Your donation helps keep the Cathedral open to God, open to all

No, I'd prefer to donate another time

Menu

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

View the service for yesterday | today | tomorrow

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
    Monday, 12 May 2025
  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 65

  
 

  
1
 Thou, O God, art praised in Sion *
 and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem.
  
 
  
2
 Thou that hearest the prayer *
 unto thee shall all flesh come.
  
 
  
3
 My misdeeds prevail against me *
 O be thou merciful unto our sins.
  
 
  
4
 Blessed is the man, whom thou choosest, and receivest unto thee *
 he shall dwell in thy court, and shall be satisfied with the pleasures of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
  
 
  
5
 Thou shalt shew us wonderful things in thy righteousness, O God of our salvation *
 thou that art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remain in the broad sea.
  
 
  
6
 Who in his strength setteth fast the mountains *
 and is girded about with power.
  
 
  
7
 Who stilleth the raging of the sea *
 and the noise of his waves, and the madness of the people.
  
 
  
8
 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth shall be afraid at thy tokens *
 thou that makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to praise thee.
  
 
  
9
 Thou visitest the earth, and blessest it *
 thou makest it very plenteous.
  
 
  
10
 The river of God is full of water *
 thou preparest their corn, for so thou providest for the earth.
  
 
  
11
 Thou waterest her furrows, thou sendest rain into the little valleys thereof *
 thou makest it soft with the drops of rain, and blessest the increase of it.
  
 
  
12
 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness *
 and thy clouds drop fatness.
  
 
  
13
 They shall drop upon the dwellings of the wilderness *
 and the little hills shall rejoice on every side.
  
 
  
14
 The folds shall be full of sheep *
 the valleys also shall stand so thick with corn, that they shall laugh and sing.
  
 

Psalm 66

  
 

  
1
 O be joyful in God, all ye lands *
 sing praises unto the honour of his Name, make his praise to be glorious.
  
 
  
2
 Say unto God, O how wonderful art thou in thy works *
 through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies be found liars unto thee.
  
 
  
3
 For all the world shall worship thee *
 sing of thee, and praise thy Name.
  
 
  
4
 O come hither, and behold the works of God *
 how wonderful he is in his doing toward the children of men.
  
 
  
5
 He turned the sea into dry land *
 so that they went through the water on foot; there did we rejoice thereof.
  
 
  
6
 He ruleth with his power for ever; his eyes behold the people *
 and such as will not believe shall not be able to exalt themselves.
  
 
  
7
 O praise our God, ye people *
 and make the voice of his praise to be heard;
  
 
  
8
 Who holdeth our soul in life *
 and suffereth not our feet to slip.
  
 
  
9
 For thou, O God, hast proved us *
 thou also hast tried us, like as silver is tried.
  
 
  
10
 Thou broughtest us into the snare *
 and laidest trouble upon our loins.
  
 
  
11
 Thou sufferedst men to ride over our heads *
 we went through fire and water, and thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
  
 
  
12
 I will go into thine house with burnt-offerings *
 and will pay thee my vows, which I promised with my lips, and spake with my mouth, when I was in trouble.
  
 
  
13
 I will offer unto thee fat burnt-sacrifices, with the incense of rams *
 I will offer bullocks and goats.
  
 
  
14
 O come hither, and hearken, all ye that fear God *
 and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul.
  
 
  
15
 I called unto him with my mouth *
 and gave him praises with my tongue.
  
 
  
16
 If I incline unto wickedness with mine heart *
 the Lord will not hear me.
  
 
  
17
 But God hath heard me *
 and considered the voice of my prayer.
  
 
  
18
 Praised be God who hath not cast out my prayer *
 nor turned his mercy from me.
  
 

Psalm 67

  
 

  
1
 God be merciful unto us, and bless us *
 and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us;
  
 
  
2
 That thy way may be known upon earth *
 thy saving health among all nations.
  
 
  
3
 Let the people praise thee, O God *
 yea, let all the people praise thee.
  
 
  
4
 O let the nations rejoice and be glad *
 for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
  
 
  
5
 Let the people praise thee, O God *
 let all the people praise thee.
  
 
  
6
 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase *
 and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
  
 
  
7
 God shall bless us *
 and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
  
 
     
    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: Exodus 32.1-14

 

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord.
 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
 And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
 And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
 And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

       
  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 2.41-end

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

     
  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 God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are available from Church House Publishing.

Implemented by Simon Kershaw at Crucix.
Implementation copyright © Simon Kershaw, 2002-2020.