Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/5t7vysmf
The glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all flesh will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 40
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: Rusty Edwards ©
Tune: Nettleton https://tinyurl.com/y4b6x4uz
1 Praise the one who breaks the darkness
with a liberating light;
praise the one who frees the pris’ners,
turning blindness into sight.
Praise the one who preached the gospel,
healing ev’ry dread disease,
calming storms and feeding thousands
with the Father’s word of peace.
2 Praise the one who blessed the children
with a strong yet gentle word;
praise the one who drove out demons
with a piercing, two-edged sword.
Praise the one who brings cool water
to the desert’s burning sand;
from this well comes living water,
quenching thirst in ev’ry land.
3 Let us praise the Word incarnate,
Christ, who suffered in our place;
Jesus died and rose victorious
that we may know God by grace.
Let us sing for joy and gladness,
seeing what our God has done;
let us praise the true Redeemer,
praise the one who makes us one.
PSALMS
Psalm 38 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8u2a6mz)
1 Put me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine anger *
neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure.
2 For thine arrows stick fast in me *
and thy hand presseth me sore.
3 There is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure *
neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.
4 For my wickednesses are gone over my head *
and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear.
5 My wounds stink, and are corrupt *
through my foolishness.
6 I am brought into so great trouble and misery *
that I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a sore disease *
and there is no whole part in my body.
8 I am feeble, and sore smitten *
I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, thou knowest all my desire *
and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me *
and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble *
and my kinsmen stood afar off.
12 They also that sought after my life laid snares for me *
and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness,
and imagined deceit all the day long.
13 As for me, I was like a deaf man, and heard not *
and as one that is dumb, who doth not open his mouth.
14 I became even as a man that heareth not *
and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O Lord, have I put my trust *
thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I have required that they, even mine enemies,
should not triumph over me *
for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly against me.
17 And I, truly, am set in the plague *
and my heaviness is ever in my sight.
18 For I will confess my wickedness *
and be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies live, and are mighty *
and they that hate me wrongfully are many in number.
20 They also that reward evil for good are against me *
because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O Lord my God *
be not thou far from me.
22 Haste thee to help me *
O Lord God of my salvation.
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 39 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y9dmgm3b)
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways *
that I offend not in my tongue.
2 I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle *
while the ungodly is in my sight.
3 I held my tongue, and spake nothing *
I kept silence, yea, even from good words;
but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me,
and while I was thus musing the fire kindled *
and at the last I spake with my tongue;
5 Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my days *
that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6 Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span long *
and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee;
and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
7 For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain *
he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope *
truly my hope is even in thee.
9 Deliver me from all mine offences *
and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth *
for it was thy doing.
11 Take thy plague away from me *
I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12 When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin,
thou makest his beauty to consume away,
like as it were a moth fretting a garment *
every man therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling *
hold not thy peace at my tears.
14 For I am a stranger with thee *
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15 O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength *
before I go hence, and be no more seen.
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 40 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybregq8q)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord *
and he inclined unto me, and heard my calling.
2 He brought me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay *
and set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth *
even a thanksgiving unto our God.
4 Many shall see it, and fear *
and shall put their trust in the Lord.
5 Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord *
and turned not unto the proud, and to such as go about with lies.
6 O Lord my God, great are the wondrous works which thou hast done,
like as be also thy thoughts which are to us-ward *
and yet there is no man that ordereth them unto thee.
7 If I should declare them, and speak of them *
they should be more than I am able to express.
8 Sacrifice, and meat-offering, thou wouldest not *
but mine ears hast thou opened.
9 Burnt-offerings, and sacrifice for sin, hast thou not required *
then said I, Lo, I come,
10 In the volume of the book it is written of me, that I should fulfil thy will, O my God *
I am content to do it; yea, thy law is within my heart.
11 I have declared thy righteousness in the great congregation *
lo, I will not refrain my lips, O Lord, and that thou knowest.
12 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart *
my talk hath been of thy truth, and of thy salvation.
13 I have not kept back thy loving mercy and truth *
from the great congregation.
14 Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O Lord *
let thy loving-kindness and thy truth alway preserve me.
15 For innumerable troubles are come about me;
my sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up *
yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart hath failed me.
16 O Lord, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me *
make haste, O Lord, to help me.
17 Let them be ashamed, and confounded together,
that seek after my soul to destroy it *
let them be driven backward, and put to rebuke, that wish me evil.
18 Let them be desolate, and rewarded with shame *
that say unto me, Fie upon thee, fie upon thee.
19 Let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
and let such as love thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
20 As for me, I am poor and needy *
but the Lord careth for me.
21 Thou art my helper and redeemer *
make no long tarrying, O my God.
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 38 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-38-MH.mp3)
2 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger;
do not punish me, Lord, in your rage.
3 Your arrows have sunk deep in me;
your hand has come down upon me.
4 Through your anger all my body is sick:
through my sin, there is no health in my limbs.
5 My guilt towers higher than my head;
it is a weight too heavy to bear.
6 My wounds are foul and festering,
the result of my own folly.
7 I am bowed and brought to my knees.
I go mourning all the day long.
8 All my frame burns with fever;
all my body is sick.
9 Spent and utterly crushed,
I cry aloud in anguish of heart.
10 O Lord, you know all my longing:
my groans are not hidden from you.
11 My heart throbs, my strength is spent;
the very light has gone from my eyes.
12 My friends avoid me like a leper;
those closest to me stand afar off.
13 Those who plot against my life lay snares;
those who seek my ruin speak of harm,
planning treachery all the day long.
14 But I am like the deaf who cannot hear,
like the dumb unable to speak.
15 I am like a man who hears nothing
in whose mouth is no defense.
16 I count on you, O Lord:
it is you, Lord God, who will answer.
17 I pray: “Do not let them mock me,
those who triumph if my foot should slip.”
18 For I am on the point of falling
and my pain is always before me.
19 I confess that I am guilty
and my sin fills me with dismay.
20 My wanton enemies are numberless
and my lying foes are many.
21 They repay me evil for good
and attack me for seeking what is right.
22 O Lord, do not forsake me!
My God, do not stay afar off!
23 Make haste and come to my help,
O Lord, my God, my savior!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Spiritt;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 39 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-39-MH.mp3)
2 I said: “I will be watchful of my ways
for fear I should sin with my tongue.
I will put a curb on my lips
when the wicked man stands before me.”
3 I was dumb, silent and still.
His prosperity stirred my grief.
4 My heart was burning within me.
At the thought of it, the fire blazed up
and my tongue burst into speech:
5 “O Lord, you have shown me my end,
how short is the length of my days.
Now I know how fleeting is my life.
6 You have given me a short span of days;
my life is as nothing in your sight.
A mere breath, the man who stood so firm,
7 a mere shadow, the man passing by;
a mere breath the riches he hoards,
not knowing who will have them.”
8 And now, Lord, what is there to wait for?
In you rests all my hope.
9 Set me free from all my sins,
do not make me the taunt of the fool.
10 I was silent, not opening my lips,
because this was all your doing.
11 Take away your scourge from me.
I am crushed by the blows of your hand.
12 You punish man’s sins and correct him;
like the moth you devour all he treasures.
Mortal man is no more than a breath;
13 O Lord, hear my prayer.
O Lord, turn your ear to my cry.
Do not be deaf to my tears.
In your house I am a passing guest,
a pilgrim, like all my fathers.
14 Look away that I may breathe again
before I depart to be no more.
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 40 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-40.mp3)
1 I waited patiently upon the LORD; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God; *
many shall see, and stand in awe,
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Happy are they who trust in the LORD! *
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God!
how great your wonders and your plans for us! *
there is none who can be compared with you.
6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! *
but they are more than I can count.
7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *
(you have given me ears to hear you);
8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *
and so I said, “Behold, I come.
9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: *
‘I love to do your will, O my God;
your law is deep in my heart.'”
10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; *
behold, I did not restrain my lips;
and that, O LORD, you know.
11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the
great congregation.
12 You are the LORD;
do not withhold your compassion from me; *
let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13 For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; *
they are more in number than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
14 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
15 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed
who seek after my life to destroy it; *
let them draw back and be disgraced
who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16 Let those who say “Aha!” and gloat over me be confounded, *
because they are ashamed.
17 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; *
let those who love your salvation continually say,
Great is the LORD!”
18 Though I am poor and afflicted, *
the Lord will have regard for me.
19 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
do not tarry, O my God.
PRAYER
O God,
none can compare with you,
for your wondrous deeds for our salvation are without number.
Make us bold witnesses to your faithfulness
that all the earth may rejoice in your love toward us
in Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Do one of your amazing acts,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your shepherd’s rod and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will turn into a cobra.’”
So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw down his shepherd’s rod in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it turned into a cobra. Then Pharaoh called together his wise men and wizards, and Egypt’s religious experts did the same thing by using their secret knowledge. Each one threw down his rod, and they turned into cobras. But then Aaron’s rod swallowed up each of their rods. However, Pharaoh remained stubborn. He wouldn’t listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh is stubborn. He still refuses to let the people go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning. As he is going out to the water, make sure you stand at the bank of the Nile River so you will run into him. Bring along the shepherd’s rod that turned into a snake. Say to him, The Lord, the Hebrews’ God, has sent me to you with this message: Let my people go so that they can worship me in the desert. Up to now you still haven’t listened. This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am the Lord. I’m now going to hit the water of the Nile River with this rod in my hand, and it will turn into blood. The fish in the Nile are going to die, the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians won’t be able to drink water from the Nile.” The Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your shepherd’s rod and stretch out your hand over Egypt’s waters—over their rivers, their canals, their marshes, and all their bodies of water—so that they turn into blood. There will be blood all over the land of Egypt, even in wooden and stone containers.’”
Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded. He raised the shepherd’s rod and hit the water in the Nile in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the Nile began to stink so that the Egyptians couldn’t drink water from the Nile. There was blood all over the land of Egypt.
HYMN: African-American spiritual
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/rfad5xec
1 When Israel was in Egypt’s land;
Let my people go,
Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
Let my people go!
Refrain:
Go down, Moses,
‘Way down in Egypt’s land.
Tell old Pharaoh,
let my people go!
2 Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said;
Let my people go,
If not, I’ll smite your firstborn dead.
Let my people go. [Refrain]
3 No more shall they in bondage toil;
Let my people go,
Let them come out with Egypt’s spoil,
Let my people go. [Refrain]
Paul and Barnabas entered the Jewish synagogue [in Iconium] and spoke as they had before. As a result, a huge number of Jews and Greeks believed. However, the Jews who rejected the faith stirred up the Gentiles, poisoning their minds against the brothers. Nevertheless, Paul and Barnabas stayed there for quite some time, confidently speaking about the Lord. And the Lord confirmed the word about his grace by the signs and wonders he enabled them to perform. The people of the city were divided—some siding with the Jews, others with the Lord’s messengers. Then some Gentiles and Jews, including their leaders, hatched a plot to mistreat and stone Paul and Barnabas. When they learned of it, these two messengers fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area, where they continued to proclaim the good news.
In Lystra there was a certain man who lacked strength in his legs. He had been crippled since birth and had never walked. Sitting there, he heard Paul speaking. Paul stared at him and saw that he believed he could be healed. Raising his voice, Paul said, “Stand up straight on your feet!” He jumped up and began to walk.
Seeing what Paul had done, the crowd shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have taken human form and come down to visit us!” They referred to Barnabas as Zeus and to Paul as Hermes, since Paul was the main speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was located just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates. Along with the crowds, he wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
When the Lord’s messengers Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes in protest and rushed out into the crowd. They shouted, “People, what are you doing? We are humans too, just like you! We are proclaiming the good news to you: turn to the living God and away from such worthless things. He made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. In the past, he permitted every nation to go its own way. Nevertheless, he hasn’t left himself without a witness. He has blessed you by giving you rain from above as well as seasonal harvests, and satisfying you with food and happiness.” Even with these words, they barely kept the crowds from sacrificing to them.
HYMN: John S. B. Monsell
Tune: Gonfalon Royal https://tinyurl.com/5fu87enu
1 Sing to the Lord a joyful song,
lift up your hearts, your voices raise;
to us his gracious gifts belong,
to him our songs of love and praise.
2 For life and love, for rest and food,
for daily help and nightly care,
sing to the Lord, for he is good,
and praise his name, for it is fair.
3 For strength to those who on him wait
his truth to prove, his will to do,
sing to our God, for he is great,
trust in his name, for it is true.
4 For joys untold, that from above
cheer those who love his sweet employ,
sing to our God, for he is love;
exalt his name, for it is joy.
5 Sing to the Lord of heaven and earth,
whom angels serve and saints adore,
the Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
to whom be praise for evermore. Amen.
They brought to Jesus a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him so that he could both speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “This man couldn’t be the Son of David, could he?”
When the Pharisees heard, they said, “This man throws out demons only by the authority of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Because Jesus knew what they were thinking, he replied, “Every kingdom involved in civil war becomes a wasteland. Every city or house torn apart by divisions will collapse. If Satan throws out Satan, he is at war with himself. How then can his kingdom endure? And if I throw out demons by the authority of Beelzebul, then by whose authority do your followers throw them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. But if I throw out demons by the power of God’s Spirit, then God’s kingdom has already overtaken you. Can people go into a house that belongs to a strong man and steal his possessions, unless they first tie up the strong man? Then they can rob his house. Whoever isn’t with me is against me, and whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.”
CANTICLE Deuteronomy 32:1-12
(Luke Brawner https://tinyurl.com/ybe98e62)
Give ear, O Heaven, and I will speak
Let the earth hear the words of my mouth
May my song fall soft like gentle rains
Upon the tender grass
Refrain:
(I will) proclaim the name of the Lord
(I will) ascribe greatness to our God
(I will) proclaim the name of the Lord
(I will) ascribe greatness to our God, greatness to our God
His work is perfect, his ways are just
without iniquity.
The Rock, a God of faithfulness
upright and just is he. Refrain
Rejoice with him, O heavens
Bow down to him, all gods
for he alone is worthy of your praise.
Rejoice with him, O heavens
Bow down to him, all gods
for he alone is worthy of your praise
for he alone is worthy of your praise.
Proclaim the name of the Lord.
O ascribe greatness to our God.
Proclaim the name of the Lord.
Ascribe greatness to our God, greatness to our God.
THE PRAYERS BCW
We give you our praise and thanks, O God, for all gifts of love we have received
from you, and for your persistent mercy in Jesus Christ.
Especially we thank you for
work we have accomplished pleasing to you . . .
the faithful witness of Christian people . . .
the example of righteousness we see in parents and teachers . . .
the innocence and openness we see in children . . .
all works of Christian compassion. . . .
We give you our cares and concerns, O God, because we know you are kind and
care for your children in every circumstance. Especially we pray for
those who struggle with doubt and despair . . .
people afflicted with disease . . .
those called to special ministries . . .
people neglected or abused . . .
Baptist, Disciples of Christ, and other free churches. . . .
(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.
As you cause the sun to rise, O God,
bring the light of Christ to dawn in our souls
and dispel all darkness.
Give us grace to reflect Christ’s glory;
and let his love show in our deeds,
his peace shine in our words,
and his healing in our touch,
that all may give him praise, now and forever. Amen. BCW
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
Donation to Support This Ministry
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
The scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalm 38 and 39 are from The Grail Psalter and are from the Manual Hopper YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/manualhopper/featured. Psalm 40 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung 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 © 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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