Lent 2: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God

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The Lamentation (Jeremiah)
by Edward Bairstow

How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people: how is she be-come as a widow. She that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces; how is she become tributary. She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her. The ways of Zion do mourn: because none come to the solemn assembly. All her gates are desolate: and she her-self is in bitterness. The Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy. All they that go by clap their hands at her: they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem saying: Is this the city that men called the perfection of beauty: the joy of the whole earth? Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God.

For these things I weep: mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water. From on high hath the Lord sent fire into my bones and it prevaileth against them: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day. My flesh and my skin hath he made old: he hath broken my bones. He hath builded against me: and compassd me with gall and travail. He hath made me to dwell in dark places: as those that have been long dead. I am become a derision to all my people: and their song all the day. Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him: Let him be filled full with reproach. Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by: behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. Re-member mine affliction and my misery: the worm-wood and the gall. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God.

Remember O Lord what is come upon us: behold and see our re-proach. The joy of our heart is ceasd; our dance is turnd into mourn-ing. The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us for we have sinnd. For this our heart is faint: for these things our eyes are dim. Let us search and try our ways: and turn again unto the Lord. Turn thou us unto thee O Lord and we shall be turnd: renew our days as of old. It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumd: because his compass-ions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion saith my soul: therefore will I hope in him. O Lord thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul: thou hast redeemed my life. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, return unto the Lord thy God.

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