man
appears 96 times in 51 song(s)
1
Penitential Litany (shorter version)
You who gave sight to the blind man
who cried out to you,
have mercy on us, for we are sinners,
Lord, have mercy!
You who entered Zaccheus’ house,
bringing salvation
have mercy on us…
You who called out Lazarus from death,
have mercy on us…
You who forgave the adulterous woman,
have mercy on us…
You who never refused to eat
with prostitutes and sinners,
have mercy on us…
You who from the cross forgave
a robber and a murderer,
have mercy on us…
You who are the only one
who knows our sins,
have mercy on us…
You who loved Judas
to the end,
have mercy on us…
You who are the only one who loves the enemy,
have mercy on us…
You who died and rose
for our justification,
have mercy on us…
3
Prayer of thanksgiving for Penitential Celebration
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
It is indeed right and just,
it is our duty and leads to our salvation
to give you thanks always and everywhere,
almighty and merciful God.
How wonderfully you created man
and still more wonderfully remade him.
You do not abandon the sinner,
but seek him out with a Father’s love.
You sent your Son into the world
to destroy death and sin by his Passion
and to restore life and joy by his Resurrection.
You sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts
to make us your children and heirs of your Kingdom.
You constantly renew our spirit
in the sacraments of your redeeming love,
freeing us from slavery to sin
and transforming us
into the likeness of your beloved Son.
Freeing us from slavery to sin
and transforming us
into the likeness of your beloved Son.
We thank you and bless you, O Lord,
for the wonders of your mercy;
and we join with the whole Church
in a new song of praise.
Holy, holy …
12
Exsultet (Paschal Praeconium)
Exult, choirs of angels,
Exult, heavenly assembly!
May a hymn of glory
greet the triumph of our risen Lord!
Rejoice, all the earth,
flooded with the new light!
The splendour of the King has conquered darkness,
the darkness of the world!
The splendour of the King has conquered darkness,
the darkness of the world!
Rejoice, O Mother Church, made resplendent
with the glory of your risen Lord.
Let this holy building resound,
echoing the song of a people in feast.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
It is truly right and just
to express, by singing, the great joy of the spirit
and to praise the all powerful Father
and his Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
He paid for us to the eternal Father Adam’s debt,
and with his blood, shed out of love,
he wiped away the condemnation of the ancient fault.
This is the Passover
in which is slain the one true Lamb.
This is the night
in which you freed our fathers from the slavery of Egypt.
This is the night
that with a pillar of fire banished the darkness of evil.
This is the night in which you have conquered the darkness of sin.
This is the night
in which Christ has destroyed death
and from the dead arises victorious.
How wonderful is the mercy
of your grace,
how boundless the tenderness of your love;
to ransom a slave you sacrificed your Son!
Without the sin of Adam,
Christ would not have redeemed us!
O happy fault,
which deserved so great a Saviour,
O happy fault!
O Night, truly blessed,
which knew the hour in which Christ arose!
O Night, truly blessed,
which despoiled the Egyptians to make Israel wealthy!
O Night, which conquers evil and washes guilt away!
O Night, truly glorious,
which reconciles man | to his God!
This is the night
in which Christ has destroyed death
and from the dead arises victorious.
In this night, receive, heavenly Father,
the sacrifice of praise
that the Church is offering you by the hand of her ministers
in the solemn liturgy of the candle,
sign of the new light.
We pray you, O Lord:
let this candle,
offered in honour of your name,
shine with light;
let it ascend to you like fragrant perfume,
let it mingle with the stars of heaven;
may the morning star find this flame still burning,
the morning star which never sets:
Christ, your Son, risen from the dead,
who shines resplendent with his peaceful light!
Amen, Amen, Amen!
19
Hymn for Lauds of Advent after 17 December
The voices of the prophets
announce the coming of the Lord
who brings to all men
the gift of his peace.
Behold a new light
rises in the morning,
a voice resounds:
the king of glory comes.
At his first coming
Christ came to save us,
to heal our wounds
of body and spirit.
At the end of time
he will return as judge;
he will give the promised kingdom
to his faithful servants.
Today, on our path
his light shines for us;
Jesus, the sun of grace,
calls us to new life.
It is you, O Christ, we seek;
it is you we want to know,
to praise you forever
in your eternal kingdom.
To you be praise, O Lord,
born of the Virgin Mary,
to the Father and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever. Amen.
24
Come, Holy Spirit (Sequence for Pentecost)
Come Holy Spirit,
send us a ray of your light.
Come, Father of the poor,
come, giver of gifts.
Come, light of the heart,
you, the greatest Consoler.
Come Holy Spirit…
Sweet guest of the soul,
sweetest consolation,
rest in the midst of our labours,
comfort in our weeping.
Come Holy Spirit…
Come most blessed light,
come and fill our hearts.
Without your holy strength,
nothing pure dwells in man.
Come Holy Spirit…
Wash what is dirty,
water what is dry.
Heal what is wounded,
bend what is rigid.
Come Holy Spirit…
Warm what is cold,
bring back what goes astray.
Give to your faithful
your seven holy gifts.
Come Holy Spirit…
Give virtue and love,
give us a holy death.
Give joy eternal.
Amen, Alleluia!
Come Holy Spirit,
send us a ray of your light.
30
We praise you, O God,
we proclaim you as Lord,
O Eternal Father,
all the earth adores you.
To you sing the angels
and all the powers of heaven,
holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of the Universe!
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory.
The choir of apostles acclaims you
and the white-robed army of martyrs.
