Liturgical color: Green
The Feast of Constance & her Companions
Martyrs of Memphis
The leader reads regular text. The people read bold text.
Liturgical color: Green
The Feast of Constance & her Companions
Martyrs of Memphis
The leader reads regular text. The people read bold text.
Gratitude
The office you have just prayed lives, in print, in the Book of Common Prayer, the St. Bernard Breviary, and the New Coverdale Psalter — kept and bound by Anglican Liturgy Press, custodians of these texts for the Anglican Church in North America. A screen holds the hour; a book keeps the years. Should this tradition grow dear to you, consider holding it in the hand, as the faithful have done for millennia before us.
See the Printed BooksO Lord, open our lips;
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us;
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.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֕ר פַּנּ֖וּ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהוָ֑ה יַשְּׁרוּ֙ בָּעֲרָבָ֔ה מְסִלָּ֖ה לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ׃
Isaiah 40:3
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Μὴ φοβεῖσθε, ἰδοὺ γὰρ εὐαγγελίζομαι ὑμῖν χαρὰν μεγάλην ἥτις ἔσται παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑμῖν σήμερον σωτὴρ ὅς ἐστιν χριστὸς κύριος ἐν πόλει Δαυίδ·
Luke 2:10-11
From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
כִּ֣י מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁ֜מֶשׁ וְעַד־מְבוֹא֗וֹ גָּד֤וֹל שְׁמִי֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם וּבְכָל־מָק֗וֹם מֻקְטָ֥ר מֻגָּ֛שׁ לִשְׁמִ֖י וּמִנְחָ֣ה טְהוֹרָ֑ה כִּֽי־גָד֤וֹל שְׁמִי֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
Malachi 1:11
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Μετανοεῖτε, ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
Matthew 3:2
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.
ל֣וֹא אֲלֵיכֶם֮ כָּל־עֹ֣בְרֵי דֶרֶךְ֒ הַבִּ֣יטוּ וּרְא֗וּ אִם־יֵ֤שׁ מַכְאוֹב֙ כְּמַכְאֹבִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר עוֹלַ֖ל לִ֑י אֲשֶׁר֙ הוֹגָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה בְּי֖וֹם חֲר֥וֹן אַפּֽוֹ׃
Lamentations 1:12
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Εἰ οὖν συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ, τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε, οὗ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ καθήμενος·
Colossians 3:1
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας·
οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, ⸀πεπειρασμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας.
προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν.
Hebrews 4:14, 16
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
ἀλλὰ λήμψεσθε δύναμιν ἐπελθόντος τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσεσθέ ⸀μου μάρτυρες ἔν τε Ἰερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ καὶ Σαμαρείᾳ καὶ ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς.
Acts 1:8
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!
Ἅγιος ἅγιος ἅγιος κύριος, ὁ θεός, ὁ παντοκράτωρ, ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος.
Revelation 4:8
The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.
וַֽיהוָ֖ה בְּהֵיכַ֣ל קָדְשׁ֑וֹ הַ֥ס מִפָּנָ֖יו כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
Habakkuk 2:20
O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill, and to your dwelling.
שְׁלַח־אוֹרְךָ֣ וַ֭אֲמִתְּךָ הֵ֣מָּה יַנְח֑וּנִי יְבִיא֥וּנִי אֶל־הַֽר־קָ֝דְשְׁךָ֗ וְאֶל־מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
Psalm 43:3
Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite."
כִּי֩ כֹ֨ה אָמַ֜ר רָ֣ם וְנִשָּׂ֗א שֹׁכֵ֥ן עַד֙ וְקָד֣וֹשׁ שְׁמ֔וֹ מָר֥וֹם וְקָד֖וֹשׁ אֶשְׁכּ֑וֹן וְאֶת־דַּכָּא֙ וּשְׁפַל־ר֔וּחַ לְהַחֲיוֹת֙ ר֣וּחַ שְׁפָלִ֔ים וּֽלְהַחֲי֖וֹת לֵ֥ב נִדְכָּאִֽים׃
Isaiah 57:15
The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
ἀλλὰ ἔρχεται ὥρα καὶ νῦν ἐστιν, ὅτε οἱ ἀληθινοὶ προσκυνηταὶ προσκυνήσουσιν τῷ πατρὶ ἐν πνεύματι καὶ ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ τοιούτους ζητεῖ τοὺς προσκυνοῦντας αὐτόν·
John 4:23
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me.
O give me the comfort of your help again, and sustain me with your willing Spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12
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.
Unto you, O Lord, will I lift up my soul; my God, I have put my trust in you; O let me not be ashamed, neither let my enemies triumph over me.
