Psalm 119: 145-176
145I call with my whole heart; *
answer me, O Lord, that I may keep your statutes.
146I call to you;
oh, that you would save me! *
I will keep your decrees.
147Early in the morning I cry out to you, *
for in your word is my trust.
148My eyes are open in the night watches, *
that I may meditate upon your promise.
149Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness; *
according to your judgments, give me life.
150They draw near who in malice persecute me; *
they are very far from your law.
151You, O Lord, are near at hand, *
and all your commandments are true.
152Long have I known from your decrees *
that you have established them for ever.
153Behold my affliction and deliver me, *
for I do not forget your law.
154Plead my cause and redeem me; *
according to your promise, give me life.
155Deliverance is far from the wicked, *
for they do not study your statutes.
156Great is your compassion, O Lord; *
preserve my life, according to your judgments.
157There are many who persecute and oppress me, *
yet I have not swerved from your decrees.
158I look with loathing at the faithless, *
for they have not kept your word.
159See how I love your commandments! *
O Lord, in your mercy, preserve me.
160The heart of your word is truth; *
all your righteous judgments endure for evermore.
161Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, *
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162I am as glad because of your promise *
as one who finds great spoils.
163As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *
but your law is my love.
164Seven times a day do I praise you, *
because of your righteous judgments.
165Great peace have they who love your law; *
for them there is no stumbling block.
166I have hoped for your salvation, O Lord, *
and have fulfilled your commandments.
167I have kept your decrees *
and I have loved them deeply.
168I have kept your commandments and decrees, *
for all my ways are before you.
169Let my cry come before you, O Lord; *
give me understanding, according to your word.
170Let my supplication come before you; *
deliver me, according to your promise.
171My lips shall pour forth your praise, *
when you teach me your statutes.
172My tongue shall sing of your promise, *
for all your commandments are righteous.
173Let your hand be ready to help me, *
for I have chosen your commandments.
174I long for your salvation, O Lord, *
and your law is my delight.
175Let me live, and I will praise you, *
and let your judgments help me.
176I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; *
search for your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
Collect of the Day – The First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Image Credit: Portable horizontal nocturnal sundial and altitude sundial, ca. 1550–82, French
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/188866
