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2.37am on Wednesday 3 September 2025

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Wednesday, 3 September 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 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: 2 Samuel 6.1-19

 

Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
 And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
 And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
 And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?
 So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
 And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.
 And it was told king David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
 And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
 And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
 And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.
 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

       
  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: Acts 7.17-43

Stephen said, But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:
 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

     
  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  
     
    O God, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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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