Coverdale's Psalms

Coverdale's translation of the Psalms (based on Luther's version and the Latin Vulgate) have a particular importance in the history of the English Bible. This Psalter, as revised by Coverdale himself for the Great Bible, continued to be used in the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer up until the late twentieth century. For many Anglicans and Episcopalians the words of Coverdale's version are more familiar and beloved than any other translation of the Scriptures. Others are familiar with some of Coverdale's renderings through Handel's Messiah, which in several places uses the Prayer Book Psalter instead of the King James version. Below are the first 25 Psalms as they appeared in the Book of Common Prayer.

NOTE: The traditional Latin title for each Psalm is derived from its opening words in the Vulgate. The colons inserted in the middle of each verse are there to indicate the parts which may be recited responsively in the worship service.


Psalm 1.

Beatus vir, qui non abiit, &c.

BLESSED is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners : and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.
2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord : and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.
3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side : that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
4. His leaf also shall not wither : and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.
5. As for the ungodly, it is not so with them : but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.
6. Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgement : neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
7. But the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : and the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 2.

Quare fremuerunt gentes?

WHY do the heathen so furiously rage together : and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
2. The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together : against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
3. Let us break their bonds asunder : and cast away their cords from us.
4. He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn : the Lord shall have them in derision.
5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath : and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6. Yet I have set my King : upon my holy hill of Sion.
7. I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me : Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
8. Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance: and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9. Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron : and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings : be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
11. Serve the Lord in fear : and rejoice unto him with reverence.
12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way : if his wrath be kindled, (yea, but a little,) blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalm 3.

Domine, quid multiplicati,

LORD, how are they increased that trouble me : many are they that rise against me.
2. Many one there be that say of my soul : There is no help for him in his God.
3. But thou, O Lord, art my defender : thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head.
4. I did call upon the Lord with my voice : and he heard me out of his holy hill.
5. I laid me down and slept, and rose up again : for the Lord sustained me.
6. I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people : that have set themselves against me round about.
7. Up, Lord, and help me, O my God : for thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : and thy blessing is upon thy people.

Psalm 4.

Cum invocarem

HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness : thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2. O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour : and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
3. Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly: when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
4. Stand in awe, and sin not : commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
5. Offer the sacrifice of righteousness : and put your trust in the Lord.
6. There be many that say : Who will shew us any good?
7. Lord, lift thou up : the light of thy countenance upon us.
8. Thou hast put gladness in my heart : since the time that their corn and wine and oil increased.
9. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest : for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5.

Verba mea auribus.

PONDER my words, O Lord : consider my meditation
2. O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King, and my God : for unto thee will I make my prayer.
3. My voice shalt thou hear betimes, O Lord : early in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
4. For thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickedness : neither shall any devil dwell with thee.
5. Such as be foolish shall not stand in thy sight : for thou hatest all of them that work vanity.
6. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing : the Lord will abhor both the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
7. But as for me, I will come into thine house, even upon the multitude of thy mercy : and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies : make thy way plain before my face.
9. For there is no faithfulness in his mouth : their inward parts are very wickedness.
10. Their throat is an open sepulchre : they flatter with their tongue.
11. Destroy thou them, O God; let them perish through their own imaginations : cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness; for they have rebelled against thee.
12. And let all them that put their trust in thee rejoice : they shall ever be giving of thanks, because thou defendest them; they that love thy Name shall be joyful in thee;
13. For thou, Lord, wilt give thy blessing unto the righteous : and with thy favourable kindness wilt thou defend him as with a shield.

Psalm 6.

Domine, ne in furore

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine indignation : neither chasten me in thy displeasure.
2. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak : O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed.
3. My soul also is sore troubled : but, Lord, how long wilt thou punish me?
4. Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul : O save me for thy mercy's sake.
5. For in death no man remembereth thee : and who will give thee thanks in the pit?
6. I am weary of my groaning; every night wash I my bed : and water my couch with my tears.
7. My beauty is gone for very trouble : and worn away because of all mine enemies.
8. Away from me, all ye that work vanity : for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9. The Lord hath heard my petition : the Lord will receive my prayer.
10. All mine enemies shall be confounded, and sore vexed : they shall be turned back, and put to shame suddenly.

