None (Afternoon Prayer)
INTRODUCTION
O God, come to our aid.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Hymn
Eternal Father, loving God,
Who made us from the dust of earth,
Transform us by the Spirit’s grace,
Give value to our little worth.
Prepare us for that day of days
When Christ from heaven will come with might
To call us out of dust again,
Our bodies glorified in light.
O Godhead, here untouched, unseen,
All things created bear your trace;
The seed of glory sown in man
Will flower when we see your face.
Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal
The psalms of the day are shown here. If you are reciting more than one daytime hour (Terce, Sext, None) today, use the psalms of the day at one hour and the complementary psalms at the others.
PSALMS OF THE DAY
Psalm 118(119): 41-48
Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’
Cover me, Lord, with your loving kindness.
Save me, as you have promised.
Then I will answer those who taunt me,
for I put my hope in what you have said.
Do not take a single word of your truth
away from my speech,
for I have put all my hope in your decrees.
I will always observe your law,
for ever and for all ages.
I shall walk freely and without constraint,
for I have sought out your commands.
I shall speak of your decrees in front of kings
and not be discomfited.
I shall delight in your precepts,
for I have loved them.
I shall stretch out my hand to your precepts,
for I have loved them.
I shall ponder your statutes.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help
I waited, I waited for the Lord;
and he heard me.
He heard my voice when I cried,
he led me from the pit of misery,
he led me from the mire of filth.
He set my feet on firm rock,
he steadied my footsteps.
He filled my being with a new song,
a song to the Lord.
Many shall see what has happened, and trust,
and honour the Lord.
Happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord,
who pays no heed to the proud,
who pays no heed to liars.
Many are your wonders, O Lord my God,
and great is your care for us:
there is no-one like you.
If I wanted to tell the things you have done for us –
they are too many to count.
You have refused sacrifice and oblation,
but you have opened your ears to me.
You have refused burnt-offerings, even for sin –
so I said “I am coming.
The books of scripture have written of me.
It is your will, my God, that I wish to perform:
your law is next to my heart.”
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Psalm 39 (40)
I have proclaimed your judgement in the great assembly:
I will not close my lips – Lord, you know it.
I have not hidden your judgements away in my heart;
I have not hidden your faithfulness from the assembly of the people.
But you, Lord, do not keep your mercy from me:
let your kindness and faithfulness always sustain me.
For evils besiege me, uncountable evils;
my transgressions surround me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart has failed me.
Make it your will, Lord, to rescue me:
Lord, hurry to help me.
Let all who seek you rejoice in you:
let them say always, “Great is the Lord,”
all who delight in your salvation.
Though I am poor and destitute,
the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my liberator:
my God, do not delay.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’
OR:
At the daytime hours (Terce, Sext, None) when you don’t choose to use the psalms of the day, use the complementary psalms instead.
COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS
Psalm 125 (126)
Gladness and hope in the Lord
Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’
When the Lord gave Zion back her captives, we became like dreamers.
Our mouths were filled with gladness and our voices cried in exultation.
Among the Gentiles they were saying,
“By his deeds the Lord has shown himself great.”
The Lord’s deeds showed forth his greatness,
and filled us with rejoicing.
Give us back our captives, O Lord,
as you renew the dry streams in the desolate South.
Those who sow in tears will rejoice at the harvest.
They wept as they went, went with seed for the sowing;
but with joy they will come, come bearing the sheaves.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Psalm 126 (127)
Without the Lord, we labour in vain
If the Lord does not build the house,
its builders labour in vain.
If the Lord does not watch over a city,
its watchmen guard it in vain.
It is vain for you to rise before the dawn
and go late to your rest,
eating the bread of toil –
to those he loves, the Lord gives sleep.
The Lord bestows sons as an heirloom,
the fruit of the womb as a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior –
so are the sons of one’s youth.
Happy the man who fills his quiver thus:
when he disputes with his enemies at the gate,
he will not be the loser.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Psalm 127 (128)
Peaceful life in the Lord
Blessed are all who fear the Lord
and walk in his ways.
The food you have worked for, you will eat:
God’s blessing will bring you good things.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
on the side of your house.
Your children will be like olive shoots,
seated round your table.
See, this is how the man is blessed
who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion:
may you see the wealth of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
May you see your children’s children.
Peace be on Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’
CONCLUSION
Short Reading
(Isaiah 13:22-14:1)
©
Its time is almost up, its days will not last long. Yes, the Lord will have pity on Jacob, and Israel will be saved.
℣. Come, Lord, and make no delay.
℟. Release your people from their sin.
Let us pray.
Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,
so that we may come in humility and purity of heart
to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us praise the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
