Psalm 119:89-96
XII (Lamed)
A meditation on Godís law
I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34).
Your word, O Lord, for ever *
stands firm in the heavens:
your truth lasts from age to age, *
like the earth you created.
By your decree it endures to this day; *
for all things serve you.
Had your law not been my delight *
I would have died in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts *
for with them you give me life.
Save me, for I am yours *
since I seek your precepts.
Though the wicked lie in wait to destroy me *
yet I ponder on your will.
I have seen that all perfection has an end *
but your command is boundless.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord, your Word, which stands firm for ever in heaven, dwells in your Church; may his presence bring lasting light to your temple.
Ant. Lord, I have sought to do your will, through which you give me life.
Ant. 2 I have trusted in you, O Lord, from my youth.
Psalm 71
You have stood by me, Lord, from my youth
Let hope be your joy; be patient in trials (Romans 12:12).
I
In you, O Lord, I take refuge; *
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, free me: *
pay heed to me and save me.
Be a rock where I can take refuge, Ü
a mighty stronghold to save me; *
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
Free me from the hand of the wicked, *
from the grip of the unjust, of the oppressor.
It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, *
my trust, O Lord, since my youth.
On you I have leaned from my birth, Ü
from my motherís womb you have been my help. *
My hope has always been in you.
My fate has filled many with awe *
but you are my strong refuge.
My lips are filled with your praise, *
with your glory all the day long.
Do not reject me now that I am old; *
when my strength fails do not forsake me.
For my enemies are speaking about me; *
those who watch me take counsel together.
They say: ìGod has forsaken him; follow him, *
seize him; there is no one to save him.î
O God, do not stay far off: *
my God, make haste to help me!
Let them be put to shame and destroyed, *
all those who seek my life.
Let them be covered with shame and confusion, *
all those who seek to harm me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. I have trusted in you, O Lord, from my youth.
Ant. 3 Do not abandon me, my God, when I am old.
II
But as for me, I will always hope *
and praise you more and more.
My lips will tell of your justice Ü
and day by day of your help *
though I can never tell it all.
I will declare the Lordís mighty deeds, *
proclaiming your justice, yours alone.
O God, you have taught me from my youth *
and I proclaim your wonders still.
Now that I am old and grey-headed, *
do not forsake me, God.
Let me tell of your power to all ages, *
praise your strength and justice to the skies,
tell of you who have worked such wonders. *
O God, who is like you?
You have burdened me with bitter troubles *
but you will give me back my life.
You will raise me from the depths of the earth; *
you will exalt me and console me again.
So I will give you thanks on the lyre *
for your faithful love, my God.
To you will I sing with the harp, *
to you, the Holy One of Israel.
When I sing to you my lips shall rejoice *
and my soul, which you have redeemed.
And all the day long my tongue *
shall tell the tale of your justice:
for they are put to shame and disgraced, *
all those who seek to harm me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen..
Psalm Prayer
Lord, God of the living, you give us lasting youth through the waters of rebirth, and happiness through the bread of life. Do not desert us when we are old, but help us to follow your will in both good times and bad, so that we may for ever praise your faithfulness.
Ant. Do not abandon me, my God, when I am old.
At the other hours, the complimentary psalmody from Series I and III is used.
READING
2 Corinthians 13:11
Brothers, I must say good-bye. Mend your ways. Encourage one another. Live in harmony and peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
The Lord looks on those who love him.
ñ He hears their cry.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God our Father,
work is your gift to us,
a call to reach new heights
by using our talents for the good of all.
Guide us as we work and teach us to live
in the spirit that made us your sons and daughters,
in the love that has made us brothers and sisters.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
ñ Amen.
ACCLAMATION
Let us praise the Lord.
ñ And give him thanks.
Lord Jesus Christ, abide with us,
Now that the sun has run its course;
Let hope not be obscured by night,
But may faithís darkness be as light.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant us your peace,
And when the trials of earth shall cease,
Grant us the morning light of grace,
The radiant splendor of your face.
Immortal, Holy, Threefold Light,
Yours be the kingdom, powír, and might;
All glory be eternally
To you, life-giving Trinity!
Melody: Old100th L.M.
Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1551
Text: Saint Josephís Abbey, 1967, 1968.
Or:
O boundless Wisdom, God most high,
O Maker of the earth and sky,
Who bidíst the parted waters flow
In heaven above, on earth below.
The streams on earth, the clouds in heaven,
By thee their ordered bounds were given,
Lest íneath the untempered fires of day
The parchËd soil should waste away.
Eíen so on us who seek thy face
Pour forth the waters of thy grace;
Renew the fount of life within,
And quench the wasting fires of sin.
Let faith discern the eternal Light
Beyond the darkness of the night,
And through the mists of falsehood see
The path of truth revealed by thee.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Translation: © the Benedictines of Saint Ceciliaís Abbey, Ryde, UK. Used with permission.
Ant. 1 Our eyes are fixed intently on the Lord, waiting for his merciful help.
Psalm 123
The Lord, unfailing hope of his people
Two blind men cried out: ìHave pity on us, Lord, Son of Davidî (Matthew 20:30).
To you have I lifted up my eyes, *
you who dwell in the heavens:
my eyes, like the eyes of slaves *
on the hand of their lords.
Like the eyes of a servant *
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God *
till he show us his mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
We are filled with contempt. *
Indeed all too full is our soul Ü
with the scorn of the rich, *
with the proud manís disdain.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Father in heaven, we lift our eyes to you and pray: confound the scorn of the proud and graciously show us your mercy.
Ant. Our eyes are fixed intently on the Lord, waiting for his merciful help.
Ant. 2 Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124
Our help is in the name of the Lord
The Lord said to Paul: ìFear not . . . I am with youî (Acts 18:9-10).
ìIf the Lord had not been on our side,î *
this is Israelís song.
ìIf the Lord had not been on our side *
when men rose against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive *
when their anger was kindled.
Then would the waters have engulfed us, *
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept *
the raging waters.î
Blessed be the Lord who did not give us *
a prey to their teeth!
Our life, like a bird, has escaped *
from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed the snare has been broken *
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, *
who made heaven and earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus, you foretold that your disciples would be despised on account of your name, but that not a hair of their heads is ever forgotten. In times of persecution, defend and revive us by the power and comfort of the Holy Spirit, so that we can be freed from our enemies and praise your saving help.
Ant. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.
Ant. 3 God chose us in his Son to be his adopted children.
Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10
God our Savior
Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him *
before the world began
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us *
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure, Ü
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is Godís favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out *
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. God chose us in his Son to be his adopted children.