Afternoon Prayer

Psalm 104 1Bless the LORD, O my soul; * O LORD my God, how excellent is your greatness! you are clothed with majesty and splendor. 2You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak * and spread out the heavens like a curtain. 3You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above; * you make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind. 4You make the winds your messengers * and flames of fire your servants. 5You have set the earth upon its foundations, * so that it never shall move at any time. 6You covered it with the Deep as with a mantle; * the waters stood higher than the mountains. 7At your rebuke they fled; * at the voice of your thunder they hastened away. 8They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath, * to the places you had appointed for them. 9You set the limits that they should not pass; * they shall not again cover the earth. 10You send the springs into the valleys; * they flow between the mountains. 11All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, * and the wild asses quench their thirst. 12Beside them the birds of the air make their nests * and sing among the branches. 13You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; * the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works. 14You make grass grow for flocks and herds * and plants to serve mankind; 15That they may bring forth food from the earth, * and wine to gladden our hearts, 16Oil to make a cheerful countenance, * and bread to strengthen the heart. 17The trees of the LORD are full of sap, * the cedars of Lebanon which he planted, 18In which the birds build their nests, * and in whose tops the stork makes his dwelling. 19The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats, * and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers. 20You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, * and the sun knows the time of its setting. 21You make darkness that it may be night, * in which all the beasts of the forest prowl. 22The lions roar after their prey * and seek their food from God. 23The sun rises, and they slip away * and lay themselves down in their dens. 24Man goes forth to his work * and to his labor until the evening. 25O LORD, how manifold are your works! * in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 26Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number, * creatures both small and great. 27There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, * which you have made for the sport of it. 28All of them look to you * to give them their food in due season. 29You give it to them; they gather it; * you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. 30You hide your face, and they are terrified; * you take away their breath, and they die and return to their dust. 31You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; * and so you renew the face of the earth. 32May the glory of the LORD endure for ever; * may the LORD rejoice in all his works. 33He looks at the earth and it trembles; * he touches the mountains and they smoke. 34I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; * I will praise my God while I have my being. 35May these words of mine please him; * I will rejoice in the LORD. 36Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, * and the wicked be no more. 37Bless the LORD, O my soul. * Hallelujah!