Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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		Evening Prayer from
		*The Book of Common Prayer*
		Saturday, 26 April 2025
		The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
¶		Introduction

		The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.

		The minister introduces the service

		Dearly beloved [brethren],
		the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
		and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;

		[and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
		the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
		but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
		obedient heart;
		to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
		by his infinite goodness and mercy.
		And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
		our sins before God;
		yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
		when we assemble and meet together
		to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
		received at his hands,
		to set forth his most worthy praise,
		to hear his most holy word,
		and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
		as well for the body as the soul.]

		Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
		as many as are here present,
		to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
		unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:

		(or)

		Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.

		Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.

All		Almighty and most merciful Father,
		we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
		We have followed too much the devices and desires
		of our own hearts.
		We have offended against thy holy laws.
		We have left undone those things
		which we ought to have done;
		and we have done those things
		which we ought not to have done;
		and there is no health in us.
		But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
		Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
		Restore thou them that are penitent;
		according to thy promises declared unto mankind
		in Christ Jesu our Lord.
		And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
		that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
		to the glory of thy holy name.
		Amen.

		A priest says

		Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
		who desireth not the death of a sinner,
		but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
		and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
		to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
		the absolution and remission of their sins:
		he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
		and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
		Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
		and his Holy Spirit,
		that those things may please him which we do at this present;
		and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
		so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.

		or other ministers may say

		Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
		to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
		that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
		and serve thee with a quiet mind;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.

All		Our Father, which art in heaven,
		hallowed be thy name;
		thy kingdom come;
		thy will be done,
		in earth as it is in heaven.
		Give us this day our daily bread.
		And forgive us our trespasses,
		as we forgive them that trespass against us.
		And lead us not into temptation;
		but deliver us from evil.
		For thine is the kingdom,
		the power and the glory,
		for ever and ever.
		Amen.
¶		Evening Prayer

		The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.

		These responses are used

		O Lord, open thou our lips
All		and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

		O God, make speed to save us.
All		O Lord, make haste to help us.

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
		and to the Holy Ghost;
All		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
		world without end. Amen.

		Praise ye the Lord.
All		The Lord's name be praised.

		Psalmody
		Psalm 119.145-176

145		I call with my whole heart * hear me, O Lord, I will keep thy statutes.

146		Yea, even unto thee do I call * help me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147		Early in the morning do I cry unto thee * for in thy word is my trust.

148		Mine eyes prevent the night-watches * that I might be occupied in thy words.

149		Hear my voice, O Lord, according unto thy loving-kindness * quicken me, according as thou art wont.

150		They draw nigh that of malice persecute me * and are far from thy law.

151		Be thou nigh at hand, O Lord * for all thy commandments are true.

152		As concerning thy testimonies, I have known long since * that thou hast grounded them for ever.

153		O consider mine adversity, and deliver me * for I do not forget thy law.

154		Avenge thou my cause, and deliver me * quicken me, according to thy word.

155		Health is far from the ungodly * for they regard not thy statutes.

156		Great is thy mercy, O Lord * quicken me, as thou art wont.

157		Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me * yet do I not swerve from thy testimonies.

158		It grieveth me when I see the transgressors * because they keep not thy law.

159		Consider, O Lord, how I love thy commandments * O quicken me, according to thy loving-kindness.

160		Thy word is true from everlasting * all the judgements of thy righteousness endure for evermore.

161		Princes have persecuted me without a cause * but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162		I am as glad of thy word * as one that findeth great spoils.

163		As for lies, I hate and abhor them * but thy law do I love.

164		Seven times a day do I praise thee * because of thy righteous judgements.

165		Great is the peace that they have who love thy law * and they are not offended at it.

166		Lord, I have looked for thy saving health * and done after thy commandments.

167		My soul hath kept thy testimonies * and loved them exceedingly.

168		I have kept thy commandments and testimonies * for all my ways are before thee.

169		Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord * give me understanding according to thy word.

170		Let my supplication come before thee * deliver me, according to thy word.

171		My lips shall speak of thy praise * when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172		Yea, my tongue shall sing of thy word * for all thy commandments are righteous.

173		Let thine hand help me * for I have chosen thy commandments.

174		I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord * and in thy law is my delight.

175		O let my soul live, and it shall praise thee * and thy judgements shall help me.

176		I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost * O seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.


		At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
		and to the Holy Ghost;
		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
		world without end. Amen.

		Old Testament Reading

		First Reading: Exodus 14.15-end And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.

	Magnificat

		Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.

1		My soul doth magnify the Lord :
		and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

2		For he hath regarded :
		the lowliness of his handmaiden.

3		For behold, from henceforth :
		all generations shall call me blessed.

4		For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
		and holy is his Name.

5		And his mercy is on them that fear him :
		throughout all generations.

6		He hath shewed strength with his arm :
		he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

7		He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
		and hath exalted the humble and meek.

8		He hath filled the hungry with good things :
		and the rich he hath sent empty away.

9		He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
		as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
		Luke 1.46-55

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
		and to the Holy Ghost;
		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
		world without end. Amen.

	New Testament Reading

		Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.51-end Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

	Nunc dimittis

		Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.

1		Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
		according to thy word.

2		For mine eyes have seen :
		thy salvation;

3		Which thou hast prepared :
		before the face of all people;

4		To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
		and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
		Luke 2.29-32

		Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
		and to the Holy Ghost;
		as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
		world without end. Amen.

	The Apostles' Creed

All		I believe in God the Father almighty,
		maker of heaven and earth:
		and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
		who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
		born of the Virgin Mary,
		suffered under Pontius Pilate,
		was crucified, dead, and buried.
		He descended into hell;
		the third day he rose again from the dead;
		he ascended into heaven,
		and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
		from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
		I believe in the Holy Ghost;
		the holy catholic Church;
		the communion of saints;
		the forgiveness of sins;
		the resurrection of the body,
		and the life everlasting.
		Amen.

	Prayers

		The Lord be with you.
All		And with thy spirit.

		Let us pray.

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

All		Our Father, which art in heaven,
		hallowed be thy name;
		thy kingdom come;
		thy will be done,
		in earth as it is in heaven.
		Give us this day our daily bread.
		And forgive us our trespasses,
		as we forgive them that trespass against us.
		And lead us not into temptation;
		but deliver us from evil. Amen.

		O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All		And grant us thy salvation.

		O Lord, save the King.
All		And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.

		Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All		And make thy chosen people joyful.

		O Lord, save thy people.
All		And bless thine inheritance.

		Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All		Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
		but only thou, O God.

		O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All		And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

		Three Collects are said.

	The Collect of the Day

		Almighty Father, who has given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may alway serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
All		Amen.


	The Collect for Peace

		O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
		and all just works do proceed;
		give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;
		that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments,
		and also that, by thee,
		we being defended from the fear of our enemies
		may pass our time in rest and quietness;
		through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All		Amen.

	The Collect for Aid against all Perils

		Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
		and by thy great mercy defend us
		from all perils and dangers of this night;
		for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All		Amen.

		The order for the end of the service may include:

		¶ hymns or anthems
		¶ a sermon
		¶ further prayers (which may include prayers from here)

		This prayer may be used to conclude the service

		The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
		and the love of God,
		and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
		be with us all evermore.
All		Amen.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are available from Church House Publishing.

Daily Prayer

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

Psalm 119.145-176

First Reading: Exodus 14.15-end

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.51-end