Lauda anima

Verse 1

My soul, praise thou the Lord always, my God I will confess; While breath and life prolong my days my tongue no time shall cease.

Verse 2

Trust not in worldly princes then, though they abound in wealth; Nor in the sons of mortal men, in whom there is no health.

Verse 3

For why? their breath doth soon depart, to earth anon they fall, And then the counsels of their heart decay and perish all.

Verse 4

Blessed and happy are all they, whom Jacob's God doth aid, And he whose hope doth not decay, but on the Lord is staid:

Verse 5

Who made the earth and waters deep, the heav'ns most high withal; Who doth his word and promise keep in truth and ever shall.

Verse 6

With right always doth he proceed for such as suffer wrong, The poor and hungry he doth feed, and loose the fetters strong:

Verse 7

The Lord doth send the blind their sight, the lame to limbs restore; He loveth all, that are upright, and just men evermore:

Verse 8

He doth defend the fatherless, and strangers sad in heart, He frees the widow from distress, and ill men's ways subvert,

Verse 9

The Lord thy God eternally, O Sion, still shall reign, In time of all posterity for ever to remain.