Psalm 54: Help in Necessity Against the Cruelty of the Ungodly
they lead a most filthy life, and are defiled throughout with detestable conditions, and most abominable facts: but as they be beneficial to none, so do they seek their own things with doing of wrong to other folk. But, God, whom they little set by knoweth these their lewd practices right well: who, although he filleth the heavens with his Majesty, yet espieth he out men's wicked and lewd facts, amongst whom (alas for sorrow) he seeth not one truly that setteth his mind upon goodness, faithfulness, and uprightness: all have strayed aside from the right way, all oppress the weaker sort, neither do they uprightly honor God, nor truly call upon his blessed name. But the time will come, when as these that be so careless shall be quickened up with most vehement fear. And such as now seem to welter fortunately in their own wickedness, shall at the last be deprived of all their goods, and feel God to show himself angry with them. Wherefore our earnest request is (O heavenly father) that thou wouldest be favorable and merciful to such as fly unto thee for succor, and loosen us from the Chains of our grievous sins wherewith we are fast bound, so that we may be comforted with a right perfect joy, and live with thee in perpetual felicity and most happy blessedness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 54: HELP IN NECESSITY AGAINST
THE CRUELTY OF THE UNGODLY
(Prayer 1) At what time thy faithful servants (O most good and merciful God) be tossed with doubtful casualties, and their minds very unstable through most grievous thoughts, then laying a side all man's help (which thou tellest them is altogether vain, and in no wise to be trusted unto) do come unto thee as their most strong defense, calling upon thy invincible Godhead (and that from the bottom of their heart) to deliver them from the outrageous, unmerciful, and cruel hearted, who rise up to assault thy dear saints, whom thou hast chosen unto thyself to inherit thy glorious kingdom: and so much the more maliciously do they deal with them, and practice all kind of outrage, because they never set thee before their eyes, whom they ought to have in great honor and high reverence.
Seeing therefore (by reason of the heinous sins by us committed) we perceive that deserved torments and grievous punishments do hang over our heads, we require thee to show thy lawful favor unto them which make humble intercession, who are heartily sorry in that they have so grievously offended thee, and (for thy infinite mercies sake) stand in their defense when their raging and most cruel enemies do assault them, for although our merits require it not, yet nevertheless doth thy assured faithfulness, steadfast truth, and constant promises assure us the same. But having achieved our desires, we shall with songs of praises, continually call upon thee, and will show forth our thankful mind in the joyful Congregation of faithful and godly men, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) We do continually call upon thy glorious name (O most mighty God) to the intent we may find thy present help in these extreme miseries of thy grievous afflicted Church: it is now needful for thee (through thy force and invincible power) to rescue us out of the hands of the ungodly, and take us unto thyself: and although our corrupt manners and wicked life which we have hitherto led, do nothing at all deserve the same, yet notwithstanding we know thy favorable mercy to be such that thou wilt not despise those that fly unto thee for succor, be they never so miserable and unworthy: for that mercies sake therefore, and not for our good works, which (as we have none, so can we not boast of any) give ear (O good God) unto our devout prayers, and gently accept the words that we with one consent have poured out before thy divine Majesty: thou seest after what sort the wicked and strangers which fear thee not, do most cruelly rise up against us, who, seeing that they have not thee nor thy sacred words before their eyes, go about by all the means they can possibly devise, to overthrow thy blessed and sanctified Church. Be thou (we humbly beseech thee) our ready helper, make thou thy servants to be of a notable stout courage, and requite the ungodly with the notorious evils which they have deserved, to the intent we may abundantly glorify thy most excellent name, and everywhere show forth thy unspeakable goodness, because we be delivered from all grievous oppressions, and see those things light upon thy enemies, which all the faithful would right gladly wish to have fallen upon them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.