For all those who hope in you shall not be ashamed, but those who deal untruly shall be put to confusion.
Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.
Lead me forth in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you has been my hope all the day long.
Call to remembrance, O Lord, your tender mercies, and your loving-kindnesses, which have been from of old.
O remember not the sins and offenses of my youth, but according to your mercy think on me, O Lord, in your goodness.
Gracious and righteous is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Those who are meek shall he guide in judgment, and those who are gentle shall he teach his way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
For your Name’s sake, O Lord, forgive my sin, for it is great.
Who is the one who fears the Lord? He shall teach him in the way that he shall choose.
He shall dwell at ease, and his seed shall inherit the land.
The Lord reveals his secret counsel to those who fear him, and he will show them his covenant.
My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and in misery.
The sorrows of my heart are enlarged; O bring me out of my troubles.
Look upon my adversity and misery and forgive me all my sin.
Consider my enemies, how many they are, and how they bear a tyrannous hate against me.
O keep my soul and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I have put my trust in you.
Let integrity and righteous dealing preserve me, for my hope has been in you.
Deliver Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
לְדָוִ֡ד אֵלֶ֥יךָ יְ֝הוָ֗ה נַפְשִׁ֥י אֶשָּֽׂא׃ אֱֽלֹהַ֗י בְּךָ֣ בָ֭טַחְתִּי אַל־אֵב֑וֹשָׁה אַל־יַֽעַלְצ֖וּ אֹיְבַ֣י לִֽי׃
גַּ֣ם כָּל־קֹ֭וֶיךָ לֹ֣א יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ יֵ֝בֹ֗שׁוּ הַבּוֹגְדִ֥ים רֵיקָֽם׃
דְּרָכֶ֣יךָ יְ֭הוָה הוֹדִיעֵ֑נִי אֹ֖רְחוֹתֶ֣יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃
הַדְרִ֘יכֵ֤נִי בַאֲמִתֶּ֨ךָ ׀ וְֽלַמְּדֵ֗נִי כִּֽי־אַ֭תָּה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׁעִ֑י אוֹתְךָ֥ קִ֝וִּ֗יתִי כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם׃
זְכֹר־רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ יְ֭הוָה וַחֲסָדֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י מֵעוֹלָ֣ם הֵֽמָּה׃
חַטֹּ֤אות נְעוּרַ֨י ׀ וּפְשָׁעַ֗י אַל־תִּ֫זְכֹּ֥ר כְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ זְכָר־לִי־אַ֑תָּה לְמַ֖עַן טוּבְךָ֣ יְהוָֽה׃
טוֹב־וְיָשָׁ֥ר יְהוָ֑ה עַל־כֵּ֤ן יוֹרֶ֖ה חַטָּאִ֣ים בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃
יַדְרֵ֣ךְ עֲ֭נָוִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט וִֽילַמֵּ֖ד עֲנָוִ֣ים דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃
כָּל־אָרְח֣וֹת יְ֭הוָה חֶ֣סֶד וֶאֱמֶ֑ת לְנֹצְרֵ֥י בְ֝רִית֗וֹ וְעֵדֹתָֽיו׃
לְמַֽעַן־שִׁמְךָ֥ יְהוָ֑ה וְֽסָלַחְתָּ֥ לַ֝עֲוֺנִ֗י כִּ֣י רַב־הֽוּא׃
מִי־זֶ֣ה הָ֭אִישׁ יְרֵ֣א יְהוָ֑ה י֝וֹרֶ֗נּוּ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יִבְחָֽר׃
נַ֭פְשׁוֹ בְּט֣וֹב תָּלִ֑ין וְ֝זַרְע֗וֹ יִ֣ירַשׁ אָֽרֶץ׃
ס֣וֹד יְ֭הוָה לִירֵאָ֑יו וּ֝בְרִית֗וֹ לְהוֹדִיעָֽם׃
עֵינַ֣י תָּ֭מִיד אֶל־יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֤י הֽוּא־יוֹצִ֖יא מֵרֶ֣שֶׁת רַגְלָֽי׃
פְּנֵה־אֵלַ֥י וְחָנֵּ֑נִי כִּֽי־יָחִ֖יד וְעָנִ֣י אָֽנִי׃
צָר֣וֹת לְבָבִ֣י הִרְחִ֑יבוּ מִ֝מְּצֽוּקוֹתַ֗י הוֹצִיאֵֽנִי׃
רְאֵ֣ה עָ֭נְיִי וַעֲמָלִ֑י וְ֝שָׂ֗א לְכָל־חַטֹּאותָֽי׃
רְאֵֽה־אוֹיְבַ֥י כִּי־רָ֑בּוּ וְשִׂנְאַ֖ת חָמָ֣ס שְׂנֵאֽוּנִי׃
שָׁמְרָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי וְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי אַל־אֵ֝ב֗וֹשׁ כִּֽי־חָסִ֥יתִי בָֽךְ׃
תֹּם־וָיֹ֥שֶׁר יִצְּר֑וּנִי כִּ֝֗י קִוִּיתִֽיךָ׃
פְּדֵ֣ה אֱ֭לֹהִים אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מִ֝כֹּ֗ל צָֽרוֹתָיו׃
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.
