0% found this document useful (0 votes)
309 views372 pages

Pray Without Ceasing

Pray Without Ceasing is a liturgical resource authorized by the General Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada, providing structured Morning and Evening Prayer for the church year and ordinary time. The work, primarily authored by The Ven. Dr. Richard Leggett, aims to facilitate daily prayer with an emphasis on inclusive language and ease of use. It includes a comprehensive collection of prayers, psalms, and readings designed to support Anglicans in their spiritual practices.

Uploaded by

Hunter Hou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
309 views372 pages

Pray Without Ceasing

Pray Without Ceasing is a liturgical resource authorized by the General Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada, providing structured Morning and Evening Prayer for the church year and ordinary time. The work, primarily authored by The Ven. Dr. Richard Leggett, aims to facilitate daily prayer with an emphasis on inclusive language and ease of use. It includes a comprehensive collection of prayers, psalms, and readings designed to support Anglicans in their spiritual practices.

Uploaded by

Hunter Hou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 372

Pray Without

Ceasing
The Anglican Church of Canada
Pray Without Ceasing
Morning and Evening Prayer for
the Seasons of the Church Year
and Ordinary Time

Authorized by
The General Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada, 2019
Copyright © 2024 by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 3G2
publications@national.anglican.ca
www.anglican.ca/store
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without
the written permission of the publisher
Acknowledgements and copyrights appear at the back of this
publication, which constitute a continuation of the copyright page.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Title: Pray without ceasing : morning and evening prayer for the seasons
of the church year and ordinary time / authorized by the General
Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada, 2019.
Names: Leggett, Richard (Richard G.), author. | Anglican Church of
Canada. General Synod, publisher.
Description: Pray Without Ceasing, which includes an emended
Liturgical Psalter for The Book of Alternative Services, is the work of
The Ven. Dr. Richard Leggett, who presented it to the Liturgy Task
Force of the Faith, Worship, and Ministry Committee for use during
their work from 2011 to 2016. It was then authorized by the General
Synod 2016 for trial use and evaluation 2016-2019.
Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20240368703 | Canadiana (ebook)
20240368746 | ISBN 9781551266558 (spiral bound) | ISBN
9781551266572 (EPUB) | ISBN 9781551266565 (PDF)
Subjects: LCSH: Anglican Church of Canada—Liturgy—Texts.
Classification: LCC BX5616 .P73 2024 | DDC 264/.03—dc23
ISBN-13: 978-1-55126-655-8 (wirebound)
ISBN-13: 978-1-55126-656-5 (PDF)
ISBN-13: 978-1-55126-657-2 (ePub)
Manufactured in Canada
Pray Without Ceasing, which includes an emended Liturgical
Psalter for The Book of Alternative Services, is the work of
The Ven. Dr. Richard Leggett, who presented it to the Liturgy
Task Force of the Faith, Worship, and Ministry Committee for use
during their work from 2011 to 2016. It was then authorized by
the General Synod 2016 for trial use and evaluation 2016-2019.
The General Synod 2019 authorized Pray Without Ceasing
for use in The Anglican Church of Canada. Also in 2019,
The Council of General Synod commended the emended
Liturgical Psalter for use in The Anglican Church of Canada.
A Rationale for the Offices
In the years since the publication of The Book of Alternative Services many
Anglicans have found a renewed interest in regular and structured daily
prayer as a means of “praying without ceasing.” This renewed interest,
however, was not served well by how Morning and Evening Prayer were
laid out in The Book of Alternative Services. A full and satisfying use of the
Offices required worshippers to turn numerous times to different pages
and then back again. This editorial design meant that many of the riches
of the Offices in The Book of Alternative Services were not well used or even
well known.
Other factors have also influenced daily prayer in these first decades of
the twenty-first century. First, although The Book of Alternative Services
made some strides in more complementary language for God and more
inclusive language for people, many contemporary worshippers desired
that more progress be made towards language that is “faithful and fair.”
In this set of Offices a balance has been sought between traditional and
more inclusive language for God.
Second, in 1992 the Society of Saint Francis published Celebrating Common
Prayer, a daily prayer book that introduced a new way of structuring
the Daily Offices around the liturgical year. This innovative approach,
along with a wider selection of canticles and prayers, influenced
many Anglicans throughout the world. In 2005 the Church of England
published Common Worship: Daily Prayer which provides worshippers
with daily prayer for every day of the week in Ordinary Time and daily
prayer for the seasons of the liturgical year. This resource has influenced
the work of the Liturgy Task Force in preparing Pray Without Ceasing for
use in The Anglican Church of Canada.
While the structure of Morning and Evening Prayer in The Book of
Alternative Services is the foundation of the Offices that follow, Common
Worship: Daily Prayer has provided both texts and approaches to the
Offices for each season. Each Office is designed so that those who use it
for prayer need only move page by page through the Office.
May our work enable the people of God pray without ceasing in all times
and in all places.
The Liturgy Task Force, 2011–2016
Notes on the Rites
The Gathering of the Community
• Morning and Evening Prayer may begin with either a set of introductory
responses based on the seasonal material from The Book of Alternative
Services or a set based on Common Worship: Daily Prayer. The Morning
Invitatory Psalm is taken from Songs for the Holy One, a Canadian
translation of the psalms into contemporary English by the late Rev. Thomas
Barnett. The Evening Hymn is taken from one of the settings or paraphrases
of the “Phos hilaron” in Common Praise.

The Proclamation of the Word


• The Offices have been designed to be used with the Daily Office Lectionary
or the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary of The Book of Alternative
Services. If the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary is chosen, then the first
reading and Psalm from Year 1 are used in the morning and the Psalm and
gospel from Year 2 in the evening. Another resource that may be explored is
the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings.
• Both The Book of Alternative Services and Common Worship: Daily
Prayer have been mined to provide the responsories for the Offices.
• In each Office a choice of three canticles is provided. In Morning Prayer one
may choose “The Song of Zechariah,” the traditional morning canticle, or
one of two canticles taken from the Hebrew or deuterocanonical scriptures.
In Evening Prayer one may choose “The Song of Mary,” the traditional
evening canticle, or one of two New Testament canticles.
• The two Affirmations of Faith from The Book of Alternative Services have
been included in the Offices. The text of The Apostles’ Creed is taken from
Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

The Prayers of the Community


• Each Office has a litany and a suggested set of intercessions. These
suggested intercessions are taken from Common Worship: Daily Prayer.
• The concluding collects are all taken from Revised Common Lectionary
Prayers, but the Collect of the Day is always an alternative.
• The introduction to the Lord’s Prayer combines that of Common Worship:
Daily Prayer with that of The Book of Alternative Services.

The Sending Forth of the Community


• The concluding sentence are taken from Common Worship: Daily Prayer.
Table of Contents

Morning and Evening Prayer for the Seasons of the Church Year
A Penitential Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Morning Prayer for Advent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Evening Prayer for Advent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Morning Prayer for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Evening Prayer for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Morning Prayer for Epiphany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Evening Prayer for Epiphany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Morning Prayer for Lent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Evening Prayer for Lent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Morning Prayer for Passiontide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Evening Prayer for Passiontide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Morning Prayer for Easter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Evening Prayer for Easter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Morning Prayer for Pentecost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Evening Prayer for Pentecost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Morning Prayer for All Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Evening Prayer for All Saints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Morning and Evening Prayer for Ordinary Time


A Penitential Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Morning Prayer for Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Evening Prayer for Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Morning Prayer for Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Evening Prayer for Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Morning Prayer for Tuesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Evening Prayer for Tuesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Morning Prayer for Wednesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Evening Prayer for Wednesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Morning Prayer for Thursday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Evening Prayer for Thursday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Morning Prayer for Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Evening Prayer for Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Morning Prayer for Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Evening Prayer for Saturday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

A Liturgical Psalter (inclusive language version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231


Morning and Evening Prayer
for the Seasons of the Church Year
A Penitential Office

The presider may read one of the following sentences of scripture as appropriate
to the time of day.

Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in the Morning


• Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing
near. Luke 21:28
• Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. All flesh shall
see the salvation of God. Luke 3:4, 6
• The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed
me to bring good news to the oppressed. Isaiah 61:1
• A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him
Emmanuel. Matthew 1:23

Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in the Evening


• Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your
word. Luke 1:38
• Sleeper awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
Ephesians 5:14b
• But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you
like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day;
we are not of the night or of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:4–5

Lent in the Morning


• If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just,
will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8–9
• To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have
rebelled against him, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our
God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the
prophets. Daniel 9:9–10
• If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and
take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Lent in the Evening


• Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your
God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in
steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Joel 2:13
• I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have
sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be
called your son.” Luke 15:18–19b

10 A Penitential Offic
Passiontide in the Morning
• Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you
are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
• Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your
face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; answer
me speedily in the day when I call. Psalm 102:1–2
• If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will
know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:31–32

Passiontide in the Evening


• Remember me, O Lord, when you show favour to your people; help
me when you deliver them; that I may see the prosperity of your
chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I
may glory in your heritage. Psalm 105:4–5
• Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.
John 8:51
• Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the
needy from the hands of evildoers. Jeremiah 20:13

Easter in the Morning


• Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you
are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
• Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you. Do not hide your
face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me; answer
me speedily in the day when I call. Psalm 102:1–2
• If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will
know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:31–32

Easter in the Evening


• Remember me, O Lord, when you show favour to your people; help
me when you deliver them; that I may see the prosperity of your
chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I
may glory in your heritage. Psalm 105:4–5
• Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.
John 8:51
• Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the
needy from the hands of evildoers. Jeremiah 20:13

Pentecost in the Morning


• And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20b
• I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. John 14:18
• Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked.
Psalm 1:1a

A Penitential Offic 11
Pentecost in the Evening
• The Lord loves those who hate evil and guards the lives of the
faithful. Psalm 97:10
• Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
Psalm 97:11
• When you hide your face, all who look to you are dismayed; when
you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
Psalm 104:29

All Saints in the Morning


• Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you
upright in heart. Psalm 32:11
• You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in
my secret heart. Psalm 51:6
• Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing
spirit. Psalm 51:12

All Saints in the Evening


• My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
Psalm 102:11
• God will hear the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their
prayer. Psalm 102:17
• Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit
lead me on a level path. Psalm 143:10

The presider then says,


Let us confess our sins
against God and our neighbour.

Silence is kept. Then either of the following is said.


God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
opposing your will in our lives.
We have denied your goodness in each other,
in ourselves, and in the world you have created.
We repent of the evil that enslaves us,
the evil we have done,
and the evil done on our behalf.
Forgive, restore, and strengthen us
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
so that we may abide in your love
and serve only your will. Amen.
Or
Most merciful God,

12 A Penitential Offic
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us,
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your name. Amen.
The presider says,
May the God of love and power
forgive you/us and free you/us from your/our sins,
heal and strengthen you/us by the Holy Spirit
and raise you/us to new life in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Or
Almighty God have mercy upon you/us,
pardon and deliver you/us from all your/our sins,
confirm and strengthen you/us in all goodness,
and keep you/us in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A deacon or lay person using the preceding form substitutes us for you and
our for your.
When this Penitential Office is used, Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer
continues with the Introductory Responses.

A Penitential Offic 13
Morning Prayer for Advent
From the Reign of Christ to Christmas Eve

The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Restore us, O Creator of the stars of night;
show us the light of your countenance,
and we shall be saved.
Will you not give us life again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your mercy, O God,
and grant us your salvation.
Blessed is the Christ who comes in your name!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Reveal among us the light of your presence
so that we may behold your power and glory.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all,


to you be praise and glory for ever.
In your tender compassion
the dawn from on high is breaking upon us
to dispel the lingering shadows of night.
As we look for your coming among us this day,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
so that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

14 Morning Prayer for Advent


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Now it is time to awake out of sleep,
for the night is far spent and the day is at hand.
Now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed,
for the night is far spent.
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness
and put on the armour of light,
for the day is at hand.

Morning Prayer for Advent 15


Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
and make no provision for the flesh,
for the night is far spent and the day is at hand.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of the Wilderness,” or “A Song of Baruch”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of the Wilderness (Isaiah 35:1, 2b–4a, 4c–6, 10)
The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice, *
the desert shall blossom and burst into song.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, fear not,
your God is coming with judgement, *
coming with judgement to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *

16 Morning Prayer for Advent


and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame leap like a hart, *
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, *
and streams in the desert;
the ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Or
A Song of Baruch (Baruch 5:5, 6c, 7–9)
Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height: *
look to the east and see your children,
gathered from the west and the east *
at the word of the Holy One.
They rejoice that God has remembered them *
and has brought them back to you.
For God has ordered that every high mountain *
and the everlasting hills be made low,
and the valleys filled up to make level ground *
so that they may walk safely in the glory of God.
The woods and every fragrant tree *
have shaded them at God’s command.
For God will lead this people with joy
in the light of the divine glory *
with the mercy and righteousness that comes from God.

At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Morning Prayer for Advent 17


Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

18 Morning Prayer for Advent


The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
In joyful expectation let us pray to God, our Saviour and Redeemer.

O Wisdom from the mouth of the Most High,


you reign over all things to the ends of the earth:
come and teach us how to live.
Lord Jesus, come soon.

O Head of the house of Israel,


you appeared in the fire of the burning bush
and you gave the law on Sinai:
come with outstretched arm and ransom us.
Lord Jesus, come soon.

O Branch of Jesse standing as a sign among the nations,


all rulers will keep silence before you
and all peoples will summon you to their aid:
come, set us free and delay no more.
Lord Jesus, come soon.

O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel,


you open and none can shut;
you shut and none can open:
come and free the captives from prison.
Lord Jesus, come soon.

O Morning Star, bright Sun of righteousness:


come and enlighten all who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.
Lord Jesus, come soon.

O Emmanuel, hope of the nations:


come and save us, O Anointed One.
Lord Jesus, come soon.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember:
• the Church, that we may be ready for the coming of Christ
• the leaders of the Church
• the nations, that they may seek peace and reconciliation
• those who are working for justice in the world
• the broken, that they may find God’s healing.

Morning Prayer for Advent 19


After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of the Reign of Christ
Most High God, majestic and almighty, our beginning and our end:
rule in our hearts and guide us to be faithful in our daily actions,
worshipping the one who comes as Saviour and Sovereign, and who
lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God.
Amen.

Advent 1
God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and
kindness, so that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before
your marvellous deeds. Raise our heads in expectation, so that we
may yearn for the coming of your Christ and stand without blame
before him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for
ever and ever. Amen.

Advent 2
God of timeless grace, you fill us with joyful expectation. Make us
ready for the message that prepares the way, so that with uprightness
of heart and holy joy we may eagerly await the coming of your
Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Amen.

Advent 3
Merciful God, your word, spoken by the prophets, restores your
people’s life and hope. Fill our hearts with the joy of your saving
grace, so that we may hold fast to your great goodness and in our
lives proclaim your justice in all the world, through your Christ who
comes among us. Amen.

Advent 4
O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of
the world’s redemption in the coming of the Saviour. Make our hearts
leap with joy and fill our mouths with songs of praise, so that we
may announce glad tidings of peace and welcome the Christ in our
midst. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Awaiting his coming in glory
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,

20 Morning Prayer for Advent


hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, when he comes, find us watching and waiting. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Advent 21


Evening Prayer for Advent
From the Reign of Christ to Christmas Eve

The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our hope.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
creator of light and darkness,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
As evening falls, you renew your promise
to reveal among us the light of your presence.
May your word be a lantern to our feet
and a light upon our path
so that we may behold your coming among us.
Strengthen us in our stumbling weakness
and free our tongues to sing your praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

22 Evening Prayer for Advent


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
My soul is waiting for you, Light of my salvation:
in your word is my hope.
My soul is waiting for you, Light of my salvation:
in your word is my hope.
There is forgiveness with you,
so that you shall be held in awe.
My soul is waiting for you, Light of my salvation:

Evening Prayer for Advent 23


in your word is my hope.
Reveal among us the light of your presence,
so that we may behold your power and glory.
My soul is waiting for you, Light of my salvation:
in your word is my hope.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of the Spirit,” or “A Song of the Lamb” may be
said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of the Spirit (Revelation 22:12–14, 16, 17)
“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,
“and bringing my reward with me, *
to give everyone according to their deeds.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, *
the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, *
and may enter into the city through the gates.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, *
with this testimony for all the churches.

24 Evening Prayer for Advent


I am the root and the offspring of David, *
I am the bright morning star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride; *
“Come!” let each hearer reply.
Come forward, you who are thirsty, *
let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.
Or
A Song of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1b, 2a, 5b, 6b, 7, 9b)
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, *
whose judgements are true and just.
Praise our God, all you servants of the Lord, *
all who fear God, both small and great.
The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns: *
let us rejoice and exult and give God the glory.
For the marriage of the Lamb has come *
and his bride has made herself ready.
Blessed are those who are invited *
to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.
At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,

Evening Prayer for Advent 25


he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Watchful at all times, let us pray to God for strength to stand with
confidence.

God, our Maker and Redeemer, fill the earth with justice and
compassion.
God of Mary and Joseph, hear and have mercy.

Establish righteousness in the nations.


God of Mary and Joseph, hear and have mercy.

Bind up the broken-hearted, restore the sick, and raise up all who
have fallen.
God of Mary and Joseph, hear and have mercy.

26 Evening Prayer for Advent


Shine the light of Christ on all who live in darkness and the shadow
of death.
God of Mary and Joseph, hear and have mercy.

Empower us, with all the saints in light, to be your witnesses in the
world.
God of Mary and Joseph, hear and have mercy.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the Church, that we may be ready for the coming of Christ
• the leaders of the Church
• the nations, that they may seek peace and reconciliation
• those who are working for justice in the world
• the broken, that they may find God’s healing.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of the Reign of Christ
Most High God, majestic and almighty, our beginning and our end:
rule in our hearts and guide us to be faithful in our daily actions,
worshipping the one who comes as Saviour and Sovereign, and who
lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God.
Amen.

Advent 1
God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and
kindness, so that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before
your marvellous deeds. Raise our heads in expectation, so that we
may yearn for the coming of your Christ and stand without blame
before him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for
ever and ever. Amen.

Advent 2
God of timeless grace, you fill us with joyful expectation. Make us
ready for the message that prepares the way, so that with uprightness
of heart and holy joy we may eagerly await the coming of your
Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Amen.

Advent 3
Merciful God, your word, spoken by the prophets, restores your
people’s life and hope. Fill our hearts with the joy of your saving
grace, so that we may hold fast to your great goodness and in our
lives proclaim your justice in all the world, through your Christ who
comes among us. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Advent 27


Advent 4
O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of
the world’s redemption in the coming of the Saviour. Make our hearts
leap with joy and fill our mouths with songs of praise, so that we
may announce glad tidings of peace and welcome the Christ in our
midst. Amen.
Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Awaiting his coming in glory
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.
May Christ, when he comes, find us watching and waiting. Amen.

28 Evening Prayer for Advent


Morning Prayer for Christmas
From Christmas Eve to Epiphany
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Blessed are you, O Christ, incarnate Word,
you were before time began
and came into the world to save us.
Blessed are you, Sun of righteousness;
you shine with the love of God
and illumine the whole universe.
Blessed are you, Child of Mary;
born in a manger, you shared our humanity.
Let heaven and earth shout their praise.

With all the voices of heaven,


we celebrate your coming, O Emmanuel.
Let heaven and earth shout their praise.

With all the creatures on earth


we sing and dance at your birth, O Shoot of Jesse.
Let heaven and earth shout their praise.
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
You laid the foundation of the earth
and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,


creator of heaven and earth,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your living Word, eternal in heaven,
assumed the frailty of our mortal flesh,
so may the light of your love be born in us
to fill our hearts with joy as we sing.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.

Morning Prayer for Christmas 29


or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
The Word of life which was from the beginning
we proclaim to you.
The darkness is passing away

30 Morning Prayer for Christmas


and the true light is already shining;
the Word of life which was from the beginning.
That which we heard, which we saw with our eyes,
and touched with our hands,
we proclaim to you.
For our fellowship is with God
and with God’s beloved, Jesus the Christ.
The Word of life which was from the beginning
we proclaim to you.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of Hannah,” or “A Song of God’s Chosen
One” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1, 2, 3b–5, 7, 8)
My heart exults in the Lord; *
my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies, *
because I rejoice in your salvation.

Morning Prayer for Christmas 31


There is no Holy One like you, O Lord, *
nor any Rock like you, our God.
For you are a God of knowledge *
and by you our actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken, *
but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full now hire themselves out for bread, *
but those who were hungry are well fed.
The barren woman has borne sevenfold, *
but she who has many children is forlorn.
Both the poor and the rich are of your making; *
you bring low and you also exalt.
You raise up the poor from the dust, *
and lift the needy from the ash heap.
You make them sit with the rulers *
and inherit a place of honour.
For the pillars of the earth are yours *
and on them you have set the world.
Or
A Song of God’s Chosen One (Isaiah 11:1, 2, 3b–4a, 6, 9)
There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, *
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, *
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, *
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, *
or decide by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, *
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, *
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf, the lion and the fatling together, *
with a little child to lead them.
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, *
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

32 Morning Prayer for Christmas


or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

Morning Prayer for Christmas 33


The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us pray to the Creator of the universe.

Holy One, by the good news of our salvation


brought to Mary by the angel:
Hear us and grant us peace.

By the mystery of the Word made flesh:


Hear us and grant us peace.

By the birth in time of the timeless Son of God:


Hear us and grant us peace.

By the manifestation of your Beloved to the shepherds:


Hear us and grant us peace.

By the obedience of the Maker of the world to Mary and Joseph:


Hear us and grant us peace.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the Church, especially in places of conflict
• the Holy Land, for peace with justice and reconciliation
• refugees and asylum seekers
• homeless people
• families with young children.
After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Christmas Eve
God of glory, your splendour shines from a manger in Bethlehem,
where the Light of the world is humbly born into the darkness of
human night. Open our eyes to Christ’s presence in the shadows of
our world, so that we, like him, may become beacons of your justice
and defenders of all for whom there is no room. Amen.

Christmas (until the First Sunday after Christmas)


God of all ages, in the birth of Christ your boundless love for your
people shattered the power of darkness. Be born in us with that
same love and light, so that our song may blend with all the choirs of
heaven and earth to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

Week of the First Sunday after Christmas


God of glory, you have given us a new name and robed us in

34 Morning Prayer for Christmas


salvation. May we like Anna find our home in your presence, and like
Simeon recognize Jesus as the Christ, so that, in joy and thanksgiving
at becoming your children, we may join with all creation to sing your
praise. Amen.

Week of the Second Sunday after Christmas


Gracious God, you have redeemed us through Jesus Christ, the
firstborn of all creation, whose birth we celebrate as the child of
Bethlehem. Bless us with every spiritual blessing, so that we may live
as your adopted children and witness to your glory with unending
praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.
May God, who has called us out of darkness into the marvellous light
of Christ,
bless us and fill us with peace. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Christmas 35


Evening Prayer for Christmas
From Christmas Eve to Epiphany
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our hope.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
To dispel the darkness of our night
you sent forth your Son, the firstborn of all creation,
to be the Christ, the light of the world.
Rejoicing in the mystery of the Word made flesh,
we acclaim him Emmanuel, as all creation sings to you.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.

36 Evening Prayer for Christmas


At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Your salvation, O God, is near to those who fear you:
your glory shall dwell in our land.
Your salvation, O God, is near to those who fear you:
your glory shall dwell in our land.
I will listen to what you, Lord God, are saying,
for you are speaking peace to your faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to you.
Your glory shall dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Your salvation, O God, is near to those who fear you:
your glory shall dwell in our land.
Truth shall spring up from the earth,

Evening Prayer for Christmas 37


and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Your glory shall dwell in our land.
Righteousness shall go before you,
and peace shall be a pathway for you feet.
Your glory shall dwell in our land.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of God’s Love,” or “A Song of the Holy City”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of God’s Love (1 John 4:7–11, 12b)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; *
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent the Son into the world,
so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us, *
and sent the Son to be the expiation for our sins.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *

38 Evening Prayer for Christmas


we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us.
Or
A Song of the Holy City (Revelation 21:1–5a)
I saw a new heaven and a new earth; *
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, *
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, *
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
God will dwell with them; they will be holy peoples, *
and God, God’s very self, will be with them;
wiping every tear from their eyes *
and Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more, *
for the first things have passed away.”
And the One who was seated on the throne said, *
“See, I am making all things new.”

At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,

Evening Prayer for Christmas 39


was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.


Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community


The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us pray to the Maker of the universe.
God of wisdom, you order all things:
help the Church to reveal the mystery of your love
and fill it with the Spirit of truth.
Holy One, make all things new.
Ruler of the universe, the government is on your shoulders:
guide the leaders of the nations
and bring in your reign of justice and righteousness.
Holy One, make all things new.

40 Evening Prayer for Christmas


Source of all being, you call us to live together in unity:
protect by your mercy all your children,
bless our families and renew our communities.
Holy One, make all things new.
Giver of peace, you bring reconciliation in the child of Bethlehem:
by your healing power give to all who suffer
your gift of wholeness and peace.
Holy One, make all things new.
Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or
aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the Church, especially in places of conflict
• the Holy Land, for peace with justice and reconciliation
• refugees and asylum seekers
• homeless people
• families with young children.
After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Christmas Eve
God of glory, your splendour shines from a manger in Bethlehem,
where the Light of the world is humbly born into the darkness of
human night. Open our eyes to Christ’s presence in the shadows of
our world, so that we, like him, may become beacons of your justice
and defenders of all for whom there is no room. Amen.
Christmas (until the First Sunday after Christmas)
God of all ages, in the birth of Christ your boundless love for your
people shattered the power of darkness. Be born in us with that
same love and light, so that our song may blend with all the choirs of
heaven and earth to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Week of the First Sunday after Christmas
God of glory, you have given us a new name and robed us in salvation.
May we like Anna find our home in your presence, and like Simeon
recognize Jesus as the Christ, so that, in joy and thanksgiving at becoming
your children, we may join with all creation to sing your praise. Amen.
Week of the Second Sunday after Christmas
Gracious God, you have redeemed us through Jesus Christ, the
firstborn of all creation, whose birth we celebrate as the child of
Bethlehem. Bless us with every spiritual blessing, so that we may live
as your adopted children and witness to your glory with unending
praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

Evening Prayer for Christmas 41


The Lord’s Prayer
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.
May God, who has called us out of darkness into the marvellous light
of Christ, bless us and fill us with peace. Amen.

42 Evening Prayer for Christmas


Morning Prayer for Epiphany
From Epiphany through Presentation
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Blessed are you, David’s heir, born to rule,
you received gifts from the magi.
Blessed are you, Son of Man, baptized by John,
you saved us from ourselves.
Blessed are you, Servant Lord,
teaching and preaching, healing and comforting,
you proclaimed God’s gracious reign.
With all the voices of heaven and earth,
we celebrate your epiphany.
Let heaven and earth shout their praise.
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Your light springs up for the righteous
and all the peoples have seen your glory.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,


ruler of the nations,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.
As the Sun of Righteousness dawns in our hearts,
anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit
so that we may witness to your gospel
and sing your praise in all the earth.

Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.


Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

Morning Prayer for Epiphany 43


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.
Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.
If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
let the whole earth tremble before God.
Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is sovereign.
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Tell out the salvation of God from day to day.
Let the whole earth tremble before God.
Declare the glory of the Holy One among the nations

44 Morning Prayer for Epiphany


and the wonders of God among the peoples.
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
let the whole earth tremble before God.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of the New Jerusalem,” or “A Song of the
Covenant” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear,
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of the New Jerusalem (Isaiah 60:1–3, 11a, 18, 19, 14b)
Arise, shine out, for your light has come, *
the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.
Though night still covers the earth, *
and darkness the peoples;
above you the Holy One arises, *
and above you God’s glory appears.
The nations will come to your light, *
and rulers to your dawning brightness.
Your gates will lie open continually, *
shut neither by day nor by night.

Morning Prayer for Epiphany 45


The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, *
or ruin and devastation within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation, *
and your gates, Praise.
Nor will the sun give you daylight, *
nor moonlight shine upon you;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light, *
your God will be your splendour.
For you shall be called the city of God, *
the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.
Or
A Song of the Covenant (Isaiah 42:5–8a)
Thus says God, who created the heavens, *
who fashioned the earth and all that dwells in it;
who gives breath to the people upon it *
and spirit to those who walk in it,
“I am the Lord and I have called you in righteousness, *
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people, *
a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the captives from the dungeon, *
from the prison, those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord, that is my name; *
my glory I give to no other.”

At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

46 Morning Prayer for Epiphany


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Everlasting Light of creation, may your people in all the world
worship in spirit and in truth.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.

May the Church discover that unity which is your will.


Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.

Morning Prayer for Epiphany 47


May the nations of the earth seek after the ways that make for peace.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.

May the whole creation be set free


to enjoy the glorious liberty of your children.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.

May all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death
rest in peace and rise in glory.
Holy One, shine upon us and hear us.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the unity of the Church
• the peace of the world
• the healing of the sick
• the revelation of Christ to those from whom his glory is hidden
• all who travel.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of Epiphany
O God of light and peace, whose glory, shining in the child of
Bethlehem, still draws the nations to yourself: dispel the darkness
that shrouds our path, so that we may come to kneel before Christ
in true worship, offer him our hearts and souls, and return from his
presence to live as he has taught. Amen.

Week of the Baptism of Christ


God, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace,
mark us with your image and raise us to live our baptismal vows
empowered by the Holy Spirit and the example of Christ our Lord, in
whose name we pray. Amen.
Between the Baptism of Christ and Presentation
Perfect Light of revelation, as you shone in the life of Jesus, whose
epiphany we celebrate, so shine in us and through us, that we may
become beacons of truth and compassion, enlightening all creation
with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.
or
O God, you spoke your word and revealed your good news in
Jesus the Christ. Fill all creation with that word again, so that by
proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your
glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your
incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.

48 Morning Prayer for Epiphany


Presentation
God of steadfast love, you sent your Son to be the light of the world,
saving people everywhere from sin and death. As Anna gave thanks
for the freedom he would bring and Simeon saw in him the dawn
of redemption, complete your purpose once made known in him.
Make us vessels of his light, so that all the world may glory in the
splendour of your peace. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Believing in the promises of God
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who sends us to the nations, give us the power of the
Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Epiphany 49


Evening Prayer for Epiphany
From Epiphany through Presentation
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our hope.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
You gave your Christ as a light to the nations,
and through the anointing of the Spirit
you established us as a royal priesthood.
As you call us into your marvellous light,
may our lives bear witness to your truth
and our lips never cease to proclaim your praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

50 Evening Prayer for Epiphany


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Arise, shine, for your light has come;
the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.
Arise, shine, for your light has come;
the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

God’s salvation has been openly shown to all people.


The glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

Evening Prayer for Epiphany 51


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
Arise, shine, for your light has come;
the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Arise, shine, for your light has come;
the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
Arise, shine, for your light has come;
the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of Praise,” or “A Song of Christ’s Appearing”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of Praise (Revelation 4:11; 5:9b, 10)
You are worthy, our Lord and God, *
to receive glory and honour and power.
For you have created all things, *
and by your will they have their being.

52 Evening Prayer for Epiphany


You are worthy, O Lamb, for you were slain, *
and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and nation.
You have made them a royal priesthood serving our God, *
and they will reign with you on earth.
Or
A Song of Christ’s Appearing (1 Timothy 3:16; 6:15, 16)
Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh *
and vindicated in the spirit.
He was seen by angels *
and proclaimed among the nations.
Believed in throughout the world, *
he was taken up in glory.
This will be made manifest at the proper time *
by the blessed and only Sovereign,
who alone has immortality, *
and dwells in unapproachable light.
At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,

Evening Prayer for Epiphany 53


he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Redeemer of the nations, guide all who seek you with a pure heart.
Host of the wedding feast, hear our prayer.

Usher in your promised reign of justice and peace.


Host of the wedding feast, hear our prayer.

Encompass us with your light as with a cloak,


and conquer the darkness of our night.
Host of the wedding feast, hear our prayer.

Feed the hunger of your people in desert places with your eternal
bread.
Host of the wedding feast, hear our prayer.

54 Evening Prayer for Epiphany


Change our vessels of water into the gladdening wine of new life.
Host of the wedding feast, hear our prayer.

Welcome sinners to your banquet table.


Host of the wedding feast, hear our prayer.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the unity of the Church
• the peace of the world
• the healing of the sick
• the revelation of Christ to those from whom his glory is hidden
• all who travel.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of Epiphany
O God of light and peace, whose glory, shining in the child of
Bethlehem, still draws the nations to yourself: dispel the darkness
that shrouds our path, so that we may come to kneel before Christ
in true worship, offer him our hearts and souls, and return from his
presence to live as he has taught. Amen.

Week of the Baptism of Christ


God, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace,
mark us with your image and raise us to live our baptismal vows
empowered by the Holy Spirit and the example of Christ our Lord, in
whose name we pray. Amen.

Between the Baptism of Christ and Presentation


Perfect Light of revelation, as you shone in the life of Jesus, whose
epiphany we celebrate, so shine in us and through us, that we may
become beacons of truth and compassion, enlightening all creation
with deeds of justice and mercy. Amen.
or
O God, you spoke your word and revealed your good news in
Jesus the Christ. Fill all creation with that word again, so that by
proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your
glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your
incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.

Presentation
God of steadfast love, you sent your Son to be the light of the world,
saving people everywhere from sin and death. As Anna gave thanks
for the freedom he would bring and Simeon say in him the dawn

Evening Prayer for Epiphany 55


of redemption, complete your purpose once made known in him.
Make us vessels of his light, so that all the world may glory in the
splendour of your peace. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Believing in the promises of God
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who sends us to the nations, give us the power of the
Spirit. Amen.

56 Evening Prayer for Epiphany


Morning Prayer for Lent
From Ash Wednesday until the
Sunday before Palm/Passion Sunday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
We cast our burdens upon you, O Lord,
and you will sustain us.
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.
Cast us not away from your presence
and take not your Holy Spirit from us.
Give us the joy of your saving help again
and sustain us by your bountiful Spirit.
Blessed are you, O Holy One,
the God of our salvation who bears our burdens.
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,
according to your judgement give us life.

Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy,


to you be praise and glory for ever.
In the darkness of our sin,
your light breaks forth like the dawn
and your healing springs up for deliverance.
As we rejoice in the gift of your saving help,
sustain us with your bountiful Spirit
and open our lips to sing your praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

Morning Prayer for Lent 57


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Incline your ear to me;
make haste to answer when I call.
Incline your ear to me;
make haste to answer when I call.
Lord, hear my prayer
and let my cry come before you.
Make haste to answer when I call.

58 Morning Prayer for Lent


Hide not your face from me
in the day of my trouble.
Make haste to answer when I call.
You endure for ever
and your name from age to age.
Make haste to answer when I call.
You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to have pity upon her.
Make haste to answer when I call.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “The Song of Manasseh,” or “A Song of Humility”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
The Song of Manasseh (Manasseh 1a, 2, 4, 6, 7ab, 9ac, 11, 12, 14b, 15b)
Lord almighty and God of our ancestors, *
you who made heaven and earth in all their glory:
All things tremble with awe at your presence, *
before your great and mighty power.

