You are in: Home » Prayer » CofE Daily Offices » Traditional Language (Book of Common Prayer) » Morning Prayer

6.34am on Saturday 1 August 2026

Morning Prayer (Matins) 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.

 

   Morning Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Saturday, 1 August 2026
Lammas Day
  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.
  Morning 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.
     
Venite, exultemus Domino  
     
1
   O come, let us sing unto the Lord :
    let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
     
2
   Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving :
    and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
     
3
   For the Lord is a great God :
    and a great King above all gods.
     
4
   In his hand are all the corners of the earth :
    and the strength of the hills is his also.
     
5
   The sea is his, and he made it :
    and his hands prepared the dry land.
     
6
   O come, let us worship, and fall down :
    and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
     
7
   For he is the Lord our God :
    and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
     
[8
   Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts :
    as in the provocation,
         and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness;
     
9
   When your fathers tempted me :
    proved me, and saw my works.
     
10
   Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said :
    It is a people that do err in their hearts,
       for they have not known my ways.
     
11
   Unto whom I sware in my wrath :
    that they should not enter into my rest.]
   
Psalm 95
     
    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.
     
Psalmody  
   

Psalm 1

  
 

  
1
 Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners *
 and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.
  
 
  
2
 But his delight is in the law of the Lord *
 and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.
  
 
  
3
 And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side *
 that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
  
 
  
4
 His leaf also shall not wither *
 and look, whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.
  
 
  
5
 As for the ungodly, it is not so with them *
 but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.
  
 
  
6
 Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgement *
 neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
  
 
  
7
 But the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous *
 and the way of the ungodly shall perish.
  
 

Psalm 2

  
 

  
1
 Why do the heathen so furiously rage together *
 and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
  
 
  
2
 The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together *
 against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
  
 
  
3
 Let us break their bonds asunder *
 and cast away their cords from us.
  
 
  
4
 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn *
 the Lord shall have them in derision.
  
 
  
5
 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath *
 and vex them in his sore displeasure.
  
 
  
6
 Yet have I set my King *
 upon my holy hill of Sion.
  
 
  
7
 I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me *
 Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
  
 
  
8
 Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance *
 and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
  
 
  
9
 Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron *
 and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
  
 
  
10
 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings *
 be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
  
 
  
11
 Serve the Lord in fear *
 and rejoice unto him with reverence.
  
 
  
12
 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way *
 if his wrath be kindled, (yea, but a little,) blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
  
 

Psalm 3

  
 

  
1
 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me *
 many are they that rise against me.
  
 
  
2
 Many one there be that say of my soul *
 There is no help for him in his God.
  
 
  
3
 But thou, O Lord, art my defender *
 thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head.
  
 
  
4
 I did call upon the Lord with my voice *
 and he heard me out of his holy hill.
  
 
  
5
 I laid me down and slept, and rose up again *
 for the Lord sustained me.
  
 
  
6
 I will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people *
 that have set themselves against me round about.
  
 
  
7
 Up, Lord, and help me, O my God *
 for thou smitest all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
  
 
  
8
 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord *
 and thy blessing is upon thy people.
  
 

Psalm 4

  
 

  
1
 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness *
 thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
  
 
  
2
 O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour *
 and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
  
 
  
3
 Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly *
 when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
  
 
  
4
 Stand in awe, and sin not *
 commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
  
 
  
5
 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness *
 and put your trust in the Lord.
  
 
  
6
 There be many that say *
 Who will shew us any good?
  
 
  
7
 Lord, lift thou up *
 the light of thy countenance upon us.
  
 
  
8
 Thou hast put gladness in my heart *
 since the time that their corn, and wine, and oil, increased.
  
 
  
9
 I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest *
 for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
  
 

Psalm 5

  
 

  
1
 Ponder my words, O Lord *
 consider my meditation.
  
 
  
2
 O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, my King, and my God *
 for unto thee will I make my prayer.
  
 
  
3
 My voice shalt thou hear betimes, O Lord *
 early in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
  
 
  
4
 For thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickedness *
 neither shall any evil dwell with thee.
  
 
  
5
 Such as be foolish shall not stand in thy sight *
 for thou hatest all them that work vanity.
  
 
  
6
 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing *
 the Lord will abhor both the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
  
 
  
7
 But as for me, I will come into thine house, even upon the multitude of thy mercy *
 and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
  
 
  
8
 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies *
 make thy way plain before my face.
  
 
  
9
 For there is no faithfulness in his mouth *
 their inward parts are very wickedness.
  
 
  
10
 Their throat is an open sepulchre *
 they flatter with their tongue.
  
 
  
11
 Destroy thou them, O God; let them perish through their own imaginations *
 cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness; for they have rebelled against thee.
  
 
  
12
 And let all them that put their trust in thee rejoice *
 they shall ever be giving of thanks, because thou defendest them; they that love thy Name shall be joyful in thee;
  
 
  
13
 For thou, Lord, wilt give thy blessing unto the righteous *
 and with thy favourable kindness wilt thou defend him as with a shield.
  
 
   
  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: 1 Samuel 17.55 - 18.16

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.
 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

 

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.
 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
 And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul.
 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.
 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

   
  Te Deum Laudamus  
   
  Either the Te Deum Laudamus (as follows) or Benedicite, omnia opera is said or sung.
   
  We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
  All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
  To thee all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.
  To thee cherubin and seraphin continually do cry,
  Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
  Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
  The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
  The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
  The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
  The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee:
  the Father of an infinite majesty;
  thine honourable, true and only Son;
  also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
   
  Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
  Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
  When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
       thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
  When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
       thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
  Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
  We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
  We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
       whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
  Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting.
   
  O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage.
  Govern them and lift them up for ever.
  Day by day we magnify thee;
  and we worship thy name, ever world without end.
  Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
  O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
  O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee.
  O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
   
  New Testament Reading  
   

Second Reading: Luke 24.36-end

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
 And he took it, and did eat before them.
 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
 And ye are witnesses of these things.
 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

   
  Benedictus  
   
  Either The Benedictus (as follows) or Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100) is said or sung.
   
 
1
   Blessed be the Lord God of Israel :
  for he hath visited, and redeemed his people;
   
 
2
   And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us :
  in the house of his servant David;
   
 
3
   As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets :
  which have been since the world began;
   
 
4
   That we should be saved from our enemies :
  and from the hands of all that hate us;
   
 
5
   To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers :
      and to remember his holy covenant;
       
 
6
   To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham :
      that he would give us,
       
 
7
   That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies :
      might serve him without fear,
       
 
8
   In holiness and righteousness before him :
      all the days of our life.
       
 
9
   And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest :
      for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
       
 
10
   To give knowledge of salvation unto his people :
      for the remission of their sins;
       
 
11
   Through the tender mercy of our God :
      whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us;
       
 
12
   To give light to them that sit in darkness,
         and in the shadow of death :
      and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
     
Luke 1.68-79
   
  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, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which be profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
     
The Collect for Peace  
     
    O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord,
    in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life,
    whose service is perfect freedom;
    defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies;
    that we, surely trusting in thy defence,
    may not fear the power of any adversaries;
    through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
The Collect for Grace  
     
    O Lord, our heavenly Father,
    almighty and everlasting God,
    who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day;
    defend us in the same with thy mighty power;
    and grant that this day we fall into no sin,
    neither run into any kind of danger,
    but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance,
    to do always that is righteous in thy sight;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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.

After Sunday is a registered charity, number 1128086. Website development by Hiltonian Media.