31, 357. 310112

response reading 31. Psalms 68.
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.
As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds -- his name is the LORD-- and rejoice before him.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.


hymnal 357
1 Encamped along the hills of light, ye Christian soldiers, rise,
And press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know, that overcomes the world.
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
2 On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array;
let tents of ease be left behind, and onward to the fray.
salvation's helmet on each head, with truth all girt about,
the earth shall tremble 'neath our tread,and echo with our shout
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
3 To him that overcomes the foe white raiment shall be given
Before the angels he shall know His name confess'd in heaven
Then onward from the hills of light. Our hearts with love aflame,
we'll vanquish all the hosts of night in Jesus' conqu'ring name
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory! Oh, glorious victory, that overcomes the world.


Numbers 31:1-12
1 The LORD said to Moses,
2 "Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people."
3 So Moses said to the people, "Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites and to carry out the LORD's vengeance on them.
4 Send into battle a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel."
5 So twelve thousand men armed for battle, a thousand from each tribe, were supplied from the clans of Israel.
6 Moses sent them into battle, a thousand from each tribe, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, who took with him articles from the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.
7 They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man.
8 Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba--the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.
9 The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks and goods as plunder.
10 They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps.
11 They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals,
12 and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the Israelite assembly at their camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho.




Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors,
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. amen.