Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

View the service for yesterday | today | tomorrow

Please note: Daily Prayer provided by the official Church of England web site, © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2002-2004.

		Evening Prayer from
		*The Book of Common Prayer*
		Friday, 11 September 2026
		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 59

1		Deliver me from mine enemies, O God * defend me from them that rise up against me.

2		O deliver me from the wicked doers * and save me from the blood-thirsty men.

3		For lo, they lie waiting for my soul * the mighty men are gathered against me, without any offence or fault of me, O Lord.

4		They run and prepare themselves without my fault * arise thou therefore to help me, and behold.

5		Stand up, O Lord God of hosts, thou God of Israel, to visit all the heathen * and be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness.

6		They go to and fro in the evening * they grin like a dog, and run about through the city.

7		Behold, they speak with their mouth, and swords are in their lips * for who doth hear?

8		But thou, O Lord, shalt have them in derision * and thou shalt laugh all the heathen to scorn.

9		My strength will I ascribe unto thee * for thou art the God of my refuge.

10		God sheweth me his goodness plenteously * and God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

11		Slay them not, lest my people forget it * but scatter them abroad among the people, and put them down, O Lord, our defence.

12		For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of their lips, they shall be taken in their pride * and why? their preaching is of cursing and lies.

13		Consume them in thy wrath, consume them, that they may perish * and know that it is God that ruleth in Jacob, and unto the ends of the world.

14		And in the evening they will return * grin like a dog, and will go about the city.

15		They will run here and there for meat * and grudge if they be not satisfied.

16		As for me, I will sing of thy power, and will praise thy mercy betimes in the morning * for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

17		Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing * for thou, O God, art my refuge, and my merciful God.
		Psalm 60

1		O God, thou hast cast us out, and scattered us abroad * thou hast also been displeased; O turn thee unto us again.

2		Thou hast moved the land, and divided it * heal the sores thereof, for it shaketh.

3		Thou hast shewed thy people heavy things * thou hast given us a drink of deadly wine.

4		Thou hast given a token for such as fear thee * that they may triumph because of the truth.

5		Therefore were thy beloved delivered * help me with thy right hand, and hear me.

6		God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice, and divide Sichem * and mete out the valley of Succoth.

7		Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine * Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my law-giver;

8		Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe * Philistia, be thou glad of me.

9		Who will lead me into the strong city * who will bring me into Edom?

10		Hast not thou cast us out, O God * wilt not thou, O God, go out with our hosts?

11		O be thou our help in trouble * for vain is the help of man.

12		Through God will we do great acts * for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
		Psalm 61

1		Hear my crying, O God * give ear unto my prayer.

2		From the ends of the earth will I call upon thee * when my heart is in heaviness.

3		O set me up upon the rock that is higher than I * for thou hast been my hope, and a strong tower for me against the enemy.

4		I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever * and my trust shall be under the covering of thy wings.

5		For thou, O Lord, hast heard my desires * and hast given an heritage unto those that fear thy Name.

6		Thou shalt grant the King a long life * that his years may endure throughout all generations.

7		He shall dwell before God for ever * O prepare thy loving mercy and faithfulness, that they may preserve him.

8		So will I alway sing praise unto thy Name * that I may daily perform my vows.


		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: Zechariah 8.9-end Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour. But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts. For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts, and I repented not: So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord. And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

	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: Mark 10.35-45 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto Jesus, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

	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 and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through 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 59

Psalm 60

Psalm 61

First Reading: Zechariah 8.9-end

Second Reading: Mark 10.35-45