Matthew 13:24-30

[24]He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; [25]but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. [26]So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. [27]And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' [28]He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' [29]But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. [30]Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

Psalm 96

[1]   O sing to the LORD a new song; 
          sing to the LORD, all the earth. 
[2]   Sing to the LORD, bless his name; 
          tell of his salvation from day to day. 
[3]   Declare his glory among the nations, 
          his marvelous works among all the peoples. 
[4]   For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; 
          he is to be revered above all gods. 
[5]   For all the gods of the peoples are idols, 
          but the LORD made the heavens. 
[6]   Honor and majesty are before him; 
          strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 
[7]   Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, 
          ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 
[8]   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; 
          bring an offering, and come into his courts. 
[9]   Worship the LORD in holy splendor; 
          tremble before him, all the earth.

[10]  Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! 
          The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. 
          He will judge the peoples with equity." 
[11]  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; 
          let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 
[12]       let the field exult, and everything in it. 
     Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 
[13]       before the LORD; for he is coming, 
          for he is coming to judge the earth. 
     He will judge the world with righteousness, 
          and the peoples with his truth.

Revelation 4:1-11

[1]After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." [2]At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne!

[3]And the one seated there looks like jasper and cornelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. [4]Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. [5]Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; [6]and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: [7]the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. [8]And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all

around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,  

     "Holy, holy, holy,  

     the Lord God the Almighty,  

          who was and is and is to come."  

[9]And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, [10]the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne,

singing,  

[11]  "You are worthy, our Lord and God,  

          to receive glory and honor and power,  

     for you created all things,  

          and by your will they existed and were created."

Psalm 145

[1]   I will extol you, my God and King,  

          and bless your name forever and ever.  

[2]   Every day I will bless you,  

          and praise your name forever and ever.  

[3]   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;  

          his greatness is unsearchable.

[4]   One generation shall laud your works to another,  

          and shall declare your mighty acts.  

[5]   On the glorious splendor of your majesty,  

          and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.   

[6]   The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,  

          and I will declare your greatness.  

[7]   They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,  

          and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

[8]   The Lord is gracious and merciful,  

          slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  

[9]   The Lord is good to all,  

          and his compassion is over all that he has made.

[10]  All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,  

          and all your faithful shall bless you.  

[11]  They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,  

          and tell of your power,  

[12]  to make known to all people your mighty deeds,  

          and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  

[13]  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,  

          and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

     The Lord is faithful in all his words,  

          and gracious in all his deeds.  

[14]  The Lord upholds all who are falling,  

          and raises up all who are bowed down.  

[15]  The eyes of all look to you,  

          and you give them their food in due season.  

[16]  You open your hand,  

          satisfying the desire of every living thing.  

[17]  The Lord is just in all his ways,  

          and kind in all his doings.  

[18]  The Lord is near to all who call on him,  

          to all who call on him in truth.  

[19]  He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;  

          he also hears their cry, and saves them.  

[20]  The Lord watches over all who love him,  

          but all the wicked he will destroy.

[21]  My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,  

          and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever

Luke 10:25-37

[25]Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must
I do to inherit eternal life?" [26]He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" [27]He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength,
and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." [28]And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." [29]But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
[30]Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. [31]Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32]So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33]But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. [34]He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35]The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' [36]Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" [37]He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Psalm 100

[1] Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.
[2] Worship the LORD with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.

[3] Know that the LORD is God.
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

[4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.

[5] For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 148

[1] Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
[2] Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

[3] Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
[4] Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

[5] Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
[6] He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

[7] Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
[8] fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

[9] Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
[10] Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

[11] Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
[12] Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

[13] Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
[14] He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Matthew 12:15-21

[15] When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, [16]and he ordered them not to make him known.
[17]This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
[18] "Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
[19] He will not wrangle or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
[20] He will not break a bruised reed
or quench a smouldering wick
until he brings justice to victory.
[21] And in his name the Gentiles will hope."

Matthew 12:1-14

[1]At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. [2]When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath." [3]He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? [4]He entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests. [5]Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath the priests in the temple break the sabbath and yet are guiltless? [6]I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. [7]But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. [8]For the Son of
Man is lord of the sabbath."

[9]He left that place and entered their synagogue; [10]a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, "Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?" so that they might accuse him. [11]He said to them, "Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? [12]How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath." [13]Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. [14]But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

Matthew 11:28-30

[28]"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29]Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30]For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Psalm 57:7-11

[7] My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
[8] Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn.
[9] I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
[10] For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

[11] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.

Jeremiah 29:4-14

[4]Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I
have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: [5]Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. [6]Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. [7]But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. [8]For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, [9]for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I
did not send them, says the LORD.

