Common of Confessor Not a Bishop

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

On excepted feasts the Antiphons and Psalms are as follows.  Otherwise the Antiphons and Psalms are of the current weekday, with what follows as below from the Chapter onwards.

Ant.    Dómine, quinque talénta * tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.  Allelúja.

Ant.  Lord, thou deliveredst * unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: * Sede a dextris meis:
2  Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum.
3  Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum.
4  Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te.
5  Jurávit Dóminus, et non pœnitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech.
6  Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges.
7  Judicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum.
8  De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput.

The Lord said unto my Lord, * Sit thou on my right hand:
2  Until I make thine enemies * thy footstool.
3  The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: * be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
4  Thine shall be the dominion in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints : * from the womb before the day star have I begotten thee.
5  The Lord sware, and will not repent, * Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
6  The Lord upon thy right hand * shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
7  He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: * and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
8  He shall drink of the brook in the way; * therefore shall he lift up his head.

Ant.    Dómine, quinque talénta tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.  Allelúja.

Ant.  Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Euge serve bone, * in módico fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.   Well done, thou good servant, * in little things found faithful, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 110.  Confitebor

Confitébor tibi, Dómine, in toto corde meo: * in consílio justórum, et congregatióne.
2  Magna ópera Dómini: * exquisíta in omnes voluntátes ejus.
3  Conféssio et magnificéntia opus ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4  Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum, miséricors et miserátor Dóminus: * escam dedit timéntibus se.
5  Memor erit in sæculum testaménti sui: * virtútem óperum suórum annuntiábit pópulo suo:
6  Ut det illis hereditátem géntium: * ópera mánuum ejus véritas, et judícium.
7  Fidélia ómnia mandáta ejus: confirmáta in sæculum sæculi, * facta in veritáte et æquitáte.
8  Redemptiónem misit pópulo suo: * mandávit in ætérnum testaméntum suum.
9  (fit reverentia) Sanctum, et terríbile nomen ejus: * inítium sapiéntiæ timor Dómini.
10  Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum: * laudátio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

Psalm 110.  Confitebor

I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, * in the assembly of the righteous, and in the congregation.
2  The works of the Lord are great, * meet to serve for the doing of his will.
3  His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  He hath made a memorial of his marvellous works; the Lord is merciful and gracious : * he hath given meat unto them that fear him.
5  He shall ever be mindful of his covenant : * he will shew his people the power of his works.
6  That he may give them the heritage of the heathen : * the works of his hands are verity and judgment.
7  All his commandments are true; they stand fast for ever and ever : * and are done in truth and equity.
8  He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath commanded his covenant for ever.
9  (all bow) Holy and terrible is his Name : * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
10  A good understanding have all they that do thereafter; * his praise endureth for ever.

Ant.    Euge serve bone, * in módico fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.   Well done, thou good servant, in little things found faithful, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Fidélis servus * et prudens, quem constítuit Dóminus super famíliam suam.  Allelúja.

Ant.   A wise and faithful steward, * whom the Lord hath made ruler over all his household.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 111.  Beatus vir

Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum: * in mandátis ejus volet nimis.
2  Potens in terra erit semen ejus: * generátio rectórum benedicétur.
3  Glória, et divítiæ in domo ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4  Exórtum est in ténebris lumen rectis: * miséricors, et miserátor, et justus.
5  Jucúndus homo qui miserétur et cómmodat, dispónet sermónes suos in judício: * quia in ætérnum non commovébitur.
6  In memória ætérna erit justus: * ab auditióne mala non timébit.
7  Parátum cor ejus speráre in Dómino, confirmátum est cor ejus: * non commovébitur donec despíciat inimícos suos.
8  Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus: justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi, * cornu ejus exaltábitur in glória.
9  Peccátor vidébit, et irascétur, déntibus suis fremet et tabéscet: * desidérium peccatórum períbit.

Psalm 111.  Beatus vir

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; * he hath great delight in his commandments.
2  His seed shall be mighty upon earth; * the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
3  Glory and riches shall be in his house; * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness; * he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5  Happy is the man that sheweth mercy, and lendeth; he will guide his words with discretion : * for he shall never be moved.
6  The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance : * he shall not be afraid of any evil tidings.
7  His heart is ready, trusting in the Lord, his heart is stablished, * he shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies.
8  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor, and his righteousness remaineth for ever; * his horn shall be exalted with honour.
9  The ungodly shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away; * the desire of the ungodly shall perish.

Ant.    Fidélis servus * et prudens, quem constítuit Dóminus super famíliam suam.  Allelúja.

Ant.   A wise and faithful steward, whom the Lord hath made ruler over all his household.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Beátus ille servus, * quem, cum vénerit Dóminus ejus et pulsáverit jánuam, invénerit vigilántem.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is that servant * whom his Lord, when he cometh and knocketh at the door, shall find watching.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 112.  Laudate, pueri

Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum: * laudáte nomen Dómini.
2  (fit reverentia) Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum.
3  A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini.
4  Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória ejus.
5  Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra?
6  Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem:
7  Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui.
8  Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem.

Psalm 112.  Laudate, pueri

Praise the Lord, O ye his servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  (all bow) Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.
3  From the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the Lord's Name be praised.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling on high, * and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
6  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, * and lifteth the needy out of the dung hill.
7  That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Ant.    Beátus ille servus, * quem, cum vénerit Dóminus ejus et pulsáverit jánuam, invénerit vigilántem.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is that servant * whom his Lord, when he cometh and knocketh at the door, shall find watching.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Serve bone * et fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Good and faithful servant, * enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 116.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum, omnes Gentes: * laudáte eum, omnes pópuli :
2  Quóniam confirmáta est super nos misericórdia ejus: * et véritas Dómini manet in ætérnum.

Psalm 116.  Laudate Dominum

O praise the Lord, all ye nations; * praise him, all ye peoples.
2  For his merciful kindness is established upon us; * and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

Ant.    Serve bone et fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

STAND

Capitulum           Eccli. 31. 8.
Beátus vir, qui invéntus est sine mácula, et qui post aurum non ábiit, nec sperávit in pecúnia et thesáuris.  Quis est hic, et laudábimus eum? fecit enim mirabília in vita sua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Ecclus.  31. 8.
Blessed is the man that is found without blemish; and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will call him blessed? for wonderful things hath he done in his life.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Iste Conféssor Dómini, coléntes
Quem pie laudant pópuli per orbem,
[  Hac die lætus méruit beátas
Scándere sedes.]

Si non est dies obitus (quod indicat in Proprio litteræ mtv), dicatur :
[  Hac die lætus méruit suprémos
Laudis honóres.]

Qui pius, prudens, húmilis, pudícus,
Sóbriam duxit sine labe vitam,
Donec humános animávit auræ
Spíritus artus.

Cujus ob præstans méritum, frequénter,
Ægra quæ passim jacuére membra,
Víribus morbi dómitis, salúti
Restituúntur.

Noster hinc illi chorus obsequéntem
Cóncinit laudem celebrésque palmas,
Ut piis ejus précibus juvémur
Omne per ævum.

Sit salus illi, decus atque virtus,
Qui, super cæli sólio corúscans,
Totíus mundi sériem gubérnat,
Trinus et unus.  Amen.

This the Confessor of the Lord, whose triumph
Now through the wide world celebrate the faithful,
At his departure entered with rejoicing
Heavenly mansions.

Fervent and holy, prudent in his converse,
Humbly and chastely here on earth he sojourned,
Curbing all passions, and in peace and meekness,
Constant abiding.

What though the grave now hold his hallowed relicks?
He, ever living, ever interceding,
Reigns with the Blessed, nor from us his brethren
Is he divided.

Whence we in chorus gladly do him honour,
Chanting his praises with devout affection,
That in his merits we may have our portion,
Ever and ever.

Glory and virtue, honour and salvation,
Be unto him that, sitting in the highest,
Governeth all things, Lord and God Almighty,
Trinity blessed.  Amen.

The remainder of Vespers is provided for each Feastday in the Proper of the Saints.  Otherwise, the Common continues as follows :

V.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum, allelúja.
R.  Stolam glóriæ índuit eum, allelúja.

V.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him, alleluia.
R.  He clothed him with a robe of glory, alleluia.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Similábo eum * viro sapiénti, qui ædificávit domum suam supra petram.  Allelúja.

Ant. on Magnif:  I will liken him * unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock.  Alleluia.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

Regem Confessórum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

The Lord, the King of Confessors, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Regem Confessórum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

The Lord, the King of Confessors, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Psalmus 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro : præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord ; let us heartily rejoice in the God of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.

Regem Confessórum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

The Lord, the King of Confessors, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos : quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.

For the Lord is a great God ; and a great King above all gods:  For the Lord will not cast off his people:  In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also.

Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

O come, let us worship, alleluia.

In the following verse of the Psalm, at the words veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum (O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker) all genuflect.

Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus : veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos, quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.

The sea is his and he made it ; and his hands prepared the dry land.  O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker: For he is the Lord our God ; and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Regem Confessórum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

The Lord, the King of Confessors, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness ; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.

Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ; ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways:  unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

Regem Confessórum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

The Lord, the King of Confessors, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

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.

Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Regem Confessórum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus, allelúja.

The Lord, the King of Confessors, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Iste Conféssor Dómini, coléntes
Quem pie laudant pópuli per orbem,
[  Hac die lætus méruit beátas
Scándere sedes.]

Si non est dies obitus (quod indicat in Proprio litteræ mtv), dicatur :
[  Hac die lætus méruit suprémos
Laudis honóres.]

Qui pius, prudens, húmilis, pudícus,
Sóbriam duxit sine labe vitam,
Donec humános animávit auræ
Spíritus artus.

Cujus ob præstans méritum, frequénter,
Ægra quæ passim jacuére membra,
Víribus morbi dómitis, salúti
Restituúntur.

Noster hinc illi chorus obsequéntem
Cóncinit laudem celebrésque palmas,
Ut piis ejus précibus juvémur
Omne per ævum.

Sit salus illi, decus atque virtus,
Qui, super cæli sólio corúscans,
Totíus mundi sériem gubérnat,
Trinus et unus.  Amen.

This the Confessor of the Lord, whose triumph
Now through the wide world celebrate the faithful,
At his departure entered with rejoicing
Heavenly mansions.

Fervent and holy, prudent in his converse,
Humbly and chastely here on earth he sojourned,
Curbing all passions, and in peace and meekness,
Constant abiding.

What though the grave now hold his hallowed relicks?
He, ever living, ever interceding,
Reigns with the Blessed, nor from us his brethren
Is he divided.

Whence we in chorus gladly do him honour,
Chanting his praises with devout affection,
That in his merits we may have our portion,
Ever and ever.

Glory and virtue, honour and salvation,
Be unto him that, sitting in the highest,
Governeth all things, Lord and God Almighty,
Trinity blessed.  Amen.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The First Nocturn.  The Psalms with their Antiphons are taken from either the Proper, if today have a proper Office, or from the Common, as given below, or from the occurring weekday, if today be not an excepted Feast.

Proper Office

Common Office

First Nocturn

Ant.    Beátus vir, * qui in lege Dómini meditátur : volúntas ejus pérmanet die ac nocte, et ómnia quæcúmque fáciet, semper prosperabúntur, allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is the man * that doth meditate in the law of the Lord : his delight is therein day and night, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper, alleluia.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 1.  Beatus vir

Beátus vir, qui non ábiit in consílio impiórum, et in via peccatórum non stetit, * et in cáthedra pestiléntiæ non sedit :
2  Sed in lege Dómini volúntas ejus, * et in lege ejus meditábitur die ac nocte.
3  Et erit tamquam lignum, quod plantátum est secus decúrsus aquárum, * quod fructum suum dabit in témpore suo:
4  Et fólium ejus non défluet: * et ómnia quæcúmque fáciet, prosperabúntur.
5  Non sic ímpii, non sic: * sed tamquam pulvis, quem prójicit ventus a fácie terræ.
6  Ideo non resúrgent ímpii in judício: * neque peccatóres in concílio justórum.
7  Quóniam novit Dóminus viam justórum: * et iter impiórum períbit.

Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * and hath not sat in the seat of pestilence.
2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; * and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.
3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side, * that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
4  His leaf also shall not wither; * and all whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.
5  As for the ungodly, it is not so with them; * but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.
6  Therefore the ungodly shall not rise again in judgment; * neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
7  For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; * and the way of the ungodly shall perish.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Quare fremuérunt Gentes: * et pópuli meditáti sunt inánia?
2  Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convenérunt in unum * advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.
3  Dirumpámus víncula eórum: * et projiciámus a nobis jugum ipsórum.
4  Qui hábitat in cælis, irridébit eos: * et Dóminus subsannábit eos.
5  Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, * et in furóre suo conturbábit eos.
6  Ego autem constitútus sum Rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus, * prædicans præcéptum ejus.
7  Dóminus dixit ad me: * Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.
8  Póstula a me, et dabo tibi Gentes hereditátem tuam, * et possessiónem tuam términos terræ.
9  Reges eos in virga férrea, * et tamquam vas fíguli confrínges eos.
10  Et nunc, reges, intellígite: * erudímini, qui judicátis terram.
11  Servíte Dómino in timóre: * et exsultáte ei cum tremóre.
12  Apprehéndite disciplínam, nequándo irascátur Dóminus, * et pereátis de via justa.
13  Cum exárserit in brevi ira ejus: * beáti omnes qui confídunt in eo.

Psalm 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Why do the heathen so furiously rage together? * and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
2  The kings of the earth have arisen, and the rulers have taken counsel together * against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
3  Let us break their bonds asunder, * and cast away their cords from us.
4  He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: *  the Lord shall have them in derision.
5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, * and vex them in his sore displeasure :
6  Yet I have been stablished King by him upon his holy hill of Sion, * preaching his commandment.
7  The Lord hath said unto me : * Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
8  Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9  Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; * be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
11  Serve the Lord in fear, * and rejoice unto him with reverence.
12  Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and so ye perish from the right way.
13  If his wrath be kindled, yea, but in a short time : *  blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 3.  Domine quid multiplicati?

Dómine quid multiplicáti sunt qui tríbulant me? * multi insúrgunt advérsum me.
2  Multi dicunt ánimæ meæ: * Non est salus ipsi in Deo ejus.
3  Tu autem, Dómine, suscéptor meus es, * glória mea, et exáltans caput meum.
4  Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi: * et exaudívit me de monte sancto suo.
5  Ego dormívi, et soporátus sum: * et exsurréxi, quia Dóminus suscépit me.
6  Non timébo míllia pópuli circumdántis me: * exsúrge, Dómine, salvum me fac, Deus meus.
7  Quóniam tu percussísti omnes adversántes mihi sine causa: * dentes peccatórum contrivísti.
8  Dómini est salus: * et super pópulum tuum benedíctio tua.

Psalm 3.  Domine quid multiplicati?

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! * many are they that rise against me.
2  Many one there be that say of my soul, * There is no help for him in his God.
3  But thou, O Lord, art my defender; * thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head.
4  I did call upon the Lord with my voice, * and he heard me out of his holy hill.
5  I laid me down and slept, * and rose up again, for the Lord sustained me.
6  I will not be afraid for thousands of the people that have set themselves against me round about ; * up, Lord, and help me, O my God.
7  For thou smitest all that are mine enemies without cause ; * thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8  Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; * and thy blessing is upon thy people.

Ant.    Beátus vir, qui in lege Dómini meditátur : volúntas ejus pérmanet die ac nocte, et ómnia quæcúmque fáciet, semper prosperabúntur, allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is the man that doth meditate in the law of the Lord : his delight is therein day and night, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper, alleluia.

STAND

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken either from the Common, as given below, or from either the occúrrent Scripture, an alternate Common, or the Proper, as given in their proper place.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from an alternate Common

Proper Lessons

Absolutio: Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis : Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  Graciously hear, O Lord Jesu Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

Benedíctio 1: Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1:  May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing.
R.  Amen.

Beátus vir, qui invéntus est sine mácula, et qui post aurum non ábiit, nec sperávit in pecúnia et thesáuris.  Quis est hic, et laudábimus eum? fecit enim mirabília in vita sua.  Qui probátus est in illo et perféctus est, erit illi glória ætérna.  Qui pótuit tránsgredi, et non est transgréssus ; fácere mala, et non fecit : ídeo stabilíta sunt bona illíus in Dómino, et eleemósynas illíus enarrábit omnis ecclésia sanctórum.

Blessed is the man that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold.  Who is he? and we will call him blessed : for wonderful things hath he done among his people.  Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory.  Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it?  His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his righteousness.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Euge serve bone et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam : * Intra in gáudium Dómini tui, allelúja.
V.  Dómine, quinque talénta tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.
R.  Intra in gáudium Dómini tui, allelúja.

R.  Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : * Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, alleluia.
V.  Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents ; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
R.  Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, alleluia.

Benedíctio 2: Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
R.  Amen.

Qui timet Dóminum, excípiet doctrínam ejus : et qui vigiláverint ad illum, invénient benedictiónem.  Qui quærit legem, replébitur ab ea : et qui insidióse agit, scandalizábitur in ea.  Qui timent Dóminum, invénient judícium justum, et justítias quasi lumen accéndent.  Qui credit Deo, atténdit mandátis : et qui confídit in illo, non minorábitur.  Timénti Dóminum non occúrrent mala ; sed in tentatióne Deus illum conservábit, et liberábit a malis.  Sápiens non odit mandáta et justítias, et non illidétur quasi in procélla navis.  Homo sensátus credit legi Dei, et lex illi fidélis.

Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline ; and they that seek him early shall find favour.  He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith : but the hypocrite will find cause of offence therein.  They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.  He that believeth in the law taketh heed to its injunctions ; and he that trusteth in the Lord shall suffer no loss ; for there shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but when he is tried once and again he will deliver him.  A wise man hateth not the law ; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.  A man of understanding trusteth in the law ; and the law is faithful unto him.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Justus germinábit sicut lílium : * Et florébit in ætérnum ante Dóminum, allelúja.
V.  Plantátus in domo Dómini, in átriis domus Dei nostri.
R.  Et florébit in ætérnum ante Dóminum, allelúja.

R.  The righteous shall grow as the lily, * And flourish for ever before the Lord, alleluia.
V.  Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
R.  And flourish for ever before the Lord, alleluia.

Benedíctio 3: Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the grace of the Holy Spirit all our heart and mind enlighten.
R.  Amen.

Spíritus timéntium Deum quæritur, et in respéctu illíus benedicétur.  Spes enim illórum in salvántem illos, et óculi Dei in diligéntes se.  Qui timet Dóminum, nihil trepidábit, et non pavébit : quóniam ipse est spes ejus.  Timéntis Dóminum beáta est ánima ejus.  Ad quem réspicit, et quis est fortitúdo ejus?  Oculi Dómini super timéntes eum : protéctor poténtiæ, firmaméntum virtútis, tégimen ardóris, et umbráculum meridiáni, deprecátio offensiónis et adjutórium casus, exáltans ánimam et illúminans óculos, dans sanitátem, et vitam, et benedictiónem.

The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live ; for their hope is in him that saveth them.  Whoso feareth the Lord shall not be afraid nor play the coward, for the Lord is his hope.  Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord : to whom doth he give heed? and who is his stay?  The eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection, and strong stay, a defence from heat, and cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.  He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes ; he giveth healing, life, and blessing.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste cognóvit justítiam, et vidit mirabília magna, et exorávit Altíssimum : * Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum, allelúja.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum, allelúja.

R.  This is he which knew righteousness, and saw great wonders, and made his prayer unto the Most High; * And he is numbered among the Saints, alleluia.
V.  This is he which despised the life of this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  And he is numbered among the Saints, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And he is numbered among the Saints, alleluia.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Invocántem * exaudívit Dóminus Sanctum suum ; Dóminus exaudívit eum, et constítuit eum in pace, allelúja.

Ant.    The Lord hath chosen * to himself the man that is godly ; when they call upon the Lord he will hear them, allelúja.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 4. Cum invocarem

Cum invocárem exaudívit me Deus justítiæ meæ: *  in tribulatióne dilatásti mihi.
2  Miserére mei, * et exáudi oratiónem meam.
3  Fílii hóminum, úsquequo gravi corde? *  ut quid dilígitis vanitátem et quæritis mendácium?
4  Et scitóte quóniam mirificávit Dóminus sanctum suum: * Dóminus exáudiet me cum clamávero ad eum.
5  Irascímini, et nolíte peccáre: * quæ dícitis in córdibus vestris, in cubílibus vestris compungímini.
6  Sacrificáte sacrifícium justítiæ, et speráte in Dómino, * multi dicunt quis osténdit nobis bona?
7  Signátum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Dómine: *  dedísti lætítiam in corde meo.
8  A fructu fruménti, vini et ólei sui * multiplicáti sunt.
9  In pace in idípsum * dórmiam et requiéscam;
10  Quóniam tu, Dómine, singuláriter in spe * constituísti me.

He hath heard me when I call, the God of my righteousness: * thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble.
2  Have mercy upon me, * and hearken unto my prayer.
3  O ye sons of men, how long will ye be dull of heart? * and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
4  Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly; * when I call upon the Lord he will hear me.
5  Be ye angry, and sin not; * the things that ye say in your hearts, repent ye them upon your beds.
6  Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord, * there be many that say, who will shew us any good?
7  The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is sealed upon us, * thou hast put gladness in my heart.
8  By the fruit of their corn and wine and oil * have they been multiplied.
9  I will lay me down in peace, * and take my rest;
10  For it is thou, Lord, only, * that makest me dwell in safety.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 5.  Verba mea

Verba mea áuribus pércipe, Dómine, * intéllige clamórem meum.
2  Inténde voci oratiónis meæ: * Rex meus et Deus meus.
3  Quóniam ad te orábo: * Dómine, mane exáudies vocem meam.
4  Mane astábo tibi et vidébo: * quóniam non Deus volens iniquitátem tu es.
5  Neque habitábit juxta te malígnus: * neque permanébunt injústi ante óculos tuos.
6  Odísti omnes, qui operántur iniquitátem: * perdes omnes, qui loquúntur mendácium.
7  Virum sánguinum et dolósum abominábitur Dóminus: * ego autem in multitúdine misericórdiæ tuæ.
8  Introíbo in domum tuam: * adorábo ad templum sanctum tuum in timóre tuo.
9  Dómine, deduc me in justítia tua: * propter inimícos meos dírige in conspéctu tuo viam meam.
10  Quóniam non est in ore eórum véritas: * cor eórum vanum est.
11  Sepúlcrum patens est guttur eórum, linguis suis dolóse agébant, * júdica illos, Deus.
12  Décidant a cogitatiónibus suis, secúndum multitúdinem impietátum eórum expélle eos, * quóniam irritavérunt te, Dómine.
13  Et læténtur omnes, qui sperant in te, * in ætérnum exsultábunt: et habitábis in eis.
14  Et gloriabúntur in te omnes, qui díligunt nomen tuum: * quóniam tu benedíces justo.
15  Dómine, ut scuto bonæ voluntátis tuæ * coronásti nos.

Psalm 5.  Verba mea

Ponder my words, O Lord, * consider my cry.
2  O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, * my King and my God.
3  For unto thee will I make my prayer : * in the morning shalt thou hear my voice, O Lord.
4  Early in the morning will I stand before thee, and will see : * for thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickedness.
5  Neither shall any evil dwell with thee : * nor shall the unjust abide before thine eyes.
6  For thou hatest all them that work iniquity : * thou shalt destroy them that speak lies.
7  The Lord will abhor both the blood-thirsty and deceitful man : * but as for me, in the multitude of thy mercy.
8   I will come into thine house; * and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
9  Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, * because of mine enemies make my way plain before thy face.
10  For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; * their heart is vain.
11  Their throat is an open sepulchre, they flatter with their tongue : * judge thou them, O God.
12  Let them perish through their own imaginations; cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness; * for they have rebelled against thee, O Lord.
13  And let all them that put their trust in thee rejoice: * they shall for ever be glad, and thou shalt dwell amongst them.
14  And all they that love thy Name shall be joyful in thee; * for thou, Lord, wilt give thy blessing unto the righteous.
15  Thou hast crowned us, O Lord, * as with a shield of thy good will.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 8.  Domine, Dominus noster

Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!
2  Quóniam eleváta est magnificéntia tua, * super cælos.
3  Ex ore infántium et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos, * ut déstruas inimícum et ultórem.
4  Quóniam vidébo cælos tuos, ópera digitórum tuórum: * lunam et stellas, quæ tu fundásti.
5  Quid est homo quod memor es ejus? * aut fílius hóminis, quóniam vísitas eum?
6  Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Angelis, glória et honóre coronásti eum: * et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.
7  Omnia subjecísti sub pédibus ejus, * oves et boves univérsas : ínsuper et pécora campi.
8  Vólucres cæli, et pisces maris, * qui perámbulant sémitas maris.
9  Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!

O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
2  For thou hast set thy glory * above the heavens.
3  Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise, because of thine enemies, * that thou mightest destroy the enemy and the avenger.
4  For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;
5  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
6  Thou madest him lower than the Angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and worship : * thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.
7  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet : * all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8  The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9  O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Ant.    Invocántem exaudívit Dóminus Sanctum suum ; Dóminus exaudívit eum, et constítuit eum in pace, allelúja.

Ant.    The Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly ; when they call upon the Lord he will hear them, allelúja.

STAND

The Lessons for the Second Nocturn are taken either from the Common, as given below, or from an alternate Common, or from the Proper, as given in their proper place.

Lessons from an alternate Common

Proper Lessons

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Beáti N. dies, cujus festivitátem celebrámus, ad ipsíus recte factórum enarratiónem linguam nostram evocávit.  Síquidem hódie beátus iste ad tranquíllam omnísque perturbatiónis expértem vitam tránsiit ; eóque navígium áppulit, ubi deínceps non póterit metúere naufrágium, nec ullam ánimi perturbatiónem aut dolórem.  Et quid mirum est, si locus ille purus est ab omni moléstia ánimi, cum Paulus, homínibus adhuc in hac vita degéntibus loquens, dicat : Semper gaudéte, sine intermissióne oráte?

The feast of blessed N., which we are keeping today, layeth a debt of justice upon us, to wit, that we should declare what great deeds he hath wrought, for it is on this day that we commemoráte the passing of this blessed servant of God into that life where is tranquillity and no disquietude.  As on this day, his ship reached that harbour where is no more dread of shipwreck, no more trouble and anguish of spirit.  And wherefore marvel we at a place where is no more distress of the soul?  Since Paul saith even to men living here in this life : Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam, allelúja.
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R.  Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam, allelúja.

R.  The Lord multiplied the fruit of his labours and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait. * And gave him perpetual glory, alleluia.
V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God.
R.  And gave him perpetual glory, alleluia.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

Quod si hic, ubi morbi, ubi insectatiónes, ubi præmatúræ mortes, ubi calúmniæ, ubi invídiæ, ubi perturbatiónes, ubi iræ, ubi cupiditátes, ubi innumerábiles insídiæ, ubi quotidiánæ sollicitúdines, ubi perpétua sibíque succedéntia mala sunt, innúmeros ex omni parte dolóres afferéntia, Paulus dixit fíeri posse, ut semper gaudeámus, si quis páululum ex rerum mundanárum flúctibus eréxerit caput vitámque suam recte composúerit ; multo magis, postquam hinc demigravérimus, fácile cómpotes érimus ejus boni, cum hæc ómnia subláta fúerint, advérsa valetúdo, morbi, peccándi matéria ; ubi non est meum ac tuum frígidum illud verbum, et quidquid est malórum in vitam nostram ínvehens, innumeráque gignens bella.

Here below are sicknesses, persecutions, untimely deaths, calumnies, backbitings, strife, anger, lust, pit-falls unnumbered, daily anxieties.  Here one evil followeth after another without ceasing, and countless sorrows press upon us from every side.  And yet Paul saith that even here a man may rejoice evermore, that is, if he will but raise his head a little above the uneasy waters of this world's life, and set his course aright.  How much better shall we fare when we have passed away from all these things, and are beyond the reach of such evils as ill-health, disease, and occasions of sin.  For then there shall be no more mine and thine, which are such words as bring upon us most of the ills of this life, and even wars without number.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum, allelúja.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum, allelúja.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise, alleluia.
V.  The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise, alleluia.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Quam ob rem maximópere grátulor hujus Sancti felicitáti, quod, quamquam translátus est, atque hanc, quæ apud nos est, civitátem relíquit, tamen in álteram adscríptus est civitátem, nempe Dei.  Et, digréssus ab hac Ecclésia, ad illam pervénit quæ est primogenitórum descriptórum in cælis ; ac, relíctis hisce festis, tránsiit ad celebritátem Angelórum.  Etenim, quod et cívitas sursum sit, et Ecclésia, et celébritas, audi Paulum dicéntem : Accessístis ad civitátem Dei vivéntis, Jerúsalem cæléstem, et Ecclésiam primitivórum, qui conscrípti sunt in cælis, et ad multórum míllium Angelórum frequéntiam.

In this verily do I chiefly rejoice, namely, at the happiness of this Saint in being taken away from this world.  For having found here no abiding city, he is become a citizen of that other city, which is the city of the living God.  From the Church here he is gone, but he is come unto the Church of the first-born, which are enrolled in heaven.  He keepeth holy-day with us no more, but is passed to where he holdeth high festival with Angels.  And of what sort that city is, and that Church, and that endless festival, Paul biddeth us know, saying : Ye are come unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and unto the Church of the first-born which are written in heaven, and to an innumerable company of Angels.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste homo perfécit ómnia quæ locútus est ei Deus, et dixit ad eum : Ingrédere in réquiem meam : * Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja.

R.  This is he which did according to all that God commanded him ; and God said unto him : Enter thou into my rest : * For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people, alleluia.
V.  This is he which despised his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people, alleluia.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Dómine, * iste Sanctus habitábit in tabernáculo tuo, operátus est justítiam, requiéscet in monte sancto tuo, allelúja.

Ant.    O Lord, * this thy Saint shall dwell in thy tabernacle, and this that hath worked righteousness shall abide upon thy holy hill, alleluia.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 14.  Domine, quis habitabit?

Dómine, quis habitábit in tabernáculo tuo? * aut quis requiéscet in monte sancto tuo?
2  Qui ingréditur sine mácula, * et operátur justítiam :
3  Qui lóquitur veritátem in corde suo, * qui non egit dolum in lingua sua :
4  Nec fecit próximo suo malum, * et oppróbrium non accépit advérsus próximos suos.
5  Ad níhilum dedúctus est in conspéctu ejus malígnus: * timéntes autem Dóminum gloríficat :
6  Qui jurat próximo suo, et non décipit, * qui pecúniam suam non dedit ad usúram, et múnera super innocéntem non accépit.
7  Qui facit hæc: * non movébitur in ætérnum.

Psalm 14.  Domine, quis habitabit?

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? * or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
2  Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life, * and doeth the thing which is right.
3  He that speaketh the truth in his heart, * and that hath used no deceit in his tongue.
4  Nor done evil to his neighbour, * and hath not taken up slander against his neighbour.
5  In his sight the malicious is brought to nought, * but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.
6  He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, * he that hath not given his money upon usury, nor taken reward against the innocent.
7  Whoso doeth these things * shall never fall.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 20.  Domine, in virtute tua

Dómine, in virtúte tua lætábitur rex: * et super salutáre tuum exsultábit veheménter.
2  Desidérium cordis ejus tribuísti ei: * et voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.
3  Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: * posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
4  Vitam pétiit a te: * et tribuísti ei longitúdinem diérum in sæculum, et in sæculum sæculi.
5  Magna est glória ejus in salutári tuo: * glóriam et magnum decórem impónes super eum.
6  Quóniam dabis eum in benedictiónem in sæculum sæculi: * lætificábis eum in gáudio cum vultu tuo.
7  Quóniam rex sperat in Dómino: * et in misericórdia Altíssimi non commovébitur.
8  Inveniátur manus tua ómnibus inimícis tuis: * déxtera tua invéniat omnes, qui te odérunt.
9  Pones eos ut clíbanum ignis in témpore vultus tui: * Dóminus in ira sua conturbábit eos, et devorábit eos ignis.
10  Fructum eórum de terra perdes: * et semen eórum a fíliis hóminum.
11  Quóniam declinavérunt in te mala: * cogitavérunt consília, quæ non potuérunt stabilíre.
12  Quóniam pones eos dorsum: * in relíquiis tuis præparábis vultum eórum.
13  Exaltáre, Dómine, in virtúte tua: * cantábimus et psallémus virtútes tuas.

Psalm 20.  Domine, in virtute tua

The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord; * exceeding glad shall he be in thy salvation.
2  Thou hast given him his heart's desire, * and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
3  For thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, * and hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head.
4  He asked life of thee; * and thou gavest him length of days, for ever, even world without end.
5  His honour is great in thy salvation; * glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
6  For thou shalt give him to be a blessing for ever and ever, * and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance.
7  For the king putteth his trust in the Lord; * and in the mercy of the Most Highest he shall not be moved.
8  May all thine enemies find thy hand; * and may thy right hand find out all them that hate thee.
9  Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath: * the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure, and the fire shall consume them.
10  Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth, * and their seed from among the children of men.
11  For they intended mischief against thee, * and devised counsels such as they were not able to perform.
12  Therefore shalt thou put them to flight, * in thy remnants shalt thou make ready the face of them.
13  Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength; * so will we sing, and praise thy power.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 23. Dómini est terra

Dómini est terra, et plenitúdo ejus: * orbis terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.
2  Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum: * et super flúmina præparávit eum.
3  Quis ascéndet in montem Dómini? * aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus?
4  Innocens mánibus et mundo corde, * qui non accépit in vano ánimam suam, nec jurávit in dolo próximo suo.
5  Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino: * et misericórdiam a Deo, salutári suo.
6  Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum, * quæréntium fáciem Dei Jacob.
7  Attóllite portas príncipes vestras, et elevámini portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
8  Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? * Dóminus fortis et potens : Dóminus potens in prælio.
9  Attóllite portas príncipes vestras,  et elevámini portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
10  Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? * Dóminus virtútum ipse est Rex glóriæ.

The earth is the Lord's, and all the fulness thereof; * the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2  For he hath founded it upon the seas, * and stablished it upon the rivers.
3  Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? * or who shall stand in his holy place?
4  Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; * and that hath not lift up his soul unto vanity, nor deceitfully sworn to his neighbour.
5  He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God his saviour.
6  This is the generation of them that seek him; * even of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7  Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting gates; * and the King of glory shall come in.
8  Who is this King of glory? * It is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9  Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting gates; * and the King of glory shall come in.
10  Who is this King of glory? * Even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Ant.    Dómine, iste Sanctus habitábit in tabernáculo tuo, operátus est justítiam, requiéscet in monte sancto tuo, allelúja.

Ant.    O Lord, this thy Saint shall dwell in thy tabernacle, and this that hath worked righteousness shall abide upon thy holy hill, alleluia.

STAND

The Lessons for the Third Nocturn are taken either from the Common, as given below, or from an alternate Common, or from the Proper, as given in their proper place.

Lessons from an alternate Common

Proper Lessons

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 7: Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 7:  May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis:  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus said unto his disciples:  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Sancti Evangélii, fratres caríssimi, apérta vobis est léctio recitáta.  Sed, ne alíquibus ipsa ejus planíties alta fortásse videátur, eam sub brevitáte transcúrrimus, quátenus ejus exposítio ita nesciéntibus fiat cógnita, ut tamen sciéntibus non sit onerósa.  Dóminus dicit : Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti.  Lumbos enim præcíngimus, cum carnis luxúriam per continéntiam coarctámus.  Sed, quia minus est mala non ágere, nisi étiam quisque stúdeat et bonis opéribus, insudáre, prótinus ádditur : Et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris.  Lucérnas quippe ardéntes in mánibus tenémus, cum, per bona ópera, próximis nostris lucis exémpla monstrámus.  De quibus profécto opéribus Dóminus dicit : Lúceat lux vestra coram homínibus, ut vídeant ópera vestra bona, et gloríficent Patrem vestrum, qui in cælis est.

Dearly beloved brethren, the lesson of the Holy Gospel, which has just been read to you, is plain.  But lest the plain should perchance seem to some of you to be a mountain, we will go through it so quickly and easily that they which have not already explored it may come to know something about it, and they which already know it need not be wearied.  The Lord saith : Let your loins be girded about.  We gird our loins about when by continency we master the lustful inclination of the flesh.  But it is of small profit to abstain from evil unless we also strive right earnestly to do good works.  Therefore the Lord added that we should keep our lights burning, that is, by good works should give a good example to our neighbour ; concerning which the Lord saith : Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum, allelúja.
V.  Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor, ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum, allelúja.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine : * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people, alleluia.
V.  Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people, alleluia.

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum, allelúja.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum, allelúja.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him ; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise, alleluia.
V.  The Lord put upon him the breastplate of faith, and adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise, alleluia.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Duo autem sunt quæ jubéntur, et lumbos restríngere, et lucérnas tenére ; ut et mundítia sit castitátis in córpore, et lumen veritátis in operatióne.  Redemptóri étenim nostro unum sine áltero placére nequáquam potest ; si, aut is qui bona agit, adhuc luxúriæ inquinaménta non déserit, aut is qui castitáte præéminet, necdum se per bona ópera exércet.  Nec cástitas ergo magna est sine bono ópere, nec opus bonum est áliquod sine castitáte.  Sed, et si utrúmque ágitur, restat ut quisquis ille est, spe ad supérnam pátriam tendat, et nequáquam se a vítiis pro mundi hujus honestáte contíneat.

Here then are two commandments, to gird our loins about, and to keep our lights burning ; which is to keep our bodies in chastity and to do all our work in the daylight of truth.  For the one without the other can in no wise please our Redeemer.  We cannot please him by good works if we persist in the pollutions of lust, nor can we please him by our chastity if we do no good works for others.  Chastity is not a great thing without good works, and good works without chastity are nothing worth.  And if any man would do both, he must needs set his hope on our fatherland above.  For of what good is it to refrain from evil in hope of being honoured in this present world?

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis, allelúja.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis, allelúja.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding, alleluia.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding, alleluia.

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis ; ut, cum vénerit et pulsáverit, conféstim apériant ei.  Venit quippe Dóminus, cum ad judícium próperat ; pulsat vero, cum jam per ægritúdinis moléstias esse mortem vicínam desígnat.  Cui conféstim aperímus, si hunc cum amóre suscípimus.  Aperíre enim júdici pulsánti non vult, qui exíre de córpore trépidat, et vidére eum, quem contempsísse se méminit, júdicem formídat.  Qui autem de sua spe et operatióne secúrus est, pulsánti conféstim áperit, quia lætus júdicem sústinet ; et, cum tempus propínquæ mortis advénerit, de glória retributiónis hilaréscit.

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding ; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.  The Lord cometh at the hour of judgment.  He knocketh when by the pains of sickness he warneth us that death is nigh.  To him we open immediately, if we receive him in love.  Whosoever he be that feareth to go forth from the body is such an one as cannot open readily to the Judge when he knocketh, for he dreadeth to see that Judge, whom he knoweth that he hath despised.  But whosoever is confident through hope and by reason of works done for God, when he heareth the Judge knock, openeth to him immediately, for to such an one that coming is blessed.  Yea, when the hour of death is at hand, such an one is of good cheer in expectation of the blessedness which will follow on judgment.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

On excepted feasts the Antiphons and Psalms are as follows.  Otherwise the Antiphons and Psalms are of the current weekday, with what follows as below from the Chapter onwards.

Ant.    Dómine, quinque talénta * tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.  Allelúja.

Ant.  Lord, thou deliveredst * unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 92.  Dominus regnavit

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

The Lord hath reigned, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  For he hath stablished the round world, * that it cannot be moved.
3  Thy throne is prepared from of old : * thou art from everlasting.
4  The floods have lift up, O Lord, * yea, the floods have lift up their voice.
5  The floods have lift up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
6  The waves of the sea are mighty, * glorious is the Lord, who dwelleth on high.
7  Thy testimonies are become exceeding credible: * holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever and ever.

Ant.    Dómine, quinque talénta tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.  Allelúja.

Ant.  Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Euge serve bone, * in módico fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja. 

Ant.   Well done, thou good servant, * in little things found faithful, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 99.  Jubilate

Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * servíte Dómino in lætítia.
2  Introíte 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.

Psalm 99.  Jubilate

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

Ant.    Euge serve bone, * in módico fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui. 
Allelúja.

Ant.   Well done, thou good servant, in little things found faithful, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Fidélis servus * et prudens, quem constítuit Dóminus super famíliam suam.  Allelúja.

Ant.   A wise and faithful steward, * whom the Lord hath made ruler over all his household.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 62.  Deus, Deus meus

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.
5  Sic benedícam 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.
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.

Psalm 62.  Deus, Deus meus

O God, thou art my God; * to thee do I watch at break of day.
2  My soul hath thirsted for thee, * my flesh also in many different ways.
3  In a barren and dry land where no water is: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, that I might behold thy power and thy glory.
4  For thy mercy is better than the life itself : * my lips shall praise thee.
5  Thus will I bless thee as long as I live : * and I will lift up my hands in thy Name.
6  My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
7  If I have remembered thee in my bed, I will think upon thee in the morning : * because thou hast been my helper.
8  And under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice, my soul hath hung upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.
9  But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go down into the nether parts of the earth : * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes.
10  But the king shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak wicked things shall be stopped.

Ant.    Fidélis servus * et prudens, quem constítuit Dóminus super famíliam suam.  Allelúja.

Ant.   A wise and faithful steward, whom the Lord hath made ruler over all his household.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Beátus ille servus, * quem, cum vénerit Dóminus ejus et pulsáverit jánuam, invénerit vigilántem.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is that servant * whom his Lord, when he cometh and knocketh at the door, shall find watching.  Alleluia.

Canticum trium Puerorum
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 et 56

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, glácies et nives, Dómino: * benedícite, noctes et dies, Dómino.

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

10  Benedícat 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.

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

15    Benedícat Israël 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.
(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.

The Song of the Three Holy Children
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 and 56

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.
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.
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:
(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.

Ant.    Beátus ille servus, * quem, cum vénerit Dóminus ejus et pulsáverit jánuam, invénerit vigilántem.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is that servant * whom his Lord, when he cometh and knocketh at the door, shall find watching.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Serve bone * et fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Good and faithful servant, * enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 148.  Laudate Dominum

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 Dómini.
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 præteríbit.
7  Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi.
8  Ignis, grando, nix, glácies, 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.
12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus.
13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui.
14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.

Psalm 148.  Laudate Dominum

O praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3  Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens of heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens, praise the Name of the Lord.
5  For he spake the word, and they were made; * he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath established them for ever, yea, unto ages of ages : * he hath set forth a law, and it shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and ice, 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;
12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is exalted.
13  His praise is above heaven and earth : * and he shall exalt the horn of his people.
14  A hymn unto all his saints : * even unto the children of Israel, a people that draw nigh unto him.

Ant.    Serve bone et fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui. Allelúja.

Ant.    Good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

STAND

Capitulum           Eccli. 31. 8.
Beátus vir, qui invéntus est sine mácula, et qui post aurum non ábiit, nec sperávit in pecúnia et thesáuris.  Quis est hic, et laudábimus eum? fecit enim mirabília in vita sua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Ecclus.  31. 8.
Blessed is the man that is found without blemish; and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will call him blessed? for wonderful things hath he done in his life.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Jesu, coróna célsior
Et véritas sublímior,
Qui confiténti sérvulo
Reddis perénne præmium :

Da supplicánti cœtui,
Hujus rogátu, nóxii
Remissiónem críminis,
Rumpéndo nexum vínculi.

Anni revérso témpore,
Dies refúlsit lúmine,
Quo Sanctus hic de córpore
Migrávit inter sídera.

Hic vana terræ gáudia,
Et luculénta prædia
Pollúta sorde députans,
Ovans tenet cæléstia.

Te, Christe, Rex piíssime,
Hic confiténdo júgiter,
Calcávit artes dæmonum
Sævúmque avérni príncipem.

Virtúte clarus et fide,
Confessióne sédulus,
Jejúna membra déferens,
Dapes supérnas óbtinet.

Proínde te, piíssime,
Precámur omnes súpplices,
Nobis ut hujus grátia
Pœnas remíttas débitas.

*  Deo Patri sit glória,
Et Fílio, qui a mórtuis
Surréxit, ac Paráclito,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

Jesu, thou art the crown on high,
And truth sublime, for which men sigh,
Who dost to thy Confessor give
Rewards with those that ever live.

Thy lowly band of suppliants spare;
O may we, holpen by his prayer,
Remission of our sins obtain,
And freedom from each binding chain.

Again the slowly circling year
The day of glory bringeth here,
Whereon thy Saint, from flesh set free,
In power ascended up to thee.

Earth's fleeting joys he counted naught,
For higher, truer joys he sought;
And now, with Angels round thy throne,
Unfading treasures are his own.

By ever owning thee his King,
O Christ most gracious, did he fling
The haughty foe beneath his feet,
And all hell's minions bravely beat.

Renowned for faith and virtue, he
Confessed his Lord right constantly,
And with such fasts his flesh subdued
That he obtained supernal food.

O thou, most full of love and grace,
We humbly fall before thy face;
For this thy servant's sake, we pray,
Wipe all the debt we owe away.

Eastertide Doxology
All praise be thine, O risen Lord,
From death to endless life restored;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

From Ascension Thursday until Friday before the Vigil of Pentecost inclusive, in place of the Eastertide Doxology above is said the following Ascension Doxology :

The remainder of Lauds is provided for each Feastday in the Proper of the Saints.  Otherwise, the Common continues as follows :

V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, allelúja.
R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei, allelúja.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, alleluia.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God, alleluia.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant. on Bened:  Well done, good and faithful servant: * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

THE BENEDICTUS

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Prime

Ant.   Dómine, quinque talénta * tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.  Allelúja.

Ant.  Lord, thou deliveredst * unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  Alleluia.

Festal Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime

Lectio Brevis    Sap. 10.10
Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei, et dedit illi sciéntiam sanctórum ; honestávit illum in labóribus, et complévit labóres illíus.  Tu autem,  Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Wis. 10.10.
The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things: * made him rich in his works, and multiplied the fruit of his labours.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Return to the Office of Prime
 

Terce

Sunday Psalms

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum                      Eccli. 31. 8.
Beátus vir, qui invéntus est sine mácula, et qui post aurum non ábiit, nec sperávit in pecúnia et thesáuris.  Quis est hic, et laudábimus eum? fecit enim mirabília in vita sua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Ecclus. 31. 8.
Blessed is the man that is found without blemish; and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will call him blessed? for wonderful things hath he done in his life.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Stolam glóriæ índuit eum.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Os justi meditábitur sapiéntiam, allelúja.
R.  Et lingua ejus loquétur judícium, allelúja.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him, * Alleluia, alleluia.
R.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him, * Alleluia, alleluia.
V.   He clothed him with a robe of glory.
R.  Alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him, * Alleluia, alleluia.

V.  The mouth of the righteous is exercised in wisdom, alleluia.
R.  And his tongue will be talking of judgment, alleluia. 

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Sext

Sunday Psalms

STAND

Capitulum                      Eccli. 39. 6.
Justus cor suum trádidit ad vigilándum dilúculo ad Dóminum, qui fecit illum, et in conspéctu Altíssimi deprecábitur.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Ecclus. 39. 6.
The righteous will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the Most High.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Os justi meditábitur sapiéntiam, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Os justi meditábitur sapiéntiam, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Et lingua ejus loquétur judícium.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Os justi meditábitur sapiéntiam, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Lex Dei ejus in corde ipsíus, allelúja.
R.  Et non supplantabúntur gressus ejus, allelúja.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The mouth of the righteous is exercised in wisdom, * Alleluia, alleluia.
R.  The mouth of the righteous is exercised in wisdom, * Alleluia, alleluia.
V.  And his tongue will be talking of judgment. 
R.  Alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The mouth of the righteous is exercised in wisdom, * Alleluia, alleluia.

V.  The law of his God is in his heart, alleluia.
R.  And his goings shall not slide, alleluia.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

None

Ant.   Serve bone * et fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.   Good and faithful servant, * enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Sunday Psalms

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum                      Sap. 10. 10.
Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei, et dedit illi sciéntiam sanctórum ; honestávit illum in labóribus, et complévit labóres illíus.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Wisdom 10. 10.
The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things: * made him rich in his works, and multiplied the fruit of his labours. 
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Lex Dei ejus in corde ipsíus, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Lex Dei ejus in corde ipsíus, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Et non supplantabúntur gressus ejus.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Lex Dei ejus in corde ipsíus, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, allelúja.
R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei, allelúja.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The law of his God is in his heart, * Alleluia, alleluia.
R.  The law of his God is in his heart, * Alleluia, alleluia.
V.  And his goings shall not slide.
R.  Alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The law of his God is in his heart, * Alleluia, alleluia.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, alleluia.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God, alleluia.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Second Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

On excepted feasts the Antiphons and Psalms are as follows.  Otherwise the Antiphons and Psalms are of the current weekday, with what follows as below from the Chapter onwards.

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: * Sede a dextris meis:
2  Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum.
3  Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum.
4  Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te.
5  Jurávit Dóminus, et non pœnitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech.
6  Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges.
7  Judicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum.
8  De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput.

The Lord said unto my Lord, * Sit thou on my right hand:
2  Until I make thine enemies * thy footstool.
3  The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: * be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
4  Thine shall be the dominion in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints : * from the womb before the day star have I begotten thee.
5  The Lord sware, and will not repent, * Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
6  The Lord upon thy right hand * shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
7  He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: * and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
8  He shall drink of the brook in the way; * therefore shall he lift up his head.

Ant.    Dómine, quinque talénta tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.  Allelúja.

Ant.  Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Euge serve bone, * in módico fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.   Well done, thou good servant, * in little things found faithful, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 110.  Confitebor

Confitébor tibi, Dómine, in toto corde meo: * in consílio justórum, et congregatióne.
2  Magna ópera Dómini: * exquisíta in omnes voluntátes ejus.
3  Conféssio et magnificéntia opus ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4  Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum, miséricors et miserátor Dóminus: * escam dedit timéntibus se.
5  Memor erit in sæculum testaménti sui: * virtútem óperum suórum annuntiábit pópulo suo:
6  Ut det illis hereditátem géntium: * ópera mánuum ejus véritas, et judícium.
7  Fidélia ómnia mandáta ejus: confirmáta in sæculum sæculi, * facta in veritáte et æquitáte.
8  Redemptiónem misit pópulo suo: * mandávit in ætérnum testaméntum suum.
9  (fit reverentia) Sanctum, et terríbile nomen ejus: * inítium sapiéntiæ timor Dómini.
10  Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum: * laudátio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

Psalm 110.  Confitebor

I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, * in the assembly of the righteous, and in the congregation.
2  The works of the Lord are great, * meet to serve for the doing of his will.
3  His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  He hath made a memorial of his marvellous works; the Lord is merciful and gracious : * he hath given meat unto them that fear him.
5  He shall ever be mindful of his covenant : * he will shew his people the power of his works.
6  That he may give them the heritage of the heathen : * the works of his hands are verity and judgment.
7  All his commandments are true; they stand fast for ever and ever : * and are done in truth and equity.
8  He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath commanded his covenant for ever.
9  (all bow) Holy and terrible is his Name : * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
10  A good understanding have all they that do thereafter; * his praise endureth for ever.

Ant.    Euge serve bone, * in módico fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.   Well done, thou good servant, in little things found faithful, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Fidélis servus * et prudens, quem constítuit Dóminus super famíliam suam.  Allelúja.

Ant.   A wise and faithful steward, * whom the Lord hath made ruler over all his household.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 111.  Beatus vir

Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum: * in mandátis ejus volet nimis.
2  Potens in terra erit semen ejus: * generátio rectórum benedicétur.
3  Glória, et divítiæ in domo ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4  Exórtum est in ténebris lumen rectis: * miséricors, et miserátor, et justus.
5  Jucúndus homo qui miserétur et cómmodat, dispónet sermónes suos in judício: * quia in ætérnum non commovébitur.
6  In memória ætérna erit justus: * ab auditióne mala non timébit.
7  Parátum cor ejus speráre in Dómino, confirmátum est cor ejus: * non commovébitur donec despíciat inimícos suos.
8  Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus: justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi, * cornu ejus exaltábitur in glória.
9  Peccátor vidébit, et irascétur, déntibus suis fremet et tabéscet: * desidérium peccatórum períbit.

Psalm 111.  Beatus vir

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; * he hath great delight in his commandments.
2  His seed shall be mighty upon earth; * the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
3  Glory and riches shall be in his house; * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness; * he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5  Happy is the man that sheweth mercy, and lendeth; he will guide his words with discretion : * for he shall never be moved.
6  The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance : * he shall not be afraid of any evil tidings.
7  His heart is ready, trusting in the Lord, his heart is stablished, * he shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies.
8  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor, and his righteousness remaineth for ever; * his horn shall be exalted with honour.
9  The ungodly shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away; * the desire of the ungodly shall perish.

Ant.    Fidélis servus * et prudens, quem constítuit Dóminus super famíliam suam.  Allelúja.

Ant.   A wise and faithful steward, whom the Lord hath made ruler over all his household.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Beátus ille servus, * quem, cum vénerit Dóminus ejus et pulsáverit jánuam, invénerit vigilántem.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is that servant * whom his Lord, when he cometh and knocketh at the door, shall find watching.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 112.  Laudate, pueri

Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum: * laudáte nomen Dómini.
2  (fit reverentia) Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum.
3  A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini.
4  Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória ejus.
5  Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra?
6  Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem:
7  Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui.
8  Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem.

Psalm 112.  Laudate, pueri

Praise the Lord, O ye his servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  (all bow) Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.
3  From the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the Lord's Name be praised.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling on high, * and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
6  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, * and lifteth the needy out of the dung hill.
7  That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Ant.    Beátus ille servus, * quem, cum vénerit Dóminus ejus et pulsáverit jánuam, invénerit vigilántem.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed is that servant * whom his Lord, when he cometh and knocketh at the door, shall find watching.  Alleluia.

Ant.    Serve bone * et fidélis, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  Allelúja.

Ant.    Good and faithful servant, * enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

Psalmus 116.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum, omnes Gentes: * laudáte eum, omnes pópuli :
2  Quóniam confirmáta est super nos misericórdia ejus: * et véritas Dómini manet in ætérnum.

Psalm 116.  Laudate Dominum

O praise the Lord, all ye nations; * praise him, all ye peoples.
2  For his merciful kindness is established upon us; * and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

STAND

Capitulum           Eccli. 31. 8.
Beátus vir, qui invéntus est sine mácula, et qui post aurum non ábiit, nec sperávit in pecúnia et thesáuris.  Quis est hic, et laudábimus eum? fecit enim mirabília in vita sua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Ecclus.  44. 16.
Behold a great priest who in his days pleased the Lord, and was found righteous; and in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange for the world.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Iste Conféssor Dómini, coléntes
Quem pie laudant pópuli per orbem,
[  Hac die lætus méruit beátas
Scándere sedes.]

Si non est dies obitus (quod indicat in Proprio litteræ mtv), dicatur :
[  Hac die lætus méruit suprémos
Laudis honóres.]

Qui pius, prudens, húmilis, pudícus,
Sóbriam duxit sine labe vitam,
Donec humános animávit auræ
Spíritus artus.

Cujus ob præstans méritum, frequénter,
Ægra quæ passim jacuére membra,
Víribus morbi dómitis, salúti
Restituúntur.

Noster hinc illi chorus obsequéntem
Cóncinit laudem celebrésque palmas,
Ut piis ejus précibus juvémur
Omne per ævum.

Sit salus illi, decus atque virtus,
Qui, super cæli sólio corúscans,
Totíus mundi sériem gubérnat,
Trinus et unus.  Amen.

This the Confessor of the Lord, whose triumph
Now through the wide world celebrate the faithful,
At his departure entered with rejoicing
Heavenly mansions.

Fervent and holy, prudent in his converse,
Humbly and chastely here on earth he sojourned,
Curbing all passions, and in peace and meekness,
Constant abiding.

What though the grave now hold his hallowed relicks?
He, ever living, ever interceding,
Reigns with the Blessed, nor from us his brethren
Is he divided.

Whence we in chorus gladly do him honour,
Chanting his praises with devout affection,
That in his merits we may have our portion,
Ever and ever.

Glory and virtue, honour and salvation,
Be unto him that, sitting in the highest,
Governeth all things, Lord and God Almighty,
Trinity blessed.  Amen.

The remainder of Vespers is provided for each Feastday in the Proper of the Saints.  Otherwise, the Common continues as follows :

V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, allelúja.
R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei, allelúja.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, alleluia.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God, alleluia.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH