When the people assembled together, and kings to serve the Lord. He answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days.

Call me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are unto generation and generation.

In the beginning, O Lord, Thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the works of Thy hands.

They shall perish, but Thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment.

And as a vesture Thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed: but Thou art always the self-same, and Thy years shall not fail.

The children of Thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be directed forever.

PSALM 129.

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.

Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand?

For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord.

My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him, plentiful redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

PSALM 142.

Hear, O Lord, my prayer; give ear to my supplication in Thy truth; hear me in Thy justice.

And enter not into judgment with Thy servant; for in Thy sight no man living shall be justified.

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath brought down my life to the earth.

He hath made me dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old; and my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.

I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Thy works: I meditated upon the works of Thy hands.

I stretched forth my hands to Thee: my soul is as earth without water unto Thee.

Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away.

Turn not away Thy face from me, lest I be like them that go down into the pit.

Cause me to hear the mercy in the morning; for in Thee have I hoped.

Make known to me the way wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to Thee.

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord; to Thee have I fled: teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.

Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land: for Thy name's sake, O Lord, Thou wilt quicken me in Thy justice.

Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble: and in Thy mercy Thou wilt destroy my enemies.

And Thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant.

Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents; neither take vengeance of our sins.

GOD of heaven and earth! Saviour of mankind! comest Thou to me, and shall I have the happiness to receive Thee? Who could believe such a miracle of love, so wonderful a condescension, if Thou Thyself hadst not said it? Yes, O Lord, Thou whom I am to receive in this august sacrament; born for my sake in a stable, was pleased to die for me on the cross; and glorious in heaven, art still concealed under these mysterious veils. I firmly believe this profound mys