¶Old Testament and Apocrypha Canticles

19 The Song of Moses and Miriam

Refrain:

AllIn your unfailing love, O Lord,
you lead the people whom you have redeemed.

1I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously, •
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

2The Lord is my strength and my song •
and has become my salvation.

3This is my God whom I will praise, •
the God of my forebears whom I will exalt.

4The Lord is a warrior, •
the Lord is his name.

5Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: •
your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

6At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; •
they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

7In your unfailing love, O Lord, •
you lead the people whom you have redeemed.

8And by your invincible strength •
you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

9You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, •
in the sanctuary which your hands have established.

Exodus 15.1b-3, 6, 10, 13, 17

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllIn your unfailing love, O Lord,
you lead the people whom you have redeemed.

20 A Song of the Rock

Refrain:

AllThe word is very near to you;
it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

1Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; •
and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

2May my teaching drop as the rain,
my speech distil as the dew, •
as the gentle rain on the grass,
and as the showers upon the meadow.

3For I will proclaim the name of the Lord. •
Ascribe greatness to our God!

4The Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are just: •
a faithful God without deceit, just and upright is he.

5His degenerate children have dealt corruptly with him; •
a perverse and crooked generation.

6Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? •
Is not he your father, who created you,
who made you and established you?

7Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; •
ask your father, and he will show you;
your elders, and they will tell you.

8When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,
when he divided the children of earth, •
he fixed the bounds of the peoples
according to the number of the children of God.

9For the Lord's own portion is his people, •
Jacob his allotted heritage.

10He sustained him in a desert land,
in the howling waste of the wilderness; •
he shielded him and cared for him;
he kept him as the apple of his eye.

11As an eagle stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, •
spreading out its wings, takes them,
and bears them aloft on its pinions,

12So the Lord alone did guide him, •
and no foreign god was with him.

Deuteronomy 32.1-12

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllThe word is very near to you;
it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

21 A Song of Hannah

Refrain:

AllBlessed are those who believe,
for what God has promised will be fulfilled.

1My heart exults in the Lord; •
my strength is exalted in my God.

2My mouth derides my enemies, •
because I rejoice in your salvation.

3There is no Holy One like you, O Lord, •
nor any Rock like you, our God.

4For you are a God of knowledge •
and by you our actions are weighed.

5The bows of the mighty are broken, •
but the feeble gird on strength.

6Those who were full now hire themselves out for bread, •
but those who were hungry are well fed.

7The barren woman has borne sevenfold, •
but she who has many children is forlorn.

8Both the poor and the rich are of your making; •
you bring low and you also exalt.

9You raise up the poor from the dust, •
and lift the needy from the ash heap.

10You make them sit with the rulers •
and inherit a place of honour.

11For the pillars of the earth are yours •
and on them you have set the world.

1 Samuel 2.1, 2, 3b-5, 7, 8

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllBlessed are those who believe,
for what God has promised will be fulfilled.

22 A Song of David

Refrain:

AllSplendour and majesty are yours, O God;
you are exalted as head over all.

1Blessed are you, God of Israel, for ever and ever, •
for yours is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the splendour and the majesty.

2Everything in heaven and on earth is yours; •
yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
and you are exalted as head over all.

3Riches and honour come from you •
and you rule over all.

4In your hand are power and might; •
yours it is to give power and strength to all.

5And now we give you thanks, our God, •
and praise your glorious name.

6For all things come from you, •
and of your own have we given you.

1 Chronicles 29.10b-13, 14b

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllSplendour and majesty are yours, O God;
you are exalted as head over all.

23 A Song of Solomon

Refrain:

AllMany waters cannot quench love;
neither can the floods drown it.

1Set me as a seal upon your heart, •
as a seal upon your arm;

2For love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave; •
its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.

3Many waters cannot quench love, •
neither can the floods drown it.

4If all the wealth of our house were offered for love, •
it would be utterly scorned.

cf Song of Solomon 8.6, 7

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllMany waters cannot quench love;
neither can the floods drown it.

24 A Song of Peace

Refrain:

AllSpirit of God, teach us your ways,
that we may walk in the paths of peace.

1Come, let us go up to the mountain of God, •
to the house of the God of Jacob;

2That God may teach us his ways, •
and that we may walk in his paths.

3For the law shall go out from Zion, •
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4God shall judge between the nations, •
and shall mediate for many peoples.

5They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, •
and their spears into pruning hooks.

6Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, •
neither shall they learn war any more.

