Oremus for Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Daniel in the Lions’ Den, James Northcote, 1818

Antiphon 1


Ant. Ask, you will receive;
seek, and you shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened to you;
for all who ask, receive,
he who seeks, finds,
and to him who knocks it shall be opened, alleluia.
V. In you, O Lord, I take refuge. *
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free; *
incline your ear to me, and speedily rescue me. Luke 11; Psalm 31

Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music: https://tinyurl.com/mb6h9xfa

O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Alleluia, alleluia!

HYMN: Johann Jakob Schütz, trans. Frances Elizabeth Cox
Tune: Mit Freuden zart https://tinyurl.com/34kbkhs4

1 Sing praise to God who reigns above, 
the God of all creation, 
the God of power, the God of love, 
the God of our salvation. 
With healing balm my soul is filled 
and every faithless murmur stilled: 
To God all praise and glory.

2 The Lord is never far away, 
but through all grief distressing, 
an ever present help and stay, 
our peace and joy and blessing. 
As with a mother’s tender hand, 
God gently leads the chosen band: 
To God all praise and glory.

3 Thus all my toilsome way along, 
I sing aloud thy praises, 
that earth may hear the grateful song 
my voice unwearied raises. 
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, 
both soul and body bear your part: 
To God all praise and glory.

4 Let all who name Christ’s holy name 
give God all praise and glory; 
let all who own his power proclaim 
aloud the wondrous story! 
Cast each false idol from its throne, 
for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone: 
To God all praise and glory.

PSALMS

Psalm 69 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybbl2s4j)
1  Save me, O God *
 for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.
2  I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is *
 I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3  I am weary of crying; my throat is dry *
 my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.
4  They that hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs of my head *
 they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5  I paid them the things that I never took *
 God, thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
6  Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts,
be ashamed for my cause *
 let not those that seek thee be confounded through me,
O Lord God of Israel.
7  And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof *
 shame hath covered my face.
8  I am become a stranger unto my brethren *
 even an alien unto my mother’s children.
9  For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me *
 and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10  I wept, and chastened myself with fasting *
 and that was turned to my reproof.
11  I put on sackcloth also *
 and they jested upon me.
12  They that sit in the gate speak against me *
 and the drunkards make songs upon me.
13  But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee *
 in an acceptable time.
14  Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy *
 even in the truth of thy salvation.
15  Take me out of the mire, that I sink not *
 O let me be delivered from them that hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
16  Let not the water-flood drown me,
neither let the deep swallow me up *
 and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
17  Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable *
 turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.
18  And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble *
 O haste thee, and hear me.
19  Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it *
 O deliver me, because of mine enemies.
20  Thou hast known my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour *
 mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
21  Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness *
 I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man,
neither found I any to comfort me.
22  They gave me gall to eat *
 and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23  Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal *
 and let the things that should have been for their wealth
be unto them an occasion of falling.
24  Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not *
 and ever bow thou down their backs.
25  Pour out thine indignation upon them *
 and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
26  Let their habitation be void *
 and no man to dwell in their tents.
27  For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten *
 and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.
28  Let them fall from one wickedness to another *
 and not come into thy righteousness.
29  Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
 and not be written among the righteous.
30  As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness *
 thy help, O God, shall lift me up.
31  I will praise the Name of God with a song *
 and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32  This also shall please the Lord *
 better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
33  The humble shall consider this, and be glad *
 seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.
34  For the Lord heareth the poor *
 and despiseth not his prisoners.
35  Let heaven and earth praise him *
 the sea, and all that moveth therein.
36  For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah *
 that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.
37  The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it *
 and they that love his Name shall dwell therein.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 69 (Karl Kohlhase: https://tinyurl.com/avzank29)
Save me, O God,
rising waters have reached my soul.
I sink in the mire, without a foothold;
deep waters like an overwhelming flood.
I am weary with my crying, and my throat is parched;
my eyes fail while I wait for my God.
Those who hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs on my head;
They are strong who would destroy me, attacking me with their lies
What I did not steal, must I now restore?
O God, you know my folly, my wrongs I cannot hide.
May those who wait for you not be ashamed
through me, O Lord GOD of hosts;
May those who seek you not be dismayed
through me, O God of Israel,
For you I bear reproach;
dishonor covers my face;
estranged to my brothers,
foreign to my mother’s sons.
For zeal for your house has consumed me,
the reproaches aimed at you fall on me.
When I fast and weep,
I am dishonored;
when I wear sackcloth
I become like a byword.
In the city gate they sit and talk about me;
I’ve become the mocking song of the drunkards.
But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD,
in the time of your favor;
O God, in the greatness of your love,
answer me with your saving truth.
Deliver from the mire, do not let me sink;
save me from my foes and deep waters.
May the flood not sweep over me
Nor the deep swallow me whole,
Nor the pit shut its mouth upon me.
O save me, save me, save me; O save me, save me, save me
Answer me, O LORD, for your love is good;
in the depths of your compassion turn to me
Do not hide your face from your servant,
see my distress and quickly answer me.
Draw near to my soul and redeem me;
and ransom me from my enemies!
You know my reproach, my shame and dishonor;
all my enemies are set before You.
Reproach breaks my heart and I am sickened;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
and for comforters, but I found no one;
they give me gall for my food
and vinegar for my thirst
Let their table become a snare to them;
and their welfare become their own trap.
May their eyes grow dim
so that they cannot see;
may their loins always fail them
Pour on them your indignation and fierce anger;
may their camp be barren,
no one dwelling in their tents.
For they persecute him whom you have smitten,
and they relish the pain of your wounded.
Add guilt to their guilt,
who miss your righteousness.
May they be blotted from the book of life
I am afflicted and in pain, O God;
may your salvation set me safely on high.
I will praise the name of God with a song
and magnify Him with thanksgiving.
It will please the LORD
better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
The humble shall see this and be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
For the LORD hears the needy ones,
he will not neglect all those in prison.
O let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that moves therein.
For God will save Zion and build up Judah,
that they may dwell there and possess it.
The descendants of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.
Yes those who love his name will dwell there
Yes those who love his name will dwell there

Psalm 70 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybjtdo2u)
1  Haste thee, O God, to deliver me *
 make haste to help me, O Lord.
2  Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul *
 let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil.
3  Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame *
 that cry over me, There, there.
4  But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
 and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
5  As for me, I am poor and in misery *
 haste thee unto me, O God.
6  Thou art my helper, and my redeemer *
 O Lord, make no long tarrying.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.

