Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent – Morning Prayer

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Psalm 31

1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.

3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.

5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O LORD, O God of truth.

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols, *
and I put my trust in the LORD.

7 I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; *
for you have seen my affliction;
you know my distress.

8 You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; *
you have set my feet in an open place.

9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.

10 For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.

11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.

12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
I have said, “You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.”

17 LORD, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; *
rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against the righteous, *
haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.

19 How great is your goodness, O LORD!
which you have laid up for those who fear you; *
which you have done in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.

20 You hide them in the covert of your presence from those who slander them; *
you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the LORD! *
for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a besieged city.

22 Yet I said in my alarm,
“I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.” *
Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty
when I cried out to you.

23 Love the LORD, all you who worship him; *
the LORD protects the faithful,
but repays to the full those who act haughtily.

24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, *
all you who wait for the LORD.

 

Fifth Sunday in Lent – Evening Prayer

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Psalm 145

1 I will exalt you, O God my King,*
and bless your Name forever and ever.

2 Every day will I bless you*
and praise your Name forever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
there is no end to his greatness.

4 One generation shall praise your works to another*
and shall declare your power.

5 I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty*
and all your marvelous works.

6 They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts,*
and I will tell of your greatness.

7 They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness;*
they shall sing of your righteous deeds.

8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 The LORD is loving to everyone*
and his compassion is over all his works.

10 All your works praise you, O LORD,*
and your faithful servants bless you.

11 They make known the glory of your kingdom *
and speak of your power;

12 That the peoples may know of your power*
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;*
your dominion endures throughout all ages.

14 The LORD is faithful in all his words*
and merciful in all his deeds.

15 The LORD upholds all those who fall;*
he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD,*
and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand*
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The LORD is righteous in all his ways*
and loving in all his works.

19 The LORD is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.

20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;*
he hears their cry and helps them.

21 The LORD preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.

22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name forever and ever.

 

Fifth Sunday in Lent – Morning Prayer

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Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;*
his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let Israel now proclaim,*
“His mercy endures for ever.”

3 Let the house of Aaron now proclaim,*
“His mercy endures for ever.”

4 Let those who fear the LORD now proclaim,*
“His mercy endures for ever.”

5 I called to the LORD in my distress;*
the LORD answered by setting me free.

6 The LORD is at my side, therefore I will not fear;*
what can anyone do to me?

7 The LORD is at my side to help me;*
I will triumph over those who hate me.

8 It is better to rely on the LORD*
than to put any trust in flesh.

9 It is better to rely on the LORD*
than to put any trust in rulers.

10 All the ungodly encompass me;*
in the Name of the LORD I will repel them.

11 They hem me in, they hem me in on every side;*
in the name of the LORD I will repel them.

12 They swarm about me like bees;
they blaze like a fire of thorns;*
in the name of the LORD I will repel them.

13 I was pressed so hard that I almost fell,*
but the LORD came to my help.

14 The LORD is my strength and my song,*
and he has become my salvation.

15 There is a sound of exultation and victory*
in the tents of the righteous:

16 “The right hand of the LORD has triumphed!*
the right hand of the LORD is exalted!
the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!”

17 I shall not die, but live,*
and declare the works of the LORD.

18 The LORD has punished me sorely,*
but he did not hand me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;*
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.

20 “This is the gate of the LORD;*
he who is righteous may enter.”

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me*
and have become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders rejected*
has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the LORD’S doing,*
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 On this day the LORD has acted;*
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Hosanna, LORD, hosanna!*
LORD, send us now success.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;*
we bless you from the house of the LORD.

27 God is the LORD; he has shined upon us;*
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.

28 “You are my God, and I will thank you;*
you are my God, and I will exalt you.”

29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;*
his mercy endures for ever.

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Evening Prayer

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Psalm 108

1 My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed;*
I will sing and make melody.

2 Wake up, my spirit;
awake, lute and harp;*
I myself will waken the dawn.

3 I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD;*
I will sing praises to you among the nations.

4 For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens,*
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5 Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God,*
and your glory over all the earth.

6 So that those who are dear to you may be delivered,*
save with your right hand and answer me.

7 God spoke from his holy place and said,*
“I will exult and parcel out Shechem;
I will divide the valley of Succoth.

8 Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine;*
Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my scepter.

9 Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it,*
and over Philistia will I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will lead me into the strong city?*
who will bring me into Edom?

11 Have you not cast us off, O God?*
you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.

12 Grant us your help against the enemy,*
for vain is the help of man.

13 With God we will do valiant deeds,*
and he shall tread our enemies under foot.

 

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Morning Prayer

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Psalm 107:33-43

33 The LORD changed rivers into deserts,*
and water-springs into thirsty ground,

34 A fruitful land into salt flats,*
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.

35 He changed deserts into pools of water*
and dry land into water-springs.

36 He settled the hungry there,*
and they founded a city to dwell in.

37 They sowed fields, and planted vineyards,*
and brought in a fruitful harvest.

38 He blessed them, so that they increased greatly;*
he did not let their herds decrease.

39 Yet when they were diminished and brought low,*
through stress of adversity and sorrow,

40 (He pours contempt on princes*
and makes them wander in trackless wastes)

41 He lifted up the poor out of misery*
and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.

42 The upright will see this and rejoice,*
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.

43 Whoever is wise will ponder these things,*
and consider well the mercies of the LORD.

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Evening Prayer

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Psalm 107:1-32

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,*
and his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let all those whom the LORD has redeemed proclaim*
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.

3 He gathered them out of the lands;*
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes;*
they found no way to a city where they might dwell.

5 They were hungry and thirsty;*
their spirits languished within them.

6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,*
and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He put their feet on a straight path*
to go to a city where they might dwell.

8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy*
and the wonders he does for his children.

9 For he satisfies the thirsty*
and fills the hungry with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and deep gloom,*
bound fast in misery and iron;

11 Because they rebelled against the words of God*
and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12 So he humbled their spirits with hard labor;*
they stumbled, and there was none to help.

13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,*
and he delivered them from their distress.

14 He led them out of darkness and deep gloom*
and broke their bonds asunder.

15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy*
and the wonders he does for his children.

16 For he shatters the doors of bronze*
and breaks in two the iron bars.

17 Some were fools and took to rebellious ways;*
they were afflicted because of their sins.

18 They abhorred all manner of food*
and drew near to death’s door.

19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,*
and he delivered them from their distress.

20 He sent forth his word and healed them*
and saved them from the grave.

21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy*
and the wonders he does for his children.

22 Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving*
and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.

23 Some went down to the sea in ships*
and plied their trade in deep waters;

24 They beheld the works of the LORD*
and his wonders in the deep.

25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose,*
which tossed high the waves of the sea.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths;*
their hearts melted because of their peril.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards*
and were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,*
and he delivered them from their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper*
and quieted the waves of the sea.

30 Then were they glad because of the calm,*
and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.

31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his mercy*
and the wonders he does for his children.

32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people*
and praise him in the council of the elders.

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Morning Prayer
Psalm 107:33-43

33 The LORD changed rivers into deserts,*
and water-springs into thirsty ground,

34 A fruitful land into salt flats,*
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.

35 He changed deserts into pools of water*
and dry land into water-springs.

36 He settled the hungry there,*
and they founded a city to dwell in.

37 They sowed fields, and planted vineyards,*
and brought in a fruitful harvest.

38 He blessed them, so that they increased greatly;*
he did not let their herds decrease.

39 Yet when they were diminished and brought low,*
through stress of adversity and sorrow,

40 (He pours contempt on princes*
and makes them wander in trackless wastes)

41 He lifted up the poor out of misery*
and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.

42 The upright will see this and rejoice,*
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.

43 Whoever is wise will ponder these things,*
and consider well the mercies of the LORD.

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Morning Prayer

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Psalm 102

1 LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come before you;*
hide not your face from me in the day of my trouble.

2 Incline your ear to me;*
when I call, make haste to answer me,

3 For my days drift away like smoke,*
and my bones are hot as burning coals.

4 My heart is smitten like grass and withered,*
so that I forget to eat my bread.

5 Because of the voice of my groaning*
I am but skin and bones.

6 I have become like a vulture in the wilderness,*
like an owl among the ruins.

7 I lie awake and groan;*
I am like a sparrow, lonely on a house-top.

8 My enemies revile me all day long,*
and those who scoff at me have taken an oath against me.

9 For I have eaten ashes for bread*
and mingled my drink with weeping.

10 Because of your indignation and wrath*
you have lifted me up and thrown me away.

11 My days pass away like a shadow,*
and I wither like the grass.

12 But you, O LORD, endure for ever,*
and your Name from age to age.

13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to have mercy upon her;*
indeed, the appointed time has come.

14 For your servants love her very rubble,*
and are moved to pity even for her dust.

15 The nations shall fear your Name, O LORD,*
and all the kings of the earth your glory.

16 For the LORD will build up Zion,*
and his glory will appear.

17 He will look with favor on the prayer of the homeless;*
he will not despise their plea.

18 Let this be written for a future generation,*
so that a people yet unborn may praise the LORD.

19 For the LORD looked down from his holy place on high;*
from the heavens he beheld the earth;

20 That he might hear the groan of the captive*
and set free those condemned to die;

21 That they may declare in Zion the Name of the LORD,*
and his praise in Jerusalem;

22 When the peoples are gathered together,*
and the kingdoms also, to serve the LORD.

23 He has brought down my strength before my time;*
he has shortened the number of my days;

24 And I said, “O my God,
do not take me away in the midst of my days;*
your years endure throughout all generations.

25 In the beginning, O LORD, you laid the foundations of the earth,*
and the heavens are the work of your hands;

26 They shall perish, but you will endure;
they all shall wear out like a garment;*
as clothing you will change them,
and they shall be changed;

27 But you are always the same,*
and your years will never end.

28 The children of your servants shall continue,*
and their offspring shall stand fast in your sight.”

 

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Evening Prayer

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Psalm 73

1 Truly, God is good to Israel,*
to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped;*
I had almost tripped and fallen;

3 Because I envied the proud*
and saw the prosperity of the wicked:

4 For they suffer no pain,*
and their bodies are sleek and sound;

5 In the misfortunes of others they have no share;*
they are not afflicted as others are;

6 Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace*
and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.