The voices of the prophets unite in your praise,
the holy Church proclaims your glory,
adoring your only Son,
and the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
O Christ, king of glory,
eternal Son of the Father,
you were born of the Virgin Mother
for the salvation of man.
Victorious over death,
you opened to the faithful the kingdom of Heaven.
You sit at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
You will come to judge the world at the end of time.
Help your servants, O Lord,
redeemed by your precious blood.
May we be numbered with your saints
in everlasting glory.
Save your people, O Lord,
guide and protect your children.
Day by day we bless you,
we praise your name for ever.
Grant today, O Lord,
to keep us free from sin.
May your mercy be ever with us:
in you have we hoped.
Have mercy on us, O Lord,
have mercy on us.
You are our hope,
may we never be confounded.
34
Down there beyond the river,
I chose your father Abraham,
and from an impotent old man
I multiplied your descendants.
Far be it from us to forsake
our God
who has worked marvels for us
before our very eyes.
A people enslaved
I rescued from Egypt
and with a mighty hand
I opened the Red Sea.
Far be it from us to forsake…
For years in the desert
I fed you with manna
and upon eagles’ wings
I took you beyond the mountains.
Far be it from us to forsake…
I gave you a land,
cities you did not build,
vineyards you did not plant,
springs of living water.
Far be it from us to forsake…
41
Canticle of Daniel (Part 2)
All you works of the Lord
O bless the Lord!
To him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore!
Angels of the Lord *
Heavens of the Lord
All waters above the heavens *
All armies of the Lord*
Sun and moon
Stars of heaven *
Showers and rain
All breezes and winds *
Fire and heat *
Cold and heat *
Showers and dew *
Frosts and cold *
Ice and snow *
Night and day
Darkness and light *
Lightning and clouds
O let the earth bless the Lord – to him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore!
Mountains and hills
All plants of the earth
Fountains and springs *
Rivers and seas *
Sea-monsters and all that moves in the waters *
Every bird in the sky *
Wild beasts and tame *
Children of men *
O Israel, bless the Lord – to him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore.
Priests of the Lord *
Servants of the Lord *
Spirits and souls of the just *
Holy and humble of heart *
Ananias, Azarias, Mizael *
To him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore.
Let us praise the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
To you be highest glory and praise for ever!
May you be blessed, O Lord, in the heavens.
To you be highest glory and praise for ever!
O bless the Lord.
42
Praise the Lord from the heavens
Praise the Lord from the heavens:
praise him!
Praise him in the heights:
praise him!
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest of heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the Name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
He has established them for ever,
he’s set a law that will never pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea-monsters and all the depths.
Fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy winds that obey his Word.
Mountains and every hill,
fruit trees and every cedar.
Beasts, wild and tame,
reptiles and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and rulers of the earth.
Young men and maidens,
old men together with children.
Let them praise the Name of the Lord,
for his Name alone is exalted,
his glory above heaven and earth,
he has raised up his people.
Let all his faithful praise the Lord,
Israel, the people that He loves.
Praise him!
48
I will take, I will lift up (The cup of salvation)
I had faith, even when I said:
"How wretched I am!"
I said in my affliction:
"No man can be trusted."
But the Lord pulled me out of death,
remembering his mercy,
and now, return to your rest,
O my soul.
What can I give back to the Lord
for the good he has done to me?
I will take, I will lift up,
I will take, I will lift up
the cup of salvation,
and I’ll invoke the name of the Lord.
I will offer you a sacrifice of praise,
crying out your name, O my Lord,
because you looked upon my state,
and you have saved me.
My prayer I lift up to you,
together with all your Church,
I shall walk in your presence,
among the living.
Precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his children.
I will take, I will lift up…
The snares of death fettered me,
distress and anguish forced me down;
I called upon the name of the Lord
and he has saved me.
My soul, return to your rest,
you will walk in the presence of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of your God,
the God of the living.
What can I give back to the Lord
for the good he has done to me?
I will take, I will lift up…
53
If you feel a breeze from heaven (Pentecost)
They were poor men, like you, like me;
they'd been casting their nets in the lake
or collecting taxes at the gates of the city.
I remember that amongst them all
there was not even a learned man,
and the one whom they called Master
was dead and buried in a tomb.
If you feel a breeze from heaven,
a wind shaking the doors,
listen, it's a voice that is calling you,
inviting you to travel afar.
There's a fire arising
in him who is waiting,
in him who cherishes
hopes of love.
They had a heart in their breast, like you, like me,
gripped by a fear cold as ice,
eyes that were dry, unable to cry anymore
and faces pale with fever and fear.
They surely were thinking about their lost friend,
about the woman left at the door of the house,
about the cross standing at the top of the hill.
If you feel a breeze from heaven…
And the wind shook the door of the house,
it entered wildly into the room,
and they had eyes and voices of fire;
they rushed out to sing their joy in the street.
Man, you who wait hidden in shadow,
the voice that is calling is really for you;
it brings you joy, it brings you good news:
the Kingdom of God has already come!
If you feel a breeze from heaven…
54
Come, Son of Man,
come, Lord Jesus!
Come,* servant of the poor,*
come,* Lord Jesus!*
The Spirit says: "Come!"
Let him who listens say: "Come!"
Come,* my love,*
come,* Lord Jesus!*
The bride says: "Come!"
Let him who listens say: "Come!"
Vieni,* figlio dell’uomo,*
vieni,* Signore Gesú!*
Ven,* hijo del hombre,*
ven,* Señor Jesús!*
Viens,* fils de l’homme.*
viens,* Seigneur Jesus!*
Przyjdz,* Synu Czlowieczy,*
przyjdz,* Panie Jezu!*
Come,* Son of Man,*
Come…* come…* Maranatha…*
Lord Jesus Christ!
55
It was a very hot day
when Abraham
was sitting by the entrance of his tent.
It was a very hot day
when Abraham
was sitting by the Oak of Mamre.
He looked up and there he saw
three men standing near him;
they stood in front of him.
As soon as he saw them
he bowed to the ground and said:
”O my Lord,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping!”
”Without stopping,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping,
without stopping.”
”I'll bring you a little water,
you'll wash your feet
and lie down under the tree.
I'll bring you a little bread,
you'll refresh yourselves
before going further.
Not by chance
have you passed today
near me.”
”O my Lord,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping,
without stopping!
Without stopping,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping,
without stopping!”
64
With the same love, with the same spirit,
with the same feeling;
doing nothing out of rivalry, nor for boasting,
but everything with humility,
keeping in mind the desires of others,
considering others superior to oneself,
having the same feelings as Jesus:
who, being God,
did not cling to his dignity,
but emptied himself and became man;
and once made man, he took the condition of servant
obeying until death.
And what kind of death? Death of a criminal,
death of a sinner, death on a cross.
Because of this, God exalted him, raised him up,
and gave him the highest Name existing.
Christ Jesus is the Lord!
Alleluia!
Christ Jesus is the Lord!
Alleluia!
Christ Jesus is the Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia!
Christ Jesus is the Lord!
Alleluia!
Christ Jesus is my Lord!
Alleluia!
Christ Jesus is your Lord!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia!
72
The children of Bethlehem
The children of Bethlehem
are playing in the square,
look, the kings are coming,
there are one and two and three:
"But where are you coming from,
with your horses and your camels,
but who are you, pray, who are you?
what is it that brings you here?"
"I’m coming from the Distant Orient,
from the land of gold and silver,
but at night I cannot sleep:
I saw a star, a star in the sky."
But at night he cannot sleep:
he saw a star, a star in the sky.
The children of Bethlehem…
"I’m coming from the Distant Orient,
from the land of flowers and of perfumes,
but at night I cannot sleep…
The children of Bethlehem…
"I’m coming from the Distant Orient,
from the land of the poor and the sick,
but at night I cannot sleep…
The children of Bethlehem…
…with incense, gold and myrrh…
"We’re coming from the Distant Orient,
we saw his star as it rose,
we’ve come all this way to adore
the King of the Jews who is born here."
They’ve come all this way to adore
the King of the Jews who is born here.
The children of Bethlehem
are looking at the sky;
"Look, the star is shining
right above Lord Jesus’ house.
Let’s go quickly all together
with the horses and the camels;
with the wise men we have found
where our Saviour Christ is born."
73
He’s coming, my God, he’s coming, my king.
He’s coming, my God, he’s coming, my king.
He’s coming, he’s coming, my Saviour,
he’s coming, he’s coming, my King.
He’s a poor worker, born in Bethlehem,
his mother Mary, his father Joseph.
He’s coming, he’s coming, my Saviour,
he’s coming, he’s coming, my King.
He’s coming, my God…
He has eyes speaking of love,
speaking of the Father, speaking of God.
He’s coming, he’s coming, my Saviour,
he’s coming, he’s coming, my King.
He’s coming, my God…
He died on the cross, full of pain,
he died for men, full of love.
He’s coming, he’s coming, my Saviour,
he’s coming, he’s coming, my King.
He’s coming, my God…
My God has entered into death,
yet he’s coming, he’s rising, he’s coming, the Lord.
Let us shout, let us sing: "He rose from death,"
my God has conquered, has conquered through love.
75
If the Lord does not build the house
If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do the builders toil.
If the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain the watchman keeps vigil;
if the Lord does not watch over the city.
If the Lord does not build the house…
In vain is your early rising,
your going late to rest
to earn your daily bread.
God gives to his friends while they sleep!
God gives to his friends while they sleep.
If the Lord does not build the house…
Sons are a gift from the Lord,
like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
Happy the man who has his quiver full of them,
he will not fear when enemies arrive.
If the Lord does not build the house…
75
Taste and see (Ps 33/34 = responsorial psalm)
Taste and see,
how good is the Lord.
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips.
I glory in the Lord,
let the humble hear and rejoice.
Taste and see…
Sing with me to the Lord,
together let us sing to his Name.
For I sought the Lord and he answered me,
and he freed me from all my fears.
Taste and see…
Many trials lie in wait for the just man,
but from them all the Lord frees him.
This poor man calls out, the Lord hears him,
and frees him from all his anguish.
Taste and see…
77
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord
and he has stooped down to me;
he heard my cry for help,
he has pulled me out of the pit of death.
He has pulled me out of the pit of death,
from the mire of the marsh
he set my feet on a rock
and put me on a way of salvation.
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord…
He has put a new song on my lips,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
they will trust in the Lord.
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord…
Happy the man who trusts in the Lord,
who does not side with the proud
nor join those who follow false gods;
happy the man who trusts in the Lord.
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord…
How many wonders have you done, O my Lord,
how many plans have you made for us?
No one can be compared with you,
should I proclaim them,
they are too many to be counted.
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord…
Sacrifice and offering you do not want,
instead you have opened my ear.
