God
‹ 9 · Outline · 11 ›
10.The worship of God: prayer, praise and thanksgiving
10a.Hymns and psalms of praise
See also: Religion 6b
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 28–29Zeus is credited with willing and working the conquest of Troy; thanks owed to him.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 174–175Jehovah is strength and shield; his voice thunders over waters, breaks cedars, and he reigns as King forever.read · scan
- p. 200God is great, righteous and a refuge in Zion, everlasting guide even unto death.read · scan
- p. 211–212God performs all things, sends lovingkindness and truth, and is exalted above heavens and earth.read · scan
- p. 214–215God as high tower, shield and refuge; ruler of Jacob and the earth, whose strength and lovingkindness the psalmist praises.read · scan
- p. 221–222God is terrible in his works, rules by might, turned sea to dry land, and holds our soul in life.read · scan
- p. 229–232God gives judgments to the king; blessed be God who alone does wondrous things.read · scan
- p. 285–288Works of Jehovah great, righteous, faithful, sure; mindful of his covenant and redeeming his people.read · scan
- p. 313–315Jehovah chooses Zion as his eternal habitation and maker of heaven and earth.read · scan
- p. 316Thanksgiving for God's enduring lovingkindness: creator of heavens, sun, moon and stars, deliverer of Israel, giver of food to all flesh.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 583–585Men and gods together follow and honor the Buddha with music and flowers.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 357–358The host praises God; glory to God and peace among men.read · scan
- p. 398–399Stranger Samaritan returns glorifying God, unlike the nine.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 117Epictetus urges ceaseless hymns of praise to God for his providential gifts of hands, digestion, growth and mind.read · scan
- p. 117–118As a reasoning being, Epictetus deems it his work to sing hymns to God on behalf of all.read · scan
- p. 171Gratitude to God is taught by recognizing outward things are not ours.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 200Be thankful to the gods and die cheerfully.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 899–902Refrain of God's bounties ends with blessing on the name of the Lord of majesty and honour.read · scan
- p. 929–930God is credited as gracious, merciful and wise; Joseph thanks Him for dominion and prays for a righteous end.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 294The Khalifeh and Sindbad thank God, closing the voyages with praise of the One Creator.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 326–327Dante's heart is bound in devotion, giving itself wholly to God, thanking the Sun of Angels, whose grace lifted him.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 269–270All good is to be ascribed to God, the only good, and praised above all things.read · scan
- p. 304–305All good comes from God; praise, honour and glory belong to Him alone, the Blessed Trinity.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 112The king thanks God for the grace shown at the feast.read · scan
John Knox, Preface to the History of the Reformation in ScotlandVol. 39
- p. 59–60God is praised for his mercy and benefits shown in this age.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 318England's benefits are God's gift, for which Englishmen should give due honour and thanks.read · scan
Sir Philip Sidney, The Defense of PoesyVol. 27
- p. 46–47Lyric verse could sing the immortal beauty and goodness of God.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 180–181God is praised for his marvellous works and the blessing on the narrator.read · scan
Hymns of the Christian Church: Hymns Based on PsalmsVol. 45
- p. 535–537The heavens proclaim the divine Creator; the Lord as shepherd and King whose love and reign are praised.read · scan
- p. 537–540God eternal, creator and defender, worshipped as glorious King whose power and mercy endure.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at School and at College, 1624-1632Vol. 4
- p. 16–18Psalm praising God's wisdom and might in creating heavens, earth, sun and moon, and feeding all creatures.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 155–165Eve owes God daily praise and thanks for her happier lot.read · scan
- p. 165–170God is praised by unseen spirits day and night.read · scan
- p. 170They adore the Maker of sky and earth and thank him for mutual help and love.read · scan
- p. 180Adam thanks the Nourisher from whom all perfect good descends.read · scan
Andrew Marvell, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 376–377The exiles praise God who led them to a kind island and gave them a temple where His name is sounded.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 181The King on the throne with a rainbow is thanked by Christian.read · scan
John Dryden, Postscript to the ReaderVol. 13
- p. 424–425He thanks the Almighty for aid in beginning and completing the work despite affliction.read · scan
Hymns of the Christian Church: Modern HymnsVol. 45
- p. 557–559God as fortress and helper whose truth and kingdom endure; thanked as bounteous giver.read · scan
- p. 568–571Lord of all being, whose glory flames from sun and star, yet near to loving hearts.read · scan
