Prayers (A-Z)

I have believed, therefore have I spoken; 
but I have been humbled exceedingly.
I said in my excess: 
Every man is a liar.
What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things He hath rendered unto me?
I will take the chalice of salvation;
and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord before all his people: 
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
O Lord, for I am Thy servant: 
I am Thy servant, and the son of Thy handmaid.
Thou hast broken my bonds: 
will sacrifice to Thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all His people: 
In the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

O praise the Lord, all ye nations:
praise Him, all ye people.
For His mercy is confirmed upon us and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
Glory be…

1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of Yahweh!

2 Blessed are those who observe his instructions, who seek him with all their hearts,

3 and, doing no evil, who walk in his ways.

4 You lay down your precepts to be carefully kept.

5 May my ways be steady in doing your will.

6 Then I shall not be shamed, if my gaze is fixed on your commandments.

7 I thank you with a sincere heart for teaching me your upright judgements.

8 I shall do your will; do not ever abandon me wholly.

9 How can a young man keep his way spotless? By keeping your words.

10 With all my heart I seek you, do not let me stray from your commandments.

11 In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you.

12 Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!

13 With my lips I have repeated all the judgements you have given.

14 In the way of your instructions lies my joy, a joy beyond all wealth.

15 I will ponder your precepts and fix my gaze on your paths.

16 I find my delight in your will, I do not forget your words.

17 Be generous to your servant and I shall live, and shall keep your words.

18 Open my eyes and I shall fix my gaze on the wonders of your Law.

19 Wayfarer though I am on the earth, do not hide your commandments from me.

20 My heart is pining away with longing at all times for your judgements.

21 You have rebuked the arrogant, the accursed, who stray from your commandments.

22 Set me free from taunts and contempt since I observe your instructions.

23 Though princes sit plotting against me, your servant keeps pondering your will.

24 Your instructions are my delight, your wishes my counsellors.

25 Down in the dust I lie prostrate; true to your word, revive me.

26 I tell you my ways and you answer me; teach me your wishes.

27 Show me the way of your precepts, that I may reflect on your wonders.

28 I am melting away for grief; true to your word, raise me up.

29 Keep me far from the way of deceit, grant me the grace of your Law.

30 I have chosen the way of constancy, I have moulded myself to your judgements.

31 I cling to your instructions, Yahweh, do not disappoint me.

32 I run the way of your commandments, for you have given me freedom of heart.

33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your will, and I will observe it.

