Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/700

 He delivered the ark into captivity, * his glory into the adversary’s hand.

He gave his people to the sword * and was angered against his inheritance.

The fire consumed their young men; * there were no wedding songs for their maidens.

Their priests fell by the sword, * and their widows made no lamentation.

Then the woke as though from sleep, * like a warrior refreshed with wine.

He struck his enemies on the backside * and put them to perpetual shame.

He rejected the tent of Joseph * and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;

He chose instead the tribe of Judah * and Mount Zion, which he loved.

He built his sanctuary like the heights of heaven, * like the earth which he founded for ever.

He chose David his servant, * and took him away from the sheepfolds.

He brought him from following the ewes, * to be a shepherd over Jacob his people and over Israel his inheritance.

So he shepherded them with a faithful and true heart * and guided them with the skillfulness of his hands.