Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people Israel; bless also the rich and fertile land that you have given us, as you promised our ancestors.'

From where he rules, he looks down on all who live on earth.

Turn to us, Almighty God! Look down from heaven at us; come and save your people!

The LORD looked down from his holy place on high, he looked down from heaven to earth.

He heard the groans of prisoners and set free those who were condemned to die.

Until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees us.

"I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.

The LORD says, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house, then, could you build for me, what kind of place for me to live in?

"But can you, O God, really live on earth? Not even all of heaven is large enough to hold you, so how can this Temple that I have built be large enough?

The priests and the Levites asked the LORD's blessing on the people. In his home in heaven God heard their prayers and accepted them.

There is no one like the LORD our God. He lives in the heights above,

but he bends down to see the heavens and the earth.

LORD, I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule.

Wake up, LORD, and help us! Use your power and save us; use it as you did in ancient times. It was you that cut the sea monster Rahab to pieces.

It was you also who dried up the sea and made a path through the water, so that those you were saving could cross.

Lord, where are the former proofs of your love? Where are the promises you made to David?

from all their suffering. It was not an angel, but the LORD himself who saved them. In his love and compassion he rescued them. He had always taken care of them in the past,

So the LORD answers, "Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.

Remember, O LORD, your kindness and constant love which you have shown from long ago.

"Israel, you are my dearest child, the one I love best. Whenever I mention your name, I think of you with love. My heart goes out to you; I will be merciful.

"How can I give you up, Israel? How can I abandon you? Could I ever destroy you as I did Admah, or treat you as I did Zeboiim? My heart will not let me do it! My love for you is too strong.

Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us

Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another.

If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?

"Will the Lord always reject us? Will he never again be pleased with us?

Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has anger taken the place of his compassion?"