful have 
vanished. 
{I}3_{/}Everyone lies; 
with flattering lips they 
speak from a double 
heart.
{I}4_{/}May the Lord cut 
off insincere lips, every 
glib tongue that utters 
deceit.
{I}5_{/}Many say, "Our 
strength lies in our 
tongue. We know how to 
speak, who will lord it 
over us?"
{I}6_{/}"The poor are 
despoiled and the needy 
suffer, now I will save 
them," says the Lord. "I 
will give them security."
{I}7_{/}The promises of 
the Lord are sure and 
lasting - silver refined 
in the furnace seven 
times and freed from 
dross.
{I}8_{/}Hold us, O Lord, 
in your keeping; protect 
us always from this 
generation, {I}9_{/}where 
the wicked prowl on all 
sides, and the basest are 
exalted.
{1}13{/}

(12)
LOOK AND LISTEN TO ME{/}

God does not forget his 
children: he has 
resurrected Christ.
{I}2_{/}How long, O Lord, 
will you forget me
and hide your face from 
me?
{I}3_{/}How long must I 
suffer pain in my soul
and grief in my heart all 
the day long?
How long shall my enemy 
triumph over me?
{I}4_{/}Look upon me and 
answer, O Lord my God!  
Give light to my eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of 
death;
{I}5_{/}lest my enemy 
say,
"I have routed him,"
lest my foes rejoice of 
my fall.
{I}6_{/}But I put my 
trust in your unfailing 
love,
my heart will rejoice on 
seeing your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to 
me!
{1}14{/}

(13)
WITHOUT RESPECT FOR 
NEIGHBORS, WITHOUT 
RESPECT FOR GOD{/}

{I}1_{/}The fool says in 
his heart,
"God does not exist."
All have strayed, all are 
perverted,
there is no one who does 
good.
{I}2_{/}The Lord looks 
down from heaven
upon the race of Adam,
to see if there are any
who seek God and act 
wisely.
{I}3_{/}They have all 
turned aside:
corrupt - all of them 
alike.
{I}4_{/}Will they ever 
learn - these doers of 
evil?
For they devour my 
people,
- that is their food -
and do not call upon the 
Lord.
{I}5_{/}But suddenly 
terror strikes them:
God was on the side of 
the just!
{I}6_{/}You may confound 
the hope of the poor,
but the Lord is their 
refuge.
{I}7_{/}Oh would that I 
see
Israel's salvation coming 
from Zion!
When the Lord brings home 
the exiles,
what joy it will be for 
Jacob,
what happiness for 
Israel!
{1}15{/}

(14)
LORD, WHO SHALL DWELL IN 
YOUR TENT?{/}

May the Lord help us to 
follow his commandments.
{I}1_{/}O Lord, who will 
dwell in your tent
and reside on your holy 
mount?
{I}2_{/}Those who walk 
blamelessly
and do what is right,
who speak truth from 
their heart
{I}3_{/}and control their 
words,
who do no harm to their 
neighbors
and cast no discredit on 
their companions,
{I}4_{/}who look down on 
evildoers
but highly esteem God's 
servants;
who at all cost stand by 
a pledged word,
{I}5_{/}who do not lend 
money at interest
and refuse a bribe 
against the innocent.
Do this, and you will 
soon be shaken.
{1}16{/}

(15)
THE LORD IS MY 
INHERITANCE{/}

Good is my share of 
inheritance: I chose him 
as my only Lord and I 
will rejoice in him for 
all eternity.
{I}1_{/}Keep me safe, O 
God,
for in you I take refuge.
{I}2_{/}I say to the 
Lord,
"You are my Lord, my only 
good."
{I}3_{/}The gods of th'e 
earth are but nothing,
cursed be those who 
delight in them.
{I}4{/}Those who run 
after foreign gods
only have their sorrows 
multiplied.
Let me not shed blood for 
them,
nor their names be heard 
on my lips.
{I}5_{/}O Lord, my 
inheritance and my cup,
my chosen portion - hold 
secure my lot.
{I}6_{/}The best part has 
been allotted to me.
Delightful indeed is my 
inheritance!
{I}7_{/}I bless the Lord 
who counsels me;
even at night my inmost 
self instructs me.
{I}8_{/}I keep the Lord 
always before me;
for with him at my right 
hand,
I will never be shaken.
{I}9_{/}My heart, 
therefore, exults, my 
soul rejoices;
my body too will rest 
assured.
{I}10_{/}For you will not 
abandon
my soul to the grave,
nor will you suffer your 
holy one
to see decay in the land 
of the dead.
{I}11_{/}You will show me 
the path of life,
in your presence the 
fullness of joy,
at your right hand 
happiness forever.
{1}17{/}

(16)
OUTCRY OF THE INNOCENT{/}

{I}1_{/}Hear a just 
cause, O Lord,
listen to my complaint.
Give heed to my prayer
for there is no deceit on 
my lips.
{I}2_{/}Let my defense 
come forth from you;
your eyes see what is 
right.
{I}3_{/}You have probed 
my heart,
searched me at night,
tested me by fire,
and you have seen no 
wickedness in me.
{I}4_{/}I have not sinned 
by my words
as others do;
I have kept your word
and followed your ways.
{I}5_{/}Hold firm my 
steps upon your path,
that my feet may not 
stumble.
{I}6_{/}I call on you, 
you will answer me, O 
God; incline your ear and 
hear my word.
{I}7_{/}For you do 
wonders for your 
faithful,
you save those fleeing 
from the enemy
as they seek refuge at 
your right hand.
{I}8__{/}Keep me as the 
apple of your eye;
under the shadow of your 
wings hide me,
{I}9_{/}far from my 
violent pursuers,
from the onslaught of the 
wicked despoilers.

{I}10_{/}Their mouths 
speak arrogantly;
they have shut their 
hearts to mercy.
{I}11_{/}Now they 
surround me and track me 
down,
their eyes eager to see 
me overthrown.
{I}12_{/}Like lions made 
fierce by hunger,
they want only to kill 
and tear.
{I}13_{/}Arise, O Lord, 
confront them, overthrow 
them!
May your sword deliver me 
from the wicked.
{I}14_{/}O Lord, strike 
them with your hand
and give them no share 
with the living.
May their belly be filled
with what you have stored 
for them,
and their children have 
more than enough
to leave to their 
descendants.
{I}15_{/}As for me, 
righteous in your sight,
I shall see your face 
and, awakening,
gaze my fill on your 
likeness.
{1}18{/}

(17)
A LIBERATOR GIVES THANKS 
TO GOD{/}

This psalm celebrates a 
victory. Enthusiasm, 
fervor, gratitude: God 
has shaken the universe 
to come to my help.
{I}2_{/}I love you, O 
Lord, my strength.
{I}3_{/}The Lord is my 
rock, my fortress,
my deliverer and my God.
He is the rock in whom I 
take refuge.
He is my shield, my 
powerful savior, my 
stronghold.
{I}4_{/}I call on the 
Lord, who is worthy of 
praise: he saves me from 
my enemies!
{I}5_{/}A deadly flood 
surrounded me,
devilish torrents rushed 
at me;
{I}6_{/}caught by the 
cords of the grave,
I was brought to the 
snares of death.
{I}7_{/}But I called upon 
the Lord in my distress,
I cried to my God for 
help; and from his temple 
he heard my voice,
my cry of grief reached 
his ears.
{I}8_{/}Then the earth 
reeled and rocked;
the foundations of the 
mountains shook;
they trembled at his 
fury.
{I}9_{/}Smoke rose from 
his nostrils,
from his mouth a 
devouring fire
throwing off live embers.
{I}10_{/}He bent the 
heavens and came down
with dark clouds under 
his feet.
{I}11_{/}He rode on a 
cherub and flew,
borne on the swift wings 
of the wind.
{I}12_{/}Veiled with 
darkness surrounding him,
he made misty rain clouds 
his tent.
{I}13_{/}Then from the 
brightness of his 
presence
hail and fiery embers 
broke forth.
{I}14_{/}From heaven the 
Lord thundered;
the voice of the Most 
High resounded.
{I}15_{/}Sending out a 
hail of arrows, he 
scattered them;
flashing forth bolts of 
lightning, he routed 
them.
{I}16_{/}The beds of the 
seas appeared,
the foundations of the 
world were laid bare
at the rebuke of the 
Lord,
at the blast of his 
breath.
{I}17_{/}Reaching down 
from above,
he drew me out of the 
deep waters.
{I}18_{/}Too strong for 
me were my enemies,
but he rescued me from my 
adversaries.
{I}19_{/}They launched 
their attack on an 
opportune day,
but the Lord was my 
support.
{I}20_{/}He has set me 
out in the open,
he saved me because he 
cares for me!
{I}21_{/}The Lord 
rewarded me for my 
justice,
according to my 
righteousness.
{I}22_{/}For I have been 
faithful to the Lord's 
way
and have not departed 
from my God.
{I}23_{/}All his 
ordinances are before me,
I have always followed 
his statutes.
{I}24_{/}Before him I 
have done uprightly
and kept myself from 
iniquity.
{I}25_{/}The Lord treats 
me according to my 
merits,
according to the 
cleanness of my hands.
{I}26_{/}With the 
faithful you are 
faithful;
with the blameless you 
are blameless;
{I}27_{/}with the pure 
you are pure but with the 
crooked you are astute.
{I}28_{/}For you raise up 
the humble
and bring down the 
arrogant.
{I}29_{/}Lord, you give 
light to my lamp.
O my God, you brighten my 
darkness.
{I}30_{/}Yes, with you I 
charge the armed bands,
and by my God I leap over 
the wall.
{I}31_{/}This God - his 
way is perfect;
the word of the Lord can 
stand fire.
He is a shield for those 
who seek refuge in him.
{I}32_{/}There is no 
other God but Yahweh.
There is no other rock 
but our God.
{I}33_{/}He is the God 
who girds me with 
strength
and prepares my ways.
{I}34_{/}He makes my feet 
as swift as the deer's;
he sets me securely on 
the heights.
{I}35_{/}He trains my 
hands for war
and my arms to bend the 
bronze-bow.
{I}36_{/}You give me your 
shield for protection,
your right hand upholds 
me,
and your help makes me 
great.
{I}37_{/}You enlarge the 
space before me,
my step will not falter.
{I}38_{/}I pursue my 
enemies and overtake 
them,
I do not turn back till I 
have destroyed them.
{I}39_{/}Thrusting them 
through,
I do not give them time 
to rise;
they fall under my feet.
{I}40_{/}You give me 
strength for the battle;
you subdue my adversaries 
beneath me;
{I}41_{/}you put my 
enemies to flight
and destroy those who 
hate me.
{I}42_{/}They cry for 
help, but no one comes.
They cry to the Lord; he 
does not answer them.
{I}43_{/}I pulverize them 
as dust before the wind;
like mud in the streets I 
trample them.
{I}44_{/}You delivered me 
from my people's quarrels
and made me head over the 
nations. They came to 
serve me - people I have 
not known.
{I}45_{/}At the sound of 
my voice, they rose to 
obey,
foreigners fawned before 
me.
{I}46_{/}Staggering out 
of their fortresses,
they came to me cringing 
and trembling.
{I}47_{/}The Lord lives! 
Praised be my rock!
Exalted be my savior God 
-
{I}48_{/}the God who 
grants me vengeance
and subdues the peoples 
for me.
{I}49_{/}He delivers me 
from my foes;
he exalts me above my 
adversaries;
he rescues me from 
violent people.
{I}50_{/}For this I extol 
you, O Lord, among the 
nations;
I will sing praise to 
your name, saying:
{I}51_{/}"He has given 
victories to his king;
he has shown his love to 
his anointed ones,
to David, and to his 
descendants forever."
{1}19{/}

(18)
THE LORD, SUN OF 
JUSTICE{/}

The splendor of heaven 
gives us a glimpse of the 
glory of God. We are also 
aware of his presence 
when we meditate on his 
commandments which are 
light and joy for the 
soul.
{I}2_{/}The heavens 
declare the glory of God;
the firmament proclaims 
the work of his hands.
{I}3_{/}Day talks it over 
with day;
night hands on the 
knowledge to night.
{I}4_{/}No speech, no 
words, no voice is heard 
-
{I}5_{/}but the call goes 
on throughout the 
universe,
the message is felt to 
the ends of the earth.
{I}6_{/}High above, he 
pitched a tent for the 
sun,
who comes out as a 
bridegroom from his 
pavilion,
or like a racer joyfully 
runs his course.
{I}7_{/}Rising from one 
end,
it makes its circuit of 
the heavens,
and sets at the other 
end;
and nothing is hidden 
from its heat.
{I}8_{/}The law of the 
Lord is perfect:
it gives life to the 
soul.
The word of the Lord is 
trustworthy:
it gives wisdom to the 
simple.
{I}9_{/}The precepts of 
the Lord are right:
they give joy to the 
heart.
The commandments of the 
Lord are clear:
they enlighten the eyes.
{I}10_{/}The fear of the 
Lord is pure,
it endures forever;
the judgments of the Lord 
are true,
all of them just and 
right.
{I}11_{/}They are more 
precious than gold -
pure gold of a jeweller;
they are much sweeter 
than honey
which drops from the 
honeycomb.
{I}12_{/}They are a light 
to your servant,
in keeping them they win 
a great reward.
{I}13_{/}But who can 
discern one's own errors?
Forgive the failings of 
which I am unaware.
{I}14_{/}Preserve me from 
willful sin;
do not let it get the 
better of your servant.
Then shall I walk 
blameless
and innocent of serious 
sin.
{I}15_{/}May the words of 
my mouth
and the meditations of my 
heart
find favor in your sight,
O Lord - my redeemer, my 
rock!
{1}20{/}

(19)
PRAYER OF THE JEWS FOR 
THEIR KING{/}

{I}2_{/}May the Lord 
answer you in the day of 
distress;
may the name of Jacob's 
God give you protection.
{I}3_{/}May he send you 
help from the sanctuary
and give you support from 
Mount Zion.
{I}4_{/}May he remember 
all your oblations
and look favorably on 
your burnt offerings.
{I}5_{/}May he grant you 
your heart's desire
and fulfill all your 
plans.
{I}6_{/}In your victory 
let us shout for joy
and raise our banner in 
the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all 
your requests.
{I}7_{/}Now I know that 
the Lord saves his 
anointed;
he has answered him from 
his holy heaven
with victories from his 
right hand.
{I}8_{/}Some boast of 
chariots, some of horses;
but we boast in the name 
of the Lord our God.
{I}9_{/}Their forces will 
collapse and be crushed,
but ours shall rise, and 
stand firm.
{I}10_{/}When we call, 
answer us, O Lord, make 
the king victorious!
{1}21{/}

(20)
THANKSGIVING FOR OUR 
KING{/}

He asked you for life and 
you have given it: he 
will live for ever.
{I}2_{/}The king rejoices 
in your strength, O Lord, 
and exults in your saving 
help.
{I}3_{/}You have granted 
him his desire; you have 
not rejected his request.
{I}4_{/}You have come to 
him with rich blessings; 
you have placed a golden 
crown upon his head.
{I}5_{/}When he asked, 
you gave him life - 
length of days forever 
and ever.
{I}6_{/}He glories in the 
victory you gave him; you 
shall bestow on him 
splendor and majesty.
{I}7_{/}You have given 
him eternal blessings, 
and gladdened him with 
the joy of your presence.
{I}8_{/}The king trusts 
in the Lord, and through 
the love of the Most 
High, he will not be 
shaken.
{I}9_{/}Your hand, O 
Lord, will reach your 
enemies, and lay hold of 
all your foes.
{I}10_{/}Your mere 
appearance will turn them 
into a blazing furnace. 
Your wrath will engulf 
them like a fire.
{I}11_{/}You will wipe 
their fruit from the 
earth and destroy their 
posterity.
{I}12_{/}Though they plot 
evil against you and 
devise wicked schemes, 
they will never win;
{I}13_{/}they will turn 
back in fear, when you 
aim arrows at them.
{I}14_{/}Be exalted, O 
Lord, in your strength! 
We will sing in praise of 
your might.
{1}22{/}

(21)
THE PRAYER OF CHRIST ON 
THE CROSS{/}

{I}2_{/}My God, my God, 
why have you forsaken me? 
Why are you so far from 
me, from the sound of my 
groaning?
{I}3_{/}My God, I call by 
day, but you never 
answer; by night and I 
find no rest.
{I}4_{/}Yet you are 
enthroned the Holy One, 
the praise of Israel.
{I}5_{/}In you our 
fathers trusted, and you 
delivered them.
{I}6_{/}They cried to you 
and they were saved; they 
trusted in you and were 
not overcome.
{I}7_{/}But I am a worm 
and not human, scorned by 
everyone, despised by the 
people.
{I}8_{/}All who see me 
make a jest of me; they 
sneer and shake their 
heads.
{I}9_{/}"He put his trust 
in the Lord, let the Lord 
rescue him! If the Lord 
is his friend, let him 
help him!"
{I}10_{/}Yet it is you 
who drew me from the womb 
and kept me safe at my 
mother's breasts.
{I}11_{/}I have been 
yours from birth; from my 
mother's womb you have 
been my God.
{I}12_{/}Be not far from 
me for trouble is near, 
and there is no one to 
help me.
{I}13_{/}A herd of bulls 
surround me - strong 
bulls of Bashan closing 
in on me,
{I}14_{/}their mouths 
open, like lions roaring 
for their prey.
{I}15_{/}I am like water 
draining away; all my 
bones are out of joint, 
my heart melts away like 
wax.
{I}16_{/}My throat is 
dried up like a potsherd; 
my tongue clings to my 
palate. You have laid me 
down in the dust of 
death.
{I}17_{/}Round about me 
are vicious dogs, 
villainous rogues 
encircling me. They have 
tied up my hands and 
feet.
{I}18_{/}They can count 
all my bones, for they 
are looking and watching 
me,
{I}19_{/}dividing my 
garments among them and 
casting lots for my 
raiment.
{I}20_{/}O Lord, be not 
far from me! O my 
strength, come quickly to 
my help.
{I}21_{/}Deliver my soul 
from the sword, my life 
from the powerful grip of 
the dog.
{I}22_{/}Rescue me from 
the jaws of the lion, my 
soul from the horns of 
the wild bull.
{I}23_{/}I will proclaim 
your name to my brothers, 
I will praise you in the 
assembly,
{I}24_{/}"All you who 
fear the Lord, praise 
him! All you sons of 
Jacob, glorify him! All 
you sons of Israel, 
revere him!
{I}25_{/}For he has not 
scorned or loathed the 
afflicted in his misery. 
He has not hidden his 
face from me but has 
listened when I cried to 
him."
{I}26_{/}I will praise 
you in the great 
assembly, fulfill my vows 
before all who revere 
you.
{I}27_{/}The lowly will 
eat and be satisfied. 
Those who seek the Lord 
will praise him. May your 
hearts live forever!
{I}28_{/}The whole earth 
from end to end will 
acknowledge and turn to 
the Lord; the families of 
nations will worship him.
{I}29_{/}For dominion 
belongs to the Lord and 
he reigns over the 
nations.
{I}30_{/}Before him all 
those who rest in the 
earth will bow down, all 
who go down to the dust.
My soul will live for 
him. {I}31_{/}My 
descendants will serve 
him and proclaim the Lord 
to coming generations; 
{I}32_{/}they will 
announce his salvation to 
a people yet unborn, 
"These are the things 
that he has done."
{1}23{/}

(22)
THE GOOD SHEPHERD{/}

The Lord is my shepherd, 
I shall not want.{/} The 
table and the cup of 
Christ are before me. I 
have received better than 
the anointing of holy 
oil, that of the Spirit 
(Jn 2,27). It is not  the 
repose of death that I 
await but the 
resurrection that brings 
me to the Father.
{I}1_{/}The Lord is my 
shepherd, I shall not 
want.
{I}2_{/}He makes me lie 
down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the 
still waters,
{I}3_{/}he restores my 
soul.
He guides me through the 
right paths
for his name's sake.
{I}4_{/}Although I walk 
through the valley of the 
shadow of death,
I fear no evil,
for you are beside me:
your rod and your staff 
comfort me.
{I}5_{/}You spread a 
table before me
in the presence of my 
foes.
You anoint my head with 
oil;
my cup is overflowing.
{I}6_{/}Goodness and 
kindness will follow me
all the days of my life,
I shall dwell in the 
house of the Lord
as long as I live.
{1}24{/}

(23)
THE DESTINY OF 
HUMANKIND{/}

God created the universe 
to display his riches but 
the world is not 
completed, until God has 
visited humanking, and 
the New Man, the son of 
God has revealed himself.
The earth and its 
fullness belong to the 
Lord,
the world and all that 
dwell in it.
{I}2_{/}He has founded it 
upon the ocean
and set it firmly upon 
the waters.
{I}3_{/}Who will ascend 
the mountain of the Lord?
Who will stand in his 
holy place?
{I}4_{/}Those with clean 
hands and pure heart,
who desire not what is 
vain,
and never swear to a lie.
{I}5_{/}They will receive 
blessings from the Lord,
a reward from God, their 
savior.
{I}6_{/}Such are the 
people who seek him,
who seek the face of 
Jacob's God.
{I}7_{/}Lift up, O 
gateways, your lintels,
open up, you ancient 
doors,
that the King of glory 
may enter!
{I}8_{/}Who is the King 
of glory?
The Lord, the strong, the 
mighty,
the Lord, valiant in 
battle.
{I}9_{/}Lift up your 
lintels, O gateways,
open up, you ancient 
doors,
that the King of glory 
may enter!
{I}10_{/}Who is the King 
of glory?
The Lord of Hosts,
he is the King of glory!
{1}25{/}

(24)
CALLING ON GOD IN 
TRIALS{/}

The Bible does not know 
despair. We can be broken 
by sorrow, anxiety, the 
weight of sin, but there 
is always an escape. All 
our paths, even the 
worst, can finally lead 
to a love stronger than 
all the powers of this 
world.
To you, O Lord, I lift up 
my soul.
{I}2_{/}In you my God I 
trust; let me not be put 
to shame, let not my 
enemies exult over me.
{I}3_{/}Those who hope in 
you will never be 
humbled; those who turn 
away from you will suffer 
disgrace!
{I}4_{/}Teach me your 
ways, O Lord; make known 
to me your paths.
{I}5_{/}Guide me in your 
truth and instruct me, 
for you are my God, my 
savior; I hope in you all 
day long.
{I}6_{/}Remember your 
compassion, O Lord, your 
unfailing love from of 
old.
{I}7{/}Remember not the 
sins of my youth, but in 
your love remember me.
{I}8_{/}Good and upright, 
the Lord teaches sinners 
his way.
{I}9_{/}He teaches the 
humble of heart and 
guides them in what is 
right.
{I}10_{/}The ways of the 
Lord are love and 
faithfulness for those 
who keep his covenant and 
precepts.
{I}11_{/}For the sake of 
your name, Lord, forgive 
my iniquity, for it is 
great.
{I}12_{/}To those who 
fear the Lord, he will 
teach the way to choose.
{I}13_{/}They will live 
in prosperity, and their 
descendants will inherit 
the land.
{I}14_{/}The Lord gives 
advice to those who 
revere him and makes his 
covenant known to them.
{I}15_{/}My eyes are 
always on the Lord, for 
he will free my feet from 
the snare.
{I}16_{/}Turn to me and 
have compassion, for I am 
lonely and afflicted.
{I}17_{/}Free my heart of 
bitterness; relieve me of 
this distress.
{I}18_{/}See my pain and 
sufferings, and forgive 
all my sins.
{I}19_{/}See how my 
enemies have increased 
and how violently they 
hate me.
{I}20_{/}Deliver me from 
them; let me not be put 
to shame, for I have 
trusted you.
{I}21_{/}Let integrity 
and uprightness be my 
protection, for all my 
hope, O Lord, is in you.
{I}22_{/}Redeem, O God, 
redeem Israel from all 
its troubles!
{1}26{/}

(25)
PRAYER OF THE JUST{/}

Let us make our own the 
prayer of the just that 
reaffirms his fidelity. 
Let us not count on our 
own merits, like the 
Pharisse. Let us rather 
give thanks for this new 
person that we have 
become through baptism: 
Christ has purified and 
has enriched us.
Declare me innocent, O 
Lord, for I have lived 
with integrity; I have 
put my trust in the Lord, 
I shall never waver.
{I}2_{/}Prove me, O Lord, 
put me to the test; 
examine my soul and my 
heart.
{I}3_{/}For your love is 
ever before my eyes, and 
I live in truth and 
faithfulness.
{I}4_{/}I do not 
associate with the 
deceitful nor do I go 
with hypocrites;
{I}5_{/}I hate the party 
of the corrupt and avoid 
the company of the 
wicked.
{I}6_{/}I wash my hands 
free of guilt and walk in 
procession round your 
altar,
{I}7_{/}singing hymns of 
praise and thanksgiving 
and proclaiming your 
wondrous deeds.
{I}8_{/}O Lord, I love 
the house where you 
dwell, the place of your 
Glory.
{I}9_{/}Let me not share 
the fate of sinners, nor 
lose my life with the 
violent; {I}10_{/}their 
hands are guilty of 
crimes, their right hands 
are weighed down with 
bribes.
{I}11_{/}But I will walk 
in integrity. Redeem me, 
O God, be gracious to me.
{I}12_{/}My foot stands 
firm in the straight 
path, I will praise you, 
O Lord, in your 
assemblies.
{1}27{/}

(26)
CLOSE TO GOD, THERE IS NO 
FEAR{/}

It is your face, Lord, 
that I seek.... I hope to 
see the goodness of the 
lord in the land of the 
living.
{I}1_{/}The Lord is my 
light and my salvation
- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the rampart 
of my life;
I will not be afraid.
{I}2_{/}When the wicked 
rush at me
to devour my flesh,
it is my foes who 
stumble,
my enemies fall.
{I}3_{/}Though an army 
encamp against me,
my heart will not fail;
though war break out 
against me,
I will still be 
confident.
{I}4_{/}One thing I ask 
of the Lord, one thing I 
seek -
that I may dwell in his 
house all the days of my 
life,
to gaze at his jewel and 
to visit his sanctuary.
{I}5_{/}For he will keep 
me safe in his shelter
in times of misfortune;
he will hide me beneath 
his roof,
and set me high upon a 
rock.
{I}6_{/}Then my head will 
be lifted up
over the enemies round 
about me.
I will offer sacrifices 
at his Tent with shouts 
of joy;
I will sing and make 
music in praise of the 
Lord.
{I}7_{/}Hear my voice 
when I call, O Lord,
have mercy on me and 
answer.
{I}8_{/}My heart says to 
you,
"I seek your face, O 
Lord."
{I}9_{/}Do not hide your 
face from me
nor turn away your 
servant in anger.
You are my protector, do 
not reject me
abandon me not, O God my 
savior!
{I}10_{/}Though my father 
and mother forsake me,
yet will the Lord receive 
me.
{I}11_{/}Teach me, O Lord 
your way;
lead me along a straight 
path.
{I}12_{/}Save me from the 
plot of my enemies,
for false witnesses have 
risen against me
to pin me down in their 
violence.
{I}13_{/}I hope, I am 
sure,
that I will see the 
goodness of the Lord
in the land of the 
living.
{I}14_{/}Trust in the 
Lord, be strong and 
courageous
- yes, put your hope in 
the Lord!
{1}28{/}

(27)
O MY ROCK, DO NOT BE DEAF 
TO MY CALL!{/}

{I}1_{/}To you, O Lord, I 
call; my rock, be not 
deaf to me.
For if you heed me not, I 
shall go down to the pit 
like the rest.
{I}2_{/}Hear my cry for 
mercy as I call to you 
for help, as I lift up my 
hands toward your 
innermost sanctuary.
{I}3_{/}Drag me not away 
with the wicked, with 
those who do evil, who 
mouth words of peace 
while they sow mischief 
and confusion.
{I}4_{/}Punish them for 
their evil designs and 
wicked deeds; give them 
their due reward. 
{I}5_{/}Since they have 
no regard for the works 
of the Lord, he will tear 
them down and never let 
them rise again.
{I}6_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord! He has heard my cry 
for help.
{I}7_{/}The Lord is my 
strength, my shield. My 
heart was sure of him, I 
have been helped and my 
heart exults, with my 
song I give him thanks.
{I}8_{/}The Lord is the 
strength of his people, 
the saving refuge of his 
anointed.
{I}9_{/}Save your people, 
and bless your 
inheritance. Be their 
shepherd and carry them 
forever.
{1}29{/}

(28)
THE STORM: THE LORD IS 
PASSING{/}

God speaks through the 
tempest. It is there that 
he shows his power and 
his glory.
{I}1_{/}Give the Lord, O 
sons of God,
give the Lord glory and 
strength,
{I}2_{/}give the Lord the 
glory due his name;
worship the Lord in great 
liturgy.
{I}3_{/}The voice of the 
Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory 
thunders,
the Lord thunders over 
vast waters.
{I}4_{/}How powerful is 
the voice of the Lord,
How splenderous if the 
voice of the Lord.
{I}5_{/}The voice of the 
Lord tears up the cedars,
the Lord is shattering 
the cedars of Lebanon.
{I}6_{/}He makes Lebanon 
skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young 
wild bull.
{I}7_{/}The voice of the 
Lord breaks forth with 
flashes of fire,
{I}8_{/}the voice of the 
Lord makes the wilderness 
quake,
The Lord is shaking the 
wilderness of Kadesh.
{I}9_{/}The voice of the 
Lord makes the oaks 
shudder,
the Lord strips the 
forests bare,
and in his temple all 
cry, "Glory!"
{I}10_{/}Over the flood 
the Lord was sitting;
the Lord is king and he 
reigns forever.
{I}11_{/}May the Lord 
give his people strength;
may the Lord bless his 
people with peace!
{1}30{/}

(29)
I WILL PRAISE YOU BECAUSE 
YOU HAVE FREED ME{/}

Nothing is definitive in 
this life. The Lord 
alternates joys and 
sorrows according to what 
we need for the 
development of our faith. 
We are, all times, 
surprised: the trials 
discourage us as if God, 
no longer existed, and 
when God gives favors, we 
dare not believe them to 
be true.
{I}2_{/}I extol you, O 
Lord, for you have 
rescued me; my enemies 
will not gloat over me.
{I}3_{/}O Lord my God, I 
called to you for help, 
and you healed me.
{I}4_{/}O Lord, you have 
brought me up from the 
grave, you gave me life 
when I was going to the 
pit.
{I}5_{/}Sing to the Lord, 
O you his saints, give 
thanks and praise to his 
holy name.
{I}6_{/}For his anger 
lasts but a little while, 
and his kindness all 
through life.
Weeping may tarry for the 
night, but rejoicing 
comes with the dawn.
{I}7_{/}Once in my 
prosperity I said, "I 
shall not be troubled."
{I}8_{/}Yet it was you, O 
Lord, who had me stand on 
the rock; as soon as you 
hid your face, I wavered!
{I}9_{/}To you, O Lord, I 
called; to you I begged 
for mercy:
{I}10_{/}"What good would 
there be in my 
destruction, in my going 
down to the pit?
Would my dust give you 
praise?
Would it prove your 
faithfulness?
{I}11_{/}Hear, O Lord, 
and have mercy on me; O 
Lord, be my protector."
{I}12_{/}But now, you 
have turned my mourning 
into rejoicing; you have 
taken off my sackcloth 
and wrapped me in the 
garments of gladness.
{I}13_{/}And so my soul, 
no longer silent, now 
sings praise without 
ceasing. O Lord my God, 
forever will I give you 
thanks.
{1}31{/}

(30)
I SEEK REFUGE IN YOU, 
LORD{/}

Into your hands I commed 
my spirit.
{I}2_{/}In you, O Lord, I 
take refuge, may I never 
be disgraced; deliver me 
in your justice.
{I}3_{/}Give heed to my 
plea, and make haste to 
rescue me. Be a rock of 
refuge for me, a strong 
fortress for my safety.
{I}4_{/}For you are my 
rock and my stronghold, 
lead me for your name's 
sake;
{I}5_{/}free me from the 
snare that they have set 
for me. Indeed you are my 
protector.
{I}6_{/}Into your hands I 
commend my spirit; you 
have redeemed me, O Lord, 
faithful God.
{I}7_{/}You hate those 
who worship worthless 
idols; but I put all my 
trust in the Lord.
{I}8_{/}I will rejoice 
and be glad in your love, 
for you have seen my 
affliction, you know the 
agony of my soul. 
{I}9_{/}The hand of the 
enemy did not grab me; 
you gave me room to move.
{I}10_{/}Be merciful to 
me, O Lord, in my 
affliction; my eyes have 
grown dim with sorrow, my 
body emaciated.
{I}11_{/}For my days are 
wracked with grief, and 
my years worn out in 
anguish. My strength 
fails because of my 
misery.
{I}12_{/}I have become an 
object of reproach for my 
foes and for my 
neighbors; so horrible to 
my friends that they 
hurry away when they see 
me in the streets.
{I}13_{/}I am like the 
dead, unremembered; I 
have become like a broken 
pot, thrown away, 
discarded.
{I}14_{/}I hear 
whispering among the 
crowd, rumors that 
frighten me from every 
side - their 
conspiracies, their 
schemes, their plot to 
take my life.
{I}15_{/}But I put my 
trust in you, O Lord. You 
are my God;
{I}16_{/}my days are in 
your hand. Deliver me 
from the hand of my 
enemies, from those after 
my skin.
{I}17_{/}Make your face 
shine upon your servant; 
save me in your love.
{I}18_{/}Let me not be 
dishonored, O Lord, for I 
have called on you;
but let the wicked lie 
dishonored and go to the 
pit never to speak.
{I}19{/}Let lying lips 
close in silence, these 
speaking against the just 
with malice and 
arrogance.
{I}20_{/}How great is the 
goodness which you have 
stored for those who fear 
you, which you show, for 
all to see, to those who 
take refuge in you!
{I}21_{/}In the shelter 
of your presence you hide 
them from human wiles; 
you keep them in your 
dwelling, safe from the 
intrigues of wagging 
tongues.
{I}22_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord for his wonderful 
love! He has strenghtened 
my heart.
{I}23_{/}I said in my 
fright: "I have been cut 
off from your sight!"
Yet when I was crying, 
you heard; when I called 
for mercy, you listened.
{I}24_{/}Love the Lord, 
all you his saints! The 
Lord preserves his 
faithful, but he fully 
requites the arrogant.
{I}25_{/}Be strong and 
take courage, all you who 
hope in the Lord.
{1}32{/}

(31)
RELIEF AFTER THE 
CONFESSION OF SIN{/}

Buried sin ruins our 
conscience. Confession is 
always a liberation.
Blessed is the one whose 
sin is forgiven,
whose iniquity is wiped 
away.
{I}2_{/}Blessed are those 
in whom the Lord sees no 
guilt
and in whose spirit is 
found no deceit.
{I}3_{/}When I kept my 
sin secret,
my body wasted away,
I was moaning all day 
long.
{I}4_{/}Your hand day and 
night lay heavy upon me;
draining my strength, 
parching my heart
as in the heat of a 
summer drought.

