Book of Common Prayer
Psalm 103
The Forgiving God
Of David.
1 My soul, bless the Lord,
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.(A)
2 My soul, bless the Lord,
and do not forget all his benefits.(B)
3 He forgives all your iniquity;(C)
he heals all your diseases.(D)
4 He redeems your life from the Pit;(E)
he crowns you with faithful love and compassion.(F)
5 He satisfies you[a] with good things;(G)
your youth is renewed like the eagle.(H)
6 The Lord executes acts of righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.(I)
7 He revealed his ways to Moses,(J)
his deeds to the people of Israel.(K)
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in faithful love.(L)
9 He will not always accuse us
or be angry forever.(M)
10 He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve
or repaid us according to our iniquities.(N)
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his faithful love
toward those who fear him.(O)
12 As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed
our transgressions from us.(P)
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.(Q)
14 For he knows what we are made of,
remembering that we are dust.(R)
15 As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;(S)
16 when the wind passes over it, it vanishes,
and its place is no longer known.[b](T)
17 But from eternity to eternity
the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him,
and his righteousness toward the grandchildren(U)
18 of those who keep his covenant,
who remember to observe his precepts.(V)
19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.(W)
Gabriel Predicts John’s Birth
5 In the days of King Herod(A) of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division(B) named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in God’s sight,(C) living without blame(D) according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. 7 But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years.(E)
8 When his division was on duty(F) and he was serving as priest before God, 9 it happened that he was chosen by lot,(G) according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.(H) 10 At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 An angel of the Lord(I) appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.(J) 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear.(K) 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid,(L) Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.(M) Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.(N) 14 There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.(O) He will be filled with the Holy Spirit(P) while still in his mother’s womb.(Q) 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.(R) 17 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children,(S) and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”(T)
18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel,(U) who stands in the presence of God,(V) and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. 22 When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was making signs to them(W) and remained speechless. 23 When the days of his ministry were completed, he went back home.
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