34 Give me understanding and I will observe your Law, and keep it wholeheartedly.

35 Guide me in the way of your commandments, for my delight is there.

36 Bend my heart to your instructions, not to selfish gain.

37 Avert my eyes from pointless images, by your word give me life.

38 Keep your promise to your servant so that all may hold you in awe.

39 Avert the taunts that I dread, for your judgements are generous.

40 See how I yearn for your precepts; in your saving justice give me life.

41 Let your faithful love come to me, Yahweh, true to your promise, save me!

42 Give me an answer to the taunts against me, since I rely on your word.

43 Do not deprive me of that faithful word, since my hope lies in your judgements.

44 I shall keep your Law without fail for ever and ever.

45 I shall live in all freedom because I have sought your precepts.

46 I shall speak of your instructions before kings and will not be shamed.

47 Your commandments fill me with delight, I love them dearly.

48 I stretch out my hands to your commandments that I love, and I ponder your judgements.

49 Keep in mind your promise to your servant on which I have built my hope.

50 It is my comfort in distress, that your promise gives me life.

51 Endlessly the arrogant have jeered at me, but I have not swerved from your Law.

52 I have kept your age — old judgements in mind, Yahweh, and I am comforted.

53 Fury grips me when I see the wicked who abandon your Law.

54 Your judgements are my song where I live in exile.

55 All night, Yahweh, I hold your name in mind, I keep your Law.

56 This is what it means to me, observing your precepts.

57 My task, I have said, Yahweh, is to keep your word.

58 Wholeheartedly I entreat your favour; true to your promise, take pity on me!

59 I have reflected on my ways, and I turn my steps to your instructions.

60 I hurry without delay to keep your commandments.

61 Though caught in the snares of the wicked, I do not forget your Law.

62 At midnight I rise to praise you for your upright judgements.

63 I am a friend to all who fear you and keep your precepts.

64 Your faithful love fills the earth, Yahweh, teach me your judgements.

65 You have been generous to your servant, Yahweh, true to your promise.

66 Teach me judgement and knowledge, for I rely on your commandments.

67 Before I was punished I used to go astray, but now I keep to your promise.

68 You are generous and act generously, teach me your will.

69 The arrogant blacken me with lies though I wholeheartedly observe your precepts.

70 Their hearts are gross like rich fat, but my delight is in your Law.

71 It was good for me that I had to suffer, the better to learn your judgements.

72 The Law you have uttered is more precious to me than all the wealth in the world.

73 Your hands have made me and held me firm, give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.

74 Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me since I put my hope in your word.

75 I know, Yahweh, that your judgements are upright, and in punishing me you show your constancy.

76 Your faithful love must be my consolation, as you have promised your servant.

77 Treat me with tenderness and I shall live, for your Law is my delight.

78 Let the arrogant who tell lies against me be shamed, while I ponder your precepts.

79 Let those who fear you rally to me, those who understand your instructions.

80 My heart shall be faultless towards your will; then I shall not be ashamed.

81 I shall wear myself out for your salvation, for your word is my hope.

82 My eyes, too, are worn out waiting for your promise, when will you have pity on me?

83 For I am like a smoked wineskin, but I do not forget your will.

84 How long has your servant to live? When will you bring my persecutors to judgement?

85 The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me in defiance of your Law.

86 All your commandments show constancy. Help me when they pursue me dishonestly.

87 They have almost annihilated me on earth, but I have not deserted your precepts.

88 True to your faithful love, give me life, and I shall keep the instructions you have laid down.

89 For ever, Yahweh, your word is planted firm in heaven.

90 Your constancy endures from age to age; you established the earth and it stands firm.

91 Through your judgements all stands firm to this day, for all creation is your servant.

92 Had your Law not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.

93 I shall never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

94 I am yours, save me, for I seek your precepts.

95 The wicked may hope to destroy me, but all my thought is of your instructions.

96 I have seen that all perfection is finite, but your commandment has no limit.

97 How I love your Law! I ponder it all day long.

98 You make me wiser than my enemies by your commandment which is mine for ever.

99 I am wiser than all my teachers because I ponder your instructions.

100 I have more understanding than the aged because I keep your precepts.

101 I restrain my foot from evil paths to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your judgements, because you yourself have instructed me.

103 How pleasant your promise to my palate, sweeter than honey in my mouth!

104 From your precepts I learn wisdom, so I hate all deceptive ways.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

106 I have sworn — and shall maintain it — to keep your upright judgements.

107 I am utterly wretched, Yahweh; true to your promise, give me life.

108 Accept, Yahweh, the tribute from my mouth, and teach me your judgements.

109 My life is in your hands perpetually, I do not forget your Law.

110 The wicked have laid out a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your instructions are my eternal heritage, they are the joy of my heart.