Morning Prayer for Lent 59


Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy, *
for you are God, Most High.
You are full of compassion, long-suffering and very merciful, *
and you relent at human suffering.
O God, according to your great goodness,
you have promised forgiveness for repentance *
to those who have sinned against you.
The sins I have committed against you *
are more in number than the sands of the sea.
I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven, *
because of the multitude of my iniquities.
And now I bend the knee of my heart before you, *
imploring your kindness upon me.
I have sinned, O God, I have sinned, *
and I acknowledge my transgressions.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me, *
according to your great mercy.
For all the host of heaven sings your praise, *
and your glory is for ever and ever.
Or
A Song of Humility (Hosea 6:1–6)
Come let us return to the Lord *
who has torn us and will heal us.
God has stricken us *
and will bind up our wounds.
After two days, God will revive us, *
and on the third day will raise us up,
so that we may live in the presence of the Lord.
Let us strive to know the Lord, *
whose appearing is as sure as the sunrise.
God will come to us like the showers, *
like the spring rains that water the earth.
“O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you? *
How shall I deal with you, O Judah?
Your love for me is like the morning mist, *
like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets, *
and my judgement goes forth as the light.
For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice, *
and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

60 Morning Prayer for Lent


At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

Morning Prayer for Lent 61


This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us offer our intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings, saying,
“God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.”

For the one holy catholic and apostolic Church


throughout the world,
God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.

For the mission of the Church,


that in faithful witness it may preach the gospel
to the ends of the earth,
God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.

For those preparing for baptism


and for their teachers and sponsors,
God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.

For peace in the world,


that a spirit of respect and reconciliation
may grow among nations and peoples,
God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.

For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer;
for refugees, prisoners, and all in danger;
that they may be relieved and protected,
God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.

For all whom we have injured or offended,


God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.

For grace to amend our lives and to further your reign,


God of our ancestors, hear our prayer.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember

62 Morning Prayer for Lent


• those preparing for baptism and confirmation
• those serving through leadership in Church and state
• those looking for forgiveness
• those misled by the false gods of this present age
• all who are hungry.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
From Ash Wednesday until the Second Sunday in Lent
God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted
as we are. Guide us through this season, so that we may not avoid
struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths
of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.

The Week of the Second Sunday in Lent


Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks
of wilderness and fasting. Help us as we take up your invitation to
prayer and simplicity, so that the discipline of these forty days may
sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship and whet
our thirst for the living water you offer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Week of the Third Sunday in Lent


God of the covenant, in the glory of the cross your Son embraced the
power of death and broke its hold over your people. In this time of
repentance, draw all people to yourself, so that we who confess Jesus
as Lord may put aside the deeds of death and accept the life of your
kingdom. Amen.

The Week of the Fourth Sunday in Lent


God of the living, through baptism we pass from the shadow of death
to the light of the resurrection. Remain with us and give us hope so
that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit who gives life to our mortal
flesh, we may be clothed with the garment of immortality, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Trusting in the compassion of God
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,

Morning Prayer for Lent 63


on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.

64 Morning Prayer for Lent


Evening Prayer for Lent
From Ash Wednesday until the
Sunday before Palm/Passion Sunday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our hope.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, God of our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
In the darkness of our sin you have shone in our hearts
to give the light of the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ.
Open our eyes to acknowledge your presence,
so that we may grow into your likeness from glory to glory.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

Evening Prayer for Lent 65


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Incline your ear to me;
make haste to answer when I call.
Incline your ear to me;
make haste to answer when I call.
Lord, hear my prayer
and let my cry come before you.
Make haste to answer when I call.

66 Evening Prayer for Lent


Hide not your face from me
in the day of my trouble.
Make haste to answer when I call.
You endure for ever
and your name from age to age.
Make haste to answer when I call.
You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to have pity upon her.
Make haste to answer when I call.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of Christ the Servant,” or “A Song of
Repentance” may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of Christ the Servant (1 Peter 2:21b–25)
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, *
that you should follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, *
when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.
When he suffered, he did not threaten, *
but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.

Evening Prayer for Lent 67


Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, *
so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
By his wounds, you have been healed, *
for you were straying like sheep,
but have now returned *
to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Or
A Song of Repentance (1 John 1:5–9)
This is the message we have heard from Christ
and proclaim to you: *
that God is light,
in whom there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with God
while we walk in darkness, *
we lie and do not do what is true.
But if we walk in the light
as God is in the light, *
we have fellowship with one another.
And the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, *
cleanses us from all our sins.
If we say that we have no sin, *
we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, *
the One who is faithful and just will forgive us
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

68 Evening Prayer for Lent


I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us pray, saying, “Shepherd of souls, tend your flock.”

May your holy people triumph over evil and grow in grace.
Shepherd of souls, tend your flock.

Evening Prayer for Lent 69


May candidates for baptism and confirmation live by every word
that proceeds from your mouth.
Shepherd of souls, tend your flock.

May you guide the leaders of the nations


in the ways of mercy and truth.
Shepherd of souls, tend your flock.

May the needy not be forgotten


nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Shepherd of souls, tend your flock.

May the sick in body, mind, and spirit


know your power to heal.
Shepherd of souls, tend your flock.

May the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom of heaven


and see you face to face.
Shepherd of souls, tend your flock.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• those preparing for baptism and confirmation
• those serving through leadership in Church and state
• those looking for forgiveness
• those misled by the false gods of this present age
• all who are hungry.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
From Ash Wednesday until the Second Sunday in Lent
God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted
as we are. Guide us through this season, so that we may not avoid
struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths
of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.

The Week of the Second Sunday in Lent


Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks
of wilderness and fasting. Help us as we take up your invitation to
prayer and simplicity, so that the discipline of these forty days may
sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship and whet
our thirst for the living water you offer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Week of the Third Sunday in Lent


God of the covenant, in the glory of the cross your Son embraced the
power of death and broke its hold over your people. In this time of
repentance, draw all people to yourself, so that we who confess Jesus

70 Evening Prayer for Lent


as Lord may put aside the deeds of death and accept the life of your
kingdom. Amen.

The Week of the Fourth Sunday in Lent


God of the living, through baptism we pass from the shadow of death
to the light of the resurrection. Remain with us and give us hope so
that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit who gives life to our mortal
flesh, we may be clothed with the garment of immortality, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Trusting in the compassion of God
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Lent 71


Morning Prayer for Passiontide
From the Fifth Sunday in
Lent until Easter Vigil
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Christ became obedient unto death for us,
even death upon a cross.
He was pierced for our sins,
bruised for no fault but ours
His punishment has won our peace,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches and wisdom,
strength, honour, glory, and praise. Amen.
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Let your ways be known upon earth,
your saving help among the nations.

Blessed are you, God of our salvation,


to you be praise and glory for ever.
Full of sorrows and acquainted with grief,
Christ was lifted up
so that he might draw the whole world to himself.
May we walk this day in the way of the cross
and always be ready to share its weight,
declaring your love for all the world.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

72 Morning Prayer for Passiontide


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;
by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
We preach Christ crucified,
the power of God and the wisdom of God.
By your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Morning Prayer for Passiontide 73


God forbid that we should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;
by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of Jonah,” or “The Prayer of Habakkuk” may
be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of Jonah (Jonah 2:2–7, 9)
I called to you, O God, out of my distress *
and you answered me;
out of the belly of Sheol I cried, *
and you heard my voice.
You cast me into the deep, *
into the heart of the seas,
and the flood surrounded me, *
all your waves and billows passed over me.
Then I said, I am driven away from your sight: *

74 Morning Prayer for Passiontide


how shall I ever look again upon your holy temple?
The waters closed in over me, *
the deep was round about me;
weeds were wrapped around my head *
at the roots of the mountains.
I went down to the land whose bars closed on me for ever, *
yet you brought up my life from the depths, O God.
As my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, O God, *
and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple
With the voice of thanksgiving, I will sacrifice to you; *
what I have vowed I will pay:
deliverance belongs to the Lord!
Or
The Prayer of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:2, 13a, 15–16, 17–19)
O Lord, I have heard of your renown, *
and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work.
In the midst of the years renew it;
in the midst of the years make it known; *
in wrath remember mercy.
You came forth to save your people, *
to save your anointed.
You trampled the sea with your horses, *
churning the mighty waters.
I hear, and my belly trembles, *
my lips quiver at the sound.
Though the fig tree does not blossom,
nor fruit appear on the vines, *
the produce of the olive fail,
and the fields yield no food,
though the flock be cut off from the fold *
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet will I rejoice in the Lord, *
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength, *
who makes my feet like hinds’ feet,
and who makes me tread upon the high places.

At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or

Morning Prayer for Passiontide 75


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

76 Morning Prayer for Passiontide


The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
With faith and love and in union with Christ,
let us offer our prayers before the throne of grace, saying,
“God of the deep, hear our prayer.”

Have mercy on your people,


for whom your Son laid down his life.
God of the deep, hear our prayer.

Bring healing and wholeness to people and nations,


and have pity on those torn apart by division.
God of the deep, hear our prayer.

Strengthen all who are persecuted for your name’s sake,


and deliver them from evil.
God of the deep, hear our prayer.

Look in mercy upon all who suffer,


and hear those who cry out in pain and desolation.
God of the deep, hear our prayer.

Bring comfort to the dying,


and gladden their hearts with the vision of your glory.
God of the deep, hear our prayer.

Give rest to the departed


and bring them, with your saints, to glory everlasting.
God of the deep, hear our prayer.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the persecuted Church
• the oppressed peoples of the world
• all who are lonely
• all who are near to death
• all who are facing loss.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
The Week of Lent 5
God of suffering and glory, in Jesus Christ you reveal the way of life
through the path of obedience. Inscribe your law in our hearts, so that
in life we may not stray from you but may be your people. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Passiontide 77


Palm/Passion Sunday to Good Friday
Sovereign God, you have established your rule over the human heart,
not by force but by the servant example of Jesus Christ. Move us by
your Spirit to join the joyful procession of those who confess Christ
Jesus with their tongues and praise him with their lives. Amen.

Good Friday to Easter Vigil


Compassionate God, your love finds full expression in the gift of
Jesus Christ your Son, who willingly met betrayal and death to set us
free from sin. Give us courage to live obediently in these days until
we greet the glory of our risen Saviour. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Standing at the foot of the cross
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who bore our sins on the cross, set us free to serve with
him in joy. Amen.

78 Morning Prayer for Passiontide


Evening Prayer for Passiontide
From the Fifth Sunday in
Lent until Easter Vigil
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our hope.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, God of our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
As we behold your Son, enthroned on the cross,
stir up in us the fire of your love,
so that we may be cleansed from all our sins
and walk with you in newness of life,
singing the praises of him who died
for us and for our salvation.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

Evening Prayer for Passiontide 79


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.
Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both. If two Readings
are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;
by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
We preach Christ crucified,
the power of God and the wisdom of God.
By your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

80 Evening Prayer for Passiontide


We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you;
by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “The Song of Christ’s Glory,” or “A Song of Christ the
Servant” may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
The Song of Christ’s Glory (Philippians 2:5–11)
Christ Jesus was in the form of God, *
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant *
and was born in human likeness.
Being found in human form he humbled himself *
and became obedient unto death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him *
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, *
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord *
to the glory of God the Father.

Evening Prayer for Passiontide 81


Or
A Song of Christ the Servant (1 Peter 2:21b–25)
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, *
that you should follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips, *
when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.
When he suffered, he did not threaten, *
but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.
Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, *
so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
By his wounds, you have been healed, *
for you were straying like sheep,
but now have returned *
to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

82 Evening Prayer for Passiontide


I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us offer our praises and prayers
to the one who intercedes for us, saying,
“Lamb of God, we praise you.”

Lord Jesus, you embraced the cross


so that we might learn to give our lives for the sake of love:
Lamb of God, we praise you.

Innocent captive,
you submitted to the judgement of sinners:
Lamb of God, we praise you.

In the hour of death you heard the penitent thief


and opened to him the door of paradise:
Lamb of God, we praise you.

Evening Prayer for Passiontide 83


Most merciful Saviour,
you have known the pain of abandonment:
Lamb of God, we praise you.

Lord, you love all whom God has made


and gave up your own self for them:
Lamb of God, we praise you.

Through your self-offering


you have brought the crown of life to all people:
Lamb of God, we praise you.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the persecuted Church
• the oppressed peoples of the world
• all who are lonely
• all who are near to death
• all who are facing loss.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
The Week of Lent 5
God of suffering and glory, in Jesus Christ you reveal the way of life
through the path of obedience. Inscribe your law in our hearts, so that
in life we may not stray from you but may be your people. Amen.

Palm/Passion Sunday to Good Friday


Sovereign God, you have established your rule over the human heart,
not by force but by the servant example of Jesus Christ. Move us by
your Spirit to join the joyful procession of those who confess Christ
Jesus with their tongues and praise him with their lives. Amen.

Good Friday to Easter Vigil


Compassionate God, your love finds full expression in the gift of
Jesus Christ your Son, who willingly met betrayal and death to set us
free from sin. Give us courage to live obediently in these days until
we greet the glory of our risen Saviour. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Standing at the foot of the cross
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,

84 Evening Prayer for Passiontide


hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who bore our sins on the cross, set us free to serve with
him in joy. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Passiontide 85


Morning Prayer for Easter
From Easter to Ascension
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Let us praise our God
who has given us life and hope
by raising Jesus from the dead.
Let us rejoice, then, even in our distress.
We shall be counted worthy when Christ appears.
O God, you have claimed us as your own
and called us from our darkness into the light of your day.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
In your resurrection, O Christ,
let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, God of our salvation,


to you be praise and glory for ever.
As once you ransomed your people from Egypt
and led them to freedom in the promised land,
so now you have delivered us from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the loving reign of the risen Christ.
May we, the first fruits of your new creation,
rejoice in this new day you have made
and praise you for your mighty acts.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

86 Morning Prayer for Easter


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your sting?
Christ is risen from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
The trumpet will sound
and the dead shall be raised.

Morning Prayer for Easter 87


Where, O death, is your sting?
We shall not all sleep,
but we shall be changed.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your sting?

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “The Song of Moses and Miriam,” or “A Song of the
New Creation” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
The Song of Moses and Miriam (Exodus 15:1b–3, 6, 10, 13, 17)
I will sing to the Lord, for you have triumphed gloriously, *
the horse and rider you have thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song *
and has become my salvation.
This is my God whom I will praise, *
the God of my ancestors whom I will exalt.
The Lord is a warrior, *
the Lord is the divine name.

88 Morning Prayer for Easter


Your mighty hand, O Lord, is glorious in power; *
your mighty hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; *
they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
In your unfailing love, O Lord, *
you lead the people whom you have redeemed.
And by your invincible strength *
you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, *
in the sanctuary which your hands have established.
Or
A Song of the New Creation (Isaiah 43:15, 16, 18, 19, 20c, 21)
“I am the Lord, your Holy One, *
the Creator of Israel, your Sovereign.”
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, *
a path in the mighty waters,
“Remember not the former things, *
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; *
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert, *
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself, *
that they might declare my praise.”

At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Morning Prayer for Easter 89


I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us offer our intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings, saying,
“Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.”
May we live as those who believe in the triumph of the cross.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.

90 Morning Prayer for Easter


May all people receive the good news of Christ’s victory.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.
May those born to new life in the waters of baptism
know the power of Christ’s resurrection.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.
May those who suffer pain and anguish
find healing and peace in the compassion of Christ.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.
May we be united in Christ’s undying love
with all who have passed through the gates of death.
Redeemer of Israel, hear our prayer.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the people of God, that they might proclaim the risen Lord
• God’s creation, that the peoples of the earth may meet their responsibility to care
• those in despair and darkness, that they may find the hope and light of Christ
• those in fear of death, that they may find faith through the resurrection
• prisoners and captives.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of Easter
Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of
Jesus’ resurrection and the world was changed forever. Teach us to
keep faith with them, so that our witness may be as bold, our love as
deep, and our faith as true. Amen.
Week of Easter 2
O God, you raised up Jesus Christ as your faithful witness and the
firstborn of the dead. By your Holy Spirit, help us to witness to him
so that those who have not yet seen may come to believe in him who
is, and was, and is to come. Amen.
Week of Easter 3
Holy and righteous God, you raised Christ from the dead and
glorified him at your right hand. Let the words of scripture, fulfilled
in Jesus your Son, burn within our hearts and open our minds to
recognize him in the breaking of bread. Amen.
Week of Easter 4
Holy Shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety
through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, so that we may
walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your
house, where we celebrate with you for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Easter 91


Week of Easter 5
God of life, you sent your Son into the world that we might live
through him. May we abide in his risen life, so that we may bear the
fruit of love for one another and know the fullness of joy. Amen.
Week of Easter 6
Faithful God, make our hearts bold with love for one another. Pour
out your Spirit upon all people, so that we may live your justice and
sing in praise the new song of your marvellous victory. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Rejoicing in God’s new creation
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life. Amen.

92 Morning Prayer for Easter


Evening Prayer for Easter
From Easter to Ascension
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our hope.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, God of the living,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the deep waters of death
you brought your people to new birth
by raising Jesus to life in triumph.
Through him dark death has been destroyed
and radiant life is everywhere restored.
As you call us out of darkness into his marvellous light,
may our lives reflect his glory
and our lips repeat the endless song.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

Evening Prayer for Easter 93


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your sting?
Christ is risen from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
The trumpet will sound
and the dead shall be raised.

94 Evening Prayer for Easter


Where, O death, is your sting?
We shall not all sleep,
but we shall be changed.
Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your sting?

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of Faith,” or ”A Song of God’s Children” may be
said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of Faith (1 Peter 1:3–5, 18, 19, 21)
Blessed are you, the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By your great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope *
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, *
kept in heaven for us,
who are being protected by your power through faith, *
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
We were ransomed from the futile ways of our ancestors *
not with perishable things like silver or gold

Evening Prayer for Easter 95


but with the precious blood of Christ *
like that of a lamb without spot or stain.
Through Christ we have confidence in you, O God,
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, *
so that our faith and hope are set on you.
Or
A Song of God’s Children (Romans 8:2, 14, 15b–19)
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus *
has set us free from the law of sin and death.
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God; *
for we have received the Spirit
that enables us to cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit bears witness that we are children of God *
and if God’s children, then heirs of God;
if heirs of God, then fellow-heirs with Christ; *
since we suffer with him now,
that we may be glorified with him.
These sufferings that we now endure *
are not worth comparing to the glory
that shall be revealed.
For the creation waits with eager longing *
for the revealing of the children of God.
At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,

96 Evening Prayer for Easter


suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us pray, saying, “Giver of life, hear our prayer.”

Fill us with the joy of Christ’s holy and life-giving resurrection.


Giver of life, hear our prayer.

Strengthen isolated and persecuted churches in the Easter gospel.


Giver of life, hear our prayer.

Evening Prayer for Easter 97


Grant us humility to be subject to one another in Christian love.
Giver of life, hear our prayer.

Provide for those who lack food, work, or shelter.


Giver of life, hear our prayer.

Bring wars and famines throughout the earth to an end.


Giver of life, hear our prayer.

Reveal the light of your presence to the sick, the weak, and the dying.
Giver of life, hear our prayer.

Send the fire of your Holy Spirit upon your people.


Giver of life, hear our prayer.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the people of God, that they might proclaim the risen Lord
• God’s creation, that the peoples of the earth may meet their responsibility to care
• those in despair and darkness, that they may find the hope and light of Christ
• those in fear of death, that they may find faith through the resurrection
• prisoners and captives.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of Easter
Living God, long ago, faithful women proclaimed the good news of
Jesus’ resurrection and the world was changed forever. Teach us to
keep faith with them, so that our witness may be as bold, our love as
deep, and our faith as true. Amen.

Week of Easter 2
O God, you raised up Jesus Christ as your faithful witness and the
firstborn of the dead. By your Holy Spirit, help us to witness to him
so that those who have not yet seen may come to believe in him who
is, and was, and is to come. Amen.

Week of Easter 3
Holy and righteous God, you raised Christ from the dead and
glorified him at your right hand. Let the words of scripture, fulfilled
in Jesus your Son, burn within our hearts and open our minds to
recognize him in the breaking of bread. Amen.

Week of Easter 4
Holy Shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety
through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, so that we may

98 Evening Prayer for Easter


walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your
house, where we celebrate with you for ever. Amen.

Week of Easter 5
God of life, you sent your Son into the world that we might live
through him. May we abide in his risen life, so that we may bear the
fruit of love for one another and know the fullness of joy. Amen.

Week of Easter 6
Faithful God, make our hearts bold with love for one another. Pour
out your Spirit upon all people, so that we may live your justice and
sing in praise the new song of your marvellous victory. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Rejoicing in God’s new creation
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Easter 99


Morning Prayer for Pentecost
From Ascension through Trinity Sunday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Your love, O God, has been poured into our hearts.
We abide in you and you in us.
We will give thanks to you and call upon your name;
we will make known your deeds among the peoples.
We raise our songs of praise to you
and speak of all your marvellous works.
You alone are the Holy One,
who was and is and is to come!
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us,
and clothe us with power from on high. Alleluia.

Blessed are you, creator God,


to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your Spirit moved over the face of the waters
bringing light and life to your creation,
pour out your Spirit on us today
so that we may walk as children of light
and by your grace reveal your presence.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

100 Morning Prayer for Pentecost


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm (or Psalms) from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic
Lectionary, or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm(s) one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people
and kindle in us the fire of your love.
All who are led by the Spirit of God
are children of God and fellow-heirs with Christ.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people.
Renew the face of your creation, Creator of all,
and pour on us the gifts of your Spirit,

Morning Prayer for Pentecost 101


and kindle in us the fire of your love.
For the creation waits with eager longing
for the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people
and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of Ezekiel,” or “A Song of Judith” may be
said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:24–26, 28b)
I will take you from the nations, *
and gather you from all the countries.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, *
and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.
A new heart I will give you, *
and put a new spirit within you.
And I will remove from your body the heart of stone *
and give you a heart of flesh.

102 Morning Prayer for Pentecost


You shall be my people, *
and I will be your God.
Or
A Song of Judith (Judith 16:13–16)
I will sing a new song to my God, *
for you are great and glorious,
truly strong and invincible.
May your whole creation serve you, *
for you spoke and all things came to be.
You sent forth your Spirit and they were formed, *
for no one can resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths; *
at your presence rocks shall melt like wax.
But to those who fear you, *
you continue to show mercy.
No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *
but whoever fears you
shall stand in your sight for ever.
At the end of either Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;

Morning Prayer for Pentecost 103


he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us offer our intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings, saying,
“God of the prophets, hear our prayer.”

Lift up our hearts to the heavenly places


and inspire us to serve you as a royal priesthood.
God of the prophets, hear our prayer.

Let all peoples acknowledge your reign of justice and peace


and grant on earth the blessing of peace.
God of the prophets, hear our prayer.

Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit

104 Morning Prayer for Pentecost


and renew your Church with power from on high.
God of the prophets, hear our prayer.

May peace abound and righteousness flourish,


so that we may vanquish injustice and wrong.
God of the prophets, hear our prayer.

Help us to proclaim the good news of salvation,


and grant us the needful gifts of your grace.
God of the prophets, hear our prayer.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• God’s royal priesthood, for empowerment by the Spirit
• those who wait on God, that they may find renewal
• all people, that they may acknowledge the reign of the ascended Christ
• the earth, for productivity and for fruitful harvests
• all who are struggling with broken relationships.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Ascension to the Sunday after Ascension
Risen and ascended Christ, you surround us with witnesses and send
us the Counsellor who opens our minds to understand your teaching.
Bless us with such grace so that our lives may become a blessing for
the world now, and in the age to come. Amen.

Sunday after Ascension to Pentecost


God of boundless grace, you call us to drink freely of the well of life
and to share the love of your holy being. May the glory of your love,
made known in the victory of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, transform
our lives and the world he lived and died to save. We ask this in his
name and for his sake. Amen.

Pentecost to Trinity Sunday


Holy God, you spoke the world into being. Pour your Spirit to the
ends of the earth, so that your children may return from exile as
citizens of your commonwealth, and our divisions may be healed by
your word of love and righteousness. Amen.

The Week of Trinity Sunday


God of delight, your Wisdom sings your Word at the crossroads
where humanity and divinity meet. Invite us into your joyful being
where you know and are known in each beginning, in all sustenance,
in every redemption, so that we may manifest your unity in the
diverse ministries your entrust to us, truly reflecting your triune

Morning Prayer for Pentecost 105


majesty in the faith that acts, in the hope that does not disappoint,
and in the love that endures. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Being made one by the power of the Spirit
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love. Amen.

106 Morning Prayer for Pentecost


Evening Prayer for Pentecost
From Ascension to the
Sunday after Trinity
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our hope.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
Raised to your side in honour on high,
the ascended Christ shows the prints of love
and bestows on us the gifts of grace.
As your Spirit renews the face of the earth,
may we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
and reveal your glory in all the world.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

Evening Prayer for Pentecost 107


The Proclamation of the Word
The Psalm
A Psalm (or Psalms) from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic
Lectionary, or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm(s) one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.
Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.
If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;
you renew the face of the earth.
When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;
you renew the face of the earth.
O Creator of all, how manifold are your works;
in wisdom you have made them all.
When you send forth your Spirit, we are created;
you renew the face of the earth.

108 Evening Prayer for Pentecost


Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of God’s Grace,” or “A Song of Redemption” may
be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of God’s Grace (Ephesians 1:3–10)
Blessed are you, *
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
for you have blessed us in Christ Jesus *
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
You chose us to be yours in Christ
before the foundation of the world, *
that we should be holy and blameless before you.
In love you destined us for adoption as your children,
through Jesus Christ, *
according to the purpose of your will,
to the praise of your glorious grace, *
which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In you, we have redemption
through the blood of Christ, *
the forgiveness of our sins.

Evening Prayer for Pentecost 109


According to the riches of your grace, *
which you have lavished upon us.
You have made known to us, in all wisdom and insight, *
the mystery of your will.
According to your purpose
which you set forth in Christ, *
as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in Christ, *
things in heaven and things on earth.
Or
A Song of Redemption (Colossians 1:13–18a, 19, 20a)
Immortal One, you have delivered us from the power of darkness, *
and transferred us to the commonwealth of your Beloved;
in whom we have redemption, *
the forgiveness of our sins.
He is your very image, *
the firstborn of all creation,
in whom all things were created, *
in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
through whom and for whom all things were created, *
who is before all things and in whom all things hold together.
Your Beloved is the head of the body, the Church, *
and is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead,
in whom all your fullness was pleased to dwell; *
and through whom you were pleased to reconcile all things.
At the end of either Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

110 Evening Prayer for Pentecost


I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us pray to God the Holy Spirit, saying,
“Come, Holy Spirit, come.”

Come, Holy Spirit, creator:


renew the face of the earth.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Evening Prayer for Pentecost 111


Come, Holy Spirit, counsellor:
touch our lips so that we may proclaim your word.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Come, Holy Spirit, power from on high:


make us agents of peace and ministers of wholeness.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Come, Holy Spirit, breath of God:


give life to the dry bones of this exiled age,
and make us a living people, holy and free.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Come, Holy Spirit, wisdom and truth:


strengthen us in the risk of faith.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• God’s royal priesthood, for empowerment by the Spirit
• those who wait on God, that they may find renewal
• all people, that they may acknowledge the reign of the ascended Christ
• the earth, for productivity and for fruitful harvests
• all who are struggling with broken relationships.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Ascension to the Sunday after Ascension
Risen and ascended Christ, you surround us with witnesses and send
us the Counsellor who opens our minds to understand your teaching.
Bless us with such grace so that our lives may become a blessing for
the world now, and in the age to come. Amen.

Sunday after Ascension to Pentecost


God of boundless grace, you call us to drink freely of the well of life
and to share the love of your holy being. May the glory of your love,
made known in the victory of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, transform
our lives and the world he lived and died to save. We ask this in his
name and for his sake. Amen.

Pentecost to Trinity Sunday


Holy God, you spoke the world into being. Pour your Spirit to the
ends of the earth, so that your children may return from exile as
citizens of your commonwealth, and our divisions may be healed by
your word of love and righteousness. Amen.

112 Evening Prayer for Pentecost


The Week of Trinity Sunday
God of delight, your Wisdom sings your Word at the crossroads
where humanity and divinity meet. Invite us into your joyful being
where you know and are known in each beginning, in all sustenance,
in every redemption, so that we may manifest your unity in the
diverse ministries your entrust to us, truly reflecting your triune
majesty in the faith that acts, in the hope that does not disappoint,
and in the love that endures. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Being made one by the power of the Spirit
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Pentecost 113


Morning Prayer for All Saints
From All Saints until the
First Sunday of Advent
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Great are you, O Lord, and greatly to be praised.
There is no end of your greatness.
One generation shall praise your works to another
and shall declare your power.
All your works praise you,
and your faithful servants bless you.
They make known the glory of your reign of justice and peace
and speak of your power.
Our mouths shall speak your praise;
let all flesh praise your holy name for ever and ever.
Or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Your faithful servants bless you.
They make known the glory of your kingdom.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
ruler and judge of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In the darkness of this age that is passing away
may the light of your presence which the saints enjoy
surround our steps as we journey on.
May we reflect your glory this day
and so be made ready to see your face
in the heavenly city where night shall be no more.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

114 Morning Prayer for All Saints


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds;
the just shall see your face.
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds;
the just shall see your face.
When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds.

Morning Prayer for All Saints 115


Your eyes behold the inhabited world;
your piercing eye weighs our worth.
The just shall see your face.
You weigh the righteous as well as the wicked,
but those who delight in violence, you abhor.
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds;
the just shall see your face.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of the New Creation,” or “A Song of
Wisdom” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of the New Creation (Isaiah 43:15, 16, 18, 19, 20c, 21)
“I am the Lord, your Holy One, *
the Creator of Israel, your Sovereign.”
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, *
a path in the mighty waters.
“Remember not the former things, *
nor consider the things of old.

116 Morning Prayer for All Saints


Behold, I am doing a new thing; *
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, *
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself, *
that they might declare my praise.”
Or
A Song of Wisdom (Wisdom 9:1–4, 9–11)
O God of our ancestors and Lord of mercy, *
you have made all things by your word.
By your wisdom you have formed us, *
to have dominion over the creatures you have made;
to rule the world in holiness and righteousness *
and to pronounce judgement in uprightness of soul.
Give us the Wisdom that sits by your throne; *
do not reject us from among your servants,
With you is Wisdom, she who knows your works, *
and was present when you made the world.
She understands what is pleasing in your sight *
and what is right according to your commandments.
Send her forth from the holy heavens *
from the throne of your glory send her,
so that she may labour at our side *
and so that we may learn what is pleasing to you.
For she knows and understands all things, *
she will guide us wisely in our actions
and guard us with her glory.
At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,

Morning Prayer for All Saints 117


creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us give thanks to the God of all the faithful.

For the beauty and wonder of creation:


God of all the faithful, we thank you.

118 Morning Prayer for All Saints


For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women,
revealing the image of Christ:
God of all the faithful, we thank you.

For our daily food, for our friends and families:


God of all the faithful, we thank you.

For minds to think and hearts to love:


God of all the faithful, we thank you.

For health, strength, and skill to work,


and for leisure to rest and play:
God of all the faithful, we thank you.
For those who are brave and courageous,
patient in suffering and faithful in adversity:
God of all the faithful, we thank you.
For all who pursue peace, justice, and truth:
God of all the faithful, we thank you.
For [. . . and ] all the saints whose lives have reflected the light of Christ:
God of all the faithful, we thank you.
Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or
aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the saints on earth, that they may live as citizens of heaven
• all people, that they may hear and believe the word of God
• all who fear the winter months
• all sovereigns and political leaders, that they may imitate the righteous rule
of Christ
• all who grieve or wait with the dying.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of All Saints
God of unfailing light, in your realm of glory the poor are blessed,
the hungry filled, and every tear is wiped away. Strengthened by this
vision, may we follow in the way of holiness that your Son made
known in life and death. Amen.

Week of the Sunday between 6 and 12 November inclusive


Ever-living God, you inscribe our names in your book of life, so
that we may share in the first fruits of salvation. Grant that we
may acknowledge Christ as our redeemer and, trusting in him, be
confident that none of your own will be lost or forgotten. We ask this
in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Morning Prayer for All Saints 119


Week of the Sunday between 13 and 19 November inclusive
O God, in Christ you give us hope for a new heaven and a new earth.
Grant us wisdom to interpret the signs of our times, courage to stand
in the time of trial, and faith to witness to your truth and love. Amen.

The Reign of Christ to the First Sunday of Advent


Holy God, our refuge and strength, you have redeemed your
scattered children, gathering them from all the corners of the earth
through your firstborn, the Christ, in whom all things are held
together. Make of us a just and righteous people, worthy by grace to
inherit with him the kingdom of light and peace where he reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Uniting with the whole company of heaven
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who has opened to us the gates of heaven, bring
us to reign with him in glory. Amen.

120 Morning Prayer for All Saints


Evening Prayer for All Saints
From All Saints until the
First Sunday of Advent
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Creator.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
or
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
our light and our salvation,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
Now, as darkness is falling,
wash away our transgressions,
cleanse us by your refining fire
and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.
By the light of Christ,
dispel the darkness of our hearts
and make us ready to enter your reign of justice and peace,
where songs of praise forever sound.
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be God: Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
or
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, one God.
Blessed be God for ever.

Evening Prayer for All Saints 121


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
At the end of the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy Word, Holy Wisdom.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds;
the just shall see your face.
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds;
the just shall see your face.
When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds.

122 Evening Prayer for All Saints


Your eyes behold the inhabited world;
your piercing eye weighs our worth.
The just shall see your face.
You weigh the righteous as well as the wicked,
but those who delight in violence, you abhor.
You are righteous, O Lord, and delight in righteous deeds;
the just shall see your face.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of the Blessed,” or “A Song of God’s Assembled”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of the Blessed (Matthew 5:3–12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, *
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, *
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, *
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, *
for they will be filled.

Evening Prayer for All Saints 123


Blessed are the merciful, *
for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, *
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, *
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, *
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you *
and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, *
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
Or
A Song of God’s Assembled (Hebrews 12:22–24a, 28, 29)
We have come before God’s holy mountain, *
to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.
We have come before countless angels making festival, *
before the assembly of the firstborn citizens of heaven.
We have come before God, who is judge of all, *
before the spirits of the just made perfect.
We have come before Jesus, *
the mediator of the new covenant.
We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken: *
so let us give thanks and offer God acceptable worship,
full of reverence and awe; *
for our God is a consuming fire.
At the end of the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Litany.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,

124 Evening Prayer for All Saints


creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Litany.

The Prayers of the Community

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Let us pray to the God of all the faithful.

With the noble fellowship of the prophets

Evening Prayer for All Saints 125


may we discern the signs of your reign in our midst:
God of all the faithful, remember your promise of mercy.

With the glorious company of the apostles


may we proclaim your gospel throughout the world:
God of all the faithful, remember your promise of mercy.

With the white-robed army of martyrs


may we be ready to suffer for the truth’s sake:
God of all the faithful, remember your promise of mercy.

With all who are anointed by your Spirit


may we bring good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed:
God of all the faithful, remember your promise of mercy.

With the saints in light


may we bind up the broken-hearted and comfort all who mourn:
God of all the faithful, remember your promise of mercy.

With the whole company of Christ’s pilgrim people


may we come to the inheritance of the saints in glory:
God of all the faithful, remember your promise of mercy.

Additional intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings may be offered silently or


aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the saints on earth, that they may live as citizens of heaven
• all people, that they may hear and believe the word of God
• all who fear the winter months
• all sovereigns and political leaders, that they may imitate the righteous rule
of Christ
• all who grieve or wait with the dying.

After a period of silence either the Collect of the Day or one of the following
collects may be said or sung.
Week of All Saints
God of unfailing light, in your realm of glory the poor are blessed,
the hungry filled, and every tear is wiped away. Strengthened by this
vision, may we follow in the way of holiness that your Son made
known in life and death. Amen.

Week of the Sunday between 6 and 12 November inclusive


Ever-living God, you inscribe our names in your book of life, so
that we may share in the first fruits of salvation. Grant that we
may acknowledge Christ as our redeemer and, trusting in him, be
confident that none of your own will be lost or forgotten. We ask this
in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

126 Evening Prayer for All Saints


Week of the Sunday between 13 and 19 November inclusive
O God, in Christ you give us hope for a new heaven and a new earth.
Grant us wisdom to interpret the signs of our times, courage to stand
in the time of trial, and faith to witness to your truth and love. Amen.

The Reign of Christ to the First Sunday of Advent


Holy God, our refuge and strength, you have redeemed your
scattered children, gathering them from all the corners of the earth
through your firstborn, the Christ, in whom all things are held
together. Make of us a just and righteous people, worthy by grace to
inherit with him the kingdom of light and peace where he reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Uniting with the whole company of heaven
and gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who has opened to us the gates of heaven, bring us to
reign with him in glory. Amen.

Evening Prayer for All Saints 127


Morning and Evening Prayer
for Ordinary Time
A Penitential Office

The presider may read one of the following sentences of scripture as appropriate
to the time of day.

Morning
• The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O
God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:18
• Let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, who may have mercy on them, and to our
God, who will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7
• If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our
sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
• Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my
trust in you; show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul
to you. Psalm 143:8

Evening
• Stay with us, Lord, for evening draws on, and the day is almost over.
Luke 24:29
• Seek the one who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep
darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls
for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the surface of the
earth; the Lord is the name of the Holy One. Amos 5:8
• Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
• Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for your righteousness’
sake, bring me out of trouble. Psalm 143:11

The presider then says,


Let us confess our sins
against God and our neighbour.

Silence is kept. Then either of the following is said.


God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
opposing your will in our lives.
We have denied your goodness in each other,
in ourselves, and in the world you have created.
We repent of the evil that enslaves us,
the evil we have done,
and the evil done on our behalf.

130 A Penitential Offic


Forgive, restore, and strengthen us
through our Saviour Jesus Christ,
so that we may abide in your love
and serve only your will. Amen.
or
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us,
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your name. Amen.

The presider says,


May the God of love and power
forgive you/us and free you/us from our sins,
heal and strengthen you/us by the Holy Spirit
and raise you/us to new life in Jesus Christ. Amen.
or
Almighty God have mercy upon you/us,
pardon and deliver you/us from all your/our sins,
confirm and strengthen you/us in all goodness,
and keep you/us in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A deacon or lay person using the preceding form substitutes us for you and our
for your.
When this Penitential Office is used, Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer
continues with the Introductory Responses.

A Penitential Offic 131


Morning Prayer for Sunday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
In your resurrection, O Christ,
let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.
or
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise
and your glory all day long.
Christ has triumphed over death:
O come let us worship.

One of the following may be said or sung.


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory Psalm: Psalm 95:1–7


Come, sing to the Holy One !
Shout for joy to the Rock who defends us!
Come into the Presence with thanksgiving!
Raise our voices in joyful hymns!
Truly the Holy One is a great God,
supreme above all gods,
in whose hands are the ends of the earth
and the heights of all the mountains.

132 Morning Prayer for Sunday


The sea belongs to God who made it,
whose hands formed the dry land.
Come, worship and bow down;
kneel in the presence of our Creator.
Truly, truly, our God is the Holy One,
whose people we are,
all in God’s pasture.

The following verses may be added.


Now, today, hear the voice of the Holy One:
“Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did in the wilderness at Massah,
where your ancestors tested me,
put me on trial,
though they had seen my works.
Forty long years I loathed that generation and said,
‘These people go astray in their hearts.
They do not know my ways.
Therefore I swore in my wrath,
They shall not enter my restful land.’”

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.

Morning Prayer for Sunday 133


Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.
Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.
If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.
And Christ shall give you light.
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.
And Christ shall give you light.
You have died and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on the earth.
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.
And Christ shall give you light.
When Christ our life appears
you will appear with him in glory.
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead.
And Christ shall give you light.
Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of David,” or “Bless the Lord” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

134 Morning Prayer for Sunday


free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Or
A Song of David (1 Chronicles 29:10b–13, 14b)
Blessed are you, God of Israel, for ever and ever; *
for yours is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendour, and the majesty.
Everything in heaven and on earth is yours; *
you are sovereign, O Lord,
and you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honour come from you *
and you rule over all.
In your hand are power and might; *
yours it is to give power and strength to all.
And now we give you thanks, our God, *
and praise your glorious name.
For all things come from you, *
and of your own have we given you.

Or
Bless the Lord (The Song of the Three 29–34)
Blessed are you, the God of our ancestors, *
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed is your holy and glorious name, *
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you, in your holy and glorious temple, *
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you who look into the depths, *
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you, enthroned upon the cherubim, *
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you on your heavenly throne, *
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the heights of heaven, *
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

Morning Prayer for Sunday 135


After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,

136 Morning Prayer for Sunday


and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
Morning Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the Church throughout the world
• all who lead the Church, ordained and lay
• the leaders of the nations
• the natural world and the resources of the earth
• all who are in any kind of need.
The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
God of Israel, may this day be one of fulfillment and peace.
Holy One, hear and have mercy.

Teach us to love others as you have loved us.


Holy One, hear and have mercy.

Fill the world with your peace and justice.


Holy One, hear and have mercy.

Strengthen and relieve those who are in need.


Holy One, hear and have mercy.

Renew the Church through the power of your life-giving Spirit.


Holy One, hear and have mercy.
Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Source of light, yours is the morning and yours is the evening. May
Christ, the Sun of righteousness, shine forever in our hearts and draw
us to that light where you live in radiant glory. We ask this for the
sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or

Morning Prayer for Sunday 137


God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains
of death and hell: fill your Church with faith and hope; for a new
day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus
Christ. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life. Amen.

138 Morning Prayer for Sunday


Evening Prayer for Sunday
The Gathering of the Community
Introductory Responses
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
or
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
In your resurrection, O Christ,
let heaven and earth rejoice. Alleluia.
or
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
Christ has triumphed over death:
O come let us worship.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

The Evening Hymn: “O Gladsome Light, O Grace”


O gladsome Light, O grace of God the Father’s face,
the eternal splendour wearing; celestial, holy, blest,
our Saviour Jesus Christ, joyful in your appearing.
As day fades into night, we see the evening light,
our hymn of praise outpouring, Father of might unknown,
Christ, your incarnate Son, and Holy Spirit adoring.
To you of right belongs all praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, life-giver; you, therefore, O Most High,
the world will glorify, and shall exalt for ever.

Evening Prayer for Sunday 139


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Lord, you are my light and my salvation;
you are the strength of my life.
Lord, you are my light and my salvation;
you are the strength of my life.
The light shines in the darkness
and the darkness has not overcome it.

140 Evening Prayer for Sunday


Lord, you are my light and my salvation;
you are the strength of my life.
The darkness is passing away
and the true light is already shining.
Lord, you are my light and my salvation;
you are the strength of my life.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of the Lamb,” or “A Song of the Heavenly City”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1b, 2a, 5b, 6b, 7, 9b)
Salvation and glory and power belong to you, our God, *
whose judgements are true and just.
We who serve you shall praise you; *
we who are in awe of you, great and small.
You reign, O Lord our God, the Almighty: *
we shall rejoice and give you the glory.
For the marriage of the Lamb has come *
and the bride has made herself ready.

Evening Prayer for Sunday 141


Blessed are those who are invited *
to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.
Or
A Song of the Heavenly City (Revelation 21:22–26; 22:1, 2b, d, 3b, 4)
I saw no temple in the city, *
for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, *
for the glory of God is its light,
and its lamp is the Lamb.
By its light the nations shall walk, *
and the rulers of the earth
shall bring their glory into it.
Its gates shall never be shut by day,
nor shall there be any night, *
they shall bring into it
the glory and honour of the nations.
I saw the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, *
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
And either side of the river stood the tree of life,
yielding its fruit each month, *
and the leaves of the tree
were for the healing of the nations.
The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be there,
and the servants of God shall worship the Holy One; *
and they shall see the divine face
whose name shall be on their foreheads.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

142 Evening Prayer for Sunday


I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the Church throughout the world
• all who lead the Church, ordained and lay
• the leaders of the nations
• the natural world and the resources of the earth
• all who are in any kind of need.

Evening Prayer for Sunday 143


The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Save your people, O Hope of the poor,
and bless your inheritance.
Govern and uphold them now and always.

Day by day, we bless you.


We praise your name for ever.

Keep us this night from all sin.


Have mercy on us, have mercy.

We long for your salvation:


grant us understanding, so that we may live.

Show us your love and mercy,


for we put our trust in you.

In you is our hope;


let us not be confounded at the last.
Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Lord God, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ triumphed over the
powers of death and prepared for us our place in the new Jerusalem:
Grant that we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection,
may praise you in that City of which he is the light, and where he
lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
or
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray, and in your great mercy defend
us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of your only
Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins

144 Evening Prayer for Sunday


as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the risen Christ grant us the joys of eternal life. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Sunday 145


Morning Prayer for Monday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us,
and clothe us with power from on high.
or
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise
and your glory all the day long.
You send forth your Spirit
and renew the face of the earth.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory Psalm: Psalm 24


The world and everything in it belongs to the Holy One,
so too the fertile world and all who live there.
The Most High founded it on the ocean of chaos,
fixed it firmly among the rivers.
Who may ascend the mountain of God?
Who may stand in that holy place?
Those with clean hands and pure hearts,
who have not given themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn deceitful oaths.

146 Morning Prayer for Monday


They shall receive blessing from the Holy One,
and true justice from the saving, helping God.
Such are they who look to you,
who seek your presence, O God of Jacob.
O you gates, lift up your heads;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors,
that the glorious Majesty may come in!
Who is this glorious Majesty?
It is the Holy One, great in power and might,
the Holy One mighty in battle.
O you gates, lift up your heads;
be lifted up, you everlasting doors,
that the glorious Majesty may enter in!
Who is this glorious Majesty?
It is the Holy One, ruler of hosts,
who is indeed the glorious Monarch.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer for Monday 147


or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and be not wise in your own sight.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and be not wise in your own sight.
In all your ways acknowledge the Lord
who will make straight your paths.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and be not wise in your own sight.
Happy are those who find wisdom,
and those who get understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and be not wise in your own sight.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of Deliverance,” or “A Song of Ezekiel” may
be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.

148 Morning Prayer for Monday


And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of Deliverance (Isaiah 12:2–6)
“Behold, God is our salvation, *
in whom we will trust and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is our strength and our song, *
and has become our salvation.”
With joy we shall draw water *
from the wells of salvation.
On that day we shall say, *
“We give thanks to you, O Lord,
and call upon your name.
We shall make known your deeds among the nations, *
proclaiming that your name is exalted.
Let us sing the praises of the Lord who has triumphed gloriously; *
let this be known in all the world.
Shout and sing for joy, all that dwell in Zion,
for great in our midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Or
A Song of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:24–26, 28b)
I will take you from the nations, *
and gather you from all the countries.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, *
and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.
A new heart I will give you, *
and put a new spirit within you,
and I will remove from your body the heart of stone *
and give you a heart of flesh.
You shall be my people, *
and I will be your God.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Monday 149


or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Intercessions, Petitions, and Thanksgivings.

150 Morning Prayer for Monday


The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the media and the arts
• farming and fishing
• commerce and industry
• those whose work is unfulfilling, stressful, or fraught with danger
• all who are unemployed.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
O God of our salvation, guard and direct your Church
in the way of unity, service, and praise.
God our strength, hear our prayer.
Give to all nations an awareness of the unity of the human family.
God our strength, hear our prayer.
Cleanse our hearts of prejudice and selfishness,
and inspire us to hunger and thirst for what is right.
God our strength, hear our prayer.
Teach us to use your creation for your greater praise,
so that all may share the good things you provide.
God our strength, hear our prayer.
Strengthen all who give their energy or skill
for the healing of those who are sick in body or in mind.
God our strength, hear our prayer.
Set free all who are bound by fear and despair.
God our strength, hear our prayer.
Grant a peaceful end and eternal rest to all who are dying
and your comfort to those who mourn.
God our strength, hear our prayer.
Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Eternal God, you create us by your power and redeem us by your
love. Guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, so that we may give
ourselves today in love and service to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or
Lord our God, as with all creation we offer you the life of this new
day, give us grace to love and serve you to the praise of Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Monday 151


Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love. Amen.

152 Morning Prayer for Monday


Evening Prayer for Monday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
or
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us,
and clothe your people with power from on high.
or
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
You send forth your Spirit
and renew the face of the earth.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

The Evening Hymn: “O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ”


O gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ,
in you the Father’s glory shone.
Immortal, holy, blest is God,
and blest are you God’s holy Son.
Now sunset comes, but light shines forth;
the lamps are lit to pierce the night.
Praise Author, Word, and Spirit: God
who dwells in the eternal light.

Evening Prayer for Monday 153


Worthy are you of endless praise,
O Word of God, life-giving Lord,
wherefore you are through all the earth
and in the highest heaven adored.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

154 Evening Prayer for Monday


and be not wise in your own sight.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and be not wise in your own sight.
In all your ways acknowledge the Lord
who will make straight your paths.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and be not wise in your own sight.
Happy are those who find wisdom,
and those who get understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and be not wise in your own sight.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of God’s Grace,” or “A Song of God’s Children”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of God’s Grace (Ephesians 1:3–10)
Blessed are you, *
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
for you have blessed us in Christ Jesus *

Evening Prayer for Monday 155


with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
You chose us to be yours in Christ
before the foundation of the world, *
so that we should be holy and blameless before you.
In love you destined us for adoption as your children
through Jesus Christ, *
according to the purpose of your will,
to the praise of your glorious grace, *
which you freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In you, we have redemption through the blood of Christ, *
the forgiveness of our sins,
according to the riches of your grace, *
which you have lavished upon us.
You have made known to us, in all wisdom and insight, *
the mystery of your will,
according to your purpose which you have set forth in Christ, *
as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in Christ, *
things in heaven and things on earth.
Or
A Song of God’s Children (Romans 8:2, 14, 15b–19)
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus *
has set us free from the law of sin and death.
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God; *
for we have received the Spirit that enables us to cry, “Abba,
Father.”
The self-same Spirit bears witness that we are children of God, *
and if God’s children, then heirs of God;
if heirs of God, then fellow-heirs with Christ; *
since we suffer with him now, that we may be glorified with him.
These sufferings that we now endure *
are not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed.
For the creation waits with eager longing *
for the revealing of the children of God.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

156 Evening Prayer for Monday


Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Prayers.

Evening Prayer for Monday 157


The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the media and the arts
• farming and fishing
• commerce and industry
• those whose work is unfulfilling, stressful, or fraught with danger
• all who are unemployed.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Show us your mercy, O God;
and grant us your salvation.

Ruler of all, save the King;


and teach his counsellors wisdom.

Let your bishops, priests, and deacons be clothed with righteousness;


let your faithful people sing with joy.

Let your ways be known upon earth;


your saving health among all nations.

Give your people the blessing of peace;


and may all the earth be filled with your glory.

Create in us clean hearts, O God,


and renew a right spirit within us.
Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgements,
and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the
world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of
your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies,
may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus
our Saviour. Amen.
or
Kindle in our hearts, O God, the flame of love which never ceases, so
that it may burn in us, giving light to others. May we shine for ever in
your temple, set on fire with your eternal light, even your Son Jesus
Christ, our Saviour and our Redeemer. Amen.

158 Evening Prayer for Monday


Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the Spirit kindle in us the fire of God’s love. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Monday 159


Morning Prayer for Tuesday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Reveal among us the light of your presence
that we may behold your power and glory.
or
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise
and your glory all the day long.
Our God and Saviour draws near:
O come let us worship.

One of the following may be said or sung.


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory Psalm: Psalm 63:1–8


Holy One, my God, how I needed you!
My very soul thirsted for you!
My body fainted with longing for you,
like a dry and waterless desert.
Then I saw you in the holy place,
gazing on your power and glory.
Surely your faithful love is better than life itself!
My lips proclaim your praise.

160 Morning Prayer for Tuesday


Therefore I shall bless you all my life,
in your name lift up my hands in prayer.
You satisfy my body with richest food.
My lips shout your praise.
On my bed, when I think of you,
I meditate upon you in the night watches.
For you have always been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

Morning Prayer for Tuesday 161


The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.
Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.
Lead me in the path of your commandments
for that is my desire.
Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.
Remember your word to your servant,
because you have given me hope.
Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of Peace,” or “A Song of God’s Chosen One”
may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

162 Morning Prayer for Tuesday


Or
A Song of Peace (Isaiah 2:3–5)
Come, let us go up to the mountain of God, *
to the house of the God of Jacob;
so that God may teach us the divine ways, *
and so we may walk in those paths.
For the law shall go out from Zion, *
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
God shall judge between the nations, *
and shall mediate for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, *
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, *
neither shall they learn war any more.
O people of Jacob, come; *
let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Or
A Song of God’s Chosen One (Isaiah 11:1–2, 2, 3b–4a, 6, 9)
There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, *
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, *
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, *
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, *
or decide by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, *
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, *
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid.
The calf, the lion and the fatling together, *
with a little child to lead them.
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, *
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Morning Prayer for Tuesday 163


as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Prayers.

164 Morning Prayer for Tuesday


The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit
• those in the midst of famine or disaster
• victims of abuse and violence
• those who are bereaved
• all who work in the medical and healing professions.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
God of Jacob, may all who call themselves Christians
become a priestly people to the praise of Christ Jesus our Saviour.
God of compassion, teach us your ways.

May N our bishop and all bishops and other ministers


remain faithful to their calling and rightly proclaim the word of truth.
God of compassion, teach us your ways.

May Charles our King, the leaders of the nations, and all in authority
lead their peoples into quiet and peaceable lives.
God of compassion, teach us your ways.

Show your good will to all who live in this city, the poor and the rich,
the elderly and the young, men and women.
God of compassion, teach us your ways.

Help and defend the victims of our society


and those who minister to them.
God of compassion, teach us your ways.

Strengthen the faith of those who are preparing for baptism


and of those who have been recently baptized.
God of compassion, teach us your ways.

Count us among all your faithful witnesses:


all the saints who have found favour in your sight from earliest times,
prophets, apostles, martyrs, and those whose names are known to
you alone.
God of compassion, teach us your ways.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.

Morning Prayer for Tuesday 165


Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being.
Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, so that in all the cares and
occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember
that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
or
Eternal God and Father, you create and redeem us by the power of
your love: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, so that we may
give ourselves in love and service to one another and to you; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the Lord find us watching and waiting for Christ’s coming.
Amen.

166 Morning Prayer for Tuesday


Evening Prayer for Tuesday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
or
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Reveal among us the light of your presence,
so that we may behold your power and glory.
or
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
Our God and Saviour draws near:
O come let us worship.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

The Evening Hymn: “Light of the World, in Grace and Beauty”


Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
mirror of God’s eternal face,
transparent flame of love’s free duty,
you bring salvation to our race.

Now as we see the lights of evening


we raise our voice in hymns of praise:
worthy are you of endless blessing,
sun of our night, lamp of our days.

Evening Prayer for Tuesday 167


The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.
Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.

Lead me in the path of your commandments


for that is my desire.

168 Evening Prayer for Tuesday


Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.

Remember your word to your servant,


because you have given me hope.
Open my eyes, O Lord,
so that I may see the wonders of your law.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of the Holy City,” or “A Song of the Lamb” may
be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of the Holy City (Revelation 21:1–5a)
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, *
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, *
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice from the throne saying, *
“Behold the dwelling place of God is among mortals.

Evening Prayer for Tuesday 169


The Lord will dwell with them and they shall be the peoples of God, *
and God, our God, will be with them.
The Lord will wipe every tear from their eyes, *
and death shall be no more.
Neither shall there be mourning,
nor crying, nor pain any more, *
for the former things have passed away.”
And the One who sat upon the throne said, *
“Behold, I make all things new.”
Or
A Song of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1b, 2a, 5b, 6b, 7, 9b)
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, *
whose judgements are true and just.
Praise our God, all you servants of the Holy One, *
all who fear the Lord, both small and great.
The Lord our God, the Almighty reigns: *
let us rejoice and exult and give glory to God.
For the marriage of the Lamb has come, *
and his bride has made herself ready.
Blessed are those who are invited, *
to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.

After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,

170 Evening Prayer for Tuesday


was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit
• those in the midst of famine or disaster
• victims of abuse and violence
• those who are bereaved
• all who work in the medical and healing professions.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

Evening Prayer for Tuesday 171


The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Teach us, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and lead us in the path of your commandments.

Keep our nation under your care;


and guide us in justice and truth.

Deal graciously with your servants;


teach us discernment and knowledge.

Let not those in need be forgotten;


nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Guide the meek in judgement;


and teach your ways to the gentle.

Remember your people;


whom you have redeemed of old.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend
us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only
Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
or
Abide with us, Lord, for it is evening, and day is drawing to a close.
Abide with us and with your whole Church, in the evening of the day,
in the evening of life, in the evening of the world; abide with us and
with all your faithful ones, O Lord, in time and in eternity. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.

172 Evening Prayer for Tuesday


For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May the Lord find us watching and waiting for Christ’s coming.
Amen.

Evening Prayer for Tuesday 173


Morning Prayer for Wednesday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
You laid the foundations of the earth
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
or
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise
and your glory all the day long.
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us:
O come let us worship.

One of the following may be said or sung.


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory Psalm: Psalm 145:1–10


My sovereign God, I must exalt you;
I must bless your Name for ever and ever.
Every day I will bless you
and everlastingly praise your Name.
Great are you, Holy One,
most worthy of praise, grand beyond all knowing.
Generation on generation shall praise your works
and proclaim your mighty power.

174 Morning Prayer for Wednesday


They will declare your glorious majesty.
I will meditate on your marvellous works.
They will speak of the power of your awesome acts.
I will proclaim your greatness.
They will pour out memories of your great goodness
and loudly praise your true justice.
You are gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and filled with faithful love.
You, O Holy One, are good to everyone;
compassion abounds in your every act.
All your works praise you;
your loving, faithful people bless you.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer for Wednesday 175


Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.
If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.
Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.

For I am always with you;


you hold me by my hand.
Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.

I will speak of all your works


in the gates of the city of Zion.
Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of the Lord’s Anointed,” or “A Song of the
Bride” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *

176 Morning Prayer for Wednesday


by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or
A Song of the Lord’s Anointed (Isaiah 61:1–3, 11, 6a)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me *
because God has anointed me,
sending me to bring good news to the oppressed, *
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, *
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, *
to comfort all who mourn,
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning, *
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit,
so that they may be called oaks of righteousness, *
the planting of the Lord, so that God may be glorified.
For as the earth puts forth her blossom, *
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
so shall the Lord make righteousness and praise *
blossom before all nations.
You shall be called priests of the Lord; *
they shall speak of you as ministers of our God.
Or
A Song of the Bride (Isaiah 61:10, 11; 62:1–3)
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, *
my soul shall exult in my God;
who has clothed me with the garments of salvation, *
and has covered me with the cloak of integrity,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, *
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth puts forth its blossom, *
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
so shall God make righteousness and praise *
blossom before all the nations.
For Zion’s sake I shall not keep silent, *
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until its deliverance shines out like the dawn, *
and its salvation as a burning torch.
For nations shall see your deliverance, *

Morning Prayer for Wednesday 177


and all rulers shall see your glory;
then you shall be called by a new name *
which the mouth of God will give.
You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, *
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

178 Morning Prayer for Wednesday


Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the social services
• all who work in the criminal justice system
• victims and perpetrators of crime
• the work of aid agencies throughout the world
• those living in poverty or under oppression.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Liberator of the peoples, fill all who confess the name of Christ
with the power of your Holy Spirit.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

Be the joy and the strength of all


whose lives are bound in mutual love
and of those who live in celibacy.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

Grant your salvation to all who are far from home,


prisoners, exiles, and victims of oppression.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

Show your kindness and mercy to all who are facing trials and
difficulties,

Morning Prayer for Wednesday 179


to those who are sick and to those who are dying.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

Forgive our sins and set us free from all hardship,


distress, want, war, and injustice.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

Guide us into new and just ways of sharing the goods of the earth,
so that we may live by the abundance of your mercies.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

Strengthen us in our struggle


against exploitation, greed, and lack of concern,
so that we may find joy together.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.

Unite us in love and service,


so that we may live in communion with all Christ’s saints.
Holy One, accomplish your purposes in us.
Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is
eternal life, to serve you is perfect freedom. Defend us your servants
from the assaults of our enemies, so that we may trust in your
defence, and not fear the power of any adversaries; through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
or
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you that you have brought
us safely to the beginning of this day. Keep us from falling into sin
or running into danger, order us in all our doings, and guide us to
do always what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our
Saviour. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

180 Morning Prayer for Wednesday


Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May God, who has called us out of darkness into the marvellous light
of Christ, bless us and fill us with peace. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Wednesday 181


Evening Prayer for Wednesday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
or
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Reveal among us the light of your presence,
so that we may behold your power and glory.
or
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us:
O come let us worship.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

The Evening Hymn: “O Light, Whose Splendour Thrills”


O Light, whose splendour thrills and gladdens
with radiance brighter than the sun,
pure gleam of God’s unending glory,
O Jesus, blest Anointed One;
as twilight hovers near at sunset,
and lamps are lit, and children nod,
in evening hymns we lift our voices
to Author, Spirit, Word: one God.

182 Evening Prayer for Wednesday


In all life’s brilliant, timeless moments,
let faithful voices sing your praise,
O Word of God, our life-bestower,
whose glory lightens endless days.

The Proclamation of the Word


The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.

Evening Prayer for Wednesday 183


Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.
For I am always with you;
you hold me by my hand.
Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.
I will speak of all your works
in the gates of the city of Zion.
Lord, you will guide me with your counsel
and afterwards receive me with glory.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of Praise,” or “A Song of Christ’s Glory” may be
said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of Praise (Revelation 4:11; 5:9b, 10)
You are worthy, our Lord and God, *
to receive glory and honour and power.
For you have created all things, *
and by your will they have their being.

184 Evening Prayer for Wednesday


You are worthy, O Lamb, for you were slain, *
and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and nation.
You have made them a priestly people serving our God, *
and they will reign with you on earth.
Or
A Song of Christ’s Glory (Philippians 2:5–11)
Christ Jesus was in the form of God, *
but he did not cling to equality with God.
He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, *
and was born in our human likeness.
Being found in human form he humbled himself, *
and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him, *
and bestowed on him the name above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, *
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, *
to the glory of God the Father.

After the Canticle of the following may be said or sung.


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.

Evening Prayer for Wednesday 185


On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the social services
• all who work in the criminal justice system
• victims and perpetrators of crime
• the work of aid agencies throughout the world
• those living in poverty or under oppression.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.

186 Evening Prayer for Wednesday


Creator of all, open a path for your Word
to declare the mystery of Christ.

Turn now, O God of hosts;


behold and tend the vine you have planted.

May your people rejoice and sing,


and your ministers be clothed with salvation.

May they stand and feed your flock


in the strength of your name.

Keep from trouble all those who trust in you


and forget not the poor forever.

Have mercy upon us,


as we have put our hope in you.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of
those who labour, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the
blessings of the day that is past and humbly ask for your protection
through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours;
through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Saviour
Jesus Christ. Amen.
or
Eternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole
creation to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,

Evening Prayer for Wednesday 187


and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May God, who has called us out of darkness into the marvellous light
of Christ, bless us and fill us with peace. Amen.

188 Evening Prayer for Wednesday


Morning Prayer for Thursday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Your light springs up for the righteous
and all peoples have seen your glory.
or
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise
and your glory all the day long.
Christ has shown forth his glory:
O come let us worship.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory Psalm: Psalm 67


O Holy One,
be gracious to us and bless us;
let your face shine among us,
so that your way may be known in the world,
your saving help among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God.
Indeed, let all peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge with truth and justice,

Morning Prayer for Thursday 189


and guide the nations of the world.
Let the peoples praise you, Holy One.
Indeed, let all peoples praise you.
May the earth yield its harvest.
May the Holy One, our God, bless us.
May God bless us,
and all the ends of the earth revere the Holy One.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

190 Morning Prayer for Thursday


The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
You are precious in my sight and I love you.
Do not fear, for I am with you.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of the Covenant,” or “A Song of Tobit” may
be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Morning Prayer for Thursday 191


Or
A Song of the Covenant (Isaiah 42:5–8a)
Thus says God, who created the heavens, *
who fashioned the earth and all that dwells in it;
who gives breath to the people upon it *
and spirit to those who walk in it,
”I am the Lord and I have called you in righteousness, *
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people, *
a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the captives from the dungeon, *
from the prison, those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord, that is my name; *
my glory I give to no other.”
Or
A Song of Tobit (Tobit 13:1, 3, 4, 6a)
Blessed be God, who lives for ever, *
whose reign endures throughout all ages.
Declare God’s praise before the nations, *
you who are the children of Israel.
For if our God has scattered you among them, *
there too has the Lord shown you the divine greatness.
Exalt God in the sight of the living, *
because the Holy One is our Lord and God for ever.
God will gather you from every nation, *
from wherever you have been scattered.
See what the Lord has done for you *
and give thanks with a loud voice.
Praise the Lord of righteousness *
and exalt the Sovereign of the ages.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

192 Morning Prayer for Thursday


Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Prayers.

Morning Prayer for Thursday 193


The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• local government and community leaders
• all who provide local services
• those who work with young and elderly people
• schools, colleges, and universities
• emergency and rescue services and organizations.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Creator of the heavens, lead all peoples into a common life
of justice, faith, and peace:
Giver of breath, hear our prayer.

Inspire the King, the Governor General, the Prime Minister,


and all in authority to serve the people of this country
according to your holy will:
Giver of breath, hear our prayer.

Guide the growth and development of all children and young people:
Giver of breath, hear our prayer.

Deliver and keep the sick in your love:


Giver of breath, hear our prayer.

Support and keep steadfast all who for the sake of justice and truth
have been condemned to exile, prison, harsh treatment, or hard labour:
Giver of breath, hear our prayer.

Direct our lives in the same spirit of service and sacrifice


as shown by the prophets, apostles, martyrs,
and all who have borne witness to the gospel:
Giver of breath, hear our prayer.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Creator of the universe, the light of your glory shines in the darkness
of our lives. Make us attentive to your presence, prompt to serve you
and ever eager to follow in the steps of the one who is our true light,
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
or

194 Morning Prayer for Thursday


O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is
eternal life, to serve you is perfect freedom. Defend us your servants
from all assaults of our enemies; so that we, surely trusting in your
defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who sends us to the nations, give us the power of the
Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Morning Prayer for Thursday 195


Evening Prayer for Thursday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
or
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Your light springs up for the righteous
and all peoples have seen your glory.
or
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
Christ has shown forth his glory:
O come let us worship.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

The Evening Hymn: ”Christ, Mighty Saviour”


Christ, mighty Saviour, Light of all creation,
you make the daytime radiant with sunlight
and to the night give glittering adornment,
stars in the heavens.

Now comes the day’s end as the sun is setting:


mirror of daybreak, pledge of resurrection;
while in the heavens choirs of stars appearing
hallow the nightfall.

196 Evening Prayer for Thursday


Therefore we come now, evening rites to offer,
joyfully chanting holy hymns to praise you,
with all creation joining hearts and voices
singing your glory.

Give heed, we pray you, to our supplication:


that you may grant us pardon for offences,
strength for our weak hearts, rest for aching bodies,
soothing the weary.

Though bodies slumber, hearts shall keep their vigil,


forever resting in the peace of Jesus,
in light or darkness worshipping our Saviour
now and forever.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer for Thursday 197


Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.
If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.


When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

You are precious in my sight and I love you.


Do not fear, for I am with you.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “Great and Wonderful,” or “A Song of Christ’s
Appearing” may be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *

198 Evening Prayer for Thursday


to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
Great and Wonderful (Revelation 15:3, 4)
Great and wonderful are your deeds, *
Lord God the Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, *
O ruler of the nations.
Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord? *
You alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship in your presence; *
for your just dealings have been revealed.
Or
A Song of Christ’s Appearing (1 Timothy 3:16; 6:15a, 16)
Christ Jesus was revealed in the flesh *
and vindicated in the spirit.
He was seen by angels *
and proclaimed among the nations.
Believed in throughout the world, *
he was taken up in glory.
This will be made manifest at the proper time *
by the blessed and only Sovereign,
who alone has immortality, *
and dwells in unapproachable light.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Evening Prayer for Thursday 199


I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• local government and community leaders
• all who provide local services
• those who work with young and elderly people
• schools, colleges, and universities
• emergency and rescue services and organizations.

200 Evening Prayer for Thursday


The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
Send forth your strength, O God;
establish what you have wrought in us.

Uphold all those who fall


and raise up those who are bowed down.

Open the eyes of the blind


and set the prisoners free.

Sustain the orphan and widowed


and give food to those who hunger.

Grant them the joy of your help again


and sustain them with your Spirit.

Giver of peace, judge the peoples


and take all nations for your own.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past;
be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope,
so that we may know you as you are revealed in scripture and the
breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
or
O God, the source of all good desires, all right judgements, and all
just works: give to your servants that peace which the world cannot
give; so that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments and,
freed from the fear of our enemies, we may pass our time in rest and
quietness; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.

Evening Prayer for Thursday 201


Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who sends us to the nations, give us the power of the
Holy Spirit.
Amen.

202 Evening Prayer for Thursday


Morning Prayer for Friday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,
according to your judgement give us life.
or
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise
and your glory all the day long.
Our God is full of compassion and mercy:
O come let us worship.

One of the following may be said or sung.


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory Psalm: Psalm 51:1–12


Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love;
wipe clean the record of my wrong-doing.
Wash away the stains of disobedience;
cleanse me from my awful guilt.
I know too well the wrongs I have done,
haunted always by my guilt.
Against you, you alone have I sinned;
what is evil in your eyes, that I have done.

Morning Prayer for Friday 203


Your verdict against me is just,
your judgement what I fully deserve.
From birth I have been wicked,
from my conception bent on doing wrong.
You want truth and faithfulness;
you give wisdom to my inner being.
Purify me until I am wholly clean;
wash me until I am whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness,
so that the body you broke may rejoice.
Turn your face from my guilt;
wipe away all trace of sin.
Create in me a clean heart;
give me a new and steadfast spirit.
Cast me not away from your presence;
take not your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your saving help;
by your bountiful spirit sustain me.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or

204 Morning Prayer for Friday


Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.

Make haste to help me,


O Lord of my salvation.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.

In you, O Lord, have I fixed my hope;


you will answer me, O Lord my God.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of Humility,” or “A Song of the Word of the
Lord” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Morning Prayer for Friday 205


free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Or
A Song of Humility (Hosea 6:1, 3–4, 6)
Come, let us return to the Lord *
who has torn us and will heal us.
God has stricken us *
and will bind up our wounds.
Let us strive to know the Lord *
whose appearing is as sure as the sunrise;
who comes to us like the showers, *
like the spring rains that water the earth.
“O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you? *
How shall I deal with you, O Judah?
Your love for me is like the morning mist, *
like the dew that goes early away.
For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice, *
and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Or
A Song of the Word of the Lord (Isaiah 55:6–11)
Seek the Lord, while the Lord may be found, *
call upon God while God is near.
Let the wicked abandon their ways, *
and the unrighteous their thoughts;
Return to the Lord, who will have mercy; *
to our God, who will richly pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, *
neither are your ways my ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, *
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from above, *
and return not again but water the earth,
bringing forth life and giving growth, *
seed for sowing and bread to eat,

206 Morning Prayer for Friday


so is my word that goes forth from my mouth; *
it will not return to me fruitless,
but it will accomplish that which I purpose, *
and succeed in the task I gave it.”
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Morning Prayer for Friday 207


Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Prayers.

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the King, members of Parliament, and the armed forces
• peace and justice in the world
• those who work for reconciliation
• all whose lives are devastated by war and civil strife
• prisoners, refugees, and homeless people.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
God who restores us, may your people be true and faithful servants
of Christ.
Source of life, hear our prayer.

Bring those who are drawing to near to the light of faith to true
knowledge of you.
Source of life, hear our prayer.

Give our families and friends joy and satisfaction in all that they do.
Source of life, hear our prayer.

Comfort and sustain those who are lonely, sick, hungry, persecuted,
or ignored.
Source of life, hear our prayer.

Help us to contribute to the true growth and well-being of our country.


Source of life, hear our prayer.

208 Morning Prayer for Friday


Empower the whole human family to live together in justice and peace.
Source of life, hear our prayer.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Almighty God and Father, your beloved Son willingly endured
the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption. Give us the
courage to take up our cross and follow him in newness of life and
hope; for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
or
Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead
us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal
peace through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood, Jesus Christ our
Saviour. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Friday 209


Evening Prayer for Friday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
or
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Hear our voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love,
according to your judgement give us life.
or
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
Our God is full of compassion and mercy:
O come let us worship.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Evening Hymn: “O Laughing Light, O First-Born of Creation”


O laughing Light, O First-born of creation,
radiance of glory, light from light begotten,
God self-revealing, holy, bright, and blessed:
you shine upon us.

Day’s light is fragile; your light is eternal.


We look to you, our light within the shadow.
We sing to you, Creator, Christ, and Spirit;
you shine before us.

210 Evening Prayer for Friday


Light of the world, O Jesus, you are worthy!
Giver of life and Child of God, we praise you!
Hear as the universe proclaims your glory!
You shine among us.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.
Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.
If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.

Evening Prayer for Friday 211


Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.
Make haste to help me,
O Lord of my salvation.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.
In you, O Lord, have I fixed my hope;
you will answer me, O Lord my God.
Forsake me not, O Lord;
be not far from me, O my God.
Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of the Justified,” or “A Song of Faith” may be
said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or
A Song of the Justified (Romans 4:24, 25; 5:1–5, 11)
God reckons as righteous those who believe, *
who believe in the one who raised Jesus from the dead.
For Christ was handed over to death for our sins *
and raised to life for our justification.

212 Evening Prayer for Friday


Since we are justified by faith, *
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through Christ we have gained access
to the grace in which we stand, *
and rejoice in our hope of the glory of God.
We even exult in our sufferings, *
for suffering produces endurance,
and endurance brings hope, *
and our hope is not in vain.
Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts, *
through the Holy Spirit, given to us.
Therefore, we exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, *
in whom we have now received our reconciliation.
Or
A Song of Faith (1 Peter 1:3–5, 18, 19, 21)
Blessed be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By God’s great mercy we have born anew to a living hope *
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, *
kept in heaven for you,
who are being protected by the power of God through faith, *
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
You were ransomed from the futile ways of your ancestors *
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ *
like that of a lamb without spot or stain.
Through him you have confidence in God,
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, *
so that your faith and hope are set on God.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Evening Prayer for Friday 213


Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,


who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,


the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Prayers.

214 Evening Prayer for Friday


The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• the King, members of Parliament, and the armed forces
• peace and justice in the world
• those who work for reconciliation
• all whose lives are devastated by war and civil strife
• prisoners, refugees, and homeless people.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
God of compassion, answer us in the day of trouble,
send us help from your holy place.

Show us the path of life,


for in your presence is joy.

Give justice to the orphaned and oppressed


and break the power of wickedness and evil.

Look upon the hungry and sorrowful


and grant them the help for which they long.

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad;


may your glory endure for ever.

You have dominion over all


and with you is our redemption.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death:
grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the
way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up
in your likeness; for your tender mercy’s sake. Amen.
or
Heal us, O God, from all our afflictions and keep us steadfast in
your love; bind up our wounds, raise us from death, and lead us to
fullness of life; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

Evening Prayer for Friday 215


The Lord’s Prayer
Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love. Amen.

216 Evening Prayer for Friday


Morning Prayer for Saturday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
Lord, open our lips,
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
or
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Your faithful servants bless you.
They make known the glory of your reign.
or
O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise
and your glory all the day long.
Our God is glorious in all the saints:
O come let us worship.

One of the following may be said or sung.


Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory Psalm: Psalm 100


O all the world! Raise shouts to the Holy One!
Worship God with joy!
Come into the Presence with ringing cries!
Be assured the Holy One is the God who made us,
the shepherd to whom we belong,
who feeds us in green pastures.
With thanksgiving enter the Holy One’s doors,
with praise the divine courts.

Morning Prayer for Saturday 217


Praise and bless the Holy Name.
Truly the Holy One is good,
forever true and loving,
from age to age faithful.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;

218 Morning Prayer for Saturday


that glory may dwell in our land.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together;


righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.

You are speaking peace to your faithful people


and to those who turn their hearts to you.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.

Morning Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Zechariah,” “A Song of Jerusalem Our Mother,” or “A Song of
Pilgrimage” may be said or sung.
The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79)
Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel, *
you have come to your people and set them free.
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour, *
born of the house of your servant David.
Through your holy prophets, *
you promised of old to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us, *
to show mercy to our forebears,
and to remember your holy covenant.
This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship you without fear, *
holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give God’s people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Or

Morning Prayer for Saturday 219


A Song of Jerusalem Our Mother (Isaiah 66:10, 11a, 12a, 12c, 13a, 14a, 14b)
“Rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad for her, *
all you who love her,” says the Lord.
“Rejoice with her in joy, *
all you who mourn over her,
that you may drink deeply with delight *
from her consoling breast.”
For thus says our God, *
“You shall be nursed and carried on her arm.
As a mother comforts her children, *
so I will comfort you;
You shall see and your heart shall rejoice; *
you shall flourish like the grass of the fields.”
Or
A Song of Pilgrimage (Ecclesiasticus 51:13a, 13c–17, 20, 21a, 22b)
While I was still young, *
I sought Wisdom openly in my prayer:
before the temple I asked for her, *
and I will search for her until the end.
From the first blossom to the ripening grape, *
my heart delighted in her.
My foot walked on the straight path, *
from my youth I followed her steps.
I inclined my ear a little and received her, *
I found for myself much instruction.
I made progress in Wisdom; *
to the One who sent her, I will give glory.
I directed my soul to Wisdom, *
and in purity have I found her.
With her, I gained understanding from the first, *
therefore I will never be forsaken.
My heart was stirred to seek her, *
with my tongue will I sing God’s praise.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

220 Morning Prayer for Saturday


Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

This is the first and the great commandment.


The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.

There is no commandment greater than these.

Morning Prayer continues with the Prayers.

Morning Prayer for Saturday 221


The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• our homes, families, friends, and all whom we love
• those whose time is spent caring for others
• those who are close to death
• those who have lost hope
• the worship of the Church.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
God of Jerusalem, send the riches of your grace
upon the Church throughout the world.
Creator of all, carry us in your arms.

Fill all who proclaim the word of truth with the infinite wisdom of
Christ.
Creator of all, carry us in your arms.

Inspire all who have consecrated their lives to your reign


and all who are struggling to follow the way of Christ with the gifts
of the Spirit.
Creator of all, carry us in your arms.

Strengthen Charles our King, the Prime Minister, and all who govern
the nations,
so that they strive for justice and peace.
Creator of all, carry us in your arms.

Enlighten scholars and research workers,


so that their studies may benefit humanity.
Creator of all, carry us in your arms.

Give your peace to all who have passed from this life in faith and
obedience.
Creator of all, carry us in your arms.

Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.

222 Morning Prayer for Saturday


Lord God, the wellspring of life, pour into our hearts the living water
of your grace. By your light we see light. Increase our faith, and grant
that we may walk in the brightness of your presence; through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.
or
Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death of your Son our
Saviour Jesus Christ may continually put to death our evil desires
and be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death
we may pass to our joyful resurrection; through his merits, who died
and was buried and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our hope.
Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer


Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who has opened the gates of heaven, bring us to reign
with him in glory. Amen.

Morning Prayer for Saturday 223


Evening Prayer for Saturday
The Gathering of the Community

Introductory Responses
O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
or
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Your faithful servants bless you.
They make known the glory of your reign.
or
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
Our God is glorious in all the saints:
O come let us worship.
One of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.

The Evening Hymn: “Now from the Altar of My Heart”


Now from the altar of my heart
let incense flames arise;
assist me, Lord, to offer up
my evening sacrifice.

Awake, my love; awake, my joy;


awake, my heart and tongue!
Sleep not: when mercies loudly call,
break forth into a song.

224 Evening Prayer for Saturday


This day God was my sun and shield,
my keeper and my guide.
His care was on my frailty shown,
his mercies multiplied.

New time, new favour, and new joys


do a new song require;
till I shall praise thee as I would,
accept my heart’s desire.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Psalm
A Psalm from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is said or sung.
After the Psalm one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Reading.

The Reading
A Reading from the Daily Office Lectionary, the Weekday Eucharistic Lectionary,
or the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings is read. After a period of silent
reflection one of the following is said.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
or
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
or
Holy wisdom, holy word.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer continues with the Responsory or the Canticle or both.


If two Readings are read, then the Responsory follows the first Reading and the
Canticle the second.

Evening Prayer for Saturday 225


The Responsory
The Responsory is said or sung.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.
You are speaking peace to your faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to you.
Your salvation is near to those who fear you;
that glory may dwell in our land.

Evening Prayer continues with [the Second Reading or] the Canticle or an
Affirmation of Faith.

The Canticle
“The Song of Mary,” “A Song of the Blessed,” or “A Song of God’s Love” may
be said or sung.
The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, *
for you, Lord, have looked with favour
on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you, *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the aid of your servant Israel, *
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Or

226 Evening Prayer for Saturday


A Song of the Blessed (Matthew 5:3–10)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, *
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, *
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, *
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst after righteousness, *
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, *
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, *
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, *
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution
for righteousness’ sake, *
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Or
A Song of God’s Love (1 John 4:7–11, 12b)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; *
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent the only Son into the world,
so that we might live through him.
In this is love,
not that we loved God but that God loved us, *
and sent the Son to be the expiation for our sins.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *
we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us.
After the Canticle one of the following may be said or sung.
Glory to God, Source of all being, eternal Word, and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
or
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer for Saturday 227


Evening Prayer continues with an Affirmation of Faith or the Prayers.

Affirmation of Faith
One of the following Affirmations of Faith may be said or sung.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Or
Hear, O Israel
Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
This is the first and the great commandment.
The second is like it:
Love your neighbour as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.

Evening Prayer continues with the Prayers.

228 Evening Prayer for Saturday


The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions and Thanksgivings


The community may offer its intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings silently
or aloud. Among these concerns it is appropriate to remember
• our homes, families, friends, and all whom we love
• those whose time is spent caring for others
• those who are close to death
• those who have lost hope
• the worship of the Church.

The Prayers continue with the Litany and a concluding collect.

The Litany
The Litany is said or sung.
That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful:
we pray to you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in the paths of peace and
goodwill:
we pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven our sins and offences:


we pray to you, O Lord.

That there may be peace in your Church and for the whole world:
we pray to you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit,


in communion with [N and] all your saints,
entrusting one another and all our life to Christ:
we pray to you, O Lord.
Either the Collect of the Day or one of the following collects may be said or sung.
O God, the source of eternal light: shed forth your unending day
upon us who watch for you, so that our lips may praise you, our
lives may bless you, and our worship on the morrow give you glory;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
or
O God, our protector, by whose mercy the world turns safely into
darkness and returns again to light: we give into your hands our
unfinished tasks, our unsolved problems, and our unfulfilled hopes;
for you alone are our sure defence and bring us lasting peace in Jesus
Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

Evening Prayer for Saturday 229


The Lord’s Prayer
Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us pray as our Saviour taught us,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer continues with the Dismissal.

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Dismissal
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer may conclude with the following Sentence.


May Christ, who has opened the gates of heaven, bring us to reign
with him in glory. Amen.

230 Evening Prayer for Saturday


A Liturgical Psalter
The Psalter of
The Book of Alternative Services
Emended for Contemporary
Liturgical Use
Notes

• The purpose of this emendation is to provide a psalter whose language is (i)


faithful to the intent of the writers of the psalms as poems expressing the
relationship between God and the people of Israel and (ii) fair to current
users of the psalms who have found the predominately masculine language a
barrier to the integration of the psalms into their life of prayer and worship.
• The English language uses the masculine singular pronoun when referring
to God in the third person. In this psalter alternative wordings or sentence
structures have been used to eliminate the use of the masculine pronoun. In
a similar fashion third-person plural pronouns have been used to replace the
singular when referring to human beings in a particular category, e.g., ‘the
wicked’, ‘the scornful’, ‘the righteous’, etc.
• While some contemporary psalters have eliminated the use of ‘Lord’ as a title
for God, this emendation retains its use. In a world of competing claims of
sovereignty, in our own times as well as in biblical times, the use of ‘Lord’
reminds us who is truly sovereign and whose purposes are being worked out
in human history.
• In some cases masculine gender has been retained for human beings referred
to in the psalms, e.g., Psalm 72. In such cases the context requires gender
specificity.
• The psalms as printed in Evangelical Lutheran Worship and in the New
Revised Standard Version of the Scriptures have been consulted for guidance
in the emendation.
• The versification of certain psalms has been altered to conform to the
versification of the New Revised Standard Version in order to facilitate use
with the Revised Common Lectionary citations of psalms, especially when
liturgical planners are using on-line and web resources.
• At the discretion of the liturgical planner any psalm may be followed by the
recitation of a doxology or a psalm prayer. In addition to the psalm prayers
found in The Book of Alternative Services, appropriate psalm prayers can
be found in Evangelical Lutheran Worship: Leaders Desk Edition.
• The traditional division of the psalter into five books has been maintained
here as well as the use of the Latin incipits (‘first line’).
• The Liturgy Task Force recognizes that there are many inclusive-language
psalters available for use including, but not limited to, the psalms in
Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the Psalter for the Christian People, The
Saint Helena Psalter and the Canadian publication, Songs for the Holy
One.

232 Liturgical Psalter


BOOK I
Psalm 1 Beatus vir qui non abiit
1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *
and on this law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, *
bearing fruit in due season,
with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.
4 It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgement comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.

Psalm 2 Quare fremuerunt gentes?


1 Why are the nations in an uproar? *
Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?
2 Why do the rulers of the earth rise up in revolt,
and the princes plot together, *
against the Lord and the Lord’s anointed?
3 “Let us break their yoke,” they say; *
“let us cast off their bonds from us.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven is laughing; *
the Lord has them in derision.
5 Then God speaks to them in wrath, *
and the divine rage fills them with terror.
6 “I myself have set my anointed *
upon my holy hill of Zion.”
7 Let me announce the decree of the Lord, *
who said to me, “You are my heir;
this day have I begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance *
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall crush them with an iron rod *
and shatter them like a piece of pottery.”
10 And now, you monarchs, be wise; *
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Submit to the Lord with fear, *
and bow with trembling before the presence of the Lord;

Liturgical Psalter 233


12lest God be angry and you perish; *
for the divine wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are they all *
who take refuge in God!

Psalm 3 Domine, quid multiplicati


1 Lord, how many adversaries I have! *
How many there are who rise up against me!
2 How many there are who say to me, *
“There is no help for you in your God.”
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me; *
you are my glory, the One who lifts up my head.
4 I call aloud upon you, O Lord, *
and you answer me from your holy hill.
5 I lie down and go to sleep; *
I wake again, because you, O Lord, sustain me.
6 I do not fear the multitudes of people *
who set themselves against me all around.
7 Rise up, O Lord; set me free, O my God; *
surely, you will strike all my enemies across the face,
you will break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Deliverance belongs to you, O Lord. *
Your blessing be upon your people!

Psalm 4 Cum invocarem


1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 “You mortals, how long will you dishonour my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols
and run after false gods?”
3 Know that the Lord does wonders for the faithful *
and will hear me when I call.
4 Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
5 Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the Lord.
6 Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O Lord.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5 Verba mea auribus

234 Liturgical Psalter


1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; *
consider my meditation.
2 Hearken to my cry for help, my Sovereign and my God, *
for I make my prayer to you.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; *
early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.
4 For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, *
and evil cannot dwell with you.
5 Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; *
you hate all those who work wickedness.
6 You destroy those who speak lies; *
the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O Lord, you abhor.
7 But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy
I will go into your house; *
I will bow down towards your holy temple in awe of you.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness,
because of those who lie in wait for me; *
make your way straight before me.
9 For there is no truth in their mouth; *
there is destruction in their heart;
their throat is an open grave; *
they flatter with their tongue.
10 Declare them guilty, O God; *
let them fall, because of their schemes.
Because of their many transgressions cast them out, *
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But all who take refuge in you will be glad; *
they will sing out their joy for ever.
You will shelter them, *
so that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you, O Lord, will bless the righteous; *
you will defend them with your favour as with a shield.

Psalm 6 Domine, ne in furore


1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger; *
do not punish me in your wrath.
2 Have pity on me, Lord, for I am weak; *
heal me, Lord, for my bones are racked.
3 My spirit shakes with terror; *
how long, O Lord, how long?
4 Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; *
save me for your mercy’s sake.
5 For in death no one remembers you; *
and who will give you thanks in the grave?
6 I grow weary because of my groaning; *

Liturgical Psalter 235


every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears.
7 My eyes are wasted with grief *
and worn away because of all my enemies.
8 Depart from me, all evildoers, *
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my supplication *
and accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be confounded and quake with fear; *
they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 7 Domine, Deus meus


1 O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; *
save and deliver me from all who pursue me;
2 lest like a lion they tear me in pieces *
and snatch me away with none to deliver me.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done these things; *
if there is any wickedness in my hands,
4 if I have repaid my friend with evil, *
or plundered anyone who without cause is my enemy;
5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me, *
trample my life into the ground,
and lay my honour in the dust.
6 Stand up, O Lord, in your wrath;
rise up against the fury of my enemies. *
Awake, O my God, decree justice.
7 Let the assembly of the peoples gather round you. *
Be seated on your lofty throne, O Most High.
8 O Lord, judge the nations. *
Give judgement for me according to my righteousness, O Lord,
and according to my innocence, O Most High.
9 Let the malice of the wicked come to an end,
but establish the righteous; *
for you test the mind and heart, O righteous God.
10 You are my shield and defence, *
the saviour of the true in heart.
11 You are a righteous judge *
and sit in judgement every day.
12 If they will not repent, you will whet the sword *
and will bend the bow and make it ready.
13 You have prepared weapons of death *
and make arrows shafts of fire.
14 Look at those who are in labour with wickedness, *
who conceive evil, and give birth to a lie.
15 They dig a pit and make it deep *
and fall into the hole that they have made.

236 Liturgical Psalter


16 Their malice turns back upon their own head; *
their violence falls on their own scalp.
17 I will bear witness that the Lord is righteous;*
I will praise the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 8 Domine, Dominus noster


1 O Lord our governor, *
how exalted is your name in all the world!
2 Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
4 what are mortals that you should be mindful of them, *
their children that you should seek them out?
5 You have made them but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn them with glory and honour;
6 you give them mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under their feet;
7 all sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and all that walks in the paths of the sea.
9 O Lord our governor, *
how exalted is your name in all the world!

Psalm 9 Confitebor tibi


1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *
I will tell of all your marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; *
I will sing to your name, O Most High.
3 When my enemies are driven back, *
they will stumble and perish at your presence.
4 For you have maintained my right and my cause; *
you sit upon your throne judging right.
5 You have rebuked the ungodly and destroyed the wicked; *
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
6 As for the enemy, they are finished, in perpetual ruin, *
their cities ploughed under, the memory of them perished;
7 but you, O Lord, are enthroned for ever; *
you have set up your throne for judgement.
8 It is you who rules the world with righteousness; *
you judge the peoples with equity.
9 You will be a refuge for the oppressed, *

Liturgical Psalter 237


a refuge in time of trouble.
10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you, *
for you never forsake those who seek you, O Lord.
11 Sing praise to the Lord who dwells in Zion; *
proclaim to the peoples the things God has done.
12 The avenger of blood will remember them *
and will not forget the cry of the afflicted.
13 Have pity on me, O Lord; *
see the misery I suffer from those who hate me,
O you who lift me up from the gate of death;
14 so that I may tell of all your praises and rejoice in your salvation *
in the gates of the city of Zion.
15 The ungodly have fallen into the pit they dug, *
and in the snare they set is their own foot caught.
16 O Lord, you are known by your acts of justice; *
the wicked are trapped in the works of their own hands.
17 The wicked shall be given over to the grave, *
and also all the peoples that forget you.
18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, *
and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Rise up, O Lord, let not the ungodly have the upper hand; *
let them be judged before you.
20 Put fear upon them, O Lord; *
let the ungodly know they are but mortal.

Psalm 10 Ut quid, Domine?


1 Why do you stand so far off, O Lord, *
and hide yourself in time of trouble?
2 The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, *
but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
3 The wicked boast of their heart’s desire; *
the covetous curse and revile the Lord.
4 The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; *
their only thought is, “God does not matter.”
5 Their ways are devious at all times;
your judgements are far above out of their sight; *
they defy all their enemies.
6 They say in their heart, “I shall not be shaken; *
no harm shall happen to me ever.”
7 Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; *
under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
8 They lurk in ambush in public squares
and in secret places they murder the innocent; *
they spy out the helpless.
9 They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert;

238 Liturgical Psalter


they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; *
they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.
10 The innocent are broken and humbled before them; *
the helpless fall before their power.
11 They say in their heart, “God has forgotten, *
turned aside and will never notice.”
12 Rise up, O Lord; lift up your hand, O God; *
do not forget the afflicted.
13 Why should the wicked revile you? *
Why should they say in their heart,
“You do not care”?
14 Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *
you see it and take it into your own hand.
The helpless commit themselves to you, *
for you are the helper of orphans.
15 Break the power of the wicked and evil; *
search out their wickedness until you find none.
16 You are sovereign for ever and ever; *
the ungodly shall perish from your land.
17 You will hear the desire of the humble; *
you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
18 to give justice to the orphan and oppressed, *
so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.

Psalm 11 In Domino confide


1 In the Lord have I taken refuge; *
how then can you say to me,
“Fly away like a bird to the hilltop;
2 for see how the wicked bend the bow
and fit their arrows to the string, *
to shoot from ambush at the true of heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed, *
what can the righteous do?”
4 O Lord, you are in your holy temple and enthroned in heaven. *
Your eyes behold the inhabited world;
your piercing eye weighs our worth.
5 You weigh the righteous as well as the wicked, *
but those who delight in violence you abhor.
6 Upon the wicked you shall rain coals of fire and burning sulphur; *
a scorching wind shall be their lot.
7 For you are righteous and delight in righteous deeds; *
and the just shall see your face.

Psalm 12 Salvum me fac


1 Help me, Lord, for there is no godly one left; *

Liturgical Psalter 239


the faithful have vanished from among us.
2 Allspeak falsely with their neighbours; *
with a smooth tongue they speak from a double heart.
3 Oh, that the Lord would cut off all smooth tongues, *
and close the lips that utter proud boasts!
4 Those who say, “With our tongue will we prevail; *
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
5 “Because the needy are oppressed,
and the poor cry out in misery, *
I will rise up,” says the Lord,
“and give them the help they long for.”
6 The words of the Lord are pure words, *
like silver refined from ore
and purified seven times in the fire.
7 O Lord, watch over us *
and save us from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked prowl on every side, *
and that which is worthless is highly prized by everyone.

Psalm 13 Usquequo, Domine?


1 How long, O Lord?
Will you forget me for ever? *
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day? *
How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look upon me and answer me, O Lord my God; *
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over this one,” *
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5 But I put my trust in your mercy; *
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6 I will sing to the Lord who has dealt with me richly; *
I will praise the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 14 Dixit insipiens


1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is anyone who seeks after God.
3 Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *

240 Liturgical Psalter


who eat up my people like bread
and do not call upon the Lord?
5 See how they tremble with fear, *
because God is in the company of the righteous.
6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *
but the Lord is their refuge.
7 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! *
When the Lord restores the fortunes of this people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalm 15 Domine, quis habitabit


1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *
Who may abide upon your holy hill?
2 Those who lead a blameless life and do what is right, *
who speak the truth from their heart.
3 There is no guile upon their tongue;
they do no evil to a friend; *
they do not heap contempt upon a neighbour.
4 In their sight the wicked are rejected, *
but they honour those who fear the Lord.
They have sworn to do no wrong *
and do not take back their word.
5 They do not give their money in hope of gain,
nor do they take a bribe against the innocent. *
Those who do these things shall never be overthrown.

Psalm 16 Conserva me, Domine


1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
I have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord, my good above all other.”
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.
3 But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4 Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.
6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
8 I have set the Lord always before me; *
because you are at my side I shall not fall.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *

Liturgical Psalter 241


my body also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11 You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your hand are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 17 Exaudi, Domine


1 Hear my plea of innocence, O Lord;
give heed to my cry; *
listen to my prayer,
which does not come from lying lips.
2 Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *
let your eyes be fixed on justice.
3 Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *
melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
4 I give no offence with my mouth as others do; *
I have heeded the words of your lips.
5 My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *
in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
6 I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *
incline your ear to me and hear my words.
7 Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, *
O Saviour of those who take refuge at your side
from those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; *
hide me under the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who assault me, *
from my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They have closed their heart to pity, *
and their mouth speaks proud things.
11 They press me hard, now they surround me, *
watching how they may cast me to the ground,
12 like a lion, greedy for its prey, *
and like a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord; confront them and bring them down;*
deliver me from the wicked by your sword.
14 Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand
from those whose portion in life is this world; *
whose bellies you fill with treasure,
who are well supplied with children *
and leave their wealth to their little ones.
15 But at my vindication I shall see your face; *
when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

242 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 18
Part I Diligam te, Domine
1 I love you, O Lord my strength, *
O Lord my stronghold, my crag and my haven.
2 My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, *
my shield, the horn of my salvation and my refuge;
you are worthy of praise.
3 I will call upon the Lord, *
and so shall I be saved from my enemies.
4 The breakers of death rolled over me, *
and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid.
5 The cords of hell entangled me, *
and the snares of death were set for me.
6 I called upon the Lord in my distress *
and cried out to my God for help.
You heard my voice from your heavenly dwelling; *
to your ears came my cry of anguish.
7 The earth reeled and rocked; *
the roots of the mountains shook;
they reeled because of your anger.
8 Smoke rose from your nostrils
and a consuming fire out of your mouth; *
hot burning coals blazed forth.
9 You parted the heavens and came down *
with a storm cloud under your feet.
10 You mounted on cherubim and flew; *
you swooped on the wings of the wind.
11 You wrapped darkness about you; *
you made dark waters and thick clouds your pavilion.
12 From the brightness of your presence, through the clouds, *
burst hailstones and coals of fire.
13 Lord, you thundered out of heaven; *
Most High, you uttered your voice.
14 You loosed your arrows and scattered them; *
you hurled thunderbolts and routed them.
15 The beds of the seas were uncovered, *
and the foundations of the world laid bare,
at your battle cry, O Lord, *
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
16 You reached down from on high and grasped me; *
you drew me out of great waters.
17 You delivered me from my strong enemies
and from those who hated me; *
for they were too mighty for me.

Liturgical Psalter 243


18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster; *
but you, O Lord, were my support.
19 You brought me out into an open place; *
you rescued me because you delighted in me.
Part II Et retribuet mihi
20 The Lord rewarded me because of my righteous dealing; *
because my hands were clean God rewarded me.
21 For I have kept your ways, O Lord *
and have not offended against you, my God;
22 for all your judgements are before my eyes, *
and your decrees I have not put away from me;
23 for I have been blameless with you *
and have kept myself from iniquity;
24 therefore you, O Lord, rewarded me according to my righteous dealing, *
because of the cleanness of my hands in your sight.
25 With the faithful you show yourself faithful, O God; *
with the forthright you show yourself forthright.
26 With the pure you show yourself pure, *
but with the crooked you are wily.
27 You will save a lowly people, *
but you will humble the haughty eyes.
28 O Lord, you are my lamp; *
my God, you make my darkness bright.
29 With you I will break down an enclosure; *
with your help I will scale any wall.
30 As for you, O God, your ways are perfect;
the words of the Lord are tried in the fire; *
you are a shield to all who trust in you.
31 For who is God, but the Lord? *
Who is the rock, except our God?
32 It is you who girds me about with strength *
and makes my way secure,
33 making me sure-footed like a deer *
and letting me stand firm on the heights.
34 You train my hands for battle *
and my arms for bending even a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me your shield of victory; *
your mighty hand also sustains me;
your loving care makes me great.
36 You lengthen my stride beneath me, *
and my ankles do not give way.
37 I pursue my enemies and overtake them; *
I will not turn back till I have destroyed them.
38 I will strike them down, and they cannot rise; *

244 Liturgical Psalter


they fall defeated at my feet.
39 You have girded me with strength for the battle; *
you have cast down my adversaries beneath me.
40 You have put my enemies to flight; *
I destroy those who hate me;
41 they cry out, but there is none to help them; *
they cry to you, O Lord, but you do not answer.
42 I beat them small like dust before the wind; *
I trample them like mud in the streets.
43 You deliver me from the strife of the peoples; *
you put me at the head of the nations;
a people I have not known shall serve me.
44 No sooner shall they hear than they shall obey me; *
strangers will cringe before me.
45 The foreign peoples will lose heart; *
they shall come trembling out of their strongholds.
46 The Lord lives! Blessed is my rock! *
Exalted is the God of my salvation!
47 You are the God who gave me victory *
and cast down the peoples beneath me.
48 You rescued me from the fury of my enemies;
you exalted me above those who rose against me; *
you saved me from my deadly foe.
49 Therefore will I extol you among the nations, O Lord, *
and sing praises to your name.
50 You multiply the victories of your king; *
you show loving-kindness to your anointed,
to David and his descendants for ever.

Psalm 19 Cæli enarrant


1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows the handiwork of the Lord.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has God set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; *

Liturgical Psalter 245


the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; *
the judgements of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, *
more than much fine gold,
sweeter far than honey, *
than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often they offend? *
Cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; *
let them not get dominion over me;
then shall I be whole and sound, *
and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable in your sight; *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Psalm 20 Exaudiat te Dominus


1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble, *
the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 send you help from the holy place of the Lord *
and strengthen you out of Zion;
3 remember all your offerings *
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
4 grant you your heart’s desire *
and prosper all your plans.
5 We will shout for joy at your victory
and triumph in the name of our God; *
may the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that you, O Lord, give victory to your anointed, *
whom you will answer out of the heavenly realms
with the victorious strength of your mighty hand.
7 Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *
but we will call upon the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall down, *
but we will arise and stand upright.
9 O Lord, give victory to your anointed *
and answer us when we call.

246 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 21 Domine, in virtute tua
1 The king rejoices in your strength, O Lord; *
how greatly he exults in your victory!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire; *
you have not denied him the request of his lips.
3 For you meet him with blessings of prosperity, *
and set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him; *
length of days, for ever and ever.
5 His honour is great, because of your victory; *
splendour and majesty have you bestowed upon him.
6 For you will give him everlasting felicity *
and will make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in you, O Lord; *
because of your loving-kindness, O Most High,
he will not fall.
8 Your hand will lay hold upon all your enemies; *
your mighty hand will seize all those who hate you.
9 You will make them like a fiery furnace
at the time of your appearing, O Lord; *
you will swallow them up in your wrath,
and fire shall consume them.
10 You will destroy their offspring from the land *
and their descendants from among the peoples of the earth.
11 Though they intend evil against you and devise wicked schemes, *
yet they shall not prevail.
12 For you will put them to flight *
and aim your arrows at them.
13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your might; *
we will sing and praise your power.

Psalm 22 Deus, Deus meus


1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me *
and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *
by night as well, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are the Holy One, *
enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
4 Our ancestors put their trust in you; *
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 They cried out to you and were delivered; *
they trusted in you and were not put to shame.
6 But as for me, I am a worm and not human, *
scorned by all and despised by the people.
7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; *

Liturgical Psalter 247


they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying,
8 “You trusted in the Lord; let the Lord deliver you; *
let God rescue you, if God delights in you.”
9 Yet you are the one who took me out of the womb, *
and kept me safe upon my mother’s breast.
10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *
you were my God when I was still in my mother’s womb.
11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *
and there is none to help.
12 Many young bulls encircle me; *
strong bulls of Bashan surround me.
13 They open wide their jaws at me, *
like a ravening and a roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; *
my heart within my breast is melting wax.
15 My mouth is dried out like a potsherd;
my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *
and you have laid me in the dust of the grave.
16 Packs of dogs close me in and gangs of evildoers circle around me; *
they pierce my hands and my feet.
17 I can count all my bones *
while they stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my garments among them; *
they cast lots for my clothing.
19 Be not far away, O Lord; *
you are my strength; hasten to help me.
20 Save me from the sword, *
my life from the power of the dog.
21 Save me from the lion’s mouth, *
my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls.
22 I will declare your name to my kindred; *
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.
23 Praise the Lord, you that fear God; *
stand in awe of God, O offspring of Israel;
all you of Jacob’s line, give glory.
24 For God does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;
neither turns away from them; *
when they cry to the Lord, they are heard.
25 My praise is of God in the great assembly; *
I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship the Lord.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied,
and those who seek the Lord shall give praise: *
“May your heart live for ever!”
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, *
and all the families of the nations shall bow before God.

248 Liturgical Psalter


28 For sovereignty belongs to the Lord, *
who rules over the nations.
29 To God alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; *
all who go down to the dust fall before God.
30 My soul shall live for God;
my descendants shall serve God; *
they shall be known as the Lord’s for ever.
31 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn *
the saving deeds that God has done.

Psalm 23 Dominus regit me


1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 You make me lie down in green pastures *
and lead me beside still waters.
3 You revive my soul *
and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, *
I shall fear no evil;
for you are with me; *
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me *
in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil, *
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 24 Domini est terra


1 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, *
the world and all who dwell therein.
2 For it is God who founded it upon the seas *
and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.
3 “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord *
and who can stand in the holy place of God?”
4 “Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn by what is a fraud.
5 They shall receive a blessing from the Lord *
and a just reward from the God of their salvation.”
6 Such is the generation of those who seek you, *
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
and the One who reigns in glory shall come in.

Liturgical Psalter 249


8 “Who is this glorious One?”*
“The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.”
9 Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
and the One who reigns in glory shall come in.
10 “Who is this glorious One?”*
“The Lord of hosts,
the Lord who reigns in glory.”

Psalm 25 Ad te, Domine, levavi


1 To you, O Lord, *
I lift up my soul;
2 my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
4 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
8 Gracious and upright are you, O Lord; *
therefore you teach sinners in your way.
9 You guide the humble in doing right *
and teach your way to the lowly.
10 O Lord, all your paths are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, *
forgive my sin, for it is great.
12 Who are they who fear you, O Lord? *
You will teach them the way that they should choose.
13 They shall dwell in prosperity, *
and their offspring shall inherit the land.
14 You are a friend to those who fear you *
and will show them your covenant.
15 My eyes are ever looking to you, O Lord, *
for you shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and have pity on me, *

250 Liturgical Psalter


for I am left alone and in misery.
17 The sorrows of my heart have increased; *
bring me out of my troubles.
18 Look upon my adversity and misery *
and forgive me all my sin.
19 Look upon my enemies, for they are many, *
and they bear a violent hatred against me.
20 Protect my life and deliver me; *
let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, *
for my hope has been in you.
22 Deliver Israel, O God, *
out of all their troubles.

