Psalm 56
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
for my enemies are hounding me;
all day long they assault and oppress me.
2 They hound me all the day long;
truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
3 Whenever I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not be afraid,
for what can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they damage my cause;
their only thought is to do me evil.
6 They band together; they lie in wait;
they spy upon my footsteps;
because they seek my life.
7 Shall they escape despite their wickedness?
O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples.
8 You have noted my lamentation;
put my tears into your bottle;
are they not recorded in your book?
9 Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight;
this I know, for God is on my side.
10 In God the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not be afraid,
for what can mortals do to me?
11 I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God;
I will present to you thank-offerings;
12 For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet
from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
A Prayer for All Sorts and Conditions
O God, the creator and preserver of all, we humbly beseech you for all sorts and conditions of people; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
