Almighty Ruler, God of Truth,
Who guide and master all,
The rays with which you gild the dawn
With noonday heat now fall.
O quench the fires of hatred, Lord,
Of anger and of strife,
Bring health to every mind and heart
That peace may enter life.
Most holy Father, grant our prayer
Through Christ your only Son
That in your Spirit we may live
And praise you ever one.
Ralph Wright, 1808
At one of the hours, the psalms are said as below. At the other hours, the complementary psalms are used.
PSALMODY
Antiphon:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Psalm 119:129-136
XVII (Pe)
Your will is wonderful indeed;
therefore I obey it.
The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches the simple.
I open my mouth and I sigh
as I yearn for your commands.
Turn and show me your mercy;
show justice to your friends.
Let my steps be guided by your promise;
let no evil rule me.
Redeem me from man's oppression
and I will keep your precepts.
Let your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
Tears stream from my eyes
because your law is disobeyed. Glory...
Psalm Prayer: You are just, Lord God, and righteous are your judgments. Deliver those who cry to you in their affliction; give them peace and calm to reflect on your commands.
Psalm 82 Denunciation of evil judges
Do not attempt to judge another now; the Lord's coming will reveal all (1 Corinthians 4:5)
God stands in the divine assembly.
In the midst of the gods he gives judgment.
How long will you judge unjustly
and favor the cause of the wicked?
Do justice for the weak and the orphan,
defend the afflicted and the needy.
Rescue the weak and the poor;
set them free from the hand of the wicked.
Unperceiving, they grope in the darkness
and the order of the world is shaken.
I have said to you: 'You are gods
and all of you, sons of the Most High.'
And yet, you shall die like men,
you shall fall like any earthly princes."
Arise, O God, judge the earth,
for you rule all the nations. Glory...
Psalm Prayer: You are always true to your word, Father. Look down from heaven and put an end to our foolishness. Save us from groundless fears and help us to please you with undivided heart.
Psalm 120 Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering; persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12)
To the Lord in the hour of my distress
I call and he answers me.
O Lord, save my soul from lying lips,
from the tongue of the deceitful."
What shall he repay you in return,
O treacherous tongue?
The warriors arrows sharpened
and coals, red-hot, blazing.
Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech,
dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Long enough have I been dwelling
with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
they are for fighting. Glory...
Psalm Prayer: You declared peacemakers happy, Lord Jesus, since they will be called sons of God. Give us that peace which the world cannot give so that your Church may be freed from the schemes of arrogant men, and, devoted to works of peace, go forward joyfully to meet you, the King of Peace.
READING
I saw the Son of Man, and he said to me, 'Have no fear! I am the First and the Last. I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld.' - Revelation 1:17-18
The Lord is risen, alleluia.
- He has appeared to Simon, alleluia.
COLLECT
O God, perfect light of the blessed,
by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth,
bring us, we pray,
to rejoice in the full measure of your grace
for ages unending.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
READING
In Christ lives the fullness of divinity, and in him you too find your own fulfilment. You have been buried with him, when you were baptised; and by baptism, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead. - Colossians 2:9 - 12
The disciples rejoiced, alleluia.
- When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia.
COLLECT
O God, perfect light of the blessed,
by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth,
bring us, we pray,
to rejoice in the full measure of your grace
for ages unending.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
READING
Remember the Good News that I carry, 'Jesus Christ risen from the dead, sprung from the race of David'. Here is a saying that you rely on: 'If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.' - 2 Timothy 2:8 - 11
Stay with us Lord, alleluia.
- For evening draws near, alleluia.
COLLECT
O God, perfect light of the blessed,
by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth,
bring us, we pray,
to rejoice in the full measure of your grace
for ages unending.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