7O people of Jacob, come: •
let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2.3-5

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllSpirit of God, teach us your ways,
that we may walk in the paths of peace.

25 A Song of the Messiah

Refrain:

AllTo us a child is born,
to us a son is given.

1The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; •
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
upon them the light has dawned.

2You have increased their joy and given them great gladness; •
they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest.

3For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them; •
the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.

4For to us a child is born and to us a son is given, •
and the government will be upon his shoulder.

5And his name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor;
the Mighty God; •
the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.

6Of the increase of his government and of peace •
there will be no end,

7Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, •
to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness.

8From this time forth and for evermore; •
the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9.2, 3b, 4a, 6, 7

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllTo us a child is born,
to us a son is given.

26 A Song of God's Chosen One

Refrain:

AllThe earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

1There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, •
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

2And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, •
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

3The spirit of counsel and might, •
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

4He shall not judge by what his eyes see, •
or decide by what his ears hear,

5But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, •
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.

6The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, •
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid.

7The calf, the lion and the fatling together, •
with a little child to lead them.

8They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, •
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11.1, 2, 3b-4a, 6, 9

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllThe earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

27 A Song of Deliverance

Refrain:

AllAll the earth, shout and sing for joy,
for great in your midst is the Holy One.

1'Behold, God is my salvation; •
I will trust and will not be afraid;

2'For the Lord God is my strength and my song, •
and has become my salvation.'

3With joy you will draw water •
from the wells of salvation.

4On that day you will say, •
'Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;

5'Make known his deeds among the nations, •
proclaim that his name is exalted.

6'Sing God's praises, who has triumphed gloriously; •
let this be known in all the world.

7'Shout and sing for joy, you that dwell in Zion, •
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.'

Isaiah 12.2-6

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllAll the earth, shout and sing for joy,
for great in your midst is the Holy One.

28 A Song of Trust

Refrain:

AllTrust in the Lord for ever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

1We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. •
Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps faith
may enter in.

2You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, •
because he trusts in you.

3Trust in the Lord for ever, •
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

4The way of the righteous is level; •
you who are upright make smooth the path of the righteous.

5In the path of your judgements, O Lord, we wait for you; •
your name and renown is the desire of our soul.

6My soul yearns for you in the night, •
my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.

7For when your judgements are in the earth, •
the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

8O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, •
for indeed all that we have done you have done for us.

Isaiah 26.1-4,7-9,12

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllTrust in the Lord for ever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

29 A Song of the Wilderness

Refrain:

AllLift up your voice with strength,
O herald of good tidings.

1The wilderness and the dry land shall rejoice, •
the desert shall blossom and burst into song.

2They shall see the glory of the Lord, •
the majesty of our God.

3Strengthen the weary hands, •
and make firm the feeble knees.

4Say to the anxious, 'Be strong, fear not,
your God is coming with judgement, •
coming with judgement to save you.'

5Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, •
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6Then shall the lame leap like a hart, •
and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.

7For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, •
and streams in the desert;

8The ransomed of the Lord shall return with singing, •
with everlasting joy upon their heads.

9Joy and gladness shall be theirs, •
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35.1, 2b-4a, 4c-6, 10

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllLift up your voice with strength,
O herald of good tidings.

30 A Song of God's Herald

Refrain:

AllGod will feed his flock like a shepherd,
and gather the lambs in his arms.

1Go up to a high mountain,
herald of good tidings to Zion; •
lift up your voice with strength,
herald of good tidings to Jerusalem.

2Lift up your voice, fear not; •
say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'

3See, the Lord God comes with might, •
and his arm rules for him.

4Behold, his reward is with him, •
and his recompense before him.

5God will feed his flock like a shepherd, •
and gather the lambs in his arms;

6He will carry them in his breast, •
and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40. 9-11

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllGod will feed his flock like a shepherd,
and gather the lambs in his arms.

31 A Song of the Covenant

Refrain:

AllI have given you as a light to the nations,
and I have called you in righteousness.

1Thus says God, who created the heavens, •
who fashioned the earth and all that dwells in it;

2Who gives breath to the people upon it •
and spirit to those who walk in it,

3 'I am the Lord and I have called you in righteousness, •
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

4 'I have given you as a covenant to the people, •
a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind,

5'To bring out the captives from the dungeon, •
from the prison, those who sit in darkness.

6'I am the Lord, that is my name; •
my glory I give to no other.'

Isaiah 42.5-8a

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllI have given you as a light to the nations,
and I have called you in righteousness.

32 A Song of the New Creation

Refrain:

AllI will make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.

1'I am the Lord, your Holy One, •
the Creator of Israel, your King.'

2Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, •
a path in the mighty waters,

3'Remember not the former things, •
nor consider the things of old.

4'Behold, I am doing a new thing; •
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

5'I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert, •
to give drink to my chosen people,

6'The people whom I formed for myself, •
that they might declare my praise.'

Isaiah 43.15, 16, 18, 19, 20c, 21

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllI will make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.

33 A Song of the Word of the Lord

Refrain:

AllReturn to the Lord, who will have mercy,
to our God, who will richly pardon.

1Seek the Lord while he may be found, •
call upon him while he is near;

2Let the wicked abandon their ways, •
and the unrighteous their thoughts;

3Return to the Lord, who will have mercy; •
to our God, who will richly pardon.

4'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, •
neither are your ways my ways,' says the Lord.

5'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, •
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

6'As the rain and the snow come down from above, •
and return not again but water the earth,

7'Bringing forth life and giving growth, •
seed for sowing and bread to eat,

8'So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; •
it will not return to me fruitless,

9'But it will accomplish that which I purpose, •
and succeed in the task I gave it.'

Isaiah 55.6-11

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllReturn to the Lord, who will have mercy,
to our God, who will richly pardon.

34 A Song of the New Jerusalem

Refrain:

AllAbove you the Holy One arises,
and above you God's glory appears.

1Arise, shine out, for your light has come, •
the glory of the Lord is rising upon you.

2Though night still covers the earth, •
and darkness the peoples;

3Above you the Holy One arises, •
and above you God's glory appears.

4The nations will come to your light, •
and kings to your dawning brightness.

5Your gates will lie open continually, •
shut neither by day nor by night.

6The sound of violence shall be heard no longer in your land, •
or ruin and devastation within your borders.

7You will call your walls, Salvation, •
and your gates, Praise.

8No more will the sun give you daylight, •
nor moonlight shine upon you;

9But the Lord will be your everlasting light, •
your God will be your splendour.

10For you shall be called the city of God, •
the dwelling of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 60.1-3, 11a, 18, 19, 14b

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllAbove you the Holy One arises,
and above you God's glory appears.

35 A Song of the Lord's Anointed

Refrain:

AllThe Lord has anointed me
and sent me to bring good news to the oppressed.

1The Spirit of the Lord is upon me •
because he has anointed me.

2He has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, •
to bind up the broken-hearted,

3To proclaim liberty to the captives, •
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

4To proclaim the year of the Lord's favour, •
to comfort all who mourn,

5To give them a garland instead of ashes, •
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit,

6That they may be called oaks of righteousness, •
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

7For as the earth puts forth her blossom, •
and as seeds in the garden spring up,

8So shall the Lord God make righteousness and praise •
blossom before all the nations.

9You shall be called priests of the Lord; •
they shall speak of you as ministers of our God.

Isaiah 61.1-3, 11, 6a

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllThe Lord has anointed me
and sent me to bring good news to the oppressed.

36 A Song of the Bride

Refrain:

AllGod makes righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.

1I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, •
my soul shall exult in my God;

2Who has clothed me with the garments of salvation, •
and has covered me with the cloak of integrity,

3As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, •
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

4For as the earth puts forth her blossom, •
and as seeds in the garden spring up,

5So shall God make righteousness and praise •
blossom before all the nations.

6For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, •
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

7Until her deliverance shines out like the dawn, •
and her salvation as a burning torch.

8The nations shall see your deliverance, •
and all rulers shall see your glory;

9Then you shall be called by a new name •
which the mouth of God will give.

10You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, •
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Isaiah 61.10, 11; 62.1-3

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllGod makes righteousness and praise
blossom before all the nations.

37 A Song of the Lord's Gracious Deeds

Refrain:

AllI will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
the praises of the Most High.

1Who is this that comes from Edom, •
coming from Bozrah, his garments stained crimson?

2Who is this in glorious apparel, •
marching in the greatness of his strength?

3'It is I, who announce that right has won the day, •
it is I,' says the Lord, 'for I am mighty to save.'

4Why are your robes all red, O Lord, •
and your garments like theirs who tread the winepress?

5'I have trodden the winepress alone, •
and from the peoples no one was with me.'

6I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, •
the praises of the Most High;

7All that God has done for us in his mercy, •
by his many acts of love.

