O Lord God, I place my whole hope and refuge; on You I rest all my tribulation and anguish; for I find all to be weak and unreliable, whatever I behold out of You.
For many friends will not profit, nor will strong allies be able to assist, nor prudent advisers give a profitable answer, nor the books of the learned afford comfort, nor any precious substance deliver, nor any place, however retired and lovely, give shelter, unless You Yourself do stand by, help, strengthen, console, instruct, and guard us. For without You all things that seem to belong to the possession of peace and bliss are nothing, and bring in truth no blessedness at all. You therefore are the End of all that is good, the Height of life, the Depth of all that can be spoken; and to hope in You above all things, is the strongest comfort of Your servants. To You therefore I lift up my eyes; in You, my God, Father of mercies, I put my trust.
Bless and sanctify my soul with Your heavenly blessing, that it may become Your holy dwelling, and the seat of Your eternal glory; and let nothing be found in me that will offend the eyes of Your majesty. According to the greatness of Your goodness and the multitude of Your mercies look upon me,† and hear the prayer of Your poor servant, who is
