4 Their idols are silver and gold: even the work of men"s hands.
5 They have mouths, and speak not: eyes have they, and see not.
6 They have ears, and hear not: noses have they, and smell not.
7 They have hands, and handle not; feet have they, and walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them: and so are all such as put their trust in them.
9 But thou, house of Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their succour and defence.
10 Ye house of Aaron, put your trust in the Lord: he is their helper and defender.
11 Ye that fear the Lord, put your trust in the Lord: he is their helper and defender.
12 The Lord hath been mindful of us, and he shall bless us: even he shall bless the house of Israel, he shall bless the house of Aaron.
13 He shall bless them that fear the Lord: both small and great.
14 The Lord shall increase you more and more: you and your children.
15 Ye are the blessed of the Lord: who made heaven and earth.
16 All the whole heavens are the Lord"s: the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise not thee, O Lord: neither all they that go down into silence.
18 But we will praise the Lord: from this time forth for evermore.
Praise the Lord.
DAY 24 MORNING PRAYER
PSALM 116. _Dilexi, quoniam_.
I am well pleased: that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;
2 That he hath inclined his ear unto me: therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death compa.s.sed me round about: and the pains of h.e.l.l gat hold upon me.
4 I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous: yea, our G.o.d is merciful.
6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was in misery, and he helped me.
7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul: for the Lord hath rewarded thee.
8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the Lord: in the land of the living.
10 I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled: I said in my haste, All men are liars.
11 What reward shall I give unto the Lord: for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?
12 I will receive the cup of salvation: and call upon the Name of the Lord.
13 I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people: right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
14 Behold, O Lord, how that I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast broken my bonds in sunder.
15 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving: and will call upon the Name of the Lord.
16 I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people: in the courts of the Lord"s house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
PSALM 117. _Laudate Dominum_.
O praise the Lord, all ye heathen: praise him, all ye nations.
2 For his merciful kindness is ever more and more toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise the Lord.
PSALM 118. _Confitemini Domino_.
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let Israel now confess that he is gracious: and that his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now confess: that his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Yea, let them now that fear the Lord confess: that his mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in trouble: and the Lord heard me at large.
6 The Lord is on my side: I will not fear what man doeth unto me.
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon mine enemies.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord: than to put any confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord: than to put any confidence in princes.
10 All nations compa.s.sed me round about: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They kept me in on every side, they kept me in, I say, on every side: but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them.
12 They came about me like bees, and are extinct even as the fire among the thorns: for in the Name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall: but the Lord was my help.