I know of nothing good living in me – living, that is, in my unspiritual self – for though the will to do what is good is in me, the performance is not, with the result that instead of doing the good things I want to do, I carry out the sinful things I do not want. When I act against my will, then, it is not my true self doing it, but sin which lives in me.

In fact, this seems to be the rule, that every single time I want to do good it is something evil that comes to hand. In my inmost self I dearly love God’s Law, but I can see that my body follows a different law that battles against the law which my reason dictates. This is what makes me a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Lord, teach me your statutes.

Teach me discernment and knowledge
  for I trust in your commands.
You are good and your deeds are good;
  teach me your statutes.

Lord, teach me your statutes.

Let your love be ready to console me
  by your promise to your servant.
Let your love come and I shall live
  for your law is my delight.

Lord, teach me your statutes.

I will never forget your precepts
  for with them you give me life.
Save me, for I am yours
  since I seek your precepts.

Lord, teach me your statutes.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Harden not your hearts today,
but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Alleluia!