Morning Prayer: Praying the Psalms
The Call to Prayer
Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
The Request for Presence
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
Psalm 42:1
The Greeting
I give you thanks, O YHWH, with my whole heart;
On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
Psalm 138:1,3
The Song
Inspired by Psalm 42
As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longs after You.
You alone are my heart's desire and I long to worship You.
You alone are my strength, my shield, to You alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship You.
I want You more than gold or silver, only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver, and the apple of my eye.
You alone are my strength, my shield, to You alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship You.
You're my friend and You are my brother, even though you are a King.
I love You more than any other, so much more than anything.
You alone are my strength, my shield, to You alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship You.
Nystrom Martin J
As the Deer lyrics © Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ.
The Refrain
That’s why people of faith everywhere should pray to you—they’ll find you. Even when the flood begins rising, it will never touch them.
You are my hiding place; you’ll protect me in times of trouble and surround me with songs of freedom.
Psalm 32:6-7
A Psalm
In you, YHWH, I took refuge; never let me be disgraced! In your justice deliver me!
Turn your ear to me! Hurry! Rescue me! Be the rock I hide behind; be the walled fortress that saves me!
Because you are my rock, my fortress, and for the sake of your Name, lead me, guide me!
Pull me out of the trap they set for me, for you are my refuge!
Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, YHWH, God of truth!
I hate those who cling to useless idols; but I trust in you.
I’ll be happy, I’ll rejoice in your love—for you saw my despair, you knew the dark night of my soul.
You didn’t hand me over to the enemy, but gave my feet boundless freedom.
Now take pity on me, YHWH, for I’m in trouble again. I cried so much that I’m exhausted—and not only my eyes, but my mind and body as well.
My life is consumed by sorrows; my years are worn out with my sighs; my strength fails me because of my despair; my bones are getting weaker.
Because of all my oppressors I’m held in utter contempt, even by my neighbors; my friends are afraid of me, and people who see me on the street hurry past me.
I am forgotten, as good as dead in their hearts, like something that has outlived its usefulness.
I hear their endless slanders, and threats from every quarter as they conspire against me, plotting to take my life.
But I put my trust in you, YHWH; I say, “You are my God!”
My times are in your hand; save me from the hands of my enemies and persecutors.
Smile on your faithful one; save me in your love!
Don’t let me be disgrace, YHWH, for I cried to you; let disgrace fall instead on the corrupt—in their silence, let them go to sheol,
their lying lips sealed shut because of their sneering contempt for those who do right, because of their overwhelming pride and arrogance.
How great is the goodness reserved for those who revere you! You bestow it—in front of everyone—on those who take refuge in you.
Safe in your presence, you hide them from the world’s insidious schemes; inside your tent, you shelter them, far from the war of tongues!
Blessed are you, YHWH, for you showed your wonderful love to me in a city under siege!
In my alarm I exclaimed, “I’ve been snatched from your sight!” Yet you heard the sound of my cries when I called to you for help.
Revel in your love for God, you whom God has touched! For YHWH protects the faithful but will repay the arrogant in full.
Be strong, let your heart be bold, you who hope in YHWH.
Psalm 31
The Refrain
That’s why people of faith everywhere should pray to you—they’ll find you. Even when the flood begins rising, it will never touch them.
You are my hiding place; you’ll protect me in times of trouble and surround me with songs of freedom.
Psalm 32:6-7
A Psalm
Sing out your joy to YHWH, you who love justice—praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Praise YHWH with the harp, and play music with a ten-stringed lyre!
Sing God a new song, play with all your skill, and with shouts of joy!
For the word of YHWH is true and everything God does can be trusted.
YHWH loves justice and right and fills the earth with love.
By your word, YHWH, the heavens were made, by the breath of your mouth all the stars.
You gather the seas together and control them, putting the Deep into its vault.
Let all the earth revere YHWH; let all who live in the world tremble before you!
You spoke, and everything came to be; commanded, and it all sprang into being.
You frustrate the designs of the nations, defeat the plans of the peoples.
But your own plan will stand firm forever, the designs of your heart from age to age.
Happy is the nation whose God is YHWH! Happy the people you choose as your own inheritance!
From the heavens you look forth, YHWH, and see all of humankind.
From your dwelling place you watch over all the peoples of the earth.
You shape the hearts of them all and consider all their deeds.
A ruler isn’t saved by the size of an army; a warrior doesn’t escape because of strength.
Trust in the horse for your deliverance and you’ll be disappointed—despite all its might, it cannot save.
The eyes of YHWH look on those who stand in reverence, on those who hope in God’s love
to rescue them from death, or to keep them alive during famine.
And so we wait for YHWH, our help and our shield.
For in you our hearts find joy; we trust in your holy Name.
May your love be upon us, YHWH, as we place all our hope in you.
Psalm 33
The Refrain
That’s why people of faith everywhere should pray to you—they’ll find you. Even when the flood begins rising, it will never touch them.
You are my hiding place; you’ll protect me in times of trouble and surround me with songs of freedom.
Psalm 32:6-7
The Gloria
All glory to Almighty God
For love so deep, so high, so broad
The Trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.
15th c. Latin, translated by Benjamin Webb
PCC Hymn #205 O love, how deep, how broad, how high
The Lord’s Prayer
The Prayer Appointed for the Day
Gracious God, thank you for the Psalms. Thank you for words of prayer when we don’t know what to pray ourselves. At times, the floods rise, chaos seems to reign, but we put our trust in you, the one who brought order to chaos and stilled the floods. Thank you for being our hiding place and for protecting us in times of trouble. We pray for songs of freedom and peace. Since today is Joe Biden’s and Kamala Harris’ inauguration day, we pray for a peaceful transition of power and that you would give them wisdom in their leadership, that they would lead the United States into the way of peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Rev. Sarina Odden Meyer
The Concluding Prayer of the Church
God be in my head and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes and in my looking;
God be in my mouth and in my speaking;
God be in my heart and in my thinking;
God be at my end and at my departing.
R. Pynson (1514)
Bible translations from The Inclusive Bible or the NRSV.