You did not want sacrifice for sin,
then I said, "Here I am,
I'm coming to do your will."
Sacrifice and offering you do not want,
instead you have opened my ear.
You did not want sacrifice for sin,
then I said, "Here I am,
I'm coming to do your will."
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord…
In the scroll of the book it is written
that I should do, O Lord, your will;
my God, this is what I want:
your law in the depth of my heart.
I hoped, I hoped in the Lord…
78
I want to sing, to you I want to sing;
awake, awake my heart,
awake, harp and zither!
Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O God;
in you my soul takes refuge.
I take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the danger is over.
I want to sing…
I call on God, I call on God the most high,
to God who has done great things for me;
may he send from heaven and save me
from the hands of my enemies.
I want to sing…
I lie as in the midst of lions,
lions who devour men;
their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongues sharpened swords.
I want to sing…
Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O God,
they laid a net for my feet,
they dug a pit for me
but fell into it themselves.
I want to sing…
My heart is ready, my heart is ready, O God,
to you I will sing praises;
awake lyre and harp,
I will awake the dawn!
I want to sing…
I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples,
to you I will sing hymns among the nations;
for your love is higher than the heavens,
your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
I want to sing…
79
I have anointed him my sovereign
Why do the nations conspire,
why do the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise in revolt,
and princes plot together
against the Lord and against his Messiah:
"Let us break their fetters of iron,
let us throw off the ropes that bind us,"
but the One who’s in heaven is laughing,
from on high the Lord derides them.
He speaks to them in his anger,
he frightens them with his fury:
"I have anointed him my sovereign
on Zion my holy mountain,
on Zion my holy mountain,
I have anointed him my sovereign
on Zion my holy mountain,
on Zion my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the Lord,
he has told me: "You are my son,
today I have begotten you.
Ask me, and to you I will give all the nations,
and the ends of the earth for your heritage.
You will break them with a sceptre of iron,
like vessels of clay you will shatter them."
"I have anointed him my sovereign…
And now, you kings, be wise,
learn wisdom, rulers of the earth;
serve the Lord, our God, with fear,
and rejoice with trembling;
lest he grow angry
and you lose your way,
for his anger is quick to blaze.
Happy the man who takes refuge in him.
"I have anointed him my sovereign…
82
When I awake, I’ll be satisfied with your face, O Lord,
When I awake, I’ll be satisfied with your face, O Lord.
Listen, Lord, to my prayer,
be attentive, Lord to my cry,
listen to my plea:
my lips do not betray you, O Lord,
let judgement come from you,
let your eyes see,
let your eyes see righteousness.
When I awake...
Search, Lord, my heart,
search me at night, O Lord.
test me in the crucible, test me in the crucible,
because you know there is no malice in me,
my mouth does not speak as men do;
because I have kept your Word,
I have avoided the way of the violent one;
I’ve kept my feet firmly on your path,
and I will not stumble, I will not stumble.
When I awake...
I cry to you, Lord, answer me,
listen, Lord, to my voice,
show me the wonders of your love,
for you save whoever entrusts himself to you,
for you help whoever relies on your right hand;
guard me as the apple of your eye,
in the shadow of your wings, hide me.
Look! They want to kill me!
When I awake...
Look at them, they are closed in their pride,
their mouths speak with arrogance,
they advance against me, they advance against me!
Help me, O Lord!
Rescue me from the men of this world,
from men who believe only in this life;
fill them with good things, O Lord,
let their children have all they desire,
let them be satisfied with your riches.
because when I awake, when I awake,
I’ll be satisfied with your face, O Lord!
84
I shall not die, but I shall live
I shall not die
but I shall live
to proclaim
the deeds of the Lord.
He has punished me,
he has punished me,
but he
has not abandoned me to death.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
Let Israel say that he is good,
his love is everlasting.
Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love is everlasting."
Let those who fear the Lord say:
"His love is everlasting."
In my anguish I cried to the Lord,
he answered and saved me.
The Lord is at my side, I do not fear;
what can man do against me?
The Lord is with me, he is my helper;
I shall defy my foes.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in men.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in the powerful.
They surrounded me,
they surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord
I overcame them.
I was pressed,
I was pressed,
but in the name of the Lord
I overcame them.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but in the name of the Lord I overcame them.
They blazed like a fire among thorns,
but in the name of the Lord I overcame them.
My strength and my song is the Lord;
he has been my salvation.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the just.
The Lord's right hand is raised up
and has worked marvels for us.
I shall not die
but I shall live…
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gateway of the Lord
through which the just will enter.
I thank you for you have answered me;
you have been my salvation.
The stone rejected by the builders
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord;
a marvel in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and exult in it.
I shall not die
but I shall live…
O Lord, grant us salvation!
O Lord, grant us success!
Blessed, in the name of the Lord,
blessed is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord God is our light.
Go forward in procession with branches,
even to the altar.
You are my God, I thank you,
my God, I praise you.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love is everlasting.
89
From Aram, Balak made me come,
the King of Moab,
from the Eastern Mountains:
"Come, curse Jacob for me,
come, prophesy against Israel."
How shall I curse if God does not let me?
How shall I prophesy if God does not want it?
From the top of these crags I see them,
from the top of this peak I observe them:
this is a people different from all nations!
How beautiful are your tents,
how beautiful, O Israel!
How beautiful are your tents,
how beautiful, O Israel!
La la la la…
Who shall count your multitudes?
Jacob, O Jacob,
Jacob, O Jacob?