112 I devote myself to obeying your statutes, their recompense is eternal.

113 I hate a divided heart, I love your Law.

114 You are my refuge and shield, I put my hope in your word.

115 Leave me alone, you wicked, I shall observe the commandments of my God.

116 True to your word, support me and I shall live; do not disappoint me of my hope.

117 Uphold me and I shall be saved, my gaze fixed on your will.

118 You shake off all who stray from your will; deceit fills their horizon.

119 In your sight all the wicked of the earth are like rust, so I love your instructions.

120 My whole body trembles before you, your judgements fill me with fear.

121 All my conduct has been just and upright, do not hand me over to my oppressors.

122 Guarantee the well-being of your servant, do not let the proud oppress me.

123 My eyes are languishing for your salvation and for the saving justice you have promised.

124 Show your faithful love to your servant, teach me your judgements.

125 Your servant am I; give me understanding and I shall know your instructions.

126 It is time to take action, Yahweh, your Law is being broken.

127 So I love your commandments more than gold, purest gold.

128 So I rule my life by your precepts, I hate all deceptive paths.

129 Wonderful are your instructions, so I observe them.

130 As your word unfolds it gives light, and even the simple understand.

131 I open wide my mouth, panting eagerly for your commandments.

132 Turn to me, pity me; those who love your name deserve it.

133 Keep my steps firm in your promise; that no evil may triumph over me.

134 Rescue me from human oppression, and I will observe your precepts.

135 Let your face shine on your servant, teach me your will.

136 My eyes stream with tears because your Law is disregarded.

137 You are upright, Yahweh, and your judgements are honest.

138 You impose uprightness as a witness to yourself, it is constancy itself.

139 My zeal is burning me up because my oppressors forget your word.

140 Your promise is well tested, your servant holds it dear.

141 Puny and despised as I am, I do not forget your precepts.

142 Your saving justice is for ever just, and your Law is trustworthy.

143 Though anguish and distress grip me your commandments are my delight.

144 Your instructions are upright for ever, give me understanding and I shall live.

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Yahweh, and I will observe your judgements.

146 I call to you; save me, and I will keep your instructions.

147 I am awake before dawn to cry for help, I put my hope in your word.

148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, to ponder your promise.

149 In your faithful love, Yahweh, listen to my voice, let your judgements give me life.

150 My pursuers are coming closer to their wicked designs, and further from your Law.

151 You are close to me, Yahweh, and all your commandments are true.

152 Long have I known that your instructions were laid down to last for ever.

153 Look at my suffering and rescue me, for I do not forget your Law.

154 Plead my cause and defend me; as you promised, give me life.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your will.

156 Your kindnesses to me are countless, Yahweh; true to your judgements, give me life.

157 Though my enemies and oppressors are countless, I do not turn aside from your instructions.

158 The sight of these renegades appals me; they do not observe your promise.

159 See how I love your precepts; true to your faithful love, give me life.

160 Faithfulness is the essence of your word, your upright judgements hold good for ever.

161 Though princes hound me unprovoked, what fills me with awe is your word.

162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds a vast treasure.

163 Falsehood I hate and detest, my love is for your Law.

164 Seven times a day I praise you for your upright judgements.

165 Great peace for those who love your Law; no stumbling-blocks for them!

166 I am waiting for your salvation, Yahweh, I fulfil your commandments.

167 I observe your instructions, I love them dearly.

168 I observe your precepts, your judgements, for all my ways are before you.

169 May my cry approach your presence, Yahweh; by your word give me understanding.

170 May my prayer come into your presence, rescue me as you have promised.

171 May my lips proclaim your praise, for you teach me your will.

172 May my tongue recite your promise, for all your commandments are upright.

173 May your hand be there to help me, since I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, Yahweh, your Law is my delight.

175 May I live only to praise you, may your judgements be my help.

176 I am wandering like a lost sheep, come and look for your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments.

Out of the depths I have cried unto Thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice. 
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark our iniquities:
Lord, who shall endure it?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness:
and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word:
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even unto night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy:
and with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee O Lord! Lord, hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, O Lord! wilt mark iniquities; Lord, who shall stand it? For with Thee there is mercy: and by reason of Thy law I have waited on Thee, O Lord! My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night: let Israel hope in the Lord. For with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plentiful Redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord! And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Amen.

V. Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Bless, O my God! the repose I am about to take, that, renewing my strength, I may be better enabled to serve Thee. Pour down Thy blessings, O Lord! on my parents, relations, friends, and enemies. Protect the Pope, our Bishop, and all the Pastors of Thy holy Church. Assist the poor and hte afflicted, and those who are now in their last agony. Look with an eye of pity on the suffering souls in purgatory, particularly N… N…; put an end to their torments, and lead them forth into everlasting joy.