{I}5_{/}Then I made known 
to you my sin
and uncovered before you 
my fault,
saying to myself,
"To the Lord I will now 
confess my wrong."
And you, you forgave my 
sin,
you removed my guilt.
{I}6_{/}So let the 
faithful ones pray
to you in time of 
distress;
the overflowing waters 
will not reach them.
{I}7_{/}You are my 
refuge;
you protect me from 
distress
and surround me with 
songs of deliverance.
{I}8_{/}I will teach you,
I will show you the way 
to follow.
I will watch over you and 
give you counsel.
{I}9_{/}Do not be like 
the horse or the mule -
senseless and led by bit 
and bridle.
{I}10_{/}Many woes befall 
the wicked,
but the Lord's mercy 
enfolds those who trust 
in him.
{I}11_{/}Rejoice in the 
Lord, and be glad,
you who are upright;
sing and shout for joy,
you who are clean of 
heart.
{1}33{/}

(32)
GOD'S PROVIDENCE WATCHES 
OVER US ALWAYS{/}

Happy the nation that has 
the Lord for God! The 
Lord watches over those 
who fear him.
{I}1_{/}Rejoice in the 
Lord, you who are just,
praise is fitting for the 
upright.
{I}2_{/}Give thanks to 
him on the harp and lyre,
making melody and 
chanting praises.
{I}3_{/}Amid loud shouts 
of joy,
sing to him a new song
and play the ten-stringed 
harp.
{I}4_{/}For upright is 
the Lord's word
and worthy of trust is 
his work.
{I}5_{/}The Lord loves 
justice and 
righteousness;
the earth is full of his 
kindness.
{I}6_{/}The heavens were 
created by his word,
the breath of his mouth 
formed their starry host.
{I}7_{/}He gathered the 
waters of the sea into a 
heap,
and stored the deep in 
cellars.
{I}8_{/}Let the whole 
earth fear the Lord,
let the inhabitants of 
the world stand in awe of 
him.
{I}9_{/}For he spoke and 
so it was,
he commanded, and 
everything stood firm.
{I}10_{/}The Lord 
frustrates the plans of 
the nations
and brings to nothing the 
peoples' designs.
{I}11_{/}But his plan 
stands forever,
and his heart's design 
through all generations.
{I}12_{/}Blessed is the 
nation whose God is the 
Lord -
the people he has chosen 
for his inheritance.
{I}13_{/}The Lord looks 
down from heaven
and sees the whole race 
of mortals.
{I}14_{/}From where he 
sits he watches
all those who dwell on 
the earth -
{I}15_{/}he who fashions 
every heart
observes all their deeds.
{I}16_{/}A king is not 
saved by a powerful army,
nor a warrior rescued by 
his great strength.
{I}17_{/}Don't think that 
a horse will save you;
its great strength does 
not assure victory.
{I}18_{/}But the Lord's 
eyes are upon those who 
fear him,
upon those who trust in 
his loving-kindness
{I}19_{/}to deliver them 
from death
and preserve them from 
famine.
{I}20_{/}In hope we wait 
for the Lord,
for he is our help and 
our shield.
{I}21_{/}Our hearts 
rejoice in him,
for we trust in his holy 
name.
{I}22_{/}O Lord, let your 
love rest upon us,
even as our hope rests in 
you.
{1}34{/}

(33)
TASTE AND SEE, ETC{/}

Let our experience be 
that of the poor and the 
humble. God is near to 
those who have no other 
support but him. When 
there will be no 
assurance, God will be 
obliged to take charge of 
those to whom he owes 
fidelity.
{I}2_{/}I will bless the 
Lord all my days;
his praise will be ever 
on my lips.
{I}3_{/}My soul makes its 
boast in the Lord;
let the lowly hear and 
rejoice.
{I}4_{/}Oh, let us 
magnify the Lord,
together let us glorify 
his name!
{I}5_{/}I sought the 
Lord, and he answered me;
from all my fears he 
delivered me.
{I}6_{/}They who look to 
him are radiant with joy,
their faces never clouded 
with shame.
{I}7_{/}When the poor cry 
out, the Lord hears
and saves them from 
distress.
{I}8_{/}The Lord's angel 
encamps and patrols
to keep safe those who 
fear him.
{I}9_{/}Oh, see and taste 
the goodness of the Lord!
Blessed is the one who 
finds shelter in him!
{I}10_{/}Revere the Lord, 
all you his saints,
for those who fear him do 
not live in want.
{I}11_{/}The mighty may 
be hungry and in need,
but those who seek the 
Lord lack nothing.
{I}12_{/}Come, listen to 
me, my sons;
I will show you how to 
fear the Lord.
{I}13_{/}If you desire 
long life,
if you want to enjoy 
prosperity,
{I}14_{/}keep your tongue 
from falsehood,
keep your lips from 
deceit;
{I}15_{/}turn away from 
evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
{I}16_{/}The eyes of the 
Lord are fixed on the 
righteous;
his ears are inclined to 
their cries.
{I}17_{/}But his face is 
set against the wicked
to destroy their memory 
from the earth.
{I}18_{/}The Lord hears 
the cry of the righteous
and rescues them from all 
their troubles.
{I}19_{/}The Lord is 
close to the 
brokenhearted
and saves the distraught.
{I}20_{/}Many are the 
troubles of the just,
but the Lord delivers 
them from all.
{I}21_{/}He keeps all 
their bones intact,
and none of them will be 
broken.
{I}22_{/}Evil will slay 
the wicked;
the enemies of the just 
will be doomed.
{I}23_{/}But the Lord 
will redeem the life of 
his servants;
none of those who trust 
in him will be doomed.
{1}35{/}

(34)
PRAYER OF A JUST PERSON 
WHEN PERSECUTED{/}

O Lord, attack those who 
attack me;
fight against those who 
fight against me.
{I}2_{/}Come to my aid 
with armour and shield;
{I}3_{/}stand with your 
spear and war ax, halt my 
pursuers. Say to my soul, 
"I am your deliverer."
{I}4_{/}Let them be 
shamed and dishonored, 
those who seek my life. 
Let them be routed and 
destroyed, those who plot 
my ruin.
{I}5_{/}Let them be like 
chaff before the wind, 
when the Lord's angel 
drives them away.
{I}6_{/}Let their escape 
path be dark and 
precipitous, with the 
Lord's angel always at 
their heels.
{I}7_{/}They set their 
net against me for no 
cause, they dug a pit for 
me without reason.
{I}8_{/}Let ruin come 
upon them unexpectedly, 
let them be entangled in 
their own snare; let them 
fall into the trap of 
their own making.
{I}9_{/}Then will my soul 
rejoice in the Lord and 
exult in his salvation.
{I}10_{/}My whole being 
will exclaim, "O Lord, 
who is like you? You who 
deliver the oppressed 
from those too strong for 
them, you who rescue the 
poor and the afflicted 
from their oppressors."
{I}11_{/}False witnesses 
take the stand, accusing 
me of crimes of which I 
am innocent.
{I}12_{/}For my kindness 
they return evil, 
bringing my life to 
despair.
{I}13_{/}When they were 
sick, I wore sackcloth 
and fasted; I prayed hard 
with head bowed,
{I}14_{/}as if I were 
bereft of a friend or 
brother; I shed tears in 
grief, as one mourning 
the death of his mother.
{I}15_{/}But when I 
stumbled they gathered in 
glee and, began to strike 
me; like strangers they 
disowned me and accused 
me falsely.
{I}16_{/}Like an ungodly 
circle of mockers, they 
gnashed their teeth and 
made me the butt of all 
their ridicule.
{I}17_{/}How long, O 
Lord, will you look on? 
Deliver my life, my only 
one, from these lions. 
{I}18_{/}Then I will 
thank you in the great 
assembly; I will praise 
you in the mighty throng.

{I}19_{/}Do not let them 
gloat over me - those 
who, unprovoked, have 
become my foes. Do not 
let them wink maliciously 
- those who hate me 
without cause.
{I}20_{/}Sowing 
discontent with their 
tongue and mind, they 
devise false accusations 
against the peace-loving 
people of the land.
{I}21_{/}They open wide 
their mouths against me: 
"Aha, aha!" they say, "We 
have seen it with our own 
eyes!"
{I}22_{/}But you, O Lord, 
who have seen, do not 
keep silent. Do not stand 
far from me.
{I}23_{/}Stir yourself 
up, stand up for my 
rights and my cause, my 
God and my Lord!
{I}24_{/}Declare me 
innocent, O Lord, my God, 
according to your 
justice.
Let them not gloat over 
me.
{I}25_{/}Never give them 
reason to say, "We have 
trampled him down!"
{I}26_{/}Let them be 
utterly disgraced and 
confounded, who exult 
over my calamity. Let 
them be ashamed and 
dishonored, who rejoice 
at my distress.
{I}27_{/}But let them be 
glad and rejoice, who are 
in sympathy with my 
cause. And may they ever 
say, "Great is the Lord, 
who has justified his 
servant."
{I}28_{/}Then will my 
tongue proclaim your 
righteousness, and sing 
your praises all day 
long.
{1}36{/}

(35)
THE WICKEDNESS OF THE 
SINNER AND THE GOODNESS 
OF GOD{/}

Even the wickedness of 
sinners urges us to trust 
in God's goodness.
{I}2_{/}Wickedness speaks 
to the wicked in the 
depths of his heart: 
there is no fear of God 
before his eyes. 
{I}3_{/}Blinded by 
conceit, he fails to see 
his guilt.
{I}4_{/}With mouths full 
of malice and deceit, 
they no longer think of 
doing good.
{I}5_{/}They plot 
mischief even in bed; 
committed to a life of 
sin, they know not how to 
reject evil.
{I}6_{/}Your love, O God, 
reaches the heavens; your 
faithfulness, to the 
clouds.
{I}7_{/}Your justice is 
like the mighty 
mountains; your judgment 
like the unfathomable 
deep. You preserve, O 
Lord, humans and beasts.
{I}8_{/}How precious, O 
God, is your constant 
love! Mortals take refuge 
in the shadow of your 
wings.
{I}9_{/}In your house 
they find rich food and 
they drink from your 
spring of delight,
{I}10_{/}for with you is 
the fountain of life. In 
your light we see light.
{I}11_{/}Bestow on your 
faithful your love and 
give salvation to the 
upright of heart.
{I}12_{/}Let not the foot 
of the arrogant trample 
on me, nor the hand of 
the wicked drive me away.
{I}13_{/}But what! See 
how the evildoers lie 
fallen, flung down and 
never to rise again.
{1}37{/}

(36)
HAPPINESS FOR THE JUST, 
RUIN FOR THE WICKED{/}

"Do not get worried when 
you think of the wicked." 
Neither power nor riches 
give access to the 
inheritance that God 
promised to his children.
Do not be annoyed with 
evil people nor be 
envious of wrongdoers.
{I}2_{/}For they will 
fade as any green herb 
and soon be gone like 
withered grass.
{I}3_{/}Trust in the Lord 
and do good, dwell in the 
land and live on it.
{I}4_{/}Make the Lord 
your delight, and he will 
grant your heart's 
desire.
{I}5_{/}Commit your way 
to the Lord; put your 
trust in him and let him 
act.
{I}6_{/}Then will your 
revenge come, beautiful 
as the dawn, and the 
justification of your 
cause, bright as the 
noonday sun.
{I}7_{/}Keep calm before 
the Lord, wait for him in 
patience; do not fret if 
others succeed when they 
carry out evil schemes.
{I}8_{/}Refrain from 
anger, turn away from 
wrath; fret not, for it 
only leads to evil.
{I}9_{/}Remember this: 
the wicked will perish, 
but those who hope in the 
Lord will inherit the 
land.
{I}10_{/}Wait a moment: 
the wicked are no more. 
Though you look for them, 
they cannot be found;
{I}11_{/}but the humble 
will inherit the land and 
enjoy peace in abundance.
{I}12_{/}The wicked plot 
against the virtuous and 
gnash their teeth at 
them; {I}13_{/}but the 
Lord laughs at the 
wicked, for he sees their 
day coming.
{I}14_{/}The wicked draw 
their swords and bend 
their bows; they aim at 
the poor and the 
afflicted, they get ready 
to slay the righteous.
{I}15_{/}But their bows 
will be shattered; the 
sword thrust into their 
own heart.
{I}16_{/}The little that 
the righteous possess is 
better than the abundance 
of the wicked.
{I}17_{/}For the arms of 
the wicked will be 
broken, and the righteous 
will be upheld by the 
Lord.
{I}18_{/}The Lord watches 
over the lives of the 
upright; forever will 
their inheritance abide.
{I}19_{/}They are not 
crushed in times of 
calamity; when famine 
strikes, they still are 
satisfied.
{I}20_{/}But the wicked 
will perish; the enemies 
of the Lord will vanish 
like smoke, disappear 
like the wild flowers.
{I}21_{/}The wicked 
borrow and do not repay, 
but the righteous have 
mercy and share.
{I}22_{/}They will 
inherit the land - those 
whom the Lord blesses; 
but those whom the Lord 
curses he will cut off.
{I}23_{/}The Lord is the 
one who makes people 
stand, he gives firmness 
to those he likes. 
{I}24_{/}They may 
stumble, but they will 
not fall, for the Lord 
holds them by the hand.
{I}25_{/}From my youth to 
old age, I have yet to 
see the righteous 
forsaken or their 
children begging for 
alms.
{I}26_{/}He lends and 
gives, and his children 
are blessed. The whole 
day he succeeds.
{I}27_{/}Do good and shun 
evil, so that you will 
live secure forever.
{I}28_{/}For the Lord 
loves justice and right, 
and never forsakes his 
faithful ones. The wicked 
instead will perish and 
their breed will be cut 
off.
{I}29_{/}The righteous 
will possess the land; 
they will make it their 
home forever.
{I}30_{/}The mouth of the 
virtuous utters wisdom 
and his tongue speaks of 
what is right.
{I}31_{/}His steps have 
never faltered, for the 
law of God is in his 
heart.
{I}32_{/}The wicked spies 
on the just man and lies 
in wait to slay him.
{I}33_{/}But the Lord 
does not hand him over, 
or let him be condemned 
when he is tried.
{I}34_{/}Hope in the Lord 
and follow his way, for 
he will exalt you and 
give you the land. You 
will see how the wicked 
perish.
{I}35_{/}I have seen an 
oppressor mighty, 
towering like a cedar of 
Lebanon.
{I}36_{/}But when I 
passed by again, he was 
no longer there. I looked 
for him but could not 
find him.
{I}37_{/}Mark the 
blameless, watch the 
upright, and you will see 
that there is a future 
for the person of peace.
{I}38_{/}But all sinners 
will be destroyed; the 
future of the wicked will 
be shattered.
{I}39_{/}The Lord is the 
salvation of the 
righteous; in time of 
distress, he is their 
refuge.
{I}40_{/}The Lord helps 
them, and rescues them 
from the oppressor; he 
saves them for they 
sought shelter in him.
{1}38{/}

(37)
PRAYER IN TIME OF 
TROUBLE{/}

When illness or 
misfortune comes, we 
begin to reflect; we then 
discover that the 
greatest misfortune is to 
be a sinner.
{I}2_{/}O Lord, rebuke me 
not in your rage, punish 
me not in your fury.
{I}3_{/}Your arrows have 
struck me; your hand has 
come down heavily upon 
me.
{I}4_{/}Your anger has 
spared no part of my 
body, my sin gives no 
peace to my bones.
{I}5_{/}For my 
transgressions overwhelm 
me; they weigh me down 
like an unbearable load.
{I}6_{/}My wounds stink 
and fester within me, the 
outcome of my sinful 
folly.
{I}7_{/}Stooped and bowed 
down, I go about mourning 
all day.
{I}8_{/}My loins burn, my 
flesh is diseased, 
{I}9_{/}my body, worn out 
and utterly crushed; I 
groan in pain and anguish 
of heart.
{I}10_{/}All my longing, 
O Lord, is known to you; 
my sighing is not hidden 
from you.
{I}11_{/}My heart pounds 
as my strength ebbs; even 
the light has deserted my 
eyes.
{I}12_{/}My friends avoid 
me because of my wounds; 
my neighbors stay far 
off.
{I}13_{/}Those who seek 
my life lay snares for 
me; those who wish to 
hurt me speak of my ruin 
and plot against me all 
day long.
{I}14_{/}But like a deaf-
mute, I neither hear nor 
open my mouth.
{I}15_{/}I am like one 
whose ears hear not and 
whose mouth has no 
answer.
{I}16_{/}For I put my 
trust in you, O Lord; you 
will answer for me, Lord 
God.
{I}17_{/}I pray, "Don't 
let them gloat over me, 
nor take advantage of my 
helplessness when my foot 
slips."
{I}18_{/}For I am about 
to fall, my pain is ever 
with me. {I}19_{/}I 
confess my transgression, 
I repent of my sin.
{I}20_{/}Many are my 
foes; many are those who 
hate me for no reason, 
{I}21_{/}those who pay me 
evil for good and harass 
me because I seek good.
{I}22_{/}Forsake me not, 
O Lord, stay not far from 
me, O my God.
{I}23_{/}Come quickly to 
help me, O Lord, my 
savior!
{1}39{/}

(38)
WE ARE NOTHING BEFORE 
GOD{/}

Although in giving us his 
Son, God has given us 
everything, we posses 
nothing and continue to 
wait for everything from 
his mercy. Show me how 
frail and fleeting is my 
life.{/}

{I}2_{/}I said, "I will 
watch my ways and keep my 
tongue from sin; I will 
muzzle my mouth in front 
of the wicked."
{I}3_{/}So I did. But as 
I kept silent, their 
happiness made my anguish 
grow.
{I}4_{/}My heart began to 
burn within, and finally, 
I blurted out:
{I}5_{/}"Lord, let me 
know when my end will 
come, let me know the 
number of my days; show 
me how frail and fleeting 
is my life."
{I}6_{/}You allow me to 
live but a short span; 
before you, all my years 
are nothing. Human 
existence is a mere whiff 
of breath.
{I}7_{/}Humans are mere 
shadows that go about 
relentlessly. Being but a 
breath they toil and rake 
in wealth, not knowing 
who will take it next.
{I}8_{/}But now, O Lord, 
what do I await? All my 
hope rests in you. 
{I}9_{/}Rescue me from 
all my sins and let me 
not be derided by fools.
{I}10_{/}I shall keep 
silent and not open my 
mouth, since this is your 
work.
{I}11_{/}Only remove from 
me your scourge; for I am 
done in with your blows.
{I}12_{/}When you want to 
correct the mortals and 
punish their sin, you eat 
like moth what they hold 
dear. Mortals are a mere 
puff of wind!
{I}13_{/}Hear, O Lord, my 
supplication, listen to 
my cry for protection; do 
not be deaf to my 
lamentation. For I dwell 
with you as an alien - a 
pilgrim, as all my 
ancestors have been.
{I}14_{/}Turn from me 
awhile, that I may find 
relief, before I depart 
and be no more."
{1}40{/}

(39)
THE BIBLE TELLS ME TO DO 
YOUR WILL{/}

The Letter to the Hebrews 
(10,5) places on the lips 
of Jesus versus 7-9 which 
express his perfect 
obedience. May we also be 
able to say: "Here I am!"
{I}2_{/}With resolve I 
waited for the Lord; he 
listened and heard me 
beg.
{I}3_{/}Out of the horrid 
pit he drew me, out of 
deadly quicksand. He 
settled my feet upon a 
rock and made my steps 
steady.
{I}4_{/}He put a new song 
in my mouth, a song of 
praise to our God. Many 
will see and be awed and 
put their trust in the 
Lord.
{I}5_{/}Blessed is the 
one who relies on the 
Lord and does not look to 
the proud nor go astray 
after false gods.
{I}6_{/}How numerous, O 
Lord, are your wonderful 
deeds! In your marvelous 
plans for us you are 
beyond compare! How many 
they are - I cannot tell 
them or count their 
number.
{I}7_{/}Sacrifice and 
oblation you did not 
desire; this you had me 
understand. Burnt 
offering and sin offering 
you do not require.
{I}8_{/}Then I said, 
"Here I come! as the 
scroll says of me. 
{I}9_{/}To do your will 
is my delight, O God, for 
your law is within my 
heart."
{I}10_{/}In the great 
assembly I have 
proclaimed your saving 
help. My lips, O Lord, I 
did not seal - you know 
that very well.
{I}11_{/}I have not 
locked up in my heart 
your saving help, but 
have spoken about it - 
your deliverance and your 
faithfulness;
I have made no secret of 
your truth and your 
kindness in the great 
assembly.
{I}12_{/}Do not withhold 
from me, O Lord, your 
mercy; let your love and 
faithfulness preserve me 
constantly.
{I}13_{/}For troubles 
beyond number have closed 
in on me; I am all 
covered by sins and I 
cannot see. They are more 
than the hairs of my 
head, and I am losing 
courage.
{I}14_{/}May it please 
you, O Lord, to rescue 
me. Make haste, O Lord, 
to help me!
{I}15_{/}May those who 
seek my life be brought 
to shame and disgrace; 
may those who want me 
destroyed be turned back 
in confusion.
{I}16_{/}May those who 
taunt me with, "Aha, 
aha!" be filled with 
shame and consternation.
{I}17_{/}But may all 
those who seek you 
rejoice and be glad in 
you; and may all who love 
your saving grace 
continually say, "The 
Lord is great."
{I}18_{/}Though I am 
afflicted and poor, yet 
the Lord thinks of me. 
You are my help and my 
savior - O Lord, do not 
delay!
{1}41{/}

(40)
PRAYER OF AN ABANDONED 
SICK PERSON{/}

Sick, ridiculed, 
betrayed: such is the one 
who says this prayer. 
Perhaps we know him and 
he is beside us waiting 
for our support.
{I}2_{/}Blessed the one 
who has regard for the 
poor;
the Lord delivers him in 
time of trouble.
{I}3_{/}The Lord protects 
him, preserves his life,
and gives him happiness 
in the land;
he yields him not to the 
will of his foes.
{I}4_{/}The Lord helps 
him when he gets sick,
and heals him of all his 
ailments.
{I}5_{/}I have pleaded, 
"O Lord, have mercy on 
me;
heal me, in spite of all 
my iniquity."
{I}6_{/}My enemies ask of 
me in malice,
"When will he die and his 
name perish?"
When they come in to see,
they talk emptily 
gathering slanderous 
gossip.
No sooner have they left, 
that they tell their 
comments.
{I}7_{/}Then all my 
enemies whisper together,
imagining the worst for 
me:
{I}8_{/}"A deadly disease 
has fastened on him.
He will never get up 
again!"
{I}9_{/}Even my most 
trusted friend,
with whom I shared my 
food,
has lifted his heel 
against me.
{I}10_{/}But you, O Lord, 
have mercy on me;
lift me up to give them 
recompense.
{I}11_{/}This will assure 
me that I enjoy your 
favor:
if my enemies do not 
triumph over me,
{I}12_{/}if you uphold my 
integrity
and let me stand in your 
presence forever.
{I}13_{/}Praise the Lord, 
the God of Israel,
from all eternity and 
forever!
Amen. Amen!
{1}42{/}

(41)
WHEN SHALL I GO TO 
CONTEMPLATE THE FACE OF 
THE LORD?{/}

In exile, the psalmist 
remembers the years of 
grace.
{I}2_{/}As a deer longs 
for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, 
O God.
{I}3_{/}My soul thirsts 
for God, for the living 
God.
When shall I go and see 
the face of God?
{I}4_{/}Day and night my 
tears have been my food,
as people ask me day 
after day,
"Where is your God?"
{I}5_{/}Now as I pour out 
my soul,
I remember all this -
how I used to lead the 
faithful
in procession to the 
house of God,
amid shouts of joy and 
thanksgiving,
among the feasting 
throng.
{I}6_{/}Why are you so 
downcast, my soul,
why so troubled within 
me?
Hope in God, for I will 
praise him again,
my savior and my God.
{I}7_{/}My soul is 
downcast when I remember
from these lands of 
Jordan and Hermon,
"Where are you, small 
mountain?"
{I}8_{/}Deep calls to 
deep as your cataracts 
thunder;
your waves and torrents 
have gone over me.
{I}9_{/}May the Lord 
bestow his love by day,
by night his song is upon 
my lips -
a prayer to the God of my 
life.
{I}10_{/}I say to God, my 
rock,
"Why have you forgotten 
me?
Why do I go about 
mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"
{I}11_{/}My whole being 
suffers in mortal agony,
as my adversaries 
continually taunt me,
"Where is your God?"
{I}12_{/}Why are you so 
downcast, my soul,
why so troubled within 
me?
Hope in God, for again I 
will praise him -
my savior and my God.
{1}43{/}

(42)
CONTINUATION OF THE 
PREVIOUS PSALM{/}

Here we have the fervent 
prayer that the believer 
- immersed in adversity - 
addressed to God in order 
not to waver in this 
faith.
{I}1_{/}Make justice, O 
God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly 
people;
deliver me from the 
wicked and deceitful.
{I}2_{/}You are my God, 
my stronghold,
why have you cast me out?
Why should I go about 
mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?
{I}3_{/}Send forth your 
light and your truth;
let them be my guide,
let them take me to your 
holy mountain,
to the place where you 
reside.
{I}4_{/}Then will I go to 
the altar of God,
to God, my gladness and 
delight.
I will praise you with 
the lyre and harp,
O God, my God.
{I}5_{/}Why are you so 
downcast, my soul,
why so troubled within 
me?
Hope in God, for again I 
will praise him -
my savior and my God.
{1}44{/}

(43)
NATIONAL LAMENT{/}

The believing pepole has 
suffered a defeat and 
complain to God.
{I}2_{/}With our ears, O 
God, we have heard; our 
fathers have declared to 
us the works you did in 
their days of old. 
{I}3_{/}You drove out the 
nations and settled our 
fathers in their land; 
you conquered the peoples 
to make room for them.
{I}4_{/}For it was not 
with their own sword that 
they conquered the land 
nor were they victors by 
their own hand; but it 
was by your right hand 
and arm and by the light 
of your countenance; for 
you truly loved them.
{I}5_{/}It is you, my 
King and my God, who 
ordain victories for 
Jacob.
{I}6_{/}Through you we 
batter down our foes; 
through your name we 
shatter our enemies.
{I}7_{/}For it is not in 
my bow that I trust, nor 
in my sword to make me 
victorious.
{I}8_{/}But it is you who 
give us victory, you who 
bring our adversaries to 
shame.
{I}9_{/}It is always in 
God that we find glory. 
Forever shall we praise 
your name.
{I}10_{/}Yet now you have 
rejected and humbled us; 
you no longer go forth 
with our armies.
{I}11_{/}You have let our 
enemies drive us back and 
our adversaries plunder 
us.
{I}12_{/}You have let us 
be driven for slaughter 
like sheep, scattered 
among nations as 
captives.
{I}13_{/}You have handed 
us over to them for 
nothing: the sale was of 
no benefit for you.
{I}14_{/}You have made us 
the butt of our 
neighbors' insult, the 
scorn and laughingstock 
of those around us. 
{I}15_{/}You have made us 
a byword among the 
nations; they look at us 
and shake their heads.
{I}16_{/}All day long my 
disgrace is before me and 
shame covers my face, 
{I}17_{/}at the voice of 
the one who mocks and 
reviles, in the presence 
of the enemy and the 
avenger.
{I}18_{/}All this has 
happened to us, although 
we have not forgotten 
you, nor have we been 
untrue to your covenant.
{I}19_{/}Our heart has 
not turned back nor have 
our steps faltered; 
{I}20_{/}yet you have 
crushed us in the desert 
of the snakes and covered 
us with deep darkness.
{I}21_{/}Had we forgotten 
the name of our God and 
stretched forth our hands 
to an alien god, 
{I}22_{/}God would have 
discovered this, for the 
secrets of the heart are 
not hidden from him.
{I}23_{/}For your sake we 
are slain all day and 
accounted as sheep for 
slaughter.
{I}24_{/}Awake, O Lord! 
Why are you asleep? 
Arise! Reject us not 
forever.
{I}25_{/}Why hide your 
face from us? Why forget 
our misery and woes? 
{I}26_{/}Our souls are 
humbled in the dust, our 
bodies smashed to the 
ground.
{I}27_{/}Come to our 
help, deliver us for the 
sake of your kindness.
{1}45{/}

(44)
FOR THE KING'S WEDDING{/}

Human love is a mystery 
that touches the mystery 
of God himself. God 
wishes to be united with 
humanity as a husband to 
his wife: he has already 
done so in the person of 
Christ.
{I}2_{/}My heart is moved 
by an exalted theme
as I deliver my ode to 
the king,
my tongue as nimble as a 
writer's pen.
{I}3_{/}You are the 
finest among all others,
your lips are anointed 
with graciousness,
for God has blessed you 
forever.
{I}4_{/}Gird your sword 
upon your thigh, O mighty 
one,
array yourself with 
splendor and majesty.
{I}5_{/}Glorious and 
triumphant, ride on
for the sake of truth, 
for a just cause.
You will see marvelous 
deeds of your right hand.
{I}6_{/}Your arrows are 
sharp, O king,
they pierce the hearts of 
your enemies;
nations fall beneath your 
feet.
{I}7_{/}Your throne, O 
God, will last forever;
a scepter of justice is 
your scepter.
{I}8_{/}You love 
righteousness and hate 
wickedness;
therefore God, your God, 
has anointed you
with the oil of gladness, 
above your fellow kings.
{I}9_{/}Your robes are 
fragrant
with myrrh, aloes and 
cassia.
The music of strings 
gladdens your palace
adorned and glowing with 
ivory.
{I}10_{/}Among your 
ladies of honor
are daughters of kings;
at your right hand, in 
gold of Ophir,
stands the queen.
{I}11_{/}Listen, O 
daughter, pay attention;
forget your father's 
house and your nation,
{I}12_{/}and your beauty 
will charm the King,
for he is your lord.
{I}13_{/}The people of 
Tyre will bow before him.
The wealthiest nations 
will seek your favor.
{I}14_{/}All glorious as 
she enters
is the princess in her 
gold-woven robes.
{I}15_{/}She is led in 
royal attire to the king,
following behind is her 
train of virgins.
{I}16_{/}Amid cheers and 
general rejoicing,
they enter the palace of 
the king.
{I}17_{/}Forget your 
fathers and think of your 
sons,
you will make them 
princes throughout the 
land.
{I}18_{/}I will make your 
name famous through all 
generations;
may all nations praise 
you forever!
{1}46{/}

(45)
GOD IS WITH US{/}

A river whose streams 
bring joy to the city of 
God. To the upheavals 
mentioned in the first 
stanza the psalmist 
contrasts a vision of 
tranquility, the Holy 
City, Jerusalem, the 
Church.
{I}2_{/}God is our 
strength and protection,
an ever-present help in 
affliction.
{I}3_{/}We will not fear, 
therefore,
though the earth be 
shaken
and the mountains plunge 
into the seas,
{I}4_{/}though its waters 
foam and roar,
though the mountains 
quake and totter.
For the Lord of hosts is 
with us,
the God of Jacob, our 
stronghold.
{I}5_{/}There is a river 
whose streams bring joy 
to the city of God,
the holy place where the 
Most High dwells.
{I}6_{/}God is within, 
the city cannot quake,
for God's help is upon it 
at the break of day.
{I}7_{/}Kingdoms 
tottered, nations were in 
turmoil;
at the sound of his voice 
the earth melts away.
{I}8_{/}For with us is 
the Lord of hosts,
the God of Jacob, our 
refuge.
{I}9_{/}Come, see the 
works of the Lord -
the marvelous things he 
has done in the world.
{I}10_{/}He has put an 
end to wars,
broken the bows and 
splintered the spears,
set the shields and 
chariots afire.
{I}11_{/}Be still, know 
that I am God.
I am exalted among the 
nations,
exalted over the earth!
{I}12_{/}With us is the 
Lord of hosts,
the God of Jacob, our 
refuge.
{1}47{/}

(46)
TO THE KING OF ALL THE 
NATIONS{/}

The Lord comes at the end 
of time to begin his 
reign.
{I}2_{/}Clap your hands, 
all you peoples;
acclaim God with shouts 
of joy.

