Psalm 132
1LORD, remember David, *
and all the hardships he endured;
2How he swore an oath to the LORD *
and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3″I will not come under the roof of my house, *
nor climb up into my bed;
4I will not allow my eyes to sleep, *
nor let my eyelids slumber;
5Until I find a place for the LORD, *
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6″The ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; *
we found it in the fields of Jearim.
7Let us go to God’s dwelling place; *
let us fall upon our knees before his footstool.”
8Arise, O LORD, into your resting-place, *
you and the ark of your strength.
9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; *
let your faithful people sing with joy.
10For your servant David’s sake, *
do not turn away the face of your Anointed.
11The LORD has sworn an oath to David; *
in truth, he will not break it:
12″A son, the fruit of your body *
will I set upon your throne.
13If your children keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them, *
their children will sit upon your throne for evermore.”
14For the LORD has chosen Zion; *
he has desired her for his habitation:
15″This shall be my resting-place for ever; *
here will I dwell, for I delight in her.
16I will surely bless her provisions, *
and satisfy her poor with bread.
17I will clothe her priests with salvation, *
and her faithful people will rejoice and sing.
18There will I make the horn of David flourish; *
I have prepared a lamp for my Anointed.
19As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame; *
but as for him, his crown will shine.”
Collect of the Day – Proper 22
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
*Photo by Bianca Smith