Psalm 26 Judica me, Domine


1 Give judgement for me, O Lord,
for I have lived with integrity; *
I have trusted in you and have not faltered.
2 Test me, O Lord, and try me; *
examine my heart and my mind.
3 For your love is before my eyes; *
I have walked faithfully with you.
4 I have not sat with the worthless, *
nor do I consort with the deceitful.
5 I have hated the company of evildoers; *
I will not sit down with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, *
that I may go in procession round your altar,
7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving *
and recounting all your wonderful deeds.
8 Lord, I love the house in which you dwell *
and the place where your glory abides.
9 Do not sweep me away with sinners, *
nor my life with those who thirst for blood,
10 whose hands are full of evil plots, *
and whose hands full of bribes.
11 As for me, I will live with integrity; *
redeem me, O Lord, and have pity on me.
12 My foot stands on level ground; *
in the full assembly I will bless the Lord.

Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio


1The Lord is my light and my salvation; *
whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; *

Liturgical Psalter 251


of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries,
who stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
and though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in God.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
beholding the fair beauty of the Lord *
and seeking God in the temple.
5 For in the day of trouble, O God,
you shall keep me safe in your shelter; *
you shall hide me in the secrecy of your dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Even now you lift up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
Therefore I will offer in your dwelling
an oblation with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
8 You speak in my heart and say , “Seek my face.” *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
You have been my helper; cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the Lord will sustain me.
11 Show me your way, O Lord; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
12 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
13 What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the Lord *
in the land of the living!
14 O tarry and await the pleasure of the Lord;
be strong, and God shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 28 Ad te, Domine


1 O Lord, I call to you; *

252 Liturgical Psalter


my rock, do not be deaf to my cry;
lest, if you do not hear me, *
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, *
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
3 Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, *
who speak peaceably with their neighbours,
while strife is in their hearts.
4 Repay them according to their deeds, *
and according to the wickedness of their actions.
According to the work of their hands repay them, *
and give them their just deserts.
5 They have no understanding of your doings, *
nor of the works of your hands;
therefore you will break them down *
and not build them up.
6 Blessed are you, O Lord! *
For you have heard the voice of my prayer.
7 O Lord, you are my strength and my shield; *
my heart trusts in you, and I have been helped;
therefore my heart dances for joy, *
and in my song will I praise you.
8 You are the strength of your people, *
a safe refuge for your anointed.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; *
shepherd them and carry them for ever.

Psalm 29 Afferte Domino


1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due the divine name; *
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendour.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon,
6 and makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord *
splits the flames of fire;
8 the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

Liturgical Psalter 253


9 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.
And in the temple of the Lord *
all are crying, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *
the Lord sits enthroned as sovereign for evermore.
11 The Lord shall give strength to this people; *
the Lord shall give this people the blessing of peace.

Psalm 30 Exaltabo te, Domine


1 I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.
3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of God; *
give thanks for the remembrance of the holiness of God.
5 For the wrath of God endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
the divine favour for a lifetime.
Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
6 While I felt secure, I said,*
“I shall never be disturbed.
7 Lord, with your favour, you made me as strong as the mountains.” *
Then you hid your face, and I was filled with fear.
8 I cried to you, O Lord; *
I pleaded with you, saying,
9 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? *
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper.”
11 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
12 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
Psalm 31 In te, Domine, speravi
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, *
for you are my crag and my stronghold;
for the sake of your name, *

254 Liturgical Psalter


lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols *
and I put my trust in the Lord.
7 I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; *
for you have seen my affliction; you know my distress.
8 You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; *
you have set my feet in an open place.
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, *
for I am in trouble;
my eye is consumed with sorrow, *
and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief, *
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails me because of affliction, *
and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies *
and even to my neighbours,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a corpse, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; *
fear is all around;
they put their heads together against me; *
they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
I have said, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.”
17 Lord, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; *
rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against the righteous, *
haughtily, disdainfully and with contempt.
19 How great is your goodness, O Lord, *
which you have laid up for those who fear you;
which you have done in the sight of all *
for those who put their trust in you.

Liturgical Psalter 255


20 You hide them in the covert of your presence
from those who slander them; *
you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed are you, O Lord, *
for you have shown me the wonders of your love
in a besieged city.
22 Yet I said in my alarm, *
“I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.”
Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty *
when I cried out to you.
23 Love the Lord, all you who worship God; *
the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full those who act haughtily.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, *
all you who wait for the Lord.

Psalm 32 Beati quorum


1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore all the faithful *
will make their prayers to you in time of trouble;
when the great waters overflow, *
they shall not reach them.
7 You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
9 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.”
10 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

256 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 33 Exultate, justi
1 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; *
it is good for the just to sing praises.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp; *
play to God upon the psaltery and lyre.
3 Sing for God a new song; *
sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4 For the word of the Lord is right, *
and all the works of God are sure.
5 God loves righteousness and justice; *
the loving-kindness of the Lord fills the whole earth.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, *
by the breath of God’s mouth all the heavenly hosts.
7 God gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *
and stores up the depths of the sea.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; *
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of God.
9 For God spoke, and it came to pass; *
God commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord brings the will of the nations to naught, *
thwarting the designs of the peoples.
11 But the will of the Lord stands fast for ever, *
and the designs of God’s heart from age to age.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, *
happy the people chosen to be God’s own.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven, *
and beholds all the people in the world.
14 Enthroned in the heavens God gazes *
on all who dwell on the earth,
15 fashioning all the hearts of them *
and understanding all their works.
16 There is no ruler that can be saved by a mighty army; *
the strong are not delivered by their great strength.
17 The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *
for all its strength it cannot save.
18 Behold, your eye, O Lord, is upon those who fear you, *
on those who wait upon your love,
19 to pluck their lives from death, *
and to feed them in time of famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord *
who is our help and our shield.
21 Indeed, our heart rejoices in God *
in whose holy name we put our trust.
22 Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, *
as we have put our trust in you.

Liturgical Psalter 257


Psalm 34 Benedicam Dominum
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; *
the praise of God shall ever be in my mouth.
2 I will glory in the Lord; *
let the humble hear and rejoice.
3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; *
let us exalt the name of God together.
4 I sought the Lord, who answered me *
and delivered me out of all my terror.
5 Look upon God and be radiant, *
and let not your faces be ashamed.
6 I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me *
and saved me from all my troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear God *
and will deliver them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; *
happy are they who trust in God!
9 Fear the Lord, you holy ones of God, *
for those who fear God lack nothing.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11 Come, children, and listen to me; *
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who among you loves life *
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *
and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good; *
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, *
and the ears of God are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, *
to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them *
and delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted *
and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous, *
but the Lord will deliver them out of them all.
20 The Lord will keep safe all their bones; *
not one of them shall be broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked, *
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 O Lord, you redeem the life of your servants, *
and none will be punished who trust in you.

258 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 35 Judica, Domine
1 Fight those who fight me, O Lord; *
attack those who are attacking me.
2 Take up shield and armour *
and rise up to help me.
3 Draw the sword and bar the way against those who pursue me; *
say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Let those who seek after my life be shamed and humbled; *
let those who plot my ruin fall back and be dismayed.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, *
and the angel of the Lord drive them away.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, *
and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.
7 For they have secretly spread a net for me without a cause; *
without a cause they have dug a pit to take me alive.
8 Let ruin come upon them unawares; *
let them be caught in the net they hid;
let them fall into the pit they dug.
9 Then I will be joyful in the Lord; *
I will glory in your victory.
10 My very bones will say, *
“Lord, who is like you?
You deliver the poor from those who are too strong for them, *
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
11 Malicious witnesses rise up against me; *
they charge me with matters I know nothing about.
12 They pay me evil in exchange for good; *
my soul is full of despair.
13 But when they were sick I dressed in sack-cloth *
and humbled myself by fasting;
14 I prayed with my whole heart, *
as one would for a friend or kin,
I behaved like one who mourns for a parent, *
bowed down and grieving.
15 But when I stumbled, *
they were glad and gathered together;
they gathered against me; *
strangers whom I did not know
tore me to pieces and would not stop.
16 They put me to the test and mocked me; *
they gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 O Lord, how long will you look on? *
Rescue me from the roaring beasts
and my life from the young lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great congregation; *

Liturgical Psalter 259


I will praise you in the mighty throng.
19 Do not let my treacherous foes rejoice over me, *
nor let those who hate me without a cause wink at each other.
20 For they do not plan for peace, *
but invent deceitful schemes against the quiet in the land.
21 They opened their mouths at me and said, *
“Aha! We saw it with our own eyes.”
22 You saw it, O Lord; do not be silent; *
O Lord, be not far from me.
23 Awake, arise, to my cause, *
to my defence, my God and my Lord!
24 Give me justice, O Lord my God, according to your righteousness; *
do not let them triumph over me.
25 Do let them say in their hearts, *
“Aha! Just what we want!”
Do not let them say, *
“We have swallowed this one up.”
26 Let all who rejoice at my ruin
be ashamed and disgraced; *
let those who boast against me
be clothed with dismay and shame.
27 Let those who favour my cause sing out with joy and be glad; *
let them say always, “Great are you, O Lord,
who desires the prosperity of your servant.”
28 And my tongue shall be talking of your righteousness *
and of your praise all the day long.

Psalm 36 Dixit injustus


1 There is a voice of rebellion deep in the hearts of the wicked; *
there is no fear of God in their eyes.
2 They flatter themselves in their own eyes *
that their hateful sin will not be found out.
3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; *
they have left off acting wisely and doing good.
4 They think up wickedness upon their beds
and have set themselves in no good way; *
they do not abhor that which is evil.
5 Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the strong mountains,
your justice like the great deep; *
you save both mortals and beasts, O Lord.
7 How priceless is your love, O God! *
Your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast upon the abundance of your house; *

260 Liturgical Psalter


you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the well of life, *
and in your light we see light.
10 Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *
and your favour to those who are true of heart.
11 Let not the foot of the proud come near me, *
nor the hand of the wicked push me aside.
12 See how they are fallen, those who work wickedness! *
They are cast down and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 37
Part I Noli æmulari
1 Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; *
do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
2 For they shall soon wither like the grass, *
and like the green grass fade away.
3 Put your trust in the Lord and do good; *
dwell in the land and feed on its riches.
4 Take delight in the Lord, *
who shall give you your heart’s desire.
5 Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in the Holy One *
who will bring it to pass.
6 God will make your righteousness as clear as the light *
and your just dealing as the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for God. *
Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers,
the one who succeeds in evil schemes.
8 Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; *
do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off, *
but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land.
10 In a little while the wicked shall be no more; *
you shall search out their place, but they will not be there.
11 But the lowly shall possess the land; *
they will delight in abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous *
and gnash at them with their teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at the wicked, *
because God sees that their day will come.
14 The wicked draw their sword
and bend their bow to strike down the poor and needy, *
to slaughter those who are upright in their ways.
15 Their sword shall go through their own heart, *
and their bow shall be broken.

Liturgical Psalter 261


16 The little that the righteous have *
is better than great riches of the wicked.
17 For the power of the wicked shall be broken, *
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
Part II Novit Dominus
18 The Lord cares for the lives of the godly, *
and their inheritance shall last for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in bad times, *
and in days of famine they shall have enough.
20 As for the wicked, *
they shall perish,
and the enemies of the Lord,
like the glory of the meadows, shall vanish; *
they shall vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, *
but the righteous are generous in giving.
22 Those who are blessed by God shall possess the land, *
but those who are cursed by God shall be destroyed.
23 Our steps are directed by the Lord *
who strengthens those in whose way God delights.
24 If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong, *
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
25 I have been young and now I am old, *
but never have I seen the righteous forsaken,
or their children begging bread.
26 The righteous are always generous in their lending, *
and their children shall be a blessing.
27 Turn from evil, and do good, *
and dwell in the land for ever.
28 For the Lord loves justice *
and does not forsake those who are faithful.
They shall be kept safe for ever, *
but the offspring of the wicked shall be destroyed.
29 The righteous shall possess the land *
and dwell in it for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, *
and their tongue speaks what is right.
31 The law of their God is in their heart, *
and their footsteps shall not falter.
32 The wicked spy on the righteous *
and seek occasion to kill them.
33 The Lord will not abandon them to their hand, *
nor let them be found guilty when brought to trial.
34 Wait upon the Lord and keep the ways of God, *

262 Liturgical Psalter


who will raise you up to possess the land,
and when the wicked are cut off, *
you will see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in their arrogance, *
flourishing like a tree in full leaf.
36 I went by, and behold, they were not there; *
I searched for them, but they could not be found.
37 Mark those who are honest; observe the upright; *
for there is a future for the peaceable.
38 Transgressors shall be destroyed, one and all; *
the future of the wicked is cut off.
39 But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the Lord, *
who is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The Lord will help them and rescue them; *
rescuing them from the wicked and delivering them,
because they seek refuge in God.

Psalm 38 Domine, ne in furore


1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger; *
do not punish me in your wrath.
2 For your arrows have already pierced me, *
and your hand presses hard upon me.
3 There is no health in my flesh, because of your indignation; *
there is no soundness in my body, because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities overwhelm me; *
like a heavy burden they are too much for me to bear.
5 My wounds stink and fester *
by reason of my foolishness.
6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; *
I go about in mourning all the day long.
7 My loins are filled with searing pain; *
there is no health in my body.
8 I am utterly numb and crushed; *
I wail, because of the groaning of my heart.
9 O Lord, you know all my desires, *
and my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me, *
and the brightness of my eyes is gone from me.
11 My friends and companions draw back from my affliction; *
my neighbours stand afar off.
12 Those who seek after my life lay snares for me; *
those who strive to hurt me speak of my ruin
and plot treachery all the day long.
13 But I am like the deaf who do not hear, *
like those who are mute and do not open their mouth.

Liturgical Psalter 263


14 I have become like one who does not hear, *
and from whose mouth comes no defence.
15 For in you, O Lord, have I fixed my hope; *
you will answer me, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them rejoice at my expense, *
those who gloat over me when my foot slips.”
17 Truly, I am on the verge of falling, *
and my pain is always with me.
18 I will confess my iniquity *
and be sorry for my sin.
19 Those who are my enemies without cause are mighty, *
and many in number are those who wrongfully hate me.
20 Those who repay evil for good slander me, *
because I follow the course that is right.
21 O Lord, do not forsake me; *
be not far from me, O my God.
22 Make haste to help me, *
O Lord of my salvation.

Psalm 39 Dixi, Custodiam


1 I said, “I will keep watch upon my ways, *
so that I do not offend with my tongue.
I will put a muzzle on my mouth *
while the wicked are in my presence.”
2 So I held my tongue and said nothing; *
I refrained from rash words;
but my pain became unbearable.
3 My heart was hot within me;
while I pondered, the fire burst into flame; *
I spoke out with my tongue:
4 “Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
so that I may know how short my life is.
5 You have given me a mere handful of days,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; *
truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.
6 We walk about like a shadow, and in vain we are in turmoil; *
we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.
7 And now, what is my hope? *
O Lord, my hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions *
and do not make me the taunt of the fool.
9 I fell silent and did not open my mouth, *
for surely it was you that did it.
10 Take your affliction from me; *
I am worn down by the blows of your hand.

264 Liturgical Psalter


11 With rebukes for sin you punish us;
like a moth you eat away all that is dear to us; *
truly, everyone is but a puff of wind.
12 Hear my prayer, O Lord, *
and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears.
for I am but a sojourner with you, *
a wayfarer, as all my ancestors were.
13 Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again, *
before I go my way and am no more.”

Psalm 40 Expectans, expectavi


1 I waited patiently upon the Lord *
who stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 God lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay, *
and set my feet on a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3 God put a new song in my mouth, *
a song of praise to our God;
many shall see, and stand in awe, *
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are they who trust in the Lord! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O Lord my God! *
how great your wonders and your plans for us!
There is none who can be compared with you. *
Oh, that I could make them known and tell them,
but they are more than I can count.
6 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required.
7 And so I said, “Behold, I come. *
In the roll of the book it is written concerning me:
8 ‘I love to do your will, O my God; *
your law is deep within my heart.’”
9 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O Lord, you know.
10 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; *
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance;
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness *
from the great congregation.
11 You are the Lord; do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.
12 For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me; *
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see;
they are more in number than the hairs of my head, *
and my heart fails me.

Liturgical Psalter 265


13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; *
O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed *
who seek after my life to destroy it;
let them draw back and be disgraced *
who take pleasure in my misfortune.
15 Let those who say “Aha!” and gloat over me be confounded, *
because they are ashamed.
16 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *
let those who love your salvation continually say, “Great is the Lord!”
17 Though I am poor and afflicted, *
the Lord will have regard for me.
You are my helper and my deliverer; *
do not tarry, O my God.

Psalm 41 Beatus qui intelligit


1 Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! *
The Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble.
2 The Lord preserves them and keeps them alive,
so that they may be happy in the land; *
the Lord does not hand them over to the will of their enemies.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed *
and ministers to them in their illness.
4 I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; *
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5 My enemies are saying wicked things about me, *
asking when will I die and my name perish.
6 Even if they come to see me, they speak empty words; *
their heart collects false rumours;
they go outside and spread them.
7 All my enemies whisper together about me *
and devise evil against me.
8 They say that a deadly thing has fastened on me; *
that I have taken to my bed and will never get up again.
9 Even my best friend, whom I trusted, who broke bread with me, *
has lifted up the heel and turned against me.
10 But you, O Lord, be merciful to me and raise me up, *
and I shall repay them.
11 By this I know you are pleased with me, *
that my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 In my integrity you hold me fast, *
and shall set me before your face for ever.
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, *
from age to age. Amen. Amen.

266 Liturgical Psalter


BOOK II
Psalm 42 Quemadmodum
1 As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *
so longs my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, *
while all day long they say to me, “Where now is your God?”
4 I pour out my soul when I think on these things: *
how I went with the multitude
and led them into the house of God,
with the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *
among those who keep holy-day.
5 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to the Holy One
who is the help of my countenance and my God.
6 My soul is heavy within me; *
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan,
and from the peak of Mizar among the heights of Hermon.
7 One deep calls to another in the noise of your cataracts; *
all your rapids and floods have gone over me.
8 The Lord grants loving-kindness in the daytime; *
in the night season a song of God is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to the God of my strength, *
“Why have you forgotten me
and why do I go so heavily *
while the enemy oppresses me?”
10 While my bones are being broken, *
my enemies mock me to my face;
all day long they mock me and say to me, *
“Where now is your God?”
11 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to the Holy One
who is the help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 43 Judica me, Domine


1Give judgement for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *

Liturgical Psalter 267


deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2 For you are the God of my strength; *
why have you put me from you?
And why do I go so heavily *
while the enemy oppresses me?
3 Send out your light and your truth,
that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling;
4 that I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.
5 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to the Holy One,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 44 Deus, auribus


1 We have heard with our ears, O God,
our ancestors have told us, *
the deeds you did in their days, in the days of old.
2 How with your hand you drove the peoples out
and planted our ancestors in the land; *
how you destroyed nations and made your people flourish.
3 For they did not take the land by their sword, *
nor did their arm win the victory for them;
but your mighty hand, your arm,
and the light of your countenance, *
because you favoured them.
4 You are my Sovereign and my God; *
you command victories for Jacob.
5 Through you we pushed back our adversaries; *
through your name we trampled on those who rose up against us.
6 For I do not rely on my bow, *
and my sword does not give me the victory.
7 Surely, you gave us victory over our adversaries *
and put those who hate us to shame.
8 Every day we gloried in God, *
and we will praise your name for ever.
9 Nevertheless, you have rejected and humbled us *
and do not go forth with our armies.
10 You have made us fall back before our adversary, *
and our enemies have plundered us.
11 You have made us like sheep to be eaten *
and have scattered us among the nations.

268 Liturgical Psalter


12 You are selling your people for a trifle *
and are making no profit on the sale of them.
13 You have made us the scorn of our neighbours, *
a mockery and derision to those around us.
14 You have made us a byword among the nations, *
a laughing-stock among the peoples.
15 My humiliation is daily before me, *
and shame has covered my face;
16 because of the taunts of the mockers and blasphemers, *
because of the enemy and avenger.
17 All this has come upon us; *
yet we have not forgotten you,
nor have we betrayed your covenant
18 Our heart never turned back, *
nor did our footsteps stray from your path;
19 Though you thrust us down into a place of misery, *
and covered us over with deep darkness.
20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, *
or stretched out our hands to some strange god,
21 will you not find it out? *
For you know the secrets of the heart.
22 Indeed, for your sake we are killed all the day long; *
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
23 Awake, O Lord! why are you sleeping? *
Arise! Do not reject us for ever.
24 Why have you hidden your face *
and forgotten our affliction and oppression?
25 We sink down into the dust; *
our body cleaves to the ground.
26 Rise up, and help us, *
and save us, for the sake of your steadfast love.

Psalm 45 Eructavit cor meum


1 My heart is stirring with a noble song;
let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; *
my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2 You are the fairest of mortals; *
grace flows from your lips,
because God has blessed you for ever.
3 Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, *
in your pride and in your majesty.
4 Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice. *
Your mighty hand will show you marvellous things;
5 your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior;
the peoples are falling at your feet, *

Liturgical Psalter 269


and your enemies are losing heart.
6 Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, *
a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your dominion.
7 You love righteousness and hate iniquity. *
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness above your companions.
8 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, *
and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
9 The daughters of rulers stand among the ladies of the court; *
at your side is the queen, adorned with the gold of Ophir.
10 “Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; *
forget your people and your father’s house.
11 The king will have pleasure in your beauty; *
he is your master; therefore do him honour.
12 The people of Tyre are here with a gift; *
the rich among the people seek your favour.”
13 All glorious is the princess as she enters; *
her gown is cloth-of-gold.
14 In embroidered apparel she is brought to her sovereign; *
after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
15 With joy and gladness they are brought, *
and enter into the royal palace.
16 “In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; *
you shall make them princes over all the earth.
17 I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; *
therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever.”

Psalm 46 Deus noster refugium


1 God is our refuge and strength, *
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *
and though the mountains be toppled
into the depths of the sea;
3 though its waters rage and foam, *
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of this city;
it shall not be overthrown; *
God shall help it at the break of day.
6 The nations make much ado,
and the dominions are shaken; *
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

270 Liturgical Psalter


8 Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, *
what awesome things God has done on earth.
9 It is God who makes war to cease in all the world; *
who breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, then, and know that I am God; *
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Psalm 47 Omnes gentes, plaudit


1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; *
shout to God with a cry of joy.
2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared, *
the great sovereign over all the earth,
3 who subdues the peoples under us *
and the nations under our feet;
4 who chooses our inheritance for us, *
the pride of Jacob whom God loves.
5 God has gone up with a shout, *
with the sound of the ram’s-horn.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; *
sing praises to our sovereign, sing praises.
7 For God is sovereign of all the earth; *
sing praises with all your skill.
8 God reigns over the nations *
and sits upon the holy throne.
9 The nobles of the peoples have gathered together *
with the people of the God of Abraham.
The rulers of the earth belong to God, *
who is highly exalted.

Psalm 48 Magnus Dominus


1 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; *
in whose city is the holy hill of God.
2 Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, *
the very centre of the world and the city of the great sovereign.
3 God is in its citadels *
and is known to be its sure refuge.
4 Behold, the rulers of the earth assembled *
and marched forward together.
5 They looked and were astounded; *
they retreated and fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there; *

Liturgical Psalter 271


they writhed like a woman in childbirth,
7 like ships of the sea *
when the east wind shatters them.
8 As we have heard, so have we seen,
in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God; *
God has established it for ever.
9 We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, *
in the midst of your temple.
10 Your praise, like your name, O God, reaches to the world’s end; *
your hand is full of justice.
11 Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgements.
12 Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about it; *
count the number of its towers.
13 Consider well its bulwarks; examine its strongholds; *
that you may tell those who come after.
14 This God is our God for ever and ever, *
who shall be our guide for evermore.

Psalm 49 Audite hæc


1 Hear this, all you peoples; *
hearken, all you who dwell in the world,
2 you of high degree and low, *
rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *
and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb *
and set forth my riddle upon the harp.
5 Why should I be afraid in evil days, *
when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,
6 the wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, *
and boast of their great riches?
7 We can never ransom ourselves, *
or deliver to God the price of our life;
8 for the ransom of our life is so great, *
that we should never have enough to pay it,
9 in order to live for ever and ever, *
and never see the grave.
10 For we see that the wise die also;
like the dull and stupid they perish *
and leave their wealth to those who come after them.
11 Their graves shall be their homes for ever,
their dwelling places from generation to generation, *
though they call the lands after their own names.
12 Even though honoured, they cannot live for ever; *

272 Liturgical Psalter


they are like the beasts that perish.
13 Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in themselves, *
and the end of those who delight in their own words.
14 Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die; *
death is their shepherd;
they go down straightway to the grave.
Their form shall waste away, *
and the land of the dead shall be their home.
15 But God will ransom my life *
and will snatch me from the grasp of death.
16 Do not be envious when some become rich, *
or when the grandeur of their house increases;
17 for they will carry nothing away at their death, *
nor will their grandeur follow them.
18 Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived, *
and were praised for their success,
19 they shall join the company of their ancestors, *
who will never see the light again.
20 Those who are honoured, but have no understanding, *
are like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 50 Deus deorum


1 The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken *
and has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, *
God reveals the divine glory.
3 Our God will come and will not keep silence; *
before whom there is a consuming flame,
and round about whom a raging storm.
4 God calls the heavens and the earth from above *
to witness the judgement of this people.
5 “Gather before me my loyal followers, *
those who have made a covenant with me
and sealed it with sacrifice.”
6 Let the heavens declare the rightness of the divine cause; *
for God, God alone, is judge.
7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak:
O Israel, I will bear witness against you; *
for I am God, your God.
8 I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; *
your offerings are always before me.
9 I will take no bull-calf from your stalls, *
nor he-goats out of your pens;
10 For the beasts of the forest are mine, *
the herds in their thousands upon the hills.

Liturgical Psalter 273


11 I know every bird in the sky, *
and the creatures of the fields are in my sight.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, *
for the whole world is mine and all that is in it.
13 Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, *
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and make good your vows to the Most High.
15 Call upon me in the day of trouble; *
I will deliver you, and you shall honour me.”
16 But to the wicked God says: *
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and take my covenant upon your lips;
17 since you refuse discipline, *
and toss my words behind your back?
18 When you see a thief, you make that one your friend, *
and you cast in your lot with adulterers.
19 You have loosed your lips for evil, *
and harnessed your tongue to a lie.
20 You are always speaking evil of your kin *
and slandering your own mother’s child.
These things you have done, and I kept still, *
and you thought that I am like you.”
21 “I have made my accusation; *
I have put my case in order before your eyes.
22 Consider this well, you who forget God, *
lest I rend you and there be none to deliver you.
23 Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me; *
but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God.”

Psalm 51 Miserere mei, Deus


1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, *
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you only have I sinned *
and done what is evil in your sight.
And so you are justified when you speak *
and upright in your judgement.
5 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
a sinner from my mother’s womb.
6 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

274 Liturgical Psalter


7 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
8 Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins *
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
12 Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
13 I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *
and sinners shall return to you.
14 Deliver me from death, O God, *
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,
O God of my salvation.
15 Open my lips, O Lord, *
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
16 Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, *
but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
17 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Be favourable and gracious to Zion, *
and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,
with burnt-offerings and oblations; *
then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.

Psalm 52 Quid gloriaris?


1 You tyrant, why do you boast of wickedness *
against the godly all day long?
2 You plot ruin; your tongue is like a sharpened razor, *
O worker of deception.
3 You love evil more than good *
and lying more than speaking the truth.
4 You love all words that hurt, *
O you deceitful tongue.
5 Oh, that God would demolish you utterly, *
topple you, and snatch you from your dwelling,
and root you out of the land of the living!
6 The righteous shall see and tremble, *
and they shall laugh at you, saying,
7 “This is the one who did not take God for a refuge, *
but trusted in great wealth and relied upon wickedness.”

Liturgical Psalter 275


8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; *
I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will give you thanks for what you have done *
and declare the goodness of your name
in the presence of the godly.

Psalm 53 Dixit insipiens


1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” *
All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;
there is none who does any good.
2 God looks down from heaven upon us all, *
to see if there is any who is wise,
if there is anyone who seeks after God.
3 Every one has proved faithless; all alike have turned bad; *
there is none who does good; no, not one.
4 Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, *
who eat up my people like bread and do not call upon God?
5 See how greatly they tremble, *
such trembling as never was;
for God has scattered the bones of the enemy; *
they are put to shame, because God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come out of Zion! *
When God restores the fortune of this people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalm 54 Deus, in nomine


1 Save me, O God, by your name; *
in your might, defend my cause.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; *
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For the arrogant have risen up against me,
and the ruthless have sought my life, *
those who have no regard for God.
4 Behold, God is my helper; *
it is the Lord who sustains my life.
5 Render evil to those who spy on me; *
in your faithfulness, destroy them.
6 I will offer you a freewill sacrifice *
and praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 For you have rescued me from every trouble, *
and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.

Psalm 55 Exaudi, Deus


1 Hear my prayer, O God; *
do not hide yourself from my petition.

276 Liturgical Psalter


2 Listen to me and answer me; *
I have no peace, because of my cares.
3 I am shaken by the noise of the enemy *
and by the pressure of the wicked;
for they have cast an evil spell upon me *
and are set against me in fury.
4 My heart quakes within me, *
and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling have come over me, *
and horror overwhelms me.
6 And I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! *
I would fly away and be at rest.
7 I would flee to a far-off place *
and make my lodging in the wilderness.
8 I would hasten to escape *
from the stormy wind and tempest.”
9 Swallow them up, O Lord; confound their speech; *
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night the sentries make their rounds upon its walls, *
but trouble and misery are in the midst of it.
11 There is corruption at its heart; *
its streets are never free of oppression and deceit.
12 For had it been an adversary who taunted me, *
then I could have borne it;
or had it been enemies who vaunted themselves against me, *
then I could have hidden from them.
13 But it was you, someone after my own heart, *
my companion, my own familiar friend.
14 We took sweet counsel together, *
and walked with the throng in the house of God.
15 Let death come upon them suddenly;
let them go down alive into the grave; *
for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.
16 But I will call upon God, *
and the Lord will deliver me.
17 In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday,
I will complain and lament, *
and the Lord will hear my voice.
18 God will bring me safely back from the battle waged against me; *
for there are many who fight me.
19 God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and bring them down; *
they never change; they do not fear God.
20 My companions stretched forth their hand against their comrade; *
they have broken their covenant.
21 Their speech is softer than butter, *

Liturgical Psalter 277


but war is in their heart.
Their words are smoother than oil, *
but they are drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden upon the Lord who will sustain you *
and will never let the righteous stumble.
23 For you will bring the bloodthirsty and deceitful *
down to the pit of destruction, O God.
They shall not live out half their days, *
but I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 56 Miserere mei, Deus


1 Have mercy on me, O God,
for my enemies are hounding me; *
all day long they assault and oppress me.
2 They hound me all the day long; *
truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
3 Whenever I am afraid, *
I will put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust and will not be afraid, *
for what can flesh do to me?
5 All day long they damage my cause; *
their only thought is to do me evil.
6 They band together; they lie in wait; *
they spy upon my footsteps; because they seek my life.
7 Shall they escape despite their wickedness? *
O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples.
8 You have noted my lamentation; put my tears into your bottle; *
are they not recorded in your book?
9 Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight; *
this I know, for you are on my side.
10 In God the Lord, *
whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust and will not be afraid, *
for what can mortals do to me?
12 I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God; *
I will present to you thank-offerings;
13 For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet from stumbling, *
that I may walk before you in the light of the living.

Psalm 57 Miserere mei, Deus


1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, *
for I have taken refuge in you;
in the shadow of your wings will I take refuge *
until this time of trouble has gone by.

278 Liturgical Psalter


2 I will call upon you, the Most High God, *
the God who maintains my cause.
3 You will send from heaven and save me;
you will confound those who trample upon me; *
you will send forth your love and your faithfulness.
4 I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people; *
their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword.
5 They have laid a net for my feet, and I am bowed low; *
they have dug a pit before me, but have fallen into it themselves.
6 Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.
7 My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *
I will sing and make melody.
8 Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will waken the dawn.
9 I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; *
I will sing praise to you among the nations.
10 For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
11 Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.

Psalm 58 Si vere utique


1 Do you indeed decree righteousness, you rulers? *
Do you judge the peoples with equity?
2 No; you devise evil in your hearts, *
and your hands deal out violence in the land.
3 The wicked are perverse from the womb; *
liars go astray from their birth.
4 They are as venomous as a serpent, *
they are like the deaf adder which stops its ears,
5 which does not heed the voice of the charmer, *
no matter how skillful the charming.
6 O God, break their teeth in their mouths; *
pull the fangs of the young lions, O Lord.
7 Let them vanish like water that runs off; *
let them wither like trodden grass.
8 Let them be like the snail that melts away, *
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9 Before they bear fruit, let them be cut down like a brier; *
like thorns and thistles let them be swept away.
10 The righteous will be glad when they see the vengeance; *
they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 And they will say, “Surely, there is a reward for the righteous; *
surely, there is a God who rules in the earth.”

Liturgical Psalter 279


Psalm 59 Eripe me de inimicis
1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God; *
protect me from those who rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from evildoers *
and save me from those who thirst for my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for my life,
how the mighty gather together against me; *
not for any offence or fault of mine, O Lord.
4 Not because of any guilt of mine *
they run and prepare themselves for battle.
Rouse yourself, come to my side, and see; *
5 for you, Lord God of hosts, are Israel’s God.
Awake, and punish all the ungodly; *
show no mercy to those who are faithless and evil.
6 They go to and fro in the evening; *
they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
7 Behold, they boast with their mouths, and taunts are on their lips; *
“For who,” they say, “will hear us?”
8 But you, O Lord, you laugh at them; *
you laugh all the ungodly to scorn.
9 My eyes are fixed on you, O my Strength; *
for you, O God, are my stronghold.
10 My merciful God comes to meet me *
and will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
11 Slay them, O God, *
lest my people forget;
send them reeling by your might *
and put them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips,
for the cursing and lies that they utter, *
let them be caught in their pride.
13 Make an end of them in your wrath; *
make an end of them, and they shall be no more.
Let everyone know that God rules in Jacob, *
and to the ends of the earth.
14 They go to and fro in the evening; *
they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
15 They forage for food, *
and if they are not filled, they howl.
16 For my part, I will sing of your strength; *
I will celebrate your love in the morning;
17 For you have become my stronghold, *
a refuge in the day of my trouble.
To you, O my Strength, will I sing; *
for you, O God, are my stronghold and my merciful God.

280 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 60 Deus, repulisti nos
1 O God, you have cast us off and broken us; *
you have been angry; oh, take us back to you again.
2 You have shaken the earth and split it open; *
repair the cracks in it, for it totters.
3 You have made your people know hardship; *
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 You have set up a banner for those who fear you, *
to be a refuge from the power of the bow.
5 Save us by your mighty hand and answer us, *
that those who are dear to you may be delivered.
6 You spoke from your holy dwelling and said: *
“I will exult and parcel out Shechem;
I will divide the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; *
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my sceptre.
8 Moab is my wash basin,
on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, *
and over Philistia will I shout in triumph.”
9 Who will lead me into the strong city? *
Who will bring me into Edom?
10 Have you not cast us off, O God? *
you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.
11 Grant us your help against the enemy, *
for vain is the help of mortals.
12 With you we will do valiant deeds, *
and you shall tread our enemies under foot.

