Book of Common Prayer
Psalm 34[a][b]
Of David. When he pretended to be insane(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.
1 I will extol the Lord at all times;(B)
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory(C) in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.(D)
3 Glorify the Lord(E) with me;
let us exalt(F) his name together.
4 I sought the Lord,(G) and he answered me;
he delivered(H) me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;(I)
their faces are never covered with shame.(J)
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.(K)
7 The angel of the Lord(L) encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers(M) them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;(N)
blessed is the one who takes refuge(O) in him.
9 Fear the Lord,(P) you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.(Q)
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.(R)
11 Come, my children, listen(S) to me;
I will teach you(T) the fear of the Lord.(U)
12 Whoever of you loves life(V)
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue(W) from evil
and your lips from telling lies.(X)
14 Turn from evil and do good;(Y)
seek peace(Z) and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord(AA) are on the righteous,(AB)
and his ears are attentive(AC) to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against(AD) those who do evil,(AE)
to blot out their name(AF) from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears(AG) them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close(AH) to the brokenhearted(AI)
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
4 The twenty-four elders(A) and the four living creatures(B) fell down(C) and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:
“Amen, Hallelujah!”(D)
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude,(G) like the roar of rushing waters(H) and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!(I)
For our Lord God Almighty(J) reigns.(K)
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!(L)
For the wedding of the Lamb(M) has come,
and his bride(N) has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen,(O) bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts(P) of God’s holy people.)
9 Then the angel said to me,(Q) “Write this:(R) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”(S) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”(T)
10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him.(U) But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!(V) For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”(W)
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