Psalm 7.

Domine, Deus meus

O LORD my God, in thee have I put my trust : save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me;
2. Lest he devour my soul, like a lion, and tear it in pieces : while there is none to help.
3. O Lord my God, if I have done any such thing : or if there be any wickedness in my hands;
4. If I have rewarded evil unto him that dealt friendly with me : yea, I have delivered him that without any cause is mine enemy,
5. Then let mine enemy persecute my soul, and take me : yea, let him tread my life down upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust.
6. Stand up, O Lord, in thy wrath, and lift up thyself, because of the indignation of mine enemies : arise up for me in the judgement that thou hast commanded.
7. And so shall the congregation of the people come about thee : for their sakes therefore lift up thyself again.
8. The Lord shall judge the people; give sentence with me, O Lord : according to my righteousness, and according to the innocency that is in me.
9. O let the wickedness of the ungodly come to an end : but guide thou the just.
10. For the righteous God : trieth the very hearts and reins.
11. My help cometh of God : who preserveth them that are true of heart.
12. God is a righteous Judge, strong and patient : and God is provoked every day.
13. If a man will not turn, he will whet his sword : he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
14. He hath prepared for him the instruments of death : he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors
15. Behold, he travaileth with mischief : he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth ungodliness.
16. He hath graven and digged up a pit : and is fallen on himself into the destruction that he made for other.
17. For his travail shall come upon his own head : and his wickedness shall fall on his own pate.
18. I will give thanks unto the Lord, according to his righteousness : and I will praise the Name of the Lord most High.

Psalm 8.

Domine, Dominus noster

O LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world : thou hast set thy glory above the heavens!
2. Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies : that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3. For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers : the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.
4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him : and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5. Thou madest him lower than the angels : to crown him with glory and worship.
6. Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands : and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet;
7. All sheep and oxen : yea, and the beasts of the field;
8. The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea : and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9. O Lord our Governor : how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Psalm 9.

Confitebor tibi

I WILL give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart : I will speak of all thy marvellous works.
2. I will be glad and rejoice in thee : yea, my songs will I make of thy Name, O thou most Highest.
3. While mine enemies are driven back : they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause : thou art set in the throne that judgest right.
5. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, and destroyed the ungodly : thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6. O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end : even as the cities which thou hast destroyed, their memorial is perished with them.
7. But the Lord shall endure for ever : he hath also prepared his seat for judgement.
8. For he shall judge the world in righteousness : and minister true judgement unto the people.
9. The Lord also will be a defence for the oppressed : even a refuge in due time of trouble.
10. And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee : for thou, Lord, hast never failed them that seek thee.
11. O praise the Lord which dwelleth in Sion : shew the people of his doings.
12. For when he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them :and forgetteth not the complaint of the poor.
13. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider the trouble which I suffer of them that hate me : thou that liftest me up from the gates of death.
14. That I may shew all thy praises within the ports of the daughter of Sion : I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15. The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made : in the same net which they hid privily, is their foot taken.
16. The Lord is known to execute judgement : the ungodly is trapped in the work of his own hands.
17. The wicked shall be turned into hell : and all the people that forget God.
18. For the poor shall not always be forgotten : the patient abiding of the meek shall not perish for ever.
19. Up, Lord, and let not man have the upper hand : let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20. Put them in fear, O Lord : that the heathen may know themselves to be but men.

Psalm 10.

Ut quid, Domine?

