Perfect Chaos

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
Nor does he deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love towards
those who fear him;
as far as east is from the west,
so far does he remove our
transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to
those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

An extract from Psalm 103 (of David).