[10]For thus says the LORD: Only when Babylon's seventy years are completed
will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. [11]For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. [12]Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. [13]When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, [14]I will let you find me, says the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Psalm 118:1-9

[1] O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!

[2] Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
[3] Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
[4] Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."

[5] Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
[6] With the LORD on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?
[7] The LORD is on my side to help me;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
[8] It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to put confidence in mortals.
[9] It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to put confidence in princes.

Matthew 11:1-6

[1]Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

[2]When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples [3]and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" [4]Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5]the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. [6]And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

Psalm 36:5-9

[5]   Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,  

          your faithfulness to the clouds.  

[6]   Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,  

          your judgments are like the great deep;  

          you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.

[7]   How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  

          All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  

[8]   They feast on the abundance of your house,  

          and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  

[9]   For with you is the fountain of life;  

          in your light we see light.

Psalm 147:1-11

[1]   Praise the Lord!  

          How good it is to sing praises to our God;  

          for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.  

[2]   The Lord builds up Jerusalem;  

          he gathers the outcasts of Israel.  

[3]   He heals the brokenhearted,  

          and binds up their wounds.  

[4]   He determines the number of the stars;  

          he gives to all of them their names.  

[5]   Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;  

          his understanding is beyond measure.  

[6]   The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;  

          he casts the wicked to the ground.

[7]   Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;  

          make melody to our God on the lyre.  

[8]   He covers the heavens with clouds,  

          prepares rain for the earth,  

          makes grass grow on the hills.  

[9]   He gives to the animals their food,  

          and to the young ravens when they cry.  

[10]  His delight is not in the strength of the horse,  

          nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;  

[11]  but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,

          in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Psalm 146

[1] Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
[2] I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

[3] Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
[4] When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.

[5] Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God,
[6] who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
[7] who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets the prisoners free;
[8] the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
[9] The LORD watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

[10] The LORD will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD!

1 Corinthians 13

[1]If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I
am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2]And if I have prophetic powers, and
understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3]If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

[4]Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant [5]or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6]it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. [7]It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8]Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. [9]For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; [10]but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. [11]When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. [12]For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known [13]And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Psalm 9:7-10

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the LORD are sure,
making wise the simple;
[8] the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
[9] the fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
[10] More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 104

[1]  Bless the LORD, O my soul.  

          O LORD my God, you are very great.  

     You are clothed with honor and majesty,  

[2]        wrapped in light as with a garment.  

     You stretch out the heavens like a tent,  

[3]        you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,  

     you make the clouds your chariot,  

          you ride on the wings of the wind,  

[4]  you make the winds your messengers,  

          fire and flame your ministers.

[5]  You set the earth on its foundations,  

          so that it shall never be shaken.  

[6]  You cover it with the deep as with a garment;  

          the waters stood above the mountains.  

[7]  At your rebuke they flee;  

          at the sound of your thunder they take to flight.  

[8]  They rose up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys  

          to the place that you appointed for them.  

[9]  You set a boundary that they may not pass,  

          so that they might not again cover the earth.

[10] You make springs gush forth in the valleys;  

          they flow between the hills,  

[11] giving drink to every wild animal;  

          the wild asses quench their thirst.  

[12] By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;  

          they sing among the branches.  

[13] From your lofty abode you water the mountains;  

          the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

[14] You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,  

          and plants for people to use,  

     to bring forth food from the earth,  

[15]      and wine to gladden the human heart,  

     oil to make the face shine,  

          and bread to strengthen the human heart.  

[16] The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly,  

          the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.  

[17] In them the birds build their nests;  

          the stork has its home in the fir trees.  

[18] The high mountains are for the wild goats;  

          the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.  

[19] You have made the moon to mark the seasons;  

          the sun knows its time for setting.  

[20] You make darkness, and it is night,  

          when all the animals of the forest come creeping out.  

[21] The young lions roar for their prey,  

          seeking their food from God.  

[22] When the sun rises, they withdraw  

          and lie down in their dens.  

[23] People go out to their work  

          and to their labor until the evening.

[24] O LORD, how manifold are your works!  

          In wisdom you have made them all;  

          the earth is full of your creatures.  

[25] Yonder is the sea, great and wide,  

          creeping things innumerable are there,  

          living things both small and great.  

[26] There go the ships,  

          and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

[27] These all look to you  

          to give them their food in due season;  

[28] when you give to them, they gather it up;  

          when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.  

[29] When you hide your face, they are dismayed;  

          when you take away their breath, they die  

          and return to their dust.  