Psalm 61 Exaudi, Deus


1 Hear my cry, O God, *
and listen to my prayer.
2 I call upon you from the ends of the earth with heaviness in my heart; *
set me upon the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge, *
a strong tower against the enemy.
4 I will dwell in your house for ever; *
I will take refuge under the cover of your wings.
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; *
you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6 Add length of days to the king’s life; *
let his years extend over many generations.
7 Let him sit enthroned before you for ever; *
bid love and faithfulness watch over him.
8 So will I always sing the praise of your name, *
and day by day I will fulfill my vows.

Liturgical Psalter 281


Psalm 62 Nonne Deo?
1 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
from God comes my salvation.
2 God alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.
3 How long will you assail me to crush me, all of you together, *
as if you were a leaning fence, a toppling wall?
4 They seek only to bring me down from my place of honour; *
lies are their chief delight.
They bless with their lips, *
but in their hearts they curse.
5 For God alone my soul in silence waits; *
truly, my hope is in God.
6 God alone is my rock and my salvation, *
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
7 In God is my safety and my honour, *
my strong rock and my refuge.
8 Put your trust in God always, O people, *
pour out your hearts before the One who is your refuge.
9 Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, *
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.
On the scales they are lighter than a breath, *
all of them together.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride; *
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
11 God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, *
that power belongs to God.
12 Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, *
for you repay all according to their deeds.

Psalm 63 Deus, Deus meus


1 O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
2 Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.
3 For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.
4 So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your name.
5 My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed, *
and meditate on you in the night watches.

282 Liturgical Psalter


7 For you have been my helper, *
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul clings to you; *
your mighty hand holds me fast.
9 May those who seek my life to destroy it *
go down into the depths of the earth;
10 let them fall upon the edge of the sword, *
and let them be food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all those who swear by God will be glad, *
for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

Psalm 64 Exaudi, Deus


1 Hear my voice, O God, when I complain; *
protect my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, *
from the mob of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongue like a sword, *
and aim their bitter words like arrows,
4 so that they may shoot down the blameless from ambush; *
they shoot without warning and are not afraid.
5 They hold fast to their evil course; *
they plan how they may hide their snares.
6 They say, “Who will see us? Who will find out our crimes? *
We have thought out a perfect plot.”
7 The human mind and heart are a mystery; *
but you, O God, will loose an arrow at them,
and suddenly they will be wounded.
8 You will make them trip over their tongues, *
and all who see them will shake their heads.
9 Everyone will stand in awe and declare your deeds, O God; *
they will recognize your works.
10 The righteous will rejoice in you, O Lord, in whom they put their trust*
and all who are true of heart will glory.

Psalm 65 Te decet hymnus


1 You are to be praised, O God, in Zion; *
to you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem.
2 To you that hear prayer *
shall all flesh come.
3 Our sins are stronger than we are, *
but you will blot out our transgressions.
4 Happy are they whom you choose *
and draw to your courts to dwell there!
They will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, *

Liturgical Psalter 283


by the holiness of your temple.
5 Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, *
O God of our salvation,
O Hope of all the ends of the earth *
and of the seas that are far away.
6 You make fast the mountains by your power; *
they are girded about with might.
7 You still the roaring of the seas, *
the roaring of their waves,
and the clamour of the peoples.
8 Those who dwell at the ends of the earth
will tremble at your marvellous signs; *
you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy.
9 You visit the earth and water it abundantly; *
you make it very plenteous;
the river of God is full of water. *
You prepare the grain,
for so you provide for the earth.
10 You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; *
with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.
11 You crown the year with your goodness, *
and your paths overflow with plenty.
12 May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, *
and the hills be clothed with joy.
13 May the meadows cover themselves with flocks,
and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; *
let them shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 66 Jubilate Deo


1 Be joyful in God, all you lands *
be joyful, all the earth.
2 sing the glory of the divine name; *
sing the glory of God’s praise.
3 Say to God, ”How awesome are your deeds! *
Because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down before you, *
sings to you, sings out your name.”
5 Come now and see the works of God, *
how wonderful you are, O God, in your doing toward all people.
6 You turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
and there we rejoiced in you.
7 In your might you rule for ever;
your eyes keep watch over the nations; *
let no rebel rise up against you.

284 Liturgical Psalter


8 Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of God’s praise to be heard;
9 who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip.
10 For you, O God, have proved us; *
you have tried us just as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the snare; *
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
12 You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
13 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings *
and will pay you my vows,
14 which I promised with my lips *
and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts with the smoke of rams; *
I will give you oxen and goats.
16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, *
and I will tell you what the Lord has done for me,
17 The One to whom I called out with my mouth *
and whose praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had found evil in my heart, *
the Lord would not have heard me;
19 But in truth God has heard me *
and has attended to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, *
nor withheld steadfast love from me.

Psalm 67 Deus misereatur


1 O God, be merciful to us and bless us, *
show us the light of your countenance and come to us.
2 Let your ways be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has brought forth its increase;
may you, O God our God, bless us.
7 May you bless us, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of you.

Liturgical Psalter 285


Psalm 68 Exsurgat Deus
1 Arise, O God, and let your enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate you flee.
2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *
as the wax melts at the fire,
so let the wicked perish at your presence.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before you; *
let them also be merry and joyful.
4 Let us sing to God, sing praises to the divine name; *
let us exalt the One who rides upon the heavens;
Yahweh is the divine name, *
before whom we shall rejoice!
5 Protector of orphans, defender of widows, *
the One who dwells in holiness,
6 who gives the solitary a home
and brings forth prisoners into freedom; *
but the rebels shall live in dry places.
7 O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at your presence, O God of Sinai, *
at your presence, O God of Israel.
9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.
10 Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God,
you have made provision for the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word; *
great was the company of women who bore the tidings:
12 “Rulers with their armies are fleeing away; *
the women at home are dividing the spoils.”
13 Though you lingered among the sheepfolds, *
you shall be like a dove whose wings are covered with silver,
whose feathers are like green gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered rulers, *
it was like snow falling in Zalmon.
15 O mighty mountain, O hill of Bashan! *
O rugged mountain, O hill of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountain,
at the hill which God chose for a resting place? *
truly, the Lord will dwell there for ever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
even thousands of thousands; *
the Lord comes in holiness from Sinai.
18 You have gone up on high and led captivity captive;

286 Liturgical Psalter


you have received gifts even from your enemies, *
that the Lord God might dwell among them.
19 Blessed be the Lord day by day, *
the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.
20 This is our God, the God of our salvation; *
God is the Lord, by whom we escape death.
21 God shall crush the heads of the enemies of God, *
and the hairy scalp of those who go on still in their wickedness.
22 The Lord has said, ”I will bring them back from Bashan; *
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;
23 that your foot may be dipped in blood, *
the tongues of your dogs in the blood of your enemies.”
24 They see your procession, O God, *
your procession into the sanctuary,
my God and my Sovereign.
25 The singers go before, musicians follow after, *
in the midst of maidens playing upon the hand-drums.
26 Bless God in the congregation; *
bless the Lord, you that are of the fountain of Israel.
27 There is Benjamin, least of the tribes, at the head;
the princes of Judah in a company; *
and the princes of Zebulon and Naphtali.
28 Send forth your strength, O God; *
establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.
29 Rulers shall bring gifts to you, *
for your temple’s sake at Jerusalem.
30 Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, and the peoples, *
a herd of wild bulls with its calves.
Trample down those who lust after silver; *
scatter the peoples that delight in war.
31 Let tribute be brought out of Egypt; *
let Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God.
32 Sing to God, O dominions of the earth; *
sing praises to the Lord.
33 You ride in the heavens, the ancient heavens, O God; *
sending forth your voice, your mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God; *
whose majesty is over Israel;
whose strength is in the skies.
35 How wonderful is God in the divine sanctuary! *
The God of Israel gives strength and power to this people!
Blessed be God!

Liturgical Psalter 287


Psalm 69 Salvum me fac
1 Save me, O God, *
for the waters have risen up to my neck.
2 I am sinking in deep mire, *
and there is no firm ground for my feet.
I have come into deep waters, *
and the torrent washes over me.
3 I have grown weary with my crying;
my throat is inflamed; *
my eyes have failed from looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without a cause *
are more than the hairs of my head;
my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty. *
Must I then give back what I never stole?
5 O God, you know my foolishness, *
and my faults are not hidden from you.
6 Let not those who hope in you *
be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you *
be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel.
7 Surely, for your sake have I suffered reproach, *
and shame has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my own kindred, *
an alien to my mother’s children.
9 Zeal for your house has eaten me up; *
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
10 I humbled myself with fasting, *
but that was turned to my reproach.
11 I put on sack-cloth also, *
and became a byword among them.
12 Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, *
and the drunkards make songs about me.
13 But as for me, this is my prayer to you, *
at the time you have set, O Lord:
“In your great mercy, O God, *
answer me with your unfailing help.
14 Save me from the mire; *
do not let me sink;
let me be rescued from those who hate me *
and out of the deep waters.
15 Let not the torrent of waters wash over me,
neither let the deep swallow me up; *
do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.
16 Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind; *
in your great compassion, turn to me.”

288 Liturgical Psalter


17 “Hide not your face from your servant; *
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.
18 Draw near to me and redeem me; *
because of my enemies deliver me.
19 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonour; *
my adversaries are all in your sight.”
20 Reproach has broken my heart, *
and it cannot be healed;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none, *
for comforters, but I could find no one.
21 They gave me gall to eat, *
and when I was thirsty,
they gave me vinegar to drink.
22 Let the table before them be a trap *
and their sacred feasts a snare.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, *
and give them continual trembling in their loins.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them, *
and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
25 Let their camp be desolate, *
and let there be none to dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute those whom you have stricken *
and add to the pain of those whom you have pierced.
27 Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, *
and let them not receive your vindication.
28 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
and not be written among the righteous.
29 As for me, I am afflicted and in pain; *
your help, O God, will lift me up on high.
30 I will praise the name of God in song; *
I will proclaim your greatness with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an offering of oxen, *
more than bullocks with horns and hoofs.
32 The afflicted shall see and be glad; *
you who seek God, your heart shall live.
33 For the Lord listens to the needy *
and does not despise the prisoners.
34 Let the heavens and the earth praise the Lord, *
the seas and all that moves in them;
35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; *
they shall live there and have it in possession.
36 The children of the servants of God will inherit it, *
and those who love the name of the Lord will dwell therein.

Liturgical Psalter 289


Psalm 70 Deus, in adjutorium
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O Lord, make haste to help me.
2 Let those who seek my life be ashamed *
and altogether dismayed;
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune *
draw back and be disgraced.
3 Let those who say to me “Aha!”
and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever,
“Great is the Lord!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.
You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O Lord, do not tarry.

Psalm 71 In te, Domine, speravi


1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; *
let me never be ashamed.
2 In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *
incline your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *
you are my crag and my stronghold.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *
from the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.
5 For you are my hope, O Lord God, *
my confidence since I was young.
6 I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;
from my mother’s womb you have been my strength; *
my praise shall be always of you.
7 I have become a portent to many; *
but you are my refuge and my strength.
8 Let my mouth be full of your praise *
and your glory all the day long.
9 Do not cast me off in my old age; *
forsake me not when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies are talking against me, *
and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together.
11 They say, “Go after and seize the one whom God has forsaken; *
because there is no one who will save.”
12 O God, be not far from me; *
come quickly to help me, O my God.
13 Let those who set themselves against me

290 Liturgical Psalter


be put to shame and be disgraced; *
let those who seek to do me evil
be covered with scorn and reproach.
14 But I shall always wait in patience, *
and shall praise you more and more.
15 My mouth shall recount your mighty acts
and saving deeds all day long; *
though I cannot know the number of them.
16 I will begin with your mighty works, Lord God; *
I will recall your righteousness, yours alone.
17 O God, you have taught me since I was young, *
and to this day I tell of your wonderful works.
18 And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God,
do not forsake me, *
till I make known your strength to this generation
and your power to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens; *
you have done great things; who is like you, O God?
20 You have showed me great troubles and adversities, *
but you will restore my life
and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.
21 You strengthen me more and more; *
you enfold and comfort me,
22 Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre
for your faithfulness, O my God; *
I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, *
and so will my soul, which you have redeemed.
24 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, *
for they are ashamed and disgraced who sought to do me harm.

Psalm 72 Deus, judicium


1 Give the king your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the king’s son;
2 that he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;
3 that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
4 He shall defend the needy among the people, *
rescuing the poor and crushing the oppressor.
5 He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; *

Liturgical Psalter 291


there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
8 He shall rule from sea to sea, *
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 His foes shall bow down before him, *
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 The rulers of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the rulers of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11 All rulers shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
13 He shall have pity on the lowly and poor *
and shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15 Long may he live! *
And may there be given to him gold from Arabia;
may prayer be made for him always, *
and may they bless him all the day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain on the earth, *
growing thick even on the hilltops;
may its fruit flourish like Lebanon, *
and its grain like grass upon the earth.
17 May his name remain for ever *
and be established as long as the sun endures;
may all the nations bless themselves in him *
and call him blessed.
18 Blessed are you, Lord God, the God of Israel, *
for you alone do wondrous deeds!
19 And blessed be your glorious name for ever *
and may all the earth be filled with your glory.
Amen. Amen.

292 Liturgical Psalter


BOOK III
Psalm 73 Quam bonus Israel!
1 Truly, God is good to Israel, *
to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; *
I had almost tripped and fallen;
3 because I envied the proud *
and saw the prosperity of the wicked:
4 For they suffer no pain, *
and their bodies are sleek and sound;
5 in the misfortunes of others they have no share; *
they are not afflicted as others are;
6 therefore they wear their pride like a necklace *
and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.
7 Their iniquity comes from gross minds, *
and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.
8 They scoff and speak maliciously; *
out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens, *
and their evil speech runs through the world.
10 And so the people turn to them *
and find in them no fault.
11 They say, ”How should God know? *
Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 So then, these are the wicked; *
always at ease, they increase their wealth.
13 In vain have I kept my heart clean, *
and washed my hands in innocence.
14 I have been afflicted all day long, *
and punished every morning.
15 Had I gone on speaking this way, *
I should have betrayed the generation of your children.
16 When I tried to understand these things, *
it was too hard for me;
17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God *
and discerned the end of the wicked.
18 Surely, you set them in slippery places; *
you cast them down in ruin.
19 Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, *
come to an end, and perish from terror!
20 Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, *
when you arise you will make their image vanish.
21 When my mind became embittered, *

Liturgical Psalter 293


I was sorely wounded in my heart.
22 I was stupid and had no understanding; *
I was like a brute beast in your presence.
23 Yet I am always with you; *
you hold me by my hand.
24 You will guide me by your counsel, *
and afterwards receive me with glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? *
and having you I desire nothing upon earth.
26 Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, *
you are the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
27 Truly, those who forsake you will perish; *
you destroy all who are unfaithful.
28 But it is good for me to be near you;
I have made you, Lord God, my refuge. *
I will speak of all your works in the gates of the city of Zion.

Psalm 74 Ut quid, Deus?


1 O God, why have you utterly cast us off? *
Why is your wrath so hot against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember your congregation that you purchased long ago, *
the tribe you redeemed to be your inheritance,
and Mount Zion where you dwell.
3 Turn your steps toward the endless ruins; *
the enemy has laid waste everything in your sanctuary.
4 Your adversaries roared in your holy place; *
they set up their banners as tokens of victory.
5 They were like men coming up with axes *
to cut down a grove of trees;
6 they broke down all your carved work *
with hatchets and hammers.
7 They set fire to your holy place; *
they defiled the dwelling place of your name
and razed it to the ground.
8 They said to themselves, ”Let us destroy them altogether.” *
They burned down all the meeting-places of God in the land.
9 There are no signs for us to see; there is no prophet left; *
there is not one among us who knows how long.
10 How long, O God, will the adversary scoff? *
Will the enemy blaspheme your name for ever?
11 Why do you draw back your hand? *
Why is your mighty hand hidden in your bosom?
12 Yet you are my sovereign from ancient times, *
victorious in the midst of the earth.
13 You divided the sea by your might *

294 Liturgical Psalter


and shattered the heads of the dragons upon the waters;
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan *
and gave it to the people of the desert for food.
15 You split open spring and torrent; *
you dried up ever-flowing rivers.
16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; *
you established the moon and the sun.
17 You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; *
you made both summer and winter.
18 Remember, O Lord, how the enemy scoffed, *
how a foolish people despised your name.
19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; *
never forget the lives of your poor.
20 Look upon your covenant; *
the dark places of the earth are haunts of violence.
21 Let not the oppressed turn away ashamed; *
let the poor and needy praise your name.
22 Arise, O God, maintain your cause; *
remember how fools revile you all day long.
23 Forget not the clamour of your adversaries, *
the unending tumult of those who rise up against you.

Psalm 75 Confitebimur tibi


1 We give you thanks, O God, *
we give you thanks,
calling upon your name *
and declaring all your wonderful deeds.
2 “I will appoint a time,” says God; *
“I will judge with equity.
3 Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, *
I will make its pillars fast.
4 I will say to the boasters, ‘Boast no more,’ *
and to the wicked, “Do not toss your horns;
5 Do not toss your horns so high, *
nor speak with a proud neck.’”
6 For judgement is neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness of the mountains.
7 It is you, O God, who judges; *
you put down one and lift up another.
8 For in your hand, O Lord, there is a cup,
full of spiced and foaming wine, which you pour out, *
and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and drain the dregs.
9 But I will rejoice for ever; *
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 You shall break off all the horns of the wicked; *
but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Liturgical Psalter 295


Psalm 76 Notus in Judæa
1 In Judah are you known, O God; *
your name is great in Israel.
2 At Salem is your tabernacle, *
and your dwelling is in Zion.
3 There you broke the flashing arrows, *
the shield, the sword and the weapons of battle.
4 How glorious you are! *
More splendid than the everlasting mountains!
5 The strong of heart have been despoiled;
they sink into sleep; *
none of the warriors can lift a hand.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, *
both horse and rider lie stunned.
7 What terror you inspire! *
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgement; *
the earth was afraid and was still;
9 When you, O God, rose up to judgement *
and to save all the oppressed of the earth.
10 Truly, wrathful Edom will give you thanks, *
and the remnant of Hamath will keep your feasts.
11 Make a vow to the Lord your God and keep it; *
let all around bring gifts to the One who is worthy to be feared,
12 who breaks the spirit of princes, *
and strikes terror in the rulers of the earth.

Psalm 77 Voce mea ad Dominum


1 I will cry aloud to God; *
I will cry aloud, and God will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble *
I sought the Lord;
my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire; *
I refused to be comforted.
3 I think of God, I am restless, *
I ponder, and my spirit faints.
4 You will not let my eyelids close; *
I am troubled and I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old; *
I remember the years long past;
6 I commune with my heart in the night; *
I ponder and search my mind.
7 Will the Lord cast me off for ever *
and no longer favour me?
8 O God, has your loving-kindness come to an end for ever *

296 Liturgical Psalter


and has your promise failed for evermore?
9 Have you forgotten to be gracious *
and in anger withheld compassion?
10 And I said, ”My grief is this: *
the mighty hand of the Most High has lost its power.”
11 I will remember your works, O Lord, *
and call to mind your wonders of old time.
12 I will meditate on all your acts *
and ponder your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy; *
who is so great a god as our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders *
and have declared your power among the peoples.
15 By your strength you have redeemed your people, *
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and trembled; *
the very depths were shaken.
17 The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered; *
your arrows flashed to and fro;
18 the sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world; *
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was in the sea, and your paths in the great waters, *
yet your footsteps were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78
Part I Attendite, popule
1 Hear my teaching, O my people; *
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; *
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
3 That which we have heard and known,
and what our ancestors have told us, *
we will not hide from their children.
4 We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord, *
who has done wonderful works.
5 The Lord gave a decree to Jacob and established a law for Israel, *
commanding them to teach their children;
6 that the generations to come might know,
and the children yet unborn; *

Liturgical Psalter 297


that they in their turn might tell it to their children;
7 so that they might put their trust in God, *
and not forget those mighty deeds,
but keep the commandments;
8 and not be like their ancestors, *
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast, *
and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
9 The people of Ephraim, armed with the bow, *
turned back in the day of battle;
10 they did not keep the covenant of God, *
and refused to walk in the law;
11 they forgot what God had done, *
and the wonders God had shown them.
12 God worked marvels in the sight of their ancestors, *
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan,
13 splitting open the sea and letting them pass through, *
making the waters stand up like walls;
14 leading them with a cloud by day, *
and all the night through with the glow of fire;
15 splitting hard rocks in the wilderness, *
and giving them drink as from the great deep;
16 bringing streams out of the cliff, *
and the waters gushing out like rivers.
17 But they went on sinning against God, *
rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
18 They tested God in their hearts, *
demanding food for their craving.
19 They railed against God and said, *
“Can God set a table in the wilderness?
20 True, God struck the rock, the waters gushed out,
and the gullies overflowed; *
but is God able to give bread or to provide meat for this people?”
21 Hearing this, the Lord was full of wrath; *
a fire was kindled against Jacob,
and the divine anger mounted against Israel;
22 for they had no faith in God, *
nor did they put their trust in the saving power of God.
23 So God commanded the clouds above *
and opened the doors of heaven,
24 raining down manna upon them to eat *
and giving them grain from heaven.
25 So mortals ate the bread of angels; *
God provided for them food enough.
26 The Lord caused the east wind to blow in the heavens *

298 Liturgical Psalter


and powerfully led out the south wind,
27 raining down flesh upon them like dust *
and winged birds like the sand of the sea,
28 letting it fall in the midst of their camp *
and round about their dwellings.
29 So they ate and were well filled, *
for God gave them what they craved.
30 But they did not stop their craving, *
though the food was still in their mouths.
31 So the anger of God mounted against them; *
the Lord slew their strongest men and laid low the youth of Israel.
32 In spite of all this, they went on sinning *
and had no faith in the wonderful works of God.
33 So the Lord brought their days to an end like a breath *
and their years in sudden terror.
34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek the Lord, *
and repent and diligently search for God.
35 They would remember that God was their rock, *
and the Most High God their redeemer.
36 But they flattered God with their mouths *
and lied with their tongues.
37 Their heart was not steadfast *
nor were they faithful to the covenant.
38 But God, being merciful, forgave their sins and did not destroy them, *
holding back the divine anger
and not permitting wrath to be roused.
39 For the Lord remembered that they were but flesh, *
a breath that goes forth and does not return.
Part II Quoties exacerbaverunt
40 How often the people disobeyed God in the wilderness *
and offended in the desert!
41 Again and again they tempted God *
and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember the power of God *
in the day when the Lord ransomed them from the enemy;
43 how God wrought signs in Egypt *
and omens in the field of Zoan,
44 turning their rivers into blood, *
so that they could not drink of their streams;
45 sending swarms of flies among them, which ate them up, *
and frogs, which destroyed them; *
46 giving their crops to the caterpillar, *
the fruit of their toil to the locust;
47 killing their vines with hail *

Liturgical Psalter 299


and their sycamores with frost;
48 delivering their cattle to hailstones *
and their livestock to hot thunderbolts.
49 God poured out upon them blazing anger: *
fury, indignation and distress, a troop of destroying angels.
50 Giving full rein to anger, God did not spare their souls from death, *
but delivered their lives to the plague,
51 striking down all the firstborn of Egypt, *
the flower of youth in the dwellings of Ham.
52 God led this people like sheep *
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 The Lord led them to safety, and they were not afraid; *
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
54 God brought them to the holy land, *
the mountain the strong hand of God had won.
55 God drove out the Canaanites before them
and apportioned an inheritance to them by lot, *
making the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
56 But they tested and defied the Most High *
and did not keep the commandments.
57 They turned away and were disloyal like their ancestors; *
they were undependable like a warped bow.
58 They grieved God with their hill-altars *
and provoked displeasure with their idols.
59 Hearing this, God was angry *
and utterly rejected Israel;
60 forsaking the shrine at Shiloh, *
the tabernacle where God had lived among this people;
61 delivering the ark into captivity, *
the glory of God into the adversary’s hand;
62 giving this people to the sword *
and becoming angry against the very inheritance of God.
63 The fire consumed their young men; *
there were no wedding songs for their young women.
64 Their priests fell by the sword, *
and their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord woke as though from sleep, *
like a warrior refreshed with wine,
66 striking the enemies of God on the backside *
and putting them to perpetual shame.
67 God rejected the tent of Joseph *
and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
68 choosing instead the tribe of Judah *
and Mount Zion, beloved by God,
69 where a sanctuary was built like the heights of heaven, *

300 Liturgical Psalter


like the everlasting earth.
70 God chose David as a servant *
and took him away from the sheepfolds,
71 bringing him from following the ewes, *
to be a shepherd over Jacob God’s people
and over the inheritance of Israel.
72 So David shepherded them with a faithful and true heart *
and guided them with the skillfulness of God’s hands..

Psalm 79 Deus, venerunt


1 O God, the heathen have come into your inheritance;
they have profaned your holy temple; *
they have made Jerusalem a heap of rubble.
2 They have given the bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the air, *
and the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the field.
3 They have shed their blood like water on every side of Jerusalem, *
and there was no one to bury them.
4 We have become a reproach to our neighbours, *
an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 How long will you be angry, O Lord? *
Will your fury blaze like fire for ever?
6 Pour out your wrath upon the heathen who have not known you *
and upon the dominions that have not called upon your name.
7 For they have devoured Jacob *
and made his dwelling a ruin.
8 Remember not our past sins;
let your compassion be swift to meet us; *
for we have been brought very low.
9 Help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name; *
deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the heathen say, ”Where is their God?” *
Let it be known among the heathen and in our sight
that you avenge the shedding of your servants’ blood.
11 Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you, *
and by your great might spare those who are condemned to die.
12 May the revilings with which they reviled you, O Lord, *
return seven-fold into their bosoms.
13 For we are your people and the sheep of your pasture; *
we will give you thanks for ever
and show forth your praise from age to age.

Psalm 80 Qui regis Israel


1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

Liturgical Psalter 301


2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance,
and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbours, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance,
and we shall be saved.
8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; *
you cast out the nations and planted it.
9 You prepared the ground for it; *
it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered by its shadow *
and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.
11 You stretched out its tendrils to the sea *
and its branches to the river.
12 Why have you broken down its wall, *
so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
13 The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, *
and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
14 Turn now, O God of hosts, *
look down from heaven;
15 behold and tend this vine; *
preserve what your strong hand has planted.
16 They burn it with fire like rubbish; *
at the rebuke of your countenance let them perish.
17 Let your hand be upon the one at your side in honour, *
the one you have made so strong for yourself.
18 And so will we never turn away from you; *
give us life, that we may call upon your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance,
and we shall be saved.

Psalm 81 Exultate Deo


1 Sing with joy to God our strength *
and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song and sound the timbrel, *
the merry harp, and the lyre.

302 Liturgical Psalter


3 Blow the ram’s-horn at the new moon, *
and at the full moon, the day of our feast.
4 For this is a statute for Israel, *
a law of the God of Jacob,
5 who laid it as a solemn charge upon Joseph, *
when they came out of the land of Egypt.
6 I heard an unfamiliar voice saying, *
“I eased their shoulders from the burden;
their hands were set free from bearing the load.
7 You called on me in trouble, and I saved you; *
I answered you from the secret place of thunder
and tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8 Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: *
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you; *
you shall not worship a foreign god.
10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt and said, *
‘Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.’
11 And yet my people did not hear my voice, *
and Israel would not obey me.
12 So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, *
to follow their own devices.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me! *
That Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I should soon subdue their enemies *
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe before me, *
and their punishment would last for ever.
16 But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat *
and satisfy them with honey from the rock.”

Psalm 82 Deus stetit


1 God stands in the council of heaven *
and gives judgement in the midst of the gods:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favour to the wicked?
3 Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
4 Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5 They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 Now I say to you, ‘You are gods, *

Liturgical Psalter 303


and all of you children of the Most High;
7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.’”
8 Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.

Psalm 83 Deus, quis similis?


1 O God, do not be silent; *
do not keep still nor hold your peace, O God;
2 for your enemies are in tumult, *
and those who hate you have lifted up their heads.
3 They take secret counsel against your people *
and plot against those whom you protect.
4 They have said, ”Come, let us wipe them out from among the nations; *
let the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
5 They have conspired together; *
they have made an alliance against you:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; *
the Moabites and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; *
the Philistines and those who dwell in Tyre.
8 The Assyrians also have joined them, *
and have come to help the people of Lot.
9 Do to them as you did to Midian, *
to Sisera, and to Jabin at the river of Kishon:
10 They were destroyed at Endor; *
they became like dung upon the ground.
11 Make their leaders like Oreb and Zeëb, *
and all their commanders like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, ”Let us take for ourselves *
the fields of God as our possession.”
13 O my God, make them like whirling dust *
and like chaff before the wind;
14 Like fire that burns down a forest, *
like the flame that sets mountains ablaze.
15 Drive them with your tempest *
and terrify them with your storm;
16 Cover their faces with shame, O Lord, *
that they may seek your name.
17 Let them be disgraced and terrified for ever; *
let them be put to confusion and perish.
18 Let them know that you, whose name is Yahweh, *
you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

304 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 84 Quam dilecta!
1 How dear to me is your dwelling, *
O Lord of hosts!
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; *
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house *
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young;
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, *
my Sovereign and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
They will always be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you, *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way!
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6 They will climb from height to height, *
and you, the God of gods, will reveal yourself in Zion.
7 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
8 Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your anointed.
9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
10 For you, Lord God, are both sun and shield; *
you will give grace and glory;
11 no good thing will you withhold, O Lord, *
from those who walk with integrity.
12 O Lord of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!

Psalm 85 Benedixisti, Domine


1 You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven all the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3 You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us then, O God our Saviour; *
let your anger depart from us.
5 Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
Will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6 Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, *

Liturgical Psalter 305


and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what you, Lord God, are saying, *
for you are speaking peace to your faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to you.
9 Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you, *
that your glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Lord, you will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before you, *
and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

Psalm 86 Inclina, Domine


1 Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me, *
for I am poor and in misery.
2 Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; *
save your servant who trusts in you.
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; *
I call upon you all the day long.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, *
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, *
and great is your love toward all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, *
and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the time of my trouble I will call upon you, *
for you will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, *
nor anything like your works.
9 All nations you have made will come and worship you, O Lord, *
and glorify your name.
10 For you are great; you do wondrous things; *
and you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; *
knit my heart to you that I may fear your name.
12 I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, *
and glorify your name for evermore.
13 For great is your love toward me; *
you have delivered me from the nethermost Pit.
14 The arrogant rise up against me, O God,
and the violent seek my life; *
they have not set you before their eyes.

306 Liturgical Psalter


15 But you, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, and full of kindness and truth.
16 Turn to me and have mercy upon me; *
give your strength to your servant;
and save the child of your handmaid.
17 Show me a sign of your favour,
so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; *
because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 87 Fundamenta ejus


1 On the holy mountain *
stands the city God has founded;
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you, *
O city of our God.
4 I count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me; *
behold Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia: in Zion were they born.
5 Of Zion it shall be said, ”Everyone was born in there, *
and the Most High shall sustain it.”
6 The Lord will record as the peoples are enrolled, *
“These also were born there.”
7 The singers and the dancers will say, *
“All my fresh springs are in you.”

Psalm 88 Domine, Deus


1 O Lord, my God, my Saviour, *
by day and night I cry to you.
2 Let my prayer enter into your presence; *
incline your ear to my lamentation.
3 For I am full of trouble; *
my life is at the brink of the grave.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; *
I have become like one who has no strength;
5 lost among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, *
whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.
6 You have laid me in the depths of the Pit, *
in dark places, and in the abyss.
7 Your anger weighs upon me heavily, *
and all your great waves overwhelm me.
8 You have put my friends far from me;
you have made me to be abhorred by them; *
I am in prison and cannot get free.
9 My sight has failed me because of trouble; *
Lord, I have called upon you daily;

Liturgical Psalter 307


I have stretched out my hands to you.
10 Do you work wonders for the dead? *
Will those who have died stand up and give you thanks?
11 Will your loving-kindness be declared in the grave *
or your faithfulness in the land of destruction?
12 Will your wonders be known in the dark? *
or your righteousness in the country where all is forgotten?
13 But as for me, O Lord, I cry to you for help; *
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Lord, why have you rejected me? *
Why have you hidden your face from me?
15 Ever since my youth, I have been wretched and at the point of death; *
I have borne your terrors with a troubled mind.
16 Your blazing anger has swept over me; *
your terrors have destroyed me;
17 They surround me all day long like a flood; *
they encompass me on every side.
18 My friend and my neighbour you have put away from me, *
and darkness is my only companion.

Psalm 89
Part I Misericordias Domini
1 Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing; *
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2 For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3 “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your line for ever, *
and preserve your throne for all generations.’”
5 The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O Lord, *
and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
6 for who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? *
Who is like the Lord among the gods?
7 You are much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, *
great and terrible to all those round about you.
8 Who is like you, Lord God of hosts? *
O mighty Lord, your faithfulness is all around you.
9 You rule the raging of the sea *
and still the surging of its waves.
10 You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound; *
you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; *
you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it.

308 Liturgical Psalter


12 You have made the north and the south; *
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.
13 You have a mighty arm; *
strong and lofty is your hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne;*
love and truth go before your face.
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout! *
they walk, O Lord, in the light of your presence.
16 They rejoice daily in your name; *
they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength, *
and by your favour our might is exalted.
18 Truly, the Lord is our ruler; *
the Holy One of Israel is our sovereign.
Part II Tunc locutus es
19 You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: *
“I have set the crown upon a warrior
and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20 I have found David my servant; *
with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21 My hand will hold him fast *
and my arm will make him strong.
22 No enemy shall deceive him, *
nor any wicked one bring him down.
23 I will crush his foes before him *
and strike down those who hate him.
24 My faithfulness and love shall be with him, *
and he shall be victorious through my name.
25 I shall make his dominion extend *
from the Great Sea to the River.
26 He will say to me, ’You are my Father, *
my God, and the rock of my salvation’
27 I will make him my firstborn *
and higher than the rulers of the earth.
28 I will keep my love for him for ever, *
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29 I will establish his line for ever *
and his throne as the days of heaven.
30 If his children forsake my law *
and do not walk according to my judgements;
31 if they break my statutes *
and do not keep my commandments;
32 I will punish their transgressions with a rod *
and their iniquities with the lash;

Liturgical Psalter 309


33 but I will not take my love from him, *
nor let my faithfulness prove false.
34 I will not break my covenant, *
nor change what has gone out of my lips.
35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness: *
‘I will not lie to David.
36 His line shall endure for ever *
and his throne as the sun before me;
37 It shall stand fast for evermore like the moon, *
the abiding witness in the sky.’”
38 But you have cast off and rejected your anointed; *
you have become enraged at him.
39 You have broken your covenant with your servant, *
defiled his crown, and hurled it to the ground.
40 You have breached all his walls *
and laid his strongholds in ruins.
41 All who pass by despoil him; *
he has become the scorn of his neighbours.
42 You have exalted the strong hand of his foes *
and made all his enemies rejoice.
43 You have turned back the edge of his sword *
and have not sustained him in battle.
44 You have put an end to his splendour *
and cast his throne to the ground.
45 You have cut short the days of his youth *
and have covered him with shame.
46 How long will you hide yourself, O Lord?
Will you hide yourself for ever? *
How long will your anger burn like fire?
47 Remember, Lord, how short life is, *
how frail you have made all flesh.
48 Who can live and not see death? *
Who can save oneself from the power of the grave?
49 Where, Lord, are your loving-kindnesses of old, *
which you promised David in your faithfulness?
50 Remember, Lord, how your servant is mocked, *
how I carry in my bosom the taunts of many peoples,
51 the taunts your enemies have hurled, O Lord, *
which they hurled at the heels of your anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord for evermore! *
Amen, I say, Amen.

