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9.59pm on Wednesday 8 October 2025

Morning Prayer (Matins) in Traditional Language

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   Morning Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Tuesday, 7 October 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.
  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 35

  
 

  
1
 Plead thou my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me *
 and fight thou against them that fight against me.
  
 
  
2
 Lay hand upon the shield and buckler *
 and stand up to help me.
  
 
  
3
 Bring forth the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me *
 say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
  
 
  
4
 Let them be confounded, and put to shame, that seek after my soul *
 let them be turned back, and brought to confusion, that imagine mischief for me.
  
 
  
5
 Let them be as the dust before the wind *
 and the angel of the Lord scattering them.
  
 
  
6
 Let their way be dark and slippery *
 and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.
  
 
  
7
 For they have privily laid their net to destroy me without a cause *
 yea, even without a cause have they made a pit for my soul.
  
 
  
8
 Let a sudden destruction come upon him unawares, and his net, that he hath laid privily, catch himself *
 that he may fall into his own mischief.
  
 
  
9
 And, my soul, be joyful in the Lord *
 it shall rejoice in his salvation.
  
 
  
10
 All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him *
 yea, the poor, and him that is in misery, from him that spoileth him?
  
 
  
11
 False witnesses did rise up *
 they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
  
 
  
12
 They rewarded me evil for good *
 to the great discomfort of my soul.
  
 
  
13
 Nevertheless, when they were sick, I put on sackcloth, and humbled my soul with fasting *
 and my prayer shall turn into mine own bosom.
  
 
  
14
 I behaved myself as though it had been my friend, or my brother *
 I went heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
  
 
  
15
 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together *
 yea, the very abjects came together against me unawares, making mouths at me, and ceased not.
  
 
  
16
 With the flatterers were busy mockers *
 who gnashed upon me with their teeth.
  
 
  
17
 Lord, how long wilt thou look upon this *
 O deliver my soul from the calamities which they bring on me, and my darling from the lions.
  
 
  
18
 So will I give thee thanks in the great congregation *
 I will praise thee among much people.
  
 
  
19
 O let not them that are mine enemies triumph over me ungodly *
 neither let them wink with their eyes that hate me without a cause.
  
 
  
20
 And why? their communing is not for peace *
 but they imagine deceitful words against them that are quiet in the land.
  
 
  
21
 They gaped upon me with their mouths, and said *
 Fie on thee, fie on thee, we saw it with our eyes.
  
 
  
22
 This thou hast seen, O Lord *
 hold not thy tongue then, go not far from me, O Lord.
  
 
  
23
 Awake, and stand up to judge my quarrel *
 avenge thou my cause, my God, and my Lord.
  
 
  
24
 Judge me, O Lord my God, according to thy righteousness *
 and let them not triumph over me.
  
 
  
25
 Let them not say in their hearts, There, there, so would we have it *
 neither let them say, We have devoured him.
  
 
  
26
 Let them be put to confusion and shame together, that rejoice at my trouble *
 let them be clothed with rebuke and dishonour, that boast themselves against me.
  
 
  
27
 Let them be glad and rejoice, that favour my righteous dealing *
 yea, let them say alway, Blessed be the Lord, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
  
 
  
28
 And as for my tongue, it shall be talking of thy righteousness *
 and of thy praise all the day long.
  
 

Psalm 36

  
 

  
1
 My heart sheweth me the wickedness of the ungodly *
 that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
  
 
  
2
 For he flattereth himself in his own sight *
 until his abominable sin be found out.
  
 
  
3
 The words of his mouth are unrighteous, and full of deceit *
 he hath left off to behave himself wisely, and to do good.
  
 
  
4
 He imagineth mischief upon his bed, and hath set himself in no good way *
 neither doth he abhor any thing that is evil.
  
 
  
5
 Thy mercy, O Lord, reacheth unto the heavens *
 and thy faithfulness unto the clouds.
  
 
  
6
 Thy righteousness standeth like the strong mountains *
 thy judgements are like the great deep.
  
 
  
7
 Thou, Lord, shalt save both man and beast; How excellent is thy mercy, O God *
 and the children of men shall put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
  
 
  
8
 They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house *
 and thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures, as out of the river.
  
 
  
9
 For with thee is the well of life *
 and in thy light shall we see light.
  
 
  
10
 O continue forth thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee *
 and thy righteousness unto them that are true of heart.
  
 
  
11
 O let not the foot of pride come against me *
 and let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down.
  
 
  
12
 There are they fallen, all that work wickedness *
 they are cast down, and shall not be able to stand.
  
 
   
  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: Wisdom 12.12-21

For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish, whom thou made? or who shall come to stand against thee, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?
 For neither is there any God but thou that careth for all, to whom thou mightest shew that thy judgment is not unright.
 Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against thee for any whom thou hast punished.
 Forsomuch then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest all things righteously: thinking it not agreeable with thy power to condemn him that hath not deserved to be punished.
 For thy power is the beginning of righteousness, and because thou art the Lord of all, it maketh thee to be gracious unto all.
 For when men will not believe that thou art of a full power, thou shewest thy strength, and among them that know it thou makest their boldness manifest.
 But thou, mastering thy power, judgest with equity, and orderest us with great favour: for thou mayest use power when thou wilt.
 But by such works hast thou taught thy people that the just man should be merciful, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope that thou givest repentance for sins.
 For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy children, and the condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and place, whereby they might be delivered from their malice:
 With how great circumspection didst thou judge thine own sons, unto whose fathers thou hast sworn, and made covenants of good promises?

or 2 Chronicles 3
   
  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: Mark 12.35-end

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?
 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

   
  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 Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; 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.
   
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