Antiphon: https://tinyurl.com/4v96u5uv
Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk,
that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia. 1 Peter 2
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin
and protect us from all anxiety
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord. Amen. BCW2018
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: John Marriott
Tune: Moscow https://tinyurl.com/mr45sw7m
1 Thou, whose almighty word
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight;
hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light.
2 Thou, who didst come to bring,
on Thy redeeming wing,
healing and sight,
health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind,
O now to humankind
let there be light.
3 Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy Dove,
speed forth Thy flight;
move on the water’s face,
bearing the lamp of grace,
and in earth’s darkest place,
let there be light.
4 Holy and blessed Three,
glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might;
boundless as ocean’s tide
rolling in fullest pride,
through the earth far and wide,
let there be light.
PSALMS
Psalm 69 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybbl2s4j)
1 Save me, O God *
for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.
2 I stick fast in the deep mire, where no ground is *
I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry *
my sight faileth me for waiting so long upon my God.
4 They that hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs of my head *
they that are mine enemies, and would destroy me guiltless, are mighty.
5 I paid them the things that I never took *
God, thou knowest my simpleness, and my faults are not hid from thee.
6 Let not them that trust in thee, O Lord God of hosts,
be ashamed for my cause *
let not those that seek thee be confounded through me,
O Lord God of Israel.
7 And why? for thy sake have I suffered reproof *
shame hath covered my face.
8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren *
even an alien unto my mother’s children.
9 For the zeal of thine house hath even eaten me *
and the rebukes of them that rebuked thee are fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and chastened myself with fasting *
and that was turned to my reproof.
11 I put on sackcloth also *
and they jested upon me.
12 They that sit in the gate speak against me *
and the drunkards make songs upon me.
13 But, Lord, I make my prayer unto thee *
in an acceptable time.
14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of thy mercy *
even in the truth of thy salvation.
15 Take me out of the mire, that I sink not *
O let me be delivered from them that hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
16 Let not the water-flood drown me,
neither let the deep swallow me up *
and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
17 Hear me, O Lord, for thy loving-kindness is comfortable *
turn thee unto me according to the multitude of thy mercies.
18 And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble *
O haste thee, and hear me.
19 Draw nigh unto my soul, and save it *
O deliver me, because of mine enemies.
20 Thou hast known my reproof, my shame, and my dishonour *
mine adversaries are all in thy sight.
21 Thy rebuke hath broken my heart; I am full of heaviness *
I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no man,
neither found I any to comfort me.
22 They gave me gall to eat *
and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23 Let their table be made a snare to take themselves withal *
and let the things that should have been for their wealth
be unto them an occasion of falling.
24 Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not *
and ever bow thou down their backs.
25 Pour out thine indignation upon them *
and let thy wrathful displeasure take hold of them.
26 Let their habitation be void *
and no man to dwell in their tents.
27 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten *
and they talk how they may vex them whom thou hast wounded.
28 Let them fall from one wickedness to another *
and not come into thy righteousness.
29 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living *
and not be written among the righteous.
30 As for me, when I am poor and in heaviness *
thy help, O God, shall lift me up.
31 I will praise the Name of God with a song *
and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32 This also shall please the Lord *
better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
33 The humble shall consider this, and be glad *
seek ye after God, and your soul shall live.
34 For the Lord heareth the poor *
and despiseth not his prisoners.
35 Let heaven and earth praise him *
the sea, and all that moveth therein.
36 For God will save Sion, and build the cities of Judah *
that men may dwell there, and have it in possession.
37 The posterity also of his servants shall inherit it *
and they that love his Name shall dwell therein.
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 70 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/ybjtdo2u)
1 Haste thee, O God, to deliver me *
make haste to help me, O Lord.
2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul *
let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil.
3 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame *
that cry over me, There, there.
4 But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee *
and let all such as delight in thy salvation say alway, The Lord be praised.
5 As for me, I am poor and in misery *
haste thee unto me, O God.
6 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer *
O Lord, make no long tarrying.
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 69 (Plainsong Tone IV.4)
1 Save me, O God, * †
for the waters have come up even to my neck.
2 I sink down in the deep mire, where there is no ground; *
I have come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me.
3 I am weary of crying; my throat is dry; *
my sight fails me from waiting so long for my God.
4 Those who hate me without a cause are more
than the hairs of my head; *
those who are my enemies, and would
destroy me wrongfully, are mighty.
5 They bid me restore things I never took. *
O God, you know my foolishness,
and my faults are not hidden from you.
6 Let not those who trust in you, O Lord God of hosts,
be ashamed because of me; *
let not those who seek you be confounded through me,
O God of Israel.
7 Surely for your sake have I suffered reproach; *
shame has covered my face.
8 I have become a stranger to my brethren, *
unknown to my mother’s children,
9 Because zeal for your house has consumed me, *
and the reproaches of those who reproached you
have fallen upon me.
10 I wept, and humbled myself with fasting, *
but that was turned to my reproach.
11 I put on sackcloth also, *
and I became a byword among them.
12 Those who sit in the gate speak against me, *
and the drunkards make songs about me.
13 But, Lord, I make my prayer to you *
in an acceptable time.
14 Hear me, O God, in the multitude of your mercy, *
even in the truth of your salvation.
15 Take me out of the mire, lest I sink; *
O let me be delivered from those who hate me,
and out of the deep waters.
16 Let not the floodwaters drown me,
neither let the deep swallow me up, *
and let not the pit shut its mouth upon me.
17 Hear me, O Lord, for your loving-kindness is good; *
turn to me according to the multitude of your mercies;
18 And hide not your face from your servant, for I am in trouble; *
O hasten and hear me.
19 Draw near to me and save me; *
O deliver me because of my enemies.
20 You have known my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; *
my adversaries are all in your sight.
21 Reproach has broken my heart; I am full of heaviness; *
I looked for some to have pity on me, but there was no one,
neither have I found any to comfort me.
22 They gave me gall to eat, *
and when I was thirsty they gave me vinegar to drink.
23 Let their table become a snare for them, *
and let their prosperity become a trap for them.
24 Let their eyes be blinded, that they may not see, *
and make their loins tremble continually.
25 Pour out your indignation upon them, *
and let your wrathful displeasure overtake them.
26 Let their habitation be desolate, *
and let no one dwell in their tents.
27 For they persecute him whom you have stricken, *
and they talk of the pain of those you have wounded.
28 Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, *
and let them not receive your vindication.
29 Let them be wiped out of the book of the living, *
and not be written among the righteous.
30 As for me, when I am poor and in pain, *
your help, O God, shall lift me up.
31 I will praise the Name of God with a song, *
and magnify it with thanksgiving.
32 This also shall please the Lord *
more than an ox or a bullock that has horns and hooves.
33 The humble shall consider this and be glad; *
seek after God and your hearts shall live.
34 For the Lord hears the poor *
and does not despise his prisoners.
35 Let heaven and earth praise him, *
the sea, and all that moves therein.
36 For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, *
that they may dwell there and have it in possession.
37 The posterity of his servants shall inherit it, *
and those who love his Name shall dwell therein.
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 70 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-70.mp3)
1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; *
O LORD, make haste to help me.
2 Let those who seek my life be ashamed
and altogether dismayed; *
let those who take pleasure in my misfortune
draw back and be disgraced.
3 Let those who say to me “Aha!” and gloat over me turn back, *
because they are ashamed.
4 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; *
let those who love your salvation say for ever,
“Great is the LORD!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy; *
come to me speedily, O God.
6 You are my helper and my deliverer; *
O LORD, do not tarry.
PRAYER
Blessed are you, God of hope;
you restore the fallen
and rebuild the broken walls.
Teach us the song of thanksgiving,
for you are the strength of your people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
When the king was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Look! I’m living in a cedar palace, but God’s chest is housed in a tent!” Nathan said to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you are thinking, because the Lord is with you.”
But that very night the Lord’s word came to Nathan: Go to my servant David and tell him: This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build the temple for me to live in. In fact, I haven’t lived in a temple from the day I brought Israel out of Egypt until now. Instead, I have been traveling around in a tent and in a dwelling. Throughout my traveling around with the Israelites, did I ever ask any of Israel’s tribal leaders I appointed to shepherd my people: Why haven’t you built me a cedar temple?
So then, say this to my servant David: This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be leader over my people Israel. I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone, and I’ve eliminated all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great—like the name of the greatest people on earth. I’m going to provide a place for my people Israel, and plant them so that they may live there and no longer be disturbed. Cruel people will no longer trouble them, as they had been earlier, when I appointed leaders over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.
And the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make a dynasty for you. When the time comes for you to die and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your descendant—one of your very own children—to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a temple for my name, and I will establish his royal throne forever. I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me. Whenever he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod, with blows from human beings. But I will never take my faithful love away from him like I took it away from Saul, whom I set aside in favor of you. Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever. Nathan reported all of these words and this entire vision to David.
HYMN: Joel Abraham Knight
Tune: Ballerma https://tinyurl.com/y88a5h2m
1 Fain would my soul with wonder trace
Thy mercies, O my God;
And tell the riches of Thy grace–
The merits of Thy blood.
2 With Israel’s King, my heart would cry,
While I review Thy ways,
Tell my, my Saviour, who am I,
That I should see Thy face?
3 Formed by Thy hand, and formed for Thee,
I would be ever Thine:
My Saviour, make my spirit free,
With beams of mercy shine.
4 Fain would my soul with rapture dwell
On Thy redeeming grace;
Oh for a thousand tongues to tell
My dear Redeemer’s praise.
READING: Philippians 3:17-21
Brothers and sisters, become imitators of me and watch those who live this way—you can use us as models. As I have told you many times and now say with deep sadness, many people live as enemies of the cross. Their lives end with destruction. Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in their disgrace because their thoughts focus on earthly things. Our citizenship is in heaven. We look forward to a savior that comes from there—the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform our humble bodies so that they are like his glorious body, by the power that also makes him able to subject all things to himself.
HYMN: Philip Doddridge
Tune: Christmas https://tinyurl.com/mrrxu66k
1 Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve,
and press with vigor on;
a heavenly race demands thy zeal,
and an immortal crown,
and an immortal crown.
2 A cloud of witnesses around
hold thee in full survey;
forget the steps already trod,
and onward urge your way,
and onward urge your way.
3 ‘Tis God’s all-animating voice
that calls thee from on high;
’tis his own hand presents the prize
to thine aspiring eye,
to thine aspiring eye.
4 Then wake, my soul, stretch every nerve,
and press with vigor on;
a heavenly race demands thy zeal,
and an immortal crown,
and an immortal crown.
READING: Luke 11:33-36
Jesus said, “People don’t light a lamp and then put it in a closet or under a basket. Rather, they place the lamp on a lampstand so that those who enter the house can see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is full of darkness. Therefore, see to it that the light in you isn’t darkness. If your whole body is full of light—with no part darkened—then it will be as full of light as when a lamp shines brightly on you.”
CANTICLE 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
(Sing the Hours)
Blessed may you be, O Lord,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.
Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.
For all in heaven and on earth is yours;
yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty:
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you,
and you have dominion over all.
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.
Therefore, our God, we give you thanks
and we praise the majesty of your name.
THE PRAYERS CGP
O God, lover of the world,
you hold all that you have created
within your compassionate embrace.
As you hold our lives
torn by pain, sorrow or hatred within your aching heart,
we cry out for wholeness—
for ourselves, for those we love,
and for our world.
May your healing presence gently transform
the places of our lives where we hold pain.
May your loving presence be a comforting reality
for all those who find themselves
in despair, lost or alone.
May your transforming presence
create generosity in place of greed,
harmony in place of hatred,
and everlasting justice where evil now reigns.
From the silence of our own hearts,
we bring before you
these people and places that need
your healing, loving, transforming presence:
O God, lover of the world,
this is your world,
and we claim your power and your presence
to make it whole. 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.]
Eternal God,
in the order of your creation
you have given righteousness,
justice, peace, and love
for the enlightenment of all people.
Keep us always in that light,
so that throughout our lives
we may show forth the glory
of the light of the world,
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 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
BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
The main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). Psalm 69 is from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps. Psalm 70 is from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is chanted by Ryland Angel. The canticle is from Liturgy of the Hours as recorded for Sing the Hours https://www.youtube.com/c/SingtheHours
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.
Oremus 