310 Liturgical Psalter


BOOK IV
Psalm 90 Domine, refugium
1 Lord, you have been our refuge *
from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were
born, *
from age to age you are God.
3 You turn us back to the dust and say, *
“Go back, O child of earth.”
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past *
and like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep us away like a dream; *
we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; *
in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7 For we consume away in your displeasure; *
we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
8 Our iniquities you have set before you, *
and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9 When you are angry, all our days are gone; *
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty; *
yet the sum of them is but labour and sorrow,
for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
11 Who regards the power of your wrath? *
Who rightly fears your indignation?
12 So teach us to number our days *
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord; how long will you tarry? *
Be gracious to your servants.
14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *
and the years in which we suffered adversity.
16 Show your servants your works *
and your splendour to their children.
17 May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; *
prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.

Psalm 91 Qui habitat


1 Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, *
abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 They shall say to the Lord, “You are our refuge and our stronghold, *

Liturgical Psalter 311


our God in whom we put our trust.”
3 The Lord shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter *
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 The wings of the Lord shall cover you,
and you shall find refuge under them; *
the faithfulness of God shall be a shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, *
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
6 of the plague that stalks in the darkness, *
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
7 A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your side, *
but it shall not come near you.
8 Your eyes have only to behold *
to see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
10 there shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11 For the angels of God shall have charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
14 “Because they are bound to me in love, *
therefore will I deliver them;
I will protect them, *
because they know my name.
15 They shall call upon me, *
and I will answer them;
I am with them in trouble; *
I will rescue them and bring them to honour.
16 With long life will I satisfy them, *
and show them my salvation.”

Psalm 92 Bonum est confiteri


1 It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, *
and to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning *
and of your faithfulness in the night season;
3 on the psaltery, and on the lyre, *
and to the melody of the harp.
4 For you have made me glad by your acts, O Lord; *
and I shout for joy because of the works of your hands.
5 Lord, how great are your works! *

312 Liturgical Psalter


Your thoughts are very deep.
6 The dullard does not know, *
nor does the fool understand, *
7 that though the wicked grow like weeds,
and all the workers of iniquity flourish, *
they flourish only to be destroyed for ever;
8 but you, O Lord, *
are exalted for evermore.
9 For lo, your enemies, O Lord, lo, your enemies shall perish, *
and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10 But my horn you have exalted like the horns of wild bulls; *
I am anointed with fresh oil.
11 My eyes also gloat over my enemies, *
and my ears rejoice to hear the doom of the wicked
who rise up against me.
12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, *
and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.
13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord *
shall flourish in the courts of our God;
14 they shall still bear fruit in old age; *
they shall be green and succulent;
15 that they may show how upright the Lord is, *
my rock, in whom there is no fault.

Psalm 93 Dominus regnavit


1 The Lord reigns and has put on splendid apparel;
the Lord is robed in splendour and girded with strength. *
The Lord has made the whole world so sure
that it cannot be moved;
2 ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.
3 The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted up their
voice; *
the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea, *
mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.
5 Your testimonies are very sure, *
and holiness adorns your house, O Lord,
for ever and for evermore.

Psalm 94 Deus ultionum


1 O Lord God of vengeance, *
O God of vengeance, show yourself.
2 Rise up, O Judge of the world; *

Liturgical Psalter 313


give the arrogant their just deserts.
3 How long shall the wicked, O Lord, *
how long shall the wicked triumph?
4 They bluster in their insolence; *
all evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, O Lord, *
and afflict your chosen nation.
6 They murder the widow and the stranger *
and put the orphans to death.
7 Yet they say, ”The Lord does not see, *
the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
8 Consider well, you dullards among the people; *
when will you fools understand?
9 Does the One that planted the ear not hear? *
Does the One that formed the eye not see?
10 Does the One who admonishes the nations not punish? *
Does the One who teaches all the world have no knowledge?
11 The Lord knows our human thoughts; *
how like a puff of wind they are.
12 Happy are they whom you instruct, O Lord! *
whom you teach out of your law;
13 to give them rest in evil days, *
until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For you will not abandon your people, *
nor will you forsake your own.
15 For judgement will again be just, *
and all the true of heart will follow it.
16 Who rose up for me against the wicked? *
Who took my part against the evildoers?
17 If the Lord had not come to my help, *
I should soon have dwelt in the land of silence.
18 As often as I said, ”My foot has slipped,” *
your love, O Lord, upheld me.
19 When many cares fill my mind, *
your consolations cheer my soul.
20 Can a corrupt tribunal have any part with you, *
one which frames evil into law?
21 They conspire against the life of the just *
and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But, you, O Lord, have become my stronghold, *
and my God, the rock of my trust.
23 O Lord, you will turn their wickedness back upon them
and destroy them in their own malice; *
you, the Lord our God, will destroy them.

314 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 95 Venite, exultemus
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before the presence of the Lord with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to God with psalms.
3 For you, O Lord, are a great God, *
and a great sovereign above all gods.
4 In your hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are yours also.
5 The sea is yours, for you made it, *
and your hands have moulded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For you are our God,
and we are the people of your pasture and the sheep of your hand. *
Oh, that today we would hearken to your voice!
8 “Harden not your hearts, as your forebears did in the wilderness, *
at Meribah, and on that day at Massah, when they tempted me.
9 They put me to the test, *
though they had seen my works.
10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *
‘This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways.’
11 So I swore in my wrath, *
‘They shall not enter into my rest.’”

Psalm 96 Cantate Domino


1 Sing to the Lord a new song; *
sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
2 Sing to the Lord and bless the divine name; *
proclaim the good news of our salvation from day to day.
3 Declare the glory of the Lord among the nations *
and the wonders of God among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, *
more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is you, O Lord, who made the heavens.
6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of your presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendour of your sanctuary!
7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the Lord honour and power.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due the divine name; *
bring offerings and come into the courts of the Lord.
9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before God.

Liturgical Psalter 315


10 Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord reigns! *
The Lord who made the world so firm that it cannot be moved
will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the Lord who is coming, *
who is coming to judge the earth.
13 The Lord will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with truth.

Psalm 97 Dominus regnavit


1 The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; *
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about you, O Lord; *
righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne.
3 A fire goes before you *
and burns up your enemies on every side.
4 Your lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare your righteousness, *
and all the peoples see your glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false
gods! *
Bow down before the Lord, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgements, O Lord.
9 For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil, *
preserving the lives of the saints
and delivering them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, *
and give thanks to the holy name of the Lord.

Psalm 98 Cantate Domino


1 Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things, *
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
2 O Lord, you have made known the victory; *

316 Liturgical Psalter


you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
3 You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
4 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice and sing.
5 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before our sovereign, the Lord.
7 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
who is coming to judge the earth.
9 In righteousness shall God judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 99 Dominus regnavit


1 The Lord reigns; *
let the people tremble;
the Lord is enthroned upon the Cherubim; *
let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion *
and is high above all peoples.
3 Let them confess your name, which is great and awesome; *
you are the Holy One.
4 “O mighty Sovereign, lover of justice, you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”
5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and fall down before the footstool of God; *
the Lord is the Holy One.
6 Moses and Aaron among your priests, *
and Samuel among those who call upon your name,
they called upon you, O Lord, *
and you answered them.
7 You spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept your testimonies and the decree that you gave them.
8 “O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.”
9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and worship upon the holy hill of God; *
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.

Liturgical Psalter 317


Psalm 100 Jubilate Deo
1 Be joyful in the Lord, *
all you lands;
2 serve the Lord with gladness
and come into the divine presence with a song.
3 Know this: the Lord, the Lord, is God; *
the One made us and to whom we belong;
we are God’s people, the sheep of God’s pasture.
4 Enter the gates of the Lord with thanksgiving;
go into these courts with praise; *
give thanks to God and call upon the name of the Lord.
5 For the Lord is good, whose steadfast love is everlasting; *
and whose faithfulness endures from age to age.

Psalm 101 Misericordiam et judicium


1 I will sing of mercy and justice; *
to you, O Lord, will I sing praises.
2 I will strive to follow a blameless course;
oh, when will you come to me? *
I will walk with sincerity of heart within my house.
3 I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; *
I hate the doers of evil deeds; they shall not remain with me.
4 A crooked heart shall be far from me; *
I will not know evil.
5 Those who in secret slander their neighbours I will destroy; *
those who have a haughty look and a proud heart I cannot abide.
6 My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me, *
and only those who lead a blameless life shall be my servants.
7 Those who act deceitfully shall not dwell in my house, *
and those who tell lies shall not continue in my sight.
8 I will soon destroy all the wicked in the land, *
that I may root out all evildoers from the city of the Lord.

Psalm 102 Domine, exaudi


1 Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come before you; *
hide not your face from me in the day of my trouble.
2 Incline your ear to me; *
when I call, make haste to answer me,
3 For my days drift away like smoke, *
and my bones are hot as burning coals.
4 My heart is smitten like grass and withered, *
so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of the voice of my groaning *
I am but skin and bones.
6 I have become like a vulture in the wilderness, *

318 Liturgical Psalter


like an owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake and groan; *
I am like a sparrow, lonely on a house-top.
8 My enemies revile me all day long, *
and those who scoff at me have taken an oath against me.
9 For I have eaten ashes for bread *
and mingled my drink with weeping.
10 Because of your indignation and wrath *
you have lifted me up and thrown me away.
11 My days pass away like a shadow, *
and I wither like the grass.
12 But you, O Lord, endure for ever, *
and your name from age to age.
13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to have mercy upon her; *
indeed, the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants love her very rubble, *
and are moved to pity even for her dust.
15 The nations shall fear your name, O Lord, *
and all the rulers of the earth your glory.
16 For you, O Lord, will build up Zion, *
and your glory will appear.
17 You will look with favour on the prayer of the homeless; *
you will not despise their plea.
18 Let this be written for a future generation, *
so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord.
19 For you, O Lord, looked down from your holy place on high; *
from the heavens you beheld the earth;
20 that you might hear the groan of the captive *
and set free those condemned to die;
21 so that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, *
and your praise in Jerusalem;
22 when the peoples are gathered together, *
and the nations also, to serve the Lord.
23 You have brought down my strength before my time; *
you have shortened the number of my days;
24 And I said, ”O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days; *
your years endure throughout all generations.
25 In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, *
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
26 They shall perish, but you will endure;
they all shall wear out like a garment; *
as clothing you will change them,
and they shall be changed;
27 But you are always the same, *

Liturgical Psalter 319


and your years will never end.
28 The children of your servants shall continue, *
and their offspring shall stand fast in your sight”.

Psalm 103 Benedic, anima mea


1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, *
and forget not all the benefits of the Lord.
3 The Lord forgives all your sins *
and heals all your infirmities;
4 redeeming your life from the grave *
and crowning you with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 satisfying you with good things, *
and renewing your youth like an eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness *
and judgement for all who are oppressed.
7 O Lord, you made your ways known to Moses *
and your works to the children of Israel.
8 You are full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 You will not always accuse us, *
nor will you keep your anger for ever.
10 You have not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is your mercy great upon those who fear you.
12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far have you removed our sins from us.
13 As parents care for their children, *
so do you, O Lord, care for those who fear you.
14 For you yourself know whereof we are made; *
you remember that we are but dust.
15 Our days are like the grass; *
we flourish like a flower of the field;
16 when the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17 But your merciful goodness endures for ever on those who fear you, *
and your righteousness on children’s children;
18 on those who keep the covenant *
and remember the commandments and do them.
19 The Lord is enthroned in heaven, *
and has dominion over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who do the bidding of God, *

320 Liturgical Psalter


and hearken to the voice of the word of the Lord.
21 Bless the Lord, all you hosts, *
you ministers who do the will of God.
22 Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
in all places of the dominion of the Lord; *
bless the Lord, O my soul.

Psalm 104 Benedic, anima mea


1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; *
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
You are clothed with majesty and splendour.
2 You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak *
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.
3 You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above; *
you make the clouds your chariot;
you ride on the wings of the wind.
4 You make the winds your messengers *
and flames of fire your servants.
5 You have set the earth upon its foundations, *
so that it never shall move at any time.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a mantle; *
the waters stood higher than the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
8 They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath, *
to the places you had appointed for them.
9 You set the limits that they should not pass; *
they shall not again cover the earth.
10 You send the springs into the valleys; *
they flow between the mountains.
11 All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, *
and the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the air make their nests *
and sing among the branches.
13 You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; *
the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works.
14 You make grass grow for flocks and herds *
and plants to serve human beings
that they may bring forth food from the earth, *
15 wine to gladden our hearts, oil to make a cheerful countenance, *
and bread to strengthen the heart.
16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap, *
the cedars of Lebanon which you planted,
17 in which the birds build their nests, *
and in whose tops the stork makes its dwelling.

Liturgical Psalter 321


18 The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats, *
and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.
19 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows the time of its setting.
20 You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar after their prey *
and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they slip away *
and lay themselves down in their dens.
23 Mortals goes forth to their work *
and to their labour until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are your works! *
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.
26 There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.
27 All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season.
28 You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand,
and they are filled with good things.
29 You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
30 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.
31 May your glory, O Lord, endure for ever; *
may you rejoice in all your works;
32 you look at the earth and it trembles; *
you touch the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.
34 May these words of mine please you; *
I will rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth,
and the wicked be no more. *
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Hallelujah!

322 Liturgical Psalter


Psalm 105
Part I Confitemini Domino
1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon the divine name; *
make known the deeds of the Lord among the peoples.
2 Sing to the Lord, sing praises, *
and speak of all the marvellous works of the Lord.
3 Glory in the holy name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Search for the strength of the Lord; *
continually seek the face of God.
5 Remember the marvels the Lord has done, *
the wonders and the judgements of the mouth of the Lord,
6 O offspring of Abraham the servant of God, *
O children of Jacob the chosen of the Lord.
7 The Lord is our God, *
whose judgements prevail in all the world,
8 who has always been mindful of the covenant, *
the promise made for a thousand generations:
9 the covenant made with Abraham, *
the oath sworn to Isaac,
10 established as a statute for Jacob, *
an everlasting covenant for Israel,
11 saying, ”To you will I give the land of Canaan *
to be your allotted inheritance.”
12 When they were few in number, *
of little account, and sojourners in the land,
13 wandering from nation to nation *
and from one kingdom to another,
14 The Lord let no one oppress them *
and rebuked rulers for their sake,
15 saying, ”Do not touch my anointed *
and do my prophets no harm.”
16 Then God called for a famine in the land *
and destroyed the supply of bread.
17 The Lord sent a man before them, *
Joseph, who was sold as a slave
18 They bruised his feet in fetters; *
his neck they put in an iron collar.
19 Until his prediction came to pass, *
the word of the Lord tested him.
20 The king sent and released him; *
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
21 He set him as master over his household, *
as a ruler over all his possessions,

Liturgical Psalter 323


22 to instruct his princes according to his will *
and to teach his elders wisdom.
Part II Et intravit Israel
23 Israel came into Egypt, *
and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.
24 The Lord made this people exceedingly fruitful; *
making them stronger than their enemies;
25 whose heart God turned, so that they hated this people, *
and dealt unjustly with the servants of God.
26 O Lord, you sent Moses your servant, *
and Aaron whom you had chosen.
27 They worked your signs among them, *
and portents in the land of Ham.
28 You sent darkness, and it grew dark; *
but the Egyptians rebelled against your words.
29 You turned their waters into blood *
and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land was overrun by frogs, *
in the very chambers of their kings.
31 You spoke, and there came swarms of insects *
and gnats within all their borders.
32 You gave them hailstones instead of rain, *
and flames of fire throughout their land.
33 You blasted their vines and their fig trees *
and shattered every tree in their country.
34 You spoke, and the locust came, *
and young locusts without number,
35 which ate up all the green plants in their land *
and devoured the fruit of their soil.
36 You struck down the firstborn of their land, *
the first fruits of all their strength.
37 You led out your people with silver and gold; *
in all their tribes there was not one that stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad of their going, *
because they were afraid of them.
39 You spread out a cloud for a covering *
and a fire to give light in the night season.
40 They asked, and quails appeared, *
and you satisfied them with bread from heaven.
41 You opened the rock, and water flowed, *
so the river ran in the dry places.
42 For you, O God, remembered your holy word *
and Abraham your servant.
43 So you led forth your people with gladness, *

324 Liturgical Psalter


your chosen with shouts of joy.
44 You gave your people the lands of the nations, *
and they took the fruit of others’ toil,
45 that they might keep your statutes *
and observe your laws. Hallelujah!

Psalm 106
Part I Confitemini Domino
1 Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord who is good, *
whose mercy endures for ever.
2 Who can declare your mighty acts, O Lord, *
or show forth all your praise?
3 Happy are those who act with justice *
and always do what is right!
4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour you have for your people, *
and visit me with your saving help;
5 that I may see the prosperity of your elect
and be glad with the gladness of your people, *
that I may glory with your inheritance.
6 We have sinned as our ancestors did; *
we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.
7 In Egypt they did not consider your marvellous works,
nor remember the abundance of your love; *
they defied the Most High at the Red Sea.
8 But you saved them for your name’s sake, *
to make your power known.
9 You rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up, *
and you led them through the deep as through a desert.
10 You saved them from the hand of those who hated them *
and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 The waters covered their oppressors; *
not one of them was left.
12 Then they believed your words *
and sang you songs of praise.
13 But they soon forgot your deeds *
and did not wait for your counsel.
14 A craving seized them in the wilderness, *
and they put you to the test in the desert.
15 You gave them what they asked, *
but sent leanness into their soul.
16 They envied Moses in the camp, *
and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord.
17 The earth opened and swallowed Dathan *
and covered the company of Abiram.

Liturgical Psalter 325


18 Fire blazed up against their company, *
and flames devoured the wicked.
Part II Et fecerunt vitulium
19 Israel made a bull-calf at Horeb *
and worshipped a molten image;
20 and so they exchanged their Glory *
for the image of an ox that feeds on grass.
21 They forgot you, their saviour, *
who had done great things in Egypt,
22 wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, *
and fearful things at the Red Sea.
23 So you would have destroyed them,
had not Moses your chosen stood before you in the breach, *
to turn away your wrath from consuming them.
24 They refused the pleasant land *
and would not believe your promise.
25 They grumbled in their tents *
and would not listen to the voice of the Lord.
26 So you lifted your hand against them, *
to overthrow them in the wilderness,
27 to cast out their seed among the nations, *
and to scatter them throughout the lands.
28 They joined themselves to Baal-Peor *
and ate sacrifices offered to the dead.
29 They provoked you to anger with their actions, *
and a plague broke out among them.
30 Then Phinehas stood up and interceded, *
and the plague came to an end.
31 This was reckoned to him as righteousness *
throughout all generations for ever.
32 Again they provoked your anger at the waters of Meribah, *
so that you punished Moses because of them;
33 for they so embittered his spirit *
that he spoke rash words with his lips.
34 They did not destroy the peoples *
as the Lord had commanded them.
35 They intermingled with the heathen *
and learned their pagan ways,
36 So that they worshipped their idols, *
which became a snare to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons *
and their daughters to evil spirits.
38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, *
which they offered to the idols of Canaan,

326 Liturgical Psalter


and the land was defiled with blood.
39 Thus they were polluted by their actions *
and went whoring in their evil deeds.
40 Therefore your wrath was kindled against your people *
and you abhorred your inheritance.
41 You gave them over to the hand of the heathen, *
and those who hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies oppressed them, *
and they were humbled under their hand.
43 Many a time did you deliver them,
but they rebelled through their own devices, *
and were brought down in their iniquity.
44 Nevertheless, you saw their distress, *
when you heard their lamentation.
45 You remembered your covenant with them *
and relented in accordance with your great mercy.
46 You caused them to be pitied *
by those who held them captive.
47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, *
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting and to everlasting; *
and let all the people say, ”Amen!”
Hallelujah!

Liturgical Psalter 327


BOOK V
Psalm 107
Part I Confitemini Domino
1 Give thanks to the Lord who is good, *
and whose mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that God redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 The Lord gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes; *
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
5 They were hungry and thirsty; *
their spirits languished within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
who delivered them from their distress.
7 The Lord put their feet on a straight path *
to go to a city where they might dwell.
8 Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
9 For you satisfy the thirsty *
and fill the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *
bound fast in misery and iron;
11 because they rebelled against the words of God *
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So you humbled their spirits with hard labour; *
they stumbled, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried to you in their trouble, *
and you delivered them from their distress.
14 You led them out of darkness and deep gloom *
and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
16 For you shatter the doors of bronze *
and break in two the iron bars.
17 Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.
18 They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death’s door.
19 Then they cried to you, O Lord, in their trouble, *
and you delivered them from their distress.

328 Liturgical Psalter


20 You sent forth your word and healed them *
and saved them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
22 Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of your acts with shouts of joy.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
24 They beheld your works, O Lord, *
and your wonders in the deep.
25 Then you spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and you delivered them from their distress.
29 You stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
30 Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and you brought them to the harbour they were bound for.
31 Let them give thanks to you, O Lord, for your mercy *
and the wonders you do for your children.
32 Let them exalt you in the congregation of the people *
and praise you in the council of the elders.
Part II Posuit flumina
33 The Lord changed rivers into deserts, *
and water-springs into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into salt flats, *
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35 The Lord changed deserts into pools of water *
and dry land into water-springs,
36 settling the hungry there, *
and they founded a city to dwell in.
37 They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *
and brought in a fruitful harvest.
38 The Lord blessed them, so that they increased greatly; *
and did not let their herds decrease.
39 Yet when they were diminished and brought low, *
through stress of adversity and sorrow,
40 (You pour contempt on princes *
and make them wander in trackless wastes)
41 The Lord lifted up the poor out of misery *

Liturgical Psalter 329


and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.
42 The upright will see this and rejoice, *
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *
and consider well the mercies of the Lord.

Psalm 108 Paratum cor meum


1 My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *
I will sing and make melody.
2 Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will waken the dawn.
3 I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; *
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5 Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.
6 So that those who are dear to you may be delivered, *
save with your strong hand and answer me.
7 You spoke from your heavenly dwelling and said, *
“I will exult and parcel out Shechem;
I will divide the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; *
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my sceptre.
9 Moab is my washbasin; on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, *
and over Philistia will I shout in triumph.”
10 Who will lead me into the strong city? *
Who will bring me into Edom?
11 Have you not cast us off, O God? *
You no longer go out, O God, with our armies.
12 Grant us your help against the enemy, *
for vain is the help of mortals.
13 With you we will do valiant deeds, *
and you shall tread our enemies under foot.

Psalm 109 Deus, laudem


1 Hold not your tongue, *
O God of my praise.
2 For the mouth of the wicked, the mouth of the deceitful,
is opened against me; *
they speak to me with a lying tongue.
3 They encompass me with hateful words *
and fight against me without a cause.
4 Despite my love, they accuse me; *
but as for me, I pray for them.

330 Liturgical Psalter


5 They repay evil for good, *
and hatred for my love.
6 Set the wicked against them, *
and let an accuser stand at their side.
7 When they are judged, let them be found guilty, *
and let their appeal be in vain.
8 Let their days be few, *
and let another take their office.
9 Let their children be orphaned, *
and their spouses widowed.
10 Let their children be waifs and beggars; *
let them be driven from the ruins of their homes.
11 Let creditors seize everything they have; *
let strangers plunder their gains.
12 Let there be no one to show their kindness, *
and none to pity their orphaned children.
13 Let their descendants be destroyed, *
and their name be blotted out in the next generation.
14 Let the wickedness of their ancestors
be remembered before the Lord, *
and their mothers’ sin not be blotted out;
15 Let their sin be always before the Lord; *
but let their names be rooted out from the earth;
16 because they did not remember to show mercy, *
but persecuted the poor and needy
and sought to kill the brokenhearted.
17 They loved cursing, let it come upon them; *
they took no delight in blessing,
let it depart from them.
18 They put on cursing like a garment, *
let it soak into their bodies like water
and into their bones like oil;
19 Let it be to them like the cloak
which they wrap around themselves, *
and like the belt that they wear continually.
20 Let this be the recompense from the Lord to my accusers, *
and to those who speak evil against me.
21 But you, O Lord my God, oh, deal with me according to your name; *
for your tender mercy’s sake, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, *
and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I have faded away like a shadow when it lengthens; *
I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting, *
and my flesh is wasted and gaunt.

Liturgical Psalter 331


25 I have become a reproach to them; *
they see and shake their heads.
26 Help me, O Lord my God; *
save me for your mercy’s sake.
27 Let them know that this is your hand, *
that you, O Lord, have done it.
28 They may curse, but you will bless; *
let those who rise up against me be put to shame,
and your servant will rejoice.
29 Let my accusers be clothed with disgrace *
and wrap themselves in their shame as in a cloak.
30 I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth; *
in the midst of the multitude will I praise God;
31 because the Lord stands at the side of the needy, *
to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Psalm 110 Dixit Dominus


1 The Lord said to my lord, ”Sit at my side in honour, *
until I make your enemies your footstool”
2 The Lord will send the sceptre of your power out of Zion, *
saying, ”Rule over your enemies round about you.
3 Royal state has been yours from the day of your birth, *
in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you,
like dew from the womb of the morning.”
4 The Lord has sworn and will not recant: *
”You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord who is at your side will smite rulers in the day of wrath; *
and will rule over the nations.
6 The Lord will heap high the corpses, *
smashing heads over the wide earth.
7 The king will drink from the brook beside the road, *
therefore he will lift high his head.

Psalm 111 Confitebor tibi


1 Hallelujah!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, *
in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the deeds of the Lord! *
They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 O Lord, your work is full of majesty and splendour, *
and your righteousness endures for ever.
4 You make your marvellous works to be remembered; *
you are gracious and full of compassion.
5 You give food to those who fear you; *
you are ever mindful of your covenant.

332 Liturgical Psalter


6 You have shown your people the power of your works *
in giving them the lands of the nations.
7 The works of your hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all your commandments are sure.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *
because they are done in truth and equity.
9 You send redemption to your people;
you commanded your covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is your name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
the praise of the Lord endures for ever.

Psalm 112 Beatus vir


1 Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in the divine commandments!
2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
5 It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.
6 For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7 They will not be afraid of any evil rumours; *
their heart is right; they put their trust in the Lord.
8 Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.
9 They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honour.
10 The wicked will see it and be angry;
they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *
the desires of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 113 Laudate, pueri


1 Hallelujah!
Give praise, you servants of the Lord; *
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Let the name of the Lord be blessed, *
from this time forth for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down *

Liturgical Psalter 333


let the name of the Lord be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, *
and is glorious above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God, *
who sits enthroned on high,
6 but stoops to behold *
the heavens and the earth?
7 The Lord takes up the weak out of the dust *
and lifts up the poor from the ashes.
8 The Lord sets them with the rulers, *
with the rulers of this people,
9 making the woman of a childless house *
to be a joyful mother of children.

Psalm 114 In exitu Israel


1 Hallelujah!
When Israel came out of Egypt, *
the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech,
2 Judah became the sanctuary of the Lord *
and Israel the dominion of God.
3 The sea beheld it and fled; *
Jordan turned and went back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, *
and the little hills like young sheep.
5 What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? *
O Jordan, that you turned back?
6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams? *
You little hills like young sheep?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turned the hard rock into a pool of water *
and flint-stone into a flowing spring.

Psalm 115 Non nobis, Domine


1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory; *
because of your love and because of your faithfulness.
2 Why should the heathen say, *
”Where then is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven; *
whatever God wills to do comes to pass.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, *
the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *
eyes have they, but they cannot see;
6 they have ears, but they cannot hear; *

334 Liturgical Psalter


noses, but they cannot smell;
7 they have hands, but they cannot feel;
feet, but they cannot walk; *
they make no sound with their throat.
8 Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord, *
who is your help and your shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; *
who is your help and your shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; *
who is your help and your shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us and will bless us; *
blessing the house of Israel and the house of Aaron;
13 those who fear the Lord will be blessed, *
both small and great together.
14 May the Lord increase you more and more, *
you and your children after you.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heaven of heavens is the Lord’s, *
but the Lord entrusted the earth to its peoples.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord, *
nor all those who go down into silence;
18 But we will bless the Lord, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 116 Dilexi, quoniam


1 I love the Lord *
who has heard the voice of my supplication,
2 who has listened to me *
whenever I called.
3 The cords of death entangled me;
the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.
4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: *
“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”
5 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *
our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord watches over the innocent; *
I was brought very low, and the Lord helped me.
7 Turn again to your rest, O my soul, *
for the Lord has treated you well.
8 For you, O Lord, have rescued my life from death, *

Liturgical Psalter 335


my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
9 I will walk in the presence of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
10 I believed, even when I said, *
”I have been brought very low.”
11 In my distress I said, *
”No one can be trusted.”
12 How shall I repay you, O Lord, *
for all the good things you have done for me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation *
and call upon your name.
14 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all the people.
15 Precious in your sight, O Lord *
is the death of your servants.
16 O Lord, I am your servant; *
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me from my bonds.
17 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and call upon the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord *
in the presence of all the people of God.
19 In the courts of the house of the Lord, *
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 117 Laudate Dominum


1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; *
laud the Lord, all you peoples.
2 For the loving-kindness of the Lord toward us is great, *
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 118 Confitemini Domino


1 Give thanks to the Lord who is good; *
the mercy of the Lord endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now proclaim, *
”The mercy of the Lord endures for ever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron now proclaim, *
” The mercy of the Lord endures for ever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord now proclaim, *
” The mercy of the Lord endures for ever.”
5 I called to the Lord in my distress; *
who answered by setting me free.
6 The Lord is at my side, therefore I will not fear; *

336 Liturgical Psalter


what can anyone do to me?
7 The Lord is at my side to help me; *
I will triumph over those who hate me.
8 It is better to rely on the Lord *
than to put any trust in flesh.
9 It is better to rely on the Lord *
than to put any trust in rulers.
10 All the ungodly encompass me; *
in the name of the Lord I will repel them.
11 They hem me in, they hem me in on every side; *
in the name of the Lord I will repel them.
12 They swarm about me like bees;
they blaze like a fire of thorns; *
in the name of the Lord I will repel them.
13 I was pressed so hard that I almost fell, *
but the Lord came to my help.
14 The Lord is my strength and my song, *
and has become my salvation.
15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:
16 ”The mighty hand of the Lord has triumphed! *
the mighty hand of the Lord is exalted!
the mighty hand of the Lord has triumphed!”
17 I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me sorely, *
but did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the Lord.
20 ”This is the gate of the Lord; *
those who are righteous may enter.”
21 I will give thanks to the Lord who answered me *
and has become my salvation.
22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing, *
and it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! *
Lord, send us now success.
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord and has shined upon us; *

Liturgical Psalter 337


form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.
28 ”You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you.”
29 Give thanks to the Lord who is good; *
the mercy of the Lord endures for ever.

Psalm 119
Aleph Beati immaculati
1 Happy are they whose way is blameless, *
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Happy are they who observe your decrees *
and seek you with all their hearts;
3 who never do any wrong, *
but always walk in your ways.
4 You laid down your commandments, *
that we should fully keep them.
5 Oh, that my ways were made so direct *
that I might keep your statutes!
6 Then I should not be put to shame, *
when I regard all your commandments.
7 I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, *
when I have learned your righteous judgements.
8 I will keep your statutes; *
do not utterly forsake me.
Beth In quo corrigit?
9 How shall the young cleanse their way? *
By keeping to your words.
10 With my whole heart I seek you; *
let me not stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your promise in my heart, *
that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord; *
instruct me in your statutes.
13 With my lips will I recite *
all the judgements of your mouth.
14 I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees *
than in all manner of riches.
15 I will meditate on your commandments *
and give attention to your ways.
16 My delight is in your statutes; *
I will not forget your word.
Gimel Retribue servo tuo
17Deal bountifully with your servant, *

338 Liturgical Psalter


that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see *
the wonders of your law.
19 I am a stranger here on earth; *
do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed at all times *
with longing for your judgements.
21 You have rebuked the insolent; *
cursed are they who stray from your commandments!
22 Turn from me shame and rebuke, *
for I have kept your decrees.
23 Even though rulers sit and plot against me, *
I will meditate on your statutes.
24 For your decrees are my delight, *
and they are my counsellors.
Daleth Adhæsit pavimento
25 My soul cleaves to the dust; *
give me life according to your word.
26 I have confessed my ways, and you answered me; *
instruct me in your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of your commandments, *
that I may meditate on your marvellous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow; *
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Take from me the way of lying; *
let me find grace through your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; *
I have set your judgements before me.
31 I hold fast to your decrees; *
O Lord, let me not be put to shame.
32 I will run the way of your commandments, *
for you have set my heart at liberty.
He Legem pone
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
I shall keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for that is my desire.
36 Incline my heart to your decrees *
and not to unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *
give me life in your ways.
38 Fulfil your promise to your servant, *

Liturgical Psalter 339


which you make to those who fear you.
39 Turn away the reproach which I dread, *
because your judgements are good.
40 Behold, I long for your commandments; *
in your righteousness preserve my life.
Waw Et veniat super me
41 Let your loving-kindness come to me, O Lord, *
and your salvation, according to your promise.
42 Then shall I have a word for those who taunt me, *
because I trust in your words.
43 Do not take the word of truth out of my mouth, *
for my hope is in your judgements.
44 I shall continue to keep your law; *
I shall keep it for ever and ever.
45 I will walk at liberty, *
because I study your commandments.
46 I will tell of your decrees before kings *
and will not be ashamed.
47 I delight in your commandments, *
which I have always loved.
48 I will lift up my hands to your commandments, *
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Zayin Memor esto verbi tui
49 Remember your word to your servant, *
because you have given me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my trouble, *
that your promise gives me life.
51 The proud have derided me cruelly, *
but I have not turned from your law.
52 When I remember your judgements of old, *
O Lord, I take great comfort.
53 I am filled with a burning rage, *
because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been like songs to me
wherever I have lived as a stranger.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, *
and dwell upon your law.
56 This is how it has been with me, *
because I have kept your commandments.
Heth Portio mea, Domine
57You only are my portion, O Lord; *
I have promised to keep your words.
58 I entreat you with all my heart, *
be merciful to me according to your promise.

340 Liturgical Psalter


59 I have considered my ways *
and turned my feet toward your decrees.
60 I hasten and do not tarry *
to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, *
I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, *
because of your righteous judgements.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you *
and of those who keep your commandments.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your love; *
instruct me in your statutes.
Teth Bonitatem fecisti
65 O Lord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *
according to your word.
66 Teach me discernment and knowledge, *
for I have believed in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, *
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and you bring forth good; *
instruct me in your statutes.
69 The proud have smeared me with lies, *
but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is gross and fat, *
but my delight is in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is dearer to me *
than thousands in gold and silver.
Yodh Manus tuæ fecerunt me
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; *
give me understanding,
that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, *
because I trust in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your judgements are right *
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your loving-kindness be my comfort *
as you have promised to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me, that I may live, *
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the arrogant be put to shame,
for they wrong me with lies; *
but I will meditate on your commandments.

