The Personal Breviary

Psalm 139:1-9 O Lord, thou hast searched me out, and known me *  thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising; thou understandest my thoughts long before.   Thou art about my path, and about my bed *  and spiest out all my ways.   For lo, there is not a word in my tongue *  but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.   Thou hast fashioned me behind and before *  and laid thine hand upon me.   Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me *  I cannot attain unto it.   Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit *  or whither shall I go then from thy presence?   If I climb up into heaven, thou art there *  if I go down to hell, thou art there also.   If I take the wings of the morning *  and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;   Even there also shall thy hand lead me *  and thy right hand shall hold me. (Transla...

Psalm 55:9-17  Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them *  for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.   Day and night they go about within the walls thereof *  mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.   Wickedness is therein *  deceit and guile go not out of their streets.   For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour *  for then I could have borne it.   Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me *  for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.   But it was even thou, my companion *  my guide, and mine own familiar friend.   We took sweet counsel together *  and walked in the house of God as friends.   Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell *  for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.   As for me, I wil...

Psalm 51:10-19 Make me a clean heart, O God *  and renew a right spirit within me.   Cast me not away from thy presence *  and take not thy holy Spirit from me.   O give me the comfort of thy help again *  and stablish me with thy free Spirit.   Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked *  and sinners shall be converted unto thee.   Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health *  and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.   Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord *  and my mouth shall shew thy praise.   For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee *  but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.   The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit *  a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.   O be favourable and gracious unto Sion *  build thou the walls of Jerusalem. ...