A SONG OF THANKSGIVING

A SONG OF THANKSGIVING SIRACH 51: 1-12

I give you thanks, O Lord and King.
I praise you as my God and my Saviour.
I give you thanks, for you have helped me and protected me.
You have rescued me from death, from dangerous lies and slander.
You helped me when no one else would;
in your great mercy you saved me from many troubles I have known:
from the glaring hatred of my enemies,
who wanted to put an end to my life;
from the suffocation in oppressive smoke rising from fires I did not light;
from vicious slander reported to the king.
I was once brought face to face with death;
enemies surround me everywhere.
I looked for someone to help me,
but there was no one there.
But then, O Lord, I remembered how merciful you are,
and what you had done in times past.
I remembered that you rescue those who rely on you from their enemies
Then from here on earth I prayed to you.


O Lord you are my Father, do not abandon me to my troubles
when I am helpless against arrogant enemies.
I will always praise you and sing hymns of thanksgiving.
You answered my prayer, and saved me from the threat of destruction.
And so I thank you and praise you.
O Lord, I praise you!