Most godly prayers compiled out of Davids PsalmsMost godly prayers compiled out of Dauids Psalmes

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxviij. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxviij. Psalme.

¹Forsomuch as the divine scriptures have most perfectly published thy exceeding glorious works (O most mighty God) by setting thy children at liberty in Egypt, assuredly knowing that what things soever are set forth in the holy Bible, they all make very much to our comfort and consolation: we now most heartily require thee, that thou wouldest in these exceeding dangerous times, continually renew our memory with thy holy spirit, who being moved herewith, may repose our whole confidence in thee only. Thou broughtest thy children of Israel out of Egypt, in working of ⟨image 119⟩dreadful things against Pharaoh. The sea gave place, a cloud covered them, a light of fire guided them on their journey, the rock gave water, the heaven sent them both Manna and flesh: and in Mount Sinai thou showedst thy self at what time it pleased thee to give them a law by Moses. Thou therefore who hast done so great and manifold things for the Israelites, forsake us not in such wise, as the sheep of thy flock may be scattered abroad by the Devil and Antichrist. We verily have sinned against thee, and that grievously and very often: howbeit they also were oftentimes rebellious and murmured against thy divine Majesty in the wilderness, when as they had less credit to thy sacred word then beseemed them. There thou diddest sharply punish that people, neither yet sufferedst thy heritage to be destroyed, but knewest well that they were flesh, and had a very wavering spirit: wherefore thou wert so touched with mercy that thou didst help them in adversity. We therefore earnestly require thee (O good God) that thou wouldest do none otherwise to thy blessed Church at this present, in mighty ⟨image 120⟩defending and valiant delivering her after any other sort then thou didst the Jews when thou haddest laid thy rod of correction somewhat upon them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹FOrsomuch as the diuine scriptures haue most perfectly published thy excéeding glorious workes (O most mightie God) by setting thy children at libertie in Egypt, assuredlye knowing that what thinges soeuer are set forth in the holy Bible, they all make very much to our comfort and consolation: wée nowe most heartily require thée, that thou wouldest in these excéeding daungerous tymes, continuallye renue our memorie with thy holye spirite, who béeing moued herewith, may repose our whole cōfidence in thee onely. Thou broughtest thy children of Israell oute of Egypt, in working of ⟨image 119⟩dreadfull things agaynst Pharao. The sea gaue place, a clowde couered them, a light of fire guided them on their iourney, the rocke gaue water, the heauen sent them both Manna and fleshe: and in Mount Sinai thou shewedst thy selfe at what tyme it pleased thée to giue them a law by Moyses. Thou therefore who hast done so great and manifold things for the Israelites, forsake vs not in such wise, as the shepe of thy flocke may be scattered abroade by the Deuill and Antichrist. We verily haue sinned agaynst thee, and that gréeuously and very often: howbeit they also were oftentymes rebellious and murmured agaynst thy diuine Maiestie in the wildernesse, when as they had lesse credite to thy sacred worde then beseemed them. There thou diddest sharpely punishe that people, neyther yet sufferedst thy heritage to be destroyed, but knewest well that they were fleshe, and had a verye wauering spirite: wherefore thou wert so touched with mercy that thou didst helpe them in aduersitie. We therfore earnestly require thee (O good God) that thou wouldest doe none otherwise to thy blessed Church at this present, in mightie ⟨image 120⟩defending and valiant deliuering hir after any other sort then thou didst the Iewes when thou haddest layde thy rod of correction somewhat vpon them, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

1. 1A prayer for grace and uprightness of heart.A prayer for grace and •prightnesse of heart.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

We heartily acknowledge and earnestly confess (O most mighty god) that the ingratitude of mankind is exceeding great, which thing truly appeareth plainly by our lewd deeds: but seeing that it is an easy matter for every man to be blind in his own case, it is more manifestly set forth by our forefathers acts, which are most truly made mention of in the holy scriptures. We have heard that the children of Israel were delivered through thee, by a number of miracles, when as thou broughtest them out of Egypt, who being governed, defended, and nourished in the desert with such a diligent study and prudent care, as no greater could be devised and imagined, yet for all this the same people are reported to show themselves so much ungrateful and oblivious of thy excellent ⟨image 120⟩benefits, that they always murmured against thee their god, their maker, deliverer, & guide most just. Therefore we humbly beseech thee, O excellent father, that (seeing thou of thy free mercy hast elected us, and moreover beautified us with the highest ornaments of thy grace) thou wouldest never suffer or cause the same to depart out of our memory, but rather stir us up every moment with thy blessed spirit to render such kind of thanks unto thee, whereby both thou mayst be most honoured, and we greatly provoked forward to lead a godly and virtuous life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WEe heartily acknowledge and earnestly confesse (O most mighty god) that the ingratitude of mankinde is excéeding great, which thing truely appeareth plainly by our lewd deedes: but séeing that it is an easie matter for euery man to bee blind in his owne case, it is more manifestly set forth by our forefathers actes, which are most truely made mencion of in the holy scriptures. We haue heard that the childrē of Israell were deliuered through thée, by a number of miracles, when as thou broughtest them out of Egypt, who being gouerned, defended, and nourished in the desert with such a diligent studie and prudent care, as no greater could be deuised and imagined, yet for all this the same people are reported to shewe themselues so much vngratefull and obliuious of thy excellent ⟨image 120⟩benefites, that they alwayes murmured against thée their god, their maker, deliuerer, & guide most iust. Therefore we humbly beseeche thée, O excellent father, that (seéing thou of thy frée mercie hast elected vs, and moreouer bewtified vs with the highest ornamentes of thy grace) thou wouldest neuer suffer or cause the same to depart out of our memory, but rather stirre vs vp euery moment with thy blessed spirit to render such kinde of thankes vnto thée, wherby both thou mayst be most honored, and we greatly prouoked forward to leade a godlye and vertuous life, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

Besides the prodigious wonders and marvellous signs (O most good and merciful God) whereby thou thoughtest good divers and sundry times to maintain and defend the fathers in the old law, the self same hast thou commanded both to be set forth for the commodity of those that come after, and also to be registered for a perpetual remembrance, to the intent ⟨image 121⟩that so many as shall perceive the things by faith, may conceive as assured an hope of thy mercy, loving kindness, and faithfulness toward themselves, as they wonder exceeding greatly at thy unspeakable goodness extended upon their old fathers. For the seeing of those mens chastisements by the severity of thy just judgement, may also be a very great warning unto them, that they shall be no more spared then the others, when through their lewd behaviour, they cease not to provoke thy wrathful indignation against them: Our earnest request is therefore (O heavenly father) that we may reap much commodity hereby. For we verily are (through thy gracious favour) delivered from everlasting destruction, even as they were out of Egypt. But this is our most earnest request which we require as now at thy merciful hands, that we be not led by our filthy lusts and lewd desires to provoke thy heavy wrath unto our confusion, in such sort as they were by grudging at thy unestimable goodness in the wilderness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BEsides the prodigious wonders and marueylous signes (O moste good and mercifull God) whereby thou thoughtest good diuers and sundry times to maintaine and defend the fathers in the olde lawe, the selfe same hast thou commaunded both to be set forth for the commoditie of those that come after, and also to be registred for a perpetuall remembraunce, to the intent ⟨image 121⟩that so many as shall perceyue the things by fayth, may conceyue as assured an hope of thy mercie, louing kindnesse, and faythfulnesse toward themselues, as they wonder excéeding greatly at thy vnspeakeable goodnesse extended vpon their olde fathers. For the séeing of those mens chasticements by the seueritie of thy iust iudgement, may also be a verye great warning vnto them, that they shall be no more spared then the others, when through their lewde behauiour, they ceasse not to prouoke thy wrathfull indignation agaynst them: Our earnest request is therefore (O heauenly father) that we may reape much commoditie hereby. For we verilye are (through thy gracious fauor) deliuered from euerlasting destruction, euen as they were out of Egypt. But this is our most earnest request which we require as nowe at thy mercifull handes, that we be not ledde by our filthie lustes and lewd desires to prouoke thy heauie wrath vnto our confusion, in such sort as they were by grudging at thy vnestimable goodnesse in the wildernesse, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

An other prayer out of the same Psalm.

An other prayer out of the same Psalme.

WE may right well perceive (O most good and merciful God) that the desires of our wicked lusts be much hurtful, either because we are provoked through them to pour out complaints against thee, who art most perfectly good, or else for that (in compassing the filthy desires of them) we purchase greatly unto our selves the most severe punishments of thy unspeakable justice: for we are now admonished in due time by the holy ghost, of all such things as happened unto the Israelites in the wilderness. Wherefore we (being taught by other mens perils) are very careful, least we be wrapped in semblable misfortunes through the like misbehaviour. Our earnest desire is therefore that thou wouldest give ear unto our fervent prayers, wherein, we humbly beseech thee to give us grace that we may never be forgetful of thy excellency, neither let it come at any time into our harts, either by words or thought, to dally with thee, in whom is nothing but most perfect verity. For whensoever ⟨image 122⟩we fall through human infirmity, have thou mercy upon us, who knowest us to he both frail flesh, and also very weak spirited: and so (of thy infinite goodness) incline thy self now partly to raise us up, being already fallen, and partly also to confirm us, that we be not thrust down into everlasting destruction, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE may right well perceyue (O most good and mercifull God) that the desires of our wicked lustes be much hurtful, either bicause we are prouoked through thē to poure out complaints agaynst thée, who art most perfectly good, or else for that (in compassing the filthie desires of them) we purchase greatly vnto our selues the most seuere punishmentes of thy vnspeakable iustice: for we are now admonished in due tyme by the holy ghost, of all such thinges as happened vnto the Israelits in the wildernesse. Wherefore we (being taught by other mens perilles) are very carefull, least we be wrapped in semblable misfortunes through the like misbehauiour. Our earnest desire is therefore that thou wouldest giue eare vnto our feruent prayers, wherein, we humbly beséech thee to giue vs grace that we may neuer be forgetfull of thy excellencie, neyther let it come at any time into our harts, either by words or thought, to dallye with thée, in whome is nothing but most perfect veritie. For whensoeuer ⟨image 122⟩we fall through humaine infirmitie, haue thou mercie vpon vs, who knowest vs to he both frayle fleshe, and also very weake spirited: and so (of thy infinite goodnesse) incline thy selfe nowe partly to rayse vs vp, being alreadie fallen, and partlye also to confirme vs, that we be not thrust downe into euerlasting destruction, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxix. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxix. Psalme.

¹Thou hast chosen us (O most mighty God) to be thy heritage, and doubtless there is nothing permitted which might be a furtherance to the furnishing, garnishing, and making us right blessed: thou hast given us the knowledge of thy sacred scriptures, the preaching of thy blessed Gospel, the administration of thy holy Sacraments, and others innumerable, which belong to the beautifying of this thy heritage. But we alas, (being ungrateful of all these most excellent and singular gifts) have accomplished nothing as was required of us. Therefore the wicked and barbarous Nations ⟨image 122⟩are not without just desert stirred up together (through thy wrathful indignation) to invade thy holy Church, and to shed the blood of thy faithful people and blessed inheritance as if it were water, making of us a very scorn and laughing stock: and that (which is more lamentable and greatlier to be sorrowed) they persecute in us not our deadly sins, but thy own self, thy holy Gospel, thy divine honour, and pure worshipping of thee. Wherefore (O God most deer father) our earnest request is that thou wouldest not be always angry with thy people and sheep of thy pasture. Pour out therefore this thy wrath (which is kindled against us for our sins) upon the heathen that have not known thee: and suffer not thy blessed Church to be devoured of the ungodly. We heartily desire thee (for thy infinite mercies sake, and by the intercession of thy most dearly beloved son our Lord) to have no more in remembrance our old heinous sins. And seeing that we put our whole trust and confidence in thy goodness only, assist and deliver such as cry and call unto thee, even for the glory of thy names sake. ⟨image 123⟩Be merciful unto our grievous sins, otherwise the ungodly will say that thou hast rejected thy own case. Let the sorrowful sighing & lamentable tears of the oppressed came before thee, and not be put out of thy sight: pardon whatsoever we have grievously committed against thee, and vouchsafe to show upon us the force of thy assistant help to the intent that we thy loving heritage, thy faithful people, and sheep of thy good pasture, may give thee thanks for ever, and show forth thy worthy praises from one generation to another, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹THou hast chosen vs (O most mightie God) to be thy heritage, and doubtlesse there is nothing permitted which might be a furtheraunce to the furnishing, garnishing, and making vs right blessed: thou hast giuen vs the knowledge of thy sacred scriptures, the preaching of thy blessed Gospel, the administration of thy holy Sacraments, and others innumerable, which belong to the bewtefying of this thy heritage. But wée alas, (being vngratefull of all these moste excellent and singuler giftes) haue accomplished nothing as was required of vs. Therefore the wicked and barbarous Nations ⟨image 122⟩are not without iust desert stirred vp togither (through thy wrathfull indignation) to inuade thy holy Churche, and to shed the bloud of thy faythfull people and blessed inheritance as if it were water, making of vs a verye scorne and laughing stocke: and that (which is more lamentable and greatlier to be sorowed) they persecute in vs not our deadly sinnes, but thy owne selfe, thy holy Gospell, thy diuine honor, and pure worshipping of thée. Wherfore (O God most déere father) our earnest request is that thou wouldest not bée alwayes angrie with thy people and shéepe of thy pasture. Poure out therefore thys thy wrath (which is kindled against vs for our sinnes) vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thée: and suffer not thy blessed Church to be deuoured of the vngodly. We hartily desire thée (for thy infinite mercies sake, and by the intercession of thy moste déerely beloued sonne our Lorde) to haue no more in remembrance our olde heynous sinnes. And séeing that we put our whole trust and confidence in thy goodnesse onely, assist and deliuer such as crie and call vnto thée, euen for the glorie of thy names sake. ⟨image 123⟩Be mercifull vnto our gréeuous sinnes, otherwise ye vngodly will say that thou hast reiected thy owne case. Let the sorrowfull sighing & lamentable teares of ye oppressed came before thée, and not be put out of thy sight: pardō whatsoeuer we haue gréeuously cōmitted agaynst thee, and vouchsafe to shew vpon vs the force of thy assistant help to the intent that we thy louing heritage, thy faythfull people, and shéepe of thy good pasture, maye giue thee thankes for euer, and shewe forth thy worthie prayses from one generation to another, through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Amen.

1. 1A prayer for obtaining of mercy and favour against the persecutors of the Church.A prayer for obteyning of mercie and fauor agaynst the persecutors of the Church.

An other prayer out of the same psalm.

An other prayer out of the same psalme.

Let the wonderful examples of thy rigorous justice (O most mighty God) wherewith thou hast subverted the Kingdom of Israel, and wrapped that people for their rebelliousness against thee, in slaughters, rapes, booties, burnings, captivities, with all kind of miseries and infelicity, be a wholesome and comfortable admonition unto us, so that we may with a right cheerful mind, lay hold upon true ⟨image 123⟩repentance, and be delivered thereby from most grievous torments, which (through our innumerable heinous sins) we have worthily deserved. For very meet it is that thou shouldst have an especial regard unto thy most blessed and glorious name: but if thou shalt pour out thy wrath upon us, the wicked will imagine that thou hadst no care to help such as duly honour thee, and crave thy assistance with abundance of tears: for if any calamity or adversity light upon thy sacred Church, it is incontinent their accustomed manner malapertly to scoff against the same, saying, where is now their God become? What profit have they by their religion? By means whereof this kind of reproach redoundeth unto thee▪ upon thy sacred doctrine, and upon thy holy Gospel. Wherefore our humble and earnest request is, that (being right mindful of the sheep of thy pasture) thou wouldest so defend and maintain us, as we may perpetually in all places, both publish and also set forth thy worthy praises, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LEt the wonderfull examples of thy rygorous iustice (O moste mightie God) wherewith thou hast subuerted the Kingdome of Israell, and wrapped that people for their rebelliousnesse agaynst thee, in slaughters, rapes, booties, burnings, captiuities, with all kinde of miseries and infelicitie, be a wholesome and comfortable admonition vnto vs, so that we may with a right chéerefull minde, lay hold vpon true ⟨image 123⟩repentaunce, and be deliuered therby from most gréeuous torments, which (through our innumerable heynous sinnes) we haue worthely deserued. For verye méete it is that thou shouldst haue an especiall regard vnto thy moste blessed and glorious name: but if thou shalt poure out thy wrath vpon vs, the wicked will imagine yt thou hadst no care to helpe such as duely honor thée, and craue thy assistaunce with abundance of teares: for if any calamitie or aduersitie light vpon thy sacred Church, it is incontinent their accustomed maner malipartly to scoffe agaynst the same, saying, where is nowe their God become? What profite haue they by theyr religion? By meanes whereof this kinde of reproch redowndeth vnto thée▪ vpon thy sacred doctrine, and vpon thy holy Gospell. Wherefore our humble and earnest request is, that (being right mindfull of the sheepe of thy pasture) thou wouldest so defende and mainteyne vs, as we may perpetually in all places, both publish and also set forth thy worthye prayses, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxx. Psalm.

¶ A prayer out of the .Lxxx. Psalme.