WHY standest thou so far off, O Lord : and hidest thy face in the needful time of trouble?
2. The ungodly for his own lust doth persecute the poor : let them be taken in the crafty wiliness that they have imagined.
3. For the ungodly hath made boast of his own heart's desire : and speaketh good of the covetous, whom God abhorreth.
4. The ungodly is so proud, that he careth not for God ; neither is God in all his thoughts.
5. His ways are always grievous : thy judgements are far above out of his sight, and therefore defieth he all his enemies.
6. For he hath said in his heart, Tush, I shall never be cast down : there shall no harm happen unto me.
7. His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud : under his tongue is ungodliness and vanity.
8. He sitteth lurking in the thievish corners of the streets : and privily in his lurking dens doth he murder the innocent; his eyes are set against the poor.
9. For he lieth waiting secretly, even as a lion lurketh he in his den : that he may ravish the poor.
10. He doth ravish the poor : when he getteth him into his net.
11. He falleth down, and humbleth himself : that the congregation of the poor may fall into the hands of his captains.
12. He hath said in his heart, Tush, God hath forgotten : he hideth away his face, and he will never see it.
13. Arise, O Lord God, and lift up thine hand : forget not the poor.
14. Wherefore should the wicked blaspheme God : while he doth say in his heart, Tush, thou God carest not for it.
15. Surely thou hast seen it : for thou beholdest ungodliness and wrong.
16. That thou mayest take the matter into thy hand : the poor committeth himself unto thee; for thou art the helper of the friendless.
17. Break thou the power of the ungodly and malicious : take away his ungodliness, and thou shalt find none.
18. The Lord is King for ever and ever : and the heathen are perished out of the land.
19. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the poor : thou preparest their heart, and thine ear hearkeneth thereto;
20. To help the fatherless and poor unto their right : that the man of the earth be no more exalted against them.

Psalm 11.

In Domino confido

IN THE Lord put I my trust : how say ye then to my soul, that she should flee as a bird unto the hill?
2. For lo, the ungodly bend their bow, and make ready their arrows within the quiver : that they may privily shoot at them which are true of heart.
3. For the foundations will be cast down : and what have the righteous done?
4. The Lord is in his holy temple : the Lord's seat is in heaven.
5. His eyes consider the poor : and his eye-lids try the children of men.
6. The Lord alloweth the righteous : but the ungodly, and him that delighteth in wickedness, doth his soul abhor.
7. Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest : this shall be their portion to drink.
8. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness : his countenance will behold the thing that is just.

Psalm 12.

Salvum me fac

HELP me, Lord, for there is not one godly man left : for the faithful are minished from among the children of men,
2. They talk of vanity every one with his neighbour : they do but flatter with their lips, and dissemble in their double heart.
3. The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips : and the tongue that speaketh proud things;
4. Which have said, With our tongue will we prevail : we are they that ought to speak , who is lord over us?
5. Now for the comfortless trouble's sake of the needy : and because of the deep sighing of the poor,
6. I will up, saith the Lord : and will help every one from him that swelleth against him, and will set him at rest.
7. The words of the Lord are pure words : even as the silver, which from the earth is tried, and purified seven times in the fire.
8. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord : thou shalt preserve him from this generation for ever.
9. The ungodly walk on every side : when they are exalted, the children of men are put to rebuke.

Psalm 13.

Usque quo, Domine?

HOW long wilt thou forget me, O Lord, for ever : how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2. How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, and be so vexed in my heart : how long shall mine enemies triumph over me?
3. Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God : lighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death.
4. Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him : for if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it.
5. But my trust is in thy mercy : and my heart is joyful in thy salvation.
6. I will sing of the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me : yea, I will praise the Name of the Lord most Highest.

Psalm 14.

Dixit insipiens

THE fool hath said in his heart : There is no God.
2. They are corrupt, and become abominable in their doings : there is none that doeth good, no not one.
3. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men : to see if there were any that would understand, and seek after God.
4. But they are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become abominable : there is none that doeth good, no not one.
5. Their throat is an open sepulchre, with their tongues have they deceived : the poison of asps is under their lips.
6. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness : their feet are swift to shed blood.
7. Destruction and unhappiness is in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known ; there is no fear of God before their eyes.
8. Have they no knowledge, that they are all such workers of mischief : eating up my people as it were bread, and call not upon the Lord?
9. There were they brought in great fear, even where no fear was : for God is in the generation of the righteous.
10. As for you, ye have made a mock at the counsel of the poor : because he putteth his trust in the Lord.
11. Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Sion? When the Lord turneth the captivity of his people : then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 15.

