O Lord, deal not with us, &c. Neither reward us, &c.
belongs to the Prayer of the Contrite Heart, and is a summary of it. It is taken from Psalm ciii. 10. It offers no excuse but owns that we have sinned and are in wretched plight, as does the prayer which follows. This prayer was taken from the Sarum Missal, where it stands in a Mass for Tribulation of heart.
Ps. li. 17 supplies the thought of, that despisest not—the contrite heart, which is interwoven with, sorrowful sighing, from Psalm lxxix. 12.
We base our claim upon our forlorn condition, and appeal to God's mercy. Note the repetition merciful—mercifully—graciously—goodness. The temper of the prayer is of kin to Psalm lxix. which—especially in verses 13 to 21, and in its final thankfulness, as sure of God's help—may have inspired its words and thoughts.
Psalm xliv. 1st and last verses. Doubtless an abbreviation of the whole psalm, which stood at the beginning of the 3rd Rogation Litany.
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If it be thought that the Gloria Patri occurs as a surprise in the midst of these entreaties, we may notice (1) that all entreaties are more real when they recognise truly the Majesty of God; and (2) that S. Augustine's processional Litany when he came to Canterbury (A.D. 596) concluded with Alleluia. "We beseech thee, O Lord, in all Thy mercy, that Thy wrath and Thine anger may be removed from this city and from Thy holy house, for we have sinned. Alleluia." (Taken from the 2nd Rogation Litany), (3) the Gloria Patri is always said after a Psalm in the Services, and sometimes after parts of a Psalm.
Section iii. Appeal for help.
The eight versicles which follow next are addressed to Christ, and in most editions of the Prayer Book are separated by a small space from the Verse and Respond,
Priest. O Lord, let thy mercy, &c. Answer. As we do put, &c.