Thursday, January 29

The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m

The Call to Prayer

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;* make music to our God upon the harp.

Psalm 147:7

The Request for Presence

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

Psalm 119:135

The Greeting

How glorious you are!* more splendid than the everlasting mountains!

Psalm 76:4

The Hymn

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word; Just to rest upon his promise, and to know, “Thus says the Lord.” Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more! Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more! I’m so glad I learned to trust you, precious Jesus, Savior, friend; And I know that you are with me, will be with me to the end. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!

Louisa Stead

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing;* from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

Psalm 89:1

The Vespers Psalm

You Make the Darkness That It May Be Night

The trees of the LORD are full of sap,* the cedars of Lebanon which he planted, In which the birds build their nests,* and in whose tops the stork makes his dwelling. The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats,* and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers. You appointed the moon to mark the seasons,* and the sun knows the time of its setting. You make darkness that it may be night,* in which all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar after their prey* and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they slip away* and lay themselves down in their dens. Man goes forth to his work* and to his labor until the evening.

Psalm 104:17–24

The Refrain

Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing;* from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

The Gloria

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end. Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS, VOL. I I I