Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/2p9c4fyw
Look to your covenant, O Lord,
and forget not the life of your poor ones for ever.
Arise, O God, and defend your cause,
and forget not the cries of those who seek you. Psalm 74
O God whom we long to know,
burning fire within our souls,
grant to us the tongues like fire,
the sound of rushing wind, your descending Holy Spirit,
that in knowing your Word we might know your presence,
that in following your ways we might live in your light.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. WS2
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: Charles Wesley
Tune: Bealoth https://tinyurl.com/34c9fh22
1 Spirit of faith, come down,
reveal the things of God,
and make to us the God-head known,
and witness with the blood.
‘Tis Thine the blood to’apply
and give us eyes to see,
who did for ev’ry sinner die
hath surely died for me.
2 No one can truly say
that Jesus is the Lord,
unless Thou take the veil away
and breathe the living Word.
Then, only then, we feel
our int’rest in His blood,
and cry with joy unspeakable,
“Thou art my Lord, my God!”
3 O that the world might know
the all-atoning Lamb!
Spirit of faith, descend and show
the virtue of His name;
the grace which all may find,
and saving pow’r, impart,
and testify to humankind,
and speak in ev’ry heart.
4 Inspire the living faith
which whosoe’er receive,
the witness in themselves they have
and consciously believe;
the faith that conquers all,
and doth the mountain move,
and saves whoe’er on Jesus call,
and perfects them in love.
PSALMS
Psalm 144 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/tb977vw)
1 Blessed be the Lord my strength *
who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight;
2 My hope and my fortress, my castle and deliverer,
my defender in whom I trust *
who subdueth my people that is under me.
3 Lord, what is man, that thou hast such respect unto him *
or the son of man, that thou so regardest him?
4 Man is like a thing of nought *
his time passeth away like a shadow.
5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down *
touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth thy lightning, and tear them *
shoot out thine arrows, and consume them.
7 Send down thine hand from above *
deliver me, and take me out of the great waters,
from the hand of strange children;
8 Whose mouth talketh of vanity *
and their right hand is a right hand of wickedness.
9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God *
and sing praises unto thee upon a ten-stringed lute.
10 Thou hast given victory unto kings *
and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword.
11 Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children *
whose mouth talketh of vanity,
and their right hand is a right hand of iniquity.
12 That our sons may grow up as the young plants *
and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple.
13 That our garners may be full and plenteous
with all manner of store *
that our sheep may bring forth
thousands and ten thousands in our streets.
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour, that there be no decay *
no leading into captivity, and no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy are the people that are in such a case *
yea, blessed are the people who have the Lord for their 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 145 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ub6xy86)
1 I will magnify thee, O God, my King *
and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I give thanks unto thee *
and praise thy Name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and marvellous worthy to be praised *
there is no end of his greatness.
4 One generation shall praise thy works unto another *
and declare thy power.
5 As for me, I will be talking of thy worship *
thy glory, thy praise, and wondrous works;
6 So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous acts *
and I will also tell of thy greatness.
7 The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be shewed *
and men shall sing of thy righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious, and merciful *
long-suffering, and of great goodness.
9 The Lord is loving unto every man *
and his mercy is over all his works.
10 All thy works praise thee, O Lord *
and thy saints give thanks unto thee.
11 They shew the glory of thy kingdom *
and talk of thy power;
12 That thy power, thy glory, and mightiness of thy kingdom *
might be known unto men.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom *
and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages.
14 The Lord upholdeth all such as fall *
and lifteth up all those that are down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord *
and thou givest them their meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thine hand *
and fillest all things living with plenteousness.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
and holy in all his works.
18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him *
yea, all such as call upon him faithfully.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him *
he also will hear their cry, and will help them.
20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him *
but scattereth abroad all the ungodly.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord *
and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.
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 146 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/rwxra4q)
1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord *
yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God.
2 O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man *
for there is no help in them.
3 For when the breath of man goeth forth he shall turn again to his earth *
and then all his thoughts perish.
4 Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help *
and whose hope is in the Lord his God;
5 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is *
who keepeth his promise for ever.
6 Who helpeth them to right that suffer wrong *
who feedeth the hungry.
7 The Lord looseth men out of prison *
the Lord giveth sight to the blind.
8 The Lord helpeth them that are fallen *
the Lord careth for the righteous.
9 The Lord careth for the strangers; he defendeth the fatherless and widow *
as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.
10 The Lord thy God, O Sion, shall be King for evermore *
and throughout all generations.
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 144 (Charles Pettee: https://tinyurl.com/yda7ervv)
Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle.
He is my loving God,
my shield in whom I take refuge.
O Lord, what is man that you care,
or the sons of man that you take notice?
They are just like a breath,
their days like a passing shadow.
Arch your heavens, O Lord, and come down!
Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
Make your lightning flash,
shoot your arrows, make the wicked fly!
Reach out your hand from on high,
set me free from the mighty waters,
from the hand of aliens,
whose mouths are full of lies.
I will sing a new song to you, O God;
on a ten-stringed harp I will praise you.
You who gives victory to kings,
saves us from the cruel sword.
May our sons in their youth
be like trees full grown,
our daughters like pillars for the palace;
may our barns be full with the harvest;
Our cattle heavy with young,
may there be no breach in the walls
no going into exile,
and no cry of distress in our streets!
Happy are the people so blessed
Happy are those whose God is the Lord!
Happy are the people so blessed
Happy are those whose God is the Lord!
Psalm 145 (BCW Tone: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-145-BCW.mp3)
1 I will exalt you, O God my King, *
and bless your Name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless you *
and praise your Name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
there is no end to his greatness.
4 One generation shall praise your works to another *
and shall declare your power.
5 I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty *
and all your marvelous works.
6 They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *
and I will tell of your greatness.
7 They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *
they shall sing of your righteous deeds.
8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 The LORD is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.
10 All your works praise you, O LORD, *
and your faithful servants bless you.
11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *
and speak of your power;
12 That the peoples may know of your power *
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *
your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14 The LORD is faithful in all his words *
and merciful in all his deeds.
15 The LORD upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.
16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, *
and you give them their food in due season.
17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.
18 The LORD is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.
19 The LORD is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.
20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.
21 The LORD preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.
22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.
Psalm 146 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-146.mp3)
1 Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7 The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8 The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9 The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Blessed are those who put their trust in you, O God,
our sure rock and refuge.
Guard us from giving to any other
the allegiance which belongs only to you.
Shine upon us with the brightness of your light,
that we may love you with a pure heart
and praise you forever;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
The Lord says:
Heaven is my throne,
and earth is my footstool.
So where could you build a house for me,
and where could my resting place be?
My hand made all these things
and brought them into being, says the Lord.
But here is where I will look:
to the humble and contrite in spirit,
who tremble at my word.
Listen to the Lord’s word,
you who tremble at his word:
Your family members, those who hate and exclude you because of my name,
have said, “Let the Lord be glorified;
let’s see your joy.”
But they will be ashamed.
The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple!
The sound of the Lord repaying his enemies what they have earned.
HYMN: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/yc5brhuu
1 Speak, O Lord, as we come to you
to receive the food of your holy Word;
take your truth, plant it deep in us,
shape and fashion us in your likeness,
that the light of Christ may be seen today
in our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
all your purposes for your glory.
2 Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
holy reverence, true humility;
test our thoughts and our attitudes
in the radiance of your purity.
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail,
let their truth prevail over unbelief.
3 Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds,
help us grasp the heights of your plans for us,
truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
that will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on your promises,
and by faith we’ll walk as you walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till your Church is built,
and the earth is filled with your glory.
But as for you, man of God, run away from all these things. Instead, pursue righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life—you were called to it, and you made a good confession of it in the presence of many witnesses. I command you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when testifying before Pontius Pilate. Obey this order without fault or failure until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. The timing of this appearance is revealed by God alone, who is the blessed and only master, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He alone has immortality and lives in light that no one can come near. No human being has ever seen or is able to see him. Honor and eternal power belong to him. Amen.
HYMN: Unknown
Tune: Moscow https://tinyurl.com/58c7mwuf
1 Come, Thou Almighty King,
help us Thy name to sing;
help us to praise:
Father, all glorious,
o’er all victorious,
come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
2 Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
gird on Thy mighty sword,
our pray’r attend:
come, and Thy people bless,
and give Thy Word success:
Spirit of holiness,
on us descend.
3 Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of pow’r.
4 To Thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be
hence, evermore.
His sov’reign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore!
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. You have heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away and returning to you.’ If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than me. I have told you before it happens so that when it happens you will believe. I won’t say much more to you because this world’s ruler is coming. He has nothing on me. Rather, he comes so that the world will know that I love the Father and do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up. We’re leaving this place.”
CANTICLE Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/y499lmmp)
Ant. Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore. Ant.
PRAYERS WS2
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon us:
a spirit of wisdom and understanding.
Strengthen us with your gifts
of wisdom and understanding, Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon us:
a spirit of right judgment and courage.
Strengthen us with your gifts
of right judgment and courage, Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon us:
a spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Strengthen us with your gifts
of knowledge and reverence, Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon us:
a spirit of wonder and awe in the presence of the living God.
Strengthen us with your gifts
of wonder and awe, Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Traditional chant: https://tinyurl.com/ydzx5jdp)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And 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.]
Holy God,
who suddenly appeared upon your children
like the flaring of fire
and illumined a multitude with a common mind:
so fill us, and all your faithful,
with the Holy Spirit,
that in a blaze of truth
we may know that we are your sons and daughters,
one family of faith,
one body given life through Christ our Head,
who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen. BCW2018
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.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
WS2 The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd edition, © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources
The three main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 144 is by Charles Pettee https://www.charlespettee.com/ and was transcribed by me. Let me know of any inaccuracies. Psalms 145 are from The Book of Common Prayer (1979). Psalm 145 is a Book of Common Worship tone and was sourced from the PCUSA website https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/service-lords-day/service-lords-day-psalm/chant-psalms/. Psalm 146 is 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 © 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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