Sunday Lauds

This hour is one of the most beautiful in the breviary.  First its psalms picture the awakening of nature (Ps. 92), then man's pilgrimage to the sanctuary (Ps. 99); they reach their high point in man's loving union with God (Ps. 62) and conclude with the morning praise offered by all creation (Benedícite and Ps. 148).

The Lord is King

A striking view of nature: nature is God's magnificent cloak, the forces of nature are his sword, the earth is his throne.  The victory of day over night is an image of God's kingdom in its victory over hell.  A morning vision of the Resurrection.

The throne of God  unshakable

Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: * indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se.
2  Etenim firmávit orbem terræ, * qui non commovébitur.
3  Paráta sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es.

THE Lord is King, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  He hath made the round world so sure, * that it cannot be moved.
3  Ever since the world began, hath thy seat been prepared: * thou art from everlasting.

No power can overthrow it

4  Elevavérunt flúmina, Dómine: * elevavérunt flúmina vocem suam.
5  Elevavérunt flúmina fluctus suos, * a vócibus aquárum multárum.
6  Mirábiles elatiónes maris: * mirábilis in altis Dóminus.

4  The floods are risen, O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice; * the floods lift up their waves.
5  The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly; * but yet the Lord, who dwelleth on high, is mightier.

Finale

7  Testimónia tua credibília facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitúdo, Dómine, in longitúdinem diérum.

6  Thy testimonies, O Lord, are very sure: * holiness becometh thine house for ever.

Psalm 99.  Jubilate

Praise and thanks unto God

After the first morning meditation (Ps. 92), man begins his pilgrimage to God.  On his way he thinks about God's goodness, and our Lord Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd—his kindness, mercy and faithfulness.

O by joyful in the Lord

Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * servíte Dómino in lætítia.
2  Introite in conspéctu ejus, * in exsultatióne.
3  Scitóte quóniam Dóminus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos.
4  Pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus: * introíte portas ejus in confessióne, átria ejus in hymnis: confitémini illi.
5  Laudáte nomen ejus: quóniam suávis est Dóminus, in ætérnum misericórdia ejus, * et usque in generatiónem et generatiónem véritas ejus.

O BE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song.
2  Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; * we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
3  O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be ye thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
4  For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

Morning prayer : longing for God

In this Psalm, the Hour of Lauds reaches its high point.  After entering the sanctuary, the soul unites with God and sings a deeply mystical Hymn.

The soul thirsts for God

Deus, Deus meus, * ad te de luce vígilo.
2  Sitívit in te ánima mea, * quam multiplíciter tibi caro mea.
3  In terra desérta, et ínvia, et inaquósa: * sic in sancto appárui tibi, ut vidérem virtútem tuam, et glóriam tuam.
4  Quóniam mélior est misericórdia tua super vitas: * lábia mea laudábunt te.

O GOD, thou art my God; * early will I seek thee.
2  My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee, * in a barren and dry land where no water is.
3  Thus have I looked for thee in the sanctuary, * that I might behold thy power and glory.
4  For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself: * my lips shall praise thee.

The soul at one with God

5  Sic benedicam te in vita mea: * et in nómine tuo levábo manus meas.
6  Sicut ádipe et pinguédine repleátur ánima mea: * et lábiis exsultatiónis laudábit os meum.
7  Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutínis meditábor in te: * quia fuísti adjútor meus.
8  Et in velaménto alárum tuárum exsultábo, adhæsit ánima mea post te: * me suscépit déxtera tua.

5  As long as I live will I magnify thee in this manner, * and lift up my hands in thy Name.
6  My soul shall be satisfied, even as it were with marrow and fatness, * when my mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips.
7  Have I not remembered thee in my bed, * and thought upon thee when I was waking?
8  Because thou hast been my helper; * therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
9  My soul hangeth upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.

Friends and enemies

9  Ipsi vero in vanum quæsiérunt ánimam meam, introíbunt in inferióra terræ: * tradéntur in manus gládii, partes vúlpium erunt.
10  Rex vero lætábitur in Deo, laudabúntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstrúctum est os loquéntium iníqua.

10  These also that seek the hurt of my soul, * they shall go under the earth.
11  Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, * that they may be a portion for foxes.
12  But the King shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Bless ye the Lord

All creatures praise the Lord.  Our prayer has come from nature (Ps. 92) to men (Ps. 99), and now we have been intimately united with God (Ps. 62).  But our heart is too small to praise him, and we call upon all creation to join us in a common Hymn of praise (Benedícite and Ps. 148).

Praise the Lord, ye heavens!

Benedícite, ómnia ópera Dómini, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.

2    Benedícite, Angeli Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, cæli, Dómino.

3    Benedícite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes virtútes Dómini, Dómino.

4    Benedícite, sol et luna, Dómino: * benedícite, stellæ cæli, Dómino.

5    Benedícite, omnis imber et ros, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes spíritus Dei, Dómino.

6    Benedícite, ignis et æstus, Dómino: * benedícite, frigus et æstus, Dómino.

7    Benedícite, rores et pruína, Dómino: * benedícite, gelu et frigus, Dómino.

8    Benedícite, glacies et nives, Dómino: * benedícite, noctes et dies, Dómino.

9    Benedícite, lux et ténebræ, Dómino: * benedícite, fúlgura et nubes, Dómino.

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord.
3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord.
5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord.
6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord.
7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord.
8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord.
9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord.

Praise the Lord, ye earth!

10  Benedicat terra Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

11  Benedícite, montes et colles, Dómino: * benedícite, univérsa germinántia in terra, Dómino.

12  Benedícite, fontes, Dómino: * benedícite, mária et flúmina, Dómino.

13  Benedícite, cete, et ómnia, quæ movéntur in aquis, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes vólucres cæli, Dómino.

10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. 
12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord.
13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord.

Praise the Lord, ye children of men!

14    Benedícite, omnes béstiæ et pécora, Dómino: * benedícite, fílii hóminum, Dómino.

15    Benedicat Israel Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

16    Benedícite, sacerdótes Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, servi Dómini, Dómino.

17    Benedícite, spíritus, et ánimæ justórum, Dómino: * benedícite, sancti et húmiles corde, Dómino.

18    Benedícite, Ananía, Azaría, Mísaël, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.

14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord.
15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord.
18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever:

Finale

(Fit reverentia:)

19    Benedicámus Patrem et Fílium cum Sancto Spíritu: * laudémus et superexaltémus eum in sæcula.
20  Benedíctus es, Dómine, in firmaménto cæli: * et laudábilis, et gloriósus, et superexaltátus in sæcula.
Hic non dícitur Glória Patri, neque Amen.

(During the following verse, all bow:)
19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Here is not said Amen or Glory be.

Psalm 148.  Laudáte Dominum

Let all that hath breath praise the Lord

This Psalm, beginning with the word Laudáte which has given the Hour of Lauds its name, continues the praise offered by creation.  The prayer of praise, it should be observed, is the noblest of all prayers, since it is centered on God alone.

The praises of heaven

Laudáte Dóminum de cælis: * laudáte eum in excélsis.
2  Laudáte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * laudáte eum, omnes virtútes ejus.
3  Laudáte eum, sol et luna: * laudáte eum, omnes stellæ et lumen.
4  Laudáte eum, cæli cælórum: * et aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, laudent nomen Domini.

O PRAISE the Lord of heaven: * praise him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3  Praise him, sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens.

Chorus : the Creator

5  Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt: * ipse mandávit, et creáta sunt.
6  Státuit ea in ætérnum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præcéptum pósuit, et non præteribit.

5  Let them praise the Name of the Lord: * for he spake the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath made them fast for ever and ever: * he hath given them a law which shall not be broken.

The praises of earth

7  Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi.
8  Ignis, grando, nix, glacies, spíritus procellárum: * quæ fáciunt verbum ejus:
9  Montes, et omnes colles: * ligna fructífera, et omnes cedri.
10  Béstiæ, et univérsa pécora: * serpéntes, et vólucres pennátæ:
11  Reges terræ, et omnes pópuli: * príncipes, et omnes júdices terræ.

7  Praise the Lord upon earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and vapours, * wind and storm, fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;
11  Kings of the earth, and all people; * princes, and all judges of the world;

Chorus : God of the Covenant

12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus.

12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth.

The praises of his people

13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui.
14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.

13  He shall exalt the horn of his people: all his saints shall praise him; * even the Children of Israel, even the people that serveth him.