Peter Martyr Vermigli’s second and final prayer from the fourth Psalm. As with the rest of the translations in this series from the Preces Sacrae, these should be considered to be in the public domain, should anyone wish to make use of or to distribute them. The man knew how to compose a prayer, and I’m quite certain we all have much to learn from him.
Translation
O God, from whom is all our righteousness:
Since you are good, you are accustomed always to hear those crying out to you, and to lead them out of things distressing unto a freer condition.
We beseech you not to despise those imploring your help, nor to suffer our glory, which is true piety, to be brought down to ignominy by the power of this world, however extraordinary it may be.
We have indeed sinned against you, and that altogether gravely; but, by the mercy that belongs to you, keep watch lest vanity and deceit prevail against us. Even as you have chosen for yourself those whom you wish to be saved, so make the grace and favor of your countenance to shine upon us, in order that we may be gladdened by the prosperity even of our enemies.
Grant, O Best Father, that, relying on your extraordinary faithfulness, we may rest in you alone, and be established by you alone in safety, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.1
- The translation is my own. ↩