{I}3_{/}For the Lord, the 
Most High, is to be 
feared;
he is a great king all 
over the earth.
{I}4_{/}He brings peoples 
under our dominion
and puts nations under 
our feet.
{I}5_{/}He chose our 
inheritance for us -
the pride of Jacob whom 
he loves!
{I}6_{/}God ascends amid 
joyful shouts,
the Lord amid trumpet 
blasts.
{I}7_{/}Sing praises to 
God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, 
sing praises!
{I}8_{/}God is king of 
all the earth;
sing to him a hymn of 
praise.
{I}9_{/}For God now rules 
over the nations,
God reigns from his holy 
throne.
{I}10_{/}The leaders of 
the nations rally 
together
with the people of the 
God of Abraham.
For in his hands are the 
great of the earth,
God reigns far above.
{1}48{/}


(47)
THE CHURCH-ZION: MOUNTAIN 
OF GOD{/}

Zion is the other name 
for Jerusalem, the Holy 
City. God favored it and 
protected it on several 
occasions. Let the 
faithful rejoice: God 
watches over it!.
{I}2_{/}Great is the 
Lord,
most worthy of praise in 
the city of God,
his holy mountain.
{I}3_{/}Beautifully 
elevated, it is the joy 
of all the earth
- Mount Zion, heavenly 
mountain,
the city of the great 
King.
{I}4_{/}Here within her 
lines of defense,
God has shown himself to 
be a sure fortress.
{I}5_{/}The kings 
assembled together,
advanced toward the city.
{I}6_{/}But as soon as 
they saw it, they were 
astounded;
they panicked and took to 
flight.
{I}7_{/}Seized with fear, 
they trembled,
like a woman in travail,
{I}8_{/}or like the ships 
of Tarshish,
shattered by a strong 
wind from the east.
{I}9_{/}As we have heard, 
so have we seen,
in the city of the Lord 
of hosts,
in the city of our God,
the city God founded 
forever.
{I}10_{/}Let us recall 
your unfailing love,
O God, inside your 
temple.
{I}11_{/}Let your praise 
as does your name, O God,
reach to the ends of the 
earth.
Your right hand is ever 
victorious.
{I}12_{/}Let Mount Zion 
rejoice,
let the villages of Judah 
be glad,
for your justice 
prevails.
{I}13_{/}Walk around 
Zion, count her towers,
{I}14_{/}consider her 
ramparts, examine her 
castles,
that you may tell the 
next generation
{I}15_{/}that such is 
God;
God is our guide forever.
{1}49{/}

(48)
THE IRRESPONSIBILITY OF 
THE RICH{/}

"Beware of every desire 
to possess, for even when 
one has everything, it is 
not possessions which 
give life".
{I}2_{/}Hear this, all 
you peoples!
Listen, all you 
inhabitants of the world,
{I}3_{/}high and low 
together,
rich and poor alike!
{I}4_{/}My mouth will 
speak wisdom,
my deep thoughts will 
bring discernment.
{I}5_{/}To a proverb I 
will incline my ear,
and solve my riddle to 
the rhythm of my lyre.
{I}6_{/}Why should I fear 
when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers 
ring me round -
{I}7_{/}those who trust 
in their wealth
and boast of their great 
riches?
{I}8_{/}For no ransom 
avails for one's life,
there is no price one can 
give to God for it.
{I}9_{/}For redeeming 
one's life
demands too high a price,
and all is lost forever.
{I}10_{/}Who can remain 
forever alive
and never see the grave?
{I}11_{/}For we see that 
the wise die,
and pass away like the 
fool and the stupid
leaving to others their 
fortune and wealth.
{I}12_{/}Their graves are 
their eternal homes,
from generation to 
generation,
no matter how big the 
tracts of land they own.
{I}13_{/}People of wealth 
have no thought,
they will be silenced 
like the beasts.
{I}14_{/}This is the fate 
of people trusting 
themselves,
the future of those who 
rely on their strength.
{I}15_{/}Like sheep led 
to the grave,
they have death as their 
shepherd and ruler;
quickly their form will 
be consumed
in the world of the dead, 
which is their home.
{I}16_{/}But God will 
rescue my soul from the 
grave
by receiving me unto 
himself.
{I}17_{/}Fear not when 
someone grows rich,
when his power becomes 
oppressively great,
{I}18_{/}for nothing will 
he take when he dies;
his wealth and pomp he 
will leave behind.
{I}19_{/}Though he 
praised himself in his 
lifetime,
"All will say that I have 
enjoyed life,"
{I}20_{/}he will join the 
generation of his 
forebears,
who will never again see 
the light.
{I}21_{/}People of wealth 
have no thought,
they will be silenced 
like the beasts.
{1}50{/}

(49)
SERVE GOD WITH A SINCERE 
HEART{/}

God is coming to judge 
his people. He condemns 
those who replace the 
obedience of the heart 
with offerings and 
material sacrifices, and 
those who recite the 
commandments instead of 
practicing them.
{I}1_{/}The God of gods, 
the Lord has spoken,
he summons the earth from 
the rising of the sun to 
its setting.
{I}2_{/}God has shone 
from Zion, perfect in 
beauty.
{I}3_{/}God is no longer 
silent, he comes;
before him is a devouring 
fire,
around him a raging 
storm.
{I}4_{/}He calls to the 
heavens above,
and to the earth below,
that he may judge his 
people:
{I}5_{/}"Gather before me 
my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with 
me by sacrifice."
{I}6_{/}The heavens will 
proclaim his sentence,
for God himself is the 
judge.
{I}7_{/}"Hear, O my 
people, for I am 
speaking.
I will accuse you, O 
Israel,
I am God, your God!
{I}8_{/}Not for your 
sacrifices do I reprove 
you,
for your burnt offerings 
are ever before me.
{I}9_{/}I need no bull 
from your stalls,
nor he-goat from your 
pens.
{I}10_{/}For I own all 
the beasts of the forest
and the animals of my 
thousand hills.
{I}11_{/}All the birds of 
the air I know;
all that move in the 
fields are mine.
{I}12_{/}I need not tell 
you if I were hungry,
for mine is the world and 
all that it contains.
{I}13_{/}Do I eat the 
flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of 
goats?
{I}14_{/}Yet offer to God 
a sacrifice of thanks,
and fulfill your vows to 
the Most High.
{I}15_{/}Call on me in 
time of calamity;
I will deliver you, and 
you will glorify me."
{I}16_{/}But God says 
this to the wicked:
"What right have you to 
mouth my laws,
or to talk about my 
covenant?
{I}17_{/}You hate my 
commands
and cast my words behind 
you.
{I}18_{/}You join a thief 
when you meet one;
you keep company with 
adulterers.
{I}19_{/}You have a mouth 
of evil
and a deceitful tongue.
{I}20_{/}You speak ill of 
your brother,
and slander your own 
mother's son.
{I}21_{/}Because I was 
silent while you did 
these things,
you thought I was like 
you.
But now I rebuke you
and make this charge 
against you.
{I}22_{/}Give this a 
thought, you who forget 
God,
lest I tear you to pieces 
with no one to help you.
{I}23_{/}Those who give 
with thanks offerings 
honor me,
but the one who walks 
blamelessly,
I will show him the 
salvation of God."
{1}51{/}

(50)
HAVE MERCY ON ME, LORD{/}

Let us admit our sin 
before the God of truth. 
Our humiliation will not 
be without hope, since we 
know God is able to give 
us a new heart.
{I}3_{/}Have mercy on me, 
O God, in your love.
In your great compassion 
blot out my sin.
{I}4_{/}Wash me 
thoroughly of my guilt;
cleanse me of evil.
{I}5_{/}For I acknowledge 
my wrongdoings
and have my sins ever in 
mind.
{I}6_{/}Against you alone 
have I sinned;
what is evil in your 
sight I have done.
You are right when you 
pass sentence
and blameless in your 
judgment.
{I}7_{/}For I have been 
guilt-ridden from birth,
a sinner from my mother's 
womb.
{I}8_{/}I know you desire 
truth in the heart,
teach me wisdom in my 
inmost being.
{I}9_{/}Cleanse me with 
hyssop and I shall be 
clean,
wash me, I shall be 
whiter than snow.
{I}10_{/}Fill me with joy 
and gladness;
let the bones you have 
crushed rejoice.
{I}11_{/}Turn your face 
away from my sins
and blot out all my 
offenses.
{I}12_{/}Create in me, O 
God, a pure heart;
give me a new and 
steadfast spirit.
{I}13_{/}Do not cast me 
out of your presence
nor take your holy spirit 
from me.
{I}14_{/}Give me again 
the joy of your salvation
and sustain me with a 
willing spirit.
{I}15_{/}Then I will show 
wrongdoers your ways
and sinners will return 
to you.
{I}16_{/}Deliver me, O 
God, from the guilt of 
blood,
and of your justice I 
shall sing aloud.
{I}17_{/}O Lord, open my 
lips,
and I will declare your 
praise.
{I}18_{/}You take no 
pleasure in sacrifice;
were I to give a burnt 
offering,
you would not delight in 
it.
{I}19_{/}O God, my 
sacrifice is a broken 
spirit;
a contrite heart you will 
not despise.
{I}20_{/}Shower Zion with 
your favor:
rebuild the walls of 
Jerusalem.
{I}21_{/}Then you will 
delight in fitting 
sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and 
bulls offered on your 
altar.
{1}52{/}

(51)
GOD WILL DESTROY THE 
WICKED PERSON{/}

{I}3_{/}Why boast of your 
wickedness, strong man? 
Why boast all day long 
{I}4_{/}that you are 
plotting crimes?
Your tongue is like a 
sharp razor; {I}5_{/}you 
love evil more than good, 
and falsehood more than 
truth. {I}6_{/}You love 
words that inflict harm, 
O you deceitful tongue!
{I}7_{/}But God will 
bring you down forever; 
he will snatch you, tear 
you away from your tent; 
he will uproot you from 
the land of the living.
{I}8_{/}The good will 
know fear at the sight; 
they will say concerning 
his fate:
{I}9_{/}"See the one who 
would not rely on God, 
but trusted in riches and 
drew strength from 
wickedness."
{I}10_{/}But I am as a 
green olive tree that 
thrives in the house of 
God: I trust in God's 
unfailing love forever 
and ever.
{I}11_{/}I will praise 
you forever for all you 
have done, and proclaim 
your good name before the 
faithful ones.
{1}53{/}

(52)
THE WORLD WITHOUT GOD{/}

{I}2_{/}The fool says in 
his heart, "There is no 
God." They are corrupt, 
their ways are wicked; 
not one of them does 
good.
{I}3_{/}From heaven God 
looks down upon the sons 
of men, to see if there 
is anyone who seeks God 
and understands.
{I}4_{/}None! They have 
all fallen away. Depraved 
- they are all alike. 
There is no one who does 
good, no, not even one.
{I}5_{/}Will these 
evildoers never learn? 
They devour my people 
just as they devour food 
and never call on God.
{I}6_{/}There they are - 
afraid when there is 
nothing to be feared. God 
will scatter their bones; 
they will be put to shame 
because God has rejected 
them.
{I}7_{/}May I see 
Israel's salvation coming 
forth from Zion! When God 
restores his people's 
fortune, Jacob will be 
glad, Israel will 
rejoice.
{1}54{/}

(53)
{I}3_{/}By your name, O 
God, save me; you, the 
Valiant, uphold my cause.
{I}4_{/}Hear my prayer, O 
God; listen to the words 
of my mouth.
{I}5_{/}Strangers are 
against me - the ruthless 
seek my life; they have 
no regard for God.
{I}6_{/}See, God is my 
helper; the Lord upholds 
my life.
{I}7_{/}May their evil 
plots rebound on them; in 
your faithfulness destroy 
them!
{I}8_{/}Freely will I 
offer sacrifice to you 
and praise your name, O 
Lord, for it is good.
{I}9_{/}You have 
delivered me from 
calamity, and I look down 
on my foes.
{1}55{/}

(54)
PRAYER OF THE 
PERSECUTED{/}

The supremacy of money, 
violence, luxury, 
prostitution and the 
exploitation of people. 
In the midst of a 
perverted society, the 
just feel trapped and 
threatened. Cast your 
care upon the Lord.
{I}2_{/}Listen to my 
prayer, O God, do not be 
deaf to my pleading; 
{I}3_{/}give heed to me 
and answer me.
I am greatly troubled 
{I}4_{/}at the outcry of 
the enemy and the clamor 
of the wicked.
I am distraught at the 
way they revile me and 
persecute me in their 
fury.
{I}5_{/}My heart agonizes 
within me; the terrors of 
death fall upon me. 
{I}6_{/}I tremble in fear 
- horror has got the 
better of me.
{I}7_{/}I said, "If I had 
wings like a dove, I 
would fly away and be at 
rest;
{I}8_{/}I would seek a 
home in the desert 
{I}9_{/}or hurry to find 
a cave for shelter from 
the tempest."
{I}10_{/}O Lord, shatter 
their plans. In the city 
I see strife and 
violence; {I}11_{/}day 
and night they prowl 
about its walls, while 
inside, evil prevails.
{I}12_{/}Forces of 
tyranny and treachery are 
at work undermining the 
city.
{I}13_{/}If it were a 
rival insulting me, I 
could bear with him; if 
it were a foe in pursuit 
of me, I could hide from 
him.
{I}14_{/}But it is you, 
an equal of mine, my 
bosom friend, my 
companion {I}15_{/}whose 
fellowship I enjoyed as 
we walked together in the 
house of God.
{I}16_{/}Let death come 
upon them suddenly, let 
them go down to the grave 
alive, for within them 
evil and mischief thrive.
{I}17_{/}But in God I 
seek refuge; the Lord 
will rescue me.
{I}18_{/}Morning, 
evening, and even at 
noon, I cry out my 
grievance and moan; 
surely he will hear my 
voice.
{I}19_{/}He will deliver 
me in safety from my 
opponents, for they are 
many.
{I}20_{/}God who is 
enthroned forever will 
hear me and humble them, 
for they do not repent 
nor do they stand in awe 
of God.
{I}21_{/}My friend has 
attacked his associates 
and has violated his pact 
with them.
{I}22_{/}His words were 
smoother than butter, yet 
war was in his heart; his 
utterances, more soothing 
than oil, were swords 
ready and drawn.
{I}23_{/}Place your 
burden on the Lord, and 
he will sustain you, for 
he never allows the 
upright to fall.
{I}24_{/}But you, O God, 
will cast the wicked into 
a pit; bloodthirsty and 
treacherous, they will 
not live out half their 
days. As for me, I trust 
in you alone, O Lord.
{1}56{/}

(55)
THE JUST WILL NOT FALL{/}

Prayer of the millions of 
oppressed who live, and 
no doubt will die 
crushed. You, Lord, have 
gathered our tears!.
{I}2_{/}O God, show your 
mercy to me, for my foes 
are in hot pursuit; they 
press their attack on me 
all the time.
{I}3_{/}My accusers 
pursue me all day long, 
many attack me. 
{I}4_{/}But when I am 
afraid, O Mighty One, I 
put my trust in you,
{I}5_{/}In God whose word 
I praise, in God I trust 
without fear. What can 
mortals do against me?
{I}6_{/}All day long they 
hatch their evil plans, 
plotting mischief to 
injure my cause.
{I}7_{/}They conspire and 
lurk around, watching my 
every move, bent upon 
taking my life.
{I}8_{/}They must not be 
allowed to go unpunished; 
therefore, O God, in your 
fury bring the nations 
down.
{I}9_{/}You have a record 
of my laments; my tears 
are stored in your 
wineskin. Are they not 
written on your scroll?
{I}10_{/}My enemies turn 
back when I call on you 
for help; now I know that 
God is for me.
{I}11_{/}In God whose 
word I praise, 
{I}12_{/}in God I trust 
without fear. What can 
mortals do against me?
{I}13_{/}I am bound to 
you by vows, O God; I 
shall offer my 
thanksgiving.
{I}14_{/}For you have 
rescued my soul from 
death and my feet from 
stumbling, that I might 
walk in God's presence in 
the light of the living.
{1}57{/}

(56)
O LORD, I LIVE IN THE 
MIDST OF LIONS{/}

{I}2_{/}Have mercy on me, 
O God, have mercy, for my 
soul takes refuge in you; 
I will find shelter in 
the shadow of your wings 
till the disaster has 
passed.
{I}3_{/}I call on God the 
Most High, on God who has 
done everything for me: 
{I}4_{/}may he send from 
heaven a savior and put 
my oppressors to shame. 
May God send me his love 
and faithfulness.
{I}5_{/}I lie prostrate 
in the midst of lions 
that greedily devour 
people, their teeth are 
pointed spears and 
arrows, their tongues, 
sharpened swords.
{I}6_{/}Be exalted,  O 
God,  above  the  
heavens! Your glory be 
over all the earth!
{I}7_{/}They have set a 
snare for my steps; my 
soul was bowed down in 
distress. They dug a pit 
along my path, but they 
themselves fell into it.
{I}8_{/}My heart is 
steadfast, O God, my 
heart is steadfast. I 
will sing and make music.
{I}9_{/}Awake, my soul, 
awake, O harp and lyre! I 
will wake the dawn.
{I}10_{/}I will give 
thanks to you, O Lord, 
among the peoples; I will 
sing praise to you among 
the nations.
{I}11{/} For your love 
reaches to the heavens, 
and your faithfullness, 
to the clouds. 
{I}12_{/}Be exalted, O 
God, above the heavens! 
Let your Glory be over 
all the earth!
{1}58{/}

(57)
GOD JUDGES JUDGES{/}

God denounces leaders who 
establish and maintain a 
corrupt order instead of 
being agents of his 
justice.
{I}2_{/}You gods, are 
your decrees just, and 
are your judgments 
upright?
{I}3_{/}No, you willfully 
commit crimes; you deal 
in violence and 
corruption.
{I}4_{/}Even from the 
womb the wicked go 
astray; from birth they 
are wayward liars.
{I}5_{/}They are 
poisonous like deadly 
snakes, deaf as the adder 
{I}6_{/}that blocks its 
ears so as not to hear 
the charmer's voice 
casting spells.
{I}7_{/}Break the teeth 
in their mouths, O God; 
tear out the fangs of the 
lions, O Lord.
{I}8_{/}Let them vanish 
like spilled water; let 
them be trodden down like 
grass that withers.
{I}9_{/}Let them be like 
snails that sink into 
slime, like untimely 
births that never see the 
sun. {I}10_{/}Like green 
grass that is burned 
before the thorns are 
dry, let them be swept 
away!
{I}11_{/}The upright will 
rejoice when they are 
avenged; they will bathe 
their feet in the blood 
of the wicked.
{I}12_{/}Then will people 
say, "Surely the 
righteous are rewarded; 
surely there is a God who 
gives judgment on earth."
{1}59{/}

(58)
THE CITY IS IN THE HANDS 
OF THE VIOLENT{/}

{I}2_{/}Deliver me from 
my enemies, O God, from 
those who rise up against 
me.
{I}3_{/}Deliver me from 
evildoers; rescue me from 
the bloodthirsty.
{I}4_{/}Look, they lie in 
wait for my life; the 
mighty conspiring against 
me, for no fault of mine, 
O Lord.
{I}5_{/}I have done them 
no wrong, yet they 
prepare to attack me. 
Rise and help me, look on 
my plight, {I}6_{/}O Lord 
God of hosts, God of 
Israel! Arise and punish 
the nations; have no 
mercy on the wicked 
traitors.
{I}7_{/}Each evening they 
return, howling like 
dogs, prowling about the 
city. {I}8_{/}To their 
mind, God does not hear 
or see their wicked 
deeds.
{I}9_{/}But you, O Lord, 
laugh at them; you look 
down upon the wicked.
{I}10_{/}O my Strength, I 
look up to you, for you, 
O God, are my fortress.
{I}11_{/}My loving God 
will come to help me and 
let me see my enemies 
fall.
{I}12_{/}But slay them 
not, lest my people 
forget; just shake them 
by your power, and bring 
them down, O Lord, our 
shield.
{I}13_{/}Give us your 
help against the foe, for 
human help is worthless.
For the curses and lies 
they utter, 
{I}14_{/}destroy them in 
your vengeance, destroy 
them till they are no 
more. Then it will be 
known that God rules over 
Jacob to the ends of the 
earth.
{I}15_{/}Each evening let 
them return, howling like 
dogs, prowling about the 
city, {I}16_{/}roaming 
about for food, growling 
and never filled.
{I}17_{/}But I will sing 
of your might; in the 
morning I will sing of 
your love. For you have 
been a fortress to me,  a 
refuge in time of 
distress. {I}18_{/}O my 
Strength, I will sing 
praises to you, for you, 
O God, are my stronghold; 
you are a loving  God.
{1}60{/}

(59)
PETITION AFTER A 
DEFEAT{/}

{I}3_{/}O God, you have 
rejected us and have 
broken our defenses; you 
have been angry, but now 
turn back to us.
{I}4_{/}You have shaken 
the land and torn it 
open; mend its cracks for 
it totters.
{I}5_{/}You have made 
your people suffer; you 
have given us wine that 
makes us stagger.
{I}6_{/}You set the 
banner behind us and your 
people fled from bow and 
arrow.
{I}7_{/}Help us and 
listen to us, that your 
beloved may be rescued.
{I}8_{/}God has spoken in 
his sanctuary: "In 
triumph I will divide up 
Shechem and parcel out 
the Valley of Succoth.
{I}9_{/}Gilead is mine; 
Manasseh is mine; Ephraim 
is my helmet, Judah my 
scepter.
{I}10_{/}Moab is my 
washbasin; upon Edom I 
cast my sandal; over 
Philistia I shout in 
triumph."
{I}11_{/}Who will take me 
to the fortified city? 
Who will lead me to Edom?
{I}12_{/}Have you not 
rejected us, O God? You 
no longer go with our 
armies.
{I}13_{/}Give us aid 
against the foe, for 
human help is not worth a 
straw.
{I}14_{/}With God we will 
gain victory; he will 
crush the enemy for us.
{1}61{/}

(60)
{I}2_{/}Hear my cry, O 
God; listen to my prayer.
{I}3_{/}I call to you 
from the ends of the 
earth; my heart grows 
faint. Set me high upon a 
rock; {I}4_{/}be my 
refuge, a strong tower 
against the enemy.
{I}5_{/}Let me dwell in 
your tent forever and 
take refuge in your 
wings' shelter.
{I}6_{/}Indeed you have 
heard my vows, O God, and 
the wish of those who 
fear your name.
{I}7_{/}Increase the days 
of the king's life; 
prolong his years for 
many generations.
{I}8_{/}May he ever be 
enthroned in God's 
presence; let your love 
and loyalty watch over 
him.
{I}9_{/}So I will sing 
praises to your name and 
fulfill my vows day after 
day.
{1}62{/}

(61)
MY SOUL RESTS IN GOD 
ALONE{/}

God has revealed two of 
his dominant qualities: 
power and goodness. Would 
we like them to be 
active? Let us believe 
and open our hearts.
{I}2_{/}My soul finds 
rest in God alone;
from him comes my 
salvation.
{I}3_{/}He alone is my 
rock and salvation;
with him as my 
stronghold,
I shall not be overcome.
{I}4_{/}How long will you 
assail with your threats,
all of you, to bring 
someone down -
as you would pull a wall 
or smash a fence?
{I}5_{/}Indeed they plan 
to topple me.
They take pleasure in 
telling lies;
with their mouths they 
bless,
but in their hearts they 
curse.
{I}6_{/}Find rest in God 
alone, O my soul;
from him comes my hope.
{I}7_{/}He alone is my 
rock and my salvation;
with him as my 
stronghold,
I shall not be overcome.
{I}8_{/}On God rests my 
salvation and my honor;
he is my refuge, my 
mighty rock.
{I}9_{/}Trust in him at 
all times, my people;
pour out your hearts 
before him;
God is our refuge.
{I}10_{/}People of low 
rank are only a breath,
important people, merely 
an illusion.
If weighed together they 
are nothing,
even lighter than a puff 
of wind.
{I}11_{/}Do not set your 
heart on extortion,
nor your hopes upon 
corrupt gain.
Even if wealth 
accumulates,
keep your heart detached.
{I}12_{/}God has spoken 
one word,
and I have heard two 
things:
that power belongs to 
God,
{I}13_{/}and yours, O 
God, is also mercy:
you reward each one 
according to his deeds.
{1}63{/}

(62)
MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR 
YOU{/}

Contrast between daily 
life, so often tedious, 
and the experience of God 
discovered in solitude.
{I}2_{/}O God, you are my 
God, it is you I seek;
for you my body longs and 
my soul thirsts,
as a dry and weary land 
without water.
{I}3_{/}Thus have I gazed 
upon you in the 
sanctuary,
to see your power and 
your glory.
{I}4_{/}Your love is 
better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
{I}5_{/}I will bless you 
as long as I live,
lift up my hands and call 
on your name.
{I}6_{/}As with the 
richest food my soul will 
feast;
my mouth will praise you 
with joyful lips.
{I}7_{/}When I remember 
you on my bed
I think of you all 
through the night,
{I}8_{/}for you have been 
my help;
I sing in the shadow of 
your wings.
{I}9_{/}My soul clings to 
you,
your right hand upholds 
me.
{I}10_{/}In vain they are 
after my life,
they will go down to the 
depths of the earth;
{I}11_{/}they will be 
delivered to the sword,
and become the prey of 
jackals.
{I}12_{/}The king will 
rejoice in God.
All who swear by God's 
name will boast:
"At last slanderers' 
tongues have been 
silenced."
{1}64{/}

(63)
PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE WHO 
SLANDER{/}

{I}2_{/}Hear, O God, my 
voice as I plead, protect 
my life from the enemy's 
threat.
{I}3_{/}Hide me from the 
scheming of the wicked, 
from the designs of the 
evil-plotters, 
{I}4_{/}who sharpen their 
tongues like swords and 
aim bitter words like 
arrows, {I}5_{/}shooting 
at the innocent from 
cover, shooting suddenly 
without fear.
{I}6_{/}They invite each 
other to evil-doing, they 
conspire to lay snares, 
saying, "No one will see 
us, {I}7_{/}who will 
uncover our scheme?"
Who peers into man will 
uncover them.
{I}8_{/}And now God fires 
his arrows at them and 
suddenly they are struck 
down. {I}9_{/}Their own 
tongue brought them to 
ruin and all who see them 
shake their heads.
{I}10_{/}Everyone will 
stand in awe; they 
proclaim the works of God 
and ponder on his deeds.
{I}11_{/}The upright will 
rejoice and take refuge 
in the Lord; the upright 
of heart will glory in 
him.
{1}65{/}

(64)
YOU VISIT THE EARTH AND 
FILL IT WITH ABUNDANCE{/}

Thanks-giving for the 
harvest of a fertile 
year.
{I}2_{/}Praise belongs to 
you, O God, in Zion;
here people come to 
fulfill their vows.
{I}3_{/}All mortals bring 
to you their evil deeds,
to you, who answer 
prayers.
{I}4_{/}Though our faults 
prevail over us,
you forgive our sins.
{I}5_{/}Blessed is the 
one you choose to 
approach you
and take to dwell in your 
courts.
In your house we are 
satisfied
with the good things of 
your holy temple.
{I}6_{/}With awesome 
deeds of righteousness
you answer us, O God our 
savior,
hope of all the ends of 
the earth
and of distant islands.
{I}7_{/}By your power you 
set up the mountains.
{I}8_{/}By your strength 
the seas were calmed;
you lull their roaring 
waves
and the turmoil of the 
nations.
{I}9_{/}Those who dwell 
at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your 
marvelous deeds.
You make joyful the dawn
and the coming of dusk.
{I}10_{/}You water the 
land and care for it,
enriching it with natural 
resources.
God's stream is filled 
with water;
so you prepare the earth
to give us its fruits.
{I}11_{/}You drench the 
furrows in the land
and level the ridges,
you soften the soil with 
showers
and bless its crops.
{I}12_{/}You crown the 
year with your goodness;
abundance flows 
everywhere.
{I}13_{/}The deserts have 
become pasture land,
the hills are clothed 
with gladness,
{I}14_{/}the meadows 
covered with flocks,
the valleys decked with 
grain -
they shout and sing for 
joy.
{1}66{/}

(65)
THANKSGIVING AFTER A 
STRUGGLE{/}

The leader of the 
community is at the head 
of the procession: he 
thanks God who has freed 
his people of their 
trials.
Shout with joy to God, 
all you on earth;
{I}2_{/}sing to the glory 
of his name;
proclaim his glorious 
praise.
{I}3_{/}Say to God, "How 
great are your deeds!
How formidable your power
that makes your enemies 
cower!
{I}4_{/}All the earth 
bows down to you,
making music in praise of 
you,
singing in honor of your 
name."
{I}5_{/}Come and see 
God's wonders,
his deeds awesome for 
humans.
{I}6_{/}He has turned the 
sea into dry land,
and the river was crossed 
on foot.
Let us, therefore, 
rejoice in him.
{I}7_{/}He rules by his 
might forever,
his eyes keeping watch on 
the peoples,
his arm holding the 
rebels in check.
{I}8_{/}Praise our God, O 
nations,
let the sound of his 
praise be heard,
{I}9_{/}for he has 
preserved us among the 
living
and kept our feet from 
stumbling.
{I}10_{/}Why did you test 
us, O God;
and refine us like 
silver?
{I}11_{/}You let us fall 
into the snare;
you burdened us with 
disgrace.
{I}12_{/}You allowed a 
nobody to rule over us,
and we have gone through 
fire and water,
but you have brought us 
to safety at last.
{I}13_{/}I will bring 
offerings to your house
in fulfillment of my vows 
-
{I}14_{/}Those I made 
when assailed with 
troubles.
{I}15_{/}I will offer 
holocausts of fatlings,
sending up smoke of 
burning rams,
and a sacrifice of goats 
and bulls.
{I}16_{/}All you who fear 
God, come and listen;
let me tell you what he 
has done.
{I}17_{/}I cried aloud to 
him,
extolling him with my 
tongue.
{I}18_{/}If I had 
nurtured wickedness in my 
heart,
then he would not have 
heard.
{I}19_{/}But God has 
listened;
he gave heed to my 
prayer.
{I}20_{/}May God be 
blessed!
He has not rejected my 
prayer;
nor withheld his love 
from me.
{1}67{/}

(66)
ALL THE NATIONS WILL KNOW 
YOU{/}

{I}2_{/}May God be 
gracious and bless us;
may he let his face shine 
upon us,
{I}3_{/}that your way be 
known on earth
and your salvation among 
the nations.
{I}4_{/}May the peoples 
praise you, O God,
may all the peoples 
praise you!
{I}5_{/}May the countries 
be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples 
with justice
and guide the nations of 
the world.
{I}6_{/}May the peoples 
praise you, O God,
may all the peoples 
praise you!
{I}7_{/}The land has 
given its harvest;
God, our God, has blessed 
us.
{I}8_{/}May God bless us 
and be revered,
to the very ends of the 
earth.

