Psalm 70

O God, make speed to save me; • O Lord, make haste to help me.

Let those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; • let them be turned back and disgraced who wish me evil.

Let those who mock and deride me • turn back because of their shame.

But let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; • let those who love your salvation say always, 'Great is the Lord!' 

As for me, I am poor and needy; • come to me quickly, O God.

You are my help and my deliverer; • O Lord, do not delay.

Psalm 71.1-11

In you, O Lord, do I seek refuge; • let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; • incline your ear to me and save me.

Be for me a stronghold to which I may ever resort; • send out to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, • from the grasp of the evildoer and the oppressor.

For you are my hope, O Lord God, • my confidence, even from my youth.

Upon you have I leaned from my birth, when you drew me from my mother's womb; • my praise shall be always of you.

I have become a portent to many, • but you are my refuge and my strength.

Let my mouth be full of your praise • and your glory all the day long.

Do not cast me away in the time of old age; • forsake me not when my strength fails.

For my enemies are talking against me, • and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.

They say, 'God has forsaken him; pursue him and take him, • because there is none to deliver him.'

Psalm 71.12-24

O God, be not far from me; • come quickly to help me, O my God.

Let those who are against me be put to shame and disgrace; • let those who seek to do me evil be covered with scorn and reproach.

But as for me I will hope continually • and will praise you more and more.

My mouth shall tell of your righteousness and salvation all the day long, • for I know no end of the telling.

I will begin with the mighty works of the Lord God; • I will recall your righteousness, yours alone.

O God, you have taught me since I was young, • and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.

Forsake me not, O God, when I am old and grey-headed, • till I make known your deeds to the next generation and your power to all that are to come.

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; • in the great things you have done, who is like you, O God?

What troubles and adversities you have shown me, • and yet you will turn and refresh me and bring me from the deep of the earth again.

Increase my honour; • turn again and comfort me.

Therefore will I praise you upon the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; • I will sing to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will sing out as I play to you, • and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.

My tongue also will tell of your righteousness all the day long, • for they shall be shamed and disgraced who sought to do me evil. Return to Compline