8For God said, 'Surely, they are my people,
my children who will not deal falsely,' •
and he became their Saviour in all their distress.

9So God redeemed them by his love and pity; •
he lifted them up and carried them
through all the days of old.

Isaiah 63.1-3a, 7-9

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllI will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
the praises of the Most High.

38 A Song of Jerusalem our Mother

Refrain:

AllThus says our God, I will comfort you,
you shall see and your heart shall rejoice.

1'Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, •
all you who love her,' says the Lord.

2 'Rejoice with her in joy, •
all you who mourn over her,

3'That you may drink deeply with delight •
from her consoling breast.'

4For thus says our God, •
'You shall be nursed and carried on her arm.

5'As a mother comforts her children, •
so I will comfort you;

6'You shall see and your heart shall rejoice; •
you shall flourish like the grass of the fields.'

Isaiah 66.10, 11a, 12a, 12c, 13a, 14a, b

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllThus says our God, I will comfort you,
you shall see and your heart shall rejoice.

39 A Song of Lamentation

Refrain:

AllGreat is your faithfulness, O Lord.

1Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? •
Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,

2Which was brought upon me, •
which the Lord inflicted
on the day of his fierce anger.

3For these things I weep;
my eyes flow with tears; •
for a comforter is far from me,
one to revive my courage.

4Remember my affliction and my bitterness, •
the wormwood and the gall!

5But this I call to mind, •
and therefore I have hope:

6The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, •
his mercies never come to an end;

7They are new every morning; •
great is your faithfulness.

8 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, •
' therefore I will hope in him.'

9The Lord is good to those who wait for him, •
to the soul that seeks him.

10It is good that we should wait quietly •
for the salvation of the Lord.

11For the Lord will not reject for ever; •
though he causes grief, he will have compassion,

12According to the abundance of his steadfast love; •
for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

Lamentations 1.12, 16a,b; 3.19, 21-26, 31-33

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllGreat is your faithfulness, O Lord.

40 A Song of Ezekiel

Refrain:

AllThe Spirit of God fills the whole world.

1I will take you from the nations, •
and gather you from all the countries.

2I will sprinkle clean water upon you, •
and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses.

3A new heart I will give you, •
and put a new spirit within you,

4And I will remove from your body the heart of stone •
and give you a heart of flesh.

5You shall be my people, •
and I will be your God.

Ezekiel 36.24-26, 28b

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllThe Spirit of God fills the whole world.

41 A Song of Humility

Refrain:

AllRaise us up, O God,
that we may live in your presence.

1Come, let us return to the Lord •
who has torn us and will heal us.

2God has stricken us •
and will bind up our wounds.

3After two days, he will revive us, •
and on the third day will raise us up,
that we may live in his presence.

4Let us strive to know the Lord; •
his appearing is as sure as the sunrise.

5He will come to us like the showers, •
like the spring rains that water the earth.

6'O Ephraim, how shall I deal with you? •
How shall I deal with you, O Judah?

7'Your love for me is like the morning mist, •
like the dew that goes early away.

8'Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets, •
and my judgement goes forth as the light.

9'For loyalty is my desire and not sacrifice, •
and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. '

Hosea 6.1-6

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllRaise us up, O God,
that we may live in your presence.

42 A Song of Jonah

Refrain:

AllMy prayer came to you in your holy temple,
and you brought up my life from the depths.

1I called to you, O God, out of my distress
and you answered me; •
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
and you heard my voice.

2You cast me into the deep,
into the heart of the seas, •
and the flood surrounded me,
all your waves and billows passed over me.

3Then I said, I am driven away from your sight; •
how shall I ever look again upon your holy temple?

4The waters closed in over me,
the deep was round about me; •
weeds were wrapped around my head
at the roots of the mountains.

5I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me for ever, •
yet you brought up my life from the depths, O God.

6As my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, O God, •
and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.

7With the voice of thanksgiving, I will sacrifice to you; •
what I have vowed I will pay;
deliverance belongs to the Lord!

Jonah 2.2-7, 9

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllMy prayer came to you in your holy temple,
and you brought up my life from the depths.

43 The Prayer of Habakkuk

Refrain:

AllYou came forth to save your people,
to save your anointed, O God.

1O Lord, I have heard of your renown, •
and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work.

2In the midst of the years renew it;
in the midst of the years make it known; •
in wrath remember mercy.

3God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. •
His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

4His brightness was like the sun, •
rays flashed from his hand; there he veiled his power.

5You came forth to save your people, •
to save your anointed.

6You trampled the sea with your horses, •
churning the mighty waters.

7I hear, and my belly trembles, •
my lips quiver at the sound;

8Rottenness enters into my bones, •
and my steps totter beneath me.

9I will quietly wait for the day of trouble •
to come upon the people that invade us.

10Though the fig tree does not blossom,
nor fruit appear on the vines, •
the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food,

11Though the flock be cut off from the fold •
and there be no herd in the stalls,

12Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, •
I will exult in the God of my salvation.

13God, the Lord, is my strength; •
he makes my feet like hinds' feet,
and makes me tread upon the high places.

Habakkuk 3.2-4, 13a, 15-19

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllYou came forth to save your people,
to save your anointed, O God.

44 A Song of Tobit

Refrain:

AllSee what the Lord our God has done
and exalt him in the sight of the living.

1Blessed be God, who lives for ever, •
whose reign endures throughout all ages.

2Declare God's praise before the nations, •
you who are the children of Israel.

3For if our God has scattered you among them, •
there too has he shown you his greatness.

4Exalt him in the sight of the living, •
because he is our Lord and God and our Father for ever.

5Though God punishes you for your wickedness, •
mercy will be shown to you all.

6God will gather you from every nation, •
from wherever you have been scattered.

7When you turn to the Lord
with all your heart and soul, •
God will hide his face from you no more.

8See what the Lord has done for you •
and give thanks with a loud voice.

9Praise the Lord of righteousness •
and exalt the King of the ages.

Tobit 13.1, 3, 4-6a

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllSee what the Lord our God has done
and exalt him in the sight of the living.

45 A Song of Judith

Refrain:

AllYou sent forth your Spirit, O God,
and you continue to show mercy to all.

1I will sing a new song to my God, •
for you are great and glorious,
truly strong and invincible.

2May your whole creation serve you, •
for you spoke and all things came to be.

3You sent forth your Spirit and they were formed, •
for no one can resist your voice.

4Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths; •
at your presence rocks shall melt like wax.

5But to those who fear you, •
you continue to show mercy.

6No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, •
but whoever fears the Lord
shall stand in your sight for ever.

Judith 16.13-16

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllYou sent forth your Spirit, O God,
and you continue to show mercy to all.

46 A Song of the Righteous

Refrain:

AllGod has found the righteous worthy
and their hope is full of immortality.

1The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God •
and no torment will ever touch them.

2In the eyes of the foolish, they seem to have died; •
but they are at peace.

3For though, in the sight of others, they were punished, •
their hope is full of immortality.

4Having been disciplined a little,
they will receive great good, •
because God tested them and found them worthy.

5Like gold in the furnace, God tried them •
and, like a sacrificial burnt offering, accepted them.

6In the time of their visitation, they will shine forth •
and will run like sparks through the stubble.

7They will govern nations and rule over peoples •
and God will reign over them for ever.

Wisdom 3.1, 2a, 3b-8

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllGod has found the righteous worthy
and their hope is full of immortality.

47 A Song of Wisdom

Refrain:

AllSend Wisdom forth from your holy heavens;
from the throne of your glory
send what is pleasing to you.

1O God of our ancestors and Lord of mercy, •
you have made all things by your word.

2By your wisdom you have formed us •
to have dominion over the creatures you have made;

3To rule the world in holiness and righteousness •
and to pronounce judgement in uprightness of soul.

4Give us the Wisdom that sits by your throne; •
do not reject us from among your servants,

5For we are your servants, •
with little understanding of judgement and laws.

6Even one who is perfect among us •
will be regarded as nothing
without the wisdom that comes from you.

7With you is Wisdom, she who knows your works, •
and was present when you made the world.

8She understands what is pleasing in your sight •
and what is right according to your commandments.

9Send her forth from the holy heavens, •
from the throne of your glory send her.

10That she may labour at our side •
and that we may learn what is pleasing to you.

11For she knows and understands all things, •
she will guide us wisely in our actions
and guard us with her glory.

Wisdom 9.1-5a,c, 6, 9-11

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllSend Wisdom forth from your holy heavens;
from the throne of your glory
send what is pleasing to you.

48 A Song of Pilgrimage

Refrain:

AllIn prayer I inclined my ear
and my heart was stirred to seek Wisdom.

1While I was still young, •
I sought Wisdom openly in my prayer.