Psalm 70 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-70.mp3)
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.
6 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O LORD, do not tarry.

PRAYER

Blessed are you, God of hope;
you restore the fallen
and rebuild the broken walls.
Teach us the song of thanksgiving,
for you are the strength of your people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

Reading: Daniel 6:1-28

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, stationed throughout the whole kingdom, and over them three presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom. So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. The men said, ‘We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.’

So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king and said to him, ‘O King Darius, live for ever! All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human, for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions. Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.’ Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict.

Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open towards Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he had done previously. The conspirators came and found Daniel praying and seeking mercy before his God. Then they approached the king and said concerning the interdict, ‘O king! Did you not sign an interdict, that anyone who prays to anyone, divine or human, within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions?’ The king answered, ‘The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.’ Then they responded to the king, ‘Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a day.’

When the king heard the charge, he was very much distressed. He was determined to save Daniel, and until the sun went down he made every effort to rescue him. Then the conspirators came to the king and said to him, ‘Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no interdict or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.’

Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!’ A stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no food was brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

Then, at break of day, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, ‘O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Daniel then said to the king, ‘O king, live for ever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.’ Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. The king gave a command, and those who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the bottom of the den the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

Then King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations of every language throughout the whole world: ‘May you have abundant prosperity! I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:
For he is the living God,
   enduring for ever.
His kingdom shall never be destroyed,
   and his dominion has no end.
He delivers and rescues,
   he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth;
for he has saved Daniel
   from the power of the lions.’
So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

HYMN: Charles Wesley
Tune: Dennis https://tinyurl.com/628res9j

1. And are we yet alive, 
and see each other’s face? 
Glory and thanks to Jesus give 
for his almighty grace! 

2. Preserved by power divine 
to full salvation here, 
again in Jesus’ praise we join, 
and in his sight appear. 

3. What troubles have we seen, 
what mighty conflicts past, 
fightings without, and fears within,
since we assembled last! 

4. Yet out of all the Lord 
hath brought us by his love; 
and still he doth his help afford, 
and hides our life above. 

5. Then let us make our boast 
of his redeeming power, 
which saves us to the uttermost, 
till we can sin no more. 

6. Let us take up the cross 
till we the crown obtain, 
and gladly reckon all things loss 
so we may Jesus gain.

Reading: 1 John 2:3-11

Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, ‘I have come to know him’, but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, ‘I abide in him’, ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, ‘I am in the light’, while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Song 34 https://tinyurl.com/372ske3n

1 My dear Redeemer, and my Lord!
I read my duty in Thy word;
But in Thy life the law appears
Drawn out in living characters.

2 Such was Thy truth, and such Thy zeal,
Such deference to Thy Father’s will,
Thy love and meekness so divine,
I would transcribe and make them mine.

3 Cold mountains and the midnight air
Witnessed the fervor of Thy prayer;
The desert Thy temptations knew,
Thy conflict and Thy victory too.

4 Be Thou my pattern; make me bear
More of Thy gracious image here;
Then God, the Judge, shall own my name
Among the followers of the Lamb.

Reading: John 6:16-21

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.

CANTICLE Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/y499lmmp)

Ant. Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore. Ant.

THE PRAYERS CW:TS

In joy and hope let us pray to the Father.
That our risen Saviour may fill us [and …] with the joy of his
glorious and life-giving resurrection …
Lord, hear our prayer.

That isolated and persecuted churches
may find fresh strength in the good news of Easter …
Lord, hear our prayer.

That God may grant us humility
to be subject to one another in Christian love …
Lord, hear our prayer.

That he may provide for those who lack food, work or shelter …
Lord, hear our prayer.

That by his power war and famine may cease through all the world …
Lord, hear our prayer.

That he may reveal the light of his presence to the sick,
the weak and the dying,
to comfort and strengthen them …
Lord, hear our prayer.

That, according to his promises,
all who have died in the faith of the resurrection
may be raised on the last day …
Lord, hear our prayer.

That he may send the fire of the
Holy Spirit upon his people,
so that we may bear faithful witness to his resurrection,
Lord, hear our prayer.

(Karin Simmons: https://tinyurl.com/y7vwp7dd)

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;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Eternal God,
protector of all who put their trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
Fill us with your mercy and your grace,
that, with you to rule and guide,
we may so use the good things of this present life
that we do not neglect those of eternal worth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. BCW

https://tinyurl.com/rkxkpmc
Go in peace, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!

Glory to God whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:
Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church,
and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.    Ephesians 3:20,21


 

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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

EH Exciting Holiness, Ed. Brother Tristram SSF © European Province of the Society of Saint Francis, 1997

RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

CW:TS Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2006 and published by Church House Publishing.

1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©

The main scripture readings are from the The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Edition, The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalm 69 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html. Psalm 70 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is chanted by Ryland Angel. 

Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.

Compilation © 2020 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.

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