A reading from
the Book of Sirach 47:2-11
Like the choice fat of the sacred offerings,/ so was David in Israel./ He made sport of lions as though they were kids,/ and of bears, like lambs of the flock./ As a youth he slew the giant/ and wiped out the people’s disgrace,/ When his hand let fly the slingstone/ that crushed the pride of Goliath./ Since he called upon the Most High God,/ who gave strength to his right arm/ To defeat the skilled warrior/ and raise up the might of his people,/ Therefore the women sang his praises,/ and ascribed to him tens of thousands/ and praised him when they blessed the Lord./ When he assumed the royal crown, he battled/ and subdued the enemy on every side./ He destroyed the hostile Philistines/ and shattered their power till our own day./ With his every deed he offered thanks/ to God Most High, in words of praise./ With his whole being he loved his Maker/ and daily had his praises sung;/ He set singers before the altar and by their voices/ he made sweet melodies,/ He added beauty to the feasts/ and solemnized the seasons of each year/ So that when the Holy Name was praised,/ before daybreak the sanctuary would resound./ The Lord forgave him his sins/ and exalted his strength forever;/ He conferred on him the rights of royalty/ and established his throne in Israel.
The word of the Lord.
