Psalm 143: In Temptation for the Avoiding of Desperation
PSALM 143: IN TEMPTATION FOR THE
AVOIDING OF DESPERATION
(Prayer 1) We do earnestly desire thee (O most good and merciful God) to accept our common petitions, and that thou wouldest (for thy excellent mercies sake) hear the hearty prayers which we pour out before thee, neither deny we that the heinous sins, wherewith we daily provoke thy heavy wrath, hath not deserved the same. But if thou wilt enter into judgment with us, and give severe and upright sentence, seeing that no man living, yea no creature at all (be it never so pure and holy) is able to abide the same, we also shall without fail be cast, neither have any force to stand in thy presence before the tribunal seat. Look thou therefore upon us with thy loving favor and wonted clemency, that as the enemy hath greedily persecuted our souls, so verily we seem, being sore smitten and greatly forsaken, to be in a manner at the point of death, because our spirit is thus vexed within us, and heart made desolate. Who are notwithstanding right mindful of thy old and ancient mercy, wherewith thou hast been accustomed to succor and help thy elect people at what time they were miserably afflicted. Therefore do we not only lift up our sorrowful hands unto thy divine Majesty, but endeavor ourselves so much as in us lieth for to have thee deliver thy blessed church from the hands of her outrageous enemies: directing us so with thy good spirit, that we may hereafter execute those things faithfully which are right and holy, according to thy divine will and pleasure, being conveyed out of this present distress by thy good guidance, and quickened with thy ready help, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) The infirmity of our righteousness (O most good and merciful God) is of such force, as those which be instructed with thy blessed spirit, know very well that it is not able to stand before thy judgment seat: when as therefore we do consider our lewd deserts, our spirit fadeth away, and our heart waxeth amazed. But we have recourse out of hand to thy infinite mercy, who do heartily acknowledge and earnestly confess that our righteousness proceedeth not of ourselves, but cometh from thee only: so that we (being stayed up and confirmed by