Praying the Psalms: Sat, 08 Dec – Psalm 139 ~ wonderfully made and forever loved

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 139 (NLT) – For the choir director: A psalm of David.

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night — but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
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Morning Prayer

Almighty God: To you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid –

+ You created us in your image, and knit us together inside our mothers…
+ You have been with us ever since, working out your plan for our lives…
+ You know how we think, what we feel, and what we have done or left undone…
+ You know our sins, and our failures to live up to your expectations…
+ You know our fears and anxieties, and our hopes for the future…
+ And, through it all, you have surrounded us with your presence…
+ You have loved us, and held us close to your heart…

Almighty God: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 139” (Far Too Wonderful) – Shane & Shane

You wrote the story of my life | You go before you fall behind, yeah
Before a breath beyond my death | You are with me all the way
To everlasting

Oh I can’t run, I can’t hide | Even darkness is a light
From the lowest place to the highest praise
You are worthy
Amazing love how can it be | Far too wonderful for me
There’s only one thing left to say
You are worthy, oh

Search me God and know my heart | Try me, know my anxious thoughts, yeah
Find the weaknesses in me and lead me in the way
Everlasting

You formed me in my mothers womb | You know my frame, my flesh, and bone
Oh, how wonderfully made
Oh I can’t describe it’s way too hard | You see me through and through
And call me loved
What a wonderful grace, oh
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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying the Psalms: Fri, 07 Dec – Psalm 138 ~ I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 138 (NLT) – A psalm of David.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.

Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord, for all of them will hear your words. Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways, for the glory of the Lord is very great. Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: We sing praises to your name, and declare your greatness before all powers and authorities –

+ because of your loving-kindness on display around us…
+ because of your faithfulness to your promises to us…
+ because of your encouragement and strength in our times of trouble…

O Lord our God: We sing praises to your name, and declare your greatness before all powers and authorities –

+ because, one day, all shall repent and acknowledge your Kingship…
+ because, one day, the poor and humble will be heirs of your Kingdom…
+ because, one day, you will raise us to live forever in your Kingdom…

O Lord our God: We sing praises to your name, and declare your greatness before all powers and authorities; for you have sent us your Son, Jesus Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever – King of kings, and Lord of lords. Amen.
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“Psalm 138” (On the Day I Called, O Lord) – Catholic Wench [Music composed for a friend’s funeral.]

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 06 Dec – Psalm 137 ~ we sat and wept as we thought of Jerusalem

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 137 (NLT) –

Beside the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept as we thought of Jerusalem. We put away our harps, hanging them on the branches of poplar trees. For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you, if I don’t make Jerusalem my greatest joy.

O Lord, remember what the Edomites did on the day the armies of Babylon captured Jerusalem. “Destroy it!” they yelled. “Level it to the ground!” O Babylon, you will be destroyed. Happy is the one who pays you back for what you have done to us. Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: We are strangers, living in a pagan, hostile land –

+ we weep in shame for the godlessness of the land of our birth…
+ we weep in sorrow, remembering when we were “one nation under God”…
+ we weep in despair for the corruption of our justice system…
+ we weep in sadness for the futility of our secular society…

O Lord our God: Come quickly to save us. Fill us with songs of “Kingdom come”- already in humility at Christmas; and fully in glory, with righteousness and justice, when Christ Jesus returns. It’s in the name of Christ Jesus that we pray. Amen.
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“Psalm 137” (If I Forget You Jerusalem) – James Block

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying the Psalms: Wed, 05 Dec – Psalm 136 ~ His faithful love endures forever.

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 136 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
+is faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
+ His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day,
+ His faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He brought Israel out of Egypt.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He led Israel safely through,
+ His faithful love endures forever.
but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He killed powerful kings—
+ His faithful love endures forever.
Sihon king of the Amorites,
+ His faithful love endures forever.
and Og king of Bashan.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance—
+ His faithful love endures forever.
a special possession to his servant Israel.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

He remembered us in our weakness.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
He gives food to every living thing.
+ His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.
+ His faithful love endures forever.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Your mercy endures forever –

+ for you are good in all you have done, in all your judgements…
+ for you forgive our sins, and remember them no more…
+ for you displace our fears with your loving-kindness…
+ for you are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise…
+ for you welcome home all who repent and return to you…

O Lord our God: Your mercy endures forever, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 136” (Your Mercy Endures) – Greg LaFollette / Leslie Jordan

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying the Psalms: Tue, 04 Dec – Psalm 135 ~ Your Name, O Lord, Endures Forever

Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 135 (NLT)

Praise the Lord!

Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you who serve the Lord, you who serve in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his lovely name with music. For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own special treasure.

I know the greatness of the Lord — that our Lord is greater than any other god. The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths. He causes the clouds to rise over the whole earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.

He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home, both people and animals. He performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his people. He struck down great nations and slaughtered mighty kings — Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel.

Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. For the Lord will give justice to his people and have compassion on his servants.

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

O Israel, praise the Lord! O priests—descendants of Aaron—praise the Lord! O Levites, praise the Lord! All you who fear the Lord, praise the Lord! The Lord be praised from Zion, for he lives here in Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: To you we offer our sacrifice of praise and worship –

+ for you are the ruler of all nature…
+ for you are the ruler of all nations…
+ for you are forever good…
+ for you are forever kind…
+ for you are forever just…
+ for you are forever…

O Lord our God: To you we offer our sacrifice of praise and worship, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
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“Psalm 135” – Arabic Greek Byzantine – By the Monks of Simonos Petras Monastery (Athos)