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Psalm 104

(from Day 20 Evening Prayer)

Benedic, anima mea

  1. PRAISE the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious; thou art clothed with majesty and honour.
  2. Thou deckest thyself with light as it were with a garment: and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain.
  3. Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: and maketh the clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind.
  4. He maketh his angels spirits: and his ministers a flaming fire.
  5. He laid the foundations of the earth: that it never should move at any time.
  6. Thou coveredst it with the deep like as with a garment: the waters stand in the hills.
  7. At thy rebuke they flee: at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.
  8. They go up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath: even unto the place which thou hast appointed for them.
  9. Thou hast set them their bounds which they shall not pass: neither turn again to cover the earth.
  10. He sendeth the springs into the rivers: which run among the hills.
  11. All beasts of the field drink thereof: and the wild asses quench their thirst.
  12. Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation: and sing among the branches.
  13. He watereth the hills from above: the earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
  14. He bringeth forth grass for the cattle: and green herb for the service of men;
  15. That he may bring food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man: and oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen man's heart.
  16. The trees of the Lord also are full of sap: even the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted;
  17. Wherein the birds make their nests: and the fir-trees are a dwelling for the stork.
  18. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats: and so are the stony rocks for the conies.
  19. He appointed the moon for certain seasons: and the sun knoweth his going down.
  20. Thou makest darkness that it may be night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do move.
  21. The lions roaring after their prey: do seek their meat from God.
  22. The sun ariseth, and they get them away together: and lay them down in their dens.
  23. Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour: until the evening.
  24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works: in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.
  25. So is the great and wide sea also: wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
  26. There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan: whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein.
  27. These wait all upon thee: that thou mayest give them meat in due season.
  28. When thou givest it them they gather it: and when thou openest thy hand they are filled with good.
  29. When thou hidest thy face they are troubled: when thou takest away their breath they die, and are turned again to their dust.
  30. When thou lettest thy breath go forth they shall be made: and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
  31. The glorious majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
  32. The earth shall tremble at the look of him: if he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke.
  33. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will praise my God while I have my being.
  34. And so shall my words please him: my joy shall be in the Lord.
  35. As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end: praise thou the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord.