Semidouble

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

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

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

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

Psalmus 110.  Confitebor

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

Psalm 110.  Confitebor

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

Psalmus 111.  Beatus vir

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

Psalm 111.  Beatus vir

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

Psalmus 129.  De profundis

De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine: * Dómine, exáudi vocem meam :
2  Fiant aures tuæ intendéntes: * in vocem deprecatiónis meæ.
3  Si iniquitátes observáveris, Dómine: * Dómine, quis sustinébit?
4  Quia apud te propitiátio est: * et propter legem tuam sustínui te, Dómine.
5  Sustínuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: * sperávit ánima mea in Dómino.
6  A custódia matutína usque ad noctem: * speret Israël in Dómino.
7  Quia apud Dóminum misericórdia: * et copiósa apud eum redémptio.
8  Et ipse rédimet Israël: * ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.

Psalm 129.  De profundis

Out of the depths I have cried unto thee, O Lord; * Lord, hear my voice.
2  O let thine ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.
3  If thou, O Lord, shalt observe our iniquities, * Lord, who may endure it?
4  For with thee there is merciful forgiveness : * and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.
5  My soul hath relied on his word * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
6  From the morning watch even until night : * let Israel hope in the Lord.
7  Because with the Lord there is mercy, * and with him plentiful redemption.
8  And he shall redeem Israel * from all his iniquities.

Psalmus 131.  Memento, Domine

Meménto, Dómine, David, * et omnis mansuetúdinis ejus :
2  Sicut jurávit Dómino, * votum vovit Deo Jacob :
3  Si introíero in tabernáculum domus meæ, * si ascéndero in lectum strati mei :
4  Si dédero somnum óculis meis, * et pálpebris meis dormitatiónem :
5  Et réquiem tempóribus meis : donec invéniam locum Dómino, * tabernáculum Deo Jacob.
6  Ecce audívimus eam in Ephrata: * invénimus eam in campis silvæ.
7  Introíbimus in tabernáculum ejus: * adorábimus in loco, ubi stetérunt pedes ejus.
8  Surge, Dómine, in réquiem tuam, * tu et arca sanctificatiónis tuæ.
9  Sacerdótes tui induántur justítiam: * et sancti tui exsúltent.
10  Propter David, servum tuum: * non avértas fáciem Christi tui.
11  Jurávit Dóminus David veritátem, et non frustrábitur eam: * de fructu ventris tui ponam super sedem tuam.
12  Si custodíerint fílii tui testaméntum meum: * et testimónia mea hæc, quæ docébo eos.
13  Et fílii eórum usque in sæculum: * sedébunt super sedem tuam.
14  Quóniam elégit Dóminus Sion: * elégit eam in habitatiónem sibi.
15  Hæc réquies mea in sæculum sæculi: * hic habitábo, quóniam elégi eam.
16  Víduam ejus benedícens benedícam: * páuperes ejus saturábo pánibus.
17  Sacerdótes ejus índuam salutári: * et sancti ejus exsultatióne exsultábunt.
18  Illuc prodúcam cornu David: * parávi lucérnam Christo meo.
19  Inimícos ejus índuam confusióne: * super ipsum autem efflorébit sanctificátio mea.

Psalm 131.  Memento, Domine

O Lord, remember David, * and all his meekness:
2  How he sware unto the Lord, * and vowed a vow unto the God of Jacob:
3  I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house, * nor go up into the bed wherein I lie;
4  I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, * nor mine eyelids to slumber;
5  Neither the temples of my head to take any rest : * until I find out a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
6  Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah, * and found it in the fields of the wood.
7  We will go into his tabernacle, * and worship in the place where his feet stood.
8  Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place; * thou, and the ark which thou hast sanctified.
9  Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; * and let thy saints rejoice.
10  For the sake of thy servant David, * turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11  The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not make it void : * of the fruit of thy womb shall I set upon thy throne.
12  If thy children will keep my covenant, * and my testimonies that I shall teach them.
13  Their children also for evermore : * shall sit upon thy throne.
14  For the Lord hath chosen Sion * he hath chosen it to be an habitation for himself.
15  This shall be my rest for ever and ever: * here will I dwell, for I have chosen it.
16  Blessing I will bless her widow : * and will satisfy her poor with bread.
17  I will clothe her priests with salvation, * and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy.
18  There will I bring forth make a horn unto David : * I have prepared a lantern for mine anointed.
19  His enemies will I clothe with confusion; * but upon him shall my sanctification flourish.

STAND

Jesu, Redémptor ómnium,
Quem lucis ante oríginem
Parem patérnæ glóriæ
Pater suprémus édidit.

Tu lumen, et splendor Patris,
Tu spes perénnis ómnium,
Inténde quas fundunt preces
Tui per orbem sérvuli.

Meménto, rerum Cónditor,
Nostri quod olim córporis,
Sacráta ab alvo Vírginis
Nascéndo, formam súmpseris.

Testátur hoc præsens dies,
Currens per anni círculum,
Quod solus e sinu Patris
Mundi salus advéneris.

Hunc astra, tellus, æquora,
Hunc omne, quod cælo subest,
Salútis auctórem novæ
Novo salútat cántico.

