Antiphon
Ant. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice; *
seek the Lord and be strengthened;
seek his face for evermore.
V. Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name. *
Make known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105
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: attr. St Patrick; trans. Cecil Frances Alexander
Tune: St Patrick’s Breastplate https://tinyurl.com/mpvvb2ws
1 I bind unto myself today
the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
2 I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the star-lit heaven,
the glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea
around the old eternal rocks.
3 I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.
5 I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three,
of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation:
salvation is of Christ the Lord.
PSALMS
Psalm 139 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qk5mvmw)
1 O Lord, thou hast searched me out, and known me *
thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising;
thou understandest my thoughts long before.
2 Thou art about my path, and about my bed *
and spiest out all my ways.
3 For lo, there is not a word in my tongue *
but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.
4 Thou hast fashioned me behind and before *
and laid thine hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me *
I cannot attain unto it.
6 Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit *
or whither shall I go then from thy presence?
7 If I climb up into heaven, thou art there *
if I go down to hell, thou art there also.
8 If I take the wings of the morning *
and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;
9 Even there also shall thy hand lead me *
and thy right hand shall hold me.
10 If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me *
then shall my night be turned to day.
11 Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee,
but the night is as clear as the day *
the darkness and light to thee are both alike.
12 For my reins are thine *
thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
13 I will give thanks unto thee,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made *
marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.
14 My bones are not hid from thee *
though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.
15 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect *
and in thy book were all my members written;
16 Which day by day were fashioned *
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How dear are thy counsels unto me, O God *
O how great is the sum of them!
18 If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand *
when I wake up I am present with thee.
19 Wilt thou not slay the wicked, O God *
depart from me, ye blood-thirsty men.
20 For they speak unrighteously against thee *
and thine enemies take thy Name in vain.
21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee *
and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22 Yea, I hate them right sore *
even as though they were mine enemies.
23 Try me, O God, and seek the ground of my heart *
prove me, and examine my thoughts.
24 Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me *
and lead me in the way everlasting.
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 140 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/syzjs5r)
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man *
and preserve me from the wicked man.
2 Who imagine mischief in their hearts *
and stir up strife all the 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 ungodly *
preserve me from the wicked men,
who are purposed to overthrow my goings.
5 The proud have laid a snare for me,
and spread a net abroad with cords *
yea, and set traps in my way.
6 I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God *
hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.
7 O Lord God, thou strength of my health *
thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord *
let not his mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.
9 Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of them *
that compass me about.
10 Let hot burning coals fall upon them *
let them be cast into the fire, and into the pit,
that they never rise up again.
11 A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth *
evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.
12 Sure I am that the Lord will avenge the poor *
and maintain the cause of the helpless.
13 The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy Name *
and the just shall continue in thy sight.
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 141 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wrx2qat)
1 Lord, I call upon thee, haste thee unto me *
and consider my voice when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense *
and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth *
and keep the door of my lips.
4 O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing *
let me not be occupied in ungodly works
with the men that work wickedness,
lest I eat of such things as please them.
5 Let the righteous rather smite me friendly *
and reprove me.
6 But let not their precious balms break my head *
yea, I will pray yet against their wickedness.
7 Let their judges be overthrown in stony places *
that they may hear my words, for they are sweet.
8 Our bones lie scattered before the pit *
like as when one breaketh and heweth wood upon the earth.
9 But mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord God *
in thee is my trust, O cast not out my soul.
10 Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me *
and from the traps of the wicked doers.
11 Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together *
and let me ever escape them.
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 139 (LSB Tone F: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-139-LSB.mp3)
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!*
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down*
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,*
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,*
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;*
it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?*
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!*
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning*
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,*
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,*
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;*
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts;*
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.*
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,*
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,*
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!*
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them,
they are more than the sand.*
I awake, and I am still with you.
19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!*
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;*
your enemies take your name in vain!
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?*
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;*
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!*
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,*
and lead me in the way everlasting!
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.
Psalm 140 (Kohlhase: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-140-KH.mp3)
Save me, LORD, from evil men;
and preserve me from men of violence
Who plot mischief within their hearts,
and are always stirring up wars.
They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
snake’s poison is under their lips.
Selah. Selah.
Keep me, LORD, from hurtful hands;
and preserve me from men of violence
who have planned to trip up my feet,
with the traps and snares of the proud;
They spread out their net by the wayside;
and set their snares for me.
Selah. Selah.
I said, “LORD, you are my God;
hear the sound, O LORD, of my prayers.
“O Lord GOD, my saving strength,
you will cover my head in the battle.
LORD, block the desires of the wicked;
advance not his scheme or exalt him.”
Selah. Selah.
“For the heads of those who surround me,
they are covered only by lies.
Burning coals that fall in the fire,
into depths from which they’ll not rise.
“May liars not rule on the earth;
may evil chase down the violent.”
Selah. Selah.
For I know, yes, I know the LORD will bring forth,
the cause of the oppressed and justice for the poor.
Surely those who are just,
will offer thanks to your name;
and as for the upright,
in your presence they will dwell.
In your presence they will dwell
Psalm 141 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-141.mp3)
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; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
4 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 plowman 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.
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.
PRAYER
Blessed are those who put their trust in you, O God,
our sure rock and refuge.
Guard us from giving to any other
the allegiance which belongs only to you.
Shine upon us with the brightness of your light,
that we may love you with a pure heart
and praise you forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Hear what the Lord is saying:
Arise, lay out the lawsuit before the mountains;
let the hills hear your voice!
Hear, mountains, the lawsuit of the Lord!
Hear, eternal foundations of the earth!
The Lord has a lawsuit against his people;
with Israel he will argue.
“My people, what did I ever do to you?
How have I wearied you? Answer me!
I brought you up out of the land of Egypt;
I redeemed you from the house of slavery.
I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam before you.
My people, remember what Moab’s King Balak had planned,
and how Balaam, Beor’s son, answered him!
Remember everything from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you might learn to recognize the righteous acts of the Lord!”
With what should I approach the Lord
and bow down before God on high?
Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings,
with year-old calves?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with many torrents of oil?
Should I give my oldest child for my crime;
the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit?
He has told you, human one, what is good and
what the Lord requires from you:
to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.
HYMN: Alan Gaunt ©
Tune: Herstmonceaux https://tinyurl.com/bdcn97r4
1 We pray for peace,
but not the easy peace,
built on complacency
and not the truth of God.
We pray for real peace,
the peace God’s love alone can seal.
2 We pray for peace,
but not the cruel peace,
leaving God’s poor bereft
and dying in distress,
we pray for real peace,
enriching all the human race.
3 We pray for peace,
and not the evil peace,
defending unjust laws
and nursing prejudice,
but for the real peace
of justice, mercy, truth and love.
4 We pray for peace:
holy communion
with Christ our risen Lord
and every living thing;
God’s will fulfilled on earth
and all creation reconciled.
5 We pray for peace,
and for the sake of peace,
look to the risen Christ
who gives the grace we need,
to serve the cause of peace
and make our own self-sacrifice.
6 God, give us peace:
if you withdraw your love,
there is no peace for us
nor any hope of it.
With you to lead us on,
through death or tumult, peace will come.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved. It is written in scripture: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent. Where are the wise? Where are the legal experts? Where are today’s debaters? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish? In God’s wisdom, he determined that the world wouldn’t come to know him through its wisdom. Instead, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom. This is because the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Look at your situation when you were called, brothers and sisters! By ordinary human standards not many were wise, not many were powerful, not many were from the upper class. But God chose what the world considers foolish to shame the wise. God chose what the world considers weak to shame the strong. And God chose what the world considers low-class and low-life—what is considered to be nothing—to reduce what is considered to be something to nothing. So no human being can brag in God’s presence. It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus. He became wisdom from God for us. This means that he made us righteous and holy, and he delivered us. This is consistent with what was written: The one who brags should brag in the Lord!
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Warrington https://tinyurl.com/2tc572ut
1 Nature with open volume stands
to spread her Maker’s praise abroad,
and every labour of his hands
shows something worthy of our God.
2 But in the grace that rescued man
his brightest form of glory shines;
here on the cross ’tis fairest drawn
in precious blood and crimson lines.
3 Here his whole name appears complete;
nor wit can guess, nor reason prove
which of the letters best is writ,
the power, the wisdom, or the love.
4 O the sweet wonders of that cross
where God the Saviour loved and died;
her noblest life my spirit draws
from his dear wounds and bleeding side.
5 I would for ever speak his name
in sounds to mortal ears unknown,
with angels join to praise the Lamb,
and worship at his Father’s throne.
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. He taught them, saying:
“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.
“Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
“Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.
“Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
“Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.
“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.
“Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
“Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.”
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 be transformed by God’s Spirit and embrace the reversal of self justification in our society by walking humbly and finding our strength in Christ
For all disciples: that we may recognize the Blessedness given us by the Spirit and manifest it in our lives through loving sacrifice, deeds of justice, and words of compassion
For the grace to be poor in Spirit: that we may recognize our poverty whenever God is not at the center of our life and decisions
For all who are burdened by life, for refugees, the sick, and the unemployed: that God’s Word may reveal to them their blessedness and dignity
For all who mourn: that they may know God’s presence this day and that we may stand with them and support them through their grief
For all who feel guilt or remorse: that God will heal and renew their spirits so that they can live freely as God’s children
For all who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for those who have been abused, unjustly imprisoned, suffered discrimination, and those who work to empower the marginalized: that the Spirit of God will guide their deeds and strengthen their spirits
For peacemakers, for those who promote dialogue and understanding within families or between nations, racial groups, or gangs: that God will bless and make fruitful their efforts
For all who show mercy, for those who care for the sick and elderly, and for those who assist those who are in need: that the face and love of God may continue to shine through them
For all who suffer for the sake of Christ, for those who live in communities that are hostile to Christians, for those imprisoned or persecuted because of the Gospel: that they may have courage and hope as they live the paschal mystery today
For all who are well born, educated, and influential: that we may place our gifts and talents in the service of God’s reign
For greater respect for the balance within nature: that we honor the way in which God has created the world and be good stewards of it
For the members of legislatures: that their hearts may be sensitive to the needs of the poor and voiceless as they formulate new policies and budgets
For the growth of peace in the mid-east: that all hearts may be open to new beginnings through the end of violence and the renewal of dialogue
For all who have died: that they may see God and live forever
(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 it is in heaven.
Give us today the bread of life;
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.
Foolish God,
shaming the strong
through the weakness of love;
turning upside down
the wisdom of the world:
may your blessing dwell
with the poor and hungry,
the grieving and abused;
may your peaceful revolution
be our joy and our reward
through Jesus Christ, the power of God. Amen. PIC
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
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Since 1993, Oremus has been done on a volunteer basis. If you are able, please consider supporting this work at the PayPal link below. For software reasons, I’ve set the value at $10.00, but feel free to change it. Thank you.
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
PIC Prayers for An Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare © 2008 Canterbury Press.
The main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional-language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern version of Psalms 141 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is chanted by Ryland Angel. Psalms 139 is from Lutheran Service Book and the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg. Psalm 140 is in the version sung by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html.
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 © 2023 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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