Psalm 96: Thanksgiving for Christ's Benefits Bestowed Upon Us
wherewith we and our fathers have greatly tempted thee, and provoked thy heavy displeasure against us. Call to remembrance that thou art our mighty God, valiant king, and loving shepherd. Therefore mightily preserve, valiantly keep, and nobly defend us from those that hate thee no less than they do us: suffer them not (according to the lust of their cruelty) utterly to destroy the work of thy blessed hands which thou hast begun passing well in us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thy excellent Majesty and invincible power (O most good and merciful God) is of such force, as everywhere it excelleth and beareth dominion most amply and without desert, but seeing that all things as well high as low were made by thee, there is nothing to be found either hidden in the depth of the earth, or set up in the height of the mountains, whereof thou wert not the author and first founder: for which cause we justly desire to show forth thy worthy praise. To the furtherance hereof also maketh this, that thou art our only stay, and we as thy blessed flock and sheep of thy pasture appertain and belong unto thee only. Therefore do we greatly worship, humbly reverence, duly honor, and right earnestly call upon thy most favorable Godhead, requiring this especially, that thou suffer not our heart (which of nature is disposed unto evil) to be hardened at thy friendly admonitions. Make the same soft (we heartily pray thee) with the inspiration of thy good grace and holy spirit, neither suffer us to strive and struggle against thy blessed commandments, like unto the stiff-necked Jews, who would so often times put thee to the trial of thy mighty power: but seeing it was not their hap to enjoy the promised land, grant (for thy infinite mercies sake) that we may at length be permitted to enter into the haven of eternal felicity after our long and daily travail, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PSALM 96: THANKSGIVING FOR CHRIST'S
BENEFITS BESTOWED UPON US
(Prayer 1) We are admonished for diverse and sundry causes (O most mighty God) greatly to magnify thee, and highly to sanctify thy holy name. But
able we are not thus to do, unless the heinous sins wherewith we are miserably oppressed, be first put away and driven far from us. We have received at thy merciful hands (through the preaching of thy blessed Gospel) the most noble and excellent gift of salvation, but we have hitherto led our life so coldly therein, and wrought so contrary to our vocation, in neglecting and despising thy sacred commandments, that needful it was in the end for the calamities which we now suffer, to encounter without lewdness, and that thou shouldest extend thy furious wrath upon us, by these most grievous perils, being moved and provoked thereto through our wicked deserts and naughty behavior. Notwithstanding (O good
God) have no regard at all to our merits, but rather see to this, that thy famous glory may be greatly published amongst the heathen, and thy wonderful works made manifest unto all people. Both thy adversaries and ours also repose their whole affiance in worldly strength and cursed Idolatry, who would enforce us to yield such honor unto Antichrist as they do: whereas we contrariwise acknowledge thee to be a great and terrible Lord above all God's. Wherefore we earnestly call upon thy excellent Majesty, and in these dangerous days fly unto thy mercy seat, requiring pardon for our heinous sins, and that thou wouldest show how vain our enemies goods be. Judge (O good God) the adversaries of thy true worship, and enemies of thy sacred Gospel, so that thou (as right meet it is) mayst reign and bear dominion over the heathen. Stretch out thy invincible power, thy puissant glory, and thy renowned magnificence (O good God) for our speedy deliverance, who being delivered from so many and great inconveniences, may render unto thee due oblations of hearty praises. Cause thy glorious name to be well spoken off in every place, and let all men honor and reverence thy divine Majesty with most pure and perfect devotion, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Thy benefits (O almighty God) are not only bestowed upon us continually, but also after a new and unaccustomed manner do spring up fresh from time to time: wherefore (unless we will be marvelous ungrateful) they deserve that we should, evermore magnify the same with new praises and pleasant songs. Such is thy magnificence and unspeakable power, whose beauty and