1 Forever I will sing of your great love, O LORD,
to every changing age your faithfulness record.
2 I will declare how firm your steadfast love is founded,
established in the skies with faithfulness unbounded.
3 Your cov’nant with David no pow’r on earth can sever.
4 You promised to establish his descendants fore’er.
5 O LORD, the heav’ns extol the wonders of your ways;
the holy ones in their assembly sing your praise.
6 Who in their mighty host compares with you in splendor?
7 They all before your throne to you their homage render.
8 O LORD, who is like you? Who else has pow’r unbounded?
You are the mighty God by faithfulness surrounded.
9 You rule the swelling tides, the surging of the sea,
and on the roaring waves impose tranquility.
10 Proud Rahab you have crushed, its carcass you have shattered;
you with your mighty arm your enemies have scattered.
11 Both earth and skies are yours, for yours is all creation;
the world with all it holds you placed on its foundation.
12 You made both north and south and ev’ry mountain height;
Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon glory in your might.
13 Your arm, your strong right hand, evokes their jubilation.
14 True righteousness and justice are your throne’s foundation.
The love and faithfulness that will endure forever
before you make their way as heralds of your favor.
15 Blest are the people who acclaim you as their King,
and walk in the light, before your face rejoicing.
16 They praise fore’er your name, your justice and salvation.
17 For your strength and pow’r are their source of exultation.
18 To you belongs our shield, our king so great and glorious;
you, LORD, came to his aid and made him victorious.
19 Of old your vision came to David, as you said:
20 “I offer him the crown, my oil upon his head.
21 I will abide with him; my hand will not forsake him.
22-23 His enemies will fear; their armies will not break him.
24 My steadfast love and power will go with him forever.
25 I’ll set his hand on every sea and every river.”
26 “You are my God and Rock,” my chosen one will cry.
27 among the kings he’ll reign, the highest of the high.
28 My steadfast love for him I will maintain forever;
the cov’nant made with him I will not break or sever.
29 In keeping with my pledge, the throne to David given
will stand forever firm, enduring like the heavens.
30 “Although his children stray, and disobey my law,
31 ignoring my commands, not holding them in awe,
32 then I will punish them, flog them for their transgression,
33 but will not take from him my love and my compassion.
34 My cov’nant will stand firm, my vow will not be broken,
nor will I change a word of what my lips have spoken.
35 “I once for all have sworn by my own holiness.
I will not break my word, but David I will bless;
36 his throne will evermore from heir to heir be handed,
for like the sun it will endure as I commanded.
37 And like the moon, the faithful witness in the heavens,
his reign will be secure. My promise I have given.”
38 But now, O LORD, in wrath you turn against your own.
39 You have removed his crown, cast down his royal throne.
40 LORD, you have breached the walls, brought widespread devastation,
reduced the citadels to scenes of desolation.
41 See how all who pass by have robbed and plundered him;
he is his neighbors’ scorn, enduring bitter shame.
42 His enemies rejoice, all with laughter greet him.
43 Their armies lay him low; in battle defeat him.
44 You turned his scepter and his throne to desolation;
45 his joy and youth are changed to shame and violation.
46 How long, O LORD? How long will you from him be hiding?
How long before your blazing wrath will be subsiding?
47 Remember, LORD, my life, its brief and fleeting span.
O for what vanity have you created man!
48 Who can outwit the grave or claim to be immortal?
Who can escape the ruinous power of Sheol?
49 Lord, where is now your love? Why has it waned and wavered?
Where is the faithfulness that once you swore to David?
50 Remember how I bear within my heart, O Lord,
the insults and the taunts that I have long endured.
51 Your servant has been mocked and jeered by all the nations;
foes taunted your anointed with their provocations.
52 Yet praise and worship God! His mercy will not waver.
Yes, Amen and Amen. Praised be the LORD forever!
– Book of Praise: Anglo-Genevan Psalter and Psalter Hymnal, alt.
Oremus 