Et nos, beáta quos sacri
Rigávit unda sánguinis,
Natális ob diem tui
Hymni tribútum sólvimus.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

Jesu, the Ransomer of man,
Who, ere created light began,
Didst from the sovereign Father spring,
His power and glory equaling.

The Father's Light and Splendour thou,
Their endless Hope to thee that bow:
Accept the prayers and praise today
That through the world thy servants pay.

Salvation's Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled
Thou in man's flesh becam'st a Child.

Thus testifies the present day
Through every year in long array,
That thou, salvation's source alone,
Proceedest from the Father's Throne.

Whence sky, and stars, and sea's abyss,
And earth, and all that therein is,
Shall still, with laud and carol meet,
The Author of thine Advent greet.

And we who, by thy precious Blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this, the day that saw thy Birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.

Doxology
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Dum médium siléntium * tenérent ómnia, et nox in suo cursu médium iter perágeret, omnípotens Sermo tuus, Dómine, a regálibus sédibus venit, allelúja.

Ant. on Magnif:  While all things were in quiet silence, * and night was in the midst of her swift course, thine almighty Word, O Lord, leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, alleluia.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, dírige actus nostros in beneplácito tuo : ut in nómine dilécti Fílii tui mereámur bonis opéribus abundáre : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to govern us in all our doings in the way of thy good pleasure : that we, faithfully serving thee in the Name of thy well-beloved Son, may worthily abound in all good works.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

Ant:  Hódie Christus natus est : hódie Salvátor appáruit : hódie in terra canunt Angeli, lætántur Archángeli  : hódie exsúltant justi, dicéntes : Glória in excélsis Deo, allelúja.

Ant:  This is the time when the Christ was born ; this is the time when a Saviour appeared ; this is the time when on earth Angels were singing, Archangels rejoicing ; this is the time when the righteous should exult and say: Glory to God in the highest, alleluia.

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti jugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of thine only-begotten Son, may deliver us whom slavery from of old doth keep under the yoke of sin.  Through the same.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Sunday Compline

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

At Matins, Lauds, and the Hours, all is said as on Christmas, except what is here given as proper.

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * 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.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * 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.

Veníte, 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.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * 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.

Veníte, 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.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * 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.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Salvation's Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled
Thou in man's flesh becam'st a Child.

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

First Nocturn

Ant.    Dóminus dixit.

Ant.    The Lord hath said.

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.    Dóminus dixit ad me : Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.

Ant.    The Lord hath said unto me : Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Ant.    Tamquam sponsus.

Ant.    As a bridegroom.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 18.  Cæli enarrant

Cæli enárrant glóriam Dei: * et ópera mánuum ejus annúntiat firmaméntum.
2  Dies diéi erúctat verbum, * et nox nocti índicat sciéntiam.
3  Non sunt loquélæ, neque sermónes, * quorum non audiántur voces eórum.
4  In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum: * et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.
5  In sole pósuit tabernáculum suum: * et ipse tamquam sponsus procédens de thálamo suo.
6  Exsultávit ut gigas ad curréndam viam, * a summo cælo egréssio ejus.
7  Et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus: * nec est qui se abscóndat a calóre ejus.
8  Lex Dómini immaculáta, convértens ánimas: * testimónium Dómini fidéle, sapiéntiam præstans párvulis.
9  Justítiæ Dómini rectæ, lætificántes corda: * præcéptum Dómini lúcidum illúminans óculos.
10  Timor Dómini sanctus, pérmanens in sæculum sæculi: * judícia Dómini vera, justificáta in semetípsa.
11  Desiderabília super aurum et lápidem pretiósum multum: * et dulcióra super mel et favum.
12  Etenim servus tuus custódit ea, * in custodiéndis illis retribútio multa.
13  Delícta quis intélligit? ab occúltis meis munda me: * et ab aliénis parce servo tuo.
14  Si mei non fúerint domináti, tunc immaculátus ero: * et emundábor a delícto máximo.
15  Et erunt ut compláceant elóquia oris mei: * et meditátio cordis mei in conspéctu tuo semper.
16  Dómine, adjútor meus, * et redémptor meus.

Psalm 18.  Cæli enarrant

The heavens declare the glory of God; * and the firmament sheweth his handy-work.
2  One day uttereth speech unto another; * and night sheweth knowledge unto night.
3  There is neither speech nor language; * where their voices are not heard.
4  Their sound is gone out unto all the lands; * and their words unto the ends of the earth.
5  In the sun hath he set his tabernacle; * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
6  Hath rejoiced as a giant to run his course, * his going forth is from the uttermost part of the heaven.
7  And his circuit even unto the end thereof; * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
8  The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
9  The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
10  The fear of the Lord is holy, and endureth for ever; * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
11  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much precious stone; * sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb.
12  For thy servant keepeth them; * and in keeping of them there is great reward.
13  Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults : * save thy servant also from the sins of others.
14  If they get not the dominion over me, so shall I be undefiled, * and innocent from the great offence.
15  And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please, * and the meditation of my heart be alway in thy sight.
16  O Lord, my strength * and my redeemer.

Ant.    Tamquam sponsus Dóminus procédens de thálamo suo.

Ant.    As a bridegroom, the Lord cometh forth out of his chamber.

Ant.    Diffúsa est.

Ant.    Full of grace.

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 corda 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 generatióne et generatiónem.
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.    Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis, proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

Ant.    Full of grace are thy lips, therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

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.

