THE OFFICE AT COMPLINE

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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 Offices of the Hours, from the Appendix of Daily Office, Herbert Lindemann, Ed.  ©1965 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo.