Selected Psalms

The Church

Psalm 46 Deus noster refugium.

GOD is our hope and strength, * a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;

3Though the waters thereof rage and swell, * and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.

4There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God; * the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most Highest.

5God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; * God shall help her, and that right early.

6The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are moved; * but God hath showed his voice, and the earth shall melt away.

7The LORD of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.

8O come hither, and behold the works of the LORD, * what destruction he hath brought upon the earth.

9He maketh wars to cease in all the world; * he breaketh the bow, and knappeth the spear in sunder, and burneth the chariots in the fire.

10Be still then, and know that I am God: * I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.

11The LORD of hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalm 48 Magnus Dominus.

GREAT is the Lord, and highly to be praised * in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.

2The hill of Sion is a fair place, and the joy of the whole earth; * upon the north side lieth the city of the great King: God is well known in her palaces as a sure refuge.

3For lo, the kings of the earth * were gathered, and gone by together.

4They marvelled to see such things; * they were astonished, and suddenly cast down.

5Fear came there upon them; and sorrow, * as upon a woman in her travail.

6Thou dost break the ships of the sea * through the east-wind.

7Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; * God upholdeth the same for ever.

8We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God, * in the midst of thy temple.

9O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world's end; * thy right hand is full of righteousness.

10Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Judah be glad, * because of thy judgments.

11Walk about Sion, and go round about her; * and tell the towers thereof.

12Mark well her bulwarks, consider her palaces, * that ye may tell them that come after.

13For this God is our God for ever and ever: * he shall be our guide unto death.

Psalm 84 Quam dilecta!

O how amiable are thy dwellings, * thou LORD of hosts!

2My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the LORD; * my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

3Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young; * even thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; * they will be alway praising thee.

5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; * in whose heart are thy ways.

6Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well; * and the pools are filled with water.

7They will go from strength to strength, * and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.

8O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; * hearken, O God of Jacob.

9Behold, O God our defender, * and look upon the face of thine anointed.

10For one day in thy courts * is better than a thousand.

11I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, * than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.

12For the LORD God is a light and defence; * the LORD will give grace and worship; and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.

13O LORD God of hosts, * blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.

Psalm 111 Confitebor tibi.

I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart, * secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.

2The works of the LORD are great, * sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4The merciful and gracious LORD hath so done his marvellous works, * that they ought to be had in remembrance.

5He hath given meat unto them that fear him; * he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.

6He hath showed his people the power of his works, * that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; * all his commandments are true.

8They stand fast for ever and ever, * and are done in truth and equity.

9He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; * a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; his praise endureth for ever.

Psalm 122 Lætatus sum

I was glad when they said unto me, * We will go into the house of the LORD.

2Our feet shall stand in thy gates, * O Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity in itself.

4For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD, * to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the LORD.

5For there is the seat of judgment, * even the seat of the house of David.

6O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; * they shall prosper that love thee.

7Peace be within thy walls, * and plenteousness within thy palaces.

8For my brethren and companions' sakes, * I will wish thee prosperity.

9Yea, because of the house of the LORD our God, * I will seek to do thee good.

Psalm 133 Ecce, quam bonum!

BEHOLD, how good and joyful a thing it is, * for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down unto the beard, * even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.

3Like as the dew of Hermon, * which fell upon the hill of Sion.

4For there the LORD promised his blessing, * and life for evermore.

Psalm 147 Laudate Dominum.

PRAISE the LORD, for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God; * yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful.

2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem, * and gather together the outcasts of Israel.

3He healeth those that are broken in heart, * and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.

4He telleth the number of the stars, * and calleth them all by their names.

5Great is our Lord, and great is his power; * yea, and his wisdom is infinite.

6The LORD setteth up the meek, * and bringeth the ungodly down to the ground.

7O sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; * sing praises upon the harp unto our God:

8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth; * and maketh the grass to grow upon the mountains, and herb for the use of men;

9Who giveth fodder unto the cattle, * and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him.

10He hath no pleasure in the strength of an horse; * neither delighteth he in any man's legs.

11But the LORD'S delight is in them that fear him, * and put their trust in his mercy.

12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; * praise thy God, O Sion.

13For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.

14He maketh peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the flour of wheat.

15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth very swiftly.

16He giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide his frost?

18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: * he bloweth with his wind, and the waters flow.

19He showeth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and ordinances unto Israel.

20He hath not dealt so with any nation; * neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.