Domine, quis habitabit?

LORD, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle : or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
2. Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life : and doeth the thing which is right, and speaketh the truth from his heart.
3. He that hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbour : and hath not slandered his neighbour.
4. He that setteth not by himself, but is lowly in his own eyes : and maketh much of them that fear the Lord.
5. He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not : thou it were to his own hindrance.
6. He that hath not given his money upon usury : nor taken reward against the innocent.
7. Whoso doeth these things : shall never fall.

Psalm 16.

Conserva me, Domine

PRESERVE me, O God : for in thee have I put my trust.
2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord : Thou art my God, my goods are nothing unto thee.
3. All my delight is upon the saints, that are in the earth : and upon such as excel in virtue.
4. But they that run after another god : shall have great trouble.
5. Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer : neither make mention of their names within my lips.
6. The Lord himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup : thou shalt maintain my lot.
7. The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground : yea, I have a goodly heritage.
8. I will thank the Lord for giving me warning : my reins also chasten me in the night-season.
9. I have set God always before me : for he is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.
10. Wherefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced : my flesh also shall rest in hope.
11. For why? thou shalt not leave my soul in hell : neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
12. Thou shalt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is the fulness of joy : and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

Psalm 17.

Exaudi, Domine

HEAR the right, O Lord, consider my complaint : and hearken unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence : and let thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal.
3. Thou hast proved and visited mine heart in the night-season; thou hast tried me, and shalt find no wickedness in me; for I am utterly purposed that my mouth shall not offend.
4. Because of men's works, that are done against the words of thy lips : I have kept me from the ways of the destroyer.
5. O hold thou up my goings in thy paths : that my footsteps slip not.
6. I have called upon thee, O God, for thou shalt hear me : incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words.
7. Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, thou that art the Saviour of them which put their trust in thee : from such as resist thy right hand.
8. Keep me as the apple of an eye : hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
9. From the ungodly that trouble me : mine enemies compass me round about to take away my soul.
10. They are inclosed in their own fat : and their mouth speaketh proud things.
11. They lie waiting in our way on every side : turning their eyes down to the ground.
12. Like of a lion that is greedy of his prey : and as it were a lion's whelp. lurking in secret places.
13. Up, Lord, disappoint him, and cast him down : deliver my soul from the ungodly, which is a sword of thine;
14. From the men of thy hand, O Lord, from the men, I say, and from the evil world : which have their portion in this life, whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid treasure.
15. They have children at their desire : and leave the rest of their substance for their babes.
16. But as for me, I will behold thy presence in righteousness : and when I awake up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.

Psalm 18.

