Psalm 32
1 Happy the one whose transgression is forgiven, ♦
and whose sin is covered.
2 Happy the one to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, ♦
and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 For I held my tongue; ♦
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all the day long.
4 Your hand was heavy upon me day and night; ♦
my moisture was dried up like the drought in summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you ♦
and my iniquity I did not hide.
6 I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ ♦
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
7 Therefore let all the faithful make their prayers to you
in time of trouble; ♦
in the great water flood, it shall not reach them.
8 You are a place for me to hide in;
you preserve me from trouble; ♦
you surround me with songs of deliverance.
9 ‘I will instruct you and teach you
in the way that you should go; ♦
I will guide you with my eye.
10 ‘Be not like horse and mule which have no understanding; ♦
whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.’
11 Great tribulations remain for the wicked, ♦
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; ♦
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary* said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
