Seek good and not evil

Jul 01, 2026

Music Info

Psalm 85

By Portsmouth Cathedral Choir

Plainsong: The Echo of Angels | Convivium Records (Used with kind permission)

pale bloom

a space to pause and exhale | Slow Echo

Script

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Psalm 85

Portsmouth Cathedral Choir

Today is Wednesday the 1st of July, in the 13th week of Ordinary Time.

The choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sing Psalm 85 – Lord thou art become gracious unto Thy Land, thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.

Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land; thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.

Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people, and covered all their sins.

Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure, and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.

Turn us then, O God our Saviour, and let thine anger cease from us.

Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever? and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?

Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us, that thy people may rejoice in thee?

Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

I will hearken what the Lord God will say; for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again unto foolishness.

For his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Truth shall flourish out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

Yea, the Lord shall show loving-kindness; and our land shall give her increase.

Righteousness shall go before him, and shall direct his going in the way.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

3:10

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Amos.

Amos 5:14-15, 21-24

Seek good and not evil,

that you may live;

and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,

just as you have said.

Hate evil and love good,

and establish justice in the gate;

it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,

will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

I hate, I despise your festivals,

and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,

I will not accept them;

and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals

I will not look upon.

Take away from me the noise of your songs;

I will not listen to the melody of your harps.

But let justice roll down like waters,

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

4:48

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God's words in today’s passage may sound harsh. But hear them come out of love; love for all the world, love especially for the poor and the vulnerable. When God sees his children exploited and impoverished, there is no ritual observance, no pious sacrifice, that can appease. What is it that stops you from sharing in God’s love for the outcast and those on the edges of society?

Do you find yourself just accepting that the world is unjust? Or perhaps the injustice and poverty of so many overwhelms you... How is God with you in these movements of your heart?

As you hear those words of God again, remember that God challenges those He loves; he wants us to grow and to share in his joy and love. The passion of his anger is also the passion of his forgiveness. As you listen, allow that passion to stir in your heart.

8:05