Book of Common Prayer
Psalm 45
A Royal Wedding Song
For the choir director: according to “The Lilies.”[a] A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song.
1 My heart is moved by a noble theme
as I recite my verses to the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.(A)
2 You are the most handsome of men;
grace flows from your lips.(B)
Therefore God has blessed you forever.(C)
3 Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side.
In your majesty and splendor(D)—
4 in your splendor ride triumphantly
in the cause of truth, humility, and justice.
May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.(E)
5 Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.(F)
6 Your throne,(G) God, is[b] forever and ever;
the scepter of Your[c] kingdom is a scepter of justice.(H)
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;(I)
therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy
more than your companions.
8 Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume all your garments;
from ivory palaces harps bring you joy.(J)
9 Kings’ daughters are among your honored women;(K)
the queen, adorned with gold from Ophir,
stands at your right hand.(L)
10 Listen, daughter, pay attention and consider:
forget your people and your father’s house,(M)
11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Bow down to him, for he is your lord.(N)
12 The daughter of Tyre, the wealthy people,
will seek your favor with gifts.(O)
Psalm 47
God Our King
For the choir director. A psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 Clap your hands, all you peoples;(A)
shout to God with a jubilant cry.(B)
2 For Yahweh, the Most High, is awe-inspiring,
a great King over all the earth.(C)
3 He subdues peoples under us
and nations under our feet.(D)
4 He chooses for us our inheritance—
the pride of Jacob, whom He loves.(E)
5 God ascends among shouts of joy,
the Lord, among the sound of trumpets.(F)
6 Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our King, sing praise!(G)
7 Sing a song of wisdom,[a]
for God is King of all the earth.(H)
8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on His holy throne.(I)
9 The nobles of the peoples have assembled
with the people of the God of Abraham.(J)
For the leaders[b] of the earth belong to God;
He is greatly exalted.(K)
Psalm 48
Zion Exalted
A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 The Lord is great and highly praised
in the city of our God.(L)
His holy mountain, 2 rising splendidly,
is the joy of the whole earth.
Mount Zion on the slopes of the north
is the city of the great King.(M)
3 God is known as a stronghold
in its citadels.(N)
4 Look! The kings assembled;
they advanced together.(O)
5 They looked and froze with fear;
they fled in terror.(P)
6 Trembling seized them there,
agony like that of a woman in labor,(Q)
7 as You wrecked the ships of Tarshish
with the east wind.(R)
8 Just as we heard, so we have seen
in the city of Yahweh of Hosts,
in the city of our God;
God will establish it forever.(S)
Israel’s King Omri
23 In the thirty-first year of Judah’s King Asa, Omri became king over Israel and reigned 12 years. He reigned six years in Tirzah,(A) 24 then he bought the hill of Samaria(B) from Shemer for 150 pounds[a] of silver, and he built up the hill. He named the city he built Samaria[b] based on the name Shemer, the owner of the hill.
25 Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight; he did more evil than all who were before him.(C) 26 He followed the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sins that he caused Israel to commit, provoking the Lord God of Israel with their worthless idols.(D) 27 The rest of the events of Omri’s reign, along with his accomplishments and the might he exercised, are written in the Historical Record of Israel’s Kings. 28 Omri rested with his fathers and was buried in Samaria. His son Ahab became king in his place.
Israel’s King Ahab
29 Ahab son of Omri became king over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Judah’s King Asa; Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria 22 years. 30 But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight more than all who were before him.(E) 31 Then, as if following the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat were a trivial matter, he married Jezebel,(F) the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians,(G) and then proceeded to serve Baal and worship him.(H) 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal(I) that he had built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole.(J) Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.(K)
34 During his reign, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. At the cost of Abiram his firstborn, he laid its foundation, and at the cost of Segub his youngest, he set up its gates, according to the word of the Lord He had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.(L)
Advance of the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel,(A) 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard,[a] and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. 14 Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message[b](B) fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife,(C) but others out of good will.[c] 16 These do so out of love,(D) knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry,(E) not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment.[d] 18 What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives(F) or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my deliverance[e](G) through your prayers and help from the Spirit(H) of Jesus Christ.(I) 20 My eager expectation and hope(J) is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life(K) or by death.(L)
Living Is Christ
21 For me, living is Christ(M) and dying is gain.(N) 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful(O) work(P) for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ(Q)—which is far better(R)— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,(S) 26 so that, because of me, your confidence may grow(T) in Christ Jesus(U) when I come to you again.
27 Just one thing: Live your life(V) in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm(W) in one(X) spirit, with one mind,[f] working side by side for the faith(Y) that comes from the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents.(Z) This is a sign of destruction for them,(AA) but of your deliverance(AB)—and this is from God. 29 For it has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe(AC) in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.
Resurrection Morning
16 When(A) the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene,(B) Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week,(C) they went to the tomb(D) at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?” 4 Looking up, they observed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away. 5 When(E) they entered the tomb,(F) they saw a young man[a](G) dressed(H) in a long white(I) robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,(J) who was crucified. He has been resurrected!(K) He is not here! See the place where they put Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter,(L) ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee;(M) you will see Him there just as He told you.’”
8 So they went out and started running from the tomb,(N) because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone,(O) since they were afraid.
Appearances of the Risen Lord
[9 Early(P) on the first day of the week,(Q) after He had risen,(R) He appeared first to Mary Magdalene,(S) out of whom He had driven seven demons.(T) 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. 11 Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.(U) 12 Then after this, He appeared(V) in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country.(W) 13 And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either.
The Great Commission
14 Later, He appeared to the Eleven(X) themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected.(Y) 15 Then(Z) He said to them, “Go into all the world(AA) and preach the gospel to the whole creation.(AB) 16 Whoever believes(AC) and is baptized will be saved,(AD) but whoever does not believe will be condemned.(AE) 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes;[b](AF) if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm(AG) them; they will lay hands on(AH) the sick, and they will get well.”
The Ascension
19 Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus(AI) was taken up into heaven(AJ) and sat down at the right hand(AK) of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.][c]
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