Psalm 56: A Steadfast Confession of the Gospel
wouldest give us wings and feathers of Doves, wherewith we might fly hence most speedily unto thee: for here have we no man to deliver us out of so great evils, but thee only: yea so deceitful is the hope which we repose in men, that such as a man would judge to be most bound unto him in love, those are found his extremest enemies: for venomous tongues do everywhere scourge the godly: violence, quarreling, wrongfulness, oppression, frauds and deceits do in all places assault them. Wherefore we earnestly cry unto thee even from the heart root, that our minds being purged, thou wouldst blot out the faults wherewith we are miserably stained, and betake us to thy self who repose our whole confidence in thee only: for we have cast our heavy burdens and great griefs upon thy back. And in so much as we are almost sunken down under them, we beseech thee to hold us up with thy unspeakable goodness and mighty power, that the confidence we have affixed in thee, do not slide nor be weakened, but may become strong and steadfast daily more and more, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 56: A STEADFAST CONFESSION OF THE GOSPEL
(Prayer 1) Wicked men (O most good and merciful God) go about to swallow us up: they do assault and afflict us so much as in them lieth. But seeing that thy mighty power far excelleth the princes and kings of the earth, and our whole affiance dependeth on thee only, extend now thy favorable mercy unto us: for we heartily confess that we have most grievously provoked thy heavy displeasure for our manifold sins, considering that we have so wretchedly despised the doctrine of thy sacred law and Gospel, which thou hast sent unto us, that we have always hitherto been a slander unto the same. But now are we very heartily sorry for it, who trusting in the death and bloodshedding of thy son Jesus Christ our
Savior, do with great fervency and most earnest prayers, lamentably call upon thee for pardon of all our sinful crimes. For when thou shalt have received us into thy gracious favor, we need nothing at all to fear what flesh can do against us.
Thou shalt be present at thy own case, and shalt see how the ungodly do all the day long rail upon thy glorious Gospel, and true worshipping of thee, and how
they continually imagine mischief against thy dear and chosen people. Forsomuch as therefore they deal lewdly against those whom thou hast redeemed, how shall they escape thy wrathful indignation. Thou art wont to put down thy adversaries at what time thou art angry with them. It is not thy property to be forgetful of the sorrowful mournings and lamentable cries of thy poor afflicted servants: for the whole number of our prayers are already written in the book of thy providence. Hearken unto them (O God our heavenly father) and when as we be moved and stirred up through thy holy spirit to call upon thy blessed name, turn thou our enemies back, and put them to flight. Be thou present with thy army, defend it, strengthen it, and confirm the same with courageous boldness: if thou be on our side, we will not fear what man do against us: who being delivered by thee, shall magnify thy blessed words and faithful promises forever. Vouchsafe
(O good God) that we having achieved peace and tranquility, may be conversant in thy sight forever, and directed always with the bright light of thy favorable and loving countenance, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) So long as we live here (O most mighty God) all things are so unquiet and at so small stay unto us through the desert of our grievous offenses, that we be on every side, assailed with the deadly assaults of the force of our adversaries: but unless thou puttest to thy helping hand, we shall seem to be swallowed up out of hand. Wherefore, (to the intent we may be defended so oft as our frail minds be possessed with a vehement fear) we pour out our fervent prayers before thy mercy seat, which glistereth and shineth most far abroad, that regarding and highly esteeming thy sacred words and loving promises in such sort, as (being strengthened by them) we may with a stout courage overcome whatsoever sorrowful, horrible, unpleasant, and rough thing setteth itself against us. As our tears (O excellent father) are gathered and written by thee, even so when thou art called upon, deliver thy faithful servants from the Gyues and Fetters of their careful minds: and thou of thy infinite goodness, purging our guiltiness, bestow upon us so much strength and steadfast hope, as we need nothing at all to fear the violence and power of malicious disposed persons: for if thou shalt be our redeemer (especially from eternal death) we will always in our daily prayers show