Seventh Sunday of Israel (Ps) October 20th

Psalm 119:33-48

³³    Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end.

³⁴    Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

³⁵    Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

³⁶    Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain!

³⁷    Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.

³⁸    Confirm to your servant your promise,

that you may be feared.

³⁹    Turn away the reproach that I dread,

for your rules are good.

⁴⁰    Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life!

⁴¹    Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,

your salvation according to your promise;

⁴²    then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

⁴³    And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules.

⁴⁴    I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

⁴⁵    and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts.

⁴⁶    I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

and shall not be put to shame,

⁴⁷    for I find my delight in your commandments,

which I love.

⁴⁸    I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

The Sixth Petition

And lead us not into temptation.

What is this? Answer:

It is true that God tempts no one, but we ask in this prayer that God would preserve and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice, and that, although we may be attacked by them, we may finally prevail and gain the victory.

The Seventh Petition

But deliver us from evil.

What is this? Answer:

We ask in this prayer, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven may deliver us from all kinds of evil—affecting body or soul, property or reputation—and at last, when our final hour comes, may grant us a blessed end and take us by grace from this valley of tears to himself in heaven.

Let Us Pray

Almighty God, You have built Your Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.  Continue to send Your messengers to preserve Your people in true peace that, by the preaching of Your Word, Your Church may be kept free from all harm and danger; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (C67)