{1}68{/}

(67)
TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION OF 
THE GOD OF VICTORIES{/}

To the eyes of the 
believer, the history of 
the Church is a new 
triumphal march. The 
risen Christ present 
through his Spirit leads 
her to heaven, where he 
has prepared a place for 
her.
{I}2_{/}Arise, O God, 
scatter your enemies; let 
your foes flee before 
you.
{I}3_{/}As smoke is blown 
by the wind, so blow them 
away; as wax melts before 
the fire, so let the 
wicked perish before you.
{I}4_{/}But let the 
righteous be glad and 
exult before God;
let them sing to God and 
shout for joy.
{I}5_{/}Sing to God, sing 
praises to his name; open 
the way to him who rides 
upon the clouds; the Lord 
is his name. Rejoice in 
his presence.
{I}6_{/}Father of orphans 
and protector of widows - 
such is our God in his 
holy dwelling.
{I}7_{/}He gives shelter 
to the homeless, sets the 
prisoners free, but keeps 
the rebels in their jail.
{I}8_{/}O God, when you 
went forth to lead your 
people through the 
desert, {I}9_{/}the earth 
trembled, the heavens 
poured down rain, at the 
presence of God, the God 
of Israel.
{I}10_{/}Then you gave a 
rain of blessings to 
comfort your weary 
children.
{I}11_{/}Your people 
found a dwelling and in 
your mercy, O God, you 
provided for the needy.
{I}12_{/}The Lord has 
dispatched messengers: 
"The Lord has shattered 
an army!" {I}13_{/}The 
kings and their armies 
flee, yes, they flee, 
they flee!
{I}14_{/}A woman at home 
divides the spoils: wings 
of dove covered with 
silver, their pinions 
with shining gold.
{I}15_{/}When the Lord 
routed the kings, snow 
fell on the Dark 
Mountain.
{I}16_{/}O mighty 
mountain of Bashan, high 
and rugged mountain, 
{I}17_{/}why look with 
envy upon the mountain 
where God chooses to 
reign, where the Lord 
will dwell forever?
{I}18_{/}With myriads of 
powerful chariots, the 
Lord came from Sinai into 
his sanctuary.
{I}19_{/}He ascended the 
high mountain, leading 
captives in his train, 
taking people as 
tributes, even rebels, to 
his dwelling.
{I}20_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord, God our savior, who 
daily bears our burdens!
{I}21_{/}Ours is a God 
who saves; our Lord lets 
us escape from death.
{I}22_{/}But he crushes 
the heads of his enemies, 
the hairy crowns of the 
criminals.
{I}23_{/}The Lord said, 
"I will bring them back 
from Bashan, back from 
the depths of the sea, 
{I}24_{/}that you may 
bathe your feet in blood, 
and the tongues of your 
dogs may have their share 
of your foes."
{I}25_{/}I remember the 
procession of the King, 
of my God, as they came 
into the sanctuary: 
{I}26_{/}the singers in 
front, the musicians 
last, between them 
maidens playing 
tambourines.
{I}27_{/}Praise God in 
the great congregation, 
praise the Lord in the 
feasts of Israel.
{I}28_{/}There in the 
lead is the least of 
them, the tribe of 
Benjamin; the princes of 
Judah in a body; the 
princes of Naphtali, and 
of Zebulun.
{I}29_{/}Summon your 
power, O God, with the 
strength you have wielded 
for us.
{I}30_{/}To your temple 
in Jerusalem, kings will 
come with gifts.
{I}31_{/}Rebuke the beast 
that dwell in the reeds, 
and the herd of bulls. 
Humble them; let them 
bring gold and silver. 
Scatter the nations who 
delight in war.
{I}32_{/}Let wealth come 
from Egypt; let Ethiopia 
extend its hands to God.
{I}33_{/}Sing to God, O 
kingdoms of the world; 
sing praises to the Lord, 
{I}34{/}to him who rides 
the ancient heavens and 
speaks in the voice of 
thunder.
{I}35_{/}Proclaim the 
might of God; he is great 
in Israel, powerful in 
heavens.
{I}36_{/}Awesome in his 
sanctuary is the God of 
Israel. He gives his 
people power and 
strength.
Blessed be God!
{1}69{/}

(68)
THE WATERS REACH UP TO MY 
NECK{/}

God's servant almost 
submerged by the waters 
of suffering and death 
call to the Lord for 
help. Christ has applied 
to himself several terms 
of this prayer. After 
having been saved from 
death, he will be the 
happiness of all who seek 
God.
{I}2_{/}Save me, O God, 
for the waters have come 
up to my neck.
{I}3_{/}I am sunk in the 
miry depths where there 
is no foothold; I have 
come into deep waters, 
swept and engulfed by the 
flood.
{I}4_{/}I am weary from 
calling for help; my 
throat is hoarse and 
parched. My eyes have 
grown dim looking for my 
God.
{I}5_{/}More than the 
hairs of my head are 
those who hate me for no 
reason; mighty are those 
who attack me, many are 
my enemies without cause. 
What I did not steal I am 
forced to restore.
{I}6_{/}Had I done wrong, 
O God, you would know it; 
my faults would not be 
hidden from you.
{I}7_{/}Let me not bring 
disgrace to those who 
hope in you, O Lord God 
of hosts; may I cause no 
dishonor to those who 
seek you, O God of Israel
- {I}8_{/}since I am held 
in contempt for your 
sake, and shame has 
covered my  face.
{I}9_{/}I have become a 
stranger to my kindred, 
an alien to my mother's 
sons.
{I}10_{/}Zeal for your 
house consumes me as fire 
and those who insult you 
insult me as well.
{I}11_{/}When I humbled 
myself with fasting, I 
was scorned for it.
{I}12_{/}When I put on 
sackcloth, I was made a 
laughingstock.
{I}13_{/}I have become 
the talk of those who sit 
at the gates, the topic 
of the drunkards' songs.
{I}14_{/}But I pray to 
you, O Lord, at a time 
most favorable to you. In 
your great love, O God, 
answer me with your 
unfailing help.
{I}15_{/}Rescue me, lest 
I sink in the mire; 
deliver me from the storm 
and the deep waters.
{I}16_{/}Let not the 
flood engulf me, nor the 
deep suck me in, let not 
the pit close its mouth 
upon me.
{I}17_{/}In your mercy, O 
Lord, give me a good 
answer; in your great 
compassion, turn to me.
{I}18_{/}Hide not your 
face from your servant; 
answer me at once for I 
am in distress.
{I}19_{/}Come and rescue 
me; set me free from my 
enemies.
{I}20_{/}You know the 
disgrace I suffer, and 
you know my oppressors 
and my humiliations.
{I}21_{/}Dishonor has 
driven me to despair; I 
looked for sympathy and 
there was none, for 
comforters and there was 
no one.
{I}22_{/}They gave me 
poison for food and 
vinegar to drink.
{I}23_{/}May snares be 
set for them in their 
banquets and traps in 
their sacred feasts.
{I}24_{/}May their eyes 
grow dim, so that they 
will not see; may their 
loins be stricken with 
palsy.
{I}25_{/}Pour out your 
fury upon them, and let 
your burning anger 
overtake them.
{I}26_{/}Make their camp 
desolate; may no one 
dwell in their tents,
{I}27_{/}for they 
persecute the one you 
have wounded, and 
increased the pain of the 
one you have struck.
{I}28_{/}Charge them with 
crime upon crime, and do 
not acquit them.
{I}29_{/}Blot them out of 
the book of life, and do 
not enroll them among the 
upright.
{I}30_{/}But I myself am 
humbled and wounded; your 
salvation, O God, will 
lift me up.
{I}31_{/}I will praise 
the name of God in song; 
I will glorify him with 
thanksgiving.
{I}32_{/}This will please 
the Lord more than an ox 
or a bull with horns and 
divided hoofs.
{I}33_{/}Let the lowly 
witness this and be glad. 
You who seek God, may 
your hearts be revived.
{I}34{/}For the Lord 
hears the needy and does 
not despise those in 
captivity.
{I}35_{/}Let heaven and 
earth praise him, the 
seas and whatever moves 
in them.
{I}36_{/}For God will 
save Zion and rebuild the 
cities of Judah. His 
people shall dwell in the 
land and possess it;
{I}37_{/}the children of 
his servants shall 
inherit it, and those who 
love his name will dwell 
in it.

{1}70{/}

(69)
THE CRY OF THE 
PERSECUTED{/}

{I}2_{/}Be pleased, O 
God, to rescue me! Make 
haste to help me!
{I}3_{/}Let those who 
seek my life be put to 
shame and disgrace. Let 
those who want me 
destroyed be turned back 
in confusion.
{I}4_{/}Let those who 
say, "Aha, Aha!" to me 
feel consternation.
{I}5_{/}May all who seek 
you be glad and rejoice 
in you. May all who love 
your saving power say 
evermore, "Great is the 
Lord!"
{I}6_{/}But I am 
afflicted and needy; come 
to me quickly, O God, my 
help and my Savior. O 
God, do not delay!
{1}71{/}

(70)
PRAYER OF AN OLD 
PERSON{/}

{I}1_{/}In you, O Lord, I 
seek refuge; let me not 
be disgraced.
{I}2_{/}In your justice 
help me and deliver me, 
turn your ear to me and 
save me!
{I}3_{/}Be my rock of 
refuge, a stronghold to 
give me safety, for you 
are my rock and my 
fortress.
{I}4_{/}Rescue me, O my 
God, from the hand of the 
wicked, from the grasp of 
cruel and violent people.
{I}5_{/}For you, O Lord, 
have been my hope, my 
trust, O God, from my 
youth.
{I}6_{/}I have relied on 
you from birth: from my 
mother's womb you brought 
me forth. My praise is of 
you continually.
{I}7_{/}I have become 
like a portent to many, 
but you are my strong 
refuge.
{I}8_{/}My mouth is 
filled with your praise, 
announcing your glory day 
by day.
{I}9_{/}Do not cast me 
off in my old age, do not 
desert me when my 
strength fails.
{I}10_{/}For my enemies 
speak ill of me; awaiting 
my death they set plans.
{I}11_{/}They say, "God 
has forsaken him; let us 
pursue and seize him, for 
no one will rescue him."
{I}12_{/}O God, be not 
far from me; my God, make 
haste to help me!
{I}13_{/}Let my accusers 
be destroyed in shame; 
let those who seek my 
ruin be covered with 
disgrace and scorn.
{I}14_{/}Then I may trust 
in you and praise you.
{I}15_{/}My lips will 
proclaim your 
intervention and tell of 
your salvation all day, 
little though it is what 
I can understand.
{I}16_{/}I will come to 
your strength, O Lord, 
and announce your 
justice, yours alone.
{I}17_{/}You have taught 
me from my youth and 
until now I proclaim your 
marvels.
{I}18_{/}When I grow old 
and gray, do not leave 
me, O God; give me time 
to declare your might, 
your power to all 
generations to come.
{I}19_{/}Your justice, O 
God, reaches to heaven; 
you have done great 
things. Who is like you, 
O God?
{I}20_{/}Many have been 
my hardships and misery, 
but once more you come to 
revive me; from the 
depths of the earth you 
will bring me up again.
{I}21_{/}You will restore 
me and comfort me again.
{I}22_{/}I will praise 
you with the harp, for 
your faithfulness, O my 
God; I will sing your 
praise with the lyre, O 
Holy One of Israel.
{I}23_{/}My lips will 
rejoice, and my soul, 
too, which you have 
rescued.
{I}24_{/}I will recall 
your intervention the 
whole day long, "Yes, 
those who sought to do me 
harm have been confused 
and put to shame."
{1}72{/}

(71)
THE KING OF PEACE{/}

Waiting for the King of 
Peace, he who will do 
justice for the humble. 
The expectation of 
universal peace after so 
much obstinacy in 
murdring one another.
O God, endow the king 
with your justice,
the royal son with your 
righteousness.
{I}2_{/}May he rule your 
people justly
and defend the rights of 
the lowly.
{I}3_{/}Let the mountains 
bring peace to the 
people,
and the hills justice.
{I}4_{/}He will defend 
the cause of the poor,
deliver the children of 
the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
{I}5_{/}He will endure as 
the sun
and as the moon through 
all generations.
{I}6_{/}He will be like 
rain falling on the 
fields,
or showers watering the 
earth.
{I}7_{/}Justice will 
flower in his days,
and peace abound till the 
moon be no more.
{I}8_{/}For he reigns 
from sea to sea,
from the River to the 
ends of the earth;
{I}9_{/}his foes are 
crushed before him,
and his enemies lick the 
dust.
{I}10_{/}The kings of 
Tarshish and the islands
render him tribute,
the kings of Sheba and 
Seba bring gifts,
{I}11_{/}all kings bow 
down to him,
and all nations serve 
him.
{I}12_{/}He delivers the 
needy who call on him,
the afflicted with no one 
to help them.
{I}13_{/}His mercy is 
upon the weak and the 
poor,
he saves the life of the 
poor.
{I}14_{/}He rescues them 
from oppression and 
strife,
for their life is 
precious to him.
{I}15_{/}May he live 
long,
may gold from Sheba be 
given him.
May people always pray 
for him,
and blessings be invoked 
for him all day.
{I}16_{/}May grain abound 
throughout the land,
waving and rustling as in 
Lebanon;
may cities teem with 
people, as fields with 
grass.
{I}17_{/}May his name 
endure forever;
may his name be as 
lasting as the sun.
All the races will boast 
about him,
and he will be blessed by 
all nations.
{I}18_{/}Praised be the 
Lord, God of Israel,
who alone works so 
marvelously.
{I}19_{/}Praised be his 
glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be 
filled with his glory!
Amen. Amen.
{I}20_{/}This concludes 
the prayers
of David, son of Jesse.
{1}73{/}

(72)
WHY ARE THE WICKED 
SUCCESSFUL?{/}

It is more a scandal than 
a temptation when the 
believer sees the wicked 
succeed in everything: 
the violent, the 
unscrupulous, those who 
have money and can 
corrupt, masters of 
deceit. "Wait for the 
end," says the psalmist.
{I}1_{/}Surely God is 
good to Israel,
I mean, to the clean of 
heart.
{I}2_{/}But, as for me, I 
almost stumbled,
I nearly lost my 
foothold,
{I}3_{/}for I was envious 
of the arrogant,
when I saw the wicked 
prosper.
{I}4_{/}For they suffer 
no pain;
they are strong and sound 
of body,
{I}5_{/}free from 
troubles common to 
mortals;
they are not stricken by 
human ills.
{I}6_{/}That is why pride 
becomes their necklace,
and violence the robe 
that covers them.
{I}7_{/}Evil comes from 
their callous hearts,
boundless evil from their 
corrupt minds.
{I}8_{/}They scoff and 
speak with malice,
and they threaten 
arrogantly.
{I}9_{/}Their mouths defy 
the heavens
and their tongues dictate 
on earth.
{I}10_{/}People, 
therefore, look up to 
them
because they are well-
watered.
{I}11_{/}"Does God see?" 
they say.
"Has the Most High some 
knowledge of this?
{I}12_{/}Such are the 
wicked - always carefree
while they rake in 
riches. 
{I}13_{/}In vain have I 
kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in 
innocence
{I}14_{/}if all day long 
I am stricken
and punished every 
morning."
{I}15_{/}Had I spoken 
like this,
I would not be acting as 
one of your children.
{I}16_{/}Although I tried 
to understand this,
it was difficult for me,
{I}17_{/}until I entered 
the secrets of God.
Then I perceived their 
approaching doom.
{I}18_{/}You place them 
on slippery ground
and make them fall into 
the pit.
{I}19_{/}How suddenly 
they are destroyed,
completely swept away in 
terror!
{I}20_{/}As one awakes 
from a nightmare,
so when you arise, O 
Lord,
you shake them off like a 
dream.
{I}21_{/}When my heart 
was embittered,
and my spirit distraught
{I}22_{/}it was folly, 
not wisdom;
I did not know you better 
than the beasts.
{I}23_{/}Yet I am always 
with you;
you hold my right hand,
{I}24{/}you guide me on 
the way you chose
and your Glory brings me 
along.
{I}25_{/}I have no one in 
heaven but you;
on earth I desire nothing 
but you.
{I}26_{/}My flesh and my 
heart waste away
for you, O God, O my 
rock,
you are mine forever.
{I}27_{/}Those who 
abandon you will perish;
you destroy all who are 
unfaithful to you.
{I}28_{/}But as for me, 
my joy is to be near God;
I have made the Lord my 
refuge,
and I will proclaim all 
his works.
{1}74{/}

(73)
ARISE, LORD AND DEFEND 
YOUR CAUSE!{/}

What a mystery for our 
faith: the silence of God 
in face of our follies!
O God, have you rejected 
us forever? Why vent your 
anger on the sheep of 
your own fold?
{I}2_{/}Remember the 
people you have formed of 
old, the tribe you have 
redeemed as your 
inheritance. Remember 
Mount Zion where you once 
lived.
{I}3_{/}Climb and visit 
these hopeless ruins, the 
enemy has ravaged 
everything in the 
sanctuary.
{I}4_{/}Your foes have 
roared triumphantly in 
the holy place, and set 
up their banner of 
victory.
{I}5_{/}Like lumbermen 
felling trees, 
{I}6_{/}they smashed the 
carved paneling with 
hatchets, hammers and 
axes.
{I}7_{/}They defiled your 
sanctuary and set aflame 
the dwelling place of 
your name.
{I}8_{/}They said in 
fury, "Let us destroy 
them all." They razed to 
the ground all the 
shrines of God in the 
land.
{I}9_{/}With no signs and 
no prophets, no one can 
tell how long this will 
last.
{I}10_{/}How long, O God, 
will the foe blaspheme? 
How long will the enemy 
revile your name?
{I}11_{/}Why do you hold 
back your right hand? Why 
keep your hand hidden?
{I}12_{/}Are you not O 
God, my king since birth, 
you who bring salvation 
to the land?
{I}13_{/}You split the 
sea in two by your power; 
you broke the monsters' 
heads in the water; 
{I}14_{/}you crushed the 
heads of Leviathan and 
fed him to the dolphins.
{I}15_{/}You opened up 
rivers and springs and 
dried up ever-flowing 
streams.
{I}16_{/}You own the day 
as well as the night; you 
have set the course of 
the sun and the light.
{I}17_{/}You fixed the 
earth's borders, you 
created summer and 
winter.
{I}18_{/}Remember, O 
Lord, how the lawless 
scoff at your name, a 
party of fools cast you 
off.
{I}19_{/}Do not betray 
your turtledove to the 
beast, do not forget 
forever the life of your 
poor.
{I}20_{/}See how they 
keep your covenant in the 
dark caves of the land.
{I}21_{/}Do not let the 
oppressed be put to 
shame; may the poor and 
needy praise your name.
{I}22_{/}Arise, O God, 
and defend your cause, 
see how the thoughtless 
laugh at you all day 
long.
{I}23_{/}Do not forget 
the clamor of your foes, 
the continuous uproar of 
your enemies.
{1}75{/}

(74)
GOD WILL COME TO JUDGE{/}

Throungh the cross and 
resurrection of Christ, 
God has already judged 
the world; to the just he 
has given the assurance 
that they will triumph.
{I}2_{/}We give you 
thanks, O God, we give 
thanks. Those who invoke 
your name, will recount 
your wonderful deeds.
{I}3_{/}"At a set time I 
will judge fairly. 
{I}4_{/}The earth wobbles 
with its inhabitants, but 
I will restore its 
foundations.
{I}5_{/}To the proud I 
say, 'Boast no more.'And 
to the wicked, 'Raise not 
your head. {I}6_{/}Do not 
lift yourself so high, do 
not insult God.'"
{I}7_{/}God comes, though 
not from the east or the 
west, nor  from the 
mountains or desert;
{I}8_{/}God comes to 
judge, putting one down 
and lifting up another.
{I}9_{/}In the hand of 
the Lord is a cup of 
spiced and foaming wine; 
he pours it out for the 
wicked to drain to the 
dregs.
{I}10_{/}As for me, I 
will rejoice forever and 
sing praises to the God 
of Jacob.
{I}11_{/}He will break 
the power of the wicked, 
but the power of the 
virtuous will be exalted.
{1}76{/}

(75)
AFTER A VICTORY{/}

God has defeated the 
kings who were attacking 
Jerusalem, the Holy City. 
This victory prefigures 
another when in the end, 
the humble will be 
liberated.
{I}2_{/}God is now famous 
in Judah,
in Israel his name is 
great.
{I}3_{/}Salem is indeed 
his tent;
he has made Zion his 
dwelling place.
{I}4_{/}There he broke 
the flashing arrow,
the shield and sword, the 
spear and bow.
{I}5_{/}You are glorious 
and majestic,
enthroned on everlasting 
mountains.
{I}6_{/}The stouthearted 
lie despoiled,
sleeping their last 
sleep,
not one able to lift a 
hand.
{I}7_{/}At your rebuke, O 
God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay 
stunned.
{I}8_{/}But you - how 
terrible you are!
Who can oppose the fury 
of your onslaught?
{I}9_{/}You thundered 
judgment from the 
heavens;
while the earth trembled 
and lay still,
{I}10_{/}as you, O God, 
arose to judge,
to save all the humble of 
the earth.
{I}11_{/}Pagan nations 
will bring you praise,
their survivors will 
celebrate your name.
{I}12_{/}Make vows to the 
Lord, your God,
and fulfill them; let the 
peoples
bring offerings to the 
Fearsome One,

{I}13_{/}who breaks the 
spirit of rulers,
and is formidable to the 
kings of the earth.
{1}77{/}

(76)
I REMEMBER THE DEEDS OF 
THE LORD{/}

We tend to see the past 
as mroe wonderful than it 
actually was. The passage 
of time will let us see 
that God is just as 
present and active in our 
own day.
{I}2_{/}I cry aloud to 
God - aloud that he may 
hear me.
{I}3_{/}In the day of 
trouble I seek the Lord, 
and stretch out my hand 
untiringly, my soul 
refusing to be consoled.
{I}4_{/}When I think of 
God I sigh; when I 
meditate my spirit fails.
{I}5_{/}You keep my eyes 
watchful; I am so 
troubled I cannot speak, 
{I}6_{/}I remember the 
days of old. I consider 
the years of long ago 
{I}7_{/}and the whole 
night my soul remains 
disturbed, my spirit 
wonders,
{I}8_{/}"Will the Lord 
keep silent forever? Will 
he never show his favor 
again?
{I}9_{/}Has he locked his 
love and ended his 
promise for all time?
{I}10_{/}Is God 
forgetting his mercy? Has 
he in anger withheld his 
compassion?"
{I}11_{/}This is what 
makes me distraught - 
that the Most High no 
longer acts as before.
{I}12_{/}I remember the 
deeds of the Lord; I 
recall his marvels of 
old.
{I}13_{/}I meditate on 
all your work, and 
consider your mighty 
deeds.
{I}14_{/}Your way, O God, 
is most holy. Is there 
any god greater than you, 
our God?
{I}15_{/}You alone are 
the God who works 
wonders, who has made 
known his power to the 
nations.
{I}16_{/}With power you 
have redeemed your 
people, the descendants 
of Jacob and Joseph.
{I}17_{/}When the waters 
saw you, O God, they were 
afraid, the depths of the 
sea trembled.
{I}18_{/}The clouds 
poured down rain; the 
skies resounded with 
thunder; your arrows 
flashed from every side.
{I}19_{/}Your thunder 
crashed in the midst of 
the whirlwind; your 
lightning lit up the 
world; the earth shook 
and trembled.
{I}20_{/}Your path led 
through the sea, your way 
through the great water, 
but your footprints were 
nowhere to be seen.
{I}21_{/}You led your 
people as a flock by the 
hand of Moses and Aaron.
{1}78{/}

(77)
HOW MANY TIMES DID THEY 
TEMPT GOD!{/}

This psalm draws a lesson 
from the history of 
Israel: God's blessings 
and the ingratitude of 
his people.
Give heed, O my people, 
to my teaching; listen to 
the words of my mouth!
{I}2_{/}I will speak in 
parables, I will talk of 
old mysteries 
{I}3_{/}which we have 
heard and known, which 
our ancestors have told 
us.
{I}4_{/}We will not keep 
them hidden  from our 
children; we will 
announce them to the 
coming generation: the 
glorious deeds of the 
Lord, his might and the 
wonders he has done.
{I}5_{/}He issued decrees 
for Jacob and set up a 
law in Israel, which he 
commanded our ancestors 
to teach their children,
{I}6_{/}so the next 
generation would learn 
and teach their own 
children.
{I}7_{/}They would then 
put their trust in God, 
and not forget his deeds 
and his commands.
{I}8_{/}And not be like 
their ancestors, stubborn 
and rebellious people, a 
people of inconstant 
heart whose spirit was 
fickle.
{I}9_{/}Well-armed with 
bow, the Ephraimites took 
flight when the time came 
to do battle.
{I}10_{/}It is because 
they did not keep God's 
covenant and refused to 
live by his law.
{I}11_{/}They forgot the 
marvels he had done, 
{I}12_{/}what their 
ancestors had seen in the 
land of Egypt, in the 
fields of Zoan.
{I}13_{/}He divided the 
sea and led them across; 
he made the water stand 
like a wall.
{I}14_{/}By day he led 
them with a cloud, and by 
night with a fiery light.
{I}15_{/}In the desert he 
split rocks to give them 
abundant drink.
{I}16_{/}He made streams 
come out of a rock and 
caused water to flow like 
a river.
{I}17_{/}Yet they sinned 
even more against him and 
rebelled against the Most 
High in the desert. 
{I}18_{/}They tested God, 
demanding the food they 
craved.
{I}19_{/}They blasphemed 
against God, saying: "Can 
God spread a table in the 
desert?
{I}20_{/}He made water 
flow out of the rock; can 
he also give his people 
bread or meat?"
{I}21_{/}When the Lord 
heard this he was 
enraged; a fire raged 
against Jacob, his anger 
flared against Israel, 
{I}22_{/}for they had no 
faith in God nor trust in 
his deliverance.
{I}23_{/}Yet he commanded 
the skies above and 
opened the doors of 
heaven; {I}24_{/}he 
rained down manna upon 
them and fed them with 
the heavenly grain.
{I}25_{/}They ate and had 
more than their fill of 
the bread of angels.
{I}26_{/}Then from heaven 
he stirred the east wind, 
and by his power let 
loose the south wind, 
{I}27_{/}to rain down 
meat on them like dust.
Birds as thick as the 
sand on the seashore 
{I}28_{/}fell inside 
their camp, lying all 
around their tents.
{I}29_{/}They ate till 
they were satisfied, for 
he had given them what 
they craved.
{I}30_{/}But even before 
they were finished, while 
the food was still in 
their mouths,
{I}31_{/}God's anger rose 
against them; he slew the 
strongest among them and 
laid low the flower of 
Israel.
{I}32_{/}In spite of all 
this, they kept on 
sinning and did not 
believe,
{I}33_{/}so he swept away 
their days suddenly as a 
storm, and their years  
in terror. {I}34_{/}When 
he slew them, they 
repented and sought him 
earnestly.
{I}35_{/}They remembered 
that God was their rock, 
the Most High, their 
redeemer.
{I}36_{/}But they 
flattered him with their 
mouths, they lied to him 
with their tongues, 
{I}37_{/}while their 
hearts were unfaithful; 
they were untrue to his 
covenant.
{I}38_{/}Even then, in 
his compassion, he 
forgave their offenses 
and did not destroy them.
Many a time he restrained 
his anger and did not 
fully stir up his wrath.
{I}39_{/}He remembered 
that they were but flesh, 
a breeze that passes and 
never returns.
{I}40_{/}How often did 
they rebel against him in 
the wilderness, how often 
did they grieve him in 
the desert!
{I}41_{/}Again and again 
they tested him, and 
provoked the Holy One of 
Israel.
{I}42_{/}They did not 
remember his power in 
redeeming them from the 
oppressor; 
{I}43_{/}neither his 
marvels shown in Egypt 
nor his wonders in the 
fields of Zoan, 
{I}44_{/}when he turned 
the rivers to blood and 
the oppressors had 
nothing to drink.
{I}45_{/}He sent swarms 
of flies that devoured 
them, frogs that 
devastated them.
{I}46_{/}He gave their 
crops to the caterpillar 
and their produce to the 
locust.
{I}47_{/}He destroyed 
their vines with hail and 
their sycamores with 
frost.
{I}48_{/}He struck their 
herds with plague and 
their flocks with 
thunderbolts.
{I}49_{/}He unleashed his 
fury against them, his 
wrath, indignation and 
strife - a band of 
destroying angels.
{I}50_{/}Giving vent to 
his anger, he did not 
spare them from death, 
but gave them over to the 
plague.
{I}51_{/}He struck down 
Egypt's firstborn, 
manhood's firstfruits in 
the tents of Ham.
{I}52_{/}Then he led 
forth his people like a 
flock, and guided them 
like sheep through the 
desert.
{I}53_{/}He led them 
safely, they did not 
fear, but the sea 
engulfed their enemies.
{I}54_{/}He brought them 
to his holy land, to the 
mountain his right hand 
had won.
{I}55_{/}He drove out 
peoples before them and 
gave them the land as 
their inheritance; they 
pitched their tents in 
it.
{I}56_{/}But they 
challenged and rebelled 
against God the Most 
High, and disobeyed his 
decrees.
{I}57_{/}They were 
unfaithful like their 
ancestors, deceitful and 
crooked as a twisted bow.
{I}58_{/}They angered him 
with their high places; 
they aroused his jealousy 
with their idols.
{I}59_{/}Filled with 
wrath, God rejected 
Israel.
{I}60_{/}He abandoned his 
dwelling at Shiloh, the 
tent where he dwelt among 
humans.
{I}61_{/}He lead his 
glory into captivity, his 
ark into the hand of the 
enemy.
{I}62_{/}He gave his 
people over to the sword, 
so furious was he at his 
inheritance.
{I}63_{/}Fire devoured 
their young men; their 
maidens were deprived of 
wedding songs.
{I}64_{/}As their priests 
fell by the sword, no 
lament was heard from 
their widows.
{I}65_{/}Then the Lord 
awoke, shouting, as from 
sleep induced by wine; 
{I}66_{/}he struck his 
enemies on their back and 
put them to everlasting 
shame.
{I}67_{/}He rejected the 
house of Joseph, and did 
not choose the tribe of 
Ephraim, {I}68_{/}but the 
tribe of Judah and Zion, 
his beloved mountain.
{I}69_{/}He built his 
sanctuary like heaven, 
like the earth he founded 
forever.
{I}70_{/}He chose David 
his servant and took him 
from the sheepfolds; 
{I}71_{/}from tending the 
sheep and their young, he 
brought him to shepherd 
Jacob, the people of 
Israel, his inheritance.
{I}72_{/}And with upright 
heart David  pastured 
them; with skillful hands 
he led them.
{1}79{/}

