Wednesday after Fourth Sunday in Lent
MORNING
LORD'S PRAYER AND PRECES
Our Father, whichwho art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done inon earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them thatthose who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
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.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord's Name be praised.
PSALM 95.
| O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. |
| Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms. |
| For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. |
| In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also. |
| The sea is his, and he made it; and his hands prepared the dry land. |
| O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. |
| For he is the Lord our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. |
| 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; |
| When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works. |
| 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; |
| Unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest. |
| 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. |
PSALM 9.
| I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will speak of all thy marvellous works. |
| I will be glad and rejoice in thee; yea, my songs will I make of thy Name, O thou most Highest. |
| While mine enemies are driven back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. |
| For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou art set in the throne that judgest right. |
| Thou hast rebuked the heathen, and destroyed the ungodly; thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. |
| O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end; even as the cities which thou hast destroyed, their memorial is perished with them. |
| But the Lord shall endure for ever; he hath also prepared his seat for judgement. |
| For he shall judge the world in righteousness, and minister true judgement unto the people. |
| The Lord also will be a defence for the oppressed, even a refuge in due time of trouble. |
| And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast never failed them that seek thee. |
| O praise the Lord which dwelleth in Sion; shew the people of his doings. |
| For when he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them, and forgetteth not the complaint of the poor. |
| Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider the trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death. |
| That I may shew all thy praises within the ports of the daughter of Sion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. |
| The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made; in the same net which they hid privily, is their foot taken. |
| The Lord is known to execute judgement; the ungodly is trapped in the work of his own hands. |
| The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the people that forget God. |
| For the poor shall not alway be forgotten; the patient abiding of the meek shall not perish for ever. |
| Up, Lord, and let not man have the upper hand; let the heathen be judged in thy sight. |
| Put them in fear, O Lord, that the heathen may know themselves to be but men. |
| 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. |
PSALM 10.
| Why standest thou so far off, O Lord, and hidest thy face in the needful time of trouble? |
| The ungodly for his own lust doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the crafty wiliness that they have imagined. |
| For the ungodly hath made boast of his own heart's desire, and speaketh good of the covetous, whom God abhorreth. |
| The ungodly is so proud, that he careth not for God, neither is God in all his thoughts. |
| His ways are alway grievous; thy judgements are far above out of his sight, and therefore defieth he all his enemies. |
| For he hath said in his heart, Tush, I shall never be cast down, there shall no harm happen unto me. |
| His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud; under his tongue is ungodliness and vanity. |
| He sitteth lurking in the thievish corners of the streets, and privily in his lurking dens doth he murder the innocent; his eyes are set against the poor. |
| For he lieth waiting secretly, even as a lion lurketh he in his den, that he may ravish the poor. |
| He doth ravish the poor, when he getteth him into his net. |
| He falleth down, and humbleth himself, that the congregation of the poor may fall into the hands of his captains. |
| He hath said in his heart, Tush, God hath forgotten; he hideth away his face, and he will never see it. |
| Arise, O Lord God, and lift up thine hand; forget not the poor. |
| Wherefore should the wicked blaspheme God, while he doth say in his heart, Tush, thou God carest not for it. |
| Surely thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest ungodliness and wrong. |
| That thou mayest take the matter into thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; for thou art the helper of the friendless. |
| Break thou the power of the ungodly and malicious; take away his ungodliness, and thou shalt find none. |
| The Lord is King for ever and ever, and the heathen are perished out of the land. |
| Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the poor; thou preparest their heart, and thine ear hearkeneth thereto; |
| To help the fatherless and poor unto their right, that the man of the earth be no more exalted against them. |
| 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. |
PSALM 11.
| In the Lord put I my trust; how say ye then to my soul, that she should flee as a bird unto the hill? |
| For lo, the ungodly bend their bow, and make ready their arrows within the quiver, that they may privily shoot at them which are true of heart. |
| For the foundations will be cast down, and what hath the righteous done? |
| The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's seat is in heaven. |
| His eyes consider the poor, and his eyelids try the children of men. |
| The Lord alloweth the righteous: but the ungodly, and him that delighteth in wickedness, doth his soul abhor. |
| Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, storm and tempest: this shall be their portion to drink. |
| For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance will behold the thing that is just. |
| 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. |
FIRST LESSON
| And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord. |
| And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. |
| And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. |
| Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the Lord only. |
| And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord. |
| And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. |
| And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. |
| And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the Lord our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. |
| And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the Lord: and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him. |
| And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. |
| And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. |
| Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. |
| So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. |
| And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. |
| And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. |
| And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. |
| And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord. |
BENEDICITE, OMNIA OPERA DOMINIFirst Canticle
O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Waters that be above the firmament, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Winds of God, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O let the Earth bless the Lord:
yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O all ye Green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O all ye Fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Children of men, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O let Israel bless the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Spirits and Souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O ye Holy and Humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord:
praise him, and magnify him for ever.
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.
SECOND LESSON
| The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. |
| Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. |
| Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. |
| So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. |
| And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. |
| Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, |
| And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. |
| Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. |
| For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. |
| Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. |
| But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, |
| And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. |
| And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. |
| And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. |
| Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. |
| Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. |
| Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. |
| Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. |
| Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. |
| And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. |
| Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. |
| And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: |
| Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. |
| But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. |
| The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. |
| And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. |
| Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. |
| And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. |
| Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. |
| And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: |
| But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. |
BENEDICTUSSecond Canticle
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;
for he hath visited and redeemed his people;
And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us,
in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets,
which have been since the world began;
That we should be saved from our enemies,
and from the hand of all that hate us:
To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, that he would give us;
That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear;
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
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;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
for the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God;
whereby the Day-spring from on high hath visited us;
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.
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.
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
COLLECT OF LENT
Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all them thatthose who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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. Amen.
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 isdoings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