Liturgical Psalter 341


79 Let those who fear you turn to me, *
and also those who know your decrees.
80 Let my heart be sound in your statutes, *
that I may not be put to shame.
Kaph Deficit in salutare
81 My soul has longed for your salvation; *
I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes have failed from watching for your promise, *
and I say, ”When will you comfort me?”
83 I have become like a leather flask in the smoke, *
but I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How much longer must I wait? *
When will you give judgement
against those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me; *
they do not keep your law.
86 All your commandments are true; *
help me, for they persecute me with lies.
87 They had almost made an end of me on earth, *
but I have not forsaken your commandments.
88 In your loving-kindness, revive me, *
that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.
Lamedh In æternum, Domine
89 O Lord, your word is everlasting; *
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; *
you established the earth, and it abides.
91 By your decree these continue to this day, *
for all things are your servants.
92 If my delight had not been in your law, *
I should have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your commandments, *
because by them you give me life.
94 I am yours; oh, that you would save me, *
for I study your commandments!
95 Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, *
I will apply my mind to your decrees.
96 I see that all things come to an end, *
but your commandment has no bounds.
Mem Quomodo dilexi!
97 Oh, how I love your law! *
All the day long it is in my mind.
98 Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
and it is always with me.

342 Liturgical Psalter


99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
for your decrees are my study.
100 I am wiser than the elders, *
because I observe your commandments.
101 I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
that I may keep your word.
102 I do not shrink from your judgements, *
because you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste! *
They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104 Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
therefore I hate every lying way.
Nun Lucerna pedibus meis
105 Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.
106 I have sworn and am determined *
to keep your righteous judgements.
107 I am deeply troubled; *
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, *
and teach me your judgements.
109 My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, *
but I have not strayed from your commandments.
111 Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *
truly, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have applied my heart to fulfil your statutes *
for ever and to the end.
Samekh Iniquos odio habui
113 I hate those who have a divided heart, *
but your law do I love.
114 You are my refuge and shield; *
my hope is in your word.
115 Away from me, you wicked! *
I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, *
and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, *
and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
118 You spurn all who stray from your statutes; *
their deceitfulness is in vain.
119 In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross; *
therefore I love your decrees.

Liturgical Psalter 343


120 My flesh trembles with dread of you; *
I am afraid of your judgements.
Ayin Feci judicium
121 I have done what is just and right; *
do not deliver me to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for your servant’s good; *
let not the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes have failed from watching for your salvation *
and for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your loving-kindness *
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; grant me understanding, *
that I may know your decrees.
126 It is time for you to act, O Lord, *
for they have broken your law.
127 Truly, I love your commandments *
more than gold and precious stones.
128 I hold all your commandments to be right for me; *
all paths of falsehood I abhor.
Pe Mirabilia
129 Your decrees are wonderful; *
therefore I obey them with all my heart.
130 When your word goes forth it gives light; *
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant; *
I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me in mercy, *
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Steady my footsteps in your word; *
let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Rescue me from those who oppress me, *
and I will keep your commandments.
135 Let your countenance shine upon your servant *
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears, *
because people do not keep your law.
Sadhe Justus es, Domine
137 You are righteous, O Lord, *
and upright are your judgements.
138 You have issued your decrees *
with justice and in perfect faithfulness.
139 My indignation has consumed me, *
because my enemies forget your words.

344 Liturgical Psalter


140 Your word has been tested to the uttermost, *
and your servant holds it dear.
141 I am small and of little account, *
yet I do not forget your commandments.
142 Your justice is an everlasting justice *
and your law is the truth.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, *
yet your commandments are my delight.
144 The righteousness of your decrees is everlasting; *
grant me understanding, that I may live.
Qoph Clamavi in toto, corde meo
145 I call with my whole heart; *
answer me, O Lord, that I may keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; oh, that you would save me! *
I will keep your decrees.
147 Early in the morning I cry out to you, *
for in your word is my trust.
148 My eyes are open in the night watches, *
that I may meditate upon your promise.
149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness; *
according to your judgements, give me life.
150 They draw near who in malice persecute me; *
they are very far from your law.
151 You, O Lord, are near at hand, *
and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your decrees *
that you have established them for ever.
Resh Vide humilitatem
153 Behold my affliction and deliver me, *
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me; *
according to your promise, give me life.
155 Deliverance is far from the wicked, *
for they do not study your statutes.
156 Great is your compassion, O Lord; *
preserve my life, according to your judgements.
157 There are many who persecute and oppress me, *
yet I have not swerved from your decrees.
158 I look with loathing at the faithless, *
for they have not kept your word.
159 See how I love your commandments! *
O Lord, in your mercy, preserve me.
160 The heart of your word is truth; *
all your righteous judgements endure for evermore.

Liturgical Psalter 345


Shin Principes persecuti sunt
161 Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, *
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162 I am as glad because of your promise *
as one who finds great spoils.
163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *
but your law is my love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise you, *
because of your righteous judgements.
165 Great peace have they who love your law; *
for them there is no stumbling block.
166 I have hoped for your salvation, O Lord, *
and I have fulfilled your commandments.
167 I have kept your decrees *
and I have loved them deeply.
168 I have kept your commandments and decrees, *
for all my ways are before you.
Taw Appropinquet deprecatio
169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; *
give me understanding, according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you; *
deliver me, according to your promise.
171 My lips shall pour forth your praise, *
when you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue shall sing of your promise, *
for all your commandments are righteous.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, *
for I have chosen your commandments.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, *
and your law is my delight.
175 Let me live, and I will praise you, *
and let your judgements help me.
176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; *
search for your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 120 Ad Dominum


1 When I was in trouble, I called to the Lord; *
I called to the Lord who answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips *
and from the deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *
O you deceitful tongue?
4 The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *

346 Liturgical Psalter


along with hot glowing coals.
5 How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *
and dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had to live *
among the enemies of peace.
7 I am on the side of peace, *
but when I speak of it, they are for war.

Psalm 121 Levavi oculos


1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 The Lord will not let your foot be moved *
and the One who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, the One who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord, the Lord, watches over you; *
the Lord is your shade at your side,
6 so that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil *
and shall keep you safe.
8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.

Psalm 122 Lætatus sum


1 I was glad when they said to me, *
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself.
4 To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the name of the Lord.
5 For there are the thrones of judgement, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8 For my kindred and companions’ sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.

Liturgical Psalter 347


9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, *
I will seek to do you good.”

Psalm 123 Ad te levavi oculos meos


1 To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, *
so our eyes look to you, O Lord our God,
until you show us your mercy.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
4 too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.

Psalm 124 Nisi quia Dominus


1 If the Lord had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
2 if the Lord had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
3 then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
4 then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
5 then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
6 Blessed be the Lord *
who has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 125 Qui confidunt


1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem; *
so does the Lord stand round about this people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The sceptre of the wicked shall not hold sway
over the land allotted to the just, *
so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.
4 Show your goodness, O Lord, to those who are good *
and to those who are true of heart.
5 As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,

348 Liturgical Psalter


the Lord will lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 126 In convertendo


1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations, *
”The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.
5 Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Psalm 127 Nisi Dominus


1 Unless the Lord builds the house, *
their labour is in vain who build it.
2 Unless the Lord watches over the city, *
in vain the sentinels keep their vigil.
It is in vain that we rise so early and go to bed so late; *
vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,
for you, O Lord, give to your beloved sleep.
3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, *
and the fruit of the womb is a gift.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior *
are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy are they whose quiver is full of them! *
They shall not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128 Beati omnes


1 Happy are they all who fear the Lord, *
and who follow in the ways of God!
2 You shall eat the fruit of your labour; *
happiness and prosperity shall be yours.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, *
your children like olive shoots round about your table.
4 The one who fears the Lord *
shall thus indeed be blessed.
5 The Lord bless you from Zion, *

Liturgical Psalter 349


and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children; *
may peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 129 Sæpe expugnaverunt


1 ”Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth,” *
let Israel now say;
2 ”Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth, *
but they have not prevailed against me.”
3 The farmers plowed upon my back *
and made their furrows long.
4 The Lord, the Righteous One, *
has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them be put to shame and thrown back, *
all those who are enemies of Zion.
6 Let them be like grass upon the housetops, *
which withers before it can be plucked;
7 which does not fill the hand of the reaper, *
nor the bosom of the one who binds the sheaves;
8 so that those who go by say not so much as, ”The Lord prosper you. *
We wish you well in the name of the Lord.”

Psalm 130 De profundis


1 Out of the depths *
have I called you, O Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
3 If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who could stand?
4 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
5 I wait for you, O Lord; my soul waits for you; *
in your word is my hope.
6 My soul waits for you, O Lord, *
more than sentinels for the morning,
more than sentinels for the morning.
7 O Israel, wait for the Lord, *
for with the Lord there is mercy;
8 with whom there is plenteous redemption, *
and who shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

Psalm 131 Domine, non est


1 O Lord, I am not proud; *
I have no haughty looks.
I do not occupy myself with great matters, *
or with things that are too hard for me.

350 Liturgical Psalter


2 But I still my soul and make it quiet,
like a child upon its mother’s breast; *
my soul is quieted within me.
3 O Israel, wait upon the Lord, *
from this time forth for evermore.

Psalm 132 Memento, Domine


1 Lord, remember David, *
and all the hardships he endured.
2 How he swore an oath to the Lord *
and vowed a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob.
3 “I will not come under the roof of my house, *
nor climb up into my bed;
4 I will not allow my eyes to sleep, *
nor let my eyelids slumber;
5 until I find a place for the Lord, *
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
6 “The Ark! We heard it was in Ephratah; *
we found it in the fields of Jearim.
7 Let us go to the dwelling place of the Lord; *
let us fall upon our knees before the footstool of the Lord.”
8 Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place, *
you and the ark of your strength.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; *
let your faithful people sing with joy.
10 For your servant David’s sake, *
do not turn away the face of your anointed.
11 You, O Lord, have sworn an oath to David;
in truth, you will not break it: *
“A son, the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne.
12 If your children keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them, *
their children will sit upon your throne for evermore.”
13 For you, O Lord, have chosen Zion, *
and have desired it for your habitation:
14 “This shall be my resting-place for ever; *
here will I dwell, for I delight in it.
15 I will surely bless its provisions, *
and satisfy its poor with bread.
16 I will clothe its priests with salvation, *
and its faithful people will rejoice and sing.
17 There will I make the horn of David flourish; *
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 As for his enemies, I will clothe them with shame; *
but as for him, his crown will shine.”

Liturgical Psalter 351


Psalm 133 Ecce, quam bonum
1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like fine oil upon the head that runs down upon the beard, *
upon the beard of Aaron,
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the hills of Zion. *
For there the Lord has ordained the blessing:
life for evermore.

Psalm 134 Ecce nunc


1 Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, *
you that stand by night in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the holy place *
and bless the Lord;
3 the Lord who made heaven and earth *
bless you out of Zion.

Psalm 135 Laudate nomen


1 Hallelujah!
Praise the name of the Lord; *
give praise, you servants of the Lord,
2 you who stand in the house of the Lord, *
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; *
sing praises to the name of the Lord,
for it is lovely.
4 For you, O Lord, have chosen Jacob *
and Israel as a possession.
5 For I know that you, O Lord, are great, *
and that you are above all gods.
6 O Lord, you do whatever pleases you *
in the seas and all the deeps.
7 You, O Lord, bring up rain clouds from the ends of the earth; *
sending out lightning with the rain,
and bringing the winds out of the storehouse of heaven.
8 It was you, O Lord, who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
the firstborn both of mortal and beast.
9 The Lord sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, *
against Pharaoh and all his servants,
10 overthrowing many nations *
and putting mighty rulers to death:
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, the king of Bashan, *
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 The Lord gave their land to be an inheritance, *

352 Liturgical Psalter


an inheritance for the people of Israel.
13 O Lord, your name is everlasting; *
your renown endures from age to age.
14 For you give your people justice *
and show compassion to your servants.
15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, *
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they cannot speak; *
eyes have they, but they cannot see.
17 They have ears, but they cannot hear; *
neither is there any breath in their mouth.
18 Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.
19 Bless the Lord, O house of Israel; *
O house of Aaron, bless the Lord.
20 Bless the Lord, O house of Levi; *
you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
21 Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, *
who dwells in Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 136 Confitemini


1 Give thanks to the Lord who is good, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
4 who only does great wonders, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
5 who by divine wisdom made the heavens, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
7 who created great lights, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
8 the sun to rule the day, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
9 the moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
10 who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
11 and brought out Israel from among them, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
12 with a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *

Liturgical Psalter 353


for the mercy of God endures for ever;
13 who divided the Red Sea in two, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
14 and made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
16 who led this people through the wilderness, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
17 who struck down great kings, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
18 and slew mighty kings, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
20 and Og, the king of Bashan, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
21 and gave away their lands for an inheritance, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
22 an inheritance for Israel God’s servant, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
23 who remembered us in our low estate, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
24 and delivered us from our enemies, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever;
25 who gives food to all creatures, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, *
for the mercy of God endures for ever.

Psalm 137 Super flumina


1 By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, *
when we remembered you, O Zion.
2 As for our harps, we hung them up *
on the trees in the midst of that land.
3 For those who led us away captive asked us for a song,
and our oppressors called for mirth: *
”Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song *
upon an alien soil?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, *
let my strong hand forget its skill.
6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you, *
if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.

354 Liturgical Psalter


7 Remember the day of Jerusalem, O Lord,
against the people of Edom, *
who said, ”Down with it! Down with it!
Even to the ground!”
8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, *
happy the one who pays you back for what you have done to us!
9 Happy shall be the one who takes your little ones, *
and dashes them against the rock!

Psalm 138 Confitebor tibi


1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;
for you have glorified your name *
and your word above all things.
3 When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
4 All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O Lord, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
5 They will sing of the ways of the Lord, *
that great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though you are high, you care for the lowly; *
you perceive the haughty from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your mighty hand shall save me.
8 O Lord, you will make good your purpose for me; *
your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 139 Domine, probasti


1 Lord, you have searched me out *
and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; *
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
5 You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
7 Where can I go then from your Spirit? *

Liturgical Psalter 355


Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
9 If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand will lead me *
and your mighty hand hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *
and the light around me turn to night.”
12 Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; *
darkness and light to you are both alike.
13 For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will thank you because I am marvellously made; *
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
15 My body was not hidden from you, *
while I was being made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; *
all of them were written in your book;
they were fashioned day by day, *
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I were to count them, *
they would be more in number than the sand;
to count them all, *
my life span would need to be like yours.
19 Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *
You that thirst for blood, depart from me.
20 They speak despitefully against you; *
your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? *
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with a perfect hatred; *
they have become my own enemies.
23 Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *
try me and know my restless thoughts.
24 Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *
and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

Psalm 140 Eripe me, Domine


1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers; *
protect me from the violent,
2 who devise evil in their hearts *

356 Liturgical Psalter


and stir up strife all day long.
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; *
adder’s poison is under their lips.
4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; *
protect me from the violent, who are determined to trip me up.
5 The proud have hidden a snare for me and stretched out a net of cords; *
they have set traps for me along the path.
6 I have said to the Lord, ”You are my God; *
listen, O Lord, to my supplication.”
7 O Lord God, the strength of my salvation, *
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant the desires of the wicked, O Lord, *
nor let their evil plans prosper.
9 Let not those who surround me lift up their heads; *
let the evil of their lips overwhelm them.
10 Let hot burning coals fall upon them; *
let them be cast into the mire,
never to rise up again.
11 A slanderer shall not be established on the earth, *
and evil shall hunt down the lawless.
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor *
and render justice to the needy.
13 Surely, the righteous will give thanks to your name, *
and the upright shall continue in your sight.

Psalm 141 Domine, clamavi


1 O Lord, I call to you;
come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
2 Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, *
and guard the door of my lips.
4 Let not my heart incline to any evil thing. *
Let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers,
nor eat of their choice foods.
5 Let the righteous smite me in friendly rebuke;
let not the oil of the unrighteous anoint my head; *
for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
6 Let their rulers be overthrown in stony places, *
that they may know my words are true.
7 As when a farmer turns over the earth in furrows, *
let their bones be scattered at the mouth of the grave.
8 But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God; *
in you I take refuge; do not strip me of my life.

Liturgical Psalter 357


9 Protect me from the snare which they have laid for me *
and from the traps of the evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, *
while I myself escape.

Psalm 142 Voce mea ad Dominum


1 I cry to the Lord with my voice; *
to you I make loud supplication.
2 I pour out my complaint before you *
and tell you all my trouble.
3 When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path; *
in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
4 I look to my side and find no one who knows me; *
I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.
5 I cry out to you, O Lord; *
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Listen to my cry for help, *
for I have been brought very low;
save me from those who pursue me, *
for they are too strong for me.
7 Bring me out of prison, *
that I may give thanks to your name;
when you have dealt bountifully with me, *
the righteous will gather around me.

Psalm 143 Domine exaudi


1 Lord, hear my prayer,
and in your faithfulness heed my supplications; *
answer me in your righteousness.
2 Enter not into judgement with your servant, *
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
3 For my enemies have sought my life;
they have crushed me to the ground; *
they have made me live in dark places
like those who are long dead.
4 My spirit faints within me; *
my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the time past;
I muse upon all your deeds; *
I consider the works of your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to you; *
my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.
7 O Lord, make haste to answer me; *
my spirit fails me;

358 Liturgical Psalter


do not hide your face from me *
or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
8 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, *
for I put my trust in you;
show me the road that I must walk, *
for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, *
for I flee to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; *
let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake; *
for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.
12 Of your goodness, destroy my enemies
and bring all my foes to naught, *
for truly I am your servant.

Psalm 144 Benedictus Dominus


1 Blessed be the Lord my rock, *
who trains my hand to fight and my fingers to battle;
2 my help and my fortress, *
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield in whom I trust, *
who subdues the peoples under me.
3 O Lord, what are we that you should care for us? *
Mere mortals that you should think of us?
4 We are like a puff of wind; *
our days are like a passing shadow.
5 Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down; *
touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Hurl the lightning and scatter them; *
shoot out your arrows and rout them.
7 Stretch out your hand from on high; *
rescue me and deliver me from the great waters,
from the hand of foreign peoples,
8 for their mouths speak deceitfully *
and their hand is raised in falsehood.
9 O God, I will sing to you a new song; *
I will play to you on a ten-stringed lyre.
10 You give victory to rulers *
and have rescued David your servant.
11 Rescue me from the hurtful sword *
and deliver me from the hand of foreign peoples,
for their mouths speak deceitfully *
and they raise their hand in falsehood.
12 May our sons be like plants well nurtured from their youth, *

Liturgical Psalter 359


and our daughters like sculptured corners of a palace.
13 May our barns be filled to overflowing with all manner of crops; *
may the flocks in our pastures increase by thousands and tens of
thousands;
may our cattle be fat and sleek.
14 May there be no breaching of the walls, no going into exile, *
no wailing in the public squares.
15 Happy are the people of whom this is so! *
Happy are the people for whom God is the Lord!

Psalm 145 Exaltabo te, Deus


1 I will exalt you, O God my sovereign, *
and bless your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless you *
and praise your name for ever and ever.
3 Great are you, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; *
there is no end to your greatness.
4 One generation shall praise your works to another *
and shall declare your power.
5 I will ponder the glorious splendour of your majesty *
and all your marvellous works.
6 They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *
and I will tell of your greatness.
7 They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *
they shall sing of your righteous deeds.
8 O Lord, you are gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 You are loving to everyone *
and your compassion is over all your works.
10 All your works praise you, O Lord, *
and your faithful servants bless you.
11 They make known the glory of your dominion *
and speak of your power;
12 so that the peoples may know of your power *
and the glorious splendour of your dominion.
13 Your sovereignty is an everlasting one; *
your dominion endures throughout all ages.
Lord, you are faithful in all your words *
and merciful in all your deeds.
14 You uphold all those who fall *
and lift up those who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.
17 You are righteous in all your ways *

360 Liturgical Psalter


and loving in all your works.
18 You are near to those who call upon you, *
to all who call upon you faithfully.
19 You fulfil the desire of those who fear you, *
you hear their cry and help them.
20 You preserve all those who love you, *
but you destroy all the wicked.
21 My mouth shall speak your praise, O Lord; *
let all flesh bless your holy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 146 Lauda, anima mea


1 Hallelujah! *
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
4 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
5 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
For their hope is in the Lord their God,
6 who made heaven and earth, the seas,
and all that is in them; *
who keeps promises for ever;
7 who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
food to those who hunger
and sets the prisoners free.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind! *
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down
and loves the righteous.
9 The Lord cares for the stranger *
and sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 147 Laudate Dominum


1 Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
How pleasant it is to honour God with praise!
2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem *
and gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 The Lord heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4 The Lord counts the number of stars *

Liturgical Psalter 361


and calls them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to the wisdom of God.
6 The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8 The Lord covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth,
making grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve humankind.
9 The Lord provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
10 The Lord is not impressed by the might of a horse *
and has no pleasure in human strength,
11 but finds pleasure in those who fear God, *
in those who await the gracious favour of the Lord.
12 Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion,
13 who has strengthened the bars of your gates, *
who has blessed your children within you.
14 For the Lord has established peace on your borders *
and satisfies you with the finest wheat.
15 The Lord sends out a command to the earth, *
and this word runs very swiftly.
16 The Lord gives snow like wool *
and scatters hoarfrost like ashes
17 and hail like bread-crumbs; *
who can stand against such cold?
18 The Lord sends forth the word and melts them, *
blowing with the wind and the waters flow.
19 The Lord declares the word to Jacob, *
statutes and judgements to Israel.
20 The Lord has not done so to any other nation; *
to them these judgements have not been revealed.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 148 Laudate Dominum


1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; *
praise God in the heights.
2 Praise the Lord all you angels; *
sing praises, all you heavenly host.
3 Praise the Lord, sun and moon; *
sing praises, all you shining stars.

362 Liturgical Psalter


4 Praise the Lord, heaven of heavens, *
sing praises, you waters above the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord; *
who gave the command and they were created,
6 who made them stand fast for ever and ever, *
who gave them a law which shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, *
you sea-monsters and all deeps;
8 fire and hail, snow and fog, *
tempestuous wind, doing God’s will;
9 mountains and all hills, *
fruit trees and all cedars;
10 wild beasts and all cattle, *
creeping things and wingèd birds;
11 sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, *
princes and all rulers of the world;
12 young men and young women, *
old and young together.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, *
whose name only is exalted,
whose splendour is over earth and heaven.
14 The Lord has raised up strength for this people *
and praise for all loyal servants,
the children of Israel, *
a people who are near to the Lord.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 149 Cantate Domino


1 Hallelujah!
Sing to the Lord a new song; *
sing the praises of God in the congregation of the faithful.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their maker; *
let the children of Zion be joyful in their sovereign.
3 Let them praise the name of the Lord in the dance; *
let them sing praise to God with timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in this people *
and adorns the poor with victory.
5 Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *
let them be joyful on their beds.
6 Let the praises of God be in their throat *
and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7 to wreak vengeance on the nations *
and punishment on the peoples;
8 to bind their rulers in chains *
and their nobles with links of iron;

Liturgical Psalter 363


9 to inflict on them the judgement decreed; *
this is glory for all God’s faithful people.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 150 Laudate Dominum


1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord in the holy temple; *
praise God in the firmament of divine power.
2 Praise the Lord for mighty acts; *
praise God for excellent greatness.
3 Praise the Lord with the blast of the ram’s-horn; *
praise God with lyre and harp.
4 Praise the Lord with timbrel and dance; *
praise God with strings and pipe.
5 Praise the Lord with resounding cymbals; *
praise God with loud-clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath *
praise the Lord.
Hallelujah!

364 Liturgical Psalter


Acknowledgements

Materials from other sources have been reproduced here with permission
of the copyright holders. Any further reproduction, including for
congregational reprint, requires permission from those publishers.
Liturgical texts not noted in the Specific Citations and Sources below
are from authorized liturgical texts of The Anglican Church of Canada,
notably The Book of Alternative Services and Supplementary Eucharistic
Prayers, Services of The Word, and Night Prayer, © 1985 and © 2001
respectively. These do not require additional permissions for reprint use
within The Anglican Church of Canada.
Celebrating Common Prayer © 1992 The European Province of the Society
of Saint Francis. Used by permission.
Common Worship © 2000 The Archbishops’ Council. Reproduced with
permission. All rights reserved. copyright@churchofengland.org.
Enriching Our Worship © 1998 The Church Pension Fund. Used by
permission. Church Publishing Incorporated, 445 Fifth Avenue, New
York, NY 10016.
Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America and published by Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. P.O.
Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440. www.augsburgfortress.org/copyrights.
Praying Together © 1988 English Language Liturgical Consultation.
www.englishtexts.org. Used by permission.
Revised Common Lectionary Prayers © 2002 The Consultation on Common
Texts. Published by Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Used and
adapted by permission.
Songs for the Holy One by Thomas Barnett and Donald Patriquin.
Woodlake Books, 2004. Words © The Estate of Thomas Barnett, used by
permission.

Specific Citations and Sources

Texts commonly used across all services


Responsory “Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . . .” from
Common Worship Daily Prayer, 291
Responsory “ . . .Source of all being, eternal Word . . .” from Celebrating
Common Prayer, frontispiece alt.
Responsory “ . . .the holy and undivided Trinity” from Enriching Our
Worship I, 20 alt.

Acknowledgements 365
“Glory to the holy and undivided Trinity . . .” from Enriching Our Worship
I, 20 alt.
“Apostles’ Creed,” “Song of Mary,” and “Song of Zechariah” from
Praying Together, English Language Liturgical Consultation.
Rubrics for additional intercessions from Common Worship: Daily Prayer,
364 alt.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 204 alt.

Penitential Rites
“Confession I” from Enriching Our Worship I, 19 alt.
“Absolution” from Common Worship, 135 alt.

Morning Prayer for Advent


Introductory responses and opening prayer from Common Worship: Daily
Prayer, 198 alt.
“Glory to the holy . . .” from Enriching Our Worship I, 20 alt.
Responsory “Now it is time” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 201.
“Song of the Wilderness” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 200 alt.
“A Song of Baruch” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 601 alt.
Collects for Week of Reign of Christ and four Sundays in Advent from
Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 218 alt., 28 alt., 30 alt., 33 alt., 34 alt.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 204 alt.
Concluding Sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 204 alt.

Evening Prayer for Advent


Thanksgiving, opening collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 205 alt.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 198, 201, 209 alt.
“Song of the Spirit” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 208 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 377 alt.
Collects for Week of Reign of Christ and four Sundays in Advent from
Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 218 alt., 28 alt., 30 alt., 33 alt., 34 alt.
Concluding Sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 204 alt.

Morning Prayer for Christmas


Second option, introductory responses, and opening collect from Common
Worship: Daily Prayer, 214.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 217 alt.
“Song of Hannah” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 217 alt.
“A Song of God’s Chosen One” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 577 alt.
Collects for Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the First and Second Sundays
after Christmas from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 38 alt., 39
alt., 42 alt., 46 alt.
Concluding Sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 219 alt.

366 Acknowledgements
Evening Prayer for Christmas
Thanksgiving collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 220.
“A Song of God’s Love” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 626 alt.
“A Song of the Holy City” from New Revised Standard Version of the
Bible, alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 378 alt.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 378 alt.

Morning Prayer for Epiphany


Second option, introductory responses, and opening collect from Common
Worship: Daily Prayer, 226 alt.
The Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 229 alt.
“A Song of the New Jerusalem” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 228 alt.
“A Song of the Covenant” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 582.
Collects for Week of Epiphany through Presentation from Revised
Common Lectionary Prayers, 52, 55, 50, 222.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 219 alt.

Evening Prayer for Epiphany


Thanksgiving collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 232.
Third option, Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 235 alt.
“A Song of Praise” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 234 alt.
“A Song of Christ’s Appearing” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 621 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 390 alt.

Morning Prayer for Lent


Second option, introductory responses, and opening collect from Common
Worship: Daily Prayer, 238.
“The Song of Manasseh” from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 303.
“A Song of Humility” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 592 alt.
Collects for Lent from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 76 alt.
Concluding Sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 243.

Evening Prayer for Lent


Thanksgiving collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 244.
“A Song of Christ the Servant” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 246 alt.
“A Song of Repentance” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 625.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 380 alt.

Morning Prayer for Passiontide


Second option, introductory responses, and opening collect from Common
Worship: Daily Prayer, 250.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 252 alt.
“A Song of Jonah” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 593.
“The Prayer of Habakkuk” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 594 alt.

Acknowledgements 367
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 381 alt.
Collects for Lent 5, Palm/Passion Sunday to Easter Vigil from Revised
Common Lectionary Prayers, 87 alt., 91, 89.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 256 alt.

Evening Prayer for Passiontide


Thanksgiving collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 257 alt.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 252.
“The Song of Christ’s Glory” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 259.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 259.

Morning Prayer for Easter


Second option, introductory responses, and opening collect from Common
Worship: Daily Prayer, 263.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 266.
“The Song of Moses and Miriam” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 265 alt.
“A Song of the New Creation” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 583 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 382 alt.
Collects for Easter from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 106 alt., 115,
116, 118 alt., 120, 122.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 268.

Evening Prayer for Easter


Thanksgiving collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 269 alt.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 266.
“A Song of Faith” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 271 alt.
“A Song of God’s Children” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 615 alt.

Morning Prayer for Pentecost


Second option, introductory responses, and opening collect from Common
Worship: Daily Prayer, 278 alt.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 281 alt.
“A Song of Ezekiel” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 280.
“A Song of Judith” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 597 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 383 alt.
Collects for Ascension through Trinity Sunday from Revised Common
Lectionary Prayers, 124 alt., 125, 126, 139 alt.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 268.

Evening Prayer for Pentecost


Thanksgiving collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 284 alt.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 287 alt.
“A Song of God’s Grace” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 618 alt.
“A Song of Redemption” Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 620 alt.

368 Acknowledgements
Morning Prayer for All Saints
Second option, introductory responses, and opening collect from Common
Worship: Daily Prayer, 291.
“A Song of the New Creation” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 583 alt.
“A Song of Wisdom” Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 599 alt.
Collects for the Week of All Saints through Week of Reign of Christ from
Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 226, 211 alt., 214, 218.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 296.

Evening Prayer for All Saints


Thanksgiving collect from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 297 alt.
“A Song of the Blessed” from New Revised Standard Version of the Bible
(Matthew 5:3–12).
“A Song of God’s Assembled” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 299 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 384 alt.

Ordinary Time

Morning Prayer for Sunday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 263.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20, 21.
Invitatory Psalm 95 from Barnett and Patriquin, Songs for the Holy One.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 117 alt.
“A Song of David” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 116 alt.
Collect at end of Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 119.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 268.

Evening Prayer for Sunday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 263.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship, 20, 21.
“O Gladsome Light, O Grace” from “Phos hilaron” trans. by Robert
Seymour Bridges (1844–1930) © Oxford University Press.
Responsory from Common Worship, 122 alt.
“A Song of the Lamb” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 121 alt.
“A Song of the Heavenly City” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 632 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 397 alt.
Collect I from The Book of Common Prayer, 123 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 124.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 268.

Morning Prayer for Monday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 278 alt.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship, 20 with
Psalm 104:31 from The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 845.

Acknowledgements 369
Invitatory Psalm 24 from Barnett and Patriquin, Songs for the Holy One.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 128 alt.
“A Song of Deliverance” Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 127 alt.
“A Song of Ezekiel” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 591.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 130.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 283.

Evening Prayer for Monday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 284 alt.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship, 20 with
Psalm 104:31 from The Book of Alternative Services, 845.
“O Gracious Light, O Grace” from “Phos hilaron,” para. by F. Bland
Tucker (1895–1984) © 1985 The Church Pension Fund. Used with
permission.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 128 alt.
“A Song of God’s Grace” Common Worship, 133.
“A Song of God’s Children” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 615 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 397 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 136 alt.

Morning Prayer for Tuesday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 198.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20.
Invitatory Psalm 63:1–8 from Barnett and Patriquin, Songs for the Holy One.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 140 alt.
“A Song of Peace” from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 303.
“A Song of God’s Chosen One” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 577.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 142 alt.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 204 alt.

Evening Prayer for Tuesday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 205 alt.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20.
“Light of the World, in grace and beauty” from “Phos hilaron” para.
© Paul Gibson (1932–2022), used by permission.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 140 alt.
“A Song of the Holy City” from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 315 alt.
“A Song of the Lamb” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 630 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 398 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 147.

Morning Prayer for Wednesday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 214.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship, 20 and The Book of
Alternative Services (1985), 48.

370 Acknowledgements
Invitatory Psalm 145:1–10 from Barnett and Patriquin, Songs for the Holy
One, alt.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer (2005), 152 alt.
“A Song of the Lord’s Anointed” from Common Praise: Daily Prayer, 586 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 119.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 219 alt.

Evening Prayer for Wednesday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 205 alt.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship, 20, and The Book of
Alternative Services, 48.
“O Light, Whose Splendour Thrills” from “Phos hilaron” para. by Carl P.
Daw Jr (1944–) © 1989 Hope Publishing, used by permission.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 152 alt.
“A Song of Praise” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 627 alt.
“A Song of Christ’s Glory” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 619.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 398.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 160.

Morning Prayer for Thursday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 226.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20.
Invitatory Psalm 67 from Barnett and Patriquin, Songs for the Holy One (2004).
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 164 alt.
“A Song of the Covenant” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 163.
“A Song of Tobit” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 596 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 166 alt.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 231 alt.

Evening Prayer for Thursday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 226.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20.
“Christ Mighty Saviour” from “Phos hilaron” rev. by Anne K. LeCroy
(1930) © The Church Pension Fund, 1982.
Responsory Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 164 alt.
“Great and Wonderful” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 169 alt.
“A Song of Christ’s Appearing” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 621 alt.
Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 399 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 172 alt.

Morning Prayer for Friday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 238.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20.
Invitatory Psalm 51:1–12 from Barnett and Patriquin, Songs for the Holy
One alt.

Acknowledgements 371
Responsory Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 152 alt.
“A Song of Humility” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 175 alt.
“A Song of the Word of the Lord” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer,
584 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 178.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 243.

Evening Prayer for Friday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 238.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20.
“O Laughing Light, First-Born of Creation” from “Phos hilaron”
para. by Sylvia Dunstan (1955–1993) © 1991 GIA Publications Inc.
Reproduced for non-commercial, personal use by permission of GIA
Publications, Inc. Any further reproduction requires permission
from the publisher. For congregational reprint licensing, contact
ONE LICENSE: www.onelicense.net.
Responsory Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 152 alt.
“A Song of the Justified” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 181 alt.
“A Song of Faith” Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 623 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 399 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 184.

Morning Prayer for Saturday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 291 alt.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20, 21.
Invitatory Psalm 100 from Barnett and Patriquin, Songs for the Holy One.
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 188 alt.
“A Song of Jerusalem Our Mother” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 187.
“A Song of Pilgrimage” Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 600.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 190.
Concluding sentence from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 296 alt.

Evening Prayer for Saturday


Introductory response II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 291 alt.
Introductory response III from Enriching Our Worship 1, 20.
“Now from the Altar of My Heart” by John Mason (1645–1694).
Responsory from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 188 alt.
“A Song of the Blessed” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 606 alt.
“A Song of God’s Love” from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 193 alt.
The Litany from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 369 alt.
Collect II from Common Worship: Daily Prayer, 196.
All texts used by permission. Any errors or omissions are not intentional.

372 Acknowledgements

You might also like