Monday, February 1, 2010

I Commend to Thee

com·mend
Pronunciation: \kə-ˈmend\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French comander, from Latin commendare, from com- + mandare to entrust — more at mandate
Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to entrust for care or preservation
2 : to recommend as worthy of confidence or notice
3 : to mention with approbation : praise

I commend to thee, O Lord,
my soul, and my body,
my mind, and my thoughts,
my prayers, and my vows,
my senses, and my limbs,
my words, and my works,
my life, and my death;
my brothers, and my sisters,
and all their children;
my friends, my benefactors, my well wishers,
those who have claim on me;
my kindred, and my neighbours,
my country, and all Christendom.
I commend to thee, O Lord,
my impulses, and my startings,
my intentions, and my attempts,
my going out, and my coming in,
my sitting down, and my rising up.

Lancelot Andrewes

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