John Calvin
John Calvin was the premier theologian and leader of the Reformed wing of the Protestant Reformation. He was born in France in 1509. His father wanted him to study law, which he did for a time, but Calvin’s own passions were theology, languages, rhetoric and the literary sciences. Around 1534, he underwent a major conversion experience, left the Roman Church, and devoted the rest of his life to the evangelical cause of the Protestant Reformation.
Calvin’s greatest work is The Institutes of the Christian Religion, first published in 1536, but repeatedly updated and revised until its final edition in 1559. Unlike Luther and Zwingli, whose theological writings were “situational” in the sense of addressing particular conflicts, Calvin’s Institutes were a more systematic treatment of the whole of Reformed evangelical theology. By taking up his reforming agenda fifteen years after Luther and Zwingli, Calvin was able to write in a more reflective and considered mode, beyond the crossfire and immediacy of the early years of the Reformation. Standard themes in Reformed theology—the sovereignty of God, election and predestination, the true nature of the Christian life, and the proper understanding of the authority of Scripture—even now bear strong Calvinist qualities. The Institutes continue to be an accessible window into the Reformed theology of the sixteenth century. HWHM
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/3v94vcv3
He who ponders the law of the Lord day and night
will yield fruit in due season. Psalm 1
Almighty and gracious God,
since our whole salvation stands
in our knowledge of your holy word,
pour out your Holy Spirit upon us,
that our hearts may be freed from the chains of sin,
so that we may hear and receive your word,
recognizing your gracious will for us.
Teach us by scripture
to love and serve you with delight,
praising and glorifying you
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. John Calvin
Music: https://tinyurl.com/mb6h9xfa
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
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.
Alleluia, alleluia!
HYMN: attr. John Calvin; trans. Elizabeth Lee Smith
Tune: Toulon https://tinyurl.com/45bnac0l
1 I greet thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
my only trust and Savior of my heart,
who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray thee from our hearts all cares to take.
2 Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,
reigning omnipotent in ev’ry place:
so come, O King, and our whole being sway;
shine on us with the light of thy pure day.
3 Thou art the Life, by which alone we live,
and all our substance and our strength receive;
O comfort us in death’s approaching hour,
strong-hearted then to face it by thy pow’r.
4 Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,
no harshness hast thou and no bitterness:
make us to taste the sweet grace found in thee
and ever stay in thy sweet unity.
5 Our hope is in no other save in thee;
our faith is built upon thy promise free;
O grant to us such stronger hope and sure
that we can boldly conquer and endure.
PSALMS
Psalm 120 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wmagrmt)
1 When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord *
and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips *
and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What reward shall be given or done unto thee, thou false tongue *
even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.
4 Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech *
and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar.
5 My soul hath long dwelt among them *
that are enemies unto peace.
6 I labour for peace, but when I speak unto them thereof *
they make them ready to battle.
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 121 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wlpcmlp)
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills *
from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh even from the Lord *
who hath made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved *
and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord himself is thy keeper *
the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
6 So that the sun shall not burn thee by day *
neither the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil *
yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in *
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 122 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/uwbt7e3)
1 I was glad when they said unto me *
We will go into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet shall stand in thy gates *
O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity in itself.
4 For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord *
to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5 For there is the seat of judgement *
even the seat of the house of David.
6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem *
they shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls *
and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes *
I will wish thee prosperity.
9 Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God *
I will seek to do thee good.
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 123 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vqr5s45)
1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes *
O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2 Behold, even as the eyes of servants look
unto the hand of their masters,
and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress *
even so our eyes wait upon the Lord Our God,
until he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us *
for we are utterly despised.
4 Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy *
and with the despitefulness of the proud.
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 124 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/w9ocmm5)
1 If the Lord himself had not been on our side, now may Israel say *
if the Lord himself had not been on our side,
when men rose up against us;
2 They had swallowed us up quick *
when they were so wrathfully displeased at us.
3 Yea, the waters had drowned us *
and the stream had gone over our soul.
4 The deep waters of the proud *
had gone even over our soul.
5 But praised be the Lord *
who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth.
6 Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler *
the snare is broken, and we are delivered.
7 Our help standeth in the Name of the Lord *
who hath made heaven and earth.
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 125 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/s7phzdz)
1 They that put their trust in the Lord shall be even as the mount Sion *
which may not be removed, but standeth fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem *
even so standeth the Lord round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 For the rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous *
lest the righteous put their hand unto wickedness.
4 Do well, O Lord *
unto those that are good and true of heart.
5 As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness *
the Lord shall lead them forth with the evil-doers;
but peace shall be 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 120 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-120.mp3)
1 When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD; *
I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips *
and from the deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be done to you, and what more besides, *
O you deceitful tongue?
4 The sharpened arrows of a warrior, *
along with hot glowing coals.
5 How hateful it is that I must lodge in Meshech *
and dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had to live *
among the enemies of peace.
7 I am on the side of peace, *
but when I speak of it, they are for war
Psalm 121 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-121.mp3)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and
your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Psalm 122 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-122.mp3)
1 I was glad when they said to me, *
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city *
that is at unity with itself;
4 To which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD, *
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the LORD.
5 For there are the thrones of judgment, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls *
and quietness within your towers.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sake, *
I pray for your prosperity.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God, *
I will seek to do you good.”
Psalm 123 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-123.mp3)
1 To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.
2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
3 So our eyes look to the LORD our God, *
until he show us his mercy.
4 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,
5 Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.
Psalm 124 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-124.mp3)
1 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
2 If the LORD had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
3 Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
5 Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
6 Blessed be the LORD! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 125 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-125.mp3)
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem; *
so does the LORD stand round about his people,
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked shall not hold sway over the
land allotted to the just, *
so that the just shall not put their hands to evil.
4 Show your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good *
and to those who are true of heart.
5 As for those who turn aside to crooked ways,
the LORD will lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace be upon Israel.
PRAYER
God, our helper,
you are strength greater than the mountains;
you look to our needs and watch over us day and night.
Teach us to hold confidently to your grace
that in times of fear and danger
we may know you are near and depend on you,
our sure deliverer. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
For Zion’s sake I won’t keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I won’t sit still
until her righteousness shines out like a light,
and her salvation blazes like a torch.
Nations will see your righteousness,
all kings your glory.
You will be called by a new name,
which the Lord’s own mouth will determine.
You will be a splendid garland in the Lord’s hand,
a royal turban in the palm of God’s hand.
You will no longer be called Abandoned,
and your land will no longer be called Deserted.
Instead, you will be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land, Married.
Because the Lord delights in you,
your land will be cared for once again.
As a young man marries a young woman,
so your sons will marry you.
With the joy of a bridegroom because of his bride,
so your God will rejoice because of you.
Upon your walls, Jerusalem,
I have appointed sentinels.
Continually, all day and all night,
they won’t keep silent.
You who call on the Lord, don’t rest,
and don’t allow God to rest
until he establishes Jerusalem,
and makes it the praise of the earth.
The Lord has promised
with raised hand and strong arm:
I will never again give your grain
as food for your enemies.
Foreigners won’t drink your wine
for which you labored.
Those who harvest will eat it
and will praise the Lord;
those who gather will drink it
in my holy courtyards.
Pass through, pass through the gates;
prepare the way for the people!
Build, build the road;
clear away the stones!
Raise up a signal for the peoples.
This is what the Lord announced
to the earth’s distant regions:
Say to Daughter Zion, “Look! Your deliverer arrives,
bringing reward and payment!”
They will be called The Holy People,
Redeemed By the Lord.
And you will be called Sought After—
A City That Is Not Abandoned.
HYMN: Franz Michael Franzén; trans. Charles Price ©
Tune: Bereden väg för Herran https://tinyurl.com/4es48e23
1 Prepare the way, O Zion,
your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley
a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory,
foretold in sacred story.
Refrain:
O blest is Christ who came
in God’s most holy name.
2 He brings God’s rule, O Zion;
he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom,
and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding. [Refrain]
3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your Savior’s rule embrace,
and tidings of salvation
proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing,
their adoration voicing. [Refrain]
Don’t correct an older man, but encourage him like he’s your father; treat younger men like your brothers, treat older women like your mother, and treat younger women like your sisters with appropriate respect.
Take care of widows who are truly needy. But if a particular widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to respect their own family and repay their parents, because this pleases God. A widow who is truly needy and all alone puts her hope in God and keeps on going with requests and prayers, night and day. But a widow who tries to live a life of luxury is dead even while she is alive. Teach these things so that the families will be without fault. But if someone doesn’t provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith.
Put a widow on the list who is older than 60 years old and who was faithful to her husband. She should have a reputation for doing good: raising children, providing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in distress, and dedicating herself to every kind of good thing.
HYMN: Isaac Watts
Tune: St Michael (Old 134th) https://tinyurl.com/2zdj3far
1 See what a living stone
The builders did refuse!
Yet God hath built his church thereon,
In spite of envious Jews.
2 The work, O Lord, is thine,
And wondrous in our eyes;
This day declares it all divine,
This day did Jesus rise.
3 Since he hath left the gave,
His promises are sure;
And each exalted hope he gave;
Confirm’d of heav’n we view.
4 Hosanna to the King
Of David’s royal blood!
Bless Him, ye saints; he comes to bring
Salvation from your God.
5 O come the happy hour,
When all the world shall own
Thy Son, O God, declar’d with pow’r,
And worship at thy throne!
6 We bless thy holy word,
Which all this grace displays;
And offer on thine altar, Lord!
Our sacrifice of praise.
Jesus had done many miraculous signs before the people, but they didn’t believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of the prophet Isaiah:
Lord, who has believed through our message?
To whom is the arm of the Lord fully revealed?
Isaiah explains why they couldn’t believe:
He made their eyes blind
and closed their minds
so that they might not see with their eyes,
understand with their minds,
and turn their lives around—
and I would heal them.
Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory; he spoke about Jesus. Even so, many leaders believed in him, but they wouldn’t acknowledge their faith because they feared that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. They believed, but they loved human praise more than God’s glory.
CANTICLE Revelation 15:3-4
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/yb3kd863)
Ant. All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done, *
surpassing human understanding.
Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *
O King of all the ages.
Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name? *
for you only are the Holy One.
All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *
because your just and holy works have been revealed.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant.
THE PRAYERS CW:TS
Let us pray to God our creator,
who has given us the earth’s goodness for our delight,
and entrusted it to our care and tenderness.
For all who live in captivity to debt,
whose lives are cramped by fear
from which there is no turning
except through abundant harvest;
Lord, we pray:
may those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
For all who depend on the earth for their daily food and fuel,
whose forests are destroyed for the profit of a few;
Lord, we pray:
may those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
For those who labour in poverty,
are oppressed by unjust laws,
are prevented from speaking the truth,
and long for a harvest of justice;
Lord, we pray:
may those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
For all who are captive to greed and waste and boredom,
whose harvest joy is choked
with things they do not need;
Lord, we pray:
may those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Save us from all that holds us captive,
restore our vision,
that our mouth may be filled with laughter
and our tongue with songs of joy. Amen.
Setting by Eric Wyse:2
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.
Sovereign and holy God,
you brought John Calvin from a study of legal systems
to understand the godliness of your divine laws
as revealed in Scripture:
Fill us with a like zeal to teach and preach your Word,
that the whole world may come to know your Son Jesus Christ,
the true Word and Wisdom;
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
ever one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. HWHM
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.
HWHM Holy Women, Holy Men © Church Publishing, Inc.
2 Eric Wyse, Lord’s Prayer, ©; audio from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_a40ME7aVk
CW:TS Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2006 and published by Church House Publishing
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional-language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern versions of the psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and are 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 © 2025 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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