Psalm 34
1I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2I will glory in the Lord;
let the humble hear and rejoice.
3Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
let us exalt his Name together.
4I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me out of all my terror.
5Look upon him and be radiant,
and let not your faces be ashamed.
6I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me
and saved me from all my troubles.
7The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him,
and he will deliver them.
8Taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are they who trust in him!
9Fear the Lord, you that are his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10The young lions lack and suffer hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11Come, children, and listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12Who among you loves life
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13Keep your tongue from evil-speaking
and your lips from lying words.
14Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
16The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
17The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them
and delivers them from all their troubles.
18The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
19Many are the troubles of the righteous,
but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.
20He will keep safe all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
21Evil shall slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22The Lord ransoms the life of his servants,
and none will be punished who trust in him.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal,
who divides the day from the night
and turns the shadow of death into the morning:
Drive far from us all wrong desires,
incline our hearts to keep your law,
and guide our feet into the way of peace;
that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day,
we may, when night comes,
rejoice to give you thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
