1. The Lord is my Shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing.
2. He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3. He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for His Name’s sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.
5. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6. But Thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
(Gloria.)
THE LESSON.
WISDOM iii. 1-6.
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die; and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded; for God proved them and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them, and received them as a burnt-offering.
HYMN.