THE DAILY OFFICES Home All-in-One HTML, PDF / LG PDF The Office at Prime : Divine Service at the First Hour (ie. early morning) PDF / LG PDF The Office at Matins : Divine Service in the Morning The Office at Terce : Divine Service at the Third Hour (ie. mid-morning) PDF / LG PDF The Office at Sext : Divine Service at the Sixth Hour (ie. noon) PDF / LG PDF The Office at None : Divine Service at the Ninth Hour (ie. mid-afternoon)  PDF / LG PDF The Office at Vespers : Divine Service in the Evening  The Office at Compline : Divine Service at Night (ie. before sleep) PDF / LG PDF The Itinerary : Divine Service before travel PDF / LG PDF. The Offices of the Hours, from the Appendix of Daily Office, Herbert Lindemann, Ed.  ©1965 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.

THE OFFICE AT PRIME

THE VERSICLE

 Make haste, O God, to deliver me.
 Make haste to help me, O Lord.

(From Septuagesima to Holy Saturday, instead of the Alleluia
-- Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.)

THE HYMN

 Now that daylight fills the sky,
 We lift our hearts to God on high
 That He, in all we do or say,
 Would keep us free from harm today.

 Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife,
 From anger's din would hide our life,
 From evil sights would turn our eyes,
 Would close our ears to vanities.

 So we, when this new day is gone
 And night in turn is drawing on,
 With conscience by the world unstained
 Shall praise His name for victory gained.

 To God the Father and the Son
 And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
 Be endless glory as before
 The world began, so evermore.

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the Lord.

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the Lord.  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong but walk in His ways.  Thou hast commanded Thy precepts to be kept diligently.  Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Thy statutes!  Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all Thy commandments.  I will praise Thee with an upright heart when I learn Thy righteous ordinances.  I will observe Thy statutes;  oh, forsake me not utterly!  Glory be to the Father... (The antiphon repeated)

(The Athanasian Creed may be said at this place)

THE CHAPTER (I Tim. 1:17)

 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.
 Thanks be to God.

 O Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon us.
 O Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon us.

 Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father:
 Have mercy upon us.

 Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
 O Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon us.

 Arise, O Christ, and help us.
 And deliver us for Thy name's sake.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

THE APOSTLE'S CREED

 I believe in God...
 The resurrection of the body:
 And the life everlasting.

 I cry to Thee, O Lord.
 In the morning my prayer comes before Thee.

 Oh, let my mouth be filled with Thy praise:
 And with Thy glory all the day.

 Hide Thy face from my sins, O Lord.
 And blot out all my iniquities.

 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
 And put a new and right spirit within me.

 Cast me not away from Thy presence.
 And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation.
 And uphold me with a willing spirit.

        I confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and before all the company of heaven, that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, my own fault, my most grievous fault;  wherefore I pray almighty God to have mercy on me, to forgive me all my sins, and to make clean my heart within me.

        May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins, grace for true repentance, amendment of life, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 Vouchsafe, O Lord:
 To keep us this day without sin.

 O Lord, have mercy upon us.
 Have mercy upon us.

 O Lord, let Thy mercy be upon us:
 As our trust is in Thee.

 O Lord, hear my prayer.
 And let my cry come to Thee.

         O everlasting Jesus, who in the early morning didst give Thyself to be reviled and scoffed at by Thine enemies, visit us, we pray Thee, at this hour with Thy grace and mercy that so throughout the day we may find peace and joy in all that ministers to Thy praise and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

 The Lord Almighty order this day and all our doings in His peace.  Amen.

 Our help is in the name of the Lord:
 Who made heaven and earth.

 Let us bless the Lord.
 Thanks be to God.

The Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
 

  THE OFFICE AT TERCE

THE VERSICLE

 Make haste, O God, to deliver me.
 Make haste to help me, O Lord.

(From Septuagesima to Holy Saturday, instead of the Alleluia
-- Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.)

THE HYMN

 Come, Holy Ghost, with God the Son
 And God the Father ever One;
 Shed forth Thy grace within our breast,
 And dwell with us a ready guest.

 By every power, by heart and tongue,
 By act and deed Thy praise be sung;
 Inflame with perfect love each sense
 That others' souls may kindle thence.

 Let thy mercy come to me that I may live.

Thy hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments. Those who fear Thee shall see me and rejoice because I have hoped in Thy Word. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me. Let Thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to Thy promise to Thy servant. Let Thy mercy come to me, that I may live; for Thy law is my delight. Let the godless be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on Thy precepts. Let those who fear Thee turn to me, that they may know Thy testimonies. May my heart be blameless in Thy statutes, that I may not be put to shame!  Glory be to the Father... (The antiphon repeated)

THE CHAPTER (I John 4:16)

 God is Love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
 Thanks be to God.

 Be Thou my Helper, forsake me not.
 Do not leave me, O God, my Savior.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

 O Lord, hear my prayer.
 And let my cry come to Thee.

         O God, almighty Father, we humbly beseech Thy Divine Majesty that, as Thou didst strengthen Thine apostles at the third hour by the visitation of Thy Holy Spirit, so Thou wilt deign to enlighten and guard our hearts and bodies by His coming; through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.

 Let us bless the Lord.
 Thanks be to God.

THE OFFICE AT SEXT

THE VERSICLE

 Make haste, O God, to deliver me.
 Make haste to help me, O Lord.

(From Septuagesima to Holy Saturday, instead of the Alleluia
-- Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.)

THE HYMN

 O God of truth, O Lord of might,
 Disposing time and change aright,
 Who clothest the splendid morning ray
 And givest the heat at noon of day.

 Extinguish Thou each sinful fire,
 And banish every ill desire;
 And while Thou keepest the body whole,
 Shed forth Thy peace upon the soul.

 Grant this, O Father, ever One
 With Jesus Christ, Thy only Son,
 And Holy Ghost, whom all adore,
 Reigning and blest forevermore.

 Let me not be put to shame in my hope.

 I hate double-minded men, but I love Thy law. Thou art my Hiding Place and my Shield; I hope in Thy Word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to Thy promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope. Hold me up that I may be safe and have regard for Thy statutes continually. Thou dost spurn all who go astray from Thy statutes; yea, their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross; therefore I love Thy testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments.  Glory be to the Father... (The antiphon repeated)

THE CHAPTER (Gal. 6:2)

 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
 Thanks be to God.

 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

 O Lord, hear my prayer.
 And let my cry come to Thee.

         O most gracious Jesus, our Lord and our God, who, as at this hour, didst bear our sins in Thine own body on the tree that we, being dead unto sin, might live unto righteousness, have mercy upon us, we beseech Thee, both now and at the hour of our death, and grant unto us, Thy humble servants, who have this Thy blessed Passion in devout remembrance, a godly and peaceful life in this present world and through Thy grace eternal glory in the life to come, where with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

 Let us bless the Lord.
 Thanks be to God.

  THE OFFICE AT NONE

THE VERSICLE

 Make haste, O God, to deliver me.
 Make haste to help me, O Lord.

(From Septuagesima to Holy Saturday, instead of the Alleluia
-- Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.)

THE HYMN

 O God, creation's secret Force,
 Thyself unmoved, yet motion's Source,
 Who from the morn till evening's ray
 Through every change does guide the day.

 Grant us, when this short life is past,
 The glorious evening that shall last,
 That, by a holy death attained,
 Eternal glory may be gained.

 Grant this, O Father, ever One
 With Jesus Christ, Thy only Son,
 And Holy Ghost, whom all adore,
 Reigning and blest forevermore.

 Give me understanding according to Thy Word.

 Let my cry come before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to Thy Word. Let my supplication come before Thee; deliver me according to Thy Word. My lips will pour forth praise that Thou dost teach me Thy statutes. My tongue will sing of Thy Word, for all Thy commandments are right. Let Thy hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Thy precepts. I long for Thy salvation, O Lord, and Thy Law is my delight. Let me live, that I may praise Thee, and let Thy ordinances help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant, for I do not forget Thy commandments.  Glory be to the Father... (The antiphon repeated)

THE CHAPTER (I Cor. 6:20)

 You were bought at a price, so glorify God in your body.
 Thanks be to God.

 Oh, cleanse Thou me from hidden faults.
 Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

 O Lord, hear my prayer.
 And let my cry come to Thee.

 Hear us, O merciful Lord Jesus Christ, and remember now the hour in which Thou didst commend Thy blessed spirit into the hands of Thy heavenly Father; and so assist us by this Thy most precious death that, being dead unto the world, we may live only unto Thee, and that at the hour of our departing from this mortal life we may be received into Thine everlasting kingdom, there to reign with Thee, world without end. Amen.

 Let us bless the Lord.
 Thanks be to God.

THE OFFICE AT COMPLINE

THE BLESSING

 The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.  Amen.

 Be sober, be watchful.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
 Thanks be to Thee, O God.

 Our help is in the name of the Lord.
 Who made heaven and earth.

THE CONFESSION

         I confess to God Almighty, before the whole company of heaven, and to my brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed by my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault, wherefore I pray God Almighty to have mercy on me, forgive me all my sins, and bring me to everlasting life.  Amen.

         The Almighty and merciful Lord grant to me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

 Restore us again, O God of our salvation.
 And put away Thy indignation toward us.

 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me.
 O Lord, make haste to help me.

(From Septuagesima to Holy Saturday, instead of the Alleluia
-- Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.)

THE PSALM ANTIPHON

 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.

Answer me when I call, O God of my right! Thou hast given me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lordhears when I call to him. Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O Lord!" Thou hast put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety.  Glory be to the Father...

THE PSALM (31:1-6)

In thee, O Lord, do I seek refuge; let me never be put to shame; in thy righteousness deliver me! Incline thy ear to me, rescue me speedily! Be thou a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! Yea, thou art my rock and my fortress; for thy name's sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net which is hidden for me, for thou art my refuge. Into thy hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. Thou hatest those who pay regard to vain idols; but I trust in the Lord.  Glory be to the Father...

THE PSALM (134)

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!  Glory be to the Father... (The antiphon repeated)

THE HYMN

 Before the ending of the day,
 Creator of the world we pray
 That with Thy wonted favor Thou
 Wouldst be our Guard and Keeper now.

 From all ill dreams defend our sight,
 From fears and terrors of the night;
 Withhold from us our ghostly foe
 That spot of sin we may not know.

 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.

 Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by Thy name; leave us not, O Lord, our God.
 Thanks be to God.

 Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
 Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

 For Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of truth.
 I commend my spirit.

 Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
 Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

 Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of an eye.
 Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings.

 Save us, O Lord, waking, and guard us sleeping that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace.  (In Eastertide shall be added: Alleluia)

 Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Thy people Israel.  Glory be to the Father... (The antiphon repeated)

THE KYRIE

 Lord, have mercy upon us.  Christ, have mercy upon us.  Lord, have mercy upon us.

 Vouchsafe, O Lord:
 To keep us this day without sin.

 O Lord, have mercy upon us.
 Have mercy upon us.

 O Lord, let Thy mercy be upon us:
 As our trust is in Thee.

 O Lord, hear my prayer.
 And let my cry come to Thee.

         Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let Thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace;  through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 The Lord be with you.
 And with Thy spirit.

 Let us bless the Lord.
 Thanks be to God.

 The Almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless and keep us.  Amen.

THE ITINERARY

THE ANTIPHON

 In the way of peace and prosperity the almighty and merciful Lord direct us; and may the angel Raphael accompany us on the way that we may return to our home in peace, in safety, and in joy.

 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life.  And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins through the tender mercy of our God when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.  Glory be to the Father...  (The antiphon repeated)

THE KYRIE

THE LORD'S PRAYER

 And lead us not into temptation:
 But deliver us from evil.

 O God, save Thy servants:
 Who trust in Thee.

 May He send us help from the sanctuary:
 And give us support from Zion.

 Be unto us, O Lord, a strong tower:
 Against all calamity.

 Let no evil happen to us.
 But guard us from all danger and peril.

 Blessed be the Lord today.
 The God of our salvation protect us.

 Make us know Thy ways, O Lord.
 Teach us Thy paths.

 Oh, that our ways may be steadfast:
 In keeping Thy statutes!

 The crooked ways shall be made straight.
 And the rough ways shall be made smooth.

 God will give His angels charge of you:
 To guard you in all your ways.

 Hear our prayer, O Lord.
 And let our cry come to Thee.

 The Lord be with you:
 And with Thy spirit.

         O God, who didst cause the Children of Israel to pass dry-shod through the midst of the sea and who by the leading of a star didst bring the Wise Men the way unto Thyself, grant to us, we beseech Thee, a prosperous journey and fair weather that, attended by Thy holy angel, we may happily arrive at the place whither we are going and finally attain to the haven of eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

         O God, who didst bring Abraham, Thy servant, from Ur of the Chaldees and didst keep him in safety through all the days of his pilgrimage, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst protect Thy servants; be to us, O Lord, in setting forth our Support, in the way a consolation, in heat a shadow, in rain and cold a covering, in weariness a chariot, in adversity a support, in slippery places a staff, in shipwreck a port that, Thou being our Leader, we may prosperously reach the place whither we go and at length return in safety to our home; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.  Amen.

         Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayer, and dispose the way of Thy servants toward the attainment of everlasting salvation that amongst all the changes and chances of this mortal life we may ever be defended by Thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

         Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that Thy family may walk in the way of salvation and, following the counsels of the blessed John, the forerunner, may safely come to Him whom he foretold, Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

 Let us go forth in peace:
 In the name of the Lord.  Amen.