2Before the temple I asked for her, •
and I will search for her until the end.

3From the first blossom to the ripening grape, •
my heart delighted in her.

4My foot walked on the straight path, •
from my youth I followed her steps.

5I inclined my ear a little and received her, •
I found for myself much instruction.

6I made progress in Wisdom; •
to the One who sent her, I will give glory.

7I directed my soul to Wisdom, •
and in purity have I found her.

8With her, I gained understanding from the first, •
therefore will I never be forsaken.

9My heart was stirred to seek her, •
with my tongue will I sing God's praise.

Ecclesiasticus 51.13a, 13c-17, 20, 21a, 22b

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllIn prayer I inclined my ear
and my heart was stirred to seek Wisdom.

49 A Song of Baruch

Refrain:

AllLead us, O God, with joy
to walk in the light of glory.

1Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height: •
look to the east and see your children,

2Gathered from the west and the east •
at the word of the Holy One.

3They rejoice that God has remembered them •
and has brought them back to you.

4For God has ordered that every high mountain •
and the everlasting hills be made low,

5And the valleys filled up to make level ground •
so that they may walk safely in the glory of God.

6The woods and every fragrant tree •
have shaded them at God's command.

7For God will lead his people with joy
in the light of his glory •
with the mercy and righteousness that comes from God.

Baruch 5.5, 6c, 7-9

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllLead us, O God, with joy
to walk in the light of glory.

50 Bless the Lord

1Blessed are you, the God of our ancestors, •
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

2Blessed is your holy and glorious name, •
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

3Blessed are you, in your holy and glorious temple, •
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

4Blessed are you who look into the depths, •
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

5Blessed are you, enthroned on the cherubim, •
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

6Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, •
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

7Blessed are you in the heights of heaven, •
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

The Song of the Three 29-34

AllBless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.

51a Benedicite - A Song of Creation

1Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

2Bless the Lord you heavens: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

3Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord: •
bless the Lord all you his hosts;

bless the Lord you waters above the heavens: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

4Bless the Lord sun and moon: •
bless the Lord you stars of heaven;

bless the Lord all rain and dew: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

5Bless the Lord all winds that blow: •
bless the Lord you fire and heat;

bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

6Bless the Lord dews and falling snows: •
bless the Lord you nights and days;

bless the Lord light and darkness: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

7Bless the Lord frost and cold: •
bless the Lord you ice and snow;

bless the Lord lightnings and clouds: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

8O let the earth bless the Lord: •
bless the Lord you mountains and hills;

bless the Lord all that grows in the ground: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

9Bless the Lord you springs: •
bless the Lord you seas and rivers;

bless the Lord you whales and all that swim in the waters: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

10Bless the Lord all birds of the air: •
bless the Lord you beasts and cattle;

bless the Lord all people on earth: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

11O people of God bless the Lord: •
bless the Lord you priests of the Lord;

bless the Lord you servants of the Lord: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

12Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit: •
bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.

The Song of the Three 35-65

AllBless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

51b Benedicite - A Song of Creation

(shorter version)

1Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

2Bless the Lord you heavens: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

3Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

4Bless the Lord all people on earth: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

5O people of God bless the Lord: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

6Bless the Lord you priests of the Lord: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

7Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

8Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit: •
bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.

The Song of the Three 35-37, 60-65

AllBless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: •
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

52 The Song of Manasseh

Refrain:

AllFull of compassion and mercy and love
is God, the Most High, the Almighty.

1Lord almighty and God of our ancestors, •
you who made heaven and earth in all their glory:

2All things tremble with awe at your presence, •
before your great and mighty power.

3Immeasurable and unsearchable is your promised mercy, •
for you are God, Most High.

4You are full of compassion, long-suffering and very merciful, •
and you relent at human suffering.

5O God, according to your great goodness, •
you have promised forgiveness for repentance
to those who have sinned against you.

6The sins I have committed against you •
are more in number than the sands of the sea.

7I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven, •
because of the multitude of my iniquities.

8And now I bend the knee of my heart before you, •
imploring your kindness upon me.

9I have sinned, O God, I have sinned, •
and I acknowledge my transgressions.

10Unworthy as I am, you will save me, •
according to your great mercy.

11For all the host of heaven sings your praise, •
and your glory is for ever and ever.

Manasseh 1a, 2, 4, 6, 7a, b, 9a, c, 11, 12, 14b, 15b

AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

AllFull of compassion and mercy and love
is God, the Most High, the Almighty.