Psalm 136: For the Knowledge of God's Omnipotent Goodness
have an especial regard, behold, and see (we humbly pray thee) the grievous calamities of thy sacred Church, neither deal with us according to our wicked and lewd deserts. We acknowledge verily (even from the heart) that we have led a life to much unbeseeming thy glorious name and our vocation, who do not now return unto dumb Idols (when we are thus grievously afflicted) being the works of men's hands, having as it were a mouth, eyes, and ears, and yet do they not speak, neither see, nor understand: but have recourse unto thee, our true and only God, that like as thou lovest the sacred Church and wouldst be highly praised therein, so vouchsafe to deliver the same from imminent perils, through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) There be two things (O most good and merciful God) which ought chiefly to stir us up to speak of thy worthy praises: whereof, the one is this, for that nothing can be found or imagined greater than thou art: the other, because there is a pure joy and assured pleasure conceived in the very setting out of thy worthy praises. Moreover the number of thy notable benefits are so great, as not only matter to the publishing of thy glory is ministered everywhere, but also that it doth in a manner overwhelm such as think thereupon anything earnestly, as they can readily find neither beginning nor yet end for the setting forth of thy glorious name, without the wonderful assistance of thy holy spirit. Which thing
(so long as it is duly considered of our parts) we do earnestly require in our daily prayers, that especially in the sacred assemblies, we may with most pure faith set out thy worthy praises, yield thee thy true worship, and publish thy renown with a pure life and holy conversation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 136: FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF
GOD'S OMNIPOTENT GOODNESS
(Prayer 1) Thy puissant power and singular goodness (O most gracious and merciful God) doth everywhere so abound upon us, as man's thought and imagination cannot sufficiently comprehend the same: for if we look unto the sky that is garnished with exceeding beautiful and almost innumerable lights, or if
we consider the earth which is marvelous abundantly replenished and decked with most pleasant fruits, they be always wonderful tokens of thy unspeakable and passing good will towards us. Hereunto are added, the wonders which thou didst in Egypt, where through (when thou hadst spoiled the tyrant of all that ever he had, and finally bereft him of his life) thou madest it manifest what a pleasure the freedom of the children of Israel was to thee, unto whom thou shewedst thyself no less a most steadfast preserver in the wast and loathsome wilderness, then an exceeding strong defender, at what time they walked through the whole land of Canaan, and causedst the huge and mighty kingdoms thereof to be under their subjection. Thou therefore who art endued with excellent goodness, wonderful clemency, and unspeakable mercy that never hath end, have an especial regard (we heartily pray thee) unto thy beloved Church, being now in marvelous great peril and extreme danger, neither let the most lewd deeds
(wherewith we have both polluted our own selves, and also thy sacred Gospel) draw thee from thy native loving kindness. Pardon (we heartily pray thee) whatsoever we have committed against thy divine Majesty: and suffer not thou (who givest sustenance to all flesh) thy faithful servants to be deprived of a perfect doctrine and most pure and sound sacraments, which are indeed the feed of eternal life. Vouchsafe that every man may hereby perceive how good and mighty thou art, to the intent all persons may everywhere (as right meet it is) fear and love thee with a most fervent and hearty good will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thy goodness is such and of so great force (O most mighty God) as thou wouldst not only have us fed thereby, but also (which is not the least part of our felicity) that we should feel and perfectly acknowledge the same: who hast for this cause, brought forth exceeding beautiful things as well in heaven as in the earth, after a most wonderful artificial manner. All which matters, if we did behold with a godly affection and well disposed mind, our heart without doubt should always be kindled and inflamed with a fervent desire it hath towards thee.
To the intent therefore our stony and frozen hearts might be more vehemently stirred up, thou hast chosen out for thyself one people, which was Israel, by whom thou mightest declare with how great zeal and after what manner of