Hear, O Lord, my prayer: 
give ear to my supplication in Thy truth:
hear me in Thy justice.
And enter not into judgment with Thy servant:
for in Thy sight no man living shall be justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul:
He hath brought down my life to the earth.
He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old:
and my spirit is in anguish within me:
my heart within me is troubled.
I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all Thy works:
I meditated upon the words of Thy hands.
I stretched forth my hands to Thee:
my soul is as earth without water unto Thee.
Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away.
Turn not away Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning;
for in Thee have I hoped.
Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk:
for I have lifted up my soul to Thee.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to Thee have I fled:
teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.
Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land:
for thy Name’s sake, O Lord, Thou wilt quicken me in Thy justice.
Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble:
and in Thy mercy Thou wilt destroy my enemies.
And Thou wilt cut of all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant.
Glory be…

1 [For the choirmaster Of David, the servant of Yahweh, who addressed the words of this song to Yahweh when Yahweh had delivered him from all his enemies and from the clutches of Saul. He said:] I love you, Yahweh, my strength (my Saviour, you have saved me from violence).

2 Yahweh is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer is my God. I take refuge in him, my rock, my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold, my place of refuge.

3 I call to Yahweh who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my foes.

4 With Death’s breakers closing in on me, Belial’s torrents ready to swallow me,

5 Sheol’s snares every side of me, Death’s traps lying ahead of me,

6 I called to Yahweh in my anguish, I cried for help to my God; from his Temple he heard my voice, my cry came to his ears.

7 Then the earth quaked and rocked, the mountains’ foundations shuddered, they quaked at his blazing anger.

8 Smoke rose from his nostrils, from his mouth devouring fire (coals were kindled at it).

9 He parted the heavens and came down, a storm-cloud underneath his feet;

10 riding one of the winged creatures, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.

11 His covering he made the darkness, his pavilion dark waters and dense cloud.

12 A brightness lit up before him, hail and blazing fire.

13 Yahweh thundered from the heavens, the Most High made his voice heard.

14 He shot his arrows and scattered them, he hurled his lightning and routed them.

15 The very springs of ocean were exposed, the world’s foundations were laid bare, at your roaring, Yahweh, at the blast of breath from your nostrils!

16 He reached down from on high, snatched me up, pulled me from the watery depths,

17 rescued me from my mighty foe, from my enemies who were stronger than I.

18 They assailed me on my day of disaster but Yahweh was there to support me;

19 he freed me, set me at large, he rescued me because he loves me.

20 Yahweh rewards me for my uprightness, as my hands are pure, so he repays me,

21 since I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and not fallen away from my God.

22 His judgements are all before me, his statutes I have not put away from me.

23 I am blameless before him, I keep myself clear of evil.

24 So Yahweh repaid me for acting uprightly because he could see I was pure.

25 You are faithful to the faithful, blameless with the blameless,

26 sincere to the sincere, but cunning to the crafty,

27 you save a people that is humble and humiliate those with haughty looks.

28 Yahweh, you yourself are my lamp, my God lights up my darkness;

29 with you I storm the rampart, with my God I can scale any wall.

30 This God, his way is blameless; the word of Yahweh is refined in the furnace, for he alone is the shield of all who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God but Yahweh, who is a rock but our God?

32 This God who girds me with strength, who makes my way free from blame,

33 who makes me as swift as a deer and sets me firmly on the heights,

34 who trains my hands for battle, my arms to bend a bow of bronze.

35 You give me your invincible shield (your right hand upholds me) you never cease to listen to me,

36 you give me the strides of a giant, give me ankles that never weaken.

37 I pursue my enemies and overtake them, not turning back till they are annihilated;

38 I strike them down and they cannot rise, they fall, they are under my feet.

39 You have girded me with strength for the fight, bent down my assailants beneath me,

40 made my enemies retreat before me; and those who hate me I destroy.

