Psalm 107: For the Knowledge of God's Benefits, Contrary to All Worldly Lewd Things
PSALM 107: FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S BENEFITS,
CONTRARY TO ALL WORLDLY LEWD THINGS
(Prayer 1) Such verily are greatly bound to thy clemency, O almighty God, unto whom (so long as they sail and are miserably tossed of stormy tempests and windy waves) thou sendest thy ready help in time convenient, and that because they have faithfully called upon thee. Also thy mighty power is no less showed in giving abundance of water to dry and sandy places, and in altering and turning the barren ground to a fruitful soil. And contrariwise, men's sins are the occasion thereof, that by a wonderful exchange, thou makest pleasant and fertile places to be come barren and altogether fruitless: in fine, to the intent thou mayst be well known, thou causest mortal creatures to feel thy invincible force, by casting down exceeding mighty kings and princes, and making them to be had in contempt, and become a most shameful laughing stock, and liftest up the poor and basest in degree, unto highest kingdoms. We earnestly require thee therefore not to suffer us to think of those things negligently, but rather grant this thing only, that we being moved hereby may commit ourselves altogether both to be preserved through thy unspeakable goodness, and also guided by thy sacred law, so that thou being our chief Capitaine and ruler, we may swim out of worldly surges, whose minds being hitherto utterly void of good deeds, may now bring forth most abundant fruit: and that whereas we have been pinched with an exceeding scarcity of goodness, we may (by thy only help) attain to the excellent riches of the kingdom of heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer 2) Whosoever they be (O most good and merciful God) that thou deliverest from exceeding grievous dangers, it behooveth them incessantly to celebrate thy worthy praises, and to render condign thanks to thee for the same.
Such as are driven to wander from place to place, and walk through theivish ways in solitary and unhaunted places, being in danger of wild beasts and thieves, even these when they earnestly pray unto thee, do daily feel thy loving mercy and ready help. Thou art present also with them that are distressed with captivity, bound with fetters of Iron, and laid in most dark dungeons. Neither art thou forgetful