The link to the Scripture Lessons of the I Nocturn are given in the Ordo, and are of the current day, from the Epistle to the Romans with the Responds there assigned.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Suscépimus.

Ant.    We wait.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 47.  Magnus Dominus

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

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

Ant.    Suscépimus, Deus misericórdiam tuam in médio templi tui.

Ant.    We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

Ant.    Oriétur.

Ant.    In the days of the Lord.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 71.  Deus, judicium tuum

Deus, judícium tuum regi da: * et justítiam tuam fílio regis.
2  Judicáre pópulum tuum in justítia, * et páuperes tuos in judício.
3  Suscípiant montes pacem pópulo: * et colles justítiam.
4  Judicábit páuperes pópuli, et salvos fáciet fílios páuperum: * et humiliábit calumniatórem.
5  Et permanébit cum sole, et ante lunam, * in generatióne et generatiónem.
6  Descéndet sicut plúvia in vellus: * et sicut stillicídia stillántia super terram.
7  Oriétur in diébus ejus justítia, et abundántia pacis: * donec auferátur luna.
8  Et dominábitur a mari usque ad mare: * et a flúmine usque ad términos orbis terrárum.
9  Coram illo prócident Æthíopes: * et inimíci ejus terram lingent.
10  Reges Tharsis, et ínsulæ múnera ófferent: * reges Arabum et Saba dona addúcent.
11  Et adorábunt eum omnes reges terræ: * omnes Gentes sérvient ei:
12  Quia liberábit páuperem a poténte: * et páuperem, cui non erat adjútor.
13  Parcet páuperi et ínopi: * et ánimas páuperum salvas fáciet.
14  Ex usúris et iniquitáte rédimet ánimas eórum: * et honorábile nomen eórum coram illo.
15  Et vivet, et dábitur ei de auro Arábiæ, et adorábunt de ipso semper: * tota die benedícent ei.
16  Et erit firmaméntum in terra in summis móntium, superextollétur super Líbanum fructus ejus: * et florébunt de civitáte sicut fœnum terræ.
17  Sit nomen ejus benedíctum in sæcula: * ante solem pérmanet nomen ejus.
18  Et benedicéntur in ipso omnes tribus terræ: * omnes Gentes magnificábunt eum.
19  Benedíctus Dóminus, Deus Israël, * qui facit mirabília solus.
20  (Fit reverentia) Et benedíctum nomen majestátis ejus in ætérnum: * et replébitur majestáte ejus omnis terra: fiat, fiat.

Psalm 71.  Deus, judicium tuum

Give to the King thy judgment, O God, * and thy justice unto the King's son.
2  To judge thy people with justice, * and thy poor with judgment.
3  The mountains also shall receive peace for the people, * and the little hills righteousness.
4  He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor, * and he shall humble the oppressor.
5  And he shall endure with the sun and before the moon, * throughout all generations.
6  He shall come down like the rain into a fleece of wool, * even as the drops that fall gently upon the earth.
7  In his time shall justice flourish, yea, and abundance of peace, * so long as the moon endureth.
8  And his dominion shall be from sea to sea, * and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
9  The Ethiopians shall kneel before him; * and his enemies shall lick the dust.
10  The kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall give presents; * the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts.
11  And all the kings of the earth shall worship him; * all nations shall do him service.
12  For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty; * even the poor that hath no helper.
13  He shall spare the poor and needy, * and he shall save the souls of the poor.
14  He shall redeem their souls from usuries and wickedness; * and dear shall their names be in his sight.
15  He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, and they shall ever worship him : * all the day long shall they bless him.
16  There shall be a firmament in the earth, high upon the hills, and above Lebanon shall the fruit thereof be exalted : * they shall be green in the city like grass upon the earth.
17  Blessed be his Name for evermore; * his Name endureth before the sun.
18  And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed : * all nations shall magnify him.
19  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, * which only doeth wondrous things;
20  (All bow during the first half of this verse) And blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever: * and all the earth shall be filled with his Majesty. Amen, Amen.

Ant.    Oriétur in diébus Dómini abundántia pacis, et dominábitur.

Ant.    In the days of the Lord shall abundance of peace arise and flourish.

Ant.    Véritas de terra.

Ant.    Truth is sprung.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 84.  Benedixisti

Benedixísti, Dómine, terram tuam: * avertísti captivitátem Jacob.
2  Remisísti iniquitátem plebis tuæ: * operuísti ómnia peccáta eórum.
3  Mitigásti omnem iram tuam: * avertísti ab ira indignatiónis tuæ.
4  Convérte nos, Deus, salutáris noster: * et avérte iram tuam a nobis.
5  Numquid in ætérnum irascéris nobis? * aut exténdes iram tuam a generatióne in generatiónem?
6  Deus, tu convérsus vivificábis nos: * et plebs tua lætábitur in te.
7  Osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam: * et salutáre tuum da nobis.
8  Audiam quid loquátur in me Dóminus Deus: * quóniam loquétur pacem in plebem suam.
9  Et super sanctos suos: * et in eos, qui convertúntur ad cor.
10  Verúmtamen prope timéntes eum salutáre ipsíus: * ut inhábitet glória in terra nostra.
11  Misericórdia, et véritas obviavérunt sibi: * justítia, et pax osculátæ sunt.
12  Véritas de terra orta est: * et justítia de cælo prospéxit.
13  Etenim Dóminus dabit benignitátem: * et terra nostra dabit fructum suum.
14  Justítia ante eum ambulábit: * et ponet in via gressus suos.

