The Catholic Prayer Book and Manual of Meditations/The Psalter of Jesus
The Psalter of Jesus
“ There is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved,” — Acts. iv. 12.
[There are three sorts of Psalters: the first is David’s, which contains one hundred and fifty Psalms; the second our blessed Lady’s, composed of one hundred and fifty Aves; the third is the Psalter of Jesus, containing fifteen Petitions, before each whereof, that glorious name being ten times repeated, amounts also to one hundred and fifty; which is the just proportion of a Psalter. It may be said, as the Rosary, either altogether, or in three separate parts, according to the leisure or devotion of each person, who should in the recital endeavour to excite an increase of faith and attention at each repetition of the sweet and adorable name of Jesus.]
Part I.
IN the name of Jesus every knee should bow , of those that are in heaven, on earth , and under the earth; and every tongue should confess that The Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. (Phil. ii. 10, 11.)
FIRST PETITION.
Jesus, have mercy on me.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, have mercy on me, O God of compassion, and forgive the many and great offences I have committed in thy sight.
Many have been the follies of my life, and great are the miseries I have deserved for my ingratitude.
Have mercy on me, dear Jesus, for I am weak; O Lord heal me, who am unable to help myself.
Deliver me from setting my heart upon any of thy creatures, which may divert my eyes from a continual looking up to thee.
Grant me grace henceforth, for the love of thee, to hate sin; and out of a just esteem for thee, to despise all worldly vanities.
Have mercy on all sinners, Jesus, I beseech thee; turn their vices into virtues; and making them true observers of thy law, and sincere lovers of thee, bring them to bliss in everlasting glory.
Have mercy also on the souls in purgatory, for the sake of thy bitter passion, I beseech thee, and for thy glorious name, Jesus.
O Blessed Trinity, one eternal God, have mercy on me.
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
SECOND PETITION.
Jesus, help me.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, help me to overcome all temptations to sin, and the malice of my ghostly enemy.
Help me to spend my time in virtuous actions, and in such labours as are acceptable to thee.
To resist and repress the motions of my flesh to sloth, gluttony, and sensuality.
To render my heart enamoured of virtue, and inflamed with desires of thy glorious presence.
Help me to deserve and keep a good name, by a peaceful and pious living, to thy honour, Jesus, my own comfort, and the benefit of others.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (as above.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
THIRD PETITION.
Jesus, strengthen me.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, strengthen me in soul and body, to please thee in executing such works of virtue, as may bring me to thy everlasting joy and felicity.
Grant me a firm purpose, most merciful Saviour, to amend my life, and to atone for the years past.
Those years which I have misspent to thy displeasure, in vain or wicked thoughts, words, deeds, and evil customs.
Make my heart obedient to thy will, and ready, for thy love, to perform all the works of mercy.
Grant me the gifts of the Holy Ghost, which, through a virtuous life, and a devout frequenting of thy most holy sacraments, may at length bring me to thy heavenly kingdom.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
FOURTH PETITION.
Jesus, comfort me.
(To be repeated Nine times.)
Jesus, comfort me, and give me grace to place my chief, my only joy and felicity in thee.
Send me heavenly meditations, spiritual sweetness, and fervent desires of thy glory; ravish my soul with the contemplation of heaven, where I shall everlastingly dwell with thee.
Bring often to my remembrance thy unspeakable goodness, thy gifts, and the great kindness which thou hast shown to me.
And when thou bringest to my mind the sad remembrance of my sins, whereby I have so often offended thee, comfort me with the assurance of obtaining thy grace, by the spirit of perfect penance, which may purge away my guilt, and prepare me for thy kingdom.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. FIFTH PETITION.
Jesus, make me constant.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, make me constant in faith, hope, and charity; grant me perseverance in all virtue, and a resolution never, to offend thee.
Let the memory of thy passion, and of those bitter pains thou sufferedst for me, strengthen my patience, and comfort me in all tribulation and adversity.
Let me always hold fast the doctrine of the Catholic Church, and render me a diligent frequenter of all holy duties.
Let no false delight of this deceitful world blind me, nor temptation or fraud of the devil shake my heart,
My heart, which has for ever fixed its rest in thee, and resolved to undervalue all for thy eternal reward.
Have mercy on all sinners, Jesus, I beseech thee; turn their vices into virtues; and, making them true observers of thy law, and sincere lovers of thee, bring them to bliss in everlasting glory.
Have mercy also on the souls in purgatory, for the sake of thy bitter passion, I beseech thee, and for thy glorious name, Jesus.
O blessed Trinity, one eternal God, have mercy on me.
"Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.” (Phil. ii. 8.)
Hear these my petitions, O my most merciful Saviour, and grant me thy grace so frequently to repeat and consider them, that they may prove easy steps whereby my soul may climb up to the knowledge, love, and performance of my duty to thee and my neighbour, through the whole course of my life. Amen.
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. I believe in God, etc.
Part II.
Begin as at Part I. saying, “ In the name of Jesus,” &c.
SIXTH PETITION.
Jesus, enlighten me with spiritual wisdom.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, enlighten me with spiritual wisdom to know thy goodness, and all those things which are most acceptable to thee.
Grant me a clear apprehension of my only good, and a discretion to order my life according to it.
Grant that I may wisely proceed from virtue to virtue, till at length I arrive unto the clear vision of thy glorious majesty.
Permit me not, dear Lord, to return to those sins for which I have sorrowed, and of which I have purged myself by confession.
Grant me grace to benefit the souls of others, by my good example, and to reduce those by good counsel who have offended me.
Have mercy on all sinners, &c. ( page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
SEVENTH PETITION.
Jesus, grant me grace to fear thee.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, grant me grace inwardly to fear thee, and to avoid all occasions of offending thee.
Let the threats of the torments which are to fall on sinners the fear of losing thy love, and thy heavenly inheritance, always keep me in awe.
Let me not dare to remain in sin, but return soon to repentance, lest through thy anger, the dreadful sentence of endless death and damnation fall upon me.
Let the powerful intercession of thy blessed Mother and all thy saints, but above all, thy own merits and mercy, O my Saviour, ever be between thy avenging justice, and my poor soul.
Enable me, O my God, to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, and let the apprehension of thy secret judgments render me a more humble and diligent suitor at the throne of thy grace.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
EIGHTH PETITION.
Jesus, grant me grace to love thee.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, grant me grace truly to love thee for thy infinite goodness, and those excessive bounties I have received, and hope for ever to receive from thee.
Let the remembrance of thy kindness and patience conquer the malice and wretched inclinations of my perverse nature.
Let the consideration of my many deliverances, thy frequent calls and continual assistance in the ways of my life, make me ashamed of my ingratitude.
And what dost thou require of me for and by all thy mercies, but to love thee? And why dost thou require it, but because thou art my only good ? O my dear Lord! my whole life shall be nothing but a desire of thee; and because I indeed love thee, I will most diligently keep thy commandments.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
NINTH PETITION.
Jesus, grant me grace to remember my death.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, grant me grace always to remember my death, and the great account I am then to give; that so my soul being well disposed, it may depart out of this world in thy grace.
Then by the holy intercession of. thy blessed Mother, and the assistance of St. Joseph and the glorious St. Michael, deliver me from the enemy of my soul; and thou, my good angel, I beseech thee, help me at that most important hour.
Then, dear Jesus, remember thy mercy, and turn not thy most amiable face from me because of my offences. Secure me against the terrors of that day, by causing me now to die daily to all earthly things, and to have my conversation continually in heaven.
Let the remembrance of thy death teach me how to esteem my life; and the memory of thy resurrection encourage me to descend cheerfully into the grave.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
TENTH PETITION.
Jesus, send me here my purgatory.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, send me here my purgatory, and thus prevent the torments of that cleansing fire which attend those souls in the next world, that have not been sufficiently purged in this.
Vouchsafe to grant me those merciful crosses and afflictions which thou seest necessary for taking off my affections from all things here below.
Since none can see thee that loves anything which is not for thy sake, suffer not my heart to find any rest here but in sighing after thee.
Too bitter, alas ! will be the anguish of a soul separated from thee; which desires, but cannot come to thee, being clogged with the heavy chains of sin.
Here, then, O my Saviour, keep me continually mortified to this world; that being purged thoroughly with the fire of thy love, I may immediately pass from hence into thy everlasting possessions.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. ( page 386.)
Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. (page 388.)
Hear these my petitions, etc. (page 388.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. I believe in God, etc.
Part III.
