Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/knfvtvew
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
Holy God,
apart from you nothing is true, nothing is holy.
Do not look on our faithless ways,
but on the faithfulness of your Son.
Deliver us from doing evil,
remove the shame of your people,
and restore us to joy and gladness;
through 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: Psalm 132; para. cento
Tune: Blaenwern https://tinyurl.com/3ux9ms8z
1 Gracious LORD, remember David,
all the grief and pain he bore.
2 To the Mighty One of Jacob,
to the LORD, this oath he swore:
3 “My house I will never enter;
4 rest and slumber I will shun,
5 till I find the LORD a dwelling
fit for Jacob’s Mighty One.”
6 This we heard of in Ephrathah,
found it in the fields of Jaar:
7 “Let us hasten to his dwelling,
worship at his footstool there.
8 Rise, O LORD, and dwell among us,
resting with your ark of might!
9 May your priests be clothed with honor;
may your saints sing with delight.”
10 For the sake of your own servant,
David, your appointed one,
do not turn away your favor
from his own anointed son.
11 God has sworn an oath to David;
he his word will not disown:
I will choose from your descendants
one to sit upon your throne.
12 “I will build a royal household
from the child you brought to birth;
if your children keep my covenant,
they will always rule the earth.”
13 You, O LORD, have chosen Zion,
you have always loved her well;
14 “Here’s my resting place for ever,
here it pleases me to dwell.
15 “I will bless her with abundance;
for her poor much food I’ll bring.
16 Her priests I’ll clothe with salvation,
and with joy her saints will sing.
17 I will raise a horn for David,
for him I’ve prepared a light.
18 With disgrace his foes I’ll cover;
but his crown will shine most bright.”
PSALMS
Psalm 53 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y6wzcn8t)
1 The foolish body hath said in his heart *
There is no God.
2 Corrupt are they, and become abominable in their wickedness *
there is none that doeth good.
3 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men *
to see if there were any, that would understand, and seek after God.
4 But they are all gone out of the way,
they are altogether become abominable *
there is also none that doeth good, no not one.
5 Are not they without understanding that work wickedness *
eating up my people as if they would eat bread?
they have not called upon God.
6 They were afraid where no fear was *
for God hath broken the bones of him that besieged thee;
thou hast put them to confusion, because God hath despised them.
7 O that the salvation were given unto Israel out of Sion *
O that the Lord would deliver his people out of captivity!
8 Then should Jacob rejoice *
and Israel should be right glad.
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 54 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y73kppwg)
1 Save me, O God, for thy Name’s sake *
and avenge me in thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God *
and hearken unto the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me *
and tyrants, which have not God before their eyes, seek after my soul.
4 Behold, God is my helper *
the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies *
destroy thou them in thy truth.
6 An offering of a free heart will I give thee,
and praise thy Name, O Lord *
because it is so comfortable.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble *
and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.
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 55 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/yb9gqlve)
1 Hear my prayer, O God *
and hide not thyself from my petition.
2 Take heed unto me, and hear me *
how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.
3 The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast *
for they are minded to do me some mischief;
so maliciously are they set against me.
4 My heart is disquieted within me *
and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me *
and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, O that I had wings like a dove *
for then would I flee away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I get me away far off *
and remain in the wilderness.
8 I would make haste to escape *
because of the stormy wind and tempest.
9 Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them *
for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about within the walls thereof *
mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is therein *
deceit and guile go not out of their streets.
12 For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour *
for then I could have borne it.
13 Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me *
for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.
14 But it was even thou, my companion *
my guide, and mine own familiar friend.
15 We took sweet counsel together *
and walked in the house of God as friends.
16 Let death come hastily upon them,
and let them go down quick into hell *
for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
17 As for me, I will call upon God *
and the Lord shall save me.
18 In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day
will I pray, and that instantly *
and he shall hear my voice.
19 It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace
from the battle that was against me *
for there were many with me.
20 Yea, even God, that endureth for ever,
shall hear me, and bring them down *
for they will not turn, nor fear God.
21 He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him *
and he brake his covenant.
22 The words of his mouth were softer than butter,
having war in his heart *
his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.
23 O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee *
and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.
24 And as for them *
thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.
25 The blood-thirsty and deceitful men
shall not live out half their days *
nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.
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 53 (Gregorian tonus peregrinus)
2 The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
Their deeds are corrupt, depraved;
no one does any good.
3 God looks down from heaven
on the human race,
to see if any are wise,
if any seek God.
4 All have left the right path,
depraved, every one;
there is no one who does any good,
no, not even one.
5 Do none who do evil understand?
They eat up my people as if eating bread;
they never call out to God.
6 There they shall tremble with fear without cause for fear
for God scatters the bones of your besiegers.
7 They are shamed; God rejects them.
Who will bring Israel salvation from Zion?
When God brings about the return of his people,
then Jacob will be glad and Israel rejoice.
Psalm 54 (Plainsong: http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-54-1.mp3)
1 Save me, O God, by your Name; *
in your might, defend my cause.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; *
give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For the arrogant have risen up against me,
and the ruthless have sought my life, *
those who have no regard for God.
4 Behold, God is my helper; *
it is the Lord who sustains my life.
5 Render evil to those who spy on me; *
in your faithfulness, destroy them.
6 I will offer you a freewill sacrifice *
and praise your Name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For you have rescued me from every trouble, *
and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.
| 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.
Psalm 55 (Gregorian Tone 5)
2 Give ear, 0 God, to my prayer;
do not hide from my pleading.
3 Attend to me and reply;
with my cares, I cannot rest.
4 I tremble at the shouts of the foe,
at the cries of the wicked,
for they pile up evil upon me;
in anger they malign me.
5 My heart is stricken within me;
death’s terror falls upon me.
6 Trembling and fear come over me,
and horror overwhelms me.
7 I say, “O that I had wings like a dove,
to fly away and be at rest!
8 I would indeed escape far away,
and take refuge in the desert.
9 I would hasten to find my shelter
from the raging wind and tempest.”
10 Confound and confuse their tongues, 0 Lord,
for I see violence and strife in the city!
11 Night and day they patrol its walls.
In its midst are wickedness and evil.
12 Destruction lies within it.
Its streets are never free
from tyranny and deceit.
13 If an enemy made taunts against me,
I could bear it.
If my rival had risen against me,
I could hide from him.
14 But it is you, as my equal, my friend,
whom I knew so well,
15 with whom I enjoyed friendly counsel!
We walked together in harmony in the house of God.
16 May death fall suddenly upon them!
Let them go down alive to Sheol,
for wickedness dwells in their homes,
and deep in their hearts.
17 As for me, I will cry to God,
and the LORD will save me.
18 Evening, morning, and at noon,
I will cry and lament,
and he will hear my voice.
19 He will redeem my soul in peace
in the attack against me,
for those who fight me are many.
20 God, who is enthroned forever,
will hear them and humble them.
For they will not amend their ways;
they have no fear of God.
21 The traitor has turned against his friends;
he has broken his pact.
22 His speech is softer than butter,
but war is in his heart.
His words are smoother than oil,
but they are swords unsheathed.
23 Entrust your cares to the LORD,
and he will support you.
He will never allow the just one to stumble.
24 But you will bring them down, O God,
to the pit of death:
the bloodthirsty and the liars
shall not live even half their days.
But I, I will trust in you, O Lord.
PRAYER
God our helper, hear our prayer
and uphold your church in times of testing.
Deliver us from evil,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
we may offer you our sacrifice of praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCW
THE WORD OF GOD
READING: 2 Samuel 5:1-12
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you, ‘It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ ” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here; even the blind and the lame will turn you back,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David. David had said on that day, “Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” David occupied the stronghold and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.
King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar trees and carpenters and masons who built David a house. David then perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
HYMN: Psalm 132; para. Calvin Seerveld ©
Tune: Blaenwern https://tinyurl.com/tssshxhv
1 God of Jacob, please remember
David vowed to give his due,
and he suffered many troubles
when he made his oath to you:
“I will not enjoy my leisure,
close my eyes in sleep caressed,
till I build the LORD a temple
where the Mighty One may rest.”
2 When God’s footstool was discovered
left in Ephrathah alone,
we resolved to march and worship
with the ark that we had known.
“Rise, O LORD, and choose the city
where your ark of strength shall rest.
Clothe your priests with holy service;
let our joy be manifest.”
3 Never leave whom you anointed;
LORD, take care of David’s line.
Yes, the LORD has sworn to David,
graciously has given a sign:
“I will build a royal household
from the child you brought to birth;
if your children keep my covenant,
they will always rule the earth.”
4 God the LORD has chosen Zion
for his dwelling place and throne:
“I will rest here now forever,
where I longed to make my home.
I will bless the holy city,
feed its poor and give them place;
I will dress its priestly servants
with the clothes of saving grace.
5 “Here in David’s royal city
I will make a branch to sprout
and prepare for the Messiah
light to lead the true devout.
Enemies of my anointed
I will shame with sure disgrace.
God’s anointed shines with judgment!”
Make us, LORD, a resting place.
READING: Philippians 3:1-16
Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.
To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a source of steadfastness.
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh— even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it, but one thing I have laid hold of: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us, then, who are mature think this way, and if you think differently about anything, this, too, God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
HYMN: Isaaac Watts
Tune: Sutheran https://tinyurl.com/4yhz68m3
1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the cross of Christ my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
3 See from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down;
did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown!
4 His dying crimson, like a robe,
spreads o’er his body on the tree:
then am I dead to all the globe,
and all the globe is dead to me.
5 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
READING: Luke 11:27-28
While Jesus was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”
CANTICLE Ephesians 1:3-10
(John Michael Talbot: https://tinyurl.com/mrymmyvk)
Ant. God chose us in his Son to be his beloved children.
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
who bestowed on us in Christ
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him before the world began, *
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us to be
his adopted children through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood,
we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom
to understand fully the mystery, *
the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out in Christ,
in the fullness of time, *
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on the earth
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.
THE PRAYERS COS, alt.
Let us call to mind
our concerns and commitments,
and let us join our prayers
for peace and well-being
to the prayers of the whole Church
as they are offered this day for the whole world.
Let us remember those people we know
who are in trouble,
and pray for healing and happiness for all.
Let us seek divine encouragement
for honest trade and decent commerce,
for useful and courteous service in daily life,
for medicine and education,
and for those gifts and aptitudes in every person
which make for happier
and fairer community living.
Let us pray
for peace on earth,
for the generous sharing of the earth’s resources
and the responsible sharing
of the earth’s problems;
for tolerance across divisions
and willingness to regard
the diversity of human culture
as more stimulating than threatening;
for the turning of swords into ploughshares
and spears into pruning hooks.
Let us pray for the Church,
by all its names and in all its places;
for its continuing usefulness
as a channel of grace and hope;
for its rescue
from pretentiousness and pomposity
and from taking some things
more seriously than is healthy.
Let us commend to the Lord
our families and friends;
and let us ask him to help us
in the days that come. 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 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 God, ruler of all hearts,
you call us to obey you
and favor us with true freedom.
Keep us faithful to the ways of your Son,
that, leaving behind all that hinders us,
we may fix our eyes on him
and steadfastly follow in the paths of your kingdom.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen. BCW
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
RCLP Revised Common Lectionary Prayers. © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress.
COS Common Order, © 1994 Church of Scotland
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
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 Psalms 54 is from the The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and is sung by Ryland Angel. Psalms 53 and 55 are from The Abbey Psalms and Canticles ©2010, 2018 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. ©2020 as recorded for the Chants and Rants YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chantsandrants
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.
