Psalm 17.1-8

Refrain: Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand.

1  Hear my just cause, O Lord; consider my complaint; ♦
   listen to my prayer, which comes not from lying lips.

2  Let my vindication come forth from your presence; ♦
   let your eyes behold what is right.

3  Weigh my heart, examine me by night, ♦
   refine me, and you will find no impurity in me.

4  My mouth does not trespass for earthly rewards; ♦
   I have heeded the words of your lips.

5  My footsteps hold fast in the ways of your commandments; ♦
   my feet have not stumbled in your paths.

6  I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; ♦
   incline your ear to me, and listen to my words.

7  Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, ♦
   O Saviour of those who take refuge at your right hand
      from those who rise up against them.

8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; ♦
   hide me under the shadow of your wings,

Refrain: Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand.

Generous Lord,
deliver us from all envious thoughts,
and when we are tempted by the desire for wealth,
let us see your face;
for your abundance is enough to clothe our lack;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 39

1  I said, ‘I will keep watch over my ways, ♦
   so that I offend not with my tongue.

2  ‘I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, ♦
   while the wicked are in my sight.’

3  So I held my tongue and said nothing; ♦
   I kept silent but to no avail.

4  My distress increased, my heart grew hot within me; ♦
   while I mused, the fire was kindled
      and I spoke out with my tongue:

5  ‘Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, ♦
   that I may know how short my time is.

6  ‘You have made my days but a handsbreadth,
      and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; ♦
   truly, even those who stand upright are but a breath.

7  ‘We walk about like a shadow
      and in vain we are in turmoil; ♦
   we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.

8  ‘And now, what is my hope? ♦
   Truly my hope is even in you.

9  ‘Deliver me from all my transgressions ♦
   and do not make me the taunt of the fool.’

10  I fell silent and did not open my mouth, ♦
   for surely it was your doing.

11  Take away your plague from me; ♦
   I am consumed by the blows of your hand.

12  With rebukes for sin you punish us;
      like a moth you consume our beauty; ♦
   truly, everyone is but a breath.

13  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; ♦
   hold not your peace at my tears.

14  For I am but a stranger with you, ♦
   a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.

15  Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again, ♦
   before I go my way and am no more.