HYMN

Reading
Isaiah 53:2-3

He grew up like a sapling before him,
  like a shoot from the parched earth;
There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him,
  nor appearance that would attract us to him.  
He was spurned and avoided by men,
  a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity,
One of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned,
  and we held him in no esteem.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
 - Renew in me a steadfast spirit.

Or:

O God, who in this season
give your Church the grace
to imitate devoutly the Blessed Virgin Mary
in contemplating the Passion of Christ,
grant, we pray, through her intercession,
that we may cling more firmly each day
to your Only Begotten Son
and come at last to the fullness of his grace.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Antiphon: As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die, but to turn back to me and live.

Psalms of the Day

Reading
Isaiah 53:4-5

It was our infirmities that he bore,
  our sufferings that he endured,
While we thought of him as stricken,
  as one smitten by God and afflicted.  
But he was pierced for our offenses,
  crushed for our sins,
Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
  by his stripes we were healed.

Turn away your face from my sins.
 - Blot out all my guilt.

Or:

O God, who in this season
give your Church the grace
to imitate devoutly the Blessed Virgin Mary
in contemplating the Passion of Christ,
grant, we pray, through her intercession,
that we may cling more firmly each day
to your Only Begotten Son
and come at last to the fullness of his grace.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Antiphon: As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die, but to turn back to me and live.

Psalms of the Day

Reading
Isaiah 53:6-7

We had all gone astray like sheep,
  each following his own way;
But the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.  
Though he was harshly treated,
  he submitted and opened not his mouth;
Like a lamb led to the slaughter
  or a sheep before the shearers,
  he was silent and opened not his mouth.

My sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit.
 - A humble contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.

Or:

O God, who in this season
give your Church the grace
to imitate devoutly the Blessed Virgin Mary
in contemplating the Passion of Christ,
grant, we pray, through her intercession,
that we may cling more firmly each day
to your Only Begotten Son
and come at last to the fullness of his grace.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.


At one of the hours, the psalms are said as below. At the other hours, the complementary psalms are used.

PSALMODY

Bless your servant and I shall live
and obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth;
show me your commands.
My soul is ever consumed
as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed,
who turn from your commands.
Relieve me from scorn and contempt
for I do your will.

Though the princes sit plotting against me
I ponder on your statutes.
Your will is my delight;
your statutes are my counselors.  Glory...

Psalm Prayer: Father, giver of all good gifts, do not let us go astray from your commands but help us to seek you with all our hearts.

               I
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
I trust you, let me not be disappointed;
do not let my enemies triumph.
Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,
but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways.
Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:
for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long
because of your goodness, O Lord.
Remember your mercy, Lord,
and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth.
In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright.
He shows the path to those who stray,
He guides the humble in the right path,
He teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love
for those who keep his covenant and law.
Lord, for the sake of your name
forgive my guilt, for it is great  Glory...

Psalm Prayer: Father, giver of all good gifts, do not let us go astray from your commands but help us to seek you with all our hearts.

               II
If anyone fears the Lord
he will show him the path he should choose.
His soul shall live in happiness
and his children shall possess the land.
The Lord's friendship is for those who revere him;
to them he reveals his covenant.

My eyes are always on the Lord;
for he rescues my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and have mercy
for I am lonely and poor.

Relieve the anguish of my heart
and set me free from my distress.
See my affliction and my toil
and take all my sins away.

See how many are my foes;
how violent their hatred for me.
Preserve my life and rescue me.
Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.
May innocence and uprightness protect me:
for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress. Glory...

Psalm Prayer: Through your Son, Lord, you spared sinners to show us your mercy and love. Do not remember our sins, but show us your ways; relieve our distress, and satisfy the longing of your people, so that all our hopes for eternal peace may reach fulfillment.