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 116

Refrain: Gracious is the Lord and righteous.

1  I love the Lord,
      for he has heard the voice of my supplication; ♦
   because he inclined his ear to me
      on the day I called to him.

2  The snares of death encompassed me;
      the pains of hell took hold of me; ♦
   by grief and sorrow was I held.

3  Then I called upon the name of the Lord: ♦
   ‘O Lord, I beg you, deliver my soul.’

4  Gracious is the Lord and righteous; ♦
   our God is full of compassion.

5  The Lord watches over the simple; ♦
   I was brought very low and he saved me.

6  Turn again to your rest, O my soul, ♦
   for the Lord has been gracious to you.

7  For you have delivered my soul from death, ♦
   my eyes from tears and my feet from falling.

8  I will walk before the Lord ♦
   in the land of the living.

9  I believed that I should perish
      for I was sorely troubled; ♦
   and I said in my alarm,
      ‘Everyone is a liar.’

10  How shall I repay the Lord ♦
   for all the benefits he has given to me?

11  I will lift up the cup of salvation ♦
   and call upon the name of the Lord.

12  I will fulfil my vows to the Lord ♦
   in the presence of all his people.

13  Precious in the sight of the Lord ♦
   is the death of his faithful servants.

14  O Lord, I am your servant, ♦
   your servant, the child of your handmaid;
      you have freed me from my bonds.

15  I will offer to you a sacrifice of thanksgiving ♦
   and call upon the name of the Lord.

16  I will fulfil my vows to the Lord ♦
   in the presence of all his people,

17  In the courts of the house of the Lord, ♦
   in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
      Alleluia.

Refrain: Gracious is the Lord and righteous.

As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
may we call upon your name,
raise the cup of salvation,
and so proclaim your death, O Lord,
until you come in glory.