Oremus for August 16, 2026

Antiphon¹

Ant. My house will be called a house of prayer, says the Lord;
everyone who asks here, will receive,
and he who seeks will find,
and to him who knocks, it will be opened.
V. How lovely is your dwelling place, *
O Lord of hosts.
My soul is longing and yearning *
for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my flesh cry out *
to the living God. ^{Matthew 21; Psalm 84}

Eternal God, our beginning and our end,
be our starting point and our haven,
and accompany us in this day’s journey.
Use our hands
to do the work of your creation,
and use our lives
to bring others the new life you give this world
in Jesus Christ, redeemer of all. 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: Marty Haugen ©
Tune: https://tinyurl.com/394mwzph

1 Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

Refrain:
all are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

2 Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek
to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus: [Refrain]

3 Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine, and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground,
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us: [Refrain]

4 Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger: [Refrain]

5 Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: [Refrain]

PSALMS

Psalm 82 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/razmhgg)
1  God standeth in the congregation of princes *
 he is a Judge among gods.
2  How long will ye give wrong judgement *
 and accept the persons of the ungodly?
3  Defend the poor and fatherless *
 see that such as are in need and necessity have right.
4  Deliver the out-cast and poor *
 save them from the hand of the ungodly.
5  They will not be learned nor understand, but walk on still in darkness *
 all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6  I have said, Ye are gods *
 and ye are all the children of the most Highest.
7  But ye shall die like men *
 and fall like one of the princes.
8  Arise, O God, and judge thou the earth *
 for thou shalt take all heathen to thine inheritance.
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 83 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/vofvsch)
1  Hold not thy tongue, O God, keep not still silence *
 refrain not thyself, O God.
2  For lo, thine enemies make a murmuring *
 and they that hate thee have lift up their head.
3  They have imagined craftily against thy people *
 and taken counsel against thy secret ones.
4  They have said, Come, and let us root them out,
that they be no more a people *
 and that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5  For they have cast their heads together with one consent *
 and are confederate against thee;
6  The tabernacles of the Edomites, and the Ismaelites *
 the Moabites, and Hagarens;
7  Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek *
 the Philistines, with them that dwell at Tyre.
8  Assur also is joined with them *
 and have holpen the children of Lot.
9  But do thou to them as unto the Madianites *
 unto Sisera, and unto Jabin at the brook of Kison;
10  Who perished at Endor *
 and became as the dung of the earth.
11  Make them and their princes like Oreb and Zeb *
 yea, make all their princes like as Zeba and Salmana;
12  Who say, Let us take to ourselves *
 the houses of God in possession.
13  O my God, make them like unto a wheel *
 and as the stubble before the wind;
14  Like as the fire that burneth up the wood *
 and as the flame that consumeth the mountains.
15  Persecute them even so with thy tempest *
 and make them afraid with thy storm.
16  Make their faces ashamed, O Lord *
 that they may seek thy Name.
17  Let them be confounded and vexed ever more and more *
 let them be put to shame, and perish.
18  And they shall know that thou, whose Name is Jehovah *
 art only the most Highest over all the 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 84 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/qtssfwx)
1  O how amiable are thy dwellings *
 thou Lord of hosts!
2  My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord *
 my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3  Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house,
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young *
 even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house *
 they will be alway praising thee.
5  Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee *
 in whose heart are thy ways.
6  Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well *
 and the pools are filled with water.
7  They will go from strength to strength *
 and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion.
8  O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer *
 hearken, O God of Jacob.
9  Behold, O God our defender *
 and look upon the face of thine Anointed.
10  For one day in thy courts *
 is better than a thousand.
11  I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God *
 than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12  For the Lord God is a light and defence *
 the Lord will give grace and worship,
and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life.
13  O Lord God of hosts *
 blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.
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 85 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/wzy6e5z)
1  Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land *
 thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
2  Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people *
 and covered all their sins.
3  Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure *
 and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
4  Turn us then, O God our Saviour *
 and let thine anger cease from us.
5  Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever *
 and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
6  Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us *
 that thy people may rejoice in thee?
7  Shew us thy mercy, O Lord *
 and grant us thy salvation.
8  I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me *
 for he shall speak peace unto his people,
and to his saints, that they turn not again.
9  For his salvation is nigh them that fear him *
 that glory may dwell in our land.
10  Mercy and truth are met together *
 righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11  Truth shall flourish out of the earth *
 and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
12  Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness *
 and our land shall give her increase.
13  Righteousness shall go before him *
 and he shall direct his going in the way.
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 82 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-82.mp3)
1 God takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favor to the wicked?
3 Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
4 Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5 They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 Now I say to you, ‘You are gods, *
and all of you children of the Most High;
7 Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.'”
8 Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.

Psalm 83 (Plainsong Tone II.1)

1 Hold not your tongue, O God; keep not silent, *
but rouse yourself, O God.
2 For behold, your enemies murmur, *
and those who hate you have lifted up their head.
3 They have conspired secretly against your people *
and taken counsel against your cherished ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out,
that they may be no more a people, *
and that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”
5 For they have brought their heads together with one consent *
and are aligned against you:
6 The tents of the Edomites and the Ishmaelites, *
the Moabites and Hagarenes,
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek, *
the Philistines with those who dwell at Tyre.
8 Assyria also has joined with them, *
and has helped the children of Lot.
9 But do to them as you did to the Midianites, *
to Sisera and to Jabin at the brook of Kishon,
10 Who perished at Endor *
and became as dung on the earth.
11 Make their princes like Oreb and Zeëb; *
indeed, make all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 Who said, “Let us take for ourselves *
the pastures of God as our possession.”
13 O my God, make them like whirling dust *
and like stubble before the wind,
14 Like the fire that burns up the woods *
and like the flame that consumes the mountains.
15 Pursue them even with your tempest, *
and make them afraid with your storm.
16 Cover their faces with shame, O Lord, *
that they may seek your Name.
17 Let them be disgraced and dismayed ever more and more; *
let them be put to shame and perish.
18 And they shall know that you, whose Name is the Lord, *
are alone the Most High over all the earth.
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 84 (Plainsong Tone II.1)

1 How lovely are your dwellings, *
O Lord God of hosts!
2 My soul has a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord; *
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3 Indeed, the sparrow has found her a house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young, *
even your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessèd are they who dwell in your house; *
they will be always praising you.
5 Blessèd is the one whose strength is in you, *
in whose heart are your ways,
6 Who going through the valley of misery uses it for a well; *
indeed, the early rains fill the pools with water.
7 They will go from strength to strength, *
and the God of gods shall be seen by them in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
9 Behold, O God, our defender, *
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
10 For one day in your courts *
is better than a thousand;
11 I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God *
than dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12 For the Lord God is a light and defense; *
the Lord will give grace and honor, and no good thing
shall he withhold from those who live a godly life.
13 O Lord God of hosts, *
blessèd is the one who puts his trust in you.
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 85 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-85.mp3)
1 You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3 You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5 Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6 Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

PRAYER

God of grace,
you loved the world so much
that you gave your only Son to be our Savior.
Help us to rejoice in your redeeming grace
by showing mercy,
and by walking in the way of justice and peace,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, redeemer of the world. Amen. ^BCW

THE WORD OF GOD

READING: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Thus says the Lord:
Maintain justice, and do what is right,
for soon my salvation will come
and my deliverance be revealed.
And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath and do not profane it
and hold fast my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar,
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.
Thus says the Lord God,
who gathers the outcasts of Israel:
I will gather others to them
besides those already gathered.

HYMN: Psalm 67; para. Sing Psalms ©
Tune: All for Jesus https://tinyurl.com/n76xxtad

1 God be merciful and bless us;
shine upon us with your face,
2 that the earth may know your actions
and all lands your saving grace.

3 O God, may the peoples praise you;
may all peoples sing your praise.
4 For you judge the nations justly,
ruling over every race.

May they sing with joy and gladness;
may they all rejoice as one.
5 O God, may the peoples praise you
as they all unite in song.

6 Then the land will yield its harvest;
God will pour his gifts abroad.
7 God, our God, will surely bless us;
all the earth will fear our God.

READING: Ephesians 2:13-22
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone; in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

HYMN: Latin, 7th century; trans. John Chandler
Tune: Harewood https://tinyurl.com/yvkv3xd9

1 Christ is our corner-stone,
on him alone we build;
with his true saints alone
the courts of heaven are filled:
on his great love
our hopes we place
of present grace
and joys above.

2 O then with hymns of praise
these hallowed courts shall ring;
our voices we will raise
the Three in One to sing;
and thus proclaim
in joyful song,
both loud and long,
that glorious name.

3 Here, gracious God, do thou
for evermore draw nigh;
accept each faithful vow,
and mark each suppliant sigh;
in copious shower
on all who pray
each holy day
thy blessings pour.

4 Here may we gain from heaven
the grace which we implore;
and may that grace, once given,
be with us evermore,
until that day
when all the blest
to endless rest
are called away.

READING: Matthew 15:21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.

CANTICLE Luke 1:46-55
(John Michael Talbot, https://tinyurl.com/mweccsj)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
    the Almighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
    in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
    he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
    and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
    to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.

PRAYERS BCW

God of heaven and earth,
through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us
when we pray to you in his name.
Confident in your love and mercy
we offer our prayer.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness.
Break down the barriers that divide,
that, united in your truth and love,
the church may confess your name,
share one baptism,
sit together at one table,
and serve you in one common ministry.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guide the rulers of the nations.
Move them to set aside their fear, greed, and vain ambition,
and bow to your sovereign rule.
Inspire them to strive for peace and justice,
that all your children may dwell secure,
free of war and injustice.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear the cries of the world’s hungry and suffering.
Give us, who consume most of the earth’s resources,
the will to reorder our lives,
that all may have their rightful share of the food,
medical care, and shelter,
and so have the necessities of a life of dignity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Restore among us a love of the earth you created for our home.
Help us put an end to ravishing its land, air, and waters,
and give us respect for all your creatures,
that, living in harmony with everything you have made,
your whole creation may resound in an anthem of praise
to your glorious name.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renew our nation in the ways of justice and peace.
Guide those who make and administer our laws
to build a society based on trust and respect.
Erase prejudices that oppress;
free us from crime and violence;
guard our youth from the perils of drugs and materialism.
Give all citizens a new vision of a life of harmony.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Look with compassion on all who suffer.
Support with your love
those with incurable and stigmatized diseases,
those unjustly imprisoned,
those denied dignity,
those who live without hope,
those who are homeless or abandoned.
so lead us to be present with them in their suffering
in the name of Jesus Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

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.

God of the foreigner and outcast,
your arms reach out to embrace
all those who call upon you.
Teach us as disciples of Christ
so to love the world
that your name may be known
throughout the earth. 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

---

^BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.

The main scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

¹ Adam Bartlett, Simple English Propers; audio from https://musicasacra.com/additional-publications/sep-practice-videos/ ©

^BCW2018 Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 2018

^RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.

The traditional language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language versions of Psalms 82 and 85 are from the The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 83 and 84 are from Book of Common Prayer (2019) as recorded for the St Bernard Breviary https://www.bernardbreviary.com/chant-helps. The canticle is from Liturgy of the Hours as recorded for the Sing the Hours YouTube channel 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 © 2026 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.