The Church celebrates the age-long compassion of God towards the wanderer, the prisoner, the sufferer, as seen in the salvation of His Church, and in the Incarnation of the Word (ver. 20). The refrain (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31) exhorts to thanksgiving, and especially to the offering of the Holy Eucharist (ver. 22).
PSALM cviii. Paratum cor meum
Ascension Day, evening (Prayer Book)
A Psalm of Christ glorified in His Resurrection, praying for His Church and foretelling His future victories (under the figure of David's wars). The last three verses seem to be the prayer of the Church and the voice of her confidence of ultimate triumph in Christ.
PSALM cix. Deus laudem
Acts i. 20
A Psalm of Christ's judgment upon impenitent sinners; His prayer for Himself in His Passion, and for His Church in whose sufferings at the hands of sinners He Himself is crucified afresh.
PSALM cx. Dixit Dominus
Matt. xxii. 41-5 (parallels in Mark and Luke); Acts ii. 34, 35; Heb. i. 13, v. 6-vii. Christmas Day, evening (Prayer Book)