Christopher Smart, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 484–486David praises the King of kings, whose choice, faith and might inspire the psalmist.read · scan
- p. 486–488David sang of God as source of all things and the force on which all strength depends.read · scan
- p. 497–498The Almighty's arm and Christ's crown praised as glorious; David's heart is the Lord's own.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 137–139God as Creator and eternal King who hears cottage prayers and provides for the humble as for ravens and lilies.read · scan
- p. 451–453Poet thanks the Author of the day for purer joys than wealth gives.read · scan
10b.Prayer and petition
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 66–67Tang addresses Almighty Lord, offering a steer and asking that his people's sins be visited on himself; Heaven's gift can pass away.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 16Jove grants and punishes their petition.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 41–43He prays that no god look with jealousy; Clytemnestra invokes Zeus to fulfil her vows.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 189Hope in Jehovah who will answer; pleads not to be forsaken and asks for help and salvation.read · scan
- p. 190–191Hope is in God, who corrects man for iniquity and hears prayer.read · scan
- p. 226God is petitioned for lovingkindness, mercy and deliverance; he hears the needy and prisoners.read · scan
- p. 245–246God as Shepherd of Israel is implored to shine forth, turn his people again and save them from his anger.read · scan
- p. 248Prayer that God not keep silence and show himself the Most High over all the earth.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 90–94Says the gods have ceased to listen to his prayers, yet prays they be content with his miseries.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 145Show yourself fair in God's sight; call on God as a comrade in the struggle.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 236On all occasions call on the gods; even three hours so spent suffice.read · scan
- p. 240Denying divine care would make prayer and sacrifice pointless, yet it is wicked to believe so.read · scan
- p. 272The gods may aid us even in things in our power.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 72God, everywhere present, hears the mother's prayers and has compassion on the son.read · scan
- p. 140–141Augustine thanks God for his mercies and forgiveness of Verecundus's sins, praying that God is faithful to his promises.read · scan
- p. 182–183Appeals to God's power and mercy to perfect him.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 177–179Karl implores God to bless the souls of the fallen, and God sends his angel.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 186–187Invoked as Almighty Father in heaven, whose kingdom's peace and spirit are sought and whose angels sing hosannas.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 44–45Chandos says God is this day in the prince's hands; the advance is made in the name of God and Saint George.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 224–229Miracles are witnesses of God's present power, obtained by common prayer.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 37–39Father credits God for rescuing his sons and Cellini says God grants lawful blessings asked in prayer.read · scan
- p. 78–79The Pope's party believes God heard their prayers and meant to rid them of impious enemies.read · scan
- p. 151–152He invokes God and his good cause as support in the coming fight.read · scan
- p. 218Cellini prays to God for protection and says God knows his cause is good and sees he aids himself.read · scan
- p. 380He cries out to God in the crisis and kneels in thanks when the mould fills.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 170–171Seeing the Pacific, Drake prays Almighty God for life and leave to sail an English ship there; Oxnam vows to follow by God's grace.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 249–251He prays God to receive his soul into His mercy if Heaven does not relieve him.read · scan
- p. 506–507The people pray Almighty God to open the hands of His mercy and send rain.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 380Trusts in God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to move the Queen's heart to take Guiana.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Proœmium, Epistle Dedicatory, Preface, and Plan of the Instauratio MagnaVol. 39
- p. 142Prayer to the Father who gave light at creation and intellectual light to man, asking protection for the work.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 68–72He prays to God to make him despise transitory pomp and be enthroned in Heaven.read · scan
- p. 83–86Edward prays that his mind stay steadfast on God and asks God to receive his soul.read · scan
John Donne, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 303–305The poet addresses God, trusting his Son will shine at his death.read · scan
George Herbert, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 341–343Prayer to see God in all things and do all for Him.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Chorus asks the Holy One of Israel to guide Samson and spread his name.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 86–87Pascal speaks of prayer to the infinite Being without parts, to whom all should be laid before.read · scan
- p. 168God abandons those who cease to pray for want of the first effect of grace.read · scan
- p. 316Asks God's compassion and grace for truth.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 116Child is first taught to pray to and praise God as Author of his being.read · scan
- p. 118Virtue's foundation is a true notion of God and habit of prayer.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 186–188Aricia warns that the gods in wrath grant our prayers and chastise with gifts.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 394–395Prayer that God touch the great with sense of his goodness and true end of it.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 81–83Prays to God as fountain of wisdom, asking help to gain it.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 313–314Prayer addressing the omnipotent Lord as Father, whose pity helps when no man can.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 69–70Prays to God, whose self is love, to keep his beloved in special care.read · scan
- p. 139–141God invoked as the patriot's friend, inspirer, guardian and reward.read · scan
- p. 236–238Poet addresses the dread Power who reigns above and hears his prayer.read · scan
- p. 428–430Prays to the Maker of all things for strength for the journey.read · scan
George Washington, Washington's First Inaugural AddressVol. 43
- p. 227–228He closes with supplication to the benign Parent of mankind to bless the government.read · scan
George Washington, Washington's Farewell AddressVol. 43
- p. 248He beseeches the Almighty to avert or mitigate evils from his errors.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 66The woman hopes God is about to grant her wish for a childread · scan
- p. 109A raven prays that God grant their sister may be there to free them.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-RelianceVol. 5
- p. 76–77Man at one with God will not beg; prayer is the spirit of God pronouncing his works good.read · scan
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 925–926When she petitions God, He hears the beloved's name and sees tears of two.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 971–972Lancelot prays that God in mercy lend her grace.read · scan
Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation ProclamationVol. 43
- p. 324–325Invokes the gracious favor of Almighty God and the judgment of mankind.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1069–1070The speaker turns to God to praise and pray.read · scan
Walt Whitman, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1419–1420Opening of a new poem: the old man, sick and desolate, turns in prayer to God.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 190–191Poetic inspiration comes through prayer to the Eternal Spirit who enriches with utterance and knowledge.read · scan
Treaty with MexicoVol. 43
- p. 289–290Treaty invoked in the name of Almighty God, author of peace.read · scan
10c.The inward and true worship of God
See also: Religion 6a
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 203–204God speaks as judge of the earth and owner of all beasts and the world, needing no sacrifice.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 33Sacred stories tied to the festivals which Herodotus refuses to reveal from religious scruple.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 435–438The Most High dwells not in temples made by hands; heaven is his throne and he made all things.read · scan
- p. 445–446God is no respecter of persons; in every nation the one who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 143Inner purification comes only by fixing affections on God and consecrating oneself to His commands.read · scan
Epictetus, Fragments Attributed to EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 183–185Think of God more often than you breathe.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 232–233Rest in social acts while thinking of God.read · scan
- p. 272Approach the gods more simply and better.read · scan
- p. 277The gods wish not flattery but that reasonable beings be made like themselves.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 244–245God looks on the heart and intent, not outward appearance.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 194–196Reason kindles love and veneration of divine majesty, by whose goodness we exist and can attain felicity.read · scan
- p. 204–206The maker favors those who marvel at his work more than those who ignore it.read · scan
Martin Luther, Concerning Christian LibertyVol. 36
- p. 351The highest worship of God is ascribing to him truth, righteousness and wisdom; unbelief makes God a liar.read · scan
John Milton, Tractate on EducationVol. 3
- p. 235Actions should be moved by love of God and mankind; God's providence or nature, his working, directs affairs.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 24–25Pascal faults Montaigne for indifference to salvation and pagan views on death; one must not turn men from religion and piety.read · scan
- p. 88One must worship the True Cause, who has left signs of His will.read · scan
