As Written in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer
Today is Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The liturgical color of the day is PURPLE
The Psalter
Psalm 33
The Thirty-Third Psalm
Exultate, justi.
REJOICE in the LORD, O ye righteous; * for it be-cometh well the just to be thankful.
Praise the LORD with harp; * sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.
Sing unto the Lord a new song; * sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.
For the word of the LORD is true; * and all his works are faithful.
He loveth righteousness and judgment; * the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; * and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap; * and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.
Let all the earth fear the LORD: * stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.
For he spake, and it was done; * he commanded, and it stood fast.
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought, * and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect, and casteth out the counsels of princes.
The counsel of the LORD shall endure for ever, * and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord JEHOVAH; * and blessed are the folk that he hath chosen to him, to be his inheritance.
The LORD looketh down from heaven, and beholdeth all the children of men; * from the habitation of his dwelling, he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
He fashioneth all the hearts of them, * and understandeth all their works.
There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an host; * neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.
A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man; * neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, * and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, * and to feed them in the time of dearth.
Our soul hath patiently tarried for the LORD; * for he is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in him; * because we have hoped in his holy Name.
Let thy merciful kindness, O LORD, be upon us, * like as we do put our trust in thee.
The First Lesson
Isaiah 45:5-12, 15-19
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth? Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
The Second Lesson
I Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The Collect
The Second Sunday After Easter
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.