Psalms, 103
God is to be praised for his mighty works, and wonderful providence.
Benedic, anima.
[1] For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great. Thou hast put on praise and beauty: •
[2] And art clothed with light as with a garment. Who stretchest out the heaven like a pavilion: •
[3] Who coverest the higher rooms thereof with water. Who makest the clouds thy chariot: who walkest upon the wings of the winds. •
[4] Who makest thy angels spirits: and thy ministers a burning fire. •
[5] Who hast founded the earth upon its own bases: it shall not be moved for ever and ever. •
[6] The deep like a garment is its clothing: above the mountains shall the waters stand. •
[7] At thy rebuke they shall flee: at the voice of thy thunder they shall fear. •
[8] The mountains ascend, and the plains descend into the place which thou hast founded for them.
[9] Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth. •
[10] Thou sendest forth springs in the vales: between the midst of the hills the waters shall pass. •
[11] All the beasts of the field shall drink: the wild asses shall expect in their thirst. •
[12] Over them the birds of the air shall dwell: from the midst of the rocks they shall give forth their voices.
[13] Thou waterest the hills from thy upper rooms: the earth shall be filled with the fruit of thy works: •
[14] Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men. That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth: •
[15] And that wine may cheer the heart of man. That he may make the face cheerful with oil: and that bread may strengthen man's heart. •
[16] The trees of the field shall be filled, and the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted: •
[17] There the sparrows shall make their nests. The highest of them is the house of the heron. •
[18] The high hills are a refuge for the harts, the rock for the irchins. •
[19] He hath made the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. •
[20] Thou hast appointed darkness, and it is night: in it shall all the beasts of the woods go about:
[21] The young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their meat from God. •
[22] The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together: and they shall lie down in their dens.
[23] Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labour until the evening.
[24] How great are thy works, O Lord ? thou hast made all things in wisdom: the earth is filled with thy riches. •
[25] So is this great sea, which stretcheth wide its arms: there are creeping things without number: Creatures little and great. •
[26] There the ships shall go. This sea dragon which thou hast formed to play therein. •
[27] All expect of thee that thou give them food in season. •
[28] What thou givest to them they shall gather up: when thou openest thy hand, they shall all be filled with good. •
[29] But if thou turnest away thy face, they shall be troubled: thou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and shall return to their dust.
[30] Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created: and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. •
[31] May the glory of the Lord endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works. •
[32] He looketh upon the earth, and maketh it tremble: he troubleth the mountains, and they smoke. •
[33] I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. •
[34] Let my speech be acceptable to him: but I will take delight in the Lord.
[35] Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and the unjust, so that they be no more: O my soul, bless thou the Lord. •