Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/7exhewcj
The Lord became my protector.
He brought me out to a place of freedom;
he saved me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18
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: Fred Pratt Green ©
Tune: Christe sanctorum https://tinyurl.com/y8zbeukv
1 Christ is the world’s light, Christ and none other;
born in our darkness, he became our brother.
If we have seen him, we have seen the Father:
Glory to God on high!
2 Christ is the world’s peace, Christ and none other;
no one can serve him and despise another.
Who else unites us, one with God the Father?
Glory to God on high!
3 Christ is the world’s life, Christ and none other;
sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother.
He who redeemed us, reigns with God the Father:
Glory to God on high!
4 Give God the glory, God and none other;
give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father;
give God the glory, God with us, our brother:
Glory to God on high!
PSALMS
Psalm 126 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8tuft59)
1 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion *
then were we like unto them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter *
and our tongue with joy.
3 Then said they among the heathen *
The Lord hath done great things for them.
4 Yea, the Lord hath done great things for us already *
whereof we rejoice.
5 Turn our captivity, O Lord *
as the rivers in the south.
6 They that sow in tears *
shall reap in joy.
7 He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good seed *
shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.
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 127 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8tuft59)
1 Except the Lord build the house *
their labour is but lost that build it.
2 Except the Lord keep the city *
the watchman waketh but in vain.
3 It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early,
and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness *
for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
4 Lo, children and the fruit of the womb *
are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord.
5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant *
even so are the young children.
6 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them *
they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
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 128 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8ckoca7)
1 Blessed are all they that fear the Lord *
and walk in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labours of thine hands *
O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.
3 Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine *
upon the walls of thine house.
4 Thy children like the olive-branches *
round about thy table.
5 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed *
that feareth the Lord.
6 The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee *
that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long.
7 Yea, that thou shalt see thy children’s children *
and peace upon Israel.
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 129 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y7qelqeh)
1 Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up *
may Israel now say.
2 Yea, many a time have they vexed me from my youth up *
but they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back *
and made long furrows.
4 But the righteous Lord *
hath hewn the snares of the ungodly in pieces.
5 Let them be confounded and turned backward *
as many as have evil will at Sion.
6 Let them be even as the grass growing upon the house-tops *
which withereth afore it be plucked up;
7 Whereof the mower filleth not his hand *
neither he that bindeth up the sheaves his bosom.
8 So that they who go by say not so much as, The Lord prosper you *
we wish you good luck in the Name of the 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 130 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9lymrb2)
1 Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord *
Lord, hear my voice.
2 O let thine ears consider well *
the voice of my complaint.
3 If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss *
O Lord, who may abide it?
4 For there is mercy with thee *
therefore shalt thou be feared.
5 I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him *
in his word is my trust.
6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord *
before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.
7 O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy *
and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel *
from all his sins.
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 131 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yaxt75nj)
1 Lord, I am not high-minded *
I have no proud looks.
2 I do not exercise myself in great matters *
which are too high for me.
3 But I refrain my soul, and keep it low,
like as a child that is weaned from his mother *
yea, my soul is even as a weaned child.
4 O Israel, trust in the Lord *
from this time forth for evermore.
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 126 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-126-1.mp3)
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.
3 Then they said among the nations, *
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
4 The LORD has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.
5 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.
6 Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.
7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
Psalm 127 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-127.mp3)
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, *
their labor is in vain who build it.
2 Unless the LORD watches over the city, *
in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.
3 It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; *
vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
4 Children are a heritage from the LORD, *
and the fruit of the womb is a gift.
5 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior *
are the children of one’s youth.
6 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! *
he shall not be put to shame
when he contends with his enemies in the gate.
Psalm 128 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-127.mp3)
1 Happy are they all who fear the LORD, *
and who follow in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of your labor; *
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 man who fears the LORD *
shall thus indeed be blessed.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion, *
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 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-129.mp3)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 plowmen 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 him 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 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-130.mp3)
1 Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *
O LORD, who could stand?
3 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my hope.
5 My soul waits for the LORD,
more than watchmen for the morning, *
more than watchmen for the morning.
6 O Israel, wait for the LORD, *
for with the LORD there is mercy;
7 With him there is plenteous redemption, *
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Psalm 131 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-131.mp3)
1 O LORD, I am not proud; *
I have no haughty looks.
2 I do not occupy myself with great matters, *
or with things that are too hard for me.
3 But I still my soul and make it quiet,
like a child upon its mother’s breast; *
my soul is quieted within me.
4 O Israel, wait upon the LORD, *
from this time forth for evermore.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart,
you promised your kingdom to those who are like children.
Never let pride reign in our hearts.
In compassion embrace all who willingly bear your gentle yoke
now and forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemy. But now you’ve blessed him.” He answered and said, “Don’t I have to take care to speak whatever the Lord gives me to say?” Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come with me, please, to another place where you’ll see them. You’ll see only part of them. You won’t see all of them. Then curse them for me from there.” He took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah. He built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here by your entirely burned offering, while I seek an appearance over there.” The Lord granted Balaam an appearance and gave him a message. He said, “Return to Balak and say this.”
Balaam approached Balak, who was standing by his entirely burned offering with the officials of Moab. Balak said to him, “What did the Lord say?” Then Balaam raised his voice and made his address:
“Arise, Balak, and listen;
hear me out, Zippor’s son.
God isn’t a man that he would lie,
or a human being that he would change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and not done it,
or promised and not fulfilled it?
I received a blessing, and he blessed.
I can’t take it back.
He hasn’t envisioned misfortune for Jacob,
nor has he seen trouble for Israel.
The Lord his God is with him,
proclaimed as his king.
God, who brought them out of Egypt,
is like a magnificent wild bull for him.
There is no omen against Jacob,
no divination against Israel.
Instantly it is told to Jacob,
and to Israel, what God performs.
A people now rises like a lioness,
like a lion it stands up.
It doesn’t lie down until it eats the prey
and drinks the blood of the slain.”
Then Balak said to Balaam, “Don’t curse them or bless them.” But Balaam answered and said to Balak, “Didn’t I say to you, ‘I’ll do whatever the Lord tells me to’?”
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: Manoah https://tinyurl.com/2p82fxh2
1 Begin, my tongue, some heav’nly theme
And speak some boundless thing;
The mighty works or mightier name
Of our eternal King.
2 Tell of His wondrous faithfulness
And sound His pow’r abroad;
Sing the sweet promise of His grace,
The love and truth of God.
3 His very word of grace is strong
As that which built the skies;
The voice that rolls the stars along
Speaks all the promises.
4 O might I hear Thy heav’nly tongue
But whisper, “Thou art mine!”
Those gentle words shall raise my song
To notes almost divine.
The scripture says, All who have faith in him won’t be put to shame. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who gives richly to all who call on him. All who call on the Lord’s name will be saved.
So how can they call on someone they don’t have faith in? And how can they have faith in someone they haven’t heard of? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the good news.
But everyone hasn’t obeyed the good news. As Isaiah says, Lord, who has had faith in our message? So, faith comes from listening, but it’s listening by means of Christ’s message. But I ask you, didn’t they hear it? Definitely! Their voice has gone out into the entire earth, and their message has gone out to the corners of the inhabited world. But I ask you again, didn’t Israel understand? First, Moses says, I will make you jealous of those who aren’t a people, of a people without understanding. And Isaiah even dares to say, I was found by those who didn’t look for me; I revealed myself to those who didn’t ask for me. But he says about Israel, All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.
HYMN: Michael Perry ©
Tune: Auch jetzt macht Gott https://tinyurl.com/5n8msvmm
1 How shall they hear the word of God
unless his truth is told?
How shall the sinful be set free,
the sorrowful consoled?
To all who speak the truth today,
impart your Spirit, Lord, we pray.
2 How shall they call to God for help
unless they have believed?
How shall the poor be given hope,
the prisoner reprieved?
To those who help the blind to see,
give light and love and clarity.
3 How shall the gospel be proclaimed
that sinners may repent?
How shall the world find peace at last
if heralds are not sent?
So send us, Lord, for we rejoice
to speak of Christ with life and voice.
His mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent word to Jesus, calling for him. A crowd was seated around him, and those sent to him said, “Look, your mother, brothers, and sisters are outside looking for you.”
He replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Looking around at those seated around him in a circle, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 55:6-11
(Setting by Gregory Wilbur: https://tinyurl.com/yawmg8fp)
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found,
Call ye upon him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
And let him return unto the Lord,
and he will have mercy upon him;
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
My ways and thoughts are higher than yours.
And let him return unto the Lord,
and he will have mercy upon him;
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
For as the rain cometh down, and snow from heaven,
And maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to sow,
that it may give bread to eat.
So shall my world be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
It shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please it shall prosper
in the thing whereunto I sent it.
THE PRAYERS BCW
God of all mercies, we praise you that you have brought us to this new day, brightening
our lives with the dawn of promise and hope in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
the warmth of sunlight, the wetness of rain and snow, and all that nourishes the earth…
the presence and power of your Spirit . . .
the support and encouragement we receive from others . . .
those who provide for public safety and well-being . . .
the mission of the church around the world. . . .
Merciful God, strengthen us in prayer that we may lift up the brokenness of this
world for your healing, and share in the saving love of Jesus Christ.
Especially we pray for
those in positions of authority over others . . .
the lonely and forgotten . . .
children without families or homes . . .
agents of caring and relief . . .
the church in Asia and the Middle East. . . .
(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.
God of judgment and mercy,
when we hide ourselves in shame,
you seek us out in love.
Grant us the fullness of your forgiveness,
that as one people, united by your grace,
we may stand with Christ against the powers of evil. 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
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
The main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are 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 © 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.
Oremus 