Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/173

 lips, move  and  soften  my  heart,  and  my  mouth  shall declare thy  praise.

''For if  thou  hadst  desired  sacrifice, I would  indeed have  given  it:  with  burnt-offerings  thou  wilt  not  be delighted. ''

If thou  hadst  desired  a sacrifice  of  expiation,  I would  have  offered  it; but  holocausts  in  which  the heart has  no  share  are  not  pleasing  to  thy  divine majesty.

A sacrifice to  God  is  an  afflicted  spirit;  a contrite  and humble  heart, O God, thou  wilt  not  despise.

The sacrifice  which  is  agreeable  to  thee,  and  which disarms thy  justice,  is  that  of  a soul  pierced  with sorrow. A contrite and  humble  heart  never  fails  to find  favour  in  thy  sight,  whatever  may  have  been  its wanderings, whatever  their  malice  or  duration,  for thy justice  is  not  like  that  of  earth,  thou  searched hearts, and  if  among  their  most  secret  movements thou canst  discover  them  repentant  turning  towards thee, thou  dost  immediately  offer  them  pardon,  and forget all  their  offenses.

Deal favourably,  O Lord,  in  thy  goodness  with  Sion; that the  walls  of  Jerusalem  may  be  built  up. Forgiveness for  the  past  is  not  sufficient,  O Lord, alas I my  soul  is  in  ruins,  it  lies  open,  exposed  to fresh  attacks  from  those  enemies  from  whom  thou hast freed  it; sadly  weakened  from  frequent  defeats, thou must  thyself  undertake  its  defence. Come then in thy  mercy  to  the  assistance  of  Sion,  teach  her  to rebuild  that  interior  city,  that  new  Jerusalem,  in which  thou  desirest  to  be  adored,  served,  and  loved.

''Then shalt  thou  accept  the  sacrifice  of  justice,  oblations, and  whole  burnt-offerings; then  shall  they  offer  victims upon  thy  altar. ''

Then wilt  thou  accept  the  sacrifices,  offerings,  and