Diligam te, Domine

I WILL love thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my stony rock, and my defence : my saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge.
2. I will call upon the Lord, which is worthy to be praised : so shall I be safe from mine enemies.
3. The sorrows of death compassed me : and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid.
4. The pains of hell came about me : the snares of death overtook me.
5. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord : and complain unto my God.
6. So shall he hear my voice out of his holy temple : and my complaint shall come before him, it shall enter even into his ears.
7. The earth trembled and quaked : the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because he was wroth.
8. There went a smoke out in his presence : and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it.
9. He bowed the heavens also, and came down : and it was dark under his feet.
10. He rode upon the cherubins, and did fly : he came flying upon the wings of the wind.
11. He made darkness his secret place : his pavilion round about him, with dark water and thick clouds to cover him.
12. At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed : hail-stones and coals of fire.
13. The Lord also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder : hail-stones and coals of fire.
14. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them : he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them.
15. The springs of water were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered, at thy chiding, O Lord : at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure.
16. He shall send down from on high to fetch me : and shall take me out of many waters.
17. He shall deliver from me my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me : for they are too mighty for me.
18. They prevented me in the day of my trouble : but the Lord was my upholder.
19. He brought me forth also into a place of liberty : he brought me forth even because he had a favour unto me.
20. The Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing : according to the cleanness of my hands shall he recompense me.
21. Because I have kept the ways of the Lord : and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doth.
22. For I have an eye unto all his laws : and will not cast out his commandments from me.
23. I was also uncorrupt before him : and eschewed mine own wickedness.
24. Therefore shall the Lord reward me after my righteous dealing : and according unto the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sight.
25. With the holy thou shalt be holy : and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect.
26. With the clean thou shalt be clean : and with the froward thou shalt learn frowardness.
27. For thou shalt save the people that are in adversity : and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud.
28. Thou also shalt light my candle : the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light.
29. For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men : and with the help of my God I shall leap over the wall.
30. The way of God is an undefiled way : the word of the Lord also is tried in the fire; he is the defender of all them that put their trust in him.
31. For who is God, but the Lord : or who hath any strength, except our God?
32. It is God, that girdeth me with strength of war : and maketh my way perfect.
33. He maketh my feet like harts' feet : and setteth me up on high.
34. He teacheth mine hands to fight : and mine arms shall break even a bow of steel.
35. Thou hast given me the defence of my salvation : thy right hand also shall hold me up, and thy loving correction shall make me great.
36. Thou shalt make room enough under me for to go : that my footsteps shall not slide.
37. I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them : neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them.
38. I will smite them, that they shall not be able to stand : but fall under my feet.
39. Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle : thou shalt throw done mine enemies under me.
40. Thou hast made mine enemies also to turn their backs upon me : and I shall destroy them that hate me.
41. They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them : yea, even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them.
42. I will beat them as small as the dust before the wind : I will cast them out as the clay in the streets.
43. Thou shalt deliver me from the strivings of the people : and thou shalt make me the head of the heathen.
44. A people whom I have not known : shall serve me.
45. As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me : but the strange children shall dissemble with me.
46. The strange children shall fail : and be afraid out of their prisons.
47. The Lord liveth, and blessed be my strong helper : and praised be the Lord of my salvation.
48. Even the God that seeth that I be avenged : and subdueth the people unto me.
49. It is he that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries : thou shalt rid me from the wicked man.
50. For this cause will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles : and sing praises unto thy Name.
51. Great prosperity giveth he unto his King : and sheweth loving-kindness unto David his Anointed, and unto his seed for evermore.

Psalm 19.

Caeli enarrant

THE heavens declare the glory of God : and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2. One day telleth another : and one night certifieth another.
3. There is neither speech nor language : but their voices are heard among them.
4. Their sound is gone out into all lands : and their words into the ends of the world.
5. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun : which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.
6. It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again : and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7. The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul : the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
8. The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
9. The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever : the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold : sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.
11. Moreover, by them is thy servant taught : and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12. Who can tell how oft he offendeth : O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.
13. Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me : so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.
14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart : be alway acceptable in thy sight,
15. O Lord : my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 20.

Exaudiat te Dominus

THE Lord hear thee in the day of trouble : the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2. Send thee help from the sanctuary : and strengthen thee out of Sion;
3. Remember all thy offerings : and accept thy burnt sacrifice;
4. Grant thee thy heart's desire : and fulfil all thy mind.
5. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God : the Lord perform all thy petitions.
6. Now know I that the Lord helpeth his Anointed, and will hear him from his holy heaven : even with the wholesome strength of his right hand.
7. Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses : but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.
8. They are brought down, and fallen : but we are risen, and stand upright.
9. Save, Lord and hear us, O King of heaven : when we call upon thee.

Psalm 21.

Domine, in virtute tua

THE King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord : exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.
2. Thou hast given him his heart's desire : and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
3. For thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness : and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
4. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life : even for ever and ever.
5. His honour is great in thy salvation : glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
6. For thou shalt give him everlasting felicity : and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance.
7. And why? because the King putteth his trust in the Lord : and in the mercy of the most Highest he shall not miscarry.
8. All thine enemies shall feel thine hand : thy right hand shall find out them that hate thee.
9. Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath : the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure, and the fire shall consume them.
10. Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth : and their seed from among the children of men.
11. For they intended mischief against thee : and imagined such a device as they are not able to perform.
12. Therefore shalt thou put them to flight : and the strings of thy bow shalt thou make ready against the face of them.
13. Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength : so we will sing, and praise thy power.

