Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Psalm 20[a]
Prayer for the King in Time of War
1 For the leader. A psalm of David.
I
2 The Lord answer you in time of distress;
the name of the God of Jacob defend you!
3 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
from Zion be your support.(A)
4 May he remember[b] your every offering,
graciously accept your burnt offering,
Selah
5 Grant what is in your heart,
fulfill your every plan.
6 May we shout for joy at your victory,[c]
raise the banners in the name of our God.
The Lord grant your every petition!
II
7 Now I know the Lord gives victory
to his anointed.(B)
He will answer him from the holy heavens
with a strong arm that brings victory.
8 Some rely on chariots, others on horses,
but we on the name of the Lord our God.(C)
9 They collapse and fall,
but we stand strong and firm.(D)
10 Lord, grant victory to the king;
answer when we call upon you.
Chapter 26
Judah’s Praise and Prayer for Deliverance.[a] 1 On that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:
“A strong city[b] have we;
he sets up victory as our walls and ramparts.(A)
2 Open up the gates
that a righteous nation may enter,
one that keeps faith.(B)
3 With firm purpose you maintain peace;
in peace, because of our trust in you.”(C)
4 Trust in the Lord forever!
For the Lord is an eternal Rock.(D)
5 He humbles those who dwell on high,
the lofty city he brings down,
Brings it down to the ground,
levels it to the dust.(E)
6 The feet of the needy trample on it—
the feet of the poor.
7 The way of the just is smooth;
the path of the just you make level.(F)
8 The course of your judgments, Lord, we await;
your name and your memory are the desire of our souls.
9 My soul yearns for you at night,
yes, my spirit within me seeks you at dawn;
When your judgment comes upon the earth,
the world’s inhabitants learn justice.(G)
16 [a]Therefore, we are not discouraged;[b] rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.(A) 17 For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,(B) 18 as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.(C)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.