Psalmody

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 When will I come to the end of my pilgrimage and enter the presence of God?

Psalm 42
Longing for the Lord’s presence in his Temple



Like the deer that yearns *
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning *
for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for God, *
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see *
the face of God?

My tears have become my bread, *
by night, by day,
as I hear it said all the day long: *
“Where is your God?”

These things will I remember *
as I pour out my soul:
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd *
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, *
the throng wild with joy.

Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.

My soul is cast down within me *
as I think of you,
from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon, *
from the Hill of Mizar.

Deep is calling on deep, *
in the roar of waters:
your torrents and all your waves *
swept over me.

By day the Lord will send *
his loving kindness;
by night I will sing to him, *
praise the God of my life.

I will say to God, my rock: *
“Why have you forgotten me?”
Why do I go mourning, *
oppressed by the foe?”

With cries that pierce me to the heart, *
my enemies revile me,
saying to me all the day long: *
“Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.

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 in heaven, when your strength takes possession of us we no longer say: Why are you cast down, my soul? So now that the surging waves of your indignation have passed over us, let us feel the healing calm of your forgiveness. Inspire us to yearn for you always, like the deer for running streams, until you satisfy every longing in heaven.

Ant. When will I come to the end of my pilgrimage and enter the presence of God?

Ant. 2 Lord, show us the radiance of your mercy.

Canticle: Sirach 36:1-5, 10-13
Prayer of entreaty for the holy city, Jerusalem



Come to our aid, O God of the universe, *
and put all the nations in dread of you!
Raise your hand against the heathen, *
that they may realize your power.

As you have used us to show them your holiness, *
so now use them to show us your glory.
Thus they will know, as we know, *
that there is no God but you.

Give new signs and work new wonders; *
show forth the splendor of your right hand and arm.

Gather all the tribes of Jacob, *
that they may inherit the land as of old.
Show mercy to the people called by your name; *
Israel, whom you named your first-born.

Take pity on your holy city, *
Jerusalem, your dwelling place.
Fill Zion with your majesty, *
your temple with your glory.

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. Lord, show us the radiance of your mercy.

Ant. 3 The vaults of heaven ring with your praise, O Lord.

Psalm 19A
Praise of the Lord, Creator of all



The heavens proclaim the glory of God *
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story *
and night unto night makes known the message.

No speech, no word, no voice is heard †
yet their span extends through all the earth, *
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.

There he has placed a tent for the sun; †
it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent, *
rejoices like a champion to run its course.

At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun; †
to the furthest end of the sky is its course. *
There is nothing concealed from its burning heat.

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

To enlighten the world, Father, you sent to us your Word as the sun of truth and justice shining upon mankind. Illumine our eyes that we may discern your glory in the many works of your hand.

Ant. The vaults of heaven ring with your praise, O Lord.

1st Reading

Heb 5:1-10

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters:
Every high priest is taken from among men
   and made their representative before God,
   to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,
   for he himself is beset by weakness
   and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself
   as well as for the people.
No one takes this honor upon himself
   but only when called by God,
   just as Aaron was.
In the same way,
   it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,
   but rather the one who said to him:
      You are my Son:
   this day I have begotten you;
   just as he says in another place,
   You are a priest forever
      according to the order of Melchizedek.
In the days when he was in the Flesh,
   he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears
   to the one who was able to save him from death,
   and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
   and when he was made perfect,
   he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.