Antiphon 1
Ant. O Lord, if you were to take into account our iniquities,
who would withstand the test?
But forgiveness abides with you, O God of Israel.
V. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; *
Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive *
to the sound of my pleadings. Psalm 130
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/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
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.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: John L Bell & Graham Maule ©
Tune: Song 20 https://tinyurl.com/4tcvhypz
1 Though hope desert my heart,
though strangeness fill my soul,
though truth torment my troubled mind,
you have been here before.
2 Though confidence run dry,
though weary flesh be sore,
though conversation bear no fruit,
you have been here before.
3 There is no threatening place,
no trial I could know
which has not known your presence first:
you have been here before.
4 In Christ who, on the cross,
felt all our hurt and more,
and cried in deep abandonment,
you have been here before.
5 I will not dread the dark,
the fate beyond control,
nor fear what reigns in frightening things:
you will be there before.
PSALMS
Psalm 53 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y6wzcn8t)
1 The foolish body hath said in his heart *
There is no God.
2 Corrupt are they, and become abominable in their wickedness *
there is none that doeth good.
3 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men *
to see if there were any, that would understand, and seek after God.
4 But they are all gone out of the way,
they are altogether become abominable *
there is also none that doeth good, no not one.
5 Are not they without understanding that work wickedness *
eating up my people as if they would eat bread?
they have not called upon God.
6 They were afraid where no fear was *
for God hath broken the bones of him that besieged thee;
thou hast put them to confusion, because God hath despised them.
7 O that the salvation were given unto Israel out of Sion *
O that the Lord would deliver his people out of captivity!
8 Then should Jacob rejoice *
and Israel should be right glad.
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 53 (Jason Silver: https://tinyurl.com/5du7btts)
Fools say in their heart, ”˜There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and they do terrible deeds;
There is no one who does good.
God looks down from heaven on humankind
To see if there are any on earth who are wise,
Any who seek after God.
They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;
There is none who do good,
No, not one.
Have they no knowledge, these evil ones,
Who consume my people like
Like they eat bread,
And do not call upon the Lord?
Fools say in their heart, ”˜There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and they do terrible deeds;
There is no one who does good.
God looks down from heaven on humankind
To see if there are any on earth who are wise,
Any who seek after God.
There they shall be in great fear, as has not been seen before.
God will scatter their bones, put them to shame,
God has rejected them. They pray that deliverance comes
It comes for Israel, it comes from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
Psalm 54 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y73kppwg)
1 Save me, O God, for thy Name’s sake *
and avenge me in thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God *
and hearken unto the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me *
and tyrants, which have not God before their eyes, seek after my soul.
4 Behold, God is my helper *
the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies *
destroy thou them in thy truth.
6 An offering of a free heart will I give thee,
and praise thy Name, O Lord *
because it is so comfortable.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble *
and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
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 54 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-54-1.mp3)
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.
| 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.
Psalm 55 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yb9gqlve)
1 Hear my prayer, O God *
and hide not thyself from my petition.
2 Take heed unto me, and hear me *
how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.
3 The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast *
for they are minded to do me some mischief;
so maliciously are they set against me.
4 My heart is disquieted within me *
and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me *
and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove *
for then would I flee away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I get me away far off *
and remain in the wilderness.
8 I would make haste to escape *
because of the stormy wind and tempest.
9 Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them *
for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about within the walls thereof *
mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is therein *
deceit and guile go not out of their streets.
12 For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour *
for then I could have borne it.
13 Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me *
for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.
14 But it was even thou, my companion *
my guide, and mine own familiar friend.
15 We took sweet counsel together *
and walked in the house of God as friends.
16 Let death come hastily upon them,
and let them go down quick into hell *
for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
17 As for me, I will call upon God *
and the Lord shall save me.
18 In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day
will I pray, and that instantly *
and he shall hear my voice.
19 It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace
from the battle that was against me *
for there were many with me.
20 Yea, even God, that endureth for ever,
shall hear me, and bring them down *
for they will not turn, nor fear God.
21 He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him *
and he brake his covenant.
22 The words of his mouth were softer than butter,
having war in his heart *
his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.
23 O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee *
and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.
24 And as for them *
thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.
25 The blood-thirsty and deceitful men
shall not live out half their days *
nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.
