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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, 3 December 2024
  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 18

  
 

  
1
 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my stony rock, and my defence *
 my Saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge.
  
 
  
2
 I will call upon the Lord, which is worthy to be praised *
 so shall I be safe from mine enemies.
  
 
  
3
 The sorrows of death compassed me *
 and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid.
  
 
  
4
 The pains of hell came about me *
 the snares of death overtook me.
  
 
  
5
 In my trouble I will call upon the Lord *
 and complain unto my God.
  
 
  
6
 So shall he hear my voice out of his holy temple *
 and my complaint shall come before him, it shall enter even into his ears.
  
 
  
7
 The earth trembled and quaked *
 the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because he was wroth.
  
 
  
8
 There went a smoke out in his presence *
 and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it.
  
 
  
9
 He bowed the heavens also, and came down *
 and it was dark under his feet.
  
 
  
10
 He rode upon the cherubims, and did fly *
 he came flying upon the wings of the wind.
  
 
  
11
 He made darkness his secret place *
 his pavilion round about him with dark water, and thick clouds to cover him.
  
 
  
12
 At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed *
 hail-stones, and coals of fire.
  
 
  
13
 The Lord also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder *
 hail-stones, and coals of fire.
  
 
  
14
 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them *
 he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them.
  
 
  
15
 The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered, at thy chiding, O Lord *
 at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure.
  
 
  
16
 He shall send down from on high to fetch me *
 and shall take me out of many waters.
  
 
  
17
 He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me *
 for they are too mighty for me.
  
 
  
18
 They prevented me in the day of my trouble *
 but the Lord was my upholder.
  
 
  
19
 He brought me forth also into a place of liberty *
 he brought me forth, even because he had a favour unto me.
  
 
  
20
 The Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing *
 according to the cleanness of my hands shall he recompense me.
  
 
  
21
 Because I have kept the ways of the Lord *
 and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doth.
  
 
  
22
 For I have an eye unto all his laws *
 and will not cast out his commandments from me.
  
 
  
23
 I was also uncorrupt before him *
 and eschewed mine own wickedness.
  
 
  
24
 Therefore shall the Lord reward me after my righteous dealing *
 and according unto the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sight.
  
 
  
25
 With the holy thou shalt be holy *
 and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect.
  
 
  
26
 With the clean thou shalt be clean *
 and with the froward thou shalt learn frowardness.
  
 
  
27
 For thou shalt save the people that are in adversity *
 and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud.
  
 
  
28
 Thou also shalt light my candle *
 the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light.
  
 
  
29
 For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men *
 and with the help of my God I shall leap over the wall.
  
 
  
30
 The way of God is an undefiled way *
 the word of the Lord also is tried in the fire; he is the defender of all them that put their trust in him.
  
 
  
31
 For who is God, but the Lord *
 or who hath any strength, except our God?
  
 
  
32
 It is God, that girdeth me with strength of war *
 and maketh my way perfect.
  
 
  
33
 He maketh my feet like harts’ feet *
 and setteth me up on high.
  
 
  
34
 He teacheth mine hands to fight *
 and mine arms shall break even a bow of steel.
  
 
  
35
 Thou hast given me the defence of thy salvation *
 thy right hand also shall hold me up, and thy loving correction shall make me great.
  
 
  
36
 Thou shalt make room enough under me for to go *
 that my footsteps shall not slide.
  
 
  
37
 I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them *
 neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them.
  
 
  
38
 I will smite them, that they shall not be able to stand *
 but fall under my feet.
  
 
  
39
 Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle *
 thou shalt throw down mine enemies under me.
  
 
  
40
 Thou hast made mine enemies also to turn their backs upon me *
 and I shall destroy them that hate me.
  
 
  
41
 They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them *
 yea, even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them.
  
 
  
42
 I will beat them as small as the dust before the wind *
 I will cast them out as the clay in the streets.
  
 
  
43
 Thou shalt deliver me from the strivings of the people *
 and thou shalt make me the head of the heathen.
  
 
  
44
 A people whom I have not known *
 shall serve me.
  
 
  
45
 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me *
 but the strange children shall dissemble with me.
  
 
  
46
 The strange children shall fail *
 and be afraid out of their prisons.
  
 
  
47
 The Lord liveth, and blessed be my strong helper *
 and praised be the God of my salvation.
  
 
  
48
 Even the God that seeth that I be avenged *
 and subdueth the people unto me.
  
 
  
49
 It is he that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries *
 thou shalt rid me from the wicked man.
  
 
  
50
 For this cause will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles *
 and sing praises unto thy Name.
  
 
  
51
 Great prosperity giveth he unto his King *
 and sheweth loving-kindness unto David his Anointed, and unto his seed for evermore.
  
 
     
    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: Isaiah 26.1-13

 

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
 The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
 The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.
 Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.
 Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
 O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.

       
  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: Matthew 12.22-37

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

     
  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, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
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
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