Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the
LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can
utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his
praise? Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth
righteousness at all times. Remember me, O LORD, with the favour
that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the
gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed
iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fathers understood not thy
wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies;
but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless
he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his
mighty power to be known. He rebuked the Red sea also, and it
was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the
wilderness. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated
them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. And the waters
covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. Then believed
they his words; they sang his praise.
They soon forgat his works; they waited
not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness,
and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request;
but sent leanness into their soul. They envied Moses also in the
camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. The earth opened and swallowed
up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. And a fire was kindled
in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. They made a
calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. Thus they changed
their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. They
forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the
Red sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not
Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away
his wrath, lest he should destroy them. Yea, they despised the
pleasant land, they believed not his word: But murmured in their
tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore
he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:
To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter
them in the lands. They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor,
and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to
anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.
Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague
was stayed. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto
all generations for evermore. They angered him also at the waters
of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because
they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his
lips.
They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. 4ave us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.