Psalm 79: For Obtaining of Mercy and Favor Against the Persecutors of the Church
PSALM 79: FOR OBTAINING OF MERCY AND FAVOR
AGAINST THE PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH
(Prayer 1) Thou hast chosen us (O most mighty God) to be thy heritage, and doubtless there is nothing permitted which might be a furtherance to the furnishing, garnishing, and making us right blessed: thou hast given us the knowledge of thy sacred scriptures, the preaching of thy blessed Gospel, the administration of thy holy Sacraments, and others innumerable, which belong to the beautifying of this thy heritage. But we alas, (being ungrateful of all these most excellent and singular gifts) have accomplished nothing as was required of us. Therefore the wicked and barbarous Nations are not without just desert stirred up together (through thy wrathful indignation) to invade thy holy
Church, and to shed the blood of thy faithful people and blessed inheritance as if it were water, making of us a very scorn and laughing stock: and that (which is more lamentable and greater to be sorrowed) they persecute in us not our deadly sins, but thy own self, thy holy Gospel, thy divine honor, and pure worshipping of thee. Wherefore (O God most dear father) our earnest request is that thou wouldest not be always angry with thy people and sheep of thy pasture. Pour out therefore this thy wrath (which is kindled against us for our sins) upon the heathen that have not known thee: and suffer not thy blessed Church to be devoured of the ungodly. We heartily desire thee (for thy infinite mercies sake, and by the intercession of thy most dearly beloved son our Lord) to have no more in remembrance our old heinous sins. And seeing that we put our whole trust and confidence in thy goodness only, assist and deliver such as cry and call unto thee, even for the glory of thy names sake. Be merciful unto our grievous sins, otherwise the ungodly will say that thou hast rejected thy own case. Let the sorrowful sighing and lamentable tears of the oppressed come before thee, and not be put out of thy sight: pardon whatsoever we have grievously committed against thee, and vouchsafe to show upon us the force of thy assistant help to the intent that we thy loving heritage, thy faithful people, and sheep of thy good pasture, may give