How beautiful are your tents…
"But what are you doing?
You are blessing them!
Come see from another place,
maybe from there God will curse them."
"Listen, son of Zippor,
hear me, King Balak.
God is not a man
who speaks and then repents.
A star is rising from Jacob;
I hear acclamations for a King,
God, God is his father:
he crouches like a lion,
he lies down like a lioness,
no one will make him rise."
How beautiful are your tents…
"Let my death be
like the death of your Just One,
let my life be where he is."
How beautiful are your tents...
90
Before the angels to you I want to sing,
before the angels I want to sing psalms;
I give thanks to your Name,
for your faithfulness and your love.
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart,
because your promise has surpassed your fame.
On the day I cried to you, you answered me,
you gave strength and vigour to my soul.
Before the angels…
All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
And singing on the way of the Lord,
they will say: "How great is your love."
Before the angels…
The Lord is sublime and looks upon the humble.
He knows the proud man and looks on him from afar.
When I walk in affliction,
you stretch out your hand, your right hand saves me.
Before the angels…
The Lord will complete in me what he has started,
for his love is great and everlasting.
He does not abandon the work of his hands:
"O Lord, do not abandon us!"
Before the angels...
91
When Israel was a child, I loved him,
like a son, I called him out of Egypt,
but the more I called him,
the further he strayed from me.
He did not see that all my care was for him.
Israel, Israel
I taught Ephraim how to take his first steps,
I guided him straight, using reins of kindness,
To him I was like one
who holds a baby close to his cheek.
He did not see...
You will return to the land of Egypt,
the Assyrian king will destroy all your sons,
because my people
refused to convert.
He did not see...
O Ephraim, how could I abandon you,
my heart is moved at the thought of parting from you,
I will not destroy you,
for I am God, not man.
He did not see...
I will roar, and his sons will come from the sea,
swiftly flying, like a bird, out of Egypt
they will come back,
from Assyria like a dove.
He did not see...
92
There is a time for everything
There is a time for everything,
every action has its moment under heaven.
A time for being born, a time for dying,
a time for sowing, a time for reaping;
a time for killing, a time for healing,
a time for destruction, a time for rebuilding.
A time to throw stones away, a time to gather them,
a time to embrace, a time to refuse.
A time for searching, a time for losing,
a time for keeping, a time for giving:
a time for tearing, a time for mending,
a time for speaking, a time for silence.
A time for loving, a time for hating,
a time for war, a time for peace.
What does a man gain from all his efforts?
What does he profit from all his labour?
What God has done to the son of man
is truly beautiful and comes at the right time.
He has placed in man's heart the sense of eternity,
but man cannot see the whole of God’s plan.
I know there is no happiness for man,
but to enjoy the fruits of his labour;
what he eats and drinks in his life,
is nothing but a gift from the Lord.
Nothing can be added, nothing taken away,
from what the Father had already ordained
at the beginning of time.
98
I love the Lord for he listens
to the cry of my appeal,
for he turned his ear to me
on the day when I called him.
They surrounded me, the snares of death,
the bonds of Sheol held me fast,
they caught me, sorrow and distress,
I called on the name of the Lord:
"O Lord, my God, deliver me."
Return, my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has been good to you;
He has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
He has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
I had faith even when I said:
"I am sorely afflicted,"
and when I said in my alarm
"No man can be trusted."
How can I repay the Lord,
for all his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise,
invoking the name of the Lord:
"O Lord, my God, deliver me."
Return, my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has been good to you;
he has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
He has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
101
If in the Lord I have taken my refuge
If in the Lord I have taken my refuge,
how can you say to me, how can you say to me:
flee like a bird to the mountain,
flee like a bird to the mountain?
I know that the wicked bend the bow,
and fit their arrows on the string,
to shoot in darkness the upright of heart,
but when the foundations quake,
what can the just man do?,
what can the just man do?
The Lord, the Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord has his throne in heaven,
his eyes look upon the world,
his gaze searches every man.
The Lord tests the just,
but the Lord tests the wicked as well,
the Lord does not love violence,
the Lord does not love violence.
If in the Lord I have taken my refuge…
105
I have admitted to you my sin
I have admitted to you my sin,
I have no longer concealed my guilt;
I said:
"I will confess to the Lord my faults;"
and you have pardoned the malice of my sin.
That’s why the faithful man prays to you
in times of anguish;
when great waters come rushing down
they will never reach him.
I have admitted…
Happy is the man,
whose fault is forgiven,
and whose sin is pardoned!
Happy is the man
to whom God imputes no evil,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
I have admitted…
I kept silent and my bones were wasting away,
while I groaned all the day long;
day and night your hand weighed upon me
and, like a summer drought, my strength was drying up.
But I have admitted to you my sin,
I have no longer concealed my guilt;
I said: "I will confess to the Lord my faults;"
and you have pardoned the malice of my sin.
I have admitted…
109
O Lord our God,
how great is your name,
throughout the earth is your name;
above the heavens rises your love.
Through the mouths of babies and of infants,
you affirm your power, O Lord,
to reduce to silence enemies and rebels.
O Lord our God…
If I look at the heavens, the work of your hands,
the moon and the stars which you have set in place:
what is man that you should care for him?,
the son of man that you keep him in mind?
And yet, and yet, you have made him little less than the angels,
with glory and honour you have crowned him,
you have put all things under his feet.
O Lord our God…
113
I will bless the Lord at all times
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
I glory in the Lord,
let the humble hear and rejoice.
Sing with me to the Lord,
together let us sing to his name,
for I sought the Lord and he answered me,
and freed me from all my fears.
I will bless the Lord at all times…
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him and he rescues them;
this poor man cries out, the Lord hears him,
and frees him from all his anguish.
I will bless the Lord at all times…
Taste and see,
how good is the Lord.
Happy the man
who takes refuge in him.
Taste and see,
how good is the Lord.
Happy the man
who takes refuge in him.
I will bless the Lord at all times…
Many trials lie in wait for the just man
but from them all the Lord saves him.
This poor man cries out, the Lord hears him,
and frees him from all his anguish.
I will bless the Lord at all times…
116
Happy the man who follows not the counsel of the impious,
nor lingers in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of scorners.
But whose delight is the Word of the Lord,
whose Word he murmurs day and night.
He will be like a tree planted beside flowing waters.
He will be like a tree planted beside flowing waters.
That bears fruit in due season,
and its leaves shall never fall;
everything he undertakes will succeed,
all his works will flourish
Not so the impious, not so;
who are like chaff blown away by the wind.
At the judgement the impious will not stand,
nor sinners in the community of saints.
For the Lord watches over the way of his faithful,
but the way of the impious leads to doom, leads to doom.
Happy the man…
But whose delight…
118
Happiness for the man who fears the Lord.
Happiness for the man who walks in his way.
He shall live by the work of his hands,
he shall be happy and enjoy every blessing:
his bride like a fruitful vine,
at the heart of his house;
his children like shoots of the olive,
around his table.
Happiness for the man…
Thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord
may the Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem!
May you see your children’s children!
Happiness for the man…
125
I am calling you, I am calling you, O Lord;
come, hurry to me,
listen to my voice, for I cry to you.
Let my prayer be like incense,
the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
Set, O Lord, a guard at my mouth,
a watchman at the gate of my lips;
lest my heart incline to evil,
or commit wicked deeds.
Let the just man strike me out of love
and correct me
lest the oil of the wicked anoint my head:
and I fall into the vice of his sins,
and I fall into the vice of his sins.
I am calling you…
To you, O Lord, I turn my eyes,
in you I take refuge, do not abandon my soul!
Guard me from the snares
they have laid for me,
from the traps of my enemies.
Let them fall into their own nets,
for, united to you, I go unharmed,
for, united to you, I go unharmed.
I am calling you…
136
O God, by your name save me
O God, by your name save me,
by your great power see justice done to me.
O God, pay heed to my prayer,
listen to the words of my mouth.
For arrogant men have risen against me
and ruthless men seek my life.
They do not set God before them,
they do not set God before them.
Behold, God is my help,
the Lord, the Lord upholds me.
With all my heart I will offer you a sacrifice,
I will praise your name for it is good.
From all my anguish you have delivered me,
from all my anguish you have delivered me,
from all my anguish you have delivered me.
O God, by your name save me...
136
Hide me in the depths of your tent
Hide me
in the depths of your tent,
set me high
on a rock.
The Lord is my light and my salvation:
whom need I fear?
The Lord is the fortress of my life:
of whom should I be afraid?
Hide me…
When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.
Hide me…
Even if an army encamped against me,
my heart would not be afraid;
though war were waged against me,
my trust would still be firm.
Hide me…
One thing I ask of the Lord,
only one thing I seek:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
Hide me…
The Lord hides me under his shelter
in times of trouble.
The Lord stretches out his hand to me,
I shall walk in safety.
Hide me…
Hear O Lord my voice when I call to you;
have mercy on me and be attentive.
I seek your face, O Lord,
do not hide your face from me.
Hide me…
137
The fool thinks there is no God
The fool thinks there is no God;
they are corrupt and commit abominations,
no one is left who does good,
no one is left who does good.
From heaven the Lord looks down on men
to see if there is one who is wise,
a man who seeks God,
a man who seeks God.
They have all gone astray, they are all corrupt;
no one does good, not even one.
The fool thinks there is no God…
Evil-doers understand nothing,
Evil-doers who devour my people like bread.
They do not call upon God,
but they will tremble with terror.
For God is with the just man,
the Lord is his refuge.
For God is with the just man,
the Lord is his refuge.
The fool thinks there is no God…
For God is with the just man…
141
You are the light of the world
You are the light of the world,
you are the light, the light of the world,
the light of the world.
It cannot be hidden,
a city on a hilltop.
It cannot be hidden,
a city on a hilltop;
nor is a lamp lit
to be put under a tub,
but it is put on the lampstand,
so it may shine on all those in the house.
In the same way may your light shine
in the sight of men,
so they may see your works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.
You are the light of the world,
you are the light, the light of the world,
144
Jesus entered Jericho, and was going through the city,
Jesus entered Jericho, and was going through the city.
And behold a man called Zaccheus,
chief of the publicans and very rich,
was trying to see Jesus.
But he could not, for he was short.
Then he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore,
because Jesus was to pass that way,
because Jesus was to pass that way.
When Jesus came to that place, he lifted up his eyes,
saw him and said to him:
“Zaccheus, come down at once,
for today it behoves me to stay at your house.”
for today it behoves me to stay at your house.”
Zaccheus came down in a hurry
and welcomed him full of joy.
Seeing this, they all murmured:
“He has entered the house of a sinner.”
And Zaccheus stood up and said to the Lord:
“Behold, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor
And if I have cheated anyone,
I will give him back fourfold.”
And Jesus answered him:
“Today salvation has entered this house,
Today salvation has entered this house.
Because he too is a son of Abraham,
because the Son of Man has come to seek
and save that which was lost.”
Jesus, entered Jericho, and was going…
“Today salvation has entered this house,
today salvation has entered this house.
Because he too is a son of Abraham.”
Zaccheus is you.
Zaccheus, come down at once.
The Lord wants to enter your house.
205
When Israel gathers the assembly,
when the people offer themselves as volunteers:
Bless the Lord, bless the Lord,
bless the Lord, to the Lord I want to sing.
Awake, Deborah,
awake, Deborah,
strike up the song!
Awake, Deborah,
awake, Deborah,
arise Barak!
In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath,
in the days of Jael,
there were no caravans,
no one could walk the streets,
since Israel had gone after other gods
and war was at the gates.
No warrior could be found in Israel,
not one lance could be found among ten thousand men.
Bless the Lord…
When you came out of Seir, O Lord my God,
when you advanced over the fields of Edom,
the earth trembled, heaven shook,
the clouds dissolved into water,
before you the mountains melted,
before you, O God of Israel.
From heaven above the stars came out to fight.
From heaven above the stars came out to fight.
From heaven above they fought against Sisera.
From heaven above they fought against Sisera.
The Kishon torrent, the sacred torrent swept them away.
Bless the Lord…
214
Eli, Eli, lama, sabachthani
Elí, Elí, lamá sabachtháni?
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
How far I feel you from my lamentation;
I call on you by day and you do not answer,
I call by night and there is no rest for me.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
Yet you are the Holy One,
you dwell in the praises of my people;
in you my fathers have hoped,
they hoped in you and you have freed them;
they cried to you and they were saved,
they hoped in you and did not remain disappointed.
Then me? Why don’t you help me?
Perhaps I am not a man? Look, I am a worm!
Disgraced among men! Rejection of my people!
All those who see me curl their lips,
they mock me, shake their heads and say:
"He trusted in the Lord,
let him rescue him if he loves him so much."
Yes, you love me, yes, you cherish me!
You drew me out of my mother’s womb,
at my birth you picked me up,
from my mother’s womb you have been my God,
when I was being born I entrusted myself to you.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
Do not be far from me;
look! anguish is near and no one helps me.
Many bullocks surround me,
bulls of Bashan besiege me,
against me they open wide their mouths,
like a lion raging and roaring.
I am dirty water which is thrown away,
all my bones are racked;
my heart is like wax,
melting away within my bosom;
dry as a pot-shard is my palate,
my tongue is stuck to my throat,
you have thrown me in the dust of death.
Eli…
A pack of dogs surrounds me,
a gang of evildoers besieges me;
they have pierced my hands and my feet,
I can count all my bones.
They stare at me, they observe me,
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothes they cast lots.
But you, Lord, do not stay far away! –
my strength, my strength, run to my help!
Save me from the sword,
from the claws of the dogs, save my life,
save me, save me from the mouth of the lion,
and from the horns of the bulls!
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
I will announce your name to my brothers,
I will praise you in the midst of the assembly:
I will say: Praise the Lord you who fear him,
sing to the Lord, descendants of Jacob!
let the race of Israel give him glory;
because he was not disgusted with this poor man,
the only one who was not scandalised at me.
He did not despise this wretched man,
he did not hide his face from him,
but at his cry for help he answered him,
at his cry he heard him.
Eli…
Now I know that the poor will be saved,
that everyone who looks for you will find you,
that their hearts, their hearts will live,
will live forever, will live eternally.
All the ends of the earth will return to the Lord,
all the families of nations shall bow down before him.
Because the kingdom, the kingdom is the Lord’s;
he is the ruler of all the nations,
all those who prosper on the earth will bow down before him,
to him will bow all those who go down to the dust.
And I, I will live, will live for him,
my descendants shall serve him.
The Lord will be spoken of to the coming generations,
they will announce to them what he has done for me;
to the people yet to be born they will say: "Behold the work of the Lord."
261
Do not get angry because of the wicked
Do not get angry because of the wicked,
do not envy those who do evil,
for they shall wither like grass
and dry up like the green of the fields.
Trust in the Lord and do good,
live in your land and be loyal;
let the Lord be your delight
and he will grant you your heart’s desire.
Entrust yourself to the Lord and hope in him,
hope in him and he will act.
He will make your justice shine forth
and your faithfulness like the noonday sun.
Do not get angry…
Keep silent before the Lord and hope in him,
do not get angry about a man who prospers,
who makes his fortune by telling lies:
but trust in the Lord and hope in him.
Do not get angry…
Refrain from anger, forsake your rage,
do not get angry lest you do evil,
for those who do evil will be excluded
but he who hopes in the Lord shall inherit the land.
Wait a little longer, the wicked shall be no more,
look where he was, he is not there.
Instead the humble possess the land
and delight in peace, in great peace.
Do not get angry…
264
Like men sentenced to death
To this day we suffer hunger,
we suffer thirst and nakedness.
To this day we suffer hunger,
we suffer thirst and nakedness.
We are persecuted and we go wandering.
We are persecuted and we go wandering.
Insulted, we bless;
beaten, we endure.
When we are slandered,
we answer with love.
When we are slandered,
we answer with love.
We have become,
we have become,
we have become,
the scum of the earth,
and the rejected of the world.
For I think,
that to us
apostles,
God has allotted
the last place.
Like men sentenced to death,
like men sentenced to death,
like men sentenced to death,
like men sentenced to death.
