The Seven Sorrows of the
Blessed Virgin Mary

Greater Double

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

If this Feast have neither I or II Vespers, the Vesper Hymn Stabat Mater (omitting its Amen) is joined at Matins to the Hymn Sancta Mater.  But if it have II Vespers only, at Matins there is said the Hymn Stabat Mater; at Lauds, the Hymn Sancta Mater, at II Vespers, the Hymn Virgo vírginum.

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

The Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem

Ant.  Vadam ad montem * myrrhæ, et ad collem thuris.

Ant.  I will get me to the mountain * of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Psalmus 115.  Credidi

Crédidi, propter quod locútus sum: * ego autem humiliátus sum nimis.
2  Ego dixi in excéssu meo: * Omnis homo mendax.
3  Quid retríbuam Dómino, * pro ómnibus, quæ retríbuit mihi?
4  Cálicem salutáris accípiam: * et nomen Dómini invocábo.
5  Vota mea Dómino reddam coram omni pópulo ejus: * pretiósa in conspéctu Dómini mors sanctórum ejus:
6  O Dómine, quia ego servus tuus: * ego servus tuus, et fílius ancíllæ tuæ.
7  Dirupísti víncula mea: * tibi sacrificábo hóstiam laudis, et nomen Dómini invocábo.
8  Vota mea Dómino reddam in conspéctu omnis pópuli ejus: * in átriis domus Dómini, in médio tui, Jerúsalem.

Psalm 115.  Credidi

I believed, and therefore have I spoken; * but I was sore afflicted.
2  I said in my haste, * All men are liars.
3  What shall I render unto the Lord * for all the benefits that he hath rendered unto me?
4  I will take the chalice of salvation, * and call upon the Name of the Lord.
5  I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the presence of all his people: * right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
6  Behold, O Lord, how that I am thy servant; * I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid.
7  Thou hast broken my bonds in sunder : * I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the Lord.
8  I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people, * in the courts of the house of the Lord; even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

Ant.  Vadam ad montem myrrhæ, et ad collem thuris.

Ant.  I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

Ant.    Diléctus meus * cándidus, et rubicúndus : comæ cápitis ejus sicut púrpura regis vincta canálibus.

Ant.    My beloved * is white and ruddy, yea, the hair of his head is like purple to the king.

Psalmus 119.  Ad Dominum

Ad Dóminum cum tribulárer clamávi: * et exaudívit me.
2  Dómine, líbera ánimam meam a lábiis iníquis, * et a lingua dolósa.
3  Quid detur tibi, aut quid apponátur tibi * ad linguam dolósam?
4  Sagíttæ poténtis acútæ, * cum carbónibus desolatóriis.
5  Heu mihi, quia incolátus meus prolongátus est: habitávi cum habitántibus Cedar: * multum íncola fuit ánima mea.
6  Cum his, qui odérunt pacem, eram pacíficus: * cum loquébar illis, impugnábant me gratis.

Psalm 119.  Ad Dominum

When I was in trouble, I called upon the Lord, * and he heard me.
2  Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, * and from a deceitful tongue.
3  What shall be given unto thee, or what shall be added unto thee, * to a deceitful tongue?
4  Even the sharp arrows of the mighty, * with hot burning coals.
5  Woe is me, that I sojourning is prolonged; I have dwelt with the inhabitants of Kedar : * my soul hath long dwelt among them.
6  With them that hated peace I was peaceable : * when I spake unto them, they fought against me without cause.

Ant.    Diléctus meus cándidus, et rubicúndus : comæ cápitis ejus sicut púrpura regis vincta canálibus.

Ant.    My beloved is white and ruddy, yea, the hair of his head is like purple to the king.

Ant.    Quo ábiit * diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo diléctus tuus declinávit?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, * O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?

Psalmus 139.  Eripe me, Domine

Eripe me, Dómine, ab hómine malo: * a viro iníquo éripe me.
2  Qui cogitavérunt iniquitátes in corde: * tota die constituébant prælia.
3  Acuérunt linguas suas sicut serpéntis: * venénum áspidum sub lábiis eórum.
4  Custódi me, Dómine, de manu peccatóris: * et ab homínibus iníquis éripe me.
5  Qui cogitavérunt supplantáre gressus meos: * abscondérunt supérbi láqueum mihi:
6  Et funes extendérunt in láqueum: * juxta iter scándalum posuérunt mihi.
7  Dixi Dómino : Deus meus es tu: * exáudi, Dómine, vocem deprecatiónis meæ.
8  Dómine, Dómine, virtus salútis meæ: * obumbrásti super caput meum in die belli.
9  Ne tradas me, Dómine, a desidério meo peccatóri: * cogitavérunt contra me, ne derelínquas me, ne forte exalténtur.
10  Caput circúitus eórum: * labor labiórum ipsórum opériet eos.
11  Cadent super eos carbónes, in ignem dejícies eos: * in misériis non subsístent.
12  Vir linguósus non dirigétur in terra: * virum injústum mala cápient in intéritu.
13  Cognóvi quia fáciet Dóminus judícium ínopis: * et vindíctam páuperum.
14  Verúmtamen justi confitebúntur nómini tuo: * et habitábunt recti cum vultu tuo.

Psalm 139.  Eripe me, Domine

Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man; * and preserve me from the wicked man;
2  Who have imagined mischief in their hearts, * and have stirred up strife all the day long.
3  They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; * adder's poison is under their lips.
4  Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly; * preserve me from wicked men.
5  Who are purposed to overthrow my goings : * the proud have laid a snare for me.
6  And they have spread a net abroad with cords; * yea, and have laid for me a stumbling block by the wayside.
7  I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God, * hear the voice of my prayers, O Lord.
8  O Lord, Lord, thou strength of my salvation; * thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.
9  Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked : * they have plotted against me, forsake me not, lest they should triumph.
10  The head of them that compass me about : * the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.
11  Hot burning coals shall fall upon them, thou shalt cast them into the fire, * in miseries they never rise up again.
12  A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth: * evil shall hunt the wicked person unto destruction.
13  I know that the Lord shall do justice to the poor, * and shall avenge the poor.
14  As for the just, they shall give thanks unto thy Name; * and the righteous shall dwell in thy sight.

Ant.    Quo ábiit diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo diléctus tuus declinávit?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?

Ant.    Fascículus myrrhæ * diléctus meus mihi, inter úbera mea commorábitur.

Ant.    A bundle of myrrh * is my Well-Beloved unto me; would that he could again be comforted betwixt my breasts.

Psalmus 140.  Domine, clamavi

Dómine, clamávi ad te, exáudi me: * inténde voci meæ, cum clamávero ad te.
2  Dirigátur orátio mea sicut incénsum in conspéctu tuo: * elevátio mánuum meárum sacrifícium vespertínum.
3  Pone, Dómine, custódiam ori meo: * et óstium circumstántiæ lábiis meis.
4  Non declínes cor meum in verba malítiæ: * ad excusándas excusatiónes in peccátis.
5  Cum homínibus operántibus iniquitátem: * et non communicábo cum eléctis eórum.
6  Corrípiet me justus in misericórdia, et increpábit me: * óleum autem peccatóris non impínguet caput meum.
7  Quóniam adhuc et orátio mea in beneplácitis eórum: * absórpti sunt juncti petræ júdices eórum.
8  Audient verba mea quóniam potuérunt: * sicut crassitúdo terræ erúpta est super terram.
9  Dissipáta sunt ossa nostra secus inférnum: * quia ad te, Dómine, Dómine, óculi mei: in te sperávi, non áuferas ánimam meam.
10  Custódi me a láqueo, quem statuérunt mihi: * et a scándalis operántium iniquitátem.
11  Cadent in retiáculo ejus peccatóres: * singuláriter sum ego donec tránseam.

Psalm 140.  Domine, clamavi

Lord, I have cried unto thee, hear thou me : * hearken unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2  Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense; * and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
3  Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, * and a door round about my lips.
4  Incline not mine heart to any evil thing; * to make excuses in sin.
5  With the men that work wickedness, * and I will not take counsel with the chosen among them.
6  The righteous shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me; * but let not the balm of the sinner anoint my head.
7  For my prayer also shall be against what is acceptable to them : * their judges, overthrown in stony places, are swallowed up.
8  They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed : * as when the thickness of the earth is broken up upon the ground.
9  Our bones lie scattered before the pit, * but mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord God: in thee is my trust; O cast not out my soul.
10  Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me, * and from the traps of the wicked doers.
11  The ungodly shall fall into their own net, * I am alone until I pass through.

Ant.    Fascículus myrrhæ diléctus meus mihi, inter úbera mea commorábitur.

Ant.    A bundle of myrrh is my Well-Beloved unto me; would that he could again be comforted betwixt my breasts.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, * stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Comfort me with flowers, * stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

Psalmus 141.  Voce mea ad Dominum

Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi: * voce mea ad Dóminum deprecátus sum:
2  Effúndo in conspéctu ejus oratiónem meam, * et tribulatiónem meam ante ipsum pronúntio.
3  In deficiéndo ex me spíritum meum: * et tu cognovísti sémitas meas.
4  In via hac, qua ambulábam, * abscondérunt láqueum mihi.
5  Considerábam ad déxteram, et vidébam: * et non erat qui cognósceret me.
6  Périit fuga a me: * et non est qui requírat ánimam meam.
7  Clamávi ad te, Dómine, * dixi: Tu es spes mea, pórtio mea in terra vivéntium.
8  Inténde ad deprecatiónem meam: * quia humiliátus sum nimis.
9  Líbera me a persequéntibus me: * quia confortáti sunt super me.
10  Educ de custódia ánimam meam ad confiténdum nómini tuo: * me exspéctant justi, donec retríbuas mihi.

Psalm 141.  Voce mea ad Dominum

With my voice I cried unto the Lord; * yea, even unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2  I poured out my prayer in his sight, * and before him I declare my trouble.
3  When my spirit failed me, * thou knewest my path.
4  In the way wherein I walked, * have they privily laid a snare for me.
5  I looked also upon my right hand, and beheld, * and there was no man that would know me.
6  Flight hath failed me, * and there is no man that hath regard for my soul.
7  I cried unto thee, O Lord, * and said, Thou art my hope, and my portion in the land of the living.
8  Consider my supplication; * for I am brought very low.
9  O deliver me from my persecutors; * for they have waxed strong against me.
10  Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy Name; * the righteous wait for me, until thou reward me.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Comfort me with flowers, stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

STAND

Capitulum           Is. 53. 1.
Quis crédidit audítui nostro?  et bráchium Dómini cui revelátum est?  Et ascéndet sicut virgúltum coram eo, et sicut radix de terra sitiénti.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Is. 53. 1.
Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?  for he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Stabat Mater dolorósa
Juxta crucem lacrimósa,
Dum pendébat Fílius.

Cujus ánimam geméntem,
Contristátam et doléntem,
Pertransívit gládius.

O quam tristis et afflícta
Fuit illa benedícta
Mater Unigéniti!

Quæ mærébat, et dolébat
Pia Mater dum vidébat
Nati pœnas ínclyti.

Quis est homo, qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si vidéret
In tanto supplício?

Quis non posset contristári,
Christi Matrem contemplári
Doléntem cum Fílio?

Pro peccátis suæ gentis,
Vidit Jesum in torméntis,
Et flagéllis súbditum.

Vidit suum dulcem Natum
Moriéndo desolátum,
Dum emísit spíritum.

Eja Mater, fons amóris,
Me sentíre vim dolóris
Fac ut tecum lúgeam.

Fac ut árdeat cor meum
In amándo Christum Deum,
Ut sibi compláceam.  Amen.

By the Cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Where he hung, her dying Lord.

For her soul, of joy bereaved,
Torn with anguish, deeply grieved,
Felt the sharp and piercing Sword.

O how sad and sore distressed
Then was she, that Mother blessed
Of the sole-begotten One.

Deep the woe of her affliction
When she saw the Crucifixion
Of her ever-glorious Son.

Who, on Christ's dear Mother gazing,
Torn by anguish so amazing,
Born of woman, would not weep?

Who, on Christ's dear Mother thinking,
Such a cup of sorrow drinking,
Would not share her sorrow deep?

For his people's sins chastised,
She her Jesus saw despised,
Torn with nails, with thorns entwined.

Saw her Son from judgment taken
And in death by all forsaken
Till his spirit he resigned.

Mother, fount of all devotion,
Stir in me thy grief's emotion,
Let my tears be joined with thine.

Let my heart be always burning,
Still for love of Jesus yearning,
Let his will be found in mine.  Amen.

V.  Ora pro nobis, Virgo dolorosíssima.
R.  Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

V.  Pray for us, O Virgin right sorrowful.
R.  That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Tuam ipsíus ánimam * (ait ad Maríam Símeon) pertransíbit gládius.

Ant. on Magnif:  Yea, a sword * shall pierce through thy own soul also, said Simeon unto Mary.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, in cujus passióne, secúndum Simeónis prophetíam, dulcíssimam ánimam gloriósæ Vírginis et Matris Maríæ dolóris gládius pertransívit : concéde propítius ; ut, qui transfixiónem ejus et passiónem venerándo recólimus, gloriósis méritis et précibus ómnium Sanctórum cruci fidéliter astántium intercedéntibus, passiónis tuæ efféctum felícem consequámur : Qui vivis et regnas.

Let us pray.
O God, in whose passion the sword of grief did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the word of thy Prophet Simeon : mercifully grant that we who here do call to mind the suffering whereby she was pierced ; may by the glorious merits and prayers of all the Saints who have faithfully stood beneath the Cross, be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Compline of Sunday

Compline

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Dolóres gloriósæ recoléntes Vírginis, Dóminum pro nobis passum, * Veníte, adorémus.

Remembering the sorrows of the most glorious Virgin, * O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

Dolóres gloriósæ recoléntes Vírginis, Dóminum pro nobis passum, * Veníte, adorémus.

Remembering the sorrows of the most glorious Virgin, * O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

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.

Dolóres gloriósæ recoléntes Vírginis, Dóminum pro nobis passum, * Veníte, adorémus.

Remembering the sorrows of the most glorious Virgin, * O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

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.

O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

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.

Dolóres gloriósæ recoléntes Vírginis, Dóminum pro nobis passum, * Veníte, adorémus.

Remembering the sorrows of the most glorious Virgin, * O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

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.

O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

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.

Dolóres gloriósæ recoléntes Vírginis, Dóminum pro nobis passum, * Veníte, adorémus.

Remembering the sorrows of the most glorious Virgin, * O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

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.

O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

Dolóres gloriósæ recoléntes Vírginis, Dóminum pro nobis passum, * Veníte, adorémus.

Remembering the sorrows of the most glorious Virgin, * O come, let us worship the Lord, who suffered for us.

Tui nati vulneráti,
Tam dignáti pro me pati,
Pœnas mecum dívide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifíxo condolére,
Donec ego víxero.

Juxta crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociáre
In planctu desídero.  Amen.

As he bought, through tribulation,
In his Passion, my salvation,
Let me bear therein my part.

Let me mourn with thee beside him
For the sins which crucified him,
While my life remains in me;

Take beneath the Cross my station,
And in all thy desolation
So unite myself with thee.  Amen.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The First Nocturn. 

First Nocturn

Ant.    Astitérunt reges terræ, * et príncipes convenérunt in unum, advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.

Ant.    The kings of the earth have arisen, * and the rulers have taken counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.

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.

Ant.    Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convenérunt in unum, advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.

Ant.    The kings of the earth have arisen, and the rulers have taken counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.

Ant.    Voce mea * ad Dóminum clamávi, et exaudívit me de monte sancto suo.

Ant.    I did call * upon the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.

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.    Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi, et exaudívit me de monte sancto suo.

Ant.    I did call upon the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.

Ant.    Factum est cor meum * tamquam cera liquéscens in médio ventris mei.

Ant.    My heart also * in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 12. Usquequo, Domine

Usquequo, Dómine, obliviscéris me in finem? * úsquequo avértis fáciem tuam a me?
2  Quamdiu ponam consília in ánima mea, * dolórem in corde meo per diem?
3  Usquequo exaltábitur inimícus meus super me? *  réspice, et exáudi me, Dómine, Deus meus.
4  Illúmina óculos meos ne umquam obdórmiam in morte : * nequándo dicat inimícus meus : præválui advérsus eum.
5  Qui tríbulant me, exsultábunt si motus fúero : * ego autem in misericórdia tua sperávi.
6  Exsultábit cor meum in salutári tuo : cantábo Dómino qui bona tríbuit mihi : * et psallam nómini Dómini altíssimi.

How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me for ever? * how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2  How long shall I seek counsel in my soul, * and be so vexed in my heart all the day?
3  How long shall mine enemy triumph over me? * consider, and hear me, O Lord my God.
4  Enlighten mine eyes, that I sleep never in death; * lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him.
5  For if I be cast down, they that trouble me will rejoice at it : * but my trust is in thy mercy.
6  My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation : I will sing to the Lord, because he hath given me good things; * yea, I will praise the Name of the Lord Most Highest.

Ant.    Factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquéscens in médio ventris mei.

Ant.    My heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.

STAND

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.

Quis crédidit audítui nostro? et bráchium Dómini cui revelátum est?  Et ascéndet sicut virgúltum coram eo, et sicut radix de terra sitiénti.  Non est spécies ei neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus, et desiderávimus eum ; despéctum, et novíssimum virórum, virum dolórum, et sciéntem infirmitátem : et quasi abscónditus vultus ejus et despéctus, unde nec reputávimus eum.  Vere languóres nostros ipse tulit, et dolóres nostros ipse portávit : et nos putávimus eum quasi leprósum, et percússum a Deo et humiliátum.  Ipse autem vulnerátus est propter iniquitátes nostras, attrítus est propter scélera nostra : disciplína pacis nostræ super eum, et livóre ejus sanáti sumus.

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

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

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

R.  Diléctus meus cándidus et rubicúndus, et totus desiderábilis : * Omnis enim figúra ejus amórem spirat, et ad redamándum próvocat caput inclinátum, manus expánsæ, pectus apértum.
V.  Piis, o Virgo, spectas eum óculis, contémplans in eo non tam vúlnerum livórem, quam mundi salútem.
R.  Omnis enim figúra ejus amórem spirat, et ad redamándum próvocat caput inclinátum, manus expánsæ, pectus apértum.

R.  My Beloved is white and ruddy, yea, he is altogether lovely ; * For the sight of him doth altogether breathe of love, and stirreth up to love in return ; his head is bowed down, his hands are stretched out, and his side is opened.
V.  Maiden and Mother, thou didst look upon him with eyes full of tenderness, and there thou sawest not only that thy Son was smitten, but that the world was saved.
R.  For the sight of him doth altogether breathe of love, and stirreth up to love in return ; his head is bowed down, his hands are stretched out, and his side is opened.

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.

Omnes nos quasi oves errávimus, unusquísque in viam suam declinávit, et pósuit Dóminus in eo iniquitátem ómnium nostrum.  Oblátus est quia ipse vóluit, et non apéruit os suum : sicut ovis ad occisiónem ducétur et, quasi agnus coram tondénte se, obmutéscet et non apériet os suum.  De angústia et de judício sublátus est.  Generatiónem ejus quis ennarábit? quia abscíssus est de terra vivéntium : propter scelus pópuli mei percússi eum.  Et dabit ímpios pro sepultúra, et dívitem pro morte sua ; eo quod iniquitátem non fécerit, neque dolus fúerit in ore ejus.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

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

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

R.  Manus ejus tornátiles, clavórum cúspide terrebrátæ, * Humánæ salútis prétio quasi hyacínthis refértæ.
V.  Córnua in mánibus ejus : ibi abscóndita est fortitúdo ejus : sunt enim manus ejus.
R.  Humánæ salútis prétio quasi hyacínthis refértæ.

R.  His hands are like rings, pierced with the points of the nails ; * Set with price of man's salvation, as it were with jacinths.
V.  He had horns coming out of his hands : there was the hiding of his power : for his hands are
R.  Set with price of man's salvation, as it were with jacinths.

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.

Et Dóminus vóluit contérere eum in infirmitáte.  Si posúerit pro peccáto ánimam suam, vidébit semen longævum, et volúntas Dómini in manu ejus dirigétur.  Pro eo quod laborávit ánima ejus, vidébit et saturábitur.  In sciéntia sua justificábit ipse justus servus meus multos, et iniquitátes eórum ipse portábit.  Ideo dispértiam ei plúrimos, et fórtium dívidet spólia, pro eo quod trádidit in mortem ánimam suam, et cum scelerátis reputátus est : et ipse peccáta multórum tulit, et pro transgressóribus rogávit.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

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

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

R.  Diligébat Jesus Joánnem, quóniam speciális prærogatíva castitátis amplióri dilectióne fécerat dignum : * Quia virgo eléctus ab ipso, virgo in ævum permánsit.
V.  In cruce dénique moritúrus huic Matrem suam Vírginem vírgini commendávit.
R.  Quia virgo eléctus ab ipso, virgo in ævum permánsit.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia virgo eléctus ab ipso, virgo in ævum permánsit.

R.  Jesus loved John because his singular gift of purity made him more worthy of love : * He chose him for a virgin unto himself, and he remaineth a virgin for ever.
V.  At the end, when he was dying upon the Cross, to him did he commit his mother, virgin to virgin.
R.  He chose him for a virgin unto himself, and he remaineth a virgin for ever.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  He chose him for a virgin unto himself, and he remaineth a virgin for ever.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Inimíci mei * dixérunt mala mihi : Quando moriétur, et períbit nomen ejus?

Ant.    Mine enemies * have spoken evil of me : When shall he die, and his name perish?

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 40.  Beatus qui intelligit

Beátus qui intélligit super egénum, et páuperem: * in die mala liberábit eum Dóminus.
2  Dóminus consérvet eum, et vivíficet eum, et beátum fáciat eum in terra: * et non tradat eum in ánimam inimicórum ejus.
3  Dóminus opem ferat illi super lectum dolóris ejus: * univérsum stratum ejus versásti in infirmitáte ejus.
4  Ego dixi : Dómine, miserére mei: * sana ánimam meam, quia peccávi tibi.
5  Inimíci mei dixérunt mala mihi: * Quando moriétur, et períbit nomen ejus?
6  Et si ingrediebátur ut vidéret, vane loquebátur: * cor ejus congregávit iniquitátem sibi.
7  Egrediebátur foras, * et loquebátur in idípsum.
8  Advérsum me susurrábant omnes inimíci mei: * advérsum me cogitábant mala mihi.
9  Verbum iníquum constituérunt advérsum me: * Numquid qui dormit non adjíciet ut resúrgat?
10  Etenim homo pacis meæ, in quo sperávi: * qui edébat panes meos, magnificávit super me supplantatiónem.
11  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére mei, et resúscita me: * et retríbuam eis.
12  In hoc cognóvi quóniam voluísti me: * quóniam non gaudébit inimícus meus super me.
13  Me autem propter innocéntiam suscepísti: * et confirmásti me in conspéctu tuo in ætérnum.
14  Benedíctus Dóminus, Deus Israël, a sæculo et usque in sæculum: * fiat, fiat.

Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy; * the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.
2  The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon earth; * and deliver him not up into the will of his enemies.
3  The Lord comfort him upon his bed of sorrows; * thou hast turned all his couch in his sickness.
4  I said, Lord, be merciful unto me; * heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.
5  Mine enemies have spoken evil of me, * When shall he die, and his name perish?
6  And if he came to see me, he spake vanity, * and his heart conceived falsehood within itself.
7  He went forth, * and spake in the selfsame.
8  All mine enemies whispered together against me; * against me did they imagine evils.
9  They established an evil word against me : * Shall he that sleepeth rise again no more?
10  Yea, even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, * who did also eat of my bread, hath laid great wait for me.
11  But be thou merciful unto me, O Lord, and raise thou me up again, * and I shall reward them.
12  By this I know thou hast favoured me, * for mine enemy shall not triumph against me.
13  And because of my innocency thou upholdest me, * and shalt set me before thy face for ever.
14  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for ever and ever, and world without end: * Amen, Amen.

Ant.    Inimíci mei dixérunt mala mihi : Quando moriétur, et períbit nomen ejus?

Ant.    Mine enemies have spoken evil of me : When shall he die, and his name perish?

Ant.    Deus, vitam meam * annuntiávi tibi : posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.

Ant.    O God, I have declared * my life unto thee : thou hast set my tears in thy sight.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 55.  Miserere mei, Deus

Miserére mei, Deus, quóniam conculcávit me homo: * tota die impúgnans tribulávit me.
2  Conculcavérunt me inimíci mei tota die: * quóniam multi bellántes advérsum me.
3  Ab altitúdine diéi timébo: * ego vero in te sperábo.
4  In Deo laudábo sermónes meos, in Deo sperávi: * non timébo quid fáciat mihi caro.
5  Tota die verba mea exsecrabántur: * advérsum me omnes cogitatiónes eórum in malum.
6  Inhabitábunt, et abscóndent: * ipsi calcáneum meum observábunt.
7  Sicut sustinuérunt ánimam meam, pro níhilo salvos fácies illos: * in ira pópulos confrínges.
8  Deus, vitam meam annuntiávi tibi: * posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.
9  Sicut et in promissióne tua: * tunc converténtur inimíci mei retrórsum :
10  In quacúmque die invocávero te: * ecce cognóvi quóniam Deus meus es.
11  In Deo laudábo verbum, in Dómino laudábo sermónem: * in Deo sperávi, non timébo quid fáciat mihi homo.
12  In me sunt, Deus, vota tua, * quæ reddam,  laudatiónes tibi.
13  Quóniam eripuísti ánimam meam de morte, et pedes meos de lapsu: * ut pláceam coram Deo in lúmine vivéntium.

Be merciful unto me, O God, for man hath trodden me underfoot; * all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.
2  Mine enemies have trodden upon me all the day long; * for they be many that make war against me.
3  From the height of the day I shall fear, * yet put I my trust in thee.
4  In God will I praise my words, in God have I put my trust, * I will not be afraid what flesh can do unto me.
5  All the day long they detested my words; * all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
6  They will dwell and hide themselves, * and mark my steps.
7  As they have laid wait for my soul, for nothing shalt thou save them : * in thy displeasure thou shalt break the people.
8  O God, I have declared my life unto thee : * thou hast set my tears in thy sight.
9  As also in thy promise : * then shall mine enemies be put to flight.
10  In what day soever I shall call upon thee, * behold I know thou art my God.
11  In God will I praise the word, yea, in the Lord will I praise his speech : * in God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12  Unto thee, O God, will I pay the vows that are in me; * unto thee be the praise.
13  For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, * that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

Ant.    Deus, vitam meam annuntiávi tibi : posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.

Ant.    O God, I have declared my life unto thee : thou hast set my tears in thy sight.

Ant.    Fílii hóminum, * dentes eórum arma et sagíttæ : et lingua eórum gládius acútus.

Ant.   The children of men, * whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 56.  Miserere mei, Deus

Miserére mei, Deus, miserére mei: * quóniam in te confídit ánima mea.
2  Et in umbra alárum tuárum sperábo: * donec tránseat iníquitas.
3  Clamábo ad Deum altíssimum: * Deum, qui benefécit mihi.
4  Misit de cælo, et liberávit me: * dedit in oppróbrium conculcántes me.
5  Misit Deus misericórdiam suam, et veritátem suam, * et erípuit ánimam meam de médio catulórum leónum: dormívi conturbátus.
6  Fílii hóminum dentes eórum arma et sagíttæ: * et lingua eórum gládius acútus.
7  Exaltáre super cælos, Deus: * et in omnem terram glória tua.
8  Láqueum paravérunt pédibus meis: * et incurvavérunt ánimam meam.
9  Fodérunt ante fáciem meam fóveam: * et incidérunt in eam.
10  Parátum cor meum, Deus, parátum cor meum: * cantábo, et psalmum dicam.
11  Exsúrge, glória mea, exsúrge psaltérium et cíthara: * exsúrgam dilúculo.
12  Confitébor tibi in pópulis, Dómine: * et psalmum dicam tibi in Géntibus :
13  Quóniam magnificáta est usque ad cælos misericórdia tua, * et usque ad nubes véritas tua.
14  Exaltáre super cælos, Deus: * et super omnem terram glória tua.

Psalm 56.  Miserere mei, Deus

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; * for my soul trusteth in thee.
2  And under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge, until this wickedness be overpast.
3  I will call unto the Most High God, * even unto the God that hath done unto me good things.
4  He hath sent from heaven, and delivered me : * he hath made them a reproach that trod upon me.
5  God hath sent forth his mercy and truth: * and he hath delivered my soul from the midst of the young lions; in confusion did I sleep.
6  The children of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows : * and their tongue a sharp sword.
7  Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; * and thy glory in all the earth.
8  They have laid a net for my feet, * and pressed down my soul.
9  They have digged a pit before me, * and are fallen into the midst of it themselves.
10  My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; * I will sing and give praise.
11  Arise, O my glory; arise, lute and harp: * I myself will arise right early.
12  I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples; * and I will sing a psalm unto thee among the nations.
13  For the greatness of thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens, * and thy truth unto the clouds.
14  Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; * and thy glory above all the earth.

Ant.    Fílii hóminum, dentes eórum arma et sagíttæ : et lingua eórum gládius acútus.

Ant.   The children of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

STAND

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.

Martyrium Vírginis tam in Simeónis prophetía, quam in ipsa Domínicæ passiónis história commendátur.  Pósitus est hic (ait sanctus senex de púero Jesu) in signum cui contradicétur ; et tuam ipsíus ánimam (ad Maríam autem dicébat) pertransíbit gládius.  Vere tuam, o beáta Mater, ánimam pertransívit.  Alióquin non nisi eam pertránsiens, carnem Fílii tui penetráret.  Et quidem posteáquam emísit spíritum tuus ille Jesus, ipsíus plane non áttigit ánimam crudélis láncea, quæ ipsíus apéruit latus, sed tuam útique ánimam pertransívit.  Ipsíus nimírum ánima jam ibi non erat, sed tua plane inde nequíbat avélli.

The Martyrdom of the Virgin is set before us, not only in the prophecy of Simeon, but also in the story itself of the Lord's Passion.  The holy old man said of the Child Jesus : Behold, this Child is set for the fall and the rising again of many  in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against ; yea (said he unto Mary), a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also.  Even so, O Blessed Mother!  The sword did indeed pierce through thy soul! for nought could pierce the Body of thy Son, nor pierce thy soul likewise.  Yea, and when this Jesus of thine had given up the ghost, and the bloody spear could torture him no more, thy soul winced as it pierced his dead side―his own Soul might leave him, but thine could not.

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

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

R.  Ténebræ facta sunt, dum crucifixíssent Jesum Judæi : et circa horam nonam exclamávit Jesus voce magna : Deus meus, ut quid dereliquísti me? * Et inclináto cápite, emísit spíritum.
V.  Quis tibi nunc sensus, dum cernis tália, Virgo?
R.  Et inclináto cápite, emísit spíritum.

R.  Now there was darkness over the all the land whilst the Jews did crucify Jesus : and about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice : My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? * And he bowed his head, and yielded up the ghost.
V.  O what a sickening at heart was thine at that moment, O Virgin.
R.  And he bowed his head, and yielded up the ghost.

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.

Tuam ergo pertransívit ánimam vis dolóris, ut plusquam Mártyrem non immérito prædicémus, in qua nimírum corpóreæ sensum passiónis excésserit compassiónis afféctus.  An non tibi plusquam gládius fuit sermo ille, revéra pertránsiens ánimam, et pertíngens usque ad divisiónem ánimæ et spíritus : Múlier, ecce fílius tuus?  O commutatiónem!  Joánnes tibi pro Jesu tráditur, servus pro Dómino, discípulus pro Magístro, fílius Zebedæi pro Fílio Dei, homo purus pro Deo vero.  Quómodo non tuam affectuosíssimam ánimam pertransíret hæc audítio, quando et nostra, licet sáxea, licet férrea péctora, sola recordátio scindit?

The sword of sorrow pierced through thy soul, so that we may truly call thee more than martyr, in whom the love, that made thee suffer along with thy Son, wrung thy heart more bitterly than any pang of bodily pain could do.  Did not that word of his indeed pierce through thy soul, sharper than any two-edged sword, even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit : Woman, behold thy son!  O what a change to thee!  Thou art given John for Jesus, the servant for his Lord, the disciple for his Master, the son of Zebedee for the Son of God, a mere man for Very God.  O how keenly must the hearing of those words have pierced through thy most loving soul, when even our hearts, stony, iron, as they are, are wrung at the memory thereof only!

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

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

R.  Pássio Dómini * Ipsam ejus Matrem, carnáli orbitáte gráviter percússam, vehementíssime contristávit.
V.  Ferrum lánceæ militáris, latus quidem Salvatóris, ánimam vero transívit Vírginis Matris.
R.  Ipsam ejus Matrem, carnáli orbitáte gráviter percússam, vehementíssime contristávit.

R.  The suffering of the Lord * Was a sorrow exceeding sorrowful to her, his Mother, crushed by a natural bereavement.
V.  The iron of the soldier's lance pierced through the Side of the Redeemer, and through the soul of the Virgin Mother.
R.  A sorrow exceeding sorrowful to her, his Mother, crushed by a natural bereavement.

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.

Non mirémini, fratres, quod María Martyr in ánima fuísse dicátur.  Mirétur qui non memínerit se audivísse Paulum inter máxima Géntium crímina memorántem, quod sine affectióne fuíssent.  Longe id fuit a Maríæ viscéribus, longe sit a sérvulis ejus.  Sed forte quis dicat : Numquid non eum præscíerat moritúrum?  Et indubitánter.  Numquid non sperábat contínuo resurrectúrum?  Et fidéliter.  Super hæc dóluit crucifíxum?  Et veheménter.  Alióquin quisnam tu, frater, aut unde tibi hæc sapiéntia, ut miréris plus Maríæ Fílium patiéntem?  Ille étiam mori córpore pótuit ; ista cómmori corde non pótuit?  Fecit illud cáritas, qua majórem nemo hábuit ; fecit et hoc cáritas, cui post illam símilis áltera non fuit.

Marvel not, my brethren, that Mary should be called a Martyr in spirit.  He indeed may marvel who remembereth not what Paul saith, naming the greater sins of the Gentiles, that they were without natural affection.  Far other were the bowels of Mary, and far other may those of her servants be!  But some man perchance will say : Did she not hope that he was soon to rise again?  Yea, she most faithfully hoped it.  And did she still mourn because he was crucified?  Yea, bitterly.  But who art thou, my brother, or whence hast thou such wisdom, to marvel less that the Son of Mary suffered than that Mary suffered with him?  He could die in the Body, and could not she die with him in her heart?  His was the deed of that Love, greater than which hath no man, hers, of a love, like to which hath no man, save he.

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

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

R.  Quis mihi det te fratrem meum sugéntem úbera matris meæ, et inhæréndo láteri tuo, ut sanguis tuus sánguinem meum tangat et tergat : * Ut fons aquæ tuæ de scaturígine recti cordis, per venas boni óperis, in finem ætérnæ felicitátis exsíliat?
V.  Fílii tui de longe vénient, et fíliæ tuæ de látere surgent.
R.  Ut fons aquæ tuæ de scaturígine recti cordis, per venas boni óperis, in finem ætérnæ felicitátis exsíliat?
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ut fons aquæ tuæ de scaturígine recti cordis, per venas boni óperis, in finem ætérnæ felicitátis exsíliat?

R.  O that thou wert my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother, that I might cleave unto thy Side, till thy Blood touched my blood, and cleansed it : * O that the Fountain of Water which floweth from the Well-head of thy righteous Heart, through thy veins, who hast done all things well, may at the last spring up for us into everlasting blessedness.
V.  Thy sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters shall be nursed at they side.
R.  O that the Fountain of Water which floweth from the Well-head of thy righteous Heart, through thy veins, who hast done all things well, may at the last spring up for us into everlasting blessedness.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  O that the Fountain of Water which floweth from the Well-head of thy righteous Heart, through thy veins, who hast done all things well, may at the last spring up for us into everlasting blessedness.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Intendérunt arcum * rem amáram, ut sagíttent in occúltis immaculátum.

Ant.   They have bent their bow * a bitter thing, to shoot out their arrows in secret at the undefiled.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 63.  Exaudi, Deus

Exáudi, Deus, oratiónem meam cum déprecor: * a timóre inimíci éripe ánimam meam.
2  Protexísti me a convéntu malignántium: * a multitúdine operántium iniquitátem.
3  Quia exacuérunt ut gládium linguas suas: * intendérunt arcum rem amáram, ut sagíttent in occúltis immaculátum.
4  Súbito sagittábunt eum, et non timébunt: * firmavérunt sibi sermónem nequam.
5  Narravérunt ut abscónderent láqueos: * dixérunt: Quis vidébit eos?
6  Scrutáti sunt iniquitátes: * defecérunt scrutántes scrutínio.
7  Accédet homo ad cor altum: * et exaltábitur Deus.
8  Sagíttæ parvulórum factæ sunt plagæ eórum: * et infirmátæ sunt contra eos linguæ eórum.
9  Conturbáti sunt omnes qui vidébant eos: * et tímuit omnis homo.
10  Et annuntiavérunt ópera Dei, * et facta ejus intellexérunt.
11  Lætábitur justus in Dómino, et sperábit in eo: * et laudabúntur omnes recti corde.

Psalm 63.  Exaudi, Deus

Hear my prayer, O God, when I make supplication to thee : * preserve my soul from the fear of the enemy.
2  Thou hast protected me from the gathering together of the froward, * and from the multitude of wicked doers.
3  Who have whet their tongue like a sword, * and have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot out their arrows in secret at the undefiled.
4  They shall shoot at him on a sudden, and shall not fear : * they are resolute in wickedness.
5  They have communed among themselves, how they may lay snares; * and they have said, Who shall see them?
6  They have searched after wickedness : * they have failed in their search.
7  Man shall come to the deep of his heart : * and God shall be exalted.
8  The arrows of children are their wounds : * yea, their tongues shall make them fall.
9  All they that saw them were troubled : * and every man feared.
10  And they have declared the works of God : * and understood that which he hath done.
11  The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and put his trust in him; * and all they that are true of heart shall be glad.

Ant.    Intendérunt arcum rem amáram, ut sagíttent in occúltis immaculátum.

Ant.    They have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot out their arrows in secret at the undefiled.

Ant.    Factus sum * sicut homo sine adjutório, inter mórtuos liber.

Ant.    I am * even as a man that hath no strength, cast off among the dead.

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.    Factus sum sicut homo sine adjutório, inter mórtuos liber.

Ant.    I am even as a man that hath no strength, cast off among the dead.

Ant.&