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 55 (Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/jdshas8c)
2 O God, listen to my prayer,
do not hide from my pleading,
3 attend to me and reply;
with my cares, I cannot rest.
4 I tremble at the shouts of the foe,
at the cries of the wicked;
for they bring down evil upon me.
They assail me with fury.
5 My heart is stricken within me,
death’s terror is on me,
6 trembling and fear fall upon me
and horror overwhelms me.
7 O that I had wings like a dove
to fly away and be at rest.
8 So I would escape far away
and take refuge in the desert.
9 I would hasten to find a shelter
from the raging wind,
from the destructive storm, O Lord,
10 and from their plotting tongues.
For I can see nothing
but violence and strife in the city.
11 Night and day they patrol
high on the city walls.
It is full of wickedness and evil;
12 it is full of sin.
Its streets are never free
from tyranny and deceit.
13 If this had been done by an enemy
I could bear his taunts.
If a rival had risen against me,
I could hide from him.
14 But it is you, my own companion,
my intimate friend!
15 (How close was the friendship between us.)
We talked together in harmony
in the house of God.
16 May death fall suddenly upon them!
Let them go to the grave;
for wickedness dwells in their homes
and deep in their hearts.
17 As for me, I will cry to God
and the Lord will save me.
18 Evening, morning and at noon
I will cry and lament.
19 He will deliver my soul in peace
in the attack against me;
for those who fight me are many,
18c but he hears my voice.
20 God will hear and will humble them,
the eternal judge;
for they will not amend their ways.
They have no fear of God.
21 The traitor has turned against his friends;
he has broken his word.
22 His speech is softer than butter,
but war is in his heart,
His words are smoother than oil,
but they are naked swords.
23 Entrust your cares to the Lord
and he will support you.
He will never allow
the just man to stumble.
24 But you, O God, will bring them down
to the pit of death.
Deceitful and bloodthirsty men
shall not live half their days.
O Lord, I will trust in you.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
PRAYER
God our helper, hear our prayer
and uphold your church in times of testing.
Deliver us from evil,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
we may offer you our sacrifice of praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Reading: Amos 5:1-17
Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel:
Fallen, no more to rise,
is maiden Israel;
forsaken on her land,
with no one to raise her up.
For thus says the Lord God:
The city that marched out a thousand
shall have a hundred left,
and that which marched out a hundred
shall have ten left.
For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:
Seek me and live;
but do not seek Bethel,
and do not enter into Gilgal
or cross over to Beer-sheba;
for Gilgal shall surely go into exile,
and Bethel shall come to nothing.
Seek the Lord and live,
or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire,
and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it.
Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood,
and bring righteousness to the ground!
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 on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name,
who makes destruction flash out against the strong,
so that destruction comes upon the fortress.
They hate the one who reproves in the gate,
and they abhor the one who speaks the truth.
Therefore, because you trample on the poor
and take from them levies of grain,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not live in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your transgressions,
and how great are your sins—
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and push aside the needy in the gate.
Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time;
for it is an evil time.
Seek good and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
just as you have said.
Hate evil and love good,
and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord:
In all the squares there shall be wailing;
and in all the streets they shall say, ‘Alas! alas!’
They shall call the farmers to mourning,
and those skilled in lamentation, to wailing;
in all the vineyards there shall be wailing,
for I will pass through the midst of you, says the Lord.
HYMN: Psalm 90; para. Psalter, 1912; rev. Psalter Hymnal, 1987 ©
Tune: Gottlob, es geht nunmehr zu Ende https://tinyurl.com/ydc9nkcp
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
through all the ages of our race.
Before you gave the mountains birth
or by your word created earth,
from everlasting you are God,
to everlasting our abode.
2 A thousand years are in your sight
brief as a portion of the night.
Short as a dream our seasons pass;
our lives are like the tender grass,
luxuriant at the break of day,
that in the evening fades away.
3 Your anger brings us sorrow, grief;
your wrath brings fear without relief.
Before your clear and searching sight
our secret sins are brought to light.
Beneath your wrath we pine and die,
our life expiring with a sigh.
4 For three-score years and ten we wait,
or four-score years if strength be great.
Yet grief and toil attend life’s day
our lives soon pass; we fly away.
Oh, who with true and reverent thought
can fear your anger as they ought?
5 O teach us, LORD, to count our days,
to set our hearts on wisdom’s ways.
Turn, LORD, to us in our distress;
in pity now your servants bless.
Let mercy’s dawn dispel our night,
let all our days with joy be bright.
6 LORD, may we with our children see
your glorious power and majesty.
O may your favor from above
come down and rest on us in love.
The work accomplished by our hand
establish, Lord yes, make it stand.
Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16
Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
HYMN: Thomas More and Thomas Hastings
Tune: Consolator https://tinyurl.com/vae4e64y
1 Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,
come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish.
Earth has no sorrows that Heav’n cannot heal.
2 Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
“Earth has no sorrows that Heav’n cannot cure.”
3 Here see the Bread of life; see waters flowing
forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast of love, come, ever knowing
earth has no sorrows but Heav’n can remove.
Reading: Mark 10:17-31
As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’
Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
CANTICLE Song of the Three Young Men 35-65
(New Camaldoli chant: https://tinyurl.com/yawzzmsx)
All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Heavens and waters above the heavens, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Powers of the Lord, God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Sun and moon, bless the Lord!
All you stars of heaven, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
All rain and dew, bless the Lord!
And let every wind, bless the Lord!
Fire and heat, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Cold and warmth, bless the Lord!
Dew and snowstorm, bless the Lord!
Frost and cold, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Ice and snow, bless the Lord!
Nights and days, bless the Lord!
Light and darkness, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Lightning and clouds, bless the Lord!
Let the whole earth bless the Lord!
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Every plant that grows, bless the Lord!
Springs of water, bless the Lord!
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Everything that moves in the waters, bless the Lord!
And let every kind of bird bless the Lord!
All you beasts wild and tame, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Let the whole human race, bless the Lord!
O Israel, bless the Lord!
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
All you the Lord’s servants, bless the Lord!
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord!
Humble-hearted people, bless the Lord!
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
God has freed us from the underworld,
saved us from the hand of death
and drawn us from the heart of the flame:
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
Give thanks to the Lord who is so good!
Bless the God of gods, all you who fear him.
Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
God be praised and exalted above all forever!
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we may experience God looking upon us with love and respond generously to what God asks of us today
For a deepening of trust: that God will free us from fear and help us to grow in our awareness that with God, all things are possible
For Wisdom: that we may learn to ponder the events of our lives and hold them in prayer while God works in our lives and transforms us
For the grace to listen: that God will free us from all distractions and disorientation so that we may hear God’s voice in prayer, events, and our daily activities
For purification of our hearts: that the Word of God may enlighten us to distinguish between good and evil and form us in virtue and discipleship
For deeper awareness: that we recognize the limits of power, beauty, fame, and wealth, and learn to trust God who alone fulfills all our needs and wants
For freedom from attachments: that God will give us the courage to live with less and embrace our families, our community members, and the gift of each day more fully
For a greater reverence and appreciation of human life: that we may recognize God’s gift of life in each person, particularly in the very young and the elderly who cannot speak for themselves
For all who have experienced abuse: that God will heal and renew them, help their voices to be heard, and help all in leadership to take effective action to protect the vulnerable and powerless
For teachers, preachers, and spiritual directors: that God will plant the divine Word deep within them and inspire them to share it in dynamic and life-giving ways
For children who have been neglected, are malnourished, or abandoned: that God will free them from danger, bring them to a safe and loving environment, and heal their wounds of body, mind, and spirit
For all who are recovering from storms or wildfires: that God will sustain them, speed the assistance that they need, and give strength to all who are helping them
For all who are ill: that God will heal the sick, strengthen those facing a long recovery, and renew all who are caring for them
For greater care for the air that we breathe: that we may each take responsibility for the quality of the air that affects every person
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
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.
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.
God of all who are cast down,
you call us to seek good
and to meet oppression with justice.
Teach us to find salvation
in the emptying of ourselves for the sake of those in need,
so that goodness may prevail
and your kingdom come in Jesus Christ. Amen. RCLP
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
The intercessions are by Joe Milner, http://liturgy.slu.edu
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
The three 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). The modern language version of Psalms 54 is from the The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalm 53 is a contemporary version by Jason Silver. Psalm 55 is from the Grail Psalter and is from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMQKvgC9Wjw
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 © 2021 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.
Oremus 