Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/tfhwfsb8
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and never forget all his benefits. Psalm 103
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: Irish; trans. Mary Byrne; versifier: Eleanor Hull
Tune: Slane https://tinyurl.com/m3ddvzy9
1 Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;
be Thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.
2 Be Thou my Wisdom, be Thou my true Word;
be Thou ever with me and I with Thee, Lord;
be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son,
be Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
3 Be Thou my Breastplate, my Sword for the fight;
be Thou my whole Armor, be Thou my true Might;
be Thou my soul’s Shelter, be Thou my strong Tow’r,
O raise Thou me heav’nward, great Pow’r of my pow’r.
4 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
be Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
O High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
5 High King of heaven, Thou heaven’s bright Sun,
O grant me its joys, after vict’ry is won;
Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be Thou my Vision, O Ruler of all.
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
Almighty God, creator of the universe,
we are awed by your wondrous works
and overwhelmed by your infinite wisdom.
For all your majesty we praise you;
yet even more
we rejoice that you do not forget us,
that you want to know us,
that you come to care for us,
sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
His brothers took Joseph and threw him into the cistern, an empty cistern with no water in it. When they sat down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with camels carrying sweet resin, medicinal resin, and fragrant resin on their way down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and hide his blood? Come on, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let’s not harm him because he’s our brother; he’s family.” His brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph up out of the cistern. They sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver, and they brought Joseph to Egypt.
When Reuben returned to the cistern and found that Joseph wasn’t in it, he tore his clothes. Then he returned to his brothers and said, “The boy’s gone! And I—where can I go now?”
His brothers took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a male goat, and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the long robe, brought it to their father, and said, “We found this. See if it’s your son’s robe or not.”
He recognized it and said, “It’s my son’s robe! A wild animal has devoured him. Joseph must have been torn to pieces!” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put a simple mourning cloth around his waist, and mourned for his son for many days. All of his sons and daughters got up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted, telling them, “I’ll go to my grave mourning for my son.” And Joseph’s father wept for him. Meanwhile the Midianites had sold Joseph to the Egyptians, to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s chief officer, commander of the royal guard.
HYMN: Edward Cooper
Tune: Rivaulx https://tinyurl.com/bdd2p7ns
1 O Father, Thou whose love profound
a ransom for our souls hath found,
before Thy throne we sinners bend;
to us Thy pard’ning love extend.
2 Almighty Son, Incarnate Word,
our Prophet, Priest, Redeemer, Lord,
before Thy throne we sinners bend;
to us Thy saving grace extend.
3 Eternal Spirit, by whose breath
the soul is raised from sin and death,
before Thy throne we sinners bend;
to us Thy quick’ning pow’r extend.
4 Jehovah! Father, Spirit, Son,
mysterious Godhead, Three in One,
before Thy throne we sinners bend;
grace, pardon, life, to us extend.
First of all, then, I ask that requests, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity. This is right and it pleases God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the human Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a payment to set all people free. This was a testimony that was given at the right time. I was appointed to be a preacher and apostle of this testimony—I’m telling the truth and I’m not lying! I’m a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore, I want men to pray everywhere by lifting up hands that are holy, without anger or argument.
HYMN: Bryn Rees ©
Tune: Tetherdown https://tinyurl.com/3rz96fnz
1 The kingdom of God is justice and joy;
For Jesus restores what sin would destroy.
God’s power and glory in Jesus we know;
And here and hereafter the kingdom shall grow.
2 The kingdom of God is mercy and grace;
The captives are freed, the sinners find place,
The outcast are welcomed God’s banquet to share;
And hope is awakened in place of despair.
3 The kingdom of God is challenge and choice:
Believe the good news, repent and rejoice!
God’s love for us sinners brought Christ to his cross:
Our crisis of judgement for gain or for loss.
4 God’s kingdom is come, the gift and the goal;
In Jesus begun, in heaven made whole.
The heirs of the kingdom shall answer his call;
And all things cry “Glory!” to God all in all.
Jesus said, “Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them. I say to you very seriously that as long as heaven and earth exist, neither the smallest letter nor even the smallest stroke of a pen will be erased from the Law until everything there becomes a reality. Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
CANTICLE Micah 6:6-8
(Tune: Sharpthorne https://tinyurl.com/yafplab4)
What does the Lord require
for praise and offering?
What sacrifice, desire,
or tribute bid you bring?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
Rulers of earth, give ear!
Should you not justice know?
Will God your pleading hear
while crime and cruelty grow?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
Still down the ages ring
the prophet’s stern commands;
to merchant, worker, king
he brings God’s high commands:
do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
How shall our life fulfill
God’s law so hard and high?
Let Christ endue our will
with grace to fortify.
Then justly,
in mercy,
we’ll humbly walk with God.
THE PRAYERS BCW
God of glory, we praise you for your presence in our lives, and for all goodness
that you shower upon your children in Jesus Christ. Especially we thank you for
promises kept and hope for tomorrow . . .
the enjoyment of friends . . .
the wonders of your creation . . .
the love from our parents, our sisters and brothers, our spouses and children . . .
the pleasures of living. . . .
God of grace, we are one with all your children, for we are sisters and brothers
of Jesus Christ, and we offer our prayers for all whom we love.
Especially we pray for
those we too often forget . . .
people who have lost hope . . .
victims of tragedy and disaster . . .
those who suffer mental anguish . . .
ecumenical councils and church agencies. . . .
(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.
O perfect Love,
whose compassionate power transforms sin into health
and temporal dust into eternal glory:
grant us a gracious faith,
so that like Joseph, when he was sold into slavery,
we may face our trials with confidence,
and become a blessing
to friend and enemy alike in Jesus’ name. 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.
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
The three 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 © 2024 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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