Antiphon
Ant. Guide my footsteps, O Lord, according to your word,*
so that no iniquity may ever gain the upper hand, O Lord.
V. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, *
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his decrees! *
With all their hearts they seek him.
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: Walter Russell Bowie
Tune: Morning Song https://tinyurl.com/2u4ru83c
1 O holy city, seen of John,
where Christ, the Lamb, doth reign,
within whose foursquare walls shall come
no night, nor need, nor pain,
and where the tears are wiped from eyes
that shall not weep again!
2 O shame to us who rest content
while lust and greed for gain
in street and shop and tenement
wring gold from human pain,
and bitter lips in blind despair
cry, “Christ hath died in vain!”
3 Give us, O God, the strength to build
the city that hath stood
too long a dream, whose laws are love,
whose crown is servanthood,
and where the sun that shineth is
God’s grace for human good.
4 Already in the mind of God
that city riseth fair:
lo, how its splendor challenges
the souls that greatly dare—
yea, bids us seize the whole of life
and build its glory there.
PSALMS
Psalm 24 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9wmst8w)
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all that therein is *
the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas *
and prepared it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord *
or who shall rise up in his holy place?
4 Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart *
and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity,
nor sworn to deceive his neighbour.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord *
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him *
even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
and the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is the King of glory *
it is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors *
and the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is the King of glory *
even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
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 25 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y6uy8tmx)
1 Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul;
my God, I have put my trust in thee *
O let me not be confounded, neither let mine enemies triumph over me.
2 For all they that hope in thee shall not be ashamed *
but such as transgress without a cause shall be put to confusion.
3 Shew me thy ways, O Lord *
and teach me thy paths.
4 Lead me forth in thy truth, and learn me *
for thou art the God of my salvation;
in thee hath been my hope all the day long.
5 Call to remembrance, O Lord, thy tender mercies *
and thy loving-kindnesses, which have been ever of old.
6 O remember not the sins and offences of my youth *
but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness.
7 Gracious and righteous is the Lord *
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
8 Them that are meek shall he guide in judgement *
and such as are gentle, them shall he learn his way.
9 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth *
unto such as keep his covenant, and his testimonies.
10 For thy Name’s sake, O Lord *
be merciful unto my sin, for it is great.
11 What man is he, that feareth the Lord *
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
12 His soul shall dwell at ease *
and his seed shall inherit the land.
13 The secret of the Lord is among them that fear him *
and he will shew them his covenant.
14 Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord *
for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
15 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me *
for I am desolate, and in misery.
16 The sorrows of my heart are enlarged *
O bring thou me out of my troubles.
17 Look upon my adversity and misery *
and forgive me all my sin.
18 Consider mine enemies, how many they are *
and they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
19 O keep my soul, and deliver me *
let me not be confounded, for I have put my trust in thee.
20 Let perfectness and righteous dealing wait upon me *
for my hope hath been in thee.
21 Deliver Israel, O God *
out of all his troubles.
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 26 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9r5o6yo)
1 Be thou my Judge, O Lord, for I have walked innocently *
my trust hath been also in the Lord, therefore shall I not fall.
2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me *
try out my reins and my heart.
3 For thy loving-kindness is ever before mine eyes *
and I will walk in thy truth.
4 I have not dwelt with vain persons *
neither will I have fellowship with the deceitful.
5 I have hated the congregation of the wicked *
and will not sit among the ungodly.
6 I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord *
and so will I go to thine altar;
7 That I may shew the voice of thanksgiving *
and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house *
and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9 O shut not up my soul with the sinners *
nor my life with the blood-thirsty;
10 In whose hands is wickedness *
and their right hand is full of gifts,
11 But as for me, I will walk innocently *
O deliver me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot standeth right *
I will praise the Lord in the congregations.
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 24 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-24-MH.mp3)
1 The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
2 It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.
3 Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
4 The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things,
(who have not sworn so as to deceive their neighbor.)
