An American Prayer Book (2009): The Canticles

THE CANTICLES

Venite (Psalm 95)

O come, let us sing to the Lord;*
let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving*
and be glad in him with psalms

For the Lord is a great God*
and a great king above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth*
and the heights of the mountains are his also

The sea is his, for he made it,*
and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us worship and bow down*
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God;*
and we are the people of his pasture
and the sheep of his hand.

The canticle may end here with 'Glory to the Father…'

O that today you would listen to his voice:*
'Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
on that day at Massah in the wilderness,

'When your forebears tested me, and put me to the proof,*
though they had seen my works.

'Forty years long I detested that generation and said,*
"This people are wayward in their hearts;
they do not know my ways."

'So I swore in my wrath,*
"They shall not enter into my rest." '

Glory 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


Jubilate (Psalm 100)

O be joyful in the Lord, all the earth;*
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.

Know that the Lord is God;*
it is he that has made us and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;*
give thanks to him and bless his name.

For the Lord is gracious; his steadfast love is everlasting,*
and his faithfulness endures from generation to generation.

Glory 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.


The Easter Anthems

Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us:*
so let us celebrate the feast.

not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:*
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:*
death has no more dominion over him.

In dying he died to sin once for all:*
in living he lives to God.

See yourselves therefore as dead to sin:*
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ has been raised from the dead:*
the first fruits of those who sleep.

For as by man came death:*
by man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die:*
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Glory 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


Phos hilaron

O joyful light,
from the pure glory of the eternal heavenly Father,
O holy, blessed Jesus Christ.

As we come to the setting of the sun
and see the evening light,
we give thanks and praise to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit of God.

Worthy are you at all times
to be sung with holy voices,
O Son of God, O giver of life,
and to be glorified through all creation

or

Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured,
Who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest,
The lights of evening round us shine,
We hymn the Father, Son and Holy Spirit divine

Worthy are you at all times to be sung
With undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone:
Therefore in all the world your glories, Lord, they own.

or

Light of gladness, Lord of glory,
Jesus Christ our king most holy,
Shine among us in your mercy:
Earth and heaven join their hymn.

Let us sing at sun’s descending
As we see the lights of evening,
Father, Son, and Spirit praising
With the holy seraphim.

Son of God, through all the ages
Worthy of our holiest praises,
Yours the life that never ceases,
Light which never shall grow dim.

Words © 1982 Christopher Idle/Jubilate Hymns
USA © 1982 by Hope Publishing Company,
Carol Streams IL 60188
Suggested Tune: Quem pastores laudevere
Meter: 8887


Te Deum

We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as the Lord;*
all creation worships you,
the Father everlasting.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,*
the cherubim and seraphim, sing in endless praise:

Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might,*
heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you;*
the noble fellowship of prophets praise you.

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you;*
throughout the world, the holy Church acclaims you:

Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all praise,*
the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the King of glory,*
the eternal Son of the Father.

When you took our flesh to set us free,*
you humbly chose the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death*
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory:*
we believe that you will come to be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,*
bought with the price of your own blood,

and bring us with your saints*
to glory everlasting.

The Te Deum may end at this point.

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance:*
govern and uphold them now and always.

Day by day we bless you:*
we praise your name for ever.

Keep us today, Lord, from all sin:*
have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy

Lord, show us your love and mercy,*
for we put our trust in you.

In you, Lord, is our hope.*
let us never be put to shame


The Song of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79)

Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel,*
who has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,*
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets God promised of old*
to save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all that hate us

To show mercy to our ancestors,*
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath God swore to our father
Abraham:*
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear,*
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet
of the Most High,*
for you will go before the Lord to prepare
his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation*
by the forgiveness of all their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God*
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,*
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory 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.


The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

he has looked with favor on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed;

the Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him,*
from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm*
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

casting down the mighty from their thrones*
and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things*
and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel*
to remember his promise of mercy,

The promise made to our ancestors,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory 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.


The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace*
your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

A light to reveal you to the nations*
and the glory of your people Israel

Glory 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.


A Song of Creation (Song of the Three Young Men, 35-65}

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

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

Bless 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.

Bless 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.

Bless 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.

Bless 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.

Bless 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.

O 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.

Bless 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.

Bless 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.

O 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

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

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

A Song of Creation (Song of the Three Young Men 35,60-65) – Shorter Version

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

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

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

O 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

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

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


The First Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:2-6)

Surely God is my salvation;*
I will trust, and will not be afraid.

For the Lord is my strength and my song;*
and he has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.*
And you will say in that day:
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;

Make known his deeds among the nations;*
proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;*
let this be known in all the earth.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Zion,*
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Glory 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.


The Song of the Three Young Men (28-34)

Bless the Lord God of our forebears,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless his holy and glorious name,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him in his holy and glorious temple,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him who beholds the depths,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him seated between the cherubim,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him on the throne of his kingdom,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless him in the heights of heaven,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

Bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,*
sing his praise and exalt him for ever.


Great and Wonderful (Revelation 15: 3,4 and 5: 13b)

Great and wonderful are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty.*
Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.

Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord?*
for you alone are holy.

All nations shall come and worship in your presence:*
for your just dealings have been revealed.

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb*
Be praise and honor, glory and might,*
for ever and ever. Amen.

Glory and Honor (Revelation 4:11 and 5: 9,10,13b)

Glory and honor and power:*
are yours by right O Lord our God.

For you created all things:*
and by you will they have their being.

Glory and honor and power:*
are yours by right O Lamb for us slain;

For by your blood you ransomed us for God:*
from every race and language
from every people and nation.

To make us a kingdom of priests:*
to stand and serve before our God.

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb:*
be praise and honor, glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen.


Cantate Domino (Psalm 98)

Sing to the Lord a new song*
for he has done marvelous things.

His own right hand and his holy arm*
have won for him the victory.

The Lord has made known his salvation.*
his deliverance has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness
towards the house of Israel,*
and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Sound praises to the Lord, all the earth;*
break into singing and make music.

Make music to the Lord with the lyre,*
with the lyre and the voice of melody.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn*
sound praises before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea thunder and all that fills it,*
the world and all that dwell upon it.

Let the rivers clap their hands*
and let the hills ring out together before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.

In righteousness shall he judge the world*
and the peoples with equity

Glory 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.


Deus Miseratur (Psalm 67)

God be gracious to us and bless us*
and make his face to shine upon us,

That your way may be known upon earth,*
your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;*
let all the peoples praise you.

O let the nations rejoice and be glad,*
for you will judge the peoples righteously
and govern the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;*
let all the peoples praise you.

Then shall the earth bring forth her increase,*
and God, our own God, will bless us.

God will bless us,*
and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Glory 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.