Common of Dedication of a Church

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Psalmus 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.
2  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.
3  Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.
4  Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.
5  Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.
6  Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?
7  Emíttet verbum suum et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus et fluent aquæ.
8  Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias et judícia sua Israël.
9  Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

Psalm 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; *  praise thy God, O Sion.
2  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.
3  Who hath placed peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the fat of the crops.
4  Who sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth swiftly.
5  Who giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the mist like ashes.
6  He sendeth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide before the face of his frost?
7  He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his spirit shall breathe forth, and the waters shall flow.
8  Who declareth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and judgments unto Israel.
9  He hath not dealt so with every nation; * neither hath he given them knowledge of his judgments.

STAND

The Little Chapter          Apoc. 21. 2.
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Cæléstis urbs Jerúsalem,
Beáta pacis vísio,
Quæ celsa de vivéntibus
Saxis ad astra tólleris,
Sponsæque ritu cíngeris
Mille Angelórum míllibus.

O sorte nupta próspera,
Dotáta Patris glória,
Respérsa Sponsi grátia,
Regína formosíssima,
Christo jugáta Príncipi,
Cæli corúsca cívitas.

Hic margarítis émicant,
Paténtque cunctis óstia ;
Virtúte namque prævia
Mortális illuc dúcitur,
Amóre Christi pércitus
Torménta quisquis sústinet.

Scalpri salúbris íctibus
Et tunsióne plúrima,
Fabri políta málleo
Hanc saxa molem cónstruunt,
Aptísque juncta néxibus
Locántur in fastígio.

Decus Parénti débitum
Sit usquequáque Altíssimo,
Natóque Patris único,
Et ínclyto Paráclito,
Cui laus, potéstas, glória
Ætérna sit per sæcula.  Amen.

Blessed City, heavenly Salem,
Vision dear of peace and love,
Who, of living stones upbuilded,
Art the joy of heaven above,
And, with Angel cohorts circled,
As a bride to earth dost move!

From celestial realms descending,
Ready for the nuptial bed,
To his presence, decked with jewels,
By her Lord shall she be led;
All her streets, and all her bulwarks,
Of pure gold are fashioned.

Bright with pearls her portal glitters,
It is open evermore;
And, by virtue of his merits,
Thither faithful souls may soar,
Who for Christ's dear Name in this world
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect,
In their places now compacted
By the heavenly Architect,
Who therewith hath willed for ever
That his palace should be decked.

Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.  Amen.

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

V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta.
R.  Bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.

V.  This is the house of the Lord surely founded.
R.  Well is it stablished upon a firm rock.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Sanctificávit Dóminus * tabernáculum suum : quia hæc est domus Dei, in qua invocábitur nomen ejus, de quo scriptum est: Et erit nomen meum ibi, dicit Dóminus.

Ant. on Magnif:  The Lord hath made this tabernacle * his holy place, for this is the house of the Lord, wherein we stand before his presence and cry unto him, and whereof it is written : My Name shall be there, saith the Lord.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

Domum Dei decet sanctitúdo : * Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

Holiness becometh the house of God.  * In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

Domum Dei decet sanctitúdo : * Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

Holiness becometh the house of God.  * In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

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.

Domum Dei decet sanctitúdo : * Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

Holiness becometh the house of God.  * In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

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.

Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

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.

Domum Dei decet sanctitúdo : * Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

Holiness becometh the house of God.  * In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

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.

Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

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.

Domum Dei decet sanctitúdo : * Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

Holiness becometh the house of God.  * In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

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.

Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

Domum Dei decet sanctitúdo : * Sponsum ejus Christum adorémus in ea.

Holiness becometh the house of God.  * In her let us worship her Bridegroom, even Christ our Lord.

Cæléstis urbs Jerúsalem,
Beáta pacis vísio,
Quæ celsa de vivéntibus
Saxis ad astra tólleris,
Sponsæque ritu cíngeris
Mille Angelórum míllibus.

O sorte nupta próspera,
Dotáta Patris glória,
Respérsa Sponsi grátia,
Regína formosíssima,
Christo jugáta Príncipi,
Cæli corúsca cívitas.

Hic margarítis émicant,
Paténtque cunctis óstia ;
Virtúte namque prævia
Mortális illuc dúcitur,
Amóre Christi pércitus
Torménta quisquis sústinet.

Scalpri salúbris íctibus
Et tunsióne plúrima,
Fabri políta málleo
Hanc saxa molem cónstruunt,
Aptísque juncta néxibus
Locántur in fastígio.

Decus Parénti débitum
Sit usquequáque Altíssimo,
Natóque Patris único,
Et ínclyto Paráclito,
Cui laus, potéstas, glória
Ætérna sit per sæcula.  Amen.

Blessed City, heavenly Salem,
Vision dear of peace and love,
Who, of living stones upbuilded,
Art the joy of heaven above,
And, with Angel cohorts circled,
As a bride to earth dost move!

From celestial realms descending,
Ready for the nuptial bed,
To his presence, decked with jewels,
By her Lord shall she be led;
All her streets, and all her bulwarks,
Of pure gold are fashioned.

Bright with pearls her portal glitters,
It is open evermore;
And, by virtue of his merits,
Thither faithful souls may soar,
Who for Christ's dear Name in this world
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect,
In their places now compacted
By the heavenly Architect,
Who therewith hath willed for ever
That his palace should be decked.

Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.  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.    Tóllite portas, * príncipes vestras, et elevámini, portæ æternáles.

Ant.    Lift up your gates, * O ye princes, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting gates.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 23. Domini 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.    Tóllite portas, príncipes vestras, et elevámini, portæ æternáles.

Ant.    Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting gates.

Ant.    Erit mihi Dóminus * in Deum, et lapis iste vocábitur domus Dei.

Ant.    The Lord shall be my God, * and this stone shall be called the house of God.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 45.  Deus noster refugium

Deus noster refúgium, et virtus: * adjútor in tribulatiónibus, quæ invenérunt nos nimis.
2  Proptérea non timébimus dum turbábitur terra: * et transferéntur montes in cor maris.
3  Sonuérunt, et turbátæ sunt aquæ eórum: * conturbáti sunt montes in fortitúdine ejus.
4  Flúminis ímpetus lætíficat civitátem Dei: * sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.
5  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur: * adjuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.
6  Conturbátæ sunt Gentes, et inclináta sunt regna: * dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.
7  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.
8  Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dómini, quæ pósuit prodígia super terram: * áuferens bella usque ad finem terræ.
9  Arcum cónteret, et confrínget arma: * et scuta combúret igni.
10  Vacáte, et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus: * exaltábor in Géntibus, et exaltábor in terra.
11  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

Psalm 45.  Deus noster refugium

God is our hope and strength, * a very present help in trouble, which hath found us exceedingly.
2  Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3  Though the waters thereof rage and swell, * and though the mountains shake at the strength of the same.
4  The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God; * the Most Highest hath made holy his tabernacle.
5  God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; * God shall help her, and that right early.
6  The nations were troubled, and the kingdoms were bowed down; * but he hath shewed his voice, and the earth hath been moved.
7  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8  O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord : what wonders he hath brought upon the earth : * he maketh wars to cease even to the end of the earth.
9  He shall break the bow, and break the spear in sunder, * and the shield he shall burn in the fire.
10  Be still then, and know that I am God: * I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.
11  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Ant.    Erit mihi Dóminus in Deum, et lapis iste vocábitur domus Dei.

Ant.    The Lord shall be my God, and this stone shall be called the house of God.

Ant.    Ædificávit * Móyses altáre Dómino Deo.

Ant.    Moses built an altar * unto the Lord God.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 47.  Magnus Dominus

Magnus Dóminus, et laudábilis nimis * in civitáte Dei nostri, in monte sancto ejus.
2  Fundátur exsultatióne univérsæ terræ mons Sion, * látera Aquilónis, cívitas Regis magni.
3  Deus in dómibus ejus cognoscétur: * cum suscípiet eam.
4  Quóniam ecce reges terræ congregáti sunt: * convenérunt in unum.
5  Ipsi vidéntes sic admiráti sunt, conturbáti sunt, commóti sunt: * tremor apprehéndit eos.
6  Ibi dolóres ut parturiéntis: * in spíritu veheménti cónteres naves Tharsis.
7  Sicut audívimus, sic vídimus in civitáte Dómini virtútum, in civitáte Dei nostri: * Deus fundávit eam in ætérnum.
8  Suscépimus, Deus, misericórdiam tuam, * in médio templi tui.
9  Secúndum nomen tuum, Deus, sic et laus tua in fines terræ: * justítia plena est déxtera tua.
10  Lætétur mons Sion, et exsúltent fíliæ Judæ: * propter judícia tua, Dómine.
11  Circúmdate Sion, et complectímini eam: * narráte in túrribus ejus.
12  Pónite corda vestra in virtúte ejus: * et distribúite domus ejus, ut enarrétis in progénie áltera.
13  Quóniam hic est Deus, Deus noster in ætérnum et in sæculum sæculi: * ipse reget nos in sæcula.

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised * in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.
2  The hill of Sion is founded with the joy of the whole earth; * upon the north side lieth the city of the great King.
3  In her palaces shall God be well known : * for he shall protect her.
4  For lo, the kings of the earth are assembled: * yea, they are gathered together.
5  So they saw, and they marvelled, they were troubled, they were moved : * fear came there upon them.
6  There were pains as upon a woman in her travail : * with a violent wind thou shalt break the ships of Tharsis.
7  Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; * God upholdeth the same for ever.
8  We have received thy mercy, O God, * in the midst of thy temple.
9  O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world's end; * thy right hand is full of righteousness.
10  Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Judah be glad, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.
11  Walk about Sion, and go round about her; * and tell ye in the towers thereof.
12  Set your hearts on her strength : * and distribute her houses, that ye may tell it in another generation.
13  For this is God, even our God, for ever world without end : * he shall rule us for evermore.

Ant.    Ædificávit Móyses altáre Dómino Deo.

Ant.    Moses built an altar unto the Lord God.

STAND

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken either from the Common, as given below, or from either the occurrent 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.

De libro secundo Paralipómenon

The Lesson is taken from the Latter Book of Paralipomenon

Cum complésset Sálomon fundens preces, ignis descéndit de cælo et devorávit holocáusta et víctimas : et majéstas Dómini implévit domum.  Nec póterant sacerdótes íngredi templum Dómini, eo quod implésset majéstas Dómini, templum Dómini.  Sed et omnes fílii Israël vidébant descendéntem ignem, et glóriam Dómini super domum : et corruéntes proni in terram super paviméntum stratum lápide, adoravérunt et laudavérunt Dóminum : Quóniam bonus, quóniam in sæculum misericórdia ejus.  Rex autem et omnis pópulus immolábant víctimas coram Dómino.  Mactávit ígitur rex Sálomon hóstias, boum vigínti duo míllia, aríetum centum vigínti míllia : et dedicávit domum Dei rex et univérsus pópulus.

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.  And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house.  And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.  Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord.  And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

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

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

R.  In dedicatióne templi decantábat pópulus laudem : * Et in ore eórum dulcis resonábat sonus.
V.  Fundáta est domus Dómini supra vérticem móntium, et vénient ad eam omnes Gentes.
R.  Et in ore eórum dulcis resonábat sonus.

R.  When the temple was dedicated the people sang lauds, : * And sweet in their mouths was the sound thereof.
V.  The Lord's house is established in the top of the mountains, and all nations shall flow unto it.
R.  And sweet in their mouths was the sound thereof.

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.

Sacerdótes autem stabant in offíciis suis, et Levítæ in órganis cárminum Dómini, quæ fecit David rex ad laudándum Dóminum : Quóniam in ætérnum misericórdia ejus ; hymnos David canéntes per manus suas : porro sacerdótes canébant tubis ante eos, cunctúsque Israël stabat.  Sanctificávit quoque Sálomon médium átrii ante templum Dómini : obtúlerat enim ibi holocáusta, et ádipes pacificórum : quia altáre æneum, quod fécerat, non póterat sustinére holocáusta et sacrifícia et ádipes.  Fecit ergo Sálomon solemnitátem in témpore illo septem diébus, et omnis Israël cum eo, ecclésia magna valde ab intróitu Emath usque ad Torréntem Ægypti.  Fecítque die octávo colléctam, eo quod dedicásset altáre septem diébus, et solemnitátem celebrásset diébus septem.

And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.  Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.  Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.  And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.

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

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

R.  Fundáta est domus Dómini supra vérticem móntium, et exaltáta est super omnes colles : * Et vénient ad eam omnes Gentes, et dicent : Glória tibi, Dómine.
V.  Veniéntes autem vénient cum exsultatióne, portántes manípulos suos.
R.  Et vénient ad eam omnes Gentes, et dicent : Glória tibi, Dómine.

R.  The Lord's house is established in the top of the mountains, and exalted above the hills, * And all nations shall flow unto it and say : Glory be to thee, O Lord.
V.  They shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring their sheaves with them.
R.  And all nations shall flow unto it and say : Glory be to thee, O Lord.

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.

Complevítque Sálomon domum Dómini, et domum regis, et ómnia quæ disposúerat in corde suo, ut fáceret in domo Dómini et in domo sua, et prosperátus est.  Appáruit autem ei Dóminus nocte, et ait : Audívi oratiónem tuam, et elégi locum istum mihi in domum sacrifícii.  Si cláusero cælum, et plúvia non flúxerit, et mandávero et præcépero locústæ, ut dévoret terram, et mísero pestiléntiam in pópulum meum : convérsus autem pópulus meus, super quos invocátum est nomen meum, deprecátus me fúerit, et exquisíerit fáciem meam, et égerit pœniténtiam a viis suis péssimis : et ego exáudiam de cælo, et propítius ero peccátis eórum, et sanábo terram eórum.  Oculi quoque mei erunt apérti, et aures meæ eréctæ ad oratiónem ejus qui in loco isto oráverit.  Elégi enim et sanctificávi locum istum, ut sit nomen meum ibi in sempitérnum, et permáneant óculi mei et cor meum ibi cunctis diébus.

Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.  And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.  If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.  For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

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

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

R.  Bénedic, Dómine, domum istam, quam ædificávi nómini tuo : veniéntium in loco isto * Exáudi preces in excélso sólio glóriæ tuæ.
V.  Dómine, si convérsus fúerit pópulus tuus, et oráverit ad sanctuárium tuum.
R.  Exáudi preces in excélso sólio glóriæ tuæ.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Exáudi preces in excélso sólio glóriæ tuæ.

R.  O Lord God, bless this house which I have builded unto thy Name, and whosoever shall come unto this place and pray, * Then hear thou from the excellent throne of thy glory.
V.  O Lord, when thy people turn and pray toward this place of thy sanctuary.
R.  Then hear thou from the excellent throne of thy glory.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Then hear thou from the excellent throne of thy glory.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Non est hic áliud, * nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.

Ant.    This is none other * but the house of God and the gate of heaven.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 83.   Quam dilecta !

Quam dilécta tabernácula tua, Dómine virtútum: * concupíscit, et déficit ánima mea in átria Dómini.
2  Cor meum, et caro mea: * exsultavérunt in Deum vivum.
3  Etenim passer invénit sibi domum: * et turtur nidum sibi, ubi ponat pullos suos.
4  Altária tua, Dómine virtútum: * Rex meus, et Deus meus.
5  Beáti, qui hábitant in domo tua, Dómine: * in sæcula sæculórum laudábunt te.
6  Beátus vir, cujus est auxílium abs te: * ascensiónes in corde suo dispósuit, in valle lacrimárum in loco, quem pósuit.
7  Etenim benedictiónem dabit legislátor, ibunt de virtúte in virtútem: * vidébitur Deus deórum in Sion.
8  Dómine, Deus virtútum, exáudi oratiónem meam: * áuribus pércipe, Deus Jacob.
9  Protéctor noster, áspice, Deus: * et réspice in fáciem Christi tui.
10  Quia mélior est dies una in átriis tuis: * super míllia.
11  Elégi abjéctus esse in domo Dei mei: * magis quam habitáre in tabernáculis peccatórum.
12  Quia misericórdiam et veritátem díligit Deus: * grátiam et glóriam dabit Dóminus.
13  Non privábit bonis eos, qui ámbulant in innocéntia: * Dómine virtútum, beátus homo, qui sperat in te.

How lovely is thy dwelling place O Lord of hosts : * my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
2  My heart and my flesh * have rejoiced in the living God.
3  Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, * and the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young.
4  Even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, * my King and my God.
5  Blessed are they, O Lord, that dwell in thy house; * they shall praise thee for ever and ever.
6  Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; * he hath appointed in his heart to advance upwards, in the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.
7  For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from strength to strength, * and the God of gods shall be beholden in Sion.
8  O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; * hearken, O God of Jacob.
9  Behold, O God our defender, * and look upon the face of thy Christ.
10  For one day in thy courts is better * than a thousand.
11  I had rather be cast down in the house of my God, * rather than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12  For God loveth mercy and truth; * the Lord will give grace and worship.
13  And no good thing shall he withhold from them that walk in innocency: * O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee.

Ant.    Non est hic áliud, nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.

Ant.    This is none other but the house of God and the gate of heaven.

Ant.    Vidit Jacob scalam, * súmmitas ejus cælos tangébat, et descendéntes Angelos, et dixit : Vere locus iste sanctus est.

Ant.    Jacob beheld a ladder * and the top thereof reaching to heaven, and the Angels of God descending on it, and he said : Surely this place is holy.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 86.  Fundamenta ejus

Fundaménta ejus in móntibus sanctis: * díligit Dóminus portas Sion super ómnia tabernácula Jacob.
2  Gloriósa dicta sunt de te, * cívitas Dei.
3  Memor ero Rahab, et Babylónis * sciéntium me.
4  Ecce alienígenæ, et Tyrus, et pópulus Æthíopum, * hi fuérunt illic.
5  Numquid Sion dicet: Homo, et homo natus est in ea: * et ipse fundávit eam Altíssimus?
6  Dóminus narrábit in scriptúris populórum, et príncipum: * horum, qui fuérunt in ea.
7  Sicut lætántium ómnium: * habitátio est in te.

Psalm 86.  Fundamenta ejus

The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains : * the Lord loveth the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2  Glorious things of thee are spoken, * thou city of God.
3  I will be mindful of Rahab and Babylon, * with them that know me.
4  Behold ye the Philistines also; and they of Tyre, with the people of the Ethiopians; * lo, these were there.
5  Shall not Sion say: Man, by man is born in her : * and the Most High himself hath stablished her.
6  The Lord shall write in the scriptures of the people and of the princes; * of them that have been born in her.
7  As it were of all rejoicing : * the dwelling is in thee.

Ant.    Vidit Jacob scalam, súmmitas ejus cælos tangébat, et descendéntes Angelos, et dixit : Vere locus iste sanctus est.

Ant.    Jacob beheld a ladder and the top thereof reaching to heaven, and the Angels of God descending on it, and he said : Surely this place is holy.

Ant.    Eréxit Jacob * lápidem in títulum, fundens óleum désuper.

Ant.    And Jacob set up the stone * for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 87.  Domine, Deus

Dómine, Deus salútis meæ : * in die clamávi, et nocte coram te.
2  Intret in conspéctu tuo orátio mea : * inclína aurem tuam ad precem meam :
3  Quia repléta est malis ánima mea : * et vita mea inférno appropinquávit.
4  Æstimátus sum cum descendéntibus in lacum : * factus sum sicut homo sine adjutório, inter mórtuos liber.
5  Sicut vulneráti dormiéntes in sepúlcris, quorum non es memor ámplius : * et ipsi de manu tua repúlsi sunt.
6  Posuérunt me in lacu inferióri : * in tenebrósis, et in umbra mortis.
7  Super me confirmátus est furor tuus : * et omnes fluctus tuos induxísti super me.
8  Longe fecísti notos meos a me : * posuérunt me abominatiónem sibi.
9  Tráditus sum, et non egrediébar : * óculi mei languérunt præ inópia.
10  Clamávi ad te, Dómine, tota die : * expándi ad te manus meas.
11  Numquid mórtuis fácies mirabília : * aut médici suscitábunt, et confitebúntur tibi?
12  Numquid narrábit áliquis in sepúlcro misericórdiam tuam, * et veritátem tuam in perditióne?
13  Numquid cognoscéntur in ténebris mirabília tua, * et justítia tua in terra obliviónis?
14  Et ego ad te, Dómine, clamávi : * et mane orátio mea prævéniet te.
15  Ut quid, Dómine, repéllis oratiónem meam : * avértis fáciem tuam a me?
16  Pauper sum ego, et in labóribus a juventúte mea : * exaltátus autem, humiliátus sum et conturbátus.
17  In me transiérunt iræ tuæ : * et terróres tui conturbavérunt me.
18  Circumdedérunt me sicut aqua tota die : * circumdedérunt me simul.
19  Elongásti a me amícum et próximum : * et notos meos a miséria.

Psalm 87.  Domine, Deus

O Lord God of my salvation, * I have cried in the day, and in the night before thee.
2  O let my prayer enter into thy presence, * incline thine ear unto my calling;
3  For my soul is full of evils, * and my life draweth nigh unto hell.
4  I am counted as one of them that go down into the pit, * and I am even as a man that hath no strength, cast off among the dead.
5  Like unto them that are slain, and lie sleeping in the grave, who are out of remembrance, * and are cut away from thy hand.
6  They have laid me in the lowest pit, * in a place of darkness, and in the shadow of death.
7  Thine indignation lieth hard upon me, * and thou hast vexed me with all thy storms.
8  Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me, * and made me to be abhorred of them.
9  I was delivered up and came not forth : * my sight failed for very trouble.
10  All the day I have cried unto thee, O Lord, * I have stretched forth my hands unto thee.
11  Dost thou shew wonders among the dead? * or shall physicians raise up the dead again, that they may praise thee?
12  Shall any one in the grave shew thy mercy? * or thy truth in destruction?
13  Shall thy wondrous works be known in the dark? * and thy righteousness in the land of the forgotten?
14  Unto thee have I cried, O Lord; * and early shall my prayer come before thee.
15  Lord, why abhorrest thou my prayer, * and hidest thou thy face from me?
16  I am in misery, and in labours even from my youth up ; * and being exalted have been humbled and troubled.
17  Thy wrathful displeasure goeth over me, * and thy terrors have troubled me.
18  They came round about me like water all the day, * and compassed me together on every side.
19  My friend and neighbour hast thou put away from me, * and from misery hid mine acquaintances out of my sight.

Ant.    Eréxit Jacob lápidem in títulum, fundens óleum désuper.

Ant.    And Jacob set up the stone for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

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.

Quotiescúmque, fratres caríssimi, altáris vel templi festivitátem cólimus, si fidéliter ac diligénter atténdimus et sancte ac juste vívimus, quidquid in templis manufáctis ágitur, totum in nobis spiritáli ædificatióne complétur.  Non enim mentitus est ille qui dixit : Templum enim Dei sanctum est, quod estis vos ; et íterum : Néscitis quia córpora vestra templum sunt Spíritus Sancti, qui in vobis est?  Et ídeo, fratres caríssimi, quia, nullis præcedéntibus méritis, per grátiam Dei merúimus fíeri templum Dei, quantum póssumus cum ipsíus adjutório laborémus, ne Dóminus noster in templo suo, hoc est, in nobis ipsis, invéniat quod óculos suæ majestátis offéndat.

Dearly beloved brethren, when we keep the Dedication Feast of some altar or church, we do well to ponder with attention and devotion certain things connected with them, namely, how the workmen toiled to build them and by what means the Church doth consecrate them.  And if thereby we are moved to live a more godly and righteous life, what we have seen done in these temples made with hands, will also in some wise be done in the upbuilding of our own souls.  He lied not who said : The temple of God is holy ; which temple are ye.  And again : Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you.  And therefore, dearly beloved brethren, since by the grace of God, and without any antecedent merits of our own, we have been made meet to become the temple of God, let us work as hard as we can, with his help, that our Lord may not find in his temple (that is, in us) anything to offend the eyes of his Majesty.

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

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

R.  Orántibus in loco isto, * Dimítte peccáta pópuli tui, Deus, et osténde eis viam bonam per quam ámbulent, et da glóriam in loco isto.
V.  Qui regis Israël inténde, qui dedúcis velut ovem Joseph, qui sedes super Chérubim.
R.  Dimítte peccáta pópuli tui, Deus, et osténde eis viam bonam per quam ámbulent, et da glóriam in loco isto.

R.  When they pray toward this place, * Forgive the sins of thy people, O God, and teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and manifest forth thy glory in this place.
V.  Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, thou that sittest upon the Cherubims.
R.  Forgive the sins of thy people, O God, and teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and manifest forth thy glory in this place.

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.

Sed habitáculum cordis nostri evacuétur vítiis, et virtútibus repleátur ; claudátur diábolo, et aperiátur Christo.  Et ita laborémus, ut nobis bonórum óperum clávibus jánuam regni cæléstis aperíre possímus.  Sicut enim malis opéribus, quasi quibúsdam seris ac véctibus, vitæ nobis jánua cláuditur ; ita, absque dúbio, bonis opéribus aperítur.  Et ídeo, fratres caríssimi, unusquísque consíderet consciéntiam suam, et, quando se áliquo crímine vulnerátum esse cognóverit, prius oratiónibus, jejúniis vel eleemósynis stúdeat mundáre consciéntiam suam ; et sic Eucharístiam præsúmat accípere.

Let the tabernacle of our heart be swept clean of sin and adorned with goodness.  Let it be locked to the devil, and thrown open to Christ.  Yea, let us so work, that we may be able to open the door of the kingdom of heaven with the key of good works.  For even as evil works are so many bolts and bars to close against us the entrance into life, so beyond doubt are good works the key thereto.  And therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let each one look into his own conscience, and when he findeth any defilement there, let him first strive by prayers, fasting, and almsdeeds to cleanse his conscience, and so let him venture to receive the Eucharist.

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

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

R.  O quam metuéndus est locus iste : * Vere non est hic áliud nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.
V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta, bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.
R.  Vere non est hic áliud nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.

R.  How dreadful is this place! * Surely this is none other but the house of God and the gate of heaven.
V.  This is the house of the Lord surely founded, well is it stablished upon a firm rock.
R.  Surely this is none other but the house of God and the gate of heaven.

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.

Si enim, agnoscens reátum suum, ipse se a divino altári subtraxerit, cito ad indulgéntiam divínæ misericórdiæ pervéniet.  Quia, sicut qui se exáltat, humiliábitur ; ita, e contrario, qui se humíliat ab altári Ecclésiæ pro emendatióne vitæ removere volúerit, ab ætérno illo et cælésti convívio excommúnicári pénitus non timébit.

For, if he acknowledge his iniquity (meanwhile holding himself back from the altar of God), he will quickly obtain pardon from the mercy of God.  For he that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  Therefore, as I have said, if he acknowledge his iniquity, meanwhile humbly holding himself back from the altar of the Church till he have mended his life, he need have no fear that he will be excommunicate from the eternal marriage-supper 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.  Mane surgens Jacob, erigébat lápidem in títulum, fundens óleum désuper ; votum vovit Dómino : * Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.
V.  Cumque evigilásset Jacob de somno, ait.
R.  Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.

R.  Jacob rose up early in the morning, and set up the stone for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it, and vowed a vow unto the Lord. * Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.
V.  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said.
R.  Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Qui hábitat * in adjutório Altíssimi, in protectióne Dei cæli commorábitur.  ††

Ant.    Whoso dwelleth * under the defence of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  ††

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 90. Qui habitat

Qui hábitat in adjutório Altíssimi, * in protectióne Dei cæli commorábitur.
2  †† Dicet Dómino : Suscéptor meus es tu, et refúgium meum: * Deus meus sperábo in eum.
3  Quóniam ipse liberávit me de láqueo venántium, * et a verbo áspero.
4  Scápulis suis obumbrábit tibi: * et sub pennis ejus sperábis.
5  Scuto circúmdabit te véritas ejus: * non timébis a timóre noctúrno.
6  A sagítta volánte in die, a negótio perambulánte in ténebris: * ab incúrsu et dæmónio meridiáno.
7  Cadent a látere tuo mille, et decem míllia a dextris tuis: * ad te autem non appropinquábit.
8  Verúmtamen óculis tuis considerábis: * et retributiónem peccatórum vidébis.
9  Quóniam tu es, Dómine, spes mea: * Altíssimum posuísti refúgium tuum.
10  Non accédet ad te malum: * et flagéllum non appropinquábit tabernáculo tuo.
11  Quóniam Angelis suis mandávit de te: * ut custódiant te in ómnibus viis tuis
12  In mánibus portábunt te: * ne forte offéndas ad lápidem pedem tuum.
13  Super áspidem et basilíscum ambulábis: * et conculcábis leónem et dracónem.
14  Quóniam in me sperávit, liberábo eum: * prótegam eum quóniam cognóvit nomen meum.
15  Clamábit ad me, et ego exáudiam eum : * cum ipso sum in tribulatióne : erípiam eum et glorificábo eum.
16  Longitúdine diérum replébo eum: * et osténdam illi salutáre meum.

Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, * shall abide under the shadow of the God of heaven.
2  †† He shall say unto the Lord, Thou art my hope, and my stronghold; * my God, in him will I trust.
3  For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunter, * and from the noisome pestilence.
4  He shall defend thee under his wings, * and thou shalt be safe under his feathers
5  His truth shall be thy shield to compass thee round about; * thou shalt not be afraid for any terror by night.
6  Nor for the arrow that flieth by day, for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, * nor for the demon that destroyeth in the noon-day.
7  A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand; * but it shall not come nigh thee.
8  Yea, with thine eyes shalt thou behold, * and see the reward of the ungodly.
9  For thou, Lord, art my hope; * thou hast set thine house of defence on the Most High.
10  There shall no evil happen unto thee, * neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11  For he hath given his angels charge over thee, * to keep thee in all thy ways.
12  They shall bear thee in their hands, * that thou hurt not thy foot against a stone.
13  Thou shalt go upon the adder and basilisk: * the lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet.
14  Because he hath set his hope upon me, therefore will I deliver him; * I will defend him, because he hath known my Name.
15  He shall call upon me, and I will hear him; * yea, I am with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and bring him to honour.
16  With long life will I satisfy him, * and shew him my salvation.

Ant.    Qui hábitat in adjutório Altíssimi, in protectióne Dei cæli commorábitur.

Ant.    Whoso dwelleth under the defence of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Ant.    Templum Dómini * sanctum est, Dei structúra est, Dei ædificátio est.

Ant.    The temple of the Lord * is holy, the same is God's workmanship and God's building.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 95.  Cantate Domino

Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: * cantáte Dómino, omnis terra.
2  Cantáte Dómino, et benedícite nómini ejus: * annuntiáte de die in diem salutáre ejus.
3  Annuntiáte inter gentes glóriam ejus, * in ómnibus pópulis mirabília ejus.
4  Quóniam magnus Dóminus, et laudábilis nimis: * terríbilis est super omnes deos.
5  Quóniam omnes dii Géntium dæmónia: * Dóminus autem cælos fecit.
6  Conféssio, et pulchritúdo in conspéctu ejus: * sanctimónia et magnificéntia in sanctificatióne ejus.
7  Afférte Dómino, pátriæ Géntium, afférte Dómino glóriam et honórem: * afférte Dómino glóriam nómini ejus.
8  Tóllite hóstias, et introíte in átria ejus: * adoráte Dóminum in átrio sancto ejus.
9  Commoveátur a fácie ejus univérsa terra: * dícite in Géntibus quia Dóminus regnávit.
10  Etenim corréxit orbem terræ qui non commovébitur: * judicábit pópulos in æquitáte.
11  Læténtur cæli, et exsúltet terra: commoveátur mare et plenitúdo ejus: * gaudébunt campi, et ómnia quæ in eis sunt.
12  Tunc exsultábunt ómnia ligna silvárum a fácie Dómini, quia venit: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.
13  Judicábit orbem terræ in æquitáte, * et pópulos in veritáte sua.

O sing unto the Lord a new song; * sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2  Sing unto the Lord, and bless ye his Name; * be telling of his salvation from day to day.
3  Declare his glory among the heathen, * and his wonders among all peoples.
4  For the Lord is great, and exceeding worthy to be praised; * he is to be feared above all gods.
5  For all the gods of the heathen, they are but devils; * but it is the Lord that made the heavens.
6  Praise and beauty are before him; * holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.
7  Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the nations, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour : * bring ye to the Lord the honour due unto his Name.
8  Bring ye sacrifices, and come into his courts : * O worship the Lord in his holy court.
9  Let the whole earth be moved at his presence : * tell it out among the heathen, that the Lord is King.
10  For he hath corrected the round world, which shall not be moved; * he shall judge the peoples with justice.
11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved and all the fulness thereof : * the fields shall be joyful, and all that is in them.
12  Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord, for he cometh : * yea, he cometh to judge the earth.
13  He shall judge the world with justice, * and the peoples with his truth.

Ant.    Templum Dómini sanctum est, Dei structúra est, Dei ædificátio est.

Ant.    The temple of the Lord is holy, the same is God's workmanship and God's building.

Ant.    Benedícta * glória Dómini, de loco sancto suo, allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed be * the glory of the Lord from his holy place, alleluia.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 98.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit, irascántur pópuli: * qui sedet super Chérubim, moveátur terra.
2  Dóminus in Sion magnus: * et excélsus super omnes pópulos.
3  (fit reverentia) Confiteántur nómini tuo magno : quóniam terríbile, et sanctum est : * et honor regis judícium díligit.
4  Tu parásti directiónes: * judícium et justítiam in Jacob tu fecísti.
5  Exaltáte Dóminum Deum nostrum, et adoráte scabéllum pedum ejus: * quóniam sanctum est.
6  Móyses et Aaron in sacerdótibus ejus: * et Sámuel inter eos, qui ínvocant nomen ejus:
7  Invocábant Dóminum, et ipse exaudiébat eos: * in colúmna nubis loquebátur ad eos.
8  Custodiébant testimónia ejus: * et præcéptum quod dedit illis.
9  Dómine, Deus noster, tu exaudiébas eos: * Deus, tu propítius fuísti eis, et ulcíscens in omnes adinventiónes eórum.
10  Exaltáte Dóminum Deum nostrum, et adoráte in monte sancto ejus: * quóniam sanctus Dóminus Deus noster.

The Lord hath reigned, let the people be angry : * he that sitteth upon the Cherubim, let the earth be moved.
2  The Lord is great in Sion, * and high above all people.
3  (all bow) Let them give thanks unto thy great Name, for it is terrible, and holy : * and the King's honour loveth judgment.
4  Thou hast prepared equity, * thou hast executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5  O magnify the Lord our God, and worship his footstool; * for it is holy.
6  Moses and Aaron among his priests, * and Samuel among such as call upon his Name:
7  These called upon the Lord, and he heard them: * he spake unto them out of the cloudy pillar.
8  They kept his testimonies, * and the law that he gave them.
9  Thou heardest them, O Lord our God; * thou wast to them a merciful God, and taking vengeance against all their inventions.
10  O magnify the Lord our God, and worship in his holy mountain; * for the Lord our God is holy.

Ant.    Benedícta glória Dómini, de loco sancto suo, allelúja.

Ant.    Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his holy place, 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 : Ingréssus Jesus perambulábat Jéricho.  Et ecce vir nómine Zachæus : et hic princeps erat publicanórum, et ipse dives.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Zachæus, statúra pusíllus, hoc est, nulla nobilitátis ingénitæ dignitáte sublímis, exíguus méritis sicut pópulus natiónum, audíto Dómini Salvatóris advéntu, quem sui non recéperant, vidére cupiébat.  Sed nemo fácile Jesum videt ; nemo potest Jesum vidére consitútus in terra.  Et, quia non prophétas, non legem habébat, tamquam formæ grátiam naturális, ascéndit in sycómorum, vanitátem scílicet Judæórum vestígio suo próterens, erráta quoque córrigens superióris ætátis.  Et ídeo Jesum in interióris domus recépit hospítio.

Zachaeus was little of stature.  Nor was he raised aloft among men by virtue of any hereditary rank.  And again, like most worldlings, he was little because he had done little good.  But nevertheless, like the Gentiles, when he heard that the Lord and Saviour was at hand (who came unto his own, and his own received him not), he desired to behold him.  However, to see Jesus is not easy, and for anyone who is content to keep close to the earth, it is impossible.  Now the people of the Gentiles had neither the Prophets, nor yet the Law.  Wherefore folk in such a case must raise themselves aloft (though the uncovenanted grace of the natural order), like as Zacchaeus climbed up into the sycamore tree.  And mark how that thereby he was raised above the vanity of the Jews, and did trample under foot the crooked branches as it were, of former ways of living.  It is thus that he obtained the favour of Jesus who came as a guest to dwell in the inner chamber of his house.

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

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

R.  Domus mea, domus oratiónis vocábitur, dicit Dóminus : in ea omnis qui petit, áccipit ; et qui quærit, ínvenit ; * Et pulsánti aperiétur.
V.  Pétite, et accipiétis ; quærite, et inveniétis.
R.  Et pulsánti aperiétur.

R.  My house shall be called the house of prayer, saith the Lord : therein whosoever asketh shall he receive ; and he that seeketh shall find ; * And unto him that knocketh it shall be opened.
V.  Ask, and ye shall receive ; seek, and ye shall find.
R.  And unto him that knocketh it shall be opened.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8: Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8: May help divine be with us all, for ever abiding.
R.  Amen.

Et bene ascéndit in árborem, ut arbor bona bonos fructus fáceret, ac, naturáli excísus oleástro et contra natúram insértus in bonam olívam, fructum posset legis afférre.  Radix enim sancta, etsi remi inútiles.  Quorum infructuósam glóriam plebs Géntium, fide resurrectiónis, quasi quadam córporis elevatióne, transcéndit.  Zachæus ergo in sycómoro, cæcus in via : quorum álterum Dóminus miseratúrus exspéctat, álterum mansiónis suæ claritáte nobílitat ; álterum sanatúrus intérrogat, apud álterum se, non invitátus, ínvitat.  Sciébat enim úberem hospítii sui esse mercédem.  Sed tamen, etsi nondum vocem invitántis audíerat, jam víderat afféctum.

Zacchaeus did well to climb up into a tree, that a good tree might bring forth good fruits, and that the slip of the wild olive, grafted, contrary to nature, into the good olive, might bring forth the fruits of the law.  For the root is holy, however unprofitable the branches.  Their barren beauty hath now been overshadowed by the belief of the Gentiles in the Resurrection, as by a material upgrowth.  Zacchaeus, then, was in the sycomore tree, and the blind man by the way-side.  For the one, Jesus stood waiting to shew mercy, and asked him before he healed him, what he would that he should do for him ; being unbidden of the other, he bade himself to be his Guest, knowing how rich was the reward of receiving him.  Nevertheless, albeit he had heard no words of ínvitation, yet had he seen how his heart went.

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

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

R.  Lápides pretiósi omnes muri tui, *  Et turres Jerúsalem gemmis ædificabúntur.
V.  Portæ Jerúsalem ex sapphíro et smarágdo ædificabúntur, et ex lápide pretióso omnis circúitus muri ejus.
R.  Et turres Jerúsalem gemmis ædificabúntur.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et turres Jerúsalem gemmis ædificabúntur.

R.  All thy walls are of stones most precious. * The towers of Jerusalem  shall be built up with jewels.
V.  The gates of Jerusalem shall be built up with the sapphire stone, and the emerald, and all her walls round about with stones most precious.
R.  The towers of Jerusalem  shall be built up with jewels.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The towers of Jerusalem  shall be built up with jewels.

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.

Verum, ne cæcum illum, tamquam fastidiósi páuperum, cito reliquísse videámur et transísse ad dívitem, exspectémus eum, quia exspectávit et Dóminus ; interrogémus eum, quia interrogávit et Christus.  Nos interrogémus, quia nescímus : ille, quia nóverat.  Nos interrogémus, ut sciámus unde iste curátus sit : ille interrogávit, ut in uno plures discerémus unde Dóminum vidére mereámur.  Interrogávit enim, ut crederémus, néminem, nisi confiténtem, posse salvári.

But lest we should seem haughtily to pass by the poor blind man, and to hurry on to the rich one, let us stand waiting for him, as the Lord stood and waited ; let us ask of him, as Christ asked of him.  Let us ask, because we are ignorant.  Christ asked, because he knew.  Let us ask, that we may know whence he received his cure ; Christ asked, that all of us may know from one ensample wherethrough we are to earn a sight of the Lord.  Christ asked, that we might believe that none, save they that confess him, can be saved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

STAND

The Little Chapter          Apoc. 21. 2.
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Alto ex Olympi vértice
Summi Paréntis Fílius,
Ceu monte deséctus lapis
Terras in imas décidens,
Domus supérnæ et ínfimæ
Utrúmque junxit ángulum.

Sed illa sedes Cælitum
Semper resúltat láudibus,
Deúmque trinum et únicum
Jugi canóre prædicat :
Illi canéntes júngimur
Almæ Siónis æmuli.

Hæc templa, Rex cæléstium,
Imple benígno lúmine :
Huc, o rogátus, ádveni,
Plebísque vota súscipe,
Et nostra corda júgiter
Perfúnde cæli grátia.

Hic ímpetrent fidélium
Voces precésque súpplicum
Domus beátæ múnera,
Partísque donis gáudeant :
Donec, solúti córpore,
Sedes beátas ímpleant.

Decus Parénti débitum
Sit usquequáque Altíssimo,
Natóque Patris único,
Et ínclyto Paráclito,
Cui laus, potéstas, glória
Ætérna sit per sæcula.  Amen.

From highest heaven, the Father's Son,
Descending like that mystic stone
Cut from a mountain without hands,
Came down below, and filled all lands;
Uniting, midway in the sky,
His house on earth, and house on high.

That house on high,—it ever rings
With praises of the King of kings;
Forever there, on harps divine,
They hymn th' eternal One and Trine;
We, here below, the strain prolong,
And faintly echo Sion's song.

O Lord of lords invisible!
With thy pure light this temple fill :
Hither, oft as invoked, descend;
Here to thy people's prayer attend;
Here, through all hearts, forever more,
Thy Spirit's quick'ning graces pour.

Here may the faithful, day by day,
Their hearts' adoring homage pay;
And here receive from thy dear love
The blessings of that home above;
Till loosened from this mortal chain,
Its everlasting joys they gain.

To God the Father, glory due
Be paid by all the heavenly host;
And to his only Son most true;
With thee, O mighty Holy Ghost!
To whom, praise, power, and blessing be,
Through th' ages of eternity.  Amen.

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

V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta.
R.  Bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Zachæe, * festínans descénde, quia hódie in domo tua opórtet me manére.  At ille festínans descéndit, et suscépit illum gaudens in domum suam.  Hódie huic dómui salus a Deo facta est, allelúja.

Ant. on Bened:  Zacchaeus, * make haste, and come down ; for today I must abide at thy house.  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully into his house.  This day is salvation come to this house from the Lord, alleluia.

THE BENEDICTUS

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Prime

Ant.   Domum tuam, Dómine, * decet sanctitúdo in longitúdinem diérum.

Ant.  Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, * for ever and ever.

Festal Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime

Lectio Brevis      Apoc. 21.4.
Et abstérget Deus omnem lácrimam ab óculis eórum : et mors ultra non erit, neque luctus, neque clamor, neque dolor erit ultra, quia prima abiérunt.  Et dixit qui sedébat in throno : Ecce nova fácio ómnia.  Tu autem,  Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Apoc. 21.4.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things are passed away.  *  And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold I make all things new.  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                      Apoc. 21. 2.
Vidi civitátem sanctam, Jerúsalem novam, descendéntem de cælo a Deo, parátam sicut sponsam ornátam viro suo.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Apoc. 21. 2.
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Domum tuam, Dómine, * Decet sanctitúdo.
R.  Domum tuam, Dómine, * Decet sanctitúdo.
V.  In longitúdinem diérum.
R.  Decet sanctitúdo.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Domum tuam, Dómine, * Decet sanctitúdo.

V.  Locus iste sanctus est, in quo orat sacérdos.
R.  Pro delíctis et peccátis pópuli.

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

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

Sext

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                      Apoc. 21. 3.
Et audívi vocem magnam de throno dicéntem : Ecce tabernáculum Dei cum homínibus, et habitábit cum eis ; et ipsi pópulus ejus erunt, et ipse Deus cum eis erit eórum Deus.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Apoc. 21. 3.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and god himself shall be with them, and be their God.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Locus iste sanctus est, * In quo orat sacérdos.
R.  Locus iste sanctus est, * In quo orat sacérdos.
V.  Pro delíctis et peccátis pópuli.
R.  In quo orat sacérdos.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Locus iste sanctus est, * In quo orat sacérdos.

V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta.
R.  Bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.

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

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

None

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                      Apoc. 21. 4.
Et abstérget Deus omnem lácrimam ab óculis eórum : et mors ultra non erit, neque luctus, neque clamor, neque dolor erit ultra, quia prima abiérunt.  Et dixit qui sedébat in throno : Ecce nova fácio ómnia.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Apoc. 21. 4.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things are passed away.  *  And he that sat upon the throne, said, Behold I make all things new.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Hæc est domus Dómini * Firmiter ædificáta.
R.  Hæc est domus Dómini * Firmiter ædificáta.
V.  Bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.
R.  Firmiter ædificáta.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Hæc est domus Dómini * Firmiter ædificáta.

V.  Bene fundáta est domus Dómini.
R.  Supra firmam petram.

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

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

Second Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

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.

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.

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.

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.

Psalmus 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.
2  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.
3  Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.
4  Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.
5  Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.
6  Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?
7  Emíttet verbum suum et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus et fluent aquæ.
8  Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias et judícia sua Israël.
9  Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

Psalm 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; *  praise thy God, O Sion.
2  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.
3  Who hath placed peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the fat of the crops.
4  Who sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth swiftly.
5  Who giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the mist like ashes.
6  He sendeth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide before the face of his frost?
7  He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his spirit shall breathe forth, and the waters shall flow.
8  Who declareth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and judgments unto Israel.
9  He hath not dealt so with every nation; * neither hath he given them knowledge of his judgments.

STAND

Capitulum                      Apoc. 21. 2.
Vidi civitátem sanctam, Jerúsalem novam, descendéntem de cælo a Deo, parátam sicut sponsam ornátam viro suo.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Apoc. 21. 2.
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Cæléstis urbs Jerúsalem,
Beáta pacis vísio,
Quæ celsa de vivéntibus
Saxis ad astra tólleris,
Sponsæque ritu cíngeris
Mille Angelórum míllibus.

O sorte nupta próspera,
Dotáta Patris glória,
Respérsa Sponsi grátia,
Regína formosíssima,
Christo jugáta Príncipi,
Cæli corúsca cívitas.

Hic margarítis émicant,
Paténtque cunctis óstia ;
Virtúte namque prævia
Mortális illuc dúcitur,
Amóre Christi pércitus
Torménta quisquis sústinet.

Scalpri salúbris íctibus
Et tunsióne plúrima,
Fabri políta málleo
Hanc saxa molem cónstruunt,
Aptísque juncta néxibus
Locántur in fastígio.

Decus Parénti débitum
Sit usquequáque Altíssimo,
Natóque Patris único,
Et ínclyto Paráclito,
Cui laus, potéstas, glória
Ætérna sit per sæcula.  Amen.

Blessed City, heavenly Salem,
Vision dear of peace and love,
Who, of living stones upbuilded,
Art the joy of heaven above,
And, with Angel cohorts circled,
As a bride to earth dost move!

From celestial realms descending,
Ready for the nuptial bed,
To his presence, decked with jewels,
By her Lord shall she be led;
All her streets, and all her bulwarks,
Of pure gold are fashioned.

Bright with pearls her portal glitters,
It is open evermore;
And, by virtue of his merits,
Thither faithful souls may soar,
Who for Christ's dear Name in this world
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect,
In their places now compacted
By the heavenly Architect,
Who therewith hath willed for ever
That his palace should be decked.

Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.  Amen.

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

Ad Magnif. Ant:  O quam metuéndus est * locus iste : vere non est hic áliud, nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.

Ant. on Magnif:  O how dreadful * is this place!  surely this is none other but the house of God and the gate of heaven.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH