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2.31am on Tuesday 8 September 2026

Morning Prayer (Matins) in Traditional Language

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   Morning Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Wednesday, 9 September 2026
  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 44

  
 

  
1
 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us *
 what thou hast done in their time of old;
  
 
  
2
 How thou hast driven out the heathen with thy hand, and planted them in *
 how thou hast destroyed the nations, and cast them out.
  
 
  
3
 For they gat not the land in possession through their own sword *
 neither was it their own arm that helped them;
  
 
  
4
 But thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance *
 because thou hadst a favour unto them.
  
 
  
5
 Thou art my King, O God *
 send help unto Jacob.
  
 
  
6
 Through thee will we overthrow our enemies *
 and in thy Name will we tread them under, that rise up against us.
  
 
  
7
 For I will not trust in my bow *
 it is not my sword that shall help me;
  
 
  
8
 But it is thou that savest us from our enemies *
 and puttest them to confusion that hate us.
  
 
  
9
 We make our boast of God all day long *
 and will praise thy Name for ever.
  
 
  
10
 But now thou art far off, and puttest us to confusion *
 and goest not forth with our armies.
  
 
  
11
 Thou makest us to turn our backs upon our enemies *
 so that they which hate us spoil our goods.
  
 
  
12
 Thou lettest us be eaten up like sheep *
 and hast scattered us among the heathen.
  
 
  
13
 Thou sellest thy people for nought *
 and takest no money for them.
  
 
  
14
 Thou makest us to be rebuked of our neighbours *
 to be laughed to scorn, and had in derision of them that are round about us.
  
 
  
15
 Thou makest us to be a by-word among the heathen *
 and that the people shake their heads at us.
  
 
  
16
 My confusion is daily before me *
 and the shame of my face hath covered me;
  
 
  
17
 For the voice of the slanderer and blasphemer *
 for the enemy and avenger.
  
 
  
18
 And though all this be come upon us, yet do we not forget thee *
 nor behave ourselves frowardly in thy covenant.
  
 
  
19
 Our heart is not turned back *
 neither our steps gone out of thy way;
  
 
  
20
 No, not when thou hast smitten us into the place of dragons *
 and covered us with the shadow of death.
  
 
  
21
 If we have forgotten the Name of our God, and holden up our hands to any strange god *
 shall not God search it out? for he knoweth the very secrets of the heart.
  
 
  
22
 For thy sake also are we killed all the day long *
 and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain.
  
 
  
23
 Up, Lord, why sleepest thou *
 awake, and be not absent from us for ever.
  
 
  
24
 Wherefore hidest thou thy face *
 and forgettest our misery and trouble?
  
 
  
25
 For our soul is brought low, even unto the dust *
 our belly cleaveth unto the ground.
  
 
  
26
 Arise, and help us *
 and deliver us for thy mercy’s sake.
  
 

Psalm 45

  
 

  
1
 My heart is inditing of a good matter *
 I speak of the things which I have made unto the King.
  
 
  
2
 My tongue is the pen *
 of a ready writer.
  
 
  
3
 Thou art fairer than the children of men *
 full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever.
  
 
  
4
 Gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most Mighty *
 according to thy worship and renown.
  
 
  
5
 Good luck have thou with thine honour *
 ride on, because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
  
 
  
6
 Thy arrows are very sharp, and the people shall be subdued unto thee *
 even in the midst among the King’s enemies.
  
 
  
7
 Thy seat, O God, endureth for ever *
 the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
  
 
  
8
 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity *
 wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
  
 
  
9
 All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia *
 out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
  
 
  
10
 Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women *
 upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, wrought about with divers colours.
  
 
  
11
 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear *
 forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house.
  
 
  
12
 So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty *
 for he is thy Lord God, and worship thou him.
  
 
  
13
 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift *
 like as the rich also among the people shall make their supplication before thee.
  
 
  
14
 The King’s daughter is all glorious within *
 her clothing is of wrought gold.
  
 
  
15
 She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needle-work *
 the virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee.
  
 
  
16
 With joy and gladness shall they be brought *
 and shall enter into the King’s palace.
  
 
  
17
 Instead of thy fathers thou shalt have children *
 whom thou mayest make princes in all lands.
  
 
  
18
 I will remember thy Name from one generation to another *
 therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee, world without end.
  
 

Psalm 46

  
 

  
1
 God is our hope and strength *
 a very present help in trouble.
  
 
  
2
 Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved *
 and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea.
  
 
  
3
 Though the waters thereof rage and swell *
 and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
  
 
  
4
 The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God *
 the holy place of the tabernacle of the most Highest.
  
 
  
5
 God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed *
 God shall help her, and that right early.
  
 
  
6
 The heathen make much ado, and the kingdoms are moved *
 but God hath shewed his voice, and the earth shall melt away.
  
 
  
7
 The Lord of hosts is with us *
 the God of Jacob is our refuge.
  
 
  
8
 O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord *
 what destruction he hath brought upon the earth.
  
 
  
9
 He maketh wars to cease in all the world *
 he breaketh the bow, and knappeth the spear in sunder, and burneth the chariots in the fire.
  
 
  
10
 Be still then, and know that I am God *
 I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.
  
 
  
11
 The Lord of hosts is with us *
 the God of Jacob is our refuge.
  
 
   
  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 Kings 3

 

And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.

Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord, until those days.
 And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.
 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house.
 And this woman’s child died in the night; because she overlaid it.
 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king.
 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.
 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.
 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

   
  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: Acts 14.8-end

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

   
  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  
     
    Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; 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
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