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Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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Please note: Daily Prayer provided by the official Church of England web site, © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2002-2004.

    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Tuesday, 6 June 2023
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
  Introduction
   
  The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
   
  The minister introduces the service
     
    Dearly beloved [brethren],
    the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
       and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
     
    [and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
       the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
    but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
       obedient heart;
    to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
       by his infinite goodness and mercy.
    And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
       our sins before God;
    yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
    when we assemble and meet together
    to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
       received at his hands,
    to set forth his most worthy praise,
    to hear his most holy word,
    and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
    as well for the body as the soul.]
     
    Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
    as many as are here present,
    to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
    unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
     
    (or)
     
    Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
     
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
   
All
   Almighty and most merciful Father,
    we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
    We have followed too much the devices and desires
       of our own hearts.
    We have offended against thy holy laws.
    We have left undone those things
       which we ought to have done;
    and we have done those things
         which we ought not to have done;
    and there is no health in us.
    But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
    Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
    Restore thou them that are penitent;
    according to thy promises declared unto mankind
       in Christ Jesu our Lord.
    And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
    that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
    to the glory of thy holy name.
  Amen.
   
  A priest says
     
    Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    who desireth not the death of a sinner,
    but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
    and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
    to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
    the absolution and remission of their sins:
    he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
       and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
    Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
       and his Holy Spirit,
    that those things may please him which we do at this present;
    and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
    so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
  or other ministers may say
     
    Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
    to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve thee with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
  as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power and the glory,
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.
  Evening Prayer
     
    The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
     
    These responses are used
     
    O Lord, open thou our lips
All
   and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
   O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
    and to the Holy Ghost;
All
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Praise ye the Lord.
All
   The Lord's name be praised.
     
  Psalmody  
   

Psalm 32

  
 

  
1
 Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven *
 and whose sin is covered.
  
 
  
2
 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin *
 and in whose spirit there is no guile.
  
 
  
3
 For while I held my tongue *
 my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.
  
 
  
4
 For thy hand is heavy upon me day and night *
 and my moisture is like the drought in summer.
  
 
  
5
 I will acknowledge my sin unto thee *
 and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.
  
 
  
6
 I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord *
 and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.
  
 
  
7
 For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found *
 but in the great water-floods they shall not come nigh him.
  
 
  
8
 Thou art a place to hide me in, thou shalt preserve me from trouble *
 thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
  
 
  
9
 I will inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go *
 and I will guide thee with mine eye.
  
 
  
10
 Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding *
 whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, lest they fall upon thee.
  
 
  
11
 Great plagues remain for the ungodly *
 but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord, mercy embraceth him on every side.
  
 
  
12
 Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord *
 and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.
  
 

Psalm 33

  
 

  
1
 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous *
 for it becometh well the just to be thankful.
  
 
  
2
 Praise the Lord with harp *
 sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.
  
 
  
3
 Sing unto the Lord a new song *
 sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.
  
 
  
4
 For the word of the Lord is true *
 and all his works are faithful.
  
 
  
5
 He loveth righteousness and judgement *
 the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
  
 
  
6
 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made *
 and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.
  
 
  
7
 He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap *
 and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.
  
 
  
8
 Let all the earth fear the Lord *
 stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.
  
 
  
9
 For he spake, and it was done *
 he commanded, and it stood fast.
  
 
  
10
 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought *
 and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect, and casteth out the counsels of princes.
  
 
  
11
 The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever *
 and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.
  
 
  
12
 Blessed are the people, whose God is the Lord Jehovah *
 and blessed are the folk, that he hath chosen to him to be his inheritance.
  
 
  
13
 The Lord looked down from heaven, and beheld all the children of men *
 from the habitation of his dwelling he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
  
 
  
14
 He fashioneth all the hearts of them *
 and understandeth all their works.
  
 
  
15
 There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an host *
 neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.
  
 
  
16
 A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man *
 neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
  
 
  
17
 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him *
 and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
  
 
  
18
 To deliver their soul from death *
 and to feed them in the time of dearth.
  
 
  
19
 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the Lord *
 for he is our help, and our shield.
  
 
  
20
 For our heart shall rejoice in him *
 because we have hoped in his holy Name.
  
 
  
21
 Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us *
 like as we do put our trust in thee.
  
 

Psalm 34

  
 

  
1
 I will alway give thanks unto the Lord *
 his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
  
 
  
2
 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord *
 the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
  
 
  
3
 O praise the Lord with me *
 and let us magnify his Name together.
  
 
  
4
 I sought the Lord, and he heard me *
 yea, he delivered me out of all my fear.
  
 
  
5
 They had an eye unto him, and were lightened *
 and their faces were not ashamed.
  
 
  
6
 Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him *
 yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles.
  
 
  
7
 The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him *
 and delivereth them.
  
 
  
8
 O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is *
 blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
  
 
  
9
 O fear the Lord, ye that are his saints *
 for they that fear him lack nothing.
  
 
  
10
 The lions do lack, and suffer hunger *
 but they who seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good.
  
 
  
11
 Come, ye children, and hearken unto me *
 I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
  
 
  
12
 What man is he that lusteth to live *
 and would fain see good days?
  
 
  
13
 Keep thy tongue from evil *
 and thy lips, that they speak no guile.
  
 
  
14
 Eschew evil, and do good *
 seek peace, and ensue it.
  
 
  
15
 The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous *
 and his ears are open unto their prayers.
  
 
  
16
 The countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil *
 to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
  
 
  
17
 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them *
 and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
  
 
  
18
 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart *
 and will save such as be of an humble spirit.
  
 
  
19
 Great are the troubles of the righteous *
 but the Lord delivereth him out of all.
  
 
  
20
 He keepeth all his bones *
 so that not one of them is broken.
  
 
  
21
 But misfortune shall slay the ungodly *
 and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
  
 
  
22
 The Lord delivereth the souls of his servants *
 and all they that put their trust in him shall not be destitute.
  
 
     
    At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
     
    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.
     
    Old Testament Reading  
 
   

First Reading: Joshua 7.16-end

So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
 And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:
 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.
 And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the Lord.
 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

       
  Magnificat  
     
    Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.
     
1
   My soul doth magnify the Lord :
    and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
     
2
   For he hath regarded :
    the lowliness of his handmaiden.
     
3
   For behold, from henceforth :
    all generations shall call me blessed.
     
4
   For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
    and holy is his Name.
     
5
   And his mercy is on them that fear him :
    throughout all generations.
     
6
   He hath shewed strength with his arm :
    he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
     
7
   He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
    and hath exalted the humble and meek.
     
8
   He hath filled the hungry with good things :
    and the rich he hath sent empty away.
     
9
   He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
    as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
   
Luke 1.46-55
     
    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.
     
  New Testament Reading  
 
   

Second Reading: Luke 10.38-end

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

     
  Nunc dimittis  
     
    Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.
     
1
   Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
    according to thy word.
     
2
   For mine eyes have seen :
    thy salvation;
     
3
   Which thou hast prepared :
    before the face of all people;
     
4
   To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
    and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
   
Luke 2.29-32
     
    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.
     
  The Apostles' Creed  
     
All
   I believe in God the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth:
    and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell;
    the third day he rose again from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost;
    the holy catholic Church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting.
    Amen.
     
  Prayers  
     
    The Lord be with you.
All
   And with thy spirit.
     
    Let us pray.
     
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
All
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
     
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil. Amen.
     
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All
   And grant us thy salvation.
     
    O Lord, save the King.
All
   And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
     
    Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All
   And make thy chosen people joyful.
     
    O Lord, save thy people.
All
   And bless thine inheritance.
     
    Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All
   Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
    but only thou, O God.
     
    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All
   And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
     
    Three Collects are said.
     
  The Collect of the Day  
     
    Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of thy Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee, that thou wouldst keep us steadfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end.
All
   Amen.
     
     
  The Collect for Peace  
     
    O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
         and all just works do proceed;
    give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;
    that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments,
    and also that, by thee,
    we being defended from the fear of our enemies
    may pass our time in rest and quietness;
    through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All
   Amen.
     
  The Collect for Aid against all Perils  
     
    Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
    and by thy great mercy defend us
         from all perils and dangers of this night;
    for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All
   Amen.
     
    The order for the end of the service may include:
     
    hymns or anthems
       a sermon
    further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
     
    This prayer may be used to conclude the service
     
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
    be with us all evermore.
All
   Amen.
     
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