We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us what you did in the days of old:
How you drove out the nations with your hand, and planted our fathers in the land; how you destroyed the nations and cast them out.
For they did not possess the land by their own sword, neither was it their own arm that helped them,
But by your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance, because you favored them.
You are my King, O God; you send help to Jacob.
Through you we will overthrow our enemies, and in your Name will we tread down those who rise up against us.
For I will not trust in my bow; it is not my sword that shall help me;
But you save us from our enemies and put to shame those who hate us.
We make our boast in God all day long and will praise your Name for ever.
But now you have cast us off and put us to shame, and you do not go forth with our armies.
You make us turn our backs upon our enemies, so that those who hate us plunder our goods.
You let us be eaten up like sheep and have scattered us among the nations.
You sell your people for nothing and take no money for them.
You make us the reproach of our neighbors, to be laughed to scorn, and held in derision by those who are round about us.
You make us a byword among the nations, so that the peoples shake their heads at us.
My disgrace is daily before me, and the shame of my face has covered me,
Because of the voice of the slanderer and blasphemer, because of the enemy and avenger.
And though all this has come upon us, yet we do not forget you, nor have we been unfaithful to your covenant.
Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way,
Though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
If we have forgotten the Name of our God, and held up our hands to any strange god, shall not God search it out? For he knows the very secrets of the heart.
For your sake we are killed all the day long, and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain.
Rise up, O Lord! Why are you sleeping? Awake, and cast us not away for ever.
Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and trouble?
For our soul is brought low, even to the dust; our belly cleaves to the ground.
Arise, O Lord, and help us, and deliver us for your mercy’s sake.
אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ בְּאָזְנֵ֬ינוּ שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ אֲבוֹתֵ֥ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ פֹּ֥עַל פָּעַ֥לְתָּ בִֽ֝ימֵיהֶ֗ם בִּ֣ימֵי קֶֽדֶם׃
אַתָּ֤ה ׀ יָדְךָ֡ גּוֹיִ֣ם ה֭וֹרַשְׁתָּ וַתִּטָּעֵ֑ם תָּרַ֥ע לְ֝אֻמִּ֗ים וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵֽם׃
כִּ֤י לֹ֪א בְחַרְבָּ֡ם יָ֥רְשׁוּ אָ֗רֶץ וּזְרוֹעָם֮ לֹא־הוֹשִׁ֪יעָ֫ה לָּ֥מוֹ כִּֽי־יְמִֽינְךָ֣ וּ֭זְרוֹעֲךָ וְא֥וֹר פָּנֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣י רְצִיתָֽם׃
אַתָּה־ה֣וּא מַלְכִּ֣י אֱלֹהִ֑ים צַ֝וֵּ֗ה יְשׁוּע֥וֹת יַעֲקֹֽב׃
בְּ֭ךָ צָרֵ֣ינוּ נְנַגֵּ֑חַ בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ נָב֥וּס קָמֵֽינוּ׃
כִּ֤י לֹ֣א בְקַשְׁתִּ֣י אֶבְטָ֑ח וְ֝חַרְבִּ֗י לֹ֣א תוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃
כִּ֣י ה֭וֹשַׁעְתָּנוּ מִצָּרֵ֑ינוּ וּמְשַׂנְאֵ֥ינוּ הֱבִישֽׁוֹתָ׃
בֵּֽ֭אלֹהִים הִלַּלְ֣נוּ כָל־הַיּ֑וֹם וְשִׁמְךָ֓ ׀ לְעוֹלָ֖ם נוֹדֶ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃
אַף־זָ֭נַחְתָּ וַתַּכְלִימֵ֑נוּ וְלֹא־תֵ֝צֵ֗א בְּצִבְאוֹתֵֽינוּ׃