41 They cry out, there is no one to save; to Yahweh, but no answer comes.

42 I crumble them like dust before the wind, trample them like the mud of the streets.

43 You free me from the quarrels of my people, you place me at the head of the nations, a people I did not know are now my servants;

44 foreigners come wooing my favour, no sooner do they hear than they obey me;

45 foreigners grow faint of heart, they come trembling out of their fastnesses.

46 Life to Yahweh! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be the God of my salvation,

47 the God who gives me vengeance, and subjects whole peoples to me,

48 who rescues me from my raging enemies. You lift me high above those who attack me, you deliver me from the man of violence.

49 For this I will praise you, Yahweh, among the nations, and sing praise to your name.

50 He saves his king time after time, displays his faithful love for his anointed, for David and his heirs for ever.

The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment: He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for His Own name’s sake. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they have comforted me. Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it! And Thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather together the lambs with His arm, and shall take them up to His bosom, and He Himself shall carry them that are with young.

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hearth not imputed sin,
and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Because I was silent my bones grew old;
whilst I cried out all the day long.
For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me;
I am turned in my anguish,
whilst the thorn is fastened.
I have acknowledged my sin to thee, 
and my injustice I have not concealed.
I said I will confess against my self my injustice to the Lord:
and Thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
For this shall every one that is holy 
pray to Thee in a seasonable time.
And yet in a flood of many waters,
they shall not come nigh unto him.
Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed:
my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.
I will give thee understanding,
and I will instruct thee in this way,
in which Thou shalt go:
I will fix my eyes upon thee.
Do not become like the horse and the mule,
who have no understanding.
With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws,
who come not near unto Thee.
Many are the scourges of the sinner,
but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye Just,
and glory, all ye right of heart.

Glory be the the Father…

1 [For the choirmaster Psalm Of David] In you, Yahweh, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shame, in your saving justice deliver me, rescue me,

2 turn your ear to me, make haste. Be for me a rock-fastness, a fortified citadel to save me.

3 You are my rock, my rampart; true to your name, lead me and guide me!

4 Draw me out of the net they have spread for me, for you are my refuge;

5 to your hands I commit my spirit, by you have I been redeemed. God of truth,

6 you hate those who serve useless idols; but my trust is in Yahweh:

7 I will delight and rejoice in your faithful love! You, who have seen my misery, and witnessed the miseries of my soul,

8 have not handed me over to the enemy, but have given me freedom to roam at large.

9 Take pity on me, Yahweh, for I am in trouble. Vexation is gnawing away my eyes, my soul deep within me.

10 For my life is worn out with sorrow, and my years with sighs. My strength gives way under my misery, and my bones are all wasted away.

11 The sheer number of my enemies makes me contemptible, loathsome to my neighbours, and my friends shrink from me in horror. When people see me in the street they take to their heels.

12 I have no more place in their hearts than a corpse, or something lost.

13 All I hear is slander — terror wherever I turn — as they plot together against me, scheming to take my life.

14 But my trust is in you, Yahweh; I say, ‘You are my God,’

15 every moment of my life is in your hands, rescue me from the clutches of my foes who pursue me;

16 let your face shine on your servant, save me in your faithful love.

17 I call on you, Yahweh, so let disgrace fall not on me, but on the wicked. Let them go down to Sheol in silence,

18 muzzles on their lying mouths, which speak arrogantly against the upright in pride and contempt.

19 Yahweh, what quantities of good things you have in store for those who fear you, and bestow on those who make you their refuge, for all humanity to see.

20 Safe in your presence you hide them, far from human plotting, shielding them in your tent, far from contentious tongues.

21 Blessed be Yahweh who works for me miracles of his faithful love (in a fortified city)!

22 In a state of terror I cried, ‘I have been cut off from your sight!’ Yet you heard my plea for help when I cried out to you.

23 Love Yahweh, all his faithful: Yahweh protects his loyal servants, but he repays the arrogant with interest.

24 Be brave, take heart, all who put your hope in Yahweh.