
Day XXV : Evening Prayer

Manus tuæ fecerunt me 

י - Yodh

73  Your hands have made me and fashioned me; +
    O give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

74  Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, +
    because I have put my trust in your word.

75  I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, +
    and that in your faithfulness you have caused me to be afflicted.

76  O let your merciful kindness be my comfort, +
    according to your word to your servant.

77  O let your loving mercies come to me, that I may live, +
    for your law is my delight.

78  Let the proud be put to shame, for they go about wickedly to destroy me; +
    but I will meditate on your commandments.

79  Let those who fear you turn to me, +
    even those who know your testimonies.

80  O let my heart be sound in your statutes, +
    that I may never be put to shame.

Defecit anima mea 

כ - Kaph

81  My soul has longed for your salvation, +
    and I have a good hope because of your word.

82  My eyes long sorely for your word, +
    saying, “O when will you comfort me?”

83  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, +
    yet I do not forget your statutes.

84  How many are the days of your servant? +
    When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

85  The proud have dug pits for me; +
    they do not walk after your law.

86  All your commandments are true. +
    They persecute me falsely; O Lord, be my help.

87  They had almost made an end of me on earth, +
    but I have not forsaken your commandments.

88  O revive me with your loving-kindness, +
    and so shall I keep the testimonies of your mouth.

In æternum, Domine 

ל - Lamedh

89  O Lord, your word endures for ever; +
    it stands fast in heaven.

90  Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; +
    you have laid the foundation of the earth, and it abides.

91  Surely your ordinances stand firm this day, +
    for all things are your servants.

92  If my delight had not been in your law, +
    I should have perished in my affliction.

93  I will never forget your commandments, +
    for with them you have enlivened me.

94  I am yours; O save me! +
    For I have sought your commandments.

95  The ungodly lie in wait for me to destroy me, +
    but I will consider your testimonies.

96  I see that all things come to an end, +
    but your commandment has no bounds.

Quomodo dilexi! 

מ - Mem

97  Lord, what love I have for your law; +
    all the day long I meditate on it.

98  You, through your commandment, have made me wiser than my enemies, +
    for it is always with me.

99  I have more understanding than my teachers, +
    for your testimonies are my study.

100 I am wiser than the agéd, +
    because I keep your commandments.

101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, +
    that I may keep your word.

102 I have not turned aside from your judgments, +
    for you yourself have taught me.

103 Oh how sweet are your words to my taste; +
    indeed, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

104 Through your commandments I get understanding; +
    therefore I hate all evil ways.