תְּשִׁיבֵ֣נוּ אָ֭חוֹר מִנִּי־צָ֑ר וּ֝מְשַׂנְאֵ֗ינוּ שָׁ֣סוּ לָֽמוֹ׃
תִּ֭תְּנֵנוּ כְּצֹ֣אן מַאֲכָ֑ל וּ֝בַגּוֹיִ֗ם זֵרִיתָֽנוּ׃
תִּמְכֹּֽר־עַמְּךָ֥ בְלֹא־ה֑וֹן וְלֹ֥א־רִ֝בִּ֗יתָ בִּמְחִירֵיהֶֽם׃
תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ חֶ֭רְפָּה לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ לַ֥עַג וָ֝קֶ֗לֶס לִסְבִיבוֹתֵֽינוּ׃
תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ מָ֭שָׁל בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם מְנֽוֹד־רֹ֝֗אשׁ בַּל־אֻמִּֽים׃
כָּל־הַ֭יּוֹם כְּלִמָּתִ֣י נֶגְדִּ֑י וּבֹ֖שֶׁת פָּנַ֣י כִּסָּֽתְנִי׃
מִ֭קּוֹל מְחָרֵ֣ף וּמְגַדֵּ֑ף מִפְּנֵ֥י א֝וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃
כָּל־זֹ֣את בָּ֭אַתְנוּ וְלֹ֣א שְׁכַחֲנ֑וּךָ וְלֹֽא־שִׁ֝קַּ֗רְנוּ בִּבְרִיתֶֽךָ׃
לֹא־נָס֣וֹג אָח֣וֹר לִבֵּ֑נוּ וַתֵּ֥ט אֲשֻׁרֵ֗ינוּ מִנִּ֥י אָרְחֶֽךָ׃
כִּ֣י דִ֭כִּיתָנוּ בִּמְק֣וֹם תַּנִּ֑ים וַתְּכַ֖ס עָלֵ֣ינוּ בְצַלְמָֽוֶת׃
אִם־שָׁ֭כַחְנוּ שֵׁ֣ם אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וַנִּפְרֹ֥שׂ כַּ֝פֵּ֗ינוּ לְאֵ֣ל זָֽר׃
הֲלֹ֣א אֱ֭לֹהִים יַֽחֲקָר־זֹ֑את כִּֽי־ה֥וּא יֹ֝דֵ֗עַ תַּעֲלֻמ֥וֹת לֵֽב׃
כִּֽי־עָ֭לֶיךָ הֹרַ֣גְנוּ כָל־הַיּ֑וֹם נֶ֝חְשַׁ֗בְנוּ כְּצֹ֣אן טִבְחָֽה׃
ע֤וּרָה ׀ לָ֖מָּה תִישַׁ֥ן ׀ אֲדֹנָ֑י הָ֝קִ֗יצָה אַל־תִּזְנַ֥ח לָנֶֽצַח׃
לָֽמָּה־פָנֶ֥יךָ תַסְתִּ֑יר תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח עָנְיֵ֣נוּ וְֽלַחֲצֵֽנוּ׃
כִּ֤י שָׁ֣חָה לֶעָפָ֣ר נַפְשֵׁ֑נוּ דָּבְקָ֖ה לָאָ֣רֶץ בִּטְנֵֽנוּ׃
ק֭וּמָֽה עֶזְרָ֣תָה לָּ֑נוּ וּ֝פְדֵ֗נוּ לְמַ֣עַן חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃
My heart overflows with a noble song; I will sing my words to the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
You are fairer than the children of men; full of grace are your lips, because God has blessed you for ever.
Gird your sword upon your thigh, most mighty one, according to your honor and majesty.
In your majesty be victorious; ride out for the sake of truth, to bear witness to righteousness, and your right hand shall show you marvelous things.
Your arrows are very sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies, and the peoples shall be subdued under you.
Your throne, O God, endures for ever; the scepter of your kingdom is a righteous scepter.
You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
All your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia; out of the ivory palaces, stringed instruments have made you glad.
Kings’ daughters are among your honorable women; at your right hand stands the queen in a vesture of gold, wrought with many colors.
Hearken, O daughter, and consider; incline your ear; forget your own people, and your father’s house.
So shall the King have pleasure in your beauty; since he is your Lord, honor him.
And the daughter of Tyre shall bring you gifts; the rich also among the peoples shall seek your favor.
The King’s daughter is all glorious within the palace; her clothing is of wrought gold.
She shall be brought to the king in embroidered raiment; the virgins who are her companions shall bring her to you.
With joy and gladness shall they bring her, and shall enter into the King’s palace.
Instead of your fathers, you shall have sons, whom you shall make princes in all the land.
I will make your Name to be remembered from one generation to another; therefore the peoples shall praise you, world without end.
רָ֘חַ֤שׁ לִבִּ֨י ׀ דָּ֘בָ֤ר ט֗וֹב אֹמֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי מַעֲשַׂ֣י לְמֶ֑לֶךְ לְ֝שׁוֹנִ֗י עֵ֤ט ׀ סוֹפֵ֬ר מָהִֽיר׃
יָפְיָפִ֡יתָ מִבְּנֵ֬י אָדָ֗ם ה֣וּצַק חֵ֭ן בְּשְׂפְתוֹתֶ֑יךָ עַל־כֵּ֤ן בֵּֽרַכְךָ֖ אֱלֹהִ֣ים לְעוֹלָֽם׃
חֲגֽוֹר־חַרְבְּךָ֣ עַל־יָרֵ֣ךְ גִּבּ֑וֹר ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃
וַהֲדָ֬רְךָ֨ ׀ צְלַ֬ח רְכַ֗ב עַֽל־דְּבַר־אֱ֭מֶת וְעַנְוָה־צֶ֑דֶק וְתוֹרְךָ֖ נוֹרָא֣וֹת יְמִינֶֽךָ׃
חִצֶּ֗יךָ שְׁנ֫וּנִ֥ים עַ֭מִּים תַּחְתֶּ֣יךָ יִפְּל֑וּ בְּ֝לֵ֗ב אוֹיְבֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
כִּסְאֲךָ֣ אֱ֭לֹהִים עוֹלָ֣ם וָעֶ֑ד שֵׁ֥בֶט מִ֝ישֹׁ֗ר שֵׁ֣בֶט מַלְכוּתֶֽךָ׃
אָהַ֣בְתָּ צֶּדֶק֮ וַתִּשְׂנָ֫א רֶ֥שַׁע עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ מְשָׁחֲךָ֡ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֱ֭לֹהֶיךָ שֶׁ֥מֶן שָׂשׂ֗וֹן מֵֽחֲבֵרֶֽיךָ׃
מֹר־וַאֲהָל֣וֹת קְ֭צִיעוֹת כָּל־בִּגְדֹתֶ֑יךָ מִֽן־הֵ֥יכְלֵי שֵׁ֝֗ן מִנִּ֥י שִׂמְּחֽוּךָ׃
בְּנ֣וֹת מְ֭לָכִים בְּיִקְּרוֹתֶ֑יךָ נִצְּבָ֥ה שֵׁגַ֥ל לִֽ֝ימִינְךָ֗ בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִֽיר׃
שִׁמְעִי־בַ֣ת וּ֭רְאִי וְהַטִּ֣י אָזְנֵ֑ךְ וְשִׁכְחִ֥י עַ֝מֵּ֗ךְ וּבֵ֥ית אָבִֽיךְ׃
וְיִתְאָ֣ו הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יָפְיֵ֑ךְ כִּי־ה֥וּא אֲ֝דֹנַ֗יִךְ וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוִי־לֽוֹ׃
וּבַֽת־צֹ֨ר ׀ בְּ֭מִנְחָה פָּנַ֥יִךְ יְחַלּ֗וּ עֲשִׁ֣ירֵי עָֽם׃
כָּל־כְּבוּדָּ֣ה בַת־מֶ֣לֶךְ פְּנִ֑ימָה מִֽמִּשְׁבְּצ֖וֹת זָהָ֣ב לְבוּשָֽׁהּ׃
לִרְקָמוֹת֮ תּוּבַ֪ל לַ֫מֶּ֥לֶךְ בְּתוּל֣וֹת אַ֭חֲרֶיהָ רֵעוֹתֶ֑יהָ מ֖וּבָא֣וֹת לָֽךְ׃
תּ֭וּבַלְנָה בִּשְׂמָחֹ֣ת וָגִ֑יל תְּ֝בֹאֶ֗ינָה בְּהֵ֣יכַל מֶֽלֶךְ׃
תַּ֣חַת אֲ֭בֹתֶיךָ יִהְי֣וּ בָנֶ֑יךָ תְּשִׁיתֵ֥מוֹ לְ֝שָׂרִ֗ים בְּכָל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
אַזְכִּ֣ירָה שִׁ֭מְךָ בְּכָל־דֹּ֣ר וָדֹ֑ר עַל־כֵּ֥ן עַמִּ֥ים יְ֝הוֹדֻ֗ךָ לְעֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters rage and swell, and though the mountains shake at its tempest.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; therefore she shall not be moved. God shall help her at the break of day.
The nations are in an uproar, and the kingdoms are moved, but God has lifted his voice, and the earth shall melt away.
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
O come and behold the works of the Lord, what devastations he has brought upon the earth.
He makes wars to cease in all the world; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the chariots in the fire.
“Be still then and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
אֱלֹהִ֣ים לָ֭נוּ מַחֲסֶ֣ה וָעֹ֑ז עֶזְרָ֥ה בְ֝צָר֗וֹת נִמְצָ֥א מְאֹֽד׃
עַל־כֵּ֣ן לֹא־נִ֭ירָא בְּהָמִ֣יר אָ֑רֶץ וּבְמ֥וֹט הָ֝רִ֗ים בְּלֵ֣ב יַמִּֽים׃
יֶהֱמ֣וּ יֶחְמְר֣וּ מֵימָ֑יו יִֽרְעֲשֽׁוּ־הָרִ֖ים בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ סֶֽלָה׃
נָהָ֗ר פְּלָגָ֗יו יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ עִיר־אֱלֹהִ֑ים קְ֝דֹ֗שׁ מִשְׁכְּנֵ֥י עֶלְיֽוֹן׃
אֱלֹהִ֣ים בְּ֭קִרְבָּהּ בַּל־תִּמּ֑וֹט יַעְזְרֶ֥הָ אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים לִפְנ֥וֹת בֹּֽקֶר׃
הָמ֣וּ ג֭וֹיִם מָ֣טוּ מַמְלָכ֑וֹת נָתַ֥ן בְּ֝קוֹל֗וֹ תָּמ֥וּג אָֽרֶץ׃
יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֣וֹת עִמָּ֑נוּ מִשְׂגָּֽב־לָ֝נוּ אֱלֹהֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
לְֽכוּ־חֲ֭זוּ מִפְעֲל֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֖ם שַׁמּ֣וֹת בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
מַשְׁבִּ֥ית מִלְחָמוֹת֮ עַד־קְצֵ֪ה הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ קֶ֣שֶׁת יְ֭שַׁבֵּר וְקִצֵּ֣ץ חֲנִ֑ית עֲ֝גָל֗וֹת יִשְׂרֹ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃
הַרְפּ֣וּ וּ֭דְעוּ כִּי־אָנֹכִ֣י אֱלֹהִ֑ים אָר֥וּם בַּ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם אָר֥וּם בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֣וֹת עִמָּ֑נוּ מִשְׂגָּֽב־לָ֝נוּ אֱלֹהֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
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.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; indeed, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
Make me go in the path of your commandments, for therein is my desire.
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetous desires.
O turn away my eyes, lest they behold vanity, and revive me in your ways.
Confirm your word to your servant, and to all those who fear you.
Take away the reproach that I am afraid of, for your judgments are good.
Behold, my delight is in your precepts; O revive me in your righteousness.
Let your loving mercy come to me, O Lord, even your salvation, according to your word.
So shall I answer those who taunt me, for my trust is in your word.
O do not take the word of your truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your judgments.
So shall I always keep your law, even for ever and ever;
And I will walk at liberty, for I seek your commandments.
I will speak of your testimonies also, even before kings, and will not be ashamed;
And my delight shall be in your commandments, which I have loved exceedingly.
My hands also will I lift up to your commandments, and I will meditate on your statutes.
הוֹרֵ֣נִי יְ֭הוָה דֶּ֥רֶךְ חֻקֶּ֗יךָ וְאֶצְּרֶ֥נָּה עֵֽקֶב׃
הֲ֭בִינֵנִי וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה תֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ וְאֶשְׁמְרֶ֥נָּה בְכָל־לֵֽב׃
הַ֭דְרִיכֵנִי בִּנְתִ֣יב מִצְוֺתֶ֑יךָ כִּי־ב֥וֹ חָפָֽצְתִּי׃
הַט־לִ֭בִּי אֶל־עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ וְאַ֣ל אֶל־בָּֽצַע׃
הַעֲבֵ֣ר עֵ֭ינַי מֵרְא֣וֹת שָׁ֑וְא בִּדְרָכֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
הָקֵ֣ם לְ֭עַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לְיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃
הַעֲבֵ֣ר חֶ֭רְפָּתִי אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָגֹ֑רְתִּי כִּ֖י מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ טוֹבִֽים׃
הִ֭נֵּה תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לְפִקֻּדֶ֑יךָ בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
וִֽיבֹאֻ֣נִי חֲסָדֶ֣ךָ יְהוָ֑ה תְּ֝שֽׁוּעָתְךָ֗ כְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃
וְאֶֽעֱנֶ֣ה חֹרְפִ֣י דָבָ֑ר כִּֽי־בָ֝טַחְתִּי בִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
וְֽאַל־תַּצֵּ֬ל מִפִּ֣י דְבַר־אֱמֶ֣ת עַד־מְאֹ֑ד כִּ֖י לְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣ךָ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃
וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֖ה תוֹרָתְךָ֥ תָמִ֗יד לְעוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃
וְאֶתְהַלְּכָ֥ה בָרְחָבָ֑ה כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃
וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה בְ֭עֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶ֥גֶד מְלָכִ֗ים וְלֹ֣א אֵבֽוֹשׁ׃
וְאֶשְׁתַּֽעֲשַׁ֥ע בְּמִצְוֺתֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהָֽבְתִּי׃
וְאֶשָּֽׂא־כַפַּ֗י אֶֽל־מִ֭צְוֺתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהָ֗בְתִּי וְאָשִׂ֥יחָה בְחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
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.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgives all your sin and heals all your infirmities,
Who saves your life from the pit and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness,
Who satisfies you with good things, renewing your youth like an eagle’s.
The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all those who are oppressed with wrong.
He showed his ways to Moses, his works to the children of Israel.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, long-suffering and of great goodness.
He will not always chide us, neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his mercy also toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he set our sins from us.
As a father pities his own children, so is the Lord merciful to those who fear him.
For he knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust.
לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ בָּרֲכִ֣י נַ֭פְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וְכָל־קְ֝רָבַ֗י אֶת־שֵׁ֥ם קָדְשֽׁוֹ׃
בָּרֲכִ֣י נַ֭פְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וְאַל־תִּ֝שְׁכְּחִ֗י כָּל־גְּמוּלָֽיו׃
הַסֹּלֵ֥חַ לְכָל־עֲוֺנֵ֑כִי הָ֝רֹפֵ֗א לְכָל־תַּחֲלֻאָֽיְכִי׃
הַגּוֹאֵ֣ל מִשַּׁ֣חַת חַיָּ֑יְכִי הַֽ֝מְעַטְּרֵ֗כִי חֶ֣סֶד וְרַחֲמִֽים׃
הַמַּשְׂבִּ֣יַע בַּטּ֣וֹב עֶדְיֵ֑ךְ תִּתְחַדֵּ֖שׁ כַּנֶּ֣שֶׁר נְעוּרָֽיְכִי׃
עֹשֵׂ֣ה צְדָק֣וֹת יְהוָ֑ה וּ֝מִשְׁפָּטִ֗ים לְכָל־עֲשׁוּקִֽים׃
יוֹדִ֣יעַ דְּרָכָ֣יו לְמֹשֶׁ֑ה לִבְנֵ֥י יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל עֲלִילֽוֹתָיו׃
רַח֣וּם וְחַנּ֣וּן יְהוָ֑ה אֶ֖רֶךְ אַפַּ֣יִם וְרַב־חָֽסֶד׃
לֹֽא־לָנֶ֥צַח יָרִ֑יב וְלֹ֖א לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִטּֽוֹר׃
לֹ֣א כַ֭חֲטָאֵינוּ עָ֣שָׂה לָ֑נוּ וְלֹ֥א כַ֝עֲוֺנֹתֵ֗ינוּ גָּמַ֥ל עָלֵֽינוּ׃
כִּ֤י כִגְבֹ֣הַּ שָׁ֭מַיִם עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ גָּבַ֥ר חַ֝סְדּ֗וֹ עַל־יְרֵאָֽיו׃
כִּרְחֹ֣ק מִ֭זְרָח מִֽמַּֽעֲרָ֑ב הִֽרְחִ֥יק מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ אֶת־פְּשָׁעֵֽינוּ׃
כְּרַחֵ֣ם אָ֭ב עַל־בָּנִ֑ים רִחַ֥ם יְ֝הוָ֗ה עַל־יְרֵאָֽיו׃
כִּי־ה֖וּא יָדַ֣ע יִצְרֵ֑נוּ זָ֝כ֗וּר כִּי־עָפָ֥ר אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃
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.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us run with endurance the race set before us.
Let us remember their faith; for without faith it is impossible to please God.
On the ninth day of September, the Church remembers Constance and her Companions, Martyrs of Memphis.
constance & her companions
In August of 1878 the worst thing that could happen to an American city happened to Memphis. Yellow fever, a disease no one then understood and no one could cure, swept in off the river and turned the place into a charnel house. Those who could afford to fled by the thousand, and the trains out were mobbed. Within weeks the city was a ghost town of the dying, the poor and the trapped left behind with no doctors, no nurses, and no one to bury the dead. And into that emptying city, against the current of everyone running out, came a small band of Anglican nuns.
They were the Sisters of St. Mary, a young religious community of women who kept a school and an orphanage in Memphis, and their leader was Sister Constance, the superior of the house. When the fever came, Constance and another sister were away in the cool of the North, safe. They came back. They came back on purpose, into a city where nursing the sick was very often a sentence of death, and they turned their convent and the cathedral into a hospital and a refuge for the fever's orphans. Day after day, through the worst weeks, the sisters went from bed to bed and house to house, nursing the sick, feeding the children whose parents had died, sitting with the dying so that no one died alone, and carrying out the dead when there was no one else to do it. Two priests of the cathedral, Charles Parsons and Louis Schuyler, worked beside them, and died beside them.
It could only end one way. The sisters knew, every morning they went out, that the fever would very likely take them too, and one by one it did. Sister Constance fell ill in early September and died on the ninth, worn out with nursing the city that had been left to die. The word on her lips at the end was not a complaint, and not a plea for rescue, but a shout of praise: Alleluia. Sister Thecla died three days after her, Sister Ruth a few days after that, Sister Frances in October, the two priests among them. Six of them gave their lives in those weeks, nursing strangers in a plague they were free to flee.
Memphis never forgot. When the fever had burned itself out and the survivors crept back, they found that the nuns the city had half pitied had been, at the end, almost the only people who stayed. The Sisters of St. Mary carved the names of their dead, and Constance's last word, into the high altar of the cathedral, where they are read to this day: the four sisters, and over them, Alleluia. The church keeps them every September as the Martyrs of Memphis, and they have become, for a later age that has known its own plagues, the very pattern of what the church is for, to run toward the dying when everyone else runs away, and to do it singing. They went down into the worst of it for love, and the last thing one of them had to say about it was Alleluia.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Today's Morning Office Lessons
A reading from the first book of Chronicles, beginning with the twenty-eighth chapter.
1 Chronicles 28
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, beginning with the sixth chapter.
Ephesians 6
A period of silence may follow.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
cf. Matthew 6:9-13
King James Version, 1611The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version, London 1611. Matthew 6:9–13. The doxological ending ("For thine is the kingdom…") follows the Byzantine / Textus Receptus tradition rather than the Alexandrian manuscripts on which modern critical texts rely. Carried verbatim by the BCP Traditional form.↻Turn your device to see the Greek original
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
cf. Matthew 6:9-13
BCP 2019Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Church in North America, 2019. Contemporary-language rendering following the Matthean text.↻Turn your device to see the Greek original
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen.
cf. Matthew 6:9-13
ESV, 2001English Standard Version (Crossway, 2001; text edition 2016). A formal-equivalence translation in the Tyndale–KJV–RSV tradition.↻Turn your device to see the Greek original
O our Father which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be fulfilled upon earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation:
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
cf. Matthew 6:9-13
1535, AntwerpMiles Coverdale's Bible, Antwerp, 1535. The first complete printed English Bible. Coverdale worked primarily from German translations (Luther, Zürich Bible) and the Latin Vulgate, with reference to Tyndale's New Testament.↻Turn your device to see the Greek original
O our Father which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Let thy kingdom come.
Thy will be fulfilled,
as well in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
even as we forgive our trespassers.
And lead us not into temptation:
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
cf. Matthew 6:9-13
1534, AntwerpTranslated by William Tyndale, Antwerp, 1534. Published posthumously through the efforts of John Rogers, published as the Matthew's Bible in 1537 after Tyndale's martyrdom in 1536. Source text: Erasmus's Greek New Testament (Basel, 1516–1534), drawn from the Byzantine Greek manuscript tradition.↻Turn your device to see the Greek original
Our Father that art in heavens,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done in earth
as it is in heaven;
give to us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
cf. Matthew 6:9-13
c. 1382–95Wycliffe's Bible, c. 1382–1395. The first complete English translation of the Bible, produced by John Wycliffe and his associates (notably John Purvey for the later revision). Translated entirely from the Latin Vulgate, predating the recovery of Greek manuscripts in Western Europe.↻Turn your device to see the Latin original
Pater noster, qui es in caelis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum.
Fiat voluntas tua,
sicut in caelo et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie,
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
Et ne nos inducas in tentationem,
sed libera nos a malo.
Quia tuum est regnum, et potestas,
et gloria in saecula. Amen.
O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you gave your servants Constance and her Companions boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect of Constance and her Companions
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Loading…
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος μετὰ πάντων ⸀ὑμῶν.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς ἐλπίδος πληρώσαι ὑμᾶς πάσης χαρᾶς καὶ εἰρήνης ἐν τῷ πιστεύειν, εἰς τὸ περισσεύειν ὑμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἐλπίδι ἐν δυνάμει πνεύματος ἁγίου.
Romans 15:13
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.
cf. Ephesians 3:20-21