Book of Common Prayer
The [a]Psalms of David
1 Whether it was Esdras, or any other that gathered the Psalms into a book, it seemeth he did set this Psalm first in manner of a preface, to exhort all godly men to study and meditate the heavenly wisdom. For the effect hereof is, 1 That they be blessed which give themselves wholly all their life to the holy Scriptures; 4 and that the wicked contemners of God, though they seem for a while happy, yet at length shall come to miserable destruction.
1 Blessed is the man that doth not walk in the [b]counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the (A)law of the Lord, and in his [c]law doth he meditate day and night.
3 For he shall be like a (B)tree planted by the rivers of waters, that will bring forth her fruits in due season: whose leaf shall not fade: so [d]whatsoever he shall do, shall prosper.
4 [e]The wicked are not so, but as the chaff, which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the [f]judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord [g]knoweth the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked shall perish.
2 The Prophet David rejoiceth, that notwithstanding his enemies’ rage, yet God will continue his kingdom forever, and advance it even to the end of the world, 10 and therefore exhorteth kings and rulers, that they would humbly submit themselves under God’s yoke, because it is in vain to resist God. Herein is figured Christ’s kingdom.
1 Why do the [h]heathen (C)rage, and the people murmur in vain.
2 The kings of the earth band themselves, and the Princes are assembled together against the Lord, and against his [i]Christ.
3 [j]Let us break their bands, and cast their cords from us.
4 (D)But he that dwelleth in the heaven shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 [k]Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure, saying,
6 Even I have set my King upon Zion mine holy mountain.
7 I will declare the [l]decree: that is, the Lord hath said unto me, (E)Thou art my son; this [m]day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the [n]ends of the earth for thy possession.
9 (F)Thou shalt crush them with a scepter of iron, and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 [o]Be wise now therefore, ye kings: be learned ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord in fear, and rejoice in trembling.
12 [p]Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye [q]perish in the way, when his wrath shall suddenly burn. Blessed are all that trust in him.
3 David driven forth of his kingdom, was greatly tormented in mind for his sins against God: 4 And therefore calleth upon God, and waxeth bold through his promises, against the great railings and terrors of his enemies, yea against death itself, which he saw present before his eyes. 7 Finally, he rejoiceth for the good success that God gave him and all the Church.
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.
1 Lord, how are mine adversaries [r]increased? how many rise against me?
2 Many say to my soul, There is no help for him in God. [s]Selah.
3 But thou Lord art a buckler for me, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I did call unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy mountain. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept, and rose up again: for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid for [t]ten thousand of the people, that should beset me round about.
7 O Lord, arise: help me, my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone: thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.
8 [u]Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, and thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
4 When Saul persecuted him, he called upon God, trusting most assuredly in his promise, and therefore boldly reproveth his enemies, who willfully resisted his dominion, 7 and finally preferreth the favor of God before all worldly treasures.
[v]To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalm of David.
1 Hear me when I call, [w]O God of my righteousness: thou hast set me at liberty, when I was in [x]distress: have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
2 O ye [y]sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame, [z]loving vanity, and seeking lies? Selah.
3 For be ye sure that the Lord hath chosen to himself [aa]a godly man, the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4 [ab]Tremble and sin not: examine your own heart upon your bed, and be [ac]still. Selah.
5 [ad]Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.
6 Many say, Who will show us any [ae]good? but Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast given me more joy of heart, than they have had, when their wheat and their wine did abound.
8 I will lay me down, and also sleep in peace: for thou, [af]Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
7 Being falsely accused by Cush one of Saul’s kinsmen, he calleth to God to be his defender, 3 to whom he commendeth his innocence, 9 first showing that his conscience did not accuse him of any evil toward Saul. 10 Next that it touched God’s glory to award sentence against the wicked. 12 And so entering into the consideration of God’s mercies and promise, he waxeth bold, and derideth the vain enterprises of his enemies, 15 threatening that that shall fall on their own neck which they have purposed for others.
[a]Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the [b]words of (A)Cush the son of Benjamin.
1 O Lord my God, in thee I put my trust: save me from all that persecute me, and deliver me,
2 Lest [c]he devour my soul like a lion, and tear it in pieces, while there is none to help.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done [d]this thing, if there be any wickedness in mine hands,
4 [e]If I have rewarded evil unto him that had peace with me, (yea I have delivered him that vexed me without cause.)
5 Then let the enemies persecute my soul, and take it: yea, let him tread my life down upon the earth, and lay mine [f]honor in the dust. Selah.
6 Arise, O Lord, in thy wrath, and lift up thyself against the rage of mine enemies, and awake for me according to the [g]judgment that thou hast appointed.
7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore [h]return on high.
8 The Lord shall judge the people: judge thou me, O Lord, according to my [i]righteousness, and according to mine innocency that is in me.