5 He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him .
6 Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7 O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
8 Who is the king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war.
9 O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
10 Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory.
Glory be 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.
Psalm 25 (LSB Tone I: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-25-LSB.mp3)
1 To you, O LORD,*
I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame;*
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;*
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD;*
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my sal- vation;*
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,*
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;*
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD;*
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,*
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,*
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD,*
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?*
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,*
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,*
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,*
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,*
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17The troubles of my heart are enlarged;*
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,*
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,*
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!*
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,*
for I wait for you.
22Redeem Israel, O God,*
out of all his troubles.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the be ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Psalm 26 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-26-MH.mp3)
1 Give judgment for me, O Lord:
for I walk the path of perfection.
I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.
2 Examine me, Lord, and try me;
O test my heart and my mind,
3 for your love is before my eyes
and I walk according to your truth.
4 I never take my place with liars
and with hypocrites I shall not go.
5 I hate the evil-doer’s company:
I will not take my place with the wicked.
6 To prove my innocence I wash my hands
and take my place around your altar,
7 singing a song of thanksgiving,
proclaiming all your wonders.
8 O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,
the place where your glory abides.
9 Do not sweep me away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men
10 in whose hands are evil plots,
whose right hands are filled with gold.
11 As for me, I walk the path of perfection.
Redeem me and show me your mercy.
12 My foot stands on level ground:
I will bless the Lord in the assembly.
Glory be 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 of all creation,
open our hearts
that Christ, the King of glory, may enter and rule our lives.
Give us clean hands and pure hearts,
that we may stand in your presence and receive your blessing
through the same, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The Lord proclaims concerning the prophets,
those who lead my people astray,
those who chew with their teeth
and then proclaim “Peace!”
but stir up war against the one who puts nothing in their mouths:
Therefore, it will become night for you,
without vision, only darkness
without divination!
The sun will set on the prophets;
the day will be dark upon them.
Those seeing visions will be ashamed,
and the diviners disgraced;
they will all cover their upper lips,
for there will be no answer from God.
But me! I am filled with power,
with the spirit of the Lord,
with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his wrongdoing and to Israel his sin!
Hear this, leaders of the house of Jacob,
rulers of the house of Israel,
you who reject justice and make crooked all that is straight,
who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with injustice!
Her officials give justice for a bribe,
and her priests teach for hire.
Her prophets offer divination for silver,
yet they rely on the Lord, saying,
“Isn’t the Lord in our midst?
Evil won’t come upon us!”
Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem will become piles of rubble,
and the temple mount will become an overgrown mound.
HYMN: Psalm 43; para. Marie J Post ©
Tune: Genevan 43 https://tinyurl.com/583awj2e
1 Defend me, LORD, from those who charge me
with shameful insults, lies, and slurs.
Come, save your servant from evil ones.
In you alone I can find refuge.
Why are you deaf to all my pleas
about my enemies?
2 Send out your light and truth to lead me,
to bring me to your holy hill.
I come to stand before you with joy,
to bring the songs of my thanksgiving.
To you, my LORD, I bring my praise
for all your saving ways.
3 My soul, why are you weak and downcast,
why do you weep, why beg for aid?
Why so disquieted, so disturbed?
Go to the LORD of your salvation.
Put all your hope in God and praise
him for his saving grace.
You remember, brothers and sisters, our efforts and hard work. We preached God’s good news to you, while we worked night and day so we wouldn’t be a burden on any of you. You and God are witnesses of how holy, just, and blameless we were toward you believers. Likewise, you know how we treated each of you like a father treats his own children. We appealed to you, encouraged you, and pleaded with you to live lives worthy of the God who is calling you into his own kingdom and glory.
We also thank God constantly for this: when you accepted God’s word that you heard from us, you welcomed it for what it truly is. Instead of accepting it as a human message, you accepted it as God’s message, and it continues to work in you who are believers.