Begin as at Part saying, "In the name of Jesus," &c. (page 385.)
ELEVENTH PETITION.
Jesus, grant me grace to avoid ill company
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, grant me grace to avoid ill company; or, if I chance to come among such, I beseech thee, by the merits of thy hallowed conversation among sinners, preserve me from being overcome by any temptation to mortal sin.
Cause me, O blessed Lord, to remember always with dread, that thou, who art present and hearest, wilt take an account of our words and actions, and wilt judge us according to them. How dare I, then, converse with slanderers, liars, drunkards, or swearers; or with such whose discourse is either quarrelsome, dissolute, or vain ?
Repress in me, dear Jesus, all inordinate affections to carnal pleasures, and to intemperance, by granting me the grace to avoid such company as would stir up the fire of my unruly appetites.
May thy power defend, thy wisdom direct, thy fatherly pity chastise me, and make me live so here among men, that I may be fit for the conversation of angels hereafter.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
TWELFTH PETITION.
Jesus, grant me grace to call on thee for help,
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, grant me grace in all my necessities to call on thee for help, faithfully remembering thy death and resurrection for my salvation.
Wilt thou be deaf to my cries, who wouldst lay down thy life for my ransom ? Or, canst thou not save me, who couldst take it up again for my crown ?
Whom have I in heaven but thee, O my Jesus, whose blessed mouth has pronounced, Call on me in the day of trouble and l will deliver thee.
Thou art my sure rock of defence against all sorts of enemies: thou art my ready grace, able to strengthen me for every good work.
Therefore, in all my sufferings, in all my weaknesses and temptations, I will confidently call on thee: Hear me, O my Jesus, and when thou hearest, have mercy.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. THIRTEENTH PETITION.
Jesus, make me persevere in virtue.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, make me persevere in a virtuous and good life, and may I never give over thy service till thou bringest me to my reward in thy kingdom.
In all pious customs and holy duties, in my honest and necessary employments, confirm and strengthen, O Lord, both my soul and body.
Is my life anything but a pilgrimage on earth towards the new Jerusalem, to which he that sits down, or turns out of the way, can never arrive ?
O Jesus, make me always consider thy blessed example: through how much pain, and how little pleasure thou didst press on to a bitter death, that being the way to a glorious resurrection.
Make me, O my Redeemer, seriously weigh those words of thine, that he only who perseveres to the end shall be saved.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
FOURTEENTH PETITION.
Jesus, grant me grace to fix my mind on thee.
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, grant me grace to fix my mind on thee, especially in the time of prayer, when I directly converse with thee.
Stop the motions of my wandering head, the desires of my unstable heart, and suppress the power of my spiritual enemies, who endeavour at that time to draw my mind from heavenly thoughts to many vain imaginations. So shall I, with joy and gratitude, look on thee as my deliverer from all the evils I have escaped; and as my benefactor, for all the good I have ever received, or can hope for.
I shall see that thou thyself art my only good, and that all other things are but means ordained by thee to make me fix my mind on thee, to make me love thee more and more, and by loving thee to be eternally happy.
0 beloved of my soul, take up all my thoughts here, that nay eyes, abstaining from all vain and hurtful sights, may become worthy to behold thee face to face in thy glory for ever.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
FIFTEENTH PETITION.
JESUS, give me grace to order my life with reference to my eternal welfare .
(To be repeated nine times.)
Jesus, give me grace to order my life with reference to my eternal welfare, heartily intending, and wisely designing all the operations of my body and soul, for obtaining the reward of thy infinite bliss, and eternal felicity.
For what else is this world but a school to train up souls, and fit them for the other; and how are they fitted but by an eager desire of enjoying God, their only end?
Break my froward spirit, O Jesus, make it humble and obedient. Grant me grace to depart hence with a contempt of this world, and a heart filled with joy at my going to thee.
Let the memory of thy passion make me cheerfully undergo all temptations here, for thy love: whilst my soul breathes after that blissful life and immortal glory which thou hast prepared in heaven for thy servants.
O Jesus, let me frequently and attentively consider, that whatsoever I gain, if I lose thee, all is lost; and whatsoever I lose, if I gain thee, all is gained.
Have mercy on all sinners, etc. (page 386.)
Our Lord Jesus Christ , (page 388.)
Hear these my petitions, etc.
Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.
I believe in God, etc.