I WILL alway give thanks unto the LORD; * his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD; * the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O praise the LORD with me, * and let us magnify his Name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me; * yea, he delivered me out of all my fear.
They had an eye unto him, and were lightened; * and their faces were not ashamed.
Lo, the poor crieth, and the LORD heareth him; * yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD tarrieth round about them that fear him; * and delivereth them.
O taste, and see, how gracious the LORD is: * blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye that are his saints; * for they that fear him lack nothing.
The lions do lack, and suffer hunger; * but they who seek the LORD shall want no manner of thing that is good.
Come, ye children, and hearken unto me; * I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is he that lusteth to live, * and would fain see good days?
Keep thy tongue from evil, * and thy lips, that they speak no guile.
Eschew evil, and do good; * seek peace, and ensue it.
The eyes of the LORD are over the righteous, * and his ears are open unto their prayers.
The countenance of the LORD is against them that do evil, * to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth them, * and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, * and will save such as be of an humble spirit.
Great are the troubles of the righteous; * but the LORD delivereth him out of all.
He keepeth all his bones, * so that not one of them is broken.
But misfortune shall slay the ungodly; * and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
The LORD delivereth the souls of his servants; * and all they that put their trust in him shall not be destitute.

Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

O EVERLASTING God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order; Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels always do thee service in heaven, so, by thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ or Lord. Amen.

LORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Copyright © 2000-2024, CommonPrayer.org See our home page for further information

Privacy Policy

For information about this web page, please contact the Webmaster at: