The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ

Double of II Class

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

Ant.    Assúmpsit Jesus * Petrum, et Jacóbum, et Joánnem fratrem ejus, et duxit eos in montem excélsum seórsum, et transfigurátus est ante eos.

Ant.    Jesus taketh * Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them.

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

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

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

Ant.    Assúmpsit Jesus Petrum, et Jacóbum, et Joánnem fratrem ejus, et duxit eos in montem excélsum seórsum, et transfigurátus est ante eos.

Ant.    Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them.

Ant.    Resplénduit * fácies ejus sicut sol, vestiménta autem ejus facta sunt alba sicut nix, allelúja.

Ant.    And his face * did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the snow, alleluia.

Psalmus 110.  Confitebor

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

Psalm 110.  Confitebor

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

Ant.    Resplénduit fácies ejus sicut sol, vestiménta autem ejus facta sunt alba sicut nix, allelúja.

Ant.    And his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the snow, alleluia.

Ant.    Et ecce * apparuérunt eis Móyses et Elías loquéntes cum Jesu.

Ant.    And behold, * there appeared unto them Moses and Elias, talking with Jesus.

Psalmus 111.  Beatus vir

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

Psalm 111.  Beatus vir

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

Ant.    Et ecce apparuérunt eis Móyses et Elías loquéntes cum Jesu.

Ant.    And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias, talking with Jesus.

Ant.    Respóndens autem Petrus * dixit ad Jesum : Dómine, bonum est nos hic esse.

Ant.    Then answered Peter, * and said unto Jesus : Lord, it is good for us to be here.

Psalmus 112.  Laudate, pueri

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

Psalm 112.  Laudate, pueri

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

Ant.    Respóndens autem Petrus dixit ad Jesum : Dómine, bonum est nos hic esse.

Ant.    Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus : Lord, it is good for us to be here.

Ant.    Adhuc eo loquénte, * ecce nubes lúcida obumbrávit eos.

Ant.    While he yet spake, * behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them.

Psalmus 116.  Laudate Dominum

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

Psalm 116.  Laudate Dominum

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

Ant.    Adhuc eo loquénte, ecce nubes lúcida obumbrávit eos.

Ant.    While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them.

Capitulum           Philipp. 3. 20-21.
Salvatórem exspectámus Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, qui reformábit corpus humilitátis nostræ configurátum córpori claritátis suæ.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Phil. 3. 20-21.
We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed unto the body of his glory.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Quicúmque Christum quæritis,
Oculos in altum tóllite :
Illic licébit vísere
Signum perénnis glóriæ.

Illústre quiddam cérnimus,
Quod nésciat finem pati,
Sublíme, celsum, intérminum,
Antíquius cælo et chao.

Hic ille Rex est Géntium
Populíque Rex judáici,
Promíssus Abrahæ patri
Ejúsque in ævum sémini.

Hunc, et prophétis téstibus
Iisdémque signatóribus,
Testátor et Pater jubet
Audíre nos et crédere.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui te revélas párvulis,
Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

All ye who seek for Jesus, raise
Your eyes above, and upward gaze:
There may ye see the wondrous sign
Of never-ending glory shine.

Behold him in celestial rays
Who never knoweth end of days;
Exalted, infinite, sublime;
Older than heaven or hell or time.

This is the Gentiles' King and Lord;
The Prince by Judah's race adored,
Promised to Abraham of yore,
And to his seed for evermore.

To him the prophets testify;
And that same witness, from on high,
The Father seals by his decree:
Hear and believe my Son, saith he.

Proper Doxology
All glory, Lord, to thee we pay,
Transfigured on the Mount today;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

V.  Gloriósus apparuísti in conspéctu Dómini.
R.  Proptérea decórem índuit te Dóminus.

V.  Thou wast manifested in thy glory in the presence of the Lord.
R.  Therefore the Lord hath clothed thee with majesty.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Christus Jesus, * splendor Patris et figúra substántiæ ejus, portans ómnia verbo virtútis suæ, purgatiónem peccatórum fáciens, in monte excélso gloriósus apparére hódie dignátus est.

Ant. on Magnif:  Christ Jesus, * the brightness of the Father and the express image of his Person, who upholdeth all things by the word of his power, while he was by himself purging away our sins, vouchsafed on this day to shew himself in glory upon an high mountain.

Oremus.
Deus, qui fídei sacraménta in Unigéniti tui gloriósa Transfiguratióne patrum testimónio roborásti, et adoptiónem filiórum perféctam, voce delápsa in nube lúcida, mirabíliter præsignásti : concéde propítius ; ut ipsíus Regis glóriæ nos coherédes effícias, et ejúsdem glóriæ tríbuas esse consórtes.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of thine only-begotten Son, didst confirm the mysteries of the Faith by the testimony of the fathers, and in the voice proceeding from the shining cloud didst wondrously foreshew the perfect adoption of all thy sons : mercifully grant, that we, being made fellow-heirs of Christ himself the King of glory, may attain to the partaking of the same his glory in heaven.  Through the same.

Commemoration is made of the preceding day

Basilica of St. Mary Major, Rome

Ant:  Beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes, quia ancíllam húmilem respéxit Deus.

Ant:  All generations shall call me blessed for God hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.

V.  My praise by thee accepted be, O hallowed Virgin.
R.  Obtain for me strength against thine enemies.

Oremus.
Concéde nos fámulos tuos, quæsumus, Dómine Deus, perpétua mentis et córporis sanitáte gaudére : et gloriósa beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis intercessióne, a præsénti liberári tristítia, et ætérna pérfrui lætítia.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O Lord God Almighty, we beseech thee to grant unto us thy servants continual health both in mind and body: and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, to be delivered from our present sorrow, and attain unto everlasting gladness.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Sunday Compline

Compline

All as at Sunday Compline, except the proper Doxology of the Hymn, which is said as follows, and likewise at the other Hours where the Hymn is of the common meter.

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

Summum Regem glóriæ, * Christum adorémus.

Christ, the Most High King of Glory, * O come, let us worship.

Summum Regem glóriæ, * Christum adorémus.

Christ, the Most High King of Glory, * O come, let us worship.

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.

Summum Regem glóriæ, * Christum adorémus.

Christ, the Most High King of Glory, * O come, let us worship.

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.

Christum adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

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.

Summum Regem glóriæ, * Christum adorémus.

Christ, the Most High King of Glory, * O come, let us worship.

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.

Christum adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

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.

Summum Regem glóriæ, * Christum adorémus.

Christ, the Most High King of Glory, * O come, let us worship.

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.

Christum adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

Summum Regem glóriæ, * Christum adorémus.

Christ, the Most High King of Glory, * O come, let us worship.

Quicúmque Christum quæritis,
Oculos in altum tóllite :
Illic licébit vísere
Signum perénnis glóriæ.

Illústre quiddam cérnimus,
Quod nésciat finem pati,
Sublíme, celsum, intérminum,
Antíquius cælo et chao.

Hic ille Rex est Géntium
Populíque Rex judáici,
Promíssus Abrahæ patri
Ejúsque in ævum sémini.

Hunc, et prophétis téstibus
Iisdémque signatóribus,
Testátor et Pater jubet
Audíre nos et crédere.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui te revélas párvulis,
Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

All ye who seek for Jesus, raise
Your eyes above, and upward gaze:
There may ye see the wondrous sign
Of never-ending glory shine.

Behold him in celestial rays
Who never knoweth end of days;
Exalted, infinite, sublime;
Older than heaven or hell or time.

This is the Gentiles' King and Lord;
The Prince by Judah's race adored,
Promised to Abraham of yore,
And to his seed for evermore.

To him the prophets testify;
And that same witness, from on high,
The Father seals by his decree:
Hear and believe my Son, saith he.

Proper Doxology
All glory, Lord, to thee we pay,
Transfigured on the Mount today;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

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

First Nocturn

Ant.    Paulo minus * ab Angelis minorátus, glória et honóre coronátus est, et constitútus super ópera mánuum Dei.

Ant.    Even while he was made a little lower * than the Angels, he was crowned with glory and worship, and made to have dominion over the works of God's hands.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 8.  Domine, Dominus noster

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

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

Ant.    Paulo minus ab Angelis minorátus, glória et honóre coronátus est, et constitútus super ópera mánuum Dei.

Ant.    Even while he was made a little lower than the Angels, he was crowned with glory and worship, and made to have dominion over the works of God's hands.

Ant.    Revelávit Dóminus * condénsa, et in templo ejus omnes dicent glóriam.

Ant.    The Lord hath laid bare * the forests, and in his temple shall every man speak forth his glory.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 28.  Afferte Dómino

Afférte Dómino, fílii Dei: * afférte Dómino fílios aríetum.
2  Afférte Dómino glóriam et honórem, afférte Dómino glóriam nómini ejus: * adoráte Dóminum in átrio sancto ejus.
3  Vox Dómini super aquas, Deus majestátis intónuit: * Dóminus super aquas multas.
4  Vox Dómini in virtúte: * vox Dómini in magnificéntia.
5  Vox Dómini confringéntis cedros: * et confrínget Dóminus cedros Líbani.
6  Et commínuet eas tamquam vítulum Líbani: * et diléctus quemádmodum fílius unicórnium.
7  Vox Dómini intercidéntis flammam ignis: * vox Dómini concutiéntis desértum: et commovébit Dóminus desértum Cades.
8  Vox Dómini præparántis cervos, et revelábit condénsa: * et in templo ejus omnes dicent glóriam.
9  Dóminus dilúvium inhabitáre facit: * et sedébit Dóminus Rex in ætérnum.
10  Dóminus virtútem pópulo suo dabit: * Dóminus benedícet pópulo suo in pace.

Psalm 28.  Afferte Domino

Bring unto the Lord, O ye children of God, * bring unto the Lord the offspring of rams.
2  Bring unto the Lord glory and honour, yea, bring unto the Lord the honour due unto his Name; * worship ye the Lord in his holy court.
3  The voice of the Lord is upon the waters, the God of majesty hath thundered, * the Lord is upon the great waters.
4  The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; * the voice of the Lord in magnificence.
5  The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedar-trees; * yea, the Lord shall break the cedars of Lebanon.
6  And shall reduce them to pieces like a calf of Lebanon; * and as the beloved son of the unicorn.
7  The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire; * the voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; yea, the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
8  The voice of the Lord prepareth the hinds, and he will lay bare the forests: * and in his temple shall every man speak forth his glory.
9  The Lord maketh the water-flood to dwell, * and the Lord shall remain King for ever.
10  The Lord shall give strength unto his people; * the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Ant.    Revelávit Dóminus condénsa, et in templo ejus omnes dicent glóriam.

Ant.    The Lord hath laid bare the forests, and in his temple shall every man speak forth his glory.

Ant.    Speciósus forma * præ fíliis hóminum, diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.

Ant.    Thou art fairer * than the children of men; full of grace are thy lips.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 44.  Eructavit cor meum

Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: * dico ego ópera mea Regi.
2  Lingua mea cálamus scribæ: * velóciter scribéntis.
3  Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum, diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis: * proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
4  Accíngere gládio tuo super femur tuum, * potentíssime.
5  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua: * inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
6  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: * et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
7  Sagíttæ tuæ acútæ, pópuli sub te cadent: * in corde inimicórum Regis.
8  Sedes tua, Deus, in sæculum sæculi: * virga directiónis virga regni tui.
9  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: * proptérea unxit te, Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.
10  Myrrha, et gutta, et cásia a vestiméntis tuis, a dómibus ebúrneis: * ex quibus delectavérunt te fíliæ regum in honóre tuo.
11  Astitit regína a dextris tuis in vestítu deauráto: * circúmdata varietáte.
12  Audi, fília, et vide, et inclína aurem tuam: * et oblivíscere pópulum tuum, et domum patris tui.
13  Et concupíscet Rex decórem tuum: * quóniam ipse est Dóminus Deus tuus, et adorábunt eum.
14  Et fíliæ Tyri in munéribus * vultum tuum deprecabúntur: omnes dívites plebis.
15  Omnis glória ejus fíliæ Regis ab intus, * in fímbriis áureis circumamícta varietátibus.
16  Adducéntur Regi vírgines post eam: * próximæ ejus afferéntur tibi.
17  Afferéntur in lætítia et exsultatióne: * adducéntur in templum Regis.
18  Pro pátribus tuis nati sunt tibi fílii: * constítues eos príncipes super omnem terram.
19  Mémores erunt nóminis tui: * in omni géneratióne et géneratiónem.
20  Proptérea pópuli confitebúntur tibi in ætérnum: * et in sæculum sæculi.

My heart is inditing of a good matter; * I speak my works unto the King.
2  My tongue is the pen of a writer : * that writeth swiftly.
3  Thou art fairer than the children of men, full of grace are thy lips, * therefore hath God hath blessed thee for ever.
4  Gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, * O thou Most Mighty.
5  In thy comeliness, yea in thy beauty : * go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
6  Because of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; * and thy right hand shall wondrously lead thee.
7  Thy arrows are very sharp, and the people shall be subdued unto thee; *  even in the hearts of the King's enemies.
8  Thy seat, O God, endureth for ever; * the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
9  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; * wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10  All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, * whereby the daughters of kings have made thee glad in thy glory.
11  Upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, * wrought about with divers colours.
12  Hearken, O daughter, consider, and incline thine ear; * forget also thine own people, and thy father's house.
13  So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty; * for he is the Lord thy God, and they shall worship him.
14  And the daughters of Tyre shall be there with a gift; * yea, all the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
15  The King's daughter is all glorious within; * in wrought gold clothed round about with divers colours.
16  Virgins shall be brought after her unto the King : * her neighbours shall be brought unto thee.
17  With joy and gladness shall they be brought, * they shall be brought into the King's temple.
18  Instead of thy fathers, thou shalt have children, * whom thou shalt make princes over all the earth..
19  They shall remember thy Name * throughout all generations.
20  Therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee for ever, * yea, and for ever, and world without end.

Ant.    Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum, diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.

Ant.    Thou art fairer than the children of men; full of grace are thy lips.

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.

De Epístola secúnda beáti Petri Apóstoli

The Lesson is taken from the latter Epistle of blessed Peter the Apostle

Fratres : Magis satágite, ut per bona ópera certam vestram vocatiónem et electiónem faciátis : hæc enim faciéntes, non peccábitis aliquándo.  Sic enim abundánter ministrábitur vobis intróitus in ætérnum regnum Dómini nostri, et Salvatóris Jesu Christi.  Propter quod incípiam vos semper commonére de his : et quidem sciéntes et confírmatos vos in præsénti veritáte.  Justum autem árbitror, quámdiu sum in hoc tabernáculo, suscitáre vos in commonitióne : certus quod velox est deposítio tabernáculi mei secúndum quod et Dóminus noster Jesus Christus significávit mihi.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

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

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

R.  Surge, illumináre, Jerúsalem, quia venit lumen tuum, * Et glória Dómini super te orta est.
V.  Et ambulábunt Gentes in lúmine tuo, et reges in splendóre ortus tui.
R.  Et glória Dómini super te orta est.

R.  Arise and shine, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come,  *  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
V.  And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
R.  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

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.

Dabo autem óperam et frequénter habére vos post óbitum meum, ut horum memóriam faciátis.  Non enim doctas fábulas secúti notam fécimus vobis Dómini nostri Jesu Christi virtútem et præséntiam, sed speculatóres facti illíus magnitúdinis.  Accípiens enim a Deo Patre honórem et glóriam, voce delápsa ad eum hujuscémodi a magnífica glória : Hic est Fílius meus diléctus, in quo mihi complácui ; ipsum audíte.

Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

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

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

R.  In splendénte nube Spíritus Sanctus visus est, Patérna vox audíta est : * Hic est Fílius meus diléctus, in quo mihi bene complácui ; ipsum audíte.
V.  Appáruit nubes obúmbrans, et vox Patris intónuit.
R.  Hic est Fílius meus diléctus, in quo mihi bene complácui ; ipsum audíte.

R.  The Holy Ghost was manifested as a bright cloud, and the voice of the Father was heard : *  This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear ye him.
V.  There was a cloud that overshadowed them, and the voice of the Father came out thereof in thunder.
R.  This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear ye him.

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 hanc vocem nos audívimus de cælo allátam, cum essémus cum ipso in monte sancto.  Et habémus firmiórem prophéticum sermónem, cui bene fácitis attendéntes quasi lucérnæ lucénti in caliginóso loco, donec dies elucéscat et lúcifer oriátur in córdibus vestris, hoc primum intelligéntes quod omnis prophetía Scriptúræ própria interpretatióne non fit.  Non enim voluntáte humána alláta est aliquándo prophetía ; sed Spíritu Sancto inspiráti locúti sunt sancti Dei hómines.

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

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

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

R.  Vidéte qualem caritátem dedit nobis Deus Pater, * Ut fílii Dei nominémur et simus.
V.  Scimus quóniam, cum apparúerit, símiles ei érimus, quóniam vidébimus eum sícuti est.
R.  Ut fílii Dei nominémur et simus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ut fílii Dei nominémur et simus.

R.  Behold what manner of love God the Father hath bestowed upon us : * That we should be called, and should be, the sons of God.
V.  We know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
R.  That we should be called, and should be, the sons of God.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  That we should be called, and should be, the sons of God.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Illúminans * tu mirabíliter a móntibus ætérnis : turbáti sunt omnes insipiéntes corde.

Ant.    When thou didst make thy light * to shine forth right wondrously from the everlasting hills, all they that were foolish of heart were troubled.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 75.  Notus in Judæa

Notus in Judæa Deus: * in Israël magnum nomen ejus.
2  Et factus est in pace locus ejus: * et habitátio ejus in Sion.
3  Ibi confrégit poténtias árcuum: * scutum, gládium, et bellum.
4  Illúminans tu mirabíliter a móntibus ætérnis: * turbáti sunt omnes insipiéntes corde.
5  Dormiérunt somnum suum: * et nihil invenérunt omnes viri divitiárum in mánibus suis.
6  Ab increpatióne tua, Deus Jacob, * dormitavérunt qui ascendérunt equos.
7  Tu terríbilis es, et quis resístet tibi? * ex tunc ira tua.
8  De cælo audítum fecísti judícium: * terra trémuit et quievit.
9  Cum exsúrgeret in judícium Deus, * ut salvos fáceret omnes mansuétos terræ.
10  Quóniam cogitátio hóminis confitébitur tibi: * et relíquiæ cogitatiónis diem festum agent tibi.
11  Vovéte, et réddite Dómino Deo vestro: * omnes, qui in circúitu ejus affértis múnera.
12  Terríbili et ei qui aufert spíritum príncipum, * terríbili apud reges terræ.

Psalm 75.  Notus in Judæa

In Jewry is God known; * his Name is great in Israel.
2  And his place is in peace, * and his dwelling in Sion.
3  There brake he the powers of the bow, * the shield, the sword, and the battle.
4  Thou dost enlighten wondrously from the everlasting hills : * all the foolish of heart were troubled.
5  They have slept their sleep; * and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands.
6  At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, * they have all slumbered that mounted on horseback.
7  Thou art terrible, and who shall stand against thee * when thou art angry?
8  Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; * the earth trembled, and was still,
9  When God arose to judgment, * to save all the meek upon earth.
10  For the contemplation of man shall turn to thy praise; * and the rest of their contemplation shall keep holy day unto thee.
11  Vow ye, and pay unto the Lord your God : * all ye that are round about him bring presents.
12  Unto him that is terrible, even unto him who refraineth the spirit of princes, * unto the terrible among the kings of the earth.

Ant.    Illúminans tu mirabíliter a móntibus ætérnis : turbáti sunt omnes insipiéntes corde.

Ant.    When thou didst make thy light to shine forth right wondrously from the everlasting hills, all they that were foolish of heart were troubled.

Ant.    Mélior est * dies una in átriis tuis, super míllia.

Ant.    One day in thy courts * is better than a thousand.

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, aspice, Deus: * et respice 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.    Mélior est dies una in átriis tuis, super míllia.

Ant.    One day in thy courts is better than a thousand.

Ant.    Gloriósa * dicta sunt de te, cívitas Dei.

Ant.    Glorious things * of thee are spoken, thou city of God.

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.    Gloriósa dicta sunt de te, cívitas Dei.

Ant.    Glorious things of thee are spoken, thou city of God.

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.

Aperit Dóminus coram eléctis téstibus glóriam suam, et commúnem illam cum céteris córporis formam tanto splendóre claríficat, ut et fácies ejus solis fulgóri símilis, et vestítus candóri nívium esset æquális.  In qua transfiguratióne illud quidem principáliter agebátur, ut de córdibus discipulórum crucis scándalum tollerétur ; nec conturbáret eórum fidem voluntáriæ humílitas passiónis, quibus reveláta esset abscónditæ excelléntia dignitátis.  Sed non minóre providéntia spes sanctæ Ecclésiæ fundabátur, ut totum Christi corpus agnósceret quali esset commutatióne donándum, ut ejus sibi honóris consórtium membra promítterent, qui in cápite præfulsísset.

The Lord took chosen witnesses and in their presence revealed his glory.  That is to say, the form of body which he had in common with other men, he so transfigured  with light, that his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment became exceeding white, even as snow.  Now the chief purpose of this Transfiguration was to remove from the hearts of the disciples their fear of the Cross.  So, before their eyes, was unveiled the splendour of his hidden majesty, that the lowliness of his freely-chosen suffering might not confound their faith.  But nonetheless there was also thus set forth, by the providence of God, a sure and certain hope for holy Church, whereby the whole Body of Christ should know with what great a change it is yet to be honoured.  For the members of that Body whose Head hath already been transfigured in light may promise themselves a share in his glory.

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

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

R.  Inebriáti sunt ab ubertáte domus tuæ : * Et torrénte voluptátis tuæ potásti eos.
V.  Quóniam apud te est fons vitæ, et in lúmine tuo vidébimus lumen.
R.  Et torrénte voluptátis tuæ potásti eos.

R.  They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house, *  And thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures, as out of the river.
V.  For with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see light.
R.  And thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures, as out of the river.

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.

Confírmándis vero Apóstolis et ad omnem sciéntiam provehéndis, ália quoque in illo miráculo accéssit instrúctio.  Móyses enim et Elías, lex scílicet et prophétæ apparuérunt cum Dómino loquéntes ; ut veríssime in illa quinque virórum præséntia complerétur quod dictum est : in duóbus vel tribus téstibus stat omne verbum.  Quid hoc stabílius, quid fírmius verbo, in cujus prædicatióne véteris et novi Testaménti cóncinit tuba, et cum evangélica doctrína, antiquárum protestatiónum instruménta concúrrunt?  Astipulántur enim sibi ínvicem utriúsque Fœderis páginæ ; et, quem sub velámine mysteriórum præcedéntia signa promíserant, maniféstum atque perspícuum præséntis glóriæ splendor osténdit.

Also, that the Apostles might be strengthened, and brought forward into all knowledge, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias (that is, the Law and the Prophets), talking with him.  This glorification of Christ took place before five witnesses, as though to fulfil that which is written : At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.  What can be more certain, or better attested, than this matter which is proclaimed by the trumpets of both the Old and the New Testament, and concerning which the witness of ancient testimony uniteth with the teaching of the Gospel?  The pages of either Covenant strengthen one another, and the brightness of open glory maketh manifest and distinct him whom the former prophecies had promised under the veil of mysteries.

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

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

R.  Præcéptor, bonum est nos hic esse : * Faciámus hic tria tabernácula ; tibi unum, Móysi unum et Elíæ unum.
V.  Non enim sciébat quid díceret.
R.  Faciámus hic tria tabernácula ; tibi unum, Móysi unum et Elíæ unum.

R.  Master, it is good for us to be here : * Let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
V.  For he wist not what to say.
R.  Let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

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.

His ergo sacramentórum revelatiónibus Petrus Apóstolus incitátus, mundána spernens et terréna fastídiens, in æternórum desidérium quodam mentis rapiebátur excéssu ; et, gáudio totíus visiónis implétus, ibi cum Jesu optábat habitáre, ubi manifésta ejus glória lætabátur.  Unde et ait : Dómine, bonum est nos hic esse : si vis, faciámus hic tria tabernácula ; tibi unum, Móyse unum et Elíæ unum.  Sed huic suggestióni Dóminus non respóndit, signíficans, non quidem ímprobum, sed inordinátum esse quod cúperet ; cum salvári mundus, nisi Christi morte, non posset, et exémplo Dómini in hoc vocarétur credéntium fides, ut licet non oportéret de beatitúdinis promissiónibus dubitári, intelligerémus tamen inter tentatiónes hujus vitæ prius nobis tolerántiam postulándam esse quam glóriam.

The unveiling of such mysteries roused the mind of the Apostle Peter to an outburst of longing for the things eternal, which despised and disdained things worldly and earthly.  Overflowing with gladness at the vision, he yearned to dwell with Jesus there, where the revelation of his glory had rejoiced him.  And so he said : Master, it is good for us to be here ; if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one Elias.  To this proposal the Lord answered nothing, signifying that what Peter wished was not wrong, but out of place, since the world could not be saved but by the death of Christ.  And the Lord's example was to call the faith of believers to this, that although we should have no doubts concerning the promise of eternal blessedness, yet we are to understand that, amid the trials of this life, we are to seek for power to endure rather than for glory.

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

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

R.  Si ministrátio mortis, lítteris deformáta in lapídibus, fuit in glória, ita ut non possent inténdere fílii Israël in fáciem Móysi propter glóriam vultus ejus, quæ evacuátur : * Multo magis ministrátio spíritus, quæ manet, erit in glória.
V.  Amplióris enim glóriæ Christus præ Móyse dignus est hábitus, quanto ampliórem honórem habet domo, qui fabricávit eam.
R.  Multo magis ministrátio spíritus, quæ manet, erit in glória.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Multo magis ministrátio spíritus, quæ manet, erit in glória.

R.  If the ministration of death written and engraven in stones was glorious, so that the Children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away : * So much the more shall the ministration of the Spirit which abideth be glorious.
V.  For Christ was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
R.  So much the more shall the ministration of the Spirit which abideth be glorious.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  So much the more shall the ministration of the Spirit which abideth be glorious.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Thabor et Hermon * in nómine tuo exsultábunt : tuum bráchium cum poténtia.

Ant.    Tabor and Hermon * shall rejoice in thy Name ; thou hast a mighty arm.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 88.  Misericordias Domini

Misericórdias Dómini * in ætérnum cantábo.
2  In generatiónem et generatiónem * annuntiábo veritátem tuam in ore meo.
3  Quóniam dixísti : In ætérnum misericórdia ædificábitur in cælis: * præparábitur véritas tua in eis.
4  Dispósui testaméntum eléctis meis, jurávi David, servo meo: * Usque in ætérnum præparábo semen tuum.
5  Et ædificábo in generatiónem et generatiónem * sedem tuam.
6  Confitebúntur cæli mirabília tua, Dómine, * étenim veritátem tuam in ecclésia sanctórum.
7  Quóniam quis in núbibus æquábitur Dómino: * símilis erit Dómino in fíliis Dei?
8  Deus, qui glorificátur in consílio sanctórum: * magnus et terríbilis super omnes qui in circúitu ejus sunt.
9  Dómine, Deus virtútum, quis símilis tibi? * potens es, Dómine, et véritas tua in circúitu tuo.
10  Tu domináris potestáti maris: * motum autem flúctuum ejus tu mítigas.
11  Tu humiliásti sicut vulnerátum, supérbum: * in bráchio virtútis tuæ dispersísti inimícos tuos.
12  Tui sunt cæli, et tua est terra, orbem terræ et plenitúdinem ejus tu fundásti: * aquilónem, et mare tu creásti.
13  Thabor et Hermon in nómine tuo exsultábunt: * tuum bráchium cum poténtia.
14  Firmétur manus tua, et exaltétur déxtera tua: * justítia et judícium præparátio sedis tuæ.
15  Misericórdia et véritas præcédent fáciem tuam: * beátus pópulus, qui scit jubilatiónem.
16  Dómine, in lúmine vultus tui ambulábunt, et in nómine tuo exsultábunt tota die: * et in justítia tua exaltabúntur.
17  Quóniam glória virtútis eórum tu es: * et in beneplácito tuo exaltábitur cornu nostrum.
18  Quia Dómini est assúmptio nostra, * et Sancti Israël, regis nostri.
19  Tunc locútus es in visióne sanctis tuis, et dixísti: * Pósui adjutórium in poténtem : et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea.
20  Invéni David, servum meum: * óleo sancto meo unxi eum.
21  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei: * et bráchium meum confirmábit eum.
22  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo: * et fílius iniquitátis non appónet nocére ei.
23  Et concídam a fácie ipsíus inimícos ejus: * et odiéntes eum in fugam convértam.
24  Et véritas mea, et misericórdia mea cum ipso: * et in nómine meo exaltábitur cornu ejus.
25  Et ponam in mari manum ejus: * et in flumínibus déxteram ejus.
26  Ipse invocábit me: Pater meus es tu: * Deus meus, et suscéptor salútis meæ.
27  Et ego primogénitum ponam illum: * excélsum præ régibus terræ.
28  In ætérnum servábo illi misericórdiam meam: * et testaméntum meum fidéle ipsi.
29  Et ponam in sæculum sæculi semen ejus: * et thronum ejus sicut dies cæli.
30  Si autem derelíquerint fílii ejus legem meam: * et in judíciis meis non ambuláverint.
31  Si justítias meas profanáverint: * et mandáta mea non custodíerint :
32  Visitábo in virga iniquitátes eórum: * et in verbéribus peccáta eórum.
33  Misericórdiam autem meam non dispérgam ab eo: * neque nocébo in veritáte mea :
34  Neque profanábo testaméntum meum: * et quæ procédunt de lábiis meis, non fáciam írrita.
35  Semel jurávi in sancto meo: Si David méntiar: * semen ejus in ætérnum manébit.
36  Et thronus ejus sicut sol in conspéctu meo, * et sicut luna perfécta in ætérnum : et testis in cælo fidélis.
37  Tu vero repulísti et despexísti: * distulísti Christum tuum.
38  Evertísti testaméntum servi tui: * profanásti in terra Sanctuárium ejus.
39  Destruxísti omnes sepes ejus: * posuísti firmaméntum ejus formídinem.
40  Diripuérunt eum omnes transeúntes viam: * factus est oppróbrium vicínis suis.
41  Exaltásti déxteram depriméntium eum: * lætificásti omnes inimícos ejus.
42  Avertísti adjutórium gládii ejus: * et non es auxiliátus ei in bello.
43  Destruxísti eum ab emundatióne: * et sedem ejus in terram collisísti.
44  Minorásti dies témporis ejus: * perfudísti eum confusióne.
45  Usquequo, Dómine, avértis in finem: * exardéscet sicut ignis ira tua?
46  Memoráre quæ mea substántia: * numquid enim vane constituísti omnes fílios hóminum?
47  Quis est homo, qui vivet, et non vidébit mortem: * éruet ánimam suam de manu ínferi?
48  Ubi sunt misericórdiæ tuæ antíquæ, Dómine: * sicut jurásti David in veritáte tua?
49  Memor esto, Dómine, oppróbrii servórum tuórum: * (quod contínui in sinu meo) multárum Géntium.
50  Quod exprobravérunt inimíci tui, Dómine, * quod exprobravérunt commutatiónem Christi tui.
51  Benedíctus Dóminus in ætérnum: * fiat, fiat.

The mercies of the Lord; * will I sing for ever.
2  I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth, * from one generation to another.
3  For I have said, Mercy shall be set up for ever in the heavens; * thy truth shalt thou stablish therein.
4  I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant : * thy seed will I stablish for ever.
5  And I will set up thy throne * from one generation to another.
6  O Lord, the very heavens shall confess thy wondrous works; * and thy truth in the congregation of the saints.
7  For who among the clouds can be compared unto the Lord: * and who is like unto the Lord among the children of God?
8  God, who is glorified in the council of the saints, * great and terrible above all them that are round about him.
9  O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee? * thou art mighty, O Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.
10  Thou rulest the raging of the sea; * thou stillest the motion of the waves thereof.
11  Thou hast humbled the proud, as one that is slain : * thou hast scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arm.
12  Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth, thou hast stablished the round world and all the fulness thereof : * thou hast created the north and the south.
13  Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name : * thou hast a mighty arm.
14  Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted : * justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne.
15  Mercy and truth shall go before thy face : * blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation.
16  They shall walk in the light of thy countenance, O Lord, and in thy Name shall they rejoice all the day : * and in thy justice shall they be exalted.
17  For thou art the glory of their strength : * and in thy loving-kindness shall our horns be exalted.
18  For our defence is of the Lord; * even the Holy One of Israel and our King.
19  Then spakest thou in a vision unto thy saints, and didst say, * I have laid help upon one that is mighty, and have exalted one chosen out of my people.
20  I have found David my servant; * with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21  My hand shall hold him fast, * and my arm shall strengthen him.
22  The enemy shall have no advantage over him; * and the son of wickedness shall not have power to hurt him.
23  I will smite down his foes before his face, * and them that hate him will I put to flight.
24  My truth also and my mercy shall be with him; * and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.
25  I will set his hand also in the sea, * and his right hand in the rivers.
26  He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, * my God, and the rock of my salvation.
27  And I will make him my firstborn, * higher than the kings of the earth.
28  My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, * and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29  His seed also will I make to endure for ever, * and his throne as the days of heaven.
30  But if his children forsake my law, * and walk not in my judgments;
31  If they profane my statutes, * and keep not my commandments;
32  I will visit their offences with the rod, * and their sin with scourges.
33  But my mercy will I not utterly take from him, * nor suffer my truth to fail.
34  Neither will I profane my covenant : * nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
35  Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David : * his seed shall endure for ever.
36  And his throne is like as the sun before me, * and as the moon perfect for evermore, and a faithful witness in heaven.
37  But thou hast abhorred and despised : * yea, thou hast been wroth with thine Anointed.
38  Thou hast overthrown the covenant of thy servant, * thou hast profaned his Sanctuary upon earth.
39  Thou hast broken down all his hedges, * and hast set his foundation upon thy fear.
40  All that pass by the way have plundered him, * and he is become a reproach to his neighbours.
41  Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him, * and thou hast made all his adversaries to rejoice.
42  Thou hast turned away the help of his sword, * and hast not assisted him in the battle.
43  Thou hast made his glory to cease, * and cast his throne down to the ground.
44  The days of his time hast thou shortened, * and covered him with dishonour.
45  How long wilt thou hide thyself for ever : * and shall thy wrath burn like fire?
46  O remember what my substance is; * for hast thou made all men for nought?
47  What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? * and shall he deliver his soul from the hand of hell?
48  Lord, where are thy mercies of old, * which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
49  Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of thy servants, which I do bear in my bosom : * yea, the reproach of many people.
50  Wherewith thine enemies have blasphemed thee, O Lord, * and blasphemed the change of thine Anointed.
51  Blessed be the Lord for evermore. * Amen, and Amen.

Ant.    Thabor et Hermon in nómine tuo exsultábunt : tuum bráchium cum poténtia.

Ant.    Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name ; thou hast a mighty arm.

Ant.    Lux orta est * justo, et rectis corde lætítia.

Ant.    There is sprung up a light * for the righteous, and joy for such as are true-hearted.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 96.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit exsúltet terra: * læténtur ínsulæ multæ.
2  Nubes, et calígo in circúitu ejus: * justítia, et judícium corréctio sedis ejus.
3  Ignis ante ipsum præcédet: * et inflammábit in circúitu inimícos ejus.
4  Illuxérunt fúlgura ejus orbi terræ: * vidit et commóta est terra.
5  Montes, sicut cera fluxérunt a fácie Dómini: * a fácie Dómini omnis terra.
6  Annuntiavérunt cæli justítiam ejus: * et vidérunt omnes pópuli glóriam ejus.
7  Confundántur omnes, qui adórant sculptília: * et qui gloriántur in simulácris suis.