Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yjrz92n5
O Lord, I trust in your merciful love.
My heart will rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me. Psalm 13
Eternal God,
give us insight to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. CW: Additional Collects
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: Philip Doddridge
Tune: Narenza https://tinyurl.com/4sytfpdy
1 Ye servants of the Lord,
each in his office wait,
observant of his heavenly word,
and watchful at his gate.
2 Let all your lamps be bright,
and trim the golden flame;
gird up your loins as in his sight,
for aweful is his name.
3 Watch! ’tis your Lord’s command,
and while we speak, he’s near;
mark the first signal of his hand,
and ready all appear.
4 O happy servant he
in such a posture found!
he shall his Lord with rapture see,
and be with honour crowned.
5 Christ shall the banquet spread
with his own royal hand,
and raise that faithful servant’s head
amid the angelic band.
PSALMS
Psalm 119:145-176
(Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y74yj68g)
145 I call with my whole heart *
hear me, O Lord, I will keep thy statutes.
146 Yea, even unto thee do I call *
help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147 Early in the morning do I cry unto thee *
for in thy word is my trust.
148 Mine eyes prevent the night-watches *
that I might be occupied in thy words.
149 Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness *
quicken me, according as thou art wont.
150 They draw nigh that of malice persecute me *
and are far from thy law.
151 Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord *
for all thy commandments are true.
152 As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since *
that thou hast grounded them for ever.
153 O consider mine adversity, and deliver me *
for I do not forget thy law.
154 Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me *
quicken me, according to thy word.
155 Health is far from the ungodly *
for they regard not thy statutes.
156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord *
quicken me, as thou art wont.
157 Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me *
yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.
158 It grieveth me when I see the transgressors *
because they keep not thy law.
159 Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments *
O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.
160 Thy word is true from everlasting *
all the judgements of thy righteousness endure for evermore.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause *
but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162 I am as glad of thy word *
as one that findeth great spoils.
163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them *
but thy law do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee *
because of thy righteous judgements.
165 Great is the peace that they have who love thy law *
and they are not offended at it.
166 Lord, I have looked for thy saving health *
and done after thy commandments.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies *
and loved them exceedingly.
168 I have kept thy commandments and testimonies *
for all my ways are before thee.
169 Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord *
give me understanding according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee *
deliver me, according to thy word.
171 My lips shall speak of thy praise *
when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172 Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word *
for all thy commandments are righteous.
173 Let thine hand help me *
for I have chosen thy commandments.
174 I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord *
and in thy law is my delight.
175 O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee *
and thy judgements shall help me.
176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost *
O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.
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 119:145-176 (Genevan Psalm 119 https://tinyurl.com/y4nj8yrr)
19 With my whole heart I call to you, O LORD;
answer me, save me, hear my voice of weeping.
I rise before the dawn and cry for help.
I meditate throughout the long night watches.
LORD, in your gracious judgment quicken me,
for your commands are light and truth forever.
20 From my affliction, LORD, deliver me;
defend my cause and save me from destruction.
Renew my life according to your word.
Salvation is denied to those who hate you,
but those who seek your justice will be blest.
LORD, grant me mercy, for I love your precepts.
21 When rulers persecute without a cause,
my heart remembers all your words of promise,
as one who, finding treasure, stands amazed.
Seven times a day I praise you for your justice.
Great peace have those who love your law, O God;
they cannot stumble if they do your bidding.
22 O let my cry be heard by you, O LORD.
My lips will speak your praise and sing your goodness.
Be ready with your hand to strengthen me.
Like a lost sheep I long for restoration.
O let me live to sing your praises, LORD.
Your law delights me; LORD, be my salvation.
PRAYER
Almighty God,
you gave the law to guide our lives.
May we never shrink from your commandments,
but, as we are taught by your Son Jesus,
fulfill the law in perfect love;
through Christ our Lord and Master,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
Joshua, Nun’s son, secretly sent two men as spies from Shittim. He said, “Go. Look over the land, especially Jericho.” They set out and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab. They bedded down there.
Someone told the king of Jericho, “Men from the Israelites have come here tonight to spy on the land.”
So the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab: “Send out the men who came to you, the ones who came to your house, because they have come to spy on the entire land.”
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. Then she said, “Of course the men came to me. But I didn’t know where they were from. The men left when it was time to close the gate at dark, but I don’t know where the men went. Hurry! Chase after them! You might catch up with them.” But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the flax stalks that she had laid out on the roof. The men from Jericho chased after them in the direction of the Jordan up to the fords. As soon as those chasing them went out, the gate was shut behind them.
Before the spies bedded down, Rahab went up to them on the roof. She said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land. Terror over you has overwhelmed us. The entire population of the land has melted down in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Reed Sea in front of you when you left Egypt. We have also heard what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites on the other side of the Jordan. You utterly wiped them out. We heard this and our hearts turned to water. Because of you, people can no longer work up their courage. This is because the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. Now, I have been loyal to you. So pledge to me by the Lord that you in turn will deal loyally with my family. Give me a sign of good faith. Spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, and sisters, along with everything they own. Rescue us from death.”
The men said to her, “We swear by our own lives to secure yours. If you don’t reveal our mission, we will deal loyally and faithfully with you when the Lord gives us the land.”
So she lowered the spies on a rope through the window. Her house was on the outer side of the city wall, and she lived inside the wall. Then she said to them, “Go toward the highlands so that those chasing you don’t run into you. Hide there for three days until those chasing you return. Then you may go on your way.”
The men said to her, “We won’t be responsible for this pledge you made us swear unless, when we come into the land, you tie this red woven cord in the window through which you lowered us. Gather your father, your mother, your brothers, and your whole family into the house with you. Those who go outside the doors of your house into the street will have only themselves to blame for their own deaths. We won’t be responsible. If anyone lays a hand on those who are with you in the house, we will take the blame for their death. But if you reveal our mission, we won’t be responsible for this pledge you made us swear.”
She said, “These things will happen just like you said.” She sent them away and they went off. Then she tied the red cord in the window.
The spies went out and entered the highlands. They stayed there for three days until those chasing them came back. Those chasing them had searched all along the road but never found them. Then the two men came back down from the highlands. They crossed the Jordan and came to Joshua, Nun’s son. They told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has definitely given the entire land into our power. In addition, all of the land’s population has melted down in fear because of us.”
HYMN: Psalm 31; para. David Gambrell ©
Tune: Kilmarnock https://tinyurl.com/d6a5cuv4
1 You are my refuge, faithful God;
you shelter me from shame.
I put my spirit in your hands
and call upon your name.
2 Deliver me from hidden snares,
from sorrow, pain, and strife.
When troubles seem to smother me,
take heed, and save my life!
3 Be gracious, God, in my distress,
and dry my bitter tears.
My life is spent in misery;
I sigh away my years.
4 I am a wretched sight to see:
a broken, empty thing,
with only terror all around,
and deathly whispering.
5 And yet I trust in you, O God;
your covenant still stands.
Redeem me, in your faithful love:
my life is in your hands.
Everything is permitted, but everything isn’t beneficial. Everything is permitted, but everything doesn’t build others up. No one should look out for their own advantage, but they should look out for each other. Eat everything that is sold in the marketplace, without asking questions about it because of your conscience. The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord. If an unbeliever invites you to eat with them and you want to go, eat whatever is served, without asking questions because of your conscience. But if someone says to you, “This meat was sacrificed in a temple,” then don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. Now when I say “conscience” I don’t mean yours but the other person’s. Why should my freedom be judged by someone else’s conscience? If I participate with gratitude, why should I be blamed for food I thank God for? So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God’s glory. Don’t offend either Jews or Greeks, or God’s church. This is the same thing that I do. I please everyone in everything I do. I don’t look out for my own advantage, but I look out for many people so that they can be saved. Follow my example, just like I follow Christ’s.
HYMN: Jane Cotterill
Tune: Wareham https://tinyurl.com/b5mdxrzb
1 O Thou, Who hast at Thy command
The hearts of all men in Thy hand,
Our wayward, erring hearts incline
To know no other will but Thine.
2 Our wishes, our desires, control;
Mold every purpose of the soul;
O’er all may we victorious prove
That stands between us and Thy love.
3 Thrice blest will all our blessings be,
When we can look through them to Thee;
When each glad heart its tribute pays
Of love, and gratitude, and praise.
4 And while we to Thy glory live,
May we to Thee all glory give,
Until the final summons come,
That calls Thy willing servants home.
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside by themselves on the road. He told them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Human One will be handed over to the chief priests and legal experts. They will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be ridiculed, tortured, and crucified. But he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus along with her sons. Bowing before him, she asked a favor of him. “What do you want?” he asked. She responded, “Say that these two sons of mine will sit, one on your right hand and one on your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink from the cup that I’m about to drink from?” They said to him, “We can.” He said to them, “You will drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom my Father prepared it.”
CANTICLE Isaiah 61.10,11; 62.1-3
(Hildegard of Bingen https://tinyurl.com/26ehzcxk)
Refrain:
All God makes righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.
1 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my soul shall exult in my God;
2 Who has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
and has covered me with the cloak of integrity,
3 As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
4 For as the earth puts forth her blossom,
and as seeds in the garden spring up,
5 So shall God make righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.
6 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
7 Until her deliverance shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
8 The nations shall see your deliverance,
and all rulers shall see your glory;
9 Then you shall be called by a new name
which the mouth of God will give.
10 You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
All Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
All God makes righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.
THE PRAYERS AAPB
Eternal God,
who declared in Christ Jesus
the completion of all your purposes of love;
We give thanks
for the triumphs of the gospel that herald your salvation
for the signs of renewal that declare the coming of your kingdom
for the revelation of the work of your grace in human lives . . .
for the unceasing praise of the company of heaven
for the promise to those who mourn that all tears will be wiped away
for the pledge of death destroyed and victory won . . .
for our foretaste of eternal life through baptism and the holy communion
for our hope in the Spirit
for the communion of saints
for all who rest in Christ . . .
We pray for the sick
those in pain . . .
the handicapped, the aged . . .
those who are tempted and despairing . . .
those who minister to them and care for them . . .
those who mourn . . .
May we live by faith, walk in hope, and be renewed in love,
until the whole world reflects your glory,
and you are all in all.
Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
(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.
Creator God,
you are wrapped in light as a garment,
clothed with honor and majesty.
Enlighten us with true faith and humble obedience
that seeks to serve others in your 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.
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
AAPB An Australian Prayer Book, © 1978 Anglican Church of Australia
The 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 119 is from Psalter Hymnal © 1985, sung to the Genevan melody for Psalm 119.
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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