[30] When you send forth your spirit, they are created;  

          and you renew the face of the ground.

[31] May the glory of the LORD endure for ever;  

          may the LORD rejoice in his works --  

[32] who looks on the earth and it trembles,  

          who touches the mountains and they smoke.  

[33] I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;  

          I will sing praise to my God while I have being.  

[34] May my meditation be pleasing to him,  

          for I rejoice in the LORD.  

[35] Let sinners be consumed from the earth,  

          and let the wicked be no more.  

     Bless the LORD, O my soul.  

               Praise the Lord!

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

[12]For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. [13]For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

[14]Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. [15]If the
foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that
would not make it any less a part of the body. [16]And if the ear would say,
"Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. [17]If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? [18]But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19]If all were a single member, where would the body be? [20]As it is, there are many members, yet one body. [21]The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." [22]On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, [23]and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; [24]whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, [25]that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. [26]If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

1 Corinthians 12:4-12

[4]Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; [5]and there are
varieties of services, but the same Lord; [6]and there are varieties of
activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
[7]To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [8]To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9]to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10]to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. [11]All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

Psalm 89:1-18

[1]  I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever;  

          with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

[2]  I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;  

          your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

[3]  You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,  

          I have sworn to my servant David:  

[4]  'I will establish your descendants forever,  

          and build your throne for all generations.'"                  

Selah

[5]  Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,  

          your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.  

[6]  For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?  

          Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,  

[7]  a God feared in the council of the holy ones,  

          great and awesome above all that are around him?  

[8]  O LORD God of hosts,  

          who is as mighty as you, O LORD?  

          Your faithfulness surrounds you.  

[9]  You rule the raging of the sea;  

          when its waves rise, you still them.  

[10] You crushed Rahab like a carcass;  

          you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.  

[11] The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours;  

          the world and all that is in it -- you have founded them.  

[12] The north and the south -- you created them;  

          Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.  

[13] You have a mighty arm;  

          strong is your hand, high your right hand.  

[14] Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;  

          steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.  

[15] Happy are the people who know the festal shout,  

          who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance;  

[16] they exult in your name all day long,  

          and extol your righteousness.  

[17] For you are the glory of their strength;  

          by your favor our horn is exalted.  

[18] For our shield belongs to the LORD,  

                             our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 42

[1]  As a deer longs for flowing streams,  

          so my soul longs for you, O God.  

[2]  My soul thirsts for God,  

          for the living God.  

     When shall I come and behold  

          the face of God?  

[3]  My tears have been my food  

          day and night,  

     while people say to me continually,  

          "Where is your God?"

[4]  These things I remember,  

          as I pour out my soul:  

     how I went with the throng,  

          and led them in procession to the house of God,  

     with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving,  

          a multitude keeping festival.  

[5]  Why are you cast down, O my soul,  

          and why are you disquieted within me?  

     Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,  

          my help [6]and my God.

     My soul is cast down within me;  

          therefore I remember you  

     from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,  

          from Mount Mizar.  

[7]  Deep calls to deep  

          at the thunder of your cataracts;  

     all your waves and your billows  

          have gone over me.  

[8]  By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,  

          and at night his song is with me,  

          a prayer to the God of my life.

[9]  I say to God, my rock,  

          "Why have you forgotten me?  

     Why must I walk about mournfully  

          because the enemy oppresses me?"  

[10] As with a deadly wound in my body,  

          my adversaries taunt me,  

     while they say to me continually,  

          "Where is your God?"

[11] Why are you cast down, O my soul,  

          and why are you disquieted within me?  

     Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,  

          my help and my God.

Psalm 145

[1] I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
[2] Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
[3] Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.

[4] One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
[5] On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
[6] The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
[7] They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

[8] The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
[9] The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

[10] All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
[11] They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
[12] to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
[13] Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
[14] The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
[15] The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
[16] You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
[17] The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
[18] The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
[19] He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
[20] The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

[21] My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.

Psalm 103

[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
[2] Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits -
[3] who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
[4] who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
[5] who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

[6] The LORD works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
[7] He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
[8] The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
[9] He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
[10]He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
[11]For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
[12]as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
[13]As a father has compassion for his children,
so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
[14]For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.

[15]As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
[16]for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
[17]But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
[18]to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

[19]The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
[20]Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
obedient to his spoken word.
[21]Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will.
[22]Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 149

[1] Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
[2] Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
[3] Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
[4] For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with victory.
[5] Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.
[6] Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
[7] to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
[8] to bind their kings with fetters
and their nobles with chains of iron,
[9] to execute on them the judgment decreed.
This is glory for all his faithful ones.
Praise the Lord!