HYMN: Philip P Bliss
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/2b8s6j85
1 Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.
Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
2 Christ, the blessed one, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven. [Refrain]
3 Sweetly echo the gospel call,
Wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify forever. [Refrain]
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples, “The legal experts and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. Therefore, you must take care to do everything they say. But don’t do what they do. For they tie together heavy packs that are impossible to carry. They put them on the shoulders of others, but are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others. They make extra-wide prayer bands for their arms and long tassels for their clothes. They love to sit in places of honor at banquets and in the synagogues. They love to be greeted with honor in the markets and to be addressed as ‘Rabbi.’
“But you shouldn’t be called Rabbi, because you have one teacher, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Don’t call anybody on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is heavenly. Don’t be called teacher, because Christ is your one teacher. But the one who is greatest among you will be your servant. All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 26:9-20
(Katie Tracy and Mark Ribera: https://tinyurl.com/y76wq85c)
In our distress we sought the Lord;
Poured out a whispered prayer
Cried out, seeking deliverance;
His mercy met us there
Empty idols have ruled over us;
These hardened hearts of stone
The Lord has brought salvation, sweet;
We rest in him alone
Refrain:
Trust in the Lord forevermore
He is our fortress strong
Souls, cling to this everlasting rock
to our salvation sure
May the wicked learn your power;
May they believe your truth
For your righteousness and justice;
Bring peace upon the earth Refrain
To you who dwell in dust, awake! Rise up and sing for joy!
The Lord will redeem you at last; And life shall be restored
THE PRAYERS Joe Milner
For the Church: that we make God central in our lives and allow our hearts to be formed by Christ, our Teacher
For the grace of humility: that we may relate with one another as companions on the journey and strive to serve the needs of one another compassionately
For the grace of conversion: that we may allow God to transform our hypocritical parts into dynamic and authentic witnesses of the truth
For all leaders of the Christian Community: that they may manifest the love and compassion of God in their words and deeds and strengthen the community in fulfilling their vocations
For all who serve the Christian Community: that they who have toiled and given of their time and energy may be renewed by God and continue to show God’s love and care to all
For discerning hearts: that we may hear the Word of God as it comes to us in Scripture, in preaching, and in words of those with whom we interact each day and allow it to form us and inspire us to action
For all preachers: that their hearts may be open to God’s word and that the Spirit use their gifts to inspire faith and deeper commitment in those who hear them
For all who exercise authority and leadership: that they may recognize that their authority is entrusted to them for the good of others and never place unreasonable burdens on those whom they serve
For healing: that God will heal and renew all who have been abused by those in positions of power
For sincerity in our religious activities: that God will help us to show our love and commitment to God in all our devotions and never to perform them for show or self-satisfaction
For members of Congress: that God will help them to work together in finding solutions to the challenges of poverty, violence, and the lack of healthcare
For retired members of religious communities: that God will guide them as they continue to give witness to the Gospel and bless them with health and wellbeing
For all who have fled warfare and violence: that God will give them strength, help them as they make a new beginning, and free them from hatred and revenge
For all who have died: that they may experience the loving and healing embrace of God and live the joy of God’s presence forever
For Peace: that God will bring an end to violence, protect the innocent from harm, and open opportunities for dialogue
(Plainsong: https://tinyurl.com/ahnrtv59)ELW
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.
O God, your Spirit speaks through your prophets,
protecting your people
from those who would lead them astray.
Raise up new voices in our time
to speak with justice and power
and to challenge the complacency
that would have us rest easily with sin. 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.
ELW The Lord’s Prayer is from Setting Five in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
1 Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©
The intercessions are by Joe Milner, liturgy.slu.edu
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalms 24 and 26 are from The Grail Psalter and are from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured. The modern version of Psalms 25 is from Lutheran Service Book and the Next to the Word of God YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVRYL-MRebncw584Ql2xfg.
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 