- p. 92–93External acts like kneeling and prayer are joined to the internal to obtain help from God.read · scan
- p. 191Only God's order must be worshipped; the world exists for mercy and judgment, with sufficient light to return.read · scan
- p. 255God owns silver and gold and wants no honour from them, nor value in beasts offered in sacrifice.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 363God hears spirits, not bodies; we hear him through the divine principle within.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 373God is the bountiful giver of being and well-being, owed heart, love and service.read · scan
- p. 386–387Ceremonies only try our obedience and point to something more durable; we hold unsuitable notions of pleasing God.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 90Franklin's creed: one God who made all things, governs by providence, and is best served by doing good to man.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 256Adores the supreme power and his goodness as author of being.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 307–309Reverence the maker whose goodness is our trust and example.read · scan
Leigh Hunt, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 870–871Love of fellow men is accepted as love of God; Ben Adhem's name leads all the rest.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, CharacteristicsVol. 25
- p. 345–346The Godlike has vanished; noble souls must evoke its presence again and realise a worship for themselves.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 275The builder of heaven made his creature so that religion cannot fall out; God builds his temple on the ruins of churches.read · scan
10d.The gods who demand worship and punish its neglect
See also: Religion 5d · Punishment 10c · Madness 2a · Miracles 8b
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 13–15Zeus alone should be praised; Artemis's ire demands sacrifice.read · scan
Sophocles, AntigoneVol. 8
- p. 284–287Dionysus punishes the king who attacked the gods in frenzy.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 303Aphrodite declares gods hunger for human praise, blessing the pious and wrecking the stubborn who refuse worship.read · scan
- p. 304–307Huntsman argues gods are like men and should be worshipped; Hippolytus says he honors only one.read · scan
- p. 307–309Hippolytus dismisses the Cyprian; huntsman warns what the gods ask man must pay.read · scan
- p. 321–323Cypris is described as goddess from whom all life lives; resisting her is pride that seeks to outpass gods.read · scan
Euripides, The BacchaeVol. 8
- p. 370–371Dionysus, veiled as a man, vows to show his godhead's power against Pentheus, who wars against him.read · scan
- p. 373–375Cadmus proposes to exalt Dionysus as the god sprung from his daughter.read · scan
- p. 379–381Cadmus and Teiresias urge honoring Dionysus as a god; Pentheus rejects the new deity and threatens his priest.read · scan
- p. 382–384Teiresias warns the righteous god will be angered by Pentheus' persecution; Dionysus is first in heaven's sovereignty.read · scan
- p. 385–389Dionysus claims the god appeared to him and gave emblems; Pentheus doubts the divinity of the new god.read · scan
- p. 389–392Dionysus says his god is near and sees his suffering, unseen by Pentheus because of impurity; Pentheus will suffer recompense.read · scan
- p. 392–394Chorus calls Dionysus to help; he answers by earthquake and lightning at Semele's tomb, showing divine power.read · scan
- p. 395–397The god shakes Pentheus' house, makes flame stand on Semele's tomb and deludes the king, showing divine power over the proud.read · scan
- p. 397–399Dionysus says his god can overleap a wall and free him; Pentheus scorns him while the messenger prepares to report wonders.read · scan
- p. 399The god's miracles are shown in the women's powers; the herdsmen witness his work.read · scan
- p. 399The women are unharmed by fire and iron while wounding others with wands; the messenger concludes some god was in these things.read · scan
- p. 399–405Messenger and Dionysus urge Pentheus to accept Dionysus as the true god, lest he kick against the pricks, being but mortal.read · scan
- p. 408–409Dionysus is proclaimed true son of God, fearful yet gentle to man; his divinity is being vindicated.read · scan
- p. 410–411Slow but unfailing strength of God judges those who worship a ruthless will and strive beyond divine laws.read · scan
- p. 417–419Dionysus' voice and pillar of flame call the Maenads to avenge; strength not mortal is shown.read · scan
- p. 419–425Agave exults in Bromios as her victorious god; the chorus praises Dionysus for the Tyrant's fall.read · scan
- p. 430–432Agave accepts that Dionysus did it; they wronged him and denied his deity.read · scan
- p. 432–435Dionysus, son of Zeus, asserts his godhead and punishes Thebans who failed to recognize him; the mortals plead against divine wrath.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 210Jove strikes down Salmoneus who sought godlike worship by mimicking thunder.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 448–450Herod is punished for not giving God the glory when the crowd hails him as a god.read · scan
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