Held up
as a spectacle
before the world,
before the angels,
before mankind,
before mankind.
Like men sentenced to death…
We have become…
268
My beloved is for me
a rose of Sharon,
a lily of the valleys.
My beloved is for me
the perfume of myrrh,
as he rests on my breast.
My beloved is for me
as a lily among the thistles,
so is my beloved among the maidens.
My beloved is for me
a cluster of henna flowers
among the vines of En-gedi.
How beautiful are you, my love,
how beautiful, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves,
your eyes are doves.
How beautiful are you, my beloved,
how delightful, how delightful!
Even our bed is verdant.
Even our bed is verdant.
As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my beloved,
my beloved among the young men.
In his shade, for which I longed, I am seated
and sweet is his fruit,
how sweet it is to my taste!
Into the wine cellar he has taken me
and his banner over me is love:
Into the banqueting hall he has led me
and his banner over me is love.
His left arm is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.
I implore you, daughters of Jerusalem,
do not rouse nor wake my beloved,
do not rouse nor wake my beloved.
273
Before him we turn away our face (In him)
In him there is no beauty,
in him there is no majesty,
no looks to attract our eyes,
he seemed no longer human.
Despised, rejected by all men,
a man of sorrows,
he who knows every kind of suffering.
Before him we turn away our face,
before him we turn away our face,
before him we turn away our face,
before him we turn away our face.
A broken man, considered as nothing,
despised, rejected by all men,
a man of sorrows,
he who knows every kind of suffering.
Before Him…
But it was he who took upon himself all our sins.
But it was he who took upon himself all our pains.
We had all gone astray, each on his own way.
Ill treated, yet he submitted,
he didn't say a word,
like a lamb brought to the slaughter.
Before Him…
Ill treated! Ill treated! Ill treated!
274
Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you have been slain
and you have ransomed with your blood
men from every people,
tongue, tribe and nation.
And you have made of them for our God
a kingdom, a kingdom of priests.
And they reign, and they reign
over the earth.
Worthy are you, slain Lamb,
to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you have ransomed with your blood
men from every people,
tongue, tribe and nation.
And you have made of them for our God
a kingdom, a kingdom of priests.
And they reign, and they reign
over the earth.
277
Ode of Solomon, XXIV (The baptism of the L.)
The dove hovered over the head of the Lord
and sang psalms above him.
and the Lord revealed his designs of love,
works of art ineffable, for every man.
The chasms opened up
and dreadful cries were heard –
like women giving birth,
but the Lord dispelled the darkness
with his piercing look.
The dove hovered over the head of the Lord
and sang psalms above him.
and the Lord revealed his designs of love,
works of art ineffable, for every man.
The designs were foiled
and the angels of heaven were weeping,
the designs for all those
who did not follow his truth.
Because the Lord has shown his way
and has showered his grace
on all those who follow him;
he has given them power
to be adorned with his holiness.
The dove hovered over the head of the Lord
and sang psalms above him.
and the Lord revealed his designs of love,
works of art ineffable, for every man.
279
Her foundations are on the holy mountains
Her foundations are on the holy mountains:
the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all Jacob's dwellings;
Of you are told glorious things,
City of God!
I will remember Rahab and Babylon,
Palestine, Tyre and Ethiopia,
when someone is born in them,
men say: 'There, this man was born.'
But of Zion, all say 'Mother!'
For all were born in her.
For all were born in her.
The Lord himself has founded her!
The Lord himself has founded her!
Mother, Mother, city of God!
The Lord writes in the book of the peoples:
'This man was born in her;'
and while dancing they will sing:
'In you are all my fountains.'
And while dancing, while dancing they will sing:
And while dancing, while dancing they will sing:
'all my fountains are in you.'
'All my fountains are in you.'
'Mother, Mother, city of God!'
For all…
And while dancing…
289
You have seduced me, Lord
You have seduced me, Lord,
and I let myself be seduced.
You wrestled with me and you defeated me,
You ve taken me by force and have prevailed!
When I speak I have to shout:
"Violence! Oppression!"
And so your word
has brought me insult and derision.
I said to myself:
"I will think of him no more,
I will not speak any more in his name."
But in my heart there was a burning fire
that was raging in my bones.
But in my heart there was a burning fire
that was raging in my bones.
Cursed be the day I was born;
cursed be the man
who brought the news to my father:
"A son is born to you."
Why did I come out of my mother’s womb
only to see torment and sorrow?
But the Lord is at my side
like a brave and mighty warrior.
But the Lord is at my side
like a brave and mighty warrior.
Sing hymns to the Lord,
praise the Lord,
for he has freed the life of this poor man.
But the Lord is at my side…
291
Lifting up his eyes to his disciples, Jesus said:
Happy are you poor
for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Happy are you that now are hungry
for you shall be filled.
Happy are you that now are weeping
for you shall laugh.
Happy are you when men hate you and insult you
on account of the Son of Man,
rejoice on that day,
for your reward shall be great in heaven.
But woe to you that now are rich
for you already have your consolation.
Woe to you that now are full
for you shall go hungry.
Woe to you that now are laughing
for you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
so they spoke of the false prophets.
But to you who are listening I say:
love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you,
pray for those who ill-treat you.
To him who slaps you on one cheek
offer the other one as well.
To him who takes away your cloak,
do not refuse your tunic.
Give to every one who asks you
and from him who takes your goods do not ask for their return.
Do not judge.
Do not condemn.
Forgive.
And you will be forgiven.
Love your enemies…
Do not judge…