(78)
HOW LONG WILL YOUR ANGER 
LAST?{/}

Let God do justice to his 
people. The Lord owes us 
nothing since we are 
sinners.
O God, the pagans have 
invaded your inheritance; 
they have defiled your 
holy temple and reduced 
Jerusalem to rubble.
{I}2_{/}They have given 
your servants' corpses to 
the birds, and the flesh 
of your saints to the 
beasts of the earth.
{I}3_{/}They have poured 
out the blood of your 
faithful like water 
around Jerusalem, and 
there was no one to bury 
them.
{I}4_{/}Mocked and 
reviled by those around 
us, we are scorned by our 
neighbors.
{I}5_{/}How long will 
this last, O Lord? Will 
you be angry forever? 
Will your wrath always 
burn to avenge your 
rights?
{I}6_{/}Pour out your 
anger on the nations that 
do not acknowledge you; 
on the kingdoms that do 
not call on your name.
{I}7_{/}For they have 
devoured Jacob and laid 
waste his homeland.
{I}8_{/}Do not remember 
against us the sins of 
our fathers.
Let your compassion hurry 
to us, for we have been 
brought very low.
{I}9_{/}Help us, God, our 
savior, for the glory of 
your name; forgive us for 
the sake of your name.
{I}10_{/}Give not the 
nations a chance to say, 
"Where is their God?" 
Before our eyes let them 
know that you avenge the 
blood of your servants.
{I}11_{/}Listen to the 
groans of the prisoners; 
by the strength of your 
arm, deliver those doomed 
to die.
{I}12_{/}Return our 
neighbors sevenfold, O 
Lord, the taunts with 
which they have taunted 
you.
{I}13_{/}Then we, your 
people, the flock of your 
pasture, will thank you 
forever. We will recount 
your praise from 
generation to generation.
{1}80{/}

(79)
LET YOUR FACE SHINE ON 
US!{/}

God is our shepherd: has 
he forgotten his people? 
When the Chruch is 
discredited, the 
salvation of Christ seems 
to be a failure. Lord 
bring us back and convert 
us!
{I}2_{/}Listen, O 
shepherd of Israel, you 
who lead Joseph like a 
flock, you who sit 
enthroned between the 
cherubim.
{I}3_{/}Shine forth 
before Ephraim, Benjamin 
and Manasseh. Stir up 
your might and come to 
save us.
{I}4_{/}Restore us, O God 
of hosts; make your face 
shine upon us, that we 
may be saved.
{I}5_{/}O Lord of hosts, 
how long will your anger 
burn against the prayers 
of your people?
{I}6_{/}You have fed them 
with the bread of woe, 
and have given them tears 
to drink in their sorrow.
{I}7_{/}You have made us 
the scorn of our 
neighbors and the 
laughingstock of our 
oppressors.
{I}8_{/}Restore us, O God 
of hosts; make your face 
shine upon us, that we 
may be saved.
{I}9_{/}You had a vine 
you brought from Egypt. 
You drove nations out, to 
plant it in their land.
{I}10_{/}On the ground 
that you cleared, it took 
root, and filled the 
land.
{I}11_{/}Its shade 
covered the mountains, 
its shoots went through 
the mighty cedars,
{I}12_{/}its branches 
reached out to the sea 
and its shoots to the 
River.
{I}13_{/}Why, then, have 
you broken down its 
walls, so that all who 
pass by pluck its fruits?
{I}14_{/}The beasts of 
the forest ravage it and 
all creatures of the 
field feed on it.
{I}15_{/}Turn again, O 
Lord of hosts, look down 
from heaven and see; care 
for this vine, 
{I}16_{/}and protect the 
stock your hand has 
planted.
{I}17_{/}Let those who 
burned it down perish at 
your rebuke.
{I}18_{/}But lay your 
hand on your instrument, 
on the son of man whom 
you make strong for 
yourself.
{I}19_{/}Then we will 
never turn away from you; 
give us life, and we will 
call on your name.
{I}20_{/}Restore us, O 
Lord, God of hosts; make 
your face shine on us, 
that we may be saved.
{1}81{/}

(80)
OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND I 
SHALL FILL IT{/}

"If my people would 
listen to me, I would 
subdue their enemies. " 
We lack dynamism to 
evangelize and change the 
world: this is because we 
still have idols even in 
our apostolate planning.
{I}2_{/}Sing joyfully to 
God, our strength;
acclaim aloud the God of 
Jacob.
{I}3_{/}Start the music, 
strike the timbrel,
play melodies on the harp 
and lyre.
{I}4_{/}Sound the trumpet 
at the new moon,
on our feast day when the 
moon is full.
{I}5_{/}This is a decree 
for Israel,
an ordinance of the God 
of Jacob,
{I}6_{/}a statute he 
wrote for Joseph
when he went out of 
Egypt.
They heard a voice they 
did not know:
"Open wide your mouth and 
I will fill it,
{I}7_{/}I relieved your 
shoulder from burden;
I freed your hands.
{I}8_{/}You called in 
distress, and I saved 
you;
unseen, I answered you in 
thunder;
I tested you at the 
waters of Meribah.
{I}9_{/}Hear, my people, 
as I admonish you.
If only you would listen, 
O Israel!
{I}10_{/}There shall be 
no strange god among you,
you shall not worship any 
alien god,
{I}11_{/}for I the Lord 
am your God,
who led you forth from 
the land of Egypt.
{I}12_{/}But my people 
did not listen;
Israel did not obey.
{I}13_{/}So I gave them 
over to their 
stubbornness
and they followed their 
own counsels.
{I}14_{/}If only my 
people would listen,
if only Israel would walk 
in my ways,
{I}15_{/}I would quickly 
subdue their adversaries
and turn my hand against 
their enemies.
{I}16_{/}Those who hate 
the Lord would cringe 
before him,
and their panic would 
last forever.
{I}17_{/}I would feed you 
with the finest wheat
and satisfy you with 
honey from the rock."
{1}82{/}

(81)
GOD JUDGES THE JUDGES{/}

God presides in the 
divine council;
he gives judgment among 
the gods:
{I}2_{/}"How long will 
you judge unjustly
and show partiality to 
the wicked?
{I}3_{/}Give justice to 
the weak and the orphan;
defend the poor and the 
oppressed.
{I}4_{/}Rescue the 
helpless and the needy;
deliver them from the 
hand of the wicked."
{I}5_{/}Without knowledge 
and understanding,
they walk about in 
darkness;
all the earth's 
foundations are shaken.
{I}6_{/}"You are gods," I 
said,
"you are all sons of the 
Most High."
{I}7_{/}But now you will 
die like the others;
you will all fall like 
any mortal.
{I}8_{/}Rise, O God, 
judge the earth,
you who guide all the 
nations.
{1}83{/}

(82)
EVERYONE IS AGAINST US{/}

{I}2_{/}Do not be silent, 
O God, hold not your 
peace, be not unmoved!
{I}3_{/}See how your 
enemies are astir; those 
who hate you rear their 
heads.
{I}4_{/}Craftily they 
plot against your people, 
they conspire against 
those you protect.
{I}5_{/}They say, "Let us 
finish them as a nation. 
Let the name of Israel be 
forgotten!"
{I}6_{/}With one heart 
they devise a scheme and 
form an alliance against 
you: {I}7_{/}the people 
of Edom and the 
Ishmaelites, Moab and the 
progeny of Hagar,
{I}8_{/}Gebal and Ammon 
and Amalek, Philistia, 
with the people of Tyre.
{I}9_{/}Those from Sur 
are in league with them 
and lend support to Lot's 
descendants.
{I}10_{/}Deal with them 
as you did with Midian, 
with Sisera and Yabin at 
the river Kishon;
{I}11_{/}they perished at 
Endor and became dung for 
the ground.
{I}12_{/}Make their 
nobles like Oreb and 
Zeeb, all their chiefs 
like Zebah and Zalmunna, 
{I}13_{/}who said, "Let 
us seize the pasture 
lands of God."
{I}14_{/}O my God, make 
them like leaves caught 
in a whirlwind, like 
chaff helpless before the 
wind.
{I}15_{/}As fire consumes 
the forest, as flames set 
the mountains ablaze, 
{I}16_{/}drive them out 
with your tempest and 
terrify them with your 
storm.
{I}17_{/}Cover their 
faces with shame, O Lord, 
that they may seek your 
name.
{I}18_{/}Let them be 
dismayed and abashed 
forever; let them perish 
in disgrace.
{I}19_{/}Let them know 
that you alone, whose 
name is the Lord, are the 
Most High over all the 
world.
{1}84{/}

(83)
I WANT TO SEE THE LIVING 
GOD{/}

The joy of the pilgrimage 
and of going up to the 
Temple.
{I}2_{/}How lovely are 
your rooms,
O Lord of hosts!
{I}3_{/}My soul yearns, 
pines,
for the courts of the 
Lord.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living 
God.
{I}4_{/}Even the sparrow 
finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
where she may lay her 
young,
at your altars, O Lord of 
hosts,
my King and my God!
{I}5_{/}Happy are those 
who live in your house,
continually singing your 
praise!
{I}6_{/}Happy the 
pilgrims whom you 
strengthen,
to make the ascent to 
you.
{I}7_{/}As they pass 
through the Valley,
they make it a place of 
springs,
the early rain covers it 
with blessings.
{I}8_{/}They go from 
strength to strength
till they appear before 
God in Zion.
{I}9_{/}O Lord of hosts, 
hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
{I}10_{/}Look upon our 
shield, O God;
look upon the face of 
your anointed!
{I}11_{/}One day in your 
courts is better
than a thousand 
elsewhere.
I would rather be left at 
the threshold
in the house of my God
than to dwell in the 
tents of the wicked.
{I}12_{/}For the Lord God 
is a sun and a shield;
he bestows favor and 
glory.
The Lord withholds no 
good thing
from those who walk in 
uprightness.
{I}13_{/}O Lord of hosts,
blessed are those who 
trust in you.
{1}85{/}

(84)
JUSTICE AND PEACE HAVE 
EMBRACED{/}

The salvation that God 
brings us is a marriage 
between heaven and earth, 
a shared project between 
God and humans. Christ is 
simultaneously the 
plenitude of God and the 
fruit of the earth.
{I}2_{/}You have favored 
your land, O Lord;
you have brought back the 
exiles of Jacob.
{I}3_{/}You have forgiven 
the sin of your people;
you have pardoned their 
offenses.
{I}4_{/}You have 
withdrawn your wrath
and turned from your 
burning rage.
{I}5_{/}But restore us, 
God our savior;
put away altogether your 
indignation.
{I}6_{/}Will your anger 
be ever with us,
carried over to all 
generations?
{I}7_{/}Will you not give 
us life anew,
that your people may 
rejoice in you?
{I}8_{/}Show us, O Lord, 
your unfailing love
and grant us your saving 
help.
{I}9_{/}Would that I hear 
God's proclamation,
that he promise peace to 
his people,
his saints - lest they 
come back to their folly.
{I}10_{/}Yet his 
salvation is near to 
those who fear him,
and his Glory will dwell 
in our land.
{I}11_{/}Love and 
faithfulness have met;
righteousness and peace 
have embraced.
{I}12_{/}Faithfulness 
will reach up from the 
earth
while justice bends down 
from heaven.
{I}13_{/}The Lord will 
give what is good,
and our land will yield 
its fruit.
{I}14_{/}Justice will go 
before him,
and peace will follow 
along his path.
{1}86{/}

(87)
PRAYER IN AFFLICTION{/}

The servant of God, worm 
out by trials and 
anguished by death, 
implores the help of the 
One who is pure goodness.
Listen, O Lord, and 
answer me, for I am 
afflicted and needy.
{I}2_{/}Preserve my life 
for I am God-fearing; 
save your servant who 
trusts in you.
{I}3_{/}Have mercy on me, 
O Lord, for I cry to you 
all day.
{I}4_{/}Bring joy to the 
soul of your servant, for 
you, O Lord, I lift up my 
soul.
{I}5_{/}You are good and 
forgiving, O Lord, caring 
for those who call on 
you.
{I}6_{/}Listen, O Lord, 
to my prayer, hear the 
voice of my pleading.
{I}7_{/}I call on you in 
the time of my trouble 
for you will answer me.
{I}8_{/}None is like you 
among the gods, your 
works are beyond compare.
{I}9_{/}All the nations 
you have made will come; 
they will worship before 
you, O Lord, and bring 
glory to your name.
{I}10_{/}For you are 
great, and wonderful are 
your deeds; you alone are 
God.
{I}11_{/}Teach me, O 
Lord, how to walk in your 
truth, that my heart may 
fear your name.
{I}12_{/}I give thanks to 
you, O Lord my God; I 
will glorify your name 
forever,
{I}13_{/}for great has 
been your love for me, 
you have saved me from 
the grave.
{I}14_{/}O God, the 
insolent are against me; 
a band of cut-throats, 
evildoers who do not hold 
you in reverence.
{I}15_{/}But you, O Lord 
God, are merciful, slow 
to  anger, loving and 
faithful.
{I}16_{/}Turn to me, take 
pity on me; give your 
strength to your servant, 
and save the child of 
your handmaid.
{I}17_{/}Give me a sign 
of your grace, that my 
foes may  see to their 
disgrace, that you, O 
Lord, are my help and 
comfort.
{1}87{/}

(86)
GOD LOVES THE GATES OF 
ZION{/}

The psalmist recalls that 
God has chosen Jerusalem-
Zion as the capital of 
his people and the mother 
of the nations.
He himself has built it 
in his holy mountain;
{I}2_{/}the Lord prefers 
the gates of Zion
to all of Jacob's towns.
{I}3_{/}Great things have 
been foretold
of you, O city of God:
{I}4_{/}Between friends 
we speak of Egypt and 
Babylon;
and also Philistia, Tyre, 
Ethiopia:  
"Here so-and-so was 
born."
{I}5_{/}But of Zion it 
shall be said,
"More and more are being 
born in her."
For the Most High himself 
has founded her.
{I}6_{/}And the Lord 
notes in the people's 
register:
"All these were also born 
in Zion."
{I}7_{/}And all will 
dance and sing
joyfully for you.
{1}88{/}

(87)
PRAYER OF THE SICK PERSON 
CLOSE TO DEATH{/}

It would seem that 
knowing Christ, we cannot 
sink into despair. There 
are, however, days when 
heaven is closed for us 
as it was for Jesus in 
his agony.
{I}2_{/}O Lord, my God, I 
call for help by day; 
before you I cry out by 
night.
{I}3_{/}May my prayer 
come to you; incline your 
ear to my cry for help.
{I}4_{/}My soul is deeply 
troubled; my life draws 
near to the grave. 
{I}5_{/}I am like those 
without strength.
Counted among those going 
down into the pit - 
{I}6_{/}I lie forsaken 
among the dead, like 
those lying in the grave, 
like those you remember 
no more, cut off from 
your care.
{I}7_{/}You have plunged 
me into the darkest 
depths of the pit.
{I}8_{/}With your wrath 
heavy upon me, you have 
battered me with all your 
waves.
{I}9_{/}You have taken 
away my closest friends; 
you have made me 
repulsive to them. I 
cannot escape from my 
confinement.
{I}10_{/}My eyes have 
grown dim with grief; 
spreading out my hands to 
you, I call upon you 
every day, O Lord.
{I}11_{/}Are your wonders 
meant for the dead? Will 
ghosts rise to give you 
thanks?
{I}12_{/}Is your love and 
faithfulness remembered 
among those gone to the 
netherworld?
{I}13_{/}Are your wonders 
known in the dark, your 
salvation in the land of 
oblivion?
{I}14_{/}But to you, O 
Lord, I cry for help; 
every morning I pray to 
you.
{I}15_{/}O Lord, why do 
you reject me, why do you 
hide your face?
{I}16_{/}Afflicted and 
close to death from 
youth, I have suffered 
terrors and helplessness.
{I}17_{/}Your wrath has 
swept over me; your 
assaults have destroyed 
me.
{I}18_{/}Now they 
surround me like a flood; 
and completely engulf me.
{I}19_{/}Bereft of loved 
ones and now alone, only 
darkness is my companion.
{1}89{/}

(88)
YOUR LOVE AND YOUR 
FIDELITY{/}

God is faithful: he 
directs history and he 
guides our lives 
according to his promises 
which never fail.
{I}2_{/}I will sing 
forever, O Lord, of your 
love and proclaim your 
faithfulness from age to 
age.
{I}3_{/}I will declare 
how steadfast is your 
love, how firm your 
faithfulness.
{I}4_{/}You said, "I have 
made a covenant with 
David, my chosen one; I 
have made a pledge to my 
servant. {I}5_{/}I 
establish his descendants 
forever; I build his 
throne for all 
generations."
{I}6_{/}The heavens 
proclaim your wonders, O 
Lord; the assembly of the 
holy ones recalls your 
faithfulness. {I}7_{/}Who 
in the skies can compare 
with the Lord; who of the 
heaven-born is like him?
{I}8_{/}A God feared in 
the council of the holy 
ones, awesome to those 
who approach him.
{I}9_{/}O Lord God of 
hosts, who is like you, 
clothed in might and 
faithfulness?
{I}10_{/}You reign over 
the surging sea; you calm 
its raging waves. 
{I}11_{/}You split Rahab 
like a carcass; with your 
strong arm you routed 
your foes.
{I}12_{/}Yours are the 
heavens and the earth; 
you founded the world and 
everything in it.
{I}13_{/}You created the 
north and the south - 
Tabor and Hermon rejoice 
at your name.
{I}14_{/}You have a 
powerful arm, mighty and 
exalted is your right 
hand!
{I}15_{/}Justice and 
righteousness are the 
foundation of your 
throne; love and 
faithfulness go before 
you.
{I}16_{/}Blessed is the 
people who know your 
praise. They walk in the 
light of your face. 
{I}17_{/}They celebrate 
all day your name and 
your protection lifts 
them up.
{I}18_{/}You give us 
glory and power; and your 
favor gives us victory. 
{I}19_{/}Our king is in 
the hands of the Lord; 
the God of Israel is our 
shield.
{I}20_{/}In the past you 
spoke in a vision; you 
said of your faithful 
servant:
"I have set the crown 
upon a mighty one; on one 
chosen from the people.
{I}21_{/}I have found 
David my servant, and 
with my holy oil I have 
anointed him.
{I}22_{/}My hand will be 
ever with him and my arm 
will sustain him, 
{I}23_{/}no enemy shall 
outwit him nor the wicked 
oppress him.
{I}24_{/}I will crush his 
foes before him and 
strike down his 
adversaries.
{I}25_{/}My faithfulness 
and love will be with 
him, and by my help he 
will be strong.
{I}26_{/}I will set his 
hand over the sea, his 
right hand over the 
rivers.
{I}27_{/}He will call on 
me, 'You are my Father, 
my God, my Rock, my 
Savior.'
{I}28_{/}I will make him 
the firstborn, the 
highest of the kings of 
the earth.
{I}29_{/}I will keep my 
covenant firm forever, 
and my love for him will 
endure.
{I}30_{/}His dynasty will 
last forever, and his 
throne as long as the 
heavens.
{I}31_{/}If his sons 
forsake my law and fail 
to follow my decrees, 
{I}32_{/}if they violate 
my statutes and do not 
keep my commandments,
{I}33_{/}I will punish 
their crime with the rod 
and their offenses with 
the scourge; {I}34_{/}yet 
I will not withdraw my 
love from him, nor will I 
withdraw my faithfulness.
{I}35_{/}I will be true 
to my promises and not 
break my covenant. 
{I}36_{/}Did I not swear 
by my holiness? I will 
not lie to David.
{I}37_{/}His dynasty will 
last forever, and his 
throne endure as the sun 
before me.
{I}38_{/}It will shine 
forever like the moon, 
the unfailing watch of 
heavens."
{I}39_{/}But now you have 
rejected, disowned and 
raged at your anointed.
{I}40_{/}You have 
disregarded your covenant 
and cast off the crown of 
your servant.
{I}41_{/}You have 
destroyed his walls and 
reduced his strongholds 
to rubble. {I}42_{/}The 
victim of despoilers, he 
has become the scorn of 
his neighbors.
{I}43_{/}You have exalted 
the right hand of his 
foes; you have made his 
enemies rejoice.
{I}44_{/}You have turned 
the edge of his sword, 
and have not stood by him 
in battle. {I}45_{/}You 
have wrenched the scepter 
from his hand and flung 
his throne to the ground.
{I}46_{/}You have 
shortened the time of his 
splendor and covered him 
with shame.
{I}47_{/}How long, O 
Lord, will you hide? How 
long will anger burn like 
a fire?
{I}48_{/}Consider how 
short my life is, how 
shadowy the human 
destiny.
{I}49_{/}What mortal can 
live and never see death? 
Who will escape from the 
netherworld?
{I}50_{/}O Lord, where is 
your former great love, 
the faithfulness you 
pledged to David?
{I}51_{/}Remember, O 
Lord, how your servant is 
despised, how I suffer 
the scorn of the peoples, 
{I}52_{/}the taunts with 
which your enemies have 
mocked every step of your 
anointed.
{I}53_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord forever! Amen, Amen.
{1}90{/}

(89)
OUR DAYS PASS LIKE A 
SIGH{/}

Our earthly life is short 
and frail before the face 
of the eternal God. He is 
our refuge and can give 
meaning to our existence. 
Let us ask him to fill it 
with wisdom, which is to 
love him, praise him and 
serve him.
Lord, you have been our 
refuge through all 
generations.
{I}2_{/}Before the 
mountains were formed, 
before you made the earth 
and the world, from 
eternity to eternity - 
you are God.
{I}3_{/}You turn humans 
back to dust, saying, 
"Return, O mortals!"
{I}4_{/}A thousand years 
in your sight are like a 
day that has passed, or 
like a watch in the 
night.
{I}5_{/}You sow them in 
their time, at dawn they 
peep out. {I}6_{/}In the 
morning they blossom, but 
the flower fades and 
withers in the evening.
{I}7_{/}Your fury 
consumes us like fire, 
and we are helpless 
before your anger.
{I}8_{/}Our evils lie 
before you who scrutinize 
our hidden sins.
{I}9_{/}Our days pass 
away in your wrath; our 
years are gone in no 
time.
{I}10_{/}Seventy years to 
our life or eighty if we 
are strong, yet most of 
them are sorrow and 
trouble; speeding by, 
they sweep us along.
{I}11_{/}Who knows the 
extent of your anger? Who 
has seen the end of your 
wrath?
{I}12_{/}So make us know 
the shortness of our 
life, that we may gain 
wisdom of heart.
{I}13_{/}How long will 
you be angry, O Lord? 
Have mercy on your 
servant.
{I}14_{/}Fill us at 
daybreak with your 
goodness, that we may be 
glad all our days.
{I}15_{/}Make joy endure 
as the misery did, and 
the years in which we 
were afflicted.
{I}16_{/}Let your work be 
seen by your servants and 
your glorious power by 
their children.
{I}17_{/}May the 
sweetness of the Lord be 
upon us; may he prosper 
the work of our hands.
{1}91{/}

(90)
NIGHT PRAYER{/}

A prayer that the 
believer prays with 
assurance that God 
protects those who trust 
in him.
{I}1_{/}You who dwell in 
the shelter of the Most 
High,
who rest in the shadow of 
the Almighty,
{I}2_{/}say to the Lord, 
"My stronghold,
my refuge, my God in whom 
I trust!"
{I}3_{/}He will rescue 
you from the fowler's 
snare
and from the deadly 
pestilence.
{I}4_{/}He will cover you 
with his pinions
and give you refuge under 
his wings.
{I}5_{/}You shall not 
fear the terror of the 
night
nor the arrows that fly 
by day,
{I}6_{/}nor the 
pestilence that stalks by 
night,
and the plague that 
destroys at noonday.
{I}7_{/}A thousand may 
fall at your side,
ten thousand at your 
right hand,
but nothing shall befall 
you,
his faithfulness is your 
shield.
{I}8_{/}Open your eyes:
you will see how the 
wicked are repaid.
{I}9_{/}If you have made 
the Lord your refuge,
the Most High your 
stronghold,
{I}10_{/}no harm will 
come upon you,
no disaster will draw 
near your home.
{I}11_{/}For he will 
command his angels
to guard you in all your 
ways.
{I}12_{/}They will lift 
you up with their hands
so that your foot will 
not hit a stone.
{I}13_{/}You will tread 
on wildcats and snakes
and trample the lion and 
the dragon.
{I}14_{/}"Because they 
cling to me, I will 
rescue them,"
says the Lord.
"I will protect those who 
know my name.
{I}15_{/}When they call 
to me, I will answer;
in time of trouble I will 
be with them;
I will deliver and honor 
them.
{I}16_{/}I will satisfy 
them with long life
and show them my 
salvation."
{1}92{/}

(91)
THE JUST WILL RISE LIKE A 
PALM TREE{/}

Enthusiasm of the one 
whose life is built on 
faithfulness. He has seen 
the fall of many fortunes 
and much glory.
{I}2_{/}It is good to 
give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praise to your 
name, O Most High,
{I}3_{/}to proclaim your 
grace in the morning,
to declare your 
faithfulness at night,
{I}4_{/}accompanied by 
music from the lyre
and the melody of lute 
and harp.
{I}5_{/}For you make me 
glad with your deeds, O 
Lord,
and I sing for joy at the 
work of your hands.
{I}6_{/}How great are 
your works,
O Lord, how deep your 
thoughts!
{I}7_{/}The senseless 
will not know,
nor will the stupid 
understand them.
{I}8_{/}For though the 
wicked prosper
and evildoers flourish 
like grass,
they are doomed to vanish 
for good.
{I}9_{/}But you, O Lord, 
are exalted forever.
{I}10_{/}Time will come 
when your enemies will 
perish,
evildoers will be 
scattered.
{I}11_{/}You have made me 
stronger than the wild 
ox;
you have poured fresh oil 
on me.
{I}12_{/}I look down on 
my enemies;
I take for granted their 
doom.
{I}13_{/}The virtuous 
will flourish like palm 
trees,
they will thrive like the 
cedars of Lebanon.
{I}14_{/}Planted in the 
house of the Lord,
they will prosper in the 
courts of our God.
{I}15_{/}In old age they 
will still bear fruit
they will stay fresh and 
green,
{I}16_{/}to proclaim that 
the Lord is upright,
"He is my Rock," they 
say, "he never fails."
{1}93{/}

(92)
ROBED IN SPLENDOR, THE 
LORD RULES{/}

God rules as the Creator 
of the universe. God 
reigns in the person of 
the risen Christ who 
already redirects the 
powers of history.
{I}1_{/}The Lord reigns, 
robed in majesty;
the Lord is girded with 
strength.
The world now is firm, it 
cannot be moved.
{I}2_{/}Your throne 
stands from long ago, O 
Lord,
from all eternity you 
are.
{I}3_{/}The floods have 
lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up 
their roaring,
the floods have lifted up 
their pounding waves.
{I}4_{/}Mightier than the 
thunder of great waters,
mightier than the 
breakers of the sea,
the Lord on high is 
mighty!
{I}5_{/}Your decrees can 
be trusted;
holiness dwells in your 
house
day after day without 
end, O Lord.
{1}94{/}

(93)
AGAINST EVIL RULERS{/}

We believe in the 
redemption, let us also 
believe in the judgment. 
But before any judgment, 
God is the one who cares 
for all.
{I}1_{/}O Lord God, 
vengeance is yours; O God 
who avenges, show 
yourself!
{I}2_{/}Judge of the 
world, repay the proud 
with what they deserve.
{I}3_{/}How long shall 
the wicked, O Lord, how 
long shall the wicked 
exult?
{I}4_{/}Pouring out words 
of arrogance, evildoers 
make a show of their 
insolence.
{I}5_{/}They crush your 
people, O Lord, they 
oppress your inheritance.
{I}6_{/}They murder the 
widow and the lonely, 
they massacre the 
helpless;
{I}7_{/}"The Lord does 
not see," they say, "the 
God of Jacob does not 
care."
{I}8_{/}Remember this, 
you stupid people, when 
will you understand, you 
fools!
{I}9_{/}He who made the 
ear, will he not hear? He 
who formed the eye, will 
he not see?
{I}10_{/}He who rebukes 
nations, will he not 
punish them?
{I}11_{/}The Lord knows 
the thoughts of humans, 
that they are a puff of 
wind.
{I}12_{/}Fortunate the 
one you correct, O Lord, 
the one you teach your 
law;
{I}13_{/}you give them 
relief from distress 
while a pit is dug for 
the wicked.
{I}14_{/}The Lord will 
not reject his people nor 
will he forsake his 
heritage.
{I}15_{/}Justice will 
return to the just, and 
the upright will follow 
in its wake.
{I}16_{/}Who stands up 
for me against the 
wicked? Who stands by me 
against evildoers?
{I}17_{/}Had the Lord not 
helped me, I would have 
fallen into the silence 
of death.
{I}18_{/}No sooner did I 
say, "My foot is 
slipping," your kindness, 
O Lord, held me up.
{I}19_{/}The more worries 
and trouble assailed me, 
the more you consoled me.
{I}20_{/}You shun wicked 
rulers who impose 
injustice by law.
{I}21_{/}They plot 
together against the 
virtuous and condemn the 
innocent.
{I}22_{/}But the Lord is 
my stronghold, my God, my 
rock of refuge.
{I}23_{/}He will repay 
them for their evil and 
destroy them for their 
wickedness; the Lord, our 
God, will blot them out.
{1}95{/}

(94)
COME, SING TO THE LORD{/}

When we come to praise 
God, let us prepare to 
listen to his word; and 
try to do his will in 
daily life.
{I}1_{/}Come, let us sing 
to the Lord,
let us make a joyful 
sound
to the Rock of our 
salvation.
{I}2_{/}Let us come 
before him giving thanks,
with music and songs of 
praise.
{I}3_{/}For the Lord is 
the great God,
the great King above all 
gods.
{I}4_{/}In his hand are 
the depths of the earth
and the mountain heights.
{I}5_{/}The sea is his, 
for he made it,
and his hand shaped the 
dry land.
{I}6_{/}Come and worship; 
let us bow down,
kneel before the Lord, 
our Maker.
{I}7_{/}He is our God, 
and we his people;
the flock he leads and 
pastures.
Would that today you 
heard his voice!
{I}8_{/}Do not be 
stubborn, as at Meribah,
in the desert, on that 
day at Massah,
{I}9_{/}when your 
ancestors challenged me,
and they put me to the 
test.
{I}10_{/}For forty years 
they wearied me and I 
said,
"They are a people of 
inconstant heart;
they have not known my 
ways."
{I}11_{/}So I declared on 
oath in my anger,
"Never shall they enter 
my rest."
{1}96{/}

(95)
GOD LOVES JUSTICE{/}

{I}1_{/}Sing to the Lord 
a new song,
sing to the Lord, all the 
earth!
{I}2_{/}Sing to the Lord, 
bless his name;
proclaim his salvation 
day after day.
{I}3_{/}Recall his glory 
among the nations,
tell all the peoples his 
wonderful deeds.
{I}4_{/}How great is the 
Lord and worthy of 
praise!
Above all gods he is to 
be feared.
{I}5_{/}For all other 
gods are worthless idols,
but Yahweh is the one who 
made the heavens.
{I}6_{/}Splendor and 
majesty go before him;
power and glory fill his 
sanctuary.
{I}7_{/}Give to the Lord, 
you families of nations,
give to the Lord glory 
and strength.
{I}8_{/}Give to the Lord 
the glory due his name;
bring gifts and enter his 
courts.
{I}9_{/}Worship the Lord 
with holy celebrations;
stand in awe of him, all 
the earth.
{I}10_{/}Say among the 
nations, "The Lord 
reigns!"
He will judge the peoples 
with justice.
{I}11_{/}Let the heavens 
be glad, the earth 
rejoice;
let the sea and all that 
fills it resound;
{I}12_{/}let the fields 
exult and everything in 
them;
let the forest, all the 
trees, sing for joy.
{I}13_{/}Let them sing 
before the Lord
who comes to judge the 
earth.
He will rule the world 
with justice
and the peoples with 
fairness.
{1}97{/}

(96)
GOD REIGNS AND THE IDOLS 
DISAPPEAR{/}

Already light shines on 
the just. Already it 
shines on the person of 
the risen Christ.
{I}1_{/}The Lord reigns; 
let the earth rejoice;
let the distant islands 
be glad.
{I}2_{/}Clouds and 
darkness surround him;
justice and right are his 
throne.
{I}3_{/}Fire goes before 
him,
burning his foes on every 
side.
{I}4_{/}His lightning 
lights up the world;
the earth watches and 
trembles.
{I}5_{/}The mountains 
melt like wax
before the Lord, the Lord 
of all the earth.
{I}6_{/}The heavens 
proclaim his justice,
all peoples see his 
glory.
{I}7_{/}Shame on 
worshipers of idols,
on those proud of their 
worthless images.
Let all spirits bow 
before him.
{I}8_{/}Zion hears and 
rejoices,
and the cities of Judah 
exult,
because of your 
judgments, O God.
{I}9_{/}For you are the 
Master of the universe,
exalted far above all 
gods.
{I}10_{/}You who love the 
Lord, hate evil,

for he preserves the 
lives of his faithful,
he delivers them from 
their foes.
{I}11_{/}He sheds light 
upon the upright,
and gladness upon the 
just.
{I}12_{/}Rejoice in the 
Lord, you who are 
blameless,
and give praise to his 
holy name.
{1}98{/}

(97)
SING A NEW SONG TO THE 
LORD{/}

Humanity has found the 
way to liberation and 
salvation:
- in the coming of 
Christ, God-made-man;
- in his resurrection.
{I}1_{/}Sing to the Lord 
a new song, for he has 
done wonders; his right 
hand, his holy arm, has 
won victory for him.
{I}2_{/}The Lord has 
shown his salvation, 
revealing his justice to 
the nations.
{I}3_{/}He has not 
forgotten his love nor 
his faithfulness to 
Israel. To the farthest 
ends of the earth all 
have seen God's saving 
power.
{I}4_{/}All you lands, 
make a joyful noise to 
the Lord, break into song 
and sing praise, 
{I}5_{/}with melody of 
the lyre and with music 
of the harp.
{I}6_{/}With trumpet 
blast and sound of the 
horn, rejoice before the 
King, the Lord!
{I}7_{/}Let the sea 
resound and everything in 
it, the world and all its 
peoples.
{I}8_{/}Let rivers clap 
their hands, hills and 
mountains sing with joy 
{I}9_{/}before the Lord, 
for he comes to rule the 
earth. He will judge the 
world with justice and 
the peoples with 
fairness.
{1}99{/}

(98)
HOLY IS THE LORD!{/}

{I}1_{/}The Lord reigns 
and the nations tremble. 
He is enthroned upon the 
cherubim; the earth gets 
distraught.
{I}2_{/}Great is the Lord 
in Zion; he is high over 
all the nations.
{I}3_{/}May they give 
glory to your name, great 
and terrible: "Holy is 
he: {I}4_{/}this is the 
mighty King who loves 
justice."
For you come to install 
fairness, to establish in 
Jacob right and justice.
{I}5_{/}Extol the Lord, 
our God; worship at his 
footstool. Holy is he! 
And mighty!
{I}6_{/}Among his priests 
were Moses and Aaron, and 
Samuel among those who 
called on his name. They 
called to the Lord, and 
he answered them.
{I}7_{/}In the pillar of 
cloud he spoke to them, 
and they kept his 
statutes and the decrees 
he gave them.
{I}8_{/}O Lord our God, 
you responded to them; 
you were a patient God 
for them, but you 
punished their wrongs.
{I}9_{/}Extol the Lord 
our God; worship at his 
holy mountain. Holy is 
the Lord our God!
{1}100{/}

(99)
ALL THE EARTH ACCLAIM THE 
LORD{/}

Let all the earth sing, 
and you, serve him with 
joy.
{I}1_{/}All you lands, 
acclaim the Lord!
{I}2_{/}Serve the Lord 
with gladness; come 
before him with joyful 
songs.
{I}3_{/}Know that the 
Lord is God; he created 
us and we are his people, 
the sheep of his fold.
{I}4_{/}Enter his gates 
with thanksgiving, his 
courts with praise. Give 
thanks to him and bless 
his name.
{I}5_{/}For the Lord is 
good; his love lasts 
forever and his 
faithfulness through all 
generations.
{1}101{/}

(100)
A KING EXAMINES HIS 
CONSCIENCE{/}

I wish to train myself to 
follow the perfect way, 
but you, will you come to 
me?
I will sing of your love 
and justice; to you, O 
Lord, I will sing praise.
{I}2_{/}I will walk the 
way of integrity - O 
Lord, when will you come 
to me? With a blameless 
heart I will walk within 
my house.
{I}3_{/}I will not set 
before my eyes anything 
that is base. I hate the 
deeds of faithless 
people; I will have no 
part in them.
{I}4_{/}I will banish all 
wicked hearts, and evil I 
will not know.
{I}5_{/}He who deals with 
others treacherously, I 
will silence. He who 
talks and acts 
arrogantly, I will not 
endure.
{I}6_{/}I will choose 
from the faithful of the 
land those who may dwell 
with me; only the upright 
shall be my servant.
{I}7_{/}No double-dealer 
shall live in my house; 
no one who utters 
falsehood shall stand 
before my eyes.
{I}8_{/}Each morning I 
will clear the land and 
silence all the wicked; I 
will uproot all the 
evildoers from the city 
of the Lord.
{1}102{/}

(101)
PRAYER IN TIME OF 
AFFLICTION{/}

{I}2_{/}O Lord, hear my 
prayer; let my cry for 
help come to you.
{I}3_{/}Do not hide your 
face from me when I am in 
trouble. Turn your ear to 
me; make haste to answer 
me when I call.
{I}4_{/}For my days are 
passing away like smoke, 
my bones burning like a 
furnace.
{I}5_{/}Like withered 
grass, my heart is 
blighted, and I forget to 
eat my bread.
{I}6_{/}Because of my 
great grief I am reduced 
to skin and bones.
{I}7_{/}I am like an owl 
in the wilderness, like a 
vulture among the ruins.
{I}8_{/}I awake moaning 
like a lonely bird on the 
housetop.
{I}9_{/}All day long I am 
taunted by my enemies; 
they use my name as a 
curse.
{I}10_{/}The bread I eat 
is ashes, my drink is 
mingled with tears, 
{I}11_{/}for your wrath, 
your fury; for you have 
thrown me aside.
{I}12_{/}My days are 
vanishing like the 
shadows at night; I 
wither away like grass.
{I}13_{/}But you, O Lord, 
you sit forever; your 
name endures through all 
generations.
{I}14_{/}Arise, have 
mercy on Zion; this is 
the time to show her your 
mercy.
{I}15_{/}For your 
servants cherish her 
stones, and are moved to 
pity by her dust.
{I}16_{/}O Lord, the 
nations will revere your 
name, and the kings of 
the earth your glory,
{I}17{/} when the Lord 
will rebuild Zion and 
appear in all his 
splendor.
{I}18_{/}For he will 
answer the prayer of the 
needy and will not 
despise their plea.
{I}19_{/}Let this be 
written for future ages, 
"the Lord will be praised 
by a people he will 
form."
{I}20_{/}From his holy 
height in heaven, the 
Lord has looked on the 
earth {I}21_{/}to hear 
the groaning of the 
prisoners, and free those 
condemned to death.
{I}22_{/}Then the name of 
the Lord will be declared 
in Zion, and his praise 
in Jerusalem,
{I}23_{/}when the peoples 
and the kingdoms assemble 
to worship him.
{I}24_{/}My walk has 
exhausted me, he has cut 
short my days.
{I}25_{/}I cry to him, 
"My God, do not take my 
life in mid-course, you 
whose days are from age 
to age."
{I}26_{/}In the beginning 
you laid the earth's 
foundation, the heavens 
are the work of your 
hands.
{I}27_{/}Although they 
perish, you will remain; 
they will all wear out 
like a garment, you 
change them like clothes: 
they pass away,
{I}28_{/}but you remain 
the same, your years 
unending.
{I}29_{/}Your servants' 
children will dwell 
secure; their posterity 
will endure without fail.
{1}103{/}

(102)
THE LORD SHOWERS HIS 
BLESSINGS UPON YOU{/}

This psalm looks on God, 
humans, and God's mercy 
toward humanking: from 
these three, praise is 
born.
{I}1_{/}Bless the Lord, 
my soul; all my being, 
bless his holy name!
{I}2_{/}Bless the Lord, 
my soul, and do not 
forget all his kindness; 
{I}3_{/}he forgives all 
your sins and heals all 
your sickness; {I}4_{/}he 
redeems your life from 
destruction and crowns 
you with love and 
compassion; {I}5_{/}he 
gives fulfillment to your 
years, and renews your 
youth like the eagle's.
{I}6_{/}The Lord restores 
justice and secures the 
rights of the oppressed.
{I}7_{/}He has made known 
his ways to Moses and his 
deeds to the people of 
Israel.
{I}8_{/}The Lord is 
gracious and merciful, 
abounding in love and 
slow to anger; {I}9_{/}he 
will not always scold nor 
will he be angry forever.
{I}10_{/}He does not 
treat us according to our 
sins, nor does he punish 
us as we deserve.
{I}11_{/}As the heavens 
are high above the earth, 
so great is his love for 
those fearing him; 
{I}12_{/}as far as the 
east is from the west, so 
far does he remove from 
us our sins.
{I}13_{/}As a father has 
compassion on his 
children, so the Lord 
pities those who fear 
him.
{I}14_{/}For he knows how 
we are formed, he 
remembers that we are 
dust.
{I}15_{/}The days of 
mortals are like grass; 
they bloom like a flower 
of the field;
{I}16_{/}but the wind 
passes over it, and it is 
gone, his field will not 
see him again.
{I}17_{/}But the Lord's 
kindness is forever with 
those who fear him; so is 
his justice, for their 
children's children, 
{I}18_{/}for those who 
keep his covenant and 
remember his commands, 
for those who put them 
into practice.
{I}19_{/}The Lord has set 
his throne in heaven; he 
rules, he has power 
everywhere.
{I}20_{/}Praise the Lord, 
all you his angels, you 
mighty ones who do his 
bidding, you who obey his 
word.
{I}21_{/}Praise the Lord, 
all his hosts, all his 
servants who do his will.
{I}22_{/}Praise the Lord, 
all his works, everywhere 
he rules.
{1}104{/}

(103)
THE UNIVERSE PRAISES ITS 
CREATOR{/}

In contemplating the 
universe, the believer 
feels full of admiration 
and optimism. All comes 
from God, and this 
universe is also for 
humanking. God is now 
completing his creation 
thorugh the work of 
humans and the radiant 
light of his witnesses: 
"Send your Spirit to 
renew the face of the 
earth."
{I}1_{/}Bless the Lord, 
my soul!
Clothed in majesty and 
splendor;
O Lord, my God, how great 
you are!
{I}2_{/}You are wrapped 
in light as with a 
garment;
you stretch out the 
heavens like a tent,
{I}3_{/}you build your 
upperrooms above the 
waters.
You make the clouds your 
chariot
and ride on the wings of 
the wind;
{I}4_{/}you make the 
winds your messengers,
and fire and flame your 
ministers.
{I}5_{/}You set the earth 
on its foundations,
and never will it be 
shaken.
{I}6_{/}You covered it 
with the ocean like a 
garment,
and waters spread over 
the mountains.
{I}7_{/}But at your 
rebuke the waters flee,
at the sound of your 
thunder they take to 
flight.
{I}8_{/}Brought to the 
mountains, they flow down 
again
to settle in the valleys.
{I}9_{/}You set a limit 
they could not cross,
never again to flood the 
earth.
{I}10_{/}You make springs 
gush forth in valleys
winding among mountains 
and hills,
{I}11_{/}giving drink to 
the beasts of the field,
quenching the thirst of 
wild donkeys.
{I}12_{/}Birds build 
their nests close by
and sing among the 
branches of trees.
{I}13_{/}You water the 
mountains from your abode
and fill the earth with 
the fruit of your work.
{I}14_{/}You make grass 
grow for cattle
and plants for man to 
cultivate,
that he may bring forth 
food from the earth:
{I}15_{/}wine to gladden 
his heart,
oil to make his face 
shine,
and bread to make him 
strong.
{I}16_{/}The Lord waters 
his trees to their fill,
the cedars of Lebanon 
which he planted.
{I}17_{/}The birds build 
their nests,
the stork has its home in 
the pine trees.
{I}18_{/}High mountains 
are for wild goats,
the cliffs a refuge for 
badgers.
{I}19_{/}You made the 
moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun that knows 
when to set;
{I}20_{/}when you bring 
the darkness of the 
night,
all the beasts of the 
forest begin to prowl:
{I}21_{/}the young lions 
roaring for their prey
claiming their food from 
God.
{I}22_{/}When the sun 
rises, the beasts steal 
away,
returning to rest in 
their dens.
{I}23_{/}Man then goes 
out to his work,
and toils till evening 
comes.
{I}24_{/}How varied O 
Lord, are your works!
In wisdom you have made 
them all -
the earth full of your 
creatures.
{I}25_{/}Behold the sea, 
wide and vast,
teeming with countless 
creatures,
living things both great 
and small,
{I}26_{/}a strange world 
reserved for the ships,
for Leviathan, the dragon 
you made to play with.
{I}27_{/}They all look to 
you
for their food in due 
time.
{I}28_{/}You give it to 
them,
and they gather it up;
you open your hand,
they are filled with good 
things.
{I}29_{/}When you hide 
your face they vanish,
you take away their 
breath, they expire
and return to dust.
{I}30_{/}When you send 
forth your spirit,
they are created,
and the face of the earth 
is renewed.
{I}31_{/}May the glory of 
the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in 
his works!
{I}32_{/}He looks on the 
earth, and it quakes;
he touches the mountain, 
and it smokes.
{I}33_{/}I will sing to 
the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to God 
while I live.
{I}34_{/}May my song give 
him pleasure,
as the Lord gives me 
delight.
{I}35_{/}May sinners 
vanish from the earth,
and may the wicked be no 
more.
Bless the Lord, my soul!
{1}105{/}

(104)
THE BEGINNING OF 
SALVATION HISTORY{/}

Remembering the past can 
be a prayer if we try to 
see the work of God and 
thank him for it.
{I}1_{/}Give thanks to 
the Lord, call on his 
name; make known his 
works among the nations.
{I}2_{/}Sing to him, sing 
his praise, proclaim all 
his wondrous deeds.
{I}3_{/}Glory in his holy 
name; let those who seek 
the Lord rejoice.
{I}4_{/}Look to the Lord 
and be strong; seek his 
face always.
{I}5_{/}Remember his 
wonderful works, his 
miracles and his 
judgments,
{I}6_{/}you descendants 
of his servant Abraham, 
you sons of Jacob, his 
chosen ones!
{I}7_{/}He is the Lord 
our God; his judgments 
reach the whole world.
{I}8_{/}He remembers his 
covenant forever, his 
promise to a thousand 
generations, {I}9_{/}the 
covenant he made with 
Abraham, the promise he 
swore to Isaac.
{I}10_{/}He confirmed his 
decree to Jacob, to 
Israel his eternal 
covenant:
{I}11_{/}"To you I will 
give the land of Canaan 
as part of your 
inheritance."
{I}12_{/}When they were 
few in number, strangers 
in the land, 
{I}13_{/}wandering from 
nation to nation, from 
one kingdom to another, 
{I}14_{/}he allowed no 
one to oppress them, and 
for their sake he rebuked 
kings:
{I}15_{/}"Touch not my 
anointed ones," he 
warned, "do my prophets 
no harm!"
{I}16_{/}Then he sent a 
famine and ruined the 
crop that sustained the 
land; {I}17_{/}he sent a 
man ahead of them, 
Joseph, who was sold as a 
slave;
{I}18_{/}his feet in 
shackles, his neck in 
irons {I}19_{/}till what 
he foretold came to pass, 
and the Lord's word 
proved him true.
{I}20_{/}The king sent 
for him, set him free, 
the ruler of the peoples 
released him. {I}21_{/}He 
put him in charge of his 
household and made him 
ruler of all his 
possessions, 
{I}22_{/}that he might 
train his princes and 
teach his elders wisdom.
{I}23_{/}Then Israel came 
to Egypt, Jacob settled 
in the land of Ham. 
{I}24_{/}The Lord made 
his people fruitful and 
much stronger than their 
foes, {I}25_{/}whose 
hearts he turned to hate 
his people, to deal 
deceitfully with his 
servants.
{I}26_{/}Then he sent 
Moses his servant and 
Aaron whom he had chosen.
{I}27_{/}They performed 
his signs among them, his 
miracles in the land of 
Ham.
{I}28_{/}He sent darkness 
to the land, but they 
rebelled against his 
words.
{I}29_{/}He turned their 
waters into blood, 
causing their fish to 
die.
{I}30_{/}Their land 
teemed with frogs, 
invading even the king's 
bedroom.
{I}31_{/}He spoke, and 
flies and gnats swarmed 
throughout the country.
{I}32_{/}He gave them 
hail for rain, and 
lightning flashed over 
the land.
{I}33_{/}He blighted 
their vines and fig 
trees, shattered the 
trees in the countryside.
{I}34_{/}He spoke and 
locusts came, 
grasshoppers without 
number; {I}35_{/}they 
devoured all the 
vegetation and the 
produce of the soil; 
{I}36_{/}then he smote 
all the firstborn, the 
firstfruits of their 
manhood.
{I}37_{/}He led Israel 
out of the alien land, 
laden with silver and 
gold, and none were left 
behind.
{I}38_{/}Egypt was glad 
when they departed, so 
filled were they with 
dread.
{I}39_{/}He spread a 
cloud as covering, and 
fire to give them light 
at night.
{I}40_{/}They asked for 
food; he gave them quails 
and fed them with bread 
from heaven.
{I}41_{/}He opened the 
rock, and water gushed 
out, flowing like a river 
through the desert.
{I}42_{/}For he 
remembered his promise to 
Abraham, his servant.
{I}43_{/}So he led forth 
his people with joy, his 
chosen ones with singing.
{I}44_{/}He gave them the 
lands of the nations, and 
let them take the fruit 
of others' toil,
{I}45_{/}that they might 
keep his statutes and 
remain obedient to his 
laws.
{1}106{/}


(105)
ANOTHER LOOK AT THE 
HISTORY OF ISRAEL{/}

Like Psalm 78, this psalm 
contrast the mercy of God 
and Israel's rebellions. 
God punishes but he 
always gives his grace 
again.
Alleluia!
{I}1_{/}Give thanks to 
the Lord, for he is good, 
for his love endures 
forever.
{I}2_{/}Who can count the 
Lord's mighty deeds, or 
declare all his praises?
{I}3_{/}Blessed are they 
who always do just and 
right.
{I}4_{/}Remember me, O 
Lord, when you show favor 
to your people; rescue me 
when you deliver them; 
{I}5_{/} let me see the 
triumph of your faithful, 
let me share the joy of 
your nation, and join 
your people in praising 
you.
{I}6_{/}We have sinned 
like our ancestors; we 
have done wrong and acted 
wickedly.
{I}7_{/}When they were in 
Egypt, our ancestors had 
no regard for your 
wondrous deeds; they 
forgot the abundance of 
your love; they rebelled 
against the Most High by 
the Sea of Reeds.
{I}8_{/}Yet he saved them 
for his name's sake, to 
make his mighty power 
known.
{I}9_{/}He rebuked the 
sea, and it dried up; he 
led them through the deep 
as on dry land.
{I}10_{/}He saved them 
from hostility, freeing 
them from the hand of the 
enemy.
{I}11_{/}Waters covered 
their pursuers, and none 
of them was left alive.
{I}12_{/}Then they 
believed his promises and 
all at once sang his 
praises.
{I}13_{/}But soon they 
forgot his works and did 
not wait for his counsel.
{I}14_{/}They gave way to 
wanton craving and 
tempted God in the 
desert.
{I}15_{/}He gave them 
what they wanted, then 
sent them a wasting 
disease.
{I}16_{/}In the camp they 
grew envious of Moses and 
Aaron, the holy one of 
the Lord.
{I}17_{/}So the earth 
opened, swallowed Dathan, 
and buried the company of 
Abiram; {I}18_{/}fire 
broke out against them, 
burning up the wicked.
{I}19_{/}They made a calf 
at Horeb and worshiped 
the molten image.
{I}20_{/}They exchanged 
the glory of God for the 
image of a bull that eats 
grass.
{I}21_{/}They forgot 
their Savior God, who had 
done great things in 
Egypt, {I}22_{/}wonderful 
works in the land of Ham, 
and awesome deeds by the 
Sea of Reeds.
{I}23_{/}So he spoke of 
destroying them, but 
Moses, his chosen one, 
stood in the breach 
before him to shield them 
from destruction.
{I}24_{/}Yet they 
despised the promised 
land, for they had no 
faith in his word.
{I}25_{/}They grumbled in 
their tents and would not 
listen to the voice of 
the Lord.
{I}26_{/}So he swore to 
them with his hand raised 
that he would let them 
perish in the desert, 
{I}27_{/}scatter their 
descendants among the 
nations and disperse them 
over the lands.
{I}28_{/}They joined the 
rites of Baal-peor and 
ate sacrifices to 
lifeless gods.
{I}29_{/}Their deeds 
provoked the Lord to 
anger, and a plague broke 
out among them.
{I}30_{/}But Phinehas 
stood up and intervened, 
and the plague came to an 
end.
{I}31_{/}This was 
credited to his 
uprightness, making him 
remembered for all ages.
{I}32_{/}Angered by them 
at Meribah's waters, the 
Lord took it out on Moses 
{I}33_{/}for the rash 
words he uttered, when 
they rebelled against 
God.
{I}34_{/}They dared not 
destroy the pagans, as 
the Lord commanded; 
{I}35_{/}they mingled 
with these nations and 
learned to do as they 
did.
{I}36_{/}In serving the 
idols of the pagans, they 
were trapped 
{I}37_{/}into sacrificing 
children to demons, 
{I}38_{/}shedding the 
innocent blood of their 
sons and daughters to the 
idols of Canaan, 
polluting the country 
with blood. {I}39_{/}They 
defiled themselves by 
what they did, playing 
the harlot in their 
worship.
{I}40_{/}The anger of the 
Lord grew intense and he 
abhorred his inheritance.
{I}41_{/}He handed them 
over to the nations, and 
their foes ruled them 
with arrogance.
{I}42_{/}Brought by the 
enemy into subjection, 
they suffered the agony 
of oppression.
{I}43_{/}He delivered 
them many a time, but 
they went on defying him 
and sinking deeper into 
their sin.
{I}44_{/}But he heard 
their cry of affliction 
and looked on them with 
compassion.
{I}45_{/}Remembering his 
covenant, he relented for 
their sake, because of 
his great love.
{I}46_{/}He let them be 
pitied by all those who 
held them captive.
{I}47_{/}Save us, O Lord, 
our God, gather us from 
among the nations, that 
we may give thanks to you 
and praise your holy 
name.
{I}48_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord, God of Israel, from 
eternity to eternity. Let 
all the people say, 
"Amen!" Praise the Lord!
{1}107{/}

(106)
A THIRD LOOK AT THE 
HISTORY OF ISRAEL{/}

Like the two preceding 
psalms, this one recalls 
the past, and draws 
another lesson from it: 
each time they cried to 
the Lord, he listened to 
them. "Let us give thanks 
for his love."
{I}1_{/}Give thanks to 
the Lord, for he is good, 
for his love endures 
forever.
{I}2_{/}Let the redeemed 
of the Lord say this, 
those he redeemed from 
the hand of the foe, 
{I}3_{/}those he gathered 
from the lands, from east 
and west, from north and 
south.
{I}4_{/}Some strayed in 
the wilderness and were 
lost, far away from the 
city.
{I}5_{/}They wandered 
about hungry and thirsty, 
their lives ebbing away.
{I}6_{/}Then they cried 
to the Lord in anguish, 
and he rescued them from 
their distress.
{I}7_{/}He led them by a 
straight way to a city 
where they could dwell.
{I}8_{/}Let them thank 
the Lord for his love and 
wondrous deeds for 
humans.
{I}9_{/}He quenches the 
thirst of the soul and 
satisfies the hunger of 
the heart.

{I}10_{/}They lived in 
the darkness of death 
like prisoners suffering 
in chains, {I}11_{/}for 
they rebelled against the 
word of God and despised 
the counsel of the Most 
High.
{I}12_{/}Their backs bent 
in hard labor, they fell 
down, and there was no 
one to help.
{I}13_{/}Then they cried 
to the Lord in anguish, 
and he rescued them from 
their distress.
{I}14_{/}He brought them 
out of the dark and 
gloom, and he tore 
asunder their bonds.
{I}15_{/}Let them thank 
the Lord for his love and 
wondrous deeds for 
humans.
{I}16_{/}For he breaks 
open gates of bronze and 
batters down bars of 
iron.
{I}17_{/}They were sick 
because of their wrongs, 
they were afflicted for 
their iniquities.
{I}18_{/}Unable to take 
any food they drew near 
the gates of death.

{I}19_{/}Then they cried 
to the Lord in anguish, 
and he rescued them from 
their distress.
{I}20_{/}He sent forth 
his word and healed them, 
and rescued them from 
destruction.
{I}21_{/}Let them thank 
the Lord for his love and 
wondrous deeds for 
humans.
{I}22_{/}Let them offer 
sacrifices of 
thanksgiving, and declare 
his deeds in joyful song.
{I}23_{/}Those who went 
to the sea in ships, 
merchants on the mighty 
waters, {I}24_{/}saw the 
marvels of the Lord, his 
wonderful deeds in the 
deep.
{I}25_{/}For he spoke and 
stirred up a storm 
whipping up the waves of 
the sea.
{I}26_{/}Flung upward and 
plunged to the depths, 
they lost courage in the 
ordeal; {I}27_{/}reeling 
like drunkards, they were 
adrift, in spite of all 
their seamanship.
{I}28_{/}Then they cried 
to the Lord in anguish, 
and he rescued them from 
their distress.
{I}29_{/}He stilled the 
storm to a gentle breeze 
and hushed the billows to 
silent waves.
{I}30_{/}How glad they 
were! He brought them 
safe and sound to the 
port where they were 
bound.
{I}31_{/}Let them thank 
the Lord for his love and 
wondrous deeds for 
humans.
{I}32_{/}Let them extol 
him in the congregation, 
praise him in the 
assembly of the people.
{I}33_{/}He turned rivers 
into wastelands, flowing 
springs into parched 
grounds, {I}34_{/}and 
fruitful valleys into 
salt-flats, because of 
the wickedness of their 
inhabitants.
{I}35_{/}Yet he also 
turned deserts into 
watersheds and parched 
land into flowing 
springs.
{I}36_{/}There he let the 
hungry settle and found a 
city where they could 
dwell.
{I}37_{/}They planted 
vineyards, they sowed 
fields, and from them got 
fruitful harvests.
{I}38_{/}By his blessing 
their numbers increased, 
and their herds and 
flocks did not diminish.
{I}39_{/}But then they 
dwindled and were humbled 
through oppression, 
sorrow and distress.
{I}40_{/}And he who pours 
contempt upon princes and 
makes them wander in 
trackless wastes 
{I}41{/}rescued the needy 
from their affliction and 
made their families 
flourish like flocks.
{I}42_{/}The upright see 
it and are glad, but the 
wicked are silenced.
{I}43_{/}Let the wise 
consider all this and 
understand the Lord's 
infinite love.
{1}108{/}

(107)
SONG OF VICTORY{/}

{I}2_{/}My heart is 
ready, O God! I will sing 
praise and make music. 
Awake my soul!
{I}3_{/}Awake, harp and 
lyre! I will awake the 
dawn.
{I}4_{/}I will thank you, 
O Lord, among the 
nations. I will sing 
praise to you among the 
peoples.
{I}5_{/}For great is your 
love above the heavens, 
your faithfulness beyond 
the skies.
{I}6_{/}Be exalted, O 
God, above the heavens. 
Let your glory be over 
the earth.
{I}7_{/}Give help and 
save us by your right 
hand, and rescue those 
you love.
{I}8_{/}God has spoken in 
his sanctuary: "In 
triumph I will divide up 
Shechem and parcel out 
the Valley of Succoth.
{I}9_{/}Gilead is mine; 
Manasseh is mine; Ephraim 
is my helmet, Judah my 
scepter.
{I}10_{/}Moab is my 
washbasin; upon Edom I 
cast my sandal; over 
Philistia I shout in 
triumph."
{I}11_{/}Who will take me 
to the fortified city? 
Who will lead me to Edom?
{I}12_{/}O God! Have you 
really rejected us? You 
no longer go with our 
armies.
{I}13_{/}Give us aid 
against the foe, for the 
help of mortals is not 
worth a straw.
{I}14_{/}With God we will 
gain victory; he will 
crush the enemy for us.
{1}109{/}

(108)
HAVE NO PITY FOR THEM{/}

Someone who only had 
works of friendship has 
been accused and 
slandered. He asks 
justice from God who does 
not forsake his own. God 
will show no mercy for 
those who are merciless.
Break your silence, O God 
whom I praise, 
{I}2_{/}now that the 
wicked and deceitful hurl 
their false accusations 
at me.
{I}3_{/}They assail me 
with words of hatred; 
they attack me for no 
valid cause.
{I}4_{/}They return my 
friendship with slander, 
and yet I pray for them.
{I}5_{/}They repay me 
evil for good, and hatred 
for my love.
{I}6_{/}Appoint a wicked 
man against him; find an 
accuser to repeat this 
curse:
{I}7_{/}"Let him be found 
guilty when tried; let 
his own plea condemn him.
{I}8_{/}May his days be 
numbered, his office be 
taken by another.
{I}9_{/}May his children 
lose a father and his 
wife a husband.
{I}10_{/}May his children 
go begging, driven out of 
their ruined homes.
{I}11_{/}May the creditor 
seize all his belongings 
and strangers plunder the 
fruits of his toil.
{I}12_{/}Let no one 
extend kindness to him or 
take pity on his orphaned 
children.
{I}13_{/}May his 
posterity be destroyed, 
their names blotted out 
in the next generation.
{I}14_{/}May his father's 
evil be remembered before 
the Lord; may his 
mother's sin never be 
effaced.
{I}15_{/}May their sins 
be ever before the Lord, 
and their memory cut off 
from the earth."
{I}16_{/}For he did not 
remember to show 
kindness, but hounded the 
poor, the needy, and the 
brokenhearted to their 
death.
{I}17_{/}He loved to 
curse; may he be cursed. 
He loathed blessing; may 
it be far from him.
{I}18_{/}He wrapped 
himself in cursing; may 
it soak into his body 
like water, penetrate his 
bones like oil.
{I}19_{/}May it be like a 
garment he wears, like 
the belt he ties around 
himself.
{I}20_{/}May the Lord 
reward my accusers with 
this, and others who 
speak evil of me.
{I}21_{/}But as for me, O 
God my Lord, for your 
name's sake, act on my 
behalf, deliver me, in 
the goodness of your 
love.
{I}22_{/}For I am poor 
and needy, my heart is 
stricken within me.
{I}23_{/}Like an evening 
shadow, I fade away; like 
a locust, I am swept 
away.
{I}24_{/}My knees have 
become weak from fasting, 
my body is wasted of its 
substance.
{I}25_{/}I have become 
the butt for the scorn of 
my foes; people shake 
their heads at me in 
derision.
{I}26_{/}Help me, O Lord 
my God, and save me for 
the sake of your love.
{I}27_{/}Let them know 
that this is your hand, 
that it is you, Lord, who 
do this.
{I}28_{/}They may curse, 
but you will bless; when 
they attack, they will be 
disgraced; but may your 
servant rejoice!
{I}29_{/}Let my accusers 
be clothed with dishonor; 
let them be wrapped in 
their own shame.
{I}30_{/}To the Lord, I 
will give my thanks; I 
will praise him in the 
great assembly.
{I}31_{/}He stands at the 
right hand of the needy, 
to save them from those 
who condemn him.
{1}110{/}

(109)
WORD OF THE LORD TO MY 
LORD{/}

The basic force ruling 
history and the destiny 
of the world is the 
victory of Jesus Christ, 
the Son of God who was 
made man so that we might 
share his eternal glory.
{I}1_{/}The Lord said to 
my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand
till I make your foes 
your footstool."
{I}2_{/}From Zion the 
Lord will extend your 
mighty scepter
and you will rule in the 
midst of your enemies.
{I}3_{/}Yours is royal 
dignity
from the day you were 
born in holy majesty.
Like dew from the womb of 
the dawn,
I have begotten you.
{I}4_{/}The Lord has 
sworn,
and he will not take back 
his word:
"You are a priest forever
in the order of 
Melchizedek."
{I}5_{/}The Lord is at 
your right hand
to crush the kings on his 
day of wrath.
{I}6_{/}He will judge the 
nations,
heaping up corpses,
smashing heads on the 
wide plain.
{I}7_{/}He has lapped up 
the water from the brook,
this is why he will lift 
up his head.
{1}111{/}

(110)
GOD CREATES, SAVES AND 
GUIDES US{/}

{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
I thank the Lord with all 
my heart
in the council of the 
just, in the assembly.
{I}2_{/}The works of the 
Lord are great
and pondered by all who 
delight in them.
{I}3_{/}Glorious and 
majestic are his deeds,
his righteousness endures 
forever.
{I}4_{/}He lets us 
remember his wondrous 
deeds;
the Lord is merciful and 
kind.
{I}5_{/}Always mindful of 
his covenant,
he provides food for 
those who fear him.
{I}6_{/}He shows his 
people the power of his 
arm
by giving them the lands 
of other nations.
{I}7_{/}The works of his 
hands are faithful and 
just,
trustworthy are all his 
precepts,
{I}8_{/}ordained to last 
forever,
bearers of truth and 
uprightness.
{I}9_{/}He has sent his 
people deliverances
and made with them a 
covenant forever.
His holy name is to be 
revered!
{I}10_{/}The fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of 
wisdom;
prudent are those who 
live by his precepts.
To him belongs 
everlasting praise.
{1}112{/}

(111)
PRAISE FOR THE JUST{/}

{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Blessed is the one who 
fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in 
his commands.
{I}2_{/}His children will 
be powerful on earth;
the upright's offspring 
will be blessed.
{I}3_{/}Wealth and riches 
are for his family,
there his integrity will 
remain.
{I}4_{/}He is for the 
righteous a light in 
darkness,
he is kind, merciful and 
upright.
{I}5{/}It will be well 
with him who lends 
freely,
who leads a life of 
justice and honesty.
{I}6_{/}For the righteous 
will never be moved;
he will be remembered and 
loved forever.
{I}7_{/}He has no fear of 
evil news,
for his heart is firm, 
trusting in the Lord.
{I}8_{/}His heart is 
confident, he needs not 
fear,
he shall prevail over his 
foes at the end.
{I}9_{/}He gives 
generously to the poor,
his merits will last 
forever
and his head will be 
raised in honor.
{I}10_{/}The wicked will 
see this and be furious:
they will gnash their 
teeth in seething envy.
The desire of the wicked 
will fail.
{1}113{/}

(112)
POOR AND HUMBLE PEOPLE, 
PRAISE THE LORD!{/}

What distinguishes God 
from humans is not the 
infinity of his creation, 
but his way of being with 
us, his preference for 
what many despise. God 
likes to choose porr 
instruments to achieve 
his geat deeds of grace.
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Praise, O servants of the 
Lord,
praise the name of the 
Lord!
{I}2_{/}Blessed be the 
name of the Lord
now and forever!
{I}3_{/}From eastern 
lands to the western 
islands,
may the name of the Lord 
be praised!
{I}4_{/}The Lord is 
exalted over the nations,
his glory above the 
heavens.
{I}5_{/}Who is like the 
Lord our God,
who sits enthroned on 
high,
{I}6_{/}but also bends 
down to see
on earth as in heaven?
{I}7_{/}He lifts up the 
poor from the dust
and the needy from the 
ash heap.
{I}8_{/}He makes them sit 
with princes,
with rulers of his 
people.
{I}9_{/}He gives a home 
to the barren woman,
and makes her a joyful 
mother.
Praise the Lord!
{1}114{/}


(113 A)
THE DEPARTURE FROM 
EGYPT{/}

The power of God-Savior 
manifested itself in the 
first Passover, the 
departure form Egypt. The 
resurrection of Christ 
has touched the universe 
in a different way.
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
When Israel came out of 
Egypt,
the family of Jacob
from a people of foreign 
language,
{I}2_{/}Judah became his 
sanctuary,
Israel his possession.
{I}3_{/}At his sight the 
sea fled
and the Jordan retreated;
{I}4_{/}the mountains 
skipped like rams,
the hills frolicked like 
lambs.
{I}5_{/}Why is it, sea, 
that you flee?
Jordan, that you turn 
back?
{I}6_{/}Mountains, that 
you skip like rams?
Hills, that you frolic 
like lambs?
{I}7_{/}Tremble, O earth, 
at your Master's 
presence,
at the presence of the 
God of Jacob,
{I}8_{/}who turned the 
rock into a stream,
and the flint into a 
spring.
{1}115{/}

(113 B)
GOD'S PEOPLE HAVE NO 
IDOLS{/}

Since we have been given 
to know the one and true 
God, let us leave aside 
all that is not God.
{I}1_{/}Not to us, O 
Lord, not to us,
but to your name be the 
glory,
for the sake of your love 
and faithfulness.
{I}2_{/}Why should the 
pagans say,
"Where is their God?"
{I}3_{/}There in heaven 
is our God;
whatever he wishes, he 
does.
{I}4_{/}Not so the hand-
made idols,
crafted in silver and 
gold.
{I}5_{/}They have mouths 
that cannot speak,
eyes that cannot see,
{I}6_{/}ears that cannot 
hear,
noses that cannot smell.
{I}7_{/}They have hands 
but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk;
neither can they make a 
sound in their throat.
{I}8_{/}Their makers will 
be like them,
so will all who trust in 
them.
{I}9_{/}O Israel, trust 
in the Lord;
he is your help and your 
shield!
{I}10_{/}You, family of 
Aaron, trust in the Lord;
he is your help and your 
shield!
{I}11_{/}You who fear the 
Lord, trust in him;
he is your help and your 
shield!
{I}12_{/}The Lord 
remembers us and will 
bless us;
he will bless the family 
of Israel;
he will bless the family 
of Aaron;
{I}13_{/}he will bless 
those who fear the Lord,
both the small and the 
great.
{I}14_{/}May the Lord 
shower blessings,
on you and your children 
as well.
{I}15_{/}May you be 
blessed by the Lord,
Maker of heaven and 
earth.
{I}16_{/}Heaven belongs 
to the Lord,
but the earth he has 
given to humans.
{I}17_{/}It is not the 
dead who praise the Lord,
for they have gone down 
to silence;
{I}18_{/}but it is we, 
the living, who bless the 
Lord,
from now on and forever.
{1}116{/}

(114-115)
YOU HAVE FREED ME FROM 
DEATH{/}

"I shall walk in the 
presence of the Lord in 
the land of the living." 
We sing our thanksgiving 
with all those God has 
saved from death, with 
our Lord Jesus Christ.
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
I am pleased that the 
Lord has heard
my voice in supplication,
{I}2_{/}that he has not 
been deaf to me,
the day I called on him.
{I}3_{/}When the cords of 
death entangled me,
the snares of the grave 
laid hold of me,
when affliction got the 
better of me,
{I}4_{/}I called upon the 
name of the Lord:
"O Lord, save my life!"
{I}5_{/}Gracious and 
righteous is the Lord;
full of compassion is our 
God.
{I}6_{/}the Lord protects 
the simple:
he saved me when I was 
humbled.
{I}7_{/}Return, O my 
soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has taken 
care of you.
{I}8_{/}He has freed my 
soul from death,
my eyes from weeping,
my feet from stumbling;
{I}9_{/}I will walk 
before the Lord
in the land of the 
living.
{I}10_{/}I have kept 
faith even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
{I}11_{/}I have said in 
my dismay,
"To hope in humans is 
vain."
{I}12_{/}How can I repay 
the Lord
for all his goodness to 
me?
{I}13_{/}I will lift up 
the cup of salvation
and call on the name of 
the Lord.
{I}14_{/}I will fulfill 
my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all 
his people.
{I}15_{/}It is painful to 
the Lord
to see the death of his 
faithful.
{I}16_{/}O Lord, I am 
your servant,
truly your servant, your 
handmaid's son.
You have freed me from my 
bonds.
{I}17_{/}I will offer you 
a thanksgiving sacrifice;
I will call on the name 
of the Lord.
{I}18_{/}I will carry out 
my vows to the Lord
in the presence of his 
people,
{I}19_{/}in the courts of 
the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O 
Jerusalem.
{1}117{/}

(116)
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Praise the Lord, all you 
nations;
all you peoples, praise 
him.
{I}2_{/}How great is his 
love for us!
His faithfulness lasts 
forever.
{1}118{/}

(117)
I WILL NOT DIE, I WILL 
LIVE!{/}

The stone rejected by the 
builders has become the 
keystone. Jesus applies 
to himself the symbol of 
the rejected stone (Mt 
21:42; 1P 2:4), and when 
he enters the Temple, the 
children sing: Blessed is 
he who comes in the name 
of the Lord.
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good,
his loving kindness 
endures forever.
{I}2_{/}Let Israel say,
"His loving kindness 
endures forever."
{I}3_{/}Let the house of 
Aaron say,
"His loving kindness 
endures forever."
{I}4_{/}Let those who 
fear the Lord say,
"His loving kindness 
endures forever."
{I}5_{/}In anguish I 
cried to the Lord;
he answered by setting me 
free.
{I}6_{/}With the Lord 
beside me I need not 
fear.
What can humans do to me?
{I}7_{/}The Lord is with 
me, ready to help;
I can look in triumph 
upon my enemies.
{I}8_{/}It is better to 
take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in the help 
of humans.
{I}9_{/}It is better to 
take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in the 
might of princes.
{I}10_{/}All the nations 
surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I 
crushed them.
{I}11_{/}They surrounded 
me on every side;
in the name of the Lord I 
crushed them.
{I}12_{/}Like swarms of 
bees they encircled me;
but like burning thorns 
they died down;
in the name of the Lord I 
crushed them.
{I}13_{/}I was pushed 
hard and about to fall,
but the Lord came to my 
help.
{I}14_{/}The Lord is my 
strength and my song;
he has become my 
salvation.
{I}15_{/}Joyful shouts of 
victory
are heard in the tents of 
the just:
"The right hand of the 
Lord strikes mightily,
{I}16_{/}the right hand 
of the Lord is lifted 
high,
the right hand of the 
Lord strikes mightily!"
{I}17_{/}I shall not die, 
but live
to proclaim what the Lord 
has done.
{I}18_{/}The Lord has 
stricken me severely,
but he has saved me from 
death.
{I}19_{/}Open to me the 
gates of the Just,
and let me enter to give 
thanks.
{I}20_{/}"This is the 
Lord's gate,
through which the upright 
enter."
{I}21_{/}I thank you for 
having answered me,
for having rescued me.
{I}22_{/}The stone 
rejected by the builders
has become the keystone.
{I}23_{/}This was the 
Lord's doing
and we marvel at it.
{I}24_{/}This is the day 
the Lord has made;
so let us rejoice and be 
glad.
{I}25_{/}Save us, O Lord, 
deliver us, O Lord!
{I}26_{/}Blessed is he 
who comes in the Lord's 
name!
We bless you from the 
house of the Lord.
{I}27_{/}The Lord is God; 
may his light shine upon 
us.
With branches, join in 
procession
up to the horns of the 
altar.
{I}28_{/}You are my God, 
and I give you thanks.
You are my God, and I 
give you praise.
{I}29_{/}Give thanks to 
the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love 
endures forever!
{1}119{/}

(118)
PSALM ABOUT THE LAW{/}

This psalms, the longest 
in the Bible, repeats 
without tiring that to 
follow the word of God is 
life and happiness.
{I}1_{/}Blessed are they 
whose ways are upright, 
who follow the law of the 
Lord.
{I}2_{/}Blessed are they 
who treasure his word and 
seek him with all their 
heart.
{I}3_{/}They do no wrong; 
they walk in his ways.
{I}4_{/}You have laid 
down precepts to be 
obeyed. {I}5_{/}O, that 
my ways were steadfast in 
observing your statutes!
{I}6_{/}Then I would not 
be put to disgrace, 
having paid attention to 
all your decrees.
{I}7_{/}I will praise you 
with an upright spirit 
when I learn your just 
precepts by heart.
{I}8_{/}I mean to observe 
your commandments. O, 
never abandon me.
{I}9_{/}How can young 
people remain pure? By 
living according to your 
word.
{I}10_{/}I seek you with 
my whole heart; let me 
not stray from your 
commands.
{I}11_{/}In my heart I 
have kept your word, that 
I may not sin against my 
Lord.
{I}12_{/}Praise to you, O 
Lord; instruct me in your 
statutes, {I}13_{/}that 
with my lips I may 
declare all your spoken 
decrees.
{I}14_{/}I delight in 
following your laws, more 
so than in all riches.
{I}15_{/}I will meditate 
on your precepts and 
concentrate on your ways.
{I}16_{/}In your laws I 
will rejoice and will not 
neglect your words.
{I}17_{/}Be kind to your 
servant, that I may live 
to follow your word.
{I}18_{/}Open my eyes 
that I may see the 
marvelous truths in your 
law.
{I}19_{/}Do not hide your 
commandments from me, a 
wanderer on earth.
{I}20_{/}My soul is 
consumed with desire for 
your ordinances at all 
times.
{I}21_{/}You reprove the 
accursed ones who stray 
arrogantly from your 
commands.
{I}22_{/}Remove from me 
their scorn and contempt, 
since I have followed 
your precepts.
{I}23_{/}Although princes 
conspire against me, your 
servant will observe your 
decrees.
{I}24_{/}Your laws are my 
delight, my counselors 
who uphold me.
{I}25_{/}In the dust I 
lie prostrate; lift me 
up, as promised by your 
word.
{I}26_{/}When I explained 
my ways, you responded; 
instruct me then in your 
precepts.
{I}27_{/}Explain to me 
all your ordinances, and 
I will meditate on your 
wondrous deeds.
{I}28_{/}My soul is weary 
with sorrow; strengthen 
me according to your 
word.
{I}29_{/}Keep me away 
from deceitful paths; be 
gracious and teach me 
your law.
{I}30_{/}I have chosen 
the way of truth; I have 
set my heart upon your 
laws.
{I}31_{/}Since I cling to 
your decrees, O Lord, 
save me from disgrace.
{I}32_{/}I will run in 
the way of your commands, 
for you have freed my 
heart.
{I}33_{/}Explain to me, O 
Lord, your commandments, 
and I will be ever 
faithful to them.
{I}34_{/}Give me 
understanding, that I may 
observe your law with all 
my heart.
{I}35_{/}Guide me in 
obeying your 
instructions, for my 
pleasure lies in them.
{I}36_{/}Incline my heart 
to follow your will and 
not my own selfish 
desire.
{I}37_{/}Turn my eyes 
away from vanities and 
direct them to your life-
giving word.
{I}38_{/}Fulfill your 
promise to your servant, 
so that others may revere 
you.
{I}39_{/}Ward off the 
reproach I fear, for your 
law is good.
{I}40_{/}Oh, how I long 
for your precepts! Renew 
my life in your 
righteousness.
{I}41_{/}Give me your 
unfailing love, O Lord, 
your salvation as you 
have promised.
{I}42_{/}Strengthened by 
my trust in your word, I 
can answer my enemy's 
reproach.
{I}43_{/}Take not the 
word of truth from my 
mouth, for I would also 
lose my hope in your 
word.
{I}44_{/}May I always 
keep your word for ever 
and ever; {I}45_{/}I 
shall walk in freedom, 
having sought out your 
laws.
{I}46_{/}I will proclaim 
your word before kings, 
and I will not be 
confused or ashamed.
{I}47_{/}For I delight in 
your word, which I fear. 
{I}48_{/}I will lift up 
my hands to you, and 
meditate on your 
commandments.
{I}49_{/}Remember your 
word to your servant, 
your word which has given 
me hope.
{I}50_{/}My consolation 
in suffering is this: 
that your promise renews 
my life.
{I}51_{/}Although the 
arrogant mock me without 
end, I faithfully cling 
to your word.
{I}52_{/}When I remember 
your ordinances of old, I 
find comfort in them, O 
Lord.
{I}53_{/}I feel indignant 
at the wicked who have 
forsaken your law.
{I}54_{/}Your decrees are 
the theme of my song, in 
this my place of exile.
{I}55_{/}Each night I 
call on your name, O 
Lord, and renew my vow to 
keep your word.
{I}56_{/}This has been my 
practice; I have kept 
your precepts.
{I}57_{/}You are my 
portion, O Lord; I have 
promised to obey your 
word.
{I}58_{/}With all my 
heart I have sought your 
face; be gracious to me 
according to your 
promise.
{I}59_{/}I have 
considered my ways and 
have turned my steps to 
your paths.
{I}60_{/}I hasten and no 
longer delay in keeping 
your commands.
{I}61_{/}The wicked have 
me trapped in their 
snares, but I have not 
forgotten your laws.
{I}62_{/}At midnight I 
rise to praise you for 
the justice of your 
ordinances.
{I}63_{/}I am an ally for 
those who fear you, for 
those who keep your 
precepts.
{I}64_{/}The earth is 
full of your love, O 
Lord! Teach me your 
decrees.
{I}65_{/}You have been 
good to your servant, 
Lord, in accordance with 
your words.
{I}66_{/}Give me 
knowledge and good 
judgment for I trust in 
your commands.
{I}67_{/}Before I was 
afflicted I went astray, 
but now I obey your word.
{I}68_{/}You are good, 
and your works are good; 
teach me your decrees.
{I}69_{/}I am slandered 
by the arrogant, but I 
keep your precepts within 
my heart.
{I}70_{/}Their hearts 
have become dull, but I 
delight in your laws.
{I}71_{/}It is good for 
me to have been 
afflicted, for I have 
deeply learned your 
statutes.
{I}72_{/}Your law is more 
precious to me than heaps 
of silver and gold.
{I}73_{/}Give me insight 
to know your commands, 
since I have been formed 
by your hands.
{I}74_{/}Those who fear 
you will be glad, seeing 
that I hope in your word.
{I}75_{/}I know, O Lord, 
that your laws are just, 
and there is justice in 
my affliction.
{I}76_{/}Comfort me then 
with your unfailing love, 
as you promised your 
servant.
{I}77_{/}Let your mercy 
come to give me life, for 
your law is my delight.
{I}78_{/}Humble the 
arrogant who oppress me 
as I meditate on your 
precepts.
{I}79_{/}Let those who 
fear you turn to me, they 
will understand your 
statutes.
{I}80_{/}May my heart be 
blameless in your 
decrees, that I may not 
be ashamed.
{I}81_{/}My soul longs 
for your protection; your 
word is my hope of 
salvation.
{I}82_{/}I have kept 
watch for your promise. 
"When will you comfort 
me?" I ask.
{I}83_{/}I have become as 
dry as a wineskin, yet I 
have not forgotten your 
statutes.
{I}84_{/}How long must 
your servant endure? When 
will you judge my 
persecutors?
{I}85_{/}The arrogant 
have dug pitfalls for me 
in defiance of your law.
{I}86_{/}Your law indeed 
is trustworthy, when they 
persecute me, help me.
{I}87_{/}They have almost 
put an end to me on 
earth, and yet I have not 
forsaken your precepts.
{I}88_{/}In your kindness 
give me life, that I may 
keep your commands.
{I}89_{/}O Lord, your 
word stands forever, 
firmly fixed in the 
heavens.
{I}90_{/}Your 
faithfulness lasts 
throughout the ages - as 
long as the earth you 
created.
{I}91_{/}Your ordinances 
last to this day for all 
things are made to serve 
you.
{I}92_{/}If your law had 
not been my pleasure, I 
would have perished in 
affliction.
{I}93_{/}Never will I 
forget your precepts, for 
with them you give me 
life.
{I}94_{/}Save me for I am 
yours, since I seek your 
statutes.
{I}95_{/}The wicked lie 
in wait to destroy me, 
but I look to your word 
for salvation.
{I}96_{/}I saw that all 
perfection is limited but 
your command is 
boundless.
{I}97_{/}How I love your 
law, meditating on it all 
day!
{I}98_{/}Your command - 
mine forever - has made 
me wiser than my enemy.
{I}99_{/}I have more 
insight than my teachers 
for I meditate on your 
decrees.
{I}100_{/}I have more 
understanding than the 
elders for I abide by 
your precepts.
{I}101_{/}I turn my feet 
from evil paths, that I 
may keep step with your 
word.
{I}102_{/}I have not 
departed from your 
decrees for you yourself 
have instructed me.
{I}103_{/}How sweet are 
your promises to my 
taste, sweeter than honey 
to my mouth!
{I}104_{/}Your precepts 
have given me knowledge, 
and I hate all that is 
false.
{I}105_{/}Your word is a 
lamp to my feet, a light 
for my path.
{I}106_{/}I have taken an 
oath to keep your just 
commands.
{I}107_{/}I have suffered 
much, O Lord; renew my 
life according to your 
word.
{I}108_{/}Accept my 
offerings of praise, O 
Lord, and teach me your 
decrees.
{I}109_{/}I am ready to 
sacrifice my life for 
your Law that is always 
in my heart.
{I}110_{/}Though the 
wicked have laid a snare 
for me, I do not stray 
from your precepts.
{I}111_{/}Your statutes 
are my heritage forever, 
they are the joy of my 
heart.
{I}112_{/}From age to 
age, I am determined to 
fulfill your decrees 
until the end.
{I}113_{/}I detest 
double-dealing people, 
but I treasure your law.
{I}114_{/}You are my 
shield, my refuge; my 
hope is in your word.
{I}115_{/}Leave me, you 
evildoers; let me keep 
the commandments of my 
God.
{I}116_{/}May your 
promise uphold me that I 
may live; let me not hope 
in vain.
{I}117_{/}Support me and 
I shall be safe, and 
faithfully keep your 
decrees.
{I}118_{/}You spurn all 
who stray from your 
decrees, for vain is 
their deceit.
{I}119_{/}You discard all 
the wicked as dross; that 
is why I love your 
statutes.
{I}120_{/}My flesh 
trembles in fear of you; 
I stand in awe before 
your laws.
{I}121_{/}I have done 
what is just and right; 
do not leave me to my 
oppressors.
{I}122_{/}Guarantee the 
well-being of your 
servant; let not the 
arrogant oppress me.
{I}123_{/}I strain my 
eyes searching your 
saving help, watching for 
the fulfillment of your 
just promise.
{I}124_{/}Treat your 
servant with compassion, 
and instruct me in your 
decrees.
{I}125_{/}Give me 
knowledge; I am your 
servant who desires to 
understand your statutes.
{I}126_{/}It is time for 
you, O Lord, to act, for 
they have broken your 
law.
{I}127_{/}I love your 
commandments more than 
gold - the finest gold.
{I}128_{/}Because my 
steps are guided by your 
precepts, I hate all 
false ways.
{I}129_{/}Wonderful are 
your decrees; my soul 
cannot but keep them.
{I}130_{/}As your words 
unfold, light is shed, 
and the simple-hearted 
understand.
{I}131_{/}I gasp in 
ardent yearning for your 
commandments that I love.
{I}132_{/}Turn to me then 
and be gracious as to 
those who love your name.
{I}133_{/}You promised to 
direct my steps; free my 
path from evil.
{I}134_{/}Rescue me from 
human oppression, and 
help me keep your 
precepts.
{I}135_{/}Favor me with 
your smile and teach me 
your statutes.
{I}136_{/}My eyes shed 
streams of tears for 
those who disobey your 
law.
{I}137_{/}O Lord, you are 
just, and your judgments 
right.
{I}138_{/}You have 
pronounced your decrees 
in justice and 
faithfulness.
{I}139_{/}I burn with 
zeal, seeing how my foes 
ignore your words.
{I}140_{/}Your promises 
have been tested; 
therefore our servants 
love them.
{I}141_{/}Though I am 
lowly and despised, I do 
not forget your precepts.
{I}142_{/}Your justice is 
eternal and your Law is 
true.
{I}143_{/}In calamity and 
in anguish, your 
ordinances are my 
delight.
{I}144_{/}Your statutes 
are just forever; give me 
understanding, that I may 
live.
{I}145_{/}I call with all 
my heart; answer me, O 
Lord: help me keep your 
statutes.
{I}146_{/}I call upon 
you, save me and I will 
do your will.
{I}147_{/}Before dawn I 
rise and cry for help; 
all my hope is in your 
word.
{I}148_{/}I lie awake 
through the night to 
ponder on your promises.
{I}149_{/}Hear my voice, 
in your unfailing love; 
in your justice, O Lord, 
preserve my life.
{I}150_{/}My persecutors 
close in with evil 
intent; they are far from 
your Law.
{I}151_{/}But you, O 
Lord, are near, and all 
your commandments are 
true.
{I}152_{/}Long have I 
known that your decrees 
were founded to last 
forever.
{I}153_{/}Look upon my 
suffering and rescue me, 
for I have not forgotten 
your Law.
{I}154_{/}Plead my cause 
and redeem me; and, as 
you promised, give me 
life.
{I}155_{/}Salvation is 
far from the wicked, for 
they do not seek your 
statutes.
{I}156_{/}Great is your 
compassion, O Lord; renew 
my life according to your 
word.
{I}157_{/}Many foes 
persecute me, but I have 
not turned away from your 
law.
{I}158_{/}I look upon the 
faithless with loathing, 
because they do not obey 
your ruling.
{I}159_{/}See how I love 
your precepts; give me 
life, O Lord, in your 
kindness.
{I}160_{/}The essence of 
your word is truth, 
everlasting are your just 
ordinances.
{I}161_{/}Rulers 
persecute me for no 
cause, yet my heart 
stands in awe of your 
words.
{I}162_{/}Your word 
filled me with joy: I 
found there great riches.
{I}163_{/}I hate and 
abhor falsehood, but I 
love your law.
{I}164_{/}Seven times a 
day I praise you for your 
just ordinances.
{I}165_{/}Lovers of your 
Law have found great 
peace; nothing can make 
them stumble, not even 
distress.
{I}166_{/}O Lord, I wait 
for your salvation, and I 
keep your commands in 
faith.
{I}167_{/}My soul clings 
to your words for I truly 
cherish them.
{I}168_{/}I obey your 
precepts and your 
decrees; my ways are 
always before you.
{I}169_{/}Let my cry come 
to you, O Lord; give me 
understanding according 
to your word.
{I}170_{/}May my prayer 
come before you; rescue 
me as you have promised.
{I}171_{/}Let my lips 
overflow with praise, for 
you teach me your 
decrees.
{I}172_{/}Let my tongue 
sing of your good news, 
for all you say is true.
{I}173_{/}Let your hand 
be ready to help me, for 
I have chosen your 
precepts.
{I}174_{/}I long for your 
salvation, O Lord; I 
delight in your law.
{I}175_{/}Long may I live 
to sing your praise, may 
your ordinances always be 
my help!
{I}176_{/}Like a stray 
sheep I wandered about - 
come and look for your 
lost servant. See that I 
have not forgotten your 
commands.
{1}120{/}

(119)
{I}1_{/}I called to the 
Lord in my distress,
and he answered me.
{I}2_{/}Deliver me, O 
Lord, from lying lips
and from deceitful 
tongues.
{I}3_{/}How shall he pay 
you back,
O deceitful and lying 
tongue?
{I}4_{/}He will punish 
you with arrows
hardened over the glowing 
coals!
{I}5_{/}Woe is me who 
live with barbarians,
and dwell amid plunders.
{I}6_{/}My soul is sick 
of dwelling
among those who hate 
peace;
{I}7{/} I want peace,
but they only think of 
quarrels.
{1}121{/}

(120)
GOD WILL NOT FAIL YOU{/}

On the way to Jerusalem 
the pilgrims think about 
the hardship of the 
journey, the difficulty 
of the road, the heat of 
the day, the risk of 
brigands. They know God 
is with them and that he 
protects them.
{I}1_{/}I lift up my eyes 
to the mountains -
from where shall come my 
help?
{I}2_{/}My help comes 
from the Lord,
maker of heaven and 
earth.
{I}3_{/}Will he not let 
your foot slip,
the one watching over 
you?
Will he not slumber?
{I}4_{/}No, the guardian 
of Israel
neither slumbers nor 
sleeps.
{I}5_{/}The Lord is your 
guardian, the Lord is  at 
your side and you in his 
shade;
{I}6_{/}Sunstroke will 
not be for you by day,
nor the spell of the moon 
by night.
{I}7_{/}The Lord guards 
you from every evil;
he will protect your 
life.
{I}8_{/}The Lord watches 
over your coming and 
going
both now and forever.
{1}122{/}

(121)
WE WILL GO TO THE HOUSE 
OF THE LORD{/}

{I}1_{/}I rejoiced with 
those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house 
of the Lord!"
{I}2_{/}And now we have 
set foot
within your gates, O 
Jerusalem!
{I}3_{/}Jerusalem, just 
like a city,
where everything falls 
into place!
{I}4_{/}There the tribes 
go up,
the tribes of the Lord, 
the assembly of Israel,
to give thanks to the 
Lord's name,
{I}5_{/}There stand the 
courts of justice
the offices of the house 
of David.
{I}6_{/}Pray for the 
peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you 
prosper!
{I}7_{/}May peace be 
within your walls
and security within your 
citadels!"
{I}8_{/}For the sake of 
my relatives and friends
I will say, "Peace be 
with you!"
{I}9_{/}For the sake of 
the house of our Lord,
I will pray for your 
good.
{1}123{/}

(122)
PSALM OF HOPE{/}

We know that our very 
good Father always hears 
us. Let us fix our eyes 
on the Lord without 
tiring until he says, 
"Your faith has saved 
you.".
{I}1_{/}To you I lift up 
my eyes,
to you whose throne is in 
heaven.
{I}2_{/}As the eyes of 
servants look
to the hand of their 
master,
as the eyes of maids look
to the hand of their 
mistress,
so our eyes look to the 
Lord our God,
till he shows us his 
mercy.
{I}3_{/}Have mercy on us, 
O Lord,
have mercy on us,
for we have our fill of 
contempt.
{I}4_{/}Too long have our 
souls been filled
with the scorn of the 
arrogant,
with the ridicule of the 
insolent.
{1}124{/}

(123)
WE HAVE ESCAPED FROM THE 
HUNTER'S SNARE{/}

"The very hairs of your 
head are numbered, you 
are worth much more than 
the birds."
{I}1_{/}Had not the Lord 
been on our side -
let Israel say -
{I}2_{/}had not the Lord 
been on our side,
when people rose up 
against us,
{I}3_{/}then they would 
have swallowed us alive.
such was their anger 
against us.
{I}4_{/}A bit more and 
the flood would have 
engulfed us,
the torrent would have 
swept over us,
{I}5_{/}the raging waters 
would have swept us away.
{I}6_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord,
who did not let us be 
devoured.
{I}7_{/}Like a bird our 
soul escaped
from the snare of the 
fowler;
the snare was broken and 
we were freed.
{I}8_{/}Our help is in 
the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and 
earth.
{1}125{/}

(124)
TRUST IN THE LORD{/}

{I}1_{/}Those who trust 
in the Lord
are like Mount Zion,
immovable, it stands 
forever.
{I}2_{/}As mountains 
surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord encompasses 
his people.
{I}3_{/}The scepter of 
the wicked will not 
remain
over the land allotted to 
the upright,
for then the upright 
might be led
to put their hands to 
evil deeds.
{I}4_{/}Be good, O Lord, 
to those who are good,
to those who are upright 
in heart.
{I}5_{/}But those who 
turn to crooked ways,
the Lord will drive out 
with the evildoers.
May peace remain upon 
Israel.
{1}126{/}

(125)
THEY WILL COME BACK IN 
JOY CARRYING THEIR 
SHEAVES{/}

The mystery of life 
springing up from death. 
Hope for the afflicted, 
for those who are 
disappointed because of 
the little fruit of their 
labor.
{I}1_{/}When the Lord 
brought the exiles back 
to Zion,
we were like those moving 
in a dream.
{I}2_{/}Then our mouths 
were filled with 
laughter,
and our tongues with 
songs of joy.
Among the nations it was 
said,
"The Lord has done great 
things for them."
{I}3_{/}The Lord had done 
great things for us,
and we were glad indeed.
{I}4_{/}Bring back our 
exiles, O Lord,
like fresh streams in the 
desert.
{I}5_{/}Those who sow in 
tears
will reap with songs and 
shouts of joy.
{I}6_{/}They went forth 
weeping,
bearing the seeds for 
sowing,
they will come home with 
joyful shouts,
bringing their harvested 
sheaves.
{1}127{/}

(126)
WHAT IS BUILT WITHOUT GOD 
IS LOST TIME{/}

It is useless spending 
all our days in search of 
security for the future, 
if blind and 
unresponsive, we pass by 
the events and joys that 
the present moment has in 
store for us.
{I}1_{/}Unless the Lord 
builds the house,
in vain do its builders 
labor.
Unless the Lord guards 
the city,
in vain does the guard 
stay awake.
{I}2_{/}It is in vain 
that you rise early
and stay up late, putting 
off your rest,
toiling for your hard-
earned bread;
God gives it to his loved 
ones, and they sleep.
{I}3_{/}Sons are a gift 
from the Lord;
the fruit of the womb is 
a reward.
{I}4_{/}Like arrows in 
the hands of a warrior
are the sons of one's 
youth.
{I}5_{/}Blessed is the 
man who has filled
his quiver with arrows of 
this kind,
their foes will not 
silence them
when they contend in 
court.
{1}128{/}

(127)
THE BLESSING OF THE 
HOME{/}

In contrast to those who 
are anxious and 
impatient, the believer 
tries to see the good 
side of life. He 
recognizes the blessings 
God has given his home. A 
large family is God's 
blessing for those who 
have chosen it and have 
accepted its 
responsibilities.
{I}1_{/}Blessed are you 
who fear the Lord
and walk in his ways.
{I}2_{/}You will eat the 
fruit of your toil;
you will be blessed and 
favored.
{I}3_{/}Your wife, like a 
vine,
will bear fruits in your 
home;
your children, like olive 
shoots
will stand around your 
table.
{I}4_{/}Such are the 
blessings bestowed
upon the man who fears 
the Lord.
{I}5_{/}May the Lord 
bless you from Zion.
May you see Jerusalem 
prosperous
all the days of your 
life.
{I}6_{/}May you see your 
children's children,
and Israel at peace!
{1}129{/}

(128)
FROM ITS YOUTH, THE 
PEOPLE OF GOD WERE 
PERSECUTED{/}

In the end, their enemies 
were dispersed, but they 
remained. To hold on in 
spite of the difficulties 
of life is a form of true 
hope.
{I}1_{/}How they have 
oppressed me from my 
youth -
let Israel say,
{I}2_{/}how they have 
oppressed me from my 
youth - 
they have not put me 
down.
{I}3_{/}Upon my back 
plowers have plowed
long and deep furrows
{I}4_{/}But the Lord, who 
is just,
has shattered the yoke of 
the wicked.
{I}5_{/}May all who hate 
Zion
be thrown into confusion.
{I}6_{/}May they be like 
grass in the garden,
which withers before you 
uproot it.
{I}7_{/}No reaper sets 
his hands on it,
no one gathers it to fill 
his arms,
{I}8_{/}nor says of them 
the passersby,
"The blessing of the Lord 
be upon you!"
We bless you in the name 
of the Lord!
{1}130{/}

(129)
FROM THE DEPTHS I CRY TO 
YOU{/}

A penitential psalm, but 
above all, a prayer of 
trust in God.
{I}1_{/}Out of the depths 
I cry to you, O Lord,
{I}2_{/}O Lord, hear my 
voice!
Let your ears pay 
attention
to the voice of my 
supplication.
{I}3_{/}If you should 
mark our evil,
O Lord, who could stand?
{I}4_{/}But with you is 
forgiveness,
and for that you are 
revered.
{I}5_{/}I waited for the 
Lord, my soul waits,
and I put my hope in his 
word.
{I}6_{/}My soul expects 
the Lord
more than watchmen the 
dawn.
{I}7_{/}O Israel, hope in 
the Lord,
for with him is unfailing 
love
and with him full 
deliverance.
{I}8_{/}He will deliver 
Israel
from all its sins.
{1}131{/}

(130)
CHILDLIKE TRUST IN GOD{/}

A simple and humble 
prayer full of trust, 
which reminds us of the 
serenity of a child in 
its mother's arms. Is not 
this what Jesus praised 
and is God less mother 
than father?
{I}1_{/}O Lord, my heart 
is not proud
nor do I have arrogant 
eyes.
I am not engrossed in 
ambitious matters,
nor in things too great 
for me.
{I}2_{/}I have quieted 
and stilled my soul
like a weaned child on 
its mother's lap;
like a contented child is 
my soul.
{I}3_{/}Hope in the Lord, 
O Israel,
now and forever.
{1}132{/}

(131)
DO NOT FORGET THE 
DESCENDANTS OF YOUR 
SERVANT DAVID{/}

{I}1_{/}Remember David, O 
Lord, and all his 
readiness, {I}2_{/}how he 
swore an oath to the 
Lord, to the Mighty One 
of Jacob.
{I}3_{/}"I will not enter 
my house nor get into my 
bed,
{I}4_{/}I will give no 
sleep to my eyes, no 
slumber to my eyelids, 
{I}5_{/}until I find a 
place for the Lord, a 
dwelling for the Mighty 
One of Jacob."
{I}6_{/}Then came the 
news, "The Ark is in 
Ephrathah, we found it in 
the fields of Jaar."
{I}7_{/}Let us go to 
where he dwells and 
worship at his footstool!
{I}8_{/}Arise, O Lord, 
and come to your rest, 
you and the ark of your 
might.
{I}9_{/}May your priests 
be arrayed as for a 
triumphing; may your 
faithful ones shout in 
gladness.
{I}10_{/}For the sake of 
your servant, David, do 
not turn away the face of 
your anointed.
{I}11_{/}The Lord swore 
to David a promise, and 
he will remain true to 
it: "I will keep your 
descendance on your 
throne.
{I}12_{/}If your sons 
keep my covenant and the 
decrees I have taught 
them, their sons, too, 
will sit forever upon 
your throne."
{I}13_{/}For the Lord has 
chosen Zion; he has 
desired it for his 
dwelling:
{I}14_{/}"This is my 
resting place forever; 
this I prefer, here will 
I dwell.
{I}15_{/}I will bless its 
fruits, its bread, and 
the poor will be 
satisfied.
{I}16_{/}I will clothe 
its priests with glory 
and its faithful will 
sing in gladness.
{I}17_{/}From here a 
savior shall come forth, 
a son of David; here 
shall shine forever the 
lamp of my anointed.
{I}18_{/}In shame will I 
clothe his enemies, but 
upon his head a crown 
shall shine."
{1}133{/}

(132)
WHAT A MARVEL: FRATERNAL 
LOVE!{/}

Our unity in God's 
service as well as 
Christian friendship that 
is lasting and deep are 
gifts of the Holy Spirit 
dwelling in our hearts. 
"Love and be united so 
that the world may 
believe."
{I}1_{/}How good and 
delightful to see
kindred living together 
in unity!
{I}2_{/}It is like 
precious oil poured
upon Aaron's head,
running down his beard
onto the collar of his 
robes.
{I}3_{/}It is like the 
dew of Hermon
coming down the mountains 
of Zion,
where the Lord confers 
his blessing:
life everlasting.
{1}134{/}

(133)
A SONG OF PRAISE{/}

This was perhaps used in 
the Temple during a night 
ceremony, when the 
priests replaced each 
other in praising God.
{I}1_{/}Come, bless the 
Lord,
all you servants of the 
Lord,
who minister by night in 
the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the 
house of our God.
{I}2_{/}Raise your hands 
to the sanctuary
and bless the Lord.
{I}3_{/}May the Lord 
bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and 
earth.
{1}135{/}

(134)
PRAISE THE LORD WHO CHOSE 
US FOR HIMSELF{/}

{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Praise the name of the 
Lord. O servants of the 
Lord, {I}2_{/}praise him, 
you who serve in the 
house of the Lord, in the 
courts of the house of 
our God.
{I}3_{/}Praise the Lord, 
for he is good, praise 
his name, for it is 
beautiful;
{I}4_{/}for the Lord has 
chosen Jacob as his own, 
Israel as his possession.
{I}5_{/}I know that the 
Lord is great, that our 
Lord is above all gods.
{I}6_{/}Whatever the Lord 
pleases, he does - in 
heaven and on earth, in 
the seas and in their 
depths.
{I}7_{/}He raises clouds 
from the ends of the 
earth; he hurls down 
lightning with the rain; 
and from his vaults he 
lets loose the wind.
{I}8_{/}It was he who 
killed the firstborn in 
Egypt, both people and 
beasts.
{I}9_{/}It was he who 
worked signs and wonders 
in your land, O Egypt, 
against Pharaoh and all 
his officers.
{I}10_{/}He destroyed 
mighty nations and slew 
powerful kings -
{I}11_{/}Sihon, king of 
the Amorites, Og, king of 
Bashan, all the kings of 
Canaan.
{I}12_{/}He gave their 
land as an inheritance to 
Israel, his people.
{I}13_{/}Your name, O 
Lord, will endure 
forever; your renown, O 
Lord, throughout the 
ages.
{I}14_{/}For the Lord 
vindicates his people and 
shows mercy to his 
servants.
{I}15_{/}The nations' 
idols are but gold and 
silver, the work of human 
hands.
{I}16_{/}They have mouths 
that cannot speak, eyes 
that cannot see, 
{I}17_{/}ears that cannot 
hear; neither is there 
breath in their mouths.
{I}18_{/}Their makers 
will be like them, so 
will all who trust in 
them.
{I}19_{/}Bless the Lord, 
house of Israel; bless 
the Lord, house of Aaron; 
{I}20_{/}bless the Lord, 
house of Levi; bless the 
Lord, all you who fear 
him.
{I}21_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord from Zion, he who 
dwells in Jerusalem.
{1}136{/}

(135)
GIVE THANKS TO THE 
LORD{/}

Thanksgiving hymn used 
for the Passover, feast 
of the liberation of 
God's people.
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, 
for he is good, his 
kindness endures forever.
{I}2_{/}Give thanks to 
the God of gods, his 
kindness endures forever.
{I}3_{/}Give thanks to 
the Lord of lords, his 
kindness endures forever.
{I}4_{/}He alone does 
great marvels, his 
kindness endures forever.
{I}5_{/}In wisdom he made 
the heavens, his kindness 
endures forever.
{I}6_{/}He set the earth 
upon the waters, his 
kindness endures forever.
{I}7_{/}He made the great 
lights, his kindness 
endures forever,
{I}8_{/}the sun to rule 
over the day, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}9_{/}the moon and 
stars to rule the night, 
his kindness endures 
forever.
{I}10_{/}He slew the 
firstborn of Egypt, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}11_{/}and brought 
Israel out, his kindness 
endures forever,
{I}12_{/}with strong hand 
and outstretched arm, his 
kindness endures forever.
{I}13_{/}He split the Sea 
of Reeds, his kindness 
endures forever,
{I}14_{/}and made Israel 
pass through it, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}15_{/}drowning Pharaoh 
and his army, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}16_{/}and led his 
people through the 
desert, his kindness 
endures forever.
{I}17_{/}He struck down 
great kings, his kindness 
endures forever,
{I}18_{/}and killed 
mighty kings, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}19_{/}Sihon, king of 
the Amorites, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}20_{/}and Og, king of 
Bashan, his kindness 
endures forever.
{I}21_{/}He gave their 
land as an inheritance, 
his kindness endures 
forever,
{I}22_{/}a heritage to 
Israel his servant, his 
kindness endures forever.
{I}23_{/}He remembered us 
in our humiliation, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}24_{/}and freed us 
from our oppressors, his 
kindness endures forever,
{I}25_{/}he who gives 
food to all creatures, 
his kindness endures 
forever.
{I}26_{/}Give thanks to 
the God of heaven, his 
kindness endures forever!
{1}137{/}

(136)
COULD I FORGET YOU, 
JERUSALEM?{/}

{I}1_{/}By the streams of 
Babylon,
we sat and then wept
as we remembered Zion.
{I}2_{/}When on the 
poplars
we hung our harps
{I}3_{/}our captors asked 
for song.
Our tormentors wanted 
songs of joy:
"Sing to us one of the 
songs of Zion!"
{I}4_{/}How could we sing 
the Lord's song
in a strange and alien 
land?
{I}5_{/}If I forget you, 
O Jerusalem,
may my right hand fall 
useless!
{I}6_{/}May my tongue 
cleave to my palate
if I remember you not,
if Jerusalem is not the 
first of my joys.
{I}7_{/}Remember, Lord, 
the Edomites
- what did they do when 
Jerusalem fell?
They said "Tear the city 
down,
tear it down to its 
foundations!"
{I}8_{/}O da\ughter of 
Babylon, you will be 
sacked
happy is he who repays 
you
and does to you what you 
have done to us!
{I}9_{/}Happy is who 
seizes your infants
and dashes them against 
the rocks!
{1}138{/}

(137)
YOUR HANDS LEAD ALL FOR 
MY GOOD{/}

A prayer for the times 
when we are pleased with 
god and we would like 
heaven and earth to share 
our joy and thanksgiving.
{I}1_{/}I thank you, O 
Lord, with all my heart,
for you have heard the 
word of my lips.
I sing your praise in the 
presence of the gods.
{I}2_{/}I bow down 
towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your 
name,
for your love and 
faithfulness,
for your word which 
exceeds everything.
{I}3_{/}You answered me 
when I called;
you restored my soul and 
made me strong.
{I}4_{/}O Lord, all kings 
on earth will give you 
praise,
when they have heard your 
words.
{I}5_{/}They will 
celebrate the ways of the 
Lord,
"great is the glory of 
the Lord!"
{I}6_{/}From above, the 
Lord watches over the 
lowly;
from afar, he marks down 
the haughty.
{I}7_{/}If I walk in the 
midst of trouble,
you give me life.
With outstretched arm,
you save me from the 
wrath of my foes,
with your right hand you 
deliver me.
{I}8_{/}How the Lord 
cares for me!
Your kindness, O Lord, 
endures forever.
Forsake not the work of 
your hands.
{1}139{/}

(138)
GOD EVERYWHERE, IN ALL, 
KNOWS ALL{/}

A prayer filled with 
admiration of God's 
wisdom: "Everything is 
exposed and open to the 
eyes of him to whom we 
are accountable" (Heb 
4:13).
{I}1_{/}O Lord, you know 
me:
you have scrutinized me.
{I}2_{/}You know when I 
sit and when I rise;
beforehand you discern my 
thoughts.
{I}3_{/}You observe my 
activities and times of 
rest;
you are familiar with all 
my ways.
{I}4_{/}Before a word is 
formed in my mouth,
you know what it is all 
about, O Lord.
{I}5_{/}From front to 
back you hedge me round,
shielding me with your 
protecting hand.
{I}6_{/}Your knowledge 
leaves me astounded,
it is too high for me to 
reach.
{I}7_{/}Where else could 
I go from your Spirit?
Where could I flee from 
your presence?
{I}8_{/}You are there if 
I ascend the heavens;
you are there if I 
descend to the depths.
{I}9_{/}If I ride on the 
wings of the dawn
and settle on the far 
side of the sea,
{I}10_{/}even there your 
hand shall guide me
and your right hand shall 
hold me safely.
{I}11_{/}Shall I say, 
"Let darkness hide me,
I prefer the night as my 
light?"
{I}12_{/}But darkness for 
you is not dark
and night for you shines 
as the day.
{I}13_{/}It was you who 
formed my inmost part
and knit me together in 
my mother's womb.
{I}14_{/}I thank you for 
these wonders you have 
done,
and my heart praises you 
for your marvelous deeds.
{I}15_{/}Even my bones 
were known to you
when I was being formed 
in secret,
fashioned in the depths 
of the earth.
{I}16_{/}Your eyes saw 
the course of my days;
they were all recorded in 
your book
before any of them came 
to be.
{I}17_{/}How difficult it 
is to grasp your 
thoughts, O God!
Their number cannot be 
counted.
{I}18_{/}If I tried to do 
so, they would outnumber 
the sands;
I am never finished with 
you.
{I}19_{/}If only you 
would slay the wicked, O 
God,
and drive away from me 
the violent!
{I}20_{/}They rebel 
falseheartedly,
your foes blaspheme your 
name.
{I}21_{/}I hate those who 
hate you, O Lord,
and loathe those who defy 
you.
{I}22_{/}I hate them 
deeply,
they have become my foes.
{I}23_{/}Search me, O 
God, and know my heart;
try me and know my 
thoughts.
{I}24_{/}See if my steps 
are going astray,
and lead me in your 
eternal way.
{1}140{/}

(139)
FREE ME FROM THE 
WICKED{/}

{I}2_{/}O Lord, deliver 
me from the evil one, 
protect me from violent 
people, {I}3_{/}forever 
plotting evil and 
stirring up strife.
{I}4_{/}They have tongues 
sharp as a serpent's and 
venomous lips.
{I}5_{/}Save me, O Lord, 
from the hands of the 
wicked, preserve me from 
the hands of the violent, 
who have planned to trip 
my feet.
{I}6_{/}The arrogant have 
set a snare for me; they 
have spread out their 
nets to entrap me along 
my path.
{I}7_{/}I say to the 
Lord, "You are my God." 
Hear, O Lord, my voice in 
supplication.
{I}8_{/}O God, my Lord, 
my strength and 
salvation, in the day of 
battle you shield my 
head.
{I}9_{/}Do not grant, O 
Lord, the desires of the 
wicked; do not let their 
evil schemes succeed.
{I}10_{/}Let my attackers 
be overwhelmed by the 
mischief they prepared 
and not lift up their 
heads.
{I}11_{/}Let burning 
coals rain upon them; let 
them be cast into the 
depths, never to rise 
again.
{I}12_{/}Do not let the 
slanderer thrive on 
earth; let disaster hunt 
down the violent.
{I}13_{/}I know that the 
Lord upholds the cause of 
the afflicted, and 
justice will be done to 
the poor.
{I}14_{/}The just shall 
praise your name, the 
upright shall dwell in 
your presence.
{1}141{/}

(140)
DO NOT LEAD US INTO 
TEMPTATION{/}

May God grant us that we 
resist seduction of the 
world around us but that 
also we listen to those 
who correct us.
{I}1_{/}Lord, I call on 
you, hasten to help me! 
Listen to my plea when I 
call to you.
{I}2_{/}Let my prayer 
rise to you like incense, 
as I lift up my hands as 
in an evening sacrifice.
{I}3_{/}O Lord, set a 
guard at my mouth, keep 
watch at the gate of my 
lips.
{I}4_{/}Let not my heart 
be drawn to evil; let me 
not be enticed into evil 
acts in company with 
sinners, and let me not 
partake of their 
delights.
{I}5_{/}Rather the 
reproach and the just 
scourge, than the oil of 
the wicked anointing my 
head.
{I}6_{/}When their rulers 
are flung upon the rock, 
only then will these 
wicked learn that I was 
tolerant with them,
{I}7_{/}when the earth 
opens to swallow them and 
their bones are scattered 
at the edge of the 
netherworld.
{I}8_{/}But my eyes are 
turned to you, O God, my 
Lord; strip me not of 
life, for you are my 
refuge.
{I}9_{/}Keep me from the 
trap they have set for 
me, keep me from the net 
laid by evildoers.
{I}10_{/}Let the wicked 
fall into their own 
snares, while I alone 
escape safe and free.
{1}142{/}

(141)
PRAYER DURING TRIALS{/}

The prayer of someone in 
the most dire poverty. 
This psalm is applicable 
to the passion of Christ 
and St. Francis of Assisi 
prayed it when he was 
dying.
{I}2_{/}I cry aloud to 
the Lord,
in a loud voice I beseech 
the Lord.
{I}3_{/}Before him I pour 
out my sorrows,
before him I lay bare my 
troubles
{I}4_{/}and my spirit 
grows faint.
But you know my path.
Along the way I walk
they have hidden a trap 
for me.
{I}5_{/}Look to my right 
and see:
no one recognizes me.
I have lost all means of 
escape;
no one wants to help me.
{I}6_{/}I cry to you, O 
Lord;
I say, "You are my 
refuge,
my portion in the land of 
the living."
{I}7_{/}Listen to my 
groaning,
for I am in deep despair.
Rescue me from my 
pursuers,
for they are too strong 
for me.
{I}8_{/}O, set me free 
from captivity,
that I may praise your 
name!
Then the righteous will 
gather about me
when they see that you 
took care of me.
{1}143{/}

(142)
REPETITION OF PRECEDING 
PSALM{/}

{I}1_{/}O Lord, hear my 
prayer, listen to my cry 
for mercy; answer me, you 
who are righteous and 
faithful.
{I}2_{/}Do not bring your 
servant to judgment, for 
no mortal is just in your 
sight.
{I}3_{/}The enemy has 
pursued me, crushing my 
life to the ground, 
sending me to darkness 
with those long dead.
{I}4_{/}And so my spirit 
fails me, my heart is 
full of fear.
{I}5_{/}I remember the 
days of long ago; I 
meditate on what you have 
done and consider the 
work of your hand.
{I}6_{/}I stretch out my 
hands to you, and thirst 
for you like a parched 
land.
{I}7_{/}O Lord, answer me 
quickly: my spirit is 
faint with yearning. Do 
not hide your face from 
me; save me from going 
down to the pit.
{I}8_{/}Let the dawn 
bring me word of your 
love, for in you alone I 
put my trust. Show me the 
way I should walk, for to 
you I lift up my soul.
{I}9_{/}Rescue me from my 
enemies, O Lord, for to 
you I flee for refuge.
{I}10_{/}Teach me to do 
your will, for you are my 
God. Let your Spirit lead 
me on a safe path.
{I}11_{/}Preserve me, O 
Lord, for your name's 
sake; free me from 
distress, in your 
justice.
{I}12_{/}You who are 
merciful, crush my 
enemies and destroy all 
my foes, for I am your 
servant.
{1}144{/}

(143)
HAPPY THE PEOPLE WHOSE 
GOD IS THE LORD!{/}

The first part of this 
psalm repeats verses of 
other psalms, especially 
Psalm 18. The second 
part, with simple images, 
reflects a yearning for 
heaven, where there will 
be no more tears or 
grief.
{I}1_{/}Blessed be the 
Lord, my rock, who trains 
my hands for war and my 
fingers for battle - 
{I}2_{/}my loving God, my 
fortress; my protector 
and deliverer, my shield 
where I take refuge, who 
conquers nations and 
subjects them to my rule.
{I}3_{/}O Lord, what are 
humans that you should be 
mindful of them, the race 
of Adam, that you should 
care for them?
{I}4_{/}They are like a 
breath, their days pass 
like a shadow on earth.
{I}5_{/}Bend your 
heavens, O Lord, and come 
down; touch the mountain 
and make it smoke.
{I}6_{/}Flash forth 
lightning and rout the 
foe; shoot your arrows 
and scatter them.
{I}7_{/}From above, reach 
down and draw me out of 
the deep waters, from the 
hands of foreigners 
{I}8_{/}whose mouths 
speak falsehood, whose 
words are full of deceit.
{I}9_{/}I will sing a new 
song to you, O God, I 
will make music on the 
ten-stringed harp, 
{I}10_{/}for you who give 
victory to kings and 
deliver David, your 
servant.
{I}11_{/}Rescue me from 
the evil sword and from 
the hands of foreigners, 
whose mouths speak 
falsehood, whose words 
are full of deceit.
{I}12_{/}May our sons be 
like plants well-nurtured 
and full grown, and our 
daughters like pillars 
that adorn the corners of 
the temple.
{I}13_{/}May our barns be 
full, with every kind of 
provision.
May our sheep increase by 
thousands, even by tens 
of thousands, in our 
pastures.
{I}14_{/}May our cattle 
be strong and fruitful; 
and may there be an end 
to raids and exile, to 
cries of distress in our 
streets.
{I}15_{/}Happy are the 
people so blessed; happy 
the people whose God is 
the Lord!
{1}145{/}

(144)

BLESS THE LORD FOREVER{/}

This psalm is like a 
litany: God is justice, 
faithfulness, goodness, 
the author of wonders. It 
invites us to discover 
the immense riches of God 
in his work and his 
revelation in the person 
of Christ.
I will extol you, my God 
and King; I will bless 
your name forever.
{I}2_{/}I will praise you 
day after day and exalt 
your name forever.
{I}3_{/}Great is the 
Lord, most worthy of 
praise; and his deeds are 
beyond measure.
{I}4_{/}Parents commend 
your works to their 
children and tell them 
your feats.
{I}5_{/}They proclaim the 
splendor of your majesty 
and recall your wondrous 
works.
{I}6_{/}People will 
proclaim your mighty 
deeds, and I will declare 
your greatness.
{I}7_{/}They will 
celebrate your abundant 
kindness, and rejoice in 
singing of your justice.
{I}8_{/}Compassionate and 
gracious is the Lord, 
slow to anger and 
abounding in love.
{I}9_{/}The Lord is good 
to everyone; his mercy 
embraces all his 
creation.
{I}10_{/}All your works 
will give you thanks; all 
your saints, O Lord, will 
praise you.
{I}11_{/}They will tell 
of the glory of your 
kingdom and speak of your 
power, {I}12_{/}that all 
may know of your mighty 
deeds, your reign and its 
glorious splendor.
{I}13_{/}Your reign is 
from age to age; your 
dominion endures from 
generation to generation.
The Lord is true to his 
promises and lets his 
mercy show in all he 
does.
{I}14_{/}The Lord lifts 
up those who are falling 
and raises those who are 
beaten down.
{I}15_{/}All creatures 
look to you to be fed in 
due season; {I}16_{/}with 
open hand you satisfy the 
living according to their 
needs.
{I}17_{/}Righteous is the 
Lord in all his ways, his 
mercy shows in all his 
deeds.
{I}18_{/}He is near those 
who call on him, who call 
trustfully upon his name.
{I}19_{/}He fulfills the 
wish of those who fear 
him; he hears their cry 
and saves them.
{I}20_{/}For those who 
love him, the Lord has 
compassion; but the 
wicked, he will destroy.
{I}21_{/}Let my mouth 
speak in praise of the 
Lord, let every creature 
bless his holy name, for 
ever and ever.
{1}146{/}

(145)
THE LORD FREES THE 
OPPRESSED{/}

The extent of human 
anguish - the hungry, the 
prisoners, the oppressed 
- has reached such a 
point that the powerful 
of this earth alone are 
incapable of finding a 
solution for it. Only God 
can give the world 
justice, peace, and hope. 
He has sent me to give 
Good News to the poor, to 
announce freedom to 
prisoners....
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
{I}2_{/}I will sing to 
the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to God 
while I live.
{I}3_{/}Do not put your 
trust in princes,
in a great one who cannot 
save.
{I}4_{/}Not sooner his 
spirit has left,
that he goes back to the 
earth;
on that very day, any 
plan comes to nothing.
{I}5_{/}Blessed are they 
whose help is the God of 
Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord 
their God,
{I}6_{/}maker of heaven 
and earth,
the sea and all they 
contain.
The Lord is forever 
faithful;
{I}7_{/}he gives justice 
to the oppressed
and gives food to the 
hungry.
The Lord sets the 
prisoners free.
{I}8_{/}The Lord gives 
sight to the blind,
the Lord straightens the 
bent.
{I}9_{/}The Lord protects 
the stranger,
sustains the widow and 
the orphan.
{I}8c_{/}The Lord loves 
the virtuous,
but he brings to ruin the 
way of the wicked.
{I}10_{/}The Lord will 
reign forever,
your God, O Zion,
from generation to 
generation. Alleluia!
{1}147{/}

(146-147)
REJOICE, JERUSALEM!{/}

Let the Church rejoice 
because the Lord has 
"strengthened hte bars of 
gher gates. " The powers 
of evil and death will 
not overcome her. The 
Lord blessed her children 
and gave them his peace, 
not that of the world. He 
feeds his Church with his 
word and the best of 
wheat: his body-made-
bread of life.
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
How good it is to sing to 
our God,
how sweet and befitting 
to praise him!
{I}2_{/}The Lord rebuilds 
Jerusalem;
he gathers the exiles of 
Israel;
{I}3_{/}he heals their 
broken hearts
and binds up their 
wounds.
{I}4_{/}He determines the 
number of stars,
he calls each of them by 
name.
{I}5_{/}The Lord is great 
and mighty in power;
his wisdom is beyond 
measure.
{I}6_{/}The Lord lifts up 
the humble,
but casts the wicked to 
the ground.
{I}7_{/}Sing to the Lord 
with thanksgiving,
make music on the harp 
for our God.
{I}8_{/}With clouds he 
covers the sky,
and provides the earth 
with rain;
he covers the hills with 
grass,
and with plants for man 
to cultivate.
{I}9_{/}He provides food 
for the cattle,
even for the young ravens 
when they call.
{I}10_{/}He is not 
concerned with the 
strength of a horse;
nor is he pleased in the 
speed of a runner;
{I}11_{/}The Lord 
delights in those who 
fear him
and expect him to care 
for them.
{I}12_{/}Exalt the Lord, 
O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion!
{I}13_{/}For he 
strengthens the bars of 
your gates
and blesses your children 
within you.
{I}14_{/}He grants peace 
on your borders
and feeds you with the 
finest grain.
{I}15_{/}He sends his 
command to the earth
and swiftly runs his 
word.
{I}16_{/}He spreads snow 
like wool;
he scatters frost like 
ashes.
{I}17_{/}He hurls down 
hail like pebbles;
who will stand before his 
icy blasts?
{I}18_{/}But he sends his 
word and melts the snow;
he makes his breeze blow,
and again the waters 
flow.
{I}19_{/}It is he who 
tells Jacob his words,
his laws and decrees to 
Israel.
{I}20_{/}This he has not 
done for other nations,
so his laws remain 
unknown to them.
Alleluia!
{1}148{/}

(147)
ALLELUIA!{/}

{I}1_{/}Alleluia! Praise 
the Lord from the 
heavens; praise him in 
the heavenly heights.
{I}2_{/}Praise him, all 
his angels; praise him, 
all his heavenly hosts.
{I}3_{/}Praise him, sun 
and moon; praise him, all 
you shining stars.
{I}4_{/}Praise him, you 
highest heavens and you 
waters above the skies.
{I}5_{/}Let them praise 
the name of the Lord, at 
whose command they were 
made.
{I}6_{/}He established 
them forever and gave 
each a fixed and lasting 
duty.
{I}7_{/}Praise the Lord 
from the earth, you sea 
creatures and all the 
depths,
{I}8_{/}clouds and snow, 
hail and lightning, storm 
winds that do his 
bidding,
{I}9_{/}you mountains and 
all you hills, you fruit 
trees and cedars,
{I}10_{/}you wild beasts 
and tame animals, you 
creeping things and 
winged fowl.
{I}11_{/}Kings of the 
earth and nations, 
princes and all rulers of 
the world, {I}12_{/}young 
men and maidens, old and 
young together - 
{I}13_{/}let them praise 
the name of the Lord.
For his name alone is 
exalted; his majesty is 
above earth and heaven.
{I}14_{/}He has given his 
people glory; he has 
given a praise to his 
faithful, to Israel, the 
people close to him. 
Alleluia.
{1}149{/}

(150)
NATIONAL HYMN{/}

The people of God know 
that they are called to 
glory and happiness. They 
will be the instruments 
of God's justice. God 
uses his poor, gathered 
by Christ, to judge the 
world and bring it to 
salvation.
{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Sing to the Lord a new 
song,
sing his praise in the 
assembly of his saints.
{I}2_{/}Let Israel 
rejoice in his Maker,
let the people of Zion 
glory in their King!
{I}3_{/}Let them dance in 
praise of his name
and make music for him 
with harp and timbrel.
{I}4_{/}For the Lord 
delights in his people;
he crowns the lowly with 
victory.
{I}5_{/}The saints will 
exult in triumph;
even at night on their 
couches.
{I}6_{/}Let the praise of 
God be on their lips,
and in their hands two-
edged swords,
{I}7_{/}to wreak 
vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the 
peoples,
{I}8_{/}to bind their 
kings in chains
and their nobles in iron 
fetters,
{I}9_{/}to execute on 
them the written 
sentence:
this is the glory of all 
his saints. Alleluia!
{1}150{/}

(149)
UNIVERSAL SYMPHONY!{/}

{I}1_{/}Alleluia!
Praise God in his 
sanctuary;
praise him in the vault 
of heaven.
{I}2_{/}Praise him for 
his mighty deeds;
praise him for his own 
greatness.
{I}3_{/}Praise him with 
trumpet blast;
praise him with lyre and 
harp.
{I}4_{/}Praise him with 
dance and tambourines;
praise him with pipe and 
strings.
{I}5_{/}Praise him with 
clashing cymbals;
praise him with clanging 
cymbals.
{I}6_{/}Let everything 
that breathes sing praise 
to the Lord.
Alleluia!

