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5.49pm on Friday 5 December 2025

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

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    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Saturday, 6 December 2025
Nicolas, Bishop of Myra, c.326
  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 32

  
 

  
1
 Blessed is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven *
 and whose sin is covered.
  
 
  
2
 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin *
 and in whose spirit there is no guile.
  
 
  
3
 For while I held my tongue *
 my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.
  
 
  
4
 For thy hand is heavy upon me day and night *
 and my moisture is like the drought in summer.
  
 
  
5
 I will acknowledge my sin unto thee *
 and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.
  
 
  
6
 I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord *
 and so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.
  
 
  
7
 For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found *
 but in the great water-floods they shall not come nigh him.
  
 
  
8
 Thou art a place to hide me in, thou shalt preserve me from trouble *
 thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
  
 
  
9
 I will inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go *
 and I will guide thee with mine eye.
  
 
  
10
 Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding *
 whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, lest they fall upon thee.
  
 
  
11
 Great plagues remain for the ungodly *
 but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord, mercy embraceth him on every side.
  
 
  
12
 Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord *
 and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.
  
 

Psalm 33

  
 

  
1
 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous *
 for it becometh well the just to be thankful.
  
 
  
2
 Praise the Lord with harp *
 sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.
  
 
  
3
 Sing unto the Lord a new song *
 sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage.
  
 
  
4
 For the word of the Lord is true *
 and all his works are faithful.
  
 
  
5
 He loveth righteousness and judgement *
 the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
  
 
  
6
 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made *
 and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.
  
 
  
7
 He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were upon an heap *
 and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.
  
 
  
8
 Let all the earth fear the Lord *
 stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.
  
 
  
9
 For he spake, and it was done *
 he commanded, and it stood fast.
  
 
  
10
 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.
  
 
  
11
 The counsel of the Lord shall endure for ever *
 and the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation.
  
 
  
12
 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.
  
 
  
13
 The Lord looked down from heaven, and beheld all the children of men *
 from the habitation of his dwelling he considereth all them that dwell on the earth.
  
 
  
14
 He fashioneth all the hearts of them *
 and understandeth all their works.
  
 
  
15
 There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of an host *
 neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.
  
 
  
16
 A horse is counted but a vain thing to save a man *
 neither shall he deliver any man by his great strength.
  
 
  
17
 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him *
 and upon them that put their trust in his mercy;
  
 
  
18
 To deliver their soul from death *
 and to feed them in the time of dearth.
  
 
  
19
 Our soul hath patiently tarried for the Lord *
 for he is our help, and our shield.
  
 
  
20
 For our heart shall rejoice in him *
 because we have hoped in his holy Name.
  
 
  
21
 Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon us *
 like as we do put our trust in thee.
  
 

Psalm 34

  
 

  
1
 I will alway give thanks unto the Lord *
 his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
  
 
  
2
 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord *
 the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
  
 
  
3
 O praise the Lord with me *
 and let us magnify his Name together.
  
 
  
4
 I sought the Lord, and he heard me *
 yea, he delivered me out of all my fear.
  
 
  
5
 They had an eye unto him, and were lightened *
 and their faces were not ashamed.
  
 
  
6
 Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him *
 yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles.
  
 
  
7
 The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him *
 and delivereth them.
  
 
  
8
 O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is *
 blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
  
 
  
9
 O fear the Lord, ye that are his saints *
 for they that fear him lack nothing.
  
 
  
10
 The lions do lack, and suffer hunger *
 but they who seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good.
  
 
  
11
 Come, ye children, and hearken unto me *
 I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
  
 
  
12
 What man is he that lusteth to live *
 and would fain see good days?
  
 
  
13
 Keep thy tongue from evil *
 and thy lips, that they speak no guile.
  
 
  
14
 Eschew evil, and do good *
 seek peace, and ensue it.
  
 
  
15
 The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous *
 and his ears are open unto their prayers.
  
 
  
16
 The countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil *
 to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
  
 
  
17
 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them *
 and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
  
 
  
18
 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart *
 and will save such as be of an humble spirit.
  
 
  
19
 Great are the troubles of the righteous *
 but the Lord delivereth him out of all.
  
 
  
20
 He keepeth all his bones *
 so that not one of them is broken.
  
 
  
21
 But misfortune shall slay the ungodly *
 and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
  
 
  
22
 The Lord delivereth the souls of his servants *
 and all they that put their trust in him shall not be destitute.
  
 
     
    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: Isaiah 44.24 - 45.13

Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

 

Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
 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.
 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.

       
  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: Revelation 22.6-end

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

     
  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  
     
    Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
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.
     
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