Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 3: Psalms 39–59

87

Sharp are thy shafts 7 to cleave their hearts in twain 8 whose heads do cast 9 thy conquests to withstand; Good cause to make the meaner 10 people fain 11 with willing hearts to undergo 12 thy hand. Thy throne, O God, doth never-falling stand; Thy scepter, ensign 13 of thy kingly might, to righteousness is linked with such a band, that righteous hand still holds thy scepter right. Justice in love, in hate thou holdest wrong; This makes that God, who so doth hate and love: Glad-making oil 14 that oil on thee hath flung, which thee exalts thine equals far above. The fragrant riches of Sabean grove, myrrh, aloes, cassia, all thy robes do smell; 15 When thou from ivory palace dost remove 16 thy breathing odors all thy train excel. 17

7 Shafts – arrows 8 Cleave . . . in twain – divide in two 9 Cast – plot 10 Meaner – common 11 Fain – gladly 12 Undergo – submit to 13 Ensign – emblem 14 Glad-making oil – ointment that makes glad 15 Smell – infuse with fragrance 16 Remove – leave 17 Thy breathing odors all thy train excel – the fragrance will fill the air