Psalm 84.  Benedixisti

O Lord, thou hast blessed thy land; * thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
2  Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, * thou hast covered all their sins.
3  Thou hast softened all thy displeasure, * thou hast turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
4  Turn thou us, O God our Saviour, * and let thine anger cease from us.
5  Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? * and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
6  Thou shalt turn again, O God, and quicken us, * and thy people shall rejoice in thee.
7  Shew us, O Lord, thy mercy, * and grant us thy salvation.
8  I will hearken what the Lord God will say in me; * for he shall speak peace unto his people.
9  And unto his saints, * and unto them that are turned again unto their heart.
10  Surely his salvation is nigh unto them that fear him; * that glory may dwell in our land.
11  Mercy and truth are met together: * justice and peace have kissed.
12  Truth is sprung out of the earth, * and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13  Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness; * and our land shall yield her fruit.
14  Justice shall walk before him, * and shall direct his steps in the way.

Ant.    Véritas de terra orta est, et justítia de cælo prospéxit.

Ant.    Truth is sprung out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

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.

Excédit quidem, dilectíssimi, multúmque superéminet humáni elóquii facultátem divíni óperis magnitúdo : et inde óritur difficúltas fandi, unde adest rátio non tacéndi.  Quia in Christo Jesu Fílio Dei non solum ad divínam esséntiam, sed étiam ad humánam spectat natúram quod dictum est per prophétam : Generatiónem ejus quis enárrabit?  Utrámque enim substántiam in unam convenísse persónam, nisi fides credat, sermo non éxplicat.  Et ídeo numquam matéria déficit laudis, quia numquam súfficit cópia laudatóris.

Dearly beloved, the greatness of God's work, in its breadth and height, passeth the power of man's utterance.  Wherefore, when we must needs speak thereof, we find it hard to know what to say.  Consider the words of the Prophet Isaiah : Who shall declare his generation?  These words look not only to the divine nature of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, but also to his human birth.  Faith believeth, but words fail to explain, how the two natures were joined in one Person.  And therein we find that we shall never lack matter of praise to him whose abundance ever outrunneth the power of our utterance.

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

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

R.  Beáta Dei Génitrix María, cujus víscera intácta pérmanent : * Hódie génuit Salvatórem sæculi.
V.  Beata, quæ crédidit : quóniam perfécta sunt ómnia, quæ dicta sunt ei a Dómino.
R.  Hódie génuit Salvatórem sæculi.

R.  Blessed is God's holy Mother, Mary, maiden undefiled, * For as on this day she hath brought forth the Saviour of the world.
V.  Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
R.  For as on this day she hath brought forth the Saviour of the world.

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.

Gaudeámus ígitur, quod ad eloquéndum tantæ misericórdiæ sacraméntum ímpares sumus ; et cum salútis nostræ altitúdinem prómere non valeámus, sentiámus nobis bonum esse, quod víncimur.  Nemo enim ad cognitiónem veritátis magis propínquat, quam qui intélligit in rebus divínis, étiam si multum profíciat, semper sibi superésse quod quærat.  Nam qui se ad id, in quod tendit, pervenísse præsumit, non quæsíta réperit, sed in inquisitióne déficit.

Let us rejoice therefore that we are impotent to utter in human speech so vast a mystery of mercy.  And let us feel how good it is for us that the height and depth of redeeming love passeth man's understanding.  For no one cometh more nearly to the knowledge of the truth than he who knoweth that the further he advanceth, the more there remaineth whereinto he must search.  Verily, anyone that imagineth that he hath attained unto the goal, hath not found what he seeketh, but hath missed it altogether.

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

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

R.  Sancta et immaculáta virgínitas, quibus te láudibus éfferam, néscio : * Quia quem cæli cápere non póterant, tuo grémio contulísti.
V.  Benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui.
R.  Quia quem cæli cápere non póterant, tuo grémio contulísti.

R.  O blessed Maiden, so holy and spotless in thy virginity, I know not how to praise thy greatness : * For thou hast borne in thy breast him whom the heavens cannot contain.
V.  Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
R.  For thou hast borne in thy breast him whom the heavens cannot contain.

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.

Ne autem infirmitátis nostræ perturbétur angústiis, evangélicæ nos et prophéticæ ádjuvant voces ; quibus ita accéndimur, et docémur, ut nos nativitátem Dómini, qua Verbum caro factum est, non tam prætéritam recólere, quam præséntem videámur inspícere.  Quod enim pastóribus pro gregum suórum custódia vigilántibus nuntiávit Angelus, étiam nostrum implévit audítum : et ídeo Domínicis óvibus præsumus, quia verba divínitus édita cordis aure servámus : tamquam et in hodiérna festivitáte dicátur : Evangelízo vobis gáudium magnum, quod erit omni pópulo, quia natus est vobis hódie Salvátor, qui est Christus Dóminus, in civitáte David.

