Psalmody

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.

Psalm 51
O God, have mercy on me



Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. *
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt *
and cleanse me from my sin.

My offenses truly I know them; *
my sin is always before me
Against you, you alone, have I sinned; *
what is evil in your sight I have done.

That you may be justified when you give sentence *
and be without reproach when you judge.
O see, in guilt I was born, *
a sinner was I conceived.

Indeed you love truth in the heart; *
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean; *
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, *
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face *
and blot out all my guilt.

A pure heart create for me, O God, *
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, *
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

Give me again the joy of your help; *
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways *
and sinners may return to you.

O rescue me, God, my helper, *
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips *
and my mouth shall declare your praise.

For in sacrifice you take no delight, *
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit. *
A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

In your goodness, show favor to Zion: *
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, *
Holocausts offered on your altar.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Father, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, to save us and restore us to your friendship. Look upon our contrite heart and afflicted spirit and heal our troubled conscience, so that in the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit we may proclaim your praise and glory before all the nations.

Ant. A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.

Ant. 2 Even in your anger, Lord, you will remember compassion.

Canticle: Habakkuk 3:2-4, 13a, 15-19
God comes to judge



O Lord, I have heard your renown, *
and feared, O Lord, your work.
In the course of the years revive it, †
in the course of the years make it known; *
in your wrath remember compassion!

God comes from Teman, *
the Holy One from Mount Paran.
Covered are the heavens with his glory, *
and with his praise the earth is filled.

His splendor spreads like the light; †
rays shine forth from beside him, *
where his power is concealed.
You come forth to save your people, *
to save your anointed one.

You tread the sea with your steeds *
amid the churning of the deep waters.
I hear, and my body trembles; *
at the sound, my lips quiver.

Decay invades my bones, *
my legs tremble beneath me.
I await the day of distress *
that will come upon the people who attack us.

For though the fig tree blossom not *
nor fruit be on the vines,
though the yield of the olive fail *
and the terraces produce no nourishment,

though the flocks disappear from the fold *
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet will I rejoice in the Lord *
and exult in my saving God.

God, my Lord, is my strength; †
he makes my feet swift as those of hinds *
and enables me to go upon the heights.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Even in your anger, Lord, you will remember compassion.

Ant. 3 O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!

Psalm 147:12-20
The restoration of Jerusalem



O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! *
Zion, praise your God!

He has strengthened the bars of your gates, *
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders, *
he feeds you with finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earth *
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool, *
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.

He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. *
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them: *
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.

He makes his word known to Jacob, *
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations; *
he has not taught them his decrees.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm Prayer

Lord you established peace within the borders of Jerusalem. Give the fullness of peace to your faithful people. May peace rule us in this life and possess us in eternal life. You are about to fill us with the best of wheat; grant that what we see dimly now as in a mirror, we may come to perceive clearly in the brightness of your truth.

Ant. O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!

1st Reading

Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Nahum

See, upon the mountains there advances
   the bearer of good news,
   announcing peace!
Celebrate your feasts, O Judah,
   fulfill your vows!
For nevermore shall you be invaded
   by the scoundrel; he is completely destroyed.
The LORD will restore the vine of Jacob,
   the pride of Israel,
Though ravagers have ravaged them
   and ruined the tendrils.

Woe to the bloody city, all lies,
   full of plunder, whose looting never stops!
The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels;
   horses a-gallop, chariots bounding,
Cavalry charging, the flame of the sword, the flash of the spear,
   the many slain, the heaping corpses,
   the endless bodies to stumble upon!
I will cast filth upon you,
   disgrace you and put you to shame;
Till everyone who sees you runs from you, saying,
   “Nineveh is destroyed; who can pity her?
   Where can one find any to console her?”