Psalm 1: For a Christian Life
PSALM 1: FOR A CHRISTIAN LIFE
(Prayer 1) O most good and most mighty God save and keep us (we pray thee) first from the persuasion of all wicked counsels, next after this from all heinous and deadly crimes: suffer us not to fall into a wicked and vicious kind of life, and finally remove our minds far from the contempt of godliness and deriding of all manner of virtuous deeds: grant that in the stead of these most pestilent things, we may perpetually occupy ourselves in thy law and in the holy Scriptures, so that we be not led about like the wicked with every blast of affections and doctrines, as small dust and empty chaff: but rather as trees planted by the rivers side, being endued with the life of the spirit and with faith, we may abundantly show forth the fruits of good works: and that whatsoever we go about, may have prosperous success: to the praise and glory of thy name, and the increase of our salvation: So that at the last, when in the trial of thy judgment, the wicked shall be cast down and brought to shame and utter confusion, we may by thy mercy both stand and be acquitted through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) We know evidently enough (O most mighty God) the grievous calamities and miseries do in this respect vex the Church, because we have often frequented the counsels of the wicked, which (being known to us) we ought forthwith to have eschewed: who have in like manner not declined from the way of naughty and malicious persons, but daily followed their lewd footsteps, through continual transgressions of thy blessed commandments: moreover, wholesome corrections and healthful discipline have long been despised by us: and whatsoever was through thy sacred word offered unto us, we have frowardly enough, yea and impudently neglected it, and made a laughter of it. Wherefore no marvel is it, if instead of felicity and quiet peace, which we have hitherto (alas) too, too long abused, we are now forced to taste all heavy, sorrowful, yea, and most sore and bitter griefs. But now (O good God) by the acknowledging of these our wicked and lewd deserts, we humbly fly unto thee for succor, and with vehement and most fervent supplications, desire the sins which we have so
foolishly and wickedly committed, thou wilt favorably pardon and forgive. We heartily pray thee that thou wouldst make our minds most studious of thy sacred law, so that we may day and night meditate in our hearts on none other thing than the words of the holy scriptures. For so, through assured confidence in thy blessed word, we shall bring forth seasonable and pleasant fruits: neither shall the ornaments of the Holy Ghost be quite taken from us: yea, happy successes will always ensue of our works, although at this present, through the just desert of our heinous sins, we are like dust or chaff tossed up and down with the blasts of tempestuous afflictions. Grant yet at the least, O most merciful Father, that our life may not come to an evil end, as wicked men's doth. But that thou wilt defend the cause of the righteous with exceeding great care and mighty protection, so that in the judgment and fellowship of the just, we may stand and not be brought to confusion: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 3) Seeing that we know right well (O most mighty God) that a good part of our felicity (whilst we here live) consists in this, that we take heed of the wicked counsels and cursed behaviors of men, by eschewing the fellowship of them, who be so despiteful that they laugh and scorn at all matters: And that instead of these most deadly things there be placed in us an exceeding fervent zeal of God's law (therein to delight and exercise ourselves both day and night,) and thereby to perceive how that hitherto we have greatly gone astray from the scope and mark of our salvation, yea and to have offended very miserably and lewdly against this thy blessed law and divine word: we desire thee that thou wouldst (of thy singular mercy) pardon and remit whatsoever we have committed against thy excellent majesty: And vouchsafe (through the continual study and exercise of thy word) to make us ever hereafter fruitful and lively plants, so that we may not only bring forth wholesome and pleasant fruits in thy sacred Church during this life, but also may in the other world stand fast in judgment before thee (who knowest and best understandest the way of the righteous) through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.