Day 7: Psalms 19-21

If you look at the Psalms in the Book of Common Prayer Psalter, you will notice Latin phrases before each psalm.  These Latin phrases are the first words of each psalm and serve as a kind of title for each psalm.

Psalm 19 Caeli enarrant

1	The heavens declare the glory of God, *     and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2	One day tells its tale to another, *     and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3	Although they have no words or language, *     and their voices are not heard,
4	Their sound has gone out into all lands, *     and their message to the ends of the world.
5	In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *     it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;     it rejoices like a champion to run its course.

6	It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; *     nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7	The law of the LORD is perfect                               and revives the soul; *     the testimony of the LORD is sure                                and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8	The statutes of the LORD are just                               and rejoice the heart; *     the commandment of the LORD is clear                                and gives light to the eyes.
9	The fear of the LORD is clean                               and endures for ever; *     the judgments of the LORD are true                                and righteous altogether.
10	More to be desired are they than gold,                               more than much fine gold, *     sweeter far than honey,                                than honey in the comb.
11	By them also is your servant enlightened, *     and in keeping them there is great reward.
12	Who can tell how often he offends? *     cleanse me from my secret faults.
13	Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; *     then shall I be whole and sound,     and innocent of a great offense.
14	Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my                               heart be acceptable in your sight, *     O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. It's that last verse that I have heard a million times.  Preachers use this verse before preaching their sermon.  At one church that I attended, the rector amended the verse to say "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight…"  That change makes us all a partner in the sermon.   Psalm 20 1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble, *     the Name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 Send you help from his holy place *     and strengthen you out of Zion; 3 Remember all your offerings *     and accept your burnt sacrifice; 4 Grant you your heart's desire *     and prosper all your plans. 5 We will shout for joy at your victory and triumph in the Name of our God; *     may the LORD grant all your requests. 6 Now I know that the LORD gives victory to his anointed; *     he will answer him out of his holy heaven,     with the victorious strength of his right hand. 7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *     but we will call upon the Name of the LORD our God. 8 They collapse and fall down, *     but we will arise and stand upright. 9 O LORD, give victory to the king *     and answer us when we call. Another call for help against enemies.   Psalm 21 1 The king rejoices in your strength, O LORD; *     how greatly he exults in your victory! 2 You have given him his heart's desire; *     you have not denied him the request of his lips. 3 For you meet him with blessings of prosperity, *     and set a crown of fine gold upon his head. 4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him: *     length of days, for ever and ever. 5 His honor is great, because of your victory; *     splendor and majesty have you bestowed upon him. 6 For you will give him everlasting felicity *     and will make him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 For the king puts his trust in the LORD; *     because of the loving-kindness of the Most High, he                               will not fall. 8 Your hand will lay hold upon all your enemies; *     your right hand will seize all those who hate you. 9 You will make them like a fiery furnace *     at the time of your appearing, O LORD; 10  You will swallow them up in your wrath, *     and fire shall consume them. 11  You will destroy their offspring from the land *     and their descendants from among the peoples of the earth. 12  Though they intend evil against you and devise wicked schemes, *     yet they shall not prevail. 13   For you will put them to flight *     and aim your arrows at them. 14  Be exalted, O LORD, in your might; *     we will sing and praise your power. Another childish view of God destroying the enemies.  Get off your butt and do something for yourself!