7 Their iniquity comes from gross minds,*
and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.

8 They scoff and speak maliciously;*
out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.

9 They set their mouths against the heavens,*
and their evil speech runs through the world.

10 And so the people turn to them*
and find in them no fault.

11 They say, “How should God know?*
is there knowledge in the Most High?”

12 So then, these are the wicked;*
always at ease, they increase their wealth.

13 In vain have I kept my heart clean,*
and washed my hands in innocence.

14 I have been afflicted all day long,*
and punished every morning.

15 Had I gone on speaking this way,*
I should have betrayed the generation of your children.

16 When I tried to understand these things,*
it was too hard for me;

17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God*
and discerned the end of the wicked.

18 Surely, you set them in slippery places;*
you cast them down in ruin.

19 Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction,*
come to an end, and perish from terror!

20 Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord,*
when you arise you will make their image vanish.

21 When my mind became embittered,*
I was sorely wounded in my heart.

22 I was stupid and had no understanding;*
I was like a brute beast in your presence.

23 Yet I am always with you;*
you hold me by my right hand.

24 You will guide me by your counsel,*
and afterwards receive me with glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?*
and having you I desire nothing upon earth.

26 Though my flesh and my heart should waste away,*
God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

27 Truly, those who forsake you will perish;*
you destroy all who are unfaithful.

28 But it is good for me to be near God;*
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.

29 I will speak of all your works*
in the gates of the city of Zion.

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Morning Prayer

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Psalm 69

1 Save me, O God,*
for the waters have risen up to my neck.

2 I am sinking in deep mire,*
and there is no firm ground for my feet.

3 I have come into deep waters,*
and the torrent washes over me.

4 I have grown weary with my crying;
my throat is inflamed;*
my eyes have failed from looking for my God.

5 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head;
my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty.*
Must I then give back what I never stole?

6 O God, you know my foolishness,*
and my faults are not hidden from you.

7 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord GOD of hosts;*
let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel.

8 Surely, for your sake have I suffered reproach,*
and shame has covered my face.

9 I have become a stranger to my own kindred,*
an alien to my mother’s children.

10 Zeal for your house has eaten me up;*
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.

11 I humbled myself with fasting,*
but that was turned to my reproach.

12 I put on sack-cloth also,*
and became a byword among them.

13 Those who sit at the gate murmur against me,*
and the drunkards make songs about me.

14 But as for me, this is my prayer to you,*
at the time you have set, O LORD:

15 “In your great mercy, O God,*
answer me with your unfailing help.

16 Save me from the mire; do not let me sink;*
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.

17 Let not the torrent of waters wash over me,
neither let the deep swallow me up;*
do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.

18 Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind;*
in your great compassion, turn to me.”

19 “Hide not your face from your servant;*
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.

20 Draw near to me and redeem me;*
because of my enemies deliver me.

21 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;*
my adversaries are all in your sight.”

22 Reproach has broken my heart, and it cannot be healed;*
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I could find no one.

23 They gave me gall to eat,*
and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Evening Prayer

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Psalm 119:121-144

121 I have done what is just and right;*
do not deliver me to my oppressors.

122 Be surety for your servant’s good;*
let not the proud oppress me.

123 My eyes have failed from watching for your salvation*
and for your righteous promise.

124 Deal with your servant according to your loving-kindness*
and teach me your statutes.

125 I am your servant; grant me understanding,*
that I may know your decrees.

126 It is time for you to act, O LORD,*
for they have broken your law.

127 Truly, I love your commandments*
more than gold and precious stones.

128 I hold all your commandments to be right for me;*
all paths of falsehood I abhor.

129 Your decrees are wonderful;*
therefore I obey them with all my heart.

130 When your word goes forth it gives light;*
it gives understanding to the simple.

131 I open my mouth and pant;*
I long for your commandments.

132 Turn to me in mercy,*
as you always do to those who love your Name.

133 Steady my footsteps in your word;*
let no iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Rescue me from those who oppress me,*
and I will keep your commandments.

135 Let your countenance shine upon your servant*
and teach me your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears,*
because people do not keep your law.

137 You are righteous, O LORD,*
and upright are your judgments.

138 You have issued your decrees*
with justice and in perfect faithfulness.

139 My indignation has consumed me,*
because my enemies forget your words.

140 Your word has been tested to the uttermost,*
and your servant holds it dear.

141 I am small and of little account,*
yet I do not forget your commandments.

142 Your justice is an everlasting justice*
and your law is the truth.

143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,*
yet your commandments are my delight.

144 The righteousness of your decrees is everlasting;*
grant me understanding, that I may live.