Psalm 101: For a Godly Life
PSALM 101: FOR A GODLY LIFE
(Prayer 1) Thou requirest this especially in such men's livings as profess thy blessed name and holy Gospel (O most good and merciful God) that they should lead their life exceeding justly and with great uprightness, and to perform the deeds of charity towards their neighbors: which thing seeing the holy Scriptures do everywhere beat into us, we unfeignedly confess that we have in no wise performed it, and in this behalf we acknowledge before thy divine Majesty, our grievous wickedness and most wrongful dealings, and the cold zeal we have had towards thy holy Church and blessed people: praying thee that thou wouldest pardon and remit whatsoever we have hitherto traitorously and rashly committed against thy sacred commandments, and grant that (being enforced thereto through the wisdom of thy Holy Spirit) we may begin an innocent and blameless life: let all wicked devices be excluded far from our hearts, and cause us to detest such matters as be repugnant to justice and equity, so that we may neither think nor yet do anything which may be disagreeable to thy blessed law and good pleasure. Moreover (we humbly beseech thee) not to forsake thy holy Church in this most troublesome time: for thou both seest and right well perceivest, how the cruel, malicious, and ungodly Antichristians have invaded her: being so puffed up with pride, and inflamed with fury, scorning as well divine laws as human with like stateliness and equal contempt, doing nothing with courtesy and faithfulness, but practice to bring all things to naught by forged tales, politic deceits, and very much outrage: wherefore our earnest request is (O good GOD) that thou wouldest make haste to succor thy faithful people, and destroy with thy puissant force and mighty power, such as are wicked, who be no less adversaries to thy blessed name, than of our peace and quietness, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) It behooveth the Church (O almighty God) which is thy blessed house, to be decked with all manner of ornaments appertaining to holiness and virtue, whereof, forsomuch as we see it to be as now miserably destitute, we humbly beseech thee, who art benevolent, and wisheth her (as we doubt not) all good