9 Oh let the malice of the wicked come to an end: but guide thou the just: for the righteous God trieth the [j]hearts and reins.
10 My defense is in God, who preserveth the upright in heart.
11 God judgeth the righteous, and him that contemneth God, [k]every day.
12 Except [l]he turn, he hath whet his sword: he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
13 He hath also prepared him deadly weapons: he will ordain his arrows for them that persecute me.
14 (B)Behold, he shall travail with wickedness: for he hath conceived mischief, but he shall bring forth a lie.
15 He hath made a pit, and dug it, and is fallen into the pit that he made.
16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his cruelty shall fall upon his own pate.
17 I will praise the Lord according to his [m]righteousness, and will sing praise to the Name of the Lord most high.
7 1 A complaint for the small number of the righteous. 4 The wickedness of those times. 14 The prosperity of the Church.
1 Woe is me, for I am as the [a]Summer gatherings, and as the grapes of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the first ripe fruits.
2 The good man is perished out of the earth, and there is none righteous among men: [b]they all lie in wait for blood: every man hunteth his brother with a net.
3 To make good for the evil of their hands, the prince asked, and the judge judgeth for a reward: therefore the [c]great man he speaketh out the corruption of his soul: so [d]they wrapped it up.
4 The best of them is as [e]a brier, and the most righteous of them is sharper than a thorn-hedge: the day of [f]thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh: then shall be their confusion.
5 Trust ye not in a friend, neither put ye confidence in a counselor: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
6 For the son revileth the father: the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.
7 Therefore [g]I will look unto the Lord: I will wait for God my Savior: my God will hear me.
26 2 Paul in the presence of Agrippa, 4 declareth his life from his childhood, 16 and his calling, 21 with such efficacy of words 28 that almost he persuaded him to Christianity. 30 But he and his company depart doing nothing in Paul’s matter.
1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. So Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself.
2 [a]I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer this day before thee of all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Chiefly, because thou hast knowledge of all customs, and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 [b]As touching my life from my childhood, and what it was from the beginning among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews,
5 Which [c]knew me heretofore, even from my [d]Elders (if they would testify) that after the [e]most straight sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
6 [f]And now I stand and am accused for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers.
7 Whereunto our twelve tribes instantly serving God day and night, hope to come: for the which hope’s sake, O King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 [g]Why should it be thought a thing incredible unto you, that God should raise again the dead?
9 I also verily thought in myself, that I ought to do many contrary things against the Name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 (A)Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: for many of the Saints I shut up in prison, having received authority of the High Priests, and when they were put to death, I gave my [h]sentence.
11 And I punished them throughout all the Synagogues, and [i]compelled them to blaspheme and being more mad against them, I persecuted them, even unto strange cities.
12 At which time, even as I went to (B)Damascus with authority, and commission from the high Priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven passing the brightness of the sun, shine round about me, and them which went with me.
14 So when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against pricks.
15 Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise and stand up on thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose to appoint thee a minister and a witness, both of the things which thou hast seen, and of the things in the which I will appear unto thee,
17 Delivering thee from this people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 [j]To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them, which are sanctified by faith in me.
19 [k]Wherefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision,
20 (C)But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy amendment of life.
21 For this cause the Jews caught me in the (D)Temple, and went about to kill me.
22 [l]Nevertheless, I obtained help of God, and continue unto this day, witnessing both to [m]small and to great, saying none other things, than those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come,
23 To wit, that Christ should [n]suffer, and that he should be the [o]first that should rise from the dead, and should show [p]light unto this people, and to the Gentiles.
26 ¶ (A)So they sailed unto the region of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
27 [a]And as he went out to land, there met him a certain man out of the city, which had devils long time, and he wore no garment, neither abode in house, but in the graves.
28 And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus the son of God the most High? I beseech thee torment me not.
29 For he commanded the foul spirit to come out of the man: (for oft times he had caught him: therefore he was bound with chains, and kept in fetters: but he brake the bands, [b]and was carried of the devil into wildernesses.)
30 Then Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? and he said, Legion, because many devils were entered into him.
31 And they besought him, that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
32 And there was thereby an herd of many swine feeding on an hill: and the devils besought him, that he would suffer them to enter into them. So he suffered them.
33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd was carried with violence from a steep down place into the lake, and was choked.
34 When the herdsmen saw what was done, they fled: and when they were departed, they told it in the city and in the country.
35 Then they came out to see what was done, and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it, told them by what means he that was possessed with the devil, was healed.
37 Then the whole multitude of the country about the Gadarenes, besought him that he would depart from them: for they were taken with a great fear: and he went into the ship, and returned.
38 Then the man, out of whom the devils were departed, besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 Return into thine own house, and show what great things God hath done to thee. So he went his way, and preached [c]throughout all the city, what great things Jesus had done unto him.
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