Psalm 22.

Deus, Deus meus

MY GOD, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken me : and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint?
2. O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not : and in the night-season also I take no rest.
3. And thou continuest holy : O thou worship of Israel.
4. Our fathers hoped in thee : they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.
5. They called upon thee, and were holpen : they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.
6. But as for me, I am a worm, and no man : a very scorn of men, and the outcast of the people.
7. All they that see me laugh me to scorn : they shoot our their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
8. He trusted in God, that he would deliver him : let him deliver him, if he will have him.
9. But thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb : thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother's breasts.
10. I have been left unto thee ever since I was born : thou art my God, even from my mother's womb.
11. O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand : and there is none to help me.
12. Many oxen are come about me : fat bulls of Basan close me in on every side.
13. They gape upon me with their mouths : as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.
14. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint : my heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.
15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my gums : and thou shalt bring me into the dust of death.
16. For many dogs are come about me : and the council of the wicked layeth siege against me.
17. They pierced my hands and my feet; I may tell all my bones : they stand staring and looking upon me.
18. They part my garments among them : and casts lots upon my vesture.
19. But be not thou far from me, O Lord : thou art my succour, haste thee to help me.
20. Deliver my soul from the sword : my darling from the power of the dog.
21. Save me from the lion's mouth : thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns.
22. I will declare thy Name unto my brethren : in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23. O praise the Lord, ye that fear him : magnify him, all ye of the seed of Jacob, and fear him, all ye seed of Israel.
24. For he hath not despised, nor abhorred, the low estate of the poor : he hath not hid his face from him, but when he called unto him he heard him.
25. My praise is of thee in the great congregation : my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him.
26. The poor shall eat and be satisfied : they that seek after the Lord shall praise him; your heart shall live for ever.
27. All the ends of the world shall remember themselves, and be turned unto the Lord : and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him.
28. For the kingdom is the Lord's : and he is the Governor among the people.
29. All such as be fat upon earth : have eaten and worshipped.
30. All they that go down into the dust shall kneel before him : and no man hath quickened his own soul.
31. My seed shall serve him : they shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation.
32. They shall come, and the heavens shall declare his righteousness : unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.

Psalm 23.

Dominus regit me.

THE Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
2. He shall feed me in a green pasture : and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3. He shall convert my soul : and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake.
4. Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
5. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me : thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6. But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 24.

Domini est terra

THE earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is : the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2. For he hath founded it upon the seas : and prepared it upon the floods.
3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord : or who shall rise up in his holy place?
4. Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart : and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord : and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6. This is the generation of them that seek him : even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.
7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors : and the King of glory shall come in.
8. Who is the King of glory : it is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors : and the King of glory shall come in.
10. Who is the King of glory : even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Psalm 25.

Ad te, Domine, levavi

UNTO thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul; my God, I have put my trust in thee : O let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.
2. For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed : but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion.
3. Shew me thy ways, O Lord : and teach me thy paths.
4. Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me : for thou art the God of my salvation; in thee hath been my hope all the day long.
5. Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies : and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
6. O remember not the sins and offences of my youth : but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.
7. Gracious and righteous is the Lord : therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
8. Them that are meek shall he guide in judgement : and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.
9. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth : unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
10. For thy Name's sake, O Lord : be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.
11. What man is he that feareth the Lord : him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
12. His soul shall dwell at ease : and his seed shall inherit the land.
13. The secret of the Lord is among them that fear him : and he will shew them his covenant.
14. Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord : for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me : for I am desolate and in misery.
16. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged : O bring thou me out of my troubles.
17. Look upon my adversity and misery : and forgive me all my sin.
18. Consider mine enemies, how many they are : and they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
19. O keep my soul, and deliver me : let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee.
20. Let perfectness and righteous dealing wait upon me : for my hope hath been in thee.
21. Deliver Israel, O God : out of all his troubles.


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