Psalmody

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 You alone I have grieved by my sin; have pity on me, O Lord.

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. You alone I have grieved by my sin; have pity on me, O Lord.

Ant. 2 Truly we know our offenses, Lord, for we have sinned against you.

Canticle: Jeremiah 14:17-21
The lament of the people in war and famine



Let my eyes stream with tears *
day and night, without rest,
over the great destruction which overwhelms †
the virgin daughter of my people, *
over her incurable wound.

If I walk out into the field, *
look! those slain by the sword;
if I enter the city, *
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest *
forage in a land they know not.

Have you cast Judah off completely? *
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow *
that cannot be healed?

We wait for peace, to no avail; *
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, †
the guilt of our fathers; *
that we have sinned against you.

For your name’s sake spurn us not, †
disgrace not the throne of your glory; *
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.

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. Truly we know our offenses, Lord, for we have sinned against you.

Ant. 3 The Lord is God; we are his people, the flock he shepherds.

When Psalm 100 is used as the invitatory, Psalm 95, above, is used as the second psalm of Morning Prayer.

Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple



Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. †
Serve the Lord with gladness. *
Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God. †
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.

Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.

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

God, devoted to us as a Father, you created us as a sign of your power, and elected us your people to show your goodness. Accept the thanks your children offer that all men may enter your courts praising you in song.

Ant. The Lord is God; we are his people, the flock he shepherds.

1st Reading

1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
   for an obligation has been imposed on me,
   and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
   but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach, I offer the Gospel free of charge
   so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel.

Although I am free in regard to all,
   I have made myself a slave to all
   so as to win over as many as possible.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the Gospel,
   so that I too may have a share in it.

Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race,
   but only one wins the prize?
Run so as to win.
Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.
They do it to win a perishable crown,
   but we an imperishable one.
Thus I do not run aimlessly;
   I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.
No, I drive my body and train it,
   for fear that, after having preached to others,
   I myself should be disqualified.