The Psalms
30
1I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.
5For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favor for a lifetime.
6Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
7While I felt secure, I said,
I shall never be disturbed. *
You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as
the mountains.”
8then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.
9I cried to you, O Lord; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
10″What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
11Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper.”
12You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
13therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
32
1Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” *
then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in
time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9″I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you
should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.”
11Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
12Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
A Collect for Saturdays
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
