Divine Office Office of Readings

May 4th, 2026 – Invitatory – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Psalm 24 The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples. It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things, who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. 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. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

May 4th, 2026 – Office of Readings – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1045 Proper of Seasons: 823 Psalter: Monday, Week I, 1102 Office of Readings for Monday in Week 5 of Easter God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. 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. Alleluia. HYMN Most ancient of all mysteries, before your throne we lie; have mercy now, most merciful, most Holy Trinity. When heaven and earth were still unmade, when time was yet unknown, you in your radiant majesty did live and love alone. You were not born; there was no source from which your being flowed; there is no end which you can reach: for you are simply God. How wonderful creation is, the work which you did bless! what then must you be like dear God, eternal Loveliness! Most ancient of all mysteries, before your throne we lie; have mercy now and ever more, most Holy Trinity. 𝄞"Most Ancient of all Mysteries" by Rebecca Hincke • Musical Score [https://divineoffice.org/wp-content/uploads/Most-Ancient-of-all-Mysteries.pdf] • Words: Frederick William Faber, 1849; Music: St. Flavian; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 Show me your mercy, Lord, and keep me safe, alleluia. Psalm 6 A suffering man cries to God for mercy I am filled with dismay… Father, save me from this hour. (John 12:27) Lord, do not reprove me in your anger: punish me not in your rage. Have mercy on me, Lord, I have no strength; Lord, heal me, my body is racked; my soul is racked with pain. But you, O Lord…how long? Return, Lord, rescue my soul. Save me in your merciful love, for in death no one remembers you; from the grave, who can give you praise? I am exhausted with my groaning; every night I drench my pillow with tears; I bedew my bed with weeping. My eye wastes away with grief; I have grown old surrounded by my foes. Leave me, all who do evil; for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; The Lord will accept my prayer. All my foes will retire in confusion, foiled and suddenly confounded. 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 Prayer Lord God, you love mercy and tenderness; you give life and overcome death. Look upon the many wounds of your church; restore it to health by your risen Son, so that it may sing a new song in your praise. Ant. Show me your mercy, Lord, and keep me safe, alleluia. Ant. 2 The poor are not alone in their distress. God is here to help them, alleluia. Psalm 9A Thanksgiving for victory You will come again to judge the living and the dead. I I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will recount all your wonders. I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High. See how my enemies turn back, how they stumble and perish before you. You upheld the justice of my cause; you sat enthroned, judging with justice. You have checked the nations, destroyed the wicked; you have wiped out their name for ever and ever. The foe is destroyed, eternally ruined. You uprooted their cities: their memory has perished. But the Lord sits enthroned for ever. He has set up his throne for judgment; he will judge the world with justice, he will judge the people with his truth. For the oppressed let the Lord be a stronghold, a stronghold in times of distress. Those who know your name will trust you: you will never forsake those who seek you. 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. Ant. The poor are not alone in their distress. God is here to help them, alleluia. Ant. 3 I will be the herald of your praises, Lord, where the people of Zion gather, alleluia. II Sing psalms to the Lord who dwells in Zion. Proclaim his mighty works among the peoples; for the Avenger of blood has remembered them, has not forgotten the cry of the poor. Have pity on me, Lord, see my sufferings, you who save me from the gates of death; that I may recount all your praise at the gates of the city of Zion and rejoice in your saving help. The nations have fallen in the pit which they made, their feet caught in the snare they laid. The Lord has revealed himself, and given judgment. The wicked are snared in the works of their own hands. Let the wicked go down among the dead, all the nations forgetful of God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten nor the hopes of the poor be in vain. Arise, Lord, let men not prevail! Let the nations be judged before you. Lord, strike them with terror, let the nations know they are but men. 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 Prayer Lord God, when you judge, do not be deaf to the shouts of the poor; bring havoc to the madness of oppressors. Look at our wounds and save us from the gates of death, so that we may always rejoice in your help and speak your praise in the gates of Zion. Ant. I will be the herald of your praises, Lord, where the people of Zion gather, alleluia. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. My heart and my flesh, alleluia. — Rejoice in the living God, alleluia. READINGS First reading From the Book of Revelation 19:11-21 The victory of the Word of God The heavens were opened, and as I, John, looked on, a white horse appeared; its rider was called “The Faithful and True.” Justice is his standard in passing judgment and in waging war. His eyes blazed like fire, and on his head were many diadems. Inscribed on his person was a name known to no one but himself. He wore a cloak that had been dipped in blood, and his name was the Word of God. The armies of heaven were behind him riding white horses and dressed in fine linen, pure and white. Out of his mouth came a sharp sword for striking down the nations. He will shepherd them with an iron rod; it is he who will tread out in the winepress the blazing wrath of God the Almighty. A name was written on the part of the cloak that covered his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Next I saw an angel standing on the sun. He cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midheaven: “Come! Gather together for the great feast God has prepared for you! You are to eat the flesh of kings, of commanders and warriors, of horses and their riders; the flesh of all men, the free and the slave, the small and the great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and the armies they had mustered to do battle with the One riding the horse, and with his army. The beast was captured along with the false prophet who performed in its presence the prodigies that led men astray, making them accept the mark of the beast and worship its image. Both were hurled down alive into the fiery pool of burning sulphur. The rest were slain by the sword which came out of the mouth of the One who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on the flesh of the slain. RESPONSORY Revelation 19:13,15,16 He wore a cloak soaked in blood, and his name was the Word of God. — In the winepress he will tread out the burning anger of the almighty God, alleluia. On his cloak and on his thigh was written: King of kings, and Lord of lords. — In the winepress he will tread out the burning anger of the almighty God, alleluia. Second Reading From a sermon by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop The first born of the new creation The reign of life has begun, the tyranny of death is ended. A new birth has taken place, a new life has come, a new order of existence has appeared, our very nature has been transformed! This birth is not brought about by human generation, by the will of man, or by the desire of the flesh, but by God. If you wonder how, I will explain in clear language. Faith is the womb that conceives this new life, baptism the rebirth by which it is brought forth into the light of day. The Church is its nurse; her teachings are its milk, the bread from heaven is its food. It is brought to maturity by the practice of virtue; it is wedded to wisdom; it gives birth to hope. Its home is the kingdom; its rich inheritance the joys of paradise; its end, not death, but the blessed and everlasting life prepared for those who are worthy. This is the day the Lord has made – a day far different from those made when the world was first created and which are measured by the passage of time. This is the beginning of a new creation. On this day, as the prophet says, God makes a new heaven and a new earth. What is this new heaven? you may ask. It is the firmament of our faith in Christ. What is the new earth? A good heart, a heart like the earth, which drinks up the rain that falls on it and yields a rich harvest. In this new creation, purity of life is the sun, the virtues are the stars, transparent goodness is the air, and the depths of the riches of wisdom and knowledge, the sea. Sound doctrine, the divine teachings are the grass and plants that feed God’s flock, the people whom he shepherds; the keeping of the commandments is the fruit borne by the trees. On this day is created the true man, the man made in the image and likeness of God. For this day the Lord has made is the beginning of this new world. Of this day the prophet says that it is not like other days, nor is this night like other nights. But still we have not spoken of the greatest gift it has brought us. This day destroyed the pangs of death and brought to birth the firstborn of the dead. I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God. O what wonderful good news! He who for our sake became like us in order to make us his brothers, now presents to his true Father his own humanity in order to draw all his kindred up after him. RESPONSORY 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; 2 Peter 3:13 Death came through a man and through a man the resurrection of the dead has also come. — Just as in Adam all men die, so in Christ all men will be brought to life, alleluia. We await the fulfillment of his promise: a new heaven and a new earth. — Just as in Adam all men die, so in Christ all men will be brought to life, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER May your right hand, O Lord, we pray, encompass your family with perpetual help, so that, defended from all wickedness by the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (at least in the communal celebration) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.

May 4th, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1049 Proper of Seasons: 826 Psalter: Monday, Week I, 1106 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Seasons: 525 Psalter: Monday, Week I, 718 Morning Prayer for Monday in Week 5 of Easter God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. 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. Alleluia. HYMN Blessing and honor and glory and power, Wisdom and riches and strength evermore, Give we to God who our battle has won, Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the throne. Hear through the heavens the sound of God's name, While rings the earth with God's glory and fame; Ocean and mountain, stream, forest, and flower Echo God's praises and tell of God's power. Ever ascending the song and the prayer; Ever descending the love that we share; Blessing and honor and glory and praise-- This is the theme of the hymns that we raise. Let us give glory and praise to the Lamb; Taking the robe and the harp and the palm; Singing the song of the Lamb that was slain, Dying in weakness but rising to reign. 𝄞"Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ2LY98/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk13] • Musical Score [https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/divineoffice/Blessing_and_Honor_and_Glory_and_Power.pdf] • Title: Blessing and honor and glory and power; Text: Horatius Bonar (1858); Tune: O QUANTA QUALIA; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2017 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. 1 All those who love your name will rejoice in you, alleluia. Psalm 5:2-10,12-13 A morning prayer asking for help Those who welcome the word as the guest of their hearts will have abiding joy. To my words give ear, O Lord, give heed to my groaning. Attend to the sound of my cries, my King and my God. It is you whom I invoke, O Lord. In the morning you hear me; in the morning I offer you my prayer, watching and waiting. You are no God who loves evil; no sinner is your guest. The boastful shall not stand their ground before your face. You hate all who do evil: you destroy all who lie. The deceitful and bloodthirsty man the Lord detests. But I through the greatness of your love have access to your house. I bow down before your holy temple, filled with awe. Lead me, Lord, in your justice, because of those who lie in wait; make clear your way before me. No truth can be found in their mouths, their heart is all mischief, their throat a wide-open grave, all honey their speech. All those you protect shall be glad and ring out their joy. You shelter them; in you they rejoice, those who love your name. It is you who bless the just man, Lord: you surround him with favor as with a shield. 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-prayer Lord, all justice and all goodness come from you; you hate evil and abhor lies. Lead us, your servants, in the path of your justice, so that all who hope in you may rejoice with the Church and in Christ. Ant. All those who love your name will rejoice in you, alleluia. Ant. 2 Yours is the kingdom, Lord, and yours the primacy over all the rulers of the earth, alleluia. Canticle – 1 Chronicles 29:10b-13 Glory and honor are due to God alone Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3) 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. 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. Ant. Yours is the kingdom, Lord, and yours the primacy over all the rulers of the earth, alleluia. Ant. 3 The Lord is enthroned as king for ever, alleluia. Psalm 29 A tribute of praise to the Word of God The Father’s voice proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17) O give the Lord, you sons of God, give the Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of his name. Adore the Lord in his holy court. The Lord’s voice resounding on the waters, the Lord on the immensity of waters; the voice of the Lord, full of power, the voice of the Lord, full of splendor. The Lord’s voice shattering the cedars, the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon; he makes Lebanon leap like a calf and Sirion like a young wild ox. The Lord’s voice flashes flames of fire. The Lord’s voice shaking the wilderness, the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh; the Lord’s voice rending the oak tree and stripping the forest bare. The God of glory thunders. In his temple they all cry: “Glory!” The Lord sat enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits as king for ever. The Lord will give strength to his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace. 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-prayer You live for ever, Lord and King. All things of the earth justly sing your glory and honor. Strengthen your people against evil that we may rejoice in your peace and trust in your eternal promise. Ant. The Lord is enthroned as king for ever, alleluia. READING Romans 10:8-10 The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach). For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Faith in the heart leads to justification, confession on the lips to salvation. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia. — The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia. He hung upon the cross for us, — alleluia, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him, alleluia. Luke 1:68 – 79 The Messiah and his forerunner Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. 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. Ant. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him, alleluia. INTERCESSIONS The Father glorified Jesus and appointed him heir to all nations. Let us praise him, saying: Save us, Lord, through your victory. Lord Christ, by your victory you broke the power of evil and destroyed sin and death, — make us victorious over sin today. Save us, Lord, through your victory. You laid death low, and brought us new life, — grant that we may walk today in this new life, Save us, Lord, through your victory. You gave life to the dead, and led mankind from death to life, — give eternal life to all those we shall meet today. Save us, Lord, through your victory. You brought confusion on the guards at your tomb, but joy to your disciples, — grant the fullness of joy to all who serve you. Save us, Lord, through your victory. 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. Concluding Prayer May your right hand, O Lord, we pray, encompass your family with perpetual help, so that, defended from all wickedness by the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.

May 4th, 2026 – Midmorning Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1054 Complementary Psalmody: 1651 (Midmorning) Proper of Seasons: 828 (antiphon, reading, concluding prayer) Midmorning Prayer for Monday in Week 5 of Easter, using the Complementary Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. 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. Alleluia. HYMN According to Thy gracious word, In meek humility, This will I do, my dying Lord, I will remember Thee. Thy body, broken for my sake, My bread from heaven shall be; Thy testamental cup I take, And thus remember Thee. 𝄞"According to Thy Gracious Word" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NR5TD21/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk1] • Title: According to Thy Gracious Word; Text: James Montgomery; Tune: TALLIS' ORDINAL by Thomas Tallis, ca. 1567; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2017 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. 1 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Psalm 120 Longing for peace To the Lord in the hour of my distress I call and he answers me. “O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, from the tongue of the deceitful.” What shall he pay you in return, O treacherous tongue? The warrior’s arrows sharpened and coals, red-hot, blazing. Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, dwell among the tents of Kedar! Long enough have I been dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for fighting. 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 121 Guardian of his people Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16) I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth. May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard. The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night. The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and 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. Psalm 122 The holy city, Jerusalem You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to God’s house. And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgment of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: “Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!” For love of my brethren and friends I say: Peace upon you. For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. 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. Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. READING Revelation 1:17c-18 I saw the Son of Man, who said to me: I am the First and the Last the One who lives. Once I was dead but now I live–forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the nether world. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. The Lord is risen, alleluia. — He has appeared to Simon, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER May your right hand, O Lord, we pray, encompass your family with perpetual help, so that, defended from all wickedness by the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.

May 4th, 2026 – Midday Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1054 Proper of Seasons: 828 Psalter: Monday, Week I, 1111 Midday Prayer for Monday in Week 5 of Easter, using the Current Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. 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. Alleluia. HYMN Almighty Ruler, God of Truth, Who guide and master all, The rays with which you gild the dawn With noonday heat now fall. O quench the fires of hatred, Lord, Of anger and of strife, Bring health to every mind and heart That peace may enter life. Most holy Father, grant our prayer Through Christ your only Son That in your Spirit we may live And praise you ever one. 𝄞"Almighty Ruler, God of Truth" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NR95M83/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk5] • Ralph Wright, 1808; Melody: St. Anne; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Psalm 19B Praise of God who gave us the law of love You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just. They are more to be desired than gold, than the purest of gold and sweeter are they than honey, than honey from the comb. So in them your servant finds instruction; great reward is in their keeping. But who can detect all his errors? From hidden faults acquit me. From presumption restrain your servant and let it not rule me. Then shall I be blameless, clean from grave sin. May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favor in your sight, O Lord, my rescuer, my rock! 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-prayer May our words in praise of your commandments find favor with you, Lord. May our faith prove we are not slaves, but sons, not so much subjected to your law as sharing your power. Psalm 7 Prayer of a god-fearing man who is being calumniated Here stand the judge, at our very door (James 5:9). I Lord God, I take refuge in you. From my pursuer save me and rescue me, lest he tear me to pieces like a lion and drag me off with no one to rescue me. Lord God, if my hands have done wrong, if I have paid back evil for good, I who saved my unjust oppressor: then let my foe pursue me and seize me, let him trample my life to the ground and lay my soul in the dust. Lord, rise up in your anger, rise against the fury of my foes; my God, awake! You will give judgment. Let the company of nations gather round you, taking your seat above them on high. The Lord is judge of the peoples. Give judgment for me, Lord; I am just and innocent of heart. Put an end to the evil of the wicked! Make the just stand firm, you who test mind and heart, O just God! 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-prayer Father, you weigh what is in our hearts. Free us from oppressors, and, as we wait for your day of judgement, set a firm guard on our thoughts, so that while we return good for evil, we may still praise your kind of justice. II God is the shield that protects me, who saves the upright of heart. God is a just judge slow to anger; but he threatens the wicked every day, men who will not repent. God will sharpen his sword; he has braced his bow and taken aim. For them he has prepared deadly weapons; he barbs his arrows with fire. Here is one who is pregnant with malice, who conceives evil and brings forth lies. He digs a pitfall, digs it deep; and in the trap he has made he will fall. His malice will recoil on himself; on his own head his violence will fall. I will thank the Lord for his justice: I will sing to the Lord, the Most High. 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-prayer You know our hearts, Lord, but you are slow to anger and merciful in judging. Come, examine your Church, wash her clean of sin and great crowds will surround you with songs of praise. Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. READING Colossians 2:9, 12 In Christ the fullness of deity resides in bodily form. Yours is a share of this fullness. In baptism you were not only buried with him but also raised to life with him because you believed in the power of God who raised him from the dead. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. — When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER May your right hand, O Lord, we pray, encompass your family with perpetual help, so that, defended from all wickedness by the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son, we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.