Psalm 19

Refrain: The commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.

1  The heavens are telling the glory of God ♦
   and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2  One day pours out its song to another ♦
   and one night unfolds knowledge to another.

3  They have neither speech nor language ♦
   and their voices are not heard,

4  Yet their sound has gone out into all lands ♦
   and their words to the ends of the world.

5  In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, ♦
   that comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber
      and rejoices as a champion to run his course.

6  It goes forth from the end of the heavens
      and runs to the very end again, ♦
   and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7  The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; ♦
   the testimony of the Lord is sure
      and gives wisdom to the simple.

8  The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart; ♦
   the commandment of the Lord is pure
      and gives light to the eyes.

9  The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; ♦
   the judgements of the Lord are true
      and righteous altogether.

10  More to be desired are they than gold,
      more than much fine gold, ♦
   sweeter also than honey,
      dripping from the honeycomb.

11  By them also is your servant taught ♦
   and in keeping them there is great reward.

12  Who can tell how often they offend? ♦
   O cleanse me from my secret faults!

13  Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins
      lest they get dominion over me; ♦
   so shall I be undefiled,
      and innocent of great offence.

14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
      be acceptable in your sight, ♦
   O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Refrain: The commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.

Christ, the sun of righteousness,
rise in our hearts this day,
enfold us in the brightness of your love
and bear us at the last to heaven’s horizon;
for your love’s sake.

Psalm 115.1-13

Refrain: The Lord has been mindful of us and he will bless us.

1  Not to us, Lord, not to us,
      but to your name give the glory, ♦
   for the sake of your loving mercy and truth.

2  Why should the nations say, ♦
   ‘Where is now their God?’

3  As for our God, he is in heaven; ♦
   he does whatever he pleases.

4  Their idols are silver and gold, ♦
   the work of human hands.

5  They have mouths, but cannot speak; ♦
   eyes have they, but cannot see;

6  They have ears, but cannot hear; ♦
   noses have they, but cannot smell;

7  They have hands, but cannot feel;
      feet have they, but cannot walk; ♦
   not a whisper do they make from their throats.

8  Those who make them shall become like them ♦
   and so will all who put their trust in them.

9  But you, Israel, put your trust in the Lord; ♦
   he is their help and their shield.

10  House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; ♦
   he is their help and their shield.

11  You that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; ♦
   he is their help and their shield.

12  The Lord has been mindful of us and he will bless us; ♦
   may he bless the house of Israel;
      may he bless the house of Aaron;

13  May he bless those who fear the Lord, ♦
   both small and great together.

Refrain: The Lord has been mindful of us and he will bless us.

Living God,
defend us from the idols which our hearts enthrone,
that we may not go down into silence
but be raised to our heaven of heavens
in Jesus Christ our Lord.