But lest we should be confounded at the weakness of our understanding, we have help in the words of the Prophets and Evangelists.  And they are able so to enkindle and instruct us that the Birth of the Lord, wherein the Word was made Flesh, seemeth not so much a thing past as a thing present.  The message of the Angel to the shepherds, who watched their flocks by night, ringeth in our ears also.  To this end are we appointed to rule the Lord's flock, that we ourselves may ever keep in our hearts the word revealed from heaven, and say unto you, as we do this day : Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people ; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord!

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

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

R.  Beáta víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt ætérni Patris Fílium : et beáta úbera, quæ lactavérunt Christum Dóminum : * Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est.
V.  Dies sanctificátus illúxit nobis : veníte, Gentes, et adoráte Dóminum.
R.  Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est.

R.  Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary that bore the son of the everlasting Father : and blessed are the paps which gave suck to Christ the Lord : * Who as on this day did vouchsafe to be born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world.
V.  Holy is the day that is dawning for us ; come all ye nations, and worship the Lord.
R.  Who as on this day did vouchsafe to be born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Who as on this day did vouchsafe to be born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Ipse invocábit.

Ant.    He shall cry.

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 poténte : 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 confortábit 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.    Ipse invocábit me, allelúja : Pater meus es tu, allelúja.

Ant.    He shall cry unto me, alleluia : Thou art my Father, alleluia.

Ant.    Læténtur cæli.

Ant.    Let the heavens rejoice.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 95.  Cantate Domino

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

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

Ant.    Læténtur cæli, et exsúltet terra ante fáciem Dómini, quóniam venit.

Ant.    Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, before the Lord, for he is come.

Ant.    Notum fecit.

Ant.    The Lord hath declared.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 97.  Cantate Domino

Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: * quia mirabília fecit.
2  Salvávit sibi déxtera ejus: * et bráchium sanctum ejus.
3  Notum fecit Dóminus salutáre suum: * in conspéctu Géntium revelávit justítiam suam.
4  Recordátus est misericórdiæ suæ, * et veritátis suæ dómui Israël.
5  Vidérunt omnes términi terræ * salutáre Dei nostri.
6  Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * cantáte, et exsultáte, et psállite.
7  Psállite Dómino in cíthara, in cíthara et voce psalmi: * in tubis ductílibus, et voce tubæ córneæ.
8  Jubiláte in conspéctu regis Dómini: * moveátur mare, et plenitúdo ejus: orbis terrárum, et qui hábitant in eo.
9  Flúmina plaudent manu, simul montes exsultábunt a conspéctu Dómini: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.
10  Judicábit orbem terrárum in justítia, * et pópulos in æquitáte.

O sing unto the Lord a new song; * for he hath done marvellous things.
2  His right hand hath wrought for him salvation : * and his arm is holy.
3  The Lord hath made known his salvation; * his righteousness hath he revealed in the sight of the heathen.
4  He hath remembered his mercy, * and his truth toward the house of Israel.
5  All the ends of the world have seen * the salvation of our God.
6  Be ye joyful unto God, all the earth : * make melody, rejoice, and sing.
7  Sing praise unto the Lord upon the harp, yea, upon the harp and with the voice of a psalm : * with long trumpets, and with the sound of the shawm.
8  O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King : * let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof: the round world, and they that dwell therein.
9  Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; * for he is come to judge the earth.
10  With righteousness shall he judge the world, * and the peoples with equity.

Ant.    Notum fecit Dóminus, allelúja, salutáre suum, allelúja.

Ant.    The Lord hath declared, alleluia, his salvation, alleluia.

STAND

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

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

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

In illo témpore : Erat Joseph, et María mater Jesu, mirántes super his, quæ dicebántur de illo.  Et réliqua.

At that time : And Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Vides úberem in omnes grátiam, Dómini generatióne diffúsam, et prophetíam incrédulis negátam esse, non justis.  Ecce et Símeon prophétat, in ruínam et resurrectiónem plurimórum venísse Dóminum Jesum Christum, ut justórum, iniquorúmque mérita discérnat ; et pro nostrórum qualitáte factórum, judex verus et justus aut supplícia decérnat, aut præmia.

We see that God's abounding grace is poured forth on all by the birth of the Lord, and that the gift of prophecy is not denied to the righteous, but to the unbelieving.  Simeon prophesieth that our Lord Jesus Christ is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, setting forth that the just and the unjust reap different fruits from the coming of the Saviour ; so will it be with us ; according to our individual works will the True and Just Judge apportion to us punishment or reward.

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

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

R.  Verbum caro factum est, et habitávit in nobis : * Et vídimus glóriam ejus, glóriam quasi Unigéniti a Patre, plenum grátiæ et veritátis.
V.  Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil.
R.  Et vídimus glóriam ejus, glóriam quasi Unigéniti a Patre, plenum grátiæ et veritátis.

R.  The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, * And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
V.  All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made.
R.  And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Et tuam ipsíus ánimam pertransíbit gládius.  Nec líttera, nec história docet, ex hac vita Maríam corporális necis passióne migrásse.  Non enim ánima, sed corpus materiáli gládio transverberátur.  Et ídeo prudéntiam Maríæ haud ignáram mystérii cæléstis osténdit.  Vivum enim verbum Dei, et válidum, et acútius omni gládio acutíssimo, pénetrans usque ad divisiónem ánimæ et spíritus, ártuum quoque et medullárum, cogitatiónes cordis et secreta scrutátur animórum, quia nuda et apérta sunt ómnia Dei Fílio, quem consciéntiæ secréta non fallunt.

Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also.  We have no record or tradition that Mary left this world by suffering a violent death, and the material sword can pierce the body only, not the soul.  Wherefore here we see the wisdom of Mary in that she was not ignorant of the heavenly mysteries.  For, the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart : for all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of the Son of God, from whom also the secret things of our conscience are not hidden.

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

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

R.  O Regem cæli, cui tália famulántur obséquia : stábulo pónitur, qui cóntinet mundum : * Jacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat.
V.  Natus est nobis hódie Salvátor, qui est Christus Dóminus, in civitáte David.
R.  Jacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Jacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat.

R.  The King of heavens is served with strange honours : he that holdeth the world in his hands is laid in a stable : * He that reigneth in heaven is cradled in a manger.
V.  Unto us is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
R.  He that reigneth in heaven is cradled in a manger.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  He that reigneth in heaven is cradled in a manger.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Prophetávit ítaque Símeon, prophetáverat virgo, prophetáverat copuláta conjúgio ; prophetáre débuit étiam vídua, ne qua aut proféssio deésset, aut sexus.  Et ídeo Anna et stipéndiis viduitátis, et móribus talis indúcitur, ut digna plane fuísse credátur, quæ Redemptórem ómnium venísse nuntiáret.  Cujus mérita cum álibi descripsérimus, cum víduas hortarémur, hoc loco, quóniam ad ália properamus, non putámus iteránda.

There had been a triple prophecy ; the prophecy of Simeon had followed the prophecy of the virgin, and the prophecy of the wife ; those, namely, of Mary and Elizabeth.  And now ought the widow also to prophesy, that no sex nor state might be wanting.  And Anna is brought before us with such a title from her widowhood and her life, that we may well believe that she received the grace to announce the Advent of the Redeemer.  In our exhortation addressed to widows we have already treated of her gifts at length, and, as we have much matter before us, we will not now again enter on the subject.

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

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

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Psalmus 92.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: * indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se.
2  Etenim firmávit orbem terræ, * qui non commovébitur.
3  Paráta sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es.
4  Elevavérunt flúmina, Dómine: * elevavérunt flúmina vocem suam.
5  Elevavérunt flúmina fluctus suos, * a vócibus aquárum multárum.
6  Mirábiles elatiónes maris: * mirábilis in altis Dóminus.
7  Testimónia tua credibília facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitúdo, Dómine, in longitúdinem diérum.

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

Psalmus 99.  Jubilate

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

Psalm 99.  Jubilate

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

Psalmus 62.  Deus, Deus meus

Deus, Deus meus, * ad te de luce vígilo.
2  Sitívit in te ánima mea, * quam multiplíciter tibi caro mea.
3  In terra desérta, et ínvia, et inaquósa: * sic in sancto appárui tibi, ut vidérem virtútem tuam, et glóriam tuam.
4  Quóniam mélior est misericórdia tua super vitas: * lábia mea laudábunt te.
5  Sic benedícam te in vita mea: * et in nómine tuo levábo manus meas.
6  Sicut ádipe et pinguédine repleátur ánima mea: * et lábiis exsultatiónis laudábit os meum.
7  Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutínis meditábor in te: * quia fuísti adjútor meus.
8  Et in velaménto alárum tuárum exsultábo, adhæsit ánima mea post te: * me suscépit déxtera tua.
9  Ipsi vero in vanum quæsiérunt ánimam meam, introíbunt in inferióra terræ: * tradéntur in manus gládii, partes vúlpium erunt.
10  Rex vero lætábitur in Deo, laudabúntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstrúctum est os loquéntium iníqua.

Psalm 62.  Deus, Deus meus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15    Benedícat Israël Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

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

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

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

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

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

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord.
3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord.
5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord.
6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord.
7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord.
8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord.
9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord.
10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. 
12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord.
13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord.
14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord.
15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord.
18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever:
(During the following verse, all bow:)
19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Here is not said Amen or Glory be.

Psalmus 148.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum de cælis: * laudáte eum in excélsis.
2  Laudáte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * laudáte eum, omnes virtútes ejus.
3  Laudáte eum, sol et luna: * laudáte eum, omnes stellæ et lumen.
4  Laudáte eum, cæli cælórum: * et aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, laudent nomen Dómini.
5  Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt: * ipse mandávit, et creáta sunt.
6  Státuit ea in ætérnum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præcéptum pósuit, et non præteríbit.
7  Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi.
8  Ignis, grando, nix, glácies, spíritus procellárum: * quæ fáciunt verbum ejus:
9  Montes, et omnes colles: * ligna fructífera, et omnes cedri.
10  Béstiæ, et univérsa pécora: * serpéntes, et vólucres pennátæ:
11  Reges terræ, et omnes pópuli: * príncipes, et omnes júdices terræ.
12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus.
13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui.
14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.

Psalm 148.  Laudate Dominum

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

STAND

A solis ortus cárdine
Ad usque terræ límitem,
Christum canámus Príncipem,
Natum María Vírgine.

Beátus auctor sæculi
Servíle corpus índuit:
Ut carne carnem líberans,
Ne pérderet quos cóndidit.

Castæ Paréntis víscera
Cæléstis intrat grátia:
Venter Puéllæ bájulat
Secréta, quæ non nóverat.

Domus pudíci péctoris
Templum repénte fit Dei:
Intácta nésciens virum,
Concépit alvo Fílium.

Enítitur puérpera,
Quem Gábriel prædíxerat,
Quem ventre Matris géstiens,
Baptísta clausum sénserat.

Fœno jacére pértulit:
Præsépe non abhórruit:
Et lacte módico pastus est,
Per quem nec ales ésurit.

Gaudet chorus cæléstium,
Et Angeli canunt Deo;
Palámque fit pastóribus
Pastor, Creátor ómnium.

Jesu tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

From lands that see the sun arise,
To earth's remotest boundaries,
The Virgin-Born today we sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.

Blest Author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant's form he came,
That, liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom he had made might live afresh.

In that chaste parent's holy womb,
Celestial grace hath found its home:
And she, as earthly bride unknown,
Yet calls that Offspring blest her own.

The mansion of the modest breast
Becomes a shrine where God shall rest:
The pure and undefiled one
Within her womb conceived the Son.

That Son, that royal Son, she bore,
Whom Gabriel's voice had told afore;
Whom, in his Mother yet concealed,
The infant Baptist had revealed.

The manger and the straw he bore,
The cradle did he not abhor:
A little milk his infant fare
Who feedeth even each fowl of air.

The heavenly chorus filled the sky,
The Angels sang to God on high,
What time to shepherds, watching lone,
They made creation's Shepherd known.

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore.  Amen.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Dum médium siléntium * tenérent ómnia, et nox in suo cursu médium iter perágeret, omnípotens Sermo tuus, Dómine, a regálibus sédibus venit, allelúja.

Ant. on Bened:  While all things were in quiet silence, * and night was in the midst of her swift course, thine almighty Word, O Lord, leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, alleluia.

BENEDICTUS

THE BENEDICTUS

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

Ant:  Glória in excélsis Deo, et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis, allelúja, allelúja.

Ant: Glory be to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good-will, alleluia, alleluia.

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti jugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of thine only-begotten Son, may deliver us whom slavery from of old doth keep under the yoke of sin.  Through the same.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Prime

Festal Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime

Lectio Brevis   Gal. 4. 7.
Itaque jam non est servus, sed fílius : quod si fílius, et heres per Deum.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Return to the Office of Prime

Terce

Ant.    Génuit puérpera * Regem, cui nomen ætérnum, et gáudia matris habens cum virginitátis honóre: nec primam símilem visa est, nec habére sequéntem, allelúja.

Ant.    Lo, a maiden * hath borne the Monarch whose Name is Everlasting: she hath both the joy of a mother and the honour of a virgin: before her hath none been seen like her, nor shall there be after, alleluia.

Sunday Psalms

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

STAND

V.  Verbum caro factum est, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Verbum caro factum est, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Et habitávit in nobis.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Verbum caro factum est, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Ipse invocábit me, allelúja.
R.  Pater meus es tu, allelúja.

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

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

Sext

Sunday Psalms

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

STAND

The Little Chapter          Gal. 4. 4.
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Notum fecit Dóminus, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Notum fecit Dóminus, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Salutáre suum.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Notum fecit Dóminus, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, allelúja.
R.  Salutáre Dei nostri, allelúja.

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

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

None

Ant.    Párvulus fílius * hódie natus est nobis: et vocábitur Deus, Fortis, allelúja, allelúja.

Ant.    Unto us this day * a Child is born, a Son is given; and his Name shall be The Mighty God, alleluia, alleluia.

Sunday Psalms

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

STAND

Lectio Brevis   Gal. 4. 7.
Itaque jam non est servus, sed fílius : quod si fílius, et heres per Deum.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Salutáre Dei nostri.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Verbum caro factum est, allelúja.
R.  Et habitávit in nobis, allelúja.

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

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

Second Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

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

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

Psalmus 110.  Confitebor

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

Psalm 110.  Confitebor

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

Psalmus 111.  Beatus vir

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

Psalm 111.  Beatus vir

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

Psalmus 129.  De profundis

De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine: * Dómine, exáudi vocem meam :
2  Fiant aures tuæ intendéntes: * in vocem deprecatiónis meæ.
3  Si iniquitátes observáveris, Dómine: * Dómine, quis sustinébit?
4  Quia apud te propitiátio est: * et propter legem tuam sustínui te, Dómine.
5  Sustínuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: * sperávit ánima mea in Dómino.
6  A custódia matutína usque ad noctem: * speret Israël in Dómino.
7  Quia apud Dóminum misericórdia: * et copiósa apud eum redémptio.
8  Et ipse rédimet Israël: * ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.

Psalm 129.  De profundis

Out of the depths I have cried unto thee, O Lord; * Lord, hear my voice.
2  O let thine ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.
3  If thou, O Lord, shalt observe our iniquities, * Lord, who may endure it?
4  For with thee there is merciful forgiveness : * and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.
5  My soul hath relied on his word * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
6  From the morning watch even until night : * let Israel hope in the Lord.
7  Because with the Lord there is mercy, * and with him plentiful redemption.
8  And he shall redeem Israel * from all his iniquities.

Psalmus 131.  Memento, Domine

Meménto, Dómine, David, * et omnis mansuetúdinis ejus :
2  Sicut jurávit Dómino, * votum vovit Deo Jacob :
3  Si introíero in tabernáculum domus meæ, * si ascéndero in lectum strati mei :
4  Si dédero somnum óculis meis, * et pálpebris meis dormitatiónem :
5  Et réquiem tempóribus meis : donec invéniam locum Dómino, * tabernáculum Deo Jacob.
6  Ecce audívimus eam in Ephrata: * invénimus eam in campis silvæ.
7  Introíbimus in tabernáculum ejus: * adorábimus in loco, ubi stetérunt pedes ejus.
8  Surge, Dómine, in réquiem tuam, * tu et arca sanctificatiónis tuæ.
9  Sacerdótes tui induántur justítiam: * et sancti tui exsúltent.
10  Propter David, servum tuum: * non avértas fáciem Christi tui.
11  Jurávit Dóminus David veritátem, et non frustrábitur eam: * de fructu ventris tui ponam super sedem tuam.
12  Si custodíerint fílii tui testaméntum meum: * et testimónia mea hæc, quæ docébo eos.
13  Et fílii eórum usque in sæculum: * sedébunt super sedem tuam.
14  Quóniam elégit Dóminus Sion: * elégit eam in habitatiónem sibi.
15  Hæc réquies mea in sæculum sæculi: * hic habitábo, quóniam elégi eam.
16  Víduam ejus benedícens benedícam: * páuperes ejus saturábo pánibus.
17  Sacerdótes ejus índuam salutári: * et sancti ejus exsultatióne exsultábunt.
18  Illuc prodúcam cornu David: * parávi lucérnam Christo meo.
19  Inimícos ejus índuam confusióne: * super ipsum autem efflorébit sanctificátio mea.

Psalm 131.  Memento, Domine

O Lord, remember David, * and all his meekness:
2  How he sware unto the Lord, * and vowed a vow unto the God of Jacob:
3  I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house, * nor go up into the bed wherein I lie;
4  I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, * nor mine eyelids to slumber;
5  Neither the temples of my head to take any rest : * until I find out a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
6  Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah, * and found it in the fields of the wood.
7  We will go into his tabernacle, * and worship in the place where his feet stood.
8  Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place; * thou, and the ark which thou hast sanctified.
9  Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; * and let thy saints rejoice.
10  For the sake of thy servant David, * turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11  The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not make it void : * of the fruit of thy womb shall I set upon thy throne.
12  If thy children will keep my covenant, * and my testimonies that I shall teach them.
13  Their children also for evermore : * shall sit upon thy throne.
14  For the Lord hath chosen Sion * he hath chosen it to be an habitation for himself.
15  This shall be my rest for ever and ever: * here will I dwell, for I have chosen it.
16  Blessing I will bless her widow : * and will satisfy her poor with bread.
17  I will clothe her priests with salvation, * and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy.
18  There will I bring forth make a horn unto David : * I have prepared a lantern for mine anointed.
19  His enemies will I clothe with confusion; * but upon him shall my sanctification flourish.

STAND

Jesu, Redémptor ómnium,
Quem lucis ante oríginem
Parem patérnæ glóriæ
Pater suprémus édidit.

Tu lumen, et splendor Patris,
Tu spes perénnis ómnium,
Inténde quas fundunt preces
Tui per orbem sérvuli.

Meménto, rerum Cónditor,
Nostri quod olim córporis,
Sacráta ab alvo Vírginis
Nascéndo, formam súmpseris.

Testátur hoc præsens dies,
Currens per anni círculum,
Quod solus e sinu Patris
Mundi salus advéneris.

Hunc astra, tellus, æquora,
Hunc omne, quod cælo subest,
Salútis auctórem novæ
Novo salútat cántico.

Et nos, beáta quos sacri
Rigávit unda sánguinis,
Natális ob diem tui
Hymni tribútum sólvimus.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

Jesu, the Ransomer of man,
Who, ere created light began,
Didst from the sovereign Father spring,
His power and glory equaling.

The Father's Light and Splendour thou,
Their endless Hope to thee that bow:
Accept the prayers and praise today
That through the world thy servants pay.

Salvation's Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled
Thou in man's flesh becam'st a Child.

Thus testifies the present day
Through every year in long array,
That thou, salvation's source alone,
Proceedest from the Father's Throne.

Whence sky, and stars, and sea's abyss,
And earth, and all that therein is,
Shall still, with laud and carol meet,
The Author of thine Advent greet.

And we who, by thy precious Blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this, the day that saw thy Birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.

Doxology
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Puer Jesus * proficiébat ætáte et sapiéntia coram Deo et homínibus.

Ant. on Magnif:  The Child Jesus * increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

Ant:  Hódie Christus natus est : hódie Salvátor appáruit : hódie in terra canunt Angeli, lætántur Archángeli  : hódie exsúltant justi, dicéntes : Glória in excélsis Deo, allelúja.

Ant:  This is the time when the Christ was born ; this is the time when a Saviour appeared ; this is the time when on earth Angels were singing, Archangels rejoicing ; this is the time when the righteous should exult and say: Glory to God in the highest, alleluia.

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti jugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of thine only-begotten Son, may deliver us whom slavery from of old doth keep under the yoke of sin.  Through the same.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH